HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Check out this noise ....

That's my jam for Halloween this year. Add some chromed Aviators, Dryer Duct arms and legs and I'm gravy.

On a side note:

I took the train in today; packed to the gills with Phillies fans. The train got stuck due to weight, but we made it through and I got to work only 30 minutes late. I think I'm going to start taking the train to work. After doing a cost analysis I realized I'd save about $60.00 a month when gas is at $3.00 per gallon as opposed to driving and paying for parking. I save about 900 miles per month being placed on my car.


Check out this noise (different noise):

Train vs. Car Cost Analysis								Gas Analysis
Train				Car	Train					Car
Monthly Pass	$ 142.50		52.4	Miles (Round trip to work)*	Travel (Roundtrip)		$ 18.29		$ 136.90	Travel (Roundtrip)
Parking (per day)	$ 1.00		$ 3.01	$/Gal (Premium)	$ Saved Per Month		$ 118.61		$ (118.61)	$ Saved Per Month
Miles (Round trip to station)*	7		$ 5.75	Parking	Gallons Used per Month		6.08		45.50	Gallons Used per Month
Avg MPG	25.34		25.34	Avg MPG	# of Gallons Saved		39.42		-39.42	# of Gallons Saved
Total Cost Per Day	$ 8.96		$ 11.97	Total Cost Per Day	Miles Saved per month		908.00		(998.80)	Miles Saved per month
Total Cost	$ 179.13		$ 239.45	Total Cost	Miles Saved per year		10,896.00		(11,985.60)	Miles Saved per year
Cost Savings per month	$ 60.33		$ (60.33)	Cost Savings per month
Cost Savings per year	$ 723.93		$ (723.93)	Cost Savings per year

Word, now I'm off to go fight some Phillies parade traffic and get my bum home and finish up my costume for tonight. Word.

Cheers -

Freakin Whaaaaa>!

Yesterday I had to get a cab to the Art Museum for work (I know - work?), but yes, work. The taxi lady was very nice (mind you most taxi drivers are creepy and smell of some sort of fungal bacteria that you never knew existed until you smell that non-existent fungal bacteria. Anyway, we somehow got on the topic of birthdays (no I didn't bring mine up) and we found out that we both had birthdays on 10/27!! That's freakin' awesome man, seriously, what a damn small world!!

I started making my robot costume! It's looking sick as hell and I'm only about 80% done. I need another coat of spray paint and then I need to add my "accessories" on it. I'm pumped. Megan will be the mad scientist and Dave will be the other robot. I'm looking forward to this noise.

I haven't stumbled in a while, I think I may do that; I haven't drawn in a while - I have a picture I want to draw for someone very special to me; I haven't read my book in a week - I need to get on that. Check one to that chalk on the board.

Prospecting day and church tonight.

Cheers!

Today's MY BIRTHDAY!!! Woohoo!!!

We'll go Quentin Tarantino on this one.

I woke up in jeans @ 1am in my girlfriend's bed.

Friday was a much relieved day from the week. Last week wasn't necessarily stressful, but just tiresome with work. I walked into my room on the phone with my buddy Pete to find this:

Yes, that's my bedroom, yes that's 24 balloons scattered throughout my bedroom! Megan has been giving me surprises starting on Friday leading up til my birthday (today). I received 24 (well mor elike 28 fish) on Saturday, of which about 9 died, but that's expected being that they were in a small "tank" - I didn't feel too bad though as they were more so like feeder fish! We ended up dumping them in the pond in her front yard where they'd have greater living quarters!!

Went out to dinner with the madre on Saturday night and with the padre on Sunday night. Both were delicious!

Saturday day I went to some small meet in KOP with other "Karly" owners. It was alright; insightful at best with learning some new things about your car. There were your typical weed wacker cars there, but the meet overall it was done tastefully. I then met up with mi dushi and we picked up a pumpkin, carved that bad boy and square dance our butts off. I literally almost fell over 3-4 times due to my diziness. I received my 24 FISHES!! MUAH!

Sunday I washed and waxed Karly; Megan helped about halfway through it. She was so excited at first, but then only about 10 minutes later she was ready to throw in the towel! I wouldn't blame her as it's somehting girls don't do all too often (wax a car). She's a trooper though and hung in there as I've never had ANYONE wax a whole car with me before. Love ya babe!

Robot and socket and plug costumes are in order for this weekend.

Did I mention it's my birthday?! Well it is!! I'm now officially 24. Woohoo (sarcastic), but I'll be a sport about it and celebrate!!

Go Phils!

Cheers.

Oh woo woo!

I came home yesterday!!!!!!!!!

I'm officially home (for now)! It feels good being in your own damn bed with your own damn lighting fixtures and your own damn heat. I enjoyed DC though; per usual, my travel arrangements went ary as they usually do, but I didn't let it bother me. Woohoo!!

