So living in NYC has a lot of challenges, so when you find an "I love NY" day, you have to celebrate it. In this case, it was actually two days.
Friday, we had a gorgeous snow day. It wasn't so bad that I could justify staying home from work, which is fine, because a snow day in the office is fun, too. Madison Square Park looked beautiful as the snow fell. Certainly, snowy NY isn't so pretty a day or two after a storm. But while it's happening and right after, it's totally beautiful. I'm very fortunate to have an office with such a great view of a park.
The storm and closeness to Christmas meant the clients had really evacuated already and I could just get things done without interruption.
I had to walk home from the train station to the house on Friday night (about 1.25 miles) as I didn't want Kathryn out on the roads. But the neighborhoods were so quiet and festive with lights that it was kind of fun.
Then on Saturday morning, I left the house around 5:30 a.m. to do the first session at the Manhattan temple. One of the blessings of NYC is having our intimate little temple. And at that time of the morning, it's not very busy --especially after the storm. So you feel like it's your own private temple. The first session is Spanish, so I have to wear headphones, but that's OK.
I bumped into the temple president afterward, who greeted me by name. That's always nice. I worked with him exactly a year ago in helping a disabled member attend the temple for the first time, and somehow he remembers my name and face. Can't imagine a temple president in a Utah temple making a point of greeting me personally.
Then, I wanted to head to my office to get all the left-over toy samples to distribute to families in the ward. So I exited the garage on 66th Street and drove across Central Park. Again, freshly fallen snow in the park looks beautiful.
I decided to drive down 5th Avenue to reach my office. I thought it might be crowded with tourists o'plenty, but it was early enough, and NYers don't awake from their slumber til mid morning. So I drove down an empty 5th Avenue, and went past the decked-out Plaza Hotel and FAO Scwartz. Then, under the big star hanging above the street. Then all the very decorated department stores and their windows that make 5th Avenue famous. Went by St. Patricks, and even got a glimpse of the Rockefeller Tree. It was so fun that I actually think I should take the kids for a drive along 5th Ave. early morning as part of a new family tradition.
Passed the main library....for some reason, no wreaths around the lion's necks this year.
Coming up to the Empire State Building, you almost miss it. You would think the tallest building in the city would dominate the road, but it's kind of hidden and you have to make a point of looking for it or you'll miss it. I ended down by the Flat Iron building at 23rd street, which is my favorite 'hidden treasure" of the city.
Then I escaped into my office, loaded up the van with Star Wars toys and headed home. Later that day, Kathryn took the older two kids into Grand Central and a Nutcracker performance (not THE famous performance but a nice one all the same).
With all the challenges of NY, you have to recognize the good and the fun that makes living here so great. Quite honestly, I'm happy to put up with the tough things because the good moments are so awesome. I love NY!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Print Edition on its Way!
Hi all:
Well, I had to let the online version lapse a bit while I got my feet underneath me on that bishop calling thing -- and I had to focus my attention to creating the annual print edition of the newsletter. But it's written, printed, and the first wave is out the door. The final copies should be in the mail by the morning.
Surprisingly, several of you have stated in your Christmas letter to us: "Hey, what's the deal? Where's the newsletter?" I'm happy to see that it's been noticed that I'm running a bit late. It also helps reinforce whose list we are because they like us and who just sends us a return card out of guilt because they got our card first.
Let me warn you that -- in keeping with the cutbacks and layoffs -- the newsletter is perhaps 60 percent less funny than previous years. No, this is more than just me trying to be like a campaign manager who manages expectations before his candidate debate. I just didn't have the time or the creative energy to keep it to previous year standards. The clock was ticking too loudly. It's still got a funny note or two, but don't un-subscribe after one weak season.
If you want to be part of a marketing focus group related to this year's letter, feel free to post comments here as to what you like in this year's letter or what you'd like improved in next year's version. I'll try next year to follow the politicians and make a product that appeals to all and offends to none. After all Christmas newsletters by committee is where it's at! :)
Yours in holiday cheer,
Mark
Well, I had to let the online version lapse a bit while I got my feet underneath me on that bishop calling thing -- and I had to focus my attention to creating the annual print edition of the newsletter. But it's written, printed, and the first wave is out the door. The final copies should be in the mail by the morning.
