It's hard to believe it, but today was my first official day of semi-retirement.
That's not to say I plan on taking it easy. It only means I am slowing down, way down.
Nearly three years ago I joined the most prestigious injury law firm of Kenneth J. Allen & Associates after spending 40+ years as a journalist.
All of it has been the greatest ride anyone could imagine. I've been fortunate enough to meet everyone from the President of the United States, to the now late Tom Ferebee - bombardier on the Enola Gay on its mission over Hiroshima, to Johnny Depp, who needs no introduction.
Adventures during my career are memories I will never forget; nor do I want to. They include flying into a hurricane with the US Air Force Hurricane Hunters, flying in B-52s on missions during Vietnam, traveling Route 66 "The Mother Road" in a new Corvette, and so many more I cannot begin to detail here.
And I don't plan on stopping. Adventure has been part of my life. Pushing the envelope has always been a thrill. Tell me I can't do something, and I'll usually prove you wrong.
Some of those challenges are more difficult than others. The greater the risk, the more I'll try to prove anyone wrong.
Take smoking for example.
I started that terrible habit a few months ago. I have had three women who I cherish nag me constantly. Finally, one of them said she would quit talking to me if I didn't quit. Well, I didn't and she did - quit talking to me that is.
That was it. I quit smoking then and there. It's only been four days, but I am feeling great about it. Valuable relationships in this short life are often few and far between. I was not about to jeopardize this one.
And it was just another difficult challenge, something I thrive on. So that's it with the smoking.
Besides, my next adventure is something I need to focus on.
Indy car racing has always excited me. Lo and behold, I found a Mario Andretti driving school right here in Chicagoland.
For Christmas I've asked my wife, Donna, to sign me up. After a few hours of instruction I'll take an Indy car out -- alone -- and see what kind of speed I can post. Of course I will be in constant radio contact with the crew chief who'll guide me through the turns.
After getting comfortable with a few laps under my belt, the pit crew will adjust the speed limiter and we will really see -- and feel -- what those guys do on Memorial Day weekend in Indianapolis.
So while today is my first day of semi-retirement, it really is only the beginning of another chapter in my already adventure filled life. I can hardly wait.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A special and appreciated friendship
Did you ever have people come into your life unexpectedly and add a dimension that brings joy and laughter?
Let me tell you our experience.
Three years ago I was scheduled to have surgery for a total knee replacement. Now I have had numerous orthopedic surgeries and one thing I learned is that post-op physical therapy is nearly as important as the surgery itself.
Taking no chances, I decided to interview physical therapists. I went from one to another talking about rehab after surgery.
I went into Accelerated Rehab in Valparaiso, Indiana. I was greeted by a woman with an accent. I told Renata of my upcoming surgery.
Hardly before I could get the words out of my mouth she was handing me a stack of papers with pre-op exercises and the admonition that you must do these even if you come here or not.
We talked some more and she finished with "and my patients who have total knee replacement leave here with 130 degrees flexibility, and you are not going to change that!"
I thought, "what a b----, perfect!"
Renata turned out to be the most compassionate -- and skilled -- physical therapist that I have ever had the pleasure of being tortured by. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" as she bent your leg beyond where it wanted to be bent.
She was, and is delightful. And since that time she and her husband, Art, who is also a physical therapist, and two daughters, have become very good friends with Donna and I. Actually, more family than friends.
At Christmas Renata called Donna excitedly to tell her how Art had given her a Pandora bracelet with charms as a gift. How nice, I thought. That was until Renata urged me to get one for Donna whose birthday was in January.
So I did. Since then the girls have exchanged umpteen charms, at the expense of Art and my bank accounts. They even exchanged Best Friend charms. And they enjoy, and it gives me great pleasure to see them both light up.
Now it's dresses.
Last week Renata calls, "Donna, I am ordering this dress, do you want one?"
"Sure, in black," Donna says. And off we go.
Whether it's popping in at one house or another, a movie, or dinner out or in, our home is always open to Art, Renata and children and we feel the same about theirs.
It's wonderful having Art and Renata and children as a part of our family.
Let me tell you our experience.
Three years ago I was scheduled to have surgery for a total knee replacement. Now I have had numerous orthopedic surgeries and one thing I learned is that post-op physical therapy is nearly as important as the surgery itself.
Taking no chances, I decided to interview physical therapists. I went from one to another talking about rehab after surgery.
I went into Accelerated Rehab in Valparaiso, Indiana. I was greeted by a woman with an accent. I told Renata of my upcoming surgery.
Hardly before I could get the words out of my mouth she was handing me a stack of papers with pre-op exercises and the admonition that you must do these even if you come here or not.
We talked some more and she finished with "and my patients who have total knee replacement leave here with 130 degrees flexibility, and you are not going to change that!"
I thought, "what a b----, perfect!"
Renata turned out to be the most compassionate -- and skilled -- physical therapist that I have ever had the pleasure of being tortured by. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" as she bent your leg beyond where it wanted to be bent.
