Post image for The Dog Days of Summer

Yes, I’ve been a bit lazy these days. Too much going on with my client in Philly; too hot and muggy on the east coast. July was actually worse, but when it drags on into August it just gets one down.

I found that the price of a flat tire, if you drive run-flat tires on a BMW is about $800, as one has to replace all four. An oil change is a mere $110 (but I had a discount card bringing it down to $99).

I had a chance today to hop the DC metro and see Glenn Beck in all his money-making glory, but I thought why would I want to be surrounded by clueless idiots.

Instead I drove home with a pit-stop at a Amish farmers market and hand picked some of the best fruits and veggies of the season.

I grilled them, with some chicken breast at sunset today and realized that life really is not all that bad. Mornings and evening are cooler and I am not spending my days and nights with a bunch of smelly men trapped in a mine a mile underground in Chile. I even found a fish market in Philly that actually sells fresh fish! The dog days of summer is simply a state of mind – soon to pass.

I killed the cable in Piney Point, but still have an Internet link, and enjoy the magic of Netflix on-demand movies.  I actually subscribed to the local newspaper again, as it only comes twice a week. Odd as I never thought I’d read an actual newspaper again. It’s delightful to know that the Piney Point market was burglarized last weekend and a NAVAIR UAV from Webster Field, across the bay, went rogue and flew into restricted DC airspace (before being brought back under control).

Oh autumn will be wonderful!

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Post image for Wasn’t invited to Rhinebeck, so I detailed the 325xi

After four hours of sweat & suffering, the good old 325xi is feeling happy again!

I was expecting to spend the weekend in Philly, but I ordered some stuff and accidentally shipped it to home #1 instead of home #2. So I drove back to Piney Point on Friday, and with no specific projects planned, I decided to give my, now aging, auto a little TLC.

There seems a clear correlation between a car’s age and one’s lack of cosmetic care for it. For one thing, it takes real work to go through this routine, even in the shade, during this ever-so-muggy time of year. But I am happy that I did it – from a distance my little bimmer still looks almost new.

Likely Chelsea had a far better day than I did. But washing, claying, cleaning, polishing and waxing has its rewards: a valid excuse for a cold beer during the process, and a long cool shower afterward. I’m beat and I’m drained, and I will sleep well tonight.

A coworker with a newer, faster version than mine (335xi) had his in the shop for a few days and was driving a new 550i as a loaner. He called it an “old man’s car” as it is far less nimble than the 3 Series in so many respects. I guess he’s right – $78,000 really doesn’t give you the ultimate driving machine experience, just a bit more perceived status.

My “old” car is still awesome on the road, and even my routine commute can be exhilarating. Although I still dream of a 2012 M3, with new paint and new wheels planned for the Spring, my humble little machine will effortlessly get me through a another five years in comfort and style.

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Post image for Hangin’ in Hoboken, NJ – on Sinatra Drive

Before sunrise view from my room at the W of NYC on what was to become one hell of a hot & muggy day

On Wednesday I was requested (in great haste) to return to a supplier in Vermont – again. I drove up and checked into my hotel by 11 p.m. Traffic and downpours added two hours to the drive. No worries, as it was so easy compared to getting to Busan, Korea from Piney Point, Maryland, as I did multiple times in the past.

All issues were resolved the next day, but it was too late to drive back to Philadelphia that night, so I opted for a great meal and a good night’s rest in the quaint city of Bennington Vermont. I slept great!

On Friday morning I had a rare impulse not to go directly to my 2nd home in Philly. Maybe New York City? But as it was hotter than hell again, and I thought why not explore a less stressful stopping point?

After a quick Google Earth search, what I opted for was Hoboken, New Jersey – birthplace of Frank Sinatra! A relatively new “W” hotel opened on the Hudson River, and I booked a room with a view of the New York midtown skyline. Wow, now that’s a view even on a hot, hazy day!

Warrington Plaza - the place  Franky boy would have recongized - cira 1907
Warrington Plaza Train Station – the place Franky boy would have recognized – Cira 1907

Keep in mind, I’m just as common as the common folk, and I would never pay $300 a night out of my own pocket, even for the best view of New York around. I just still have all these Starwood points begging to be used. So all I paid for was dinner and the parking garage.

I rolled into Hoboken about 4 p.m., checked in, took a cool shower and then wandered about the riverfront on the west side of mighty Hudson River. In spite of the muggy heat, the wind was blowing furiously east to New York, which made the walk bearable. The promenade was modern as any, but sections of it were under renovation (stimulus money per the signs). What was especially nice was there were no apparent hoads of tourists – no one but the locals were about. Hoboken is well kept little secret no doubt.

