Went to see "King Arthur" today. I'd have to have a certified historian tell me that Arthur was actually how he was portrayed in this movie and not the romantically version we've all grown up with. They start off the movie with an official looking explanation that recent archeological discoveries have reshaped the image of Arthur and his knights. Then, I remember I was watching a movie. Not that Kate Beckinsail didn't look good it that leather outfit, but I really doubt most of what was presented. And it's all battles and politics we've seen done much better in "Braveheart" and "Gladiator". Overall, this was a pretty boring movie.

I also went to see "Spider-man 2" while I was there. I enjoyed it a little more this time around. It was a little long and, overall, I'd find it hard to say I like either the first or second any better than the other. The first two Superman flicks are still my favorite comic book hero movies along with the first Michael Keaton "Batman". Alfred Molina is the best part of the movie. The changes he goes through are striking making for a deep and rich villain who can be both hated and sympathetic.

And then there's Kirsten Dunst chained up at the end of the movie!!!!!

Something of a quiet weekend around here. Still seem to be going through a post-Shore Leave slump. My laundry from the trip still hasn't moved closer to the laundry room and I have to almost kick myself to get motivated. I'm sure if I don't get that wash done soon it'll move by itself!

I did get motivated enough to meet up with my good pal Dave Ryan and his wife as they drove through the area. They have recently moved to the Tampa area. It's good to have someone from back home in the same state. Now that the van is back on the road I hope to be able to see more of them.

I'm part of a team which is running for the leadership of Starfleet International. In the recent nomination phase of the election our team garnered 51 votes while our competition got 46.Should be a very close election. I am the candidate for the Chief of Operations position. This job oversees chapter reporting, corresponding chapters and chapters who are understrength. It's basically the job I'm doing in my regional position on the International level. Mt friend, Tom "Little Guy" Restivo had originally been up for the job but had to back out and he recommended me to Mandi Livingston, the person who is the lead candidate running for the president, or Commander Starfleet, position. I am really excited about this. I have been a member of SFI on and off since 1986. The best part about SFI is the idea that you belong to a club which reaches outside of your own local area. Even when the Boston Star Trek Association was in existance, even though we had almost 200 members from outside New England, it was still a local group. As a member of SFI you are in the same group as a member on the opposite coast or even another side of the planet. I guess the reason why I'm in this race has to do with my feelings about public service which got me into my inlovment in politics back home and the importance of volunteer work; returning something to your community. I was also very flattered by being asked. The election should make for an interesting summer!

A recap of the ride home.

We got up and out early Monday morning. As we made our way further south the idea of driving straight through began to circulate. We had all ended up spending up a little more then planned at the con and it would be nicer on our wallets to skip spending the extra on a few hours sleep. By the time we hit our lunch stop at a Sonic in Roanoke Rapids, NC we decided to go for the gold.

We got some really good seats at restaurants along they way as no one really wanted to sit next to the Funky Bunch. 16 hours with no air conditioning and only so much Febreeze made for a fun ride. Actually, it was rather fun. This was the first year we made it there and back again with no conflict of any kind. We all went where we wanted, got together when convenient, had fun,enjoyed each others company and rolled with the punches whenever something tried to make it a difficult weekend. We all agreed this was our best trip ever.

We seem to have gotten better that these road trips. Talk has gone around about alternatives to driving but unless someone wins lotto we'll probably pile right back into The Bull once again. Even with the mechanical problems on this trip, I feel she has one more ride left in her. Although, by the time we got to Florida the van was close to being renamed "Dory" after the Ellen DeGeneris character in "Finding Nemo". The power steering was moaning deep and slowly like Dory's whale-speak. Without these little problems we wouldn't have such good stories to tell.

Here is a web page with my photos from the trip.


The worst part of any weekend with Johnny is bringing him back. We got home, showered and jumped into bed for a well deserved sleep. The Ex wasn't feeling well so I ended up driving again to bring him there. Yea! Another three hours in the van!

