Rounding it up

Can it really be the end of 2007? It's hard to believe that just a year ago I moved to NJ after living in the same apartment in Glenside, PA for 9 years. The change in scenery and surroundings has completely turned my life around.

This calls for a list. The top 5 highlights of 2007 (in no particular order)
Note that technically, I moved to Collingswood in 2006, so the move itself doesn't exactly qualify.

1. Two Fantastic Friends
My newest friend Elizabeth and I were introduced late last winter by a mutual friend, and immediately felt like we had known each other for years. She's the kind of friend you can talk to about anything. Hours go by during our chat-fests, and I treasure every moment. Alison has been a friend for many years, but since my move to Collingswood we have bonded like sisters. 2007 simply wouldn't have been the banner year it was without her loving friendship.

2. Rock Climbing
It was something I had always wanted to try. And watching Bear Grylls do it on Discovery inspired me that much more. I'll never EVER forget my first trip up a rock face, with the circulation in my toes cutting off from the tight shoes, the comforting feeling of resistance in the belay rope, and the unexpected ease I felt nearly three stories up. It was beyond exhilarating. And I'll amend this entry by adding my first whitewater rafting excursion—another thing I always wanted to try, and finally found the motivation to do.

3. Cooper River Walks
I couldn't count the number of times I have visited the path surrounding the Cooper River. It's a mere three blocks from my place, and about a 4-mile loop around. I've used it to sweat, to think, to breathe, and to enjoy the view. I've seen egrets, scullers, sailors and sunsets. I've walked it jogged it, ran it and sat on the banks of it. I've photographed it too. Sometimes I go it alone, and sometimes Alison and her dog Neemo join me. With them it's more about talking—and sometimes swimming for Neemo—than walking ... but no matter the circumstance, it's always good. Beyond good.

4. Gatherings at My Place
In the 9 years I lived in Glenside, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I entertained more than 1-2 people at a time. In the year I've been in Collingswood, there's no doubt I've already surpassed that number, or even doubled it. It started on move-in day. There were at least 6 of us in a caravan from Glenside to Cwood, and after unloading everything, we stood around my new kitchen eating pizza and drinking beer... and suddenly I realized that this group of friends from all walks of my life were meeting for the first time and enjoying each other! Since then I've thrown several parties, had impromptu dinner gatherings, hosted 2 clothes swaps, and even sat 7 for Thanksgiving dinner! It's such a good feeling every time people gather here.

5. I'm Really a Jewelry Designer
Since I was a little kid, jewelry has fascinated me. My first earring designs were made from tape recorder parts when I was about eight years old. I've made lots of jewelry since then, but this year was my most creatively inspired year ever. Not only did I begin to develop a cohesive line of designs, but out of nowhere, a local gallery sought me out and invited me to show my work there. So between the gallery, launching my etsy shop and excellent friend/co-worker sales, I have suddenly found myself in the midst of having my own small business! I'm proud of what I've made, and I can't wait to see what I make next.

Items that almost made the list:
My fabulous porch, visiting the roof of the Kimmel Center, getting my tarot cards read, discovering the Discovery Channel, Perkins Art Center, and turning 40 (and the everlasting party that came with it).

2007 has rocked. So much has changed and improved for me this year. I have a few goals and aspirations for 2008, including lots more of all of the above, plus learning yoga, returning to Greece, canceling my online dating subscription for good, and quitting my 3-cigarette-per-day habit. CHEERS!!!

Party Highlights

When I turned 40, I wanted to throw an outdoor party. But April is no time for outdoor parties! So I threw it yesterday, on what turned out to be the most gorgeous day of the summer, at my folks' place in Intercourse, PA. Here is a list of some highlights:

1. The Locale:
Dad and Joan worked their tails off for the past two-plus weeks to get their already gorgeous yard looking tip-top. They succeeded in spades. BRAVO to the perfect party place! And yes, jokes about the town's infamous name came up several times. Ask Brian.

2. Bocce Ball:
We all know R.J. can throw a ball with superhero velocity, but NOW we know what a bocce ball looks like when it's shattered! Kyle, meanwhile, was the unexpected master of the game.

3. Hackey Sak:
Always my favorite, even better with family.

4. The Chair:
Francoise and Lamar never cease to amaze me. The chair they brought (though no gifts were expected, considering that this was not really a birthday party) left me speechless and thrilled. It's gorgeous and has already found a happy home in my livingroom, not far from its cousins in the dining room. THANK YOU.

