Will check in later from Disney World. Wishing I was on the coach..but looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
laundry time
i just unpacked my bag and my apartment now smells like van 2. i just want to bask in it one last time.
Van 1 Update
We have crossed into Massachusetts. CT up next. Lindsay behind the wheel. Van still decorated, getting a lot of looks on the road.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Humpty Dance
The humpty dance is your chance to finish this race with ants in your pants.
Lots of running going on today in the sun. Kendal bringing this stranger adventure down to two runners remaining.
Lots of running going on today in the sun. Kendal bringing this stranger adventure down to two runners remaining.
It is official..
Every food item Lindsay has brought into the van, has spilled all over the van. This time it was the ranch corn nuts. Special thanks to the "Nut Box" in Brooklyn.
Cheers from Pennsylvania
Hip Hip Hooray Strangers! I missed you this weekend!
Congratulations on the Series Finale!
xoxo Maura D.
Van 1.. Ann on the road!
Sheila is in, and feeling good after leg 3! Ann on the road as Van 1 is getting excited to close out and cheer on Van 2. Get ready Sarah... We're coming.
Warming up, flip flops are back!
Van 2
After running on fumes, we are all gassed up and starting to prep for the final 6 legs. We got a rapper in the back busting out some warren g. Check out the handsome fellas on the window. Mepos or burst baby!
Santa calling for Little Bistis..soon.
2 left in Van 1!
Squirrel!!!
Oh no! Kerry killed a squirrel, poor thing. She tried to avoid it, but no luck.
New team name: Squirrel Killers
New team name: Squirrel Killers
In other news we're coming up with new philosophies:
"squirt, then rub"
Sent from my iPhone
Quick nap
I was napping until I started choking on my own saliva, so all in all, quite a restful nap.
Update from Van 1..the final legs
This whole runner 1 gig is pretty sweet. So now I get to watch the rest of the day?
Coffee please.
Coffee please.
Andy is on the road. Wild Card transition was a success. Another RTB first.
Jamming out to Rush. Taio Cruz and New Boyz running through my head.
Warm it up chris!
Do your magic Chris, er, sun.
The final countdown
Griff is in and Lori is off to start the final round of this year's RTB. Series finale... tear.
Last Leg
About to start my last leg of 8 years of this race. Tear? Still unsure of the wild card handoff... Andy and I will figure it out. Go Strangers!!
Smells like victory
If victory smells like a combination of feet, brown bananas, ham, swass and heart, then yes, virginia, our van does smell like victory.
Livn' it up
Rapid progress
In the blink of an eye, Kendal finished, Aaron went out for his morning wake up, and now Griff is on the road heading to Bear Brook.
Mmmmmm pancakes!
Mmmmmm pancakes!
pd witth the game face
2:46am and pat is prepping. sarah is on the road. ludicris providing the soundtrack.
Def Jam
Speaking of Def Leopard, Brett Michaels play the Casino Ballroom on Saturday.
Hampton should be in rare form.
Hampton should be in rare form.
Lace 'em up dad
Thanks to Connor for helping lace up dad's new sneakers a few weeks ago. They were the key to his 9-mile moonlit adventure.
Most inspirational quotes from Kendal and the road crew:
"Hey look at how bright Orion is tonight"
"If you think this gel is covered in honey, you're probably not going to be happy to see your bag. Oopsie!"
Hahaha. Needless to say, I was driven by those speeches to finish strong.
One leg to go.
Marya on the road. Kendal napping while listening to Def Leopard to feel the Hysteria during her run.
Most inspirational quotes from Kendal and the road crew:
"Hey look at how bright Orion is tonight"
"If you think this gel is covered in honey, you're probably not going to be happy to see your bag. Oopsie!"
Hahaha. Needless to say, I was driven by those speeches to finish strong.
One leg to go.
Marya on the road. Kendal napping while listening to Def Leopard to feel the Hysteria during her run.
Van 2 away
And the conversation has turned to bear awareness, moose attacks, coyotes that sound like sirens, and vicious squirrels.
As long as we avoid those four fc0000000000000000000000000
As long as we avoid those four fc0000000000000000000000000
Rise and shine Van 2 campers
After a fantastic nap aloft on our are air-mattressed palaces, it's time to rise up and embrace the 42-degree chill of he night.
Who wants rto go for a run? I do! I do! And Sarah will in just under an hour. Sheila is halfway there (bon jovi style) and then it's down to Ann before Van 2 retakes the reins.
Show show show here we go.
Who wants rto go for a run? I do! I do! And Sarah will in just under an hour. Sheila is halfway there (bon jovi style) and then it's down to Ann before Van 2 retakes the reins.
Show show show here we go.
progress
How’s everything going?
Deb Podgurski
Business Development Manager Key Accounts
401-333-7975 - Office
401-333-6095 - Fax
Friday, September 16, 2011
Back in the Saddle
Public apologies to Griff for leaving him at the alter... I guess we got our math wrong. I feel shame!
Andy is on the road. I am full of mac and cheese. Yum.
