thunderbolt

My life could be divided into two parts, right now. The various chapters would make up Part I, life before Julie, and Part II, the continuing saga I live each day since finding my soul mate. I was never a ladies man. Apparently not much of a risk taker, either. Throughout my formative years, Matt seemed to fill that role of risk taker; I learned years later that he was much more of a ladies man than I was, too. Sometime during our senior year of high school, he confided in me that he'd lost his virginity years earlier. I was devastated. Not sure why. Jealousy, I guess. And ego. I'd always thought of myself as "cooler" than Matt. Isn't that shitty? My best friend and I was always one step away from him, pursuing membership into more popular cliques. Mind you, I was loyal to Matt. I would have defended him no matter what he did back then. Once, when he was in a stupor, Matt clocked this kid at one of my annual summer party's. No reason. He just f

Received some great news today that I get to write an episode of the series I'm working on. Although the tone of the show is slapstick comedy, I feel up to the task. And, God, I need some levity and need to be able to write it. I mean, come on, Blazing Saddles and Arrested Development have brought me so much joy; I grew up watching the Abbott and Costello movies and worshiping the Marx Brothers; and Animal House and Dumb and Dumber rank high on my all time favorite movie lists. Some of it has to have rubbed off on me. No, I feel good about this. It also helps that the writing staff is very supportive and I will be able to bounce ideas off of them. Thinking back on all of those movies I watched as a kid stirs up memories of Matt. The two of us must have seen every movie at the old First Run Video store back in North Olmsted. That was, I believe, the very first video store in town. Maybe American Video opened around the same time, but I never heard of American Video until I w

Finished the room today and I'm wiped out. I have that layer of grime and latex on me from being around paint all day. But I'm kind of wired (probably from the paint fumes) so I'm no where near ready to go to bed. The room looks great. We chose the right color. Last night I watched "The Quiet American" starring Michael Caine and Brenden Fraser. Man, what a fantastic movie. I love the way the story weaves one man's desperation to stay with his lover and in the process, gets sucked into something larger than himself. Truly one of the best pictures I've seen in a long time. I also spoke with Elliott last night. I'll tell you, it was a great conversation lasting over an hour. Since Matt died he and I have spoken every six weeks or so, the mood generally getting better. Both of us marveled that it's almost been a year since Matt left us. Elliott was the closest to him when he died. The two of them spoke almost nightly. They were best friend

Fell asleep three times last night. Once while putting Jake to bed. Then Sophie woke up and wanted me to snuggle her...#2. Finally, I got up around midnight so I could wash and boil the nebulizer cups. While the water was starting to boil, I fell asleep on the couch. Wait, if you count actually crawling into bed to sleep for the rest of the night, that's actually four times. So, you can understand why I didn't have an opportunity to sit down and wait for our dial up to take 15 minutes to connect and our AOL service to take another 10 minutes to get me to the Blogger web page. So far, it's been mostly me and Jake together this weekend. Jules had to work today and Sophie wound up going over to B&K's to play with her cousins. When she came home, Jules got back from work and the two of them went to a birthday party for the girls down the street. So, Jake and I have been hanging out. He's passed out on the couch right now. Little guy really needs to take a

The problem with technology is that it sometimes takes a dump on you. Case in point, we lost phone service on Thursday and there was no way to connect to the Internet. I know your jaw must be on the ground by now thinking "how could they NOT have DSL?" But, for some reason, affordable DSL has not reached our little neighborhood. And the fact that our phone company couldn't tell us when our land line would be back up and running was equally frustrating. Originally they gave us a five day window. FIVE DAYS?! No wonder they're losing business to cellular phone companies. Anyway, I did write on Thursday. Here is what I was going to post: Just spent the past hour and a half writing eight pages of material that is darker than anything I've ever written before. Not just horror movie dark, but uncomfortable in your own skin dark. Am I just trying to be provocative and cause a stir like SAW or HOSTEL? Or am I working out some sick issues I have floating around in

