The Walla Walla surprise

Magdelana surprised Uncle Josh and I and came to Walla Walla... Pretty cool.

It's not fair...

Wednesday afternoon. I sit in the computer lab wondering if going to school in Washington is such a great idea. I miss my niece. It's been nine days since I last saw her and it's just too long. One of the reasons I have been so negligent keeping up with this blog is the fact that I was home spending time with Magzta. I now have hundreds of pictures "swimming" through my library that I glance at every time I start to feel down. Magdelana has become quite the little character. There are many things already that I find irresistibly adorable. Possibly my favorite being her ability to drool as much as I do. Seriously, the girl has a mouth full of saliva that would conquer Niagra falls in a competition. I love it. Coming in at a close second has to be her unique appreciation for music. Who would have thought that she would turn out to love music and have an appreciation for it to an extent normal humans cannot fathom as much as her dad. She will have a pretty good instructor/tutor for the future in any questions related to music. I now have to go spend time doing things I do not want to do. Oh well, the story of my life, being a servant and doing what needs to be done. I miss you Maggie.

Uncle Jonny

She Loves Me

I wasted no time exposing Magdelana to the fantastic world of speedos. I cannot say enough how much of a breath of fresh air it is to walk around with so much pride... and freedom... worrying not at all about who's saying who know's what about you. I take great joy in the fact that I have already converted two of my brothers, Uncle Jeremy and your daddy Josef to speedos. They too have found the extreme feeling of glee that speedos bring, almost a sense of rebellion if you will... but not. The following is a couple pictures of me with my wonderful, beautiful little niece. I spent the last week with her, oooing and awwing. I'm a pretty proud uncle and cannot wait to try to live up to the expectations I have set for myself.

More Pictures to tide you over

Hello my little angel. Well, it's been a while since I've put some new pics up so I thought I would quench your thirst. The days are winding down until we actually meet face to face. It will be one of the happiest days of my life. Until then enjoy these.

Im So Ronery..

Hello sweetheart.. I apologize for not writing in a few days but at the same time I do not because I will have a surprise for you in not too long and that is what I have been working on. Every new picture I see I hate myself more and more. You are getting bigger by the day but you are still absolutely gorgeous! Phew! I noticed that Uncle Josh managed to sneak a visit to see you. Very cool and very selfish at the same time. By doing that he is essentailly saying that he is the best uncle but that is definitely not the case. Okay, okay, truthfully, I have decided to not even joke anymore about who's the best uncle and what not, so that was my last. We are all going to be pretty dominant uncles I think so you will have a lot of people to go to for whatever. I must go now but I'll write later. I love you beautiful.
Uncle Jonny

New Pictures...

My beautiful little Maggie. Some of these pictures where taken when you were 11 days old. I can already tell we are going to look a lot alike.

My new Pajamas.

I am very pleased with these. Bargained these babies down to $7.50.

17 July 2007

Hello M-Ster. If your worried about the name "M-Ster," worry no more. As I recently looked at your Daddy's blog I recognized that there was a poll for what people will call you. I find this somewhat upsetting as I didn't want everyone to have access to a couple of those names. With that said I am boycotting all names mentioned in that poll and I am in the process of meditating/searching for the perfect name for you that I alone will be able to call you (at an appropriate time I will release a very SHORT list of people I will allow to use this name...Maybe). So I have just seen new pictures of you and it's pretty bittersweet. You see, in one retrospect I am so happy, actually ecstatic to see how beautiful you are but at the same time I am very upset to see that you are aging by the day and I am not there. I really do need to stop dwelling on the fact that I am not there because there is nothing I can do about it at this point but I cannot help it. You are a very big part of my life and I want to be there for the major things throughout your childhood, however, I suppose I have already failed in accomplishing this goal as I missed your birth. This post is not too exciting but sometimes that is the story of my life, thus leaving me with not too much to write about. The fact that I am falling asleep as my hands tinker across the keyboard adds to my inability to come up with creative material. Anyways, it is time for me to go so I will continue my rambling sooner than later. Hope you are doing good. Please stop growing until I come back. Love you and miss you.
Uncle Jonny

Finally, a picture!

