Quick Shifts

My wife says I should post more to my blog, so I will try to find stuff to blog about for her to read. If anyone else is out there, please leave a simple hello comment so I know there is an audience and motivation to continue to write more.

Family Stuff
Recently my grandmother passed away. This was very sad for me as she was very integral to my childhood and I was close to her. She helped to raise my sister and I and we spent nearly every Saturday at her house in her backyard at the pool. Pure bliss. She was 90 years old and as healthy as anyone until her body just stopped. The hardest part for me was my last time with her at her hospital bedside just 2 days before she died. What made these moments so hard was knowing these would be my final moments with her. I got to sit and sort of chat with her as I held her hand which she never let go of and maintained a tight grip even as she went in and out of cat naps. I remember staring at the clock wishing it would slow down as I fought back the tears so she could not see them. I will never forget giving her a hug, telling her to be strong, that I loved her, kissing her forehead, and walking away knowing that was the last time I would ever see her again. It was the last time I wept as in my family, wakes and funerals are an excuse to drink lots of beer mixed with occasional shots. We are Irish and made the most of the reason to all be together. She would have liked that.

My Girls
Nothing brings me more peace and frustration in my life than being with my girls. Watching a hockey game with them after they have fetched me a cold beer from the fridge is the perfect evening. When they cheer or identify the hockey team being my NY Islanders, life couldn’t be better. Every day I am amazed at how quickly they learn and adapt at just 2 and 3 years old and I wonder if I was just as amazing to my parents. I’m sure I was, but it’s more fun to see it on this end. Although I don’t update them nearly as much as I should, I recommend to all parents (future or current), I maintain a notebook for each girl that I occasionally write letters to them in. My feeling is when they are older and matured and starting their adult lives as mine is ending they will be able to read these letters and hopefully appreciate my experiences raising them. My Dad and his Dad were writers and I get great enjoyment reading the tales from their youth.It’s kind of fun to do and in 5 years and on you might find you enjoy reading your own words to remind you of certain special moments.

NY Islanders
No playoffs for my team this year in the NHL. This is mostly due to the injury bug which has claimed 11 of the 20 rostered players so the team is currently now more their minor league affiliate than any other. A double edged sword for me as although there will be no glory, there will also be no stress from watching the playoff games themselves. At least I still play hockey year round, but it’s more fun during hockey season. Although concussions are never fun and I think I got one last game as I took a direct shot right in the kisser (I am a goalie) but I made the save so only the bell sound and slightly dizzy headache lasted. If the puck went in, it would have hurt worse but we came back and won.

NY Mets
New season, final one at Shea Stadium, begins in a week. Excitement and expectations are the highest for my team and I hope to find some way of watching as many games as I can. Let’s Go Mets!!!!

Rediscovery
Being the music lover I am, one of my favorite activities is rediscovering artists and tracks on albums. Today I rediscovered Damien Rice and his last record 9. The song Elephant in particular grabbed me and I found new deep enjoyment listening to it. His music is pure heart and soul and I wish the damn guy would come within 2 hours of Orlando so I can see him play live. To me there is nothing better than listening to a song you have heard several times before but are hearing it for the first time. Whether it’s a lyric that grabs you in a new way or a subtle background melody that you never noticed before, it is a wonderful sensation to me.

Vegas
I just completed booking a work conference trip to Las Vegas. I am excited as I will get to see Love as part of the conference and I booked a ticket to see Spam-A-Lot because I have to push the pram a lot and my mother smells of elderberries. Ahhhh….I just farted in your general direction.  I do feel a bit guilty as my wife cannot join me and hopefully the guilt will not prevent me from trying to enjoy my time there. I will be alone and if you’ve ever travelled alone for work you will know it can be the most depressing time of your life. If your not working, your in a hotel room scanning the 13 channels they give you on TV. It is Vegas so the entertainment mecca of the world will be below me, but how much fun can you have when something that may make you smile also reminds you no one cares as you turn to find a friendly reassuring smile from someone you know. Hopefully I will not lose my kids inheritance, the family car, or catch any diseases from the porno flyer pushers on the street. Why do they wear masks?

Again, if I have an audience let me know with a simple “hey” and I’ll make better efforts to post. Thanks for spending some time in my head. Unless you’re gonna pay I think it’s time for you to go.