And So It Ends...

It is indeed the last day of the year -- a time, of course, when I get incredibly reflective of the year and its significance in my life. Without boring you with all of the highlights to date, note that this blog certainly counts!

I've had some excellent adventures of late, including an excellent night out with John & Amy at Tini Bigs in downtown Seattle. It was our first opportunity to hang out and really relax together while I've been in town -- something that I've really looked forward to since I arrived. JW and I enjoyed awesome chocolate martinis while Amy decided that she wanted something more exotic: a Jell-O martini!

I also enjoyed an outstanding morning in populous Duvall, Washington with my dear friend Meagan Elliot. I got to see her new home -- on Kennedy Place no less! What a wonderfully freshly mauve home -- with all of Meagan's charming touches. We brunched at the Duvall Bar & Grill and DCBombed throughout the morning... which was capped by more DCBombing at her home after while we fumed. How I love knowing I got to cap the year with a morning with long-time friend Meagan Elliot. Here's to your 2007, dear friend!

In addition, Avid Reader, I have MORE news to share... I bought a new car! Professional car shopper and good friend Wilson Wong and I visited the Mini dealship in Fife yesterday and realized that a Mini was not to be (8-10 month wait list!). Wil believed that I would fall in love with the VW GTI -- and I did! I left the lot last night with my newest treasure -- a new car! That's right, Bob! Tell Todd what he's won! Ultimately, what this means, Avid Reader is that this guy right here is on his way home. It's official.

As is the end of 2006. I hope that as you look back on the year, you're focusing on the adventures that made it so great for you. I similarly hope the challenges have made you a better person -- as mine have made me. I look forward to sharing more adventures with you... in 2007! Happy New Year!!

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Happy Weekend, Avid Reader! I've had an awesome time here in Seattle, with a Wii Party at the Paulsons capping off what's been an excellent week! It's SO good to be home and I still have a few more days here in the NW before I head back to NYC.

Sadly, I've not taken a lot of photos to visually document the adventures of the week, but I did pull it out last night to capture the Wii adventure as well as dinner with the Chantelle, Mark & Landon Kadlec and Nicole & Tim Beck (below, right) beforehand at El Chupacabra.

I've had the chance to see many friends this week and have hit some of my favorite restaurants -- it's funny as I think about packing as much in while I'm in town and then knowing what's to come...

I should also clue you in on some BIG NEWS... I'm relocating! The Manhattan Adventure is soon coming to an end as I plan to move back to Seattle at the end of January. Yes, it's true -- I'm moving home! Over the course of the past 4-6 weeks, I've been doing a lot of evaluation of work, living on the East Coast, and being away from those things I value (home, friends, space), and have decided that my future is westward, ho! I've given my NYC Landlord notice, resigned from my current position with DRIVE, and am starting to make transition plans for getting back to Seattle.

So, more to come from Seattle, including a grand welcome to 2007! Happy New Year, Avid Reader!

Happy Birthday, John Weaver!

Happy Birthday, John Weaver! Thanks for letting me join you for your birthday lunch today! I'm so looking forward to more agenda-driven adventures! And speaking of... let the adventure begin, dear friend!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from Seattle! I had a flight to Seattle booked for Wednesday, but last night I thought to myself, 'you know, if I want to be in Seattle, get there already'! I hopped on the 7:45AM flight (with a free First Class upgrade!) and here I am!

This feels like home. I'm excited to make it so. Merry Christmas, Avid Reader! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Christmas Wish: SERENITY

I am free * My mind is clear * I am safe * I accept things just as they are * I accept me just as I am * I turn it over * My life is a life of choice * I surrender * I walk in serenity * I live for today * I stay in the moment * I am perfect just the way I am * I let go * I am OK * Today I am content with my life * Easy does it * I am confident * Today I keep it simple * I have wings to fly * I am in perfect harmony * I live in the solution * I am willing * I live one day at a time * I am open minded * I meet all situations with poise * I live and let live * Today I live life on life's terms * Acceptance is the answer * I am not alone * I embrace the journey.

Thank you Blanca & Karla! Merry Christmas!

