The Man Who Made A Lifetime Seem Like Less

The world found out that earlier this week, novelist(among other things) Sidney Sheldon died. During the year I spent in homebound recovery, I devoured books. Everything from mysteries and suspense novels to travel and humor books. Sidney Sheldon was probably the author who wrote more of the books I read that year...that lifetime...than any other. I still refer to "The Doomsday Conspiracy" when discussing secret government stuff in discussions with friends. The cool thing about Sheldon (other than he's one of the finest novelist of the 20th century) is that he never wrote a book until he was 50. I sincerely hope that when I hit the half century mark, I'm looking for new adventures and projects instead of the nearest rocking chair.

What Will That Accomplish?

Earlier this week, there was a tragedy at an elementary school in rural Illinois. During lunch, a car driven by an 84 year old woman crashed through the side of the lunchroom, killing one little boy. Just tragic that this freak accident occurred.
The mother of the deceased boy has every right in the world to be angry, to feel hurt, loss, sadness, any emotion she chooses. This was an accident, pure and simple. And yet, the boy's mother issued a statement directed at the elderly driver and the family of the elderly driver which (I paraphrase) said, You'll get no sympathy from me...I hope every day, and every time you close your eyes, you see my son.
Again, this woman has every right to feel whatever emotions she chooses. But what does she hope to accomplish with a statement like that? I don't think the 84 year old driver went out planning to crash into a school and kill a kid. I'm guessing that she (as anyone in her situation would probably be) is horrified and sickened that she caused such a death. So, what good can come of wanting this woman to suffer more? Does it bring the dead child back? Does it help to reform the laws so elderly drivers will be protected from themselves and, in turn, protect other pedestrians and motorists? No. It's just a very, very emotional person acting and speaking out of hurt-and nothing is accomplished by it.

60 Dogs in the Same Room

Today, I spoke for the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners in Baltimore, MD. Most folks in this org are disabled and utilize the services of a specially trained dog.

I must say this was the first time I've presented in a room where 60 some odd dogs were present. And know what? Not one bark! If I can give a keynote sometime without a cell phone going off, I'll be happy... but it's even more refreshing to see such fantastically trained dogs gathered in one place (and their owners and handlers are some pretty cool folks, too!).

Special thanks to Ed and Toni Eames for being such great clients and doing such meaningful work for service/assistance dog handlers everywhere!

"How Can You?"

Today, while boarding a flight, I witnessed one of the worst cases of inhumanity in a while. A man who was quite obviously self centered and heartless, pushed his way to be one of the first to board the plane. He grabbed the front row of seats and told everyone who passed, "These are reserved." Unfortunately, a young woman who uses a wheelchair didn't get a pre-board slip. She had the ability to walk, but it was only with extreme effort and pain that she was able to hoist herself out of the wheelchair and step down the aisle to an open seat. According to my eyewitness (i.e., girlfriend Marvelyne), the flight attendant shot the man a look as if to say, "Can't you see she's hurting? Offer her a seat, jerk!" He did not. Finally, his wife got on the plane and he whispered to her, "I almost lost these seats..."

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We have shining examples of human stupidity and disrespect every day. It's just not in my range of thinking to put another person through pain and inconvenience simply for my comfort. How can people do this? It's beyond me. And probably you, too, if you take the time to read this blog. I try to find examples of good, but today, this was just such a glaring example of what NOT to do that I had to share.

You're Fired!

So, I'm about, what? five years behind? Yeah, tonight was the first time I actually watched, "The Apprentice." Did you? Did you want to slap that psycho Marissa chick, too? Okay, personal violence against an anonymous person aside, here's the long and short of it...

The entire team said Marissa should be fired. This is at least half a dozen people. Every single person...except she(Marissa) who was finally given the ax. When Trrump pointed out to Marissa that everyone on the team said she should be fired, she was even more adament and said, "No, they're wrong!" Folks, if there are several people telling me I'm wrong, I'm going to re-evaluate. Hey, even if one person is telling me I'm wrong, I'll stop and consider their point. Then, if their side has merit, hey, I may pull a switcheroo in the ol' opinion department. But, isn't it obvious when several people are agreeing that there is a problem with you that, well, there IS a problem? Schoolyard bullying or ganging up aside, if one continually hears the same thing from a variety of people, why would one choose not to recognize the other opinions? Two reasons: pride and stupidity. Don't be that guy! Or...you're fired!

