Big Leather Couch

Flash back to Wednesday's post...about talking about things out loud and whether you believe by doing so you might jinx them from happening...

When Matt decided to apply for the Police Department in NJ, I pondered mentioning it and did...when he did well on the written test, I pondered mentioning it and did...when he kicked major a** on the physical test, I pondered mentioning it and did...

He found out yesterday he is not moving on in the interview process. He told me when he got the email, he called the Detective he had been working with to ask, respectfully, if there was something that made their decision for them. The response he got was vague at best.

Anyway...as we were hanging up the phone, Matt said something that flashed back to when he was in 7th grade. he had tried out for the Middle School baseball team and I was home that afternoon. I watched him walk in the door and I pretty much knew. he said "Dad, I did not make the team." I was crushed for him at that moment.

I said something encouraging (can not remember what)...and then he looked up at me and said "Hey dad, no problem...next year when I make the team they will regret not taking me this year."

I knew then he would be OK...today, as he hung up he said "I'll have to try again." I asked what he meant by that and he said "They are not the only Police Force around...I will find one that wants me."

He will be OK...me on the other hand spent the rest of the day with a knot in my stomach, feeling badly for my boy and wondering...did my mentioning it here maybe change the outcome? Should I have waited until he got the job?

So, had my 6-month physical the other day. BP is doing pretty good 130/98...but I know my good cholesterol is still too low...and I am now back to 197 lbs...and I have not exercised in way too long. There is this "Exercise Facility" in my complex...IT SUCKS! The machines don't work..it is small and just not inviting...

I was told they were replacing or repairing the machines (a step-machine, a bike and a treadmill ---YUP THAT'S IT!) never happened...oh and they all have problems and really don't work to capacity...

So yesterday I drove over to get some lunch (Taco Bell) and passed it by..because right behind it is a 24-Hour Fitness location. I went in and took a tour of the facility...nice big lap pool...saunas, steams, a huge work out area with every machine or free-weight imaginable...and clean...not a "go to the health club to meet people" type of place...no knuckle muscle heads, just a place I can get myself back in shape. Due to a bad knee, I really can't run, so running with darlin' Nancy - who used to run marathons and still runs everyday - is out of the question.

So, I signed up...month to month...no long term deal...$31/month...and got 2 free Personal trainer sessions on top of it. Going to go by on Saturday and get the 1st PT session in and have them build me a program I can do in 45 minutes or so, that way I can do it on my lunch break.

Time to get rid of the Marini stomach...it is really the only place I am carrying excess weight...so if I can lose 10-15 pounds and build some muscle tone back and then dump the smokes...maybe I can enjoy the next 50 years of my life...

I am probably going to take a picture of the gut area before I begin and then take one every month...maybe seeing the progress will help me keep it up...Will I share with you... HELL NO...it really is kinda embarrassing to have this damn overhang...

Oh and BTW... it was the tiger on the right that was cloned...guess I will have to do better next time since those that took a guess got it correctly...

Well..have a most wonderful weekend...stay safe...enjoy your family and friends...have a beer or wine or cocktail in my honor...come on back on Monday and we will start this all over again.

Click on the banner above to learn more about Roger's Creative Photography Contest...

This week I was going au natural as it were. No creative enhancements to this picture.

Memphis Zoo, the last time I was there with darlin' Nancy and her sons. The one tiger kept stalking the other....around and round...

and I decided to make the photo a puzzle of sorts...there was only one stalking tiger.

Can you tell which one is real and which is a clone?

OK, so the other day - OK, it was MONDAY - I had written the following:

"Sure I play the lottery....don't you? Do you have plans for the money if you do? Hell sure I do...well at least the beginning...There are about 6 things on the list I wuld do and one of them would then lead the direction for my life going forward...

What? OH, you are waiting to hear the plans....hummm OK, let's see...do you believe talking about things like this jinx you from having it happen? Or do you think you should voice your dreams and fantasies for them to happen? Or don't you think it matters one way or the other?

Let me know your thoughts on this and then depending upon the responses and my personal feelings, I might give you the list of items...bwahahahahahahahahha"

OK, so Turnbaby and Anndi both wondered why I 'buried' a statement like that...thought provoking and good material to get a grand debate/conversation going in comments.

I was blogging that evening in a 'gonzo/ stream of conscientiousness' mode and did not even realize the significance of the question...

So, do you - as they used to say on Sunday mornings on a local station in NY - which is weird since it is a Chinese Proverb and it was some Religious Show that used it - "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness".

DO you talk about wishes - not the 'I wish it would rain' wishes...but the 'I wish I could win the lottery' type wishes?

OR are you the type who feels that if you say it out loud it might not come true? Like the chance of getting a huge promotion or raise...do you call people and tell them about it, or do you hold it in, not wanting to 'jinx' the whole thing?

I have been thinking about it for a few days now. When I was out of work, I got to the point where I refused to discuss interviews and rarely told friends and family I was going on one. Because you know what happens if you talk about it...it probably won't happen.

Then I thought about the 'lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness thing'. Maybe if I talk about it, it will happen!

I kinda feel the same way about the lottery. My basic usage of the money has always been the same. Family. Mortgages paid off. Colleges for all nieces and nephews paid off. A big family cruise (which would probably never happen now that all but one are in college!). And the last thing is a foundation. It's initial purpose...the resurrection and rebuilding of youth baseball fields around the country and into Canada.

Working with Little League and Babe Ruth and American Legion and Cal Ripken and some of the other organizations, find areas where the desire is there, but the funds are not.

I know that the first area we would work in is the area destroyed by Katrina and the towns still flooding along the Mississippi this year.

Yes, there are things I would also want. I would buy something small here in Memphis. But I would also take a nice long vacation...I am thinking some golf at Casa de Campo in the Dominican, a week or so in a small little place I know in St. Thomas..nothing fancy, but right on a beautiful small harbor with great scuba and snorkeling and a fantastic bar! I think it would be exhilarating to share this terrific place with a most wonderful woman...

I also mentioned a few weeks ago wanting to rent/buy an RV and tour the country. That would also happen down the line.

OK, I fessed up...anyone else want to talk about whether they hold them in or let them out to the world? Do you 'curse the darkness' or 'light the candle'?

And what is that one big wish?

Do You Want To Know A Secret...Secret...Wishing On A Star...Sitting Waiting Wishing...The lyrics are not really on topic...but what the heck...

"Do You Want To Know A Secret?"
The Beatles


"Secret"
Maroon 5


"Wishing On A Star"
Beyonce


"Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"
Jack Johnson