Day 15- Secaucus, Sushi Samba, and Kasha is polish for Catherine

The inner eyelid is your best friend when you are trying to sleep. when you are trying to wake up the ceiling is your worst enemy. The gym beckoned for some cardio as i wanted to bang out 45 minutes of treadmill glory. One of my gym friends this lady with 2 kids came by and we were watching Katie Couric on Today and discussing how much she interrupts every guest. we counted almost 15 per guest on average. When i got back to my apartment i showered and called a car because i had to head to secaucus for a work thing. it seems that people werent throwing out boxes when shipping items to our data center there so the people at AT&T where our backup items are they considered it a "fire hazard". I took some pictures and cleaned these items up and left in under 30 minutes ($50 cost to my company for cab to and fro)


I headed into the office and had a long arduous day. Poor Mikey had to deal with all these issues with new hires and forms and stuff so we were going back and forth on what we can do to remedy. that is the dregs of being a remote satellite office the whispers in the wind only end getting heard later. After work i walked down Park avenue and was thinking what would be a cool place to grab a bite and to the left i noticed Sushi Samba. I had read about sushi samba and couldnt think of a better idea mixing brazilian and japanese ingredients which are two of my favorite food styles. I sat at the sushi bar next to two very attractive latin girls who were in some type of talent business as they discussed "bookings" and "dress rehearsals" etc. i had an amazing tuna, salmon, asparagus roll with a lime cilantro wasabi sauce. it was absolutely wonderful the way the tastes just danced on my taste buds. Next course was a Chicken Terryaki "Samba style" it was a light terryaki (not sticky very soy and rice wined) with roasted summer veggies. I enjoyed how the chicken was seared and the meat was cooked on the bone then hacked for presentation. The service was excellent as well, the waiter was attentive but not annoying
Dangats scale 7 out of 10, expensive but recommended

I walked to the 14th street path and went to the newport mall to get some last minute things for ro's visit. Going back into the train station i noticed a very attractive girl on the platform. She was about 5'8, long dark hair, great body and was looking at me. i adjusted my clothing and dived in to try and make conversation thinking to myself (dont ask desperate, just be friendly) we made small talk about the train and its late arrival and she said its been that way for 2 1/2 years. she told me she had just left work (tutti pasta in Hoboken) i told her that my cousin Bobby worked there once and the owner went to school with my aunt (bobby didnt like it and left after a day... SHHH DONT TELL HER) She told me her name was Kasha which is Catherine in Polish and asked what my name was (interest level going up!!)i told her as the train arrived and we boarded. She lives alone in Journal square and i told her i live alone in the Gotham building. right before grove i was like well i guess we can talk again if i buy some grappa or sambucca (shes a bartender at Tutti Pasta) at TP, she said i'd like to talk to you earlier than that here's my number (AND I DIDNT EVEN ASK!!!!!!!!) off the train i went with number in hand, smile on face, and a new opportunity for a friend.

be great... duplicate
POP

Day 14 - Boyfriends, IBM, Wrestling, and how 20 dollars found is better than $100 earned

RANDOM COUPLE I FOUND ON THE NET

I began this day as any other, I skipped cardio today in order to try and bulk up a bit so i am cutting my cardio to 4-5 days a week 45 minutes a session. I worked out Triceps and saw Harlin. we were chatting as usual, and so i asked what are u up to this week. she said, "we'll my boyfriend and i are hitting dinner and blah blah".. DID I JUST HEAR BOYFRIEND.. im like cool well you enjoy yourself, on one hand i was relieved that i wouldnt have to sit through another false session listening to her extoll on the merits of the GMAT and grad school on the other hand i thought it a bit shady that someone with a man would let a stranger such as myself buy her coffee and not mention that little detail.
CHANGE OF EVEN SPEAKING TO HER AGAIN 0% - the train keeps a rollin.


Big Blue reared its head today as Mikey and i played with our new IBM thinkpads (which i am typing on right now) Mikey found some neat little utilities they include with their laptops that we were kind of impressed with. I really am digging how quick and easy they are.


After work i met Dino, Yoko, and Dino's mom at Grand Central and Dino got me a late bday gift of the xbox version of Legends of Wrestling 3. its amazing all the old wrestlers from growing up and u can play as the ultimate warrior... yeah thats right i like wrestling what about it? We got some drinks downstairs of GC then they had to go catch the train. im hoping we get to practice sunday, i miss jamming.


On my way back home i was walking down my hall and saw $20 bucks laying in the middle of the hallway. I looked around and knocked on each door to the left or right of the 20... no answer. in the pocket it went and i guess tomorrow i will be able to tip someone in Manhattan seeing as everything else in this city is so damned expensive ;)

p.s. this weekend will be the Steuben special edition which will be a long blog on Friday to encompass every Steuben boyz perspective on living together. its the funnest thing i ever gotten to edit and write about so im excited for everyone to read.

be great.. duplicate
POP

Day 13 - Rainy Day Blues

not much to report today folks as it was miserable out due to the rain. hopefully tomorrow will bring sunshine and a better blog.

