MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

A few weeks ago Julia and I had the daunting task of subjecting ourselves to a tasting for our upcoming wedding menu. We were instructed to listen and eat while our planners Sharon and Ronnie went to battle on types of salad signature drinks etc.

Surprisingly this was very easy. The staff came to the table and asked me if I wanted a drink. I

flirted with a scotch but quickly steered away and immersed myself in a Stella. Actually more like three.

I can't figure out why it was a tasting menu because we ended up being served four or five entrees. I can't really get into details as not to spoil the fun but lets just say by the 3rd dessert

helping I couldn't move from the table. Among the victories that day was my choice of wedding cake. Again there will be no spoilers here but on a whim I suggested a particularly odd combo. Ronnie said it was one of the best cakes he's ever

eaten. This is a man who does not dispense with c compliments readily so if anything I knew I hit a bulls eye. I'm sure Sharon wasn't thrilled with the fact that we

took the salads with us but the fact is it made for a nice snack later that night.

So three pounds later we made our way to another restaurant for rehearsal dinner entrees. This time margaritas washed everything down and Julia was kind enough to drive back to LA. All and all a very fun filled trip. 7 weeks and counting

people.

Save The Date Inspiration

As is the case in marriage compromise becomes a hugefactor in most decisions. Strangely

enough the "Save The Date" came rather easily. Now I

have to admit I don't even understand the value in a "Save

The Date" I simply can't grasp it. My mother in law (nine

weeks from now) will be disappointed in me for this statement

but honesty is my strong suit and keeping some things better

left unsaid .... well.... is not. Sharon (mother in law) has a strange

obsession with invitations from the calligraphy to the stamps. This

is a good thing because I would just post the Wedding date on my

Facebook wall the week before and wonder why I was sick from eating

two tiers of cake by myself. No, I'm learning there is a certain etiquette

when dealing with the stationery world. So I've sat quietly, twiddled my

thumbs and listened to countless discussions involving faux pearl or fuschia

letterhead getting passed back and forth like a Borg/Mcenroe Wimbledon final.

However,with the "Save The Date" I wanted some identity. Getting my identity

in the pre- wedding festivities has been tricky. I wanted Teen Wolf for cocktail hour.

This was shot down before I even started. He has a white tux so attire wouldn't have

been an issue. Jesus wasn't allowed either but that's a whole other ball of wax. It's

tough I get it my ideas might be a bit questionable to some I understand this.

Julia loves the beach. It's the reason were getting married In SB in the first

place so it was no surprise she wanted this reflected in the Save The Date. Every

time she nears an Ocean she lights up An amazing feat she possesses as Julia is

the most effervescent soul I know. She has great memories seaside with the

exception of my surfing mishap. From her trips with her maid of honor Rachel

in Mexico to yacht excursions with her grandmother on the Riviera. She's had

a blessed life. She should blog about it........ HINT. Anyway so a beach motif was

absolute and then it was my turn. I am a Springsteen fan. Most of us from Jersey

are. I used to pass my time in study hall singing the entire Born To Run lp in my

head to kill time. Sadly in hindsight I should of ....... studied. I assure you a degree

in Bruce doesn't help you very well in the job market. Now with this being said I those

love other artists more. Billy Joel for example and he's from New York!! Still as a

songwriter few can romanticize backstreets, young love, and adventure

better than the boss. Until the local cops cherry tops rip this holy night. Are you

kidding me?? Sit and listen to Meeting Across The River. Mercy. Ok so I'm

rambling. Anyway, Born To Run wasn't going to work with beachfront ideas but

Greetings from Asbury Park nailed it. My dear talented friend Elvis Greene went

into photoshop and replicated the album cover to the letter. He even snuck Julia

and I inside one of the letters. He's amazing. Speaking of talented.... Clarence the

Big Man Clemons made his way into our joyous celebration as well. I had the

pleasure of meeting him and he even signed my "Born To Run" lp with the words

Love Lives. They are good words to start your day with. We look forward to

seeing everyone soon. I assure love will be living 9/10/11....... BIG TIME!!!

The Best Man

A couple of weeks ago I met up with my best friend to go hit some golf balls and relax in Phoenix Az. I actually felt like I was going to give him a good run for his money this time. My golf game had improved and after watching him on the driving range I felt I had the upper hand. On his first drive he didn't even make the ladies tee and the fun began. What followed was about 4 holes of my button pushing and all out competitiveness. By the 12th hole I had gone into a tailspin and swore I'd never play at the Wigwam again and my dear friend quietly added up the scorecard and just smiled at me. He didn't have to say a word.

Anyone who knows me realizes I'm a force of nature. My big mouth and obnoxious behavior have been a part of my persona straight out of the womb. I am loud, relentless, and love to entertain myself in anyway possible usually at the expense of some unsuspecting person. I'm not a bad person I'm just not good at conforming. I need excitement even in the dullest of situations. I joke that when I'm older there will be no stopping me. I'll yell at pigeons using derogatory slurs probably wielding a cucumber or feces along the way........ See what I mean.

Mike has been putting up with this for 35 years people. Yes I said it correctly 35 years!!

Legend has it that this all started back in kindergarten. I basically asked Michael if he wanted to play with my superhero collection (which I wish I had kept) at his house after school.Upon leaving that day my mom and I discovered a missing Green Goblin boot. My mom came to the conclusion that I had lost it and tough toodles on me but I went on the offensive and swore Michael was the culprit and that he should be brought to justice. After kind interrogation from my mother to his it was decided that It was just lost. I swore he took it and wasn't very kind. Mike insisted he didn't take it and I walked home crying like a wounded soldier. I felt betrayed, alone and angry. Who am I kidding I was five!!! I just wanted my Green Goblin boot back!!

