Yes ladies and gents, the rumors are true.
The Mets have won all four games that I have seen in Citi Field (we will not EVER talk about those two games I went to this past April in Miami... played by the "pre-CitiField" Mets)
4 - 0 ! ! ! ! !
Unreal!!! The past few season when I've had the small ticket plans (6-8 tix), they've played terribly against everyone: the good teams and the bad teams alike. I think I can count on one hand how many games they won for me live the past 3 seasons in Shea Stadium. Nice to see the trend changing for the better in the new ballpark.
Game 1 - Marlins (April 27):
My first Mets game at Citi Field.
Gary Sheffield drops a routine fly ball in left in the top of the first and that runner was driven home by Jorge Cantu for the early 1-0 lead. It was shaping up to be one of those typical Mets games. But then Sheff makes up for the gaffe in the bottom half of the inning by driving in a run (with runners on 1st and 3rd) to tie the game. Several minutes later, with a 2-1 lead and the bases loaded, the #8 batter comes up to the plate. It's rookie catcher Omir Santos who is ONLY getting regular playing time because Brian Schneider is on the DL. What does the young man do?? Santos hits the first grand slam at Citi Field!!! A 6-1 lead in the first and the fans are going absolutely NUTS!!!
OH BTW, I HATE the new apple in center field. It doesn't have the same 'feel' as the old apple. And it also doesn't stay up long enough to take a picture of it. By the time you're done high fiving your fellow fans around you, the apple is already on it's way back into it's hole. I HATE IT!
As far as stadium noms, I was told I had to try Shake Shack. They did not disappoint! At first, I thought the burgers were a little overpriced but after a few bites, I can see why there was such a long line in the first place. The burgers were fantastic, the Shakemeister beer from Brooklyn Brewery was a nice compliment, and the vanilla shake... mmm mmm mmm. I decided I would hit up Shake Shack again next time at the ball park.
The game ends up being the Marlins 7th straight loss and gets the Mets to a game under .500 (9-10). Can it be that the Marlins really started the season 11-1 with the only loss coming to us in Miami at the start of the season?? Wow, the baseball gods are fickle.
Final Score: Marlins 1 - Mets 7
Game 2 - Pirates (May 8th):
My annual birthday game.
The Pirates always come to town during the Mets homestands around my birthday. The Amazins got off to an early start with 2 runs in the first only to give them right back to the Pirates in the 3rd. Going into the bottom of the 8th, it seemed certain this game would go to extra innings. It would be the first extra inning game at Citi Field but the Carlos-es had a different plan. Beltran singled in a run and Delgado followed up with a 3-run bomb to right center. K-Rod had been warming up while the Mets were batting but with another run driven in by rookie Omir Santos, the Mets brought out JJ Putz instead to finish up the game.
I had Shake Shack one again this game. Tried the Shack-cago dog. Not too bad. Not my first choice as their burgers are quite phenomenal but not too shabby. The Taqueria needs to be the next stop for me.
(Mets record is now 15-13: they're 6-3 since my last time in Citi Field)
Final Score: Pirates 3 - Mets 7
Game 3 - Nationals (May 26):
A drizzly Tuesday night at Citi Field. I was supposed to go to the game with someone and they flaked on me (you know who you are... I'm not about to name names). I was undecided about going to the game alone since no one was available to go at the last minute - perhaps they were afraid they'd melt in the rain(??). Who knows...
Nevertheless, I got up and went to the game alone. And I'm soooo glad I did. Not just because my streak remained intact but I got to see a glimpse of the old Livan Hernandez. The work horse who can throw nearly 120 pitches and go deep in a game. Turns out this was not only the Mets first complete game of the season but the Mets first complete game in CITI FIELD!! Good game, very little drizzle. You-who-shall-remain-nameless missed out!! (To be fair, this person did have a legitimate excuse for missing the game, so I'm not gonna hate too much)
I got to try the Taqueria food. The elotes are amazing (no Mets pun intended) but the tacos are very ho-hum. Nothing special and DEF not worth the price. Pleasantly surprised by one of the specialty beers though I cannot recall the name of the pilsner that I bought. My apologies to my beer connoisseurs, I'll get the name of the brew on my next trip to Citi Field.
(Mets record is now 25-20, they're 10-7 since my last visit to Citi Field)
Final Score: Nationals 1 - Mets 6
Game 4 - Marlins (May 29):
Last minute call from a friend on Facebook to check out a game. I was down and ended up meeting up with people at the Citi Field. I forgot my camera and was hoping that it wasn't the source of all the good luck I've had at Citi Field.
