S.B.I.

S.B.I is the newly developed acronym for Stupid Bar Injury. I'm sure we've all had an SBI at one time or another. I acquired one this past weekend and what is particularly ironic about it is that it is, with one minor difference, the exact same freak injury I had almost exactly one year ago in the exact same bar while the exact same band was playing!

Last year I was dancing around at a bar while enjoying one of my favorite local bands when all of a sudden a gentleman dancing behind me unexpectedly lifted me up. Apparently, he was attempting the reverse lift from Dirty Dancing. 'Ow!' I thought, as he returned me to the controls of gravity. Something didn't feel right on my left side. As my chiropractor explained to me later that week, Patrick Swayze had unknowingly separated my rib bone from the cartilage it's really quite fond of. It took a good two weeks to heal and posed all sorts of interesting life adjustment challenges. Ever realize you use your obliques while opening a tight jar? I sure was hungry for those two weeks.

This past Saturday, while at the same bar, listening to the same band, during the same time of year, a different gentleman suddenly decided to pick me up this time from the SIDE, my right side to be specific. Well, as soon as he did it, I and he both HEARD and FELT the pop. I winced in pain and immediately knew exactly what had happened. He was very apologetic, but even under the sedation of a handful of vodka sodas, I was in too much pain to continue dancing. The official chiropractic report this time: A severely pulled oblique muscle and possible displacement of my bottom rib, which he not so gingerly put back into place.

So the moral of the story? Well, (1)I need to grow either taller or wider, neither choice seeming particularly appealing or pleasant to me, (2)start hanging around shorter guys who DON'T go to the gym on a regular basis, again neither appealing nor pleasant, or (3)wear a shirt that says, 'Gravity Defy-ers, Need Not Apply.' But for those taller guys whose vantage point is at a higher altitude than my own, they probably won't be able to read my warning label unless, of course, they pick me up to a level where they can read it!

Anybody else with an SBI to report???? I know you've had 'em!

St. Anthony - You da bomb!

Next time you've lost something try repeating the following phrase...

"Tony, Tony look around, something's lost and can't be found!" It totally works! Read on for proof!

Earlier this evening a good friend of mine, we'll call him Matt, called me. He was very distraught that he had lost his wallet. Over the phone we re-traced his steps and did a mental checklist of the numerous pockets in which it could be hiding. "I took the dogs to the park and laid down to do some sit ups. I'm SURE that's where it fell out. I went back to look, though, and couldn't find it. ARGH!" He was understandably very frustrated.

So, I suggested that he pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things. He twice asked me to repeat the aforementioned phrase, and AS HE WAS SAYING IT, his other line rang with an unidentified number. "Let me grab this," he said, then added jokingly, "I don't know the number, maybe it's someone who found my wallet."

Well, you can probably guess the ending because sure enough it was! Some guy had found it in the park, picked it up, Googled Matt, and was nice enough to call him. How great is that?! So a big shout out to St. Anthony! He's helped me out before, but his expedience in this situation is to be commended. Try it sometime, just remember to say thanks when it works!

Look before you leap....

For optimal viewing, watch the bottom video first, then the top one....While hiking in Crested Butte, we came across these boys who had landed themselves in a pickle. The F-250 tried, but couldn't quite cross the river, and got stuck in freezing water. When we reached them, the front cab was completely submerged underwater. Luckily there was enough testosterone nearby to assist in its rescue. It provided a good 30 minutes of entertainment!

Then there was mountain biking in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado...

I'm learning how to wakeboard...

Okay, I confess, that's not me....YET! And it's a dude, but anyhoo...

Zumanity, the sensual side of Cirque de Soleil

You will laugh, you will blush, you will want to take gymnastics lessons, and you will want to befriend a few midgets. This show was incredible! It probably lasted 2 1/2 hours-ish and I could have sat there and watched it for 4 more hours. Warning: You do not want to see this show with co-workers or parents! A date, fun friend, spouse, bachelorette party, etc. would be much better company! I did have a date with me, but we'll get to that later... ;-)

LA to NYC to Las Vegas in 10 days

Okay, it goes a little somethin' like this....LA for work, NYC for play, and Las Vegas for work while mixing in a little play too.

I fulfilled a life long dream by watching a game at the legendary Yankee Stadium! I don't think I stopped shaking from excitement until at least the top of the 4th inning. Do it while you can! The stadium will be no longer after this season.