Welcome to my blog! Well, it is pandemic times and I’m bored out my ass and need to do something! So, sorry, you’ll have to go through the aches and pains of me trying to figure out how to do a blog both technically and written gracefully to not piss anyone close to me off! Feel free to comment on anything I’ve written, but first you will have to register with your name and email address.

This blog will consist of some passing thoughts, some light news, some funny tidbits and a glimpse of what is going on in my head. Being on furlough from my job, I have a lot of time on my hands to think, reflect, observe, and share. At times you play see some motivating and captivating remarks… who knows? As you will see, I’m an open book and will also tell you my story.

As noted above, I’m bored sitting home on furlough from the job. Speaking of being bored.. did you see any of the opening Baseball games last week? I thought it was like passing a car accident.. you really wanted to watch, but it was painful! Sports was founded with the fans being a large part of the game. Now without fans attending, something is missing! But then again, what else is new in the world of sports nowadays! And then The Marlins have 14 players that came down with COVID-19! Florida of all teams! we just can’t get anything right down here. As if now you can’t tell, I’m in Ft Lauderdale.

Fun fact for today, July 30 – US Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappears in suburban Detroit. He was legally declared dead in 1982.

This Covid quarantine or stay at home order, whatever you want to call it, has been somewhat interesting. I’m in the hospitality industry and unfortunately it is one of the major industries that is really taking a financial hit. Being temporarily out of work causes one to be reflective, take an self-inventory of life. Realize what you have and be grateful. It really is a pause in life, so-to-speak. So far, I read 4 books, all fiction, took a Hospitality Mgt Certificate class from FAU, learned Linked In like a pro, (twice), and even made friends with the birds and squirrels in my courtyard. Feeding nuts to the birds and squirrels couldn’t help me feel like the old guy on the park bench feeding the pigeons.

Jacksperience – Have you had an allergy attack in a grocery store lately? I did! I needed to get through the store quickly only picking up a few things, my throat closed up; trying to breathe by way of coughing.. but trying to hold it back with the mask on not wanting to cough. or god forbid sneeze in public! A sneeze was coming on, and I didn’t want to create attention to myself and get kicked out of Publix! Oh, this Pandemic….

In the current events department, have you heard about the Crocs that KFC is now selling? They smell like fried chicken! And yes, go figure, they sold out in 30 minutes. They were on sale for $59.99 ea, however they are now being re-sold at a whopping price of $250 ea! How is it that dogs are not chasing the people wearing them? I can’t help but think of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry was at a friends house for dinner who was serving Mutton. He took bites, chewed and wrapped it in napkins and put it in his jacket pocket. Elaine was leaving and asked to borrow his jacket. Not knowing about the mutton, Elaine was followed and chased home by a pack of dogs! Thanks for the mutton Jerry!

Captains star date – August 2, 2020 – Were having a party tomorrow for my girlfriends 1 yr old granddaughter, so being COVID-19 friendly, (if there is such a thing), she got a thermometer to test the arriving guests. We’re only having 10 people. Crazy times for sure.. “Welcome to my party, please let me take your temperature…” the silver lining in all of this is that 50 years ago, it would have been “welcome to my party, now bend over!”

Monday, August 3, 2020 – day 529 in quarantine; went for a bike ride this morning… during the ride I encountered some head wind… thats ok.. I can work through it, no pain no gain… blah, blah, blah, and then all of of sudden out of nowhere, this older guy, blew by me on a bike! He gave me some kind of beep beep and a wave and then I saw dust! I’m thinking damn, I wonder what kind of bike he had! I saw him again later in the ride but of course didn’t have the opportunity to ask…

Everbodylovesjack.com salutes Timothy Berners-Lee. This was the gentleman that developed the world wide web! The first web page went live on August 6, 1991. It seems like a lifetime ago.. but its only been 30 years ago! How did we ever do without it? It certainly was a game changer.

I made croutons today! Yup, from bread.

THE BEAVER SELLS WATER! Dateline 1957 – There was no bottled water for sale back in the 50’s. No Zephyrhills, Dasani or Perrier. It seems that Beaver Cleaver was way ahead of his time! It was a hot summer day and The Beaver was looking for something to do. He decided to sell water to those working around their homes. Wally told him “Why should I pay for water, I can get it from the tap”. While walking around his neighborhood, he came across a water department crew who told him that the water is going to be turned off for a couple of hours. Quickly, The Beav went into action! He replenished his inventory and filled up jars of water. Who came back for water? Wally! He sold water to his brother Wally and friends on his block; even Mrs. Cleaver bought water! The Beaver had a monopoly on water! He sold little waters for 2 cents and large waters for 5 cents. He had a captive audience and ended up making $1.90. Ward had a talk with the young entrepreneur telling him that he should be a good neighbor and friend and give the water away to his friends as a good will gesture and not exploit his friends and family. The young Beaver asked his dad if he was a friend of the grocery store owner in town. Yes, I am said Ward. “Well then Dad, if he is your friend, why doesn’t he share the storeful of food with you?” Ward said “yes, but he is a business man”. “So am I Dad” said the little Beaver.

I’ve been in sales for all of my working life. This was truly a classic example of a an entrepreneur in action!

In Major League Baseball news, The Pittsburgh Pirates surprised a season ticket holder during this season which no fans are allowed to attend the games. A package with a letter reads that “during a recent home game a foul ball landed in your seat. A gentleman from AT&T Sportsnet was able to grab it for you and you’ll find it enclosed! It goes on to say that we wish you could have been here to catch yourself and hopefully we’ll see you back in your seat at PNC Park in 2021.”

What a classy way to do business, good job to the Pirates for thinking out of the box during these times!

Watching The Yankees beat up Tampa Bay this weekend, After Stanton hits a home run, the play by play announcer says, “That was the quietest home run ever!” Like, really? Lol