Big Pelf (Mets' starter Mike Pelfrey for those of you who don't know) had a great game as he went 7 2/3 innings and allowed only one run while throwing 108 pitches. The game was moving very quickly as both starters got some quick outs and allowed very few baserunners. It was already 2 hours into the game and we were tied 1-1 in the 8th. WTF!! Usually baseball games go about 3 innings every hour. Could this game be finished by 9:30? Not on this night since this time the game DID go to extra innings (unlike Game 2 against the Pirates). It was the 3rd extra inning game in Citi Field (the first two times were against Atlanta a few weeks ago).
In the 11th, after what felt like 20,000 throws over to first base, Sheffield steals 2nd and goes to third on a bad throw from the catcher. Tatis gets hit by the very next pitch by Sanches (which made me wonder if it was intentional but whatever... we've got runners on the corners, no double play plz!). Omir Santos comes to bat and hits the game winning single in the 11th. He is easily the player of the game as he drives in both runs today including a solo HR in the 5th.
I'm starting to think that maybe I'm Santos' good luck charm. lol. Let's check out the numbers for Santos in Citi Field:
With me sitting in Citi Field (4 games): 5 for 17 (.294), 3 runs, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 SO
Without me in Citi Field (15 games): 10 for 36 (.278), 6 runs, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 7 SO
Santos hits his HR's at home when I'm there and he strikes out less. I'm just saying!!
I ate at Blue Smoke this time and had the pulled pork sandwich. Not too bad but slightly overpriced in my book considering it's served in a fairly small bun. Though it was quite filling so maybe it was worth it since I didn't eat lunch. I think I'll try the ribs at my next game.
(Mets record is now 27-20, they're 2-0 since my last time in Citi Field)
Final Score: Marlins 1 - Mets 2
My love affair with Citi Field has officially begun. I don't know when the honeymoon will be over but for now, I'm loving the new digs.
On a related side note, I'm still sitting here without Subway Series for the first time in a long time. *sigh* Let's see how that goes. LET'S GO METS!!!
Until next time, faithful reader......
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
My Life According to Twitter (or This Week's Recap via My Tweets)
Hello there...
To my repeat visitors, welcome back!
To the RaUM newcomers, ENJOY!
I joined Twitter a few weeks ago despite going months bitching about how annoying and useless it is. Boy, was I shocked to see how quickly I took to it. I love Twitter! Consider me a bandwagon jumper, or whatever other clever moniker you may have at the tip of your tongue, but there is something refreshing about posting a short comment or quote in a tweet as opposed to writing a passage about it on Blogger.
Lately, I haven't had the time to dedicate to a full RaUM entry. It's not for a lack of inspiration but simply not being able to make the time to type things out. (I know... it's crazy right?? Funny how sleeping is more important than blogging...)
This is not to say I'm replacing this blog with my Twitter feed but I'm in the process of finding the happy balance - the middle ground, if you will - between the two. I get my Mets news feed (and opinions), updates from a few select celebs (including my BIGGEST celeb crush, Alyssa Milano. I still love you and you don't even know it!!), and other random people whom I've found to have common interests. I wish I had more friends and family who actually tweet but it's no big deal. I'm making due just fine with who I have.
Well, without further ado, lets take a look at some of the more memorable tweets from the week (along with running commentary/explanations for some of them):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be careful what you wish for: Spring weather returning also means killer allergies affecting me for the next few weeks. *ugh*
[1:40 PM May 19th]
Ahhh yes... Spring time and allergy season. One of the things I love best (Spring) and one of the things I hate most (allergies). I only developed these allergies in the past few years. When I was younger I was never affected by the seasons. And this year it seems worse than usual... *ugh*
I got a gift from one of my students tonight along with a very nice message in a "Good Luck" card. I feel so privileged to do what I do. =D
[8:58 PM May 19th]
=D Still makes me smile thinking about it! I am very grateful for the card and the Ralph Lauren scented candle. If I can manage to get a date sometime in the next 10 years or so, I may end up putting that to use... lol.
waiting in bk before heading out to philly
[1:22 AM May 20th]
My friend Jorge had to drop off his wife and daughter at the airport in Philly. Before you ask, it was a last minute emergency travel decision on a budget. I knew Jorge would get very little sleep (if any) on Tuesday night and I know how grueling the ride is from Philly back to NYC when you're exhausted. I decided since I had nothing going on Wednesday that I would accompany them so they could arrive in Philly safe and sound and J would get back in town in one piece. I had a HS classmate that died traveling back home from college one winter and sometimes that memory creeps into the back on my mind when I hear about my friends driving home (or anywhere) alone. Call me a fatalist all you want but Uncle Alan got to spend quality time with my fave little lady! =D
dude!!! Massive roadkill. Stunned me and somewhat nauseating.
