Another scheduled physical therapy appointment this morning. While I’m glad I get to go (meaning I’m not reporting to court to be someone’s juror instead) my 10am appointment is really disrupting my work schedule on a day where I need to reel in some things that went astray yesterday. It appears that it might be another weekend of work for me, though I’ll make sure not to work on Memorial Day.
Damn, only ten days after replacing the batteries in my keyboard and trackpad the batteries are low again? This is insane.
I Could Do Without Another Trip To The Tabernacle Any Time Soon
I worked a little later than normal last night in order to wait out the traffic which appeared horrible on Google Maps. By the time I made it downtown I was surprised that I was able to get a parking space directly across from The Tabernacle, even if it did cost me $10. I worried about getting out of that lot when a stream of oblivious pedestrians streamed from The Tabernacle after the show, but I was a bit creative with my driving skills and managed to get out the back entrance for the lot. I doubt that I’ll be parking in that lot again…
The show last night was really crowded, and really good. Of course I was easily fifteen, hell twenty, years older than most of the people there. And unlike most of those around my advanced age I was not bringing my child to the show. I was pleasantly surprised when I ran into a hashing friend Aimee (aka “Gasshole”) while I was waiting for beer. Apparently her company sponsors shows at The Tabernacle and she’s a fan of Cage the Elephant. Of course I was there to hear the co-headling band for the tour, Manchester Orchestra.
Given that Atlanta is Manchester Orchestra’s hometown it was a natural choice that they’d be the night’s headliners. I scanned the ITP archives so I could correctly state the date when I first (March 7, 2006 for those of you playing at home) in case I had to state my indie cred. I am probably forgetting one, but I recall seeing Manchester Orchestra play at Smith’s Olde Bar, The Loft, Variety Playhouse, and now The Tabernacle. If they ever make it to Philips Arena I’ll smile and pass on the opportunity to see them — unless Andy Hull (who once left a comment on this humble blog) provides me with a backstage pass for that show.
Cage the Elephant and Manchester Orchestra performed excellent sets. Not being at all familiar with Cage the Elephant I confess to being lost during their set. Knowing each and every song that Manchester Orchestra performed really boosted my enjoyment of their set.
The overall sound inside The Tabernacle was fine last night, but I won’t be disappointed if I don’t make it down there for another show any time soon.
Vegetarian Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Healthy
If there is a way to screw up eating healthfully I believe that I’ve mastered it. I decided to go veg yesterday, a decision which seemed unlikely given where I ate lunch and dinner, but I did it.
The office building in which I work has a cafe (read “deli”) on the ground floor. Being incredibly swamped (read “frustrated”) at work I decided to pop downstairs and get some grub. I should mention that our office is currently under renovation so kitchen facilities are limited at best at the moment. I believed that my decision to go to the cafe seemed to seal my fate as far as vegetarian fare was concerned, until I noticed that they were serving a portobello mushroom burger as a special. The “burger” was topped with a fried green tomato slice and was actually pretty good.
As I mentioned the concert last night was held at The Tabernacle. There are many things about downtown Atlanta I dislike, including the lack of dinner options. Ted’s Montana Grill is the only convenient option for Tabernacle shows, and as you’d imagine it was packed last night. Ted’s isn’t exactly the vegetarian destination either… I contemplated walking to the CNN food court but, even though it was still light outside, wasn’t really in the mood for wandering around downtown alone. In the end I decided to eat at Ted’s, grabbing the first available seat at the bar. I was served by a lovely young lady named Jen, who had no hesitation when I ordered “two starters for my meal.” I ordered a Caesar salad and an order of onion rings, with a beer of course. Vegetarian? Yes. Healthy? Notsomuch.
Late Night Concert Means No Top Chef Masters
You may spoil last night’s outcome on Top Chef Masters if you wish. I’ll be watching this week’s episode tonight. Sadly I failed to procure potatoes in order to start a corned beef in my Crock Pot for tonight’s dinner. I’ll have to figure out what will be on tonight’s dinner plate. Suggestions?
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay, a bit tired and hopefully ready to right my work project when I make it into the office today
Current Music – listening to a CBC Radio 3 podcast
Website Of The Day – I like to dream about living in completely different environs, like those featured in Remodelista.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – not checking currently
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0.0 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Pushups – 0
Situps – 0
Stairs – 0 flights
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (0)
Vegetarian Days – 3
Carnivorous Days – 22
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
May Goals
– “Completely” recover from the bike crash
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Run at least once
– Eat vegetarian no fewer than five days
– Lose three pounds
– Go out on a date with someone else
– Read an entire book, specifically The Laws Of Simplicity
2011 Goals [will be a little more fluid than in past years]
– Reduce my weight by 25 pounds based on the my weight as measured on February 1st
– Completely read the book Daily Negations which I received as a Christmas gift.
