Here's What I Think!

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

60th Birthday Thoughts

It’s not hard to reflect on one’s life on their 60^th birthday. Didn’t think I’d make it to 30 let alone 60?

So, as I sit here with my coffee and my cat, I thought I’d bang out some of my thoughts. Some things I’ve learned over the years.

As a young man, my pathway led to a career in Radio. I loved it as a kid. Spent many a Friday night with my “Realistic” 9 volt radio to my ear. Through that radio, I grew up listening to some of the greatest radio talents and some of the greatest music of all time. Never knowing then, that radio had a plan for me.

In this storied field, I have had so many incredible experiences. I’ve drank Whiskey right from the bottle backstage with Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas. I did stand up comedy opening up for Jackson Browne. Hell, I even went bowling with Weird Al!

Accomplishments were many. I was too young to realize and appreciate them back then.

Turning this milestone birthday and reflecting back on life begs the question… what is my legacy?

It’s really pretty simple. It has nothing to do with your job and your accomplishments. It has everything to do with your Family. Money and material things will come and go. My legacy is the life I have created with my wife. We have been married for 28 years. We have three grown children. We have two beautiful, healthy grandsons. At this point in my life, their happiness is all that matters to me.

I have many friends, but few I call close. As I believe it should be. Want to know how many friends you really have? Just count the ones that would help you move. Be very thankful for those!

Life was going pretty much as planned when I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It always happens to someone else, right? It was hell. But I learned a lot.

When you have Cancer, you will begin a journey that only you can go on. Oh sure, your loved ones will be there for you, but you’re the only one who ultimately will be on the operating table. Or in Chemo. Or in radiation.

You need to have a support group. Be it friends, Family or even strangers in a group setting. Cancer not only ravages your body, it really fucks with your mind. It will make you question your very existence. Before my surgery I had a mantra of “I got this!” I found out quickly… I didn’t.

It was at that point I thought I would gladly give up my life so that no child should ever have to go through this uncaring, indiscriminate disease.

I learned that I could not have gotten through this horrendous time in my life without my wife, Teresa. She was my rock.

I had a very close friend from High School who sent me funny jokes or a song or whatever crossed his mind to try and make me smile. Not just two or three times… every single day for two months! If that’s not the true definition of love and friendship… I don’t know what is? I hope you have this in your life.

I swore that if there ever came a time when a friend with Cancer called on me for help… I would always be there. No on should ever go through this alone. It’s impossible.

I promised that I would bounce back. I would beat Cancer and be better and stronger than ever.

I’ve saved these for last. This is what I would like to pass on to you.

Pursue your dreams but remember… Dreams are just ideas without commitment. Oh and your dreams will come up against challenges. Stay committed!

Hard work does pay off! It may seem like it’s taking forever, but it will happen at exactly the right time in your life.

And finally, learn to stay in the moment. Recognize it as a moment and stay in it as long as it naturally lasts.

Want to know the secret to a happy life? It’s “Living in the moment!”

Thanks for reading!

Lou Gallagher

Friday, March 30, 2018

Now, I'm not a doctor....

Why divorce happens from a man’s point of view...

So how many men over the age of fifty have affairs? The number is truly staggering!

Somewhere between 33 and 40 percent according to research.

Why?

Well, I can only speak for one man when I say that I think that there are many different reasons, really.

When relationships begin, the chemistry between two people is that of sparks of hope that flicker that "she" might be the one!

Mutual attraction between two people can be intoxicating!

At the beginning.

Everything is a first!

First Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, vacations, etc.

That is until the world steps in and brings us back to reality. There are bills to be paid, health issues, arguments, children…

According to statistics, most people just give up. 50% just say “no more” and they’re gone in this recyclable society.

But what happens to couples after say, 25 years?

I have the answer for a lot of men. In addition to taking one another for granted, we feel that we have grown old and we aren’t as attractive as we once were.

Maybe after that many years, you rarely have sex anymore.

Maybe you don’t dress up as much.

Maybe you are wearing the same hairstyle as in 1980? Guys, if you still have a ponytail… don’t get me started.

As men, we can begin to feel that maybe we haven’t achieved as many things as we once did!

Your significant other knows you so well, you begin to finish each other’s sentences. There is no excitement in your lives.

Get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, repeat.

Sometimes we feel like we are nothing more than a paycheck.

Until, that is, someone expresses interest in us.

I think that in our rational minds, we understand how expensive divorce can be.

That’s when we’re thinking with the right head!

However, when the excitement within is rekindled, men feel like a kid again.

That same feeling when a girl would pass you a note in class. Remember that feeling? “Do you like me… yes or no?”

It was like being on top of the world!

Are we vulnerable? It depends on the man.

As men, here is what we should do.

After 25 years, your hopes should be that of growing old together. Celebrating grandchildren and the fruits of your family efforts. Creating this family together is your destiny.

Your dynasty!

Your legacy!

What example would you be setting for you children if you gave up after this long?

Leaving your family would be the most selfish thing you could do!

Perhaps if you put as much effort into your marriage as you do that affair, you would have never strayed?

