Catching up

I am spending this weekend catching up on the more mundane, but necessary, chores that need to be done to keep us moving at the pace we've been setting. The last few weeks and months have been hectic. Between shooting on "Polaris" in Maryland, The Phase II episode "Origins" in Ticonderoga NY, "Sci-Fi Science" in Manhattan, going to our son's wedding in Buffalo and all our regularly scheduled madness Gina and I both need to regroup and put things in order around here.On the plus side, all of that stuff has been going really well. Gina's acting career seems to  be on track and moving into the next level. My episodes on Sci - Fi Science start airing September 1. Although I shot for all the episodes this coming season don't expect to see me in every one, but you should be able to catch me in a few at least.
Speaking of that the final two episodes will be shot August 6th. If anyone wants to dress up and join my away team let me know. This is the last chance for this season and if you can make it you will get to meet the venerable Dr. Kaku. They shoot at about 2:00PM at Capsule Studios in NYC.
I'm making real progress on my personal "Ripped in 2010" initiative to get in even better shape. Between careful dieting, the trips to the gym and swimming three times a day I'm making some real progress. I've been too busy to get in enough running and sword work but even so I'm stretching and keeping limber while steadily increasing definition so it's all good.
Here are some pictures from or recent adventures.

More than a mere status update

Gina and I did indeed talk last night. We also cried, screamed, argued, accused, denied, walked away, came back and tried again and so on.

We are both really hurt and angry and the issues between us are complex and easily misunderstood. As is often the case in such situations between people who care about each other, but who end up here, we are both right and we are both wrong.

On the other hand a few days in Hell can sober the mind and dissipate the anger as few things can and when two people care enough to try and remain respectful to one another despite their pain communication is at least possible. Even if solutions seem out of reach.

The one thing that has been strange throughout this was going through all of this in such a public way. First at the Farpoint Convention and secondly on line through Facebook and so on. This has been both very difficult and embarrassing to us and yet, at the same time, the source of great support and compassion. For those of you who have known us for any length of time you know this is not how we usually conduct our private business and it’s been very painful for both of us.

I want to apologize first and foremost to our children who through no fault of their own have had to endure the emotional brunt of this. I want to apologize to all our friends and other family members for putting them trough this as well. I especially want send a special apology and thank you to Dawn, Dennis, Jo, Paul, Steve and to my friend Pete for being there for both of us.

I am so sorry for all of this. Please believe this and try to find the grace to forgive me.

In the end Gina and I have decided to try and reconcile.
We have both apologized to each other and agreed to redouble our efforts to work things out.
We’re taking it slowly, but we both want to try and that’s something.

To that end, last night, we each placed our wedding bands back on each other’s hands.

Big News!!

We are getting on the road again headed from Sarasota, FL to Jacksonville, NC. to see the grandkids. Also have just found out that we are expecting. Our first together!!! Turns out we'll be picking up as many baby things as we drop off.
April Fools!
Come on guys, I won't even let her get another DOG. Any more kids are right out. 

A Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas, and the holidays in general, were a little lighter than usual this year. Not only because of the economy but also because of time and health constraints. Lot's cards, email, smaller gifts and gift cards. Huzzah for gift cards!!

We spent this Christmas eve with Nick, Holly, Jess and Ricky over at Nick's place. Holly made a very nice dinner and put out a large spread of food and goodies that kept us snacking and sipping all night. It was wonderful. We watched some very funny stuff Nick had and the old staple of the season "A Christmas Story" during it's annual 24 hour run. Everyone exchanged gifts and talked and joked and laughed the whole time. It was wonderful for me in particular because for the first time in too many years I had nothing to do but relax and enjoy. Nick and Holly clearly went to a lot of trouble and it was complete and wonderful in every detail. Eventually Gina was worn out so I brought her home and put her to bed.
Christmas morning, for the first time in more than two decades, Gina and I slept in.
Words cannot easily express how marvelous this simple luxury seemed to me.
We got up around 9:30 and exchanged gifts with each other and had a little something to eat. She's still not feeling too great so I called and canceled my usual plans to visit my sister and her family today and we plan to spend the rest of Christmas day just relaxing.

If this all sounds boring or mundane, that is precisely the point.
For me, this is almost exactly and entirely what I wanted for Christmas this year.
Sure, we miss Trystan and other distant family members. Especially we miss Talia and Nicholas (her Husband) and the grandkids all being so far away. However we sent them some very nice gift cards, some other stuff and spoke to them on the phone. They are all having a grand time, as little children always seem to do this time of year and everyone seems healthy. To ask for more than that seems too much.

Now if we could only get Gina feeling a little better my Christmas would truly be complete.

A little good news

There are few things as wondrous, as reassuring, as reaffirming of a positive sense of life, as the simple, safe birth of a healthy child to loving parents.

Emily Rose Gulizia
Born 3:26am 6 lbs, 12 oz
20" long

We wish her health, long life and all the best in all things.

I feel terrible . . .

Well the head cold I’ve been fighting off for the past few weeks has finally taken hold. I spent the whole day drifting in and out of consciousness. This is really bad. I missed work! I never miss work; I mean I can work remotely for crying out loud. Also with Gina not feeling well either, things are just a general wreck around here. On the plus side Jess stopped by today and spent some time with me, that was nice. Man, I hope I can shake this thing before the holidays.

General Update

We are setting course for the MD Renaissance Fair this coming Sunday, for the final day of the fair, and the infamous 'day of wrong'. The weather looks to be clear but cool so, if you're planning to join us, dress warm and wrong.