– Run Sharpened Stone as a real business — one which does not get penalized.
– 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
– Ride in no fewer than five 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Run in no fewer than two one half-marathon
– Submit at least one application under the name “Sharpened Stone” to Apple’s iOS store
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
I think when I get back to work (btw hoping to hear something by June 1) I’m going to make an appointment about my left knee. In case anyone forgot, I tore my ACL while trying to complete my first Dark Side Hash back in ’07. I’m been having problem with every thing from my knee to my foot over the last 9 months. I don’t know if it is related to the tear but I think it’s worth a look.
The hike at Fort Mountain was great yesterday, we did almost all the Gahuti trail, it wasn’t our plan but some strange markings on the trail led us off our chosen course. We saw a HUGE king snake, I managed to get a pretty good (by my standards) close up of him. Good thing Jerry wasn’t with us.
You can still have potatoes tonight, you could roast or boil some in under an hour, do some ‘parboiling’ in the micro and cut the time even more or some steamed or sautéed cabbage or some nice sauerkraut??
I’m kind of confused. It seemed you had a good time at the Tabernacle – why wouldn’t you want to go back again?
Martha, your pic of the snake was great! Seems like on of your pals had a poor reaction to the snake??
So Paulie, you keep alluding to not going back to the Tabernacle any time soon, but don’t supply a reason..
I managed 4 miles with walking at Jorges last night- only 91 degrees or so at 6- ugh. I’m thinking I might continue my 5:45 start time through the summer. Seems easier to run alone and take a walk break whenever I need it, especially while I’m getting back into running shape.
-FP
Martha, is the phot on Facebook? If so I might have to log in to see it.
Sorry, thought i’d discussed my disgust (see what I did there?) for The Tabernacle.
1. Must pay for parking.
2. It’s a Ticketmaster venue, therefore ticket prices always have added fees.
3. Lack of food options nearby when I am alone.
4. I can’t bring in my camera (which is less of a Big Deal since I’ve not been shooting) lately.
I’ll give The Tabernacle some pluses.
1. It’s a non-smoking venue.
2. Beer prices are “reasonable” $10 for a 24-ounce Ranger IPA.
3. Sound is usually good, layout of building (a former Baptist church) is conducive to good viewing angles.
Good on ya, Steve! Perhaps someday I’ll attempt running again.
No, us girls were fine with the snake (they were a little nervous how close I got to it), now Jerry is another story, he jumped when he saw just the picture, lol. Paulie, the pic is on Facebook and Flickr. (FYI, he was at least 3 feet long)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atlantaboiler/5759544979/in/photostream
We were surprise how nice it was yesterday, I guess being in the mountains/woods help keep the temps comfortable.
Keep it up Steve, I know it’s tough getting back into the swing of things after time off.
Wow. I’m fairly okay with snakes but that would’ve startled me and made me reconsider my hike.
We saw a snake similar to that on a Silk Sheets ride slithering across the road a couple weeks ago. I am not a fan of snakes, and Joanna had good advise – “beware fo snakes with graphics”. I have no idea which snakes are poisonous and which ones aren’t, so I’ll just beware of all snakes.
I found a big one a couple weeks ago while clearing some brush back on on of the trails… he was big enough and at eye level that I was startled. I considered dispatching him to.. wherever snakes go, but my tools were limited and as he wasn’t anywhere the mizzus would bump into him, I let him be.
This guy was the Toby of snakes, he didn’t move and held a perfect pose 😉
They say you can tell if a snake is poisonous or not by the eye, round eyes = ok, almond/cat eyes = poison/stay away. The problem being you have to get close enough to see the eye to tell.
Nothing to reconsider at that point, we were pretty much as far from our start as we could have been (saw him right before the intersection of the 301 and Gahuti).
Finally in the office and ruined today’s physical therapy workout with a big order of chicken fingers with french fries. Proof that it was a stupid thing to order is the burn on my throat from eating a piping hot piece of chicken. Owie!
Only because I know you prefer to be informed -> Caesar dressing usually contains anchovies 🙁
Because I like romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and croutons, I often order a Caesar salad with a different dressing. My 2 cents. Have a nice day.
I figured only your “better” Caesar salad dressings included anchovies. It’s kinda like things being cooked with chicken stock, if I can’t remove it and can’t request it be made differently then I’m not going to sweat it. So I’m taking credit anyway. 😉