When we got there I was surrounded by his little brother and sister. Jeffrey has always been happy to see me. He will run up and put a strangle hold hug on me. Carrie has gotten better. For the longest time she had either run from the room or hid under furniture. Part of it had to do with something her father told her about me. I was upset about it for a while until heard she did the same thing with almost anybody. Now she can't stop talking when I walk in the room. Because I finally can, I got down on the floor to play with Jeffrey and suddenly I was trying to play with both kids at the same time. Seems a little strange to be the center of attention for my ex's children from another husband. Strange, but I still love it.

Speaking of children from another husband. I am determined to make stronger efforts to reach out to and include Jimmy a little more. I've always felt bad about the distance which grew between us after the divorce. He and I have talked a little and he has come for a weekend or two with John. I just feel there is more I should be able to do. John has said he has asked about comeing for a visit again sometime and I would welcome that in a moment. Something to shoot for.

Don't know if it's just fatigue but I haven't had the same spark of energy at work since being back. I used to do overtime at the drop of a hat however,every day since getting back I bolt for the door at 5PM. I'm sure one paycheck with less overtime than usual will cure that!

I'm ba-ack!
 
I woke up Wednesday morning and I wasn't in the Hunt Valley Marriott......DAMN, was I pissed!
 
Still recovering and getting back in the swing of things. Also been having problems with my laptop. Will post tomorrow with all the details of our ride home. I'm also working on a link to a web page with all my pictures from the trip. 
 
Off to do lots of laundry.
 
 
 

OK, can I describe the another day at Shore Leave without using the word "great"? Probably not.

It was great!

Got to sleep in a little later than usual. Both going to sleep last night and waking up this morning was horsing around with Johnny. Moments like that I hope he holds on to as tightly as I do. There was a moment when we were headed back to the room from the pool and we raced each other. Couldn't have done that 9 months ago! My decision to have the surgery gets better and better with each day.

Was able to keep him pleasantly entertained throughout the day. While he and I share lots when it comes to movies and TV, Trek isn't something he's into as much as I am. He has had a fun time this weekend, though.

The best moment was at dinner. We got together with a bunch from the McAuliffe and filled up a local sports bar. On the TV was a WWF match. Suddenly John was the center of attention and was the expert all the adults turned to for information. He's been watching wrestling for years and knows that as well as I know Trek. His eyes were glowing as he bounced from grownup to grownup answering questions, sharing wrestling history and storylines and basking in talking with adults on an even level. Afterwards, he talked about it and still was on a high from it. I have got such a cool kid!

Ran into another old friend today. Dawn Yasharis is an old BSTA friend. We had been missing each other all weekend and couldn't stop meeting up at least five times during the day. The funniest moment was meeting her out side her room; directly across from mine!

Closed the bar with Bill and some of the rest of the Boston crowd. Did a nostalgia walk around the hotel. Sort of paying homage to memories of the weekend and from past conventions. It's odd to see the hotel after all the con stuff is gone. Parts of the rooms you walked past dozens of times during the weekend but never saw are suddenly jumping out in front of you. A nice way to say goodbye to the Hunt Valley Marriott for another year.

Probably won't post again until I get back to Florida. Should be a warn and interesting ride home but it is one all of my friends seem to be looking forward to despite the inconveniences. We have had a super time spending time just being with each other. Through every little setback no one has gotten upset, angry, peeved or despondent. There has not been a moment of disagreement or hurt feelings. OK, so we aren't home yet, but I have a good feeling that the trend will continue. We have all had fun. We have seen things we wanted to on this trip. We have done thing we wanted to get accomplished. Most important of all we did it with the best group of friends we could think of being with.

Only 365 days till we return!!!!!

Yet another great day in Hunt Valley!!!

If you're not a fan some of the details of what I've done during the day will bore you to tears. The highlight for me, and always the best part of this weekend is spending time with friends. Marc Nobel, who had lived in Florida and moved up here joined us today. He is making plans, finally, to move back to Florida. It is good to have him back in the fold.

Finally hooked up with my old pal, Bill Duffy. He is most pleased with my post surgery success. He even dared me to dance like I used to during Ten Forward, the convention dance party.

