Way too long since last post

Ok, so my work/life imbalance these past few months has really stifled my interacting with the outside world. However, as this effort at work enters a new phase and the horizon looks like I may have more breathing room, I wanted to check in here and wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Day Trip to Long Beach Island

That's right. On Saturday Max and I took a ride to visit my folks in LBI, who had set up shop there for a week and a day in a BEAUTIFUL oceanfront rental. The two family home (with no renters on the lower level) had a spectacular view of both the ocean and a view of the bay--no doubt some amazing summer evenings could be enjoyed there. Besides seeing my folks, we visited with my Aunt Grace and Uncle Dennis in the morning, who had stayed for two nights, and then my sister Dionne and her husband Bob in the afternoon once they got there.

We didn't have much planned for the afternoon, since we were only staying for a few hours, but we manage to take a short ride to Beach Haven (had to get the family a couple of boxes of Fudge from Country Kettle!). Also, with a change of clothes and shoes for Max in hand just in case, we both trekked down on to the beach to get our sand and ocean fix.



Despite some foul weather that lasted pretty much the whole day, it was nice to soak up the beach atmosphere and spend some time in quite a snazzy house!!

Giants versus Dallas

This past weekend afforded me a rare opportunity to catch a live Giants game. With my dad down in Long Beach Island for a week with my mom, my Uncle Dennis needed a tailgating partner. So, I volunteered (twist my arm, haha). He picked me up around 12:45 for the 4:15 game, and we headed to East Rutherford. Good thing we went when we did. The lots were already clogged with NY and Dallas fans, all cooking, drinking, throwing around footballs, and everything else that goes along with the fun of tailgating. We cooked and ate and caught up on current events. After a while of that, it was time to pack up and head into the stadium.

On a good note, well.....you know how the game turned out!! Sorry all you Dallas fans!!!

Max visits Brooklyn

On the day after Halloween, Max and I found ourselves in our usual Saturday afternoon mode--on the computers, picking up dinner, doing some chores, etc. Towards the night when cabin fever set in, it was evident that getting out of the house was the call to order. So, a relaxing car ride turned into a spontaneous drive into NYC. Despite a bit of traffic heading into the Holland Tunnel, the drive into the city was met with enthusiasm. Max loved all the bright lights, tall buildings, and busy streets. My surprise for him stemmed from an interest he has in the bridges that cross the East River. Not only did we tour areas like Chinatown and Battery Park, but we also took a ride across the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn, to do nothing more than just say he was there..we drove for a bit and then banged a Uturn and headed back into NYC. For the rest of the ride, we headed up the FDR to look at the rest of the bridges, and then ultimately came back to New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge.

A waste of gas? Nah. I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of NYC, but there's something about it that makes you think twice when you see the fascination of it all in your son's eyes.

Trick or Treat!

Halloween had a special meaning this year, as Mr. Max (clad in a terrific Superman costume) was slated to participate in Trick or Treating for the first time. While we've taken him out in the past and have outfitted him with various costumes, this year would put him in the position of doing his own candy collecting with Lynn or me at his side (Pictures of Max can be seen to the right).

Lynn took Max out in the afternoon for a while, and I took over when I got home from work. After around 90 minutes or so of venturing around the neighborhood, we paid a visit to my parents so they could get a look at him in his costume. Some pictures were taken, and after a short while, it was evident Max had his fill of the day, as fatigue rapidly set in.

Now the challenge is to gobble down all that candy!

Halloween Party in Long Valley

On October 25, my good friend Anthony hosted a Halloween party for friends and family. About a dozen kids sported costumes ranging from sports figures, faerie tale figures, and Hollywood characters (Max was Eli Manning). The afternoon was filled with food, drink, activites, and visiting with friends. Much of Anthony's extended family were on hand as well as most of the guys that normally get together for our periodic wine tastings.

Despite a very, very rainy and windy day, it was nice to get together and watch the kids enjoy themselves.

Birthday Shout-Out for Max on Wine Library TV!

Hey folks. In keeping up with the tradition of requesting birthday shoutouts for each of us, the latest shout-out was for Mr. Max. If you go to
http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/10/10/yellow-tail-a-sauvignon-blanc-and-a-dessert-wine-episode-555/ and drag the slider to about the 9:40 mark, the happy birthday wishes start.

Happy Birthday, Max!