From: Scott Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 To: Steve Hey, I did my best to find some connection between Chris Penn and Wilson Pickett, but the task was fruitless (and I ran out of time). I'm sure that out there, somewhere, someone can find a movie in which one of Pickett's songs appeared in a Chris Penn movie. I was going to dedicate today's song entirely to Pickett, but I've always been a fan of Penn, even getting excited when he appeared on a recent episode of Everwood> So I thought it fitting to include a dedication to him in this week’s edition of the hump day song. I first became exposed to “Wicked” Pickett in the summer of ‘87, when I went on a soul music kick after discovering Otis Redding in Washington DC. I had bought some Atlantic cheap-o compilation and wore it out. From there, I bought similar tapes by Aretha, Sam & Dave and Wilson Pickett. Of those three, Pickett’s tape got the most use. The common thread of all four of these artists was the passion t

I must be a glutton for pain, or a complete imbecile. My neighbor has said he will run a half marathon in June to raise money for CF and I told him I would train with him and run it with him. Am I nuts? But he’s dedicated. Seriously. You know how sometimes you talk about a task in passing or just to make some conversatrion, not thinking it will really lead to anything. Uh, yeah, not this guy. He called this afternoon wanting to know when we would begin running. Heh, heh. So, I guess I’ll look into a training schedule and into getting some new shoes. These ones I have aren’t doing the job. My feet hurt so much and they don’t offer enough arch support. Been thinking a lot about Matt lately. It’s coming up un the anniversary of his death. I should call Elliott and email his mom. I can’t believe it’s been a year. Miss him. I look at old photos of him and think, “where the hell are you, Brookens?” A year. Damn.

Once again, I missed a night by choosing sleep over the computer. What the hell! Just kidding. We spent three hours waiting in line to get tested to see if we were a bone marrow match for a 12 year old boy living Stevenson Ranch. He's fighting leukemia and no one in his family matches. I just learned that one of my coworkers' brother died from leukemia. I was, like, shell shocked when he told me. Here he is, a quiet, laid back, cool dude. I guess if I'd asked him about his life a little more... funny how you never know about anyone's life and the pain they may have gone through. We all have our share, huh? Anyway, my original point was that we waited in line for 3 hours in the cold (which wore us out) because there were around a thousand people who showed up to get checked. That was frickin' awesome. We don't know this boy. I doubt many of the people in line with us knew him, either. Sometimes he human spirit is stronger that the Santa Ana winds. I&#

I'm disappointed that I didn't get to the keyboard last night. I fell asleep putting Jacob down and when I awoke (around 10:30), I was too groggy to think straight. Of course, when I decide to go back to bed, I was wide awake. Whatever. Work has been solid for the past couple of weeks. Busy. Plus, I'm developing some new stories for possible future scripts. I plan to pitch them to the manager I have been dealing with for the past couple of months. Hopefully something will stick. At the same time, I have begun "Soulless 2", a sequel to a horror script I wrote years ago, and should be going into production soon. "Should" is the key word in that sentence. Still, I am optimistic. I had planned to review "The Island" last night. I had very low expectations. Truth is, I have trouble sitting through Michael Bay's movies. But I didn't hate this one. In fact, before the movie became an action flick, I was enjoying the sci-fi angle o

Finally, here is a family picture taken after the race. I could say so much more about the three people in the picture with me. I don’t have the space or time today. So I’ll end by saying I’d be nothing without their love and support. I love you, Julie, Sophie and Jake. Aloha

This second image is of Nancy and me after we completed the race. Once again, Jacquie is with us. Let me just say this about Jacquie. We’ve known a lot of CF Foundation people over the four years we’ve been involved, and she’s one of the best. Such positive energy and a real go-getter. Man, I sound like one of those old 50’s movies… “A real go getter, Charlie!” Anyway, I wish we had someone like Jacquie in the Los Angeles chapter. This is not to knock the L.A. chapter, they really work hard. But they seem to have such a high turnover with their staff. It’s nerve racking.

