Nardone's Notes

I'm Back

2005-11-04T10:39:00.000-05:00

I've been derelict with the personal blog. I guess adding the third kid will do that. But it's been worth it because having Sophia around is magical. But I do want to do a better job of chronicling things in my world so I'm going to make a concerted effort to keep it up.

Drew loses his first tooth

2005-08-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

It happened this morning at 9:30. His bottom front right tooth finally
fell out while eating a piece of rye toast. I'll post a picture later.
It's bittersweet because it's a right of passage but I keep telling him to
stop growing up! Way to go buddy, hope the tooth fairy stops by.
_Andy Nardone__
(973) 464-7248

2005-07-15T00:10:00.000-04:00

Susan snoozing at Willow Valley.

Hershey

2005-05-26T22:27:00.000-04:00

Having a great time in Hershey. We arrived yesterday a bit before 11 am.
Got into our room (4838) then went to lunch at Bear's Den in the Lodge.

Battery dying, finish this later.
_Andy Nardone__
(973) 464-7248

Good To Know

2005-04-28T10:05:00.000-04:00

Here's a great link just in case you find yourself in an Abbott & Costello movie.

Government As Dietician

2005-04-20T14:47:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this strike you as odd? Why does the federal government bother with this? Do people seriously turn to the government as a credible source of information regarding healthy eating habits? Throw this crap in the toilet where it belongs.

Here's a quick heads up, agricultural and food industry lobbyists have their filthy fingerprints all over this crap. Don't rely on the government to tell you how much and what to eat. If you do you'll end up obese like a large segment of our population, just the way food companies like you.

Eat up!

Pope To A Generation

2005-04-04T07:19:00.000-04:00

We mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II. While I vaguely remember the near successive deaths of Pope Paul VI and John Paul I, it was Pope John Paul II who I remember, who most people of my generation remember.

People are out extolling the accomplishments of this pope and what we can expect in the future. I find it curious that the child abuse issue has not been raised. Perhaps this is out of respect.

I certainly haven't followed this issue closely, but do come across it in the news as stories break. But it seems there was a a concious effort to cover up what was going on instead of dealing with it head on. And this dealt with children, the most innocent among us. Frankly it is one of the main reasons I have drifted away from institutionalized faith.

Unless convinced otherwise, this taint on the Pope's reputation/legacy outweighs the other positive aspects of his tenure. Especially because this was a Pope who held him self out as a true friend of the youth of the world. If this is so, isn't there a sense of betrayal given what transpired during this sordid period in the Catholic church?

Perhaps I'm too harsh in my judgement. Like any large organization, maybe the Pope never really got involved in micro affairs, if you can call something that threatens to bankrupt some churches micro. Akin to what is happening in the current corporate scandals dealing with Enron, WorldCom and Tyco, maybe the highest up just didn't know what was going on.

But just like in those secular cases, I don't buy it. And given that, I hold this Pope accountable for his complicity in a despicable chapter in the churches history.

Philly

2005-03-31T07:10:00.000-05:00

We spent Easter weekend in Philly. Susan and I both hold Philly close to our hearts. She spend over 12 years there and me 8. It's also where we met and began this journey. On top of that, Philly is just a user friendly city. We'll keep returning there for years to come.

We stayed at Embassy Suites near the airport, which we won't do again. We'd rather be in the city or closer to the Main Line where some friends are. And the pool, which is a big draw for the kids in the colder months was atrocious. We like the suite setup because it gives us two rooms. However, we never seem to get any free time together. Maybe when the kids are a bit older.

We went to the Please Touch Museum on Friday, our second time. I don't think we'll be back for quite some time. It's nice for the kids, but just not that big. We wanted to get to the Franklin Institute but it just wasn't in the cards. On Saturday we went to the Villanova campus. Of course we didn't realize Easter break closes up the school so we just walked around for awhile. Went to Bertucci's for lunch in Wayne.

Sunday we went to see the Reynolds out in Downingtown. Great house guys, really nice seeing you and the boys.

Susan did a great job with toys, eggs and candy so we had our little Easte hunt Sunday morning in our hotel room.

