So this past weekend we went to Philadelphia for a wedding, which was beautiful from top to bottom. We arrived Friday night for the rehearsal dinner etc without incident. We woke up in our fancy hotel Sat morning to some snow, not a lot but a few inches and snowing. We took our time getting ready and headed out to see at least something before the wedding started in late afternoon. We proceeded in the snow thru downtown headed for the birthplace of America, Independence Hall. We made it to be greeted by a park ranger. Well I don’t know if greeted would be the correct term. Here’s the conversation.

Park Ranger: “We’re closed”

Me: “Huh?”

Park Ranger: “We’re closed”

Me: “Why?”

Park Ranger: “We’re closed for safety”

Me: “HUH?”

Park Ranger: “We’re closed for safety”

Me: “So it’s safer to be outside in the cold and snow?”

Park Ranger: no reply

Me: “Is the Liberty Bell open?”

Park Ranger: “No but you can see it thru the glass”

Where to start? It is no secret that I’m pretty patriotic and love my country. I haven’t had to yet, but I’m willing to be shot at in war as a member of the military, which I’m allowed to do, but I can’t see where the values I serve to protect were signed, because there’s 8 inches of snow on the ground. Do you think our fore fathers would have closed down if it had snowed on July 4^th 1776? NO. Although they probably would be pretty stupefied that it was snowing in July. This is just more and more of people telling me I’m too stupid to make my own decisions like whether I can go to a museum in the snow or not. God bless America unless God forbid it rains.

We had a good time in PA for Thanksgiving where I got to see my family. I also got to show my nephews know how to play backyard football. Being the yougest growing up my brothers gave me a beating in such instances. Still bitter I took it out on my poor nephew Noah. Who was knocked down about a dozen times, but hes a tough little guy who kept getting up.
So on Tues we decided to see the infamous tree lighting at Rockefeller since we walk by everyday. We got around the corner and again stopped. People stopped even though they could not see around the corner. This story isnt nearly as exciting because turned around right away. Especially when we found out it was a 2 hr event. We did randomely see our friend outside St Pats and had a nice chat making the 8 block trip worth it.
The good news it was still lit yesterday morning.
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Well one of the things we have been looking forward to has been the holiday season here. Im very much anti decorating before Thanksgiving, but I couldnt help myself get excited about a week before as my city transformed for the holidays.
Although we were meeting my entire family for Thanksgiving in PA, Chistina and I were determined to take in a little of the Macys Thanksgiving Parade. We had several friends staying here and we planned to meet close to the start of the parade at 6:30am. I left slightly late and CY would be about a half hour behind. I set out thru Central Park to make it a bit easier. I was pleasently surprised to find very few people so this seemed like it would be easier than I expected until I got to the exit of the park where we meeting. The police told me I needed to go 4 blocks north to cross. So I did so and began to make my way back down the other side. I passed a couple of ballons and began to get excited. The the crowd thickened then really thickened. After 3 or 4 phone calls I found my friends even though I was only about 15ft away. The twins got a big kick out of me transitioning from sitting on my knees to my butt. I dont ever recall doing a backwards sommersalt but I came pretty close Thanksgiving 2009.
I called CY to warn her about cutting thru the park and crowds. She hates crowds. We even wagered if she would turn back or not. During all this time the crowd really… well got crowded. She called and asked where I was. I explained. Called back again I explained waving my hands etc. Two more times we went thru the calls before she saw me just 30ft away. She was unsure if she would make it, but if you know Christina I had full confidence. I figured she would politely and gracefully move thru the crowd or… it would be like the scene in the Matrix where all the bad guys pile on him and then all the sudden bodies just start flying. Well it was neither people would not give an inch and I finally decided I would leave and we would find another spot to watch. This is where it got annoying. I was exiting the crowd, but they wouldnt let me. I was practically in a mosh pit TRYING TO LEAVE.
Finally I made it out. Then our plan was to head home since we had rented a car and needed to leave early. From home we would backtrack to a safe zone where we could watch the parade then make our escape.
First we decided to take a train only one stop but we had a secret home only accessable from the subway. Turns out it wasnt that secret because the police blocked it off. We were running out of time because we knew we could never cross after the parade started. We went to two barracades before we were allowed thru and it was only because we had mail with our address on it.
Finally we saw balloons from our front stoop a block away. The good news is we were able to leave on time which would never have happened if we stayed in our original spot. There is more about holiday events tomorrow.