Finally, here is a family picture taken after the race. I could say so much more about the three people in the picture with me. I don’t have the space or time today. So I’ll end by saying I’d be nothing without their love and support. I love you, Julie, Sophie and Jake. Aloha

I had the opportunity to speak with my coach, Robert, a little while ago. He called to congratulate me on completing the half marathon. He also tried to convince me that I would be able to run another half marathon this year. The guy is nuts, I tell you. Nuts! He directed me to some pictures taken the day of the race. This first one was taken before we started the race. From left to right are: Me, Nancy, Jacquie, from the CF Foundation, and my sister Beth. Don’t we all look happy to be there? Actually, our mood was excellent that morning. And like I said last week, I didn’t experience any nervousness before the race. If anything, it felt like just another day running early in the morning.

This second image is of Nancy and me after we completed the race. Once again, Jacquie is with us. Let me just say this about Jacquie. We’ve known a lot of CF Foundation people over the four years we’ve been involved, and she’s one of the best. Such positive energy and a real go-getter. Man, I sound like one of those old 50’s movies… “A real go getter, Charlie!” Anyway, I wish we had someone like Jacquie in the Los Angeles chapter. This is not to knock the L.A. chapter, they really work hard. But they seem to have such a high turnover with their staff. It’s nerve racking.

I had the opportunity to speak with my coach, Robert, a little while ago. He called to congratulate me on completing the half marathon. He also tried to convince me that I would be able to run another half marathon this year. The guy is nuts, I tell you. Nuts! He directed me to some pictures taken the day of the race. This first one was taken before we started the race. From left to right are: Me, Nancy, Jacquie, from the CF Foundation, and my sister Beth. Don’t we all look happy to be there? Actually, our mood was excellent that morning. And like I said last week, I didn’t experience any nervousness before the race. If anything, it felt like just another day running early in the morning.

I read this commentary by Ron Kovic and was so moved that I had to post it. ******** THE FORGOTTEN WOUNDED OF IRAQ Thirty-eight years ago, on Jan. 20, 1968, I was shot and paralyzed from my mid-chest down during my second tour of duty in Vietnam. It is a date that I can never forget, a day that was to change my life forever. Each year as the anniversary of my wounding in the war approached I would become extremely restless, experiencing terrible bouts of insomnia, depression, anxiety attacks and horrifying nightmares. I dreaded that day and what it represented, always fearing that the terrible trauma of my wounding might repeat itself all over again. It was a difficult day for me for decades and it remained that way until the anxieties and nightmares finally began to subside. As I now contemplate another January 20th I cannot help but think of the young men and women who have been wounded in the war in Iraq. They have been coming home now for almost three years, flooding Walter Reed, B

From:Scott Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 To: Steve Hey bro, Since the race was this weekend and I'm still having trouble walking, I thought I'd send something that reminds me of the race. "I've come a long way, I've come a long way...." Man, nothing could be truer about a race in which you run in a huge circle. But, even though it felt like it at the end of the race, I had come a long way mentally. Something happened during the run, Steve. That cloud... That despair I've been living with... I'm not feeling it. Maybe the tragedies of 2005 were affecting me more than I know. Or maybe I just needed 13.1 miles of pain to wake me up. But I feel renewed. That optimism you always say I have, it feels like it's slowly rising back to the surface. Anyway, I don't know much about Michelle Shocked except that she's a modern folk artist and that she wrote this beautiful song about being in Los Angeles. It's true, you can drive around for an entire

The legs felt better today. I can walk without as much of a limp. However, I am having extreme foot problems with my right foot. Yet another sign that my running days must be put behind me. I have received some very encouraging emails and letters over the past week. It was these kind words that helped keep me going on Sunday. Oh, there were a couple of times when I thought I might not make it, but I had the voice of my darling wife and the companionship of a new friend to guide me through the race. On Saturday night, Beth and I went to the dinner being held by the CF Foundation in honor of us runners and we just happened to run into Nancy Seid, a woman who lives in Los Angeles and has a son, 13, who also has CF. Strange how we just happened to meet each other in the parking lot. This is a woman that our coach, Robert, suggested I meet up with because we shared a similar pace. Turns out, it was a great suggestion. This was Nancy's first race and she was looking to just comp

