Frosted Mini Wheats; Nolan Rules!; Sunday Night; 30

Frosted Mini Wheats
Now here's a cereal I absolutely enjoy.   Sure, they can get a little dry at times, but damn they fill me up.  Normally, two bowls (and maybe a little into the third) will do it for a normal cereal, but this heavyweight puts me in the comfort zone after a bowl, bowl and a half.

My only complaint is that every one of those rectangular little edible Brillo pads isn't coated with a thick layer of frosting.  Maybe it's the kid in me, but the best Mini Wheats are the ones at the end of the bowl that still have that awesome white, sugary coat on them.  Milk be damned, you cannot wash this coat away.

So Kellogg's, maybe you wanna get on that one.  I mean it's not stopping me from purchasing them - I actually just got the Frosted Mini Wheats Big Ones and the new fruit filled ones - but it's something I certainly wouldn't complain about.

I'm sure other cereal aficionados will agree.

Nolan Rules!
The kid is a stud.  Although he's very unwilling at time to pose for photographs, there's still some shots I can get when he's awake and alert.  His hair is pretty neat too (he's got more than me).

We've got to start bathing him more, but tonight he was pretty good in the bath.  He cried a little early on, but once he was covered in water (no, not his head) he kinda enjoyed himself.

Here's a few photos of our little man:

Fresh out the bath tub - so fresh and so clean!

Chillen' in my tiger outfit

Me (looking tired) and Nolan in the dog run (Nathan not pictured)

Hanging on the Boppy,

Tattoo
When we went out to LI the other week to get Lindsay's push present - another of her wedding band - I was tempted to get a new tattoo, in honor of Nolan.  I did not, however.

I plan on getting a new stain eventually (read: within the next two months) it's just a matter of what I will get.  I have several ideas as to what I wanna get, but I haven't really sat down and thought about it.

Any suggestions you all have, feel free to say them aloud (or type them).

Sunday Night
Right now, everyone is sleeping but me.  Lindsay seems to have passed out in bed with Nolan (who'll move into that crib shortly) and Nathan is at the foot of the bed.

I am out here watching the new Iron Chef America, where it's Battle Mussels.  @bflay is the Iron Chef and I'll be honest, I really haven't paid much attention since I've decided to post.

When I'm done here, I'll key in a little more.

30
I will be 30 on June 1st, and am rather indifferent about it.  I have never been one to make a huge deal out of birthdays (except Lindsay's) but I guess it's a milestone in a persons life - 30 years old.

I am not yet over the hill.  I think those start on your 40th and occur again every ten years.

I'm already legal to drink - 21 was nine years ago.  Holy shit, now that I look at it that way, that was way long ago.

I'm going to pass out out here to ICA.

Be back soon blog-osphere!

All Over the Place

Time is a hot commodity lately now that our lives have forever changed with the birth of our first baby, Nolan.

The kid is awesome - he cries when he wants food, needs a diaper change, or is tired - basically all things that us adults wish we could do. 

A lot of shit has been going on in the news lately, so I want to keep everyone up to date.

bin Laden Dead! - Let no one ever say a bad thing about US Intelligence.  Those men and women who work for our intel are amazing.  Not to mention the Navy SEALS (SEAL Team 6) who popped a cap in his head.  Great work!  Sure, the head of this terrorist movement behind 9/11 is gone, but there's plenty of splinter groups.  Terrorism will never be totally eliminated, but justice was served.  They gave him a proper burial at sea, which wasn't all bad - if it had been on land, it'd mark a place to meet and would almost be a tourist attraction of sorts.  He's in a bag, at the bottom of the ocean.  Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

N(issan)YC? - Nissan minivans, currently being produced in Mexico, are the next up for the NYC taxicabs.  I am not sure if they're going to be eco-friendly and electric, but I'm guessing they are.  Nissan makes good minivans?  I had no idea.  I guess with one child, I am not yet in the market for such a vessel.  The CR-V Lindsay is driving around in is family car enough for me.

