Welcome to Kamp

She's in Pt. Pleasant NJ now--but hopefully coming to the Croton Yacht club in 2-3 weeks.

But I need to rename her--she's called "Sojouner." Read all about the Bertram 28 Flybridge Cruiser at:

www.bertram28.com.
www.motorboating.com/motorboat/features/article/0,12696,1056770,00.html
www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/Bertram28.htm


Love, exciting and new...
Come aboard!
We're expecting you!

Yesterday my whole food schedule was thrown off since I was obsessed on getting the aforementioned Benz wagon even though I had some work to do which I finished A OK.

But I reviewed my diet yesterday, and it's no wonder I am at least 10 lbs overweight:

- Starbucks apricot and raspberry scone (healthiest thing I ate all day)
- Starbucks grande coffee (I hate paying for coffee since we have awesome coffee at work, but I needed a jolt)
- Callahan's Hot Dog Special (foot long deep fried hot dog) with grilled onions! which was right down the street from the Benz dealer, so I couldn't resist.
- Reeses pieces and Sour Patch Kids (work is terrible--someone always has candies or something sweet, which I totally needed after my hot dog :)
- Digiorno's and Ellios frozen pizza (leftovers from the kids and Jamie, who nuked the Ellios, which doesn't bring me back to the happy place when I was a kid--didn't have microwaves back then...just fire!)

But I did exercise yesterday!!!!! M and I boxed on the Wii! And she knocked me out in the first round.

PS: and this morning, MJ asked for Ellios pizza for breakfast...wonder where he gets that from.

Didn't buy a car last year...but got one this morning (and hopefully getting another soon).

Anyone interested in a 99 Rav4 --5 speed manual? It's a very useful car--if you have less than 3 kids.

I had a great lunch at Nobu 57 w/ my colleagues. Ate all their signature dishes. Got full. But it's dinner time--and I'm sooooo hungry again.

J, our nanny, said she's hungry too....so we co-misserated, until I told her I ate at Nobu for lunch. She then said, "I ate the crusts of your kids grilled cheese sandwiches!!!!" I meek reply was, "They don't serve that at Nobu."

I'd order in..but M's still at work. I guess it's back to frozen pizza. Yeah me for getting lots a few weeks ago.

That's what someone and I used to say about it whenever we'd argue or have a misunderstanding...and it is a maxim that proves itself over and over again. 

How I got to this same place again in my life is P&C but I'm is ga_!

I do prefer to be face to face with people.  I would rather visit places than look at nice screen shots on the web-somewhat Ironic because I love technology.  I am always on IM and my bb.

Another maxim: we do hurt those we're most close too.

On early train to work and today would have been an awesome morning to take pictures of the Hudson River:

There are patches of fog that partially hide the slow moving vessels (articulated barges and tugs if you're REALLY interested).

A tug boat is "sleeping" on a pillowy cloud.

The fog "holding up" re-defines the view of Tappan Zee.

There are colorful crew boats rowing out there that stand out in the greyness of the morning.

The "cross" near the Sypten Dyvel bridge is haunting.  (I need to take a picture of this one day).

Every year I get my bonus, I am excited but then get deflated 2 seconds later.  It's great to get bonuses-I know lots of people don't get them, it's not that my job is THAT hard, what I got was good in comparison to others but it is NEVER enough.

And you've heard the maxims before:
-Money does not buy happiness.
-You can never b too rich nor too thin.

So I will just be happy with life (a boat, maybe a convertible and plowing the rest into the market)! 

I still have my blisters from shoveling the snow last weekend but let me tell you that summer is here! I came home kind of early today since M is out drinking with her colleagues (it's better than being with the Cable Guy 24/7)--and the kids and I went right to Cold Stone Creamery. And while I didn't have any ice cream, or chocolate--gave that up for Lent--I did indulge in a small bowl of Reese's Pieces which they gave me on the house.

The twins were of course loving every minute of it--and demanded more--ice cream is in the Capio DNA--and we're going back next week--and the week thereafter until summer ends. hmmm...going to have to run tomorrow morning.

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I hate getting into spats w/ close ones--it sucks.

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Jan is still pretty hot. But I need to fix her Superdrive.

is the name for M's new computer, which I know she loves. She's on it all the time! First thing when she wakes up. First thing when she gets home, etc. We have another Mac convert. But I am jealous of all the attention this cable guy gets.

