Don, Version 2.0

I don't want to jinx myself ... but things have been going incredibly well for my wife and I for the past three months or so.

I landed a second client, and with it comes a decent increase in income. Good enough that Patti is able to leave her frustrating job as a pastry chef and either: Stay home for the summer and cook and garden, or; get a more rewarding pastry chef job where she can make wedding cakes.

We landed a new mortgage at a lower rate and are saving money there, too.

The pool is open ... we had a great weekend of gardening ... and I'm back on the bike every morning.

Things are going well. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

All The Best,

-- Don

Patti and I treated The Krichten to dinner at The Left Bank in York.

Arrived at 6 pm for a 7:45 dinner. A few adult beverages, some cigars (Opus X for me) and great conversation spelled the 105 minutes until we were seated. It's always a visual treat to be at The Left Bank -- guys, you follow me??

*smile*

Dinner was fantastic. Shared a small bottle of Pino Grigio. I had the jerk pork, Patti some fish (halibut?) stuffed with lump blue crab meat, and Joe some shrimp. It was all just perfect.

My physician was seated at another table, and I sent a bottle of champagne over with a note, "To Barry, Thank You, from Don". He appreciated that. The guy has saved my life; it was the least I could do.

(That's not hyperbole. Had he not diagnosed and treated my severe depression back in 1998, I wouldn't be here.)

Afterwards, I wanted a tiny, tiny bit of something sweet for dessert -- just enough for a taste. Our server was kind enough to get a very small scoop of ice cream and cover …

The Boston Red Sox prefixed their home opener today with a ceremony where they received their long-awaited World Series rings.

Congrats to the Red Sox, who after 86 years finally won the Big One. Even though I'm a Yankee fan, I'm happy for the Sox, and especially their fans. It's been long overdue. I only wish they would have defeated the Reds in '75.

But as the Red Sox were receiving their rings, what did the Yankees do?

They stood at the top of the visiting team dugout and applauded.

Class. Pure class. Typical of the New York Yankees.

2005 ... New York Yankees Championship number 27!!!

All The Best,

-- Don

How do I know? I opened our pool on Sunday.

The water was mostly clear, about 54 degrees. The bottom was covered with soot, but I was able to vacuum it up. Some shock and some clarity stuff and by Wednesday it'll be crystal clear.

In keeping with my tradition of swimming on opening day and closing day, I jumped in. Cold is an understatement. So cold, my feet hurt after just four or five seconds. I dipped under the water and climbed out.

WOW ... it was so cold!

But the pool is open, which means summer can't be far away!

All The Best,

-- Don

I made homemade Caesar Salad on Monday night. My wife gave me the instruction for making the homemade dressing.

How'd it turn out?

Let's just say that I now know how to make some incredible Caesar Salad dressing! Awesome!

All The Best,

-- Don

I love using Remote Desktop.

I just disconnected from a server. I'm now going to drive home and finish the work from my office there.

God I love technology.

All The Best,

-- Don

I'm not Catholic. I could argue at length with the church's theology.

But think about this: John Paul II forgave the guy that tried to kill him.

Wow. Think about that. Could you do that?

Amazing.

The guy was very instrumental in the fall of Communism. He was very conservative. He stopped Liberation Theology in the late 1970's. He spoke against the excesses of capitalism run amuck. He brought peace to the Catholic church and their relationship to Jews and Muslims.

The guy was a spiritual stud.

All The Best,

-- Don

(This post was updated on April 2)

At last!

Perhaps, just perhaps, after years of waiting, things will start going my way.

Resolved to the daily struggle, I never expected this turn of good fortune.

I won the lottery!

Last night!

Five hundred thousand dollars ... can you believe it???

Of course, the government will take a bite, but I don't care.

Obviously, I'm going to Disneyland!

Lest you think otherwise, this won't affect me one bit.

Show me the money!



-------------------------------------
Okay ... it's now April 2 ... let me break it down for ya:

At last!
Perhaps, just perhaps, after years of waiting, things will start going my way.
Resolved to the daily struggle, I never expected this turn of good fortune.
I won the lottery!
Last night!

Five hundred thousand dollars ... can you believe it???
Of course, the government will take a bite, but I don't care.
Obviously, I'm going to Disneyland!
Lest you think otherwise, this won't affect me one bit.
Show me the money!


Don't ha…