[3:20 AM May 20th]
OH YEAH!!! That was kinda gross... Jorge and I looked at each other and had the only WTF faces! It was larger than your average roadkill but not large enough to scrape under the car. All we saw, in that split second it was highlighted by the car's headlights, was a pretty mangled carcass with a huge splotch of redness in the lane we were driving in. Quite a gruesome sight...
at Philly International Airport. Really wish I had my camera with me... #fb
[4:36 AM May 20th]
I had realized once I got into Brooklyn that I had just wasted a unique opportunity to take pics in places I may not revisit. As a passenger in the car for most of the trip I could have had my hands free to take a lot of interesting pictures. Oh well, done bun...
Two cop cars to pull over one car in NJ. In NY? One cop had 3 cars pulled over at once. That's what's up!!
[8:00 AM May 20th]
Nuff said.
Having breakfast with @gerlombian
[9:05 AM May 20th]
Got to shoot the breeze with the ol' bff.
carne... carne... carneeeeeeee!! starting it with my inferiors!
[3:42 PM May 20th]
Yes, carne. You know? Beef... I was sleep deprived after breaking night. This seemed hilarious at the time... Looking back on it... STILL hilarious. You had to be there!
Does anyone know where I can find a golden calf on the cheap? Looking for something to worship...
[2:00 PM May 21st]
To which someone responded that
Nice bright sun-shiny day... and one last final to give tonight before I bid adieu to my class for the semester.
[3:40 PM May 21st]
I'm on this freestyle kick this afternoon for some unknown reason... I'll be tweeting during tonight's exam FYI.
[4:58 PM May 21st]
Yes. Something about freestyle music and warm spring days that just go together. It's been that way since I was a kid and will not change even when I'm in my 80s.
Trying to finish up my next blog entry... hard to do that when my students are asking me Q's! I'm the one doing the asking around here! lol
[6:10 PM May 21st]
HAHA! I was busy writing up a RaUM entry and tweeting while proctoring my final exam. They probably thought I was doing something important...
And with that last person ladies and gents... my semester (in class) is over. Now on to the grading!
[7:28 PM May 21st]
=/ Time to bear down and get to work, I suppose.
@isamarchajon Thank you very much, sir! I was lucky to have two great classes...
[8:15 PM May 21st in reply to isamarchajon]
I was congratulated on finishing my first semester. As I mentioned in my previous entry, it was a great semester. It was easy for me to do my job with all the good students I had. At least SOME of them understood my sense of humor. HA!
Gorgeous weather in the Big Apple, Tweeters and Tweetettes (or twits and twats, as my friend said)
[9:59 AM May 22nd]
question: is it just me or has the word 'retard' reached the same level of taboo as 'nigger'?
[10:51 AM May 22nd]
I forgot why I thought of this but it's true isn't it??
I'm done for the work week. I'll be back in the office on Tuesday but will remain on Twitter (with tweets ribbed for your pleasure)
[3:08 PM May 22nd]
"She smokes weed with a crackhead because it makes her feel safer" .... WOW!!
[9:37 PM May 23rd]
A "re-tweet" of sorts. It was taken from a friend's Facebook status. Who the hell is he hanging out with?? lol...
I'm still trying to differentiate between comments that are tweetworthy and those that should be left in the confines of my brain.
[2:32 AM May 24th]
Still haven't figure it out yet... but I'm getting there. =)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before I forget, the obligatory request to follow my Twitter will follow:
You can find my tweets at: twitter.com/agsilver51
Follow me and join the tribe!
Thanks for indulging me!
Until next time, faithful reader......
To my repeat visitors, welcome back!
To the RaUM newcomers, ENJOY!
I joined Twitter a few weeks ago despite going months bitching about how annoying and useless it is. Boy, was I shocked to see how quickly I took to it. I love Twitter! Consider me a bandwagon jumper, or whatever other clever moniker you may have at the tip of your tongue, but there is something refreshing about posting a short comment or quote in a tweet as opposed to writing a passage about it on Blogger.
Lately, I haven't had the time to dedicate to a full RaUM entry. It's not for a lack of inspiration but simply not being able to make the time to type things out. (I know... it's crazy right?? Funny how sleeping is more important than blogging...)
