10 Things That Make Old Men Grumpy

1) When they realize that they are older than AskIndyTed
2) Women (except Mom)
3) Taxes (see #4)
4) Obama
5) Pencil-necked bosses whose only skill is producing spreadsheets
6) Rush hour traffic
7) Liberals (see #4)
8) Going to work when you don't care anymore
9) When your favorite college football team loses the BCS Championship
10)Infrequent blog posts by AskIndyTed

Blog Block

Some have asked why I haven't posted recently. Well, it hasn't been for lack of material. With taxes (property, inheritance, income,sales, VAT, etc.), healthcare reform, financial reform, government deficits (local, state, federal, and any sovereign nation without an oil well), and dog-owners not picking up their best friend's #2, I could have posted daily. But, who really wants to hear about all of that negative noise.

Nevertheless, all of these happenings have affected my mood to write. I needed inspiration, a lightening bolt, a sign from the heavens, stronger coffee...Something! I was neither depressed nor inspired. I was mired in winter, another miserable season of basketball from IU and the Indiana Tax Pirates, uh Pacers. The Colts didn't show up for the Super Bowl, but Julie's bronchitis did-twice. Personally, my life was fine, but things around me were kind of out of kilter, broken, busted, out-of-time, cattywhompus, in a fog, screwed up, and otherwise sliding sideways.

Well, it's time to fill my BVD's up with ice and snap out of it, throw some cold water in my face, and a whiff of smelling salts! What's my problem? Nothin'! I was blessed with a new healthy beautiful grandson (#3), Harrison, on December 28th. Joel is marrying a wonderful woman next week. And I have the excitement of meeting Kyle's girlfriend at the wedding (no small thing-the CIA should have such security).

So, stay tuned. I'll be baaahck!

Fixing the Federal Deficit

Our politicians know the solution to our federal budget deficits, but none of them would dare be the one to say it. There are numerous ways to eliminate the deficit or at least diminish it to a level that would not mortgage the future of the financial health of the U.S.A., not to mention crippling the rest of the world's nations who are holding our enormous debt. Correcting just two well-guarded "entitlements" could do the trick.

First, raise the retirement age for Social Security to at least 70 years of age. This would affect me directly since I will be 62 in a couple of years, so would qualify for a couple of grand per month from Uncle Sam, a check me and the Mrs. would be happy to collect after sending in over a half of a million dollars in payroll deductions across both our careers. However, when Social Security was conceived, folks did not live 20 to 30 years past retirement. Most of them never saw the first check.

Second, and I will preface my statement by saying this is even more controversial, is to let people die when they are in fact dying. Did you know that over half of our collective U.S. healthcare bill is paying for the last 60 days of life with death as the outcome? That's right. Doesn't make much sense does it?

There you have it. No tax increase. No new spending. And, you would have an environment that would allow businesses to start hiring the unemployed and start growing our economy once again.

Budget Cuts

If the federal government could not print money, they would cut their ridiculous spending. On the other hand, state and local entities are finally feeling the need to prune their overgrown landscapes resulting from their own out-of-control expenditures.

Governor Daniels has sent down the order for higher education to cut $300 million. Franklin Township Schools need to trim $8 million. Center Grove Schools are threatening to eliminate music and art from their curriculum much like the sad sack IPS did last year. I have news for you. The party is over.

We can no longer borrow our way to a better way of living. The bill has come due and everyone wants a bailout. Sorry, you need to be a Wall Street banker with "connections" to get another chance at fiscal responsibility. We, finally, have to live within our means. It won't be so bad. I remember my mother telling me that the Great Depression wasn't really all that bad. She told me..."Everyone was in the same boat. No one had anything".

I still remember her telling me that you only feel left out when someone else has something you think you need. In her case, everyone was without, but they had each other. And, her family, in spite of an occasional squabble, continues to meet every year since about 1920 to talk about never needing anything except each other.

