Denny the Bellman

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Grandpa Crosby's Poem

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

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

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

Nervous Daddy

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

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

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

In her sleep, my grandma Ritchie passed away.

There are no words today.

First Notes

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

Storm-Pooper

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

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.

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