Last weekend we decided to spend a night in New York with the girls. The baby is due in a couple of weeks and we know that after he comes there will be a few things to do to keep us busy, making these kinds of things difficult.
The bus got us into the city about 10:30 and the girls were ready to get to the hotel. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square courtesy of my Marriott points accrued while travelling. First thing into the room brought their usual hotel routine. Head for the drawer, get out the Bible and Book of Mormon and start jumping on the beds. Not quite sure what the fascination is...I truly think it is the feel of the pages or perhaps it is just habit from past visits. This kept them happy until lunch time, always a good thing.
We found a diner not too far away. Mindy and I had steak sandwiches and the girls ate hamburgers. Naomi really has quite the appetite. The burger was huge and she demolished it like that skinny Japanese guy attacks hot dogs! He might have some competiton in a few years. next stop was the highlight of the weekend for the girls...the American Girl Doll Store. They already had an American Girl Doll each courtesy of a friend who grew out of them...but they really wanted to pick their own dolls out. For anyone unaware...the dolls are set in different historical periods and there is a whole story built around each of them. There are books, accessories etc to embelish the story. Naomi wanted to get Felicity, who was set in 1774 while Fiona had her heart set on Julie from the 1970's. After messing with them a little bit, making it seem like we were not going to get them a doll...than making it seem like one would get a big one and the other just a minature doll (we had to get something out of the experience ourselves), we got the dolls. They were over the moon and we knew we were set for the rest of the day.
We caught a cab back to the hotel. Fiona seriously was wondering when the driver would start asking us questions as on "Cash Cab". A little more playing in the room before we hit the M&M store just up the street. 3 floors of M&M merchandise and M&M's of course. We purchased some M&Ms from the "mix and match" area. It was obvious that this was an excellent marketing trick. The bags would fill VERY quickly and you were charged (quite a bit) by weight, so it was not a cheap place to go. Still, it was fun and the girls enjoyed it I think.
We then grabbed coffee and hot chocolate and sat in Times Square, relaxing for a while...but the girls were quite ready to get back to the room and their dolls. I was dispatched to find some Indian food for dinner. Apparently, there are no Indian restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel but I found a food cart that looked quite decent - the "Biriyani Cart". I ordered a few things but the girls (all 3 of them) found it too spicy. I of course, did not...and so demolished both dishes like someone was about to take them away from me. My mouth was on fire...but no subsequent heart burn - normally a sign of decent food actually. I went back down and grabbed some pizza for the girls and then we retired for the night.
After getting almost no sleep (the beds were too small) we wandered around picking up a few things for breakfast...but it became pretty clear that the girls were done so we got the 11:00 bus home. The afternoon was spent chopping up pallets for firewood and getting the girls their 2nd H1N1 Flu vaccine. Now they are both protected (kids need two doses apparently) so hopefully we can avoid getting sick. Seeing the complications some people suffer is enough to make me want to ge thte protection...even more so with Mindy being pregnant and obviously when the baby is around.
Now just counting down the hours to Thanksgiving and a 4 day weekend. Mindy's brother and family is visiting along with a few friends from around here so it should be a fun few days.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Second Part of the Weekend...
Sunday was rugby and Metallica day.
Watching us draw with Ireland was painful. We had chances to put the game away and could not do so. Why did we feel the need to kick the ball to them all, especially with a malfunctioning lineout. Crazy. At least we did not lose but I think we missed a golden chance to crack the Grand Slam...still, not losing is OK considering the rest of the year.
Then, lunch with friends before I headed into New York for Metallica at the Garden. Met Tim before the show at a bar nearby - "Stout" and proceeded to slam beers. Then Tim suggested we try a high alcohol beer - "Delerium", which was a Belgian Ale showing an alcohol content of 8.5%. Now my goal was to get smashed before the show...but I did not want to spend the show running back and forth to relieve myself so this provided the perfect vehicle. The beer was actually pretty good, it reminded me of a wheat beer. Pretty easy to drink. So 6 of these, a couple of Harps, 3 shots of Jager and then another beer at MSG and I was good and ready for the show...
