So Sandy the Superstorm definitely was super. I am a bit perplexed though as we were told Hurricane Irene was the storm of the century and one tear later we are told Sandy is the storm of the century. Apparently Irene was the storm of the preceding century, you know 1911 to 2011. Sandy is the storm of the proceeding century, 2012 to 2112 (at least I hope).
We lost a lot of roof shingles- they were strewn all over the backyard- and a sixty plus year old pin oak. Thankfully the pin oak fell into another sixty plus year old pin oak next to it and not on the house. I was not sure if we were covered by our insurance for that or not- we are not.
Thankfully- and this is what makes our country great I think- there was a wildcat tree removal team in town ad they took it down. These guys came in from Michigan. They drove out to Jersey as soon as the storm hit. They were looking to make easy money with lots of trees down. The husband and I were dreading that it would cost us more than $2500 to dispose of the tree. We had that number in mind because ST had to have a tree of similar size removed after Irene. The wildcatters told us they could take it down for $750! Clearly they thought they were getting the better of us ad we could not believe how cheap they were so we immediately had them take it down right then and there.
My youngest son is now a teenager. His birthday is November 1st and he and his brother were supposed to be with us the weekend of November second but since we had no power, heat or- more importantly to tow teenage boys- cable and internet, I asked the ex to keep them for the weekend while we cleaned up.
They were with us this past weekend and the husband and I got the birthday boy a new iPod Touch- the fifth generation kind. I am stunned by the product btw. If you have WiFi it is essentially an iPhone. It is really cool and I have to disclose that my 6 + year old iPod Touch went on the fritz last week I got myself a new one just like his but a different color.
So the election. I don't think the results could be qualified as a mandate for President Obama. 51% of the popular vote is a slim majority, If he had received 60% or more I'd say that is a mandate.
I think I have lost and alienated friends with my commentary on President Obama being a moderate Republican in his actions- oh well, guess they were only friends if I agree with them politically which translate to not really friends.
One thing I have been expounding to some is when the refer to President Obama as a socialist. I ask for one socialist action he has taken. Generally they claim the Affordable Care Act is socialism. Really? So you are telling me the Affordable Care Act has nationalized all health insurance providers, combined them into one enterprise and the government runs it all now and has advocated equal outcomes for all who seek health care? I dunno but it seems more like the plan Republican Governor Romney put in place in Massachusetts- oh wait because it is. The retort to that is yes but the Romney plan tried to reduce the mandated services whereas the President's plan increases them and places new taxes on...tanning salons! OMG what would we all do if tanning salons were taxed out of business??? The horror..the horror...
I have been accused of espousing a belie in equal outcomes. No, I get that not everyone gets to be a winner. But I do believe that everyone should theoretically have an equal starting line and if the government needs to step in for that then so be it. Funny how the GOP lives and breathes economic/social Darwinism but not Darwinism in science and how the Democrats are the opposite.
My oldest is at the age where he is now gettign interested in lifting. I have given him some tips and since he and his brother are with us for the Thanksgiving weekend I told him e and I would go to the gym so I can walk him thru some things.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Highlight Reel
I have been really bad about keeping up on writing I know but I have been totally infatuated with InstaGram...
Since I last wrote Mr. Clifford and Mr. Surrett visited us and we ended up at some super swanky party one night in Bucks County. The theme was county fair so of course we broke out the cowboy boots, Wranglers, plaid shirts and trucker hats. It was a lot of fun and I found that many straight women clearly have a hick fetish. One woman asked me if I dressed like this all of the time to which I replied no. She then stated- in front of the husband and her cute, German boyfriend- that she just wanted to rip my shirt open and essentially motor boat my furry chest.
Speaking of German, the husband and I are hosting some of my high school friends this weekend for Oktoberfest. This is the gang that usually does a ski trip but that did not happen this year. Instead we decided to do the real Oktoberfest in Germany but then one guy put a pool in, another added on to the house, another just had a second child, etc. so I suggested they all come to the cottage and we have Oktoberfest. Everyone agreed. There will be a beer tent- entry gained only if you have the wristband, brawts, Tyrolean hats for all and the husband is actually going to wear lederhosen.
