December 13, 2010
Now that the LSAT is over, I want to be productive these days. I guess that comes with the work ethic that you get from constantly having the LSAT on your shoulders. Now that it's been lifted and the hardship of law school is somewhat on the horizon, I need something to fill my desire to be constantly doing something and also just live life while I still have it.
One thing I have to do is make sure that I get sleep. Instead of a 9-5, I try to go into the office a bit earlier, like 8:30. That means I have to get up way early and I'm not the type that can operate without sleep. If I sleep at 1:30 and get up at 8:00, I end up having to go home and waste a chunk of my afternoon napping for an hour or two.
When I get home, I should have a plan. No schmoozing around. I have my YouTube videos playing in the background when I work, I have no excuse to be dilly dallying on the Internet at home. My rule: Always be productive.
So today, I guess I'll check it off as an off day. I don't really get anything done. I get my workout in and I Ebay one thing for my Christmas shopping (still more to do on that).
December 14, 2010
I run some errands, I get home, have some Egg Beats, nap from 6-7:00. Then I go to Queens Center Mall. First, again I get ask if I'm an employee at PacSun. I also realize I need a good 3-4 hours at a mall. Then again, I checked 80% of the stores I wanted to anyway. Picky shopping. I get pair jeans at PacSun that actually fit (W29 L30). My old jeans are W30/31 and almost to point of awkwardly barely fitting even with a belt. I actually returned jeans I bought because they gave me a $25 off card. Return product to buy the same product back with discount, true shopping. $40 for 2 pair, dd.
I get a peacoat for $30 (70% off from $100) from Aeropostale. It ends up not really fitting when I get home, though I felt it didn't when I tried it on at the store. If it's not perfect, return it. So I need to go back to the mall tomorrow. Ugh.
December 15, 2010
For things on my list to get done:
I should catch up with Bowen before he goes to China for his school break and also ask him for tips about Paris.
More importantly, book my flight for Paris.
And about Paris, I need to step my game up. If I'm schmoozing on the computer, I need to be constantly playing Magic to get my chops up. Only hours and hours of practice get to good play.
Send out my Christmas cards. I was actually planning on making gingerbread biscotti and sending that too with my cards, but that seems like work.
Finish up my Christmas shopping and wrap that shit up.
Figure what schools I want to apply to, then actually apply.
On the back back burner is relearning Spanish, but that's also work.
I call the Hasbro travel agent and she says I can plan the flight by next week, so I'll do it that way.
I go to Roosevelt Field. H&M, which is sometimes my go to store, doesn't really have anything, despite their sales. They really do put up the shittiest, ugliest clothes on sale. Stuff that you ask, "Why would they even manufacture this?" and then you realize some chump bought this ruffley pirate shirt and is wearing that POS.
I check Gap's sale, but realize I'm kidding myself I think I could find fitting clothes there.
At Aeropostale, they're having a sick sick sale. Usually there stuff is "regular" in first place, $40-50 hoodie, $30 button up, $20 graphic tee, $40-50 jeans, etc. However, it's going wild clearance style where things are at least 50% off.
I spend a good hour or so there checking shit out. I find the pea coat ($30 from $100) that I want in XS, which is perfect. Every man needs one. It's not the best 100% wool pea coat, which is a real investment, but hey, screw the outdoors, I'm staying inside these next few months as much as possible.
I get a biege hoodie ($25), which isn't too logo-ey. By the way, their brand sucks for being so logo-ey. Nobody wants your stupid "Aero" or "Aeropostale" on their shirt. Just make a design and leave your brand off of it. It's on every collared shirt and graphic tee. There guys in their late 20s even joke that they would never wear that stuff, but it's fine for "the girls." I guess they're shopping for younger family or something.
I actually get a nice maroon t-shirt, though I realize it does have their brand on it, but the shirt is busy enough that it's not too noticeable ($9).
I also get some really warm "shoe slipper" things ($10). Hard wood floor, it's winter, a must have.
A gray wool cardigan ($15). Sort of like granny-style.
Shit's cheap, so I decide to break tradition and get my cousins a shirt and a scarf ($18), though I don't think I want to go down to Virginia for whatever family shindig. I'm a true family fella.
I almost buy a Northface looking fleece, but I realize, I'm too old for this shit. Despite being hella practical and warm for fall, you look like a dipshit kid with that on.
I go by the rule: "Would I wear this out?"
People have too many clothes that are casual or for home. The more clothes you have that you feel are an "upgrade" and make you dress "up," then it's just a positive overall for your general wardrobe. For example, why would you fuck fat chicks and occasionally fuck hot chicks? Makes no sense, just fuck the chicks. Period.
Once you get out of high school, and especially college, and into the real world, you need to start dressing like an adult. Granted, I'm not going to rock a button up and sweater everyday, but it's still a philosophy to mostly abide by.
I have yet to go to the mall and not get confused as someone who works there. This time, I get it like 3 times. Even once, I just give up explaining and help someone out who's reaching for a shirt on a high rack. And yes, the lady was quite short if I'm the one that's reaching for something "high." Laugh away.
It's past 9:00PM now and I need dinner so I scope the pretty empty food court. It's late and the mall is closing soon. For some reason, "Sanku" is way crowded with a line that wraps part of the food court, while everything else is barely busy. I go with the hype and order their $4.99 chicken terayaki. The food is so-so, but the appeal is that it's made to order right in front of you, stir fried on the grill. At least it makes sense that this place is so busy. "Made to order" anything is always better.
December 16, 2010
I guess my brother is in China by now because I left him a message a few days ago. My mom left me a number to call him with, so I'll do that.
By the way, this sobriety thing is going pretty well. I hadn't drank for a week or two before the LSAT. Even after it on that Saturday night, I chilled wiht CNF, Miah, and Kenny and didn't go too wild.
With this productivity ethic, drinking just doesn't fit into that equation too well. Hangovers are no longer a myth to me. Even a few drinks affect me the next day. I need to sleep in more, but most importantly, my entire body and mind is just sluggish. I'm fully content to just eat, drink water, and watch stuff on my computer all day. I never do anything productive nor can I even multitask well, like write for Yelp or my blog while watching something. With this frigid weather, I think it'll all work out well. I won't be going out freezing my ass off. I'll be getting to bed at a decent time. I'll be saving some money. And I'll be able to do stuff on my weekends instead of going out one night, recovering the next day, going out another night, recovering the next day.
Thursday 16 December 2010
Tuesday 7 December 2010
The Three Lines
December 3, 2010
Miah, Spamps, and Bolanos are hanging at my place and we smoke up some weed. It’s been a while and it’s good times, but I just need to mention a few highlight lines:
1. “That’s not something you usually offer someone.” - Darwin
Bolanos and I were at the Comic Store and one of the little kids was eating a burger and wings from Hickory BBQ. That’s a serious meal. I’m very impressed by him. He’s probably 11 and eating a man’s man meal. He kindly offers a wing to me and insist that I have one. I retort, “That’s not something you usually offer someone.” Wings are just a horribly messy food. Bolanos mentions that not only did I refuse his kind gesture, but scorned him for his genourosity.
I tell the guys this story and I joke that it would be a really good reality TV segment to use this. Imagine an outdoor flea market and you have a booth where you offer free buffalo wings, super messy saucy ones. People eat them with their hands and then ask for napkins and you reply that you do not have any. No bathrooms nearby, they’re outdoors, they’re around a bunch of random booths that sell useless knick knacks, and they’re stranded with their faces and hands covered in sauce.
2. “Apparently they had no chance.” – Bolanos
I think we all know that Bolanos is a supporter of his people, the Jews and Israel or whatnot. He tells us of this story that forest fires are going on in Israel. I’m pretty sure he over emphasizes the importance of this story in the news and was blown away that I had not heard about it. Granted, I’m extremely ignorant of the news.
He starts off telling the story with already a pro-Israel slant. “Well first of all, Israel is a big desert, but they put trees there because they’re sophisticated like that, but that’s beside the point...” He goes on to say that a bus full of people were engulfed in flames and died.
While it is extremely unforunate, I just could not wrap my head around this. They were in a bus. And someone a fire killed them. It makes no sense to me. I can understand a fire killing someone trapped in a building, but a moving vehicle. Unless you purposely drive into a fire or the bus blows up for no reason, there is no reason why a bus and fire should ever result in any mishap. The only way I can envision it is a bus driving down a road and a huge fireball and shoots right at the bus and engulfs the entire thing into flames. Like a fireball rocket launcher. Or some horrific scene out of Dante’s Inferno, with Pierce Brosnan. I explain my confusion to Bolanos. He says that he had read the news story on this and replied, “Apparently they had no chance.”
The pro-Israeli-ness has even suggested that fireballs react differently and there was no way these people could’ve avoided the fire. There is just something about the emphasis on “No” in that sentence.
3. “You’re going to make me endure major suffering!?”
Miah, Spamps, and I had smoked and Bolanos wanted to get back home. He did not have his car over. Spamps and I are not in the state to drive, so we do not really have a solution for him. One of the possibly solutions is to have him walk home. He contests this option and complains to Spamps, “You’re going to make me endure major suffering!?”
Granted, it was a rough situation for him, but the three of us were just not in the mood for that Debbie Downer-ness, a fucking buzzkill. I bring up Oregon Trail or Trail of Tears. It’s clarified that Trail of Tears is the sad one where the Native Americans get shipped across America on basically a death march. The words “major suffering” were just a ridiculous hyperbole. I continue to joke that he would have to ford a river in order to get back and avoid cholera.
We eventually decide to get food at White Castle and drop of Bolanos. We walk over to Spamps’ to get his car. On the walk, it’s cold, but I just can’t stop continue laughing about “major suffering” and “Trail of Tears.”
Three lines that I will push to be used more.
Miah, Spamps, and Bolanos are hanging at my place and we smoke up some weed. It’s been a while and it’s good times, but I just need to mention a few highlight lines:
1. “That’s not something you usually offer someone.” - Darwin
Bolanos and I were at the Comic Store and one of the little kids was eating a burger and wings from Hickory BBQ. That’s a serious meal. I’m very impressed by him. He’s probably 11 and eating a man’s man meal. He kindly offers a wing to me and insist that I have one. I retort, “That’s not something you usually offer someone.” Wings are just a horribly messy food. Bolanos mentions that not only did I refuse his kind gesture, but scorned him for his genourosity.
I tell the guys this story and I joke that it would be a really good reality TV segment to use this. Imagine an outdoor flea market and you have a booth where you offer free buffalo wings, super messy saucy ones. People eat them with their hands and then ask for napkins and you reply that you do not have any. No bathrooms nearby, they’re outdoors, they’re around a bunch of random booths that sell useless knick knacks, and they’re stranded with their faces and hands covered in sauce.
2. “Apparently they had no chance.” – Bolanos
I think we all know that Bolanos is a supporter of his people, the Jews and Israel or whatnot. He tells us of this story that forest fires are going on in Israel. I’m pretty sure he over emphasizes the importance of this story in the news and was blown away that I had not heard about it. Granted, I’m extremely ignorant of the news.
He starts off telling the story with already a pro-Israel slant. “Well first of all, Israel is a big desert, but they put trees there because they’re sophisticated like that, but that’s beside the point...” He goes on to say that a bus full of people were engulfed in flames and died.
While it is extremely unforunate, I just could not wrap my head around this. They were in a bus. And someone a fire killed them. It makes no sense to me. I can understand a fire killing someone trapped in a building, but a moving vehicle. Unless you purposely drive into a fire or the bus blows up for no reason, there is no reason why a bus and fire should ever result in any mishap. The only way I can envision it is a bus driving down a road and a huge fireball and shoots right at the bus and engulfs the entire thing into flames. Like a fireball rocket launcher. Or some horrific scene out of Dante’s Inferno, with Pierce Brosnan. I explain my confusion to Bolanos. He says that he had read the news story on this and replied, “Apparently they had no chance.”
The pro-Israeli-ness has even suggested that fireballs react differently and there was no way these people could’ve avoided the fire. There is just something about the emphasis on “No” in that sentence.
3. “You’re going to make me endure major suffering!?”
Miah, Spamps, and I had smoked and Bolanos wanted to get back home. He did not have his car over. Spamps and I are not in the state to drive, so we do not really have a solution for him. One of the possibly solutions is to have him walk home. He contests this option and complains to Spamps, “You’re going to make me endure major suffering!?”
Granted, it was a rough situation for him, but the three of us were just not in the mood for that Debbie Downer-ness, a fucking buzzkill. I bring up Oregon Trail or Trail of Tears. It’s clarified that Trail of Tears is the sad one where the Native Americans get shipped across America on basically a death march. The words “major suffering” were just a ridiculous hyperbole. I continue to joke that he would have to ford a river in order to get back and avoid cholera.
We eventually decide to get food at White Castle and drop of Bolanos. We walk over to Spamps’ to get his car. On the walk, it’s cold, but I just can’t stop continue laughing about “major suffering” and “Trail of Tears.”
Three lines that I will push to be used more.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
JE VAIS A PARIS!
November 27, 2010
I wake up at 7AM after tossing and turning all night. I’m not sure why, but it might be because I’m looking forward to today. My mom left a huge slice of Artichoke pizza in the kitchen last night and what a perfect carby breakfast for the long day ahead of me. The secret is to microwave first so the cheese melts, then onto a frying pan so the crust gets crisp.
What was ahead of me today was a Pro Tour Qualifier (PTQ) for Magic: The Gathering. It is a hobby that I have had since 2002. Before that, I was into the Pokemon craze. I even extended that a couple years too long past fifth grade, after everyone was over it. During middle school, I remember my neighbor, my brother, and I going to the Whitestone Toys ‘R Us to battle Pokemon. It really was a fantastic experience now I think back to it.
Parents would bring their kids to the store on a Sunday morning. Kids would casually play each other in the game, trade cards, and interact as kids should. Then, depending on winning and attendance, the person at the store would give you a stamp in your little booklet that Wizards of the Coast (the same company that produces Magic) produced. Promotional cards specific to this little gathering that they had in stores around the country would be given out. But what I really cared for was the badges. After a certain amount of stamps, you would received a badge for your achievements and put a drive in me to go every week.
At one point, my mother even drove my brother, my mom’s friend’s son, Eric, and I to a huge Pokemon tournament in New Jersey. Eric was my brother’s age and played Pokemon as well. My brother and I would hang at his house when my mother and grandmother visited his house to play Mah-Jong. There would be two tables in the basement going and just that loud Chinese comradery that I am so similar with from my childhood.
The Pokemon tournament was actually quite a generous offering by Wizards. Everyone was invited and there was no entry fee into the tournament. The tournament was split by age group. Winners would receive certain prizes and everyone at the end received a grab bag filled with booster packs, stickers, and other promotional schwag.
Eventually, Eric had introduced me to Magic and did this game hook me fast. I remember learning the game and immediately looking it up online. I had found coverage of a certain tournament and carefully browsed through the cards that these people were playing and the interactions that I had never heard of. The next time I saw Eric, I looked through his cards, and pointed at the exact ones that I had seen online. I wanted those cards. I offered him $7 for them, they were commons and uncommons, nothing of much value. He kindly accepted and I had purchased by first deck.
From then on has been an eight year hobby that I have kept up with. And that brings me to today, the PTQ in Edison, NJ. In Magic, there is a competitive scene to the game. There are certain players that are “professionals,” but it is no way a lucrative occupation. Instead, they’re mostly young (20s) and balance schooling with this “job” of theirs. They make some sustainable income, travel the world, and get to do something they enjoy.
The competitive scene has 4-5 main large tournaments, Pro Tours, a year. They take place all over the world and have a first place pay out of $40,000. It is by invitation only, in which the professionals are already qualified because of previous achievements. They call this being on the “gravy train.” However, for aspiring players, there are PTQs. For each Pro Tour, there is a season of PTQs all over the world so that non-professionals could qualify and live the dream of winning the Pro Tour, or at least getting on the “train.”
As for the tri-state area, there only have a handful each season and they have grown in attendance from 100+ to almost 300. Worst of all, it is probably the most competitive area to play in the world. There are way too many talented players and every tournament I go to, I always see the same faces of the usual “grinders” that are doing the exact thing I am doing. We’re all fighting through a field of people and trying to make it big and get on the train.
I have been off of the PTQ scene for a year now and this is my first this year. I had planned on taking a train from Penn Station and waking up at 6AM, but my friend Rob told me people were driving out there. I was able to find a seat in one of the cars. Now I could wake up over an hour later, take my time, and not slog through the LIRR and NJ transit train.
I arrive there and get to see many old faces. I see Greg, who has been a bit like me. He goes to Stony. School and life has pushed Magic aside from his life. He keeps up with the game, but not with the drive that he used to have. We used to be brothers on the grind. I would sleep over at his house the night in Queens before PTQ in Manhattan. I even was there when Greg, his mother, and I took a bus down to Baltimore for a relatively large tournament. He ended up taking down the Junior Super Series, a tournament for those 18 and under, and won $10,00 in scholarship money. Greg has won a couple of these PTQs, but not been able to make because of cost and school. Wizards gives you an invitation and pays for your flight wherever the Pro Tour, but hotel and food in Kobe, Japan can still be a pretty penny.
Then I see Dan and Chen, people that I had met in Binghamton. They ran the Magic Club. Even after transferring, I would sporadically keep up with them and see them at these tournaments. Dan has won a PTQ. He ended up going to the Pro Tour, to San Diego I believe, and lost pretty quickly.
It is important to keep these connections. It gives you something to do throughout the day while you’re not playing so that you can share stories. More importantly, it is interaction with other good players so you have positive input on your game. Even outside your friends, there is still a concept of community. The person that drove me, Simon, I had known and played with, but we had never shared even a real conversation. However, my friend Rob knew him and viola, I made a connection and got a ride. In situations where I desperately need a few cards to finish my deck for a tournament, my friends would know loads of people and those people would trust me enough to lend me possibly up to hundreds of dollars in value of cards.
So speaking about this game and the people involved, I feel it gets a really poor reputation. Granted, a lot of these people are what you and I would call “geeks.” They do not know the basics of bathing, grooming, or reasonable attire. They can be socially awkward and also dabble in many of the other stalwarts of “geekdom,” maybe it be Star Wars, Star Trek, Dungeons and Dragons, etc. But more power to them, they love it.
In general though, the people are pretty “normal.” Granted, there were only a handful females in the room, the guys at least were somewhat representative of what guys from the ages 16-25 from the general population. My opponents were nice people. They joked around and carried conversation. They shook hands. Just nothing really out of the ordinary if I hadn’t been playing them.
However, a positive thing about the community is that with the more competitive players, there are bound to be extremely bright people. The same goes for poker and chess. In poker, a lot of the professionals either went to really good schools or dropped out of them for a professional poker career. The opposite occurs in Magic. Many of the old school professionals are no longer in the scene because they’re off to do “real things” in life with their jobs. A lot of them end up becoming into the downtown financial type or lawyers. However, it’s still a hobby to them and I see them at PTQs, to show their face, see friends, and just hang.
My point is, everyone has dabbled in geekdom. May it be, a TV show, a film, video games (though this has recently been getting accepted socially I’ve noticed), or whatever. People are people. You shouldn’t always judge people based on who you might associate them with. Hell, I definitely do not associate myself with an overwhelming majority of Magic players.
Without much sleep the night before, I’m not confident with my chances, but this is a day for me to prove to myself that I had what it took. I had been playing for so long and it couldn’t all be for naught. Unless I am delusional, I have the chops. I just need to play tight, run well, and win. And win. And win. And win. For 9 rounds (50 minute rounds) with a cut to the Top 8.
This format is one that I particularly enjoyed. It was Limited, the other being Constructed. The analogy would be a cooking competition. Constructed would be like bringing your own ingredients and making a dish that you had perfected. In Magic, you would bring a deck of cards and play it. Unfortunately, that is logistically a problem for me considering you need to own a large collection in order to so. Granted, I do have a collection, but it in no way is significant enough to constantly be able to build whatever deck I want/need for a tournament. This is why connections are so important. When I have played Constructed in the past, it was almost completely done through the lending of cards.
