Merry Christmas!
May you enjoy your day with those closest to you.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Mending The Broken Hearted
A short two years and nine months ago I sat in the little library of Brooklyn Hospital and stared at the computer. I'm sure an attending physician was wondering about my whereabouts, but there I sat and stared. March 15, 2010. One of those career-defining days filled with enough of an adrenergic drive to send a junkie into ACS. Match Day 2010. It was that fateful day that would set a course that would shape my future.
And now, 997 days later I was faced with the same sympathetic overdrive as I patiently awaited to find out what kismet had in store. With one brief mouse click my future came into sharp focus - Congratulations, you have matched! Cardiovascular Disease - SUNY HSC Brooklyn, NY.
And thus, I committed to another three years in my beloved Brooklyn in training to become a Cardiologist - a dream from my elementary school days, since the first time I ran into my father's room to show him my drawing of the heart and to explain to him how the blood moved from atrium to ventricle.
In accordance with one of my life motto's that nothing happens in a vacuum, I must take a moment to thank all those who stood by me since those first lonely days in a foreign land, namely my beautiful wife HOKIS, without whom I would have slipped off the frayed ends of sanity. My parents and brothers who always believe in everything I do. The whole family - old and new - who are the single best cheering section anyone could ever ask for. The island Council, my colleagues in the trenches with me on a day to day basis, and you, the readership, who understand what this blog means to me and keep checking here despite it looking like I've fallen off the Earth from time to time.
So bring me your CHF, your a-fib, your in-stent restenosis! We're staying in sunny SUNY Brooklyn!
And now, 997 days later I was faced with the same sympathetic overdrive as I patiently awaited to find out what kismet had in store. With one brief mouse click my future came into sharp focus - Congratulations, you have matched! Cardiovascular Disease - SUNY HSC Brooklyn, NY.
And thus, I committed to another three years in my beloved Brooklyn in training to become a Cardiologist - a dream from my elementary school days, since the first time I ran into my father's room to show him my drawing of the heart and to explain to him how the blood moved from atrium to ventricle.
In accordance with one of my life motto's that nothing happens in a vacuum, I must take a moment to thank all those who stood by me since those first lonely days in a foreign land, namely my beautiful wife HOKIS, without whom I would have slipped off the frayed ends of sanity. My parents and brothers who always believe in everything I do. The whole family - old and new - who are the single best cheering section anyone could ever ask for. The island Council, my colleagues in the trenches with me on a day to day basis, and you, the readership, who understand what this blog means to me and keep checking here despite it looking like I've fallen off the Earth from time to time.
So bring me your CHF, your a-fib, your in-stent restenosis! We're staying in sunny SUNY Brooklyn!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Veteran's Day
Thank you to all who served.
"Because they stand on a wall and say, "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch.
-Lieutenant Commander Galloway
--A Few Good Men
"Because they stand on a wall and say, "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch.
-Lieutenant Commander Galloway
--A Few Good Men
Monday, November 5, 2012
A Plea
As a matter of trying to keep the dialogue civil on "Keeping An Eye...", Your Humble Observer made a conscious decision to avoid delving into the political battle brewing just outside his Brooklyn apartment window. I've engaged in political topics in the past, as the loyal readership will remember. It was fun. It was mind-numbing. It was mind-boggling. And we're over it. So in 2012, we refrained from explicitly exploring the exciting world of Decision 2012.
However, as I sit here in the apartment in my cold empty apartment, I am a man personally torn. For years I refused to engage in the act of voting, much to the chagrin of many around me. I simply refused to play the stupid game. It began as an act of political rebellion (although I'm not exactly sure how... you'll have to ask 2000 YHO) and continued as a figurative waving of the flag of apathy. After years of this hard-line stance, in 2012 YHO finally gave in to the political game and registered to vote. And yet I sit, as torn as the first sentence of this paragraph.
I can't decide. I'll admit, I'm not exactly the best-informed political consumer. I know some things, but I'm not as politically well-versed (or Versed?) as I or any American should be. I can't decide. I don't have a candidate and I simply don't know.
Fortunately, the founders of the country didn't make any provisions about the ability to vote based on level of information that I have.
STOP!!!!!
I know there is a certain percentage of you who just had the thought, "Ya, well, there SHOULD be a provision on stupid people voting." Anyone who thought that can just stop reading right now, because there is no way in hell I can have an intelligent discussion with you. The right to vote, the ability to vote, the obligation to vote is not and should never be based on intelligence, education, or level of information.
Ya, I know it pains you elitists out there to hear those words, but there are so very few things that offend me more than hearing how "stupid people" should simply not be allowed to vote. It is so intellectually offensive to make the claim - and I know it's out there. I've heard it since 2000 Bush v. Gore.
So here I sit. An educated man. Unsure. Undecided. Fortunately for an idiot like me, there is Mr. Jeff Greenfield. Mr. Greenfield is a veteran of the news industry, and I'm sure very good at what he does. He wrote a wonderful piece called "My Plea To The Undecided: Stay Home!". Well, needless to say, this perked my ears up. Let's see what he thinks, shall we?
Interesting. Well, at least the title wasn't misleading. He goes on to explain that for 6 years both major candidates' lives, policies, proposed policies, and even their magic underwear have been thoroughly explored and made available to the public. His conclusion? If you don't know by now,
"You have the reasoning power of a baked potato."