I did a sprint tri in Asbury Park a few weeks ago. Came in fifth for my age group and 54th overall so was happy with that. My first transition totally sucked ass because I for some foolish reason decided to wear socks. That mistake will not be made again in any race.
The husband got talked into doing a half Iron Man with my younger brother next summer- ha ha!
Mom and dad were on mom's birthday gambling road trip last month. They invariably ended up in Atlantic City so they stopped at the cottage on their way home and we celebrated mom's birthday with lunch and cake. They boys were with us that weekend so they got to spend some time with their grandparents too.
Speaking of the boys- and not to sound like a boastful father but- apparently they are quite handsome. We had a co-worker and her husband over for dinner one weekend we had the boys recently. The Monday after all my co-worker could talk about is how handsome the boys are. I told her I still see them as my little guys. Then, the next weekend they were with us, the three of us were running errands. We are in a check out line at CVS when this woman in front of us keeps turning around and staring at us. Finally she asks if I am the father and I reply yes. She then proceeds to tell me how proud I must be to have two such handsome and big sons.
At what point do we call a spade a spade and admit Greece is in a depression? I think they have been in a recession for something like five years now, isn't there a time limit that once you are in recession for over three years it is no longer a recession?
Doesn't Apple already have a mini iPad? I think it's called an iPhone 5, right?
I am a bit disturbed by the whole glorification of military action and war. I know it has been around since Lacedaimonians were around but it just seems to be at a cycle high these days. Go figure- we are involved in a hot war and god knows how many cold war. I say this all because the tv show "Stars Earn Stripes" just finished. I never watched it but a lot of people at work were discussing it today and it just reinforces my belief the American Empire is in decline. It is no different- just less bloody- than gladiatorial shows put on by the Romans.
The first Presidential debate is tonight. I am soo excited to watch the season premiere of Supernatural instead....
Since I last wrote Mr. Clifford and Mr. Surrett visited us and we ended up at some super swanky party one night in Bucks County. The theme was county fair so of course we broke out the cowboy boots, Wranglers, plaid shirts and trucker hats. It was a lot of fun and I found that many straight women clearly have a hick fetish. One woman asked me if I dressed like this all of the time to which I replied no. She then stated- in front of the husband and her cute, German boyfriend- that she just wanted to rip my shirt open and essentially motor boat my furry chest.
Speaking of German, the husband and I are hosting some of my high school friends this weekend for Oktoberfest. This is the gang that usually does a ski trip but that did not happen this year. Instead we decided to do the real Oktoberfest in Germany but then one guy put a pool in, another added on to the house, another just had a second child, etc. so I suggested they all come to the cottage and we have Oktoberfest. Everyone agreed. There will be a beer tent- entry gained only if you have the wristband, brawts, Tyrolean hats for all and the husband is actually going to wear lederhosen.
I did a sprint tri in Asbury Park a few weeks ago. Came in fifth for my age group and 54th overall so was happy with that. My first transition totally sucked ass because I for some foolish reason decided to wear socks. That mistake will not be made again in any race.
The husband got talked into doing a half Iron Man with my younger brother next summer- ha ha!
Mom and dad were on mom's birthday gambling road trip last month. They invariably ended up in Atlantic City so they stopped at the cottage on their way home and we celebrated mom's birthday with lunch and cake. They boys were with us that weekend so they got to spend some time with their grandparents too.
Speaking of the boys- and not to sound like a boastful father but- apparently they are quite handsome. We had a co-worker and her husband over for dinner one weekend we had the boys recently. The Monday after all my co-worker could talk about is how handsome the boys are. I told her I still see them as my little guys. Then, the next weekend they were with us, the three of us were running errands. We are in a check out line at CVS when this woman in front of us keeps turning around and staring at us. Finally she asks if I am the father and I reply yes. She then proceeds to tell me how proud I must be to have two such handsome and big sons.
At what point do we call a spade a spade and admit Greece is in a depression? I think they have been in a recession for something like five years now, isn't there a time limit that once you are in recession for over three years it is no longer a recession?
