Miscellaneous | Mike Vincenti

Feb 1, 2011

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:44:22 -0500

This probably isn't front page news or worthy of a "prime" spot on such coveted real estate such as "mikevincenti.com", but... I was at The Velvet Lounge updating their website the other day when I took a short break and visited the lavatory. I usually don't make small talk with the "others" that I stand beside while doing my business but... I couldn't help it in this instance. With one hand, he had the situation under control. With the other hand, he was texting. I couldn't help it. With lack of anything better to say while in front of a urinal, I said "wow, that's talent!" He chuckled and we both agreed that we live in a different time. Yeah. I guess we do.

2011 has begun a bit lack luster for me. It not only has warped my perception of reality- it has probably sobered me from months, if not years, of blind faith. Let this be a lesson to... me. You cannot escape the IRS. Loans do not disappear without serious consequence, beloved pets inevitably suffer before your own demise, and loved ones can quickly become mere friends. It's amazing what just one year can hold. I am certainly living in a different time- one year ago was so much better. Obviously, the good thing is that there remains plenty of room for things to get better. And in the broader scope of things, I am too often reminded that greater misfortune is always a possibility.

Modern Family

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:54:51 -0500

Modern Family is the most recent a-pra-pro (sp?) TV series on TV now. It is the most relevant and down-to-Earth TV show on TV right now. I thoroughly respect the honesty and ingenuity in delivering really tough live circumstance to the world. When it happens live in our own life, it isn't so fluid. It is very sticky. Too sticky (sometimes). But when it is choreographed into a TV series, it can be absolutely refreshing. And just when you thought it couldn't get more real... Cougar Town begins.

Dante is walking!!

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:01:50 -0400

Yup, that's right... Dante has begun to walk again. He is extremely wobbly and can't walk very far but I am so happy to announce that his recovery is going extremely well. He is no longer on medication, his spirits seem really high and he is finally starting to get around a little bit. Now we just have to make sure to break his old habits of jumping up and down.

Steal my laptop!?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:50:12 -0400

Here is a saga that may finally come to an end. Over a year ago, my mother sent me her laptop to be repaired. I replaced the hard drive, loaded it up with software, set everything up for her and sent it back. After about 2 weeks having not heard from her, I realized that I had sent the computer to the wrong address! Actually, I sent it to her old address. Luckily, she still owned the house and was renting it to a couple with kids. Upon asking them if any packages had arrived for her, they became a bit indignant and assured her that nothing arrived with her name on it. Nor, has she received any mail (even though she just recently moved). I checked the tracking information with UPS and discovered that it was indeed delivered about a week prior and that someone had signed for it. They signed their initials. So again, my mother went there to ask again but this time she brought the sheriff with her. She was afraid, since the last conversation didn't go very well. They tenants became very offended and did not say kind things to my mother or the sheriff. Nothing came of it. My mother and the sheriff had to leave because they didn't really have any kind of hard evidence.

Prepare! But not in the rain...

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:49:15 -0400

I learned yesterday that Port Jefferson School is/was going to have an "emergency evacuation drill" this afternoon. After which, the kids will be released early. However, the drill will not take place if it rains. So, on Monday, the bulletin boards in school may read, "Emergency evacuation drill cancelled due to inclement weather."

"Irregardless, I could care less."

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:27:03 -0400

The other day, I was talking to someone and he said nonchalantly "Irregardless, I could care less." I let the statement go in passing because I knew what he was trying to say. But really, if you think about it... I don't think he said what he meant to say. First of all, what does "irregardless" mean? I mean, I know what regardless means and so "irregardless" should mean the opposite; meaning: Regard; to have an interest in something. Regardless; to have no interest in something or having very little to do with. So "irregardless" should mean (as in a double-negative), to NOT have very little to do with or consideration for. But this was just the beginning of his contradictory statement. It then followed that he could care less. That is, he could indeed be less interested and that this thing that he was talking about actually did matter to him despite the variables previously mentioned! So really, he meant to say, "Irrespective to any condition, this just doesn't matter to me." However, what he did say, translated accurately and logically was, "Depending on the circumstance, I could take this very seriously... but maybe not."

Tail Tells All

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:57:10 -0400

Last night, Dante wagged his tail! This is great news because that means that his recovery is coming along. He still can't move his legs but small steps, or rather tail wags, will keep spirits high. I'm very excited for the little guy. :)

Dante Update

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:45:00 -0400

Well, today we took Dante to his physical therapy / acupuncture. He is making slow progress. Though he is starting to feel better and his pain is going away, he still has no movement in his legs. But on a high note, most of his meds are done and do not need to be replenished. We are expecting some significant progress in the next two weeks. He's got about 5 more sessions left. I will hopefully report with some better news. Hope is high and he seems happy. At least he isn't in pain anymore.

Dante

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:40:04 -0400

Dante is the best dog in the world. Dante came from the North Shore Animal League and he was rescued in June of 2005. My ex brought him home one day and though I was hesitant at first, I fell in love with him almost immediately. Today, we share the dog because neither one of us could bare losing him. He is part dachshund and part mini pincher. He really is a great dog- very gentle and kind and very loyal. He is a small dog with a huge personality. However, about 2 weeks ago, Dante was hurt. For those of you who have been "in the loop," you've been asking me how he has been doing and I am sorry that I haven't been keeping everyone up to date. So, here goes a blog that will keep everyone up to date automatically. Let me start from the beginning...

Dante has always been a very active and healthy dog. He enjoys mostly playing with big dogs and would seem absolutely fearless (most of the time). He'd jump on the bed and off the bed, on the couch and off the couch and he'd even jump up and down if I came home from work or if he knew he was getting a treat. As cute as I thought this was, this contributed to a condition that is common in dachshunds. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that he stopped eating and seemed somewhat lethargic. I assumed he was sick and I kept an eye on him. The next day he seemed fine. The following night, I came home late and realized that Dante suddenly could not use his back legs. He became paralyzed. Totally distraught, I rushed him to the animal hospital first thing in the morning. It was quite clear that Dante had a ruptured disc in his back that was bruising his spinal cord. Immediate surgery was suggested because the sooner they could operate, the better chance Dante would be able to walk again. And so with very little doubt, Dante was then transported to an emergency animal hospital where there was a surgeon awaiting his arrival. They operated almost immediately. The operation was a success in that they were able to stop the bruising and fix the damaged part of the spinal cord. However, we now have to wait for him to heal to see if Dante's back legs will come to life again.

The Late Guy (2006)

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:13:04 -0400

When I first met Guy, I was on my best behavior. I was meeting both Guy and Conky for the first time because I wanted to move in next door. Next door was right on the other side of their wall. It soon became apparent that these folks were laid back and very cool. Although, I have to admit, Guy was a bit weird. Eventually you adapt to his method of madness. You don’t expect a straight answer and whether or not he is actually kidding is totally besides the point. Let me put this in perspective.

I remember driving down the long rugged dirt driveway for the first time. As I made my way past all of the trees and shrubs, over the rocks and through the ditches, I parked in front of huge barn. It was like I left Long Island and the 20th century. I was introduced to Conky since she was the one who took care of all the business and she asked me the regular questions. But really, it seemed more as a matter of tradition. I don’t think she really cared what my last name was or where I worked. If the folks next door suggested me and I didn’t do anything to outright offend her right there, I think I was as good as in. And then she introduced me to Guy, her husband. As I extended my arm to shake his hand, I said, “Hi, how are you.” He barely accepted my handshake and got directly to the point.