Nice quick getaway with the tribe.

Happy 95th Birthday Gram

2005-03-23T16:09:00.000-05:00

Today is my grandmother's 95th birthday. Isn't that great? 95. I went to see her yesterday along with some cousins, Rich and Pat. It was nice being there are seeing everybody. Angie is getting ready to move to another assisted living site because she needs a bit more oversight than in years past. It's a bit further from where we live but I really want to make a concerted effort to see her more, especially with the kids.

Happy birthday Gram!

More Chronicles From Bubbletown

2005-03-23T15:59:00.000-05:00

Excerpts from an article in the Arizona Republic:

"It's really frustrating because you can't even have the luxury of going to look at a house and going home to think about it," she said. "If you think you can do something with it, you make an offer and just pray to God it works out."

"We're concerned if we don't get a home soon we might not ever be able to afford one," said Robert, who works in the telecom industry.

If this type of thinking doesn't scream bubble/everyone's on the same side of the boat, I really don't know what does. I've long held real estate ends ugly this time, but lately it appears it is going to be fugly, you know, fucking ugly.

The writing is on the wall. Most just don't want to stop and read it.

2005-03-18T10:47:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

The High Cost Of Education

2005-03-18T05:41:00.000-05:00

Seth Godin takes some shots at an MBA degree. My meme cuts a bit lower on the educational totem pole.

It is my belief that as college level education costs continue to spiral out of control, we will soon reach a point of diminishing returns. It won't be worth the money. I firmly believe over the next 10-20 years we will see a return to apprenticeship. No, I'm not jumping on The Donald bandwagon. I just feel if young people start their careers earlier they'll be better off professionally and financially in the long run.

However, this doesn't mean we go from high school graduation on Friday to career on Monday. Either prior to an apprenticeship or contemporaneously with it, young people should receive intensive communications training - - speaking and writing (typing but also writing, a handwrittnen note goes miles in biz). The bottom line is with polished communication skills an 18-20 year old would be just as viable in today's job market. And unshackled from college loan debt likely more liberated to hit the ground running. Communication training coupled with a well run apprenticeship progam will be the educational wave of the 21st century.

As Seth points out, if college to you is learning for learning's sake then this doesn't apply to you. But when you've gleaned life's lessons from one kegger the rest are really more of the same.

Finally, I am clearly not targeting highly skilled fields. But a large segment (majority?) of US workers perform jobs that don't require specialized educational training. We should refocus "higher" education to the highly skilled fields so we can better compete with India and China. Already those countries are turning out engineers at rates that should make us blush. If this continues we run the risk of being displaced as the epicenter of technological innovation. And trust me, nothing would make China prouder than knocking us on our technological keister.

Bottom line, armed with honed communications skills anyone can do just about anything. And to get there shouldn't be as expensive as it is today.

Because Mr. Market Says It Shall Be So

2005-03-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

Barry Ritholtz thinks a 30% "haircut" to the real estate market would be significant but manageable. I disagree. As the saying goes, this "ain't" our parents real estate market.

The table below says it all. Again, I don't do timing. All I am saying is Mr. Market goes where he goes with the least number of people as possible. All of you real estate bulls will never be able to convince me that Mr. Market is going to allow 42% (69% if we include those with less than 10% equity in their home purchase) of first-time home buyers to leverage up the way they are and be on the right side of the trade. Huh uh, ain't going to happen. I don't know an easier way to explain it.

How much did they put down?
The majority of first-time buyers had downpayments of less than 10 percent.

Size of downpayment / First-time buyers putting this much down
0% / 42%
1% - 9% / 27%
10% - 19% / 12%
20% - 29% / 10%
30% - 39% / 2%
40% - 49% / 1%
More than 50% / 6%

- Source: National Association of Realtors

I Hear Ya

2005-03-07T16:04:00.000-05:00

It isn't easy holding this conviction. Hey, I'm a homeowner and so is most everyone I come into contact with. No one likes to hear this. Woe is me I guess.

