Idiot Car Salesman pt 2

So he calls back yesterday to tell me he had my car for me... except it was the wrong color and was missing most of the options. I reminded him of EXACTLY what I wanted. Oh yeah he forgot but looky here he happened to have that exact car on his lot. And he would sell it to me for a "good price" which I informed him was about $5,000 OVER the MSRP. He tried to reason with me why that was a great deal but I cut him short and then hung up. He called back later and I ignored him so he quickly learned to use email to tell me that he would now let me have it for the MSRP. I replied with one word: "NO". He replied with a question of how close would I come to his price and I replied with the original price I had given him. Havent heard from him since. I am this close to putting up the name of the dealer here.

Car Buying

I am looking to buy a new car. I am buying just like I did the last one by using Edmunds. With Edmunds you can price out a car with options and see the sticker price, the invoice price, and what the average cost people are paying for that car in your area. You can then have area dealers call or email you their best price. Today I filled out the info and sent it to all of the Atlanta area dealers for this particular maker.

I ALWAYS put that I only want to deal with them via email and today I even included that in the comments section in bold and all caps. After getting the prices, I email the dealers that respond that dealer X is offering that car at a price of $Y. You get them to lower their prices usually and after doing this a couple of times you end up with the best price.

So the emails are starting to come in. One dealer sent me an email asking what it would take to get me to come in and just talk out a deal. I responded that if his EMAILED price was the lowest in the Atlanta area that I would come in, write him a check and leave with the vehicle. What does he do? He calls me to tell me that if I just come in he'll show me why he has the best prices blah blah blah blah. I politely tell him that I dont work that way and if he wants my business to just email his best price and if it is the lowest I will come buy the car from him. He asked me what price I was looking for and I replied the best that I can get it for. He kept questioning me and instead of verbally assaulting the sales guy for not following directions (I must not be feeling well today... HA!) I tell him here is the price I am looking for and quoted him a price LESS than the invoice and inform him that I expect that to include tax, tag, and title. He said he would see what he could do.

Here's where the story gets mildly amusing. The last time I bought a car, I had contacted via Edmunds all of the area dealers of this particular vehicle. The same owners of this dealership referenced above also own a dealership for the vehicle I currently own (different manufacturers). They contacted me to just come on down and talk instead of using the internet like I wanted to do. They had the exact model with options I was looking for but they wouldnt play by my rules. I agreed to buy the car from a different dealership that would play by my rules. Where I was going to buy the car didnt have the exact one in stock so they transferred one in from the dealership that wouldnt play by my rules. I have a funny feeling that this may happen again.

I'll let you know what happens.

The Week in Review

Let's see, I started the week off in jury duty. That was so not fun. Lots of sitting and waiting. I really want to serve on a jury sometime but I am enough of a realist to realize that what I do for work and other things will probably be an automatic disqualifier. At least I got most of the baby announcements addressed and put in envelopes.

I took Bryson to the Capitol yesterday for his first time and our first father-son outing. His presence helped me get primo parking right next to the Capitol where the Governor usually parks (actually it would be his driver) and for free. Everybody loved that I had brought him along. Sorry I didnt take any photos of this trip but the next Capitol trip will probably include photos with the Gov &/or Lt. Gov.

I have watched more Olympics this week than I think I have from any other Olympics. Michael Phelps is a machine. I do question how some events are included in the competition. Badminton, trampoline, ping pong, and synchronized swimming and diving to name a few that shouldnt be there.

The second week of boot camp this month has been completed. I missed one day because of jury duty (I did show up for my last day of jury duty after doing camp in the morning) but I did all of the other days. I have lost almost 3.5 pounds this week for a grand total of a little over 18 pounds since the first of June. I still have a way to go.

Tomorrow is the 2nd Anniversary of my kidney transplant. Tonight we're having dinner with my donor and her family.

