Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Brad asked how I think I influenced his development as a child. I think I taught him about leadership, perseverance, patience, problem solving, pattern recognition, innovative thinking, and compassion for others. The irony is I believe he taught me more than I taught him.

Mutual trust and respect must go hand and hand with the love for a child. Kids are people too. They have the same emotional responses to perceived events as we do as adults.

One of many incidents of mutual respect comes to mind. Brad was 11 years old in the 6^th grade.

My accountant, at that time, was an avid stamp collector. I thought learning about the sub culture of stamp collecting would be a terrific intellectual experience for both of us. My accountant took us to several stamp shows and taught us how to value stamps. We started collecting. We accumulated a nice stamp collection. The collection had great potential to increase in value. We both learned a lot and grew together in the stamp collecting business.

Brad was very proud of his stamp collection. One night at dinner, Brad asked if he could bring a couple of sleeves of stamps to his 6^th grade to explain the joys of stamp collecting. I said “sure.”

At dinner the next evening he told us someone had stolen his stamps. He left them in his school desk pocket during recess. They were gone when he got back to his desk. He explained that he was certain he knew who stole the stamps.

I asked him how he knew who stole the stamps. He told me about a wise guy kid who was always intimidating his classmates. This kid bullied other kids and constantly took things from them.

I remember a kid like that in my 6^th grade class. He was always hitting us up for pennies.

I asked Brad what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to figure out how to get his stamps back. He had already spoken to the teacher. She said she would talk to the boy.

I thought that was a great first step. I said I would call the teacher in the morning. I spoke to the teacher. It was obvious to me she did not want to get involved.

I then asked to speak to the Principal. When I explained the situation to the Principal, she volunteered to speak to the teacher. She then set up a meeting with both boys and their fathers.

I cancelled my scheduled patients from 10.30 am to 2pm on the day of the meeting and came to the school. Brad told me he was more convinced than ever that the boy took the stamps. Other kids told him he had taken things from them but they did not have the courage to complain.

The meeting started at 11 a.m. There were two fathers, two boys and the Principal present. After I explained the situation the boy’s father became indignant. I said,” hold it.” We have evidence that your son has been a bully to other kids in the class. He has intimidated them and taken things from them. He is the most likely person in the class to have taken Brad’s stamps.

The father wanted the proof. I told him we would be happy to produce the proof. The pressure on the boy was too much. He admitted taking the stamps. He promised to return them in the morning. The boy’s father was enraged and embarrassed. There would be no attempt by the father to understand the boy’s behavior.

Both the father and son apologized to us. Brad and I accepted the apology. I could just feel how proud Brad was of me. I expressed how proud I was of him for sticking up for his rights.

This bonding experience is one of many. It lasts to this very day. The proof of this bonding between us can be seen in Brad’s introductory blog to this series.

Our goal is to explore why our relationship works and help others if we can improve their relationship with their kids.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Brad mentioned in his blog, that we have weekly discussions on Skype.

This past week Brad came up with a brilliant idea. He understands my passion about a lot of things. He feels I have taught him a lot. He wants to explore my influence on him in public view. This would enable our readers to learn something about the way we recognize patterns and approach problem solving.

These traits are not genetic. They are acquired. He was interested in discussing how I influenced his development. I thought it would be fun.

He proposed that we write a series of blogs each describing our view. We would post each other’s entry on our own site. We would try to describe the origin of those influences.

He also proposed that we discuss our view of my influence from the vantage point of him as 9-12 year old. He figured that would be his most impressionable age. I would look at it from the point of view of me being a 38 year old clinical endocrinologist building an endocrine practice, adding partners, and raising two boys with Cecelia.

He has always been enchanted by my ability to say things such as “if you are not on the edge you are taking up too much space.”

Brad is a creative leader in information technology venture capital. It should be obvious to everyone that I am very proud of him. He has had much press lately. He has a monthly column in Entrepreneur Magazine , has recently been quoted in the New York Times, and has given an extensive interview about venture capitalism in Boulder Colorado to the “Fast Company.”

