Namic, Wanamaker & Tom Arnold

I would say this weekend is one of those interesting weekends that you do not experience all the time. So of course, I have to share it with you all. (okay, all 3 of you)

After experiencing the debate Friday in a vodka induced haze, which Obama and McCain really tied in, which means the Senator of Illinois actually won, it was a wedding in Center City Philadelphia. During the week, I was dreading going, because it would cut into my leisure time during the weekend, and also, this was a wedding for Mrs Duck and her friends/co workers. Which means I would know only a few people. However, I should have noticed the first sign it would be a good weekend, when I was able to score a hotel room on Priceline for 75% off what it would usually be. Bargain shopper I am.

Into the city we go, to find that our hotel is inundated with NAMIC members. Not exactly an exciting bunch, but I would say they still have the cash, since Bruce Hornsby was playing there gala banquet finale. Or Mr Hornsby is suffering for cash.

The reception was excellent, classy and actually fun. I am not a fan of bands at weddings, but the group Touche, was quite good. A bit 70s sounding for the taste of Mr Duck, but the dance floor was jamming all night long. The food was quite good, the ambiance was classic and in actuality, this may have been one of the best weddings the Duck family has attended since we have been together.

Plus, one of the guests was actually a ex husband of a famous portly comedianne. That, if nothing else was an interesting gawking without gawking sight.

Yes, a actually terrific weekend, plus we were able to score some nice flowers! Though the Philadelphia Puerto Rican Day parade through a bit of a hitch in the commute home Sunday.

Philly Wedding Review-Synergetic Sounds

***Its Our Anniversary, so this is a repost, but I figure good people need some credit***

Ok, this review was all mine. Mrs Duck always said that the DJ's were my job for the reception and that would mean I have to go all the way by finishing up with the review. As some of you may know from all my posts about it, Music is a very important thing in my life. I always thought I could be a wedding DJ, except for the fact that my voice sounds like Mickey Mouse when it goes through the microphone. But, I could never ever do as good a job as Synergetic Sounds did.

From the first meeting up until the start of the reception, they were extremely professional. Jason Weldon was our MC and Dan was the one behind the turntables, at least I think he was. The best part about Synergetic is that you have as much or as little control as you want. I had a healthy list of requests that I wished to hear, and they played everyone of them that they could find. Plus they were able to read the crowd. I had requested Poison by Bell Biv Devoe and also some Kayne West. The dj's were able to realize that if the dance floor is filled when you hear some BBD and Kayne, then the crowd would love Hip Hop Hooray! And they were right, it was one of the best dance portions of the night.

Plus, they were able to dig up things. Chasing Cars had just been featured on Grey's Anatomy a few weeks before and we both fell in love with it once we heard it. But, it had not even hit the airwaves. One of the last songs played before the dance floor was opened up? Chasing Cars. It just made me smile, well, smile more then I had been since it was our wedding day finally.

I think on the bride and grooms wedding day, they should be treated like kings and queens of the ball. Jason and Dan helped to make sure that was possible, making sure that we enjoyed the music, had any requests or checking the volume. Plus, they were both just really nice guys. Plus, we had a ban on line dances and hokey party favors, and they followed up with that ban, no questions asked. Even turning down a cute little 8 year old nephew. Now thats what I call customer service :)

In the end, Synergetic Sounds would be a company that I highly reccomend, and have done so time and time again when anyone asks questions about our DJs.

A Poetry Train for my baby

Love I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are

All my instincts, they return
and the grand façade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

In your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes

Love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for out survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

And all my instincts, they return
and the grand façade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

In your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light,
the heat I see in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes



Happy Anniversary Baby

All aboard the Poetry Train.

A Duck needs a Hand

Or maybe its a wing. But, no matter. Here is the story.

Our Anniversary is coming up, only 10 days away or so. And while, there is not much of a plan, I still needs some ideas. So of course, I look to my blogger friends for advice. I have a grand plan, I need the details.

Ya see, my plan is to get one thing from each place that we visited on our Honeymoon. So, thats one thing from San Diego, one or two things from Hawaii and one thing from Seattle. Now, I have an idea in mind for Seattle, but now I have a problem with the rest of them. Coconuts and smoked salmon are not going to cut it.