After dark, the best views of NYC were to be had, and only new imigrants and I were taking it in (I guess the locals knew best to be off the streets at sundown).

I dined outside at a bustling corner eatery called Trinity, right across from the W. I had a three couse seafood offering, only slighty over-priced, but a fraction of the cost of a NYC dinner.

Had it not been so hot, I might have taken the ferry from Warrington Plaza into Manhattan. But why – I can do that later, when the East Coast cools off again. I’ll just take the train into Hoboken right from Philly (and not pay $40 a night for parking).

Hoboken at night - Frank would recongize the tower to the left, but not the W to the right!
Hoboken at night – Frank would recongize the tower to the left, but not the W to the right!

What a great pit stop Hoboken proved to be. This is it – the perfect gateway to Manhattan – only a hop away by ferry. I tell you this, the closer I get to these great urban envirnonments, the greater the attraction to them. They just seem to suck me in.

Anyway, I’m back in Philly and back with my client on Monday. Back to work again, just like everyone else (if you are lucky enough to have a real job).

Next weekend I’ll head home to Piney Point. Yet I am happy to have found my gateway to the center of the known universe. I’ll return to Hoboken, hop the ferry and explore NYC -  but likely hold off until this side of the planet cools down a bit.

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Post image for Biweekly Commute and a Boring, Boring, Boring World Cup Finale

A pit stop in Sandy Beach Park with a view of the Mighty Chesapeake Bay Bridge (I think they imported this ugly brown sand)

I figured it was my duty as a member of the planet earth to watch the World Cup Final. After all, I love Spain and spent most of Euro Cup 2008 in Rotterdam (and had a hell of a fine time with the locals).

So what’s wrong with world class football that it can’t attract a US following but for a few weeks every few years?
Emotionally dry ESPN English announcers for one; alfa-male cry-babies when they are hit (these aren’t fake wrestling matches), pathetically low scores, and the horrific mad hornets nest sound of non-stop vuvuzela buzzing from all the drunken fans. You’d think ESPN could incorporate so sort of noise cancelling.

In spite of my love for both the Netherlands and Spain, this game was so boring that I left on by biweekly commute back to Philly just before 4 p.m. I listened to the rest of the match on some crappy AM band radio. It seems the only thing that comes in clear on AM is Rush Limburger.

So before I reached Annapolis, Spain won, by one point (as they did for their last two matches). How exciting! And how many yellow cards – a game to be quickly forgotten by all but those in Spain.

But good for them, as the whole damn country (as much of the world) is obsessed with this sport. I would have loved to be in Madrid tonight! But now we can forget about it.

I was caught up with this football thing for a short time in Rotterdam. No more. Let’s begin the real football season, and thus, let’s cool things off things a bit – I am sick of this miserably hot east coast summer (jeez do I miss California).

OK, I’m finished whining. I’m back in my 2nd home in Philadelphia – the air conditioning is running just fine. The place is Ikea comfy, and it feels good to be off the road after four hours of driving. I have a busy week ahead.

I can’t say I care much for any sports. Collectively they are a great Sunday afternoon time waster in my view. A  few beers over an ocasional game a few time a year is about the norm for me – but no more fútbol for me until my next trip to Europe.

Buenas noches.

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Post image for Celebrating the 4th in Philadelphia (on the 3rd in Camden New Jersey)

First Attempt at Shooting Fireworks Ever – it was Hit & Miss!

I spent my first weekend ever in Philadelphia – mostly because the 4th of July is a big, big event here. It starts a week before the actual date. And it should be, as this is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Of course few Americans today know that the war to actually get independence took many years – and that the French were absolutely instrumental to achieving it.

I’ve been exploring the area for some time and I basically know how to get around. First observation: worst streets in America. I’m happy that I have my trusty Mazda pickup truck here instead of the 325xi (with the super-hard run-flat tires). Trucks are made to handle these roads, which in some cases are like driving off-road.

Philadelphia had a big fireworks show last weekend and this Saturday at Penn’s Landing on the waterfront with the Philadelphia Symphony playing all the stuff one would expect on the 4th.

But the really big show is tonight in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Goo Goo Dolls, The Roots, Chrisette Michelle and Chuck Brown will all be there. I’ll pass.

Having driven there on Friday, my thoughts were that there would be no place to park on the 4th, too many people and no place to get any good shots of the fireworks (which was my number one goal). And of course it is hotter than hell this weekend. So I did the 4th in Philadelphia on the 3rd in Camden!