Dear Bryson

Dear Bryson,

I am so glad that you are finally here. The last two weeks have been some of the happiest, most wonderful days of my life. One of my favorite things to do now is to just stare at your face. It doesnt matter if you are awake or asleep, I can just stare at you and enjoy your being you.

When we learned we were pregnant, your mother and I would wonder what you would look like, what your personality would be, and what you would become. At 16 days old, we dont have all of the answers to our questions but we are both committed to making sure you have the environment to become the best you can be, whatever that may be.

I like to watch people and the last couple of years I have watched the interaction between parents and kids (and am still doing so) so that I can figure out things I want to do or avoid doing as your father. I hope to teach you that variety is a good thing when it comes to life in general, and music and food in particular. I want to teach you about "manly things" but I also hope that you appreciate the arts, too.

I know I wont be a perfect dad and I hope that you will forgive me for my shortcomings. Please know that I love you and want the best for you.

I love you son,


Dad

Back in the Saddle

After taking a month off to get ready for our baby (more on him in another blog later) and his birth, I signed up for another boot camp. Last month (without doing much exercising) I lost around 5 pounds for a total of 14 pounds since the start of June.

"How?" you may ask. Eating. What? I'm not doing that idiotic eat only cookies diet that you may have seen on tv. I eat smaller portions 3 meals a day and another 2 or 3 snacks which actually keeps your metabolism rate up. You may not believe it but it worked for me last month (of course by not working out you lose muscle weight, too).

Back to this month and boot camp. Tuesday was the first day this week. The first day is always a PT test so that you can see results easier at the end of the month. I did the run in about 20 seconds LESS than I finished it at the end of June's camp. I was (and am) shocked. The only thing that makes sense to me on how this happened is that I finished camp wearing a knee brace for the last week and now my knee is healed.

Speaking of injuries, spending a lot of time taking prednisone makes it easier to get injuries, particularly in your joints and muscles. One of the fun things you live with as a transplant recipient... Anyway, I tweaked my knee last boot camp and Thursday I pulled a muscle in my upper, inner thigh. I took Friday off from camp to let it heal and felt great today until I was running my 3rd 400 meter run as part of the day's boot camp workout at the gym. Doesnt hurt as bad as Thursday but I'm hoping it gets back to 100% soon.

One of the things I have noticed over the last couple of months is that a lot of the side effects from my transplant meds have been lessened. You gotta like that!

This week I have lost a little over a pound. Besides a long term goal of getting ready for next year's Peachtree Roadrace, I want to get down to the weight listed on my Drivers' License. I should be close to that by the end of the month.

The End (?) of Bootcamp

So 2 weeks ago my month of Bootcamp ended. The first day of camp they had us do a PT test and it was repeated at the end of the camp. The first day of camp I ran 7 or 8 tenths of a mile in 12:04 (yeah I know not very quick), I could hold a plank for 28 seconds, 11 situps in a minute, 12 dips in a minute, 7 regular pushups and 8 facilitated ones in a minute. At the end of the month, the run was down to 8:53, plank 42 seconds, 23 situps, 28 dips, 16 regular pushups and 20 facilitated. I was also down about 9 pounds in just one month.

Results! Last summer I joined a gym and even had a trainer for a month. 3 months and I couldnt really tell a difference. One month of a bootcamp and I can see results. One weekend before the end of camp I went to a men's clothing shop. They were having a sale coming up and I wanted to find a suit in my size. The store didnt have my size so the ordered one in my size and had it shipped to my house (for free) at the sales price. The suit arrived one size smaller than what I wear but it fits. Woo-Hoo!

The weekend camp ended I went out with some friends for a guy's weekend that involved Tony Clifton. We hung out with Tony Clifton, his orchestra, his dancers, and Jerry "the King" Lawler. Let's just say that I wasnt following the bootcamp diet that weekend but I had a great time.




The next night I went with another buddy to see Mother's Finest (think Living Colour but from the 70's). The diet was definitely not followed that night either.

