From the comedy is not kind department...

Am in California again on a parent care mission.  Went to the post office today to mail a package to the Glory Hole. Enclosed was a check to be used for their holiday food needs, and a half dozen pair of barely used, clean and bleached socks. These socks were instruments of torture for me, did not give me happy feet, and made a big contribution to my worsening TDS.

For some reason I couldn't resting putting a handwritten sticker on it that said, “The Glory Hole, Juneau's soup kitchen of choice and a world class homeless shelter and hospitality house. Actually this was in no way a belittlement of of any facet of the Glory Hole's operation, its staff or clients.

Rather it was a rip on the meaningless use of 'of choice' and 'world class.' They have been around for at least 20 years. Why I don't even want to know. I just can't stand 'em.  Why don't their users clarify who is choosing? And some comparison criteria be noted. And how do I get in touch with the WCCC. That is as everyone knows the WORLD CLASS CERTIFYING COMMISSION!  Who appoints them?  And who funds there operations?

But I'd rather listen to those words all day long, then read some of the hate posts lately in Craigslist, SE Alaska rants & raves. There is some sicko putting up some really gross posts about Obama, Muslims, African Americans and more. Am all for free speech and opposed to censorship, but I thought  we as a country had moved beyond derogatory stereotyping humor. Is there any silver lining of hope for our future?

The hero who ate bagels 2 at a time!

This is a note I just sent to Angel, 1 of Ada's twin daughters.  And I'd like to share it. The words spoken about Ada at her memorial have effected me and made me think about the person I am.

Angel,

I knew Ada from the time she was pregnant with you and your sister. I don't think you knew or even heard of me, as my connection with Ada was tenuous. I knew your father from the time I worked at the Department of Labor. Jack was one of my favorite customers at my business. This is where I met Ada. I had a vending stand on the corner by Juneau Drug. It was called Mickey's Bagel Bistro. In the summer of '83, (I may be off a year), Ada would come every morning and get 2 onion bagels with cream cheese. I was always very generous with the cream cheese. Lief Saya would get a bagel with a thick 2 – 3 inch load of the stuff. Other customers told me that instead of getting cream cheese at the store, they'd get a bagel with cream cheese, take it home and scrape most it off and have enough for at least a week. Leif would eat every bit of his. Ada was obviously pregnant, and I'd tease her about what the result would be from eating 2 bagels every day. And that is exactly what happened; she had twins!

Since then I have told that story so many times about the women who had 2 bagels everyday, and had twins, that all of Juneau and then some surely has heard it.

I was going to tell that story at her memorial, but the words of you and your sister were so powerful, it made my story seem trite to me. The Ada you knew was different then the one I knew. She never said much, but she was always friendly and had this mysterious little smile. I wish I had known her better. You are fortunate to have had a mother like her.

Best wishes on your journey through life.

Mickey

AKA the Bagel Man or Mickey's Bagels.

PS/Please feel free to share this with your sister or anyone else you would like to. Ada was a wonderful person and a hero!

Whatever you do, just don't dis muh tush!

This past Saturday, my mother and I had a field trip to the Berkeley Bowl. It was only a couple of years ago we used to go to Berkeley several times a week. We'd have lunch and go for a hot tub at the Y. Now it is a much more infrequent event.

We had lunch at the original Bowl. When we got there it was not crowed, especially for a Saturday. I parked my mom at a table and headed straight for the head, before getting our self-serve lunch. This beautiful ebony princess with corn rows and all gave me one great big 5 year old smile as I hurried on my way. Although I was in a state of near emergency, I had the presence of mind to return the smile and throw in a wave.

When I got back with lunch she and her carbon copy younger sister along with a happy proud daddy were sitting at the other end of the row tables from where my mother and I sat. She kept smiling at me. And what could I do but return those wonderful warm friendly smiles? I have always liked children. They are the most special of people. Our future rides with them, and it is everyone's duty to help them be the best person each one can be. My then 5 year old daughter was torn away from me by our cruel, destructive, inhumane, crippling custody laws and practices. She is now ten, and her father has now been absent for half of her life. My love for her is always on display, and shows as I dote on other children.

Waited until all 3 had settled in, I planned my act and then it was show time. It was one of my best performances ever. I put the father at easy and then concentrated on charming his daughters.

“Hi, I'm from Juneau, Alaska and I am taking my mother to lunch, just like your daddy is taking you. She's sitting right down there. This is your daddy right? I'm conducting an informal survey. Do you have a few minutes to answer a few questions?” They look at their daddy, who smiled and told them it was OK.

Cutting right to the chase, my first question was, “You two are Princess right?” And it went on. Ages, names, do you have your daddy wrapped around your little finger? Then right when I was getting to my big finish, this guy who was sitting behind me caught my attention. He was making some kind motioning signal with his hands. I though he was saying the he couldn't stand up because I was blocking his way. Couldn't believe he'd interrupt me for something like that. “Hey all you have to do is step back, or if you like I'll stand aside,” I told him. He looked at me like I was stupid. Then he told me he was eating his lunch and my butt was in his face. I couldn't believe it! Like I wasn't bent over so no crack was visible, no gas had passed, and I had even had a shower shortly before. But I kept my cool, only because I didn't want to spoil my act. But a couldn't resist telling him, “At least it's a cute one!”