...and WHAT a show it was. Two hours of intensity, great songs and headbanging. I have a large bruise on my left palm...I am assuming it is from punching it during the show. They played a bunch of classics along with their new stuff, no problems at all with the set list, would love to see them again but I think their tour is wrapping up. The stage configuration was interesting as well. Stage was in the middle of the floor with microphones all around so at times you would have them right in fron of you and then they would rotate things around. Had the effect of making you feel more a part of the action as there was always something happening right in front of you. The crowd was awesome and were totally into the whole experience. Show highlights for me were "The Shortest Straw"; "Fade To Black"; "Broken, Beat And Scarred"...but no dead spots at all.
For posterity and for any interested fans out there, their set list was:
That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Creeping Death
The Shortest Straw
Fade To Black
Broken, Beat And Scarred
My Apocalypse
Sad But True
One
The Judas Kiss
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Dyers Eve
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Encore:
Last Caress (Misfits cover)
Trapped Under Ice
Seek & Destroy
Watching us draw with Ireland was painful. We had chances to put the game away and could not do so. Why did we feel the need to kick the ball to them all, especially with a malfunctioning lineout. Crazy. At least we did not lose but I think we missed a golden chance to crack the Grand Slam...still, not losing is OK considering the rest of the year.
Then, lunch with friends before I headed into New York for Metallica at the Garden. Met Tim before the show at a bar nearby - "Stout" and proceeded to slam beers. Then Tim suggested we try a high alcohol beer - "Delerium", which was a Belgian Ale showing an alcohol content of 8.5%. Now my goal was to get smashed before the show...but I did not want to spend the show running back and forth to relieve myself so this provided the perfect vehicle. The beer was actually pretty good, it reminded me of a wheat beer. Pretty easy to drink. So 6 of these, a couple of Harps, 3 shots of Jager and then another beer at MSG and I was good and ready for the show...
...and WHAT a show it was. Two hours of intensity, great songs and headbanging. I have a large bruise on my left palm...I am assuming it is from punching it during the show. They played a bunch of classics along with their new stuff, no problems at all with the set list, would love to see them again but I think their tour is wrapping up. The stage configuration was interesting as well. Stage was in the middle of the floor with microphones all around so at times you would have them right in fron of you and then they would rotate things around. Had the effect of making you feel more a part of the action as there was always something happening right in front of you. The crowd was awesome and were totally into the whole experience. Show highlights for me were "The Shortest Straw"; "Fade To Black"; "Broken, Beat And Scarred"...but no dead spots at all.
For posterity and for any interested fans out there, their set list was:
That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Creeping Death
The Shortest Straw
Fade To Black
Broken, Beat And Scarred
My Apocalypse
Sad But True
One
The Judas Kiss
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Dyers Eve
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Encore:
Last Caress (Misfits cover)
Trapped Under Ice
Seek & Destroy
The First Part of the Weekend...
Saturday morning was supposed to be Fiona's last soccer game. Unfortunately, like a lot of her games this year, it rained and they cancelled it. We met at the park for a team photo and for the coach to present the girls with their trophies. Fiona was REALLY happy to get a trophy, engraved "2009 - Fiona - Rainbow Butterflies". Not a bad trophy, complete with a spinning soccer ball. She insisted that we keep it on the shelf with my cricket trophies but she has asked me to get it down for her a few times to play with the ball.
Then we ducked off to Naomi's yoga class. I had not seen this before and it was pretty cute to see her do the moves. Straight from yoga to our guilty pleasure for lunch - "Five Guys" - for a top class dining experience. For a quality hamburger, it is tough to beat I have to say. The girls love it as well so every now and then it will be a part of our balanced diet.
Saturday night was the Unity Charter School "Family Fun Night", a social fundraising evening at a roller rink. Neither of the girls can skate. I cannot skate. Mindy CAN skate but was not allowed to due to being pregnant...so, we had both planned to simply walk around with the girls helping them. After a few trips around, Mindy was done...something about it being difficult when you are pregnant I guess. Seriously, it was an effort and was uncomfortable for me, let alone leaning over all night with a pregnant belly. After a while, Naomi was beginning to get the hang of it - she was able to drag herself around on the wall which let me help Fiona. They both had a blast and so I would say the night was a huge success.