The legs felt better today. I can walk without as much of a limp. However, I am having extreme foot problems with my right foot. Yet another sign that my running days must be put behind me. I have received some very encouraging emails and letters over the past week. It was these kind words that helped keep me going on Sunday. Oh, there were a couple of times when I thought I might not make it, but I had the voice of my darling wife and the companionship of a new friend to guide me through the race. On Saturday night, Beth and I went to the dinner being held by the CF Foundation in honor of us runners and we just happened to run into Nancy Seid, a woman who lives in Los Angeles and has a son, 13, who also has CF. Strange how we just happened to meet each other in the parking lot. This is a woman that our coach, Robert, suggested I meet up with because we shared a similar pace. Turns out, it was a great suggestion. This was Nancy's first race and she was looking to just comp

It's been along day. My thighs and hamstrings, and just about every inch of my legs is reminding me that I have not run since Thanksgiving. And yet, my knees have given me no trouble. Amazing. Details about the race day will come tomorrow after I've had some time to put them into a coherent structure, but I will say this about getting through the race with no knee problems: I could say that it was the new knee support I bought on Saturday at the race expo. Perhaps the specific design of it and the added support under my knee cap were what I've been missing all along. Or... Perhaps it was really God watching out for me. Sure, my legs are aching like I haven't run in almost two months. But maybe the divine one was looking out for me yesterday, as if to say, "You're already going to be hurting, and you did complete the race. I'll help you out this time and take away the pain you were expecting." Maybe that's too mystical for some of you. If

It's been along day. My thighs and hamstrings, and just about every inch of my legs is reminding me that I have not run since Thanksgiving. And yet, my knees have given me no trouble. Amazing. Details about the race day will come tomorrow after I've had some time to put them into a coherent structure, but I will say this about getting through the race with no knee problems: I could say that it was the new knee support I bought on Saturday at the race expo. Perhaps the specific design of it and the added support under my knee cap were what I've been missing all along. Or... Perhaps it was really God watching out for me. Sure, my legs are aching like I haven't run in almost two months. But maybe the divine one was looking out for me yesterday, as if to say, "You're already going to be hurting, and you did complete the race. I'll help you out this time and take away the pain you were expecting." Maybe that's too mystical for some of you. If

It's 5:30 n the morning. I've been up since 4:30. The hotel bed was murder on my back. Add to that the cramped conditions of having four people in it and you can pretty much figure out how well I slept. It doesn't matter, though, I got plenty of sleep the night before. I just finished my complimentary breakfast and was about to head back when I saw this computer in the lobby. Last night I met a woman from L.A. who has a 13 year old son, named Jacob, who also has CF. We're going to run the half marathon together this morning. Luckily, the rain has let up and it doesn't feel too cold. I've decided to go with the shorts and skip the sweat pants. I mean, come on, it's only 13 miles, right? It won't take me that long. When I got up this morning, I found three little notes that Sophie and Jake had written for me last night. Sophie wrote, "Dear Daddy, Go Daddy, Go! We love you...Mommy, Sophie and Jacob." Then she wrote a page of hearts an

It's 5:30 n the morning. I've been up since 4:30. The hotel bed was murder on my back. Add to that the cramped conditions of having four people in it and you can pretty much figure out how well I slept. It doesn't matter, though, I got plenty of sleep the night before. I just finished my complimentary breakfast and was about to head back when I saw this computer in the lobby. Last night I met a woman from L.A. who has a 13 year old son, named Jacob, who also has CF. We're going to run the half marathon together this morning. Luckily, the rain has let up and it doesn't feel too cold. I've decided to go with the shorts and skip the sweat pants. I mean, come on, it's only 13 miles, right? It won't take me that long. When I got up this morning, I found three little notes that Sophie and Jake had written for me last night. Sophie wrote, "Dear Daddy, Go Daddy, Go! We love you...Mommy, Sophie and Jacob." Then she wrote a page of hearts an

