MICHAEL MANNNG'S 10 BLOGS OF APRIL PAST: THE CONCLUSION: (#1)
Photo: Courtesy of Michael E. Keating
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Easily one of the most important BLOGS I 've ever posted, this originally appeared on my website back in September, 2005 and again the following January. It also is a fitting close to my "10 Blogs of April Past!"
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Jenna McVey personifies what real Courage means to me. She is a Hero to me. Here is her story as I told it 4 years ago. It is an Honor to be able to share it with you again.
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Those of you who have followed this BLOG over the past summer recall that my heartstrings were grabbed from merely picking up the morning paper over a cup of coffee and seeing the young lady pictured above, Jenna McVey, 16 of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. My thanks to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Michael E. Keating for capturing this image; I'm sorry I couldn't make it clearer, but had my friend Tricia (who was introduced to me by Denny Shane) not stepped in to help me with my lack of software to convert this picture, many of you would not understand what I was talking about last September 26, 2005.
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This High School Junior has more Heart and more Courage than most adults I've met in my short life. A beautiful Belgium Draft Horse with a strawberry reddish brown coat and blond locks stood absolutely alone in a stall, after an infection turned her beautiful round Blue Eyes into a milky white color and left her permanently blind due to a virulent infection. Her name is "Nelly"; many call her "Blind Beauty". This horse isn't even supposed to be alive! But for the Grace of Jenna: "She never got out (of her stall) so I felt sorry for her. I just saw her and fell in love with her".
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Well, as friendships---even special Love develops over time--Jenna started visiting the lonely horse more often. After school, she brought her school books and read her assignments or her favorite childhood tales aloud to "Nelly". Blind for 2 years, the horse was scheduled to be sent to a processing plant to be killed--a Legislation post I recently shared on January 21st and encouraged all of you to sign off on to prevent this cruelty.
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Today, thanks must go to Jenna's parents. They purchased the beautiful horse and gave her Life. She even responds to her shortened name, "Beauty". Jenna and the horse bonded in Love and in Trust. They protect one another. "Nelly is my favorite thing", Jenna says. "I'd rather come out here and sit with her in a stall than have a million dollars".
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Here is a sweet young girl who has her priorities in order. My only regret is that I couldn't bring you the photo at the top of this page sooner. My own personal philosophy is that God definitely had a hand in my finding this story and leading me to Tricia ( of "Wood Not Wood" via Denny Shane of "My Anything But Normal Life" Blog Fame) who scanned the photo for me when I was technically challenged. This photo serves to shed light in a world that seems to grow darker with so much negativity in the Media. It doesn't have to be this way! There are good stories and happy endings to tell and this is one of them.
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Jenna made a difference. Her parents should be very proud of her and I hope one day to be able to meet all of them and share a NEW picture with my young Hero! Miracles can and do happen if we have the Will to see them through.
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Post Script, 2009:So much has changed in four years. Denny Shane is sadly no longer able to post on his Blogsite. Tricia Weight has a book published as does another dear friend of mine, Kathryn Magendie. Cincinnati Enquirer Photographer Michael E. Keaton and I spoke twice by telephone. We both tried to locate The McVey Family for me to visit them for a follow-up BLOG. But it was not to be. What is most important for me is that Jenna's story has now been shared!
Good Morning! This BLOG originally posted on June 2nd, 2008:
My parents used to talk endlessly about the great Sid Caesar and I Thank God, we still have this warm, comical genius with us to remind all ages of viewers what real Humor and Talent is. Sid is an American Treasure and a Genius with a Comedic Talent that will never be equaled. May he live long, live well and continue making us laugh! --Michael
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Footnote: It's important to laugh in life, and today we will enjoy laughter. Tomorrow, we close with an unforgettable BLOG Post about what a difference a teenage girl has made in the world! As I said: "Stick around!"
How I pictured a casual date at home: jeans and mischevious behavior!
A Date with the Judge Huh? Read on...
This is an excerpt from a Blog that I posted in November, 2005.
From the "Strange Dreams While You Sleep Department": I was the sole defendant and litigant in Judge Marilyn Milian's "The People's Court" (the television show). If Maxim magazine has ever interviewed this lady I must have missed it...but not in my dreams.
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Here's what happened. I stepped up to the microphone in her court room and the Bailiff announced my case: (I Petitioned her for a date, yes, quite bold). One look at her facial expression in the photo above is a tip off to the outcome. Still, it was not for lack of effort. I was attired in my favorite Italian cut suit, and after Judge Milian was advised of the reason for my appearance she snickered--yes from the bench--I SWEAR under oath! Here's how it all went down:
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Judge Milian:"Mr. Manning, in all my years on the bench, I've never had anyone come in here without a case to plead whose sole motive was to ask me out. You do realize I am married with three daughters?"
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Manning:"I'm aware of that, Your Honor but there are extenuating circumstances".
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Judge Milian: (Truly amused and smiling): "Really? I'm not aware of any. Would you care to enlighten me?"
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Manning:"Well, is there an impending divorce?" (Looking back, the only other person I can possibly imagine uttering this line is Clint Eastwood through squinted eyes wearing his wardrobe from the movie Joe Kidd--Google it, we'll wait).
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Judge Milian: (still amused and smiling...a great smile too!): "Not to my knowledge. But we could take a five minute recess and I can call my husband from my chambers to ask him".
