The Tie That Binds

I'm finally back from the driving adventure of Rochester -> Norwich -> Binghamton -> Rochester, and I realized that in saying goodbye to Jim, we are all saying goodbye to a part of ourselves. I look back on the Rolodex of face I saw weaving through the quaint Norwich funeral home and remember this is just a glimpse of a cross-section of the people who moved in and out of Jim's life.

Although I haven't been through the Press doors in nearly four years, I know it will never have the same buzz and life that it once did. Maybe it's because there is no Jim or maybe because newspapers and the newsroom culture are becoming an antiquated memory.

It's unfortunate that a loss of a friend like Jim brings so many of us together to swap stories and family pictures. But I think that in saying goodbye to Jim, we are finally saying goodbye to the news culture we all know, remember and love.

I feel truly blessed to have experienced good old fashioned news and more importantly the lifeblood of the Press. Some of us became reporters because we are curious, while others want to become writers, save the world or become the next Woodward and Bernstein.

There will always be a tie that binds, a haven for creative and curious types such as ourselves where we actually feel like we fit in. It's a place where intellectual debate and creativity is embraced. Although we're scattered all over the country (and in some cases the world), I know we all feel the same loss. We'll all remember Jim, and we'll all remember each other and how our paths crossed.

Thank you all for the reminder today. Jim, thanks for being titan that brought us together once again and allowed us remember. . . and laugh a little.

2005 Movie Wrap-Up

As I'm posting these items, I'm starting to remember where I was when a number of these movies came out, as well as who I was with and the stage I was in in my life. I feel as though I'm going back in time. Specific movies definitely have a memory attached to some of them. Here's 05:

Best:
40-Year-Old Virgin
Capote
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Cinderella Man
The Constant Gardener
Corpse Bride
Crash
Four Brothers
Fun wit Dick and Jane
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hoodwinked
Hustle and Flow
Kingdom of Heaven
Memoirs of a Geisha
Pride and Prejudice
Rent
Sin City
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Syriana
Walk the Line
Wedding Crashers


Sucked
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Fantastic Four
Good Night and Good Luck
Munich
The New World
Sahara

2004
Best:
The Aviator
Closer
Collateral
Dodgeball
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Finding Neverland
Fahrenheit 9/11
Friday Night Lights
Hotel Rwanda
The Incredibles
Kinsey
The Manchurian Candidate
Million Dollar Baby
Miracle
National Treasure
The Phantom of the Opera
The Polar Express
Ray
Sideways
The Village

Sucked:
Alexander
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Meet the Fockers
Ocean's Twelve
Spanglish
Spiderman 2
The Stepford Wives
Troy
The Woodsman

2006 Movie Wrap-Up

So I guess I'll just keep going on this movie thing. If you think about this year, verses what came out in 2007 and even 2008, it was definitely a week movie year.

Best:
Apocalypto
Babel
Blood Diamond
Borat
Cars
Children of Men
The Devil Wears Prada
Flags of Our Fathers
The Good Shepherd
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
Notes on a Scandal
Pan's Labyrinth
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Thank You For Smoking
The Departed
The Queen

What Sucked:
All the King's Men
Black Dahlia
Bobby
The Da Vinci Code
Hollywoodland
The Fountain
Lady in the Water
Miami Vice
Nacho Libre

2007 Movie Wrap-Up

So, I'm getting kind of into this year end movie list thing, so I'm going to post a list from 2007.

Best:
300
3:10 to Yuma
Across the Universe
American Gangster
A Mighty Heart
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Away from Her
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Bee Movie
Beowulf
The Bucket List
Charlie Wilson’s War
Eastern Promises
Fracture
Gone Baby Gone
Grindhouse (Planet Terror and Death Proof)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Heartbreak Kid
Into the Wild
Juno
Knocked Up
Michael Clayton
Oceans Thireen
Ratatouille
Reign Over Me
The Savages
Superbad
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
Zodiac

What Sucked:
1408
Atonement
I Am Legend
Hannibal Rising
Number 23
Mr. Brooks
No Country for Old Men
Reno 911: Miami
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

2008 Movie Wrap-Up

We see (and buy) more than our fair share of movies in a typical year, so I figured this blog would be a good way to record what we liked, hated and thought was way overrated. In no particular order, here are my best movie for 2008 and the most over-hyped films of the year:

