Simba & Darla's Whisker Wishes

Simba & Darla may look lazy here, but they are getting smarter and smarter every day. Why just today Simba lowered the blinds down all on his own while Darla thought it helpful to trim the new hanging plant in the living room with her razorlike claws.

They have now learned how to use the computer and compiled this little Christmas list for their purring pleasure.

Hear You Me

My Friends

There's no one in town I know
You gave us someplace to go
I never said thank you for that
Thought I might get one more chance

You know how you get those emails about friendship and not taking people for granted and living life to the fullest? Well when I rec'd this message last Monday it struck me more than any of those fwds ever could.

A young woman passed away. I felt for her because of the unfairness, I felt for my friends who went to school with her and were in plays where she was the lead. She hadn't yet turned 30. She was living her life and then quite suddenly found out she was going to die soon. Way too soon. I was at work when I got this email, and was trying to finish some stuff before I went home early because my head hurt pretty badly. It had been like that last week too, and I had told my boss I was going to leave early since I didn't feel well. I ended up sticking through the day since it was pretty busy. Same thing happened the next day. Damn headache again, I thought, but when it recurred again the following Monday I grew weary of it. Then I got this email, finished a few tasks that I wanted to get done, and hightailed it out of there. When it comes to your health you really shouldn't mess around. This is probably nothing, but I felt better staying home about nothing and resting my aching head than staying the course at work in pain that o.d.ing on aspirin wasn't really helping.

I called my doctor who scheduled an MRI and slept the rest of the week until Thanksgiving. My head still hurts, but not as badly. I'll go take the MRI next week. The news (below) of this girl really made me think. If a doctor told you you had less than 2 weeks to live, how would you feel? What would you do? What regrets would weigh you down? Which friends would you want to spend time with during those precious last days? Why are those last days so precious; why not today? Why not everyday?

I thought about it, let it fester for a few days. I don't really have any regrets. Real regrets that is. Sure, there are small things I would probably do differently if given the chance, but I'm ok with myself, my choices. I would only lament the things I looked forward to doing. I lament this girl's unfinished life. It's such a cliche saying but so true, that life's too short. Too short for the bullshit that goes on everyday. Too short for the wasted feelings, wasted time. I felt better knowing that I'm happy with whatever I have, whatever I don't have, whatever I've done; I'm happy at this very moment.

Are you?

what would you think of me now?
so lucky
so strong
so proud
never said thank you for that
now I'll never have a chance

-----Original Message-----
From: Woodworth
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 7:39 AM
To: public
Subject: Lisa Richardson

For any staff member who may have known Lisa Richardson, (Timberlane, Class of 1995) or who was fortunate enough to see her perform as a member of the Timberlane Players in the days prior to the PAC, we regret to inform you that Lisa passed away on Sunday morning. She was a uniquely gifted performer, and a fun-loving, witty and caring young woman. The following details of her illness and the arrangements for her wake and funeral were given to me this morning.

For anyone who was not aware, Lisa was admitted to the
hospital about a week and a half ago with a severe
headache, which turned out to be a large inoperable
and cancerous brain tumor. She spent the last 9 days
in a coma and then she passed this morning November
19th 2006 at 9:30 am.

Keep her family in your thoughts now during what must
be the most unbearable moments of their lives.

Wake: Tuesday, 11/21/06. 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00
PM. Brookside Funeral Home.

Funeral: Wednesday, 11/22/06. 11:00 AM Mass at Holy
Angels Church, Plaistow, NH.

Directions and further information is available at the
following website; www.brooksidechapelfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the
Lisa Richardson Fund c/o K. of C. 6617, P.O. Box 589
Plaistow, NH 03865. This fund is being set up to
provide an annual scholarship to the most promising
actor or actress at T.R.H.S. in Plaistow, NH. This is
the program that allowed Lisa to begin her love affair
in theater.

*************************************************************

If you were with me tonight
I'd sing to you just one more time
A song for a heart so big God couldn't let it live

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

Happy Thanksgiving!

I guess the wild neighborhood turkey is smarter than I thought. I haven't seen him around for a while, actually since August or September. Good move since some people will do anything for a free Thanksgiving turkey. Shaw's has this special: spend an exorbitant amount of money from October something to November whatever and receive a free turkey and some fixings! I got sucked into their promotional game last time when you spend a lot and get 20% off your next bill. I was friggin' 2 measly points away from that one and it sucked spending over $100 on the next shopping trip knowing I was so darn close to saving a good amount of money.

So this time I didn't play into their free turkey tricks--mainly because I haven't needed to shop for groceries that much lately, and I'm going to families' houses for the holiday so I don't need to buy the bird. Here is a crappy picture of the wild turkey after he ran over my lawn and crossed the street to the neighbor's house. Oh, how the cats loved it!

In the meantime don't eat like a pig tomorrow, yet don't be wasteful, as your parents always told you, "think of the starving kids who would love to have those leftovers." Bono does and so should you.
That concert BTW was the best I've ever gone to. U2 rocks. Thanks again Jen for that awesome present!!

Rest Of U2 Perfectly Fine With Africans Starving

From Boston to Tahiti

I've always wanted to go to Tahiti and since Theo hasn't yet taken me, I decided to go without him. Transportation was graciously provided by The Wicks, so we all went together and even took the little guy. It was a great time complete with a live fire show. The locals do it up right.