Day 12 - "Power Eating" and Press kits

Forced Inspiration may lead to a bad blog but damn it i'm gonna pull something good out of today. the extrovert must become introverted..

This morning i awoke at dawn and put my boots on (who likes the doors? i do) seriously i went down to the gym to do 45 minutes of cardio (after yesterdays hooters fiasco of 50 wings) . I was so groggy and tired i got on the treadmill and didnt notice Harlin in the corner doing crunches. as she walked out my peripheral vision caught her and she was looking at me and waiting for a hello. I said good morning and asked how her weekend was, she said busy. i said good to see you and off she went. i may ask her to hang this week to see if there is anything beyond Magna Cum Laude's and Pension plans in her future.


When i got to work Mikey and i grabbed breakfast and were chatting about the new Grand Theft Auto called San Andres' its basically set in a fictious town that is made up of LA, SF, and Las Vegas. im excited for that game to come out as GTA is a fun game. We recieved some new IBM laptops that are nice that i spent the majority of the day setting up so i can blog while laying down and on the road as well as test these bad boys for ADVS.

On the way from work i stopped at Barnes and Noble and bought a book on sports nutrition called "power eating"


I did Biceps tonight. i really worked them hard as the No2 i've been taking helps keep pumps and historically my arms flatten after 2 days of working other body parts. when i was doing alternating dumbell curls this asian fellow on the treadmill farted really loud and almost forced me to drop my dumbbell on my foot because i kid you not it must have lasted 1 minute and a half. one can only marvel at that kind of skill. I could take that kid places with talent like that.


When i got back i was greeted by a call from Dino my best pal and bandmate in Mad Machinery and we had discussed delegating some work around the band to ensure we get things going because he's been working a lot of hours at MTV. I wanted to work on the Press kits so Dino sent me a buncha pics from our shows and our new logo. A press kit is used to send to radio stations and clubs for booking. it contains a bio, cd, band facts etc. typically its thrown out because no one has taste in music anymore and the industry is a fucking farce (jaded Dan took over my keyboard.. BAM! there i just beat him down) I just think we should play more gigs so whatever i need to do to make it happen is cool with me.

p.s. Lemon - you always will be bitter no matter who's tastebuds sink their teeth into your rind. no amount of sugar can make that lemonade taste good. after the juice has been extracted, you were the citrus i threw out.

POP

Day 11 - Mean Joe Black, Nice Jane White, and Teddy

Football is a sunday tradition. Whether it be watching it at home or watching with family is how i want to spend every Sunday.

I headed over to Joe's on the 10:23 train getting off in Valley Stream where we went to Antonette (my sister in law) and Joe to wait for his brother in laws Dave and Albert. Football started at 1Pm so we had some time to chill and hang out so i had some egg whites on an oat bran bagel. I thought it would be funny to get pictures of Joe and Ant in front of their new cars posing like Price is Right models. Joe and Ant photograph really well so the pictures came out good.


Dave met us at Joe and Ant's place so we headed to every hetero member of the populace's "happy place" Hooters. After a very genuine "HEY GUYS, ITS SO COOL U CAME HERE... HERES A BOOTH FOR U" we dived into 50 wings, 2 lbs crab legs and some suds. Albert came in on the hind part of the last 20 wings we ordered we watched T.O and Roy Williams light it up while Joe got pissed because Dennis Northcutt (wide reciever Cleveland Browns) underperformed. 3 huge giant fans were making us laugh with their crazy running around and giving each other cheat slaps.... THATS THE FOOTBALL FRENZY we all know and respect.

After Hooters we headed back to the house where Antonette and her cousin Mary Ann were showing us what they got while the alpha males were watching football. Mary Ann had an assignment from school to photograph letters of the alphabet in nature. we walked around Ant and Joe's block to get photos which was cool.


On the way home after LIRR'ing it to Penn Station and walking down to 9th because lets face it this weather wont last and it will be cold sooner than later, i headed down into the PATH tube and got the Journal Square train via Hoboken. I had my head down and then i heard the magic..... "HELLO EVERYBODY, have you ever been homeless.... THE ELUSIVE TEDDY!! i have been waiting almost 4 years to snap a picture of Teddy so that i can finally put together the voice and speech hes been doing the whole 4 years i've lived in Jersey. my cousin Jenny is now a teddiologist after studying Tidy's migration patterns last winter she is almost as deep in Teddyology than i am and how special this man is to our lives! I gave Teddy a dollar and snapped a shot of him and the above picture is the rarest Teddy specimen known to mankind.

