PatrickDiCaprio.com

So I realized two things as of late:

1. My blog desperately needed a face lift
2. I needed more of a purpose to write about if I actually want to see new content on this blog

Well you can see what I did for #1. I went with a design that was simple and professional looking. The thought with the banner is that every so often I’m going to change it to reflect something that recently happened in my life. What you see now is a cityscape of Boston. I was there last month and I really enjoy they city every time I visit.

Now for content, I have a few ideas that will hopefully become a regular occurrence:

• A piece called Catching Up, where I do just that. I’m thinking it will focus more on the little things that aren’t really worth putting up an entire post about. Look for this monthly if not more often depending on how busy the times are.
• Another monthly post called Hot Links. I can honestly say I love Buster Olney’s daily blog on ESPN.com where at the end of the article he has links to interesting articles from all the major cities where baseball is played. I hope to do something like that focusing on things that I follow and care about.

Everything else will pretty much pertain to my life in general. Things like trips, sports thoughts, personal reflections and anything else that really comes to mind. Who knows maybe I’ll even develop a following from all this at some point down the road…

Everyone seems to set some kind of New Year’s Goals these days, so I figured why not join the club. I tried to keep everything realistic and obtainable on the list, but at the same point not something I’m already planning on doing next week with ease. So here goes…

1.) Write in this blog more - I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve been ignoring the blog. I think of it as a good way to clear my head and relax for a few minutes. I’m going to dedicate myself to updating it more often with recent events, general thoughts, reviews and some randomness. Hopefully I do better this time around. If not, I guess I really wasn’t meant to be a blogger.

2.) Pay off the balance on my credit cards - I went on a spending run the second half the year and now I’ve accumulated a little bit a balance to get rid of. I’ve got a plan set up to do this and I’m going to stick to it. At least I’ll be getting money back on my taxes this year instead of having to pay the government $3K. With luck by the summer I can be free and clear.

3.) Establish a retirement fund - As I become smarter in my young age, I realize that this might very well be the most important thing I can do for myself this year. The earlier I start, the easier my life will be in the long term.

4.) Build 10 new websites - This will help me expand my newly started business, accomplish my financial goals, and build up my skills as a designer all at the same time.

5.) Find a new ice hockey team - I haven’t skated since June when my team dissolved and boy am I having withdrawals. Hopefully I can find a new group to skate every week, even if it means finding a new rink to skate at.

6.) Get myself back into a regular workout routine - I could have said lose 20 pounds or something along those lines, but I figured this was a more beneficial way to put it. I’ve already been in the pool swimming laps 3 times this year, which is 3 more than last year. Between that and the near completion of my new home gym (thanks to some very expensive equipment I got for free), I’m confident that I can get into a rhythm. Once I do, just watch the pounds wash away.

7.) Make it to Fenway Park at least twice - I love Boston, hopefully the Sox ticket sale is good to me this year.

8.) Visit a ballpark I have never been to before - Well this eliminates Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Camden Yard, Citizens Bank Park and RFK Stadium. I really want to see every ballpark in the country over the next 10 years or so and since I didn’t make it anywhere new last year, I figure I best get moving this year. Anyone up for a long weekend in Denver or Seattle?

9.) Build a patio in my back yard - I’ve got big hopes for my backyard. Hopefully this is the summer I find the cash and time to make them a reality.

10.) See more local bands play - Good friends + good music = good times.

11.) Finish remodeling the basement - My office is all set and my workout area should get finished off over the next month or so. All that really leaves is the bathroom and workshop areas and the seemingly never ending project will finally be finished.

12.) Kayak at least 100 miles this summer - It’s not really as far as it sounds and it’s really relaxing. I plan on keeping my eye out for any sales and possibly picking up a low cost second kayak so people could join me if they chose to do so.

That’s it for now, I’m sure I’ll post some kind of progress report on these down the road at some point.

