As in, back to the...

Title courtesy of Alice in Chains off of their self-titled album. I saw them open up for Velvet Revolver last summer and they were damn good. Their new lead singer sounds exactly like the long-dead and missed Layne Staley, so much so that it was a little creepy. But good stuff.

So back to the grind. The birthday is over. 364 days until the next one, which is the big one, 30. Oh well. Today also starts my comeback. Dieting and exercise begin anew today, and for good. No more stops and starts. I have about 8 months to get my ass in shape for my wedding, and even less if I want to look good for when we take engagement pictures in the spring. So I have to get my ass in gear, big time. The time is now. As I looked at pictures of myself on my site last year this time in New Orleans and a few weeks ago at my brothers wedding, all I have to say is damn. I had it and I lost it. Now I have to get it back. Its going to be tough, but I can do it.

OK, enough pep talk material. Back to work.

That is a song title, right?

Well, Happy Birthday to me!

That's all. Carry on. I'm only 29. One more until the big 3-0, and at least I'll be married by then.

Song title courtesy of Stone Temple Pilots, off of their last studio album, called "Shangri La Dee Da." I don't recommend the album, but the song is OK.

So its been awhile, huh? Sorry about that. Thanksgiving was pretty crazy busy. But it was overall a really good time. Last week was a short work week obviously, and that all went smoothly. Thanksgiving was at my house this year, Missy came to me, under the promise that next year we spend it with her family, not a problem. A good time was had by all, even though I feel like I slept through most of the day. I'm not sure why I did that. I was just really tired, I guess. I didn't even drink that much. I was just out of it. Friday morning Missy got up at like 6, and with my cousin Lauren, who stayed the night, went shopping with Missy's mom. I met up with Missy later in the evening at her place, and we went to her parents house to celebrate my birthday. I wanted to keep it simple, and really couldn't think of any restaurants to have dinner at, so we had pizza at her parents, while we watched the Ranger game (they lost 3-2 in a shootout!). I got a really cool book from her brother, that had every Rolling Stone magazine cover from when the magazine first launched back in 1967 to May of 2007. Also, it came with a free subscription, and a three DVD set of every Rolling Stone magazine, ever. The entire archive. How cool is that? Her mom got me a sweater thats a little too big on me, so it needs to get exchanged, and the most fun Xbox 360 game I've played in awhile, LEGO Star Wars! Its too cute and cool.

Saturday Missy went shopping with her mom and her brother's girlfriend and I relaxed at home, restrung some guitars, watched some TV, etc. We went out to dinner with my brother and my new sister-in-law and had a really pleasant time, shockingly enough. After dinner we went back to Missy's, where we spent most of the day Sunday. I left her place at like 4 and went home for the day.

So this week? Tonight I think I'm going to try to hit the movies with Seth and see Beowulf. Tuesday I'm at a customer close to where Missy lives, so I'll stay at her place tonight. And Wednesday night too, since its my actual birthday. Even though we technically celebrated most of it last Monday night, as she bought me tickets to the Ranger game and a new Rangers jersey. But Missy said she'd take me out to dinner on Wednesday and that she had a few small gifts. So we shall see.

Thats my week in a nutshell. Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend as well. See ya!

Guns N' Roses. If you needed me to tell you that, something is seriously wrong with you. I picked that, mostly because its the song I'm listening to at the moment. And, also, because after about three weeks of badgering debate on the subject, Missy has agrees to allow the opening guitar riff of that song, and if you can't hear it in your head right now, again, seek professional help, to be the music that we make our grand entrance at our wedding to. You know, everyone will be in the ballroom, sitting down, the band will start playing and say, "Ladies and gentleman, presenting for the first time in public, Mr. & Mrs...!" And in we come, and then we have our first dance, to U2's "All I Want Is You." I wanted to pick something really cool ever since Seth & Shari's wedding when they came into The Who's "Baba O'Riley." I originally wanted to come into AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," but just based on the title alone that was nixed. Next it was Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," and a big veto to that too. There was much debate of Sweet Child. She wanted "Walking On Sunshine", that old 80's song by Katrina and the Waves, but after my brother's wedding last weekend, when she saw that they only introduced the bride and groom and not the whole wedding party, she agreed that if we only introduce us, which I think is the way to go, why bog down the party with introducing a ton of people, that we could do Sweet Child. It beats my brother's choice, Beyonce's "Crazy In Love!"

So anyway!

