January 2023

 January 2023

I Broke a Damn Tooth

RIP Mark

MMA Distinguished Alumni Award

PA/VA/MD/CO/DE/Antigua

1- SU- PA

I spent much of the evening hanging in the lounge. I invited a few people to join me for beverages and then there was another group of people hanging there so we hung with them. The conversation moved to politics and I find it to be a waste of time to engage in verbal combat with right wingers. And I was sorry I shared my beer with them.

2- M- PA/VA

I headed to VA to pick up Clay for our Colorado trip.  I arrived just in time for dinner and it was nice to have the whole family together. It's so hard to believe that Brian's kids are all men now. 

Afterwards, we watched Penn State win in the Rose Bowl game.  And after that, we watched a 24 year old Buffalo Bills' football player have a cardiac arrest right on the field. Apparently he died on the field and was brought back to life.  And then he was sent off to the hospital and he died again and they brought him back to life again.

3- TU- VA/MD

We head up to BWI this warm afternoon. Clay wore shorts all day.  Last week is was 4F. We got to the hotel around dinner time and went out and got Japanese for dinner and then we bought Italian sandwiches for lunch on the plane.

The football player is still alive but he is in critical conditions and in a coma.

The US House of Representatives couldn't elect a Speaker of the House and they are in turmoil and I am enjoying the internal civil war.

4- W- MD/CO

We leave for Colorado today. I am looking forward to the snow covered mountains and worried about driving through them. We upgraded our rental car to an SUV in anticipation of any heavy snow.

Our hotel was right in downtown Denver and it was so nice. i didn't realize that Denver has such a big downtown area.

For dinner, we went to Billy's Hot Dog Cafe and ordered five there: the Denmark, the Tijuana, a Kobe beef, a Texas tommy and an elk sausage.  then we took three different one to go to eat later.

5- TH- CO

We ate the remaining hot dogs for breakfast.

In the afternoon we drove to Canon City and spent the evening at the Dakota Springs hot Springs. It was a bathing optional place and I promised Clay that I would keep my suit on.

Clay and I met with Nick, a former student of mine and an athletic trainer.  I wanted Nick to talk to Clay about training at high altitude.

6- F- CO

Andy recommended a breakfast burritos restaurant in Canon City so we stopped there and he was correct.  The burritos were the best I have ever ha.

We took an afternoon train ride through the Gorge and it was beautiful.  I paid for the expensive seats but they weren't worth it.  Mostly, we stood outside on the platform train and took in the beauty.

Late afternoon, we hooked up with KT and dropped Clay off at Andy's business office. Clay went with Andy for the weekend and I hung with KT.

KT and I headed north and had dinner at the Tommy Knocker Brewery (1)- CO- I had a delightful flight of IPAs.

7- SA- CO

After a difficult drive up the snow covered mountains, we made it just in time for our three hour soak at the Iron Mountain thermal pools. It was a delightful day.  But I wish I had something that kept me warmer as I moved from the tub to the cold, outside air.

8- SU- CO

The ride back to Denver was much easier than yesterday.

We stopped at the Barrell and Bottles Brewery (2) for lunch.

KT and I parted around 4 PM.  She went home and I found a hotel near Andy's office. Once I was settled in, I went to the  OHM Brewery (3) for a flight of beer.

In the evening, I watched Cooksville Miracle, which was one sappy christian movie. I hate that shit.

9- M- CO

I picked Clay up around noon.  We headed to the Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Golden, Boulder and a few other neighborhoods.  Then we headed off to the CO Wildlife Refuge in search of bison and the trip did not disappoint.

10- TU- MD/V

We arrived at BWI by 7 AM and I was tired. Then we had a three hour drive back to Brian’s house. Twice, I almost fell asleep. After the first incident, I took a quick nap in the car and then got something to eat. That energized me for about an hour. Then clay took over and got us home. 

I slept all afternoon even though I tried to get up and do something with the Kellys. But I was too sleepy. 

Brian came home from work. Cindy gave me a 6 pack of good beers. We taste tested all fo them. We ordered two pizzas and just hung by the fireplace. This was a good day. 

11-W-VA/PA

I think I left Brian's house around 11 ish.  I didn't shower or have breakfast.  I just wanted to get on the road and get home. 

Of course, I stopped at brewery, the Four Score brewery - (4)- PA- Adams county and my beers were delicious.

My new blender arrived and I am so happy. I can make smoothies again.

