Very Vintage Vegas

Stints and Stunts and Chicken Bones, but Cigarettes Will Kill You

October 7th, 2008 Categories: Las Vegas Real Estate News

It happened just after midnite. First Friday had been a huge success from my point of view. At least a dozen readers that I’d never met before came out to the meet and greet at Viva Hollywood. About 50 regulars and friends and the usual gang that I hang with were there as well. Lots of fun, and fantastic furniture. I saw a few new exhibits, artists, and venues. I visited one in particular that’s been there for a few years that I had never visited before. I took a lot of pictures. I had a 1/2 dozen new post ideas in my mind. I went to Fremont Street Experience to look at the Bikes, and watched the Viva Vision show. I was home by midnite.  

I was standing in front of the open fridge, munching on a left over piece of fried chicken.  I’m not really sure why the fridge picked me as a dance partner, but we were certainly waltzing together. I couldn’t tell if I was spinning, or if the room was. I’ve never had a Dorothy moment before, but when I landed i wasn’t in Kansas or in Oz. I was in Valley Hospital.

My new motto is “There’s no such thing as a convenient time for a Heart Attack”. As Mild as it was in reality, and as quickly as I was feeling better, I don’t ever want to have to go thru it again.  

Most of Saturday was spent getting prodded, and poked and tested in every which way they could get my insurance to pay for. My brain kept busy fretting over the “to-do” list that wasn’t getting done. Who was going to cover for me at the Tour? Who’s going to answer the never ending barrage of email? Who was going to blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah.That was while I was waiting around for test results, and for a cardiologist to actually see me. I was just sure they were just going to tell me “false alarm — go home and stop smoking”. That’s not quite what they would tell me, after all.

I spent Sunday at sea. I pretended I was on a cruise. I read a book. I watched a movie. My friends smuggled me a laptop.  Monday’s Port of Call adventure was on the high tech island of Angioplasty. Been there, done that, don’t care to go again.

They say I can go home today. They won’t say what time. I’ll be making some calls, while I’m waiting. I’ll be sorting the 735 emails in the inbox. A few of them are important. Finding them in the barrage is routinely challenging. I’ll touch base with the most priority of things I’m working on. But I know I can’t burn the candle at both ends anymore and continue at the pace that put me in the hospital in the first place. I’ll keep blogging and will be back on schedule in another day or two. I’ll be allowed to drive again on Friday. But I can think of a dozen clubs, organizations projects and charities that might not get much help from me for a while.

I will be blogging, and I will be selling homes. And most importantly, I’ll be practicing that “no” word which I’ve avoided using my whole life. I’ll do what I say yes to, but I won’t be saying yes to everything anymore.

That means I’m going to have to stop smoking for one thing. I think I just heard a collective VVV Cheer. The Colonel and the King  are going to miss my business. Phillip and Morris aren’t going to be happy. Your Starbucks Stock is safe, however.  Getting in and out of the car at house after house won’t be considered exercise anymore.

It’s kind of funny, in a way. I had “just enough” of a heart attack to do me some real good.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am and is filed under Las Vegas Real Estate News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1. Paco said at October 7th, 2008 at 8:42 am

   Jack welcome back… But now your friends are going to step up and say no more! You need to relax and unwind… We want you to stick around for a long time…

   I am glad you are back and feeling better…

   =`)

2. LaShawna said at October 7th, 2008 at 9:02 am

   So glad to hear that you’re feeling better. You gave us all quite a scare! Do not hesitate to let us know if you need anything!

3. Jack said at October 7th, 2008 at 11:05 am

   This is Mary Joy. I don’t know how to log in and out.

   Jack you’ve been so wonderful to all of us and now is our turn to help you. I’ll head up the no more smoking brigade. I’ll need help on the healthy eating brigade because I love all the same “bad” food (that tastes so good). But I”ll try to be a better example.

   As far as exercise, you can start by biking with me at least one day a week and work up from there.

   Remember how much you mean to all of us and that your angels are always here for you.

   Much Love, Mary Joy

4. didi said at October 7th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

   I am so sorry. Here’s hoping you will be just as new given the time.

5. John Delikanakis said at October 7th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

   Glad you’re better. Now don’t do that again. No more heart attacks. Got it? O.K.? O.K.

6. Greg Brown said at October 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

   Been thinking of you since I heard on Saturday; glad the prognosis is good for your recovery and best wishes

7. James Watters said at October 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

   Jack,

   Sorry to hear about your “adventure.” Having just had a brief hospital stay, I sympathize … especially with your Sunday.

   Glad to have you back. Slow it down a bit and stay with us.

   Get well soon.

8. Josh said at October 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

   Jack,

   I hope you are feeling better ASAP. You have the perfect outlook. Get well soon!

9. Abby said at October 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

   Jack, you are in our thoughts. What a backhanded blessing - just enough heart attack. Feel better, and let us know if we can do anything.

10. Funny Vegas Signs | 100 Things to do in Las Vegas said at October 8th, 2008 at 6:38 am

    […] Stints and Stunts and Chicken Bones, but Cigarettes Will Kill You […]

11. Jen said at October 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am

    Holy crap, Jack! Thank god you’re OK. Try to take it easy. I’ll be sending you positive thoughts…

12. Jean said at October 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am

    Jack,
    Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. Remember Decaf Coffee Only. Give yourself a nice rest you deserve it.

13. becka briare said at October 8th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    uj- if you need anything- you got our #’s- and you know me and chris {your youngest mid-mod enthusiast] are in ‘da hood everyday, maybe you might want a slurpee, or some luv-its, or whatever! hope to see you up ‘n atom again!

14. StJudeMark said at October 9th, 2008 at 4:27 am

    Jack…Glad to hear you’re getting better. Lots of people, including Ted and myself, really care about you and want you to stick around! I gave them up 10 years ago, and I swear by those Nicoderm patches. They really worked for me. But you gotta do the entire 10-week nicotine drop-down program. Also, come and take one of Ted’s classes at LVAC on Karen/Maryland. He teaches Body Pump Monday and Wednesday mornings 6am - 7am. It’s a great class. I’ll see you when I return home from scary Athens Texas. (Think Deliverance on steroids!)

15. anya said at October 9th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    The best quit smoking thing that I have ever seen is the medication called Chantix. There are three people in my office who were MAJOR smokers who kicked it quickly with Chantix. It is powerful stuff.

    Like I said, vintage Vegas needs you to be its champion, get well soon

16. jim marin said at October 10th, 2008 at 9:35 am

    Hey Jack: I’ve got a bucket of FRIED Chicken, a carton of Winstons and a Large 7 and 7 for you when you stop by again. Seriously; as I told you friday night at My place “Viva Hollywood”; You have been working 25/7. Slow down!!! I’m happy to hear that you will recover soon. Hell, I miss you already.

17. wen-li said at October 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

    ooohhh…uncle jack, i wish i could give you a big hug right now! so glad you are feeling better. this might be a wake up call for a lot of us, i’m afraid. take care of yourself, and eamon says hi!

18. Stephan said at October 11th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    I can’t believe it, Jack. I’m so glad it was mild. Do your best to take it easy. We need you here! Our love and prayers are with you.

19. VegasGuy said at October 21st, 2008 at 10:21 am

    Glad you’re feeling better Jack!

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