The hardest speech I’ve ever given

My grandfather died on Saturday – a few hours before I made it home. Below are the words I spoke at his memorial service. Isle of View, the title of the speech, is what my grandfather used to write at the bottom of every letter he sent to my grandmother in college (say it three times fast and you’ll get it). Although incredibly emotional, I’m glad I was able to speak. It’s a moment that will live with me always.

Isle of View

Fond memories of summer vacation in Whitefish, Christmas on the tree farm, grueling games of Oh Heck, losing rounds of Ping pong, early morning tennis, a staple diet of bran muffins and prunes.

Charles, Chuck, Grandpa, Pepa, Dad, Daddy, Pop, Chuckles. He had many names, but there was one thing he considered us…competition. Whether it was early in the morning on the tennis court or late at night around the card table, Grandpa was always challenging us to do our best and at least try and beat him. Few of us were successful.

He was so many things to so many people – a father, a brother, a husband, an engineer, a magician – it took me years to figure out his thumb trick – he was a mentor, a volunteer, a Sunday school teacher, a basketball player, and last but not least a grandfather. He touched so many lives.

I will miss you Grandpa. I won’t be able to spell without you sounding out the words for me and will probably never be able to finish an entire crossword puzzle again. You taught me so much and will continue to be a good role model for my life. I’m thankful I knew such a great man.

Delivered by Eric Porterfield on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Charles Porterfield’s memorial service at Westminster United Methodist Church.

Bloomingdale’s Georgetown to Open in 2011

Bloomingdale’s has announced that it will a new store in the Shops at Georgetown Park by August 2011. The new three-level store will be modeled after Bloomingdale’s Soho in Manhattan. This is undoubtedly a big plus for the Georgetown mall, which currently has stores such as, Express and Dean & DeLuca.

Fish nibbiling at your toes

Yes, these are my feet being eaten by fish. I recently went to a fish spa in Kuala Lumpur, where the fish – bigger than i expected – give you a pedicure by nibbling at the dead skin on your feet and legs. For someone as ticklish as me, it was sometimes difficult to leave my feet still for only a few seconds at a time. For 38 ringit ($12) you get to dip your feet in flesh-eating fish infested waters. I would definitely recommend trying it sometime if you’re ever in KL.

What does half a billion dollars get you?

Nowhere if you are Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton. According to the NYTimes, Mr. Obama has raised $268 million and Mrs. Clinton $215 million. Can you imagine what our inner city schools would look like if we gave them $500 million? They could buy desks, books and computer equipment…and invest in dropout prevention, athletic or music programs. We must reform our campaign finance laws NOW.

Save your cell numbers online!

 

Have you ever left your mobile in the back of a taxi or dropped it in the toilet, losing all your numbers? Now there is a website that will allow you to save all your numbers. Simply save your contacts from your sim card to your phone and register on Mobyko. It will also allow you to sync your contacts to a new phone. I wish I would’ve thought of this a few years ago…

Pansy in America, Butch in Europe

First of all, I’m typing this entry in a Starbucks in Geneva – so American.

If you can’t tell, I’m an American living in Geneva for a few months for work. Having lived in Europe before (London for two years) it always strikes me upon first arriving at how the men our so different. In the states I would probably be called a smart or sharp dresser that pays attention to trends. In other words I like to look good and wear well made clothes. In Europe I see so many well dressed men wearing fitted clothes that I think they’re all gay. Not the case. Surprisingly, you’ll find more gay men walking the streets of New York City or Washington DC than in many of the cities of Europe (with the exception of Soho in London).

Get Alerts On Your Cell in DC

Have you ever wanted to know which streets are closed, when severe weather alerts are issued or when a metro station is closed? Now you can get Alert DC on your cell or blackberry to get an immediate text or e-mail notification during an emergency or major crisis. Well worth the couple of minutes to create an account.

Is male pattern mullet syndrome inherited?

My Chia Professor has male-pattern mullet syndrome. His Chinese Chia manufacturing parents must have mullets too. It’s the only explanation. Stay posted – his hair transplantation surgery is scheduled for later today.

The Chia Gods: Let There Be Hair!

I walked into the office this morning expecting to toss my Chia Professor in the trash, but lo and behold, it sprouted hair!  It’s not a full head of hair yet, but more of a mullet. Maybe he’s a redneck professor.

You don’t have to be southern to like okra

Not until I moved away from the South did I realize okra was not a separate but equal vegetable. It’s rarely eaten in the rest of the United States. If you think you’re too Yankee for okra because you didn’t grow up with the KKK in your backyard, try this recipe (revised from one of my favorite cookbooks). It will forever change your opinion of the slimy, green vegetable. 

 

What you’ll need:

1 lb fresh, whole okra (chop off the ends and julienne length ways – like french fries)

oil (i prefer grape or corn but any will do) 

1 medium tomato (diced)

1 small red onion (1/2 diced) 

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

garam masala spice (Indian spice…Whole Foods carries it) 

lemon 

salt 

 

What to do:

Preheat the oil (a few inches) to 350F to fry the okra. Once the okra is crispy (turns a little brown) drain it by placing on paper towels. Mix the cilantro, tomato, and red onion in a bowl and add the fried okra sticks. Squeeze fresh lemon as desired and add about a tsp of garam masala. Finally add a sprinkle of salt.