Tahoe in August

Keri and I spent this past weekend up in the Lake Tahoe region. We stayed at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, which is currently under construction, but we didn't mind. Actually, my company has been involved with this project (unbeknownst to Keri upon her booking the trip), but our phase is pretty much completed. Anyway, the room was nice, but the resort itself was a little quiet due to the work, so most of our chill time was spent in nearby Carnelian Bay, where we did a lot of eating. A good amount of our time was spent mountain biking. On Saturday, we went out by the reservoirs in Truckee. It was all rolling singletrack trails, which were not technically difficult, but really fun because you could get moving pretty fast and you didn't have to worry too much about any rocks in the trail. We spent about two hours out on that trail, but we wished we had spent more time. Nonetheless, it was a good warm up for what lay in store.

On Sunday, we went down to Tahoe City to hit the Alpine Meadows loop. It was supposed to be a pretty tame 16-mile loop with some paved road and some trail. Well, we started out the right way and we got on the right trail, but at some point we took a wrong turn and got onto a much more technical trail. There were a lot of loose rocks and it got quite steep at some points. I was really surprised with how well Keri handled the trail. She did a really good job on some really technical parts. Luckily I was in the front at one point int the trail where there was a foot or two drop off a rock, because I was able to warn her before she got there. She said afterward that if she had been leading she might have been going to fast and wouldn't have been able to stop. That would've been pretty crappy, but tragedy was averted. Overall, that ride was really fun despite being fairly difficult.

After our ride on Sunday, we went to the beach and took a dip. Keri claimed the water was too cold, but I thought it was really nice and refreshing. It got me excited for my week at the lakehouse in Maine. I'm really looking forward to that trip as well.

Overall, Tahoe really is a gorgeous place. The huge mountains, the crystal clear lake, and the beautiful California weather make it my sort of place. What else could a guy ask for? And it even snows in the winter...a lot. I love it!!! Now, if only there were a way to avoid the traffic...

Playing Catch-Up

Yeah, I know I'm behind, but I can't help. OK, OK, I guess I can. I'm just being lazy. Anyway, the latest news is that Keri and I finally found a place. It's nothing special, but it's fairly nice and it's convenient for the both of us, so at least we got that going for us. It's nice to finally have a place lined up, but I'm going to miss all the money going into my bank account. Oh well, we gotta get out on our own again. It's the healthiest thing for Keri and I. Wish us luck.

As for other news, I got some trips planned in the near future which I'm really looking forward to. First, my birthday trip up to Lake Tahoe with Keri to go mountain biking. She just booked the trip and I'm already there (mentally, that is). Second, my trip to Maine in August. I'll be spending a week up at the lake house. Fantastic!!! Third, I hope to go visit my boy, Joe, down in Florida. He just moved there with his girlfriend. Actually, to be honest with you, they're currently on the road down to their new abode right now as I type. The last trip I have planned is the one with all my college boys to Vegas. It should be a super fun time and I'm counting down the weeks until we go. T-minus 11 weeks and counting.

Front view.

Side view.

My new Mazda 3 - rear view.

HUGE SLACKER

I know, I know. I haven't posted in forever. Don't ask me why. I guess it's just that I've felt like I haven't had anything to write about. Although, since my last post I've started work at a new office (still in PERI), been back to NH for the holidays, visited Nick and Justin in LA, and put about 2500 miles on my car from my daily commute. A lot has happened, but it just felt like a whole lot of nothing.

Well, starting with the new office...it's aight. Nothing special. It's much bigger than my old office back in Boston, but still only 4 employees total working out of this location. I have a desk by the window which is pretty sweet. It gives me more privacy at my workstation, so I love that. As for the guys in this office...well, one is from Germany (Bernd), one is from Argentina (Oscar), and one is from the Boston area (Adam). Interesting group of people. Bernd (we actually call him Bernie) is the most interesting to talk to. He's probably the most like me in terms of the way we socialize, so we hit it off quickly. Oscar is older and can't speak English that well. He can understand it no prob, but when it comes to speaking he gets a little quiet and sometimes has trouble getting the point across. Hell, I speak English fluently and sometimes have trouble getting my point across so who am I to talk? Adam, on the other hand, is a nice guy, but is a little quiet and held back, so its sometimes more difficult to chat it up with him. Overall, I'm getting used to the new office, but there's a lot more bureaucracy and paperwork to get used to, so it might take a little time to become fully acquainted with my new surroundings.

I still don't have an apartement, but Keri and I are itching for one. We'll probably check it out this weekend and see where some good places to live would be. I would love to buy a place, but it is just so expensive out here. My parent's house back in NH would cost about $2 million around here just for the house, add the amount of land and it would be in the range of $3 to 5 million. I know, it's friggin' crazy!

Well, I guess I'll get back to work now. I'll try to stay on top of my postings, but I can't promise anything. Peace out.

Well, let's get this friggin' trip started. Start your engines...

My cousin Rob with his lil' one on the left, Zach, and his niece, Avery.

Hello, Zach. Now stare at the camera. Atta boy!!!

Jess doesn't want me to start my trip. First stop: NYC!

See. She won't let go...

Josh, Travis, and Devo.

