More Pics From Xplor

A Great Place To Be

As the days wind down and the vacation comes to a close, I am neither saddened nor anxious to get home as I always am... realizing that I have everything I need in my heart right now.  And while I didn't depart from a heavy work schedule to get here, to treat yourself with such paradise should be a requirement as a human being.  I'd recommend selling your youngest child or a lung to get here, since it's that vital to your state of mind and well-being.  We have today and tomorrow and leave Saturday.

Yesterday's trip tired the hell out of me, and despite being exhausted, we pushed and went to the gym today.  I'm not sure where I am weight wise since I haven't gone buck-wild eating here, but I have had to make some not so healthy choices out of necessity.  I'm glad that we worked out every day except yesterday.  I feel so much better about myself, I can't even put it into words.  It's like I have shed the old me that's a stranger now, erased from my body and my mind.  What a healthy state to be in.  I'm not quite there and I'll be glad to be back home where I can control my workout and food intake more closely, but I'm proud of where I am in my progress.  Thanks for all the support and comments... it helps, but I'm just trying to expose myself... not in a open trenchcoat kind of way, but more in a qualifying way to myself.

I'm off to the pool.  I have no patience for laying out in the sun, but with the pool only a matter of a few feet away and the ocean a little beyond that, It's tough to not take it in.

Fear of Heights: Check

I was up late last night and got up at 6 to get ready to head out to the zip line excursion by 7.  After picking some people up at different hotels and a 45 minute drive on a chartered bus, we finally got to Xplor.  It's a new complex built around some natural caves with stalagmites, etc. that you float underground on a raft through the caves, paddling yourself.  You also drive a 'Gator' amphibious vehicle through the woods on these rough terrain paths that go underground through the caves and through water.  And of course, the zip lines that I mentioned before.  We were fortunate to meet these two twenty year old guys on our bus and hung around with them the whole day, which made it fun... and they turned out to be really great guys.

My fear of heights is a little different than most in that it's not so much looking down that scares me... it's looking out and seeing height in perspective to something else... and moreso, when I look up and can't see what I am standing on any more.  Don't get me wrong, looking down isn't a picnic for me either, so you can imagine my trepidation in agreeing to do the zip lines to begin with.  I try to push through my fears, and this goes down in history as the most progress I've ever made on any one fear.

We decided to do the zip lines first.  There were two sets of seven... and some of them landed you right in pools of lagoon water.  After getting your harness strapped on you and climbing the first platform, probably 100 feet in the air at least, you have to walk out to a slanted edge where they hook you on to the cable.... then they have you sit down and put your feet up and then they let you go.  Let me tell you that this is a biblical experience, and not because I suddenly found Jesus and began praying for my life.  As you glide hundreds of feet over trees and roads and buildings, it's a huge mind-fuck for you not to have a heart attack thinking about falling the whole time.  On the other side is another tower with someone waiting to 'catch' you, unhook you, and send you up a few more flights to the next pod.  You literally went gliding from pod to pod, sometimes overtop a pit with jaguars or aligators in it.  Anyway, we did both sets of seven and went back to do the first set again.  I was so scared at first that the attendants all remembered me hours later from my screams and shrieks and tantrums.  But, by the middle of the second set, I was going first... and by the third, it was second nature.  I craved it and laughed in the face of fear.  Speaking of faces, I'll never forget the look on the face of a cat that was on a roof that I was gliding over... the look of terror was priceless.

27 lines later, an amphibious vehicle ride, a cave rafting trip, a very nice buffet and two new friends (that we are hanging out with for dinner tomorrow night to get all Mike's pictures that he purchased (they randomly take your picture throughout))... we had an awesome day.  Truly a once in a lifetime experience.  I'll be posting more of Mike's pics of him tomorrow from the zip lines... I didn't buy mine because my face was blocked by my white knuckles holding on for dear life or I was in mid-shriek with a stupid expression on my face.  This is an experience that I am not only proud of my accomplishment, but that I will remember for the rest of my life.  I'm thankful that this was on Mike's bucket list and that I went and did it.

We're exhausted and I'm heading up to pass out.  Another great day to be alive.

