Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Recent conversations

A snapshot of some of the conversations I've had recently...

  • I'll admit it, I have been watching the new version of 90210.  Honestly, it's not that bad.  It's not going to win any awards for the writing, but with being three shows in, it might be added to the Tuesday night watch list.  Anyway, on the show one of the characters from the original show has a child but the audience doesn't know who the father is.  Last week we found out and after the show gets over, I get a text from a fellow fan (names changed to protect the innocent.  We'll call him Rick:-)).  And it goes a little something like this:
Rick: Did you notice that Dixon lives in the Walsh house?  And Dylan's the father of the baby huh?

Me: I didn't notice that but all they really said was Kelly was still in love with Dylan.  They could be trying to pull a fast one.

(I go back and read what I just sent him)

Me: You know, I just reread what I wrote and I can't believe at 29 I just sent that kind of text message.  

Rick: You know I'm 32 right?
  • In recounting this conversation to some coworkers at lunch, Lori Loughlin's name came up as she plays the mom in the series.  One of them starts telling a story about how, over the weekend, she was at a friend's house and he popped in a tape of her in some movie with BMX riders and they did this dance at the school.  I stopped her and said, "If you are about to say you were watching the movie RAD..."  "Yes!"  The lunch conversation suddenly turned to my face being completely red recounting how when either me or my brother were sick from school, we'd ask our parents to goto Eastside Video and if nothing good was out, we'd ask them to rent RAD.  It's not that either of us were really into BMX racing but, for me, that movies has some cheesy feel good moments that as a kid, you thought they were pretty cool.  So prepare yourselves for a trip back to 80s!  In all it's awesomeness, I give you the video this coworker found on YouTube today.  


  • My brother sent me this link to a CNN article about a woman in NYC who's started a series of monthly meals at local restaurants where people with food allergies can go and have a "Worry Free Dinner".  Awesome idea and in talking with someone from RIT a few weeks ago, there have been a few families in Rochester that have been getting together and going to "safe" restaurants.  During the conversation she invites me to one of their dinners and says it would be good for the parents to see that their child can grow up and survive (and eat a lot but I didn't say that and we've been covering that in the blog already).  As I read further into her blog, I started thinking about what I might say to the parents.  It would probably center around, "You're child is going to grow up and meet some awesome people including great waiters, waitresses, hostesses, managers, owners, chefs, and executive chefs.  While some of these people will do thier best, mistakes will happen.  It's beyond your control.  And then they'll meet the people who will blow your son or daughter off, and that makes the decision real easy on where to eat because it sure ain't going to be there.  9 times out of 10 they will be helpful and you'll have a great meal.  But every now again, you'll have to get back in your car and find anohter restaurant."  There's some other things that came to mind but then this post hit me.  I was like, YES!  This girl hit the nail right on the head.  Each restaurant is like a Cheers experience!  I don't goto the lengths that this woman recommends but I do make sure before walking out that the person who helped me gets a handshake, a nice tip (key part for helping future allergy customers!), and a promise to come back.  I honestly wouldn't change this part of my life.  I've honestly never prayed at night and asked God to take them away.  I'm kind of shocked right now realizing that but it's the truth.  People who are close to me have been great at accepting it and even supporting it.  When I say, "Thank you for thinking of me", I hope you realize that I truly appreciate your efforts, thoughts, and anxiety that goes into it. 
Heading home to Wynantskill soon and one of my goals is to pull out some old classic pictures of the family.  Hopefully should have that post up in beginning of October.  Thanks for reading.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

August Updates

It's been a busy month but wanted to get some updates to you all:

  • I've always wanted to take one of those before and after weight related pictures.  You know the ones where people are standing inside their own pants they used to wear.  To update on the weight loss, I've dropped either 4 or 8 pants sizes from a 42 to a 36.  The confusion comes from the fact that, while I do watch Project Runway and keep up with the "lingo" (Thanks Pratt), I have no idea if since they don't make 41, 39, or 37, do those count?  Anyway, not quite ready for that pic but I've kept the size 42 pants and will be posting that one day.  Still got some work to go.
  • Amy has joined us back on the east coast.  This move has taken her to Boston where she's working for another location of the mediation firm she worked for in Los Angeles.  From talking to her today, she sounds like she loves it.  Her apartment is right near Harvard and has easy access to a lot of parts of Boston.  She's taking more and more advantage of the city each day and is continuing to make connections with various people out there.  Sounds like it's going to be a good fit for her which the family is very happy about.  
  • Say a little prayer for my dad who's up for reelection to the North Greenbush Democrat Committee.  Working as the chairperson for the past couple of years, he's hoping that on Tuesday, the people of the town will vote him back onto the committee to continue the good work that he's done.  Good luck dad!
  • Just noticed that those pictures from Brian's wedding aren't coming through correctly, I'll get on that.
  • A shoutout one group of people who I've been spending a lot of time with over the past couple of weeks.  In moving from the residence halls to the apartment area, I now work with Community Advocates who have some similarities to a RA in the Residence Hall.  I just wanted to thank them again for a great training and some good laughs.  
  • A lot has changed since the days of CCHS Varsity Golf.  Nowadays, I've been playing in the RIT Faculty Staff Golf League.  Each season they do two competitions, a Skins Game and a Team League Championship.  Well, I am apparently the first person in the league to win the whole skins game.  Usually the prize is split between a few people but thanks to what had to be a lucky bounce here or there, I won the whole thing.  Then I went 2 for 2 by being part of the winning team for the league championship.  It's been a good golf year:-)
That's about it for now.  Keep on rockin wherever you are...

-Jeff