Rod is Alive and Doing Well

[RBrylawski]

Hello All,

I don't know if anyone's missed me, but I have been absent lately. Life has been in many ways wonderful and in many ways complicated. Without writing a book (for those of you who know me, you know I'm rarely lacking the ability to pen LOT'S of word!) Ha! So, here is a brief snapshop of what's been up:

• I finally had enough of the firm I was with for nearly 7 years, and I started a new job in Executive Search, with a firm in Tampa in early March. This comes with mixed blessings. Much better work environment, but in my line of work, it's 100% commission and here I was starting ALL OVER again. The good news is I've ramped up quickly and am doing well. In fact, better than they could have expected. But it did certainly put a crimp in my watch budget. Or lack of watch budget.

• In April, after being with my partner Charlie, we were finally able to legally get married. It was doubly wonderful as we were married side by side with my brother and his fiance (now wife) in a very small ceremony attended by a lovely minister, photographer. AND a Videographer from Yahoo News. I have attached a link to a New Documentary produced by Yahoo News and was released the same week the Supreme Court made their ruling on same sex marriage. The reason I'm posting it is the 3rd Chapter of this 30 minute video is all about Charlie (my now husband), who was one of the first people to ever successfully sue the federal government for wrongful discrimination after the government fired him simply because he was gay in the early 1970's. It was a landmark case and I'm so proud of what he did. But if you watch the video, you'll also get to see scenes at the end of our wedding! http://news.yahoo.com/uniquely-nasty...ZfMQRzZWMDc2M-

• The week after we were married, we had to say goodbye to our beloved 17 year old Burmese Cat, Sakai. It devastated us in ways we could barely imagine. I thought I'd never want to get kittens again, but realizing life is short, we found a breeder of Burmese kittens and 3 weeks ago, we added a pair of sister kittens named Emi and Eri. Emi stands for Beautiful Blessing and Eri stands for Blessed Gift and indeed they are. I don't know where kittens come up with the amount of energy they have, but man do they have unbounding energy.

• Finally, since I'm doing a bit better now that commissions are starting to come in, I just joined the JR Bandwagon and ordered the following Aquascope from Ashford! Darn you Walter, for you were the one who made me do this!

I hope you are all doing well and life's been treating you nicely!

Your friend,

Rod

[CFR]

Welcome back, Rod!

[thewalrus]

Rod - it's awesome to hear from you! I've also been on a hiatus a bit, as life's changed. But this place just keeps you coming back, eh?

A HUGE congrats on your wedding. I'm incredibly happy for you and your partner. It was a long time coming - but well worth the wait, I'm sure. Anyone who's read your posts about your relationship and your home life could clearly see how absurd it was to deny you and Charlie the same benefits and recognitions that come with straight marriage. Hope you guys had a heck of a party (and you got at least something horological to commemorate the day).

A smaller (but still enthusiastic!) congrats on the new job and the new watch, as well. That JR looks incredible. I've been sorely tempted, but am trying to keep my eyes on a different dive watch that I've wanted for some time.

[mikeylacroix]

congrats to u and charlie.

[RBrylawski]

Welcome back, Rod!

Thank you C! I hope you are doing GREAT!

Rod - it's awesome to hear from you! I've also been on a hiatus a bit, as life's changed. But this place just keeps you coming back, eh?

A HUGE congrats on your wedding. I'm incredibly happy for you and your partner. It was a long time coming - but well worth the wait, I'm sure. Anyone who's read your posts about your relationship and your home life could clearly see how absurd it was to deny you and Charlie the same benefits and recognitions that come with straight marriage. Hope you guys had a heck of a party (and you got at least something horological to commemorate the day).

A smaller (but still enthusiastic!) congrats on the new job and the new watch, as well. That JR looks incredible. I've been sorely tempted, but am trying to keep my eyes on a different dive watch that I've wanted for some time.

Thank you so much. I hope you'll take the time to watch the video and meet Charlie, plus see the 4 of us get married!

congrats to u and charlie.

Thank you my friend!

[Nutty28]

Welcome back, Rod!

And a HUGE CONGRATS - on your big date as well as your successful career switch. Making the decision to switch mid-way in one's career is a very tough decision.

Here's wishing Charlie and you to have many, many happy days ahead, success in your career!!! Obviously, this should lead to more watch acquisitions....

PS: oh, and the kittens are really cute!

[gnuyork]

Welcome back and congratulations! Funny... I just got done looking at those JR watches on amazon, also due to Walter's WRUW today. I'm not going to order one, but If I did, my eye was on the same blue one you picked. Look forward to seeing a real photo of it when it arrives.

[RBrylawski]

Welcome back, Rod!

And a HUGE CONGRATS - on your big date as well as your successful career switch. Making the decision to switch mid-way in one's career is a very tough decision.

Here's wishing Charlie and you to have many, many happy days ahead, success in your career!!! Obviously, this should lead to more watch acquisitions....

PS: oh, and the kittens are really cute!

Thank you! This isn't a mid career change. This is likely the last step in my career as I'm old enough to be staring at Social Security in 6 years. I won't say I won't be buying more watches, but I certainly have more than enough at this point to keep anyone happy! Yes I do!

Welcome back and congratulations! Funny... I just got done looking at those JR watches on amazon, also due to Walter's WRUW today. I'm not going to order one, but If I did, my eye was on the same blue one you picked. Look forward to seeing a real photo of it when it arrives.

I have liked the JR Aquascope since I saw it now almost 2 years ago. I don't know if they've just not sold well and that's why the discount houses have them are selling them at really ridiculous prices, but I just couldn't resist! I'll definitely post a pic when I get mine. I won't do a Rod-Sized Intro thread though as there are already enough posts on new JR additions.

[skywatch]

Happy returns and congratulations on the wedding! Ahh, yes, kittens. Much joy!

[RBrylawski]

Happy returns and congratulations on the wedding! Ahh, yes, kittens. Much joy!

Thank you so much and yes, the kittens are bringing so much joy to our home that is hard to describe!