I’m a lucky Dad and a lucky son.

My father taught me the value of family, and the value of a strong work ethic. I always remember my dad standing in the stands at the hockey rink, even when I was riding the pine through High School; he was there – every game. My dad was there for me, no matter what I was doing, he supported me through it all. Everyday I get up and head to work, I am reminded of my dad never complaining, never being home sick, just always working and coming home to be there for me. But what strikes me more now is the way my dad connects with my kids; he’s a proud papa. Driving the kids around on the golf cart, pushing them on the swings, taking them for walks, or to the beach… he’s now there for them whenever they need him.

I hope that I can be the same for them, as I grow older.

The main thing that sticks in my head is that Kristen and I were told that we’d never have kids on our own. A council of doctors told us that we’d be given one more shot. And we were blessed with Abby. And 2 years later we we’re blessed with the twins. 10 weeks early, and in the NICU for 66 days, it was a test to us. Also considering we were told point blank that we may loose Cameron, a 80 percent chance of surgery, reduced down to no surgery and a little butterball perfect kiddo – we are doubly blessed.

Everyday I question whether or not I am a good father. It’s a constant thought stream, what can I do to make my family better. What can I do to give them everything that they need?

That’s what got me so emotional over the Tim Russert story. He had said in an interview that they replayed, that the only thing that mattered to him in life, was to see his son grow older and have a child of his own. To watch him grow and become the great father that he knew he had within him.

Everyday I come home to three great big hugs, and a kiss from my wife. What more can I ask for? I hope that I can pass along to Cameron the values my father passed on to me, that to be a great dad comes from the heart.

Love you Dad!

It’s a task to keep these things updated, I’m learning that fast. I plan on a new blog tonight about the kid’s surgeries (yes plural, and yes they are both fine). And another blog about the building of our new Swing Set and subsequent visit to each and every Home Depot and Lowes on the North Shore.

Hang in there gang, updates are a-comin’!

(oh yeah, go and buy the Marvel hardcover version of THE HEDGE KNIGHT II, not only is it a great read, but it just might help them to do another — and give me some more work in the process!)

-b

Being a tried and true comic geek, I know my Iron Man history, and had a lot to look forward to in this flick, so that is why I am skipping my review of the film, past the simple — “It’s Perfect!” Instead I am going to give you my reactions to Kristen’s viewing of the film.

Lets start by saying she really enjoyed Spider-Man (only saw 1-2) and hated Batman Begins (booo).

As the trailers run I get my first question, about Ed Norton playing the Hulk now, “I might have to see that, he’s a great actor - and cute.” OK, strike another Marvel film up for us this summer!

Next question, as the movie starts, this one getting a laugh from the comic Nerd in front of us (nerdier than me by the simple fact that he was wearing both a Fedora and an Iron Man T-Shirt). “What’s this about? Does he turn into Iron or something.” Now apparently Kristen is the only living person that has not seen ONE ad, trailer or spot for this movie — Hell Abby new the guy was in a red and Yellow suit.

Robert Downey Jr shows up in the film and the next question I get is, “He’s in this, he must be the bad guy.” Comic nerd snorted at that one. Now as every big actor comes onto screen I get assaulted with there names and which movies she liked that they were in… And there is a lot of them.

She let out a gasp at the first big scene, and actually gave a rather sweet, “He’s kicking there asses, huh?” as Iron Man first appears. Through the middle she never looked at her watch, Phone, or asked me to get up for popcorn. All good signs.

As the movie reached a turning point she leaned over and said, “Yep, I knew it, I knew that guys was a bastard…” She also in the middle of the movie asked me if Pepper Pots was ever going to get together with Tony, which comic geeks would think was a very good observation. And she asked if Iron Man was an “ongoing” comic… I had to explain it has been ongoing since about 1968…

The movie ends and I tell her that we need to stay until the end of the credits, because there is an extra scene at the end of the movie (I won’t spoil but the guy that shows up sure is one bad motha..) During the credit roll, and the subsequent walk to the car, Kristen told me that she’d want to see that again, and that is a movie we should own.

There it is, plain as day. If a non-comic, lover of LEGALLY BLONDE and 27 DRESSES can say she not only wants to see it again, but also buy the DVD?!

IRON MAN is a MUST SEE MOVIE!!

I’d put it first on my all time superhero list, followed shortly buy Batman Begins and Spidey 2. Here’s hoping it keeps up with Incredible Hulk, Heath Ledger’s creepy-ass Joker in The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2. (Oh and don’t forget — at least the fedora wearing dork in front of us didn’t — Indy comes back to the big screens too - bringing us right back to the 80’s.)

As most of you know our twins (Kate and Cam) were born 10 weeks early, and spent nearly 15 weeks in the NICU. Going through a roller coaster of emotions, events and triumphs — we felt the pain that parents of NICU children go through, and also felt the care and warmth that the nurses and doctors give to the parents. These people are a special breed. And any chance we have to support them, we will be there.

