Kathy (brandishing fork) and Anne (?) O’Brien (center), transfixed by Cousin Julie
Although she looks to be The Birthday Girl Herself, young Julie is actually an attendee at her cousin Ellen O’Brien’s party. Still,
even though she’s not officially the center of attention, she seems perfectly content to visualize herself as chief celebrant in this
circa 1954-5 photo.Has anyone ever appeared to be more grateful to receive a conehead hat?Not likely -- unless of course,
she gets another one TODAY.Let's all hope so...!
All the Best on Your Big Day Julie.
*******************************
Historical note: Kathy and Anne are our first cousins via their father, John O'Brien, Martha Marion's sole (not soul) brother.
Ellen is Kathy and Anne's older sister.
HB, JJ!
the Birthday Lad himself, circa recently
Amidst the hustle and the bustle of the daily
grind, some things we all just have to do…like brushing
our teeth regularly to ward off the appearance
of moss and algae; enjoying the occasional shower,
so as not to fester; taking in our fair share of
sustenance, lest we begin to feel faint or out of
sorts; and, of course, masticating that sustenance
sufficiently (with mouth closed, please!) for the sake of
proper digestion and to prevent chokage, etc., etc.,
and so on and so forth….
Today, we add yet another item to our to-do list along
with all the rest (though this one easily takes precedence):
Wishing Jason a Happy Birthday. And so, we do just that…
All the Best on Your Big Day J!
There's another expatriate in the family...
Berlin, October 2003 - photo by Wilhelm Marion
1/21/2010- A decade ago or so, Annie paved the way by moving to Germany for all of the educational and cultural opportunities
therein. Oh, and there was also der weissbier...let's not forget der weissbier.
der wiessbier
Today, another family member departs from these shores to take residence in a foreign city: Amira leaves
J Crew & Co. for Paris on a late evening flight. Educational and cultural opportunies await her as well -- as does
Pierre. Oh, and there is also the brie, the Bordeaux, and the baguettes...let's not forget the brie, the Bordeaux, and the baguettes.
Bon voyage young lady and bon chance!
Only one of this quartet is The Birthday Girl today...
Detroit, MI, circa 1991 - Hint: She's the only one not attired in a just-out-of-the-box prison-stripes' sweater and matching Christmas cult necklace.
Happy Birthday, Annie!
A Most FittingBirthdayTribute
Click the picture.
When Annie speaks, Rose Mary listens...and even takes notes!Read it all right here.
Annie, shown here putting her foot in her mouth, fortunately does
not do so in this interview.
HB, Jason!
Aided by a couple of fishing buddies, the Birthday Boy shows off his prize catch during an outing on the
Detroit River last fall. An incredible carp-catfish combo (scientific name Kwamus Kilpatrickus), the beast
weighed in at a ridiculous 291 pounds soaking wet. Always the good sportsman, J tossed the creature back
(in the process, unwittingly creating such a wake that picnickers in Windsor's Riverside Park were s
suddenly flooded out). It was most recently spotted in the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston, Texas, evidently having
fled Michigan to start a new life in the wake ofthe city's embarrassing "Sexting Scandal." Fishologists speculate
that it traversed the Saint Lawrence Seaway, then headed south along theAtlantic Seaboard until it reached its current home, an astounding
feat for a such a behemoth (and all, of course, possible only because of Jason's unbridled beneficence,
inherent in his catch-and-release mentality).
(Note: This photo was snapped by a passerby on an 8-year-old black & white-only,
rotary-dial Motorola cell phone with just a .25 megapixel capacity, thus accounting for the shot's rudimentary state.)
HB, Markus!
May you have a Gold Medal day, all day (and night), Mr. Birthday Boy.
HB,Annie!
In these exclusive HackFester Hidden Camera shots we caught Annie, back in her Leipzigian days,
when it was her turn to buy a round. Clearly, she had acquired a great deal of experience
in such matters by then.
Two hours later, with friend Klaus.
All the Best on your Big Day, Annie. We'll all be raising a glass (or several mugs) in your honor!
A paltry twenty years ago...
Christmas, 1989-Four-year-old Mavourneen helps 9-year-old Annie get 4-month-old Nicole into the Christmas spirit, although Nicole appears to be more interested in Christmas spit.
HB,Julie!
