David Ritchie

Hypnosis

2010-06-01T15:17:00.000-04:00

ear drums drumming memory
reverberating
drums drumming memory
shadows
drumming memory
echoing
memory

sleep

wake to dreams of leaves
adorning sidewalks
long walks home
the child perched beneath rainbows
your mother's eyes smiling
empty playgrounds at dusk
the first touch of fresh snow
sliding banisters
running bases
childhood
endless
peace

sleep

Trust Peace

2010-05-13T10:24:00.000-04:00

Trust
(my velvet daughter’s smile, like a vast translucent dream,
her open hand and brilliant laugh, her wild flower embrace)
peace.

A moment arrives

2010-05-07T16:02:00.000-04:00

A moment arrives
from nowhere
(now here)
and finds itself confronted by choice.
Not as in diverging paths, but versions of truth.

An icicle drips from the awning, and with each measured falling,
a new moment arrives
from nowhere
(now here)
again confronted by choice, or versions of truth.

A wildflower blooms, and with each new plume,
a new moment arrives
from nowhere
(now here).

The spiral continues until you confront
the moment that arrives
from nowhere
(now here)
and choose your version of truth.

Firefly Elixir

2010-05-03T16:41:00.000-04:00

We smear drunk rose delicious dreams,
and whisper sweet urges,
like light on sand at dusk.
We beg for morsels
(to taste, save, and savor)
from the memory making machine; summer.

Lullabye

2010-04-29T14:28:00.002-04:00

In a moon soaked rocking chair moment

you touched my face and whispered.

Your curly tendrils of golden strawberry

wound down the side of your face

like so many sunset streams

of my Southern Ohio

foot hill memory.

In that instance of breath and smile,

I felt electric and sang you to sleep.

solar desire

2010-04-28T17:55:00.000-04:00

craving the gravity of your touch
i construct imaginary labyrinths
to find myself lost in
the endless details of the impossible you

New Rule: Same Sex Bathroom Visits

2009-03-31T22:53:00.004-04:00

Every parent has a story like this.

We are driving home from vacation (in this case a 3 day trip to a cabin in the woods) and the kids are exhausted. It is dark. From the back seat Maya yawns and says she has to go potty. Naturally we are on the highway so I get in the right lane and start watching for an exit with a rest stop or gas station. As I veer onto the exit ramp, I look in my rearview mirror and see that Maya is fast asleep. She looks so Angelic and peaceful. And I have to wake her up.

If there is one absolute certainty in the world it is this: children ALWAYS go to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times possible. It's like they have some little internal radar that dictates a full bladder when (a) there is no bathroom in sight (b) you have just finished taking their sibling to the bathroom or (c) they have just fallen asleep on a long car ride.

Here's the problem: Maya is a pistol when she is happy and awake. When she is cranky and tired, she is a Nuclear Weapon. She is my Tomboy Princess. I love her to death. That is never in question, I would give my life for her in an instant. But, I would be lying not to admit that sometimes I think it would be a wise decision to hide under a desk in the fetal position rather than face her when she is mad. I am told that I was like this when I was a little boy. Sometimes when I relate stories about Maya to my parents they look at me with this strange smile, like they are finally cashing in on some cosmic bet from long ago.

So, the dilema. Let her sleep in peace, which she deserves, and risk cleaning up a horrible mess. Or, wake her up and take her to the bathroom, risking the wrath of a tired 3 year old Kamikaze.
I woke her up. And, as luck would dictate, it was my turn to take her to the bathroom. Generally speaking, Courtney takes on this duty - I did more with Luke when he was smaller. But, for reasons I don't recall, it was my turn.

Gently, I tap her on the shoulder. She nods in and out of sleep. I say something sweet. She tells me to leave her alone. I remove the seatbelt straps. She curls up in a ball. I pick her up and she puts her head on my shoulder. Very sweet and comfortable. I take her into the gas station and realize as we enter that this is going to be one of "those" men's rooms. I look back to the car, look at the bathroom door, and think that it can't be too bad. As I enter Maya starts to protest. I explain the situation to her. I reason with her. I reason with myself about why I am reasoning with a tired 3 yr. old that has to go to the bathroom.

