One of the things I used to dream about as a youth, besides becoming a professional bat-boy or brain surgeon (hey, I was a multi-faceted lad), was visiting Cooperstown, NY, situated in the middle of New York State. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to fulfill that dream (though I haven't fulfilled my professional dreams yet ;o). Paul, Cathy, D, and I took a road-trip to upstate NY state to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame! D was generous enough to load us into her BMW convertible and haul us up on Saturday morning up twisting highways, through the Adirondak Mountains, and through towns who gave us city-slickers dirty looks. We spent the late afternoon in Cooperstown watching a semi-pro baseball game at the first baseball park in the U.S., taking swings at Tim Wakefield-like, 40 MPH knuckleballs in the batting cages, browsing the numerous baseball-related stores in town, and eating the latest Willy Wonka innovation in candy - NERDS on a rope! During the evening, we checked out the mecca for all baseball fans - the Hall of Fame. There were so many relics and stories there, it would take a whole day to get through it. It was quite impressing, and still growing. I realized, though, that many of the baseball icons of my youth (like Mark McGwire) have only recently retired, so I might have to visit it again in 10 years to see them all pictured there!
After driving a few hours back towards the city in search of a hotel room for the evening, we ended up in Albany and the next morning we opted to bypass the TGI Fridays and Olive Garden breakfast in favor of Bleecker Cafe, a local restaurant where we indulged in some massive portions of food and morning cocktails (like...uhh...orange juice). On the way home Sunday, we stopped at D's mother's house north of the city and did a little swimming while the ladies oogled over D's baby nephew.
This weekend I'm heading back to Cali for a long, 4-day Fourth of July weekend. I'll be chilling out in San Diego, so if anyone wants to come visit me, let me know!
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Saturday, June 26, 2004
We just pulled into Maryanne's
We just pulled into Maryanne's Dairy Carnival in upstate NY. We're on our way to the baseball hall of fame for the weekend
Monday, June 21, 2004
Rants -- and Raves!
Well, my employer is up to their old tricks again, two weeks in a row. Last Friday they informed that I was going to Columbus, Ohio for two days after my weekend getaway. Gotta love that advanced notice! This past Friday they pulled the old 1-2 sucker punch on me again and told me I was going to be shipped out to Chicago on Monday...FOR THE DAY! I was okay with it since the project had a bunch of new people on it and a bunch of coworkers that I am friends with. Plus, it was ONLY FOR ONE DAY, RIGHT??
WRONG.
AFTER I arrive in Chicago (after waking up at about 3:15am to catch my flight) on Monday morning, suddenly it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to finish the database work that they needed me to do in one day, so Justin is going to have to stay overnight and work in Chicago again tomorrow. Well, how nice. Too bad I didn't bring my LUGGAGE!! I guess I'm okay with it, but it's going to stink (literally and figuratively) working in the same clothes tomorrow as I did today (Paul and Cathy, no response required from you two).
In other, more positive news, England won their Euro 2004 match today, sending them into the next round against Portugal. Of course, you all knew that, since all of you signed up and paid for video highlights of all the games, including interviews with coaches and players (my favorite -- well, the only one I've seen yet, actually -- was Pavel Nedved's interview from the Czech game. He spoke in Czech the whole time, possibly my next language to master!?!?).
Yesterday was a fun Sunday. After waking up around noon (Saturday night was a late one!), Paul and I traversed the island shopping, exchanging goods, and enjoying our first NYC Jamba Juice (founded by alumni from my college!!!). The NYC Public Library was closed, unfortunately. I was hoping to pick up Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, as well as some "Learn Spanish" (also considering "Learn Czech") CD's for my (DELAYED) commute to New Jersey (if I ever get out of Chicago). But, I did end up buying some hiking boots for my summer hike(s) and backpacking excursions in California. They cost a load of cash, so hopefully I'll put them to good use and have them for generations to come (Hmmm...Machu Picchu hike maybe??). Several miles of walking, beautiful California-style weather, and some new goods in my closet - Not a bad Sunday!
WRONG.
AFTER I arrive in Chicago (after waking up at about 3:15am to catch my flight) on Monday morning, suddenly it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to finish the database work that they needed me to do in one day, so Justin is going to have to stay overnight and work in Chicago again tomorrow. Well, how nice. Too bad I didn't bring my LUGGAGE!! I guess I'm okay with it, but it's going to stink (literally and figuratively) working in the same clothes tomorrow as I did today (Paul and Cathy, no response required from you two).
In other, more positive news, England won their Euro 2004 match today, sending them into the next round against Portugal. Of course, you all knew that, since all of you signed up and paid for video highlights of all the games, including interviews with coaches and players (my favorite -- well, the only one I've seen yet, actually -- was Pavel Nedved's interview from the Czech game. He spoke in Czech the whole time, possibly my next language to master!?!?).
