A Glimpse into Spring

This paast weekend was a break form the frigid temperatures we’ve been having over this horrible winter. It’s amazing how good 50° temperatures can feel in the dead of winter. And it wasn’t just one day, it was an entire weekend that the goodness lasted!

If you can’t tell, this is one of my favorite subjects that I cover.

But, what this weekend also brought was a glimpse of what is to come. I brought this up last year, but that first warm day of spring is a joy to behold. This weekend while I was working over at the mall, it was made known that no one will miss this opportunity to shed some layers and expose some skin.

Women were wearing shorts! Damn you Polar Vortex (I hate it, but it’s the phrase of the winter, without a doubt!) for making me forget the beauty and form of the female body. Smooth skin and curves make themselves known to the entire visual landscape. What a sight to see!

But the cold has returned, snow and below freezing temperatures are back with a vengeance. Winter is powering on and making a last gasp effort to make each of us miserable and pray for the onset of spring. Basically, this past weekend was a tease. It just makes a person want spring to arrive that much faster!

I love the winter, I have a good time and enjoy the season when it’s here. But this year it has lasted just too long. As much as I love winter, I cannot wait for spring’s, and shortly thereafter summer’s, warmth. Women losing layers of clothing is a big reason why, and why shouldn’t it be?

Stop teasing me spring, you can’t come soon enough!

Currently Listening To:

Naked & Famous – Punching in a Dream

Thoughts: The Art of Keeping in Touch

As life goes on, we all make friends, become close with each other and then sometimes lose touch with people. It’s a reality most people don’t want to face. But, as technology advances, it’s much easier than it used to be to keep in touch with old friends. In the “old” days, people would have to make a call and chat with the person on the other end for anywhere between a couple of minutes to a couple of hours, just talking and catching up on each other’s life. Now, there are numerous social media sites available, email, cell phones, text messaging and I’m sure there are other forms as well. While it is difficult to stay in touch with people at times, the technology available makes it a lot easier to keep connected.

A friend of mine, just starting her new job and entering the next step of her career and life, came up to me and said she hopes she doesn’t lose touch with everyone she’s made friends with. She actually made it a point to say that I’m really good at keeping in contact with people. I never really thought about it before, but I suppose I am. So I gave her some pointers based upon what I do and it’s really not as difficult as it seems. All it takes is a thought and some time to keep a friendship alive, make it personal.

Of all the methods of reaching out to a person, my most favorite and personal way is a handwritten note or card. I’ve received thank you notes, on random days, and the only thing they do is put a smile upon my face. It’s amazing what a handwritten note can do. As I’ve said, outside of conversation with a person, a note is so much more personal. It takes time, some effort and actually requires some cost to perform. Due to all of these factors, this method of contact is perhaps the most intimate way to keep in touch with a dear friend. There is just a sense that the person really cherishes the friendship when a handwritten note is involved.

On a related note, while it’s good to reach out to someone for the first time in a long time, if there is one person that is reaching out constantly while the other is not making an effort, then perhaps that person is not worth the effort. This is where friendships become lost. It’s something that happens to everyone. Each individual has different circumstances, but friendship is still a two-way street. If it is only one-way, then it’s probably not worth the effort.

Despite what the previous paragraph says, don’t let this discourage you. Put out an effort to get in contact with old friends. If they truly are a friend, imagine the joy that they will have when they hear from a long-lost friend. Send out a text, e-mail or even a call and make someone’s day!

What’s your favorite way to stay in touch?

Currently Listening To:

J. Geils Band – Centerfold

Hockey Season is Approaching…

While the games have just started to count in the NHL, seeing the action play out on-screen has started to set my competitive juices on fire! As I’ve mentioned before, I have a fierce competitive nature. I enjoy being in the fray battling another guy for positioning, skating faster than anyone else for a puck, diving in front of shots that you know are going to hurt. I love it all. Best of all, I love shoving it in an opponent’s face that I did better than them while we were on the ice.

