Author: Michael

This week I got to do one of my favorite things. Spend time with my Mom.

There is something amazing about a Mother Son relationship and I see time and time again, fools taking this gift for granted.

We didn’t get to do all the things we planned. Scrabble will have to be saved for the next visit…But the conversation was amazing as always and we ate some delicious healthy home made food. Oh, all right there was a piece of Linda’s Chocolate Fudge Cake that found its way to the table, but come on, you need balance in life! There may have been one other food indiscretion but I’m not 100% sure!

The most exciting thing for me on this visit from Mom was the time that she spent with Sebastian, my 8 month old son. It fills me up inside seeing Sebastian and his ‘Grand Ma’ together. I am so glad that he will know this wonderful woman and grow to see why she is so loved by those around her. I am especially glad that he will know where the compassion, kindness and zest for life inside of him comes from….. his grandma.

Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes who defeated the Edmonton Oilers last night to win the Stanley Cup in game 7. We are thrilled to have the NHL’s most coveted prize, Lord Stanley’s Cup in our great state. Hockey in North Carolina?! Who’s laughing now… hehehe

-Michael

It has been a while since I checked in but I can hold back no longer! On May 25, 2006 at 12:56 a.m. a beautiful baby boy named Sebastian joined our family. The best way to describe the birth of your child is that it takes your breath away. There is something so sacred and innocent about the joy and energy which a newborn child brings to a family.

Thank you to the wonderful folks at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC who made Sebastian’s birth such an awesome experience. I feel special gratitude to Dr. Segal & Tammy who gave overwhelming comfort and security to my wife and me during the birthing process.

Finally, a special ‘thanks’ to the Grandmothers who have provided that extra special motherly love and of course delicious food over the last few days!

Until next time…

-Michael

So I am sitting here surrounded by the quiet late night tranquility and comforts of my home and I just wanted to post and send out my thoughts and prayers to the people down in Florida who are currently experiencing what is turning out to be a brutal hurricane. Stay inside and hunker down till the sunlight hits again! Hopefully the overall effects of Katrina won’t be as bad as it seems at the moment…

This all reminds me of the greeting I receive during my first full month in North Carolina almost ten years ago. It was the year that Hurricane Frances hit… Yes, Mom we named it after you! (Just kidding…). Growing up in New York City I had never experienced a true hurricane. Hurricane Gloria which we had prepped for turned out to be a dud (as far as the city was concerned). It was quite a site to see apartment windows taped up with “X’s’ all throughout New York City. But in the end it was just that, an interesting site… Getting back to Hurricane Frances, that is something I will never forget. Waiting in line for ice. Trees and waist high waters blocking roads and thousands of people with cabin fever and no way to express their frustration and energy for two weeks straight. One of my humorous memories from that experience was seeing people jet skiing in the waters which had amassed in front of Crabtree Mall, “thee” mall in Raleigh, NC at the time.

Anyways, stay strong Floridians!

-Michael

If you’ve never played Scrabble by Parker Brothers you are missing out! There is something about the challenge… Yes you are playing against other people but there is more to it than that. For me the real play is against myself. How witty, creative and (maybe even) tricky I can be. I love the rush that runs up my spine when I see something that will “work”. A seven letter drop, two ‘double word scores’ with one word etc. It is amusing to see what kind of mental twists and turns you can lay down on the board. And hopefully each game you are pushing yourself and learning at the same time and also laughing a little with the other players. I know I always do.

There is something nice about having the tv off for a few hours and getting inside your mind and just focusing on ‘the game’. We are too ‘plugged in’ these days. I know, I work on the net. I couldn’t live without it but I also realize lately the importance of getting back to some things which don’t involve electricity and keyboards.

So if you are looking for something to do this weekend, call up some friends, dust off the Scrabble board and pick your letters!

-Michael

Wow! Is this thing working!? Well, I heard all this buzz about blogging and it was only a matter of time before I got my hands a little dirty. I’ve got a lot to say but I promise not to bore you. Well, at least I’ll try. Remember if you don’t enjoy my scribblings you can always close your eyes! (just kidding)

Ok, stay tuned and please do check back!

BTW “Hi MOM!”

-Michael