{bp} formerly known as WebBP :: Blog

In the spirit of sharing

A friend of mine has been asking for a blank copy of the Excel template that Hannah and I created during the course of planning our wedding last year. I have been putting it off because I wasn't that keen on reliving the horror (okay, honestly I just haven't had time). I finally took a few minutes and stripped out all of the details specific to our event. Recognizing that we know at least four other people who are currently engaged, I've decide to offer a copy for download here. Enjoy.

2004: An Exciting Year

Two thousand and four has been a big year. Friends have taken overseas trips, moved, bought houses, sold houses, changed careers, accepted new jobs, gotten engaged, gotten married and started families. No wonder I feel like it's been hard to keep with everyone this year. (Okay, so I have been a little busy as well).

The latest?  My friend John and his wife Nancy just had their first baby! Not wanting to contribute to her future Google record, I'm substituting a picture of her dad but trust me that she's adorable.

Matt Discovers Italy -- And Loves It!

My good friend Matt just got back from his first trip to Italy and sounds like he fell in love with the people, the food and the country just like I did on my first trip and my second trip and ....

I especially enjoyed his description of driving in Italy:

Driving around was interesting, but you get the hang of it after a while. The speed limit on the freeways, was only 140 km/hr, which is about 86 mph. One thing we learned is that they have street lights, stop signs, lines on the roads, etc., but these are merely suggestions for driving. The Italians pretty much drive whereever the heck they want, whenever they want, and you better get out of the way. There definitely is an understanding of the unwritten "rules of the road". I found it fun. All the cars were small, like go-carts, with good acceleration, and really good brakes.

Kind of reminds me of my bachelor party last month.

Wedding Photos -- By Popular Demand!

Regular readers (you know who you are) know that Hannah and I officially got married a few weeks ago. Since then, several people have come forward (thankfully, The National Enquirer is not among them) eager to see pictures from the Big Day. It's a funny thing: Hannah and I are eager to see some pictures, too. Alas, we do not have our official proofs back yet from the photographer and pictures taken by friends and family are just starting to trickle in.* But not to worry! In the spirit of substitution (or is that bait 'n switch?), I am very proud to introduce you to ....

My friends Jon and Angela, who were married just a week before us, and -- having avoided hurricaines altogether -- have had a chance to put up a wonderful smattering of images. If you want a real treat, grab a cup of hot tea, settle into a comfy chair, put on some sentimental music (perhaps the Chariots of Fire soundtrack?) and visit their Slideshow. It's a really strong collection of images that makes me wish my own friends and family had taken even half that many pictures of me growing up. So go on, have a look.

At the bottom of one of the pages on Jon's website is this question:

Is it true that only nerds have a wedding website?Not enough evidence has been collected to offer a statistically significant answer to this vexing question.

Jon, we love ya!

* = If you have any photos of any of our wedding-related events (Bachelor/ette Parties, Rehearsal, Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding Ceremony, Reception) to contribute, please contact us. We would love to be able to share your pictures with our friends and family.

Moira's Back

Moira's back from CHI 2004 in Vienna and has kindly posted her slides and paper. It's great to have you back on our side of the pond!

Tara Back in the Game

Tara is back on her feet and at the top of her game after enduring some head trauma last week, finding time to escape to San Francisco, take in a Barenaked Ladies concert and kick start the social lives of the engineers she works with and even add me to her list of links. Wow.

A Few Kind Words

It's late. I just got home from a very long and delightful conversation with one of my best friends: my mom. We don't always see eye to eye so it makes it that much more wonderful when we do.

And if that didn't leave me feeling warm and fuzzy enough, I came home to a birthday card from a dear friend in New Jersey who wrote:

Every so often I take a look-see at your weblog and without fail, there is always something interesting...you've always been something of a trends & issue spotter. And, I'd have little notion of the blog universe in the absence of yours.

Thank you, AM, for your kind words.