Brad stimulated my curiosity with this request. I would like to understand his view of my impact on him. I thought we could have some fun with our impressions of our influence on each other.

The teacher usually learns more than the student. My view is I have learned more from him than he has learned from me.

This will give us both the opportunity, in public view, to discover the influence we have had on each other.

I hope readers have as much fun with this experiment as I believe I will.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Some of my readers may have guessed I am a baseball nut. I played lots of baseball as a kid. I was also an avid baseball fan. Early on I developed an understanding of the beauty of the game.

Unlike politics and political maneuvering, baseball was an honest sport. Each baseball game has a beginning, middle and an end. The official baseball rule book provides a level playing field for all the stakeholders.

This is in total contrast to the healthcare system. President Obama’s proposed healthcare plan is going to destroy the delivery of medical care..

I grew up 14 blocks from the Yankee Stadium on the corner of Mt. Eden Avenue and Topping Avenue across the street from Claremont Park. I had a special rock in the stone wall that I used to climb into the park to play ball every day.

I went to a lot of Yankee and New York Giant games in the summers of the late 40’s and early 50’s for free as described in an earlier blog.

Kids on our baseball team always rooted for the Yankees. We also picked a National League team to root for at the beginning of each season. Most of my teammates picked the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie Robinson was everyone’s hero.

In 1950 I decided to root for the Philadelphia Phillies. My personal scouting report indicated they were going to win the National League title. I thought they had a great chance to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I also knew all my friends would be rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers. I was 11 years old growing up in the Bronx. At that age we were all interested in arguing about everything with one another.

The Phillies changed their uniforms to Red Pinstripes with a P on the front just like the Yankees blue pinstripes. Previously their uniforms were dumpy and ordinary like the Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms. This excited me.

The Phillies were a young team (average age 26) and became the youngest team ever to play in a World Series. People started calling them the Whiz Kids in July of 1950 when they started to win.

Two games separated the top four teams (Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers and Boston Braves) on July 1. Suddenly the Whiz Kids began to win. In July the Phillies were 21-13 and in August they were 20-8. At the beginning of September the Whiz Kids were seven games ahead of the Brooklyn Dodgers. It looked like they were in.

Richie Ashburn was 22 years old and caught everyone’s fancy. Curt Simmons was an early bonus baby at 21 who was a fantastic pitcher. Robin Roberts age 22 had a great sounding name, a tremendous pitching arm and a wonderful personality.

Jim Konstanty was unhittable with a palm ball. He was a great relief pitcher. He was named MVP in 1950. The Yankees traded for him in his later years as a closer. He did a great job for the Yanks.

Dick Sisler was a star hitter and outfielder. Del Ennis was their best hitter and outfielder. He batted .311 with a slugging average of .551.

I loved Andy Seminick, the catcher. He batted only .288 but had a .524 slugging average which was great for a catcher in those days.

Completing my list of hero’s were Granny Hammer at short, Eddie Waitkus at first and “Pudd’n Head” Jones at third.

I was in heaven because of the Whiz Kids great play on the field. I was the talk of the neighborhood kids for picking the Phillies. I had a marvelous time following the Phillies and Yankees. Suddenly, in September, the Phillies hit the wall with a streak of bad luck.

Curt Simmons’ (17-8, 3.40 ERA) National Guard Group was called to active duty for the Korean conflict on September 10. Bubba Church (8-6, 2.73 ERA) was struck in the face by a wicked line drive. Bob Miller (11-6, 3.57 ERA) injured his arm during a pitching duel.after hurting his back two weeks earlier. The Phillies lost three starting pitchers.

The Whiz Kids lost 12 out of 16 games in September. The Dodger won 11 of 13 and forced a two game playoff. Eddie Waitkus then singled to put runners on first and second. Richie Ashburn, a great bunter, bunted into a force play for the first out.