Wanna Buy My House?

If you haven't heard, I'm relocating to Florida to live the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle! Well, either that or be with my girlfriend...

Either way, wanna buy my house?

This is a 1400 sq. foot, three bed, two bath home in Kirkwood. New kitchen, big yard, beautiful cottage home. One car garage, new roof, large deck, perfect separation of bedrooms for a home office. On Taylor Ave. in Kirkwood, walking distance to downtown Kirkwood, just around the corner from Tillman Elementary.

This is seriously the most perfect Norman Rockwell neighborhood you can hope to find! Hang out in the backyard and listen to the kids playing at Tillman, all while living in the most desirable area of St. Louis!

Asking $272K. Let me know if interested - we can do it ourselves, or it'll be listed in mid-Feb. with a realty co.

Pardon?

After a time of tragedy, everyone wants to join in the celebration party. Human nature, I suppose. After all, everyone likes a party!
Today, I was reading in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about two celebratory gifts, both revolving around the "Miracle in Missouri." First, a local bbuilder has donated a new four bedroom home to the Shawn Hornbeck family. After 4.5 years of being missing, the builder wanted to do something for "a deserving family." You'll get no argument that everyone deserves a home, but this seemed to be pretty self-serving on the part of the builder. They get the publicity, their name in the paper and folks emotionally link them as a company with a good heart. But still...a $250K home? I just think homes for so many homeless folks could be build for that money-at least shelters where minimal luxuries are exchanged for helping to keep more people off the street. Then, a good point was made: the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was founded by his parents and will be operated and housed in the family's new abode. Okay, okay, still slightly self serving on the part of the builder, but it's helping a non-for-profit org, so I'll accept thatt.
That is...until I read this morning's paper. Shawn's parents stepped down from their positions of running the organization several weeks ago(BTW, the home isn't going to be completed for at least another few months). Even more concerning is that there really isn't a Shawn Hornbeck Foundation any more! The org ffailed to turn in their finances to the state of Missouri over a year ago and that effectively dissolved their status as a non-for-profit. Even so, the builder helped throw up a smoke screen...why? Simple self promotion. Don't dupe the public, McBride and Sons.
Now, the second piece of chairitable giving was, I feel, the polar opposite. The young man who identified the white Nissan that was used to abduct the second kidnapped kid, Ben, was given a new pickup of his own. Actually, not. He's only 15, so his family gets it until he's old enough to drive. Still, he was given a top of the line Dodge pick up that is roughly the size of a New England state. Having lived for three summers in the town where the second kidnapping took place, I know this truck will be the envy of the greater Union, Missouri area. Does Dodge get some publicity? sure, but it's not nearly what the builder gets...and they aren't trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public, either.

Heros Don't Come Easy

Over the last week, I've been getting re-acquainted with some old friends from my high school days; U2, REM, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Today, the music du jour while I did my morning miles was R.E.M.'s "Automatic for the People." From the tune, "Monty Got a Raw Deal" came the lyric that is the title of this post...so, for the rest of the workout, I was trying to think of folks we consider heros. More importantly, what did these people have to do to gain hero status in the collective eyes and hearts of today's world? The only thing I could come up with was the fact Michael Stipe is right: heros really -don't- come easy. Anyone worthy of being thought of as heroic had to, at some point, either work their righteous butt off, or put the greater good in front of their own. By that rationale, we all need to work at being heroic.

"The Good Shepherd"

Tonight, I knocked off a good two hours and 45 minutes of my life by sitting through "The Good Shepherd." A star-studded cast and lots of cool undercover CIA sorta stuff, but with such intricate details and sub-plots that I was more than a little confused. Still, everything brought up was relevant to all of us; the conflict of priorities.
Angelina's character said her husband's college fraternal organization, the famed Skull & Bones, put the organization before God. At the same time, the main character has to decide which is more important, family or country. Folks with a strong faith/religion element would probably say God should be first and foremost in everyone's lives. That may be true, but as an agent of the government, protecting the American idea of freedom of religion would take prescedent. And family before country? Those who've enlisted in our armed forces have had to wrestle with that decision, too. This sorta dilemma has me glad that the military doesn't need overweight blind guys like moi. I'm not sure where most Americans would make their decisions on an issue like this, but I, for one, am of the mindset that we are nothing without our country. Your choice of religions? That goes out the window if there is no U.S. of A. And your family? Families have been torn apart by oppressive rulers/governments since the dawn of time. Affiliation in your chosen organizations? Not without this little thing called freedom! These are some tough, tough choices...and I'm glad there are people who put the American way before their own desires. To sacrafice one's own comfort to secure the freedom of others? That is a sacrafice I only hope I could be strong enough to make.

