With Chanukah just behind us and Christmas just ahead, I thought it was about high time that I got of my butt to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a Fabulous New Year. Many of our dear friends and family have been so generous and thoughtful about sending us cards (many of them containing newly minted pictures of their newly minted children) and we just wanted to say that we're thinking about you too. It's just that we've been much too busy to say it card form. So enjoy the best year-in-review specials that cable TV has to offer and we'll see you next year.

A special shout out to our friends that are overseas, especially John Hotek who is serving in Afghanistan and Mark Maher who is pulling teeth in Iraq — stay safe guys.

Posted by Thom at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let's face it, at 32 I'm not getting any thinner and sitting on the couch playing video games just doesn't burn the calories like it used to. To keep in shape and fuel my fascination with Japanese culture, I have decided to study iaido, the Japanese art of drawing the sword.

About two weeks ago, I joined the New York Budõkai and in my brief experience there, I have come to the realization that iaido is much harder than it looks. Founded by the late Sensei Yoshiteru Otani (pictured left), the dojo teaches several forms of iaido including Muso Shinden, Jigen and Tamiya Ryu, as well as Jodon which is a staff based martial art. Part philosophy, part physical martial art, iaido is a living art form with the object to physically, if not strategically, disarm your opponent. Akin to the most difficult of Russian ballets, every movement, every possition and every breath have been carefully considered to maximize the blade's impact in any combination of forms necessary for combat. Complicated by the fact that everything is in Japanese, I have a lot to learn.

Posted by Thom at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Now that my excuses have run out, it's time to do a little catching up...

For Thanksgiving, Beth and I meet up with my mother, my sister and her family a-ways down south in Maryland. Anne was gracious enough to host this year's feast and so we packed the Jello molds in the car and headed down the Jersey Turnpike along with half the traveling residents of the Northeastern United States. What can I say about a good Thanksgiving meal that hasn't already been said... mmm, stuffing. A good time was had. I even had time to squeeze in a little rock-scramble of a hike along the cliffs of the Potomac.

Posted by Thom at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know, I know... where the hell have I been, right? Have I finally emerged from a two-week long tryptophan-induced coma or, am I just been lazy again? Actually, I have been super busy. Ever since Thanksgiving I have barely been able to come up for air. This time of year is traditionally busy in advertising — between agency and client parties and holiday closures, no one's schedules match. So when the work needs to get done, the work needs to get done. Factor in the travel plans, the holiday gifts and the glut of shoppers that comes with them and it's a wonder I don't shun society completely and hide under my desk, quietly rocking back and forth until January 2. But then again, I may just be overreacting…

Posted by Thom at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)