You know, considering how stupid I am, I always fancied myself a tater-tot. We continue. Next is the disclaimer that there is a small minority who are actually well informed but still undecided. I thought he might be referring to me, but he proceeds to discount that this may actually apply to YHO.
"So it strikes me as a sound, honest statement for a prospective voter to say: “Look, I haven’t given this election a minute’s thought, and it’s just not fair for me to cancel out the vote of someone who actually gives a damn.”
Indeed, it’s not just sound and honest—it’s the ethically responsible thing to do...
Allow me a Family Feud moment here as I give Mr. Greenfield a big giant:
"So if you’re one of those folks who have stayed utterly disengaged through all of this, do the honorable thing: Honor those for whom the vote really matters by staying home.
You’ll be doing yourself—and the country—a favor."
Apparently, party-line and single issue voters who literally haven't given a second thought about voting for the candidate they've been sure of are more eligible voters than myself, someone actually torn by the issues at hand. I shouldn't in good conscience cancel out their vote (PERISH THE THOUGHT!) by actually exercising my right, uninformed as I am.
I don't know if Mr. Greenfield knew my situation and was using some reverse-psychology mumbo-jumbo to get me to go rock the vote tomorrow. What I do know, is that I am SO thankful he has weighed in on the undecided voters such as myself. Now I can go back to my 3 recorded football games and worry more about my fantasy picks. Apparently, that will do less harm to this country than casting my ballot.
I'm glad Mr. Greenfield's opinion has been voiced. I don't know if I was able to illustrate what a dangerous line of thinking this is. Maybe I haven't. I don't have the writing skills or political acumen as a 5-time Emmy winner. What I do know, is that discouraging voters under the premise of "Leave the voting to those who know best" is utterly elitist, unethical, and disgusting based on the founding principles of this country.
So I say go cast your ignorant votes tomorrow. Otherwise, you may be standing in line behind me at the "License To Breed Bureau".
Read the article and tell me where I went wrong.
Stay Home
However, as I sit here in the apartment in my cold empty apartment, I am a man personally torn. For years I refused to engage in the act of voting, much to the chagrin of many around me. I simply refused to play the stupid game. It began as an act of political rebellion (although I'm not exactly sure how... you'll have to ask 2000 YHO) and continued as a figurative waving of the flag of apathy. After years of this hard-line stance, in 2012 YHO finally gave in to the political game and registered to vote. And yet I sit, as torn as the first sentence of this paragraph.
I can't decide. I'll admit, I'm not exactly the best-informed political consumer. I know some things, but I'm not as politically well-versed (or Versed?) as I or any American should be. I can't decide. I don't have a candidate and I simply don't know.
Fortunately, the founders of the country didn't make any provisions about the ability to vote based on level of information that I have.
STOP!!!!!
I know there is a certain percentage of you who just had the thought, "Ya, well, there SHOULD be a provision on stupid people voting." Anyone who thought that can just stop reading right now, because there is no way in hell I can have an intelligent discussion with you. The right to vote, the ability to vote, the obligation to vote is not and should never be based on intelligence, education, or level of information.
Ya, I know it pains you elitists out there to hear those words, but there are so very few things that offend me more than hearing how "stupid people" should simply not be allowed to vote. It is so intellectually offensive to make the claim - and I know it's out there. I've heard it since 2000 Bush v. Gore.
So here I sit. An educated man. Unsure. Undecided. Fortunately for an idiot like me, there is Mr. Jeff Greenfield. Mr. Greenfield is a veteran of the news industry, and I'm sure very good at what he does. He wrote a wonderful piece called "My Plea To The Undecided: Stay Home!". Well, needless to say, this perked my ears up. Let's see what he thinks, shall we?
"As the momentous day approaches, with epochal consequences for an anxiously awaiting world, I take pen in hand—make that apply fingertips to keypad—to renew a traditional plea I first made more than 30 years ago...
It’s a plea directed to those of you who are still uncertain about which way to vote. And it’s as simple as it is heartfelt: Stay home."
Interesting. Well, at least the title wasn't misleading. He goes on to explain that for 6 years both major candidates' lives, policies, proposed policies, and even their magic underwear have been thoroughly explored and made available to the public. His conclusion? If you don't know by now,
"You have the reasoning power of a baked potato."
You know, considering how stupid I am, I always fancied myself a tater-tot. We continue. Next is the disclaimer that there is a small minority who are actually well informed but still undecided. I thought he might be referring to me, but he proceeds to discount that this may actually apply to YHO.
"So it strikes me as a sound, honest statement for a prospective voter to say: “Look, I haven’t given this election a minute’s thought, and it’s just not fair for me to cancel out the vote of someone who actually gives a damn.”
Indeed, it’s not just sound and honest—it’s the ethically responsible thing to do...
Allow me a Family Feud moment here as I give Mr. Greenfield a big giant:
X
"So if you’re one of those folks who have stayed utterly disengaged through all of this, do the honorable thing: Honor those for whom the vote really matters by staying home.
You’ll be doing yourself—and the country—a favor."