Josh Groban - Hidden Away

Tanned Hide

After a short pool day (any more tan and I'll have to change my name to Juan),  we went to the trendy shop area and ate at Planet Hollywood.  I had a great spinach salad with grilled chicken, strawberries, peaches, walnuts and gorgonzola cheese... yummy!  I can honestly say that my sytems are really out of whack and I've spent the last couple of days being exhausted, but pushing through it.  After dinner, we walked around the shops, but didn't buy anything.  I've gotten better over time with not buying bric-a-brac and souvenirs that I'll never use.  (Double click for larger picture)

Zip-itty-Do-Da

Last night, Mike and I had a healthy dinner and walked up to the area where all the spring-breakers hang out.  It's where most of the night clubs are, so it's crazy busy with people milling about.  We saw some guy holding a large python, another with a monkey and two guys holding baby lions... it's like a circus.  We didn't drink or go into the clubs, but it was nice to be around all that energy.  Between the heat, the sun, walking a lot, working out every morning and trying not to eat everything in sight, my energy is low... I'm exhausted.  Today, we did our workout at 7 a.m., then hit the breakfast buffet.  They had every kind of frest fruit, plantains, mexican cuisine, an omelet and waffle station, a spread of meats and cheeses, another of baked goods, another of.... let's just say that it was very extensive.  We ate kind of healthy, but I treated myself with my favorite pastry, which has chocolate fudgy goodness in the center.  I will say that although I didn't stuff myself, I felt so guilty for eating a bigger meal and wanted to purge.  Oh well, I'm on vacation.  I'm heading to the pool again in a bit.  My greatest talent in life is tanning, sadly... and with being out there only a few hours so far, I am so dark.  I'll be posting a pic later today.

Tomorrow, we signed up for an excursion 45 minutes south of here almost to Tulum, called Xplor.  I've been here three other times and have done a number of the excursions already.... Tulum, Chitzen Itza, Xel-Ha, Isal Mujares, Cozumel... but Mike hasn't done any of it.  On his bucket list is to do a zip-line, so we picked Xplor because I've never been there, but there's also some caves that you swim through and 8 zip-lines, high above the jungle.  I have a fear of heights and I'm claustrophobic, so I will be pushing my limits tomorrow.  It should be fun... and you only live once.  We'll be gone 12 hours, and for $114.00, that's nothing in comparison.  They also provide you with a locker, a huge buffet on the beach and drinks.  I'm looking forward to it.  They take youre picture while you're zip-lining.... mine will probably be of me screaming though.

It's Nano Your Business What I'm Listening To

It's been a great day today... nothing and everything happened today...  I think that's why it's been so good.  Mike and I ate breakfast and had a good workout, then headed to the pool and beach for another beautiful day in paradise.  To just lie there with the warmth of the breeze and the sun eveloping your body, listening to music... taking in the smell of the ocean...  It's a great day to be alive.

The Journey

It runs so deep, the uncharted waters we are embarking... mysterious and intriguing... who knows what's out there, already in the hands of fate, or so it seems?  Aren't we already with a foot in the water?

Never will we know until we board the frigate's deck, having faith that it's strength and construction will get us to where we need to be safely, withstanding rough seas and storm... trusting our navigation... accepting the risks and having the belief in our ability to overcome .

Standing on the shore, gazing out, is not my place in life... it's not where I want to be.  I want to sail with the wind behind me, supporting my quest... fueling my desire to seek my bounty, for that's the only way it can be reached. 

Hola, Amigos!

I wanted to first thank everyone for their overwhelming support on the last posting.  If there's one thing that is universal, it's love.  And while I'm not quite to the point of 'being in', I have shut myself off so much over the last couple of years that allowing myself to feel anything for anyone is amazing enough, albeit such a special guy, with or without it's hardships, current or future.  We have decided to give it a week while I'm away to really think about it.  It never fails that I always meet someone right before I leave for a trip and I'm heart-sick the whole time.  A 7 hour time difference doesn't help.

I must say that this was the easiest trip I've every taken, as far as logisitics goes.  I was from my front door, picked up, parked, shuttled, checked in, through security and at the gate in an hour... and a half hour of that was transportation time.  We breezed through security (sadly, no free groping from security) and had two hours before our flight.  It was a little more crazier when we landed, but we got all settled in quickly and what can I say... it's absolutely gorgeous here. 

The ocean water is so turquoise and clear... the grounds are immaculate... our room is modern, clean and nice... it truly is paradise.  I thought I'd have more problems with the internet, since it was explained to me that it's $20.00 for a 24 hour connection, but it turned out that it's a 24 hour bank of time, so I have 4 hours per day of access... not that I want to be inside using the computer when it's so beautiful outside.  Eating has proven to be a little difficult as well... even at McDonalds across the street, it's hard to just get a chicken sandwich... between communication, money conversion and trying to get salsa and jalepeno's off what seems to be everything that they cook here, it's been a little challenging.  We have a convenience store across the street as well, so we've been able to get things cheaper than in the hotel.

