Mad Macedonian

When Turning 60 Doesn't Happen the Way You Plan: Finale

 Good afternoon Houston! The Mad Houstonian, here!
If you came in late and are wondering what the...?
Start here, and I hope you are sitting down.

2 weeks after I came home I had a visit with my primary care physician, who was happy with my progress.

A few days later my 60th birthday came and went, quietly, with lots of well wishes from friends and family on Facebook, with  home delivery of Papa John's Pizza, and with well wishes and a $50 gift and card, sent from the eldest daughter of my Godparents, a woman who was a teen when I was born, and possibly changed my diapers and wiped my ass more than a few times during my first couple of years on this earth, hee, hee!

My Mother, born on 3/21, made it a few months past her own 61st, my Father, born on 3/18, made it a few months past 65.

I intend, with God's blessing, to go well beyond them both, and make a mark on the world more substantial than I have so far.

More substantial than a slight dent in the pavement of a Houston crosswalk, and some dudes vehicle, hee, hee!

Thanks to him I am unable to be at work today, working hard, next to my fellow Walmart associates, during these difficult days for our nation and the world. 

 

A few days after my birthday I had my follow-up with the surgeon, and all went well, as they are happy with my progress, as well.

The stitches were removed and some little strips were set in place for 10 days.

Uber rides may be cheaper than a taxi but, aside from the Doctor visits, I have kept trips to a minimum, only going to my nearby Walmart for a few things a couple of times.

It felt good to get the wrap off the leg.

Having that off made the exercises much more comfortable.

Yes, there is pain in the leg, and hip (a bruise from the accident), and a little twisting and turning to get comfy for sleep, but things could be a lot worse....like my not being here to feel that pain, hee, hee!

 

When Turning 60 Doesn't Happen the Way You Plan: Part 3

Good afternoon Houston! The Mad Houstonian, here!
If you came in late and are wondering what the...?
Start here, and I hope you are sitting down.

The one thing I wanted to take care of as soon as I could, once home, was getting a new pair of prescription glasses.

With vision care insurance, thru work at Walmart, I was able to order new glasses at the Vision Center at my store.

I am grateful to my store manager who took care of my out of pocket cost, after insurance.

Another reason I wanted to visit the store was to personally thank my co-workers for their support, and let them know I was still here, on the way to recovery, and would be back eventually...so hold down the fort until my return.

Before the accident I had bought a shirt that I had intended to wear to work on my birthday, on March 5, but since I would not be in to work...I wore it when I visited the store.

As I tooled around the store, to see co-workers, my shirt, cheerfulness and sense of humor brought smiles not just to their faces, but the faces of many customers shopping during what must be stressful times for many.

I spent 3 hours there, including eating lunch at the store McDonald's, until the Vision Center Manager was finally free to take me home with a few groceries I bought with some $ donated by co-workers.

I found myself in tears a few times as the support and encouragement of associates, glad to see me, touched me deeply.

 

Speaking of food, a friend  kindly made sure I had sandwich meat to last a while, even as I have some microwaveable meals, not to mention pasta and canned veggies, in reserve from before the accident, for when I can eventually safely use the stove and move hot pots over to the sink for drainage.

With bread, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese slices, this bounty means I am able to make healthy sandwich meals every day.

 

 

When Turning 60 Doesn't Happen the Way You Plan: Part 2

Houston is not exactly pedestrian friendly...something that, after 7+ years, I finally learned the hard way, and was lucky enough to live to write about it.

Good evening Houston! The Mad Houstonian, here!

If you came in late and are wondering what the...?

Start here, and I hope you are sitting down.

As a pedestrian anyone traversing the streets of Houston on foot absolutely MUST pay attention to everything around them, from traffic entering and leaving driveways, to right and left turn traffic at every intersection, whether it has lights governing the movements of all users, or not.

Even then you are at the mercy of the attention span of the motorists...just because the pedestrian light turned green it does not always mean it is safe for you to step into the crosswalk...trust me.