Then back to the finish, I told the older sister that in my car was the cutest puppy ever. And asked if she would be willing to trade her younger sister for my puppy. She thought and thought and couldn't make up her mind. I ended with, “Good thing you're not an older brother, or it be a done deal!

The father smiled thanked me for coming over, and I went back to mother and our lunch with such a great feeling.

Continuing on my journey through life.

From my Facebook page 10/11/10

No more Costco!

After 15 years + no longer employed by Costco!! It was time for a change. I have always said,”that if it is not fun, why do it?” Unfortunately it hasn't been fun for a while. I have been doing some substitute teaching, taking it easy, and sleeping way 2 much! What's next? Whatever it is it will be something that I've never done before! So there are new doors to open and walk through!

Continued here on 10/18/10

Life keeps tossing change-ups! Am down in Bay Area. Came down for a very brief visit. An old family friend soon to be stepson was getting Bar Mitzvahed on Saturday, 10/14. Then in the evening he – the step-dad, not the Bar Mitzvahie – was getting married to the mother of Mr. B Mitzvah! My mother wanted to go. So nothing would do except that I come down from Alaska to take her. Let me emphasize that I came willing. There was no pressure of any kind used or needed.

My mother needed a blood transfusion. She has amyloidosis, a somewhat rare form of cancer with amazing deliberating effects! Although mom was only planing to attend the Bar Mitzvah, she was hopping the transfusion would give her an energy boost, as it has in the past. We arrived at Kaiser for her 9:00 AM appointment a little early. Then the blood wasn't ready until 11:30! They insisted on hooking mom up immediately, even though she had to urinate. It was quite a trip to rest room. Mom in her wheelchair, me following with the transfusion contraption. Then it was back in the chair for 4 hours!. Mom is in that chair for 7 hours +! Good thing she saved 5 minutes by getting hooked up before she went to the rest room. After that she was just too tired to go anywhere but home to take a nap.

Clarification - My mother has received very good care at Kaiser.  This was an exception.
As for me there was no way I was going to leave her at home and so anywhere. Besides my souvenir of Boston, a Brooks Brothers suit, had disappeared from the closet where I had left it from my early September visit for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. While I am still from the '60's and the step-dad/groom is a refugee from Canyon, I would, however, have felt out of place going in my blue jeans.
After this my journey through life is probably going to change. Am going to be here until 11/2. Then I will be back around 11/18 and remain until after the first of the year. Or maybe I'll just stick around indefinitely. So for now that means no more substituting. And I am a little unsure about what I am going to do for work while I am here. Maybe I will just collect UI. There is always a chance that I will go back to Costco. I was here for 15 months and had a blast at the Concord Costco. Even now over 2 years later, when I walk in am greeted like I am everyone's favorite person of all time.
When I got back to Juneau in April of '08, I promised Sasha that I would never leave her for so long. Even though I went up to visit every 2 months it was to long a time. But my situation with Sasha is different now. It hardly seems like it would be possible, but I am seeing her even less then when I was in California! And less then at any time since her mother insisted on separating 5 years ago! I will keep my apartment in Juneau this time. It is just to good to give up.
Oh for sure I will warn you when I do write about my views on child custody battles. The harm that has been done to Sasha by keeping her away from her father is not pretty. But for now don't get me started. It is to hard to stop.
My mother is 88. Until 2 years ago she was doing just fine. Then out of nowhere she fractured a hip. She didn't fall, but there was the fracture. Then her hands started to give her pain. This is an effect from the amyloidosis. I don't think she is going anywhere soon, but I want to spend as much time with her as I can. Joni, who I am separated from never, by her own admission, understood why I felt the need to go and take care of her when the need might arise. Hold me back, it is about to start.

Until next time.....

Keeper of the flame

Have been in California since the 8th. My 91 year old aunt passed on the 7th. And I got here as soon as possible to help comfort my 88 year old mother. She is doing better then expected. And I am hoping there won't be a delayed reaction after I go.

This past Sunday my older sister was over. She comes once or twice a week to help with cleaning chores. Before I took her to BART so she could catch a train home, I asked my mother to tell once a again a story that she has been telling for years about my sister. But she did not remember it. Even after I told her most of it, nothing came to mind.

After I returned, I asked my mother if this meant that I was now the keeper of the family stories. She said yes. My reply was that I wasn't ready to take on this responsibility. And she told me that no matter, the task was mind.

As far back as I can remember I have listened to and lived the family stories. Now I am the keeper. This is not to say that others can't keep and tell stories. But it was my responsibility to remember all I would be told, and to repeat all the stories as often as I could.

