By George, He Got It!

"Don't ever take what I say too personally because I am an equal opportunity offender; though you do need a lot of work."
-- George D. Carameros III (said to me in 1996)

 

GEORGE DEMETRIOS CARAMEROS III - May 27, 1954 - October 25, 2019

To Nancy, Brittney, Courtney, and George IV - our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time...

My journey with George Carameros III began in 1996 when I took my 2 youngest daughters to a church retreat at Wilderness Ridge in Bastrop, TX (sadly WR burned down in a forest fire several years ago). It was an "open church weekend" verses a specific church retreat. We were grouped together alphabetically and so it was destined that the Candelaria's and the Carameros' would share a cabin and then proceed to compete in numerous daddy daughter events throughout the weekend. Team Candelaria (Greg, Tahni and Bayli) against Team Carameros (George, Brittany and Courtney).

Team Carameros smoked team Candelaria 10-0. I mean, not a single event was even close, in spite of the fact George was older than me and his daughters were younger than mine. After what he called the "ultimate spanking in family sports history", he invited us to come to his restaurant where he would buy my lunch to help heal my wounds and perhaps increase my strength. George would never let me, nor the city of Houston for that matter, forget the Carameros dominance as he retold this story countless times to friends and strangers whenever we dined at his restauarant over the last 23 years. It should be noted that over these last 23 years, George never allowed me to pay for my lunch. A generosity that I neither deserved nor required, but it is a large part of who he was as a human being. Generous to a fault, ALWAYS.

Proud Grandparents Nancy and George

My girls grew up affectionately calling him Uncle George and his appeal to thousands of people during his life was legendary. He never held his tongue when passionately defending positions he supported and held; yet he still endeared people on both sides of whatever issue he supported and freely communicated. It was a rare gift. Related, I must say that he could raise the temperature in a conversation faster than anyone I have ever known and that meant that no one would ever want to be on George's bad side. No one could out debate him nor out-smart him. He was a man of deep conviction who could not be swayed and could support his positions with facts and good old fashioned common sense. 

 

Lastly, he loved God and his family very much. I have such great saddness for his grandchildren who will never know what a great grandfather he was and would have been had he lived longer. I love you George Carameros and I will miss you always. You inspired me greatly with a wonderful sense of humor, an endless appetite for generosity, and the unfailing love that you had for those that you truly loved unconditionally. Rest in peace my brother.

Love, Greg 

Brooke Candelaria hugging on George

My brother from another mother, 60th BD

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Welcoming our new granddaughter

Hard to imagine it at my young age (cough, cough), but we now have three granddaughters. Actually, I did none of the hard work - like giving birth or raising kids to get to this point. But it's so nice to reap the rewards of being a grandparent. 

Hard to imagine that Louanne and Mike went to China to adopt Nadia almost seven years ago, and that Amelie is already four. Now there is Dani, who just turned two, and has been living in this country for just a few short weeks. To say the least, she's adorable. And she's learning English at an astonishing rate. And she has her own distinct personality, different from her two sisters. 

Greg and I were able to meet her, finally. We had waffles for dinner (apparently for Nadia and Amelie, the concepts of 'Papa' and 'waffles' are forever inextricably linked), and got in some fun playtime with all three. 

And we even got Dani to give us huge smiles and giggles for pictures (she usually wears a pouty face in group photos). I especially loved watching Nadia and Amelie play.  

The only slight disappointment is that there wasn't a spare superhero cape in my size. 

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In loving memory of Herman Simon

He would have turned 100 yesterday. He did make it to 97 - in good health, marbles intact, with his lovely wife and family by his side.

They came through Ellis Island: the family's Union City store

Herman Simon was born on February 25, 1913, the eldest son of immigrants who arrived in the United States via Ellis Island. He was raised in Union City, New Jersey along with Raymond (Dad!), Morris and kid sister Lillian above the Simon haberdashery. 

His inauspicious beginnings formed the content of his character and his lifelong work. He grew up during the Great Depression in cramped, modest quarters. He realized early on that he had a way of connecting with and helping others, and had that special ability to ignore those who told him something couldn't be done. He liked to root for the underdog, because often he was the underdog.

Canoeing on Bullet Pond, hoping to catch dinner

As a camp counselor (which is how he met my amazing Aunt Yvette), he was a natural leader. Later, as a camp owner and international travel guide, he was a natural leader. As a school administrator in a vast and complicated system, he was a natural leader. As a tireless advocate for the elimination of acid rain in the Adirondacks, he was a natural leader.

