(Not Quite) Paulie Bueller’s Day Off

I was hoping to have a fantastical account of my day off yesterday. While nothing went horribly wrong let’s just say that things didn’t go quite to plan.

Today’s Daily Challenge
Stop and take a moment to enjoy a sight, sound, or smell.

Although we may notice a pleasant sight, sound, or smell here and there, we’re often so rushed that we may not pause to truly appreciate it. But slowing down and directing our focus can help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and reinforce our connection with the world at large.

I did this last night at the iOS Developers Meetup. However, the woman who provided the distraction was in another room and had no such interest in looking at me.

Perhaps I’ll try again today with a non-female object.

Oh Hello, High
I parked my car in the garage near LA Fitness on 5th/Spring. Given the beautiful weather and my plans for later that evening this was the perfect home base for my day.

The plan was to hike from my car up to the High Museum of Art to catch the Dutch Masters exhibit before it leaves soon. I figured a Tuesday morning would be a great time to see the art because the museum would be virtually empty. I was partially correct.

I spent about two hours roaming the High (lugging a camera whose shutter never shut) looking at permanent collections and taking two tours of the Dutch Masters. On my first trip around Amsterdam the rooms were annoyingly crowded, I had much better luck on my second go-round.

When I had gotten my fill of culture I walked up to Baby Tommy’s Taste of New York (No website? Huh.) for a salad and a slice of pepperoni/mushroom pizza.

After filling my belly I walked back to the Woodruff Arts Center where I holed up and worked on my important document, recharged my iPhone (which I was using as a GPS to measure my walking), and watch some videos before getting kicked out of the area in which I was sitting because a meeting was going to be held there.

Feeling jilted I decided to walk back toward my car, passing a garbage truck which spilled part of its load on 5th Street (oh did that ever smell!), and stopping into The Barrelhouse (which was thankfully upwind) for a beer.

By the time I finished my beer it was time for me to go into LA Fitness for a shower before walking over to Hypepotamus for the iOS Developers Meetup.

1.2 Was Almost A Magic Number
The walk from my car to the High Museum was 1.21 miles.
The walk from the High Museum to Baby Tommy’s (including the half-block misdirection I took) was 1.21 miles.
The walk from Baby Tommy’s back to the Woodruff Arts Center was 1.25 miles.
The walk from Woodruff Arts Center back to my car was 1.44 miles because I took a different set of streets.

In total, approximately five miles. Not bad.

ITP Flickr Pic
“Breakfast Of Slackers”
Breakfast Of Slackers
I ate breakfast at Home grown (sic) yesterday. I hadn’t been there since I first went with my friend Tamara was in town back in January. The food was good, but the potatoes should have been hotter.

No Lefts Made A Right That Was So Wrong
After the iOS Developers Meetup I headed downtown. WHAT? Yes, downtown (Atlanta).

The original plan for the evening was to jet up to Terminal West one the westside for the Phosphorescent show. That all changed on Sunday when I was listening to an episode of Bullseye and the host Jesse Thorn said that he had organized a meetup for Tuesday night at Meehan’s Public House in downtown Atlanta. Coooool.

I drove downtown (stupid) instead of taking MARTA because I didn’t want to have to rely on MARTA to get me back to midtown after 11pm and I didn’t look forward to the solo hike from the North Avenue MARTA station to my car which was parked by 5th/Spring. I used to work in downtown a hundred years ago, so I feel comfortable knowing where things are. What I didn’t expect was hitting a myriad of road closures associated with the trolley installation and the number of “No Turns” and “No Left Turns” signs that litter Peachtree.

After struggling to get to a parking deck close enough to Meehans I gave up and drove back toward East Atlanta. Now 8:30pm I was getting hungry (How? Look at the food I already ate yesterday!) so I stopped at the one place that I knew would make me happy by serving me too much delicious food — Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q. My evening may have turned into a disappointment, but the meal I ate last night was certainly not a disappointment — and I drank water instead of beer!

One Is The Most Threatened Number
If you know anything about me it is that I am alone… a lot. And I’m not just referencing my dating status. Most of the time I am perfectly okay with this, however there are situations where having a cohort, wingman, or significant other would be more than beneficial.

