Tiny Update on Jack McAuliffe -- And A Peek Into His World

Just got an email from one of Jack's friends, Steve Scholey, who stepped in to track down Jack's family in the wake of the accident. (The police report screwed up Jack's identity info, which made it difficult to connect him to the rest of the world).

According to Steve, Jack's condition has not changed, which, as he notes, isn't such a bad thing given the severity of his injuries.

Now the one thing that everyone who knows Jack McAuliffe knows about him is that he's a "private" person. So true. (Also eccentric as all get-out and a total curmudgeon --- and I say that in the most loving way). So I'm glad to pass on the rest of Steve's email:

In 1980 I was fresh off the boat from the UK when I stumbled into Don Barkley and Jack McAuliffe in Sonoma.  They offered me a job at New Albion Brewery where I had an incredible couple of years.  Since then I’ve been connected with Jack as his employer and friend; we share a love of trout fishing.

There you have it: a tiny view into Jack's otherwise well-concealed world. Am not even remotely surprised to learn he loves fishing. Will post further updates as I have them.  (His sister is now in Las Vegas at the hospital, and presumably I or someone will hear from her.) She told me, however, that his pals at his neighborhood watering hole are planning a fundraiser to help him defray medical expenses. Pals don't do that unless, you know, they're someone's pals. Soooo....

Please Send Prayers (Or Whatever) for Jack McAuliffe.

I just learned that Jack McAuliffe, pioneer microbrewer, was in a serious car accident. He's in intensive care, on a ventilator, in a Las Vegas hospital. I got the news from Don Barkley, who called me to see if I could find Jack's daughter. (Which I've done and she's getting details from the hospital.) I will post more as information becomes available.

Inaugurating the New Site With A Photo

I had great intentions of launching this new site with something "new" -- namely, adding a photograph to a post, which was something I could not do at my old blog.

In fact, I couldn't do much of anything at the old site. I had nearly zero control over the contents, and that ancient version of Moveable Type was hard to work with. (Not complaining, mind you, because every new technology moves through generations and changes with each. Think Kindle.)

Anyway, I'd planned to include a photo in the first post, but obviously that didn't happen. (Because dealing with hundreds and hundreds of dead links.)

But now? Well, why not? So apropos of absolutely nothing except that now I can do things like this, here's a photo taken two weeks ago while I was speaking at an event at Living History Farms in Des Moines.

Yes, I often look this manic when I'm speaking to a group.

Thanks to my pal Ginger Johnson.

On The Road And Not At Home -- Or On The Blog

My neglect of the blog isn't intentional. It's just that, well, I'm not here. I've been traveling more than usual (mostly research-related) and I don't own a "wired" device that I could or would use while on the road. So for the moment -- a "moment" that will stretch into June -- I won't be home much, and therefore don't have access to a computer (or to much free time). Translation: I won't be blogging until I'm back home.

Out of Commission -- Again

Not that I'm the most regular blogger in the world -- but entries will likely be more sparse than usual in the next week or so. Tomorrow (Feb. 13), I'm going under again so that the surgeon can "manipulate" my arm.

This is doctor-speak for: "The surgery didn't quite work the way I had hoped, so I'm going to knock you out and pull, push, twist, and otherwise yank your arm into full range of motion." All I have to say is: thank god for anesthesia. (When he told me this a few days back, he said "Well, I could do it right now here in the office, but the nurses object to the screaming." Ho. Ho. Ho.)

So.......... I won't be doing much typing the next week or so. If nothing else, because I'll be going to physical therapy every day for the next two weeks. This is my last chance to regain full use of my arm. If it doesn't work --- well ..... I'm going to be like Scarlett and worry about that later. Here's hoping.