12- TH- PA

The day started with mammogram and a Dr visit. I told her about Nancy's cancer and now she is going to have me take an MRI in six months.

Afterwards, I went to Haverford Middle School to watch Leo's wrestling match. And, of course, he pinned his opponent within a minute.

13-  F- PA

Jaye is in the hospital for blood clots in her lungs. She is on oxygen and thinks she may be able to meet us for brunch on Sunday.

I had an eye exam.

On the way home, I stopped for Chinese take out. As I was chewing on a delicious piece fo shrimp tempura, I cracked a tooth.  It sounded as if someone had broken a plastic fork in half.  It was so loud and I was driving and the moment unnerved me.  I had to pull over.

I had an ushering assignment at uptown.  I went there but I was so unnerved about my tooth, I asked if I could just leave. I needed to go home and feel sorry for myself.

14- SA- PA

Jaye is still in the hospital. She is on oxygen because of her lung clots.

The annual gala event at Uptown Theatre was a big success.

15- SU- PA

Sharon, Tricia, Lauren and I met at the white dog cafe for lunch. We were supposed to met up with Jaye which was a disappointment.

Afterwards, I went to a brewery with Lisa and Deb, Trouble's End Brewery (5) - PA.  I liked this place.

16- M- PA/DE

I was at the dentist ASAP this morning.  Of course, he couldnt do anything with my tooth.  I thought I could be a cap or root canal at worst.  But I have a vertical crack all the way up to the root.  So the tooth has to be extracted and I need a damn, fucking expensive implant.

My prolia shot was scheduled for this afternoon.  But that is on hold now that I have a tooth crisis.  My prolia shot can cause jaw cancer so I am going to have to delay the shot until 4 months after my pending implant heals.  So it could be as long as a year before I get another shot.

While I was waiting to see the dentist, I wandered on to Mark Kleinle's facebook page and discovered that he died of heart failure in September.

In the afternoon, I had lunch with Joann. I haven't seen her for three years. We went to the Ironhill Brewery (6)- DE- my beers were delicious. I had a Russian Imperial Stout, a Winter Ale, and two IPAs.

Jaye came home from the hospital. What a relief.  And the doctor told her that he was going to suspend her treatment until further notice.

17- TU- PA

Day 5 of my damn tooth crisis.

I got up at 8 today to get get ready for my puffin registration challenge.  Registration opened up at 9 AM and I was right on the site t hat time and I was 149 in line to register. I am going on July 5 with Deb Green and I can't wait.

I looked up dental implant centers and I found sites that offer the implant at $6000, $2999 and $1000.  That's a big difference. I have an appointment at 9 AM tomorrow at the $1000 place.  I am a little nervous to use this cheap service.  But I am going to get them, at least, to extract my tooth.  UPDATE: this appointment is cancelled. They called me and I told them what I wanted and was told that they would not extract my tooth.  So I cancelled.

Debbie and I called everyone we could and I finally have an appointment tomorrow at 4 PM.  And it is confirmed that the damn tooth is coming out and that saddens me that I am losing my fucking teeth.

My protein powder came from Amazon today.  Tricia said I should be adding this to my smoothies since I am not eating these days. And my smoothies aren't filling me up.

I made a hotel reservation for our Puffin trip. I think all of the hotels, in this area,  must have booked up now that everyone got their reservations. I cant wait fro July 5th.

I composed a rough draft of my letter to Mark's wife. I just have so much saddens and regret. I cried the whole time I was writing it.

18- W- PA

Sally came over and we spent three hours trying to book our Ireland trip.  We booked the flight but we can not find hotels that are available and reasonable.  We both decided that we are not going to spend $1000 for a hotel room in Dublin.

My damn tooth is out. And... the anchor for my implant is in, and... it costs me $3200 today and I am not finished paying for this damn tooth.  But the tooth is out, I am not in any pain or discomfort and I am so relieved. 

Jaye was told that she can interrupt her chemo treatment because her cancer numbers are good at the moment.  The doctor wants to give her body a rest. And her spirits are already so much better.

I went to Debbie's for dinner and it was so satisfying to eat pasta without my night guard off.  I feel liberated.

I went back on the internet and looked for hotels in Ireland.  I found something up north and booked it.  I can cancel if needed.  But this may fit our need to be near Dublin, the beach and in a small town with a few pubs.  I hope Sally likes it.

19- TH- PA

OMG, I feel great.  I ate food today and used my full mouth. I do have a big hole in my head but who cares, the tooth is gone.

