FOR TOM

Zosia

2007-02-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not yet for sure, but it appears that the cancer treatment that Zosia went through for this relapse worked. She is going for more tests to her oncologist next week, but my dad didn't sound very hopeful.

I guess that's the part that is most sad. I don't know what he would do without her. And I don't know what I will do when he's left alone and so far away.

Somehow I know this would come one day...

He wants to discuss with me their estate and how things should be taken care of when neither of them is around. He mentioned that he's leaving everything to Little Tom - You Tom! The house in the woods included. I guess I should plan a trip out there very soon to have these discussions and how to manage things.

In some weird way, I am grateful that he is this open about things and wants to settle things while still in full capacity. I wish my mom was this way, but of course all this brings up the anger I have for her for sort of putting me in this position to begin with. I almost want her to be the one to go back and take care of him if Zosia is no longer around.

family get together yesterday - 10/28 = part three

2006-10-29T20:04:00.000-08:00

Cousin Ryan in our kitchen -

family get together yesterday - 10/28 = part two

2006-10-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

family get together yesterday - 10/28

2006-10-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

2006-10-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here is Tom on YouTube - one of his own skate videos:

Enjoy!

Dad resting after another trip

2006-10-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here's dad resting after a trip back East and before going to Arizona next week

2006-10-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

Sick at home watching TV on - Boy and his dog!

Broken wrist - again

2006-10-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

One more time! October 15, 2006 - one month before his birthday! Skateboarding and falling!

SAT scores and my own rant

2006-03-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

In the last week or so, I read in the news that the College Board screwed on the scores on thousands of SAT scores.

First of all, given the state of today's technology, I don't understand how that could happen!

But more importantly, what kind of message does this send to the students who took the test? That the grown ups can't even figure out how to score it correctly, is an understatement.

Personally, I am against these types of tests anyway. Tom tends to have low scores on various standardised tests, and yet has very good grades and a great relationship with his teachers and other students. How do you test for things like leadership and good attitude, which in my opinion are far more important to succeed in today's society and high math scores.

He also does really well in things like video production and multimedia, which don't come into any kind of evaluation on SAT's.

We tend to try to put kids into a "box" to standardize them and catagorize, instead of evaluating each on his or her special individual merits, attitudes, and abilities.

I am all for totally abolishing all the standardized tests, including the SAT's.

The Oscars

2006-03-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

I love watching the Oscars - I don't really know why, I just do!
Last night was the 78th Oscar gala, and I missed the first part, but enjoyed the rest. Jon Stewart was pretty good, in his cerebral way.

So, my comments - there was something very wrong with the teleprompter - they all had problems with it, and it made it hard for someone as classy as Lauren Bacall screw up! I don't know what the problem was, but fix it for next time!

There was almost no outrageousness at all! Kind of sad, in a way, no controversial presenters with some weird agenda - even the penguin stuffed toys were pretty low key!

I am really impressed with how George Clooney has matured - he's a reall Hollywood King now, almost at the level of Clark Gable, with Gable's nonchalant manner and class - good job!

And a great comment on Huffington blog:
"Salman Rushdie: 100% Correct"I predicted all the winners," Salman Rushdie tells me, "and when Jack Nicholson appeared to present the Best Picture award, I knew it wasn't going to be Brokeback Mountain. The world won't let Nicholson give the award to a 'gay' movie."

Back on

2006-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

So, I know I have been remiss in writing in the last few months, but it has been pretty wild. Meaning, going through what can only be classified as a HOSTILE TAKE OVER of my company to starting my new venture with VIRAGO! By the way - VIRAGO merchandise is available for purchase here -VIRAGO STUFF - you can even purchase thong panties with our new logo on them, kind of appropriate!

VIRAGO -the name came to me from Word of the Day on GOOGLE - it means shrew, harpie, amazon, bitch, dragon, she-devil, tigress, spitfire - so take your pick!

Anyway, now, although some think I should try to simply get a new job, I decided to go an raise funds from VC's and really get VIRAGO off the ground, hire good engineers, and move on this.

I am more and more convinced also, that becoming an MVNO in the end will also be something I should try for!

2005-11-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

A boy and his dog... So happy together!

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FIRST OPEN HOUSE

2005-10-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to our first High School open house. So what can I say... It's been a while since I sat in a high school gym!

Teachers all seem good, except for the Spanish teacher who reminded me of my old social studies teacher, a retired old army guy trying to be hip with the young kids. One main exception is that this guy is a condescending (think of an appropriate substitution for jerk).

Really liked the math teacher... UC Berkley graduate, one of those guys that you know will look out for you if you just ask for the help...

I think he'll (that is Tom Jr.) will be ok..

2005-10-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Before the cast came off - note all the "graffitti" from friends!

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PIEROGI

2005-10-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today Tom Sr. decided to challange his cooking abilities. He decided to make Tom Jr. meat pierogi, his favorite thing to eat when we were in Poland in August.