The dinner between the parents went really well last night. I got to Missy's parents house about an hour and a half before my parents and everything was in full swing. Food cooking in the oven and whatnot. I could tell that Missy's dad was ind of nervous. That was further made obvious when my parents actually got there and her dad offered my dad a drink and my dad asked for a certain drink with a certain liquor, that they didn't have. Missy's dad had asked her if there was anything in particular that he liked to drink, and she asked my dad, but he said that they shouldn't kill themselves on their account. So Missy's dad was a little pissed at her over that, and I felt bad, because I didn't try to get that info to her either. but other than that, the night was really enjoyable. There was way too much awesome food to be eaten. So much so that I only had one piece of my mom's amazing cheesecake for dessert. When that happens, you know something is wrong with me. But I think it really went well, so thats a good thing.

Other than that, nothing really to report. I'm currently at Missy's apartment. She had to go to a post graduate course this morning, so I'm all by my lonesome. I think I'm going to get ready to go in a few, hit the gym when I get home, and relax my Sunday away. Play some Guitar Hero 3, maybe some real guitar. Catch up on the TV on my DVR. You know, fun stuff!

Alrighty then.

Title courtesy of The Beatles. You really can't go wrong with The Beatles, you know? And if you don't, you need some serious help.

So tonight my parents are going to Missy's parents house for dinner. I'm not worried at all. Our parents have been together before and everyone gets along great. Everybody thinks everyone else are good people, so there is nothing to worry about. At least from my end. I'm sure Missy and her parents are a little worried, as its the first time my parents are going to be at their house, so maybe there is some pressure to try to impress, but there shouldn't be. At least I don't think so. Whatever anyone else thinks, who knows. But no worries. Thats my mantra.

That's the plan for tonight. Today's plan? It involves doing jack squat. I have a dermatologist appointment at 12:30, after that I want to get my car washed, because its been months since I've done that and my rims are starting to look an interesting shade of black! Its filthy, and I'll get it taken care of. My lease is up in about six months or so, and I'm already thinking about what I may want next. I'm thinking either another Volkswagen Jetta GLI, or maybe a Dodge Charger! We'll see. I'm thinking about asking my dad to go for some preliminary shopping today. He's always up for that. The man loves cars, and shopping for them especially!

Missy originally thought the Charger was hideous, but took it back and said I should get what I want. I at least want to take it for a spin, you know? We'll see what we can do.

That's about it. I hope everyone has a great weekend. After this weekend its back to the gym and dieting for me. I don't want my knee giving out on me at my own wedding, you know?!

Peace out, party people.

Song title is courtesy of the amazing Canadian band Our Lady Peace.

So my knee is feeling better. I'm walking with a minimal limp, if anything, maybe no limp at all. The muscles in my calf of that leg are still pretty sore from walking weird for a few days, but the more I walk like a normal person, the more it feels better. I think in a few days I'll be ready to hit the gym and start the whole weight loss, get in shape and strengthen my quad muscles regime. That's basically what my doctor said after I saw him yesterday. Its the same thing he's been telling me all along. Lose weight and strengthen your leg muscles. That's the plan. I think now that I've seen, again, just what happens when I get lazy with everything, that I'll stop being lazy.

Other than that, nothing new to report. Take it easy everyone!

Title courtesy of The Raconteurs. You know they're good.

I'm ready to call it a week actually, and its only Monday! Work today was OK. We had a very long staff meeting amongst my department, which was a ton of fun. The day just seemed to last forever! And it sucked even more because my knee is freaking killing me. I could've gone to the doctor this morning, but I had my meeting, so I'm taking a half day tomorrow and going at about 1:45. Should be fun. I know its going to be more of the same issues I had in the summer of 2006, I just hope its not to a point where he's going to recommend that I have surgery to permanently correct the issue that caused my knee to give out on me like it always does. We shall see. All in due time.

Alright, thats about it. I'm going to relax and try to stay off of my feet.

Peace.

Title courtesy of the Broadway show "My Fair Lady"

That basically sums up me at my brother's wedding on Saturday night. A dancing machine. Neither I, nor anyone else I there knew I had it in me. The next morning I ran into my dad outside the hotel and he said, "I didn't know you could," and I cut him off and said, "Neither did I!"

Anyway, how about a rundown? I left with my parents and brother to the Garden City Hotel, site of the whole shindig at about noon, for a 1 PM check in. I was told earlier in the week to show up, dressed and ready to go for pictures by 2:45. Missy got to the hotel at about 2 PM and helped me get dressed. And let me just tell you, the tux was so uncomfortable, I kid you not. The vest was so tight and I had barely any breathing room around my thighs, so needless to say, I couldn't really sit down to comfortably, so I was standing for a good portion of the night. Bad idea when you have a bad knee to be on it for that long. Pictures and everything else took for-fucking-ever and we had to endure the photographer calling us all "baby" all night long. Fun times.

