Why J.K. Rowling should kill Harry Potter.

Too many tequila shots. That's my excuse Mannie fresh. The late night post is more difficult when you are just too damn tired to get it done. So the streak is broken and I am ashamed of myself. I fall at the feet of the court at your mercy. On a side note, BOO Cassie. Name names! hehehe just kidding. At least your taste in men improved as you got older cause all of Manuel's friends are horrifically ugly. Except for me. And I won't name names either. They aren't in the reading audience anyways so screw em.

On with the show. I saw some snipets and read a lil bit about a lil bit on a news conference J.K. Rowling held about a week ago. One of the major talking points.... TWO characters from the very famous Harry Potter books will die in a future edition of the series. ALMOST immediately, the uprising for "Don't kill Harry Potter" movement began. I bet you that within 24 hours of this press conference someone out there started a website devoted to starting a petition to send to Miss J.K. to save Mr. Potter. I, myself, have only ever seen the movie adaptations of this story. I am not too attached to the characters or the story. If Miss Rowling decides to kill anyone besides Harry I am sure the rest of the outraged audience will be satisfied with that. I am here to tell you that Harry Potter must die. Here is why....

This is J.K. Rowling's story. It is her idea and her property, so to speak. I say do as you wish. Being an upstart writer myself, I would like to think that the bottom line should always be write what you want and not what others want you to write about. I am in now way advocating killing Mr. Potter just for the sake of doing something other than what most would think would happen. Don't do it for shock and awe. Do it cause it makes sense in the story and because it's something you planned. Do it cause you can magically bring him back to life in the next book/movie. Do it to make a point. THIS is my book people. That was J.K. speaking there, of course. Really, does the mortality of a fictional character actually matter that much to people? I ask this question realizing that it mattered enough to me to write this one post, but I can get away with being a hypocrite cause I'm so damn smooth. And cool by the way. The next time you will hear me speak about this is when I see the movie where Harry Potter dies. I will stand in the theatre and cheer cause J.K. did it her WAY.

Least, that's what I will believe. Maybe she is already setting me up. Maybe killing Harry Potter will turn into what is expected of her and my whole post will be turned on it's head. But, I doubt Miss Rowling is listening to the maniac psycho spill his guts on a regional blog website. So, kill Harry Potter. Cause you can and it's YOUR FREAKING story.

Time to drive to Folsom and get water. Another shout out for Cassie cause this is the only place I talk to ya. MTV.com has a section called "The Leak". They leak full albums for the listening public to enjoy before it's released for purchasing. I say this to you cause our girl Christina has her double album on the leak, so you can listen to the whole album NOW!. I will be doing this later today. Then everyone can look forward to my CD review and my review of the latest edition of John Madden football will be on here for all of you to.........Oh ya this stuff only matters to me. Might have to keep that to myself. Peanut Butter Jelly time folks. Rabble Rock!

Rich....

So, you missed your Tuesday post. Or because your last one was at midnight between Monday and Tuesday, it counts as both days. If not, you owe us two posts....

This is the end....

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

No, the blog isn't coming to an end. My career as a real estate agent is. I got into real estate a little over a year ago because after three years of teaching, I was sick of it. The reasons are plentiful and you can go back and look if you care to. When Jessica and I bought out first home, I loved how real estate worked and I decided to make a career change. It was scary to leave a good job for an uncertain one, but I decided it was better than being happy. And you know what, I LOVE real estate. What I didn't count on was the sudden plummet of the real estate market. Suddenly, GOOD, LONGTIME agents in my office were struggling. And me? Well, I had a few things here and there, but it isn't going to pay the bills day in and day out. I love my job, but it is time to pat myself on the back and say good try.

Last night was the final nail in the coffin. I was this close to getting my listing in escrow. After dealing with an asshole Realtor for a week, we finally got a contract that looked like it was going to work. Unfortunately, some really stressful situations came upon my sellers culminating in a real hard past weekend. They informed me last night that due to the family circumstances, they had to pull the house off the market mere hours before we were to go into escrow. Family comes first and I totally understand. I have no ill will towards them at all as almost anyone faced with the same circumstances would do the same thing. It was just a culmination of everything that has gone south in the past month and throughout the year. Remember a few posts when I said to keep your fingers crossed as I had a lot going on. I did. I had FIVE potential deals in my back pocket. For one reason or another, they are all now gone. Not even one of the five. This is how my career has gone and I am taking that as a sign. I'll probably work the rest of the month and then quit.

So now I go about finding a new job. Better yet, a new CAREER. I did apply for a position at the Franchise Tax Board, but they said because I didn't have a class in accounting, I couldn't have it. That's all you had to have - ONE class. Not a degree, just the class. I have a college degree from a damn good university. I am sure the math I was doing was much harder than accounting. But nope, I don't qualify. Screw them. So, I guess I start working on my resume. Thing is, I want something that I can make a career out of. It doesn't have to start off high in salary, but it has to have some sort of career advancement for hard workers. I guess this blog will be a good way to let people know how the job hunt goes. Wish me luck....

Virginia baby!

Damn! Missed my deadline. I write late anyways so that midnight thing screws up my whole write something everyday. This still counts as Monday to me. First, shout out to all the folks giving me the feedback that I so love. Honesty people. I dig it. And just cause I feel like putting her on the spot. So, who where the "Hot friends" of your brother that you speak of there young Cassie? I think I might know a couple of them. :)

On with the show. I miss my cousins! Mainly my whole family out in VA. Mechanicsville to be specific.
I miss Aunt Sarah's. Great breakfast spot.
Chloe and Sasha. Those dogs freaking rule.
I miss the keg-a-rator.
Mostly I miss what's happening right now. My cousin Casey is about to turn 31 and any day now will be delivering a brand new baby. Her first. I flew out for the baby shower (which by the way turned into a big drinking party minus the pregnant lady of course). It was a great time. Makes me wish I knew these people long before these past few years. They lived in NY (Long Island actually) for the most part having only recently migrated to VA. I knew my Dad had a brother, but I didn't get to know any of my real relatives until my Uncle flew his family out this way back in 1994. It's the strangest thing with them. I have been alone with this separate family on two occasions and it's so easy to get close to all these people. I act like a different person around them. In a good way. Guess making up for lost time makes a person cut right to the chase and avoid all the procrastinating garbage. It's nice knowing I got an east coast version of brothers and sisters and a Mom and Dad just all showing me the same love I always got back home. I just wish I was there for more stuff. Here's to hoping I see them all in Vegas sometime soon. Vodka and Red Bull's on me everyone. And here is to wishing baby cousin Dayquan a long, happy life. When he arrives that is. Inside joke. No one actually knows what they are calling this demon seed. I raise my glass of yoohoo to Casey, Craig, Kimberly, Aunt Sharon, and Uncle John. Much love from the west coast. Rabble Rock!

