03.14you don’t forget the guys who run from the cops with you
I just got an email from a friend of mine with whom I worked my first job after undergrad; his name is Jesse. We had a 1 to 2 inch conglomerate of foam, expanded metal, and beige cloth between our cubicles as “inside sales” reps at IBM in the late 1990s. Or was it “territory relationship” reps by that point? It doesn’t matter.
Every afternoon at 4pm, Jesse would stand up in his cubicle and declare it cookie break time. It chapped our asses that smokers got breaks to fill their bodies with poison, so we invented a break for filling our bodies with partially hydrogenated oils. A few of our friends from other teams would come to our cubes for a 5-minute refuge from a job none of us particularly liked.
One day, our manager decided to walk out of her fishbowl (her cube was encased in glass; our cubes’ openings faced hers, so that she could stare at us all day) and approach the group of 4 twenty-somethings to, presumably, try to get a cookie or tell us to get the hell back to work. I saw her approach, extended my right hand, and said, “Sorry, Jill–teams are locked.” I didn’t smile. I’m not sure why I brought sixth grade backyard football lingo into the workplace that day; I just did it.
She was stunned. So were the other guys. She forced a half smile, turned around, and walked away. A few weeks later, I was encouraged to leave IBM. I applied to law school.
Jesse had a good friend and roommate back then named Frankie. Frankie was from Bolivia and was in Atlanta to get his education. The three of us once drained a few bottles of Pepe Lopez tequila during a Cinco do Mayo party, climbed the fence surrounding the diving platforms used during the ’96 Olympics, and jumped off in our underbritches. We moved on to kicking field goals on the Georgia Tech football field when security kicked us out and called the cops. They were good people (Jesse and Frankie–not the fuzz). I miss them now that they’ve moved to Chicago and Bolivia, grown up, and become responsible parents and stuff.
Jesse wrote today to say that Frankie was in a horrible accident at work. He helped arrange for Frankie to be flown to Miami after receiving emergency care in Bolivia, and then he flew from Chicago to visit Frankie in the hospital. I want to be Jesse in the “how one treats his friends” category.
Frankie has multiple fractures, crushes, and lacerations but should pull through okay…eventually. But his life is going to be filled with surgeries and suckdom for the foreseeable future. Jesse asked a few of us to send him encouraging cards or letters while he’s in the hospital and included the address. But you know what? I don’t want him to get a few letters and cards. If I’d nearly died in an accident and was going to be laid up in a foreign country for several months, I’d want piles of cards and letters, and I’d want them to be amusing. I’d want my hospital room to look like the courtroom near the end of “Miracle on 34th Street.”
So, since the blogosphere is full of witty folks with lots of free time (judging by all the Twitter streams with TV show hashtags), I’m asking y’all to spend a few minutes and the price of a stamp to cheer my friend up. Maybe print a blog post you find funny or have your kids make a funny card with their shitty art skills–it doesn’t matter that you don’t know him; you can say “I’m a friend of the Muskrat” or “I love Pepe Lopez, too!” or “Functional right arms are fucking overrated!” or something.
I’m not asking for money…just a couple minutes to improve a shitty situation. Here’s the contact information:
Franklin Perez Herrera
C/O BUPA International Patient Hospitality Center
DTC Building, Ground Floor
1080 N.W. 19th Street
Miami, FL 33136-9998
Thanks, y’all.
*update below* His new address during physical therapy is–
Franklin Perez Herrera
5445 Collins Ave
Penthouse #9
Miami Beach , FL 33140
This is a great thing you’re doing. I plan to have both my kids toil away at some priceless art once they’re done their shift in the sweatshop.
.-= SciFi Dad´s last blog ..Report =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 7:31 PM
@scifi dad, thanks so much! same to your awesome wife below.
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March 14th, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Thanks for giving my children the opportunity to do a nice deed for someone they don’t know. This doesn’t happen enough in today’s world. Our thoughts are with your friend.
.-= Multi-Tasking Mommy´s last blog ..Fun Food Friday! =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:52 AM
@MTM, Thanks…glad to be a stepping stone.
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March 14th, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Wow. Good for you. I’m getting Drama Queen on this and I will make sure that I get the word out. You da man…
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muskrat Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 7:45 PM
@JR Reed, Thanks…again, just trying to do something I’d want done for me.
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March 14th, 2010 at 7:41 PM
You make me proud to be your bride, as always. Will send some of our kids’ art on over, too–perhaps it will be appreciated by someone who is immobilized.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:52 AM
@pretty bride, There’s a pretty good cache in the recycling bin you can get.