Apparently, party-line and single issue voters who literally haven't given a second thought about voting for the candidate they've been sure of are more eligible voters than myself, someone actually torn by the issues at hand. I shouldn't in good conscience cancel out their vote (PERISH THE THOUGHT!) by actually exercising my right, uninformed as I am.
I don't know if Mr. Greenfield knew my situation and was using some reverse-psychology mumbo-jumbo to get me to go rock the vote tomorrow. What I do know, is that I am SO thankful he has weighed in on the undecided voters such as myself. Now I can go back to my 3 recorded football games and worry more about my fantasy picks. Apparently, that will do less harm to this country than casting my ballot.
I'm glad Mr. Greenfield's opinion has been voiced. I don't know if I was able to illustrate what a dangerous line of thinking this is. Maybe I haven't. I don't have the writing skills or political acumen as a 5-time Emmy winner. What I do know, is that discouraging voters under the premise of "Leave the voting to those who know best" is utterly elitist, unethical, and disgusting based on the founding principles of this country.
So I say go cast your ignorant votes tomorrow. Otherwise, you may be standing in line behind me at the "License To Breed Bureau".
Read the article and tell me where I went wrong.
Stay Home
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Writing On The Wall - Word On The Street
Apparently, enough people are staring down at their iPhondroids and getting hit by the B63 that the City of New York feels the need to provide this friendly reminder.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 5.378
The worst of Sandy has come and gone and left a good bit of destruction in her path for residents of the tri-state area. Fortunately, the New Yorker's spirit remains unbeatable. Here is a photo of one of my borough-mates, in a show of utter defiance against mother nature's forces, using his leaf blower before Sandy made landfall. YA! YOU SHOW THEM!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 4.serious
Much of our "coverage" of Hurricane Sandy has been an attempt to approach a very real natural disaster with a modicum of humor. We here at Keeping An Eye... are very aware of the human tragedies occurring in a radius of less than 20 miles around us. Our approach to these situations is as follows: we do not believe that any human suffering is humorous in any way and we feel for those who are suffering from the effects of the storm. At the writing of this post, CNN is reporting 11 deaths, 3 million without power, all NYC area airports shut down, and water entering the subway system. Obviously, Sandy is having a massive effect on the region.
Nonetheless, we also believe that we need to live our lives as we know how and we must cope with these events in the way we know how. For us here at KAEOTWGB (ya, I don't think I can use that acronym anymore) we deal with events such as Hurricane Sandy with a sarcastic look, particularly as a reflection of the sensationalism and overreaction that bombards us via the media and the general public. We understand that our political leaders and civil servants need to exercise an excess of caution in times like these. However, when one weighs the excess level of concern exhibited by our loved ones who are observing Sandy from a distance versus the actual level of imposition into our lives and direct danger that we face it becomes quite clear that the information being provided - nay - the manner in which the information is being provided is not accurately reflecting what we at Keeping An Eye... are experiencing.
We appreciate the concern of our friends, family, and loved ones. Please know that at this time, HOKIS and I are doing quite well, in fact, it's like any other Monday night in Brooklyn save for the occasional noisy wind gust and flickering of the lights. Of course we pray that it stays this way for us and the rest. We continue to pray for those who are unfortunately experiencing a much more drastic manifestation of Hurricane Sandy. We wish you all God's speed and comfort in these times. Please know that our humor is our coping mechanism, and not intended to be a slap in the face. We hope that some day you may see the humor and, maybe, let out a chuckle.
~YHO
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 3.1
And now, back to NK for another update...
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 3.0
...and now, we throw it to our roving reporter, NK, for coverage from inside the hurricane.
Stay safe, NK!
Stay safe, NK!
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 2.0
With every natural disaster such as Hurricane Sandy the biggest fear is loss of our basic infrastructure and utilities. None greater, is the fear of losing our fresh drinking water. Since we have no way of knowing whether the water supply has been compromised, YHO and HOKIS have been reduced to drinking lattes to try and stay hydrated. May God have mercy on us
Save us Obama! Dig into your secret stash and send us water and biscottis!
Save us Obama! Dig into your secret stash and send us water and biscottis!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Keeping An Eye On The Storm Going By - Hurricane Watch 2012 vol 1.0
Exactly 14 months ago* our little corner of the world was devastated by a little cloud cover that was called Irene (see devastation below). Here we sit today, YHO and HOKIS, hunkered down in our little home awaiting the arrival of another b!@#$ named Sandy. Frankly, Sandy's imminent arrival terrifies me. But not for the reasons you would think. Here is a list of the damage Sandy could do to me:
1. The Wind - No, I'm not worried that I'm going to be blown away to Missouri (in fact, I hear the storm is having quite the opposite effect). I'm more worried that my satellite connection will be disrupted. The 49ers are scheduled for Monday Night Football tomorrow. It's a division game, people!
2. The Rain - I just bought a new umbrella. The last thing I need is to lose #472 since moving to New York four years ago
3. The Devastation - I'm on coverage elective. If my colleagues can't make it into work, I'm going to have to haul my bum into the hospital to cover their's.
4. Life, Interrupted - Dear Mayor Bloomberg, Governors Cuomo and Christie. Don't you worry your little political heads off. I'm staying off the subway, in my home, away from trees and downed electrical lines. Please stop coming on my TV, interrupting Game 4 of the World Series.
Please pray for YHO. God bless you, friends, and God bless America.