Doesn't Apple already have a mini iPad? I think it's called an iPhone 5, right?
I am a bit disturbed by the whole glorification of military action and war. I know it has been around since Lacedaimonians were around but it just seems to be at a cycle high these days. Go figure- we are involved in a hot war and god knows how many cold war. I say this all because the tv show "Stars Earn Stripes" just finished. I never watched it but a lot of people at work were discussing it today and it just reinforces my belief the American Empire is in decline. It is no different- just less bloody- than gladiatorial shows put on by the Romans.
The first Presidential debate is tonight. I am soo excited to watch the season premiere of Supernatural instead....
Monday, August 27, 2012
Shutter day
I have to say it is sad Tony Scott felt he had no choice but to take his own life. However I also have to question if we really need a sequel to Top Gun? Don't get me wrong, great flick, helped define the late '80s and I still quote certain lines from it. But is it really worthy of a sequel?
The Jerky Boys have had a min-revival at work. Our favorite by far is the excellent Frank's Pickle Barrel Ass. We of course did some leg work and it appears the company called was Eagle Pickles in Maspeth. Of course we called the number and the same lady answered- so we hung up.
If you have never seen the t.v. ad for Stamps.com it is really annoying. They play it on BBRG TV all the time. The one point that truly irks me is one guy saying there is nothing worse than having to go to the Post Office and stand in line to buy stamps. Two things: 1) You don't need to stand in line these days as they actually have vending machines you can buy stamps at and 2) I personally can think of many worse things- finding out a loved one has some horrible cancer, having your dog die, the Large Hadron Collider creating a small black hole and destroying the world, Israel striking Iran and precipitating a much larger conflict to name a few.
The niece's wedding was a lot of fun. The space was amazing and shockingly the flowers were stunning- who'd have thunk that the NY Botanical Gardens would have great flowers? The food was very good and the best part was the wedding couple had a photo booth there. I had never seen it before and it was pretty great idea. You got two copies of the photos, one you had to glue into an album they had and you got to keep the second copy- which is now prominently displayed on our fridge.
Saturday was a shutter day for the husband and I. A lot of our friends had told us we need to watch "Grimm." So we spent all Saturday in the house, plopped in front of the t.v. catching up on all of season 1 and watching the two episodes of season 2. It is not a bad show- not quite "Buffy" but clearly owes a huge debt to it and is not trying to be that show. I mean that makes sense since David Greenwalt is involved in both shows.
Yesterday was a bit more productive. We got up and did a 21 mile bike ride then I cut the grass. I was psyched as I got to ride the lawn tractor. With the drought still in effect I didn't cut it too short and I did not have to use the bagger.
I was surprised to read this morning that Frau Merkel wants to have a convention to write up a new Eurozone treaty. What was even more surprising is that it got very little airplay or ink in the business press here. Supposedly she hopes to have a date set for said convention in December. I am sorry but that does not bode well for the whole thing. It is also actually a pretty brilliant ploy. We'll see how it all plays out.
Another topic I can't seem to fathom. Last week there was a lot of chatter about the federal government thinking about a release from the SPR. Then today I hear chatter about several international oil reserves supposedly getting ready to do a release. It is real simple actually. The whole war drum beating Israel has been doing over the last three weeks or so tells you that it may be more than just posturing. Apparently I am one of the few who seems to think that is what all the chatter about strategic oil reserve releases is related to...
At times I wonder if it drives the ex crazy that her dog loves me and goes bonkers happy every time I go over to the her house to pick up or drop off the boys. Hell even her cat loves me too.
The Jerky Boys have had a min-revival at work. Our favorite by far is the excellent Frank's Pickle Barrel Ass. We of course did some leg work and it appears the company called was Eagle Pickles in Maspeth. Of course we called the number and the same lady answered- so we hung up.
If you have never seen the t.v. ad for Stamps.com it is really annoying. They play it on BBRG TV all the time. The one point that truly irks me is one guy saying there is nothing worse than having to go to the Post Office and stand in line to buy stamps. Two things: 1) You don't need to stand in line these days as they actually have vending machines you can buy stamps at and 2) I personally can think of many worse things- finding out a loved one has some horrible cancer, having your dog die, the Large Hadron Collider creating a small black hole and destroying the world, Israel striking Iran and precipitating a much larger conflict to name a few.
