So my parents are coming down Friday. I had to get them non-resident parking permits, at $3 each for two days no big deal. While I was there I got my resident permit. I was told the husband will have to pay double what I did since I was there first- LOL.
We all have a wedding to go to Friday night- actually the ceremony is Friday at 4 PM in Hoboken but we won't be able to make it. So we will be going to the reception in the city at 7 PM. It's a black time reception and I've never seen the husband in a tux so I am kind of excited. I bought a tux a while ago but I was still a few biscuits over 210 at the time so even though it is tailored it's a bit loose on me these days. The groom is a kid who I coached in youth lacrosse back in my hometown. He was best friends with my younger brother and now lives in Hoboken. The husband and I have gotten drunk with him and the bride many times and have become good friends with them. My younger bro is going as well but his wife won't be able to make it since she recently had twins.
So every night the husband has a conference call with Asia. Tonight as he was on he muted his phone to ask me about the unusual move in crude oil and natural gas. I told him it was not related to the dollar in any way; I had heard from a couple of smart derivative guys that it was one of two things- either someone was taking off a big trade (selling crude and buying/covering nat gas) or putting on a new trade (selling/shorting crude and going long nat gas). Several minutes later he tells me he did not have his mute on and several people on the call heard him ask me and me explain it.
Since we have now nicely segued into the markets I do need to comment on what the Secretary of the Treasury is proposing. I have no problem with less regulation and one central regulator who has clear checks and balances. I do not agree with the idea of giving the federal government more power though. The line that comes to mind is P.J. Rourke's (and I am paraphrasing): "Giving the federal government money and power is like giving a teenage boy whiskey and the keys to the car." I also don't see the states willing to give up power to the Federal government. If I were a strict Constitutionalist I'd have to argue that the federal government is overstepping their bounds by grabbing power not explicitly given to them in the Constitution which is to be left to the individual states- but I digress.
I ran last night and swam this morning then biked tonight after my dentist appointment. My hip flexors are a bit tender- the husband will have to do all the work tonight...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
I wanna go to the Black Party...
The husband had never seen Zoolander so he downloaded it onto his iPod and we watched last night with the boys. I forgot how funny it was. My favorite line is "They're break dance fighting." My soon to be 11 year old was roaring at the day spa scene.
Last night I got a text from JP saying he was going to the Black Party. He instructed to me that if I did not hear from him in a few days I was to call his mother. I told him I'd call him tonight to check up on him. This morning he texted me around 11:30 to say he was home and safe. I told the husband I want to go to the Black Party next year with him. He said we can go when we are sixty. I said no we are going next year. He's been a few times but me being the late bloomer have never been to it.
The husband had never been to TGT until he moved out here a little over a year ago. We go to the one in Newport and he has fallen in love with it. We have never made it our of the store and spent less than $100- that is until today. It was kind of amazing actually because we had the boys with us and they always try to get me to buy them something. So today was sort of a red letter day for us.
The husband finally started his swimming for his training regimen. I dropped the boys off at their mom's house and drove back to Hoboken. As I was driving into Hoboken this huge cloud of grey smoke blew out of my exhaust and the check engine light went on; those fucks at Jiffy Lube in the Sear Service Center at the Sear in the Newport Center Mall in Jersey City did something to my truck! Tomorrow I will take it to the local service station 3 blocks from the apartment and ask them to fix it.
I got home without spewing anymore smoke, parked the truck and then hit the gym for my run. Fifty eight minutes on the treadmill, a little over 6 miles. Got showered up and walked out of the gym to find the husband waiting for me to take me to dinner. At dinner we were discussing the boys and somehow got onto the topic that I have junk in the trunk according to the husband. I was a bit taken aback since I thought that had a negative connotation but he explained to me it is a good thing.
Last night I got a text from JP saying he was going to the Black Party. He instructed to me that if I did not hear from him in a few days I was to call his mother. I told him I'd call him tonight to check up on him. This morning he texted me around 11:30 to say he was home and safe. I told the husband I want to go to the Black Party next year with him. He said we can go when we are sixty. I said no we are going next year. He's been a few times but me being the late bloomer have never been to it.
The husband had never been to TGT until he moved out here a little over a year ago. We go to the one in Newport and he has fallen in love with it. We have never made it our of the store and spent less than $100- that is until today. It was kind of amazing actually because we had the boys with us and they always try to get me to buy them something. So today was sort of a red letter day for us.
