Category Archives: Relationships

Back to the future

Posted on December 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

Emma, I have seen your future, and you are a success!

Let me explain.

Emma reindeer antlersMy brother recently posted this picture of his granddaughter Emma sporting reindeer antlers at her school’s Christmas concert.  Her holiday headgear and mischievous smile reveal a lot — a fun-loving, entertaining youngest child.

Sound familiar?

No, I’m not talking about me (although as the baby of the family, I have been known to grab the spotlight from time to time).   I mean Emma’s actual doppelganger.

I’ve met her.

stacey sharerThis is Stacey.

She’s an MBA candidate at the Boston University School of Management.  And when I showed her Emma’s photo, she was quick to agree that the two were kindred spirits.

Emma, you are in excellent company.

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Posted in Children, College, dreams, Education, Family, Friends, Holiday, Humor, Life, Relationships

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Misery has company

Posted on December 15, 2012 | 1 Comment

I spent my Saturday morning in the dentist chair.

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I lost a filling. My dentist had a replacement.

This is notable only because my dog Rory is scheduled for dental surgery on Friday.  He has an abscess, and has been dealing with it for a few weeks because the doggy dental surgeon was booked.

I felt bad for him before, and after having a sore, sensitive mouth for only three days, now I feel worse.

My dog is a much better person than I am.  This isn’t the first time I have been painfully aware of the fact.

We’ll make it all better soon, bubba.

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Posted in Animals, Dogs, Family, Health, Life, Relationships

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And counting…

Posted on December 2, 2012 | 1 Comment

14 diamonds14 diamonds

 

 

 

 

Apollo14patch 14th flight

 

 

 

14 celebration14 minutes of fireworks

 

 

 

drum 14Drum ’14′ (no clue)

 

 

 

 

Rory Dog 14The best dog on the planet for 14 straight years…

Happy Birthday, Rory Dog!

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Posted in Dogs, Family, Friends, Life, Love, Relationships

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Taxi talk

Posted on November 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Cause or effect?

Do I tend to get chatty cab drivers…or make cab drivers more chatty?

Regardless, my conversation with George — who drove me to the train station today in Paoli, Pennsylvania — now puts me at two degrees of separation from Beyonce herself.

Put a ring on that.

George’s nephew is one of Beyonce’s dancers..and is currently featured on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition. Abby is the Abby Lee of Dance Moms fame. I’ve seen one episode of Ultimate, but of course didn’t realize I was gazing upon George’s nephew.

George himself is a DJ: he says the entire family is musical. And everyone is mighty proud of their boy for his work with Beyonce…as they should be.

Regardless of the reason, I’m glad George got chatty with me.  What a fun story!

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Posted in Celebrities, dancing, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Relationships, Television, transportation, Travel

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Face facts

Posted on November 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

I saw Snuffles twin at Rockefeller Center today.

Well, perhaps ancestor is the better word.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s Snuffles on the left — on the right, the brand spanking new version from Gund. I saw a little girl carrying him in a shopping bag near the ice rink. She had ‘adopted’ him from the Central Park Zoo.

What a difference two decades can make.

The newer version is obviously fluffier and puffier and whiter, his ears a bit perkier, his eyes shiny and direct.  But his mouth is stitched down flat, whereas my Snuffles smile is a moveable thread…so he can smile, frown, smirk, pout — whatever he’s feeling that day.

I mean, look at that face — so expressive.

But I’m sure after ten years or so, that new Gund bear will start showing some personality, too.

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Posted in Animals, Children, Humor, Life, Relationships, Toys

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A failure to communicate

Posted on November 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

So, I was waiting to board my flight home at O’Hare today when I witnessed this little scene in the gate area:

A kind-looking woman in her 60′s complimented a young boy of 4 or 5 on his cap. It was a mustard yellow corduroy, a twin of the hat his father was wearing.

But he just stared at her.

