Why I Love My Wife

The isn’t preseason baseball. It’s pre-preseason baseball! No one’s playing with a jersey number lower than 85.

I got an instant message earlier this evening. It was Helaine. The message was just a link, nothing more. I clicked and saw:

3/3/2010 Baseball at Philadelphia Phillies 7:00 PM Listen

It was the Florida State Seminoles site. They played the Phils tonight. Helaine was looking to listen.
The isn’t preseason baseball. It’s pre-preseason baseball! No one’s playing with a jersey number lower than 85.

And you wonder why I love her so?

I used this as an excuse to buy the yearly Major League Baseball video package. We get it every year and it is well used!

major league baseball blackout map.jpgIt’s a great idea, but talk about a purchase limited by small print! If anyone’s game is nationally telecast the Phillies game is blacked out. If the Phils are playing in New York or Boston the game is blacked out (though we do get those games on cable).

There has been some kvetching recently from folks who are blacked out though they’re hundreds of miles from the nearest team and on-air or cable telecasts aren’t available. That’s just wrong.

I scrolled down the MLB.TV page looking for dirty tricks. Sure enough well below ‘the fold’ there was a pre-checked space expressing my desire to automatically renew next March 1. I unchecked it, as I had last year. Persistent bastards, aren’t they?

I love baseball. It means spring is right around the corner.

A Snowy Pickup At The Airport

By North Haven sleet was mixing with the rain, then a few miles further snow joined in. The temperature was 34&#176 and traffic was light so I pulled out the iPhone to give you a feel for the journey.

It was great Helaine got to see Stef. It’s even better (for me) she’s home! She arrived late Tuesday evening LAX-LAS-BDL.
Her flight was scheduled to land around midnight. I work until 11:35 PM. On most nights I would have screeched up to the terminal as she was getting her bags. Not tonight. We’re in the middle of the annual Mother Nature Slop Fest.

I left New Haven in a chilly rain. The “carmometer” read 36&#176 as I eased up I-91. By North Haven sleet was mixing with the rain, then a few miles further snow joined in. The temperature was 34° and traffic was light so I pulled out the iPhone to give you a feel for the journey (video below).

By Rocky Hill the snow had become the dominant precipitation type. The temperature was down to 33&#176, then 32&#176. The snow was heavy and sticking to the road surface as I throttled back to 45 mph and assumed a firm 10-2 grip on the wheel..
This trip would be a slow go!

I’ve driven in snow for years. It’s just not pleasant even with 4-wheel drive!

What are you going to do? I wasn’t going to leave her there to borrow the State Police’s Segway. I knew with some caution the drive can be made safely.

By Hartford the snow had stopped.and the temperature had risen a few degrees. The rest of the trip was cautiously uneventful.
It was good to see Helaine. She’s got a sore throat and I’m sure the coast-to-coast commute didn’t help.

On the way back we did see one car off the road near Middletown. The road widens and the north and southbound lanes aren’t visible to each other. A sedan just slid into woods stopping nearly 50 feet off the road.

Winter is brutal. This storm is just getting started. We still have three days to go!

Tracking Helaine

I am looking forward to seeing her, but not her reaction to the snow she’ll be seeing!

I’m on FlightAware tracking Helaine’s flight across the country. She’s just left Colorado and now over Kansas.

This is how Thomas Jefferson followed Lewis and Clark, right?

I am looking forward to seeing her, but not her reaction to the snow she’ll be seeing!

Weather Only A Mother (Nature) Could Love

What was snow overnight has waffled between snow and sleet and rain. Sometimes we’ve gotten two or even all three at once! It’s the chef’s platter of weather.

sfcplot.CT-large.pngThe word “unpleasant” was front and center in my forecast last night. That’s not a standard condition in the forecaster’s lexicon. It seemed to fit then and it’s verifying right now. It is unpleasant!

What was snow overnight has waffled between snow and sleet and rain. Sometimes we’ve gotten two or even all three at once! It’s the chef’s platter of weather.

Helaine flies home from SoCal tonight. She’s due in just before midnight at Bradley Field¹. I anticipate the flight will be fine. The weather will not.

You have no idea how much I miss her. I’m glad she visited Stef. I’m doubly glad she’s coming back. California can be very alluring. Malibu, Westwood, Melrose and Disney in just a few days.

Hopefully she won’t read this entry until she’s back in Hamden. The attached photos might be too much disincentive. She might not get on that plane!