When I was a child, my parents got divorced when I was 13. It was by far and away one of the worst things I ever experienced.

I watched my parents of 23 years split up and never want to talk to one another again.

It made me question, as a formidable teen, whether one man could ever love one woman for the rest of his life. Teens are very easily influenced by what they see. This happens while they are forming all of their opinions of boyfriend/girlfriend relationships.

If all they see is fighting or cheating… guess what? They believe that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

We need to break these patterns. Our job is to set the example for them.

Long term relationships are very difficult. Don’t kid yourself. You’ll face many obstacles over the years.

How you deal with those hurdles…

Determines whether or not you will become a divorce statistic.

I hope you won’t… Thanks for reading! I'd love to read your comments and get your feedback!

You can do that below!

Lou Gallagher

Website: www.MenAreSoSmart.com

Email:

lou@menaresosmart.com

Social Media:

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Wednesday, March 7, 2018

I’ve been driving since 1975 when I was 16. That’s 44 years.

In all of that time, I have never run out of gas. Not once.

That was until this morning.

It was an interesting series of events.

On Saturday, as I was driving to the radio station, my gas light came on.

And then just as quickly it went off.

Did the hour long program and left to drive to Corvette Ronnie’s house to

record Men Are So Smart. No light, plenty of gas.

Got in the car to drive to my house, and the gauge read about 1/8 of a tank.

Made it home and parked the car in the driveway for the rest of the weekend.

Monday morning, as I was leaving for work, I noticed that the gauge had not moved a bit? According to it, I had at least another 30 miles or so?

Everything was going great until I crossed the Viet Nam Veteran’s Bridge going north to Woodland, California. That’s where I encountered a great deal of traffic. In fact, bumper-to-bumpper.

Well, I made it! To just over the bridge when things just shut down.

Anyone who knows this area of the freeway knows just how dangerous it can be there.

I called the boss to let him know I’d be late. Then, AAA.

The nearest available truck was about 30 minutes away.

They send you an app that allows you to track the driver’s arrival.

I saw him pulling up behind me with his lights on.

He partially blocked the lane so that oncoming cars would know to go around.

I popped open the gas door and he shoved a funnel in and began fueling.

I swear it was like a NASCAR pit stop! He poured in a couple gallons,

enough to get me down the road, slapped the side of my car, and yelled “get going!”

He never asked to see my I.D. or AAA card.

He became my hero! It was such a dangerous location there wasn’t even time for me to get his name. An unsung hero!

I knew that Citizens Towing was the company the truck was from so I called there after I got to work to make sure I said thank you and get his name.

His name was A.J. and he did a great job in my time of need.

Running out of gas can be a stressful situation.

It’s never happened to me before. I do not wish to have it ever happen again!

I only hope that if it were to ever happen to my wife, I would hope A.J. or one of all our other brave tow truck drives would come to her service!

Thanks A.J.

Lou Gallagher

Here are some of my other projects!

Radio Show:

http://www.1015khits.com/k-hits-garage-podcast/

Website: www.menaresosmart.com

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/menaresosmart/

https://twitter.com/GallagherLou

https://www.facebook.com/lou.gallagher

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCwmVQfeAgSmjnBBde1Lfg

Email:

lou@menaresosmart.com

lougallagher@yahoo.com

Sponsors:

Trico Welding Supplies, Inc

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A & C Marine Hull Repair (916) 425-2052

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Wednesday, February 28, 2018

If you're like me, and I know I am...

The sunglasses I wear!

My eyes are extremely “light-sensitive”.

I never leave the house without sunglasses. Even on a rainy day.

I only wear good glasses. I’ll spend a buttload of dough because I take care of them.

I don’t lose or break them. I keep them in a case. Protect them like an iPhone.

I only wear Ray-Bans. Aviators actually. I rock them as you can clearly see!

At my last license renewal, I was labeled as needing “Corrective Lenses” while driving. Sucks!

It was at that point that I decided I needed to have prescription sunglasses.

In an effort to save a few bucks, the guy at Costco suggested a pair of Ray-banesque looking “knock-offs”.

I tried. Just not the same. My Ray-Bans were an amber hue, the new glasses green. Couldn’t do it.

When I’m driving on a foggy day here in Sacramento, my Ray-Bans cut right through it.

If it’s dusk and that beautiful big red ball is sinking into the horizon… yup! My Ray-Bans!

You can’t beat a great pair of sunglasses! And summer is coming!

Here are the ones I wear:

Buy 'em here:

http://go.magik.ly/ml/9vr5/

"FTC disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links"

Here are some others I think are pretty cool!

http://go.magik.ly/ml/9vra/

http://go.magik.ly/ml/9vrc/

http://go.magik.ly/ml/9vre/

Thank you for reading my blog! I hope you find it interesting, helpful, and entertaining!

Your buddy,

Lou

Email:

lou@menaresosmart.com

lougallagher@yahoo.com

Social Media:

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https://twitter.com/GallagherLou

https://www.facebook.com/lou.gallagher

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Trico Welding Supplies, Inc

https://www.facebook.com/welditup/

http://www.tricowelding.com

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Mention "Men Are So Smart" and receive 50% off a "Cut & Polish" on the Gelcoat exterior surface of your boat! (Expires 02/28/2018) Call for your estimate today!

