Monday Monday 10.29.2008

Good Wednesday Morning Everyone,

I'm sorry for the delay in communication, but I thought that you might be all Monday Monday'd out with the first ever 3 Part Series. The past few weeks have been busy both here in Annapolis and at home.

JDRF
Before I get started with this week's email, I would like to ask for your support as Maggie and I join some other members of her family in Long Island this Saturday for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. Maggie and I have participated in this walk for the past three years because it has special meaning to us. Maddie is Maggie's niece and she has Juvenile Diabetes. I've listed two links below: the first is Our Donation Page where you can make a donation of any size, read a letter from Maggie, and of course navigate through the JDRF website to learn about Diabetes. The second is a link to Stephanie's Page where you can read about Maddie and learn why this walk is so important to us. Remember any and all donations of any size are appreciated!

Our Donation Page Stephanie's Page

NASCAR WeekendA few weeks ago, some of my friends and family joined together for our annual trip to the Bank of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. For anyone on this list that might be an aspiring NASCAR historian, please note that this is about 5 minutes from where Dale Earnhardt (both Junior and the Old Man) grew up (that town is called Kannapolis - like where I work with a K in front of it). In any event, our group totaled 13 people that included seven people from my family (9 if you include Maggie and I) and 9 people currently residing in the State of New York.

It was good catching up with the family, showing off House #1 in SC, and making another sorry attempt at bowling. Small tidbit on bowling: I think bowling is one of those sports/games that I could get good at, but who wants to be the obnoxiously good bowler in the group? Doesn't everyone have more fun when everyone is terrible at it? I'm awaiting the big family photo that we took with my cousin's brand new camera (purchased just hours before the race), but I've yet to see that hit my inbox (Jen - perhaps you could help expedite this process by exercising some influence over your brother).

Renaissance Festival and Scarowinds Weekend
They called me "Lord" when ordering food, entering the festival, or passing by. I would characterize the Carolina Renaissance Festival as a Giant Themed Craft Fair with some interesting shows around the perimeter. I'm amazed by the fact that this event doesn't simply take over the local fair grounds or some random person's farmland. In actuality, the ground that the Renaissance Festival takes place on is used for the sole purpose of the Renaissance Festival. The whole area is complete with permanent buildings and full arenas for jousting and shows.

Scarowinds is the Halloween Version of the Carrowinds Amusement Park that sits on the border of North and South Carolina. The park is open from 6PM - 12PM and has a bunch of haunted house style attractions to augment the normal Roller Coaster attractions. Although crowded, we had a great time and if nothing else, we bought the souvenir cup (souvenir glassware is becoming something of an obsession for me).

Clarkson Homecoming Weekend
Maggie and I took the weekend and went North to the Frozen Tundra that is Potsdam, NY. It was great catching up with some friends, watching some Division 1 Hockey, and begin the wedding plans. Our hope is to be married in Potsdam and have the reception on campus. Early projections have been narrowed to early August 2010 or late May 2010. Either way . . .. the campus should be gorgeous and hopefully not under construction.


So there is the very brief summary of the past three weekends. Hope Everyone has a great Week!

Ryan