Sunday, October 28, 2007

They Said "I Do" No Matter What...

I've broken my vow of "no blogging til the script's complete" because for this memory, I just had to share, even if it's just so I know that it really happened.

I attended this wedding Saturday at this beautiful place in Malibu -- it overlooked the Pacific, the breeze was blowing through the slight marine layer, and happiness was in the air.

Of course, things were going too well, so nature had other things in mind. The whole event was outdoors, and after this week of firestorms and zero rain in California, Mother Nature decided now to grant us a little sprinkle from the heavens, literally, "raining on the whole parade."

The light drizzle turned into a tiny downpour as the wedding ceremony went underway. We sat there like fools (no one had an umbrella), watching the couple get married - get this - by both a Priest AND a Rabbi (the service was mutli-denominational/inter-faith). It all felt like we were in the middle of a strange Mel Brooks comedy - a slight tear in the fabric of space which allowed us all to witness something pretty cool.

Although I hoped that they could get through their vows a bit faster because I could feel the water seeping right through my suit, I nonetheless enjoyed witnessing those two people commit themselves together, to say to the world "We love each other, and this day, nothing is gonna bring us down." And of course, as the newly joined bride and groom walked down the aisle together, the rain stopped, much to the chagrin of all in attendance. Someone up there surely has a sense of humor.

During the cocktail reception before dinner, the clouds and the marine layer broke for a few minutes. The bride and groom grabbed the photographers and took a picture with this beautiful sunset back-lighting them, a true Kodak moment. It is one of my personal highlights of the day.

The dinner was also outdoors, and Mother Nature continued to give us a reprieve. We dined on delicious food under the stars, and everyone joined together in the camaraderie that only comes from sharing a collective mishap - "How about that rain, huh?" became the most favored ice breaker, the spark of the evening.

So the wedding didn't go exactly as planned, so what? People made do, and the couple didn't sweat it. I think the whole thing would have turned out more sour if they seemed pissed off at how the weather turned out, but if it's one thing I've taken from all this, it's this:

Sometimes you've just got to roll with it.

'Cause who knows? Perhaps perfection really is beheld in the eye of the moment... ;)

Friday, October 05, 2007

Awww Dad! Setting Me Up For A Perfect "Family Guy" Moment...

To cap off this week of stories revolving around my dad, I'd like to share something that happened just today:

I was commenting on a buddy of mine's wedding, and how it's turning into this big fiasco, when my father goes, "Now remember: when YOU get married, make sure you don't make it SOOO extravagant. You're NOT Prince Charles.

And of course, I couldn't help myself.

"Really, Dad? You mean that I'm not a member of the royal family who will fall madly in love with a woman, only to marry an even more GORGEOUS woman with a commoner status, yet secretly harbor feelings for the other woman while being married 20 or so years to one of the greatest iconic figures of the 20th Century? And then, because I have no concept of real estate, buy up large amounts of land across the U.K. only to never develop it because I'm too busy trying to find the difference between my Bow and Aft? And on top of that, pursue the woman I was meant to be with all along, although she now looks like she has a permanent grimace from eating too much grapefruit? Then yeah - no, I'm not Prince Charles.

"Just keep it simple," my father replies.

Peter Griffin would be so proud of me...

Have a great weekend, friends! And I'll catch ya'll on the flipside... ;)

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Caught In An Inescapable Tractor-Beamed Asian-Moment...

Another conversation with my Dad. Hilarity ensues.


So son, what did you do last night?


I went out to play tennis as usual.

Did you have dinner afterwards?

No, I was pretty tired. And it was getting late, so I just skipped it.

You didn't eat anything?

Nope.

You shouldn't be skipping dinner. You don't want to start eating illleglray.


I'm sorry, what did you say?

Irleguarly.

Come again?


IRREGULARLY! You shouldn't be eating so IRREGULARLY!

Oh. I see.

So... don't skip meals.

Got it, Dad.


And, scene... ;)

o.g. 3/29/07