5. The Pooch Party within the Party:
Hosts Beau and Gwenyth showed their canine visitors a great time. Neemo, Tucker, Jake and Louie were gracious guests (at least as long as there were no frisbees in sight!). They sniffed, chewed, barked, marked, ran, begged and licked ... then fell in love with Joan who fed them hot dogs and turkey jerkey. Doggie Nirvana.

6. The Food:
R.J. is now officially crowned King of the Taylor/Scache BBQ. Great job! And thank you to everyone for bringing such delicious eats. Everything was outstanding.

7. The Kids:
Kyle, Jack, Hannah, Cooper, Gretchen, Sophie and Lulu. The party simply wouldn't have been the same without the kids! An especially precious moment was when Lulu asked for more chips. I sent her over to Brian for them, and she proceeded to call the chips "Brians" for the rest of the night. "I want more Brians!" Don't we all??

8. Friends:
I've known Kate since kindergarten, Kim since 3rd grade, Susie since college, Francoise since my days in Doylestown, Sacha since just after grad school, Meghan since the Kimmel Center, and Alison, though I've known her some 8 years, have only really gotten to know her as a "true peep" for the past year or so. That's a nearly 40-year span of wonderful friends. I'm unbelievably fortunate, and so very thankful for all of you!

9. The Overnighters:
Sacha, Brian, Alison, Gavin, Neemo and Jake rocked the gazebo/tent, braving the wilds of Amish country -- no small feat for city folk! It made the party last into the next day (including an off-the-charts breakfast at the local diner), and for that I'm eternally grateful.

10. The Hosts:
Dad and Joan, I can't thank you enough for everything. Not only was the setting perfect, but you both made it so much more fun. You are terrific hosts. Your energy, enthusiasm, humor, generosity and warmth touched every facet of the festivities. And you even got a port-a-potty! Kudos, love and hugs.

Well, that about does it! Please post your comments and additions to the list ... and thanks again for coming. It was a great, great day.

Who's Your Daddy

Happy Father's Day! I'm particularly excited about this one because I have a cool gift to give him. About 15 years ago, I gave my dad a set of clay bells I made in throwing class. I had no idea how much he loved them until they broke last year and he showed them to me with tears in his eyes! So I made him a new set. I can't wait to give them to him.

After all, he's the one who paid for me to learn how to throw in the first place. He sent me to college and never insisted I get a job or a student loan. And he beamed with pride every time I brought something new home that I made. He learned the lingo so he could ask the right questions, and displayed my work in his house for everyone to see.

These days, Dad has some creative hobbies of his own. He is forging and welding, and getting better at them both all the time. So I'm hoping that this new set of clay bells will be a collaboration of sorts. I plan to ask him to make a rack to hang them from. My turn to learn the lingo and ask the questions.

Musical memories

Someone asked me recently what my favorite concert memory was. Even though I've seen/heard some of the most amazing music in the world during my tenure at the Kimmel Center, here is was immediate came to mind:

Hands down, it was my first Billy Joel concert that will forever be my most memorable. It wasn't my first (that was Shawn Cassidy) ... but I was only about 13 years old. Dad got tickets through a family friend who had connections at the Spectrum. We had no idea where our seats would be.

When we went to will-call, they gave us a pass, not regular tickets (I still have it), and it didn't say where we should go. So we started with the first usher we saw, and his eyes got big. I tried not to get excited, but he said go to the floor. We went to the floor, and the usher in the middle sent us "up front" ... but we didn't know what that meant ... so we went to the guy in about the 4th row and he said, "front row, center." I almost threw up.

Our seats were about 5 feet from the stage and there was just open space between us and Billy. Once we were allowed to rush the stage, I was crunched against it. I had bruises across my chest afterward, and my arms were sore from pumping them in the air for hours.

I knew every word of every song the entire night, and it wasn't long before his sax and guitar players noticed. It was so cute because they kept playing to me -- and even made a point of waving goodbye to me at the end of the show!

I touched Billy's shoelace once. Major thrill. He was more energetic and focused than I could have ever imagined. The other guys in the band were real peeps, but Billy was a consummate professional, never tiring, never losing focus and constantly doing everything his body could do to entertain the crowd. It was incredibly impressive. And he sounded perfect.

I've never quite listened to music the same way since that night. And no matter what Billy does in his personal life, I'll always have total respect and love for him.