Happy Day

I've written on here before about the unmitigated joy that accompanies a Christening, and this Sunday was once again just such a joyous occasion. Grace Marline Donadeo, daughter of my sister Karen and her husband Mark, was Baptised in a beautiful little church in Lindenhurst, NY with a great party that followed in nearby Babylon. There was great food, dancing, fun, friends, and family. It was so much fun to watch Erin and Wyatt play together, and to envision a time in the not too distant future when Grace is right in the thick of it with the two of them. My favorite pictures from the day are these two; one of Grace and her brother Matthew, and one of Grace, Wyatt, and Erin together (along with my Mom). God Bless you Grace, and God Bless your Family!!

Be sure to check out The Fields - based on true events.

""

The Fields Movie-Official Site

The Fields Movie-Official Site

Latest Erinism - 8/8/2010 - SHUSH

Today Erin and Laur went to a party at the house of one of Erin's school friends while I was at work. In fact, I actually got home from work before they returned from the party. So when they did eventually arrive at home, I was relaxing and reading the newspaper. The first thing I noticed was that Ein's mood seemed a little unusual. She was a little somber and mopey. At first, I attributed it to her being tired from a busy day, but the more I attempted to speak to her, the more it seemed to me that she was a little sad, perhaps from leaving the party, perhaps from being faced with the realization that none of the children from the party will be in her school this year. Whatever the reason, she definitely seemed down.

By this time, Erin was sitting on the couch in the living room and had wrapped herself in NY Jets blanket that is always folded on the back of the couch. Laureen had gone downstairs to the basement to throw in a load of wash, and I went into the kitchen to get some water for myself and Erin. By the time I returned to the living room, Erin had turned on her Kids Bop CD, and was back on the couch wrapped in the Jets blanket. I came in the living room and kneeled next to her on the floor, so that we were eye to eye.

"Erin, is everything OK?" I asked her. She just stared at me blankly with those sad little eyes. Mildly discouraged but still determined, I tried again.

"Erin, are you feeling sad about something?" She met my question with that same expressionless, almost zombie-like gaze.

"Erin... you know you can tell me and Mommy anything, right? If you're feeling sad about something, or angry, or whatever... you can tell us what's on your mind. You know that, right? So, are you sad about something... maybe having to leave the party and your friends today?"

She gave me nothing in response... I might as well have been talking to myself. Shrugging my shoulders, I decided I'd give it one more try and then just let it be.

"Hey Erin..."

That was as far as I got with my question, because Erin suddenly sat forward so that we were much closer together, and she put her finger to her lips in the universal symbol for be quiet. This was accompanied by a loud and protracted SHUSHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Dadoo! Can't you see, I'm TRYING to hear my SONGS!!"

And there she was. The Erin that I know and love. I guess she was feeling like herself after all.

John McCain - Typical Weasel (oops... I mean politician)

Boy was I ever wrong about this guy. Do I still think he would have been a better choice than Barack Obama for president? Undoubtedly. But I was actually fooled into believing that he was a man of principle and a leader. What's worse, the evidence was always there but I simply turned a blind eye to it. Furthermore, it would seem that there is a certain amount of irony in the fact that what caused this epiphany for me is Senator McCain dramatically changing his position on immigration to be more in line with my way of thinking... in other words, he flip-flopped to agree with me and it still disgusts me because I believe it is a desperate, cynical ploy to save himself in his primary election. Pathetic. And politicians wonder why they work in America's least respected profession?

I'm tired of career politicians and their double-speak. There are so few leaders left in government... only politicians. Most of these folks have got their eyes on the next election day the minute the current election ends. What a far cry from George Washington, who nobly turned down a lifetime presidency. These modern politicians would rashly cling to their jobs at the cost of their dignity, their respect, their very souls. They disgust me. This is what makes Governor Chris Christie so attractive here in NJ. You may not like or agree with everything (or even anything) that he says or stands for, but at least he doesn't mince words and he refrains from rhetorical political games, hedging his bets for future elections. He seems to say what he means mean what he says. I loved when he said in a press conference, "I came here to govern, not to worry about re-election. I came to do what people sent me here to do." AMEN. At least he is worthy of respect, again, whether you agree with him or not.

McCain is the opposite. He is a politician through and through. I just want to take Senator McCain by his lapels, indisputable war-hero that he is, and shake him while shouting, "Stand for something!" And again, I agree with his new position. At issue is not his newfound backbone with regard to immigration, it is his utter lack of integrity in the face of a primary election loss. Does anyone really believe that if and when he wins the primary, he will maintain his current position? Of course not... he'll "tack to the center" (translation- return to his real beliefs) for the general election. What a disapointment.