Planete-Golf
Toute l'actualité cette semaine sur la planète GPublished on: 05.02.2012
Ramblings of a Civil Servant
While not currently a civil servant, I have government service in my bones, which means lots of naps and conference calls with no resolutions.The Traveling Hero
31 January 2012 22:53:26
I realized today that I change when I travel. Let me state here, for those who are not aware, that I'm into transportation. I could talk about the aviation industry or US high speed rail for hours and not get bored. There is even a film about people like me who fly for no reason but to get more miles. So I know travel, and yet it amazes me how I travel differently. For example:When flying first class, as I sometimes get upgraded, I am constantly aware of the fact that I get booze for free. Don't get me wrong, I love a good gin and tonic on an evening flight. However I generally order alcohol no matter what because it's free and I want to take advantage of my upgrade. Contrast this with the first class regulars who get water with no ice. At dinner tonight a colleague said when he gets in first class, he considers it his duty to drink on behalf of those in coach who have to pay. Brave man.I use toiletries that I don't normally. I'm a shampoo guy. I go to a barber and got my hair cut by telling the lady what number trimmer blade to use (3). I'm not high maintenance at all. So when I used conditioner tonight smelling of roses, I laughed. They offer it, so I take it. Tonight, after dinner, I left my group and wanted ice cream. Ben and Jerry's was closed (Yelp lies!) and so I was walking back home. I saw a pizza spot and ended up grabbing a slice and a soda. I have no idea why. It just seemed like a good idea. Travel questions? Email me. I can help you. I'm a geek like that.
Running Update
06 January 2012 14:32:38
Still hate running. I subscribe to the theory that you're supposed to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise a couple times a week. I've discovered that the route I run clocks in at around 20 mins. Most people would find a longer route. However I've always been one to believe in working smarter and not harder, so I just slow down. Now I'm doing it in 23 minutes, even with walking when not necessary. My next step is to do slam poetry on various corners. Or stop for a cup of coffee and jog in place.
Self-Loathing and Exercise Apparently Not Healthy. Film at 11.
06 January 2012 12:26:02
Allow me to begin this post by saying that this is my 575th blog post (I might be a little off) which is kind of wild. I know that a few people read this and I think my Facebook linking and occasional Twitter linking might have added some readers. Those readers include family and parents. So let me go on record with my Ramblings Policy on Parents and Blogging. "I use this blog as a part-journal, part-creative outlet, part-venting zone. As such, there might be things that will give you possible cause for concern. Know that writing these posts are not my passive-aggressive way of letting you know. If I think there are issues that I need help with, I promise to bring them up". I add that caveat because I was reading a post from The Bloggess about her struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide at times and was greatly encouraged by the hundreds of commenters who came into the light and admitted their own struggles with these issues. I thought about my own struggles with depression/anxiety/whatever. 
Lest you worry, I'm doing quite good currently. I was running, because my girlfriend wants me to be healthier and I think the idea of not getting Type 2 Diabetes is a good idea. Though it might be worth it if I could meet Wilford Brimley. He seems like a pretty cool dude. I've had a body image issue, mostly related to my chubbiness since I was a kid. I told other kids it wasn't fat, just skin waiting be grown into. I realize now it is like having a pimple. The person you're talking to doesn't really notice, but you feel like you're saying, "Holy Shit! Look at the thing on my face!"So I would use the fat kid syndrome and teasing myself before others got the chance to became my M.O. I'm quite good at being unhappy when I'd look in the mirror. The odd thing is that it never really translated into me wanting to do anything about it. I'd go to the gym for a bit and then stop. I think that secretly I liked it because it gave more ammo to my self-loathing side, so I was sort of trapped. Until the day came that I looked in the mirror and said "Whatever." I'm not morbidly obese. I'm okay with the way I look and while I would like to be a little slimmer, I'm alright with the body I have. And an amazing thing happened. I started running. I never did when I hated my body, but as soon as I accepted it, all the pressure to lose weight left and I figured I'd just try it. So I've been running for about 8 months a few times a week and you know what? I hate running. Bet you thought I was going to say something else. I hate the dread of having to go run. I don't enjoy the running part. And I don't necessarily feel better physically for having done it. But I do feel a sense of accomplishment, akin to me dropping off the Netflix and getting the dry cleaning after work. And if that low sense of accomplishment allows me to stay marginally healthy, then that's fine. So I run a 5K a year and it takes me about 6 months to train. The one I ran on Thanksgiving was cold and I was slow and made the mistake of pouring water on my head because I saw the people in marathons do it. I learned that you don't really do that when the temperatures are low. Sort of affects your running. Live and learn. I'm going to go running today. I ran to CVS last night to get vitamins and when I was running back, it sounded like there was a maracas band behind me. Got a lot of odd looks. So if you're in DC and you see a guy stumbling around or leering at you. It's me without my glasses. Pay no attention to me. Unless I'm in the gutter. Then call someone .
