NY Signs

Signs
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

I'm going to try to start a new series of entries on signs. Here's my first one. The sign speaks for itself.

It's nice to know that a place about 4 blocks away from my house cuts human hair.

Four Years Ago, Today

Four years ago today, Michelle and I wed. It was a beautiful day full of friends and family. Since that time we’ve met many new friends, experienced growth and pain and love and everything in between. We’ve purchased a home, sold a home, moved across the country, changed jobs, had parties and pretty much experienced a ton of life. And yet, that day seems like yesterday. I sat in the car, air-conditioning blasting (who would’ve known it was going to be so hot on Mt. Hood in late September), waiting for Michelle to get to the wedding. Little did I know, she was waiting for her mom who had been waiting for my mom (or something like that). But, to be truthful, I wasn’t even aware of my late bride. I was to busy trying to psyche myself out. No crying. I know myself and my emotions (thanks dad for the crying gene) and so I needed to make sure I didn’t let go. Didn’t cry. I had vows to say. Composure was key.

Finally Michelle showed up. The guitarist started playing and we began walking down the isle. Somewhere between walking down the isle and seeing Michelle in her dress for the first time, it kicked in. By “it”, I mean the crying gene. Uncontrollable. Thank God I was hydrated or I might have collapsed. As much as I tried to stop, I just couldn’t. It just kept coming (my groomsmen were crying too. Eli, Colin, Steve, Chris and Stephen don’t even try to say you weren’t. We’ve got you on film). But eventually we got through the ceremony. It was beautiful ceremony, and by the end, I stopped crying.

We took pictures as the guest made their way up to the lodge. Manny was working his magic, snapping away, and we were just basking in the moment, because, when you get married, that’s about all you can do. Take it all in. Bask in the moment. Moments come and go fast, so try to experience them in all their fullness, because before you know it, they’ll be gone.

Finished with pictures, we cruised up to the lodge. Party on. Food on. Kegs on. And a secret hard alcohol bar downstairs that someone had also set up (Dan) was on. Oh, my. It went off. It was a great party and in the end, Michelle and I didn’t want it to end. We wanted to throw another party just like it. But the wedding party did end, and our marriage began.

So, as anyone who knows me at all can attest to, unlike my wedding date, I’m always the one late our marriage. And just like always, I forgot to put a card out for Michelle this morning. Truthfully, I didn’t forget, I just couldn’t find the right card. They all seemed canned. Not real. Not big enough or small enough to express my true feelings. I couldn’t find anything that could do justice to the last four years with Michelle. It’s been a complicated journey. And we’ve both grown an immense amount. So here’s the message I would have put on card for her this morning if I would’ve found the right card.

Michelle, I love you. Happy anniversary. Let’s keep growing together and see were it takes us. And one more thing.

I do.

Labor Day Weekend

September 10 2005 (Labor Day Weekend) 052
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Michelle and I packed up the backpacks and headed up north... to Vermont over the Labor Day weekend. It was beautiful. The fall colors are on the verge of showing themselves. We'll be up there again in a little less than a month to enjoy the changing seasons.

Gas was... ouch!!! But we don't drive much, so we broke out the credit card and filled up the tank. Good thing we're not driving a H2.

We went on a day long hike, visited small quaint villages and enjoyed the country. Very Oregon of us.

hello mt. hood

McNeil Point Trail

We visited Oregon. We went on a hike. Amazing, but true. And all though Michelle and I have been on many, many, many hikes on Mt. Hood, we both agree, this might be one of the best--McNeil Point Trail. Beautiful weather, blooming wildflowers, sub-alpine wonders, glacier fed creeks, gnarled boulders and 10 miles to take it all in. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy.

My First Yankee Game

Me
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

There are a few places that baseball fans would like to visit sometime during there fandom. First on that list is Fenway Park. A close second is Wrigley Field. And little bit further down the list is Yankee Stadium. At least that's my list (and it's been my list since I was 5 or 6 years old). I was lucky enough to mark off the Yankee Stadium experience on Monday night. David gave me a call. He had an extra ticket... 12 rows up from home plate. It was a great game. The stadium is a somewhat of a dump and I absolutely hate the Yankees. But, it was still great. I watched one All Star after another get up for the Yankees. Each one a potential hall of famer. The 50,000 fans went crazy when they were happy with there team and even crazier when they were unhappy with them. (Maybe they were just unhappy because they had to pay $6 for a coke). It was hot, it was sweaty and it was great. The game ended, we jumped in the subway car and went home along with the thousands of other fans. And I left with something I didn't bring with me that night... the experience of going to a Yankee game. The worst part was that the Yankees won. Man I hate the Yankees.

Fire Island

ocean wave
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

The quest for a nice beach continues. And this weekend it involved an ocean ferry, friends and an Island 30 minutes off of Long Island. We hit pay dirt on Saturday at Ocean Beach on Fire Island. The beach was crowded, but clean. The water was warm and the sunset came down over the sand. It's the Atlantic Ocean and it's the first time I've ever jumped into its water. The waves fell over us and the Manhattan heat washed away. It's great to explore. Even greater to have finally found what we’ve been looking for.

Ouch

ouch
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Good thing we don't drive much anymore.

Amazingly I've got nothing political to say about the war. I think this photo speaks for itself.

Wait a minute. That was kind of political.

The Beach

public beach
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

2 weeks ago, we decided to go to the beach... oops. We struck out. Cruising up and down Long Island, we kept running into roadblocks. Most beaches are private. If they're not private, you have to pay to get into them. Fuck that. Certain things shouldn't be exclusive... like beaches and mountains and the beauty that is our (all citizens) country. And when we finally got on the “public beach” (that cost $8 dollars to park at), this is what we found. Pebbles and seaweed. Not exactly Cannon Beach.

Luckily we had better luck last weekend.

A First

a first
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Here in NY, this never happens. You never ever see this. It's a 1 in a million shot. And so, I took it. Yes, your eyes are not decieving you. It says NO CHARGE. Enjoy.

One Stressed Out Cat

Chill'in
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

As you can see, Cirrus made the 3,000 mile journey out to NY sans psycho. I don't know why. I don't know how. And I don't know for how long, but I'm happy about it. Hopefully she'll keep doing what she's doing (or smoking or taking or whatever). Keep chill'in Cirrus. Keep chill'in.