Yes, this is MY little niece!

14 July 2007

Good morning beautiful. You are probably up right now, despite it being 6:00 am in the morning. If you are anything like your daddy was your parents most likely did not sleep at all. For their sake I pray that you are not like he was as a baby, I heard he was a real pain in the boom boom (that's portuguese for butt). I would not wish that on anyone. So it is Sabbath morning and I have decided to stay here and write to you instead of going to church, for now at least. I must say that I struggle to find a good message out of the services here seeming that I do not understand anything that is happening. I recently found out as well that I have been giving people explicit hand gestures, I really had no idea. One of these gestures apparently means that I like guys very much.. not in a healthy way per say. And it is an open gesture for "acceptance" from any other person, or guy specifically, that feels the same way. Believe me, when I found out the meaning it explained a lot. Strangers here are really not very nice, especially if you are, say walking around in public. That's why I never could figure out why Karl, Eric, and Steven were so nice to me. Anyways, no lie, I woke up at 3:30 am to look at a picture of you. It made me smile. Okay so technically I got up to go to the bathroom but I had to take a look. You are so absolutely gorgeous! So I am going to head down a completely different path now, what is it that one should want out of life? Well, Im no expert but my views have changed over the past few years. In my opinion, one of the main, if not the main thing to.. hold on I have to pick my nose.. Okay, sorry. One of the main things to strive for in life should be to build and maintain relationships, and none should be as important as those of your family. Many would dissagree with me, however, I think it is very hard for some to accept this statement because they may have not had the same family experiences as I have had. Most familites will never experience the "closeness" that our family demonstrates. Secondly, no matter how much you may struggle with God as you grow up, do everything you can to keep him close to you. I know that kind of sounds cliche to say.. Which is kind of a double cliche to say it's cliche.. Oh well. Thirdly (this only applies to my sisters, you, and future nieces), become the highest degree of a black belt in a type of fighting of your choice. Fourth, take time to learn the correct method for hunting cougars from Uncle Jeremy, I truly believe that this could become very useful. Fifth, take after your father and do all you can to build things you need out of the most random objects (included in this is learning how to sew). Six, follow your mothers advice on what to look for in a guy, she has proven she has pretty good taste. And lastly, because you know that I like the number seven because it reminds me of myself (I have told you before that in the Bible 7=perfection), I will end with this. Seven, learn from those who have gone before you, no matter how out of trend you may think they are. For example, I would advise you to talk to your Grandma Sue (wow that's wierd to call my mom Grandma!) as much as you possibly can. She is probably the wisest most sympathetic and caring person I have ever encountered. You have good genes kid, on both sides of the family. You can learn a lot by not having to go very far, take advantage of this. I am not very wise myself and I even fail to follow my own advice at times, but I think some of this stuff is pretty good stuff to think about. I gotta go now, until we talk again, I love you and think about you non stop.
Uncle Jonny

13 July 2007-Officially... Magdelana Deluca

So the name is officially in the books. I guess it's okay that I have been calling you Maggie for the past couple months. Things are starting to settle down a little bit from what I hear. Your mommy and daddy have taken you to where you will most likely spend a fairly large part of your life. Although the initial introduction of you was probably the most proudest day of your parent's lives, and very very exciting for them, it's probably nice to finally be able to get some sleep and "move you in" and get prepared for life as parents. Your daddy has devoted much of the past nine months however doing just that, I don't think he will screw up too bad as a father.. If he listens to me. So it's friday night and I sit here staring out the window, immediately entering my head is the song from Fievel Goes West, the gist of the song, more or less, goes something like this:

And even though i know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And then the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there
If love can see us through

