Yesterday me & my daughter we walked over to the Fitness Sports to try the Nike Air Pegasus+ 28. Right now, Nike has the 29 out for $100.00. If you ask me, that's a lot of money especially in today's economy. My timing couldn't have been perfect. I called Fitness Sports to see if they had the Pegasus 28 on sale. And they did.
With tax, my total came to $75.00. Still cheaper than $100.00. And it was an upgrade from my 27. After getting the shoe, as we were walking back this young kid came up behind us on his hybrid bike. We stepped aside to let him go. Few yards ahead, I see him getting off his bike & checking his tires out. As I walked past him, I said something to the effect: "Looks like you've got a flat." He replied, his tire came off.
Minding the hot weather & the sun, I kept walking. After we got home though, I see the guy outside on our lawn. He's sitting down, drinking from his bottle. I go outside and inquire again. He says, his dad is on his way to pick him up. So I leave him alone. The old lady next door comes out to check on him as well. By now, he's on the phone. I chat with her for few minutes and then go back inside to making a "Lock Lace/Runner's Tie" on my newly bough Nike Air Pegasus+ 28. In the other room, my wife is getting ready so we can go out to do some much needed shopping.
The guy rings the bell. I open the door. He ask if I he can borrow my bike patch kit so he can fix the tire to get home or at least try to fix it. I can see the kid is becoming exhausted from the heat and I don't have the kit. I tell him since we are going out, I can give him a ride. He seems relived & happy to get a ride. So, we load his bike up in our trunk and then drive him over to his place.
His place wasn't really that far from ours. But I can understand, relate to his agony. It was hot, muggy. It's hard enough to think straight in this heat, plus if you are running low on your water things can get ugly pretty quick. Had he choose to walk home (about a mile) he would've had to walk uphill for the most part and that would have been more challenging.
So, why am I talking about it here? Well, sometime among all the noises we forget to stop & help others. Let's not be one of those to turn our back.
Review of The Dark Knight Rises
Ah, the much waited, anticipated Dark knight trilogy. But I was utterly disappointed. I had high hopes for this one. We even held out on going to any other movies in anticipation of the Dark Knight. So, Saturday Tina went with couple of her friends while we watched the kids. Well, to be exact it was only three kids including our daughter.
Sunday I woke up first around 7.30 am. Looked outside to see what appeared to be a beautiful morning. I was feeling really sluggish. Made some coffee. As I was drinking the coffee, I decided to go back to bed. So, I woke up again around 9.40ish determined to hit the trail. I rushed out the door by 10am for a 2 mile run since we gonna try to catch the 12pm show. After the run, as much as I wanted there wasn't enough time to take a shower or eat anything. I changed and headed out. As beautiful as it was, being hungry & the heat kicked by butt really well during the run.
On the way to the theater, I stopped at the QuickTrip to buy a Cool Ranch & a Gatorade. Stuffed them both in my cargo pockets, bought the tickets, waited for my friend and then the show begins. Well, not immediately. For the first 20 or 30 minutes, it was all previews. Somewhat hopeful about Total Recall, although I can't remember the plot or anything from the first one except for Jamie Curtis's dance scene from one of the movie with Arnold.
The first half hour of the Dark Knight Rises seemed to be dragging on. The first appearance Batman makes to save the frightened, terrorized Gothamites from the evil Bane is to say the least mediocre. From time to time, it felt like Transformers: Dark of the Moon. A lot of focus was on the relationship between Bruce & Alfred just as Sam & Ron. Also just like Sam, Cat woman can't seemed to decide if she's deep down good or bad. Bruce seemed like an old, worn out character who's trying to make a come back but rather not. Christian Bale didn't seem that much into his character as he was on the first two and on Terminator. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Blake/Robin did a great job. He seemed more serious, into his role.
As a kid, I remember being frightened by Bane and being in love with Uma Thurman. But this time round, what happened to Bane at the end. So Batman just pushes him into a building and that's it? And even after the truck jumps off a freaking highway with a nuclear head inside the trailer Commissioner Gordon is just fine?
And I can just go on and on about the mishaps. At the end, this is a movie not worth going to the theater but waiting for the DVD.
