December update

Bob and I recently traveled to Boston for a follow up with my Dr.  He wanted to have a chest scan done as a follow up to my excellent scan in 2009. 

The morning we departed my left knee was very sore and stiff.  The six hr drive was no help and by Tuesday morning I was sporting a full limp.  The scan went well and my visit to Dr. Katz went well with the good Dr. prescribing some assistance for the knee.  By Thursday the knee was much better and I am feeling almost 100%

The best part of the trip was seeing two friends.  I was able to have lunch with Gary Simmerman in Boston.  Gary is a fraternity brother and a great friend.

There is nothing better than having a scotch with a dear friend.   Bob and I have a smile on our faces when we think about the great time this past week.   We can not wait for the next dram.

So, now we start the next great adventure.  In March I will join my youngest son Brian for the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb challenge in Seattle WA.  The event will raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   The event is a climb up the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle.  69 floors, 1311 steps, 788 vertical feet.

Bob and I will be climbing for my Sister, Kathy who was diagnosed with Leukemia.  We will carry a photo of Kathy as well as a list of our sponsors on my helmet during the climb.  I hope that you are a sponsor.

Most of this blog will follow my training and preparation for the event.  I have been working out now for several months but this will require a more focused effort for the next few months.

Oh yea, the chest scan came back clear...no plaque build up!  BP excellent.

Wish us luck,  and we will see you at the top!

John & Bob

Back on Track

It has been months since I last posted and much has happened.  I have started to move into retirement.  I have been given an opportunity to transition from the job that kept me on planes and sleeping in hotels all over the world. 

For the past few months I have been taking care of all the things that I wasn't able to get done for the past 20+ years.  I am working part time and that is fine with me.  I have been very disappointed in how the management team of Alere has performed these past months.  I can only sit and watch as someone else flies the plane.  Not something that makes me comfortable.

I have accomplished alot these past months and feel a sense of accomplishment.  I have also had time to consider where I am, how I got here and most importantly where I should go.  While I have not chosen the destination yet the path I choose will be more focused on what I need than the others I have focused on in the past. 

I have lost weight and my health is good so far.  Some aches but all in all pretty good.

As fall turns to winter here I feel I need a new goal to test me.  Several years ago I attended the Fire Academy in Houston Tx with my son Brian.  At 50 it was the toughest challenge I had ever tried.  Brian kept me going and we both completed the test.

I recently was able to see a dear friend.  A friend I have scene in over 18 years.   To me our visit was magical and it has re-energized me.   I look forward to the next scotch.

My next post should have details on the next adventure.  Stay tuned.

John & Bob

Hmmmm

It has been a few days since our last post.  Honestly I have been fighting a wicked round of Tendonitis.  This has been a recurring issue over the years and has at times put me on crutches.  This was one of those times.  This is most likely the result of years of over activity and injuries from athletics and the military.  I have come to learn that a direct cause is often worn out shoes or boots.

This time was one of the more painful events and lasted nearly a month in total.  It really became tough to concentrate and bordered on depressing.

I am feeling better now and Bob is happy as he knows we are heading out Monday on another adventure.  Once again we shall brave the crowded skies and fly commercial.  I have really come to dislike travel.  It used to be interesting and fun.  Now it is a constant challenge to remain calm.  The airline industry in the US is among the worst anywhere.   Most of the employees really don't care and the service is the bare minimum.  Yet, we pay through the nose for this level of service so it will continue like this until the market wakes up.

The weather is looking like it has finally broken a bit and spring may be around the corner.  It has been a tough winter for many on the east coast and everyone will be happy to see some green again.

A special full moon this weekend.  A "super moon".  I will be sure to spend sometime and give it a good look and recall a great friend, perhaps with a good dram of scotch.  jy

30 Days

It has been 30 days since I last had a "cocktail" in the evening!  While this may not sound impressive I assure you that this is a great personal achievement.   Over the years and thousands of miles of travel I developed the habit of having a drink or two every evening.  I wouldn't get drunk or hammered, just one or two to take the edge off the day.   Well this habit added pounds to my body because as you know alcohol has calories.   It also didn't help my sleep even though I felt it helped me fall asleep.

After many years I just decided one day to slow things down and stop drinking every night.   Well it wasn't as easy as I thought but after several starts and stops I have made it to this point.  I must say I am sleeping much better and have lost weight this past month.  I think I will stay the course and see where I am in a year.  I will still have a drink or two on special occasions but will really work to keep things where they are now. 

As always Bob has been here to help and encourage me through this challenge.  Thanks Bob.

Background

OK, how about a bit of background on how Bob and I met.   Several years ago, like maybe 2004 or so I attended one of those group hug management training sessions in the UK.  Like most of these things it was scheduled on very short notice and everyone had to attend.  Everyone except several senior executives, who were the ones who REALLY needed the training.  Anyway.......   The idea of the session was to encourage open feedback.  We were given a "Wee Watcher" who was supposed to be our companion and remind us to be civil and consider our words carefully.   Well, Bob was my "Wee Watcher" for the session.  Bob did a good job and often kept me out of trouble.  At the end of the program Bob decided to stow away in my bag and that is how we began our travels. 

Over the years Bob has tagged along as I have traveled thousands of miles working for the company.  He has been loyal and always on time for departure.  He takes up little space but has been a huge help as a companion in many foreign countries.  He makes friends quickly and often is able to disarm tense situations at immigration check points.  As you will see he enjoys having his photo taken so he can share our adventures.  I am never alone when Bob travels with me.

 Bob likes to preflight the aircraft we travel on.

Bob likes the window.   I prefer an aisle seat.

In 2009 Bob and I went around the World in about 30 days.  It was a wonderful adventure.  Bob took every opportunity to sample local beverages during the trip. 

Proper Pint Bob

Schwartz Bier Bob (Black Beer Bob)

Sake Bob




I hope this helps give you a bit of background on Bob.  Stay tuned there is much more to come!

Getting started

Well, I have seen several friends share their thoughts in blogs and finally have decided that the world is ready for my view of the world.   Or should I say Bob's view of the world.   You see I have a small friend who travels with me.   I call him Bob.  Bob has been with me through thick and thin.  He often has just the right thing to say at the right time. 

So for the past 25 years I have been working in the medical diagnostics market.  For the majority of this time I have worked for a gentlemen named Ron Zwanziger.  Ron is probably once of the most intelligent people I have ever met.  He is a HBS grad and started his first company right out of school.  Ron has always given me the toughest jobs to handle over the years.  Mostly turn-around situations from the many acquisitions he orchestrated.   Over the years he has made millions. 

So Bob and I expect (hope) that this will be the story of how I (we) wander through this big world.  It has been and should be a great adventure.  Hope you can follow along.