Money makes the world go round

To quote two of may favorite musical composers Kander and Ebb.  Money makes the world go round.  And yesterday I spent the whole day doing, probably one of the most adult things I have ever done.  I made a budget!!!  I mean a true honest, pen and paper, excel spreadsheet budget.  Not some, look at the calendar and bills a, b, c, are due so I  pay them.  A full monthly plan as to where our money should go, and what we should spend it on.  Now let’s hope that it works, and that we stick to it.  I have to remember though that there will probably be a little tweaks here and there and not to get discouraged.  Why do this?    I don’t know, it’s probably a combination of a lot of things.  And I have always wanted to do one, but never really knew how.  So after a little researching on-line, I came up with one. Maybe know we’ll  be able to afford that million dollar house just down the street.   

Contrary to popular belief, I am the oldest.

Fred, Bill, & Matt, originally uploaded by actor1993.

My Aunt just recently sent this photo of my brothers and I. It was taken after the dinner for our grandmothers memorial. Maybe it’s the fact that it might the only picture where all three of us are wearing a tie, but I thought it came out pretty nice.

Now those of you who don’t know, and against peoples first judgements, I am the oldest. I say this because when I show people who don’t know my brothers photos of us, they usually assume I’m the middle child. Which as you can imagine, doesn’t make Bill (who actually is in the middle) none too happy, but gives me a little thrill until I guess my hair falls out, or turns gray, whichever comes first.

There is seven years between Bill and I, and then eleven months later Matt came along. Thus prompting the ever popular question when they were little, “Are they twins?” And the standard answer, “No they’re eleven months apart.”

I say this because being the oldest, and having seven years between us makes my brothers the first people in my life that I can say I have known since the day they were born, or if you count feeling mommy’s belly kick even before that. So when I see a picture of me sitting next to two young men, it sometimes is strange because I remember a lot of their “firsts”. Thus prooving no matter who looks it, I am the oldest.

A million dollars just isn’t what it use to be

So not that Jim and I are any where near purchasing living quarters yet.  But lately, on Sundays we have found it interesting to go to the tons of open houses that are in our area.  Some are for apartments, and some are for houses.  Now if you go just a few blocks south of our apartment, on the other side of the LIRR tracks there is a very cute neighborhood with single family, detached houses with little yards and nice landscaping, mostly 2-3 bedroom homes.  Basically what back in LaPorte would be considered living in the city.  And sunday after making a trek to the home depot for a table staining project that I have been putting off for about 5 years, we stopped at a couple of these open houses.  Just to look, and mainly to be nosey to see what the inside of other peoples homes look like.   What is completly bizarre to me, is that both of these houses were listed at over a million dollars.  One was completly re-done with all the bells and whistles and I could see maybe that price tag, and that’s a big maybe.  But the other one, was older, had some random carpeting that did not go with the house, no central air, and a to quote the dealer a “huge backyard”.   It was probably about the size of our living room.  Maybe a little bit bigger.  Long story short, I don’t think we will be buying any homes in queens in the near future. 

Wendylady

wendy fred 08-10-07Originally uploaded by actor1993

In the previous entry I mentioned that we had a Kiss of the Spider Woman reunion. Back in 2001, I did a production of this show out on long island. Now four of us lived in the city (or it’s surrounding parts). Pretty much each night after rehersal or a show our stage manager Wendy would drive the 4 of us home. Now those of you who don’t know New York geography, it was a trek for Wendy to drive us all back, and then turn around and go to her home back in Long Island. She quickly became Wendybird and we were her lost boys. The conversations we had in the car back were few and far between. What fun it was then for Wendybird to drive us back one more time after our little reunion. We may have all gotten a little older and hopefully wiser, but let’s not forget what a great time we all had during the run.  Hopefully we will continue to keep in touch and creat more great times.  (Some of us might be better than others at this, mainly myself). 

The doggone days of summer

I thinks it is absolutly hysterical Ruth Regina and her puppy wigs was written up in the New York Daily News this week.  All I have to say is that Britany Spears and Paris Hilton’s dogs better run and hide.  Because it won’t be long before some celeb will put one of these god for saken things on their dog.    I have to admit that I do find humor in some of the photos though.  So anything that brings a smile to your face must have some positive aspects.  My personal favorite is the pug, just because how many days have you woke up and couldn’t decide to wear your hair either curly, or straight.   For more photos click on the link.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/galleries/dogs_wearing_wigs/dogs_wearing_wigs.html?c=0

anyone for a dip?

You might be wondering why some of us weren’t wearing bathing suits?  Well my uncle bought a pool for the party for the “little kids”, it was only a matter of time though before people started getting dunked.  Eventaully all of the kids were thrown in big and small except me.  They tried and tried but I was just to big for them.  After a while though I just stood up, ran, and jumped in!  Causing everyone to jump in one more time!!!!  Fun! Fun! Fun!

my three sons

father knows best

busia and kids

My grandmother (aka Busia) with 11 of her 15 grandchildren and 3 of her 4 great-grandchildren.  From the bottom left. Trevor, Stephanie, Ayla, Jesse, and Charolette. Next row, Megan, Busia, Laura and Katie.  Then, Freddie, Matt, Petie, and Bil.  Then Daniel, and Allison.

where have i been?

I know, I know, where have I been.  Well I’d like to say I’ve been super busy, but that wouldn’t necessarily be true. The last post was the day before Jim and I left for vacation which was the end of June.  Our trip to Indiana was great up until our return home, in which our flight back was cancelled, and our digital camera containg 300 pictures was stolen out of our luggage.  Note to self and everyone else, if you check your camera take the digital card out of it so if it does get stolen you at least have the pictures, or better yet, don’t check the camera.   Chicago was fantastic, beautiful weather, wonderful places, just an overall great time.  After Chicago it was off the good ole LaPorte where Jim got the grand tour.  After a few days it was off to Bloomington to re-visit  college memories and pay an overdue visit to a couple of friends.  You gotta love a round of drinks for 3 people for $5.   Then it was to Indy for a huge party with my Dad’s family.  How nice it was to get pretty much everyone together.  Luckily there were enough cameras around that I was able to get some pictures from other people.  Plus I still have the video so I am sure a  movie of the the whole trip will be coming soon.  Overall a great time. 

Once we were back in New York a quick look at the calendar told me my birthday was right around the corner.  As a gift for me, Jim and Brian, our friend Tom all bought us tickets to see Patti LuPone in Gypsy.  She was doing the show for a limited engagement at New York City Center.  At the show what a suprise it was to see none other that Jon Grodeski,  director for a production of Kiss of the Spider Woman that we all did a few years back, who we hadn’t seen in such a long time.  This bump in quickly sprouted the idea of a reunion which I am happy to say was accoplished just last week.  There were a few abscenses, but everyone was thought off. 

What a treat it was though to have my friend Jenny (who we visited in Bloomington) come to New York at the end of July.  Seeing Jenny twice in one month, woohoo!!  With a piece of lost luggage found, a few good meals later, and a viewing of The Color Purple on broadway it was time say good-bye to my dear friend and for me to go back to Indiana.

I went back to Indiana for my grandmother memorial service.  We lost her earlier this year on Feb. 25th, but the family thought it best if everyone take some time after her passing and gather a little later in the year.   So finally we got to say a somber good-bye to a wonderful lady on Aug. 4th.  I put together a memorial video for her and we played it at her service.  The video was of coarse sad and hard to watch, but I think everyone appreciated hearing her voice, and seeing her laugh one more time.  I know I was.