the editor talks with you

You may not believe this but 2 massive egos get together for lunch spasmodically without murdering each other. “An ego is a terrible thing to waste,” says one with sage-like wisdom. These 2 egomaniacs are Mr. Knozit, Joe Pinner, and your humble editor. We do this because we enjoy the fellowship and it gets us out of the hair of our long-suffering but ever tolerant wives. Joe always orders Vella’s triple baloney sandwich with fries and cole slaw. Your humble editor virtuously orders a nutritious salad with lots of veggies.

Joe has since retired but holds court. Almost everyone who came by our table remembers him from his days at WIS-TV. Many talk about the time as a child they appeared on the Mr. Knozit show. Joe loves this. Their words make him beam. That he played a role in their lives gives his own life greater meaning. We talked about the memoir he is writing about the famous and infamous folks he has met over the years. We’re just a couple of guys who lucked into jobs that took us places most folks don’t get to go and meet people most only read about or see on TV.

Joe told an intriguing story about a non-famous lady he met recently. She was telling him how she had always wanted to learn to play the piano but now, in her 60s, she felt it was too late to learn. “What does age have to do with it?” Joe asked. “Start taking piano lessons today.” “But I’m too old,” she protested. “Nonsense,” he said. “If you start now, you can be playing in a few weeks. If you don’t, in 30 years you still won’t be able to play the piano.”

Joe is right. His story reminded me of my wife’s own family experiences. As a child she was interested in books, reading and writing. The life of a journalist sounded adventurous and appealing. Her well-intentioned father saw only 2 careers outside the home for women of her generation – teaching or nursing. Since neither appealed to her, she negotiated. If he let her choose, she would continue as a straight-A student in college as she had in high school. He reluctantly agreed. Now she has been all over the world, is founding publisher of this little newspaper and is married to your humble editor.

Jack Canfield, co-author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, advises that if you have trouble figuring out what you want from life, make a list of 30 choices. That’s right. On a piece of paper, list 30 things you want to do, 30 things you want to have and 30 things you want become. “Sometimes when the pressure to find just one thing is removed, the floodgates open and you discover a multitude of things you want to do ,” he says. In deciding what you want from life, take a risk and dream big. Shoot for the stars. “This is your opportunity to write the script to your life. Have the courage to pursue the role of a lifetime and imagine yours will be the name shining on the marquee. Amazing things can and do happen to people just like you.”

Next: A hidden talent

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