Ricardo Baldin « AngloAm’s Weblog

What a Day for a Deluge!

September 7, 2008 at 10:57 pm | In Cute Guys, Exercise, Family | 4 Comments
Tags: Adam Baldwin, Firefly, Fort Meade, Gaffney Fitness Center, gym, Jayne Cobb, Murphy Field House, Ricardo Baldin, The Lives of Others, walking

Well, actually Tropical Storm Hanna wasn’t much of an event; just a bit chilly and a bit windy and…well…not much else. How was it for you? I don’t think our vacation coming up will be ruined but I’m going to call the rental company tomorrow (Monday) to find out if it’s still in habitable/enjoyable condition.

So How Was Your Week

Mine was…okay…Tuesday I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home. Didn’t really get much done. Why is it that you can get so much more done in your plans for a free day than when the free day actually arrives? Wednesday I went to the gym I normally go to and wow, what a shock! It was closed for renovations. With no warning! I was pretty despondent as I drove away – I really really wanted to go that night. There is an alternate gym on base (mentioned on the sign and shown in this rather poor picture on the right) and I went past that but it looked so crowded and I didn’t want to brave it. I did find out that all the cardio machines from the one gym had been moved there, which was a good sign, so Thursday I went. I don’t like it as much; the locker room is much more open, but an advantage was that I got to see ‘Happy Dave’ changing – man is he taut. There can’t be an ounce of fat on him. Very lithe and firm, but not bulky. And as usual happy and chatty. After my 58 minutes I sat where the guys were playing basketball as I usually do and he and I commiserated with each other over how hot that room was – it was really stifling. However as he said he “doesn’t mind sweating.” And I don’t mind watching him.

Neal came Thursday, gassed for an hour so I only got 15 minutes of strength training. <grr>

Friday was good too, quiet at work. It was a bit funny though, halfway through the morning CH (the solider) basically told me that since I didn’t come chat to him the afternoon before (wasting my time and cutting into my workout) he … well … missed me. Too bad, CH; I need to be either earning comp time or at the gym or on the way to pick up C. Twice last week my listening to his “conversation” mostly about his troubles made me so late that I didn’t go work out.

Which is a new development. It seems now that being so nervous about (a) the unpleasant event and (b) the new gym has made me weird about having ‘enough time’ there. If I can’t find at least two hours or more I get very tense. Strange. Like today (Sunday) I had ‘big plans’ to go work out this morning, but slept in, and then decided that three hours weren’t going to be enough. Real concern or convenient excuse? You tell me; I’m leaning to the second one. Remember, I’m the guy who went off base, got gas at a station four miles away, and drove back through rush hour traffic just to work out.

And I can’t go tomorrow night because I’ve another engagement. And Wednesday night I’m taking C and my mum out to dinner after working out (my dad’s in El Paso seeing my uncle who’s just had a heart attack). And Thursday night Neal comes again. Ah, well. I have found a gym in Pawleys Island.

Sturm und Drang

Yesterday TS Hanna passed over – not much except driving rain and a bit of wind. We took our car in to have the passenger side front window relooked at; again they say they can’t duplicate the loud banging noise that we hear. At least it’s on record that they’ve looked at it. Splashed around in a rental car doing errands and getting lunch, but had our own back to go to my mum and dad’s for C’s birthday celebration. Once I have approval from the birthday boy I’ll post some pictures. Our niece was adorable – she loves birthdays (anyone’s) and cake.

A Movie You Really Should See

You really should see “The Lives of Others.” Yes, it’s in German with subtitles. Yes, it’s set in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). And yes, it’s two hours and seventeen minutes long. But it’s simply amazing, a real masterpiece. It shows in precise detail just how life in that shitty little country was. Here’s the trailer. It won an Oscar last year for the best foreign film.

Speaking of Videos

Here’s a cute one of cute Adam Baldwin singing a tribute to the “Firefly” episode “The Hero of Canton.”

Who knew he could sing and look so good in a knit orange cap? He reminds me sometimes (physically) so much of C, so big and tall and comforting. C lying beside me, one arm over me, is my idea of heaven. I burrow into our bed, and his side, and feel like nothing bad can touch me, safe in the dark with him. I love him so much. I never thought ever that I’d be as happy as I am with him. I never believed it possible.

Speaking of Good Looking Men

Here’s Ricardo Baldin wet, wild, wonderful and whitey-tightey’d for you….

(We wouldn’t want anything to drop down, now would we?)

