Monday Monday 7.16.2007

Another exciting weekend just passed! I can't say much for the week that preceded it, but the weekend itself was very good.

I spent this weekend in upstate NY where I grew up celebrating my little brothers graduation (and trust me if ever there was a reason to celebrate - this was it). The weekend started when my Aunt and mother picked me up at the airport. Many of my relatives are really only familiar with the two lane roads that wind through the upstate country towns, but on this occasion my mother and aunt had to dig up the courage to pick me up at Albany International Airport. A tough assignment for two country bumpkins, but I just knew they could handle. In fact, they're getting very good at it, but my Aunt Pam was still appauled that you have to pay $5 for a small draft beer at the airport. I guess if you want beer bad enough. . . the price doesn't matter much.

On Friday night, Maggie and I met up with Russ (friend from highschool and college) and a future Harford/Clarkson student that also happens to be Russ' cousin. What did we do you might ask. . .Well we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix of course! If you haven't seen it yet, leave work RIGHT NOW! That good really!

As for the party itself, I got the opportunity to visit with a lot of the family that I now only see a few times a year. Despite the decline in visit frequency, I don't think it ever seems like we've grown all that far apart because we can sit down at a table, partake in a beverage, and just drown out the day with conversation. From where I was sitting, the party looked to be pretty nice!!

To round out our weekend, Maggie and I met up with a few of her friends out in Albany on Sunday. It's always good to see the faces of your friends especially since those visits are (like family) only a few times a year.

As for the week ahead, I'm back in Maryland with dinner plans for tonight with a couple of friends local to the DC area. Fortunately people spread out after school and I can manage to make some visits. As for work, I probably won't be too busy this week as I've come to expect a lot of downtime in my job.
On a final note, Maggie is going skydiving this weekend. . . I thought just riding in an airplane was risky enough. . .she wants to jump out! Wish her luck!

-- Ryan Joy

P.S. Loving all the responses each week, so keep them coming!