Post Teddy sighting i ended up watching the Raiders/Bucs game at Oddfellows and hung out with Sylvia who works there. I snapped a shot of her because i found it funny that whenever we bullshit im talking to her between a manniquin's legs... its almost Freudian. She's flirtatious and then again so am I so she said to me you know guys who rip the beer labels off their beers are sexually frustrated. I told her Silvia, nothing could be farther from the truth as i ripped my 3rd label from my michelob ultra. she laughed and then we talked bout how i tell every bartender at oddfellows when i eat there (i usually eat at the bar because i hate tables and eating alone... NOT AN ALCOHOLIC UNTIL I ADMIT I AM ONE!!) a different name or history. One thinks my name is John and i am a writer, one thinks my name is Spencer and i run a snorkel shop, Silvia's the only one i told the truth because by sunday i forget the stories i make up and am less amused by them. When i settled the tab Silvia told me she isnt working sundays anymore and that she'll be working Monday nights, i told her i may have to write about snorkling, so im booked solid.

Until tomorrow... be great, DUPLICATE
POP

Day 10 - Corned Beef and Clutch's wedding

The Irish Heritage parade was in Jersey City today so my buddy Brian Flanagan and I met at Exchange place to get some food, beer, and talk about old times. Brian is about as irish as one person can get. wants to be a cop, drinks Harp and Guiness all day and try's to headbutt first and ask questions later. We had corned beef and a couple o waters. The corned beef was sliced thin and had great flavor. The girl working behind the counter was hot and seemed pretty nice so we were chatting with her a bit. I left Brian over at the festival because i had to get ready for the wedding in West Orange


Who is Clutch u ask? Rich "Clutch" Scarpati is someone i used to work with at Advent. he left to run a great gym in Palisades Park NJ called the fitness factory. I wore my grey pinstripe suit and a tie i got from Versace and called Newport Limo and got a car to take me to West Orange. After a jaunt through Newark we finally arrived at the Manor (wedding hall) i was about 10 minutes early so i walked around the waterfalls and grounds and reflected on the days coming and been. I made my way inside and saw Mike Brady and his wife, Mike is someone i also worked with at Advent who left to join a mutual fund. His wife was really cool and they said they have been to 9 weddings this summer. i'm like wow thats a lot! The cocktail hour was good but a bit uninspired (i guess im jaded, my brother's wedding had better food and was more classier, and my cousin Rocky's venetian hour was the most decadent thing i've ever encountered, well ok Rosa and Pat's were sick too... so anyway nothing compares to papandrea weddings!!) i kept on seeing this girl out of the corner of my eye (she was in the wedding party) i awaited my opportunity and went up and say hello. She was Richs new wifes friend and her name was Christina we chatted for a bit then i asked so where do you live, she said Washington DC.... DAMN.... so need i finish?? it wasnt in the cards...

Rich's cousin and his partner at the fitness factory's speech was really funny he was talking bout how Teresa (Clutchs new wife) had changed him for the better and had everyone laughing with Richisms and funny things that we all know about him. Dinner was served and i had a decent honey chicken dish and salad. The venetian hour was great with a ton of italian pastries and cakes. The wedding cake was rather unconventional, usually you get it served at the table (its that way at papandrea weddings) but this time it was actually at a table in the venetian area. We all got our cake and headed back to Table 9 to nosh, everyone took a bite and immediately everyone was like.... this cake kinda tastes like something... hmmm it tastes like we all had that post Devil Dog dry mouth thing happening where nothing but a big old glass of milk will get that cake out of the roof of your mouth. I hitched a ride with a friend who lives in Manhattan and we left as i gave my crappy card i bought downstairs at the convenience store and gift (what do you expect, the extra mile for non-family... FUGGEDABOUTIT!) and took off...

OH BUT WAIT... all that and i didnt take a Boominieri (aka wedding gift) I SUCK!

until tomorrow..
be great.. duplicate
POP

Day 10 - The past meets the present

I recieved a call today from Victor Soto. Vic and I used to work together at Comedy Central and have always kept in touch as he is my mentor and an all around great person. I owe my career to him and i make no qualms saying this. He was going to our "local" when we worked at 1775 Broadway at Comedy, Mcgee's on 55th and Broadway and wanted to see if I wanted to meet up and discuss old times or as we refer to them the "Golden Years". I asked Mikey if he wanted to come with and so we trekked all the way from 42nd and 3rd to Mcgee's.


On the way we were chatting and i have told Mikey about Vic a lot. Vic was my cube mate at Comedy we sat next to each other for a year and were very close. He taught me how to treat people and how to impart knowledge while your doing so. He also has OCD wanting everything perfect and told me "NEVER HALF ASS". It dawned on me that mike was the conduit for all the sum total of knowledge i gleamed from Vic and all the things i put together on my own. I joked "Vic is your grand dad and 3 generations of IT are getting together."