The niece's wedding was a lot of fun. The space was amazing and shockingly the flowers were stunning- who'd have thunk that the NY Botanical Gardens would have great flowers? The food was very good and the best part was the wedding couple had a photo booth there. I had never seen it before and it was pretty great idea. You got two copies of the photos, one you had to glue into an album they had and you got to keep the second copy- which is now prominently displayed on our fridge.
Saturday was a shutter day for the husband and I. A lot of our friends had told us we need to watch "Grimm." So we spent all Saturday in the house, plopped in front of the t.v. catching up on all of season 1 and watching the two episodes of season 2. It is not a bad show- not quite "Buffy" but clearly owes a huge debt to it and is not trying to be that show. I mean that makes sense since David Greenwalt is involved in both shows.
Yesterday was a bit more productive. We got up and did a 21 mile bike ride then I cut the grass. I was psyched as I got to ride the lawn tractor. With the drought still in effect I didn't cut it too short and I did not have to use the bagger.
I was surprised to read this morning that Frau Merkel wants to have a convention to write up a new Eurozone treaty. What was even more surprising is that it got very little airplay or ink in the business press here. Supposedly she hopes to have a date set for said convention in December. I am sorry but that does not bode well for the whole thing. It is also actually a pretty brilliant ploy. We'll see how it all plays out.
Another topic I can't seem to fathom. Last week there was a lot of chatter about the federal government thinking about a release from the SPR. Then today I hear chatter about several international oil reserves supposedly getting ready to do a release. It is real simple actually. The whole war drum beating Israel has been doing over the last three weeks or so tells you that it may be more than just posturing. Apparently I am one of the few who seems to think that is what all the chatter about strategic oil reserve releases is related to...
At times I wonder if it drives the ex crazy that her dog loves me and goes bonkers happy every time I go over to the her house to pick up or drop off the boys. Hell even her cat loves me too.
Monday, August 20, 2012
I need an updated guide
Just some highlights as I have been really bad on writing lately.
The wedding we went to several weeks ago was a blast. The husband and I were very busy setting up the chuppah, serving lunch for out of town friends and actually attending all the wedding weekend festivities. I actually sat next a woman who graduated from the same college I did but definitely a few years later. The person on the other side was a professor from some Ivy League university who did not take kindly to me peppering him with so many questions about his field of work- he is a political science professor and I was basically hammering him on how do you model for things when humans are innately irrational creatures, lol.
I think I need an updated gay guide because clearly mine was published before the advent of Instagram. I say this as I have come to realize if you are gay and on Instagram then it must say somewhere in the guide that you have to post as many shirtless selfies (as the Brits call self portraits) as possible....I am much more voyeur than exhibitionist so I do not post many selfies let alone shirtless ones.
My oldest finally got a proper haircut, started styling his hair and actually using product- holy shit he is growing up!!! When I picked them up this past Friday I noticed and told him it looks really good and he will have chicks all over him once school starts up in a few weeks. His younger brother- this is what is great about little brothers- blurts out it is already happening at tennis camp, lol.
I will admit I might be wrong about the Eurozone breaking up if someone can give me just one example of a state willingly giving up part or all of its sovereignty to another state. Until that happens I stand behind my belief the euro is doomed because Germany will want to control things if they are footing the bill.
As a corollary to my above statement on the doom of the euro, let me make it clear that it does not mean the end of the world. The Large Hadron Collider creating a small black hole would most assuredly mean the end of the world; the euro disappearing and the markets going down does not. Will it be painful? Yes. Will it cause problems? Yes. Will the sun still rise int he east and set in the west? Yes. Will the earth continue spinning? Yes.
I think there will be some good t.v, i.e. major hotties on the show, this fall . I am thinking mostly of "Arrow" on the CB with one Stephen Amell.