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¹ – Allow me to use its old school name from a more genteel era when we could meet friends to the gate and wear shoes everywhere.

Christmas At The Movies: It’s Complicated

Trust me, the Chinese restaurant might as well have hung a sign on the door saying “Se Habla Yiddish.”

its_complicated_poster.jpgThe Fox Family is living an ethnic stereotype, right? It’s Christmas so we went to the movies then ate Chinese food before I went off to work. Trust me, the Chinese restaurant might as well have hung a sign on the door saying “Se Habla Yiddish.”

I wanted to see the George Clooney movie. Stef and Helaine wanted Meryl Streep’s “It’s Complicated.” Two against one. Outvoted again.

They made a great choice.

This was not a complex story in spite of the movie’s name.

Meryl Streep is divorced from Alec Baldwin, but with three children, a college graduation and wedding-to-be it’s tough for him to be out of her life. Baldwin’s character realizes he wants to get back with Meryl just as she meets Steve Martin–the architect supervising an addition to her home.

Hit pause a second. We’ve got to talk.

I haven’t seen this much effortless affluence in a movie since Doris Day swooned over Rock Hudson. Streep lives on a multi-acre estate overlooking the Pacific in Santa Barbara. Her sole source of income seems to be an upscale bakery/coffee shop. Unless she’s baking up twenties there’s no way this could happen!

I know, it’s a movie. Buy the premise, buy the bit. Fine. We move on.

The story is sweet, clever and mainly well acted. It was edited with a meat cleaver.

Who gets the blame: cinematographer or editor? There were cutaway shots behind a person speaking… but his jaw isn’t moving (the shot’s from behind so you don’t see his lips). Maybe I’m too critical, but that injures a movie and reduces my enjoyment.

Good grief Meryl Streep is good. She is incredibly comfortable in her own skin. That serve her well. It just doesn’t seem like she’s acting! That’s how it’s supposed to be.

“She makes the people she works with better,” added Helaine as we did a postmortem on the way out of the theater.

Alec Baldwin, as the ex-husband, is a guy who seldom looks past his own needs. It’s not like he’s trying to hide that. To meet him is to know the only way he can be is needy.

I was a little disappointed by Steve Martin in a role in which he seemed self restrained. He is a favorite of mine, so this is not idle criticism. I’ve just seen him bring a lot more to a role.

There were no surprises, no out-of-the-blue plot twists, no unexpected drama. That’s part of the reason this movie works so well. It is clever without being gimmicky.

The three of us really enjoyed it.

The Chinese food? Well that goes without saying. The movie may change from year-to-year, but the restaurant is always Dynasty in North Haven. As always it was delicious.

There Are Three Of Us In Bed

Roxie is now our charge. Thankfully, as she’s gotten older she’s become less puppylike and more Geofflike

roxie-resting-in-the-vestibule.jpgStef is down in Florida. When Helaine spoke to her she was sitting by the pool watching water aerobics. Seriously? Where is the justice in that?

Roxie is now our charge. Thankfully, as she’s gotten older she’s become less puppylike and more Geofflike. She’ll sleep anywhere at any time! Even with her tiny legs she manages to hoist herself onto the sofa where she can nest in an afghan.

In the past we’ve had a problem getting Roxie to sleep with us as she does with Stef. She has bolted from our bed. For a dachshund jumping off a high point like a bed can cause back problems. Obviously we’ve tried to be as cautious as possible.

The last time Stef was gone Roxie slept in Stef’s bed… with Helaine. That’s not good.

Last night we tried again in our bed. Helaine and Roxie went upstairs around 12:15 AM. I joined them a little before 3:00 AM.

roxie-carries-a-patriotic-toy.jpgAs I walked in the bedroom Helaine started to speak. Uh oh. That’s not a good sign. Roxie was restless. She was staying in the bed but she was stirring and moving which meant Helaine had to stay ‘on point.’

I laid down and a strange thing happened. Roxie decided it was time to go to sleep. She crawled deep under the covers and curled into a little furry ball.

Over the course of the night Roxie did move a little. At one point she and I were spooning–though she is demitasse spoon size!

One would hope Roxie will happily sleep in our bed tonight, but who can really predict this kind of thing? In the meantime for the time being there are three of us in bed.

Roxie Misses Stef And Helaine (Me Too)

At the moment I wish I was dog’s best friend.

roxie in the crate.jpgRoxie misses the girls. They’re off on a two concert weekend tour. Since noon yesterday I’ve been in charge.

