I'm Just a Guy . . .: 2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Music List Is Updated!

Hi Gang!

One of the "fun things" I got to do while in treatment for cancer, and then again in recovery, was to put together a list of YouTube music I found enjoyable. Well, I'd like to add to this list from time-to-time, and tonight is the first in that series. Here are the first dozen of the new songs I like, and why:

Africa, Toto - Link

I like this because it's concert footage, and I've gained an appreciation for this band over the past few months.

At Seventeen, Janis Ian - Link

What a wonderful, meaningful song, both in the past (when I was young) as well as today. Janice Ian is older in this video, but still sings with feeling, and explains what the song has meant to her, in connecting with so many people.

End of the Line, Traveling Wilburys - Link

This song came up into the mix just after Tom Petty passed away. This was a great group - Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan. Say no more!

The Fool on the Hill, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Link

From 1968 . . . Yes, this is dated. Yes, the girls are wearing, well, whatever you call those dresses. Yes, it is lip-synched. But what a nice arrangement!

Karn Evil 9, First Impression, Part 2, An International Collaboration - Link

This is the second part of a piece I previously listed, notable, once again, for the presence of Rachel Flowers.

Smooth Operator, Sade - Link

Just cool . . . with a capital "K".

Solisbury Hill, Peter Gabriel - Link

This retrospective of a song from Peter Gabriel's first album, with concert footage throughout the years, struck a chord in me. Look at the fun they're having! And catch Peter's "crazy eyes" at about 1:28-1:29 into the song ("my friends would think I was a nut").

Speedball Tucker, Jim Croce - Link

C'mon. Jim Croce. JIM CROCE!

Take the Long Way Home, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) - Link

Love this group and this song, and really, really wish I could hit the high notes like Hodgson does.

These Dreams, Heart - Link

A beautiful song which I did not realize was sung by Ann and not Nancy. From a concert a few years ago. Time has been kind to Ann - she's still lovely.

Top of the World, The Carpenters - Link

Speaking of lovely, and a girl whose voice is pure sugar . . . I tear up every time I think how soon Karen Carpenter was taken from us.

A Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harem - Link

Loved this song years ago. Love the orchestral accompaniment. Wish I could have been there!

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
Africa, Toto - Link
Alabama Jubilee, the Firehouse Five Plus Two - Link

And I Love Her, The Beatles - Link
Angelina, Earl Klugh - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Ashokan Farewell, Jay Ungar - Link
Astronomy, Blue Oyster Cult - Link
At Seventeen, Janis Ian - Link

Atmospheres, Gyorgy Ligeti - Link

Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

End of the Line, Traveling Wilburys - Link

Evergreen, Barbra Streisand - Link

The Fool on the Hill, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Link

Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link

Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Get Back, The Beatles - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
Heart Of The Heartland, Peter Ostroushko - Link
Hello in There, Bette Midler - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Jailhouse Rock, The Blues Brothers - Link
Josie, Larry Carlton - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link

Karn Evil 9, First Impression, Part 2, An International Collaboration - Link

Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link

Lazy River, Dave McKenna - Link
Let It Ride, BTO - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Little Ones, Phil Keaggy - Link
The Logical Song, Supertramp - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Smooth Operator, Sade - Link

Solisbury Hill, Peter Gabriel - Link

Sometimes in Winter, Blood, Sweat and Tears - Link

Speedball Tucker, Jim Croce - Link

St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Stuck In The Middle With You, Stealers Wheel - Link
Subdivisions, Rush - Link
Sunday's Child, Phil Keaggy - Link
Sundown, Gordon Lightfoot - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Sweet Lorraine, Uriah Heep - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link

Take the Long Way Home, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) - Link

That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link

These Dreams, Heart - Link

Time, Pink Floyd - Link

Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link

Top of the World, The Carpenters - Link

The Too Fat Polka, Frankie Yankovic - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
University of Michigan Fight Song, UM Marching Band - Link.
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
Walk Away, James Gang - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
A Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harem - Link
Vonetta, Earl Klugh - Link
Yankee Doodle, The Marine Band - Link
You Are My Sunshine, JoAnn Castle and the Lawrence Welk Orchestra - Link
You Can't Do That, Beatles - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Das Ist Das Ende! (This Is The End!)

