I did it. I don't know what finally possessed me but, after a long time of investigating, fantasizing and fanaticizing about an HDTV, I pulled the trigger on a new set over the weekend. I told Beth that I was going out on an 'errand' but, in all truthfulness there was a 75% chance I was going to come home with a new TV (and she knew it). After several hours of round trips between the local electronics stores and departments, I finally settled in on the set (and the deal) that I thought was best. After playing a little hard to get I walked out of Target of all places with a 37" Phillips HDTV. With a little help from Beth we schlepped the box upstairs and, after sawing the top 3 feet of the old entertainment center, we finally got to kick back and bask in our new widescreen glory.

Posted by Thom at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

With a 5-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers today, the Cubs hit the .500 mark (their record for now is 39-39) for the first time since the beginning of the season. Now seven games deep into winning streak, this game also inched them one step closer to the division leading Brewers. I mention this because, like so many fans who believe that a winning Cubs record is tied to planetary alignments and visits from Haley's Comet, a .500 record is something to crow about.

Posted by Thom at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A week ago today was, of course, Father’s Day. Though not a father myself I know many who are and, that alone is cause to celebrate. Beth and I spent the day with my recently-fathered friend Enrique, and his lovely wife Jessica as they juggled their 3 month old back and forth over brunch at the New Leaf Cafe. We've been meaning to get together with them for quite some time and, as a couple with no children, we wonder what was taking them so long. In truth, we were very flattered that they decided to share their Father’s Day with us. Isabel is an amazingly beautiful child and her parents aren't too shabby people either.

As much fun as we had on Sunday, Father’s Day is always going to be one of those days (more so than an average day) when I miss my dad. Not to close this entry out on a downer, I just wanted to give my dad special mention as I remember him fondly. So, happy Father’s Day to Don, Ryan, Enrique, Steve, Dave, Bob, George, Evan, Andrew, Kirk and, of course, my own father.

Posted by Thom at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Another year, another Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. Every year, pit masters from around the country (and a few from the city) gather for a weekend of meat-smoking and finger-licking in Madison Square Park. Ever since I discovered this annual event it has become a must-go pilgrimage for me and (by proxy) Beth.

Growing up in the Midwest I have a great and opinionated fondness for good barbeque, with my mother's recipe as the benchmark for good baby back ribs. Living in Chicago I was always able to find a satisfactory establishment to feed my meaty need but, New York has been a very different story. Manhattan has very strict laws concerning grills and smokers and, in my general opinion, most New Yorkers really wouldn't know good 'que if it came up and slathered their faces in sauce. Over the past 7 years, I have been to almost every rib restaurant in the New York area and, of the two that my taste buds deemed worth — Pearson's and Rack & Soul — only Rack and Soul remains.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find myself a moist towelette.

Posted by Thom at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At long last, my iaito has finally arrived. After careful consideration about length, style and prompt delivery, I took the advice of my sensei and fellow students to order my custom sword from Tozando of Japan. So convinced was I that I had made the right choice that I eagerly recruited a fellow student, interested in ordering his own iaito, to join in and save on shipping costs. My decision was further justified when our order confirmation gave us a 4-week delivery. Hurrah!

That was back in January.

Fast forward to mid-March when not an additional word had come from Tozando and we were a little curious about the status of order. Not until we sent repeated emails did Tozando confirm that, due to an overwhelming amount of pending orders, ours was delayed. No revised delivery date. No apologies. This process would repeat itself again in May when, only after our prompting, they finally promised an early June delivery — 14 weeks after the original promise date. Now, I hate to spend my time bad-mouthing a company on my blog but, quite frankly Tozando deserves it. I don't have any proof but I don't wonder if our order, coming from overseas, wasn't given a second-class status.

Despite this ordeal (ordeal at least to me), I now have my iaito and I am very happy with quality, the look and the balance. Now I just need to not stab myself in the neck.

Posted by Thom at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I've been meaning to write again for some time now, but a busy personal and an increasingly busy work schedule have kept me too distracted or too tired to commit. A lot of mentionable events have come and gone and unfortunately, I just don't think I'll be able to cover them (let alone remember them).

One thing contributing to this is the resignation of a co-designer from my department. I have always respected Elaine's tastes and her work, but I didn't appreciate her workload until it was divided between myself and the other remaining designer or, turned away altogether. She is moving on to bigger and better things and I wish her all the best but, with no plans to fill her position, Elaine will be missed. These things always have a way of righting themselves out but, in the meantime, please give me leave to whine a little. Whaaa…

Posted by Thom at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)