Pierogi is a Polish type of Ravioli. The type stuffed with meat are not as well known in the US. Young Tom likes his with sauted onions in butter poured over them.

So here is Tom (Dad) with one of the Pierog in hand - poor guy worked very hard at this all day! It's hard work, because you have to make the dough and roll it out as thin as possible. Then you stuff with the meat mixture and boil.

Tom invited a couple of the neighborhood boys over, and they loved them! Who would have thought it - California skaters enjoying Pierogi cooked by our Mexican dad.

SPAS

2005-10-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to a friend's wife's SPA opening in Down Town San Diego. Personally, I love the idea of going someplace to get pampered, get a massage and sit in a warm sauna for while and just relax and unwind.

The problem is that you usually have to spend quite a bit of money for that one hour of relaxation, and then you immediately walk out and it's gone! And all of the day's stresses seem almost more intensified than they were before. Even some of the people at the party last night mentioned that to me. You leave the spa, and get in your car and fight traffic going home. By the time you get back, start dealing with kids, husbands/wives, work, bills, all of the relaxation is GONE!

I guess that's a pretty sad statement on our lives over all. We need to go someplace and pay money to "relax" which must mean that we're unable to get to that state on our own anymore and then to maintain it for yourself for any period of time.

2005-10-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Fmily by lord Nelson

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2005-10-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Prince Charles laying the wreath on VJ day - London

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2005-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

On one of Lord Nelson's lions

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2005-10-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

still Portobello

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2005-10-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

same

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2005-10-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

More in the flea market by the skatepark - that's the Pattern Recognition Portobello area!

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2005-10-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

Not much more to say here

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2005-10-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Sign by the skatepark - just our type of place!

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2005-10-08T19:53:00.001-07:00

At Sherlock Holmes Hotel - Tom got a cot

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2005-10-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

Portobello flea market

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2005-10-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

X-box (previously playstation) park in London's Portobello area

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2005-10-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Having dinner at one of the pubs - fish and chips and ale!

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2005-10-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

And of course a great on of father and son, with the Westminster Abbey in the background!

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2005-10-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

And Tom Sr. in front of his great hero - Oliver Cromwell!!!

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2005-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Eating great sandwiches in the street right at the Green Market. I had this great pork sandwich with apples on it in a french bread - hot and fabulous.

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2005-10-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

More pics from the Euro Trip - Tom with London Eye in the background - in the palm in his hand. Great Pic.

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Tom's cast

2005-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we're supposed to have Tom's broken checked to see if it's fully mended and whether his cast can come off. It's only been 3 weeks, so we'll see.

Of course the cast has not stopped him from skating!!! He's been off to his usual skating tricks.

Well we'll see what happens tomorrow. I also hope to hear back from the math and the spanish teachers. I think the math tests are a bit too much for him, he's not understanding the directions and appears too hurried to do the actual calculations.

Until tomorrow...

Starting to get more of the Sheila story

2005-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a long conversation with the man who ended up taking care of Sheila, the dog, for the last 2 months and learned how they came to have her.

They live out in San Diego's east county, and his wife works at Grossmont Center - this is approximately 18 miles east from our house.

On August 8th, two days after the incident, the wife took Sheila home, because the Grossmont Center security guard was holding onto her, as he found her roaming around the center. She is an animal lover, and thought they would find the owner fairly quickly. They noted that she was well mannered, and obviously well taken care of, and figured they would see fliers posted around their neighborhood within days.

Well, they never realized that poor Sheila was abducted and far from home. He did tell me that she immediately got into their car, and wouldn't come out for the entire first night. I guess she just wanted to go home.

It was only last week that they were contacted by the person who took her. He explained that police were involved and I guess he wanted to get her back, but these people were suspicious and didn't want her to go to just anyone.

So finally, they were contacted by our detective, who explained more of what heppened, and that's when we got her back.

We plan to make a date with them in the next couple of weeks, because they got attached to her, and would like to see her again...

The person who actually took her, apparently got nervous that night, and tried to take her to the pet store at Grossmont and she got away from him. And that's when the security guard found her.

Now, we just still need to get this guy. But at least she's home safe.

2005-10-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Independent Skateboards? In the middle of Warsaw - you'd never know it...

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2005-10-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Old Town, Warsaw, August 2005 - right by the Royal Palace!

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2005-10-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

About a 1.5 years ago, when we were in Park City, Utah, they had these artsy mooses all over the city - well in Warsaw, they had cows!!! Here's Tom, his skateboard, and one of the cows!

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2005-10-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

More Eruo Trip pics - here is an intersecation I crossed every day on my way to school - see the poster?? Bytom, my home town, 1254 to 2004 - that's 750 years? And here US was celebrating the bicentennial? Hmmm...

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The Rant continues

2005-09-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Spoke with Madeleine also today, and she expressed her frustrations to me as well and that she actually went to the chief of police to get them to review our case.