My itinerary changed yesterday and I was at our Corporate Revenue Meeting only until noon. I then jumped in a cab, and got a train about 2 hours earlier than expected. Life was good. I got home, unpacked, toyed around with "Karly" for a little bit and went to pick up Mi Dushi!!!! It was such a RELIEF!! I mean as soon as I saw her, the stress that was built up of being away from her totally released itself!! She has the ability to do that to me!!

Anyways, I can't wait for this weekend to come around, tgif! Seriously.

Apparently I speak some sort of foreign language on the phone, but only to Megan! Speaking of her; she told me she had surprises for me before my actual birthday. I got one yesterday and it was quite fitting; 24 Hershey kises for me turning 24. She's freakin' awesome!!

To sum up yesterday:

I saw Megan!!!

She jumped into my arms!!!

We kissed a bunch!!

We ate dinner!!!

I watched the Happening!!!

She ran in terror!!

I turned it off!!

She stayed in my arms!!


PS - Pumpkins will be man-handled this weekend.

Cheers,

Matt

Travel-Bound .... Again

Well, I'm off on travel yet again. I don't think it ends for work. Last week was NYC til Thursday; this week I'm in DC until Thursday. I don't even have freakin time to keep up with my clients at my job. Whatev, they know that though.

I officially sold Amber last night. It was sad to see her go. I got emotional when Debbie (the car buyer) drove off with her. It still feels surreal; this isn't happening, it hasn't happened, yet I look out the window and she is no longer in my possession which leads me to the conclusion that it HAS happened. I kissed her on the steering wheel and told Debbie that her name is Amber; she isn't allowed to change the name.

Megan came over; she seems to know exactly what I need and how I need it. She didn't even ave to say anything to realize that I was kind of upset about the fact that she's gone (Amber). As stated before; I grow emotional attachments to inanimate objects. There's a lot of sentimental value behind Amber and a piece of me will always be with that car.

I missed my bloody train to DC this morning. I literally was running for it as it was moving away at the Wilmington train station. I had to wait for the 9am train since I missed the 8:10am train. I didn't care though as it didn't set me back much for my day today (only 30 mins), plus I got to see Megan for another 30 minutes while I waited for the train. Yayy!! I love mi dushi!!!

So, I got back to my hotel ready for a nice relaxing night, boy how wrong I was. I ordered Papa John's since it was the only pizza place located near me in all of D.C.. I ordered online through the first location that popped up. The delivery guy called me, but I missed it. I proceeded to call him back, in which he told me he'd be there in 15 minutes and that I was outside of his delivery "area". I kept my cool and asked him politely if he can still deliver it for me. He said he would and all was well - this was at 7:10pm. 8:00pm rolls around and still no pizza; I call him and he told me he called me and that I confirmed I received the pizza. I asked him to please explain why I was calling him looking for my pizza (with a sharp tongue; I was hungry and tired from the day). I cancelled the order and placed another one with the Papa John's that I thought I originally placed it through. Matt's full with nutrition and cheese. Word to the cow.

Again, another hotel with internet problems. WTF! These past two travel arrangements have gone ary quickly. I'll survive! Megan made me a little card that basically stated how much she loved me and that she can't wait for me to come home. When I start stressing over stupid crap (like papa john's and no internet; I take a nice step back and read that which brings me great joy).

On a positive note though; the revenue management system I created form the ground up in Excel a little bit ago MIGHT be used as the company's wide RM system. I worked my ass off on this system and I will be showing the Regional RM next week on how to implement this system. This would be for 13 hotels in the DC and PA area. I'm extremely excited to see my hard work pay off. Eventually my ass will be in a Corporate RM position using the same system I'm showing this company currently.

Busy day tomorrow, so I'm off to rent an over-priced movie that my company will be paying for and off to sheep land will I go. Yippee!

I miss and love you mi dushi - THURSDAY will be brilliant ! ;)

Oh, it's officially my birthday week! The greatest week out of the greatest month of the year. Don't go splinterin' my wood on this one; splittin' my clam shells; stuffin' yo face, crackin' my crab legs; grindin' my gears; chippin' my chocolate; and sandin' my glass. It's my birthday month. Grand.

Cheers,

Matt

Good Weekend!!!! :-)

Well, this weekend went wonderful!

I went to Arasapha Farm for the haunted hayride. What a waste! 20 bucks for 12 minutes of hayrides and 1.5 hour wait time!! Never again or at least if I will be doing it again, it better be somewhere where I know it's worth it.