I have read that there exists in nature many predators that disguise themselves so well that their prey is completely caught off guard when they attack. This is absolutely true, and one of them is apparently my spawn. Her first cry was piercing. Then, gathering her wits, she stopped crying and attempted to argue her way out of the bathroom. I asked her to take off her pants so that she could go potty. She refused, loudly. She told me that she was wearing a ballet one-piece under her jeans and T-shirt and that if I wanted her to go potty I would have to get her naked. This part she said quietly. She was not quiet when she yelled, "I won't let you get me naked!!" Nor was she quiet when she shouted as loud as she could, "Get away from me - you're not my Daddy!" Or "Don't touch me" Or "I just want my mommy. What did you do with my Mommy?"

I think it was at this point that I started to realize how this must sound to anyone on the other side of that door. Children say strange things, that's a given. I know that most parents would understand exactly what led us to this moment if they knew the whole story. I also know that if I were on the other side of that door at 10pm in a dirty gas station in the middle of no-where Ohio listening to a little girl scream what she was screaming I might be inclined to break down the door. Or call the Cops.

I was past the point of no return. She was going to use that bathroom if it was the last thing we did together. It should be noted here that I do not hit my children. In fact, I don't even spank them. My best form of punishment for Maya is taking away her baby dolls or dance slippers. I know what you are thinking: If I spanked her she wouldn't act like this in the first place. That's a nice thought, and absolutely not true. I do not know a parent that spanks who's child does not act out. I do not know a parent who doesn't spank who's child does not act out. All children act out.

Eventually, she went. She cried, protested, swore the whole time that she didn't have to go and became absolutely inconsolable, but she went. When I was putting her clothes back on and instructing her not to touch anything she stopped crying only long enough to ask what the vending machine in the bathroom was for, and did she get a treat for going potty. I tried to explain in a very calm tone that the machine was for adults only and did not have treats for little girls in it. This made her Really Mad. As I dried her hands and pushed open the door she was saying "I should have at least earned a treat for what I did".

That is when I saw the Police Officer with her hands folded over her chest staring at me on the other side of the door.

I smiled, weakly, and headed straight for the car. I figured that if she wanted to ask me questions, fine, but at least I could get to my wife and other child so she could see that I wasn't some Sicko. Safety in numbers, right? Thankfully, she did not ask me any questions, and I am quite sure that it was a coincidence that she was there at the gas station at that particular time, buying a coffee or something.

I was quiet for a few minutes in the car. Once back on the highway, I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw my little Angel asleep in her seat, all warm and dry. Her cheeks were rosy from crying, and she looked beautiful. As my heart swelled and ached with love for her I understood (as I have before) the word "unconditional".

Then, I made Courtney swear that we would obey a strict Same Sex Bathroom Visit Policy from now on.

Sometimes Time Times Itself

2009-03-08T23:39:00.002-04:00

After a long break from blogging it was fun to come back and read old posts.
Time flies...I can't believe how much it feels like some of the events in previous posts happened just yesterday only to realize it's been years. The kids are growing into such strong forces and although the change happens slowly it is absolutely palpable.
I've switched jobs, again, but am still with the same company. The drive is longer but I am a Managing Partner now so it seems like the gas / time / miles are part of an investment. Oh, and the restaurant(s) are cool and profitable so that makes it interesting.
I've missed this - it's a nice way to relax and process the day, let it roll off, and drift away.
-DR

Go Bengals

2006-09-18T23:40:00.000-04:00

You can take The Ritchies out of Cincy...but...

Poetry

2006-08-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

It's official - I finally wrote a poem, breaking what ended up being a 5 year dry spell. The last poem I wrote was shortly after September 11, 2001 and became the final piece in my senior thesis. Soon after that poem Luke was born and I decided that my next would have to be about him. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time grasping how much he was changing my life (do new parents ever know how much children change everything?). The idea that I refused to write a poem until I finished one for him became a sort of game in my head which evolved into a self-inflicted writer's block.
The poem is titled "light". I need to revise it a bit, but I am happy to say that now I feel a weight lifted from me and I see the world in a familiar way again. I think I should work on Maya's poem right away so that I don't wait until she is 5...

