The Irrelevant Sexual Orientation

This blog is written mostly tongue in cheek. Some points may be informative. Please provide your feedback.
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Hello. John Amaechi became the latest retired pro team sport player to admit to being gay. He now has a book out chronicling his experiences of keeping his secret quiet while playing for fear of abuse from teammates, management and fans.
My question is, why not come out? To me a person's orientation is irrelevant.
Of course, it's not as easy as I make it out to be. Whoever did admit to being gay while still playing would face a career similar to Jackie Robinson. Who needs it? But they would be known forever as a pioneer. As Mark Cuban said, that individual would become rich beyond belief, and known forever.
Frank Deford wrote a column saying the fans are the main reason a player wouldn't come out, as teammates would be accepting. And since I know of a now retired gay NHL star who was highly regarded, I tend to agree.
As fans, do we care if our stars are gay? As long as they're good citizens, I'd say the question is irrelevant.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Nationality

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Hello. There has been quite a bit of talk about the LPGA and the nationality of its players. In particular, there are 42 South Koreans who are eligible to play. 42! That's amazing, since when my 8 year old daughter was born, I only knew of Se Ri Pak.
So what's the problem? Jan Stephenson among others thinks that's too many, because these ladies don't have the identity with the fans. Many of them don't speak English very well. It's tough to keep track of all these non-Americans.
All I can say is, it's irrelevant.
While it is important for some Americans to be on the LPGA and do well, it's more important for your tour to be what it claims, which is the tour with the best women players in the world. Can you imagine if Annika, Karrie Webb and Lorena Ochoa decided not to play in the US? Would anyone watch, knowing the best were elsewhere?
The best players should be on the LPGA. Period. Any nationality issues are irrelevant.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Lunch Answer

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Hello. The other day I went to pick up my spouse for lunch. One of the co-workers asked "Are you going for a 'nooner'?", meaning a sexual encounter.
I was about to answer, then said, "No matter what I answer, you won't believe me". Why? Because my answer was irrelevant.
If I would've answered, "No, we're just eating" the co-worker would've still thought we were nooner bound.
If I would've answered, "Yes, we're nooner bound!", the co-worker wouldn't believe that I'd say that if it were true. Thinking I was telling a lie to be funny, she'd say "No, really, where are you going?".
Next time you're asked a question like that, remember it doesn't matter what you say, and pick your favourite irrelevant reply.

Regards,
Steve

The Irrelevant Suit Answer

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Hello. If you want to pick the most irrelevant answer to a question, you may want to choose asking someone who normally doesn't wear a suit to the office why they're wearing a suit. No matter what the answer is, it's irrelevant. Why? Because they're not going to believe the answer.
No matter what reason you've got for having a suit on, everyone will think it's because you have a job interview. So if you answer "I'm going to a funeral", or "I have to attend a formal event", everyone will reply "Oh yeah right. You've got a job interview".
However, if you answer that you're going to a job interview, the reply will be, "No, really, why do you have a suit on?". That's because they don't believe anyone would be "honest" enough to admit they were going to a job interview.
As a result, no matter what you answer, the person asking won't believe you. So make up an answer! After all, it's irrelevant.

Regards,
Steve

The Irrelevant Haircut

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Hello. I was told today I need a haircut. My question is why?
If I'm perceived as irrelevant, why do I need a haircut? After all, if no one cares about my existence, then why do they care if I've got nice looking hair?
Also, by someone telling me I need a haircut, doesn't that automatically mean my opinion on the subject is totally irrelevant as well? If a person suggested to me I need a haircut, that would be one thing. But telling is another story.
Even suggesting a haircut could be going across the line. Maybe asking first if someone is intentionally growing their hair longer is a better way to begin. If they say no, or not really, then maybe a suggestion is in order. But telling seems to me to be out of line, especially if the tellee is irrelevant.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Ticket