Meanwhile, here is picture of our granddaughter being cute.

PA Renaissance Festival

We spent the whole weekend at the PA fair this past weekend. Jess and Ricky joined us for Saturday. Gina and I got a room at a local Hotel and stayed for both days.  We picked up some new costume pieces and much needed supplies for the rest of the year. Here are a couple of shots in no particular order.

Gina looking quite the sexy pirate.

Here is my new friend Alisa of the Silk Road Gypsies who tells me she has no formal training.
If you ever see them play, you will understand my confusion on this point.

First some drinking and then some pillaging with the crew of The Intruder.

Don't ask.

Forwarding a message for Bob Greenberger

A Boogie Knights Charity Event

The Boogie Knights, in conjunction with the Musical Artists Theatre, will be giving a rare charity concert, proceeds of which will go, in memory of our squire Robbie Greenberger, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer 

Here are the details:

WHEN: 8PM Saturday 8 November, 2008

WHERE:
Riverside Stage - located in the basement of 
Salem Lutheran Church 
1530 Battery Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230-4615

ADMISSION: $10

Where else can you find a full evening of Boogie Knights live performance for less than the cost of a CD --and-- have it benefit charity as well?

Happy Birthday Jessica!!!

First of all, today is Jessica's Birthday and we wish her a great day and many, many more.

Second, we are back. It was great to see the baby and everyone seems happy and healthy down in NC. We helped out a where we could and Gina spent a lot of time just holding the baby. On the other hand it's good to be home and there is a lot to do before we jump back into the grind tomorrow.

Thank goodness for the holiday today.

A few more pictures

The "little miss" herself.

Meeting Grandpa. Hi there!

Gina and her newest grandchild

There has been no consoling Gina about not being able to be with Talia this time around but here, finally together, all is right.

It's a Girl!!!

Talia just gave birth to our newest grandchild;
Airionna Marie Lawlor.
Mother and child are fine.
Details and many, many pictures to follow.

Meanwhile;
Thursday night is canceled. (Sorry guys!)
Gina and I are heading down to NC tomorrow night and will be down there for a few days.

Update: Baby Stats:
Weight: 6lbs 10 oz
Height: 19.75"

More pix

Here are two more I meant to post earlier from our NY trip:

The New York Renaissance Faire Aug. 3, 2008

Two brave little Princes
Took a trip to the Faire
With Wizards, Dragons, Knights and Elves
And many other wonders, most rare

This just in from Tim . . .

"Hi All,
My new book, I'M LOOKING FOR A MONSTER! is released by Random House today, July 8th. It should be available at most local bookstores, as well as from online booksellers worldwide. Check out my book website below for more information, links to sellers and fun stuff. There's even a drawing for an original sculpture. Tell your friends and let me know what you think."

Timothy Young
Creatures & Characters LLC
http://www.creaturesandcharacters.com

Just Released from Random House:
I'M LOOKING FOR A MONSTER!
http://www.ImLookingForAMonster.com

Happy Birthday NICK!!!!

Today marks the twenty first birthday of our youngest, Nicholas.
Your mother and I are very proud of you.

And now a little retrospective.


Gotta catch'em all!!!


Fast, but not fast enough. The famous haircut.


Welcome to Sherwood!!!



Happy Birthday, and many, many more!!!!

Champagne and Yard Work

Good news! Gina and I have the house back to ourselves. Talia and the kids (and almost all of their stuff) are all safely relocated to their new house in NC. We celebrated with Champagne and by doing a lot of yard, house and pool work. Things are coming along nicely and we are really enjoying our rediscovered privacy. Don't get me wrong, we love the kids and the grandkids, but it's a real pleasure to put something down and come back later and find it . . . exactly where you left it.
We are cleaning out and fixing up two rooms to use as guest rooms and making some big plans. As usual our plans are bigger than our budget, but we're getting by.
As a result of all this, for the moment at least, no one else is moving in.
Also, new rule, if your coming over you probably want to call about twenty minutes beforehand. Very probably!

Meanwhile, as we clean up and redesign our living space, I'm looking forward to reinventing myself a little. I have several projects that I have started, and want to finish, or at least work on a little more.
There is just not enough time to do everything I want to do . . . but I'm looking forward to trying.

Updates

Gina is now a member of AFTRA, as well as SAG, and has been working steadily.
Which is good but it makes things ever more hectic around here.

Talia and the kids are moving to their new place in NC any moment.

Work has been brutal.

I'm worried about a close friend.

I'm really glad Obama is winning and really disappointed that Hillary can't figure out that it's OVER!
It's over Hillary!
There's being a fighter, and sticking it out, and going the distance . . . and then there's just being a braying jackass.
She's like a the Black Night in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".

What was that sound?

That loud, but unidentifiable thump somewhere in the distance. That was the sound of the Universe taking a personal interest in crushing me. I'm not sure what I did, but clearly the powers that may or may not be, have decided that I was in need of some sort of cosmic (or is it karmic) correction. So, here I am walking along minding my own business when suddenly my life decides to implode. Maybe I had too good a time at Farpoint, maybe I cut off someone important in traffic without realizing it, maybe it's just the random luck of the draw and my number came up, who knows?
What I do know is that in these times of crisis, I can always rely on those around me to pull together, roll up their sleeves and do what's needed. Never a cross word or a moment wasted on laying the blame. Just good, strong folks looking to do whatever they need to do to make things right again.

It's a comfort in these times of crisis . . . in my imagination.