We had a pool tournament here at Chestnut Square and my two friends won.  Everyone was surprised, even the winners.

20- F- PA

Jerry Blavat, the Geeter with the Heater, The Boss With the Hot Sauce died. He was 82 and his musical influence on the Philadelphia scene has been legendary for 60 years. I never liked him but anyone who loves 50s music, loved him.

In the afternoon, I went to see the movie, The Fablemans, with Kathy Flatley.

My car is dragging a plate that is bolted under the engine. The plate serves to keep pebbles and stones out of the engine.  KF and I got down on our backs and used zip ties to fix the plate. It was hysterical and fixed.

21- SA- PA

Sally came over and we finished up our plans for our trip to Ireland and I think it is going to be a good time.  Afterwards, we went to The Wrong Crowd Brewery and Artillery Brewery. My beers were delicious.

While we were parking to go into the brewery, a skunk waddled out from underneath a car.  It scared the shit out of me.  When I told one of the bartenders, he said she has seen multiple sighting of this skunk.  Now I will have to be on the look out for that damn things.

I came back and went to Debbie's to let her know that I would be around for the Eagle's playoff game.  When I got there, everyone was eating dinner. So I sat down and joined them and hung around until the first half of the game.

I stopped by the lounge and it was packed with people who are drinking and cheering and shouting and watching the Eagles and having a good time and it was great to see this crowd.  We haven't had a crowd in the lounge like this since covid. And, we won handsomely tonight.

22- SU- PA/DE

Today I start my journey to Antigua.  I will have dinner with Jaye and Dom and then I will head out to the airport hotel for my very early morning flight to Miami and then Antiqua.

23- M- PA/Miami/Antigua

It was a long day of travel but I finally made it to Antigua.  I was up at 4AM for a 6AM flight to Miami. From there I picked up my flight to Antigua and then I had about a 45 minute ride to the hotel.  I checked in around 5 PM.

I had to share a taxi with a couple from Scotland. Of course, as the rest of the world is so inclined, the husband made a joke about Trump. I think the wife held her breathe until I let them know that we are on the same page.

He asked me where I was staying and I told him the Jolly Beach Resort and he mentioned that the place may be a dump.  And then he apologized and said he may have wrong information. Oh well. If the place is too gross, I'll just hang on the beach.

24- TU- Antigua

It was a day at the gorgeous beach.  I slept late and wandered down to one of the many places to eat brunch in my all inclusive resort.  I went to the gift shop to get a hat as I forgot mine at home.  But I will have to come back tomorrow to buy one as I was not able to charge the hat to my room.  And then I was off tot he beach for the afternoon.

I found a lounge chair with plenty of shade and close to the bar. After three beers and some fruity banana drink, I made my way to the pool and slipped in to the chilly water.  I would have loved it if the water was just a few degrees warmer.  But I still loved it because it is January and I am outside, swimming in the pool.

I watched the sunset and took lots of photos but most of them had to be deleted because it was too sunny to see what was in my view finder. And, of course, I ran out of battery power just as the sun was finally setting. So I will have to prepare better fro tomorrow's sunset.

I was also able to book a facial and a fruit scrub for tomorrow. I can't wait.

I went to the Asia buffet in one restaurant, was seated and served water and left shorty thereafter because the food was unappealing to me.

25- W- Antigua

My Spa appointment was for 10 AM. That meant I had to get up early to get there on time.  I had a fruit body scrub and a facial.  Both treatments were delightful.  And I left the spa in a floating feeling of peace.

I made it to the restaurant for brunch and had a pina colada and a beer.  This open bar has to stop.  It's killing me.  Maybe tomorrow I will had a banana daiquiri .

The gift shop was opened so I was able to get some beverages for my room. And it's a good thing that I bought them.  I turned on the hot water in my facet and duty water came out.

The beach was lovely again today.  Mid afternoon we had a but of excitement as a woman on a paddle board fell over and couldn't get back on.  Another woman noticed and called to everyone the beach for help.  Most people just came to the shore and watched the moment unfold.  I wadded to the bar and told the waitresses, thinking they would call someone for help.  But they didn't.  They just came out and watched as well.  Someone in a key ski emerged and saved the woman. And then I ordered another beer.

Some man came over and chatted me up.  He was a local and he stayed too long.  I was suspicious of him and thought I might have a problem.  But he finally left.

I took a lot of photos yesterday but I didn't take any photos today as my scenery hasn't change one bit.  All I see all day is a gorgeous, sparkling beach.

