Sometimes You Want To Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Last night I went back to my hometown for the first high school football game under the new lights in Cedar Grove. For the past few years, living in Pearl River has made me pass through daily life anonymously. No hellos at the bagel shop. No horn toots as friends drive by the house. As an in-betweener just starting his own family, those roots are just being planted in my new town. But, it's great to go back home from time to time where, even though you've been gone for over a decade, people still bring up in the context of casual conversation how great your 8th grade football team was, and stories that begin with "I remember when." I know that may be a bit overboard but it makes you feel good...like you mattered when you were here, and that you can always go back. By the way, CG won 28-3. Go Panthers!

The 3:30 Dilemma

YankaRutgerDame game today...very cluttered TV this afternoon. What to do?

Meat in the Media

As a food lover, I have thoroughly enjoyed the recent articles in major men's magazines about meats, beef and steakhouses. Men's Journal did a meat bible. GQ had a nice piece as did Maxim's July issue - "Building A Meat Temple" about the perfect brick grilling station. My favorite, however, was a feature in this month's Details (with Brad Pitt on the cover). The article, entitled "The Best New Steakhouses in America," profiles some of the hottest beefeterias around the country in an attempt to break the mold of red checkered tableclothes and dark wooden walls. While many of these places are still full of white collared, corporate card power types, most boast a stylishly designed interior decor that somehow tricks the brain into feeling like less calories are being consumed. Personally, i have eaten at Craftsteak in Las Vegas and have my eye on Quality Meats in Manhattan for a near-future boy's night out.

The Sanctity of Morning

Is it just me or is 7:00 am SHARP too early to use an industrial ride-on lawnmower to cut the grass? I know, I know. The town ordinance says...Well, I think I am just going to have to use my leaf blower at 10:00 pm this Sunday night. What happened to me?!

Everyone Should Have A Dog

How funny is this?!

Cocktails...Skinnydipping...Sports: Why I Like Being My Age

The older I get, the more I realize what's important. Years ago, if asked to a 1st birthday party, I probably would have made a face. When you're younger, you feel like there's a million things you would rather do, even if you end up doing nothing instead. You act that way because you think you're cool. Now, with age you begin to realize that what is really important is being with good people who enjoy each other's company and welcome other good people into the circle. Today, we had a 1st birthday party and I had as much fun as I ever did at any house party or night at a bar. Why? Let's talk about this party. There was great food, a stocked bar, every sport imaginable and a lot of amazing people trading laughs and stories. Being an expectant soon-to-be dad, I also noticed how cool it is to have a bunch of little rugrats around. There were kids belting baseballs into the house, flipping horseshoes left and right. Then, a bunch of the little boys stripped down to their birthday suits and made a break for the neighbor's sprinklers. Sounds like a domesticated version of a crazy college kegger, right? Bottom line: I love being domesticated. You appreciate what it's all about and this next phase of life is really awesome. Can't wait until parties like this go down at my house. Buckle up!