Parents
Rochester, NY 10:32 PM I don’t know how parents do it, espescailly mothers. My brother, my sister in law, and their 2 kids (my nieces) got in to Rochester today for my sisters graduation party. They got in at 4:30. The girls are almost 3 and 1 1/2. They were all over the place. Hope, the oldest, grabbed her Unlce Drew by the hand and we played trains, pins, colored, drove my car, went out on the porch, told stories, read stories, and I can’t remember what else. I spent 4 hours with them. There were other people around. I am whipped. My hats off to the parents and the mothers who...
Read MoreGrass
Rochester, NY 7:19 PM A slight hint of gasoline is still in the air as I type this. After apartment living and the road, I had forgotten what it was like to mow the grass. It had always been a thing my dad had to get on me when I was growing up, but as I’ve gotten older, the walk up and down the rows really calms me. The smell of the fresh cut grass takes me either to my youth baseball or soccer. I am guessing soccer because I played that much more and for longer. I guess my body is feeling the 29 years, as my back is tighter. My hands still feel the rattle of the mower. The lot is not...
Read MoreLilac Festival
Rochester, NY 9:45 PM Since I haven’t been back in Rochester for a summer since college, it looks as if I will be experiencing the festival season everyone talks about. The first one of the summer is the Lilac Festival. Rochester sometimes calls itself the Flower City. I decided that if I was going to be here, I’d better check out what the city has to offer. So, after a nap from a late night, I called up Sean and we met at his place. A girl I’ve become friendly with met us over there too. She is off to England on Monday. Very jealous. It was a sunny, but cool day. I got over there at...
Read MoreWedding
Space 1:36 PM As I said, I’d never been to a wedding at a planetarium before. I can’t say that anymore. I arrived before the 5:30 start. My friend Josh and I went over there together (after a stop at a local watering hole). I had to hit the bathroom when I arrived and who else was in there but the groom. We talked. He had a big smile but I could tell the nerves of a big event were with him. We talked for a minute, I wished him luck, and went to my seat under the stars. It was different as we sat in the circle arena. The blue sky and a few clouds floated above us. Some serene music played....
Read MoreWeddings
Rochester, NY 1:50 PM Summer must be getting close. I have the first wedding of the season today. There is my sister’s graduation party in two weekends and then another wedding Memorial Day weekend. Today will be a lot of fun. It is a girl from high school, Jackie, and a friend of mine’s older brother, Paul. I was over at their place on Thursday for a margarita and Cinco de Mayo celebration. The wedding tonight is at the Planetarium. I’ve never been to a wedding under the stars, so it should be different and pretty cool. Got back from the gym not too long ago. Nap time,...
Read MoreEngagement
Geneseo, NY My sister’s graduation party for her MBA has now taken a great turn. She is now engaged to be married. She was engaged this evening on the campus of her alma mater, Geneseo, Bryan popped the question and she said yes. It’s been hard to keep it quiet from her, but she was surprised and of course overjoyed. The family feels lucky because we like Bryan very much and know how good of a guy he is for her. I get to have another brother. Mother’s Day also turns into another celebration.
Read MoreMovin’ Out
Rochester, NY 8:25 PM I went and saw the musical Movin’ Out last night. It is all dance and all Billy Joel music. I hadn’t been to the theatre in a long time. I forgot how much dedication it took to do what they do. For two hours, nonstop moving, dancing, jumping, and throwing. It was very impressive. The girls in their short skirts and hard bodies also were impressive. I guess if you were a girl in the audience you would be talking about the guys in the tight jeans. But, I am a man and the girls were quite hot. It takes so much hard work and so much of your life to become a dancer. I...