The husband finally started his swimming for his training regimen. I dropped the boys off at their mom's house and drove back to Hoboken. As I was driving into Hoboken this huge cloud of grey smoke blew out of my exhaust and the check engine light went on; those fucks at Jiffy Lube in the Sear Service Center at the Sear in the Newport Center Mall in Jersey City did something to my truck! Tomorrow I will take it to the local service station 3 blocks from the apartment and ask them to fix it.
I got home without spewing anymore smoke, parked the truck and then hit the gym for my run. Fifty eight minutes on the treadmill, a little over 6 miles. Got showered up and walked out of the gym to find the husband waiting for me to take me to dinner. At dinner we were discussing the boys and somehow got onto the topic that I have junk in the trunk according to the husband. I was a bit taken aback since I thought that had a negative connotation but he explained to me it is a good thing.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Trying to be the person my dogs think I am
Thursday evening we took our departing CEO out for drinks at a place called Johnny Utah's right next to Rockefeller Plaza. It is a western themed bar and it has a mechanical bull. I was the only one who had the cojones to actually ride the bull and I lasted 20 seconds on the damn thing. My knee was a bit sore all day Friday even though we did shots of tequilla after I got thrown. Friday was a shortened day for me. The boys got back from spring break and they landed at JFK. It took me two weeks to convince the ex-wife that it would be easy for her to drop them off in Hoboken but did not explain that it helps me by not having to drive an extra 110 miles this weekend. They landed at 2:30 and I left the office at 2:45. Their mom dropped them off arounf 4 PM. They had sunburn and were peeling. The husband asked if I was going to say anything to her about it because if the shoe was on the other foot she would have raised hell about it. I said no, not worth it, this is a marathon not a dash and I am trying to be a better person.
They boys were exhausted and went to bed at 9:30. The husband went out with friends and I went to bed around 10:30. At 1:30 my oldest was in the room asking if he could watch some t.v. since he was thirsty and couldn't sleep. I told him no, get a drink and go back to bed. He asked me to tuck him in so I did. It's nice to know my 11 year old still wants dad to tuck him in to bed.
Today we took the boys to see Superhero Movie. There were some very funny scenes and the oldest was laughing outloud for at least half the movie. We then stopped at Barnes & Noble were the boys got some Dragon Ball Zee books- no clue what they are but they love them. The husabnd and I cleaned all of the windows in the living room while the boys vegged out.
We decided to go out for dinner but the one place we wanted to go was closed early for some reason and our second choice has gone out of business which shocked both the husabnd and I.
They boys were exhausted and went to bed at 9:30. The husband went out with friends and I went to bed around 10:30. At 1:30 my oldest was in the room asking if he could watch some t.v. since he was thirsty and couldn't sleep. I told him no, get a drink and go back to bed. He asked me to tuck him in so I did. It's nice to know my 11 year old still wants dad to tuck him in to bed.
Today we took the boys to see Superhero Movie. There were some very funny scenes and the oldest was laughing outloud for at least half the movie. We then stopped at Barnes & Noble were the boys got some Dragon Ball Zee books- no clue what they are but they love them. The husabnd and I cleaned all of the windows in the living room while the boys vegged out.
We decided to go out for dinner but the one place we wanted to go was closed early for some reason and our second choice has gone out of business which shocked both the husabnd and I.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Smart elevators
I work in the New York Times building. It's an amazing building. I love the whole lobby. The building has smart elevators. You push the floor number you are going to and it tells you which elevator to go to- A through F. Now, I have never been afraid of elevators but there are two that kind of freak me out from time to time. Elevator B has one spot that every time shakes and gets me jittery. Elevator F seems to have not velocity control and makes my ears pop a lot and in rapid succession.
Ok, I have to confess I am not always the most outgoing and/or sociable guy. To the point when I walk into the office in the morning and when I leave at night I wear my iPod and have the soundcheck off and the volume up. There are only a select few I will take my earphones off for, two being my immediate boss and the CEO of the company. Last week as I was leaving I got into the elevator with the iPod on, volume up; two fairly senior PMs were in there. I get in and just stand there. Soon I realize they are both looking at me. I tell them, sorry I am off the clock and I can't hear you. They both star laugh uncomfortably it appears to me but I can't tell because I can't hear them.