Hit a couple of the panels that both Johnny and I were interested in. I didn't want to completely bore him to death. He is enjoying the weekend. With him approaching his 13th birthday, I have given him lots more freedom. There have been times when he's been left to relax in the room by himself and I've even gotten him a key of his own to come and go as necessary without always having DAD around. He is developing so well and fits in with my crazed bunch of friends perfectly. We have some time to ourselves and have had a few father/son moments which make the weekend even better.

Talks are already going around about next year! I love that about this con. I have gotten my Florida crown as hooked on this weekend as I am. I seem to always pick the best friends!

Got a great compliment on this blog from Bill's friend, Tim. He's an avid reader! While that might not sound like much, he's an avid reader who's not family! I do this mostly for those who really know me to keep up and as my way of venting at the end of the day. It's a cool feeling to know someone else can read and appreciate what I spew out here. And, since I know you'll be reading this....Thanks, big guy!

Another great day, even with dealing with a broken down van. Got AAA to tow it away bright and early. Rented another car so we could get downtown and keep my appointment with Jim Langevin.

Timed perfectly with Jim's office to meet him as he got off the floor of the US Congress. He was tickled by my gift of a JFK bust for his office. When I was there three years ago I noticed that he didn't have one. As I told him, "You're a democrat, from New England, you've been to Hyannisport AND you know Kennedys....and you DON'T have one of these in your office!"

We had about 30 minutes with him for the two of us to play catch up and to meet my Florida friends. He was very interested in Kenny and Jim being in law enforcement. Just like with most of my really good friends, it was just as if yesterday was the last time we saw each other and not three years. Just before we left I had some personal time with him. He is very happy to see me post surgery. We got into some other personal stuff and I made sure his chief of staff kept my home number as he is looking to buy some Florida property not too far from me. He's another friend I'm determined to keep despite the mileage.

After lunch in the Congressional food court and getting lost in the tunnels underneath the House Office Buildings we headed to the World War II Memorial. What a beautiful place. I want to meet some of the idiots who opposed the design and slap them around. It is on such a grand scale, well deserving of those it commemorates. We took loads of pictures which I'll post after we get back home.

Speaking of getting home, the garage was able to bypass the A/C and get the belts re-connected and it's only coasting $86!!!! Dodged a major bullet there thanks to Jim and Kenny. It's going to be a warm ride home but at least we'll get there!

John is having a fun time and we are really starting to connect more on a more adult level as he approached puberty. It's amazing how his sense of humor is developing. The best moment was when he described doing something to his brother Jim almost verbatim of something I had done to a co-worker. Genetics is a wonderful thing!

The best part of this trip is re-connecting with good friends from back home. There have been a few here at the convention which have been surprises and that only makes it better. We are to a count of 5 the number of people who have said to him, "I remember you when you were thiiiiiiis little!" He just loves that!

One telling moment of how much homesickness I suffer during this trip was when Jim Langevin asked me where I preferred living and if I'd ever move back to Rhode Island. There was a very long pause. Everyone was waiting to see how diplomaticaly I answered that. I think they all know my real answer. I simply pointed to Johnny and said, "Here's the reason I'm there in the first place!" Rhode Island will always be home I just feel it more when I'm around settings like this. I have just as great a circle of friends in Florida as I did back home, so that's not the problem. Rhode Island will always be home.

Enough of that, there's more fun to be had this weekend. More reports when I can squeeze in time on the lobby PC; it's very popular. Gee, who wouldda guessed. Free internet and a hotel full of Trek geeks!!!!

Well, this trip has been one for the books so far!

I am writing this from the lobby of the Hunt Valley Inn. We made it here OK. Got right on the road and on schedule almost perfectly. Spent the night at South of the Border in North Carolina. Was pleasantly surprised by the size and condition of the room. OK, so it was slightly cheesy, but right in line for what you were paying.

Up and out after a rousing 5 hours sleep. It does break up the trip perfectly though. The stop over allows everyone to actually close their eyes and completely shut down; something some of our travelers have a hard time doing in a moving vehicle.

A greasy spoon breakfast and back on the road.

The first kink to our trip was the air conditioning dying out about 3 hours into the ride. Luckily, we were headed north and in the dark so it wasn't too bad. Although, we did buy some Febreeze to get ride of "the funk" of 5 sweating people. Jokes abounded about the van and its condition. Just as we were pulling in to the hotel comparisons were made to the Bluesmobile pulling up to Chicago City Hall. You know; they get out of the car and it falls apart.

