Social (Media) Connections

So I always like that 3/31, the end of the first quarter of the year, is also Day 90.  And, on 3/31/15, I visited some old friends on campus and I realized I miss them and others just like them.  So I am using Facebook to connect, individually and as a group, with them.  And it made me also appreciate how FB allows me to connect and share with my family, all across the country, and friends from High School and College, and friends from all walks of my life (Church, Community, Penn, etc).  A lot of people I have been talking to in the past few weeks have worried about the dangers of social media and, yes, I worry about that too (especially cyber bullying), but, today and tonight I am happy for the good that social media can bring, because, tonight, it is bringing me more connections than ever.

Connected to the 80s

I grew up in the 80s and I am glad that, in some arenas, they are BACK!  And, on day #89 of 2015, 3/30/15, we watched a recorded American Idol episode and the theme was the 80s.....but that was not the best thing.. the best thing was seeing the connection my own kids were feeling to the songs. They knew the artists, they knew the words and music....I was so proud....that's just good parenting!  :-)

Generational Connections

Day #88 was Palm Sunday.  And I love Palm Sunday, and 3/29/15 did NOT disappoint!  It is great to connect to all of the folks in our town at the Fire Company Pancake Breakfast.  I love the Palm Sunday Church traditions of the youngest giving the palms to the Congregation.  And the day is always capped off with the amazing tradition of the Egg Hunt at Granmda Weaver's House.  And, I must say, those connections are awesome.  All three of these events have an inter-generational feel, but the Egg Hunt is an event that started out for the Grandkids (maybe even the kids, I dunno) and is now being held for the GREAT-gandkids (those that are not in College or on a College Tour).  And, in the next two years three MORE of these great-grands will head off to college...and through it all, the tradition continues.  And Four Generations celebrate the coming Easter holiday, and the kids connect to their family traditions and history, and I go to bed happy.

Sporting Connections

The 87th day of 2015 consisted of a lot of sports related connecting.  3/28/15 was the 29th draft for my PRBL fantasy baseball league.  And it is great to connect, even if just on the phone and online, with a group of guys with whom I have been competing for almost three decades.  And, even after, I kept seeing more evidence of how sports connects people in my life.  Whether it was my daughter running into a Rec basketball opponent at a birthday party or just watching the NCAA Men's and Women's Tournament games with my family and ooooing and ahhhhing together, I love how playing sports and being a fan of sports can connect people of many different backgrounds into one identity, and how it can hold friends and family close together.

Connecting Inward

Our family is out and about a lot.  And, today, on the 86th day of 2015, 3/27/15, after the one smaller event we had this evening, we stayed in.  And it was nice to connect as a cellular family.  Just the four of us.  Sometimes an inward connection is good to foster,  GoodNight!

Connected to Honors

So today started out celebrating a group of students, from Penn, who received Top Honors from the Penn President.  And, on the 85th day of 2015, I was able to connect with former colleagues and students as we all celebrated a Nursing 2015 grad winning one of these Presidential Prizes.  So 3/26/15 started off on a a good note and the good notes carried on all day and into the evening's Choir Practice (get it?  Notes!!!).  Connecting with people around celebrating honors is a nice way to be connected.

Connecting to Milestones

I knew the 84th day of 2015 would be a good one!  3/252015 started off with my odometer at 49994. I also passed 50005 a few miles later!  Two palindrome milestones connected in one day.  And then, at work, milestones were met, connecting us to goals on the projects.  And we are a week away from my eldest being a teenager....a milestone I can wait to be connected to, but.... it will come.  Reaching milestones are inevitable, so I will sit back and enjoy the journey.

Connected to Excellence

Everyone knows I am a sucker for a good ceremony replete with pomp and circumstance, and that is where I found myself at the end of the Day #83 of 2015, 3/24/15.  It was Penn's annual Models of Excellence Ceremony and it was great to see people with whom I have been (and still am) connected being honored for their accomplishments.  Pillars and Models and the Model Supervisor too, all had people to whom I am connected.  And being connected to excellence is a good thing for us all!

