Dec 29, 2016

I went to Ryan's in the morning for the second two games in our Koopa Bowl showdown. We played Super Mario 1 first and Ryan won as I struggled in the last world. In the event of a tie, we play Super Mario World and if that doesn't provide a clear winner there's a round-robin All-Stars match. But really we just played Mario World for the win. We were again very close but I got to the last castle faster and won. It was a lot of fun playing it that way.

I went home for a little while before going to Becca's where she surprised me with an amazing vegan chocolate cake with ice cream in the middle. It was so good. I had a little slice before we got ready to leave for the night.

We picked up Tracy and went to Starland where we sat in the car for a little bit to have a couple beers before the show. Diana sent me this wonderful little graphic to say happy birthday that made me smile.

We went inside and the show was running late, which is predictable for Starland, but we got settled on the side of the crowd and Nathan and Chanel came in and found us for a little bit before the lights went out. Thursday came out to For the Workforce, Drowning, which is one of my favorite songs and my favorite opener of theirs. The set was dark and incredible and it was so great to see them back on stage like they never left.

After the show I saw Omarey and he came to chat with us while those of us without jackets shivered outside. It was great to be with so many friends for my birthday and see one of my favorite bands. We had a nice long ride left home, but it didn't seem so bad.

Feb 17, 2014

I went to the gym for a long time in the afternoon, running for a while and then doing several circuit sets in the group room. I was surprised I stayed for as long as I did. Chuck and I headed up to Iron Hill in Voorhees later where we met Jamie, Matt, and Kate to celebrate Jamie's birthday. After playing some musical chairs to sit in the bar area where beers were much cheaper we ordered some food and drinks.

The food was awesome and the beer, as always, was great. The Rye'ght on was one of my favorites I've had from them, and the Wee Heavy was on point. We also tried the Titus double IPA, which was tasty, but I was in the mood for something else. I did have a Rising Sun IPA though, because it's one of my favorites.

After we ate, we played a game of mustache mystery where each card has a silhouette of someone famous' mustache. The back has clues to help the players guess who it is. Amy, who didn't think I knew her from high school, showed up with her husband and we played the game. He kept guessing Stalin and was eventually absolutely right! I kept guessing Jamie Hyneman which sadly never showed up. It was a really fun and funny game to play. Happy birthday, Jamie!

Dec 29, 2013

I went to the gym with Ryan in the morning. No better way to celebrate a 30th birthday than to workout with my best friend. Really. After the gym we went to Kate's to play Pandemic. We played a few games with varying degrees of success saving the world. I think I liked it better with just the two of us. Maybe it was the day.

Kate and I picked up Chuck and headed to the American Sardine Bar to get dinner and beers. I had Anchor's Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2013 and Deschutes' Black Butte Porter. Both very good. We had some delicious food and left with a growler of a white beer on nitro to drink when we got to the parking lot at Starland.

After sitting in the lot for a while drinking and listening to music we came inside to see a nice crowd including Winnie the Pooh! I haven't seen this guy in years! He used to come to all the pop punk and ska shows up in north Jersey at Birch Hill and Starland. It was nice nostalgia seeing him.

The Starting Line played great, but their set seemed a little short. Everything was a lot of fun though. They didn't break out any songs that were really unexpected, but they left out a few that I did expect.

Regardless, it was an awesome time. I know I've seen them at least twice before on my birthday so it's a nice tradition and a cool way to enter my thirties. I think. 

Oct 17, 2013

I worked a Special Ed math class at Memorial during the day. It was an interesting day, as I had another teacher in there with me who had no idea how to do basic algebra, which is what the students were learning. More than once she explained something incorrectly to the student and I had to go tell them the correct way. She was also trying to look up how to do it on her phone and sneakily come back with the answer. It was bizarre, annoying, and quite sad. I had a good time working with the students on the algebra though. I always enjoy math classes.

I had last block off so I left early and went to the Vineland Board of Ed to drop off my physical form and find out my next step. The substitute coordinator seems to be impossible to get ahold of. She never answers her phone and I was there about a half hour before she left for the day and the secretary said she was on her lunch break. Then she looked at me weird when I thought that was odd. Anyway, I was told I'd have to wait for board approval, which I already got, and then I awkwardly left. Thanks for the help. On my way home I picked up Dave and Chelsea's pictures at T & F. They look good printed.

I met my mom, Sarah, and Aiden at Kawa for dinner for my mom's birthday (only two weeks late!) We had a good dinner of sushi and beer that I got for my mom to try. She wanted a mixed six pack of different styles so she could find out what she likes. She liked the stout a lot and, predictably, not so much the IPA. It was nice trying them with her though and we had a good time talking.

