Remembering

It's been a year. Hard to accept that an entire year has gone by without Paul in my life. I think, like everyone I've talked to, the memories come in little bursts when we are doing something that we would have shared with him. I don't know how many times during the last year I've seen something while walking in Manhattan, or shared a funny story with the kids, or logged another "missing letter sign" into the collection and the first person I've wanted to share it with was Paul.

I always shared a bizarre sense of humor with him, and thanks to Amy, Alec, Steph, and Davey, there is still an endless flow of the bizarre. I know he would have been a big fan of Representative Alvin Holmes of the Alabama Legislature and his commentary on a beer bill. Every time we quote the man, I imagine Paul would have used the phrase "what's wrong with the....." along with the rest of us that can't stop laughing at this. He would have fallen victim to the awful 80's - lyrics status updates on Facebook that we've fallen into. He would have laughed hysterically at all of the Rod Blagojevich jokes. And on the serious side, he would be very proud of Stephanie, Alice, and Davey for being strong and moving on, and of his nieces and nephews, grandkids, and the rest of us who missed him at the Thanksgiving table this year.

I've never been much of a spiritual person, or believed in spirits and ghosts, but I feel he's around sometimes. Like the dream I wrote about on here, or those times when I just know he's messing with me, hiding things and revealing them, or steering me towards the insanely funny. I know I'm not alone in this.

So, let's all remember this holiday season that Paul would bring laughter, and insight, and great stories. Let's honor him by telling stories, and keeping the memory alive. So much to tell. So much to remember.

Happy holidays to you all.
--Neil

Dreams....

Those who know me well have not heard me talk about dreams much. This is because I don't remember them. Once in a great while I have a dream that I do remember. Usually some bizarre image of a place I have either been, or dreamed of before back when I did remember them.

Last night I had a very vivid dream about Paul. He came to me to tell me that he was OK, and enjoying the afterlife. He wanted me to know that there really was an afterlife, and that he enjoyed it, even though it was, as he said "a lot of work".

Paul showed me the afterlife on a computer (typical). It was, he said, like a never ending simulation game. They lived out endless scenarios and events, repeating and refining wherever they liked. There was even a little animated Paul on the screen when he explained this.

I hope that this in someway is coming from him. I know it's over-the-top-crazy, but somehow fitting for Paul. And, fitting for my dreams I guess.

To Paul, From Sue:

Happy Birthday to my friend Paul Goldstein who would have been 50 years old tomorrow, June 10, 2008. I am sure you would have celebrated with a big party and some luscious cake, and told stories that would make people laugh. I know the Angels are singing to you now, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday on your Journey. I miss you, your family misses you and you have left a treasure in a beautiful young woman named Stephanie, whom I know you were and always will be proud. She is an amazing person and will continue to carry you in her heart along with your lovely wife Alice, for always.I'll be blowing bubbles outside tomorrow and sending them up to Heaven for you. Catch a couple for me and enjoy. Happy Birthday my friend.As always, your friend, Sue

Pictures from Bard!

Here's some pictures from the Get-together. Click on the photo below to see them.

Pauls Get-Together

Thanks again to all of you!

Report From Annandale

Saturday went very well. They key word was FOOD !! We had lots of it. Some of the food was from old family recipes. Stephanie made our famous sour cream apple pie, and somehow managed to make it even better. The famous rice salad was a crazy coincidence of the evening. Alice had mentioned that we should have it, but didn't know the recipe. I explained to her that it was something that my mother made when we were kids, and Paul must have continued the tradition. Marti then informed me that she had been looking for a rice salad recipe with peas without even knowing any of the tradition! Neither Stephanie, nor my mother knew the recipe, and at mom's suggestion I called around the family and found that no one else had it either. So much for that one. Until this past Thursday when I got an email form Paul's friend Sue, telling me that she was bringing Paul's Famous Rice Salad. Somebody wanted us to have that salad! The food was all fantastic, and plentiful. Almost too plentiful. Quite a bit of the leftovers were donated to Bard staff, in thanks for all of their help, and use of the facilities.