Well last week I had the pleasure of attending a public affairs conference in VA just outside Washington. I decided to drive to make life easier at the conference. I mapped out my route and the first stop was Reagan National Airport where I was picking up a friend.
I made it within a mile of the terminal. “Reagan National Airport next exit,” the sign read. The next exit was three exits and none of them indicated an airport. So I panicked and took a turn, and drove, then drove further, I quickly realized I was lost and ended up by a huge building that had five sides. I regrouped and put the trusty iPhone to work. I was back on track and back on the freeway. “Reagan National next exit” I see again and low and behold it was correct. I get off then come to a “T.” If you haver ever driven to an airport you know that typically the freeway takes you pretty much to the door, however this was not the case. So I followed the arrow which took me to another arrow. About a dozen arrows later through a business district I arrived. It was quite the hassle.
My friend, Chatwin a member of the UT Nat Guard, now joined me. We set out to our hotel where we got our rooms (maybe she could blog about that expierience.) We woke the next day checked out and had all day before we needed to head to the conference, so DC was the logical choice right?
We began to make our way and the iPhone pretty much said if you keep going straight you’ll end up in the President’s garage. So of course that was not the case and that was a pain but we finally found the capital mall. “We’ll just find a ramp,” I said. Apparently someone forgot parking when building our capital. Litterally took a total of 45 min 10 of which to circle the block after seeing a public ramp.
Kudos to you if you’re still reading.
The National Conference Center was our next destination. Well we had to eat lunch and if you read this blog or know who I am, then you know where lunch was at. We made it to the conf miraculously with only getting lost once. I checked in and then off to the room. I got on the elevator I totheir up one floor where I got off on the fourth floor. This was correct mind you so you do the math. I had all my stuff on a cart then I came to some steps. So I went and I got back on the elevator. OHHHH I got off at the wrong 4.
Day two started with a trip to the dining facility where I had an omlett. It was time to go so I started walking. I should note I was on level two, one below the ground. I went up a floor and out an exit. I found myself in a small courtyard so I used my spidy sense and set off in the right direction. A few turns later I came out an exit only to find myself in the same courtyard.
Over the next few days Chatwin and I guess we were about 15 for 15 getting lost and not because we cand find our way. During this trip I developed a theory. The closer you get to our nation’s capital the more common sense gets left behind. Sure there’s the obvious $200 wrench, pay raises during a bad economy, but I spent a week in a governnment facility where I got lost every day just walking around. A facility where my government had to pay far more than your avg hotel room to a facility owned by my government. Only the government could screw up a facility so badly. Honestly I think it was a terrorist plot to build a place to drive us nuts.
So that’s my story about DC or the parts i’m sharing for now.

If you made it this far and have an idea of a blog topic let me know.

So I’m thumbing this from the train again. I’m anxiously awaiting Ben & Jerry’s from the actual store in a waffle cone. On Sat we were showing our visitors around and ended up eating lunch at Grand Central Terminal. I had a ceasar salad from a place called Hale and Hearty. HALE YEAH! it was so delicious I had it again yesterday. With the visitors in town including, a nine year old, we went to Bennihana. Last night I was googling the recipe for fried rice, what is wrong with me?
Then there is Chick-fil-a. I’m going out of town next week and one of the things I’m looking fwd to most is chicken nuggets. Even though I drove by one a few weeks ago but wasnt allowed to stop. Thanx TW. I’ve been known to drive an hour for them. I once planned a road trip to stop overnight at the first sign of Chick-Fil-A. I then woke up and started driving very early. I stopped for gas and there was a CFA. I waited 15 min at the drive-thru for them to open for breakfast.
So what does it all mean. I’m hungry and bored and you had to read about it.

This task can not be understated. Picking your profile is more important than picking your childrens’ names, so yeah it’s a big deal.
Some choose simply the best photo they can find, which is not reccomended because you’re going to be a big let down when you see old friends. Set the expectations low. in my case I chose a photo where I don’t even have nice clothes on.
Next is the funny photo. Everyone’s a comedian these days. this too can be disracting. I may not want to be your friend when I get a request of you in you Halloween costume from 5 years ago as Napolean Dynamite. Or maybe you’re making a goofy face in a photo. Again in my case I have an avg photo of me on a typical hot day at the beach just looking like my everyday self.
With all that being said you’re not running for office. I’m talking to you realtors. “I have a suit on and Bluetooth headset, I must be really important.” Using myself as an example again just be yourself.
Lastly we all know what Photoshop is so no need to put yourself next to the president, or accepting the gold medal, or God forbid your head on a stuffed animal. It’s just tacky and the worst offense of all.
Your profile pic says everything about you. Keep it simple, true to yourself, and most of all keep it real. That’s what I did and I get comments on my photo all the time. Hope this helps.

well here goes another stab at the wordpress iPhone app. I was trying to think of a good topic but it didn’t need to look much further than a few weeks ago when my in-laws came to NYC for the first time.
Well things started like my most visitors to NYC that have cable by them asking me if they could get in the “cash cab” from the airport. Also it was the first day of the UN General Assembly so they got to experience their first traffic jam. I was not surprised to learn they were close friends with the cab driver by the time hey arrived. I got to hear all about him and his son, who was not there by the way.
Where to begin… well like us my in-laws enjoy the food network. So we decided to hit some spots. “We heard about this on tv,” my father-in-law would tell them as if it were code for a discount. Quick side note that does work at the Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas. Ask for the steak and shrimp special $7.77, which is not posted. We then took them for authentic NY pizza where they both ordered pasta.
One thing about him is everything is amazing. Even when we play board games even answers are truly astounding. So you can imagine the thrill of a trip to the busiest Whole Foods in America. I’ve never seen anyone so amazed by a grociery store and I’ve been in them after living on a remote island.
Then there was China Town incident. So I wasn’t there but they all were wondering around and went to China Town. Didn’t buy anything and to my knowledge didn’t see anything. However from that moment forward he had to get back to Chinatown much to my wife’s dismay, but like her when he gets an idea in his head it doesn’t leave until completed. it is funny to hear your wife complain so much about traits she has herself. it’s ok she’s not reading.
Another odd thing was how much he did not want to go to Cenral Park. “I can go to a park at home,” he would say. The funny thing is that he’s not the grumpy dad from movies that would utter such a line.
We never made it in the cash cab, however we did watch it every day. Oh and he would tell all the cabbies he was hoping for the cash cab.
I write these things because I still maintain that if I could put them on a reality show I’d be rich. They are great people and we had a nice time.

