I had a fantastic time at a beer pong birthday party this weekend. I used to have quite the throw at WWU and it came back to me like riding a bike! Amanda and I went undefeated for three games before getting knocked out of the tournament by the birthday girl, Jen.
Here we go again. This time I’m at work. Two days ago it was on the airplane from New York. Last week it was in the shower. I have the body of a Greek god and the nose of a 10-year-old. Yes, I get bloody noses. Add that to my nerd resume.
Ironically I never got bloody noses when I was a little dude. I even BROKE MY NOSE when I was 10 years old and IT DIDN’T BLEED when I broke it. I started having random bloody nose episodes in college and have since had them occasionally throughout my 20s.
I’ve noticed two major trends contributing to my nose leaks. First, the time of the year. This late winter season is the worst because the air is so dry. I am seriously thinking about investing in a humidifier for the bedroom so that my nose can get some moisture at night. Second, my stress level. I was stressed as shit this last week with work and wedding preparations and that probably pushed my blood pressure up. On the day that I proposed to Amanda I had a terrible bloody nose before we left. Not my most suave moment, I know.
While I’m not a striking image of my Dad, I seemed to have inherited his nose because he grew up with bloody noses and actually had his nose cauterized. I’m reaching a point where I probably need the same procedure. (I’d also like to thank Dad at this time for the loose shoulders. Can’t wait to get mine stapled down!) I always bleed out of my left nostril and I just want the damn thing replaced at this point.
Bloody noses used to freak me out because I have a weak stomach, but now I’m somewhat used to them. What annoys me is that lingering taste of pennies. Oh, and you know what else I don’t like? That tampons are the best way to stop bloody noses. It makes sense and all, but I really hate walking past a mirror and seeing a tampon up my nose.
I want to stop at the mirror and say, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darnit, I have a tampon up my nose.”
This was not what I pictured adulthood being like.
The best Mexican restaurant in the Northwest (or perhaps ever) sits in the heart of Ballard. I took Amanda here on our first date. The banana leaf-wrapped mole is AMAZING.
Can't complain about the margaritas either.
I’ve been traveling for work – Minneapolis last week, New York this week. Unfortunately, those to the East like to dress up and believe that button-up shirts and slacks make you think smarter. Obviously, I don’t appear so legit in these foreign lands with my Casual Industrees hoodies and Levi 501s, so I have to step my game up.
I had recalled from an earlier trip this year that my trusty size 32x32 slacks from college were feeling a bit snug around my waist. I guess that’s what happens when you develop amazing abdominal muscles from intense crunches with weights at the gym. It could also be attributed to the fact that I weigh five pounds more than I did when I graduated from college back in 2005. Like I said, crunches with weights.
I did what any guy would do in this situation, I sent Amanda out with my debit card to buy me some 34x32 pants at TJ Maxx. She bought four pairs of pants and I kept three (Great job, Amanda!) so I was totally prepared for my stint of trips without having to endure the shame of buying lager size pants.
Could you imagine what the cashier at TJ Maxx would have said if she saw that I had jumped a size? I dread to think it.
As I sit here eating a New York bagel piled high with sun-dried tomato cream cheese, I still can’t believe that I need the extra real estate in the waist. I bought my 501 jeans size 34x34 but they are shink-to-fit, so that didn’t phase me. I bought my wedding suit pants in 34x32, but it is a slim fit suit. Heck, even Wesley jumped up to a 32-inch waist for that suit.
I guess I need to let go of the past, embrace my new size 34x32 and let my ripped abs enjoy the luxury of a little more freedom.
Sorta. After a breakfast stop at the Bagelry in Bellingham, we spent Sunday in Vancouver to see the sights. We didn't shell out the mega bucks to see an event, but we enjoyed the atmosphere and occasional drizzle.
(Amanda took most of these.)
