Let's Join Forces...Or Not

I wish more than anything that a ball could bring us together! But there are definately a lot of people who would like to see the big, blue ball go...pop! I mean, come on already! Let's just join forces :)

Really?

Nice. In case you were wondering why I am in counseling and not investing. Great time to invest. Last November.

Flood Watch Over (for now)

Johnny Nash

Jimmy Cliff

So, we made it through the weekend without any water! I couldn't decide which version that I liked better. Since the flood watch is over, I figured that I'd just post 'em both. If I had to pick, I'd choose the Johnny Nash version - but that's just me.

A Timeless Conundrum

A simple glass of water, right? Not exactly, your perception of it's contents clearly defines you as a person. Are you a happy, optimistic, all-around cool dude? or Are you a miserable, self-loathing lunatic? ... Now take a good look at that glass - stare at it! Who the hell are you, anyway?

Does Karma Cancel Out?

Ok, I have a question… does Karma cancel out? I know it sounds weird, but what I mean is that if someone has done something that has “rubbed you the wrong way”, and the next time around you “wrong” them as well, does that put the bad Karma back on you… or do you call it even and start fresh?
So here’s the story? A few weeks ago, In Law & I had a plumbing issue in our basement. It was a Sunday & it was sewerage (a horrible combination)… and it took In Law most of that day (and several more after) to get everything taken care of & cleaned up. Now it is bad enough when you are mopping up your own sewerage, but we happen to live in a two-family home, and in law, being the good guy that he is, cleaned up for our neighbors as well. Well, thankfully the incident is over, but since then we have seen our neighbors several times and not once have they offered a smile, never mind a thank you for our help. I thought it was weird that on the day of the incident they didn’t even lift a finger or check-in to see how things were progressing... But I thought it was REALLY weird that they didn’t say thanks.
So yesterday when we arrived home from work, we noticed a packing company parked in the driveway (it was hard not to notice them as they were parked in our parking spots so we had to park out on the street in the torrential rain- again no sorry or thank you). Later last night, In law went down to the basement to make sure that it was dry. Thankfully, our side of the was dry as a bone, but he did notice that there was a puddle of water coming from under our neighbor’s door. We peeked through the peep hole and we couldn’t help but to notice that many of the boxes that the packing company had just packed were now sitting on the other side of that door… in the puddle. Normally not only would we run up and tell our neighbors, but we would definitely hep to move the boxes and probably clean up as well. But, to be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it this time. I mean THEY DIDN’T EVEN SAY THANK YOU!
So back to my questions: Can I say “Karma is a bitch” and wash my hands of the guilt I am feeling over this, or do people think that this is really low- definitely revenge, NOT karma? I mean, I justified it to myself that these are just boxes that they hired someone else to pack (and that someone else was NOT brother’s company). I am sure that they are just going to have to call them back & pay them a little more which doesn’t seem to be a problem for these neighbors. On the other hand, it is really not a kind act & now I am nervous that the bad Karma will come back round our way now. What do you guys think?

Eighties Video Flashback of the Week - A Decade of Musical Brilliance

Everyone knows that I'm an eighties fanatic. Choosing the eighties video flashback of the week is always difficult but I think this one's a solid choice. What do you say everyone - Do you remember this eighties anthem? Like it or hate it?

Aberjona Flood Watch In Full Effect

Calling all family members, do not make plans for this weekend. The flood season is unofficially upon us. We're getting ready! The weather forecast calls for rain the entire weekend, so we might need you at the workplace. We are situated on the banks of the mighty Aberjona River. We pray that we will not feel her full fury. As always, beware the wrath of an angry "Abbey."

Happy Birthday Dad/Papa

Another birthday tribute. This time to one of the most important people in my life. He's many things to me; my father, my best friend, my co-worker/boss. He's also a wonderful grandfather to my kids. So, I speak for everyone when I say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD" or "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA." Just know that we love you very much; I love you very much and I'm very proud of you! This time around, we were able to find Ms. Moo's old Mookie doll to help celebrate the occasion!

Is My Neighborhood the Bermuda Trangle?

As family members know, my family and I live on the street where I grew up. It's located in a small town of approximately 20,000 people. Tonight, I attended the wake of a young man that lived a few houses away. While not best of friends, I have known him since childhood. He lived in the house that he grew up in. It's sad and tragic (RIP). He obviously died way before his time. My heart goes out to his family.