More Mark Chairity Events

Mark DeWalle Events
KICK-A-THONSaturday February 10, 2007Kick Against CancerHelp us, "Kick Against Cancer" with our Kick-a-Thon.All students are encouraged to participate and sponsors are needed.All proceeds will go to the Mark Dewalle Trust Fund to helpthis family offset some of the expenses they are incurring for travel for medical treatment and loss of work. Mark has a rare form of cancer that he is fighting and this will be our opportunity to help him and his family in their fight. To visit Mark's web site click on this link.For more information, please call the dojo at 314-416-9888.
Laughs on the Landing - Benefit for Mark DeWalle Saturday January 27, 2007 Show starts at 10 p.m. - with improv starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 - can be bought at the door. Make sure you tell the doorman you are there for the Mark DeWalle Benefit. Come on down -bring a friend,come by yourself- but let's have a big turnout- have some laughs and help out Mark at the same time. Question can be posted on the Mark DeWalle website
http://www.markdewalle.moonfruit.com/ or by calling Andrew Brockmeyer at 314-795-4652. http://www.laughsonthelanding.com/

Golf Tournament - sponsored by Golf Discount April 16th - entry forms and details can be found at http://www.markdewalle.moonfruit.com/ under the events tab.

Anonymous Well Wishers

When I was a patient in Barnes Hosspital, I knew very little of the rally of well wishers that ewas happening outside of my hospital room. In the local paper, there were several ads posted for card showers and letters to be sent to my hospital room. One of the most memorable letters I received was from a woman I'd never met. She and her husband were retired and had a small farm outside of the town where I grew up. They used it as their weekend retreat and, just to fit in with the year-round locals, they subscribed to the local paper. While flipping through the cattle sales and what cheap beer was on sale at the local C Store, she found the ad for the card shower for yours truly. There were no details on who this anonymous Marcus guy was, so she simply told me a bit about herself, her husband and how she came to be reading the Montgomery Standard. I do remember that she believed I was young, but she had no real way of knowing why she felt this way. Well, her thoughts were right on.
Friends, either this woman was totally bored and needed a life, or there was something inside her calling her to write. Again, I didn't know her, she didn't know anything about me, and her anonymous well wishes were one of the driving forces that kept me going.Let us not forget that this was in the years before anyone had heard of aol, MySpace or even E mail. Today, I'd like to return that woman's kindness and ask you to do me(well, Mark,) a favor...a 21st century favor.

Also while hospitalized, as many of you have read, I was tended to by Barb DeWalle, R.N. Even as I write this, I have a lump in my throat for the extra effort, love and care Barb gave to that extremely messed up 18 year old kid who looked a lot like me. Now, Barb has had the tables turned on her family. Her son, Mark, is undergoing yet another round of chemo. This will start on Monday. Before then, the DeWalle friends and fam are asking for messages to be posted to his web site, wishing him well. Anonymous people did it for me, and I'm asking you to do it for Mark. Please take a couple of moments to do this, K? You never know the impact messages have on a patient until you've laid in that hospital bed. Here's the address...and thanks. From me, from Barb and Debe, and from patients everywhere(yeah, I speak for all of them, what of it?)

http://markdewalle.moonfruit.com/

Yes, this is the correct URL. Pretty sure the site was designed by some Englishman with a different system of accessing the net than we Yanks. Oh, and if there's no message on there from Marcus? It's because I can't figure it out. Apparently, I'm net retarded or something...but pass along the message I sent here, K?

Until Our Last Breath...

Fox News just ran a human interest segment on an org caalled, "Marines for Life." This org is ran by former Marines who help recently discharged Marines to find employment. First offf, this is one of those orgs that just melts my heart. Any group that helps those who've served our country gets major props in my book...and my donation dollars. But Marines for Life gets even more credit because it is a continuation of the bbrotherhood of that branch of the U.S. military. The representative interviewed for the segment made it simple: "We are Marines and we will help our fellow Marines until our last breath." Thank you, gentlemen, for your service and for keeping us safe. Semper fi.