This is my blog for day 112+ of cancer treatment and recovery, Monday, 3 Oct 2017 through Tuesday, 12 Dec 2017.

I apologize for the lack of blog postings as I moved more into the recovery phase, returning to work, doing more around the house and generally finding I did not have time to sit and write. This post will be referenced from Facebook, where I will finally discuss what's been going on. I had not posted much of anything about this on Facebook as I didn't really wan to "advertise" what was going on.

Now - the good news. I had a PET scan last Monday which came back with the finding that I had "No evidence of disease". So the radiation treatments (all 35 of them) and the two rounds of chemotherapy have done their work. I am very happy, and am grateful for the care I received from Dr. Najeeb Mohideen, radiation oncologist at Northwest Community Hospital, Dr. Gary Gordon, oncologist with Northwest Oncology and Hematology, Dr. Kirk Clark, ENT with Suburban ENT, their staffs - nurses, technicians, aides, administrative and support staff - and everyone I worked with at Northwest Community Hospital while receiving treatment.

I had outpatient surgery today to remove my feeding tube and medi-port, both if which we put in place in an outpatient surgical procedure back on 5 Jul 2017. Hopefully, the stomach will simply close itself up (as it's supposed to) and that will be that. I have a little pain in the shoulder area, where the port had been, but no real pain where the feeding tube had been placed.

Things at work have been going well. I also want to mention that the folks I've worked with there - in Human Resources, as well as my boss and our department's management team and Associate staff - have also been kind and caring during this illness. I've been back full-time since 29 Sep 2017, and should finish this year with education in SAP ABAP tops on the list of what I need to do.

On the eating front - well, I can eat just about anything, but I don't have nearly the appetite I used to have. And my weight has now dropped below 230 for the first time in decades. I was 228.6 the other day; I was 227 when Nancy and I got engaged in 1980! But I feel good, so I don't really have any worries on that account.

Taste has pretty much returned completely, and my dry mouth is getting better, too. But I still have improvement to make, especially on the latter. I'm told that it could take up to a year, and at that point I've probably gotten as close to normal as I'm ever going to get.

Would also like to send a big "thank you" out to everyone who supported me through this "rude intrusion" into my life: relatives, friends from everywhere - work, church, the neighborhood, the "old" neighborhood. Thanks for the cards, the phone calls, the messages, the hugs . . . it has really meant a lot!

Let's stay in touch. too.

God Bless You All!

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
Alabama Jubilee, the Firehouse Five Plus Two - Link

And I Love Her, The Beatles - Link
Angelina, Earl Klugh - Link
Apollo 11 launch - Link
Ashokan Farewell, Jay Ungar - Link
Astronomy, Blue Oyster Cult - Link
Atmospheres, Gyorgy Ligeti - Link
Back In You Own Back Yard, Al Jolson - Link