Yep. Another birthday for our dear Julie. On the surface, not as big as last year's but in reality, don't believe it: They ALL count the same, just as they always have (and just as they do for you). So don't make the mistake of forgetting her this year. Call (313) 835-7369; e-mail her: mjanusch@peoplepc.com; or even send an online card such as a monk-e-mail. (If you forgot to send one by snailmail -- her preference...she's old-fashioned that way -- well, you screwed up, something Julie never does when it comes to remembering YOUR birthday. (And don't think you can blithely mail one off tomorrow because if it wasn't postmarked by at least yesterday, it's weak, like a cup of tea brewed for the third time from the same bag. Indeed, birthday cards postmarked the day AFTER one's birthday are much like Christmas cards that arrive four days after the fact. They simply don't mean as much as the on-timers).All that being said...there's still plenty of time, so act now. It's Julie's B'Day up until midnight tonight. Have a superb one, Julie. wom
a la mode...
Mark and Julie are in the process of upgrading their respective wardrobes (with Amira's help, of course) and passed along this example of their trendy new look. Tres cutey cute.
When Annie talks, we listen...
Big night in San Fran:"Just wanted to briefly announce that the book I've been working on since October is finally out of my hands and in print, hurrah! I've attached the cover for you all to see… (Ed. That's it, above.)
"It's got poetry and fiction from eighteen languages and twenty-three countries, and I'm really proud of the new design, too.
"And if anyone happens to be in San Francisco next Thursday night, we're throwing a party for it!
"Thanks for withstanding my commercial—" Annie(spring, 2008)
HB, Jason!
December, 2007 - The Birthday Boy and Detroit rapper KK-TXT (pronounced kay kay-text), Belmont Bar, Hamtramck. KK stepped in for a set with J and Co, singing (well, it was more like talking) his regional hits "I Love You, No Lie" and "Let's Put Our Love In ConTEXT." It was, everyone in attendance agreed, "a really big shew."
All the best on your Big Day, Jason!
HB, Marcos!
The Birthday Boy on one of his northern expeditions. Little did he know -- as he employed the 10-second timer on his camera -- that he had a competitor for the dinner he was angling after. Fortunately, at the very moment this photo was snapped, a stiff breeze dislodged a bee hive which had been hanging high in a nearby tree. Caught in the wind, the hive smashed onto the back of the salivating beast, unleashing the fury of its indignant inhabitants. Agitated greatly by this intrusion, the bear, scratching and pawing, rambled off into the woods and, thankfully, was not heard from again.
Meanwhile, Marcos, blissfully unaware of the activity behind him, calmly reeled in his lunch.
Congratulations, Mr. Janusch, and may your birthday prove to be as lucky and enjoyable a day as the one depicted above....
California Girl
Annnie, age 2
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!
A couple of characters...
Okay...EVERYBODY in unison: Awwwwwwww!!!!!!!!
It's a small world, after all...
St. Avertin, France (near Tours, south of Paris)
Do you know how our Julie got her name? On this, the wunderbar occasion of her Big Day, we offer up...
The typewriter, as obsolete and outmoded an artifact as there is today. But 60 short years ago, it was the world's preeminent office and home "word processing" tool.
The Blackberry, as preeminent a communication's tool as there is today. In 60 short years, it will no doubt be as obsolete as the typewriter -- and, we can only hope, P Diddy (seen above with his Blackberry).
- Out of Office AutoReply on emails directed to mjanusch@ford.com, 2/28/07 -
Mark Janusch, the lucky bastard, will be retiring from Ford Motor Company March 1, 2007; direct CD lighting questions to either Maneesh Tikekar on 313-805-8076 or Enrique Martinez on 313-337-1922 or email him at emarti31@ford.com.
The retiree as rookie, back in the day when "Quality was Job 1" and a professional dressed like a professional, even if the suit was purchased "off the rack" at Sears.
Engineering a Profitable Exit Package
Marcus J says 'Adios' with the best of timing. Click the Headquarters' Building for the whole story.
A cocky Mark, practicing taking apart a carburetor, then reassembling it -- with his eyes closed and his left hand taped to the vehicle's fire wall.
Einz...Zwei...Drei...Suffa!
Let's all raise a glass today in honor of the Birthday Girl herself, young Annie, seen here surrounded by fellow familial HackFesterians at Halfway Lake, Michigan, way back at the turn of the century. Here's to a day full of revelry, wonderment, and jubilation! Prosit!
"We all of us miss you Annie!" says Heidi Spitz, bartender, formerly of Leipzig, now working in Munich. "You were, I must tell to you, one of our best customers! Oh, and Fritz he speaks a special guten tag! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!"
