MyPunchblog

I just flipped on the TV in time to see Barry Bonds hit home run number 756*.

Regardless of how you feel about Barry Bonds or the home run record, I hope most people who saw this accomplishment had the same reaction that I had when he took himself out of the game. Oh come on. You’re 3 for 3 on the night (single, double, homerun) and every move you make you get a standing ovation. You can’t play another inning or two? And yes, I know there is little to no chance that he would have actually hit for the cycle, but it would have been fun to see him try.

On a positive note, I was happy to see the video message from Hank Aaron. That’s all class. We should all strive to know when to just do what is best for the greater good. Hammerin Hank did the right thing. It was a big win for Major League Baseball (hats off to Bud Selig).

Oh, and did you see who got ball number 756? A Mets fan. I love it!

It’s time for me to admit it. I love trains. No, I’m not one of those “train collectors,” but I think the train is the best way to travel.

I’m currently sitting on the Amtrack Acela service from New York’s Penn Station to Boston. I left (early) this morning from Boston for all day meetings in New York. Here’s the situation: we’re traveling at around 100mph, I’ve got a beautiful view of the sunset over the harbor. I’m sitting in a comfortable seat (even more comfortable than my office chair!). I’ve got two seats to myself with a solid tray for my computer (this is not like one of those flimsy ones you get on the plane). I’m connected to the office/email etc through my Sprint broadband connection. Plus, I’m sitting in the quiet car– the only sound I hear is the tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. This is definitely the best way to travel.

A few minutes ago I realized that I’d handled all of the open issues in my inbox. Not only am I comfortable, but I’m productive. I’ll get home by 10pm– getting to my car will take 5 minutes from the moment I get off the train and it’s about a 30 minute ride home. As a startup guy, this kind of travel experience is priceless. Not only am I all caught up with the most pressing issues of the day, but I’m relaxed enough to spend a little quality time with my wife this evening.

Yes– sometimes the trains are delayed (ehhhmmm…like this morning). But give me the nicest car in the world or a first class seat on a 767 and I’ll be happier on a train any day.

“New Haven’s the next stop! All aboard!”

Frequent readers of this blog will know that in late June I wrote a personal story about my neighbor Robert. He was in a horrible bike accident, and I felt connected to his story. He just happened to be the unlucky one that day.

Today has been the day I’ve been waiting for– I shook his hand and said hello. Robert is home and doing very well. After 9 days in a medically induced coma, Robert awoke and has slowly been regaining his old self. I’m no doctor, but brain trauma injuries often end up with horrible consequences. I can’t tell you how good it felt to talk to him, shake his hand, and to hear that he’s retained all of his memories. He remembers us talking about the dangers of that route just days before his accident. And he was impressed at how much our lawn has grown since he’s been away. (For the curious among us: no, he doesn’t remember the accident).

Robert is inspiring. Only one month after the accident, he’s (almost) back to his old self. He’s taking care of his trees and once again working on having the best lawn on the block. I’ve resumed calling him “Ned Flanders.” Feels really good.

Robert has helped remind me of the things that truly matter– just to see him on his two feet is an inspiration.

Robert’s got a long way to go, but what a long way he’s already come. Some stories really do have a happy ending.

I’m back on the East Coast, awaiting my wife to pick me up at Logan. My flight landed 25 minutes early.

A little disappointed with JetBlue. My TV didn’t work, and they didn’t have any wine on the flight. I opted for a Diet Coke instead, and was able to get a lot of work done overnight. I guess I’ll sleep when I get home in a few minutes. It was a relatively smooth ride and we got here safely– and that’s all that really matters to me.

I remember the days when I used to bring tequila in a small bottle for a redeye. A few swigs of that and I was out. Hmm, can I still bring 3oz? I doubt it. (Note to self: check the TSA website).

I’m getting pretty good at this coast to coast thing. Does that make me bi-coastal??

I had planned to do some blogging tonight before my redeye back to Boston, but I’ve run out of time. I have lots to write about– and I hope my readers are interested in my whirlwind week in Silicon Valley.

I’m now sitting now on the plane right before takeoff. I ran out of time to blog for a few reasons, one of them being that we (my cousin and I) decided to head to In & Out Burger before hitting the airport. If you’ve never been to and In & Out Burger, you won’t understand. It’s great. I had a double-double with fries. No tomato. Fries were hot, and the bun was toasted. Brilliant.

I doubt I’ll sleep much on the red-eye, and I can’t live blog. Bummer. I think I’ll write some posts in Word and then post them later. That is, if my battery lasts for more than an hour…

Ladies and gentleman, please turn off all of your electronic devices. We’re ready for takeoff.

I knew I shouldn’t have listened to those weatherpeople…. they said low 60’s. Maybe they were reading it upside down.

I’ve had a great week in San Francisco– met some really nice people, and went to some very worthwhile events. It’s been over 5 years since I lived here last, but there are many things that I really like about this area.

I’ll write more later (before my redeye) about the events that I went to and some of the people that I met.

Sometimes this blog gets personal. If you don’t want to read, please don’t.

Yesterday I was shocked to learn that my neighbor Robert Meszaros was in a horrible bike accident. He’s in critical condition. Of course bad things like this happen all of the time. But this feels personal. Allow me to explain.

I wouldn’t say that Robert and I are friends. We’re neighbors. And in typical neighbor fashion, I see him a few times a week, usually working on his yard. We’ve chatted many times, about his job at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, and about my startup. It’s a friendly, if inconsequential relationship. Secretly, I’ve taken to calling him “Ned Flanders,” after the Simpsons character who always has the better lawn.

After I came back from a run a few weeks ago, Robert was going out on a bike ride. We chatted about bicycles, and I mentioned that I hadn’t been on mine in a few years. I explained that I really wanted a road bike instead of my current mountain bike. I took out my mountain bike to show Robert, and he encouraged me to swap out the tires and get a new seat. He told me the best shop in town to go.

Two weekends ago, inspired by Robert, I went to the bike shop and bought road tires and a new seat. I was psyched. I went on a bike ride for the first time in years. A few days later, while taking out the trash in the early morning, I saw Robert and showed him my bike. He was excited for me, and we ended up chatting for 25 minutes about different bike routes in the area. I told him where I had gone: up route 27 to Sherborn. He’d been that way many times, he told me. We talked about safety, and how some routes (like Route 27) have hardly any shoulder on the road. He mentioned a different route that he likes. He pointed out that there are lots of bicyclists on that road, and that it felt more safe to him than Route 27.

This past Saturday, I went on my 2nd bike ride in years. I went on the route that Robert told me about– a beautiful ride to a Horticultural Center in the area. It was great, and I’ve looked for Robert this week to tell him how much I enjoyed it.

Yesterday, I heard the horrible news that Robert was in a bike accident on Saturday– at the exact time I was out riding. He went on the other route that we had spoken about– up Route 27. Apparently, he lost control coming down a hill and hit his head on a guardrail (yes, he was wearing a helmet). There were no cars involved. He’s in critical condition with swelling in the brain and multiple broken bones.

His wife is 6 months pregnant. His family has gathered. His prognosis is unknown.

I’m not particuarly religious, but I’m praying for Robert. If you can, please pray too. He’s a good person, and he deserves to pull through and make a full recovery.

Life is inexplicably random. Could it have been me?

His house sits quietly across the street as I write early this morning. Inside is a heartbroken family, hoping for the best.

Please pray for Robert.