Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Is it like ripples in a pond or a bullhorn in a library?
I am utterly amazed at the speed at which information is broadcast these days. Of course I should have known when I updated my Facebook profile this afternoon that word would get out. I just had no idea it would be out so fast and far. Broadcasting a change in relationship status gets a little more attention than just a normal update of what your doing for dinner apparently. After the damage was done though I could of taken down the post but I thought to myself why should I.
In all that is going on in the world it seems like some things are really coming to a turning point and where some see trepidation, I have a more positive outlook on things. Banks will crumble, jobs will be lost, will it effect me? Possibly or even more likely. I know that my heart is in the right place though. In this time of stress, really the one thing that we should all be able to count on is each other. No one person ones the rights to privilege or suffering. I have been seeing it more. People coming together bonding through common experiences to get through some trying times. Pardon me for this terribly Up With People moment but its just the little things I have been picking up on lately.
Anyways getting back to what I was talking about earlier. So I have met someone. No surprise since I have been dating off and on, but I'm surprised at how it all happened. Who knew just saying hi on facebook could lead to anything? Well it has and I'm happy. If you know me well then you either already have the story or its on the way. I won't say too much here other than to say that my life just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting, and I wanted to leave you with one final thought: The thing about fate is that it never takes you were you want to go, but to where you need to be.
Peace
In all that is going on in the world it seems like some things are really coming to a turning point and where some see trepidation, I have a more positive outlook on things. Banks will crumble, jobs will be lost, will it effect me? Possibly or even more likely. I know that my heart is in the right place though. In this time of stress, really the one thing that we should all be able to count on is each other. No one person ones the rights to privilege or suffering. I have been seeing it more. People coming together bonding through common experiences to get through some trying times. Pardon me for this terribly Up With People moment but its just the little things I have been picking up on lately.
Anyways getting back to what I was talking about earlier. So I have met someone. No surprise since I have been dating off and on, but I'm surprised at how it all happened. Who knew just saying hi on facebook could lead to anything? Well it has and I'm happy. If you know me well then you either already have the story or its on the way. I won't say too much here other than to say that my life just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting, and I wanted to leave you with one final thought: The thing about fate is that it never takes you were you want to go, but to where you need to be.
Peace
Monday, October 13, 2008
Out of the Loop
Hello everyone. Some busy weeks and a major illness have knocked me for a loop and offline when it comes to blogging. UGH. Finally getting better. Who knew I could be so allergic to antibiotics I have taken over the course of my life. Oh well guess I won't use those again. EVER.
But my time sick gave me an opportunity to get some stuff in order and one of the projects I have been putting together is coming to the front burner more. After spending more time at the New England Mobile Book Fair I have decided that its time for me to write a cookbook. While the theme is a work in progress I am collecting recipes with stories of people I have known throughout my life. Of course I will need more so I will be actively searching out for more contacts but for right now I am getting started with friends and family. So feel free to send me your thoughts.
I'm getting excited for the weekend already. I will be house sitting for my parents but more importantly my friend Moe is throwing his annual ghost tour. I don't know if we will end up at John Stones Tavern this year, but it is always so much fun. Just when I think we can't top ourselves we do. This year though it will be earlier in the season and not like last year when we did it in December do to several weather anomalies. I'll be sure to post our adventure and any findings. This year my camera will function normally. I can't wait.
Anywho I'm off to watch the rest of the game and indulge in some yummy mulligatawny soup and salad I got on the ride home.
But my time sick gave me an opportunity to get some stuff in order and one of the projects I have been putting together is coming to the front burner more. After spending more time at the New England Mobile Book Fair I have decided that its time for me to write a cookbook. While the theme is a work in progress I am collecting recipes with stories of people I have known throughout my life. Of course I will need more so I will be actively searching out for more contacts but for right now I am getting started with friends and family. So feel free to send me your thoughts.
I'm getting excited for the weekend already. I will be house sitting for my parents but more importantly my friend Moe is throwing his annual ghost tour. I don't know if we will end up at John Stones Tavern this year, but it is always so much fun. Just when I think we can't top ourselves we do. This year though it will be earlier in the season and not like last year when we did it in December do to several weather anomalies. I'll be sure to post our adventure and any findings. This year my camera will function normally. I can't wait.
Anywho I'm off to watch the rest of the game and indulge in some yummy mulligatawny soup and salad I got on the ride home.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Dear God . . . What's Happening to Me?
First things first lets take care of a little business. I want to give an update to a previous post concerning my family member who had taken ill. As luck would have it there is not much to worry about anymore. A biopsy has confirmed that what we had thought was cancer was just benign scar tissue. You have no idea what a relief it is to hear it.
The effects that the past events have had on my life though are far from fleeting. In fact I think they have been strengthened. What does that all mean? Who knows in the long run. What I do know is that for far to long now I have been idling one could even say passionless. Its about time I find that passion again. Reignite those fires. The last thing I want to do is look back on my life after 30 years and see that I was consistent. I want to be the guy who gets to tell all those stories about his travels and adventures. I want to be happy. So its past time that I do something to get there.