The Prodigal Blogger Returns

2006-07-26T00:54:00.000-04:00

Hello again from Toledo / Ann Arbor.
Since my last post I have come to think of Toledo and Ann Arbor as a single city seperated only by a few chapters in a book on CD at 2am.
(Is anyone reading this?)
So much has happened. I think it is best to not write one long boring story, but to insert the details instead into the next few posts.
The big news making me sit at 1am and awake a sleeping blog is...
Maya is walking!
Well, kind of walking. She took three steps yesterday-right into my arms as she was holding a book of puppies that she apparently had decided I must read to her at that exact moment.
I am very proud.
I hope that you will read this blog again, I look forward to continuing it. I want to rant and rave about why I stopped writing for so long, but that is a different post for a different day.
For now - I am tired - and glad to be writing again.

work work work

2006-04-13T09:41:00.000-04:00

12-14 hour days, 6 days a week. Constant planning, teaching, coaching, decisions, and about 750,000 details to work out. I guess I knew this was coming. I pushed opening by a few days to allow for some extra training. Open to the public day is now May 1, and today I will decide on final dates and times for the practice days and VIP party.
Details to follow.

Crosby's

2006-04-04T21:56:00.000-04:00

This picture and quote were sent by my Aunt Julie Kowalski (mom's sister). It was taken on the day my Grandma returned from the hospital. Enjoy...

Back Online

2006-04-02T08:25:00.000-04:00

With the family sick and work pressure hitting me full force, I haven't been online to post (or even check email) in about a week. Here are some updates:

Family:
Grandma left the hospital this week and was moved to a recovery floor of the retirement home. Grandpa was also moved to the floor where the staff can check on him more easily since he needs so many "cues" to get through the day. They are keeping their apartment on the first floor for now, but I gather the plan is to eventually move Grandma up to Grandpa's new room. So with living space on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, I think they are taking over the community. Thank you all for the prayers and nice thoughts.
Everyone in my house (except me) over the last week had a fever that reached at least 103. Luke and Courtney got as high as 105 at one point. Doctors say they had a really bad flu - and Maya's ended up being a double ear infection in both ears. I missed work a bit to help at home - and have so far avoided this round of it. Today everyone is doing much better - let's hope its over.
Work:
Our opening date is set at April 26. Training begins on April 10 and is pretty intensive for the two weeks leading up to the opening. At this point I have hired my core staff, and will just use next week to fill in some of the holes. I feel very confident so far with the crew. The experience of opening a restaurant is a roller coaster that is in many ways driven by these 80 or so strangers that I hired. Although I direct most of what they will do in the next month, it still feels like I am the one along for a ride. The weekend before opening does include one VIP and two Practice days. Those nights always feel like the moment when the roller coaster breaches the top of the big hill - but hasn't rushed downward yet. In that moment I can tell what kind of a ride it will be. Opening night is rushing down the hill - and the first year after opening contains the corkscrews, smaller hills, and loops that make the ride so worth it.

I hope everyone is well...

Progress

2006-03-25T07:46:00.000-05:00

The construction phase of the restaurant is moving along. The shell of the bar is in, floors are finished, drop ceilings are in progress, and the kitchen equipment arrives Monday. Part of our deal with the city of Ann Arbor over the historic context of the building included a restoration of the original Mayer-Scharer sign over the front door. It arrived yesterday and I was amazed. It is very cool, and very very large. I took a walk on my lunch break and counted that I could still see the sign from about 4 - 5 blocks away. I can't wait to see it at night all lit up. I have completed the first 5 days of hiring and I feel pretty confident about the types of applicants so far. It is a good feeling to know that we are creating 100 new jobs. Sometimes the look on an applicant's face when I offer them a position is enough to make me smile all day.
Cheers

Crawling

2006-03-21T18:21:00.000-05:00

This just in - Maya is mobile.

Watch out world.

First Word!

2006-03-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Maya has been exploding with energy this week. She is so close to crawling that I would bet it will be in the next few days. She rolls everywhere she wants to go, but when she tries to crawl she goes backwards. She looks so determined. The biggest change in her this week seems to be how she is interacting with us. The first thing we noticed was that every time she has a towel or blanket within arm's reach she smiles and covers her face. She will sit there patiently and not move it until we say "Peek a Boo". It is fun. She has also found that she likes to wave. Of course when we wave at her we say "Hi". I was shocked on Thursday when she looked up at me, waved, and said "Hi" so clearly. She also babbles a lot - most of which sounds like "Dadda" to me (although Courtney hasn't heard it yet). She has said "Hi" 4 or 5 times since Thursday.