The walk started and the Hat Shell in Boston, right on the Charles river, and snaked its way past MIT, down to the Museum of Science and back up Storrow Drive.

We did the walk as a family, all 5 of us, including our youngest Abby. We were joined by my sister-in-law and her husband and our two nieces, and our good friend Michelle.

It was a cloudy day, but it was perfect for walking. the walk took about 2 and a half hours, and the twins were great, Cam slept for a good third of the walk. It was amazing seeing just how many babies have made their ways through the NICUs of the state. And it was also heartbreaking to see the teams walking for children that were not as fortunate as ours - it puts a lot of things into perspective, really. I was took close to loosing not only the twins, but Kristen as well — and thinking back to those days is hard, still.

The Hat Shell was totally revamped for the returning walkers, filled with balloons, music and games for the kids. Heck we even got to have pictures with WALLY (the Red Sox Green Monster). My Niece Anna adores him!

It was a great day, and a good time to reflect back on the time we spent in the NICU. Looking at the Twins now - you’d never know that they spent the time that they did in there. And that is a testimony to just how much these nurses and doctors care.

We were very lucky to have a friend of Joe’s offer his apartment for us to use, so we actually headed down early (escaping the flu plague at my house in the meantime, another story for another time…). Leaving my house at 6:30ish we started the drive to Greenwich, CT. The last stop in CT for the Metro North line into Grand Central. The drive took us a bit longer than thought, as Joe and I “debated” the entire ride down whether or not Geeenwich was actually on the New York border (yours truly won that battle).

Upon arriving to the Train stop we encountered our first lovely customer service experience as Joe simply asked where to park, and was told where he cannot park - not where he could, just that we’d be towed if parked here… Yeah, big help.

After finding the lot, and second guessing ourselves (and parking my truck next to a shiny corvette - hey they’d ignore my truck for sure!), we stroll on to the tracks to just miss the train. We waited for an hour for the next train, all the while admiring the drunken stupor of the other random folks at the station, seems they were all at a party, and we were definitely not invited.

The train ride itself was uneventful, minus the cops with the hands on the butts off thier guns, it was just like a ride on the “T” to Boston. Sorta.

Arriving at Grand Central was very cool for me, I’d never been there. The main hall is really beautiful, and I was not expecting it to be so cathedral like. Really looking forward to seeing Kristen’s face as we walk through there in September. Joe also pointed something out, why is it that all train stations smell the same? How is it that North Station smells exactly like Grand Central? Must be the combination of axle grease, sweat, and hot dogs.

Then came our first cab ride.

OK, I’d like to take a second here, I am ranting I know, but bear with me.

Cabbies in New York are insane. Plain and simple. Insane. Skip the easy joke about ethnicity. These guys are totally crazy. In fact I’d go out on a limb and say that in Jeff Gordan and Tony Stewart were in the same cab as Joe and I,they’d probably be strapping in and praying that they were elsewhere. At one point, no joke, i could have steered the cab next to me by placing my arm in the open window next to me - and we were easily doing 45 on a side street. These cabs hit (I looked so this is fact) 55 mph or more, on all occasions. I’ve never been so scared in car, in my life. I guess if they all travel that fast, there must be no speed limit in the city. Imagine my Bostonian friends, doing 55 down beacon or causeway streets… yeah, buckle up! And pedestrians, get out of the way!! because these guys don’t care, cross against the light and you’ll lose a few toes.

The jokes are not jokes folks - cabbies in New York are Crazy.

End rant.

Back to the show, Joe and I cruised the the Comic Con, and really it’s a sight everyone should see at one point or another. My friends call me a dork because I read comics (I work in theindustry is my usual response, but it rarely works.), but Joe, after seeing the throngs of Stormtroopers, Anime kids, and overall customed freaks - no longer calls me geek. I am fodder compared to the hardcore. (although my Warcraft habit tosses me right back into that crowd.)

I met up with some familiar faces and met a few new good people, and collected my freebies. And off we went back into New York to catch some sights. Times Square is immense and is just breath taking in ti’s unabashed glamor, washed in advertising.

The 4 story Toys ‘R Us would make Abby’s head spin, the concept of a Ferris wheel inside a toy store still eludes her.

And of course we had to do the obligatory trip to the top of the Empire State Building. Like to star crossed lovers, we headed to the top of the Bog Apple at midnight… and pined our love for — our wives…

That was it, the next morning we had breakfast and headed back to Greenwich (only one Transit cop made a snide comment about my Red Sox hat, I was shocked it was not more), where we gladly found my truck right next to the corvette. Safe and sound.

I have to tell you though, nothing felt better than driving myself home - after the rides we had with the Crazy Taxi cast, going 50 on the highway was relaxing.

(oh yeah, the pope was in NYC as well while we were there… that explains the barricades and “free zones”)