She was, and is delightful. And since that time she and her husband, Art, who is also a physical therapist, and two daughters, have become very good friends with Donna and I. Actually, more family than friends.
At Christmas Renata called Donna excitedly to tell her how Art had given her a Pandora bracelet with charms as a gift. How nice, I thought. That was until Renata urged me to get one for Donna whose birthday was in January.
So I did. Since then the girls have exchanged umpteen charms, at the expense of Art and my bank accounts. They even exchanged Best Friend charms. And they enjoy, and it gives me great pleasure to see them both light up.
Now it's dresses.
Last week Renata calls, "Donna, I am ordering this dress, do you want one?"
"Sure, in black," Donna says. And off we go.
Whether it's popping in at one house or another, a movie, or dinner out or in, our home is always open to Art, Renata and children and we feel the same about theirs.
It's wonderful having Art and Renata and children as a part of our family.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Waiting, dreaming
So, it's been a couple of weeks since I sent material to the casting folks of the TV series Criminal Minds. Haven't heard anything...yet.
That's not unusual. The entertainment industry works on its own schedule, and that's okay. Aspiring actors should never, ever set expectations --other than ones of rejection.
My philosophy is I try to start with rejection, and if something positive happens -- like a call from my agent -- then that's a small first step.
And I have realized that things happen when you least expect them...not just this business, but life in general.
Who would know that after 40+ as a journalist I would be entering my second year in the legal world? And, with the best and most successful injury attorney and law firm in Indiana and Illinois -- Kenneth J. Allen. March 11 is my anniversary with Kenneth J. Allen & Associates.
And who would have guessed that a family from Poland, who landed in Valparaiso nearly 20 years ago, would drop in our world (my wife Donna and me) and become very loved -- and valued -- friends.
Donna is trying to learn Polish -- she's up to four or five key phrases and words.
Having been born and raised in Chicago, obviously I was exposed to Polish families and some of its culture. But honestly wasn't very close to anyone of that ethnicity ... until three years ago when our new friends entered the picture.
So all of us are working on somewhere warm to travel. We all love hot weather. Everything from Belize, Mexico, California, Hawaii are on the table.
But, if and when we win the lottery is has been decided we are all moving to Bora Bora. Houses on stilts with glass floors, flowers, sun, and more. That's our joint dream. Hopefully all our kids will come, too. We''ll come back and visit Valparaiso.
In the meantime, we just enjoy life while I wait for that call for an acting role, and the others do their thing.
That's not unusual. The entertainment industry works on its own schedule, and that's okay. Aspiring actors should never, ever set expectations --other than ones of rejection.
My philosophy is I try to start with rejection, and if something positive happens -- like a call from my agent -- then that's a small first step.
And I have realized that things happen when you least expect them...not just this business, but life in general.
Who would know that after 40+ as a journalist I would be entering my second year in the legal world? And, with the best and most successful injury attorney and law firm in Indiana and Illinois -- Kenneth J. Allen. March 11 is my anniversary with Kenneth J. Allen & Associates.
And who would have guessed that a family from Poland, who landed in Valparaiso nearly 20 years ago, would drop in our world (my wife Donna and me) and become very loved -- and valued -- friends.
Donna is trying to learn Polish -- she's up to four or five key phrases and words.
Having been born and raised in Chicago, obviously I was exposed to Polish families and some of its culture. But honestly wasn't very close to anyone of that ethnicity ... until three years ago when our new friends entered the picture.
So all of us are working on somewhere warm to travel. We all love hot weather. Everything from Belize, Mexico, California, Hawaii are on the table.
But, if and when we win the lottery is has been decided we are all moving to Bora Bora. Houses on stilts with glass floors, flowers, sun, and more. That's our joint dream. Hopefully all our kids will come, too. We''ll come back and visit Valparaiso.
In the meantime, we just enjoy life while I wait for that call for an acting role, and the others do their thing.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Nothing ventured, nothing ...
Criminal Minds is probably my favorite television drama.
Why? Probably it has some to do with my intense interest in human behavior and psychology. I have always been keenly interested in what makes people do the things they do ... or don't so. It's fascinating to study people.
I've found one of the benefits is often predicting human behavior in advance, and ultimately avoiding pitfalls. It also gives me an edge in being able to easily manipulate situations. Normally that's not a good thing, but I always do it with best intentions. I rationalize that if you know you're manipulating, then it's okay.
I doubt the real professionals would agree, but it makes me feel better.
Back to Criminal Minds. It's a drama about the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, which of course studies human behavior and uses those skills to solve crimes.
For months I also told myself I ought to research casting for the show. Well I did. And I found the company that apparently does the casting for principal players. It's in LA.
So yesterday I put together a package -- all they want is a professional 8 x 10 and a resume stapled to the back of the photo. That's all any casting company wants actually.
