Calendar Content
1) Uncle Jeremy arrives at 4pm.
2) Sculpture gallery opening for Uncle Bruce.
3) Golfing all morning – Dan, Ken, Bruce, Jeremy
4) Sean’s first t-ball game!
5) Jen’s b-day at Spinelli’s Italian Ristorante.
6) Family movie night. Post suggestions!
7) Nursery school carnival and open house for Gillian.
8) Grandma Margie and Grandpa Ned are coming over for dinner tonight.
9) Amber’s graduation! She gets her Masters in psychology.
10) Grandma Margie’s hand bell concert at church.
11) Sean’s t-ball team photo @ Riverside park, 11:30am.
12) TV special on ancient Greece tonight at 10pm! Remember to set the DVR!
13) Grandma Margie and Grandpa Ned will be on a cruise for the next seven days!
14) Exotic car show is in town! Guy’s day out!
15) The O’Doyle’s 50th wedding anniversary!
16) Gillian’s baptism @ 7pm!
17) Neighborhood block party 1pm+.
18) Sean’s school trip to the planetarium!
19) Amber’s thesis presentation @ the Benjamin auditorium at 2pm.
20) Jen is hosting a make-up party to show off a new line of eye shadow.
21) Uncle Bruce’s band is playing happy hour at McNulty’s Irish Pub.
22) Ken’s company is having a game design expo at the office all day. Come see his
latest work.
23) Dan is going to Germany on business until the 3rd of next month.
24) Picnic and frisbee at Riverside Park. Call Jen for carpooling arrangements.
25) Grandma Margie’s handbell fundraiser.
26) Family calling plan for cell phones is up. Time for new cell phones!
27) Uncle Bruce’s sculpture is featured in The Artist Life Magazine release today.
Pick up a copy to see his latest creations!
28) Renew family membership to the town pool!
29) Gillian’s friend Kate has a birthday party at the community center at 2pm!
30) CCD classes being for Sean!
31) Engagement party for Ken and Amber at Grandma Margie’s house.
Post 1 - News
Title: Gallery Opening
I was selected to be featured in an upcoming gallery opening with a few of my current
sculptures from my Metamorphosis Series. It will be up next month from the 12-18 of
this month. Please come and bring all of your friends!
uncle Bruce
Post 2 – News
Title: A Little Update
Amber is finally finishing up her Master's Degree in Psychology. I am working on
graphics for a really innovative new video game that will be released in the next few
months. Wish I could share more, but the game is top secret. Let's just say I've spent the
last 3 months modeling a Sherman Tank that looks incredibly real, and has a
flamethrower on the top. It's will blow your socks off.
Ken
Post 3 - News
Title: Possible Family Vehicle
My neighbor just dropped the price of a 4 door SUV that has really efficient gas mileage.
Jen, I know you were interested in a larger family vehicle to cart the kids around. And
Dan, I know it would be perfect for you to carry your golf clubs. Call me if you want to
learn more.
Ned
Post 4 - News
Title: T-Ball Game!
Just wanted to let the fam know that Sean's first t-ball game is coming up the 25th. Sean
would really like to see the family come and cheer him on. He has the cutest little
uniform, and he plays second base. The game starts at 5pm
Jen
Post 5 - News
Title: Handbell Concert
My handbell group has been performing at local churches to help raise money for local
charities. We have visited 3 churches so far, and have raised more than expected! I
would really like every to attend our concert on the 20th. It will be held at The Healing
Place Church at 127 Brookshire Ave. Concert starts at 7pm. Come 30 minutes early to
avoid any parking issues and get the best seats. It's free!
Margie
Post 6 - Stories
Title: Vacation in Marakech
Marakech
While we were in Marakech, Ned and I were able to visit some of the Tanneries. These
amazing tanneries had the worst smell because of the primitive process working with the
leather. The main tannery had a beautiful market next door, showing some of the leather
goods that Morocco is world renowned for. I looked at the purses while Grandpa tried on
some leather boots. After about 2 hours of looking and trying on things, I finally settled
on a beautiful little handbag and Grandpa got a new leather wallet (his old one was
falling apart). We were advised to let the items sit in the sun for a few hours to once we
got home to help with the smell, but it was an amazing time. Jen, I might have gotten
you something, so you'll have to come by the house and find out soon!
Margie
Post 7 – Stories
Title: Oh My Mykonos!
Mykonos
Mykonos is the most beautiful place on earth! The little Greek island is so full of life and
activities one can never get bored. I rented a scooter a few days ago and able to take a
nice tour of the little island to see for myself what Mykonos has to offer. In east are the
main tourist areas with all the museums and nightlife, while in the west is a little more
mountainous and secluded. Some of the most beautiful beachfronts are in the east, but
they can be tough to find.
Perhaps the best experience I have had here was when I was having too much fun riding
the scooter around and ran out of gas! It was at the top of a little mountain, so I was able
to coast down the bottom. I was pushing the scooter when I saw an older woman outside
hanging clothing and was so grateful when she smiled and got me a little tank of gas to
help finish my trip. All in all, a great day!
Amber
Post 8 - Stories
Title: Day In Budapest
Budapest
So my trip to Budapest was nothing less than extraordinary. I was sent over for business
and a conference and only had one real day to explore the city alone. The city is
incredibly old, with ancient Turkish baths on the Pest side, and the main city-center on
the Buda side. The Danube River divides the two sides, and each year their is a huge
concert called the Sziget that is hosted on Margaret Island which is between the two
cities!
