Today, I Discovered an Affinity for White Wine

World of Warcraft WoW Springtime is FLYING by in New York right now, plus or minus the occasional torrential downpour. It has to be a side-effect of global warming because somethings giving in the atmosphere. Thankfully, it was a short-lived allergy season for me this year as we approach that sweet, sweet time of year where people bid adieu to their college lives. I remember graduating to the tune of constant partying amidst constant crying (think the final battle scene from The Last Samurai, except with partying). Was it really one year ago that I graduated from NYU? ::gasp:: #oldness

Congratulations to EVERYONE graduating, get ready for your life to change in major ways when you realize a) the new typical weekend"nightlife" = texting all of your friends only to realize that nobody really wants to go out b) instead, getting housed on the weekdays is not only totally acceptable but a great story to tell colleagues the next day. and c) Friday is Pink Shirt Day. As the Czech would say, Na Zdravi!

Today, I  put on my classy-hat (see right) and tried to put my French white wine tasting class to use. A few weeks ago, I went on a wine-tasting adventure with some Gurls from work in an attempt to gain some classiness. But then I thought about it and realized there is one reason and one reason only why anyone under the age of 50 40 should ever pays for such a class. DUH. Among many secrets learned that day (besides the fact that I suck at wine tasting. who really cares what the differnece is between high acidity and low acidity anyway?!!), was that I would give drinking white wine on the regular a chance. And the verdict? I think Drake said it best.

In MTN, I've started moving away from the more beginner-oriented classes and more towards the "intermediate" realm oooooooooooo. This means more work with the dreaded pads (think what boxing trainers hold in their hands during workout sessions). Working with pads allows you to use a lot more force with your punches/kicks so it brings a whole new dimension to the workout. I thought I was in good shape before, but this stuff is TOUGH. Last week I could barely walk around the office but truth be told - No Pain, No Gain. Next time I have a good sparring round, I'll post the play by play here. Watch out, Warrior Dash 2k11.

I have also started booking plans to visit the mythical Chi-town in a  few weeks. I'm pretty excited, as I've owed both Lupe Fiasco & my man Sp!ke a visit for quite some time. Yay - I can cross it off my list!!

Mental List #218: Places I Want To Go

-Machu Picchu (Life Goal)

-Los Angeles (Long Term Goal)

-Chicago (Long term Goal)

-The Highline in NYC (Summer Goal - it's a shame I've never been wah /hint)

-Dairy Queen (Short Term Goal)

-Taco Bell (Shorter Term Goal...must...go...soon..)

Finally in the Music World, I am SO hyped for Joe Budden's newest album, Mood Muzik 4.5, to be released in late May. Anyone true to the hip hop game has to give the man respect - his lines are not only catchy, but can be both clever and deep at the same time. That, and he's a really funny guy (peep him on twitter, esp. on #sundressdays) Is there anyone with a Jersey affiliation who didn't scream "Let me just make the statement loud and clear, Jersey's HERE!"during Fire? Anyone???

On that note, here's my favorite song from his last mixtape. Cheers.

Stuck in the Moment
I can’t explain it, I just gotta embrace it
But something got me feeling this way
Instead of running, I’m waiting here for it
Cause nothin ever felt this great
I’m stuck in the moment
Stuck in the moment, the moment
Stuck in the moment, the moment
Stuck in the moment


Peace & Love,
MKP

Today, Allergies Reigned Supreme (AND MEMPHIS IS AWESOME)

Note: In the middle of writing this post, I took a 2+ hour hiatus to watch the 3OT Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game. Even in defeat, the Kobe face picture I was going to post at the end will now be replaced by Z-Bo. #Respect.

There are few things worse in this world than having uber, uberly bad allergies in springtime (it's May...). I'm one of those unlucky people who are afflicted by uncontrollable sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and all of that other sticky-icky-icky stuff that is associated with having allergies. And today, at work I almost had a total breakdown.

Have you ever been in a public place and wanted to sneeze/cough/laugh/cry loudly & uncontrollably? And been helpless to do anything about it? Then there's a little, tiny piece of your subconscious that believes you might be able to hold it together? Yeah, that never happens. Trust me, I'm known for doing this annoying cute thing where I sneeze and sneeze and sneeze again for no apparent reason. Anyone who has EVER slept in a room with me knows exactly what I am talking about.

