New Year's Post

OK. I've been stewing on this one for the better part of the last day. I'm trying to come up with a post that is a little sappy, but clever at the same time. Not really sure if it is possible, but let's give it a try.

It's amazing how much can change in a year. I'm engaged, buying a house, have a new job and my parents out here now. That's a lot for one year. It's been mostly a good year. Having old friends leave town was hard. However, gaining future in laws (even though they are in LA) is pretty cool. My folks seem to be building quite a relationship with Amy's Mom and I think that is cool. Both my sets of grandparents got a long and often visited outside of functions that didn't include my folks, my sister or I. It seems that's where this is headed. That's pretty exciting.

The year ahead is going to be one of change. First off, I'm selling my house in January and moving in with Amy. I have to schedule a trip to India, but that is client dependent, but that's hanging out there. Amy and I are buying our house (with a pool!) and moving in there late April/early May. Then there is the wedding. We have moved well beyond the "let's elope" point, but that's OK.

Anyway, Happy New Year to you all out there in Blog-land. This wasn't the most original of posts, but it got the job done. Wishing you the best in 2006!

Who'll make the donuts now?

For those of us that grew up on the East Coast, or at least in the same market as a Dunkin' Donuts, a mainstay TV commercial was the "Time to Make the Doughnuts" commercial. Well, yesterday, the man who constantly had to make the doughnuts passed away. Michael Vale made Fred the Baker famous.

So the question now is, who will make the doughnuts? This has to be Homer Simpson's worst nightmare...

Let's Go Buffalo!

One of my trials in life is that of being a Buffalo sports fan in all sports but baseball. Since Buffalo doesn't have a Major League team, I'm an Oakland A's fan. That doesn't make it much better. 2005 has been quite the wild ride. The A's weren't supposed to do much of anything after trading away two of their best pitchers, and after being 15 games below .500 at the end of May, that they were able to compete for the division was something amazing.

The Bills were supposed to contend for the AFC East, at least contend for a Wild Card. They are sitting at 4-10, completely out of playoff contention and now playing for a better draft pick. I know their vaunted defense and questionable offensive line has taken more than their fair share of injuries, but good teams overcome injuries.

The Sabres were getting crucified in the local press before the start of the season. They didn't make enough "big" moves during the offseason in the "New NHL." However, with the team they did put together, they have the second best record in the Eastern Conference and are playing better than I've seen them play in years. Plus, I get to listen to a few games on XM Radio this year.

Last but not least, I can't forget alma mater. The Canisius Golden Griffins may very well have THE best mascot in sports, and certainly the most original and one that stands up to the political correctness test. They were picked to contend for the MAAC championship in men's basketball this year. They were picked for ESPN's "Bracket Buster Saturday" later this winter. However, they can't seem to buy a win. They are already starting to get into conference play and while they are 1-1, their inability to win non-conference games is disturbing to say the least.

Looks like I'm in for another long winter. Oh well, I'll still be there routing for my teams. I can't help it - it's in my blood.

Rats!

I've been tagged by Lora. Five wierd things about me:

1. I'm a freak about doing things my own way. Once I decide the best way to do things, I will do it without fail, even if there is an easier that is pointed out to me later.
2. I budget at least 30 minutes of travel time. If I'm supposed to be someplace at 5, even if it's only 10 minutes away, I leave at 4:30.
3. I used to play bass clarinet, along with violin, clarinet and saxophone. Bass clarinet parts are pretty boring and you get stuck with crappy parts in band, so I switched to saxophone. Besides, it's easier to explain.
4. For as organized as I can be mentally, I'm so not that way in every other way. I don't file anything and my car has a ton of crap in it.
5. I actually measure out my food, especially when I'm watching what I eat. I will weigh chicken and lunch meat and the like. If a meal plan calls for a tablespoon of mayo, I get the measuring spoons out - I don't eyeball it.

That's it. I'm tagging Kyria and Darryll...

Crazy crazy

OK. So our crazy week is really winding down. We have a group dinner tomorrow night with my best friend, his wife and a bunch of our friends, but for the most part the craziness has past us. Dinner with Steve was pleasant. Amy got her ring, which was exciting. Saturday was intense, but productive. The reception was pleasant, if not a little odd (sorry Teri - there was nothing you could do about it). And the Holiday Party was an absolute blast. We over bought on food, but that's to be expected I think. It was a good evening, even though Amy's ex-boyfriend showed up for a bit but I survived that.