Les Jeux Sont Faits

It's Saturday evening. Do you know where the Paulsons are? I do -- and I'm not too happy about it!

They're GONE! The end had to come... 'les jeux sont faits', as the French would say. If the week had to be summed up in a word, it could only be, "BRILLIANT!". It was nothing short of a brilliant week altogether. My most sincere hope is that they had as great of a time as I did having them here. I'm not going to lie, Avid Reader, I'm already sad they're gone. But get to recount the last days' adventures and I'm sure blogging will bring it all back. As Celine Dion would say (though not French, but close enough), "It's all coming back to me now".

I worked Friday morning until about 1PM when I joined the Paulsons after their lunch at Rickshaw Dumpling Bar near Madison Square Park. We met up at the Union Square Market where JP wouldn't answer his phone (I KNOW!) and I got to stalk them for a bit. We cruised down to City Hall Park where we started our Brooklyn Adventure (BA, for those of us who are acronym-friendly). The BA started in the most obstensible way: by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge! Jesse, Steph and I accomplished what Jesse and I could not this past summer; we walked across! It was fun to do something that seemed so "New York" and got a number of great photos:














We wandered for a bit around Brooklyn Heights, but as the weather started to turn sour, we thought it best to trek to Williamsburg for dinner. We went to Fornino, a high-end pizzeria that my friend currently manages and scored a comped dinner (Thanks Clifton!)!

Finally, we arrived at our destination: the Brooklyn Brewery and its 6-11PM Happy Hour with effectively $2.89 eBeers. We bonded with the locals, drunk-dialed friends, frequented the restroom, harrassed Steph, and carded it up as part of the NYC 2006 Barnyard Championship (results to follow). We both opened and closed Happy Hour and had an absolute blast altogether -- yet another 10 of a time at the Brooklyn Brewery. A Brooklyn evening wouldn't be complete, however, without the requisite visit to and shot at MyMoon, my favorite destination in all of New York City. We got the also-requisite photos of the mural in front, and even found a new mural to photograph and with which to fall in love.

Our Saturday morning started a bit slower than we thought it might, but we literally trapsed the entire city in four short hours! It all started with a stroll through Washington Square Park to see the Washington Square Arch, to visit yet another fun dog run and to run into black squirrels. It's always fun -- and a good idea! -- to view NYC wildlife.

We enjoyed brunch at Cowgirl in the West Village, then made our way back through Times Square for more last minute NYC adventures (Christmas shopping) with visits to the CBS Store, M&Ms World, and the NBC Store.

Steph and I both tested which M&M we were. Previously, Jesse was Dark Green ("You have a very good memory") while Steph was Peanut Butter Mix. Today, however, I was Dark Green and Steph was Cream. I'm surprised I actually wasn't red: BEET RED. There were throngs of people on the streets in and around Times Square today as people from all over the world are in town to see NYC at Christmas. And, I have to tell you, it is something altogether!

We (read: I) made a weekend subway error to lose some time, but still managed to hike back to the UES, do some more last-minute Christmas shopping, make it back to my apartment and nearly finish yet another round of Barnyard before the Paulson's car arrived to whisk them to New Jersey. Of couse, this was NOT before we crowned the NYC06-Barnyard champion: Jesse Paulson! Jesse pretty much beat up on Steph and I winning 8 to my 5.16 to Steph's 3 (not that Steph pouted or anything...).

So, that's how things played out over the course of the past couple of days. Here is is 9PM on Saturday evening and I'm BEAT. And CONTENT. And pleased to have had this week. And SO THANKFUL to have the Paulsons -- the wonderful Paulsons -- in my life and as my close friends. What a way to celebrate Christmas in New York and to wrap up what's been an incredible year altogether.

A Case of the JPs!

Yet another fun day in Manhattan! I again had to work, but met the Paulsons and one Jay Phillips(!) for a night on the town after. Well, it was more of a night at Madison Square Garden, but still! And I will tell you, while I am again at work this fine Friday morning, the Paulsons are still crashed out at my place.

We pre-func'd at Bar XII near my office, then made our way to MSG to watch the Gonzaga take on the Duke Blue Devils. Jay wasn't the happiest man with the outcome, but it did include post-game adult beverages at some Irish Pub, so he wasn't complaining!