Playing hockey is one of the activities where I can unleash that ravenous animal deep inside of my soul. Playing hockey (along with working out) allows me to wear out this beast so that it doesn’t come out in everyday activities. For those of you that know me from different facets outside of sports, it may surprise you to know that I have this thing inside of me. But, it’s this harbinger that makes me ultra-competitive. It strives me to be better than everyone else.

Seeing the action taking place on ice rinks all over the North American continent, it starts to awaken this animal, and he’s starving for action. The physicality of the sport satisfies my beast, but there is more to hockey than just that. There is also grace, elegance, and even beauty. It’s a joy to watch really skillful players seemingly float on the ice. Even in the league that I play in, there are players that stand above the rest with their speed and skill. It’s amazing what some of these guys can do with their skill, it’s mystifying.

The time is coming soon, I can sense it. I am eagerly anticipating the day where I lace up my skates for the first time this fall, step out onto the ice, and let my inner competitor run wild with glee. Actually, allow my beast to get it’s fill of physicality.

Currently Listening To:

Metallica – Fade To Black

New York City Nights: Riviera and Fat Black Pussycat

Recently, I have been going to The City a lot more.  It just seems as if there is a lot to do this time of year.  It’s prime time to go to your local sports bar being that it is football season and the World Series is just starting up.  Also, it’s time to express your fall fashion sense, with the way the weather is going, and show off what you know at whatever night spot you go to.  Last Friday, I went to a couple of places that portray these views.  Riviera and The Fat Black Pussycat in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Early in the night, I met up with a few friends of mine just to catch up and watch the Giants face the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.  Riviera was the meeting point, and I have to say, it was a pretty cool little spot.  It’s a sports bar that has a Boston theme to it, which is a cool little niche, but they cater to pretty much any fan, no matter their allegiance.  Starting at eight o’clock on Friday, they have beer specials that come with food (a margherita pizza)!  Who doesn’t like that!?  As far as the atmosphere and crowd goes, the focus is on the sporting event (very little music in the background) and it caters to a wide range of people, from people in their early twenties to people in their fifties.  It’s a nice range and everyone seemed pretty nice when I was there.  This was certainly the case with one woman I met, a local resident, she was very engaging and I got the feeling that she was looking for some companionship for the evening.  So that’s always an option for you guys out there!  Since I was there early, I got food before my friends showed up and the burger was excellent.  I love a good bar burger.  In my opinion, there is not much else to it, Riviera is a good place to hangout for a low-key night if you want to enjoy the game or an easy-going night with friends.  

Later on in the night, we decided to make a move to a more engaging spot where the girls could hear some music.  The Fat Black Pussycat is what we decided on and a place that I could see myself really liking.  While I was in there for maybe a half hour at most, I liked the style a lot!  The first room that I walked into reminded me of an old, forties-style lounge with some antique couches and a huge throne!  The people over here dressed for this as most of them looked like they meshed with the scene.  Guys wearing fedoras and vests, ladies wearing some enticing, skin showing dresses.  There is a second bar area/room after this entrance that has pool tables, televisions and all your normal bar amenities.  It is the first room that really got me.  This place just gives off a really old-time vibe, and I like it.  

Apparently, after further research, they have karaoke from Monday to Wednesday and Happy Hour Monday to Thursday until ten o’clock and until four o’clock on Friday.  I wish they would keep that Friday Happy Hour open a little longer, but you can make a move here during the week for an awesome time!  This is a place that I will most certainly check out again sometime soon.  Also, this looks like a place that is great for singles.

These places are both fun in their own ways.  For the easy-going, cheap, City night, I would definitely suggest Riviera.  If you want to amp it up, The Fat Black Pussycat seems like your scene.  That place I will get a little more in-depth and report accordingly.  Another thing about the Pussycat, if you’re looking to star-watch, Prince has been seen over there a lot on Saturdays recently, could be fun to see him turn to the crowd and say “Let’s Go Crazy!”

If you know the Greenwich Village area, let me know of some other gold mines that I can uncover in my City travels!

Currently Listening To:

N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton