Jul 31, 2011

When I got up I started editing photos and working on the blog, then I got in touch with Chuck so we could go to Wildflower for brunch. We got breakfast burritos. They are huge. Look at that monster. It's almost the size of his head. I couldn't eat the whole thing but it was so good.

As for the rest of the day, you're basically looking at it. I updated the blog for about three weeks' worth of photos from the trip and beyond. I did feel trapped inside though so I went for a bike ride after it got dark. I rode 15 miles, slightly scared of the cars in the dark. I need lights. I couldn't sleep so a couple hours later I went for a two-mile run through town. I didn't get to bed until after 6am.

Jul 30, 2011

I got dropped off at Randy's Bike Shop in the morning and grabbed myself a brand new road bike! This is her. I love it.

About a dozen or so people met up in front of the shop and we got ready to go out for a group ride. We stopped across the street at the fountain for a group shot (which hasn't been posted yet or that would be here.)

Junior led us on a leisurely ride through Bridgeton. It was slow because we had all kinds of people with us so not everyone was trying to ride quickly. I wanted to see what my bike could do but had to wait it out.

We stayed on the road and went to Mary Elmer Lake to take a break. It was a perfect day to ride since it wasn't so hot and humid.

We sat down at the picnic area and ate our lunches that we brought. Peanut butter & jelly, mmm. I talked one of the guys that came with us about getting together for a ride sometime in the future. Junior took a couple of us on a ride through the dirt trails and I soon learned the limitations of a road bike. I didn't get stuck for too long.

After the fun ride I dropped by my mom's house to show her my bike and talk for a bit. I spent some time out back shooting this dragonfly. I rode home, finally able to get some speed. It felt nice to pedal hard and feel the difference between that bike and my old one. I'll be cutting some time off of my previous rides.

Dave picked me up and then we got Chuck and traveled the PA turnpike to Allentown, grabbed some slices of pizza, assumed our usual parking spot at the bottom of the hill, turned on the music and cracked open some beers.

We hung out down there for a while as we waited to go into the Croc Rock for the show. We had several beers and drank a bottle of Dave's wine between the three of us. It was the first time I'd had his red wine and it was really good.

We entered the bar and hung out having a beer until Streetlight Manifesto came on. It was insanely hot inside the venue so we were happy to find they opened the side walls and the outside lot so we could go cool off while still enjoying the music. I found Tracy and Mandie out there so we hung out and danced where it was much more comfortable. Streetlight was good; I should really listen to them some more.

We went and got another beer and another slice of pizza between bands and then hauled back up front when the Reel Big Fish took the stage. I don't know how to describe their shows anymore. They were great.

We had a lot of fun in the pit even though it was almost impossible to dance with the crowd packed from wall to wall. It was so amazingly hot in there I almost had to take a knee between songs to catch my breath.

They played a few songs that they almost never play. It was kinda cool to see a change up in the set (though they refuse to stop playing the many versions of "S.R.") The last few songs were a lot of fun and I got to dance with Tracy and Mandie, before she leaves the mainland for Hawai'i to live! Hope we gave her a good sendoff!

Completely drenched in sweat and exhausted, we left the show, drinking as much water as we could get our hands on. Dave got us home in record time and with almost no point where I was worried. It was another wonderful experience with the Fish. I've never not had a good time.

Jul 29, 2011

I decided to get a few things done that I had been waiting on in the morning so I took care of bank business, finally mailed the blink-182 tickets I sold on eBay a while ago, and then went to get a new tube for my bike tire at Randy's. While I was there I talked to Junior, the guy I always go to, about what kind of road bike I should get. He suggested one and let me test ride it out back and I was sold. I almost got it right then, but I wanted to ride it home and not put it in my car so I held off.

When I got home I was excited at the prospect of getting a new bike so I took my old one out for a ride around town. I did twelve miles easily and hoped that the ease would improve on a bike actually designed for the road.

Chuck and I got on the road to Philly a little later than planned, but people were still shuffling into the show when we got to the Electric Factory. We spoke to Tracy and Mandie for a minute and then I went up to the box office window to look for someone to buy my extra ticket. I missed one opportunity, one guy looked like he really didn't trust me for some reason, and then, just after Chuck said I wouldn't be able to sell it, a girl bought it from me. And then we went to JD McGillicuddy's for some drinks.

After careful review of the beers available, Chuck got a big bottle of Golden Monkey, prompting me to do the same. We each had two of those and were good for the evening. Fiona joined us at the bar for a small time as we finished our beers and fries before going into the show.

The Starting Line began shortly after we entered and got right into "Up and Go" and the party had begun. They played a great set. Unfortunately, this is the best shot I got of them, but I was having too much fun in the crowd.

See. This is not too long after Chuck slapped me in the face and I lost the ball to my lip ring. He doesn't remember doing that. I thought it was funny though. We danced pretty much the whole time TSL was on. They are always so good.

All Time Low played last and I was underwhelmed by their set. They didn't play poorly, it was just the songs they played off their new album I don't really like. They did play a handful that I knew and liked. I don't think I'll ever enjoy them like I did at the Starland show though. Too bad.

Chuck suggested going to the Abbaye for post-show feed and I couldn't say no. I got a vegan meatball sandwich of course. I have a hard time choosing anything else from the menu anymore. We had some good food and talked over our ice cold waters.

When I got home I was pretty wiped and ready for bed. It was a good night out though and I was ready to do it again tomorrow.