This is not to say I'm replacing this blog with my Twitter feed but I'm in the process of finding the happy balance - the middle ground, if you will - between the two. I get my Mets news feed (and opinions), updates from a few select celebs (including my BIGGEST celeb crush, Alyssa Milano. I still love you and you don't even know it!!), and other random people whom I've found to have common interests. I wish I had more friends and family who actually tweet but it's no big deal. I'm making due just fine with who I have.
Well, without further ado, lets take a look at some of the more memorable tweets from the week (along with running commentary/explanations for some of them):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be careful what you wish for: Spring weather returning also means killer allergies affecting me for the next few weeks. *ugh*
[1:40 PM May 19th]
Ahhh yes... Spring time and allergy season. One of the things I love best (Spring) and one of the things I hate most (allergies). I only developed these allergies in the past few years. When I was younger I was never affected by the seasons. And this year it seems worse than usual... *ugh*
I got a gift from one of my students tonight along with a very nice message in a "Good Luck" card. I feel so privileged to do what I do. =D
[8:58 PM May 19th]
=D Still makes me smile thinking about it! I am very grateful for the card and the Ralph Lauren scented candle. If I can manage to get a date sometime in the next 10 years or so, I may end up putting that to use... lol.
waiting in bk before heading out to philly
[1:22 AM May 20th]
My friend Jorge had to drop off his wife and daughter at the airport in Philly. Before you ask, it was a last minute emergency travel decision on a budget. I knew Jorge would get very little sleep (if any) on Tuesday night and I know how grueling the ride is from Philly back to NYC when you're exhausted. I decided since I had nothing going on Wednesday that I would accompany them so they could arrive in Philly safe and sound and J would get back in town in one piece. I had a HS classmate that died traveling back home from college one winter and sometimes that memory creeps into the back on my mind when I hear about my friends driving home (or anywhere) alone. Call me a fatalist all you want but Uncle Alan got to spend quality time with my fave little lady! =D
dude!!! Massive roadkill. Stunned me and somewhat nauseating.
[3:20 AM May 20th]
OH YEAH!!! That was kinda gross... Jorge and I looked at each other and had the only WTF faces! It was larger than your average roadkill but not large enough to scrape under the car. All we saw, in that split second it was highlighted by the car's headlights, was a pretty mangled carcass with a huge splotch of redness in the lane we were driving in. Quite a gruesome sight...
at Philly International Airport. Really wish I had my camera with me... #fb
[4:36 AM May 20th]
I had realized once I got into Brooklyn that I had just wasted a unique opportunity to take pics in places I may not revisit. As a passenger in the car for most of the trip I could have had my hands free to take a lot of interesting pictures. Oh well, done bun...
Two cop cars to pull over one car in NJ. In NY? One cop had 3 cars pulled over at once. That's what's up!!
[8:00 AM May 20th]
Nuff said.
Having breakfast with @gerlombian
[9:05 AM May 20th]
Got to shoot the breeze with the ol' bff.
carne... carne... carneeeeeeee!! starting it with my inferiors!
[3:42 PM May 20th]
Yes, carne. You know? Beef... I was sleep deprived after breaking night. This seemed hilarious at the time... Looking back on it... STILL hilarious. You had to be there!
Does anyone know where I can find a golden calf on the cheap? Looking for something to worship...
[2:00 PM May 21st]
To which someone responded that
Nice bright sun-shiny day... and one last final to give tonight before I bid adieu to my class for the semester.
[3:40 PM May 21st]
I'm on this freestyle kick this afternoon for some unknown reason... I'll be tweeting during tonight's exam FYI.
[4:58 PM May 21st]
Yes. Something about freestyle music and warm spring days that just go together. It's been that way since I was a kid and will not change even when I'm in my 80s.
Trying to finish up my next blog entry... hard to do that when my students are asking me Q's! I'm the one doing the asking around here! lol
[6:10 PM May 21st]
HAHA! I was busy writing up a RaUM entry and tweeting while proctoring my final exam. They probably thought I was doing something important...
And with that last person ladies and gents... my semester (in class) is over. Now on to the grading!
[7:28 PM May 21st]
=/ Time to bear down and get to work, I suppose.
@isamarchajon Thank you very much, sir! I was lucky to have two great classes...
[8:15 PM May 21st in reply to isamarchajon]
I was congratulated on finishing my first semester. As I mentioned in my previous entry, it was a great semester. It was easy for me to do my job with all the good students I had. At least SOME of them understood my sense of humor. HA!
Gorgeous weather in the Big Apple, Tweeters and Tweetettes (or twits and twats, as my friend said)
[9:59 AM May 22nd]
question: is it just me or has the word 'retard' reached the same level of taboo as 'nigger'?