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(Notice that she offers to make the phone call alone while the rest of us are presumably sitting in the court room. You didn't catch that? Re-read her line again! And to think I had a flask with Cognac and two glasses in my briefcase...Such a waste. We would probably be able to hear a one-way phone conversation--outrageous laughter! Anyway, back to the story):
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She would have to say that. In fact, I tried to imagine sharing this dialogue with any trial lawyer worth their salt and thinking about their reaction. I was basically Duck Soup!
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Just then I awoke (God is merciful). Could you imagine the embarrassment of my having to be interviewed on the way out of the court room by the moderator asking me what I thought about the outcome? ...Nevertheless, do I have good tastes or what?
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A Footnote: We've almost wrapped up my "10 Blogs of April Past". Stick around. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised where we wind up by May 1st. Just enjoy and have a nice Tuesday!
This BLOG Post was originally called "10 Stupid Things I Did As A Kid".
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If you just happen to be joining us, we are in the midst of a humorous look back at 10 carefully selected BLOG Posts I wrote beginning in 2005. These posts were chosen to close out the final 10 days of April--a very intense month. We began counting backwards from "10". By the time we reach the last day on Thursday, you will have (hopefully) laughed to the point of tears, been inspired and had your Faith in Humanity restored. May 1st will signal of course, a new beginning. But for now...let's just Laugh!
Michael
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#10.) After getting my drivers license I bent over slightly to put the key in the drivers door, then proceeded to open it on my face and knocked myself out cold between my parent's house and our neighbor's. No one noticed...
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#9.) Thought it would be hysterical to try torturing my older sister at the dinner table by repeating every word she uttered a tenth of a second off. She told me to stop. I should have. I was laughing so hard and kept it up. She wasn't laughing at all and kicked my ass.
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#8.) Fractured my wrist by trying to play as a blocker in a football game. I was probably 90 pounds wringing wet at the time. My opponent weighed around 160. Two hours later I was wearing a cast on my left arm.
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#7.) Decided to impersonate Beatle Ringo Starr by collecting two large discarded Maxwell House coffee cans for drums and using ballpoint pens as drumsticks. I "borrowed" one of my sisters Beatles LP's (since she was out of the house) and cranked it up. By the end of "A Hard Day's Night" I was covered with blotches of blue ink.
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#6.) My best friend (who grew up next door to me) and I decided to collect some colorful Autumn leaves, put them inside some discarded jewelry boxes we found in a dumpster and try selling them door to door to raise cash. We were laughed out of business in 15 minutes. I wonder what "The Donald" would make of this on "Celebrity Apprentice"? Wait...we were never Celebrities!
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#5.) One of my first jobs: I was on a ladder working on an awning, when I turned to stare at a good looking girl who just parked her car and got out across the street. My ladder shifted and fell onto the parking lot below with me hanging onto the awning with one hand. The girl sprang into action and ran across the street and set the ladder back up so I could come down. Embarrassing? You bet. I felt like "Hermie" in the movie "Summer of 42" with Jennifer O'Neill!
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#4.) Another row with my older sister. Arguing on the stairs.My sister:"Get up here or I'll beat your butt!" (probably discovered my fingerprints on her Beatles LP's and verified it at the local FBI lab). Me:"No!"My sister:"I'm going to count to three".Me: (I had a mouth at age 8) "I don't give a damn if you count or not!", I said rearing backwards for emphasis. Too bad I lost my grip on the banister. I did two back flips down half a flight of stairs before landing at the bottom. (Yeah, I was banged up, but go ahead and laugh. I can't hear you--sound effects of 4 people rushing down the stairs with an ice pack!).
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#3.) We put together a garage band and charged fifteen cents a ticket. The neighborhood kids showed up. Our first "concert". We knew two songs but managed to jam for half an hour, then refused an Encore. (Is Jerry Garcia smiling from Heaven at this, or what?)
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#2.) I was in a junior high school talent show. Audience count: 600. I started playing my electric guitar when the amp blew. Lights down-stage left (audience laughing...I wasn't).
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#1.) My parents decided I was old enough that they could leave me home alone while they went out to dinner. It was a summer night. I watched the tail lights of their car disappear down the street, opened the window in my room, lifted my practice amp up and placed it in on the window sill and proceeded to give the neighborhood a "free concert". There were cat calls and cheers from the neighbors sitting outside on their porches. A police car pulled up. I took off my guitar, killed the power on the amp and turned off the lights. The police didn't fall for it. I refused to answer the doorbell. The next day my parents answered to the police (no, not the rock band).
Oh, God is this Hilarious! This Blog posted in October, 2008 as "Sunday with John Ritter".
Yesterday afternoon I decided to phone a friend of mine from college. This movie clip is pretty much how he described his dating life to me over the phone. I was laughing so hard for over an hour --literally in tears-- listening to one crazy "adventure" after another---you can't imagine! So, this film clip pretty much sums up how things are going for him. Disclaimer: I was going to say that this film clip certainly doesn't reflect my life at all, but then the last two women...nah, why add insult to injury? Watch the clip!