Then we'll be togethor
Somewhere out there
Out where dreams
Come true

Why does this song enter my head? Because It helps me in knowing that I'm not there with you. I feel like I have let you down quite a bit. For almost nine months I have talked about how excited I was to have you come and then I'm not there when you arrive. Great Uncle I am. I think I am going to silently sing this song to myself every night from now on until I come back home. Maybe it will help me, who knows. Basically what I'm saying here Maggie is that I miss you and I'm sorry I am not there right now. I know that you will grow up and insist on trying to assure me that it is not a big deal but I am afraid you will be wrong (don't worry though, I was wrong once too). It is a big deal to me, I really wish I was there. You have made me something that I have dreamed of for a long time, an uncle, and I am so excited to try and live up to the responsibilities of having that title. You are probably sitting on your fathers lap right now tooting away, little stinker. If I was there I'd probably chip in to make him upset, except he couldn't get upset because you're only a baby! Ha! Ha! Suck a duck (that's my new thing to say). Anyways, It's late so I have to go to bed. I'll try to write you tomorrow. Love you.
Uncle Jonny

10 July 2007--The Baby Has Arrived

I truly have yet to experience a prouder day than when I received the news that I was officially an uncle. The hype for the last eight and a half months easily lived up to what I expected. Although Daddy Josef already posted my niece's "specifics," I had already written down in my journal what I had figured each would be. You can choose to believe or not believe that I had written this down before. I had her at 8 lbs 3 oz, 20 inches, a head full of hair (i.e. not bald), and be born at 2:17 pm. Check verylongchronicles.blogspot.com for her final results. For years I have ooed and awed over other babies, wondering when I could "have" a baby to call my own, metaphorically speaking of course. I am so freaking, unbelievably, incredibly excited to be an uncle and have a beautiful little niece to show off and be able to sit down and hold while I fall asleep with her. I know I speak for all my siblings when I say to you, Becca and Josef, that we could not be more proud of you guys and look forward to hopefully playing an integral part in the raising and development of your daughter. I am really upset that I failed to be there for her initial introduction into the world but I plan on making up every second I was away. There really is nothing in my life at this moment that I am more excited about. Please be prepared for getting very tired of me, both of you, because I plan on spending a lot of time with you guys.. Starting in less than a month. I can't wait! From this point on (and until quite a while from now) every blog entry will contain information regarding my NIECE'S childhood stories only!
Uncle Jonny

09 July 2007--She's officially on the way.

I stayed up until 2:00 am... waiting... I woke up at 5:00 am... checking... At 7:00 am I finally received news, Becca went into labour, I am officially almost an uncle. Guaranteed within the next several hours I believe. Actually, I have no clue how long a woman can be in labour. For Becca's sake I'm praying that Maggie won't be the pill that she has been the last week and half and "come out" easy. I sit here hoping, grasping, and suffocating myself, almost, with the anticipation of finally hearing the news and seeing that first picture. I am in complete, undeniable turmoil as I ponder over the fact that I have essentially let Maggie down and "left" her [basically] alone in the delivery room. Me not being there would be the equivelent of The Beatles not having Jon Denver on the night of a concert. Oh well, I'm hoping that I can be forgiven. I must go now, I have to throw up. I think I'm sick. Don't worry though, I am only in a foreign country with no immediate hospital or medical assistance in a nearby vicinity. For now.
Uncle Jonny

