Title courtesy of Chicago, because thats where I am. In fact, I think I'll make life easy on myself and post everything this week with a Chicago song title. The band.

Anyway, I'm in a suburb outside of Chicago all week for a training class. It kind of sucks to be away again, considering I just got back from Vegas the week before. Oh well. It sucks even more before Missy and I are so close to being done with the major wedding planning stuff that this puts a bit of a damper on it, you know? We really just have the video to book, and flowers, and we're done with the major stuff.

Also, it sucks being away because I'm away from this:

You are looking at my engagement present from Missy. We picked it out on Saturday, after I checked with the shop that we bought it at to make sure they had one in stock. It is a Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue. Basically, that means even though it was made in 2007, it was made to the specs that Les Paul's were made to 50 years ago 1957. It is a thing of beauty and something I have lusted after for about as long as I've been playing the guitar. It plays like a dream and its killing me that I'm stuck here, 800 or so miles away from it. Yes, I miss my fiance to, but damn, thats a beautiful guitar.

I'll be home late Friday, so hopefully I can get some playing time with it over the weekend. Other than that, nothing new to report really. I wish there was, but Downers Grove, Illinois, is kind of what it says, a bit of a downer. On the plus side I haven't pigged out today and I hit the hotel gym twice! Once this morning and again this afternoon after class. Go me!

Alright, time to watch some TV on my laptop before Big Love at 9, or 8, whatever the time is here.

Adios!

"You better run!"

Thank you Pink Floyd for what is arguably one of the greatest driving song ever written.

I feel like all I've been doing lately is running around. I was in Vegas last week, NYC for a good chunk of this week and in Chicago next week. I would like a nice stretch of time where I can just be in one place and relax. That probably won't be until the end of August though, which kind of stinks. Oh well. At some point I would like to move out of my house and back in with my parents, and that definitely has to be done by the end of the month!

Anyway, I'm hoping for an easy weekend before I have to go to Chicago on Sunday. Nothing really planned, just dinner with Missy's family tomorrow, my grandmother's birthday is Saturday, so we're going out to dinner as well. Then Sunday I leave. At some point I'd like to go guitar shopping too.

Not sure if I mentioned it, but that is going to be Missy's engagement present to me, the guitar of my dreams. Just finding one is an issue though. Hopefully I can find it and not have to order it online. I'd prefer to play before I buy, you know? We're going looking tomorrow afternoon, and I have the name of a recommended shop in Chicago as well. Hopefully I'll find it!

Alright, back to work! I'm studying for a certification test that I have to pass this afternoon!

I'm on my way! Just set me free! Home sweet home!

Thank you Motley Crue.

So I am back from my week long excursion to Las Vegas. I have to admit, it was a fun time, but it was also kind of exhausting. I didn't really sleep well while I was there, and even though I got back Friday night, I didn't sleep well then either, or Saturday night for that matter. Last night though, I passed out at about 9 PM. Kind of pathetic.

It was a good trip though, I learned a lot of technical stuff, and how to play craps! Made some contacts as well, which is always a good thing. I just couldn't wait to get home. I missed home, Missy, everything. Being away for a week on business is rough. It sucks because I'm going to be going to Illinois, just outside of Chicago next week. Ugh. But I got back Friday, spent Saturday morning running errands and the rest of the day reading Harry Potter. I finished that up Sunday morning, and yes, its awesome.

I went back to my apartment on Sunday afternoon to unpack and get settled, before I had to run back to the airport to pick Missy up. She had been in Baltimore since Friday with friends. It was so good to see her after being gone for a week. We went back to her place for the night, and we were both exhausted and fell asleep at about 9. Pathetic, like I said.

So this week is looking kind of busy too. I'm in the city Tuesday through Thursday for training. Tuesday night I'm seeing the White Stripes at the Garden and Thursday night its John Mayer at the Coliseum. Tonight Missy and I are meeting with more wedding video guys. Friday night we want to go to services at the temple by my parents, just to look good in front of the rabbi who is going to Marry us. Saturday is my grandma's birthday, so we're going out to dinner, and Sunday I leave for Chicago. Thats my week at a glance. Fun right?

Alright, back to work!

"Cause this time.... I'm gone!"

Pearl Jam off of their self titled record from 2006, Pearl Jam. Enough said.

Also, easy come, easy go. So I won $200 Wednesday night playing craps, and I lost $200 tonight playing craps. So I broke even. But I had fun playing. I played for at least two, if not three hours tonight, all the time getting free beers, so thats not a bad trade off. All in all, a fun time was had in Vegas.

