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I’ve lived in Sherman Oaks for more than fifty years. My homes have, until now, always been located on steep hills.  One was even on an unpaved cull de sac. In all those years, I’ve never needed to purchase candy to hand out to trick or treaters.  On Halloween, my doorbell remained unused.

Even four year old children realize that they can collect more CPS (candy per step) on flat streets with many houses close together than on a steep hill with houses further apart.

But last November we moved to a house on a level street only two blocks south of Ventura Boulevard, a major thoroughfare. This year on Halloween, I’m sure we’ll be hearing the doorbell ring often.

When I was a kid my brother and I loved Halloween. But our mother was a stickler about candy. Even at dinner we had to eat all our salad and vegetables to qualify for dessert. But Halloween candy did not appear to be on her radar.  We could gobble down our fill — so long as we did it in our bedroom and not in the kitchen.

I realize now that Mom’s concern about eating sweets was for our benefit. But to this day I check to be sure that vegetables are NOT overcooked (Mom was easily distracted). I’ve also discovered that salad can taste wonderful — when the dressing is more than either lemon juice or just plain vinegar used by Mom. Yuck!

So Daveen — if you’re reading this blog – let’s be sure to buy a bunch of Mars bars (my favorite) at Costco. We don’t want to wake up on November first with TP (toilet paper) dangling from the trees in our front yard.

I may even sample our candy hoard myself.

Alan

“You dodged a bullet,” my doctor said as he looked at the blood stains and bruises on the right side of my face.

In a parking lot late last Thursday, I had tripped over a speed bump. Fortunately, my face broke my fall.

A number of concerned bystanders immediately coalesced around me, and the fire department medics arrived within minutes. They provided emergency care, but strongly recommended that Daveen immediately take me to a Level One trauma center for evaluation. Their concern was internal bleeding that could result in a serious problem.

So off we drove to the UCLA Hospital emergency room. As Proust wrote, “We listen to pleasure. We obey pain.”  Any other plans for our evening simply vanished.

Even though many patients were still waiting their turn, UCLA admitted me for a CAT scan right away. The result?  No internal bleeding.

We waited to see an actual doctor, but after three hours, at eleven pm, they said it would be another six hours before a doctor would be available.

So Daveen drove me home.

First, I assure you that even though my eye and forehead still look a little bit bloody — all right, more than a little — there was apparently no real damage. I guess it pays to be hard-headed

For years I’ve been reminding others, especially “older” others, not to fall. Apparently, I had been talking more than I had been listening to my own advice.

So beware of speed bumps in parking lots. They can really slow you down. I was fortunate. Others have broken bones and ended up in the hospital for days, or worse.

But I will add that there are a lot of strangers around us who are ready to help in an emergency. And it’s reassuring to know that despite all our differences, there are many kind, helpful people in this world.

Alan

This morning I walked directly from my bedroom to the kitchen, started the heat under the frying pan, put a slice of bread in the toaster, took one egg and one slice of Canadian Bacon from the refrigerator, and cooked my breakfast. Then I ate it. Start to finish? Nine minutes.

Success in life is partly based upon your personal efficiency. For example, if you’re driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, you will likely not travel by way of Seattle because Seattle is out of your way.

All of this is obvious.

I suggest you think deeply about your own personal efficiency, because the more thought you put into how you use your time the more enjoyment you might have time for in life.

I hope I’ve made my point, because I’m being efficient today, so I’m moving on to my next project – having lunch with my son, Craig – something I very much enjoy.

Alan