I'm going through an appreciation of all the little things that people have ever done for me and am slowly realising how much I took it for granted growing up.
This weekend I went to visit my Dad in Vero Beach, Florida, who in turn was visiting the Florida himself for two weeks. This was different than normal as usually my Dad stays with me when he visits the U.S. so as my guest its my responsibility of looking after him.
This weekend though I drove up after work on Friday to visit him and it reminded me of coming home when I was growing up in more ways than one.
I used to roll my eyes as I'd walk past our front gate and either he or my mother would already be waiting at our front door waving and ready to greet me. I'd blush, be embarrassed and sigh under my breath.
Yet, this weekend when I pulled into the Driftwood Inn and he stood there waiting with a huge smile, waving and so happy to see me, I realised WHAT an amazing and precious thing for a father to do for a son.
It felt amazing to have someone to be literally stood there waiting (and enjoying waiting) for me to arrive.
My days are so go, go, go that I barely have time for anything. The fact that for the most important thing for someone to want to do for me is to wait to greet me as I arrive after a 3 hour drive meant the world to me and it doesn't stop there.
Beers waiting in the fridge, dinner plans set up for 3x terrific steak dinners that my Dad simply would not let me pay for, and best of all (and this reminds me so much of college days but I have to say was my favourite part of the weekend!) was my Dad paid to fill my car up with gas for the drive home.
You have to understand that I haven't been able to visit my parents for a weekend since 2004. That's 7 years. While Vero Beach wasn't the same as visiting home and sadly now my Mother has passed, it was the small similarities that had me smiling from ear to ear all the way home.
I appreciated those visits home at the time, but I never knew how much I missed them until this weekend. Felt so good! :)
Cozumel Ironman 2011
Posted by domforth On May- 20 - 2010No turning back now! I've registered for the Cozumel Ironman Championship in November 2011. 2.4 Miles Swim, 110 Bike, 26.2 Run. This will be the hardest thing I have ever done. And also the most exciting! Wish me luck!!!
Octoberfest Marathon 2010
Posted by domforth On May- 20 - 2010We did it! In just over 3:45 we completed a grueling 26.2 Marathon in Spring Lake, MI. The conditions were horrendous with torrential downpours delaying the start of the race by over an hour. This rolling hill course was TOUGH. Forthy placed 3rd in Mens 25-29 Age Group. His running partner Bref Mchugh ranked 2nd.
Austin City Limits
Posted by domforth On May- 20 - 2010This year's Austin City Limits Festival schedule has been announced and Forthy has a 3 day pass! Despite being sold out Neil McGlennon pulled out all the stops and managed to get me one! Massive thanks to Neil!! Can't wait!
Wine Tasting in Napa Valley
Posted by domforth On May- 05 - 2010Continuing an annual tradition, Forthy and Frank Sccichitano are meeting up for Memorial Weekend and this they're heading to the wineries of Napa Valley for some serious winetasting. Add to that stops in San Francisco and Santa Rosa and this could make for the best weekend yet!
Buenos Aires
Posted by domforth On Feb - 28 - 2010Buenos Aires was brilliant! From the Relocetta and visiting the final resting place of Evita to cycling through the streets of Boca, San Telmo and Puerto Madero to two of the best steak dinners of my life - just about to head out for some Tango lessons tonight before the Tango show and a trip to Uruguay tomorrow... well be back in BA in time for the River Plate match on Sunday!
Rio de Janeiro!!!
Posted by domforth On Feb - 28 - 2010One of the best weeks of my life! I've just got back from a monumental trip to South America that included a stop in Rio de Janeiro! It was AMAZING!!! Carnval quite simply is one of the biggest parties on earth. Do it before you die!
Gasparilla 2010
Posted by domforth On January - 29 - 2010Land, ho! Hoist the mizzen n set sail for Tampa! Shouts from the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar and his band of marauding buccaneers will ring out across the waters of Hillsborough Bay as they return to invade the City of Tampa. On Saturday, January 30th, at 11:30 a.m., the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, will magically appear at the south end of Hillsborough Bay. A multitude of pleasure crafts, all intent on defending the city, will boldly sail forth to meet the ship. But quickly seeing the error of their ways, they turn to join forces with the Captain and his Krewe’s flotilla. The colorful Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way into Seddon Channel. The Gasparilla Invasion has begun!
