Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The List of things I'm thankful for.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Last night was our temple's annual ecumenical service. It was such a wonderful night. We had in our Jewish temple those of the Christian (Presbyterian, Church of God, Catholic), Islamic (2 different mosques were represented) and Buddhist traditions. It was beautiful. It is probably the single best thing our synagogue does for our community.
If led me to start thinking of all the things I am thankful for. Since I love lists so much, here's my list for this year (except for the first 5, they are not in order of importance).
Tracey - No one can ask for a better wife and partner. She lives with so much of my crap...it is truly amazing. She is so remarkable, so wonderful, so intelligent that it astounds me that she married me.
My boys - Too damn smart for their own good. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams with souls who are evolving into outstanding men, in spite of me.
My family - Hey, got a great dad, great mom, great step mom, great brothers and sisters (in all their different flavors). I know I'm not the best at staying in touch, but I do love them all.
G_d - Hey, I'm still alive. I guess that counts for something. I still have a job and I still have a house. And if it weren't for the blessings from the guy (or girl) upstairs, none of that would be the case.
My friends - I have to be the luckiest man on the planet to have so many wonderful, wonderful friends. Whether they be ones I've known for years and years (TD, Jimmy, Carla), those I've known for years (Richard B., Randy S., Hal S., Dougie, Bill L., the Schneiders) or those who happened on the scene relatively lately (the incomparable Rees', Mike R.), I have been supported in so many ways that it is awe-inspiring. I just hope I am half the friend they have all been to me.
Rahm Emmanuel, Charles Shumer, moveon.org, DNC, etc. - getting great candidates, giving them a boatload of money, organizing volunteers from all over the nation. What can I say, I am giddy that Democrats are back in charge of the House and Senate. Now, we just need to take the Presidency in 2008.
The Braves - Yeah, I know we didn't make the playoffs this year. But it was still a wonderful season filled with so much promise for the future. Just don't give out any stupid contracts (i.e. Gary Matthews Jr getting 10 mil/year....yikes!).
The Thrashers - I'm watching you right now. I love hockey. I want these guys to finally make the playoffs.
My fellow TKE Board members - OK, so I lose it from time to time in Board meetings. By now, you should know I have to blow off steam about every two months or so. I am surrounded by an amazing group of volunteers who work their asses off for my synagogue. We have made tough decisions, and have even tougher ones in front of us. May we not screw it up.
Froomkin and Kurtz - My daily Washington Post blogs fix.
Peter Gammons/Buster Olney/Jayson Stark - My daily ESPN.com baseball fix.
The Georgia Lottery - for allowing me to win Fantasy Five tonight.....PLEASE!!!!
Georgia Tech - Great year of sports for a fan like myself. Baseball team making it to Omaha, football team winning the ACC Coastal title, basketball team getting enough players from recruiting to no longer suck. I'm a happy camper, especially if we beat UGA on Saturday.
My friends on the WNNDL - We have generally been together via e-mail for a decade now. Always insightful, even if the show is not anywhere near the inspiration it was in years past. And if anyone noticed, no October ugliness.
Pat Rasp and Susan from Group1 - Made my postal conference a blast. Nods also go to Mark Bailey. Now, maybe next year everyone will not be moved to squawk "AFLACCCC" whenever I walk into a room.
Pat McCay - She is easily the BEST at what she does. She is kind, smart, understanding and a real gift to those who work with her. If you have Geac knowledge at all, contact this woman and work for her if at all possible.
Ruben and Leslie and Rebekah H. - Thank you so much for including Tracey, the boys and myself on your celebration. It was wonderful. And it was fun talking to Bob Rathman (Fox voice of the Braves and Hawks).
The folks down at AFLAC - especially Ron M. and Dennis R. for trying to keep the wolves at bay.
The cats - What would life be without Sipsey, Little Bit, Snitch and Ollie? I can only hope Serendipity joins us soon.
And finally, Aretha. Run Aretha, run!!!
All in all, not an altogether bad year.
If led me to start thinking of all the things I am thankful for. Since I love lists so much, here's my list for this year (except for the first 5, they are not in order of importance).
Tracey - No one can ask for a better wife and partner. She lives with so much of my crap...it is truly amazing. She is so remarkable, so wonderful, so intelligent that it astounds me that she married me.
My boys - Too damn smart for their own good. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams with souls who are evolving into outstanding men, in spite of me.
