Barclay

Barclay is located in the eastern part of Baltimore City. It is bordered on the west by Barclay St and on the east by Greenmount Ave. It is a small neighborhood consisting mostly of 22nd St as far as I can tell. There wasn't a much information to be found, unfortunately.

22nd Street is primarily a historic district. The homes here are three story, swell front rowhomes. They were built in the late 19th century. They feature three full stories and full basements. Every third house has a decorative, Victorian style, third floor porch.

St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church was built of Jones Falls blue

stone in 1874. It was built in the Gothic Revival style and designed

by two nationally renowned architects, Francis Baldwin and Bruce Price. Baldwin designed 150 buildings for the B&O Railroad and Price designed many of the Stick & Shingle style houses in Tuxedo Park, New York.

The neighborhood is blighted by boarded up houses and others falling into disrepair. It is easy to see how grand these homes once were and what they still could be if they were properly rehabilitated.

Born in Baltimore

Bill Frisell was born in Baltimore on March 18, 1951, but he was raised in Denver, Colorado. He attended the University of Northern Colorado where he studied music and then went to Berklee School of Music in Boston to study with Jim Hall.

He got his big break when Pat Metheny couldn't make a session with Paul Motian and recommended Bill Frisell. He has regularly played with Paul Motian ever since, even recording a few albums together. Bill was active in the New York City music scene in the 80's.

In 2005 he won a Grammy Award for best contemporary jazz album for Unspeakable. My favorite albums so far, not having heard them all, are Have a Little Faith and Nashville. Have a Little Faith features Gershwin and others. It has the complete Billy the Kid.

Nashville is, well,

like what I think wonderful

country music could be.

The best way to enjoy Bill though is live and in person. He is a man of few words. When NJG and I saw him in Annapolis over the summer, NJG bet me that he wouldn't say more than 20 words the whole night. I think the count was 13. He does all his talking with the guitar. He looks like he just loves to play and I really enjoy watching someone who enjoys performing. You have your chance to join me tonight and see him at An Die Musik he is playing at 8 pm and again at 9:30 pm. Yes, we will be at both. He is that good. He is also performing at the same venue tomorrow. An Die Musik is a very small, intimate venue, you will be lucky if it isn't sold out already.

B'more Sports

Ok, so the Ravens had a bye week and not even they can screw that up. Unfortunately, the Browns and the Steelers both won, so the pressure is on for next week. I don't expect the Ravens to really do anything for the rest of the season. I think they are done.

The Orioles fired Andy Etchebarren who was the 3 year coach of the Aberdeen Ironbirds and had spent most of his 45 year career with the Orioles organization. Way to go. Why don't you just throw Boog Powell and his BBQ stand out of Oriole Park while you're at it.

A-Rod is a free agent. I don't think anyone dares to dream that he would come here to play, but I sure would love to see it. I think he would like playing in Baltimore and enjoy being appreciated. But he will most likely move on to the Red Sox, who just won the World Series in a four game sweep (yawn) of the Colorado Rockies. Who didn't see that coming?

The Baltimore Blasts defeated the Milwaukee Wave (do they surf there?) 13-8 in Baltimore on Saturday. This makes them 2-0 for the season so far. Way to go Blasts.

Places to go, People to see

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a must see if you are coming to town. Baltimore has been the home of the national aquarium for more than 20 years. The design of the aquarium is interesting and inviting. I took my son there last year when he was 9. We spent hours there and he was interested enough to read every sign at every exhibit.

They will let you know when the dolphin shows are when you arrive. It is up to you to decide whether you want to see the exhibits first or go to the dolphin show first. I must admit, I have never been to Sea World or anything, so I don't know how the dolphin show in Baltimore compares to others, but it looks to me like everyone is having a good time. I really like the way the auarium is laid out. You walk up in a spiral, stopping at informative exhibits along the way.

At the top is a rain forest area with exotic birds and a nice view of the inner harbor area.