The highlights of the night were definitely seeing Jay, our friend Patrone, Jay's beer straw, our friend Stella, being at MSG, being with some of my favorite people, knowing that I have a friend who is tall enough to sit on an elevated bar table, the cab ride, ROMA Pizza, a ToddMoore Barnyard Blow-out, and knowing that I still have two more days with my dear friends!

p.s. No animals (Jay!) or small people (for the most part... Jesse!) were harmed in the creating of last night's adventure(s).

Jesse 4; Todd 2; Steph 0

Happy Thursday morning and shortest day of the year! I can't admit to any CrAzY adventures last night with the Paulsons, but having them here is simply an adventure altogether!

I worked Wednesday while they enjoyed touring NYC, including visiting Liberty Island and Lady Liberty (photos to come). I met them at my place where we played cards, cracked open The Captain, and did some domestic stuff (yes, laundry). After, we enjoyed dinner at neighboring Cilantro and revisited the site of Jesse's Golden Tee Hole-in-One! Unfortunately, Jesse was being difficult and clumsy and spilled his drink right after the bartender served us. Steph can't take him anywhere! He then tried to pick a fight with me, but I am clever (and just had major shoulder surgery), so I outfoxed him and we ended up friends again at the end of the night.

The friendship continued back at the apartment as we celebrated Christmas together where the Paulsons got me an amazing art piece in which I fell in love from the Union Square craft market. And I got them an I LOVE NYC Christmas ornament. OUTGIFTED! DRAT!

One thing I will tell you is this... dreams really do come true at Christmas! I've had a front-row seat to watch Jesse and The Captain become friends. It was awkward at first, I'm sure they'll both admit, but they're getting there, Avid Reader. They are definitely getting there.

We played cards into the night and I am now at work for the day... with adventures to come tonight with friend Jay Phillips as the Paulsons and I join him at Madison Square Garden to watch the Duke vs. Gonzaga men's basketball game! Awesome!

The Paulsons are WICKED!

Well, friends, it is done! I've kept everyone in the dark on the show that the Paulsons and I went to last night and here it is: we saw WICKED!

You may note that I previously saw WICKED with Sally in August -- but this is one that they had on their list of 'desire to see' and I couldn't help myself to a repeat. It's that good; I kid you not! That said, I have a confession:

I failed in my mission to keep it from the Paulsons! Now, you might be thinking, 'of course you failed; you can't keep a secret'. But, au contraire, Avid Reader. I can. Like not telling anyone that Jesse Paulson is secretly addicted to 'America's Next Top Model'. No, you see, these things I keep on the downlow and don't tell a soul. But, as we were sitting at dinner last night at Rue 57, the following conversation transpired:

TM: So, I have a confession to make: We don't have the best tickets in the world, but WE'VE GOT TICKETS!...
JP: So, is this a popular show?
TM: WICKED? Are you kidding me? It's one of the hottest shows on Broadway!!
JP: WICKED?!
TM: AAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!

It just slipped out as naturally as any time I have to defend myself from Jesse's challenges! And I must also confess, it was less of an 'ARGH' and more of a shrieking 'YELP' -- that ultimately turned every head in the restaurant and encouraged the waiter from the next station to approach the table to ensure everything was alright. It might have been that Jesse was doubled over the table and that Steph had fallen from her chair in fits of laughter... or my beet red face covered in the napkin. Hard to tell. Anyhoo, not to blow the story out of proportion, it was really just a moment in time and I'm sure will soon be forgotten.

That said, the show was again a '10' altogether... and starred Ana Gastayer as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West! Yes, our Saturday Night Live castmate can SING! She was outstanding, as was Kate Reinders as Glinda The Good. Another impactful session on broadway!

After the show, we decompressed at the Paulsons hotel with drinks and cards in the Broadway Lounge overlooking Times Square. We enjoyed the gingerbread houses on display and JP enjoyed his first Captain & Ginger in honor of all of us Captain lovers! Thanks JP!