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Note from Michael: It is with genuine sadness that I feel the need to honor the Great Actress Bea Arthur who passed away. She was best known from the television series' "Maude" and "The Golden Girls". God Bless her! She was a pioneer, an innovator and always with Class. Story below:
Lalo Schifrin is a true "Renaissance Man". A pianist, composer and conductor, he is equally at home conducting a symphony orchestra, performing at an international jazz festival, scoring a film or television show, or creating works for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the London Philharmonic and even The Sultan of Oman. His Classical music training took began in his home of Argentina where he also studied Law. He came from a musical family, and his father, Luis Schifrin, was the concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Buenos Aires at the Teatro Colon. Lalo continued his formal music education at the Paris Conservatory during the early 1950’s. Simultaneously, he became a professional jazz pianist, composer and arranger, playing and recording in Europe.When Schifrin returned to Buenos Aires in the mid 1950’s, he formed his own big concert band. It was during a performance of this band that Dizzy Gillespie heard Schifrin play and asked him to become his pianist and arranger. In 1958, Schifrin moved to the United States and thus began a remarkable career. My Blog is much too small to do his Biography justice. Here are scant "glimpses", then I'll tell you where to read more if you'd like! In the classical composition field, Schifrin has more than 60 works. He has written more than 100 scores for films and television. Among the classic scores are “Mission Impossible", “Mannix,”“The Fox,”“Cool Hand Luke,”“Bullitt,”“Dirty Harry,” “The Cincinnati Kid,”and “Amityville Horror.” Hey, what about film scores? Well, they include “Tango,” “Rush Hour,” “Rush Hour 2,” “Bringing Down The House”, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” “After the Sunset,” and “Abominable.”To date, Lalo Schifrin has won 4 Grammy Awards (with 21 Nominations), one Cable ACE Award, and received 6 Oscar nominations and (as I can personally testify to) he has a Star on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame"Hollywood Walk of Fame". As a jazz musician he has performed and recorded with great personalities such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, and Count Basie.In January 2000, Schifrin premiered a new work for jazz big band, “Esperanto.” This work features soloists Jean-Luc Ponty (a fusion violinist whom I've seen twice in concert), Don Byron, Nestor Marconi, James Morrison, Trilok Gurtu, Sydney Thiam, Greg Hutchinson, Simon Stockhausen and the WDR Big Band. “Esperanto” was released on CD in September, 2000. Schifrin has been married to his wife, Donna, for more than 30 years. His three children include William, who is a writer for films and television; Frances, who is an art director/designer; and Ryan, who is a film writer/director.I featured him on my Blog last year and it was very popular. Enjoy!
This BLOG Post originally posted August 3, 2005... It was entitled "A Character Named Andre"
(1938-1997).
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This is a short story about a Frenchman named Andre'. After watching "The Motorcycle Diaries" he came to mind for this post for one of two reasons. Born in Niece, raised in Geneva he was always in the Limo business. He looked to me as his adopted brother almost 30 years after his own brother died while installing the very first IBM mainframe computer in the Bank of Geneva. To assuage his grief, Andre' fled to the bank, locked himself inside with 4 armed guards and completed the installation--drinking pots of French coffee and smoking cigarettes for 48 straight hours. The President of IBM at the time later sent Andre' a letter stating that he had no idea what a complex feat he had completed. Andre' had a 9th grade education and never touched a computer!
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He also never touched alcohol, had nearly every woman he ever wanted and became Marlene Dietrich's personal driver (he couldn't stand her). Among other celebs, Jackie O' and his personal favorite: Mary Martin ("Peter Pan"). In that thick French accent, he played "Name That Tune" with Mary on the way to the airport for years. Jackie O' and Andre' clashed one night during a Geneva ice storm at a mountain resort after he informed Jackie and a Secret Service man in tow that he needed to apply snow chains to the rear tires. Afterwards, the Secret Service man hounded Andre' to impress Jackie O' for the entire trip to "C'Mon, step on it!"--that is, until Andre' skidded to a stop, turned around and pointed a finger and said "YOU SHUT UP, OR WE'RE NOTGOING ANYWHERE!" Quite the traveler, he visited every country on earth except 5 and fell deeply, madly, hopelessly in love with a waitress in a coffee shop. Life was good. Then...
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One night he called me late. "I need to talk to you". I said, "Can it wait til tomorrow?" (I was dead tired). He cut to the point. "No. I have Cancer.""How bad?", I asked feeling tense. "Bad. I'm at the coffee shop. Please come. I just told Marsha. you're the second person on earth to know. Please." I replied, "Stay put, I'm on my way". And so it was that he had Stage IV Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma with 6 months to live. I arrived and he was smoking and nursing a cup of coffee. A handshake, remaining hands atop one another-we said nothing, both nodding at each other--all those years of friendship, including the years that would never be-the future would be cut short. As the details came out he asked me to help him accomplish three last wishes. First, he wanted to get into Chemotherapy and achieve a remission long enough to take his girlfriend to Europe. Second, he wanted to finish reassembling and customizing his 60 foot sailboat he fought to retain from a crooked partner ( he fought and won all the way to The Supreme Court). Third, he asked me to help him get his Pilot's License renewed (we loved to stay up at night and have animated conversations about planes, physics, women and news of the day until 2 a.m.). His girlfriend always cooked a great dinner and said "You guys enjoy yourselves, I'm off to bed" (they now owned a successful Executive Sedan and Limo service). Through sheer Will, we had Andre' 5 years and 3 months, instead of the 6 months the doctors told us!
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He had several remarkable remissions and did take Marsha off to Italy, Germany, England, Spain, France and Switzerland. Before he died, he said "I want you to finish that degree (my BA) and do some Yoga". I did both--earning my B.A. two years after we lost him, and the Yoga this past Spring--one session (the subject of a separate posting)! The boat was called Le Clochard("The Hobo") and was the first and the last boat I will ever rebuild in 100 degree heat. We had many fun sails in that boat. The third wish would be tougher. To get his flying license renewed meant passing a physical. That was out (he continued to smoke 2 packs a day). But I had an idea.