So, all my blogger friends, how could you help. And please, lets remember that I am on a semi limited budget and cutting it close for shipping.

And now, to get noticed, I will link a few folks because I figure they would just notice a link.

LADY JANE SCARLETT
STARRLIGHT
KAILANI
DRAGON
HYPERION
CHRISTIE O
DESERT SONGBIRD

and of course anyone with a romantic bone in there body

Worth the Cost

1.Working from 8 am and then getting home finally at 10:30 pm=$Exhaustion.

2.Watching your full tank drop below half a gas tank in 2 days=$7

3.Lack of allergy medicine when it should have been taken at 7pm=Stuffy nose

4.Two hours back and forth driving=$ Bad Back

5.The fact that the wedding albums are finally locked up and all set for final printing= PRICELESS

Fraynetic Poetry Train

I am experiencing two levels of fears today, and I get to dump them all over the Poetry Train. One level is the oh I hope the new people like me and I hope I like them. This fear is kind of silly, but it is also something that I think every person gets the first day of a new job, or at least the first day in a new situation. Its also something that will go away eventually.

The other fear is a silly, yet small fear that, while I can not divulge because then I would give too much away about my work, it is also something that will probably never really go away, it will just shrink. Its just something I have to suck up I guess.

So, to cover it, I need to find things that keep me relaxed. Over my Head by The Fray is something that made me happy and calm leading up to the wedding. It was not even a song that was featured that prominently at the ceremony, but as we lead up to the big day, its almost like I discovered it before anyone else did. And it started getting heavy rotation just before the big day. So, it brings back some happy memories and makes me calm. Of course, there is no way I can listen to it on a perpetual loop on my Ipod, because you know, customers don't love the ear buds.




I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between

[Over My Head (Cable Car) Lyrics on
http://www.lyricsmania.com/]
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves

And everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows
She's on your mind
Everyone knows I'm in over my head
I'm in over my head
I'm in over...

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind



Hop on the Poetry Train, i think there is some sort of celebration or something this week.

Overbooked Weekend

It was a long one, but a fun one none the less. Well, of course it was a fun one, it was spent with my baby the entire time, how bad could that be? OK, maybe enough sucking up, no?

Friday was the Tin Man's birthday and he decided he wanted to get some Cheeseburgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise and then see Pirates 3. CiP was pretty good, but not great. The service was somewhat slow and the drinks were heavily watered down. The saving grace was the food, appetizers and cheeseburgers, great great stuff! I think I would say it was fun for a one time trip, but I do not think there will be any kind of return trip anytime soon.
The movie was good, I thought it was better then number 2. I am not going to spoil any of the plot or anything, but at least it was less gross then the last installment. My one word of advice for the movie makers if they do decide to do a number 4, All Johnny Depp, all the time. This role is still perfect for him, so do not keep him hidden away for the first half hour or so. By the end, my ass did hurt!

Saturday was the anniversary day. Mrs Duck loved her earrings, which I think I will have to dig up an example picture and share some where and my gift was tickets to Les Miserables in New York City. Its a play I have always always wanted to see, so we will finally get that taken care of later this month.

We stayed at the Westin in Center City, because it was where we stayed after the wedding last year. The room was nicer last year, of course, since it was a go nuts suite, but I do not think I have stayed at too many places nicer then the Westin. The Heavenly Bed and the Heavenly Shower are magnificent.
Dinner was at Roy's and we went hog wild. I highly recommend the Butterfish if you ever find yourself at a Roy's and the Maui Mojito as well.
To cap off the night, or at least to cap it off as far as you all are concerned, was tickets to the Helium Comedy Club to see Marc Maron and some other younger comic I forgot the name of. And I am actually disappointed I forgot the name because he was a tad funnier then the headliner. I think Marc had some funny things to say, but he is also used to play much bigger places and he may have not brought his A game to a late show that was probably about 60 people or so.

Needless to say, Sunday, we were exhausted.

See it was brief-Anniversary Contest!!

Ok, so we are back in full duck feather mode once again. If you really wanted to see the sights and sounds of the Duck Family, drop me a line and I will send out a lovely old email.