You get a whole new experience on the way down. It is as if you are going under the sea in a cage because you are surrounded on all sides by the glass walls of the aquarium. The big fish, the various sharks, are swimming right by. Sometimes you can see the workers in their wetsuits feeding the fish. There is a children's area where the kids can actually touch some of the exhibits and then there is an Australia exhibit which was not quite open when I was last there.

The aquarium was a vital part of the revitalization of the inner harbor area. It has been expanded several times and there have been many other attractions added nearby such as the ESPN Zone and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Be There or Be Square, Hon

Creative Alliance is hosting the annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade on Saturday October 27th at 7:30 pm. This is a parade featuring handmade lanterns, floats, bands, stilt walkers, etc. Sounds like alot of fun. I have never been and will not be able to make it this year either. It conflicts with my brother's annual Halloween party which is a can't miss event on my calendar. I guess there's always next year... or a rain date, which is the very next evening.

There is an Urban Pumpkin Patch at the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church on Madison St. There is a large selection of pumpkins, indian corn and gourds for you fall decorating needs. There are also baked goods available. They have daily hours through the season.

The real can't miss event of the week will be Bill Frisell Trio at An Die Musik. Bill Frisell is a wonderful guitarist. He quietly and magically plays on the stage as if he is playing solely for himself and is delighted that eveyone else seems to like it too. He will hardly say a word but he will speak volumes with his guitar. It's a real treat and I will be there for the Tuesday evening show. Go to the An Die website now and buy your tickets. It is a small, intimate venue and this event will sell out.

Baltimore Highlands

Baltimore Highlands is located in southeast Baltimore, just north of Canton, Fells Point, and Patterson Park. The homes were constructed from 1926-1938. They are mostly two or three story brick or formstone row homes with marble steps. Some homes do have front porches and front and rear lawns. Some feature stained glass transoms and windows and second floor bay windows.

The neighborhood was where Eskay originated. It was started by an German immigrant and at one time was the largest meat packing plant on the east coast. The neighborhood is home to Santoni's Supermarket which is open 24 hours a day and will deliver to your door. Also, home to Pasquale's grocery and deli which is owned and operated by a third generation Italian family.

Average sales for a home in this neighborhood was $113,851 in 2006.

Born in Baltimore

There is some controversy as to his true birth date but it looks as though Eubie Blake was born James Hubert Blake on February 7, 1887 to former slaves on Forrest Street in Baltimore. He was the only surviving child of 8. The other children never made it out of infancy. His father worked as a stevedore on the Baltimore docks for $9.00 a week. It was very important to him that his son learned how to read. Eubie's mother was a God fearing woman who subsidized the family income by taking in wash.

Eubie's musical talent was discovered when he was 4 or 5 years old. He was shopping with his mother when he wandered away into a music store. He sat down at the organ and started just playing around on it. The store manager recognized the young boy's talent and encouraged his mother to nurture it. The family managed to buy a $75.00 pump organ for Eubie, paying .25 a week for it. He started receiving lessons from a church organist when he was 7 years old.

He was always attracted to ragtime music. His mother heard him practicing one day and yelled," Get that ragtime music out of my house!" She wanted him to only play sacred music. He was drawn to the music which they played in bordellos and funeral marches. He was soon following funeral marches so he could study the music. His mother tried to put an end to that.

By the time he was 15 he was secretly playing the piano at Aggie Shelton's bordello. He claimed he actually wrote the Charlestown Rag in 1899 but had to wait to put it on paper until he learned how to write musical notation in 1915. He became the best known ragtime paino player ever. His most popular tune was Shuffle Along in 1921.

He came along way from the bordello in Baltimore, he played with the Boston Pops and Dr. Arthur Fiedler, he performed at the White House. He was a modest man and was always surprised when people knew him and his music. In 1979 there was a musical made about his life, Eubie.