08 July 2007.... No Baby Yet....

Well, I went ahead and journaled while I was in church yesterday so I decided to go ahead and put that into the blog. I don't have many options in church because I only pick up on about every 17th word spoken. Here goes:
It's sabbath morning here in beautiful Brazil and I am sitting here in church trying to even understand a fraction of what is being said. On each side of me sits two Brazilian girls. Fortunately for me both of these girls are quite anamored with me. Or course when I say this is a good thing I am actually saying it is quite awkward. It was the same story last night at vespers. One of the girls did in fact attempt to hold my hand during prayer. After approximately one and a half seconds of contemplating how to escape the situation I simply pulled my hand away. Upon informing Meilani of this predicament she laughed for a while and then requested that I post a picture of each girl so she could "see her competition" and also came up with this quickly, "I have an idea!! I bet those girls would be good teachers! They would be willing to do anything for you. I bet they could become your pimps. They could buy you stuff and take tests for you and stuff... but of course you wouldn't allow them to abuse you sexually." And lastly she calmly informed me that " It's okay that there are a few girls that seem to be infatuated/twitterpated with you, I knew that it was bound to happen. It came with the package deal of you going to Brazil." Yes, you have read that correct, two things especially stuck out to me in her response, 1. she encouraged my involvement with these girls, and 2. She used the word twitterpated. I must admit, Meilani has crossed my mind once or twice since I have ben here. Probably not any more though. I have not talked to her for over fifty four seconds on the phone since I have been here. The real topic for today however is once again the arrival, or lack there of, of my first niece. The little stinker has been taking her sweet time "coming out" which does not make sense to me at all. Right now, unfortunately, I am going to have to take a break for a couple minutes because one of the girls beside me is adamantly trying to get my journal. She says she wants to write something but most likely she will attempt to comprehend what I have written. This will prove to be quite the debacling challange for her. She will have a good time looking up words like debacling and twitterpated.
While that was my journal in church, I'm now writing in the present. My niece did not arrive, or at least I have not heard she did, yesterday and has yet to today. Pill. Poor Becca. Today is not showing much excitement for me, I am trying to come up with someway of getting out of eating food at a BBQ im going to this afternoon. This is of course because all the food is meat, this could be difficult seeming as though the BBQ is being held in honor of me and my roomates. We will see what happens I guess. Until next time.
Uncle Jonny

06 July 2007..... It Is Time

The time has arrived for the much anticipated arrival of my first (but most certainly not my last) niece. She is actually overdue now. Out of respect to my brother and his wife I will not release the final name for Maggie. All I can say is that I honor their choice and stand "100%" behind them. I have discussed this topic with them heavily and we have come to the final conclusion that this is the best way to address it. I have to be honest, I actually have not talked to them at all but Josef and I have come to terms with many things throughout our relationships. One of those things has been him realizing that my constant nagging will not stop. With that said, it is as wise for him to simply comply with my requests rather than to fight it/them. I will also point out that it is currently 12:34 am and I have just gotten back to school from an eight hour bus ride so everything I write may or may not make sense.
Seeming that I have been absolutely horrendous at keeping up with my blog I will simply talk a little bit about my time spent here in Brasil. I recently spent several days traveling around Rio De Janeiro and a couple other less known places in Brasil. The trip was pretty cool, I probably had more fun with my bus driver than anyone on the trip. The fact that he found me to be as funny if not more than black people do of Bill Cosby or more recently, Dave Chappell, really boosted my self confidence. This experience has led me to believe that contrary to common beliefs, it is wise to spend time with those that love you for who you are rather than trying to "live up" to someone of "higher values" standards. Did that make sense?!?! This drivers name was Joselito. He is thirty eight years old, married I believe, and can eat non-stop. Possibly the most historic moment of the trip was when I decided to go skinny dipping in a sister adventist schools swimming pool at night. I really had no intentions of getting such a reaction from him but I had no idea what my actions were capable of doing. As I pooled off my speedo, Joselito immedietly fell into a rage of laughter, all 350 lbs of him, to such an extent that he eventually slipped off the edge of the pool and fell in... Quite amusing. The trip as a whole was great. I found that folks in Brasil, and possibly other foreign countries, are much more how would I say....free, about expressing themselves. When I return I will promptly show everyone what I mean. This will be thanks to my teacher down here. Before going out to tackle the waves of Copacabana in Rio, I asked my teacher to use my video camera and get some footage of me being cool in the water, body surfing, you know, whatever would make me look good. Later that night I went back and watched the film, to my great dissapointment, and maybe joy at the same time I found that approximately 3/4 of the footage consisted of him taping/zooming in on women in very small bathing suits walking down the beach. Enought about my trip.
By this time, my niece should be here, I really have no clue whether or not my sister in law is in labor or is still laying in bed, I wish I knew. Better yet, I wish I could assume my rightful place next to her in the delivery room, oh well, I'll have to wait for child #2. I can swear on my father's life that I will have more joy, pride, and thanks when I view pictures of my first niece than anybody has found (maybe only joy) from seeing pictures of me prancing around in my speedo in Brasil. I must go to bed now, it's past 1:00 am. Hopefully next time I write on this site I will be discussing the excitement from the birth. I can't wait...
Uncle Jonny

15 May 2007

*Happy Birthday Dad*
Today's blog will be in honor of the great Chief... A worldwide legend recognized as a historian, comedian, dentist, husband, friend, storyteller and father... My father... Lee Long.