And as for Limited, that would be like a chef showing up to a competition with only his mind and equipment. Then all competitors are given a random set of ingredients and no person gets the same ingredients. It is sort of like Iron Chef, but with more disparity between people. In Magic, you are given randomized sealed cards and asked to make a deck out of what is in front of you. It is not exactly a level playing field because it is random and many people end up with much better cards and decks than others.
Luckily for me, I open a stellar set of cards. Nothing too absurd, but just on the upper echelon of what one could open. One where a player like me could really have chances at winning.
The attendance is almost 300, which again is much larger than the 120 that I remember years ago and this meant a long day. I play well mostly and even have a few spectacular plays, but not without a mistakes. This isn’t a perfect exhibition of my abilities, but I am running well. Finally, it is almost 10PM and we had started playing at 10AM, the field is down the Top 8 and I have made it. This is only my third Top 8 and I previously had never won. I had only gotten to the quarters and semis.
People give me some Congrats, everyone wishes me luck, and it is my time to shine. The Top 8 starts off really poorly. I win the first game of the quarters by the skin of my chin, despite bone headed blatant misplays. The adrenaline has gotten to me.
Adrenaline might seem useful when you’re getting out of a dangerous situation or playing a contact sport, but it is definitely a negative in Magic. For me, I skip over the correct lines of play. A relaxed mind is able to look outside the box and see every possibility there is. When the mind is stressed and pushed, it makes rash decisions. If I was watching over my own shoulder, I would cringe at how bad some of the plays are, but the adrenaline is rushing through you and you just pull the trigger at whatever pops into your head and might not even notice how bad it is.
For the rest of the Top 8, I calm myself down, put my elbow on the table, lean my head on my hand, and play as if I couldn’t give a care in the world. After an extremely close semis against the only other competent player in the Top 8, I am into the finals. Game 1, he steam rolls me, despite me finding out later that I could have been in the game if I didn’t make a mistake. Games 2 and 3 and I feel like extremely well. “Perfectly” is a word that you can almost never use in Magic considering the many lines of play you could make.
And there we have it. It was 2AM and I had won a trip to the Pro Tour… in Paris! I will be going in February. My ride had patiently waited super long for me. Him, another friend, and I hadn’t eaten all day and stop by the diner. They even mention that I look so indifferent about winning, but that’s the mindset I had forced myself into. It just felt like another day in the office and I ignored what was on the line. It takes me another day until realize the impact.
I have finally accomplished something that I’d been wanting for over 5 years. This is by no means the be all end all. I still have to perform extremely well in a field of seasoned professionals, and amateurs like myself. So half of me is really anticipating this rough road ahead and preparation for it. However, the other half is non-Magic Darwin. I have always wanted to go to Paris ever since I was young. I’m looking forward to the sights and if I can plan it correctly, even some of the night life. I’m a bit jealous that my brother got to go a few years ago and he’ll be a great person to ask about Paris. The last place far I went was Prague and that was years and years ago. I am really happy I get to do this before law school locks me down and then I have to enter the real world.
I wake up at 7AM after tossing and turning all night. I’m not sure why, but it might be because I’m looking forward to today. My mom left a huge slice of Artichoke pizza in the kitchen last night and what a perfect carby breakfast for the long day ahead of me. The secret is to microwave first so the cheese melts, then onto a frying pan so the crust gets crisp.
What was ahead of me today was a Pro Tour Qualifier (PTQ) for Magic: The Gathering. It is a hobby that I have had since 2002. Before that, I was into the Pokemon craze. I even extended that a couple years too long past fifth grade, after everyone was over it. During middle school, I remember my neighbor, my brother, and I going to the Whitestone Toys ‘R Us to battle Pokemon. It really was a fantastic experience now I think back to it.
Parents would bring their kids to the store on a Sunday morning. Kids would casually play each other in the game, trade cards, and interact as kids should. Then, depending on winning and attendance, the person at the store would give you a stamp in your little booklet that Wizards of the Coast (the same company that produces Magic) produced. Promotional cards specific to this little gathering that they had in stores around the country would be given out. But what I really cared for was the badges. After a certain amount of stamps, you would received a badge for your achievements and put a drive in me to go every week.
At one point, my mother even drove my brother, my mom’s friend’s son, Eric, and I to a huge Pokemon tournament in New Jersey. Eric was my brother’s age and played Pokemon as well. My brother and I would hang at his house when my mother and grandmother visited his house to play Mah-Jong. There would be two tables in the basement going and just that loud Chinese comradery that I am so similar with from my childhood.
The Pokemon tournament was actually quite a generous offering by Wizards. Everyone was invited and there was no entry fee into the tournament. The tournament was split by age group. Winners would receive certain prizes and everyone at the end received a grab bag filled with booster packs, stickers, and other promotional schwag.
Eventually, Eric had introduced me to Magic and did this game hook me fast. I remember learning the game and immediately looking it up online. I had found coverage of a certain tournament and carefully browsed through the cards that these people were playing and the interactions that I had never heard of. The next time I saw Eric, I looked through his cards, and pointed at the exact ones that I had seen online. I wanted those cards. I offered him $7 for them, they were commons and uncommons, nothing of much value. He kindly accepted and I had purchased by first deck.
From then on has been an eight year hobby that I have kept up with. And that brings me to today, the PTQ in Edison, NJ. In Magic, there is a competitive scene to the game. There are certain players that are “professionals,” but it is no way a lucrative occupation. Instead, they’re mostly young (20s) and balance schooling with this “job” of theirs. They make some sustainable income, travel the world, and get to do something they enjoy.
The competitive scene has 4-5 main large tournaments, Pro Tours, a year. They take place all over the world and have a first place pay out of $40,000. It is by invitation only, in which the professionals are already qualified because of previous achievements. They call this being on the “gravy train.” However, for aspiring players, there are PTQs. For each Pro Tour, there is a season of PTQs all over the world so that non-professionals could qualify and live the dream of winning the Pro Tour, or at least getting on the “train.”
As for the tri-state area, there only have a handful each season and they have grown in attendance from 100+ to almost 300. Worst of all, it is probably the most competitive area to play in the world. There are way too many talented players and every tournament I go to, I always see the same faces of the usual “grinders” that are doing the exact thing I am doing. We’re all fighting through a field of people and trying to make it big and get on the train.
I have been off of the PTQ scene for a year now and this is my first this year. I had planned on taking a train from Penn Station and waking up at 6AM, but my friend Rob told me people were driving out there. I was able to find a seat in one of the cars. Now I could wake up over an hour later, take my time, and not slog through the LIRR and NJ transit train.
I arrive there and get to see many old faces. I see Greg, who has been a bit like me. He goes to Stony. School and life has pushed Magic aside from his life. He keeps up with the game, but not with the drive that he used to have. We used to be brothers on the grind. I would sleep over at his house the night in Queens before PTQ in Manhattan. I even was there when Greg, his mother, and I took a bus down to Baltimore for a relatively large tournament. He ended up taking down the Junior Super Series, a tournament for those 18 and under, and won $10,00 in scholarship money. Greg has won a couple of these PTQs, but not been able to make because of cost and school. Wizards gives you an invitation and pays for your flight wherever the Pro Tour, but hotel and food in Kobe, Japan can still be a pretty penny.
Then I see Dan and Chen, people that I had met in Binghamton. They ran the Magic Club. Even after transferring, I would sporadically keep up with them and see them at these tournaments. Dan has won a PTQ. He ended up going to the Pro Tour, to San Diego I believe, and lost pretty quickly.
It is important to keep these connections. It gives you something to do throughout the day while you’re not playing so that you can share stories. More importantly, it is interaction with other good players so you have positive input on your game. Even outside your friends, there is still a concept of community. The person that drove me, Simon, I had known and played with, but we had never shared even a real conversation. However, my friend Rob knew him and viola, I made a connection and got a ride. In situations where I desperately need a few cards to finish my deck for a tournament, my friends would know loads of people and those people would trust me enough to lend me possibly up to hundreds of dollars in value of cards.
So speaking about this game and the people involved, I feel it gets a really poor reputation. Granted, a lot of these people are what you and I would call “geeks.” They do not know the basics of bathing, grooming, or reasonable attire. They can be socially awkward and also dabble in many of the other stalwarts of “geekdom,” maybe it be Star Wars, Star Trek, Dungeons and Dragons, etc. But more power to them, they love it.
In general though, the people are pretty “normal.” Granted, there were only a handful females in the room, the guys at least were somewhat representative of what guys from the ages 16-25 from the general population. My opponents were nice people. They joked around and carried conversation. They shook hands. Just nothing really out of the ordinary if I hadn’t been playing them.
However, a positive thing about the community is that with the more competitive players, there are bound to be extremely bright people. The same goes for poker and chess. In poker, a lot of the professionals either went to really good schools or dropped out of them for a professional poker career. The opposite occurs in Magic. Many of the old school professionals are no longer in the scene because they’re off to do “real things” in life with their jobs. A lot of them end up becoming into the downtown financial type or lawyers. However, it’s still a hobby to them and I see them at PTQs, to show their face, see friends, and just hang.
My point is, everyone has dabbled in geekdom. May it be, a TV show, a film, video games (though this has recently been getting accepted socially I’ve noticed), or whatever. People are people. You shouldn’t always judge people based on who you might associate them with. Hell, I definitely do not associate myself with an overwhelming majority of Magic players.
Without much sleep the night before, I’m not confident with my chances, but this is a day for me to prove to myself that I had what it took. I had been playing for so long and it couldn’t all be for naught. Unless I am delusional, I have the chops. I just need to play tight, run well, and win. And win. And win. And win. For 9 rounds (50 minute rounds) with a cut to the Top 8.
This format is one that I particularly enjoyed. It was Limited, the other being Constructed. The analogy would be a cooking competition. Constructed would be like bringing your own ingredients and making a dish that you had perfected. In Magic, you would bring a deck of cards and play it. Unfortunately, that is logistically a problem for me considering you need to own a large collection in order to so. Granted, I do have a collection, but it in no way is significant enough to constantly be able to build whatever deck I want/need for a tournament. This is why connections are so important. When I have played Constructed in the past, it was almost completely done through the lending of cards.
And as for Limited, that would be like a chef showing up to a competition with only his mind and equipment. Then all competitors are given a random set of ingredients and no person gets the same ingredients. It is sort of like Iron Chef, but with more disparity between people. In Magic, you are given randomized sealed cards and asked to make a deck out of what is in front of you. It is not exactly a level playing field because it is random and many people end up with much better cards and decks than others.
Luckily for me, I open a stellar set of cards. Nothing too absurd, but just on the upper echelon of what one could open. One where a player like me could really have chances at winning.
The attendance is almost 300, which again is much larger than the 120 that I remember years ago and this meant a long day. I play well mostly and even have a few spectacular plays, but not without a mistakes. This isn’t a perfect exhibition of my abilities, but I am running well. Finally, it is almost 10PM and we had started playing at 10AM, the field is down the Top 8 and I have made it. This is only my third Top 8 and I previously had never won. I had only gotten to the quarters and semis.
People give me some Congrats, everyone wishes me luck, and it is my time to shine. The Top 8 starts off really poorly. I win the first game of the quarters by the skin of my chin, despite bone headed blatant misplays. The adrenaline has gotten to me.
Adrenaline might seem useful when you’re getting out of a dangerous situation or playing a contact sport, but it is definitely a negative in Magic. For me, I skip over the correct lines of play. A relaxed mind is able to look outside the box and see every possibility there is. When the mind is stressed and pushed, it makes rash decisions. If I was watching over my own shoulder, I would cringe at how bad some of the plays are, but the adrenaline is rushing through you and you just pull the trigger at whatever pops into your head and might not even notice how bad it is.
For the rest of the Top 8, I calm myself down, put my elbow on the table, lean my head on my hand, and play as if I couldn’t give a care in the world. After an extremely close semis against the only other competent player in the Top 8, I am into the finals. Game 1, he steam rolls me, despite me finding out later that I could have been in the game if I didn’t make a mistake. Games 2 and 3 and I feel like extremely well. “Perfectly” is a word that you can almost never use in Magic considering the many lines of play you could make.
And there we have it. It was 2AM and I had won a trip to the Pro Tour… in Paris! I will be going in February. My ride had patiently waited super long for me. Him, another friend, and I hadn’t eaten all day and stop by the diner. They even mention that I look so indifferent about winning, but that’s the mindset I had forced myself into. It just felt like another day in the office and I ignored what was on the line. It takes me another day until realize the impact.
I have finally accomplished something that I’d been wanting for over 5 years. This is by no means the be all end all. I still have to perform extremely well in a field of seasoned professionals, and amateurs like myself. So half of me is really anticipating this rough road ahead and preparation for it. However, the other half is non-Magic Darwin. I have always wanted to go to Paris ever since I was young. I’m looking forward to the sights and if I can plan it correctly, even some of the night life. I’m a bit jealous that my brother got to go a few years ago and he’ll be a great person to ask about Paris. The last place far I went was Prague and that was years and years ago. I am really happy I get to do this before law school locks me down and then I have to enter the real world.
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Mo' Money Mo' Problems
November 16, 2010
I never remember my dreams, but this one is just crazy. I think I remember them when I'm barely awake, but still dreaming. I'm climbing something for some reason and I end up in a penthouse overlooking New York City. There's loads of awesome kittens there and they're rainbow colored. And they're changing rainbow colors at the same time. Shit's mad crazy, reminds me of salvia time. We also get into a conversation about Beyonce songs. It's so random.
November 19, 2010
I guess this would be a good time to write an update on my LSAT business. I just felt so much more drive when studying before and it has gotten exponentially harder. I had a true two months after my first try in October. Now I am down to three weeks and I do not feel any more confident about the test than the first time.
Usually, I consider myself pretty good about this stuff. I never break deadlines. I have had no problems with finals or writing papers. Even weekly readings, I stayed on top of those, but this test is so disheartening. A challenge is not an issue for me when I can see what I am doing, understand everything about it, and continue on from there so I no longer make the same mistake. The LSAT has been a different animal.
The test is not impossible and I learn from some of the mistakes that I make. For some others though, I can only shrug and say, "What can I do?" It's like a tree branch falling on your car. You can be disappointed about it, but no one actually blames themselves if that occurs.
Even ones where I eventually find where I went wrong, that is with perfect information and infinite time. On the actual timed test, there’s no second guessing. I have to pick an answer that sounds right and jump on that with instincts. There’s no time to pick apart every answer option. And with that limitation, there is an example where things just feel out of my hands.
Mistakes are great because you can put yourself in mindset that you were in when you made it and prevent that exact train of thought. There’s a feeling of accomplishment everytime you improve, execute better, and get awarded with the results. I love mistakes.
Winning is only ever the end result. The true goal is to be better and that only comes with mistakes.
Either way, I think the only way to deal with this slump is to man up, put my head down, and grind through it. It’ll be rough though. I keep running questions where I just want to give up. I’ll have to see where the next few weeks take me.
November 20, 2010
Yelp event today. The event is at a classy, semi-dimly lit bar/restaurant. It is the usual entrance, someone is at the front to check your name and you get a name tag. I actually really like it in case you forget someone’s name. The real reason is that Yelpers go by first name and first letter of last name, e.g., Darwin G. It helps you recognize someone’s reviews by their Yelp name.
I meet up with Stefan who is blitzed after pregaming a Four Loco. He’s shot out of a cannon and I tell him to calm down and grab me a drink while I go to the coat check (cute coat check girl, should’ve picked up her number). We start off with a Moscow Mule, which is made with vodka, ginger beer, and some citrusy. I’m usually not a fan of ginger beer because of its sharpness, but it does contribute to a fine cocktail. As for food, there are people walk around with trays of hors d'oeuvres: Zuchinni sticks, lox on pumpernickel, meatballs, spicy tuna on a chip. Very good snacks.
We get into a conversation wth this massage therapist and an elementary school teacher. A bit into it, one of the girls tries to grab the other way and says, “Hey, lets get drinks.” Stefan doesn’t read it and replies, “But your drink is still full.” They eventually say they have to go to the bathroom and walk away. Stefan immediately jumps and says, “I’m down for that Christina girl!”
Here’s a lesson: It’s important to know when a set is over. It is very awkward to stand there and try to fake a conversation when you know that one of the gals is trying to pry her friend away. The worst is when it is after multiple attempts and you convince them somehow to not go, but they keep trying to go. Then again, wingmen are there occupy the cockblocker and stop her mischievous motives.
Stefan finds another set to talk to talk to. They eventually send him off to get them drinks. I try to entertain. Apparently they’re a bit older despite looking like my age. When he gets back and it turns out that they cut off the bar because it hit 9:00. Good thing I’m a champ about it and camped out the bar a few minutes before the clock struck.
The same issue actually comes up as with the previous set. They move into their side of the booth and whisper to each other some stuff. Apparently they have some story to tell, but it’s obviously a, “So… What do we do about these two dudes here?” They eventually had had enough when Stefan came back empty handed. As a new haircut would say, “Fuckin’ skanks.”
Gay story: At the table with the two girls is some dude dressed like Bagger. The event is Prohibition styled and people were encouraged to come dressed up. I don’t know where the conversation starts, but this dude we met before talks to us after the do girls left. I get real skeeved when he grabs my knee a few times. I press the issue and make a comment like, “I think your gaydar is way off.” Fuckin’ creeper.
This event is really cool despite only being there for less than an hour. It was 2 hour long. There’s one next month, but it’s on the same week as the LSAT, so I won’t be able to go to that. I should actually look forward to these more. It’s an awesome situation to meet some new people and open some new connections. Love y’all and all, but it’s good to have different groups and friends. I guess I’m looking for the one that comes in January.
Shortly after this, we cab downtown for some Baoguette and I’m really tired so I’m not in the mood for staying out so I end up taking the 11:19 back.
I never remember my dreams, but this one is just crazy. I think I remember them when I'm barely awake, but still dreaming. I'm climbing something for some reason and I end up in a penthouse overlooking New York City. There's loads of awesome kittens there and they're rainbow colored. And they're changing rainbow colors at the same time. Shit's mad crazy, reminds me of salvia time. We also get into a conversation about Beyonce songs. It's so random.
November 19, 2010
I guess this would be a good time to write an update on my LSAT business. I just felt so much more drive when studying before and it has gotten exponentially harder. I had a true two months after my first try in October. Now I am down to three weeks and I do not feel any more confident about the test than the first time.
Usually, I consider myself pretty good about this stuff. I never break deadlines. I have had no problems with finals or writing papers. Even weekly readings, I stayed on top of those, but this test is so disheartening. A challenge is not an issue for me when I can see what I am doing, understand everything about it, and continue on from there so I no longer make the same mistake. The LSAT has been a different animal.
The test is not impossible and I learn from some of the mistakes that I make. For some others though, I can only shrug and say, "What can I do?" It's like a tree branch falling on your car. You can be disappointed about it, but no one actually blames themselves if that occurs.
Even ones where I eventually find where I went wrong, that is with perfect information and infinite time. On the actual timed test, there’s no second guessing. I have to pick an answer that sounds right and jump on that with instincts. There’s no time to pick apart every answer option. And with that limitation, there is an example where things just feel out of my hands.
Mistakes are great because you can put yourself in mindset that you were in when you made it and prevent that exact train of thought. There’s a feeling of accomplishment everytime you improve, execute better, and get awarded with the results. I love mistakes.
Winning is only ever the end result. The true goal is to be better and that only comes with mistakes.
Either way, I think the only way to deal with this slump is to man up, put my head down, and grind through it. It’ll be rough though. I keep running questions where I just want to give up. I’ll have to see where the next few weeks take me.
November 20, 2010
Yelp event today. The event is at a classy, semi-dimly lit bar/restaurant. It is the usual entrance, someone is at the front to check your name and you get a name tag. I actually really like it in case you forget someone’s name. The real reason is that Yelpers go by first name and first letter of last name, e.g., Darwin G. It helps you recognize someone’s reviews by their Yelp name.
I meet up with Stefan who is blitzed after pregaming a Four Loco. He’s shot out of a cannon and I tell him to calm down and grab me a drink while I go to the coat check (cute coat check girl, should’ve picked up her number). We start off with a Moscow Mule, which is made with vodka, ginger beer, and some citrusy. I’m usually not a fan of ginger beer because of its sharpness, but it does contribute to a fine cocktail. As for food, there are people walk around with trays of hors d'oeuvres: Zuchinni sticks, lox on pumpernickel, meatballs, spicy tuna on a chip. Very good snacks.
