Turn and face the strange…

It’s hard to believe it’s been so long since I’ve posted!  Lot’s of changes afoot!

I’ve gotten married over the past weekend and it was a great time.  All that worrying and anxiety over something that was only HOURS long seems silly now.  I know that the anxiety wasn’t ONLY about the actual event, but I’m glad we’re finally married.  Now I get to enjoy the rest of my life…I can focus on other things and my brain is happy.  Both Jean and I took days to recover from the physical and mental stress we endured.

We’ll be heading to Aruba on the 5th of next month and I’m looking forward to that.  I’ve read there is something called the “Lazy River” around the hotel and there are BARS along this large, circuitous, man-made watering hole.  I’ll be innertube-bound for MUCH of the time.  I’m psyched that I’m not working out until I get back!!!

The honeymoon doesn’t start until the weekend of the 5th so I’ll surely post some of the stories, experiences and anecdotes I’ve collected over the past week, and there are a few of them.

F_M

Listening to ‘BCN.

It’s late…almost midnight.

WBCN goes off the air in less than 15 minutes for good.  It’s shocking that such an iconic radio station is going to be put down like a lame horse.  It could still survive, but it will never regain the glory it once had as Boston’s premier concert network.  I say that this is a reflection of the fact that rock music is, if not dead, no longer a viable radio format just like Polka became in the 60’s.  I can’t really say that ‘BCN hasn’t suffered in the last 10 years and it became almost untenable.  From bad DJ’s to questionable music that was anything BUT rock, it was hard for BCN to maintain it’s “Rock of Boston” status.

Sure, there’s WAAF, but that’s like a mallet to the head instead of scratching my musical itch.  WBCN has really been the main rock station in this region for decades and now there is only 1.  I suppose it’s silly to bemoan the loss of a terrestrial FM station when I can continue to listen to the digitized version online.  I guess it’s not the same.

Bradley J is playing Pink Floyd’s “Shine on you crazy diamond” as the last song.  What a great tune!  (He’s playing it from an iPhone…I just heard the “mail” sound over the radio…no shit).  They’re playing a DJ montage from the decades past…almost 60 seconds.  Nice.

From the dulcet tones of Floyd to static…just like that.

Thanks ‘BCN…it’s been AWESOME.

Beef + Welding + Applewood = Tasty Goodness!

I’ve been thinking of learning how to smoke.

Not THAT kind of smoking, I quit 2 years ago and hopefully will never start again.  I’m referring to the smoking of meat, be it pork or beef.  There are some great plans for offset smokers but I think I’d like to make a double barrel smoker like this one to the right.  I’m not even familiar with the basics, which I’m sure are most important.  Things like wood choice, temperature, time, cuts of meat, rubs and sauces…all balance together to make the best eats possible.  The other thing I’ll need is a place to keep it…I don’t think Sweets is going to give up precious garage space.

It seems like a ton of fun to concoct a “special” recipe, perfect it and compete with it.  I imagine traveling to competitions would be a great way to see the states and eat a lot of food.  A great way to retire.  I’ve still got 25 years or so until I stop working, so I’ve got some time to work on that recipe.  I hope this doesn’t mean I need to grow a handlebar mustache and get one of those singing bass fish.  I’d love to know if any of my friends are “Smokers!”

F_M

Out of the Loop.

I find I’m no longer being included in conversation that directly affects what I do…and on purpose.  Deemed “Counter-productive.”

Frustrating.

I don’t like this one bit.

Blah, Blah, Blah.

Not feeling very bloggy lately.

I’m working out and burning 1,000+ calories a day but still eating like crap.

I keep logging into WoW and immediately wanting to log out, which I do, and then kill Nazi Zombies for 10 minutes and start the process over again.

I’ve not felt like reading even though I’ve got several things I’ve set aside to read.

I’ve got to get gifts for Alex and Jim, which I’ve done.  I’m just not happy with either purchase.

The tuxedo rental place has horrible customer service and I’ll never use them again.

I’m swallowing more gum than ever.  Chewing gum is my substitute for smoking and you would think I could control when I swallow my gum.  Problem is…I only realize it after I’ve swallowed the gum.

