My opera singer houseguest just left for his plane back to Germany. It's 27 degrees outside, lightly snowing and the sun is just beginning to set. At 4:30 pm the streets are quiet - this is the calm before the storm. In 7 hours the streets will be crowded with honking horns and revellers. My apartment is 21 blocks south of the spot where the big ball drops in Times Square. If you stand outside on my street corner you can see straight up 7th avenue to the theater district and the multitudes of marquees and neon signs. It gives off a glow that defies the darkness. New York City's heartbeat. Our version of Emerald City.
Usually I hunker down in my little Chelsea studio with a good movie and a bottle of champagne, and I'm almost always asleep by the time the excitement begins. but tonight I've been lured into the nightlife by friends and a free ticket to a friend's nightclub.
So before I disapper into the throngs of giddy Manhattanites, I wanted to wish you all the best for a happy, safe and extremely prosperous New Year. When they raise the glasses tonight at midnight, I'll be toasting to all of you.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
I'm about to pack the car and head to Columbia to Carol's for our annual Christmas Brunch. This is the first year in a long time that I won't have to rush through dessert and speed back to Dundalk to do set up for the Christmas Party. Since we had the party earlier this year I'll be relaxing and spending the night with the family watching movies and playing games.
I wanted to thank everyone for coming to the Christmas Party and bringing food, games and entertainment. I think this was one of the best attended Christmas parties ever, and probably the one I was the least prepared for. Usually I have a cheat sheet in front of me that reminds me what we need to cover during the course of the evening. This year I didn't even have time to write one, and because I was nervous and harried some things I wanted to do or say didn't happen:
* I wanted to have a group photo taken - since we haven't had a family reunion in a few years its been a while since we've done any large family photos. Someone remind me to do that next year!
* I wanted to sing Happy Birthday to all those folks whose birthdays are in December and who generally get short shrift because their big day comes during one of the busiest times of the year - so here's a belated Happy Birthday to Bill Pigg, Christine Lambdin, Joan Dotterweich, Maddie Minutelli, and Aaron Stahl.
* I meant to thank the families who brought friends to the party and I wanted to acknowledge those people and say that friends and extended family members are always welcome and encouraged to come to our family's events.
* I wanted to apologize to anyone who I might have offended with my offbeat humor. Some people are comfortable up at the podium in front of large groups of people. I'm not really one of those people. Give me a script or lines to read and I'm ok, but when it comes to speaking off the cuff, my humor kicks in. When I am nervous just about anything can come flying out - and usually does. I hope you all know that anything I say is all said in the spirit of good fun, except for those comments about my sister Carol and the incident about the chocolate fountain and the goat at last year's party. I meant all of that. In fact, I still can't look at a Hershey bar without getting a little queasy.
* Someone put an unusual little Christmas present on my chair when I wasn't looking. The identity of the gift was purposely mysterious, because the present turned out to be a pair of boxer shorts made to look like Santa's clothing. So thanks to whoever gave those to me (I have a sneaking suspicion they came from the direction of West Virginia!) and don't be surprised if they pop up again next year. You've been warned.
* Finally, the singing video took a ridiculous amount of time to edit and put together, so I thought it would be nice to make it available to everyone at anytime, not just last Sunday night. I've posted it here on YouTube where you can go back and see it anytime you want, and I'm also embedding the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XXjiKtDAmo
Have a great Christmas Day, don't eat so much you have to run to the bathroom and puke, and give my best to your family and your family's family.
I wanted to thank everyone for coming to the Christmas Party and bringing food, games and entertainment. I think this was one of the best attended Christmas parties ever, and probably the one I was the least prepared for. Usually I have a cheat sheet in front of me that reminds me what we need to cover during the course of the evening. This year I didn't even have time to write one, and because I was nervous and harried some things I wanted to do or say didn't happen:
* I wanted to have a group photo taken - since we haven't had a family reunion in a few years its been a while since we've done any large family photos. Someone remind me to do that next year!
* I wanted to sing Happy Birthday to all those folks whose birthdays are in December and who generally get short shrift because their big day comes during one of the busiest times of the year - so here's a belated Happy Birthday to Bill Pigg, Christine Lambdin, Joan Dotterweich, Maddie Minutelli, and Aaron Stahl.