[10:51 AM May 22nd]
I forgot why I thought of this but it's true isn't it??
I'm done for the work week. I'll be back in the office on Tuesday but will remain on Twitter (with tweets ribbed for your pleasure)
[3:08 PM May 22nd]
"She smokes weed with a crackhead because it makes her feel safer" .... WOW!!
[9:37 PM May 23rd]
A "re-tweet" of sorts. It was taken from a friend's Facebook status. Who the hell is he hanging out with?? lol...
I'm still trying to differentiate between comments that are tweetworthy and those that should be left in the confines of my brain.
[2:32 AM May 24th]
Still haven't figure it out yet... but I'm getting there. =)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before I forget, the obligatory request to follow my Twitter will follow:
You can find my tweets at: twitter.com/agsilver51
Follow me and join the tribe!
Thanks for indulging me!
Until next time, faithful reader......
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Finals Week (or Lap #1 Complete)
During the last week of actual classes (this doesn't count finals week which is a totally different beast altogether), I walked into both my classes with camera in hand. I took pictures of them both as I walked through the door. Some were shocked, some laughed, some didn't even flinch even after noticing what I did.
I wanted to get a snapshot of my classes to have a physical item attached to my memory of this Spring 2009 semester. I didn't want to rely on my "mental picture" of the classes from my first semester as a college professor (some of my colleagues would argue I'm not a professor at all unless I'm a full time instructor). I figured an ACTUAL picture (or, in this case, pictures) would serve the purpose a wee bit better.
I gave them a chance to object or protest over me taking the pics. I agreed that if anyone DID object, I would delete them on the spot. Thankfully, no one objected... in either class. If anything they were supportive of my decision to take (and keep) the picture once I explained why I took it. I'm not planning to post them on Facebook or have them appear on this ol' blog. Nor will I have a digital frame in my office to have them on permanent display there. It'll stay in my archives and every once in a while I'll take them out and have a quick look at them.
I took the pictures because I know that when the day comes that I begin questioning why I teach, or if I ever begin feeling extremely frustrated with the profession, I will have the pictures as a reminder of how I felt this first semester. Two great classes!! I couldn't have asked for anything better.
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to them this week (the dreaded "Finals Week"). I am ecstatic that the semester is coming to an end allowing me the chance to enjoy my summertime off. Yet, at the same time, I am feeling a great sense of melancholy at knowing I won't see my "kids" again, all together in the same classroom. I told my classes this and it bears repeating here: If my classes in the future are half as good as these two have been, I will be a lucky man!
I expect to be teaching for a while. Hopefully it won't only be stats but I wouldn't mind it if that's how things worked out. There's also a chance that all my teaching years may not even be spent at Queens College. But I know I love what I do and this semester I have looked forward to every single class meeting (even the morning class which, for those of you who know me well, was torture since I'm not a morning person).
If any of my students from the Spring '09 semester happen to be reading this, thank you for being a part of one of the best times of my life!!!
Until next time, faithful reader....
I wanted to get a snapshot of my classes to have a physical item attached to my memory of this Spring 2009 semester. I didn't want to rely on my "mental picture" of the classes from my first semester as a college professor (some of my colleagues would argue I'm not a professor at all unless I'm a full time instructor). I figured an ACTUAL picture (or, in this case, pictures) would serve the purpose a wee bit better.
I gave them a chance to object or protest over me taking the pics. I agreed that if anyone DID object, I would delete them on the spot. Thankfully, no one objected... in either class. If anything they were supportive of my decision to take (and keep) the picture once I explained why I took it. I'm not planning to post them on Facebook or have them appear on this ol' blog. Nor will I have a digital frame in my office to have them on permanent display there. It'll stay in my archives and every once in a while I'll take them out and have a quick look at them.
I took the pictures because I know that when the day comes that I begin questioning why I teach, or if I ever begin feeling extremely frustrated with the profession, I will have the pictures as a reminder of how I felt this first semester. Two great classes!! I couldn't have asked for anything better.
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to them this week (the dreaded "Finals Week"). I am ecstatic that the semester is coming to an end allowing me the chance to enjoy my summertime off. Yet, at the same time, I am feeling a great sense of melancholy at knowing I won't see my "kids" again, all together in the same classroom. I told my classes this and it bears repeating here: If my classes in the future are half as good as these two have been, I will be a lucky man!
I expect to be teaching for a while. Hopefully it won't only be stats but I wouldn't mind it if that's how things worked out. There's also a chance that all my teaching years may not even be spent at Queens College. But I know I love what I do and this semester I have looked forward to every single class meeting (even the morning class which, for those of you who know me well, was torture since I'm not a morning person).