Best:
21
Burn After Reading
The Changeling
Choke
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Dark knight
Doubt
In Burgess
The Other Boleyn Girl
Horton Hears A Who
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Iron Man
Milk
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Pineapple Express
Role Models
Wanted

Biggest Disapointment:
Tropic Thunder
The Love Guru
Vantage Point

Goodby, Our Companion

Goodbye, Our Companion

When I was in fifth grade, my brother and I convinced my mother to buy a little white female Maltese puppy just days before Christmas. She'd never had a pet before, and neither had we. Somehow we convinced her buying Krystal was a good decision and we've never looked back. She was there for nearly all of our upbringing and a fixture in all of our milestones as we aged. My mother took care of her every day, and she greeted my father every evening when he came home from work. A barrage of pictures taken through the years show my brother and I aging, while this little white spark of a dog chugged along.

I never thought she would still be alive and kicking for both of our high school and college graduations and weddings. But, I am heartbroken to say that after 18 years, we have made the decision to put Krystal to sleep.

I came to terms that she had been in declining health, but despite losing her sight about a year ago, she never lost the characteristics that made her Krystal. Although the body was a bit older, the spark in her that made us bring her home that night was still strong. In these final days, that spark has dimmed.

Even though I knew in my head that it was only a matter of time before we had to make a decision, now that the decision is made, it is no easier to face the reality. The next time I walk into my parents house, the quiet will be deafening. I just think of that little spunky dog sleeping in her house in my parents laundry room no longer being there after 18 years. I sit here replaying my mother's wavering voice on the telephone and think back to all of the veterinary appointments she took our dog to and the unconditional love and care that both my parents gave Krystal. Caring for her has been a painful reminder of the deterioration of a loved one that no one should ever have to experience, yet all of us will.

I never understood the love and significance of a pet completely until today. I never realized that a little white spunky dog that was bought on a December night 18 years ago would change our lives. We are forever grateful.

Rest in Peace, true companion.

Krystal Conners, 10-03-1990 to 11-05-2008

Inspired

I am inspired. Simple as that. As with many Americans last night I stayed glued to my television set watching what many of us felt would be history unfolding. Last night did not disappoint. For the first time in my adult life I was not working in a newsroom or at a campaign headquarters on the night of an election. The evening at home was bitter-sweet, yet the result was no less energizing and inspiring.

As with many in my generation, I have become jaded by politicians that 'represent' us in Albany and Washington and had little faith in their ability to actually inspire those who put them in office. Last night my faith in our ability as a people to unite was renewed. From the early morning hours of people waiting hours in line across the country, to the massive crowds on the streets of Washington, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York and around the world. They all felt that this was their election. It was nothing less.

We are experiencing history because of what we did as a people. As I listened to Barack Obama's speech last night, it glowed with unity, not vanity. He reminds me of true leaders of change in America's history - Dr. Martin Luther King and President Kennedy. They served as the beacon of hope for so many. This morning that light will bring the world to a place in history yet to been seen.

In my short 29 years I cannot recall a time in history where we were truly united as one voice other than September 11, 2001. Politics faded and our common humility as a united people were chilling - in that case due to a tragedy. But today we are the United States of America for the first time in a long time. I watched the hundreds of thousands of people on television and their faces said it better than anyone anywhere can ever say it - there is hope.

Election Night High

For the first time in my life, I actually got up early to vote today. For those who know me, I don't get up early for anything (including my wedding). I walked into the voting booth and voted with no false expectations about my vote actually counting on a national level. I 've been born and raised in a blue state and I accept that. However, I've been wired in to the election news coverage for months and now that the day is actually here, I am more inspired and adrenalized than I ever thought I would be about an election.

Regardless of who wins, voting will never be the same, nor should it be. It is inspiring to see people like me all over the country lining up to vote. I watched a piece on CNN where a school district in Florida actually registered all of their high school age voters at their respective school districts and then bussed the students to the various polling locations to make sure they voted. And here's the kicker - the kids were excited to do it. At 7:15 this morning, I actually was to. It's a great privilege to take an active role in shaping the path of history in some small way and I think nation-wide people want to participate in it. That's why you are getting the lines of people who aren't complaining about the wait. They can say they waited in line to participate in history. It's become a badge of honor nationwide. I'm so proud of our citizens for being so motivated. Well done.

Election Marathon Nears Finish Line - Who's Tired?

