Month: October 2006

Reading: The Fourth Bear

Reading: The Fourth Bear

After enjoying THE BIG OVER EASY by Jasper Fforde, it was a simple decision to roll right into…      …which is the follow up book published only recently. I’ve got a signed copy, though I missed the actual book signing by three days (darnit!)…

DINNER 274: Sunday, October 1, 2006

DINNER 274: Sunday, October 1, 2006

A wonderfully quiet evening tonight. Wendy & I had to go to her hospital, where she had to perform an emergency surgery, which I observed. We then took a walk around Winton Woods Park. The weather today was so perfect… The change of season from…

DINNER 275: Monday, October 2, 2006

DINNER 275: Monday, October 2, 2006

Tonight, I went with Paul & Julie to dinner at Pappadeaux. I had Crab Cakes and a couple beers.

It was a very sad event, since Paul is leaving for a new job in South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday. His attention must soon exclusively turn to the details of packing and moving himself, his six guitars, a fat dog, and all his other possessions 4 hours away, to a town he does not know. But, tonight we took the time to quietly (and at times boisterously) reminisce about our 18-year friendship. Since I’ve known him, Paul has lived in the same state, city, or house with me. This will be the first time in our long friendship that we’re not in the same areacode.

An understatement: I’ll miss Paul very much.

In many respects this opportunity is the best thing that could happen for him and comes at a time where he is uniquely positioned to take advantage of it. I am envious. All the good prospects in the world cannot dull the fact that my best friend is moving away. A friendship like ours is rare — I was the best man at his wedding, he at mine. We’ve been through good times and bad times, thankfully more of the former and a smaller helping of the latter. He’s a constant pain, an endless challenge, and just about the best friend anyone could ask for. I am grateful for the years we’ve spent together, and though our friendship will change as a result of this move, I expect it to continue. I know that it will.

Bon voyage, Paul!

DINNER 276: Tuesday, October 3, 2006

DINNER 276: Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Wendy had this evening off from rehearsal, so we spent some time together having dinner with my parents at Ferrari’s Little Italy, an Italian restaurant in Kenwood area, to celebrate Wendy’s birthday. It was a nice, quiet, calm dinner — I enjoyed a chopped salad…

DINNER 277: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

DINNER 277: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Wendy had rehearsal tonight, so I stayed home and provided tech support for my parents who have messed up their computer yet again. At work today, I had an extremely late lunch — I didn’t leave the office until after 2:00pm – so I wasn’t really…

DINNER 278: Thursday, October 5, 2006

DINNER 278: Thursday, October 5, 2006

After a hectic day at work, I was somewhat glumly looking forward to another boring night on the couch since Wendy had rehearsal and wouldn’t be home until late. However, an instant message from my friend Rob changed my evening plans and brightened my outlook.

Rob and I met for dinner at Chili’s where I had Fajita Quesadilas which were very tasty. After dinner, Rob and I went over to Tri-County Mall to get a couple things (including an amplified HDTV antenna from Radio Shack for my PVR) and walk around.

Though it doesn’t sound like an interesting evening, it was just the thing I needed to brighten my mood, which was heading toward pretty foul.

After I got home, I was pleased to find that the amplified HDTV antenna worked just like I hoped it would and greatly enhanced the signal strength of over-the-air HD channels.

DINNER 279: Friday, October 6, 2006

DINNER 279: Friday, October 6, 2006

Wendy & I spent the evening together, which is nice and increasingly rare with her rehearsals heating up. We had to run to the mall for a stop at Victoria’s Secret (I never object). While we were there, I stopped for a hot pretzel and…