WalkAmerica 2007

Achive from MySpace blog
Current mood: optimistic
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

It's coming up on that time of year again. On April 29th, I will again participate in

This year, I am lucky to be participating in WalkAmerica with my loving girlfriend Molly, and a great friend Angela, as well as participating in the Drop a Dime for March of Dimes benefit show.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many lifelong disabilities. You can help the March of Dimes fight prematurity by taking steps in WalkAmerica. Join WalkAmerica and a million compassionate people nationwide who care about saving babies. Do it in the name of someone you love: a premature baby, a healthy baby, your own baby, or the baby of a relative or friend.

Even before Kayden was born, I've been involved with WalkAmerica and the March of Dimes, but her birth 2 years ago steeled my resolve in regard to this cause. Kayden was born 15 weeks premature. She came into this world at a baffling 1 lb. 10 oz.

Through the excellent care available at Yale New Haven Hospital NICU, research funded by the March of Dimes, and her own amazing will to be, Kayden made it out of the hospital in about 6 months time.

So, in March 2006, I decided to once again participate in WalkAmerica. In Kayden's name... but not for Kayden. Kayden was home, and would end up coming with us for the walk. Not for Kayden, but for every little one like Kayden who'd yet to be born, for those in the NICU who, like Kayden, wouldn't see home for 6 months, and for their parents and families, who, like me 17 months earlier, needed that extra bit of hope.

In April, my roommate Timmy brought to me the idea of running a benefit to boster extra support for that year's Walk. In 17 days of scrambling we put together the first Drop a Dime event.

So, again I find my self reaching out, asking you for support in my efforts to help those to small to help themselves. Every little bit helps. Together with Timmy, Angela, and Molly, between the benefit and individual sponsors for WalkAmerica, we've set a lofty team goal of $10,000 this year, but I know we can do it.

It is going to take help, though, and there's a number of ways to do so:

First, you can sponsor my walk. Or, if you want, you can sponsor Molly, Angela, Timmy, or our Walk Team directly. Or, if you happen to be in the Grater New Haven area, please come check out Drop a Dime for March of Dimes.

This is for a great cause, to help prevent premature birth. If you're wondering how he got involved with March of Dimes yourself, or walk yourself, information is also available on their site.

Thank you all for any and all support you can give.

All I wanted for Christmas

Archived MySpace blog
Current mood: happy
Category: Blogging

I got exactly what I wanted this Christmas.

I spent this Christmas up at my sister's this year. Christmas eve with the family; wake up Christmas morning... 6 a.m., because the youngest (3 1/2 months) wanted to eat. But the oldest of my sister's 3, at 2 1/2, really started Christmas morning at 8:30. Normally I'm not a morning person, but with the kids there (and a cup of coffee in hand) I was OK with it this once.

So, I'm sipping coffee, and watching the kids eye the mountain of gifts from Santa... not to mention the equally large stack from Mommy, Poppy, Nana, and Uncle Ian... and on my lap is Chubba-Wubba.

OK, my sister did not name her second-born "Chubba-Wubba", but all those children have a multitude of nicknames. Kayden Ivy Turner is affectionately known as Chubba-Wubba, and that unto itself is a fantastic thing. Kayden was born September 18, 2004, about 5 months premature. A so-called micro-preemie at 1 lb. 10 oz., its absolutely fantastic that she could at this point suit the nickname Chubba-Wubba.

So I spent Christmas morning with Kayden on my lap, smiling as she always ALWAYS does, helping her unwrap her gifts, and my gifts, and watching her chew the envelope of my card, and marvel at the Christmas wonder that is new socks. It was just great to see that little one ripping Christmas wrap... and just that much better knowing that last year she was still in the hospital this time of year.

So that was my Christmas. That was all I wanted for Christmas. Granted, I got a good amount of really nice gifts, too. But when it comes down to it, Kayden on my lap this year was worth far more to me than any material gift could be.

Granted, there was one down note to this Christmas... a slight sadness. One person was definitely missing from my Christmas this year, one I've spent countless holidays with. But this year, one important person in my life was absent for this Christmukkah season. It was unfamiliar not to have her here. And she was missed.

A bad day on MySpace is better than a good day of work...?

Archived MySpace blog
Current mood: cheerful

So, here it is. Been a long tome since I blogged anything. Hell, the environment has even changed. What's this insert emoticon deal?

So, what do I have to say. See, I'm not good at this. My blogs usually come out of negative emotion, and lately I've been quite happy. But, as my friend Beth pointed out recently, maybe people want to hear about being happy, too.

My niece is doing well, may be out of the hospital (finally) as early as today. 7 1/2 months old, and over 9 pounds now.

My other niece never ceases to amaze me as to how brilliant she's becoming. 2 years old, and she speaks the Queen's English. She may have some issues with her teachers in a couple years because of it, but I'll go down there and kick some verbal ass for her. As I said to my 5th grade English teacher, the course isn't called American.

My third niece -- yes, my sister is a baby-machine -- is due in October, and everything seems to be going quite well.

Went over to Mom's for Mother's Day with the intention of taking her out to dinner yesterday. Instead, she ended up cooking me dinner, and we watched Star Wars Episode II together. Did I ever mention that my Mom rocks?

Still reeling over the fact that I seem to have the coolest friends in the universe. Really, if I don't say it enough, each and every one of you rocks. Currently, I'd really like to thank my new adopted brothers, the Timmys, for inviting me to the gym with them. Every day I wake up sore as hell, and curse their very existence, but I do love going to the gym. I've wanted to get in shape for some time, but I knew I couldn't motivate myself. Now its one brain and 3 retardedly over-inflated egos.

So, I guess I am just happy. Odd place for me, I guess. Probably not so good at expressing it. Probably neglecting a lot of people and a lot of specific reasons why I feel the way I do. So each one of you who read this, think of something you've said to me, or something you've done for me, or just the last time you saw me, and give yourself a big hug from me. I love you all.