When You're Smiling...

So, today was the first day I got to look after Ella all alone while mommy went to work! We had a good time, as you can see from the following photos - we ate (ok, I ate), we drank, we laughed, we cried (ok, she cried), we puked (again, she did, not me)...was an eye-opener for sure! I didn't get to relax the whole day, so I can definitely see how Angela has been living these past couple of months and it gives me even more respect for her and makes me prouder of her than ever.

Oh, also, speaking of smiling, me and Lenny went to see Jackass Number 2 tonight, and it had me laughing pretty much straight through for an hour and a half. If you are into mindless humor involving poo and people getting hurt, definitely check it out!

Reflections

Ecstatic!

She loves this firefly...

Giggling!

Mets Clinch!!

2006 NL East Champs - NY METS BABY!

Mo' Fotos!

The weather was fine today, so I decided to go for a run on the boardwalk.

Grandpa Marty with the princess

Grandma Karen and the little supermodel-in-training...look at that glance!

"Holy crap, I can't believe I have half of this lunatic's genes..."

*Giggles!*

A bit drooly in her new hat! (Thanks again Rachel!)

Look at those blue eyes - just like her momma!

Loungin'...

A Whole Lotta Love

Today was Susan and Dave's wedding day - it was a stunning affair, very posh, and we had a lovely time. Saw some friends from vet school that I hadn't seen in years - it was so great seeing them, I wish I could do so more often! Also, Michelle and Rachel came over to meet Ella last night - it is always lovely to have them over. Angela's mum, stepdad and sister came over thursday night to meet little Ella as well, they are leaving tomorrow, and we will be sad to see them go. I will attach a mish-mash of photos - I am really exhausted (the 4 double shots of flavored vodka in 10 minutes time isnt helping to keep me awake), so this may sound a bit disjointed...but, too bad. I can do what I want BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ella's nursery...finally finished!

Getting so big!!

Angela, Me, Michelle and Rach in an unfortunately blurry photo at the wedding! (Michelle and Rach - when you read this, PLEASE email me some of your wedding photos!)

Can ya feeeeeeeeeeel the love?!? I can.

There they are...the happy couple!

A bit clearer...

Me in my new pimp-suit.

Angela's sister Diane, Stepdad Nick, Mum Shiela, Me in some bizarre pose (please don't ask - I do NOT have a stick shoved up my ass), my beautiful wife.

R.I.P. Crocodile Hunter

"Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition. He was 44.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when he was stung, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on its Web site.

He collapsed at Batt Reef, near Low Isle and the resort town of Port Douglas, Queensland state police said in a statement. Port Douglas is about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane, the state capital.

A rescue helicopter rushed to the scene but Irwin had died, the statement said.

Queensland ambulance service spokesman Bob Hamil confirmed that a diver had been killed by a stingray off Lowe Isles Reef and said cause of death appeared to be a "stingray strike to the chest."

Stingrays have flat bodies and tails with serrated spines, which contain venom and can cause cuts and puncture wounds. The creatures are not aggressive and injury usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one." - Associated Press


Poor bastard. Figures that he would die while fucking around with stingrays rather than getting his head chomped off by a massive croc. And you just know it wasn't an accident either, he had to have been trying to give the fucking thing a hug or a kiss or something. How do we know this? He got stung in the CHEST. Not the foot or ankle. The chest. So he was trying to be cute for his documentary by slapping a wet one on this poor stingray, and WHAM, right in the chest. Can you blame the stingray? I would try and get him off me by any means possible too. You have to feel bad for his kids though. Notice, I said "kids" not "wife and kids" because his wife was a willing participant in all of his stupid tv shows, so she had to know that he was risking his life daily. Now their kids get to grow up without a dad. Well done, Steve.

Farewell Andre...

I have very few memories of high school that I truly cherish. There is one, however, that I will never forget, and it has been brought back to the forefront of my mind today.

During my Aunt Audrey's wedding at a fancy restaurant in Manhattan, word had been going around that Andre Agassi was dining downstairs with his then wife Brooke Shields. My cousin Aimee was, at that time, completely obsessed with tennis and Andre was top of her list of crushes. This was, I think, in 1994 or 1995, so it was basically during Andre's heyday. Myself, my drunk-ass girlfriend and my sister decided to go downstairs to see if the hype was true. We didn't want to disturb them, and we had no intention of walking up to their table or anything, we just wanted to see if they were there. So, we walked down, and as we approached the restaurant area, they were up from their table and about to leave. As they walked toward us, I decided to say hello. Andre was extremely courteous while Brooke was pulling him to leave, not even acknowledging the 18yr old star-struck kid standing there. Andre shook my hand and I was just in awe. I asked him a simple favor - I told him about Aimee and asked if he would wave to her. I walked with him towards the door, and just at that moment Aimee was walking down the stairs. Now, I know this was 11 or 12 years ago, but I remember the next part so clearly...I was standing behind him. I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed up to Aimee and said, "That's her." He looked at her, smiled and waved. I'll never forget the look on Aimee's face as I thought she was going to collapse and fall down the stairs (she didn't). I thanked him, and he and his bitch wife left. I am glad he dumped her ass a few years later.

From then on, I became an Andre fan. He was very kind to me and my cousin when he could have easily breezed out of there or had me arrested for touching his shoulder. He is a class act, and I enjoyed watching him win tennis tournaments. It was a bit difficult watching him struggle today, during his last ever professional tournament. He retired today, after 21 years as a pro. That's a long time in any sport, let alone one as physically demanding as tennis. We saw his trademark "four corner salute" for the last time today. I think the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium is still applauding as I write this nearly 12 hours later.


So, I just wanted to post this, for posterity, that I will be sad to see Andre retire, but I am sure his family and his body will thank him.

His final interview was eloquent. Who would have thought that this guy, who started his career with his long hair and "image is everything" slogan would end up this way? Not only did all of the players applaud him as he entered the locker room, but the PRESS gave him a standing ovation at the conclusion of his final press conference. How often do the media salute a star athlete in that way?? He said a few words before he left the court for the last time:


"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life. Thank you."

Smile!

Mom, me, Ella (snuggled up in the Baby Bjorn carrier for the first time!) and Angela at the Boardwalk

Prelude to a smile...

Yay!!!!!! A real one!