Currently on my iPod I am into the new alt albums I have put on it. I have the husband to thank because he got me Sirius for the truck for Xmas. I am in the truck alot every other weekend and I have to say SIRI is great. I was a skeptic about having to pay for radio but then thought to myself maybe I am acting like my parents did back in the late '70s when they were confronted with cable t.v. Anyhow, my faves on SIRI are channels 15, 19, 21, 23 and 24 in no particular order. Through the course I have come to appreciate many new sounds and bands; most notably Vampire Weekend, MGMT, The Bravery, Shiny Toy Guns and Paramore.
The book club is still going on, I just served dessert. I kind of participated from the periphery and have to say I realize I am not the typical homo and not a good sample (in statistical terms) for homos or heteros. Some of the comments made me realize why I did not, have not and will not ever register as a Democrat. I just cannot buy into the cult and/or ideology of victimhood which is how I see the modern Democratic party. It all gets back to being responsible and accountable for the choices I have made and make every day and the consequences of those choices. That is not to say I will ever register as a Republican either but at least they are not about blaming others for anything in life that causes you adversity. I am lucky my husband loves me enough to know not to bring up politics.
If you missed it the bailout of BSC is now getting a lot of scrutiny from the Senate- as it should. To paraphrase Senator Baucus, Congress is in charge of the purse strings and they have a right to know how and why the Fed decided to bailout a mid-tier i-bank before you and I pony up $30 billion.
Also, for the record I detest Cramer and his show and CNBC is not far behind. If you think Cramer is great you should go to YouTube and find Don Harrold's commentary on Cramer. It should help you get smarter.
Ok, I have to confess I am not always the most outgoing and/or sociable guy. To the point when I walk into the office in the morning and when I leave at night I wear my iPod and have the soundcheck off and the volume up. There are only a select few I will take my earphones off for, two being my immediate boss and the CEO of the company. Last week as I was leaving I got into the elevator with the iPod on, volume up; two fairly senior PMs were in there. I get in and just stand there. Soon I realize they are both looking at me. I tell them, sorry I am off the clock and I can't hear you. They both star laugh uncomfortably it appears to me but I can't tell because I can't hear them.
Currently on my iPod I am into the new alt albums I have put on it. I have the husband to thank because he got me Sirius for the truck for Xmas. I am in the truck alot every other weekend and I have to say SIRI is great. I was a skeptic about having to pay for radio but then thought to myself maybe I am acting like my parents did back in the late '70s when they were confronted with cable t.v. Anyhow, my faves on SIRI are channels 15, 19, 21, 23 and 24 in no particular order. Through the course I have come to appreciate many new sounds and bands; most notably Vampire Weekend, MGMT, The Bravery, Shiny Toy Guns and Paramore.
The book club is still going on, I just served dessert. I kind of participated from the periphery and have to say I realize I am not the typical homo and not a good sample (in statistical terms) for homos or heteros. Some of the comments made me realize why I did not, have not and will not ever register as a Democrat. I just cannot buy into the cult and/or ideology of victimhood which is how I see the modern Democratic party. It all gets back to being responsible and accountable for the choices I have made and make every day and the consequences of those choices. That is not to say I will ever register as a Republican either but at least they are not about blaming others for anything in life that causes you adversity. I am lucky my husband loves me enough to know not to bring up politics.
If you missed it the bailout of BSC is now getting a lot of scrutiny from the Senate- as it should. To paraphrase Senator Baucus, Congress is in charge of the purse strings and they have a right to know how and why the Fed decided to bailout a mid-tier i-bank before you and I pony up $30 billion.
Also, for the record I detest Cramer and his show and CNBC is not far behind. If you think Cramer is great you should go to YouTube and find Don Harrold's commentary on Cramer. It should help you get smarter.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Simple gym ettiquette...
I really have no complaints about NYSC; there are tons of locations, some nice, some skeevey. What I do have a complaint about is some of the patrons do not know basic etiquette. When you are done on the bench or incline or Smith machine or some other free weight piece of equipment it is common courtesy and common sense to strip the bar. That lets others know the piece of equipment is free to use. There is not much I detest other than someone who leaves the plates on the bar and walks away. I lost my telepathic abilities during the first marriage, I cannot read your mind anymore no matter how hot you are. Please strip the plates off when you finish and if you are really hot you should strip as well...