Eubie Blake passed away shortly after celebrating his 100th birhtday in 1983. Some official records list his birthday as February 12, 1883. He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.

B'more Sports

Ravens played like a bunch of losers just looking forward to the bye. I am looking forward to it myself. I don't think they can screw that up. I just knew going into it that Buffalo was going to beat us. The second half of the season will not be pretty as these individual "stars" can't seem to figure out how to play as a team and their coach can't seem to fingure out what the best plays are to give this bunch of individuals. I know there are some injuries, but this is ridiculous.

The Orioles hired a replacement for Leo Mazzone, the pitching coah they let go. They hired Rick Kranitz from the Marlins organization. I hope to hell they know what they are doing. I thought Leo Mazzone was supposed to be a top rated pitching coach. I thought we were lucky to have him. Oh well, that season is long off, no use worrying about that yet I suppose.

I guess the Baltimore Blasts are bakc in action or will be soon. I have never been to an indoor soccer game. I will try to see what I can find out about it for next week.

Places to go, people to see

Another new feature for my blog! This one is going to be about places you can always visit in Baltimore. I do upcoming events on Thursday but that leaves out so many other choices. This is going to start out very eclectic and evolve as we go.

So first up has to be the Club 4100. With all the wonderful, popular places to go in downtown and all the really "hip" neighborhoods in town, why in the world would I direct anyone in the direction of the 4100? Because the place is special to me and to many other people from around here and because the current longtime owners are selling the business and there is no guarantee it will remain as wonderful as it is.

The restaurant is in a quiet, residential neighborhood. It is easy to see that it was once a single family home. There is a neighborhood bar and a separate dining room. There is also a private banquet facility in the back.

The dining room features tables with white table cloths. The menus are the same as they have always been. Each time I go I wonder who touched my menu before me. Was it my grandmother? Was is one of the local sports legends who have been regular customers throughout the years? Check out the art on the walls. Is that an oil painting of Brooks Robinson? Johnny U?

The food is more than reasonably priced and what I would call a traditional American menu with a tough of Greek. The Greek meatballs with sharp cheese are a good appetizer choice. The Maryland Crab soup is excellent and the Greek Salad, well, the owners are Greek, they know what they are doing. They offer all the standards, steaks, poultry, chops, seafood. It is all good. The Maryland Crab Imperial is recommended.

The bar side is where the action is. Well, it's quiet action. This is the neighborhood bar where you will see the same people most of the time. There has never been a fight at the Club 4100. But look at the walls. They are covered in Baltimore Sports history, especially Baltimore Colts history, and especially Johnny Unitas history. Johnny Unitas was a regular at the Club and was treated as such. That was just the way he liked it. When you leave be sure to look in the sidewalk for a set of hand prints. They belong to those legendary hands of Johnny U.

Be There or Be Square, Hon

The Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest is this Saturday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD. I know this is not inside the city, but it is well worth the trip. This is not a run of the mill, regular beer event. This is premium, locally brewed beer. There is a traditional German beer garden, traditional German food and even Oompa music.



Did I mention the contests? There is a home brew contest, the Miss Oktoberfest contest, a beer belly contest, and my personal favorite, the carry your wife contest.



Entertainment? Well, what could be more entertaining than the carry you wife contest? But it is a wonderful people watching opportunity with some traditional German dress. Also, the Great Train Robbery band at 3:15 and finishing the day off, Kelly Bell Band from 6 til 8:00.

All eyes on Ashburton

Ashburton was developed in the 1920s. It had been a farm belonging to the prominent Gittings family for 100 years. In 1919 most of the property was sold to be developed into a residential neighborhood, excluding the family home and surrounding acreage. The original estate eventually fell out of the family and was developed into a nursing home.

Ashburton is located in the northwest section of Baltimore City. It is comprised mostly of large, single family homes with finished basements, fireplaces, and detached garages. There is a diversity of architecture found with mostly Colonial, Victorian, Spanish and Tudor styles.