Surprisingly, several of you have stated in your Christmas letter to us: "Hey, what's the deal? Where's the newsletter?" I'm happy to see that it's been noticed that I'm running a bit late. It also helps reinforce whose list we are because they like us and who just sends us a return card out of guilt because they got our card first.
Let me warn you that -- in keeping with the cutbacks and layoffs -- the newsletter is perhaps 60 percent less funny than previous years. No, this is more than just me trying to be like a campaign manager who manages expectations before his candidate debate. I just didn't have the time or the creative energy to keep it to previous year standards. The clock was ticking too loudly. It's still got a funny note or two, but don't un-subscribe after one weak season.
If you want to be part of a marketing focus group related to this year's letter, feel free to post comments here as to what you like in this year's letter or what you'd like improved in next year's version. I'll try next year to follow the politicians and make a product that appeals to all and offends to none. After all Christmas newsletters by committee is where it's at! :)
Yours in holiday cheer,
Mark
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Best Moments at Yankees Stadium
Well, the old stadium is really closed. Just yesterday I heard that they crated up Babe Ruth from Monument Park. We're excited about the new stadium as the old stadium really was archaic, but it does hold some great memories. In no particular order:
1. Josh's birthday party. Probably his best birthday EVER. School let out for the summer earlier that day, then all of his friends came to Yankees Stadium for a behind the scenes look. They got to sit in the dug out, walk on the warning track, visit the locker room, and sit in the press box. It was a beautiful summer day.
2. Best game I ever attended was July 1, 2003. In fact, when media and others sum up some of the best games ever, this was one of them. It was a Red Sox game (I think my only Red Sox game I attended). It was played as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. I went with Jason from my office, and it was magical. A batter was hit early in the game to start the bad blood. A couple of great home runs. But then it went wild as Derek Jeter charged a foul ball and ended up several rows into the stands. He came out bloodied and left the game. A-Rod moved from 3rd to his former position of shortstop (his first time to play SS for the Yankees). The Red Sox moved in an outfielder a couple of times to add an infielder to get a guy out at the plate...forcing players to switch gloves. They even had a play people thought was a triple play....before they realized that one Red Sox player was tagged out twice (which only counts once). In the end, the Yankees won in like 13 innings, and the crowd started chanting 1918 (the last time they had won the World Series). On a DVD we recently watched highlighting the Red Sox rivalry, this was featured.
3. First game at Yankees Stadium as an intern. It was against Oakland, and we sat in the bleacher seats. It was April 1993.
4. Mormon Night at Yankees Stadium. I think it was 2005 or maybe 2006. Matthew came and cheered like crazy, even though he was just a baby. My friend Mark was in town and came, too.
5. A game against the Twins on Labor Weekend when we had seats in the outfield. We were within a few rows of catching an A-Rod home run.
6. Yankees vs. KC on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend 2006. This was when Josh's Yankee fire got ignited within. My parents came and my brother, too, as he had just defended his thesis at NYU. The Yankees actually lost, though we left in the middle of the 9th due to a rain delay from a major cloud burst. But it all just clicked that night for him.
7. Perhaps the greatest game viewing experience we'll ever have. Our home teacher, who works for Sony (a major sponsor) got us tickets for Josh's birthday right behind home plate on the front row (though there were some "folding chair seats" added in front of us that were actually on the grass, but still.....) We actually didn't know our seats would be THAT good. It was truly, truly amazing.
But we're excited for the new stadium. If we can get tickets -- and afford them -- I'm sure it will be a great stadium. But it will be hard to match those memories....
Mark
1. Josh's birthday party. Probably his best birthday EVER. School let out for the summer earlier that day, then all of his friends came to Yankees Stadium for a behind the scenes look. They got to sit in the dug out, walk on the warning track, visit the locker room, and sit in the press box. It was a beautiful summer day.
2. Best game I ever attended was July 1, 2003. In fact, when media and others sum up some of the best games ever, this was one of them. It was a Red Sox game (I think my only Red Sox game I attended). It was played as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. I went with Jason from my office, and it was magical. A batter was hit early in the game to start the bad blood. A couple of great home runs. But then it went wild as Derek Jeter charged a foul ball and ended up several rows into the stands. He came out bloodied and left the game. A-Rod moved from 3rd to his former position of shortstop (his first time to play SS for the Yankees). The Red Sox moved in an outfielder a couple of times to add an infielder to get a guy out at the plate...forcing players to switch gloves. They even had a play people thought was a triple play....before they realized that one Red Sox player was tagged out twice (which only counts once). In the end, the Yankees won in like 13 innings, and the crowd started chanting 1918 (the last time they had won the World Series). On a DVD we recently watched highlighting the Red Sox rivalry, this was featured.