On whim, I drove over the Walt Whitman Bridge and headed over early to Camden, New Jersey directly across the Delaware River. Bingo!

Now Camdem, New Jersey is close to the top of my list of places that I would likely never visit in my lifetime. I mean, do you even know where Camden is in New Jersey? Do you even know where New Jersey is on a map?

Philadelphia Before the Fireworks Across the Delaware Rive in Camden, New Jersey

Philadelphia before the Fireworks Across the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey

Well it was the right choice for the night. I got there early and was able to park the pickup to a near-perfect waterfront view of downtown Philadelphia. A group next to me brought in their pickup with a keg on the bed of the truck. They were so Jersey! I took a group photo and became one of the family (and had access to the keg)!

Hotter than Hell in the Mid-Atlantic!

Hotter than Hell in the Mid-Atlantic!

Rivers, big rivers like the Delaware and the Potomac (my home) make a big differance on these hot, muggy days. By sunset it was cool and breezy on the waterfront in Camden. Music and food were everywhere.

I got poor results in my first attempt to photograph fireworks, but had fun with my Jersey buddies (and their girlfriends). I have a new respect for big bridges, as they are everywhere here in Philly. I love urban waterfronts.

The big party in Philly is happening right now. I don’t care – I’m back in my comfy little studio. One night to celebrate the 4th is enough. In spite of the muggy heat, I like it here.

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Post image for Chillin’ in VT – My Old Home Revisited – Briefly

Bennington Vermont is famous for its herd of painted moose!

I had a routine doctor’s appointment on Monday, so I hung around Piney Point an extra day with plans to return to Philadelphia Monday night. We had record heat and humidity last weekend and a long string of intense thunderstorms were  making their way all along the I-95 corridor. I was not, at all, looking forward to the drive.

An early morning email requested that I audit a supplier up in Bennington, Vermont on Tuesday - maybe. As I got no confirmation by 4 p.m., I emailed back saying that I was heading back to Philly. A minute later I got a call from my client, “The audit is still on for Tuesday, can you make it?”

Immediately after I’m on the phone with our travel group asking for the latest flight out of DC to Albany, New York. That happens to be US Air out of Reagan National at 9:20 p.m. – only $1128 round trip (airlines love to rip off last minute business travelers).

That allows plenty of time for the drive to the airport, I think. I book the flight, a rental car and hotel room. I unpack all the stuff that I was planning to take to Philly and then repack for a two day trip to Vermont. I’m on the road to DC by 6:00 p.m.

As I leave the house a cloud burst begins, as if planned, just as I get my carry-on into my truck. I’m soaked, but the sun is back out after twenty minutes into the drive and I don’t seem to care.

Half way to the airport I get one of those automated airline calls: “We are sorry to inform you that due to weather conditions your flight departure will be delayed until 10:42 p.m.” I was suspecting that all along, and actually preferred a delay rather than bounce around on an airplane while the pilot was dodging thunderstorms.

The extra time at the airport allowed me to log onto a secure server and download the specifications that I needed to conduct the audit. I even had time for sushi and sake before the flight!

So far, so good.

It only takes eighty minutes to fly from DC to Albany. When I finally arrive, the airport is near deserted and my vehicle rental is waiting for me – a  brand new Jeep Compass.  I hop in and begin the drive to Bennington, Vermont.

Even with my Nuvi GPS I would normally be a little concerned arrving late at a new airport.  But at least the area is not new to me. Bennington was my home for a few months back in 2005 and the place that I was auditing is a former client.

I reach Troy and see a familiar pizza place still open. Even with the sushi of a few hours ago, I’m hungry again. So I stop and order a hoagie and pick up a six pack at a convenience store next to the pizza place. Upper state New York sells beer all night, I learned.

As I was growing tired from what was now seven hours of travel, I packed the hoagie and beer in the back of the SUV, saving the late night treat for after I was safely checked into my hotel. The drive is familiar and before I know it, I’m in Bennington. It’s a cool crisp night, a stark contrast from the 100 degree muggy weather in DC. I park at the hotel, grab my laptop, carry-on, hoagie and beer and I’m in my room within a few moments.

I traveled only a few hundred miles, but I’m exhausted. I heat up the hoagie in the microwave, grab a cold beer and unwind for an hour with some late-night TV before hitting the sack. It’s 2:00 a.m. and I have a 6:30 a.m. wake-up call! I sleep soundly until . . .