Last night, we ate lightly and hung out in the lounge/lobby area and met 9 women from Ohio, and quickly became the token gays, since this is obviously straight-boy heaven.  The lobby has a 7-story atrium with vines growing down from the top floor and a restaurant at the bottom... it's gorgeous.  We opted not to get the all-inclusive package so that we wouldn't feel like we had to eat and drink so much to get our money's worth.  Everything is so cheap here, and there are plenty of americanized restaurants (TGI Fridays, Bubba Gump) that it doesn't make sense.  Mike and I are both watching what we eat, and so far, we've been doing well.  We went to the fitness gym in the hotel this morning and had a great workout... later, we're going to take a walk.  After that, we hung out at the pool to get a decent base tan and was in the ocean, where the water wasn't as warm as bath water, but was pretty close.

Tonight, we're going to hit their buffet here, which had a great selection of healthy foods and head more into the commercial area to shop around a bit.  Since neither of us are of the spring break mentality, hitting the clubs isn't high on our priority list.

I'm sitting in the lobby, overlooking the pool and the ocean.... it's sunny... and the warm breeze is blowing the palm trees and the air is coming through an open window... I am in paradise.  I'm very thankful for life right now.

(Click on any picture for the big version, click again for magnified)

Love Overflowing

I don't normally talk about my love interests on here out of respect for the other person, mainly... but also because it seems like the minute I do, it all falls apart.  Rarely does someone come a long that is that special, as well. 

I've been overflowing with emotion and feeling in the last couple of weeks (as evidenced by some of my posts)because I have met such a person... someone that has had much life experience... who I have a lot in common with... who is caring and sweet and sensual and compassionate... who is accomplished and smart and well-versed... not to mention sexy and beautiful.  Sadly, he lives 6000 miles away.

A few year back, he met someone online, fell in love and moved for that person, which made me hopeful.  Love knows no boundaries or limits or distance, but when you have those factor into the equation, it makes the possible seem anything but.  A 6 hour time difference and continents away across oceans makes it very difficult to communicate, and yet... the whole connection, without being present, is completely through a long-distance connection.  The question is, can you fall in love with someone you've never met if communication and things in common are present?  For me, that's always been my connection with people... through the heart and mind before the eye or skin. 

I am deeply saddened that we had to take a step back, feeling like we were setting ourselves up for heart break.  Heart break or heart ache... what's the difference except the time of it's possibility of happening?

Ich werde immer warten hier sein, du bist etwas Besonderes für mich, dass.

Disconnection

I've always been a last minute packer since I hate to need something that's already in the suitcase.  I have a tendency to pack much more than I need by doing this though, throwing a bunch of things in that I'll probably never wear.  I've gotten better.

It's a good thing that I didn't have much left to do today, because other than going to the gym... I spent the rest of the day on family 'emergencies'...

- At 8 a.m, my Aunt called me frantically because she couldn't get channel 2, 4 or 53 on the TV.  Since it was me that convinced her to get cable rather than fishing through the airwaves with a freebie box, capturing 3 or 4 channels, she now has 49 channels... which is about 45 more than she can handle.  After calming her down, I had to explain that with her TV, she had to enter '02' for channel 2, instead of just '2'.. and that local channel 53 was actually channel 9, if she bothered to consult the channel listing I left with her.  Crisis averted... problem solved.

- My brother started with his shit again trying to get money off my Dad so, having had enough, I changed his cell phone number and the home number, so no more calls from my brother until my Dad stupidly gives my brother the number like he did last time.  Crisis averted.  Problem solved.

- My Dad is going to the casino in the morning with my Uncle and needed money... so since I control his ATM account and only leave him $20 at a time so he won't give it to my brother, I had to add more money.  At dinner, he calls me frantically at the ATM machine saying that it wasn't working.  After about 4 seconds, I realized that he was trying to take $50 out of a machine that dispenses $20 bills, and I was obviously speaking Greek when I tried to explain to him that he needed to take out $40 or $60 and why.  Crisis averted.  Problem solved.

Tonight, I had an awesome dinner at the restaurant that I love, Pure and Simple.  I wrote a review on a Urban Spoon and I sent one directly to the owner, saying how much I loved the place and the food.  When I walked in tonight, the adorable waiter that I am in lust with blurted out my name and it took me off guard.  Apparently they all read my reviews and put two and two together and figured it was me.  What embarrassed me was that I said in my review that the "handsome, attentive and polite waiter".... so he obviously knows I am a 'mo.  This could be good or bad... he was awfully friendly to me and gave me a free dessert.  I have Robin working on him... so hopefully by the time I get back, we'll move in together and share a toothbrush.  Go, Robin, Go!!