She said a few more words, smiling, encouraging him to interact. Nothing. And all I could think was — we have taught kids today to be so wary of strangers,  he was too frightened to even say ‘thank you’ to an innocent compliment.

A few minutes later, the woman left the area.  And the little boy’s father leaned over and started talking to him…and whatever he said, it certainly wasn’t English.

Huh.  I guess not speaking the language could be a reason, too.

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Posted in Airplanes, Children, Humor, Life, Relationships, Travel

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Color your view

Posted on October 8, 2012 | 2 Comments

I saw The Oranges at the theatre yesterday.

If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a comedy starring Hugh Laurie, Oliver Platt, Alison Janney, Catherine Keener, Adam Brody, and Leighton Meester.

So there are a few good reasons to see it.

But some people argue that the subject matter of this comedy might be a reason not to.

In this farce — and believe me, it is really funny — the close friendship of two families is challenged when the dad from family #1 has an affair with the college-aged daughter of family #2.

Is this too taboo to even laugh about?  I say yes..but then I’ve seen it.  Other folks I know think it’s too icky to even go see.  But we see movies about murder and war and terrorism all the time.  Does exploring internal family strife — in the name of comedy — really cross the line?  At least give it a look before you decide.

Then judge, judge, judge.

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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Family, Humor, Life, Movies, Relationships

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Back and forth

Posted on September 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

I am not one to debate politics.  It’s wasted breath, in my book.  And someone usually gets mad (even if they won’t admit is).

But today I found myself arguing about — of all things — tennis players.  And realized it sounded much the same.

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My opponent was a Federer man.  Me?  I’m Djokovic all the way.  We had both been to US Open earlier in the week, and our conversation of shared experiences quickly dissolved into a volley of insults.

He finds Nole cocky.  I think Roger defines arrogance.  While we both agree that Federer is an amazing player, I find him boring to watch; he finds Fed fluid.

I like a player with personality which Djokovic has in spades. My opponent finds some of his schtick funny, but he’s a Federer man.  I’m Nole all the way.

Yep. We made a lot of progress, like most political discussions.

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Posted in Commentary, Humor, Life, Relationships, Sports

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Sporting manners

Posted on September 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Professional tennis players:

With a few exceptions, you display great sportsmanship.

You begin and end each match with a handshake at the net, and can often be seen applauding your opponent’s play at the conclusion of a particularly well-placed volley.

You also seem compelled to apologize when good luck comes your way…in the form of the tennis ball clipping the net and falling on the other side of the court.  Immediately your hand pops up, your face adopts a  look for shame.

Really?  Are you truly sorry?  And for what — that a 50/50 chance, a coin toss went your way this time?  Why apologize for that?  It will probably go the other guy’s way next time.  The fates will equal things out, I’m sure.

And if they don’t?  You can wave at your opponent when you hoist the trophy.  Believe me, he’ll get it.

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Posted in Commentary, Humor, Life, Relationships, Sports

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Date night

Posted on August 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Definitives are dangerous. Absolutes? An abomination. And yet I sit here, prepared to name (key the reverb)…

The Ultimate Date Movie of All Time.

Why now?  Because it was on TV while I was eating lunch today. And I watched it….yet again. And cried…yet again.

And did I mention it was a baseball movie?

My friends and family will not be surprised by my choice.  I often champion For Love of the Game when movie debates take a male / female, he-said / she-said turn.

What other movie has it all?  Such meaty relationship “stuff” for girls (and boys) who want to spend two hours pondering love and all its highs, lows, recoveries and gut-wrenching blows?  Add the story of a baseball player, poised to pitch a perfect game and perhaps say good-bye to the sport that he has lived and loved for almost two decades?

Come on.

Even if you don’t like the game, this movie will have you cheering each time he steps up to the mound.  And if you don’t shed a tear or two, well –

No doubt you’re trying to look tough in front of your girlfriend.

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Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Love, Movies, Relationships

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