Sunday I woke up first around 7.30 am. Looked outside to see what appeared to be a beautiful morning. I was feeling really sluggish. Made some coffee. As I was drinking the coffee, I decided to go back to bed. So, I woke up again around 9.40ish determined to hit the trail. I rushed out the door by 10am for a 2 mile run since we gonna try to catch the 12pm show. After the run, as much as I wanted there wasn't enough time to take a shower or eat anything. I changed and headed out. As beautiful as it was, being hungry & the heat kicked by butt really well during the run.
On the way to the theater, I stopped at the QuickTrip to buy a Cool Ranch & a Gatorade. Stuffed them both in my cargo pockets, bought the tickets, waited for my friend and then the show begins. Well, not immediately. For the first 20 or 30 minutes, it was all previews. Somewhat hopeful about Total Recall, although I can't remember the plot or anything from the first one except for Jamie Curtis's dance scene from one of the movie with Arnold.
The first half hour of the Dark Knight Rises seemed to be dragging on. The first appearance Batman makes to save the frightened, terrorized Gothamites from the evil Bane is to say the least mediocre. From time to time, it felt like Transformers: Dark of the Moon. A lot of focus was on the relationship between Bruce & Alfred just as Sam & Ron. Also just like Sam, Cat woman can't seemed to decide if she's deep down good or bad. Bruce seemed like an old, worn out character who's trying to make a come back but rather not. Christian Bale didn't seem that much into his character as he was on the first two and on Terminator. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Blake/Robin did a great job. He seemed more serious, into his role.
As a kid, I remember being frightened by Bane and being in love with Uma Thurman. But this time round, what happened to Bane at the end. So Batman just pushes him into a building and that's it? And even after the truck jumps off a freaking highway with a nuclear head inside the trailer Commissioner Gordon is just fine?
And I can just go on and on about the mishaps. At the end, this is a movie not worth going to the theater but waiting for the DVD.
Absurdity
My heart goes out to all the victims of the Colorado shooting. My thoughts are with them and I wish you all well.
It is absolutely absurd how the University of Colorado trying to distance themselves from James Holmes. Saying things like due to police order we can't release information, we was in the process of dropping out, and such. For the victims family, this mouse & cat game gotta suck. Why not just man up and say yes he was a student of this fine university & that where it all ends? Reading the news, I can't help but wonder how hard the university if trying to make sure not to get tangled in this mess.
I also think that James Holmes is not psychotic or have any kind of disorder. Have you seen the court pics. The guys is putting on a show, trying to fake emotions. My guess is, after a year he at the university he realized he's not good at neuroscience. What to do with a bachelor degree in neuroscience? You really can't do a whole lot? And that's when he wanted to do something drastic.
Either way it is sad and this shouldn't have happened.
It is absolutely absurd how the University of Colorado trying to distance themselves from James Holmes. Saying things like due to police order we can't release information, we was in the process of dropping out, and such. For the victims family, this mouse & cat game gotta suck. Why not just man up and say yes he was a student of this fine university & that where it all ends? Reading the news, I can't help but wonder how hard the university if trying to make sure not to get tangled in this mess.
I also think that James Holmes is not psychotic or have any kind of disorder. Have you seen the court pics. The guys is putting on a show, trying to fake emotions. My guess is, after a year he at the university he realized he's not good at neuroscience. What to do with a bachelor degree in neuroscience? You really can't do a whole lot? And that's when he wanted to do something drastic.
Either way it is sad and this shouldn't have happened.
Despise
Never really believed in a soul,
My heart is empty now.
With all the ups & downs, I tried
And wanted to see the beauty in you.
Heard so much of you, I was excited.
To finally come so close,
The feeling was serene.
I had unlaced mine,
Felt some particles of you;
That made the leap seemed possible.
But with all the noises around,
You didn't even get to wet my toes.
Then again I doubt,
If there would have been a splash.
From the 20' you and me were apart,
You looked annihilated, dirty and too calm for my liking.
I don't know which way to turn anymore,
Whether to love you or despise you?
The good 'ol days have passed,
Memories faded;
I can see your deceit and lies,
But then everyone lies, don't they?
The hurts, the pains, scream of helplessness...
Had sailed,
But the ghost is back.
Keep pushing, Keep pushing
Soon it will be all blurred.
Visit to Chicago
Last weekend we visited Chicago on a whim. I had thought of visiting on
Friday. That night I made the hotel reservation, packed all our stuff without
Tina knowing.
