BrianScott.comBrian's random thoughts

I was the best man at Dan & Cheri’s wedding. The wedding was great, and seems like everyone had a good time. Here was my toast. I had my notes on my iPhone, just to be obnoxious:

For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Brian Scott, the best man.

Dan & I have been friends for 16 years – that’s half of our lives – well, not quite, we’re still working on it… We met the first day of college as roommates at UCSD. We were both into computers, spent long nights playing Lemmings, Spaceward Ho, and lots of other nerdy computer games. So we got along pretty well.

Although… he did like to stay up all hours of the night, and would wake me up because he kept seeing baby volossa raptors out his window.

And… he did like to sing along to Bruce Hornsby, and I didn’t really like Bruce Hornsby, and I didn’t really like Dan’s singing, and I especially didn’t like Dan singing along to Bruce Hornsby

But we did OK. I know I annoyed him back. [fumble with iPhone]

So, anyway, after that first year he moved off campus, did a semester abroad, and came back to San Diego and we were roommates again. ["ok, what happened next..." fumble with iPhone... "Oh yeah, we were bored!"] So… we were kinda bored, so we started a company which turned out pretty well.

A few years later, we hired Jason ["where's Jason? ok, there he is"]. He was just a random hire, I’m not really sure why we hired him [Jeremy interjects -- "because of his resume"]… then Jason married Jill ["where's Jill? hi Jill"]… then they introduced Dan and Cheri to each other, and now here they are today.

So I guess you could say it was all because of the wise Regents of UCSD for making Dan & I roommates that Dan and Cheri found each other. Maybe I’ll give Jason & Jill some of the credit, but I’ll take some of the credit too.

Dan & Cheri – I’m so happy you found each other. You guys are great for each other. Treasure your differences, talk to each other, lean on each other, and love each other. And hopefully we’ll all hear the pitter patter of miniature Dans and Cheris at your house before too long.

Dan – Video games, and work, and soccer, and family, and game night are lots of fun. So hang on to those things — but make sure you always make time for Cheri.

Cheri – Thanks for making Dan’s eyes light up when you’re in the room. I don’t think Dan could have found a more beautiful, interesting, smart, and [pause to look at iPhone] compatible woman to spend the rest of his life with.

I wish you guys the best, and I and my family will always be around if you need anything.

So if everyone can raise their glass with me… Dan & Cheri -

May your mornings bring joy
and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few
and your blessings increase.
May you always hold hands in friendship
And your love for each other be vast.
May the saddest day of your future
be the happiest day of your past.

To the happy couple! [Drink heavily, and show off my awesome dance moves]

I went skydiving for the first time for Jenny’s birthday with Jenny, Christine, Tyler, Joey, and some other friends. What a rush! During our decent, I lost one of my shoes, so I posted to “lost & found” on Craigslist — it made it onto the Best of Craigslist.

Looking for my SOLE-mate

My name is Right Shoe. I am a right shoe – Skechers circa 2003. I lost my “sole” mate on Saturday in Otay Mesa. His name was Left Shoe.

You see, my owner, Left Shoe, and I were skydiving together, and as the chute opened, Left Shoe, my partner of 5 years, went flying away. I knew this would happen… I tried to tell my owner to tie us better, but he just wouldn’t listen. (My owner has been learning how to speak Shoe… but talking to him is mostly like talking to a brick wall)

Left Shoe and I have been inseparable these past few years, ever since we got identical Made In China tattoos. It’s like we were made for each other; we were even the same size & color, and we enjoyed the same activities. We traveled everywhere together, and we were even planning on going to Japan together in September.

Some people say Left Shoe jumped on purpose. Sure, we weren’t in our prime anymore; Left Shoe especially got a lot of comments about being tattered and over the hill. But I know Left Shoe and he wouldn’t do that to me. It was a bad day for Left Shoe because in the morning he stepped in gum, and then later he stepped in an unknown substance on the port-a-potty floor. But he was fine, and was excited to go skydiving. Left Shoe was resilient like that.

I really miss Left Shoe. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I may never see him again. But I really just want to know what happened to Left Shoe… Did he land in a lake? or did the winds carry him out to sea? or did he leave a little crater somewhere from the impact? or maybe he burned up on re-entry in a blazing fireball of glory.

If you know anything about what happened to Left Shoe, please contact me. I know I can’t hope that Left Shoe is still alive, but I just want to know what became of Left Shoe…

I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
–Alfred Lord Tennyson

All my thoughts & prayers,

Right Shoe

Chris & Shelley had an awesome wedding at Hotel del Coronado. Here is the toast I gave:

I’m Brian Scott, one of Chris’ long time friends.

We’re all excited to be here today for this beautiful ceremony, and this celebration of Chris & Shelley’s new life together. I just wanted to say a couple words about the bride & groom.
I’ve known Chris for almost 15 years; we met on our first day of college. Chris was a little different back then; he was a shy teenager with really long hair and a goatee, and was always wearing t-shirts of his favorite bands, going to concerts,  always staying up until 6 in the morning and sleeping through classes. A lot has changed. Now he’s married, traveling the world, and sharing his new found joy with his friends and family.

I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Shelley over the past couple of years. The first time I met Shelley she struck me as outgoing and friendly. She is so upbeat and so genuine and really is a great person to spend time with — and Chris saw this too. Ever since they first started dating, Chris has been so happy, and as their relationship his grown, it has really shown.

You guys have become a part of our family –  every time the doorbell rings, Camden is so excited, he runs to the door yelling “Chris & Shelley — Chris & Shelley”, and he always makes sure to include you guys in his prayers at night.

I hope that you guys keep up your travels, scuba, surfing, softball, soccer, and all your other hobbies — and that as you do that you continue to be the best of friends — that you enjoy your time together — and that you make time to share your love with a new addition to your family, whether it’s a new baby or a new puppy.

Shelley said something today that really stood out to me. She said “I am so lucky that we found each other in this busy world and that Chris had the courage to ask me if I would like to go to dinner sometime.”

The fact is… you guys are both so lucky, and I am so happy for you and I wish you all of the best.

So, if everyone can raise their glasses

Chris & Shelley –

May your life be long and happy,
Your cares and sorrows few;
And the many friends around you
Prove faithful, fond and true.

Here’s to the luckiest bride & groom!!