New Mexico

I can only imagine how all 3 of my readers are already mad at me for not posting something in a long while. Don't leave!!!!

The truth is, I went on a vacation to beautifully scenic New Mexico.

Why New Mexico????

Why not!!?

I know the story of a vacation doesn't do the trip much justice if it doesn't include any pictures, but unfortunately, I haven't uploaded them yet..............but I will, so pull that bunch of panties out your butt there, honcho.

But to give a quick rundown - on Saturday we flew from Newark to Dallas/Ft Worth where we connected to our flight right into Albuquerque.

After taking the shuttle to pick up our snazzy electric blue Pontiac G6 rental car (which I hated), we drove up to the incredibly quaint city of Santa Fe.

To our dismay, everything in town closes down at like 9pm for some reason.
Our choices? Hit up the only open bar in town which was a real dive, OR, hit up the rooftop pool and jacuzzi.

Jacuzzi it is!!

We met a few nice southern folk in there who gave us great tips on where to go and what to see while we were in the area. The sky was also unbelievably clear and I've never seen the stars so bright! We also were told that because of the high altitude (Santa Fe is about 7000 ft above sea level) we should drink a lot of water to avoid altitude sickness. Interesting, huh?

So after a while of boiling our buns, we hit the hay.
After a pretty good workout the next morning in the hotel fitness center, we hit up the town plaza where were ran into a hunger strike protest to free Tibet. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of white people there protesting, HOWEVER, all the people actually participating in the no-food part of the hunger strike were of Asian decent.
Oh these white people and how they love to protest..................kinda..............

Anyway, since it was Easter Sunday, again, most of the plaza was closed.

So we started our trek to Chimayo.
Now, this a very very sacred place that THOUSANDS of people make pilgrimages to every year at Easter. Literally, people from all over WALK - some with giant crosses, or on their hands and knees - to Chimayo every year for Good Friday.
Many years ago, as the story goes, there was a remarkable miracle that occurred there and ever since, there has been stories of how the healing power of the dirt has cured people of many diseases and ailments. So needless to say, it was nice to catch the last half of the Easter mass there and then get to walk through the original church and scoop up some of the holy dirt and bring some back.

So after Chimayo, we decided to take the "high road" to Taos - which was where we were staying the next two nights. This route is a lot longer, but much more scenic, and definitely worth it.
Not only that, but its literally a very HIGH road. We were driving over some of the highest mountains I've ever seen and winding down and around and over some more mountains, while the whole time passing cute little rustic villages and old towns along the way.

Once in Taos, we went "downtown" to catch a bite to eat and then checked in to our Bed & Breakfast - one that is unlike any B&B you've ever seen.

We actually had a separate 2-story adobe pueblo house to ourselves!
A huge THANKS to Richard, who runs Casa Gallina and made our stay so wonderful.
Not only did we find intricately prepared hors d’oeuvres, but he also left us a bottle of red wine and fresh eggs that his own hens out back had laid that morning. He also left us freshly baked oatmeal chocolate cookies the next night while we were out. Scrumptious!

Our stay there was perfect, thanks to Richard's keen eye for interior design and warm hospitality. Speaking of warm, there was also an adobe fireplace (called a kiva) that we lit up.
Its such a scenic place.........in doors AND out.

So in addition to enjoying the trip for the weather and scenery, there's some more good news.
We hit up the Taos Mountain Casino that Sunday night.
Its pretty small - only 3 blackjack tables - but if you know me, you know I love blackjack!!

To make a long story short, 3 hours later I walked away with $775 in winnings.
Basically - enough to pay for my entire trip AND then some.

SWEET!!!!

Anyway, the next day we hit up Santa Fe again to buy authentic jewelry from the Native Americans in the plaza. This jewelry is 100% handmade by Native Americans from different tribes around the area. We wanted to buy from them instead of the other obviously-not-Native American vendors who try to profit off of setting up stands near the real Native Americans. Its some very beautiful jewelry and crafts, consisting mostly of sterling silver and turquoise mined in and around New Mexico and Texas.

So after some shopping, it was time to drive to Ojo Caliente for our massages!
The cool part?
Aside from getting a relaxing deep tissue massage, this spa is located on a mountain that has several natural hot springs that you can bathe in.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing its ridiculous.

I was a little hesitant about the arsenic pool.......................... but I'm still alive, right?

So, that was the bulk of our trip before we came back home.

Oh, did I mention the part about driving almost 30 miles with the gas warning light on, in the dark on a pitch-black road in the middle of nowhere?????
How about the part where we were headed over the 3rd highest bridge in the US??
Oh....I must've forgotten that part...............

:-P

Old School Poetry

When I was younger.................beginning in high school and then a lot in college....................I used to write poetry.

I suppose it was born out of some form of typical teenage angst, and then fueled throughout the years by my naturally overactive imagination (and further college angst). I used to look forward to my boring classes because thats when I would daydream and scribble my random thoughts and wanderings down in my journal, or in my notebook where I was supposed to be taking actual notes.

