Saturday, June 30, 2007
A Great Article!
There was a very flattering article written about Brian in today's local paper. Here's the link if you'd like to read it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Traveling
Sorry it's been a while since I've written anything. Brian and I have been traveling so much that I just haven't had time to sit down and "blog." A week ago we were in Long Island, NY with Brian's mom, Marilyn, and her best friend, Mary Wade. The Patriots were playing a three game series against the Long Island Ducks, so Marilyn thought it would be a good opportunity to see Brian pitch, see Long Island, and take a day trip to New York City as well. The first day we were in Long Island we went to the Hamptons and Fire Island. Here are a couple of pictures I took that day (the first was taken at a boat slip near the Hamptons, the other at the beach on Fire Island):
The next day we went to New York City. We had to drop off a baseball signed by Brian for the Vice President of Bloomingdale's! This needs a little explanation, I know. Apparently, Marilyn and Mary Wade looked pretty lost and desperate when trying to find their way around NY Penn Station the day before. This nice gentlemen took mercy on them, gave them his map of the train system, showed them how to buy a ticket, and helped them get on the right train to Long Island. In the course of conversation, he learned why they were traveling to Long Island and asked if they would bring a signed baseball to Bloomingdale's for him. I guess he's a fan. Of course they felt like it was the least they could do after all he had done to help!
So after our trip to Bloomingdale's we hopped on the subway and did some illegal shopping on Canal Street where all the "knock-offs" are sold. Most shops along Canal Street are permanent and therefore, I guess, legitimate? But then there are the people who stand on the street and ask you to come with them to see a certain designer's purse or watch, etc. I have no idea why Mary Wade thought it would be a good idea to go with one of these people, but she did. So we followed an oriental lady down a dark alley to an old high rise and climb 5 flights of stairs. (At this point I was extremely nervous and thought we might be in danger, but as we passed other women going down the stairs, they assured us it was worth the trip.) We got to the top and walked into what looked like a Chinese sweat shop. No joke. The girl took us to the back and opened the door of a walk-in closet where there were "designer purses" lining the walls. I couldn't help but laugh.
Mary Wade bought so much stuff along Canal Street that she had to buy this extra luggage bag just to get it all home!
Marilyn and Mary Wade went home after spending three days in Long Island. Brian and I headed to York, Pennsylvania where the Patriots played another 3 game series against the York Revolution. Originally I wasn't going to go to York, but Brian decided he'd like me to come see him pitch, and he also thought I'd like the historic town. We definitely stayed in a historic hotel! The rooms were pretty small, but had a lot of character. Here is a picture of our hotel, and the view from our hotel room:
The next day we went to New York City. We had to drop off a baseball signed by Brian for the Vice President of Bloomingdale's! This needs a little explanation, I know. Apparently, Marilyn and Mary Wade looked pretty lost and desperate when trying to find their way around NY Penn Station the day before. This nice gentlemen took mercy on them, gave them his map of the train system, showed them how to buy a ticket, and helped them get on the right train to Long Island. In the course of conversation, he learned why they were traveling to Long Island and asked if they would bring a signed baseball to Bloomingdale's for him. I guess he's a fan. Of course they felt like it was the least they could do after all he had done to help!
So after our trip to Bloomingdale's we hopped on the subway and did some illegal shopping on Canal Street where all the "knock-offs" are sold. Most shops along Canal Street are permanent and therefore, I guess, legitimate? But then there are the people who stand on the street and ask you to come with them to see a certain designer's purse or watch, etc. I have no idea why Mary Wade thought it would be a good idea to go with one of these people, but she did. So we followed an oriental lady down a dark alley to an old high rise and climb 5 flights of stairs. (At this point I was extremely nervous and thought we might be in danger, but as we passed other women going down the stairs, they assured us it was worth the trip.) We got to the top and walked into what looked like a Chinese sweat shop. No joke. The girl took us to the back and opened the door of a walk-in closet where there were "designer purses" lining the walls. I couldn't help but laugh.
Mary Wade bought so much stuff along Canal Street that she had to buy this extra luggage bag just to get it all home!
Marilyn and Mary Wade went home after spending three days in Long Island. Brian and I headed to York, Pennsylvania where the Patriots played another 3 game series against the York Revolution. Originally I wasn't going to go to York, but Brian decided he'd like me to come see him pitch, and he also thought I'd like the historic town. We definitely stayed in a historic hotel! The rooms were pretty small, but had a lot of character. Here is a picture of our hotel, and the view from our hotel room:
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Good thing it wasn't a buck in rut!
