Colorado here I come....

Short post tonight as I am busier than a one armed barber with work and I have no notes.

No dojo- Cobra Kai, never die!- because the eye is still tender and I felt the better route was to not go through two hours of contact MMA.  I snapped a pic with my phone and emailed it to Sensei explaining that guard drills and a knee to the eye leave a mark and stay sore 48 hours later.

Tomorrow night I have  party to go to at the NASDAQ offices in Times Square after work.  So I packed tonight for my weekend of snow boarding out in Colorado.  I am off Friday morning with friends from high school- beer, boarding and cards for the weekend, then back Monday night.  The snow is supposed t be great in the place I will be unlike Aspen where the husband just came back from.

Sometimes I like it rough

I work up this morning very sore and with a definite shiner.  I also have a scab right above my eye.  The husband asked what I was going to tell people who asked and I told him what I had planned and he said absolutely not.  So I figured out something else to say on the bus ride in and I had the chance to use the line in the elevator up with one of the global PMs I work for.  She looked at me and said "you have a black eye!"  I said yes, observant of you.  She asked how I got it.  "Sometimes I like it rough."  She turned beet red and laughed saying she really didn't have a response for that.  I got to the desk the boss asked me and I told him "It's tough to say your safe word clearly with the zipper on the mask closed."  He burst out laughing and said "Karate.  Right??"  I told him yes.

I did my 5 mile run that I was supposed to do Sunday.  I finished it a bit under 44 minutes- not bad but I have my work cut out for me to be ready for the race.  Of course there were some cute guys in the gym as usual but none that really wowed me.

Egypt- on the desk today we kept talking about it.  Rumors were flying around that the Mubaraks had fled the country.  Videos of riots all over the internets.  Rumors that the government shut down Twitter in the country and had disabled data services on many phone lines.  Of course we had to bring this to the attention of the global PMs.  they seemed to brush it off until the boss told me to email the story in the WSJ about two protesters getting killed.  He then was all over the global guys and surprise I get an email form one of them who supposedly has contacts on the ground over there and they are saying it is not a big deal.  Right and I bet a lot of people thought that about Tunisia as well....

What- no conditioner?

This was the first full weekend at the cottage.  It was just me, the boys and the kids.  I actually went down there Thursday night, slept in the boys room with the kids.  I had to be there Friday as the counter tops were getting installed Friday morning and our new mattress was getting delivered then as well.  The Polish guys who installed the counter tops were a mixed crowd but one of them was hot in a dirty Eastern European gay porn star way- if you know what I mean.  The husband texted me to take a pic with my phone and send it to him- I told him no.  I also actually worked remotely from the cottage.  I was a bit hesitant about working an entire day remotely on just my laptop but it went well.

Speaking of the counter tops when we picked them out we thought we had decided on quartzite.  Quartzite apparently looks like marble but has the hardness of granite and is somewhere in-between them in porousness.  However last weekend when we went to make the final payment the manager told us it is not quartzite but Vermont white granite.  Regardless it looks frackin' amazing.  I took pics and emailed them to the husband who was out on the slope in Aspen with TK and MK.  St came over later in the day and was stunned with how great they look.

The mattress delivery took place at the same time.  We had gotten an amazing deal on a memory foam mattress and box spring.  When you get a new memory foam mattress is is vacuum packed and tiny.  Apparently it takes several hours for it to "grow" to its true size and thickness- that sounds really dirty....

I picked the boys up after going to TGT and buying a mirror for the bathroom and some small table lamps for the night stands in our room.  They were excited to be there.  They were thoroughly impressed with the Sony Bravia LCD HD 40" television set.  When they found out we had CMCSK and On Demand as well they were doubly psyched. 

I then showed them the bathroom.  they liked it and my oldest looked into the shower and asked what- no conditioner?  I was floored and immediately texted the husband that line.  I pointed out we had the Nivea 3 in 1 (it was on sale at TGT and the guy in the ad is smokin' hot as I've stated before) and he said, oh that works.

I then showed them the kitchen and the peninsula with the bar stools and told them that is where they are eating breakfast.  My youngest immediately called one of the stools as his for infinity.  They then asked why the dishwasher was not hooked up and why the faucet was not fully installed as well.  I explained we need to get the plumber in to hook up the dishwasher and I would be installing the faucet Saturday as I was told by my hot dirty Eastern European bf I had to wait 24 hours before I could use the sink.