*According to Wikipedia, Hurricane Irene made landfall in Brooklyn, NY on August 28, 2011.
**Oh jeez, here we go. A post like this has to come with a disclaimer. No, I'm not suggesting that football, baseball, or the comfort of my own home are more important than any REAL potential danger. I am NOT in favor of injury, loss of life, limb, property, or the pursuit of happiness. I'm merely trying to make myself and maybe a few of you laugh. You know for future YHO when he checks back and reads this 3 years later. Please for the love of the Deity, all of you stay safe, warm and dry. I am YHO and I approve this disclaimer.
1. The Wind - No, I'm not worried that I'm going to be blown away to Missouri (in fact, I hear the storm is having quite the opposite effect). I'm more worried that my satellite connection will be disrupted. The 49ers are scheduled for Monday Night Football tomorrow. It's a division game, people!
2. The Rain - I just bought a new umbrella. The last thing I need is to lose #472 since moving to New York four years ago
3. The Devastation - I'm on coverage elective. If my colleagues can't make it into work, I'm going to have to haul my bum into the hospital to cover their's.
4. Life, Interrupted - Dear Mayor Bloomberg, Governors Cuomo and Christie. Don't you worry your little political heads off. I'm staying off the subway, in my home, away from trees and downed electrical lines. Please stop coming on my TV, interrupting Game 4 of the World Series.
Please pray for YHO. God bless you, friends, and God bless America.
Oh, the devastation! Curse you, Irene!
*According to Wikipedia, Hurricane Irene made landfall in Brooklyn, NY on August 28, 2011.
**Oh jeez, here we go. A post like this has to come with a disclaimer. No, I'm not suggesting that football, baseball, or the comfort of my own home are more important than any REAL potential danger. I am NOT in favor of injury, loss of life, limb, property, or the pursuit of happiness. I'm merely trying to make myself and maybe a few of you laugh. You know for future YHO when he checks back and reads this 3 years later. Please for the love of the Deity, all of you stay safe, warm and dry. I am YHO and I approve this disclaimer.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Mind Boggling Phenomena - *Ring-Ring* Hello, Al?
In an attempt to shift the blog back to its original spirit here is a conversation Your Humble Observer was fortunate enough to be a part of :
YHO: Hello, I would like to return this merchandise that was delivered broken.
Retail Worker: It was delivered damaged?
YHO: Yes Ma'am
RW: Well, did you call them?
YHO: Did I call... them?
RW: Ya. Did you call them?
YHO: Did I call... *confused look* who?
RW: The... the... uh... the... the internet.
YHO: Did I... call... the INTERNET?
RW: You know, the people on the internet.
YHO: Um... no I brought my damaged merchandise back to the store it was purchased from. I did NOT call the internet.
RW: Well, you're going to have to wait until I can figure this out.
YHO: *muttering* You take your time now.
And now, the subtext:
YHO: Yo. I'm post-call and exhausted. This stuff came broken. Take it back!
Retail Worker: Bro- ken?
YHO: Were you not present for the start of this conversation?
RW: I can't deal with this. I'm going to pawn this off on someone else. Hmmm, let me try to pin this on "them".
YHO: Wha...huh?
RW: Oh crap, he's on to me. Quick, figure out who "them" could be.
YHO: Wha...HUH?
RW: Everyone blames that internet thing. Ya, let's go with that
YHO: Is that a real question? Are you really going with "the internet"?
RW: Double down time - Yes, the internet.
YHO: Crap, I'm screwed. Let me try some bigger words like "purchased". Maybe that will work.
RW: Well, that didn't work. Let me use my upper hand of "I'm too busy" to buy some time.
YHO: By all means, take your time. I ain't slept in 36 hours, but, you know, go ahead and call the internet or Mars or Santa Clause. I should have just gone in to work today.
YHO: Hello, I would like to return this merchandise that was delivered broken.
Retail Worker: It was delivered damaged?
YHO: Yes Ma'am
RW: Well, did you call them?
YHO: Did I call... them?
RW: Ya. Did you call them?
YHO: Did I call... *confused look* who?
RW: The... the... uh... the... the internet.
YHO: Did I... call... the INTERNET?
RW: You know, the people on the internet.
YHO: Um... no I brought my damaged merchandise back to the store it was purchased from. I did NOT call the internet.
RW: Well, you're going to have to wait until I can figure this out.
YHO: *muttering* You take your time now.
And now, the subtext:
YHO: Yo. I'm post-call and exhausted. This stuff came broken. Take it back!
Retail Worker: Bro- ken?
YHO: Were you not present for the start of this conversation?
RW: I can't deal with this. I'm going to pawn this off on someone else. Hmmm, let me try to pin this on "them".
YHO: Wha...huh?
RW: Oh crap, he's on to me. Quick, figure out who "them" could be.
YHO: Wha...HUH?
RW: Everyone blames that internet thing. Ya, let's go with that
YHO: Is that a real question? Are you really going with "the internet"?
RW: Double down time - Yes, the internet.
YHO: Crap, I'm screwed. Let me try some bigger words like "purchased". Maybe that will work.
RW: Well, that didn't work. Let me use my upper hand of "I'm too busy" to buy some time.