If any of my students from the Spring '09 semester happen to be reading this, thank you for being a part of one of the best times of my life!!!
Until next time, faithful reader....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My life according to HIMYM (or Just a Line That Resonated with Me)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From last night's How I Met Your Mother (5/11/09)
[In Stella's car]
Ted: OK, but just tell me this. Why Tony? I mean, is it the money? The kung fu pajamas? Like, wha- what is it?
Stella: He's the one.
T: The one.
S: Yeah, I know it's kinda sappy but... yeah.
T: *sigh* OK, I'm going to say something out loud that I've been doing a pretty good job of not saying out loud lately. What you and Tony have, what I thought for a second you and I had, what I know that Marshall and Lily have. I want that. I do. I keep waiting for it to happen and I'm waiting for it to happen and... I guess I'm just... *sigh* I'm tired of waiting. And that is all I'm going to say on that subject.
S: You know I once talked my way out of a speeding ticket.
T: Really?
S: *nods* I was heading upstate to my parents' house doing, like, 90 on this country road and I got pulled over. So this cop gets out of his car, he kinda swaggers on over and he's like "Young lady, I've been waiting for you all day." So I looked up at him and I said "I'm so sorry, officer. I got here as fast as I could."
T: *chuckle* For real?
S: *chuckle* No. Small joke. I know that you're tired of waiting and you may have to wait a little while more but, she's on her way Ted. And she's getting here as fast as she can.
T: Bye, Stella
S: Goodbye, Ted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I'm not planning to get all melancholy and depressing proclaiming "FML", and whining about how I'm not where I wanted to be at this stage of my life. But I must admit watching that scene last night really tugged at the ol' heart strings.
I see several of my friends in happy and fulfilling relationships, starting families and I want that. When I thought I had it in the past, things were good and now that I don't, well... I feel like I'm adrift at sea. I may just be a hopeless (and maybe a little helpless?) romantic but I don't really enjoy being single.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not looking to dive right in to another relationship but I feel like a social retard when thinking about hooking up with someone. I may just be taking myself too seriously or simply over-thinking things but I haven't gotten very comfortable being single. So my primary focus has been on "doing my thing". Learning to do fun things that I normally didn't (and wouldn't) do in the past.
Nevertheless, I just can't shake the feeling that "time is running out". I'm a big believer in age being a state of mind and that you can be as young as you feel (within reasonable limits, of course). I also am always flattered when people think I'm younger than my actual age. But there are times when I'm left alone with my thoughts and I consider the "what if"s more than the "what now"s. In those moments, I can't stop the little voice in my head, the sappy romantic in me, who reminds me that we are simply waiting for the moment where I find "the one" instead of just going out there and sticking my neck out. I can't accept that things work that way... not any more.
But I'll keep waiting. I know that for as many friends of mine who are "happy", there are many others in the same boat as me. They're out there looking, waiting, or seeking their "one". And with that thought, I sit back and simply take a deep breath. My time - our time - will come. Whether I've met "the one" already or if she's coming into my life in the future, now is not the time to worry about it. I just need to live my life. And she - whoever it is - will get here when she gets here.
And that's all I feel like saying now on that subject.
Until next time, faithful reader......
From last night's How I Met Your Mother (5/11/09)
[In Stella's car]
Ted: OK, but just tell me this. Why Tony? I mean, is it the money? The kung fu pajamas? Like, wha- what is it?
Stella: He's the one.
T: The one.
S: Yeah, I know it's kinda sappy but... yeah.
T: *sigh* OK, I'm going to say something out loud that I've been doing a pretty good job of not saying out loud lately. What you and Tony have, what I thought for a second you and I had, what I know that Marshall and Lily have. I want that. I do. I keep waiting for it to happen and I'm waiting for it to happen and... I guess I'm just... *sigh* I'm tired of waiting. And that is all I'm going to say on that subject.
S: You know I once talked my way out of a speeding ticket.
T: Really?
S: *nods* I was heading upstate to my parents' house doing, like, 90 on this country road and I got pulled over. So this cop gets out of his car, he kinda swaggers on over and he's like "Young lady, I've been waiting for you all day." So I looked up at him and I said "I'm so sorry, officer. I got here as fast as I could."
T: *chuckle* For real?
S: *chuckle* No. Small joke. I know that you're tired of waiting and you may have to wait a little while more but, she's on her way Ted. And she's getting here as fast as she can.
