November Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

November 1st - Maredsous #10 glasses
November 8th - Stella Artois glasses
November 15th - Mix & Match glasses
November 22nd - St. Arnold Texas Wheat glasses
November 29th - Unibroue glasses

Leia's Visit to Charlotte

For those of you that don't know, my superfriend Leia came into Charlotte this past week for a client visit. What follows is a recap of the short week's events as I tried to share as much of my Uptown Charlotte experience as I could.

Day One
I picked up Leia at the fabulous Hampton Inn and we went back to my hotel at the Westin Charlotte to have some Ketel One & 7s in the lobby at Bar 10. We spoke about various personal, but extremely hilarious topics before heading to dinner at a neighborhood pub called Alexander Michael's in the Fourth Ward. There we ate and discussed our first "fight" as a "couple". Unbeknowst to me because we'd never dated or gone out, I apparently had some duties and responsibilities that I did not fufill during a mountain biking trip in Winter Park, CO. Hmmm...curfew? Go figure.



After that, we went over to Dixie's Tavern. Apparently this turned out to be a Steelers bar as evidenced by the tons of fans in black & gold watching and screaming at the screens around the bar showing the Steelers - Chargers Monday night game. Leia cut off the circulation in my wrist and I had to go back outside to the doorman to get my wristband cut off. The place was pretty full with more and more people streaming in as the night wore on. This being Leia's first night in Charlotte, we cut it a bit short and I dropped her off back at her hotel, which leads us to...

Day Two
Leia met me downstairs in the hotel lobby around 8:30 pm and we went to eat some casual, rustic Italian fare at Coco Osteria. I tried to talk her into joining me for a drink at Connolly's on Fifth, but like most girls, she turned me down so I walked her back to her hotel. Needless to say, I took her the long way and when we started doubling back, that wasn't a good idea on my part and we started "arguing". Laughter aside, she made it back okay in time for...

Day Three
Leia ditched me to have dinner with the client and a co-worker at Rí~Rá. I arrived at City Tavern just around the corner about 7:30 pm to join a roll-off party for three members of my project. I'd never been there before. We had a bartender named Jennifer and she was awesome as well as...well...see the photo below! Leia joined us with her co-workers and we hung out there amidst appetizers, drinks, and Irish Car Bomb shots.



Afterwards we headed off to Therapy, which is known for its Wednesday nights and great courtyard for people-watching. We got a great table outside and hung out there and enjoyed drinks and sight-seeing. At one point, I was nominated to introduce myself to another table (see results in the photo below).



Around midnight, the guys elected to change venues so we picked up and headed over to a pub called Connolly's on Fifth. Once there, we set up anchor and Leia and I separated from the rest of my group. I switched to water and Leia stayed with beer (HER choice!).



Finishing her beer we moved off to a corner to continue chatting. There Leia happened across a full glass of beer that someone had abandoned, which she adopted for our own--most definitely a poor choice of judgment. Continuing on unabated with a new glass of beer we had some of the best, most personal discussions I've ever had with someone else until we were kicked out around 2:30 am. After that we walked back to the Westin where we looked at some old photos before walking her back to her hotel around 3:30 am. Returning back to my room, realizing that I had not really eaten anything I enjoyed a MOJO BAR before "sleeping".

Aftermath
Waking up the next morning, I realized that I was going to be in trouble. Although I was not feeling too bad, I knew someone else would. And, sure enough, later that afternoon I received a text message. The following is an excerpt of that very message:

"Dont like you right now"

Needless to say, I cannot express how happy I was to have Leia come visit me even if it was for a short time and even if she will not speak to me for a while. :) I've definitely felt detached from everyone as I've been traveling since May. Add to that the fact that Pete & Jenn moved away, it's been a bit difficult for me personally. And it was good to have someone come visit me in my new "home".