Last week I stepped on the scales and to my surprise I was down another pound since boot camp (even with the bad weekend). Today I am down another 2 pounds for a total of 12 pounds since before bootcamp started. I am not really working out right now but I am eating 3 meals, 2-3 snacks. and watching my portion sizes. Eating better has taken another 3 pounds off. I imagine it would be much more if I was exercising.

Fourth of July the wife and I watched a little of the Peachtree Roadrace on tv before going out to watch a parade. I remembered thinking I would like to run it one day before I turned 40 and that date is getting closer. The next day or two, I saw several people wearing the shirts they were given for running the roadrace. Let's just say that some people were in far worse shape than I am so I have decided next July 4th, I'm going to do the Peachtree.

Next month I plan to be back in bootcamp to help me get closer to my weightloss goal and to get me closer to running the Peachtree.

Getting Fit(ter)

A couple of months ago, I was sitting around thinking I needed to do something to lose some weight and get in better shape. I figure that if I am in better shape it will help with stamina to hang out with our son that will be here soon enough, as well as being helpful with my transplant. I have a gym membership but dont use it. Last summer I was using it pretty regularly but wasnt seeing any results, even when I had the help of a trainer.

I decided that I should do something different. I thought about a fitness boot camp and decided to check into them. There are probably a dozen different companies around Atlanta doing a boot camp. I asked around some friends that had used various ones to see what they liked and didnt like. I finally decided upon one company and enrolled in one of their boot camps (after discussing it with my medical folks).

I am three weeks in out of four. I have lost a little above 7 pounds. I want to lose another 18 pounds by the end of the summer and keep it off. I wake up at 5 four days a week and join a group of about 30 people. We run and exercise for an hour. They've shown us how to eat better and we keep a daily journal on what we eat and what we do for exercise. Yes you heard me right, although I am not a morning person, I get up at 5 am to go work out. Crazy if you know me as I am not a morning person.

Last weekend, the gym that hosts the bootcamps participated in a challenge of other Crossfit gyms in Georgia. Go here to see the obstacle course and description of what had to do

Nice, huh? I will admit I was the worst shape of anyone there and that I almost left without attempting to do it. But I finished (at not at the bottom either). Here's a picture of some of the 250 people that did this.

I wish I could do bootcamp again in July but with the little guy on the way I dont think it wise. I plan on getting up still at the break of dawn and just do some stuff in the yard and jog through the neighborhood, as well as continuing to eat better. December we are taking a family vacation and I have learned that there will be a 5k run at our destination. I am already making plans to run it.

Meetings and Conference calls

As part of my job I am frequently in meetings and on conference calls. There are some things that happen at meetings and conference calls that annoy me.

A few months I was on a conference call. Cant go into too many details but I am on a panel (or task force or whatever the hip word is this year) to help review some proposed federal changes before being released to the public for comment before they are enacted as policy. The Federal government embargoed the proposed changes (delaying everything) and wouldnt release the proposal to the group I am on (or anyone else at this time). So the conference call I was on consisted of someone describing charts and graphs they had seen to the rest of us. Seriously. "If we were able to send this to you, you would see that on the left there is ..."

I have been on calls in the past with several hundred people on the call that turn into "let's see how many people will talk to show how important they feel they are" call. Conference calls need to be limited to how many people are on the call or they need to be limited as to who can speak.

A monthly meeting that I often attend suffers from 2 problems. Either the presenters will just read the slides in their power point (as if nobody can read or they have nothing else to contribute) or there will be an attendee that comes in about 40 minutes late and their phone will go off (and be answered) in another 10-15 minutes. The same attendee coming in late almost every month shows to me that someone needs some attention. I think the person in charge of the meeting should give them a little attention by calling them out, "Hey look it is _____ coming in to today's meeting. Thanks you for being here but I hope next month you will be on time. Oh and can you please turn off your cell before it rings in a couple of minutes?"