Still At Sixes and Sevens With The World

September 1, 2008 at 6:46 pm | In Cute Guys, Exercise | 1 Comment
Tags: Chestertown, Geno's Steaks, Lambertville, Pat's King of Steaks, Ricardo Baldin

Happy Labor Day. How was your holiday weekend?

C and mine was pretty good. Saturday morning we went to celebrate his birthday in Lambertville, NJ. Because of some errands connected to the very unpleasant event, we didn’t actually leave town until about 2:00 pm and the traffic going up I-95 towards Delaware from Baltimore was horrible. We shunpiked around the notorious Delaware tolls and still had to detour around what looked to be eight to ten miles of stopped traffic. Once toward Philly the going got a lot better.

In Philly I’d really wanted to go to either Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s for lunch but after winding our way through South Philly we found that the crowds outside both were just too much – there had to be nearly 100 people outside each – and we pressed on to our hotel in Princeton.

Sunday morning we went back to the Inn at Lambertville Station for our third visit to their lovely brunch. They have plenty of delicious things from made-to-order eggs benedict to a steamship round and taco salads and gravlax and a billion desserts, among other delicacies light and substantial. On the left is a picture of the view from our table over the Delaware River across to New Hope, in Pennsylvania.

We came back to Maryland via northern Delaware (again!) and stopped for a sit down and relax in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Chester River. This was taken from the river walk at the end of High Street.

The lovely relaxing weekend was capped off by our visiting our friends who live on Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay and going out to dinner with them at a decent little Italian place.

Today, However…

I wasn’t so good. I went to the gym a bit later than I planned, and didn’t really do much. What kept going through my head was panicky thoughts of Neal coming, having to go to Lowe’s to iron out something to do with the very unpleasant event, and and and. To add insult to injury, I left behind my pen that I use to record my weight lifting with, or dropped it or whatever. I am not using the very unpleasant event as an ‘excuse.’ I honestly feel that things are somehow pointless. Like the Friday of the V.U.E. I was riding high and it all came crashing down and I want to be over this feeling. I just don’t know how. I was very very tense trying to do my walking and never did get to the weight room despite thinking I wanted too. I think sometimes I hate having errands to do after visiting the gym; I feel pressured to get it done in a short time.

To Raise My Spirits

I’ve decided to change my obsession from our sexy skinny one to the beefy one whose eyes are above. Any guesses as to whom it may be?

This Might Get ‘Em Up, Too

Here’s Ricardo Baldin, demonstrating the value of clean underwear…

(His whities are really tighty, aren’t they?)

C Can Say He Told Me So!

August 12, 2008 at 9:59 pm | In Cute Guys, Exercise, Work | 1 Comment
Tags: David Tennant, Ricardo Baldin, walking, weightlifting, Workmates

Well, I finally braved the weight room. It wasn’t half as scary as I thought it would be. I was a bit awkward trying to adjust the machines to fit my frame, but all went well. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill to warm up, then screwed up my courage and braved the clanking machines and hardbodies. I decided to work on my lower body first, as oddly I think that’s where I need to get strong so I can stabilize my knee better. I did leg extensions (35 pounds, 3 x 10), leg presses (200 pounds, 3 x 10), seated leg curl (35 pounds, 3 x 10), hip abduction (65 pounds, 3 x 10), seated calf raise (65 pounds, 3 x 10) and the lower back machine (85 pounds, 3 x 10).

Now that’s all great, and I’m really just adjusting to lifting, so I expect the poundages will go up as I ease into it (I want to invest a month at least in just getting used to this), but the best things were:

1) Happy Dave gave me a big grin and a thumbs up.

2) The older gent who rescued me when I fell flat on my ass way back when was very encouraging.

3) A totally random stranger, on his way out of the gym said “You did good back there, you know.”

Wowowowow

I did have some worries – gym ettiquette — do I use my towel or one of the alcohol wipes after myself (I did both), do I wait between sets on the machine or not (I did but I see the value of hopping off), would people laugh at my log book, would my pants fall off? I did have an awkward moment on the hip machine, not what you might think but I couldn’t get my legs over to do adduction, but other than that it went smoothly.

Then Neal came and worked my upper body a bit, and made me do body weight squats! I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be sore, but I’m looking forward to being good sore, if you know what I mean. Thursday the plan is to do the upper body (for vanity!), unless I’m all peppy and then I’ll train it tomorrow evening.

C cooked a delicious dinner which I wolfed down – pappardelle with mushrooms and peas. He’s such a good cook and a great partner. I love him.

