There's a man, homeless I have to assume, who camps most mornings at the corner of Guadalupe and 38th Streets. His hair is long and dry and stringy, not unlike strands of overcooked spaghetti, and they usually pour from underneath a black wool cap. The anti-Ralph Macchio, he's probably 40 but looks 60, and he seems to side with tye-dye shirts and ripped black jeans. His boots have seen better days. Maybe you've seen him.
He sort of has a not-all-there look in his eyes, and I wonder if he should take up residence across the street at the state hospital. But the guy, despite the heat and his obvious plot in life, always has a smile on his face (I've seen better teeth on a rake, for the record). On my way back to the gym from Starbucks, where I've pissed away another two bucks on a cup of burnt coffee that I really don't need, I sometimes give him a buck. He doesn't ask for it, doesn't solicite work, no sign, no fake limp. He just pockets the bill, thanks me and returns to his faraway thoughts. His thin smile returns, and I go back to work.
Sometimes, when I think I'm having a bad day, and thankfully there aren't many bad days in my business, I think of him and the heat and the smile. I know it's all relative, but for most of us, it really ain't all that bad.
Sure, the guy might be a little crazy, but aren't we all?
************
So McKenzie is now two weeks into school.
I asked her the other day:
"So how's second grade going?"
Her answer: "Well (beat)...pretty much like first grade, 'cept now there's a two above the door."
*************
McCoy is nearing his second birthday. He has the world's quickest smile and (usually) a great temperament. Would reach out his arms to a vacuum cleaner. But the kid doesn't say a word. No 'da da," no 'ma ma,' squat. Not that he doesn't make noise - he's plenty noisy - but, despite understanding most everything we say, he has the vocabulary of a potato.
We recently went in for his 18th-month checkup, and the pediatrician said he needed to be saying at least 50 (FIFTY!) words by his second birthday, or he would need to see a therapist. (I can't stand the thought of him laid out on one of those couches).
Does anyone know a vetriloquist?
***********
Home Workout of the Day:
For those who have slipped into the Fitness Protection Program, here's a home workout that would take you 15-20 minutes:
15 Modified Pushups
30 Jumping Jacks
12 Modified Pushups
30 Second Plank Hold
8 Real Pushups
30 Bicycle Crunches
45 Second Wall Sit
Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
He sort of has a not-all-there look in his eyes, and I wonder if he should take up residence across the street at the state hospital. But the guy, despite the heat and his obvious plot in life, always has a smile on his face (I've seen better teeth on a rake, for the record). On my way back to the gym from Starbucks, where I've pissed away another two bucks on a cup of burnt coffee that I really don't need, I sometimes give him a buck. He doesn't ask for it, doesn't solicite work, no sign, no fake limp. He just pockets the bill, thanks me and returns to his faraway thoughts. His thin smile returns, and I go back to work.
Sometimes, when I think I'm having a bad day, and thankfully there aren't many bad days in my business, I think of him and the heat and the smile. I know it's all relative, but for most of us, it really ain't all that bad.
Sure, the guy might be a little crazy, but aren't we all?
************
So McKenzie is now two weeks into school.
I asked her the other day:
"So how's second grade going?"
Her answer: "Well (beat)...pretty much like first grade, 'cept now there's a two above the door."
*************
McCoy is nearing his second birthday. He has the world's quickest smile and (usually) a great temperament. Would reach out his arms to a vacuum cleaner. But the kid doesn't say a word. No 'da da," no 'ma ma,' squat. Not that he doesn't make noise - he's plenty noisy - but, despite understanding most everything we say, he has the vocabulary of a potato.
We recently went in for his 18th-month checkup, and the pediatrician said he needed to be saying at least 50 (FIFTY!) words by his second birthday, or he would need to see a therapist. (I can't stand the thought of him laid out on one of those couches).
Does anyone know a vetriloquist?
***********
Home Workout of the Day:
For those who have slipped into the Fitness Protection Program, here's a home workout that would take you 15-20 minutes:
15 Modified Pushups
30 Jumping Jacks
12 Modified Pushups
30 Second Plank Hold
8 Real Pushups
30 Bicycle Crunches
45 Second Wall Sit
Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
2 comments:
I think that homeless guy slashed my tires last summer. Maybe he's using your money to buy blades.
Keep up the good work on the blog.
Love the blog, Jeff!
Also, you probably don't believe me... but I did the home workout you mentioned! :)
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