Three Years for Murder? - A 16-year old has been sentenced to three years in an Indian juvenile facility for slitting his mother's throat in India.  Three years in juvie?  Come on.  He blamed the trauma caused by his parents divorce as the reason.  Really kid, trauma?  Is a divorce less severe than homicide?  I guess this red-headed freak thought so.  Oh, and the kids father is a professor at Pitt.  Good luck with that one.

Speaking of Pittsburgh - Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall is a total douche bag.  The tweets he made after the announcement of bin Laden's death are mind blowing.  Is this guy a fucking idiot or what?  Seriously, if you're a Steelers fan, you might want to think twice about cheering for this douche bag.  I hope Ray Lewis lays his dopey ass out.

Break Up the Royals - The Kansas City Royals are 2nd in the MLB in batting average, at a whopping .274 clip.  They are 4.5 games back of the surprising Indians, who everyone figured would play their season out like a modern version of Major League.  I guess you shouldn't be that surprised - they were 2nd in average during the 2010 season as well, at a .274 clip (not a typo).  Last year, they were 29th in pitching though, which is why they sucked. The season is still young, but enjoy it while it lasts Royals fans.

Ballin' - I was involved in my first pick-up game.  Five Spanish-speaking dudes and me.  I had no idea what the fuck they were saying the entire time, but I said "when you guys figure out what it is you're trying to figure out, let me know...in English" and they all laughed.  I played hard and went after the ball.  They were calling these ticky-tack fouls on one another, and I was really getting pissed.  It's street basketball - believe me, I'm not our for blood (or am I?) but just play the game.  There are NO free throws so what the shit is the point of calling a foul?  It was 3-on-3, my team won, 17-15, and I had 9 points.  I shot the ball a little bit, but my points game on my furious drives to the rack.  One guy on the other team said "this guy wants to win" - well no shit dipstick, what's the point of playing if I want to lose.  I'm a competitor.  Deal with is.  I am sure they'll see me again, and this time, they might want me on their team - unlike this time, when I was just some blanco who had no game.  WRONG pendejo's!

I'm out.  Time for a Guinness. 

Oh yeah, and we beat Fordham today, 8-0.  Our third shutout in the past three weeks.  It was a good win, especially since they're our intra-borough rivals.  They beat us earlier in the season, but we're a different team now.  Heading up to Buffalo this weekend to take on Niagara in a conference weekend - we better be ready to deliver a TKO.  I hate Niagara.  Niagara Falls are nice, but that's all.

And we have a pig roast.  Our third baseman's father is from there and has family there, and every year we go there we have a pig roast.  It really is a nice spread.  And the guys usually enjoy it, which is rare because kids bitch about anything and everything.

OK Guinness, here I come!

Twitter-ific Jers-day

Jers-day
Brand new episode of Jersey Shore tonight at 10 pm.  Problem is, I'll probably watch a DVR'd version since we have early practice again tomorrow morning - 4:39 am wake up.  Anyone need a call to wake them up?  Didn't think so.

Then there's a basketball game tomorrow night at seven, so I will be in this gym from 5:15 am to 9:30 pm.  Don't hate.  Ha.  Looks like my Jersey Shore viewing will take place on Saturday or Sunday.

But who knows, maybe I'll suck it up and watch it love tonight.  My head is starting to hurt slightly.

Twitter-ific
For those of you who are so technologically advanced, Twitter is a great means of communicating, as well as a great way to follow celebrities.  It really is something to behold if you haven't checked it out already.

Me, I'm on there @RyanInTheBronx.  I follow a wide array of people, from musicians to celebrities to chefs to athletes and even some brands.  The people who follow me, some of them are bullshit advertisers looking to push a crappy website of some sort and some are friends of mine (only a few). 

Here's a list (and link) of some of the people/places/things I follow on Twitter.

Since it is Jers-day, I'll start there:

@VINNYGUADAGNINO - Funniest member of the Jersey Shore, hands down.  Always posts a lot, along with @DJPaulyD.

@KatyPerry - She always has some funny stuff to say and she posts a few times a day.  I am not afraid to admit I follow her.

@HowardStern - The King of All Media is new to Twitter, but he posts like a mad man.  And he's from Long Island (Roosevelt to be exact.  Rough area.  He was a Jewish kid from a predominantly AA neighborhood).

