Grandpa's Footsteps

So I'm doing this pedometer challenge thing with people in my office. 6 weeks, 40 teams, 12 people per team, 3,000 miles. A lot of numbers, but it all boils down to about five miles a person per day.

I don't know if that sounds like a big number to you or not. I have to admit that I didn't know if it was before about two weeks ago. But since I started wearing this pedometer on my hip, I've become much more aware. 11,000 has become a meaningful number to me. For me, that's how many steps translate to 5 miles.

Racking up that many steps at work is not hard, as long as I take a few brief walking trips throughout the day. The weekends are a bit more challenging, but I've discovered a few paths around the neighborhood that equal roughly two miles. So if I do a couple a day, I'm good.

What does this have to do with the title of this post? Well on a recent walk, I realized I was heading toward the Giant supermarket in our neighborhood. My mind flashed back to childhood, and I had a vivid memory of my Grandpa walking to the local food store. First A&P, then Publix. As a kid, it seemed like an incredibly long trek. It was probably a half-mile at best, but to a kid I guess that is a marathon of sorts.

As with many things you experience when growing up, I didn't give much thought to the reasons behind Grandpa's walks. Looking back now, maybe part of it was the cataracts that so severely affected him in his later years that driving was difficult. His eyesight eventually got so bad that when checking out, he would put his money in his hands and let the cashier take what she needed.

Maybe it was to satisfy his need to get out and keep active. Grandpa could never be accused of being a couch potato, and what bothered him most in his final years was his increasing inability to do the things he loved. Like work in his garden. And those almost-daily walks to Publix.

My Grandpa left us in 1983, but his spirit still watches over me and affects me in ways I don't often think of. That's why when I flashed back to Grandpa's walks, I realized that not only am I walking to the store as he did, but I'm following in his footsteps in many other ways as well. Coming to the U.S. from Italy as a young man, by himself and with nothing to his name, he blazed a trail for our entire family. With his words and deeds, he showed us how to live a full, rewarding life. God, Family, Country.

Thanks Grandpa. I only hope I can eventually fill your shoes and show my family the way as you did for us.

That 70's Party

We just returned from a birthday party that my friends Mary and Lee, and Holly and Gary, put on for me. The theme of the party was the 1970's. Ah...those carefree days of Pong, Wacky Pack trading cards, and the Brady Bunch.

An epicurean feast of Kraft macaroni & cheese and Manwiches was spread out before us. We dabbled in fondue, drank Orange Crush and Coke in a bottle, and shared childhood memories. (At least those of us old enough to have 70's memories did!)

I introduced Gary and Brian to one of my all-time favorite games -- Super Toe. You know, the game where the object is to make field goals from varying distances by slamming the little blue kicker-guy in the head.

But by far, the two highlights of the evening were the 70's Jeopardy game and the monster throwback candy bucket. Mary toiled for hours putting together a homemade Jeopardy game with all the questions dealing with people and events from the 70's. We played in teams, and the unstoppable duo of Gary and I emerged triumphant.

Before Jeopardy, Holly and Gary presented me with a huge movie theatre popcorn bucket overflowing with candy from the 70's. Bottle Caps, Wax Lips, Pixi Sticks, Smarties, Atomic Fireballs, Candy Cigarettes...and the list goes on. It was awesome. A huge rush of childhood memories, coupled with a huge sugar rush. Can't beat it!

A great evening with great friends. Long live the 70's!

Birthday Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions. So old school. Been there...done that. Or "not done that", to be more precise.

So this year, I've decided to try something new. Enter...Birthday Resolutions!

OK, OK -- it's just New Year's Resolutions shifted to the right a few days. But maybe that's just the change I need to stay on track this time around. One thing I do have that I lacked in prior attempts is this blog. I will post regular updates, and all you readers out there...you keep me honest, ya hear!

So here we go. My 2007 Birthday Resolutions are:

1. Read one book per month.
My "to-do" reading list has always exceeded my ability to actually read them all the way through. So I've decided to start my own "Book of the Month" club. January's selection will be "Bringing Up Boys" by Dr. James Dobson. I'm setting myself up for success because I have read a good bit (probably about half) of this book already. I'll be back here with a book report when I'm done.

2. Take my wife out on a date once a month.
Just her and I. No sippy cups, no highchairs, no kids menus. No eating our food in 1.5 minutes, although we still may do that because we are so trained.