We entered Mcgee's and saw Vic with his favorite Beck's beer in hand. and it was a trip introducing Vic to Mikey. Me, Vic's best student, and Mikey mine. Mikey and Vic have a lot in common as both have Cuban ancestry and were discussing those who flee Fidel and stories of what people endure to get away from his regime. Mikey asked Vic if it was true about me bringing him a croissant and chocolate milk for him once a week, vic told him that it happened "occasionally" (OK SO I EMBELISH history SUE ME) Vic relayed to Mikey a story of my impetuous youth when we were working on an issue in the data room and the whole network was down and some smart guy decides to open the door and say "I CANT PRINT" OF COURSE U CANT... as i slammed the door. Vic said he didnt know whether to yell at me or shake my hand. We ordered a couple of rounds and got some apps and continued to discuss the world of computers, games, funny stories etc. Mikey had to bolt out because of his new kitten gizmo so we said our goodbyes and took the above picture.

After Mikey left a somber look crept unto Vic's face and he said poppy you know you are a brother to me and im sorry i didnt tell you sooner, my mom passed away last month. I felt like someone hit me across the head with a 2 x 4. Vic is very close with his family and always had pictures of his mom, dad, sisters, and nephews all around our cube so i knew that it hurt him deeply. Vic's mother fought bravely through many ailments like Lukemia and was vibrant up until her passing Vic shared with me. Vic recounted the day his mom passed and i couldnt help but feel sorrow as my friend, mentor, brother spilled his guts out and how much it hurts not able to share things with his mother. He said poppy i got all my organization and smarts from her she was a saint and i miss her everyday. i gave him a hug and said I am so sorry for your loss, words cannot even express.

Rest in Peace Momma Soto you raised an amazing son. Although i never met you, you have touched my world and you and your boy are the salt of the earth.

POP

Day 9 -Katwalk and fajita salad

Awakened at 7:30 by the garbage truck, took my usual 12 vitamins in the morning and noticed how hot it was outside. Joe sent me an email for a forthcoming blog i want to do about the Steuben Boyz that i thought was fucking hilarious and cant wait to post after i recieve some more input from the other Steuben Crew. For those who arent part of the illuminati, myself, Joe, Bobby, Eric, Chris, Joe, Tony, and Skupp used to live together in Jersey City on Steuben street.

I headed to do cardio for 30 minutes watching some sportscenter thinking of what i can do to augment my already amazing lineup in Fantasy Football. I am 2-0 in the POPFL, and 1-1 in Tony's league playing Fabian this week. Fabian and i spoke on AOL IM about old time and new times. Fabian works for GE and is in Italy right now, Hope that kid comes back to the main land for Dansgiving because it will be good to see Fabs, Chris, and Tony in one spot so we can our usual see who can make the other guys laugh more. Fabs told me hes going to settle down with Connie from Florida whom he met while he was down there. I hope it works out for him hes good people and deserves good things that happen to him.


After work, Kev and i decided to hit up some thursday happy hour haunts local to Advent. We passed by Bryant Park and the usual it was a "sausage factory" with Ties, blue shirts, and Corona's everywhere. I think there is a yuppie factory in midtown that clones the same person and places them in direct path with a good looking lady so that no matter what angle you are trying to get a look, she is obscured by "Brad" or "Tom". We kept on keeping on almost seeing vehicular manslaughter when a masochist decided to cross the street with 6 cars speeding towards him, Kev and I summarized he walked on many flaming coals in India and probably was an adrenaline junky. We went up 5th ave to 35th between 5th and 6th to Katwalk. Looking at the above propaganda picture from Katwalk you'd think there'd be good visuals everywhere but all we got was two girls sharing shrimp cocktails and discussing the subtle nonsense that single girls in New York who are trying to be Carrie from Sex and the City talk about (p.s. i have single girl friends who are interesting so please fair lady readers DONT GET OFFENDED) Louis Vitton bags, silly boys and why they didnt get a call back, and the inevitable why doesnt this cosmo have an "orange zest" instead of a proper lemon. Kev was telling me about his lady he affectionately refers to as "THE PERSIAN" i always laugh when he calls her that because i dont remember her name and yet i remember the pseudonym "THE PERSIAN" everytime its such a funny nickname! she's coming next week and kev is getting all set and ready for his princess of persia and a weekend of bliss. Kev and i walked to herald square, i hit the path and he hit the 1 or 9.


After attacking triceps i was pretty hungry so i headed down to baja for big grilled chicken fajita salad as i was famished. i am sitting at the bar putting out my best hetero vibe and hoping the extra Axe body spray i put on before i left the apartment would augment my already powerful pheremone. As i sit there some guy hits on me... "U COME HERE OFTEN... Im like yeah.. hes like "cool, whats your name" i go "Hungry, now if you would be a doll and get the fuck away from me i'd love it.... APPRECIATE YA!" i think he got the point as i started hitting on the bartender girl who was doing whippets with the whipped cream can behind the bar as she was bored.

MORAL TO THE STORY... i am not homophobic at all, i work with and have gay friends i am respectful of other peoples preference be it religion, gender, race, and sexual orientation but for the love of god... DONT BOTHER ME WHILE IM EATING!!!!

later all
be great and duplicate

Day 8 - Sleepless night and Ambient giveaways.