Pictures From Work

Here are some pictures from my office on Fort Meade…first a view from my very own desk window…

View from my office window

Then one of my very own computer…well, work’s….

My computer

Now one of my coworker CH in uniform…

CH goofing it up

Technically I guess he’s not in uniform, as he’s covered (wearing his cap) indoors.

After Exercising We All Need a Shower

Even if we all aren’t as sensual or sexy as Ricardo Baldin is taking this hose shower at 1:14….

Speaking of Sensuality

Here’s today’s bit o’ beefcake, David Tennant in the BBC drama “Blackpool.” (Wish we got BBC America.)

David Tennant Playing a Cop

(Wouldn’t you like him to frisk you and interrogate you before releasing you…)

Monday x 2

July 28, 2008 at 10:17 pm | In Culture, Cute Guys, Exercise, Resolutions, Work | Leave a Comment
Tags: Exercise, GTD, Ricardo Baldin, Stonewall, walking, Work

Hello, everyone, and welcome to my Monday.

First off, we had a very nice weekend. Friday evening the ‘gang’ went to the Longhorn steak house, where I didn’t have ribs, but did have lots of appetizers and half of a huge dessert. So that wasn’t a success. However, by Monday over the week in toto I’d lost another 2 pounds.

Saturday after Neal C & I ran a few errands, same Sunday. Pizza Saturday, C cooked a delicious dinner Sunday though. Mmmmm I do love his cooking. But then I do love him!

Saw a fantastic movie from Netflix – “Stonewall.” You should see it. We also saw “State of Mind” about mass gymnastics in North Korea. You should see that one too.

Today I got to the gym – first time since Friday, and did sixty minutes (break at 50, 55). Not much EC but just enough to keep things tolerable. (Thursday last week was like hunks parade in the gym. I didn’t know where to look. Or, rather, where not to look!)

Couldn’t find my iPod so had to ‘make do’ with Chuck and Little Britain on the iPhone. (iPhone sayz yehs, dunnit?)

So what haven’t I been doing?

Well, I’ve not written out the WW goal for my counsellor or for you, dear reader.

I’ve not gone near Georgian in ages.

I’ve not done a lot of things on my list of resolutions. I keep making lists of things to do, and not doing them. Even at work although I’m finishing up a major project – now all I have to do is become an instant Access wizard. (G-d help me!)

C may have found me a great piece of software for … well … managing my to-do lists in context with the iPhone. I hope.

Speaking of Eye Candy

Here are a few shots of our favourite nine hundred year old time lord, looking scrumtiously scruffy…just click on his scruffiness to make him expand before your very eyes.

And here’s 19-year-old(!) Ricardo Baldin again, proving that blue still is his color….

(Work hard and you can have abs like that or be lazy and stick around my blog!)

Saturday Sunshine

July 12, 2008 at 6:17 pm | In Culture, Cute Guys, Exercise, Friends | Leave a Comment
Tags: David Tennant, FNC, iPhone 3G, Ricardo Baldin, walking

Well, it’s been an eventful week.

Unfortunately I haven’t exactly been to the gym much this week. Monday I don’t know why – I took the day off so I could go in the morning when it wouldn’t be so crowded, but the allure of sitting around the house was a bit too…well…alluring. Tuesday I had an appointment in the evening, Wednesday I was just plain lazy, Thursday I managed ten minutes before a hideous cramp did me in and I really didn’t work out properly until Friday, fifty minutes. But it was okay.

I also kinda overate this week, mostly on Wednesday; I had a four-piece fried chicken dinner. Yikes!

Hi, Phone

Friday, as you probably know already, the iPhone 3G went on sale and C went to our local AT&T store to buy two for us (white, 16 Gb). We got there at 7:30 and there already were about fifty people in line. C waited four hours, mostly in the burning sun, watching the store sell out, just to pre-order the iPhones for us. I’m very disappointed we weren’t able to get ours but I’m sure they’ll be here by and by. Something tells me that the “one or two days” forecast from the store is a bit optimistic; I’ll honestly be surprised if they are in our hands by next Friday. But one must have hope!

Hi, Friend

Friday my attempts to coax my coworker CH proved fruitful and he showed up for dinner with the group at Plato’s diner. I must say I had a good time; it’s nice to see him relaxed away from work, although I do think I tend to run at the mouth. I had a nice kotopita with a salad and a soup.

More Movies You Should See

Here’s a follow up to the previous list of movies you should see:

Catch a Fire – Set in South Africa during the apartheid years, it’s the story of how one peaceful, apolitical man’s encounter with the system radicalized him and turned him into a terrorist (or a freedom fighter, depending on your point of view.)

