Inverted pinenuts?

Pedal to the Metal

I am so ready to get my bike on. I've done a bit of research as to what bike I think would suit me best, and here are my options:

Specialized Globe:



Trek 7100:



And the one I really want, but can't afford, Bianchi Backstreet:



I found a few bike shops that carry all 3 brands, so I'll give them all a test spin and see what fits me the best. I've also decided to join a few bike clubs so I can do weekend rides with other people. And who knows? Maybe I'll meet my Lance Armstrong.

Blue polka dot bikini

I've never owned a bikini. The closest I've come to exposing my torso to the light of day has been in a tankini. Safe enough to cover the wobbly bits, but cute enough to get a peek at the tummy/back.

A few days ago, Ryan and I played bocce in central park. There were lots of sunbathers, most of whom were wearing bikinis- some looking fierce, and some looking not so fierce. Noticing one of these less-than-ideal (or would it be more-than-ideal?) bikini-clad gals, I said, "If someone like her can get away with wearing a bikini, why can't I?" Ryan said, "Well, there is one of two reasons why she's wearing a two piece: A) she's not aware of the fact that she's, well, too fat for it or B) She just doesn't give a shit." I said, "True. And you know what? I kind of admire the not giving a shit thing." Ryan said, "Good point. Although because she doesn't give a shit, we still have to look at it."

Touche.

Well, I decided that I don't really give a shit either. Luckily, I'm not as...how should I say this...umm..ok, "curvy" as the girl in Central Park. So I bought my first bikini. Since I pretty much hate wearing a bathing suit in the first place, I figured what the hell? I don't look as terrible as I thought I would, and give me a couple of days to look less like a piece of chalk, and I think I'll be OK. Besides, Ashley and I will be too concerned with acting like 12 year olds in the swimming pool than cruising for douchebags. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?

Let the games begin

Last night, I played bocce at Union Hall for a solid 4.5 hours. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but my buddy Ross and I just kept winning...and winning...and winning. We kind of felt bad for some of the bocce virgins who were unaware that we are both league players (me at UH and him at Floyd). But, we enjoyed wiping the court with our opponents for the evening, and it got me super excited to use, for the first time this weekend, my new bocce set!



I'm pretty jazzed about outdoor bocc. I'm even MORE jazzed when outdoor bocc is paired with BBQ and Beer. And Boys.

The four essential B's of summer.

Baby Tour '07

I am back from the land of relaxation, and even though I had 6 days of work-free chillin', I could have used 6 more. It took me 2 days just to unwind and calm down so that I COULD relax, and by that time I only had 3 days left. My advice: leave New York monthly. Even if it's just for one day. For extra relief, leave New York for several days every 2 months. Now if I could just follow my own advice.

Anyway, enjoy some pictures of the babes. I must say, I believe I am aware of my biological workings (I refuse to refer to it as a clock). Of course, having a kid is still years away for me, but I'm warming up to the idea more and more.

Max:




Ryan (best friend's kid):






Kira (cousin's daughter):

Whut day iz it?

CATURDAY!

'N Stuff

First of all, I got a cortisone shot yesterday in my foot. It's already feeling better; my heel pain has nearly subsided, although now my arches are a bit sore. The doc said I would probably have more pain today, because the injected cortisone crystallizes and can cause a brief period of pain worse than before the shot. I wouldn't say my pain is worse than before, but it's definitely tender. I'm scheduled for another injection in 2 weeks, IF I need it. Here's hoping I don't- I'm way over this shiz.

Secondly, LCD Soundsystem was totally amazing. I've been to a lot of shows since moving up here, and they've successfully slid into the number two slot. (No. 1 is Scissor Sisters. Live at a packed Bowery Ballroom? Standing beside Anderson Cooper? Yeah- that show was rad.) Anyway, LCD was amazing- so good live, and the crowd was 100% into it. We danced the whole time, probably not so good for the 'ol foot, but whatever. Oh, and I saw the curly hair dude from That 70's Show.

Have another video:



And lastly, I'm going home tomorrow for 5 stinkin' days. I can't wait. I haven't had a vacation since Christmas. I haven't seen my family since Christmas, and they only live 4 hours away. I hate it when life happens.

I was the first guy playing Daft Punk to the rock kids.

I'm going to see LCD Soundsystem and I cannot wait. This group has not put out a bad record to date, and I expect more and more amazing things from them. It's gonna be one helluva partyyyyyyyyyy.