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Hello. Our fundraising dinner plans are well under way. We've contacted last year's attendees to inform them they have first choice as to whether they want to go again or not. If they don't pay us by the end of the month, we're going to go to the waiting list people. We've been fortunate enough to have a huge demand for our event, so losing some people is not a big concern.
Our process this year (thank goodness) is to make it the same as a Ticketmaster. Instead of "holding" tickets for people, we need to see cash or a cheque. No money, no tickee.
We're slightly different, however, because we record who is coming to the dinner. In fact, with our process, the actual ticket is irrelevant. Why? Because people have to check in when they arrive at our event. We know who's coming, so why have a ticket? I have no idea.
Look for things in your life that exist for no reason. Most are invisible, yet still occupy us. It's a fascinating exercise.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Worry

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Hello. Many people have asked me if I'm worried about getting a job. My answer is, why be worried about anything? Worrying is irrelevant.
You may think that last statement is idiotic. Maybe I do have a different point of view, since I'm the parent of two childen who both have cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-shortening illness. However, here's my line of thinking that could work for you too.
If you have control over a situation, like what golf club to use on a par 3, or what colour of shirt to buy, there should be no need to worry. Because you have control, you should feel calm.
If you don't have control over a situation, like my children having CF, there is also no need to worry. I can only do the things I have control over, such as ensure they get their medication and physiotherapy, and fundraise. I'm not an expert in biology, so my control stops there.
As a result, I don't worry about things I control or don't control. Since everything is in one of those categories, I don't worry. Worrying is irrelevant.
I'm sure everything in your life is either in your control or out of your control. So don't worry about anything.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Reply

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Hello. How are you? Did you answer "fine" to that question, even if you're not fine? Even if you've never felt worse? Me too.
A couple of times I did tell someone how I was really feeling when they asked me. Talk about catching someone offguard! The person almost stumbled doing a doubletake.
Everyone expects the "fine" answer. Any other answer is irrelevant. Because even if you answer you're not fine, the person who asked is not interested. They expected a "fine" answer. They just asked as some kind of social courtesy. They really don't care.
While being honest is a good quality, I'm never doing to answer with anything else but "fine". I don't want to disturb someone else's day. Since my answer is irrelevant for both of us, why bother saying anything else but "fine"?
Next time you're asked how you are, just say "fine" and get on with life.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Number II

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Hello. "The Number", as in what you need saved so you can be financially free, is irrelevant. Why? Because many people, who have more money than I'll ever have, are worried if they have enough.
Let's put it this way. I'm convinced I could live on the $7,200 a year I take out from our shared money for my own. That's because my mortgage will be done in mid-April, my car is paid off and infrequently used, and my daily living expenses are minimal. I'm seriously looking at very low-paying, part-time jobs to raise more money than this, so I can look after the kids and cover this total. We have 6 digits in savings, plus our house value to draw on if necessary.
Should I be getting a higher-paying job? I certainly could, and a lot would say I should. However, my health and peace of mind are more important to me. I don't need a lot of "toys" now. Why should I make others rich by getting a job with a larger salary?
From now on, I'm going to do what I want to do. The money is irrelevant.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Number

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Hello. Just finished reading a very interesting book. "The Number", by Lee Eisenberg, tells about how he moved from the New York area to Wisconsin in his 'later years' (I'm guessing around 60), and what impact that had on his 'number'.
The number in this book is how much money it would take to retire right now so a person could live comfortably for the rest of their lives. It would have to handle medical costs, housing, food, travel, etc. And since no one knows how long they will live, it's a very challenging calculation to make. Especially when inflation is taken into consideration.
So what's your number? Mine is about $2 million if things stay the same. However, the big thing hanging over my head is my kids' cystic fibrosis medication, which is currently covered by the government. If we were ever to lose that, the number would be much higher.
Is the number relevant? More on that tomorrow.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Social Pressure

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Hello. My mother was here this weekend. Our work situations are very similar. I've been laid off, and she could be at any time. Plus she's past the formerly mandatory retirement age.
She bounced the idea off me of taking a part-time position with a gift card company. I told her to go for it. That way she'll have two incomes now, and one later should she be laid off. I know she needs the income, and the peace of mind of working. I thought I was very encouraging.
She then asked what my work prospects were. I said I didn't know. She doesn't know our financial situation (it's very good relatively speaking). Her reaction was "I don't know how your spouse let's you sit around", and "you'd better get back to work just because it's work and because you can and because no one your age should not be working".
This is from a woman who stayed home and looked after the kids for over a decade. Amazing. I told her that she of all people should be thrilled I have an opportunity to do the same. I then asked her to write down what she thinks I should do. She did which was great.
Will I pick one of her jobs? We'll see. If I do it's because I think it's good too, and not because she does. This time my career will be one I want, not what someone else wants.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Meeting Attendee