What's on tap for today, you ask? Well, I'm just not sure! Steph is done with class and they're off having NYC adventures as I type (unless they're still sacked out!)! I'll be joining them later in the evening and we'll see what adventured unfold. More to come. YES! Still more! Can you dig it?!

The Re-enactment -- An Ode to John Weaver

29 Hours Later...

Good evening, Avid Reader! I rushed home from the day's adventures such that I could update you on 'Paulsons Take Manhattan Week' -- the hottest show in the land!

We left you yesterday debarking on a fine Sunday adventure... which included brunch at fan fave, New Amity Cafe, and an afternoon in the Met. The three of us toured the Egyptian wing, enjoyed the Temple of Dendur (but come on, who doesn't?!), and America art. We enjoyed a bit of a Picasso Scavenger Hunt as Jesse enjoyed seeing his different styles and mediums.

We parted ways mid-afternoon as they checked in to their hotel and met up again for dinner at Blue Smoke, another fan fave. After dinner, we conquered NYC on foot -- and basically had to with the amount of food we packed in (though Charles, I learned from our visit and ate about 1/2 as much as that go!). We walked around Madison Square Park, up Broadway to Macy's and on to Times Square -- where we hooked up with Jeffrey and other holiday retail characters! We then caught a nightcap before retiring for today's adventures!

Steph attended a conference today for work, and Jesse and I hit Eisenberg's for breakfast, then trained out to Coney Island! The amusement park was closed, naturally, but what a treat to be there! We walked up and down the Boardwalk from the pier to Brighton Beach, then enjoyed lunch at Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs stand and enjoyed the biggest Killian's Reds you've ever seen!

After lunch, we meandered back to the boardwalk where I took a conference call for work and JP contemplated additional plans for the week. While he was waiting for me to finish, however, he realized he left his new stylish man-bag (Merry Christmas, Jesse!) at Nathan's! So, we got to go back though, alas, not for large Killians' again!

He and Steph are enjoying dinner tonight, then we're meeting up later for mellow adventures on the Upper East Side, if not right here in my apartment! SO many stories already, Avid Reader! It's only been 48 hours and we get SO much more time together! WOO HOO!

A Taste of What's to Come!

Happy Sunday, Avid Reader! It's already an awesome weekend here in Manhattan - and specifically so as I've had the opportunity to spend some time with some of my favorite people on the planet: Saskia Galbraith and the Paulsons!

I hosted Saskia Friday night -- the very night that Erin Wirtz and The Captain saved me from a Fright night of despair. The alarm (me) sounded at 10AM and Saskia and I engaged in an epic battle of will. I won and we enjoyed breakfast at The New Amity Cafe by 11AM. We also enjoyed strolling down Madison Avenue doing some Christmas shopping at the likes of Johnathan Adler, EAT and Oilily.

Saskia's friend Brown joined us midway down Madison and their night of fun turned in to an afternoon of pampering as we quickly found a salon on Lexington for pedicures (and manicures and massages for the ladies). Our tradition held and Saskia selected the most outrageous color for my paint -- much to the pleasure of nearly every employee in the salon and to the customers around us with whom we made friends.

OH! And I almost forgot! We had a star sighting after the salon adventure: Andrew McCarthy of late 80s fame in favorites like Pretty in Pink and St.Elmo's Fire! He was walking causually down Lexington with a front-loaded baby. Brown and Saskia noted the little one; I was like, 'HELLO! It was Blane McDonnagh!'!

And then, friends! And then! The Paulsons arrived! After a Todd-like travel day of hell, they made it to my place just after 8PM and we immediately raced out for food. We tackled two birds with one stone by heading to Ship of Fools where we enjoyed chicken wings, adult beverages, the D-I National Volleyball Championship, and a run-in with Santa Clause! Yes, in the flesh (Santa drinks Labat's for all of you on Santa Watch.)!

We then trekked back to my apartment where the first of many Mario Parties took place. While JP may have secured the first game, we all know he's in for a rude awakening as Steph and I get our momentum going!

We're up and at 'em this fine Sunday morning, so I must run for now, Avid Reader. Expect so much more to come over the course of the week!

Happy Thoughts

I just got home from an emotionally trying day and quite franky, was just down. What greeted me however? Two of my favorite things ever...