In some ways this is an honor, but even more it needs to be done.

A giant step forward for Alaska; The very much in love young couple on the bus

I rode the bus from work to town today. Sitting across from me and a couple of seats back was a handsome couple who as the saying goes only had eyes for each other, as they talked, cuddled and tastefully as possible touched each other. The knew I was glancing at them and they took turns returning my looks. It seemed like they were expecting me to say some red-neck hostile remark.

I have lived in Juneau for 33 years. Displays of affection by female couples is accepted and common here. But these two were part of Alaska's invisible sexual orientation; Gay men. They were so young. sweet and vulnerable. And they were so good looking, dressed in a rugged Alaskan way featuring tattered work clothes. Plastic grocery bags surrounded them. It was easy to imagine them having just having moved in together and like most every other who has taken that step they were stocking up the new place.

I didn't know what to say or even I should. A thumbs up seemed so trite and inappropriate. Yet, I think I did the right thing. Stopped glancing at them, and tried to project an attitude that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. And actually there was nothing unusual happening. They were just another young couple so much in love enjoying each other and glorying in their happiness.

In my heart I wished them the best and continued happiness on their journey through life. May all of us be so fortunate to experience such joy!

Is the Post Office trying to die and bury its self or what?

The Post Office is crying for mercy. The internet has done away with a serious chunk of 1st class letters and even the dreaded junk mail! So what is it to do? Concentrate on what is does better then anyone else and at a cheaper price, packages. Check it out:

The Post Office delivers anywhere. Even to PO Boxes!

It will pickup packages just like UPS and FedEx do. All you have to do is call them!

Plus you can track and insure packages.

Now there are those nifty flat rate express mail boxes.

And their rates are much less then anyone else.

As most Alaskan's know, forget about UPS. Often the rate for UPS is often more then the cost of the item. Just about anyone in the last Frontier has pleaded to no avail, just mail it!

Put me in charge of promotion and I you can take it to the bank that in a few years the Post Office will be making a profit. Of course other carriers might be hurting. But that is the way it goes.

So to the PO stop crying and get to work. If I can do it, you can to. And if you're not up to it, just give me a call!

Legalize/illegal

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mind said something to me I haven't heard in a while. "Alaska would be a better place if drugs were legalized."  I replied, "Yeah, and if pull tabs were outlawed!"

What do you think?

Dr. Fred Chu

Dr. Fred Chu of Juneau, Alaska passed away this past Saturday at 8:15 PM. Due to illness it has been about 5 years since he practiced at the SEARHC clinic in Juneau. At the clinic he was well thought of and a favorite doctor of clients.

I didn't know Dr. Chu very well. My wife, Joni, who had worked at the clinic for a number of years only had good things to say about him. I first met Dr. Chu when he came into Joni's room at the Bartlett Hospital, which is just up the hill from SEARHC. This was on October 17, 2000. Joni was in labor with out first and only child. Dr Chu did some centering exercises with Joni. He stretched out her legs so the baby would have an easy path to follow. Then our regular Dr. Bob Urata came into the room. Bob and Fred joked about Fred stepping in on his patient. Dr. Urata was missing one of the World Series games to deliver our baby, but he was in a good mood.

In August of 2002, our little family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. We moved so our daughter could grow up in a larger Jewish Community the Juneau offered. In our hearts though Juneau would always be our home.

We were never completely comfortable in Minneapolis. Then in April, of 2005, Joni learned that Dr. Chu had stopped practicing due to something unknown and unrecognized that affected his brain. There was a dinner being held in honor of Dr. Chu. Joni flew back to Juneau for the dinner and to visit Dr. Chu along with some other friends.

In the Summer of 2005 we trickled up to Juneau for a long visit. We knew we probably wouldn't being going back to Minneapolis. The family settled back into our Juneau life. We found a small apartment, and soon cracks in our relationship began to appear. We separated in January of 2006. Joni began to care more and more for Fred. Then in November of 2006 Sasha and Joni moved in with Fred so Joni could devoted herself to his care.

What little I heard Dr. Chu's condition was not good. His time was getting short, but no one expected him to leave this past Saturday.

It almost surprises me the sadness I feel. Many times I am close to tears, and sometimes they flow. I'm concerned about my daughter and her mother. And I feel their pain. In someway it feels like I have lost a member of my extended family.

While Joni and I were still together she took me to see Dr. Chu. I have health issues of my own. He had me lie on his massage table and he rubbed my back. His examination complete, he suggested I talk to a tree and then come back. I knew what he meant. Go talk to a tree and get in touch with my inner self, and the world around me.

I never did go talk to a tree. When Sasha's grief begins to ebb, I will take her to talk to a tree. It will be our way of remembering Dr. Chu. I have the feeling that we will do a lot of tree talking. I am sorry that I didn't get to know Dr. Chu better. From everything I have heard and seen he was one of those people who have made the world a better place to live.