So here I am sitting in on a conference call. I have another one this afternoon so drop back by and I'll probably have another posting. Feel free to suggest a topic.

Location help Needed

In a couple of weeks I have Daley Hake taking some photos of me and the wife (go check his photos out as he is very gifted photographer) while he is in town. Trying to think of a great place to use as a backdrop for the pics. Right now we are thinking Piedmont Park but aren't wed to that location.

We want something a little different but something that says us. So who do you think Emily and Andy are and what location would you recommend? Seriously I want to know what you think.

Baby Name Contest

So I think most of you know that the wife and I are expecting a baby boy in July. We are looking for some name suggestions so send them to us either through a comment here or via email. If your suggested name is used then you win a day to babysit our baby boy after he gets here at a date and location of our choosing. So put on your thinking caps and start sending in the names.

Another One Gone

I have had the priviledge of doing a lot of cool things and meeting a lot of interesting people in my life. Last week someone you probably have never heard of, but should have, died.

James Orange lived here in Atlanta and I had met him on several occasions. Why should you know him, you may ask. Rev. Orange was a giant of a man, and not just because he stood over 6' 4" with the biggest heart ever given to a man, but because of what he did while walking this earth for 65 years. While still in his teens, Rev Orange joined the civil rights movement. More recently, he was heavily involved with the successful campaign to elect Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.

Several years ago, me and a couple of friends were talking about people that had done great things but nobody knew. We thought it would be great to get a camera and just sit down and interview these people to make sure that more people would know of their deeds, as well as hearing first hand accounts of things that have happened. Unfortunately we never got around to starting our project.

Rev Orange, you will be missed.

Baby Freeman

I think most of you know we are expecting. Here is his first picture. It's a boy!

Watching

Man it has been a while since I have blogged...

I love to watch people. Sometimes it is just to watch how people interact with each other and sometimes I watch people to learn life lessons.

I used to love to go Christmas shopping as close to December 25 as possible just to watch people. People forgetting what season they are in the midst of celebrating but are desperate to find the last Aqua Sweater in a size XS for their niece or a tie for Uncle Herbie that plays Christmas music and has flashing lights. Those days are chaos but are fun to be a voyeur.

Last summer I was at a concert with some friends and while enjoying the music I was watching how different families were acting. One family had a son about 5 or 6 who was dressed up and he just sat quietly while his parents and their friends forgot about him as they downed the picnic and cocktails they had brought with them. Another family had a daughter also about 5-6. Although the parents were with some other friends, they focused a lot of their attention on her. She was dressed casually and enjoyed singing and dancing with her parents. I learned that night some things I want to do as a dad. I have realized these lessons of parenthood at sporting events.

One of my favorite people watching activities happens at night. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep. Those nights I watch my wife sleeping peacefully beside me. I think about the wonderful times we have had and how lucky I am to have met and married her. I think about what our future holds. After thinking for a while, I usually snuggle a little closer, kiss her and try to match her breathing until I fall back to sleep (or until the alarm goes off on some mornings).

One of those days

Yesterday was a good one. I had a business lunch that I will just say I could do no wrong. It could have been a really bad situation but the planets were all aligned for me and everything went better than perfect.

And then there was last night. Wow. A few months ago hockey season started and to be nice the Thrashers werent doing well. 0-6 start lead to the firing of the coach. During the crappy start, I started thinking what would be something fun to do. A theme night seemed like something fun and so I started putting it together.

I thought why not celebrate the Thrashers' radio color guy, and former NHL'er Jeff Odgers. When Odgers played hockey he was known as "the Sheriff" because he was usually called upon to dispense justice on the ice. He rocked the foo-man-choo. So the thought was get an old Thrashers jersey, a badge and a fake mustache and you could show Odgers some love.