When I was looking for a place to have lunch, I passed a little place when a funny little
man came running and out ushered me in. He asked if I would like a traditional drink,
and I said yes. He can out a minute later with the larger beer I had ever seen. "You drink
Budapest beer," he said, and put it down in front of me. Because I was by myself, he
began to entertain me, and tell me a little more about the city and some stories of when it
was still a Communist country. He had the best sense of humor, and gave me the beer
free for being "a good American tourist." I left him a nice tip (though you don't normally
tip) and went to some museums after. It was a great afternoon.
Ken
Post 9 - Stories
Title: Prague Holds True
Prague
Prague as one of the most interesting places Ken and I explored during out vacation in
Eastern Europe. The city has such a pulse, and is hustling and bustling all day and night.
We went to museum about the Velvet Revolution and were amazed to learn how
Czechoslovakia went from a Communism government to having Democratic elections
within a year. There were hundreds of thousands of protesters in 1989 and essentially,
the entire country rose against the Communist party. They even created a 2-hour general
strike for all citizens of Czechoslovakia. The most amazing part of the Velvet Revolution
is that on one was died. Its amazing to think the people rose up and changed the
government, and not a single person was sacrificed in the process. Amazing.
Amber
Post 10 - Stories
Title: Back from Greece!
Greece
Thessaloniki and Athens are two rare gems that show the progress of mankind from the
very beginning. I chose to visit this great country because, as a sculpture, the very
origins of sculpture originated in Athens in the 5,000 BC. I made my way up to the
Parthenon, and became emotional when I saw the most beautiful site of ancient
architecture and sculpture I had ever seen. The sheer magnitude of creating such a large
building on the top of little is quite a feat. Probably the biggest irony is that the greatest
sculptures from the ancient Greek ruins are now in the British Museum in London. The
Greek government is to the return of the sculptures, but with no success at this point.
In the album that I posted, you can see some photos of the Parthenon, but you will also
see some from the most amazing fish market ever! Greece has the a fabulous fish
market, and I spent a good amount of time roaming up and down the market isles.
Probably the funniest photo of them all is the Native Americans in traditional Apache
costumes that were street performers. I saw this a few different places in Greece, and
evidently, it's quite lucrative in Greece!
Hope everyone enjoys the pics!
Bruce
Post 11 - Stories
Title: Mission in Jamaica
Jamaica
Our mission trip to Jamaica was such a wonderful and rich experience! We went with the
local youth group and spent a week at a local boy's orphanage to help build and paint
some new classrooms. We also brought lots of toys for all the children, which they
loved! We stayed in little bunks and ate the traditional food they provided the boys
which was quite tasty and spicy. A typical day was to wake up around 7, work on the
construction projects until noon, have a nice lunch with the boys and then play some
activities in the afternoon. They all possesses so much energy, Ned and I couldn't really
keep up, but the younger youth loved it and played tug-of-war, and lots of new and fun
games that the boys have continued to play even after we left.
I hope to be able to visit the boy's orphanage again in a few years, and see how some of
the children are growing up. They are very smart, and had just 3 computers for 25
children! I will talk to some local organizations and try to get some funding to help
continue the boys education.
Post 12 – Opinion
Title: Is it time to go hybrid?
Since we are in the process of looking for a better family vehicle, I was wondering what
you all thought about switching to hybrid? I am not really interested in a small car, as I
want something big so there is room to carry the kids and their entourage of toys. I know
most of the hybrids that are coming out are small, but there are some new hybrid SUV’s
coming out. Has anyone heard anything about them? Where can I get more information
on them and consumer reviews?
Thanks!
-Jen
Post 13 – Opinion
Title: Need A Babysitter!
Jen and I are planning a little weekend getaway for sometime soon. We are not sure when
or where yet. We were wondering if we could leave the kids with somebody, just for the
weekend. If not, we will try to find a sitter. Since our regular babysitter went off to
college it has been hard to find a good replacement. We are still looking for a regular
sitter. Does anybody know of a good one?
-Dan
Post 14 – Opinion
Title: Engineering Talk
I was invited to speak at the local university about the ways engineering has changed our
lives over the past decade. I obviously must bring computers into the presentation, but I
am not sure if people will be more interested in learning about the nano aspects of
engineering or strictly computers and system efficiency. Most of you have been to one of
my presentations before, any suggestions would be great! I need to get the presentation
ready for early next month.
Let me know.
-Ned
Post 15 – Opinion
Title: Toothfairy too cheap?
Sean wanted me to post and ask how much money everyone gets from the Tooth Fairy.
He lost a big molar this past week and the Tooth Fairy left him $3.00. He said it was
worth more! Haha, he’s too funny!
What did you guys get when you were kids? Am I leaving him enough?
-Jen
Post 16 – Opinion
Title: Need Sculpture Theme
Since I just finished my metamorphosis series of sculptures, I was wondering if anyone
had any ideas for a new theme. I know everyone is getting really “Green” and I was
thinking of using non-recyclable waste and creating an exhibit around “Going Green” and
being “ECO Friendly.”
I don’t really know if it will be good though. I’m still driving the pick-up truck and it
hogs tons of fuel. What will it say if I pull up to a gallery opening preaching green and
burning black?
Any other ideas for me? Anyone want to lend me his or her car for the next opening?
LOL!
-Uncle Bruce