Pocketful of sunshine

Certain things in my life I like to keep to strict boundaries, in particular, what I publish on my blog. I am currently making more of an effort to provide snapshots of my recreational time, because hey, who doesn't like pictures, and also because my memory is really getting worse with age.

There's also a line I like to keep between "work" and "play", but I had to share how much I enjoy not having a strict dress code in my current job, which is academic in nature. This typically means business casual, but with quite a bit of flexibility. I found that as I have tried and put some effort in what I wear to work, it has had a greatly positive effect on my mindset while on the clock. Let's call it the rewards for putting on my "man pants." Since a lot of this process is going to be trial and error, I figured, "Why not bring my loyal readers along for the ride?

While we still had cool, Fall-like weather in June, it gave me a chance to spruce up my work attire a bit by trying out some different sports coat and pocket square combos:

I read an interview in GQ magazine with singer (and dapper gent) Andre 3000 a few years back, and the one thing that still sticks with me today is that he always made sure one piece in his daily wear popped. While I can't find the original article, here's a recent Q&A that GQ had with the artist back in February.

Tuesday's Tunes: Private Eyes

Private Eyes
By: Hall & Oates

Now ask me, after you watch/listen to the 80's gem above, tell me what is there NOT to like about this video?

• Creepy, stalker-like lyrics? CHECK!
• White man with jerry curl? Thanks to John Oates, CHECK!
• Neon sports coat with huge shoulder pads? Oh heck yea, CHECK!
• The claps, oh, how I love the claps!

Did I mention I already own Halls & Oates greatest hits album? No surprise there my friends.

Tuesday's Tunes: Trouble Is

Just continuing on my Jars of Clay kick, I've also been playing catch up on their more recent releases and really enjoying the "Good Monsters" and "The Long Fall Back To Earth" albums immensely.  That probably means some of those songs will show up on this blog in the coming weeks. Happy listening!


Trouble Is
By Jars of Clay

Learn How to Stand in a Line (aka the Boston Food Truck Festival)

The evolution of the food truck has been quite an interesting journey. What was once a cheap, convenient (and questionably clean) lunch option, has transformed into a smart, tech-savvy, gourmet enterprise. While I have an access to a handful of rotating food trucks in Boston's Chinatown, the Boston Food Truck Festival at UMass Boston this past Sunday seemed like an efficient way to try more than 20 different local food trucks. Here are some quick thoughts from the event:

• It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day, however standing in long lines with no coverage led to some members of our group to get sunburn.
  

Crazy Line courtesy of Scribble Kitchen

• Patience is a virtue at these kinds of events. The lines we waited on rivaled that of the most popular roller coaster at an amusement park...which for me happens to be the Batman ride at Six Flags. While we did not do it this time, I highly recommend the VIP tickets that get you in an hour before the event opens to the general public.

Photo courtesy of Scribble Kitchen

• The food was decent, but nothing particularly wowed me. I was generally pleased with what The Chicken and Rice Guys have to offer. I love the original halal food truck from NY, and I would consider visiting this food truck in the future. In the picture above you'll see what they were giving out, a choice of chicken, lamb sausage, or combo. I would go chicken as the lamb sausage is inferior to the ground seasoned lamb that many folks might be expecting based on the original truck. To the right of the rice box is a slider (either pulled chicken or pork) from BBQsmith, which my friend Juan had. Props to him for sharing his pictures with me, be sure to check out his blog Scribble Kitchen.
  

Rainbow Slushie courtesy of Scribble Kitchen

• The watermelon/lemon rainbow Italian ice was the perfect finish for the afternoon.

Tuesday's Tunes: Disappear

I've recently rediscovered my old Jars of Clay CDs, and one of my favorites is their "Eleventh Hour" album. I remember popping in this disc on a regular basis in my college days. The track below, "Disappear," would kick-off that sonic journey, and the album would always end much earlier than I anticipated...I'm sure there's some kind of life metaphor to be found there.


Disappear
By Jars of Clay

Verse 1
I watch you smile
You steal the show
You take a bow
The curtain falls in front of you
You're magical, on display
I gaze into your eyes and
You turn to look the other way

Chorus
But I'd really love to know
I'd really love to climb
My way into your heart
And see what I could find
I'd walk into your skin
Swim through your veins
See it from your eyes
I'd really love to try...yeah

Verse 2
Standing still, but in my mind
Trying to escape
Looking for a place to hide
Well it's not safe but I'm so near
Invading every place you go
To disappear

Bridge
I'd really love to know
I really want to climb
Into your soul
Walk into your skin
Swim through your veins
See it from your eyes
I'd really love to try
I'd really love to try

Memorial Day Hike

This past Memorial Day weekend, in a continued effort to try new things and expand our activities as a couple, the Mrs. and I went for a short hike at Middlesex Fells Reservation. While I enjoy being outside in nice weather, I've never really been a "hiking" sort of guy, but this hike had a few things going for me:

• The weather was fantastic! Sunny but not too hot.
• I suggested the hike on Monday morning, which net my occasional need to do something spontaneous.
• T was kind enough to take a look at the Reservation map and choose a trail for us. My wife really knows me and chose something not too long for our first outing, that also had patches of shade. I get hot very easily, which if extended to a lengthy period of time usually leads to grumpiness.
• The site was only a 15 minute drive away from our home.
• Parking was easy.
• With driving time, the whole thing took 2 hours and we were back home in time for a late lunch and to work on somethings at home!

Our destination for the hike: Bear Hill Tower

So I'm happy to report that the hike was a big success and I actually look forward to our next hike. It was a great time to get unplugged from our daily grind and to really enjoy quality time with my wife. While I was prepared with a light back pack, I don't think my old pair of sneakers will really cut it if this becomes a regular thing. I would love to hear any recommendations on footwear for this hiking newbie!

Tuesday's Tunes: Prince melts my face off with this solo

The following clip comes from the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions and features a super-group of musicians (of which I only recognize Tom Petty and Prince) playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" as a tribute to George Harrison. While the collaboration is awesome in and of itself, Prince's guitar solo starting at the 3:26 mark is what was jaw-droppingly good. The YouTube comments left on the video would seem to agree:

"I hate when people compare Prince to God. God is just not that cool." (Blasphemous, yes. Hilarious, definitely.)

"I really hope that guitar Prince played is at least 18."

And my favorite, an allusion to a classic Chappelle Show skit:

"Game: Blouses."

Enjoy!