I can't believe it.  38 years young.  All of his life ahead of him and he just vanished like that.

Every time something came to an end, he would always say "It was a good run".  When the Eagles lost to the Cards in the NFC Title game.....Good Run.  When the Sixers lose in the first rd of this years playoffs (don't worry, just wait)...good Run.

You can say his short 30 something years on earth was indeed a good run.  He was a good man.  Strong, Caring, the "Shirt off his back" kinda fella.  Always loved to joke and was quick to talk about the person in the pleather Lime Green Outfit.  Yeah, we're all gonna miss him.  He went out without any fanfare, no parade down the avenue.  He spent his last day at home...working on his passion....making sure his business is being handled after his departure.  He kept a mindfull eye to the very end. 

He took his last drink. One that would remind him of the 38 years he's spent mostly consuming the wrong things.  That last drink sent him back a ways.  The King confined to his throne. 

Boy did it sting too.

He spent some of his last hours communicating with loved ones, via text, email, thoughs, and the like.  Well wishers send words of wisdom and encouraged him as some of them has crossed over as well. He died so another can be born.

It will be the same man.  Reborn Relived Rededicated to himself and his well being of his inner and outer Temple. 

4-28-09

It begins

___________________________________________________________________________________

To everyone that's able to read this.  Thank you for your support.  I do not know how I would have got this far if it wasn't for all the knowledge and advice you guys have given me.  I have more friends now than I think I've ever had.  As a matter of fact, I think I have more friends that has something in common than not.  I've waited for a very long time for this day and I pray that the medical staff that will be in that OR with me tomorrow are having a restfull evening for they don't know who they are giving birth to.  I think this time if I'm smacked on my ass.  I may like that ish.

Peace be unto all of you.

See you on the flipside!

George "Da Juice" Hall
Human

yes, that's me rockin' the Rocky short, fist clinched and ready for war. Yo, I'm from Philly, wanna make sumthin up of it?


1971 Philadelphia Women's Medical, a child is born.  Born to a pair of young parents who had no clue on how to raise a child.  Too late I'm here and I'm happy for that Spring day that me parents were doing stuff they had no business doing.  Needless to say, I must have been getting my Michael Phelps on, or I would not even be here.

In West Philadelphia born and raised.....well raised until I was 4...then we loaded up the truck and move to Philly....North that is....Row Houses, Textile Factories....

My father was murdered right before my 2nd birthday. His mother and family remained in West Philly and again when I was 4 (02/14/1975) I moved to North Philly with my Mother and her parents and Aunt's and Uncles.

From 4 to 10 years old, I still kept in touch with my Father's family as my grandma on my Mother's side always took me over to spend weekends with my father's mother.  Over there I played with cousins that came over to see me. That was always a good thing.  Around that age, I already had plenty of friends where I lived and my visit to Grandma on the west side grew apart as I was always doing something else. 

Pretty soon, I wasn't going over there at all. Yeah I called and they called me, but a year went by and I didn't see none of them.  Stack on a couple more years and now I'm 17 and a freshman in College.  My life was so full and exciting, my father's family was never on my mind I hate to say.

Fast Forward, not it's 1992, I'm 21 and moved to Minnesota.  I had a dream about my father and thats when it hit me. "Wow, I have not seen nor talked to my Grandmother in 11 years. Shame on me, shame on both families for letting the link lapse.  I look her up and find out she's living in a nursing home in West Philly. We talke for hours and catch up on our lives. We update each other about other members of the families.  I still remember sitting in my living room that summer talking to her. I never occured to me how much I missed her.  But old habits live again. More years went by went by without us keeping our promise of keeping in touch.

A friend of mine who had access to some sensitive info did me a favor and found my Grandmother.  She didn't know how to tell me, but I forced it out of her. Grandma had passed.  So along with that sadness and quilt, I had no way now of finding the rest of my father's family.

