I'm A Fan: My Brother, Ed.

I am so excited to have another "I'm A Fan" post to share with you today!  In my first installment, I alluded to the fact that my previous attempts to provide posts as part of a series have not been successful.  However, I think I'm on to something here.  What a stellar way to start the week.

Who has two very double-jointed thumbs and thinks her brother is awesome??  This girl!

So let's start by being honest.  I basically used to want to sell my brother.  I mean, I never admitted that to myself in those specific terms, but looking back, I definitely would've handed him over to anyone who offered me the right price.  I would have taken Francs {Centimes, for that matter}, Drachma, a supply of blank cassette tapes to make "mixes," GBP, hell...probably pieces of quartz to add to the collection I had under my mattress (to ensure good dreams, of course).

But, I am glad now that I didn't sell Ed for stones or foreign currency.

Ed is two years younger than I am and he just turned 29.  That makes me 28.  Can you believe I've been turning 28 every year for the past 4 years?!  Crazy.  As I got older, I realized how much fun Ed was to be around!  We liked being in high school together and had a lot of mutual friends from band, and just generally being able to attract cool friends.

Ed graduated from Millersville University in 2006, with a B.S. in Geography with a focus in Environmental Studies.  He also picked up a minor in Cultural Anthropology.  When we were both in college at the same time, we weren't so very far apart, so sometimes we got together.  I used this handy Radon map of Lancaster County to show you the physical proximity of our colleges.

Image courtesy of www.wpb-radon.com; annotations added by me.

Currently, Ed works for the Chester Water Authority.  He is a Relief Operator/Assistant Plant Mechanic.  When Ed was hired in 2006, he was brought on as a Plant Operator and received a "Class A" Waterworks Operator's License from the PA Department of Environmental Protection in 2008.  The specific plant at which Ed works is currently under the review process to receive full Phase IV commendation as part of the President's Award from the Partnership for Safe Water program.  Only about 10 plants in the entire country have received this honor!  From what I can tell, Ed likes his job, and it's nice to see someone with a job that they like :)

Aside from Ed's professional life, he has found a new interest over the past year that continues to astound me and make me jealous, in the nicest possible way.  He has started running and biking avidly, and on a whim.  

Here's a little breakdown of Ed's Exploits of Physical Exertion (EEOPE):

First race: Kennett Run, May 2012

Remember the one time I loaded ER in the Kelty and hauled ass down State St. to Anson B. Nixon park to "surprise" Ed at the finish line of the Kennett Run?  Yeah, and then remember how I didn't see him, and couldn't find him, and couldn't find him, and couldn't get him on his cell phone?  And then I schlepped back up State St. wearing the Kelty but carrying my 25 lb. child, only to find out that Ed had FINISHED the run and was back at his friends' house all showered and fresh before ER and I even GOT TO THE PARK TO SURPRISE HIM?!  That was so funny!

Surprise fail.

Since his first run, Ed has completed 6 or 7 others and 3 bike rides.  Want to hear about his bike rides?  He did a metric century, which is 2-65 mile rides in a single event; a 100K, and 'regular' century ride, that was 100 miles.  What is the opposite of metric?    

The hardest race he's run so far was the Brandywine Creek XTerra 12K, and Ed told me he'd definitely have to think twice before signing up for the Keystone Wounded Warrior Trail Run at Warwick County Park again.  He said it was at the beginning of August and was very hot and humid.  Coming up, he's getting ready for a 10K at Lums Pond State Park, another century ride in May and then the Kennett Run again at the end of May.  Maybe I'll just skip the surprise factor this time and just plan to meet him at the finish line!  

So there have been 2 pictures of me so far in this post and none of Ed.  Let's fix that.

Ed is funny!  Here we are just recreatin' some of Raphael's cherubim from his Sistine Madonna.  Totally normal.

Ed is a handsome devil!  When I got married...it was so sad...and special.

Ed is easy going!  Ed was content to occupy himself in the waiting room at the hospital the night I had ER with a current copy of Women's Day.  

Ed provides hats for children with nearly-bald heads!  ER loves Uncle Ed!  They have such fun together and we have Uncle Ed to thank for teaching her how to say "No mas French fries" before she was even 2 years old!

Ed is a shutter bug!  Not widely known for his photography skills, Ed is, however, more than willing to capture family memories at your next event.  There was supposed to be an entire family in this picture...

Ed is spontaneous!  Ed and his buddy Matt took off for Maine, maybe a year or so ago.  'Cause that's what people from Southeastern PA do for the weekend.  You know.  Drive to Maine.  

Yes, that's a Jake's Bar shirt.  Can you believe he and Matt met someone
who recognized the shirt?!  Small world...even smaller bar.  Who knew?

In closing, I can say that Ed is an excellent brother.  He's helpful, hilarious, responsible, and interesting.  Oh, and sorry ladies, he's taken!