The Vomit Incident

Apparently there are still some people in the Sacramento area who don't know the story of the vomit incident. I shall relay it now, and then I think you'll understand why there was a 5 year WalMart boycott.

Back in the end of 2001 I was at school at UC Davis (GO AGGIES!) I was a tour guide and had to go to school for some event, and Manuel came with me. He had graduated back in June and was already in the teaching credential program at Sac State. We had tickets to a Knights game that night so we planned to go to Arco Arena from the Davis event. We were SUPER early, so we decided to stop at WalMart on Truxel on our way because Manuel needed something for school.

We went to the office supply section and looked for accordion files for a portfolio he had to make. On the bottom shelf I saw this box, so I picked it up, set it on my chest/belly and opened it to see what it was. Lo and behold, there were dividers inside, so I asked Manuel if it was what he needed. He said it was but he didn't like it because it was big and bulky. I agreed and closed the box. I lifted it off my tummy by the handle, and as I did, I smelled vomit. I remember thinking it was odd, but let it go. I set the box back on the shelf and took a few steps. I don't know what made me do it, but I looked down at my shirt and there was vomit on it!

I immediately grabbed my shirt and pulled it away from my skin as I said to Manuel, "There's vomit on my shirt!" Manuel, who can have nothing to do with vomit, says, "Let me see!" and comes over and begins gagging. Big help...

So my immediate goal is to get to a bathroom, only I don't know where it is. Luckily, the next aisle over are a few employees, so I walk up to them, still holding my shirt away from my skin, and say, "There's fucking vomit on my shirt and it's not mine." I didn't care that I cussed.

"Gross."

"Yeah, where's the bathroom?"

So I go to the bathroom and there's no paper towels. I go to the customer service counter right outside the bathroom. The lady was helping someone but I didn't care. I interrupted and said, "There's vomit on my shirt and it's not mine."

"Gross."

"Yeah. There's no paper towels."

She gives me a roll and I go into the bathroom and clean my shirt, but now there's a giant wet spot, plus the fact remains that there was vomit on my shirt. I went to the clothes department and picked up the first shirt I saw. I went to put it on and I said to the lady, "I need to try this shirt on. Do you know why? Because there was vomit on my shirt and it wasn't mine."

You can guess what she said, "Gross."

"No kidding. As far as I'm concerned, this shirt should be free."

"I'll have to call my manager."

"Get on the phone."

Have you ever tried to take your shirt off while keeping the front as far from your face as possible?

In the end, I got the shirt for free, and never set foot in a WalMart again, until yesterday, that is...

The week ahead

So it's late and I gotta keep this up so here it goes. This week ahead will include the following takes....

Why J.K. Rowling should kill Harry Potter.

Remembering the 2002 Sacramento Kings.

Top 5 movie soundtracks

Why I miss my cousins

Now on with the show. Poem TIME. I am shooting from the hip here people, so give me the benefit of the doubt.

People remember smiles, not frowns
People remember birthdays, not deaths
People remember names, not ages
People remember food, not drinks

What is it that makes us remember? Is it sounds or smells? The everlasting impacts events have on our lives that make us burn images and thoughts into our brain? I tend to think that if it's important enough, I can remember anything.

I remember the first sports team I was ever on. (The cardinals)
I remember my first date. (Tammy Hintz)
I remember the perfume of this girl I once knew. (Charlie Blue)
I remember my best friend's name from back in the day. (Matt Trissler)
I remember my first celebrity love. (Staci Keanan from "My Two Dads")
I remember the name of the league MVP from our epic Tecmo Bowl season on the Sega Genesis that involved all my closest friends. (Ray Buchanan of the Indianapolis Colts)

What do you remember?

Ya get the point. All in all, we remember good and bad and in between. In the end I want to be more than just a memory. I don't want to be remembered. I want to be talked about for the rest of eternity. I like to think small with my goals.

Rabble Rock!

A Giant Breakthrough

I did something today I swore I'd NEVER do again. And I held true for 5 years. FIVE YEARS! But I broke down today. It was hard for me, but I did it.

I went to WalMart.

I know, I know... But my blow dryer broke. A girl HAS to have her blow dryer. Manuel and I were out and about and WalMart was the closest store. Target was TOTALLY out of the way for a single item. Plus, Manuel was driving. I had no choice.

After we parked, it took me a while to get out of the car. When I finally did (only because it was getting hot), I walked half-heartedly through the parking lot and entered through the garden section. I walked through there with no problem - it's a garden section (plus, it's outside so I wasn't technically INSIDE WalMart yet.) Then we came to the doors, and that's when I had trouble. Manuel walked in and I stopped. I couldn't do it! He kept saying, "Just come on!" but I honestly was having a hard time. Finally I did it. I stepped through the doors and was inside WalMart, a place I haven't been in 5 years, since the vomit incident.

And thankfully we entered right by the blow dryers, so it was a quick trip. Although, I hate to admit, once I had my blow dryer, I wanted to walk around and check out the massive store.

This is a big deal in my life, going inside a WalMart. A breakthrough in a 5 year protest. I'm not saying I'll become a regular WalMart shopper, but I finally broke down. Such a sad day...