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March 14th, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Done.
.-= Dave2´s last blog ..Bullet Sunday 174 =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:52 AM
@dave2, Awesome! I’m sure he’ll appreciate your creativity.
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March 14th, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Can we really say “Muskrat” and he’ll know who we mean?
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:51 AM
@countessa, He will in a few days.
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March 15th, 2010 at 3:58 AM
Jesse sounds like a great friend, and by asking this of us, it kinda sounds like you are too. It’s going to bring some light to his day, definitely. I wonder if my kids can draw muskrats…
(Still kinda hung up on the fact that you said underbritches. lol)
.-= Maria´s last blog ..Ebonics, and other things. =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:53 AM
@maria, I’ll bet they can draw them just fine; thanks!
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March 15th, 2010 at 7:20 AM
You working on your “Get out of Hell Free” card? It’s working. How about my crappy childhood art? My Mom saved a lot of it-I think there’s a plaster of paris handprint around here somewhere.
Great job, Muskrat-My buddy is in the burn unit of Shriners hospital with his son right now and I know the outpouring from friends, family and strangers has gone a long way to help their situation. I’ll be licking stamps today.
.-= NukeDad´s last blog ..Oh No He Didn’t! =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:40 AM
@nuke dad, Glad to hear that about your friend’s son, and thanks for your support!
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March 15th, 2010 at 8:08 AM
You seriously rock. Looking for awesome, funny stuff now.
.-= Nanna´s last blog ..I Miss You =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:40 PM
@nanna, Thanks so much!
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March 15th, 2010 at 2:42 PM
first card done and in the mail.
more will follow.
.-= hello haha narf´s last blog ..Down From The Air (or “How I used to enjoy the Hurler”) =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:40 PM
@hello haha narf, you have a long name. thanks for the card(s) though!
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March 15th, 2010 at 2:53 PM
You got it. You demagogue, you.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:41 PM
@faiqa, hell, can’t you just walk it over there? aren’t all cities in florida next to one another (and disney world)?
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Faiqa Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:56 PM
I’m going to pretend that didn’t sound so much like, “Don’t all you people know each other?” Or better still, “All you people look alike.” It’s a slippery slope, my friend.
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March 15th, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Favorite furry’s friends fight free-loaders, forego felony. Fearsomely fractured foreign fellow to find favor in flood of folded funnies.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:42 PM
@avatgardener, you’re good at “f” words. that scares me.
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March 15th, 2010 at 3:40 PM
Now this, I can totally get behind. When people ask for help on their blogs…I love the outreach and sense of community.
I will definitely find some of my more outlandish writing to send to your friend.
Does he mind porn?
.-= CP ´s last blog ..This Old House. =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:42 PM
@CP, awesome! and, i’m thinking he doesn’t mind porn but can’t be certain.
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March 15th, 2010 at 4:05 PM
[...] I read about a guy who is going to be in the hospital for a long time and how his friends are trying to get him lots of mail. Immediately I grabbed a card and had coworkers sign it, addressed it and dropped it in the mail. Over the coming weeks I plan on sending this dude all kinds of silly stuff. You should consider it, too. Read about it HERE. [...]
March 15th, 2010 at 11:04 PM
That’s cool! I’ve sent a card today and plan on getting some of my work buddies to send cards too! It will give us something to do besides work – who works at work anyway?
.-= Super Mommie´s last blog ..You Really Do Have The Right To Remain Silent…But Someone Should Probably Say Something! =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 8:08 AM
@super mommie, Thanks…I just hope my explanatory letter and card arrives before all y’all’s do.
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March 16th, 2010 at 10:47 AM
I’ll see if I can find somebody who’s funny and make them send something.
.-= Avitable´s last blog ..100 Things for 2010: Part One =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 8:08 AM
@avitable, ask britt to help you. she always talks about that funny friend of hers.
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March 16th, 2010 at 11:06 AM
That’s very nice of you. I wish someone had done something like that for me when I was in the hospital for a month in Mexico. The only company I had was my girlfriend (who’s now my wife) and a bunch of people I couldn’t understand because i didn’t speak spanish at the time. It’s very boring in the hospital and to get any outside interaction is quite special. So good for you to recognize that and do something to help
.-= Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..I Segregate my Dishes: I Must be a Racist Bastard! =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 8:09 AM
@keith, yeah, i’m pretty sure no one would do it for me, either. but hey, let’s help those we can, right?
