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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

Moonlight Graham Day

Most young boys, ages 5-75, dream of one day being a professional baseball player. Few ever reach the major leagues and even fewer last long enough to make an impression on the game. Archibald Graham had the opportunity to live the dream for one game exactly 100 years ago today.

If you've heard of Graham, its probably because he was a featured character in 1989's Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner (one of the greatest movies ever). He isn't a fictional character though. In a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, Graham came in to play outfield for the New York Giants in the late innings. However, 'Moonlight' never had an at bat that game and didn't ever play again.

Today, in Graham's home state of Minnesota, the Twins and Royals will celebrate this 100th anniversary, calling it "Moonlight Graham Day."

Office Treats

Scott read that Starbucks was giving away free ice cream today and invited me to come with. We were so excited that we showed up an hour early and had to come back. We did return with six co-workers who I had never spoken to, but now we had something in common... free ice cream. We lined up in the store and took our free treats. Some guys took three and four servings, "for someone else in the office." When we got back up to the office with our frozen delights in hand, the room became alive with chatter like I've never heard. Everyone was laughing and smiling, no one was sitting down at the desk. A few cracks were made at our absentee manager.

And that, sadly was the highlight of my day.

Steak...Cheese Steak...Philly Cheese Steak

The boys took a day trip to Philly last Saturday to catch the Sox while they were in town. We had a great time. Beer was good and plentiful and the weather was perfect. The Red Sox won big and outnumbered Phillies phans 2 to 1. After the game we ate the World Famous Geno's Cheese Steak.

We traveled via the Chinatown bus which was an experience in itself. After kicking us off the first bus, we left and hour late on the second. Luckily, we ran into Jersey Shore traffic and missed the beginning of the game. On the way home the bus stopped for gas and a girl got out to pee. But, for $20 round trip I can't really complain, at least any more than I just did. There were two young couples in front of Andrew and I that represented two despicable stages in dating. One couple on a first or second date (all day road trip is a terrible idea) and the other couple was close enough that the girl could boss him around the whole way home along with people in front and behind her. "Close your mouth!" Collin missed all of this while he slumbered away, leaving a huge grease streak on the window. Hysterical.

Yes, A.J. does have a giant piece of meat in his mouth.

Most Expensive Cities

You may think New York is an expensive place to live and even use your bank accounts to refute that arguement, but according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, New York ranks 13 worldwide among the world's most expensive cities. Topping the list is Tokyo, followed by another Japanese metropolis, Osaka. Los Angeles is the second most expensive city, ranking 44, followed by White Plains, NY and San Francisco at 50th.

If you're into cheap cities, Winston Salem, NC is the place to be in the states. Ottawa, Canada's national capital, is the most economical in North America.

Personally, I'm booking a one-way to South America. Due to the declining Argentinian peso, Buenos Aires ranks among the top 3 cheapest cities. So when New York finally takes all of my money, I'll most likely make my to a street side cafe of South America's Big Apple.

Office Ramblings

Today is my fourth day at my new job. Things are slow for me as many jobs tend to start. Being in sales. My job consists of managing my sales accounts, making sure my customers are happy and creating more clientele. However, I won't get my accounts until next Thursday so I'm just supposed to sit here for another week and look like I'm enjoying myself.

There is only so much I can do on the internet during the course of a day. I read news articles and try to stay current with my afternoon baseball scores. I don't really feel comfortable going farther than that though, seeing as how the guy behind me is mad at the world and would most likely gripe at me if I was...writing in my blog like I am now. He's already gone though, and I'm typing this in notepad with some 'workish programs' open on my desktop to look like I'm busy.

If you've read this far, you must be as bored as I am.

Already after three full days of work, I find my self waking up to my alarm and thinking, 'Didn't I just get up and go to work a couple hours ago? Has another day of nothing already passed? How long until Saturday?"

As exciting as this post is represents my level of excitement to be at work right now.

Its such a beautiful day out side. The offices windows look out past the WTC and over the Hudson into glorious New Jersey. All I can think about is getting home, changing clothes, opening a cold one and watching baseball all night. I also have the Spongebob Squarepants movie in from Netflix. I can't wait for tonight.

Right before lunch, Collin and I decdied to daytrip to Philly on Saturday. The Red Sox are in town and I haven't seen them play since opening day. Hopefully it won't be a good series, meaning the Sox blow out the Phils all weekend. It will be my first time to the City of Brotherly Love/Cheesesteak capital of the world.

I'm done blathering. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Celebrate Brooklyn!

Julie and I went to Brooklyn on Friday night for a concert series called 'Celebrate Brooklyn!'. Three jazz bands were playing a free show and I am a fan of the headliner, The Bad Plus. The music was great, but the jazz atmosphere isn't felt as much when you're outside and the sun is still up. Regardless, The Bad Plus put on a good show. They're a relatively new band and known for their innovative style and interesting covers of songs by bands like Nirvana, Blondie and Bjork. Anyone interested in jazz, especially modern stuff that doesn't suck, defininitely should pick up their two albums Give and These are the Vistas. Then, go support them next time they play at the Vanguard.

Celebrate Brooklyn! lasts all summer long and brings in some pretty good shows. Most are free to cheaply priced. Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds are playing together in August for $35. So go see these guys play and support the music scene and Brooklyn.

Keepin it Real

I can see why not many people read my blog, and when they do, they stay for less than 60 seconds; not enough time to read the entire entry. When I blog, its boring and unrelaxed. I write about the music I'm listening to as if I'm a reviewer for Rolling Stone. My weekend getaways are described like a local travel agent would. Well I've got news for you, things are gonna change.

Right now I'm chillin out in my apartment. The skyline is over my shoulder. I've got all the windows open and all the lights off. Some jazz coming out of the stereo and things are good. I've got nothing to think about, now worries. I'm just writing what I'm thinking and you're reading it. From now on, my blog is cool. Random thoughts, happenings through the day no matter how boring they are. Soon enough, you'll be wasting five minutes of every evening checking my blog to see what happened in the world of Mr. Fabulous.