We get into a conversation wth this massage therapist and an elementary school teacher. A bit into it, one of the girls tries to grab the other way and says, “Hey, lets get drinks.” Stefan doesn’t read it and replies, “But your drink is still full.” They eventually say they have to go to the bathroom and walk away. Stefan immediately jumps and says, “I’m down for that Christina girl!”
Here’s a lesson: It’s important to know when a set is over. It is very awkward to stand there and try to fake a conversation when you know that one of the gals is trying to pry her friend away. The worst is when it is after multiple attempts and you convince them somehow to not go, but they keep trying to go. Then again, wingmen are there occupy the cockblocker and stop her mischievous motives.
Stefan finds another set to talk to talk to. They eventually send him off to get them drinks. I try to entertain. Apparently they’re a bit older despite looking like my age. When he gets back and it turns out that they cut off the bar because it hit 9:00. Good thing I’m a champ about it and camped out the bar a few minutes before the clock struck.
The same issue actually comes up as with the previous set. They move into their side of the booth and whisper to each other some stuff. Apparently they have some story to tell, but it’s obviously a, “So… What do we do about these two dudes here?” They eventually had had enough when Stefan came back empty handed. As a new haircut would say, “Fuckin’ skanks.”
Gay story: At the table with the two girls is some dude dressed like Bagger. The event is Prohibition styled and people were encouraged to come dressed up. I don’t know where the conversation starts, but this dude we met before talks to us after the do girls left. I get real skeeved when he grabs my knee a few times. I press the issue and make a comment like, “I think your gaydar is way off.” Fuckin’ creeper.
This event is really cool despite only being there for less than an hour. It was 2 hour long. There’s one next month, but it’s on the same week as the LSAT, so I won’t be able to go to that. I should actually look forward to these more. It’s an awesome situation to meet some new people and open some new connections. Love y’all and all, but it’s good to have different groups and friends. I guess I’m looking for the one that comes in January.
Shortly after this, we cab downtown for some Baoguette and I’m really tired so I’m not in the mood for staying out so I end up taking the 11:19 back.
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Halloween
October 30, 2010
It's Halloween and there's a party in the upper west side that Bola and I plan on going to. We go to his place with a couple four locks. He's planning to dress as Don Draper. He doesn't know how to tie a tie though and I end up tying it with the help of a Youtube video. Onto the train and after much confusion, we go to Still, an NYU bar.
We stand around a bit until we finally move out to the next bar with Stefan. Murray, Glen, Scott, Atron, Bolanos, and I. We find a place across the street from Beauty Bar. Obviously Stefan gets lost on the way somehow. The bar is pretty cool and has a live band playing 90s. Some awesome stuff like Smash Mouth and Everlong and some unawesome stuff like Weezer and Green Day. That reminds me of the awesome 70s cover band that we heard in Montreal. Boy that was a fun night.
Atron is a Chilean miner like everyone else. I told Bolanos to buy a cheap cigar to look like a Mafioso because his suit was a bit big on him. We had this conversation earlier in the night, but somehow a guy guessed he was dressed as Don Draper, just because of a suit. He then saw the cigar and said that he must have changed his mind and wanted to be a Mafioso instead. That is like scary dead on. Bolanos joked that he should hire him as a mystic.
After a couple beers there, we go to Company under Atrons apartment and then Coyote Ugly. There's still a gorgeous halfie there that is barely wearing anything, dancing on the bar, and pouring shots down peoples throats. She looks like Marie Digby, google it if you don't know. The bartenders also get to play flip cup at the bar against patrons. Now that must be a fun gig to have.
After that Bolanos and I try to catch the subway, but I doesn't come in time so we try to race for a cab. Halloween weekend and no cabs, we give up and decide to take the 519, sigh. Bolanos is stupidly adamant about getting Artichoke. We split up and I meet the rest of the champions at a pub across from Crif Dog. I Guinness it up and Bolanos actually makes it to the bar. I can't believe that he didn't have to wait over hour, but good for him. We then go looking for food or something. Atron is quite the drunk Lewis and Clarke, chest out, leading the way, while stumbling and taking up the entire sidewalk as he walks diagonally.
He leads us to a place that is closing in 4 minutes. Our leader takes no heed to this warning and runs inside. He goes to the bar and asks for a beer. The bartender puts down the beer and I say, "I'm sorry, no beer." I put my arms around him and escort him outside. We decide we want food and Aaron smartly leads us to Zaragoza for tacos. It's also closing (4AM), but he goes up against the door and tries to beg for tacos.
Then we move onto pizza. It's a long line and we decide to wait. However, we realize there may be impending doom as they're starting to run out of pizza and close up. We man up and go up to ask and find out there's no pizza. Wait, or are they just out of pizza?
We joke about this and Atron cannot get enough of it. He cannot stop laughing at "No pizza, or they just out of pizza." Granted, I'm no Sober Sally and I get a kick out of it too, but not as much as he does. We give up and follow Atron to his apartment. We're scared he's going to break some teeth and he climbs his super steep stairs. He rants off that we all need to go to Coyote Ugly (which is surely closed by now). Bolanos and I leave at that point. 519 is not as fun as the 319, but what can you do.
October 31, 2010
I wake up to kids knocking my door. I ignore it for a bit, but finally had enough and I put a sign on my door saying "NO CANDY. SORRY :("
Ela wants to go to the parade today so I head in at 6:50. I meet her and another au pair in Time Square. Ela's gotta have McDonald's so I get dragged along to dinner there. After that, we move downtown and it's just a crowded mess. You see a lot of costumes, there are lots of people with you behind a baracade, and it's really cold. At least as a New Yorker, I can say that I've been to the parade. It probably would be decent as a pregame before going out for a night, but unfortunately, Halloween landed on a Sunday this year.
I end up missing the 1020 train back by 10 minutes so I have nothing to do, but chill at Penn. I get a big Smoothie King with whey, delicious. I also have some Nathan's. Yes, I know, junk food day, but hey, Nathan's is well worth it. My favorite fries, big and potatoey. And proper hot dogs with that snap when you bite.
It's Halloween and there's a party in the upper west side that Bola and I plan on going to. We go to his place with a couple four locks. He's planning to dress as Don Draper. He doesn't know how to tie a tie though and I end up tying it with the help of a Youtube video. Onto the train and after much confusion, we go to Still, an NYU bar.
We stand around a bit until we finally move out to the next bar with Stefan. Murray, Glen, Scott, Atron, Bolanos, and I. We find a place across the street from Beauty Bar. Obviously Stefan gets lost on the way somehow. The bar is pretty cool and has a live band playing 90s. Some awesome stuff like Smash Mouth and Everlong and some unawesome stuff like Weezer and Green Day. That reminds me of the awesome 70s cover band that we heard in Montreal. Boy that was a fun night.
Atron is a Chilean miner like everyone else. I told Bolanos to buy a cheap cigar to look like a Mafioso because his suit was a bit big on him. We had this conversation earlier in the night, but somehow a guy guessed he was dressed as Don Draper, just because of a suit. He then saw the cigar and said that he must have changed his mind and wanted to be a Mafioso instead. That is like scary dead on. Bolanos joked that he should hire him as a mystic.
After a couple beers there, we go to Company under Atrons apartment and then Coyote Ugly. There's still a gorgeous halfie there that is barely wearing anything, dancing on the bar, and pouring shots down peoples throats. She looks like Marie Digby, google it if you don't know. The bartenders also get to play flip cup at the bar against patrons. Now that must be a fun gig to have.
After that Bolanos and I try to catch the subway, but I doesn't come in time so we try to race for a cab. Halloween weekend and no cabs, we give up and decide to take the 519, sigh. Bolanos is stupidly adamant about getting Artichoke. We split up and I meet the rest of the champions at a pub across from Crif Dog. I Guinness it up and Bolanos actually makes it to the bar. I can't believe that he didn't have to wait over hour, but good for him. We then go looking for food or something. Atron is quite the drunk Lewis and Clarke, chest out, leading the way, while stumbling and taking up the entire sidewalk as he walks diagonally.
He leads us to a place that is closing in 4 minutes. Our leader takes no heed to this warning and runs inside. He goes to the bar and asks for a beer. The bartender puts down the beer and I say, "I'm sorry, no beer." I put my arms around him and escort him outside. We decide we want food and Aaron smartly leads us to Zaragoza for tacos. It's also closing (4AM), but he goes up against the door and tries to beg for tacos.
Then we move onto pizza. It's a long line and we decide to wait. However, we realize there may be impending doom as they're starting to run out of pizza and close up. We man up and go up to ask and find out there's no pizza. Wait, or are they just out of pizza?
We joke about this and Atron cannot get enough of it. He cannot stop laughing at "No pizza, or they just out of pizza." Granted, I'm no Sober Sally and I get a kick out of it too, but not as much as he does. We give up and follow Atron to his apartment. We're scared he's going to break some teeth and he climbs his super steep stairs. He rants off that we all need to go to Coyote Ugly (which is surely closed by now). Bolanos and I leave at that point. 519 is not as fun as the 319, but what can you do.
October 31, 2010
I wake up to kids knocking my door. I ignore it for a bit, but finally had enough and I put a sign on my door saying "NO CANDY. SORRY :("
Ela wants to go to the parade today so I head in at 6:50. I meet her and another au pair in Time Square. Ela's gotta have McDonald's so I get dragged along to dinner there. After that, we move downtown and it's just a crowded mess. You see a lot of costumes, there are lots of people with you behind a baracade, and it's really cold. At least as a New Yorker, I can say that I've been to the parade. It probably would be decent as a pregame before going out for a night, but unfortunately, Halloween landed on a Sunday this year.
I end up missing the 1020 train back by 10 minutes so I have nothing to do, but chill at Penn. I get a big Smoothie King with whey, delicious. I also have some Nathan's. Yes, I know, junk food day, but hey, Nathan's is well worth it. My favorite fries, big and potatoey. And proper hot dogs with that snap when you bite.
Thursday 21 October 2010
Best Story
October 19, 2010
Story time:
So I’m at work and I just had lunch. My usual, beans and vegetables mixed with half can of soup. For some reason, an hour later, I feel my stomach like killing me. Fuck. I go upstairs and my boss and one of the workers is in the living room. Unfortunately, the bathroom is literally 5 feet from the living room, no door, and thin ass door. Bad news bears.
First of all, tangent. That’s already awkward for just peeing. I don’t know about you guys, but even as a dude, the sound of urine is just creepy. Always hated it. But anyway, that is what it is, so whatever. I’ll pee in that bathroom, what else am I supposed to do.
Okay, so… I can’t use the bathroom there… If I thought peeing was even a bit awkward, don’t get me started when you basically can hear everything like you’re in the bathroom standing right next to me. I go back downstairs and I stand around and figure if I can do something about it. Um…. No I can’t. “She’s coming, laddy!”
I quickly grab my stuff and run to my car. I’ll go to the Subway nearby. My hands are shaking. I can barely walk. I turn on the car, I can barely sit. I can barely drive. What if I get into an accident or run a Stop sign during this shindig, screw me.
I’m almost get to the Subway when I realize that it’s not that bad anymore. I guess my body has a defense mechanism. I decide I might as well drive home. I run upstairs to my bathroom. And oh yes, skid marks, so it was a close one. Boxers, right into the garbage.
Anyway, 15 minutes later. I’m better and return to work, but boy did that take a lot out of my body. Not even literally, like my entire body was just shaken by the entire experience and brutally beaten.
So there you go, my blog isn’t worth reading. Take that bitches. Now that’s a story.
October 20, 2010
I’ve been trying to get it grindin,’ but I think I’ve been sick or something because all I want to do is nap. After work, supermarket for some BBQ sauce because I’m making chicken nuggets. Home, snack, nap. It’s only supposed to be for 30 minutes but lasts over an hour. I run out of bed, go pick up some ice coffee for later. It’s from Dunkin Donuts, Pumpkin flavor, a bit weak, sweet, meh. D&Ds coffee just always has sucked. I would go with Starbucks any day for something more extravagant. Then I would stick to McDonalds if you just want straight coffee.
After D&D, time to workout. Done. Down to kitchen, make some of my famous baked chicken nuggets. I tried it yesterday and it was fucking amazing. I’m so proud. They’re just so freaking good. It’s also the protein that I need. Perfecto. Done deal.
October 21, 2010
I bought some Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale yesterday. I’ve had the regular stuff and it’s like Shirley Temple in a bottle, seasonal for winter, good shit. It would taste amazing with some of that duty free Tanqueray that I bought, but naw, I gotta be productive tomorrow.
I wake up, boom, omelette. Later, I go to the Music Zoo, after trying once because it doesn’t open until 12:00. I go there because I need a little screw thing for my eletric guitar. I haven’t taken it out for a while and realized yesterday that I can’t play it without that little piece for the amp. The guy does it for me and doesn’t charge me. That’s nice. Then again, that little screw thingy probably costs… 2 cents?
Then onto McDonald’s. Oh wow, they have the McRib and I try that. Boy, that’s fucking disgusting. I open it and I ask, “Seriously?” It’s horribly messy and sauce is everywhere. Then, it’s topped with onion and… Pickles! Artie always made fun of the McRib. Who thinks ribs and pickles?! The meat tastes horribly processed, even worse than their burgers, nuggets, or fish o filet.
Then I receive the stuff I just bought on eBay. My coolie hat for my costume, thought I still have to figure the rest of the shitty clothes for looking like a rice picker. Then I also bought some SkullCandy earbuds. Cheap ass hell, they noise cancel. Nice.
Story time:
So I’m at work and I just had lunch. My usual, beans and vegetables mixed with half can of soup. For some reason, an hour later, I feel my stomach like killing me. Fuck. I go upstairs and my boss and one of the workers is in the living room. Unfortunately, the bathroom is literally 5 feet from the living room, no door, and thin ass door. Bad news bears.
First of all, tangent. That’s already awkward for just peeing. I don’t know about you guys, but even as a dude, the sound of urine is just creepy. Always hated it. But anyway, that is what it is, so whatever. I’ll pee in that bathroom, what else am I supposed to do.
Okay, so… I can’t use the bathroom there… If I thought peeing was even a bit awkward, don’t get me started when you basically can hear everything like you’re in the bathroom standing right next to me. I go back downstairs and I stand around and figure if I can do something about it. Um…. No I can’t. “She’s coming, laddy!”
I quickly grab my stuff and run to my car. I’ll go to the Subway nearby. My hands are shaking. I can barely walk. I turn on the car, I can barely sit. I can barely drive. What if I get into an accident or run a Stop sign during this shindig, screw me.
I’m almost get to the Subway when I realize that it’s not that bad anymore. I guess my body has a defense mechanism. I decide I might as well drive home. I run upstairs to my bathroom. And oh yes, skid marks, so it was a close one. Boxers, right into the garbage.
Anyway, 15 minutes later. I’m better and return to work, but boy did that take a lot out of my body. Not even literally, like my entire body was just shaken by the entire experience and brutally beaten.
So there you go, my blog isn’t worth reading. Take that bitches. Now that’s a story.
October 20, 2010
I’ve been trying to get it grindin,’ but I think I’ve been sick or something because all I want to do is nap. After work, supermarket for some BBQ sauce because I’m making chicken nuggets. Home, snack, nap. It’s only supposed to be for 30 minutes but lasts over an hour. I run out of bed, go pick up some ice coffee for later. It’s from Dunkin Donuts, Pumpkin flavor, a bit weak, sweet, meh. D&Ds coffee just always has sucked. I would go with Starbucks any day for something more extravagant. Then I would stick to McDonalds if you just want straight coffee.
After D&D, time to workout. Done. Down to kitchen, make some of my famous baked chicken nuggets. I tried it yesterday and it was fucking amazing. I’m so proud. They’re just so freaking good. It’s also the protein that I need. Perfecto. Done deal.
October 21, 2010
I bought some Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale yesterday. I’ve had the regular stuff and it’s like Shirley Temple in a bottle, seasonal for winter, good shit. It would taste amazing with some of that duty free Tanqueray that I bought, but naw, I gotta be productive tomorrow.
I wake up, boom, omelette. Later, I go to the Music Zoo, after trying once because it doesn’t open until 12:00. I go there because I need a little screw thing for my eletric guitar. I haven’t taken it out for a while and realized yesterday that I can’t play it without that little piece for the amp. The guy does it for me and doesn’t charge me. That’s nice. Then again, that little screw thingy probably costs… 2 cents?
Then onto McDonald’s. Oh wow, they have the McRib and I try that. Boy, that’s fucking disgusting. I open it and I ask, “Seriously?” It’s horribly messy and sauce is everywhere. Then, it’s topped with onion and… Pickles! Artie always made fun of the McRib. Who thinks ribs and pickles?! The meat tastes horribly processed, even worse than their burgers, nuggets, or fish o filet.
Then I receive the stuff I just bought on eBay. My coolie hat for my costume, thought I still have to figure the rest of the shitty clothes for looking like a rice picker. Then I also bought some SkullCandy earbuds. Cheap ass hell, they noise cancel. Nice.
Monday 18 October 2010
October 1, 2010
After a long day of my usual Friday business, I get a text at 12:00 while I’m driving home and I find out that people are hanging at Spamps’. Everyone’s there. People end up leaving slowly and Spamps pulls out his stash. Smokin’ time. Miah, CNF, Spamps, and I partake in some bong action and proceed to get nicely baked. We then continue to eat and eat and eat. Kix with milk. Pretzels with nutella. Carrots and chips with artichoke dip.
October 2, 2010
Big plans today. It’s almost 6:00 and I gotta make moves. I go outside and find out that they put up a new sign where I can’t park my car on the the street at the side of my house. From 8AM to 5PM, on a Saturday. Wtf is this business. Well, I guess I’m going to court in a month or so.
Off to make the runs. I get cigs at Rite Aid. Next, a bottle of Jim Bean. However, turns out that plans change and we’re pregaming at Bolanos’ instead. CNF, Miah, Spamps, and I are there. We take the 8:50 train. Now that they’re no longer on the half hour, things have changed. There are loads more people on the train that we have to stand. It’s almost like taking the 3:19. People are drinking with open containers. Beers, bottles of liquor, chasers, etc. It’s just silly. Bolanos asks the conductor if drinking on the train is allowed and he reluctantly says it is.
Then onto the subway, we go to Loreley. Ela and her friend are in the back and I say Hi. Luckily, I’m able to get a table for more than enough of us. People slowly trickle in and we get Jonah, Kerri, Michael, Elena, Atron, Scott, and Stefan with his crazy antics. He’s in the way of a waitress and she politely asks him to move. He reveals his “Run and Tell That” shirt. She points at the waitress behind her that’s carrying multiple beers and he slowly acquiesces.
I had a light dinner so Miah and I have some cheese spaetzle with bacon. It’s like S’Mac, German mac n’ cheese. After our rounds, we move onto Stanton Public. Shots and etc. There’s also a nice outdoors over there. We then decide to make moves, but can’t get a cab. We get to Atron’s, but after such a long walk, it’s almost time for the train and we just chill there for a bit because having to catch a cab and get running. It’s a hard time to catch a game and I go over to the intersecting street. Fucking the East Village. The street has a double sidewalk thing and I trip over it when running. These garbage men driving past all laugh their asses off. Like not laughing, they’re really laughing. Cackling so loud they probably can be heard for miles and miles.
We finally get onto the train and I get to open Ela’s gift. An Iron Man coloring book, a Batman button, an “Awesome” wall thing, Kinder chocolate, McDonald’s curry sauce, leather wrist band, German translation book.
October 9, 2010
It’s the LSAT day. I don’t get much sleep the night before. It’s supposed to start at 8:30, but it takes over an hour to get the test started. The test goes as the test goes. I end up leaving after 2:00. I hang out for a bit and then it’s nap time and then time to go out.
I go to Bolanos’ and we pregame a bit. We meet up with CNF and go to Cheap Shots. Stefan comes along. I end up meeting Ela and Theresa and we head to Currywurst. I have a Leberkase, which is seasonal. It’s sort of like a flat piece of hot dog. It’s “Spam”-ish, but quite tasty. After that, Ela and Theresa have to call it an early night at 1:00. CNF, Stefan, Bolanos, and I stay for the 3:19. We go to Sophie’s for a bit. Then a cab off to Penn Station.
