We’ve argued about who is actually Batman and who is Robin ever since that fateful day a little less than 2 1/2 years ago. I had just graduated from school, and had NO idea what I was going to do with my life. Fortunately for me, Mandy was gracious enough to give me a job on her promotions team at the oldies radio station driving around around one of four promotional VW beetles painted with the likenesses of the Beatles (I was always Ringo). Now, you would think having one of your best friends as your boss would be strange. Not so much. The great thing about Mandy is she is the exact same person at work and away from it. It never felt like I was working FOR her, more like doing favors for my friend. It was during that summer that our secret lives as superheroes were suddenly exposed.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was The Ballard Seafood Festival. Like the great marketing director she is, Mandy had scheduled for the Fab Four to make an appearance at said event, and for one reason or another (perhaps to check up on her promotions staff) she had decided to tag along. Working events with Mandy was always a blast, because no matter how lame a situation we found ourselves in, the two of us could turn it into a party. Lucky for us, the seafood festival was fun anyway, so all we had to do was hand out 97.3 KBSG stickers and enjoy the beautiful summer day.
So there we were, mingling with festival-goers and chatting/slightly screwing with the occasional diehard oldies fan, when this gay couple strolled over and struck up a conversation with the two of us. As with every conversation I have EVER had while working an event for the oldies station, it started out with these two guys pointing out that we were way too young to like the oldies… to which one, or both (can’t quite remember), of us shot back one of our usual canned responses ("You’re never too young to love the oldies!") with over-exaggerated enthusiasm. These guys were great, and Mandy and I were having a lot of fun chatting it up with them. And then, out of the blue (or perhaps they just noticed how well she and I feed off each other), they called us out… "Man… you guys are quite the duo. A dynamic duo!" Oh no he didn’t! After they left, Mandy and I shared a high five and a laugh at the fact that we were now a dynamic duo! From then on, it’s been nothing but arguments as to who is really the sidekick. I think I’m right, for the following reason.
What’s the most important thing about a sidekick again? They are there when you need them the most. As soon as she found out I was hurt, Mandy was at my side. While I’ve been told that more than 400 people came to see me that first week in the hospital, I remember only a few of them for literally seconds at a time. Not Mandy. We were talking about this not too long ago. For some reason I can’t recall half of what happened to me in the intensive care unit, but I remember most of things Mandy and I talked about while she was at my bedside. One night particularly, I couldn’t sleep and she told me to picture me and her hanging out on a beach somewhere. I did, and finally slept… and she stayed by my side the entire night. I couldn’t tell you how many days I spent in that room, but I remember exactly what she was wearing that night.
I don’t know how I would have survived those few weeks of hell in the intensive care unit of Harborview Medical Center if it were not for Mandy. Though I’m sure she wasn’t, it really felt like she was always there with me. It seemed like every time I was having trouble, I would look to my left, and there she was. No matter how miserable I was feeling, she could come in and crack some dorky and make me smile. She’s always been great at that. I really think I would’ve gone crazy without her by my side.
This Christmas, she got me the most fitting gift a sidekick could give… a Batman and Robin T-shirt that says "Dynamic Duo" across the top. You rock, lady.
Kenny Salvini 
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Hello! Found your space via "Another Day in Paradise". Love it. I\’ll be back. Thanks for sharing.On the batman and robin story – cherishable. Keep writing! God Bless you!(smile)sjc
Kenny,I stumbled upon your sighted a few weeks ago, and every day I come back to read your blogs… a year ago someone very close to me was in a very serious accident which changed his life forever… reading your blogs has given me the strength and hope to continue on supporting him though every trying time he encounters. I wanted to say thank you for that. Aly
What?!!!! 14 days and no new posts!!!! Are you sick? Are you o.k.?Something has happened to you in the last two weeks. Did you watch Dancing with the Stars? What do you watch on T.V.? Do you watch T.V? I\’m pretty much addicted.See? There you go. A blog idea.Hope life\’s treating you well, Kenny. And if Davina isn\’t making you happy you can always come by my place…;-)Just teasing Davina…don\’t wanna get knocked out.
<snort>Ok that was funny!Dar
Thats a great blog! I laughed. Kenny I think its awesome how you show those around you how much care! I bet they feel loved! Hope you are wonderful and not soggy!
Coolio!I was hoping you have been in "discussions." I\’m sure all is fine with it…. but I\’d be happy to look into/ask/research anything for you when it comes down to it.Miss D is right…. anything but typical. So well-deserved. Be proud…. I am!j
I really enjoyed the entry. I know you mean about sidekicks, mind was by my side following my accident and even flew with me down to Tampa, on my own private military jet, to make sure everything was in order prior to my family arriving.It is also good to hear your writing might soon be recognized. Good luck with that.Billy
Glow in the dark pigs?http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4605202.stm
Awww, and I thought I\’ve missed a lot. I guess you don\’t feel like writing yet. No new year blog yet.. hehe. Anyway, I hope things has been good for you on this 2006. May it gives you new hopes and a wonderful wonderful life ahead 🙂 Take care k, and be happy, always 😀
so many people just write blogs for the sake of writting something down orbeing bored. when you write your blogs you put meaning into them emotion. im sure that alot of people were inspired by your stories. i know i was. i agree with what you say. i think that everything that happens to us shapes our personality our figure who we are. thats something important in life.keep writting. =)~snap~
So, not only did you find "a topic", but you found such a good one that you\’ve left all kinds of people laughing, and completely in love with the honest way you write from the heart.
It\’s wonderfull that you have so many amazing people in your life… it\’s no wonder though because you are an amazing person yourself.
sooo envy you…i dont have a sidekick…although i need one…do you think it\’s kinda fate to have sidekicks or we have to put much effort into the search?