Hey, you know what? There is no party like a Columbus party, because a Columbus party don't stop.......

Anywho, I love the idea of Columbus as a stomping ground for the first ever (and hopefully never ending) Chandre-Kotowski-Dudley-Jones-Quakenbush reunion.

I am, of course, asking for those of the hinterland (Linda, Tom, Tom) to develop a rough estimate of things to do. I have no problem driving through the bastard Illinois drivers to eventually end in a lovefest in Columbus.

As an aside, there are few places I hold in higher regard than Blacksburg, VA. I would like to lobby for that location next year. I have walked the Appalachian trail through the town, have many friends through my Charlotte years, and have general love for their college atmosphere and southern Madison feel. Yep, Madison feel.

As for Quakenbush, I have no idea. Hold me to nothing and you will not be disappointed. My son has begun contruction on some sorta dinosaur abomination to honor the first ever reunion.

The Big 60 never looked so good!

Very simply, and very enthusiastically, Happy Birthday Mom! You're finally 60 - I feel like I've been calling you 60 for the past 5 years. I really enjoy this blog and think we have a lot of fun keeping it light, and don't worry I will, but first I really just want to thank you for everything, let you know that I miss you like crazy and that I can't wait to see you again soon.

With all that gushy crap out of the way, I'm going to have to take a page from Chris's book (I never know if the name ends in an 's' do you put the apostrophe before the 's' or after the 's'?). So this is a calling to everyone who should happen to cross this blog, which seems like a strong 5-8 of us, to help us recollect some of our best, or worst, memories of Karen Chandre's first 60 years. I have no doubt there's a good 60 left in her, but let's recap the the first half.

Your memories should be stated in groups of 5. 5 interesting events, quirks, memories, moments - whatever may come, let us know. Now Mom, since we have yet to get this blog published by Penguin, I may be back to post every few hours...

1. American Pie, Don McLean. Mom, you listened to talk radio 98% of the time, but if you changed the channel on the radio it was because American Pie was on. This was typically associated with a trip to either the doctor or the dentist. Boooo on both accounts.

2. For a woman that so vehemently HATES any seafood, you eat more canned tuna then some small countries.

3. The roughly 9 month period between when Dad moved down to NC full time and I finished high school. I was rocking the blue cloud mini-van, which the chicks loved, and you were somehow putting up with me. That was a really fun period, thanks for not letting me drive you crazy.

4. Still, to this day, the only person I know that can actively and with full concentration watch something on television, read a book and listen to the greatest baseball announcer of all time, Bob Uecker, tell it like it is. All three without missing a beat to any of them. Listening to the 'Crew on that beat up transistor radio. I still prefer baseball on the radio because of that.

5. Drinking mint Juleps with me, Carloyn and Eric this past Derby Day (pic above). I don't think you were ever much of a Bourbon drinker, but you were putting them away with me that day for sure! That trip was great for a lot of reasons, but more than any other, I just wanted to kick it old school with my Mom - thanks Mom.

I pass the story stick on to all the rest to help us celebrate Karen's Birthday!

Dan

Ruby Isle

What was the first movie you ever saw in the theaters?

I believe the first movie I saw was "Back to the Future" with Dan and Carolyn. I also believe Mom and Grandma were with us. Memories are a little hazy on this one, but I think we took the family truckster to Ruby Isle.

Dan and Carolyn? Is this correct?

Mom, since you have been to 3 movies since the Eisenhower administration, I'm not sure if you remember or not.

A truly Super bowl

I didn't have a horse in the race. I was just hoping for a great game. It was a slow start but a great finish. I liked both teams equally coming in. I was cheering for whomever had the ball until one play. When former UW Badger Jonathon Casillas came away from a rugby scrum with the ball. Then I had something to cheer about. Once a Badger, always a Badger. I then watched two Big Ten players (Brees and Porter) decide the outcome. A couple observations.

1. I don't think anyone lost the game. I think the Saints won the game.
2. Great play calling. Payton out coached Caldwell. Better adjustments through out the game. Onside kick is gutsy (remember McCarthy did it to bring the Pack back in the first playoff game).
3. Tear jerking moment with Brees and his son. Real emotion at the height of his career. As an aside, Drew Brees is incredible for taking that city on his back. In a sports world full of Tiger Woods, Warren Sapp, Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owen, his story is one that should be highlighted.
4. Peyton Manning is great. I know he lost, but he is great. I have disliked him for his entire career. This is the first year I tried to get on top of it. I sat in a room last night with a couple Packer fans, and a smattering of other fans. No one liked Peyton Manning. He is that kid on the school yard when you were 12 years old that always beat you. He looks like he is whining half the time, he looks like he never takes blame. I need to concede I thought this as well. I came around this year to the pure brilliance of his QB play. I found myself hurting for him after that pick. He plays a perfect season (not game, but season) and will be remembered for that pick.
5. Commercials were sub par. They were formulaic. We have come to expect laugh out loud moments, and there were only a few.
6. Indy will be back in the game next year.
7. They will be playing the Packers, and we will win.

Anyone have other observations? Would love to hear an Indy view. It's hard to hate the Saints, but also know fandom, so I'm sure you could find something to root against.