YHO: By all means, take your time. I ain't slept in 36 hours, but, you know, go ahead and call the internet or Mars or Santa Clause. I should have just gone in to work today.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Story Of Us - Three Little Words
"I love you."
Less than 6 months had passed since the dawn of our new relationship. It was Christmas time. There was excitement in the air. We had made it through the first months of our budding relationship. HOKIS and I had managed to make things work despite being worlds apart, she being a college freshman at UC Big City and me, an up-and-coming junior at UC Agriculture.
I knew these words could send her running for the hills. So young and in such a young relationship. Maybe she should have run for the hills. What's more telling is that she didn't. She looked me right in the eye and said the words back. You would think I would have run for the hills. I didn't.
"I love you"
Less than 6 months into the re-kindling of an old romance. The re-birth of an old friendship. The reincarnation of something that never truly died. She was preparing to leave after visiting me in NYC. The first time since that fateful turn of the year when all of the above "RE-'s" occurred. She had just started walking toward security at the airport. Outwardly, I was playing it cool. In my mind I was screaming, "STOP! TURN AROUND! DON'T GO!"
She stopped. She turned around. She didn't leave... at least not yet. She came right back up to me and laid those three words on me - words unspoken for over 3 years, yet familiar, known, understood. I looked her right in the eye and said the words back. She could have just flown away. She didn't.
"I love you"
Somewhere, from a speaker came the voice of Ol' Blue Eyes. He was saying something about a day when he felt awfully low. That day, I never felt higher. As I sang the words to her, we swayed back and forth. There may have been 450 people there... I wouldn't have known. We were running for the hills. We were flying.
Less than 6 months had passed since the dawn of our new relationship. It was Christmas time. There was excitement in the air. We had made it through the first months of our budding relationship. HOKIS and I had managed to make things work despite being worlds apart, she being a college freshman at UC Big City and me, an up-and-coming junior at UC Agriculture.
I knew these words could send her running for the hills. So young and in such a young relationship. Maybe she should have run for the hills. What's more telling is that she didn't. She looked me right in the eye and said the words back. You would think I would have run for the hills. I didn't.
"I love you"
Less than 6 months into the re-kindling of an old romance. The re-birth of an old friendship. The reincarnation of something that never truly died. She was preparing to leave after visiting me in NYC. The first time since that fateful turn of the year when all of the above "RE-'s" occurred. She had just started walking toward security at the airport. Outwardly, I was playing it cool. In my mind I was screaming, "STOP! TURN AROUND! DON'T GO!"
She stopped. She turned around. She didn't leave... at least not yet. She came right back up to me and laid those three words on me - words unspoken for over 3 years, yet familiar, known, understood. I looked her right in the eye and said the words back. She could have just flown away. She didn't.
"I love you"
Somewhere, from a speaker came the voice of Ol' Blue Eyes. He was saying something about a day when he felt awfully low. That day, I never felt higher. As I sang the words to her, we swayed back and forth. There may have been 450 people there... I wouldn't have known. We were running for the hills. We were flying.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Story Of Us - The Wedding
World Series Game 7, Bottom of the 9th, Down by 3, Bases loaded, 2 outs, Full Count, and you're up to bat... every little boy's dream. Slightly incongruous with the cliche of the "every little girls dream": My Big Fat Fairy-Tale Wedding
The dream disparity: When you're 9 years old it doesn't really matter. When you're 19 it's expected.
When you're 29 the world is completely different (though you still haven't given up the dream of hitting the home run in the above scenario...it could happen!)
You see, the average boy-teen-man never developed an image of the dream wedding. I don't think that it's particularly necessary that they do. What I do know is that when that day comes and she turns the corner to take a peak at the final product of all those months of hard work, you dream that her reaction is for her to gasp, "Oh my God, it's like a fairy-tale!"
There is no doubt in that moment when she's gushing over her dream wedding, in that moment when you're staring into each other's eyes as you dance to Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight", in that moment when the church doors open and she's standing there, those are the moments that - if it's right, if she's the one - then her dream wedding becomes his dream wedding too.
For HOKIS and me, that day came September 8, 2012. I don't know a whole lot about lighting, decor, runners, chargers, or any such things. I do know one thing, our wedding ensured that for the rest of my life, HOKIS will not just be my wife - she will always be my bride. She will always be the one that took my breath away when the church doors opened. She will always be my dance partner for "The Way You Look Tonight". She will always be the one who's eyes sparkled as she beheld the fairy-tale wedding before her. We had our dream wedding.
The dream disparity: When you're 9 years old it doesn't really matter. When you're 19 it's expected.
When you're 29 the world is completely different (though you still haven't given up the dream of hitting the home run in the above scenario...it could happen!)
You see, the average boy-teen-man never developed an image of the dream wedding. I don't think that it's particularly necessary that they do. What I do know is that when that day comes and she turns the corner to take a peak at the final product of all those months of hard work, you dream that her reaction is for her to gasp, "Oh my God, it's like a fairy-tale!"
There is no doubt in that moment when she's gushing over her dream wedding, in that moment when you're staring into each other's eyes as you dance to Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight", in that moment when the church doors open and she's standing there, those are the moments that - if it's right, if she's the one - then her dream wedding becomes his dream wedding too.