Read MoreFinger Lakes Race Track
Canandiagua, NY 7:02 PM “The horses have reached the starting gate,” the voice from the PA announced. Tom, Tom, and I made our way outside, with freshly minted dream tickets in our hands. The betting slips had combinations of numbers, some of us had more than others. It was a 50 degree, grey day with a little bit of mist. Still, the sign at Finger Lakes Race Track said Fast. The first race of 9 kicked off at 1:10 PM. I was called earlier in the day and made my way over after doing some work. I arrived for the 5th race. The TV screens jumped with tracks from all over the country. I...
Read MoreWorthwhile Magazine
I have been given the task to write an article about my journey for Worthwhile Magazine. I’ll use their words to describe them: “Worthwhile is a new national magazine for readers who seek to make a difference while making a living. Its editorial mission is to put purpose and passion on the same plane as profit, offering a roadmap for readers seeking a more personally fulfilling and socially responsible route to business success.” The founders used to be with the Wall Street Journal. I spoke with one of them and he seemed like a good guy. I share their goal: to make a...
Read MoreSmart Driver Magazine
My I am On the Road journey will be featured in SmartDriver Magazine. This goes to all people who own a Hyundai vehicle. They contacted me when they learned I’ve been using a Hyundai Santa Fe as my travel companion. It should be out in the fall. We still need to get together and do a photo shoot. Fun fun.
Read MoreCanada 1
Niagara Falls & Toronto I left out at about 10:45. I knew the rain was coming, so I had to hit the road. Niagara Falls awaited. The sun was out for now. I took the Lake route, down the parkway, Hwy. 18, and then across the US/Canada bridge. It felt good to be back on the highway, going somewhere. All of my time in one place has been very strange and I will say hard. I am used to being all over the place. The stability has been good, but it is too much sometimes. The sunroof was open and The Beatles played. As is the case with me, I got lost. My dad had spelled out the lake directions (I...
Read MoreOh, Canada
Rochester, NY 2:23 PM I’m heading to Niagara Falls and Toronto tomorrow for the weekend. All of the miles I have done and I am excited to be going to another country. There are different things you have to think about when crossing the border. I need a passport, but don’t have one, so I hope a birth certificate will do. There is the need to exchange money, either here or there. Our money used to be a lot more than the Canadian dollar (when I was a kid I think it was 1.66 times). I am guessing that is lower now. Online it says 1.24 times. I used to go to Canada a lot when I was younger. We...
Read MoreFire
Beach 9:58 PM I just came in from the first bonfire of the year. It was a 75 degree day and a beautiful night. It was funny as I sat out there with my parents, aunt and uncle as we talked about my great aunt who passed away a couple of years ago. Today was her birthday. She would have been glad to see a new Pope come out to the huge audience. I don’t know much about him, but he seemed to be in control of the situation. Time for TV. More bonfires to come…
Read MoreDrought
Rochester, NY 1:53 PM It is funny how certain things get at you and you place importance on attaining goals. I am as competitive as they come, sometimes to a fault, when it comes to sports. Since I’ve been in Rochester working on my writing, some of my friends have introduced me to the Texas Hold ‘Em craze. I’ve talked about it before and I’m sure you’ve seen it on ESPN, or E, or the Travel Channel. Well, now I have an individual goal to win one of these games. I’ve come close; taking second a few times, but second isn’t good enough. Hold em is on the...
Read MoreDownfall
Berlin 11:33 PM I type as I eat a small bowl of spaghetti. I should be in bed as I was up until 5 AM last night (girls will do that to you sometimes). I went to the gym earlier today and my bed calls, but my mind is racing. And I guess my belly is too. I got home a few minutes ago from a movie at the Little Theater, Downfall. It is the story of Hitler’s last days in Berlin. It is based on the account/notes of his secretary. This means it is based on fact with I am assuming some bending. I will not go into detail on the movie other than it is very well done and shows the Nazi empire...
Read MoreFound
Greece, NY The helicopters flew over the house again on Saturday. Things were slightly different as I drove to the Y. The parking lot where the search crews congregated now had yellow police tape and blockades around it. It had never looked like this before. As is the case, I did not stop to join the search or support the friends and family. I went to the gym, worked out, and it slipped my mind. On the return home the tape and barricades were gone. The crew was much smaller. This was how it normally went, with the hope of finding him and then the crowd dispersing with no luck. I came inside...