The husband's niece is getting married this Friday at the Bronx Botanical Gardens. It should be a fun time even though I will need to suit up at the office.
The boss took two weeks off in a row for vacation. That meant the j.v. was on the field, i.e. me. It totally reinforced what I told him over six years ago when he first interviewed me- I do not want his job. I am not wired correctly when it comes to dealing with "office politics" or having to answer the same question from the same person 4 different times.
Last weekend was my annual boozefest with the fraternity brothers. Oh and we also took a small drinking break to do the Warrior Dash. The course had a lot more incline to it this year and we all agreed the obstacles- whilst there was much more barbed wire- were not as good.
The wedding we went to several weeks ago was a blast. The husband and I were very busy setting up the chuppah, serving lunch for out of town friends and actually attending all the wedding weekend festivities. I actually sat next a woman who graduated from the same college I did but definitely a few years later. The person on the other side was a professor from some Ivy League university who did not take kindly to me peppering him with so many questions about his field of work- he is a political science professor and I was basically hammering him on how do you model for things when humans are innately irrational creatures, lol.
I think I need an updated gay guide because clearly mine was published before the advent of Instagram. I say this as I have come to realize if you are gay and on Instagram then it must say somewhere in the guide that you have to post as many shirtless selfies (as the Brits call self portraits) as possible....I am much more voyeur than exhibitionist so I do not post many selfies let alone shirtless ones.
My oldest finally got a proper haircut, started styling his hair and actually using product- holy shit he is growing up!!! When I picked them up this past Friday I noticed and told him it looks really good and he will have chicks all over him once school starts up in a few weeks. His younger brother- this is what is great about little brothers- blurts out it is already happening at tennis camp, lol.
I will admit I might be wrong about the Eurozone breaking up if someone can give me just one example of a state willingly giving up part or all of its sovereignty to another state. Until that happens I stand behind my belief the euro is doomed because Germany will want to control things if they are footing the bill.
As a corollary to my above statement on the doom of the euro, let me make it clear that it does not mean the end of the world. The Large Hadron Collider creating a small black hole would most assuredly mean the end of the world; the euro disappearing and the markets going down does not. Will it be painful? Yes. Will it cause problems? Yes. Will the sun still rise int he east and set in the west? Yes. Will the earth continue spinning? Yes.
I think there will be some good t.v, i.e. major hotties on the show, this fall . I am thinking mostly of "Arrow" on the CB with one Stephen Amell.
The husband's niece is getting married this Friday at the Bronx Botanical Gardens. It should be a fun time even though I will need to suit up at the office.
The boss took two weeks off in a row for vacation. That meant the j.v. was on the field, i.e. me. It totally reinforced what I told him over six years ago when he first interviewed me- I do not want his job. I am not wired correctly when it comes to dealing with "office politics" or having to answer the same question from the same person 4 different times.
Last weekend was my annual boozefest with the fraternity brothers. Oh and we also took a small drinking break to do the Warrior Dash. The course had a lot more incline to it this year and we all agreed the obstacles- whilst there was much more barbed wire- were not as good.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
You are slowly becoming a man
I almost got sick at work yesterday morning. I happened to look up at one of the televisions and it was the one that had the Childrens News Brodacasting Corportion airing. There he was- the man about 95% responsible for the repeal of Glass-Stegall which lead to banks keeping profits but socializing losses. This guy actually had the audacity to call for the break up of the TBTF banks. Talk about hypocrisy. I am surprised the guy was not crucified more in the press today. He got off pretty lightly.
Then I moved over to BBRG and I heard some talking head averring that the Fed's dual mandate is causing huge problems. So far, so good. He then went on to say he can't understand why the Fed is worried about growth when they have delivered a 6-7% increase in the S&P 500. WTF? That statement right there beautifully encapsulates what is wrong with so many of the financial elites. They equate price appreciation in the market with a growing economy. I mean I get it as they are the majority owners of the assets that get traded and have had a huge rally. JW has repeatedly told me I live in a lifestyle and information bubble and the guy on tv saying that a 6-7% rally in the S&P 500 is good for Joe Six Pack proves how myopic many in my industry really are.
