I’m Gary. Hi!
I’m just some guy with a blog that I almost never update anymore.
I used to write about my life. But I think I’ve mostly outgrown that and, truth be told, some of the older posts on here kind of make me cringe.
Nowadays, I am hoping to occasionally blog about my two real passions: off-the-beaten-path travel and obscure sports, and combining the two as much as possible. I feel like small-time sports are one of the best ways to experience a culture.
Bio
I grew up in South Jersey–not far from Philadelphia. I studied International Relations at Syracuse University (class of ’04!), but my real interest was in international TV news broadcasting. (It’s a long story.)
After college, I moved to Washington, DC, to take a desk job with a company that did a lot of really good work involving HIV/AIDS in the developing world. Sadly, the position just wasn’t for me. After a year there, an old internship called, and I landed my dream job–producing TV news programs for Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan! I LOVED it! Unfortunately, my grandmother got sick, so in November 2006, I quit my job to move back home to New Jersey to take care of her.
I cared for her 24/7 for almost exactly a year. Then, my old TV job offered me a 2-day-per-week position in DC. So, for the next year, I grandma-sat 24/5, while a nurse cared for her the two days per week when I was out of town. It was hard at times, but overall things went very well.
My nana passed away in October 2008 at the age of 90. I still miss her.
After her passing, I slowly transitioned back to working full-time in DC. Right now, I’m producing a weekly French-language TV talk show that is broadcast in 9 countries in Africa. I’m still in NJ quite a bit, too, and I try to travel elsewhere as often as possible, especially to watch obscure sports in other countries.
I married my beautiful wife, Sarah, in January 2012.
My biggest claim to fame is probably that I was on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” in 2011, but I like to think I’ve done plenty of interesting stuff in addition to that. Have a look around the site, and feel free to leave a comment if you have anything you’d like to share.
Gary,
I love the new look of the website, very very classy!
Miss you and hope you’re well!
Florence
Just read your piece about how crazy you were about fishing when you were in middle school–I have a son who is in the exact same spot! He is nuts about it–asks for fishing gear for specials holidays, thinks a trip to Cabelas is like Mecca,
and gets up early (even on vacation) to fish. I was googling fishing scholarships, at the suggestion of a college guru for my older child, and came across your blurb. It was great–though I’m not having much luck with scholarship info for a kid from the boonies of Central Jersey!
Hi Gary,
I found your website while doing a search on Walt Whitman and Laurel Springs! I live here in town (LS) and want to say I’ve enjoyed your site.
I’m a 43-year-old guy and I’ve lived here in Laurel Springs for over 9 years now with my partner (David). I love the town and liked the photos you shot.
I’ve also loved reading about your studies abroad. I love to travel and have been through several parts of Europe.
I’m sure it isn’t easy for you taking care of your grandmother! If you ever want to talk please email me at gletts@aol.com.
Take care and thanks for all the work you put into the site!
Gene
I think it is amazing what you are doing for your family. My grandmother had the disease also. I know it can be very hard. Good luck and God bless!
i know you said you don’t like myspace, but my mother suggested it, so i did it.
I came across your website accidentally searching for random questions as I love to write. Very interesting life I might have to add.
Hopefully you will have a great month and I certainly hope you get to enjoy every minute with your nana. I still have one myself; she is 86 years old and my great grandmother will be 99 in January. She has a bit of a hearing problem and is on oxygen, but she is a true saint if I ever knew one. The sweetest woman I have ever known in my life no doubt.
Take care,
keep up the good work
and
continue what you are doing with your life.
Deborah
Gary,
You’re doing great work. Please know that each and every time you look in the mirror a very special person is looking back at you.
My dad (see website) had alzheimers and I took care of him. That was 1999 to 2001. The day of his funeral my mom suffered a stroke and the result was dementia. I have been taking care of her since March 2001. It can be tough at times, and depressing, but doing the right thing has never been easy.
Stay well.
I already knew all this about you but it’s nice to read anyway. You’ve got much more going on than most people. <3
Was sorry to hear about your Grandmom. I found your website while posting information into the INGLING family genealogy. I’ve been doing the family history for about 32 years now. Believe that your grandmom was actually at one or two of our family reunions.