Hmmmm

I use to have some fairly strong opinions about public versus private school. I based a lot of this on my own experiences. I use to think that part of my robotic like behavior was caused by my private school upbringing. That I became programmed like some mindless automaton. TODAY I say nay Rich. I was wrong. No matter if I went all the way through my neighborhood schools or if I attended all the richest private schools it wouldn't have made a difference. Cause I would still be faced with many of the same situations in my life. I would make some of the same decisions. The only real difference would be my clothing. Private school uniform or my own fashions. I had the same life changing moments that any person would have. Didn't matter if it was at Jesuit HS or Foothill HS. I would still make friends and decide what I like in life. I would still have the same motivations and goals in life. I would be exactly where I am today. Maybe at a different job. Maybe in a different location. But as a whole, I'd be the same guy. Cause in the end, if you are going to rise to the top you just will no matter if you are at a private catholic all-boys school or a public co-ed school. What I put on my resume no longer should effect how I look at my upbringing or who I am as a man now. What happened today on August 5th, 2006 should no longer effect me. It is the past. 10 minutes ago is over and I can't relive that either. So it's just time to face right now.

OK short but sweet. Hopefully there was a point to that. By the way Cassie, UFC tickets run from $100-$750. Ya gotta get front row so I can see ya on PPV. Once in a lifetime $750 is worth it. It's Vegas baby. :) Rabble Rock!

The medication many need right now!

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German scientist has been testing an "anti-stupidity" pill with encouraging results on mice and fruit flies, Bild newspaper reported on Saturday.

It said Hans-Hilger Ropers, director at Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, has tested a pill thwarting hyperactivity in certain brain nerve cells, helping stabilise short-term memory and improve attentiveness.

"With mice and fruit flies we were able to eliminate the loss of short-term memory," Ropers, 62, is quoted saying in the German newspaper, which has dubbed it the "world's first anti-stupidity pill."

Ok...so it is really more for memory than makin you less stupid. But hey, it wouldn't hurt to try it on a few stupid people you know.

June 29th, 2007....

An attack on the country's computer infrastructure begins to cripple the nation. But the man behind the attack never expected an old-fashioned cop to mess up his plans. An old-fashioned cop named...............JOHN MCCLANE!

It's been rumored for a long time. Finally, a definitive release date was announced a few day ago. So now I get to see Die Hard IV and Transfomers within less than a week of each other. Can it get any better? Love all these old action flick sequels. Did I mention that Rambo IV is scheduled to start filming in October?

This music video should get you in the mood for Die Hard IV.

Sidetracked

Ever have someone confess way too much to you? I did today. I could go into detail, but that would be in poor taste. Let's just say girl's that talk dirty..... HOT! Sorry, had to say it even though I realize my audience is probably a female majority. Point being I was completely sidetracked. First off, I wasn't expecting the call. Secondly, cause it was a particular person doing the calling it usually shuts down whatever it is that I thought I was doing. That is precisely what happened. I can't help it. As I told her once upon a time, I always regret it if I miss her call and we don't talk. But, I will never regret it once the conversation is through cause though it may stop everything else I am doing, I really don't mind it at all. In fact, I crave it like a drug. Here is why.....

I can recognize special. I believe it is a responsibility, dare I say an obligation to give it the proper respect it deserves and never neglect it. It is that classic is the juice worth the squeeze moment. You will call in sick when you aren't just to go to it. You will put off all your selfish endeavors to indulge in hers. Maybe this something special is a girl, or a dog, or a hobby, or a job. Doesn't matter. But, when the call is made you act right away cause it's that important. So I missed my trip to the gym and got fast food instead of cooking my own meal. I am cutting a different take today on this here chalkboard cause of that hour long chat. I am basically a wreck over it cause it seemed like one long tease, but it is what it is. It's what I get for moving in with my brother and my roommate rather than getting my own apartment.

Candidly speaking, yes my something special is a girl. You all might not ever meet her. I hardly get to see her. Skip to the questions and my only answer is it's complicated. But yes she still can make me do anything she wants me too. That makes me a weak little boy. Only took two days for me to turn from a hardass into a pussy. Pardon me everyone. Harsh language sometimes makes the point hit home harder. To sum it up, if I ever get to dedicate my book it will be to her. She is probably the reason I even write so openly about anything. Pardon my distraction ladies and gentlemen. Tomorrow will be a better effort. :)

Clean your house yo!

We've all seen houses in our neighborhood that are just eyesores. They are the kind of houses that you would be ashamed to live next door to. Heck, houses like this might even be next door to you. Most of the time, there is nothing you can do. City officials in Evansville, Indiana are trying to do something about houses like that:

From Channel 14 WFIE - "The city of Evansville wants certain residents to clean up their act and their yard.

The city is starting a program designed to embarrass residents into picking up the trash in their yards and trimming their weeds.

The city says it'll now be periodically issuing a list of the ten worst Evansville homes to the media.

The mayor says his office receives hundreds of complaints about neglected homes every week, and he says it's time for home owners to start taking responsibility for their mess.

Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel says, "It shouldn't [be] the responsibility of the neighbors to clean up the property. It shouldn't be the responsibility of the city using people's tax dollars. It should be the people who own this property."

If residents in violation of city weed and trash codes don't pick up their yards within about two weeks of the citation being issued, the city will clean it up for them and bill the residents for the work."

Can you imagine watching the news and seeing a picture of the front of your house saying it is one of the top 10 dirtiest homes in the city? The embaressment that would come with that would just be off the charts. So what do you think? Is this a good idea or is this taking it too far? Me, I'm all for it, but I know some people might think it too much. Curious to know what others think...

I am dealing with another Realtor right now who maybe the biggest asshole I have ever met. More to come later because the story is not over yet.

Jury Duty

I could spend this 10-15 minutes of writing bitching about my day at jury duty or telling you about a movie I saw tonight, but that would just be ummmm what's the word. ORDINARY!
And we all know I ain't ordinary. I'm slightly off as my Daddy would say. So here is what I noticed today. Hopefully this doesn't sound like me just overexplaining something simple in my head to make myself seem more important. Go with it folks.