Wise Connections

On this 82nd Day of 2015 (3/23/15), I have only to say that I appreciate the wisdom of the wise connections with which I am connected.  It has been a crazy day, but much wisdom was imparted to me and for that, I am appreciative.  Now, I sleep.

Trusted Connections

We all have people who, we know, no matter when or where or why, we can connect with them and they will do their best to assist us.  Well, on the 81st day of 2015 (3/22.15), I was blessed enough to experience that support from my connections while, in a few cases, being able to try to be that kind of connection for someone else.  Sort of a pay-it-forward in a pinch kind of situation.  I hope I was able to help others, because others were surely able to help me today!

Connections Everlasting

well, today, on the 80th day of 2015 (3/21/15), I rekindled a connection with a former student I had not seen in a while.  And her partner was surprised with how much our faculty member host and I remembered about her and our other Nursing students.  I love how my memories and connections to the students I served are everlasting....and great to reminisce tonight!

Panther Connections

We spent the night, tonight, on the 79th day of 2015 (3/20/2015) at a fundraiser for the Collingswood Baseball Program where our nephew and Godson plays.  It was a really nice night with neighbors, friends, and family, and the neat part was talking and finding connections between people we know in one facet of our lives (like travel basketball) and how they are connected with people we know through family, friends, or community.  It does not always take the full 6-degrees of separation to be so connected to people near and far.

Connected to the Penn Band

On the 78th day of 2015 (3/19/15), I spent most of the evening at the Palestra (the Cathedral of Basketball), watching the Penn Women's Basketball Team defeat Hofstra in the First Round of the Women's NIT.  And, as an added gift (maybe a day late for my birthday?), I got to meet Dr. Grace Calhoun, the new Athletic Director of Penn.  I told her that I had been with the Band for 28+ years, and she remarked, "I've noticed, once you're in the Band, you're always in the Band."  And then, of course, I told her I met my wife in the Band.  She replied, "yeah, I hear that a lot!"  It made me realize how many of my amazing connections have spawned from my time in and with the Penn Band.  Not only my amazing wife, Sarah, but also my amazing compadre of "alleged adults, " Greer Cheeseman and Kushol Gupta.  And also some of my best friends I have ever had.  And the weddings, and the Bar Mitzvahs.  The football, basketball, and other sporting games.  The galas, the bus rides, the rehearsals, the tours of other Ivies....all amazing times, and all connections I cherish and will love forever!

Meaningful Personal Connections

Today was 3/18/15, my 46th Birthday.  And, as my friend Rich pointed out, I was born on the 77th day of the year, no wonder I love the number 7 and palindromes!  And, as my dad pointed out, 46 is double the only prime between 20 and 29..... so, numerically, this is shaping up to be a great year! But what made this day even better, amazing even, is the number of well wishes I received, just for being born (hey, another shout out to my mom, Bonnie Sherr, for having me!).  They came via text, FB message, email, phone, in person, and even a birthday balloon fairy on my porch.  Nothing can show a guy how many connections he has by the number of connections made on his birthday!  And, Sarah, knowing my theme of the year, found this wonderful quote and put it in my birthday card. And, truly, I agree - life IS rich, beauty IS everywhere, and every personal CONNECTION has meaning.  And, today, there was much meaning in my life, and much laughter, truly "life's sweetest creation!"

Sometimes, You're Just Disconnected

Well, the 76th day of 2015 was not my favorite day of the year.  Last night's post was short because, right as I started to go to bed, I was hit with the stomach bug that is going around,  So, on 3/17/14, instead of being at work and getting a Shamrock Shake for St. Paddy's Day, my connections were between my body and my bed and my body and the couch.  And I did feel mighty unproductive today, but, as Sarah said to me, that is what I needed so I can get better soon.  So, off to bed early again and hopefully feeling better in the AM!