I have to chuckle that I find myself defending Turbo Tax Timmy. He really had very little recourse in the whole LIBOR-gate issue. I found myself agreeing with one of the Democratic Congressmen who basically said he is getting scapegoated by the GOP because he is serving a Democratic President.
My oldest had a rite of passage the other day. Instead of going to his job at his mom's boyfriend's place of work he was asked to stay home and wait for the cable guy to come. He was told the cable guy would be there between 2-4 PM. Of course the guy did not show up until 6 PM- hahahaha! My oldest was pissed and went on a rant about what the hell is wrong with these people? They grow up so fast don't they?
The whole Chik-a-Fil thing had me torn a bit. I am all for free speech etc. If people don't like what some business proprietor publicly says they can choose not to give him their business. Then I read a friend's post on the Tome of Mugs: "Ok people- to clarify: Having an opinion and expressing that (including an opinion on the opinions of others) = free speech.
Then I moved over to BBRG and I heard some talking head averring that the Fed's dual mandate is causing huge problems. So far, so good. He then went on to say he can't understand why the Fed is worried about growth when they have delivered a 6-7% increase in the S&P 500. WTF? That statement right there beautifully encapsulates what is wrong with so many of the financial elites. They equate price appreciation in the market with a growing economy. I mean I get it as they are the majority owners of the assets that get traded and have had a huge rally. JW has repeatedly told me I live in a lifestyle and information bubble and the guy on tv saying that a 6-7% rally in the S&P 500 is good for Joe Six Pack proves how myopic many in my industry really are.
I have to chuckle that I find myself defending Turbo Tax Timmy. He really had very little recourse in the whole LIBOR-gate issue. I found myself agreeing with one of the Democratic Congressmen who basically said he is getting scapegoated by the GOP because he is serving a Democratic President.
My oldest had a rite of passage the other day. Instead of going to his job at his mom's boyfriend's place of work he was asked to stay home and wait for the cable guy to come. He was told the cable guy would be there between 2-4 PM. Of course the guy did not show up until 6 PM- hahahaha! My oldest was pissed and went on a rant about what the hell is wrong with these people? They grow up so fast don't they?
The whole Chik-a-Fil thing had me torn a bit. I am all for free speech etc. If people don't like what some business proprietor publicly says they can choose not to give him their business. Then I read a friend's post on the Tome of Mugs: "Ok people- to clarify: Having an opinion and expressing that (including an opinion on the opinions of others) = free speech.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
That was sorta fun...not
So this Jew and Hindu are getting married and they have two goys making their chuppah for them...I know that sounds like the start of a really bad, possibly offensive ethnic joke but it is not. The husband and I are the goys and our friends who are getting married this coming weekend are actually a Jew and a Hindu. They are getting married down here and because we are local and we have an awesome set of tools they asked us to take care of it for them (they currently live in the city). So yesterday we assembled it. I learned the husband is afraid of the jig saw- ha! I also learned that the two of us are both sometimes opinionated about how to do things. There were several times where in my supreme snippiness I told the husband fine you cut it. regardless we got it done and it will only be up during the ceremony for a short time so it does not need to be built to last forever. The husband will be painting it though.
This past week was a bit truncated for me. I worked Monday and then was off Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and back in work Friday. I had the three days off because I and my brothers and our spouses and spawn all made the trip up north to mom and dad's new house to have a fete for their 50th anniversary. The boys had a blast and it was really quite fun even with a family photo Tuesday in 99 degree weather. That night we had a barbecue at the new house and Wednesday we hung out all day there and then it was a family dinner at a great restaurant on Skaneateles Lake. Thursday morning it was back here and since we had the boys for the weekend too they decided to stay with us Thursday night and Friday.
This morning we got our tired, old asses out of bed way too early for a Sunday morning to go over to the county park and do a triathlon. Not just any triathlon either but an Olympic. I was not sure I was ready for it as I had given quite a half assed effort at training but I finished it. My time by my Timex was 3 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds. That includes all my transitions btw. My only concern is during the bike ride there was a race official riding the course on the back of a motorcycle and I saw him look at me and make a note. The race was a USAT sanction race so I am not sure if I incurred a penalty and if so for what I don't know.
