Thursday, September 23, 2004

So long summertime...

After a solid rehearsal, quality dirt wings from J.Tims and a few shots thanx to my friend, Sean... It's been a good night. Time to close it out with a little blog entry. I couldn't resist throwing up a little something before I crash tonight.



This week has been filled with quality music. For starters, the show, Children of Eden, is coming together and the songs are beginning to take shape. By the way, that runs November 18, 19, and 20 @ the big white church in the center of town for those that are interested. Passion Play style tickets... just let me know and I'll get them for you... Free admission, donations accepted. Back to the "good music" point... Green Day came out with their new album, American Idiot. I haven't heard it yet, but so far I'm hearing good reviews. I'll have to pick up a copy soon. And lastly, Rob and Beth have opened my musical eyes to one of the newest guys on the scene, Mr. Gavin DeGraw.

He has a bit of a "boy band" voice but it's growing on me. He's the guy that sings the theme song to, One Tree Hill on the WB network.

And so brings us to another weekend. Something tells me that it's going to be a good one. I'm going out with Keith tomorrow to watch the game... Saturday brings you UConn football SOLD OUT against Army... Things are looking up. And how could I possibly forget... SMOCKTOBERFEST!! Hope you have fun this weekend, Kris. We'll miss you at the game.

Bed time ladies and gents. A few things before I go.
- Congrats to DOUG for making the Celtics squad!! All those days of practicing at Mansfield Hollow paid off!!
- Prayers are going out to my cousin, Chris. You are in our thoughts saaaaaa. Be strong. Be Tough. We love you and are praying for you.

Have a safe weekend everyone!!!

How can I just let you walk away...

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

One lesson that we can always learn from...

Ok, ok... call it a cop out. But I got a real nice email from my sister today and I really wanted to share with y'all. Besides, if I can make 5 minutes of your day go by faster... That's a pretty successful day. ;) Enjoy.
-----------------------
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours
in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the 2 cups of
coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and
empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then
asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between
the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the
jar
was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and
poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty
space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the
professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this
jar
represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children,
your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be
full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your
house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room
for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend
all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for
the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play
with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner
out
to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house
and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf balls first, the things that
really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to
show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Written by Sharon L. Ward
-------------------------------

Especially as I try to figure out what's going on in my life... it's so very easy to get swept up in an occupation or hobbies or STUFF. For example, someone might laugh at me and say, "Wait wait... so WHAT time are you getting up in the morning to tailgate?? 7 freakin 30??? But the game isn't until NOON!!" Yea well... maybe it's a little more than tailgating to me. Yes I enjoy it. But it's also an excuse to see everyone that I haven't necessarily seen in a while. I could go on about other incidents in my life, but know this. I know I might not stay in touch with everyone like I used you. And at a risk of sounding like an after school special, all of you are important to me in one way or another. There are some that it's great seeing from time to time.. and there are others that I miss more than anything. My friends, my family... you all. You're my priorities.

If you know me, nice to meet you...

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Wine Wine Everywhere... and not a drop to drink. (yet)

I got a email tonight from someone who I haven't really heard from in some time. She mentioned to me how boring work is and how she enjoys finding ANYTHING to procrastinate. Apparently, reading this blog is on that list... so who am I to disappoint!! This one's for you dimple.



The big wine weekend. Vino Da Leone 2004. Believe it or not, Papa Leone went BIGGER and BETTER this year. More variety... more equipment... definitely "raising the bar." I must say that the day started out slightly... WET! Just picture this if you will. In order to prepare the bottles/press/barrels for the wine process, you need to first rinse them down with water. Then cover them in a Sodium Metabisolphide (spelling?) solution. Lastly, you need to rinse off the solution so everything is clean, sanitized, and ready to go. So here I am in my rain jacket, rinse, cleaning, and rinse various pieces of wine equipment...IN THE FREAKIN POURING RAIN!! Raining like cats and dogs, and I'm "rinsing" all of these things. Kind of a funny picture if you think about it.

But the day was a success and we managed to avoid anything that presented to be a problem. MAJOR THANX to Mr. Matt Girosky. He made the trip from UConn to Southington and helped us out ALL DAY LONG. I don't have exact figures for you, but we prepared a @#$%$ load of wine. Definitely over 250 gallons... possibly over 300. 8 different blends. Slightly more than the 190 gallons and three blends we had last year. I wonder what 2005 will bring...

Check out a few shots from the day:



Yes, that nasty purple liquid coming out of the barrel is the stuff that you and I will be consumely several months from now. Looks gross now... but later you'll thank me.

So not only was this a big weekend for the wine... but JACK MADE THE TRIP TOO!!! As you can see from the picture, "Grandpa" Leone was giving Jack is very first lesson in how to make wine. BUT there is other news as well.



Now... that's not just ANY shirt he's wearing...Look closer (and no this isn't one of those annoying jokes of things that make wicked loud noises trying to scare you... seriously look closer at Jack's shirt)



It reads, "I AM GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER." CONGRATS CAREY AND MIKE!!!! WOO HOOO!!!! That's right ladies and gents, another one is ON THE WAY! Due date is looking to be around May. We couldn't be happier. Big Brother Jack is up for the role of "Big Brother." And what a way to tell the family... leave it to Care to think of something like making Jack a shirt. That girl I'll tell ya...

Do you think Jack could smile any bigger in this picture with Crazy Uncle Robbie?



Lastly, I would ALSO like to congratulate my oldest sister Chris and Brother in law, Brett on their... (drumroll please) TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! Na na na na... Truly Amazing Professor. Ten years down and they are just the best couple ever. Two lovable dogs and a beautiful house in New Hampshire (that I WILL see soon, I promise). I only hope that I have the same luck that they had these past ten years. Congratulations you two! :)



The clock is striking 12:14am and I think I'm starting to turn into a pumpkin. The show is going well and life is pretty busy right now. Another congrats goes out to the BESTEST LITTLE in the freakin world, Kate and our latest addition, KENTA!! (that's right... I'm a KKPsi Grandpa) Another Yankee fan mind you, too. I'm just getting to know him, but so far I think we got the best of the Beta Ups bunch (no offense to the other PMs) Lots to be seen with the process and I'm looking forward to being there ever step of the way... Good Luck Kenta.

And we have UConn and Army this Saturday
(yes, the BREAKFAST PILES will be in FULL effect)

Bed time... PRONTO.

Your the only one, who really knew me at all...