New Gym

So back in November I was in the best shape I'd been in in like 20 years. Which is not to say I was in great shape, but I was definitely in good shape relative to the rest of my life.

Everywhere I went friends and families commented on my slimness and it was the greatest feeling in the world.

Then I broke my ankle.

And then I wasn't allowed to walk for 4 months.

And still I can't walk all that well.

But. I have my life back, for the most part.

I do everything I want to. Except run. And jump. But that's fine. I'm mobile. Yay.

So I booked my tickets to go to Southern Decadence in New Orleans the first week of September.

And today I went with Felly and joined our neighborhood gym - Dolphin Fitness. It is this terrifying basement gym where I'm pretty sure serial killers, ex-convicts, and rapists work out.



Only half the people there speak English. The majority of them are terrifying and you definitely would not want to be stuck on a dark and empty street with them.

(We did, however, spot Padma Lakshmi on the elliptical today, trying to workout unnoticed since most serial rapists probably do not watch Top Chef...)

Also, I went to wash my hands and a cockroach was running around in the sink. A small one, yes, but a cockroach nonetheless.

But it was a good deal for what I need right now. Not an EPIC deal. But an OK deal. For NYC. And I get to work out with my Felixfriend!

Heard while boarding the M9 bus from Chinatown to the LES...

Obese WhiteWoman: "How tawwwll are you?"
DK: (turns) "6'7""
OWW: "That's mah sons height. He played fer the San Antonio spurs...training camp."
DK: (playing along, cuz I'm in a good mood) "oh yeah? How old is he?"
OWW: oh well he's dead.
DK: ......oh.
OWW: Yeah.... interracial relationship....they shot him.

Without missing a beat, the obese reached into her pocket, pulled out a handful of animal crackers, and shoved them in her mouth.

I smiled weakly, turned away slowly, and shuffled over to the first and only available seat next to a nice smiling black man.

I Love NYC.

-- Post From My iPhone

Dr. Farshid, MD

Farshid knows how to throw a party.

He was renting out venues and hosting open-bars long before anyone else was.

And it is now pretty clear where got his epic party-hosting skillz from.

Following the Hermosa Beach Concert, I rushed down to Costa Mesa for Farshid's Med School graduation party hosted by his lovely parents.



It all started with a curry eatfest.




People were all dressed in beautiful Sasian clothing.



His little sister Farina put together a slideshow.




And his dad entertained with speeches.




And then there was dessert...



...after dessert...



...after dessert...




...and cupcakes.



Yum. Congratulations Dr. Kazi!

William and John's Hermosa Beach Concert

William's little brother John has been working for a bigtime event planner for a few years now. But for the past several months, he and William have been putting together their own epic premiere event: The Hermosa Beach Green Expo and Sunset Concert, headlined by Santa Barbara reggae band Rebelution.

They asked me to come down to help capture the historic event.





Hermosa Beach was bustling on Sunday afternoon.

Tents providing demonstations and free samples and other fun displays lured many a visitor.




People began camping out on the beach early, eagerly awaiting the start of the concert.



Final preparations were made...





And the crowd grew and grew as friends and family ate and drank on the roof of Hennessy's overlooking the boardwalk.




By concert time, the beach was packed with what must have been tens of thousands of people.




It was pretty insane and a better turnout than anyone had expected. To the point where we were actually getting a little worried about security and stampedes etc.



I jumped up on stage before the band went on to get some pictures of the massive crowd.

Sometimes I forget that I am a really really tall (6'7"), but I was immediately reminded when the crowd started chanting "GI-ANT! GI-ANT! GI-ANT! WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"



How do rockstars ever get tired of this?



The opening band took the stage.



Everyone was so happy! (Maybe because the whole concert was free.)








After the first band, and before the headliner, Rebelution, William and John took the stage to thank everyone for coming.





They are such rockstars!



And then...the real rockstars took the stage.




I don't normally like non-teeny-bopper music. But they were really good.




Check out Rebelution at: http://www.myspace.com/rebelution

Chrispy's Going Away Party

Chris is joining me in NYC and will begin B-school at Columbia in the fall.

Over the weekend Bob hosted a mini Going-Away Pizza / Sausage Party for him.





It was all dudes. Lots of dudes.






Me likey. But me sleepy.



We finished a lot of beer and called it a night.



Chrispy left on his road-trip today.

I am v. excited to have him here in the city.

Drive safely!