Welcome To The Newest Member Of The Spain Family!

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Avon Barksdale (apparantly a reference to the HBO show "The Wire")!  Chris and Stacy recently added this puppy to thier lives.  Looks like he'll make for some good stories.  That innocent face will only go so far...

Congrats:-) 

Mobile Blogging

This could be dangerous. Pics, videos, crazy on the road stories....

Problem is that I'm just sitting in front of my computer procrastinating some cleaning. I have a feeling this will come in handy one day though.

Time to get the unlimited text messaging plan!

Have a great day whereever you might be reading this:-)

-Jeff

Me and My Brother

28 years and 13 days ago, Christopher Manion Spain was brought into the world. A blonde haired, blue eyed, bundle of joy. Not knowing what the world was in for, his older brother has been along for this ride of sports, California, and the honing of argumentative skills (yes, that's a politically correct way to say that we fought like any two young brothers do).

Now I have to remember that as I write this, I'm going to give this guy a "best man's" speech one day so I'm not going to share everything. I'm going to hold on to some stories, some insight, and some pictures, but he requested that I update this blog so he has something to read in class at law school. And I have no problem accommodating that wish with some stories about the two of us growing up...

• I think if YouTube or America's Funniest Home Videos existed back in our early days, our parents could have made us celebrities for some of the stupid fights we used to get into. Some were epic, but most were over the smallest stuff. Really, it would be the names we called each other that would win us the money. For our future careers and wives, I'm not even going to post an example.
• There is one fight that is still talked about to this day. It is the fight that brings a laughing "Don't you bring that up!" from my mom (She's probably doing it right now. It's ok mom. Put the hand down that you just put to your mouth after you did your "OH!"). It's a fight that involves drama, a misunderstood hero (me), a cackling anti-hero (Chris), and a shower. It's the infamous, the legendary, "Seabrook Fight". A little backstory that you may need to understand the epicness of this fight:

1. As a kid (ok, maybe still as an adult), I took long showers. It was the only place to get some peace and quiet in our house.
2. Each summer as a family we would travel to Seabrook, New Hampshire for a vacation. We would rent a house close to the beach.
3. I think one of the goals of each fight was to scream whatever we were saying at a level that attempted to exceed the others pitiful attempt. Chris never usually threw the temper tantrum along with it. I'll admit that it usually came out of me but...

The day at the beach had finished like any other and we headed back to the house to shower before going to dinner. I hopped in before my brother and enjoyed the quietness. After a while Chris comes barging in (cue anti-hero theme). Now usually the yelling match would ensue but I swear to you, I kept it calm. I honestly don't remember raising my voice. But Chris started in on the fact that he needed to shower before our dinner reservations in, oh, 15 minutes (cue dramatic camera shots that sweep back and forth between the two of us. But they're clean camera shots because, yes, I'm in the shower). Still maintaining my calm to his yelling, the curtain suddenly flies open and he rips me right out of the still running shower. Next comes another voice into the bathroom and one arm that grabs a stark naked me and another arm that grabs my brother. My mom enters and immediately starts in on me (Cue flashback that would show, statistically, she picked the right kid). I then lose it and, still naked, go absolutely batty. I mean we're talking purple in the face because I don't think I even stop to breathe nuts that she's even going to blame this on me. Over her shoulder I see Chris with a big smile on his face (that's right, I saw it) as she throws me into the closest bedroom and shuts the door behind her. (And yes, still, no clothes, no towel). The purple only changes to red because I do take a breath but continue to scream. (side note: I just realized that sometimes my parents probably just let us keep screaming at each other because they knew it would tire us right out. Hmmm). I eventually do stop the crying (oh yes, there were tears) and screaming but for many years, I held onto the innocence that I did not cause the fight to begin. I held onto the innocence that it was not my voice that brought her in from outside. Nay, the only thing I was guilty of was having a brother who probably got more enjoyment out that moment than any home run he hit before that, any basket he made in basketball, or any A he got on a test.

And then I grew up and realized that I did a lot wrong in this situation but I have yet to hear any admission from him that it was his voice that started the whole thing. How about this Chris, I admit to, as a kid, taking money from where you hid it (tucked in the St. Louis Cardinals flag that used to be attached to the ceiling) to rent a video game if you admit to your involvement in the "Seabrook Fight". (Cue camera going to a smile on his face and credits right before he admits it).