I cannot adequately express the difference this great, larger-than-life man made in the lives of so many thousands of people. He never knew a stranger. He inspired others, giving them the courage to do what they previously thought was impossible. 

Nearly 100, and still a handsome devil

To me, he was so much more than an uncle. He was a lifelong mentor. We were lucky enough to spend lots of time with Hermey and Yvette, soaking in the beauty of the Adirondacks during summer visits to their quirky old home in Schroon Lake and catching my first fish. In the fall and winter, we'd head to their A-frame in the woods of New City for Thanksgiving gatherings, day trips to the city for Broadway shows, and afternoons of skating on the frozen pond. Then, there was the delicious simplicity of sunsets enjoyed from their balcony in Pompano Beach.   

About to depart for a night at the opera

Amidst the jumble of the many shared adventures of concerts, plays, hikes, swims, cooking marathons and big parties, I like to sift out the quiet moments. Those profound insights, advice, ideas, wisdom and stories Uncle Hermey would share when we were taking in a sunset from the balcony, or the murmur of bullfrogs from the gazebo overlooking the pond. 

When Herman Simon left us in the summer of 2010, a star went dark in the sky, creating a void in the lives he touched. He accomplished so much, had an extraordinary and loving 70-plus year marriage, traveled the globe with Aunt Yvette, and left the world a better place. But I still miss him. Aunt Yvette is wiser than I am, though - she smiles and says, "We did it all! That's what matters."

It comforts me to know that I will always carry a part of him in my heart. I hope I'll always be able to tap into that part of my heart when I want to do something good, generous or impossible. Love and miss you, Uncle Hermey! Here's to your 100th birthday! 

Phone time with Yvette, Hermey and Dad

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Why the dog is still worth it

This is Cowboy Jack. He's a blue merle Sheltie who adopted us about four and a half years ago. We're the happier for it, despite the onslaught of furballs that effortlessly scuttle across the floor like soft tumbleweeds. 

Originally, Jack joined the family on the occasion of Greg's daughter's birthday in 2001. The runt of the litter, he was one of two puppies who managed to not drown in tropical storm Allison. The rest were swept away.

Cowboy Jack maintains that 'survivor' demeanor, a sweet temperament and a Facebook account, but our furry friend has become decidedly high maintenance. 

He has arthritis. 

He has a heart murmur. 

He wheezes like a steamboat.
 
He has nearly permanent skin allergies. 

And he suffers from kidney disease. So, Jack gets an IV every few days, prescription renal modified food, phosphorous blocker and acid controller. I roast chicken for him constantly. 

Despite all of this upkeep, that smelly old thing is still worth it. Even on the really bad days. Because, to a dog, there is no such thing as a bad hair day. And they just want to love and be loved. 

Do you have a beloved pet? To what extreme would you go for your non-human friend?

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Hometown nostalgia - upstate New York

Recently, I had an opportunity to visit my folks in upstate New York. Whenever I go back to visit the ol' hometown, I get sort of nostalgic. This visit was no exception. The nostalgia for me isn't so much about trying to climb back to the past, but instead about taking a fresh perspective on the places I mostly took for granted growing up. 

It's nice to have roots that remain firmly planted in the town where I grew up. The Utica area was once a boom-town after WWII, but now does not really have much of an economic base. While I don't think I'd really want to live and work there now, what matters most is that I get to visit with, and cook for, Mom and Dad. 

They indulged me on a quick few stops so I could snap some pics of landmarks. Here are just a few:

The Saranac Brewery (above) was founded as the West End Brewing Company in 1888. I was a tour guide here for two summers. It's kind of fun when you can speak intelligently about brewing beer when attending a fraternity mixer in college! 

The old Bank of Utica, known as 'the bank with the gold dome.' I love the overly fancy architecture and, if you ignore its surroundings, you'd swear for a minute that you were in London. I had my first banking account here, saving coins in those cardboard pig-shaped folders to deposit when they were full.

The Stanley Theater, built in 1928. I've been here many times for concerts, plays and ballets. One of my favorite memories is our family trip to see Bill Cosby perform, and watching my mother laughing so hard that she cried through most of the show.

 
The Raymond Simon Convergence Media Center at Utica College. Not everyone gets to have a center named after their Dad! We were lucky to grow up as faculty brats, and Professor Simon has made such a mark on the communications field. And, the broadcast studio in the center is named after my Mom. How cool is that?