Then we ducked off to Naomi's yoga class. I had not seen this before and it was pretty cute to see her do the moves. Straight from yoga to our guilty pleasure for lunch - "Five Guys" - for a top class dining experience. For a quality hamburger, it is tough to beat I have to say. The girls love it as well so every now and then it will be a part of our balanced diet.
Saturday night was the Unity Charter School "Family Fun Night", a social fundraising evening at a roller rink. Neither of the girls can skate. I cannot skate. Mindy CAN skate but was not allowed to due to being pregnant...so, we had both planned to simply walk around with the girls helping them. After a few trips around, Mindy was done...something about it being difficult when you are pregnant I guess. Seriously, it was an effort and was uncomfortable for me, let alone leaning over all night with a pregnant belly. After a while, Naomi was beginning to get the hang of it - she was able to drag herself around on the wall which let me help Fiona. They both had a blast and so I would say the night was a huge success.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Halloween Drinking
Busy times last weekend. Friday night I caught up with a couple of work friends from a prior client. Beer and bad (for you) food was consumed, much laughter was had.
Saturday began with Fiona's soccer. She scored a breakaway goal, her 2nd in total but I think the first one simply bounced off her leg the right way! This one was quite satisfying for her and you could tell she was quite excited and proud of herself. She is certainly improving with every game and she really seems to enjoy it so I am glad she is playing. Saturday night was Halloween night. Naomi was a witch, Fiona was Poison Ivy and they both scored huge piles of candy for their efforts. In addition, at the local town parade, both kids received prizes for their costumes (most kids did, but it was still a thrill for them). After they were put to bed, I went out with some friends to watch the World Series baseball game at a local bar. Beer and bad (for you) food was consumed once again. Shame about the result but it was certainly a fun night.
Sunday afternoon brought a drive to Morristown for a birthday party for someone in Fiona's class at school. The girls enjoyed the bowling and pizza...I simply enjoyed the pizza! Sunday night was busy with some work stuff - it was a handy weekend to get back an extra hour from Daylight Saving time ending. However, now it gets really depressing, basically driving home in the dark every night.
Listening to much Metallica in preparation for the upcoming concert. I abslutely love their latest CD, the best thing they have done in 20 years and brings me right back to the reason I got to like them in the first place. Upon reflection, there was about a 5 year period from about 1989 - 1994 where they dominated my listening time. However, now I am happy to report that I am back in the fold once again and loving it...Mindy is perhaps not as pleased.
Saturday began with Fiona's soccer. She scored a breakaway goal, her 2nd in total but I think the first one simply bounced off her leg the right way! This one was quite satisfying for her and you could tell she was quite excited and proud of herself. She is certainly improving with every game and she really seems to enjoy it so I am glad she is playing. Saturday night was Halloween night. Naomi was a witch, Fiona was Poison Ivy and they both scored huge piles of candy for their efforts. In addition, at the local town parade, both kids received prizes for their costumes (most kids did, but it was still a thrill for them). After they were put to bed, I went out with some friends to watch the World Series baseball game at a local bar. Beer and bad (for you) food was consumed once again. Shame about the result but it was certainly a fun night.
Sunday afternoon brought a drive to Morristown for a birthday party for someone in Fiona's class at school. The girls enjoyed the bowling and pizza...I simply enjoyed the pizza! Sunday night was busy with some work stuff - it was a handy weekend to get back an extra hour from Daylight Saving time ending. However, now it gets really depressing, basically driving home in the dark every night.
Listening to much Metallica in preparation for the upcoming concert. I abslutely love their latest CD, the best thing they have done in 20 years and brings me right back to the reason I got to like them in the first place. Upon reflection, there was about a 5 year period from about 1989 - 1994 where they dominated my listening time. However, now I am happy to report that I am back in the fold once again and loving it...Mindy is perhaps not as pleased.
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