That brought up Dick Sisler (13 Hr, 83 RBI, .296 avg.) who belted a three run homer. Robin Roberts then got out the next three Dodger batters to win the pennant for the Phillies for the first time in 35 years.

Naturally I was rooting for the Yankees in the World Series. I would have been beaten up by one of the gangs in the neighborhood if I didn’t root for the Yankees. The Yankees won the World Series in four close games.

I hope the Yankee do as well against the Phillies this year.

The opinions expressed in the blog “Repairing The Healthcare System” are, mine and mine alone.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Every year the Feld guys, Brad and Daniel from my team and Charlie, with Jon and Kenny go away for a weekend. We discuss technology, the world, politics, social issues, and the economy.

We usually do this in coordination with an activity everyone enjoys. We have gone fishing, hiking and for the last 5 years to baseball games. We went to spring training in Phoenix for two years. The baseball games were nothing. The talking during the games was intellectually stimulating for everyone. Being with each other was the important thing.

Three years ago we went to Fenway Park in the spring. We saw the Red Sox play the Boston (DBA Atlanta) Braves in doubleheader in the cold and rain. No one got sick.

Last year we went to the old Yankee Stadium for the next to the last game played in the “Park that Ruth” built. Dull game, great nap.

This year it was Wrigley Field in Chicago to see the Cubs. Last time I was in Wrigley Field 10 years ago it had the feel of an old timey baseball stadium. You can smell the beer from years ago. It was intimate and the players seemed to be right next to us.

The Cubs somehow sanitized the place. Everything was freshly painted. The seats were roomy and comfortable. The concessions were modern. There were even executive boxes. The stands on top of the building outside the park were real stands rather than people standing on the roof tops. It seemed sterile and not the real McCoy. .

Wrigley Field was not the big story of the weekend. Kenny had just moved to Atlanta to start a new career. He could not come.

Last year Jon asked if he could bring his son Jack who is now 71/2. The group was not “trilled” as the original Jack Feld (my father) would say. However, we let him come. The “new” Jack turned out to be the star of the weekend. He was enchanted by the subway. He stayed with us the whole time and never got tired. He asked stimulating questions. We had a lot of fun with him. He is a true Feld.

He did admit that he could not nap like his daddy. Everyone needs to understand that genetically, the Feld men have learned to nap on the spot, in any position, and in any circumstance. I assured him he would learn.

Jon wrote us all a heartwarming account of Jack’s experience along with a letter Jack wrote to Jon.

“Thank you guys for another great trip!  I had a great time as usual.  This trip was even better and more memorable for me because you guys took in Jack and included him in the group.  This was a fantastic memory I will keep with me forever.  Thanks.

Here’s what this meant to me/Jack.  Here’s (verbatim) the note Jack wrote me about the trip…

**************

Dear daddy,

Thank you for taking me to Chicago.  My favorite part was when we went to the Cubs game!  I also loved when we went to the huge museum!  Thank you for taking me to the exciting Cubs game.  Thank you for getting me and Lucy Chicago stuff!  My favorite thing I got was the Michael Jordan jersey.  I had lots of fun keeping score at the exciting Cubs’ game.  Thank you daddy.  I had so much fun!  I love Chicago so much!  I love you daddy.

Love, Jack

*************

He also said he wants to keep the tradition going forever and go someday with all of us + Dylan + Jack’s and Dylan’s sons.

***************

He also said he was nervous around you guys on the first day but not after that and now feels comfortable with everyone.

*****************

Pretty great stuff!  Thanks to you guys for making this happen and welcoming Jack.  It meant a lot to me and him.

-Jon”

All I can say is this is what life should be about.

Jack, you are now a member of the Feld Men’s Group. Welcome!