When the neighborhood was developed, Jews were not allowed to buy homes there, but as the depression hit that restriction was dropped and the neighborhood became predominantly Jewish. In 1956 a black high school principal moved his family into their new home in Ashburton. This was around the time the illegal practice of "blockbusting" was starting all around Baltimore. Soon more black families moved in and white families fled, the neighborhood was dubbed "The Gold Coast" by the black community.

There was a movement to try to keep the neighborhood integrated. A neighborhood association was formed with 400 families joining, in an effort to attract more white families and keep the mix of white, Jewish and black families living together successfully. The effort was lauded in the press. The neighborhood however continued it's own course and today it's residents are predominantly black and is home to prominent political figures, attorneys, and business people.

The average price of a home sold in Ashburton in according to 2006 data was $209,000.

Born In Baltimore

Sylvia Beach was born in her father's parsonage in Baltimore on March 14, 1887. In her early years the family lived between Baltimore and New Jersey but in 1901 the family moved to France due to her father's church ministry there. They lived in Paris from 1902 - 1905 but then returned to the States. She made frequent trips back to Europe, living two years in Spain before finally being drawn back to Paris in the later years of World War I to study contemporary French Literature. She found the name of Adrienne Monnier's bookshop in a French literary journal and decided to seek it out. Sylvia at first wanted to open a branch of Adrienne's bookshop in New York City to bring French Literature to America, but she could not afford to do it. So she decided to open an English language bookshop in Paris. She named the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. It became an immediate hit with French and American readers. many expatriate authors came to Sylvia for encouragement and hospitality.

In 1922 the bookshop gained fame for publishing James Joyce's Ulysses, it was banned in American and England for being obscene and he could not get an English version published. James Joyce was only one of many famous authors who were customers others included Ernest Hemingway, who mentions the shop in his book A Moveable Feast (one of CharmCityGirl's most favorite books), F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, Thornton Wilder and Gertrude Stein. I can only imagine hanging out in Paris in the 1920's with this group!

The bookshop struggled through the depression only with the help of friends. During World War II it is said that the bookshop was closed after refusing to sell the last copy of Finnegan's Wake to the Nazis. Sylvia hid her books before taking refuge with friends during the remainder of the war. In 1944 the shop was liberated personally by Ernest Hemingway, but would never reopen.

Sylvia published her memoirs titled Shakespeare and Company in 1956. She died in Paris on October 5, 1962 and is buried in Princeton, New Jersey.

Blog Action Day

OK, I'll bite. Today is blog action day a day when everyone is ecouraged to write about the same topic. This year's topic is the environment. This topic is near and dear to my heart. Actually, I am in the midst of collaborating on a blog dedicated to this very topic. So, I am going to add another voice and write about how I see the environment being polluted in my little sliver of the world.

Something I have noticed in the last year are the number of plastic grocery bags tangled in trees around Baltimore. Now, you have to realize that I am not a very observant person. You can dye your hair, get it cut, shave your beard, and I am not likely to notice. But I have noticed these bags. It's bad, people. Of course we can all ignore it in the summertime, but autumn is upon us and the leaves will fall to reveal this shame.

Plastic was supposed to be the alternative to paper, ironically, to save trees, the same trees we are now choking with plastic bags. Plastic bags are made from oil from what I understand, and I don't really understand. But the manufacture of these bags contribute to the depletion of natural resources, much like paper. Even if all your paper bags make it into the trash and go to the landfill, they are still going to the landfill. If you used paper, trees are cut down. What to do?

It is so simple. In the last year I have purchased a couple reuseable bags at the grocery store for .99 each. They hold tons more than those tiny plastic bags. Their handles are long enough to be carried on the shoulder. They are sturdy. They won't break. I don't have to figure out how to store them at home for re-use, I just carry the two I have back to my car. I don't have to feel guilty about filling the landfill. It feels good. If I am the only one doing it, what's the point right? So help me out here. It's a 99 cent investment. Sure, you may need more if you don't shop in small trips like I do.

