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.