WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOME!

[Emeritus]

Hi, ck! Know anything good for an earache? I have a throbbing one this morning.

[cklaurence]

When I was a kid, my doctor used to prescribe (excuse the spelling, because remember, I was a kid--never read the name, just heard it) something called "Auralgin." I remember my mom would put it in a pot and boil the water until the serum was warm and then drop it into my ear. I just asked my hubby, though, and he said to be very careful with ear aches--better go to the doctor and have it checked out because it could be an infection... and don't just call a friend who is a doctor and have him call in a "Z-pack," like everyone seems to do these days. Peter hates when people call him about that--you just don't want to be messing around with antibiotics. That of course is why we have those super-infections that are resistant to them--too much of a good thing...

[Emeritus]

Have you ever noticed how often maladies begin at the start of a weekend? My primary care physician is an avid wildlife photographer whose idea of fun is to be consumed by mosquitoes while waist deep in mud in order to just miss taking a photo of a rare bird. In every other way he seems sane.

[cklaurence]

Yep; or when the physician is going on vacation? I'm lucky, my "primary care" physician is also my best friend, so rarely out of touch from me; however, I don't feel comfortable asking medical questions or favors from my "friend" position. Does that make sense?

[Emeritus]

It makes perfect sense to me. I responded to your mail, by the way.

[cklaurence]

I got your response and responded to you, Em...

[Emeritus]

Back attcha, friend.

[cklaurence]

And me back at you, friend! Seems tonight we can just eliminate the open boards and go straight to Smail !

[Emeritus]

I answered your mail. I'm going to log out and watch a movie. I hope to hear from you tomorrow.

[cklaurence]

Good morning, Em. I got your Smail and answered it with a novella. Put your glasses on and snuggle in to read it.

[Emeritus]

LOL, I do love to read. When is the Hall of Fame game?

[Emeritus]

Commissioner Goodell: “I just think it’s time for us to modify the system. It’s out of whack. We need to find a better solution to this. I think the money should be going to the guys who have performed on the field, on an NFL field. And that’s something that I hear from our veterans, I hear from our fans. It’s something that we think is a good opportunity to make a change in our current system.”

This is what the fans have been saying for years. Give the big bucks to guys who have produced, not some rookie who may not have what it takes to make it in the NFL. Can you think of any real-life job where the new employees get paid more than experienced workers?

[cklaurence]

It is a travesty that some of the big-mouthed college kids come out and make the big bucks based on what? Their play in college! I 100% believe that the real money should go to those who have proven themselves. I do believe, however, that the newbies ought to be paid a decently high price--the possibility that they might have a career-ending injury early in their NFL career looms high... So, never mind the millions and millions just out of school, but perhaps a million or two for the first year or two would be fair because of the injury factor alone.

[Emeritus]

I'm not sure that I agree. There are many industries where there are many crippling injuries and fatalities every year. Nobody gives those people a million dollars when they go to work, in case they are so badly injured that they are never able to work again. There are no guarantees in life. I may not wake up tomorrow. I don't want to sound cold, but I don't see why somebody with show business talent - and that's what pro sports are all about - should get a better break than other workers.

[cklaurence]

I hear you--and nonetheless should we figure on our soldiers who never come back from their first tour; or with all my respect to you, Em, firefighters, police and other first responders in many, many fields. The fact is; however, sports stars are a commodity that people are willing to pay ridiculous amounts of money to see. That being said, they can demand almost anything, and sadly, get it. I'm just saying we should corral some of the big bucks to help stop the ridiculousness. Put the proverbial finger in the dam, you know?

[Emeritus]

On that we are in total agreement. People in this country place far too high a value on entertainment and we are paying the price for it. For what we spend on entertainment every year we could send every kid in this country to college. We claim to value education, but the money says otherwise. We overpay entertainers outrageously and the public is eager to hear all about their latest self-indulgent escapades. Bread and circuses are a sign of a declining civilization. OK, that's my cheerful reflection for the day.

[cklaurence]

What's true is true, Em. The United States today is on the exact slide that the Roman and Greco Empires were in their eras. I can't understand what everyone is thinking; but when it comes to the time when medical research and education are less important than paying our movie stars and athletes (who, for the most part are over-self-indulgent children with not a thing in their minds but what they can spend their money on for themselves)--it's time to re-evaluate. Oh, and have I mentioned the wars that are filling the pockets of politicians and businessmen, while killing off our youth. OMG, do NOT get me started here. Oops, my bad--I'm already started. Well, turn me off then...