I think I talk to myself in my head all the time. Now we all have "thoughts" in our head, but I think I have a twist to that. It's what I decided was a byproduct of being a very silent boy growing up. I started having conversations in my head to myself. Asking and answering my own questions. Sitting in the juror waiting room I found myself laughing at my own jokes and smiling to the rest of group 525. All these folks must have thought I was a little off as well. Here is an example of what I mean.

I turned the room of waiting juror's into a movie. Group 525. Perhaps I was just entertaining myself out of boredom, but here is what I came up with. I was the disgruntled young man in the room. I had been dumped by my girlfriend a year ago and in that time I had used my computer savy to somehow arrange for us both to get the same government letter requesting our presence at the courthouse. I, of course, would hide away in the men's bathroom and sneak outside to take peaks to make sure she was in the room and when the moment was right. BOOM. The doors to the waiting room would shut and become locked and I would have a room full of potential jurors and my ex-girlfriend all hostage and at my disposal. I would have a mini arsenal of weapons at my disposal that I had managed to smuggle and hide in the men's bathroom in that very same waiting room the day prior to us reporting for our duty. I would then proceed to make my ex-girlfriend stand trial in front of a jury of peers that I would pick. The crime? Breaking a man's heart and leaving him for dead of course. Being the insane man that I am, I would put her through an arduous afternoon of explaining her actions to a room full of complete strangers. I would be the prosecution and the DA and the judge. Everytime a juror would speak out of turn or attempt to take my ex's side, I would end them on the spot. I would spout out catchy lines after killing someone like, "Objection overruled." In the end, after a weekend full of torture and twists and turns it would all end in bloody murder for me. Right at the moment the SWAT team was to break into the waiting room, my ex would convince me that she wanted to take me back and try again, only to turn on me and shoot me with my own gun. Cut to the final scene of a police officer holding my crying ex in his arms as I lay on the floor dead. Then the details of Group 525 would be spelled out for the movie audience as the real-life details from whence this movie came to be are exposed.

Funny right? Not the concept or the idea, just the thought of what I did at 8 am this morning to keep myself awake and alert. I talked the whole thing out in my head and laughed and winced at each twist and turn. All my actors had no idea they had become stars of my movie. Full on conversation. I usually end these chats by shaking my head disapprovingly and moving on to the next topic. If I was to be egotistical about it, I would call it a great imagination and a sense for capturing the moment at any time. Truthfully, I think I am just a lonely man with too much time on his hands and no one to talk to. I now know this because I have had more than one 2 hour phone chat in the past year and they are always with the same person over different things. Who knew I was sucha talker? So if you ever see a DVD for rent at Blockbuster called group 525, you know it was either from me or someone who stole it from me. :)

It's late people. I will go to sleep now. See Talladega Nights. Shake and Bake baby!!!!!!
Go vote on MTV.com for Christina Aguilera and her video for "Ain't No Other Man." It was nominated for 4 awards. Thanks once again for the time and as always. Rabble Rock!

Why I became an ass.

Most people have heard that phrase, "Nice guys finish last." I use to believe that I was defined by that phrase. Looking back I now know that I simply let it define me and I became that guy because I had convinced myself that is was what I was. Letting something like that mold my everyday behavior was an excuse. I took it on as a role and I played it because it was easy and it fit for me. I saw no one else taking on that role in my little corner of the earth and I took it on by default. In retrospect, I feel like I cheated myself out of a lot of things because I was busy being responsible and practical. There is a difference between being a nice guy and being nice.

I see that I had no other layers to me. In high school and college and the years beyond that I was just simple. I was predictable and ordinary. I would fall asleep listening to the 22 year-old version of me talk to myself. If that was possible that is. You get the point though. I waited my turn and was a gentleman to every person I met and the one thing any person could say about me back then is, "what a nice guy."

It took 28 years and one girl, but it finally wasn't enough anymore. I don't want my tombstone to read, "What a nice guy." I decided that I needed a little bit of asshole in me and here is why....

I in no way want to offend the rest of the world on my way to the top, but whatever it is that I was doing wasn't working. I am an ordinary man who leads an ordinary life and that is just plain nice. Ya know what that gets you? a 97 Mazda protege. Paperbag brown at that. Therefore I had to add something to my personality. Something that is selfish and arrogant. Something that is confidant and abrasive. Just trying to find a balance people. So while the niceguy in me will hold the door open for a lady, the ass in me will walk up behind that girl and ask for her name as well. I waited too long for life to happen to me. Guess what? It did and I don't like it. So, I am going to say what is on my mind and probably hurt some feelings. Guess what? I will apologize later for the hurt feelings, but not for the fact that I said what I said. I don't know much, but I know this much. I am the first person that I have to care about. I have to take care of my own life and then I can worry about other folks. That is pretty much why I started this project. So I can find out what my identity really is. Can I write a book or a screenplay? Can I be something beside ordinary? I am going to find out. Cause, quite frankly, I have to be able to say to myself that I did the things I wanted to in my life and leave no doubt. Not cause someone told me to do it or cause it would help someone else. Life is about more than family and friends. It has to be about you first than you can decide if you can do anything for other people.

That is how it all began and that is how it is going to continue. I may not have much to say most of the time, but you will know where I stand and how I feel. Cause if you ask, I will tell you. And even when you don't ask I will tell you. I may not become rich or famous, but I will be able to walk away someday and say that I saw what was wrong and I fixed it. I lived my life. Thank you Maria. I love you. Don't ask people. I save that conversation for my therapist. He keeps telling me I have trust issues. I keep telling him to go screw himself. (Pause for studio applause and laugh track)................

Now beat it you freaks and always remember. The Air Jordan 10's and 14's are the best basketball shoes ever. Maggiano's is a great place to eat. And go out tomorrow and do something completely selfish. Do it just for your own sake and I promise you it will make the rest of your day seem a little more bearable and reasonable. You will thank me later.

It's already here people. You just didn't know about it.

Air Jordan 10 X Sacramento Kings Edition (black / concord)

Someday.

