When 2020 started, I had some big plans: find more freelance and remote work, improve self-care while serving as my mother’s caregiver, and increase my non-networking social activities. Very few people could have predicted the effect that COVID-19 would have on our lives. Rearranging priorities, adapting to new modes of communication, rethinking our work and job search strategies (or for many, losing their jobs outright). As much as many other “2020 Year in Review” posts will focus on the effect of coronavirus/COVID-19 on our lives, I would like to highlight the five things that I have learned during this pandemic.

1. I can have anything I want, but I can’t have everything I want – when I wrote a post about zen-flavored advice several years ago, it was a reminder that having goals is worthwhile, but being able to let go of goals and accept what I have at the moment is also important. This year was going to be the year that I was able to be more present in my own life…and in a way, it did, but not in the way I expected. Lockdown and social distancing have meant letting go of activities like running a coworking meetup, but they have also allowed me to focus on strengthening my current professional and personal relationships.
   

   Photo by Gordon Dymowski

2. Gratitude Can Be a Powerful Attitude – This past year, I was grateful for various work projects, but for really standing still and appreciating what I have. One of the greatest surprises and delights of this year was receiving a coffee mug as an impromptu gift. (There’s a long story to be told at another time). Gratitude doesn’t mean that I settle for less; it means that I am aware that despite feeling like I have nothing, I appreciate the gifts that I do have.
3. Compassion, empathy, and respect matter, now more than ever – Even amidst the fear and concern, it is easy to forget that other people deserve consideration and courtesy. With many families affected financially, emotionally, and physically by the virus, showing people a modicum of respect and compassion through wearing a mask can be powerful. (I know four people who have had COVID, and one who had family members affected by the virus). In a year that served as a climax for the previous three years’ dissension and division, 2020 may be the year that reinforces the concept of common humanity.
4. Online communication, especially Zoom, can be a tool for connecting: Fortunately, one of my resolutions for 2020 was strengthening and maintaining my current network, and Zoom has been especially helpful. (Like many others, I can found moving from Zoom meeting to Zoom meeting a bit overwhelming). It’s also allowed me to schedule catch-up calls with friends, hold events for Chicago Doctor Who Meetup, as well as facilitate a panel for Chicago TARDIS. As someone who found himself rushing from place to place before the pandemic, Zoom has provided ample opportunities for me to connect and be connected. And finally…
5. We are human beings, not human doings: Early in the pandemic, a meme emerged that stated (to paraphrase) “If by the end of lockdown you haven’t learned a new language, started a new business, or some other task, you’re not taking advantage of free time.” Unfortunately, the hustle porn/“crushing it” mentality behind that sentiment can be crippling. (Especially for those who have other responsibilities such as caregiving). As someone who placed much of his self-worth in achievement, learning how to relax, meditate, and focus on the moment has helped me develop a much-needed perspective. As much as I have plenty to do, learning to take time to relax and rejuvenate has been an exceptional use of my time.

Granted, this is not the usual “2020 year in review” post. (And in the past, I’ve waited until January to highlight the past year). But I thought that as the year comes to a close, it was better to provide a more personal perspective over the past year.

What are your thoughts? Please leave them in the comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

And as always, thanks for reading!

We stumbled across a very interesting film on Netflix the other night entitled The Battered Bastards of Baseball. It’s the story of 1960’s TV cowboy Bing Russell and his ownership of a rag-tag minor league baseball team. Russell (father of actor Kurt Russell) played the part of a deputy sheriff (and later the sheriff) named Clem on the TV series Bonanza. Russell claims that he appeared in 200 episodes of Bonanza and never solved a crime. After the series concluded, Russell’s career took a turn and he purchased an independent minor league team based in Portland, Oregon.

The team, which was comprised of a group of “has-beens” and “never-wills” was thrown together following an open tryout. The players knew their future in baseball extended no further than the stadium’s parking lot and they were paid accordingly. Still, a funny thing happened. With a true and pure joy for the game of baseball and the desire to do nothing more than savor the moment, the team went on to be quite successful. No spoiler here, however. Find the movie and watch it…it’s good!