@tom_coliccho - Top Chef judge.  Awesome chef with an awesome restaurant in NYC.

@NYC_1_trains - In case I need to know if there are any delays in service.  Comes in handy.

@TRINArockstarr - She da baddest bitch!

@funnyordie - They always seem to have some pretty great one-liners.  If you need a laugh, go here.

@MJ_Pluss - Loyal member of my Blog Army.  She seems to me MIA since her trip to Vegas

@thormoo - Another loyal follower.  Links to his posts as well as witty comments.


@Huffy247  - Free Safety for the Oakland Raiders by way of UT.  First-round pick in 2006 (7th overall).  Racked up 95 tackles and 3 INT's this season.

@PauleyP - Pauley Perrette, otherwise known as Abby, from the CBS show @NCIS.  Awesome show - tune in if you're into the CSI, Criminal Minds and Law & Order type shows.

@THISISHELL - Kick ass band from Long Island, fronted by ex-HS classmate @TravisReilly who posts the crap out of it.

@dailyshoot - Neat site giving photographers ideas on things to shoot.  The only way to post to their site is through Twitter.  Good inspiration for budding photogs.

There's a list of some of the people I follow, maybe check them out yourself, if you're on Twitter.  If you aren't, maybe I've inspired you enough to check it out.  I was anti-Twitter for a while, but I've come to terms that it's a great form of social networking (via the computer).

I encourage you to still use your phones.  Do not use just the internet and e-mail to communicate.  You'll have no friends.  Loser!

I'm out this bitch!

Hospital Tour-ing; Andy, You're a Star; Jers-day Nights; Duke Romp

Hospital Tour-ing
We took the hospital tour today of where we will be having our baby.  It's an awesome hospital but they have some pretty strict rules.  Lindsay has to pick two support people and those are the only two allowed in the room with her throughout child birth.  Once she is admitted into a private room, visiting hours are in effect.  If one or both of her "support people" are ill, have to work, etc. etc., she can't add another person.  Looks like I have to stay strong and on my feet.

Also, only still shots are allowed.  No video cameras allowed.  Wrist and ankle bands are put on the baby as soon as it's delivered and warmed up and baby isn't allowed outside the exits otherwise the sensor in the bands locks all the exits to the entire hospital.  This is to prevent child abduction, which is scary as shit, but it's real.  So I'm glad they're on top of that.

All in all, it was a good trip, and although it feels like we've been in Manhattan every day for the past week or so, it's still cool to see everything that NYC offers.  Today, there was a lot of ice - on streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks.  When we were walking to and from the hospital, we saw somewhere around 5 people just bite it.  Some went down gracefully, some just took a dive - one thing about all of them though - it always makes me laugh.

We took the train down, walked across Central Park, and got to the hospital.  We chose to take the bus back.  It was bitter cold outside and didn't feel like walking back across the park.  Oh well.  And there was a Crumbs right next to the bus stop - we mighta picked up a few.

Andy, You're a Star
I got home today from the hospital tour and flipped on my iPad and the ESPN ScoreCenter only to find out that Andrew Eugene Pettitte is announcing his retirement.  After 16 seasons, the first of the Yankees' Core Four is calling it a career.  It was a sad day when he took his talents to Houston in 2004, but it's a sadder day today, as he hangs up his cleats for the last time.  He should be a Hall of Fame'r, and will certainly go in as a Yankee.  He was the big game pitcher for them throughout his career, and with five World Series rings to show for it, it's easy to tell how he fared in those games.

Let's go inside the numbers (which hardly tell the story of what Andy Pettitte meant to the NY Yankees) and take a look at a stellar career:

5: World Series rings ('96, '98, '99, '00, '09)
1: ALCS MVP Award (2001)
3: All-Star Game selections ('96, '01, '10)
6: Post-Season series clinching wins (1st all-time)
19: Post-Season wins (1st all-time)
102: Games over .500 for his career (240-138)
3.88: ERA
2,251: Strikeouts

The city of New York and the Yankees organization will lose a great man and great ballplayer on Friday, when the announcement is made.  You will be missed Andy.  Thanks for the memories - and the signature fist pump that always made me give a fist pump as well.