The explanation

Now that I have teased you here it goes. I am going to attempt to follow through with this whole writing thing on a daily basis. After another year notched onto my age belt I decided that I no longer have room for days off or writer's block. Just the other day I wrote a complete post that I was about to publish. Then I reread the post. It really was a crappy post. And that was the first time I really edited my own work in such a manner. The post was irrelevant and only held any kind of meaning for me, so it got the axe. I expect more of myself and now I am going to put the rest of this in the hands of the reading public.

I will post every single day until my 29th birthday. This isn't an attempt at a journal. More an exploration of myself. An attempt to see if I can expose my mind, body and soul through my writing to the point that it actually makes a difference to more than myself. Poems, short stories, tales from the day, or even just blatant advertising plugs. All I ask is that you share with me as much as you can. Tell me when I just wrote some junk that didn't mean a darn thing to you. Tell others about my posts if they connect with you and you think others might connect with it as well. As much as I write for myself, I would have stopped writing on this blog a long time ago if it weren't for the responses to my writing. So, thank you all ahead of time.

That's all. No big deal, right? Just the ramblings of a bad poker player who is attempting to support his shoe fetish on a daily basis. By the way, I will attempt to keep my shoe mentions to a minimum. It is not that interesting of a topic and I know this. This is post number one. Time to go play video games or something really constructive like that. And also for all you Itunes Ipod folks. Christina Aguilera's new album is now available for pre-order on Itunes. $15.99 for all 22 tracks plus a remix of "Ain't No Other Man." Best believe on August 14th I will be staying up till midnight to download my copy. I just realized something. I do bring up either shoes or Christina Aguilera in every single one of my posts, don't I? I should get out more often.

LET THE PROJECT BEGIN

Ya maybe I am a lil too obsessed. Ya think?

3....2......1

The countdown begins. The real writer's project. Life open and honest. Once a day. Every day. Get ready for the journey. You will know where you heard of me first. And I will forget the little people. :)

I like dumb criminals....

It always makes me laugh when a criminal gets caught only because they were dumb....

"WESTLAKE, Ohio -- A waitress who asked a woman to show proof of age upon ordering a drink was shown her own license, police said.

The waitress, a 22-year-old Lakewood woman, had reported her wallet stolen from a bar on July 9. Her driver's license and credit card were in the wallet. The credit card had already been used for $1,000 in illicit purchases, authorities said.

Last week, the waitress was working at the Moosehead Saloon when the stolen license was produced, officers said.

As the waitress called Westlake police, the woman apparently got suspicious and took off , according to police. She was identified by a friend as Maria Bergan, 23.

Bergan was arrested at her home Saturday night. She remains in the Westlake City Jail."


When Jessica's license was stolen and checks were made in her name and spent all over town, I prayed that the culprit would slip and show the license to the wrong person. I figured though, what are the chances of THAT actually happening. Good to see someone got caught. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who commit identity theft. I think they rank near the top of criminals I HATE. Still, I find this story hilarious...

Where were these shirts last week?

Last week I commented on how hot it has been. Well, some Japanese brainiacs have come up with the solution. Read:

"TOKYO, July 30 (UPI) -- Japanese technician Hiroshi Ichigaya has invented what he calls the world's first air-conditioned shirt.

While most shirts trap an individual's sweat -- keeping it from evaporating -- Ichigaya's invention creates circulating air to enhance evaporation through the use of two small battery-operated fans, the Mail on Sunday said.

All electrical parts of the shirt can be removed to allow for washing, and the shirt can even be powered by plugging it into a computer through a USB cord.

The shirt reportedly offers the wearer a pleasant breeze with one drawback -- when it's running, the shirt partially inflates.

"It's true the shirts make you look like a 'Michelin Man' but on factory floors people are more worried about being able to do their jobs in comfort," said Ichigaya -- referring to an advertising icon whose body is made up of auto tires.

Ichigaya's company, Kuchofuku, will distribute the shirts, which range in price from $93 for a blouse to just over $186 for a pair of air-conditioned overalls, the Mail said."

Hmmm....well, unless everyone starts wearing them, I can't say that I would wear this in public. Yeah, it probably brings relief, but it would be slightly embarassing. The fact that it makes you look a little plumper sure doesn't add to it's appeal. So, would anyone reading this try it out?






It might keep you cool, but it still does not prevent sunburns. A nasty sunburn is what I have right now. I went to a couple of soccer games with my dad yesterday and put sunscreen on. I didn't wear a hat because I hate wearing them when it is really hot and my head does nothing but sweat. Man, I wish I had just broke down and wore a hat. My scalp is covered in blisters now. They don't hurt, but if you rub my head, it feels like an unfinished, bumpy road. I know it is only going to get uglier from here. Crap...

How Time Flies...

It just occurred to me that today is July 30. Tomorrow is the last day of the month, then it's August. I'm pretty sure it was just last week that I was mulling over how it was already June.

I remember being young and hearing my parents say that the older you get, the faster time goes. I remember thinking how ridiculous that statement was - time is time - it goes at the same rate, regardless of age.

Now I see how wrong I was. Time does fly by the older I get. It's scary. I mean, it's already been nearly 4 years that I've been married, 2 years since I graduated from nursing school, nearly 2 years that we've lived in our house.

I just hope I don't wake up one morning and realize that I'm 40 and ask myself where my life went, what do I have to show for all these years? I think that might be one of my biggest fears...

I really shouldn't laugh, but....

Someone dies and I laugh. I'm going to hell....


From The Sun online:
"A WOMAN cutting grass on a canal bank drowned after being dragged into the water by her LAWNMOWER.

Volunteer conservationist Cicely Greenslade, in her 60s, is believed to have tripped and lost control of the machine at Easington, Glos.

The mum of two spent most of her free time working with the Cotswold Canals Trust.

A spokesman said: “She was a dear friend and a committed helper.”

Mrs Greenslade and husband Henry moved to Stonehouse, Glos, from Devon because of their love of the county’s extensive canals."

C'mon, you know you pictured it and chuckled a little. Right?