State of the Special Interests of America

I am sitting down in front of the tube (actually a flat screen) getting ready to see how long I can tolerate listening to another President tell me how much better, safer, cleaner, and prosperous we are than a year ago. Well, I'm not swallowing the hook anymore. After just one year of irresponsible yet well meaning leadership from Obama, eight years of George W. attacking anything wearing sandals, eight years of Slick Willie chasing skirts around the globe, and Reagan fading to black while he was still in the White House, I've become a become a tad dubious of the guy sitting in the Oval Office.

Where are the Washingtons, Jeffersons, Lincolns, and Roosevelts that made the U.S.A. the great country that it is, at least for the time being? I'll tell you where they are. They are owned, controlled, and manipulated by "special interests" and the money they provide which is necessary to buy, I mean win, the election. Whoever raises the most cash wins. It's that simple.

So, if you are not personally represented by one of these "groups", find one. Otherwise, you are on your own. Me? I'm going to get my AARP card laminated tomorrow.

Circle City Ambassador

Have you ever seen a flick in downtown Indy at the cineplex atop Circle Centre (that's the way they spell it) Mall? I would guess not, since it is rare to see more than a few folks camped in front of any of the nine screens, regardless of the movie. If movie theaters across the country are struggling to fill the seats, this one is in a coma on life support.

So, why would my sweetie and I frequent a place where so few tread? The obvious reason would be the proximity from where we live which is less than a mile. We can walk if the weather is nice or drive and park for free (the theater stamps your ticket for 3 free hours) while leaving the umbrella & overcoat at home. The other is to see a man who is always there. I do not know his name, but he defines the phrase "work ethic" like no other.

His job is simple, but not easy. His task is boring, but rewarding. He needs to do little, but it requires considerable effort. He is not the boss, but you won't see the movie without his permission. He is the ticket taker. He is also severely disabled. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that all you can see of him is his face, feet, hands, and the rest of his twisted body in between, sitting in a wheelchair. He has difficulty raising his head and it requires considerable effort for him to tear the ticket stubs in half. But, he always greets you in a deep graveled voice, directs you to the correct theater, and tells you to enjoy the movie. Afterwards, on your way out, he thanks you for coming and asks for you to come back soon. You leave being appreciated, a mistake so many failing businesses have yet to learn.

If more Americans gave 100% effort like him, we would not be questioning the future. We would be looking forward to it and enjoying our abundant lives. And, sometimes, taking in a flick.

Knight is Talking, Again

Bobby Knight is coming ever so slowly out his shell and back to the State of Indiana. He was in town this week for an ESPN broadcast of a Butler game (the current favorite team in Indiana-uh, sorry Purdue). While here, he accepted an opportunity to speak at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, not to be confused with the IU Hall of Fame that he recently snubbed after being inducted. Get over it Bobby. Myles unfortunately, prematurely passed to the hereafter and everyone else who tried to modify your behavior is vamanos! As he was speaking, Bobby was the charming, somewhat foul-mouthed, PG-13, rule one violator (takes oneself to seriously) that he typically portrays.

However, one sound bite by Bobby broadcasted by the local media was dead on true. The NCAA rule book has grown so verbose yet vague that compliance has become an issue of begging forgiveness rather than asking for permission. If one wanders "outside the lines", it merely takes a phone call to your attorney to negotiate your severance and next (bigger & better) contract.

Bobby took a direct swipe at John Calipari, the current Kentucky mentor, who has left his last two (three if you count the NJ Nets) in ashes. I witnessed Calipari's current stable of thoroughbreds last week against IU. It was boys playing men. Matter of fact, if I was Larry Bird, I would have traded the UK team straight up for the Pacers. Calipari can coach, but he has taken a team from missing the NIT to an NCAA contender in 10 games! I think Calipari has taken some shortcuts.

Regardless of whether you love Bobby or hate him. He is right-again.

What I Want for Christmas

For starters. let me tell you what I do have. I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful family. I live in a comfortable home regardless of the weather, have charming neighbors & great friends, and my dog loves me. I have savings, health insurance, more clothes than I need, enough electronic devices to start a pawn shop, and can travel anywhere on the three B's (bike, bus, and beemer).

