A look back at my 2024.
Back in February I attended the beautiful memorial service for my longtime friend Tom Hassler. Tommy passed a couple months earlier at the way too young age of 67. Looking at the large collages of photos at the church, Tom did a lot of living and raised a large and great family in that time. I cannot stress enough the influence Tom Hassler had on me from the time I was 5 until I was 18. We were good friends until the end and I’ll always be grateful for that.
My longtime friend Tom Hassler is gone but will never be forgotten.
Two other passings of note were my swim buddy Paul Piaskowy and an old college classmate, Jeff Copland. I hadn’t seen Jeff in person in years but we stayed in touch often on Facebook. I always enjoyed his posts and his feedback on my posts. Paul was full of fun stories and we lit each other up with laughs and fun at East End Pool
Al Flash and I worked up more parody songs and videos played on the WGN Morning News. This year’s most popular covered what a terrible season the White Sox had. This ditty garnered great reactions online and thousands of views.
It was another great swim season at East End Pool. During my 6 week summer vacation, I only missed 2 days due to bad weather. My ‘Summer Family” there grew and every day was a lot of fun and laughs.
Another great summer was spent at East End Pool.
Over the summer I took delivery of a brand new bed, my first in almost 20 years, My old bed was worn down to the thickness of a matzo and it was a mess. My new larger rack from Big Fig is a dream.
My new bed is way comfortable. Love it!
The York Class of 1979 45th reunion was a stone groove. Both nights filled with laughs, memories and gratitude that many of us are still here and in decent health. The 50th reunion is already being planned and it will be here before we know it. (I hope we are too!)
My Lincoln grade school classmates and I gathered for a group photo at York’s Class of 1979 45th reunion.
At school it was a rough semester for my classroom. Easily the hardest I ever experienced. Due to repeated disciplinary issues several of my original students were transferred to other schools. This was done for the betterment of their educations. I had to attend many more meetings than ever before and there are more challenges to face in the 2nd semester. I hope things go a bit smoother.
If only my students this year were as entertaining as Jeff Spicoli.
Yes, my media memoir “Raised on the Radio” went through its final, final edit. If I tried to make it any better, it would get worse. (I stole that line from Bruce Springsteen as he talked about the work done to get his 1982 ‘Nebraska’ album finished) Now I’m putting together the frame work for photos, promotion and sample excerpts. Had my school semester not been so rough, I would be further along on all these tasks.
A rough semester with my students hampered further progress on my completed book.
In early December I had my second career colonoscopy and just like back in 2013, my pipes were clean as a whistle. I’ve been working on better eating habits and more exercise and being in the medical procedure environment just reiterated the importance of both.
2025- As far as the New Year goes, some of the plans I have are in their infancy and as time goes on, you’ll know what I’m up to.
This is my last blog for 2024, so I wish you all the happiest, safest and warmest of holidays and a wonderful new year too!
Peace and Love,
Mick
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY FESTIVUS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!