In the middle of taking pictures we did a quick ceremony rehearsal so everyone knew where to stand and whatnot. After some more pictures we went in for the signing of the Ketubah. At that point, under Jewish law, after that thing is signed, they're technically married, and the ceremony is just for everyone else. But then came time for the ceremony. And before that, I managed to down four glasses of champagne and a Jack and coke. That got me nice and buzzed for the ceremony. And it was a long ceremony. Again, a very long time to standing in one place and it started to get to me, and I started to fidget. Everyone said I was moving around too much up there just trying to get comfortable. But a half hour later it was all over and everyone was making their way down the aisle.

Cocktail hour was fun. I tried to get as much alcohol i me as possible during that hour or so, because I didn't want to get up in front of 260 odd people and make a speech stone cold sober. Mission accomplished on that front. I was doing shots with my aunt for one thing, which was kind of fun! But I made my way around the place, saying hi to as many people as I could, introducing Missy to as many people as I could, and it was a lot of fun. A little after 9 it was time to go into the main ballroom. Once there Randy and Beth made their grand entrance and their first dance, to some Shania Twain song, not "From This Moment," but something else. After the first dance it was time for the Horah.

I definitely over-Horah-ed myself. Towards the end of it while dancing in a circle with my mom my knee just completely buckled on me and the only thing I could think was, "oh shit!" I made my way off the dance floor and into my seat. Every one was checking on me, offering me all sorts of painkillers and what not, but I was trying to see how it felt. But there was no time for that, as I had to go make my speech then! I was able to limp up to the dais to make my speech and could here a few people mutter, uh oh, he's limping! But I made it up there OK, was able to stand and make my speech, and boy did I ever rock the hell out of that! Everyone said it was really awesome and funny, but still sweet. I set the bar pretty high for Randy when he has to make a speech at my wedding!

And after that the party commenced in full swing. My knee was feeling stiff and sore, but I didn't want that to stop me from having a good time. Like I previously stated, I was a dancing machine. I'm amazed my knee held up under all of it. But I had a great time. The band stopped playing at about a little after 1 in the morning, and Missy and I went back to our room and passed out, or tried to. I couldn't sleep too much, I was too worried about waking up and not being able to walk.

When I finally did get up, I could walk, although my knee was stiff and swollen, it still is on Monday morning. I know it'll just be a few days until it works itself out, hopefully. This sure isn't the first time this has happened to me. And I'm going to take this is a sign to get my ass in gear and get back in shape and start losing weight again. I'm starting today, and I have Missy behind me on it. She said if I hit either my target weight, or drop 75 pounds, she'll get me a Nintendo Wii! How awesome is that.

The next morning we packed up our stuff and went down for brunch with everyone the next morning. That was nice too. It was really good to just see family and friends that we don't normally get a chance to see all that often. After brunch Missy and I went home, dropped off my tux, as well as a few others, picked up Keyser from where he was staying for the night and took a nice long nap.

So my knee is still killing me, but I think I'll be OK in due time. If it doesn't feel better in a few days, I may go see the doctor. I'm not sure.

And thats about it. A few pictures are up at my website that came from my mom's camera. I'm still waiting on Missy's pictures too. Enjoy! http://homepage.mac.com/moster78

Title courtesy of the always awesome Pearl Jam, off their album No Code. I chose that because its what I'm listening to as I type this.

So today is the big day. My older brother Randy is getting married. In about 10 hours it'll be official, and by this time 12 hours from now, I plan on being ten sheets to the wind off of free booze and beer. I'm looking forward to it. It should be a fun night. I have my speech all prepared and printed out. I ran it by both of my parents and they said it was good. Or just OK. I can't tell sometimes with my parents if they're being really sarcastic or not. Well, more so with my dad, but thats another story. Its just a two minute speech, so its not a big deal. I had to forgo my plan of a 15 minute presentation complete with slides and a musical interlude because I was told by the bride that she didn't want speeches taking up party time. And you know me, I quoted that exact line in my speech, just for her!