In that respect though, I can't wait to get home! I've been here since Sunday and I really just want to get home and see Missy and family and my dog, and just get back to normal hot weather, not desert hot, you know? The sucky thing is, is that Missy is in Baltimore this weekend, and she's not coming home until Sunday afternoon, so I won't see her for at least another few days. It sucks. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? I just can't wait to see her. I missed her. As much fun as Vegas has been, it would've been more fun with her around. Maybe next time.

Although I already know when next time will be. Late October/Early November. I'm coming back to Vegas for an HP training class. I'm going to Chicago for one in about a week too, and then Jersey for another in three weeks. It nuts. In the next four weeks, and counting the one that just passed, I'll be away on training and in seminars and conference more than I'll be home. Its cool, because its easy to sit in class all day and get paid for it, but it sucks to be gone for another week here and another week there. You know?

OK, so thats about enough babbling out of me. I need to go pack for tomorrow morning. Can't wait to go home! And hopefully what happens in Vegas (I got a prostitutes business card!) stays in Vegas.

Pink Floyd. Enough said.

So, before I went to Las Vegas I told myself, I said, "Self, you're not going to piss any money away on something stupid like gambling, ok Self?" And I stuck to that pretty well. I threw a couple singles I had lying around in some slot machines, and made about $5.50 after spending about $4. I played a little video blackjack and managed to turn $5 into $20. And that made me content.

And then I learned how to play craps, for free, using fake chips, so at no risk. So sometime yesterday afternoon before a conference function I decided to try my newfound skills at craps. I threw $100 down and decided to play just that. My strategy was this, anytime I got paid out, I took that money and shoved it in my pocket, not to be touched. I would just play with the existing $100 and when that was gone, I would walk away from the table and cash out the chips in my pocket. So I played a little, I even got the shoot the dice a little, but I think I only got about four rolls before I hit 7 and stopped. I cashed in my chips and had $139. So I made $39 bucks. Not bad for 20 minutes of playing.

My coworker and I then went to this really lame IBM function at Jillians in Las Vegas. Jillians is just like Dave and Busters, which I know are all over the country, so if you've been to one of those, you know what I'm talking about. The food wasn't that good, the beer selection was even worse, and the video games we could play for free were pretty crappy too. We left an hour early and headed back to the hotel to meet up with some people my co-worker knew. My stomach wasn't feeling up to another night of drinking, so I decided to head back to my room. But, I stopped at the craps table before hand!

So I employed the same strategy, and I started playing. A little side bet that I liked doing was putting a little money on rolling a hard eight, which are two four's. Why eight? I'm getting married in August of 2008, so 8/08. I figured it would be good luck. So, I was shooting, meaning rolling the dice, and I avoided rolling a 7, which ends my roll. I throw $10 on a hard eight, and immediately hit it. That pays out at 9 to 1, so I just made a quick $90. They leave your original bet after you pay out, so I roll again, and another hard 8! So another $90 in my pocket. I kept rolling for about 10 or so minutes before I crapped out. I went to cash out my chips and there was $304! So I made $204 after my initial hundred.

Interesting side story. On the other end of the table, some guy, just before I threw my $10 on hard eight, threw $1,000! So on that first roll, I made him $9,000, and on the second, yup, another nine grand. Then the guy disappeared! He couldn't even throw a $100 my way as a thank you for rolling him up 18k. Oh well. It was fun though. I'm debating maybe trying another $100 later today at some point. We'll see. I like the idea of having an extra $250 I didn't have before though. We'll see how the day plays out. Today is my last full day in Vegas before I catch a 2:50 PM flight home that puts me on Long Island at 11:00 PM. Yay!

Alrighty, good talk. See you out there.

Song title courtesy of the All American Rejects. Not one of my favorite bands, but I can appreciate a catchy tune.

I'm posting this from Vegas! Its been a blast so far. I'll go into more details once I get home, which will be late on Friday night. The seminars have been fun, I'm just a little burned out at the moment, so I'm back in my room relaxing before the evening reception and cocktail party.

So, there was some progress made before I left for Vegas. We still don't have a lock on the video guy, but Missy is definitely moving along with a lot of stuff that she has to do. For starters, she got a dress! I know it sounds crazy, but she got one. She went with her mother on Friday to do some preliminary scouting and never expected to actually get anything. But, she found one that she fell in love with, so she got it! She also put a hold on bridesmaid dresses. We're going with a black and white theme, so the dresses will be black, with a white type of sash across the waistline. They look good. She was debating between two or three, and had one of her bridesmaids, her brother's girlfriend, try it on and said it was awesome.

So there are a few less things for us to worry about when I get back. The main things left are the video and flowers. We're going to make appointments to look at florists in August so we can see whats in season during that time of year.

Alright, I need to rest up before what will probably be a long evening! Vegas rolls on!

