There’s no place like the old office

TOM JOHNSON

It feels absolutely terrific to be back in the office this morning,

almost four months to the day following my kidney transplant.

The great doctors, nurses and staff in the kidney transplant

center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who got me through all of

this, have all of my thanks.

And for those of you who remember my brother Cliff, he still ranks

pretty high up on the old list. Cliff, incidentally, is doing fine --

working, raising a family and swimming again in Reno.

The last four months encompassed kind of a major change of life

for me. Oh, I know -- you’re thinking all of the medication, the

rehab and all that. Not at all. I’m talking about Jerry and Maury,

Ellen and Dr. Phil, Regis and Kelly. You get the idea.

I’ll miss all my newly acquired friends while I’m here at the

office, putting in a good days work. Fortunately, I have a TV here

and can occasionally sneak a peek.

Last Wednesday, my current life as I knew it changed. A short and

to-the-point fax, on official Cedars-Sinai stationary, to the Tribune

Co., released me back to work. It was signed by Dr. Stanley Jordan,

director of the kidney center.

The vacation -- oops, I mean disability -- was finally over.

Suddenly, with the fax, my mind-set changed. Was publishing what I

really wanted to go back to? Did I still want to put the daily grind

into the publisher’s role? What other opportunities were there for

someone of my age and with my skill set? Which, in case you don’t

know, is very limited.

I decided to find out.

And so, I ventured out last Friday to the Job Center in Costa Mesa

to see what else was available around town for a guy like me.

I arrived at the center shortly after 9 a.m. I know what you’re

saying; but remember, at this point, 9 is early for me.

First, it was into the office to meet with Christina Sanchez, the

recreation coordinator, and Jovita Guthrie, the program manager, both

with the city of Costa Mesa. They run the Job Center.

After filling out the required paperwork and showing my proper

identification, I received my official document to show that I was

now a card-carrying member of the Job Center of Costa Mesa. I also

got my pool number for the day -- No. 92.

Next it was off to the benches to find a good place to get spotted

by my new future employer. It sure was a lot more comfortable than

out in front of Home Depot, where the best seats are on the curb.

I got to meet the guys I’d be “competing against” for the day.

I met Rueben, with his big straw hat, a center regular for the

last 5 to 6 years; and Eduardo, who’d been coming to the center for

10 years, who said to me, “It’s a blessing to come here and be able

to find work.”

There was Andres -- six years under his belt at the center -- and

Kim, a Vietnam War veteran, who specialized in carpentry and had been

coming here for four years. And there were 60 to 70 others, most

hoping for a chance at a good, honest day’s work.

I was now, frankly, quite excited. Besides, I can use the extra

cash for a bill or two.

The first truck and potential employer approached.

For those of you who don’t know, it’s very orderly with the guys

on the benches, holding up their number, as the truck drives in a

roped off lane in front of them. Jovita or Christina meets the driver

and announces what the employer is looking for.

In this case, the job called for four hours at $10 per -- the

work, demolition.

Although I was still interested in employment, I decided

demolition was not for me. So, I held up my number in more of a

half-hearted effort.

Darn, the driver picked someone else ... and off they went.

As the day progressed, the jobs continued to come: jackhammering,

3 to 4 hours at $10 per. I hate jackhammering, or actually, I hate

watching jack hammering. I’ve really never done it myself. Moving

boxes and furniture, 6 to 8 hours at $9. Cleaning a mobile home and a

couple of cars, 8 hours at 10 bucks. And there were more.

It was at that point in the morning it dawned on me. These guys

were better than I. They were stronger and tougher, and more

importantly, they were capable. Who’s kidding whom?

Me, I’m good at driving a desk or sneaking out for a round of

golf. That’s about it!

And so it came to me in big bright lights ... my old office wasn’t

looking so bad. The leather chair, the big desk, my big feet up on

that big old desk. Yeah, my old job was indeed what I wanted.

And so, the decision was made. Which brings me back here today.

There’s a lot to do after a four-month absence: financial reports

to review, new acquisitions to follow-up on, meetings to attend,

phone calls to make, new employees to meet, new projects and ideas to

implement.

And so the work begins.

At some point today or Tuesday I’ll put in several calls around

town so see what’s going on.

One will probably be to the mayor in Newport Beach to see what’s

up in his great town. I won’t expect a return call until sometime

next December or January when a new mayor is appointed. Oh, well,

that’s life.

One thing’s for sure.

I plan on seeing my buddies over at the Job Center in the weeks

and months ahead. It sure would make it easier if we just left them

where they are, so I didn’t have to run around town to try to find

them.

By the way, if you need some work around the house or at the

office, don’t hesitate to call on my guys. They’re a good bunch!

Better yet, why not just drive by the center and see for yourself.

* TOM JOHNSON is the publisher.