After dinner had settled a bit later I decided it was time for a neighborhood run. I ran 5 miles after initially feeling like I wouldn't make it much farther after the first. I love the boost I get in the middle of a run. Sometimes I feel like I could just keep going. It's been a while since I have just kept going, but I need to do that again. Time to get back to long distance running and running more often in general.

Oct 6, 2013

Kate and I headed to Delaware in the morning to go to Iron Hill DGC. The forest was beautiful in autumn colors and leaves covering the ground. Regardless of how we played, the scenery was worth the trip to walk around the woods. There weren't many people there, so we didn't have to worry about crossing over anyone. The game went pretty well for both of us. I had some really good shots and some really bad ones. Overall it was a good day of playing though.

I always forget how long the course is. I start questioning whether it's a 27-hole course, but then I remember it's just because each hole is 400 ft or more that it plays longer than the ones I'm more used to. After finishing up the long course, we headed to Stewart's Brewing to get a flight and some food before we headed back. I didn't expect the place to be such a sports bar. There were TVs everywhere and fans with many different jerseys. I asked to be placed near the door since it was furthest from both loud TVs and yelling fans. Most of their beer was middle of the road, but the Big Bear Amber Ale was damn good. Definitely a smooth, drinkable beer.

On the way back home we stopped at Eliza's birthday party at a gymnastics gym. Aiden was there with Devin, and of course Tracy was there doing backflips down the trampoline thing. The kids and adults were allowed to play in the big foam-filled hole so we were doing dives and flips into it. Aiden was really enjoying himself just like the rest of us were. After singing happy birthday it was time to head out.

Later we gathered at Erika's to play games. We played a round of Settlers of Catan and that took up quite a bit of the night. It seemed like everyone was just on the brink of winning before Ryan finally did. We need to have more game nights.

Jun 17, 2012

Ryan and I went to the rock gym in the morning and did some bouldering, trying out different routes. It gets hard really fast and my forearms really feel it.

My dad and Tracey had Aiden's fourth birthday party at their house. The family was all down there for food, barbecue, and watching Aiden eat his cake and open presents.

I biked over to Ryan's aunt's house later in the evening and we went for a run around their neighborhood. Afterward we hopped in the pool for a refreshing swim.

Jun 8, 2012

I worked in a math class at Lakeside during the day, and then went for a run around town after work. I went to my mom's for Aiden's birthday dinner, but we spent time playing in the yard and watching him ride his bike down the street. He does really well.

We had dinner and then got to the good stuff. Aiden was quick to blow out the candles and claim his position as a 4 year old.

He just wanted to get to this part. No need for utensils. After watching him destroy his cake and eat some of it we got to the present opening. Plenty of toys for him to spend time with and a Power Rangers sword for him to fight me with.

I came home and after being inside for a while I felt like I had to get out because it was so nice. I went for a bike ride down 49 which was pretty frightening. It was way too dark and I kept worrying about hitting something on the shoulder or getting hit by someone not paying attention. I need lights.

May 26, 2012

Kate and I went out for a game of disc golf since the weather was perfect. I made some good shots and came close to acing two holes. By "close" I mean that if I were a few feet in the right direction I'd have made it. It's mostly significant for 18 since it's about 300 feet and I overshot it.

I went home for a while and then Chuck picked me up and we got pizzas before heading over to Kate's for her birthday bonfire. We didn't really stand around the fire at all. We just drank some beers and walked around outside for a bit.

We decided to retreat to the inside and play Telestrations and continue drinking. The markers were all pretty much dead so we had a hard time playing a full round and called it quits after a few games.

We stayed a while more, talking and listening to music.

Apr 27, 2012

I worked at Memorial today for an art teacher who had a student teacher anyway, so I literally did nothing but read all day. I'm okay with that. I managed to get my car inspected quickly after work and then went up to Landmark to meet Kat and friends for dinner and drinks for her birthday. It was good to see people I hadn't seen in months, though it felt a bit awkward.

After I left I drove around for a bit and felt like being alone and listening to music.

Apr 1, 2012

Kate and I went to have breakfast at The Queen and I got an omelet that was much too big but very delicious. After that I met Ryan at the gym for our weekly muscle medley followed by a trip to Parvin for a run. We did four exercise stops along the way, making it seem much more difficult than my longer run the other day.

I came home for a bit but had to go back out shortly after for Kate's cousin Hunter's birthday party. He was turning 7 and got way too much candy as presents. He seemed to be having a good time. We hung out and had some ice cream and I listened to them tell their old family stories for a while before departing.

I spent the evening working on this video as a teaser/intro for NJCB and the interviews I will be editing soon. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I wish I did more general footage of the fest though. Next time I'll know.

After some perusing of the internet I was ready to get to bed early.

Feb 3, 2012

I worked at a science class at the senior high during the day and then went to the gym with Ryan after work. Kate and I went up to Shannon's later for her birthday party. It was already underway when we got there. We brought a Blue Point sampler pack for us and wine for Shannon.

