Krutch Park tonight

was just at Market Square before I decided to "linger" a bit at Krutch Park for some me-time. i get this way especially after a busy day at work. i want to shut down -- switch off -- and just disconnect. it gets harder and harder to do that these days. it's hard to get away.

i mean, for me, it's hard to unhook. i feel some guilt turning off my cellphone -- i can't remember the last time i did. i check emails constantly. i check my facebook and google plus. i do all these things to stay connected. it usually gnaws at me when i'm not, as if i'm missing out on something.

with cellphones and emails, it's usually about work. i can't miss out on that, right? although, during official vacation time, like the one i had just a week ago, i try to. i remember still checking my work email at night. it's good that no one at work tried to reach me on my cell though. i'm with a good company and they let me be, during my days off.

still. the walk through Krutch Park did me some good. it's been crazy at work. i swear, when i close my eyes, i can still see my computer monitor blinking, processing.... at least, at the park, i was able to resist the urge to check on stuff, and get online. i just sat there for a few minutes, watching people.

i work online. i've an active online life. but i've been able to retain a genuine fascination for real life. i can get drawn into the most mundane things. i like observing people and wondering about there lives. i am grateful that i can still do this, despite the overly engrossing online reality we have these days.

anyway, i'm babbling. it's time to get some shut-eye now.

Tower Heist in Knoxville

i miss going to the movies. netflix is just too convenient... but i'll go soon. i'm thinking of getting off netflix anyway. it's not like i watch these movies over and over again. plus, i don't have much time now, with work and all that's on my plate.

tower heist is on my list of to-watch though. ben stiller's a hoot -- loved him since i saw him on Reality Bites. now, Reality Bites is not even a comedy (it could be, if you look at it my way ;). that's also where i first saw Janeane Garofalo, who i've missed. loved her more when she wasn't as skinny as now though. i mean, healthy is great. just somehow, her skinniness takes away some of her "bite." but hey -- whatever floats my/her boat, right?

anyway, back to tower heist, i'm hoping it'll be a riot like Tropic Thunder, the last Stiller movie i saw. i think that Focker movie (Little Fockers?) came after. the reviews for that one weren't so good so I didn't bother.

plus, an additional incentive for Tower Heist is the theme. i'd like to see how the writers, director and actors handled a very current theme; that of the "unpowerful" masses taking on the big fish. the Occupy Wall Street movement is actually quite close to home. i've no complaints about where i work. i think the bosses here have been fair to employees and such. however, it is true that greed has been exaggerated by the powerful to the detriment of the less privileged. our life is our own doing, sure... but i think controls (personal and institutional) are necessary. greed and the urge to acquire are all too human, and somehow too addicting.

whew. now, for less serious matters... it's a date at the Regal Riviera over at South Gay Street with my favorite gym buddy this Friday. this'll be our first real date so wish me luck!

the turkey and the single guy

i've been single for a couple of years now, and i feel it more during the holidays. like the coming thanksgiving, for instance. i will not have time to be with family this thanksgiving. besides, they have moved to paradise -- the Philippines -- enjoying life by the beach. i think it's more than 24 hours just for me to fly over there, and they don't have turkey so no... i'm holding off on a pacific-style holiday till Christmas. i hear Christmas is a lot of fun there.

anyway, that leaves me with just me this thanksgiving. a few of my buddies might be free too. we should actually have some club by now -- a no-fighting version of the fight club: you know, for angst-ridden corporation-employed guys. anyway, at least our jobs afford us the creature comforts we sometimes take for granted. and i'm pretty sure our thanksgiving will be a belly-full.

i'm actually just thinking of booking a slot with one of the Knoxville restaurants that will be open next holiday weekend. i hear of three: Shoney's, Calhoun's, and Ruth's Chris Steak House. It's actually more between Shoney's and Ruth's Chris. i've gone to Calhoun's several times already, i'm ODing on Calhoun's lol. So, it's between Shoney's buffet and Ruth's Chris' four-course meal.

and if we're going to stuff ourselves, i'm inclined to do with the buffet.

veterans day

veterans day today but i will be working for the most part. i used up some holiday days just for my dive trip to the Florida Keys. it's alright though. i kinda miss my work.

i will likely head out for an early lunch to catch the Veterans Parade on Gay St. just to show my support. it's the least I can do. i have some thoughts about all this hoopla, the Veterans day holiday and all, plus the freebies that come with it. Applebees and other local shops and restaurants are giving veterans discounts on this day. i think that's cool. our soldiers and veterans deserve to be thanked.

however, i think it should go beyond one day... and shouldn't be just about qualifying for free food and drinks, and all. i think more benefits and incentives should be extended to them and their families. after all, they are risking their lives for national security. these veterans and their families need to have some form of "security" given back to them.

where to start, i really don't know. i'm just saying. plus, given the present economic situation, it may be a bit hard to find funding for this. in time, i hope we can...

back!!!

i probably reek of fish by now. spend about four days by the sea, from a nice quaint resort in Marathon, Florida, which is on the Florida Keys. i'm a rescue diver who's been away from the water for so long. it is so nice to get into my fins again and dive and snorkel.

this is my first solo trip since a long time ago, and it couldn't have come in a better time. i've been oversaturated by work, buddies and the usual sprees we'd have in Knoxville. it's all good but it can get monotonous. i need a break from routine every now and then. this planned trip couldn't have come at a better time.