Watching the players throughout the movie, who truly enjoyed their lives and “careers”, it got me to thinking about things like job satisfaction and passion for career. I began to think about those who serve in jobs each day who may or not be fulfilled. I thought back to my 25 years in Corporate America and searched my own personal archives for those moments of pure joy and satisfaction. I had trouble finding more than a few instances of such pleasure. I thought back to the time where a prospective sales representative thought I must be full of funny and interesting stories to share after serving with the company for so long. I drew a blank when he said that.

After further consideration, yes, there were a few occasions that might be considered somewhat amusing, but you probably had to work there with me to think they were even remotely funny. Like the time the blow-hard boss kept mispronouncing the name of the newly-introduced product at the company sales meeting. Or maybe the time the lady boss, whose face’s texture resembled that of Bing Russell’s saddle in Bonanza, walked into a meeting with a fake orange tan which would make Trump look like an albino. Again…you probably had to be there to appreciate the humor.

Fast forward to my post-corporate career as producer and co-host of The Tomfoolery Fun Club, a comedy-based variety series. Without getting into too many details how I ended up here, I did. Along with my business partner and most significant “other”, Ms. Michele, we’ve staged nearly 100 events consisting of various forms of comedy accompanied by live music. After we watched the movie I mentioned earlier, I asked Michele if, after the nearly 100 shows we’ve produced together, could she think of something that really stood out as particularly funny and interesting. She gave me somewhat of a quizzical look and said, “are you kidding?” The question didn’t really require an answer because we both knew that if we had only 100 seconds, we both could probably list 100 funny and interesting things that took place over that time. We put our hearts and souls into our events and, when people do that, amazing things happen. I recall standing on the stage of our last event and, as the capacity crowd cheered for our performers and our production, I asked myself; is there anywhere else on earth you’d rather be right now? The answer was a resounding “no”.

As COVID continues to batter away like a never-ending storm, so many people are worried about their livelihoods. Their jobs may or may not be there when we all (hopefully) get our vaccine and our world returns to normal. I’m working very hard not to worry about money, but to focus on the controllable. Personally, when I come out of this pandemic, I hope to be refreshed and full of newly creative ideas to set free. Stay tuned!

George, Kramer and Elaine are incredibly gorgeous, shy and fearful, 10-week-old, fluffy white kittens with black markings looking for a loving home.

These kittens are wonderful in the home, love each other and play, play and play. They are perfect with their litterbox and love treats. They are looking for a home with a true feline-lover who will work with them to help them blossom. They will each do best in a home with at least one well-socialized cat, and without dogs. Meaning we don’t adopt out single kittens unless they have a playmate, although two kittens may be adopted together.

They were found under some bushes in a parking lot; and a kind cat-lover took them under her wing to raise them in her home. Since they are fairly new to the world of humans, they need more hand-taming and love, because they still hiss and hide at first, before melting into your arms.

Thanks to their foster mom’s diligent care, they are now extremely healthy.

They are neutered/spayed, de-wormed, vaccinated for distemper, virus-tested negative and micro-chipped. They will need their second and third vaccines including rabies at the appropriate intervals.

To meet and possibly adopt these gorgeous kittens, please fill out an adoption application at https://friendsofpetraits.com/dog-cat-adoption-application/

After the application is complete, please contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment to meet them.

Their adoption fee of $150 each, $275 as a pair, or $375 as a trio benefits the rescued pets of Friends of Petraits Rescue.

They are currently being fostered in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

“Things work until they don’t.” A doorman at my building offered that consolation when I was chiding myself for not replacing my ancient desktop computer before it died last week. I appreciated his sympathy, but it would have been better to replace the computer before it didn’t function. You can wait to buy a dishwasher, but a computer holds irreplaceable contents. 

No, I didn’t lose all my files, but there were enough complications for me to think about becoming more tech savvy. As I set up a computer by myself for the first time in my life, I regretted taking technology for granted when it works.  

Actually, computer shopping had been on my mind for a while, since the iMac was at least a decade old, but the machine kept soldiering on, giving me no warning of its imminent demise. 

Sitting in the living room one evening, I heard the familiar Apple chimes. Either the computer itself or a ghost had done a reboot. The iMac was caught in an endless reboot loop. I grabbed my cellphone and trudged down to the building’s business center to use wifi (more on wifi to come) to google a fix, but none of the recommendations worked. 