Friday night got drunk on Vodka. Next morning we went to the Blank Park Zoo with our friends as
promised. Tina had no idea. After the zoo, get some ice-cream at the DQ. From
there we took off. After driving for an hour, she figured out we are not going
swimming but Chicago. My plan was quite simple for the whole trip. We would be
in Chicago by 9pm the latest on Saturday. So hit up Devon st. first. Get something
to eat, and then shopping. On Sunday, do more shopping during the day. In the afternoon,
hit the beach and try The Weiner Circle
at night.
Needless to say, most of that didn’t happen. We did the shopping and
more shopping, oh and lots of eating & shopping. That’s all. I first fell
in love; learned to eat a hotdog in Chicago. Back in 2003, when I visited
Chicago, I fell in love with their hotdog. And that was the last time, I had a
Chicago dog. Since then I’ve been to the Windy City twice, but never had the
chance to try one out. It’s frustrating to think, I spent a good hour (maybe
two) on Friday searching, reading reviews and then finally deciding on The
Weiner Circle. Just as I had planned on going to the North Avenue beach, which
didn’t happened either. Who the fuck am I kidding?
We went to the Navy Pier, but it’s more commercialized than Coney
Island or Santa Monica. We didn’t even make it to the end of the pier or try the
bike tour. Unlike LA, Minneapolis or even NY, Chicago lacks some kind of vibe.
I never quite felt the urge to live here or move here. The whole city appears
to be much commercialized. For the people in the Midwest, this might do.
I did reminiscence the first time me & Ruma came to Chicago. And by
sheer chance, we were staying at a hotel on the same street as before. As we
were driving around, the roads looked familiar. At one point, I recognized the Mediterranean
restaurant we went to but didn’t really eat much. Instead came back to the
hotel and ordered some Chinese with no MSG.
No worries. Soon, pretty soon sitting on the stairs, I am going to
enjoy a bacon wrapped hotdog with Siana in Hollywood; sit on the sidewalk to
enjoy a taco & tamale in Koreatown; share the Bicycle burger at Grandma’s
Restaurant in Duluth….and more.
No to Cheesecake Factory
Went to the Cheesecake Factory today during lunch...company treat. The whole welcome, intro part was a little over the top for me. How about keeping it simple? I guess not here.
The new girl(she just joined our team) ordered the Thai Lettuce Wraps. Tom ordered something similar. Now they say you can judge a cook/eatery/chef by how they cook a burger. The pride, the patience goes into making one that will have you wanting more. So, I ordered the Old Fashioned Hamburger from their Glamburgers & Sandwiches, even though I should have went for either salad or soup. You see the night before we used one of the Restaurant.com certificate and indulged at the El Aguila Real Mexican, and there was nothing Mexican about it. More on that some other time.
In between conversation, the food arrived. Not too soon, not too late either. The new girl got her lettuce wraps first. Both me & Tom were aghast as to the unimaginative, blend plate. Even the new girl was turned off by it. It wasn't hard to see/figure out how the plate could have been delivered from the truck to the table. How about chopping up the lettuce? Mixing up all the ingredients and present the chicken & the dressings on the side??!! Even the lettuce didn't look appealing. It was dark, not the kind you would want to wrap around a chicken and dip in the sauce. The new girl was not satisfied, she pretty much left her plate untouched.
On my side of the table, both the new girl & Tom were a little jealous of my plate. I mean look at the burger & the fries with mayonnaise. They were both commenting on how good it looked & all. Well, I will gladly share fries but you only get to take a bite out of my burger if you are either my wife or my daughter. Anybody & everybody else, not a chance. Always start with the fries. That's how I like it. Finish the fries first & then work on the burger. After few fries I am having a real hard time going for more, let alone finish it. The fries are warm, cooked just right. It's the salt. I've never had fries with that much salt. My fingers & lips are just covered in salt. I let my colleagues know my disappointment with the fries. Against my will, I start on the burger. After the fries looking at the burger I am suspicious. It seems there's an overflow of salt & pepper on the meat itself. First bite, my jaws are hurting. This is one chewy meat. After few more bites, I am looking for some dressings. I dip the burger in the mayonnaise in vain. This is one dry burger. I can't seem to taste anything except for the meat & some buns. Towards the end, I could taste some mayonnaise which may have been slapped on with a spatula. Was there really lettuce, onion, pickles and tomatoes as the menu said? I didn't taste any of them.