• Another Chris and Jeff Spain story involves no fighting but simply a Strike 3 call. I was an umpire for little league as a young teenager. My very first game out of a quick, informal training session, was the championship game of my brother's league. Oh, and my dad was also the coach of my brother's team. You could not have written a better scenario in a movie as the game headed to the bottom of the 6th, 2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and my brother stepping to the plate. Having the flashback in my head right now, I even think I remember my mom saying in a soft, very gentle way behind me, "Call it fair Jeffrey". Again, I kid you not, it goes to a legitimate full count. Pitcher winds up, throws, and puts this ball wayyyy off the plate. To be honest, I think I even made the call before the ball got to the plate. "Strike three" I call. It wasn't like a "SSSTTTRRRIIIKKKEEEE TTTHHHREEEEE!!!". It was more like a soft, "strike thre" (leaving the last e off for emphasis). But at the same time it was uncontrollable. I don't think I consciously choose to call him out. My mind just took over and I remember looking down at my count clicker to click in the third strike and the last out of the game. The other team erupts. My mom immediately puts me in a car and drives me home. I think the first words out of my dad's mouth when he got home were in a very dad like way, "How far outside was that pitch?". Chris on the other hand, I may still have a shoulder twitch from the amount of times would would walk by me and "accidentally" knock his shoulder into mine.

There are a ton more stories but, again, I've got to save them for when I've got a packed house and a microphone in my hand. But I will leave you and him with this.

Chris may be a saint. He's been a great brother but in a few ways I'm comfortable mentioning here: He respectfully sat through numerous plays and musicals. He never used my allergies to his benefit. Most recently, he's been a voice that not too many people are comfortable being as I go through some life changes. He has been and will continue to be a great resource, a great friend, and a great brother. Much love to you on your birthday and every day. Keep on rockin to your "lack of a bass beat" music out in California. Say hello to Stacy for me. Never stop doing what you're doing. Thanks and have fun in class.

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.

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

Happy Birthday Dad!

From the now infamous YMCA dance at Brian's Wedding. From the left, the birthday boy, Uncle Paul, Brian's new father-in-law, Brian, and Uncle Joe.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Congrats to Brian and Jamie Manion

This past weekend I was briefly in Chicago for my cousin Brian's wedding. Great time connecting with friends and family. It was a weekend of good chats, good drinks, and good times. Here are some pictures from the event...

The Manion clan. Thanks to the angle of the camera, Andrea, Patick's wife, is blocked by Brian's head. Andrea does though get a special thank you for taking me back to my swing dancing days and even teaching me a new move!

One of the pictures that didn't come out was at the reception, the DJ pulls together a few of the Uncles, turns on YMCA, and dresses them up in costume. Hilarious moment that may need to be done at future weddings.

Alrighty so, this pic just shows a skyscraper. But, if you open it up you'll see why I took it. During the walk around Chicago, we came upon some ropes dangling from a building and water on the ground. We thought, oh, cleaning windows. Then in looking up, they sure are cleaning windows, THEY'RE ONLY HANGING BY A ROPE! There's no platform, no "at least I've got a piece of metal that I can stand on that seperates me from the ground", nothing! Just a rope.

So I'm in the bathroom (Never thought I'd write about a bathroom in this blog) at the reception, and as I turn to look for the sink, I see this sign. This place from the 1900s has apparantly had some pretty important people do there thing there. Just an interesting way to say, "Yep, this bathroom has been here for a while." A lot of history at the place and they did a good job with thier wedding reception.

So congrats again to Brian and Jamie! Thanks to both families for a great weekend!

So do I still need the personal trainer?

Update on the health front:

• I've hired a personal trainer and yes, she is kicking my butt. But it's in a gentle kind of way. It's almost that she says one thing but I feel like in her head she's screaming, "COME ON WIMP! I DON'T CARE IF YOUR ARMS ARE SHAKING." She's doing a great job and I highly recommend her.
• But do I really need the personal trainer? Maybe the drums weren't a bad investment. Check this out!

Hey Buffalo Based Readers

If you live in Buffalo and are reading this Tuesday, August 5, head on down to Nietzsche's (248 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY) this Tuesday. A fellow "higher ed"er is performing his stand-up comedy routine. After a bunch of Residence Life folks got together today at RIT for a "presentation", I got chatting with Chad Dispenza who works at SUNY Geneseo. Chad and I met through some NEACUHO stuff and he mentioned he reads the blog! In response, I told him I'd plug the show! Gonna try to actually make the trip myself but don't know yet. Show runs 8:30-10:00pm-ish. 10 comics, $3.