To much to do not enough time to do everything has been the story of my life but for the month of April it has been heightened for whatever reason. I was expected to go on a mini vacation with some cousins as we planned the getaway in late December. The tickets and resort were booked as I looked forward to enjoy a little time away before I need to pay the taxman more blood, hair and sperm samples for being a productive Canadian. Stress is a factor that can kill so it is recommended that an individual should take some down time and relax. Unfortunately I don’t know how to relax. I worry about everything especially my children. I hope they will become financially independent and self sufficient one day soon. But until that happens there will be many learning curves and lessons taught from trial and error. I can feel the stress level rising as I am writing. Initially my wife was unfazed when  I mentioned I wasgoing on a golf get away but as the departure date came closer, her anxiety level grew. The questions came fast and furious, with all that has to be done around the house, why do you have to go? I would answer, “Because!” Not to push my luck further I prepared all the pertinent information in the event something would happen to me to ease her mind. Once she saw that I was worth more dead than alive her tune started to change. Then the news came, our flight with Direct Air out of Buffalo was cancelled as the Carrier could not pay its’ fuel bills and filed under bankruptcy protection. At first I had to blame my wife as her negativity toward me leaving was unprecedented. But I quickly forgave as the boys decided to drive down instead. We were all prepared until the forecast showed a freak major snow storm bombarding the northeastern USA. Rather than driving 16 hours in  uncertainty, the trip was called off. When it rains it pours, either my wife is all powerful or God wanted me here to enjoy my mothers 69th birthday or be here for my dads knee replacement surgery today. Either way I feel less stressed.
Sincerely-Philip Magnoli, my friends call me Don Filippo-The FX Specialist