goodbye, july

The minutes are counting down. We're an hour away from August. Which means... birthday is just around the corner. Two weeks and two days. Woo hoo.

As an early gift to myself, I went bike hunting today. Don't worry, it's not as glam as it sounds. But in checking out bikes in Boston, I learned a couple tough lessons:

1. Boston/Cambridge will not do resale bikes. No second hand. No used. Why? Too many bikes are stolen and sold black market. Go figure! So the only feasible response for bike stores is...

2. Bike stores only sell new bikes. Well of course! Why sell a used bike for $100 when you could sell a new one for $500? Or for that matter, a single speed cruiser for $499, 10-speed for $599 and... if you are the god of bikes, a fancy racing one in the thousands.

I respect cyclists. I do. For those of you who race or live your life on your bike, invest. I will never judge you. BUT. . . if you're a jack-around-town like me, just using it for a little back and forth to work, quick gym time, a visit to the Charles river on a gorgeous Sunday, why would you ever spend five hundred big ones on a bike from that shop?

(I suppose you could always check Murderlist Craigslist, but I'm not wasting my time on something without a guarantee or refund policy. Yay Target with a 90 day return policy and a 'lifetime warranty.')

Shop local, yes. I would normally argue that as well. But I'm also a fan of shopping smart. Granted my Target special (imagine the French me saying tar-shjay) doesn't come with a free year's worth of tune ups (and maybe I'm saying this too soon), but I'm pretty content. This ole bike hung in for an entire day. The lights still work, the bell still chimes and the gears seem to shift like they're supposed to. I'm a happy camper and feel as if I'm a smart consumer.
Not to mention the most exciting part: I'm now FREE! Free to see gorgeous parts of Boston without anything holding me back! See for yourself below... gorgeous. Get yourself a bike and join my club - the Boston bicycle cool kids club.

a day at sea

Just another beautiful day in Boston.

Boat.... Check.
Sunscreen.... Check.
Friends.... Check.
Vino.... Check.

Gorgeous day..... Check.

We boated around Boston harbor, felt the incredible rush as planes took off overhead from Logan airport, and went along the Charles. We did some tubing (and I didn't chip a tooth this time, be proud!), wakeboarding and cruised the harbor.

For the ocean, I suppose it was relatively calm on the sea. For a boy who grew up on lakes in mid-Missouri, it was wicked rough. But was one hell of a time!

Thanks for such a great afternoon to my new and old friends.

out this panoramic photo, too. From the Charles River, you can see Cambridge and Boston, including the Prudential, John Hancock and other noteworthy buildings on the horizon.

Crazy how the summer is already on the downhill slide. Tomorrow is August! What's next? I need a few more adventures before the summer can be archived in the memories of 2011. Any suggestions?

edge of glory

Have you ever felt an instant connection? With another person, a song - something? Not just a connection; lightning. A joy and excitement that was so robust, you could hardly contain yourself?

Recently, I found myself in a torrent of whirlwinds of emotion - full of love, anger, disappointment, excitement and anxiety. The irony is that we as humans despise the feeling of vulnerability. Putting ourselves out there with a hope that maybe...just maybe... this time it could be right.

Regardless of the outcome, I find that each time I have an experience in my life that pulls in the deepest emotions that I see on rare occasion, I find a song that touches me. It doesn't happen on purpose and I don't search for it. Its a song which makes me think about life. Again - not necessarily for my health - this song drums up some of the deepest seeded emotions I've felt in some time. What a song.

(note: these songs are added to playlists that I create each year entitled 'soundtrack to my life, vol. x)

In life, some of the hardest lessons are learned at the disappointment (and often times neglect or maltreatment) of those who mean the most to us. What do we say when "I'm sorry" just isn't adequate? To stand on the edge of something incredible, only to have it swept out from under us.. and the part that destroys me is the lack of option for recourse or recompense. I hate knowing that my regret and change of course will never be enough. But I am sorry.

Lady Gaga, who I'm guessing none of you have ever heard of, is someone who works magic with words. I ran across this video at random, but found it to be one of the most beautiful, thought provoking and emotionally moving songs that my ears have ever had the pleasure of purveying.

I'll let you be the judge. It's been a while since a song has moved me to tears - but Gaga, I've gotta hand it to you. Rock on.

Real tales of seafood, chowda and summertime

There is no better way to spend a gorgeous, 80-something degree day in July than outdoors, under a tent and with people you work with (hint, not at work, we all tend to be more fun). Right?

And how can you make it better?

1. Do it on a Friday. When does HR ever close? Wait...it doesn't. Except today. And at 3 pm, we all go home early. Check.

2. Give us a feast. Not just any feast, mind you. A true New England lobster boil with all the fixin's. And make it all you can eat. Oh, and some of us want burgers, ice cream, watermelon and anything else you can think of. Check.

3. Don't require us to play games. Instead, make us want to play. Play "Name that quote in a tv show or movie," and let the winners (and the losers) get a free pizza party. Check.

I work with some very talented and amazing individuals. And I couldn't think of a better way to share it with them. It's a nice treat to be invited and to be included in their fun, especially as a part of the family. Looking forward to Lobstah-fest 2012!