Saturday was the day to learn some mad plumbing skills.  It basically took me most of the day and three trips to HD to get the damn thing in and working properly.  The faucet works brilliantly and more importantly nothing leaks!  My oldest was seriously impressed I pulled it off- as was I.

Sunday I then dust mopped everything- I am starting a bit to regret going with dark floors as all dust shows up really well, lol.  After that I damp mopped the floors to take off all the foot prints from the counter top guys.  Then I put non-skid mats under the rug in the living room and boys bedroom.  ST then came over with his latest batch of puppies and the boys were totally enthralled.  Then it was time to take them back to their mom's house.  I then finished some cleaning at the cottage, showered up, packed up the truck, headed up to EWR and picked up the husband.

I was supposed run this morning to make up my missed one Sunday- so not happening, lol.  Especially when it is arctic-like outside.  I did make it to the dojo- sweep the leg!- though tonight and got banged up.  I took a knee I think to the mug and am going to end up with a good ol' fashioned black eye I think.  Actually I know as it is already starting to show- should make for an interesting week at work as I will tell friends the husband was upset I said no to the Sub-Zero refrigerator....

So I read this morning on BBRG how some strategist at Standard Charter is predicting an economic super cycle and that by 2030 everything will be great, super-duper, stupendous.  Right- because so many strategists can see easily twenty years into the future and predict things with such accuracy...like how securitization and sub-prime mortgages wouldn't blow up or cause any issues.

A knit tie? Really?

The bus ride was quite interesting this morning.  Blue Hen is a new guy- was very cute and wearing sweats and am thinking nothing under them.

The kids were psyched last night when they realized it was just me and them sleeping on the bed.  They both took the pillows on the husband's side of the bed and I woke up nose to nose with the younger one this morning.

I am going back into the dojo- wax on, wax off- next week.  I am sure I will be sore for the first few weeks.  I really need to get my ass moving on this and do my best to get the goddamn black belt within the next year.  I also started my training for the NYC Half Marathon.  Ran three miles today- was supposed to do it yesterday but whatever.  Have three more days of running to do this week as well.  Sunday's run will be interesting as we are supposed to be getting more snow here.  Yes I am actually running outside in snow.  I did some research on winter training for half marathons and it all says short runs are ok on the treadmill but your long runs should be outside.  I have not done any running outside in the winter since my days wrestling in high school.  At least these ones won't have me wearing a stupid rubber suit under layers of sweatshirts and sweat pants trying to lose weight for a match.

So I have a secret boy friend at work.  He is in the ops area and super cute.  I of course GOOG/facebook stalked him.  23 years old, a big fan of house/trance music, went to college in CT and is a Jersey boy.  My girlfriend in ops who sits behind me flirts with him incessantly o the point I IMed her the other day and warned her off because he is my secret boyfriend.  Today she IMed me that he has a twin brother- identical.  I told her cool double date?  Then said no, hold on I will just be the meat in the sandwich.  She said no she would, so I told her we'll fight and winner take all.

There is a cute gay guy in the sales area of the firm.  Today he was in early and I walked into the pantry and saw him all suited up- looked nice until I noticed he was wearing one of those ugly knit ties.  I immediately thought of a high school social studies teacher and am bummed if those tings are making a come back.  I  think it was square bottomed too- even worse.

The large the Meredith Whitney dog pile gets the more I think she is right about the coming destruction in the muni markets.  Then I read how the city of Vallejo, California- which is in bankruptcy- has offered its unsecured creditors $0.05-0.20 on the dollar.  If that is a sign of things to come then watch out.

These days BBRG has a prime seat in Presidential press conferences and it was used really well today.  Hans Nichols was taking no prisoners in his questioning of Presidents Hu and Obama at their joint press conference.  I imagine BBRG will soon face difficulties in China and Hong Kong.

I Am Number Four- looks interesting...

Even with a cloudy sky I keep my eyes fixed on the sun

The weekend was busy and mostly productive.  The un[roductive part was Saturday morning looking for towel bars.  The husband is somewhat particular about his bathroom fixtures whereas I tend to be less so.  So rather than us making a hasty decision one of us would regret or possibly get very bitter about we decided Sunday morning we'd just get a floor towel rack.  We then hit Homo Depot and get the remainder of the things we'd need to onstall the L-shaped shower curtain rod we have.  Then it was cleaning time and I have to say I now know why the ebony bamboo strand flooring we installed was on sale- dark floors show all the dirt, especially paw prints from two dogs.  By the end of the day I made the call that the shower curtain rod was Sunday's business as I knew if we tried late in the afternoon we'd up having some sort of argument over it.  The husband laughed heartily but did not disagree.  We went out to dinner with PJ and St and had a great dinner and a fun time.  The husband told me that PJ actually admitted- before it was just implied- that he was very excited we'd be his neighbors on a more full time basis.

