Sweat and the City

One of my goals in moving to the Northeastern part of the U.S. was to escape the dreadful Texas heat. It makes me cranky, it makes me sweat, and it makes me do things like move thousands of miles to stay cool. Unfortunately, the weather has followed me. As the entire nation suffers a heat wave, I am forced to endure one of the hottest summer seasons I can remember.

The statistics are Houston-esque. Ninety-six degrees today with a slightly lower humidity of 70%; however, Texans have central air-conditioning and use it, New Yorkers don't. My apartment is on the top floor of my building, allowing all of the heat to collect there, especially in my bedroom. We bought a window unit last weekend, but my window is too small so Julie freezes and I sweat next door. When I walked in the door last night, the thermometer on the unit indicated that inside temperature was 92, in my house!

Luckily, after today a cold front is supposed to move in and make my life a little easier and less sweatier. Until then, I'm considering a makeshift pool like these guys. Maybe on the rooftop?

Crab Day

Collin, Julie and I took a trip to Brooklyn today for all-you-can-eat blue crabs at Bar Minnow. Between the three of us, I think we ate about forty crabs along with corn, potatoes, cole slaw and funnel cakes. Top it off with $2 Brooklyn Lagers and call it a day.

But that's not all! The band for the afternoon was stellar. Called the Mad Jazz Hatters, they have the most authentic 1930's jazz sound I've ever heard. Imagine listening to music through an antique radio. These guys were fabulous and came complete with washtub bass, kazoo and straw hats. The leads singer's voice was vintage old style jazz club. Go see these guys!

Cheers to The Sneeze!

As a novice blogger, I take my inspiration from the pros. I just discovered The Sneeze last week and it has suddenly become my favorite blog. I can only pray that one day my blog will be as entertaining. Of course, he does have a toddler writing most of his material. If you have hours upon hours to kill, as do I, I suggest you check out The Sneeze and just read everything. If you're only looking at a couple hours of free time, I highly recommend these postings:


Cabage Fever

Steve, Don't Eat It! Vol. 2

i'm rewritin' it

Jokes from the booster seat

Getting Settled, Moving On

I have now been in NYC for over 10 months. It is amazing how my life has changed over the past year. I came here without a house, job, or church, but now I have all of these and more. I have developed some great relationships and my future looks bright and blessed. Moving here and getting settled was one of the biggest challenges I've ever faced though. I endured many hard times and draining periods of stress. However, I think it has all been well worth it. I now live in the city of my choice, I'm having the time of my life, I'm helping start a church, and I've got some great people surrounding me.

With that said, I am discovering new aspects of myself I never knew existed. I wanted to be here more than anything, and I made it happen. Now, as I begin the second month at my new job, I am realizing that I've "made it in New York." I'm by no means rich, but I have a job, home and friends. Having that understanding, my mind has begun to fill with thoughts of the next move. Where am I going next? What is the next challenge to face? What are my goals for the next year or two? I want to stay in New York for at least another year, but I don't foresee myself becoming a 'New Yorker'. There are other places I want to go and not just to visit, but to live and become part of the culture. I've put thought into a summer in Europe followed by a transition to a new job in another city. Maybe spend a year in Australia. I could go to grad school, and not just in the U.S., but overseas. I am indeed a twixter.

This is my desire. To be a global traveler, a citizen of many cultures. I want to know this world and its many faces; to experience these cultures first-hand and let them shape me. All the while, letting God take me where he wants me; just as he brought me to New York and gave me a job and a new church home. I know I can do whatever I want and go everywhere I can imagine. I just have to commit myself and do it, and I will. But first, I have more to accomplish right here in the "Capital of the World."

What is this?

Its Saturday and I'm siitting on the couch feeling introspective. I'm gonna try to change the blog up a little. My blog title sucked in the first place and I need a better theme running through this site. (Sadly, I just discovered another blog on blogger.com with the same title)

"Enjoy every sandwich" is one of my favorite quotes. Warren Zevon is a rock star that died of lung cancer last year. When he was on his friend David Letterman's show for the last time, Warren suggested that we shouldn't let life slip by, but instead to "enjoy every sandwich." I love it.

Hence, my blog has been renamed and has a new theme. The theme is life. I'm going to enjoy everyday of it and make the most of what opportunities I have. I've made it to New York and its great. One of the best decisions I ever made was to face this challenge and it has paid off. However, I don't plan on staying here longer than a few years. There are other places to see and more goals to accomplish.

Life is a huge sandwich; too large to fit my mouth around at once. So, I'm going to take it one bite at a time and eat as much as I can. That's a little cheesy, but that's how they come some times.

Deal of the Day!

Hungry? I was shopping online and discoverd America's favorite processed lunch meat on Amazon.com

Only $2.99 with 3 day delivery.

Blue Daze

Today has been terrific. I've been in one of my trademark mellow-contemplative moods where everyone thinks that I'm depressed but its actually bliss. The weather has been overcast with rain tonight and the temperature in the 70's. This climate always pairs well with my deep thoughts through the day and also with the nice bottle of wine I'm having tonight.

Other than the Bill Evan's piano in the background, there isn't much I can do to gain this meditative atitude, but when it decides to show up, I feel like the definitive Alex Wood. Hense, I've been deep in thought today, reflecting on the past Best Dudes Week and other recent happenings. Life, future, relationships, faith; they all have gained meaning today by means of my mental euphoria.

I wish I could really describe the way I feel about being mellowed out. Its so relaxing and my mind opens up to thought (for a change). I can think clearer, nothing seems to matter. Its almost a dreamy, floating feeling. As Pink Floyd would say, "I have become comfortably numb." And no, I'm not on drugs. Just high on...mellow.

Best Dudes Week

How great is it to be around friends! My best dudes from around the country all came to New York this weekend to spend some quality time together. It was non-stop laughs and good times over four days. We hit McSorley's, ate some good food, danced, sang and caught a couple baseball games. I had a blast just sitting around and joking with each other. We were pretty exhausted the entire time due to the excessive fun we had the night before. Regardless, we all benefitted from seeing each other and getting away from our normal routines.

It feels so good to be around guys who allow you to be yourself. We talked about old memories, what is going on with us now and where we want to go in this thing called Life. I can even say that we were changed for the better, just by being together this weekend. I miss everyone and I'm planning the next Best Dudes Weekend in my head already.

Thanks for the good times, Dudes