3. First game at Yankees Stadium as an intern. It was against Oakland, and we sat in the bleacher seats. It was April 1993.
4. Mormon Night at Yankees Stadium. I think it was 2005 or maybe 2006. Matthew came and cheered like crazy, even though he was just a baby. My friend Mark was in town and came, too.
5. A game against the Twins on Labor Weekend when we had seats in the outfield. We were within a few rows of catching an A-Rod home run.
6. Yankees vs. KC on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend 2006. This was when Josh's Yankee fire got ignited within. My parents came and my brother, too, as he had just defended his thesis at NYU. The Yankees actually lost, though we left in the middle of the 9th due to a rain delay from a major cloud burst. But it all just clicked that night for him.
7. Perhaps the greatest game viewing experience we'll ever have. Our home teacher, who works for Sony (a major sponsor) got us tickets for Josh's birthday right behind home plate on the front row (though there were some "folding chair seats" added in front of us that were actually on the grass, but still.....) We actually didn't know our seats would be THAT good. It was truly, truly amazing.
But we're excited for the new stadium. If we can get tickets -- and afford them -- I'm sure it will be a great stadium. But it will be hard to match those memories....
Mark
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Calling
Well, for the first time in 10 years, I'm not serving in the stake.
I was finally released from stake service and was called to a ward calling. I am now the President of the Priest Quorum in our ward. There's a lot to learn with that, so I may not post any fun items or such for a few days. But I'll return, I promise!
Mark
I was finally released from stake service and was called to a ward calling. I am now the President of the Priest Quorum in our ward. There's a lot to learn with that, so I may not post any fun items or such for a few days. But I'll return, I promise!
Mark
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"For Better or For Worse"
I'm returning again to my mention the other day of how I heard that the creator of the comic strip "For Better or For Worse" had divorced from her husband. I said it made me sad as many of the strips seem to be autobiographical and be a recipe for a successful marriage.
I'm writing again because three specific strips illustrate what I was saying and are worth preserving here:
(NOTE: though these are spoken by a guy character, it's obvious the artist was a female as guys aren't normally capable of being so wise in their words.)
1. The husband walks in from work and looks at his wife. He says "Hi honey, you look beautiful". She responds with "AKKK!" (oh wait, that's more a "Cathy" phrase) "I look horrible. My hair is a mess, my jeans are stained, I don't have any make-up on", etc. He says: "I know...but I'm looking at you...and you look beautiful".
2. The couple is on a Caribbean vacation, walking along a beach. There are lots of beautiful 'babes' in bikinis. The wife starts to feel a little self-conscious and says "Wow...there sure are a lot of beautiful women on the beach." The husband says "You're right....and I'm with one of them".
3. The husband comes in while the wife is working at her desk. He says "It's a beautiful fall night. Let's go for a romantic walk, just the two of us". She protests, saying she has so much to do, a column due for the local newspaper, lunches to pack for kids, etc. He says: "If you were single and the man of your dreams called you and asked to go on a long walk together, what would you do?" In the last frame, you seeing them out for a walk arm in arm.
I feel those same sentiments toward my wife.
Mark
PS I learned from Kathryn that one of her friends in California has been following this blog for some time....just wanted you to know that made my day when she told me. I'm not a big commenter on blogs, nor do I expect many comments on my blog, but it's nice to know a few people enjoy my ramblings.
I'm writing again because three specific strips illustrate what I was saying and are worth preserving here:
(NOTE: though these are spoken by a guy character, it's obvious the artist was a female as guys aren't normally capable of being so wise in their words.)
1. The husband walks in from work and looks at his wife. He says "Hi honey, you look beautiful". She responds with "AKKK!" (oh wait, that's more a "Cathy" phrase) "I look horrible. My hair is a mess, my jeans are stained, I don't have any make-up on", etc. He says: "I know...but I'm looking at you...and you look beautiful".