The kids love the Cable Guy--Photobooth is very entertaining. I've only used the Cable Guy for a few minutes to check a few things. I don't want to fall in love w/ a guy--not that there's anything wrong with that. My laptop, Jan's been given a complete makeover--and I must say, she's clean, devoid of Goldfish pieses, and hot again! OK, so I didn't take off all the stickers, but I can grow old (as an aside 40 ain't old BABY!) with her--for at least another year or two.

Sigh....back to doing taxes.

Genesis: No Reply at all... It's a moving and au coraunt song..

Talk to me, you never talk to me.
Ooh, it seems that I can speak.
But I can hear my voice shouting out.
But theres no reply at all.

Look at me, you never look at me,
Ooh, Ive been sitting, staring, seems so long.
But youre looking through me
Like I wasnt here at all.
No reply, theres no reply at all.

Dance with me, you never dance with me.
Ooh, it seems that I can move,
Im close to you, close as I can get.

Yet theres no reply at all,
Theres no reply at all.

I get the feeling youre tryin to tell me,
Is there something that I should know?
What excuse are you tryin to sell me?
Should I be reading stop or go, I dont know.

Be with me, seems youre never here with me,
Ooh, Ive been trying to get over there.
Ah, but its out of my reach.
And theres no reply at all.
Theres no reply at all.

I get the feeling youre trying to tell me;
Is there something that I should know?
What excuse are you trying to sell me?
Should I be reading stop or go, I dont know.

Maybe deep down inside,
Im trying for no one else but me.
Too stubborn to say, the buck stops here.
Its not the one youre looking for.
But, maybe deep down inside,
Im lying to no one else but me.
Oh but my back is up.
Im on my guard - with all the exits sealed.

Listen to me, you never listen to me,
Ooh, and it seems theres no way out,
Ive been trying, but we cannot connect,
And theres no reply at all,
Theres no reply at all,
Theres no reply at all,
No reply at all.

Is anybody listening - oh oh,
No reply at all...

Life is good!

Plane rides from NYC to certain cities are almost always predictable.  Business travellers dominate early flights to Boston or DC, for example. 

My flight to Miami is atypical. I am the only dork wearing a suit-one other business man has a blazer-and it's not Don Johnson-like.  At least I took my tie off.  Everyone is wearing summer clothing, which makes sense-it is 80F down there.  But one woman is sooooo tacky.  She's tan in decent shape, in sweats but her thong is all out there for the world to see.  She's not even trying to hide it.  So gross.

OK...boarding now. 

M and I had a huge fight saturday evening and it even involved punches. She was really upset--she must have been thinking about Friday night, when I kind of was brusque (there's a first time for everything!!!) to her--and she knocked me down. I was totally surprised, but I couldn't punch effectively, though my left shoulder doesn't hurt as much as it did--thank you Advil!

The second round was somewhat uneventful. We went back and forth but got comfortable just moving around the ring--trying different combinations and techniques. No knockdowns were recorded.

I learned some new and effective moves however--M kept her hands down--and knocked her down at the start of the third round--a standing 8 count! But then I got sloppy. She rattled me several times though my knees didn't buckle. But in the end, with only 22 seconds left in the third round, I delivered the silencing blow--a right uppercut that floored her.

BTW, this is all a joke. We played the boxing game on Nintendo's Wii at my cousin's house in Chappaqua. We laughed so hard during that 6 minutes of boxing. She really loved it--and said, "OK, we should get a Wii." She's going to take out all her agression on the game--and I better practice--and keep my distance.

another T shirt. Not another snowboarding shirt, not another dry-fit long sleeve one, my favorite kind, not another shirt with my favorite team--though a Los Angeles Lakers one would be pretty cool (doi, I was just there--and didn't get one).

I need one that says "Proud Father (that Ain't 40!)." And I guess M needs one saying, "No more buns in the oven.."

On my ipod, I have an 80's playlist, which I am listening to now as I commute-and wouldn't it be great if they all played in a concert at Giants Stadium on a summer night tailgating in your BMW convertible.  Aaaahhhhh to dream.... :)

I am excluding the Biggies-for they deserve their own stage (though some on my list are pretty awesome in their own right.  It would be like when everyone sang "We are the World." But it would have to be retitled, "We are the OLD World" (but not necessarily in this order):

Journey - Stoned in Love
Steve Windwood - Valerie
Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Big Country - In a Big Country
GoGos- We Got the Beat
Billy Idol - White Wedding
Billy Squire - My Kind of Lover
Blondie - Heart of Glass
Bon Jovi- You Give Love a Bad Name
Cars - Let the Good Times Roll
Chicago - You're the Inspiration

I would be hoarse for a month!!!!!