Because of the phone and text rates while out of the country, I am shutting my phone off entirely once I leave the ground en route to Mexico.  And while that's a scary prospect, I'm looking forward to little communication, especially from my family.  I'm only accessible through comments on my blog, Facebook and email while I'm down there, and none of them have access to any of that.  I'm exhausted already... I have to be up at 5 a.m. to catch a 9 a.m. flight.  I hope I at least get violated in the security line.  Can a sister get a break?

Summer Wind

Mid-eighties, sunny... not a cloud in the sky.  Trees blowing from a slight, warm breeze.  Laughter from children in the distance... and birds singing... I miss summer.  I used to take my sleeping bag and lay it out on the grass in the park and sprawl out, reading a book or doing my puzzles... taking in some of the sun's rays and maybe a quick nap with my headphones on or walking through the grass barefoot.  I miss summer and it's warm embrace.  It's been a cold, wet winter... it's time.

I leave for Cancun tomorrow morning.  It will be good to clear my head and smell the ocean... I'm looking forward to going back.  I always related to the hard-working Mexican people and their way of life, not easy, and their heritage, rich in history.  I've been there three other times in the past and it always is a phenomenal time.  White, sandy beaches, water as clear and warm as bath, the smell of tropical flowers and the sounds of steel drum bands... there's nothing like it. 

Cyber Stalking

What a different world we live in when:
waiting for the phone to ring
...staring out the window
......standing by the mailbox
.........peering over your garden wall
............passing by your favorite hangout

is replaced with:
listening for a text
...staring at the screen
......checking my inbox
.........perusing your FB wall
............stopping by your blog

looking for signs of life or chance to chat.

The silence is maddening

Day 45

I’ve hit a plateau in my fitness program, not by some physical limitation or loss stop, but just mostly because of my travels last week. I’m still at the same weight loss, holding at 180lbs, but considering that my fat percentage went down to 18.1% (down from the last 18.6%), I’m obviously replacing it with muscle. I worked out last Wednesday, and again on Friday when I was out in Philly, and finally again yesterday and today.  I was able to walk around the lake twice while out there, at 3.5 miles, and various other walking in NYC. And other than the two pieces of pizza and way more alcoholic drinks than I care to (or do) remember, my eating hasn’t been that out of whack. Fortunately, with leaving for my week-long trip to Cancun on Saturday, my friend Mike that’s going with me is doing the same thing, so we’ll support each other. Vacations can be brutal to your routine, and it’s funny that it only took 5 days being away for me to almost be derailed. The results aren’t as dramatic as I’d hoped, but you can definitely see a difference in my stomach and sides. I should have taken side profile pics, because that’s where you can really see a difference… no more baby bear belly.  What you also can't see is the re-emergence of back muscles and obliques where there once was anything but.  I'm not done... just getting started.

Time, willpower and support seemed to be the keys to my success. If I didn’t have the time to devote to working out and eating, along with the gumption to get off my fat ass and do it, I wouldn’t have had any success. Support seems to be a big factor, but since I don’t hang around with anyone who eats horrendously… and I don’t have a partner that I live with, that wasn’t really my problem. I can remember my ex, Greg, when he was dieting and I would bring him ice cream and sweets to show my affection… if I were him, now on the other side of the equation, I would have slugged me for stepping through the doorway with that crap.

I appreciate everyone’s comments and support throughout, and many of you said that you were inspired to start a program of your own… please let me know how that’s going for you.

Discombobulated

For some reason, my computer decided to shut down, something I've been on the verge of for a few days now.  I tried rebooting it three times and it just sat there all afternoon doing nothing... again, pretty much what I did.  And after being away for 5 days and feeling disconnected, that's pretty much what my phone and computer was like while I was away.  How has my life become a mirror of my computer's?  Why am I talking like my computer has a life and is real... and is it possible that I'm jealous that my computer has a bigger hard drive?

After the weather took a turn for the worse and our 1-3 inches turned into over 7, I got up this morning and had to quickly shovel myself out for a dentist appointment to get my bridge rebuilt.  After 7 shots of Novocain, a lot of drilling and pounding and two hours of my life that I'll never get back, I was reduced to tears in the parking lot for probably the worst pain I have ever endured in my life.  I was sweating, exhausted from squeezing my thumb to divert the pain and had a massive headache, not to mention numbness on my right side of my head and blurred vision.  It took every ounce of strength to get myself home, take a shower and go to bed.  And that's where I stayed all day long, sleeping most the day away.

