Truer Words - A Journal

Eighty Laps

seth@macrobyte.net — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:55:18 GMT

My father's father (Arthur Dilingham, Sr.) has a beautiful birth date: 7 • 27 • 27. It's symmetrical and palindromic, and also happens to mean that this summer marked the end of his eightieth lap 'round the sun.

Saturday his wife, his children, his children's children, his children's children's children, and a very (very, very) small percentage of his friends and extended family from around the world gathered in his honor to tell him just two things: "Happy Birthday," and "We Love You."

The party was held at Goddard Park in Warwick, RI, at the old Carousel Building.

There was a very cool tribute video assembled by my cousin Tiffany and her husband Josh (with, I think, the aid of the rest of the NH contingent of Dillinghams and their kin). It included pictures and/or video of most of the family, and a stirring, deeply emotional, recorded message from Barry Van Heerden in South Africa. (I've heard Grampa sing Barry's praise many times over the years, but I had no idea that he looked at Grampa as a father and mentor.)

Corinne shed a few tears when she saw Shane's picture in the video. Tif had written to me in advance to make sure it was ok. (Of course it was! Including and remembering him is always better than the alternative.)

They even included at least one picture of Lauren in there. That was cool, especially as Gramma and Grampa have both treated Lauren as their latest great granddaughter.

There was also an open mic on the stage, where we were all supposed to tell stories. Unfortunately, though some of us inherited some of Grampa's storytelling talents, none of us will eve be The Master Storyteller that he is. So, most of the stories were told by him! Three times he (literally) lept onto the stage to tell another story, and then hopped back off it again to retake his seat. (Eighty years old, hoppping onto and off of a two-foot-high stage! He's spry.)

He told the Bert and I classic, "I am Gagnon, Champion Moose Caller" story, but (more importantly) he also told some of the TRUE funny stories from his life, including the one about the skunk in the ventilation system at his school in Dighton, MA. I think his school principal probably went to his grave wondering who did that.

I have tons of stories I could have told, but couldn't think of the best ones until after we left so I never took the stage. Had I remembered, I certainly would have recounted the trip to Florida with him, Jed, Dad and myself (I wasn't ten, yet), to move Aunt Marrion. The highlights of that drive to FL included:

Arthur Fiedler's Greatest Hits (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B!)
the brain teaser about the man with three sons
the brain teaser about the egg-laying chickens
Dad and Grampa acting like it was hot the moment we crossed the state line
Aunt Marrion freaking out when Jed and I happened to be in the vicinity of Grampa's wallet
feeding the seagulls on the beach

Everybody picks on Dillinghams for being... well, Dillinghams. Smart, knowing it (all of it), easily brought to tears, always having an opinion, and "talking until we think of something to say." Though Gramma had as much of a hand in forming us as did Grampa, there's no doubting the source of those particular characteristics. :-)

But, as much as we tease him and each other for those things — endlessly — we love him for them, too. We're a big family (wink, wink), and he’s been the patriarch for as long as most (any!) of us have been alive. (So it's not that we think he's perfect, or pretend that he is. It's that hearing him speak yesterday, and hearing everyone else speak about him, it's clear that he inspires us to aspire to perfection, and we're all better for it.)

Happy Birthday, Grampa. I love you, we all love you.

Happy New Year, One and All

seth@macrobyte.net — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 15:22:11 GMT

2006 was a good year for me and mine, in many ways.

To all of my family near and far, to my ecclesia here and worldwide, to all of my friends new and old, close or distant:

Happy
New Year!

Hoping 2007 will be even better, for all of us...

Tuesday's Grab Bag of Highs and Lows

seth@macrobyte.net — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:57:47 GMT

Tuesday was an intense day, with some very high highs and very low lows. I'm just going to brain-dump it all.

Low and High:

Perry died. This is very sad for all of us, but he lived a long, full life and had plenty of time to know even his great grandchildren. I had to call this both a high and a low... it's hard to attach anything "all bad" to Perry Lanphear.

High:

Breakfast at Snoopy's Diner with a friend and client. The business side of the meeting went well, as plans were made and progress reviewed. The friendly side of the meeting was even better. Best of all were the pancakes! Mama mia. Must take Corinne there so she can replicate those Apple-slice-filled beauties. (Oh wait, I gave up food. Nuts!)