Rain has hit and our trip to Legoland was aborted. The trip to Carlsbad will take place later this afternoon. I'm starting to feel some butterfiles about tomorrow. I guess that's a positive thing. Oh, and we have reached our goal of $7000 for the fundraiser, just under the wire. Wasn't sure we were going to make it and I think that was bumming me out a little bit. Now I can relax even more for the race. Mom and Dad are in town, so I'm not going to write much more. Hope the rain lets up by tomorrow morning. Nothing worse than having to run in soggy shoes. Aloha

Rain has hit and our trip to Legoland was aborted. The trip to Carlsbad will take place later this afternoon. I'm starting to feel some butterfiles about tomorrow. I guess that's a positive thing. Oh, and we have reached our goal of $7000 for the fundraiser, just under the wire. Wasn't sure we were going to make it and I think that was bumming me out a little bit. Now I can relax even more for the race. Mom and Dad are in town, so I'm not going to write much more. Hope the rain lets up by tomorrow morning. Nothing worse than having to run in soggy shoes. Aloha

We're winding down the week and getting ready for our trip to Carlsbad tomorrow. The weather forecast predicts rain both days of the weekend. What is it with me running races and crummy weather. Either it's too hot (Honolulu), unseasonably cold (San Francisco) or frigidly cold (OC last year... and perhaps this weekend). Whatever. It'll all be over on Sunday and I can begin my search for a new fundraiser.

We're winding down the week and getting ready for our trip to Carlsbad tomorrow. The weather forecast predicts rain both days of the weekend. What is it with me running races and crummy weather. Either it's too hot (Honolulu), unseasonably cold (San Francisco) or frigidly cold (OC last year... and perhaps this weekend). Whatever. It'll all be over on Sunday and I can begin my search for a new fundraiser. Listening to the Eagles at the moment, feeling kind of mellow. I have this love hate feeling about the Eagles. I really love some of their music (especially their early stuff), but, man, do they act like arrogant jerks sometimes. That's just me, though. So, my movie this week was "No Way Out", from 1987, starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Will Patton (underrated) and Sean Young. It's an adaptation of "The Big Clock", although only in spirit (if you ask me). The performances all hold up, especially Sean Young. I don't think she

Beth and her family arrived to L.A. last night. I amazed that the weekend we planned so many months ago in August is finally here. As I've said before, I'm thrilled that they have traveled all this way to be as one family in the fight against CF. I'm a little surprised that I don't have butterflies for the race. No fear. Truly, I am not at all apprehensive about running on Sunday. Will my overall time be better than previous races? Sure. Right. Uh huh. Not. Do I care? Not in the least. Perhaps this is the first race for me in which the cause is more important than the actual moment. To explain-- the past races were always about raising money and awareness, of course. And these efforts went on up until race day. But on race day, it became about me. It became about getting my best time and just completing the thing. Not this weekend. The cause is more important than the actual moment. Aloha

Beth and her family arrived to L.A. tonight. I amazed that the weekend we planned so many months ago in August is finally here. As I've said before, I'm thrilled that they have traveled all this way to be as one family in the fight against CF. I'm a little surprised that I don't have butterflies for the race. No fear. Truly, I am not at all apprehensive about running on Sunday. Will my overall time be better than previous races? Sure. Right. Uh huh. Not. Do I care? Not in the least. Perhaps this is the first race for me in which the cause is more important than the actual moment. To explain-- the past races were always about raising money and awareness, of course. And these efforts went on up until race day. But on race day, it became about me. It became about getting my best time and just completing the thing. Not this weekend. The cause is more important than the actual moment. I'm fried. I stayed up until 1:30 last night revising a spec script

From: Scott Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 To: Steve Subject: Hump Day 1-11-06 In light of the scandal sweeping through Washington, and the house of cards that may eventually fall down, I thought this classic from Aretha (that's Ms. Franklin, to you and me) seemed appropriate. Okay, at least the title is appropriate. The lyrics, on the other hand, are something different altogether. But, hey, we're not about literal interpretations here at WHMP ("the home of the hump day song, every Wednesday afternoon!"). We just aim to entertain. And sometimes make your think. Okay, we’re here to entertain and sometimes make you think. Occasionally we provide therapeutic relief. Okay, we’re here to entertain, sometimes make you think and occasionally therapeutic relief. And nostalgia. Can’t forget nostalgia. We’re here to entertain, sometimes make you think, occasional therapeutic relief, and nostalgia. Oh, and provoke some political debate. We’re here to entertain, sometimes make yo