I can now officially count down the days on one hand until we have a new president-elect. I have my thoughts on who will win, but when this is all said and done, what will we all do next? It seems that we have a perpetual election day IV stuck in our arm and its been pumping toxins for two years. McCain and Obama have been campaigning for two years, which is half of the total time they will spend in office. This is starting to feel like a bunch of Christmas mornings rolled into one with the post-election detox being the ultimate let down.

I give people a lot of credit for becoming motivated and inspired to get so involved in politics this year. Their passion is without question. However, at the end of the day, regardless of who is elected, there will not be overnight change or very little change a year from now. I'm not trying to be a cynicist, but a realist. We live in a world of instant gratification and there is no way that our financial, educational and health care problems will be solved by electing one new person. What Obama symbolizes (in victory or defeat) is that politics will never again be the same.

I watched his $5 million infomercial last night and you can't help but get a few chills. Not because I have faith in his policies, but because he's done something totally new. He has mobilized an enormous sector of Americans. If you look at McCain vs. Obama, they are the epitome of new verses old. McCain is accustomed to politics the old way and hasn't wavered from that. Obama has turned politics on its ear and given those who have given up on the system that helps them and hurts them a little bit of hope.

I hope that when the dust settles, the votes are counted and the world moves on from this marathon of an election that that hope and passion doesn't burn out. We are at a true crossroads. I hope our will is strong enough to carry us.

Reflecting on a Year of Huge Change

Today I am officially 29 and hanging on to the last year of my twenties by the bottom rung. I typically don't reflect too much on my birthday but I experienced such massive amounts of joy, sadness and change this year, that will likely never be paralleled.

Last year around this time I had left my horrific and corrupt job at the Victor Central School District and began working at Element K which someone who turned out to be a very dear and important friend in my life (Megan). We had both come from horrible previous jobs and were looking fora fresh start. Not only did we find it in EK, but in each other. Although we were both forced to find other employment by early November, our experience at EK and the bonds of friendship were planted. While counting down our days at EK, Megan's father became quite sick and we talked daily about his progress and prognosis. For a good stroke of irony, Scott had just been discharged from the hospital with a serious Staph infection, and the following week I was hospitalized for a severe asthma attack which turned into bronchitis. Just days after I was discharged, Scott had a second Staph infection breakout. Needless to say, my 28th year had a very rough beginning.

Just days before Christmas I was offered a new job at Mindex Technologies while Megan went on to work at Eagle Productivity. And, the week before Christmas I found out I was going to be an Aunt! After much anticipation my sister-in-law and her husband were going to have their first child and it was ultimately determined that she was due the week of our wedding (August 30).

In the coming months, Megan's father Milton passed away. Hundreds of people attended his wake and just weeks later, Milt's next grandson was born, Ryan. In early February by beloved father turned 60 years old, which he never thought would happen. The celebration was quite moving.

After much frustration with her current employer, Megan came on board at Mindex and now we're right back to where we were nearly a year ago, working side by side - we couldn't be happier.

I have now learned that planning a wedding takes every square amount of energy out of you and brides do become a little unstable toward the end. After months of planning and anticipation, the birth of my nephew and my wedding went like clockwork. Baby Chase was born three weeks early on July 30 - a month to the day before our wedding. And something totally unexpected happened. Kelly, Joe and Chase were all able to be at our wedding. None of us thought that would have been possible.

And on August 30 I married the love of my life. I never thought I would find someone who truly completes me while accepting me unconditionally for the kook that I am. But somehow, in the depths of despair at the most corrupt job that I have ever had, I ended up meeting and falling in love with my current husband. So, on this first day of my 29th year, I am writing as Mrs. Hochreiter. I look back on our wedding often, despite it being only two months ago and think of all of the family and friends who traveled so far to be with us. I think part of me realizes that I will never have that many loved ones from all over the world in one room again. I hope I'm wrong.

Now I sit here at Mindex writing as Mrs. Hochreiter and Auntie Kara. A year ago, those possibilities were a small flicker in the distance. In closing just weeks ago I lost my cousin Devin Caccamise at the young age of 27. Devin's parents are very special people in my life and just weeks earlier were living it up at our wedding. I have no choice but to reflect on the joy and sadness that has carried me in the last year.

In the coming weeks we will elect either the first African American president or the first female vice president. We will likely see massive shifts in economic and social policy - changes that I have never seen in my lifetime. Let's see what 29 brings.