To my dear friends, The Captain and Erin Wirtz,
You've turned my night around. THANK YOU!

We enjoyed the DRIVE/Atlas Holiday Party at CHOICE Kitchen & Cocktails Thursday night. Lucky me, I walked away with one of the big raffle prizes: a $500 GC to Amazon.com!

CarneFest 2007

With several of my DRIVE teammates in town from Seattle for meetings, we met up last night at Sparks Steakhouse in Midtown for CarneFest 2007! As with any DRIVE outing, the night turned into one of one story after another and hours of laughter... seriously, the best ab workout ever (if it weren't for the HUGE meal!)!!

JRunge brought his beard; Liberty provided much art direction -- in light of being whomped up side of the head at one point in the bar yet still capturing the moment! Saskia enjoyed a number of hair-dos and Chris enjoyed the whole night. Daniela was all giggles and our Revenue team (Michael and Luda) was confused as all get-out that this group of people actually runs a business!

It turns out that Sparks is one of the most popular and highest rated steak joints in New York, but save the food, I'd recommend any number of other restaurants in the same price bracket with equal food and significantly better service. I swear to you, if I have to ask an establishment for water one more time... :o)

However, an awesome night altogether -- and full of good times had by all! With all of last night's training, bring on the Holiday Party, I say! Bring It On!

Blog Updates!

Hello Avid Reader!

My most sincere apologies for delinquent posts! We're now officially up-to-date and good-to-go with the Rocky Mountain Adventure post as well as Parts I & II of Making Travel Drama Work For You.

Please note that I post in chronological order of the adventure and not based on when I complete the post, so some may be out of order relative to what you've already read. Enjoy!

-Todd

Making Travel Drama Work For You, Part II

With significant peer pressure from my colleague Saskia, with MVP Gold status on Alaska Airlines (no ticket change fees!), and with nothing on my calendar on Friday in New York, I made the executive decision to change my flight from Thursday PM to Sunday PM! That’s right – I scored a weekend in Seattle! Of course, I also scored another four days with the same clothes, but I’ll take the trade anytime!

Friday night was dedicated to helping Saskia prepare for her first holiday party. I was able to spend the night meeting a cross section of Saskia’s friends as well as enjoy the company of several of my own who were there, including soon to-be-wedded Justin Bross & Gloria Lee, Lindsey & Matt Baker and Michael Johnson. Sadly I got no people pictures, but I was able to capture the holiday hosts exuding their Christmas Spirit! Cody and Wicket were voted “Best Christmas Spirit and Attire” for their dashing red holiday sweaters.

I crashed at Saskia’s Friday night, then walked to the Greenlake Starbucks to meet friend Stacey Dozono. There were a couple of things that stood out on my walk to Greenlake and early Saturday morning in Seattle: one, a $350K townhome for which I pulled a tear sheet in 1998 was again on the market with a “New Price” of $995,000; two, the world around Greenlake is very similar to that of the UES near Central Park… lots of early morning joggers (more running strollers in Seattle!); three, it seriously felt like home.

It felt even moreso when I got to enjoy breakfast with Stacey and Staci and Danelle before their volleyball tournament. What fun it was to surprise Danelle by being at Stacey’s apartment upon her arrival! Good times! A mushroom, spinach, potato frittata with cheese and tomatoes later, Stacey loaned me her car for the day while they trekked to play ball.

I rejoined Charles for brunch at Sunflour Cafe and an afternoon of errands, including a visit with Matt Allen & Claire Hebener who just returned from Ethiopia where they met and picked up their new adopted daughter, Tesfanesh! We were able to catch up, hear the powerful story of the trip and meeting Tess’ biological family, and watch a growing Boone throw every ball in the beautiful Allen home.

I then joined John, Amy and Dave (revisit the Rocky Mountain Adventure) at Seattle’s SPORT restaurant where we endured a horrible server and a four-game UW volleyball match in which the Huskies advanced to the Final Four for the third time in the past three years! I can’t lie, I love Husky sports and am a big fan of the Pac-10 – who secured 75% of the Final Four spots (Stanford and UCLA also advanced). I LOVE that and look forward to even more UW volleyball this coming weekend as the Huskies strive to repeat as National Champions. Go Dawgs!

