this is my break. i've been doing some t-t-tedious drawing all day and it's driving me to the edge... of something. it's that feeling when you're craving something but can't get any of it - like chocolate. maybe that's what my problem is.

so i'm using this blog as a distraction. ______ problem is, there's nothing to write about. Anybody know any interesting websites? I'd watch some movie trailers online, but since i'm at work it would be very obvious that no work is getting done at my station. what i really need, besides that chocolate, is another day/week/month at the beach (once my sunburn goes away. whoa, momma, did i burn this last saturday! i'm still hurting.)

Thank God it's Fourth of July weekend coming up! I love the hol-i-day!

I just added an XML feed to my website. The link is to the left. You can add my blog to things like your myYahoo homepage so you'll know when I've updated... which ain't all that often.

Exciting news! I cashed in my coins this morning. Okay, so maybe it was just exciting for me. I dumped out my checkbook box and a little tupperware into the machine at Commerce Bank on my way to work. You've probably seen their commercials about this free service, even to non customers. Anyway, wowzers! The machine spit out a receipt telling me I had 1 quarter, 211 dimes, 181 nickels, and 638 pennies. It's always more than you expect. I was hoping for $25, but would have been happy with anything over 20 bucks. The machine said I would get a prize if I guessed with $1.99 of the actual amount. So I guessed $30. When it said I didn't win, I figured I had overestimated. But nope, I was getting more cash than I dared dream: $36.78

I wish paychecks were like that.

There's nothing quite like a holiday weekend. On my walk home from church sunday night I was planning what I needed to do at work the next day when I remembered that I had Monday off for Memorial Day. Now that's a happy moment!

After living in New York for 4 or 5 years, I finally made it to a baseball game. Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't seen any professional sports in New York. (Although I've watched a half dozen or so of Ryan's hockey games. Probably doesn't count.) Now I've seen a Mets come-from-behind win over the Marlins at Shea, and I watched as Boston creamed the Yankees 17-1 in the Bronx. And I didn't pay a dime for either. My friend Dalcy sprung a Mets ticket on me out of the blue, and I filled in for a no-show brother at Yankee stadium. Whoever said nothing's free just had bad karma or something. Maybe he or she wasn't a tither!

Did you see the sunset pics I put up on the website? If not, you're missing out. They're sweet.

Nothing exciting going on around here. We had a few days in the low 70's, but since then the high has only been in the low 50's. I went to the park over the weekend, actually two different parks, but it was too shilly to stay very long. hot sun and cold breeze.

We got another pastor at my church this week. One of our frequent guest speakers is now full-time at our church. It was very unexpected; they just announced that it was so. well, not like i expected a vote or anyhting. And we got a new locker room for the guys in the choir. Now we're trying to convince them to make part of it a lounge.

My room mate and a friend are drawing on a wall at home. No, keith, they're not four (years old). Actually it's pretty cool. And it's nice to come home and discover something new up. I can't wait to see what happens once they add color.

And speaking of color, the project i'm working on in the office is getting painted now. Just a few more weeks and they'll be done with everything. I'll have to post some pics soon. And our firm is in the current (may 2005) issue of Architectural Digest, so check it out. You can always just page through it at barnes and noble and then put it back on the shelf. I had nothing to do with that project, but... whatever.

okay, lunch is about over. And this isn't worth reading anymore anyway, right?

It's spring... and it's snowing. Where's this global warming?

I have the ALTIM8 in town this week. I drove into the city so I could go to a church fellowship (aka party) in Connecticut last Saturday, and so I could go to IKEA with my roommates. But the week is so full of stuff going on, we weren't sure we would make it out there. Monday was our day, but something came up (previously scheduled sushi lessons). I have church or choir on tues and thurs, and Wednesday got taken by a birthday dinner. But then I was too sick to go to church Tuesday night. There was no debate out that. But I decided that I wasn't too sick to go to IKEA. We also stopped at Target and ate dinner at Panerra Bread, my favorite! Note: the IKEA restaurant was closed since we were there only for the hour before closing. Let me tell you, it was strange being at IKEA when it's not overflowing with people. I guess I'm usually there on Saturdays. It felt like the place had already closed and any minute someone would catch us lurking around the store. Whatever, I'm just happy I finally got a bookcase to store all my surplus crap that doesn't yet have a home. Maybe soon I'll actually have time to put it together and use it.

Our subway system is falling apart. Every day something new breaks down. On Monday it took four trains before I could actually squeeze onto a train. But it's better than the paying for cabs, like our $30 cab ride home from dinner last night. Ouch! Good thing I have two roommates to defray the costs.

Happy Easter.

okay, so it's snowing outside... horizontally. i really don't want to go out there. i should be working from home today. and speaking of work, i should get back to it, becasue i've got a ton of it to do. It's only Tuesday... There should be a Tivo for life so you can skip ahead to the weekends, and pause during the good times.

TGIF. Why, because fridays are gym-free for me. I let myself sleep in every friday, and boy was it nice this morning.