A better day than yesterday. Busy. Jake did a lot better at pre-school and opened up with the class and his teacher. I nearly cried when I heard that he sat down at circle time and showed off some of the things he had brought with him (for comfort). It's going to be hard for awhile. And Jules... I wish I could comfort her better. She misses him so badly during the day. A few more donations are straggling in for this weekend's race and the end of the fundraiser. There are 30 people supposedly running for CF. That is so awesome. I am starting to get a little excited about running. Not worried at all. Must be Julie's confidence rubbing off on me. So far, I've only kept, like, 5 of my New Year's Resolutions. Can I just tell you how difficult it is to drink 8 frickin' glasses of water a day. And don't even get me started about trying to consume all of them between 11:50 and midnight. I have been consistent about the writing, though. And I am anxiou

Not a bad day, all things considered. But it was a tough morning with Jake being dropped off at pre-school. He cried, a lot. And Julie was in tears. It's not going to be easy. And he won't eat. That's the issue that stresses me out the most. I don't want him to be hungry. Is it a trust factor with other people? Is it his enzymes making his stomach upset? Is he just being a stubborn 4 year old? I don't have an answer. The race is this Saturday and I don't have any nervous energy. Julie has complete confidence that I'll have no trouble. I wish I was that confident. Although I know I'll complete the race, how my knee will feel throughout the day may be another issue. Still, it's going to be great to have so many family members to cheer us on. I only wish I could have raised more money. That's like the nagging part in my stomach right now. I'm not sure I tried hard enough to raise money this year. Maybe I started too late. Not

Not a bad day, all things considered. But it was a tough morning with Jake being dropped off at pre-school. He cried, a lot. And Julie was in tears. It's not going to be easy. And he won't eat. That's the issue that stresses me out the most. I don't want him to be hungry. Is it a trust factor with other people? Is it his enzymes making his stomach upset? Is he just being a stubborn 4 year old? I don't have an answer. The race is this Saturday and I don't have any nervous energy. Julie has complete confidence that I'll have no trouble. I wish I was that confident. Although I know I'll complete the race, how my knee will feel throughout the day may be another issue. Still, it's going to be great to have so many family members to cheer us on. I only wish I could have raised more money. That's like the nagging part in my stomach right now. I'm not sure I tried hard enough to raise money this year. Maybe I started too late. Not

So I'm laying in the middle of the living room with a two ton elephant standing on my chest, wondering, "How did this day turn so dark so fast." Sophie's party last night was wonderful. She and her little girl friends all had a great time. At times, the laughter and screaming was like a group of banshees... But in a good way. A fun way. Julie did a fantastic job entertaining them most of the night. I checked in and kept Jake occupied with "Spider Man" on the mini DVD player. Then, after waking up around 6 am, they played for another good four hours. Amazing, the amount of energy they had. Finally, I took Sophie to see "Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" with Max, Zach and Kyra (who had come down the mountain for the party). So how did I end up curled in a ball in the living room? Well, I shouldn't have done the bills. The hoolidays have caught up with us. I get so stressed about money and I sometimes feel like it's a boulder I can;

So I'm laying in the middle of the living room with a two ton elephant standing on my chest, wondering, "How did this day turn so dark so fast." Sophie's party last night was wonderful. She and her little girl friends all had a great time. At times, the laughter and screaming was like a group of banshees... But in a good way. A fun way. Julie did a fantastic job entertaining them most of the night. I checked in and kept Jake occupied with "Spider Man" on the mini DVD player. Then, after waking up around 6 am, they played for another good four hours. Amazing, the amount of energy they had. Finally, I took Sophie to see "Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" with Max, Zach and Kyra (who had come down the mountain for the party). So how did I end up curled in a ball in the living room? Well, I shouldn't have done the bills. The hoolidays have caught up with us. I get so stressed about money and I sometimes feel like it's a boulder I can;