I just wonder about what the problem with the staffing of our police department is, and how bad it is. And why should it be such a secret. It just baffles me that we're supposed to be kept ignorant. It's the old mentality that people can't handle the truth.

Went to a fund raiser for Donna Frye yesterday, and she made one of those interesting points, that even in 2005 a woman has to be far more intelligent to be considered as a candidate for those typically "male" jobs, like being mayor. Apparently there was a web pole being done that actually asked the question of whether a woman is ready for that job... Geezz, what is this?

I told her I totally sympathized given the struggles I am facing myself with the company and the fight with TPMG. You know, it's oh, this woman won't be any trouble, we can just take adventage.

I have decided that I really like Donna, and will totally support her all the way!

2005-09-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

A bit of a rant today. I still have not heard back from the detective regarding what actually happened. Luckily Sheila is back, and now clean, but we still have not heard about the people who broke in.

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GOOD NEWS - SHEILA IS BACK

2005-09-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

Monday night, when I was in San Francisco at CTIA, the Detective called me announcing that she and her partner were on their way from Santee and they had Sheila with them!!!

They brought her home later that evening, and both dog and boy are happily reunited!!

It is Sunday...

2005-09-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Just another Sunday. As usual dad and I went grocery shopping, and then he decided to "fix" the bathroom fixture in the upstairs bathroom. We'll see... Right now there is no running water.

Tom is working on something at Peter's house. He's been able to get around quite well with his cast on. Good thing it's his left wrist.

2005-09-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

London, VJ Day 2005 - Memorial to the Women of WW II - very nice!

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2005-09-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

Tom and Tom Sr in front of the statue of Kopernik - Warszawa, Stare Miasto, August 2005

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2005-09-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

In Warsaw on the way to the tramwaj station for the tour of Old Town (Stare Miasto)

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Some good news for a change

2005-09-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

Actually spoke real time with the detective assigned to our stolen dog case!! Apparently our San DIego police department has a new policy where they are not to disclose to the public how very understaffed they are. Great!!!

As far as finding Sheila, apparently the individuals involved were not from the skateboarding groups Tom hangs with. There is some possibility that she was released around Grossmont Center or that someone is actually still taking care of her. The detective said she would call me today with any more news.

Her objective is to first find Sheila and get her back, and then go after the people, so as not to spook them. I agree!

Let's keep our fingers crossed that there is more good news today

2005-09-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

At Heathrow on the way to Warsaw, August 2005

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2005-09-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

Skateboarding in Katowice, August 9, 2005

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2005-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tom and Krzysiu in Sliwa - August 2005

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2005-09-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

August 7, 2005 - dad's car overheated and we had to get towed!!!

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2005-09-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

Tom and Dad - August 2005 - this is a rare picture. My dad and my husband. Dad after Tom and Dad in Poland this summer in August - and Dad after surviving lung cancer!!!

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Still looking

2005-09-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Well, nothing new to report. Sheila has not been turned into any of the shelters, and Tom is back now and very upset.

I just can't understand why anyone would take someone's pet, it just seems so very weird. I hope she's ok and that whoever took her, takes care of her, especially during the hot days when she needs extra water.

Tom is with Doug and Shey today and for the rest of the Labor Day weekend, and back on Monday. Tuesday is the big day, first day of High School for him.

Although the trip to Europe was fun, I know this dog-knappping has been a drag and a very unhappy ending to this summer vacation.

Sheila Missing Still

2005-08-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

Phone: 619-884-2095
Fax: 858-623-0606
E-mail:
mremillard@zaxiscorp.com

Here is the text of a poster I spread around at different skate parks and shops today.

I sure hope someone decides to help us find Sheila!!

On August 6, 2005 a number of individuals from the local SKATEBOARDING community broke into our home in University City, had a wild party, and then stole our dog, Sheila.

These individuals drove a white 4-door car with a spoiler - license plate number our neighbor took down is 3BJW045.

If you know anything about this, please contact Detective Kelly Munro of SDPD at 858-552-1730 or Magda Remillard at 619-884- 2095.

If you know these people, please tell them to simply turn the dog to the San Diego Animal Shelter— she is micorchipped and will be returned to us. There will be no questions asked.

Sunday morning

2005-04-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

dear tom,

Sunday mornings are for enjoying a special cup of coffee i make for dad and me... i get up and make an expresso with steamed, frothy milk - it's my favorite way to start my sunday.

Soon it will be time to get moving, do the usual weekend chores, shopping, etc, so this is very relaxing and special.

Yesterday afternoon dad and I drove up the coast in the mustang all the way up to Oceanside and then had dinner at this little italian place we found on the way in Cardiff. It was ok. After that we did our usual, went to PB and got desert at French Gourmet to take home.

Today I will also call my dad, another one of those usual things i do on weekends, call your dziadek ziggy to see how he is doing. Dad and i are planning our sumer trip now, so I'm starting to get excited. We have to coordinate our plans with your going to england with grandma.. lots to do.