Saturday night was friend Sally’s annual White Elephant Christmas party where I was able to reconnect with so many friends, (all of whom said that enough is enough and it’s time to move back to Seattle. How good does that feel? I best start creating the soundtrack to Operation CHP – Coming Home Party – now!) It was great to see MariKate & Eric Adams again, along with the Bjorklunds, Wittrens, Patrick & Megan, the very pregnant Lundquists – and so many more! The Paulsons also made a surprise visit as did Matt & Janelle. JW was both perfectly drunken and silly (as was I!) and we had a BLAST, save John inadvertently trying to undo all the surgical repair to my shoulder with a hard grab, claw, and violent shake. The hilarity that prompted John’s attack was enough to overpower the pain, I have to admit! The party was a blast altogether – so good to see people. Well done yet again, SallyMae!

I met Amy at Stacey’s Sunday morning to drop off Stacey’s car and to trek south for bonus time with Amy. A Starbucks run and Party Analysis later, we caught Mike Walton, Jesse, Matt and John play a few games in a men’s fours tournament, before leaving to take me to the airport. Just being in the gym with friends was more than encouraging and I was itching to be a part of the team again. Of course, I was also itching to be able to lift my right arm past 90 degrees, but that will come! What itches are cured overnight anyway?!

I’m actually blogging now from 37,000 feet as I fly from Seattle to Newark and return to a world I haven’t been a part of for 10 days now… I was also thinking about the last few weeks: Amy and I calculated that I’ve spent three (3) days in New York since 11/18. Crazy. With the trip for surgery, work in Boston, the Rocky Mountain Adventure, and the extended weekend in Seattle, I have spent 10% of the past three weeks at home. I’m excited for my own bed tonight and to continue to be a part of Christmas in Manhattan (it’s beautiful right now here, Avid Reader). Of course, I also fly home excited that I will be reunited with friends as many DRIVE colleagues are on the East Coast this week and the Paulsons join me for a week starting this coming Saturday! WOO HOO!

With that, I’m signing off for a bit… apologizing of course for the delayed blog posts, excited to have a few actual Manhattan adventures to post in my Manhattan blog, and pumped at the adventures to come in the coming weeks! All my best to you, Avid Reader!

Making Travel Drama Work For You, Part I

My return trip from Boise to Newark was supposed to be uneventful. However Avid Reader, if there’s one theme you should have picked up from reading my blog of late, it’s that in the "Rock-Paper-Scissors" game of "Mother Nature-Airplane-Todd Moore", I never win.

My trip home was to be an uneventful leg from Boise to Seattle, with a connecting flight to Newark. The Boise flight was delayed due to fog in Seattle and right as we prepared to board, they found something caddywampus with the airplane itself. Good times indeed! I ultimately missed my flight to Newark – and though they offered a red-eye that night, I said, “No Way, Jose!” (I probably said, “No Way in Hell!”, but we all know this blog is rated PG). I decided to forego the 8AM Thursday morning flight to the East Coast, arriving at 6PM as I would have lost an entire day of work, and booked the afternoon flight. This timing would allow me to work some in the morning from the Seattle office and travel on my own time.

So, I got to enjoy Wednesday night in Seattle – more friend time! I bussed from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle where I met friend Charles Newton and started on a night of Seattle adventures – starting with drinks at Joey’s with Charles and friend Tim Grieb. From there, we visited the progress on the Pidduck home, and had more drinks and dinner with Michael Pidduck and Jesse Paulson at Pacific Inn – one of the dive bars that will quickly become a favorite with Seattle’s new(ish) no smoking laws. Love that! Although it felt like we were out until 3AM, we crashed hard for the night at 10PM (would you believe me if I said I was still on East Coast time?).

I got to spend another morning in the DRIVE Seattle office on Thursday, then packed it in and headed to the airport for my return flight to New York.

Or did I?!

The Shoulder

My sixth Boise trip this calendar year was to revisit Dr.Goodwin for my post-op appointment. It was in this meeting that I learned I convinced the anesthesiologist to take photos on my camera during surgery… and that it went well.