Jers-day
Speaking of fist pumps, Jersey Shore is on at 10:00 pm.  Don't miss it, even though it's a fair assumption to say I will.  This early, crack of dawn practice thing is throwing off my sleeping (or lack thereof) pattern.  I'd like to get some good zzz's in tonight since I felt like a zombie this morning walking in to practice.  The one good thing about the cold is that it wakes me up by the time I get to the gym.

I follow Vinny and Pauly D on Twitter, and they are both pretty funny guys.  Vinny is hilarious, so if you do Tweet, follow @VINNYGUADAGNINO - you'll enjoy his one-liners.

Duke Romp
Duke headed to College Park and Maryland has one thing on their mind - handing Duke it's first two-game losing streak since February 2009.  Duke was up for the challenge and wound up leaving Maryland with an 80-62 win.  Two 40-point halves and stifling defense in the second half allowed Duke to pull away.  Not to mention the fact that they shot 53% from the floor.

Critics always say how Duke draws fouls because they're Duke - whatever that means.  Well, Maryland attempted 11 more free throws and was +10 from the line. 

The two seniors, Singler and Smith led Duke, again.  Mason Plumlee actually asserted himself and had himself a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) - only his third one of the year.

My ass hurts from typing this - I'm sitting on the floor, so it's time to get up.

Get your sleep.  I will.  It's clean sheet night thanks to Lindsay.  (she did laundry)

Trending Now

According to search engine BING.com, there are five things Bing users are really fiending to learn more about.  Here they are, along with a little information about all five.

1.  SAG Awards - Screen Actors Guild Awards.  It's basically another awards show to recognize outstanding performances by actors and actresses.  It seems the awards season rarely has any time off.  The award handed out is called "The Actor".  Just another opportunity to collect praise, booze, and free swag.  Entertaining nonetheless.

2.  Suez Canal - A waterway in Egypt.  According to Bloomberg.com, the canal operating at 100% capacity and is responsible for carrying 8% of global seaborne trade.  Pretty staggering numbers if you ask me, but I'm no water expert.

3.  Kim Kardashian - Celebutante/Socialite/TV Star.  She is always in the news and tabloids for basically anything she does.  If she farts, there's a story.  If she chooses to date half the NFL, there's a story.  She has her own television show and her Twitter account - @KimKardashian - has over 6 million followers.


4.  Henry Cavill - British actor.  The 27 year-old has been named the to the role of Superman for the upcoming film due in December of 2012.  He also auditioned for the role of Batman in 2005 but that role was given to Christian Bale (another Brit).

5.  Pro Bowl 2011 - NFL All-Star Game.  In the past, it has been played after the Super Bowl, but the league has changed the date to before the Super Bowl, meaning the best players on the two best teams in the league do not participate.  Not sure what kind of stunt that is, but it's working.  A near sellout crowd of 49,338 watched as the NFC jumped out to a 42-0 lead before holding on for a 55-41 victory.  Each player on the NFC side took home an additional $45,000.  Nice bonus.  (For the record, the losers get $22,500).

If you have the urge to trend the aforementioned topics, fret no more.  I just did the work for you.

Enjoy your Monday.

Cutler Criticism Uncalled For

I was one of the people who bashed Bears QB Jay Cutler after he came out of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon.  And after reading articles about his sprained MCL and listening to Brian Urlacher speak on his toughness, I want to apologize if I offended any Jay Cutler fans, and apologize to Jay Cutler himself (not that he even knows of my existence).

It does take guts and toughness to be a professional athlete, and especially a QB in the NFL.  His NFL peers, however, created a shit-storm of comments via Twitter ripping his toughness and questioning his integrity.  To be fair, the facts weren't in until the game was over.  But similar to middle- and high-school, name-calling ensued.

Yes, he was seen standing on the sideline.  No, there was no sighting of training staff tending to his bum knee.  So why the hell was he out?  It looked like he was walking gingerly during the final play of his last series.  I never questioned why he wasn't playing - I assumed it was because he was hurt.  Not once did it cross my mind that he was pulling himself because he wasn't playing well.  As a former athlete, that should never happen.  EVER!

