24 hour coast to coast

So I have a business meeting tomorrow outside Seattle at 9am. I will be on a flight tonight at 6pm, arrive at 9pm local Pacific time, grab a beer with Casey and Kate (they are good sports), crash and then go to the meeting. It is then off to the airport for a 1:30pm back to the East Coast, to arrive by 10p at home. Got to love those quick turn around meetings. I wish I had been able to work a longer stay, with all the sailing and BBQ'ing that Kate and Casey are up to that would have been a good time, oh-well.

Weekend Projects

After spending almost the entire weekend inside avoiding the heat and both of us doing work, Amy and I decided to get out of the house today. So a trip to Famous Dave's BBQ for lunch and then on to Ikea was planned with our friend Sandra. After a delicious lunch that consisted of a pulled pork sandwich for Sanda and I and Amy's BBQ chicken we were off to Ikea.

We went into the store looking for a new cabinet for next to the wine fridge in the living room, and to check out new blinds for the bedroom. And despite our worst fears we did not end up with any extra stuff. Below is the results of our efforts. And all for just under $200 and an afternoon with a screwdriver. Got to love those Swedes.

Ride #2

So I did a second ride to work today, (Lew - I am working up to my bear hug from Al). And it was much better this time I would have to say that is probably due in large part to the great NEW bike Amy bought me for my early birthday present! Check it out below. It is a Novara Ponderosa, and I even got her to spring for a pair of slick tires. Much better than the old beater that cost me $100 fours years ago at a flea market.

Also on a really funny note, what do you think is the worst thing you can forget to pack when you bike to work, that would be pants. Yes that is right I forgot to pack work pants in the bag I brought so I am working all day in my Penn gym shorts. Sitting at my desk most of the day has not been to bad, now if I could only get up the courage to go to the cafeteria for some lunch, I am starving.

$50 Tank for my Mazda 3!

That's right folks I had my first fill up today that was +$50 for my Mazda 3, now that was quite a shock. And now that my memory of the bike ride last week has faded a bit I think a trip to REI for saddle bags for the bike maybe in order. This way I can do the ride with less pre-planning of bringing a change of clothes to work the day before.

And at this rate I am very excited we live in the city where we have the option of walking to most places. How does it feel suburbanites? Feeling a little trapped in your houses?

Green Commuting - I'm a fan!

I got it in my head that there were two changes I wanted to make in my life:

1) I wanted to get back to better shape, after my surgery I really took it as a huge excuse to not work out at all.
2) Commute more efficiently to save gas and $s, and in the short term I thought that meant working from home, which is a great option I am taking advantage of at least once every two weeks, technology is great.

However I realized this week there is a way I can accomplish both in one action, bike to work. So since this morning was going to be the last low humidity morning in Philly in the next 10 days, and maybe until September, and it is the last day before a holiday weekend, I thought there is no better time than the present. So I fixed the flat tire on the mountain bike last night, packed a back pack and struck out at 6:45 this morning.

My route was 15.8 miles (thank you Google Maps) I took the trail along the Kelly drive trail along the Schuylkill to Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon Creek, up Bells Mills Lane through Flourtown and into the office, all in only 75 minutes. After a quick shower in the gym here I was at my desk earlier than I have been in months. And having my bike parked next to my desk has a certain cool factor to it. So in short if you have a bike and a desire to be more active try bike commuting, I am a fan. Although I do still have to make it home this afternoon...maybe I will take time to enjoy the scenery (code for I will be going slow b/c my legs are on fire...)

Check out my approximate route here. (Google can not map the trail along the Wissahickon as cars are not permitted)

Is there something in the water?

Good work Casey. It seems that engagements are a bit contagious in the last couple of weeks, but congratulations are in order for Kate and Casey. Casey has finally pulled he trigger out in Seattle this weekend and did a great job of it from the looks of the tremendous pictures that Kate took. Best of luck to both of them as they begin planning, and it seems I will get to repay Casey the favor of planning my bachelor party by planning his. Now that should be fun.

Congrats Jenn & Chad

So like Kristin I am very excited about Jenn and Chad's recent announcement. And thank you to Jenn for the 7am call while eating my breakfast. I am very happy to have more family join the wedding planning craziness. I say you should tell everyone to back off and you and Chad should enjoy a couple of weeks of your engagement before even starting to think about planning.

Congrats Again!

Waterfront Homes

So Amy and I have decided that someday we should get a house on the water somewhere. And to inspire us there was a great show on HGTV today, very cleaverly called Amazing Waterfront Homes, and the Big Sur home below, has the added benefit of being very eco.