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Saturday on opening weekend Brad and I went to the 12.10 pm showing of Star Trek. the movie in Boulder. The theater was packed on a beautiful sunny day in Boulder Colorado. We both conclude that the movie was a wonderful extension of the iconic T.V. series and movie sequels. In fact Brad tweeted that it was the best movie of the decade. I know that motivated many to see the movie on Saturday date night. American pop culture is a pacesetter worldwide. It is nothing for Americans to be ashamed of. To my dismay, but not to my surprise the media, evaluation of the movie has been negative.

The America press is on a suicidal path. They are not representing the views of the American public. Frank Rich expressed it beautifully in his op Ed article on Sunday May 10, 2009.

The cultural disconnect between the journalism establishment and the public it aspires to serve could not have been more vividly dramatized.

He said this when describing Stephen Colbert’s address at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner 3 years ago.

“Mr. Colbert delivered a monologue accusing his hosts of being stenographers who had, in essence, let the Bush White House get away with murder (or at least the war in Iraq). The Washington Post reported that it “fell flat.” The Times initially did not even mention it.”

The speech became viral overnight over the internet after You tube put C spans coverage on the internet.

On Wednesday, C-Span, the nonprofit network that first showed Mr. Colbert’s speech, wrote letters to the video sites YouTube.com and ifilm.com, demanding that the clips of the speech be taken off their Web sites.

Star Trek has a complicated history with a simple plot. It has developed a massive cult following because it is “camp”. To me Star Trek glorifies American pop culture. It excites the imagination of kids and adults alike. Ever though the story plots are not innovative it stimulates the imagination to be innovative. I cannot wait for the invention of a real transporter.

An op ed piece by David Hajdu a professor at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism highlights traditional journalism misreading of the American public.

“Gene Roddenberry, was a gifted hack writer for TV Westerns like “Have Gun, Will Travel” and cop shows like “Highway Patrol,” and “Star Trek,” though set in a nominally stylized future. Star Trek was essentially a Western cop show.”

So what. The good guys always win. It is the American way. This is Star Trek’s appeal. Someone ought to tell the New York Times editorial board the American public is no longer intimidated by intellectual snobbery. The American public now has control of the distribution of information without newspapers. Blogs, social networks and Twitter will replace traditional newspapers as a form of communication. I would guess Brad’s tweet caused more than 2000 people to go to Star Trek last weekend.

To say America is exploring the universe, one B-movie at a time simply misses the point. People power has spoken. On an early count Star Trek is one of the highest grossing movies of all time in the first weekend.

Paramount’s sci-fi movie "Star Trek" opened as No. 1 at the box office in North America this weekend, taking in some 72.5 million dollars over the three-day period, a movie industry-charting firm reported on Sunday. With I-MAX revenue its gross surpassed 85 million dollars.

The film will show major legs in the coming weeks with strong word of mouth propelling it well beyond the opening weekend," said movie industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian

Today many people under 40 years old get their news of the day from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Marc Andreessen in a recent video streamed of the Charlie Rose show said newspapers on dead. If the New York Times woke up and spend 90% of their budget on internet communication they would figure out how to become relevant once more.

The message should be clear. Americans want real information, not manipulated information. The media has to respect the intelligence of the public. Only then will the public support the media.

The opinions expressed in the blog “Repairing The Healthcare System” are, mine and mine alone

Cecelia Feld

www.studio7310.com

I’ve had many requests for guest blogs, so I thought I’d start with one by someone who has not asked, my wife, Cecelia. (A little nepotism goes a long way). Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

Do you play? Or, because you’re all grown up, have you forgotten how?

I recently had the opportunity to stay with my granddaughter for a few days while her parents took a mini vacation. The wonderful thing about being a grandparent is being able to step back and reflect on the experience, something difficult to do as a parent (lack of time, energy). Fun for an almost five year old (or four and 11/12’s as Sabrina will tell you) comes in many guises, often free or at little cost. Fun = play; play = fun. Learning is fun. Is there anything she is not interested in? No. Is there anything she won’t try? No.