So far I have been weighing several options in my life, and things that I once thought were paramount are now taking a back seat to what my life should really be about. Today I actually found myself enjoying some country music. What the Hell? Bottom line is times are a changing and so am I.
The effects that the past events have had on my life though are far from fleeting. In fact I think they have been strengthened. What does that all mean? Who knows in the long run. What I do know is that for far to long now I have been idling one could even say passionless. Its about time I find that passion again. Reignite those fires. The last thing I want to do is look back on my life after 30 years and see that I was consistent. I want to be the guy who gets to tell all those stories about his travels and adventures. I want to be happy. So its past time that I do something to get there.
So far I have been weighing several options in my life, and things that I once thought were paramount are now taking a back seat to what my life should really be about. Today I actually found myself enjoying some country music. What the Hell? Bottom line is times are a changing and so am I.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The stars aren't the only thing big and bright down here in Texas.
You always have a preconceived notion about the areas you are going to visit if it’s a popular locale. Texas brings up images of Cowboy boots and hats. For my friend it was cactus and football. In reality though its all true except for the cactus part ( I haven’t seen any yet being in the city and all).
The travel gods were smiling down on us yesterday. We weren’t able to get a direct connecting account to Dallas from Boston. We were supposed to have flown by Chicago (my kind of town). Upon arriving at Logan we were asked if we wanted to fly direct. Without too much discussion we both said hell yeah. So then we were booked on the 1:25 flight to Dallas. It was however 12:45. The plane starts boarding at 1:05.
I wear flip flops to the airport in most cases because I can slip them on and off easily going through security. I am reconsidering this for future flights because they are not conducive to running a mile on concrete floors to catch a flight. We got to the security check point in time to wait in line. As we queued up to wait they started opening up more screening booths. It looked like we were going to make it after all. We only had a few people in front of us. Of course during their extensive wait in line they were just too busy to get any identification out of their wallets or from their purses. I don’t understand how someone can lose it out of the short time it took them to whip it out at check in.
Anyways the woman and the four kids standing in front of me were soon on their way. Smooth sailing from here. WRONG! The TSA agent starts saying out loud “Where is my red marker?” I’m like the other agent came over and took it. “Oh I need it though to let you through.” Then she took off and confronted the guy who took it, and he refused to give it back. They almost broke out into some bizarre cat fight. Finally she snatches the red marker and no lie puts a parenthesis around two numbers. That was it ??? Apparently this is used to highlight the code (that is already printed on the ticket mind you) that signifies we have been randomly selected for additional security screening. “Just step over there and someone will be right with you.”
Grrrr alright. Play nice don’t look inpatient it will only take longer then. Of course I have to bring my black bag which has umpteen million pockets they have wipe/swab down. Finally 1:09 I am out o security and trying to book it down the concourse in my flip flops. We arrive at the gate in the nick of time to get our seat assignments. 31 A and B essentially the back of the plane. Is that the wing out the window? No that’s the engine. I didn’t care I was on the plane would not have to sit in Chicago for hours for a connecting flight. Plus our position was right behind the flight attendant’s cabin so we had a lot of extra leg room.
The rest of the flight was peacefully uneventful. Arriving in Dallas or really the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) for short was really no different than most other places I have visited. It was just really flat. Even more so than Chicago I think. At least they have a lake. Soon we were on our way to our hotel just outside Dallas center. I really can’t say enough good things about the place we are staying. I opened up my door and my first reaction was “Where is my bed”. “Oh! This is the living room.” Haha. The hotel rooms are a lot bigger than I am used to, and they come complete with two 40” plasma TV’s. Hell I don’t want to leave the room. Six O’clock was approaching and that meant dinner with our Sales Reps. I’ve got to say I was looking forward to it. I never really had a burning desire to see Dallas, but once I got here I wanted to explore. Our man with the plan Harry took us on a little tour of the parts of the city, and we got to see the Texas Book Depository and the infamous grassy knoll where President Kennedy was assassinated. It looked just like the footage I’ve seen only this time in color. It was eery driving down the same road where the motorcade went down all those years ago. Being a history buff I was happy that I got a chance to see it.
We ended up having dinner at a great Mexican place in a place that has been described as Dallas’ Newbury St. Only without the high-end stores and pretentiousness. What’s left you say? Well tons of restaurants with outside dining. As we were walking to and fro it dawned on me how clean a city Dallas is. Not that I thought it was dirty. It was just very clean especially if you compare it to NYC. Sorry New York. You are many things but clean is not one of them. We ended the night at a sports bar where we had a couple of Dos Equis and watched the Olympics.
