This weekend I attended a black tie event for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which is an organization dedicated to curing type I diabetes. It’s been 30 years since I’ve worn a tie and I actually rented a penguin suit for the event. It was held at the Hyatt Regency, which is a very cool hotel that covers a small island off Newport RI. As part of the fundraising activities, I won two auctions. One was for two dog training classes, which includes a monthly shipment for a year of dog biscuits from Johnny’s Barkin’ Bakery. The other one I can’t mention because it’s a surprise for my staff, although to win it I had to hide the pen with 30 seconds left so the old lady trying to beat me out couldn’t get it.
The MC was Peter Farrelly. The Farrelly Brothers have written and directed eleven comedies, including Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber and the new Three Stooges film. Turns out we grew up in the same town, but they graduated eight and six years ahead of me. I got to hang out with Peter for a while talking about the old town, movies, marine biology and dogs (he has four). I was kind of dreading this event, but I had a really good time. Here’s Peter and I posing as the tie tries once again to throttle me into submission.