When I read the book \u201cThe Last Lecture\u201d by Randy Pausch, I started thinking about how similar it was to the book I had planned on writing for some time. In my book I didn\u2019t want to tell people how to live, do this, do that. I wanted the book to make people think about how they lived. Instead of writing the book, I decided to start this blog with a military friend of mine. Besides a few of the things I have already written about, the following are a few things I would like you to think about in your life. The things I would most likely talk about in my last lecture, in no specific order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have often heard folks ask or mention who they would like to have a meal with before they die. I have 3 at this point. Michael J. Fox would be my first choice. I have liked and watched Michael J. Fox at every part of his career. I\u2019m actually watching Back to the Future as I write this. I\u2019ve watched him in \u201cBack to the Future\u201d, \u201cFamily Ties\u201d, \u201cSpin City\u201d, \u201cCurb Your Enthusiasm\u201d among a few and cameos in major TV dramas. I thought he was funny, talented and an all around good person. It wasn\u2019t until his diagnoses w\/ parkinsons did he really gain my respect. He has written 3 books. I\u2019m reading my first book now \u201cNo time like the future – an optimist considers mortality\u201d. In addition to parkinsons he is dealing with other related health issues. After all these years of trying to tell people to look up, and be optimistic about the hand you are dealt, he feels he doesn\u2019t need to do that anymore. It\u2019s ok for him to say \u201cthings suck\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m not happy every day\u201d. It\u2019s not his job to make you feel happy. That is your job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would like to cook and eat with Anthony Bourdain. Not because he is the most accomplished chef or restauranteur. I believe he is a better writer and story-teller. His voice is mesmerizing when he tells a story. When I read his book I can hear him telling the story. I can listen for hours. He loves where he is when he is eating, he loves the story behind it, he loves how it was cared for and made. I love that he loves food. Not for the purpose of existing, but the purpose of enjoyment. It is like he is orgasming while eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I went to Drexel university and studied architectural interior design. Some called it interior decorating. Yes, I was one of 3 straight men in my class. But I love design and the thought process behind it. Tim Gunn, the original host of Project Runway. His passion for his craft and those who participate in it is insatiable. I would love to talk design with him. I believe he is the type of mentor anyone, in any profession would like to learn from. He can easily project his love for what he does, on you and want you to be better at what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read. Read a lot. Read about different subjects. Don\u2019t close yourself into one genre. If you don\u2019t like to read, then listen. Listen to pod casts. There is so much to learn & experience from others. Knowledge is powerful. It makes you a more understanding and compassionate person. Here are a few books or authors you can try (just a few). Date them when you read them. Learned that from my Father-In-Law (Dave Koski) and our neighbor in Massachusetts (Fred Buck). Helps your memory when you get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t complain to others or hold them accountable for a decision you had control over. If you find yourself tight on time or late for something, don\u2019t drop your responsibilities on another person because you ran out of time. It\u2019s not fair, it\u2019s irresponsible and it\u2019s just not nice. Think about what you have to accomplish and plan accordingly. Plan your work, Work your plan (My Dad).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When someone says something to you that you don\u2019t agree with or triggers you in some way, don\u2019t lash out immediately. Think about why it was said, where the comment may be coming from, and take a deep breath. Think before you respond in anger. There are times when removing yourself from the situation for a period of time is the best thing to do. Come back in a few minutes to resume the conversation. It\u2019s a time-out. They\u2019re not just for kids. It will make you a better communicator. Say what you mean, don\u2019t say it mean (My wife).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t ever park in a handicap spot unless you have the right too. I would hate for you to need one, and one is not available because of someone\u2019s ignorance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know it is a clich\u00e9, but build yourself a bucket list and do it. Even small things. Achieving things are fun, you learn from them, and you push yourself to be\/do more. Try not to say I\u2019ll do that some day or tomorrow. Domani never comes. The same goes for when you think of someone. If you think of someone you have not spoken too in a while, call, send them a text or god-for-bid write a letter. Don\u2019t let time go by. I had that experience with a person I worked for down the Jersey Shore for about 10-12 yrs. I worked at his restaurant during the summer when I was off school. I kept telling myself I needed to call he and his wife (Pat) to catch up and see how they were doing. They had retired to Florida and came back periodically to visit with their daughter & family. The last time I had that thought, I received a call from his daughter the next day telling me Mario has passed. Truly my loss. I had so much I wanted to talk to him about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you come across someone broken down in the middle of the road, help them. I was driving between schools one day while I was working for Christina School District. I was on my way to Christiana High School. There was an older woman broken down in the middle of a two-lane road. Several people just drove around her & left her to fend for herself. The traffic began to back-up behind her. I pulled my car onto the shoulder, asked her what the issue was. I proceeded to push her car onto the shoulder so she could wait for help. As I was doing this several people sped by as if they were bothered by the delay and didn\u2019t care what the issue was, as long as it wasn\u2019t them. One person even sped past and beeped their horn as if we could have moved faster and not interrupt his poor planning. Don\u2019t be like that it is ignorant, selfish & inconsiderate. A similar situation happened to Jen and I on route 13 north when driving back from the beach. Two different individuals stopped their car and helped push our vehicle out of the middle of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t talk on your cell phone in public when standing around people. I don\u2019t care what you have to say, what you\u2019re talking about or who you are talking to unless it is an emergency, and I can help. It is impolite and you are polluting everyone\u2019s space. If you really need to talk with someone, get to an area away from everyone and handle your business. And please, if you are in line at a store, cancel the call, finish what you are doing and then return the call when you leave the store. Again, if it is an emergency, I would be happy to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please have money ready when going through the tolls. You are given fair warning that a toll is coming and what the amount is. Have the money ready. If someone is driving with you, ask them to get the money ready. Don\u2019t wait until you are at the toll to fumble through your shit to find money. If the trip you are taking has tolls, then have the money ready. Here is a good idea. Get EZ-pass. Be considerate about others who are traveling as well. While we are at it, if you have EZ-pass you don\u2019t have to wait for the LED light to tell you to go through and the toll has been paid. If there is no money on your account, you will get a notice or a bill. You won\u2019t get arrested. EZ-pass was invented to help keep traffic moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be Kind, Be Considerate!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"