Ultimately, I had three things done:

1. Rotator Cuff Repair – I had several tears of the rotator cuff that they cleaned up – mostly stemming from the under-side of the tendon itself, or rather, "to debride small articular surface tears in the posterior supraspinatus border".

2. Labral Repair – Dr.Goodwin cleaned up some additional tendon damage and ultimately reattached the tendon to the bone in two places after discovering a "Type 2 Superior Labral Tear with instability of the superior biceps anchor". He did this by tying and tightening “string” around the tendon and burying the loose ends into the bone itself.

3. Impingement Repair – turns out I have more than braces to thank my parents for… I also had a shingle style clavical which was causing impingement syndrome. He shaved off 1/8” from the end of the bone, smoothing it and providing more room for the tendons to pass through unimpeded during movement. The official word here: "hypertrophic osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the acromioclavicular joint... removing 9-10mm of clavical while preserving the joint capsule superiorly and posteriorly."

All in all, he said things went well and that I should be mostly pain free in 2-3 months. For now, the key is to work on establishing mobility and once the pain has dissipated, to start working to strengthen the shoulder.

Back to the Denver adventure for a moment… it was interesting to see the progression of healing even in that short window of a weekend. I arrived in Denver in significant pain and zero mobility (check out the hanging chad in this photo!). By Monday, I was fully sling-free and able to wipe with my right hand (It’s the little things, Avid Reader. It’s the little things.)!

So, I passed my two-week mark with high marks from the Doctor, significantly reduced pain, and an ability to at least not look like a mugging target! Send this slugger back to The City, I say!

Friends of The Captain: A Rocky Mountain Adventure

What a weekend! I just got "home" from an awesome four-day adventure with friends (Amy McKenna, John Weaver, Sally Bellargeon, Matt Weaver, Stacey Terry, Jessica Garcia and Dave Hoadley) in Denver. I met up with this posse of Seattle friends in Colorado for a Rocky Mountain Adventure -- and boy, was it ever!

Of course, it all started with yet another day of travel hell trying to get from Boston to Seattle to join the gang on our flight to Denver. Three missed connections later, I made it to Colorado, but without luggage. I had the choice: time with friends or clean underwear. Knowing this group would forgive the latter, I simply met up with them in Denver and the adventures began!

Before we begin, however, we must set the stage with the theme of the weekend: The Captain! Inspired by our communal love of Captain Morgan, the trip took a pirate turn and was themed with goodie bags, including a pirate-based soundtrack (with songs like "Making Legs Out of Nothing But Wood" by Air Supply & The Captain and "Pour Some Rum On Me" by Def Leopard & The Captain), chits, fake tattoos and eye patches. We also brought a trip mascot: Squawk!

We landed in Denver Friday night and enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving meal with our weekend hosts, Judy & Strode Weaver, Matt and John's wonderful parents. A rousing game of 'Mean-Spirited Matey' carried us into the night, along with the help of our friends, Captain & Ginger.

Saturday was jam-packed with adventures in Golden, Colorado, starting at the Coors Brewery, where we enjoyed their tour, complete with super fresh Coors samples, several drinks and more 'Mean-Spirited Matey' where Amy produced the first and only Clean Sweep of the weekend! Congratulations Amy! We also tipped back a few ZIMA Hard Punch drinks in honor of our homies who were unable to join.

We spent the afternoon touring downtown Golden with lunch at Woody's, photo opps with Adolf Coors, the town's founder, and shots at the Buffalo Rose Saloon -- the oldest tavern in all of Colorado (est.1858). We also drove up Lookout Mountain for several stunning views of the Golden Valley as well as visits with wildlife and Buffalo Bill Cody's gravesite! While freezing, we still managed to have an awesome time, snap photos, enjoy the gift shop, engage in an epic battle with ice weapons, and pose with The Captain.

We then enjoyed an evening of John's favorite watering holes, including dinner and tequila lime shots at Lime and drinks at Funky Buddha -- both awesome Denver hot spots. The night ended early for some (me, the Walking Wounded!) while others enjoyed Club Vinyl, a venue that my men's volleyball team visited at Nationals in Denver in 2005! Small world!

