I’m under a time deadline today. I awoke on time, but having to iron a pair of pants and a shirt in addition to all of my other morning rituals has cut back my blogging time.
To Meat Or Not To Meat? That Was The Question
With the use of ITP-Reader Lisa’s car yesterday I was able to get my Schoolkids Records fix in without having to bother my co-worker Joe.
After Schoolkids (two CDs purchased — not in violation of my “Digital Only” edict since I’m not sure that I could buy either digitally) I headed to Lisa’s office to pick her up for lunch.
In years past Lisa and I have convened at an Indian (not of the Native American variety) called Royal India. Since neither of us have eaten there in some time, we quickly concluded to eat there yesterday. Royal India caters kindly to the vegetarian but also provides enough me to sway a carnivore such as myself to cave and eat some chicken. The food was delicious as always, and with a set of wheels I was set to go explore Raleigh check in to my hotel.
3G Or Not 3G? That Was The Question
The “iPad + iPhone” plan for this trip hit a snag yesterday. I made the assumption that by packing my Apple Extreme access point that I’d be able to convert this hotel’s wired internet connection into a wireless one that my iPad could use. I. Was. Wrong….
One failure under my belt I decided to set out on another. The new plan was to activate my iPad’s 3G data access plan (see, I knew waiting for the release of the 3G version was a brilliant idea), but in order to do so I needed wireless internet to activate it. Starbucks to the rescue! Or not…. According to the Free WiFi application that I downloaded to my iPhone there was a Starbucks within walking distance from the hotel, except that there wasn’t. I was able to find a coffee shop in downtown Raleigh which just happened to be next to Raleigh Times bar that Lisa, Randy, and I were in on Saturday night, so why not turn a cup of coffee into a pint of beer instead? 😉 From the bar I was able to activate the 3G data access (you are getting today’s blog via this access).
A walk back to the hotel led to a wonderful afternoon nap before heading back to Lisa’s office to pick her up from work.
ITP Flickr Pic
While waiting around the Raleigh airport the other day I noticed this silver-colored tree sculpture.
Much to my surprise there were also a moth and a brown grasshopper clinging to the fake tree. Um, bugs, you camoflauge is not working on this tree!
To Beer Or Not To Beer? There Was Really No Question
Joe allowed me to pick last night’s dinner destination. Wanting to save the Flying Saucer for Wednesday night in hopes that Randy may be able to join us for a pint then, I picked a few never-before-explored options within walking distance from the hotel. Naturally, the one I chose was called
Natty Greene’s Brewery Co. 😉 Hey, we passed an Irish pub to get there…
Natty Greene’s was actaully a really good choice. Uncharacterstically I only consumed one pint, which is not to say that the locally brewed beer should be avoided — in fact, just the opposite. In addition to my one beer I ate a humongous corned beef / pastrami / salami sandwich with homemade potato chips on the side.
Even better for aging old men such as myself, the bar is staffed by friendly young ladies. And, as an added bonus, last night there was a birthday party for some young lady consisting of a table of at least one dozen seemingly soriety sisters.
Oh, you know that I’ll return during future trips to Raleigh…
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay, though not great
Current Music – listening to the “Splendid Table” podcast from last weekend
Website Of The Day – I discovered a new Canadian band yesterday called Tin Star Orphans. Today’s website recommendation is more of a reminder for me to see if their music is available digitally when I return to Atlanta. Sorry, sometimes my blog is self-satisfying…
Mode Of Transportation To Work – rental car (not rented by me, so it shouldn’t get keyed)
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – couldn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (0)
Vegetarian Days – 2, Carnivorous Days – 2
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
October Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 200 miles
– Determine the fate of Sharpened Stone, LLC
– Complete at least one iPhone application (seriously, this needs to happen)
– lose five pounds
– eat vegetarian at least one day a week
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Flying Saucer on Wednesday sounds good to me!!!
Hopefully the “Agony of Da Feet” has subsided to a dull roar today.
The Engineering Career Fair was advertised on the local news last night, so I hope you get a chance to breathe today… 🙂
Uh oh.. that sounds like a cattle call. Paulie, you may be overwhelmed.
-FP
Slower than normal day, but I finally am getting a break.
Damn Tin Star Orphans!!!
Another album I find difficult to stop playing, over and over.
Paulie, glad to hear you had a nice visit to G’boro based Natty Greens. I actually enjoy their brews. They sponsor a tent at the Grasshoppers,of which I have my own seat. Your recent travel stories were nice to read. Tell the ATL BS hashers I said hello.