Chilltown Bears

Yay! Looks like the 3-hour time limit on how much socializing Joe can withstand has finally disappeared.  As much as we would have liked to have gone to Chicago this past weekend, he’s not ready yet for that much time out and about.    But last weekend I noticed that he did well at the Fur Ball, even danced! This Saturday we spent the whole day out shopping, eating, and even caught the new Indiana Jones movie.

Sunday we drove upstate to spend the day at the home of our new friends Jorge and Scott in Rockland County. We had a lovely time at a BBQ there with about a dozen other bears. (The bears were nice, the food was tasty, and the day was glorious– I love driving up the Palisades Interstate Parkway on days like that.)

Monday, another glorious day, we spent out back in our garden with Ryan, chilling, grilling, and getting some sun.  About 5pm we were joined by our friends Jay and Rich, who live nearby.  We chit-chatted way into the evening, then strolled over to this great ice cream parlor a few blocks away that makes all it’s own stuff, Torico (@ the corner of Erie and First in JC), and scarfed down their delicious creations.

Looks like you’ll be seeing us more and more in months to come.  Who knows, we may even visit the Dugout soon! CARLOS

I enjoyed the American Idol season finale last night.  Donna Summer, Bryan Adams, George Michael,  the Gladys Night and the Pip’s competition, the Love Guru skit (laughed my ass off with the “Mariska Hargitay” greeting,)  Heck, even the final 12 sounded good!

As I was watching though, it struck me how bloated the whole franchise had become.  Everything from the red plastic American Idol themed Coke glasses the judges were drinking from to the screaming masses at the contestant’s hometowns to the announcement of the upcoming American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World.  97-and-a-half million votes came in the night before, and they’re distributing mosquito nets in Africa.

Has everyone gone crazy, or is it all a good thing? CARLOS

I *knew* all those contortions my trainer put me through would lead to trouble.  Sure enough a little while later I felt the all too familiar twinge of my sciatic nerve being compressed.  I haven’t had sciatica since my last workout frenzy phase in 2000-2001.  I find yelling ¡COÑO! ¡CARAJO! ¡ME RE-QUE-TE-CAGO EN TI MIL VECES! very theraputic, that and about two days rest.  Back to doing the 5 core strengthening exercises my physiatrist gave me, they work like a charm at keeping away sciatic pain.  I’ve been lax, to say the least. CARLOS

My mom, Maria Luisa, died too young in 1961.  I was a 10 month old infant, and my brother was a 2 year old toddler.  I wish we had gotten to know her. CARLOS

Furry and at almost 20 pounds, with a belly that sways side to side as he scoots around, vocal and baritone, our 13 year old British Siamese, Toby Wan Kanobe, is a bear among cats.  I ran across this picture of him lounging in an open box of teddy bears as we were preparing table settings for the Metrobears’ Big Apple Bear Fest in August 2003. Thought I’d share it. CARLOS