This was an injury that many athletes play through, but in the grand scheme of things, if it got worse, it could cost him a year.

Jay Cutler, you are a good man.  Sometimes, I think you're a weenie, but I'll be honest, when I listen to your press conferences, I understand how much you want to win and be successful.  Not as much as Derek Anderson, but pretty close.  (kidding)

Cutler Gets Tweet-blasted

WOW.  I said I thought it was a soft move to come out of the game but the league has spoken.

Jay Cutler is WEAK!

Take a look at this link from Yahoo!

Feeding the Blue Bird of Twitter; Workout Playlist

TWITTER
I figured out how to link my blog to my Twitter account and I couldn't be happier.  It shortens the URL for me using the simple shortener bit.ly to provide a Twitter friendly tweet.

Those 140 characters really get on you quick.  I am used to this type of forum where I can write and write and write and throw in the occasional photo.  Twitter limits you in that regard, but overall, it's a pretty dynamite service.  Awesome even.

I've still have my issues from time to time.  For example:  I have no idea how to retweet and quote the tweet.  On my iPad, it gives you the option to simply retweet or retweet with comment - I have yet to find that feature on the Twitter website on the computer.  Kind of pisses me off.

MUSIC
As I've stated, my workouts are going well.  To give you some insight into what motivates me during my workout, I will kindly provide you with links, YouTube video, and/or lyrics of the songs that I listened to this morning.  Keep in mind that this is a totally random playlist left up to my iPod Touch.

1. Deftones - "Lhabia"

2. GlassJaw - "Mu Empire"

3. Billy Currington - "That's How Country Boys Roll"

4. Green Day - "Basket Case"

5. Deftones - "976-EVIL"

6. Muse - "Plug In Baby"

7. Brand New - "Sink"

8. Lil Wayne - "On Fire"

9. Nine Inch Nails - "The Collector"

10. innerpartysystem - "Don't Stop"

Overall, a great listening experience for me.

Lunch time.  Toot toot!

Post Movie Clapping - Yes or No?; Congrats to the JETS

Just got back to the apartment after a nice little date night with the wifester.  I worked the clinic all day and we haven't really had a date night in a while, so I figured we'd catch a flick and grab some dessert somewhere.

We headed up to Central Avenue to take in The Dilemma - Vince Vaughn (the best actor ever) and Kevin James killed it.  I'm biased, because I am convinced that anything Vince Vaughn does is instant gold (and I probably have a man-crush on him).

p.s. - I just Google'd how to properly write a movie title.  turns out, you simply italicize it. 

It was a 7:15 showing, so it really started at around 7:30 once the ridiculous previews were complete.

The movie was great - lots of laughs, some soft and mushy parts, more laughs, and more laughs.

There is one thing I don't understand at the conclusion of a movie - clapping.

Let me put it to you like this - the people on that screen, they can't actually hear your clapping.  Sure, I enjoyed the work they put forth in making it all come together on the big screen, but they don't give a shit if you boo and throw Gobstoppers at the screen.  They can't hear you.  The producer - he/she can't see, hear, or feel you reaction either.  Honestly, do you think other moviegoers think your clapping means you appreciated the film more than them?  No.

After you finish with a DVD at home, do you get your ass up from off that couch and clap?  If you do, take a good hard look in the mirror and re-evaluate your actions.  It's one thing to turn to a complete stranger and say, "Man, that was awesome" but clapping? 

My verdict on post-movie clapping is simple:  it's totally unnecessary.

Also, as per my rant against Twitter several months ago (October 22 I believe) - I take it back.  I am back on Twitter and have a new found appreciation for that little blue bird.

Follow me @ryaninthebronx

Oh, and Braylon Edwards' athleticism is second to none after his backflip celebration following the Jets shocking win in New England.  Also congratulations to my friend on Twitter @BigAds41 - a teammate and friend of mine since our college days at Manhattan - a huge Jets fan.

Also, congrats to Bruce and sorry to G - a bet's a bet so keep me posted as to how the score was settled.  I kind of feel like the bookie to this bet.

Goodnight and safe travels!