So today, I ran for the second time this week. Bad, I know, because that means it’s only the second time I got honest-to-God exercise – and I’ve been here for over a month. (well, I guess gripping for those 4 days would count as exercise, but the burned calories were instantly replenished by a single trip to the craft services table) Back in the Bay, I was playing indoor soccer (twice a week, at one point) and would try and go for run near my work (VeriSign) during my lunch break a couple times a week.

So with the good, albeit hot weather…and the steadily increasing inches around the waistline, I figured this would be as good a week as any to start. Of course, living only a few blocks from Central Park, that was the opportune location. There are trees, paved and unpaved trails, grass, green…and of course the smell of horse poo. It’s ok, though, the carriages go pretty slow so you can get in front of them pretty easily.

Now whenever I start running after a few week hiatus, I usually get some soreness in my lower back – like my body isn’t used to using its legs in that way. But I have a feeling my body was a bit “warmed up” with all the constant walking that I do. I didn’t get the soreness in my back these past few times. Sure, my legs felt a bit of a burn, but it’s usually my back that kills me and forces me to cut the run short.

Of course, the run is still on the short side anyway as I build up my stamina. Here’s a picture of my current path:

I wonder how much of the park I can cover if I keep running…hmm

I always told myself I wanted to give this one a second viewing. I had first seen Woody Allen’s classic in my very first film history class at De Anza College…and I fell asleep. I don’t think watching it at the opening night of this summer’s Bryant Park Summer Film Festival with hundreds of other pretentious New Yorkers (OK, maybe they all weren’t pretentious, but the group sitting behind us definitely was) wasn’t the best idea.

I guess it’s fitting to show Annie Hall – one of Allen’s love letters to NY – as the opening night film, but I was pretty naive to think I’d actually be able to watch and enjoy the movie. So you gotta get there early – MAD early – to reserve a spot. The movie doesn’t start until it gets dark, so tonight, it was a little after 9 PM. I arrived at about 5:15 and the lawn was PACKED. I managed to secure a small area at the very edge of the grass in the back, but with a straight-ahead view of the screen.

So I waited…and waited…and waited. I read a bit, tried to take advantage of Bryant Park’s free wifi (it sucks, btw – or maybe I wasn’t in the best spot…that’s the theme of the night), and then just relaxed. Then Tess came, who did her usual “not it” look when I asked her what we’re gonna do for dinner. So I walked half a block to the Chipotle, which had a line out the door. Of course, I stood in it…I mean, what else was I gonna do? I still had about 2.5 hours before the movie started. I eventually got dinner and managed to weave my way through the crowd at the park.

The movie started and of course, sound was crappy. It’s already difficult enough to make out Woody Allen’s neurotic turbo-babble, but sitting about 150 yards away from the speakers in an open area? fuggettaboutit. We had these chicks yapping in front of us. Here was one of my favorite exchanges of the day:

(in the valleyest girlie voice ever)
Girl #1: I brought you a (fill in the blank) panini
Girl #2: Oh, no you didn’t. I am SOOO hungry right now.

And behind us was a group of pretentious, spoiled brat rich kids who thought they could fit about 20 people in a 6×6 foot spot. It got even more annoying after they finished their wine.

Then it was time. I guess there’s some weird ritual/tradition where people get up and do stupid little dances when the HBO theme song plays. It was one of the old 80’s HBO intros – the one where a 3D “HBO” flies around. Ladies and gentlemen, the very first version of 3D Studio Max!

So yeah, Tess and I could only sit through about the first 45 minutes before leaving. It occurred to me that it’s not really about watching the movie (everyone started leaving after 10 minutes). It’s about proving that you’re a New Yorker like everyone else…or proving that you can leave your job early enough to secure valuable real estate on the lawn.

But some additional thoughts about the entire experience:

A) What would we do without cell phones?
At any given time, you’d look up and see about 6 people standing up in the middle of the lawn looking towards the edges of the park. They would wave – a hand, a hat, a scarf – anything to get the attention of the friends whose spots they were saving. I imagine that if there were no cell phones, the lawn would be a lot less crowded or people would be aimlessly stepping over you while they tried looking for their party.

B) I really need to watch Annie Hall again.
I’ll give it up to Woody – he really knows what he’s doing…and doesn’t really care what everyone thinks.

C) A lot of New Yorkers are pretty lame.
Eh, to each his own, I guess.

A few days after I arrived here in NYC, I was emailed about an interview for Asia Pacific Arts Magazine. Here’s Jane Yu’s article:

http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/070608/article.asp?parentID=71566

I am now a college graduate. Better late than never, right?

My degree came in the mail today. It was a bit underwhelming. First of all, my name and address was handwritten on the envelope. At least they could’ve sprung for an adhesive label and ran it through the printer. But maybe the folks in the office were bored – they have to be…I’ve seen them at work.

I opened the envelope to find the piece of printed parchment paper face-down on a piece of corrugated cardboard. Now I’ve never graduated college before, so I wouldn’t know any better, but I would’ve thought the school would’ve sprung for a nice little faux-leather folder for it. I remember my high school gave us one of those and the diploma was neatly affixed with a plastic film over it. But when you’re paying Catholic high school tuition, I guess perks like that should be standard.

(side note: At the time I was attending good ol’ MCHS, tuition was probably around $4000 per year. According to the FAQ’s on the school’s website, tuition for 2006-07 is a whopping $10,476! That, my friends…is absopositively insane!)

But yeah, just a regular envelope with a piece of cardboard and a piece of paper inside. Maybe that’s what they do to students who skip out on the Commencement Ceremony. At least they sprung for Certified Mail. That shows some class, right?

All in all, I graduated and another milestone has been checked off the list. I certainly feel a sense of accomplishment, but I always wonder what it would’ve been like to graduate with my original Cogswell class – the friends I made during my first stint at Cogs (circa 2000-02). This second stint was all business – finish up my credits and I’m out! Since my full time gig was working around my school schedule, I didn’t have the opportunity to “socialize” and make friends. But really, who’s gonna want to hang out with “old” guy? Plus, I don’t want to be that guy – the almost 30 dude kickin’ it with all the 19-22 year olds. What was I gonna do, explain to them that Hefeweizen is most often the “gateway” beer and that you grow out of Long Island Iced Teas by the time you turn 24?

You know, I never really thought getting that degree (mine says Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Video Imaging) was ever gonna be that big a deal for me. I’ve always been so proud of Cereal Monogamy – which for me, is kind of the crowning achievement of my college career. But it really does feel pretty damn good to have the evidence in my hand.