The waitress suggested some desert. I am not big on sweets and after my unforgettable, special encounters with the burger & fries, I am less inclined to order anything else. Tom & the new girl suggested I get some desert to go for the wife. Hmmm...not a bad idea. I got the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake for her to go. She hasn't touched it, she wants to eat it with me tonight...=)
I am sorry honey, but you might be disappointed.
The new girl(she just joined our team) ordered the Thai Lettuce Wraps. Tom ordered something similar. Now they say you can judge a cook/eatery/chef by how they cook a burger. The pride, the patience goes into making one that will have you wanting more. So, I ordered the Old Fashioned Hamburger from their Glamburgers & Sandwiches, even though I should have went for either salad or soup. You see the night before we used one of the Restaurant.com certificate and indulged at the El Aguila Real Mexican, and there was nothing Mexican about it. More on that some other time.
In between conversation, the food arrived. Not too soon, not too late either. The new girl got her lettuce wraps first. Both me & Tom were aghast as to the unimaginative, blend plate. Even the new girl was turned off by it. It wasn't hard to see/figure out how the plate could have been delivered from the truck to the table. How about chopping up the lettuce? Mixing up all the ingredients and present the chicken & the dressings on the side??!! Even the lettuce didn't look appealing. It was dark, not the kind you would want to wrap around a chicken and dip in the sauce. The new girl was not satisfied, she pretty much left her plate untouched.
On my side of the table, both the new girl & Tom were a little jealous of my plate. I mean look at the burger & the fries with mayonnaise. They were both commenting on how good it looked & all. Well, I will gladly share fries but you only get to take a bite out of my burger if you are either my wife or my daughter. Anybody & everybody else, not a chance. Always start with the fries. That's how I like it. Finish the fries first & then work on the burger. After few fries I am having a real hard time going for more, let alone finish it. The fries are warm, cooked just right. It's the salt. I've never had fries with that much salt. My fingers & lips are just covered in salt. I let my colleagues know my disappointment with the fries. Against my will, I start on the burger. After the fries looking at the burger I am suspicious. It seems there's an overflow of salt & pepper on the meat itself. First bite, my jaws are hurting. This is one chewy meat. After few more bites, I am looking for some dressings. I dip the burger in the mayonnaise in vain. This is one dry burger. I can't seem to taste anything except for the meat & some buns. Towards the end, I could taste some mayonnaise which may have been slapped on with a spatula. Was there really lettuce, onion, pickles and tomatoes as the menu said? I didn't taste any of them.
The waitress suggested some desert. I am not big on sweets and after my unforgettable, special encounters with the burger & fries, I am less inclined to order anything else. Tom & the new girl suggested I get some desert to go for the wife. Hmmm...not a bad idea. I got the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake for her to go. She hasn't touched it, she wants to eat it with me tonight...=)
I am sorry honey, but you might be disappointed.
Gay Marriage & Thursday
Today is a good day. Well, for one it is Thursday and another the President Obama voiced his support for Gay Marriage. It is amazing that he was so clear, to the point. No mumbling or playing games. I do wonder, a) if gay/lesbian marriage will be legalized by 2014 (unlikely)? and b) if the presidents statement will have any impact, effect on any third world countries or middle east (again highly unlikely)?
I have always been a proponent of gay marriage. At the end of the day, who the hell am I to tell someone if they can or cannot marry a person they love?!
As we humans are progressing, we are overcoming a lot of our prejudices. First slavery, then racism (which a lot of people are still overcoming), Equal rights, Women's right, Child labor, and now the same-sex marriage. So what's next? After we legalize same-sex marriage what is the next step forward?
I think after the same-sex marriage issue settles down, we should team up like the Avengers to battle, diminish, modernize religion.
I have always been a proponent of gay marriage. At the end of the day, who the hell am I to tell someone if they can or cannot marry a person they love?!
As we humans are progressing, we are overcoming a lot of our prejudices. First slavery, then racism (which a lot of people are still overcoming), Equal rights, Women's right, Child labor, and now the same-sex marriage. So what's next? After we legalize same-sex marriage what is the next step forward?
I think after the same-sex marriage issue settles down, we should team up like the Avengers to battle, diminish, modernize religion.
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