Lost in my excitement over my first goddaughter and our fundraising efforts for brain tumor research - and to a much lesser degree U.S.A.’s (ultimately disappointing) run to overtime in the gold medal match at the Olympics - is the fact that I have a MRI scheduled for tomorrow night. Around two o’clock tomorrow afternoon, with Jessie and my parents alongside, I’ll make the journey to Durham, NC for an 8:00 pm MRI. I won’t be privy to the results until sometime Tuesday morning, though I’m sure I already know. Stand by for more great news, and perhaps a picture of my customary celebratory ice cream treat.
Other
For once I’m not quite certain how to type exactly what I want to say. Quite simply, tonight I was given an incredible honor, possibly one of the top honors of my life to date. When Brad and Angela asked us to serve as godparents of their baby daughter, though stunned, we obviously accepted the great privilege. With a fantastic godfather of my own, I’ve already learned a thing or two about what a godfather should be…more Ralphie, less Vito. Either way, I vow to be the best godfather that Mackenzie Frances could ever want. Tonight, as I held a newborn for the first time I can recall, we got off to a great start.
Other
Something occurred to me today; something that I don’t do nearly enough, or actually, something that I don’t do at all. When I told one of my friends that I loved them, I realized that there are three people in particular to whom I never profess that love. While I’ll tell my friends quite frequently that I love them, and I have no shame in admitting my feelings for those that are so close to me that have been in my life for quite awhile, I never tell my sisters the same thing. I guess I’m still stuck in the phase of your average 12 year-old, not wanting to show any emotion towards my sisters, wiping my cheek after they kiss me, and wiggling out of hugs that they offer. What a fool I’ve been. Now, this isn’t a tell-them-now-before-it’s-too-late “I love you”, because we’re going to be siblings and great friends for decades upon decades to come. This is an “I love you” that I should have been uttering all along. Cheryl…I love you. Denise…I love you. Chrissy…I love you. While it may unfortunately slip my mind to tell you that every time we talk, and I’m sure you’ve long seen through that immature, tough guy façade of mine, just know how much I love you, and how lucky I feel to have you by my side. Everyone should be as fortunate - and if you are, tell those close to you that you love them. It’s great a great thing to be loved.
Other
I’ll soon steer my attention and the focus of this blog back to what it’s supposed to be about (as soon as I figure out what that is), but I can’t help but mention the big ride in Boston one more time today. Specifically, what a start our team has had! I’m overwhelmed at the generosity, touched by the support, and enthused by the possibilities. Please accept a heartfelt ‘thank you’ on behalf of the entire ‘Whatevros for B.A.S.’ team, for all of the countless lives that you’re helping to save.
GBM
Today’s temperatures, which reached the high 40s, provided a perfect opportunity for me to do some outdoor running, and also gave me a needed respite from the indoor exercise bike on which I’ve been furiously peddling day after day. When I returned home from my run today – a relatively snappy 29-minute, three-mile jaunt – my wet, brown socks were evidence of the muddy conditions around town. The untouched snow, which once measured close to three-feet in height, is all but gone, and only remains in the shadiest of areas. That realization led me to a thought, which I’m sure is flawed, but nevertheless had me thinking. Since the District of Columbia has still yet to clear most of the piles of snow with which the plows absurdly chose to block most of the intersections and crosswalks in the city, and Mother Nature has already taken care of what DC couldn’t, why not vow to leave the snow alone entirely next time it falls until it melts? Had we elected that course of action last time it snowed, we would be out of this mess already.
Running
I was remiss to note yesterday that there is more than enough room for anyone and everyone to join us on the Boston Brain Tumor Ride. A few astute Dekes have already made the leap of faith. Does anyone else care to join us? Just one word of caution though. Evidently you’re held responsible to meet your fundraising goal, so join wisely. That said, I’ve taken it upon myself to ensure that nobody falls shy. Donate to the team and spread the love around. In Jessie’s frequent words to me, “we’re in this together.”
