Good Deeds

Today I was busy being a good citizen. That’s really not a bad thing, if you can swing it.

At 5:00, the station sent me to Lighthouse Park (or Lighthouse Point Park – I’m never sure) in New Haven. Tonight’s the night they light The Fantasy of Lights. It’s a drive through display of holiday lighting at the beach… sort of unused this time of year.

Last year 18,000 cars drove through and it benefits Easter Seals.

Then I was off to the New Haven Lawn Club for the annual Gateway Community College Hall of Fame Awards Dinner. This is another one of those things I’ve been doing for a long time – 7 years I think.

Gateway is a good thing. It’s not what you think of when you think of a traditional college. There are lots of poor people. Lots of people with less advantages. Lots of non-traditional students (though that’s becoming a smaller percentage of the student body as people realize what a financial bargain this school is).

The featured speaker was supposed to be Senator Joseph Lieberman. I was prepared. I had my Senator Lieberman material at the ready, but then he canceled at the last minute. I’m sure it was something important though it never feels good when you’re left at the altar.

Larry DeNardis, former president of University of New Haven and a former congressman stepped in. I like Larry but I wanted Joe. I was prepared for Joe.

Anyway, this evening left me feeling good, like I had done something worthwhile. Even though I know what I did, to emcee both events, is easy for me, there is benefit for others. It’s not how hard I work but that I can help produce a positive outcome for others that matters.

Taste of the Nation

There is one fringe benefit my job brings which I love. I get to give away the TV station for the common good. Tonight was a case in point.

I did this evening’s weathercasts from the New Haven Lawn Club, site of “Taste of the Nation. What we had were a few dozen restaurants represented, with their chefs and some of their more memorable dishes.

All the proceeds from the event go to the Connecticut Food Bank – a great charity.

No one brings anything but their finest food to an event like this. Everything was so good – and often so spicy. The older I get, the more I enjoy spicy food. Of course, the next step will probably be my stomach protesting, putting and end to these oiutings.

One thing I’ve learned as an adult is no indulgence goes without punishment. It’s a law of nature!

The toughest part of tonight’s event was not eating carbs. It even came to the point where I said something on-the-air about my diet to justify my picky eating. Then, I had Mary Scanlon from KC-101 radio be my ‘designated eater.’

I so want to continue with the diet, but I’ve hit a plateau. For the last week or more I’ve been stuck at 179.5… not a bad place for me to be. Still, I want to get below 175, and I’ll keep trying as long as I can.

I am making one exception – this weekend. We’re going to Foxwoods and spending the night. They have a Sunday brunch I just can’t resist – and I won’t even try.