I want to game more, but my crappy laptop can’t play them.

I’m just a complainer today.  I’m tired too.

F_M

I’m about to vomit butterflies.

Ok, I’m officially getting nervous.  We’re talking short time now…less than 3 weeks.  19 days from now I’ll be getting ready to be married, unbelievable!

I’m not sure why it turns into “nervousness.”  I’m excited for sure…but still nervous.  There is something in my psyche that puts a pit into my stomach when I think of all I have to do that day, wondering how it will go, if my friends will have a good time, worrying about the dances I’m supposed to do with absolutely no training…it’s nerve-wracking.  While we do have the basics covered, money is also a big concern of mine.  Between new glasses, Tuxedos, gifts for the wedding party, and other assorted things will I have enough to cover all I need to cover?  Will I have enough for tips, sundries and the honeymoon?

Dancing…that’s another biggie.  I’m supposed to dance during this

event and I’m no dancer…I don’t even enjoy it unless I’m being silly…and then it’s only to get a laugh.  I’m a horrible speaker and yet I’ll need to do a fair amount of speaking that day.  Everything we’ve done was to work towards this upcoming day.  I feel like we’ve got so much more to do in that little amount of time.

This isn’t an official “freak-out.”  I’m actually pretty cool under pressure most of the time but this wedding stuff is different.  The closest feeling I could equate this was in high school in the weeks leading up to doing a solo in front of the whole school.  I got this very same feeling in my gut.  If there’s a lesson to be learned from that experience is that once the event actually begins it’s not as tough as I imagined.

I know when it’s over I’ll breath a sigh of relief.  Firstly because Sweets will finally be my wife.  Secondly because I can look BACK on this event in happiness instead of looking forward to it nervously.

I’m sure it will be fine and everything will fall into place the way it’s supposed to.  I’m really looking forward to spending our honeymoon together…a great way to relax after planning this huge party.

/rant off

F_M

Me and the beginning of Revision 5.0

So I turned 40 last week.

Interestingly enough I don’t feel older than I did when I was 20.  Sure,

I’m not as limber, or quick perhaps, but what I’ve lost in twitch response I’ve gained in experience.  It’s easier to deal with life at 40 than at any other point so far and that’s pretty decent.  I suppose that 40 is halfway through life right?  I probably won’t live much past 80 so that means that my time remaining is LESS than the time I’ve spent here.  Ok, that’s a little depressing…but no fear!  I’m going to make sure the last 40 are MUCH more fun than the first.

I had a great day on my Birthday.  Jean gave me a hand signed Tedy Bruschi poster of his 2005 S.I. cover.  It’s AWESOME and gorgeously matted.  We then went to Battleship Cove in Fall River, which was great fun.  We finished the evening with a nice steak dinner, which I could never argue with.  Oh, and there was a Carvel cake eating contest when we got home…guess who won that?  Sweets went out of her way to make sure it was a fun day for me, and it certainly was.  It couldn’t have been better.

I put together a little video talking about turning 40.  It was going to be edited with a voiceover, photos, music etc…but I’ve yet to become competent with my new video editing software.  That will come soon.

So the world is on notice…I’m officially entering mid-life and I’m due for a crisis.  I don’t have enough money for a Porche convertible (yet) and I can’t see myself becoming a playboy, or becoming an MMA fighter but I’ll think of something!

Thanks to EVERYONE who made the past 40 years bearable and my apologies to everyone I’ve inflicted myself upon.  I love you all!

Ok, I don’t love all of you, but most of you.

F_M

Race or ruse?

Preface:

Let me state that I’ve been unjustly arrested in the past for disorderly conduct because I was a smart-ass to a police officer.  The charges were dropped because they were clearly bogus but I learned a lesson from the encounter.  I was 17.  Henry Louis Gates Jr. is 58.

I’m quite disappointed in our President and the tenor by which the news of the arrest of Henry Gates has been reported.