Speaking of sending, for this special weekend, I will be holding a contest. 3 winners will be chosen, 2 winners will be selected from the group of correct answers to the question I will share, and 1 winner will just be randomly selected from the comments in general. Exciting isn't it?

What do you win? A genuine copy of the wedding favor from last year, a CD chock full of songs. It will be like you were their without having to suffer the heat, humidity, rain storm and an expensive gift. Who wouldn't want that??

So, here is the question: The Duck Family went on our honeymoon to Hawaii. We visited two of the islands there. Name One of them.

See, simple. Good luck and happy weekend to everyone. This contest will run until Monday morning at 8 am, EDT. And now, we are off to jet set around Philadelphia.

Thursday Thirteen #37-The Mrs Duck One

Thirteen Great ThingsAbout Mrs Duck So, this weekend is our Anniversary weekend, where all the stars aligned and Mrs Duck and I became husband and wife. So, for the list I thought I would give some great things about my wife, beyond the fact that she puts up with me every day. On a quick side note, The Duck Family will be exposed here tomorrow, so if you wanted to see us without our feathers, even if its only briefly, then be sure to stop back tomorrow. 1.Mrs Duck has a hot body and knows how to use it. Of course, I am a guy, so this kind of trait would come up early, wouldn't it. 2.Mrs Duck is intelligent and beyond books smarts. You teach her to do something one time, she takes it and runs with it. She always wants to know how something works, as opposed to just nodding your head and listening. 3.She has a job that she does not enjoy, in a organization where sometimes you just end up shaking your head. Yet, she goes to this place everyday and performs to the best of her abilities. She could never just mail it in. 4.She reads more then I do. And her reading list is quite varied, from the chick books of Dorothy Benton Frank to books about the war in Iraq to thrillers by David Baldacci. 5.She likes football and loves her Philadelphia Eagles. I guess everyone needs some sort of albatross in your life. 6.She does not suffer fools and idiots well. But, one of the best things is that she can explain why these people are fools and idiots, as opposed to just yelling at them for no clear reason. 7.She loves her family and would do anything for them. Even though she has nephews that live in the south who we rarely see, she is able to spoil them like they live right down the street. 8.She has an infectious laugh that can be heard all over the house. When you hear it, you can not help but laugh yourself, no matter what mood you are in. 9.She has had a very difficult life, both dealing with physical things as well as plenty of things that have occured that would make a weaker persons head spin. She still has a great attitude in life and wants to be treated just like anyone else. 10.She lets me experiment in the kitchen and tries everything I whip up. She never says its awful and has the patience when I turn a Rachel Ray 30 minute meal into a RR One hour and 20 minute meal. 11.She has the softest sweetest eyes, that she can use to express any kind of emotion necessary. Her looks either make you say "uh oh I am in trouble" or "uh oh, I could be getting lucky" with just the shift of her gaze. 12.She tolerates a nitwit like me. This has to extend ones patience day after day after day and she still comes home and gives me a kiss hello. 13.I love her and thats all that matters to me. Happy Anniversary Baby. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The OCMD Experience, postscripts

Some minor thoughts that I might have forgotten, plus I keep hearing a clamoring for details.

-As usual, I grasp onto something and just worry and worry and worry all over it. This time of course, it was what to wear to the wedding reception. Luckily, the choice was made very easily. The weather never rose above 65, so I was able to wear the long sleeve button down mint green shirt, the tan khakis and the sport coat, which was quickly stripped off just after the first dance. The most casual thing worn was some very nice Tropical print shirts, so all was right with the world.

-You could tell where the Philly people were sitting. We were the loud side of the room.

-As for "The Incident" I am not going to get all macho or conceited here, but my best attributes have always been on the lower half of my body. I have always gotten butt compliments and I even know my legs look good, in a runner/soccer player sort of way. So I guess my butt was just irrestiable in those khakis. The slapper got more wallet then anything else and I was not her only victim. So I would guess it was in the fun joking way. It was just odd because we are really not in this girls crew of friends, so it was totally out of a drunken haze of nowhere. And, I think it may have been better that Mrs Duck was tipsy. She didn't get near as pissy as if it was a sober incident.

-Ocean City was nice, but I don't think I will be heading back any time soon. I might be a beach snob or something, but it just didnt have that shore town feel. And it was way too cold to feel like a nice resort town.

