Drawing With Sawyer

While we were all over at Dad & Ma's for the Patriots/Bills game, Sawyer & I drew a bunch of stuff.

We each drew an astronaut and a cyclops, and then I drew two other random things. I used a ball point pen for all of them, with some magic markers and a yellow highlighter for color.

MQ 2015 No.5

I hiked Crow Hills, beginning from Redemption Rock today. It was a sunny dry day in the 40's. Only one dude on the trail, heading back down as I began my hike around 3 pm. It was a nice 2-hours escape.

After, I headed over to Dad & Ma's for supper. I had scrambled hamburger in Syrian bread, and then coffee and 2 fresh-from-the-oven brownies...

MQ 2015 No.4

Mount Wachusett - north side (Old Indian Trail).

A nice mid-steep inclined trail, that was a steady workout all the way up. Dry and sunny, and windy at the summit.

Three Months of Work

Three months ago yesterday, she & I shared our first kiss. Three months ago today, I ramped up my fitness & nutrition regimens to be the best i could be for her. I've lost 25 pounds, and am down to 220 for the first time in years. I've already tossed out all my XXL shirts, and replaced all of my underwear. I went back to an old belt, and I can't wear any of my jeans without it.

She is an inspiration, even though we have dialed it back to "just friends". Thanks, Miss K!

The Pond

I always try to get a few good photos when I go down to the lake.

MQ 2015 No.3

Today I drove the 44 miles to Warwick, MA to hike Mount Grace.

It was cool and dry, with a blue sky, and it was a great hike. Down the Round the Mountain Trail, and then up the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. It was nice and strenuous, and there were only 4 other people on the peak during my time there (3:45 - 6:30). I climbed the Warwock Fire Tower at the summit, and took some great photos. The hike back down was in waning sunlight, with Pale Saints, Lush, and Telefon Telaviv on my iPod.

Kayaking

I went to Wyman Pond to get out of the house for a bit, and enjoy the fresh air in a kayak. I spent from about 3pm to 4:30pm paddling and taking photos, and drinking a Wachusett beer.

MQ 2015 No.2

Today (Thursday) I hiked my favorite mountain of the Wapack Range, Pratt Mountain.

It was a great walk up, challenging enough to break me a sweat. The sky was blue, the air was cool & dry. I took many photos, both Instagram and 'normal'. I snagged some birch bark to draw on at the summit. I had almonds and a white chocolate Kit Kat. And I listened to Cocteau Twins "Blue Bell Knoll" and some Telefon Telaviv on the way down, plus I ended the walk with Major Lazer's "Peace is the Mission" in a rhythm-timed boot stomp. A great day.

Mute Math

I arrived at Alewife at 5:45.

I rode the Red Line and the Green Line, getting off at Coolidge Corner

to have dinner with Brian at the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse.

I had an amazing Harpoon Imperial Pumpkin Ale. It was so strong (10.5% abv), 

that I could feel it after just a few sips.

Then it was a steak wrap (very good) and a Goose Island IPA - 

what a great beer, super hoppy!

After that we walked the mile to Great Scott in Allston to see Mute Math.

The doorman was a humorless ass.

The opening act was a DJ named Quiet Entertainer. He was cool, and the set was mostly good, 

with some amazing highs and some sound-tech issue lows.

Mute Math kicked ass.

It was just as powerful and frenetic and bass-heavy as I'd remembered 

from the previous two times I've seen them live.

The old songs were great, the middle stuff was good, and the 

new stuff was pretty decent as well.

A great show.

MQ 2015 No.1

At 3:30 pm today (Friday) I headed over to Mount Wachusett to hike the Harrington Trail.

It was a perfect day, dry and cool. The hike took about 45 minutes from car to summit, and for a first hike of the season, it went amazingly well (most likely because I am 30 pounds lighter than I was last year at this time). At the summit I ate a white chocolate Kit-Kat and took a few photos. The trip down was about 30 minutes. I listened to Author and Pete Yorn.

Then I went to the lake to soak the pair of custom selvage jeans I got from Brave Star last year. I got into the inner tube with nothing but the jeans, and floated in the middle of the lake for about a half hour. They didn't dry before I left, though because it was too late in the day, so I left them in the trunk of my car until Sunday, when I washed them, and wore them damp for several hours.

It was a great day.

Ah, The Lake

After sleeping in 'til noon, I spent the afternoon doing random household chores. I also cooked 2 boneless pork chops and some broccoli mac & cheese for lunch. Then it was off to the lake from 5:30 to 7:00.

A nice time of floating and drinking a pineapple Goya soda, and then listening to new songs as I reread a JLA graphic novel. I foodshopped on the way home, too. What a great 2 days off...

Beach and Brewery and Bros

I decided to head up to New Hampshire to hang out with my old friends on a Friday night.

I left the house at 3 pm, and headed for Hampton Beach. The traffic was so bad on 495 North, that it took me two hours for what would normally be about a 75-minute drive. But once I hit the sand, and the salt air hit my nose, I didn't care anymore. I took a few photos (including one of "LEGO Ken" holding a 'Hi Miss K! ♥' flag, which I messaged to Karley), and then hung out in the surf for a half hour, swimming, floating, and just enjoying the feel (and taste) of the Atlantic Ocean.

At 6:15 I headed to the Red Hook Brewery to meet the guys for beer and food. First, I changed in the car, and then I went to the bathroom to wash the sunscreen and salt water off my hands and face. I got an ESB at the bar, and bought Erik a beer too when he walked in 2 minutes later. Brian showed up soon after, I snagged him a beer, and then we got a table. Chris showed up about 30 minutes later, and we all shared tortilla chips & salsa and some cheese quesadillas. Brian's girlfriend Jackie arrived later, and Rob soon after, and I had a crappy burger and chips, Brian got the mac & cheese, Erik snagged some buffalo tenders, and Chris got some nachos.

After we settled our bill, we all got in our various cars (minus Jackie), and drove over to Chris' 3rd-story apartment in Exeter. Brian & I walked to Gerry's Variety for beer, and then we all hung out til around one am, drinking beer, reminiscing about old times (Barnes & Noble, music, ex girlfriends, etc...).

I drove home with the stereo blasting either WXGR or my current favorite pop songs, and arrived home at 2:30 am, a very happy guy, for having spent an evening with 4 of my best friends.

Job Search

....Activated.

Wow

Two different scales each say:

238 

Sweet. The hard work and discipline are paying off.

2nd Time...

We agreed to part again. I'm not sure if it's a good sign for the future that we've had 2 friendly splits, or that it's truly the end this time. Neither of us wants it, but it's for the best.

You suck, Father Time.

Niemi Cove Family Time

All of Dad & Ma's kids & grandkids (minus Celia) spent the afternoon at the lake.