In other news...

This from Newsday.com
"NEW YORK -- A man accused of biting the head off his pet rooster was arrested Friday and faces up to a year in prison if convicted, an animal protection spokesman said.

A neighbor had complained about a dead rooster near his Manhattan apartment and agents found the body of the beheaded rooster on a fire escape, said Joe Pentangelo, spokesman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The rooster's head was not located. Humberto Rodriguez, 52, told agents that he bit the rooster's head off because he blamed it for injuring a pet pigeon that he also kept in the apartment, Pentangelo said.

Rodriguez is charged with animal cruelty and could face up to a year in prison if convicted. It is also illegal to possess a live rooster in New York City, Pentangelo said.

Pentangelo said Friday night he did not know whether Rodriguez had a lawyer."

You know, if one of my dogs went crazy and killed the other dog, I would be hurt, pissed, etc. Can't say I would literally bite their head off...

I thought I had seen it all.....

Of all the weird, gross, sick, and dumb stuff I have linked you to on this blog, this one has to top them all. If you have been looking for a place to collect celebrity.....ummm...FECES, this is your site. Yup, for just a small fee, you can now own the fecal matter from your favorite celeb. Seriously, this site sells it. Fake or not, this is just sick....but you know you are going to click it just to see the going rate for poop from Burt Reynolds.

http://www.blackpitchpress.com/celebrityskin/film.htm

IDIOT!

Last Sunday, I cheered with the news that American Floyd Landis had won the Tour de France. I wouldn't say that I am huge fan of bicycle races, but this is the one event in the sport I can get behind because of it's magnitude. With Lance Armstrong's retirement, I was certain an American victory would be out of reach. Landis proved me wrong and despite a HUGE setback a few days before the end of the race, he came out on top. Yeah. U-S-A! I was proud. Note the word WAS. Word is coming out today that Landis has tested postive for large amounts of testosterone and is suspended pending further testing. This is an embarresment. You know, with all the scandals Armstrong went through, our country didn't need a scandal like this. If this all turns out to be true, SCREW YOU LANDIS!!!



Another week, another Zombie story. This time from Minneapolis: "Six friends spruced up in fake blood and tattered clothing were arrested in downtown Minneapolis on suspicion of toting "simulated weapons of mass destruction."

Police said the group were allegedly carrying bags with wires sticking out, making it look like a bomb, while meandering and dancing to music as part of a "zombie dance party" Saturday night.

"They were arrested for behavior that was suspicious and disturbing," said Lt. Gregory Reinhardt, a police spokesman. Police also said the group was uncooperative and intimidated people with their "ghoulish" makeup.

One group member said the "weapons" were actually backpacks modified to carry a homemade stereos and were jailed without reason. None of the six adults and one juvenile arrested have been charged."

What is with all the zombie love lately in our country?!?!?



It is exactly ONE YEAR TODAY until the Simpsons Movie comes out in the theater. Can't wait! Simpsons AND Transformers in the same month? What is a boy to do?

Rich has a new post today (finally) right below. Be sure to check it out!

You are too late. He's already here.

It's me. It's me. The same old G. Back to do damage to your brainwaves. The night time word crafter has ended his self-imposed exile to partake of your time. To rob you of precious seconds in your life that will never be recovered. What follows is a public service announcement. I am not the expert movie critic in this here blogdom (blog+kingdom equals blogdom. I created a word. Feel free to steal it and use it for your own benefit). I will just simply use my access to the public to offer these words of advice.

DO NOT SEE MIAMI VICE

I was privileged enough to go to the sneak preview of this epic piece of garbage this past Tuesday. I got into a movie for free and I wanted to walk out after an hour of punishment. I tend to overdue my emotions, but even after some time away from the crime scene I still feel robbed of my valuable time. It is not the acting. It is not the cinematography. Not having the original theme song from the 80's TV show was a disappointment. IT JUST WENT NOWHERE. If you watch the first 5- 10 minutes, leave, and then watch the final 15 minutes you will accomplish the exact same thing as I did by sitting through all 2+ hours of this unfortunate work of art.

I will admit to not ever really watching the TV show, so I can not comment on how the two compared. That said, after seeing this movie I have no desire to see any of the TV show. Frankly, Bad Boys 2 and the TV series Fastlane did this story quite well already and Miami Vice tried to do the same thing and fell flat on it's face. If I wanted to watch a porno, I would have skipped the 5 or so scenes of softcore Skinamax in Vice and gone to my local adult store and made a purchase. If I wanted to watch a bunch of impressive backdrops of Miami, I would have gone to Miami and seen them in person. And if I wanted to listen to an hour and half of meaningless banter between people I don't give a flying F about I would call up my cousins Darvi and Chris to discuss how DIFFICULT there lil lives are. Save your money people and walk away. Go see Clerks 2. Pillow Pants lives people and THAT"S beautiful MAN!

In closing I say this. Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski owe me 40 bucks for that piece of crap they produced at UFC 61. Christina Aguilera drops her 3rd album on August 15th people. GET IT! If you ever go to one Oakland A's game then check out Root Beer Float day. Once a year people it is heaven on earth. Ebay is ruining my credit report. Going Bald sucks. And if anyone is interested I have a 32 oz root beer float mug signed by 4 Raiderette cheerleaders up for sale. $50 OBO. Spread the virus.

Too much time on my hands

Love this new one! Any suggestions for future ones?













Quote Quiz
1. "She finds you crusty, Dave."

2. "Chickens! You guys have chickens? Are they extra crispy or original recipe?"

3. "We're the few. The proud. The WATERBOYS!"

Insert Creative Title Here

It's hotter than hell in these parts lately. I mean, what is it, 9 straight days now over 100 degrees? It wouldn't be quite so bad if it wasn't for the damn humidity that is coming with it. Well, not much humidity anymore, but for a couple of days, it was just suffocating. Almost felt like New York in the summer. That is an experience not soon forgotten. I hear by Thursday, the temperature might be below 100. We'll see. I did my open house this past weekend early, from 10am-1pm. As I was putting out my signs as 945am, I was sweating up a storm. Way to early for that. I would STILL take this over stormy weather.....probably.