Title courtesy of Filter, off of their album called, ironically enough, "Title Of Record." The main riff/chord progression of this song was one of the first I ever learned on the guitar, along with some Pearl Jam and Jimmy Eat World. Good stuff, and a great song!

So we met with two photographers last night. The first came from a suggestion of an old co-worker, the other was recommended by both the catering hall planner and the video guy we're meeting with tonight. Our plan was to meet these two, then meet two more on Saturday and make a decision from those 4. Well, that went right out the window. We both absolutely loved the work of the second guy, so I whipped out my dad's credit card that I carry for emergency purposes and made a deposit to guarantee that he'll be available for us that day. His stuff is amazing, Camelot Photography, check it out!

We're meeting the video guy tonight and I told Missy to prepare herself for a similar reaction to what we had last night. I think, and hope, that we can book him tonight. I've heard nothing but great things about him, he was really great to talk to on the phone the other night, and we were told by the photographer that they work a lot together, and work very well together, which is important. I'm really looking forward to meeting him. He blocks off about 3 hours for our initial appointment, which is a little insane, but I'm sure he's got a lot to show us!

My one big hope is that we can have the video locked down before I go to Vegas. That way I can go away and not have to worry about possibly missing out on using a really great vendor because I'm away and out of town. Since Missy and I are doing this as a total team, we're not going to meet with anyone new without both being present. Good idea, I think. We're of the firm belief, and sorry for being repetitive, that this is our wedding, so all decisions have to be unanimous from both of us. There's no "I" in team, although there is a "me." Just kidding.

Anyway, back to work! Have a great day everybody!

311. Enough said.

So I had a really weird feeling last night. I felt really mixed up, about what I wasn't entirely sure. It was almost like I was feeling depressed or sorry for myself. Why, I have no idea. Things are going great at work, the new job is beyond fantastic, so far. Things with Missy couldn't be better. The wedding plan is starting to get a little more than I'd like to deal with, but once the big things are over and done with, normal life can somewhat resume. I hope.

The only thing that I'm really pissed about is the fact that I have been so bad with dieting and exercising, that I've probably packed back on all the weight I lost last summer and fall. But I know that once I get into that mindset, I'll be ok and it'll just be a matter of time and a whole lot of discipline to get back to where I once was.

The only thing that worries me is getting into that mindset. It hasn't been easy to attain. I was doing great for that month before I got engaged, but since then, its been all downhill. I'm hoping that once I get back from Vegas I can start anew and take it seriously once again. I know I probably won't get down to my lowest in time for my brother's wedding in November, and thats OK. I just want to get back down there for my own wedding, and I have over a year for that. So no worries there.

I know I'm being a little ridiculous, but I can't help it. Just like I couldn't help hitting Wendy's for dinner last night and then downing some Ben & Jerry's. (Their new cinnamon buns flavor is amazing!) After Vegas the will power will be strong!

Alright, back to work, and no more feeling sorry for myself. Things are great! And like everything else, that too shall fall into place when the time is right, and it will be sooner, rather than later!

The name of the first song/video played on MTV, by the Buggles. Kind of funny how MTV doesn't even play videos anymore, just crap reality shows about stuck up 16 year olds. Ah, I remember the good old days of the early 90's, when you could actually see a music video on MTV and this new thing called the Real World was actually interesting. Anyway...

So we've been making appointments with photographers and video people, we're meeting with one of each on Wednesday and Thursday. The photographer came recommended from an old co-worker of mine, and the video guy came highly recommended by the catering hall, so I know we'll be in good hands there. The video guy called me yesterday after I left him a message and I spoke to him for over 40 minutes, which was nuts. But the guy got me, I think, and what we were looking for, and despite what is probably a crazy price, I think he'd be well worth it. Now we just need to see his work in action. He said he books all of his appointments for at least 3 hours worth of time, because he shows us a lot of stuff. That must be a whole mess of stuff then, because three hours is a little crazy.

As much as I'm looking forward to going to Vegas next week, I'm a little worried that its going to throw a kink in all of our planning. I just hope the really good vendors don't get snatched up while I'm gone for a week. That would really suck. I doubt it though, as we're still a year away from the big day. I think I'm just worrying for the sake of worrying, you know? I'm still looking forward to Vegas though, because I know its going to rock!

Alright, back to work!

Title courtesy of a number of bands. Weezer, Def Leppard and The Verve Pipe come to mind off the top of my head.

Anyway, so thats next up in the wedding planning. Photographers, and videographers. Missy has a busy day today of summer school and tutoring, so I think I'm going to have to make a few initial calls to get the ball rolling on that front. Once we get those two, we're really done with the major stuff. We have to go look at flowers in August, since that'll be the same time we're getting married, so we can see whats in season then and what looks good. Thats about it on the wedding front. Missy is going to do some preliminary dress shopping with her mother on Friday, and then I leave for Vegas on Sunday!