Sunday morning was a complee waste of time trying to find a god damn floor towel rack.  Seriously- does no major department store chain carry them anymore?  We checked everywhere and it was a complete bust.  So we figured we'd find one on the internets instead and off we went to install the shower curtain rod.  It surprisingly was relatively painless for all parties involved.  We then installed door stops, cleaned even more, put some rugs down, unpacked kitchen stuff. etc  I got a call in the afternoon from the ex- my oldest was playing and running around in the snow with his brother and friends and fell and tore open his knee.  He got five stitches.  He sent me a picture and it grossed out the husband and I forwarded it to my two brothers.  His mom said he was very brave but she nearly passed out while he got the stitches.. 

The husband left for Aspen this morning with TK for Gay Ski Week.  I passed.

The bus ride had one cute married guy on it this morning, we'll call him Lacoste.

The more I read and listen to some pundits I am fairly certain the Fed needs to get rid of its dual mandate and focus solely on price stability.  The Executive branch and the Legislative branch are responsible for the rest.

I wonder if Steve Jobs has secretly recreated Zoe's resurrection program and is getting ready to become a skin Jobs?

I had a dentist appointment today after work, nothing to write about.

Two albums that are getting heavy play time on the iPod right now are Band of Skulls, Baby Doll Face Darling Honey and Cage The Elephant, Thank You Happy Birthday.  I highly reccommend them.

I cannot wait to go see The Rite.  I also saw an add for The Eagle and woof- definitely seeing that one.

Do I really want to win a dream home in Stowe, VT?

Gym this morning was uneventful and I was kind of out of it on the bike.  I didn't even really check out the other guys there and did not feel like being there.  I did not forget my underwear this time at least.

The bus ride was again rather disappointing.  I am going to guess all the hotties must be riding the PATH in the winter. 

I guess I am still wrong on the markets as I seem to still be focusing on the facts.  Everyone is raving about how both Spain and Portugal pulled off bond auctions.  Ok, does anyone realize the rates they had to pay?  And Japan- do they really have the space to be riding to the rescue of Europe?  I read somewhere their debt/GDP ratio is 200%.  Not really fiscally healthy enough to be bailing out others.

I had to run out of the office early so I could attend a school concert my youngest son was in.  Usually the chorus- which is what he is in (it's mandatory at his school) goes first but not this time.  I had to sit through the band, the choral ensemble, the orchestra and then the band and orchestra together.  The chorus was last.  My youngest was in the back row on the highest riser so I had a good view of him.  his older brother sat next to me and we were debating if he was faking singing.  He also almost started laughing a few times.  After the concert I asked him if he had been faking any singing and he vowed he had not.

I then had to hop in the car and get back to the apartment and work in Asia.

Tomorrow I am down to the cottage after work with some tables and clothing.  The husband and I will finish baseboards and casing ideally.

I was surfing through the channels as I was working in Asia and came across HGTV and the promo of the dream house they are offering.  It is in Stowe and while it looks amazing getting to Stowe is a major pain in the ass. 

Going commando

So yesterday morning was good at the gym.  Had a nice workout, showered up, went to get dressed after showering only to realize I had forgotten to pack underwear.  Going commando was not an option as I am 43 and it is not "cool" at my age and it was frackin' cold as shit.  So back to the apartment to get dressed which added a bit of time to the morning commute. 

The bus ride was sadly disappointing, no one even mentionable.

I had drinks with God's bankers last night.  They made the mistake of letting me pick the bar so of course I picked PF's favorite sports bar with the hot shirtless bar tenders.  I  was laughing when they realized they were going to have to T & E the receipt from a gay bar.  I also wore a suit to mess with them as I knew they would be expecting me to be casually dressed.  The primary person I do work with was really annoyed and kept commenting on how I could do that to him, lol.  PF also strolled in and I introduced him to God's bankers.  He IMed me this morning to tell me one of them was very cute.

I am really pissed at SciFi.  I just got done watching the five remaining episodes of Caprica and the last oen "Apotheosis" was pretty damn good.  I cannot believe they were so short sighted as to cancel the series!  We had watched some of the episodes over the weekend witht he boys and they are now using the word frack very liberally in their language and they think it is hilarious.