Firstly, the President shouldn’t have commented on the event without knowing the facts.  His comment about Cambridge police acting stupidly paints law enforcement in a poor color and potentially endangers them.  Secondly his comments on this event amazed me…without any facts he’s saying that “Gates’ arrest shows that racism still haunts us.”  It shows me that if you don’t cooperate with a policeman until he’s satisfied the situation is resolved you’re bound for trouble.

So let me understand this…Our President doesn’t know the facts but is so eager to believe that “whatever happened” shows America is still racist solely based on his friendship with this guy?  That’s troublesome, and I’m an Obama supporter.

Kudos to the Cambridge Police Department for sticking up for their Officer.  This guy followed the rules and tried to do what he could to secure the scene, his saftey and the saftey of Mr. Gates.

Race was brought into this discussion by Mr. Gates during the incident as a vehicle for attention and I think it’s a secondary issue with for him.  Mr. Gates chose to use the race card to bring even more attention to himself.  So, his real fault, besides being an asshole, is vanity.

Gates states,”This isn’t about me; this is about the vulnerability of black men in America.”  Already with the martyr speak…c’mon, this incident just DOUBLED his fee for lecturing.   He saw this as an opportunity to market himself as person of historical importance.  How better to comment on the social injustices during lectures than to claim to be an example?

On Thursday Officer Crowley told a local TV station that Gates verbally assailed him. The police report says Crowley asked Gates to talk outside, to which he responded “Yeah, I’ll speak with your mama outside.”  I don’t care WHERE you’re from you don’t act like that to ANYONE, much less a Policeman.

“There was a lot of yelling, there was references to my mother, something you wouldn’t expect from anybody that should be grateful that you’re there investigating a report of a crime in progress let alone a Harvard University professor,” Crowley said.  Listen to Sgt. Crowley’s interview with WEEI here.

I guess that I’m just upset that even today when someone does something stupid, like speak poorly of the matriarcal lineage of a policeman, they cry foul when they’re treated like anyone else on the street.  You don’t do that in my neighborhood…why is it ok in yours?

This guy thought he was above having to answer to this policeman.  ”Don’t you realize who you’re messing with?” he exclaimed, which never leads to anything good.  So besides being a repugnant exploiter of his own quasi-heritage he’s above the common man.

I cry foul!

Monday morning ramblings.

Wow…the Wedding is getting close.

It’s about 32 days away and counting.  I’m starting to get anxious because we’re coming down to the wire and wrapping things up.  We’re still waiting on a few invitation responses so as soon as those are in we’ll only have a few music choices to figure out.  I’ve never been really good at being the center of attention and being the groom at your own wedding puts me in the spotlight.  Fortunately I’ve got Sweets, who is going to be in the biggest spotlight.  It’s our wedding but in reality, it’s her day…so I best not spoil it.  Another thing that’s on my mind is that we’re waiting for a couple of weeks before we go on our honeymoon.  That means I’m coming back to work right after my wedding which is kind of a bummer.  I was thinking it would be nice to visit Virginia the week after the wedding, show Jean around my hometown there.  Who knows?  Whatever we decide to do we’ll be married, so I’ll be over the “center of attention” hump. =)

Speaking of being the center of attention, my birthday is coming up very shortly.  Thankfully it’s on Saturday, so I won’t have my work friends cooking up a 40th birthday cake.  I’ve took very little ribbing about turning 40 so far…most of my friends turned 40 before me so I was able to dish it out.  I don’t feel 40.  I’m actually in pretty good shape physically, with more definition that I’ve had in a long time.  My belly is still fat so I’m still working it.  I’ve been “working it” for the past 3 months and while it’s clear that I’m building muscle I don’t appear to losing bodyfat.  I burn 1000 calories each day for at least 4 days a week but I’m still pudgy.  I’ll keep at it though.  The best birthday present I could give to myself is continued committment to being physically fit.  Oh, and a Carvel ice cream roll with crunchies.

