!!!!!!
25.1.12
23.1.12
Testing
Don got me a two-person, four-season, all-weather tent for Christmas -- awesome. We decided to test it out (and the rest of our gear) up at his uncle and aunt's place in northeastern Connecticut, where things would be cold. We stopped at his parents' place in Rowayton on the way up, and there was snow.
We set up the tent in the backyard. It wasn't exactly camping -- we spent a lot of time eating and socializing indoors -- but sleeping outside in 7 degree weather ain't no easy task, either. Three layers of fleece, a down sleeping bag, and goosedown booties did the trick -- though things were so cold, we got tiny hairs of condensation on the inside of the tent (from our breath!), which showered down on us if we so much as brushed the side of the tent. Still, awesome. Now we know -- it all works!
We did a little hiking, bonfiring, and snow tubing, too.
All in all, incredibly sick. I love the snow -- I want more of it, and trees, and air, and hills. Don and I are planning on going to Floyd Bennett Field, a campground built next to an old airfield on Jamaica Bay. It lacks the thrill of going out into the wilderness and actually camping, but taking the subway to a nature zone is otherwordly. We might take a bike along to explore the beaches -- it's not far from Fort Tilden -- and see what life is like on the Atlantic in February.
We set up the tent in the backyard. It wasn't exactly camping -- we spent a lot of time eating and socializing indoors -- but sleeping outside in 7 degree weather ain't no easy task, either. Three layers of fleece, a down sleeping bag, and goosedown booties did the trick -- though things were so cold, we got tiny hairs of condensation on the inside of the tent (from our breath!), which showered down on us if we so much as brushed the side of the tent. Still, awesome. Now we know -- it all works!
We did a little hiking, bonfiring, and snow tubing, too.
All in all, incredibly sick. I love the snow -- I want more of it, and trees, and air, and hills. Don and I are planning on going to Floyd Bennett Field, a campground built next to an old airfield on Jamaica Bay. It lacks the thrill of going out into the wilderness and actually camping, but taking the subway to a nature zone is otherwordly. We might take a bike along to explore the beaches -- it's not far from Fort Tilden -- and see what life is like on the Atlantic in February.
20.1.12
Link to the Past
I've lived out my childhood dream.
I beat the final boss in Zelda.
And Don, I know we were supposed to be taking turns fighting him but I was on a roll -- though I am glad that you go to do the Fatal Blow.
I suppose that at age 10, it's understandable that I was unable to defeat the Dark Lord, pictured below in the pixelated glory of the SNES Zelda game:
I beat the final boss in Zelda.
And Don, I know we were supposed to be taking turns fighting him but I was on a roll -- though I am glad that you go to do the Fatal Blow.
I suppose that at age 10, it's understandable that I was unable to defeat the Dark Lord, pictured below in the pixelated glory of the SNES Zelda game:
So hard! Had to shoot him with Silver Arrows while re-lighting all the
torches while also running away from the floor tiles falling apart at your feet!
But that I totally and utterly dominated Demise, the poorly-named, roid-ripped final boss in Skyward Sword? A surprise! We were equipped with 10 doses of heart-replenishing potion and had gotten Game Over four times, but it turned out he only had TWO modes, not three -- badass ones at that -- and by the time I deflected the last arm-crushing blow from his serrated-edge electric death sword, he had fallen over and I passed the WiiMote to Don and he delivered the final, fatal stroke.
Man. The end of an era!
12.1.12
Supercuts
Chopped it off again!
I encourage you all to "self-style" and have fun with scissors. You make a mess, feel like you've accomplished something, and save money -- kind of like making home-cooked curry. Plus, if you screw up, just keep it in a ponytail for a week until it grows out. Fool-proof!
I encourage you all to "self-style" and have fun with scissors. You make a mess, feel like you've accomplished something, and save money -- kind of like making home-cooked curry. Plus, if you screw up, just keep it in a ponytail for a week until it grows out. Fool-proof!
1.1.12
Slaycation
Much of my week off from work and school has been spent playing the new Zelda, Skyward Sword. I highly suggest it -- the swordplay is one-to-one, meaning that every stroke of your Wii Remote corresponds with a swordstroke on screen. You can block enemies with your shield arm -- and they can do the same to you. I've knocked over a glass or two just swinging around. It's an amazing game.
The week gave me and Don a good chance to catch up. Between rounds of slaying monsters, we cooked, cleaned, bothered the cat, explored. He had a couple great improv shows; I saw Angelina Jolie's new movie (written and directed, not acted), In the Land of Blood and Honey, with Megan and Emily. Don and I threw our first party: a New Year's Eve-Eve Indian Feast, which will probably now be an annual tradition. We made a long table out of closet doors and got take-out Indian from the restaurant down the block, served with our homebrewed beers, a black IPA and a Spiced Christmas Ale.
And to round out the week of sloth and leisure, we spent New Year's Eve atop the roof of a friend who lives just north of Times Square, watching the fireworks and the ridiculous crowd below.
Sometimes I feel too lucky. Happy 2012!
The week gave me and Don a good chance to catch up. Between rounds of slaying monsters, we cooked, cleaned, bothered the cat, explored. He had a couple great improv shows; I saw Angelina Jolie's new movie (written and directed, not acted), In the Land of Blood and Honey, with Megan and Emily. Don and I threw our first party: a New Year's Eve-Eve Indian Feast, which will probably now be an annual tradition. We made a long table out of closet doors and got take-out Indian from the restaurant down the block, served with our homebrewed beers, a black IPA and a Spiced Christmas Ale.
Christmas at home
My dad creepin by the tree
The Indian feast aftermath
Our Christmas tree
And to round out the week of sloth and leisure, we spent New Year's Eve atop the roof of a friend who lives just north of Times Square, watching the fireworks and the ridiculous crowd below.
7th Avenue before...
...and 7th Avenue after.
The ball drop! And the packed masses below.
Fireworks! From somewhere near Central Park.
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