Good things lately

[desh]

Perfect weather in a beautiful location last weekend at the NHC Chesapeake Retreat.

Excellent company at last weekend's retreat. Great new people, and wonderful to see and be refreshed by the not-so-new people.

Great davening and singing at last weekend's retreat. The great davening might have, or might not have, included me leading shabbos mincha; my first time ever leading a service with a full repetition. The great singing definitely did include a bunch of us laying down some wedding tracks for Ruby K and General Anna.

A fantastic touch football game at last weekend's retreat, run by ZST and the rest of his DC-area shabbos football regulars. Even the sunburn from that wasn't too bad, and the exhiliration from some good team sport was definitely sorely missed.

alanscottevil showing up randomly at last weekend's retreat, and then giving me a much-needed ride back to Philly.

Roughly everything about last weekend's retreat.

Trebuchet bowling at work. (Pics hopefully coming soon.)

The Philadelphia Eagles' new throwback uniforms. (I might buy a hat.)

My cabbie just now: "These American women here, they're beautiful."
Me: "Yeah...."
Cabbie: "But tough. It's like a horse in the forest without a rider."
Me: "......."

Adam visiting this weekend!

Me visiting Boston two weeks from now! (Still tentative, but almost definite. Anyone there free that weekend?)

The cell phone I've wanted for almost 6 months finally being released this morning!

Comments

[ladykat81.livejournal.com]

You know, I would rather have been told the real reason for your not attending our wedding, instead being told, "Oh, I have a lot of work, and with not being able to travel on Shabbat..." It's kind of offensive being lied to like that, you know?

[desh]

I didn't lie. I would've gone to the wedding instead. But after spending a lot of time looking at Pittsburgh maps of various hotels, and the timing of the wedding, I decided that it would've been a really uncomfortable weekend for me to try to go, given my observance. I weighed a lot of things, especially the amount of time I'd actually get to spend with you and Pat and the other guests I know, and decided not to.

It was a really hard decision for me and almost as hard for me to tell you about it. I apologize both for not being able to go and for not presenting it to you as completely as you would've preferred.

[ladykat81.livejournal.com]

Obviously it was difficult for you to tell us. We had been trying to get in contact with you for a couple days so we could send the caterer the final count.

One of the bed and breakfasts we listed (The Boggs House) was 1/4 mile away. The hotel where most people stayed was 3/4 mile away.

I don't know why I'm even bothering to respond. Suffice it to say, I won't anymore.

[desh]

I sent the comment card the day it was due. I meant to send it sooner, but I didn't. And I talked to you online within a few hours of when I first heard (via Pat's voicemail message) that you were trying to get in touch with me. Apparently I'm bad at this. Sorry.

But are you upset about the way I told you I wasn't coming, or are you upset that I didn't come? If it's the former, then yes, I screwed up. I'm sorry again. If it's the latter, though...I decided not to come. I don't know what to tell you. I'm happy to explain my reasons further, but I don't feel like I need to justify them, and I don't like being attacked about my decision.