2. The couple is on a Caribbean vacation, walking along a beach. There are lots of beautiful 'babes' in bikinis. The wife starts to feel a little self-conscious and says "Wow...there sure are a lot of beautiful women on the beach." The husband says "You're right....and I'm with one of them".
3. The husband comes in while the wife is working at her desk. He says "It's a beautiful fall night. Let's go for a romantic walk, just the two of us". She protests, saying she has so much to do, a column due for the local newspaper, lunches to pack for kids, etc. He says: "If you were single and the man of your dreams called you and asked to go on a long walk together, what would you do?" In the last frame, you seeing them out for a walk arm in arm.
I feel those same sentiments toward my wife.
Mark
PS I learned from Kathryn that one of her friends in California has been following this blog for some time....just wanted you to know that made my day when she told me. I'm not a big commenter on blogs, nor do I expect many comments on my blog, but it's nice to know a few people enjoy my ramblings.
Friday, October 10, 2008
An Autumn Drive in New Jersey
It seems like about once every early October I get to do a 2 hour drive in the northeast to a client meeting.... either north to Massachusetts or south thru New Jersey. Today, it was the southern route. It was just a gorgeous drive...full fall colors haven't completely set in, but just having pockets of color as an accent is even more beautiful. As I headed into Princeton, I drive over a river / lake that is really pretty.
To help the time pass on the New Jersey Turnpike (which is NOT a pretty part of the drive), I listened to my sound track from Damn Yankees. It made me think about the musicals I used to see when I first came to New York City nearly 15 years ago.
Damn Yankees is certainly one of my top two or three. While one might not think it is on the surface, it is really a classic love story and has the right moral. I saw the mid-90s Broadway version perhaps 5 or 6 times. I'm one for finding something I like, and taking all my visitors to it when they come to town. As Broadway goes, it was one of the cleaner shows, though a male actor dropped a towel in a locker room scene to expose a bare butt. (When I took BYU interns, they were shocked, horrified and felt like I had taken them to the type of shows that used to litter Times Square.) I did get to see Jerry Lewis in the role of the devil a couple of times and he was great. And it's just got fun peppy dancing and songs.
Another favorite was Crazy for You, which is like the Mamma Mia formula where they took a bunch of Gershwin songs and made a story around it. It was just so laugh out loud funny. The star at the time was a really good physical comedy actor. I'd pay to see that again anytime.
The Fantasticks is another show that I think is just brilliant. I saw it about 8 times down in the Sullivan Theater (I think that's the name) where it ran and held the record for longest running, consecutive showings. It did finally close...and came back to Broadway last year in a bigger theater, but that's one that had to be seen in the small intimate theater. I think it held less than 100.
One last obscure show I saw 3 times but have never heard of since: "Two Piano Four Hands". It's a two-man show of really great piano players who illustrate the life of pianists. They came in and out of roles starting with the piano teacher forcing the kid to do his scales, then moved to when they were teenagers to the point that it became an addiction of sorts and that's all they did was practice rather than play sports, etc.
The end has them playing "Piano Man" in a bar....because what else could they do with these incredibly developed, monotone talent, so to speak (in other words, they played the piano and excelled in that talent to the exclusion of becoming well rounded). Extremely poignant and funny. Never been able to find this performed elsewhere....it takes just the right actors to pull that off who have the musical training.
That's my Broadway Beat.
Mark
PS -- On a completely unrelated note, never estimate the power of a cardboard box. I suppose that's why it was actually inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. The three younger kids had the time of their life playing with the box that packaged the new dishwasher. Never seen them so happy or be so creative. Who needs real toys? (Oops...that's bad for me).
To help the time pass on the New Jersey Turnpike (which is NOT a pretty part of the drive), I listened to my sound track from Damn Yankees. It made me think about the musicals I used to see when I first came to New York City nearly 15 years ago.
Damn Yankees is certainly one of my top two or three. While one might not think it is on the surface, it is really a classic love story and has the right moral. I saw the mid-90s Broadway version perhaps 5 or 6 times. I'm one for finding something I like, and taking all my visitors to it when they come to town. As Broadway goes, it was one of the cleaner shows, though a male actor dropped a towel in a locker room scene to expose a bare butt. (When I took BYU interns, they were shocked, horrified and felt like I had taken them to the type of shows that used to litter Times Square.) I did get to see Jerry Lewis in the role of the devil a couple of times and he was great. And it's just got fun peppy dancing and songs.
