UPDATE: Ok, so I just completely screwed up and erased my original entry for Beth's birthday. So whatever snide or pithy comments I had originally written are now lost to the ages. Whoops. Sorry, babe.

Well, just to recapture the gist of it: we had a small gathering at I quiet little wine bar in Long Island City called Domaine Bar a Vins. Many friends and colleagues stopped by and for that, we are grateful. Goodtime, merriment... yada, yada, yada. Oh, and did I mention that Beth turned 31. Happy birthday, Beth!

Posted by Thom at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, two significant and fairly geeky events occurred to make this a very busy weekend for me.

First, New York Budokai (my iai dojo) received a visit from two very distinguished Japanese teachers. Tsumaki Sensei and Endo Sensei are high ranking teachers of Tamiya Ryu, one of the three styles of iaido that we study. The fact that they flew halfway around the world to teach us for a weekend is quite an honor but, in particular, Tsumaki Sensei's visit is significant because of who he is. His late father was the Soke (or headmaster) of the Tamiya Ryu style throughout the world. Although it will be a year from his father's passing before it is known for certain, it is rumored that Tsumaki Sensei will be named the next Soke. That would mean that I was personally taught by the future Soke of Tamiya Ryu. Pretty cool despite the fact that I didn't understand a word he said.

The second and no less significant event was the release of the 7th and final Harry Potter book. I know, I know... children's books? How old am I? Wasn't my degree in Literature? Yes and yes. But the stories have been a blast and having read the first six, I needed that little bit of closure. The reason I'm only now getting around to completing this entry is because I was too busy finishing the book. I'm now done and I can go on with my life (for what it's worth). I don't know which makes me a bigger nerd — playing with swords or obsessing about adolescent wizards — but what do I care? As long as I'm having fun.

Posted by Thom at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Being Netflix subscribers, we have access to many movies that you wouldn't expect to (or can't) find on the shelves of your local Blockmonster. Recently, Beth and I watched a movie that we found both moving and significant. Born into Brothels is an Academy Award winning documentary that looks at the lives of 8 children born into the notorious brothels of Calcutta as told by Zane Brisk, a New York based photographer who befriends and teaches these children. With her help we get to see through their gifted eyes and their photography, the abject poverty and inhuman prospects that these children have to face. You want the best for these kids but you realize just how fragile their hope really is. If you get a chance to see this movie (and we recommend you do) and would like to get involved, there is now a charity called Kids with Cameras that benefits these children and others like them elsewhere in the world.

Posted by Thom at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On July 4th, my mother accepted a bid to sell her house. It's been over 5 years since dad passed away and 34 years in the same house for her. The old neighborhood is in decline and time has come for a change. Whenever I think about where I grew up, this house will be the only image to come to mind. Although my sister remembers the apartment mom and dad lived in when she was born, it was to this house that I came home from the hospital.

The deal, of course, isn't finalized but if everything moves forward, she will be leaving both the house and Cincinnati by the end of August. Although she hasn't found a new place yet, she has settled her mind on moving to Indianapolis near her family. She has a lot to do over the coming months, but this alone is a huge step toward making a good change in her life. Congratulations, mom.

Posted by Thom at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

When I came across this video in one of my lunchtime web crawls, I had no idea that it would eventually become the hit of the office. For several weeks now, it has been a running gag whenever we want to elicit a groan from the college next to us.

But first, let me give you a little background: Weng Weng was a vertically challenged Pilipino movie star who piloted such classic vehicles as The Impossible Kid and For Your Height Only (which is currently in my Netflix queue). His career would most likely have been lost to complete obscurity had it not been for the hilarious send up by the equally obscure rap duo known as the CHUDs. Whenever I need a chuckle I just pop over to YouTube and give Weng Weng a listen. The only problem is the infectious song will stick in my head for hours afterward so, if you're interested in watching, consider yourself warned. Click here to watch.

Posted by Thom at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)