Last night’s Meehan’s outing was a perfect example.

I don’t consider Atlanta dangerous (well, East Atlanta sure, but the rest of the city notsomuch) though I have to admit that repeatedly reading accounts of muggings . armed robberies / car jackings has turned me more than a little sour on this city.

Were I traveling with a companion last night I would have been comfortable either taking MARTA downtown or driving there and parking in any garage (street parking is okay, but the payment systems always concern me) and walking to/from Meehan’s. It was solely because I was a singleton, and perhaps because I am a white singleton, that I didn’t feel comfortable enough to execute my desired plan.

Today’s Personal Project
Finish the important document I started yesterday, send it on its way. Go for a long walk this afternoon (maybe even as a part of Third Wednesday if work and traffic cooperate).

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – curious
Current Music – listening to a CBC Radio 3 music podcast
Website Of The Day – Today Apple releases iOS 7. Find out what’s new with iOS 7.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – walking, ~5 miles
Morning Weigh-In – I check again some day. For today I’ll just call myself morbidly obese

Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~22.9 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Gym Visits – 0 (0 cardio)

Days Of Bed-Making – 0

Vegetarian Meals – 20
Carnivorous Meals – 23

Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0

September Goals
– exercise no fewer than twenty days (and I’m starting on Day 3 so I have my work cut out for me)
– clean my basement to the point where I could have people over
– hire a plumber to replace my malfunctioning faucets

2013 Goals: Measurable
– Get my weight down to 190 pounds so that I can wear a 36″ waist pants comfortably
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Dissolve Sharpened Stone
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Completely run at least one 10k
– Fix all (or at least most) of the things which are wrong with the ITP Estate

2013 Goals: Unmeasurable
– Simplify, simplify, simplify
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– Take two real vacations, perhaps one abroad
– Take a more proactive approach to meeting women (read “stop being such a pussy”)

Books I’ve Read/Heard In 2013

  1. Pages 1.7 for iPad (Timestompers Guide) — by Sean Wells
  2. 60 Mountain Lion Tips — by David Sparks and Brett Terpstra
  3. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — by Charles Duhigg
  4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy — by Douglas Adams
  5. Amazing Things Will Happen: A Real-World Guide on Achieving Success and Happiness — by CC Chapman
  6. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love — by Cal Newport
  7. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life — by Steve Martin
  8. Who Am I: A Memoir — by Pete Townshend

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]

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23 Responses to (Not Quite) Paulie Bueller’s Day Off

  1. Barb says:

    I didn’t realize Baby Tommy’s has no website, but I have no reason to ever look at it. A slice & a soda for about $5 works perfect for me for lunch.

    After driving to the airport this morning to drop off Felicia, I just don’t know how people can sit is bumper to bumper traffic on the hwy every day. It was just so annoying. The problem with my hate of traffic is I really want to look for a new job, but it has to be up here, I really don’t think I could deal with a commute. It makes me lazy & not look for a new job.

    I’ve been hit with fall allergies bad for the first time in a few years. Not srue what’s out in teh air, but my eyes & throat itch, I’m all stuffy, etc. I took some benedryl last night, I hate how that stuff makes me feel, so Im going to go find some other options today.

  2. I Googled “Baby Tommy’s Atlanta” and didn’t see a site, many hits from other sites, but not a dedicated one for them.

    I take Alavert, it’s non-drowsy and one pill lasts entire day.

    I forgot to mention that the TV show Single Ladies was filming in the Biltmore yesterday. I’ve never seen the show and could have walked past its “stars” numerous times yesterday without knowing it.

  3. Barb says:

    I think Single Ladies is a slutty girl reality show……. like we need another one of those, right?

  4. Steve says:

    I don’t think you are overly cautious about being alone downtown. MARTA would have been a better option than parking in a deck- Meehans is only about a half block from the “library” entrance to Peachtree Center Station- I don’t know where you got the North Ave. idea.

    Games meeting last night. Late drive home, up early to the orafice, 3rd Wednesday tonight! I won’t chance running on my achiles, but I will walk. I wonder if there are any other walkers on this blog who might join me?