Leaving Trav and Amata back in NYC. Such a sad moment. I'm gonna miss these guys.

Proof of concubinage. So the stories are true!!!

No, don't get up Bry. We only haven't seen each other for almost a year. It's cool just take a seat. Don't mind me. Ha ha. It's really out of context.

Nark and I parting ways. Look how sad he is to see me go.

Are you kidding?!?! Ben Willis? Your head looks to be normal size in this picture. Must have been the light from the moon playing tricks on the camera or maybe its just cause Trav's little head isn't in the picture.

Bye Pittsburgh!

Emily, my mom, and I pose for a pic, but my mom is 4 feet tall so she had to jump to get into the picture, as you can see here.

Emily and mom pose for the camera.

Look at these morons!!!

Red-eye at its finest.

Emily and her boyfriend hanging out at the house.

If you're in Wisconsin, you gotta stop to see Dr. Nick. Hi, everybody!!!

Stefan is stunned he got it out of first. Good job, buddy.

Hmm...nothing.

More nothing!

Have any of you ever seen...NOTHING!!!

Just playing with the camera in the car. Reflection of glasses...good times!

Breakfast in Oklahoma. Delicious!!! We thought we found a nice small diner...turns out its a franchise owned by some corporation based in Vegas. Go figure!!!

WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO?!?!?

The St. Louis Arch

Stefan can tell the Strip just isn't the same during the day...

Somewhere along the way I took a wrong turn into Bill Gates' garage...

Me likey Shelby!!!

Stefan pimping some of the fine hats in Vegas. Sorry, buddy! Cowboys from Brokeback Mt. can't stay here! Just kidding, man. He can actually pull off the cowboy hat thing better than most.

My aunt, Katie, and my bro, Stefan, in front of The Mirage.

The Strip at night.

The Luxor

The Bellagio

After driving 3000 miles, I finally see Keri for the first time. What a trip!!!

More to come soon...

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I know it's a bit pathetic, but I'm a busy man. I actually wrote a great post about a week and a half ago only to watch it get screwed up and deleted by the server at work. I was pissed, but what can you do?

So my journey has begun. I'm currently at my mom's in Wisconsin after stopping in NYC and Pittsburgh. It's actually been a very good trip so far. I've seen a bunch of people that I haven't seen in a long time. I stopped in NYC to see Trav and Amata. They're doing good. Josh just had knee surgery, but he's fairly mobile just after two weeks. Pretty damn impressive. It was too bad that I could only stay for a night, but it would've been too expensive to stay for longer. I parked my car at the official parking garage of the Waldorf-Astoria, so that ran me $50 (but it was my insurance policy, since my car was filled with my stuff). I have some pictures, but I'll probably post those tomorrow.

From NYC, I left for Pittsburgh. I decided to take I-80 to avoid the $20 in tolls on the PA turnpike. I think it takes about the same time either way, so why not do it the cheaper way? I don't think I used $20 worth of gas going the extra distance. Also, driving on those PA roads with all the trucks is a nightmare. I was driving at night...in the rain...with trucks going 75 mph. I couldn't see a thing, especially when I rolled by the truck. It was the most nerve-racking driving experience of my life. Anyway, I got to Bryan's at about 9pm on Sunday night. We went and grabbed some beers and I had some dinner. It was a real good time. I wish I could have stayed there for longer. Bry has got a really nice place and he's living with Rachel (his girlfriend). Trav and Josh actually sent me on a recon mission since they just couldn't picture Bryan living with a girl. Well, to all who questioned it, he seems to be doing quite well with concubinage. Better than most. C'mon...it's Bryan! What doesn't he do better than most of us?! NERD!!!

Well, I left Bryan's at about 10am on Monday morning and headed for Wisc. Pretty uneventful drive through Ohio and Indiana. I was planning to meet up with Nick in Chitown, because he was driving back from an interview in Indy. However, he was about an hour behind me. Then I decided to give Willis a call. He was still at work, so I met up with him and we grabbed a beer and some wings at BW3's. It was nice to catch up with my old freshman/sophomore year roomie. He's doing well. He bought a place in Chicago, is driving an A4 (like yours truly), and sees the occasional blast from the past. He brought out same names that I haven't heard in years. It was actually quite amusing.

After our little dinner, I hopped back on the road and shot up to Plymouth, WI, the home of Sargento cheese and my mom. I got in at about 9pm and hung out for a little while before hitting the sack. All in all, it's been a good trip. I've enjoyed seeing everyone and hope the rest of the trip goes as well (except for the rain in PA part). I'll be updating soon, so stay posted.

Kirk's Website

Well, I told you all that I would let you know when Kirk's website was up and running and it's finally here. Check "F.A.T.E. Clothing" out if you get the chance. I don't know if any of you will buy any of his merchandise, but go there anyway to increase his counter. The website is www.foralltoenvy.com. You can either click on this link or the link in the margin. Enjoy!

P.S. Jake Gordon: pass the word on to your friends in L.A., because I think the L.A. crowd are the only people who might buy stuff like this. Plus, it helps to have LOTS of money when you want to buy a $400 T-shirt. Not in this lifetime (unless inflation goes up 350%).