It's All Good Y'all...

I was going to blog about Tiger validating human existence yet again, but someone did it better than I would have so read this post instead.

It was 85 degrees and sunny in Chicago yesterday. On April 10th. People were at the beach, grilling and general sharing outdoor merriment. Of course I was at home in Michigan where the weather was still nice, but about 20 degrees cooler. I hope this wasn't the one day of the year I look forward to most. The one early Spring day you wait all Fall and Winter for. The one day that reminds you why you live in the Midwest, the reason you're not one of those people in California who stay inside when it's sunny and 80 degrees out. I hope there is another Summer advance coming soon, because if I missed my window for margaritas and bbq-ing a month or two before I should expect it, I'll be pissed.

Go big.

-M, p, z & shredder

Now What?...

So April is now in full swing, the weather is heating up and the rain is coming down. March Madness ended with a thud for me. It was a great season and a great tournament, but regret comes with the name Raymar Morgan. He's been dogged by just about everyone these last few years, but I always believed (and still do) that he is/was our best player. I was so happy and proud that he was finally having the tournament he deserved and played great until an unsettling 5 foul 4 point end to his career as a Spartan. I'll miss his face in green and white, but I'm pretty sure he'll get drafted and be a nice role player for pretty much any team in the NBA. Next year is looking up with a couple great recruits that include Mr. Michigan and a McDonald's All American, not to mention that I doubt Summers or Lucas will leave for the draft, but sadness lingers and I'm really going to miss Raymar wearing that # 2.

So now what? Generally, for the past decade, March Madness ends in time to get ready for Pistons playoff basketball but this year is a different story. As of today we are tied for the third worst record in the league and worse than that, worse than anything really, is that we don't seem to care. The CV31 experiement didn't work and it looks like Ben Gordon has some sort of Lions Quarterback Curse on him. This is the first time I'm talking at depth about the Pistons this year and it's making me naseaus so I'm going to stop.

Good thing Verlander is off to a 1-0 start and the Tigers are looking like they're about to have a solid season. And of course, as always, we have the Red Wings. I'm glad I've gotten more into hockey over the last couple of years because I'm going to need to Wings without the Pistons to cheer for. So grab an Oberon and grab a friend, because Spring is here, the playoffs are nigh and I'll be damned if that wasn't an incredible fun and rewarding NCAA Tournament.

Go big. Carpe diem.

-M, p, z & shredder

Warmer Weather...

So the Superbowl was pretty awesome. At least the end of the game was. My highlight was the G.I. Joe teaser. I've been waiting for this movie to happen for a long time and I'm glad it's finally almost here. Only 7 more months! Lame. But the preview did make it look like a really awesomely terrible movie, and for me, there's no better kind. Transformers 2 will also be pretty terrible in an awesome way. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Autobots and Decepticons team up to fight The Fallen ( a ginormous evil guy who's bad for both factions.) Also, the new Fast and Furious trailer looks sweet...



So today it was 51 degrees over here. I decided that I'm ready for spring. Don't get me wrong, I still love winter, but being in a place where the snowfall is minimal and turns to gross slush as soon as it hits the ground makes me want to cry. If I can go outside and play in the snow or snowboard or hydroplane in my neighborhood, then what's the point? Forget winter. NYC sucks in the winter. I'm ready for some warmer weather and by the looks of it, so is global warming. We had about 3 weeks of weather that was cold enough to make me put on my winter coat, but it looks like we're gonna be in the upper 30's from here on out.

I have turned into somewhat of a contented hermit these days. I venture out to the library or to the gym or the movies, but I have no motivation to go out. As much as I love going out and getting ridiculous with friends, this city makes it awfully hard to be spontaneous about it. You really need to plan ahead and figure out everyones schedule and a good central meeting place. By the time people are ready to do anything it's 10 or 11 which wouldn't matter in my old locale, but on the weekends it takes me an hour to get from my apartment to any place below midtown, and god forbid I have to take more than one train. This suits me just fine though, because I'm more than happy to stay in and watch a movie, tv or play halo all weekend. It does make me wonder why I'm living in this city that I can't afford to live in and can't muster up the motivation to take in everything it has to offer. Maybe as the weather gets warmer...

I'm out

-M, p, z & shredder

tell 'em what to watch: Chuck (NBC 8pm) I love this show. Please watch it. Tonight might be kind of cheesy because it's in 3-D and I'm not sure how that works without 3D glasses. Anyways, it's a great show and it's on the cusp of getting renewed or cancelled.

Nice Weather...

