A Day In The Life.....

Hi. So I had promised to write a blog so here goes. You know, I used to write more and it really is easier if you do it often. My mental sharpness has gone the way of Skeet Ulrich's post-Scream acting career. If I get any more dull-witted I will have to join the Tea Party and help Sarah Palin keep an eye on Russia. I'm legally blind but why do I get the feeling i could still keep a better eye on Russia than Sarah, Todd, Bristol, and Levi combined? Oh man. There I go again. I don't want to turn my blogs into liberal rants. So please disregard that comment. The Tea Party is an outstanding organization. Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck are fine Americans. These are not the droids I'm looking for.

I can't think of any decent topic. So why don't I tell you about my day? I know, I know. Another blogger trying to elevate the mundane details his life into epic drama? What could be more self-absorbed? I'm totally with you on this. Let's get started.

I woke up around 10. VERY hard to get out of bed these days in the colder weather. I showered and got dressed and discovered I got up at 9. My I-Phone clock knew what my alarm clock and my brain didn't: we fell back last night.

I went to breakfast at Reuben's Deli--a weekend breakfast hotspot in West Hartford Center. It's only a few bucks more than going to Friendly's for breakfast but the demographic is very different. Very "west of the river". (Or do I mean "east of the river"?). At Reuben's you're likely to overhear conversations about recent vacations to Spain and what exquisite architecture they have along with discussions of international trade policy. At Friendly's you're likely to hear conversations in Spanish about whether the Mets should trade Francisco Rodriguez. But I actually feel I can learn much more by listening to people at Friendly's since I've been trying to learn Spanish and I'm not convinced the Reuben's crowd knows much more about architecture than me. Anyway, I had an omelet with home fries and toast. Some OJ and water to wash that down, thanks. I had my IPad to read while I waited so I didn't have to feel like TOO much of a loser dining alone.

Got home. Played guitar. God. Am I the only one getting bored already?

Then I went to the UConn game. An exhibition game against Bridgeport. That's right: I am a loyal, die-hard UConn fan. I go to all of the games, not just Syracuse and Georgetown. Or.....maybe I just have no life. Too close to call.

While I was waiting for the bus heading downtown a guy asked me if I knew whether the buses were going to be late due to the parade. He clearly didn't realize he was talking to a guy who needed an hour to realize what time he got up that morning. I said, "There's a parade today?" He said, "Yes. A Columbus Day Parade". He obviously meant Veterans Day but no one likes a no-it-all so I didn't say anything. Then he started discussing the weather forecast with me. We might be getting snow. Another piece of info I was completely unaware of. What does it say about our society when the instant a stranger initiates small talk with us we immediately assume they must be a little weird? Like, "Pal, didn't you get the memo? This is New England. We pretend strangers don't exist here. Take that act to Mississippi or the Institute of Living where it belongs!". But it's entirely possible I'm the weird, standoffish one.

The game was great. A "sparsely attended" game. Perfect. No lines. Pick your own seat. I hope everyone stays home for the Big East games too. The Huskies dominated Bridgeport--a Division ll school. First the voter ballot debacle, now this. Not a good week for B'Port. I did notice they have the nickname the Purple Knights--just like my high school! Ellington High School. But their uniforms aren't as cool: purple and black as opposed to Ellington's purple and gold--the colors of ancient emperors and NCCC champions.

UConn is loaded with freshman and they looked really good..........against a Division ll school from Fairfield County, but my point stands. They looked enthusiastic and unselfish! If they play that way all year I'll be happy. And they have a guard with the first name Shabazz! I'm bracing myself for the awkward cheers, though. They have have two white boys: one is a German kid and the other a local kid from EO Smith in Storrs--as local as you can get. The nearly all-white crowd will no doubt immediately turn both of them into fan favorites. Awkward. UConn fans once cheered on Ed Nelson like he was Wilt Chamberlain so I'm speaking from experience here.

3 beers at the game. A Smithwicks, a Hooker IPA, and a Sam Adams. Each $9. What a steal! And some nachos too. And I wonder why I put on weight in the winter? College basketball is the best thing about winter. And unlike the NBA, it's a winter sport that doesn't outstay its welcome. It finishes the first week of April. The NBA finals take place in June. June if for baseball, frisbee, and sunburns, not the sport invented to keep Springfield College kids occupied through the winter so they wouldn't impregnate nice Catholic girls.

When the game ended I noticed the Veterans Day Parade was in full swing. I stopped for a few minutes to watch it. My Parade Attention Span is usually 4 minutes and I think I timed this one beautifully. A lady kept stepping out as each vet marched by and passionately said, "Thank you! Thank you!" and waved her American flag. I wasn't sure what to make of it. It seemed maybe a little strained, like she imagined these guys all went went to war specifically to protect her alone. (Or, giving her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she had lost a family member herself?). I would just feel weird about doing that myself. I'm just not sure veterans went to war for me, and I'm not sure if they should have. They probably did it because they believe in some abstract way that they had a duty to serve and protect the country as a whole. Or they were drafted. Or they heard chicks dig men in uniform. You just never know.

I got home and went to the gym to go swimming. 1/2 hour of laps. After 3 beers and nachos. I wonder if that's Michael Phelps' pre-swim diet too. If it isn't it should be.

Then I went to Moe's Southwestern Grill. They always say, "Welcome to Moe's!" when you walk in. I like it. I'm going to start doing that at my job. When I answer the phone I will say, "Welcome to Disability Determination Services, a branch of the Department of Social Services, a department of the State of Connecticut, but we're actually more Social Security. But either way, welcome!". I had the Art Vandalay. A veggie burrito. Yeah, yeah. Just because it's veggie doesn't make it healthy. I know. "Say Vandalay Industries!". I had to do it.

Got home. Showered again. I had to use my special anti-chlorine shampoo. I heard if you swim a lot and have blond hair it might turn green. That would be just great.

Then I discovered 3 beers, nachos, swimming, and a burrito have a strange way of making you feel EXHAUSTED. So I went into a half-sleep watching Peyton "Smirkmaster Flex" Manning lose to Michael "Dog Killah" Vick. Instinctively I rooted against Manning and the Colts but now that I think about it.............

Anyway, that's all. An inside look at a mover and a shaker. A day in the life of a pimp, a playboy, a rock star, a legend in his own time.

Or something like that.