The Battle Hymn Of The Republic, The United States Army Field Bank - Link
Because We've Ended As Lovers, Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather - Link
Blessings, Laura Story - Link
Blue Collar, Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Link
The Blue Skirt Waltz, Frankie Yankovic - Link
Brandy, Looking Glass - Link
Brotherhood of Man, Matthew Broderick and Lillias White - Link
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell - Link
Chapel of Love, Bette Midler - Link
Chicago Bears fight song - Link
Chicago Blackhawks song - Link
Cold, Cold Heart,The Quebe Sisters - Link
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Link
Cross Road Blues, Robert Johnson Link
Crossroads, Eric Clapton and Cream Link
Cry Me A River, Joe Cocker - Link
Cry Me A River, Diana Krall - Link
Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest - Link
Dixie - Link
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request - Link, Steve Goodman
Eat It, Weird Al Yankovic - Link
Eclipse, Pink Floyd - Link
Evergreen, Barbra Streisand - Link
Galveston, Glen Campbell - Link
Gentle On My Mind, Glen Campbell - Link
Get Back, The Beatles - Link
Glen Campbell-hosted country music special - Link
Go, Cubs, Go, Steve Goodman - Link
Going For The One, Yes - Link
Groucho Movie Clips - Link
Heart Of The Heartland, Peter Ostroushko - Link
Hello in There, Bette Midler - Link
I'm Alright, Kenny Loggins - Link
I Love A Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit - Link
I Love Being Here With You, Diana Krall - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Link
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman, from the movie Here Comes the Groom - Link
In Good Hands, Carolyn Arends - Link.
Invercargill, United States Air Force Concert Band - Link
Jailhouse Rock, The Blues Brothers - Link
Josie, Larry Carlton - Link
Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 1, An International Collaboration - Link
Lay Down Sally, Vince Gill and a cast of All Stars - Link
Lazy River, Dave McKenna - Link
Let It Ride, BTO - Link
Limbo Jazz, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington - Link
Living in the Past, Jethro Tull - Link
Little Ones, Phil Keaggy - Link
The Logical Song, Supertramp - Link
Lookin' At The World Through A Windshield, Bill Kirchen - Link
Montana/We Are Not Alone, Univ. of Montana Percussion Ensemble - Link
My Baby Loves Lovin', White Plains - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis - Link
My New Philosophy, Kristin Chenoweth and Stanley Wayne Mathis - Link
Neighborhood, David Hidalgo - Link
No Time, The Guess Who - Link
On The Street Where You Live, Dean Martin - Link
One Is The Loneliest Number, Three Dog Night - Link
One More Last Chance, Vince Gill - Link
The Pennsylvania Polka, Frankie Yankovic - Link
Popular, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Powdermilk Biscuit Break, Garrison Keillor, et al - Link
Questions 67 and 68, Chicago - Link
Rain, Uriah Heep - Link
Reaching, Carolyn Arends - Link
Redwing, Tiny Little, on the Ed Sullivan Show - Link
Rollin' Down The Highway, BTO - Link
Roly Poly, Don Kelley with Johnny Hiland - Link
Route 66, Asleep at The Wheel - Link
Runnin' Down A Dream, Tom Petty - Link
She Used To Be Mine, Sara Bareilles - Link
Shim, Sham, Shimmy (dance) to Tain't What You Do, Jimmy Lunceford - Link
Sister Golden Hair, America - Link
Sisters, Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt - Link
Sisters, from White Christmas - Link
Sixteen Tons, Tennessee Ernie Ford - Link
Slang of Ages, Steely Day - Link
Slow Poke, Pee Wee King - Link
Smile, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Sometimes in Winter, Blood, Sweat and Tears - Link
St Louis Blues, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi - Link
Standing at the Crossroads, Elmore James - Link
Stars and Stripes Forever, United States Marine Band - Link
Stuck In The Middle With You, Stealers Wheel - Link
Subdivisions, Rush - Link
Sunday's Child, Phil Keaggy - Link
Sundown, Gordon Lightfoot - Link
Sweet Georgia Brown, Wynton Marsalis/Mark O'Connor - Link
Sweet Lorraine, Uriah Heep - Link
Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Link
That's Jazz, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars - Link
Time, Pink Floyd - Link
Time to Blow, From That Thing You Do - Link
The Too Fat Polka, Frankie Yankovic - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Buck Owens - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, the Don Kelley Band - Link
Truck Drivin' Man, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Link
University of Michigan Fight Song, UM Marching Band - Link.
US National Anthem, US Marine Band - Link
Village of the Sun and Echidna's Arf (Of You), Frank Zappa - Link
Walk Away, James Gang - Link
War, Edwin Starr - Link
Vonetta, Earl Klugh - Link
Yankee Doodle, The Marine Band - Link
You Are My Sunshine, JoAnn Castle and the Lawrence Welk Orchestra - Link
You Can't Do That, Beatles - Link
Your Love Is My Saving Grace, Kristin Chenoweth - Link
Zappa Medly, George Duke - Link

Monday, October 30, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 105-111

This is my blog for days 105-111 of cancer treatment and recovery, Monday, 23 Oct 2017 through Sunday, 29 Oct 2017.

Sorry that this is late, but I had a lot going on Sunday. Actually got over 15,000 steps in, that's how busy I was!

I signed up for the MedFit program at the Northwest Community Hospital Wellness Center on Monday. I'll be concentrating on some strengthening exercises (though I'm not going to try to turn myself into Charles Atlas - "the most popular bodybuilder of his day" per Wikipedia) and turning fat into muscle. My BMI is too high, but five full points lower than it was last year. Guess that's what happens when you're 48 pounds lighter.

