Greetings from La Maddalena Italy!!

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:27 pm

It's been awhile boys. Hope you all are doing well.

The family and I are doing great. I brought them to Italy on a long vacation and surprised the hell out of both by moving them into our new home in La Maddalena at the end of our month long vacation. Surprise!!

I bought a small house when I came here after my last trip to Iraq. It's a two bedroom 150 square meter home. I got it for a steal at 180,000 Euros. We are a five min walk from the beach and Dom's new school is a ferry ride across the bay to the American School in Vista Mare.

Carol will be able to finish up her goverment career working as a Comptroller at the US Naval Support Center here in La Maddalena. I will spend my days being a father and husband. Corny but true.

We are between Corsica and Sardinia. And the warm waters of the Med are my home for a few hours everyday. This place is a dream come true for my family. We have The Med and some very kick ass weather year round.

If anyone wants my new address PM me. Also we have an open invite for my DSP brothers. Any of you (except Resin of course. ) are welcome at my home if you ever get this way. Free lodging and some kick ass fishing await.

Gotta go. I have my computer now so I can visit DSP again. See you all around.

Peace.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:59 pm

OMG, what a great story, man. Congratulations! You should seriously sit down with someone who can write (cough PK cough) and spin yarns about the paths your life has taken. I only know a few small parts, and I'm sure it's tremendously interesting.

Have you picked an football team to follow yet?

vinny-b · Post by **vinny-b** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:01 pm

my brother, i cannot begin to tell you how happy i am for you (and shocked

. You deserve it. Everything sounds wonderful. Man!!

goin to take out a map, and check where you all at. Good to hear the family is safe & sound. What do they think of Italy, their new home?

yes, i would be very grateful to take you up on the offer (a visit). Thank you, Jack.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:13 pm

no fairfax for you?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:14 pm

If I remember right, he's south of Calgari?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:17 pm

Daaaaamn....congrats on the new crib JD...enjoy it!

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:21 pm

What the ?!?! Wassup, my brother from another mother! Good to hear from you again, but MAN, when you move you MOVE, don't you?! Sounds freakin' awesome!

Much love to you, bro...enjoy yourself (as if I need to tell you that)!

athletics_fan · Post by **athletics_fan** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:22 pm

JackDog,

Never spoken to you over DSP or OS, but you're an awesome guy from what I've read. Glad to see you're enjoying Italy.

Congrats on the new home!

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:26 pm

I seriously envy you. I've only been in Torino, but what I've seen of Italy I've enjoyed. I'd love to hit the coast. What I've seen in photos/TV is absolutely stunning. Hell of a surprise.

Post by **Jared** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:38 pm

Sounds great. BTW, don't worry about an invite to Resin/Parker/etc....he got banned a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure you're gonna be distraught about that...but someone had to break the news to you.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:50 pm

You have come a long way since the Motown and SR days. How long has it been since the Detroit incident when you said you were going to change things for your family. Well my Wolverine friend,you did just that, I couldn't be more happier for you and your family,you deserve it. We have maybe interacted a half a dozen times in 3 or 4 yrs between here and OS,yet every time you post,its straight,real,and you pull no punches. And while I don't anticipate going to Italy any time soon,if you ever get down Florida way,give me a shout in one of these forums. I would love to tip a beer or 2 with you. God Bless you and your family,you have certainly perservered.

vinny-b · Post by **vinny-b** » Wed May 25, 2005 11:20 pm

you said it better than i, Snaz.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed May 25, 2005 11:31 pm

wow! awesome!

best wishes!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 26, 2005 12:03 am

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!

and FU....

God Bless!

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu May 26, 2005 3:58 am

Congratulations to you and yours, JD - sounds like a fantastic idea.

Now your only burning question is...

which Serie A/B team to support.

Best wishes

DT

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:08 am

JD glad to see all is well. So what are the plans for the young un? Going to replace the football with a soccer ball.

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Thu May 26, 2005 5:47 am

Congrats on the move Jack and best wishes to you and your family.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu May 26, 2005 6:16 am

fsquid wrote:no fairfax for you?

My wife and brothers read these boards. I had to keep the Halifax move alive in order to surprise her with this move. She hasn't stopped smiling yet.

RobVarak wrote:OMG, what a great story, man. Congratulations! You should seriously sit down with someone who can write (cough PK cough) and spin yarns about the paths your life has taken. I only know a few small parts, and I'm sure it's tremendously interesting.

Have you picked an football team to follow yet?

Thanks Rob. I am going to become a Cagliari fan. They are a ferry ride away. PS. PK would be my pick to write anything. Brother has talent.

vinny-b wrote:my brother, i cannot begin to tell you how happy i am for you (and shocked . You deserve it. Everything sounds wonderful. Man!!