3. Walk 25 miles per week.
I joined a team in a pedometer challenge this week at work, and this seems to be something I could easily turn into a long-term habit. I've found I can fairly easily do 3 miles a day, so I'm stretching a bit beyond that with this goal.

4. Abstain from meat one day a week.
This one is part religious, part medical. I like the perspective we get during Lent when we abstain from meat on Fridays, and my parents grew up pre-Vatican II when Catholics abstained (or were supposed to) on every Friday. Recently, Cindy's urologist gave her a list of dietary recommendations, and one of them talked about reducing meat intake to lessen the chance of kidney stones. Put the two ideas together and you get this resolution. I won't necessarily be abstaining on Fridays only, but I will avoid meat at least one day a week.

5. Go to confession once a month.
Pretty self-explanatory, and simple to do in theory. Especially since our church provides many penetential opportunities. The reality is that I haven't gone in a number of years (that number would be 5), so this will be challenging -- in a good way.

6. Weigh 170 pounds at this time next year.
I've been at this weight as recent as a few years ago, but have gotten sloppy with the eating habits and slipped into too many late night desserts. We're only talking about 15 or 20 pounds, so I should be able to do this if I put my mind to it.

7. Go camping twice this year.
We bought all this camping gear right after our wedding, and we actually used it once. Aiming to significantly increase usage time, and decrease cost per use. 'Course we'll have to buy a couple of sleeping bags and other assorted items, but we're pretty much ready to go on this one. And there's a campground about a 10 minute drive from the house.

8. Read and study the gospels.
I've had the basic "read the Bible" resolution in the past, and it's quickly fallen by the wayside. This time around, I thought I'd focus on just the four Gospels and really read and understand them.

9. Write in my blog at least twice a week.
I'm off to a good start on this one, and I feel like I can keep up the pace. Should be an easy one to track.

10. Research our family tree.
I've dabbled in this over the years, but only recording the "easy stuff". I want to make a more concerted effort to dig deeper and see how far I can get with a reasonable amount of effort. Read: I still want to see my family on the weekends.

11. Write thank you notes within one week of receiving the gift.
I have the best intentions, and the worst follow-through, when it comes to thank you notes. I always aim to do better each year, but this time I've put down a concrete goal. Let's hope I can stick to it.

12. Hold family budget meetings once a month.
We always talk about doing this, and we have all the tools we need (Quicken and a calendar). In the past, we've even written this activity down on the calendar but things always seemed to come up. That might happen again this year, but I feel compelled to give this one another shot.

13. Talk to my dad once a week.
Again...good intentions, bad follow-through. I will definitely do better this year. In principal, this resolution extends to my siblings as well but we have to start somewhere.

14. Volunteer once per quarter.
Helping a friend in need. Donating blood. Collecting for charity. Anything where I'm giving of my time or talent to help others. (So just donating money doesn't count.)

So there you have it. Fourteen resolutions. In writing. Progress tracked right here. Check back for updates. Wish me luck, and give me your prayers.

Welcome Back, Jack!

The day is finally at hand. Jack Bauer has returned, and my favorite TV show is back where it should be...on TV! It's been a very long eight months since we left 24 with Jack on a slow boat to China (literally).

Now I have to admit it wasn't always like this, for me at least. Cindy has been a 24 fan for some time, but I consistently avoided getting "sucked in". I foolishly thought I didn't have time. Couldn't make the committment, I told myself. It would just be one week after another after another, I rationalized. I just don't have the time.

I could not have been more wrong.

Simply put, 24 is the best show on TV. One of the best dramas of all-time, if you ask me. Maybe it's because Jack and I have so much in common. Doesn't everyone have an open line to the POTUS?

I've been hooked ever since I wandered past the TV at the beginning of last season and sat down "for a few minutes...just to see what the hype was all about." A couple of months later, I was joining the Official 24 Fan Club and ordering my CTU coffee mug. The obsession was in full swing. Then the season wrapped up in May, and they left me hanging for eight months. No Jack...No Chloe..No Bill or Curtis...CTU went dark.

I did go through a brief mourning period, but all is forgiven now. In fact, I am now the proud owner of the 24 Season 6 Premiere DVD which contains the 4 hours that I just watched on Sunday and Monday nights. Before you think I'm totally crazy, the DVD contains twelve minutes of footage from next week's show! Yes!

So welcome back Jack. It's been way too long.

Second Birth

This past Saturday was a big day for us, especially for Colin. On his 43rd day of life outside the womb, he was born into the Catholic Church.

43 days, 2 major life events. Not a bad average!