Fleckenstein has been beating the drum too. I love the last paragraph as it relates to the tired old line that they ain't making anymore of it:

"In case you're wondering what it might look like, there is a group of islands where there isn't enough real estate for everyone -- and where real-estate prices have declined for 10 years now. It's also home to the world's second-largest economy. It's called Japan."

My other favorite argument is all the immigrants. Hey, a lot of the Indian braintrust are heading back. If we keep up current fiscal policies a lot more groups will find other shores more attractive. Waves of immigrants. What bunk.

The Outsider

2005-03-07T15:21:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a feel like a Dunkin' Donuts guy in a Starbucks world. That's what makes life interesting.

I Guess They Don't Eat Their Own Cooking

2005-03-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

Shouldn't ChoicePoint have used their own services/databases to screen the criminals posing as businessmen? If this is who the caliber of people who safeguard our biographical data I'm underwhelmed. This smells like it could get worse.

Picture228_02Mar05.jpg

2005-03-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

Rock Star!!

_Andy Nardone__
(973) 464-7248

Housing Ends Ugly

2005-03-01T01:09:00.000-05:00

Everyone is quick to spot a bubble ever since the stock market meltdown of 2000. Housing has been fingered as a bubble for several years now. I have been on the accusing end here. There are plenty that say there may be localized bubbles but housing doesn't lend itself to a nationalized bubble.

Well, as far as I'm concerned all the evidence lately doesn't pass the sniff test. I predict we will see a real estate correction the likes of which we have never experienced in the US. I think it will make the RTC/S&L debacle look like child's play. I'm basing this on nothing more than the old "shoeshine boy" theory. "When the shoeshine boy starts giving you tips, it is time to be out of the market," Joe Kennedy reportedly told his wife.

Everything blowing in the real estate wind wreaks of this today. NY Times today has an
article about flippers and rampant speculation. It ain't going to end nicely.

I admit my timing has been way, way off, but the endgame I foresee hasn't changed. Real estate is going to come unglued. And shit rolls downhill, it will be a nationwide problem.

Picture225_27Feb05.jpg

2005-02-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

We had a great day over at Tulip Tree Hill yesterday. Jr, Bobby and I took
the bigger kids sleigh riding. It was a blast. Drew scraped up his chin
after flying over a mogul. He toughed it out though.

Great time was had by all. Liz made a tasty dinner and her signature thin
cake. Maybe those 2 slices will help me get thinner,doubt it.

Jr, 206 to 287 is the way to go.

_Andy Nardone__
(973) 464-7248

Picture226_27Feb05.jpg

2005-02-28T13:40:00.001-05:00

Picture227_27Feb05.jpg

2005-02-28T13:40:00.000-05:00

Swaddled Sophia

2005-02-09T11:44:00.000-05:00

Swaddled Sophia
Originally uploaded by rikerhill.

I'm sending this over the the family blog from flickr. This is the first of many Sophia pix I will post. We're upgrading from the flimsy phone camera to an Olympus so we should get much better quality picutres. Isn't she an angel?

Our Princess Arrives

2005-02-03T22:52:00.000-05:00

They say the third time is a charm and it certainly proved so with the birth of Sophia Grace. I was much more relaxed going into this childbirth. Susan had an amnio due to being over 35 (she was 36) so that told us the gender and a host of other things. While there are no guarantess in life, I was just in a more "cool" mood leading up to her arrival.

Maybe too cool. Susan said contrations woke her about 3 am. She got me up at 5 and said this was probably the real deal. She wanted to take a quick shower so I went downstairs to get a bite to eat. I called Joe next door and asked him if he could sit for the boys until Liz got here. Well, Susan gets out of the shower doubled over in pain from the contractions. Let's roll baby!!! Joe gets here, Susan can barely say hello as we hop in the car. On the 5 minute driver to the hospital it was touch and go, we thought I might have to scrub in. We arrived the delivery intake and it was empty. Great I thought, it was jammed when Luke was born. Well, it didn't matter. After I gave the woman our insurance card she was on the phone demanding someone get Susan to a bed stat! The docs did a quick exam and realized we needed a delivery room asap.