My boss broke his foot over the weekend when he was training to lose to me in the triathlon. He broke the outside bone in three places. He is wearing a boot now and in five weeks he goes back to find out if he needs any hardware in his foot. Someone in the office took a picture of him on his crutches yesterday and I sent it to the husband who I think has a secret crush on my boss. I think I will let my boss stew on it for a week then start harassing him about how he couldn't stand the heat of me beating him so he got out of the kitchen by intentionally breaking his foot.
I wrote earlier there could still be some tape bombs out there that cause some hiccups in the market. One of them I was not really focused on is the news that came out after the close about the CCU LBO most likely falling apart. This is going to cause serious damage to the arbs and also the quants/event driven guys out there. It could definitely put a damper on the tape for the rest of the week.
Another thing I found interesting was WFC's chairman basically calling out the Fed and saying he'd be willing to do a deal of the type JPM got/was asked to do with BSC. He has a good point- why does JPM get special treatment?
Also if you want a good read on the whole credit mess we are in you should read Ethan Penner's opinion piece in today's WSJ.
Tonight the husband and I are going to have some drinks with the other gays in the village. Tomorrow we are hosting the husband's book club. We hosted once back in the summer and I told the husband I would be the help for the night. I served dinner (Thai takeout I picked up) and made sure everyones wine glasses were full then cleaned. I told him this time he needs to get me a cowboy hat, red bandanna and cowboy boots and I would do it shirtless for him...
My boss broke his foot over the weekend when he was training to lose to me in the triathlon. He broke the outside bone in three places. He is wearing a boot now and in five weeks he goes back to find out if he needs any hardware in his foot. Someone in the office took a picture of him on his crutches yesterday and I sent it to the husband who I think has a secret crush on my boss. I think I will let my boss stew on it for a week then start harassing him about how he couldn't stand the heat of me beating him so he got out of the kitchen by intentionally breaking his foot.
I wrote earlier there could still be some tape bombs out there that cause some hiccups in the market. One of them I was not really focused on is the news that came out after the close about the CCU LBO most likely falling apart. This is going to cause serious damage to the arbs and also the quants/event driven guys out there. It could definitely put a damper on the tape for the rest of the week.
Another thing I found interesting was WFC's chairman basically calling out the Fed and saying he'd be willing to do a deal of the type JPM got/was asked to do with BSC. He has a good point- why does JPM get special treatment?
Also if you want a good read on the whole credit mess we are in you should read Ethan Penner's opinion piece in today's WSJ.
Tonight the husband and I are going to have some drinks with the other gays in the village. Tomorrow we are hosting the husband's book club. We hosted once back in the summer and I told the husband I would be the help for the night. I served dinner (Thai takeout I picked up) and made sure everyones wine glasses were full then cleaned. I told him this time he needs to get me a cowboy hat, red bandanna and cowboy boots and I would do it shirtless for him...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Is Brick-Breaker retro yet??
I swam for 35 minute this morning. Kept looking at my watch thinking wow, it's only been 20 minutes and then realized my watch had stopped. So I looked the clock in the pool and saw that I had hit my time limit. I am a bit frustrated with my watch; it's one of those self-winding Swiss ones that I spent a lot of money on back when I was going through the divorce to replace the one the ex-wife gave me. So now I have to drop it off at the Swiss watch repair place near Grand Central some time tomorrow and will be wearing my trusty old Timex Ironman.
After work I had to go to the Sears Auto center to get a new tire- or so I thought. The nice lady there told me it would be more economical if I were to get the one I had patched. She commented that my tires were nice and would not be cheap to replace just one. So I asked her to have it patched, rotate them and change my oil. I then spent close to three hours waiting. So I decided to give Brick-Breaker a try on my crackberry. I got to level 11 out of 34. I think I have become obsessed with the game now.
I got home and the husband had ordered sushi for dinner. IT was a nice dinner and the husband was on a conference call with Asia. He got up to check his screens and slipped in a big ol' pile of dog shit- LOL!!!! Our older kid has been sick and actually had an accident in the house earlier today- which he never does; but our younger kid is still having issues getting house broken so I am not sure which one it was since they were both circling us like sharks while we ate. I cleaned it up because the husband usually uses paper towel and then can't understand why the toilet gets clogged. I use toilet paper- it flushes easier.
We watched Family Guy Blue Harvest last night- the husband missed it when it aired originally. He was dying.