I was saddened to hear that a friend of mine lost his Grandmother.  It sounds as if he was particularly close to her and he’s got my condolences.  From reading his posts it sounds as if they were genuinely friends, apart from being blood related, which is nice.  I’ve got some relatives I love but don’t like very much, so his posting was particularly poignant.   All of myGrandparents have passed and it bothers me to think of my Parents passing away.  I’m sure they’ll be missed, just like my Grandparents but it will also mean that I’m more alone.  Yeah, I’ll have Sweets and Alex and who knows if I’ll have more children…but the people that came before occupy a place in my psyche that fill me with comfort and security because they’ve always been there and to imagine that reserve being vacant is frightening.  Anyhoo, my condolences to Dan, who lost a beloved family member.

All of my old high school friends had a reunion this past weekend and it was quite interesting.  Nostalgia has a way (for me) of sweetening past experiences that perhaps weren’t actually so sweet.  I loved seeing these people again but it’s clear to me that 20 years is a long time.  Several people that I wanted to see weren’t there but the core of the old group was there, which was nice.  John, Chris, Jeff, Dennis, Matt, Sean, Kevin, Maureen, Dave, Karen, Steve, Mark…it was great seeing them.  Some of those guys were in cub scouts with me…I’m glad they’re alive and well.  I also got to meet the wives and girlfriends, which was great.  Sean’s wife Lindsay who was very animated and engaging.  Perhaps I shouldn’t wait another 20 years to see some of these people again.  I was disappointed that I didn’t reach out to some of the people I didn’t know so well who were in attendance, but then again…they didn’t seek me out, so whatever.  Maureen and Kevin deserve kudos for putting all that work into the party.  From the tent, to the food they really did a great job, thanks Kevin and Maureen!

On the gaming front I’ve been a bit stymied.  I’ve not been devoting time to World of Warcraft simply because it’s tough for me to stay up until 11:30 now considering I’m getting up so early for work.  I just spent $20 bucks on the old Starcraft package, which sounded great until I installed it and realized how completely irrelevant it is these days.  The graphics and gameplay certainly don’t hold up in any way.  I also spent $20.00 on Resident Evil 4 for the Wii, which is ok I guess…probably worth the $20 bucks.  Controlling the character and the weapon aren’t easy…I constantly found myself looking up at the ceiling everytime I had to fire…it’s a weird combination of buttons, triggers and joysticks and it will take some time to get right.  I’m still totally digging to zombie levels in Call of Duty, World at War.  I’m also still enjoying skirmishes on Red Alert 3…quite fun.  I’ll be reinvesting in gaming once the wedding and honeymoon are over and real life descends upon me once again.

I’ve also been meaning to participate in and plug a friends gaming website called GamerDNA.com.  It’s pretty cool and I’m sure to get involved after the wedding.  Good luck guys!

Wow…I can ramble on while writing just was well as I do while talking!

F_M

Bring back Musclecar goodness!

Saw this on the way home tonight.  I’m not particularly fond of the El Camino, but it speaks to the 18 year old in me.

I could go for some V8.

F_M

Hey Stranger!

There is an event coming up this weekend that I’m excited about.  My old high school friends are getting together after 20 years!  Sure, some of us have stayed in touch over the years but this is the first time in a LONG time that we’ll all be together again.

I’m excited, but also a bit nervous.  It was nice to find out that some couples are still together and have large families, and some people, that I thought would be married, haven’t.  My 18 year old son will be there and I’ll be proudly showing him off.  Interestingly enough the event is at Kevin and Maureen’s house, and my ex will be there with me and Sweets.  They get along great, which worries me.  =)

It puzzles me when I think back to that 18 year old dufus I used to be.  The long journey from there to here was quite amazing.  I’ve been places and done things both good and bad that have shaped me.  I’ve learned and re-learned lessons countless times in those 20 years.   So I guess one of the reasons I’m nervous about this coming weekend is that it may remind me of who I used to be.