Guess what happened!

The reason the a/c went was because the clutch on the unit seized up. As we're driving along the highway we are breathing in the delicious odors of burning ball bearings......and melting rubber. Yes....do the math....the serpentine belt let go. This was discovered when we got in the car after checking in and headed out to dinner. As I type I am waiting for AAA to take the van away to be fixed. Jim and Kenny used their "Badge Americard" and got a name of a local garage who should not rip us off being out of towners. Never a dull moment!

After the van leaves we are headed into DC for our tourist part of the trip. I have gotten offers of help from everyone else in the group to help with the repairs. Looks as if I'll be working some more overtime when I get home!

Other than that things have been going pretty well. We were very fortunate that the breakdown waited until we were at our destination instead of in the middle of the beltway at 6pm!!!

Always look on the bright side of life!

Had another great day with Johnny. Slept late but still made the first matinee of "The Terminal". Was very impressed with Hanks' job; was completely believable as a Russian and brought his usual depth to his performance. While it was better than "Catch Me if You Can" it wasn't a great Spielberg film. The best part of the film was the set. If I hadn't known going in that it was a studio set I would have thought they had closed down JFK airport to film.

Mostly, I was still impressed by my son choosing this film. His tastes are growing and I love to see that. Right before he went to bed I started introducing him to the Marx Brothers. We started with "Monkey Business". I would rather have gone with "Duck Soup" but not having that on tape or DVD I had to make do. He laughed in all the right spots and enjoyed some of the older puns. I'm sure I'll get him to sit through more of them. Another memory built. It was my father who showed me the Marx Brothers. I remember sitting with him and laughing our way through each and every one of these classics. Maybe some day he'll remember the same moments with me in the same way.

We got into a discussion about some family members and it came very close to divorce history. I almost bit a hole through my tongue as I kept from going any deeper into the subject than he was either willing to or was even interested in going. He seems very well adjusted and I know that when he's ready to ask about how we got to where we are, he will and there's no need to push it. OK, that works until he's 25. If he hasn't brought it up by then....he's had enough time to mull it over and I'll need to get it off my chest!

Tomorrow it's back to work. Luckily,it's only two days till VACATION!

A great Independence Day!

Had our chapter cookout which went very well. I picked up Johnny about halfway through the day. He seems to get bigger each time I see him. His little sister has finally started coming around to me. She used to hide every time I came into their house. Part of it may have been her being an overly timid child. Another part of it may have been crap about me she had been some not too favorable things she had overheard. She seems to have gotten over it either way. She seems to go out of her way to greet and talk with me whenever I'm around. I like the change. John's younger brother, Jeffrey, is another story. He has always been happy to see me and has taken to hugging me. I thought he'd choke me today he was holding on so tight.

We went back to the cookout for a while to eat and swim. Later in the evening John and I went to watch fireworks. We had some great moments in the time before they started when we just talked. It was all innocuous but we just talked. It's been a while since we've just shot the bull like that and it felt good. When he was a pre-schooler we would walk and talk. Sometimes we would invent superheroes. We would bounce ideas back and forth. It was free form and easy. So was our talking tonight.

I was afraid that we had gotten so caught up in being together that we didn't take time to enjoy it. There was the travel time to and from. Then we'd have meals and errands. Then there's be the "activity" for the weekend. We weren't just there together. Hopefully the next 10 days together will give us plenty of time for more moments together like that one.

One moment we already had he has no idea about was my watching watch girls. He could use a few lessons in subtlety. Like an epileptic watching a tennis match his head will snap around to tack a girl walking by. I'll at least have to buy him some dark sunglasses!

The Fourth of July always brings back some of my best childhood memories and favorite ones of my father.

Back home on Rhode Island fireworks are illegal. In the course of his job my father had to confiscate fireworks from people during the months leading up to Independence Day. Of course these explosives had to be destroyed somehow. Each year I became the most popular kid on my block.