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March 16th, 2010 at 3:47 PM
I work for the company that encouraged you to quit. They’re encouraging me not to be out sick anymore. I think their next project should be to carpet bomb Ethiopia and announce they’ve solved the hunger problems there.
.-= Grant´s last blog ..Bankruptcy is OVER =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 8:07 AM
@grant, I can see them doing that. I’m actually still a shareholder…barely…I think I have like 5 shares.
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March 16th, 2010 at 3:57 PM
I sent him a gift from Amazon which should arrive in 3 to 5 days. If it looks like he’s going to get out sooner than that, please re-cripple him.
.-= Grant´s last blog ..Bankruptcy is OVER =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 12:38 PM
@grant…that’s awesome…thanks for helping a stranger!
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March 17th, 2010 at 10:36 AM
My crazy daughter would LOVE to send a picture. Because that’s what she does–and mailing things to grandparents is SO YESTERDAY.
This is much cooler.
P.S. This story makes me want to cry like a little girl from the sweetness. Which isn’t all that weird, since I’m a girl.
.-= Sara Plays House´s last blog ..Sunday Night Art Show =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:09 PM
@sara, Great! It’s okay to be a girl. I won’t judge.
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March 17th, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Took the hint and sent a 2010 Baring it all for Breast Cancer Calendar.
-The Calendar Girls
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muskrat Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:09 PM
@posing for pink, Great…thanks!
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March 18th, 2010 at 1:05 PM
You are such a nice guy…. I’ll try and get one to him from Jolly old England.
.-= Amy @ Bitchin’ Wives Club´s last blog ..My Living Will =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 10:57 AM
@Amy, I thought it was “merry old England.” Yes? Either way, international cards are cool.
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March 20th, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Ah. Now I see why everyone is talking about this post.
This is a fantastic idea. I’ll do what I can.
You are awesome. Also, you said underbritches.
xo
.-= maggie, dammit´s last blog ..Who do I think I am? =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 10:57 AM
@maggie, I love underbritches. And, thanks for your support.
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March 20th, 2010 at 5:37 PM
So glad I saw Maggie’s tweet about this! I’ll scour my own recycling bin for kid art.
And maybe add a haiku or two for good measure.
Awesome idea. You’re an awesome friend!
.-= Malia´s last blog ..My love =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 10:57 AM
@mailia, As I had to do. Thanks…
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March 20th, 2010 at 5:53 PM
This is an amazing idea. I’d like to be in that category of friends too. You’re a great friend for doing this for him and for giving everyone else the idea. [and thanks to Maggie's tweet for getting me over here too...love to see the goodness multiply]
.-= angelynn´s last blog ..Funk =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 10:59 AM
@angelynn, Thanks, Maggie, and thanks to you as well!
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March 20th, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Does he want funny or boobs or both because I’m all about the healing. You are a great friend. I bet he is glad you are a few hundred miles away though.
.-= habanerogal´s last blog ..A Quickie Quitting Update =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 10:59 AM
@habanerogal, I hate to choose poorly, so I’d say both.
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March 20th, 2010 at 6:15 PM
Must do something to send. You’re so awesome.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 11:00 AM
@thordora, Thanks…something simple is fine!
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March 20th, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by themuskrat: a new post and a request for help–”you don’t forget the guys who ran from the cops with you”: http://bit.ly/9qgP17…
March 20th, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Funny thing is I JUST wrote a lil post about sending a card to someone. The whole ‘real mail’ with a stamp and everything is just the frikkin bees knees.
I’m in!
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 11:00 AM
@mommaiss, I agree! I hate getting the mail these days–there’s never anything I want in there. This should be better than that.
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March 20th, 2010 at 7:53 PM
I came here via @unfnshdprsn’s tweet – what a great story – I’m sorry for Frankie.
I’ll post him a card tomorrow morning. I bet hed be delighted to see something from across the border – no not Mexico ! That other country next to Alaska … no no not Russia either …
.-= Jaffer´s last blog ..ManiaRavings.com is re-launching ! =-.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 11:01 AM
@jaffer, Then good for @unfnshdprson! Thanks…and, I’m sure Canadian love is almost like real love. Right?
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March 20th, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Done.
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muskrat Reply:
March 21st, 2010 at 11:02 AM
@deb, thanks! i can only imagine what your mind will produce for such a task.
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March 21st, 2010 at 10:59 AM