thanks I guess

Hey Fuckers,

I've been away for awhile and now I'm back. I have a lot to say and 15 minitz or so to say it so let me make a list for you in rough order of importance.

1. My dad went into the hospital again last week. Another heart attack, plus major accumulated heart damage and 80 years of bodily wear and tear. On Wednesday, the doctors strongly suggested that this was the end. To see my pops lying there was heartbreaking. Tubes, mask, catheter, the works. As a matter of routine, they recommended an angiogram. But the dude who was to perform the angiogram refused, suggesting that to do so was 25% likely to result in death. This doctor, Dr. Feit as he is appropriately named, battled the cardiologist and won. And somehow my pop started to improve. He's by no means out of the woods yet; every day that goes by I sit waiting for the horrible phone call. And even if he gets out of the hospital it's a major uphill battle. But he's got a fighting chance now and I can't ask for more than that. I love you pops.

For twenty genius points, name this song that always reminds me of my pops.

Oh you was my hero
How you are my good friend
I've been there and back
And I know how far it is

2. Vic came in from Chicago a couple of weeks ago and we were able to squeeze in a couple hours at the bar. Nothing big, no fistfights or streaking or sex in the bathroom or writing on each other's asses. Just two old friends eating fried food and talking.

Here are some subjects we touched upon:

-weight
-the Knicks game
-Madison, Wisconsin
-Wall Street dudes removing their wedding rings when attractive women approach them
-the old days
-Dipak (all good)

3. And then I got to watch the Wisconsin-Iowa game with my pals BC and BA. Great to see those fools. They both look very good, although I suspect that their respective belly button lint smells as bad as anybody else's. We went to the "official" Wisconsin bar to watch the game, and in a touching bit of stoopidness I actually wore a Wisconsin sweatshirt, assuming my pals would do the same. Nope. They both dressed like adults -- button down shirts and jeans. I felt like a douche. I had intended to take pictures but I decided against it for obvious reasons. Oh well. Wisconsin is now 11-1 and I still don't think they're any good.

4. Do you suppose it's true that all great romances end, by definition?

5. Until my pops gets out of the hospital, I am going to include a story about him in each day's post. Here's one I just heard at the hospital. A family friend was visiting and she told the story.

Apparently in the mid-70's my dad was offered one of the top positions on a network daily morning show. He said he would take the job, but only if the entire staff could leave every day at 6pm. Somehow the network agreed. And every day, everyone got to leave at 6pm. And the work got done. This story has huge resonance for me right now.

It sounds trite, but finding a decent work/life balance is 72% of the key to happiness. The remaining 28% is made up mostly of blowjobs, booze, loud music, various snack products, athletic achievement, and the thrill of winning an MC battle in 1988.

6. Please share any happy stories you have about my pops in the comments section. Maybe I can print 'em out for him.

7. I miss you guys.