Sep 6, 2009

It seemed like a really nice day to get out and do something so Ryan and I decided to get into a game of tennis. We played for quite a while and I feel like we did really well this time, especially compared to the last few times we played. We had quite a few good points and it seemed pretty evenly matched.

I came home and after a while I went to Sam's for her barbecue. I played a really good game of horseshoes with Jimmy so Jeff and I challenged the older guys to a game. It was a really close game and we ended up winning it when I landed a ringer right at the end to edge out the points that they had. It was a great game.

Eating is always the best part of being at Sam's. She made this corn chowder that was amazing. I kept going back for more. The black bean burger was good but the chowder was addicting. I want more right now just thinking about it.

We spent a lot of time playing a game I had never played before called ladder ball... yeah, ladder ball. You throw the tethered balls and try to hook them onto the rungs for points. It might not sound fun but it was awesome. We played until it got too dark to see and then we played some more after that.

There was no wood for the fire so we went scavenging across the street in the lot and got a pile of branches to start us out. We got the fire going and enjoyed the warmth. From a distance.

The time came to bust out Katie's sparklers. Everyone got one but they didn't last for long. They were fun and I almost burnt myself a few times trying to light mine on the fire.

We threw these packets on the fire that change the colors of the flames. I'm not even supposed to be telling you about this because they're Canadian and not legal here.. so shhhh. Good thing nobody reads this. The results were less than spectacular. There were a few times when the flames changed color, prompting "ooh" and "ahh." But that didn't last long. Oh well. Thanks, Canada.

People started leaving and we just relaxed around the fire, drinking and talking about kid's television shows. It was pretty mellow.

The night was a lot of fun, as is always the case when we have a bonfire. It's a good season to have many more of them.

Sep 5, 2009

Katie and I left early for New York and didn't hit much traffic at all before the tunnel. We still got into the city a little after eleven.

The restaurant we were going to wasn't open until noon so we went to the park down the street and hung out watching a jazz band and people with their dogs. These guys were really good. I think they offer breakfast with their performances sometimes. The card I got was kind of vague.

We came back to Red Bamboo and waited a few more minutes until they opened the doors for us. I got some coconut curry "chicken" and vegetables. It was very good. I wanted some of the awesome sounding desserts but I was way too full.

We went a few blocks until we found a Jamba Juice. I was a little disappointed in the quality of my Pomegranate Paradise after spending the past few months wanting one. Oh well.

We took the Midtown tunnel to the BQE and headed south.

We stopped in Brighton Beach, finding cheap parking somehow, and walked around the shops and stores not looking for anything in particular.

It was kinda cool being able to read some of the Russian words on the shops now that I've learned the alphabet. We found a place that had some tasty pastries but we couldn't stay long.

I got some really good caramel ice cream before we headed out and ate it as we left. It was a nice day to walk around but we had to be at the airport.

The trip to the airport is where the traffic really began. It was really slow the whole way there and even slower once we got to JFK. We picked up Katie's parents when we finally got to them and loaded their bags up.

The drive home was nice, we didn't have to drive so we got to just sit back and gaze out the windows. I was really tired when I got home.

Chuck and Katie came over to watch The Matrix later. I needed to watch it for my Philosophy class but I fell asleep during it too much to catch it all.

After the movie I was more awake but I didn't wait long before going to bed. I'll have to watch it again later.

Sep 4, 2009

I had physical therapy in the morning and then, after getting some things done, I picked up Shannon and headed to Philly for lunch. We went to Manny's bar where I got a bottle of Innis and Gunn, which I haven't had since Beerfest two years ago. Good stuff but it cost more than our quesapizza so I probably won't have another for a while. The pizza was quite delicious however; plenty of vegetables and good cheese.

We had some time to kill before the show so we went to Rittenhouse and I sat in a tree and took pictures.

I worked on my panning technique. I think I'm getting pretty good. (panning is used to create the effect in the picture above where the moving subject is in focus while the background is blurred.)

This is the tree I was sitting in. It's awesome. Plenty of good seats.

We headed down to the First Unitarian Church to go into the show but it was in between sets when we got there and everyone was cooling off outside. The church across the street was pretty crazy looking with the moon behind it.

After a while the crowd started to head in so we followed them. It was crazy hot in the basement packed with people. We went down to watch Fireworks, who were awesome, and it felt so good to come outside after their set.

After walking down to Wawa for a drink, we came back for Four Year Strong. They opened the set with their intro and right into the catchy song I figured they'd open with.