They wheeled Susan to the delivery room, inquired into the whereabouts of her OB and said we were having a baby, it was go time. Susan wanted to know about an epidural for the pain, which was beyond the pale. They blew some smoke up her skirt with a "maybe" but I think we both realized the time for that had passed. The resident/attending combo that took the reigns, a girl and a guy, were grace under pressure. It was a frantic few minutes to this point but I had a great feeling about everything.

The nurse put an IV into Susan and wanted her hand at her sides. Well, Susan had other ideas. She had my shirt clenched in her first to the point where I literally counld not get her off. The nurse again told her to put her arm down so I had to physically, I mean physically, pry her hand from my shirt. Reminded me of the stories when some good samaritan musters up the strength to lift a car off an injured victim. Susan was displaying brute strength from an other worldly place.

Well, a few pushes later and out came Sophia. She was just beautiful, lively, angelic. Upon seeing her I was flooded with incredible joy and happiness, feeling on top of the world smiling from ear to ear. I felt like hi fiving to whole delivery team. It was the best. I say this because it was in stark contrast to how I felt with the two boys. Drew came in with his drama king routine, scaring the daylights out of us. It was intense joy interrupted with one of the lowest feelings when it took a bit of time to get him breathing properly. Try that on for bittersweet. With Luke, when he came out aok I was so relieved I couldn't stop crying. The experience with Drew was still etched in my mind so the relief was overwhelming. Three kids, three very different experiences. Just the way it should be I guess, because they are each their own individual spirit.

No private recovery rooms were available but we were put on a wing that is a bit newer. Hopefully Susan won't get a roommate so she can enjoy some quiet time. I always found the quiet solitude of the recovery room a needed moment in time for Susan, me and the babies. It was as though time had stopped, the outside world mattered none. We were together in our cocoon with this wonderful little baby. It was such a peaceful time with each child.

Sophia Grace, we couldn't be happier to say welcome to our family. You've got parents that love you endlessly and two big brothers that can't wait to spoil you rotten. Welcome home precious.

2005-01-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

I snapped this picture of Drew and Susan just before Drew went up to bed. Susan and I just love his expression. Susan said is says "I love my mom so much." Yes, it does but so much more. I can't get enough of it.

Negligent

2005-01-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted for some time. I guess the holidays kicked in and I didn't find the time. Just a quick not on ebay. I think it has morphed right before our eyes. Originally it was a place to find some obscure item you needed and someone else had. Or maybe you were looking for a used radio scanner (I sold one years ago on ebay) and someone else was getting rid of one. Today I think you are seeing more and more sellers trying to sell "me too" items, new items. And frankly, the prices are not compelling enough. Most times you can find items cheaper from a more reputeable vendor. Don't get me wrong, I always singled ebay out as THE business model for the internet. But I think we're seeing some sort of maturation point or saturation point. The minute the news of the fee increases hit, I thought to myselft this sounds like it is coming from a postion of weakness, not strength. We'll see how this plays out.

I always thought the network effect would insulate ebay. The thinking is why sell anywhere but ebay since that is where the buyers are. Maybe I have to rethink. Maybe I've got it backwards, maybe the sellers lead the buyers. And I do believe another entrant could come in here with really aggressive pricing and shake up the auction world. In all of tech prices are falling, why should auctions (powered by tech) be any different?

Lighter Side

2004-12-17T06:27:00.000-05:00

I'm off the politics/war rant. Tired of it.

We bought a GMC Yukon. Having it shipped up from Florida. Hopefully we can get it in time to put it under the Christmas tree.

I like hockey. However, if the pro sport never came back 99% of people wouldn't even know it.

REM vs. U2? (REM)

Weight loss/diet program merchants will always be in business. It's all about discipline and people generally don't possess it. When people said Atkins was here to stay I had to laugh. It's just another fad. To stay on anything long term in well nigh impossible. The merchants just have to keep a ready supply of new short time customers. Pass the pasta!

The boys love their Advent calendars. I loved them growing up but ours only opened up to show a little picture. Drew and Luke get a little chocolate treat as well. Fun.

Kids, generally, are great. Our kids, specifically, are the best thing to ever happen on this earth.

