Weekly Musings

  It’s My (Other) “Birthday” so time for some Birthday wishes!   By…Erik Schuman A look at my Driver’s License shows I was born on April 20 (None of your bleeping business how many years ago) when my parents messed up their life forever and brought me into the world. They somewhat atoned for their mistake just over three years later when my brother and sister were born. But I consider May 20, 2019 to be the day of my “Second Birthday.” On this Monday, two years ago today, I walked into the Keck USC Medicine offices of Dr. Minh Nguyen, along with my: Mother, brother, and sister. A few days earlier I had a PT Scan of my right hip area after my third Chemotherapy visit/stay at Hoag Hospital. I was going to find out how much of the Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma I was diagnosed with in mid-February, was remaining. I recall Dr. Nguyen saying he hoped it was 100% gone. I was not as optimistic. I still felt pain in the back of my leg. I was hoping for any number above 50% s...

March Madness – April Gladness   By…Erik Schuman   1,148.   If you reverse the last 2 numbers this is the number of miles between where I live and Susanville, CA. I spent the last week of September 2020, in that city/area when I did work for the Census. It is a nice area - when the weather is cooperative. I enjoyed sunny days with clean air and breathtaking views of majestic mountain scenery. The nights were rather chilly but that is what coats are made for.   On a side note, the best part of my 592-mile drive to Susanville was passing thru Bishop (This might be the first time anyone has ever said that). For those who have been to Porto’s in the SoCal area, Bishop has a place like it: Erick Schatt’s Bakkery. THIS! PLACE! HAS! TO! BE! SEEN! TO! BE! BELIEVED! They have all different kinds of bread as well as freshly made sandwiches, cookies, donuts, ice cream, chocolate and more. It is a 300-mile drive for me so going there juuuuust for that is not wort...

  Happy Birthday, Dad – FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!   By…Erik Schuman   Today is March 4. It is the 63 rd day of 2021 meaning slightly more than 1/6 of the year is over.   For those counting, you “only” have 295 shopping days left until Christmas. Ever since 1936, March 4 has been a special day in the family. It is the day my father was born. He arrived in this world in a hospital in the greater Los Angeles area. Just like myself, brother and sister. My siblings and I were actually all born in the same hospital: St. John’s in Santa Monica. In looking over famous people born on March 4 the list was full of many “celebrities” I had never heard of. I have heard of Catherine O’Hara since Mom and Dad love watching “Schitt’s Creek” and she is on it. You’ll have to excuse me for not knowing who other “celebs” are, like: Whitney Bjerken, Niko Omilana (FYI: Both Niko and Whitney are “YouTube Stars”) as well as Austin Peyton and Alec Moore (Both “TikTok Stars”). Honestly. ...