The boys are on spring break withe their mom in Atlantis but they called to say good night which warmed my heart.
I am surprised Jamie Dimon caved and upped his bid for BSC. My guess is if they try to get him to again he will flip them the bird and walk away from the deal.
After work I had to go to the Sears Auto center to get a new tire- or so I thought. The nice lady there told me it would be more economical if I were to get the one I had patched. She commented that my tires were nice and would not be cheap to replace just one. So I asked her to have it patched, rotate them and change my oil. I then spent close to three hours waiting. So I decided to give Brick-Breaker a try on my crackberry. I got to level 11 out of 34. I think I have become obsessed with the game now.
I got home and the husband had ordered sushi for dinner. IT was a nice dinner and the husband was on a conference call with Asia. He got up to check his screens and slipped in a big ol' pile of dog shit- LOL!!!! Our older kid has been sick and actually had an accident in the house earlier today- which he never does; but our younger kid is still having issues getting house broken so I am not sure which one it was since they were both circling us like sharks while we ate. I cleaned it up because the husband usually uses paper towel and then can't understand why the toilet gets clogged. I use toilet paper- it flushes easier.
We watched Family Guy Blue Harvest last night- the husband missed it when it aired originally. He was dying.
The boys are on spring break withe their mom in Atlantis but they called to say good night which warmed my heart.
I am surprised Jamie Dimon caved and upped his bid for BSC. My guess is if they try to get him to again he will flip them the bird and walk away from the deal.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter dinner at Friendly's
Dinner last night was a hit. I served zucchini soup followed with coq au vin and the company loved both. The husband picked up Easter cupcakes and mini, individual cheesecakes from Billy's in Chelsea. We went through 4 bottles of wine but one was used in the coq au vin (hence the vin in the name of the dish) and we had champagne with our dessert.
The husband and I went out to central Jersey today to meet our new nephews. We went to my brother and sister-in-law's townhouse. We bought extra cupcakes for them, picked up flowers for the new mom and had a gift for the boys. When we got there our sister-in-law proceeded to give us a bit too much information about her c-section. We told her she could stop when we heard the part about her stitches ripping.
We got to the hospital and I have to say I was impressed with the security, we had to go thru three check points just to get t the waiting area and then buzzed through another. I got to go in first with my brother, we washed our hands and got to touch the boys through the holes in the incubators. The boys are fraternal twins and tiny. They look nothing alike; one has the really long, thin fingers and limbs. the other is smaller but heavier. Both are totally cute. The husband went in next with my brother. I got to chat with my sister-in-law and she seems to be holding up well. She said she wanted to go for lunch at Friendly's which is right next t the hospital. So we gorged ourselves on really bad food and topped it off with sundaes. My sister-in-law was amazed when I shared my dessert with the husband. Everyone knows I don't share my dessert so when I shared it with him she told my brother, ok, he is definitely in love.
They boys are off on spring break this week. They fly off to Atlantis very early tomorrow morning. Not that it is a competition but I took them there last year. I try n0t to get catty and competitive about it but I am sure I am not the only divorced dad who keeps score so to speak.
The husband and I went out to central Jersey today to meet our new nephews. We went to my brother and sister-in-law's townhouse. We bought extra cupcakes for them, picked up flowers for the new mom and had a gift for the boys. When we got there our sister-in-law proceeded to give us a bit too much information about her c-section. We told her she could stop when we heard the part about her stitches ripping.
We got to the hospital and I have to say I was impressed with the security, we had to go thru three check points just to get t the waiting area and then buzzed through another. I got to go in first with my brother, we washed our hands and got to touch the boys through the holes in the incubators. The boys are fraternal twins and tiny. They look nothing alike; one has the really long, thin fingers and limbs. the other is smaller but heavier. Both are totally cute. The husband went in next with my brother. I got to chat with my sister-in-law and she seems to be holding up well. She said she wanted to go for lunch at Friendly's which is right next t the hospital. So we gorged ourselves on really bad food and topped it off with sundaes. My sister-in-law was amazed when I shared my dessert with the husband. Everyone knows I don't share my dessert so when I shared it with him she told my brother, ok, he is definitely in love.
They boys are off on spring break this week. They fly off to Atlantis very early tomorrow morning. Not that it is a competition but I took them there last year. I try n0t to get catty and competitive about it but I am sure I am not the only divorced dad who keeps score so to speak.
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