"...but you can ask anybody and they'll tell you, this is just another Bronx tale..."
My sister graced my father and I both with tickets to see 'A Bronx Tale', Chazz Palminteri's one man show, as a Christmas present. Last night was the play, at Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
Being a huge fan of the movie first, I was anxious to see how this show would be done. How does he do it all alone? Does he just speak a bunch of parts back and forth to himself?
No, it was more like just a guy telling you a story, and I loved it. There were no set changes and no intermissions, it was just Mr. Palminteri for 90 minutes (with no water breaks) telling us the story that is so familiar from the movie that was Robert Deniro's directorial debut.
Something I did not know was that the play actually came first, in 1989, before they made it into a movie in 1993. I always thought it was the other way around.
Palminteri brought to the stage a certain energy and mojo, if you will, to the characters of "Sonny" and "C", and he made you feel like you were just a guy on the street corner listening to his story. For 90 minutes I had tunnel vision, watching him act out the engaging scenes and dialogue. His stage versions of certain characters were a little more overstated than they were on screen, but this is normal for the theater. Even though I knew what was coming, I enjoyed it from start to finish.
I definitely recommend it.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Good Weekend
I had a great weekend.
Friday night I watched a very funny movie called "Burn After Reading". I definitely recommend it.
On Saturday, the weather finally got less "ass biting cold" and I was able to go out and about without bundling up. I think things are just so much more comfortable when it's warmer out. There is more of a bounce in my step.
After a trip with my mom to the dump to get rid of some old electronics, we went to the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Cockeysville . I have never been here before, and it was very interesting. They had delicous food and it was good to spend some time with my mom.
I came home and got to spend a little time with my wife and kids, before my wife went out with the girls for the night and I had a couple of good friends over to play darts and have a few cocktails.
Sunday was spent relaxing on the couch, eating junk food (my cheat day) and watching TV.
I really have no point to this blog, but just to point out that weekends can be as simple as this and still be everything a guy could want in a weekend. It's the little moments that show you what to be thankful for. No one would ever mistake my lifestyle for the rock-n-roll high life. But I realized this weekend that all I really need is to be around loved ones, good friends, and a spritz of 'not-so-bad' weather to have the time of my life.
Friday night I watched a very funny movie called "Burn After Reading". I definitely recommend it.
On Saturday, the weather finally got less "ass biting cold" and I was able to go out and about without bundling up. I think things are just so much more comfortable when it's warmer out. There is more of a bounce in my step.
After a trip with my mom to the dump to get rid of some old electronics, we went to the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Cockeysville . I have never been here before, and it was very interesting. They had delicous food and it was good to spend some time with my mom.
I came home and got to spend a little time with my wife and kids, before my wife went out with the girls for the night and I had a couple of good friends over to play darts and have a few cocktails.
Sunday was spent relaxing on the couch, eating junk food (my cheat day) and watching TV.
I really have no point to this blog, but just to point out that weekends can be as simple as this and still be everything a guy could want in a weekend. It's the little moments that show you what to be thankful for. No one would ever mistake my lifestyle for the rock-n-roll high life. But I realized this weekend that all I really need is to be around loved ones, good friends, and a spritz of 'not-so-bad' weather to have the time of my life.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where's the Tylenol?!
I haven't written in a while. It was Halloween the last time I pulled this up and now Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is upon us.
But even though I haven't written a lot has been going on.
I had my 32nd birthday and I'm trying to find the fun in getting older as much as I can, but still somedays you just long for the care free days of being in your 20's. That's just human nature though.
We went to Disney World for vacation. I was skeptical, plus afraid to fly but I sucked it up. The flight was okay, once we were up there I was fine. I feel like I conquered a fear, but at the same time the thought of flying still doesn't get me too jazzed. But that's just what you have to do sometimes to get out of dodge. And trust me, everybody needs to get out of dodge once in a while. Vacations = keeping sanity.
The wife, kids and I had a blast in Disney World. It was a different type of vacation than I am used to, but a pleasant and rewarding time none the less. The Orlando weather and our hotel alone were enough to satisfy me, but the Disney parks are a good time. I think I understand the "magic" people who love Disney talk about.
When we got back from Disney we were greeted by the newest member of our family, a new puppy. He has been a loving and fun addition to our house, but definitely an adjustment.
Things get hectic in our household, I have to say. Family is a lot of work. But there is also a lot of love in our household that makes the hard work worth it.
For that I was thankful on Thanksgiving. I have to thank my wife for making delicous cinnamon buns for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning which kept my portion control in line when it came time for the big meal that day.
And we were able to keep our family artificial tree in the family instead of retiring it! We put the tree up last weekend in preparation for Christmas time, for which I have always been a big softy.
So there's my last couple of months in a nutshell. I know anxious readers out there were dying for the scoop :-).
"Merry Christmas! Holy shit! Where's the tylenol?!" -Clark Griswold
But even though I haven't written a lot has been going on.
I had my 32nd birthday and I'm trying to find the fun in getting older as much as I can, but still somedays you just long for the care free days of being in your 20's. That's just human nature though.