A Tale of Three Christmases
29 December 2011 19:09:21
One of the blessings/curses of having divorced parents means dual holidays. Usually when the kids are younger, the parents do some sort of swap, like Dad's for Christmas and Mom's for Thanksgiving. I vividly remember getting gifts on Christmas morning that had to be put down at noon, because my Dad was there at 12:00 PM sharp. Ahhh...memories. So this December, I actually had three Christmases. Let's look at them, shall we?Christmas #1: Mom and StepfatherThis is the house that I most identify Christmas with, having grown up there. Generally the home is full of Christmas music and Christmas cookies and egg nog. We did Secret Santa to cut down on costs, but everyone gets a stocking stuffer. I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, but it turns out that stocking stuffers are often a lot cooler than actual presents. I got running headphones. My stocking stuffers included Gummy Bacon, a NYC survival guide, and assorted other useful things. We ended up giving out lots of gifts from ThinkGeek, like stuffed animals shaped like microbes and I gave my Step-Dad an F bomb. I thought it was a pretty cool gift. Tons of food and wine and laughs. Oh, and the pullout couch they recently got is muuuuch better than the last one. Christmas #2: Dad and StepmotherGiven the fact that Allyson and I were leaving very early on Saturday morning, we did our Christmas with Mom on Christmas Eve and Christmas with Dad on the 23rd. Generally Christmas here consists of a poultry dish, wine and then gifts. The gifts are special, and not the good kind of special. Last year I got an IPad charger. I do not own an IPad. If I got this gift at the other house, I would believe that clearly an IPad would be the next gift. Not so much in this house. Having heard that my brother had gotten Spanx for Men, I was eagerly awaiting the spoils from this Christmas. Here is what I got this Christmas:An assortment of Olive Oils: Not sure about why I got this. Allyson was pretty happy about it. I can barely make cereal, so these clearly won't be used by me. Clinique Eye Care For Men: I got some sort of anti-wrinkle cream. Not sure again what the message was there. A gift certificate for a local restaurant: I was pretty stoked about this actually. Looking forward to using it. A charger for multiple devices: So this is pretty cool. I can charge two cell phones and a Kindle. However, it does say Ameriprise Financial on the front of it. So I'm guessing this was free. I didn't get any Spanx though, so I've got that going for me. Christmas #3: Allyson's ParentsWas airborne super early in the morning on Christmas Morning to the Sunshine State on a direct dawn flight from JFK to FLL. It was 80 degrees in Florida which was quite a shock, but I somehow managed to deal with it. :) We ate well, at our favorite restaurants, Publix, LaSpada's, Larry's Ice Cream. And they were kind enough to get me presents also. I got:A Belt: I insist my belt is fine, but Allyson says it's looking a little shabby. A Dunkin Donuts gift card: God bless these people who understand my need for coffeeA T-shirt: Its long-sleeved and I think makes me look a little hip. I read the first Game of Thrones book on my Kindle Fire. Don't do it. You won't be able to stop. It's a problem. I also got to play bingo and eat a lot of amazing food. All in all, it was a great Christmas. I am happy for the gifts I got, though I really don't need anything else. I've got health, love, friends and family. And apparently some anti-wrinkle cream. So that's pretty nice.