The week at work went well, and is getting easier to do. I ended up by working from home on Friday - Monday I work from the hospital and Friday from home (a nice perk) - and put a few extra minutes in here and there. I feel like I'm making a difference - a positive difference - to our team, and hope to stay "relevant" during these last four years.

I want to leave Hollister better than I found it, so to speak. That's why I document everything, to share knowledge, and, even more, to get my teammates to think about things by reading what I've written. We do so much, but sometimes don't get a chance to sit back and reflect on what we've gone through, both the good and the not-so-good, so discussing internally helps.

I've told my boss that I plan to retire at 65, which will happen in July of 2021. There's an outside chance that I might stay on until 67. But we'll see. Nancy is lobbying for 65, of course.

Eating has gotten better and better. I've had orange juice this week, and it did not result in any discomfort. Had a Guinness, too, though I didn't finish it completely. The first beer (stout) I've had in months, perhaps since May. Next thing I need to try - apples. We have several Honey Crisp apples in the fridge, so that'll be easy. I know I've already come a long way, but hope that eating becomes the "second nature" activity it is for most people.

Things aren't better with the dry mouth/saliva glands issue, but hopefully I'll see improvement in that regard soon. I keep a bottle of water at my bedside at night, now, and always have a glass of water with dinner. Milk works even better, so I guess I'll continue to be that 1950's kid and have three glasses of milk each day.

On Sunday, Tim, Andy, Eric Wheaton, Paul Kelderhouse and I took the carcass of the shed to a dumpster, which had been delivered into our driveway on Friday. So now the back yard is completely clear of the old shed, but some of its contents are still lined up against the fence. I also took down a bush which had grown behind the old shed. Then I laid out a perimeter for the base of the new shed, a replacement from Menard's made by Suncast. It's the same 8' x 10', but oriented differently - 10' deep and 8' wide as opposed to 10' wide and 8' deep. I'll do the work necessary to get the permits from the village next week.

This year's World Series is certainly entertaining, but I haven't really been watching much of it. Nor of the Blackhawks. And certainly not the Bulls. The Bears kept it close this week, but still lost, and lost a good player to a terrible injury in which he might have lost his leg! Ouch! Let's hope Zach Miller recovers, fully, and decides to retire with a career-ending injury. Will be sad to see him go, but it might be best for him.

I learned how to play two songs recently, from opposite sides of the musical spectrum. First is "It's All Your Fault", a song written by Cindy Walker and made famous by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. The version I heard, which prompted me to learn the song, is by Asleep At The Wheel (here, on YouTube). The other is "These Dreams" by Heart (here). The latter is interesting in its use of chords which I had to infer from the melody. They aren't straight majors and minors - I can do a lot of interpreting various 7th, 9th, suspended and other structures to make it a little more fun to play. The former is a honky-tonk song, which poses certain learning issues for me, as I don't really play in that style and in the keys country music uses. I'm having fun, though!

I guess that's it, for now. Stay warm, everybody, Winter's exerting its influence now!

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
Alabama Jubilee, the Firehouse Five Plus Two - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Monday, October 23, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 98-104

This is my blog for days 98-104 of cancer treatment and recovery, Monday, 16 Oct 2017 through Sunday, 22 Oct 2017.

One doctor appointment coming up, but just a routine, annual physical. Also, I'm going to talk to the NCH folks about their MedFit program, for which I can sign up only because I was referred by my doctor. But if I join the program, I don't have to work out only at the NCH gym, I can go anywhere. They'll put a program together for me for $60, then give me the $60 back when I complete two month's workouts. Nice deal.

The Cubs went out with a whimper this week. I think they "hit a wall" - long season after winning the World Series last year and all. So now I've been watching the Yankees try to come back against the Astros. Which they started to, winning three at home to go up 3-2 in the series, but then failed at, losing games 6 and 7 in Houston.

What's been going on with my illness, you might ask. Well . . . a few of things. First, I'm not gaining any weight, but rather am maintaining in the 230's, at 233.2 this morning. Not that I'm not eating, but I'm not eating that much. Some days I'll have a big lunch, but no real dinner. And I'm not snacking at all, either, especially at work.