* I meant to thank the families who brought friends to the party and I wanted to acknowledge those people and say that friends and extended family members are always welcome and encouraged to come to our family's events.
* I wanted to apologize to anyone who I might have offended with my offbeat humor. Some people are comfortable up at the podium in front of large groups of people. I'm not really one of those people. Give me a script or lines to read and I'm ok, but when it comes to speaking off the cuff, my humor kicks in. When I am nervous just about anything can come flying out - and usually does. I hope you all know that anything I say is all said in the spirit of good fun, except for those comments about my sister Carol and the incident about the chocolate fountain and the goat at last year's party. I meant all of that. In fact, I still can't look at a Hershey bar without getting a little queasy.
* Someone put an unusual little Christmas present on my chair when I wasn't looking. The identity of the gift was purposely mysterious, because the present turned out to be a pair of boxer shorts made to look like Santa's clothing. So thanks to whoever gave those to me (I have a sneaking suspicion they came from the direction of West Virginia!) and don't be surprised if they pop up again next year. You've been warned.
* Finally, the singing video took a ridiculous amount of time to edit and put together, so I thought it would be nice to make it available to everyone at anytime, not just last Sunday night. I've posted it here on YouTube where you can go back and see it anytime you want, and I'm also embedding the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XXjiKtDAmo
Have a great Christmas Day, don't eat so much you have to run to the bathroom and puke, and give my best to your family and your family's family.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Official Balliet Christmas Party Invite
The Christmas Party is back!
A new night, new games, new entertainment, new potatoes!
Come one, come all. Bring your family, bring a friend, bring a finger food or dessert that doesn't require reheating. Everyone is welcome, anyone can take center stage, anyone can join in. Slide shows will be shown (there's still time to email me photos!), videos will be screened, music will be performed, songs will be sung, games will be played, bad jokes will be told.
As usual, if you want to be included in the games or entertainment portion of the evening, let me know asap so I can put you on the roster for the evening. I'm usually up to my nose in technical set-up on the night of the party, so if you can get to me before then that would help me out a lot.
Remember to bring food on plastic or paper plates so there is limited clean up at the end of the night, and no fear that your cherished cake plate gets thrown in the trash.
Questions can be directed to me by email, or to Vete by phone at 410-284-9010
See you there!
===========================================================
The fine print: This offer not available in stores. Management reserves the right to revoke this offer or throw out any family member who heckles me or gets even close to my video equipment. Portions of this party may not be suitable for those with good taste. Side effects may be possible including nausea, headache, stuffy nose, earwax, weak knees, receding hairline, pot belly, bad breath, stained clothing, red hair, and a need to wear Raven's insignia sportswear. Camera and video equipment encouraged. Please do not leave your children in the car. All sales final. Dressing as the New Year's baby is not advisable. No part of this evening is tax deductible. If you suffer from Ballietophobia consult with your doctor before attending this evening, or any party at the Del.
A new night, new games, new entertainment, new potatoes!
Come one, come all. Bring your family, bring a friend, bring a finger food or dessert that doesn't require reheating. Everyone is welcome, anyone can take center stage, anyone can join in. Slide shows will be shown (there's still time to email me photos!), videos will be screened, music will be performed, songs will be sung, games will be played, bad jokes will be told.
As usual, if you want to be included in the games or entertainment portion of the evening, let me know asap so I can put you on the roster for the evening. I'm usually up to my nose in technical set-up on the night of the party, so if you can get to me before then that would help me out a lot.
Remember to bring food on plastic or paper plates so there is limited clean up at the end of the night, and no fear that your cherished cake plate gets thrown in the trash.
Questions can be directed to me by email, or to Vete by phone at 410-284-9010
See you there!
===========================================================
The fine print: This offer not available in stores. Management reserves the right to revoke this offer or throw out any family member who heckles me or gets even close to my video equipment. Portions of this party may not be suitable for those with good taste. Side effects may be possible including nausea, headache, stuffy nose, earwax, weak knees, receding hairline, pot belly, bad breath, stained clothing, red hair, and a need to wear Raven's insignia sportswear. Camera and video equipment encouraged. Please do not leave your children in the car. All sales final. Dressing as the New Year's baby is not advisable. No part of this evening is tax deductible. If you suffer from Ballietophobia consult with your doctor before attending this evening, or any party at the Del.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
You looked mahvelous!