During the time she wasn’t in pre-school we went from classes in tap, gymnastics, swimming, and tennis (thank you Laura for the thorough schedule) to bike riding around the lake, playing dress up at the Boulder History Museum, and hands on activities at NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research), a terrific place for a budding astronaut to explore the effects of gravity. Becoming an astronaut is her passion right now. I promised her she could dance, too, which she wants to do when she’s not in space.

Art projects are part of the game when Grandma is an artist. Even Grandpa Stan got involved with crayons and paper. Cuddles on the couch reading or talking about dinosaurs made quality quiet time. Remember Shel Silverstein’s poems? Laughter all around. Fun!

Time with Sabrina always involves learning new things and improving skills while having fun playing. Did you love to dance as a kid? Do you go dancing now? Take a class or rent a video. Grab a partner or not. It will put a smile on your face. Might even make you laugh. Is dancing not your thing? How about yoga? Get away from your “work” and try something completely different. Read fiction if you always read non-fiction and vice versa. Get in touch with your inner five year old at an art gallery or museum. You’ll see the art differently. Mess around with art materials like you did as a child. I promise I won’t mind the competition.

Grab a child (adult children qualify), grandchild, niece, nephew, brother, sister, spouse, partner, friend, or anyone and share something you’re good at. Right now, Sabrina “helps” me knit. I promised I would teach her how when she’s six, maybe sooner. Grandpa Stan is good with clocks and telling time, also sun, moon and planets. Learn from an almost five year old; be active and inquisitive. Walk the dog, even if you don’t have one. “Live, laugh, love and be happy.”

And, play!

Make your life a work of art.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

This is about two pals, a father and son, hanging out for a weekend, bonding, learning from each other and eating stuff we would never eat at home.

Brad flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco Friday morning to visit one of his companies. He left L.A. at 7 am and was back at 2 pm. We met for lunch at Carney’s ,a famous Hamburger/Hot Dog joint on Sunset Strip. The yellow train on Sunset Blvd is cool but the hot dogs and hamburgers are overrated.

After lunch we were both sleepy. We went to our room at the Mondrian Hotel and took the now famous Feld nap. My father invented it. My brother, Charlie, and I perfected it. Brad, his brother, and two cousins are taking it to the next level. It is as things should progress.

We blew off a scheduled dinner downtown at Water Grill. The guys we were to meet got sick and cancelled. Brad and I walked along Sunset Strip to observe the beautiful people. There are also plenty of beautiful people at the Mondrian Sky Bar and the Pool Deck. It is a happening place.

During our walk we stopped at “Ketchup” for dinner. Its sign was cool. We were lucky to get a table after promising to eat fast. “Ketcup” was funky and unusual. They have a great menu for 20 to 35 year olds. The mac and cheese with five different flavors of ketchup was up there with the best. We talked two girls sitting at the next table into ordering it.

We had chocolate gelato at Café Pisano. After gelato Brad and I started to walk. We had a deep philosophical discussion. I love talking philosophy with Brad. These days I learn much more than I teach.

We continued down Sunset Set Strip until we got tired mentally and physically. A great kind of tired. Before retiring we needed a little more Mondrian Pool Deck.

The next morning I ran 3 miles. I was back without quadriceps pain. We had a breakfast meeting scheduled with Dov Seidman. I referred to Dov in a blog last week. Brad and Dov are good friends. Dov is one smart guy. He is a humanist. One of his views is the economic crisis is going to change society for the better. We will once again become human beings rather than human doers.

The healthcare industry needs some humanization.

The amazing thing to me is Brad and Dov’s generation have a broader view of the world and human potential than most of the group running the country. We sat and talked for two hours. Both of them ended up teaching me a lot.

