twodoebs

Hard to believe, but FIVE years ago today, Paula gave Uncle Bob one of her kidneys. Above, one can see a representation of Paulie's healthy kidney on the left and one of Yak's "Evil Twins" on the right (although, to be clear, these are not pictures of either of their ACTUAL organs). This picture does a pretty unbelievable job of illustrating what a great gift my mom gave my dad on August 24, 2001.

Five years later, I need to renew my thanks to Paulie for not only giving her husband a new kidney, but for giving me an extended lease on my time with my dad. So much has happened in the last five years--including my law school graduation and my wedding--that I might not have shared with him if my mom hadn't given so much of herself (literally!).

Yak, I'm glad to see you doing so well! You look great and I'm proud of how well you've done.

So congratulations, Mom and Dad. Your commitment to each other is a testament of self-less love for all to follow.

"This very old dog just learned a very new trick." - John

Last week we all converged on Jan and John's newly expanded house on Lake Martin. And what a great time we had.

Most of the week was consumed trying to work out the RBOD (short for Red Board of Death), which is a wake board and gave us all pains in places we haven't felt since we learned to waterski. Ultimately, though, EVERY adult member of the crew got it goin' for them and we've all got somethin' new to look forward to behind the boat.

Many thanks to Jan and John for their hospitality. I know I speak for Kati, but I'm sure everyone else would also agree that we appreciate everything you do to give us such a great time.

Jan is picking through the goodies that Aunt Nan was sweet enough to send down in a care package for all of us to enjoy!

Last night, Kati and I went to a concert. We went to see the band O.A.R. (which is short for "Of A Revolution") at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

O.A.R. is a band that I heard over and over again at Ohio University. I, actually, didn't really enjoy listening to them at OU 'cause all the Ohio people played O.A.R. all the time. While I was at OU, I put O.A.R. and Euchre somewhere in the same place in my brain.

Years later, though, when I hear them, it's as if I'm seeing an old friend that I haven't seen in years. I remember the songs and I find myself enjoying the music.

To boot, they've got a new album out that's caught Sweet Kati's ear (even before I ever mentioned them). So, one thing lead to another and we decided twenty-five bucks a ticket was a reasonable price to go check this show out . . .

Jones Beach is a venue I've never been to. It's out on Long Island, about an hour's drive from our Brooklyn apartment. There's trains and busses that go out there, too, but we just decided to go ahead and drive.

I REALLY enjoyed Jones Beach. The stage is actually built up IN the water with the seating area facing out towards the water. Everything is outside and there are awesome views of the beach, the ocean, and marshy grasslands.

Put the two of 'em together--O.A.R. and Jones Beach, that is--and everything made for a great summer night. O.A.R. is the kinda band that one can just kinda sit back and chill out to. Kati and I sat there, enjoyed the music, talked to each other, surfed the web on TNT, and didn't have ANY worries! We were, to be sure, the OLDEST people there, but that just kinda made the night MORE fun 'cause it let us do some AWESOME people watching.

So my advice to twodoebs readers: 1) take out an album you haven't heard since college and give it a spin; 2) check out O.A.R. on the radio, at the iTunes music store, or on one of their albums; 3) if you have the opportunity, pay a visit to the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater; and--most IMPORTANTLY; 4) go to a summer concert . . . it doesn't matter who or where, just pick something that's slightly interesting and go 'cause it's one of summer's best treats!

I've advanced this post back to the top of twodoebs.com to call out a disapointment twodoebs management has with the winner of this game. Despite her skeptisim, a prize was delivered to her by PERSONAL delivery a couple of weeks ago. Our disapointment stems from the fact that this prize has not been acknowledged to the rest of the twodoebs readers.

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CONGRATULATIONS!! We have a winner.
Stefanie was successful in her bid to become the winner of the Honeymoon game.
Yes, perhaps we were slow in making this public but we do promsie a reward is en route to you!
Well done and congratulations to BOTH contestants!

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Objective: Match the description on the left with the picture on the right . . . REWARD to the person with the first set of correct answers.

1. Kati and Matt going out to dinner after getting sunburnt	a.
2. Kati and Matt's second night on the Mayan Riveria	b.
3. Kati and Matt going out to dinner after visiting Chichen Itza	c.
4. Kati and Matt's final night on the Mayan Riveria	d.
5. Kati and Matt going out to dinner after spending the WHOLE day poolside	e.
6. Kati and Matt's first night on the Mayan Riveria	f.
7. Kati and Matt going out to dinner after going SCUBA diving	g.
8. Kati and Matt's third night on the Mayan Riveria	h.

Well, I feel as if I *just* made a posting congratulating Sweet Kati for a promotion, but I'm THRILLED to share another e-mail from Kati's workplace:

From: Lynda [Kati's Boss]
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 7:18 PM
To: [A Whole Lot of Kati's Coworkers]
Subject: Staffing Announcement

Hello,

It is with true regret that I write to tell you that Vernon will not be gracing [Kati's company] with his wit and wisdom beyond August 9th as the Director of Interactive Development. For personal reasons, he has accepted an opportunity in the online gaming industry. He will be missed but you can be sure we'll keep in touch with him!

On a brighter note, this has provided an opportunity to deservedly promote Kati to the position of Team Lead, Project Management. Most of you have had at least one opportunity via a client project to work with Kati and I am sure support my decision to ask her to take on the daily management and quality assurance of our Project Management team.

Please share this news with your teams. Everyone should continue to contact Tony for all Interactive needs.

Thanks to Vernon! Congratulations to Kati!

Lynda

Good work Kati! I'm proud of you and I can't wait to see you tear THIS position up, too!

Kati and I had a great time this weekend at Cindy and Augie's wedding. Everyone (especially Cindy!) looked awesome, a good time was had by all, and the fireworks were SUPER cool! Congrats to Cindy and Augie--hope the honeymoon is great and wish you a life of happiness!