Remember a Vet
(Julie did.)
This Tribute was reprinted by my old friend and neighbor, Stanley Cousins, veteran of WWII and member of the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Division. Today, I plan to pay him a surprise visit and bring him a bottle of wine along wih a hug and all my gratitude, too. Then I'll drop in on George Dorsch who also lives just a few streets away. He stormed the beaches of Normandy and lived to tell the tale. I have a little pumpkin cake baking right now, just for him. JJ, 11/11/06
Vet's Day Follow Up
It was time so satisfyingly spent yesterday with my dear old friends George and Stan who are veterans of WWII. I kissed them each on the cheek and look them each in the eye and sincerely said, "Thank you." George was moved to tears, as I presented him with my modest gift of a freshly baked pumpkin cake. He then urged me to take off my coat and stay awhile, which I did. To the amazement of his wife and daughter who were seated nearby, he began remembering about the war....shedding a few more tears in the process. Some of the stories his daughter was hearing for the very first time. I learned that he had been a prisoner of war in Italy for 6 months.
Next stop, Stan's where he and his wife welcomed me in. He enjoys wine so I brought him a bottle of red along with a kiss on his cheek and all my gratitude too. "Let's have some wine together," said he. So I took my coat off once more, and he filled three glasses, slipping sweetener into his own. We sipped and chatted amiably on for about an hour, until his coo coo clock alerted me that it was time to go....."Thanks for honoring my veteran", said Wenona, his wife, as I hugged them both goodbye.
I've never paused in my own life and used Veteran's Day in this way before. Sadly, I know next to nothing about my own father's horrific wartime experiences in the South Pacific. He was a man of few words on this subject, but honestly, I never really asked either and I never expressed gratitude. Now I'd like to think I've made a necessary correction and that, in devoting a little of my time and attention this Veteran's Day to honoring aging warriors George and Stan, I am finally honoring dad in some way, too....
My next plan: to get these two great old gents together. Stay tuned. JJ
Happy 36th, Mark & Julie!
acer.gif" title="undefined"ign=center>Proud parents, Martha & Bill, make their way down the aisle at Sacred Heart Church on the occasion of their only daughter's wedding, August 22, 1970. Coincidentally, MMM was 59-years-old at the time, precisely Julie's age at present. WJM was some three years younger; he would turn 56 less than three months later.
It was splendid affair, and a grand time was had by all, especially at the reception, held at the posh Dearborn Country Club, where the bride's underage brothers took the opportunity to surreptitiously partake of the vinous offerings without particular incident (thank God).
Congratulations to the Janusch Duo!
photo by JPMarion, 5/13/06
Keeping a stiff upper lip despite the dank, dreary, drizzly weather, Annie displays her wares -- in this case, Masks, her company's latest literary publication -- at the third annual Ann Arbor Book Festival. Annie was back in town repping for the Center for the Art of Translation (CAT) where, due to her unrivaled ability to hawk esoteric bilingual books in the most challenging of conditions, she was recently offered a full-time position, having paid her dues for several months as an intern. Knowing that misery loves company, she sagely recruited local family members to lend a hand in her booth, and those of us who could, did, and gladly so. We were later rewarded by the soon-to-be former intern's grateful parents with pizza and beer at Cottage Inn, one of Ann Arbor's classics, perhaps priming us for a repeat performance next year?
HB, Julie!
Detroit, 1948
Here, young Julie basks in the loving attention of (from left to right) mother Martha, Aunt Eleanor, and Great-Aunt "Auntie" (whose given name was Honora, but nobody ever called her that so far as we know). As first-born, Julie was rightfully doted on like a crown-princess by the hordes of family relations. Of course, the intensity of that attention was destined to be sharply diluted with the birth over the next few years of her four adorable brothers. Fortunately, she has never held the intrusion against us -- though a lesser person might be tempted to do so. For that, and in honor of your Big Day Julie, we salute you!
The Culprits
The crew responsible for burying their cousin in Paradise.
Lake Superior, Paradise, Michigan, HackFest 2000
Here's hoping the Birthday Boy doesn't let himself get too bogged down to celebrate today. All the Best, J. (posted 4/4/06)
A Big HB to Marcus!
Ann Arbor, 1994. The day Julie trounced a spindly young Matt in one-on-one. Just fucking obliterated him, 21-1. A manly Mark refereed that game with his back to it the whole time. Did a nice job.(posted 3/31/06)
Well Done.