Thanks to an inattentive driver I spent a week in the hospital, last month, and was now finally coming home.

A co-worker, at the Walmart where I work, brought me home and when I opened the door I did not know what to expect...

Having been alone, with no food, for a week, would the 3 feline ladies of my life be alive? Would they be glad to see me, if they were....or seriously pissed off?

When Turning 60 Doesn't Happen the Way You Plan: Part 1

 Good evening Houston! The Mad Houstonian, here! Anyone miss me?

After a gang buster month of writing on this blog in December (Inspirational Word of the Day - 31 entries) and a January essay on the topic of "City Bathing", I was planning for a vacation in March to celebrate my 60th birthday.

Late February was gonna see a return to more regular blogging as I planned to blog about walks taken while on vacation.

Well, so much for that idea, hee, hee!

As regular readers, here, know I am an avid walker and an advocate for pedestrian safety, having bought shirts on the subject, and made my own Pedestrian Alert shirts to help spread the word.

Wouldn't you know it, on a morning I was not wearing one of my shirts, Feb 19th, disaster strikes.

I had went to the nearby HEB for a few groceries and was returning home a few hours before heading to work.

I was using a crosswalk, at a T-intersection, that shares a green light with left turning vehicles...

THIS time the lead motorist was traveling too fast for me to react by raising my hand and yelling "slow down!", or move out of the way.

The driver fled the scene, and we have nothing to go on in a search for him, even though I got a brief look at him when he stopped for a second.

I was in pain, but also seriously pissed...my glasses were broke and my groceries were strewn about!

Eventually help arrived and I was carted off to the hospital for repairs.

BEATING THE ODDS: An Eye Cancer Update

For those who may not know, in early 2013, just 6-8 months after moving to Houston, I had a Vitrectomy, to fix a busted blood vessel in the left eye, and then Brachytherapy, a plaque insertion/internal radiation procedure, to battle what is called an intraocular mass in the eye, a medium malignant melanoma, a typical lesion of its type (Mine was a small).

This afternoon I had a 7 month follow-up with my Eye Specialist who my new primary eye doc asked me to see...I would have gone last month but didn't have the $75 to spare...

She had asked me to locate some very specific records regarding some gene tests that were supposedly sent out to be done on me by MD Anderson at the time of my Cancer Surgery in 2013.

When we talked today, after my check-up, she told me that what she learned surprised and impressed her....surprised me, too, as I had no idea about any of what she learned.

I should not even be here....I repeat...I SHOULD NOT EVEN BE HERE.

 

A Moment in the Life of a Walmart Cashier

 

 

Working in retail most of my working life, since 1984, I have a ton of stories I've shared of experiences, good and bad, funny and sad...even life-threatening.

 

Reading Mr. Sam's wonderful, enlightening, book, MADE IN AMERICA: My Story, as well as THE WALMART WAY: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company by Don Soderquist one reads many similar stories going back to the 50's and you realize how being friendly, outgoing and humorous was a part of the make-up of Sam Walton, as well as many of those who worked for him, from ordinary associates to corporate.

 

In my 5 years at Walmart, just recently celebrated last month, I have made it a point to continue doing what I have always done, from my days as a cashier and store manager at Newsboy, in the Inland Empire of SoCal, to my days as a cashier at Targets in Eagle Rock, Chino, and Costa Mesa...be fast, and helpful and interact with the customers in friendly, often humorous, ways...

6 YRS. IN HOUSTON: Exploring The World Around You Not Just Something You Need a Car or Plane to Do

 

 

 

Since I was a 12 yr old, in the 70's, I used the bus to take me places, mostly bookstores, then, Lakers and Kings games, the movies and more in the 70's and 80's.

 

When I got my first serious point and shoot camera and 1st mountain bike, in the early 90's, my exploring went beyond just shopping and sports trips, but venues of all types and long bike rides. An ever-growing bus and commuter rail system connecting 5 counties, helped.

 

In 1998 I got a road bike and my 1st computer and my life changed in huge new ways...