My family - Hey, got a great dad, great mom, great step mom, great brothers and sisters (in all their different flavors). I know I'm not the best at staying in touch, but I do love them all.
G_d - Hey, I'm still alive. I guess that counts for something. I still have a job and I still have a house. And if it weren't for the blessings from the guy (or girl) upstairs, none of that would be the case.
My friends - I have to be the luckiest man on the planet to have so many wonderful, wonderful friends. Whether they be ones I've known for years and years (TD, Jimmy, Carla), those I've known for years (Richard B., Randy S., Hal S., Dougie, Bill L., the Schneiders) or those who happened on the scene relatively lately (the incomparable Rees', Mike R.), I have been supported in so many ways that it is awe-inspiring. I just hope I am half the friend they have all been to me.
Rahm Emmanuel, Charles Shumer, moveon.org, DNC, etc. - getting great candidates, giving them a boatload of money, organizing volunteers from all over the nation. What can I say, I am giddy that Democrats are back in charge of the House and Senate. Now, we just need to take the Presidency in 2008.
The Braves - Yeah, I know we didn't make the playoffs this year. But it was still a wonderful season filled with so much promise for the future. Just don't give out any stupid contracts (i.e. Gary Matthews Jr getting 10 mil/year....yikes!).
The Thrashers - I'm watching you right now. I love hockey. I want these guys to finally make the playoffs.
My fellow TKE Board members - OK, so I lose it from time to time in Board meetings. By now, you should know I have to blow off steam about every two months or so. I am surrounded by an amazing group of volunteers who work their asses off for my synagogue. We have made tough decisions, and have even tougher ones in front of us. May we not screw it up.
Froomkin and Kurtz - My daily Washington Post blogs fix.
Peter Gammons/Buster Olney/Jayson Stark - My daily ESPN.com baseball fix.
The Georgia Lottery - for allowing me to win Fantasy Five tonight.....PLEASE!!!!
Georgia Tech - Great year of sports for a fan like myself. Baseball team making it to Omaha, football team winning the ACC Coastal title, basketball team getting enough players from recruiting to no longer suck. I'm a happy camper, especially if we beat UGA on Saturday.
My friends on the WNNDL - We have generally been together via e-mail for a decade now. Always insightful, even if the show is not anywhere near the inspiration it was in years past. And if anyone noticed, no October ugliness.
Pat Rasp and Susan from Group1 - Made my postal conference a blast. Nods also go to Mark Bailey. Now, maybe next year everyone will not be moved to squawk "AFLACCCC" whenever I walk into a room.
Pat McCay - She is easily the BEST at what she does. She is kind, smart, understanding and a real gift to those who work with her. If you have Geac knowledge at all, contact this woman and work for her if at all possible.
Ruben and Leslie and Rebekah H. - Thank you so much for including Tracey, the boys and myself on your celebration. It was wonderful. And it was fun talking to Bob Rathman (Fox voice of the Braves and Hawks).
The folks down at AFLAC - especially Ron M. and Dennis R. for trying to keep the wolves at bay.
The cats - What would life be without Sipsey, Little Bit, Snitch and Ollie? I can only hope Serendipity joins us soon.
And finally, Aretha. Run Aretha, run!!!
All in all, not an altogether bad year.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Schembechler's Dead!!!!
Rest in Peace Bo. You brought joy to those of us who are fans of the Blue.
Go BLUE!!!
Go BLUE!!!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Catching Up on a long week
This has been an exhausting, crazy, eventful, busy week.
First, I started my second job this week. Having two tasks is more tiring than I had imagined. The major difference between working for one group 12 hours a day and two groups 8.5 and 4 hours day is amazing. I think it is the switching of gears which makes it harder. I have to change my mindset a bit between the two assignments and try my best not to confuse the issues. I'll get used to it, and actually it's nice to play with the software I'm so used to after a few years of being away from it.
Second, I've been getting ready for my synagogues Casino Night, which I got roped into heading. It has been damn near impossible for me to do a first rate job on this. I just don't have the time anymore to take on these type of responsibilities given my other responsibilities at home, work and synagogue. I believe this will be the last event I will allow myself to be in charge of. I'm going to hand over the golf tournament to Lon Goodman and find someone to assist him. I've already turned down taking on the added responsibility of a second position at the shul because of my now chock schedule.
Third, I went to shul last night. I was amazingly struck by the evening. There is something seriously missing at the synagogue right now. I think I know what it is, but I have no idea how to solve the problem.
Finally, WE WON!!!!! And by we, I mean American's. My dear friend and staunch Republican came up to me last night and congratulated me on the Democrats taking the House and Senate in the current elections. I am pretty giddy about this, because I truly believe that the Republicans in charge of every facet of government was a HORRIBLE thing. The amount of corruption and general wrong-headedness which they showed was beyond my comprehension. I'm made over 100 phone calls in moveon.org's GOTV effort. I've I made even the smallest difference, it was more than worth it.
I'm so looking forward to sleep. I need much, much, much sleep at some point. Too bad it won't be tonight.
First, I started my second job this week. Having two tasks is more tiring than I had imagined. The major difference between working for one group 12 hours a day and two groups 8.5 and 4 hours day is amazing. I think it is the switching of gears which makes it harder. I have to change my mindset a bit between the two assignments and try my best not to confuse the issues. I'll get used to it, and actually it's nice to play with the software I'm so used to after a few years of being away from it.
Second, I've been getting ready for my synagogues Casino Night, which I got roped into heading. It has been damn near impossible for me to do a first rate job on this. I just don't have the time anymore to take on these type of responsibilities given my other responsibilities at home, work and synagogue. I believe this will be the last event I will allow myself to be in charge of. I'm going to hand over the golf tournament to Lon Goodman and find someone to assist him. I've already turned down taking on the added responsibility of a second position at the shul because of my now chock schedule.
Third, I went to shul last night. I was amazingly struck by the evening. There is something seriously missing at the synagogue right now. I think I know what it is, but I have no idea how to solve the problem.
Finally, WE WON!!!!! And by we, I mean American's. My dear friend and staunch Republican came up to me last night and congratulated me on the Democrats taking the House and Senate in the current elections. I am pretty giddy about this, because I truly believe that the Republicans in charge of every facet of government was a HORRIBLE thing. The amount of corruption and general wrong-headedness which they showed was beyond my comprehension. I'm made over 100 phone calls in moveon.org's GOTV effort. I've I made even the smallest difference, it was more than worth it.
I'm so looking forward to sleep. I need much, much, much sleep at some point. Too bad it won't be tonight.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Jetlag and my voice
Well, I took a trip and have successfully come home feeling the effects of jetlag. Actually, the effect is my constant problem of not being able to sleep when away from home. I'm beyond tired at this point. I could sleep for the next few hours, days, weeks. But I can't. This weekend is too important to me.
As you can tell, I'm all about this election and changing Congress. I'm going to do whatever I need to in order for us to get a government not out to take away our liberties and turn the world even more against us. So I'm doing get out the vote calls for moveon.org. I'm going to be volunteering for a local candidate. I'm going to be helping get out the vote on Election Day. Anything I can do, I'll do.
Now, doing the calls can be a blast, or horrible, depending on who you call. But today, I had a call that I will always remember. The calls was to Rhode Island in support of Sheldon Whitehouse. The woman I talked to was probably in her 70's. She was leaning toward voting for Mr. Whitehouse, but I think mostly she just wanted to talk. During the call, she asked why I wasn't running for office. I told her that Tracey wouldn't let me. We continued to talk, and then it was time to end the call. She said that I was very nice, and that I had a sexy voice. At this point, I started laughing and had trouble stopping.
After the call, Tracey asked me what was so funny. I told her what happened, and she had just as good a laugh as I did.
It's a call like that which makes it worth it. And if Tuesday night ends up being as good as I hope it will, everything will be worth it.
As you can tell, I'm all about this election and changing Congress. I'm going to do whatever I need to in order for us to get a government not out to take away our liberties and turn the world even more against us. So I'm doing get out the vote calls for moveon.org. I'm going to be volunteering for a local candidate. I'm going to be helping get out the vote on Election Day. Anything I can do, I'll do.
Now, doing the calls can be a blast, or horrible, depending on who you call. But today, I had a call that I will always remember. The calls was to Rhode Island in support of Sheldon Whitehouse. The woman I talked to was probably in her 70's. She was leaning toward voting for Mr. Whitehouse, but I think mostly she just wanted to talk. During the call, she asked why I wasn't running for office. I told her that Tracey wouldn't let me. We continued to talk, and then it was time to end the call. She said that I was very nice, and that I had a sexy voice. At this point, I started laughing and had trouble stopping.
After the call, Tracey asked me what was so funny. I told her what happened, and she had just as good a laugh as I did.
It's a call like that which makes it worth it. And if Tuesday night ends up being as good as I hope it will, everything will be worth it.
