I sit on the Board of Directors of a company called Cine-tal, founded by a former colleague at Truevision. Today, after work, I flew into Indianapolis to attend our annual strategy meeting to be held tomorrow. 

Jeanine’s best friend from Indianapolis, Monica, is visiting us for a few days. While in Indy, we were part of a gourmet dinner club. Monica not only inspired the club but took photos at every event. As a gift, she presented us with an album containing photos of every feast including the menus (always works of art in their own right). With each turn of the page you could almost taste the delicacies we had enjoyed years ago. It was an incredibly wonderful gift, typifying the thoughtfulness and love Monica brings to everything she does.  

Each year Avid executives serve a Thanksgiving Turkey Feast to our employees as a way of demonstrating our appreciation for all of their hard work. Today we served the 800 staff at our Tewksbury campus in three seating shifts. I was in charge of the squash and corn with temporary assignments on stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, and the turkey. I love the symbolism of this event and look forward to it with great anticipation every year. It reminds me of who I am here to serve. 

This afternoon Maya and I attended an end-of season party for her soccer team. The brunch was unbelievable and the girls had a terrific time. I came directly from my game covered in mud. This year, my team made it to the final four play-off of our 84 team league. We faced Juventis, a team that has not lost a game in over a year. The temperature at kick-off was 29 degrees and the field, one of the worst we have ever played on, was frozen. We battled to a 0-0 tie after ninety minutes of regulation play. The thirty minute overtime period remained tied until the 24th minute when the ref awarded a direct kick at the top of the box on a very questionable call. They converted with a very nicely taken direct kick. We shifted everyone forward in hopes of an equalizer but it was not to be. I played my best game of the season and had a lot of field time. I had a very nice header attempt that just missed the mark and I launched a missile from about 25 yards out that was on target for the upper left corner but the keeper made a nice save. In overtime, I intercepted a pass and had a breakaway opportunity. I was forced wide and played a perfect pass to our center forward but he was unable to finish. Despite losing a bunch of skin from both knee caps, it was a nice way to finish what will likely be my last game with the Concord United O40 club. Next year, I will be eligible for the over-50 league and my body is telling me that I should move up. Nicolai was also in action today ending his season with a very satisfying 3-2 win. 

Jeanine’s sister Lauren enjoys playing with her grandson after dinner. It was a wonderful evening. 

Kyle spent the afternoon at the home of his band’s newest member. She plays the bass and is a gifted vocalist whose parents are both professional musicians. He informs me that the acoustics in our basement are not up to snuff after rehearsing in their sound studio like basement. Kyle is our adventurous eater and sampled all forms of the delicious Indian fare we enjoyed. 

We enjoyed dinner at an Indian restaurant in Lexington. Maya finished her soccer season with a 1-1 tie and contributed with an assist despite having thrown up twice last night for reasons unknown. Nico also had an assist to help his team secure a 2-1 win. He played one of his best games ever doing a great job of distribution and dominating the midfield. 

In addition to being very cute, Bradley is incredibly bright. His dad has taught him to recite poetry and to hear him do it with accuracy and all the right inflections is really something. 

Between a 70 hour work week, a midnight soccer game on Tuesday, and the Celtics game last night I indulged myself in almost ten hours of sleep. When I did crawl out of bed, I found Bradley also just rising and very ameanable to my taking pictures of him. 

In addition to today’s recognition, Nico has been invited to an end of the season party where all of the Heros Among Us will be honored together. The Celtics continued their perfect season with a crushing defeat of the Atlanta Hawks. 

During the second timeout of the second quarter, Nicolai received his award at center court to a standing ovation from the crowd of 18,000. It was an extremely moving moment for me, and I can only imagine what Nicolai must have been feeling. Click on the photo for a closer look. 

Nico was invited to witness the coin toss at center court and introduced to several players, celebrities, and dignitaries. I did not have the greatest shooting position but managed to grab this shot of tiny little Nico among the giant professional athletes.  

This evening, Nicolai was honored by the Celtics basketball organization with a Heros Among Us award. We were chauffeured from our home to the Celtics head office where we were briefed on the evening’s agenda and received a behind the scenes tour of the facility. Nico received 4 tickets and invited cousin Gabe and friend Kevin to join him along with dear old dad. 

Our ten-hour meeting was followed by a wine-tasting event, which started with a tour of the wine cellar. The cellar contents were valued in the millions, with some bottles selling for $5000. Needless to say, these were not among the wines sampled. Even though I do not drink alcohol of any kind, I enjoyed the sights and smells.