Faculty Connections

3/16/15 and the 75th day was spent reflecting a lot on the faculty connections I have made while an employee of Penn.  From the Chair of a Committee on which I have served for 14 years who is stepping down after 9 of his own, to the Nursing faculty award winners who were announced today, to the faculty member with whom I had a discussion about raising pre-teens while standing in the parking garage, I so appreciate working in a place where such discourse can occur,

Connecting to Nerdness

3/15/15 and the 74th Day of 2015 was the Ides of March.  So, of course, just as we did on Pi Day (3/14), we had a culinary choice (Caesar Salad) based on Shakespearean play!!  And, yes, connecting one day to a math fact and the next to a literary fact indeed could make one think it is nerdy.  And, you know what?  I don't care. I embrace my nerdness....it connects me to my High School days, my college days, my friends, my family, and so much more!  Being a nerd should be embraced, not shunned - as my friend here in Oaklyn says, "Being Weird is Cool!"

All is Right with the Connected World

I am not sure how things could have been better on this 73rd day of 2015.  The connections were firing on all cylinders on 3/14/15.  Super Pi Day.....Family Movie and Birthday Celebration....Baseball on the radio with the sounds of Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen on the radio (in midseason form).....baseball on TV (not the Phillies, but still baseball).....Anna playing her new songs on the piano with assistance from her grandmother....just a near perfect day and I was connected to it all - #blesssed.

Connections On Call

The 72nd day of 2015 was capped off by OMAYSC's Celebrity Gym Night.  And, in the middle of 3/13/15 we found out we had the need for....well....more celebrities.  And a few calls and texts to the Oaklyn Police, the Oaklyn Fire Dept., and to some local connections in the community, and BOOM, we had over 20 people who were willing to play a little basketball with the kids of Oaklyn.  My connections used their connections and then people came and connected with the kids.  And that is what community is all about!

Connecting to Problems....and Solving them

3/12/15 and Day #71 was a fun day.  Because in many aspects of my life (work, home, community, etc.), I was able to be presented with a problem, and used my connections (to people, to data, to processes) to try to answer the questions and solve the problem.  I think this is why I like math so much, because you can use math to solve word problems (like my daughter had to do on her PARCC test today).  Me, I love being presented with a question or issue and using my connections and instincts to solve.  Fun Day!

Connecting to the Coming Spring

ahhhhh, finally, Day #70 of 2015 was the first day of 2015 over 60 degrees.  And I enjoyed the weather on 3/11/15.  I especially like that, in light (pun intended) Daylight's Savings Time, the light is more present in the evenings....had a really nice evening with my family, in the waning daylight. Connected to family, connected to the coming Spring, connected to happy thoughts - and happy thoughts are good!

Nursing connections

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/blog/health-care/2015/03/philadelphia-nursing-school-tops-national-ranking.html

Today, the 69th day of 2015, 3/10/15, I had good news in the AM.  Penn Nursing, where I used to work, has been ranked the #1 Graduate Nursing School in US News and World Reports.  I got the news from a former colleague with a thank you for the contributions I had made to help the school assemble the data for the survey.  I love that my connections at Nursing thought of me and thanked me.  I love that Penn Nursing is getting the recognition they deserve.  I am proud of the work that we did (and that they continue to do!).

Connected to Community

There are many days in which I am happy to be living where I am living, but today, 3/9/2015, the 68th day of 2015, I had so many reminders of the community connections that make me happy. From the coffee house just opened by the Mayor and his wife, to help spur on revitalization of the main street in town, to the Go Fund Me and Take them a Meal sites for the family in town suffering through a family tragedy, to the number of people and the speed with which funds were raised for a chair for a kid in town who needed it, to spending time in the gym with the amazing coaches of Oaklyn softball and watching these new team connections form, I was just pleased today.  Pleased to be in Oaklyn, pleased to be in this caring community, pleased to have the amazing neighbors and friends we have here - pleased!