Tomorrow, I have to go sit with my Aunt until the cable guy comes to install her cable, followed by trying to teach her how to use the remote.  My windshield in the truck cracked, so I have to have that looked at... get a haircut and drop off my Dad's taxes because the old guy that he went to didn't do them right.  I just can't get back into the swing of things, but I'm hoping that tomorrow is better.  It doesn't feel like anything is clicking, although I was able to churn out a recap of the trip and get a poem posted and out of my head.  I leave again on Saturday.  The world is spinning and I want to get off. 

An Original Poem, For He Who Knows

Home, Sweet Demented, Home

I've felt displaced over the last 5 days.  I haven't had consistent phone or internet service or an hour to myself, so I'm way out of touch with the world and the people and blogs in my life.  As much as I don't think I'm necessarily a creature of habit, I do have my life set up where it works, somehow tragically, and I don't like it when I'm out of my comfort zone for accomplishing things and having things at arm's reach when I need it.  There's something about things working and being easy that I tend to like, considering through my own efforts, I tend to make things harder for myself.

I sometimes feel like I should have moved to New York City when I was younger... it seems to be a recurring regret for me... until I go to NYC.  I don't think it's for me... the people are extremely rude... it's very dirty (I constantly feel like I have to wash my hands, especially after being in the subway)... it always seems like you're moving and never stop... and it's just difficult to get around.  I like to hop into my truck and just get there in the straightest path possible.  Everything there is overpriced (the same burger at TGIF at home ($8.99) was $18.99), but I will say, I absolutely love how NYC is required to put calorie counts on all it's menus.  That really helped me figure out what was best to eat.  Sadly, I still ate two pieces of pizza while there out of necessity (cost and ease), and felt so guilty about it... that and the 20 drinks (Vodka and Diet Coke) that I had over the last 5 days at various bars.  So much for my skinny and sweet figure.  And while I only made it to the gym once the whole time I was gone, I did do about 12 miles of walking, at least.

With half of the city under a bedbug advisory, we were fortunate to have picked a brand-new hotel called The World Trade Hotel.  It was one of those fancy micro-hotels, where everything is modern, but small (except the price ($139, which isn't really that bad for NYC (Eddie's friend got us a huge discount)).  The hotel overlooks Ground Zero and as you look out, you can see them rebuilding the whole area, which is huge.  After we checked in and dropped our bags off, we went up to Time Square to get ready to see our show.

Avenue Q was absolutely hilarious.  Picture Sesame Street, but politically incorrect.  The show featured large puppets, held by actors who mouthed the words and sang, but the puppet they were carrying said and did the same thing.  The characters talk about how growing up with Sesame Street and PBS, their parents assured them that they were 'special' and could accomplish anything... and when they grow up, they realize that's not how the world works.  Some of the topics satirically touched on are pornography, homosexuality, racism and schaudenfreude (German for getting pleasure off the misfortune of others).  One of the characters is actually a portrayal of Gary Coleman (by an actor) (of Different Strokes fame) who went through his own misfortune with going broke after parents stole all of his money.  Who better to show how being 'special' as a child doesn't equate to that in adulthood.  With songs such as "It sucks to be me", "If you were gay", "The internet is for porn", "Everyone's a little bit racist" and "I'm not wearing underwear today", you can see how it was hilarious.

After a car ride to the station, a long train ride up, about 10 subway rides while there, a long train ride home and a car ride back to Philly, I was done being in any transportation, let alone public.  I did some running around and then had to be back to Eddie's for a formal dinner that he and his roommate, John, put on in my honor, inviting a lot of my old friends and people I haven't seen in 10+ years.  John made homemade pasta with crabs in a red crab gravy that was delicious.  For appetizers, he made a huge cheese and fruit tray and clams royale.  We also had a caesar salad and foccacia bread and sat around the table for hours, sipping wine and talking of the old times.  It was so nice seeing everyone and it was the kind of group that, even after a long time not seeing them, things didn't change (see more pics below).  I really miss these guys... my friendship with them is so much different than my friends in Pittsburgh.