My original thought was there would be maybe 10 of us doing it, sitting together and having a great time. What we ended up with was 30+ people sitting in two areas of the arena, lots of time on the jumbotron and the mascot dressed up with us. After the game, Odgers' on-air partner donned the badge and 'Stache. When they interviewed Thrashers player Chris Thorburn, Thorburn was handed a 'Stache and even though he had no idea what was going on he was a good sport and put it on, too.

Odgers seemed to enjoy the love and posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Yeah, this actually happened.


The best mascot in the world gets in on the fun






Thrashers radio guy Dan Kamal getting in on the fun


Thorburn putting on his 'Stache


The Sheriff and his fans

Christmas comes Early[ier]

Last weekend I had to go to a meeting. I was running early so I stopped off at a local mall to kill some time. I am walking around and see Santa. 3 days into November and there is the jolly fat guy pushing parents to purchase some photos of their kids visiting him, as well as encouraging spending money at the mall. I check the local paper and see that this mall was the first this year to push Santa.

I remember a time, not that long ago mind you, when you didnt see Santa until the day after Thanksgiving. You had to wait for him to ride his sleigh down through downtown Manhattan on the Macy's parade and then the next day he would magically appear at your local mall. Next year you will see Santa in early October sporting a Halloween costume (no doubt pimping whatever kiddie movie is playing) and handing out candycorn and chocolate. My Grandkids will probably think that Santa and Uncle Sam are the same person. Fireworks that look like trees and snowflakes will be standard issue at your 4th of July celebration.

Sunday the wife and I had a great brunch and then went loafing around. This may come as a shock, but I wanted a pre-lit, artificial Christmas tree. Years of having sap and needles on the floor, I gave in and am going to have the fake tree. I will still miss the smell and will probably find some pine scented candles to help me cope.

Reality Isnt Always

This summer I happened to hear an interview with Corey Feldman and Corey Haim. They were talking about their "reality" program. In the interview they were on a roll talking about how they were directing, acting, producing and even writing the script. WHAT? They tried to correct their answer to say that they write the scripts but their reactions are real. Now, if you know what is coming up because you wrote a script, how can your reactions be real?

This got me thinking. How much reality entertainment is actually scripted? Less than you would think.

In the late 1980's, early 1990's record companies hire people to call radio stations and ask for certain songs to be played. Radio stations would think that a lot of people must like the song and artist so they would be added to the station's rotation. This would also help inflate album sales but the truth would be found out when some promoter would book the group to a local arena and nobody would be the tickets.

Reality TV was supposed to be different. The first season of Real World was different. They would just let real life happen and then show it on tv (of course it was edited to show whatever the desired outcome was but for the most part it was real). Suddenly it seemed every show on tv was a reality program. Scriptwriters were brought in to make the shows more lifelike. Casting was used to make sure certain things would happen when the cameras were rolling and producers make sure certain characters stay around for the show to ensure ratings.

Look at Bret Michaels and Flavor Flav dating shows. There would be someone as a potential suitor that would be just crazy. This person would be up for elimination several times but would make it almost to the end of the show not because Bret or Flav liked the person but because it made for good tv. Look at this season's Top Chef. Hung was up on the block several times and would usually tell the judges they just didnt understand good food but because he was good tv, he was kept around and eventually ended up winning.

Sometimes things happen off camera that the producers/directors want on camera so they get the cast to try to re-create it. Miami Ink when Kat was fired/quit is a good example. According to some internet reports, Kat quit the day before. The producers had her come in to the shop and had Ami tell her it wasnt working out. The reports claim that they were told to just go at it for as long as possible. The scene ended with Kat saying "whatever dude" and walking out of the shop.

With all of this manipulation of "reality" I cant help but wonder what other things might be manipulated. I am not saying the world is one big version of "Wag the Dog" but it makes you wonder.

Hot Date

Friday night I went out on a date. My wife knows and approves...