Today it was so bad, it almost eclipsed the time where my headphones fell out of my phone when I was streaming the Spice Girls Pandora Station and blasted "Say My Name" for a solid 30 seconds. True Story.  Situations like today reminded me of the list that me and The Iron Lung put together a few years ago:

Worst Things That Could Ever Happen (in no particular order):
1. Drowning
2. Going to a Dinner Party With Not Enough Food
3. Allergies
4. Having Someone Else Ruin the Season Finale of Glee
5. Being Allergic to Chocolate

In MTN, I am finally getting back in the groove of working out on a constant basis. After going hard for the first 5-6 weeks, the beautiful weather drew me in yet again. But, I am happy to report that I am now back on my grinding schedule (I want to see those push ups, Mrs. Cooper). One thing I do have to work on is my punching form. I have a tendency to lead with my arms too much and not put enough of my body/legs into my hooks. For anyone who ever took AP Physics, I need more torque.

Finally, in honor of the saddest tweet I've seen in 2011 - "i wanna go on a date" here are some IDEAL places to meet girls. I feel a new Summer 2k11 Pact coming. And this one Ladies & Gentlemen,  has a chance to top the "American Pie", "Slap Bet", "Throw Up or Sun Up" AND "Never Fall in Love at the Jersey Shore" pacts...one of these has to work right?

• Bowling Alley
• Car Wash
• Blackjack Table
• Lady Gaga Concert (Tix pls, Zordon)
• Anywhere that Serves Milkshakes

(I have to mention it, R.I.P. Lakers Mini-Dynasty. We all loved Kobe #24, now it's time for the next generation - Bynum 2.0, The Executioner)

And now Z-Bo. See the first few lines of this post for reference.

Peace & Love,
MKP

Today, Justice Has Been Done

In the middle of writing one of my usual blog posts, breaking news came across the wire - Osama Bin Laden has been confirmed as killed by the United States. By the time anyone reads this, they will definitely already know about it, but I think it's important to write something on this anyway. Everyone remembers where they were that day and I certainly do - it was my middle school Applied Technology class when whispers started going around that the U.S. had been attacked.

At the time, I know was too young to really understand the gravity of that moment. Now, almost 10 years later (and on a seemingly normal Sunday night), I'm reminded of that sense of national unity & pride. I think I can speak for everyone when I praise our military and the job they do protecting this country. Thank You.

Details we all want to know:


-The intimate details of the firefight that killed Osama. I don't know if I've seen too many episodes of 24, but I'd like to believe there are some heroes out there (Real Life Jack Bauers) who carried out the mission.

-The timeline. Obama apparently had knowledge of the situation for a while and OK'd the mission today - on the heels of a hysterical White House correspondents dinner (watch this, you won't regret it). He's the definition of cool under pressure and obviously able to hand the immense stress of the job.  I don't envy the decisions he has to make each and every day - can we say reelection yet?

-How crazy the college parties will be in DC. All of those people rushing the White House gates will definitely need somewhere to go later. What a moment! Wish I could be at Ground Zero tonight.

-Does this finally kick The Royal Wedding off the news wire? (Fox News Fail: During the Osama coverage, the original programming was entitled "Royal Wedding Recap").

(below is the post I had originally wrote before the announcement. God Bless!)

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On Thursday, I went to my first official game at the new Yankee Stadium. I'd been to the Stadium before for my NYU graduation (one of those bittersweet moments where fml meets /cry) but had never been to an actual game before. Score aside, which the Yankees pulled out, the most impressive thing about where we were sitting was the fact that they have servers who can bring you food. Can it really get any better than that???

The best thing they serve at Yankee Stadium? Cheese Fries. See below for important information.

Things that cheese goes well on (in no particular order):

-Fries

-Broccoli

-Meat(s)

-Substance

(Thx out to the Doctah for the awesome seats! Definitely need to go to more baseball games during the summer. Mets? Yanks? Let's gooo)

On Saturday, I played in the annual IFA Tony Regina Basketball Tournament. It was great to see everyone again and catch up with past & present Flying Tigers. Yes, I fouled a freshman girl at the rim. And Yes, it was all ball baby.  #balltillIfall

After Hooters (an after tournament tradition), I checked out my first UFC PPV event featuring GSP vs. Jake Shields. While this was a  great match on it's own, the true brawl was the title fight before it - Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick. I don't know what a Hematoa is, and I never want to. All I know is that Hominick had a welt THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL on his forehead. I'd post a picture of it, but it's defintely not for the faint of heart. I definitely let loose one too many girly yelps manly roars during the bout. Google, but beware.

Finally, Zach Randolph may a beast in Memphis this year - but Knicks fans don't forget his tenure with the team. Reminds me of a night out with Jazz, Air Jordan and Apollo 11. Mass MT this week, stay tuned!

Peace & Love,
MKP