Spring Day at My Mother's in Valley City

A spring day doing yard work at my mother's house in Valley City. Also, testing my new Flip Ultra HD camcorder.

Cleveland Winter Wonderland

Yesterday, January 10th, 2009, was a great day to go to the beach in Cleveland, Ohio!

Liberal vegetarian New York son brings bountiful Tofurkey to Conservative Ohio Family

Furniture Part 1 & Roomba Gets a Mouse

Marcy Likes to Watch YouTube

Okay, so it’s not something to scratch, but it still helps pass the time.

70

For my mother's 70th birthday in June, we had an awesome celebration.  For those of you who like home videos, or want a glimpse of the family I moved back to Ohio for, here's four minutes from that fantastic event.

(Check it out -- visit this video directly on YouTube and click "High Quality" to get a clearer picture.)

Ms. Marcy Would Like Something to Scratch

Check another box off my list.  On Tuesday I moved into my new Cleveland apartment.  Is it a palace?  No.  Is it a box?  Mmm... It's more like two smallish cream colored boxes joined together with a tiny kitchenette and bathroom, which, incidentally has the smallest toilet I have seen outside of China.  But really it *feels* like a palace, and I don't want to put any stuff in it, because I like the way it feels so big and open.

But, an even bigger development than my apartment, a new woman has entered my life.  Her name is Marcy, and she is the third installment in my life's feline trilogy.

The moment my mother found out Marcy was coming to live with me, she expressly forbade it.  "I've got your other two cats, and I'm not taking any more!!!" were here exact words.

I've had my own reservations too:

* My apartment is too small

* Marcy sheds terribly

* She has CLAWS (and my new bedroom has new carpet)

However, my friend, reallllly needed to be cat free (he's allergic), so I conceded in offering up my new apartment as a *temporary* home.

Marcy, however, has turned out to be quite the lady.  She always says "please" and "thank you" (I'm not kidding), is always in a pleasant mood, shows affection without being pushy, asks to be fed gently without biting my nose, stays out of the bedroom (with the door shut), keeps herself occupied by watcing the chick-a-dees build their nests outside my window, and cuddles with my while I sleep -- how many cats will do that!?  Really, Marcy's feminine grace is something puts my boy cats, Bug and Thomas, to shame.  (And as for her shedding, the Roomba arrives next Wednesday.)  She is totally working her charms on me, as if to say, "you don't really want to get rid of me, do you?"

Still, I wish for Marcy a bigger place, and something on which for her to use her magnificent claws.  Anyone know of a good home for Marcy?  Take her now, quick before I become too attached!

My Fifteen Minutes are Up

For those of you who missed my national fame, here's a copy of the graphic that appeared on msn.com, courtesy of my sister Carolyn.

About once a year people find my face plastered somewhere, be it on online, on a billboard, or on a magazine cover.  Usually I'm the last to know.  Ahh, the beauty of stock art.  It's like being one of America's top models without any of the benefits.

Well, to be fair, my photographer ex did buy me a sandwich during the photo shoot.  That's got to count for something.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Quick!!! Before they change it, go to:

http://www.msn.com

See anything familiar!!?!?!?

Nine is Enough?

Great fun was had yesterday at my mother's 70th birthday celebration. I'll post video of the party and my mother soon.

But of particular note was the once-in-a-lifetime gathering of my nine siblings (yes nine). Have you ever tried to get nine people (most of whom have children running around) together for a photo-op? Amazingly it happened. And so, without further adieu, let me present to you, my siblings:



From Left to Right:
Carolyn, Betsy, Renee, Paula, Genny, Judy, Tim (me), and Carol.
And in the back is is the only other guy, whose name is -- quite appropriately -- Guy.

Attacked in Cleveland

As I was biking from Cleveland's West to East sides at 11:00 p.m. last night, a dark car drove up beside me. Suddenly there was a THWACK. My backpack shook violently. I nearly lost my balance. There was a disappointed "Oh!" from the car as it sped off south on Lake Avenue.

I pulled over, nervously reaching for my backpack. Feeling the goo and brittle white flakes, I realized what had happened: I had been egged.

Getting Settled in Cleveland

Return to the Motherland

Well, I'm here, in Ohio. My cats were happy to see me, even the grouchy one. Maybe that's a sign.

Coinstar Blessings

Over the past five years in my New York apartment, I have managed to fill a plastic shoe container with change, pilfering it only occasionally for quarters for laundry. Thus, on Saturday, with the last of my possessions shipped to Cleveland for the big move, it was time to cash in.

I figured I had $20 or $30 in pennies, but the great Coinstar demigod at the local Duane Reede drug store clinked away for seven minutes, eventually counting it it at $124.47, and then bestowing said quantity in the form of a Starbucks gift card.

Sometimes change is a good thing.

(Hmmm.... I have some sisters and nieces and nephews in Cleveland who like Starbucks, no?)

Cleveland Bound

I'm not just talking about it this time.  After 10 years in New York, I am taking a job with Penton Media and moving back to Ohio.  My last day in the city is Memorial day, Monday, May 26th 2008.

So now it's time to say goodbye to all the best friends I've ever had -- and could ever hope for -- and reconnect with a family I hardly know.  If only it were possible to be in both places at once.

I HATE goodbyes.  Every time I think about leaving, I start to get teary eyed.  But, honestly, with two weeks to go, there's no time for that.

Anyone have any boxes?