My nephew (just under 8 months old) had surgery Friday morning and I went up to see him, spend some time with my family, and also let my wife work in a quiet house on some stuff for her graduate classes. My sister called as I was driving to let me know the surgery went fine and to see if I wanted to take my niece to a minor league hockey game. Sure.

Last year she came here to a hockey game and it left a big impression on her. So we surprised her and the two of us went to the game, giving her parents and my parents a break from her energy and questions that are common to 5 year olds.

Minor league hockey is a little different than NHL hockey. The ice looked smaller. The players smaller. The arena smaller but the fans are passionate and loud. Tickets are cheaper, as are the refreshments.

My niece paid more attention to the game this time around and asked a lot of questions. Why did they take those two players over there to that box? They were bad and had to go sit in timeout. Why are the fans booing those men wearing stripes? That is just what you do at hockey games. Why does everyone have a stick? That is what they use to move the puck. Throughout the game she asked me questions but I didn't mind.

After the game, she made me promise that I would take her to another game, before she drifted off to sleep on the drive home. Of course I will.





Oh, my nephew is back to normal. He already had the tubes out from the surgery before I made it to the hospital Saturday morning and didnt seem to be that sore from the surgery.

One Year

I think most of you know the story, if not here is the quicky version. October 2004 I go to the Doctor and learn that my kidneys had failed thanks to a prescription that I was on. 2 years of dialysis follow (both hemo and PD) and Aug 17, 2006 I received a kidney transplant. The remarkable thing is that it came from someone who I had only met 4 months earlier, after she expressed an interest in possibly donating.

When you think about the odds of 2 strangers being a match for a transplant all I can say is that this was a miracle. Not like the miracle that will happen if the Braves make the playoffs this year but water into wine type of miracle.

What a year it has been. Numerous stories on TV, the internet, print, radio and even a podcast or two. I think it is important that people going through similar situations have stories like mine or like others to help give them hope and encouragement to get through the situation. I have heard from many people of how they were touched by the story, some of which are waiting for donors and others that have changed their opinion about being an organ donor themselves.

One of the biggest things that my wife and I have gotten out of the transplant (other than the obvious) is an extremely close friendship with people that were recently complete strangers. It is really strange of the similarities that we have with the Shaws and how well we get along. Even if we werent a match, the whole process has been worth it just to become friends.

Even though I live with the knowledge that today could be the day my body decides to reject the transplanted kidney, I hope that there are many more anniversaries to follow after today and I look forward to continuing the friendships that began 16 months and 4 days ago. Thanks Brandi (and Doug) for everything.





oh, and stay tuned as their is some continued interests in retelling the story maybe on a national level....

tipping

I am a great tipper at bars and restaurants but I will be honest I am unsure what is appropriate tips for other things.

One weekend in college my roommate asked what I normally tip after getting my hair cut. Zero, I said. I didnt know it was expected. When I was really young my dad cut my hair. At three was I supposed to give him a frog or a stick as a way of saying good job (even though it wasnt)? Then I went to barber shops for a while and although I didnt watch dad pay, I am confident he didnt tip the barber. High School I would cut the yard around the salon I got my hair cut as part of a barter system. In college I began tipping after my roommate told me that was expected.

What about valets? How much should they be tipped? I am really asking what is appropriate. Should I wait until I get in the vehicle and see if they moved my seat or changed my radio before handing them a tip? Should the tip be equal to or a portion of what the paid lots are charging nearby?

What about pet groomers? We take our dogs every couple of months to get washed and have their nails trimmed. It is a lot easier to have someone else cut their nails then for us to do it. Our older dog has some hip issues and our younger dog despises having her nails done (she is this close to being sedated to have her nails done) plus I dont have to worry about cutting them incorrectly or too short. After our most recent trip to the groomers, we get home and find out that the older dog only had about a third of his nails cut even though we paid for them to all be cut. In the future should I look over the dogs and make a big scene if it isnt done correct before tipping?

