Over the past four months I have really started to get back into music. It’s been kinda nice. It can help me relax, help me focus, entertain, get me dancing, shorten a drive, and more. It has been ten years since I really spent any time pursuing or listening to music a whole lot, so getting started again was a challenge. One of the greatest contributors to this personal musical renaissance has been WKNC 88.1.
Over the years I have listened to all different flavors of music, from U2 to Wu-Tang. I find myself drawn mostly to “indie” or “college” rock now which KNC offers in spades. I’ve been introduced to bands like MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, The Magnetic Fields, Islands, Sigur Ros and many others. I also get to hear a number of selections from bands that I have enjoyed for years such as R.E.M., The White Stripes, Sonic Youth, and Ben Folds.
One of the great things about WKNC is plentiful listening options. Their radio broadcast includes RDS so I can see the artist info and song titles of things I listen to which is awesome for finding new music and artists I like. They also have great free streaming options for when I am at home or in the office.
There are like a zillion other options I’ve been using to expand my musical horizons as well. I’ll discuss things like last.fm, pandora, Sirius, and friends in future posts.
Ah what a wonderful concept. Restaurants all over the US (World?) have been using the draw of a half-priced bottle of wine to lure customers in on “off” nights for some time now it seems. Some also use the dinner for two and bottle of wine for XX dollars as well. Either way, it keeps people happy and half-lit for low cost.
Just don’t stop to think about it is all. The reason for this is because if you do think about it, the only realization you will come to is that you are getting hosed every other night of the week. This should come as no surprise to most of us. You’re paying at minimum 100% markup on most bottles of wine. So even at half price they are probably making a buck or two on you and they got you in there to eat. In the end, it’s not awful. Most of as happily, or some times begrudgingly, pay these premiums for the joy that comes with a nice meal and a bottle of wine shared amongst friends.
With that I’ll share my favorites in Raleigh. For a general kick back good time and CHEAP eats head to Helios on Tuesday nights. I went last week with a few friends and it was a great time to sit back and relax, share a few stories, and a bottle of wine. Another favorite is at Duck and Dumpling. Be prepared to drop some coin on this but the food is AWESOME and they have an excellent wine list to choose from.
It’s that time again. Once again I will attempt to quit smoking. This will probably mark about the fourth honest try that that I have made at it. In the past success has ranged from about 3-6 months each time. Really hoping that it works this go round. I’m kinda sick and tired of it.
I have used “the patch”, but I don’t really feel like it does a whole lot for me. The only times I really want to smoke are the times that I have always smoked. When I am bored and when I am drinking. I feel like I have definitely found enough stuff to do to prevent the boredom factors. The drinking part is by far and away the hardest of all. Although the biggest helper this go round (at least I hope) is that I don’t really hang out with any smokers anymore. Hoping this can be the big winner.
In previous attempts I haven’t really made a big public ordeal of it. This is my final trick is to make this whole thing as public as humanly possible. I think that if everyone knows I am trying to quit then I’ll feel like I have some personal accountability for the whole thing. Certainly in the past I have felt that when I have failed it’s often because I don’t have the weight that I am doing it for anyone other than myself. I know, that seems odd. Obviously I am doing it for myself, but sometimes in those moments of weakness it helps to know that others want it for me too.
So that’s it. Today is the start of day 3. You can track my “progress” and thoughts at Qwitter. Ignore the part from April, it was just a test. Wish me luck!
Thanks Abby for the photo.
Over the past few weeks I’ve definitely gotten into a few random encounters and activities, this was probably the most unexpected. A new McCormick & Schmick’s is opening here in Raleigh at Crabtree Valley Mall. I learned all about this from Ginny and Sue. M&S has a giant crab resting above the restaurant to help advertise. It just so happens I share something in common with this crab. Fortunately it’s not anything freaky like an exoskeleton, or a related disease, or infection. No, we share a name, Jake.
Around a week ago Ginny and Sue made some connections and put me in touch with Dana with the PR firm running the Grand Opening event for this new restaurant. Apparently they though that having someone with the same name as the crab was grounds for involvement in the whole ordeal. So after a few email exchanges I was in. In addition, Dana was nice enough to let me bring along a few friends, Abby and Kelly, to help make some memories.
The “Toss” wasn’t really much of a toss, more of a passing down a line, but it was still cool. The sad thing about the whole affair is that they lined up about 10 of us in our aprons in front of the place and did introductions. “Please welcome Raleigh statesman X, Stormy!, Miss North Carolina, NBC 17 News Anchor Page Crawford, Executive Chef X, General Manager X, and some random dude named Jake.” Not really embarrassing as much as flat ridiculous. Hopefully some photos of the fish will show up, I’ll be sure to share.
Following the toss we all huddled inside near the bar where they were kind enough to provide lots of cold air conditioning, champagne, and delicious food! We ended up sticking around for a number of hours and even ran into some other friends from the Carolina Rollergirls. I think they may have even convinced someone we know to try out for the team!
Big thanks to my parents for blessing me with this wonderful name. Had it not been for them we’d never have had so much random fun.
Finally, thanks to Abby for the photo to commemorate the occasion.
There I was enjoying a nice leisurely drive into the office on a Friday morning. Feeling good, bopping along to some Left of Center, when what do I spy but a “SILVER ALERT” on the I40 overhead information signs. I think to myself, “Self, have you been drinking?”. What is this “SILVER ALERT” they speak of? Was AMBER not cool enough? Were the kids feeling a little under appreciated?
As it turns out it’s a means to track missing persons that may not be able to care for themselves. The NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety describes the requirements for a Silver Alert as:
- The person is 18 years old or older
- The person is believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment
- The person is believed to be missing – regardless of circumstance
- A legal custodian of the missing person has submitted a missing person’s report to the local law enforcement agency where the person went missing
- Law enforcement reports the incident to the NC Center for Missing Persons
Just thought this was interesting. One of those things that just made me say hrmmmm… So I did a little investigation. I’m sure most of you have either never seen one of these alerts or likely doesn’t care. Regardless here is the info, take it or leave it.
