I, and three other guys tried to save a dying man today. Louis Martinez, one of my customers, suffered an apparent heart attack in the men's bathroom in the building where I work. It was difficult just getting to him, since he had his full weight leaning against the only door that opened inward. We had to get to him, so we could move him to the open hallway to render first aid. At first, there were only three of us rotating, doing CPR. One of us did chest compressions. The next guy did mouth to mouth, and the third guy held Louis' neck and head in a position to maximize flow of air through his windpipe. We were unable to get a pulse, and that was his condition when the medics took him rushed him to the emergency room. Through a series of circumstances, we estimated that Louis had been unconscious for at least 20 minutes.

I was just getting to know Louis. I knew that he sang in a mariachi group. He was a caring man who understood his friends faults without articulating them to all within earshot, yet remained loyal, regardless of them. I suspect that Louis deserves to be remembered for his life, and not for how and where he died. He was 58 years old. He was a good man.

Get Smart, the movie has some laugh out loud funny moments, but it is loaded with double entendre's interspersed with scenes that lack subtlety. The simulated male homosexual sex scene is one that comes to mind. The full lip lock between Steve Carell's and Dwayne Johnson's characters is another. Steve Carell is one of the funniest guys in the movies today, and Anne Hathaway is one of the most beautiful, but physically comedic actresses to grace the screen, but this movie is not family fare. As a fan of the television series back in the '60's, I had great hopes that I could totally relax and be entertained. I found myself squirming in my seat, hoping that the previous sex joke would be the last. I loved Alan Arkin's character and his typical dry performance. Dwayne Johnson turned in a credible performance that added to the story. In the end, however, Hollywood managed to distract and detract from a winning combination. That it did well at the box office on the opening weekend doesn't change my opinion. I simply have difficulty recommending it to my friends.

What can I say, but that she forgave me officially on December 27, 1975.

It's amazing how two separate and distant lives actually come together. Sue and I were both in the 7th grade at the same time. I was in Beaver, Pennsylvania at the time, and Sue, born in Beaver, Oklahoma, was in El Reno, Oklahoma. We were both sophomores at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. We first met at a college supper, hosted by the First Baptist Church in Norman. I was getting up for seconds, when I bumped into Sue who was trying to find a seat to eat her firsts (and only). Her food ended up down her front. She managed to forgive me.

Stay tuned.

This picture taken on November 7, 1954, shows me at 11 months being held by my grandfather, Luther Whitfield Marks. My grandfather was an honorable man in the notoriously dishonest business of oilfield landmen. He acquired a lot of land, giving much of it to the the municipality of Edmond, Oklahoma, which expressed no gratitude in return. He was defrauded of other assets by an unscrupulous partner, who showed no remorse. He was generous to his family and to his community. He cherished both, and considered both as an enduring legacy of love and honor. He did not die a rich man, by current cultural standards, but left his wealth to the world throught his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations to come. I have no special reason for honoring him this day. I just came across this picture, and was reminded of what kind of man he was. I'm proud to be called his grandson.