Life "Post-Scare," or, The Purposeful Procrastinator

This may come as a shock to many of my readers (maybe not to ONE or TWO of them) but I am somewhat of a procrastinator:

Hi, my name is Jim Silver, and I am a procrastinator....

It is true, my friends, I do occasionally put aside for next week what could have been done LAST week.  In this spirit, I have to admit that I procrastinated in writing what could have been my last blog until I had run out of the time and the technology to do so.  But, as it happened, I passed my medical tests and will live at least long enough to get another one finished.

Procrastination is a congenital disorder that defies the strongest medications known to medical science.  It has the ability to "out doctor" Dr. Phil, Joyce Brothers, Napoleon Hill, and even Mr. Rogers, all combined and giving it their best effort.  I myself have been a helpless victim of this disease for....well, for....okay, I will calculate how long as soon as I get the chance.

Anyway, I am happy that I completed the stress test yesterday.  The results of the stress test told the good Dr. Miller two things.  One, there was nothing medically wrong with my heart.  Two, I am a year older and further out of shape than I was last year.  You see, I just kept putting off starting an exercise program. Nay, let me tell the truth here.  What I meant was I just kept putting off the SECOND DAY of each of my physical fitness programs that I started this year.  Sorry, Lori!

I have learned a couple of things.  First, don't procrastinate in writing your last blog until you get to the hospital.  Second, don't depend on the hospital's "free Wi-Fi" in a pinch!  Procrastination not withstanding, I am happy to be here this 17th day of October, in the year of Our Lord 2013, to write another blog.  I am also happy to be here this 17th day of October, etc., for the simple reason that the alternative is NOT to be here at all!

Having been given at least a little longer to dwell on this earthly plane (although none of us really know how long we have!) I have given myself certain challenges, then supplied deadlines with the challenges.  I want to meet these goals by the deadlines I have set.  Procrastination is indeed a difficult birth defect to overcome, but this is what I have set out to do.  Yes, I know I just said that none of us really know how much time we have left.  In my case, I hope to reach my goals, but if my time should run out first, I hope to be fully in the process of attaining those goals at my final curtain call.

I had obtained several "motivational" books many months ago, but (of course) I never found time to read these books.  My life is so busy, you know.  But I did open one of the books, the shortest one I think.  Scanning the book I came across a chapter about "purposeful procrastination."  I could not believe it!  A whole chapter written to ME!  Purposeful procrastination was right up my alley, I thought.  Not really.  I mean, it was for me, but it was not the easy button I thought I had found.

Purposeful procrastination means to procrastinate alright, but to procrastinate on doing those thing that a person DOES NOT NEED TO DO.  This would be watching TV beyond moderation, playing too many games of golf each week, standing by the water cooler instead of occupying your office, etc.  These are things that people LIKE TO DO, but they do not NEED TO DO, at least not when more important things need to be done.

What a challenge!  I can think of a hundred things I would like to do, while staring at five or ten things I NEED TO DO.  Guess which ones usually get done first.  But with purposeful procrastination, I can fulfill my brain's need for procrastination while completing what needs to be done, or working toward goals that I really want to accomplish.

So far all I have is a list of a few things that I want to accomplish, and a working timetable to do so.  Having boasted about all this in my blog, the test will be to see how far along I am on my way by this time next year.  But that is not the only gauge.  I will test myself to see how far along I am next month, next week, and yes, even tomorrow.  I know a certain person must have fainted at this point.  Still the test is not in what I write, but what I DO.  So here goes..............


















 

A Federal Agent and A Bull: A (Mostly) True Story My Uncle Told Me

I love going "back home" to visit with the old folks.  You just never know when you will hear a bit of unknown local history, or sometimes just a good laugh.  For example, just the other day I heard this from my uncle. It could be a true story, and I think it is, or a least part of it.  After all, why would Uncle Rodger make up something like this?

An old farmer was hard at work one morning when he noticed a man trespassing on his property.  The farmer went to the man and told him to leave, because he had not given the stranger permission to enter his farm.

The stranger, full of bluster and arrogance, sneered at the farmer and pulled out an official looking ID card.  "This badge," the man said, GIVES me the right to go anywhere I want.  You can't stop me."

The old farmer examined the ID card, then grudgingly conceded that he could not stop the stranger, who worked for the USDA. On the back of the ID card were these ominous words:  Whoever shall interfere with the holder of this card while in the performance of his duties will be guilty of a felony.

The federal agent then told the farmer, "You just stay out of my way while I inspect your farm.  This is official Government business."

The agent then walked away.  Instead of inspecting the barns and shed nearby, the agent opened a gate and walked into a beautiful pasture.  There were a few head of cattle grazing in the distance, and the agent began walking toward them.  About this time, the old farmer remembered that his mean bull had just been turned out into the same pasture just the day before.  He started to warn the arrogant agent, but then thought it would be a waste of time.  If the bull was anywhere nearby, the agent would find out soon enough.