Just wanted to thank everyone who participated in the family video project - you all sounded great and I have forwarded your tapes to an NBC talent scout who should be in touch with you soon.
It turned out to be a dark and stormy day that Sunday but we managed to make 7 stops before the day was over. Deb did the organizing and drove us all over Maryland in the fog and rain and we didn't hit a single pedestrian. Actually, the project ended up taking us a lot longer to do than we anticipated but I think it was well worth it. Thanks to Launie for the gluten-free brownies, and Aunt Carol for the gluten-free pumpkin pie.
I know a lot of you were nervous about being in front of the camera and doing the funky chicken to the theme from Shaft, but I thought you all did a great job. Nevertheless, some of you might feel you said things you weren't happy with and would like to delete. If so, please get back to me, and let me know what you want to erase and I will be happy to strike it from the archive. I want to reiterate that nothing from the questions you answered will be used in the party videos except for your answer to the question, "Do you play a musical instrument" and I might pull some of the laughs, goof ups and "can we do that again?" lines for a gag reel. I would never show anything of a truly personal nature to anyone. Except maybe the New York Times. And only then if they were to pay me a lot of money.
Christmas Party Invite to follow. Stay tuned...
VIDEO OF THE DAY
It turned out to be a dark and stormy day that Sunday but we managed to make 7 stops before the day was over. Deb did the organizing and drove us all over Maryland in the fog and rain and we didn't hit a single pedestrian. Actually, the project ended up taking us a lot longer to do than we anticipated but I think it was well worth it. Thanks to Launie for the gluten-free brownies, and Aunt Carol for the gluten-free pumpkin pie.
I know a lot of you were nervous about being in front of the camera and doing the funky chicken to the theme from Shaft, but I thought you all did a great job. Nevertheless, some of you might feel you said things you weren't happy with and would like to delete. If so, please get back to me, and let me know what you want to erase and I will be happy to strike it from the archive. I want to reiterate that nothing from the questions you answered will be used in the party videos except for your answer to the question, "Do you play a musical instrument" and I might pull some of the laughs, goof ups and "can we do that again?" lines for a gag reel. I would never show anything of a truly personal nature to anyone. Except maybe the New York Times. And only then if they were to pay me a lot of money.
Christmas Party Invite to follow. Stay tuned...
VIDEO OF THE DAY
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Christmas Party Date Change
I've heard the stories. You're up til 4 am Christmas Eve putting together dollhouses and bicycles. You finish wrapping a few hundred packages, finish off a bottle of Scotch and you pass out on the couch while the test pattern plays on the tv set. Your kids are up at 6 am Christmas morning, kicking and screaming, and its non-stop chaos straight through to dinner. Then just when you think you can sit back and relax, its time to drive to Dundalk for the Christmas Party. And for some of you its such a long drive you need to keep your passports in the glove compartment.
So, in an attempt to make it easier for everyone to get to the Christmas party and to have a relaxing time, we're celebrating earlier this year on Sunday, December 21st from 6 - 10 pm.
You'll be getting the usual sarcastic Christmas invite via email soon. If I can find some time to design and write it. Right now, Patrick, my opera singer friend from Germany is snoring on my couch, his suitcases circling my coffee table like a Samsonite stonehenge. My apartment is such a wreck that it looks like the livingroom set from Sanford and Son. I haven't seen the rug in two weeks... I think its still there under all that stuff but there is a chance that it evolved into something with hairy legs and paws and crawled out of the apartment when I wasn't paying attention. I have one sad string of Christmas lights duct-taped around one window and thats about all I've managed to do around here in terms of decorating for the holiday. I'm hoping to get a tree sometime this week, but work is busy now and my sister (Carol) is due to visit this coming weekend. If all goes well I will still find time to buy a tree, slip a disk in my back from carrying it 10 blocks home and up four flights of stairs, and I will hopefully be out of the emergency room and out of a full body cast in time to leave for Baltimore. Of course, by the time I return back to New York my tree will be dead - browner and crispier than anything KFC has to offer. And then I will curse myself for selling my mother's social security number to my dry cleaner's sons so that I could afford to buy this 700 dollar NY Christmas tree even though I am never around to actually experience it. But if nothing else I know the little mice in my apartment really enjoy having a freshly decorated everygreen to chew and pee on. And I feel that if I can make one mouse's Christmas a little brighter than I'm one step closer to making the world a better place for all of God's creatures.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
SEND ME A COMMENT!