John Forth Tribute
Posted by domforth On August - 05 - 2009Full tribute to the original Forthy. He was an absolute legend and we will never forget him!! I'm just so grateful to have had such a wonderful brother. Full of so much character and personality – always making me laugh. We were both afforded similar opportunities in life but the one thing I had in life that John didn't, was him as my older brother. And I attribute so,so much of my success to John. He was brilliant. In John I had both sides to the perfect role model - a brother who was able to teach me what to do and the way to live my life … As Thomas Campbell once said.... 'to live in hearts we leave behind. Is not to die.'
Roadtrip to the Keys... Thanksgiving 2009
Posted by domforth On Nov - 25 - 2009After trips to Atlanta, Detroit and Chicago in previous years, Forthy hit the road with Churchy this Thanksgiving to take on Key West. Stops on the way included Fort Lauderdale and Islamorada, and the lads made it back to Tampa just in time for VIBE music festival!
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R.I.P. John Forth: 1979 - 2009
Posted by domforth On July - 26 - 2009Devastated is an understatement. I am truly shocked and saddened at the news that my brother John passed away in his sleep Sunday morning. The preliminary cause of death seems to be "coronary atheroma"... More to follow...
New Look and Design
Posted by domforth On June - 12 - 2009The man, the myth, the legend - this is domforth.com! -- Still in it's early stages, this site gives you added insight into the daily misadventures of forthy and all of those around him. It's a project four years in the making and now features over 13,000 pictures and over 70 videos with classic and new footage being added all the time. Go on! Get stuck in and get involved!
Tampa Bay
Posted by domforth On June - 1 - 2009Accepting a promotion, pay increase, better perks, a new challenge, and perhaps the biggest draw of all, moving to the beach where the highs usually range between 65 and 95°F year round, Forthy is moving to Tampa Bay - the country's 13th biggest media market!
Memorial Day Weekend
Posted by domforth On May - 31 - 2009Arguably the biggest party weekend of the year, Lake of the Ozarks is one of the top party places in the country for celebrating the start of Summer. The main destination on the Lake is Party Cove, which has been featured on Playboy TV, A Current Affair and Sexcetera.
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Christmas/New Years Eve 2008
Posted by domforth On Dec - 31 - 2008Christmas - NYE 2008 England: Christmas Day, Visiting the Pegster, Beers with the Fogs, Frank's arrival, John and Nicki's, Greyhound to meet Mawds and Dom, The Swan to meet Rob et al, Boxing Day Football John and Nikki over, Pint with Nibbas Family, Rob and Jay taxi Liverpool taxi, Jury Inn to meet Frank and Carl, Peacock for Beers, Cream Boxing Night. Concert Square, Funkybox, Albert Dock, Lunch in Liverpool City Center, Home, NFL, Darts, Wojciech, Tequila Sunday, Styles, Manchester to meet Jenny, Preston, Burnley, Peacock Banquet, Last Night out in Ormy, Time with Pegster, Hilton, Circo Loco, London, Tube to Heathrow...
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Peru, South America 2008
Posted by domforth On Sep - 12 - 2008No visit to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Located high in the Andean Mountains not visible from the valley below, this city has been re-discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Besides the fascinating Inca architecture and scale of this site, Machu Picchu owns much of its glory to the unique location. Every time you enter the city, you cannot help but gasp. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu...
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Around the World in 60 Days
Posted by domforth On Aug - 1 - 2007Forget Philleas Fogg around the world in 80 days... Forthy decided to circumnavigate the globe in 60! It's a breakneck schedule with stops planned in Canada, England, Dubai (UAE), Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia... and then back again! His goal is to cover every land mass known to man - from the plains to the city, coast, desert, and jungle... to the rainforest, mountains, lakes and even the occasional volcano...
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Eurotrip 2006
Posted by domforth On Jul - 14 - 2006Flying in for the FIFA World Cup in Germany, Forthy and Frank Scicchitano crashed landed in the U.K. before covering almost 1,000 miles from Amsterdam to Berlin to Dresden to Prague to Bratislava and then back again! A monumental trip from meeting Van Nistelrooy and the Dutch National Football Team to 8th Century Moravian Castles to celebrating Brazil beating Ghana over Capirihnas to running into KGB bars... The action is here!
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