I remember the day like it was yesterday… which is fairly impressive, considering it was actually 17 years ago, to the day in fact. This momentous occasion of which I speak, on March 8th, 2000, was the date I was told by our high school principal that I was, in fact, “officially” the valedictorian of our senior class.
Planned Spontaneity
There are those who need to have every detail of each day planned down to the last minute, with little room for even the slightest compromise or delay. And then there are those individuals who prefer to fly by the seat of their pants; no blueprint, no nothing, open to whatever adventures might beckon.
Special Delivery
Several weeks ago, shortly after the passing of my “Pal,” my Grandpa, we discovered what appeared to be a small bird’s nest nestled under the awning in the backyard. Assuming it was just a collection of twigs-in-progress, I gingerly climbed on top of a chair to peek inside, only to find three beautiful blue eggs, clearly from the likes of a robin.
Rosie
Rosemarie Kupencow – “Rosie,” as I always affectionately called her – was the very first friend I made when I started working here at South Bay’s Neighbor Newspapers, just about 11 years ago. The resident proofreader, she introduced herself to me right away, and made sure I felt welcome in this new, unfamiliar setting, showing me the ins and outs of the newspaper she had come to call home for close to a decade at that point.
Forever Pals
May God always watch over you (me too). Be careful, and always be good.
Love You, Your Pal Forever
Grandpa
P.S. Did not cheat!
…An excerpt from the inscription my Grandpa, my “Pal,” wrote in the pages of my senior high school yearbook, after some gentle, good-natured prodding that, after all, he couldn’t always just leave these things to Grandma.
The Incident Report
Three customer service calls. Five “live” online chats. No fewer than four individual “incident” numbers to reference. And still, nearly six weeks later, no resolution.
Allow me to back up and fill in the blanks.
Gone Too Soon
“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”
So the saying goes, and so the sentiment is reinforced every time news is received of the untimely passing of a loved one, friend, or even a celebrity or complete stranger. You just never know what goes on beneath the façade. Especially in this day and age of social media and what some might consider too much “sharing,” it is striking to note that the public profile rarely matches the internal struggle for many.
Part Deux
So Operation: Explore NYC on Foot was a success. Mostly. This time, we decided to mix a little mass transit in to maximize our time spent experiencing the cultural offerings. You would think that would have eliminated some of the mileage; but, at day’s end, my handy app determined that we had still somehow managed to cover 25,695 steps, or 10.71 miles. Just a walk in the park.
Literally.
Don’t Forget the Flats
Expanding upon my adventuring-into-NYC theme from last week, clearly, I prefer to get around on foot. Sure, weather can be a factor, or time, but as long as it’s somewhat feasible, walking the city streets can be one of the more enjoyable aspects of exploring Manhattan. Assuming, that is, you have the proper footwear.
Do I speak from personal experience? Why, of course I do.
500
500. It’s a pretty big number. Nearly ten years’ worth of weekly columns under the moniker “In Step,” a title suggested by my dear friend, co-worker and “agent” of sorts, since passed, Peter Schleifer. It was meant to be a take off on my - at that point - 13 years of dancing and the idea that, somehow, I could find a way to engage our weekly readership with my random ramblings and musings on life.
Shifting the Stones
Confucius said, "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." Such is the principle of proactivity based upon, of taking small steps to advance great lengths, ultimately. The key, of course, it to begin the process.