Drew is into the show LazyTown. He can't stop laughing at the closing sequence of Home Alone.

Luke's been a bit under the weather. He's in his new big boy bed, getting ready to start bunking with Drew. Luke's totally into reading his books with us.

Have You No Sence of Decency?

2004-12-16T16:17:00.000-05:00

Maybe the tide is turning. Rummy got upbraided by a grunt about lack of armor on vehicles. Rummy said we can't get it any faster from the supplier. The CEO of the supplier comes on TV to dispute this, saying their manufacturing is nowhere near capacity. More bs from this gang that can't shoot straight. The rhetoric is changing, many more conservative voices are suddenly "off message."

What prompted this post was a recent settlement for an outfit called First Command Financial. This outfit ostensibly provides financial services to our service men and women. What they're really doing is selling investment products with obscene front- and backend loads reaching, at times, up to 50% of the invested funds.

I beat myself up over lowering client expenses. Here you have an outfit using young men and women, many or most who lately have more important things to worry about - like dying in Iraq, to line its own pockets. Forget Kerik, who vetted this outfit? Why not ask Vanguard to create a unit dedicated solely to service this group? Maybe no one at Vanguard is connected militarily.

It's all one big shakedown. And if you can't see it you're not paying attention. Everyone in the elite inner circle of this administration wants to make a quick buck from this war effort. This is nothing new. Haliburton, First Command, it's all the same. All off the sweat, tears and blood of our "all volunteer" force.

The question that I have, and I know the answer, is how do some of these characters look themselves in the mirror? The answer is "easily." Cats like this have no conscience. As Joseph Welch once asked, "Have you no sense of decency sir?"

2004-12-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Is Anybody Home?

2004-12-06T07:24:00.000-05:00

A few things dovetailed over this weekend to really have my blood boiling. First, was an article in Parade Magazine written by the author/doctor Michael Crichton of Jurassic Park fame. The point of his article was that we have to stop scaring ourselves. From global freezing to global warming to overpopulation leading to mass starvation, all predictions of impending doom come and go by the wayside. While the article did not address the current state of global tensions, that is what popped into my head. I think a variety of sources, the government, major media outlets esp. state run media (Fox) realize they have a vested interest in keeping as large a segment of our population in a constant state of fear. Maybe not hiding under the sheets fear, just a dull constant of fear about the "enemy" that can effectivley cloud otherwise clear thinking.

This morning I read an article in my my local paper dealing with a Wash. Post article recounting the death of Pat Tillman. As most recall, Patt Tillman was the multimillion dollar athlete that walked away from it all post 9-11 to serve his country. Sadly, he was killed while serving in Afghanistan, ostensibly by Taliban fighters while searching for OBL. News of his death sent equal waves of sympathy and pride across the country. Here was a real hero that embodied the American spirit. He wasn't one of those pampered, spoiled athletes out of touch with the average America. Tributes were paid over many months especially throughout the NFL. Pat Tillman made us feel good about the American spirit.

Cut to the Post article dated this weekend, I guess 12/3,4, or 5. Pieced together with witness testimony, email, official documents etc., it seems clear Mr. Tillman was killed by friendly fire. More chillingly, it appears he was mistakenly stalked by a machine gunner aboard one of our own Humvees. Upon hearing generally of a friendly fire incident his mother was upset but realized accidents do happen especially in this type of situation. But as more and more details came to light of the series of tactical blunders she seems to have lost a lot of her resignation that "accidents do happen."

Finally, I put Green Day's latest on the jukebox this morning and it opens with the title track, American Idiot. I think the song just captured my thinking over the weekend. Here are some the lyrics:

"American Idiot"

Don't wanna be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania.
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind fuck America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alienation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.

Don't wanna be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.

