New blog

Check out my friend's new blog.  There are only two posts, but they are freakin' hilarious.

A sad day

Yesterday, we brought Ethan to his first funeral.  My friend's sister passed away a week ago today.  She was only 28.  It was an unexpected and untimely passing of a young woman who still had a lot to give.  I had only met her a few times, but she always seemed kind and happy.  She was the middle child between my friend and their brother.  The memorial service was filled with people who knew her through work or school and of course, lots of family.  It was a cold day, but nice, with some brief snow flurries.  I was a bit conflicted whether to bring my new baby or not.  I wasn't sure if seeing him would make my friend's mom even more sad that we have a baby and one of hers is no longer with us.  We ultimately decided it would be ok and it was important for his aunt and uncle to see him (even if he was a little cranky) and know we all loved them.  

My friend's husband gave a wonderful eulogy  during the memorial and showed the strength and love he has for his wife and her family.  He had a particularly difficult role this week, that of gatekeeper, basically, fielding phone calls and visitors and just being the supportive man he needed to be for my friend and her family.  He excelled at this job with grace as he is one of the best men that I know.

I know my friend and her family will come through this tragedy even stronger than they already were.  It will take time, but the love and support they have from their friends and family will help them make it.  

I feel such sadness for my friend, but it makes me reflect on how lucky I am to have my family and friends in my life.  I am so thankful for them all and love them dearly.  My friend's husband sent me a wonderful thank you note for coming to the memorial and for being his friend.  It was so kind and heartfelt, I hope he knows I feel the same way.  I am so lucky to have him and his wife in my life and I am so happy that Ethan has them in his life.  For that's what life is all about, right?  Friends, family, love.

Happy Birthday!

To my friend, Aimee. I hope you have a great day and your kids weren't too obnoxious!

Good thoughts

Today I am sending all my love and good thoughts out to our great friend LB. She is starting her exciting new job today! We miss you but wish you all the best. Yeah for new adventures!

Belated birthdays (again) and thoughts

Happy belated 90th birthday to my grandmother and xth birthday to my mother. I love you both.

My thoughts are going out to my friend's mom today as she has surgery. We are thinking of you!

Our weekend

Last weekend we traveled to the warmer nether regions of our country to be total tourists in DC. We had great weather on Saturday, saw lots of monuments and met up with a couple of old friends. It was really fun. Lots of walking, ice cream and water. Sean and I took the train down as the plane tickets were ridiculous. Plus, that way, he could get some work done. We took the train from home to Boston, then the Acela from Boston to Baltimore. It took 9.5 hours total - a little less than it would've taken to drive, but we didn't have to drive. It was actually pretty cool to watch the season change from just starting to be spring up here to spring in full bloom down there. We got to go through our hometown and the surrounding hometowns of our friends. We even saw people on the beach in some places! I only have a few suggestions for the Acela: get drink holders - those stupid trays suck. Get satellite radio - how hard can that be? Get better snacks.

It was beautiful when we arrived. We got picked up and headed to Annapolis where we hung out for a while, then had a very nice dinner in town (thanks to Reed) and headed back to get ready for Saturday.

Saturday we headed to the metro to get into DC. It was pretty straightforward to drive to the metro and get into the heart of the city. We walked around for a while and finally met up with one of my friends from college and her boyfriend at the WWII memorial and then we all walked around checking out the monuments. At one point we noticed lots and lots of riot police and people lined up along the street like it was going to be a parade or something. We soon found out it was an Aryan nation rally. As soon as we learned that, we took off, wanted to not be anywhere near such a disgusting cause, especially when the riot police put their face masks down, it was a clear sign to be to book the hell out of there.

At about 5, my friend had to take off so the rest of us headed into Georgetown to hang out and get some pre-dinner snacks. It was a busy place, but we found a cute little bar to get some apps and rest for a little while before heading to my other friend's show. At about 8 or so we got back on the metro to head into Arlington to get to the club. At this point we were all pretty tired from being out in the sun all day, but I was so excited to see my friend it didn't matter to me. We had some dinner at the club (not the greatest food, but it sufficed) and at about 10 or so I finally met up with my friend. I thought I had seen him earlier, but I think it was someone from another band who was playing that night. It was great to see him, but it was really loud so we couldn't really talk much. I got to meet his wife, who is really nice. So we hung out for a while and then his band, Honor By August, went on around 11:30 or so. We didn't stay very long as we didn't have any earplugs (I didn't notice how loud it was - I guess my hearing is already shot) and Sean was wicked tired. It was really fun to see my friend and his band. He just looked so happy playing, it made me really glad for him.

Sunday we had a Segway tour booked for 12:30 so we drove into the city this time, since it's really not that bad on a Sunday, checked in for the tour, got the little tutorial and practiced around in the little courtyard for a bit. Finally, we decided it was raining too much and the tour would suck so we canceled. So, then we headed to ESPN zone for some lunch and games, then headed to the International Spy Museum. It was pretty cool. We walked through the museum and then did an interactive exhibit. At that point it was about 6 or so, so we headed back, had some dinner, then went to the airport. Our flight was delayed about an hour because of the rain, but that wasn't too bad. It's a quick flight so we got home about 12 am I think. The only thing that sucked was that the cabby acted like he knew where he was going, but really didn't - seriously, if you don't know where you're going, just ask!

All in all, we had a great weekend. We had great company and lots of fun. We'll hit the museums next time, and maybe get a tour of the White House.

New video

If ANYONE has any connections at VH1, MTV, Fuse, etc. SEND THEM THIS VIDEO!

"Into the Light" by Honor By August

Still here

Just a quick note to say I am still here. Not much happening. We went on vacation which was nice. Did some snowshoeing, watched movies, read books, ate too much. Then I came back to work. OK. That was really boring, so let me try to think of something in my life that is interesting.