I left for work around 3:00 PM leaving Roxie in her crate gated community. Cheryl came by twice in the evening to walk her and give some human companionship. I took over again at midnight.

Within thirty seconds of walking in the house Roxie was singing to me from upstairs. She wanted out. When I pulled the latch and swung open the door it was like a jailbreak!

She took care of her business, finished her kibbles and had a little water.

I took her with me as I went to change. This was an unusual time and place for her. As I went to the closet she sprinted down the hall to Stef’s bedroom coming back with a pair of thick woolen socks.

It was adorable to see her jogging down the hallway with the sockball in her teeth though larger than her head!

We’re really not dogproofed upstairs so I closed the doors and continued my late night preps.

Roxie usually sleeps with Stef. She often burrows deep under the covers ending up near Stef’s feet.

When Stef has been away Roxie has slept with Helaine and me. She was having none of this last night!

She jumped off the bed–a terrible thing for a short legged, long backed doxie. Then she began doing wind sprints through the bedroom. Low to the ground like a dragster, she reaches top speed almost immediately.

It’s tough to catch Roxie when she doesn’t want to be caught. That little doggie is fast!

Long story short, Roxie ended up spending the night in Stef’s bedroom in the crate. Not my fondest wish, but my hands were tied. She just wasn’t interested in spending quality time with me and she couldn’t be trusted on her own.

Even this afternoon there’s something up. We went outside, but she did nothing. Her tail was down–a sign she wasn’t comfortable. I posted to Twitter:

“Somethng’s up with Roxie. At the moment I suspect the only way to get her to piddle would be to leave her alone on the carpet.”

It’s obvious she misses Helaine and Stef. They are her primary care givers. She’s showing it as a dog shows things. That’s sad. Hopefully she’ll relax over the next 24 hours.

At the moment I wish I was dog’s best friend.

It’s Wake Up Time

I’ll be in much better shape this morning–not that yesterday was so bad.

It’s 2:30 AM. That’s 30 minutes before my alarm is set to go off (I’d better grab it before it wakes Helaine and Roxie). This is much better than yesterday.

Working these two mornings required changing my internal clock as much as flying halfway around the world!

I’ll be in much better shape this morning–not that yesterday was so bad.

Even though I’m doing the same job I do in the evening its utility is totally different in the morning. The time until use is shorter. The extended forecast is much less important. And, good grief, I’m on a lot!

I’m having a good time because it’s a brief change of scenery. By Monday I’ll be back to nights.

Eric Bruntlett’s Triple Play: “Is There Some Kind Of Special Prize?”

Later, when informed on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight his play was today’s “Web Gem,” Bruntlett replied, “Is there some kind of special prize?”

It’s been well established the Fox Family watches and roots for the Phillies.

“They gave Utley the day off,” Helaine told me as we sat down to watch.

Chase Utley’s a great player. His replacement, Eric Bruntlett, is not. And yet there’s a reason teams play the games. You never know what’s going to happen.

It was, to say the least, an unusual game. The Phils scored six runs in the first. The Mets answered with two.

By the time the ninth inning arrived we’d seen Mets starter Oliver Perez removed in the middle of a batter, an inside-the-park home run made possible by the dubious interpretation of a ‘ground rule’ and a triple turned into an out after the umps reconsidered the original blown call on a spectacular catch.

The Phils were still up in the ninth as the troubled Brad Lidge came on. We were prepared for the worst. Lidge leads the league in blown saves!

The Phils defense collapsed in a series of embarrassing errors leaving the Mets with two on and no out. Now there was no getting around what was obviously ordained. The Phillies were about to suffer a crushing and ugly loss.

It didn’t work out that way!

“One moment I’m standing on third with what I thought was a triple and the next I end the game on a triple play. But there was a lot of stuff that happened in between.” – Eric Bruntlett on Comcast Sports Net

Jeff Francouer hit a line drive into an unassisted triple play. Eric Bruntlett, the fill-in who’d been called out on the faux triple and who’d contributed to the Phils ninth inning predicament was in the right place at the right time — unassisted triple play. Game over–only the second time a triple play ended a game in Major League Baseball’s well documented history.

Later, when informed on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight his play was today’s “Web Gem,” Bruntlett replied, “Is there some kind of special prize?”

Eric–fame is fleeting. Enjoy the ride. Tomorrow it’s back to the bench.

