Remembering Dad

Here's a picture of my dad just before his first stroke. This was taken at my 8th grade graduation. Simply amazing...Its amazing the difference 8 years will make. Its amazing the difference two weeks will make. I estimate that 2 weeks after this picture was taken, June 1990, the day of my 8th grade graduation Dad would suffer his first stroke. The reason I know that is because that green shoulder next to him is me in my gown for graduation.

I remember the day he suffered that first stroke as if it were yesterday. Dad was sitting on the porch in the yard relaxing in the sun. he didn't feel well so he went to the doctor. From there a chain of events were set in motion that would end 7 years, 7 months later. Dad would pass away from Cancer. he would suffer an estimated 4 strokes that the doctors knew about. There could have been others but none others that they witnessed.

Dad is close to my heart every day. After I graduated college I was in NYC looking for a job. I stopped by St. Patrick's and picked up a St. Christopher medal. My Dad had one that he wore all the time. Kevin received my Dad's medal from my mom and I got his wedding ring. Knowing that I wouldn't wear his ring all the time I thought to get a medal similar to my Dad's to honor him. I've worn that medal almost every day since his passing. Melissa wears it when she travels to keep her safe. For those of you who don't know, St. Christopher is that patron saint of travelers.

This picture brought tears to my eyes at work because unfortunately this isn't the father I remember during my high school and college days. My brother and I have different memories of my father. I do remember a lot from when I was a kid growing up. When my Dad made every effort to get to every baseball or soccer game I had. When I was in high school he didn't have to make an effort, he was sick and with my Mom all the time. He maybe missed 1 or two games (football and baseball) during those 8 years. Not by choice but I can honestly say that I highly doubt he missed many.

Even though I didn't really play in varsity games in high school, he did make the JV games. When I was a walk-on at Monmouth he came to every game. He wore his Monmouth hat and sweat shirt. Sitting in his wheelchair watching the game.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and his struggles. With my wedding 6 months away there's a void that can't be filled. I know Dad and Uncle Danny can't be there physically but they are there in spirit. Rest in peace Dad...I love you!

My Wedding Page

With just over 6 months left until the big day I decided to keep everyone posted on the wedding and wedding details. Please check out my new wedding site.

Darren & Melissa's Page

Ride for the Roses - on hold? Marathon - Still on?

Well my participation in the Ride for the Roses might be on hold this year. After speaking with my brother the bachelor party might be that weekend. More details to come.

But in other news....

Melissa and I are gearing up for the marathon this year! And it looks like we'll be joined by Lance Armstrong. So if we don't participate in the ride we'll have the marathon!!!!

Training for both has already begun. I put in 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday and 10 on the bike. Although its just one day its that start of something.

Ride for the Roses - Philadelphia

Its back! Last night Ken and Kelly reminded us about the Ride for the Roses happening in Philly this year! Melissa and I are taking up the challenge to do the ride. Its going to be slightly different for us this time around as we're going to do the 40 mile program as opposed to the 100 mile option. Unless we start some heavy training and we decide to go for the 100 miles.

There's also going to be another added feature...i guess you can call it that. We're going to try to get as many of our friends and family to participate in the ride. Because its so close and we're only doing 40 miles it will be a great opportunity for others to participate.

One special note, I woke up this morning thinking of the ride. My mind instantly went to one thought. This year I'm going to ride for Uncle Danny! The ride is two weeks before his birthday I believe and this is one way of doing something good to honor and remember him.

If you wish to make a donation, click here

Please note that we're not looking for donations as much as we're looking for people to ride with us. In order to ride you need to raise $250 which we are probably going to cover ourselves but we would love to have family and friends join in with us.

If you wish to ride with us, which would be great, then leave me a comment here or email me.

I'll try to update this page with daily information on how the training is going. As we'll be training for the ride, preparing for our wedding and training to run the NYC marathon this year. Wish us the best as we ride for Uncle Danny and help bring us closer to this terrible disease.

Less Than 8 Months

Because I'm the only one who reads this...less than 8 months until the wedding. Have I tried getting in shape for this in order to not be the fat guy on the alter? Nope. Why...because I'm lazy. Yup. I'm lazy. There's really no other reason than that.