He may live with two diehard vegetarians, but that doesn't keep Marcus J. from seeking out the staff of life for himself. No, not bread...MEAT. Here he holds a trophy pheasant which he snuck up on and captured with his bare hands on a recent birding expedition in the great State of Michigan (which supported Kerry). Unfortunately,in the ensuing struggle,the poor bird's neck was accidentally wrung. Note sartorially correct headgear that matches up nicely with color palette of feathers. Always got a handle on the details,these engineer-hunters.
Michigan Deer Hunting season commenced this morning at daybreak. An estimated 450,000 of the critters will be "harvested." That's enough dead Bambi to fill UM stadium four-and-a-half times over. Coincidentally, sales of Jack Daniels -- the woodsman's best friend and his worst enemy -- will spike precipitously over the next two weeks. (Fall 2005)
RJ and JJ on Grandmont August 2004. As hard as it is to believe, it was the first time they'd seen one another since October 2000. Much to Rich's relief, he's still slightly taller than his hirsute nephew...though standing on a Detroit phonebook certainly helped.
Finger Food?
Although her mother is a gourmet chef and would have prepared her just about anything her little heart desired, young Annie seems to prefer the taste of her own foot in this shot, taken circa 1982-3. (Or maybe she's just trimming her toenails...we'll have to see if she remembers.) Note special E.T. cup and, in foreground, head of what appears to be Sesame Street's Bert,part of the controversial duo, Bert and Ernie.
Note from Julie: "Bert" is actually a slipper which was removed from left foot so as to have a go at yummy toes. (Oh! The agility of youth!)
Young Annie's back from her gig in Leipzig, and she's back in the classroom. But she's not peddling her wares at any run-of-the-mill-skoolhouse...she's hanging out at heritage-laden, centennial-celebrating Cranbook in Bloomfield Hills, where a glass is a goblet, a midday snack is an hors d'oeuvre, and the school's cheerleaders perform cartwheels for the ski, backgammon, and bridge teams. And now she's teaching English-speakers German, not the other way around. Go figure. In any case, we're just happy she's home.
- The great San Francisco earthquake hit the City by the Bay at 5:12 am, April 18, 1906. Now that Annie's living there, we should all pay more attention to the seismological activities of Northern California (not that such catastrophe could ever happen this year. But next year -- its 100th anniversary -- well, that would be a good time to come east for a visit).
A deeply offended Johnny Mac raises a ruckus at being asked by super-hostess Julie to sit in the corner with the children at the 2002 Marion-Janusch-Stagg Christmas gathering on Grandmont.
"Now let me get this straight...you want ME to sit THERE with THEM?" asked an incensed John, motioning to the table in question. "I don't even LIKE kids that much. They make me uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry, John, but there are only so many seats available at the adult table," replied Julie. "And besides, to a certain extent, they make us ALL uncomfortable."
"By the way, there IS a fringe benefit to sitting there," noted Julie.
"And that is?" asked John.
"You get this extra slice of dessert...a primo Mele Kalikimaka pineapple upsidedown cake with hand-whipped organic llama cream and topped with hand-picked-and-shelled macadamia nuts that I personally slivered," said Julie.
"OHHHH!" replied John. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? Which seat is mine?"
"Hey, wait just one minute," interjected WOM. "He gets THAT just for sitting THERE? Hell, I'LL sit there!"
"No. Allow ME," said John, suddenly calming down. Please. Seriously. In the spirit of Christmas...so that you may sit with your lovely wife, Linda."
"Damn. If you put it THAT way, what can I say?" said WOM, moving off to take his rightful place.
"Thank you, John, " said Julie.
"My pleasure," replied John, licking a bit of foamy drool from the corner of his mouth.
(Note a dispirited Annie on left, who had been hoping that her mother would save her the extra piece of primo Mele Kalikimaka pineapple upsidedown cake with hand-whipped organic llama cream and topped with hand-picked-and-shelled macadamia nuts that her mother had personally slivered.)
Annie's Birthday!!!
As young Annie spent her final day as a mere 25-year-old and edged her way towards the "more-than-a-quarter-century" bracket, we were there to celebrate. From Julie's savory soups to twice the birthday cake to ice-skating -- where else? -- in downtown Detroit, a very good time was had by all....
to fill UM stadium four-and-a-half times over. Coincidentally, sales of Jack Daniels -- the woodsman's best friend and his worst enemy -- will spike precipitously over the next two weeks. 
