Tuesday, January 27, 2009

"Midnight in Paris" Martini

I took Kate out for her birthday last weekend and she has discovered her new favorite martini. It is a little "girly" for me but I could drink one or two in a pinch. Sorry, I pass on the foo-foo drinks for the real stuff. Scotch on the rocks... Anyways, here is the recipe...

Equal Parts
Raspberry or Citron Vodka (depending if you want it sweet or tart)
Chambord (Raspberry Liquor)
Sour Mix
Garnish with Raspberries & Blackberries

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Gym

I started going to the gym again somewhat religiously... It was not a New Year's Resolution, it was a factor of a few things. It was way overdue, I am starting to feel old, I have gotten a little heavier then I want to be, and my company pays for it. I used to go to the gym all the time. It really started in college because I played sports and the level of competition got a lot harder and quite a bit stronger. I probably peaked right after college when I went to the gym almost every night with my friend. I used to meet him there around 9 PM because he worked late and I wouldn't get home until around midnight. Not to mention I held a full time job during that time. After I got married and moved around a bit, I stopped going as much and then just didn't go at all. Three years went by and when I went for the first time a few weeks ago, I was about as weak as could be. It is slightly embarrassing and emasculating in a way knowing how I used to be. Of course I over did it the first few days and I pulled just about every muscle in my body. It was awful. My wife had to help me put on and take off t-shirts because I could not lift my arms over my head. I had trouble lifting the phone to my ear at work and taking a shower. It was so bad that I would have to contort my head in such a strange way to eat because I could not lift my arm high enough or bend it to reach my mouth. I should have known what I was getting myself into because I have done it before. One time my buddy was doing calf exercises and I rarely do much weightlifting with the lower half of my body because I do cardio instead. He was doing these calf exercises and he guilted me into doing them. I did and of course I did the same weight he did. Big mistake! I woke up the next morning and I couldn't walk. I remember having to renew my license that day and walking into the DMV. When I walked in, everyone stared at me as a hobbled around like a 90 year old man. I learned my lesson this time and stayed at home until I recuperated.