Oh… and on behalf of the Foxes, thanks.

Blogger’s note: There was originally video available for embedding, but MLB has removed it.

Some Thoughts About The New Dog

We have had some dealings with Mini Dachshunds and like their disposition. Think lap dog.

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The soon-to-come new dog on the block, Roxie, is Stef’s dog. This what Stef wanted and has committed to. I suspect Helaine and I are still co-signers on this project.

She is really adorable–very tiny now. She is living with the rest of her siblings and mom. It’s much too early to separate them.

We have had some dealings with Mini Dachshunds and like their disposition. Think lap dog. We expect she’ll be somewhere in the 10-12 pound range when she matures.

Ivy came to us fully grown and fully trained. Stef will have to train Roxie. I have read a little bit about it and I expect it to be trying for a while. Roxie will spend her resting time in a crate until she gains our trust.

Among other things I discovered today–Roxie is photogenic and doesn’t care how many shots I take or how close I get! Her hair is always fine. She is always smiling. She never looks heavy. She’s a dream in that regard. I apologize in advance because there will be plenty of photos.

We’re setting up a website for Roxie. It’s in the early stages, but I have a few ideas and am starting to create its look over on another web server. I’ll post the link when it’s done.

The Graduation

This past weekend is a blur! Even while it was in progress it was tough to see where Saturday ended and Sunday began.

Stef has graduated college. We all attended yesterday in what was a whirlwind weekend!

Helaine didn’t walk at her graduation and though I finished the meteorology program at Mississippi State that didn’t qualify me to walk. This was my first.

We headed to Long Island and got there in time to see some of Stef’s friends and take a few pictures. Stefanie lived in the dorm for four years, but we met at a small house. It was really more of a “housette” on a nondescript street in Hempstead.

One of the girls told me how much she (and by she I suppose she meant her parents) are paying for monthly rent. I did some quick in-my-head multiplication and figured the house goes for around $4200 a month. Seriously? For that it should come with maid service… which it obviously did not. Obviously.

The day was gray and chilly and we walked the few blocks to the school’s football stadium. My parents, both in their 80s but looking and acting much younger, hoofed it without trouble. Yes, that’s very good news.

The parents and guests filled two thirds of the stands while the grads–reported as about 2,000 by Newsday–sat on folding chairs set up on the field. There was rain, but not much. There were three commencement speakers and, as Helaine noted, no valedictory speaker. I wonder why?

First up was Senator Charles Schumer of New York. Here’s what I took away. The most important part of college is Chuck Schumer.

Next was Nichols Negraponte of MIT’s Media Lab and the One Laptop Per Child project. I have been a fan of his for years but his speech was anything but inspiring. This was the definitive speech when people talk about graduation speeches they don’t remember!

The third speaker was Bob Schieffer of CBS News. He is connected to the school by virtue of his moderating the presidential debate at Hofstra last fall. Scheiffer was charming. He just seemed like a nice guy&#185. I’m not sure there was anything earth shattering said, but I wasn’t disappointed.

All three speakers acknowledged how difficult it would be getting a job in this horrendous economy. No one wanted to hear it, but it’s certainly the 500 pound gorilla in every grad’s life.

By the time we got back to Stef’s dorm room we were down to two hours to vacate! No problem. We’d taken some stuff last weekend and were prepared. With plenty of time to spare her possesions were packed into the back our Helaine and Stef’s cars.

We were back in Connecticut around midnight. I was exhausted and not alone in that regard. Helaine, Stef and my folks were soon in bed and asleep. I followed a few hours later.

This past weekend is a blur! Even while it was in progress it was tough to see where Saturday ended and Sunday began. I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday.

Stef has graduated. It’s a hell of an accomplishment. We are very proud.

&#185 – Someone I work with was an intern for Scheiffer in Washington and confirms he is a very nice man.

A Trashy Observation

Over the past few years some of the wheels have become flat and no longer roll. I said we should replace them.

We walked the mountain this afternoon. It was noticeably easier today than Sunday. The weather is more favorable–that helps. Maybe getting into reasonable shape will happen more quickly this year.

Back at the house Helaine asked for help with the trash cans. I’m not sure how that became her job, but it has.

We’ve had these cans since we moved here nearly 20 years ago. Over the past few years some of the wheels have become flat and no longer roll. I said we should replace them.

“No,” Helaine replied. It is her department.

It does bring up an interesting question. I’m surely not the first to ask, how do you throw away a trash can?