Before we went to Tahiti we all went to downtown Boston to do some shopping and eating at Fanueil Hall.


We searched high and low for a new (first) winter hat for David (shown here) since it's started to get a bit chilly (~50 degrees). Friday it was in the sixties here; unusually warm for New England this time of year, but I love it.

Princess Sophia & I found an awesome new store called Funusual and barely made it through the first aisle before we needed to get going (the boys waited outside and the littlest one started to fuss). They had such great and unique stuff that it was hard to leave.

Even though it's not yet Thanksgiving they had a bunch of Christmas stuff, and a group of people playing the bells out in front of the Hall stairs. It sounded very good. There were also breakdancers and the old Native American performers (regulars to Quincy Market).


When we were done perusing the carts and stores we grabbed some good eats inside FH Marketplace, stopped at one more store and then walked back through the Commons to go home and get ready to depart for our trip to Tahiti.



The sunset heading west was soft and sweet.






And downtown looked nice as always. It took a while to get to Tahiti, but it was well worth it. I would suggest everyone go at least once in their life, and if you want some company, I'm game.

Going on a Treasure Hunt!

X marks the spot.
3 lines down
And a question mark.
Spider going up,
Blood dripping down.
Cool breeze, pfh, pfh,
Tight squeeze.

This Saturday I'm going to be traversing all over Boston as a chosen participant in the "Great Diamond Hunt"!

I'm so excited because
1. It'll be a ton of fun
2. Only 200 people were chosen to take part in this and
3. The Grand Prize is a $25,000 diamond ring.
4. The 10 other prizes are $200 gift certificates to E.B. Horn, New England's last family-owned jewelry store of its size.

I love treasure hunts--I made one up for my friend, Mia, freshman year that led her all around our dorm to find her birthday present. That was pretty fun as I imed her clues when she got stuck, and hid in Jesse & Josh's room when she came looking for me (a bit perturbed if I remember correctly, though jokingly so).

Jesse helped out when she asked where I was by telling her I was in the best looking guy on the floors room...much to his offense she did not go directly to his room, and by the time she did I was hiding (trying not to giggle) in his closet. Tee hee hee!

Anywho, this hunt should be fun as well. It starts in Boston Common with a map and some clues and should lead each 2 person team to different romantic and historic sites all over the city in the search for little boxes with a diamond ring in them (fake I imagine). If we are the lucky 10 to find said treasure we get the real loot at a dinner later that night. During the day they will text message more clues via cell phone.

I am bursting with anticipation for this event. I don't need another diamond ring, but I have someone in mind who I would give it to, and the gift certificate would be cool too.

There's even a cute legend about a lost diamond engagement ring and the proposal that never was due to the untimely death of James Ernest Fitzgerald.

I better go brush up on my Boston history!

Rock the Vote!

No matter what your beliefs, who you favor, or what wacky party allegiances you have--go out and vote on Tuesday, November, 7th!!!!!

Still undecided?

Visit vote-smart.org and the candidates' web sites for more information:

MASS CURRENT CANDIDATES
U.S. Senate Candidates
Mr. Kenneth G. Chase - (Republican)
Senator Edward M. 'Ted' Kennedy - (Democrat)

U.S. House Candidates (Boston)
Representative Stephen F. Lynch District 9 - (Democrat)
Mr. Jack E. Robinson District 9 - (Republican)

U.S. House Candidates (Springfield)
Representative Richard E. Neal District 2 - (Democrat)

United States First Circuit Court of Appeals
Court Information
First Circuit Judges

Massachusetts Senate Candidates
Mr. Douglas E. Obey District Suffolk and Norfolk - (Republican)
Senator Marian Walsh District Suffolk and Norfolk - (Democrat)

Massachusetts Senate Candidates
Representative Gale D. Candaras District Hampden and Hampshire 01st - (Democrat)
Enrico John Villamaino District Hampden and Hampshire 01st - (Republican)

Massachusetts House of Representatives Candidates
Representative Robert K. Coughlin District Norfolk 11th - (Democrat)

Massachusetts House of Representatives Candidates
Megan Anzalotti District Hampden 09th - (Unenrolled)
Representative Sean Curran District Hampden 09th - (Democrat)
Robert J. Underwood District Hampden 09th - (Libertarian)

Governor Candidates
Lt. Governor Kerry M. Healey - (Republican)
Mr. Christy Mihos - (Independent)
Mr. Deval L. Patrick - (Democrat)
Ms. Grace Ross - (Green-Rainbow)

You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog!

This Halloween was pretty fun. We didn't get as many kids as we thought we would, so I started handing out double and triple amounts to the ones that did ring our doorbell. The most creative custume of the night was a young teenage girl who was a UPS person, and her candy "bag" was a UPS package with a slit on the top. Props for being unique. Of course we have lots of leftover candy and all the people at work brought in all their extras too; I'll be gaining a few pounds this week...
The cats were spared custumes this year, though Simba had to try on the retired Johnny Damon wig from Halloweens of old.

I think he looked more like Elvis.








Then the cats tried to ambush our Pumpkin Ale. Darla made friends with the Halloween stuffed animals...











And Simba's true identity was revealed.