Now, here's a weird and concerning fact. In a ten year span, at least five people from my neighborhood have died. All of them under the age of forty. Now, they all weren't living here at the time of their deaths but they all had grown up and spent their entire childhood in this neighborhood. Isn't this unbelievable? It isn't normal, right?

I've just come to realize that life doesn't always makes sense and neither does death. I can personally vouch that they were all good people. They came from loving families. So, why these five people? I'd like to believe that there is a greater purpose. I just don't know.

Is my neighborhood cursed? I'd like to believe that there is some reason(s). That perhaps someday this will all make sense. I just don't have any answers. Please take a moment to remember these wonderful people that left us all way to early....

I'm not exactly sure why but I'm reminded of the lyrics by George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord.' (Hit the Title link for the song)
"...I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you lord
But it takes so long, my lord..."

NOTE: I know this is a sensitive subject. This post is not meant to make light of loss or tragedy. My condolences to anyone that has lost a loved one.

Fantasy is Right

Brother is loving fantasy football....but I think it may be getting to him....

Fantasy Football Guru?

Apparently, I'm not a fantasy football guru? Come 'on, I was the champion of the "sofa king good" league, last year. I hear the whispers that I'm some kind one hit wonder. This season, in two leagues, my collective record is 1-5. This is indeed inconceivable for a general manager of my caliber. On paper, both my teams are decent. That being said, I refuse to blame myself. While, I have many valid excuses (see pic), I place the blame solely on the shoulders of my teams. They need to do better! The you tube video (hit title link) is a tribute to all the "real" one hit wonders!

In Law Family Line Extended

Paint Everything Blue!

I hope that I'm not stealing anyone's thunder. The results of the ultra-sound are in and (drum roll please) dum, dum, dum, dum..................(pause for dramatic effect)
they're having a BOY! Congratulations to the soon to be parents. I'm so happy for you guys.

Another Birthday Tribute to Our Beautiful Niece

I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing as I awaited the "grand entrance" of my first niece. The morning seemed to last forever. I sat impatiently, having significant difficulty concentrating, trying to focus on my BioChem instructor's very boring lecture. At the conclusion of my college morning classes, I excitedly ran back to my dorm (McCormick Hall) to check for any voicemail message updates (actually answering machine message updates since it was '92). Upon my arrival, there was indeed a message. On the message, my mom proudly shared the wonderful news of A.'s arrival. A healthy mom and a healthy, happy and HUGE baby girl were resting comfortably in the hospital. A. was 11 lbs. 8.5 oz. and 24 in long at the time of her birth. At that moment I wished more than anything that I wasn't thousands of miles away at school. I immediately began coordinating my airline tix to return home to cuddle A. The years since have passed quickly. A. has brought sooo much joy and happiness to our fam. So today, here's a tribute to her...I'm sorry I wasn't able to procure her a spot on the MTV show "Super Sweet Sixteen" Hit the title link to see sweet sixteen by Hilary Duff.

Happy Sweet Sixteen - Ms. Moo

Ms. Moo - I think that I speak for everyone in saying that we love you soo much. I personally can't believe it's been sixteen years. I've watched you grow and I'm so very proud of you. Just know that someone else is watching from above and they're just as proud as I. We're all so lucky that you're a part of our lives. I love you, Moo (hey that rhymes)

You probably didn't know that I've become a famous movie director. Hit the title link for a birthday tribute to my beautiful niece.

(I smell an Oscar for Best Director of a Short Film)

Brother Flying Solo

Ever get the feeling that you're the only family member posting on this blog?

No and why would you?

Devastatin' Dave Brings You The "The Cyberslave Store"

Answering my own challenge (see blog below), I came across the greatest on-line store of all time! The Cyberslave Store has the greatest collection of Devastatin' Dave products on the planet.

I'm definitely doing all my on-line Christmas shopping here. What do you get someone that already has everything? That's right, Devastatin' Dave gear! I'm getting Wifey the D.D thong and both the kids are getting D.D. buttons & t-shirts. I just found the perfect messenger bag for my niece's sixteenth birthday.

I'm seriously considering investing in "2000 Devastating Records Unlimited" because they are about to take-off. Mark my words, "they will be huge." I'm calling my broker asap and getting in on the ground floor of this Juggernaut.

I've made it simple for the readers to access Dave's store, simply hit this blog's title/link and you're there!

Devastatin' Dave The Turntable Slave - Where Are You?

The country is in a fiscal crisis. By deductive reasoning, Devastatin' Dave is the sole solution to this whole mess. Let's face it, overall, the eighties were a time of great prosperity and comfort for our country. The eighties had Dave and his music. This guy has perhaps the greatest recording name of all time. You do the math. I challenge anyone to find a recording (any recording) of the 'Turntable Slave' and post it ASAP. The countries' well being depends on it.