sorta wished i could've brought "someone" though... yeah, that girl from the gym. thought about her some while on this trip. i am actually quite curious about where this is going. i called her before i left and we arranged for another date -- a real date, with a nice dinner and all -- when i get back. i like talking to her and we seem to want the same things.... and she's hot and great in bed! lol!

i had a great time while in the Keys. the diving was great even though it's a bit cold right now. saw a couple of turners, and schools of groupers, angel fishes and the like. i did two dives. one at coffins patch reef, the other at Thunderbolt Wreck. both awesome. no sharks though. been wanting to see sharks...

anyway, it feels good to have had this time for myself. i indulged in my favorite sport, and ate some of the best seafood in the world. i still couldn't get enough of 'em crabs! now, it's back to work. good morning, everyone!

to woo or not to

so ok... after an awesome night last night, i haven't called her again. not yet. i like her a lot, and we've slept together. so... do the rules still apply? should i woo? (because, i'd be glad to.) should i give her some space and not call too soon? is a Wahoo weekend too soon? is a weekend too long? is a short trip, such as to the ziplines at Sevierville, too much? or am i just complicating things?

(i'm pretty sure though that an invitation to Funtime Getaways would be too much. even though we've been intimate and all, being buck naked with strangers is a different experience. not everyone may get into it. i'd have to fish around for that first -- once i get another date.)

i will go ahead with my Friday night plans -- heading out alone to The Square Room. it's something i do for myself even if it's a Friday night and most likely, everyone would be with their friends. that's ok. i make friends at the bar. and i don't mean just my drinks. lol

i'm really looking forward to the weekend. no Wahoo trip yet but i will spend extra days off cruising the beaches of Florida. it will be a bit cold, and not exactly the prime time to hit the beach but i welcome this escape. i'll think about my stuff. i'll think about her and what to do next.... i do want to get to know her more.... when i come back from me-time :)

good morning!

good morning everyone! guess who got lucky last night?!!!!

hahah well, i'm no kiss and tell. i'll tell you this though: it was awesome!

remember that crush i've been telling you about at Crossfit KTown? well, i was there last night and so was she. i brought it last night and so did she. LOL

but seriously, we worked out together a bit, and invited each other to a meal right after. we talked, spent a couple of hours at Savelli's Italian Restaurant, with our pasta and pizza and bottle of wine. and she was just awesome. it's been a while since i've been enamored like this but i am.

she's quite a health nut and does yoga and biking in between crossfit training. she's a struggling artist who's lived in NY and LA. she does visuals, mostly -- takes photos and has begun to do her dream project, a documentary about her homeland. and i think she likes me.

anyway, we ended up going to Maplehurst Inn, that bed and breakfast near the Tennessee River. i sort of know Sonny, the owner and host. i've met him a couple of times with common friends. anyway, it was an awesome night.

breakfast was at the inn, although i was tempted to suggest IHOP, which is bad since i'm watching what i eat... but, i was at this feel-good state. i can use some of their hotcakes!

well.. yeah, ok... i don't want to overdose on hotcakes ;) wish me luck :)

Market Square, Knoxville

this place is probably sick of me by now. Market Square refers to a commercial district in Knoxville, where there are mainly shops and restaurants/bars, as well as a couple of hotels. it's a trendy place and i've been a mainstay for the past two days -- not that i'm trendy or trending... it's just convenient for me. it's not the best fit as i'm sort of into the Bohemian vibe. but it's ok... it's so ok, it's good ;)

i scoured the shops there for my Halloween goodies. my friends and i also ended up doing our post-Halloween get-togethers (yes, plural... i went to more than one) there. it's all good...

anyway, it might be too early to plan but i'm thinking of heading to The Square Room or the Preservation Pub this Friday. i'm thinking of going alone. i overdosed on people for the past two weeks. it was a lot of fun but i do need some alone time. i need to regroup, and enjoy my own company. music helps. The Square Room and Preservation Pub are favorite places for this. The Square Room features more established acts, such as Imogen Heap, David Cook and Amy Grant. Preservation Pub seems more like the touchstone for bands and club acts. they even have a Singer Songwriter Night "Now it's your turn..." Night. i hope friday night's NOT one of those...lol

i do like my time alone in these pubs. i get to meet new people, some of which have become good friends. for real alone time, i actually head to Krutch Park, which happens to be right next to Market Square. there are some foot traffic here but i get my moments. i'd just like to sit out, observe and think...

Halloween

i put in a little more effort on the goodies this year, not my costume. like i wrote yesterday, i just wore black. i'm the pointless exclamation point!

anyway, it wasn't the case with the candies and adult goodies though. i bought candies to give out from Mast General Store, some taffies, nougats and candy bars. however, for the discerning "adult," i got treats from South's Finest Chocolate Factory. some friends were over so I also made a huge pot of pasta -- just my specialty marinara sauce and meatballs.

relearned how to make meatballs actually. i saw this clip by an Italian chef on how you cook meatballs in the traditional Italian way. so, i tried it and it was a success. that recipe will become a menu mainstay.

of course, no party's complete without the booze. i'd pre-ordered a couple of kegs from Downtown Grill and Brewery, then got a few bottles of vodka and mixers.

pizza was in the house too. a few boxes were delivered just in time.

with the booze, pasta, pizza, and chocolates, you bet Halloween was happy. see you guys next year!