Screwed Up Emotions

If you've been watching any news in the last 10 days, you've probably heard about the Miracle in Missouri. Over four years ago, a kid named Shawn Hornbeck was kidnapped about an hour outside of St. Louis. Then, earlier this month, another little boy was kidnapped in roughly the same area. Four days after the kidnapping earlier this month, both boys were found together in an apartment complex less than two miles from my home. This could very well be one of the most amazing stories of this decade...and the more one studies this case, the weirder it gets.
Everyone speculates(including me) as to what the circumstances surrounding this case actually are. Why didn't Shawn try to run away? Why didn't he make contact with his parents? Why didn't he call the police on his cell phone? Why didn't he tell anyone who he really was/is?
Tonight, my favorite radio show, The Dave Glover Show, interviewed a man who was himself abducted in the early 70s. During his ordeal, he was beaten, brutalized, raped, molested and chained to a log in the middle of the forest and left for dead. He was rescued by some passing hunters and the cops immediately caught the offender. The abductor was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced. While in jail, the other prisoners killed the idiot. And we all say in unison..."Good! He deserved it!" Well, most of us would say that. Logic would make you think the boy he abducted and tortured would be the one jumping for joy when he found out his captor was dead. Negative. Now, as a middle aged, well-adjusted and articulate man, he admits he still feels loss when he thinks about the death of his captor. What? Does this even make sense? No, it doesn't...and he admits that.
I have the privledge of being one of the "lucky ones"; I've never been abused, never had neglect as a child, never had anyone touch me inappropriately, sexually or otherwise. I cannot put myself in the mind nor the skin of this man, nor anyone who HAS suffered abuse. Sure, I have my own ideas and uneducated conclusions about the Shawn Hornbeck case, but they're just that: uuneducated. And even when we all know the truth? It still probably won't make sense to us. Like the gentleman who was interviewed tonight, I'm starting to realize that some things just won't make sense-and may never. And we just have to accept that as part of this world in which we live; a world that is sometimes the most heartwarming and fantastic places imaginable(i.e., the day Shawn and Ben were found), and sometimes the most sickening and inhumane world we can imagine(i.e., the day Martin Anderson, the guest on the DGS, was abducted).

Carson: America's #1 Dog

The AKC has just published its ranking of the most popular American dog breeds. At the top, your favorite breed and mine...the loveable lab! Yeah, Carson has a big head over this, as you can imagine!

This really isn't all that surprising, actually. I mean, who doesn't love a flop eared, happy-go-lucky lab? Poodle owners, perhaps? Right...like those are real dogs!

All funniness aside, there are at least a dozen times I can remember over the last decade when Dasher or Carson's mere presence influenced a friend or acquaintance to get a lab puppy. My favorite was my sophomore year of college and my professor of music appreciation. The second day of class, she walks into the lecture hall, points at Dasher and states (to the entire class, I might add), "This dog is the reason there is no toilet paper in my house!" Beg pardon? She went on to explain that after the first class, she was so impressed with Dasher's behavior and beauty that she went home and begged her spouse for a black lab. Yeah, guaranteed A for your old pal, Marcus, in that class!

"Cyberbegging? Or Creative Financial Solutions?"

Did you happen to see 20/20 last night? If not, it wdealt with the sad state of the financial affairs of Americans-credit card debt, debt collectors, the typical American spending habits and how the average folks in credit card debt(not to mention other debt) can conquor their addictions.
One of the featured "guests" was a young woman in NYC who had a shopaholic streak with a special affinity for handbags-handbags that cost several hundred, even over one thousand, dollars. She shopped herself into over $20K of credit card debt and, instead of taking a second job and stopping the behaviors that got her into trouble in the first place, she started cyberbegging. Cyberbegging is panhandling, just using the net. She told her story and asked web surfers to help by giving her a dollar. A few months later, over half of her debt was paid off. Shameful? Or creative? Both?
I'm tempted to shove it into the shameful column but for one thing...a web site is basically a business. If she treated the site like a job, worked hard at it and it was successful, who's to argue? Plus, she asked for one buck-not exactly a tele-evangelist bilking viewers out of money they didn't have.
The jury is still out, in my humble opinion. Perhaps this is just the world in which we live, maybbe it's just a passing phase we'll soon get over like the novelty of chat rooms in the 90s, who knows? I do know that to show the ultimate in maturity and self respect, one should hold oneself accounttable in all situations-especially those messes we get ourselves into.