High:

After my gigantic breakfast, I drove up to see Steve Davis in MA so we could go for a ride. He had a basketball game the night before, so was worried that he'd be too tired for my pace. I promised that I would ride super hard the day before and then eat a huge breakfast to weigh me down. I did both, but neither were necessary: he kept me talking the whole time! It's hard to push the pace when you're talking so much that you can't breathe heavily. Sneaky, Steve.

This was ride #103. Stats: 36.4 miles (58.60 km) in 1h 59' 37" for an average speed of 18.25 mph (29.39 kph).

Low:

Our average speed for that ride. (Sorry Steve, couldn't resist.)

High & Low, Again:

After I left Steve's place, I went straight to Gary's & Ellyn's house in Westerly. Ellyn had invited the whole family for a "send off dinner" for Gramma and Grampa. They were up here in New England for much longer this year than previous years, because of Mandi's wedding, but now they're heading home and last night was our last chance to see them this year. I was about 90 minutes early because the alternative was driving all the way home, finding something to do for 30 minutes, then driving back again.

I had a chance to watch Grampa cut down a whole Pineapple into rings. He'd never done it before, and definitely did not like the fact that there's so much waste. Rather than just slice a little more deeply as he "skinned" it, he made shallow cuts and then worked with a paring knife to dig out the bits of rind that were left. After slicing it down, he carefully cut the inedible core out of every piece. This was all both highly amusing and rather painful to witness, but he didn't cut *himself* so all's well that ends well. :-)

Almost everybody made it to the dinner. Corinne had to work until 6:30 so she was late, but wanted to be there so she could say goodbye. Dad was there until 6:45, but had to leave to teach a class. Gary worked late but made a quiet appearance while we were still eating (spaghetti and meatballs). Katie's in Colorado so couldn't be there at all. Mandi, just back from her honeymoon for a day, showed up just before G&G were about to give up and go back to their rental for the night. (She had to work late, also.) Sarah was there but left a little early because Art, who couldn't make it due to work, needed some dinner. Everybody else in the family (Mom, Jed, Ellyn, Gramma and Grampa, Tom, and Rusty) was there, too.

Quite a day.

Welcome to Our World, Talia Kayleigh Pena!

seth@macrobyte.net — Sat, 23 Oct 2004 15:52:55 GMT

At long last, my little neice Allison has finally gotten around to having a little sister! Took her long enough.

Talia Kayleigh Pena was delivered to Art and Sarah Pena (my sister), and Allison!, this afternoon, five weeks earlier than originally planned. She must have caught a strong tailwind on her way in (how else could she have arrived so early?).

Six pounds, two ouces. Eighteen inches long.

I haven't met her yet, that won't happen until tomorrow afternoon, but in my Mom's totally unbiased opinion, "Talia is beautfiul."

Bounty

seth@macrobyte.net — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:52:26 GMT

This is my favorite really, my only holiday of the year. It's not sponsored by a greeting card company, it's almost completely non-commercial. There are no stupid songs to sing. There's no false hopes attached to it, either: people don't dream of that "perfect Thanksgiving" like they do a perfect Christmas. There's no false religious basis for it: it's not a pagan fertility celebration gussied up to look like something Christian, it's not worship of the sun god.

Thanksgiving is, to me, clean, simple, and honest. It requires a little work, too. Anybody can have a Turkey Day, but to celebrate Thanksgiving you have to force yourself to think about those things you'd miss most if they were gone, and...

Thank God.

For my wife, and a relationship that makes everybody around us smile (or even blush). For my ecclesia, for my family. For my knowledge of scripture, and the faith it inspired. For my brains. For the strength to endure years of serious financial hardship, and not having to endure it alone. For family and friends who have always lent their helping hands when they were most needed. For finally having some steady, very challenging work.

Even for all those things I've under appreciated but know I'd miss. For my niece, who's growing up so fast, and the parents that are raising her. For Mark, who's finally found true love. For Jed, who's following a spiritual path in a way that so few of us are able (or choose to).

For all these things, and for everything else in my life, big and small, this holiday is this simple.

Thank God.

