I often wonder who’s reading this blog. But I rarely lift a finger to find out.
Walla!
Out of the blue, I am told I have several dozen readers at the New York City office of Parkinson’s Foundation, nee Parkinson Disease Foundation.
My recent scribblings, especially a satirical one about my prize-winning contest post, caused concern there that (1) I had gone bat shit (2) I was mad at PDF, my “employer” in Patient Advocacy and PD SELF or (3) A bit of both.
First, the bat shit issue. My pretensions did carry me away: virtuoso thinking and laugh-a-minute prose.
I apologize to all concerned at PF-New York. (No laughing down there at PF-Miami. I’ve got a zinger coming for you.)
A special apology to John Lehr, new PF CEO, whose last name I misspelled. I imagined him receiving this scurrilous stuff about me from two top aides:
“Remember that passionate and sometimes difficult to manage PAIR (Patient Advocate) in Tampa..? The guy who blogs at www.shufflingeditor.com.
“Turns out the dude actually can write. He won us a $2,500 prize… for contributing to a commercial blog about Moving Day. It was their most liked post of the year.
“Since the money is ours, consider sending him an ‘Atta boy’ note as his consolation prize. He blusters but is a sucker for sentimentality.”
John did send me a gracious message about my work. Thanks, John, in all sincerity.
How about #2, the mad at PF supposition?
I love you Ronnie, Karlin, Melissa, Megan. We Parkies (or PWP in your preferred, clunky usage) bless you for your wonderful website, accurate and informed free publications and advocacy on our behalf. You’re the best!
Now for #3, which is close to right.
I’ve experienced too many dropped balls on fundamental management practices: Unreturned phone calls and messages; lengthy delays on expense checks; vague commitments like…PF exec to me: “How about I call first thing tomorrow morning?” I say I’m available from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30. Call comes at 10:10; lasts until 11:00, cutting out half my exercise class.
As for PF-Miami, you dispatch a staffer to Tampa Bay to prepare for 2017 Moving Day. You don’t think to tell me, the PF PAIR in the region. PD community asks, “Who is this other PF person.” I plead ignorance, appearing to be the veritable turnip truck driver and PF the turnips spilled on the road.
In closing, a gratuitous (perhaps) memo from a former newspaper CEO to our new PF CEO, John Lehr:
Merging organizations is a huge change effort. I’ve done it. Get your elevator speech ready ASAP. Ground it in core values. Speak it relentlessly.
About the time you can’t say it one more time, it starts, yes STARTS, sinking in.
PF, I’m with you for the long haul. Make me proud always.
Remember we Parkies push back at our condition with love, laughter, hope and prayer, to paraphrase my email signer.
I love you guys, every day, always.
But loosen up AND amp up your sense of humor. Please.
shufflingeditor.com 