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A talented Geologist who was a friend of mine wrote me a letter and said that he wanted to network me to Gary, a recently retired 727/747 airline Captain who just finished his Ph.D and wanted to meet me after hearing me on radio. We met at his home situated on an Airpark and later I brought Andre' into the picture (along with all of my friends). One Sunday morning, we quietly made our way to a facility where Gary taught Aeronautics. The facility of course had Flight Simulators. Andre' would be in the same right seat that I sat in flying a Lear Jet 35. While the two guys selected airports, takeoffs, landings and "TOGA"s" (take off thrust and go-around) I slept like a cat in the Pilots Lounge. When they emerged after 2 hours, Andre' looked as happy as a little kid who had just received his first sled for Christmas! He met his three goals and not three months later he was gone. In the same neighborhood LeAnn Rimes grew up in, on a tiny patch of front lawn, Porches, Mercedes Benz and BMW automobiles lined the street as CEO's from the biggest consulting and law firms in Texas came to pay their last respects to the Frenchman with Charisma and a big heart. Andre's two sons spoke first, Tandy-his buddy of 23 years went next and I went last--10 years of friendship. Weeks before he said: "Michael, do not feel sorry for me. I've lived and traveled and partied with princesses, their twin sisters in some cases, older women, younger women; I've sailed, hitchhiked across Australia, been on safari's, owned restaurants and bars, argued with the Kennedy's, and I am content. I have no regrets. I've accomplished everything I could ever imagine". He had a sense of humor and loved Verdi. We debated Princess Diana's death in his final 18 months; my friends became his friends and in the end I wrote his Obit in the newspaper. And, oh before I forget. I said at the beginning of this that there were two reasons. "The Motorcycle Diaries" sounded an awful lot like conversations we had about life. But Reason Number Two: on the anniversary of his passing, I too say, with no regret: he lived an exciting life and was a great friend, teacher and brother who would have demanded: "No sadness!"
When this magazine cover came out, I remember being in the grocery line and listening to the comments others were making. I just remained quiet...yup, very quiet. (She's the one on the right side of the cover)...
Dixie ChickMartie Maguire...
This BLOG Post originally posted in September, 2005:
It was 1990, my first year in broadcasting. Foolishly, I went from TV to Radio and that means you learn the ropes working the "Graveyard Shift" pulling news copy, writing news, front and back announcing music and producing and voicing commercials. I met her at a Dallas restaurant called "The Vickery Feed Store" (which has since burned down). I remember that it was a Monday night and the restaurant had the best chicken salad dish around. But the place was also deserted. Two people sat in the dining room; I was the only soul at the bar with a salad and a cup of coffee.
It was around 10 P.M. when a very pretty slim girl with short blond hair walked in and sat two bar stools away from me wearing jeans, a T-shirt and cowboy boots. Very cute! We struck up a conversation. She was a musician in a five girl bluegrass group that performed up the street from my apartment community at a small dive called "Poor David's Pub". I had never heard of her group. She wasn't famous, and it would be six years before she became a millionaire. She seemed shy as I asked what she did; she asked what I did too, and a discussion began. Now, guys face it. You know when a conversation is going well or not. Right? Well, we were laughing like hell and genuinely having a rollicking good time for over an hour! Even though I had never heard of the band she played in, she was familiar with the radio station where I was working. But despite all of the fun we were having, I needed to get to the station early to prepare for a newscast. So I suggested we meet at the restaurant for lunch or dinner on me sometime. I felt that was low key with no pressure. She said "Yeah, you know something? I'd like that!" She then asked if I had a business card. I said they were in the print shop. So, I asked her if she had a phone number! She looked embarrassed and said she was in the process of getting a telephone. From what she shared, the band that she was singing and playing in was really struggling.
At that point she opened her purse, pulled out a pen and reached across me for a paper napkin, plopped both pen and napkin down in front of me with enthusiasm, a big smile and said, "Tell ya what. Do me a favor. Write down your name, home and work number and I'll call you. I'll be right back. Will you watch my purse?" I said, "Sure". A footnote: In 1990, cell phones were expensive "bag phones" or "mobile phones". Nothing like the slim pocket cell phones of today and neither of us had one. As I swiveled my bar stool around, I had a straight-ahead view of both rest room doors and there was a pay phone on the wall of this rustic restaurant in between the Men's and Ladies Rooms. I should mention that the bartender was a buddy of mine who was newly married. He said, "That girl looks vaguely familiar. She comes in sometimes but I don't know anything about her". I should also mention that in virtually every instance where I told this story to another women, the fact that Martie left her purse behind with me is always pointed out. Yeah, and that was how it happened too! This makes a big difference in someone really grasping the story; it "puts teeth into it"--so to speak. So I waited...and waited...Five minutes...Fifteen...Twenty-Five...at Thirty Five Minutes there was no sign of her. I had a waitress go inside the Ladies Room to check on her. How do I put this? She was confirmed to be in the Ladies Room. There. So, being technically in charge of the security of her purse, I was in a time jam and had to leave for my air shift! I handed the purse to the bartender and left my information for her with her pen on the white paper napkin just as she had asked and headed to work. I brushed it off and just expected her to call later. Well, the call never came and all these years later, I remain genuinely puzzled because we really enjoyed each other's company and I never did figure out what happened (although women who are friends of mine have offered various scenarios and none of them reflected badly on me. I can't confirm or deny any of these hypotheses).