We went to Disney World for vacation. I was skeptical, plus afraid to fly but I sucked it up. The flight was okay, once we were up there I was fine. I feel like I conquered a fear, but at the same time the thought of flying still doesn't get me too jazzed. But that's just what you have to do sometimes to get out of dodge. And trust me, everybody needs to get out of dodge once in a while. Vacations = keeping sanity.
The wife, kids and I had a blast in Disney World. It was a different type of vacation than I am used to, but a pleasant and rewarding time none the less. The Orlando weather and our hotel alone were enough to satisfy me, but the Disney parks are a good time. I think I understand the "magic" people who love Disney talk about.
When we got back from Disney we were greeted by the newest member of our family, a new puppy. He has been a loving and fun addition to our house, but definitely an adjustment.
Things get hectic in our household, I have to say. Family is a lot of work. But there is also a lot of love in our household that makes the hard work worth it.
For that I was thankful on Thanksgiving. I have to thank my wife for making delicous cinnamon buns for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning which kept my portion control in line when it came time for the big meal that day.
And we were able to keep our family artificial tree in the family instead of retiring it! We put the tree up last weekend in preparation for Christmas time, for which I have always been a big softy.
So there's my last couple of months in a nutshell. I know anxious readers out there were dying for the scoop :-).
"Merry Christmas! Holy shit! Where's the tylenol?!" -Clark Griswold
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween/Birthday '08
Tonight was the closest thing I think I could come to reliving my youth at Halloween.
We took the kids out and made our usual rounds to grandparents houses first, but then when we came home we took the kids from house to house and our street was buzzing.
It hasn't seemed like this in previous years. Trick or treating turnouts seemed to have lulled year by year as I have gotten a little older. Maybe it was because Halloween fell on a Friday this year. That could totally be it. It was also a little nicer out.
It was the perfect fall night. It was perfect sweatshirt weather with that crisp smell in the air of a burning fireplace, that smell that just equals Halloween. It reminded me of being a kid again.
Our streets were crowded with kids in crazy costumes running all over, candy bags being flung from lawn to lawn, and parents yelling "say trick or treat" and "say thank you". People were out on their porches entertaining, and a few houses had little haunted house lawns set up. It just seemed like folks really went all out this year, which was cool to me. Everyone was friendly to each other, and it was like one big block party. Like I said, I don't remember the neighborhood streets being abuzz like this since I was a kid.
Sure, that excitement is not quite there about it being Halloween like when you're a kid. But tonight, for me, had to be the closest thing to it.
And as I get ready to turn another year older tomorrow, this was defintely a cool feeling, perhaps a small gift to share with myself and my family. I'm not saying it was any big deal, it was just cool.
We took the kids out and made our usual rounds to grandparents houses first, but then when we came home we took the kids from house to house and our street was buzzing.
It hasn't seemed like this in previous years. Trick or treating turnouts seemed to have lulled year by year as I have gotten a little older. Maybe it was because Halloween fell on a Friday this year. That could totally be it. It was also a little nicer out.
It was the perfect fall night. It was perfect sweatshirt weather with that crisp smell in the air of a burning fireplace, that smell that just equals Halloween. It reminded me of being a kid again.
Our streets were crowded with kids in crazy costumes running all over, candy bags being flung from lawn to lawn, and parents yelling "say trick or treat" and "say thank you". People were out on their porches entertaining, and a few houses had little haunted house lawns set up. It just seemed like folks really went all out this year, which was cool to me. Everyone was friendly to each other, and it was like one big block party. Like I said, I don't remember the neighborhood streets being abuzz like this since I was a kid.
Sure, that excitement is not quite there about it being Halloween like when you're a kid. But tonight, for me, had to be the closest thing to it.
And as I get ready to turn another year older tomorrow, this was defintely a cool feeling, perhaps a small gift to share with myself and my family. I'm not saying it was any big deal, it was just cool.
Monday, October 20, 2008
5:45am
This morning I arose to fill in for somebody at work and their 5:45-2:15 shift.
Yuck.
Forget the fact that you basically have to settle in the night before and try to be in bed at 9pm like an 8 year old, but waking up while it is still dark out? Well, it's hard for me to figure out how some people find pleasure in that.
Oh yeah, to top that all off it's Monday.
But, I am coming off a quiet (as quiet as one can get with a 6 and 4 year old in the house) weekend home with the family. I didn't even crack open one cocktail, and I didn't sleep in either day. I just watched movies, visited my folks, played with the kids, and spent time with my wife.
It was a refreshing weekend. Again, I have to feel thankful and cherish the days. However, one thing I do not cherish, is waking up at 4:45am to be to work by 5:45am.
One thing I do notice, however, waking up this early and having your day start before most people's, is that my mind feels a little crisper (after coffee of course) and a little more creative. Maybe I'll take advantage of it and write something. Or maybe I'll lay my head down and wish 2:15 would hurry up.
Have a good week, everybody.
Yuck.
Forget the fact that you basically have to settle in the night before and try to be in bed at 9pm like an 8 year old, but waking up while it is still dark out? Well, it's hard for me to figure out how some people find pleasure in that.
