take 2 ...

what a difference a year makes ...
check out these images from what was
technically my first christmas
at the mt. nittany medical center

from what i hear
it was a very special celebration
for mom and dad
but i did not get to open a single gift



fast forward to this year ...
not only did i get to tear into some wrapping paper
but i got a santa hat and my own stocking

mom, aunt beth and i waiting for the signal
to run downstairs and inspect santa's bounty

so many gift bags
and one birthday balloon

the difference three letters make ...

oon ... a suffix occurring in words
borrowed from french
and other romance languages

origin: as an English formative [e.g., in spittoon]
extracted from words of various origins
[buffoon, lagoon, etc.] but repr. chiefly
F -on in words stressed on the final syllable

ok ... it does not sound too exciting
when you see it described that way
but add it to the end of "ball"
and you get ...
the greatest party ever !











thank you very much
auntie beth, uncle josh & auntie julie
extra special thanks to
grandpa tom and grammy jan
and everyone involved with developing BoPET

you get the best party ever

keep it safe ...

i did not set out to be a role model
but i understand that when you are this good looking
and you place yourself in the public sphere
these responsibilities find you

you might have heard the stories
about me leaving a holiday party
covered in my own vomit
i will neither confirm nor deny this event

i simply encourage you to play it safe
when you ring in the holiday cheer
know your limits, have a designated driver
and i should not have to say this but ...
make sure your beads match your shirt

fun on a budget ...

the holidays are here
and let me tell you ...
this season can be tough when
you don't have two nickels to rub together
our region's lack of snow
and my inability to shovel it
have really silenced the jingle in my jeans

but i am here to tell you that
one can still have a ball on a budget
maybe not a ricky stanzi autographed ball
but you know what i mean
sometimes the biggest joys spring from
the most meager financial investments

that being said ...
i sure hope that santa brings you
everything that you asked for

and a note to ma & pa ...
enjoy this attitude while it lasts
next year i am going to want more
i am talking balance bike, ipad, et cetera

yes ... that is a tub of uncooked pasta
don't knock it until you try it
and please save the "starving child in africa" trip
we plan to eat this stuff
just as soon as i am done having fun with it

i don't see it ...

i am not sure what dad is talking about
i don't see any similarities between these photos ...

come on people ...

give me a smile
after all ...
the weekend is almost here

strollin' ...

i have to tell you ...
this standing and walking
and drinking from straws
really fits my active lifestyle

that's right ... i said active
and i have the pants to back it up

child-proof, shmild-proof ...

it was just a matter of time
before i figured out how to
defeat my monkey straps



and speaking of figuring things out
while mom may not agree ...
i think it is much easier to find deals
with the sale ads spread out as below

it's on now ...

continuing with the uncle mike theme ...
please do enjoy the following video
all filming and editing credits go to him
methinks he might have a career in films
if this whole astrophysicist thing doesn't pan out

happy birthday unk ...

regular visitors to these pages
are well aware of my fondness for uncle mike
i mean really ... what's not to like ?

you might not be aware that today is mike's birthday
396 months ... that must be one heck of a crown !

to honor the occasion i offer you
the following image of me with the man ...




what is that you say ?
you want more ?
it is hard to blame you
we are two handsome dudes
so here you go ... since you said "please"



this image is from our late-november hike
at shingletown gap
if you have not been ... i highly recommend it