Thanks Leia!!! ;)

A Farewell Fiesta for the Pete & Jenn

On Friday, September 7, my friends Kristian & Quince hosted a farewell party for Pete & Jenn, two awesome people! They, along with Max, Rocket, and Suby, headed for the rocky mountains of Colorado on Sunday. :(

I still remember meeting Jenn, Meredith, and Leia three years ago during a 12-mile Dallas FIT run. We were on the back side of White Rock Lake when Jenn asked me if I had any good stories. Following the end of the run and first introduction, she invited me to join her along with a host of friends, including Pete, Lynden, Meredith, Saul, Cathy, Elyse, and Brian, for breakfast at Cafe Brazil where Jenn inquired as to whether I was gay or straight. At this point, Leia was making excuses to not hang out with us. I'm sure that there was a tiny voice in her head warning her to stay away from me in particular. Whether or not that tiny voice is correct is yet to be determined.



Little did I know then what that would have turned into. Since then I have met some of the finest people I have ever known--we've run together, dined together, biked together, camped together, and, last but not least, partied together. I cannot say enough about what awesome people they are and about how they've impacted my life.

I look forward to many more adventures together, but, in the meantime, Pete & Jenn, you will truly be missed...

Love you guys,

toshi

First Person Cervical MRI Experience

On Thursday, September 29, I underwent a cervical MRI to help diagnose pain, numbness, and tingling in my left arm.



I left work a bit early to drive to the Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital in Charlotte, NC. Prior to entering the MRI examination room, I removed all metal objects and bling. As I entered the room there was a loud, intermittent, chirping noise. The radiology technician assured me that that was from hydraulic pumps circulating liquid nitrogen to keep the magnets cool. Somehow that was not very reassuring to me. He gave me earplugs and told me that I should try and keep from moving or swallowing, if at all possible unless the MRI is "quiet" for recalibration as it was now to which I replied, "You mean that this is quiet?"

As soon as I lay down on the table I experienced quite a bit of pain in my upper back and shoulder. I'm not sure how long the entire procedure took. There were about 3 - 5 sessions ranging from approximately three minutes to about ten minutes. While not claustrophobic, the pain I was experiencing due to my neck/back followed by the various loud noises caused my breathing to get a bit out of control at times. I had no problems with opening my eyes and seeing roof of the MRI chamber a mere inches from my face. However, I had to resort to playing mind games--99 bottles of beer and others to keep the pain in check (as best I could) and to keep what was left of my sanity. After what seemed like an eternity, I was finally pulled out. I don't think I could have taken much more. In a nutshell (and I mean that, literally), it sucked. I'm not even sure if it would've helped had I had a hot, female radiology technician performing the procedure. On the contrary I had a rather large fellow named Richard. Of course he was extremely nice and helpful.

Personally I think that the MRI exam goes like this...the actual procedure takes about 10-20 seconds. MRIs are truthfully highly unreliable machines. The actual banging you hear is the radiology tech pummeling the side of the MRI with a pipe wrench to get it to work properly.

October Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

October 4th - Blue Moon glasses
October 11th - Young's glasses
October 18th - Mix & Match glasses
October 25th - Bass glasses

A Formal Affair at the Belo

On Saturday, September 24, Accenture returned to its former glory days pre-IPO and hosted a party at the Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas for its employees and invited us from Avanade to join in the celebration. I booked a room at the Westin City Center, which, by the way, is nowhere near as nice as the Westin Charlotte. FYI...



It was a great reunion of co-workers and friends and an opportunity to meet new faces amidst the open bar, gaming, and music & dancing from the likes of Journey and The Commodores.



After the party ended, we headed off to Dragonfly for more drinks and conversation. Thanks to Lora, Chris, Ashley, Chris, Lori, Ashley, David, and JLo for a wonderful evening with a special dammit to Lora for taking pictures of me during my afternoon manicure. And yet another evening where the likes of us get to hang out with hotties!!!

September Links of the Month

September Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

September 6th - Warsteiner glasses
September 13th - St. Arnold Oktoberfest glasses
September 20th - Mix & Match glasses
September 27th - Young's glasses

Additional Pint Nights this month
September 12th - Sam Adams Octoberfest glasses
September 14th - Hofbrau Oktoberfest glasses
September 15th - Spaten glasses

Sylvia's Last Ride

Here is another moving story I wanted to share with you regarding a family who very recently lost one of their daughters on a mountain biking trip in Moab, Utah...

Please go to the following links for more information:

Sylvia's Last Ride

Salt Lake Tribune article

A few of us returned from a mountain biking trip this past weekend, and we are looking forward to our next. As much fun as it is, like any other relatively extreme athletic pastimes, at times it can be quite dangerous.