T: Bye, Stella
S: Goodbye, Ted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I'm not planning to get all melancholy and depressing proclaiming "FML", and whining about how I'm not where I wanted to be at this stage of my life. But I must admit watching that scene last night really tugged at the ol' heart strings.
I see several of my friends in happy and fulfilling relationships, starting families and I want that. When I thought I had it in the past, things were good and now that I don't, well... I feel like I'm adrift at sea. I may just be a hopeless (and maybe a little helpless?) romantic but I don't really enjoy being single.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not looking to dive right in to another relationship but I feel like a social retard when thinking about hooking up with someone. I may just be taking myself too seriously or simply over-thinking things but I haven't gotten very comfortable being single. So my primary focus has been on "doing my thing". Learning to do fun things that I normally didn't (and wouldn't) do in the past.
Nevertheless, I just can't shake the feeling that "time is running out". I'm a big believer in age being a state of mind and that you can be as young as you feel (within reasonable limits, of course). I also am always flattered when people think I'm younger than my actual age. But there are times when I'm left alone with my thoughts and I consider the "what if"s more than the "what now"s. In those moments, I can't stop the little voice in my head, the sappy romantic in me, who reminds me that we are simply waiting for the moment where I find "the one" instead of just going out there and sticking my neck out. I can't accept that things work that way... not any more.
But I'll keep waiting. I know that for as many friends of mine who are "happy", there are many others in the same boat as me. They're out there looking, waiting, or seeking their "one". And with that thought, I sit back and simply take a deep breath. My time - our time - will come. Whether I've met "the one" already or if she's coming into my life in the future, now is not the time to worry about it. I just need to live my life. And she - whoever it is - will get here when she gets here.
And that's all I feel like saying now on that subject.
Until next time, faithful reader......
Monday, May 4, 2009
Birthday Precursor (or B-day Hijinks - Part 1)
I've managed to finally recover from what had to have been the drunkest I've ever been (yes, my HS peeps, even more than that day on Harris Field) from one of the funnest and carefree birthday celebrations I've had.
The way early hours of my birthday went, I was seriously hoping that it would not be a foreshadowing of how the rest of the day would go.
A few days prior to my birthday, I had the bright idea to ring in the big day with a toast at midnight with several friends. Since it was all very last minute and people had to work the next morning (damn you, responsible folks! Killing my buzz before it even starts!), I ended up taking a ride to Brooklyn to enjoy a drink with my best bud, Jorge. It was likely that he wouldn't make my weekend festivities so I figured I'd bring the celebration to him. We've known each other for so long (damn, dude has it really been 20-plus years?!?!) and celebrating a b-day without him is still a foreign idea to me.
I made the drive down the BQE after teaching my night class (no, I did NOT let them out early, though I was tempted). My travel was somewhat delayed due to construction by the northern end of the Gowanus Expressway. Fortunately, I made it to Jorge's place around the time I had initially anticipated (close to 11PM).
Rather than hitting up one of the dive bars in Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst, I suggested we drive up to Park Slope for a place with a bit of ambiance. What I didn't consider was that there ARE NO actual BARS/PUBS in Park Slope. Almost all of the establishments in that area are restaurants/bars and when the kitchen closes, the place closes. I became increasingly frustrated as we drove up and down 5th and 7th Avenues seeing only closed storefronts. I found out later that just about every place closes at 11PM midweek in Park Slope. How annoying. I'm beginning to HATE Brooklyn.
Jorge then offered an excellent idea. Why not swing by downtown Brooklyn? We reasoned that there should be an open bar somewhere on Flatbush Avenue. After driving a few blocks on Flatbush, we began to question the logic behind this decision. That was, until we saw an Applebee's. Resigned to the fact that we may not find anything better, we pulled up and parked. When we tried to open the door we were surprised to find it locked. You see, all this driving around killed about an hour and it was now 5 minutes after midnight. On this particular night, Applebee's closed their doors at midnight.
All I wanted was a freaking drink at midnight. A midnight toast to ring in the ol' b-day. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! (Yes, just like Charlie Brown... lol)
We decided the dive bars around his way were the last places we would visit but going to a diner may be the next best available option. On our first attempt, we found a diner where we could have a small meal and, thankfully, a drink or two from the bar. I ordered myself a Tequila Sunrise and J had a Whiskey Sour.
Shortly after ordering my drink, I proclaimed: "I have experienced so much disappointment after disappointment tonight, I'm just happy this drink will have some alcohol in it. But I still expect it to taste like ass."