Don’t ‘ya hate it when that damn alarm goes off and you got only half the sleep you needed? Well I didn’t have the luxury to even think about it. I painfully pulled myself out of bed, made some in-room coffee and did the shave and shower thing half asleep.

The coffee and shower must have helped. By the time I stepped outside to a cool sunny day with a view of the very green mountains that surround the city, I knew it was not going to be as bad as I envisioned.

I met my co-auditor on time and introduced myself to a new staff and a few old friends. The audit, to my surprise, went well – only a few minor findings. By 4 p.m. I was back at the hotel and took a 2 hour nap. I awoke, prepared and emailed my findings to my co-auditor and stepped out to a perfect Vermont evening.

I drove around a bit. Nothing has changed here. Bennington seemed frozen in time. I had hoped to take a few photos as I never saw Vermont in the summer. Yet the rush to get here was so intense that I even left my little Canon Power Shot on a table at home with the battery charging – right next to my iPod Touch. First time ever I forgot to pack those two essentials for a trip.

After dinner at the Rattlesnake Cafe, I couldn’t resist a few shots using the camera in my Blackberry Tour. I was surprised at the quality.

I did manage a good night’s sleep last night, and had a leisurely late morning flight back to DC – and even managed to get that cherished empty seat next to me. However on the drive back to Albany I felt a bit of regret that I had to leave Bennington so soon. It would have been fun to re-explore this little city and at least have dinner with a few old friends.

No such luck – by 3:30 p.m. I was back in Piney Point.

My plan was to drive back to Philly tonight. Yet enough is enough. Instead, I’ll have a good meal at home, get to bed early and hit the road before the sun is up tomorrow. At least the alarm tomorrow will not be quite as jarring as it was on Tuesday!

After all the travel time to get a few hundred miles, I’ll likely say put for awhile. I’ll spend the holiday weekend in Philadelphia. I hope to capture some big city events with my camera and camcorder. It should be fun.

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Potomac Beach Comes Alive for the Summer

by carbonboyJune 27, 2010 A Day in the Life
Thumbnail image for Potomac Beach Comes Alive for the Summer

This is what I like to see on my pier – people and boats!
It’s hotter than hell all across the mid-Atlantic and the only redeeming elements are that it brings my neighbors here on their boats and the fireflies entertain throughout the night.
Next weekend I’ll spend the holiday in Philadelphia – first ever away from Piney Point [...]

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DEVO’s Back After Decades, and I’m seeing them in Philly!

by carbonboyJune 19, 2010 Art
Thumbnail image for DEVO’s Back After Decades, and I’m seeing them in Philly!

With the move to my second home in Philadelphia, and a 400 mile weekly weekend round trip commute to my first, I haven’t had much time for blog updates lately. No worries, as I just about have things under control, and lots planned for the blog this sweltering summer.
I really want to explore New York City [...]

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Potomac Beach Picinic

by carbonboyMay 31, 2010 A Day in the Life
Thumbnail image for Potomac Beach Picinic

I made it to my second ever Potomac Beach Picnic after eight years of living here, and had a wonderful time with my neighbors.  With new residents, kids were everywhere, and they all were clearly having more fun than me, which is as it should be.
As always, the food was great, but not so much [...]

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Aloft – My New Home in Philly – Thank God for Starwood Points!

by carbonboyMay 23, 2010 A Day in the Life
Thumbnail image for Aloft – My New Home in Philly – Thank God for Starwood Points!

Who’d a thunk I’d ever live in Philadelphia? Maybe in San Diego, Santa Barbara or even San Francisco, but never here.
Well here I am. I guess I will find a studio apartment in June, and head home for two long weekends a month.
I’m happy – but I can again appreciate the concept of the “weekend.” [...]

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Philadelphia – My New (second) Home

by carbonboyMay 17, 2010 A Day in the Life
Thumbnail image for Philadelphia – My New (second) Home

Ha – I’m here. But I have a week to kill before returning to the Borg. I think I will come to like this city. It is not Barcelona, or even Baltimore. I just don’t know. Antiquated freeway system for sure – and $12 in stupid tolls just to get here.
It was graduation day for [...]

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Thanks again Eyjafjallajokull – Flying over Africa back to the US

by carbonboyMay 11, 2010 Barcelona
Thumbnail image for Thanks again Eyjafjallajokull – Flying over Africa back to the US

Volcanic ash almost prevented my departure from Madrid, and both the NYC and DC flights on Iberia were delayed for about four hours. We took, as the pilot informed us, a most unusual route home, flying over sections of Africa at an altitude about 6,000 feet lower than normal. Once in flight, all seemed perfectly normal.
I was hoping [...]

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