I have a bunch of potential work stuff going on right now. Please think good thoughts.




These are 2 new Transformers posters that have come out in anticipation of the July 4th release next year. I have been thinking of getting a second tattoo. If I had to choose one of these, which one would you go for?















I've been playing again on photoshop. Here are a couple more of my latest creations:

THINK first!!!!!

You know, you should REALLY think before you come up with a name for your URL. These are all REAL sites, but the names were not picked very carefully....

1. A site called ‘Who Represents‘ where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it… is
www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company…
www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always
www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is
www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there’s these brainless art designers, and their wacky website:
www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
www.gotahoe.com

Oh boy....

OK, ummm, what??!?!

This was an actual letter to the editor just printed in the Charlotte Observer...

Fear mongerers, didn't you forget something?

Every day I see countless articles about politics, the war and why flip-flops aren't good for your feet, but I also see Charlotteans neglecting the important news.

The threat of a zombie attack.
The dead are everywhere: in our cemeteries, in our morgues, in our own backyards. The potential for an undead uprising is huge. There is no question we'd be overcome -- we would be no match for their brute strength and blind determination to feast on human flesh. I appeal to parents to sit down with their children and discuss emergency evacuation plans, which household items make the best weapons, and how to recognize when a loved one no longer has a soul.

Please, Charlotte, concentrate on the real danger.

Diana Westley

Umm....huh?



NEW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teaser trailer! Here is the clip to click on, but if it should stop working, here is the link. Be patient, it's going slow at times because of traffic.





http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/teenagemutantninjaturtles/

Yup, looks good.

Be sure to give love to today's other post below as well....

What so and so taught me...

Sometimes I cruise random blogs for good ideas to write about. I recently saw this idea which looked kind of fun. Take a random music band you like. Take the the title of one of their songs or a line in it and turn it into a lesson you have learned. Yeah, makes no sense at all right now, but you'll get the idea really quick. For example:
George Michael taught me that you gotta have faith...

So, in partial alphabetical order, here is what I learned from music....

AC/DC taught me that money talks
Bloodhound Gang taught me the a lapdance is so much better when the stripper is crying
Beastie Boys taught me to fight for my right to party
Bon Jovi taught me that for love - we'll give it a shot
Disturbed taught me to get down with the sickness
Dave Matthews taught me to take these chance and place them in a box until a quieter time
Denis Leary taught me that I'm an asshole
Extreme taught me that there's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by you
The Eagles taught me that you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Faith No More taught me that you want it all but you can't have it
Foo Fighters taught me that I'll never be your monkey wrench
Guns N Roses taught me to have some patience, don't cry, and that you could be mine
Green Day taught me to have the time of my life
Godsmack taught me that I'm doing the best that I can, so go away
Hootie taught me to let her cry
Hall and Oats taught me that I can't go for that(No can do)
Kiss taught me that I wanna rock and roll all night
Kid Rock taught me that it ain't braggin' mother fucka if you can back it up
Lynyrd Skynyrd taught me to be a simple man
Limp Bizkit taught me to keep rollin'
Marilyn Manson taught me that I wasn't born with enough middle fingers and that there's no time to discriminate - hate every mother fucker
Metallica taught me to trust in who we are because nothing else matters
Motley Crue taught me that all around the world, girls will be girls
Onyx taught me to slam
Pearl Jam taught me that some words when spoken can't be taken back
REM taught me that everbody hurts
System of a Down taught me there's something wrong with me
Tool taught me to learn to swim
U2 taught me that I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Van Halen taught me that I might as well jump
Sinead O Conner taught me that nothing compares to you
Dee Light taught me that groove is in the heart
Right Said Fred taught me that I'm too sexy
Michael Jackson taught me to just beat it
Weird Al taught me to just eat it
Chumbawumba taught me that if I get knocked down, to get back up again
and finally........

Vanilla Ice taught me to stop, collaborate, and listen

Great America

We went to Great America with some friends yesterday. I hadn't been to Great America in probably 5 years or more. I have a friend who used to work there and for a few years I never had to pay to get in. And one time, she got us in after hours to ride a ride non-stop while she trained people how to operate it. THAT rocked!

Do you know how much it costs to get in? $51.99! Can you believe it?! It's a good thing we went with our friend who works with the CHP. He got tickets for $27, nearly half off.

We left our house at 745 yesterday morning at got to our friend's house in Woodland at 830. By the time everyone else got there and loaded everything up, we left for Great America about 920. It was a nice ride because they have a DVD played in their car. Granted, they also have kids so we watched an animated Star Wars movie, but at least the conversation was good. We got there slightly before 11, but by the time all the people and all their kids were ready to go, it was 1130. (Manuel and I were the only childless couple.)

Then we spent a ton of time at the photo opportunity at the entrance. And a ton of time at the bathrooms waiting for everyone to get pottied. I swore we would never get to the rides! (This was the only time I've ever questioned wanting kids, and even then it was in jest.)

Our friends suggested we go ahead without them, but we stayed, mostly out of politeness. As it turns out though, I'm glad we stayed with them because the more I got to know everyone, the more fun I had. Plus, I'm not as young as I used to be... I used to be able to ride roller coasters until the cows came home. Now, when the ride is over, I feel slightly nauseous and very dizzy. Staying with the slow-moving big crowd was perfect because by the time they were ready to ride another ride, my tummy had settled and my brain had stopped spinning.

And I was able to ride every ride I wanted to. Granted, there were 2 where the park employee had to squish me in so the belt latched, but at least I didn't have to leave because I was too fat! (I guess it's a good thing I've lost the 20+ pounds I have. Imagine if I hadn't...)

Plus, I got to spend the whole day with babies. My mom suggested holding babies to remind my body what it's all about. If it works and I get pregnant, I owe it all the Great America!

It was a hot day. Nothing like the heat in Sacramento, but being outside all day in the sun, it was hot. We played in the water a lot.