Read More2nd Annual
Rochester, NY 11:02 PM The second annual Sunday with the Master’s party came and went today. It was all that it was billed to be. A 60 degree sunny day with blue skies awaited as I woke up. I didn’t do much but watch TV last night, so I was ready. My dad and I walked down the beach this morning. It was my first walk of the Spring. I had worked out yesterday and it felt good to loosen up the joints. The TV watching crew came over after lunch. Caytie, Bryan, and Conway made it over at about 2. Uncle B came over at about 3:30. Aunt D about 4. Ron and Susan at about 4. Bryan and I...
Read MoreChampions
St. Louis, MO 1:10 AM The man above has blessed my sports this year. I took part in the most amazing spectator experience of my life, walking 4 days for every shot with Shaun Micheel and his wife during the PGA Championship. I was able to see the Red Sox in Fenway go on to win it all. And now I’ve been able to see the 2005 NCAA Champions North Carolina Tar Heels. Almost a year ago I was in Chapel Hill interviewing the 30 year veteran radio announcer of the basketball and football team. I walked in to the basketball office and was greeted by Raymond Felton and Melvin Scott. I went out on...
Read MoreFinal Four
Syracuse, NY 11:22 PM I will start off with a Happy Easter. I am on basketball overload. I can’t remember the NCAA Tourney being so fun. I have watched 3 OT games in 2 days and saw my Heels make it to the Final Four in St. Louis. And I saw them do it from 9 rows off the court. Awesome. It doesn’t get much better than that. We made it to Syracuse today at 11:30. We got an earlier start than most of the people we knew who were going. Josh came instead of Rob today. We made it to Chuck’s and were the first ones in and ordered the first pitch of the day. Lunch was good and we got a table...
Read MoreThe Carrier Dome
Syracuse, NY We made the drive to SU in about an hour and a half. It put is in at about 4:45 PM. The first game didn’t start until 7:30 so we had time to eat and grab a drink. My friend John, the guy I stayed with in Baltimore, graduated from SU a few years ago so I called him once we got into town for a food recommendation. He said Fagan’s would be a good place. We rolled into campus with a little Beatles tuning (good for all 4 of us), and made our way towards Marshall Street. This is where the bars and restaurants are. We scowered the streets for parking and actually found one on the...
Read MoreTarHeel Nation
Syracuse, NY 1:25 PM My dad and I have about 20 minutes until we leave. I have to go into my job for a minute and then we are off to Caytie’s to pick up Bryan and Rob. From there we go due east for about 105 minutes and reach our final destination of the Sweet 16 in Syracuse. We go there not knowing where our tickets will be. Dad and I are a bit nervous because the seats at the carrier dome can by way high. We were there one time when I was growing up and we just walked up up and up. It was scary looking down at the rows of seats in front of you. I felt like a blimp. We’ll see where we...
Read MoreNYC 3
Rochester, NY 11:42 PM What a day. I got up, ate breakfast with my brother and hopped on the ferry. What a beautiful sunny day in NYC. I met up with the head of marketing for a large national company at about 10. We hadn’t met before, but had talked on the phone on multiple occasions. It was good to meet him and put a face with a name. He turned out to be a nice guy. I am not sure why I thought a top dog would not be nice, but he was. Maybe I was just nervous. I also met some people from his group. He and I spent close to two hours talking. I brought him a proposal that may lead to some...
Read MoreNYC
Rochester, NY 9:22 AM I’m off to NYC for what could turn out to be a major event. I meet with some people I’ve been trying to see for months. This could be big. That is tomorrow. Today I get in at 12:30, see a fraternity brother from Arkansas who happens to be in town. Then I have dinner with my brother who is in town for work. I’m staying with him at his hotel. I’ll lay low tonight. I’m sure I’ll toss and turn and not sleep well. Then it is the big day. I come to town with a proposal in hand. Tuesday AM. All of my treading water has come down to this....
