A preview

Some pictures of fireworks from the Gay Pride celebration tonight in NYC. I like that they happen because it allows me to practice taking pictures of fireworks before the big show next week. Since they've moved the Macy's fireworks to the Hudson, this is a true preview for next week.

I'm gettig too old

I've been working a series of 15-21 hour days and it's really taking it's toll on me. I haven't been able to go to the gym in a week. My energy level has dropped tremendously. My numbers have been very good for the most part. My 14 day average blood sugar is 92. That's very good. I haven't gotten on a scale lately, and I probably won't until I get home on Tuesday evening. I have lots of things to update on, just no energy to put together something witty.

Milestone passed

I've had really good numbers for the past two weeks until today. I was a little higher than I wanted to be blood sugar wise (181) after eating today. I then realized that I haven't gone to the gym in two days since I was visiting my parents. I immediately went to the gym and did my work out. Regardless I do have good news. For the first time since I stepped on my scale, my body fat % was in the 20's. That's a big accomplishment, and there's only more to go. The next two weeks will be my toughest, working several 20 hour days.

Airport rant

I'm flying home today after being on the road the greater part of the past 5 months and I think things are finally starting to get to me. I'm flying out of a small airport that pretends they are a big airport. MHT is trying to steal business away from BOS and have been for years. During the big dig, MHT was a great alternative. Getting in and out of Logan was a nightmare. Now, MHT is just another small airport.

It all started at the rental return. At least it is right across from the terminal, something you won't find at most large airports. I arrived at the airport at 8:30for a 9:50 flight. Avis hadn't opened its outside return facility yet. I had to note the fuel level and mileage and go inside to the counter. Not a huge deal, but an annoyance.

Going through the checkin counter wasn't bad actually, but it always amazes me how uninformed people are (but that could happen anywhere -- large or small) at airline proceedures. Using a self serve kiosk isn't that hard now is it? When you're at a small airport, there is typically only one agent at the counter, and if they are showing someone how to u se the kiosk, they cant be checking your bag. I wonder if these are the same people who need to be shown how to use a seat belt. (No disrespect intended towards flight attendants- I think most do an outstanding job at something i could never do. I've said it before, I hate dealing with stupid people, i could never do it all day long.)

I started writing this almost a week ago and no longer am frustrated I've lost my steam. Sorry. I'm sure it will come back to me eventually. I did have a lovely 15 hour travel day to pebble beach today.

I'm a slave...

...to technology.

I hate to admit it, but I'm writing this from my new iPad. I got the hard sell last week from some colleagues who I trust and picked one up this week. I,ve had it for about 30 hours. I haven't been able to put it through it's paces yet, but it's very promising. I've used it already for some work items, and I'm impressed. More to come.

I need a better choice of words

I have a problem saying Happy Memorial Day. Memorial day is a day that we're supposed to remember those who have fought for our country and died. It really is a solemn occasion. Not something to be happy about. I'd like to thank all of those who have served. Your efforts are appreciated. Regardless of your stance on the wars, make sure you thank the brave men and women that make up the United States Armed Forces.

Making time

I've gotten a lot of news in the past few weeks that have made me re-evaluate some things. It started when I tried to contact a friend from college who lives in Charlotte. I was going to be spending two weeks in Charlotte for work, with a day or two off and I wanted to get together with her and her husband. The letter I got back floored me-

Hey Kevin,
I would have loved to do this, but unfortunately I have surgery scheduled. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Clearly I am not doing very well right now, as all I can think about is my 3 year old and 5 mo. Old. Anyway, things have been rough.

I haven't seen her since she was just pregnant with her 3 year old. I was always the person who was great at keeping in touch with everything and making sure that I knew what was going on. I didn't know she was pregnant again and had a second child. Needless to say, I've been trying to keep tabs on her and see how she's doing. I haven't been able to get in touch with her since she had the surgery, but will keep trying.

Next up was finding out that my friend Kristen from high school is moving to Arkansas with her husband because he got a job there. I don't know how I'm going to deal with that. I used to see Kristen almost every day. As we got older and I started traveling more and more, we started to lose touch, but we always managed to know what was going on with each other. We wouldn't see each other for months, yet whenever we saw each other, you'd never know it. The news of her moving to Arkansas really has hit me hard. I still haven't actually talked to her. I know that it'll be tough to choke back the tears when we talk because I'm tearing up now writing this.

All of this has made me realize how I've lost touch with a lot of people that meant something in my life. There was a girl I was friends with a while ago who disappeared off the face of the earth. I did some research and found a new email address for her. I sent her the following email this morning-

Sara-
I've been trying to write this for a long time. I've always wondered where you were and what you were up to. I've wanted to reach out and see how you were doing. I really have no idea what happened. To me it seemed like you were there one minute and gone the next. What finally got me to write was when I found the card you gave me before I left for Pittsburgh. I don't know if you remember that at all, but unfortunately in the end, I did end up with another really good friend. I lived in Pittsburgh until January 2004. Caroline and I both realized that Kristen's wedding actually (it was wedding number 20 in 18 months for us) that would never be us. We were really good friends, but that spark was gone. That said, we both agree that if I had proposed, we would be married now. She's getting married in the beginning of July.

In 2004, I moved back to NJ, living in Jersey City in the waterfront area. I absolutely love the area. It's close to the city, and I can walk anywhere I need to go. I'm currently dating a great woman who is jokingly robbing the cradle. She's 42. Unfortunately she's a Devils fan. She works in TV too. I'm still basically doing the same job that I've always done. I'm traveling all over the place televising sporting events, primarily now for Fox Sports. I do NASCAR from February through June, the MLB All Star Game and Fox's NFL A Game- wherever Joe Buck and Troy Aikman go. This year i'll be the engineer in charge for the Superbowl- my second time for that. I did the Giants superbowl in AZ as well.

Tim is working for another company as an Engineer now. He has 2 more kids. I think both kids from his first marriage are in College now (very scary thought). Jonathan is now married and working for WWE up in Connecticut. Tim (Bartender) is married and is in charge of the new grasshopper in Morristown. He has a baby girl, Saorise, and another on the way. I still email with Mike Murphy occasionally, he's the same. His daughters are all old now, which is scary for me.

I'd really like to meet for dinner or drinks at some point. I don't know where you're living now, so I'll let you pick a place. Although the grasshopper always works :). If you don't want to meet, I understand. I'd really appreciate it if you respond to this though so I know you're ok. It's always bothered me that we just lost touch. You can always call too.

I was disappointed when I got a bounce back stating Diagnostic-code: smtp;550 5.1.1 unknown or illegal alias:

I think it's human nature to want to connect to your past. It's not that I don't like my present or the future, but I don't like losing touch with people, and I fear what I'll miss. I like my friends. I don't want anything to happen to them, and I don't like not knowing what's going on.

I'm going to try my hardest to continue to track down Sara. I'm going to make sure that I make time for my friends, and make sure that I don't lose touch with Kristen, regardless of the distance.