Yesterday was a fun Sunday. After waking up around noon (Saturday night was a late one!), Paul and I traversed the island shopping, exchanging goods, and enjoying our first NYC Jamba Juice (founded by alumni from my college!!!). The NYC Public Library was closed, unfortunately. I was hoping to pick up Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, as well as some "Learn Spanish" (also considering "Learn Czech") CD's for my (DELAYED) commute to New Jersey (if I ever get out of Chicago). But, I did end up buying some hiking boots for my summer hike(s) and backpacking excursions in California. They cost a load of cash, so hopefully I'll put them to good use and have them for generations to come (Hmmm...Machu Picchu hike maybe??). Several miles of walking, beautiful California-style weather, and some new goods in my closet - Not a bad Sunday!
Saturday, June 19, 2004
New Kids on the Blog
Faryn, Me, Graham, Summer, and Grandma Georgia! Some of you may remember a few of them...
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Drought
Whew, it's been a while since I've blogged. You may notice, from time to time, a direct correlation between blogging and my work level. Thus, when the blogs lack, the work overwhelms. And vice-versa. Or I'm just being plain lazy...
So a few notable things of recent. I am all done working in Indiana (a location where there was much blogging going on) and last weekend I went to California for a quick trip. It was mostly like a family reunion, since my brother and sisters were all home. I'll post some pictures tonight after I install the photo-blogging utility "Hello". It was a pretty mellow weekend, spent most of my time playing basketball, relaxing, and eating the nightly schmorgasbourg laid before me by my parents. And it was good.
My mom is en route to Malawi as I type. This will be her third trip to a village there where she helps out. This year, dad and sister Summer are going as well, though they're going in a few weeks. I'm sure it will be quite an experience for them. I can't even imagine how different that culture must be....
I spent a couple days in Columbus, Ohio this week. This place is notable because a coworker of mine is from there and I never cease to wonder "what in the world does someone do for fun in Columbus, Ohio". Well, I have to give it some credit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And they DO have a "German Village" area, where there are some German restaurants. I never thought I'd find a one liter mug of Warsteiner in America's heartland! And, even more surprisingly, there was someone there wearing an Eintracht Frankfurt shirt! That's right, better recognize the best team in the Bundesliga! Well, the best team in the second division, I guess ;o).
Speaking of soccer....is anyone else in this country watching the Euro 2004??? I didn't think so :-/ . I've been all over it like flies on....animal dung. For the record, I am a big fan of the Czech Republic (due to the randomness of the small country and the fact that they have some real class players), England (of course, since I know all of their players and they get the most press), and Germany (though I don't have much faith in them this year). I was rooting for Italy but decided it's more fun to watch them suck it up in another international competition. And the fact that Totti (a striker for Italy) is an IDIOT after spitting on a Danish player and getting suspended. What a foolio....
So a few notable things of recent. I am all done working in Indiana (a location where there was much blogging going on) and last weekend I went to California for a quick trip. It was mostly like a family reunion, since my brother and sisters were all home. I'll post some pictures tonight after I install the photo-blogging utility "Hello". It was a pretty mellow weekend, spent most of my time playing basketball, relaxing, and eating the nightly schmorgasbourg laid before me by my parents. And it was good.
My mom is en route to Malawi as I type. This will be her third trip to a village there where she helps out. This year, dad and sister Summer are going as well, though they're going in a few weeks. I'm sure it will be quite an experience for them. I can't even imagine how different that culture must be....
I spent a couple days in Columbus, Ohio this week. This place is notable because a coworker of mine is from there and I never cease to wonder "what in the world does someone do for fun in Columbus, Ohio". Well, I have to give it some credit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And they DO have a "German Village" area, where there are some German restaurants. I never thought I'd find a one liter mug of Warsteiner in America's heartland! And, even more surprisingly, there was someone there wearing an Eintracht Frankfurt shirt! That's right, better recognize the best team in the Bundesliga! Well, the best team in the second division, I guess ;o).
Speaking of soccer....is anyone else in this country watching the Euro 2004??? I didn't think so :-/ . I've been all over it like flies on....animal dung. For the record, I am a big fan of the Czech Republic (due to the randomness of the small country and the fact that they have some real class players), England (of course, since I know all of their players and they get the most press), and Germany (though I don't have much faith in them this year). I was rooting for Italy but decided it's more fun to watch them suck it up in another international competition. And the fact that Totti (a striker for Italy) is an IDIOT after spitting on a Danish player and getting suspended. What a foolio....
Monday, June 07, 2004
These Euro-boots.....
These Euro-boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do. In fact, that's what they did this weekend after the arrival of the Daniel's twin brothers from middle-America. After chasing them around the airport for a while on Friday with my taxi driver in tow, we finally met up and headed to the city.
The twins are very interesting, and I find them intriguing, especially since my mother is a n identical twin, just like these guys. The funny thing about these guys, though, is that they have the same name: Paulo! It's pretty funny to watch these two. They both are identical, same haircut and all, and they both call each other Paulo. I asked them like how their mother calls one of them if she needs just one, and they said that she just calls for Paulo and they both come. Weird. Maybe the fact that they have the same name has to do with the fact that there are 14 kids in that family. If I were their mother, I would be too tired to give them individual names too....