"Where have you gone, Devastatin' Dave, our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you."

You grew up in Winchester and can be considered a townie:

You grew up in Winchester and can be considered a townie:
(This is obviously my limited list. Please add your own).

- if you remember the Washington School, Noonan School, Wyman School, Parkhurst School, Mystic School (and The Bartlett School)
- if you remember that Lynch used to be a Junior High School - extra points for attending
- if you ever swam at Leonard’s Beach
- if you still refer to Bouregard Beach as “Wedge”
- if you somehow thought Leonard's was cleaner than Wedge and debated it
- if you walked from Leonard’s Beach to Mac’s corner store to get snacks
- If you shopped at Lynch’s Market
- if you shopped at Neno’s Market
- if you remember when school field days were actually a competive event
- if you remember when The Recreation Department used to have “Arts and Crafts” at the fields and tons of kids were there
- if you ever received an "Honorable Mention” ribbon at a Recreation Department event or at a school field day (“Participant “ ribbons also count – usually green or orange).
- if you remember when the Enka Fair was at Manchester Field
- if you remember when the Enka Field was at the Town Hall Parking lot
- if you remember The Italian Festival (at Leonard’s Field and The High School parking lot)
- if you purchased a record album at Winchester Appliance and Repair on Thompson Street
- if you refer to Shore Road as “vet alley”
- if you remember when Purity Supreme was located on Shore Road
- if you still refer to Super Stop & Shop as Purity
- if you ate at Randal’s Restaurant
- if you loved Bellino’s Pizza
- if you remember Brigham’s and Basking Robbin’s Ice Cream in the Center
- if you remember when Winchester had two usable running tracks and actually played home football games at Knowlton Stadium.
- if you remember The U.S.A. skating rink in Winchester – Extra points if you ever skated on “the patch”
- if you still refer to the Winchester Gardens as “The Pitt”
- if you shopped at Topsy Turvey
- if you remember that The News Shop used to where Starbucks is located
- if you had Mike “The Drivers Ed Guy” Murray for Driver’s Education (Rest In Peace)
- if you ate at “Brother’s Pizza”
- if you remember that Winchester used to have a huge Memorial Day Parade
- if you still refer to The Swanton Street Dinner as “Carl’s”
- if you attended the Movie Theater located in Winchester
- if you got film developed at the Photo Matt shack in Purity Supreme’s parking lot.
- if you remember when Winchester had no package/liquor stores.
- if you swam for “The Town Team” swim team at Leonard’s and lost to the Boat Club, Swim Club and Country Club
- if you ever rebuilt your bike at the dump
- if you remember Winchester Pop Warner
- if you played CYO at Saint Mary’s
- if you went to mass at The Immaculate Reception Church
- if you still refer to The Quick Mart on Washington Street as “Cumbies”
- if you still refer to The Town Pantry as “White Hen”
- if you remember what the term “rats” stood for in social circles (relax, I didn’t make it up – similar nicknames for other social cliques exist too)
- if you worked as “summer help” for the DPW
- if you worked as “summer help” for G.R. Nowell & Son (had to throw this in)
- if you played in the former men’s softball league, under the lights, at Ginn Field or attended a game
- if you remember being allowed to smoke on the high school campus
- if you remember “1 or 2 Things’ – the convenience store
- if you refer to the reservoir as “the ressie” or “the res” – extra points for swimming off the big rock
- if you remember your grandparents/parents talking about the Beggs & Cobbs fire or if you remember the fire
- if you remember your grandparents/parents talking about Filenes’s in Winchester or if you remember that Filene’s
- if you remember the Knghts of Columbus Hall or more specifically you drank there
- if you knew where “Cox Tomb” was located
- if you remember the Haunted House at the Girl Scout Cabin
- if you partied at "the roofs" or "the mountain"
- if you ate at/remember Ralph Bishop's
- if you ate at/remember C&G's Restaurant
- if you remember the Sport Shop owned by Mr. Ruggles and it's various location (at old White Hen, at the Cullen block, at Cafe Dolce)
- if you played arcade games at said sport shop
- if you rode on/remember the mini bus


P.S. I'm sorry to have so many posts about Winchester
(also several assists to Winchester Alumni group on facebook)

Childhood Innocence

Just a cute story that I thought that I'd share with the family. For any non-family members, here's the preamble to the story. 'Cee' is my oldest son. He is seven years old and is adopted. He is bi-racial with light brown skin, dark hair and brown eyes. 'Jay' is my youngest. He is six years old and is about 11 months younger than his older brother. He is my biological son and is fair skinned, with light brown/sandy blond hair and blue eyes.