On another TV note, tonight is the first episode of the new season of ice road truckers. And they have switched the routes from diamond mines to natural gas feilds. Not nearly as exciting, expect that it is all ice, no land at all. I am excited to have some decent summer tv to watch.

Good Work Barack!

So last night seems to be the final chapter in the primary. Hopefully Hillary will have the grace to exit well and we can build the overwhelming momentum for real change in the country.

Huricane Free

Just wanted to let everyone know that Amy and I are doing fine, enjoying the warm, if not overcast weather in Mexico. We did get a good amount of rain yesterday but tropical depression Arthur did not materialize into much of anything, so that is the good news.

In other highlights from today I was able to wow Amy with my amazing sailing skills as I captained a mighty sunfish around the water of the Gulf. And despite threats of making a run for Cuba the only one to suffer was me with a little sunburn on my arms.

Looks like we should have no issues getting out tomorrow. Have fun a work!

Mexico!

So Amy and I are off to Cancun, Mexico tomorrow for our friends Noam and Meryl's wedding. We are staying at the Moon Palace resort so it is not quite "spring break Cancun. Check out the picture I found another vacationer had taken. Be jealous, very jealous...

Memorial Day Weekend

I hope that everyone had a great weekend, the weather here in Philly was excellent. And Amy and I got out and enjoyed it with lots of friends. One of the things we did that was really nice was a great dinner at the Waterworks Restaurant near the Art Museum. The weather was so perfect that we ate outside and watched the sun go down over the Schuylkill. That along with a BBQ today and Morimotos on Saturday, Amy and I had a great weekend in the city this weekend.

Below is a picture of the view after sunset from dinner on Sunday.

New Indiana Jones Flick

So we went out to the new Indiana Jones movie. I my opinion it was a great movie, even through there was quite a few over the top scenes and stunts, with my favorite being when Dr. Jones walked away from being blasted by an atomic bomb in a refrigerator what looked like a couple of miles, which was quite a feat indeed.

Anyway if you get a chance and were a fan of he first three, it is a fun and entertaining movie.

DadVail Pics

So last weekend I got up around 5:30am (probably was due to the fact I fell asleep at 9pm), so I took the camera and went for a walk to check out the Dad Vails.

The first one if for my cousin Allie, being a UD alumnus I am sure she was missing being in Philly this spring for the Vails.

This next one was possiable because I was able to get right down near the start by walking down to the dock they were using for the stake boaters. The best shot I got was this one from the Bucknell JV. That stroke's face is priceless, I do know that he would be stronger if he exhaled vs. holding his breath for the start. And that cox screaming brings back some memories, probably why I liked the bow so much better than stoke, it is always easier to unplug the speaker than get the cox to quite down.

Good Work NC

So while I have not yet been clear with my political leanings on the blog to date I am going to come out and say that I am an Obama supporter. I am excited about the results in North Carolina, even though right now Hillary is giving a victory speech for Indiana even though CNN has not yet called the state for her. And she is making a big deal about the ridiculous gas tax relief, which nearly everyone recognizes as a complete sham, lets HOPE for better CHANGE this summer.

PA Roadtrip Picture

So spring in PA is great, and we have had plenty of rain recently so on the way back from Cincinnati this weekend Amy and I took a short detour from the turnpike and drove 20 miles or so on the back roads. In fact on the way back to Philly we made quite a few stops, all in Ohio. We stopped at the outlets before Columbus, Penn Station for lunch and then Greaters in Columbus for dessert. The back roads in PA were beautiful and I had to post this picture of the green fields and barn.

Election Results

Boo. Seriously how can they call the election with 8% of the vote in...

Election Day

I am excited to live in PA where we will get the opportunity to vote tomorrow and help decide the democratic nominee. I hope that everyone tunes in to the news to follow the results of the sure to be record turn out. I am planning on getting to the polls right away tomorrow morning. They open at 7am. Also I find the Committee of Seventy website very helpful to see what your ballet will look like when you go into the voting booth, as well as getting plain English explanation for the ballot questions.

Amusing Campaign Sign

This is an amusing side effect of Hillary using her first name on her campaign signs.

And as an update when I was headed back home 2 hours later (I had to go in for 1 meeting this morning) all the signs had been replaced with new ones. Those Hillary supporters are quick!

Greensgrow Open!

So GreensGrow, the CSA (community supported agriculture) we belong to is now open. And while they do not yet have produce and meat they do have eggs, cheese honey and other wonderful local foods. If you have not looked for a local CSA, Co-op or farmers market check out Local Harvest, it is a very easy to use website that can provide you with the information on where to go.

Hope everyone is enjoying the start of spring, w just put the screens in the windows today and turned the heater off, hopefully for good.