 

By the end of 2001, I had taken my first plane trips and spent 4 days each in Phoenix and Chicago.

 

In 2002 I became a blogger and discovered talents as a creative writer, poet, essayist, and journalist, to go with my interest in photography and love of cats and bicycling.

 

Before I left SoCal in 2012 I had taken many long bike rides (20 to 66 miles), though no centuries, and nice walks, visited an Uncle and cousins in Va., spent some time in DC, after an Amtrak train ride to get there, returned to Va. for a pet convention in Roanoke, and more.

 

I wish I had been able to do so much more.

 

A Mad Houstonian Adds to His Stetson

 

I have been wearing a hat for a decade, now, and as I return to more blogging and get out and about more, on foot and bike, my shirts are not the only items of clothing I use to identify me.

When I began adding lapel pins to the hat I wanted some way to share different sides of who I am.

I have now put together a collection that does that very well, I think.

 

 

I am a writer. A Mad Macedonian, and Cycling Dude, who left SoCal to take up residence in Texas, becoming a Mad Houstonian.

I am a poet, storyteller, humorist, journalist, and pundit who...

 

At Last....A New Computer and Printer

 

 

 

A month ago I celebrated the past and reminded myself of some of my triumphs and celebrated my milestones by inviting anyone who comes across that entry to read, comment on, even share some of my proudest creative moments from 10+ years on this blog (Take your time, this stuff will be here waiting for ya! Maybe you will find inspiration for your own creative pursuits along the way.)

 

In the weeks since I went hunting for a new computer and printer (and Logitech Speakers) and ended up making  the purchases to a Best Buy close to where I live.

 

My decisions were based on  trips down memory lane an positive experiences with previously own products by the same manufacturers.

 

 

Good Things Jar Shows 2017 Not Total Loss

 

In December 2016 a friend on Facebook suggested something for the year ahead and I figured what did I have to lose?

Variations of the "Good Things Jar" can be found all over the internet....the idea being that you keep a pen and index cards close by to write down positive events that happen to you through out the year, toss them in the jar and forget about them until New Year's Eve when you empty the jar and read about all the great things that happened to you, especially after what you may feel was a less than stellar year.

In case you were not aware, for me, 2017 stunk in so many ways, especially after my laptop died in June.

I did not even get around to reading my cards until mid-January and, while people who have done this sort of thing for years may be disappointed in my count, I was kind of surprised by having 97 cards to read.

I chose 50 particularly descriptive and GOOD cards to share....with a surprise at the end, for those who stick around

1. 1. 1/1/17 - Inspiration for my writing comes in many ways. Facebook comments by my sister Violeta, and a friend from Austin, about a funny New Year's selfie, taken on 12/30, inspired me to write alter  the picture and write a 200 word story on New Year's Day....My first such piece in months and first on Mad Macedonian in a couple of years.

New Year's: 200 Word Musings 3

2. 1/10/17 - "Hi Kiril....I'm Phillip Reese, a reporter for the Sac Bee, a 250,000 circulation daily newspaper...I'm writing a story about how, for the 15th year in a row, Ca. lost more residents to other states than it got from them.

In researching my story I came across your blog post from 9/20/15. Would you be willing to speak with me sometime this week for my story?"

I accepted on Friday the 13th... and sent him links to 2 related posts from 2016 as well.

3. Friday the 13th - I was interviewed by the Sac Bee reporter. We talked about why I came to TX and the good, bad and ugly of my 4 yrs here, as well as why I thought people were leaving Ca.

4. 2/6/17 - I received an e-mail from the Morris Animal Foundation, with a Press Release about a new diagnostic test for cats. I did a blog post on Opinionated Pussycat. In a follow-up e-mail I learned they reached out to me because I was a member of the Cat Writers' Association.

5. 2/16/17 - I wrote 2 long poems, one each, for both blogs...promoting Dr. Seuss Day on 3/2/17.

I Am a Writer, a Writer I Am!

I Am a Writer Cat, a Writer Cat I Am!