I sent it off. I did, though, also send a demo video of an audition I did last year for a major motion picture to be released this fall -- Machine Gun Preacher, with Gerard Butler.
That would have been a great role, but apparently got cut before it ever made it to production. It was two scenes with Butler. Oh well.
Since then I have been rather blasé about whole acting thing. I have been so busy this past year that I have not had time to pursue this career. I promised I would change that this year.
Normally my agent puts me in for roles she thinks I should audition for. Recently there was an upcoming feature film role calling for a news reporter. She is submitting me.
I did this yesterday on my own, although I listed my agency -- BMG Talent / Chicago -- on my resume. Not to do so would be plain wrong. Hopefully they'll get a call for me.
And if they do, it'll be interesting to see what the role is. Psycho killer, local cop, who knows? When I mentioned it to my friend Art Pniak a couple of days ago he laughed -- "You, a psycho killer...?" It is pretty funny. We'll see. Likely I'll hear nothing, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Note to CN: Thanks for the comment. Send me your email address and I'll tell you what I have with regards to the real reporters in Public Enemies.
Why? Probably it has some to do with my intense interest in human behavior and psychology. I have always been keenly interested in what makes people do the things they do ... or don't so. It's fascinating to study people.
I've found one of the benefits is often predicting human behavior in advance, and ultimately avoiding pitfalls. It also gives me an edge in being able to easily manipulate situations. Normally that's not a good thing, but I always do it with best intentions. I rationalize that if you know you're manipulating, then it's okay.
I doubt the real professionals would agree, but it makes me feel better.
Back to Criminal Minds. It's a drama about the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, which of course studies human behavior and uses those skills to solve crimes.
For months I also told myself I ought to research casting for the show. Well I did. And I found the company that apparently does the casting for principal players. It's in LA.
So yesterday I put together a package -- all they want is a professional 8 x 10 and a resume stapled to the back of the photo. That's all any casting company wants actually.
I sent it off. I did, though, also send a demo video of an audition I did last year for a major motion picture to be released this fall -- Machine Gun Preacher, with Gerard Butler.
That would have been a great role, but apparently got cut before it ever made it to production. It was two scenes with Butler. Oh well.
Since then I have been rather blasé about whole acting thing. I have been so busy this past year that I have not had time to pursue this career. I promised I would change that this year.
Normally my agent puts me in for roles she thinks I should audition for. Recently there was an upcoming feature film role calling for a news reporter. She is submitting me.
I did this yesterday on my own, although I listed my agency -- BMG Talent / Chicago -- on my resume. Not to do so would be plain wrong. Hopefully they'll get a call for me.
And if they do, it'll be interesting to see what the role is. Psycho killer, local cop, who knows? When I mentioned it to my friend Art Pniak a couple of days ago he laughed -- "You, a psycho killer...?" It is pretty funny. We'll see. Likely I'll hear nothing, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Note to CN: Thanks for the comment. Send me your email address and I'll tell you what I have with regards to the real reporters in Public Enemies.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
My two cents: Academy gets it right
It's great to see the Oscar people got it right for a change.
The King's Speech deserves every one of its 12 nominations. The acting in the film is outstanding. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were spectacular and I am pleased the Academy has nominated them for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
And, The King's Speech was also nominated -- along with nine others -- for Best Film.
As I prepare to submit my votes for the Screen Actors Guild awards (deadline is noon Friday) to be broadcast on TV Sunday evening, I am delighted that the Oscar nominations are more in line with my choices than in previous years -- especially last year.
Anyone who has followed my writings knows I blasted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last year for snubbing "Public Enemies" and almost more importantly, Johnny Depp.
Of course again they overlooked Depp, who without a doubt is the most talented actor never to win an Oscar. The Academy needs a wakeup call on that one.
Anyway, there's been a lot of buzz about another film The Social Network. No mistake, it's good. But frankly it cannot hold a candle to The King's Speech.
Other than this, no hints on how I'm voting in other categories. Besides, I still have work to do on my picks.
The King's Speech deserves every one of its 12 nominations. The acting in the film is outstanding. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were spectacular and I am pleased the Academy has nominated them for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
And, The King's Speech was also nominated -- along with nine others -- for Best Film.
As I prepare to submit my votes for the Screen Actors Guild awards (deadline is noon Friday) to be broadcast on TV Sunday evening, I am delighted that the Oscar nominations are more in line with my choices than in previous years -- especially last year.
Anyone who has followed my writings knows I blasted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last year for snubbing "Public Enemies" and almost more importantly, Johnny Depp.
Of course again they overlooked Depp, who without a doubt is the most talented actor never to win an Oscar. The Academy needs a wakeup call on that one.
Anyway, there's been a lot of buzz about another film The Social Network. No mistake, it's good. But frankly it cannot hold a candle to The King's Speech.
Other than this, no hints on how I'm voting in other categories. Besides, I still have work to do on my picks.
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