Hopefully in the next coming days and weeks, I will have some more information to add on this subject...

July Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

July 5th - Maredsous glasses
July 12th - St. Arnold Christmas glasses
July 19th - Victory glasses
July 26th - Mix & Match glasses

15th Annual Fat Tire Classic

And the winner for the 3rd Annual Contest for the Crash Test Dummy Jersey is…



Fortunately (or unfortunately), there were no crashes this year. Slight blood was drawn from a few (including myself). And there were a few emergency dismounts. However, no notable wrecks. Among the far-reaching nominations were ones impaling themselves with a hiking pole, one falling off the trail backing up while trying to take a picture, two people pinching their finger in a chair, and other lame incidents. Therefore, Leia still retains the prized jersey. Sorry Leia!!! BTW...She says hello from Dubai.

The weekend weather was great. There were brief periods of rain, but the weather mostly alternated between sunny and partly cloudy. Due to a late snow burst, there was still snow on some of the trails. The elevation of Winter Park is about 9,100 feet. Our various climbs took us up to (and perhaps beyond 10,500 feet) and down to below 8,500 feet.

This year is the first year we had a mix of both bikers and hikers led by Jenn & future TdF sensation-to-be.

Pete got to ride his new, unrecognizable to all but the most seasoned bikers, "Grey Ghost", and, with Brad's help, Pete even managed to break a sweat.

The end of Sunday's ride was a repeat of last year with Alison, Eric, and me (as well as Jeremy who joined on a rigid) getting lost again. I separated from the group on Buck Creek, and, through sporadic cell phone communications agreed to meet back up with Alison, Eric, and Jeremy at the intersection of Winterwoods and Whoops! After becoming hopelessly lost, I found Whoops!, I found where Alison wrecked and was in serious running for the jersey last year, and I found Winterwoods. Through a bit of luck, we all (sans Brad & Pete who went to do the Wall of Death) worked our way home. We even found where Alison, Eric, and I huddled under a tree last year to unsuccessfully escape the hailstorm.



Sunday night consisted of a quiet evening with Eric, Jenn, Pete, and me on the sofa watching both Supersize She (starring Joanna Thomas) and Dodgeball (with a cameo appearance by none other than Lance Armstrong) and eating Hernando's salad and pizza.

Monday consisted a lackadaisical day resulting in both Eric and me missing our flights and having to fly standby.

All-in-all it was a great weekend. The beer was flowing. The condo was in a great location for a great price (thanks to Renata!). The hot tub held more than four people. And Lisa started dancing!

Hopefully next year, we can try and avoid pre-ride injuries/maimings and get more riders out there so that we can have more of a fierce competition for the jersey!

June Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

June 7th - Stella Artois glasses
June 14th - Mix & Match glasses
June 21st - Tripel Karmeliet & Schneider glasses
June 28th - Ayinger glasses

The Cleanest Little City in Texas

On May 14, 2005, a bunch of friends and I joined thousands of others for the 2005 Shiner B.A.S.H. We awoke around 5:15 am to the sound of rain and thunder. After hemming and hawing for about five minutes, we headed to the start in the rain. About 6:30 am, the rain subsided and we went to register and pick up our packets. We ran into my friends, Amy and Ivan, who were relaxing in Amy's car.

We departed from the start line in Austin around 7 am. The morning air was cool from the morning rain and there was a slight 7 mph headwind coming from the southeast. It turned into a truly beautiful day. For the first 50 miles I was able to average 17 mph, including a combined 10 miles of drafting between 22 and 26 mph. I caught up with Amy and Ivan and the three of us departed together for the remaining 40 miles. At mile 55, I started to bonk. Luckily they are great people to draft off of and that helped a ton!




Okay folks...This is the BEST ride I've done so far. It was extremely well-supported--the last rest stop at the Shiner Brewery is NOT to be missed. Amy, Ivan, and I had a blast there. And I think both Amy and Ivan can attest to the fact that my body is extremely efficient in converting beer into ATP...at least, for the remainder of the ride.

Thanks to all who showed up for the post-ride party! I hope to see many more of you next year!!!

May Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

May 3rd - Blue Moon glasses
May 10th - Weinhenstephaner glasses
May 17th - Belhaven glasses
May 24th - Duvel glasses
May 31st - Dogfish Head glasses

May Links of the Month

Google SMS Rocks!!!

Some of you may not know of this, but Google has an SMS service that can provide the following information:

Business listings

Residential listings

Driving directions

Movie showtimes

Weather conditions

Stock quotes

Q&A

Product prices

Definitions

More useful information

Help

You can obtain Google SMS help information sent directly to your phone by sending the word 'help' as a text message to 46645 (GOOGL).

Below are some sample queries:

'Corner Bar Dallas TX' (for business listings)

'weather 75209' (for weather conditions)

'aapl' (for stock quotes on Apple Computer Inc.)

'150 pounds in kilograms' (for conversions)

For more information, see Google SMS.

Help Save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Is it really the caribou's fault that we drive cars that get 12 miles to the gallon and then complain about the price of gas? If the answer is yes, then feel free to skip this posting.

For the rest of you, I hope you will take the time to try and help save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

So please take a minute...okay...maybe three...to take action and protect one of America's greatest natural treasures.

Let's try and make a difference. Thanks...

Camping @ Bar-H Ranch

Today I returned from another successful mountain biking/camping excursion to Bar-H Ranch with my great friends Eric, Jenn, Pete, and Rocket.

On a leisurely Saturday morning we headed north around 1 pm after a short brunch visit to Einstein's. Despite moderate traffic we arrived in Saint Jo around 3 pm. After a short drive, we located a suitable camping spot complete with a modified Weber grill and unloaded the bikes. Eric, Pete, and I suited up and began our adventure while Jenn and Rocket went for a hike.

We started down Bill's Way, veered left into The Oaks, started our ascent into Go West (where we ran into Jenn and Rocket), descended the Horseshoe, took a breather on Earl's Way, turned onto Copperhead down to the creek bed (where I took Eric and Pete on a bit of a wild goose chase), shot up through The Holler, rounded Rustler's, dove into the trees in Commanche Dance, played with sand down in The Holler, rode through Hole in the Tree, climbed and screamed down Upper Armadillo Ridge, and returned back up Bill's Way.

After taking a short breather for some water and snacks, we headed out again, this time to conquer the infamous Devil's Backbone. Hoping to slow Pete down, I sent him off to do Go West again while Eric and I took a shortcut through Earl's Way, which led us directly to Devil's Backbone. Once there, we started our arduous ascent (about 1,000 feet of climbing in just under four miles). The first descent I took a turn a little to fast and wide and, seconds into it, I ended up on my back. After a quick recovery, we continued our journey reaching the summit four more times over seven additional climbs. Naturally Pete caught up with us. We finished off Devil's Backbone with a screaming downhill and warmed down on Earl's Way back to our campsite.

After a quick, sulfurous shower relaxed with some Old Speckled Hen, Hacker-Pschorr Weisse, and Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale and set up our tents. We then prepped for dinner, which consisted of some my grilling some cedar plank salmon and grilled chicken breasts. Jenn and Pete provided couscous, orzo, and rosemary rustica bread. For dessert, we had s'mores and hobo pie with apple pie filling.

We settled down for bed around midnight. Wind gusts of around 25 mph kept most of us up all night (I probably fell asleep around 4 am). We got up around 8:30 am Sunday morning as Quince joined us. Quince and Pete went for a short ride while Eric prepared his famous breakfast tacos. After breakfast we packed up our belongings and went for one last ride. I had to cut the ride short due to a slow leak and hung out with Jenn and Rocket while the rest of the guys did Devil's Backbone again. Reunited, a few of us enjoyed some additional beers and relaxed.

We gladly paid our self-service dues at the trailhead and then left to return home around 3:30 pm. Yay us for a rain-free camping weekend! I can hardly wait to go back!!! In my opinion this is the BEST mountain biking in Texas. Hopefully next time I'll have some pictures to share with you.

April Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

April 5th - New Belgium glasses
April 12th - Rahr glasses
April 19th - St. Arnolds glasses
April 26th - Real Ale glasses

April Links of the Month