Just a quick note because we have a group of Sophie's friends coming over for a slumber party tonight. This is very surreal to me. I can recall be 7 with vivid detail and I also remember having someone sleep over our house for the first time (it was Matt). So to be a part of Sophie's experience is... is making me feel old. There are many times during the week when I will have a thought and catch myself, "wait a minute... I'm 36. When did that happen?" So often, I feel and think like I'm still 18. So, to have concrete reminders like children's birthdays, sleepovers and what grade they're is very humbling. Anyway, that's it for today. Have to go deal with a balloon skirmish in the living room. Aloha

I had thought about reviewing the two movies I saw this week. (CAT IN THE HAT, starring Mike Myers--dreadful. SPIRITED AWAY--stunning). However, I spoke with my sister Beth this evening and learned that one of my nephew's friends died this week from bacterial meningitis. Zyg is Sophie's age and to have to handle the concept of someone your own age dying is beyond my comprehension. And Beth knew the child as well, so she is obviously shook up about it too. Any attempt to be glib wouldn't feel right tonight. We're going to see Beth and her family next week when they come out to participate in the Carlsbad half marathon with me. I'm still very excited that she's a part of this. Sometimes, because she and Heidi are on the other side of the country, I wonder if they feel left out. Sure, giving large donations can make you feel good, but I feel like being with the person you're helping can be so uplifting. I hope that Beth, Tom and Zyg feel that next week.

Just wanted to post a current picture of Sophie and her brother, taken over the holidays. Aloha

It’s Sophie’s birthday! This picture is nearly four years old. Yet, it's one of my favorites of her from when she was still in daycare. 7 years. How did that happen? When I watch her, she’s grown up so much, maybe more than a typical 7-year old should be asked to. And yet, she still has her little girl ways. While she plays games with her dolls and feed them bottles and gives them naps, she still sleeps with a blankie and can’t get through the night in her own bed. I still recall the events surrounding her birth. Julie and I spent the day and night before she was born in the hospital. Jules had been dehydrated from a bout with the flu the day before and her doctor wanted her admitted to get fluids back in her body. When Sophie’s heartbeat wouldn’t stabilize, the doctor decided to induce labor. That was a long day, and I wasn’t the one in labor. Julie was miserable. How do women do it? She got no sleep, was in agonizing pain, couldn’t lie down for very long, and there w

It’s Sophie’s birthday. 7 years. How did that happen? When I watch her, she’s grown up so much, maybe more than a typical 7-year old should be asked to. And yet, she still has her little girl ways. While she plays games with her dolls and feed them bottles and gives them naps, she still sleeps with a blankie and can’t get through the night in her own bed. The picture is one of my favorites from when she was a lot younger. I still recall the events surrounding her birth. Julie and I spent the day and night before she was born in the hospital. Jules had been dehydrated from a bout with the flu the day before and her doctor wanted her admitted to get fluids back in her body. When Sophie’s heartbeat wouldn’t stabilize, the doctor decided to induce labor. That was a long day, and I wasn’t the one in labor. Julie was miserable. How do women do it? She got no sleep, was in agonizing pain, couldn’t lie down for very long, and there was nothing good on television (that’s a joke). T

A brief note… Every Wednesday for the past year and a half, I’ve sent my buddy, Steve, a song of the week. It began on a whim, then became something altogether different once the 2004 election approached. Me being all “intellectual”, I tried to find something thematic that tied into the news of the day. As the past year stretched along, I kept sending the songs, which often lead to the two us conversing on everything from politics to our days growing up in Cleveland. I checked with Steve and he was kind enough to allow me to reproduce our emails on this blog. So, without further ado, here is the first “Hump Day Song” for 2006… (and if I ever figure out how to post the song on the blog, I will do so… at least for a couple of days).—S -----Original Message----- From: Scott Malchus Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 To: Steve Subject: New Year hump day Steve, After our discussion about the artistic merits of Van Halen's "Jump" and "Right Now", I nearly sent