Last night, I took the boys to the Winchester Youth Football game at Woburn High. It was a fun night - tons of people, U-Mass marching band, N.E. Patriots cheerleaders, etc. Anyway, 'Cee' & 'Jay' met up with a very nice boy from Cee's pop warner football team. So, the three sat down and started talking. Having never met Cee's younger brother the boy asked, "Who is he?"
To which 'Jay' quickly interrupted, "I'm his brother (pointing to 'Cee'). He's my older brother, 'Cee'."
Dumbfounded, the boy turned to 'Cee' and said, "He doesn't look like your brother!"
Jay again excitedly interrupted, "He's...he's...he's adopted...and he's adopted and I'm his brother, 'Jay'."
'Cee' interjected, "Yeah, didn't you know?" (I suspect 'Cee' has just started to explain this to curious classmates)
The boy took a moment to figure out this apparent new development.
He turned to 'Jay', pointed and said, "Ohhhh, I get it. You're adopted. You're 'Cee's adopted brother."
Laughing, 'Cee' tried to put an end to this growing confusion. "No, No, No...can't you tell. I'M adopted. See, my daddy and brother look alike."
The boy looked at 'Cee' and said with the utmost sincerity, "Really, I think that you look like your dad." (motioning to me; Note: I'm also fair skinned with light hair and blue eyes)
'Cee' smiled and proceeded to straighten things out. However, the topic soon moved to something else.

I thought it was one of the sweetest, most innocent moments that I've ever witnessed, firsthand. This boy had never noticed that 'Cee's' skin color was different than mine (or I'm assuming his own) and he's seen us together many times. He seemed shocked, as it had obviously just never occurred to him.

My description will never do this story justice but it's one that I'll never forget.

Winchester Voted Awesomest Place On Earth!

In an unofficial poll, residents of Winchester, MA voted Winchester as the awesomest place on the planet. While unofficial, residents of Winchester are clearly very smart and extremely good looking people. So, Winchesterites, keep patting yourselves on the back!

BREAKING NEWS: LITTLE SUPERSTAR VIDEO EXTENDED VERSION!!!!

Hit the title link to see this extended video. I love hearing this little guy talk, like music to my ears....

Get ready Katmandu!

Some of you have seen this before. It is a list of lessons to learn before becoming a parent, for practice if you will. For the parents in the group, I am sure you recognize many of these scenarios. Katmandu and I are getting ready. Some of these are hilarious....

Lesson 1
Go to the supermarket.
Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
Go home.
Pick up the paper.
Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents.
Berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.

Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behavior. Enjoy it. It will be the last time in your life that you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
To discover how the nights will feel...
1. Walk around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
2. At 10PM, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3 AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. buy a live octopus and a small bag made of loose mesh
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this—all morning.

Lesson 6
1.Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a pot of paint, turn it into an alligator.
2. Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only scotch tape and a piece of foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle.
3. Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Lesson 7
Forget the BMW and buy a station wagon. And don’t think you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don’t look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the tape or CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car. There. Perfect.

Lesson 8
Get ready to go out.
1. Wait outside the bathroom for a half an hour.
2. Go out the front door.
3. Come in again
4. Go out
5. come back in
6. go back out again.
7. Walk down the front walk.
8. Walk back up it.
9. Walk back down it again.
10. Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes, stopping, inspecting minutely, and asking at least 6 questions about each cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way.
11. Retrace your steps.
12. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand, until the neighbours come out and stare at you.
13. Give up and go back into the house.

You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Lesson 9
Go to the local supermarket. Take with you the nearest thing you can find to a preschool child (a full grown goat is excellent) If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
1. buy your week’s groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
2. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.

Until you can accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 10
1. Make a small hole in the side of a melon and hollow it out.
2. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
3. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an aeroplane.
4. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
5. Tip half of the remainder into your lap. The other half just throw up into the air.
You are now ready to feed a 9-month old baby.

Lesson 11
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Barney, and Disney. Watch nothing else on TV for five years.

Lesson 12
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying “mommy” repeatedly. (important: no more than a four second delay between each “mommy”) An occasional crescendo to the volume of a supersonic jet is required.
Play this recording in your car everywhere you go for the next five years.