Thank You, Maam

seth@macrobyte.net — Mon, 22 Sep 2003 18:47:26 GMT

My Mom stopped by to drop off some ingredients for something Corinne is cooking. Sarah (my sister) and Alli (my niece) were in the car. Alli is eighteen months old now!

I waved goodbye to Alli just before they left, and she waved back and said bye-bye. Very cute... but then they got her to say "Uncle" and something resembling "Seth," which was even better.

Best of all, she very clearly says, "I love you."

I shouldn't play favorites, but Alli is definitely my favorite niece of all time. Smartest, too.

Happy Birthday Allison!

seth@macrobyte.net — Wed, 05 Feb 2003 17:36:35 GMT

My niece, Allison Peña, is one year old today! Happy Birthday, Alli!

Art and Sarah are having a birthday for her with the family... but I'm sick today so Corinne and I stayed home. :-(

Here's my most recent picture of Alli, taken in December at our ecclesia's Sunday School party. It's not obvious in the picture, but the costume she's wearing is a ladybug.

This one was taken by Bonny Pride a couple weeks ago.

Happy Thanksgiving

seth@macrobyte.net — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 08:49:46 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody

Corinne and I will be at Mom and Dad's today with Jed, Art, Sarah, and Allison. This evening we're having dessert with Ellyn, Gary, Mandy, and Katie. Shane drove to his Dad's place late last night (he arrived safely at about 3 AM).

To all of my friends, family, and extended family: thank you. It's been a rocky road this year, but you've all helped us in many different ways, and we'll never forget it.

Great Weekend

seth@macrobyte.net — Mon, 28 Oct 2002 10:40:49 GMT

This weekend was incredible. My parents treated us (Art, Sarah, and Allison, Corinne and I, and themselves) to suites at a hotel in New Hampshire, Friday and Saturday nights (they have a discount, but it was still quite generous). We all attended Dev Ramcharan's classes Saturday, and then the New England Fraternal Gathering on Sunday. The classes were some of the best I can remember.

Saturday afternoon, while Corinne napped, I went for a swim in Apple's Cocoa pool with both Java and ObjC. I wrote the same goofy little app in both languages, just to see what was involved. I needed a break from the weblog plugin.

We arrived home Sunday evening at about 6 PM, totally exhausted. It gets dark too early now. :-(

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a great weekend. Much appreciated.

It'll Be Quiet 'Round Here this Weekend

seth@macrobyte.net — Fri, 25 Oct 2002 14:37:38 GMT

Corinne and I are going to NH with Mom, Dad, Art, Sarah, and Allison this weekend. Jed's going too, but he's not staying at the hotel where the rest of us will be (he always stays with Josh and Tif McInturff).

There's a (Bible) study day being hosted by the Hudson ecclesia on Saturday, and Sunday is our big New England Christadelphian Fraternal Gathering (big meaning three to four hundred attendees).

Shane's watching the house for us and taking care of the petting zoo, er, the pets.

Ride #63: One Hundred Miles!

seth@macrobyte.net — Tue, 10 Sep 2002 07:13:34 GMT

I did it! I've wanted to ride a full century for a couple of years now, and I finally managed it.

Art (my Brother-in-Law) and Dad both agreed to play SAG for the day, which turned into a little adventure of its own. Dad was supposed to meet me at the 40-mile mark (intersection of 91 and 112) about two hours after I left the house, with food, beverages, and the route maps. He remembered the food and beverages (the most important part) but left the maps at home.

I couldn't remember the exact route I'd chosen, so he said to take 112 to 138 to 165, but he'd drive back to his house to get the maps and find me on 138 to show me the maps. (This route clipped off about twenty miles from my planned route, but that's ok because I just made them up later when I was closer to home.) I finished 112, then 138, and I'd been on 165 for awhile before I finally started worrying that I was never going to see him again. Pulled over to the side and used the cell phone (borrowed from my mother, stored in my saddle bag) to call him. He was still driving around on 138 trying to find me.

Unfortunately, he then drove right past our next designated meeting point (intersection of 164 and 165) because he'd agreed to meet Art in Norwich at 165 & 2, to switch all the gear into Art's car. I ran out of gatorade right at the intersection where we were supposed to meet (that was intentional, I wasn't conserving), but I tried to go a little further before calling. He came flying back to me again with a replacement CamelBak, and then went back to Norwich to meet Art.