Sure enough, just as the federal agent got about halfway about across the field, a large Bramer (Texanese for Brahman) bull appeared, stamped the ground a couple of times, then proceeded to attack the hapless agent.  The farmer, already a little miffed at the agent, could not help but enjoy this pleasant turn of events.

As the man ran across the field, dodging and twisting this way and that to avoid the bull, hollering for help all the while, the old farmer could not resist.  "Hey Stranger," the farmer shouted.  "The bull thinks you are a trespasser.  Just show him your card!"

"What?!" The agent shouted back as he ran around a small mesquite tree.

"Just show him your government ID Card and tell him you have the right to be here.  Maybe he will let you be!"

After offering this helpful advice, the old farmer chuckled and went back to his chores.


This was an entertaining story and I tend to believe it is mostly true.  I mean, Uncle Rodger has told me (mostly) the truth all my life.  And that ain't no bull!

A Fallen Officer: Deputy Billy Kennedy, Upton County Sheriff's Office

A peace officer's job carries the same risks whether that officer works in a big city or a rural county.  This was proven once again on Friday, October 2, 2013 in the small town of McCamey here in West Texas.

On that particular night Deputy Billy Kennedy, Upton County Sheriff's Office (Rankin, TX), responded to a disturbance at a convenience store in McCamey.  At some point the suspect produced a weapon and began firing.  The officer returned fire.  As many as eleven shots were fired by both men.  The officer was hit first but returned fire and wounded the suspect.  A short time later Deputy Kennedy died of his wounds.  The suspect survived and is hospitalized as of this writing.

Deputy Kennedy was a 14-year veteran.  He left behind his widow and two sons.  I have heard many people over the years talk about the safety of "policing" in a small town, where everyone is friendly, everyone knows you, etc.  But officers, of whatever size jurisdiction, know this sentiment is not borne out by reality.  Often, criminals are emboldened in small towns and on lonely country roads because they know that the peace officer they confront may be miles away from the nearest aid.  Criminals that are "passing through" a small town may believe that if only one officer stands between them and freedom, they have nothing to lose by killing that one officer and making good their escape.

Recently, in another small town not far from Midland, a young deputy, a lifelong resident of his hometown, was shot and killed by another longtime resident of the same town.  That particular resident was also a lifelong crook, and finally decided to take the ultimate step.  So a police officer faces life or death in the performance of his duties, no matter the size or location of his jurisdiction.

I offer my praise to Deputy Kennedy and my thanks for his service, to which he paid the highest loyalty - his own life, in exchange for the safety of the people in his county.  For his family, I pray the comfort that only the Good Shepherd can offer them, both in the form of friends and relatives, and in the form of that mysterious loving care that surrounds those who have lost loved ones and offers solace when no one else can help.

And I pray for the safety of the officers that must go on with their duties even in the shadow of the death of their fallen colleague.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Kennedy...your watch is over now.

One Of Midland's Heroes

It is my pleasure to honor a local fireman in my blog today.  This firefighter's action, along with help from two truck drivers, saved a man's life, and probably prevented a multi-fatality accident as well.

Captain Bryan Chatwell, Midland Fire Department, received the Medal of Valor earlier this month at that fire department's employee banquet.  The Medal of Valor is the fire department's second highest honor, and is presented to a firefighter who risks his life to protect or save another.

In July, Captain Chatwell, while off-duty, was driving on a highway in the Midland area when he noticed that the pickup travelling in front of him was being driven erratically, sometimes straddling the lane markers.  Captain Chatwell carefully passed the vehicle but was still concerned about it.  As he watched the pickup in his rear view mirror, Captain Chatwell saw the vehicle drive into the oncoming traffic lanes then stop.  Captain Chatwell drove back to where the vehicle was stopped.

As Captain Chatwell walked over to the driver's window, he recognized the driver.  Chatwell had treated the man for diabetic complications on a previous occasion.  The pickup's engine was still running but the doors were locked.  The man drove slowly away at this time, with Captain Chatwell running along side trying to get the man to stop. 

At this point, two tractor-trailer rigs were approaching the pickup, which was driving on the wrong side of the highway.  The operators of the big rigs took in the situation immediately.  They positioned their trucks so that the pickup had to stop.  Captain Chatwell obtained a hammer from one of the drivers and knocked out the driver's window of the pickup.  He was able to turn off the pickup's engine.  The firefighter then provided first aid to the man until an ambulance arrived.  Not only was the pickup driver saved, but in all probability a major accident was avoided as well.

So I salute Captain Bryan Chatwell for his bravery and quick-thinking that saved at least one life.  Also a big thank you to the two anonymous (to me anyway) truck drivers who stepped up when they were needed, and assisted Captain Chatwell.