You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 13
Put on your finest work attire. Pick a day in which you have an important meeting.
1. Take a cup of cream, put in 1 cup of lemon juice, and stir.
2. Dump half of the mixture on your shirt, and saturate a towel with the other half.
3. Attempt to wipe off your shirt with the towel.
4. Do NOT change. You have no time.
5. Go directly to work.

Lesson 14
Go for a drive! But first…
1. Find one large tomcat and six pitbulls.
2. Borrow a child safety seat and put it in the back seat of your car.
3. Put the pitbulls in the front seat of your car.
4. While holding something fragile, strap the cat into the child seat.
5. Run some errands, removing and replacing the cat at each stop.

Greatest Football Team Ever

The title link is a video tribute to the greatest football team of all time.  No, not the Patriots, 49ers, Cowboys or the Steelers.  I'm talking about the 1986 (Massachusetts) MIAA Division 1 Superbowl Champions (11-0).  Yup, The mighty Winchester High School Sachems.  Between 1984-1986, these Sachems went 29-2 and never lost to the now "evil empire" - Woburn High (talk about a dynasty).  Click the post's title, "Greatest Football Team Ever" link for the most memorable highlight video ever.  While time marches on, these Sachems will be remembered by die hard football fans forever. Sorry In-Law, I know you're not from Winchester but (trust me) this team's triumphs and tribulations captured the hearts of a nation.

Old footage of our fabulous family

Since today is old video day.  I was digging through some old videos and found some pretty cool stuff.  I thought this was dated but blog-worthy.  Back in the day, I had some pretty sweet dance moves.  It's worth noting that even back then, my family was so supportive.  They were always cheering me on in every endeavor.  The good old days of life in India - I remember them well. Hit the title link to see little superstar on you tube

(assist to the "Little Superstar")

It's all about the kids.

After many conversations about childhood television shows recently with the family, I realized that no children on Nelson Street watched one of my favorite shows. As a Winchester outsider, and in light of Brother's post yesterday about being a parent, I felt it necessary to pay homage to the kids...Incorporated that is....any fans? (Hit the title tink for the cool Kids Inc. theme)

How Many Licks Does It Take To Get To The Center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?

I'm going with three but the world may never know.

Insane Parent

I had a very short fuse with my kids today. Actually, I screamed like an insane person. It didn't last particularly long but it was just not a good scene.

There are a number of potential explanations for my insanity:

1.) My wife just increased her hours at work and it was a bit of an adjustment for everyone.

2.) We were all over tired. The kids are still getting used to longer school days (summer transition) and I was on the blog/facebook late last night.

3.) Maybe it's stress from work - it would be nice to be a little busier.
4.) I went 0-2 in fantasy football this past weekend.

5.) the list goes on

I've had a chance to think about this. I think that parents that scream at their kids are doing it because, "they can." These parents (me) go all day wanting to scream at many different annoyances but we don't - we can't.You can't scream at the gas station attendant because of his station's high prices. You can't berate the store clerk that doesn't offer to bag your purchased items. Society doesn't work that way. Instead, all this baggage just gets carried around. Unfortunately, kids are the exception.

It's obviously not fair and it's sad. I actually don't even know if this is completely true but I do know that my kids didn't deserve to be screamed at by their father. Don't get me wrong, they were being pesty. That being said, I can't even remember what atrocity they committed. I can't even remember?!?

The amazing thing about this whole scene is that minutes later, we were all laying on the couch wrapped in a blanket, watching television. The three of us tightly squeezed together, laughing, watching "Phineas and Ferb." It was as if my rant never happened. The kids were as happy as can be. Within minutes, I had received total absolution; no questions asked.

Kids are amazing. My kids are truly amazing. I shall do better...

Being a family blog and all, lends itself to one question...which Brady are you? I consider myself a solid Peter. Katmandu?... definitely a Cindy.

Is it bad that I feel A LOT of pressure writing this post? I mean, that's bad right? I don't know what is wrong with me- I have the same fear of posting on fb. Maybe it's because I am such a rule follower & I'm not exactly sure about the rules of "blogging." More likely though it's because I am all too aware of how terribly lame I am. Whatever the case, I may be lame but I am also competitive & since "In law" posted I figure I have to put something up so that he doesn't "win." (Win what, I am not exactly sure). Maybe while we get used to the whole blogging thing we would feel a bit more comfortable chatting about something that we all feel love talking about.... FARTS!