Thanks brother vinny. Try to get here man,you'll love it. Much love to you bro.

dbdynsty25 wrote:Daaaaamn....congrats on the new crib JD...enjoy it!

Thanks bro. We have many Suns fans here. They gotta pick it up. Even if they go down it was a great season!

tealboy03 wrote:Much love to you, bro...enjoy yourself (as if I need to tell you that)!

Right back at you brother. Thank you.

athletics_fan wrote:Congrats on the new home!

Thanks brother.

F308GTB wrote:I seriously envy you. I've only been in Torino, but what I've seen of Italy I've enjoyed. I'd love to hit the coast. What I've seen in photos/TV is absolutely stunning. Hell of a surprise.

Thanks man,if you get this way my offer stands. I only went through Torino so I don't know much about it. I will post some pictures of my home as soon as I get my camera back.

Jared wrote:Sounds great. BTW, don't worry about an invite to Resin/Parker/etc....he got banned a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure you're gonna be distraught about that...but someone had to break the news to you.

Man that was some hard news to take.

I thought he was supposed to stay away after losing his second bet? Oh well. What are the odds he's already back under another name?

Thanks Jared!!

snaz16 wrote:You have come a long way since the Motown and SR days. How long has it been since the Detroit incident when you said you were going to change things for your family. Well my Wolverine friend,you did just that, I couldn't be more happier for you and your family,you deserve it. We have maybe interacted a half a dozen times in 3 or 4 yrs between here and OS,yet every time you post,its straight,real,and you pull no punches. And while I don't anticipate going to Italy any time soon,if you ever get down Florida way,give me a shout in one of these forums. I would love to tip a beer or 2 with you. God Bless you and your family,you have certainly perservered

God bless you also. Motown has been in the rear view since 01. Thank you for your offer I love Florida. Vinny-b,Cincy and you are good enough reasons to come visit. Peace.

Sudz and Dave010........Thanks guys. Dave I am going with Cagliari.

XXXIV......FU too!!

Get your ass over here!!

bdoughty wrote:JD glad to see all is well. So what are the plans for the young un? Going to replace the football with a soccer ball.

Thanks my friend! Looks like it will be a soccer ball. They do have football and baseball teams at his school. But the neighborhood kids have soccer balls attached to their feet.

He has played footie everyday since we got here.

PS.....Get your ass over here. Lets do some fishing and hook you an Italian girl.

ubrakto · Post by **ubrakto** » Thu May 26, 2005 9:24 am

JD, that post is getting printed out and put on my cube wall at work as a reminder to myself that people make their own happiness. Seriously, congrats man. Sounds like a well-earned heaven over there.
---Todd

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu May 26, 2005 9:40 am

Wow, brother. I'm stunned, floored. Really happy that you've found a place in the sun for Carol, Dom and you.

I'll PM you or e-mail you when I return from Indy.

P.S.: Better change that location in your profile. You're a long way from Canal Winchester now. Plus you need to get a microphone so we can continue our altered Sunday Night Conversations via Yahoo! Messenger.

P.S.S.: Any moonshots in Italy?

All the best, brother,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu May 26, 2005 9:48 am

Wow. Jackdog, it is amazing that a post from someone I've never met could put such a smile on my face. This is amazing news, and you and your family deserve such a wonderful place to live and be together. Congratulations!

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Thu May 26, 2005 10:04 am

Awesome, awesome news, JD. That sounds fantastic.

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Thu May 26, 2005 10:16 am

It's hard to explain my admiration for someone that I've never met but Jackdog, you are the man! God Bless you and your family. Enjoy Italy. I will take you up on that offer.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Thu May 26, 2005 10:21 am

I hope I'm not being overly sentimental here but this is the most beautiful thing I've read on these boards. To spring a surprise like that on your family - your wife is one lucky woman. Congrats man.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu May 26, 2005 10:37 am

Sh!t, I knew I should have married you when I had the chance JD.

Words can't express how happy I am for your family. You're truly living the American Dream (in Italy no less). I can't think of a more deserving family and Carol is one lucky woman. I've seen a picture of your wife and I'm finally beginning to understand how you reeled her in.

My lifelong dream is to visit Italy and see where my Grandpa Bruno grew up and where my Grandma Antoinette's family came from. Now, when I finally make that dream come true, I'll have a chance to visit with you and your family as well.

This is truly great news and I couldn't be happier.

(P.S - I'm glad my wife doesn't read the board because this makes all the things I do for her look like a booger.

)