Brotherly Texting

Just a quick look into to infrequent and comical texts between me and my 17-year-old brother.

Drew: Hey random question for you i was just curious, what part of town did you move to?

Me: Its considered chelsea. Why? You looking up stuff?

Drew: Yeah i was just looking at a map, im turning into a geek like dad

Me: Haha just make sure youre not watching the weather channel

Drew: Haha no i stopped that when i was five

Roughly 400 miles between us and Dad still can't catch a break.

At Home In Cranberry

I was home last weekend for Tom & Amy's wedding and had a really great time. Not only did I see my friends at the wedding, Carolyn and I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, and I got to see a lot of my family as we celebrated my Aunt Freddie's birthday. Here are the pictures, and a ridiculous video of my dog, Grommit, helping us sing happy birthday.




Grommit & Co. Sings Happy Birthday

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Related Things:

• Pictures from the Pittsburgh Zoo
• More things about family
• More of my photography
  

Easter Weekend Recap

The Easter Bunny has come and gone, and he left behind some beautiful sunny weather in NYC. It was a beautiful weekend and I spent as much of it as I could outside and walking around (also napping.) I wasn't able to travel back home to see my family for the holiday, but I did spend it with all of my NYC 'family' if you will. Here are some pictures from Easter weekend.

Nothing says "Christ is risen" like candy, board games and booze.


Back in PA, Maura celebrated her first Easter in a new dress.
(ps- Did Shawnukah get skipped over?!)


I got an Easter card from my Gram & Pappy, and my brother texted me a pic of Gram with the famous bunny cake!


and Yes- I did get an Easter basket. Yes- it had a My Little Pony in it. No- I don't wanna talk about it.

Hope you had a nice Easter!

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Related Things:

• More holiday things
  
• More things about Maura
  

March Maura Madness

I'm not feeling that hot today, so I can't really muster up anything to blog about... but don't worry! I have been stashing some new pictures of Maura for just such an occasion! Please enjoy.

Looking comfy in her vest


Cuddled up with Daddy


Baby smiles for the win!

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Related Things:

• More Maura
  

Return of Cute Baby Monday

I'm bringing back Cute Baby Monday this week with some new picture of Ms. Maura. It's been a few weeks since I had any photo updates, so I feel it only fitting them I share them. Please enjoy the following cute pictures with witty comments...

Probably one of the cutest pictures ever


Apparently Maura is a morning person!


Mesmerized by the Valentine's balloon


Maura is a brooding hipster in training. She even has messy bangs.


Have a great day!

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Related Things:

• The original Cute Baby Monday
• More Maura
  

Black20 News with Jessie Cantrell

Happy Friday! It's that time of the week for some Black20 News with Jessie Cantrell.

This week Jessie shares tips on what and what not to search for on Craigslist, a cool family photo project and ways to get the Hulk angry!!!

Have a great weekend!

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Related Things:

• More Black20 News
• Black20.com
  

Maura Is 8 Months Old

Happy Hump Day everyone! Quick post today with a photo update from baby Maura (you missed her, didn't you?) I haven't received a new photo spread of her since her kidnapping Santa photo, so I was very happy to get a new pic in my inbox earlier in the week.

Maura recently turned 8 months old and here is sporting and older, dignified look.

I'm always cuted out by Maura, but listen... your baby toupee is looking a little crooked. Might wanna get that checked out.

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Related Things:

• Maura Mania
  

• Baby Toupees
  

Bye Bye 2007

On the final day of 2007 I thought it would be nice to write a recap of the past 365 days and look back at everything that has come and gone over the last year... but then I realized that would take a really long time and require lots of thinking and writing, and you probably wouldn't want to read it anyway. So, I have decided to share a few of my favorite blog entries from '07. Yes, I'm that lazy.

One of the great things about living in New York City is that chance to see some great concerts. I was lucky enough to see Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson up close and personal.

In March Carolyn and I decided to treat ourselves to a vacation, so we headed down the white sandy beaches of Miami for some R&R.

I had such a great time that I went back with my friend Kelly 4 months later.

Of course I always have my trusty cam with me, so I took a few photo spreads at cool places like the Conservatory Gardens and the American Museum of Natural History.

I started a new job with iVillage.com in May, and start producing a daily video called "On This Day."

In May my cousin Erin had a baby girl, Maura, who I quickly became obsessed with.

June was a quiet month, and I spent a relaxing afternoon at The Bronx Zoo and took a ton of photos.