Night is upon us
We are in the deep of the dark. And it doesn't look like it'll let up until morning.
Kendal is done, and Aaron is on the road... looks fast.. Another perfect stranger.
Kendal is done, and Aaron is on the road... looks fast.. Another perfect stranger.
Triumphant return
Connor, Owen, Carter, moms say hi!
Series Finale Rolls Along
Lori Bartokomus and Cousin Paddy got a little dust in their eyes before their first run in this eighth and series finale. Luckily they kept it together and the finale rolls along on this beautifully brisk beach endeavor.
On our way
Up next, Dunfey hits the road. Yeah, that's right, the guy who refers to himself in the 3rd person on the RTB blog. Let's do it.
Van 2 in the chute
Kendal's childhood hero
Van 2 is at Attitash gearing up, tagging vans, and making friends. Just waiting for go time.
Transition??
Rochester Handoff Approach
..And I just killed the ESPN signature so I don't look like a dork anymore.
Feels like RTB.
..And the edamame just spilled everywhere.
Looks kids...
Just over 2 hours until van 2 takes the wheel... Getting all antsy in the pantsy.
Pancake Heaven
Where is our TA?
Van 1 update. Slight confusion thinking TA 6a was 3. Crisis averted! Lindsay is locked and loaded.
Lori M. Bistis
ESPN Emerging Technology
860.778.3031
Sent from my BlackBerry
Lori M. Bistis
ESPN Emerging Technology
860.778.3031
Sent from my BlackBerry
You've Just Been Balkied!
The Usual Suspects got back to their van after they'd been Balkied (small pictures of Balks tape to their van), and were nonr the wiser. It's on! Let the mass Balki'ing begin!
Coffee Please?
Lori M. Bistis
ESPN Emerging Technology
860.778.3031
Sent from my BlackBerry
Which way to the 6B?
Lori B and Andy are in. Van 2 (aka Balki) on our way to transition 6B.
So a few quick questions. What happens if our runner gets to the transition before we do? Or what happens if we get there before our runner? Or, heaven forbid, how do we know when to start if our runner is still at transition 6A?!!
Where are my sneakers? Someone help me!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
van 1 or van 2
van 1 listening to lindsay lohan music. van 2 listening to alladin soundtrack. everyone loses
gloria!
figured out whole this blogging thing. van 2 gettin to know eachother. need to make friends now so we can survive the late nights.
Waiting for Strangers
We have arrived at the beach (for the first time). Waiting for the rest of the gang, about to eat some last-minute training lasagna.
biking is for sucks
we've established that biking hurts ladybits as much as manbits. According to sheila: "Ouchies"
on another note, dan's obssession with german euro trance music is unnerving.
about time to spread the spirit
on the wings of love
making our way up 95, roadies in hand. listening to sheila's UM study mix. dan drives like a mix of his parents.
dan's third leg has a colorful surprise for everyone. he has named his third leg "Supersonic"
rocking out to Haddaway "what is love"
84 traffic... Shocker
Dimitri is ready...this is really the only time he gets out all year. So exciting.
Lori M. Bistis
ESPN Emerging Technology
860.778.3031
Sent from my BlackBerry
RTB 2011 24-hour Countdown Begins
We're just over 24 hours out from the start of RTB 2011 Perfect Strangers season. There are many plot twists that have already taken place, and I'm sure there are more to come. We head to Hampton tonight to meet up with the Vans on 10th Street in North Hampton. Until then, I guess I should do some work.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day 1 in the Shanghai Office
After a big breakfast of dim sum, omelet, lo mein, bacon, sausage, fruit, fried rice, and some fresh squeezed OJ, I am ready to take on the day here.
The subway was packed this morning, but still less than the green line after a Celtics or Red Sox game. I think it helps that their subways trains come by every few minutes. And I couldn’t believe it, I was the only red-headed white guy on the subway. Shocking. J People were turning and looking at me as I spoke English to Cora (my coworker) on the train.
My office here is nice. 10th floor of one of the many skyscrapers in the financial district with a view of the river (Huangpu). But will likely spend most of my time here in a conference room with the team.
Can’t wait to see what lunch has in store for me. I hear it’s very “local” in the cafeteria.
|
|
Checked in
Checked into the Marriott. (View from my room attached)
By the way, the Shanghai Pudong airport and customs was VERY quiet. Kind of cool, kind of strange. But then you get out into the main terminal area, and you have to run the gauntlet.
Ok, Celtics T-shirt on. Let’s see what’s for dinner… need to stay awake and typing doesn’t cut it.
|
|
Touchdown Shanghai after Celtics Score!
After a long flight, I am dazed and confused by the RTB-style lack of sleep. And I’m also still wondering if any of these stories were true that George, the driver, told me on the way to the airport:
1) Let’s start it simple. He drives all the Celtics around everywhere.
2) He’s best friends with Rondo’s brother and can get me into meet players after games. I now have his # and can’t wait to see what happens when I call him.
3) He claims Big Baby’s thumb injury was caused by a fight with his buddy’s girlfriend. And let’s just say he didn’t have anything nice to say about the girl.
