Hooray for Weight Loss

I know I'm going to sound like some silly diet commercial for saying this but, over the last 8 weeks I've lost 8 lbs! I know it doesn't sound like much but nonetheless I am pretty happy about that.

It's not like I was overweight to begin with but ever since I got back from the Phillipines, where I gained nearly 20 lbs - almost 5 years ago- (God, has it been that long?), I've always felt that I've been carrying around a little more weight than I wanted to admit to.

It's funny what giving up french fries, switching from regular soda to diet soda, drinking more water, eating 4-6 meals a day, watching my portions, in addition to exercising regularly will do for the body. And while my total loss is a modest amount I really feel like the changes I've made to my diet have worked wonders for my well being.

Now that I'm officially in my 30's I guess I've kinda felt the need to try and get back into the shape that I was in college. I attribute that desire partly to the fact that I work with a lot of people on the weekends at CBS in their early 20's. The other part I guess could stem from the fact that I've always prided myself on being in good shape. This time around I really have stepped up my 'game' so to speak and it couldn't have come at a better time because...

I am pleased to announce that I am going to Vegas for K and Allen's bachelorette/bachelor party during Memorial Day weekend! That gives me roughly 12 more weeks to lose another 3-8 lbs which would take me to my ideal weight of 160. That should be plenty of time to get to that goal as well as to get absolutely shredded/ripped which has been my other goal all along. All without the help of any type of supplements, steroids, human growth hormone etc.

Believe it or not, this will mark the first time I've been to Vegas since I've been old enough to gamble (legally), so to say that I'm excited for this trip would be a collasal understatement. Especially since I missed the last main outing to Vegas for Joey's bachelor party. I'm looking to make up for that lost opportunity, in a big way.

Ciao Team USA

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't more than a little upset about the U.S. getting beat by Finland today in Ice Hockey. Then again I wasn't expecting too much from them this Olympics but I guess my national pride got the better of me.

The bottom line about Team USA's performance: They just couldn't convert on the scoring chances and took too many penalties.

Oh well, at least we didn't screw the pooch like Canada did today. I mean, they were the prohibitive favorite to repeat as Olympic champs (they're squad was vastly superior to the U.S.)and they didn't even get a medal either!

Speaking of patriotism, it's funny how that sneaks up on me whenever it's an Olympic year. Combine that with the fact that this is a World Cup year as well, I guess I've been itching to supporting my country for some time now. Now combine those 2 events taking place amidst the back drop war being waged in the Middle East, I realize that deep down that I am proud to be an American and will always root for whoever is wearing the Stars and Stripes.

Here's to you Dad

I just wanted to take a moment to wish my Dad a very happy 73rd birthday (he doesn't look a day over 60). He is by all accounts the greatest man that I will ever know. I can only hope and pray that I can be half the man he is. He's given me so much love, wisdom and support over the years, I can't begin to fathom what my life would be like without him (as well as my mom).

And since pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training this week I bought him a new Yankee fleece today - it's the one that the Skanks wear in the dugout (he's so low key that the only thing that he likes me to get him is Yankee paraphenalia). Granted it was painful having to handle anything Skankee related but for him I gladly made the sacrifice (although I did have to wash my hands several times as soon as I got home).

He wasn't home when I left for work to see his reaction when he opened it. So I called him a few hours later and I was pleased to hear that he really liked it and planned on wearing it tomorrow when he goes bowling.

The fact that he's bowling again, and at a high level, is so awesome. When he had open heart surgery 8 years ago (God has it been that long?) we were just hoping he'd be able to walk around without a cane. Now he's bowling in a league and breaking 200 every now and then!

Needless to say I am truly blessed.

Have Shovel Will Travel

Let's give Mother Nature a round of applause for finally kick starting Winter in the '06 with a bang. I must say, there's nothing like shoveling, driving, and walking (in that order) in the middle of the biggest blizzard to hit NY.

