So 6 weeks into this web series for BravoTV.com and we finally get a little meat on the bone among the light-hearted family moments. It’s been a joy to watch this footage of our boys AKA the chums.
Alex & I are truly blessed to have two smart, sassy boys who while they’ve had mixed footage within the four seasons of RHoNY proper, have shined on these last four Webisodes. Boys doing everyday things, sure do make the best & most natural footage. And Verde is a great local restaurant, one which we dine at frequently.
Alex & I were somewhat slow to adapt to social media, only signing up for Twitter just over two years ago. I did it reluctantly as at the time I felt much more comfortable at the time on Facebook, although I’ve since realized that there’s a greater portability in the 140 character tweet. Twitter’s more mobile nature has allowed other SM platforms a greater marketplace, one of which is FourSquare. We joined Foursquare in July 2010, and it’s a fun way to look back where you’ve been previously and also gives you bragging rights when you get the mayorship of a particular venue (the most frequent visitor in the proceeding 60 days). If you pay attention before choosing a venue in which to shop, drink or dine, you can search for local vendors and see what specials they are offering and grab a deal. Some even offer additional value added benefits or discounts just for checking in.
Back when Alex used to travel to Ohio on business I started taking the chums out to restaurants occasionally and it was on that first occasion in 2007 or 2008 that she was surprised I had done it alone. Then they were 2 & 4 and were a little less prepared to sit still for an hour or so, but as they’ve got older and with more experience of eating out they are actually almost always impeccably behaved.
Here’s the actual FourSquare check in Francois helped me with that night….
and here’s the Tweet that was automatically sent out
Tweet From Verde via FourSquare Checkin
I’ve mentioned before what a joy it is to watch young life grow. In tonight’s webisode you can clearly see the difference between a 7 year old’s brain and that of a 5 year old; and the resultant difference in communication topics and styles. Watching Francois rightly lecture me on the dangers of smoking and his explanation of cancer to Johan, I couldn’t help but cast my mind back to episode 5 or 6 of the first season when about to return to Australia for my step father’s funeral, and I explained to Francois, then just turned 4, what is cancer.
Which? Brings me to smoking, a habit I’ve indulged in and fought with varying degrees of success since I was a high school student in Australia. It is an absolutely vile and insidious addiction, one which defies all rational explanation. When Alex & I met in 1999 I was a smoker but gave it up in January 2002. When Francois was born in October 2003, I was still a non-smoker (well in reality a smoker who wasn’t smoking). As these photos attest smoking has a weird knack of causing me to stay slim. Take a look at these photos taken when Alex & I were married in May 2000 versus these taken in early December 2003 at La Mamounia on our first trip to Marrakesh where after almost 2 years of not smoking I had clearly packed on a few pounds. The following summer I started smoking occasionally. Casually, yeh right within a month I was back at a packet a day.
Anyway those of you who followed me on Facebook & Twitter in July 2009 (all 5,000 of you at the time), know that upon returning from Australia, and after 24 hours of enforced non-smoking on the plane I gave up again. It was weird doing so publicly however the incredible support I received from many of you egged me on those first few unbearable tough few days, weeks & months. This time I lasted just short a year before I thought AGAIN that I could just dabble in the occasion ‘social’ smoke. NOT. And I that brings us to January 2011 where you see me tell Francois that I am planning on making an appointment with a hypnotherapist to see if that will help me stop once & for all.
Watching Johan move the conversation to his happy spells is a delight and his facial expressions which he can do at will are adorable, if I do say so myself. Confused? I just loved the finger on the chin. 
There are three more Webisodes after this one and imagine you you’ll see me visit with the hypnotherapist and let’s see if once and for all I can cast this addiction aside. For my sake, Alex’s and as important, the chums’.
If you haven’t already make sure you check out the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of my webisodes. Please leave any comments you have & I’ll try and answer as many as I can. Also tweet at @BravoTV and let them know if you want to see more.
Until the 5th debuts on June 16th…….
Are you kidding me? This season of HW’s is so creepy with Alex stomping and you lurking around. From the episodes I have seen please Bravo don’t put you two back on its ridiculous. Simon stop trying to be a “Housewife”.
Alex I was a 3 pack a day smoker that failed many times to quit smoking until I started working for an acupuncturist..After 4 traetments I have not had a cigarette nor have I had a craving for a cigarette 3 years june 7th. I tried everything prior to my acupuncture treatments and I am surprised and delighted that 3 years not once no matter what the circumstance have I even wanted a cigarette..I use a woman who has an office called Seed’s In Baltimore Md her office is above the Hun Cafe ” A Baltimore Landmark and it’s called “Seed’s” Look it up, she is amazing. Her name is Sarah O’Leary I have had alot of time that I would have reached for a cigarette including the death of my Dad bit it was not even a thought..If Simon needs to quit call her to make an appt it is worth the trip to Baltimore.
Smokim’ if you got em’. I’m all for what little we have left of freedom’s in America. No comments please for my opinon. It won’t matter.
Simon,
There is an “argument” going on vulture that you said Alex married you to keep you from being deported. Can you clear this up?
Thank you!
Simon,
I’m a big fan of yours as well as Alex but just discovered your blog and the webisodes which are great. My husband and I are expecting our first child (3 1/2 months to go!) and are so excited to see the world through the fresh eyes of our little one. My husband quit smoking when we found out we were expecting, but then the stress of my whole family coming to visit cause him to smoke “just one or two” which turned into a pack a day! Now he’s trying so hard again because we want to be smoke free for baby. I hope you will continue to blog about your success/challenging moments and about how the hypnotherapy goes. Its very helpful to see someone in the public eye going through the same thing. We are behind you!
Best regards,
Kara
Dear Simon,,,,,,,,My mother had been smoking since she was 17 years old. Being the oldest of six children, we ALL tried and failed to help her quit. Twenty five years ago my second son was fighting leukemia. We had just returned from ST. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tn., and he had radiation marks drawn on his scalp ( no hair ) and his neck and spine for therapy. ( he was nine years old then). After observing my mother going outside for another smoke, he followed her and asked her, ” Grandmother if you want cancer so bad, i will gladly give you mine so I can grow-up more. ” ( he passed away that winter ) My mother started crying, threw out all cigarette’s and cleaned the house for days to rid it of the smoke odor. Then she traded her car when she could not remove the smoke smell. That was in 1989 and she has never picked up another one. It took words from a grand baby to break a habit we all had tried desperately for years, to help her with. Stay focused and strong for the chums, Alex and most importantly yourself. We love our Simon!!! Xo
whoops
Your videos are not available to watch in Australia
Your videos are accessible in Australia
We love you and Alex down under! When are you coming to visit?
I love love love this video- your “chums” are both so cute- but your older boy really struck me as soo articulate and witty, he reminds me so much of my son when he was that age- treasure these guys every day- they are gems
I know what you are going with the smoking, just please dont give up. I finally stopped six years ago with the help of commit logenzes. My two sons are all grown up now and I am very sorry to say, they both smoke… Probably because they were exposed to smoking while they were growing up. When they were little they used to beg me to quit, I tried several times but always went back _ dont give up!!
hey simon there is one thing better than being a dad , it is being a granddad. i can attest to that. from a fan of you and your wife. you two always tell it real and in a truthful way.and yes the webisodes are done well and fun to watch.