So we made it through february. Bitter cold and driving snowstorms couldn't stop us. But I can say that it sure slowed me own. But March is so close to spring... i can't wait. And March is Brent and Tracy Month. (B, A, +B)

It was funny, the other night in church the visiting speaker ended the teaching with a Star Wars illustration. That's Pretty funny if you know anything about my church. He told about the problem George Lucas faced during the filming of the "first" star wars movie when the main character got into a motorcycle accident. Everyone said that the movie was sunk because they couldn't continue filming. But George Lucas said, "Give me three days," and he went and rewrote the story. (He just wore a mask.) In the same way, humanity's sin was the death of us, but God said, "Give me three days," and rewrote our story. (Jesus in the grave.) Pretty neat illustration. Obviously, the pastor's long version was more eloquent.

RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE DAY: today just after one o'clock it was 01:02 03/04/05.

Do you get free cookies on friday where you work? sucks to be you!

Have you seen "The Gates" in Central Park? if not, i've posted a few pictures on the webpage from this past saturday. Besides seeing the art, it was great to try out my new camera. No problems. I even took a few movies since "The Gates" looks better in motion. But i might argue that some of the images do okay with showing movement.

Though extremely cold, the park was full of people who had come out to see the temporary art installation. And sun always helps it feel warmer. I bought lunch on my way over to the park. Actually, I picked up a small sandwich and some water in Grand Central Terminal. I mention this only becasue while i was there, i saw some of the squash tournament that was going on inside. So weird. Not squash; the fact that they were playing inside Grand Central.

And i was in Grand Central becasue I started out the day at Scandanavia House, which is nearby. They had an exhibit called "Modern Finnish Churches" that I've been meaning to see. There was a dozen or so designs shown that were pretty interesting. The churches were from the late 60's to the ate 90's, mostly the results of design competitions.

On sunday I had brunch with some friends, a few of whom were visiting from California. We eventually got into Cafe Lalo for some yummy food. (it's the cafe from "You've Got Mail!") While my eggs and salad didn't quite fill me up, Christina gave me a big portion of her waffle that made my day. It was sooooo good. There's nothing quite like a tasty meal. But don't worry, i've been going to the gym again.

Happy V Day. whatever.

it's been a month since i visited this page, but i'm under no obligation to report here at any specific frequency. and it's february, and what really goes on in february? it snowed, it melted, it snowed, it got bitter cold... you get the picture.

but i guess some stuff did happen. My church had another three-day fast. I made it. My project at work finished construction documents and id now in construction. I returned to the gym this morning after a long hiatus. I scooped out litter boxes for the first time this morning.

Sadly, my camera broke a while back. I don't know what happened, but it refuses to extend the lense. I'm sure it's probably fixable, but it gives me a great excuse to go for the upgrade that i've been thinking about.

I would have had a new camera by now, but i took a long time to research for a replacement. I've been scouring the reviews at Cnet.com, and user reviews at amazon.com, and even advice from some local camera shops. Basically much of my free time has been devoted to this decision. I wanted to stick with Olympus, since I've really enjoyed my last camera, but ultimately I decided to go with one from Konica Minolta. I pretty much decided this a week ago, but it took another week for me to go through with it. Indecisive Josh. I had to decided which features were most important to me since no camera does it all. oh, here's what i got:

konica minolta dimage a200

My goal was to have a new camera so i could take some pictures of "The Gates" in Central Park by the artists Cristo and Jean-Claude. If you haven't heard about it, then i pity and look down on you. The piece opened on saturday, but i haven't seen it yet (because i don't have my camera yet!).

The last thing I'll mention is the party I went to this past saturday. A friend from the choir at church invited me to his place for some papayas that friends requested him make. and isince this was a Christian party, I guess i shold refer to it as a fellowship, not a party. Seems strange to me, but i guess it's to avoid the alcohol that "party" connotes. It was pot-luck, so there was an overwhelming amount of food to be had. I made a pistichio torte that went over pretty well. Not bad for the first time making it. Some people sang and played guitar, we hung out and chatted, but it turned out that much of the focus was on games. There were three simultaneous games going on for a good chunk of time. We played 2 rounds monopoly, a round of trivial pursuit, half(?) a game of risk, and there was some informal taboo going on. Sometimes people forget how fun simple board games can be.

but, alas, games are for the weekend. right now it's time to work.

I'm back, and better than ever. i don't even know what that means. Take it in lieu of an excuse of why i haven't posted in so long.

I guess I've just been working harder than I needed to at my old job. And I'm not working by my lonesome anymore. Now i can just talk to keith instead of write to you. ha, ha... I sound pathetic. Well, I'm okay with that.

Strange thing happened the other day. I was looking through the Oct/Nov issue of "Dwell" magazine. A photography spread of locales from the seventies had a picture of Miami Beach, Florida taken on my birthday - THE actual day I was born. I did a double take on that one. "Wow, look, my birthday... whoa, it really IS my birthday." and the pic showed a nice day too.

Unlike the present. I mean, how many cloudy rainy days can you take? I need a vacation from this misery. Except I'm actually fine. I can take it. and only two hours until i leave work to go to church. I just hope that i'm more awake there that i am right now.

