Just Plain Bill

At 75, is Superman too old to be a “superman?”

·     How old is too old for a superhero?

·     Should our usual assessment of what an “older man”, let alone a superhero, still be used to measure what he is capable of?

Soon after the release of the latest Superman movie, I read a comment or two on the internet that posed the following question: “Is Superman, who was created 75 years ago, getting too old to do the ‘Superman stuff’?”

To that I say, “Balderdash!”

Action heroes – whether the latest and greatest or the classic “good always defeats evil” – are still amazingly popular and readily available in comic books, DVDs, streaming videos…even as prizes at many fast food outlets. They remain high on the top of many people’s lists of things to follow. I do admit that a lot has changed in Superman’s 75 years. His alter ego Clark Kent doesn’t even have a phone booth in which to change from street clothes to his Man of Steel costume anymore. Cell phones have made phone booths obsolete. Yes, 21^st century technology has even affected Superman.

I’m the same age as Superman (in fact, a little older). I may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but like Superman, I have my share of supernatural endeavors that belie my age. I’m certainly not ready to stop my acts of courage. Chalk that up to a shared belief in the everlasting spirit of being forever young…the spirit shared with all who continue to keep our Superheroes forever young, ensuring the world and universe remain safe from all evil!

The last Superman movie included information about his family, both on earth and he planet of origin. I liked that. It added a sense of increased vulnerability about him, due to how almost “regular” he might be.

I understand that there’s a combination Batman and Superman extravaganza planned for late this year or next. I trust this will silence those naysayers disrespecting a man of Superman’s age, and will put the pending retirement party for the Last Son of Krypton to rest!

Just Plain Bill

“One thing that unquestionably 
makes for a good parent…”

- Calvin Trillin

As I’ve been writing about experiences in my life over the past six months – 30 weekly posts to my blog - I’ve noticed there’s both an ongoing recollection of experiences from my youth as well as ongoing reflection of experiences in my role as a parent of three wonderful children. 

I recently moved after almost 13 years. I thought it more than just coincidence that during the chaos I ran across some articles I’d torn from newspapers over the years. Those yellowed scraps of newspaper had always seemed to hold a promise for me that when the time was “right”, their contents would become relevant once again. 

The latest serendipitous finding was a special quote by Calvin Trillin. It’s resonating at this moment while I prepare another blog entry about my mother.

The clipping speaks to the role of a parent and how one might become a “good parent”: 

“One thing that unquestionably makes for a good parent

is the survival into adulthood of one’s own childhood.”

There is no shortage of opinions and there are studies too numerous to count assessing what contributes to making one a “good parent.” While Calvin Trillin is an author and not a researcher, his exquisite, simple and direct assessment is more than a prescription; “…the survival into adulthood of one’s own childhood” is giving one’s self permission to enjoy and embrace the wonder of possibilities for the role of a good parent.

In these later years of my life (I’m now into my seventh decade), I’m still “accused” of being childlike and playful – two titles that I gladly identify with and for which I thank Trillin for granting me permission. 

Just Plain Bill

75 Reasons Why You Should Not Hire

a 75-year Old Accomplished Professional

In 1975, Paul Simon penned a song titled “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” With tongue firmly planted in cheek and a tip of the hat to Rhymin’ Simon, there must be 75 reasons why you should not hire a 75-year old accomplished professional who has a long track record of adding significant value to organizations of all sizes and who will share your high energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to success!

1.   I’ll probably need time in the afternoon to take a nap.

2.   The food service menu will have to expand its selection of mashed foods and soups.

3.   Vending machines will need to offer Preparation H®, Depends, and hearing aid batteries.

4.   Office chairs will need to have extra cushy tushy layers and footstools added.

5.   Black socks with sandals will redefine casual Fridays.

6.   You’ll need to install safety bars in my cubicle.

7.   Computer monitors will need magnifiers to size 48 fonts.

8.   Emergency first aid kits will need to include denture adhesive and Pepto Bismol®.

9.   Lighting will need to be increased in the workspace, but all windows to the outside will need shadier coverings to prevent glare and to protect my sensitive skin.

10.                 I’ll need to take a personal day for The Antique Road Show marathon.

11.                Unless you appreciate bed socks, you won’t want me drawing your name for the Secret Santa gift exchange.

12.                My favorite theme for office decorating contests? A History of Industrial Revolution Titans.

13.                All stairs will have to have an elevator option between floors.

14.                 I’ll need an assistant just to help me find my glasses and all the other things I’ve put in the wrong place, and…oh, I forgot what else, but I’ll tie a string around my finger to remember.

15.                 My back will probably go out more than I do.

16.                Since my ears never stop growing, I’ll need a bigger set of headphones each year.

17.                You can rest assured we won’t exceed 50 mph in the car pool fast lane when it’s my turn to drive.

18.                For a potluck, I make a great corn beef and cabbage that’s known for its fragrance.

19.                Some reports will be prepared in cursive writing just to keep the art alive – but translation included!