Given our late Saturday evening, our Sunday morning was a late one as well, with much lounging, snacking and football watching Chez Weaver. Turns out, it was just what pirates do after a night of plunder! And of course, we had to conserve all of our energy to expend trying to keep warm at Invesco Field that night!

The Main Event of the trip was Sunday evening as the Seattle Seahawks made their way to Denver to challenge the Broncos on their home turf. We pre-func’d at John Weaver’s favorite pizza place in downtown Denver:
Old Chicago. We took over the back bar area and enjoyed some of the best pan pizza I’ve had in a LONG time. I won’t say it rivals Roma Pizza in NYC as it was a different style altogether, but I will say it was like nectar for the gods. So, too, was the Mirror Pond.

Friends and committed Seahawks staffers, John and Stacey Terry secured 14 tickets to the game and we enjoyed a 23-20 Seahawks win with a last-minute 50-yard field goal. It was an awesome game; we had awesome seats; no one froze to death. Avid Reader, the temperature when we got to the stadium was 16 degrees. That’s right, I said sixteen degrees as in 1-6 (one-six). It was COLD. Many layers, much cuddling, hand warmers and hot chocolate were godsends!

Sadly, as with all adventures, this one too had to come to an end. It did with a slow morning and return to Denver International… where I proceeded to not get on my flight! Given the drama getting to Denver from Boston, my itinerary “fell out” of Frontier’s reservation system. After all, if I missed the Seattle to Denver leg, why, pray tell, would I need to get back to Seattle if they believe I never made it to begin with? Frontier just might be onto something. However, given my SuperPowers of Resourcefulness and getting where I need to go in spite of Mother Nature and the airlines (bitches!), I was in Denver and wanted to go to Seattle! I was put on Stand-by for the flight for which I paid… and was #12 on the list! As you can imagine, the flight was overbooked and I didn’t make it on… However, with amazing friends and no real need to be in Seattle so quickly, Amy, John and Matt gave up their seats in exchange for flight vouchers ($400! Oops! Marci's bad!) and the four of us enjoyed even more Rocky Mountain Adventures!

We called Mamma Weaver who made her third trip to the airport and proceeded to enjoy Outdoor World and other retail adventures, a $5 Gift Exchange, City Park with views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains and a deelish Chipotle dinner back at Chez Weaver. We made it back to the airport with no fanfare and exchanged gifts from the Exchange – with fabulous kudos given to those who stuck to the pirate theme (Matt’s boxers from Amy, Amy’s wristband and Loot game from Matty) or to gifts super appropriate to the recipient (ChapStick for John and beef jerky for me (Eastern Oregon roots, afterall), along with a mini Christmas tree for my apartment – BRILLIANT!). Amy also surprised the boys with football trading cards with which we spent the final half hour of our time in Denver debating the players and their merits. I scored with an Eli Manning.

The adventure continued, however, as soon as we arrived in Seattle as we had to pack the four of us and our respective luggage into John’s car at the Park-n-Ride. You’d think we could have used the trunk, but it acts and JW’s apartment storage for the likes of golf clubs, captain’s chairs and volleyball equipment. So, clipped wing and all, I hopped in the back with Matty and we loaded up the luggage for our trek into Seattle proper – Good Times!

So, are you thinking the Monday night adventures are complete? Oh, guess again, Avid Reader! We dropped Matt off at his apartment where John’s car battery decided to die! Being sensitive neighbors, we turned off the car as we unloaded Matt and his stuff (from the heap in the backseat) and “Pete” didn’t want to turn on again! We had to do some strategic pushing (remember, I’m still immobile!) and jump JW’s car with Matt’s – MORE good times!

I spent Tuesday morning in Seattle at work before enjoying lunch with Jesse Paulson and John at my all-time International District favorite – Green Village, hitting the dentist (they love my teeth – and I love them for it!), and then trekking to the airport yet again to subject myself to the travel gods once again.

Friends of the Captain: A Rocky Mountain Adventure

Just enjoyed an AWESOME weekend with friends in Denver, CO. More to come altogether!