For HOKIS and me, that day came September 8, 2012. I don't know a whole lot about lighting, decor, runners, chargers, or any such things. I do know one thing, our wedding ensured that for the rest of my life, HOKIS will not just be my wife - she will always be my bride. She will always be the one that took my breath away when the church doors opened. She will always be my dance partner for "The Way You Look Tonight". She will always be the one who's eyes sparkled as she beheld the fairy-tale wedding before her. We had our dream wedding.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Story Of Us - One Month
What I've learned in 1 month of marriage:
1. This is what will come off your new bride's head after your wedding
2. You will quickly develop a 5 point "Quality Assurance Checklist" for fine china
3.Turning "I", "Me", and "Mine" into "We", "Us", and "Our" is not as simple as you think
4. It still makes me smile when HOKIS says, "My husband..."
5. It still makes me smile when I say, "My wife..."
6. Couch shopping is actually kind of fun
7. Even though you've lived apart for the great majority of your relationship, when she's away for 3 days it feels like an eternity
8. I have SOOOO much more to learn about marriage.
1. This is what will come off your new bride's head after your wedding
2. You will quickly develop a 5 point "Quality Assurance Checklist" for fine china
3.Turning "I", "Me", and "Mine" into "We", "Us", and "Our" is not as simple as you think
4. It still makes me smile when HOKIS says, "My husband..."
5. It still makes me smile when I say, "My wife..."
6. Couch shopping is actually kind of fun
7. Even though you've lived apart for the great majority of your relationship, when she's away for 3 days it feels like an eternity
8. I have SOOOO much more to learn about marriage.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Christmas In February
In keeping with the social tempo of our times, HOKIS and Your Humble Observer have decided we are celebrating our first anniversary today. (We got married September 8, 2012.)
This decision was reached after a trip to the mall revealed the abomination below. It's barely past Labor Day and Harry & David in conjunction with Macy's have begun the Christmas rush. This is a clear violation of the YHO Rules Of The Holidays.
Happy Easter to you all.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The Story Of Us - The Rocky Shores Of Cambria
None of the readership will be shocked by the revelation that the previous year and a half was one of great significance for Your Humble Observer. My life has been enriched by many opportunities, encounters, and relationships. However, none have been greater, more meaningful, or more beautiful than the one with a certain young lady, henceforth referred to as HOKIS, who I am also now proud to refer to as my wife, and my partner in life. It may be cliche, but I've known, almost from the very beginning of our relationship, that HOKIS would be the one I would want to share every moment, experience, tragedy, and joy with for the rest of my life. And for that very reason, after months of preparation, on April 2, 2011 I proposed to HOKIS on the rocky shores of Cambria, CA. The story is as follows:
The key to every great proposal is careful planning and meticulous attention to detail. Fortunately I had neither of those elements in my favor. I figured that if she and I had made it this far down our journey the universe would allow everything to fall into place. What I had was a ring and the desire to express to the love of my life that I wanted to spend every moment with her. After a delightful breakfast we ventured out for a walk along the northern California coast. She thought I was quiet because I was finally decompressing from a difficult work schedule. Truthfully, I was distracted trying to find the perfect spot to propose. After a mile or so of walking we came upon a staircase leading down to the rocky coast below. As we stood there quietly enjoying the crashing waves, I reached into my coat pocket and produced the ring. The rest, as they say, is... well, a blur! But all I know is that at the end, we were engaged.
Monday, April 23, 2012
No Chords Barred - ...Not The Destination
Today's entry is short and sweet.
Man, I'm getting old! Last night I was at dinner with my fiancee when "Separate Ways" by Journey came on. I immediately started bopping my head to the infectious opening riff. The next thought that crossed my head should have been, "What the hell am I doing?"
Instead my thought was, "You know, I should really download a greatest hits album by Journey."
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
A Eulogy
Delivered on Monday, April 2, 2012
I thank you all on behalf of our family for joining us here today. We gather today, by definition, as mourners. But I ask, instead, for you to view this moment in time more as a celebration of life - the life of a man who very plainly has touched many of you. For here you sit, today, to pay respect to the man you know as Baron Simon, Ammo Simon, or as I knew him, Dede. I call it a
celebration of life - my grandfather lived a full
and rich life. Not to say that it wasn't filled with the trials and animosity that comes with simply being alive. But we celebrate, and we take comfort, for one simple reason - to the very end he was
surrounded by his family in a home full of laughter and love. In light of this celebration, then, allow me to recount, what
I call, the parts that make up the beautiful sum that is my Dede.
Dedeyeen
Yerazuh – My Grandfather’s Dream
A
concept not unfamiliar to any here today, often called The American Dream –
Raised in an impoverished world with minimal resources. Leaving the only home he had ever known, leading a family across the world for the sake of having the
opportunity to achieve a higher dream. A
dream that has trickled down the generations evidenced by the fact that each and every one of his
grandchildren sits here, accomplished individuals each in his or her right, pursuing their higher dreams, and making them realities.
·
Dedeyeen
Kaghtsrootyoonuh – My Grandfather’s Sweetness
From his
oft heard “My sweet baby, my sweetheart,” to the bottomless supply of candy in
his car that made his grandchildren ecstatic that Dede was picking them up from
school. Dede
was unequivocally one of the sweetest men that graced this Earth.
