The Unluckiest Guy in KY

Back when I was kickin’ ass and taking names in the MBA Program, I had to write a 3-page paper for the Assistant Dean that I used to blast him and the program. There was another young man that also used a little civil disobedience to get the administration’s attention (see Virtual Mail Bag, part 2). I was glad to find some intelligent life in the program, so it pains me to bring you his most recent story.

Jason and I have been working out together on the weekends. In fact, I joined Gold’s because I knew he would be a reliable workout partner. So two weeks ago I got a call at 8:30 Saturday morning, Jason wanted me to check outside and see about working out early. There was snow everywhere and it had all come down within the last few hours after I had gotten home from work. I suggested that we put off working out until the afternoon, but Jason wanted to be home for the UK - South Carolina game and a Georgetown Hoyas game. I told him it would take me at least 40 minutes to make it across town in those conditions. He was supposed to wait a few minutes and then head to the gym. I was just leaving my subdivision when I got the call. Jason told me he wouldn’t be meeting me at the gym, because he wrecked his Explorer. He was on the winding road that leads away from his house when he hit an icy patch, spun around and slammed into a fence. He got out and looked at the damage to find most of the front passenger side of his vehicle crumpled. I felt bad for the guy, but was glad to hear he was okay. He called me later to tell me the fence he slammed into was owned by a UK employee and the guy and his wife were really nice about the whole thing. He got the truck towed the next day and after waiting over a week for his insurance company (from Virginia) to switch to a local claims adjuster, found out his truck was totaled. The damage wasn’t tremendously extensive, but it was a 1996 Explorer, so the insurance company decided not to fix the vehicle.

In the meantime…

Exactly one week from the date of “the Crash”, I pick Jason up so we can go workout. Everything seems normal and we even make plans to head out to the Blue Moon that evening. I call around 6pm to see if he still needs a ride and he tells me he’ll be skipping the night spot because he has a rash. A few hours before I called a rash started forming on both of his arms from his wrist to his elbows. His friend’s sister was supposed to be bringing some cortisone to the house and he would see how the rash reacted. If things went well he’d call and see about a ride for the evening. He called a few hours later and said the rash did not look to be clearing up, so he wouldn’t be going out. He went to the clinic the next morning and they gave him some type of ointment, but the rash still didn’t go away for a few more days.

Just in time for …

I told you guys about my hell week (see T G I F) and that applied to everyone in the MBA program (with the exception of Company Presentations early this week instead of last Thursday). I didn’t see Jason Friday morning for the test, but then he didn’t show up to the panel that afternoon either. I hadn’t heard from him since the weekend, so I called. He told me that he had Mono and missed the test. Now Jason is no Adrian Monk, but he’s pretty germ averse. He doesn’t share any type of food or beverage with anyone, so he’s not sure how he got Mono which is passed through saliva. The doctor said he should not be involved in any strenuous physical activity as a shot to the gut could KILL him. He was also supposed to go back a week later for a blood test to make sure the Mono was gone. Unfortunately, Jason is going to be in Florida visiting his grandparents, so he’s just going to assume the Mono will go away. I guess when he gets his appetite and energy back, he’ll know he’s better.

So if you’re having a cool, refreshing beverage this week. Raise a glass to Jason and pray for the poor boy. Hopefully, things will get back to normal after Spring Break.