Saturday in September

The weather forecast for today (Saturday September 24, 2011) was not promising: overcast with chance of rain; it rained most of Friday evening/Saturday morning.

On the positive side, the decaying NASA satellite did not hit us.

Unfortunately, Richard's roller hockey team seems to be suffering a let down from their playoff loss (on Sunday 9-11). Today marked their third loss in three games for the fall season. We lost our goalie at the end of the summer season due to back problems. Today we heard that he may have a torn disc which could require surgery if 2-3 months of rest does not help. Please keep Tyler in your prayers for healing.

My original plan was to drive back to the shore and attend the annual "Meet the Artists" at Milford's Green. However, due to the weather, decided against it.

Richard & I enjoyed lunch at Angelina's Pizzeria. We shared a "slice" of cheese and a (very large) chicken caesar salad. They had a college football game on the big screen.

Then we went back to Lynn's apartment to watch the Indians game on TV. It looked like a beautiful day in ClevO as the Tribe beat the Twins 8-2.

Since we had been sitting so much and the weather was calm, we went for a nice walk around the neighborhood for about an hour and a half. Lynn and I like to take a brisk pace; but Richard apparently thought he got all the exercise he needed this morning at roller hockey.

On Stage

Yesterday (Saturday September 17, 2011), Richard and I enjoyed an open house at Hartford Stage. As you may recall, Richard volunteered earlier this summer for their production of Break Dancing Shakespeare - The Tempest. Lynn noticed a listing for the open house and recalled that Richard and me had attended last year's event.

We had a nice chat with the summer student program coordinator, Kirstin.

An interesting lecture about the background of the play was presented in the theater by the Senior Dramaturg (that is actually a titled position!).

Fortunately, our tour was conducted by the Associate Production Manager, Andy. He was able to give a lot of technical information, especially about the lighting (a keen interest of Richard); afterwards, he shared his educational background and gave tips about college.

Richard and I slipped out for a bit of lunch just around the corner at Pietro's Pizza. We enjoyed a slice and a soda while chatting and glancing at the big screen TV which was broadcasting a German Day Heritage Parade in NYC. The we strolled around downtown Hartford for a bit.

For desert, we each got a cupcake from a food truck, The Cupcake Brake. Richard had "Plain Twain" with vanilla frosting; I had "Vernon Velvet" (a soft, red chocolate) with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.

After checking out the parking garage adjacent to the theater to see how last year's renovation had changed the space, we returned for a short light and sound demonstration of the opening scene of the current play, The Crucible.  You may remember that Richard read the play in school last year. Therefore, he is not very interested in sitting through the 3-hour play.

When we got back to Lynn's apartment, we were able to catch (on TV), the ending of the Indians 10-4 win over the Twins.

A Sunny September Morning

Initially, I had planned to write about my memories of this morning 10 years ago today. But I decided that I would rather count my blessings."

I worked in Lower Manhattan for four years (1996-2000). Every week day, I took the Metro North train into Grand Central Terminal, walked across the concourse and went down into the subway and rode the Green Line (4/6) express to downtown. The twin towers dominated your view especially as you came out of the subway (see picture at left).

Dear God,

Thank you for all the good times that I had in towers, especially the many engineering society meetings.

Thank you for the enjoyable times I spent in the Borders Book store at the WTC.

Thank you for the job opportunities I had in the towers but didn't accept.

Thank you for the friends and colleagues that you kept safe 10 years ago. Several worked in or near the tower but got home okay.

Thank you for the chance to know Dick Klares and Mike Ferugio. They were good men and I am glad to have had the chance to rub shoulders with them. I won't forget them.

Thank you for the blue sky and the warm sun shine.

Thank you for my colleagues who are working at the construction site for the new tower. Please keep them safe.

Thank you God. Amen.

9-10-11 GO!

Another busy Saturday. Richard had a roller hockey game at 9 a.m., the first of the Fall session. Unfortunately, they lost 15-7. Please pray for their regular goalie: he has a pinched nerve in his back and may need surgery.

We had lunch at Boston Market; haven't been there for a while. Then we went to Sports Authority to get Richard a new (hockey) stick. We browsed through a Borders Bookstore located next door but did not succumb to the temptation to add more books to my clutter.

On our way out of Sports Authority, I saw a brochure for a nearby amusement park, Quassy. I have been trying to get there to ride their new (mini) wooden roller coaster, the Wooden Warrior. We have been there twice only to find that the coaster was not operating. So today, I called ahead.

If you look close, you can see the coaster (blue).

When I found out the coaster was running today, we changed our plans and headed there. We had a delightful time. Got all day pass for $17 each (a special). We rode the coaster 3X! You can see a point of view video on YouTube here. The ride is only a minute long but it is intense. As I anticipated, I enjoyed it a bit more each successive time.  The third time, I rode with Richard in the front car.

Richard and I also rode the Free Fall-n-drop "tower", Bumper Cars, Paratrooper (that made me dizzy), YoYo super swing (scarier than I expected because of the way it went up and down), and of course, the train. Richard also rode the Pirate ship, Music Fest (2X), and the drop "tower" (again) by himself.

Quassy is a nice little park by a lake. We didn 't have time to do the boat ride or rent a paddle boat. This park is my speed.

At the end of the day (6 p.m.), a B24 (WWII) bomber flew over the park, pretty low. So we tracked it down to a nearby airport but they were done flying for the day.

On the way home, we stopped for supper at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen near Mildale, CT. Richard had chicken, Cajun fries, biscuit; I had red beans and rice and corn-on-the-cob.

16 Candles

Richard shortly after his birth.

Sixteen years ago (on September 2nd) my son, Richard, was born. He arrived at 2:37 a.m. at St. Vincent's Hospital. He weighed in at 6 pounds 15 ounces and 21 inches long. He is considerably bigger now. Good job Lynn!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!