-and now to figure out how to share the pictures without the whole internet seeing em.

The OCMD Experience, Part 2

If you are curious about Part One, just click here.

Some people have asked why more then one part. Well, I have found that when I get a bit too wordy, people lose interest and just skim. Why have that? Plus, it was a nice enough time to go in a few parts.

So Saturday was the only day that the two of us could manage to get enough sleep. We ventured off to breakfast, where the foursome (Mrs Duck, The Senator, Red and your feathered friend) had some of the biggest omelets I may have ever seen. And they were tasty too. Good times, though maybe not on the cholesterol front. Then, it was seeing some of the sights, searching for a hat for Mrs Duck, since she left her sunglasses, prescription no less, at home. I was stunned I did not get blamed for that. Though, we never did see the boardwalk, we did see the beach, again Brrrrr cold!!

After a near alarm malfunction, thankfully fire girl woke us up, we shuffled the whole crew off to the wedding. The ceremony itself was beautiful, right on Assawoman Bay. It would have been nicer if the sun came out, but everyone was just thankful it did not rain. The future Mrs Terrapin was very nervous, you could see it from how her hands were shaking, but her honey seemed calm and cool and did a good job of keeping her calm. Plus, the officiant was just like Judge Judy in voice and demeanor, which added a nice dose of levity.

The reception was nice as well, with plenty of food and heavy heavy pours on the drinks. The food was unremarkable, but also edible. Nothing really stuck out in my mind, besides the roast beef which was near perfect. Their was a moment when we were seated at our table, the group of 10 and we all sort of had this thought, this was the last wedding. It made us feel old, as well as pushed us to make sure we kicked the evening up another notch.

The Bride was beautiful, the toasts made me verklempt, the DJ was good, though you should never end a wedding on Last Dance by Donna Summer, because it is just too fast a song. Their was an odd moment when I got my butt slapped, and not by Mrs Duck. I have a nice ass, I know, but sheesh, its not a piece of beef that needs to be tested out for tenderness. Mrs Duck was none to pleased, and in her drunken state later on, she mentioned something to the Slapper. Luckily, no one came to blows, though I know the Philly crew would have had her back.

Only one of us threw up at the end of the night, though I think we were both drunk when we woke up for the breakfast buffet. That by the way, was a mistake, all breakfast buffets should be avoided when its Mothers Day.

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Terrapin. They both provided everyone with a special weekend to enjoy their happiness. I will post some pictures in the coming few days, once I give them all a little touch up.

So, would you have gone after the Slapper?

The OCMD Experience, part 1

As you can see, we are back safe and sound from our little weekend sojourn to Ocean City, Maryland. As I usually love to do, I will provide you, my faithful readers, with a travelogue, so you can see how much fun we had and also so I can give my memory a little jump start in the future. So, away we go...

Traffic in Center City Philadelphia is always bad, now with all of the construction and walkers. Traffic on a sunny Friday afternoon is even worse. Traffic on a sunny Friday afternoon, after a political rally in Love Park is at its most possible worst! So, it should not be at all surprising that I was a tad bit cranky by the time I picked up Mrs Duck from her Center City office at a little bit after 1:30 pm. I could have already used a drink! Luckily, their was little issue getting out of the city and then the state.
Then, their was Delaware. If you ever travel on I-95 you think Delaware is just a little blip on the map that you could easily miss while snoozing. Oh contrare! When you have to drive the whole state, Delaware is just as long and as boring as cutting through New Jersey. Mind numbing 2 and a half hours. And once you get south of Dover, their is very little going on. The lack of Target/Wal-Mart/Lowes makes the chances at a rest stop less likely. I now see why when I was in college, Northern Delaware people could easily make fun of Southern Delaware people. All that was missing was a kid on a porch with a banjo.
One good decision I, the navigator as well as main pilot, made was to take 113 south as opposed to Route 1 south. We were able to avoid the stop and go traffic of Rehobeth and Dewey Beach, which made us able to arrive with a chance to freshen up before the happy hour on the bay at Macky's. Which was nice, because by the time we got there, I could have used a drink (as I mentioned above) Free Drinks are even better.
It turned into a beautiful night, spent catching up with the Senator and Red, The Cardinal family, the Judge and Fire girl and all the rest of the cast of characters that Mrs Duck has known for many years even before I graced her life. Plus, we were able to smoke at the bar, something unheard of in the city of Brotherly Love. Drinks, a good dinner at the Shark Restaurant and a chance to get to bed before midnight all made for a nice start to the weekend of celebration.