As the families on my street gathered outside to watch the fireworks from Rocky Point amusement Park across the cove my father opened up the trunk of his car and pulled out three shopping bags full of bottle rockets, salutes and piles and piles of other various fireworks. Somewhere else in the city someone was cursing my father out for pissing on their holiday while my friends and I enjoyed as exciting a display as was being put on over the water.

Was OK with me!

I have a clear memory of my first illegal act; buying packages of salutes. There was the rush of adrenalin as I made the arrangements with another kid in Junior High School. The clandestine moment as we ducked out of a side door during the frenzied moments passing between classes to quickly exchange a few dollars for red paper wrapped oriental firecrackers. I don't think the pounding in my ears stopped until I got to where ever I sent to the off. I don't remember if I just set them off separately, in packages at a time rat-a-tat-tatting like a tommygun or aspyrotechnics tearing apart a plastic model kit. There was a wonderful exhilaration at having gotten away with defying my parents, school administration and the law in one fell swoop. I was such a rebel!

July Fourth also meant an Eaton Family cookout at my Aunt Loretta and Uncle Manny's. It was a chance to get together with parts of my father's family which I didn't get to see all that often. It was a lazy day of food and laughter. Because my grandfather had been married twice every Eaton family gathering brought out a different cousin which I has never before met. During the years I worked in radio, inevitably, I could only stop by for a short time before having to go work a few hours on the air. I would leave with promises that radios at the party would be turned to whatever station I was on so I could still be a part of the festivities. The tradition of the cookout dwindled after the death of my Uncle Jim. Just as things began getting better for me I had been planning on getting with my cousin Cindy to revitalize the tradition for our generation; then I moved to Florida. It is on my lottery wish list of things to do.

I only have one strong memory of a big fireworks display. It is so Norman Rockwell. It was a summer spent with my sister Joan in New Hampshire. With crystal clarity I can recall parking the car at a field and walking across the grass to find the perfect viewing spot. Rolling hills of green grass covered with families laid out on lawn chairs and blankets. I laid back on the grass and waited for the show with a distracting anticipation. The show seemed to go on forever. "Oohs" and "Ahhs" snapped through the air as fast as the fireworks themselves.

These days I always look forward to my latest and best tradition; my chapter's ID4 Cookout. Some of my friends have jobs which keep them away from weekend activities and make scheduling events everyone can attend difficult at times. However, everyone seems to make it to this party. While I sometimes bitch and moan about being in Florida, my friends take the edge off. I love being able to have as many together at one time as possible.

Here's to another great holiday!

The Don is dead.

In 1976, as the age of 14, I chose the CB handle of "The Wild One". That's how long I've been a fan. The first VHS tape I ever bought was "On the Waterfront". How could you not be a fan of this man? He was Jor-El for crying out loud! I recently reveled in sitting my son down to watch the Godfather movies. (OK, so we watched two out of the three in a row. Haven't gotten him to watch the third yet. Has he heard already how that one is?) With Brando's passing I'll probably get my hands on a copy of "On the Waterfront" to introduce to him.

He's ready for it, too. We were talking about things to do this weekend and he mentioned that he had seen "Spiderman 2". He then said that he'd really like to see "The Terminal". I was verry happy to hear him asking to see something with more than just explosions and special effects. The slow and gentle nudging into something with a little more substance seems to have started to be paying off.

I would like to go see Spidey again, though. I did some checking and I was a little off on my criticisms of the story line. I'm still not 100% sure of my total opinion of the movie so it does deserve another viewing. Johnny did say he liked the first movie better.

Well, I've got to go drop "The Godfather" in for a viewing.

Here's saluting you, Col. Kurtz.

God rest you, Terry Malloy.

Spiderman 2 is a very good movie.

But.....

Before I go further I want to consult with someone who knows Spidey history better than I. Spidey has long been a favorite. One of the reasons is he was a kid just like me. He was a bumbling, geeky teenager who never got the girl. Bruce Wayne was cool, but he was rich. Superman was.....well, Superman! Peter Parker was someone with whom I could identify. He was insecure and unsure of himself. When he put on the red` black and blue he became cocky, strong and a super hero. At the same time, though,he continued to struggle with who he was inside.

