“My Best Impression” Character 142

On the Fox 5 set

I have always been one to volunteer. Helping others is a way I show my love, and being able to use skills that I learned over the years makes me feel good. However, in more recent years, how I help is more limited. 

The past four years I've participated and raised money for the ALS Association via the "CEO Soak.” Inspired by the Ice Bucket Challenge, the CEO Soak has quickly grown to become one of the premier corporate engagement opportunities and entertaining events for the ALS Association. The CEO Soak engages community leaders to get soaked once again for ALS while raising critical funds and awareness for the ALS Association's mission.

This year, in addition to fundraising, we were invited to Fox 5 News to be part of a piece to spotlight the CEO Soak. We started our day off early to make sure we were there on time. Normally my nurse starts getting me ready for the day at 9:30AM, but this day we started at 7:30 AM. I know what you're thinking, "9:30, what a lazy ass." All I can say is I am retired and “I did more by 9 AM than most people do all day” for 21 years. I'm tired.

So as normal for any trip, “we” grabbed all the supplies we needed for me, packed the van, and headed out. The drive was about 50 minutes and both the weather and traffic were good. When we drove into the parking garage the parking attendant noticed we needed a handicap spot. He was awesome. He not only told us where to park, he walked to the spot and helped Laura park. 

WARNING - bitching ahead. If you park in a handicap spot you better be handicapped or I will run your ass over with my wheelchair and you will be. When I was in the Army working as a military policeman, I had two pet peeves guaranteed to get you hemmed up. Unauthorized parking in a handicap spot and DUIs. Hell, I would give you a pass if you parked in the Generals parking spot.

There were two handicap spots in the garage. One was taken by a red car 🚘 parked halfway in the hash marks needed for extra wheelchair room. I immediately had a flashback and looked for my ticket book. We parked and went into the studio. Once in the studio we were escorted to the Green Room (so fancy). The room had chairs, tv, and drinks. When it was time, we were escorted to the set where we met Mikea to prepare. She’s great, we met last year at the CEO Soak. During the interview Laura did great and I did my best impression of “Bernie” from the 1989 cult classic “Weekend at Bernie’s." I can confidently say, I nailed it! After the interview we headed back to the van and the red car was gone and replaced by traffic cones. The best parking attendant ever blocked the spot off for us. 

Overall it was a fun experience and we had a great day. I am grateful I can still participate and give back where I can.  I hope you have the opportunity to as well.

Love and Blessings

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