Tag: TALES FROM SMUKLER’S COUCH

I REALLY LIKE JARED GOFF, AND I DON’T EVEN KNOW HIM, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Writing

Jared Goff is a 29 y/o NFL quarterback. In 2016 he was the first pick by the LA Rams, and in 2018 he led them to the Super Bowl. Then after a few disappointing seasons, Sean McVay, the Rams head coach was on board (as far as I know) to trade him to the Detroit Lions. Now two years later, the Lions are at the top of their division, and the Rams are at the bottom of their’s.

It got me thinking about my first day at Penn State when I was scheduled to meet with a guidance counselor.

I entered a small room and Mr. Lancaster, a blond, medium built guy, stood up from behind his little desk. He held out his hand and I shook it. He motioned for me to sit down in one of the two chairs across from him.

“Welcome to Penn State, Arthur,” he said.

“Art. Just Art. Thanks.”

“I was looking over your application and transcript,” he held up a folder. “I see you went to Central High, one of the best schools in Philly.”

I nodded.

“So, what are your interests? Any ideas about choosing a major?”

“Yeah, uh, I was thinking about pre-med.”

He looked back at my folder and scrunched up his face. “You got a D in calculus, a D in chemistry, a C in physics. Excellent grades in everything else.” He sighed. “How about an alternative?”

I shrugged.

“Pre-med at Penn State focuses on the sciences.” He pulled out a curriculum pamphlet. “Four years of chemistry, a year of physics, introductory calculus and advanced calculus, a full year of technical German, genetics, cat anatomy, histology, just to name the basics. Science is your weakest subject.”

I nodded. He was right.

“I’d recommend making another choice. Go for a BA in English or history. Stay away from the sciences.”

“But then I can’t become a doctor.”

“Well, not everyone can be a doctor. Any other questions?” he asked, obviously wrapping up my first, and last, counseling session at PSU.

“Not really,” I answered, left, and walked back to my dorm.

Later that evening it struck me that Lancaster spent a total of maybe ten minutes with me. At least he might have suggested that I take a few science classes and then make a decision as to my future. The next day, as an English Major, I signed up for all the same classes as the pre-meds.

So why didn’t Sean McVay try a little harder with 26 year-old Jarod Goff? Maybe he did? I don’t know. But, no matter what was going on, Jarod found his own way without McVay.

I wish I were 6 inches taller, 80 pounds heavier, and had an arm like a bazooka. I can only imagine the thrill of playing football in front of over 100,00 screaming fans. On the other hand, I wouldn’t relish being pummeled by 300 pound defensive linemen or making an errant pass to an opposing linebacker. Having my neck potentially broken definitely scares me.

My only similarity to Jarod Goff is that neither of us gave up. He became a really good quarterback and I became a really good doctor. Not perfect. But who is?

No matter how old you are, or what you want to accomplish, don’t give up! Don’t let others dictate your future. Of course be reasonable. Mr. Lancaster was right in that not everyone can become a doctor, but he was wrong to assume that I was one of those people. At this moment in time, it seems that McVay was also wrong about Jarod Goff not being good enough to be an LA Ram..

Maybe the people in your life are wrong to assume that you can’t accomplish your dream? Maybe they’re right. That’ll be your call. Whether you take their advice or make your own lonely decision is what growing up is all about, no matter how old you are.

Thank you for reading. Make sure to check out how Joe Belmont and Jake Bennett overcame the adversity in their lives. It might make you smile now that you know a little about the author.

Art

#JarodGoff, #LARAMS, #SeanMcVay, #NFL, #Don’tGiveUp, #PSU, #Premed, #LITTLEITALY, #PATIENTX, #Mysteries

IT’S HOWDY DOODY TIME, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Writing

I was listening to KNX news radio when the name Bob Smith, a news announcer, was mentioned.

My thoughts drifted back to the fifties when I’d sit in front of our 12-inch black-and-white TV and watch a now deceased Bob Smith, a puppeteer and ventriloquist, also known as Buffalo Bob, perform on THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW. From 1947 to 1960 he’d sit with Howdy Doody, his little wooden puppet, as millions of kids, part of the peanut gallery, hung on his every word. There was no danger in the world except when Clarabel, the unruly clown, squirted Howdy Doo or Buffalo Bob with seltzer water.

It was a time of peace, safety, and tranquility.

WRONG! Very, very wrong!

In 1952 I remember my 5th grade teacher, a pretty, kind, interesting lady, being dragged out of class in handcuffs by men with FBI printed on their jackets. She was called Pinko, Commy, a danger to our society by the adults congregating in the schoolyard. I never saw her again and for years never really understood what that was all about.

Later, I learned that it was at the height of The McCarthy era, the red scare, a time when American leaders preached that we should be afraid of subversive communists undermining our country. That’s when Senator Joe McCarthy, a far right Republican from Wisconsin, launched a series of highly publicized probes into alleged Communist penetration into our society. Even President Eisenhower was fearful of tangling with McCarthy and it’s been hypothesized that his timid approach allowed this power-hungry man to expand his reach.

I remember an episode in grade school when a siren went off and we were urged to quickly get under our wooden desks, just in case the Russians launched a missile at us.

When was the world a safe place?

When did reason prevail over authoritarian thugs like Trump, Putin, Hammas, and the plethora of worldwide, religious, mysogynistic tyrants?

I propose never.

I also propose that if we don’t overcome the Trumps and MAGA supporters, right here in the bastion of freedom, we’re in serious trouble. And this is really important. A lot of what middle-of-the-road Republicans want is reasonable. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having safe boarders and reasonable State’s Rights, after all, different parts of our country have different strong beliefs. But to have a narcissist and an impulse-ridden, vindictive, liar like Donald Trump leading the charge is horrifying.

So all you peanut gallery graduates. It’s Howdy Doody time, Bob Smith and Howdy Doo, say howdy doo to you.

If I peak your interest, make sure to subscribe to my blog.

Oh, one more thing. It just struck me that perhaps all these long-ago feelings of powerlessness is why the heroes in my novels overcome forces that seem insurmountable. Maybe more about that in the weeks to come. Maybe not. At least I’m in charge, so far, with what I will and will not write.

Have a good read!

Art

#McCarthyism, #Redscare, #Psychiatrist, #Trump, #Putin, #thefifties, #Hammas