Interjection: I was not and am not upset with Dad about any of this. I'm quite grateful for him taking so much time out of his day to help me out. Things were a little "chaotic," as Art put it, but I only went about 10 minutes (out of a 333 minute ride) without support. What he lacked in organization he more than made up for with enthusiasm. ;-)

So, I zipped through Norwich in record time and never saw Dad and Art (supposedly) sitting there at the intersection waiting for me. I made the switch onto Rt. 12 and started looking for "Happyville," a little borough in Gales Ferry where I was supposed to meet Art for my next SAG. I never saw any Happyville signs, nor did I see Art. They hadn't seen me go past them, so Dad went back in the other direction looking for me, and Art headed in my direction up 12. Unfortunately, he didn't go far enough, and I finally made it all the way to Groton and called him on his cell.

By the time they caught me (Sarah and Allison were with him) I was only two miles from my house, at the intersection of 184 and 117. So far the route was only 83 miles (it would have been at least 100 by this point if not for the earlier confusion), but I was quite wipped and happy to stand there chatting. Instead of heading home, I followed 117 to 1 to 215 into Groton Long Point, and then into Mystic. From there onto River Road and all the way to the intersection of 184 and 201, where I turned left on 184 to head home. I still needed a couple little side streets to make it a full 100 miles, during which I lost Art again (heh).

Corinne pulled in while Art was carrying the cooler into the house, and seemed very proud of me for finishing the ride (big kiss). :-) She realized one thing immediately, though: I'd forgotten sunblock, and the day had been totally cloudless. My shoulders and the back of my neck are very crispy this morning.

During the ride I consumed over three hundred ounces of Gatorade and ice, three packets of energy gel, a half of a package of fig newtons, and a banana. I only lost three pounds (all sweat). That's impressive: during the half-centuries on Tuesday nights I usually lose at least five pounds of water.

A big "thank you!" to Dad and Art for the SAG work, to Sarah and Allison for keeping Art company, to Mom for the use of her cell phone and for playing "communications officer" when nobody knew where anyone else was, to Rick Ely at Mystic Cycle for helping me plan my food and Gatorade consumption, and to Corinne ("the boss") for not complaining about me taking the day off work to ride my bike!

This was a wonderful way to cap the season. I'm sure that I'll ride more this year, but the season is basically over and anything else I do is just gravy.

Stats: 100.18 miles (161.2 km) in 5h 33' 40" for an average speed of 18.01 mph (29.00 kph).

Surprise Party!

seth@macrobyte.net — Sun, 01 Sep 2002 16:05:26 GMT

After meeting, Corinne and I came home to change our clothes then went to Gary and Ellyn's for a cookout. Gramma and Grampa are going back to Florida now that Summer is over (mostly), and they were leaving right after the cookout.

We walked into the yard, and Corinne yelled "Surprise!" then everybody else yelled it. I thought she was yelling "surprise" because we weren't extremely late (a bad habit we definitely have). Took me half a minute to realize that they were yelling it at *me*, and that the yard was decorated with "Happy 30th Birthday" decorations. Heh.

(My birthday is on the 9th.)

To make it even funnier, I'd just told her (on the way over to the cookout) that I'd like to have a family cookout next week for my birthday, but probably on Sunday so that I could still do a long ride on Monday as I've planned. We even joked that I'm the only person who could literally plan his own surprise party, because I'm so forgetful. (Get it?)

Wow, I can be so clueless sometimes. Corinne gets upset with me for figuring out secrets way ahead of time, but I had absolutely no idea this party was for me.

They had a cake for me, and on it was a photograph (inkjet printed with food coloring, a technology that is very cool) of a two-years-old Seth riding his first tricycle. My Mom said, "those were your first wheels." Very appropriate.

Presents included: a very nice Cuisinart coffee maker (the same one that everyone else in the family has), a bunch of coffee, a bean jar, a large mug, interesting hot sauces, a gift certificate to Bombay Spice & Grill, money, and lots of funny and/or sappy cards. Oh, and my parents gave me a silly little bell for my Bicycle, just as a gag. (They also gave me a new suit a couple weeks ago!)