Today was a rough day. After a few days of wedding conversations and a nigh that included a few too many Guiness I came to another realization. Its starting to bother me that my father isn't around any more. Its take a while for me to get over his passing and I thought I had accepted it but I haven't. That's all I have for you on that.

Apple is taking over the world!

The new iPhone from Apple! Apple is one step closer to world domination.

No buttons, just a touch screen.


check out this new phone

Rest in Peace

Its been 9 years since you left us Dad. Rest in peace! You're a daily inspiration to us!

Final Day...

ESPN is reporting that Bill Cowher will announce his retirement today at 1 pm. After 15 seasons and a Super Bowl victory he's finally stepping down for some time off. Its hard to believe that I could endure two retirements of Steeler greats in less than a year! First Jerome and now Bill. 15 years at one job is a long time. Hell the longest I've lasted at a job was exactly 2 years. If I keep things going the way I am here there's a good chance I could be shown the door soon (that's because i'm probably going to mouth off to the wrong people in the next few days or so...more on that as it develops).

Just think...15 years ago I was sitting at home as a happy go lucky 15 year old living in Jackson. Before the Sunday Ticket I was able to see games in NY and PA because we were lucky enough to get channels from both areas. This is a contributing factor to becoming a Steelers fan.

As time went on I became more and more of a fan. Finally moving to Hoboken we were able to get the Sunday ticket and watch the steeler games I wanted. Ok so I can't name every player on the team especially the offensive linemen but I do know that 63% of their offensive plays are run plays. And that the blitz on the first defensive play of every game. They opened the Super Bowl against the Cowboys in '95 with an onsides kick. A move that in theory was great, in real life...not so great. I can also tell you that in 2002 they mounted one of the best playoff comebacks against the Cleveland Browns. Thanks Herrmann for jinxing that win for your team by calling me to rub it in that the browns were up by 24 points in the first half.

Either way this is the end of an area because since becoming a Steelers fan when i was a youngster I've known 2 coaches: Chuck Noll and Cowher. The next coach will probably be with the team until i die which means at least another 60 years.

So long Bill Cowher, thanks for at least 1 championship from one of my sports teams!

saddam hussein hanging

Here's the cell phone footage of Saddam being executed. A bit choppy but you get the picture.

Lost in the Mail?

Microsoft sent 90 bloggers the Acer Ferrari with the Vista software loaded on to it. My delivery must be lost in the mail. Although now that I have my new MacBook I don't need the Acer.

Too bad I'm all for free gifts and bribes.

NYTimes.com

New Years Resolutions

Ok the time has come to post the New Years Resolutions for 2007. Seen as how I'm putting this in writing and publishing it for the world to see it could actually get me motivated to do it!

1. Lose 35 pounds...yes 35! I'm fat, there's no way around it. The wedding is in 8 months and counting. I refuse to be the fat guy marrying the hot chick so 170 here I come! Here's how I'll get there.

a. Not drink during the week...this will help with resolution #1. by not drinking during the week I will cut down on the total calories (yes that sounds gay) and keep myself on the right track. Although after the wedding all bets could be off.

b. Drink more water throughout the day...again leading back to point 1. More water equals more times to the bathroom which equals more time walking.

c. I'm running at least 5 times a week. I've registered with Nike+ to track my progress and chart me against the rest of the world. This will help keep me motivated. If i lose any challenges we could have problems.

2. Save more money. Lets be honest, we're paying for the wedding. the more money saved the more goes towards the wedding. It will even out in the end. Here's how I'll get there.

a. live below my means.

b. bring lunch to work every day.

c. go food shopping, this could also be part of resolution #1 as well. But by food shopping I'll cook dinner more and bring lunch with me more often.

d. don't go out for drinks after work any more. again...relates to point #1 as well.

3. be in contact with my family and friends more often. Here's how:

a. more calls.

b. more emails.

c. more text messages

d. more blog writing.

Ok those are it for now. I can't think of any more and need to get back to work.

Happy New Year!

2007 is here! Welcome to the official start of the Year of Melissa and Darren! Enjoy kids!