Since I had intended to replace the iMac, what did it matter that I couldn’t revive it? The big problem, which I still need to tackle (advice welcome), is how to wipe clean the hard drive before the machine is recycled. 

Also, not being able to get into the old machine, I couldn’t transfer files from it. I can retrieve files stored in iCloud. But I’ve discovered that I neglected to back up contacts, so now I’m lacking everyone’s postal address. Plus, all the sticky notes with messages to myself are gone because backing up the desktop did not include backing up sticky notes on it.

I still have to investigate how to copy all the files from the cloud to my hard drive, but I’d bet it can’t be done in one fell swoop. For the time being I’m telling myself that the cloud is the safest place for them.

How nice it was in my working days to have an IT person. Adam set up my old computer, which I bought when I retired. As I unplugged it last weekend, a black box connected to it by a USB cable entered my consciousness as if I were seeing it for the first time, even though I’ve dusted it for years. I suspect it’s an external hard drive. If my files are in it and not in the iMac, I don’t have to worry about wiping clean the computer hard drive. I’d better find out, and while I’m at it, learn how to retrieve the files. 

If it weren’t for my knowledgeable niece Sarah, who had advised me on the computer purchase, I wouldn’t know that I don’t need to buy a new printer. The MacBook Air recognizes the old HP’s print software but not its scan software. “You can scan with your cellphone,” Sarah informed me. 

You think tech obliviousness is excusable in a 72-year-old? Then here’s another example: I didn’t realize I’ve had wifi for years because RCN’s cable installer had connected the modem to the iMac with a cord. I’ve been trekking down to the business office every time I didn’t want to use cellphone data. When I called RCN last week to ask about getting a different modem for a laptop, I was surprised to hear that I have a wifi modem. 

How do people know these things? I wonder. I doubt they read user manuals from cover to cover. Paying attention might help; I could have wondered what that black box was for when I dusted it. 

Most likely I’ll fall back into obliviousness soon enough. But while I’m excited about the new computer, maybe I will read the user manual.

•••••

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS TODAY

Today is the last day to switch your Medicare Advantage or supplement plan for 2021. When open enrollment began, I was debating whether to stay with the top-rated Humana Gold Plus Medicare Advantage plan that has served me well for seven years or to switch to a plan accepted at a nationally ranked hospital.

I was relieved to find out that I can have both Humana Gold Plus and a nationally ranked hospital: both Northwestern and Rush are joining the Humana Gold Plus network on January 1. Better yet, Rush recently opened, a quarter-mile from me, a state-of-the-art clinic with primary care physicians, specialists, lab services, and imaging tests.

Some people prefer to pay the higher price for Traditional Medicare so that their choices aren’t limited to a plan’s network providers. In Chicago, where you can be in the network of a top-20 hospital and its physicians, I don’t anticipate any reason to go out of network.

Arizona legislature closes after Giuliani spent two days with maskless GOP lawmakers

Washington Post

Rudy’s tested positive.

Those close to him now pray

That God forgive how close they were

When they should have stayed away.

It’s a scene that is rarely seen in the world of sports. Even at the professional level, touching an official is off-limits. An accidental bumping will get an athlete an automatic ejection and most likely, fined and suspended. At the youth levels, children are taught not to argue with the referees, no matter how egregious they think the decision is. Referees and umpires are to be respected for the thankless job that they do.

That’s what made what occurred in Texas last week so shocking. It happens so rarely that most of us were stunned to see the video of the event.

Emmanuel Duron is a senior at Edinburg High School. He was last season’s District 31-6A Defensive Player of the Year. He is also the team’s kicker and punter. He is also one of the state’s premier wrestlers.
In a report from The Monitor, a a McAallen, TX newspaper, here are the details:

Duron, the team’s star defender, was flagged on a play early during the second quarter after he shoved an opposing offensive lineman to the ground and attempted to make a tackle on PSJA High freshman quarterback Jaime Lopez after the whistle had blown the play dead.

Duron and referee Fred Gracia exchanged words after the play was over, and Gracia ejected Duron from the contest after back-to-back unsportsmanlike penalties on the same play.

