Bono at Prayer Breakfast

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation."
-Nelson Mandela, 2005

This is not a U2 blog and I'm not a card carrying member of the Bono fan club, but I am writing about him again because I think he is a very important icon in the world right now. He was recently the guest speaker at the annual prayer breakfast in the White House. He really used the opportunity to take a stand and shared his heart with many leaders of our country. I'm really beginning to share similar passions and I hope that I can in some way become involved in this fight against poverty, disease and everything else wrong in the world.

I watched a movie last night called 'The Girl in the Cafe.' It was recommended on a website and I just expected a decent story. Instead, the film carried the same message I have been reading and feeling over and over throughout the past few weeks. I won't ruin the story, but it discusses the same topics Bono advocates and I definitely recommend you see the film.

After the film, I did some research and found some organizations on the net that are really working for the cause against poverty, hunger, AIDS and for free trade etc. Check them out if you have a chance and try to get involved. Be sure to take the time and read Bono's speech too.

ONE
Bread for the World
CARE
Make Poverty History

Sandwich Rampage

I just read this story about a bike messenger who got pissed when a guy threw a sandwich out of his car in Toronto (filthy). The girl picked the food up, opened the guys door and threw it back inside (stupid). The guy goes ballistic and starts raging on her and the bike (asshole). A few people stepped in to break up the fight, but one photographer stood there and documented the entire fight (brilliant). To him we are greatful.

Mahwah

Collin, Jay and I spent a couple hours on Saturday at Ringwood Manor State Park, outside of Mahwah, NJ. It was a short 30 minute drive out there. Bill the dog came with and sat in the back seat. Amazingly, more hair was found on the dashboard and our jackets than where he was sitting. Jay brought his dog Lucy. (pics)

All five of us speed-hiked up the mountain since the sun was already going down. We stopped at a small lake and watched the dogs play around on a big rock. The lake was partially frozen over and we spent a good amount of time trying to throw rocks and break the ice. Bill conquered his fear of water and became a member of the Eskimo Swim Club. The sun was almost gone so we started back down the mountain where the dogs and Collin made a new friend. I tried to make friends with the dog's mommy, but she was a little too hippie for me.

We got back to the car and it was dark. Bill panted for a few minutes until he couldn't see through the fog he created on the window. Then, he laid down on the seats, exhausted. Collin and I took him home and had a good chat with Collin's mom. On the way out, I tripped going down the stairs outside but made and incredible leap down to the grass to save face, literally.

Call Me Manny

Although its January, that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about baseball. Afterall, pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in a few short weeks.

Since last July, Sox fans have been tossing the hot phrase 'Manny being Manny'. Manny Ramierez is one of the most unique and irregular personalities in baseball and maybe all of sports today. Each year he asks to be traded to a different city. This year he complained that he never received any privacy outside of his apartment. His consistency is...there is none on the field. Some days he's hot, then he goes cold for a week. He doesn't run becuase he doesn't feel like it, but then he'll make an incredible catch and make you wonder whose wearing the Manny suit in left field. In the dugout, he's dynamic and funny but on the diamond he's slow, fat and doesn't look like he's happy.

My point is, 'Manny being Manny' means that the guy has a different personality and is now excused by all Sox fans. He is free to surprise us in any way and it will be forgiven with this phrase. Its a get out of jail free card, with unlimited punches.

I am in some ways similar to Manny. People often think I'm feeling one way when I'm actually the opposite. Sometimes I can change my emotions in an instant. Several times a week I will feel no desire to be around anyone or have a conversation, but then other times I dominate the social scene just like Manny in the dugout.

Therefore, I am introducing you to my get out of jail phrase, you guessed it, 'Alex being Alex'.

Bono the Red

Okay, after my Beware of Bono article a couple weeks ago, which was totally negated with a little more research, its time to give the rocker some credit for his fight on poverty and AIDS. Today, the world icon is annoucing a new product line called Red.