This morning at 5:30 i woke up imagining a red hand coming out of my closet grabbing me. I immediately sprung out of bed and ran out like a 4 year old who just saw the boogie monster. What kind of man am I at 28 to still get spooked.... ill tell you what kind ONE WHOS IN TOUCH WITH HIS INNER 4 year old! HOLD ME MOMMY!

i couldnt get back to bed so i decided to do cardio in the gym at 6AM. I ran into Harlin but i am totally not a morning person and gave a brief hello then went about my cardio workout. We spoke briefly as she said "wow you're never here this early" my reply was "i couldn't sleep", she kind of grimaced which belied that i didnt give a response she wanted to hear. maybe she wanted to hear "to hopefully run into you" or maybe something of equal dishonesty. She is a nice girl so i will be nice because relationships are fleeting but fake friendship is forever. After workout i asked her if she'd be working out this weekend, nice, cool see u and away to my life i went.

Steven's last day in the New York office before his vacation was today. he wasnt as annoying he was cool. he took Mikey out to lunch which was good because Mikey deserves it. Someone in the office had this thing called a "stock orb" LOOK BELOW

This is an ingenious product, it basically turns green when the market is good and red when the market is down. it works via wireless network like a cell phone and grabs market data. pretty slick. The salesperson got this as a perk for going to a conference and i found out it sells for $150 bucks... YIKES.

I got home at 7ish after walking to the PATH train from the office, stopping at Jim Hanley's universe comic store and buying my usual batch of comics. Larry (black man in the back row of the above picture) said to me here's a Jim Hanley regular, good shit because i have been going there for 4 years and going there is very theraputic for me. Vito who works there knows about my rare form of OCD in that new comic day is Wednesday i always end up there on tuesday, so he calls me "Mr. Tuesday" as original as that is. He's good people who is writing an xmen comic so thats definitely rocking.

I worked out Bi's today and there's this clown who works out there who breathes really loud but lifts really light weights... I dont get it??!! why breathe so loud? after gym i wanted to grab some food went to Oddfellows it was packed and i knew service would blow so i headed to Hard Grove because they have amazing Grilled Chicken breast. Lisa was my server, me and Joe have known her for years as we've been going there since Steuben street. She lost a lot of weight as well. we exchanged numbers on Monday as she is cool but not my type but this is where it gets
weird. she calls me last night and was like "Hey, do you have a girlfriend.., because i don't have a boyfriend" want to hang out" DAMN THAT WAS FUCKING ABRUPT, i answered as politely as i could "Yeah im not really looking right now" i lied and my nose grew Pinnocchio style. I'd hang out with her but thats about it. Anyway she was cool tonight and didnt mention anything about the weird call on Tuesday night. I enjoyed my dinner and peace and grabbed an iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts then headed home


Mortal Kombat- Deception is coming out October 5th and looks amazing. Maybe the spark that died after Ultimate Mortal Kombat will be ignited because i've been let down ever since. this one lets you do online kombat against friends and other things. exciting!

til next time, be great and duplicate
POP

Day 7- a week of Blogging and a stressful day

Well dearest eyeball that views this page your in for a treat. This is my 7th day of blogging and i havent gotten sick of it yet so here we go!!!

SEGUE TIME: The place we ate was near where i used to work at Comedy (Broadway between 57th and 58th) called Vinyl Diner and the memories swarmed around me like a swarm of flies so thick i felt like swatting them away with my hand. The N train gets off in that area when i used to come in from Astoria and smell the frittatas being made at Europa cafe. its a pungent egg and garlic smell that no matter what time of year, Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall always smells the same (not as pungent as Selkes GARLIC EGG SURPRISE) . I used to stop next door to there and get my boss and mentor at Comedy Vic Soto a croissant and chocolate milk because he was so good to me. Walking from 57th to 58th to 1775 i felt invincible and couldnt wait to start working. When did that feeling stop???

*END SEGUE*

Steve started talking about Politics and Religion (any etiquette book says IXNAY on teh ELIGIONRAY and OLITICSPAY!) i noticed both Roy and Rob kind of uncomfortable because they didnt want to comment yeah or nay. We said goodbye to Rob and Roy and headed back to Chrysler East and Steve was mumbling all the way about gay gay gay New York.. gay gay gay... San Francisco..... gay gay gay.... work, work, work.... negative negative..

Let me set the record straight. Steven isnt all that bad. He is highly intelligent and i enjoy speaking to him when its just about intellectual pursuits. He is well read and has good grammar. We (coworkers, peers, and others) usually just ignore the bad because he lets us do our job and is great at getting folks to cut the bullshit and let my coworkers and I get work accomplished.

We headed to Blue Water grille (thanks Chris for taking me here, great restaurant) and had a great seafood platter of shrimp and lobster and for dinner i had Tuna and veggies then i gave Steven my metrocard (it only had 4 bucks left) so he could get back to his hotel and as i walked away i noticed this buzzing that had been in my ears for the majority of the day had fell silent. it seemed that New York was a bit quieter. thank god for subways, a silent Steve, and 3 Vodka martini's to inebriate.