Well it has been a while and I’m done with my military school, Christina passed her test and we’re being evicted….sort of.  I’ll have to talk more about school and Christina in a later blog.

Well we decided to move NYC and we felt the best way to do it would blind would be to sublet  for a short time.  We found a place for six months with that a nice girl, so we thought.  It all started with taking about 10 min to open the front door on move in day due to a defective key.  See earlier post.

As we began moving stuff in it was quite evident of two things.  The place was not even close to clean and there was a lot of stuff left behind.  We were told she would leave a trunk in a closet, a box under the bed and a filing cabinet, plus the misc kitchen furniture.  Well the closets were about half full, the desk was packed full despite that being a specific request of ours.

Meanwhile our gal was traveling the west coast trying to find work I think.  She had her purse, cpu stolen, and said she was living in her car for a bit.  I had to fed ex her old cpu which oddly enough was left behind.  I was also asked to deposit the rent into her bank because she didn’t know where to have me send it.

Finally she came back to NY and we got to meet she was nice.  A few days later she was concerned about all of our stuff that we had and suggested we store it.  I gently explained we would have room if she had removed everything she promised in the lease but maybe she could store her stuff.  She did take 2 small boxes though

A couple of weeks ago our HBO and Showtime was turned off.  I didn’t really care because I think there is only one show I ever watched anyway.  However per our lease agreement we were paying for it, so I asked.  I was told the electric bill (which we pay a flat fee for) was more than it used to be so the premium cable had to go.  Really not a big deal except for the fact that A) we’re paying for it, B) at least tell us.

So yesterday after tripping over some stuff I decided to ask her once more to agree to move her extra stuff.  It was then I received a response that we need to be out in two weeks because we’re “petty” about the lease agreement and apparently the things she put in it.

So I guess we’re just small town folks that assume you will move stuff out of you apt if you are subletting it to someone, provide working keys, keep the cable on and expect you to forward your mail or at least pick it up sometimes.  We must be the worst renters ever when we complain about the heat being off for two days when it is 40 degrees etc.

So imagine our happiness when we were told we could move out early.  We’re looking for a place and I’m sure we’ll find one this week.  Hopefully the approval process will be smooth.

Well this past Tuesday a couple of classmates and I decided to go to D.C. in hopes of getting some sunset photos and cherry blossom photos.  I guess I should start with my trip to DC over 2 years ago when I went for the first time.  It was the Black Friday and we only had the day to see what we could.  We actually did see quite a bit and was fortunate to park by the Capital.  We watched the sunset at the Lincoln Memorial and started to head back.  About half way back I needed to relieve myself.  It was about 7:30 lots of tourists around.  So finding a bathroom couldn’t be too hard right?  It was the longest mile I have ever walked and would have peed on a tree if I didn’t think I would be shot by a sniper.

Well it was my second trip to D.C. and I was a little nervous, which I think resulted in me needing to use every public restroom I could find.  Jefferson Memorial, Natural History Museum, Washington Memorial, and I think one more.  It was ok until we started the walk back and I went to bathroom that was locked, and I began to panic.  However I did find a bathroom which I’m pretty sure was built since my first visit.  Not so bad right?

I’ve been fortunate enough to live in Chicago and now New York which have great public transportation specifically the trains.  I bought a little card when went into the city.  I put my card in and when we got off the train I had to put my card in.  I thought it was dumb but didn’t think much of it.  It was when we leaving I realized I was charged by distance.  However I didn’t know that because I was trying to get more money on my card and didn’t know how much to get.  So at the “Smithsonian” stop, probably the busiest in D.C., I asked the woman in the little class booth.  I walked up and we made I contact.  I said, “How much?”  She kind of looked at me and I asked again.  She then got up and walked closeer to press a button.  I assumed she did not hear me the first two times and asked again.  I was interupted by a friend who thought they figured it out.  I then had to ask one more time, “How much?”  The she replied annoyed, “How much, how much how much… How much for what?”  I was astonished since tourists pass through by the millions.  “TO RIDE THE TRAIN!” I replied.  Did she think I was there to order something off of the dollar menu?  If you are a major city and have train pick a flat rate per ride and make it simple.  Only in the city where our politicians screw everything up by over complicated would produce such a train system.

p.s. HAPPY EASTER