The next day, I stopped in to see my bartending friend to get the scoop. He said. "Hey, dude. About ten minutes after you left, that girl you were talking with came out of the rest room and asked about you. I told her you had to go to work. Her first question was whether you left her the paper napkin with your contact information on it. I handed it to her with her purse and she stuffed it inside and asked what she owed. I told her you picked up her tab, and she said 'Oh, that was sweet of him'. Then she walked out". This prompted me to ask my bar tending buddy what he thought of my conversation with this girl since he was within ear shot. "Man, I thought you guys were going to leave together. It sounded rockin' to me. Did she call?" Fast forward to winter, 2004.
On the morning a surrogate mother gave birth to Martie's twins, I was asked by a friend in radio to fill in for him because he had the Flu. He worked for a 100,000 Watt Progressive Country FM station that billed itself as "Today's Hot Country". The Associated Press picked up the story and I wrote my own copy and read it during my newscast. I would be fooling you if I didn't admit to some strange feelings being in the role of reporting this news to thousands of listeners about a lady I had a meal and laughs with (not to mention a tentative date fourteen years earlier). Perhaps some things are meant to be. After my newscast, the DJ asked me on a separate frequency through my headset if I would repeat my story (I told him) to their audience. I saw no harm in it. In fact, Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" was running through my mind and I wasn't "name dropping" at all because I really did not know who this girl was until years later when the band became well known! After I told the story to the morning "drive time" audience, the DJ said, "Hey Michael! Do you think there might have been a window in that john?" I had an answer. "No, because it was located in an inside wall!" He asked me if I had any thoughts for her. I said that I wished her well and that I was certain those babies had to be cute. That was it. I finished my friends air shift and left Radio forever with that newscast, just as I started-- with this girl in the picture. On the drive home in my Ford Mustang GT, I told God: "Man, you have got a STRANGE sense of humor". It was winter time, cold and overcast and that drive home was sobering. Or as my 6th grade teacher, Mike Angleo told us regularly: "Makes you stop and wonder." Sure does, Mr. Angelo.
"The Donald" standing on the freshly poured Wollman Ice Rink...
Hey? He got the job done!
This originally posted back on July 2, 2005 "Rambo & The Wollman Ice Rink!"
Here's a Winter-time story to help you beat the Summer heat! The house where I grew up as a kid had this weird driveway that wrapped around the back of the house where the garage was built under the family room. To park the family car inside the garage meant driving down a slope with a stone wall to either side. Mid-West winters ran from picturesque to downright dangerous with this driveway and in between watching ABC's "Wide World of Sports", I thought it was a scream to watch my father backing his car out during countless failed Olympian attempts and burning rubber. I'd pull out a kitchen chair and kneel on it with my hands on the living room windowsill watching this spectacle. Very exciting! (Looking back, I could have used a bag of buttered pop corn) After some close calls with the wall, my father pulled what I call a "Sly Stallone" (RAMBO) and attached a garden hose to the hot water tap on the basement sink to melt the ice--and it worked! It was the "thrill of victory" over the "agony of defeat". Parked safely atop the driveway, he closed the wooden garage door and joined my two brothers and myself for lunch--ham sandwiches! We were watching TV when a meter reader from the City Water Department made his way around the back of our weird driveway. Dressed in rubber galoshes, corduroy pants, a winter coast and a Flap Cap that reminded me of the "Floyd R. Turbo" character from "The Tonight Show", he walked along as he called out: "Meter reader!...Water man!...Meter reader!" (This was our cue to open the garage door to give the guy access to the water meter in the basement). Realizing that the water had re-frozen on the driveway, my brothers and I looked at each other with eyes as big as saucers and yelled out "THE DRIVEWAY!" as we jumped up and scrambled to the basement stairs. The last words we from outside the house as we reached the basement door to the garage were: "Water... METER!-METER!!-METER!!!-METER!" followed by a loud crash against the garage door. Poor guy. Opening the door, we found him sprawled out on his back with his clip board ten feet away. We helped him to his feet and brought him inside for some hot chocolate. My father's fresh glaze of frozen ice would have made Donald Trump as proud as he was the day he cut the ribbon for the newly-renovated Wollman Ice Rink in New York's Central Park! Despite my mother's pleadings for years to get my father to back out the family car at the first sight of a snow storm, my father never listened. But then, it was never boring either!
Patrick Swayze with Demi Moore from "Ghost": Not really much of a departure from my story below when I look at this photo--minus the parking meter...
Actually, not all of the following were written in April. But I liked the title and decided to "wing-it". Here's the deal: For the final 10 Days in April, I am picking just 10 of my memorable BLOG Posts and re-running them. This BLOG post was my first one entitled "French Kisses & Parking Meters". It posted on June 20, 2005. I hope you enjoy a retro look back with me! Little has changed...(except for the name of the real girl). ;-)
Michael
Jennifer was very attractive. She had short brunette hair and a slim build with an unforgettable smile. Our evening had all of the ingredients of a great first date. An outdoor Italian cafe, plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon and of course fascinating conversation. And at the end of the evening, what could have been more romantic than a prolonged goodbye kiss along a busy boulevard that became our Champs-Elysee's? Our dialogue was as crisp as a Steve McQueen movie and it went something like this. "I had a great time tonight", she said. "So did I", I replied. Her turn: "I'm already looking forward to our next date". Me: "It will be unforgettable", (boy someone was confident)! Her turn: "Call me". Me: with my two forefingers and thumbs in the air pointed at the object of my affection as I started slowly walking backwards without breaking eye contact (high drama): "You got it". (Let me just interject that in my defense, we drank A LOT of wine and the movie "Jerry MaGuire" had just been released. If you've seen it, this moronic gesture made sense). Now all that remained was my exit--my "stage right" to turn and walk across the street to my apartment.