Connecting Internationally

Today, 3/8/2015, was International Women's Day (http://www.internationalwomensday.com/).  So I was glad to spend the 67th day of 2015 with some of my favorite women, Sarah, Alexa, and Anna! And we went to Church together and then visited with another of our favorite women (Kristy Crocetto) and Koob and her family as well.  And then, after I was interrupted with a meeting, we spent the evening together watching Women's Basketball.  As the only male in my house, I am glad that I was raised to be a feminist and a women's advocate.  Thanks to two of the other amazing women in my life (Mom and Sister) as well as all of the strong women in my family tree.  Hopefully, with each day, we are moving closer to a world of equality, non-violence, and peace.

Spring Forward (Connect Back)

Day #66 (3/7/2015) is ending and we are preparing to Spring Forward into Daylight Savings time. And, as we do, I cannot help but think that our connections are developing and springing and moving forward every day.  But, tonight, at dinner with good friends, it was good to note that, as our connections move forward, it is always good to reconnect and nurture connections we have, especially when they started oh so many years ago.

Connections Change

The 65th Day of 2015 ended in a Middle School Gym, watching the last Travel Basketball Game of the Collingswood 7-8 team.  And, although the team lost, on 3/6/15, by 3 to end their playoff run right as it started, I cherish the time we have had to watch this team, both this year, and two years ago when they were the 5-6 team.  And, tonight, they played their last game together as a team as, even for H.S., some will go to other schools and some will not play Basketball, and my hope, for Alexa and her teammates, is that they will keep these connections as long as they can, rekindle some in High School, and, for the others, stay in touch and always be friends.  GO PANTHERS!

Snowy Connections

It was not hard to feel connected on the 64th day of 2015 because 3/5/2015 was a day spent inside, due to the snow storm outside.  Sarah and I both called out of work, and are lucky we did because both Temple and Penn closed early and that traffic home would have been fun....NOT!  But connect we did - all four family members in the same room for the longest amount of time in recent memory - it was nice.  I mean, I do not like snow and I am ready for this winter to be over, but if it HAD to snow, at least it caused us to have a nice day together!  :-D

Connecting at Home

Day #63 is, for people who tell bad jokes like I do, Army Day!  (March Forth!)  A day AND a command!  But that is not why I felt connected on 3/4/2015.  I worked late today, a combination of a few things I wanted to get done AND the impending weather fiasco tomorrow may be (or maybe it will be Fizzard 2015 Part 2....)  But, when I walked in the door, and I was greeted by my wife, my kids, and even my dog....it was nice.  I knew where I was meant to be, connected at home.....It was nice!

Connecting with a Friend

3/3/2015 and the 62nd Day of 2015 was a good one.  It is always good to connect (re-connect even) with a friend whom you have not seen in a while.  Especially when that friend knows how to advise you, inspire you, and accept your advice and inspiration.  Connections that can be sustained, over a lunch and over email, are good ones, but even better when re-connected in person.

Connecting with the Crocettos

Today was the 61st day of 2015.  But, on 3/2/2015, I was thinking about the 61st day of 2013 when my friends Koob and Kristy Crocetto got married. Who knew that a connection made when Koob came to work for me at Dining in 1995 (hey, it's soon our 20th friendaversary!) would grow into a great friendship and allow me the opportunity to officiate at their wedding.  And the way they have connected to my kids and become Uncle Koob an Aunt Kristy has been amazing for Alexa and Anna! I mean, Koob did help carry Alexa out of the hospital after her birth.  There are a lot of milestones we have been present for each other, and there are more to come.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY <3.

Connecting to Spring

3/1/2015 was the first day of March, but the 60th day of the Connected Year of 2015.  And, on this day, I appreciated the fact that, although outside the weather was cold, grey, icy, and miserable, Sarah and the girls could connect to the coming Spring by taking in the Phila. Flower Show.  And it is great that college connection, Sylvia, and her son could join them.  Moods have been low with the cold winter we have been having, and the added color in the house and in the show that they enjoyed, can hopefully help bridge and connect us to the coming warmer climes....