So this year was supposed to be my year of little drinking. Everything was going fine. I only drank once in january, once in february and twice in march. I said that I was going to not drink at all in april so it would even out to just once a month. But I forgot the power of the sun. This is turning into a month of bingeing instead of not drinking. I've already drank 5 times and it's only the 16th. I also have the weekend booked with drinking events and it's not looking good. I'm much to old to be acting like this, but at the same time, how can you not drink when it's nice out.

There is so much fun to be had outside that just gets better with a Corona or a Bud. Golf, fishing, bbqs, even just sitting outside reading is enhanced so much by a drink. So I think I just need to find a balance and also not drink from like November - March. It's pretty easy for the winter not to drink.

Anyways, I'm getting really bad at blogging consistently because of the weather and apparently the Ibodera team has also had the same problems. But I promise I will get back on track soon. Today is the turning point. Good thing I woke up with a fever today and am unable to do anything but sit here and pray my aches go away soon so I can go play golf. As always, go big or go home. Keep your ear to the grindstone...

-M, p, z & shredder

oh ps - My favorite summer drink is a Corona on the beach. Those commercials don't like. Sitting/lying/swimming or anything you can do on the beach gets so much better when you throw a Corona into the mix.

Waiting for Spring...

So I know it's technically spring but man, I'm done with the middle ground. I'm looking forward to warmer days and greener grass. This time of year is such a drag. No more snowboarding, no more cleaning off the car in the morning (something that I actually love to do) no more winter coat, but it's not warm enough to go to the park (just finished making that mistake) or play golf, or wear a t-shirt without a jacket. I suppose that's why I haven't blogged in a week. I've just been kind of sitting around. Waiting for spring.




















One thing this tedium leads to is retail therapy. I have always had problems with retail therapy. I'm not one to get sad or mope around but if ever I'm bored or feeling in a rut I try a little retail therapy. Nothing makes you feel better like a new pair of shoes (I'm not gay, I promise) or a new shirt. In my case, I got an iPhone.

I know, kind of a huge budget for retail therapy. But I have actually been saving up for like 4 months now and finally had around enough. It's wonderful. It's amazing. It's pretty much everything I thought it would be and more not to mention that it syncs everything with my Macbook. One of the things I didn't realize is that when you own a Mac and an iPhone, life just gets even easier.

Anyways, I'm hoping it gets me through til warmer weather, otherwise I'll end up with something else I don't really need but somehow can't resist. As always, go big.

-M, p, z & shredder

oh ps - Jhumpa Lahiri's new book is great. It just came out today but I recommend that if you liked Interpreter of Maladies, that you buy this. You won't be disappointed.

Winter or Spring. Just Pick One...

I was going to write about Be Kind, Rewind but after 4 straight blogs about movies I think it's time to change the subject.

I love Winter. I also love spring. I love all seasons actually. But I hate the cusp between winter and spring the most. Right now. When it's late February and it's getting a little warmer and the sun is staying up a little later I start to get excited. But it' bittersweet. I love snow and winter and cleaning off my car after a storm. And I also finally started snowboarding and I haven't gotten enough of it yet. But on the other hand, if it was just 20 degrees warmer I could put on a sweater and play golf. I would kill to play golf right now.














It's just the worst in between phase there is. Actually no, the period right before winter also sucks. Essentially for both in between phases there is just a period of time where it's too cold to do fun things outside but not also not snowing so it's nice out. That was one of the only bad things about Michigan. It really does experience every season to the fullest. Every single week is a slow progression into the coming season. New York on the other hand, was 4 distinct seasons including a very short winter. One day it's summer, the next it's fall. No in between days. It's kind of nice.

Of course soon there will be the usual spring preview that Michigan loves so much. One random week in late March or early April where, for no apparent reason, it will be 75 for 2 or 3 days in a row followed by a sudden drop back to the 30s and about 3 more inches of snow. I will never understand that but I love Michigan for that.

Anyways, thats really all I have to say about that. But seriously, Be Kind, Rewind is a must see. Very commercially appealing and much more mainstream than Gondry's earlier films. I personally liked it more than Science of Sleep but not as much as Eternal Sunshine.

Go big...

-M, p, z & shredder

oh ps - Anyone watch the debate last night? Is it just me or does every time Clinton opens her mouth make her less appealing. She has gotten so negative, not just with attacks on Barack but just the whole tone of her campaign, that I can't stand to hear her talk anymore. It's strange that just a few months ago I was on the fence about which one to vote for and now (granted I've put all of my eggs in Obama's basket but still) I almost can't stand Hillary. It's too bad. Not only is she ruining herself in my eyes but she's taking my boy Bill with her. Hopefully she loses on Tuesday and bows out gracefully...