Grandma Crosby

2006-03-15T20:45:00.000-05:00

Last week it seemed that my Grandpa Crosby's health took a turn for the worse. The doctors told us that he should be transferred to assisted living. He refused, and will not even speak of being separated from Grandma. If it is possible to live on one heart and one brain, they do.

Then, just as everyone was focusing on his needs, my Grandma had a stroke. This was very upsetting for me, as you can imagine. My Grandma Crosby, as most of you know, has had a significant impact on my life. I love her dearly.
The stroke was on the left side of her brain, causing some paralysis to her right side and making it difficult to speak. My understanding is that she was unconscious for most of the first day.

I am happy to report that she is recovering very well! She has regained feeling in her right arm and leg. She has smiled and is speaking better. It will be a long road and they will both need to be in assisted living at the least. Please pray that they can be transferred together.

The Great Depression - War - Children - Work - Retirement. These hounds could not tear them apart - let us stop poor health at the door as well.

Good night (yawn) world

2006-03-05T01:09:00.000-05:00

It's just after 1am - I just got home from work. I am exhausted.
My job tonight was to "follow the flow". This puts me right in the middle of the experience the entire night. First, I start at the door and spend time with the hostess greeting and seating guests. Then, after the first wave is sat in the dining room, I go to the bar and help with drinks. Next, I make my way to the kitchen and work the expo line. Expo is like the last line of defense in a restaurant kitchen. When the chefs finish cooking each plate they put it in the service window and the expo reads the order ticket and compiles the meal on the tray for the server to deliver. Expo physically looks at and touches every single plate that goes to a customer. This does not happen slowly, as you can imagine. It is a good place for a manger to be for a number of reasons. I can watch the ticket times which tells me how long guests are waiting for food, I can catch errors before they are seen in a dining room, I can monitor the quality of the product being served, I can control portion sizes, and I can influence presentation. After expo, I go back into the dining room and do table visits and talk to guests. I don't visit every table (that's annoying). Instead I find a reason to approach random tables (clear a plate, pick up a napkin, etc.) which makes conversation easier. Finally, I return to the hostess stand to thank people and ask them to return. Begin wave 2 - greet and seat - then the process starts over.
Following the flow is extremely difficult.
I got in a fight with a jar of mayonaise and it won - I need a shower.

Love

2006-03-02T08:48:00.000-05:00

Maya sits up

2006-03-01T09:31:00.000-05:00

Good news: Maya sat up for the first time! She had a big proud grin on her face, and held her posture for about a minute before toppling over.

Still waiting for teeth...

Cincinnati Wine

2006-02-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

For those readers who live in or visit Cincinnati:
I regularly read a wine blog by a man named Jens who runs a wine shop named "The Cincinnati Wine Warehouse" located at the east end of Madison Road where it dead ends into Camargo/Plainville at the foot of Indian Hill. If you are ever looking for a good bottle, I think he can point you in the right direction. I don't know him, of course, but enjoy his online reviews.

A fresh start

2006-02-25T22:56:00.000-05:00

Week one is finished. I am learning the ropes at Grizzly Peak Brewing Company for the first month or two while they complete construction on XXXX. Grizzly is about 3 doors away from where I'll be, so its a great place to set up shop for interviews and hold planning meetings. Naturally they want me to learn the company's operations before opening, so I've been shadowing Grizzly's GM and helping where I can. Grizzly consists of two bars, three dining rooms, and a brewery where they hand craft their beer (very cool process - my favorite is the red). There is one huge difference from where I've been - this place is busy...always busy. A typical night brings in up to 300% more business than I was used to, and that's not even a weekend. I think the hotel taught me to accept lower levels of volume - a lesson I am quickly forgetting. I am tired - but excited.

XXXX's Projected Opening Date = April 17, 2006

Going out in style

2006-02-19T13:35:00.000-05:00

After turning in my keys yesterday, I hosted a party for Elle's 50th birthday at the restaurant, which I had planned well before knowing it would be my last day. It was strange to be 'just a customer' - but I was very proud of the food and service. I can't think of a better way to leave a job.

