Winds & Walls - Alternative Rock Band from Queens, NY

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity of attending a performance by local rock band from Queens, New York, Winds & Walls. The band's website is currently under construction. I'm currently working with Omar Feliciano, the band's rhythm guitarist to get the site up and running at windswalls.com I grew up going to high school with the band's rhythm guitarist, Omar Feliciano. We use to learn guitar together and eventually, he ended up going full speed with his music aspirations while working as a research assistant during the day at a local college.

Overall, the band's music reminds many of us who grew up in the 2000's of the alternative, punk rock style type of sound. The music video of their latest single, Hindsight is amazing. Professionally done and definitely great vocals from lead singer Rosie Posadas.

Below is their video "Hindsight" from Youtube.


Gout..

Earlier in February 2014, I was diagnosed with Gout after coming down with severe foot pain on my right toe. It was a very painful experience. Having to go to the emergency room at NY Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, the staff there were great and friendly. Had X-rays done and once the doctor gave me my diagnoses, I accepted it and coped with it. This was not the first time it happened. Last year around the same time in February, I got diagnosed with it and had to take medication. I was in denial for awhile but having to have spoken to a friend and colleague about the condition, he made me aware of some life changes I have to make to be healthier again.

What caused the Gout in the first place was having a sudden change in uric acid levels. This could happen from alcohol consumption, eating food with high purine (high protein content) such as beef, seafood and some vegetables. Best way to avoid the symptoms from repeating again is to limit or avoid some of these foods all together.

One thing I had to give up as a result was alcohol. As much as it's a past time favorite to relax and kick back, watch a tv show or enjoy with friends and family, I have to give that up right away as it was after consuming it that caused the spike in uric acid levels. Doctor also recommended it as well as this was the cause of the sudden jump. Plus slow metabolism was another cause of it as my body could not break down the content as quickly as it once did.

I also found positivity out of all this. I can enjoy Curry still which helps cleanse the system and fight off inflammation. My friend Dan also suggested I try the Greens from It Works!. This also helped as it balances out the acidity level in my blood which again was caused by high uric acid. Overall this was the reason why I was away for awhile between recovering, trying to be able to walk again without the assistance of a cane and trying to get life back to normal as possible.

Hope this story can help someone who may be going through something similar.

GTA Online Business Update

Rockstar released the Business Update for GTA Online this past week. The update includes three new cars: Albany Alpha, Dinka Jester and Grotti Turismo R, new airplane: Vestra and two new weapons: heavy pistol and special carbine in game. The title update is free and can be downloaded from the online store in addition to the previous update which was the Valentine's Day update. Another new feature added is the Maze Bank survival mode. Additional items also include business outfits for your characters as well which can be purchased at the clothing store on GTA Online.