On the train, we get into a random convo with a couple girls next to us. They went to North and one of them goes to Harvard. Who the hell goes to Harvard?!
Anyway, I needed to take a wiz and CNF is parked in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. I head over to the apartments to try to take a piss. I walk over a corner and the ground falls through under me. It’s covered by metal grating and it just falls through. I see glass and I hope that I haven’t cut myself up. My knee hurts like shit and I don’t find out I ripped up my knee until I get home. I don’t rip by jeans, but my knee is still scraped up.
Bolanos and I decide to go to 4AM Bagel. Instead of the usual lox spread, Bola and I split a whitefish on an everything bagel. Good shit.
October 10, 2010
Gotta get back on the grind. I go to McDonald’s and I keep getting the same Monopoly pieces. This is probably a bad idea. I’m eating shitty food for no reason.
Then onto cleaning my room. Organizing stuff, cleaning off stuff, etc.
October 16, 2010
Ela’s going to be in the city tonight and Aaron told us that we can hang out and go over to his place. I have some dinner at 7:00 and then I try to catch the 850. I meet Bolanos and CNF. We then cab down to the East Village. I go to Atme Liquor and grab some Jim Beam and some Diet Pepsi. We go up to Aaron’s place before 10. Theresa and Ela meet us there. Ela finally gives me the card that was left over at Atron’s. It’s a huge huge one that’s plays music when you open it. Some of Aaron’s friends from school come over and we chill out there playing some music and having some drinks. I have to text Bolanos at some point that he should stop mentioning German things. He sometimes get stuck on things. Done deal, we finally move out at 11:30 to McSorley’s.
The place is really crowded, but we do end up getting a table. Aaron has been drinking and orders us rounds and rounds. People don’t really feel like drinking so we end up leaving loads of beer on the table and a bill of $105. That’s quite a bill considering two beers (light and dark) cost $5. After that, we head over to Bull McCabe’s on St. Marks and meet up with Avi. Avi’s never had a Baoguette and it’s closing up soon at 2:00 so him and I split a regular Bao. Over to Bull M’s for a little bit. Then we head over to Company, the bar under Atron’s apartment. Aaron knows the bartender there and we get some free shots. Aaron also buys a round of beer for us.
I haven’t seen Aaron this drunk since Montreal. He’s very friendly with bro hugs and lady hugs. And also with the buying of rounds. Loads of rounds. More drinking, the better?
Then we move onto Doc Holidays. CNF leaves for the 3:19. Bolanos and I are like whatever and decide to take the 5:19 later. After Doc Holiday’s, Candace meets up with us because she was at Stout. I haven’t seen her in so long so it’s really awesome seeing her. A bunch of her friends are with her and go to Atron’s. Chris Q and others. At one point, it’s pretty late so I text Aaron like a good bro and tell him that “Yo, this is lots of people.” He tells them that he has to sleep so they leave. Bolanos and I have to start leaving soon. Long story short, Ela gets stuck in the city for a few hours instead of staying over at Atron’s like expected and has to get home way late (or early) in the morning.
Bolanos and I take the 5:19. And I get home past 6:00. I don’t sleep until past 7:00ish because Ela’s been on the phone and stuck in the city.
After a long day of my usual Friday business, I get a text at 12:00 while I’m driving home and I find out that people are hanging at Spamps’. Everyone’s there. People end up leaving slowly and Spamps pulls out his stash. Smokin’ time. Miah, CNF, Spamps, and I partake in some bong action and proceed to get nicely baked. We then continue to eat and eat and eat. Kix with milk. Pretzels with nutella. Carrots and chips with artichoke dip.
October 2, 2010
Big plans today. It’s almost 6:00 and I gotta make moves. I go outside and find out that they put up a new sign where I can’t park my car on the the street at the side of my house. From 8AM to 5PM, on a Saturday. Wtf is this business. Well, I guess I’m going to court in a month or so.
Off to make the runs. I get cigs at Rite Aid. Next, a bottle of Jim Bean. However, turns out that plans change and we’re pregaming at Bolanos’ instead. CNF, Miah, Spamps, and I are there. We take the 8:50 train. Now that they’re no longer on the half hour, things have changed. There are loads more people on the train that we have to stand. It’s almost like taking the 3:19. People are drinking with open containers. Beers, bottles of liquor, chasers, etc. It’s just silly. Bolanos asks the conductor if drinking on the train is allowed and he reluctantly says it is.
Then onto the subway, we go to Loreley. Ela and her friend are in the back and I say Hi. Luckily, I’m able to get a table for more than enough of us. People slowly trickle in and we get Jonah, Kerri, Michael, Elena, Atron, Scott, and Stefan with his crazy antics. He’s in the way of a waitress and she politely asks him to move. He reveals his “Run and Tell That” shirt. She points at the waitress behind her that’s carrying multiple beers and he slowly acquiesces.
I had a light dinner so Miah and I have some cheese spaetzle with bacon. It’s like S’Mac, German mac n’ cheese. After our rounds, we move onto Stanton Public. Shots and etc. There’s also a nice outdoors over there. We then decide to make moves, but can’t get a cab. We get to Atron’s, but after such a long walk, it’s almost time for the train and we just chill there for a bit because having to catch a cab and get running. It’s a hard time to catch a game and I go over to the intersecting street. Fucking the East Village. The street has a double sidewalk thing and I trip over it when running. These garbage men driving past all laugh their asses off. Like not laughing, they’re really laughing. Cackling so loud they probably can be heard for miles and miles.
We finally get onto the train and I get to open Ela’s gift. An Iron Man coloring book, a Batman button, an “Awesome” wall thing, Kinder chocolate, McDonald’s curry sauce, leather wrist band, German translation book.
October 9, 2010
It’s the LSAT day. I don’t get much sleep the night before. It’s supposed to start at 8:30, but it takes over an hour to get the test started. The test goes as the test goes. I end up leaving after 2:00. I hang out for a bit and then it’s nap time and then time to go out.
I go to Bolanos’ and we pregame a bit. We meet up with CNF and go to Cheap Shots. Stefan comes along. I end up meeting Ela and Theresa and we head to Currywurst. I have a Leberkase, which is seasonal. It’s sort of like a flat piece of hot dog. It’s “Spam”-ish, but quite tasty. After that, Ela and Theresa have to call it an early night at 1:00. CNF, Stefan, Bolanos, and I stay for the 3:19. We go to Sophie’s for a bit. Then a cab off to Penn Station.
On the train, we get into a random convo with a couple girls next to us. They went to North and one of them goes to Harvard. Who the hell goes to Harvard?!
Anyway, I needed to take a wiz and CNF is parked in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. I head over to the apartments to try to take a piss. I walk over a corner and the ground falls through under me. It’s covered by metal grating and it just falls through. I see glass and I hope that I haven’t cut myself up. My knee hurts like shit and I don’t find out I ripped up my knee until I get home. I don’t rip by jeans, but my knee is still scraped up.
Bolanos and I decide to go to 4AM Bagel. Instead of the usual lox spread, Bola and I split a whitefish on an everything bagel. Good shit.
October 10, 2010
Gotta get back on the grind. I go to McDonald’s and I keep getting the same Monopoly pieces. This is probably a bad idea. I’m eating shitty food for no reason.
Then onto cleaning my room. Organizing stuff, cleaning off stuff, etc.
October 16, 2010
Ela’s going to be in the city tonight and Aaron told us that we can hang out and go over to his place. I have some dinner at 7:00 and then I try to catch the 850. I meet Bolanos and CNF. We then cab down to the East Village. I go to Atme Liquor and grab some Jim Beam and some Diet Pepsi. We go up to Aaron’s place before 10. Theresa and Ela meet us there. Ela finally gives me the card that was left over at Atron’s. It’s a huge huge one that’s plays music when you open it. Some of Aaron’s friends from school come over and we chill out there playing some music and having some drinks. I have to text Bolanos at some point that he should stop mentioning German things. He sometimes get stuck on things. Done deal, we finally move out at 11:30 to McSorley’s.
The place is really crowded, but we do end up getting a table. Aaron has been drinking and orders us rounds and rounds. People don’t really feel like drinking so we end up leaving loads of beer on the table and a bill of $105. That’s quite a bill considering two beers (light and dark) cost $5. After that, we head over to Bull McCabe’s on St. Marks and meet up with Avi. Avi’s never had a Baoguette and it’s closing up soon at 2:00 so him and I split a regular Bao. Over to Bull M’s for a little bit. Then we head over to Company, the bar under Atron’s apartment. Aaron knows the bartender there and we get some free shots. Aaron also buys a round of beer for us.
I haven’t seen Aaron this drunk since Montreal. He’s very friendly with bro hugs and lady hugs. And also with the buying of rounds. Loads of rounds. More drinking, the better?
Then we move onto Doc Holidays. CNF leaves for the 3:19. Bolanos and I are like whatever and decide to take the 5:19 later. After Doc Holiday’s, Candace meets up with us because she was at Stout. I haven’t seen her in so long so it’s really awesome seeing her. A bunch of her friends are with her and go to Atron’s. Chris Q and others. At one point, it’s pretty late so I text Aaron like a good bro and tell him that “Yo, this is lots of people.” He tells them that he has to sleep so they leave. Bolanos and I have to start leaving soon. Long story short, Ela gets stuck in the city for a few hours instead of staying over at Atron’s like expected and has to get home way late (or early) in the morning.
Bolanos and I take the 5:19. And I get home past 6:00. I don’t sleep until past 7:00ish because Ela’s been on the phone and stuck in the city.
Wednesday 29 September 2010
September and TV SHOWS!
September 11, 2010
I get dinner at night with CNF at the Korean restaurant past White Castle. Busy place, good food, close, a new go to spot. CNF decides to stay in for the night and I plan on going into the city with Bola, Kenny, and Miah.
I split from them to go to a B-day party that I have to go to. We go to White Rabbit, a bar/lounge in the LES. Atron shows up too and the kid is too funny. He mentions the "girl with piercings" that he's seen before. I tell him that she has a name, but "piercings girl" is all he's stuck on.
I can tell that our hero has a new theory that contends with Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Piercings and/or tattoos = crazy in bed
The Atron has been trying to bag one I guess. I tell him, "She's with her boyfriend and he's hanging with her right there, you can see." His response, "So?" This continues when he explains that he'd take her over "Shit don't stink" girl. (Inside joke.)
He even goes as far as to say, "We exchanged a look or something when I said "Hi."" Delusions of grandeur would be an understatement.
Atron and I skeeve off loads of champagne and then split in hopes of catching up with everyone at Candace's friend's thing that's nearby. I let Atron lead the way and wander around for a bit. Kenny and Miah had left already and we meet Stefan and Bola outside. We wander around like crazy and finally walk over to The Library for a beer and then time to head back.
By the way, I've been out of commission from the city for a while and dah-yaamm, the honies were out tonight. That is all.
September 19, 2010
I want to get dinner and see some Subway coupons downstairs so I decide to go there. On the drive there, I change my mind and go to the newly opened mall across from H Mart. I go upstairs to the food court that has two counters, one is Korean and the other is Korean Chinese food. I take the nice lady’s advice and get a bibimbap. It comes with a huge hot rock pot like at a restaurant. There’s a side of kimchi and pickled turnip and a soup. A bit cheaper than a restaurant ($11 and no tip), but for a quality meal and fix ins. Very good stuff and I take half of it home.
Review time:
Kombucha Passionberry Bliss: An expensive ($3+ for 16 fl oz.) tea that’s supposed to have all these health benefits and what not. Really though, waste of money. I’m glad that it’s not sweetened to the bones, which makes it better than most other “tea” products out there. However, this stuff doesn’t even taste like tea. It tastes a lot like watered down vinegar or a watered down fruity wine. Meh.
Kinder Buenos: On Ela’s suggestion, I decided to on a candy hunt at H Mart after checking out the mall. They’re a thin shell of chocolate and wafer with a heavy cream filling inside of hazelnut. A very good candy bar. I’m impressed by the packaging and how easy it is to open them and how each chocolate “finger” is individually packaged inside the actual package. Works out perfect since I portion my chocolate eating.
September 25, 2010
New shows this season.
Shit My Dad Says: Will Shatner and some young guy. Horrible sitcom. 5 minutes deep. Delete it.
My Generation: A “mockumentary” that just comes off as a boring drama. Cool concept and all, but it doesn’t work. Delete.
Nikita: Not a great show, but a pretty cool action/conspiracy show. If people like 24, I don’t see how this isn’t comparable. Maggie Q and Lyndsy Fonseca are by far the best eye candy a TV show has seen a long time. Maggie Q is way freaking kick ass awesome. Better than the usual stiff horrible actress that only looks good.
Always Sunny in Philly: Too awesome. First episode of the season completely had me laughing crazy.
Chase: Boring cop drama about US Marshalls.
Detroit 187: Boring cop drama, set in Detroit.
Better with You: Boring sitcom. Reminds me of How I Met Your Mother, but about relationships, marriage, sisters, and just boring.
Outsourced: Not as racist as it could be, but still a bit boring. It’s about a white guy that gets outsourced to India to manage a call center.
September 29, 2010
No Ordinary Family: It’s the Fantastic Four, but trying to be “fun” and about family. It’s not bad.
Blue Bloods: A so-so cop drama, but I’m excited to see what happens with it because it involves family and a conspiracy group inside the force. We’ll see where it goes.
Outlaw: Stupid bad show. A Supreme Court Justice quits his job and takes cases he “cares” about. Eli Stone was a great take on that. Btw, few people remember that show. Go back and watch it, very good.
The Defenders: Probably the most promising of the court shows. Belushi and OConnell work pretty well on camera.
Running Wilde: Pretty disappointing. Not very funny.
Raising Hope: Feels a bit like My Name is Earl. Trashy hillbilly people in a comedy, this time about a young single father raising a kid.
Mike and Molly: Cookie cutter shitty sitcom, but I actually liked it. It’s about a new couple that met each other in an Over Eater’s meeting. Two very very fat people. I don’t know, hopefully the fat jokes slow down a bit and we get more insight into these characters dealing with their eating problems.
Lone Star: One of the best shows so far. A conman that wants a “real” life, yet married to two different women. He has to balance those lives as well as fighting with his father, who has taught him everything about conning.
The Event: Seems more Fringe than Lost. Probably going to be bad, yet the nerds want to love it because they miss Lost.
The Whole Truth: Another courtroom drama. Boring.
Sons of Anarchy: One of the best shows to come out in years. Start watching if you haven’t already.
Terriers: Another one of the best new shows this season. Very refreshing. Love Donal Logue.
Chuck: This show has really gone down the drain. I’m not longer watching. Fuck it.
Boardwalk Empire: Unbelievable pilot. Surprised that it’s not a David Simon show, it feels a lot like one. Extremely cinematic. Going to be the best show of the new decade.
I get dinner at night with CNF at the Korean restaurant past White Castle. Busy place, good food, close, a new go to spot. CNF decides to stay in for the night and I plan on going into the city with Bola, Kenny, and Miah.
I split from them to go to a B-day party that I have to go to. We go to White Rabbit, a bar/lounge in the LES. Atron shows up too and the kid is too funny. He mentions the "girl with piercings" that he's seen before. I tell him that she has a name, but "piercings girl" is all he's stuck on.
I can tell that our hero has a new theory that contends with Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Piercings and/or tattoos = crazy in bed
The Atron has been trying to bag one I guess. I tell him, "She's with her boyfriend and he's hanging with her right there, you can see." His response, "So?" This continues when he explains that he'd take her over "Shit don't stink" girl. (Inside joke.)
He even goes as far as to say, "We exchanged a look or something when I said "Hi."" Delusions of grandeur would be an understatement.
Atron and I skeeve off loads of champagne and then split in hopes of catching up with everyone at Candace's friend's thing that's nearby. I let Atron lead the way and wander around for a bit. Kenny and Miah had left already and we meet Stefan and Bola outside. We wander around like crazy and finally walk over to The Library for a beer and then time to head back.
By the way, I've been out of commission from the city for a while and dah-yaamm, the honies were out tonight. That is all.
September 19, 2010
I want to get dinner and see some Subway coupons downstairs so I decide to go there. On the drive there, I change my mind and go to the newly opened mall across from H Mart. I go upstairs to the food court that has two counters, one is Korean and the other is Korean Chinese food. I take the nice lady’s advice and get a bibimbap. It comes with a huge hot rock pot like at a restaurant. There’s a side of kimchi and pickled turnip and a soup. A bit cheaper than a restaurant ($11 and no tip), but for a quality meal and fix ins. Very good stuff and I take half of it home.
Review time:
Kombucha Passionberry Bliss: An expensive ($3+ for 16 fl oz.) tea that’s supposed to have all these health benefits and what not. Really though, waste of money. I’m glad that it’s not sweetened to the bones, which makes it better than most other “tea” products out there. However, this stuff doesn’t even taste like tea. It tastes a lot like watered down vinegar or a watered down fruity wine. Meh.
Kinder Buenos: On Ela’s suggestion, I decided to on a candy hunt at H Mart after checking out the mall. They’re a thin shell of chocolate and wafer with a heavy cream filling inside of hazelnut. A very good candy bar. I’m impressed by the packaging and how easy it is to open them and how each chocolate “finger” is individually packaged inside the actual package. Works out perfect since I portion my chocolate eating.
September 25, 2010
New shows this season.
Shit My Dad Says: Will Shatner and some young guy. Horrible sitcom. 5 minutes deep. Delete it.
My Generation: A “mockumentary” that just comes off as a boring drama. Cool concept and all, but it doesn’t work. Delete.
Nikita: Not a great show, but a pretty cool action/conspiracy show. If people like 24, I don’t see how this isn’t comparable. Maggie Q and Lyndsy Fonseca are by far the best eye candy a TV show has seen a long time. Maggie Q is way freaking kick ass awesome. Better than the usual stiff horrible actress that only looks good.
Always Sunny in Philly: Too awesome. First episode of the season completely had me laughing crazy.
Chase: Boring cop drama about US Marshalls.
Detroit 187: Boring cop drama, set in Detroit.
Better with You: Boring sitcom. Reminds me of How I Met Your Mother, but about relationships, marriage, sisters, and just boring.
Outsourced: Not as racist as it could be, but still a bit boring. It’s about a white guy that gets outsourced to India to manage a call center.
September 29, 2010
No Ordinary Family: It’s the Fantastic Four, but trying to be “fun” and about family. It’s not bad.
Blue Bloods: A so-so cop drama, but I’m excited to see what happens with it because it involves family and a conspiracy group inside the force. We’ll see where it goes.
Outlaw: Stupid bad show. A Supreme Court Justice quits his job and takes cases he “cares” about. Eli Stone was a great take on that. Btw, few people remember that show. Go back and watch it, very good.
The Defenders: Probably the most promising of the court shows. Belushi and OConnell work pretty well on camera.
Running Wilde: Pretty disappointing. Not very funny.
Raising Hope: Feels a bit like My Name is Earl. Trashy hillbilly people in a comedy, this time about a young single father raising a kid.
Mike and Molly: Cookie cutter shitty sitcom, but I actually liked it. It’s about a new couple that met each other in an Over Eater’s meeting. Two very very fat people. I don’t know, hopefully the fat jokes slow down a bit and we get more insight into these characters dealing with their eating problems.
Lone Star: One of the best shows so far. A conman that wants a “real” life, yet married to two different women. He has to balance those lives as well as fighting with his father, who has taught him everything about conning.
The Event: Seems more Fringe than Lost. Probably going to be bad, yet the nerds want to love it because they miss Lost.
The Whole Truth: Another courtroom drama. Boring.
Sons of Anarchy: One of the best shows to come out in years. Start watching if you haven’t already.
Terriers: Another one of the best new shows this season. Very refreshing. Love Donal Logue.
Chuck: This show has really gone down the drain. I’m not longer watching. Fuck it.
Boardwalk Empire: Unbelievable pilot. Surprised that it’s not a David Simon show, it feels a lot like one. Extremely cinematic. Going to be the best show of the new decade.
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Beginning of Sept.
September 2, 2010
I wake up on the boat and grab breakfast for the day ahead. A splash of oatmeal with nuts though they are out of bananas. I guess they won't put them out because they're too ripe and not very appealing. That's along with ice coffee, a couple slices of turkey, and four egg whites.