I did not go to WHS, I have never lived on Nelson Street, Coach Scanlon tought me nothing, I have never speed skated, and I do not remember Bandit. As an outsider, I offer the non-Winchester native view of the world. I am In Law.

Gettin' Back In The Saddle

I'm sooo glad to now have a "new" forum for sharing more of my random thoughts with my fam (and anyone else who might be interested). Although we are fortunate to see each other often, I sometimes feel that I've not had an adequate opportunity to share ALL of my thoughts at any given time. And I have lots of them :) To put it bluntly, I am sometimes unable to gain the center of the stage. With a big fam, it can be a battle you know! But I sure do try! So this might just be the perfect forum for me. And tonight I have some thoughts I'd like to share. And if I had seen you in person, I think these thoughts would have warranted center stage. Read along if your interested. Or even if you're not.

Over the last few days/weeks I've had a nagging feeling of sadness. Not even enjoying fb in the same way that I had over the last months (although I wasn't sure if I was just resisting the new fb layout!). I had even begun to lose my competitive edge in wanting to have more fb friends than the other members of the fam (with the exception of A, 'cause I know the rest of us will never get there). Wasn't sure if these feelings were related to the ending of summer maybe? I mean, where did the summer go?? Then last night, a big blow. And with this blow, the above feelings became all the more prominent. I lost a fb friend. And for those of you who haven't experienced this, it's painful. The panic associated with looking for a friend who has poofed off of the pages of your friends list is horrible. I wasn't sure how to rid myself of this sadness. I knew I needed to do something about these feelings.

Anyhoo, this was all changed in an instant, without much effort on my part, upon the completion of my work day. I was driving home from work this afternoon (Is 6:40pm still considered afternoon??) and the above feelings were banished. Thank God! I hate yucky feelings! The clouds were scattered in an amazing pattern with a fabulous glow from a sleepy sun. The hue around me was like none I'd seen before. Suddenly, one glorious ray poked out from the masses of clouds and painted a pathway of light for me to follow along Main St. (from Medford), serving to guide me along the remainder of my short journey to my Winchester destination. It was amazing!! The nagging ickyness began draining from within. A feeling of happiness took hold, for I became overwhelmed with the feeling that the summer had been fabulous (I mean, rowing around in an almost sinking Dory boat with the fam cannot be beat :) and that the fall would surely be as well. Sadness be gone!!

And with this, I knew I felt different than I had over the last several days. The light had drawn me. I became thrilled by the idea of getting home to get onto fb and to log into this new site. I hadn't felt like this in a while :) I was motivated to get "back in the saddle". So here I am. The thought of reconnecting with some long lost friends has a new excitement. I'm in quite a better place. Ready to steal some friends :) Not to mention, I'm now ready to go and seek out a lost fb friend!

Pilot Post

It's tough to be the first post on any blog but I'll attempt to start things off.

I'm addicted to facebook.  I never thought that it could happen to me.  I'm forty years old, I have a wife and kids and I played high school football.  In fact, I once mocked fellow facebookers.  Simply put, I thought it was a lame way to communicate with people. I thought it was solely for high school kids to get themselves in trouble for posting stupid, drunk pictures of themselves.

Now, I can't wait to see if old classmates accepted my "friend requests", wrote on my "wall" or sent me "bumper stickers".  I've contacted people that I haven't talked to in over twenty-five years.  In fact, I've contacted people that I might not talk to if we were in the same crowded room.

I love the randomness of selecting "facebook friends."  It's too funny.  I look at at a list of old friends/acquaintances/classmates and eventually determine who I want to be my new "e-friend" and others that I prefer to ignore (for the time being).  There is usually no specific rhyme or reason.  After the "friend request", there's still no guarantee that my selection will accept my generous invitation. Likewise, it's often comical to see which person "friend requests" me.  I have yet to ignore any such request.  Although, I suspect that I've actually been ignored a couple of time.  People can be so cruel. 

Sadly, I find it impossible not to get competitive with my sisters (just two of 'em) over the number of "facebook friends" that we've compiled - I totally admit to "jacking" their friends.  I realize that this is shallow and it perhaps goes against the true spirit of facebook.  I'm working on this... However, my sisters are clearly way more competitive than myself.  So, there are sicker people out there...

I'm still trying to makes sense of this whole facebook concept.  At times, I feel like an old man trying to navigate the site.  I'm certainly glad that I've reconnected with a lot of great people. That being said, I still can't help feeling a bit pathetic; anxiously waiting to see if someone truly wants to be my "e-friend."  Like a modern day Willie Loman, hoping to be liked and accepted by all.