Now it's 2006 and I start a quest to find my father's family so I can reunite with them.  I found a website that will tell you the names of people what lived at certain addresses....for a small fee or course.  Well I didn't have the address of the house she's owned for many years.  I called the one person who I credit with my smarts...My other Grandma (Mom's Mom).

****side note....my Mother passed in 2000, that's another story***********

I asked my grandma if she remembered the address of my other grandma. Without a blink, she recites the address as if she was just over there.  Later that night I pop it in this website and I get a TON of names. Some names I remember.  I even see my fathers name.  Most of them have numbers, but all of them were no longer in service. Well I'm getting closer so I'm excited because I'm on the right track.

I take all those names and go to another site and look up their names to see if I could find any valid phone numbers. Nothing.  Just on a whim, I put in a name that the other site gave me, but I didn't know this person. I looked them up anyway and got a number from Williamsport PA, no where near Philly.  Now outside of my Grandmother, my uncle Johnnie and Aunt Renee stood out. So I will drop their names if this number is valid.  I dial....

"Hello"
"Hello, I'm looking for Shane"
"This is Sha-Nay"
"Oh I'm sorry, well my name is George and I'm calling from Minnesota. I'm calling you because I'm looking for my family and your name and number came up during my search. Would you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?"
"No, not at all"
"Thanks, my first question is Do you have family in Philly?"
"yes"
"Do you know Renee and Johnnie Taylor?"
"Yes, that's my Aunt and Uncle"

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Ok, what about Bertha Mortimer?"
"Yeah, that's my Aunt, but she passed some time ago"
"Ok, did you know she had a Son?"
"No"
"Well she did, and he passed in 1972, his name was Larry"
"Oh ok"
"And right now you're talking to Larry's son"
"Are you serious?, here give me your number, I have to make a phone call"

Shanay then calls her mother to verify everything I just said and I take it my story panned out because her mother started crying (as I was told). She then called Renee who told them to call me back in order to call Renee.

I emotionally dialed the number and Renee answered the screaming JESUS as she heard my voice. I cried too.  I found them. She talked about how no one knew where I was and how everyone missed me.  I missed them too, even if it was 25 years since I've seen them all.  We talked forever it seemed. Reminds me of the last talk I had with my grandmother. 

This time I made good on a promise and flew to Philly to meet my family that same year.  All my aunts and uncles knew I was coming and didn't tell my cousins.  Come to find out Renee know lives in that same house that my grandma lived in. It could have been as simple as just going to the house, but how did I know?

I landed, drove to Jersey to pick up my Gramda(Mom's mom) as she wanted to go with me.  We held hands the whole trip there. I pulled down the block and could see the kids playing and the grill smoke in the air among the trees.  An open parking spot was saved in front of the house...I pulled up with my stomach turning.  One of my uncles looked at me and allowed me to park. He looks right in my eyes, turned around and said "Yup, That's Him"

I got out the car and was mobbed.  My cousins didn't know what was going on. They all faced them and told them who I was.  One of my cousins who I remember as being so close with broke down in tears.  it was a crazy day. I've never been hugged and kissed, and cheeks grabbed so much in my life. It was great. That was one of my best days ever. We looked at pics, I played an old school game of rough house (21 to some of you).

Everytime I go to Philly, I make sure I see both sides of my family. I never at once felt so complete. 

Renee (whose pictured with me above on that fateful day) called me a week ago with a task. I guess I'm known to find people now.  The last time I was home, I attended the funeral of one of my uncles.  His only child was there, his daughter.  I say that because I never know he also had a son.  This time, they have not seen him since he was 4. She said his mother moved down south and they were never heard from again.

She gave me his son's name and wanted to know if I could find him.

It wasn't a common name, but my first stop for shyts and giggles was Facebook.

I entered a name and dayum, I got a hit. 

I sent this man a message and he thought it was a joke. We exchanged messages as I told him everything I knew.  He then told me he needed to ask his Mom a few questions.

Turns out it was indeed him.  Now it's his reunion time coming up.  We talk all the time and when he pulls up to the house this time, I will be the one sitting in the car with him.  Don't think we'll be holding hands, but you get the ideal.