Hmmm.

OK - You know those tickets I ordered? Yeah, they still haven't come yet. If they don't come I am blaming all of you who said you hated me because I got the tickets!!

Sorry, that was kind of mean (does that show the kind of day I am having?) Sorry.


Ooh, I know! I went to a really great concert a few weeks ago that was the Music of English Cathedrals performed by the Chorus of Westerly. It was awesome. Mostly because I knew almost every piece performed by heart and we got to sing along. To go along with this show, the people who were in the Chorus in 1995 and went to England finally got our tour books. They are awesome. It's fun to look at it and remember all the things we saw and did there. I celebrated my 18th birthday in the Roman Baths, man that was a long time ago (but I'm still not as old as Scott). :) Joe Banana's anyone? Do the Randy!

Love letters in the sand....

There is a show on TV called October Road. Honestly, it's not the greatest show, but I like it. It's about a group of friends in a small New England town and their relationships with each other, their lovers, parents, and enemies. All in all, it's not very well written, but the most recent episode was an exception. It included flashbacks of the main characters (5 guys) when they were all 10, when the boys were friends with a girl who was the coolest. She played in the woods with them, liked the same music as them and chased away the bullies. Later in the episode, they go to visit the girl for her birthday (as she had moved a few towns away) and while they were on the bus they sing along to "Coming Home" by Cinderella. To top it all off, they collectively get her a necklace that has the words, "I remember you" engraved on it, as earlier, she had said that"I Remember You" by Skid Row was the greatest song in the history of songs.

I think I liked this particular episode so much because I could relate to it. Besides the fact that I too, when I was 10, thought that "I Remember You" was the greatest song in the history of songs, when I was growing up, around 2nd-5th grade, most of my friends were boys. We used to race during recess (I always won), listen to the same music, pass notes, and generally have fun. There was no who-liked-who or she said WHAT about me? to deal with. I was never a girly girl and this was probably the reason most of the girlfriends I had didn't go to my school, they were in my choir and chorus. Boys were easier and nicer to have as friends. But alas, we grow up. I'll never forget when it all changed, I could no longer beat my friend, David, running, and I started to like one of the boys more than a friend. Later, that same boy would tell me we couldn't be friend anymore because he liked another girl in my class who didn't like me. It broke my heart, but I told him it was ok.

Luckily, we grow up more and girls and boys can become friends again. I thank all of my boy friends and girl friends for everything, I am truly grateful to have you all in my life.

Good Dog, Happy Dog

A black and white ball of energy
Who loved the outdoors and his family.
He had a great appetite
and would never bite.
Playing in the snow
he ran to and fro.
With an extra-long tongue
he'd chase the frisbee far flung.
He was very well loved
and got lots of pats and rubs.
In the greener grass you now play
and we are dismayed
Because now you are far from us
and we will have to adjust
To being apart
while keeping you close in our hearts.


We all loved Bailey!

Congrats!

Our group has a new baby! The wife of one of my best friends just had a baby! Everyone is healthy and resting, getting ready for the next phase of their life. I'm so happy for you and can't wait to meet your new addition.

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone health and happiness in the coming year.

In the spirit of giving

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Ours was great but busy. I found this site on one of my friend's facebook pages:





You can donate grains of rice for free and learn something (my favorite kind of game - do something good AND learn!)

Happy holidays. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

HONOR BY AUGUST

Check them out. The guitarist on the right was one of my best friends in middle school.




Here is their website:

http://www.honorbyaugust.com/

THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!

A belated congrats!

To my friend LB who never has to study again! And she studied so much this time she got the highest grade. (Plus, she is wicked smart!) Congrats! Woo hoo! We never had any doubt. Also congrats to her her husband who never has to go to a law school function again (now he just has to deal with lawyers all the time - but at least we can do it together ;) ). YEAH!

The Bar

Good luck today, tomorrow and Thursday LB! We're thinking of you.

XII Night

The people in my hometown put on a play every year called XII Night. It is not Shakespeare's XII Night, but an original play about showing out the old year and welcoming in the new and the omnipresent fight of good and evil. There plot changes from year to year but there are some constants: Good wins, a battle, a cool monster, a dancer, an (annoying) clarinetist, great music, jesters, cake, and fun and merriment. For the past 32 years is was written by the same woman. Unfortunately, she passed away this past October so there was a huge void. Who was going to step in and write XII Night? How will the show go on?

My friend, H to the rescue! He is an amazing writer and artist. He has been involved in XII Night since he was 2. It is in his blood. It only seemed natural for him to have a chance to showcase his talent and step in to help out. As it happens, as much as he might deny it, when someone is in trouble, you can count on him to help out. His big heart is a huge part of his personality and his talent is just a bonus.

The play was fantastic. The plot was easy to follow. The poetry used (original and otherwise) fit in beautifully. The dancing was well done. The acting was exceptional (the dark god played by my friend, A, was my fav!). The monster was scary with it's booming footsteps. And the music fit in very well. Although, I might say the tap dancing twins stole the show!


Congrats H. I know I already said this - but I am very proud of you.


Well done.

WEDDING!!!

Congrats to John and Emily, who got married yesterday! I am so happy for you guys. Your wedding was beautiful and your reception was really fun! Thanks for being a part of our lives. You deserve all the happiness in the world.

BABY GIRLS!!!

I would like to extend my congrats to my friend Amber and her husband Brendan on their new additions - twin girls! Although earlier than expected, eveyone is doing fine! YEAH!

Why Me?

I would just like to say good luck to my friend Ryan who is in charge of making sure this student opera goes off without a hitch tonight. (He also has to take his law exam). We're thinking about you!