Tuesday, August 16, 2011

#219 Bike Day

I don’t know what else to call this day, as I was consumed with all things bicycle. My day began at 9 a.m. on a 67-mile ride that started downtown and headed southwest to Brooklyn. (We did not get any bagels.) I rode with my friend Steve and his wife Susie. About 15 miles in I noticed a small group of cyclists on the side of the road – one of them was Steve & Susie’s daughter, Abby. We immediately pulled over – Abby had an accident and was pretty banged up. Luckily, no broken bones. There was a 3” drop off on the side of the road. Her tire went off the side and the bike fell to the left into the road. So thankful she wasn’t seriously hurt and no car was behind her. Her husband was with her so after they loaded them in the SAG car we three set out again. Steve made a comment about how fragile life is. Life can change in an instant. That was a foreboding of more to come later in the evening. We had three big climbs, one that was really steep – Observatory Hill. We finished up around 2:30.

I showered at the YMCA a couple blocks away, and then checked in at the Mass Ave Criterium race volunteer tent. Had a quick lunch at Yat’s (Yum!) and then Julie and I took our places on the corners of Mass/Michigan/New Jersey to be course marshals. Our shift was 4:30 to 7 p.m. I wasn’t sure how I would feel standing in the heat after riding so far. I actually felt pretty good. I think Yat’s and me having an umbrella to block the sun saved me. After our shift, Julie had her Yat’s (she didn’t bike in the morning) and we settled in to watch the pro race at 7:50 p.m. The race was going well, but we noticed a large, dark cloud coming our way from the west. I happened to be on the phone with Paul (they took Megan to Purdue today!) and he told me to get out of there because a storm was coming. All red on the radar. With about six laps left, I decided to take off to the car, which was four blocks away. I carried a camp chair on my back and had my bike with me. I made it to the car right before the downpour. After I dropped Julie off at her house, she texted me that the stage had collapsed at the State Fair. I couldn’t believe what I saw on the news when I got home. Who would expect something like that to happen at a concert? One minute you’re excited to see a band; the next your world is falling apart. Another big reminder of how fragile life is.

#218 The Biggest Name In Comedy

Last Friday night I saw Costaki Economopoulos (billed as the “biggest” name in comedy) at Morty’s Comedy Joint. He’s a regular on Q95’s Bob & Tom Show and is one of my favs. I went to the 10:15 p.m. show, as I had gone to the zoo right after work until 9 p.m. for a work summer picnic. I did get reprimanded by a policeman as I tried to drive around a drum & bugle core group walking VERY SLOWLY down the street to the stadium all in a huge line. I wanted to yell, “I’ve got to get to Costaki!” but he just waved me in another direction.

Phil, Michelle and I met up at Morty’s and were early enough that we were able to meet (and get a pic with) Costaki. I’d never seen him before – very cute!! As you can guess by the name, he’s Greek. About 6’2”, dark hair, glasses, great smile. He was very nice and I told him that even though he is the biggest name in comedy, I am literally his biggest fan. Corny, I know, but it’s my go-to line! He laughed and said he loved tall women.

His show was great. I’m always fascinated by how a comedian’s mind works, but his viewpoints are particularly interesting. His intelligence, humor and good looks makes for an overall attractive package. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) :-) FUN day that ended on a funny note.


Thursday, August 11, 2011

#217 Really!

I am copying, "Really!" with Seth Myers and Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live:

Are ALL the cute, tallish men in this city married? Really!? I used to feel like I never met any tall men. Well, I meet them now. But they are all married.

Is there ANY man (well, preferably tall) in this city who is not intimidated by tall women? Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone? Really??

That's all I can think of right now. It's enough to get off my chest though.



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

#216 Gwendolyn In Heaven

No, Gwendolyn didn't die, but she did post a picture on Facebook of herself (6'7") and her husband (7') along with two other guys taller than her titled, "Gwendolyn in Heaven." She posted it for all of her FB girlfriends over 6'5" (I wonder how many she has that fit that category?) and said she loves to feel petite. Ha! It is a great picture. And the guys are really cute!

Monday, August 8, 2011

#215 80s Night!

Last Saturday night I saw Night Ranger, Foreigner and Journey. I went with Heidi, Paula and Paula’s husband, Tommy. Awesome! All the bands looked and sounded great. I’ve seen Night Ranger a couple times and saw Journey a few years ago. I regret that I never saw the original Foreigner and Journey bands back in the day. The current Foreigner/Journey singers (Kelly Hansen and Arnel Pineda) are both great, but they’re no Lou Gramm or Steve Perry.









The night was perfect – not too hot, nice breeze, beautiful sky. The place was packed by the time Journey started. The crowd around us was fairly well-behaved. One guy almost danced into Heidi but he apologized. Someone dropped a beer on our blanket and we had soggy feet for the last part of the show. And the pot was wafting around (quote of the night, “Oh THAT’s pot.”). The people-watching was pretty good too. There was a family in front of us and the moms (around my age) were dancing up a storm, while their teenage sons stood behind mimicking them. To our right, a 20-something guy picked up a 45-year-old woman with much success. I heard his friend ask at one point, “35 or 45?” Then Paula relayed a conversation she’d had with a blond woman (maybe in her early 30s) who had asked Paula to take a picture of her and her friend. After they’d left, Paula told me that when she gave the camera back, the woman asked how tall I was. Then she said I was cute, and asked Paula if it was hard for me to find tall men to date. Paula told her I sometimes did. Then the woman said, “I’d do her.” Oooookaaaaaay. Well, I guess a compliment is a compliment.