It was also in June that I discovered a website that changed my life: SomeECards.com

In July I was paid a special visit by my Mom, brother Drew and cousin Jim.

And we kept our Independence Day in the Park tradition alive!

Somehow Buffo The Clown managed to creep back into my life after years of repression.

Britney's VMA performance in September sparked Carolyn and I's vlogging debut. Which led to a recap of Big Brother and America's Next Top Model.

and I turned 25 and had a great birthday weekend!

I know there were so many other things that happened that I've written about (and a lot things that I didn't write about) that I can't remember at the moment, but I want to say thanks to everyone who helped make 2007 one of the best years ever. Also, thanks to everyone who reads my blog on a daily/weekly/by accident basis! I really appreciate the comments and feedback, and hope my little piece of the web brings you at least mild enjoyment.

Thanks for reading, and here's to another great year in 2008!

Christmas In Cranberry

Back at work today after a whirlwind trip back to Western PA. I flew in on Saturday afternoon and flew back to NYC Christmas night. It was a pretty short trip, but was really great! I got to see my entire extended family and a few friends from high school (2 of which who are married now- weird) and managed to get some nice swag in the process!

Although it was a shorter trip, that did not stop me from taking many, many photos while I was there. It was a wonderful time, but there's not much that I can actually write about, so let's let the pictures do the talking, ok? Click below to see them... and there are a lot!

Click for the pix!

I finally got a picture with the elusive Maura!


Nothing says Christmas like a baby in a bag


I don't know if you can see, but there is a baby behind all those gifts


Maura and Grandpa


She learned from the best: Greed is Good!


Jimmy loved the teddy bear picnic


"Hmm... what do we have here?"


Mom looked festive in her holiday sweater


Insert your own "S" word below


Grissom was really excited to show off his new teeth


Dad and Sophia


Griss loved his Thomas book... but he was having some trouble reading it


A fitting gift for Miss Sophia


Dad and Uncle Pat... wonder what they were talking about?


Drew, Sully and Marc


Sam was excited to shove all the bows on his face


And he made me do it, too.


And finally... Grommit and his loot this season (the fish was annihilated minutes later)


Happy Holidays!

I Met Maura

I finally snagged a picture with the elusive baby Maura last night! Unfortunately, she's already overwhelmed with the amount of photos that are taken of her on a daily basis and has learned to shield her face from the camera's lens. She'll be holding up a giant purse in front of her face in no time!


Expect more pix to come later in the week!

Maura's Visit with Santa

Today officially marks one week until Christmas, which almost means the holiday cards are flooding the mailbox. And by flooding I mean... I got a few (thanks Liz, Lauren, Ryan, Steph & Brian and Grandma!) The best one that I've got so far would have to be the one of the "princess in training" herself, Ms. Maura Tiboni. You can see a sneak-peek of her card over there to the right, but the full card itself is nothing short of amazing.

Click to see the full card!


This is probably one of the cutest Christmas cards I've ever received, but let's take a closer look at the bottom picture. Why is Santa about to kidnap Maura???? It's a little creepy, isn't it? The look on Maura's face says, "Um... a little help?" Can't wait to see this kid on Saturday!

Keep an eye on your babies this year!

Happy Holiday Parties!

'Tis the season for garland, mistletoe and general merriment, which means it's also the season for the inevitable holiday party for family, friends and coworkers. You never really know how these types of things are going to play out, do? Lots of factors contribute to the final outcome of a holiday party. The setting and mood of the party... the eclectic mix of familiar and new faces... booze... it's always an interesting mix.

Luckily for me I have gotten most of my holiday parties out of the way (maybe "out of the way" is the wrong phrase... they were all fun) and just have to wait to see the entire family next weekend. Of course I had my camera with me, so let's just share some of the pix, shall we?

First party was our iVillage Holiday Party!

Me, Sheila and Caitlin were the unknowns the of the night. We didn't mind.

Next was Cat's Holiday Ho-Ho-Hodown

Holiday Cat was the hostess with the mostest


Carolyn and Cat were full of merriment (and rum)


Sean, Cat and Me


And finally me with all the Dowd Agency girls.

And last but not least, a Hipster Holiday Party in Brooklyn

Nothing says holiday cheer more than $5.99 bottles of Andre


We love the planet, so we didn't want to dirty cups. You're welcome, Earth.


Kelly and Christy (aka Snugglez) looked pretty


This apartment was bananas... it was like a club house for adults


We ended up on the roof, obviously.


HAPPY HURLIDAYS!