On February 5th, Michael turned 40! [So did Whitney Houston's ex-husband, crazy man Bobby Brown, but he's got nothing to do with this blog.] The day was spent in a very mellow, but fun fashion. Lori made blueberry pancakes for her Bridenstine boys, and then we all headed off to meet friend Claire and her son Nicolas at the playroom at St. John the Divine. $6 gets you tons of fun for the kids and that's exactly what we did; tumbling around with NJ, riding a bike, getting into all kinds of mischief. Then it was off to Dive Bar where you can get one free chicken wing for every year you're on the planet. [Seems like a fair trade to me...] Michael only got about 20 wings in his system, but fun and many calories were had by all. Then it was back home for some homemade cake - almond cake with green tea frosting - that crumbled right before our eyes. It didn't look like much, but it tasted yummy. Then a gift or two, some more hugs and playing around, and finally the day ended. Family and fun - what more can an old man ask for! See the pics below.

Labels: birthday, fun, lori, michael, Nicholas, NJ, playground

LOOK AT THE FACE! LOOK AT THAT SMILE! YOU COULD DRIVE A TRUCK THROUGH THAT MOUTH! [This verifies without a shred of doubt that Nicholas is, in fact, the spawn of Michael's loins. Call Maury and tell him we're canceling our appointment.]

Labels: child, dimples, michael, Nicholas, smile, truck

Labels: civic duty, cry, michael, Nicholas, Obama, vote

Brought out to the lovely Western side of our fair nation by Wife Swap, Michael and his compadres Theo and Luciano had an rare opporunity to enjoy a day of NOT shooting. We came out to Phoenix last night and have to shoot tomorrow, but today, we had an opporunity to drive up North to Sedona. After getting a bit lost, we finally hooked up with a Jeep tour company and took an open ride tour of one of the several amazing National Parks. The ride was as bumpy as a Taxi ride up 10th Avenue circa 1977 and it got as cold as hell, but we had a great time. Amazing rock formations and natural beauty, served up 10 fold. In fact, I think we even saw a bald eagle in the far distance. He appeared to be searching for cell service...

Labels: michael, phoenix, rocks

First of all, let it be stated that as cute as our son Nicholas is, it ain't all about him. He's coming into our world, and sometimes he's just gonnna have to step aside so that Mom and Dad can have a life. Well, at least Dad...

In that vein, consider this the first entry in the Bridenstine Family Blog that talks about what Michael is up to. Since no one really ever seems to understand what I do to pay the rent, I'm making it a mission of mine in '08 to give little crumbs of information to a hungry public. Here's crumb #1.

Since the beginning of November, I've been working for a company called DBG, Digital Broadcasting Group. Really good guys, and a great project. DBG hired me to write, produce and direct original comedy webisodes for Will Ferrell's new comedy "Semi-Pro". The film is coming out on February 29th and Will plays a player/owner of the fictious ABA basketball team, the Flint, MI Tropics. [Not sure if anyone notices that the film comes out on the 29th of Feb, which only happens during a leap year, and the film is about basketball, where people leap. See, this is why my stuff never sells...] Anyway, the guys at DBG came up with a really funny idea, which is to treat Will's character, Jackie Moon, as if he really existed by doing 5 short mockumentary pieces that talk about the ABA, the 70s, the music, etc. We've interviewed real former players, coaches, journalists, PR guys, etc. and they're all working off my super stupid scripts. And I say that with pride! I'm off to Indianapolis in one week to interview the player from the ABA who had the biggest fro - Darnell Hillman. The look was big back then. I've already interviewed Cedric Maxwell, Jo Jo White and Mark Cuban, amongst others.

And although I can't show you the final webisodes, mostly cause they ain't done yet, I can show you two seconds of Michael stupidity. Not only does this clip show you the level of comedy I'm working in, but I'm in it as well! This is my quick cameo as an ABA ref who gets hit when a player throws up a brick - literally. See the bad acting in real time and just pray that they keep me behind the camera from now on. Listen closely to hear my cameraman Chris comment on the quality of the comedy. If he had an extra appendage, he'd give my performance "Three Thumbs Down!"

Labels: ABA, brick, comedy, funny, michael, Semi-Pro, work

Here is a quick look at Michael's thoughts just before jumping into the operating room for the big C-Section. The off-camera voice you hear is Nana's [Mary Anne, Michael's Mom], doing a Voice Over during a monologue scene, which you just don't see much nowadays. ROLL TAPE!

Labels: C-section, michael, video

Check out the menu for Thanksgiving 2007 in the Bridenstine house! Notice the large tummy of Momma-to-be under the cute, pink apron! Prepare to get hungry! LET'S EAT PEOPLE!!!

Labels: apron, kitchen, lori, michael, thanksgiving, video

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa



Dear Faithful Bridenstine Fans,

Just wanted to let everyone know about a cool new update to The Bridenstines -- Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff -- the sidebar music player now includes LORI'S LABOR: A collection of 6 unique playlists with varying intensity and mood for your listening pleasure! [NOTE: Clicking the left-right arrows on either side of the current playlist at the top of the player will switch between playlists. You can drag the scroll up-down arrows to see the songs on the current playlist. And of course, clicking on the play button or the song name itself will start the music!]

Lori and Michael asked me if I would prepare some music mixes for use during the birthing of Nicholas...a request which I was very honored to fulfill! Since Michael called yesterday to announce that the special CD package had arrived, it is now safe to share the music mixes on the blog without ruining any surprise for them. I hope you will all give a listen and enjoy!

Also, if you would like any information about any of the songs, playlists, etc. -- please feel free to contact me via my blog.

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, email, family, friends, lori, michael, music, Nicholas, readers, sidebar, updates

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa


Dear Readers,

Allow me to introduce my good friends, Michael and Lori Bridenstine. They have made the leap into the Blogosphere -- and as a representative of said Blogosphere -- I welcome them with loving open arms. So much so, that I have created a custom blog template just for their new adventure! ;-D

I hope you all, as their family and friends, enjoy The Bridenstines: Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff. Please, encourage and support Michael and Lori in their blogging adventures by visiting as often as you can and by leaving comments once in a small while...You will see a link for the comments' section under each post called "Comments from the Peanut Gallery." That's all of you! Click on it and you can write as little or as much as you want in response to their posts. This blog is meant to be interactive -- so please, feel free to share your thoughts, links, whatever! The more you do, the better it will be.

As a sidenote: I will be permanently available as the blog's administrator -- it's my ongoing Baby Shower gift to Lori. ;-) If you have any problems or questions (Perhaps a link does not work? A photo is missing?) -- do not hesitate to let me know. I can be reached via my website or my blog. You can find links for both in the sidebar to the left. Please just mention in the subject line that you are contacting me in reference to this blog so that I won't get confused!

Okay, I guess that is all for now. Good Luck, Lori and Michael -- and to everyone else -- ENJOY!


Cheers!
The Butterfly

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, comments, email, family, friends, fun, gifts, lori, michael, readers, shower