4) Big Baby used to buy so much McD’s and Wendy’s on main street in Waltham during his rookie year that Doc Rivers called the places and told them not to serve him anymore. So Baby started going to BK on Moody st.
5) The NBA is going to be in a lockout next year.
6) Doc wanted to retire last year, but George drove Paul, Ray, and Doc to a restaurant to convince him otherwise. They had a North End restaurant to themselves to talk it over. Doc stayed, but has access to the team jet so he can go see his son play whenever he wants. “But this WILL be Doc’s last year. Which is why we should have let him go, and kept Thibodeau. Doc’s not that great a coach. We’d be better off with Thibodeau”. **For the record, this was the one part of his Red Bull-fueled ramblings that caught my attention and made me think… hmm, maybe George ain’t so crazy after all.
7) Garnett is broke like ‘Toine. Says it’s due to all of the property that he bought before the markets tanked and he hasn’t maintained any of it. Sweet.
8) When Garnett’s contract is done, Al Jefferson is coming back to the Celtics. “It’s already a done deal”. Pretty sure that’s illegal, but hey, if it happens, I’m giving George the credit.
9) Last, but certainly not least, Perk knew he was getting traded because he sold his house, and moved into an apartment in Waltham with a friend of George’s. He didn’t look for a new place because he knew he wouldn’t be here.
10) Ok, one more. Shaq is faking the injury right now to psych people out. He has been fine for weeks according to George. So much so that the boot he’s been wearing is just for show. “He actually wore it on the wrong foot just to mess with people in press conference the other night and nobody noticed”.
Ok, time to find some food to keep me awake for another 5 hours so I can get onto Shanghai time.
|
|
Monday, April 25, 2011
Shanghai road trip
----- Original Message -----
From: Dunfey, Pat
To: 'wrgriffiths1@gmail.com' <wrgriffiths1@gmail.com>; 'colin.smith@ey.com' <colin.smith@ey.com>; 'dan.fozzy@gmail.com' <dan.fozzy@gmail.com>; 'johnstokes3@gmail.com' <johnstokes3@gmail.com>; 'greg@colbs.net' <greg@colbs.net>; 'kpodgurski@hotmail.com' <kpodgurski@hotmail.com>; 'mdunfey@gmail.com' <mdunfey@gmail.com>; 'Kerry.Dunfey@m-r-d.com' <Kerry.Dunfey@m-r-d.com>; 'dunfm46@gmail.com' <dunfm46@gmail.com>; 'skipodshg@aol.com' <skipodshg@aol.com>
Sent: Mon Apr 25 06:11:22 2011
Subject: Shanghai road trip
Hey, two quick things before I bring my great white hope to China.
Don't send me text msgs. they're expensive. And I won't have access to gmail... Griff can add some political commentary here.
Also, classic "stuff that happens to Colin" kind of moment already today. The guy who drove me to the airport claimed he drives the celtics all over boston and couldn't stop talking about some crazy stories. I'll share some later and you can decide if I'm making it up or if he actually claimed it happened that way. Should be a fun game. Anyway, in his ramblings, he claimed he's best friends with Rondo's brother who he helped start a limo company. A) I love the story, really tugs at the heart strings. B) he claimed he might be able to get me to meet players after a game when I'm there. Gave me his number. Can't wait to call him and see what the hell happens. Next stop.. Time shares in Mississippi.
Off to a good start on this trip.
From: Dunfey, Pat
To: 'wrgriffiths1@gmail.com' <wrgriffiths1@gmail.com>; 'colin.smith@ey.com' <colin.smith@ey.com>; 'dan.fozzy@gmail.com' <dan.fozzy@gmail.com>; 'johnstokes3@gmail.com' <johnstokes3@gmail.com>; 'greg@colbs.net' <greg@colbs.net>; 'kpodgurski@hotmail.com' <kpodgurski@hotmail.com>; 'mdunfey@gmail.com' <mdunfey@gmail.com>; 'Kerry.Dunfey@m-r-d.com' <Kerry.Dunfey@m-r-d.com>; 'dunfm46@gmail.com' <dunfm46@gmail.com>; 'skipodshg@aol.com' <skipodshg@aol.com>
Sent: Mon Apr 25 06:11:22 2011
Subject: Shanghai road trip
Hey, two quick things before I bring my great white hope to China.
Don't send me text msgs. they're expensive. And I won't have access to gmail... Griff can add some political commentary here.
Also, classic "stuff that happens to Colin" kind of moment already today. The guy who drove me to the airport claimed he drives the celtics all over boston and couldn't stop talking about some crazy stories. I'll share some later and you can decide if I'm making it up or if he actually claimed it happened that way. Should be a fun game. Anyway, in his ramblings, he claimed he's best friends with Rondo's brother who he helped start a limo company. A) I love the story, really tugs at the heart strings. B) he claimed he might be able to get me to meet players after a game when I'm there. Gave me his number. Can't wait to call him and see what the hell happens. Next stop.. Time shares in Mississippi.
Off to a good start on this trip.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
It begin (Blizzardo 2011)
More to follow later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)