Well, I got rid of Amber (my Grand Am). :(. I have mixed emotions, but I am thoroughly happy with Karly (Civic)! I decided to go with blue (navy) instead of a silverish gray. I'm happy with my selection, but it hasn't really sank in yet! I'm now that anal guy that parks far away from other cars in the garages here in Philly since people have no respect for other people's property!

Megan and I carved some pumpkins last night. I made my first "sunglasses" pumpkin. He kind of looks like a stoner, but I'm okay with that. I'll post a picture shortly!

I'm really tired this morning for some reason, but I'l strive through!

I need to go to DC for work tomorrow through Thursday! Boo!!!! I've been to DC with work before, it's really nothing special!

My sentences are short, ill composed and I feel I am starting to sound pesitmistic for some reason in my writing.

Pictures of Karly, Stoner and Amber to come!!!

Cheers!~!

ISAHDIOUAH

Work is really pissing me off right now. Just needed to vent that.

Amber

Well, I think I may be officially getting rid of Amber (My car's nickname being a Grand Am). I'm strung between what I should do right now with the economy. Granted there is nothing wrong with the Grand Am at all.

Details on Amber; she is a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am Se with 74k on the odometer currently. She is black on black nd has been there for me through thick and thin.

I'm so torn on what to do because I know right now I have a buyer that'll give me the money that I am asking for the car (in which I know I'll never be able to get again since the next time I decide to sell her she'll have well over 100k on the car) and I can get an extremely good deal on the Honda Civic I'm looking at.

The situation is this, and let me know what you'd do (if you may):

I can sell my car @ $5,500 dollars and purchase the 2009 Civic Si for 20,700 including destination. This is below invoice since right now it's a buyers market. I do think logically and know that keeping the Pontiac makes the most economical sense (especially if we're headed into a recession worldwide).

OR

I keep the car, pay my $40 per month insurance bill and be on my merry way and get a place without a roommate. I would need a roommate if I purchased the car because I can't afford everything all at once.

Ugh, so many decisions. Life's lessons can't be easy and I'm not expecting them to be, but this is a lesson I do not want to learn the hard way (god forbid should I lose my job, etc. - no one is invulnerable). There is so much sentimental value in the Grand Am that I cannot let go of easily (I almost sold her back in March, but ended up backing out because I have an emotional attachment to her).

If anything happens, it will most likely happen tomorrow at the Honda dealer. I can easily retract out of selling my car to the buyer that wants it right now (her name is Debbie and I put her last name is as "Car Buyer" because I don't know her last name) it's quite amusing actually.

Cheers

NYC Love, or lack-there of

Well, I must say ... going 10 days without a post is absurd!! I'm a busy person though, so woo woo!!

Anyhoot.....

Megan and I went to NYC for work with my company. We were both excited about the trip as we never have traveled together!! It was a fun time, considering the train was 30 minutes late on my arrival day, the cab driver didn't know where the Doubletree Time Square was, I couldn't check into my room on time and there was not a single ounce of internet at the hotel on the first day!~!

I'll post more here later as I'm realizing just exactly how tired I am here at work. My brain hurts.

To be continued .......

later on today .....

around 5pm and beyond ....


Ok, continued ....

Other than that first little paragraph about all that went wrong, the trip I thought was a success. If you are in the mood for seafood and are located in Times Square then I suggest you head on over to Blue Fin. It's this contemporary seafood restaurant and bar. The food was excellent and the prices were reasonable (for being NYC). Crap, water was $3 at Sbarro. I also picked up a shirt that was the typical "I <3 NY" in pure sarcasm with everything that went wrong up there during our arrival. I found it extremely amusing.

We jumped on the 5:10 train as opposed to the 5:39 which would have set me back another 45 minutes to get to my show that we played on Wednesday. I got back to my house @ 735pm, missed chicken pot pie, in which I LOVE chicken pot pie and raced to the show.

The Show:


We were supposed to go on @ midnight, but since the first band decided to play 35 minutes late, it pushed everyone back; there were 3 bands before us. The show I thought was a mild success. This was our first "official" show together as a whole band. We performed extremely well on some songs and mildly okay on others. My damn ride cymbal cracked in the middle of our last song in which my drum stick got caught on throwing my cymbal into a planetary rotation.We need to work out some inconsistencies and we'll be a well polished band for our Northstar Bar show.

Check out our myspace then you have a second. We're called The Aqualogic.

Tea Time

My birthday month continues. I'm officially 19 days away from being 24. Yikes, I'm getting so "old". Yes, I know age is just a number, but I'm not getting any younger here. I still look like I'm all of 19 though; which used to hate, but now as I'm getting older I realized that it's a blessing in disguise (per se).

Practice went well last night, we now have 7 songs (2 new and 1 COMPLETELY reworked) for our show which I'm pumped about. I LOVE playing Kite (it's an old song, but sounds absolutely nothing like it did before). The drum beat really cracks my wood (as it did literally last night when I broke two drum sticks during the song). Does that statement not sound awkward - cracks my wood?!? Anyways, busy day here at work starting so I'm off!!!

