Brief nostalgic trip

We stopped off in Ohio to visit my college where I haven't been since graduation about ten years ago.










I don't do well with estranged reunions.

We're in Indiana for the night. Hoping to sleep without dreaming of driving.

Location:Ohio

Unplanned adventure

Our trip didn't begin as planned. We were on the road by 6:30 and had just arrived in Jersey City when we drove into a massive pothole. We joined a line of four other vehicles with flat tires and destroyed rims.



The fire department arrived, charming us and giving Nukah lots of love.



We should have just put on the spare and driven to a service station, but we waited for a tow truck to make its way through the congestion. By the time the tow truck came, we had the spare tire on and the driver led us to a tire shop.


The guys were really nice, but didn't have the right parts, so we drove to another repair shop. On the way there, I hit a curb on the left and flattened the left tire.




This all happened pre-coffee, not to make excuses. Luckily the auto shop was right next door to dunkin' donuts.




We are back on the road, caffeinated and only four hours late.

Location:Jersey City

Never ending move

After moving our things for eight hours in the sweltering heat, we still have a ton of stuff at the old apartment. (We realize that we're hoarders.) Right now we're over half of the way moved in. Today's going to be another packed (and moved) day.

Location:Greenpoint

A (peach) tree grows in Brooklyn

Across the street from our new apartment, fertile.


In the foyer, leading to our apartment, a new discovery.


Etched into the windowsill outside of our bedroom, a sign.


Update:
Except for the doorbell, all of our demands have been met. Monday, we are supposed to have a new doorbell. The painting is coming along and we're feeling much better about our new home.

Apartment blues (and yellows)

Painting, day two. (My phone makes photos look jaundiced.)


Our charming, ransom note.


After three hours, the paint fumes got to us.

Making it our own

Night painting, things are slowly taking shape at the new apartment.

Feeling good about:
-new, working refrigerator
-quick commute
-sweet neighborhood
-close to dog-run

Home run

view from our bedroom


our bedroom, looking out


living room, office, bedroom


checking the kitchen

Practicing

I'm learning how to blog from my phone for my upcoming trip to Minnesota. Here's the overcast dog park this morning. Finally, a little relief from the rain.

In an hour, we get to pick up the keys to our new apartment!

Location:Transmitter Park

Fixing up, summer style.

Joe and I met up with Vicky and Heidi for a second round of Jones Beach-ing.


The weather and water were perfect; this time we all swam.


Heidi did her routine thirty-minute nap, then flip to tan the other half of her body.


And I passed the time by taking pictures on my new, fancy phone.

On our way home, Joe and I visited our new favorite Trader Joe's in Merrick, five minutes from the beach. The parking was easy; the store wasn't packed with customers; the selection was wonderful; the lines were short; and we were offered a batch of boxes for moving. I smell a Trader Joe's meal in the works.

This summer is fixing up to be quite dreamy.

physical dynamics

I arrived back in the city on June 18 and since I stepped out of the car, Joe and I have been on a no-sugar (sweets) and no-carb diet. I’m not a big promoter of diets, but I am someone who will follow a plan if I set a goal and give myself a deadline. The motivation for this change came from feeling like I put my health on hold upstate. I stopped attending Aikido classes, didn’t walk more than the short distance it took to keep Nukah happy, and consoled my lonely upstate existence with unhealthy food.

I fantasize about Petey’s burgers and chocolate milkshakes, Shake Shack, St. Dymphna’s blue cheese and bacon burger (medium rare, closer to rare), 16 Handles, banana splits, grilled cheese, tuna melts on cinnamon raisin toast, mashed potatoes, and just about every other delicious food. On the other hand, my skin is pretty clear for city living, and I’ve lost a bit of weight. I’m not sure I feel much better; it’s hard to tell amid a record-setting heat wave, but I can say that I’ve never eaten so many vegetables and fruits consistently.

The other perk is that Joe’s cooking is professional. I live with my own personal chef. Without his cuisine, I’d be eating mac ‘n cheese and cereal for my meals.

We plan to stick to our diet until our trip to Minneapolis, which is in couple of weeks. When we return to New York, we will go back to eating healthy for the unforeseeable future.

The other day it occurred to me that I’ve never had a body quite like this before. I'm amazed at the dynamic physical changes and adaptability of the body.

Nukah celebrates independence, the gay way

Nukah took his first boat trip on the Fire Island ferry.






We arrived in time for the Invasion.
















Nukah loved running on the beach.




He found and ate a dead crab.




Later in the day, a deer strolled along the beach.


Nukah made friends with a drag queen.






We had a perfect day on Cherry Grove.

Countdown to Fire Island!

(Sorry for the swearing, Mom.)