Day 173

I've got a bunch of topics today to talk about. So here goes. We had a really nice Saturday evening. Because of scheduling conflicts, we had to do our big celebration for my mother's upcoming 60th birthday this weekend. He actual birthday is August 25th. Leah, MD, and I organized a dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse in a private area. It was my grandmother, Aunt Linda and Uncle Kenny, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Keith, and the three of us. That restaurant is about as good as a steakhouse can be. We had lots of drinks, lots of food, and lots of laughs. We had buttons made with a picture of mom on it when she was about 6 and it said "PD is 60" that everyone wore. (for those of you who don't know - that was my dad's move for all big events - buttons.) We had a surprise desert at our house for her. When we got to the house, Leah had put up huge blow up posters in the family room of mom with all of us, and Grandmom made her famous chocolate roll, which is my mom's all time favorite. It was really the perfect evening for mom. The one thing she said was that she didn't want any big party, just a small family gathering, so this worked out well for us. I have attached a picture that we took just outside the restaurant. As always in Cleveland, we had more confirmed sightings, including Uncle Keith's sister Lisa and her husband Scott, and my boy Schneids' sister Amy.

Before dinner, we stopped over to make a condolence call at the Cole's. I mentioned in my last blog that my friend DC's brother Tommy died of a heart attack at age 43. He had 85% blockage in an artery that caused the heart attack. We went to the funeral yesterday morning. It was the first funeral I've been to since my father's. It all rushed back to me while I was sitting listening to the prayers and the stories. I have never been so attentive in a temple in my entire life. My father's funeral was such a surreal experience for me. I have to be honest - other than somehow getting up to eulogize my dad, I don't remember much else. When someone who is close to age as I am now dies, it really hits home. 43 isn't that far off for a lot of my close friends. To lose a brother or a friend at that age is beyond hard. We all think we are invincible, especially at my age. I knew I would be affected, but not this much. I could barely speak in the walk out and car ride home. This is the post-dad era I now live in.

At this funeral, Tommy's sister spoke beautifully, and four friends told great stories as well. While I didn't know Tommy very well, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. I welled up several times when listening to the heartfelt tales of their friend and brother. He sounded like such a fun guy - a drifter with friends all over this country. One friend told a story of how Tom would always drive across the country for any big party, and then stay for a month. Another told a story of when Tom found out that they have free parking at Las Vegas casinos, so he left his car in the Bellagio garage for 8 months while he was in overseas backpacking. The funniest was how one of his friends, whom he had been staying with for a while on his couch, had sold a company and started a new one. The friend and his partner couldn't come up with a new name for the company that they liked, and his partner looked at Tom and said "Freeloader." And that is what they named their company. When looking up the company online, I came across the blog of one of Tom's friend's who eulogized him. It is linked below.
http://markpincus.typepad.com and scroll down to his post about Tom.

Everyone has a friend like Tommy, but few are appreciated the way Tommy seemed to be. They said everyone has a Tom story, so here is mine. I'd say it was 1991, and I was at DC's uncle Bob's house where he was living to watch the Colorado/Nebraska football game. The winner was essentially in the driver's seat for a shot at the national title. DC is a big CU football alum and follower, so we were very into the game. Tommy sat with us and while we were screaming and jumping up and down, Tommy, was calmly sitting, sipping beers, and at one point, fell asleep while his brother was tearing his hair out at every play. It was classic. Again, my condolences to the family and friends.

On a happier note - I have to send out a shoutout to my good friend and former roommate, Ryan Sturch, on his 30th birthday. I can honestly say I have never had a friend who is such a unique personality. Sturch keeps to himself and keeps his close friends extremely close. I am proud to say I am in his small crew. I know if he was in Africa and I needed for for any reason, he'd be on the next plane back to the states. He is a good friend like that. While he does go M.I.A. at times, it all goes to the allure of being Sturch. He is a family man, good friend, funny, spiritual, and unique. Happy 30th my friend - always in roulette, Black 31!

Lastly, this Mel Gibson story is crazy. I'm sure you have all heard that Mel Gibson was arrested for DUI this weekend. While he was screaming at the cop, he began in with anti-semetic slurs including the gem "the Jews are responsible for all the wars of the world." Anyone who doesn't think the Passion of the Christ was created with his anti-semetic overtones is fooling themselves. His career should be over after this and if it isn't, I won't give a dime of my money to that fool.

Days until we move into our house: 32
Song of the day: "I Wanna Be Loved" by Buju Banton