Another favorite was Crazy for You, which is like the Mamma Mia formula where they took a bunch of Gershwin songs and made a story around it. It was just so laugh out loud funny. The star at the time was a really good physical comedy actor. I'd pay to see that again anytime.
The Fantasticks is another show that I think is just brilliant. I saw it about 8 times down in the Sullivan Theater (I think that's the name) where it ran and held the record for longest running, consecutive showings. It did finally close...and came back to Broadway last year in a bigger theater, but that's one that had to be seen in the small intimate theater. I think it held less than 100.
One last obscure show I saw 3 times but have never heard of since: "Two Piano Four Hands". It's a two-man show of really great piano players who illustrate the life of pianists. They came in and out of roles starting with the piano teacher forcing the kid to do his scales, then moved to when they were teenagers to the point that it became an addiction of sorts and that's all they did was practice rather than play sports, etc.
The end has them playing "Piano Man" in a bar....because what else could they do with these incredibly developed, monotone talent, so to speak (in other words, they played the piano and excelled in that talent to the exclusion of becoming well rounded). Extremely poignant and funny. Never been able to find this performed elsewhere....it takes just the right actors to pull that off who have the musical training.
That's my Broadway Beat.
Mark
PS -- On a completely unrelated note, never estimate the power of a cardboard box. I suppose that's why it was actually inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. The three younger kids had the time of their life playing with the box that packaged the new dishwasher. Never seen them so happy or be so creative. Who needs real toys? (Oops...that's bad for me).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Are you listening?
From a talk I gave two weeks ago in the Bronx....
=============
"Hopefully I don’t embarrass the bishop too much, but one morning, I took a train to work that made stops in the Bronx. As I exited the train, I noticed someone that looked like Bishop Kelly. As the crowd edged forward off the platform and I got near to him, I wasn’t 100 percent sure it was him, because I’d only seen Bishop Kelly in “Bishop clothes” and he was dressed more casually. So to hedge my bets, I got within ear shot and simply said “Ian” (that felt safer than saying ‘Bishop’). I got no response, so I edged closer and said “Ian” again. I finally worked myself up to being right next to him, and I noticed he couldn’t hear me because he was groovin’ to his I-Pod. While standing right next to him, I said “Ian” for the third time, but to no avail. Not wanting to scare him by tapping him on the shoulder, I let the moment pass and didn’t say hello.
I use that only to illustrate a point, not to be judgmental, as the Bishop certainly is allowed to listen to an I-Pod. My point is simply to ask ourselves how many times Heavenly Father has attempted to communicate to us through his still small voice but there wasn’t an occasion throughout our day when we could receive the signal because of our "noise". The spirit might even increase his volume or level of intensity, but if we'd blocked off the receiver, so to speak, we won't get the message. And after trying to deliver it a handful of times, the spirit may simply give up, thus depriving us what we could have learned from or benefited from had we provided a "quiet zone" in our day to receive radio signals from heaven."
=============
"Hopefully I don’t embarrass the bishop too much, but one morning, I took a train to work that made stops in the Bronx. As I exited the train, I noticed someone that looked like Bishop Kelly. As the crowd edged forward off the platform and I got near to him, I wasn’t 100 percent sure it was him, because I’d only seen Bishop Kelly in “Bishop clothes” and he was dressed more casually. So to hedge my bets, I got within ear shot and simply said “Ian” (that felt safer than saying ‘Bishop’). I got no response, so I edged closer and said “Ian” again. I finally worked myself up to being right next to him, and I noticed he couldn’t hear me because he was groovin’ to his I-Pod. While standing right next to him, I said “Ian” for the third time, but to no avail. Not wanting to scare him by tapping him on the shoulder, I let the moment pass and didn’t say hello.
I use that only to illustrate a point, not to be judgmental, as the Bishop certainly is allowed to listen to an I-Pod. My point is simply to ask ourselves how many times Heavenly Father has attempted to communicate to us through his still small voice but there wasn’t an occasion throughout our day when we could receive the signal because of our "noise". The spirit might even increase his volume or level of intensity, but if we'd blocked off the receiver, so to speak, we won't get the message. And after trying to deliver it a handful of times, the spirit may simply give up, thus depriving us what we could have learned from or benefited from had we provided a "quiet zone" in our day to receive radio signals from heaven."
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