Unfortunately, I haven't really written much since graduating and going to work full-time.

Thanks a lot, real world!!!

I admit that I do miss it.
Its like an old friend that you found comfort with whenever you needed it, and was always there when you wanted to find him...............

Anyway...................................Rutgers, for whatever reason, has forgotten to delete my website that I had back in the day. I tried to make it a poetry page and also a quote page because I love quotes and collect them madly. I didn't post ALL my stuff, but just some I felt were complete at that point in time.

So without further ado, I'll forgo my pride and introduce to you my old super-cheesy college website.

**Free crappy java animation included AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!!***

Trout Fishing

A lot of you (........there I go again assuming people actually read this) probably don't even have any clue as to what a trout actually looks like.

Well.................................TOO BAD FOR YOU!

I'm not here to school you, so go edumacate yourself!

BUT............ I AM a helpful guy by nature, so I'll direct you to a starting point: NJ Dep of Fish & Wildlife

The big date is Saturday, April 5th. (hence the snazzy li'l countdown up there on the right)

Anyway, the official state stocking info was released today.
That means you can see when, where and how many trout will be stocked in bodies of water throughout the state.

More exciting -- they stock a limited number of broodstock trout at a handful of places state-wide.

Now, whats a broodstock trout you ask yourself, non-existent reader??
Well, its an older, bigger trout that the hatchery had used as a breeder.

In other words -- the suckers that you really want to catch!

Conveniently, 1 of the only 9 places selected for broodstock stocking this year just happens to be only about 4 miles away from me. If you can figure out where that is and feel like meeting up, come on down.

So essentially, yes, I'm throwing out the invitation to stalk me.

Get it while its good!!

Stuff White People Like

My blog sucks.
There --- readily admitted.

I try to add humor and I think it works...........sometimes.............

But today I'm totally promoting one of the funniest blogs out there:
Stuff White People Like

Its truly hilarious..............and hilariously true!

If you're white..................like seriously white.......or even one of those really white-acting people (usually Asian or Indian) , you will undoubtedly find yourself fitting at least a handful of those things.

Otherwise, you're a liar, and trying too hard to deny your whiteness........which ironically fits into the list!!
HAH!!

Enjoy.

Quote of the Year

Not much to say today, really.

I'm incredibly impressed by this 101-yr old guy from Great Britain who will attempt to be the oldest marathon runner ever.

But moreso, I hereby bestow upon him the honor of Quote of the Year.

Just read the last sentence.

Priceless.................................

There's a Sucker Airborne Every Minute

I consider myself to be pretty healthy.
I try to get to the gym as often as I can with my schedule, I always watch what I eat, I RARELY eat candy or a lot of dessert, I make sure to get adequate protein and fiber, I take a quality multi-vitamin in addition to other supplements, I make myself drink a lot..............of water............

In fact, for those not privy to it, about 2 years ago I was seriously considering a career change.
I began studying up on exercise science and was close to going for my NSCA certification to become a personal trainer.

Enough history.........

Anyway, I've gotten into several disagreements with people about the "supplement" Airborne that a lot of people swear by.



"It prevents and lessens colds! Its awesome!!"

So naturally, the first time I heard that, I read the ingredients and was like WTF!?!?

This ripoff of a product is nothing more than a potent dose of vitamin C along with some other vitamins and minerals that, although synergistically might provide a slight antioxident effect, will not cure or lessen anything. In fact, any smart person knows that you can't fight a cold, you just have to let it run its course. Sure, you can help bolster your immune system to help it fight the cold off sooner, and yeah maybe this crap might help it a little, but overall its one hell of a hoax.

To the credit of the company--- I admit that its a brilliant marketing ploy that feeds off the ignorance of society, but nonetheless, its such a waste of money.

So, of course I smirked out loud once I read this article about how they are now forced to pay $23.3 million back to their customers for false advertising.

YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!


OK......... now the funny

Its B Day!

Well Saturday was anyway.

Another year older..........
Another year wiser..........
and..
oh yes, another year SEXIER!!!!

But seriously, I think once you pass 25, you just feel like you want to stop counting already. You can already buy cigarettes, watch an R-rated movie, go to a strip club and drink, so what else is there to look forward to?

I don't want to be called "Sir" or asked when I'm planning on getting married, etc. because I'm getting closer to the dreaded 3-0.

I'm in the middle range right now.

Its kind of like when you were younger and went on a trip or vacation and you got to the middle day. Its not the first day there where everything is new and exciting. Instead, its like the 2nd or 3rd day where you're still having fun but you already know you're way around.
I mean its still exciting and fun, but you've already been there for a while and its not NEW.
Don't get me wrong, its not as bad as the last day when you're sad that you're leaving, but its more like a realization that the future is in the back of your mind nagging at you juuuuuuust a li'l bit.

BUT..........................I say screw it and have fun while you can!!

Its just a number, after all.
Your spirit and health are what matter more, and because of that, I'm as young as I've ever been.


I should still make an appointment with a doctor to get a checkup, though.............