The best present of all, though, was just having (almost) everybody together, happy, and relaxed. With all the travelling over the last couple weeks, I haven't seen most of them in awhile, and I'd missed them. I really appreciated this. A few people coudln't be there for various reasons: Mark was visiting his girlfriend in NH, Heather's in Canada, etc., but it was still a lot of fun and a great surprise.

(Most of the credit for the party apparently goes to Corinne, Ellyn, Mom, and Art. Thank you!)

Ride #28: The Long Way 'Round

seth@macrobyte.net — Fri, 05 Jul 2002 20:49:56 GMT

I decided that it was time to make my training rides a bit more difficult, so I'm including insanity hill at least once per week (not counting Tues. nights). Tonight was the first.

The other thing that made this ride 'different' was that it wasn't a loop. Usually I start and end at home, but Corinne and I were having dinner and Mom and Dad's place tonight, so I rode there by a very circuitous route, had dinner, and then brought the bike home in the truck.

What a difference the weather made! "That hill" wasn't nearly as intimidating, and I managed about half of it "in attack," out of the saddle. Hopefully, by the end of the season, I'll be strong enough to really push it all the way to the top. (If things go really, really well, then I'll be riding up -- and down -- Temple Mt. in NH sometime early this Fall.)

I arrived at Mom and Dad's about 45 minutes later than they thought I'd be there, and I'm sorry to say Corinne was worrying about me. I certainly didn't mean to scare her (or anyone)! I was late because I'd misjudged the distance, and I left the house later than I'd intended.

Dinner was excellent, and Art, Sarah, and Alli were there too (Jed had to work). Whole lobsters, stuffed mushrooms, grilled steak, Kielbasa pasta salad, grilled chicken kabob thingies whose name I can't remember, corn bread, and for dessert a coconut cream pie. MMmmm!!

Good thing I worked off all those calories on the way over...

Stats: 31.97 miles (51.47 km) in 105' 7" for an average speed of 18.24 mph (29.37 kph).

Happy Birthday Mom and Sarah!

seth@macrobyte.net — Thu, 18 Apr 2002 20:59:50 GMT

Corinne cooked dinner for the whole family tonight... except Jed, who couldn't be there. The occasion was a (late) Birthday dinner for Mom (April 12th) and Sarah (April 16th). She made about 100 gallons of Chicken Asiago, a new corn casserole, broccoli casserole (Art's favorite!), and of course the cake.

Even my grandparents were here!

We all had a great time. The food was great, everybody laughed (and ate) a whole lot, and told lots of stories.

Happy Birthday Mom and Sarah :-)

Thanks for the Scare, Mom

seth@macrobyte.net — Thu, 14 Feb 2002 08:38:39 GMT

When I came into my office this morning, there was a message on my answering machine from my mother. "Hi Seth. Please call me as soon as you get this." Short, and she sounded very... controlled.

I'm sorry to admit that my first thought was that something had happened to Allison. My parents don't like to deliver bad news in an impersonal message.

Heart racing, I called back immediately.

No, everything's fine. Dad just needs an MRI on his hip today, and they're afraid that the bullet that's still in his leg might make his leg get very hot. The pain might make his hip worse making it difficult for him to drive home again.

Good grief. (Yes, I'll give him a ride.)

Rambling on Life, Frogs, Knitting, and New Babies

seth@macrobyte.net — Fri, 08 Feb 2002 21:50:23 GMT

My mother wrote a beautiful little essay about life, knitting, frogs, and new babies. That sounds funny, but it's very well written. Please have a look.

My Sister's Wedding

seth@cshore.com — Mon, 08 May 2000 19:16:50 GMT

Art and Sarah Peña

My sister (Sarah) married my friend and brother (in Christ!) this weekend (May 6, 2000), and is now Mrs. Arturo Peña. The wedding was Saturday, and it was a big graceful shindig that took all of my Mother's organizational skills (and all of my Dad's money!) to pull off.

I was the "assistant photographer", as always, and used about five-and-a-half rolls of film. The "paid" photographer was quite good, but he was also a jerk!

Anyway, I also took a bunch of pictures with my digital camera, which you can see in the rest of these messages.

(Two years later...)

Art and Sarah now have a baby girl, Allison Ella Pena. My first niece! There's a link to her pictures, below.