Duron, who was leading the Bobcats in tackles (102) and sacks (eight) through four games, then charged onto the field as teammates raced after him in an attempt to hold him back. The senior defensive end collided with Gracia, checking him chest-to-chest at full speed and sending him to the turf.

Duron was escorted out from the stadium by a team of four Edinburg police officers who were working security for the game. He was not handcuffed, but was removed from the premises and did not return.

Referee Gracia went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with rib and shoulder injuries plus a concussion.

The next day Emmanuel Duron was charged with assault and given a $10,000 bond.

The Edinburg team went on to win the game 35-21. The win would have qualified them for the state playoffs. However, their season is now over after this announcement from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District:

“The district has decided to remove the Edinburg High School football team from the playoffs after an unexpected incident involving a student that occurred during a football game on December 3, 2020,” the district stated. “We extend a sincere apology to the referee and his family. On behalf of the Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees and administration, we apologize to the athletes, staff, and our school community. We will take the appropriate disciplinary action once we understand the facts and circumstances underlining this incident. The district takes these matters very seriously; however, we cannot comment further on a pending investigation.”

All of this leads to the following questions:
a. What is the appropriate punishment for the student/athlete? Are legal charges too much for an incident that occurred on the playing field?
b. Was disqualifying the team from the playoffs too much? Was there a need to punish the other student/athletes because of an incident in which they had no involvement?

Obviously, Emmanuel Duron will not be playing high school football again. He’s a senior and with his team no longer in the playoffs, his football career is over. My guess is his wrestling career is over, too. Usually, I’m believer in second chances and redemption stories, but he had a similar incident with an official during a soccer game last year. This was his second chance. My guess is the school will give him a long suspension and bar him from attending any official school events, such as prom and graduation. I’m fine with that. I doubt he will also see any jail time over this. A lengthy time of probation and plenty of community service should take care of his legal issues.

As for the team, I have conflicting reactions to their disbarment from the playoffs. I’m not sure one bad moment from one kid should ruin it for everyone else. If you watch the video below, you’ll see Duron’s teammates trying to keep him from getting to the official. They then immediately got him off the playing surface….and yet their season is now over. 
As for team’s coaches, they had to know about the soccer incident. Yet they allowed Duron to play football, most likely because he was their best player and gave them the best chance to win games.

Once again, winning over everything else.

Related Post: What’s the matter with kid’s sports parents?

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Dining IN is OUT.

Dining OUT is IN.

But come December, things can get pretty cold outside in Chicago.

Rules and Regulations

Currently the City of Chicago is in Phase Four of COVID regulations. This means No Indoor Service at Restaurants. 

The regulations which became effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 30 includes:

• No indoor dining or service at bars or restaurants
• Non-essential businesses must be closed to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Restaurants may continue to sell food via delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup at all hours
• Outdoor food service and bar reminders include: Maximum party size and table occupancy at restaurants, bars, taverns, breweries and event venues remains at six people

Oh to get a taste of what we used to take for granted likethe beautiful brunch from Cafe Robey, pictured below.

Cafe Robey Brunch salad. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

Dining at a Distance to the rescue

The awesome Dining at a Distance website, created shortly after the pandemic provides comprehensive information for restaurants offering delivery and carryout.

The constantly evolving and updated website currently features information on over 2400 dining establishments–both in the City of Chicago and in the suburbs. Users can search by neighborhood, speciality and restaurant name.

For example if you are looking for a restaurant in Bucktown, you can go to the Dining at a Distance website and select Bucktown. A list of participating restaurants and their specialities will pop up.

Looking for Vegan? There’s Handlebar and Native Foods Cafe. Both offer delivery and takeout. You’ll also be able to click on their websites, get their menus and ordering information from 40 Bucktown restaurants in 14 different categories.

You can’t go inside but you can still enjoy some of Gibson’s Italia pastas. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

Or click on Hyde Park and you’ll find 24 restaurants in 15 categories. The same goes for the other 2400+ restaurants from hot dog stands and coffee shops to ethnic and Michelin stars.

Added Bonus

If you order takeout from 10 Chicago restaurants between now and December 15 you can enter the Take Out Chicago Contest.

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