What is it that defines a person? Is it the successes that one achieves or the obstacles one conquers? Maybe it's possibly overcoming a lengthy list of fears? First of all, what do I mean when I say "Define?" What does the word even mean? Basically it's what gives something form or meaning. So in response to my question, none of these things define a person. Really, the only thing that ever fully forms someone into who they become is the disappointments they experience. Many people try to define someone without ever knowing their background. If you agree with my definition for the word "define," than surely you cannot buy into the concept that someone other than yourself can try to define you. You and you alone are the only one that can truly be able to define yourself, and of course be able to supply sufficient evidence for your claims. Without anymore waiting, I provide you with a short, temporary, uncompleted list of great disappointments which have helped define me (in no particular order):

1. June 27, 1984*: The Portland Trail Blazer's select Sam Bowie with the 1st overall pick in the NBA draft... Michael Jordan went 2nd. (You are correct, I was not born yet... Nevertheless, this very thing has haunted my every dream for years).

2. April 16, 1992, 1:37 pm: Older brother Joseph decides not to take me to Dairy Queen after I fail to do something up to his standards. This memory may or may not be truthful. In all honesty, this is what I remember... I'll stick with it.

3. November 14, 1994: I find out Santa is fake... Enough said.

4. December 25, 1994: Extremely mixed emotions run through my head when "Santa" shows up in my living room... I cry...

5. December 26, 1994: The news is revealed to me... My dad is Santa.

6. June 12, 1998: I feel as though my world has crashed down on me after I fail to hit a home run in a YMCA little League game... The first time this has ever happened. My first seven* at bats were all home runs... *This number is debatable, I cannot remember exactly.

7. March 18, 2000: I agree to "go outside on the deck at the hotel (Four stories up) in my "Tighty Whities" when I'm dared by my basketball teammates. Foolishly, I trust them when they say "they won't do anything to me." It was maybe funny for the first five minutes. After twenty minutes on the deck in broad daylight in underwear my confidence was destroyed... The hotel was on the side of a highway.

8. January 3, 2002: I ask a girl to "go out" with me... She says yes... She breaks up with me three weeks later... I tell everyone I broke up with her.

9. May 2002: The Portland Trail Blazers give up a 17 point lead in the final eight minutes of the game to the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals... My hatred for Kobe Bryant begins.

For now,
Uncle Jonny/ Assistant to the Editor in Chief

12 May 2007

Throughout life you will be bombarded by crazy people. Some will say, "The world is ending tonight" or "Old School is not one of the most brilliant, poetic, sincere, and absolutely masterful movies of all time." Basically, you will hear a lot of "fluff," which is why I deem it necessary to provide you with a survival list. Here it is, take what I say seriously, it could save your life someday.

"Jonny's Survival List to Not Only Survive, but Conquer the Apocolypse"

