A Look Back at 2012 - For Better or Worse

Greetings Musers and Musettes, and welcome to the Musings of BradK look back at 2012 (for better or worse - no relation to the comic strip).

 There's been scan little blogging by the BradK this year, and though there ARE reasons for that, they aren't that important, and quite frankly, they're more like excuses, not reasons, so let's move on.

 2012 started off like any year... in the Emergency Room... at the Children's Hospital. Yes, only 10 days into his young life, my little Nugget has himself a bad staph infection (MRSA) that had him hospitalized and subjected to a series of tests and treatments that I for one am SO GLAD he will never remember. So after three days of not REALLY resting at all.... My little guy has been, and continues to be the best thing in the whole wide world ever to me.

 What? Some pictures? Well, ok....

Jeff's Kidney - An Awareness Campaign That Can Save a Life

Several years ago I met a man named Jeff Nelson. Aside from being a excellent technical engineer and rock star project manager, he's just a genuine and good guy. Many of the things I know about Jeff in the years I've known him are aspects of his personal life that I won't divulge without his permission (or if he wants to comment below, that's his prerogative), but what I do know is that he and his wife have "given" - they have given their hearts, they have given a hand, they'd probably give the shirts off their back if you ever needed it. Jeff is humbly asking us to give him a hand back, and I do so gladly.

Jeff approached us at our place of employment just yesterday to kick off his awareness campaign, dubbed "Project Jeff", and asked us to help spread the word. I know my little old blog doesn't reach as many people as I'd like to get this message to, but I wonder if anyone who reads this would be willing to re-post and help me share Jeff's story?

Outside of this blurb here, I'm going to let Jeff's words finish this entry. If you're on Facebook, please check out, "Like", and Share his page with your friends and ask them to do the same. Do a search for "Jeff's Kidney" or just directly hit http://www.facebook.com/jeffskidney to find it. If you're not on Facebook, consider emailing this blog post to your friends (or re-posting if you have your own blogs).

Thank you very much. Without further ado, Jeff Nelson:

Hi, I'm Jeff and I'm a technical project manager and senior network engineer in the IT field.

I need a new kidney to save my life. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease and my kidney function has deteriorated to about 16%.

I have been accepted by for transplant at the Mayo Hospital, UW Hospital and Froedtert Hospital. My living kidney donor can be any blood type but especially O, no kidney problems, 65 years or younger, no high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes or infectious diseases. If you're male of female and in good health I'd like for you to actively consider being my Living Kidney Donor.

If you or someone you know is interested PLEASE call Tammy Kozel at the Mayo Clinic at 1-866-249-1648. The call is completely confidential. Just a simple free blood test can determine if you're a suitable match. I can also be reached at Kidney4jeff@hotmail.com.

May I count on you to pass this message to your friends as well?

The 14th District Forum - My Thoughts, Perspective and Review

Introduction… I went to my first ever live political debate last night. And although CNN didn’t broadcast it across the country, no Wolf Blitzer asking questions, no SNL re-treads are expected this weekend… I will say I found the process, the questions and the responses to add up to a very unique and enjoyable experience. As always I may “pepper” this blog with the “seasoning of humor” – but at no time mean any disrespect to the democratic process or either candidate personally.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a volunteer with the Pierce campaign, and fully expect to vote for him on April 3^rd. This review of the proceedings is intended to be objective, but hey, I’m only human, and not an unbiased journalist.

Me and Michael, my Little Liver - , , , - The Kop Set - Liverpool FC

Me and Michael, my Little Liver - , , , - The Kop Set - Liverpool FC