Jul 28, 2011

In this exciting day of life I decided I wanted to run somewhere different so I went to Parvin since I hadn't been out there in a while. It started to look like rain when I showed up so I grabbed a bag for my iPod and hit the trail. It never did more than drizzle as I ran and it was nice to have a set course of 3 miles so I knew how far I was going again and could pace myself. I stayed there and watch it rain in the lake for a while and trying to shoot it.

I came home and spent several hours reading, like I had wanted to do outside before it started raining. I met Ryan at the gym later, where we did a circuit workout with jump ropes, the kettle bell, and marine squats. Alone, those things might not wear you out, but when we finished the whole circuit of 25 minutes we were done.

I felt like going for a long walk later so I put in my headphones and wandered around town. It feels nice sometimes to just be alone with good music and thoughts on a nice night.

Jul 27, 2011

I accompanied Jeff to his car dealership in Egg Harbor and we walked over the very sad, rundown Shore Mall to get lunch. The pizza was good and the people were strange.

We went over to the theater to see Captain America for a cheap matinee price. Someone threw cheese at the screen and it left a big splotch (bunch of savages in this town..) I thought the movie was quite good. I didn't have many expectations, but it wasn't overly cheesy and the humor was good. The end credits design is awesome.

When we got home I went for a run around town since I didn't have time for the gym. Matt picked us up and we headed to Quizzo. We were hit and miss on many questions this week. The tuna melt was good. We were in first at one point but were quickly overtaken before the end.

I came home and did some writing before going to bed watching 24.

Jul 26, 2011

In the early part of the day I dropped my car off for an oil change that was going to take a while so I went to the grocery store with my grandmom and helped her with things. When my mom was off work, she and Larry met me at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I got the shrimp skewers which are really good. And rice. Mmm.

After I picked up my car and went for a run, I got ready to go out and picked up Chuck and Laura and headed for South Street. We went to Copabana first because someone told Laura they had the best margaritas.

They were good margaritas, but I'm not sure what makes them the best. The menu says they are, but there is no source quoted. I think people say they're good because they have a lot of tequila in them. Which is a fair way to judge, I suppose.

We each only got one with our shaker of spare 'rita. Why not just put them in bigger glasses? Mysteries. That's part two of my SNL face, by the way.

We went to Manny Brown's for a few drinks on special and Laura was worried about someone getting offended/fighting her because she used the word "black." Silly white people. We went to Lorenzo's and each grabbed a big slice of pizza before going into Mako's. The bouncer sneaked us in with our food since we weren't supposed to have it. We got some PBR and put some songs on the jukebox.

Chuck talked to a fellow fan of Jonah after playing Gratitude and Laura and I sat by the jukebox being entertained by this guy who was thoroughly confused as to how to use the thing. He also put money in a couple of times and just walked away so I took that opportunity to play songs that I wanted to hear. We were at the bar for a long time even though I stopped drinking. The music was good so I was happy.

When it came time to leave, the bartender handed me a piece of paper instead of my card, telling me that she lost my card somehow. It was all a bit confusing, but I gave her my info and on the way home I canceled the card just in case. I assumed she gave it back to the wrong person and they didn't notice. Fun night.

Jul 25, 2011

I spent some time during the day going through photos from the trip and editing them. I tried to get to the gym before it got too crowded. It wasn't so bad when I got there, but it started filling up quickly. I did several machine and pull-ups then a few ab things in the group room.

Later I went to see Horrible Bosses with Christy. It was hilarious. I'm glad Chuck undersold it because I thought it was great. I want to see it again. So let's go. We went to Chili's after the movie and got chips and salsa for checking in and ordered real food. The same thing I always get. I was so hungry.

We went for a night swim at Christy's. I miss swimming at night. I wish we still had a pool. It's really peaceful to float around in the dark.. or with a glowing floating thing. We stayed in there for a long time.

I drove my pruned self home after a few hours and had something to eat because being in the pool always makes me hungry. And tired. So I went to sleep shortly after that.

Jul 24, 2011

Alex and I actually spent the whole day trying to plan a trip. We looked up airfare and called the company her family has their timeshare with many times with no luck at all of finding things. We tried to do it a little too last minute. We ended up planning a camping trip to Maine instead of trying to go to California right now. Maybe later. Shannon came over in the evening to shoot more photos for her class. We went to the park as the sun was going down.

She was shooting in the style of a certain photographer she chose and we found a lot of good things that worked. We shot the factory by the train tracks and an electrical substation then went to High Street before it got too dark to try anymore.

I came home and went through some of the photos I shot. I went for a run later. It was still very hot at night and I walked part of the way back.

Jul 23, 2011

I spent the early part of the day cleaning up a little bit during episodes of 24 then I ran three miles on the treadmill so I didn't die outside. Alex came down and we started looking at possible places to take a trip. Airfare is expensive. Renting cars is even more expensive. That's why I don't do it. Usually. We went to pick up Chuck and headed to the Abbaye for foods and drink. I got vegan wings and tried some berry beers. They were quite good. Alex even had a few! Anthony dropped by our table to say hello for a little while before departing to the next bar.

After we had a few, we went to Standard Tap for one beer. It was crowded in there. Good beer selection though. We'll have to try to get a table sometime.

For our next stop we went next door to North Bowl. Chuck and I got a pitcher and a couple of glasses and went to sit in the comfy seats.

We spent most of this time people watching and making up stories for the guy sitting alone across from us. I think we were all wrong.

We had a good enough time that Chuck was trying to get us to go to another bar before we left even though he had to work at 6am. We didn't even get home until 1 anyway!