A friend gave me a copy of a monthly Detroit magazine called "Hour". The March issue is the food issue which crowns the Detroit metro area's restaurant of the year for 2005 and highlights the 17 best new spots in town. This friend told me he hoped that next year's issue would feature my new place. Guess what? XXXXX, the restaurant that mine is modeled after (and owned by my company), is one of those 17 best new restaurants in Detroit! At the end of the section talking about it they name XXXXXX (my new place) as set to open soon. It's nice to be anticipated...any bets to if I'll make the 2006 list?

2 Days

2006-02-16T17:46:00.000-05:00

2 more work days until I say goodbye to the Hilton Toledo and 31 Hundred Restaurant & Bar. I wish I could say it is bittersweet, but I honestly don't have much reservation about leaving. Not too many sad goodbyes and all that jazz. I made my share of friends, but always knew this was not a long term gig, so I stayed comfortably distant.
As I prepare to leave I feel the most sad about leaving the bar. I know, I know, this is the sadness all Ritchies feel. I remember when we were in the heart of the construction phase. I would go into the big empty, dusty room and try to imagine the sounds of people laughing, eating, and enjoying themselves. Now, as I stand in the room filled with people and watch bartenders getting drinks, servers running food, and customers smiling I know it was worth it.
Last night I had my first meeting with my management team for XXXXX. The building is a big empty, dusty room.
Cheers to doing it all over again...

Denny the Bellman

2006-02-15T10:09:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while we meet someone who, for whatever reason, makes us view our world in a different way. Unfortunately, we often don't value the significance of their contributions until they are gone. Today one such person in my life has passed after suffering a heart attack last night.
His name was Denny and he was a bellman at work. A motorcycle accident 20 or so years ago left him with the physical impairment of having only one arm. When I first met Denny my thoughts were the same as everyone else's. Can he lift the baggage, open doors, drive the van, and cater to the millions of needs that our guests have each day? As part of the executive committee who hired Denny, I argued from the begining that he deserved exactly the same chance as anyone else who applied. He was eager to demonstrate how well he has adjusted to his physical impairment and he proved in 10 minutes that he could do these tasks as well (or better) than anyone else.
Hiring Denny ended up being one of the best decisions our team ever made. Denny was well received by guests, consistently went over and above his job duties to ensure satisfaction, and made employees feel welcome and happy. He forged personal relationships with many of his co-workers and will be missed greatly.
Denny can teach us a lesson, even in his absence. Tie one arm behind your back and carry someone's suitcase for them, open a door for them, and help them into an elevator while not making them feel strange about the situation. This requires balance, skill, intellegence, and most of all a sense of humor. By all accounts Denny looked at the world through a wonderful lense where he did not take anything for granted.
Please, let us not take for granted the blessing that we have.

Thank You

2006-02-14T07:48:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who sent their wishes on my and Luke's birthdays. The past 2 weeks have been kind of a blur.
Courtney and Luke, realizing my stress and nervousness levels have been rising, planned a wonderfully relaxing birthday for me. First, they let me sleep in with the baby, then showered me with gifts of magazines and a daily planner. Next, it was out to breakfast and then they blind-folded me. In the car Court announced that upon reaching our destination I would be left alone for a while. That scared me. After driving in what seemed like circles and walking me through loud cooridors, she unmasked me to reveal a wellness spa. They left me with a hydro-bath and a massage to calm me and prepare me for the coming year and all of its changes. When I was finished, they picked me up and blind-folded me again. This time she revealed my favorite cafe / wine store. She presented me with a card full of money and let me wonder around to find the perfect bottle. I chose Hedges "3 Vineyards Blend" and we drank it with steaks that Elle and Ed cooked for us at their house. The plan was for them to watch the kids after dinner so Court and I could go get a drink and talk somewhere - but we were so tired and having such a good time that we decided to just stay in for the night and watch a movie. It was really a nice day - one of the best birthdays ever.
I am a VERY lucky man.

Teach the kids to hug

2006-02-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

I rarely post about current events or anything that is in the news. However, this one was too tempting.