As Luck Would Have it – Swiss movie about a gay man who suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself a guardian of a teenage delinquent (due to a rather odd law). The movie is very real and unpretentious and the story of how the closted judge finally comes out thanks to the influence of his very authentic charge, is a surprising delight.

A Love To Hide - rather affecting French movie about a pair of male lovers in Nazi-occupied France, who take in a Jew to hide her from the Gestapo, and about revenge and family and prodigal sons. Definitely you should see this movie.

Gay Republicans – a documentary about a strange and somewhat troubling form of life.

Crossing the Line – a documentary about James Dresnok who defected from the US to North Korea during the Cold War. A defender of democracy and a good old southern boy turned loyal communist and patriotic follower of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and the Juche Idea. It’s fascinating to see his handsome, tall, blond-haired blue-eyed utterly Caucasian son who is totally Korean, in accent and outlook. I wonder if that’s how people from overseas feel when they see Americans of different ethnic backgrounds – they look one way but act/think/speak utterly in contradiction to what one expects. (60 Mintues showed a big chunk of the dokko.)

Who is he?

Yes, our new big obsession is indeed Who…Dr. Who. The tenth Doctor is played by oddly handsome skinny boy in a suit David Tennant. I’d seen him first in Casanova on PBS and thought he was inexplicably sexy. Now he’s playing in Doctor Who and he remains incredibly erotic looking yet not ‘classically handsome.’

Here he is in Casanova:

Scandalous!

Here are two more shots of Mr. T., taken when he was leaving the BBC Radio 2 studios after an interview. Again, I’d never call him model materiel but definately obsession materiel. To see his lovely self closer, as always, just do the mouse thing with him.

And Who is He?

A few more shots of our mini-obsession, Ricardo Baldin, continuing to enjoy his Speedos…

(Blue seems to be his color)

Yet Another Monday

July 7, 2008 at 3:44 pm | In Apple, Cute Guys, Exercise, Friends | 3 Comments
Tags: David Tennant, Exercise, iPhone 3G, Melting Pot, Ricardo Baldin, walking

Well, here it is – another Monday in the parade of Mondays. That comes across as gloomier than I actually feel — sorry.

To bring you up to date

With my mostly fabulous life, I had to walk and diet my well-padded off this past week because C and I were to have a holiday weekend of indulgence. Thursday we went to The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant in Columbia, Maryland, and had a lovely romantic meal. It’s pricy, but a good place for a special occasion. I loved the vegetables in the broth and the white chocolate dessert fondue was out of this world. Friday we went to celebrate Independence Day at our friends’ house on the Eastern Shore, after doing a little shopping and checking out the iPhone we intend to get when it goes on sale this coming Friday. We like the idea of the iPhone 3G as it has super fast internet connections, but we both really wish Landware would hurry up and write a version of Pocket Quicken for it so we will still be able to sync the Quicken transations we make ‘on the road’ with our home machine.

Back early to wake up to get to the gym and see Neal afterwards; then a bit more shopping and back to the Shore for our friends’ Summer Party. We met their unique neighbour and had a good time. Here are some pictures from the party. It was nice because it was our friend CK’s birthday. I wish I could think of things he might like for presents as some of his gifts to me have been so thoughtful. He’s hard to get along with sometimes, but I don’t think he’s malevolent, just awkward. And aren’t we all awkward from time to time?

$Jake\'s Hair$

Also I have a video of the unique neighbour and her dog, Friday – more videos to come:

After so many early days, Sunday we did zip-zero-nada outside the house. Today C & I went to Plato’s for breakfast and I took the rest of the day off. Can’t keep doing that though. Not feeling so well right afterwards so I didn’t go work out which is kind of a bummer since I’d planned to start Neal’s work out regimen but that’ll have to wait until Wednesday.

The incredible shrinking AngloAm

Well, I am – I’ve lost another two pounds and that after gorging myself at the friends and the big meal. I still have to be vigilant this week as I’ve lost another two days of exercising. Last week I was so nervous about not going to work out; today’s been so sluggish. I don’t know why. Somehow I don’t want to go back to work. But I also don’t want to be destitute, so….

Who could it be now?

I guess we’re done with the Wilson Brothers and as you can see there’s a new big obsession for you to guess…I’ll give you a hint – I’m sure you’re asking yourself who it is, and it is! However, I also know that plenty of people visit this blog for eye candy now, not to wait around, so here are some teasers from Brazilian model and apparently Speedo aficionado Ricardo Baldin….