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Suddenly and without any provocation a large massive intruder struck me squarely in the chest. I actually thought my sternum had been broken! What sounded like a child's fingernails being dragged across a chalkboard was actually air rushing out of my deflated lungs. On my seemingly slow-motion fall backwards onto the sidewalk I looked bleary-eyed to my left and saw my "attacker"--a cast iron parking meter rocking wildly back and forth! I was now flat on my back. Jennifer rushed to my aid and knelt at my side. This could have been the closing scene from the film, "West Side Story"...Tony and Maria. This was entirely different. I remember that look on her face as resembling a strange mixture of humor and pity. "Are you all right? Tell me! Is there anything I can do?", she pleaded. In those precious seconds, I wasn't sure what to recover first my breathing or my dignity. Ultimately, I started breathing and eventually "Jerry MaGuire" was helped up off the pavement. Jennifer even offered a hug. "Do you need me to walk you across the street?", she asked. (So thoughtful). "No, No uh. That uh...that won't be necessary. Really, I'm okay", I sputtered dying of embarrassment. We had a second date scheduled. But somewhere between the attack of the parking meter and our next outing, her two-timing beau re-entered the picture and for me it really became "stage left".
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& Head Riding Instructor
When you call us for information or to donate,
you're likely to talk to Robin first!
" Sophie"
Paint
American Quarter Horse
This was an awesome Silent Auction ranging from Jonas Brother Concert Tickets...
...to Guitars signed by Jessica Simpson & Rascal Flatts!
"Cayanna" with my friend Liz!
" Cliffy"
Holsteiner
" Cayanna"
Halflinger
"Bravo"
Mustang
"Whoever shall pulleth this Sword from this Stone
shall be rightwise born a Hero"
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Note from Michael:Before I moved across the United States to Arizona driving a large Penske moving truck and pulling my small SUV on a flatbed, I had already researched Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship and was determined to visit the ranch. Several weeks after the movers unloaded my truck, without knowing a soul or even having a job in hand, I began navigating my way around Scottsdale using the beautiful Blue lit spire designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as my landmark in the Northeastern part of the City. But nothing has shone brighter than the daily miracles that unfold at the ranch for adults and children with disabilities. They were told they couldn't accomplish certain tasks and goals. But with the dedicated leadership of Mary Hadsall and a staff of volunteers, those "dragons are slayed"---to coin a phrase--and lives are transformed positively with confidence, respect and love. I have never seen a more incredible group of people: staff, volunteers and instructors alike who come together and make miracles happen in the lives of students who now know they CAN accomplish their dreams! There is a richness of life here that rejuvenates the soul and for me at least, restores my faith in humanity.
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Each year, Hooves & Heroes is a fund raising event for this "jewel in the desert". This year we had musical performances by Marty Mitchell and Sue Harris, cowboy poetry and music by Buckshot Dot, a dog agility demonstration in the covered arena by "Contact Zonies", Juggler Extraordinaire James Reid and The Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit delighted everyone who was in attendance. On a recent post, I mentioned the late Dr. ViktorFrankl's lifetime work which focused on finding "meaning" in life. For me, I find that meaning at Camelot. I have fielded a few e-mails asking if theWish Listthat I posted yesterdaycould serve as a means of contributing to Camelot? The answer is YES! What a wonderful way to help the ranch continue to do the good it must in the community by having the tools it needs to deliver on its mission! May the posts of the last 48 hours inspire you!
Saturday, I spent the day attending a fundraising event called "Hooves & Heroes" benefiting Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship. Some of you will recall a fairly recent BLOG Post I wrote on this incredible non-profit organization where students--children and adults alike with physical disabilities learn how to harness their strength with the help of eight horses on a beautiful 14.5-acre rural ranch with stables and a covered arena. Students who attend the program year-round pay nothing. Instead, they are encouraged to pass on their knowledge from their experience to the world through volunteer efforts, school or returning to mentor other Camelot students. Arizona Historian Marshall Trimble was Master of Ceremonies and the day was filled with live music, food, a "dog agility" demonstration, a special presentation from the Scottsdale, Arizona Police Mounted Patrol Unit, and a silent auction. This was an opportunity for me to catch up with some very good friends, see the horses again up close and even help restock the hay barn and clean up after the event. I loved every minute of it!
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The reason Camelot can exist and reach out into the community even in these challenging economic times is due to the talent and dedication of Mary Hadsall, Camelot's Executive Director and Michelle Harrison Director of Community Relations & Head Riding Instructor. Together with a team of dedicated volunteers, Mary's leadership and focus has secured Camelot as one of the most admired and wisely managed non-profits in the country. With 22 students in the current class, many dreams that were once thought to be out of reach are actualized with a well trained staff that is attentive and dedicated to each students specialized needs. The average annual cost to maintain one horse is $2,000. Founder Ellen Szychowski, who is herself physically disabled worked for a similar program called The Dragon Slayers in California. After leaving California for Arizona, she acquired the land where Camelot was eventually built. For more information on Camelot, go to: http://www.camelot-th.org/. If you would like to contribute to Camelot, here are two ideas:
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If you have a person or a loved one in your own life that you wish to Honor or Memorialize here's a wonderful way to do that: Send a donation via Check or Money Order to:
CAMELOT THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP, INC.
