Happy Fourth

Just to help get you in the mood, here is a video of Fred Astaire doing his 4th of July dance from one of my all-time favorite movies -- Holiday Inn:



There are two ways of looking at problems. A buddy of mine might think he has had a run of bad luck. He could also claim God is looking out for him. It is truly a glass half full/empty perspective.

About five years ago his appendix ruptured. Being a stubborn male he waited until he could no longer take the pain to go to the hospital. He almost died. Two years ago he had his right knee replaced. he fell into that 1% that had complications. He got an infection. They had to go in and surgically force the metal joints to bend a few months later. It took months and months before his new knee was better than the old damaged one.

Last year was a doozy. Long-time perusers here might remember me writing of my best friend of over 35 years. He felt chest pains. he went to the hospital (luckily only a few blocks from his house). He suffered a heart attack in the emergency room. Only the quick action of the doctors and nurses and the shock paddles kept him alive. He was flown to Indy by helicopter. A few weeks later, while at a follow-up visit to the doctor, he had another heart attack. He now sports a defibrillator and pacemaker under his skin.

Friday, he wrecked his motorcycle. Luckily he is not too badly hurt this time. A car slammed on its brakes right in front of him to avoid some fucking geese in the road. he lost control on some gravel and had to lay the bike down. His helmet is cracked. So is a rib. Road rash coats the left side of his body. His hip is swollen he says, but luckily not broken.

Dude has more lives than a cat, I swear.

Have a great weekend.