Howie, Groomsman

Brent (aka: Howie)

It's been said that Howie looks kinda like Kevin Costner.  Not Field of Dreams Kevin Costner...but more like Waterworld Kevin Costner.  Although he makes his home in San Diego, we stay in touch a lot, mostly during football season. He likes to brag about how great the weather is whenever we're getting dumped on with sleet and snow...to which I have no comeback for.  He's one of these guys that piggybacks off of my supreme football knowledge, and will ride whatever picks I give him. Like most of these guys, I never hear about all of the winners I predict.  But it never fails.  I could be 6-0 on a Saturday.  And if San Jose St or one of these other West Coast teams doesn't win the late game, I'll surely get a voice mail at 2:00 am EST to tell me how lousy I am.  It's ok...I get a kick out of them the next morning.  Howie's late Saturday night rants from the West Coast have become a staple in my Sunday morning routine every Fall.

Howie's another one of these Sportin' Wood fellows I met around 1995.  He was known as a pretty good hitter, and could hit .650 by only utilizing the space between the SS and 3B.  Kind of amazing and weak in the same time.  Howie was also really good infielder in his day, but got scared of the ball and wanted to play OF instead.  I can sympathize with that.  The move to San Diego shortened his playing career with Sportin Wood, and he was dearly missed...more as a friend than a player.  Take that however you'd like :) 

Howie's taste in music is questionable, at best.  I sent him a Superchunk CD one time, and never heard anything back.  So I assume he still has bad taste in music.  But I love him, nonetheless.

Michelle, Bridesmaid

Michelle and me during a week long excursion to NYC to see Pavement

All my Canadian friends ROCK. Well, this one especially. One of the truest people I have ever known—one of the coolest, really—Michelle Gillen was once mistaken for me—BY MY OWN DAD—in the GBV Electrifying Conclusion video. (Sorry for calling you out on this one, Dad.)

Gary and I met Michelle (and Ned—see Groomsmen) while seeking out Robert Pollard fueled rock concerts, probably in/ around the year 2004??? I don’t know—Miller Lite makes things hazy, sometimes.

Though a resident of Guelph, ON, Michelle and I see one another AT LEAST four times a year…and for all involved…it isn’t enough. When parting ways, we always openly share our wishes that one another lived closer. Five hours away is just too much. A kindered spirit and a balanced force in my times of rock mania, Michelle is always there to listen to my bologna-pony and make a suggestion of level-headed consideration. Plus, she has opened house and home many times to nothing more than Gary and I, four cases of beer, and rock and roll. And when it comes to environmentally friendly living, I always MUCH APPRECIATE her lucidity and sageness.

Erin, Bridesmaid

Erin is the pretty blonde--the rose, as I said...

Erin is my closest first cousin (of too many). Well, not proximity-wise anymore—North Carolina?! Anyway, Erin has always been the rose between two thorns (just kidding sis--I should speak for myself). And, I remember playing many days and nights at my grandma’s house with Erin, Emily (see Matron of Honor), and my cousin Kaiti (also pictured to the left).

When I was older, I often babysat for my Aunt Heather and Uncle Chip in Karns City, PA; though far “out there,” compared to my childhood abode, we had fun, and I enjoyed spending the time with my cousins. I vaguely remember being a snotty teenager once, though, and fighting with Erin and her brother about whether or not they were allowed to watch Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. I swore that it wasn’t an appropriate show (I had no idea, what-so-ever, really...), and they swore they had watched it all the time…I later found out that I was being a BIG JERK. Woah—TIME TRAVEL. LOL.

Erin has always been a gifted dancer, and though I never got to watch enough of her performances, I know that dancing was to her life  as gymnastics was to mine, when I was younger. I understood that well.

I recently got to enjoy a Post Secret show at Slippery Rock University (google: Frank Warren), and had a phenomenal time, thus solidifying my connection with an awesome “cuz.” And when Erin graduated with her teaching degree this past May, I was VERY proud of her accomplishments.

Dean, Groomsman

Dean (aka: Meat Pants)

A few years after meeting Dean, he asked me for a giant favor.  His fantasy football team in the legendary Windy City Fantasy Football League was in dire straits, losing season after season.  He was getting mocked by his peers at the annual draft, and he was tired of getting embarrassed.  Knowing that I was a fantasy football genius, Dean asked for my help.  So much like Pauly Cicero did for Sonny Bunz in Good Fellas, I came in as Dean's partner.  The rest is history.  Bloated Stiff Football would dominate and change the entire landscape of the WCFFL.  With my guidance, and Dean's "expertise" on any player who ever played for the Wisconsin Badgers, The Bloated Stiffs would win 5 league titles over a 10 year span.

Dean is also the class clown of the bunch. And while I enjoyed pulling his strings at times, much to the dismay of his lovely wife, Sue, I do claim innocence in most of Dean's deeds :)  Like the time he ate 15 hot dogs in a 20 minute span at McGaffer's, or something like that (the legend grows).  That wasn't really me egging him on.  I just had a rooting interest, since I bet everyone there that he could do it.

Dean was usually my roommate when our softball team traveled, and we usually got in the most trouble.  Too many stories, many of which will not be discussed on October 15th.  Despite the hi-jinx, Dean was always ready to go on game day.  We were probably a good match as roommates.  I liked to sleep in late.  On the other hand, Dean was so jacked up, he would often sleep in his uniform.  No need for coffee when you have Dean waking you up 2 hours earlier than necessary.

Besides being my fantasy football partner and former outfield mate, Dean's a really good pal, and a stand up guy.  Like many of the guys I met on this Sportin' Wood team, he also has a tremendous sense of humor.  There were many more good times off the field than on, and I will always treasure those the most.  Like the time our connecting flight to Florida was delayed, and we had a layover in Mississippi.  After a late night trip to the riverboat, we came back to the hotel and Dean...

Ned, Groomsman

Ned (aka: Ned)

I met him in a Pakistani Pizza shop.  Seriously.  It was some of the worst pizza I've ever tried, and it was after a Guided by Voices show in Washington, DC.  Ned will probably tell you he liked it.  He's been one of my best friends ever since.  Ned not only shares my obsession for GBV and 2nd favorite band (Pavement - the Real Madrid of La Liga), but he's a huge sports guy.  Many people I know are either passionate about one or the other.  Ned's one of those few that I can chat to about either, and we talk (e-mail) more regularly than anyone I know.

Ned's also responsible for making me into a crazy football (aka: soccer) fanatic.  I gave the sport a chance a few years back, after joining a World Cup pool of his, and I've been hooked ever since.  Thanks, Ned.  We don't always share the same viewpoints, and he likes to throw things in my face like YDLB.  He's incredibly quick witted, and will often answer an e-mail in the form of a Robert Pollard lyric.  On rare occasion, I have to Google, but I will never admit it to Ned. ILB.

Pictures of Ned are tough to come by (they're about as rare as finding an unopened Propeller).  While he's a professional photographer / journalist during the day, Ned is notoriously camera shy.  Most pictures of him come out with a huge palm facing the camera.  And despite being from Canada, Ned claims not to be a big fan of hockey.  Crazy and a shame, I know.

Our annual trips to Guelph, Ontario to visit him and his girlfriend Michelle (bridesmaid), and take in a Toronto FC game, are something that Jess and I cherish very dearly.  Ned & Michelle, along with their families and other Canadian pals, are some of the nicest and most beautiful people we've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with.  We love 'em...especially Ned.