A Sign of the Times — Could They Be a-Changin’?
“All the Bush League batters Are left to die on the diamond In the stands the home crowd scatters For the turnstiles.” Twice in my post-ALS life, Neil Young’s song “For the Turnstiles”…
Notes From the ALS Front
— Rick Jobus
Rick is a 62-year-old man who was diagnosed with ALS in January 2007. Currently a resident of Southwest Florida, he has lived in four other metropolitan areas, but greater Chicagoland will always be “home.” Rick is a degreed engineer, spending his career in the medical device industry. He’s had the good fortune of extensive travel throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He writes, in part, to be an ALS advocate. Additionally, it is his hope that his output will help dispel the myth that technical folk and digestible prose aren’t mutually exclusive.
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In Memoriam: Rick Jobus, Feb. 6, 1958-June 19, 2022
Courtesy of Rick Jobus It is with deep sadness that we inform the ALS News Today community of the passing of our friend and treasured columnist, Rick Jobus, on June 19, 2022. Rick…
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How Being ‘Stuck in the Middle’ Turned Into a Blessing in Disguise
“Well I don’t know why I came here tonight, I’ve got the feeling that something ain’t right. I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair, And I’m wondering how I’ll get down…
This Halloween, Read the Book Despite Its Off-putting Cover
“As I was walking down the street one dark and dreary day, I came upon a billboard, much to my dismay. The billboard was all tattered from the storm the night before. The wind…
Firing a Shotgun to Hit a Needle in a Haystack
“You say you got a real solution, Well, you know, We’d all love to see the plan. You ask me for a contribution, Well, you know, We’re all doing what we can.” John Lennon’s…
Requiem for a Heavyweight Trio of Souls
“And so castles made of sand Fall into the sea eventually.” — Jimi Hendrix From time to time, given my predilection for quoting songs in my columns, I’m asked whether a song triggers…
Borrowing Pages From the Oktoberfest Playbook
“What you need, my son Is a holiday in Cambodia Where people dress in black.” Those lyrics from the song “Holiday in Cambodia” by the punk rock band Dead Kennedys illustrate how counterintuitive…
When the Reaper Comes A-Knockin’, We Must Get A-Rockin’
When I was in elementary school, my mom would occasionally take my brother and me to Woolworth’s, our local five-and-dime store. We would often have lunch there, and my staple was the open-faced…
Fear Can Be a Double-edged Sword
“Fear takes control — fear of the unknown Aware of what will hurt you You’re prepared to remain this way So sad yet safe with your afflictions Afraid to start a brand new day.”…
Awaiting the ‘Hope Begets Hope’ Aria
“Just what makes that little old ant Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant Anyone knows an ant can’t Move a rubber tree plant But he’s got high hopes …” — Frank Sinatra, “High…
A Glimpse Into the ALS Time Continuum
“But if I had the Chance to start all over I would be wishing today On a four-leaf clover … If I could turn back The hands of time.” The 45 rpm single…
On Second Thought, You Can Keep the Change
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strange), Ch-ch-changes, just gonna have to be a different man.” — David Bowie Many people dislike change, some to the point of fearing it. According to author and…
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
“Don’t the best of them bleed it out While the rest of them peter out? Truth or consequence, say it aloud Use that evidence, race it around There goes my hero Watch him as…