They have made what I felt was a major departure in the Spiderman mythos. I didn't mind, in the first film, that Gwen Stacey was supposed to be the love of his life or that Pete built a devise to swing webs instead of them being biological.

I am a Spidey fan, but I will admit to not being able to carry 40 years of history in my head like some are able to. Probably the same reason I never got into baseball; too many facts and figures to carry around.

I also don't want to give away too much to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Go see it. It is a good movie. Sam Raimi has progressed as a director and I thought he was pretty darned good anyway. Every character gets their moment to shine and the major characters are fleshed out even more. Anthony Molina IS Doc Ock. He was my favorite villain tied with Dr. Doom. They also do something with him which bothered me.

I'll go over the movie again after Johnny and I see it next week. It will give you time to see it and I won't feel guilty about spoilers.

Oh, and yes......I WANT TO MARRY KIRSTEN DUNST.

To kill time on breaks I occasionally browse through the Goodwill store which is in the same plaza as my office. I keep waiting for a cheap enough recliner to show up. As I went through the aliases I spotted something which made me stop and think.

Sitting amongst the faded dishes and old coffee cups was a little :World's Best Mom" statue. A little doe-eyed kid holding it's hands wide in a hug. It made me wonder where it had been before landing along side discarded housewares.

Was it given by a child who really loved their mother or was it a last minute given by someone who grabbed it in a cheesy gift shop or convenience store just to keep their mother quiet? Could it have been from a little child choosing a gift for the first time or a gag gift from a grown adult? Was the parent still alive and just making room in her belongings or was it part of a "going through belongings" process after a death? Did anyone remember under what circumstances the statue had been given? Any recollection of the reaction on either side? Who slimed more when it was revealed? Was it a hard decision to discard it? Did it still hold any sentimental value or was it just a nick nack which was now only worth the $.50 price tag Goodwill had placed on it?

The next thing I wondered was what would happen to all my things after I die? I am a mad collector of so much. Will it mean anything to my son or will it end up on some shelf in a Goodwill for pennies on the dollar?

There has been a little bit of a tradition in my family where we are allowed to take one trinket which belonged to a deceased family member as a way of remembering that person. Just looking around my place I can see things which belonged to my father, mother and a cousin. What will my family members take of mine to remember me?

Well, enough deep thoughts......SPIDERMAN 2 TOMORROW!!!!!!!

"Fahrenheit 9/11" is a very good movie and every American should see it.

It is flawed, however. It is a fantastic and very affective piece of filmmaking. It is very slanted, heavy in propaganda and does misrepresent some facts. Granted, every filmmaker has an agenda; whether to make an audience laugh or cry or to make a statement. This movie is no different. Moore makes no bones about it, too.

In no way do I support Bush. I believe he should have been forced out of office a long time ago. Moore is even less forgiving. He makes a big deal over how Bush reacted upon receiving the news of the 9/11 attacks. He narrates the footage of Bush in that Florida classroom dripping with sarcasm and a total misunderstanding of how a presidential staff works.

Moore also tries to make numerous financial guilt by association claims between the Bush family and the Saudi royals. Some seem plausible,but taken as a whole seem a big stretch. He wraps up his theory with a montage of a dozen photos of many apparent Saudi officials meeting with different members of the administration. Only because I pay attention to the news was I able to identify some of the photos as official and legitimate situations. To the casual viewer they are presents a rogues' gallery of evil doers plotting and planning with those in charge.

The ironic part of the day was coming home and hearing the news about the US Marine being kidnapped. I got angry all over again. This is a war which was based on a lie. I don't know how Bush sleeps at night. This is an important film which everyone should see before November. It should be taken with a grain of salt, but it should be seen.

Well, I'm a greedy bastard. They offered loads of overtime and VISA gift cards for each day we worked that overtime to help out one of our other departments at work. I opted for the OT and extras over having Johnny for the weekend. I labored over that decision since Wednesday. Those gift cards can buy the new tired for the van. I even called and asked my sister's advice on this one. John and I talked it over and since we're going to be together in just another week anyway we decided to go for the money. It was a tough decision deciding between spending the time with him versus having more money to make that time together better. For the longest time there's been a running gag with some of my older friends of "What happened to the good old days when our biggest worry was who didn't chip in on the pizza!".