Plan for today? I need to shower and get dressed. I need to drop Keyser off at a womans house, she's going to watch him for the night. She's a patient at my mom's office and was nice enough to let us board him for the night with her. Poor guy. I think he should've been included. He'd look nice in a little doggy tux, don't you think? Oh well. After that at some point I'm heading to the hotel where the wedding is at with my parents. Pictures for the bridal party is at like 2:30 or so, and I think we're leaving for the hotel at noon, so I have plenty of time to get dressed and ready. I just hate the tux, with a passion. The vest and tie are brown in color, and brown just always reminds me of poop. I feel worse for the bridesmaids, their dresses are all that shade of brown! That's why Missy and I went for black and white as our colors. Its simple, you know?

Anyway, thats about it. I have to hop in the shower and get dressed and ready to go witness my brother making a huge mistake, I mean get married! Just kidding. I wish him all the happiness in the world.

Peace out party people!

Title courtesy of Dashboard Confessional.

I am up way too early on a Friday. Especially considering that I have a huge family affair this weekend. There is not reason I should be up at 4 AM on a Friday morning, but I am, and my alarm hasn't even gone off yet. Damn dog. And damn me for falling asleep trying to watch TV on my DVR with the lights on. That sucked. Oh well.

I'm really curious to see how long this drive will be today. Its like going to Great Adventure and then some. Fun times.

Alright, thats it. I just thought I'd share. Enjoy your day.

Title courtesy of the band Say Anything once again. Good stuff.

The title refers to the south part of New Jersey, which I need to go to for work tomorrow, right around Philadelphia, I think. Thats a trek. I just have to make sure that I get out of there at a decent time because I have dinner with my parents and all of the out of town guests for my brother's wedding on Friday night. That should be fun. There's a ton of family members that I haven't seen in awhile, and its always good to reconnect. Plus a lot of them have never met Missy, so that should be cool for her.

I'm ready for the wedding though. My speech is written and I got approval on it from my parents. They said it was good, so that makes me happy. Now I just have to make sure I get good and buzzed before going up there and reading it. I'm not good in front of crowds! I got my tux yesterday and although its uncomfortable as all hell, I'm sure it'll look good on me once I wear it right. I kind of just tried on the various pieces without putting th ewhole ensemble together, so it looked kind of shoddy, to say the least. But I'm sure all put together it'll be OK.

Other than that, there is nothing new to report. Full update on the big wedding as soon as I can. I'm just glad that its here, and will be even happier when its over so that life can sort of go back to normal. Hopefully.

Title courtesy of The Beatles. Enough said.

So I think I've kicked my recent doubleshot of infections. I just have a little bit of lingering congestion that gets coughed up every so often. Gross, I know, but what can you do? Its gotta come out, you know? Thankfully I'm feeling better, because last week was pretty tough. I went to work every day and wished I didn't every morning around 11 AM. I was just too busy to call in sick. Thats dedication! Or just insanity. I'm not sure which. Probably a little bit of both.

The weekend was pretty low key. Missy had a class she was taking on Friday night, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. She came over Friday night and Saturday night and I went to her on Sunday afternoon before heading into the city for work yesterday. It was a nice, calm, relaxing weekend before this coming weekend which I know is just going to be crazy.

Yes, it has finally arrived. My brother is getting married on Saturday night! Can I get a hell yeah?!?! Its finally here, which means it will finally be over and maybe, just maybe, if I hope and pray hard enough, life will go back to normal around my house. One can only hope, and pray. And I do. All the time! I'm ready though. I have my speech written. I don't think I'm going to be able to memorize it in time, but I'll give it a shot. I may just print it out and read it and save the trouble. Plus, I know I'm going to have to get damn good and buzzed before I get up in front of 250+ people and make a toast/speech. Tequila, you and I will be fast friends come Saturday night! It should be a good time though. My brother is getting married. Its a once in a lifetime thing, I hope, for all our sakes.

When it comes to my own wedding, we just put a deposit down on our honeymoon! We're going on a cruise around the Mediterranean! A 12 night cruise! I can't wait. I haven't been away on vacation since I went to New Orleans last year, and that wasn't that much a vacation. It was much more exhausting. But this is going to be awesome. We leave from Barcelona, then go to Cannes, then down the east coast of Italy, hitting places like Rome, Florence, Pisa and such. Then its up the west coast of Italy and up to Venice. From there its to Croatia, then Tunisia, then back to Barcelona. I can't wait! Have I said that?

So thats life in a nutshell. Work continues to be busy as all hell, but it keeps me out of trouble, so I'm not going to complain. My boss already approved me to take 11 days off for the honeymoon, so I'm psyched about that, to no end.

Alright, back to work.