The New Hartford house where my sister and I were raised. Back then, everyone's doors were unlocked, kids played freely in backyards, front yards and the streets, and the parents sounded bells and buzzers and horns to call the kids in for dinner.

We often enjoy dramatic sunsets in upstate New York. Part of it is the atmosphere, and part of it is a lower level of pollution than other places. To me, this is a magic show that never gets old. And in my mind, when I'm back in upstate New York, nor do I. 

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IM okay, IM okay!

Before you think that this is all about me, know that the IM to which I refer to in the title is the now pervasive and addictive, spelling and grammar destroying, multi-task challenging phenomenon known as "Instant Messaging".

And IM is not just taking over your relationships with our friends and colleagues, it is now in firm control of our love lives!!  A related side note, I would have virtually no communication with my daughters if not for the magic of text messaging (I miss you girls).  Oops, excuse me while I respond back to my lovely bride who is currently located downstairs about 30 feet from me (10 feet as the indoor crow flies).

Brooke: yt?

Me: y

Brooke: U busy?

Me: y

Brooke: lmk whut up with U?

Me: writin' blog post

Brooke: question?

Me: y?

Brooke: R U hungry?

Me: y

Brooke: k, cool!

Me: That's it?

Brooke: y

Me: k, cool!  

          

I suppose she will ping me again shortly to ask if I am thirsty, but until then I will continue with this blog post.

Brooke: yt?

Me: y, what now?

Brooke: R U thirsty?

Me: y

Brooke: k, cool!

As I was trying to say, IM is taking over the world like a bad untreatable plague that does not kill anyone, yet renders one confused about the proper means to communicate with anyone at a level above the language that we have with our pets. Check that, we use complete words and cute phrases for that..."You are such a good boy, would you like a treat?"  Cowboy Jack: y

Brooke: yt? 

Me: y

Brooke: mind if I go 2 gym?

Me: n

Brooke: k, cool!

The truth is that I now use IM personally and professionally because I am saving my voice and word articulation for my debut as a guest tenor with The Houston Grand Opera.  And why use the spoken word and expend all that energy? And proper grammar and sentence structure is so 1970!

Brooke: yt? 

Me: y

Brooke: off 2 gym!

Me: k

Brooke: ily

Me: ily2

Brooke: k, cool!

The trouble with "fads" like IM is that they are not just fads, but rather, they become ingrained into the very pop culture in which we live. I suppose the old adage applies here, "If you cannot beat them, you might as well join them!"  Alas, this is true.

Oh wait, just got a cell phone text from Brooke, "at gym".  Pardon me while I text her back, "k, cool!"

TTYL my BFF's!

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The "WE" Code

Every relationship (spouse, family, friends, pets, etc.) has a "WE" code even if you are not aware that one exists.  It is very important to understand the nuances of the "WE" code in order to remain calm and happy whenever the code is invoked. Everyone you will encounter has their own "WE" code and their own unique interpretation of exactly what is expected once it is dropped on you.

For clarification, I thought I would provide a list of the most common "WE" codes along with a few examples of Brooke's definition when speaking them specifically to me:

WE = WE (Both of Us)

"WE need to go to Sam's Club and pick up a few things."

  

WE = ME (Brooke)

"WE need to make dinner."

"WE need to go to Marshall's & TJ Maxx."

"WE need to go to the gym." 

WE = YOU (Greg)

"WE need to grill tonight." 

"WE need to go to Home Depot."

"WE need to do laundry."

"WE need to iron the clothing."

"WE need to make the bed."

"WE need to power-wash the deck."

"WE need to drive to upstate NY for Christmas."

"WE need to exercise/walk more."

"WE need to eat less wings."

"WE need to fill-up/wash the car."

"WE need to quit playing Fantasy Football."

"WE need to pay the bills."

WE = HIM or HER or THEM (Others including animals)

"WE need to get the oven repaired."

"WE need to clean the house."

"WE need to go pee-pee." (Cowboy Jack)

Valuable "WE" code Tips:

• These codes should not be taken lightly nor for granted.   
• Misinterpreting "WE" codes has been proven to cause moderate to extreme pain in the lower extremities, just above the hamstrings.  
• When in doubt, always assume the comment was directed at you exclusively.  
• When returning a code always assume the comment you are making is in reference to you exclusively.  
• If you are having trouble identifying any WE=WE codes, assume that all those possibilities apply to you exclusively.  
• If a third-party in a WE = HIM or HER or THEM is hard to discern, assume that it applies to you exclusively.

Any questions?  

  

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