I was at my sister’s house a few years ago for a family function, not sure of the actual occasion, when my daughter Amanda, who was three years into her degree in journalism at NYU casually said, “You know, maybe I should be a doctor.”
The Patron Saint of Dogs and Old Men
That is what this blog is about, the people in my life, family and friends. But, it is also about people like the young woman I met in the park one day.
It Was a Good News/Bad News Type of Day
Beautiful day today, so decided to take a walk in the park. Drove over there and rode through the park to see how crowded it would be. There were a lot of people but not overly crowded. Before I stopped, I decided to get gas, not knowing how early the gas station might close this holiday weekend.
Second Eye Blind
This happened February 9th, 2004 - so happy anniversary...
Putting the FUN in Funeral
Things people talk about at funerals
This Skier's Walk of Shame
As we headed up the mountain on the lift, I fixated on how I would get off that thing. As we climbed skyward I was terrified, not of skiing down this mountain, but of the small little slope of snow that awaited me at the end of that ride. With all that, the small voice in my head just kept repeating, “don’t fall off the chair — don’t fall off the chair.”
Just Wrap Yourself In Plastic And Go
It was a long way down from the top of that hill and you had to navigate through an army of spruce trees that tried their best to keep you from completing your run. I had seen many friends fly face first into the open arms of a waiting spruce only to appear on the other side with exposed skin scrapped raw and smelling like Christmas.
A Christmas Tradition From Years Ago
With all the traditions that come with this time of year, there is one in particular that my friends and I have not celebrated since we started having kids and the holidays became all about them (thanks for ruining Christmas, kids).
Don’t Waste Your Favorite Song On Your First Wedding
When I tell people that my wedding song was U2’s“Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” I wait to see how long it takes them to realize I am joking. In hindsight, maybe it should have been.
Even In Bad Times, People are Good
The cashier, a girl probably in high school, but not much older, says hello to me. As I take the last item out of my cart, I say good afternoon. When I move up even with her, she holds two twenties in her hand. I assume its the last man’s payment.
I was wrong…
It’s the Little Things That Help
Even if its not needed
The Girl Who Reappeared
On Amazon, Kindle book by Dan DeLuise
The Proper Use of Bagpipes
My apologies to any bagpipe players out there, but it all ends up good in the end…
And Now, The End is Near...
It rained my first day – not just rain, but a deluge and, because I was young an ill prepared, walked through the aisles, silently introducing myself, soaked to the skin. Not exactly an auspicious beginning to a thirty-five-year career; a career that ends today.
When Life Comes Down to Moments
For two days, in the blistering heat, the driveway and yard were covered with tables and blankets that housed mostly junk that people donated because they didn’t want to throw them away.
I AM Not a Cat Person
During one of our heat waves, Arlene phoned and asked if I'd water her flowers and look in on Tucker (her cat). I said I would. It was a lockdown, any reason to leave the house was welcome.
I Have Arrived
So, there I was, living in New York City, working in the financial district, having gotten a trainee position at an international insurance company and thinking “Wow, kid, you done good”.
Not Every Beach Story is Fun Under the Sun
Normally, my stories about family vacations down in Belmar, New Jersey are lighthearted and usually involve a lot of drinking stories (on my part) or reliving memories.
This isn’t one of those stories.