Take it off

In 4 short weeks, I'll be going to Vegas to visit my sister. I'm pretty excited, not because it's Vegas, but because I haven't seen my sis since Christmas and I know that it's going to be ridiculous. There are some perks, of course, to her living in Vegas. We (ok, I) am treating us to a night at the Golden Nugget . We chose the G Nug, which is not on the strip, strictly for pool usage. Check out the video footage of their new swimming complex- aquarium and all! So, we'll be poolside for an entire day, sampling the wet bar, making fun of tan bikini-clad fakes, and acting like fools.
I'm also looking forward to checking out some of Ash's favorite haunts and doing some cheap shopping. Anything outside of New York is considered cheap shopping for me. We're also doin' it up right one night with a sweet steak dinner on the strip followed by some more stripping at Olympic Gardens. Quite possibly the lamest name for a strip club, OG boasts the "home of the Men of Olympus". Apparently, my sister's co-worker dates one of these Men of Olympus and has agreed to hook us up with some free passes for the evening. As a result, my sister informed me that she will be buying me a lap dance, which will go a little something like this:

sis: oh my goddddd
i can't even tell you
well yes i can
me: HAHAHAHAH
sis: i wwas so surprised when i saw it!! i was literally dying!!!!!!!!
me: haaahahahahahahahah
sis: well not literally...hahah
me: right
i got that
sis: well if i can get them to do it this way
they take you on stage....
on a chair, and the man does a themed dance or something to a song. and then the next song starts to take his clothes offand he puts your hands and his chest and everything and your face in his crotch
me: dear god. i'm going to need to be wasted
sis: and then he stood up some of the girls and acted like he was banging them from behind
me: HAHAHAHHAAH
Ashley: ya. ridiculous!!!
me: wow


Classy times ahead.

Appendix

I forgot to mention a few things. First of all, I bought this yesterday with an amazon gift certificate that my brother gave me for my birthday. I have been wanting to buy a bocce set for sometime, and I figure now is the perfect time. Bocce and BBQ in the park= perfect summertime activity.

Also, on my walk to the subway after bocce, I passed Michael Showalter on the street. I mouthed "heyyyyyy, that's Michael Showalter", and promptly turned around, only to see HIM turn around. I like to think he was checking me out, since I turned around a SECOND time, and he did too. Either that, or he was looking for something he may have dropped on the sidewalk.

Cutey

T minus 11 days until Aunt Hilz gets to meet Max.




:)

We aren't the champions

Sadly, Boccismo! lost in the quarter-finals. I'm not gonna lie- we were disappointed. We had some bad luck and fell victim to the lay of the court several times (there are dips and hills). However, we had a great season, advanced a level, made some awesome new friends, and look forward to summer league!

Here are the bocce photos from fall and spring seasons.

This is it!

Bocce Finals, this weekend. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and drunk. Ok, not drunk. But I might be after we win.

Motivation

I was serious when I said last weekend's recital lit a fire under my ass. I've managed to secure a recital location (my church), and a date (contingent on checking the church calendar this weekend), and I've spent the last two afternoons (I'm SUPER busy at work) selecting the program.

What am I singing, you ask?

I'll tell you.

Ahem.


Exsultate Jubilate (all of it, not just the Allelujah)

A nice mix of Schubert and Schumann, with a possible touch of Brahms

Vaughan Williams 10 Blake songs for Soprano and Oboe, featuring (all the way from Las Vegas!) my sister on oboe

Weill songs/Sondheim duets


When I was in Baltimore, I did between 2-4 recitals every year. Why the hell have I been dragging my feet here? Done. I'm on it.

Waste

A very interesting look at consumerism. My favorite is the George Seurat take.

Frustrated Incorporated

(Name that tune: bonus points for title recognition. Googling it is cheating.)

I am irritated. I am supposed to run a 5K this Saturday with Ryan. It's the Breast Cancer Run/Walk, and with the exception of last year, I've participated in it 3 years running. (get it, running?) As you may or may not know, I've been going through physical therapy for the past 6 weeks; last week was my final session. Long story short, my feet suck; mainly, my left foot. I'm flat footed (pain no. 1), I have weak ankles (pain no. 2), and I have been suffereing from plantars fasciitis for a few years. The pain stretches from my calf all the way down to my arch, Achilles Tendon included, where the plantars facia is located. Basically, it feels like my non-arched foot is being raked over spikey coles. I went to the foot doctor several months ago because I could no longer tolerate the pain. In addition to my already known maladies, he told me I have bursitis in my left heel. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate and cushion pressure points between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. They help your joints move with ease. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. When inflammation occurs, movement or pressure is painful. So, in summary, my left foot was (is?) a wreck. He suggested I start physical therapy, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks.

I made rather quick progress in PT, strengthening my ankle rapidly and making sure to do my stretching and icing. The therpapist was impressed with my rehabilitation, so she cut down my sessions to 2 a week, and then once a week for 2 weeks. No more pain when I wake up, no more pain after working out, and with a little ice, it's as good as new.

Until last night.

I ran about 2.5 miles, in preparation for Saturday's race, and apparently, that was overdoing it. The pain started when I got home, so I stretched and iced. This morning, I couldn't get out of bed. I had to stretch for 5 minutes and take 3 Aleve just to walk on it. Pain in the ass? Try a pain in the foot. Big time. This is incredibly frustrating to me because I live in a city where I HAVE to be on my feet in order to get around. I can't drive. I can't take cabs everywhere. I've been easing into running again by only doing the bike and elliptical at the gym, and walking on the treadmill only once a week. This was advised by my therapist. Then, the first night I take the foot out for a spin, it runs out of gas. I know it takes time for injuries to heal, especially when they occur as a result of repeated misuse, but I've just about had it. I feel like an 80 year old woman.

I see the foot doctor for a follow up visit on Friday. I'm going to inquire about cortisone injections. Cortisone injections, or an endless supply of percocet.