6. 3/14-3/18/17 - I discovered a U.S.-made Bamboo Camera Monopod Walking Stick maker called Serenity Bamboo. 3 days e-mail correspondence and exploring their website led me to order a stick specially unique to me after I get my tax return on the 15th....Placed an order for personalized stick, 57 in. in length, with image of Nikita, my name and a 10 line inscription unique to me and my creativity

7. 3/19/17 - While out an about, clothes shopping at local Goodwill's and getting nowhere...I didn't come home empty-handed...I found an inspirational plaque:

"I know I'm gonna make it. 'cause God don't sponsor no flops!"

8. 3/22/17 - Linda, of Serenity Bamboo, finished making my stick and mailed it today:

She added the following to her e-mail:

"You are an incredibly interesting man and you deserve an incredibly interesting walking stick! May your miles be many and your smiles be your guide."

9. 4/3/17 - When I arrived at work I was told they needed to take my photo. When I was told why I was floored!

One of the night Managers, who was responsible for the unwarranted negative annual review I got last year, was suddenly praising my work ethic around closing time each night. I was one of the luck few, at my store, to be awarded an April "Happy To Help" Pin!

I am honored because I am proud of the job I've done the past 3 1/2 years and it is vindication to have HER award it.

10. 4/17/17 - I took my new stick for a spin along Terry Hershey Trail, next to Buffalo Bayou and took a photo and got soaked by a sudden rain storm.

11. I went on a 4 mile, 4 hr., walk along Buffalo Bayou, from Shepherd and Memorial to Allen's Landing, in Buffalo Bayou Park and took my camera stick along for 10 photos.

12. 4/25/17 - I spent 2 hours being interviewed, photographed and filmed, at West Loop Transit Center, on the 4, 49, and 63 buses, at bus stops and along Brays Bayou, by a Houston Metro Press Staffer, for what will be a 1 minute "Rep My Route" video to promote using Metro Transit...Very cool and fun!

I Am a Writer, a Writer I Am!

I Am a Writer Cat, a Writer Cat I Am!

6. 3/14-3/18/17 - I discovered a U.S.-made Bamboo Camera Monopod Walking Stick maker called Serenity Bamboo. 3 days e-mail correspondence and exploring their website led me to order a stick specially unique to me after I get my tax return on the 15th....Placed an order for personalized stick, 57 in. in length, with image of Nikita, my name and a 10 line inscription unique to me and my creativity

7. 3/19/17 - While out an about, clothes shopping at local Goodwill's and getting nowhere...I didn't come home empty-handed...I found an inspirational plaque:

"I know I'm gonna make it. 'cause God don't sponsor no flops!"

8. 3/22/17 - Linda, of Serenity Bamboo, finished making my stick and mailed it today:

She added the following to her e-mail:

"You are an incredibly interesting man and you deserve an incredibly interesting walking stick! May your miles be many and your smiles be your guide."

9. 4/3/17 - When I arrived at work I was told they needed to take my photo. When I was told why I was floored!

One of the night Managers, who was responsible for the unwarranted negative annual review I got last year, was suddenly praising my work ethic around closing time each night. I was one of the luck few, at my store, to be awarded an April "Happy To Help" Pin!

I am honored because I am proud of the job I've done the past 3 1/2 years and it is vindication to have HER award it.

10. 4/17/17 - I took my new stick for a spin along Terry Hershey Trail, next to Buffalo Bayou and took a photo and got soaked by a sudden rain storm.

11. I went on a 4 mile, 4 hr., walk along Buffalo Bayou, from Shepherd and Memorial to Allen's Landing, in Buffalo Bayou Park and took my camera stick along for 10 photos.

12. 4/25/17 - I spent 2 hours being interviewed, photographed and filmed, at West Loop Transit Center, on the 4, 49, and 63 buses, at bus stops and along Brays Bayou, by a Houston Metro Press Staffer, for what will be a 1 minute "Rep My Route" video to promote using Metro Transit...Very cool and fun!