For the better part of Sunday, the Big Apple was transformed into planet Hoth. I was half expecting to see someone riding a Tauntaun as I slowly, made my way to the Broadcast Center. Needless to say it was a good thing I was wearing my new snow boots (I knew I would need them eventually).

I still can't believe I made it into the city yesterday morning. Then again I'm sure some of you are wondering why I even bothered in the first place. It was snowing so much that when I looked at my car in the LIRR parking lot, I made a note to buy a shovel for the trip back because I was sure I was going to have to dig it out of there. Of course I shouldn't have been surprised that I ended up being stranded in the city until 2pm this afternoon.

Thank God for K and Allen who took me in as I awaited to hear whether I'd be able to make it back to LI later last night (boy, was I kidding myself or what?). They even had KFC waiting for me, shovel in hand courtesy the Home Depot, when I finally made it to their new place. It was great seeing them as well as Rupe (he eventually stopped by as well) and Alfredo (who now lives on the floor below them). As it turned out Alfredo was able to make some use of my newly acquired shovel to dig his car out from under the snow that sat on his car.

I left with Al this morning hoping that the LIRR was able to restore Eastbound service only to be let down once again. All wasn't lost since I took the opportunity to go to Ess-a-Bagel for breakfast (mmmm hot, everything bagel w/cream cheese). From there I headed down to the Village, shovel in tow, to kill some time.

It was pretty funny seeing people's reactions as I got on and off the subway as well as whenever I went into a store to look around. They ranged from slighly confused to slightly annoyed. Every now and then I came across someone shoveling the sidewalk in front of their place of business and thought about giving them a hand but never did. Does that make me a bad person?

I finally made my way up to Penn Station just in time for the 12:15 train to Ronkonkoma. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that before that I wound up buying another pair of Merrell's (the Tundra boot in black - on sale for $60.00 orig. $90!). And yes I am aware that I have become my mother.

Since it was sunny all day, by the time I got back to my car, it was clear that the shovel that I had been lugging around would be of no use.

Walkin On Sunshine

Since I do a lot of walking, especially whenever I'm in the city, I've been on the lookout for some comfortable footwear for some time. My sneakers just haven't been cutting it lately because I wear them a ton and I needed a pair of shoes to take the load off of them.

So without further ado, I'm pleased to report that search is over, now that I've purchased my first pair of Merrell moccassins last week. As soon as I put them on I knew that I had to have them. I like them so much that I think I'm going to write to the company to let them know how pleased I am with their product. I swear, these shoes are so comfortable that I'm seriously thinking about buying another pair in black because I can also wear them to work!

My sister had them and swore by them and a couple of guys at CBS had them and said the same thing. My only regret is that I didn't heed their recommendations sooner. I must say that I am thoroughly satisfied with the purchase and it came on the heels of no (sales) tax week to boot!

If I ever get the chance to 'sellout' someday, I have no reservations shilling for the good people at Merrell.

Damn you James Blunt!

I was driving to work the other day, minding my own business when Jame's Blunt's 'You're Beautiful' came on the radio and all of a sudden thoughts and images of Lady X came rushing back to me. I have no idea where that may have come from but I guess at that point I was paying attention to the lyrics for once...

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was ,
Fucking high,
And I don't think I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last til the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face.
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

Dammit... I was doing so well.

The weird thing about that is I've heard that song numerous times and didn't think about her once. Don't get me wrong, I have always thought highly of her and always will. I suppose those unresolved feelings I have for her that still dwell deep within me, really identified with what he was singing about.

Next thing I know I'm out on my dinner break going to Tower Records and buying "Back to Bedlam" to further torture myself. I'm kidding of course, but now that I had that song in my head, I was curious to see what the rest of his CD was like. I thought about buying it for some time but never got around to it. Afterall, heard a lot of good things about it and now I had a reason to pick it up.

And I'm glad I did because I really like it. I guess what I like most is the bittersweet quality of his voice coupled with the melancholy lyrics, which is how I would best describe the (brief) time I spent with her.