·
Dedeyeen
Yerkun Oo Baruh– My Grandfather’s Song And Dance
So
much of my appreciation of Armenian music stems from car rides in Dede’s Ford LTD listening to tapes of classic Armenian songs, patriotic songs: "Akoolistsi
Katch Badanin", "Sasoontsi
Levonin Yerkuh", "Hey,
Jan, Ghapama", "Karoon,
karoon, karoon eh...". You
could always count on Ammo Simon to have a song for you at every occasion,
singing in what he called, “Akravee Tsaynov”, but one of the sweetest voices that still rings in my ears.
· And
of course – Sasno Bar: The dance that enthralls many, befuddles some, but
welcomes all. There will be an empty space at the lead of that line that can
never be filled… But the dance will continue.
·
Dedeyeen
Aghotk Oo Khuradun – My Grandfather’s Prayers and Advice
Every conversation with Dede ended with "Asdvadz
tsezee char portsanknereh, char achkereh heroo baheh (May God keep you away from evil eyes and evil calamity), "Take
care of yourself, my sweet baby". When you would ask him, "How are you doing today?" his response was always, "Took
lav yeghek, yes meshed lav gullam(If you are well, then I will always be well)". Every toast ended with, "Meg
partsee vurah dzeranak (May you grow old on one pillow).
And, from a very personal standpoint, two pieces of advice that would set the stage for so much of who I would become, as a child my grandfather would tell me, "Dughas,
gartah, gartah, mart yegheer (Study, study, and be a man) and finally, "Dughas, as tserkeruh mee aghdoder. As tserkeruh
puzheeskhkee tserker en. Yerpek aghdod bedk che ullan. (Son, never let your hands get dirty.
These are doctor’s hands. They should never be dirty.)
These are some of the individual aspects of what made Dede
who he was. More importantly, it is these individual units of his personality that have
made their imprint on my mind, and will remain the sweet memories that I will
keep dear to me as I reflect fondly on the man who for 30 years has been a
mentor, a friend, a cheerleader, a champion, a source of unconditional and
limitless love – My Dede.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
No Chords Barred - Motley Crew
- Metallica
- Megadeth
- Paul Baghdadlian (of memory)
- Elton John
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Rick Ross
and I don't even know who Asia or Street Dogs are.
Sadly, I don't wholeheartedly disagree with the selection.
Friday, March 16, 2012
No Chords Barred - Flog & Begorrah
Welcome to the blog's newest feature - No Chords Barred*
Here Your Humble Observer will rant and rave about topics related to music - new album reviews, old songs rediscovered, concert experiences, or other topics from an unabashed musicophile. We will inaugurate the feature with a somewhat topical and timely feature. Sit back and enjoy the harmonious workings of YHO...
Flog & Begorrah
Well as cliche as it may be, this time of year with all the shamrocks and pots o' gold surrounding YHO, I can't help but bring the readership's attention to some old Irish friends of mine. Since about 1999 I've had a sick obsession with the band Flogging Molly. Since the first time I heard the infectious opening riff of "Salty Dog" back in the high school days I have had a brazen love affair with the 7 piece band. While some musical acts don't stand the test of the live show, Flogging Molly is among an elite few who reach beyond the confines of my Dre Beats and rock the shit outta the house... *ahem*...excuse me, that was terribly uncouth. Needless to say, then, that FM is one of the elite Top 5 best acts I've ever had the pleasure to see live. My love affair with the group has not been without its share of turmoil. In fact, there has not been a single FM album release since their sophomore album "Drunken Lullabies" that I haven't listened to the first few tracks, only to throw the album to the wayside and write it off as a weak attempt to reinvent the Blarney Stone. Despite this reaction with that and every release thereafter, I have always been drawn back to the jingle of the mandolin, the cry of the fiddle, the jangling banjo, and the thumping rapid fire kick-snare that sets FM apart from the rest of the poser Irish-rockers. Inevitably I stumble upon one of the songs from the random by some chance encounter and I am given a second chance to give the album a second chance. Lo and behold... it's usually love from that point on.
With Drunken Lullabies it was "What's Left Of The Flag"
With Within A Mile Of Home it was "Seven Deadly Sins"
With Float it was "Punch Drunk Grinning Soul"
And now, almost a year after its release, I have stumble across "So Sail On" from the album Speed Of Darkness, a quiet, unassuming, throw-away 6th track from an album otherwise billed as a dark, thunderous album of rebellion. "Time to take a breath once more..." begins King's vocals accompanied by his acoustic guitar sounding like it's being played from the speakers of a 1979 Cutlass with an 8-track player. "...breath once more..."And so I do. Here's your second chance, Molly dearest. A few seconds in and I'm hooked. The rest of the album will fall into place. I can feel it. Then the hook - "So sail on..." I'm aboard. Take me home.
Take me back. Take me back to the way life used to be.
*A fun play on words in YHO's head. Here's the explanation (and thus, the death) of the joke: Chordae and Holds
Here Your Humble Observer will rant and rave about topics related to music - new album reviews, old songs rediscovered, concert experiences, or other topics from an unabashed musicophile. We will inaugurate the feature with a somewhat topical and timely feature. Sit back and enjoy the harmonious workings of YHO...