1. At all times carry a fishing/hunting knife WITH optional under the arm carrying case. (Carrying case is essential for maximum effectiveness).
2. Read and memorize Bradford Angier's "How to Stay Alive in the Woods"
3. Be aquainted with the following movies: Surviving the Game, Die Hard Trilogy, Tracked, The Game (more for establishing mental strength), Lentil, Diary of Anne Frank, and the Incredibles.
4. Dig, fill, and cover canned food that will last for seven years. (Note: This must be at an isolated location. Note #2: I say seven years because in the Bible the number "7"=Perfection)
5. One cellar filled with weapons for war fare
6. One cellar filled with ammunition for weapons
7. Proper camoflauge with built in heat sensors (This could be used for a varitey of things and should be used in advance to become familiar with)
8. One Jonseph* Hybrid which can be fueled by banana peels and animal feces**. *First Hybrid of it's type, named after the founder and his assistent/brother of Fankle Magazine. **Excludes Toad's and Cat's excriment, I don't believe these animals should be viewed as good for anything.
9. Have on hand a large supply of peanuts* for bribing squirrels**. *Unroasted peanuts. **Squirrels usefullness/intelligence is often overlooked, a colony of squirrels on one's side could prove to be vital to survival (Note: this is an unproven theory but I as well as many others, or at least one other, believe it to be accurate)
10. Lastly, for entertainment purposes, plant at least eighteen slip and slides* at various locations unknown to the general public, this will surely increace conveniency. *Water game invented by Americans.

Love you,

Uncle Jonny/Assistent to the Editor & Chief of Fankle Magazine

11 May 2007

Dearest Magsta,
I stated in an earlier post that I would not be there when you are introduced into the world... most likely... Do I feel bad about this? Yes... Is there any positive outcomes that may come of this? Absolutely. For the first month of your induction, you will be passed around like a hot potato. As you know, the person who ends up holding the potato is the one that wins. This brings me to my logic, like a potato, the "hottness" of your initial existence will eventually cool. When this happens, guess who will be there to accept you? That's right, me. This means that I will, with not much suprise as is usually the custom, I will be the winner, I will have you for good. With that said, many will try to do things with you that I forbid you to do with anyone but myself. Without further ado, here is a preliminary list of the top five things you must NOT do with anyone while I'm gone.

1. Travel to Switzerland
2. Play the board game Monopoly (Batman and Robin special edition)
3. Play the Tuba
4. Shoot a paintball gun
5. Frolick in ANY fields wich contains daisies

Like I said, this is only a temporary list and many more things will be added to it in the near future. I believe mommy is feeding you Mac+Cheese right now.... Quite elegantly I might add... I guess that's all I have for tonight.

Love you,

Uncle Jonny/Assistant to the Editor in Chief of "Fankle Magazine"

9 May 2007

Ironic: happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this. For example, it's ironic that Joseph decided to start a "Top 150" list for people he wanted you to know. Why you may ask? Most likely because he heard the idea from me and took it. Then again, everything I say from now on should be put into question seeming that I have a rare form of amnesia. I haven't consulted with Josef as of yet, but I'm hoping that maybe we could combine our lists, thus allowing both of us to actually finish something we have started (no offense intended Josef). With that said, I'll continue forward with 002.

002: Zech "Silky Smooth" Runkle
Very good/best friend of Uncle Jonny. Like's children. Is Talanted. Loves the Long's. Fiercly loyal. Want's to be addressed as "Uncle Zechy" by you. Great taste in movies (i.e. Dumb and Dumber is one of his favorites). Has no problem embarressing himself with Uncle Jonny for entertainment. Is not a guy who "jumps on the bandwagon"/he does his own thing. Doesn't let people boss him around. Will probably play in the NFL, which is extremely relevant.

8 May 2007

I have recently looked into possible minor forms of amnesia... If there is something, I think I have it. As Uncle Josh could attest to, I have lossed my keys and phone a combined seventeen times in the last three weeks, approximately. I also got up at 7:00 am in the morning to study for a quiz I thought I had in my 9:00 am class. It would be understandable if I had only been mistaken about a quiz, what was not understandable was the fact that I didn't even have class.
I heard you and your mother came in second place in the Bloomsday run. I'll repeat my brother's sentiments, it's not first but you're the first loser.. I guess something can be said for that. As you grow up, you'll quickly learn that losing is something your father is not okay with. Tracing back a few years, I distinctly remember being beaten by your "Daddy" if my baseball team lost a game or I did not hit a home run. At the time I wondered if it was excessive, now I realize that it was absolutely necessary for my development as an eight year old trying to leave a mark in my first year in YMCA little league.
Uncle Jonny