23623 N. Scottsdale Road #D-3 PMB 259
Scottsdale, AZ 85255-3471
(Camelot is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization)
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Camelot also has a Wish List for the following items:
• Gift Certificates to Home Depot or another home repair store, PetSmart, Pampered Horse & Rider, Tack Etcetera or Greenway Saddlery
• (2) 50 Ft. Garden Hoses $50 each
• Suede bareback pad $80
• 75 Ft. Heavy Duty Extension Cord $100
• Leaf Blower $100
• Grooming Tray (body brush, dandy brush, mane and tail combs, fly spray, Cowboy Magic coat conditioner etc.) $150
• (2) “Natural Ride” bareback pads $200 each
• Horse Body Clippers $210
• Plus blades - $25 each
• Small 2-speed clippers $210
• Plus blades - $25 each
• Fly Masks for Seven Horses $100
• Australian Saddle $800
• Dressage Saddle 18-inch $1,000
• Annual Student Sponsorship $2,000
• Aluminum Two Horse Slant Load Horse Trailer – Used or new $10,000 to 17,000
One of the ingenious aspects of artist David DeVary's subject, the mythical girl, is that her identity is left up to our imaginations. She has no name. But each painting owner like myself has the private luxury of indulging themselves as to who she is, what kind of person she is, what her redeeming qualities are and specific to each of us--answering for ourselves why is she engaging? I like his work a lot and it leaves plenty of room for what philosophers call "the art of wondering.
The other day, I helped a 93 year old woman who was legally blind walk safely across a parking lot. From the expression on the face of the 30-something girl driving a white SUV (while talking on her cell phone), it was likely she would have driven straight through the cross walk and possibly struck this woman. As it turns out, the elderly woman was heading to a nearby Starbucks Cafe for a cup of coffee before she had someone call her a taxi cab. As we walked, I asked her what was new in her life? She replied that she had arranged to go on yet another cruise. "I've decided that although I wear hearing aids, it would be far worse not to hear than not to see". I said: "Well how do you get-by once you're on the ship?" She replied: "Oh, I have more fun! I just go on these trips to dance with the boys on deck, ya know. I can't see, but I remember all the dance steps". Today's BLOG Post is for her...
We just had a birthday at the facility in Scottsdale where I work out every night. One of our trainers turned 32. She is amazing because she has a very low percentage of body fat and runs 50 mile marathons. I was on the recumbent bike doing my usual 12 mile run with a buddy next to me on the elliptical machine. He raced cars with Steve McQueen and Paul Newman in the 1970's--fascinating guy. Anyway, I said: "Can you believe ______ (not her real name) is 32? We should all be that lean". Without missing a beat, my friend looked over his shoulder at her and said wryly with a Texas accent, "Yeah, well. Not all of us can be ______(not her real name) either". I then said: "Yeah, and not all of us can be married to Sarah McLachlan!" Okay, on that note it's time for my Quote of the Day!
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"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around".
Leo F. Buscaglia (1924-1998) Author/Lecturer at USC and on PBS Television.
Note from Michael: Well, as Simon Oakland said to Steve McQueen in Bullitt after that famous car chase: "What the hell is going on here?" Basically, I loved all of those PBS Television lectures from the late Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D. I've reached the decision that our society, particularly in these tough economic times needs to first consider the "naked emotion" Kris Kristofferson sings about in "You Show Me Yours, And I'll Show You Mine". Maybe we all need a Cosmic 2' X 4' to hit us so we can start treating each other better. But I digress a little...This is a book you can buy for under $4 (US) in "used" condition (who isn't) on Amazon.com. Worth a read and here's what it is about:
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Leo Buscaglia deals with the dynamics of human relationships and our fears of commitment. He points out that society's flippant and suspicious attitudes toward tenderness, compassion, caring, sharing and love, has created detached, apathetic people. The book contains the results of an extensive relationship survey.
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"Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love you will find that you are left holding only yourself".
"Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life".
"I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate - it's apathy. It's not giving a damn".
"What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life".
Jim West told me three years ago that this was the song he wanted people to hear after he was gone. He recorded it himself, but I was unable to find a way to load it. It is from Jim's era and it personifies the Class this true Gentleman had. I'll see you again, dear friend! The singer here is Michael Buble'. This song was used to close Jim's CD "Unfinished Business". He followed it with what he called a "bookend" CD that would be his last: "Finished Business". Indeed...
Dear Friends: Last night, I received word that my close friend and broadcasting pioneer Jim West died in Dallas. Jim was on my Blogroll for years and he was the subject of a BLOG Post I wrote a few years ago. I wanted to remember him this morning, tell you who he was and why he matters so much. Before I speak, I'd like to turn things over to our mutual friend and a Co-Founder with Jim of The Texas Voice Project, Samantha Elandary. Here's Sam:
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Samantha: "I met Jim West in 1999. At the time I didn’t realize the impact that this man would have on my life or the lives of people with Parkinson disease. Over time, I shared with Jim my dream of helping people with Parkinson’s improve their ability to communicate, how sad it made me to see their voices slowly deteriorate, especially when there was a treatment available that could help them: the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Being a musician and professional voiceover artist, Jim understood the importance of preserving one’s communication skills and he committed to doing everything he could to help make the Texas Voice Project a reality.From that moment on, Jim and I began our journey together. We faced many struggles and challenges trying to convince others of our Utopian plan for helping individuals with Parkinson’s. In 2005, at the age of eighty-one, Jim telephoned me and said, “Samantha, take the video that we made of your patients and Fed Ex it overnight to the National Parkinson Foundation in Miami, Florida; and then call the Director of Development on Wednesday. You got it?” As a result of that phone call, Texas Voice Project for Parkinson Disease was created with the assistance of the National Parkinson Foundation. We are confident that one day, the program will be replicated all over the United States thanks in great part to Jim West, who knew that dreams really can come true. Two weeks before Jim’s death, he said goodbye to me and told me that of all the different projects he had been involved in throughout his life, he was most proud of the work with Texas Voice Project. We will be forever grateful for Jim West’s contributions in helping Dallas Parkinson patients regain and maintain one of God’s greatest blessings—the ability to communicate."