Do we just lap up what is spoon fed to us? Is it really unpatriotic to question the government? Isn't it unpatriotic not to, even in war times? Has our government lied to us before? What did 20+ years and 52,000+ dead in Viet Nam do for us? The Wall is a moving tribute but I bet moms, dads, brothers, sisters, sons & daughters would rather have their sons, brothers or dads at Christmas dinner is a few weeks instead

Do I question my thought process on this subject? Certainly, often. Maybe this is the first inning of a really big macro story (the dawn of a new era in the Middle East) and I'm just too caught up in the micro, specifically Iraq. However, if I piece together everything set forth in front of me, I don't think the Bush administration's foreign policy is on the right course. I truly hope I'm wrong and we're seeing the dawn of a new day/century vis-a-vis the Middle East and the rest of the world. However, history in the region is long and lurid. And history to us is different than history to those of that region. They deal in centuries of history, we deal in last month.

Finally, let's put to rest the idea that the sentiment I'm putting forth is an indictment of our troops. Quite the contrary. These men and women are in harms way and have to do exactly as told my their superiors (winding all the way back to D.C). That's the way the military should and does operate. Thus, because the soldiers have no practical way to dissent, somebody has to ensure that those making the strategic choices that may fatally impact these folks are doing so according to a rational, exacting, viable and, ultimately, succesful battle plan.

And "somebody" is us, every thinking American. Don't exalt or deify government and its servants. They are us, nothing more.

Wynwood Reunion

2004-12-02T07:05:00.000-05:00

We had our first Wynwood reunion last night. We started small, four of us, and we had a great time. Myself, Paul Hackett, Wes & Mike Sturdevant. Paul and I have been in touch recently but I had not seen Wes and Mike in years.

We met around 7 at The Three As in Hoboken. Mike ran late and got there about 8-8:30. We had a great time catching up on what everybody is up to with work, wives, fiancees, siblings, kids etc. Had a few good laughs about some old war stories from the neighborhood. Dinner and a few drinks, we broke up about 10:30. It was great seeing everybody. The shared history and familiarity is what makes spending time with old friends great. You can get right to the heart of the matter and just enjoy the company.

We're going to try to do something like this every 6 months or so. We'll try to coral more guys next time. Work, family etc. of course make it difficult but stuff like this is another paint needed to complete life's painting.

2004-11-29T00:09:00.000-05:00

Self portrait, dad and Drew, Saturday Nov 27, 2004.

2004-11-29T00:08:00.000-05:00

Leaving Sec. 328 at Giants Stadium. NYC skyline always seems incomplete now.

2004-11-29T00:06:00.000-05:00

Future Trojan of Fightin' Irish? That's the USC vs. ND game on the tube, USC crushed them. The true frosh Dwayne Jarret from New Brunswick, NJ should be something special in the pros. He's tearing it up for the Trojans already.

2004-11-29T00:04:00.001-05:00

Drew's right hand as of Saturday, Nov 27, 2004.

2004-11-29T00:04:00.000-05:00

Drew's right foot as of Saturday Nov 27, 2004.

2004-11-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

This is a ceramic tree that Great Grandma Angie made years ago. We've had it for a few years but didn't have the little bulbs for it. Mom's friend got them at a craft store. It's great to have it lit for the holiday season.

2004-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Pre-lit christmas tree. Only in America baby.

2004-11-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

We did the inside decoration on Saturday Nov 28th. Here's a glimpse of the tree.

2004-11-28T23:59:00.000-05:00

Bobby showing the Eagles fans who's Number 1. It was a rainy tailgate but game time turned beautiful. But the Gmen got trounced and with it any hope of a wildcard.

2004-11-28T23:56:00.000-05:00

Thomas hopped in Uncle Andy's car for the trip down to his driveway.

2004-11-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

Susan with the boys, giving Santa an early scoop on what the boys would like to see under the tree.

2004-11-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

A classic. Charlie Brown and the elusive football will never go out of style. We need to get the TV specials on a DVD set.

2004-11-28T23:52:00.000-05:00

Drew looks like he's fading a bit. The NYPD marching band is playing a tune behind.

2004-11-28T23:51:00.000-05:00

Sponge Bob.

2004-11-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

Papa and Luke checking out the parade.

2004-11-28T23:49:00.000-05:00

This is Digit from a TV show called Cyberchase. Drew likes to watch it every now and then. I was surprised it was in the parade. The character is voiced by comedian Gilbert Gottfried.