Click on the "comments" link below and let me know you've found your way to this site and can get here without burning your computer to a crisp, or pulling all of your hair out one by one. And don't forget to participate in the surveys in the upper right hand corner! Thanks.
So, in an attempt to make it easier for everyone to get to the Christmas party and to have a relaxing time, we're celebrating earlier this year on Sunday, December 21st from 6 - 10 pm.
You'll be getting the usual sarcastic Christmas invite via email soon. If I can find some time to design and write it. Right now, Patrick, my opera singer friend from Germany is snoring on my couch, his suitcases circling my coffee table like a Samsonite stonehenge. My apartment is such a wreck that it looks like the livingroom set from Sanford and Son. I haven't seen the rug in two weeks... I think its still there under all that stuff but there is a chance that it evolved into something with hairy legs and paws and crawled out of the apartment when I wasn't paying attention. I have one sad string of Christmas lights duct-taped around one window and thats about all I've managed to do around here in terms of decorating for the holiday. I'm hoping to get a tree sometime this week, but work is busy now and my sister (Carol) is due to visit this coming weekend. If all goes well I will still find time to buy a tree, slip a disk in my back from carrying it 10 blocks home and up four flights of stairs, and I will hopefully be out of the emergency room and out of a full body cast in time to leave for Baltimore. Of course, by the time I return back to New York my tree will be dead - browner and crispier than anything KFC has to offer. And then I will curse myself for selling my mother's social security number to my dry cleaner's sons so that I could afford to buy this 700 dollar NY Christmas tree even though I am never around to actually experience it. But if nothing else I know the little mice in my apartment really enjoy having a freshly decorated everygreen to chew and pee on. And I feel that if I can make one mouse's Christmas a little brighter than I'm one step closer to making the world a better place for all of God's creatures.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
SEND ME A COMMENT!
Click on the "comments" link below and let me know you've found your way to this site and can get here without burning your computer to a crisp, or pulling all of your hair out one by one. And don't forget to participate in the surveys in the upper right hand corner! Thanks.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to the Balliet Blog. I'll be using this site to communicate with you about the Christmas party, reunions and other events and news pertaining to our families.
From time to time I will add articles, photos and items of interest (hopefully of interest!) so check back now and then and feel free to comment. This is my first attempt at a blog ever so I am sure this site will morph and change as I learn what is possible and get the knack of what I am doing. Right now, I'm flying blind so bear with me.
I'll be changing out the photo banner often, because really, how many times a week can you look at Lynn, Carol and the twins? So send me some shots from your photo collection (ronstoppableny@aol.com) or you'll be stuck looking at photos from my trip to a meat processing plant in Newark, NJ! Please take part in the little surveys on the upper right. And you might want to pay particular attention to the results of each question because theres a good chance those answers will come up again at the Christmas Party.
So bookmark this page. Add some comments. Send me some photos. Send me some gluten-free cookies. And I'll be in touch soon with more information on the 2008 Christmas party. Until then enjoy what little time is left of the holiday season and stay warm!!!!
VIDEO OF THE DAY
From time to time I will add articles, photos and items of interest (hopefully of interest!) so check back now and then and feel free to comment. This is my first attempt at a blog ever so I am sure this site will morph and change as I learn what is possible and get the knack of what I am doing. Right now, I'm flying blind so bear with me.
I'll be changing out the photo banner often, because really, how many times a week can you look at Lynn, Carol and the twins? So send me some shots from your photo collection (ronstoppableny@aol.com) or you'll be stuck looking at photos from my trip to a meat processing plant in Newark, NJ! Please take part in the little surveys on the upper right. And you might want to pay particular attention to the results of each question because theres a good chance those answers will come up again at the Christmas Party.
So bookmark this page. Add some comments. Send me some photos. Send me some gluten-free cookies. And I'll be in touch soon with more information on the 2008 Christmas party. Until then enjoy what little time is left of the holiday season and stay warm!!!!
VIDEO OF THE DAY
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