By the time I get home it's 1030. I go to work because I have nothing else to do for the day.
Ela has been complaining about the five year old boy hay she has to take care of. Rough times also because her German friends are asleep by the time she's free at night to chat. I call her walking from Penn, but it's late and she has to whisper in the house, despite it being huge. I'll get her tomorrow though and catch up on her hectic bizznass while I've been away.
At night, I go into the city to hang with niki from Australia and Elle, who's back from her travels. We meet at 230 fifth, which is pretty darn popping. I mean, you better expect gorgeous girls (and plenty of them) when you're paying 9 (I only order one) dollars for a stella. Stellllaaaaa. Didn't ever get to watch hat entire film, but Elle and niki surprisingly got the reference.
We meet up more people including our boy Lee. He's drunk as shit and with two girls that he ditches. He's the best type, the boob staring obnoxious wannabe Lethario that girls oh so enjoy...
We end up going to the east village for some hookah. It's actually not that bad, 15 for one, which is fine between four of us and it keeps getting passed.
Speaking of which, without much drinking these days (from healthy lifestyle and staying in to focus on studying), smoking goes down a lot as a direct relationship. Then again not like it was "smoking" as I try to explain. When speaking to smokers, they're like, "what do you mean you stick to a single pack for over a week or two? I go through a pack every few days." Obviously not a good thing for you, but it's down way far and I'm way too healthy these days. My grandma even joked that I'm much more of healthy eater than my brother, who also has a fitness lifestyle. Gym, high protein, low carb, etc.
Also, I'm rewatching my old favorite shows, Veronica mars and Angel. Veronica is a bit episodic, but loaded with smart writing and an excellent plot. Angel is slower, but some of those scenes... Just so good. A brooding Angel and a femme fatale exchanging lines, it's just noir gold, at least for a recent mainstream tv show that was on WB at least.
As for the workout regiment, biceps have been neglected. I do them, but not intense enough and not right. Gotta put mad pressure on them. I did them a lot on the cruise and I'm thoroughly sore. I have to reach that when I work out at home. I mean, especially since they're the most aesthetically "important" thing to work out.
By the way if you're reading this: Miah, thanks for doubting my abilities to get a six pack. I'm on my way and kicking this out of the park. Aaron, what happened to six pack competition, flabster. Catch up kiddo, you got a beast of a man to compete with kiddo. Now run and tell that... HOME BOY. Hide your husband, we gon' find you!
September 9, 2010
I'm listening to:
http://www.blalocksirp.com/
This guy basically compiles a playlist of Indie Rock every month. Over 100 songs, that's a lot of listening to do, but it works out since it's useful while studying. When not locked down and taking preptests, having a TV show on is still a bit distracting. I've been wanting to get back into music, so done deal, perfect for me.
September 11, 2010
I get dinner at night with CNF at the Korean restaurant past White Castle. Busy place, good food, close, a new go to spot. CNF decides to stay in for the night and I plan on going into the city with Bola, Kenny, and Miah.
I split from them to go to a B-day party that I have to go to. We go to White Rabbit, a bar/lounge in the LES. Atron shows up too and the kid is too funny. He mentions the "girl with piercings" that he's seen before. I tell him that she has a name, but "piercings girl" is all he's stuck on.
I can tell that our hero has a new theory that contends with Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Piercings and/or tattoos = crazy in bed
The Atron has been trying to bag one I guess. I tell him, "She's with her boyfriend and he's hanging with her right there, you can see." His response, "So?" This continues when he explains that he'd take her over "Shit don't stink" girl. (Inside joke.)
He even goes as far as to say, "We exchanged a look or something when I said "Hi."" Delusions of grandeur would be an understatement.
Atron and I skeeve off loads of champagne and then split in hopes of catching up with everyone at Candace's friend's thing that's nearby. I let Atron lead the way and wander around for a bit. Kenny and Miah had left already and we meet Stefan and Bola outside. We wander around like crazy and finally walk over to The Library for a beer and then time to head back.
By the way, I've been out of commission from the city for a while and dah-yaamm, the honies were out tonight. That is all.
I wake up on the boat and grab breakfast for the day ahead. A splash of oatmeal with nuts though they are out of bananas. I guess they won't put them out because they're too ripe and not very appealing. That's along with ice coffee, a couple slices of turkey, and four egg whites.
By the time I get home it's 1030. I go to work because I have nothing else to do for the day.
Ela has been complaining about the five year old boy hay she has to take care of. Rough times also because her German friends are asleep by the time she's free at night to chat. I call her walking from Penn, but it's late and she has to whisper in the house, despite it being huge. I'll get her tomorrow though and catch up on her hectic bizznass while I've been away.
At night, I go into the city to hang with niki from Australia and Elle, who's back from her travels. We meet at 230 fifth, which is pretty darn popping. I mean, you better expect gorgeous girls (and plenty of them) when you're paying 9 (I only order one) dollars for a stella. Stellllaaaaa. Didn't ever get to watch hat entire film, but Elle and niki surprisingly got the reference.
We meet up more people including our boy Lee. He's drunk as shit and with two girls that he ditches. He's the best type, the boob staring obnoxious wannabe Lethario that girls oh so enjoy...
We end up going to the east village for some hookah. It's actually not that bad, 15 for one, which is fine between four of us and it keeps getting passed.
Speaking of which, without much drinking these days (from healthy lifestyle and staying in to focus on studying), smoking goes down a lot as a direct relationship. Then again not like it was "smoking" as I try to explain. When speaking to smokers, they're like, "what do you mean you stick to a single pack for over a week or two? I go through a pack every few days." Obviously not a good thing for you, but it's down way far and I'm way too healthy these days. My grandma even joked that I'm much more of healthy eater than my brother, who also has a fitness lifestyle. Gym, high protein, low carb, etc.
Also, I'm rewatching my old favorite shows, Veronica mars and Angel. Veronica is a bit episodic, but loaded with smart writing and an excellent plot. Angel is slower, but some of those scenes... Just so good. A brooding Angel and a femme fatale exchanging lines, it's just noir gold, at least for a recent mainstream tv show that was on WB at least.
As for the workout regiment, biceps have been neglected. I do them, but not intense enough and not right. Gotta put mad pressure on them. I did them a lot on the cruise and I'm thoroughly sore. I have to reach that when I work out at home. I mean, especially since they're the most aesthetically "important" thing to work out.
By the way if you're reading this: Miah, thanks for doubting my abilities to get a six pack. I'm on my way and kicking this out of the park. Aaron, what happened to six pack competition, flabster. Catch up kiddo, you got a beast of a man to compete with kiddo. Now run and tell that... HOME BOY. Hide your husband, we gon' find you!
September 9, 2010
I'm listening to:
http://www.blalocksirp.com/
This guy basically compiles a playlist of Indie Rock every month. Over 100 songs, that's a lot of listening to do, but it works out since it's useful while studying. When not locked down and taking preptests, having a TV show on is still a bit distracting. I've been wanting to get back into music, so done deal, perfect for me.
September 11, 2010
I get dinner at night with CNF at the Korean restaurant past White Castle. Busy place, good food, close, a new go to spot. CNF decides to stay in for the night and I plan on going into the city with Bola, Kenny, and Miah.
I split from them to go to a B-day party that I have to go to. We go to White Rabbit, a bar/lounge in the LES. Atron shows up too and the kid is too funny. He mentions the "girl with piercings" that he's seen before. I tell him that she has a name, but "piercings girl" is all he's stuck on.
I can tell that our hero has a new theory that contends with Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Piercings and/or tattoos = crazy in bed
The Atron has been trying to bag one I guess. I tell him, "She's with her boyfriend and he's hanging with her right there, you can see." His response, "So?" This continues when he explains that he'd take her over "Shit don't stink" girl. (Inside joke.)
He even goes as far as to say, "We exchanged a look or something when I said "Hi."" Delusions of grandeur would be an understatement.
Atron and I skeeve off loads of champagne and then split in hopes of catching up with everyone at Candace's friend's thing that's nearby. I let Atron lead the way and wander around for a bit. Kenny and Miah had left already and we meet Stefan and Bola outside. We wander around like crazy and finally walk over to The Library for a beer and then time to head back.
By the way, I've been out of commission from the city for a while and dah-yaamm, the honies were out tonight. That is all.
Thursday 2 September 2010
Random stuff and the Cruise
August 9, 2010
I'm back to rewatching TV shows. I'm a few deep into Veronica Mars and that show is so good. It's not a teen drama like you might think it is. Actually, it deals with a two season mystery and Kristin Bell doing PI work, with her frequent snarky, sarcastic comments. Granted, she goes to High School, but it's not about people hooking up and girls complaining about each other, but one's sacrifice of her social position for staying true to family.
August 14, 2010
We take the 920 train in. It’s Scott, Bolanos, Miah, CNF, and I. Miah is stuck with Bolanos because Atron doesn’t want Bolanos coming. I stay with them for a while and get to see Stefan and Lauren. I smoke with Scott and it’s way too much for me. With the drinking, time just goes really slow. We meet up with people at The Library. I go out for a smoke and it feels like it last 15 minutes when it’s only like 5. I just lose track of time. It’s really not fun and we go to the LES. Bolanos and Miah feel ditched. I don’t really know what to say and it’s all a mess.
I remember having two waters. I remember having two slices at .99 pizza. I also have pizza near Katz’s where Miah and Bolanos are. It’s all a bit blurry and annoying. I end up running past Miah. He bitches me out. I catch a cab to the E Vill and get a ride back with Lauren, CNF, and Scott. I get on WFAM for a little bit. I have some food. It really was a bad night. Miah’s pissed. Bolanos sorta mans up and sorta understands, but still doesn’t make it right. I didn’t have fun like I should’ve meh.)
August 28, 2010
It’s CRUISE time! Ride to the city at 12:00ish. It actually turns out that my aunt’s side of the family is coming too, which I didn’t know. Then again, they’re just going to be on the same boat, so doesn’t matter me much. It takes forever on line to get checked in and walk onto the boat. It’s 3:00ish by the time I get on and immediately to the buffet. The food is way bad.
I get to catch Ela before I finally get onto the see and outside of my service. She’s going to be stuck with her little kid for the next few days and I’ll be outside of communication. Oh noes.
Then there’s also loads of Asians on the boat. Dammit, I feel like an alien. Actually, the age issue is worse. You’re either a family (adults with little kids) or an AARP member if your’e on this boat. For dinner, it’s a set time at the dining room, but at least it’s sit down, etc. The food isn’t too bad and they at least try. Smoked ducked breast, grilled pork chop, and a cheese plate for dessert. I’m so getting fat if I keep eating like this for dinner. I gotta watch that for the entire cruise.
At night, I just nap. I walk around and there’s nothing to do. Grab a late snack. I go back to the room to watch some TV. I also get to see most of Avatar, which is a long ass movie. I don’t think I can really enjoy it much without a 3D IMAX.
August 29, 2010
I play on waking up at 9:00 to work out, I sleep in. I get some lunch and then head to the gym. It’s supposed to be way crowded (from reading cruise reviews), but it’s actually not bad at all. Then to the buffet for some ice coffee to mix with the whey protein that I brought. Yep, brought a container with enough scoops to last me the few days.
For the night, I stay in after dinner and just study and watch some V-Mars.
August 30, 2010
We wake up early because we stop at St. John. To call this a city, no, a town would be a shame to all towns. The only thing they pride themselves on is the tide. Quite possibly the worst attraction a “town” could ever have.
“Look the water is low at this time of the day. If you come six hours later, the water will be at the high point. Enjoy!”
It takes six hours to witness… And it’s just water level… Who cares! To back that up, the weather sucked. Turns out that we hit their random hot day and it was over 80 degrees and I’m miserable in my jeans. When I looked it up, it was supposed to only be 70s, but whatever.
The only thing worth it was the Farmer’s Market connected in the mall. It has fresh fruits and veggies. Import British chocolate and gourmet ingredients and goods. And great places for lunch: A small Korean stall, a seafood place, a butcher shop, deli’s, etc. I get myself a big wrap, go back to the boat, and scarf that motherfucker down to some Hurt Locker on TV.
I stop by the gym, but it’s pretty crowded so I just go for a quick run. After dinner, I stay in the room to get some studying done. Then onto the gym right before it closes. It’s the best time because it’s empty now. They don’t have a bench press, but free weight press still does the job. Mad chest workout and leg lifts for abs.
After that, I go down to the poker table and decide it’s been too long and I should see how it’s going. In about 5 hands, this one horrible player picks up an easy $2-300 to double his already large stack. It’s a $1/2 no limit table. Chip average is around $150-200 with weird small stacks (showing that people don’t know how to buy in). He flops nothing and keeps betting into a guy until he hits runner runner to get a straight off of his AK. Another hand, he flops the nuts (straight). Another hand, he calls with nada and his gut shot on the river.
I feel like I have a decent idea of how the table is going and buy in for $150. The first hand I sit down, I pick up JJ. Raise, two callers. Flop is blanks. Raise. One caller (probably the best player at the table). K comes, raise again. He folds. He says that I probably had a bigger pair than him. I doubt he had a pocket pair, but it does sound like he’s giving me respect.
Immediate next hand, I pick up TT. Raise. Multiple callers. Flop comes AKQ. I call a raise, it’s heads up. Turn is a blank, another raise. I fold.
I hover around $120 then pick up a decent pot to set me back to $150. I drop a bit after a couple hands. I pick up AQ early position. Raise, one rereasier to $16. I call. Flop is Q66. Pot is $35. I raise $25 (with $65 behind). He moves me all in (This guy was a real man, sat down at the table with a shot in hand. He hit the nuts (flopping a full house) after buying in for $50 and tripled his stack to a regular size stack compared to the table.) I shrug and without much thinking, I snap call. I don’t have much left and the pot is a larger than my stack.
I’m hoping he’s stupid and reraising with KQ. He could be overplaying JJ or TT. If he has QQ(!), KK, or AA, then c’est la vie. I call, he has KK. I can’t really do anything. I’m way invested into the pot and what better am I going to hope to hit with AQ. Meh, the loss ain’t fun, but more about the actual losing than the money. I came on the boat with cash, expecting it to be lost. Win some then good, lose some, then hope it wasn’t from playing poorly. It is what it is. I probably played around 20 hands. Sucks that I couldn’t have played more and ran into a bad situation. At least I see there are some chumps at the table, another day maybe.
August 31, 2010
First of all. Rant: Fuck Amelia Earhart. I walk into the room and my mom is watching a movie with Earhart being played by Hilary Swank. They actually do a pretty good job getting her to look like an ugly Earhart. I start ranting at my mom about what a bitch this girl is.
Here’s a situation: Some rich girl grows up rich and flies planes. She flies into the middle of nowehere, gets lost, and dies. Big fucking whoup. Fine, she has a cunt and does things for women, but most specifically for female aviation. You look in a history book and tell me how important female aviation is to the history of America. It’s probably less important than how fat and long Martin Luther King Jr.’s penis was. Or if fucking Susan B. Anthony was like throwing a hot dog done a supermarket aisle. By the way, do you know what the funniest joke of all time is? Women’s rights.
Today is Halifax. I wake up, off to breakfast. Oatmeal, a dash of sugar free syrup, half a banana, and a scoop of nuts. Then a few slices of plain turkey. Then two hardboiled egg whites. All with some ice coffee, 2% milk, Splenda, and a scoop of whey.
Off the boat, Halifax is actually a city. They have a busy downtown loaded with shops and stuff. Their port has lots of touristy stuff, buses, and ferries. I get to try Beavertail, which is a really unappealing name for a thin strip of fried dough. I got it topped with nutella and another one with apples and cinnamon. Fucking good shit. NYC needs to get these. Led Zeppole needs to learn to make their fried dough in this shape. Another thing I notice, loads of redheads in Nova Scotia. Yep, I should move here.
I pass by one of the gift shops and realize that I almost forgot that I need to send Ela a postcard. I find a postcard with three old men smiling (dunno why), write it up, stamp it up, send it out.
Back onto the boat, I haven’t eaten for a while, time for the buffet. I get fresh deli sliced turkey, which is silly since it’s really good meat, yet the deli is open for only a few hours during the day. The same goes for the Mongolian BBQ, which I have yet to try. It’s supposed to be good and the line is always ridiculous because it’s again, only open for a few hours. Then, I also have some mahi mahi. They’re actually awesome with their fish. It’s set out in a big platter with pico de gallo and shrimp. No one eats it because they would rather have some messy pasta and greasy chicken drumsticks. The fish is broiled and the bottom is clean with little to no grease. Done deal. I’m all about it. It all tastes clean, cooked with little fat. Perfect for my proteining.
Another thing about the food, I don’t remember the whole conversation, but I overheard some people on the boat, “Or they come on the cruise to eat.” And boy does that really define the cruise. All these fat people do is eat and eat. Shit, all I can see is fat people, all day, errday.
Right after I write that and go to dinner, boom, more material for me. I decide to avoid dinner with mom and grandma because it’s sit down, slow, and the food isn’t even that great. Off to the buffet where “regular” people eat, I’m on the buffet line next to a really fat lady. Then again, those are just “fat ladies” on the boat. The standard is quite different here. Everyone’s overweight.
She starts off with the salad. She scrounges in the for the little last morsels in the crouton container. None left. That’s the best way to start a salad, loads of croutons… Then she builds her salad, which is fine. Salad is salad, it’s healthy. Then time for the dressing. I can just imagine her thinking to herself, “Hm… Ranch, that’s too creamy. Ohh! Italian, that’s great (even though it’s white and creamy just like the ranch for some reason.).” She proceeds to pour on more dressing than Peter North’s load. I know, a vivid metaphor. It literally the entire salad, all white, you can’t even see the remnants of what once was a salad. Then some ham. Well… As in about 8 slices on top of the salad.
Onto the food, fish and chips. A large piece of deep fried fish and fries. Then three servings worth of mashed potatoes. Cover that with gravy. That’s a dinner. I hope that’s enough for one 5’4, 240 lbs. woman.
Then came the sad part. This boy, maybe 10 years old asks his dad, “What’s this?” His dad reads the sign for the curry, vegetable rice dish. Looked pretty healthy. Sons asks, “Is that good?” Dad replies, “Haha, well you know what I like…” He then proceeds to be excited for the pork loin and all the gravy he can put on it.
I start feeling really bad when his family sits down. The dad is fat as shit. The son is as well. So is the younger sister. Then the wife, which is just fat enough that I really could not tell if she was just fat or pregnant. I hate staring, but seriously, I couldn’t tell.
If adult’s want to be fat and piggy, go ahead. But to lead your kids into a horrible lifestyle and plague them with a future of health problems, but Fuck You. No really, Fuck You. You’re a shitty ignorant adult and shame on you.
Right before dinner is gym, which is awesome awesome at night. No people, I get to do biceps and shoulders without people taking from the one set of free weights, etc.
After that, I poker for a bit. So far, people are buying in cheap and the players are horrible. I blind out for a bit after a smaller $90 buy in. I get back over $100 after a decent hand. Then it’s just grinding and grinding from there. I can’t raise preflop much because they auto-call. I miss a couple flops and stay card dead until $50. Then I double up after hitting top set with my 99. Then it’s more downhill. Card dead, fold, miss flop, fold, fold, raise, see flop, fold, fold. The play is still real abysmal, but you can’t outplay. You just have to hit the cards, play well, and squeeze every cent out of these tourist suckers. The “usual” players start coming in who are a bit more competent. I decide to cut my losses at $50ish since my stack is way too small and you’re basically giving away your money if you’re playing short stacked.
I’m watching TV and saw a commercial that Ela would enjoy. Some kid said he’s studying abroad in Germany and soaking it in, but having problems with their humor. The TV shows that they’re laughing at a guy putting his tongue into a fan. I know that show and I want to start watching the Canadian version. It’s basically two guys that compete doing bullshit things. In one that Ela showed me, there are two guys on their knees trying to see which one could suck a long piece of ice faster and get it down to nothing. It’s not ice sucking really… When they’re on their knees, it just makes it silly.