Jason Mendelsohn and Ryan McIntyre told Brad that Pizzeria Mozza was the best pizza in the world. We took a cab to Pizzeria Mozza. The crazy thing about L.A. is that every cab ride is $30 or more. Traffic is everywhere. Brad’s IPhone has a link to calling a cab by email. His Iphone GPS tells us where the traffic jams are. Since the jams are everywhere it didn’t help much.

We got to Pizzeria Mozza at 11 am. They do not open until 12 pm. So we walked about 3 miles down Melrose just talking. The conversation was invigorating. Jason was correct. It is great pizza. I remember my first date with Cecelia 50 years ago. We had pizza is a hole in the wall on Boston Post Road and Gunhill Road in the Bronx run by an Italian family. Today’s pizza is the only one that matched that pizza. My recollection could be clouded by love at first sight.

I wanted to see the Contemporary Museum of Art and the L.A. Symphony Hall. Another $30 cab ride without air conditioning. The museum’s permanent collect was fabulous. It has a Rothko room that is as good as the Rothko Chapel in Houston. I thought the Dan Bradberry exhibit was mediocre.

Frank Gehry’s Symphony Hall was cool but not his best work. Bilbao is better.

There were no cabs in downtown L.A. on Saturday afternoon. We walked two miles to Oblong’s office for a demonstration from John Offenkopper. He and Kevin Parent (cofounders) were Brad’s fraternity brothers at MIT. So many kids in that fraternity were so smart.

John was Stephen Spielberg’s technical adviser in “The Minority Report”. He converted the fantasy into reality. Children born in 2010 will not have heard of a keyboard and a mouse is just as my granddaughter has not heard of a typewriter. They will be replaced by finger and hand motions.

Marty drove downtown to see the Oblong demonstration. He drove brad and me to the Mondrian. (I appreciate the fact that it was out of his way). The Feld guys needed a nap but we had cancelled our reservation for 7pm at Asiadecuba. We figured we ought to try to get a table at the pool at 6 pm. What a scene! The meal was also good. We were so sleepy after dinner. We slept from 8 pm to 7 am Sunday. I haven’t slept 11 hours straight in 40 years. .

Mark Suster twittered Brad on Saturday and asked if he could meet us for breakfast on Sunday. Brad did not know Mark. Brad googled him on his Iphone. He then twittered him a yes at the Mondrian Asia Cuba at 8.30 a.m. It is an instant world out there folks.

The breakfast meeting was wonderful. Again I learned how things are done in the New World. I got on the airplane again invigorated by a wonderful weekend of just hanging out with my son.

Next is a weekend with Daniel. We are just waiting for him to pick the weekend.

The opinions expressed in the blog “Repairing The Healthcare System” are, mine and mine alone.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

I have previously introduced you to my sons Brad and Daniel. Many of you know Brad and some of you know Daniel. Yesterday Brad wrote a great piece about me in Feld Thoughts. At the same time, I received the following email from Daniel. I have a lot to be thankful for.

“Great blog post Dad. I knew some of this story, but not all of it. I like learning new things about you!

I can see this is going to be a multi-part series of posts. Good. You should definitely write about how you extended this practice to your own private practice. I tell people all the time about your patient-physician contract that you use to have patients sign taking responsibility for their health and healing. I’ve adopted this myself in my own health and healing and believe it’s critical since we know ourselves better than anyone else, I’m surprised by how few practitioners engage the patient in their own recovery. It’s easier to just write a prescription. It’s also surprising how few are effective listeners (they ask what’s wrong, but don’t get much beyond the “it hurts here” stage).

I also loved that you use to pull out the squeeze doll with popping eyes I bought for you when people were being bozos. Or at least that’s how I remember it from childhood. We should send Obama a squeeze doll since he may need it a few times in the coming term…

http://www.mcphee.com/items/09500.html ).

Keep on writing and reminiscing. It’s great to read these.

I love you!

Your (Proud) Son,

Daniel”

Could a father ask for anything more?

My mother always said praising my brother Charlie and me that her “cup runneth over”. We thought it was pretty corny but it expressed her true joy.

Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE

As a Columbia College student in the late 1950’s I worked in a Catskill Mountain hotel resort as a waiter during the summers to earn money for college tuition and expenses.

I had a great job in a wonderful adult only hideaway hotel at the end of a winding road. The tips were great. I was able to earn enough to pay for college tuition and some expenses each year.

The job also brought with it many interesting experiences. One that sticks in my mind is my experience with Bobby D. Bobby was at least ten year older than me. He was a local fellow who worked for the phone company during the week and moonlighted at the hotel on weekends.

Most hotels had waiters and busboys to serve the guests. This hotel had waiters only. The waiters served two tables of eight people each during the week. On the weekends the hotel had an inflow of guests so it hired part time waiters. Bobby was one of the part time waiters. Bobby and I were partners. Bobby had two tables and we shared a third table.

On weekends the lines in the kitchen for the various food courses were unbearably long and could result in disastrously slow meal service. If timing was just right you could get to the next course line first and have a smooth service meal. If you were close to last you were guaranteed to provide poor service. Poor service resulted in poor tips.

Bobby was a genius. He had the solution for getting to the line for the next course first at every meal. The funniest incident occurred during a busy Sunday breakfast meal.

Saturday night was usually a late night for most guests. They had difficulty getting up on Sunday mornings. However, the dinning room usually filled up all at once. It was important to have the right timing.

Breakfast is a difficult meal because all the various egg dishes were individually prepared with custom ingredients. Bobby’s trick was the more times you could get two or three dishes cooked at the same time the faster your service would be. It required teamwork. Sometimes I would stand on line and get three dishes for both of us and sometimes he would stand on the line. He was the quarterback and gave the orders to our two man team. .

One Sunday morning our guests started coming in late and the pace of our breakfast looked like it was going to be grim. He ordered me to get 25 orange juices, 10 tomato juices and 5 grapefruit juices. This was called speculating and it was a potential mistake. We were encouraged not to speculate by the maitre de. Bobby assured me none of the stewards in the kitchen would be watching the juice line. It would not be a problem. I asked where we would put all those juices so the maitre de would not see them. He said don’t worry he would take care of it. It would be his problem. He assured me it would save us extra trips to the kitchen and give us an advantage at the short order cooks’ line for egg orders. I obeyed. He was right.

However, we hit the wall when we ran out of tomato juice at a critical time in the meal. Bobby should have figured that a lot of people would have a hangover from Saturday night and want tomato juice. The popular folklore at the time was tomato juice with Worcestershire sauce would straighten out your hangover.

A young single woman came in an asked for tomato juice with Worcestershire sauces. I asked Bobby what to do? He said give her orange juice and tell her to make believe it was tomato juice.

I looked at him like he was crazy. He said just do it! He was right. It worked. The woman was at the table we shared. It was his turn to get the egg orders. I believe she understood our situation and was o.k. with it because she wanted to get her eggs as quickly as possible.

The next person in was a guy about 6’5” and 250 lbs. He had not been pleasant the entire weekend. He was definitely hung over. He requested tomato juice. It was my turn to get the eggs and Bobby brought over orange juice and told him to make believe it was tomato juice.

Well, you can guess what happened. I hear the yelling and cursing while I was in the kitchen. This guy was not taking his tomato juice substitute in the right spirit. I could hear Bobby trying to console him. Bobby’s strategy was the best defense was a strong offense. Bobby got angry. He suggested the guy choose another table if he couldn’t play ball in the spirit it was intended. I thought the guy was going to tear Bobby apart. The maitre de calmed the guy down and got him his tomato juice. We did not get a tip from this guy for the weekend.

Needles to say we never speculated on juice again. The life’s lesson is to be careful what you speculate on whether it is orange juice, oil prices, real estate or stocks and bonds. You never know what the price will be.

The opinions expressed in the blog “Repairing The Healthcare System” are, mine and mine alone.