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

The 15 inch w/ a glossy screen. It's not for me--it's M's. Man is it sooooo easy to blow $$$$ just clickin' away on the net....

But I still love my trusty G4 12" powerbook, though I've spilled way too much coffee on her (her name is Jan) such that lots of ports and the DVD burner doesn't work anymore.

Locked up our Genesis tickets this afternoon at Giant's Stadium--September 27!!!! But before I snagged them--well, my Amex Platinum concierge did--everyone was IMing me, asking me if I was going. As if there was a ever a doubt. So I'm adding to the Geezers I've seen (or will see) in concert in the last few years (upcoming months):

The Police
Genesis
The Who
Rolling Stones
Elvis Costello (one of M's favorites)
The Pretenders (also one of M's favorites)
Eric Clapton
Madonna
Bon Jovi (not really--we listened to him at the porch of my brother in law's townhouse, which is near Soldiers Field in Chicago)

I've purposely excluded Bruce--he's not gone on hiatus--though I really can't wait until he tours again with the E Street Band. I am also excluding U2, and can't wait to see them again either.

These guys are making so much money...I bet Jim Morrison is going to come out of his Paris grave and reunite with the Doors, which I'd see in a second!!!! (Did you know that I took the better half--to Jim's grave in Père Lachaise on our HONEYMOON!!!! and I made her snap a picture!!!! oooohhhh...how romantic) She does love me madly!!!!

I do love concerts as I freely admitted to my new colleagues at work today. I'm open to seeing anyone anytime!

Oh yeah--I also got Go Diego Go Tickets (Dora the Explorer's sidekick) today. They're playing at Radio City Music Hall.

In prep school, I always took off my tie as soon as I could.  Things were especially strict when we were in the Lower School (until 7th Grade) when we had speakers, or assemblies, we had to wear our school blazers, which were Masters Green with our school patch for boys. Girls had to wear a yellow blouse with a Master's green skirt. But ties were always on--even after sports practice if I remember correctly.

In my professional life, I almost always have my tie on from the second I leave my home-and don't take it off- until I get home from work. It's part of my "work uniform."   But recently, like in the last month or so, though I don't even have to wear suit and ties, I do anyhow.  But I literally rip them off as soon as I plant my fat asH on the blue vinyl seat of the MetroNorth train.  And I feel liberated like I am back in grade school again. 

But I actually like my tie collection-purchased quite a bit recently.  This is way different when I had to borrow my dad's usually ugly and wide ties growing up.   I hope MJ and NC are pink tie guys...

That's what M called me upon sampling my scratch batch of PB cookies--no recipe. She also said, "they're cake-y."

Background: The gauntlet was thrown down at work. H, our accountant, who was visiting from our Frankfurt office, brought in, as her custom, a carrot cake from a bakery near her hotel. In front of everyone, I said, "Thank you, H! What kind of cake are you bringing in tomorrow? Nothing with chocolate please--I gave that up for Lent." (Note: I've decided that since I'm a dark chocolate aficionado--white chocolate HIDDEN in 1/2 baked biscotties don't count!!!!) Anyhow, H shot back with a grin in front of our whole office, "Why don't you bake something?" "I have to wash my hair tonight." was my meek reply though inside I knew I was going to "surprise" my colleagues.

I wasn't worried since I had to leave work early to get our stupid Volvo, which has been recalled 4 times now--I was informed of recall #4 more this morning as I was dropping off the car to get recall #3 done. I decided to bake peanut butter cookies since we had all the ingredients at home. J, our nanny, suggested it and actually gave me her recipe. I made one batch--and broke my cooking rules--I measured stuff. I never do that! I followed the directions to the letter. I even used our timer--9 minutes--no more--no less. Absolutely no experimenting--as is normal for me. And the cookies turned out all right. But there were only 16 cookies--and we have 20 people in our office (though I only needed 19 since I know the OS doesn't like PB cookies).