My Christmas Miracle
25 December 2011 13:20:41
Well, miracle might be a strong term. But as a born and raised New Yorker, I often have conflicted feelings when I go home. Both missing the city I knew and being bewildered and feeling distant from the city I encounter now. But over the past few days I've had some great reminders of why I love the city. However, my experience on Xmas morning really sealed the deal and made my year.Due to cost concerns, my girlfriend Allyson and I had elected to take an 8:30 flight from JFK to Fort Lauderdale to hang out with her folks for a few days. Those in New York, understand that flying out of JFK is only second to Newark when it comes to convenience. Van Wyck, is Dutch, for traffic. Little known fact. So, we had to get a cab at 6:30 on Christmas Morning. Not as easy as it sounds.We finally get a cab and immediately the driver asked where we were going and whether we had coffee yet and bagels to take to Florida. We sadly said we didn't have time. Then he replied "I got a place, it won't take any more time. Best bagels in the city." What a NY response. So we go to H&H Midtown and he waits in the taxi. Lest you think we're being gouged, it's a flat $45 to JFK from anywhere in Manhattan. I loved when he said, sometimes they fill the coffee up all the way, so take a few sips to make sure you don't spill. And then he asked if we needed more napkins. The grin on my butter covered chin was monstrous. So he explains he's been driving a cab for 42 years and just retired down to Puerto Rico, but he had "anxiety" and couldn't take it so he came back 3 weeks ago. We were his first fare of the day. I mentioned I used to be a cop, and he said his brother was on the job in the 34 and got 3/4 disability. We talked about the crooks at Port Authority and we talked about how he bought a taxi medallion at 22 for $9,000 that is now worth over $700,000.It was the best cab ride I've ever had. We just talked and he knew everything. When the cab ride ended, I gave him a 30% tip, because it was Christmas and he deserved it. Wally gave me a hug and cried as he wished me a Merry Christmas. I really hope I can get into his cab again.Wally, don't retire again. Or retire here. New York needs you so that it can stay the New York that I know and love.Merry Christmas Everybody.
Final Day in Budapest
20 November 2011 02:12:49
Readers,I'd apologize for not blogging more. But I'm not really sorry. Very rarely while walking around, or being out at dinner, or cuddling in bed, did the words "I really should blog now" come out of my mouth. Alas, I thought I would write on our final day in the Pest. Technically I can say this, as we are on the Pest side. Tomorrow morning, Lufthansa takes us back to the Motherland at 6AM, before we get on a flight operated by Continited for the final leg home. The last few days have seen bathing in the public baths, which really are quite awesome. Then we saw where they put all the communist statues after the communists were kicked out and then we saw the HQ of the Secret Police (both Nazi and Communist) Chuck, I did buy you something and it's on the way shortly. Today we're going to check out Parliament and the Great Synagogue, second only in size to my personal favorite and site of many barmitzvahs, Temple Emanu-el in NYC. First though, to get some breakfast and a cappucino.Coolest thing: A good friend of Ross's has a vineyard here and he had two bottles of wine dropped off at the hotel. So that's awesome. Sauska Vineyards. Funniest part was the guy called from downstairs and Allyson picked up the phone after 11 (We were watching Sons of Anarchy) and he kept saying in a whisper voice "I have your package." She thought it was a pervert. Thanks Christian!
Day 1...or is it Day 2?
15 November 2011 00:14:39
So currently sitting in the Munich Airport at the Lufthansa Senator Lounge, which is their lounge. Allow me to geek out here for a second and say that international lounges are far superior to those in the United States. Most everything is self-service, which means you get treated like an adult. And they have real food. The snacks at US Air's Clubs make me feel like lining up for feed time to get some Sun Chips. Star Alliance Gold status is awesome when traveling internationally. Allyson and I are on the way to Budapest. Lots of people ask why Budapest. And quite simply, the dates worked and the airfare worked. I used Starwood points for the hotel, which is supposed to be pretty swanky. We're waiting for our connection to Budapest which isn't for about 2 hours. And we already took showers. Because we're ballers. Nothing makes you feel more refreshed than a shower when you land. God bless excess. More from Hungary soon.
Saturday Thoughts
05 November 2011 17:09:14
As I sit in the US Air Club in the Philadelphia Airport, waiting for my tin can to leave for DCA, I had some thoughts. Not that anyone hopefully is home and reading this at 8PM. When on a plane, don't mention things you learn from airport firefighters. The guy in the seat behind me asked why they had to close their shades for takeoff and landing. The FA said it was airline policy. I turned around and said it was so that firefighters could see where the fire and injuries were, so they could use the piercing nozzle correctly and put out the fire. Never get into the game with your partner of "who cares less," which sounds a lot like this song by Ben Folds Five. Eventually you both play bad cop enough to make the other person really think you don't care, when in fact all you're trying to do is make the other person care. The result is two people disconnected, which is a little awkward. Bailey's and coffee is genius. Even though I drink decaf now because Allyson says I have the "jimmy leg" which I think is a made up term, it still tastes like warm heaven. Thank you, booze gods, for making my body more flexible before I get onto the worst plane in the history of the world. And one, mind you, that doesn't even stop at a gate at DCA. I have to take a bus. The most inhuman of all transportation.