GBM
As you well know, I was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in November of 2008. While I’ve chronicled my subsequent odyssey here, the specifics of my past are no longer what I want to focus my time and energy on. For me, and for the countless masses that now wage the same war, it’s the future that is paramount. For far too many unfortunate souls, GBM carries a devastating prognosis, typically 18 months to live after diagnosis. As for me, however, I’m blessed with stubbornness. Far be it for me to succumb to a dastardly disease, though many people are still in the fight of their lives against it. While I ride in this year’s ‘Boston Brain Tumor Ride’ – coincidentally 18 months after I was diagnosed – I’ll be cancer-free and on with my life, newly dedicated to fundraising for the battle still ahead for a devastating percentage of the population. I’ve also dedicated myself to mental and physical fitness, as not only will I ride with family and friends on May 16th in Boston, but I’ll be running a 10-mile road race in Washington DC on April 11th, ahead of my ultimate goal of the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon in DC on October 31st, 2010. Two years prior on 10/31/08 I had no idea what was about to hit me. The next morning I awoke with a headache…and the rest is history. With the support of family and friends across the globe I was able to slay a monster like no other. Now I am asking for your help once again. Help me fund the war for those that are still suffering, and for those whose pain isn’t yet known. It will take an Army to kill this beast once and for all! Please donate to fund the war, and support me (http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/BTR-MA?px=1895028&pg=personal&fr_id=1520) and my team (http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/BTR-MA?pg=team&fr_id=1520&team_id=35700) as we ride.
GBM
I caught a bug on my recent trip to Canada, and I don’t need a doctor to diagnose me. I’ve caught hockey fever. Not only am I currently watching USA vs. Canada in a tasty, Olympic border rivalry, but I also find myself planning ahead for 1/1/11 when the NHL’s annual Winter Classic is rumored to be held at Nationals Park when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals clash. Prior to the current Olympic break for the NHL, I was making a point to watch the first-place Capitals on TV at every opportunity, and I was sure to check in on those Caps during their 14-game winning streak when Jessie and I were in Las Vegas. How is it that I went 29 years without ever once attending a hockey game, and then after the taste I was given of playoff hockey last Spring, suddenly I can’t wait for the Capitals to ‘unleash the fury’ once again? I need to be admitted, Doc. I’m sick with hockey fever.
Other
On account of what I do for a living, press conferences, statements, public apologies, etc. tend to fascinate me. From the necessary (State of the Union), to the shocking (Alex Rodriguez), to the overdue (Mark McGwire) to the highly anticipated and controversial (Tiger Woods), I can’t get enough of the tears, defiance, excuses and apologies that are made. However, as the world has turned into a society of analysts and experts, and everyone en masse has opined on the latest - Tiger’s 13 minutes as the most watched man on the planet - I don’t feel it necessary to also weigh-in. I’d just like to note a few observations that I had.
1) Elin’s presence would have catapulted the event from what many are already calling the sports world’s ‘where were you when?’ JFK-like moment into a frenzied, cataclysmic, hysteria of media analysis that would have dried up all of the ink in the world, crashed the internet and short-circuited TVs and radios. It was a good thing she wasn’t there.
2) For the continued naysayers and haters that must be perfect because they’re in a position to judge, was there anything that Tiger could have said or done yesterday to appease you? I tend to doubt it. Perhaps that should be disclosed among the criticisms…and similarly, for those that perversely apologize for Tiger and secretly envy his hound dog-like ways, shouldn’t you unabashed man-crushers also be identified before placing his apology in the Hall of Fame of addresses where Lou Gehrig and Abraham Lincoln reside?
3) Aside from the martyr-like credit that some gave the Golf Writers Association of America for their boycott of yesterday’s proceedings, what exactly did the GWAA’s boycott accomplish? Do they realize that Tiger was able to make every point that he (and and his handlers) wanted him to make, without the potential disaster of a Q&A gone wrong, and had those points broadcast and looped on every network, cable outlet, radio station, newspaper, internet site, cave hieroglyphics and smoke signals from Florida to Fallujah? Sorry GWAA, but you played right into Tiger’s hand - and he held all of the cards yesterday.
4) Someone should start a pool on the next celebrity to take a nose-dive from grace in this TMZ driven world. Any takers?
Other
How did you do?
1. Boxing
2. Niagara Falls, where the rim is worn down approximately two and a half feet per year on account of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.
3. Asparagus and rhubarb.
4. Strawberries.
5. It grew inside the bottle. Bottles are placed over pear buds, and wired in place on the tree. As the pears grow and become ripe, they are then snipped off at the stem, leaving the pear inside of an empty bottle.
6. Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.
7. Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation mark, brackets, parenthesis, braces and ellipses…or . , : ; - ~ ‘ ? ! ” [] ( ) < > {}
8. Lettuce.
9. Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, stockings, stilts…among others.
Other
