Jesse Green The Cartoon Guy - Fatigue Makes Cowards Of Us All

“Off the Deep End” - A weekly window cleaning cartoon strip by Jesse Green.

Jesse Green The Cartoon Guy: “Fatigue makes cowards of us all” – Vince Lombardi

As a coward and as a tired person, I understand what old Vince was trying to say. He's saying that when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how much you hope, wish and pray, that old Chevy wont make it to the top of the hill if it doesn't have enough gas in the tank. 

Old Vince was talking about preparation - everything that needs to happen prior to that “big moment.” In sports, it's when there is only seconds on the clock and the game is tied. 

In window cleaning, it's when the sun is setting, and the customer wants you gone, but you still have 5 more windows to clean and fifty screens to re-install. You are weak, tired and hungry and you don't know if you can finish the job. The worst part is that you can't come back tomorrow or the day after because you are booked solid for a month.

No catchy phrases or eye-of-the-tiger theme music is going to get you through this. 

In truth, the help you needed at your 5 o'clock “moment of truth” should have happened much earlier. Think for a moment: 

What if you stretched for an hour and went to bed at early instead of catching up with your friends at the bar? 

What if you had organized your window cleaning gear the night before so you could wake up and tackle the day ready? 

What if you prepared a nutritious lunch the night before, so you wouldn't have to waste time grabbing a greasy burger from the local fast food joint or even worse skipping lunch entirely causing you to stumble and bumble through your window cleaning battle in a weakened frazzled state. 

“Be prepared”, is the Boy Scout's motto. As one of the worst boy scouts in North America, I remember enviously gazing at the wise scoutmaster's well stocked tent full of useful provisions. As I trudged towards my sad barren little tent devoid of even a sleeping bag (that's how ill prepared I was in those days) to shiver as vigorously as I could to keep warm for the night, I thought, “one day I will be prepared.” 

That day finally came.... 25 years later. 

If it had come earlier, I might be an investment banker, a scientist, or perhaps a great philanthropist. 

But at least I am a limber, organized, uninjured, and well fed window cleaner. And not a frantic, starving, disorganized wreck of a human being frantically looking for a fresh rubber and a dry cloth in a disorganized heap of a work van.... no that was last year.

Jesse's tip for winter warmth.

How to stay warm this winter: 

2 lbs coarsely ground chuck 2 (16 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped 1 green pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 -3 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon cumin salt
1) Brown ground chuck on top of stove, drain fat.
2) Put ground chuck and the rest of the ingredients in a 5-quart crockpot before you go to bed
3) Wake up and scoop hot chili into thermos
4) Drive to your window cleaning job with the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having a hot lunch ready when you need it

Jesse Green of Sparkle King in Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Hi, my name is Jesse Green. I have the fortunate job of cleaning windows and gutters in a really great place - Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I fell in love with the area when I came to see my friends get married here. The history, the natural beauty, and most of all the people won me over. I have been very fortunate. Cape Codders have welcomed me with open arms – spreading the word and referring me to friends and family.