An Honest Wage

Yesterday while working out, I popped an old favorite into the CD player, U2's "Rattle & Hum." One of the tunes mirrors an old Irish tune about the working man, "Van Dieman's Land." In it, there's a line that stands out, "A day will come in this dawning age when an honest man seeks an honest wage." This leads to the question...what is an honest wage?
Right now, I'm working my way through Tom Wolfe's "Hooking Up" and it's asking the same question. "Hooking Up" is a collection of Wolfe's essays on American liife at the turn of the century(the 21st century, that is). One point he makes is that even the most unskilled laborers in America (or what would have been traditionally thought of as blue collar jobs) earn a salary that is high enough to afford many of the luxuries of the "upper crust"; vacations, electronics out the wazoo, entertainment options...all while NOT having to sacrafice things like, oh, food.
Woolfe's observance was that a job that, say, 50 to 100 years ago, would have been able to live(but not live with "extras") is now standard, even below standard. So, what is an "honest wage" that U2 sung about? I mean, even the poorest of the poor in America(the homeless indigent aside) have automobiles, cell phones and entertainment options. No, not all-and that's not what I'm saying, but if you look at the majority of Americans at or below the poverty level, there are still "extras" that make life better. Mirror that with what is considered poverty in a third world country and there's just no compairson.
Where we live in the world determines how we see wealth and poverty. In America, impoverished is high society compared with those in Haiti. We, in America, are very, very lucky-and we forget that. Oh, how often we forget that...

Okay, I'm Lame

The Thursday night ritual(which I just started tonight, BTW) is to hang out on the couch and watch a TV show about other people hanging out on a couch, King of Queens. Tonight, Doug and Carrie picked up their fpictures from the photomat(obviously a re-run since hardly anyone actually still picks up photos) and they accidently got someone else's shots. So, of course, they look through the pics. What do they find? Pics of a couple doing all sorts of fun stuff: scuba diving, mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, etc. They quickly realize that this couple actually DOES the stuff they say they're going to do. Granted, in typical King of Queens fashion, Doug and Carrie flub it all up, but gotta give them an "A" for effort!
The "someday" that so many people wait for doesn't always come. This makes me re-committ to do all the stuff I say I'm going to do before I die-go to Bologna, Italy, learn to play piano, get better at playing an F chord on guitar, see Springsteen in concert, that sorta stuff...and who'd have thunk re-motivation could come from a sitcom!

"Blink" and Bill

A few months ago, I read a best seller called, "Blink." One of the things I found most intriguing about "Blink" was a study that had been done by university professors where they would observe a short interaction between couples. For instance, a husband and wife would be observed while they chatted over some "issue" in their marriage; something as trivial as doing the dishes. What the scientists discovered was that by counting the involuntary movements of each person, they could rank that person's true feelings. Say, a certain number of rolls of the eyes showed contempt, a certain number of glances away from their partner indicated shame, etc. After only a few minutes of interaction, scientists could predict, with something like 85% accuracy, if the couple would stay married more than a few years.
After reading this book, my interest in human interaction and involuntary "signs" was sparked even more. Last night on The O'Reilly Factor, Bill had a guest on who is an expert in body language. She observed some interactions between Dick Cheney and Chris Wallace, Condi Rice, and even a speech made at the Golden Globes by Warren Beatty. After observing the briefest of clips, the expert could determine whether or not each person was lying, what their motivation was in answering each question, etc.
Folks, I don't know about you, but I'd sure like to know wwhen politicians are lying to me. This is the cclosest thing we've got to hooking politicians up to a polygraph. It's been a few months since I've watched an entire episode of The O'Reilly Factor, but apparently this is a regular segment-and one I plan on watching again. I hope you will, too...after all, we all benefit by keeping our politicians accountable.

"Under Pressure"

Today, a door to door salesman rang the bell. For real, are there such things as door to door salesmen any more? Apparently so...and selling some sort of nutritional supplement. Right, like if I'm going to get healthy, I'll wait for some Joe Schmoo to ring the bell.
I thought tthe idea of salesmen went out with the pet rock. No one enjoys bbeing pressured into buying anything. Instead, the most effective way to get people to buy something is to give them all the info they need and THEN let them decide...that's hard to do when, just by ringing the bell, it's obvious someone is wanting to sell something.
Again, no one makes a well thought out and intelligent choice if pressured to do so. Keep that in mind next time you're having the screws put to you to open your wallet.

