9/15/2008

Losing Weight = New Clothes?

As many of you know, I've spent the last 3 months training for a Boxing Match that will take place on October 1st. I'm waiting until after the fight to post something to the blog - hoping to give a complete picture of the entire experience...

One thing that I'll write about now, though, is the effects the training has had on my physically. I probably lost 10 pounds in the first 4 weeks - but have plateaued since then ... I have even gained a couple of pounds of muscle since then. While I can see my muscles more toned - the most glaring difference is how my clothes fit...

I like loose clothing. Nothing too tight, especially pants. This is something that is mostly a "comfort" thing - and not so much a "look" thing... As I've gotten older, I've opted for Large T-Shirts over X-Large as I realized the shoulder stitches looked kinda silly on my bicep.

Anyway - I get the feeling that most of my clothes right now look silly on me... I can't say I had any "tight" pants before I started training - but let's just say that most of my shorts and pants are AT LEAST one size too big at this point. I've been trying to make due with utilizing the last hole on my belt, but I'm starting to feel like this looks stupid - especially when I am tucking my shirt into my pants...

My issue is that I don't want to go shopping for completely new clothes.
Is this my insecurity believing that I'm bound to put back the inches after the fight? Probably ... Do I just hate shopping in general? Yes. Do I have limited closet space in my NYC Apartment? Yes.

So - What is a fella to do??

9/10/2008

Noise Compensation

(Sorry for the 2 week delay in posts ... been focusing on boxing and traveling)

There is a new Gansavort Hotel being built across the street from my apartment. Before that, there were 2 luxury buildings being built on the other side of the street of where they're building the hotel (Which blocked our view of the Empire State Building btw)...

Manhattan is a crowded place - and noise comes with the territory. Sirens, car honking, the occasional street work, and drunk people yelling at 2 AM on Tuesday nights are standard and to be expected. You actually learn to block all these things out.

What I can't figure out how to block out, however, is the ridiculous drilling, jack-hammering, and banging at 7 AM every day except Sunday. (And yes - I have a feeling that if a high-ranking government official lived in my building - that a 7 AM start-time would suddenly be moved to 10AM..)

And - I'm not talking about a month or two...It's been going on for over a year already... And while I understand that the investment of having these luxury buildings and fancy hotels across the street from me help us in the long-run -- it doesn't help the present day pain.

I think the Gansavort should give us something. Free massages, free nights stay, or whatever once the hotel is finally built. This is no way even close to an equal exchange in value - but - I feel like there should be SOME gesture. A gesture that says - "we know we were a pain in the ass for a while - please don't hate us forever for it." If the city is doing extended street-work that inconveniences residents for an extend period of time - they should give them free Metrocards or a free week of tolls... Again - it's less about the value exchange and more about the principal. Am I crazy?