• Category Archives Uncategorized

  • The Legend is Born

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    There are certain seminal events in each of our lives that give it shape and meaning. At this Christmas party, I was given a new nickname: The Legend. I shall forever be grateful.

    The man, whom I now call my friend Ron, hired me in my first job out of college and now lives in this house with the best porch in the “Riverside” district in Jacksonville, Florida. I must say that the 3 best Christmas parties I’ve been to in my adult life have all been planned/hosted by him — the man knows how to do it right and I’m happy to call him my friend.

    At some point during the party, I walked over to where Denis was talking to another gentleman. As I neared, Denis saw me coming and said, “This is my husband now.” At this point, the gentleman looked at me and said, “Oh, you’re The Legend.” He instantly became my best friend for life. Seriously, I think I’m going to have to get a shirt and new business cards made up!


    Uncategorized

  • Florida Vacation

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    In early November we took a trip down to South Florida for a few days of “R & R” fun. The main event was a birthday party for Jean …

    Getting ready to cut her own cake.

    The next day, Sydney and I drove down to The Keys to spend the night with friends. We took the opportunity to get to Key West to catch the sunset (which did not disappoint), see what Duval Street had to show (sometimes more than you bargain for), and get to the end of US Route 1 (which goes right by our house here in South Carolina as well).

    Young man’s limbering up to step through a tennis racket … and no, he’s not going through the way you’re thinking he is.

    After the Keys, it was back up to the swamps looking for alligators and time to walk around Mizner Park in Boca after dinner.


    Uncategorized

  • This Cannot be a Good Sign

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    Little known fact: Denis and I had our “first date” twenty-some-odd years ago at Charley’s Crab, a nice restaurant on the ocean in Palm Beach, Florida.

    We were back down that way in November and here’s what we saw. When we met, Denis was a manager here. I guess the service has gone down since she left!

    I’m hoping this doesn’t mean anything for us. But surely someone has determined that they can make more money replacing a stodgy old restaurant with condos sporting ocean views.


    Uncategorized

  • The Kids are Alright

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    In July, we ventured to Raleigh, NC to attend a “Panic! At the Disco” concert as a gift for Sydney’s 16th birthday. Oh, it was a show alright … Sydney was thrilled, but Denis certainly wanted in on the act:

    The show was at PNC Arena in Raleigh, which was configured for 30,000 cell-phone lighting fans (no need for a big light show from the bands anymore).

    We were way up in the nosebleed seats where we could actually afford the tickets. This band played the following night in Atlanta, which is _slightly_ closer, but tickets for that show started at about $90/seat in the upper decks!

    We had a real nice time — stayed at The Franklin Hotel in the middle of Chapel Hill and took some time to walk the streets and find interesting places for some “edgy” pictures.

    Modern art meets Yoga Bear.
    Yes, we made a spectacle of ourselves … we were just having fun on a Sunday morning in a mostly empty college town in the summer.
    We weren’t trying to embarrass anyone <grin>
    Our poor, beautiful Sydney.

    Uncategorized

  • 2017 Homecoming Dance

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    While still attending Northside Christian Academy, Sydney’s friend Lilly asked her to go the Homecoming Dance at our local River Bluff High School with her. Sydney certainly loves to dress up and would never miss a social event, so she was more than happy to oblige.

    No foreshadowing here.


    Uncategorized

  • Soda Con 2017

    Posted on by Alan Partis

    Nearby Columbia is often abbreviated “Cola” which has led some people to refer to the town as “Soda City.” So when the comic book, superhero, and animation convention comes to town, they call it “SodaCon” and Sydney and a friend got dressed up and off they went.

    I think Sydney is dressed as Earl Ciel Phantomhive, a character from the “Black Butler” anime series, but since I’m an out-of-touch parent, I could be way off. On the other hand, I might just be more “hip” than it appears!


    Uncategorized