Uncle Toby

Growing up I only knew my Uncle Toby from a distance. My Mom wasn't incredibly fond of his views or opinions, so I saw very little of him. Of course I occasionally saw him at family holidays and celebrations, but I didn't really know him. That was until I moved to LA. I think it was half way through my first year at UCLA when I first ventured down to OC to see him and his family. Since then, I have spent quite a bit of time with Toby, Kim, Taylor, and eventually Jake. Most of my time with Uncle Toby could be split into three categories, laughing, drinking, and the occasional entertaining gig. I have spent very little time helping him entertain in the last two years.
This would represent mostly the drinking category. One day when we were swimming in the pool I noticed something on the bottom and Toby dove in to retrieve it. It turned out to be this shot glass. It had been drug around the bottom of the pool for quite a while by the vacuum and had worn off part of the base. We named it "the drunken shot glass" and until it disappeared, we never took shots from any other glass.



Toby taught me to love baseball and more specifically love the Angels. Without his love of the Angels, taking me to my first baseball game and watching many games in his living room, I would have never even thought of going to New York and Boston. It was a legendary weekend.



I know I can always count on Toby to make me laugh and to show me another perspective. Beyond the laughter, the drinking and the sports, he has also introduced me to some of my heritage that I had largely ignored until now. The German side. Last night we went to the Phoenix club to celebrate Oktoberfest....I don't think I have to elaborate....we had a good time.

So, here is a cheers to my Uncle Toby! I thank God that he lives near and that I get to spend time with him and his fabulous family.