Read MoreMarch Madness
USA 11:58 PM There are a lot of people in our country looking at a weird flowchart of colleges and numbers. If your bracket looks like mine, you have more X’s than highlights. Two of my Final Four teams are out. Syracuse lost a game they did not deserve to win last night and Wake Forest just went down in double OT to West Virginia. This basketball tournament shows me why sports are the best reality show going. You never know what’s going to happen. My bracket is busted, but I’m still watching. If my Tar Heels win tomorrow it sounds like I’ll be able to go see them in...
Read MoreCB&C
Rochester, NY 9:55 PM I type with a stomach filled to the limit. I am not sure if it was me going to the gym today, or me eating lighter than normal because I knew what was coming, but I ate like I was in college and had raemen noodles for a week. We went next door a day early for St. Patrick’s Day meal. After some grapes, cheese and crackers, and a cocktail, the main course was served: Corned beef and cabbage. Along with that were potatoes and carrots. My aunt did it up right. I don’t have much to say other than tasty and full. After 3 servings, I think I’ll go back to the gym...
Read MoreSt. Patrick’s Day Parade
Rochester, NY 2:02 AM As I have said, this is my first winter in Rochester since high school. I didn’t know what the big deal was for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The papers were writing about it. All of my different groups of friends were asking me if I was going. “We’re getting started at 9 in the morning,” they said. These guys don’t do anything at 9 AM, so I knew it must be a big event. I had been set to go for a week or so. There were many friend factions that I’d meet downtown. As is the case, nothing was really set, other than we knew the cell phones would ring and...
Read MoreDrug
Rochester, NY 2:05 PM I have found a drug that takes you to different states of mind and feeling. It’s something that is available in your house, in any city, in the suburbs, and in any downtown. I just reupped for some this week. It had been many months since I had a steady fix of it. I can’t describe how it good it felt to finally go in and tell the dealer I was committing to them. I joined the YMCA on Tuesday. Today I write feeling better than I have in a while. There is something about a sweat and some strain on your muscles. It does the mind and soul good. You can’t control it, but...
Read MoreGui Con
Rochester, NY 1:38 PM When you are used to food and you don’t have it, you feel different. It’s kind of an off feeling. You’re not sick or anything like that, but your body just craves it. I have that with pretzels. And ham sandwiches. I need them as part of my food cycle. I found out today I may need some Vietnamese food. When I lived in Charlotte I had many excellent ethnic eateries at my disposal. Cuisine Malaya had the best Malaysian food around. From what I’m told, that place is one of the best in the country. I miss it. Pho 98 is the Vietnamese place we used to go to. They had...
Read MoreHats, hats and more hats
The World 1:05 AM The 1st of March is the sign that the NCAA basketball tournament is on the way. All of the excitement of college sports is summed up by this. The little guys against the big guys. The 15 beating the 2. The sub 500 winning their conference tourney to sneak in. I wasn’t thinking about that today. “Andrew, are you sure you want to come out today,” my 10:30 interview said over the phone. We were supposed to get 10 inches of snow. If I were back in Charlotte, we would have a snow day, maybe bundle up and take a walk, maybe start a fire and grab some wine, but here in NY,...
Read MoreTaxes
Rochester, NY The glasses hang down low on the nose. The keyboard crunches. Paperwork shuffles about. “Anything else?” he asks as I fidget across the desk. He writes down a few more things. After what seems like an eternity, the words roll out of his mouth like a slow motion, “NNNNNOOOOOOOOO,” from a TV show spill or accident. “You look pretty good,” he says softly, not looking at me as he pecks away on the ten key. I pause, process, and smile. I normally don’t smile when a guy tells me I look pretty good. But when it is the tax man, you go with the flow. We concluded. I stepped...
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