Thankfully, the drink was wonderful. Good enough to order a second one, which I drank while eating my spinach/cheese omelette. I know that may not sound very appetizing to some of you but, trust me, it went surprisingly well.
My sister called me while we were eating and I got to speak to her for a little while which was nice. Don't get to speak to her as often as I would like. I'm just not a phone person. What can I say...
Reflecting back on the last night start to my birthday, although it didn't turn out the way I had originally planned, I had a great time with those close to me (even if one was via phone). I didn't know how the rest of the day would turn out, but I knew that if this was a foreshadowing, I was in for a fun-filled birthday.
But, I had to survive another work day first. Keep in mind, it was around 3AM when we left the diner (and close to 4 when I finally got home), I didn't expect to be productive at work the next day AT ALL.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other memorable quotes from the late night "pre b-day" outing:
(1) "That looks more less gay."
(2) "I don't think "Argh, fuck you motherfucker" is pirate speak."
(3) "Brooklyn is f'n whack!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhhh... good times, good times. HAHAHA... I guess you had to have been there.
Until next time, faithful reader......
The way early hours of my birthday went, I was seriously hoping that it would not be a foreshadowing of how the rest of the day would go.
A few days prior to my birthday, I had the bright idea to ring in the big day with a toast at midnight with several friends. Since it was all very last minute and people had to work the next morning (damn you, responsible folks! Killing my buzz before it even starts!), I ended up taking a ride to Brooklyn to enjoy a drink with my best bud, Jorge. It was likely that he wouldn't make my weekend festivities so I figured I'd bring the celebration to him. We've known each other for so long (damn, dude has it really been 20-plus years?!?!) and celebrating a b-day without him is still a foreign idea to me.
I made the drive down the BQE after teaching my night class (no, I did NOT let them out early, though I was tempted). My travel was somewhat delayed due to construction by the northern end of the Gowanus Expressway. Fortunately, I made it to Jorge's place around the time I had initially anticipated (close to 11PM).
Rather than hitting up one of the dive bars in Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst, I suggested we drive up to Park Slope for a place with a bit of ambiance. What I didn't consider was that there ARE NO actual BARS/PUBS in Park Slope. Almost all of the establishments in that area are restaurants/bars and when the kitchen closes, the place closes. I became increasingly frustrated as we drove up and down 5th and 7th Avenues seeing only closed storefronts. I found out later that just about every place closes at 11PM midweek in Park Slope. How annoying. I'm beginning to HATE Brooklyn.
Jorge then offered an excellent idea. Why not swing by downtown Brooklyn? We reasoned that there should be an open bar somewhere on Flatbush Avenue. After driving a few blocks on Flatbush, we began to question the logic behind this decision. That was, until we saw an Applebee's. Resigned to the fact that we may not find anything better, we pulled up and parked. When we tried to open the door we were surprised to find it locked. You see, all this driving around killed about an hour and it was now 5 minutes after midnight. On this particular night, Applebee's closed their doors at midnight.
All I wanted was a freaking drink at midnight. A midnight toast to ring in the ol' b-day. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! (Yes, just like Charlie Brown... lol)
We decided the dive bars around his way were the last places we would visit but going to a diner may be the next best available option. On our first attempt, we found a diner where we could have a small meal and, thankfully, a drink or two from the bar. I ordered myself a Tequila Sunrise and J had a Whiskey Sour.
Shortly after ordering my drink, I proclaimed: "I have experienced so much disappointment after disappointment tonight, I'm just happy this drink will have some alcohol in it. But I still expect it to taste like ass."
Thankfully, the drink was wonderful. Good enough to order a second one, which I drank while eating my spinach/cheese omelette. I know that may not sound very appetizing to some of you but, trust me, it went surprisingly well.
My sister called me while we were eating and I got to speak to her for a little while which was nice. Don't get to speak to her as often as I would like. I'm just not a phone person. What can I say...
Reflecting back on the last night start to my birthday, although it didn't turn out the way I had originally planned, I had a great time with those close to me (even if one was via phone). I didn't know how the rest of the day would turn out, but I knew that if this was a foreshadowing, I was in for a fun-filled birthday.
But, I had to survive another work day first. Keep in mind, it was around 3AM when we left the diner (and close to 4 when I finally got home), I didn't expect to be productive at work the next day AT ALL.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other memorable quotes from the late night "pre b-day" outing:
(1) "That looks more less gay."
(2) "I don't think "Argh, fuck you motherfucker" is pirate speak."
(3) "Brooklyn is f'n whack!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhhh... good times, good times. HAHAHA... I guess you had to have been there.
Until next time, faithful reader......
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