By the way, cruises are awesome for their duty free shops. If I smoked like a chimney, I’d be in heaven. Two cartons (that’s 10 packs in each) for $50. Then again, I did buy liquor. Not sure if I’m keeping much for myself though. Done deal. I maybe should buy more come to think of it. It’s so fucking cheap. The shitty stuff that I buy is almost the same price as this. Hm, maybe I’ll buy more tomorrow.
September 1, 2010
I wake up and breakfast time. More poor decision making when these people eat. I’m waiting on the omelette line. “Hey, I need two omelettes, one for me and one for my wife. She wants an egg white… With ham and cheese. Extra ham and cheese!” Sure sure…
Mine, egg white, extra everything veg. Then two hardboiled egg whites with pepper and a lick of ketchup. Two thin slices of turkey. Ice coffee with 2% and Splenda. A little bit of oatmeal with banana and loads of nuts. Love nuts.
Then onto the poker tournament, $150 with prize money and an invite to a large tourney in Miami (though the ticket is transferable). The play starts out slow again. Card dead. I get AK twice, but with multiple callers and completely whiffing on my flops. The action runs round and round with the usual poor “calling station” play. Also the usual poor basics like overbetting larger than the size of the pot, folding when you have the option to check, etc.
The game goes by really fast with the blinds going up every 12 minutes or so. I get pretty low until I hit a few hands and move back up to 5000 chips. Then blinds are killing and I finally take a stand with against a smaller stand with AQ. He moves in on me on the flop with three small blanks. I’m 3-1 if he has a pair and the raise is about 2-1. The blinds are way to high, lets go. He has KQ. Sweet, I double up to the second largest stack at the table. This is when I make my move and raise preflop in position with anything. I win pot after pot. However, the blinds are way too big, any hand I get involved in, it sets me back from the pots that I won. A small stack moves in from early position, it’s 5 handed, I’m BB with 22. I call, it’s a race against KJ. I’m good all the way until he rivers a K. If I win that pot, I take the chip lead and start stealing pots like a bandit. The players aren’t aware that the blinds are 300/600 with the average stack at about 8000. The blinds are way too high for this many players and you have to move fast.
However, I lose the pot and get back down to ground zero. 500/1000 blinds are coming up and I have 5000. A small stack my size moves in, I call with QJ. I hope he has a pair, he has KJ. He said he thought I had a big one. At least I made a good image for myself. Played tight against the large number, stole pots when I had chips and blinds were higher, but in the end, I needed to with that race with my 22. Meh, I tried. The only thing I can think of is re-raising flop raisers because they overbet with the goal to just steal. However, I’m not sure about that. They’re calling and very loose and I can’t imagine really knocking them off their hands easily. Down for the trip, but I think I played decent and I had some fun.
For lunch, I go during prime time and it’s a shit show. Fat people everywhere, lines are long as shit, I cut the line to grab at parts of a salad, order just sliced turkey from the deli, and run off with a light salad. At 2:00ish, our hero returns for some real shit. Stupid stupid again, the best food of the ship is open only for lunch and it’s all 4 hours of bonkers lines. The whole trip, never got any Mongolian BBQ. However, I did get to try the Fish and Chip place this time. Omg, Hero is easting fried fish?! Nope, I ordered ceviche, octopus salad, and ahi tuna over watermelon. Not great excecution, but it’s decent ingredients for what you’re getting on the boat. Again, this place is only open for lunch. A shame that I only get this on the final day.
I bet back to the room and study for a while. I bitch at some kids that are loud outside the room. I’m such an adult, woohoo! Gran Turino style. PBR, buck shot, the works.
For dinner, they need to clean the room so I join my mom at the “Platinum” Room for a sit down dinner. I order a vegetarian Indian dish, which turns out to be one of the best things I’ve eaten on the boat. Makes sense since they pride themselves on having a multicultural staff. I’m betting that someone Indian in the staff helped make it. Tasted pretty authentic. After the gym, I get some dinner. I walk by the steak frites and man do I want some fucking fries. I ever tell you how much I love fries. Love fries. However, I was just at the gym and can’t be eating fries. However, I do walk by the “diet” apple pie, like there is such a thing. I also love me some apple pie and haven’t had any in forever. I grab a small slice and have half of it. Could’ve used a microwave, but boy did I enjoy some pie.
I'm back to rewatching TV shows. I'm a few deep into Veronica Mars and that show is so good. It's not a teen drama like you might think it is. Actually, it deals with a two season mystery and Kristin Bell doing PI work, with her frequent snarky, sarcastic comments. Granted, she goes to High School, but it's not about people hooking up and girls complaining about each other, but one's sacrifice of her social position for staying true to family.
August 14, 2010
We take the 920 train in. It’s Scott, Bolanos, Miah, CNF, and I. Miah is stuck with Bolanos because Atron doesn’t want Bolanos coming. I stay with them for a while and get to see Stefan and Lauren. I smoke with Scott and it’s way too much for me. With the drinking, time just goes really slow. We meet up with people at The Library. I go out for a smoke and it feels like it last 15 minutes when it’s only like 5. I just lose track of time. It’s really not fun and we go to the LES. Bolanos and Miah feel ditched. I don’t really know what to say and it’s all a mess.
I remember having two waters. I remember having two slices at .99 pizza. I also have pizza near Katz’s where Miah and Bolanos are. It’s all a bit blurry and annoying. I end up running past Miah. He bitches me out. I catch a cab to the E Vill and get a ride back with Lauren, CNF, and Scott. I get on WFAM for a little bit. I have some food. It really was a bad night. Miah’s pissed. Bolanos sorta mans up and sorta understands, but still doesn’t make it right. I didn’t have fun like I should’ve meh.)
August 28, 2010
It’s CRUISE time! Ride to the city at 12:00ish. It actually turns out that my aunt’s side of the family is coming too, which I didn’t know. Then again, they’re just going to be on the same boat, so doesn’t matter me much. It takes forever on line to get checked in and walk onto the boat. It’s 3:00ish by the time I get on and immediately to the buffet. The food is way bad.
I get to catch Ela before I finally get onto the see and outside of my service. She’s going to be stuck with her little kid for the next few days and I’ll be outside of communication. Oh noes.
Then there’s also loads of Asians on the boat. Dammit, I feel like an alien. Actually, the age issue is worse. You’re either a family (adults with little kids) or an AARP member if your’e on this boat. For dinner, it’s a set time at the dining room, but at least it’s sit down, etc. The food isn’t too bad and they at least try. Smoked ducked breast, grilled pork chop, and a cheese plate for dessert. I’m so getting fat if I keep eating like this for dinner. I gotta watch that for the entire cruise.
At night, I just nap. I walk around and there’s nothing to do. Grab a late snack. I go back to the room to watch some TV. I also get to see most of Avatar, which is a long ass movie. I don’t think I can really enjoy it much without a 3D IMAX.
August 29, 2010
I play on waking up at 9:00 to work out, I sleep in. I get some lunch and then head to the gym. It’s supposed to be way crowded (from reading cruise reviews), but it’s actually not bad at all. Then to the buffet for some ice coffee to mix with the whey protein that I brought. Yep, brought a container with enough scoops to last me the few days.
For the night, I stay in after dinner and just study and watch some V-Mars.
August 30, 2010
We wake up early because we stop at St. John. To call this a city, no, a town would be a shame to all towns. The only thing they pride themselves on is the tide. Quite possibly the worst attraction a “town” could ever have.
“Look the water is low at this time of the day. If you come six hours later, the water will be at the high point. Enjoy!”
It takes six hours to witness… And it’s just water level… Who cares! To back that up, the weather sucked. Turns out that we hit their random hot day and it was over 80 degrees and I’m miserable in my jeans. When I looked it up, it was supposed to only be 70s, but whatever.
The only thing worth it was the Farmer’s Market connected in the mall. It has fresh fruits and veggies. Import British chocolate and gourmet ingredients and goods. And great places for lunch: A small Korean stall, a seafood place, a butcher shop, deli’s, etc. I get myself a big wrap, go back to the boat, and scarf that motherfucker down to some Hurt Locker on TV.
I stop by the gym, but it’s pretty crowded so I just go for a quick run. After dinner, I stay in the room to get some studying done. Then onto the gym right before it closes. It’s the best time because it’s empty now. They don’t have a bench press, but free weight press still does the job. Mad chest workout and leg lifts for abs.
After that, I go down to the poker table and decide it’s been too long and I should see how it’s going. In about 5 hands, this one horrible player picks up an easy $2-300 to double his already large stack. It’s a $1/2 no limit table. Chip average is around $150-200 with weird small stacks (showing that people don’t know how to buy in). He flops nothing and keeps betting into a guy until he hits runner runner to get a straight off of his AK. Another hand, he flops the nuts (straight). Another hand, he calls with nada and his gut shot on the river.
I feel like I have a decent idea of how the table is going and buy in for $150. The first hand I sit down, I pick up JJ. Raise, two callers. Flop is blanks. Raise. One caller (probably the best player at the table). K comes, raise again. He folds. He says that I probably had a bigger pair than him. I doubt he had a pocket pair, but it does sound like he’s giving me respect.
Immediate next hand, I pick up TT. Raise. Multiple callers. Flop comes AKQ. I call a raise, it’s heads up. Turn is a blank, another raise. I fold.
I hover around $120 then pick up a decent pot to set me back to $150. I drop a bit after a couple hands. I pick up AQ early position. Raise, one rereasier to $16. I call. Flop is Q66. Pot is $35. I raise $25 (with $65 behind). He moves me all in (This guy was a real man, sat down at the table with a shot in hand. He hit the nuts (flopping a full house) after buying in for $50 and tripled his stack to a regular size stack compared to the table.) I shrug and without much thinking, I snap call. I don’t have much left and the pot is a larger than my stack.
I’m hoping he’s stupid and reraising with KQ. He could be overplaying JJ or TT. If he has QQ(!), KK, or AA, then c’est la vie. I call, he has KK. I can’t really do anything. I’m way invested into the pot and what better am I going to hope to hit with AQ. Meh, the loss ain’t fun, but more about the actual losing than the money. I came on the boat with cash, expecting it to be lost. Win some then good, lose some, then hope it wasn’t from playing poorly. It is what it is. I probably played around 20 hands. Sucks that I couldn’t have played more and ran into a bad situation. At least I see there are some chumps at the table, another day maybe.
August 31, 2010
First of all. Rant: Fuck Amelia Earhart. I walk into the room and my mom is watching a movie with Earhart being played by Hilary Swank. They actually do a pretty good job getting her to look like an ugly Earhart. I start ranting at my mom about what a bitch this girl is.
Here’s a situation: Some rich girl grows up rich and flies planes. She flies into the middle of nowehere, gets lost, and dies. Big fucking whoup. Fine, she has a cunt and does things for women, but most specifically for female aviation. You look in a history book and tell me how important female aviation is to the history of America. It’s probably less important than how fat and long Martin Luther King Jr.’s penis was. Or if fucking Susan B. Anthony was like throwing a hot dog done a supermarket aisle. By the way, do you know what the funniest joke of all time is? Women’s rights.
Today is Halifax. I wake up, off to breakfast. Oatmeal, a dash of sugar free syrup, half a banana, and a scoop of nuts. Then a few slices of plain turkey. Then two hardboiled egg whites. All with some ice coffee, 2% milk, Splenda, and a scoop of whey.
Off the boat, Halifax is actually a city. They have a busy downtown loaded with shops and stuff. Their port has lots of touristy stuff, buses, and ferries. I get to try Beavertail, which is a really unappealing name for a thin strip of fried dough. I got it topped with nutella and another one with apples and cinnamon. Fucking good shit. NYC needs to get these. Led Zeppole needs to learn to make their fried dough in this shape. Another thing I notice, loads of redheads in Nova Scotia. Yep, I should move here.
I pass by one of the gift shops and realize that I almost forgot that I need to send Ela a postcard. I find a postcard with three old men smiling (dunno why), write it up, stamp it up, send it out.
Back onto the boat, I haven’t eaten for a while, time for the buffet. I get fresh deli sliced turkey, which is silly since it’s really good meat, yet the deli is open for only a few hours during the day. The same goes for the Mongolian BBQ, which I have yet to try. It’s supposed to be good and the line is always ridiculous because it’s again, only open for a few hours. Then, I also have some mahi mahi. They’re actually awesome with their fish. It’s set out in a big platter with pico de gallo and shrimp. No one eats it because they would rather have some messy pasta and greasy chicken drumsticks. The fish is broiled and the bottom is clean with little to no grease. Done deal. I’m all about it. It all tastes clean, cooked with little fat. Perfect for my proteining.
Another thing about the food, I don’t remember the whole conversation, but I overheard some people on the boat, “Or they come on the cruise to eat.” And boy does that really define the cruise. All these fat people do is eat and eat. Shit, all I can see is fat people, all day, errday.
Right after I write that and go to dinner, boom, more material for me. I decide to avoid dinner with mom and grandma because it’s sit down, slow, and the food isn’t even that great. Off to the buffet where “regular” people eat, I’m on the buffet line next to a really fat lady. Then again, those are just “fat ladies” on the boat. The standard is quite different here. Everyone’s overweight.
She starts off with the salad. She scrounges in the for the little last morsels in the crouton container. None left. That’s the best way to start a salad, loads of croutons… Then she builds her salad, which is fine. Salad is salad, it’s healthy. Then time for the dressing. I can just imagine her thinking to herself, “Hm… Ranch, that’s too creamy. Ohh! Italian, that’s great (even though it’s white and creamy just like the ranch for some reason.).” She proceeds to pour on more dressing than Peter North’s load. I know, a vivid metaphor. It literally the entire salad, all white, you can’t even see the remnants of what once was a salad. Then some ham. Well… As in about 8 slices on top of the salad.
Onto the food, fish and chips. A large piece of deep fried fish and fries. Then three servings worth of mashed potatoes. Cover that with gravy. That’s a dinner. I hope that’s enough for one 5’4, 240 lbs. woman.
Then came the sad part. This boy, maybe 10 years old asks his dad, “What’s this?” His dad reads the sign for the curry, vegetable rice dish. Looked pretty healthy. Sons asks, “Is that good?” Dad replies, “Haha, well you know what I like…” He then proceeds to be excited for the pork loin and all the gravy he can put on it.
I start feeling really bad when his family sits down. The dad is fat as shit. The son is as well. So is the younger sister. Then the wife, which is just fat enough that I really could not tell if she was just fat or pregnant. I hate staring, but seriously, I couldn’t tell.
If adult’s want to be fat and piggy, go ahead. But to lead your kids into a horrible lifestyle and plague them with a future of health problems, but Fuck You. No really, Fuck You. You’re a shitty ignorant adult and shame on you.
Right before dinner is gym, which is awesome awesome at night. No people, I get to do biceps and shoulders without people taking from the one set of free weights, etc.
After that, I poker for a bit. So far, people are buying in cheap and the players are horrible. I blind out for a bit after a smaller $90 buy in. I get back over $100 after a decent hand. Then it’s just grinding and grinding from there. I can’t raise preflop much because they auto-call. I miss a couple flops and stay card dead until $50. Then I double up after hitting top set with my 99. Then it’s more downhill. Card dead, fold, miss flop, fold, fold, raise, see flop, fold, fold. The play is still real abysmal, but you can’t outplay. You just have to hit the cards, play well, and squeeze every cent out of these tourist suckers. The “usual” players start coming in who are a bit more competent. I decide to cut my losses at $50ish since my stack is way too small and you’re basically giving away your money if you’re playing short stacked.
I’m watching TV and saw a commercial that Ela would enjoy. Some kid said he’s studying abroad in Germany and soaking it in, but having problems with their humor. The TV shows that they’re laughing at a guy putting his tongue into a fan. I know that show and I want to start watching the Canadian version. It’s basically two guys that compete doing bullshit things. In one that Ela showed me, there are two guys on their knees trying to see which one could suck a long piece of ice faster and get it down to nothing. It’s not ice sucking really… When they’re on their knees, it just makes it silly.
By the way, cruises are awesome for their duty free shops. If I smoked like a chimney, I’d be in heaven. Two cartons (that’s 10 packs in each) for $50. Then again, I did buy liquor. Not sure if I’m keeping much for myself though. Done deal. I maybe should buy more come to think of it. It’s so fucking cheap. The shitty stuff that I buy is almost the same price as this. Hm, maybe I’ll buy more tomorrow.
September 1, 2010
I wake up and breakfast time. More poor decision making when these people eat. I’m waiting on the omelette line. “Hey, I need two omelettes, one for me and one for my wife. She wants an egg white… With ham and cheese. Extra ham and cheese!” Sure sure…
Mine, egg white, extra everything veg. Then two hardboiled egg whites with pepper and a lick of ketchup. Two thin slices of turkey. Ice coffee with 2% and Splenda. A little bit of oatmeal with banana and loads of nuts. Love nuts.
Then onto the poker tournament, $150 with prize money and an invite to a large tourney in Miami (though the ticket is transferable). The play starts out slow again. Card dead. I get AK twice, but with multiple callers and completely whiffing on my flops. The action runs round and round with the usual poor “calling station” play. Also the usual poor basics like overbetting larger than the size of the pot, folding when you have the option to check, etc.
The game goes by really fast with the blinds going up every 12 minutes or so. I get pretty low until I hit a few hands and move back up to 5000 chips. Then blinds are killing and I finally take a stand with against a smaller stand with AQ. He moves in on me on the flop with three small blanks. I’m 3-1 if he has a pair and the raise is about 2-1. The blinds are way to high, lets go. He has KQ. Sweet, I double up to the second largest stack at the table. This is when I make my move and raise preflop in position with anything. I win pot after pot. However, the blinds are way too big, any hand I get involved in, it sets me back from the pots that I won. A small stack moves in from early position, it’s 5 handed, I’m BB with 22. I call, it’s a race against KJ. I’m good all the way until he rivers a K. If I win that pot, I take the chip lead and start stealing pots like a bandit. The players aren’t aware that the blinds are 300/600 with the average stack at about 8000. The blinds are way too high for this many players and you have to move fast.
However, I lose the pot and get back down to ground zero. 500/1000 blinds are coming up and I have 5000. A small stack my size moves in, I call with QJ. I hope he has a pair, he has KJ. He said he thought I had a big one. At least I made a good image for myself. Played tight against the large number, stole pots when I had chips and blinds were higher, but in the end, I needed to with that race with my 22. Meh, I tried. The only thing I can think of is re-raising flop raisers because they overbet with the goal to just steal. However, I’m not sure about that. They’re calling and very loose and I can’t imagine really knocking them off their hands easily. Down for the trip, but I think I played decent and I had some fun.
For lunch, I go during prime time and it’s a shit show. Fat people everywhere, lines are long as shit, I cut the line to grab at parts of a salad, order just sliced turkey from the deli, and run off with a light salad. At 2:00ish, our hero returns for some real shit. Stupid stupid again, the best food of the ship is open only for lunch and it’s all 4 hours of bonkers lines. The whole trip, never got any Mongolian BBQ. However, I did get to try the Fish and Chip place this time. Omg, Hero is easting fried fish?! Nope, I ordered ceviche, octopus salad, and ahi tuna over watermelon. Not great excecution, but it’s decent ingredients for what you’re getting on the boat. Again, this place is only open for lunch. A shame that I only get this on the final day.
I bet back to the room and study for a while. I bitch at some kids that are loud outside the room. I’m such an adult, woohoo! Gran Turino style. PBR, buck shot, the works.
For dinner, they need to clean the room so I join my mom at the “Platinum” Room for a sit down dinner. I order a vegetarian Indian dish, which turns out to be one of the best things I’ve eaten on the boat. Makes sense since they pride themselves on having a multicultural staff. I’m betting that someone Indian in the staff helped make it. Tasted pretty authentic. After the gym, I get some dinner. I walk by the steak frites and man do I want some fucking fries. I ever tell you how much I love fries. Love fries. However, I was just at the gym and can’t be eating fries. However, I do walk by the “diet” apple pie, like there is such a thing. I also love me some apple pie and haven’t had any in forever. I grab a small slice and have half of it. Could’ve used a microwave, but boy did I enjoy some pie.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Ela Mentions the Blog
August 1, 2010
Darwin’s Albums of 2010 (so far, in no order)
Corinne Baily Rae – The Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7KrgALE2k
Beach House – Teen Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITOAtVwF5Wc
Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fp73J6VjII
Black Keys – Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBAHyK8N8fw
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZyCOvrGEoI
Dessa – A Badly Broken Code
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQL3BrRqM8
The Like – Release Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IBPbCjY8aA
The Morning Benders – Big Echo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jaBxDBMCUY
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STwVx6ynYjk
August 4, 2010
This is what Ela said about the blog:
“today i was out. with belanos. we ate currywurst for the first time of my life. it was awesome. then we bought beer. though we are not even 21 yet. it was an exciting mission. but we succeded. wow what an experience. i came home at 2ish. at home i recognized that i smell. so i took a shower for like 10 minutes. im fresh again. yeeehaaaa.”