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Hello. Today my spouse and the other co-organizer of our Cystic Fibrosis Dinner Dance are meeting for lunch to discuss plans for this year's event.
I was asked to attend, but cannot. I'm looking after my son, as he's not in school today. Then I started thinking, why was I asked? My opinion on the fundraiser is irrelevant.
How do I know this? It's the 8th year for our event. After the first 3 events, we had post-mortem meetings to discuss the good and bad. I used to make up a list of what I thought happened or could happen for all to see.
It became evident to me these points were not considered. And since the event became very successful without my points, they became irrelevant. The only good thing about my list was it was on recycled paper.
So there's no need for me to be involved in the thinking portion of this event. I can be irrelevant until there's physical labour to be done. Yippee!

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Clothes

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Hello. I was trying to decide what to wear today. Then I thought, why am I bothering? I'm irrelevant, so do my clothes matter? Or are they irrelevant too?
Think of someone you saw yesterday that you admire. What clothes were they wearing? Do you remember?
If you can't remember someone you think highly of, what are the chances of remembering someone's clothes when they're irelevant?
I don't have a clue what fragrance, clothes, hair colour, etc anyone wears if I'm not interested in them. Of course personal hygiene is another matter. But overall a person's appearance if they are a "life extra" is irrelevant.
Why then should I stress about my appearance, when I'm irrelevant to everyone?
I just saved some time in my daily routine!

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Medical Diagnosis II

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Hello. So why am I asked for my medical opinion (or any opinion for that matter) when my opinion is irrelevant? My spouse was very candid in answering that question.
"I only ask you when I haven't made up my mind".
So in other words, that's the only time my opinion is of any interest to my spouse. And it's not based on my expertise on any subject, or first-hand knowledge. It's only based on my spouse's decisiveness.
When my spouse has decided, that's it. No need for me to comment.
So if my opinion is irrelevant when my spouse is decisive, doesn't it also follow my opinion is irrelevant when my spouse is undecided? As it turns out, that too is the case.
Talk about the ultimate no-lose scenario! I'm in heaven!

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant Medical Diagnosis

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Hello. Yesterday my spouse asked me if I thought one of our kids was too sick to go to church. Immediately I asked myself the following question - why? Why are you asking me? After all, my opinion is irrelevant.
Here's the logic - if I say my child is okay and my spouse agrees, my child goes to church. If I say my child is okay and my spouse disagrees, my child doesn't go to church. If I say my child is not okay and my spouse agrees, my child goes to church. If I say my child is not okay and my spouse disagrees, my child will go to church.
In all four possibilities, my child will stay or go to church based on my spouse's opinion. My opinion is irrelevant.
So, why am I asked for my opinion? My answer tomorrow.

Regards,
Irrelevant

The Irrelevant League

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Hello. Is the NHL going to fold in 10-15 years? Jimmy Traina of si.com posed this question and 4 others in his blog yesterday. Of the responses he got, many did not address the NHL question at all. There were a couple supportive of the NHL, saying it gets a bum rap from the media. And the rest were of the "is the NHL still around?" variety, and one calling commissioner Gary Bettman a moron.
I was the biggest hockey fan around. I've done everything in minor hockey except be a parent, which may still happen. I've met many of the NHL alumni, including Gordie Howe 3 times. And I don't watch anymore. The NHL is now irrelevant in my life.
Why? The game has unfortunately been revealed to me as something that has only been for the select few, namely the owners. Those who think Bettman is incompetent have to realize he is only representing the owners. The NHL is what it is because the owners want it that way. It's always been that way, and it will remain that way until something better comes along.
So will the NHL fold in 10-15 years? If it does, there will be another more progressive league to take its place. There will always be some professional hockey somewhere, no matter how irrelevant it is perceived to be.

Regards,
Irrelevant