For music we played the number one song for each year Paul was with us. 1958 to 2007. I never timed the play list when I first assembled it and we were all very surprised when the last song played as we rolled the last table away and left! The music was accompanied by a great slideshow composed by our niece Jessica. Thank you Jess!! Click here to view the slideshow.

The song list is here

Thanks to everyone who brought food, and accessories. I spoke a few times, to welcome everyone and tell the rice salad story. I also read a Paul story sent in by Mark Anderson. You can read that story here

I will post more stories in the weeks to come, and pictures from Saturday. I encourage all of you to send in any stories that you remember. A day with Paul was frequently an adventure!


The trust fund continues to grow nicely. Thank you all again for the donations.


Yes, Don't worry.... no animals were harmed by stray balloons.. I know people worry about such things.

Get-Together... Directions and Food List

I will leave this post at the top of the site.

Saturday 1/19 2:00 PM at the Bard College Campus Center
If you are bringing food, or want to help set up, we will have the room at 12:30 PM

Food So-Far:
Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Taco Salad, Turkey, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Cake, Chicken Salad, Empanadas, Vegatables and Dip, Garden Salad, Water Bottles, Iced Tea, Coffee Urns for coffee and hot water, Macaroni & Cheese, "Paul's Famous Rice Salad", Spinach Dip, Asst. Deserts, Soda, Tuna Salad, Meatball Sandwiches



Directions to the Bard Campus Main Entrance:

In New York State, take the Taconic State Parkway to the Red Hook/Route 199 exit, drive west on Route 199 through the village of Red Hook to Route 9G, turn right onto Route 9G, and drive north 1.6 miles.

Or take the New York State Thruway (I-87) to Exit 19 (Kingston), take Route 209(changes to Route 199 at the Hudson River) over the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge to Route 9G, turn left onto Route 9G and drive north 3.5 miles.

From main college entrance on Route 9G:

Enter College at main entrance. Entrance road ends at Campus Road. Make a right turn onto Campus Road.

Follow Campus road to end at Annandale Road

Left onto Annandale Road.

Follow around to left. Keep going to North Ravine Road. (approx .5 miles)

Right turn onto North Ravine Road (just before Chapel)

Follow road around to left at admissions. Parking is on right (for Campus Center)

The get-together is accross road from parking in the Campus Center.

Call if you get lost

Neil Cell: 917-776-3043 Steph Cell: 845-625-4449
Marti Cell: 845-389-5373 Davey Cell: 845-750-0740
Lee Cell: 914-490-3563


Maps:

Get-Together for Paul Goldstein -- Jan 19th Bard College

Hi all,

We have set the get-together that Paul wanted us all to have for Saturday, January 19th at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. This will be pot-luck, although we won't turn anyone away if you can't bring anything. Things will start around 2 PM, but we would ask people bringing food try to get there early to help setup. We have the room available to us from 12:30 until 7PM.

As far as what to bring, well, anything goes! We can use food, desserts, drinks (no alcohol please), snacks, etc. I'm not sure if we will have equipment to heat food or not. I will have to get back to you all on that. Please email, or call and let us know what you are bringing, and I'll post it on the website ( www.paulgoldstein.org ). You can check the website first to see what's already coming. That way we won't end up with 20 pans of lasagna :-)

I will send and post directions to the college once I have details on where the room is on campus. Annandale is just across the river from Kingston. If anyone is coming from far away, there are motels in Kingston, and enough to do to make a weekend of it. Just ask if you need some suggestions. The campus alone is worth a visit. We can pickup commuters at the Poughkeepsie Metro North station, and the Rhinecliff Amtrak station again if necessary. Just let us know and someone will be there.

Let's all try to make this what I think Paul wanted it to be. There will be memorabilia there, but please feel free to bring more if you have any pictures of Paul.

Cards, letters, and donations continue to come in. Thank you all again for your generosity. I hope to see lots of people at Bard on the 19th.