Geography wasn't a friend to our friendship. In our 14 block town, (Mike'sFamily) were on the far end of the world. Block 14 to be precise. My family lived on block 3. Thinking back now that alone is a testament to our friendship. 11 blocks on a Big Wheel or Green Machine isn't easy. We did it everyday. Ohh yes the Green Goblin boot........

Crying all the way home with mom I always used to climb this one hill by the house at the end of my block and roll down it. I'm sure the homeowner was thrilled. Anyway, sobbing and heartbroken I glanced at the hill I always had conquered knowing under the circumstances I wasn't going to do so. Wait a minute!!! Are you kidding me?? My Green Goblin boot was there on the grass I swear. Now I'm not going to get weird but this boot was about 3 inches long and it was dark and I found it. Unbelievable!! Victory!! Not quite. My mother quickly turned me around and we headed right back to apologize. Mike and his mom were gracious and a friendship was forged.

I could write a novel with stories of lore that would make War & Peace look like well

War & Peace. I decided just to grab a few of the old pics to do the justice. It's funny I have a million of them with Mike and I side by side. It got so bad that by high school most of our friends always joked we were gay (not that there is anything wrong with that!!) The truth

is we were connected at the hip and even though we are 3000 miles away and I see him about once a year we are still connected.

It's hard not to well up a bit reflecting on how blessed I've been in the friend department. still even with the advent of Facebook I am still guilty of not checking in as I should. Michael is not even on Facebook. Yet he will always hold a special place in my heart until I'm no longer. He has been loyal.He has instilled in me values that I use hourly and most importantly provides me an anchor whenever my ship starts to drift. I joked with him the other day. We've always related life to skiing. I looked at him and said "well were off the lift now buddy another 40 or 50 years and this will be over". He looked at me and laughed. "Going downhill is the fun part! the question my friend is how are you going to ski it"

The truth is with people like Michael William Feltman it's been one hell of a run. To my compadre and dearest trailblazer. You are A Best Man indeed.

To golf or not to golf

In the next week or so e-mails will be sent out with the opportunity to swing the sticks in Santa Barbara. My soon to be father in law who happens to also be an avid golfer is organizing a few fun outings. In fact knowing his style he will probably be on the 16th hole an hour before the wedding. Be that as it may I wanted to just address a few possible concerns.

First off, many of my fellow golfers know what a pain in the rear end it is to lug your clubs anywhere let alone the other side of the country. I have offered to lend my clubs and some local friends for this reason but as any golfer will tell you using someone else's club to the serious golfer is not an option. As much as I agree with this philosophy I insist if you are golfing renting is the way to go. While I doubt you'll get Taylor Made Bubble drivers and Ping irons for rental. In Santa Barbara you won't be getting my Mizuno's either.

The other big concern (and it's a doozy) is the fact that many of you are coming as the loving couples you are to enjoy a wonderful weekend together. As a new member to exercising compassion to my partners feelings as well as my own I can understand how she might not be thrilled if I take a 6 hour sabbatical to the links without her. To this gentleman I have one simple solution. Spa.

Simply take a few steps in this direction and boys you will be home free. Keep In mind it can't be an hour massage and pedicure. You will need a day package in order to pull this off correctly. By giving her the option of spending the day pampering herself beachfront I can almost guarantee an enjoyable golf outing. Speaking of options... I also offer to let Julia come ride in the cart with me if she really would like to go. This is a gamble because it can be awkward to be the only guy in the group with your other half riding with you looking for bunny rabbits and needing to go to the bathroom every 4 holes but 99% she doesn't take you up on it and later you can say....... Hey, I asked if you wanted to go with me??

So, in summary. If you must bring your clubs fine. I am confident that through rental you will have a much easier enjoyable weekend. Secondly, Spa day. This ironically relieves the stress of your partner as well as you as you attack the links. With whatever you decide we can't wait to see you out there.

wheels are moving

So as we get closer things are starting to take shape. Venue check. Tux's check. Band check. It amazes me that we are just a season away. I've encouraged my friends and family to start booking rooms. I figure if they can let go of those tax returns the hit won't be to severe. Julia is beginning her shower tour in early April. I say tour because like an upcoming music artist she has 3 stops in various cities to be fawned over by her lady friends and receiving lingerie. I of course am in full support of this process. The sunny beautiful day before me has proven too stunning so I leave this post abruptly. Continued blessings everyone.

Ice & Nights

So.... I was told by a few friends that the year you get married for some reason becomes one of your most problematic. Sharon (wedding planner & mom) is snowed in Atlanta as I write this. Atlanta!! If that weren't enough I begin a few weeks of night shooting that will keep me exhausted and grumpy. It's peculiar how challenging it already has become.

Thankfully, Julia has been a rock. It's been a real thrill watching her take the reins on this thing. I have been thoroughly impressed. I think of that Tom Petty song "Here Comes My Girl" man when I got that little girl by my side I could tell the whole world.......shout it. She rocks.

Bring it on 2011 were ready............. together.

Love is in the Air in 2011

With the new year (and impending visit from my future mother in law) I have decided to be a little more assertive yet simple with my blog entries. It seems our nuptials are infectious not one but two of our favorite couples were engaged over the weekend. Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Diautolo and Mr. and Mrs. Fieland will soon join us on the wedded highway. Perry proposed to Alyson in the windy city on New Years Eve and Eric decided to use a tree swing in Fiji to ask Heather to be his wife. We are thrilled.

As for us Julia and I have a crazy week ahead. Our wedding planner will land Wednesday and I'm sure it's going to get interesting. Happy New Year everyone. We'll keep you posted.