Damn.  We are indeed family.

Thanks for listening.

Larry's Son aka Juice.

SEXY TIME!!!

It seems like yesterday when I attended the infomational metting at United Hospital for St. Paul Surgeons.  It was the Summer of last year and I went ahead with scheduling my first meeting with the Nurse.  I got my list (and I checked it twice.....gonna find out if I can ever eat rice)

(((Corny Line....Check)))

I did the Pysch Eval (don't know how I got past that), I did the weight documentation....hell I did everything on the list to see if I could get my procedure complete my years end.  Well that was at least the plan.

There was a couple snags along the way (Foot surgery, Alien Abduction)

So finally, I told all my paperwork was in order and it was faxed off.

3 Weeks later.."Mr. Hall, this is Blah Blah Blah from Such and Such and the Insurance Company said that they have everything they need......

EXCEPT...

They need you to see a Dietician to prepare you for your surgery. You have 45 days to complete this.

This was one of this requirements on that list I spoke on earlier.  So you mean to tell me that's all that is in the way?

That's comforting since I did that requirement in OCTOBER!!!

So now, it came down to contacting the Dietician that I met with back in OCT.  I gave her a call on a Monday.  Voicemail is a drag.  I called I swear once an hour.  Voicemail.

The Nurse who I've been in contact with at the surgeon's office (she's a Godsend) suggested I call Medical Records at the hospital to see if they could release the document stating I went through the appointment.  I even printed out their online form in case I had to fill it out and send it to them.  I got ahold of Medical Records.....

"I'm sorry Sir, but those records are kept with Nutritional Services, I'll connect you.."

"Hello....Nutritional Services this is ....enter some name here"

So I tell her what I need...

"Ok Sir, you would need to contact the Dietician's office for that document"

Great..the same lady I've been trying to call all day.  So now it's Tuesday and I get ahold of the Dietician's assistant (What does SHE do? Obviously don't answer the phone).  She said she can't find the form, but she will page the Dietician and have her call me.

You know I didn't beleive her. I gave her the "You're lying" look.  You know the one when you turn your head sideways and bunch up your lips to one side of your face.  Could be a hood thing.

Ok, now it's Wednsday....No call.  I'm not tripping yet because I was busy at work saving the world.  I FINALLY get a call on Thursday and she tells me she has the paper right in front of her and she will walk it up.....

Yes people, the Dietician's office and my Surgeon's office....are...you...ready?

...in the same Building!!

We update a few things and as promised, she walks it up and the nurse sends it off.  A week ago today I was told that I was approved, but they won't schedule a meeting with me and the surgeon until they actually get the approval letter.  I checked the mailbox like a kid on Christmas Eve just about all week.  Yesterday was no different. I normally don't look forward to mail because it means bills.  Well I got the letter and now I'm even happier than I was last week.

I'm even typing this before I call the Surgeon's office to let them know I have it...I'm sure they have it too, but has not called me yet.  You bet your arse I'm calling them first.

So there you have it folks... I'm official and all that good stuff.

Enjoy your weekend and don't eat the yellow snow.

The Juice

Dear Obesity,

 You've been by my side for the better side of 30 years and for the most part I've had no problem keeping you around.  You were (well I thought) you were a friend, a wing to eat when times were rough, a cone to lick when the heat rose a degree.  I want to tell you why I can no longer use your friendship or support.

7 Pounds 7 Ounces. First Child, Grandchild, Great Grandchild of the family.  Born a mere 6 days after a young girls Sweet Sixteenth.  By that age, some girls get their own phone. Some get cars, but this one got me.  Smooth Brown Skin, Jet Black Curly Hair.  Big Brown Eyes.  Tall Slender Puerto Rican Dad, Short Thick Black Mom.  Who knew the make up of my genes could lead this way.  You knew all along huh?  Sure you did.