Second, my salivary glands appear to be getting worse, which the ENT said they would do. So now I sometimes wake up at night with a completely dry mouth. I need to have a glass of water with me whenever I eat anything, in order to help get the food down. Especially if there's bread or crackers. So soups, stews and salads are best for me right now, as they are generally "wetter" than other foods.

Third, my mouth is still healing, but getting better all the time. I can generally eat without discomfort, now, but stay away from salty, spicy and hot (temperature) foods. I've had pepperoni pizza without issue, so the problem with spaghetti sauce looks to have dissipated. Milk is still "good to me", helping with any sore throats and with eating, better than water does.

Fourth, my strength is returning. I was nowhere near as tired this week after work than the prior week. The MedFit program should help with this, too.

Fifth, I have a funny taste in my mouth all the time. I suspect it's from my taste buds having been "whacked" by the radiation treatments. I certainly hope I don't have bad breath at all times. But this may be a "new normal" for me, or it may get better. I'm guessing that it's all tied up with the salivary gland issue, and that if it's not better by the end of the year it will be permanent.

So, I go with another week!

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
Alabama Jubilee, the Firehouse Five Plus Two - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

Monday, October 16, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 91-97

This is my blog for days 91-97 of cancer treatment and recovery, Monday, 9 Oct 2017 through Sunday, 15 Oct 2017.

Had a CT scan "with contrast" on Monday. The "contrast" goes in with a really big needle. In fact, the nurse doesn't say, "little stick now"; she says "big stick"! Will get the results on Tuesday, with Dr Gordon.

And the results are . . . lookin' good. Dr Gordon says I'm recovering well. Port looks good, still; feeding tube looks good, still. I see the ENT tomorrow, and will get his take on how things are going.

Meanwhile, I've worked both Monday and Tuesday.

The visit with the ENT went well. I have two small lymph nodes which may have to be removed surgically, if they don't disappear on their own. Other than that, things look good!

How 'bout them Cubs? I went to bed before the game was over, but woke to find out they had triumphed over the Nationals in NLDS game 5! That's pretty cool! I don't know how they'll do against Los Angeles, but they have sure shown us how to fight through obstacles this year, including being down 4-1 in that final game. Third straight year for the NLCS, too, which they have never done. I'll try to watch a game or two of the LA series, but make no promises that I won't fall asleep before they're done.

I see that the Trib picks the Dodgers in five . . . perhaps, but that's why they play the games!

But here it is Sunday night, and the Cubs are down 0-2. They turned a close 1-1 game into a 4-1 loss last night, in the 9th inning. Too bad.

At least the Bears won, even if in overtime . . . and Aaron Rodgers got hurt, so it looks like either Minnesota or Detroit is going to take the division this year.

So what else happened this week? I worked a full week, and felt pretty good doing so. Went out for lunch with my boss on Thursday, and went in on Friday, as well, to do some production turnover with one of our contractors.

Tim and Kate came over for dinner Saturday afternoon. We had a nice visit.

Tim and Andy helped me demolish the shed Sunday! It was a big job, and I have to say that I did little of the work. Both of the boys really took care of things for me. Now I just have to arrange to have the carcass removed from the back yard.

Nancy and I picked up Kerry and Luke from the airport Sunday, with them having come home from their honeymoon in Hawaii. We brought Luke's car out to them, so they would be able to drive straight home without coming out to our house, with Nancy driving my car there, as well, so we could head directly home, too. And so Bailey the dog ended her week with us, going home with mom and dad.

So there we go. A productive week, for the most part. I'm afraid that I'll be writing about the end of the Cubs season this week, but they've had a good one, no matter how it ends. Looking forward, I have no doctor appointments for a while, and will work a full week, too.

I don't have any new YouTube music to post, so I'm going to let this blog go without. Enjoy some of the music below!

For convenience sake, here a running list of all of the links I've posted to YouTube in the past many days:

According to Plan, Carolyn Arends - Link
Alabama Jubilee, the Firehouse Five Plus Two - Link

My Funny Valentine, Kristin Chenoweth - Link

I'm Just a Guy . . .

Monday, December 18, 2017

Music List Is Updated!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Das Ist Das Ende! (This Is The End!)

Monday, October 30, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 105-111

Monday, October 23, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 98-104

Monday, October 16, 2017

A Rude Intrusion :: Days 91-97

Blogs to Follow

E-Mail