No sense worrying about something that hasn’t even happened though.  I’m just glad I’ll get to see my friends after so long.  They’re part of what shaped me and I’ve missed them.  People are coming in from all over the country for this event, from Florida to Nevada to Minnesota!  This promises to be a fun time full of food, old stories, new stories and a renewed sense of friendship.  I’m particularly interested in seeing Mike Curly, John and Chris Mailo, Scott McDonald and Rob Scullin, who were like brothers to me, Jeff, Sean, Matt…heck, EVERYONE!  I’ve yet to figure out what to bring…probably some food, and some chairs for sure.  Not sure how much drinking I’ll be doing as it’s about a 45 minute drive home, but we’ll have fun.  A special thanks to Kevin and Maureen for hosting this shindig, I’m sure it’s cost them a bit, not only money but time to prepare.

22 years to catch up on in an afternoon…wow.

F_M

Micky Ward – Still running on the streets of Lowell, thankfully.

I have either lived in Lowell or in the surrounding towns for most of my life.  There are many celebrities from Lowell, most of whom are dead, including Ed McMahon, Jack Kerouac, and Bette Davis, but they left to pursue their careers and it seemed Lowell was but a footnote in their story.

I was driving in Lowell yesterday looking to get my oil changed and who do I see running on the side of the road but Micky Ward.  Being a fight fan I recognized him immediately but I resisted the urge to stop and bother him simply because he was working out.  I’ve had the pleasure of briefly meeting him in the past when I was an EMT in the city, never long enough for him to remember who I am surely.

Boxing is one of those sports where character is on display.  Micky Ward wasn’t always the best fighter in the ring but I’ve always been AMAZED at his tenacity. This guy would sit in close and take the best of what the opponent had to dish out…just because he didn’t want to go down.  His fights aren’t alway pretty, in fact some are quite painful to watch…moreso because I relate to him because he’s a home-town guy.  He’s drank at the same holes I have…He’s been in the same DD’s that I have.  He’s walked the same streets as I have and taken the same buses.  I’ve seen him take shots that hurt ME through the television and you could see it hurt him but he kept going, often times coming back in the later rounds to miraculously finish his opponents.  He’s been profiled in all the major magazines, been on Sportscenter and in highlight reels, there is even a movie being made about his life…but he’s still running in Lowell, dodging traffic and potholes while he runs.

I want his drive and his tenacity.  He’s from the same place I am and if he can do what he’s done then there must be some part of me that’s been influenced by the same things he’s been influenced by.  I can’t express the pride I felt when I saw him fight, or when I drive by him while he’s running.  It’s too be the Highland Tap is closed because I sure would like to buy him a drink.
Micky, thanks for being a role model.  I’m proud of you!  If I can buy you a drink please let me know!  Keep running and keep swinging!

As a side note, Arturo Gatti was killed by his wife over the weekend, which I didn’t realize until last night, after I saw Micky running.  Some people say that Gatti was the perfect foil for Micky and those fights helped both fighter’s careers.  R.I.P. Arturo.

F_M

More discipline…

I need more discipline in regards to my diet. I’m doing well during the week but all bets are off over the weekend. Between eating out and grilling it’s almost impossible for me to maintain calorie restrictions.

Oh, and late at night, when I’m not supposed to eat anything? Forget it…I’ve been bad. Last night at 11pm I at a piece of pizza. WTF is that? Why do I have less will power later at night? Skinny Cow ice cream treats are no good for you when you eat 2…or even 3. I’m putting in all this work, getting up before the crack of dawn, spending all this time doing cardio and I blow it at night and on the weekends. Frustrating to say the least.

I guess I’m also a little let down that I’ve not lost any weight even after working out for over 2 months. I will say that I’ve gotten a bit bigger muscularly, but not a ton. I’m looking to lose some of this fat around my belly, sides, and haunches…SOMEONE GIVE ME A CARVING KNIFE!

If only it were that easy. I’ll keep plugging along though and maybe something will click in my body and start it will start responding to this work.

F_M

Watch!

Ok, for the record I wear a watch, but it’s a cheap $50.00 Armitron. While I’ve owned nice watches in the past I’m not a watch junkie by any stretch. My watch is functional and when it stops working in a few years I’ll spend another $50.00 for another one.

This video, besides being a cool video, shows a new type of watch. This watch is powered, not by a battery, but by air pressure and sports a unique interface never seen before.