    -FP

  5. Barb says:

    Steve – if you drive to Marietta, I’d walk with you up here.
    And – Allan got that tool & whatever to put the water bottle holders on the cyclecross bike for you.

    But after driving back & forth with JoAnna to the hospital, to visit, & then getting her back home, then taking Felicia to the airport this morning, I don’t see me wanting to get in the car tonight.

    Survivor starts tonight too – this one looks interesting by the previews.

  6. Steve says:

    Thanks. We’ll have to figure out a time when I can bring the bike back up. Next Tuesday after work? I’m guessing these things won’t take long to install.

    Is JoAnna still locked up? Haven’t been on FB this morning.

  7. Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

    The closest station to 5th/Spring is North Ave. I would have had to walk back to my car from it after the event.

  8. Steve says:

    Ahh, I get it.

    What are you doing tonight?

  9. Not sure. I want to get exercise, probably walking.

  10. Barb says:

    nope – JoAnna was sprung yesterday afternoon.
    Next Tuesday 9/24 would work. Maybe an impromptu Tasty China night, or we could grill something…….

  11. Martha says:

    I’m back, I think I’ve recovered enough from yesterday’s startling revelation that vegetarian does not necessarily equal healthy. (most ‘vegetarians’ I know forget about veg part) Gosh, if only someone had told you that before now! 🙂

    Really nothing new to report. I had a battle with a late summer cold, stayed home on Monday…but I think I’ve beat it. Hopefully, it was a one time deal.

    Bad customer service experience this morning. I finally got around to using a GC from LuluLemon I got for my birthday last year. Found a tank top (*only* $48), put it in by cart and went to check out…for some reason I need a pin to use the gift card?? Okay so I call customer service (the whole reason I shop on line is so I don’t have to deal with people) but it’s closed and wont open until 5am PST (so now I have to do math too)…called later, had to do the entire order over the phone because that gift card couldn’t be used for online purchases??? Oh well, the rep was very pleasant…thankfully, I never had a bad lulu addiction and I was able to recover. That will probably be my last purchase there anyway.

    Glad JoAnna is out of the hospital, I hope she gets this sorted out…I can’t imagine what this is like for someone like her.

  12. Barb says:

    I was wondering how much a tank top would cost from Lulu? Not sure if their clothes are really that “special”, but since I don’t own any I guess I can’t really say.

  13. I ran down the hallway at work!

    My foot is killing me.

    I should not have attempted to run down the hallway at work. 🙁

  14. Steve says:

    Did you warm up? Were you wearing running shoes?

    Barb, Tuseday could work, but again I have a Games meeting, so could not stay for long.

  15. Martha says:

    That was one of the cheaper things…I have a couple of pieces I just LOVE…but I got them on the cheap at a trunk show (plus they altered the top, cut about 6 inches off so it fit really nice). Maybe if I was super hot and I worked out at a ‘look at me’ gym … it might make more sense to spend that sort of money on clothes I’m just going to sweat in…

  16. Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

    Silly questions Steve. Of course not, I just took off down the hall.

  17. Steve says:

    I know. In your brain, you are still 21, however your 45 year old body keeps reminding you you’re not.

  18. Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

    45 + 3

    😉

  19. Steve says:

    Just like my 54 year old body.

    I’m walking at Georges tonight at 6. Come on down.

  20. Barb says:

    why did you run down a hallway at work?
    Steve- Allan is usually home from Hyox by 3:30, so any time Tuesday will be fine.

  21. Martha says:

    not sure what I did yesterday but I’ve blown out my shoulder (it may have been the 65 dips). I hate this getting old crap.

  22. If I can be there by 6pm I will. Warning: as of now that looks highly unlikely.

    Barb, because I’m an idiot! My foot felt good walking to the hallway, the hallway was empty, I decided to run.

    Martha, I think that my shoulder would probably hurt if I dipped 65 pretzels in chocolate, or probably doing five dips to which you refer — assuming I could manage five right now.

  23. Steve says:

    Barb, that sounds like a plan.

    Paulie, if you’re there, you’re there. I’ll walk the traditional route- intercept if you’re late.

    Martha, tsk tsk tsk. Overachiever.

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