Friday was spent at the show and it went well as I took care of the business I had to take care of. Afterwards our friend Harry took us to Bob’s Steakhouse. Its one of those places that if you didn’t know about it you wouldn’t notice it driving by. I mean it was attached to auto detailing place. But hell if they don’t have the best steak I’ve had in my life. Period. I had a blue cheese salad to start and a 16 oz NY strip steak. I can’t believe it was only 16oz. I have seen toddlers smaller. It came with the signature glazed carrot, and pan-fried potatoes topped with sautéed onions and green pepper sauce. Cooked perfectly medium rare to boot. Heaven and Hell on a plate and thank god the office Weight Watchers doesn’t start till next week. The place was perfect no windows and Sinatra and his cronies filled the air. We met Bob, who was not at all as I would have pictured him. I doubt I’ll find another place like it, and it definitely gives me reason to return.
The travel gods were smiling down on us yesterday. We weren’t able to get a direct connecting account to Dallas from Boston. We were supposed to have flown by Chicago (my kind of town). Upon arriving at Logan we were asked if we wanted to fly direct. Without too much discussion we both said hell yeah. So then we were booked on the 1:25 flight to Dallas. It was however 12:45. The plane starts boarding at 1:05.
I wear flip flops to the airport in most cases because I can slip them on and off easily going through security. I am reconsidering this for future flights because they are not conducive to running a mile on concrete floors to catch a flight. We got to the security check point in time to wait in line. As we queued up to wait they started opening up more screening booths. It looked like we were going to make it after all. We only had a few people in front of us. Of course during their extensive wait in line they were just too busy to get any identification out of their wallets or from their purses. I don’t understand how someone can lose it out of the short time it took them to whip it out at check in.
Anyways the woman and the four kids standing in front of me were soon on their way. Smooth sailing from here. WRONG! The TSA agent starts saying out loud “Where is my red marker?” I’m like the other agent came over and took it. “Oh I need it though to let you through.” Then she took off and confronted the guy who took it, and he refused to give it back. They almost broke out into some bizarre cat fight. Finally she snatches the red marker and no lie puts a parenthesis around two numbers. That was it ??? Apparently this is used to highlight the code (that is already printed on the ticket mind you) that signifies we have been randomly selected for additional security screening. “Just step over there and someone will be right with you.”
Grrrr alright. Play nice don’t look inpatient it will only take longer then. Of course I have to bring my black bag which has umpteen million pockets they have wipe/swab down. Finally 1:09 I am out o security and trying to book it down the concourse in my flip flops. We arrive at the gate in the nick of time to get our seat assignments. 31 A and B essentially the back of the plane. Is that the wing out the window? No that’s the engine. I didn’t care I was on the plane would not have to sit in Chicago for hours for a connecting flight. Plus our position was right behind the flight attendant’s cabin so we had a lot of extra leg room.
The rest of the flight was peacefully uneventful. Arriving in Dallas or really the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) for short was really no different than most other places I have visited. It was just really flat. Even more so than Chicago I think. At least they have a lake. Soon we were on our way to our hotel just outside Dallas center. I really can’t say enough good things about the place we are staying. I opened up my door and my first reaction was “Where is my bed”. “Oh! This is the living room.” Haha. The hotel rooms are a lot bigger than I am used to, and they come complete with two 40” plasma TV’s. Hell I don’t want to leave the room. Six O’clock was approaching and that meant dinner with our Sales Reps. I’ve got to say I was looking forward to it. I never really had a burning desire to see Dallas, but once I got here I wanted to explore. Our man with the plan Harry took us on a little tour of the parts of the city, and we got to see the Texas Book Depository and the infamous grassy knoll where President Kennedy was assassinated. It looked just like the footage I’ve seen only this time in color. It was eery driving down the same road where the motorcade went down all those years ago. Being a history buff I was happy that I got a chance to see it.
We ended up having dinner at a great Mexican place in a place that has been described as Dallas’ Newbury St. Only without the high-end stores and pretentiousness. What’s left you say? Well tons of restaurants with outside dining. As we were walking to and fro it dawned on me how clean a city Dallas is. Not that I thought it was dirty. It was just very clean especially if you compare it to NYC. Sorry New York. You are many things but clean is not one of them. We ended the night at a sports bar where we had a couple of Dos Equis and watched the Olympics.
Friday was spent at the show and it went well as I took care of the business I had to take care of. Afterwards our friend Harry took us to Bob’s Steakhouse. Its one of those places that if you didn’t know about it you wouldn’t notice it driving by. I mean it was attached to auto detailing place. But hell if they don’t have the best steak I’ve had in my life. Period. I had a blue cheese salad to start and a 16 oz NY strip steak. I can’t believe it was only 16oz. I have seen toddlers smaller. It came with the signature glazed carrot, and pan-fried potatoes topped with sautéed onions and green pepper sauce. Cooked perfectly medium rare to boot. Heaven and Hell on a plate and thank god the office Weight Watchers doesn’t start till next week. The place was perfect no windows and Sinatra and his cronies filled the air. We met Bob, who was not at all as I would have pictured him. I doubt I’ll find another place like it, and it definitely gives me reason to return.
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