Now, I know your wondering, how was the wedding and what did your favorite feathered friend end up wearing. Oh, I guess that will have to wait for part 2, now wont it?

Question of the Weekend...

The Shirt decision for Ocean City will be a gametime decision. I am leaning towards the sports coat with the button down shirt, but will make a final call once I see what everyone else maybe wearing and also the weather. Can't be sweating like a hog can I?

Happy Mothers Day to everyone, be sure to sleep late, even you mommies to furballs.

So, last minute stuff to do before we hit the road, so I leave you with this question.

How do you pack? Is it minimalist or maximum? Does you significant other think you're nuts when you pack?

Sparky Plays Dress Up

This weekend, we are off to Ocean City, Maryland for a wedding. Its some of Mrs Ducks good friends, though we all have become at least acquainted and friendly by now. It should be a good time with some beach and booze.
But, here is the problem. Mrs Duck is not exactly terrific when it comes to helping me put outfits together. Her suggestion is always white and my goodness when I mention a tie, I can actually see the smoke coming from her ears. I understand that, ties are a personal thing for most guys.

Well, here is the makings of an outfit:


With the jacket and the khaki's what kind of shirt would you or your honey wear. Long Sleeve button down, golf polo shirt, short sleeve (highly unlikely, I always picture my crazy Shop teacher in a short sleeve button down shirt) Tie or no tie? Like I said its a beach wedding, so its casual, which means it is totally throwing me for a loop.

Oh and one other question, how can someone so sweet, so cute, so petite snore so loudly? Discuss...

I was just looking for a Golden Knight

and it just spun and spun and spun.

First, this is a post that has it connections to Amy and her Blog Scavenger hunt. Its actually been a lot of fun and a bit more work then I thought it would be. Their is still time to sign up (i think until Friday night) and she has some good prizes. Im in it for the Chick Fil-A swag.
The post itself is a bonus question, which I still don't get since she said it would not include points, but it was right up my alley so I could not resist. Amy's husband is a graduate of a Florida college and the challenge was to find a picture of his schools mascot. So, I found this...


No, she is not marrying the Golden Knight. The page I found this picture on was all about how the wedding was themed based on UCF, including the school colors and the Knight as one of the groomsmen. It sounded nice and all, but it made my mind start to ramble a bit. So, all you married types and those of you that are considering getting married, hitched, locked up, a question. How much would you let your significant others hobby, sport, favorite team, sneak into your wedding ceremony and reception? I myself had a Oregon Ducks rehearsal/grooms cake but I think that was about as far as Mrs Duck would go. Anyone braver out their?

Philadelphia Wedding Reviews-Rober Fair Caterers

As the weather here gets warmer, and good god it was 80 degrees here today, there are a few things that always pop up as spring comes along. The birds return, my allergies pick up, and Its Wedding Season! So, as a public service to those of the Delaware Valley, I am posting vendor reviews that Mrs Duck created for The Knot. Some editing has been done, just to protect our anonmity or however you spell that. And now, Mrs Duck, take it away...

Robert Fair Caterers:

I cannot say enough about my Caterers. They were extremely professional. Everything was set-up and ready to go on time. The food was awesome, and there servers were efficient and also friendly. We were expecting rain right before the start of our Ceremony and we really insisted that the ceremony be set-up outside. They set-up in a blink and there attention to detail was remarkable. Everything looked exactly the way I wanted and nothing was missed. Terry Fair was wonderful; I would recommend anyone using them insist on having her at your wedding. She knows exactly what she is doing! Terry was able to take charge and paid special attention to Sparky and I during cocktail hour, announcements, dinner, and cake cutting. We had a sit down dinner and some of our guests decided to move chairs and which left one too many people (12 people at a 10 place setting table) at one table. For a sit down this makes serving a nightmare, but it was not a problem for Robert Fair. I highly recommend Robert Fair Caterers, they are professional, efficient and the food was delicious. Especially the Appetizers!