I am Pablo

I know, it took me over a week! But after having our 2nd canceled flight of the weekend we certainly needed time to recover. NY was an absolute blast! Congrats to you both TK and Jos!! Hope you are having a fantastic time in Greece!

I attended the wake of a friend today. The last time I had heard from him was just over a year ago - he had sent out an e-mail titled “Important - Tim Butler”. In it, he described his diagnosis and the beginning of his battle with lung cancer. I was so taken aback I had no idea how to respond, I starred the e-mail so that I would respond to it when the news had some time to settle. As time went by, the message made its way to the bottom of my in-box. The few times I would happen by it, I would ponder once again how to respond and save it for another time. As I knelt by his casket I thought I was too late. How could I have waited so long? After sharing my condolences, thoughts and love with his family and friends, I headed home. As evening fell and the events of the afternoon started to sink in, I decided to light a candle in his memory and re-read his message while listening to Adagio for Strings. While reading, a response finally took shape.

The last line he wrote was: “Thank you all and I look forward to laughing about this with you in the future.”

Tim,

I’ve had your e-mail starred in my inbox for the last year. I keep on beating myself up for not having responded to you sooner. I’m sure you understand that your e-mail totally took me off guard, and I had no idea at all how to react. Your candor, strength, and lightheartedness were at a stark contrast to what you shared with me, I think it goes to show how you will handle this into the future. I sincerely appreciate you including me on this message. Though I was never as close to you as some other mutual friends of ours, I always saw what a good person you are. Not only because of the ways in which our friends respect you, but also because of the way that Peggy adores you! You are very fortunate to have found each other and to have started a family together. She will be by your side through all of this and your relationship will be stronger for it. Your friends and family are here to support you as well - if there is anything I can do, all you need do is ask. I sincerely believe that everything happens for a reason, though it may not be clear now or even down the road, there is a greater plan for us all. It is obvious that you have touched the lives of many people and will continue to do so no matter what the future brings. That being said, I want you to know that I have been keeping you and your family in my prayers and I will continue to do so. I pray that you all have the clarity, strength and lightheartedness that you have already shown. I too look forward to talking to you and laughing about this with you in the future - but take all the time you need, we have all eternity.

Until next time,
-Pablo

I hit send, finishing what I should have long ago, knowing that somewhere in the ether my message will reach its intended destination.

I apologize for the lack of posts after Greece - T-Mobile roaming in Cyprus was spotty at best!! I have returned and wanted to get the newlyweds their pictures as soon as possible. Thats about all I have the energy for tonight! The wedding was in 3 parts; the traditional bridal dressing ceremony at Maria’s aunt’s house, the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony at the church, followed by the reception and dancing. It was truly an incredible event!

Marcia convinced me to sign up for a 5k run a bit over a month ago. The last time I remember running any kind of distance was in High School because we had to run a mile. I was a bit skeptical of being ready within a month. I got new running shoes, as my old ones were falling apart, and we figured out what mornings I would train. This “training schedule” was impeded by Chicago weather, my trip to New Orleans, and coming down with pneumonia. Lets just say I got two training runs in the week before the race. Having my Polar HRM was key to pacing myself as I overexerted myself running without it. I was never a long-distance runner, always a sprinter, so pacing was new to me! I did manage to get just under 3 miles in on my last training run, so I felt that I could at least complete the 5k.

The race itself was much different than I expected! May more braved the 34F temps that I had imagined.There were all sorts of people running; families with kids in jogging strollers, older couples, young kids - it was fascinating! I had forgotten to prepare my MP3 player, so I just listened to the goings on around me. At one point a woman said “Somebody cheer for Lisa” and everybody in our area let out a loud “GO LISA!!” The camaraderie surrounded us all! Running into Wrigley and finishing just after exiting underneath the sign was fantastic! I did opt for the timed race and the results were posted yesterday.

Not horrible considering the lack of training, but the sense of accomplishment made it totally worth it! Now to figure out which will be my next run! (bringing my GPS next time to track the route!)

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Over six years in the making. Words… I once had. Words I once knew to be so true, that I held on to them so tight I couldn’t let go. Those words had escaped me long ago.

A517192

A number that in and of itself holds no meaning… yet for so long I felt it held my world. Perhaps it still does - in whatever ethereal plane it now belongs. Its fascinating how something can get a grip on you so tight, you can’t imagine letting it go.

To that end, I say goodbye. I let go. You are free. I am free…

Upon returning from my trip, I had this distinct feeling of not having anything to do. This tends to happen after a non-stop trip - I return needing a vacation! I’m currently sitting in traffic court writing this on my PDA - I leave for Vegas in 2 hours! In Vegas I will be participating in the first of many bachelor parties this year as we send off Gongola. As if going to Vegas wasn’t enough, I fly to Los Angeles on Saturday for Doug’s wedding! As usual, my weekend is overbooked. I’m sure I’ll come back, at midnight incidentally, in dire need of rest. This has been a trend as of late, an attempt to use up as much of my free time as possible. (I just pleaded guilty and got supervision - $80 court fee. Im going to stick around to see how those who pleaded not guilty fare) Is it just the way I am? Am I making up for lost time? The answer is always elusive. I very much enjoy the things that Im doing - but many times I think I need to slow down a bit. The times I do find myself with little to do, I get anxious about what I should be doing. It’s quite a cycle! March doesn’t look any less busy with an upcoming trip to New Orleans and some visitors thrown into the mix. Well, time is running short! Time to hop on the limo to get to the airport!

This is what happens when you mix old friends, new friends, fire balloons, confetti cannons and Singha! Thanks for posting the vid Christy!

To Miriam, Jack, Sonia and Amy - yes I am a geek, but as promised - picture is posted! Sorry if I didn’t get the names right, its 5am!! Have fun on the elephants!!
To the rest of you - 2008 ROCKS!! I’ve been partying hard for the last 8 hours and if it is any indication, 2008 is a great year!
Oh, and drunk dialing at $1.99 a min is worth EVERY PENNY!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I meant to post last night, but I got home pretty late (thankfully found a spot for the GTI in all the snow!) and I had forgotten my camera at the ‘rents. Had a packed weekend! Started it off with a killer Margarita with Jos followed by another showing of Super Bad at the Brew and View (I had to see it with TK!). We then had a late night dinner with Greg and Mila to celebrate his b-day!

Saturday I wasn’t feeling up to going anywhere with the weather being so bad, but I called up my reserves of energy to go to a party. When I met up with Kelly, she realized that I was not aware that it was an ugly sweater party. I had the brilliant idea of swapping sweaters with her - though it was totally uncomfortable, everybody got a big kick out of it!

Sunday I went to TK and Jos’ new condo for brunch (thanks again guys!) and made a few stops afterwards to catch up with some friends. I then headed to the folk’s place for Greg’s b-day party and send off prior to their trip to Uruguay. Along with Greg’s b-day gift, I gave them both their Christmas presents as well! Its hard to believe its just around the corner!

Two weeks from this very moment, I’ll be somewhere over the Pacific ocean on my way to Seoul, Korea. There I’ll have a 4 hour layover before my flight to Bangkok, Thailand. After a very short rest, I’ll be getting ready for Mike and Krong’s wedding! I can’t believe its only two weeks away… its been hard for me to be excited about it… but its finally hitting me!!

CRAP!! I’ve got a lot to do!