What do I need? Not much, actually. I was thinking of chucking my mobile, but the little lady wants to be able to track me via GPS should I hike the Appalachian Trail or have a sudden onset of Alzheimer's. I could use new exercise clothes. I have some now, but one of my charming neighbors thought my black baggy outfit made me look like M.C. Hammer. I could use a backpack to carry "whatever" while I tool around downtown on my bike. I guess I could use a plastic bag, but that carries an entirely different identity downtown. However, if I get none of these, it's no big deal.

So, what do I want for Christmas? I want my soon-to-born grandson to be healthy. I want the wars wherever they are to end. I want everyone who wants a job to have one that fits their skills. And, most of all I want to stop wanting. I will need to learn to accept what I have is enough and trust the the Good Lord will give me what I need.

That being said, here's hoping you get what you want or better-what you need this Christmas.

Happy Holidays from Downtown Indy

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Dickens must have been thinking of us.

We started off the year with Julie being diagnosed with breast cancer. Whoa! Wait a minute. That's the worst of times? It sure felt like it at first for me and the kids, but we cannot begin to tell you the love and support we received from so many friends and family. Every time we had a need, someone was there. Julie experienced all of the ups and downs...surgery, chemo, radiation, and the associated fatigue one would expect. However, she also felt blessed to have found "it" early, had great doctors (including Jo, Joel's fiance', and Brian), great caregivers at IU, and hundreds of prayers on her behalf. She is still a quart low in the energy department, but still does more than two people drinking Red Bulls. She is continuing to become more deeply involved at the IU School of Nursing. Somehow, I knew that was going to happen. But, she is in the right place at the right time for the two of us. IU and the health care world are fortunate to have her passion and expertise.

Myself? I retired on Sept 30th (thank you my love). After 37 years in the graphic arts biz, I was "well" done. I am just getting into my new life, so allow me some time to decide what I plan to do. Right now, I rant on my blog, AskIndyTed, and do whatever Julie thinks I am qualified to do. So far, cooking is not one of them. I still fantasize about walking the Appalachian Trial. We'll see.

Kyle is still loving and living in NYC. He moved to Brooklyn last year and is exploring the possibility of owning rather than renting. If anyone has info on Kyle, please let us know. He likes to keep us all guessing. All we know is he's single, handsome, talented, charming, and a wonderful son. Look for his newest production on CBS College Sports (Dish Channel 152) on December 18th. The show is about Billy Cannon who won the Heisman in 1959 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. By the way, Kyle is a great storyteller.

If you didn't notice in paragraph two, Joel is engaged to a wonderful woman named Jo Chien! She is a breast oncologist at UCSF Medical Center. Google her and be amazed. Speaking of Google, Joel continues to play an important operations management role for Google Apps. This letter is a Doc which is one of the Apps. Confused? Google it. You'll find the information. Moving on, they are getting "hitched" (Do they say that in CA?) on May 1st in the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you didn't have the opportunity to meet Jo's family at our home over Thanksgiving, they are a delight! Don't Google them. There is way too much info on their accomplishments. It will crash the servers.

Brian, Brooke, Parker, and Finley are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Harrison sometime around New Year's Day. The stork will have his work cut out. Harrison is huge! As for the rest of the family, all you need to do is read Brooke's blog, www.thethreeolives.com. It tells it all. Let me just say that B & B are doing a great job. Brian continues his anesthesia residency with the possibility of focusing on pain management. Meanwhile, Brooke continues to be a great Mom and more. I haven't seen the likes of her since my own Julie. Hang in there Brooke-only 2 1/2 more years of residency.

All in all, we are truly blessed. We hit a few chuckholes along the way in 2009, but we have each other. What else could you need? So, when your times are a little rough, may you and yours be reminded to hug and appreciate each other in celebration of the birth of Christ as the true joy and meaning of this Christmas season!