Here's to New Beginnings

So summer has come to an end but this party is just getting started ... I made it back in one piece from Gab-ster and Vinny's Wedding up in Saratoga Springs, NY and figured there is no better way to wrap up the end of summer than to blog about it.  

Let's take a quick look back at the Summer of 2010...

It was Memorial Day weekend and I recall sitting on the train heading down the shore with a six-pack and some peanut butter cookies that I have crushed since I was a little kid.  My skin was so pale that I was at times embarrassed when people asked me if I was sick or something due to my fair complexion.  Long story short, I was binge drinking on a train by myself and looked terrible, but there was no question in my mind that I was ready for a big summer...

In no particular order I bought a car, crushed weights, conquered the Delaware River (again), got a tan for the first time in years (maybe ever), threw a no parents party at my shore house, crawled through a mud pit, ordered daquiries on Joe's tab, moved apartments, bought grown up furniture, formed an alliance with jamsofthemonth.blogspot.com, and started a band (NOJO).

Let's start with Laura's rafting trip in early July.  We had decided to take our chances on the Delaware yet again this summer but the weather forecast was not very welcoming.  After some debate, we decided to head up to Sussex County and give it a shot, rain or shine.  There was a moment the Friday night before our 6-mile journey when I informed a select few individuals how I was a gifted weather man.  Not only did I discover the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift in recent years, but I once predicted a tropical storm when I was vacationing in Florida with my family.  This weekend would be no different.  It was a torrential downpour all morning, but it suddenly stopped once we got to the launch point.  And this trip would give me the base that would lead to my eventual sick tan.  Last year we finished the 6 mile adventure in 6 hours.  This year we managed to finish same course in 7 hours.  Luckily, my tiny body was able to survive a few nasty falls on the rocks.  Fast forward a few hours and Laura was attempting to kick Tad in the face (Sorry Meg), Adam Grant and I were suddenly wearing matching t-shirts, and Janal was petting a dog covered in shit.  

In the weeks before our rafting trip, I had learned that my parents would not be down the shore in mid-July.  Shortly thereafter, I invited some of my close friends down the shore for a no-parents party that weekend.  Little did I know, my brother Kevin went behind my back and told my mom that I was having people down the shore for a sex party.  She immediately called me to confirm that was the case. Confirmed.  We took Edgar's Pub by storm on Friday then took over Parker House and Bar A on Saturday night.  The best part, however, was late night Domino's during our hot tub party.  Highlights included Janal sneaking into my bed and making me the little spoon (sorry Keating), me guessing the exact time by looking up at the sun while sitting at the beach, dance offs, shuffleboard at the parker house, and Timmy's claim that I have a tiny body.  We left a bottle of wine with a thank you note for my parents that let them know they should probably drain the hot tub.  

One last storyline that I want to touch on is the big move from apartment 523 to apartment 525.  This marked the end of an era since Joe was moving home and our 3-year reign as roommates now only serves as good talking points in a social setting.  Adam and I were said to see him go so we decided to throw a farewell surprise party at Willie McBrides.  Not only was it a great party, but NOJO had their first live performance of Breakeven.  Since Joe moved out, we set up Rock Band and our band, NOJO, has gone on tour.  Our fan base is growing exponentially and we feel great about our prospects for a lead singer.  Once we lock down a band manager 'Just the Tip' will soon be opening for NOJO on a cruise line around Manhattan.

It has been an eventful summer to say the least and I look forward to a big Fall.  Hopefully a Tuesday morning sit down with my Life Coach will get me off to a good start.  Football season is upon us and there is talks of a new Biergarten in uptown Hoboken.  We signed up for Ragnar - Florida Keys in January so its about time to get back on the program and get back to turning heads on Washington St.

Here's an original haiku:

Summer Twenty-Ten

Let's Ride with Tiny Body

One Fateful Missed Turn

Running at the Front of the Pack,

Romo