But, nonetheless, they are good kids, very tolerable and easy to feed. They were even brave enough to eat sushi for the first time right after arriving in the city. We walked about 350 miles this weekend and saw just about every neighborhood here. In addition, we ate a ton of food and I got to banter on and on about soccer for once. It's nice having people "in the loop" when I talk about how Real Madrid just signed Walter Samuel and about how Corinthians sucks so bad, and they're going to be demoted to the second division of the Brazilian national championship next year. Good times...Speaking of soccer, next week the Euro 2004 starts, which is the equivalent of the World Cup, only just for European teams. This is HUGE. I haven't ever seen the Euro Cup in action, but I will definetely be spending at least one full weekend doing nothing but watching all the action here in NYC, where there are a number of places with the games on TV.
Yesterday, in New York, I asked an officer if there was a cafe w/ gelato nearby. He directed me to the nearby TGI Fridays and Applebees :-/ . I mean, I would have some sort of respect if he directed me to Olive Garden. But Fridays? Applebees?
Sigh.
The twins are very interesting, and I find them intriguing, especially since my mother is a n identical twin, just like these guys. The funny thing about these guys, though, is that they have the same name: Paulo! It's pretty funny to watch these two. They both are identical, same haircut and all, and they both call each other Paulo. I asked them like how their mother calls one of them if she needs just one, and they said that she just calls for Paulo and they both come. Weird. Maybe the fact that they have the same name has to do with the fact that there are 14 kids in that family. If I were their mother, I would be too tired to give them individual names too....
But, nonetheless, they are good kids, very tolerable and easy to feed. They were even brave enough to eat sushi for the first time right after arriving in the city. We walked about 350 miles this weekend and saw just about every neighborhood here. In addition, we ate a ton of food and I got to banter on and on about soccer for once. It's nice having people "in the loop" when I talk about how Real Madrid just signed Walter Samuel and about how Corinthians sucks so bad, and they're going to be demoted to the second division of the Brazilian national championship next year. Good times...Speaking of soccer, next week the Euro 2004 starts, which is the equivalent of the World Cup, only just for European teams. This is HUGE. I haven't ever seen the Euro Cup in action, but I will definetely be spending at least one full weekend doing nothing but watching all the action here in NYC, where there are a number of places with the games on TV.
Yesterday, in New York, I asked an officer if there was a cafe w/ gelato nearby. He directed me to the nearby TGI Fridays and Applebees :-/ . I mean, I would have some sort of respect if he directed me to Olive Garden. But Fridays? Applebees?
Sigh.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Cafeteria
Everyday i walk past a cafeteria in an office building and realize that it smells the same as the one i worked as a janitorial engineer at in college. And that's not necessarily a good thing...
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Memorial Day in the Windy City
I had my first much-needed break this past weekend, with my employer graciously giving us a four-day weekend to celebrate Memorial Day. I'm sure that the extra day off (Friday) didn't have anything to do with the fact that our competitors gave their employees an extra few days of vacation. But, nonetheless, I'm not going to complain about the extra day off.
Since I'm stuck in Indiana, I decided to visit some friends of mine a few hours north in Chicago. So, I got to hang out with Kathy and Ian Barr, got to visit Craig and his growing family, and met up with Julie, along with Kathy and Ian, for a night of happy-hour indulgence and fraternizing with Chicago co-eds. Ian's got me hooked on becoming the next Eric Clapton by teaching me the three required coords needed to play the Beatles "Eight Days a Week" on his acoustic guitar. I might have to make a purchase here pretty soon to allow my talent to fully mature. Looks like I'll need to build up some callouses on my fingers for those wicked coords!
This weekend the Brazilian Daniel's twin brothers are going to be visiting me in NYC from their exchange home in Missouri. I don't really remember what they look like, so I guess I'll just have to look for two kids who look the same and who are looking around with blank faces at the baggage claim at the airport....
Since I'm stuck in Indiana, I decided to visit some friends of mine a few hours north in Chicago. So, I got to hang out with Kathy and Ian Barr, got to visit Craig and his growing family, and met up with Julie, along with Kathy and Ian, for a night of happy-hour indulgence and fraternizing with Chicago co-eds. Ian's got me hooked on becoming the next Eric Clapton by teaching me the three required coords needed to play the Beatles "Eight Days a Week" on his acoustic guitar. I might have to make a purchase here pretty soon to allow my talent to fully mature. Looks like I'll need to build up some callouses on my fingers for those wicked coords!
This weekend the Brazilian Daniel's twin brothers are going to be visiting me in NYC from their exchange home in Missouri. I don't really remember what they look like, so I guess I'll just have to look for two kids who look the same and who are looking around with blank faces at the baggage claim at the airport....
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