It turned into a good weekend anyway. My good pal, Bruce Dolan, was in town to surprise his mother for her birthday. He ended up having a surprise for me as well. I had asked him to pick up some new Sonic cups for me. He has one right down the road while the nearest one to me is 2 hours away. He shows up with over 20 cups of different sizes and 4 advertising posters like they have on the sides of the building. He had explained to the manager he had a collector friend and was gladly given this supply. He even took Bruce's phone number for when they have more! Bruce is now what is called "an enabler". There is a perfect spot in the kitchen where I can display one poster at a time; changing the decor from time to time. How Martha Stewart! OK, so it's Martha with a twist!

I had to work past the time the surprise party started so I didn't get to see the initial expression of his mother's face but my late arrival was greeted as yet another unannounced plus to the day. I have quickly been accepted as another "son" in her family. We swam in the pool and ate barbecued ham. Deeee-lish!

From there I went to visit a friend's wife who had given birth earlier this morning. This is the 2nd girl for Jason and Dana Berry. Jason had just gone out to dinner with his mother and father when I arrived. I had bought a little plush Shrek and Donkey for baby Sarah. Dana decided to just leave them in the bassinet and see if Jason could guess who had visited. It only took a few seconds for him to figure it out! How could he have known?

I've been trying to screw up the nerve to call up my old boss. When he first left the company I had immediately written off a letter to him. Just as I was ready to send it I decided to call him. Then my phone got shut off. The letter gathered dust all the time the phone was off. I really feel the need to make the connection. I guess it's all part of my "carpe diem" reaction to Andy's death. I finally talked to Mike LaPlante today. We still can talk easily as if no time had passed, luckily. We are trying to make plans to visit during my trip up to Harry's in November. That would be grand. Still haven't reached Jay, damnit.

Tomorrow I see "Farenheit 9/11" tomorrow, so expect a review and possible political rantings. You have been warned.

Good Morning, America SUCKS!

For whatever my opinion matters; they suck.

For a while I had noticed that they had been going for the tabloid side of the news; always harping on the pain of a situation or the emotional turmoil involved instead of simply relaying the news.

This morning they wasted 10 minutes on a "story" about how when Vice-President Cheney bumped into Senator Pat Leahy of Vermont while on the floor of the senate he told Leahy, "go fuck yourself". They were all over his and other prominent politicians for using "THE F WORD". I know politicians and every one of them uses it. I don't think I would trust a politician who dosen't use it.

It's not any moral downsizing that the word is getting widespread exposure. The word has been around for a long, long time. My mother used it. I'm sure my son uses it.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

It's just a word. Get over it.

Do I have the stupidest luck or what?

I finally grew back a set of gonads and called "the young lady" after about three months of no contact whatsoever. First I was relieved that I got her voice mail; got the contact with non of the nervousness of "actual communication". Then she called back!

We talked for about 20 minutes and have plans on getting together next week. She is now working at a bar & grill nearby. She sounds happy and things seem to have been going better for her since leaving the job.

I am really hoping things go well when we get together. I am going to continue using my regrown gonads by actually telling her how I feel about her and try to set things to be a little more involved.

I try not to build up hopes but I do get the feeling this could really be something good. My good friend Harry once equated my tendency to fall quickly for women with a guy going over Niagara Falls. "One minute he was there, next minute - whoosh!"

I think he exaggerates.

Well, maybe just a little.

Happy Father's Day!

I was the one who had to call Johnny today. I held off till after 8PM. I was hoping he would make the call first. I know, at his age, I sucked at making those kinds of calls, sending cards and buying gifts. I didn't get my mother flowers for Mother's Day until her last one. She was always the one who put cards in front of me for the monthly collection of birthdays and anniversaries. It's a little ironic I'm hoping for better from him.

But I did give in an call him and it was a great phone call.

I do know he's just like I was at his age. I occasional prod him as special events approach and it seems that the ex and her husband do the same my mother did; every thing is arranged for him to take credit for afterwards.

Someday it will all change. I look forward to getting that first unsolicited phone call from him just to shoot the bull.

I got myself a Guinness, a steak and a stogie to celebrate the day. Not too bad a day, really.