20.                 When it rains, my joints will creak more than the office chairs.

21.                 I’ll have to learn how to “ready, fire, aim”, which will be a challenge for me.

22.                 I will have a better parking place than the Boss because of my handicap tag (surely just living past the age of 75 could be classified as a handicap by Millennials!)

23.                 I will have time management issues caused by those demanding on the spot training to learn my system for fastening my belt quite high on my waistline. After all, one can’t be too careful about cuffs (remember them?) that might drag and get stepped on.

24.                 “When I was your age…” will frequently start a reflection, comment or opinion.

25.                 For some reason, folks assume that because someone is old that they know it all – let me show you I do. 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…

Was I napping?

This 75-year old author will now exercise his right to fast forward (love that modern term) - a right earned by my contributions to thousands of individuals and numerous organizations. Let’s jump from reason #25 to reason #75, reward for a career’s wealth of unrecognized acts of kindness 50 times over.

75.                The leadership of your organization will capitalize on wisdom that only age can bring, by consulting with this septuagenarian geezer who will bring an unrivaled work ethic and expertise in the art of collaboration to help all achieve their goals.

And it helps to still be a little crazy after all these years – which is an asset to all organizations. Yours included!

I continue to encourage others to do their “art.” As the noted marketer, author and business blogger Seth Godin says, “Your art is what you do when no one can tell you exactly how to do it. Your art is the act of taking personal responsibility, challenging the status quo, and changing people.” (Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?)

Show me your art and I’ll show you mine!

Just Plain Bill

“Teachers are the engineers of the human soul!”

- Lin Bing, professor, University of Beijing

Back in 1980, I had the privilege of hosting two visiting scholars from the University of Beijing, who were doctoral students at Kent State University. Lin Bing and Yang Ze Ling were on a nationwide speaking tour sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa, the educational professional organization. As president of our local chapter and coordinator of the northern California region, I’d chosen to host them in our home rather than lodge them at a hotel, which had been their experience during their six-week tour. 

While driving Lin and Yang Ze from the San Francisco airport to our home in the suburb of Concord, they requested that we drive through San Francisco Chinatown to look at the sights and to make a stop for one special purchase. Lin Bing asked that we stop at a variety store on Grant Avenue and he went in and purchased something I had not heard of – an ink stick.

When we got Lin and Yang Ze settled in our home, Lin took out the ink stick and unrolled some special paper he had brought from China. My nine-year old son Carl had stayed home from school that day. He sat transfixed (as did I) as Lin proceeded to use his ink stick and special paper to write the phrase “Teachers are the engineers of the human soul” in Chinese characters. He then shared with us that he was his junior high school’s champion calligrapher for his region in China many years ago. Wow. Both the phrase and his graceful calligraphy were very, very impressive.

My son has grown up and become a firefighter paramedic. We occasionally reflect back on that special shared experience and I use every opportunity I have to repeat that phrase when praising a teacher and our often-criticized school system. 

Just Plain Bill

The Great Snail Race

I was surprised to see an item entitled “The World Snail Racing Championship Happened, And We Have A Winner”, in the Huff Post Green, July 28, 2013. This brought back many fond memories of The Great Snail Race, sponsored annually by my students from three schools where I taught in the 70s and early 80s.

The inspiration first came from my search for something different to highlight our science unit on mollusks. The idea eventually expanded to include letter writing, math, social studies, poetry and art – all centered on this “hands-on” activity.

One Easter vacation, my principal Jim Carr called and asked if one of my students had invited then California Governor Ronald Reagan to be a judge at our Great Snail Race. After hearing “yes”, he said, “well, he’s coming.” Jenna Holt, my third grade student who had been voted Miss Snail of 1974, had written to Governor Reagan and had indeed invited him to judge our Great Snail Race.

What had started as an activity for my fifth grade class grew into school-wide participation for this fun and educational event. My students prepared individual snail tracks and supervised the individual classroom heats, selecting the finalists who would race in the grand finals and be judged by our invited guests.  A race usually lasted no more than three minutes and consisted of each student’s snail crawling off a circular track. The snail was placed (gently) in the center of his or her individual track and awaited the command “go.” The first snail to crawl off the 8” circular track following that command was declared the winner.

Governor Reagan was joined by 13 other invited judges and all watched as “Tony” (coached by first grader Lela Brosler) sped off his track in the time of one minute, 43 seconds. Tony received the Governor’s prestigious and perpetual trophy of a jar filled with Jelly Belly jelly beans, along with the red, white and blue ribbons that were also presented to the runners-up.

The visit by the governor came at the time he was beginning his run for the presidential nomination. As you can imagine, his appearance brought the press, radio interviews from across the country, many other elected officials (for photo ops…many of whom had declined their invitation until they heard the governor was attending), and more than 600 parents and friends who witnessed The Great Snail Race.

The race continued for 11 years in various schools where I worked until it was finally retired in 1982. The Great Snail Race left many priceless memories for all involved.