Oh yeah, to top that all off it's Monday.
But, I am coming off a quiet (as quiet as one can get with a 6 and 4 year old in the house) weekend home with the family. I didn't even crack open one cocktail, and I didn't sleep in either day. I just watched movies, visited my folks, played with the kids, and spent time with my wife.
It was a refreshing weekend. Again, I have to feel thankful and cherish the days. However, one thing I do not cherish, is waking up at 4:45am to be to work by 5:45am.
One thing I do notice, however, waking up this early and having your day start before most people's, is that my mind feels a little crisper (after coffee of course) and a little more creative. Maybe I'll take advantage of it and write something. Or maybe I'll lay my head down and wish 2:15 would hurry up.
Have a good week, everybody.
The Return of Alexander Supertramp
I really can't complain too much about the camping trip. I was surrounded by a crisp fire, good friends, good food and drink, and beautiful weather. This is more than a lot of people have in their lives, so I feel thankful.
Packing, unpacking, and then packing is a bitch when camping, I will say that. There's so much you have to remember to bring when you camp. Stuffing the car to the gills while you argue with your spouse about "what can fit where" and "do we really need to bring that?" is not so fun, but par for the course. (for marriage and a camping trip --smile--)
But aside for that, it pales in comparison to the nice feeling I had Saturday afternoon. After a good jog and a shower, I sat. I read a chapter of a book, did a crossword puzzle, bullcrapped with friends by a fire, watched kids play, all by a fire in 72 degree sunny weather. A few beers and a bocci ball game later, I settled in for a chilly night's sleep in the tent.
I woke up feeling glad that I went, but also glad to go back home to indoor plumbing and my own bed.
Packing, unpacking, and then packing is a bitch when camping, I will say that. There's so much you have to remember to bring when you camp. Stuffing the car to the gills while you argue with your spouse about "what can fit where" and "do we really need to bring that?" is not so fun, but par for the course. (for marriage and a camping trip --smile--)
But aside for that, it pales in comparison to the nice feeling I had Saturday afternoon. After a good jog and a shower, I sat. I read a chapter of a book, did a crossword puzzle, bullcrapped with friends by a fire, watched kids play, all by a fire in 72 degree sunny weather. A few beers and a bocci ball game later, I settled in for a chilly night's sleep in the tent.
I woke up feeling glad that I went, but also glad to go back home to indoor plumbing and my own bed.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Alexander Supertramp
This weekend we are going on a camping trip. It's not something I am too excited about. I've been camping a couple of times and decided it wasn't for me. But the wife and kids are excited about it so I'm just going to have to suck it up. I've always been more of a beach guy.
I'm sure, once I get there it'll be fun. I like being outdoors in nice weather, and I'm hoping to get in a great jog on one of the nature trails they have.
I've just never really been the 'outsdoorsy' type. Camping is not something we did in my family growing up. It is something my wife did in hers. So, really, it's just like what kind of milk you drink. If you grew up with skim milk you drink skim milk, if you grew up with whole milk you drink whole milk. Odd reference, I know, but I think it fits. It really is true that how you were raised makes a big impact on the things you do as an adult. No one way is better than another, it's just different strokes for different folks.
Of course, this blog's title, if you know what it means, is sarcasm. We are staying at a camping "resort", which I think just means they have a lake and lots of amenities. Alexander Supertramp was the alias of a young wayward wanderer who died in the wilderness of Alaska. He was living a life of solitude in the wild trying to survive on berries and whatever he could hunt. In the end, living off the land didn't suit him. They made an interesting movie about him called "Into the Wild". So really, guys like me just watch movies about guys like him.
Anyway, I'm nervous and excited at the same time to be out of my element for a couple of days. I think it's important to stray from beyond your 'element' even if you really don't want to. I think opening up your world a bit gives you more character. I don't open up my world too often, so this will be interesting.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm sure, once I get there it'll be fun. I like being outdoors in nice weather, and I'm hoping to get in a great jog on one of the nature trails they have.
I've just never really been the 'outsdoorsy' type. Camping is not something we did in my family growing up. It is something my wife did in hers. So, really, it's just like what kind of milk you drink. If you grew up with skim milk you drink skim milk, if you grew up with whole milk you drink whole milk. Odd reference, I know, but I think it fits. It really is true that how you were raised makes a big impact on the things you do as an adult. No one way is better than another, it's just different strokes for different folks.
Of course, this blog's title, if you know what it means, is sarcasm. We are staying at a camping "resort", which I think just means they have a lake and lots of amenities. Alexander Supertramp was the alias of a young wayward wanderer who died in the wilderness of Alaska. He was living a life of solitude in the wild trying to survive on berries and whatever he could hunt. In the end, living off the land didn't suit him. They made an interesting movie about him called "Into the Wild". So really, guys like me just watch movies about guys like him.
Anyway, I'm nervous and excited at the same time to be out of my element for a couple of days. I think it's important to stray from beyond your 'element' even if you really don't want to. I think opening up your world a bit gives you more character. I don't open up my world too often, so this will be interesting.
I'll let you know how it goes.
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