From CNN: "First-grader suspended for sex harassment"
BROCKTON, Massachusetts. (AP) -- A 6-year-old boy is getting a lesson on the meaning of sexual harassment long before he'll be able to spell it...
There have been similar cases. In 1996, a New York second-grader was suspended for kissing a girl and ripping a button off her skirt -- an idea the boy said he got from his favorite book "Corduroy," about a bear with a missing button. Earlier that year, a Lexington, North Carolina, 6-year-old was separated from his class after kissing a classmate on the cheek.

So...I should remember to teach Luke that he may never, under any circumstances, no matter how much he wants to, hug or show affection for another child. I understand that children are maturing at rates too fast for past generations to keep up with. I also understand that the "evils" of television, internet, and music are to blame - but could this child have really wanted sex? I say teach the kids to hug.

The Waiter

2006-02-08T09:47:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have noticed my links to the right of this blog. I want to point out one that I read often - waiter rant. It is a blog written by an anonymous waiter at a bistro somewhere around New York City. He has been writing this blog for a few years now and only refers to himself as "waiter". His posts are amusing, funny, poignant, and intelligent. He not only exposes the inner world of restaurant work, but often shows a glimpse of true humanity in the process. I encourage anyone with time to start here, and if you like it then check out some of his older posts - they are equally as enjoyable to read.

Good News!

2006-02-07T12:26:00.000-05:00

The good news is now official - yesterday I accepted a new job as the General Manager of a restaurant called XXXXXX slated for opening this spring in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The story of why I was looking in the first place starts with a school that we have been looking at for Luke. The only two drawbacks of the school were that it would require a bigger cushion of income and a move to the Ann Arbor area. I had never dreamed that in only two weeks I could solve both problems with one simple job search - I guess timing is everything. As it turns out, my particular set of skills is exactly what my new company was looking for in a GM. The new restaurant is loosely modeled after one of their other restaurants, XXXXXX in Royal Oak, MI.
The preliminary plan is to commute 45 minutes to Ann Arbor and start looking at housing options halfway between Toledo and Ann Arbor for a possible Summer or early Fall '06 move.
I'll keep everyone posted as this exciting story develops!

I'm Back

2006-02-03T12:10:00.000-05:00

I've been so busy the last week or so that I haven't had time to post much. I hope there is someone still out there reading. Sorry if anyone has been checking to no avail as of late.
The main thing occupying my attention this week was Luke's birthday. I learned an important lesson on his birthday: Chucky Cheese's is a casino for children! I'll have pictures to post this weekend, after the party. Sadly, I don't think his annual video will be completed in time - I got sidetracked by a really bad cold that kept me out of work for 2 days and I lost precious computer time at home as well. I promise to finish it next week and make copies for anyone interested.

I may have big news this weekend, or early next - stay tuned ;-)

Self Googling

2006-01-27T14:08:00.000-05:00

After being cautioned against Googling myself, I couldn't resist. These are some of the "faces of David Ritchie" that I found -

entrepreneur of the year
the diving instructor
the Australian Ambassador
the poet
the radio host
the musician
And my personal favorite...the physicist

Training

2006-01-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

Not much time for posting this week. I am in training to become a certified trainer for Hilton Hotels. "Train the trainer" classes are always interesting. I am learning all kinds of valuable information on how to provide better service...and I will get a niffty little certificate to hang on my wall.

Pictures

2006-01-20T15:21:00.000-05:00

Grandpa Crosby's Poem

2006-01-19T16:24:00.000-05:00

On June 6, 1945, my maternal grandfather, James Crosby, was in the South Pacific while my grandmother, Virginia, was celebrating the first birthday of their first daughter, Carol. Sad that he would miss her birthday, he sent the following poem which re-surfaced this week and is now circulating throughout the family. Enjoy!

June 6, 1945

Happy Birthday little girl
With that saucy, golden curl
Perched atop your pretty head
As mama tucks you into bed.

You're just one year old today
And your daddy's far away
Far away on distant shores
Dreaming, as the ocean roars.

Dreaming of a year ago
And a cry so soft and low
Heaven sent a bundle blest
Down to brighten up our nest.

You are mamas pride and joy
Sweet and shy and oh so coy
Daddy loves you so much too
As you chuckle, grin, and coo.

On this very special day
When I must be so far away
If I could send a gift - a toy
It would fill my heart with joy.

But over here they have no toys
For little girls and little boys
They hide in caves and are not gay
Because of war they cannot play.

And so I send the only thing
That fastest aeroplane can bring
All my love and kisses too
And happiness your whole life through.

The poem is signed: All my love and kisses, Daddy

Grande Decaf Skinny Mocha No Whip

2006-01-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

Is Starbucks the pinnacle of customer service, allowing us to get exactly what we want in a Cup of Joe, or is it a secret plot designed to cash in on our hidden narcissism? Perhaps the answer is a combination of both. Most of us lumber through the day taking orders from a variety of bosses, customers, and family members. Suddenly, a Grande Decaf Skinny Mocha No Whip symbolizes a way of taking control. Where does the barista fit into all this? Does she have her favorite cup too? How does she, before making our countless special orders seem so personal, start her day?
I bet she drinks Tea.

*for the record: Court drinks the Grande Decaf Skinny Mocha No Whip - my order is much more manly :-)

little family

2006-01-14T15:39:00.000-05:00

This is the most recent photo of all four of us. Wow, "four" still sounds weird.

Nervous Daddy

2006-01-12T22:08:00.000-05:00

This week Luke has been visiting Pre-Schools in an effort to determine where he will begin his educational journey this Fall. On Monday he had his first of these visits without us present, which was probably harder on Court and I. As we were walking into the school, I looked down at my own shoes and saw this! Thank God he has 8 more months until he will be going on a regular basis - I'm not ready.

Five Questions

2006-01-12T19:20:00.000-05:00

I found these five questions on my Uncle Rob's Blog a few weeks ago and it made an impression, so here are my answers. Please take the time to answer them on your own - it's a great way to reconnect with your life.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I dreamed (I think from the time I could dream) of piloting a Fighter Jet in the Air Force. I visited the Dayton Air Force Museum, played with toy jets, wore a bomber jacket, idealized my Uncle Jim Kowalski (who is now a General), and memorized how to identify almost all jets visible from the ground by markings, shape, and tail fin(s).
2. Did you follow through? If not, what happened?
Two things happened. The first was a poem. My junior high school English teacher asked us to write an original poem. After much protest, I finally sat down and wrote about a dog-fight between an American F-15 Eagle and a Russian Mig-28. The process sparked a passion for writing that I still cannot quite understand, even after a BFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry. The second was a gradual realization that although the high speed pilot part was appealing the military lifestyle was not. Anyone who knows me as an adult understands why I became a poet (uh - restaurant manager) and not a pilot.
3. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?
My adult life has been wonderful so far. I have a beautiful wife who understands me and teaches me to be unique and stand up for what I believe in, a son who runs through the house and leaps from the stairs into my arms when he hears me open the door, and a daughter who makes me forget my name every time she smiles.
4. Paradoxes aside, if you could time-travel back to when you were 10 years old, what would you tell your 10 year-old self?
I would say: Relax...don't be too serious...thank your brother Michael in advance for everything he's about to do for you in the next few years...he will become the greatest friend of your life.
5. Do you think the child you were would like the adult you've become?
Absolutely.

Gathering of the Ritchies

2006-01-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

Grandma gave us one last gift - and in typical Ritchie fashion - it lasted late into the night and resulted in bartenders staying open late. I believe we all gave her a gift as well - we traveled from far and wide to be together and celebrate with family the life of a matriarch who valued and taught family above all else. Personally, the trip to Cincinnati revitalized in me a deep sensation of the importance of family and family ties. I think that is what she would have wanted.

January 4, 2006

2006-01-04T12:20:00.000-05:00

In her sleep, my grandma Ritchie passed away.

There are no words today.

First Notes

2006-01-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

With the first strike of the first key, she is a natural!

Storm-Pooper

2005-12-31T14:37:00.000-05:00

This proves that there is a market for zipper front armor. Dedicated to my brother, Michael.