The apartment got some new digs this weekend, if that makes sense. I'll explain: I finally got curtains up on my ginormous (jye-NORM-us) bedroom windows. (the windows are big, not the bedroom.) I also splurged on a down quilt and found a great chopping block for the kitchen. The roomies also did well and got a pair of stools for the counter. They're beauties. (The stools, not the... am i going to get in trouble now?)

I'm also contemplating some cheap surround sound speakers. Yeah, i might as well, right? I deserve it!

All is good again in the world! i got my ipod back from apple yesterday. for four days i had to ride the subway without music. tragic, i know. it's less about the music and more about drowning out everyone else. i don't know how apple did it, but it makes time go faster.

also good: the health club in my building is now open, and i even go (sometimes). I figure, if i'm going to watch tv, i might as well do it while working out. the cardio machines have flatscreens at each station that let you listen to cds, watch dvds, or watch the tube. but since i had my ipod back, i decided to hop on the new rowing machines. 8 minutes and 2000 meters later, i was about to die. i'm not quite in the shape i was during college crew. so does this mean that you'll be seeing a slimmer josh soon? probably not. i visit aunt sarah too often and love those chocolate chip cookies too much.

i realized last night that i'm leaving town in just a week. wow, christmas is coming fast! i'd better get on top of things.

oh, yeah. this past saturday i attended my church's ministry banquet. it's one giant thank you/christmas party for all the volunteers/people in ministry in the church. and since we really push being involved in ministry, there were a lot of people there. it was held in a ballroom at a big fancy hotel in times square near the church. although there were about a thousand people there, we still had good food. (you know how sometimes these things have lukewarm food that's more fancy than tasty?) it was a three course meal with waiters and everything. The pastors all said a few words, we sang some carols, played some games at teh table, fellowshipped a little (christianese for "hang-out and chit-chat), and then went home; short and sweet. perfect since we had to get up early for church the next morning, and some of these people have quite a commute.

okay, back to work. i love my new job! ooh, i think i get paid this week too.

it's officially holiday shopping season. so i guess i have to buy stuff for OTHER people. while a lot of people have finished their 'to-buy' lists, i've just started today. so far i've only bought presents that can be had online... i wonder if i'll actually do any in-person shopping. we'll have to see. i know i have more internet buying to do, but maybe something 'live' will come up. i would have bought something at the store, but getting it on the internet meant no sales tax (and there was no shipping) and i did't have to lug it to my house, or home for christmas. brilliant.

unfortunately (it took three attempts to type that word correctly) every saturday for the past few weeks we've had lousy shopping weather. and tommorrow (sat.) it's supposed to rain. i think i need a day off work just to shop. well, not really, but it would be nice.

oh yeah, i started a new job this week. everything is different, and it's going really well, thanks. And although i've just started, i'm still getting a generous christmas vacation. and my new location should give me greater access to christmas shopping. i went from middle of no-where to middle of everthing. i'm lovin' it.

it's f-f-f-freezing outside, so maybe we'll see some snow sometime soon. i can't wait, actually.

I love the three day work week. Especially when it ends with the gorgefest that we call Thanksgiving. This is also my last "week" at my current job. But don't worry 'bout me - I start a new one on Monday. So technically I'll be unemployed over the long holiday weekend.

I'm thinking about hiring someone to do my Christmas shopping for me. It's too hard to do by myself. Are you interested? You can buy yourself a gift too.

speaking of gifts... I bought myself one last week. I had had a long day at work, so I splurged that night on a pair of expensive sneakers. I had shopper's hangover the next morning, but I discovered that I couldn't return them. (it should be illegal to not take returns. Who wants store credit?) so then I just felt guilty and not too happy with my decision. But then, I received a late birthday card that had in it the exact cost of the shoes. Result: no more guilt! (well, almost.)

I'm back from Africa! And I must admit, I kinda forgot about this blog. It wasn't until I was posting pictures from the trip that I remembered that I haven't posted since I've been back.

The trip was great. The people in Zambia are extremely friendly and gracious and generally happy no matter their personal circumstances. They loved to hear us sing almost as much as we loved to hear them sing. They even taught us a few songs in Membe while we were ministering.

Most of the short time we were there was spent at the hotel. We were to rest and adjust to local time so we had enough energy for the crusade meetings at night. After a leisurely breakfast by the pool, we met in groups to pray and learn what was happening that day. After lunch and some more free time, we would head over to the stadium. Since promptness is not a local custom, the singing part of the program was stretched out, so we really needed our energy. By the time the preaching would start we had a big crown every night.

Monday, after the outreaches and meetings were over, we had a free day. We stopped at a few markets for souvenirs, and then headed out of town to a safari park. We had to travel an extemely bumpy dirt road for close to an hour to get there. But it was worth it. We had a feast, and then saw all kinds of animals from horseback or jeeps or while walking. It was a great afternoon, and a great way to end the trip.

After a few more days of travel, I made it back to NYC. We flew from Lusaka, Zambia to Malawi, and then on to Nairobi, Kenya where we had a seven hour layover. From there we went to London where we first heard how the US election was progressing, and then on to New York. I'm about over my jet lag now, and ready for something new....