I can hear it like it was yesterday.

"WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I'M GOING BAAAAAAAAACKWARDS!"

The scream pierced the dank silence of the hotel service corridor. A wheelchair loaded with the hefty body of a 17 year old boy careened backward down an inclined ramp. Three other boys raced after it to save him before slamming into the concrete wall at the bottom.

"Ah-ahhh! Let's do that again! That was cool!" The wheelchaired passenger screamed in joy to his friends.

The scene is a service corridor under the then Statler-Hilton in New York City. It was February 1977 at the Star Trek World Expo. The four teenage friends had traveled from Rhode Island to attend a major Trek convention, a first for some of them. One of them is wheelchair-bound. Their common interest in science fiction was one of the building blocks which had led to a decades long bond.

They have used the service corridors to make it easier to navigate the crowded hallways with their wheeled pal. Unseen to the public, the passageways snake around ballrooms, through kitchens and go from the top to the bottom of the hotel. The friends were making their way from the lobby up to the dealers' floor when they came to the ramp.

"Here, let me help, said one of the friends moving to push the chair to the top of the ramp.

"I can do it," said the strongly independent friend. "Strong" was an understatement. While the degenerative disease which put him in the chair had robbed him of lower body use he was a brick house from the waist up. All of the friends knew that you never wanted to be grabbed and held tightly by the wrist, or even worse, pulled into a bear hug. Asthma attacks had nothing in comparison to the breathing restriction inflicted by one of his "Playful" wrestling holds. And he laughed all the time doing it....the bastard!

From the beginning there was an understanding between these friends. Even though he was in the chair, he was just one of them. Sure, they helped when asked and made minor concessions to their friends limitations; but there weren't many. They went everywhere together. They did all the things teenage friends did together. This trip was a perfect example. They planned and saved for the trip for months. Never, in any of the planning, were the limitations of bringing someone in a wheelchair seen as a hindrance to going; it was simply part of the planning.

They may have asked about the disease at some point during the friendship, but it never mattered. They only wanted to answer their curiosity as to WHY their friend was in the chair. They spent hours together and never thought of him as anything other than just another one of the group.

Just as his chair crested the ramp his eyes widened as the realization hit that he was losing control. His arms began to flail as he grabbed at the wheels in a vain attempt to regain ground.

"Hey!" he called out to this friends steps in front of him.

"WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I'M GOING BAAAAAAAAACKWARDS!"

That New York trip was one which I took with Andy Hastings, Bob Eggleton and Jay Kingston. Andy was the one in the wheelchair.

The was the instant image that flashed through my mind when I got the news that Andy had died on May 26th.

Then I cried.

The is the first death amongst my close circle of friends from my youth. This is the first real sorrowful loss I've felt since my mother's passing. Older relatives are one thing, but to have "one of us" die cuts in a different way. It means we are mortal.

I don't think I've talked to Andy in more than 20 years and that guilt weighs on me. There are so many people in my life I struggle with to hold on to against the battle of time and distance. I have rekindled friendships lost through the years and hold tight to the ones I can keep. I'm sure some would say that I live too much in the past; that I should take pleasure in what I have today. It's not that that isn't true. But why shouldn't I try my hardest to keep the joyous relationships I've had in the past as much a part of my life today as they were 20 years ago? "People come into our lives and they go out of our lives; it's a fact of life". I think that sucks. I have given in to that axiom a little easier in recent years but its never without a good fight.

I have thought of that weekend over and over since getting the news. And I smile. I even will laugh out loud when I think of Jay's dead-on impression of Andy as he sped backwards. I don't know how I'm really going to cope with this. I am wearing my Trek mourning badge in his honor. I am sending his parents a copy of this post because a Hallmark card didn't seem like enough. I will hold tighter to the friends I have and maybe not give up as easily as I have been to the affect the march of time has on friendships.

I called Bob immediately the other night and we talked like we always have. It might have been a year since we spoke last but it felt as if we had only hung up the phone yesterday. We talked about our lives and our circle of friends who knew Andy. I realized I didn't have the same ease with some of the others from that group.

Oh, shit....

Excuse me while I go call Jay.