Growing up through the years, I was just like most 6-7 year olds. A ball of energy with his whole vibrant life ahead of him.  We've been together for so long, I bet you don't remember where we met. Actually I'm positive you do, but do you know when you let me know that you were with me?  Don't know?  Here I'll tell you.

My Grandfather signed my up to play Little League football in the Logan section of Philly. I was 10 years old. Because of my age, I had to play for the 110 lb team.  I never missed a practice as this serves as the beginning of a passion I still feed to this day.  Before we could get our uniforms before our first game, we had to get weighed in.

There I stand, 10 years old.  I never looked down, but Coach Jeff formally introduced me to you.

"160 Pound's!!!???"

Obesity - George

George - Obesity

Nice to meet you.  Not Really

After meeting you, I took all 160 pounds and walked home. I sat at the top of the stairs at home as my grandfather walked in the door and wanted to know why I didn't have a uniform. I had a 50 pound excuse for him.

With you by my side, I looked to you for comfort. You fed me well, but I still practiced with the team, but I could not play.  At 12 I got my act together and played on the 135 pound team. Yes I lost the weight, but it wasn't easy. You made sure of it.  I shedded your grip until I entered High School, but by then you pumped more food into me. Actually, I ALLOWED you to.  I ballooned to over 200 lbs, and I used it to my advantage in the sports realm.  I was overweight, but not Obese.  I guess Overweight is a cousin of yours. He's bad news as well.

I actually used you a little bit, will you and your cousin. It helped me get into a class university and a free education.

After College, you showed up at my door with open arms.  We've been buddies ever since.  Even when I continued my sports career, I pushed around Linebackers, Defensive Lineman, and you.  You really made sure you were by my side.  You were the Fat Ass Devil sitting on my shoulder.  When I thought to myself "Should I get that Bacon on it" you answered for me.  We were doing the dayum thing together.  The burned holes in my pants from my thighs rubbing together. You was loving that. The Countless fresh pair of sneakers I bought that quickly ended up on it's side because of my weight.

You and I quickly climbed up the obesity chart together. Hand in Chubby Hand.  I had no problem hanging out with you. We went to parties and watched other people dance while you and I posted up and held up the wall. We sat up and watched TV, eating boneless wings and Cream Soda.  Best Friends Forever. I was so happy with you. I hid behind nice clothes and and  great self esteem.  Just when we were exclusively together, you invited some friends.

George, let me introduce you to Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and my homie High Cholesterol.

Hey, how you guys doing?

Two's Company, 3's a Crowd..4's a dayum shame.  So here we are, the 4 of us living together...all needing something.

High Blood Pressure craved Salt and Pills.  M.C. Cholesterol demanded all types of food that I didn't need, oh and more medication.  Diabetes...man..he wanted my sight, my Foot, 6 shots a day and my circulation.

But you, Obesity...you wanted all of the above along with my will power.  I've done all the things that I was not suppose to do.  It was all my fault for letting you get the best of me.  I've worked out, dieted, and stop short of starving myself to shake myself of you. I've shed 75 pounds worth of you a few years ago, but like an abused spouse, I let you right back in.

Well guess what?  I got something for your azz.  I have a tool on the horizon that with hard work and discipline, will have you packing your bags.  It isn't a cure for you, but it will partner with my mind and latch on (just like you did).  Well your time is up potnah.  You got to go. Get the steppin' and don't let the door hitcha where the good lord splitcha.

Once I'm officially lifted the Obese label, I'm going to bury you.  Oh, and your cohorts will go with you.  Every Pill, Syringe and every drop of synthetic insulin is going with you.

There's also a group of people who is reading this that has also kicked you to the curb.  They are helping me learn more about you and how to deal with you. I'm sure you remember them all.  I found them and they are my new friends.  One more added to an Army of warriors that's causing you a slow death.

Well it's been fun. You don't have to go home....well...yes you do. Go Home Obesity and take all this deadly fat with you.

Sorry to see you go.  Yeah, I'm kidding.

Scared? Say you're scared.

Sugar and Fat Free Juice