Flog & Begorrah
Well as cliche as it may be, this time of year with all the shamrocks and pots o' gold surrounding YHO, I can't help but bring the readership's attention to some old Irish friends of mine. Since about 1999 I've had a sick obsession with the band Flogging Molly. Since the first time I heard the infectious opening riff of "Salty Dog" back in the high school days I have had a brazen love affair with the 7 piece band. While some musical acts don't stand the test of the live show, Flogging Molly is among an elite few who reach beyond the confines of my Dre Beats and rock the shit outta the house... *ahem*...excuse me, that was terribly uncouth. Needless to say, then, that FM is one of the elite Top 5 best acts I've ever had the pleasure to see live. My love affair with the group has not been without its share of turmoil. In fact, there has not been a single FM album release since their sophomore album "Drunken Lullabies" that I haven't listened to the first few tracks, only to throw the album to the wayside and write it off as a weak attempt to reinvent the Blarney Stone. Despite this reaction with that and every release thereafter, I have always been drawn back to the jingle of the mandolin, the cry of the fiddle, the jangling banjo, and the thumping rapid fire kick-snare that sets FM apart from the rest of the poser Irish-rockers. Inevitably I stumble upon one of the songs from the random by some chance encounter and I am given a second chance to give the album a second chance. Lo and behold... it's usually love from that point on.
With Drunken Lullabies it was "What's Left Of The Flag"
With Within A Mile Of Home it was "Seven Deadly Sins"
With Float it was "Punch Drunk Grinning Soul"
And now, almost a year after its release, I have stumble across "So Sail On" from the album Speed Of Darkness, a quiet, unassuming, throw-away 6th track from an album otherwise billed as a dark, thunderous album of rebellion. "Time to take a breath once more..." begins King's vocals accompanied by his acoustic guitar sounding like it's being played from the speakers of a 1979 Cutlass with an 8-track player. "...breath once more..."And so I do. Here's your second chance, Molly dearest. A few seconds in and I'm hooked. The rest of the album will fall into place. I can feel it. Then the hook - "So sail on..." I'm aboard. Take me home.
Take me back. Take me back to the way life used to be.
*A fun play on words in YHO's head. Here's the explanation (and thus, the death) of the joke: Chordae and Holds
Monday, March 5, 2012
Patients Say The Darndest Things #5
Shawty Got...
Responding to a page telling me a discharged patient isn't feeling well....
Your Humble Observer: Sir, is there something wrong?
Patient: My stomach feel low.
YHO: Feel low?
Patient: Ya, feel low.
YHO: What does that mean? Do you have any pain?
Patient: No. No pain, just low.
YHO: Nausea? Vomiting?
Patient: No. Just low.
YHO: Heartburn? Fever? Chest Pain? Indigestion? Touch of malaria?
Patient: No. Just low.
YHO to nurses: Anyone have any idea what that means?
(crickets)
YHO: OH FOR THE LOVE!!
(takes patient by the hand and leads him back to his hospital room.)
Responding to a page telling me a discharged patient isn't feeling well....
Your Humble Observer: Sir, is there something wrong?
Patient: My stomach feel low.
YHO: Feel low?
Patient: Ya, feel low.
YHO: What does that mean? Do you have any pain?
Patient: No. No pain, just low.
YHO: Nausea? Vomiting?
Patient: No. Just low.
YHO: Heartburn? Fever? Chest Pain? Indigestion? Touch of malaria?
Patient: No. Just low.
YHO to nurses: Anyone have any idea what that means?
(crickets)
YHO: OH FOR THE LOVE!!
(takes patient by the hand and leads him back to his hospital room.)
Saturday, March 3, 2012
In Texto Veritas - It Takes A Winner
It Takes A Winner
From: V. K.
Date: 03/03/2012
Time: 13:57
"...one of the members calls me and asks if I'm related to [Your Humble Observer]. Naturally my response is, 'No, never heard of the chump.' She says she found your quiz bowl trophy with all of your names on a piece of paper next to it. When I found out it was good news, I told her we are related."
From: V. K.
Date: 03/03/2012
Time: 13:57
"...one of the members calls me and asks if I'm related to [Your Humble Observer]. Naturally my response is, 'No, never heard of the chump.' She says she found your quiz bowl trophy with all of your names on a piece of paper next to it. When I found out it was good news, I told her we are related."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
But Soft! What Light Through Yonder Blog Post Breaks?
Eighteen months is a long time to be separated from a
loved one. Often we spend these longing moments imagining and planning the
first words we would speak to the one we miss the moment that we lay eyes on them.
Somehow the first words spoken never live up to the grand soliloquy we have had
planned. Your Humble Observer has been absent from your lives for about a year
and a half, and so much has happened in the life of this observer it would be
impossible to relay it all to the readership in a pithy and interesting manner
in one post. No doubt it could never be worthy of measuring up to the remainder
of this blog. So here is the opening monologue of the first act in this new chapter
in our lives. I plan to bring you the many life events of YHO in short but
eloquently expressed posts in the coming days and months.
The fearful passage of time has proved,
That the continuance of this blog page,
Which, but its writer’s negligence, nought could remove,
Is now ongoing traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Which, but its writer’s negligence, nought could remove,
Is now ongoing traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
I have missed you all and I have longed for the outlet
that this forum has provided. It feels good to be back.
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