The weather has been so screwy lately.  On friday, it was 70 degrees.  On Saturday, it was 40 degrees with 40 mph winds, which made being in NYC brutal.  Today, I left Philly early to get home before the predicted storm hit.  I made it door-to-door in 5 hours, experiencing a little bit of rain and some dense (20 ft visibility) fog before I made it home, only to pull in the driveway and (I swear) have it start to ice.  Before you knew it, it started snowing and before long, everything was covered 20 minutes after I walked in the door.  I couldn't have timed that any better.  I can't imagine how that ride would have been if I got stuck in that.  It's good to be back home.  I want to think that my Dad missed me, but it's not like he came running to the door like a puppy.  The house was still standing, so I'm happy about that.  It's the little things.

(From Left to Right:  John, Brian, Al (sitting in red), Jack, Scott (sitting in gray), Ken (stooping), his bf Steve (sitting in light gray), Eddie and Me)

Backstory:  John is roommates with Eddie and dated Scott for a bit.  I met Eddie and Scott (my ex) around 1992 while country line dancing and Scott's been with Al forever now.  I know Jack through a former gay employer, who is now friends with these guys.  Ken and I almost dated, and people always got us mixed up on the street... now he's with Steve.  Not pictured but also attended but had to leave were Robert and his bf, Tony... and an old friend of mine, Michael and his bf, Jim.

Like Dog Shit, I'm Everywhere

Over the last couple of days, I've been from Pittsburgh, to Philadelphia, to New York City, to Philadelphia and back to Pittsburgh tomorrow.  I haven't had much internet access or time to blog or read blogs, so I apologize.  I took some pics of where I've been, but haven't been able to download them to my computer yet.  I'm looking forward to getting back to my surroundings.  It's going to be a busy week with a few things and getting ready for the trip on Saturday to Cancun.  I don't know whether I'm coming or going.

Fun in Philly

I made it here in one piece yesterday, but not without narrowly escaping disaster.  Once I drive 4.5 hours and get off the PA turnpike, I have to get onto the Schuylkill (pronounced skew-kill) Expressway, which is nicknamed 'Sure-kill' because of the way it winds dangerously towards Philly along the Schuylkill River.  It's always backed up and there's always accidents.  As I was coming down, a Chevy Suburban (the biggest vehicle you can buy short of a tank) was barrelling down and didn't realize that the traffic stopped and they jerked the wheel to the left (fortunately there wasn't anyone in the two lanes next to them) and spun around twice within 50 feet, on the other side of the median, of me.  I'm sure they shit their pants, I would have.  People are crazy.

Last night, we met up with a bunch of my old friends at a gay social networking event where 100 gays show up at a local restaurant or bar on their off nights and make them a lot of money.  Straight places love the gay dollar, just not so much the gays attached to them.

I found my LA Fitness out here, but the gym was kind of run down and scary.  I did my workout and then Eddie and I walked around the lake outside of his apartment building.  It's 3.5 miles around, so once you get so far, you can't stop.  I thought I'd have a hard time with eating, but I'm doing really well so far.

Tonight, we are going to Woody's, the bar that I came out in.  On Friday's, they have country two-stepping.  That's how I met Eddie and Scott some 20 years ago.  It's very social and it's fun to do the line dances.  Tomorrow, Eddie and I are heading to New York City to see a show (Avenue Q), meet up with some friends and we'll be staying overnight, coming back to his house on Sunday.  Today, it's about 60 now, with the high to be 68 degrees, which is insane for the middle of February.   Tomorrow, back in the 40's.

Philly Bound

It's been kind of a crazy day today.... took my truck to get the front end aligned and an oil change this morning at 7... stopped by the Marriott to check on my 1099 and drop off the contract for this year... stopped at my Aunt's to set up her new TV only to find out that it doesn't work with her freebie digital signal box and I had to convince her to get cable, then order it for her.... did a load or two of laundry... went to the gym for 3 hours (including that frickin' spinning class (my friend's blood pressure monitor indicated he lost 900 calories from the class))... washed my truck and vacuumed it out... changed the windshield wiper blades and filled the fluid... filled up the tank... took my check for the Cancun trip over to my friend... and now finishing up the laundry and quasi-packing for my trip to Philly, leaving around 10 a.m. tomorrow... and will be back on Monday.  We plan to head up to NYC for an show and overnight stay and have a lot packed into the other time.  As long as I get gym time (I never thought I'd be one of those types to worry about hitting the gym) and some blogging/Barnes time, I'm good.  It's supposed to be 60 tomorrow.... and 67 on Friday... but then dipping back into the high 40's the rest of the weekend.  I'm looking forward to getting away, but my mind is on Cancun, leaving next Saturday.  It will be a nice 5 hour drive though tomorrow.