*note: the original caption for this picture ("storm-pooper") came from the website below. http://www.theforce.net/humor/captioning/cap63.asp

Home again

2005-12-31T10:57:00.000-05:00

We survived!
The tree is down, the decorations are put away, I'm back at work, and the champagne is on ice for tonight.
Thanks to everyone for the hugs, gifts, and warm hospitality. Yes, yes, we will send "official" thank you cards also.
We were able to buy a digital camera this week - as soon as we figure out how to use it I will send and post pictures.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve. Thanks for helping my family's 2005 be so great - cheers to another year.

rudolph picture

2005-12-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

Run Run Rudolph

2005-12-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings. We have officially named our car "Rudolph" this year, as we prepare for our 1st of 2 trips to Cincinnati in 6 days. We will be making the 3 hour drive south tonight, then returning tomorrow - only to head back down Tuesday and return home Wednesday. 12 hours in a car, 2 kids, 2 stressed out parents, 4 sets of families to visit, 3 loaves of freshly baked bread, 3 dozen cookies, 1 trunkload of presents - a partridge and a pear tree. Truthfully I am looking forward to the week of traveling and visiting. No work for 5 days - that always makes me smile. Although Courtney won't admit it to me right now (she bears the majority of the weight of packing/wrapping/baking...) she always loves the time in the car with her "captive audience". I can't promise we will do it this way next year, but we are certainly committed to making the best of it this week.
Can't wait to see everyone - won't be posting until I'm back for good on Thursday (28th).

Last minute details

2005-12-21T13:10:00.000-05:00

Not too much to report today. I spent half of my day working on our new wine list for the restaurant and the second half getting ready for our employee Holiday party. We baked around 80 dozen cookies for the party and were able to trade other businesses for enough gifts to give one per employee. Courtney has also been baking at home, which has proven a little more difficult than it was in the past with the addition of little Maya. She called me today to tell me that her and Luke got Maya to giggle for the first time today. I can't wait to get home and hear her for myself.

Sledding

2005-12-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

Purple Disk Sled - $5.00
Warm Gloves and Hat - $15.00
The look of bliss on your 3 year old's face - $priceless

I now believe, after a 30 minute adventure in the frozen tundra yesterday, that sledding down a golf course hill with a 3 year old is the single most enjoyable thing in the world. The cold was nothing that a cup of hot chocolate couldn't solve, and hearing Luke shout "be careful" to the kid braving the hill in a laundry basket with socks on his hands made me laugh out loud. I actually find myself hoping the snow doesn't melt so we can go again this week. Luke will be happy to see that Santa is brining him a giant Snow Intertube for Christmas. I bet we can break our speed record with it. The hotel fillion-ritchie is now taking reservations for anyone brave enough to venture north this season and join us on the hills. We'll supply the sleds, tubes, and hot chocolate - you bring the gloves and camera.

Slow Night at 31 Hundred

2005-12-17T11:57:00.000-05:00

There is no predicting what a waiter will do on a slow night...I guess we have a new mascot at work.
(sorry the picture quality is so poor - I only had my friend's phone /camera to work with)

Early mornings

2005-12-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

Up and out the door by 6am. 9 years in NW Ohio and I'm still not used to this cold.
We had Stephanie's boy, Nolan (5 weeks older than Maya), last night. It was fun - but I take back everything I ever said about wanting twins. At one point I had both babies crying and I was trying to figure out how to hold them both at the same time to calm them. I gave up right as Courtney came around the corner after putting Luke to bed. Good timing!
Tonight is a much needed Date night. Elle and Ed are watching Luke and Maya for a few hours so Court and I can go out to dinner. We realized how long it's been since we went out alone. Most of our "alone time" is spent when both kids are sleeping - and that usually includes one of them sleeping on or next to us. By nightfall we are both so tired that our normal time together involves one of us passing out in the middle of a tv show or movie. Perhaps tonight we can sneak a few moments of adult conversation without interuption.
I have been distracted by our snow as of late. Here is a good website if you are bored: http://nsdic.org/snow

Happy Shovel-Days

2005-12-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

Softly, winter arrives with a hush of snow.

The snow outside our window looks so quiet and relaxing. Then I remember that someone has to shovel it! Do child labor laws apply in these circumstances? Unfortuantely, they just don't close work with a little snow. Court took Luke sledding yesterday which officially kicks off the winter season for us. That (and a few properly thrown snow balls) makes it all worth it.