The brand will include products from companies such as GAP, American Express, Armani and Converse. Procedes from the sales will be directed toward the Global Fund which helps fight poverty and disease in Africa.

I think this is ingenius and impressive. Celebrities are usually all talk and I was even getting a little weary of Bono in his leather jacket and purple shades marching around the dark continent. Now, he has put his ideas and passions to practice and I beleive this will truly make a difference.

Go buy some Red stuff!

Return with Noodles

I know I've been a little sparse on the blogging lately, but I haven't had much to write about. There are many travels to come and you can accompany me via the net.

This is restaurant week in New York and you can eat a prix-fixe lunch at some great places for $24 which is actually not too bad considering you're eating lobeter and filet minon.

I, however, opted for an even hotter deal. There is a certain cart on a certain street corner in Chinatown that serves some outstanding noodle dishes for not-so-outstanding prices. You can get a quart of lo mein for $1 and 5 egg rolls to go with for $1. That $2 for twice as many noodles as you can stand an four egg rolls more than you should eat.

I'm not disclosing the location of this cart 1: because most of you are no where near Chinatown 2: I'm selfish 3: You don't care about noodles.

Crash

Upon Scooter Pie's recommendation, I Netflixed (new verb pending with Webster) a movie called Crash. I was amazed by this film and that no one is talking about it. There were multiple scenes so tense that I was squeezing the downesque silicon filling out of my couch pillow. I was also intrigued by the touchy premise of the movie. The focus is on social predjudism and how different races interact - er, fail to interact with each other. I thought the dialouges were edgy and very truthful of how people think and feel. At the end, I truly felt like this movie had impacted me and made me reflect on my feelings toward other races. A movie with a meaning, what a concept! This is a must-see movie for... anyone who watches movies.

Wood Completes Sale

AP - At noon today, Alex Wood, Account Executive for (censored) Inc. completed transaction with (censored) Capital, the second largest bank in the UK. The contract was signed and faxed at noon o'clock. Celebration and sarcastic remarks ensued in the office. Not surprisingly, the bastard at the bank who has prolonged this deal for six lousy months cut off half of the contract in the faxing process and will have to send over a new copy when he gets back from lunch.

Mr. Wood's manager was amazed, but kept her normal composure offering irrelevant instruction on how to do a better job. Her advice is never appreciated.

Mr. Wood has been with (censored) Inc. since June 2005. In that time, he has been amazed at the lack of organization it takes to run a business.

Chalupa Queen

Last night Moni and I threw our first of many dinner parties. Ms. Love referred to her cultural roots and made some excellent chalupas along with the best margaritas ever. The blender can vouch for it. The crowd consisted of many A-List celebs such as Scooter Pie, Johnny Hot Sauce, and the terrapin Banks family. The party was interrupted at 8 o'clock by back-to-back Scrubs episodes, which only livened the atmosphere. I have never laughed that hard watching TV with friends. "King Me."

Stories were told, many a chalupa were eaten and fun was had by all. The next party is at Moni's at the end of this month and all are invited.

Green Mountain State

Fueled by our unquenchable thirst for serenity, Scooter Pie, Moni and I decided at the last minute to head to Vermont for the long New Year's weekend. Not knowing anything about the state, we took the train until it stopped in Rutland and just stayed there. The guy who owned our lodge picked us up at the train station. We diliberately went with no plans but RELAX. We ate well, slept, talked and laughed, listened to music, took pictures, read and did some hiking. It was a wonderful getaway from the city. Alas, we had to come back to our droning lives at work.

Sixteen months after moving to New York, I'm begining to feel like a change. I enjoy the excitement of New York and the city is always fun, but I think I also associate my life here with stress, bad jobs, being poor and just the evil world in general. I want to live somewhere that has green trees outside of the park, maybe some mountains rather than a thirteen-mile skyline. Outdoor activities other than sprinting across the street. A city that sleeps.

For now, I'm in New York and still thankful. Although the thankfullness is accompanied by a stress only relieved by multiple state separation. My friends and church are in the City and that's why I'm staying, for now.