Joe and Jamie's Blog

Happy Birthday to me! Sad that I have to blog about my own birthday, (grrr Jamie) but that’s another issue.

I am 24 years old now, getting pretty old I guess. I asked for a simple birthday, just a nice family dinner, wanted everyone to save their money really. There isn’t any need for a big hoopla in between 21 and 30 anyway. To celebrate, I asked to go to O’sho Japanese Steakhouse on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. We all haven’t been there in many years, so it was time for a visit.

The dinner was great. By some stroke of luck we got our own table which was nice. We all were stuffed by the end of the meal. I felt like the guy from Monty Python’s Life of Brian (hope you all know what I mean). Everything that came off that hibachi was delicious, couldn’t get enough of it.

After we took some pictures in the rain of the building for this blog, we went home to digest some food before cake. A few hours later we sat around the table and had cake while I opened my presents. Everyone hates shopping for me because I either want stuff that is really expensive, I already own everything they think of, or the gift that they want to get me is technical so I would have to ensure they purchase the right one. I am a big movie buff and own quite the collection of DVDs, up near 400 last time I checked. Like usual, I only asked for some DVDs for my birthday. Love getting a whole bunch and adding to the collection.

To my surprise, my parents got me a very awesome gift. They gave me tickets to the 20 Mile Super Speedway Program from Stock Car Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway. This program puts you behind the wheel and driving a 600 hp Stock Car on the 2.5 mile Super Speedway for 8 laps, reaching speeds of 165mph. I am in 100% complete control of the car by myself. No instructors or experienced drives in the car with me, just me and an exact model NASCAR stock car. I don’t think awesome is quite a powerful enough word. I have to go through a few hours of lessons and training first, but I just can’t believe I get to drive the thing! I also get to go on a three lap ride along in the beginning, which is fun in itself. Can’t wait to experience 160mph G-force going through a turn with a 20+ degree embankment.

Enjoy some pictures from the night.

As you read from the previous post, February 21st was Jamie’s 21st birthday. To celebrate, Jamie’s sister, Casey, and I threw a small gathering of family at Bonefish Grill in Poughkeepsie, where Jamie likes to eat. Everything went really well, great service and food, everyone was happy. Jamie got nice presents from everyone and enjoyed the dinner.

After Bonefish we headed back to Casey’s in-laws house to play some card games until we were all ready to go out to the bar. Once all the food was digested, we headed out to the bar of Jamie’s choice. She chose to go to Mahoney’s Irish Pub at Dooley Square in downtown Poughkeepsie, near the train station. We all had a good time at Mahoney’s, a nice way to end the night. Here are some pictures from throughout the day.

Presents for Jamie - that cake box is awesome, isn't it?

Always read the cards first

Bonefish Grill in Poughkeepsie, NY

Jamie blowing out her candles - Pucker up!

Yummy bday cake

From left - Jamie's sister Casey, Jamie, Marie, and Matthew

Saturday night crowd at Mahoney's

It was a typical autumn weekend full of cutting the grass that was way too high to rake leaves and then getting all the leaves into bags for the first collection this Wednesday coming up. As you can see there are plenty more leaves to go around. Jamie and I spent a few hours each day this weekend picking up all the sticks and leaves from the yard and mowing.

You can see here we filled up a good amount of leaf bags even though all the trees still look like they are full. By the time we were done, there were two more barrels  added and another leaf bag.

I just really love the way everything looks when I go outside now. I have a great time enjoying the cool weather and like to be outside as much as possible. Jamie and I were a little tired so we didn’t go on our walk, but we’ll do that next weekend.

For some reason I thought this was the coolest shot I have taken all season. I know I’m weird but looks, its half empty, and not from the top down like most other trees.

And here is that one pain in the butt tree. See how its barely yellow on top? Yeah, that tree waits until it snows to fall, making the last cleanup impossible and really annoying.

Here is a shot of Tymor Park in Lagrangeville where Jamie plays soccer. I am just glad I don’t have to rake all those! See the white thing towards the left? Everyone out here owns horses apparently so they always take them out and practice jumps and stuff. Fun watching the dogs run around with the horses too.

This sunday was the EHWSL’s 2nd Annual Shamrock Tournament. For those of you who don’t know, Jamie is on the board and plays soccer for them. This was the second Tournament that they held indoor at the Gold’s Gym on Titusville Rd in Poughkeepsie, aka The Net. Jamie started playing for EHWSL right after the first tournament, so for us this Sunday was something new. Jamie played all day from 1:00 to 9:00, I don’t know how she and the other girls did it, I would have been dead after 3 hours. Since I am such a nice guy (aka sucker), I was in charge of the scoreboard on one of the three fields throughout the tournament. I would have been bored just sitting there, plus I love helping out this organization, so that’s why I did it. So if you are reading this Amanda (head cheese of the EHWSL), stop saying sorry, I had fun!

Jamie’s team didn’t do so swell in the women’s open competitive division, I believe they were 1-4 with the 1 win being because the other team didn’t show up! It was great time though, all the players from the outdoor league came to play for this tournament, so it was good seeing people that we haven’t seen since December. Jamie also played in a co-ed division after her open division was complete. Her co-ed team technically tied for first in points being 4-1, but since the only team they lost to was the team that tied them in points, Jamie’s team came in second.

Throughout the winter Jamie plays against/with most of the EHWSL players at The Net to keep them occupied until the spring when the outdoor EHWSL season starts. Jamie is captain of the Black Diamonds. You can view her regular teams indoor stats here. You can find out more information about the EHWSL by clicking the banner on the right. Myself and my company sponsor the EHWSL because it is a great organization and needs all the help it can get to provide women in the area with the only soccer league available in the area. The closet ones are Long Island, but there may be one in Westchester that recently formed.

I stupidly didn’t take my camera, so no photos yet. I am hoping that I will eventually get some from people that are there and revisit this post to display them.