Day @ work today:

Conference calls
Airport Appointments
University of Penn College Appointments
Travel Arrangements for N YC trip with work next week


Time for some green tea, or maybe raspberry - I'm being too indecisive at the moment.

Cheers.

Good Views, News, Too Much Snooze and Not Enough Booze

JUST Kidding, but seriously .....

I ate lunch with Kathy, our Outside Sales Manager! She's a trip; in her early 40s, but man does she have some good stories. Very refreshing and moving. I love people that have that type of charisma about them; always able to "lift" you up (even if you aren't "down").

Good day so far though, appointment went well and they're up for considering our hotel for a 2009 LNR. This makes Matt very excited!!!

Cheers.

Top 5

1. Erin Andrews
2. Halle Berry
3. Jessica Alba
4. Scarlett Johansson
5. Gwyneth Paltrow

Recap

This weekend went wonderful (per usual). Let's start off with stating that my mother's foot surgery went well and she is having a fast and speedy recovery!! Yayy!! She asked me to stop by and visit, but every bloody time I attempted to, she was out with her friend Debbie! It's okay though, no worries.

I inflicted a computer (including my own laptop with a virus). Boo! I am not paying Norton $50.00 to fix a work laptop. It's still running, I'm just not logging into any bank accounts, etc. from it.

We went to the Harvest Crusade on Saturday. It was very good for the time that we were there. Poor Megan has been battling a "bug" and it got to the best of her that night, so we left early; which was okay since we could BARELY hear ANYTHING that was being said in the Wachovia Center.

I went to Harrah's Casino randomly on saturday night as well. What a craphole. Seriously! They have "electronic" card dealers for blackjack. What kind of crap is that man? Me, being extremely conservative with my money, decided to do go ahead and bet some of it away. Of course I go and lose $60.00 and dignity from the electronic dealer. I will get you back "Sanchez".

I got rid of the "Brick" check out my old phone here. This thing was seriously a weapon. I think it was 7oz heavy and could crack a skull or two. I was going to get an LG Shine, but decided to get the new iPhone. I'm glad I did, I'm addicted to this freaking thing! Such a difference from my previous phone, though I will miss it dearly (I grow attachments to inanimate objects that I use everyday).

I need to get used to "Sophie" the woman from Brooklyn, NY who harrases me about my girlfriend and my feelings for her. Plans will be conducted!! More on "her" to come.

Off to more work,

Cheers.

Seriously?

I think I officially want to slap every person that drives recklessly and gets into an accident on the morning commute. From 322 West where it intersects 95 North to Ben Franklin Parkway, it took me 1 freaking hour to get to work. Needless to say I was late by oh, about 40 minutes!!! Frustration has pent up and I am now in need of a calming hour or two, or three. AGH!

Lovely way to start off a Friday. Feels like it's Monday!! Yippee.

TGIF. (So cliche, but it needs to be said).

Don't click that mouse! Stay tuned.

Blustery Day

So, I had to run a ton of business outside today for work. Little did I know that it was only going to be 55 freaking degrees outside! I only dressed in khakis and a button down shirt! Luckily I had a hoodie in my auto that kept me safe, warm and sheltered from the 30mph wind and the sickness that would have ensued thereafter. Gracias 100% cotton hoodie.

You sir, are my friend.

PS - I almost died in a taxi yesterday on my way back to work from Drexel University. The box I had with me could have killed someone if it went anywhere else besides the bullet proof glass window the separated myself and the taxi driver. Seat belts are best bets when getting into any cab in the city.

Off to see the wizard ...

Sweet Wednesdays

Well, last night's "jam" session went well. My fingers are blistering and my shoulder socket for some reason is in extreme pain. Maybe the way I slept?

I had an awesome weekend! Short and sweet!

EDIT: Minus the fact tat my internet set up was a complete and utter nightmare. I picked up a wireless Access Point by mistake. Who does that?!? The stupid box looked and had all the printings to make it look like it was a wireless router. Stupid Linksys. I had thrown away the receipt so I had to call Best Buy's Customer Service line to get some 190902390 digit pin number to give to the Best Buy store clerk or I would have been stuck with an $85 access point. I then got home, installed the router, waited 35 minutes on the phone with some guy named "Mark" and now have everything set up. Such a pain.

You know that feeling when you feel like you've found the one?

If you don't, give it time, it will happen. Trust me.

Well, I'm off to a tradeshow in an hour to represent the hotel here in Philadelphia.

Happy October and Happy Birthday month to me!! Woowoo I turn 24 on the 27th. I'm making this my official birthday "month".

Cheers.