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Michael: Jim West came into my life in 1999. He was the Vice President of a local organization in Dallas that provided assistance to people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I had just graduated with a B.A. degree in Psychology. After losing my Dad to Parkinson's disease, I aligned myself with The National Parkinson Foundation on The University of Miami campus in Florida. A bass player with The Dick Lane Quartet in Vegas during "The Rat Pack" years, as Samantha alluded to, Jim played next to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald,Sarah Vaughan and he was a good friend of TV Legend Dick Clark. After several phone conversations, Jim asked to meet me with he and his wife Liz at their home in Richardson, Texas. I felt during our meeting that this warm hearted soul wanted to look into my eyes and see if I was "the real deal". By the time I left their home a few hours later, we hugged and he actually told me I was "the real deal"! He also added: "Were going to do big things together, my friend". Liz was the love of Jim's life and together they bred show horses and traveled with them to events across the country. At 75, Jim looked 20 years younger. I have to smile at two coups I pulled off with Jim. First Coup: I recruited Jim away from the local Dallas PD group and introduced him to Mary Ann Sprinkle, a sweet friend of mine (also a saddle bred gal like Liz) who was then Director of Development with The National Parkinson Foundation. Jim had moved to Weston, Connecticut where he had a home with three recording studios. He was responsible for syndicating the Big Band radio show, "The Music of Your Life" on 400 radio stations from Maine to Florida, and Florida to Seattle. He sold his advertising business to The Walt Disney Company and became a record producer. He once told me a hysterical story about playing a softball game in Las Vegas during the afternoon between gigs with comedian Don Rickles and Shecky Greene! But Jim was one of those quiet "Legends". He counseled many Parkinson patients over the telephone, many who were contemplating suicide. I have no doubt that Jim saved many lives with these conversations. In fact, his incredible voice even after age 80 was used by Walt Disney's Malaysia division to narrate children's books. Second Coup: One day, Mary Ann and I were speaking on the phone when I learned that she was flying to New York City on business and I said, "Wow, I wish you could meet Jim West in-person in Connecticut". We put our heads together and learned that Jim lived only an hour away. So, Mary Ann hired a sedan and driver to travel to Connecticut where Jim introduced her to his wife Liz, then surprised her with a limousine after touring The West's home to go out to dinner. This dinner visit eventually led to Jim becoming a member of The National Parkinson Foundation and he was networked to Speech Therapist Samantha Elandary when he and Liz moved back to Dallas, Texas. Jim had just produced a Pro-Max Award Winning Documentary called "The Story of Hope" for those who were diagnosed with PD. Jim and Samantha co-founded The Texas Voice Project. When I was asked to Emcee The Gala of Hope at the Saint Regis Resort on Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida in on February 23, 2008, I told this story from the stage to about 800 people in the audience. By then, Liz had passed away and Jim's own health was worsening.
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The last time I saw Jim, he asked me to join him for breakfast in his suite at a hotel in Dallas for breakfast, and so of course I was thrilled to stop by. The night before, he was inducted into the Texas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The National Association of Broadcasters also awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and here we were--two broadcasters and musicians laughing and swapping memories over coffee and omelette's. When we hugged goodbye he kissed me on the cheek and said with tears in his eyes, "In many ways, you're like a son to me". It never occurred to me that this was our last visit. We remained in touch by telephone a lot--especially when I considered a move to Las Vegas, then later Los Angeles--two very difficult 30-day business trips for me, and Jim was always generous in lending me advice I sought from him on my career.
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To Jim's daughter Claire and son Steven: I send you my deepest sympathy. Jim was so proud of you both and I was Blessed by The Good Lord to have him in my life. I remember so much laughter and how much your Mom and Dad loved telling me about what you were up to; they loved raising horses, and of course Big Band music. May God grant you both comfort and peace during this difficult time.
An interesting video, by Augustana..."Boston". I liked it. It captured a lot for me when I saw it. Also...Cheers to Jennifer: 23, who knows who Steve McQueen was, who has read Marshall Terrill's book "Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel", is 5' 8" and reads my BLOG. (There is a God!)
The other day a friend of mine lamented that there simply isn't anything to laugh about--especially in these times we're living through with the economy. So, I reached into my vault and pulled this gem out! If you can't sing at Karaoke bars, you can always shave your head, wear a gold medallion, unbutton your shirt and talk your way through a song. Try this and get back to me with the results. I intend to do this myself (without shaving my head, or wearing the gold medallion) and I'll get back to you on my experience! Stay tuned! Lastly, my conscience is telling me to issue a small "Disclaimer"...(below):
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Disclaimer:All I'll say here is be careful if you're watching this while drinking hot coffee in the morning. I'm not responsible for burns, people having to replace their computer screens after spitting their coffee out during a laughing fit, or dry cleaning bills! You're on your own. Turn on your speakers! And remember...there really IS a Santa Claus!
Basically, I'm a Public Relations Consultant with a background in Broadcast News. I've worked as a Reporter and Anchor with PBS, ABC, CBS & NBC affiliates and in Cable Television. I'm active in Radio & Television Commercials, Guest Speaking engagements and I enjoy writing, music and sports.