Marcus' New Business Ventures!

On Friday, I accepted an offer from Coleman Productions to be my exclusive booking agency in the college/university market. So, if you've been a client in the past, now you'll get to meet Brooke Simms, the main booking agent for CPI. Coleman Productions affiliates me with some of the most talented speakers and entertainers in the collegiate market and I hope it will be a partnership that continues the awesome relationships I've developed with clients over the last several years. Please check out CPI at:

www.colemanproductions.com

Thanks!

Well, if you've flipped on CNN or Fox News in the last 24 hours, you've probably seen the miraculous (and I don't use that word lightly) story of the discovery of the local boy who was kidnapped earlier this week... found in the same apartment as another little boy who was kidnapped four plus years ago. Talk about one amazing story! The apt. complex where the boys were found is just a couple of miles from my front door, and the abductor was employed within three blocks from my home. Just goes to prove-we really never know who is living nearby.

So, this story broke around 5 p.m. yesterday and, due to some exciting news happenings and inclement weather, we still had a great showing of folks at D'Vine Wines! Thanks to all who came out-even the hoosiers! Thanks to Lisa, the vinmistress for the opportunity to play the songs I love and give people another something to smile about last night!

www.marcusengel.com
www.myspace.com/marcusengel

Prayers and Positive Energy

If you've read either of my books, you'll likely remember my favorite nurse, Barb DeWalle. As a patient, Barb treated me differently than any other health care provider ever had; i.e., with compassion, dignity and respect.

Now, the tables are turned a bit. Barb's son, Mark is in the fight for his life... again. Mark is a few years younger than me and is dealing with the second bout with a disease that could (and almost has before) put an end to his life. He is at Siteman Cancer Center here in St. Louis and, if you're the praying sort, now would be a good time. If you're not, throw some good energy down to Mark and Barb and their family. Please... if you've ever been influenced or impacted by something I've said, please know that Barb is part of the reason I'm alive - and help me re-pay that kindness to her and her family by helping them out however you can. Here's the link to Mark's web site:

http://markdewalle.moonfruit.com/

Thanks, friends... this means a lot to me... and to the DeWalle family, too.

Tomorrow Night's Acoustic Gig

Friday, Jan. 12th, 7-9 p.m.
D'Vine Wines

downtown Kirkwood, MO

(just north of the train station)

Drop on by for some samples of primo vino and a few songs you know by heart!

Start time around 7.

D'Vine is a great little winery with mucho atmosphere.

Come on by and say HI!

Pain and Discomfort

Yesterday, I attended a meeting of my Natl. Speakers Assoc. St. Louis chapter. Our speaker was Karyn Buxman, a former member of our chapter. Karyn is a humorist who does a great amount of work in the health care industry and working with health care professionals, as I do. As she was teaching our fellow chapter speakers about adding humor to their programs, one quote she said stood out: "Most humor comes from pain and discomfort." I couldn't agree more. Knock knock jokes, funny hats, gags and props, to me, aren't funny. But the ability to see humor in a situation that was painful and is now better, well, that's humor at it's finest.

www.marcusengel.com
www.myspace.com/marcusengel

A Moment of Silence for the Reason I'm Alive

Through my first year or so of college, I practically lived off of Top Ramen noodles. I mean, they're tasty (i.e., loaded with sodium), have a variety of flavors (does anyone really think that chicken ramen tastes like chicken?) and fit every college student's budget (since most college students don't mind spending a whopping two nickles on a serving)! Alas, the inventor of our wonderful ramen noodles has gone to the big microwave in the sky *insert "Taps"*

Yep, over the weekend, the inventor of the ramen noodle finally died... in his mid-90s (and they say sodium is bad for ya!) Here's to you, Mr. Ramen Noodle inventor guy... Jesus may have fed 5000, but you fed 500 million college kids like me - and for a lot cheaper!

www.marcusengel.com
www.myspace.com/marcusengel

"Choices"