The snow day that really wasn't is what today was.  The buses were running and I was one of 6 on mine this morning.  The boss had preemptively told most people to stay home an dlog on form there to work.  So the office was pretty sparse.  

I did not hit the dojo- sweep the leg!- tonight because for some reason I felt like I needed a nap.  Probably has nothing to do with the number of drinks I had last night....

The gym tomorrow morning and then I am leaving the office a bit early as I have to get down to central NJ for the school winter concert my youngest is in.

Out of state manure regulation bill

So the weekend was somewhat busy and yet lazy at the same time- quite the Schrodinger's cat weekend.

I picked the boys up Friday evening and we went back to the apartment.  They were a bit bummed we were not going to be in the cottage but I told them it was not fully ready yet.  Friday night was lazy, everyone to bed by 11 PM.

Saturday I think I had some kind of bug as I was not feeling well and had a headache most of the day.  I had promised the husband and my oldest though that I would make meatballs for dinner so once I got that done and in the pot of sauce it was nap time.  I still took some ibuprofen, got up had dinner and then we were off to see The Season of the Witch.  Yes the flick go bad reviews but it was a good Saturday night movie even though we went to the late show and got home around 12:15 AM.

Sunday morning we got up and started packing up all the boys stuff in their room in the apartment.  The husband was surprised with how many boxes we had.  As we were getting ready to get in the truck and go tot he cottage my oldest completely surprised me when he said he was going to miss the apartment.  I asked why and he said it was actually cool and fun. He said the driving every weekend he and his brother were with us was not fun but living on the 17th floor with views of the New York City skyline, having an ice skating rink in front of the building and  a grocery store right across the street that had sushi all the time.

We got tot he cottage and unpacked everything and set up the boys room.  Once that was done, their tv, dvd player and Wii set up they were set.  They also got to see the kitchen cabinets we had installed and they liked them but my youngest said they would be better if they had handles to pull on them.  I told him we have them but won't be installing them until all the cabinets are in.

Yesterday ST brought over his pug puppies for the boys to see.  These three are pretty damn cute and the boys were in heaven.  My oldest took pictures and videos of them to show his mom and beg her if they can have one.  I told him good luck as she already gave him the big negatory on that.  He tried and I was right.

Shockingly both bus rides today had hot guys everywhere.  It was quite a change from the past few months.

The husband was down at the cottage today with his step father and they finished installing the remaining cabinets.  That means either tomorrow or Wednesday the hot Ukrainian counter top guy will be in to template it and we should have counter tops installed within three to four days.  That leaves just the plumber to come in and install the dishwasher and the kitchen faucet.  We are also going to have the plumber hook up the temporary sink we had been using down in the basement so we have some type of wash basin there and set up a line for the washing machine we will get some time later.

The whole Arizona shooting event- let me correct that- the attempted assassination of a sitting member of Congress is really appalling.  It reinforces my belief that we are descending to banana republic status- but a really big one with the current reserve currency of the world.

I was stunned to see all the right wing nut jobs disavow any responsibility for it.  Seriously, when Rep. Gifford's opponent in the recent election held a come shot an M-1 with me election event, can you honestly say that did not have any impact on the thought process of some mentally unhinged individual.

I was more stunned to find out it is completely legal in Arizona to carry a concealed weapon.  WTF?  I am all for allowing citizens to own arms and bear them but I have no issues with tightening up the regulation of who can exercise that right.  The Army rejected the kid- hell they will take just about anyone these days.  You'd think there would be a database for people buying guns to check against things like that.

So the conspiracy theorist in me was all aflutter when I saw that a PGN lobbyist died in a car fire.  What got me interested was that PGN was involved in a massive deal announced today.  Her husband is the White House liaison to the House of Representatives.  The car fire occurred in her fracking garage.  Apparently her SUV hit a work table there and burst into flame.  Sorry, call me crazy but something is off kilter there.

Issuing secret subpoenas- sounds like something the GOP would do if they ran things.  Sadly it happened under the Dems' watch.  It seems that the government issued them to at least Twitter in connection to Wikileaks.  Twitter basically told the government frack you and released the details. 

Italy seems to think they are being unfairly punished by the markets- ha.  Yeah and Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Spain all think the same thing.

You have to love the irony of Rep. Sander (R-Indiana)  has sponsored a bill for "out of state manure regulation."  Please- that means no state could send anyone to Congress...