So what is the objection? Please comment if you feel that the plastic grocery bag is an absolute neccessity. I am willing to change my mind. I have been wrong before. I would love to have a respectful debate on the subject.

B'more Sports

Ravens vs. Rams - Well the good news is, the Ravens finally had that "blow out" win we expected them to have early in the season, before the schedule gets much, much harder. The bad news is, Matt Stover is the one who is earning most of the points. The field goal kicker should not be your highest scoring player. I know, a win is a win, but this is getting old. There is really no excuse for this.

Another thing, if Kelly Gregg does not make it into the ProBowl this year, I will launch a protest of some kind. I will launch an internet protest and both my readers will become incensed. There, that outta put the fear of God into someone. I have been hoping that he would finally be recognized for the last couple of Pro Bowls. Every year he consistently out performs others who are elected. This is his year. Yesterday he was sacking, intercepting, tackling. He was a beast. And this was not an unusual performance. So I am starting my campaign early. I don't care if you don't like football. When the voting begins for the probowl I will post a link and expect all of (both of) my readers to go there and vote for Kelly Gregg even if you don't vote for anyone else.

In other sports news the Baltimore Marathon was on Saturday and the Susan G. Komen 5K Run for the Cure was on Sunday. Every year I want to run a 5 K and every year I don't. I can't even imagine running a marathon. I walked on Saturday in a walk supporting an Autism Society and that was enough for me to need a nap on Saturday afternoon. Pathetic! I need to be more diligent in my special exercise program.

Be There or Be Square, Hon

Well, I guess you would be a granny square. Actually, that's crochetting, never mind...

Stitches East Knitting Expo - Oct 12 - 10-14. All things knitting. Classes are offerred but you must sign up in advance online and many are already sold out. I want to go visit the booths. I have never been to anything like this before. I guess this is what happens when Julia Roberts learns how to knit, something I have been doing for 20 years.

AA Bodine Art Exhibit at the University of Baltimore Student Center. AA Bodine was a photographer for the Baltimore Sun. He started his career with the paper in the mailroom, snapped a few shots of the railroad viaduct just to see what they would say about them at the paper. A star was born. His work is wonderful. I think this exhibit runs through February, but this appears to be a slow week.

Armistead Gardens

Armistead Gardens is in the northeast section of Baltimore. It was developed as public housing to supply housing for the influx of people working in industries that supplied WWII. It was begun in 1930 with further additions in 1941. In 1956, a cooperative (Armistead Homes Corporation) was formed by the residents and the 1500 homes were acquired from the Housing Authority. Because the units were constructed with common utilities, homes are not individually owned, but rather members have a 99 year lease with two 99 year options. Many of the current members are second and third generation.

The neighborhood has not changed much over the years with mostly drug related offenses and theft becoming a problem in the area. The area is known as the "white ghetto". Even with aforementioned problems, Armistead Gardens is viewed by many as a fairly decent place to call home.

There is an open field area and also a very unusual cemetery, The Bohemian National Cemetery.

George Armistead was one of five brothers who served in the War of 1812. He fought in the successful battle to win Fort George from the British. When he arrived at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, he ordered a flag so large that the British would have no trouble seeing it. This flag was 42' x 30' and was known as the Star Spangled Banner, the flag for which the National Anthem was written. He died in 1818 and is buried at Old Saint Paul's Cemetery in Baltimore.

Born in Baltimore

A new feature to keep this blog more in line with the Charm City theme...

John Astin was born in Baltimore on March 30, 1930. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1952 where he studied mathematics.

Mr. Astin began his career doing commercial voice overs. He got his big break in 1961 with a small but memorable role in West Side Story. He has had many roles over the years but he is best known as Gomez Addams, the patriarch of The Addams Family which ran from 1964 - 1966. Although it ran for only two years, The Addams Family can still be found on TV and is a favorite of my ten year old son.