Not sure what to say about it, but it’s pretty spot on and hilarious.
Either way, she’s still all scared and worried about the US and coming here in two weeks. She’ll deal with adapting with the culture and everything, but I can understand being homesick for family and friends and stuff. I keep telling her to stop bitching.
August 5, 2010
I have work then go food shopping for some salad mix, Crystal Light, frozen chicken breast, Kashi Go Lean Crunchy (soooo crunchy and healthy to boot, suggested), and a salad from the salad bar. Boy, I guess you’re really on a diet when a salad tastes like a treat. Peppers, brocolli, balsamic (no oil), cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and loads of egg whites from hard boiled eggs. I would prefer chicken if they had it… Anyway, shit’s so good.
I get home, I chillax for a bit. Then time for pull-ups and biceps.
Erdem calls me about dinner. Convo goes like.
H: You wanna get dinner?
D: Sure, where?
H: Wings.
D: Naw, I’m good. Thanks though.
H: Can you help us find wings?
D: Like what? Harbor? Hooters?
H: No, look it up, WINGS!
D: I don’t know what you want. Bars like Donovans have wings. Lemme look… I mean, Korean fried chicken?
H: No, that’s expensive, WINGS!
D: Hasan, you don’t understand, there’s no such thing. I just gave you options for wings.
H: Find WINGS! WINGS WINGS WINGS!
D: This is ridiculous, I need to go.
H: Oh cmon! Help us find WINGS! WINGS WINGS!
D: Bye Hasan…
I’m glad he’s still his ridiculous self. It’s all pretty harmless and stupid, but it still reminds me of how much of a waste planning stuff with him can be. All it is is excuse after excuse. Sometimes the excuses are pretty fucking great.
Example, how about we go into the city? Nope, Hasan’s been there, done that. By the way guys, if you kids weren’t aware, from ages 19-20, Mr. Erdem was the son of an UAE oil tycoon. He tore up New York City, spending over $100,000 in certain nights. Man’s a legend. Not even, man is myth.
August 6, 2010
I have a Yelp event to go to and I head in a bit late. I get into the city by 8ish and I take a cab to Lucky Strike lanes. It’s from 7-9, but I should still be able to hit some of it up. I go to the place and the guy in the front asks if I’m there for the event and I say Yes. He’s not a Yelp person checking names, just a regular bouncer checking IDs.
I go to the bar and the place is way empty. I ask the bartender what the Yelp event specials are. She has no idea what I’m talking about. I go to the lanes and they’re a few parties of people playing pool and bowling. It’s like absolutely dead. I leave and it’s only 8:20. I head downtown and wait around at Kim’s Music Store and grab a Subway sandwich while waiting for people to head in.
We meet up with Stefan and Avi. Then come Miah, Alon, and Kenny. We move to Doc Holidays. After that, we meet Atron and go to Sophies. We actually meet the main character from The Pacific and Rubicon. Avi spots him. It’s pretty awesome running into a celebrity. It seems like people have that happen in LA, but it’s much rare in NYC.
August 8, 2010
I go on Yelp to look up the review of the event. Yes, the site even has reviews for events it throws. I look at the pictures and it seems like it was a mighty poppin’ situation. Buckets of UFO beer, little gourmet snacks, free knick knacks, free t-shirts, loads of people bowling and posing for pictures. I’m thinking to myself…. What? It wasn’t like that at all.
Lameboat, I should’ve showed up on time. It turns out that the lanes have a lounge attached to building. You have to go to the end of the bar and go through a certain area to get to it. Great… The bouncer didn’t know to direct me to the attached other part of their establishment. The bartender had no clue what was happening that night. Meh, guess next time I should really find out what the deal is before assuming that the event was “dead.”
Darwin’s Albums of 2010 (so far, in no order)
Corinne Baily Rae – The Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7KrgALE2k
Beach House – Teen Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITOAtVwF5Wc
Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fp73J6VjII
Black Keys – Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBAHyK8N8fw
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZyCOvrGEoI
Dessa – A Badly Broken Code
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQL3BrRqM8
The Like – Release Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IBPbCjY8aA
The Morning Benders – Big Echo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jaBxDBMCUY
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STwVx6ynYjk
August 4, 2010
This is what Ela said about the blog:
“today i was out. with belanos. we ate currywurst for the first time of my life. it was awesome. then we bought beer. though we are not even 21 yet. it was an exciting mission. but we succeded. wow what an experience. i came home at 2ish. at home i recognized that i smell. so i took a shower for like 10 minutes. im fresh again. yeeehaaaa.”
Not sure what to say about it, but it’s pretty spot on and hilarious.
Either way, she’s still all scared and worried about the US and coming here in two weeks. She’ll deal with adapting with the culture and everything, but I can understand being homesick for family and friends and stuff. I keep telling her to stop bitching.
August 5, 2010
I have work then go food shopping for some salad mix, Crystal Light, frozen chicken breast, Kashi Go Lean Crunchy (soooo crunchy and healthy to boot, suggested), and a salad from the salad bar. Boy, I guess you’re really on a diet when a salad tastes like a treat. Peppers, brocolli, balsamic (no oil), cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and loads of egg whites from hard boiled eggs. I would prefer chicken if they had it… Anyway, shit’s so good.
I get home, I chillax for a bit. Then time for pull-ups and biceps.
Erdem calls me about dinner. Convo goes like.
H: You wanna get dinner?
D: Sure, where?
H: Wings.
D: Naw, I’m good. Thanks though.
H: Can you help us find wings?
D: Like what? Harbor? Hooters?
H: No, look it up, WINGS!
D: I don’t know what you want. Bars like Donovans have wings. Lemme look… I mean, Korean fried chicken?
H: No, that’s expensive, WINGS!
D: Hasan, you don’t understand, there’s no such thing. I just gave you options for wings.
H: Find WINGS! WINGS WINGS WINGS!
D: This is ridiculous, I need to go.
H: Oh cmon! Help us find WINGS! WINGS WINGS!
D: Bye Hasan…
I’m glad he’s still his ridiculous self. It’s all pretty harmless and stupid, but it still reminds me of how much of a waste planning stuff with him can be. All it is is excuse after excuse. Sometimes the excuses are pretty fucking great.
Example, how about we go into the city? Nope, Hasan’s been there, done that. By the way guys, if you kids weren’t aware, from ages 19-20, Mr. Erdem was the son of an UAE oil tycoon. He tore up New York City, spending over $100,000 in certain nights. Man’s a legend. Not even, man is myth.
August 6, 2010
I have a Yelp event to go to and I head in a bit late. I get into the city by 8ish and I take a cab to Lucky Strike lanes. It’s from 7-9, but I should still be able to hit some of it up. I go to the place and the guy in the front asks if I’m there for the event and I say Yes. He’s not a Yelp person checking names, just a regular bouncer checking IDs.
I go to the bar and the place is way empty. I ask the bartender what the Yelp event specials are. She has no idea what I’m talking about. I go to the lanes and they’re a few parties of people playing pool and bowling. It’s like absolutely dead. I leave and it’s only 8:20. I head downtown and wait around at Kim’s Music Store and grab a Subway sandwich while waiting for people to head in.
We meet up with Stefan and Avi. Then come Miah, Alon, and Kenny. We move to Doc Holidays. After that, we meet Atron and go to Sophies. We actually meet the main character from The Pacific and Rubicon. Avi spots him. It’s pretty awesome running into a celebrity. It seems like people have that happen in LA, but it’s much rare in NYC.
August 8, 2010
I go on Yelp to look up the review of the event. Yes, the site even has reviews for events it throws. I look at the pictures and it seems like it was a mighty poppin’ situation. Buckets of UFO beer, little gourmet snacks, free knick knacks, free t-shirts, loads of people bowling and posing for pictures. I’m thinking to myself…. What? It wasn’t like that at all.
Lameboat, I should’ve showed up on time. It turns out that the lanes have a lounge attached to building. You have to go to the end of the bar and go through a certain area to get to it. Great… The bouncer didn’t know to direct me to the attached other part of their establishment. The bartender had no clue what was happening that night. Meh, guess next time I should really find out what the deal is before assuming that the event was “dead.”
Sunday 1 August 2010
End of July
July 28, 2010
I've been watching some movies and have a queue sort of set up.
My brother suggested Greenberg, though I didn't like it. It was just boring to me. I didn't like Ben Stiller's character.
And a surprise to me, I actually enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine. Fine, it's not a good movie at all, but it's one of those shitty stupid movies that I'd be willing to watch if people wanted to sit down and watch something. Again with my opinions on people watching movies, it should be done by yourself unless it's something easy to watch where people can socialize, etc.
Mad Men starts off the season really well, though when did it become cool to watch the show? People have jumped on the band wagon. I've been watching the show for years and motherfucker should have listened to me. Gotta listen to my word, dicks. I decide what's cool, not other people.
I've been also trying to get back into music.
I really like The Like album. They haven't released anything since I was in high school (2005). I found them out through the Cali crowd of bands when I used to listen to Phantom Planet. It seemed like I only knew the band and I really loved their album. Now, they're back with Mark Ronson producing and it's an homage to the oldies. Going back to the 50s and 60s with the female singing trios, Motown, and more. Much fun.
The Jaime Lidell is a bit disappointing. His last album was fantastic. He evolves more in this album, but a lot of the songs are throwaway. Then again, the highlights are killer, especially Camo Cameleon. It's one of the best songs of the year and has some help from Beck, which can surely be heard in it.
I've been watching some movies and have a queue sort of set up.
My brother suggested Greenberg, though I didn't like it. It was just boring to me. I didn't like Ben Stiller's character.
And a surprise to me, I actually enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine. Fine, it's not a good movie at all, but it's one of those shitty stupid movies that I'd be willing to watch if people wanted to sit down and watch something. Again with my opinions on people watching movies, it should be done by yourself unless it's something easy to watch where people can socialize, etc.
Mad Men starts off the season really well, though when did it become cool to watch the show? People have jumped on the band wagon. I've been watching the show for years and motherfucker should have listened to me. Gotta listen to my word, dicks. I decide what's cool, not other people.
I've been also trying to get back into music.
I really like The Like album. They haven't released anything since I was in high school (2005). I found them out through the Cali crowd of bands when I used to listen to Phantom Planet. It seemed like I only knew the band and I really loved their album. Now, they're back with Mark Ronson producing and it's an homage to the oldies. Going back to the 50s and 60s with the female singing trios, Motown, and more. Much fun.
The Jaime Lidell is a bit disappointing. His last album was fantastic. He evolves more in this album, but a lot of the songs are throwaway. Then again, the highlights are killer, especially Camo Cameleon. It's one of the best songs of the year and has some help from Beck, which can surely be heard in it.
Monday 19 July 2010
Mid July
July 13, 2010
This man is a "mat-cheen" (an obscure reference to a Little Lupe appearance on the Howard Stern show). Down to 122.5, definition is coming in. Eating "no" fat. Barely any carbs. Avoiding red meat. Cutting calories everywhere. Shit's paying off. Get some discipline people.
Yesterday was quite the productive day. Got up before 8, worked, got home, didn't really slack, took a long nap because I couldn't sleep the night before, worked out, cleaned the car because my brother keeps the car fucking disgusting, had some chicken breast (cooked with no oil), steamed vegetables, and kimchi, and then started LSAT studying.
Right when I sat down with dinner, I was asked if I wanted to go to BHT to watch the Home Run Derby. However, I wouldn't have studied, I would've fattened up on beer, so meh, I did't go.
Can't wait for more Friday Night Lights, downloaded third season and so I should be back on that.
Louie, fantastic show. One of my favorite comedies to come out recently. It mixes his stand up with sitcom and while I dislike most stand up comedians, I can actually get Louis CK.
If you haven't seen Double Rainbow, it's pretty fucking funny. Better yet, Georgia State bodypaint guy is awesome.
July 15, 2010
I drive with Bolanos into the city to have dinner with Corinne and her friend at Kenka. It's the second time for the week going, but I still enjoy it and it's her still favorite place anyway. Along with dinner, between the four of us, we also are able to polish off 9 of their 32 oz beers for $5. It's New York City and that's a deal, buddy.
We end up meeting CNF, Evan, Arielle, and a friend. We stop by the Continental for a few 5 shots for $10. We Corinne and Marti have to get back. The rest of us go to Doc Holidays for a bit. Then we stop by Beauty Bar and Artichoke. I drive back
July 16, 2010
I pick up Atron and we get some KFC. You can actually order healthy there with their grilled chicken. We go back to my place and pregame with some rum. Bolanos comes, we pick up Miah from work, we pick up some Joose and take the 920 train. We meet some peeps and Miah and I go to split a Baoguette. It's already 10-11:00ish and dinner at 7 has left me hungry. I then meet Corinne and a few more friends. We meet CNF, Stefan, and Atron and go to a karaoke room in Koreatown. Not the Stout style, we rent out the room.
We then have some late night snackage as a restaurant. Kimchi bibimbap with loads of side dishes with some soju. Yeesh, that shit is rough.
We split up and we're at the Penn station area already. We have nothing to do so we find an empty bar, have a beer, 3:19, etc. etc.
July 17, 2010
It's Siren day. However, it's exhausting to be there all day. Matt drives in with Toph, Bolanos, Atron, and I. We go to Totonno's first and catch the end of Earl Greyhound. We then make some Ted Leo. Brown bagging some Negra Modelo. After that, we have Matt and Kim. Another beer there, though this time Atron and I walk by an officer. He points at the sidewalk where other partially drunken beers are. We comply and at least I finished most of it anyway. Stupid stupid law, though at least the cops are doing it right. Couldn't imagine them writing hundreds of tickets out.
Matt and Kim are funny, especially with Matt going into Ignition, though I wish they did a cover. Fun show and we head back. A serious shower is needed and some dinner. Then my brother has some people over to play beer pong. Bolanos heads over with Ben. I lose some though end the last game in serious good fashioned win.
This man is a "mat-cheen" (an obscure reference to a Little Lupe appearance on the Howard Stern show). Down to 122.5, definition is coming in. Eating "no" fat. Barely any carbs. Avoiding red meat. Cutting calories everywhere. Shit's paying off. Get some discipline people.
Yesterday was quite the productive day. Got up before 8, worked, got home, didn't really slack, took a long nap because I couldn't sleep the night before, worked out, cleaned the car because my brother keeps the car fucking disgusting, had some chicken breast (cooked with no oil), steamed vegetables, and kimchi, and then started LSAT studying.
Right when I sat down with dinner, I was asked if I wanted to go to BHT to watch the Home Run Derby. However, I wouldn't have studied, I would've fattened up on beer, so meh, I did't go.
Can't wait for more Friday Night Lights, downloaded third season and so I should be back on that.
Louie, fantastic show. One of my favorite comedies to come out recently. It mixes his stand up with sitcom and while I dislike most stand up comedians, I can actually get Louis CK.
If you haven't seen Double Rainbow, it's pretty fucking funny. Better yet, Georgia State bodypaint guy is awesome.
July 15, 2010
I drive with Bolanos into the city to have dinner with Corinne and her friend at Kenka. It's the second time for the week going, but I still enjoy it and it's her still favorite place anyway. Along with dinner, between the four of us, we also are able to polish off 9 of their 32 oz beers for $5. It's New York City and that's a deal, buddy.
We end up meeting CNF, Evan, Arielle, and a friend. We stop by the Continental for a few 5 shots for $10. We Corinne and Marti have to get back. The rest of us go to Doc Holidays for a bit. Then we stop by Beauty Bar and Artichoke. I drive back
July 16, 2010
I pick up Atron and we get some KFC. You can actually order healthy there with their grilled chicken. We go back to my place and pregame with some rum. Bolanos comes, we pick up Miah from work, we pick up some Joose and take the 920 train. We meet some peeps and Miah and I go to split a Baoguette. It's already 10-11:00ish and dinner at 7 has left me hungry. I then meet Corinne and a few more friends. We meet CNF, Stefan, and Atron and go to a karaoke room in Koreatown. Not the Stout style, we rent out the room.
We then have some late night snackage as a restaurant. Kimchi bibimbap with loads of side dishes with some soju. Yeesh, that shit is rough.
We split up and we're at the Penn station area already. We have nothing to do so we find an empty bar, have a beer, 3:19, etc. etc.
July 17, 2010
It's Siren day. However, it's exhausting to be there all day. Matt drives in with Toph, Bolanos, Atron, and I. We go to Totonno's first and catch the end of Earl Greyhound. We then make some Ted Leo. Brown bagging some Negra Modelo. After that, we have Matt and Kim. Another beer there, though this time Atron and I walk by an officer. He points at the sidewalk where other partially drunken beers are. We comply and at least I finished most of it anyway. Stupid stupid law, though at least the cops are doing it right. Couldn't imagine them writing hundreds of tickets out.
Matt and Kim are funny, especially with Matt going into Ignition, though I wish they did a cover. Fun show and we head back. A serious shower is needed and some dinner. Then my brother has some people over to play beer pong. Bolanos heads over with Ben. I lose some though end the last game in serious good fashioned win.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
More July
July 7, 2010
It's the semifinals for the World Cup today. Bolanos and I get breakfast from Best Bagels. Then we make some errands and start the pregame for the city. We take the 1:20 train in for the 2:30 game. We're supposed to go to Zum Schneider, the German beer garden, but it's almost "closed." The metal gate things used when a store is closed are half closed because the place is so full.
We walk and try to find anything we can. We find a bar that's half full, which is still a decent amount for early afternoon. Walking in, the bouncer asks me multiple times to not blow the vuvuzela that I have on me or else I will get kicked out. We stay there and watch the first half. By the way, it's 100 degrees out today. Shit is way too hot. I'm even drenched in sweat while standing in the air conditioned bar.
During half time, we head to Nevada Smiths, which is superpacked and loaded with Spain fans. Poor Germany. I'm rocking my white shirt and white vuvuzela for the Deustchland. Spain scores a goal and I get some beer rained down on me for it. Spain ends up winning 1-0 and we immediately walk out.
It's past 4:00 and I'm starved after just breakfast and the drinks. We decide on Caracas. It's just a slopping mess of pouring as much sauce as I can all over the arepas and scarffing them down like an animal. It's quite a disgusting sight. We then take the train back because Bolanos wants to catch his water polo game.
I get home and chat with Ela about the German loss, though at least we'll beat Uruguay for the third place match. Shootin' some shit, we play "Guess the song" with some humming. Man, reminds me of loads of music that I used to listen to. Ok Go, The Vines, Jet, RHCP (By the Way). Hey, I didn't say it was the best music, but that's what I was into in Middle/High School.
She also gets me to start Season 2 of Gilmore Girls because that's partly where she learned her English, in addition to school. I've watched enough of these girly ass shows in my life. I shoud be able to tell if this is worth it.
Also, I've gone through a full season of Friday Night Lights. Pretty good show. I got hooked quickly. For a drama, it paces quite well. Some of the characters are compelling. And the most intriguing part is its portrayal of "middle" America. It really got me thinking about how it was be like if I grew up with that kind of lifestyle. Things are laidback. A small community. The importance of High School football and how so much revolves around that. Then again, I'm not crazy. I'm a city boy. However, I still will always regret not going to a Midwest sports team college. That would been so fun.
July 9, 2010
After a slight pregame, I take a walk to the station for the 850 train. Stefan is supposed to meet up with us, but I don't know what happens to him. Bolanos and I go to Cheap Shots where we get disappointed by the fact they're out of the best beer, Patriot Ale. If you mix water and beer, you'd have the Patriot.
