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in the third millennium

november 10

coventry, rhode island

Another busy summer has past, too busy to update the web site anyway! We're all doing fine here. James is attending the first grade at Fr. John V. Doyle school (associated with our church), and Nicholas has started nursery school three times a week at Greenwich Village (James's alma mater). Both boys love school and are doing very well.

may 19

coventry, rhode island

So much has happened since January, if I try to recount it all, I shall never catch up. Some highlights:

• Mom drives up to rescue me from Disney. (She takes the boys around Disney while I stay at the hotel and work.) Suzie has to return to Rhode Island, but the boys and I return to Old Marsh with Mom for a few more days.
• After returning home, I went to New York for National Retail Federation annual conference — better known as “Old Home Week” among my peers.
• Suzie and I spent the tail end of ski season at the Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire.
• Suzie is traveling frequently these days, flying among radio stations are far flung as Peoria, Illinois and the South Hampton, Long Island.
• In April, another trade show for me. This time, Chicago.
• The boys and I return to Palm Beach for a couple of weeks over Easter. Unfortunately, Suzie is unable to join us. (I guess somebody has to be responsible.)
• May Day! May Day! On May 1, my nephew, Christopher Flynn is confirmed, and I am honored to be his sponsor. Despite my weather forecasts, lightning does not strike the steeple during the ceremony.

In summary, Suzie, the boys, and I are doing fine. Spring has finally dawned in New England. Our Azaleas have exploded into bloom, and the Wisteria is already dripping with color. All is well with us, as we look forward to next week's trip to Santa Monica, Visalia, and Las Vegas.

january 4

orlando, florida

Despite the large number of tourists, at 2:00 a.m.the city of Orlando has only one emergency room open anywhere near Walt Disney World. I know this because after first conquering the Magic Kindom and then working for a few hours before going to bed at about 1:00 a.m., I was forced to discover it personally.

You see, for the past few weeks I have been suffering a confounding and recurring allergic reaction (to what, we know not). Although I tried overdosing on antihistamine, it quickly became clear that I was not going to be able to arrest this particular episode on my own. I woke up my wife.

By this point in the attack, my tongue was so swollen I was unable to speak clearly, so it was up to Suzie to call the desk and arrange transportation for me to the emergency room. Of course the hotel wanted to call the paramedics, but I was insistent and promised not to die on their watch.

There was still an obstacle to overcome, however: according to the hotel, there were no taxis available at this wee hour of the morning. So I was forced to hire a limousine for the ride to the emergency room. (Can you imagine how ridiculous it feels to pull up to an emergency room in a stretch limo?)

After a couple of hours in the ER with a tube up my arm, I was released back into the custody of my driver, and we went in search of an all-night pharmacy — it was now about 5:30 a.m. — to fill my new prescriptions. I returned to the hotel in time to crawl back into bed just as my well-rested children were rising for another day of Disney.

january 3

orlando, florida

After arriving late on the evening of the second, we carried our sleeping boys to our room at the Hilton and promptly crashed. Awakening late, we had breakfast in the room. When James finally couldn't take it anymore, we embarked on our journey to the Magic Kingdom.

From the Monorail to Peter Pan to It's a Small World to The Tea Cups, we did Fantasyland. After lunch, we headed over to Mickey's Toon Town for the big moment: Nicky meets Mickey! (I hope the pictures turn out.) We even managed to squeeze in The Pirates of the Carribbean and the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House before it was time for the fireworks.

january 2

orlando, florida

One of our Christmas presents to the boys was the promise of a trip to Walt Disney World. So it is in fulfillment of that promise that on the second day of the new millennium we find ourselves barreling north from the fantasy land of Palm Beach to the Fantasyland of Dumbo and the Peter Pan ride.

january 1

palm beach, florida

Well, here we are. No terrorism. No Y2K computer bugs. Time marches on. And it is a pleasant time.

This morning, Suzie and I are making eggs benedict for the crew. Real heart-stoppers with lots of homemade hollandaise. It's already nearly eighty degrees outside, and life is good.