Creating a tradition isn't without it's problems. Today, I am later than usual with my blogging on Sundays from Dunkin Donuts. To start today the consensus is the  employee newly anointed  store manger powerfully resembles actor Matt Damon.  Now lets see if he can co-write the Good Coffee Brewing and do star in the Coffee Bean Supremacy plus movie trilogy.

I hit the supermarket today and it was packed. How come is it people can't be all nicey-nice like before Thanksgiving as they are closer to Christmas? My theory is after beating each other to a pulp during Black Friday, they're to spent to be so aggressive. Today, was like bumper cars on steroids. Hey, shoppers take a chill pill will ya?!!!!

I love the works of Mark Twain and enjoy a good Mark Twain quote such as this one:

In the past I have tried to keep up with my Sunday Edition blog at Dunkin Donuts. Yeah and once again I didn't run into Rachel Ray and couldn't get John Goodman to pick up my tab. Oh well. For those who are interested my main DD at this time is the one off Whitehorse/Mercerville Road, Hamilton NJ in the Foley's Shop and Bag and the wonderful Fame Restaurant/Diner across from the area Kmart. The service is great at all hours and the WiFi is free. On the menu for me today is the egg white turkey sausage with cheese flatbread and a medium decaf coffee. Decaf is now the requirement due to the recent health scare.

The quote for today

I find it quite funny to be mocked today as "some jerk who doesn't know what it's like to work your butt off and lose everything."  Especially since I am living exactly that right this very moment, I find that statement ludicrous. Let me add it's not the first time but I sincerely hope it's the last. I'm running out of time to keep doing this "reinventing myself" stuff. But hey as the song goes:

A few people have reached out from my days as a Magical Clown and Magician. It's nice to be remembered. Well, as much as I loved performing the hands have not healed fully and may never will.

Buuut
I am starting to have enough dexterity to perform some of the move without my hands hurting. Possibly a side-effect of some of the meds used to get me through my recent health problem. Still, I don't think I will be able to to tie several hundred balloon animals at this time. There is not enough dexterity in my hands just yet, but I have hope.

Chasing the dream
I don't think a month has gone by where I didn't try to do some of my signature tricks. The problem with the dexterity and the after pain signaled "wait." You should know that I never gave up. I always believed that someday would come when I could once again entertain people the way I love. There is another hurdle uncovered by my illness that was misinterpreted by doctors treating me for cardiomyopathy. It appears since they did not know it existed they thought the heart problem aggravated by performing. The truth is that another condition hiding in plain sight put stress on my heart while performing. The good news is that condition is being handled by meds and therapy. I was Superman carrying his own kryptonite so to speak.  That medical condition in time will be overcome.
The prognosis is I may be able to handle performing in time.

The positive from the negative
My illness was torture but it opened up new doors and found the previously undetected condition.  I know that it is normal to hear that someone would like to be what they once were. I don't have that wish. I want to be all I can be and better. Annnnnd, I want to share it.  There is another old saying that says, "Nothing happens without a reason." The common follow up is ""you have to find the reason", I believe,  is a misquote. I believe it's in your power to  create the reason.  Why? Well, for everyone to make the reason their own, they have to take the seeds from within and grow them.  Without you there can be no reason or meaning to any part of life and living

What is life like with meaning?
Without meaning life is cold, dark and hopeless like being on a winding mountain road on in a torrential chilling rain on the blackest of night. I know. I drove on that road. With meaning there is always of flicker of hope in any life. What makes that light burn brighter and longer is when you share it unconditionally. It's even nicer when you have someone special you walks side by side in belief of that meaning and you.

Till Next time

Rich

I bear the responsibility for this error. Those of you who know me well enough know I don't do substances and formerly only drank on occasion. Now due to medications which I will be taking the rest of my life as well as my heart condition, I can never drink alcohol again.

Email responses
I was very surprised so many found themselves surprised I possibly had and addiction. That would have been the ultimate hypocrasy since I campaign against addiction and have a family history in addiction which skipped me. Well, my only and only permittable addiction is to women.


Thanks for caring
Rich

As most of you know I have been offline and recovering from a long illness. I appreciate all the emails and the Get Well wishes. I believe I answered everyone by now. The results of the heart tests have not been divulged to me in full. I have been informed my ticker is stronger than 4 years ago and slightly better than the norm for my age range.

Ahhh, the but!!!!
It appears I had a possible heart attack in that span and the doctors are trying to confirm that. The result is I am going into a second stage of rehab and still not cleared for many activities outside of a light workout.

The Rehab
The programs I have been in have been outstanding. I have to say the care on all levels is outstanding. Monday I get discharged from this level and begin the next on that immediate following Thursday. I have been in hospital care since September 28th both as an inpatient and outpatient. Of course rehab includes all the people who call and check in on me from time to time.

A common question
How bad was this? Well, I had to be brought back twice on September 28th. While I lost consciousness, I didn't lose awareness. I will detail the experience at a later time.  I can tell you the health problem as I have been told may have been building over the course of 5 years.  It went undetected through my own inability to realize it's presence. The last year plus supplied the mounting of stressors that put me over the top. 

As for lifestyle
The totality of the events pulled the rug out from under.  My earning potential went from turning the corner to 80G's to "pennies for the poor, dear sir" in the wink of an eye. So, my lifestyle got an unwelcomed makeover. But my personal outlook is positive and upbeat. A big turnaround from September 28th.


Thanks again for the emails and phone calls

Rich

Hello to Everyone

I have received some great and gracious emails about my not being able to do the Mafia Wars parody for this years Halloween Special. I won't promise but I will attempt to do a Halloween Special Short Story.  No promises but the Mafia Wars Parody will be reworked for a later time.

Hello, I am still offline and depending on the kindness of friends and the neighborhood Dunkin Donuts to access the net. Since I have no TV either I have reconnected with one of my original loves. (No not the hot babe one) radio. A former deejay during my college years it's almost like old home. It doesn't look like I will be online in time to produce my yearly Halloween Special. That's unfortunate I was working on a parody of the popular Mafia War games. I had actually been assembling a acript and lining up voices to participate. Hey, that's life.

I am hoping to be online during the holidays. I will be back to remind everyone who can volunteer on Thanksgiving at a local Soup Kitchen or Shelter to call in starting Oct 31st. I don't even make an appointment anymore. I just go. Your special smile will help make the today for many people. I am hoping I can go but the doctors have the last word (or so they think) on that.

Take care

Rich

People will lie to you just to fit their own agenda. That's no secret. Apparently, some have no shame and will ask you to help them and then put the screws to you. How do you deal with this?

The answer
Fight it. Don't back down but be sensible. Perseverance and sensibility are a great team. And you have to work them to prevail. There are no clear cut answers as every situation is not the same.  Just as important is to watch your health both physical and mental. Finally get a support group. Not a yes group but a group that will office support and help with objectivity. Yes people offer you too many false validations which will lead you down the wrong path.

........

........ Variety and Voice
.

Your Success Sign