Day 6 - Changes

That mean guy above is me in May (Before) and me After (Today) i really want to tally once a month in a blog my changes in weight in a picture and any changes in diet and exercise so that i can document my progress 30 days from now and beyond.

Today i worked out chest, 6 sets of bench (2 warm up) i managed to do 225 (2 45lb plates on each side 8 times) which is my personal best. I have to control my diet a little more to get the last vestiges of chub off stomach and get the 6 pack.

People want to know what prompted me to try and get fit and lose weight. i will tell everyone now the real reason. There is this ideal person i see in my brain. one that is mentally, physically, spirtually, and financially at the apex of his potential. I looked in the mirror and saw someone that wasnt content and wanted to change. if i can affect the things in my own life than hopefully i can affect others as well. A wake up call is when you wake up and cant breath because you've eaten so much and the only thing that makes you less lonely and somewhat happier is a toxic blend of sugars, starches, carbs, and other things that shorten ones lifespan. After you change your lifestyle you wonder why you ever did those things to your body. Your body is your engine and it in turn feeds your mind. you are clearer and dont feel the limitations and setbacks of low self esteem and low self worth.

POP

Day 5- Joe's Pre-Birthday Pizza Party at Bobby's

As i sit here contemplating what im going to write i hear the immortal words of Kip Winger "She's only seventeen"... instant classic. but Kip you arent inspiring me so Itunes will need to shuffle post haste.

This morning i hit the gym, No cardio as i really need to focus on gaining mass did triceps and Harlin was there so we were chatting about the usual things. i wore my black Danzig shirt with Under Armour shorts and always during the Yanks-Red Sox series(YANKS WON!!!) the Yankee cap i wear in this picture:
Harlin was walking out the door and awaiting me to say something so i asked her out for some coffee at this place she mentioned a couple of blocks away. She said she would be ready in 30 minutes so i said how bout an hour this was at 11:40AM. DAMN FOOTBALL starts at 1PM... the P.O.P...

Harlin and i hit the daily grind two blocks up from the gotham and were doing chit chat and small talk and her job came up... A LOT. I think she was a little nervous because she was kind of fidgety. I mentioned that my companies HQ is in SF and that i visit there a lot and she said she wants to go to Grad School at Berkeley (Andres and POON went there and i mentioned it) I ordered a vanilla macciato while she ordered a bankers coffee... plain. I asked her if she ever took Ridilin (as a joke), because she said she was kinda hyper and works out 7 days a week (TOO MUCH!) she laughed hysterically the went on about her GMATS.. blah blah... one of her coworkers came in... More GMATS.. SERIES 7, SERIES 63 (broker tests) and Grad schools. i think in the rush to become successful you forget that the sky is blue and autumn is crisp. I am not above people or anything but sheesh this girl was all business. Im hoping that after i peel away the tin wrapper from this dame there is more deeper base emotions there. Chance of second date 30%, benefit of the doubt factor.

Joe met me at bobby's apartment and we headed to PJ RYANS to catch Curtis Martin (numero 28) run for 2 TD's and 128 yards... YUMMY TAKE THAT NICKY!!!! had Chicken wings and a french dip sandwich. Joe had his usual Coconut shrimp. Joe is excited about a new truck he wants to get a Ford Expedition (black) and he wants to get rid of his Explorer. not a bad idea, and a cool truck. Ant got a white explorer and Joe speaking about his wife was perhaps the most amazing transformation i've seen of my older brother since he's been married. he speaks with such pride and love when he mentions anything Antonette does. i love him very much. he was like "ant was so cute driving her new truck" i will admit at first i didnt know how to be with my brother not as large a part of my life but he still is in a concentrated format. Im a virgo so change proves a bit difficult for me. (humility.... its the 28 years talking) Bobby joined us at PJ RYANS for a beer and it felt like old times (steuben boys style - someday i will do a big Steuben Boys timeline after i get all the debauchery down on paper. the Steuben boys now and forever will be Me, Joe, Eric, Bobby, Mike, Chris, Tony, and honorarily Fabian)

We headed back to bobby's to find Bob kneeding the dough for pizza's he had planned all week to make for us. Bobby's personal pizzas are a delicacy and he is known on the east and west coast for these round orbs from the gods. Tidy had one of bobs pizzas and wanted 10 shipped to SF immediately.

The two Jens (bob's fiancee and cousin Jenny) came home from work and we commenced with mass consumption. There were 4 pizza variety's bobby made: Chicken Pesto, Scallop Bacon, Sausage, and Margerita- fresh mozz) he really outdid himself and made wings as well! CHEAT DAY SUNDAY WAS A DELICACY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS! Bobby's fiancee' Jen's mom had brought a box of Pinot Grigio so we had to test Bacchus' grapes for good measure. it still surprises me that lil Jenny (aka Bunny) is almost 21... to me she will always be a baby and i think her sense of humor is the most like mine in this family, very direct and sarcastic. we had a great coconut pineapple cake and Italian Ice's and called it a night.