[Emeritus]

I'm sorry that I brought it up. It is obvious, however, that our values are out of whack.

[cklaurence]

GOOD MORNING SWITZERLAND!

No, Em--don't be sorry that you brought it up. It fascinates me and frightens me at the same time. I worry so much for my children and grandchildren--this was one of the arguments Peter and I had with ourselves (NOT with each other) about having children. We were members of ZPG right up through to when we found out I was pregnant with Josh! (But that's a whole 'nother story...)

[Emeritus]

As I understand it, you can have two children -replace yourselves - without causing an increase in population. Since we had only one child, between the two couples we still did all right. Of course, it is the people who can't afford them who have the most children. I'll try to not get started on that. Have you ever been in a convenience store and watched people buying cigarettes and lottery tickets? It isn't the people who are rolling in money who are throwing it away.

[cklaurence]

You are so right about that, Em.

On a brighter note, I saw over at FaceBook that Maineiac's son turns 18 today. She's very conflicted--one son is 18 and one is in her tummy getting ready to make his debut. Talk about mixed emotions! It's all good, though. It Switzerland's first swiss couple delivering our first baby (grandbabies excepted, of course). I am so happy for Shadow and Maine!

[Emeritus]

That's the way to do it; raise the babysitter first. There were far too many only children in my family.

[cklaurence]

Ha! I am 8 years older than my brother, and it seems from the day he was born, he had a babysitter--ME! I can't tell you how much I resented him. My parents thought nothing of taking me from my plans to babysit for my brother. It was during a time when no one knew that just because there was a baby in the house, did not mean the other child was ready to be a grown up! It was a great childhood for the first 8 years, but the next 8 were a touch more difficult. I got over it though, and my brother and I are very close.

[Emeritus]

I'm sure that it was frustrating to have to stay with your kid brother when you wanted to be with friends your own age. I would have been glad to have had any sibling at all. When I was a kid there was nobody at all to share things with. Fortunately I had a dad who spent as much time with me as his business allowed.

[cklaurence]

Only children are proven high achievers and to be more successful in life. I had a cousin who was an only child, so she and I were more like sisters than cousins throughout her life. She was killed in a freak accident when she was in her 40s--such a loss. I miss her enormously and she's been gone nearly 17 years!

[cklaurence]

I just realized, Em--you must know all the statistics about only children. You were one and your son was as well. My cousin Mychelle used to remind me all the time how much smarter and higher achieving she was than I. Gawd, I loved her so much--and miss her terribly. She was killed not long after my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband called me in the hospital while my mom was undergoing chemo. To this day I haven't figured out how he found us. It was before cell phones were in common use and he called me through the hospital switchboard! He had not called anyone else prior that he could have found out whee we were. I had to notify all the Florida contingency... She was spectacularly beautiful and men would just start following her when we were walking through malls and such. There were nearly a thousand people that came from around the world at her funeral.

[peddlefest]

It's depressing to read this, she was a wonderful person.

[cklaurence]

I realized that after I posted it. I certainly did not mean to be depressing here--especially now, when football season is upon us! It is supposed to be a happy time. Phins play next weekend (April 15th) and I just can't wait to see this Henne to Marshall phenomenon. It has been way, way too long since we have been able to sit back and enjoy the Dolphins in play. I believe this is the year!

[TryThinking]

I realized that after I posted it. I certainly did not mean to be depressing here--especially now, when football season is upon us! It is supposed to be a happy time. Phins play next weekend (April 15th) and I just can't wait to see this Henne to Marshall phenomenon. It has been way, way too long since we have been able to sit back and enjoy the Dolphins in play. I believe this is the year!

You keep waiting for that game to be on the 15th and you will be watching the replay CK...

[Emeritus]

I realized that after I posted it. I certainly did not mean to be depressing here--especially now, when football season is upon us! It is supposed to be a happy time. Phins play next weekend (April 15th) and I just can't wait to see this Henne to Marshall phenomenon. It has been way, way too long since we have been able to sit back and enjoy the Dolphins in play. I believe this is the year!

You keep waiting for that game to be on the 15th and you will be watching the replay CK...

LOL at Try. There is obviously a season that I've been missing out on!