Have I mentioned how much I can't wait for that? Its like a free vacation! I realize I'll have to attend some seminars and schmooze with people from IBM while I'm out there, but still, its a free trip. I don't have to pay for airfare or hotel, which are the two biggest expenses one incurs when traveling. I also get reimbursed for $45 a day of spending money, which is pretty sweet too. Its just going to be a fun trip. Unfortunately its going to make for a very long and drawn out week this week, which kind of sucks. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and its the neon of Vegas.

OK, I'm going to shut up about that now. For now.

The weekend that just passed was pretty decent. It was a nice break from all the craziness thats been all around for the past few days. Missy had dinner with her bridesmaids on Friday night while I went to see Transformers with my brothers. Saturday she had some friends over at her parents house to relax outside by the pool and I went over to join them and meet some of her friends that I've never met before. While they were lounging by the pool I went for a nice bike ride with her brother, about 9 miles or so, from a park by Missy's apartment to the ampitheatre at Jones Beach. It was a pretty sweet ride. I'm almost tempted to go out and buy a bike so I can exercise like that more often. It was a great work out. After the ride we went back to her parents house and sat out by the pool some more, before heading back to her apartment to shower and get ready for dinner with her friends.

Sunday was nice and relaxing as well. I didn't get out of bed until about 10. We grabbed some breakfast and then headed to my parents house (I needed to get my laundry). We spent a few hours relaxing poolside. I got a bit of a tan, which is nice, since I'm usually very pasty white. The dog was hilarious by the pool too. He loves to swim, despite the fact that he's really horrible at it. So my mom bought him a life vest, which he's not a fan of wearing. But it helps. If you jump in the pool, he'll either stand by the edge and bark, not sure if he should jump in after you. This goes on for a few seconds until he finally decides that yes, he will jump in after you! Or, he'll just jump in ahead of you. Its really very funny.

After the pool Sunday we went back to my place to unpack my laundry and grab a change of work clothes for Monday and then we went back to Missy's for the night.

Thats about it. And now its Monday morning at work. Fun times. Only a few more days, then its Vegas baby!

The Beatles. Enough said.

I just got back from seeing Transformers with my brothers, and damn, was it a great action flick. Best film ever made? Far from it. Entertaining? Hell yes. Nostalgic as well. I used to watch the cartoons and collect the toys non-stop as a little kid. I remember my aunt got me Optimus Prime for my birthday one year, only to have my friend break his arm off two days after I got it. The bastard! Anyway, it was definitely a movie to catch in the theatres with an audience. Very fun, funny and entertaining. They even got the guy who did the voice of Prime back in the day to do it this time around as well.

So, now that the movie is done I'm all by my lonesome. Missy is out to dinner with everyone thats in her bridal party that could get together for dinner, five out of seven of them. I hope they had a good time. I know I did. In the meantime, I'm going to use this alone time to relax and catch up on some DVR'd TV.

Thats about it. I upgraded the back-end software of my blog to the latest Beta of Movable Type. I hope it still works! It would be a shame to break my blog.

Sorry for the absence, life has been busy. Hopefully I think it will calm down over this weekend, before it ramps up again next week. After that I'm in Vegas, so I don't give a sh*t about anything during that time!

OK, so when I left you last, we had just booked our hall, and had to get started on getting a Rabbi to marry us and a good band. I thought the Rabbi was going to be a huge issue because we scheduled the wedding during a three week period that you're not supposed to get married during under Jewish law. Thankfully we avoided scheduling it on a holiday that marks the end of that three week period, because then we really would've been screwed. But thankfully the Rabbi at my parents temple agreed to do it and we had our first meeting with his last weekend. He's a really cool guy, just what we were looking for in an officiant. We'll probably meet with him again a bunch of times before the ceremony, but we're happy. And, he's gotten half of his fee already, so he's booked!

The band is also a done deal. We went and looked at two companies and both were really good. But one was way much more money. For a little less than the price of the first band, we were able to get an 8 piece band, plus a flute, violin and cello player for the ceremony, and a piano player and sax for cocktail hour. And yes, for less than the first band we looked at. I got a package for this other band, but they were way too rocking for a classy wedding, and I guess thats what you get for a cheap price. But I'm happy with our band. Next up, photo's ad video. Flowers we'll look at in August when its the season of our wedding.

Other than that, nothing really going on. I'm moving back home to my parents for a little less than a year at the end of August to save a boatload of cash. Everything worked out fine with my roommates and a major hassle was avoided, so I'm happy about that.

Thats about it. Have a great weekend everyone!