The Reunion

Helaine was apprehensive. She was as spooked about an upcoming event as I’d ever seen her. It worked out well, but she suffered to the last minute.

We’re home now. I am on the sofa. I am in pajamas. That’s how we know the weekend is over.

IMG_8789.jpgYesterday was Helaine’s neighborhood reunion. They’re usually centered around schools, but not in this case. The epicenter was 2nd and Cheltenham in Philadelphia. A range of ages was invited. Unmarried, I’d have been too old!

The reunion was held in the Radisson off Roosevelt Blvd just north of the Philadelphia city line. A ballroom and adjacent hall were booked for an expected crowd of 500. In fact before the reunion requests had been made to leave home disinterested spouses! More people wanted tickets.

IMG_8775.jpgTwo rent-a-cops were hired to guard the door. There was that much worry about gate crashers!

Helaine was apprehensive. She was as spooked about an upcoming event as I’d ever seen her. It worked out well, but she suffered to the last minute.

They were older than I’d like to think I am and more slender than the adult population in general. Some had the look of affluence. I suppose there’s a lot of self selection going on here.

“Oh my God!” How many times did I hear that as friend spied friend for the first time in 30 or 40 years!

IMG_8807.jpgHelaine’s childhood pediatrician was there looking great at 85. So was her kindergarten teacher… or may be she taught first grade. Helaine wasn’t sure.

Hi, I said when introduced to one guy. “Where do you live?” I asked.

“Bel Air,” he replied.

I’d better get a pig-in-blanket.

It was nice to see the kids Helaine grew up with. In many ways they reminded me of the kids I grew up with. And now they have kids… or in some cases grandkids.

IMG_8846.jpgOne of Helaine’s friends works as a radio reporter at KYW radio. “You must know my friend Brandon,” I said. He proceeded to tell me how Brandon’s recovering from heart problems. You don’t get this kind of stuff at a 10th reunion.

I suspect Helaine will remain in touch with some of the people she saw yesterday. Others… well it will probably be another 40 years for them.

Making The Most Of The Last Day In Vegas

For the next two weeks the rodeo is in town and Las Vegas is full of boots, hats and oversized belt buckles

Things are winding down. We said goodbye by Michael, Melissa and Max who then set out to drive back to Orange County, CA. We will miss them. Melissa has become Helaine’s sister.

We were stared at on our way down in the elevator. Then, somewhere between 18 and the lobby the man asked if I “was the newsman?” They were visiting from Wolcott and will be on our return flight. This is why I can only vacation with my wife.

IMG_4260.JPGA little poker–with good luck–then dinner with Helaine at California Pizza Kitchen. We’ve had the same guy as our waiter for at least five years and he was back with us today. As usual, I had a Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza.

Just across the way at the sports book they’re setting up for some country acts. For the next two weeks the rodeo is in town and Las Vegas is full of boots, hats and oversized belt buckles. Anybody gotta Bud?

It’s quite the eclectic group. The Mirage closes Cirque’s Love for two weeks of vacation while the rodeo’s in. This is not a French/Beatles crowd!

I went up to the room for a little while and on my way down got into the elevator with a guy holding a professional Canon HD camcorder. I asked a few questions and he told me he was shooting construction at the Mirage volcano. It’s currently under construction and officially closed. But, he said, it was going to be tested at 5:00 PM.

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I did go back to Venetian for the 7:00 PM tournament. Early on I had 3-Kings, only to find someone with “7s full.” I think I was first out!

If nothing else, Vegas is visually over-the-top. And, whatever was splashy last year has been trumped by something splashier this year… and brighter… and larger.

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My Girl Has A Hurt Wing

In many ways the Internet has made the life of a physician more difficult. By the time Helaine spoke to him she had already read a bunch of web sites where the worst effects of a tetanus shot were discussed and described

Our family physician. Steve, reads my blog. That’s why he let me know Helaine’s cuts warranted a tetanus shot. She took it today. Her right arm, which she wasn’t able to sleep on anyway, is now more sensitive.

In many ways the Internet has made the life of a physician more difficult. By the time Helaine spoke to him she had already read a bunch of web sites where the worst effects of a tetanus shot were discussed and described. It’s a busy week. All she was being told was what could go wrong!

We’ll take a few days off before returning to Sleeping Giant. I’m sure the mountain will wait for us. Hopefully the skittishness I expect her to have–returning to the scene of her spill and all–will be short lived.