May Day! And weekend wrapup..

so we packed the family into the Accord for the first major trip since Emmet Asher was born 3 months ago... And headed south to Richmond for the annual Klempner family Seder (Roni's mother's side of the family) , held this year at Rena and Bert's new crib in the River City..
so as an aside, I just have to note because of this event I had to miss the annual Biostatistics retreat for the 3rd year in a row..Maybe next year I'll be able to attend.
Anyways, I have come to the conclusion that Micah and Emmet are just amazing - actually, I've always thought this, but their good behavior this weekend made me extremely proud.
We sailed into Richmond about 2 pm, to Rebecca and Jon's hizzouse. Rebecca is Roni's cousin, Jon her husband - these two are an incredible couple, both my idols for various reasons which I'll get to, and they have a beautiful 16 month old daughter, Rose Tsippora (I confess , I'm not to sure about the spelling of the middle name)..
So anyway, why are they my idols?
Rebecca is a mutli-talented artist, and their house is filled with her paintings, and other artistic endeavors which are all quite striking. Further, she has successfully taught public school (one year in Baltimore County, two in Henrico County VA) for 3 years, something I could only handle for 1 year. And she’s just very kool to boot...
Jon is great to - and he's a renowned punk rock guitarist who is a member of the seminal late '80s plus straight-edge hardcore behemoth Up Front. I've always been a hardcore fan, but aside form Minor Threat have had little experience with the old skool straight-edge scene - have heard the names (Uniform Choice, Youth of Today (CA), and even seen some live (Warzone, Token Entry, legitimate Reasons)) but never been a scholar. Since meeting Jon, I have picked up an Up Front album (Movement, which rules, BTW) and a few 7-inches by said ensemble. Jon tells me Up Front is gonna do a mini-reunion soon including a DC date, and I'll surely find a way to be in the house for that.
So we roll to the Seder, and the whole family is in full effect - Ethan, another of Roni's cousins is in the house - he’s also got a bit of a famous buzz. He's currently developing an animated pilot for MTV and has a crazy, funny website (warning, much of the stuff here may be considered offensive by both the uber-conservative and the uber-PC, and well, many others too).
So as I piddle away at this PhD I am jealous of my relatives by marriage who are getting/have gotten well-deserved props.
The Seder was great, and the family tore it up with singing afterwards. Micah and Emmet had a blast and we hit the road for Bmorearound 1 pm Sunday. Family is really all that, I've gotta keep that in mind - the Phd can wait (shit, its waited this long..) , the career can wait (who knows what I'll be up to in 10 years anyhoo), but family and friends are for right here, right now.
Speaking of which, Aimee and Karl just joined the "club" with the birth of their first child, Caleb Teo Broman . I can’t wait to meet him!.