Happy Birthday Joe (it took me 45 minutes for this blog so we'll let this serve as my birthday well wishes to my older and wiser brother. may everyday dreams become all the time realities)

Dan POP
commissioner of the POPFL
brother of the superhuman
cousin of Sir Galahad the purest and most virtuous of the Knights of the Papandrea's


p.s. TOP secret announcement on this blog about a possible holiday collaboration between old bands, new friends, brothers, teenage freaks, machines, 7 wisemen, and Pepe le' Pew..... NEWS WILL FOLLOW.

p.s.s. Dearest 97, i would never want anything to sully the love i will always have for you. My feelings will never change for u, and that is why our stars shine in the same universe but in different constellations. the ghosts will always haunt any new house we build so let the dust settle and enjoy the vastness of the world. One can admire the sky and count those stars but realize that both feet are on the ground

Day 4 - Birthday

Today i woke up and felt no different. 28 as a number is being closer to 30 but not yet feeling 30... if that makes much sense.

This morning did some cardio then chilled at the apartment and played Madden extending my franchise record to 7-0 with the colts. Peyton Manning had 7 TD's for 512 yards and i set a madden record... love that game! Brian Poon is in town and he sent me an email saying whats up and he wants to hang out I then took an animal pak and some creatine then did chest at the gym. I saw Harlin there. She's a cool girl i see on sunday's that i used to see working out a lot and never spoke to much because i really want to focus while at the gym shes a nice person so i chatted with her. She told me she saw Garden State... i really want to see that film it seems like its up my alley then i saw the property manager for my building Robin she complimented me on the change of weight etc. Harlin said goodbye and that she's working out tomorrow and maybe she'd see me. i winked at her and said "hopefully" Later. I got birthday good wishes calls from my parents, then Schkupp (cousin Mike, bobby's brother), Jenny, Ro.

I then hit the hard grove for some grilled chicken and salad, then across the street to GNC for a protein shake from METR-X. the people they hire at GNC confound me.... how is it these folks try to recommend shit and have no clue what the fuck they are talking bout. this guys like dont get that protein bar it makes you "shit"... i'm like is that a medical term.... SHIT? need a job and you are an underachiever with no outlook on life... apply at GNC you may get hired on the spot.

Bobby called me and we split a Roni Roll before Joe, Ant, Dino, and Ashley (aka Yoko) came over. Everyone got to my place at 6ish and we headed down to Baja (mexican place downstairs) for some fajitas and birthday wishes. They had the mexican folks sing happy birthday to me then we headed upstairs. Joe got me a black Terrell Owens jersey (WR for the Eagles on my fantasy team) Antonette got me a great gift which i was blown away by an art easel paints and brushes, i've always wanted to try painting things so this was unexpected and totally cool! they got me a great cake and 7 layers cookies which made cheating on my diet OH SO GOOD!!! Bobby got me a calendar a hat that says POP on it. Jenny got me a great V-neck from AX that i adore.

Andres, Selke, and Tidy called me to wish me a happy birthday. Andres and i hit it off immediately because we have the same tastes and he challenges me (in a positive way) to be creative because he is absolutely brilliant! Tidy was explaining to me the virtues of Chinglish. Which is heavily accented english by a chinaman i.e. BIE DUMPAH inna DIPAH. funny shit! I relayed to them the story of how Dino and i were going to get his car which was parked two blocks away as we get in the car and turn around we see a black couple crossing the street and the guy was obviously rapping trying to get this sister to go home with him. we were joking bout what the guy would be saying. we were like "Yo baby, i just want to rub oil on your back and booty, draw up a bath with oils and bath salts, rub your feet... yadda yadda yadda then i do the whole schtick but throw this gem in "then i want to stick my dick in your pocket book.... we were dying for like 20 minutes.... what the fuck we're MUSIC INDUSTRY MAJORS we laugh at anything!!!

All in All a great birthday exactly as i suspected. All i wanted to do was bullshit with my closest friends and family and i appreciate everyone for making apartment 610 feel a little bigger. i love u all very much.

Gifts all -

Card from Joe and Ant -

Card from Dino and AshleYOKO

Funny bag Antonietta and Joe got me

Day 3- Jenny and Versace

My Birthday is on a saturday so Mikey (my protege' and like a little brother to me) took me to lunch today and we had great sushi at Hatsuhana near our work. We had some great sashimi and Salmon Terryaki. Our server i will call Kumiko (like Karate Kid part 3) was a hot asian girl, but when she opened her mouth it seemed like she was in a gun fight with her mouth open. Her teeth were like the lower level of a cave with stalagmites jutting up all GNARLY. Mike goes "she s pretty hot pop" and I said "yeah, but i wonder if Hatsuhana has a dental plan?"