They kept commenting on how insanely hot it was but continued to play fast and loud most of the songs on their cd.

I happened to catch a picture right as a strange smoke filled the air, confusing everyone. It tasted terrible and the band stopped playing to tell everyone to hurry up and get out. Of course, everyone rushed to the small basement exit and it took a while to get out.

Once everyone had filed out, we learned that someone set off a fire extinguisher and they were trying to find out who it was. The band came out and announced that they would be going back on shortly to an applauding crowd.

We went back in and they killed it on their last five songs. The crowd was even more pumped up than before. It was a great set and this is what I looked like after it. I'm pointing out the dry spot on my body.

It was a good day and I got to see a great band. Now I need a shower.

Sep 3, 2009

It was another beautiful day and I was up early so I called Ryan to head out to the river early for kayaking. After a long process of getting the truck and kayaks and picking up Ryan at our ending point, we finally set out on the river at Almond Road. The trip was nice. The cool air was a nice change. This is the same route we took the first time we came out and I suppose we didn't hit as many obstacles but it really felt like it.

I got caught up on things a lot as there are plenty of narrow passages to get through and the current would pull me the oppsosite way from where I wanted to go. We stopped at the Sherman Avenue pass this time instead of carrying on all the way to the lake. That was too much, but this was just right.

After I returned the kayaks and the truck, I took a nap that lasted until right before my only class. I rushed to get ready and get to Rowan just to get to my Russian class about two minutes late. We finished out the alphabet and worked with some association cards in groups and then class was over.

Another trip to Moe's was in order because Katie and I were both very hungry. We had to eat quickly again because the movie was going to start soon.

We went to see Inglorious Basterds at the AMC in Deptford who have student discounts only on Thursdays! Lucky us, we'll have to remember that. First, their theaters are the darkest rooms I've ever been in when the lights are out. I was just standing in the aisle for a few minutes waiting for some kind of light to appear on the screen so I could find a seat. Anyway, the movie was fantastic. Tarantino didn't disappoint. It was a great story and it was hilarious without being forced. I recommend it.

We went back to Rowan after the movie to see what was going on at Rowan After Hours but it was just a lot of lines that I didn't feel like waiting in just to get a street sign with my name on it. I came home, watched some Psych and went to bed.

Sep 2, 2009

It was a beautiful morning and I had permission from my physical therapist to go out and run so I took that to Parvin's for a run around the lake. I was surprised at how easy it was to get back to it after all this time.. I managed to go all the way around with no problem. It's good to be back.

After I dropped my car at my mechanic's to get worked on, I headed to school in my sister's old car for our first day of Digital Photography. After the short class, Katie and I went to Moe's in Deptford to get quick food. We had to eat fast but we made it back..

It was my first day of Film Appreciation class as well. We watched two very early films: A Trip to the Moon and The Great Train Robbery. The former was pretty awful but the latter was a pretty good action film, albeit silent.

I hadn't gotten enough movies so I met Tracy at the Student Center for the screening of Angels and Demons. I thought it was a pretty good movie. It made me want to watch National Treasure though.

After the movie I met Shannon and some people at Landmark for her roommate's birthday celebration. I had a few beers since it was Irish night.

I only had a few beers but I felt pretty good. Overall a pretty good day.

Sep 1, 2009

I had physical therapy in the morning to evaluate my progress so far. I got to do some actual running on the treadmill this time and everything went well. I think I should only be in there for another week or two. After I got something to eat I picked up Ryan and went for a walk around the lake at Parvin's. It was a great day to be outside, warm but with a cool breeze.

I picked up some sushi before I headed up to Rowan. I hung out on campus with Shannon for a little bit before going to Westby to have lunch with Katie before class.

My first class was Russian. It's an elementary class and I already know some things but I think I'm really going to like it. I feel like I've already learned some things from the short class we had.

I had Intro to Philosophy next which seems like it's going to be pretty great because a) I like Philosophy classes, b) it's with a teacher I know I like and c) most of the material is based off of movies that we need to watch for homework. Awesome. We left early and I got to Quizzo in time for the fourth round.

Once again, we weren't doing so great in points but at least Katie gave me a ponytail. We didn't win anything this week and I'm not sure how often I'll be able to make it there since my class goes until 9.

I got a veggie burger and brought it home to eat while I watched Psych and looked up things for class. Gotta get back into the swing of school.