Dear Blog

yet another 2 months have passed since my last writing? terribly tragic! work has been very hectic. Philadelphia hosted the national RIMS conference this year (April), bossman agreed to host the Northeast Regional Sales Mtg in Philly - since no plans had been made in Balto / DC (May) and several proposals have kept me very busy. I did manage to take a few days off and have some fun. I spent my first w/e @ Kirkridge Retreat Center in the mountains for the annual “Earthcare” weekend. The group raked leaves, cleared hiking trails and spent some much needed quality time in nature. I was able to reconnect with 3 folks from the Guatemala pilgrimage (Valerie Brown, Frank Toia, and Illona Lind) and meet several newcomers. Another w/e was spent in DC for Dan & Jenny’s wedding which was beautifully simple and elegant. jenny’s gown & tiara, the bridesmaids & their dresses, the groomsmen & their suits, the FLOWERS (oi vey!), the church, the reception, the rehearsal dinner, the guests, both families, were all simply beautiful. It was also Simba’s first hotel stay. Overall, she did very well. I had the pleasure of viewing the Dali exhibit at the art museum (its only American tour destination) and purchased my first piece of “real” art via the Mural Arts Program’s Prison Outreach program. The painting, entitled “Thoughts of Man” was painted by George Newcomer, an inmate at Greaterford Prison. It depicts a suicide and the thoughts surrounding his actions. While the subject matter itself is dark, the painting doesn’t feel morbid (to me) as bright colors are used and the sky above conveys a very peaceful and serene feeling. The picture was hanging on exhibit at the White Dog Café where I dined with Steve before a ballet performance at the Annenberg. Steve also took me to visit granny & then to LBI for this season’s first LobsterFest. It was as good as anticipated. A wedding shower (Matt & Nicola) and baby shower (Lisa Glaser) also passed with plans for another (Lea Yeager) this weekend.