I remember years ago I was making a cross country flight. A buddy of mine worked for the airline and had given me some free drink coupons. Somewhere high over the heartland of America I decided to tip the flight attendant as I thought she was doing a great job. She became offended that I had offered her a tip. I asked some flight attendant friends about it and most said they would have taken it but that some attendants feel that if they are offered a tip you are thinking of them as a waitress in the sky which they feel is below their stature.

Whatever. So who should you tip and at what amounts?

Paired Donation Story

After One Kidney Was Incompatible, Eager Donor Found Recipient and Spurred More Transplants

By BARBARA PINTO
July 26, 2007

A domino-like series of kidney transplants across the country first started with Matt Jones, a 28-year-old father of four.

Last week, he made the unusual decision to donate his kidney to a complete stranger.

"You only need one to survive," Jones explained, "and there's a lot of other people out there who could use the other one you have."

After running his information through a nationwide database, doctors found a match for Matt's kidney in Barbara Bunnell -- a grandmother from Phoenix, Ariz., who has battled kidney disease her entire life. (For information on the database contact www.paireddonation.org)

The hereditary kidney disorder she suffered from claimed her mother and her grandmother in their mid 50s. Her husband, Ron, had hoped to donate his kidney to his wife, but tests showed he wasn't a good match.

"The fact that she gets this kidney, we'll grow old together," said Ron Bunnell. "We'll see our grandchildren grow up. It's just a miraculous gift."

Gift Keeps on Giving

His wife's gift has led Ron Bunnell to the University of Toledo Medical Center, where he sat in a hospital bed ready for surgery. "I've transcended the nervousness. I'm totally relaxed," he told ABC's Barbara Pinto while glancing over at the woman in the hospital bed across the room.

She is Angie Heckman -- a virtual stranger until a few weeks ago -- who was just hours away from receiving Ron's donated kidney.

Angie has spent most of her 32 years on dialysis. She was diagnosed with kidney disease at a young age, and spent 12 hours a week hooked to the blood-cleansing machinery to stay alive. She is also on drugs to control her blood pressure, which has skyrocketed as the result of her kidney disease. To Angie, Ron's gift is overwhelming.

"We don't know each other and he wants to help so his wife could be well. He's just passing it on," she said, her eyes welling with tears.

"This is the first day of the rest of her life," said Angie's mother, Laurie Sarvo, nervously pacing the room.

Computers Bring Donors Together

This first-ever chain of transplants is not only the result of amazing generosity -- but of something called paired donation. A potential donor who wants to give a kidney to a friend or loved one, but is not a biological match can now be paired with an appropriate recipient. A computer program connects donors and kidney patients nationwide.

In this case, the computer matched Matt, who lives in Michigan, with Barb, from Arizona. Her husband, Ron, who was not a suitable donor for his wife, was perfect for Angie in Toledo. And now, Angie's mother, Laurie Sarvo, who was not a match for her daughter, will soon give her kidney to another perfect stranger -- touching off a chain of six more transplants.

"The simplest way to explain it is 'paying it forward' when it comes to organ transplantation," said Dr. Michael Rees, medical director of the Alliance for Paired Donation.

"The future that I see in America is there will no longer be such a thing as a willing incompatible donor," added Dr Rees. "If you're willing, we're going to get you a transplant."

While a family member is usually best, doctors say in some cases a stranger can be an even better match. That means fewer life-threatening complications, and more lives saved.

And a kidney from a living donor, as opposed to a cadaver donor, will also last longer -- 16 years, as opposed to eight, according to Rees.

For Angie Heckman, this is a new beginning.

"There are not even words to say how thankful I am," she said to Ron -- the man she calls her "guardian angel."

"I don't want her to pay me back," Ron replied. "I just want to keep it going. Keep the chain going."

That is the hope among doctors and patients -- that this cascade of lifesaving miracles, sparked by one selfless act of kindness -- will continue indefinitely.

For more information on paired donors: http://www.paireddonation.org/

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