John Astin still performs in a one man show about Edgar Allen Poe. He also teaches method acting at his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

B'more Sports

Well, the Ravens pulled off a win against the lowly 49ers. They won 9-7. I guess I need to be satisfied with that seeing as both tight ends are injured and two of our offensive linemen went out with injured knees. Not to mention Jonathan Ogden is already out. So a win is a win. I hope everyone can be healthy by the time we play some of the tougher teams or this could be a real ugly season. Fortunately, we have the Rams coming up at home. Then the going gets tough.

The MD Terps won against Georgia Tech. They should be moving up in the rankings although not yet breaking the top 25. Turner is a good young quarterback. The game almost got away from them there at the end, but all's well that ends well. Fear the Turtle.

Oh yeah, there is some post season action going on in that other sport, umm, baseball. This post season, I am a Yankee fan. Only because NJG is a Yankee fan and I like to see him happy. So, they lost the first two games that they played in Cleveland. They came back from behind to beat the Indians in the Bronx and they play again tonight. So, I suppose I will watch that instead of MNF. It was nice to see the guy sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. I wonder if they will show all of us rednecks in Baltimore dancing around to "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver if the Orioles ever make it to post season again. Somehow, I don't think so.

Good Reads

Slim pickins this week. Some weeks I find plenty that interests me and some weeks...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/30.44.html - Wow, this guy is not your mother's preacher. I remember reading about him in Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz. I love that book. It is funny and irreverent and deep all at once. Please go ahead and read about "Mark the cussing pastor".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14859155&ft=1&f=1025 - In case you still think it's no big deal to put that in the storm drain.

Be There or Be Square, Hon

OK, here it is, the granddaddy of them all, the Fells Point Fun Festival. This festival is in its 41st year. It began as a small neighborhood effort to raise money to save the historic gem of a neighborhood from having a highway built right through it. It is hard to imagine that anyone would think that was a good idea today.

There is something for everyone at this festival. There are three or four stages with bands and ethnic music. There is food galore. There are vendors along every street. There are kids activities. This is what I hear anyway. I must confess that I go every year with the intention of taking in the entire event. I start at the Harvest Garden. This is the micro-brew beer garden with the jazz/blues/reggae stage. I seem to meet up with the same crew there every year with no advance planning. I don't know how that happens. Must be an aligning of the planets. Anyway, I never leave the garden. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the whole thing.

The Ravens are out of town, in San Francisco. The Orioles are done. And nothing else that might be going on could compare to Fells Point, so that is it for this weeks installment.

Blogging Tips

Since I had a really lame post today, I might as well do something different here. I have had a blog in one form or another for about 5 years. Most of them have been very personal which has meant that I eventually end them and restart another because I no longer want certain people to read them. Yes, the CharmCityGirl has led a rather dramatic life. But anyway, I decided with this blog to follow a specific format, keep it almost all Baltimore related and keep my personal drama pretty much out of it. So I have done some thinking and investigating and this is what I came up with:

1. Blog what you know but also blog what you want to learn. I am a real homer. I love my little city even though it's not as big a glamorous as the Big Apple. So I want to focus on it and promote what I consider to be the most wonderful parts. I review a neighborhood each week. This means investigating them so I better be interested in learning about them. I am still learning how to best do this.

2. Research other blogs on the same subject. I wanted to learn what other Charm City related blogs might be out there. You might be able to use some information for your own blog. You might want to be reasonably certain you aren't too much like someone else's blog. I wouldn't want to use the exact same picture in a headline banner of the Baltimore Skyline for example. Of course you can never guarantee anything.

3. Stick to your subject matter. Sometimes I want to just go off on something totally off topic. I can be a very ADD or ADHD blogger. But I am trying...I find that while I don't have many readers, I do have readers who come to my page on the day when they know I am blogging about something they want to read.