Atron and Murray come through from their earlier plans or whatnot. We meet up with Erin from the Montreal trip and other school friends. While we're standing around Atron says he'd give me $1 if I ask an open shirt homeless black man the time. It's easy money. I walk over and ask what time it is. He starts spitting like crazy at me and shouting and then starts coming towards me. I immediately turn around and walk away as fast as possible. Even people on the street have to try to stop him as he walked towards me, spitting and shouting. That's the hardest $1 I've ever had to make.
We decide to take the 1:19 back because I'm too old for this shit these days. We get to Penn early and spend the next 20 minutes playing Johnny Lodden Says. Example: Chris and David don't think James has a clue about measurements. They ask James to think of how many feet are in a mile and lock it down in his head. Chris and David then start naming numbers higher and higher until one stops. Stopping at a number means you have that number and numbers under it. The other person has all numbers above. Obviously this game is to be played with wagers.
You can play this game with: Sports trivia, celebrity ages, even something as stupid as the current time. The best part of the game is that "facts" do not matter. All that matters is if you can guess what the non-betting party thinks. You really need to get into their head and extract an answer in from their shoes. Fun fun fun times.
After that, we catch jump onto the 119, which is usually a lame train without fights like the 319. By the way, it's a bit sad that the nights come down to highlights from the train ride. Anyway, we sit across from three girls. One of them has a cup of beer. One is sitting against the window and looking off. Another one is sitting at the isle and a chubby dude walks over, gets on a knee, and starts chatting her up. I could tell they know each other, but I think he's just a friend that's drunk, horny, and lusting.
Atron restart our game where we speak in Spanish. It's fun because I love the language and I really hate losing it after taking it for three semesters in college. The girls stop us and tell us that they know Spanish. We don't care, we keep making fun of the chubby kid. I call him "THE Romeo." About his fire eyes as he starts deeply into the girl's eyes. All this business, it's really fun.
He later leaves and it surprises me that she says they aren't anything official, but they were something. Really? That chubby kid? The girl near the isle is smokin' and has a fuckin' rack that bulldozer can't even pick up. I called out and could tell that she was Persian. The other girl near the window is Italian and quite the looker herself. Dammit, all night nothing. Then the highlight of the night (and even girl spotting) has to come down to the LIRR. Lammmeee. We introduce ourselves, get into a BS talk, exchange names, what are you doing with life, age, etc.
Afterwards, Bolanos and I go to White Castle. 1 BBQ slider, 1 burger, split a sweet potato fries. Not the best, but certainly better than when I used to shove down up to 7 burgers and an order of onion rings in a drunkin stupor. Keep the food clean. Take the liquor easy. This body is a machine.
Either way, update on that, I'm down even more weight. In the mornings, without food in me and all my water weight is gone (so not my "natural" weight), I'm at 123.5. And about saying if I should cut, depends on the goal. I don't have a gym membership nor the time, so I won't be completely bulking, proteining, etc. Instead, I want to cut that body fat and work on the abs, in addition to other areas. Abs are shitty muscles. You need to be unnaturally low in body fat to any get definition from them. Anyway, that's my update/rant.
PS: Flabbymaster Flex Atron owes me a six pack for losing our contest.
July 12, 2010
I'm listening to the Siren bands.
To see:
Wye Oak- The band I'm looking forward to the most. Dreamy folk is how I would describe them, if that helps.
Surfer Blood- Fun indie rock with a hint of "surfer." They draw a bit of that 50s surfer rock feel.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Despite the silly name, not bad indie rock, but nothing I'd go out of my way to see.
Matt and Kim- I like last year's album more other stuff that I've heard of them. And also, they released one of my favorite songs of last year, unfortunately I feel the rest of their music doesn't hold up to that.
The Night Marchers- Not too "heavy," but still a lot more action than a lot of the other indie pop bands playing.
Ted Leo- Didn't really like them in the past, but I enjoyed the most recent album.
harlem- Catchy indie pop.
Earl Greyhound- I hope they stick to their more rock stuff because a lot of the last album focuses on more the pop side of the band and their female vocalist. SOS is going to be sick though, along with Oye Vaya.
Screaming Females- A punkish band from New Brunswick. Looking forward to them.
Not see:
Holy Fuck- Instrumental electronic isn't really much cup of tea.
Cymbal Eat Guitars- More indie rock, didn't hear much that I found interesting.
Ponytail- Jamming, it's a lot of noise.
Apache Beat- Fail.
It's the semifinals for the World Cup today. Bolanos and I get breakfast from Best Bagels. Then we make some errands and start the pregame for the city. We take the 1:20 train in for the 2:30 game. We're supposed to go to Zum Schneider, the German beer garden, but it's almost "closed." The metal gate things used when a store is closed are half closed because the place is so full.
We walk and try to find anything we can. We find a bar that's half full, which is still a decent amount for early afternoon. Walking in, the bouncer asks me multiple times to not blow the vuvuzela that I have on me or else I will get kicked out. We stay there and watch the first half. By the way, it's 100 degrees out today. Shit is way too hot. I'm even drenched in sweat while standing in the air conditioned bar.
During half time, we head to Nevada Smiths, which is superpacked and loaded with Spain fans. Poor Germany. I'm rocking my white shirt and white vuvuzela for the Deustchland. Spain scores a goal and I get some beer rained down on me for it. Spain ends up winning 1-0 and we immediately walk out.
It's past 4:00 and I'm starved after just breakfast and the drinks. We decide on Caracas. It's just a slopping mess of pouring as much sauce as I can all over the arepas and scarffing them down like an animal. It's quite a disgusting sight. We then take the train back because Bolanos wants to catch his water polo game.
I get home and chat with Ela about the German loss, though at least we'll beat Uruguay for the third place match. Shootin' some shit, we play "Guess the song" with some humming. Man, reminds me of loads of music that I used to listen to. Ok Go, The Vines, Jet, RHCP (By the Way). Hey, I didn't say it was the best music, but that's what I was into in Middle/High School.
She also gets me to start Season 2 of Gilmore Girls because that's partly where she learned her English, in addition to school. I've watched enough of these girly ass shows in my life. I shoud be able to tell if this is worth it.
Also, I've gone through a full season of Friday Night Lights. Pretty good show. I got hooked quickly. For a drama, it paces quite well. Some of the characters are compelling. And the most intriguing part is its portrayal of "middle" America. It really got me thinking about how it was be like if I grew up with that kind of lifestyle. Things are laidback. A small community. The importance of High School football and how so much revolves around that. Then again, I'm not crazy. I'm a city boy. However, I still will always regret not going to a Midwest sports team college. That would been so fun.
July 9, 2010
After a slight pregame, I take a walk to the station for the 850 train. Stefan is supposed to meet up with us, but I don't know what happens to him. Bolanos and I go to Cheap Shots where we get disappointed by the fact they're out of the best beer, Patriot Ale. If you mix water and beer, you'd have the Patriot.
Atron and Murray come through from their earlier plans or whatnot. We meet up with Erin from the Montreal trip and other school friends. While we're standing around Atron says he'd give me $1 if I ask an open shirt homeless black man the time. It's easy money. I walk over and ask what time it is. He starts spitting like crazy at me and shouting and then starts coming towards me. I immediately turn around and walk away as fast as possible. Even people on the street have to try to stop him as he walked towards me, spitting and shouting. That's the hardest $1 I've ever had to make.
We decide to take the 1:19 back because I'm too old for this shit these days. We get to Penn early and spend the next 20 minutes playing Johnny Lodden Says. Example: Chris and David don't think James has a clue about measurements. They ask James to think of how many feet are in a mile and lock it down in his head. Chris and David then start naming numbers higher and higher until one stops. Stopping at a number means you have that number and numbers under it. The other person has all numbers above. Obviously this game is to be played with wagers.
You can play this game with: Sports trivia, celebrity ages, even something as stupid as the current time. The best part of the game is that "facts" do not matter. All that matters is if you can guess what the non-betting party thinks. You really need to get into their head and extract an answer in from their shoes. Fun fun fun times.
After that, we catch jump onto the 119, which is usually a lame train without fights like the 319. By the way, it's a bit sad that the nights come down to highlights from the train ride. Anyway, we sit across from three girls. One of them has a cup of beer. One is sitting against the window and looking off. Another one is sitting at the isle and a chubby dude walks over, gets on a knee, and starts chatting her up. I could tell they know each other, but I think he's just a friend that's drunk, horny, and lusting.
Atron restart our game where we speak in Spanish. It's fun because I love the language and I really hate losing it after taking it for three semesters in college. The girls stop us and tell us that they know Spanish. We don't care, we keep making fun of the chubby kid. I call him "THE Romeo." About his fire eyes as he starts deeply into the girl's eyes. All this business, it's really fun.
He later leaves and it surprises me that she says they aren't anything official, but they were something. Really? That chubby kid? The girl near the isle is smokin' and has a fuckin' rack that bulldozer can't even pick up. I called out and could tell that she was Persian. The other girl near the window is Italian and quite the looker herself. Dammit, all night nothing. Then the highlight of the night (and even girl spotting) has to come down to the LIRR. Lammmeee. We introduce ourselves, get into a BS talk, exchange names, what are you doing with life, age, etc.
Afterwards, Bolanos and I go to White Castle. 1 BBQ slider, 1 burger, split a sweet potato fries. Not the best, but certainly better than when I used to shove down up to 7 burgers and an order of onion rings in a drunkin stupor. Keep the food clean. Take the liquor easy. This body is a machine.
Either way, update on that, I'm down even more weight. In the mornings, without food in me and all my water weight is gone (so not my "natural" weight), I'm at 123.5. And about saying if I should cut, depends on the goal. I don't have a gym membership nor the time, so I won't be completely bulking, proteining, etc. Instead, I want to cut that body fat and work on the abs, in addition to other areas. Abs are shitty muscles. You need to be unnaturally low in body fat to any get definition from them. Anyway, that's my update/rant.
PS: Flabbymaster Flex Atron owes me a six pack for losing our contest.
July 12, 2010
I'm listening to the Siren bands.
To see:
Wye Oak- The band I'm looking forward to the most. Dreamy folk is how I would describe them, if that helps.
Surfer Blood- Fun indie rock with a hint of "surfer." They draw a bit of that 50s surfer rock feel.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Despite the silly name, not bad indie rock, but nothing I'd go out of my way to see.
Matt and Kim- I like last year's album more other stuff that I've heard of them. And also, they released one of my favorite songs of last year, unfortunately I feel the rest of their music doesn't hold up to that.
The Night Marchers- Not too "heavy," but still a lot more action than a lot of the other indie pop bands playing.
Ted Leo- Didn't really like them in the past, but I enjoyed the most recent album.
harlem- Catchy indie pop.
Earl Greyhound- I hope they stick to their more rock stuff because a lot of the last album focuses on more the pop side of the band and their female vocalist. SOS is going to be sick though, along with Oye Vaya.
Screaming Females- A punkish band from New Brunswick. Looking forward to them.
Not see:
Holy Fuck- Instrumental electronic isn't really much cup of tea.
Cymbal Eat Guitars- More indie rock, didn't hear much that I found interesting.
Ponytail- Jamming, it's a lot of noise.
Apache Beat- Fail.
Monday 5 July 2010
July Starts
July 1, 2010
Bolanos and I make plans to go into the city for dinner. We switch from Meatball Shop (a restaurant that fucking serves just meatballs?!) to Keste & Vino. Keste is small as hell and loaded with a 45 minute wait. Across the street is John's of Bleecker Street, which also has a long wait. I didn't know that they were so close to each other and they're two of New York's best pizza pies. You also have Bleecker Street Pizza there, one of New York's best slices. Jeez, gotta love the Apple.
We meet Stefan who tells us this ridiculous story about him running into people on the street and running into a party and having drinks with strangers. The kid is a wild man. I love my pizza, but no way we're waiting around. We instead go to the Baoguette in the West Village. Man, I don't know what restaurant I've frequented more and I've even been to three of their four restaurants in the chain. This one is a bit different from the "regular" one. The menu is a bit different and it's more sit down friendly. Review will have to be written.
After dinner, it's almost 10ish and Stefan has to get home because he has work tomorrow. It's another move of monotony, but can’t knock Baoguette and International Bar. Two of my quick, simple favorites. Evan says he’s showing up and with people. I expect it to be the his NYU friends, but it turns out to be TA and Jared. Two people we rarely get to see, what a surprise. After a while and a few drink deals (whiskey shots and Genesee), Bolanos and I move out. The other three go back.
Bolanos and I go to Kenka to meet some people from online that I’ve been hanging out with. We grab some beers and the place is awesome because shit is balls cheap and it’s a great place to grab a bite and chill out. After that, we go look for somewhere else. Next to Crif Dog and Hop Devil is this place that’s playing loud music. It’s a late on a Thursday night, so places won’t be popping anyway. Around 10 of us plop ourselves down there. The bartender, who looks like Jonathan Ross, but 60 lbs. heavier, blonde, and a bit more creepy/bar ownerish, walks over and tries grabbing the girls to dance on the table. They resist, but he knows how to push it and he gets two of the girls on the bar to dance on top of the bar. Crazy shit.
He gets into the classy move of grabbing the bar and thrusting upwards towards the girls. That’s a class man. He’s a smart owner. He blasts the music, asks what the girls want on and gives them the iPod, and even gives people upside down shots on the bar. Free liquor? Obvs, I’m down for that. He poured a few shots of liquor for having all of us stay, ordering drinks, and even more. The front of the place is all glass and people start staring from outside from the spectacle that is this place, The Belgian Room. People dancing near the front and people dancing at the bar with really hella loud music. On a late late Thursday night, it’s moths to a flame. He gets more and more people to come in, even other girls get on the bar and dance their asses off.
It’s a hella fun night that’s so spontaneous, though one of the girls with our group gets her wallet stolen because of the influx of people coming in. I feel so freaking bad. It literally happened to me blocks away. Worse for her, she came all the way to visit NYC from DC, hit traffic all the way, came on a budget, and now all shit’s gone while away from home. Ugh, not a good feeling. Either way, it’s 4ish by now so Bolanos and I depart.
July 2, 2010
After a good snooze, I get a day going. I work out a load, biceps, abs, chest. I was thinking about going to Pacha tonight, but I give up on that and throw a party at my place instead of mom and grandma are gone for the weekend. Brother is having people over too. I pick up Aaron and we go to the beer distributor. I grab a Four Loko because it’s the new shit. It’s 12% alcohol and 23.5 fl oz. of it. With the math, that’s around a six pack of 4% beer. Aaron and I are talking about it when we pay. The guy in the front looks like he owns a Harley. He doesn’t believe that it’s a six pack of beer. He tries doing the math for it. He pulls out his hand and with each finger goes “Two, four, six, eight, tan, twelve,” until he reaches his second hand. I jump into the car and tell Atron, “Now that is a ruh-tard.” We get back to my place and I’ve already sent mass texts so people start coming over.
The Four Loko does its job and gets be buzzed quickly. It really is an efficient one. Bolanos and I start off beer pong 0-2. Damn. However, we pick it up and roll into a 4 game streak. That’s how we roll. Stupid me at one point punches the wall out of excitement over the game. The game isn’t great for drinking, but it just amplifies emotions when you have the competitive “eye of the tiger” boiling inside of you. There’s loads of people that I invited. There’s people that my brother invited. There’s music. There’s drinks. There’s company. Hell ya, definitely the best party thrown here and we also haven’t had a house party in a while.
July 3, 2010
At night, I use the house for one more night. A few people head over and we play “Ask Wolfe game.” We ask Scott a question like “How old do you think Miley Cyrus is?” Bolanos and I keep saying higher and higher numbers until one of us wants to stop and that person takes that number and lower. We bet crazy ass things. For the night though, I end up down a few bets on Bolanos. Not bad though considering each bet is only $2 a pop.
Bolanos and I make plans to go into the city for dinner. We switch from Meatball Shop (a restaurant that fucking serves just meatballs?!) to Keste & Vino. Keste is small as hell and loaded with a 45 minute wait. Across the street is John's of Bleecker Street, which also has a long wait. I didn't know that they were so close to each other and they're two of New York's best pizza pies. You also have Bleecker Street Pizza there, one of New York's best slices. Jeez, gotta love the Apple.
We meet Stefan who tells us this ridiculous story about him running into people on the street and running into a party and having drinks with strangers. The kid is a wild man. I love my pizza, but no way we're waiting around. We instead go to the Baoguette in the West Village. Man, I don't know what restaurant I've frequented more and I've even been to three of their four restaurants in the chain. This one is a bit different from the "regular" one. The menu is a bit different and it's more sit down friendly. Review will have to be written.
After dinner, it's almost 10ish and Stefan has to get home because he has work tomorrow. It's another move of monotony, but can’t knock Baoguette and International Bar. Two of my quick, simple favorites. Evan says he’s showing up and with people. I expect it to be the his NYU friends, but it turns out to be TA and Jared. Two people we rarely get to see, what a surprise. After a while and a few drink deals (whiskey shots and Genesee), Bolanos and I move out. The other three go back.
Bolanos and I go to Kenka to meet some people from online that I’ve been hanging out with. We grab some beers and the place is awesome because shit is balls cheap and it’s a great place to grab a bite and chill out. After that, we go look for somewhere else. Next to Crif Dog and Hop Devil is this place that’s playing loud music. It’s a late on a Thursday night, so places won’t be popping anyway. Around 10 of us plop ourselves down there. The bartender, who looks like Jonathan Ross, but 60 lbs. heavier, blonde, and a bit more creepy/bar ownerish, walks over and tries grabbing the girls to dance on the table. They resist, but he knows how to push it and he gets two of the girls on the bar to dance on top of the bar. Crazy shit.
He gets into the classy move of grabbing the bar and thrusting upwards towards the girls. That’s a class man. He’s a smart owner. He blasts the music, asks what the girls want on and gives them the iPod, and even gives people upside down shots on the bar. Free liquor? Obvs, I’m down for that. He poured a few shots of liquor for having all of us stay, ordering drinks, and even more. The front of the place is all glass and people start staring from outside from the spectacle that is this place, The Belgian Room. People dancing near the front and people dancing at the bar with really hella loud music. On a late late Thursday night, it’s moths to a flame. He gets more and more people to come in, even other girls get on the bar and dance their asses off.
It’s a hella fun night that’s so spontaneous, though one of the girls with our group gets her wallet stolen because of the influx of people coming in. I feel so freaking bad. It literally happened to me blocks away. Worse for her, she came all the way to visit NYC from DC, hit traffic all the way, came on a budget, and now all shit’s gone while away from home. Ugh, not a good feeling. Either way, it’s 4ish by now so Bolanos and I depart.
July 2, 2010
After a good snooze, I get a day going. I work out a load, biceps, abs, chest. I was thinking about going to Pacha tonight, but I give up on that and throw a party at my place instead of mom and grandma are gone for the weekend. Brother is having people over too. I pick up Aaron and we go to the beer distributor. I grab a Four Loko because it’s the new shit. It’s 12% alcohol and 23.5 fl oz. of it. With the math, that’s around a six pack of 4% beer. Aaron and I are talking about it when we pay. The guy in the front looks like he owns a Harley. He doesn’t believe that it’s a six pack of beer. He tries doing the math for it. He pulls out his hand and with each finger goes “Two, four, six, eight, tan, twelve,” until he reaches his second hand. I jump into the car and tell Atron, “Now that is a ruh-tard.” We get back to my place and I’ve already sent mass texts so people start coming over.
The Four Loko does its job and gets be buzzed quickly. It really is an efficient one. Bolanos and I start off beer pong 0-2. Damn. However, we pick it up and roll into a 4 game streak. That’s how we roll. Stupid me at one point punches the wall out of excitement over the game. The game isn’t great for drinking, but it just amplifies emotions when you have the competitive “eye of the tiger” boiling inside of you. There’s loads of people that I invited. There’s people that my brother invited. There’s music. There’s drinks. There’s company. Hell ya, definitely the best party thrown here and we also haven’t had a house party in a while.
July 3, 2010
At night, I use the house for one more night. A few people head over and we play “Ask Wolfe game.” We ask Scott a question like “How old do you think Miley Cyrus is?” Bolanos and I keep saying higher and higher numbers until one of us wants to stop and that person takes that number and lower. We bet crazy ass things. For the night though, I end up down a few bets on Bolanos. Not bad though considering each bet is only $2 a pop.
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