When we got back from the teeth.... err i mean Hatsuhana i noticed in my mailbox there was a card from Versace. i bought a sweater and a shirt from there on wednesday and the salesman named Gil sent a note thanking me for the purchase (i thought that was classy) anyway it turns out that Gil is good friends with my little cousin Jenny they both go to F.I.T. together. I called Gil as Versace's number was on the card and asked him if this really amazing looking Tall darked hair girl was single. he said he'd talk to Jenny when he found out.

Jenny and i met for dinner downstairs at Oddfellows. She had a fish called Talapia while i consumed mass protein in a 3/4 pound burger. YUMMY!! we were chatting and my little angel Jenny tells me Gil called her and send the girl (Vanessa) has a man and ironically LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE ME.... GOD WHEN WILL THIS IRONY END!!! Chantel (jens roommate) met us and we were planning on going out in the city i was gung ho at first but after that burger i felt really tired and sluggish so i passed.

After dinner i went upstairs to see Bobby and his inlaws were in town. After some pub mix and beers we started to watch the rain delayed Yanks - Sox game. then hit gym to work out traps and shoulders.

THE YANKEES LOST.... Sox in the 9th.. its only one game and the Yankees rule!!

Day 2 - Bobby and Yankee candle

Last Night after work i decided to head over to the newport mall in Jersey City. my cousin Bobby met up with me and we shopped like two prissy miss moffats. The newport mall is full of sports apparel stores and many FUBU outlets, as my cousin Bobby says all the time... "DEMOGRAPHICS DAN... DEMOGRAPHICS" At Yankee candle i got some candles and room freshners and questioned my sexuality for about a split second... CANDLES WHAT THE FUCK!! anyway after i calmed down i affirmed my heteroness by making out with the first hot girl i saw... kidding. Bobby and i headed to Macy's where him and i debated the virtues of the sweatsuit and black to grey jeans. On the way home i hit up Komegashi for some sashimi and cheated a bit on the diet by having a newport roll (lobster tempura, shrimp inside out) YUMMY!

I downloaded a new browser called Firefox its pretty good and has a really cool interface (god im getting geeky, but its the little things that make my clit throb)

Did Bi's yesterday and saw Mark and Matt who are gym rats like me and am slowly getting addicted to the apprentice as it was on the tube while i was wailing on my Biceps... Donald Trump is such an asshole you have to admire him. i was shocked at who got dropped this week.

My lesbian cleaners are cleaning my place friday so that i can have it spic and span for my birthday Saturday... 28. why does that number both startle me and make me excited? i used to have grandious ideas of being well off by this age but what is wealth? is it accumulating friends, money, life experiences? i think its being able to enjoy yourself and not having to answer to anyone on what you do. that is true wealth. FUCK MORTGAGES.

POP

Day 1 - Greetings and Masturbations...

ME -

I decided that i wanted to share with my friends all that transpires during the week for their buddy POP. Since i'm a Virgo i'll categorize it in 4 topics. GIRLS aka Bitches, Music, Work, and Football.. is there any other topics in this world?

GIRLS
Last night Kevin and i went to smoke some cigars at Nat Shermans then over to the Cellar Bar for drinks and late night pickups. Cellar Bar is a quaint lil yup haven that wishes it were a W but will only end up causing them pain when Abercrombie and Fitch doesnt make a new turtleneck or chino pant for them to indulge in while cruising for models that they have no chance with really. Kevin and i were chatting about life and ladies and the fact that when you arent looking thats when you'll find what ur looking for. They had a chess board setup in the main room and i got housed in speed chess because i exposed my queen too early. i made a revelation while walking to the 33rd Path train that im applying too much pressure on myself to succeed in my love life and thats making me seem needy and giving too much of my "tell cards" much like a game of texas hold em. I don't want to be the one holding them in the long term.

IDEAL WOMAN SPECS for September 2004-
Dark Hair - straight NOT CURLY
Green or Blue eyes - round
somewhat tanned
must keep in shape
Italian
has to be self sufficient and
if she is all about POP CULTURE and flashes gang signs and stupid shit like that get me a loaded gun with two bullets, one for her and one for the doctor that brought her into this world.


MUSIC
Mad Machinery is playing at Arlene's grocery November 4th. Dino mastered our August 27th show and it really sounded good. I really am becoming more and more confident in my playing and onstage. Dino, Ed, and Akil are great musicians so that makes me want to step up my game because we really are tight. It helps when people in a group are egoless and encourage you to either succeed or fail if you are sitting on the bench so to speak how will you hit a home run? I can't wait to start practicing again (late september prolly)

WORK
Bored working on mundane day to day nothing really to report.

FOOTBALL
Tis the season... i started last week and had the second highest total for thePOPFL league for 111 points. i got housed in Tony T's league by Tony. this kid is the luckiest human being alive, Terrell Owens had 3 TD's and he beat me by 20 points bringing my self esteem to an all time low.

Ill see you all tomorrow when i continue the saga that is Dan