I had heard, before we moved to NJ, that the deer population was quite high. After several close encounters with some, I believe it!
One example . . .
Yesterday Brian had an off day. We slept in, visited the mall, and ate lunch at Chick-fil-A (after assuming they didn't have any up here, we found one about 20 minutes away!). Brian had to go to the baseball field and throw a little bit, so afterwards we decided to go to the local park and take a walk. By this time it was about 6:30pm. The park is really nice and has paved walkways as well as trails through the woods. Brian and I were walking along the well traveled paved sidewalk when Brian suddenly stopped and began to walk backwards. I couldn't figure out what he was doing but I followed anyway. He pointed to the thin patch of woods beside us and said, "Look! There's a deer right there!" I was looking through the trees to the field just beyond and didn't see anything. But then I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye and low and behold the deer was standing 7 yards in front of us!!!! I have never in my life been so close to a deer! I could see the veins in her ears! The funny thing was, the doe didn't run. She starred at us for a bit, but then resumed her evening meal. Brian and I stood there talking and looking at her for probably 2 or 3 minutes and she acted like we were no threat at all.
Every time we have a close encounter with a deer I wish I had my camara with me. Of course I never do, so I guess for now you'll just have to take my word for it. I'm determined to get a good picture of a deer before we leave NJ because I'm convinced I may never come as close to one as I have while being up here.
One example . . .
Yesterday Brian had an off day. We slept in, visited the mall, and ate lunch at Chick-fil-A (after assuming they didn't have any up here, we found one about 20 minutes away!). Brian had to go to the baseball field and throw a little bit, so afterwards we decided to go to the local park and take a walk. By this time it was about 6:30pm. The park is really nice and has paved walkways as well as trails through the woods. Brian and I were walking along the well traveled paved sidewalk when Brian suddenly stopped and began to walk backwards. I couldn't figure out what he was doing but I followed anyway. He pointed to the thin patch of woods beside us and said, "Look! There's a deer right there!" I was looking through the trees to the field just beyond and didn't see anything. But then I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye and low and behold the deer was standing 7 yards in front of us!!!! I have never in my life been so close to a deer! I could see the veins in her ears! The funny thing was, the doe didn't run. She starred at us for a bit, but then resumed her evening meal. Brian and I stood there talking and looking at her for probably 2 or 3 minutes and she acted like we were no threat at all.
Every time we have a close encounter with a deer I wish I had my camara with me. Of course I never do, so I guess for now you'll just have to take my word for it. I'm determined to get a good picture of a deer before we leave NJ because I'm convinced I may never come as close to one as I have while being up here.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Our goings on
Just a few new items:
1.) Darren came to visit us and just left this morning. It was great having him here. Sadly, it was a very short visit. We got to hang out a little bit and he got to watch Brian pitch last night too.
2.) Our roommate's wife came into town a few days ago as well. She is super sweet! I like her a lot and almost wish she were here for the whole season. Unfortunately, she'll be leaving in a week or so. As you can imagine, we've had a packed apartment for the last two nights with Darren sleeping on the pull out couch!
3.) We went to a church last week that was about 10 minutes from our hotel. We probably won't go back to it though because it just wasn't a good fit for us. I've found another one I'd like to try, so maybe we'll go there this week. I heard the pastor speak on the radio and really liked him.
4.) I have to take back my comment about NJ gas being expensive. Apparently, over Memorial Day weekend NJ was the only state who's gas was under $3.00/gallon!
5.) Three new observations about NJ: there are no country music stations, a lot of people smoke, and a lot of roadkill. We counted four dead deer and two dead otters (or beavers) on the side of the road today.
1.) Darren came to visit us and just left this morning. It was great having him here. Sadly, it was a very short visit. We got to hang out a little bit and he got to watch Brian pitch last night too.
2.) Our roommate's wife came into town a few days ago as well. She is super sweet! I like her a lot and almost wish she were here for the whole season. Unfortunately, she'll be leaving in a week or so. As you can imagine, we've had a packed apartment for the last two nights with Darren sleeping on the pull out couch!
3.) We went to a church last week that was about 10 minutes from our hotel. We probably won't go back to it though because it just wasn't a good fit for us. I've found another one I'd like to try, so maybe we'll go there this week. I heard the pastor speak on the radio and really liked him.
4.) I have to take back my comment about NJ gas being expensive. Apparently, over Memorial Day weekend NJ was the only state who's gas was under $3.00/gallon!
5.) Three new observations about NJ: there are no country music stations, a lot of people smoke, and a lot of roadkill. We counted four dead deer and two dead otters (or beavers) on the side of the road today.
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