26- TH- Antigua

It was another beautiful day.  I made my way to the beach a little earlier today. And I got a great spot, right out front with a full view of the water.  I made it in to the water today and it felt like silk.

The head message man found me and he massaged my head, face and neck for about 30 wonderful minutes.  He oiled up my head and rubbed my face and did a little, painful reflexology on my hands.  I loved it and I would love to receive this treatment every day of my life.

I am getting special treatment from the waiters behind the bar. They think I saved that woman who needed help in the water yesterday.  They wanted to know if she was OK today and I just answered with what they wanted to hear.  She is fine, just a little shaken.

27- F- Antigua

I am kicking myself for booking such a short trip. I go home tomorrow and I wish I had another week.  These days of nothingness have been delightful.

The past three days I have just done nothing but drink beer. I don't think I have even been thinking about anything.  I just sit mindlessly and enjoy the breeze.  But today I started listening to an audiobook.  And just as I was deep in to the story with my eyes closed, someone poked me.  I was so damn startled. It was the head massage man.  He wanted to know how I felt today.  I wanted to tell him that I was fine until he scared the hell out of me.

28- SA- Antigua/Miami/PA

I'm in the lounge of the resort, waiting for a taxi to take me to the damn airport. And I am filled with regret that I have to go home so soon.  I wasn't here long enough for my liking.  I never got tired of going tot he beach and doing nothing.  Therefore, I did absolutely nothing the whole time.  If I had stayed longer, I would have booked some excursions to snorkel and see dolphins and explored the town and found a brewery.  But I didn't do any of those things.  I just sat on my fat ass on the beach and drank pilsners.  And that was enough for me and these last few days have been beautiful, relaxing and great.

29- SU- PA

My flight out of Miami was delayed so I didn't get home until 230AM.  I was tired.  But I was bombarded with challenges.

There was a drunk man in the lobby, sleeping.  I had to call the police and they did something with him.  I didn't hang around to see what happened.  But they had a hard time trying to get him to wake up and cooperate. I left when they asked for his ID and he handed them his phone.

And then I opened my mail and I had a letter from some legal entity telling me I owe $3000 in fines for not filing my campaign report from 2014. I was also informed that I could go to jail if I did not comply by March 1. Shit!!!!  I have to get right on this issue on Monday.

I tossed and turned all night and laid wide awake in bed until noon and got up to watch the Eagles play today.  And of course, the game doesn't start until 3PM. And now I am exhausted.

The Eagles won the game today so now they go on to the Super Bowl game and everyone in Philly is thrilled. As with last week, the lounge was packed with people and food.

Sara, from the building office, stopped by to see me.  She watched the security tapes from last night and saw that our male intruder came in with one of the residence but she seemed to have been spooked by him because she ditched him in the lobby.  According to Sarah, several people were in and out of the lobby and saw the guy but did not intervene.  She saw me talking to him and she saw the cops take him out in handcuffs.

I'm always surprised when people don't have the courage to do the right thing.  This guy was obviously in need of some sort of help.  It seemed obvious to me that he didn't belong here.  And it was obvious that he was tresspassing and could have created a problem.  While the young woman who ditched him may have felt unsafe, why didn't she call the police when she got up to her apartment. And why didn't others speak to him? 

30-M- PA

Today was a day of great anxiety and great relief.  I got up and called the MD Prosecutors' office to discuss the letter I got this weekend.  As luck world have it, I dealt with this agent 9 years ago when I missed another submission deadline.  She cut me a break then and she is going to cut me a break again.  She assured me that I was not going to jail and was not going to have to pay $25,000 in fines.  She put me in touch with someone who is going to walk me through the process to terminate my campaign.  I am so relieved.

31- TU- PA

It's the end of the first month of 2023.  I can't believe it.

I went to the bank and got the copy of an old check that is the stumbling part of closing my 2014 campaign fund. I will be so happy to get this burden out from under me.

I went to Belvin Deli - bday goal

When I got home, I had a voice mail from a woman who tried to call me last week.  She is on the  MMA Alumni Association and she informed me that I am the recipient of the first Distinguished Alumni Award. I am honored and I am bewildered. I do not deserve to receive tis award.  There are far more distinguished alumni than me.  But it seems they are looking at my career and my retirement activities.

All of the usher were asked to come to the Uptown play review. The Mountain Top opens tomorrow.  It is a speculation of Martin Luther King's last night he was alive.  The play was outstanding.