Hmmm- I just saw my race results and I was assessed a two minute penalty- I am not sure what rule I violated but the good thing is the husband got one too, lol. And my Timex was pretty accurate as with the penalty I came in at 3:14 and change...
This coming week is rather busy. The husband has to demonstrate the chuppah tomorrow, Tuesday night we are having dinner with JD and JW, Wednesday we probably will have to tidy up, Thursday I have business drinks, Friday we have wedding guests staying with us for the weekend, the wedding Saturday.
This past week was a bit truncated for me. I worked Monday and then was off Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and back in work Friday. I had the three days off because I and my brothers and our spouses and spawn all made the trip up north to mom and dad's new house to have a fete for their 50th anniversary. The boys had a blast and it was really quite fun even with a family photo Tuesday in 99 degree weather. That night we had a barbecue at the new house and Wednesday we hung out all day there and then it was a family dinner at a great restaurant on Skaneateles Lake. Thursday morning it was back here and since we had the boys for the weekend too they decided to stay with us Thursday night and Friday.
This morning we got our tired, old asses out of bed way too early for a Sunday morning to go over to the county park and do a triathlon. Not just any triathlon either but an Olympic. I was not sure I was ready for it as I had given quite a half assed effort at training but I finished it. My time by my Timex was 3 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds. That includes all my transitions btw. My only concern is during the bike ride there was a race official riding the course on the back of a motorcycle and I saw him look at me and make a note. The race was a USAT sanction race so I am not sure if I incurred a penalty and if so for what I don't know.
Hmmm- I just saw my race results and I was assessed a two minute penalty- I am not sure what rule I violated but the good thing is the husband got one too, lol. And my Timex was pretty accurate as with the penalty I came in at 3:14 and change...
This coming week is rather busy. The husband has to demonstrate the chuppah tomorrow, Tuesday night we are having dinner with JD and JW, Wednesday we probably will have to tidy up, Thursday I have business drinks, Friday we have wedding guests staying with us for the weekend, the wedding Saturday.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The grand tour
Ok, yes it has been awhile but we were off in Europe celebrating our honeymoon five years after the fact.
We arrived in Paris Saturday morning and right away we were doing the tourist thing. We hit everything. I was asked what my favorites were and they are Hotel des Invalides- especially Napoleon's tomb, followed by Musee d'Orsey, amazing museum from a philistine in terms of art and culture; Tuileries Garden and running along the Seine very early in the morning. Yes, we actually trained while we were on our honeymoon. The one thing I noticed about European runners is they are not friendly at all. Generally when you are out running here, you pass another runner and make a small wave or nod in acknowledgement of oh, you are crazy/in pain too? Not European runners. Everyone of them looked at me like I had two heads.
We actually went out to a club. You know how they have open mike night at a lot of clubs here in the States? Well apparently the club we went to- Spyce was the name, apparently that is the French spelling?-clearly had open stage/stripper pole night. Seriously- the place was tiny, had a deejay and stage and two very small bars. We got there and there were cute go go boys on the stage dancing in skimpy attire. They got off and then out of the crowd cam two other cute go go boys. I looked at the husband and said whoo hoo, we hit open pole night! The best act though was the last one. These three guys came up and took off their overcoats. Two were regular sized, gym fit hotties. The last one was a giant- had to be around 6' 4", jacked, mustache, no body hair and ink all over. The two smaller guys were wearing black leather jock straps and motorcycle caps. The giant was wearing a leather jock strap with spangles hanging off the front, black leather boots to mid thigh, black gloves above his elbows and - wait for it- pasties with tassels hanging from them! I and the husband looked at each other and said no fucking way! He really did not dance at all, he just stood there doing pseudo vogue moves. I said to the husband you know in his mind he is wearing a long red gown, is blonde and holding a cigarette holder...