The Blue Point was really good, especially the blueberry. The party was fun. I got to meet Doug and some of Shannon's friends that I didn't know yet. We played some beer pong.. well, I watched.

It was a good time, but unfortunately I have to get up early so I had to leave as things were getting interesting.

Dec 29, 2011

I slept in for the early part of the day then Kate and I tried to find things to do early. We fail so I went out to get a new desk chair. It was long overdue. I picked out this nice "executive" leather chair and came home to put it together. Then I sat in it for a little while. I like it.

Later, we headed to AC to Tun Tavern to try all of their beers in the sampler. They have a lot of good ones, including the Maple Black Walnut Brown Ale. That and the pale ale are my favorites.

We got some food that was presented nice and fancy-like. It was all quite good. I'd go back. We had to catch the Jitney and rush back to the House of Blues to get to the show on time.

We came in while Bayside was on their second song. They played a set with very little talking and all music. It was good stuff. They played a lot of new songs, which I'm always excited to hear from them. The old ones kind of got old, honestly. Their set was great.

Taking Back Sunday was up next and we had to push through the boring crowd of people to get closer. They were really great musically and Adam was entertaining as ever.

They played all but three songs off of of Tell All Your Friends and they played a lot of new stuff. Their oldest and newest stuff is my favorite so that worked out nicely. "Existentialism on Prom Night" wasn't even so bad this time around. I was kind of excited to hear it. Adam ran off through the crowd for the last two songs, singing to the crowd from atop the bar. It was hilarious.

After a great night out we headed home. Dinner and a great show were definitely a great birthday gift from Kate. Thanks!

Aug 25, 2011

After a good sleep I picked up Jenny and went to Starbucks where I got a berry tea lemonade thing and she got some kind of mocha drink. We sat there and talked about schools and plans and anything we could think of for a while. She ran into at least two people she knew and one she might not have?

We went over to Kawa after a while to get sushi and teriyaki for lunch. It's been a while since I've had sushi and it was very good. I stuffed myself with spicy tuna and veggie teriyaki. After sipping some hot tea and watching whatever strange thing was on the television for a while we left and I took her home. Until next time she returns from England!

We went out to the Oar House later for Tracy's late birthday drinks. She and Mike met me there and Chuck joined us a short time later. We had a few Acme IPAs and some laughs while we waited an hour for a plate of fries.

We called it a night fairly early, but we had a fun time just having a few drinks and I came home to watch Louie and go to bed.

Aug 18, 2011

The weather looked questionable in the morning, but I decided to take my chances and headed for Philly. I parked in Camden under beautiful blue skies and started biking across the Ben Franklin Bridge. This is the first time I've biked all the way across.

Once in the city I headed straight to the Troc, where I bought Bayside tickets as they went on sale. After that I hit the TLA, AKA Records to get tickets for the Barbary, and finally, the Electric Factory box office. Once I had a bag full of tickets, I headed out for a real bike ride.

I went to the Schuykill River Trail that starts behind the art museum in Fairmount Park. The trail stretches along the river for a long while, going all the way to Valley Forge. I planned to take the twenty mile trip, but the trail becomes confusing and the signage, while good along the single trail on the river, is very poor for turns.

I ended up taking the Wissahickon Trail to the end near Kelly Drive. It was a nice ride overall, but I wish the signs were set up a lot better for directions. I rode back through town, had to stop at the Factory again to grab one more ticket and then headed over the bridge, much slower this time, as it started to thunder. It never started to rain so I met Ryan later for a run at the course where I ran around twice and he did once with 100 Marine squats, which took about the same amount of time.

Chuck and I went up to Landmark to meet people for Laura's birthday celebration. We sat at a table with about 8 people though it was made for 4. We took a bunch of pictures, as we do every time and had some tall Blue Moons. We also started holding up the peace sign to flag our waitress down. Garcon!

Chuck and I enjoyed our beer in the corner as Jess threw various objects at us and we returned the favor. It may have been the three Red Bull drinks she had. Brian was also there so we got to hang out one last time before he went off to Korea!

Shots were also on special so we got a round of Swedish Fish shots. They were quite accurate in the taste. They had quite a few more shots. We just had the one and stuck with beer. It started getting confusing because they got the tab two or three times just to check how much it was. Not a bad idea, but I kept thinking we were leaving.

This blurry pictures explains most of the time in The Spot. We danced in there for the remainder of the night. It was funny for the most part. I liked the DJ though. Drunk Chuck is always fun in the club.

Once the lights came on we were cast out into the pouring rain. We said our goodbyes and walked the several blocks back to where we parked. Chuck took cover under a stranger's umbrella for a few minutes, unbeknownst to them. I just got wet. It felt good. Fun night. Happy birthday, Laura!