This coming week should be pretty laid back. Dinner with Keyser and the group tomorrow will be fun. A trip to SoCal for business on Wednesday. While I'm glad to be spending Christmas with my folks this year without going to Buffalo, I really do wish Leni could be here since the First Night of Hannukah falls on Christmas night. Maybe next year. My Christmas shopping is all done. I hope Amy likes what I got her...

Anyway, off to bed to crash. Good night and have a great holiday if I don't talk to you.

PS - Sorry Lora about the Cowboys. At least you aren't a Bills fan. It's Bledsoe. Protect him in the pocket, he can kill you. However, he really can be Frankenstein back there.

Busy, busy, busy

As expected things are getting just a little bit crazy. Amy and I are both in the process of finishing up most of our holiday shopping and to-do's. We had dinner with my friend Steve last night. I see Steve usually once a year at the most, so it was good to see him last night. I've got almost all of my Christmas shopping done. I have Amy's gifts, but I did manage to give her one gift last night - her engagement ring. For those of you that don't know the story, while I proposed to Amy on November 6th, we were in the midst of qualifying for a mortgage. The loan officer told us to hold off on purchasing it. Well, last week I was fully qualified for the mortgage and the loan officer gave me the all clear.

I picked the ring on Saturday, but unfortunately the setting was sold in the hours between the time I was in the store and the time I called to start the purchase process. They FedExed the setting in from another store and it was ready yesterday. I really wanted to take Amy back to our lot re-do the whole proposal. However, once I saw the ring, I couldn't wait. Besides, I needed to surprise her. So last night, after dinner as we were getting ready for bed, I got down on one knee and re-popped the question. While I don't get the style points like the first time, I did manage to surprise her.

She is thrilled, and the ring is absolutely gorgeous. Pictures will be posted soon.

Oops...

OK. So I shouldn't have put three substantial posts up in one day. That was a mistake. I hadn't blogged in a while and I was driven to put every random thought I had the other day online. My most sincere apologies.

This being said, here I am enjoying a lazy Saturday morning. This is pretty nice. Amy decided to hit an early sale at Robinson's May, get her haircut, have breakfast at the Bagel Cafe (YUM!) and then go wedding dress shopping with her friends Teri and Shannon. My only appointment is an 11 a.m. with Dustin. While that will be some work, I'll get something out of it as well.

I've got a couple of things to do this afternoon, but it's pretty non-stressful. Not too bad considering I really need to get a jump on my Christmas shopping...

Christmas

As we are coming up on Christmas this year, I am once again reminded of the changes that have occured in my life. I am engaged to a beautiful, wonderful woman who I love so much, my folks sold their house and moved out here and I am in the process of buying a new house. That I don't have to travel this year to see my folks for the holidays is fantastic. I've been here eight years, and gone back to Buffalo three times over that span. Each of those times, there was a weather snafu that caused me issues. Last year's by far was the worst. Stuck in Cincinnatti for a whole day was not fun at all - although I did get to eat some Cincinnatti-style chili. Yum.

Anyway, I am finding it hard to believe that Christmas is nearly hear. I can understand why my folks don't quite feel that way - they are used to much colder temperatures and even a little snow on the ground by now. In my case, I think it's just been so busy with all of the wedding plans, house plans and new job.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to my first Christmas w/Amy and not having to go to Buffalo to see Mom and Dad.

Superstitions

OK. I'm superstitious. I admit to it. I don't pay attention to all the old wives tales, but I respect to certain things. As an example, with Amy I do not want to know anything about her dress prior to seeing her walk down the aisle. Another behavioral pattern I've begun observing is that any time I am in the neighborhood of our new house, I drive by and visit the lot. One day, I visited the lot 4 times. Considering that Amy's best friend lives about a mile from the house, and my folks are relatively close as well, you can imagine how often I visit the lot.

Updates

It's been a while since I've posted, so this will be may be a bit varied.

First, I got my mortgage approval letter. What a relief that is. I don't have to stress about that piece for a while. We can move forward with buying this awesome house. Speaking of the house, we think they are getting ready to start building. The lot was grated over the weekend. Since it was released to construction a month ago, they should be getting ready to start building soon. This will be exciting!

Second, I am generally feeling better. Still have a nasty cough, but that happens.

That's about all right now.