2004-11-28T23:44:00.000-05:00

Drew having a great time at the 2004 Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2004-11-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

Drew having a great time at the 2004 Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2004-11-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

Drew sporting Angus' hat as Sha looks on.

2004-11-28T23:13:00.000-05:00

This looked better live. It's the Empire State Building peaking above the building I was walking past.

2004-11-28T23:12:00.000-05:00

Drew holding Papa's hand as we head west on 34th St. We had a great time on what turned out to be a wonderful weather day.

2004-11-28T23:11:00.000-05:00

The parade closer, Santa rings in the start of the holiday season.

2004-11-28T23:09:00.000-05:00

Unlike Garfield, Kermit seems timeless.

2004-11-28T23:08:00.001-05:00

George in action, shooting a shot looking east on 34th Street.

2004-11-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

The most underappreciated Sesame Street character. Give him his own segment like Elmo and Grover would be the man!

2004-11-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

"I love Clifford, the big red dog."

2004-11-28T23:06:00.000-05:00

Is Garfield still relevant in '04?

2004-11-28T23:05:00.001-05:00

Drew, Daddy and Harry Carson. How about it Hall??

2004-11-28T23:05:00.000-05:00

Angus cutting Drew up.

2004-11-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

This is Angus the clown covering up Drew's face. He was a great clown at the parade. He hit it off with Drew and they "clowned" around the whole parade.

2004-11-28T23:03:00.000-05:00

Tony Dorsett walked by after his float ended the parade. He looked like he could still put the pads on and grind out 80-100 yards. George and I weren't sure of his age. I just checked, 50 this past April. He's a Hall member, class of '94. I can still see him in the backfield for the Pitt Panthers.

2004-11-28T22:58:00.000-05:00

Uncle Sam. I'm surprised his hand isn't outstretched.

2004-11-28T22:57:00.000-05:00

Some sort of football themed float. Drew and I got our picture taken with Harry Carson. He's George's all time favorite Giant. Theo feels he should be in the Hall.

2004-11-28T22:55:00.001-05:00

Drew, Susan, Luke, Sha (hidden) and George at the parade.

2004-11-28T22:55:00.000-05:00

Me and my big guy at the Thanksgiving Day parade '04

2004-11-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

Turkey breast Sha prepared for Thanksgiving Dinner '04. It was tasty, along with the rest of the meal. I was particularly fond of the corn pudding.

2004-11-28T22:51:00.000-05:00

A bigger shot of the crew at Drew's 4th birthday party.

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Drew blowing out the candles at his 4th birthday party.

2004-11-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

A few of the crew at Drew's 4th birthday party. Belle's taking care of lil' Luke.

2004-11-28T22:46:00.001-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday Drew!! He just woke up, Susan decorated the house for the big day.

2004-11-28T22:46:00.000-05:00

Who is that masked man?

2004-11-28T22:45:00.001-05:00

Ranger Boy.

2004-11-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

Drew is on a bit of a Power Ranger kick. Here's part of his "kit." The sword I could do without but boys will be boys.

2004-11-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

Meet Scooby. He's the newest edition to the family. Drew got him on his 4th birthday, Friday Nov. 19, 2004

2004-11-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

Drew writes "Daddy" on the Magnadoodle. Way to go big guy!!

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Big Drew writes his name on the Magnadoodle.

2004-11-28T22:40:00.001-05:00

Drew and Luke at Montville Park

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Drew at Montville Park

2004-11-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

Luke and the cousins Halloween Day in Morristown.

2004-11-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

Luke, Bella and Thomas on Halloween Day in Morristown. Drew was at a birthday party.

Catch Up

2004-11-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

I'm behind on the blog for a variety of unknown reasons. I'm going to catch up with a lot of photos afte I post this. I guess I have to jump back to Drew's birthday and party. We had a great time celebrating at home on his bday, a Friday, and then at his party with friends & family on Sunday the 21st at Pump It Up. His big gift was a hamster which Drew named Scooby.