Just read a great article which was featured on aol news. In it, a couple, Billy and Akashia Kaderli talk about how they spend their retirement travelling the world and living in exotic places such as Thailand and South America. Just another story about a retired couple? Hardly. These folks have been retired for 16 years-and they're both only 54.
How does one retire at an age where most people are just getting their third promotion? Easy. Choices. The wife said that every time she looked at a latte or a new pair of shoes, she remembered that she'd just be one step further from their goal of retirement. Through proper investing, they're able to live the lifestyle they want, but more than that, their expenses are low because they choose to live a simple lifestyle.
I am a HUGE fan of this way of thinking. Think about the money a normal Joe spends every day on "stuff"; a $3 cup of Starbuck's, a $10 lunch, a $4 pack of cigs or several bottles of water at a buck or two each. For the price of a cup of Starbucks, one can buy a pound of coffee and a reuseable travel mug. For a $10 lunch at Applebee's, you can get enough items at a grocery store to keep you in lunches for a week. Cigs are useless and, if you smoke, you deserve to watch your dollars being sucked down the toilet.
Even if you're not a consumer of all these things, chances are, several of your bucks per day are still being wasted on sheer crap(hey, that makes you an American). Those dollars accumulate and if they can be saved and invested properly, you may live in South America or Hawaii, too. This concept isn't rocket science-it's all about choices. Choose wisely.

Greener Grass

Still working my way through Tom Wolfe's "I Am Charlotte Simmons." There have been a few good life lessons from this novel, but today I was struck by the ol' "the grass is always greener" scenario. In the book, a college Bball player, Jo Jo, wants to be regarded as having an academic mind-not just some meathead athlete. Meanwhile, the nerdy, intellectual student, Adam, wants to have the manly status of the fraternity brothers who are all trying to live up to an ideal created by ESPN and the media. Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence? Seems to be-which is why it's always refreshing to see someone who is content and happy with their place in life. We should all strive for as much.

Getting The Business Before The Business"

Today, I called and set up an appointment to have my basement looked at next week. The basement waterproofing company is a household name in my parts, but now I'm starting to get an idea of why. After setting up the appointment, the receptionist explained, "We have an E mail packet we send out to those who have set appointments. We promise not to sell or use your E mail address for more than this mailing without your permission. Would you like to receive this E mail information?" I said yes, gave her my "crap mail" E mail address and, half an hour later, their message popped up. And, I'm glad it did!

First of all, even if I decide to go with another waterproofing company, this is impressive. I got to check out the history of the company, the different services and products they offer, client testimonials and links to their web site and even their MySpace account. If a company will go this far to market their biz, I've gotta think they'll do a good job. Again, not sure I'll use them, but giving me plenty of easy, accessible and pertinent information is a great selling point, no matter what you're selling!

Blind Woman is Denied Reserved Parking

Link below, but here it is in a nutshell:

In the city of St. Louis, there is a woman who is blind. Her husband who is sighted parks the family car on the street in front of the house. Due to her disability, the family car is designated (and has been for the last decade) as a vehicle that can be parked in a space reserved for the disabled. Now, even after 10 years of use, the city's commissioner on the disabled is yanking the couple's right to a reserved space in front of their home citing that blindness is not a mobility impairment. Three letters...WTF?!

For years, I have had a handicapped hang tag that I'll utilize when the situation is correct. I routinely walk several miles per day around my neighborhood with Carson, my Seeing Eye dog. My legs work just fine, no problems there. And when I'm going somewhere like a mall or retail store, very, very rarely will I ask whoever is driving to use a handicapped parking space. In fact, the only time I'll truly utilize a handicapped space is when it is not safe for Carson and I (Carson more than me). When it's a crisp, clear August day and the temp is 102 in the shade, the asphalt of parking lots has to be upwards of 150 degrees. That's a health and safety concern for Carson. When it's icy out and I cannot see the patches of ice that litter the area (even a familiar area) it's a health and safety concern for me.

The woman in this article is totally within her rights to take action against the city of St. Louis and I hope she does. Props to her, Priscilla Garrett, her husband, her alderman and the mayor. The "expert" in this case, Deborah K. Dee is nothing short of inconsiderate, unethical, illegal and (dare I say? Yes, I dare...) idiotic.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/2EDA77985492BC7B862572590011ACF6?OpenDocument

History is Made

Today, the 110th Congress is sworn in...and this time, history is made. Now, here in 2007, the first female speaker of the House will take the reins of Congress.
Watching the morning news programs, I keep hearing a whole lot of criticism-not over the fact the new speaker has a double X chromosome, but because people don't agree with her political slant. While one has to have an extensive political history to even GET to the Hill, I say...give it a few months before starting the critique. Granted, this is politics. Hence, everyone is criticized all the time. I just can't see the intelligence nor maturity in criticizing the new Congress before it has even been sworn in.

