Black From Black

It's been almost two weeks since the last posting which is not intentional. There is plenty to ramble on about but an unexpected inconvenience proved to be a major distraction. Then the Olympics provided enough drama and interest (can you say 8 gold medals) for the whole family that I chose to enjoy the events with the family. While you would think a laptop would offer opportunities to tap out a few comments during the frequent lulls, a little visiting Italian mom's constant comments about the device taught me quick to just let it alone. "You know it's not good to have that on your lap too long." "Hey, Connie I think Leo has another girlfirend." "What do you do on this internet?" "Where's Leo, is he on that Internet?" The men's floor excercises are on display now and all the women folk are snoozing. Now is my chance!



Hard to believe that Connie and I were wedded 15 years ago. We were married on Saturday August 8 at First Christian Church in Torrance, California. Every year we review the wedding video and are so grateful that Tony and Lou photgraphed while Brad videotaped the days events. The photos on display are a daily reminder while a tape viewing is a yearly ritual. Each year the people in the video become more a memory than anyone realizes. Yes, those you have passed on are alive only in our thoughts but look at the picture. Who is that couple? Fifteen years does a lot to people.

It’s funny that although Connie and I never fail to observe that joyous series of moments, we do so in a low key manner. Some exceptions worth noting was the renewal of vows on our fifth anniversary which gave us an opportunity to get married in our parish church. We could not marry in a Catholic Church in 1993 because Connie was still married in the eyes of the church. An annulment was in process but did not close on time. For the 9th anniversary Connie surprised me by arranging a get a way week end for us.

This year we had dinner at home that was prepared by my mother who is staying with us until Brian and Rosie’s wedding at the end of September. She prepared chicken cutlets, chicken meatball soup. and homemade manicotti with meatballs. It was a fantastic meal. My Mother-in-Law Viola,Bryan and Rosie, and Marie and Chris joined us but Nicole and Ron were not but Connie made sure that a care package was sent to them.




The day after the feast we spent the morning, Saturday, at the Getty Villa Museum. This is not to be confused with the world renowned faciilty off the 405 freeway. The Getty Villa is the orginal museum which became too small to hold the growing Getty holdings. Once the new landmark became established the old site received a major overhaul. As it is now, the antiquities are housed at the Villa while everything else goes to the big house. Highly recommend a visit to the well manicured grounds off PCH in Malibu.



Once we visited all four gardens and each of the wings housing displayed antiquities, we headed to find a spot outside the grounds to picnic. Finding a picnic table proved more of a challenge than one would have thought. We ended up a long winding road which took us to a hiking trail head but no picnic grounds. On the winding way down Vincent got car sick. Since we hadn't eaten since early morning he gave up some foamy liquid. At that point we headed to a nearby beach.




The beach was pleasantly comfortable considering how sunny it was but the temperatures were rather mild. We ate, napped, took a walk to some large jagged rocks in the distance, and then headed home. But not without some drama. You see, while we were relaxing someone executed a text book smash and grab. The passenger window was smashed to smitherines to get to a wallet that was forgotten in plain view. When Vincent took ill the wallet came out in the expectation that we would need to buy something to clean up the vehicle or get a quick and ready bite. Although we pulled into a quick-stop no purchase was necessary. Unfortunately we were so intent on locating a picnic spot that the wallet stayed out in front. Needless to say the trip home was a total downer as was the early part of the week. At this point all the cards have been replaced, the car repaired but there is an appointment scheduled later this week with the DMV. Would you believe that although we have two cameras and a video camera that were not touched, I made no audio or visual record. No picture to show!

Will close with an interesting happening in the neighborhood. We could not park along one side of the house on the Monday after the break in because of a TV show shoot on the next block. The NBC show Medium shot a scene within a stones throw.




The boys were home and wandered through the area. Evidently they spent all day shooting a few minutes of a scene where the dad is teaching his eldest how to drive. One of the more intersting tidbits is that one homeowner was paid $1500 to allow them to set up a little food stand in their driveway. Another neighbor was paid $1000 for the inconvenience of shooting in front of their home which was in the scene.

Only Joseph and I remain watching the last bit of the floor exercises- oh Vincent is back now, too. Anyway, it is time to sign off.