Thanksgiving saw us in NYC at the parade. Susan's colleague hooked us up with tickets in front of Macy's on 34th St. Nana and Papa joined us and we had a great time. We headed back the Hayes Pl for a wonderful turkey dinner prepared by Nana. We all feasted and then topped it off with wonderful desserts. Maria and Susan took the kids to Polar Express on Friday, I spent the day with Phil and Christopher. We headed home late Friday. I'll fill in with photos and comments to round out the rest.

2004-11-17T21:42:00.000-05:00

Here are our three tix from the boys' first Giants game.

2004-11-13T07:18:00.000-05:00

Here's Luke with his dede. It'll be a mouthpiece soon enough young man!

2004-11-13T07:17:00.000-05:00

I took Drew and Luke to their first Giants game last Sunday. We stayed for the first half. They enjoyed it but I think they were generally a bit tired from the weekend already. I can't wait to do this more often. Drew wants to know why Shockey, the boys favorite player, has that "crazy hair?"

2004-11-12T18:01:00.000-05:00

This is the other one. I call this one "Nose Pressed Down."

2004-11-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

This a one of two sonogram pix Susan got from an appointment on Nov 11, 2004 @ 9:04 am. The pictures need no explanation. They're amazing. I call this one "Nose Pressed Up."

2004-11-04T12:49:00.000-05:00

I took Luke to the doctor this morning for a Well Visit (funny name, I like the old "check up"). Susan is flying to Knoxville for a dep. Here's Luke on the examination table waiting for the doctor - and the second half of his flu vaccination.

Election 2004

2004-11-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

Bush wins. It isn't official yet but I'm going out on a limb. This reminds me of 2000. I videoed Drew and I watching the election from the hosital room after he was born. Now this was a good 2 weeks after the vote. On tape I said it looks like Gore wins due to some Florida judicial ruling. Well, we know what really happened. But I do think Bush wins here.

As far as our vote, we were a split household. Susan voted Kerry based primarily on the stem cell issue. This despite Drew lobbying for GW in the voting booth. We took the little guys with us. They're going to be old hands at 18 because I think they gone to every election since birth.

On Sunday at brunch I indicated I was going to vote for the Libertarian candidate. However, on election day I pulled the Bush lever. My overriding factor was the outside chance that GW2 will attack the tax code. There were trial balloons floated a few months ago about scrapping the tax code. While it is likely a very long shot, the mere fact that it is being talked about is encouraging. Also, a second term gives them the freedom to get "primitive" and try stuff that would be verboten in a first term. This could get interesting coupled with majorities on both houses as well. The big problem here though is this administration spends money like a drunken liberal.
Where's Ron Paul when we need him most. My hope is with all this ammunition GW2 gets back to truly conservative principles and chops the US government down to size, in 4 years rendering it a mere shadow of its current bloated state.

How do I reconcile my vote with my problems with the administration? Simply put, I couldn't vote for Kerry and any alternative was really no vote at all. That said, I hope with the election over, Bush has the freedom to get real about Iraq.

More later.

Walled Gardens

2004-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

It has come full circle. Years ago I argued AOL was doomed because once people became somewhat internet savvy they would reach out to best of breed websites instead of AOL's proprietary content. But after more and more stories like this I think the tide may be turning. The future maybe in private walled gardens. If these anecdotal stories (including my dad's travails with a spyware infection) are any indication, the average user is getting pushed to the breaking point. Perversely, maybe AOL was way, way ahead of its time.

2004-10-29T19:17:00.001-04:00

Ace crime fighters!

2004-10-29T19:17:00.000-04:00

How was breakfast Robin?

2004-10-29T19:16:00.001-04:00

To the Bat Cave Robin

2004-10-29T19:16:00.000-04:00

Luke's class party

2004-10-29T19:15:00.002-04:00

Drew & Brian D.

2004-10-29T19:15:00.001-04:00

Drew's class party

2004-10-29T19:15:00.000-04:00

Drew & Brian DePalma

2004-10-29T19:14:00.001-04:00

Batman & Robin @ school Oct. 29, 2004

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Batman and candy

2004-10-29T19:10:00.000-04:00

Drew as Batman snacking at his school Halloween party Oct. 29, 2004

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Luke in his Robin costume at the school parade Oct. 29,2004