So I ventured back onto the river yesterday for my second og many kayak trips this summer. It was a beautiful afternoon to do so. The river was lined with fishermen all over the place. One even offered me a beer while I was paddling by, which I politely turned down. I figured I would dehydrate myself enough before I was done anyways. I was not the only one out as I saw 4 other kayaks amidst the other river traffic of boats and jet ski’s. I only crossed paths with one of the kayaks I saw, and the old man in it didn’t really have any intension of striking up a conversation.

This time I chose to paddle downstream although you couldn’t really tell with the tide coming in from the sound as well as the wind blowing up river. I paddled all the way down to a little inlet near the Riverside Cemetery. There was an old abandoned tanker there that looks like it has been there longer than I have been alive. I’m pretty sure the only way you could see it is if you are on the river. I would have never know it was there otherwise.

I wanted to go further, at least past the little marina I could see down river, but I was getting hungry so I decided to turn around. Heading back was much faster. I wasn’t really fighting a current and I had the wind to my back. All I had to worry about was the wake generated from the other river traffic. Most people were very considerate, keeping their distance. There was this one pair of jet ski’s that came very close to me several times. Luckily, I know enough about paddling to not get tipped by their wake.

About half way back, I stopped and pulled out for a few minutes on a large rock formation. It was nice to just sit back and enjoy nature for a few minutes. I can’t remember the last time I actually did that. Feeling rested and relaxed, I got back on the river. I got back, loaded up the kayak on my new Thule rack (which made it 10 times easier to transport), and made my way home. I had just finished putting away all my equipment, when a group of thunderstorms hit the area. Just good timing I guess.

I’ve got a busy week ahead, so I probably won’t be able to get out again until Friday. If anyone want s to come along, just let me know.

So Friday I went out an purchased a kayak for myself. I ended up Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100. I am quite happy with it. It took me a little while to get it loaded up when I was leaving Dick’s as apparently my car does not have an adequate spot to tie it down in the front. I was able to get it home safely. Once I got it unloaded, I went down to buy a Thule rack for my car to carry the kayak, my ski’s, or anything really. unfortunately, the parts needed were not all in stock so I had to order them. They should be here sometime this week.

Saturday, I spent a few hours cleaning up the garage which is something I have been meaning to do for a while anyways. I threw out a bunch of junk, cleaned up the walls a bit and installed a rack I bought for the kayak in place of the crappy old peg board and shelves that were falling off. In the process I did find a quite old handle of Bacardi. I’m not sure how old exactly, but the bottle has a wicker wrapping around it and the cork in the neck of the bottle was disintegrating pretty well. If anyone wants to tell me if the booze is still good or not, you are more than welcome.

Once the rain stopped, I mean up with my buddy Sean to try out the kayak. We put in underneath the Commodore Hull Bridge and went up the river to the dam and back. The whole trip took us a little over an hour. Here is a map of the route taken. Even though it was overcast the river was quite peaceful and enjoyable. I can’t wait til next weekend when I can head out for a little longer. Hopefully the weather will be a bit nicer. If anyone has a kayak and wants to go out, just let me know.

or at least the writers of American Pie. So I was at the mall seeing Talladega Nights this afternoon (yes, it was good enough I actually paid to see it twice). After the laugh fest, we made our standard stop in the food court for some grub. While sitting there eating my lunch, I was scanning to area for hot chicks like every guy when his significant other is not in sight. Low and behold, I saw one of the best looking MILF’s I’ve seen in quite some time.

The experience got me thinking. Where would I be today if the writers of American Pie had not introduced this amazing little word to the general population. It’s short, to the point, and universally understood by all. What kind of awkward catch phrase would we be using if this great word never existed. “Hot momma” or something along those lines just doesn’t have the same effect. It doesn’t flow off my lips the way MILF does.

Who would have thought that a four letter addition to my vocabulary would make such a difference. Once again, thank you writers of American Pie.