Fedora Friday, Cologuard, Co-Working Space Idea, Community Impact, Carly MF Schnell’s Birthday

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is a gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
— Charles Bukowski

Friday, how are you? You look fantastic; the fedora is a nice touch; oh, I get it, Friday Fedora! Come on in; I have some Death Wish Coffee brewing, grab a cup, you can have the KISS cup, I know it’s your favorite, sit a spell and let me drop some words on this lit screen.

I enjoyed a busy but long day yesterday; I left the house and headed to my doctor’s for my annual physical. I guess I didn’t prove my work the other day and called it my anal physical; I can attest it was both. As I entered the doctor’s office, there was a sign on the door; I snapped a photo to get the exact language.  The sign read, “PLEASE: FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DO NOT ENTER IF YOU HAVE ANY COUGH OR FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.”

All my life, I was told if you get sick, go to the doctor; now that sign has derailed 52 years of knowledge, I feel like I need to relearn everything.  My wife has been on me to get my colonoscopy, I’m 52, have put off that cleansing experience, but there is now another way to check yourself.  My doctor recommended Cologuard, an alternative to the rotor rooter experience.

Before I left her office, I ordered my box, which I will fill with a special surprise and then send back to the company where a person is waiting to take said surprise and run it through some system that will show if I have any issues.  My doctor said if they find any cancerous DNA, you must go through the normal process.  Ask your doctor, but this is excellent news for those of us over 50!

I left there and called my business partner about converting our Beautiful Parker City office to a Co-working space; we have five cubicles and one office open.  I will keep four offices for our company but will be charging by the seat.  I called the county chamber of commerce office, and the director, an old friend, was excited.  They talked about doing this, but since our space was 95% ready, she would help me promote it.

I will charge $100.00 for a cubical and $250.00 for an office; that’s an additional $850.00 to our commercial property company bottom line; I’ll hire one of our teammates to manage the property.  I’ll put key codes on the office doors and create an online schedule doc for our conference room.  There is a lovely kitchen, and I think we can create a friendly community of like-minded business owners.  If you are working from home in the area and would like a nice office with friendly people, let’s chat.  My partner didn’t want to mess with it; Anson took the lead on this operation.

I think we all can create a legacy during our lives.  Something you can do to help benefit society and make your community a better place.  Let me give you an example of my wife’s idea, and I began taking action yesterday.  As you know, our daughter got married a few weeks ago, the wedding/reception venue was fantastic, but there was one slight design flaw.  The parking was about a half-block away, and to get to the forum, one must traverse under a dark bridge.  My wife had an idea of hiring some local artists to paint the walls and then get some lighting to light up the art.  Since I drive that road most days in Indy, I thought it a nice feeling to see our impact in our community.

I called the facility director; she is working with ownership about my idea.  I told her I would not charge her for this; I think I could get it funded; I would partner with a local artist community and some local Rotary Groups to support and organize the project.  My wife and I are always looking for ways to improve our communities; I suggest you follow our lead.  Please don’t do it for money, do it for legacy and making your community a better place.  

I met a long-time friend and client for lunch.  Doc and I were in Rotary together in the ’90s; he was the President, I was vice-President, it had been a while since our last catch up, and we dined at Roots Burger Bar in Muncie, IN.  Food is excellent; service is perfect when in Muncie; visit Roots!  

We talked about society, how folks get angry and offended at different thoughts and ideas.  Diversity is a key focus today, but not diversity of views.  Think as I do, or I will shun you; that seems to sum up society in a nutshell.  Please, listen with an open mind, allow others their perspective; they may be right.  You don’t learn from living in a bubble; you learn by sharing life with a diverse group of people.

I headed to meet a couple of team members; I gave our prospect a copy of my book and some vinyl love.  We agreed to begin managing his account; we started the process yesterday; it’s a relationship client, we are a relationship company, a perfect match. Finally, we headed back to beautiful Parker City; I shared more vinyl love with my buddy Melissa.

I met a new friend, I gave her some vinal, and during the conversation, Melissa shared that a mutual friend of ours, Marie, said that I was the most handsome man she knew.  Without missing a beat, the young lady said, “Well, you know Marie can’t see worth a shit!” I belly laughed and agreed, Marie needs some new glasses!

I left there and headed to see my friend Todd and Alan.  Alan has COVID, 65 years old, it kicked his ass for three days, but he is recovering.  He did the ivermectin/antibody treatment and is now feeling much better. Do you remember a time when you would get sick, and you could go to your doctor and get treated based on their opinion, not a government mandate?  

I headed back to Indy to meet my wife, cousin, daughter, and husband for my kids’ birthday.  She turned 26 yesterday; we went to Salt on Mass Ave for a delicious dinner.  I had the pounded chicken with jalapeno gravy and asparagus.  Our waiter’s name was Brandon; he was fantastic; I’ll leave it there. Then, we headed home unwrapped some gifts, the kids headed home, we were in bed by 10:30, a late night for us, but a birthday night is always a little later.

Well, that will do it; I’ve got a ten a.m. leadership call where we will discuss balance and how we think our lives are in or out of balance.  I’ll lead today’s discussion; we will have 15 or 20 people from all over the country joining us.  If you are a thoughtful leader and want to get some mind food, reach out, and let’s see if you are a fit for this mastermind group.

Lunch, then running a new appointment with my kid, ended my day around 2:30 to spend time with my wife and family.  I hope this little soup inspires you; I hope you can find something in your community that you can impact and take a leadership role, improve for the sake of improvement, and give for mental health.  The more good you do for others, the better your mental health will become.  

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is a gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
— Charles Bukowski