4. Be willing to accept advice. Invite suggestions.

5. Comment on other people's blogs and respond to comments others make to your blog.

6. Write something every day, but don't go on and on and on. Get to the point. Edit yourself. This is the internet. No one reads novels on the internet. We want a quick read before the boss comes by and catches us.

Arlington?

Ok, this is bad but I told you that I would write something about every neighborhood in Baltimore. I can't find anything about Arlington. All I can say is, it is located in the northwest area of the city. The average sale price of a home in 2006 was $97,257. That is it. I have never heard of this neighborhood. I assume it is a residential neighborhood with no community association and not much going on. Sorry, heres to hoping things are more happening in Armistead Gardens next week.

Charm City Girl's Review of the Week

OK, you can tell what is on my mind this week. Today I am telling you about http://www.fitday.com/ I have used Weight Watchers in the past and followed their online program and it worked. That was about five years ago. Then I had another child and there is no excuse, she is now three, and I need some help.

So I re-joined weight watchers in February, and did OK for a little while and fell off the wagon. They must know that I have now gained most of that 10 pounds back because they have been sending me "come back" emails weekly. I thought about it. But the cheap side of me just won't part with $16.00 a month to get something I may be able to find elsewhere.

So I started looking. I discovered fitday and joined yesterday, so I probably shouldn't be reviewing it so soon, but hey, I had nothing else. On fitday you can customize your own goals for dieting and fitness etc. You enter your current stats and decide how much you want to lose (like 30 pounds) and then you choose what you consider to be a reasonable target date (like Valentines Day because it is easy to remember and far enough away that losing 30 pounds seems doable). Then you enter everything you put in your mouth, like the little cupcake sized cheesecake that was left in the office fridge from the cookout on Friday. Yes, that was yesterday's breakfast! So I entered it into the program and gave a big sigh when I saw just how bad it was. Fit day will break down the fat, carbs and protein in a pie chart (did someone say pie). Mine looks like a peace sign but the smallest part is not fat, like it probably should be, it's protein. Anyway there is also a section to enter your activity. I haven't gone that far. There are reports and graphs and you can customize food if you don't find what you want in their data base.

The best part, it's free!! They do offer a program you can buy if you want the convenience of not having to be online and a few extra bells and whistles.

If you want to keep track of my progess here is a link http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=charmcitydieter

I know, I am such a public private person.

B more Sports

A great weekend for Terps fans. The MD Terps pulled off a win against 10th ranked Rutgers on Saturday. The Terps' backup quarterback led them to the victory. Terps won 34 - 24. Fear the Turtle.

The Orioles finished their season with a series against the Yankees. Yes, we had tickets to all three games and didn't go to one of them. I guess I am just glad not to be a Mets fan. These jokers led their division all year long and then, with a 7 game lead and only 17 games to be played, they blow it. I was listening to NPR, they said a couple of Mets fans were overheard talking about it and one of them said, "It makes you feel stupid for being happy for six months." Seems like a NY thing to say.

OK, on to the lowly Ravens. They stunk it up in Cleveland yesterday. I watched it somewhat. It was too painful to sit and watch every moment of it. I was getting some cleaning done too. But from what I saw, there is no heart, there is no synergy. This should have been an easy win for the Ravens. Now they have lost the two games against division rivals that they have played so far. This is not good. This means that The Ravens are behind the Browns in the standings even though they are both 2 and 2. This is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt you later in the season when they are determining who gets in as a wild card team. At this point I have to say that the Ravens will be damned lucky if that is even a possibility. They barely pulled off a win at home against the Cardinals last week and now this. I can't figure out why the Ravens have completely abandoned the running game. That has been Ravens football for years.

Oh well, congratulations to the Browns and to the Yankees. I am a Yankees fan for the post season play. Got Melky?