We were very fortunate to again have both godparents in town to celebrate with us. Cindy's sister Lori and my brother John came together again to stand up for our littlest man. (Someone noted that this was a reprisal of sorts, as Lori and John were Maid of Honor and Best Man at our wedding.)

And so begins Colin's life-long journey in the Faith. We are certainly blessed to have many family and friends to help along the way -- with guidance, love, and prayers.

Welcome to the Church, little Colin!

Leonard's Losers

My mom was a life-long Catholic. My dad is a life-long Catholic. My dad is also a life-long football fan. We went to church every Sunday, usually to the 11:30 Mass. And on the drive home, my dad did what every red-blooded American male football fan (there's some redundancy for ya) would do...turn the radio to the pre-game show. My favorite part of those pre-game shows was a bit called "Leonard's Losers". It featured this backwoods country soundin' guy (I mean that with the utmost respect) who would pick the losers of each NFL game and provide a humorous little summary of how the game would go. It's hard to really describe if you've never heard it, but it was great. I just Googled Leonard and found out that he died in 2001. So in honor of Mr. Leonard Postero, here are my losers for this weekend's NFL playoff games.

Kansas City at Indianapolis
The Missouri warriors march into race town looking to shut down the horses and send them back to their stable. Head warrior Larry Johnson will ambush the ponies, and even Peyton Manning won't be able to save them from an early retirement. Leonard's Loser, in an upset...Indianapolis.

Dallas at Seattle
The Texas cowpokes arrive in Javatown dreaming of a trip to Miami next month. The sea-birds hope to recover from an up-and-down season to repeat as champs of the NFC. Head poke Tony Romo has lassoed many a defense since taking the reins of America's Team, but he'll make one too many mistakes in his playoff debut and the vultures will pick him clean. Leonard's Loser, in a close one...Dallas.

New York Jets at New England
The men from Gotham aren't supposed to still be playin', and the chowda-heads will remind them of that early and often. But the Beantown soliders have been inconsistent, and that will eventually do them in as the J-E-T-S get final clearance and take off in the second half. Leonard's Loser, in a big upset...New England.

New York Giants at Philadelphia
The birds have been flyin' high of late, while the G-men have grounded themselves often with silly mistakes. This trend will continue on Sunday, as the City of Brotherly Love does not live up to its name for Eli Manning and his bunch of really large men. Leonard's Loser...New York.

Disclaimer: These prognostications are for entertainment purposes only. Please, no wagering.

Colin Andrew

"Honey..."

The voice drifted down to the basement where I was checking email one last time before getting ready for bed.

"We're having the baby tomorrow."

"OK, sounds good...wait, we're doing what tomorrow?"

"We're having the baby. We have to be at Reston Hospital by 7 am."

And with that, the wheels were set in motion for the arrival of our newest little miracle. Colin came into the world at 9:23 on the morning of December 2nd.

So here we are one month later, and as I cradle him in my arms I am just as amazed today as I was that day. Ten little (and long) fingers. Ten tiny toes. Two wide eyes trying to make sense out of the world around him.

He is truly a gift from God. I've always known that, as I have about Cindy, Brian, and Sean. But there's something about holding a newborn in your arms that transforms that realization from the intellectual to the spiritual. I sometimes feel unworthy of such an incredible blessing, but I quickly get over that by remembering the awesome responsibility I have been given by Him.

Happy One-Month Birthday, Baby Colin!

Destination: Florida

Happy 2007, and welcome to my blog! A new blog for a new year. I wish you and your loved ones all the best in 2007.

I chose the title of this post because that's our biggest goal for the new year. And other than needing a job and a place to live, we're practically there! Our target area is Central Florida because that will put us in close proximity to all the family and friends spread across the state, from Pembroke Pines to Panama City Beach and places in between.

Cindy has been doing much online house hunting, and we have even checked out communities in person when we were down there in December 2005. I've begun my job search in earnest, so we'll see how that goes. Our ideal schedule would be to move down in October-November, but I may have to go down ahead of everyone if a more immediate job opportunity presents itself.

Can we talk 2006 for a moment? We had a very enjoyable evening out last night, celebrating Cousin David's birthday at Otani Japanese Steak House. Cindy and I -- and Baby Colin --rang in the New Year at home with Dick Clark.

Back to 2007: I'm taking advantage of the afternoon lull to watch my Yellow Jackets take on West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. The Good Guys are up 35-31 midway through the 3rd quarter. I have a feeling this may be one of those "team with the ball last, wins" games.