We departed Paris on Thursday from Gar de Nord and went off to Bruges- no we did not see the movie and everyone tells us it is hilarious. Bruges is technically a city as it has a cathedral. Well technicality aside it is a small town. How do I know this other than trusting my eyes? Um because we actually ran around the entirety of it in fifty minutes. My favorite thing in Bruges was the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Apparently during one of the Crusades some noble brought back what is believed to be two drops of Jesus' blood. How did Dan Brown miss that when he was writing The daVinci Code?
Saturday morning we took the train from Bruges to London- I was psyched as we got to go through the Chunnel- clearly dating myself by calling it the Chunnel instead of the Channel Tunnel.As we were en route the husband is warning me that London's weather is notoriously grey and wet. We got off at St. Pancras and it was sunny as all get up and in the mid 60s. I looked at the husband and asked where he had packed my Oakleys.
London actually stayed sunny and in the mid 60s the entire time we were there. I got more tan than the husband from all the walking around we did. We did all the tourist things and London was much more social as the husband had lived there for several years. I got introduced to his friends and thankfully they all gave me the nod- not that it would matter five years after the fact. I was told I was quite mischievous and very American polite- I am not sure that is a compliment or sarcasm as I don't speak British...or quite get their sense of humor.
That is all for now, will write some more later this week.
We arrived in Paris Saturday morning and right away we were doing the tourist thing. We hit everything. I was asked what my favorites were and they are Hotel des Invalides- especially Napoleon's tomb, followed by Musee d'Orsey, amazing museum from a philistine in terms of art and culture; Tuileries Garden and running along the Seine very early in the morning. Yes, we actually trained while we were on our honeymoon. The one thing I noticed about European runners is they are not friendly at all. Generally when you are out running here, you pass another runner and make a small wave or nod in acknowledgement of oh, you are crazy/in pain too? Not European runners. Everyone of them looked at me like I had two heads.
We actually went out to a club. You know how they have open mike night at a lot of clubs here in the States? Well apparently the club we went to- Spyce was the name, apparently that is the French spelling?-clearly had open stage/stripper pole night. Seriously- the place was tiny, had a deejay and stage and two very small bars. We got there and there were cute go go boys on the stage dancing in skimpy attire. They got off and then out of the crowd cam two other cute go go boys. I looked at the husband and said whoo hoo, we hit open pole night! The best act though was the last one. These three guys came up and took off their overcoats. Two were regular sized, gym fit hotties. The last one was a giant- had to be around 6' 4", jacked, mustache, no body hair and ink all over. The two smaller guys were wearing black leather jock straps and motorcycle caps. The giant was wearing a leather jock strap with spangles hanging off the front, black leather boots to mid thigh, black gloves above his elbows and - wait for it- pasties with tassels hanging from them! I and the husband looked at each other and said no fucking way! He really did not dance at all, he just stood there doing pseudo vogue moves. I said to the husband you know in his mind he is wearing a long red gown, is blonde and holding a cigarette holder...
We departed Paris on Thursday from Gar de Nord and went off to Bruges- no we did not see the movie and everyone tells us it is hilarious. Bruges is technically a city as it has a cathedral. Well technicality aside it is a small town. How do I know this other than trusting my eyes? Um because we actually ran around the entirety of it in fifty minutes. My favorite thing in Bruges was the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Apparently during one of the Crusades some noble brought back what is believed to be two drops of Jesus' blood. How did Dan Brown miss that when he was writing The daVinci Code?
Saturday morning we took the train from Bruges to London- I was psyched as we got to go through the Chunnel- clearly dating myself by calling it the Chunnel instead of the Channel Tunnel.As we were en route the husband is warning me that London's weather is notoriously grey and wet. We got off at St. Pancras and it was sunny as all get up and in the mid 60s. I looked at the husband and asked where he had packed my Oakleys.
London actually stayed sunny and in the mid 60s the entire time we were there. I got more tan than the husband from all the walking around we did. We did all the tourist things and London was much more social as the husband had lived there for several years. I got introduced to his friends and thankfully they all gave me the nod- not that it would matter five years after the fact. I was told I was quite mischievous and very American polite- I am not sure that is a compliment or sarcasm as I don't speak British...or quite get their sense of humor.
That is all for now, will write some more later this week.
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