The same and yet not
30 October 2011 08:51:18
I returned to my alma mater, Vassar College, this past Friday to see my freshman year roommate speak on a career panel. It also provided an opportunity to show Allyson where I went to college. I went to my 5-year reunion and then skipped the 10 year. So this was my first time back in a while. There are a few things that had changed at my fair school. The Dutch Cabin, which was the nearest bar to campus and had terrific mexican food, has closed, and has been replaced by Billy Bob's Barbeque. The Dutch was never a Vassar bar, in fact there were probably more kids from Marist or the CIA there. But I had some great times there. And to have it replaced by some schlock barbeque place is a crying shame. I'm betting it won't last. The Mug no longer serves alcohol. The Mug was an on-campus bar that was in the basement of the college center. A dark, dank place that saw many hook-ups begin with Shaggy singing while people grinded. However, this hot passion was fueled by alcohol. Ironically, the bar used to be managed by students also, but soon the college required that they were hemorrhaging money. So Aramark took over the management and got rid of pitchers and made other changes. So the college apparently realized that there was a liability to having a college-owned and operated bar, so they stopped serving alcohol. And now it's just a dance club. But one with far less love. Campus Patrol no longer patrols. Vassar had a student job that allowed students to basically be extra security on paths and around the campus. The group was a special lot that gave each other nicknames and prized jackets. Apparently, Res Life found out that the students didn't have any oversight and were signing their own checks, and took them over. They are now inside the dorm sitting as desks. No more running with maglites....But the thing that struck me most about being back was how connected I felt to the campus and how disconnected I felt from the students. They looked and seemed so young. It really was like entering a bubble. A beautiful and expensive bubble, but a bubble nonetheless. Go Brewers....
Biggie didn't really wish he was poor.
25 October 2011 20:53:24
In 1997, Notorious BIG released a rap song called "Mo Money, Mo Problems." That fine work can be viewed here. (And I don't know if you get the Pooh ad in the beginning, but I think it's awesome)So I'm not sure what Biggie really knows what he's talking about. It's like when parents tell the kids that they'd love to go to school if the kids would go to work. School is much harder than work. No one pushes you into a locker at work, and no one assigns me homework that has no point. I thought of this as my debit card was declined tonight. Note: If my parents are reading this blog, please do not call me or send me a check. I make good money. $85,000 a year. And what I do isn't really work, like roofing in the summer or being a septic tank cleaner. So where the crap does it all go. Let's see....Rent: $750, now that I'm living with AllysonStudent Loans: $362Car loan: $307Insurance (Renters and Car): $87.25Gym: $69Cable: $100Phone: $80 Shrink: $280And that's basically all my big bills, which total up to.......$2035 a month. This essentially leaves me with a whole paycheck to spend on food, alcohol, anything really. Yet the only way I save money is through payroll deduction to my 401K or by direct deposit to my ING Direct account. Are there things in the above list that could be knocked off the list. I could get a worse cable package, and I could cancel my gym membership and I could get a cheaper phone plan. But most of it is stuff that's mandatory or is stuff that keeps me sane. And while I could get paid more to alleviate some of this, I have no doubt that I would simply adjust my standard of living to meet my new income level. It happens insidiously. I was talking with a good friend about how she lived in Boston for $30,000 when she first moved. She did admit she ate only oatmeal for the whole summer. But the idea of eating ramen noodles seems kind of nuts when my salary puts me in the 74th percent of wealth in this country.I think about how lucky I am to have what I do, from my family and friends, to my girlfriend, to my worldly possessions. And I think if I''m bouncing checks at a bar, how hard up must people be who are really hurting. It puts it all in perspective. But it still doesn't change the fact that I've got 9 days until payday. Good thing I can eat fluffernutters all the time. Anybody else amazed at how little you save or is it just me?
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