So for batch #2, I said to myself, "Self, you can do this without the recipe and without measuring--and why don't we add in more salt, more PB, more butter, more brown sugar, and some vanilla while we're at it. And F-- the clock. But I F-ed up the cookies. They're too dry. I burned them ever so slightly and as M concluded--too cake-y. It didn't help that I was trying to do laundry, look for "Go, Diego, Go Live! the Great Jaguar Rescue" at Radio City tickets, sort the snail-mail AND watch my 3 kids since M didn't come home from work yet.

Conclusion: I am a rookie when it comes to baking cookies and cakes. It's too much like a chem lab if you don't know what you're doing. My downfall is again my mouth and my ego. But I'm glad my ego was cooked--for without pushing my limits, I'd never know what they are, and that's worse in my cook-book.

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I had a great time in LA. Didn't see a friend of a friend, who lives near our client. But I got to see my younger brother Dentist M. He told the OS of how I tormented him, my other brother, D, my ex-s, and M throughout the years. She wasn't surprised, and subsequently declined my invite to do an adventure race w/ me. :( But I am proud of Dentist M. He's doing really well--he's actually ONLY a 2nd year dental student--but he gave me, a Los Angeles Lakers Fan, an early 40th Bday present--an autographed copy of Kareem Abdul Jabbar's "On the Shoulders of Giants." It was also signed by his UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden. How cool is that. I almost--emphasis on almost--feel bad for almost drowning him in the summer of 86 at our parents' beach house.

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Ivy's in LA, is one cool place. Our client also paid for two rounds of stoned crabs, which were fresh. (I also did a one-half day trip to Seattle--ate crabs there--but they were surprisingly better in LA .) I actually have eaten a ton of seafood of late. I cannot and will not eat lousy meat since I am craving a New York steak. I've eaten lots of salmon, tuna, sushi, sashimi, etc. But I have no idea why I'm gaining weight. Oh yeah, I can't run since my stupid partially torn rotary cuff still hurts, though less than 2 weeks ago.

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Driving in LA wasn't too bad last week. But it's definitely someplace I would not want to live. I'd prefer San Fran or San Diego anyday. But Newport Beach, where I visited one client, and had vacationed previously, I definitely could see myself there--especially Balboa.

I realize that there are many more important topics out there to write about, and I have complained about this previously, but this is driving me nuts.

I see lots of new BMW owners out there and they obviously like BMWs. But if you're going to buy an automatic BMW, just buy a damn Lexus--or any other Japanese luxury brand for that matter. They all have way better transmissions, electronics, leather and luxury appointments than any modern BMW, and most modern German car for that matter.

Just leave the sports sedan segment to sports sedan enthusiasts like myself. (As a corralary, I'd really like it if Mercedes, BMW and Porsche all went back to their roots--that being luxury, sports sedans, and sports cars, repsectively. BMW, in my mind, anyhow should be smack between the other two Teutonic brands.) Give me a break--a Cayenne? Ugh!!!! An ungainly S-class that has a hideous ass. Puh-leeze.

It drives me bonkers that people think you have to buy a BMW off the floor. The proper way is to do a test drive or two, fill out the paper work and WAIT 3-6 months to get one EXACTLY the way you want it. That ignorant people, is how you buy a BMW--or a German car.

Do not check the automatic transmission option. That's like saying, give me a car without--SOUL please--and I'll pay you $1500 extra! BMW are phenominal cars with manual transmissions--give them a try--and you won't regret it. To be honest, I don't even like leather. BMW leather isn't that durable. The vinyl is much more durable and does not need constant maintenance. If only their leather was like Mercedes' of yore that is.

Now for some of my favorite models which I haven't blogged about (or owned):

325ix (e30):
Their first all wheel drive car (imagine that!!!) is a cult car among BMW circles. And with good reason--they are pretty much bullet proof. You can get this in a coupe or 4 door sedan.

540i (e39 or e34):
Either model is pretty cool if you can't get the M5. It's 80% of the M5, but at one-third to one-half the cost (especially insurance). You can get a lot of cool parts to boost the power too.

M5 (e28):
The original M5 is wicked. You could only get it in black with a tan interior. It is devoid of electronic gizmos--that detract from the driving experience.

320is (e21):
This ain't a fast car. But it is so solid--as long as you don't drive it in the winter. They're cheap to run too--just make sure you wash them often. They rust.

M Coupe (Z3 model)
Yea, it's not the best looking car, but I dig it. If the M3 or M5 are like Brooks Brothers suits, then this is an Armani. When this car was made, it was more 911 spiritually than the actual Porsche 911.