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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Why do we buy new cars?

It is exciting! That feeling you get driving the car off the lot and parking it in your garage the first time.

The shiny tires, the way the sun reflects off the speckles of metallic flake of the paint.

That first road trip where you get to drive it for long distance.

Then there’s the practical reasons.

One day, while running your air condition, your car blows a head gasket and you’re stuck along the side of the road when it’s 109 degrees outside.

The next day you’re sittin’ pretty and cool behind the wheel of a brand new car! No more worries of reliability.

But what about the financial side?

If you’re buying a new car as an investment… you’re in for a rude awakening! It’s a losing proposition. If your credit rating is less than desirable… watch that interest rate skyrocket!

And what about depreciation?

There’s the old saying that a car loses resale value the moment you drive it off the lot. It’s true. You couldn’t get as much as you paid for it if you were to sell it the very same day.

Many people find themselves upside down because they paid too much money for it and financed it over a 60 or 72 month contract. After 5 years they find that they owe more money than the car is worth?

So again I ask why do we buy new cars?

Honestly, I’m really not sure? I don’t know?

But what I DO know is that you SHOULDN’T!

And this is important!! You shouldn’t buy a car to impress your friends. Especially when you’re young.

At this very moment in time, you may be doing very well in your career, but things are going to change. Life changes. Passions change. You will change.

As an “old guy”, these are some of the things I’ve learned the hard way.

So I pass this on with hope that you won’t make the same mistakes that I made.

Financially, you should have your eye on the big picture.

Buy a car that you CAN afford. It doesn’t have to be brand new. It should look presentable and be reliable. Get you back and forth to work every day. One that is dependable.

I know you’re saying “But Lou, the ladies like the bling!”

Take it from me, “the ladies” like a man who owns his own home more!

It shows that you have done a good job of maintaining your credit status.

Once you have your own home, credit card programs are more than happy to extend credit to you!

Car manufacturers will be sending you propaganda begging you to buy one of their cars! And the interest rates will be so good, it will make perfect sense.

So here’s what I hope you take from this blog.

Your friends don’t give a crap what you drive. If they do, get rid of them. You don’t need that kind of negativity. Buying a new car while young is not the right time.

I know it’s really hard to think about it, but will you be prepared to adult?

Because it’s really hard!

The more you prepare for it now, the more you’ll enjoy those things when they become yours.

In time!

All in good time!

The thing about experience is this… if you had it while you were young, it wouldn’t be as much fun!

I'd love to hear your comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Lou

Email:

lou@menaresosmart.com

lougallagher@yahoo.com

Social Media:

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Friday, February 16, 2018

Jennifer Aniston and Lou Gallagher Aniston! Has a nice ring to it!!

**************************************

Jennifer Aniston and her husband Justin Theroux have decided to go their separate ways.

I don’t like it when couples split up.

Jenn has been through a few rough relationships. Look at Ross?

She just can’t seem to find the right guy.

Even Brad Pitt wasn’t enough for her.

When she recently wed, I thought she had just settled for him.

I guess she just couldn’t take one more day.

But I feel somewhat guilty? Why?

Because she hasn’t met me yet.

I feel bad for her.

She must know that I'm out here.

That’s the only reason I can think of.

And I AM out here. Waiting patiently.

I go to all the places I imagine she would frequent.

Perko’s, Walmart, Denio’s…

Most weeknights, you’ll find me working in my garage. I can hear the doorbell when it rings. The dogs will bark.

Before you say “Lou, you’re a married man!” I should tell you it works both ways in our house.

My wife and I both have our exclusionary people.

You know, if somehow one day they show up on the doorstep, we are allowed to go.

Hers is Blake Shelton.

Mine is of course… well you know already.

Some might say “Lou, she’s freakin’ Jennifer Aniston!”

To that I say “I know! I would treat her right! As she would expect from her dream man!”

When she wants to go out for dinner, I could take her to Applebee’s with a gift card.

Her money would go so much further if we shop at Grocery Outlet and Target.

She gets free shampoo and conditioner.

Being a car guy, unlike her future ex-husband, I could buy her something used in the $20K range?

Maybe even a Hyundai?

A house? Oh sure! I’ve been looking at some properties with some land in Rio Linda.

We could build there!

Enjoy some wide open space.

We could grow old together! Eating spaghetti O’s and cuddling on a bean bag chair watching NASCAR!

As you can see, I have clearly thought this out in great detail!

Jenn, what are you waiting for?

I would be perfect for you!

Now you have no excuse!

You’re burning daylight!

Ring the damn bell already, wouldya?

Please and thank you!

Lou Gallagher

530-666-7997

Website:

www.MenAreSoSmart.com

Email:

lou@menaresosmart.com

lougallagher@yahoo.com

Social Media:

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Mention "Men Are So Smart" and receive 50% off a "Cut & Polish" on the Gelcoat exterior surface of your boat! (Expires 02/28/2018) Call for your estimate today!

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http://www.capitalmobilebrakes.com

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