2006 Album Picks from the Master Storyteller

Would you really care if the CEO of Wal-Mart had a list of the top book picks of 2006? The only, ONLY way I'd even give this half a glance is if those books were focused on business. Why? The only expertise I know of from this person would be his/her knowledge of the business world. So, why would you care if Stephen King, the master storyteller, gave his list of top albums of 2006? Well, here's why I do...

First off, King is a HUGE music fan. In fact, all the song quotes that litter the chapters of my autobiography are a direct rip-off of an idea from King's "It." Second, King himself is a musician. Guitar, specifically. He plays in a rock band with other literary greats Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. So, there we go - he knows music, he knows writing. Combine those two and you have...??? His list of top album picks of 2006.

I'm a big subscriber to the idea that what you put in your head, you'll get out on paper. King is the ultimate master of the literary world - a storyteller like no other. He's well aware that writing comes in many forms - that songwriting is as valid of a form of the literary arts as the work turned out by a novelist. Thus, the more King I read, the better writer I, too, will be.

If this novelist’s music picks aid his writing of novels, they'll likely help me, too. And, if nothing else, it's just good kickin' music! Here's a link to the article on his top picks... and today, I plan on purchasing the Hank III and Josh Ritter picks!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1564519_4%7C%7C472578%7C0_0_,00.html

Now Offering: Marcus Gives Doggie Massage!

Just saw that the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida is offering doggie massage to canine guests. The cost? A cool $130 per hour.

In September 2002, I was in Morristown, NJ at The Seeing Eye training with my newly acquired pooch, Carson. One evening, we students were trained in the practice of doggie massage. This took a few hours and, as you may guess, Carson loved every minute of it! So, I'm thinking this may be a new professional route for me...after all, I do have over 11 years of working with highly trained dogs, have been trained by the premier dog training institute in the world in doggie massage and, just ask Carson...I'm great at it! So, folks...here's my offer...bring your pooch over and I'll give him/her a true blue doggie massage...and I'll only charge $100(my massage therapist is half that much, but she wasn't trained by the Seeing Eye!)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Just watched Will Smith's "The Pursuit of Happiness." In it, Will Smith plays a recently divorced dad who is trying to create a better life for he and his son. Daddy(a.k.a. The Fresh Prince) is hanging with his son and playing basketball at the park on one of his few afternoons off while working two jobs. After playing a while, Will Smith tells his son something to the effect of, "Okay, that's enough Bball for one day-you need to spend your time doing other things than playing ball because it's never going to get you anywhere."
Then, realizing he just put a limitation on his own kid, Smith's character says, "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something-not even me."
Not even me. Prime example of practicing what one preaches, but moreso, I love that as soon as it was out of his mouth, he caught himself-and corrected it! Doing something wrong is one thing, knowing you just did something wrong and correcting yourself is quite another.
If you've got an extra $10 laying around, your money could be spent in worse places than checking out this film. And, you never know...you may just learn something!

www.marcusengel.com

Blog Resolutions

Happy New Year!

You won't need to concern yourself with my new year's resolutions – after all, they're probably not going to have much impact on your life. However, I make resolutions for all the extensions of me; my MySpace profile, this blog, my web site, my books, etc. Since this blog is the most updated of my appendages, here are a few things I resolve to do with it this year:

Blog every day - don't expect it to be good, but do expect daily updates. And if I miss a day, cut me slack. If I miss two days, send me an E mail and complain!

Every month, I'll change the quote at the top. I figure all the really great things that can be said with the English language have already been spoken. So, I'll just "borrow" them... whatcha say? If you've grown used to Isaac Asimov at the top for the last month or so, well, there's a new one there now!

Blogs about relevant stuff – granted, sometimes my life isn't all that interesting. However, I'll never purposefully write about cleaning the toilets or doing yard work without at least making it funny. And there's nothing funny about cleaning the toilets.

Opinionated? Moi? Yup. And if you disagree with something I blog... tell me! Or put a comment down. Just have the decency to sign your name – hurling insults into the void of cyberspace without tagging it as your own is cowardly.

And finally – I resolve to start adding more pictures. This may not always be real possible since, well, I'm a blind dude with a digital camera, but I'll try!

With that... 2007! Let the games begin!