I just know I’d scratch the jewel before I got home from the store.

I think I’ll wait for my OLED watch, thank you very much. Dick Tracy had that shyte 60 years ago!

Faithfully…

My First Video Blog post!

This is a swiveling chair tour of my office!

Happy 4th!

I would personally like to thank those that conceived of and fought for American Independence.  Over the years the 4th of July has become more about fireworks and cookouts than for recognition of our independence from Britain and our fight for self-determination.  Independence, liberty, and the freedoms we fought for are not only American values but values ALL humans struggle for. 

So please remember those that have fought, died, and LIVED for these values all over the world.

I am a very proud American and I salute her today, on her birthday!  God Bless America!
… See my Tabblo>

Struck a blow for “Personal Space” today!

I know I use my blog to complain about a lot of things…some of them gereral complaints and some are more esoteric than others.  I’ve finally got something on my mind that I think bugs EVERYONE.

Have you ever noticed that there are some people out there that don’t know how to respect your personal space?  Seinfeld made fun of it in the “Close Talker” episode, where Judge Reinhold would get WAY to close and talk to them as if he was a normal distance away.  I, like most people, have a healthy respect for ‘personal space.’ 

There is this guy (a sweaty, stinky guy) that decides that even in an EMPTY gym he needs to get REALLY close to me and do his calf stretches.  I’m working on my cardio, minding my own business and 40 minutes into my hour and he decides to hang his heel off the side of the machine right next to me and lean back.  I felt this dude’s HEAT he was so close…WTF is that shyte?  The whole place is empty and this guy has to stand right on top of me?  He does this inside the locker room too…the entire room is empty and he’s got towel off in my space, which aggravates the bejeezies out me.

This happens quite often and today I said something to him about it.  “Hey bud, do you mind not crowding me?  This place is empty so why don’t you stretch over there.”

You would have thought I punched his mother.  He huffed and puffed and finally moved down.  Now don’t get me wrong…I don’t feel badly at all, in fact I’m glad I did it.  But apparently he didn’t realize that he was too close for comfort…which I find unbelievable.  Final word…I don’t know this guy and I’m not in the gym to make friends.  Maybe I tought him a lesson on personal boundaries, maybe I just pissed him off…I don’t care.

And what’s with the guy who comes into a crowded gym and grabs the circulating fan and puts it right on himself?  Ok, that’s another gripe for another day.

Happy 4th!

Don’t touch that dial.

So, it’s Tuesday.

A few people have died in the past week or so. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcette, Billy Mays, and M.J. Of course many other people died in that time but the news media doesn’t cover those.

Many Iranian protesters have been detained, killed or injured in the past week but it seems that media outlets are relieved that they’re able to STOP covering that story. It felt to me that CNN and other vampiric outlets feel they’ve bled that story dry…so fresh meat for the sensationalizing had to be found. The fickle nature of our information consumption embarasses me and I wonder what the world thinks of us because of it.

The Iranian uprising must have hit it’s 140 character limit because for the past week I’ve seen nary a story regarding the continuing struggle.

Oh yeah, that North Korean ship that we dispatched war vessels to investigate that was suspected of carrying fuel and supplies for nuclear reaction? Aww, forget about it…it’s old news…didn’t you hear…M.J. died.

I don’t think that our attention spans are so short that we, as a nation, need to move on. I think that the news outlets are all about the dollar and feel the need feed us something new to keep us interested. Shame on you for not understanding what Americans are really all about. We, as Americans, are ALLOWING this by watching the inane coverage, buying the gossip rags, and not demanding that REAL NEWS be reported.

It sickens me to think that the struggle for democracy persists for these people and we’re more interested in what happens to all the crap Michael Jackson foolishly spent his money on. We WERE witnessing a monumental change in philosophy in the Middle East…that is, until we decided to change the channel.

Rhode Island Air Show 2009

See my Tabblo>

Apparently not…

My work PC is such a piece of crap that I won’t be posting those photos until I get home tonight.

It’s pretty sad when it barfs for 20 mins trying to open 45 photos.

Pisses me off…