By the end of the day, when we left the park when it closed at 8, I felt disgusting. A day's worth of sweat, sunscreen, dirty ride water and a mild sunburn will do that to you.

We got home (to our house) a little after 11. I hopped my dirty ass into the shower. It felt good to be clean. I put gobs of lotion on my sunburned face and climbed into bed next to my already sleeping husband.

Life is good.

Why?

My first question is how does shit like this continued to be made? From the previews, Little Man looked like one gigantic pile of steaming horse crap. Who keeps letting the Wayans brothers make movies? Then I hear that the "movie" made 21.7 million this weekend. What the hell is wrong with people?!?!?! Even though I think the Scary Movie films are crap as well, I get why people are going to see them. People love parodies and people love horror films. But this new film - good GOD, could this look worse?



How about some movie quotes to mix it up? You know the drill...

1. "Would ya just watch the hair. Ya know, I spend a long time on my hair and he hit it; he hit my hair."

2. "Ohhhhhhhhweeee, you good-lookin."

3. "What's more chickenshit than fucking with a man's automobile? I mean, don't fuck with another man's vehicle."

Idiots in the news

Ok, seriously, this suing people for no good cause is getting out of hand. Allan Heckard, of Portland, is suing Michael Jordan and Nike each $416 million because he says that he can't live a normal life because of his likeness to Jordan. He says he just wants repayment for all the pain and suffering he gets as a result for not being able to go out in the world without being harrassed. How he came up with the total of $832 million, I have no idea. I would love to see how this one turns out... you know, only because I get mistaken for Brad Pitt all the time.




This old guy here looks like a pretty nice guy right? You might like to strike up a nice conversation with him on a park bench right? This is 80 year old Felix Cocco of Pittsburgh. What is this nice little old man do? Well, he was arrested for dealing crack out of his house AND bringing hookers over to his house and trading the crack for sex. Why? Well, his response to the judge was that he was simply trying to pay the bills and figured that it was cheaper to trade crack for sex than just straight out paying for sex. From the looks of his deal, it looks like he might only be getting 6 to 18 months in jail. You get a discount at Denny's and reduced jail sentences? Lucky ass.....


Here is a classic video to help bring the mood back up a little. Have a great weekend everybody!



Oh yeah...in case you havent heard, this is now the IN way to solve your problems with others. Thanks for starting the trend Zidane.

I Love My Kids!

World Cup is over....

...time to move on I guess. Man, that month went way too quick. I hate that I have to wait another 4 years. At least the Euros have Euro 2008 and the South Americans have Copa America. To be the fan of the US, you have to wait until the next World Cup for a major competition. Yes, we have the Gold Cup, but that bites. Oh well, it gives the US time to regroup from the disaster that was the World Cup. Congrats to Italy for their victory. I thought it was an enjoyable game that was only marred by the Zidane head butt. Some people are placing the blame on him for France losing the final, but I don't think it really made a big impact on the game. It still would have gone to penalty kicks and Italy didn't look like they were going to miss any. Who knows. It is sad to see Zidane go out like that, but hey, shit happens.




















The new Rocky trailer was just released. Unlike the great teaser that was released a few months ago and didn't included any movie footage, this one has a bunch of footage. Most people are against this whole idea, but being the big fan I am, I'm going to go see it anyways. Check it out and let me know what you think...

I Can't Believe The Rudeness...

Manuel and I went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie Friday afternoon. This post is not about the movie, so I'll keep my review of it short: It was good. Not as funny as the first as it was a much darker story. There was a fun ending that was a cliffhanger for the third. And stay through the credits - there is a little fun thing at the end.

Now, why I'm writing... I am amazed at how rude and inconsiderate people are at the movies. Someone's cell phone rang. The people behind us talked. The girl behind Manuel took her shoes off and put her feet up on the empty chair next to him and her feet smelled. The guy behind me kept bumping my chair with his legs and even after a few dirty looks never apologized. Someone occasionally shined a laser pointer on the screen.

This lack of respect for other people spending their hard-earned money to watch a movie UNINTERRUPTED absolutely amazes me. I used to LOVE going to the movies, but lately, each time I go, something like this happens. It really frustrates me and I leave swearing to myself that I'll never go to the movies again. I just want to scream at these rude people to grow up and follow the rules of common decency. Is that too much to ask?

Samba your way out of here....

Never have I been so happy to be wrong. I got an amazing three out of four predictions wrong for the World Cup quarterfinals, but I am still smiling. Why? We'll get to that game last.

Recap:
Germany v Argentina - I predicted Argentina would win, but I said that I wouldn't be surprised if Germany won. Well, Germany did win in penalty kicks and I am still not shocked. It was the battle of two good teams. Unfortunately for Argentina, it went to penalty kicks where Germany does not lose. They are like friggin' cyborgs. Robots. Cold Hearted. They just step up and get it done. Once it went to PKs, I knew it was over for Argentina.

Italy v Ukraine - Italy won as I predicted, but I thought it would be closer. What a dominating 3-0 performance.

England v Portugal - Sad to see England gone. Sad to see Beckham limp off like that in his last game being captain of England. Sad to see Rooney be a bonehead. Sad to see England still can't shoot PKs. Depressing. Oh well, guess my prediction was wrong.

Brazil v France - I picked Brazil. How happy am I that I was wrong? Let's just say I have now seen the game three times. From Henry's beautiful volley, to Zidane's artistry of the ball, to watching Brazil's heads down after a disappointing loss, this really made my World Cup. I have my favorites, I want them to win, but ultimately, I went into the World Cup knowing I would be happy as long as Brazil didin't win. Now they won't, and I know I will watch the rest of the Cup in peace.





























My semifinal predictions -
Italy v Germany - End of the line for Germany, I think. Italy wins 1-0
France v Portugal - France keeps going strong. France 2-1.


On a REALLY sad note, tragedy has struck at my house. I have a shelf in my office that was bolted into the studs in my wall. Unfortunately, it still managed to fall yesterday. Remember those comic statues I got for my birthday? Broken. Mostly just fingers and arms, but it was a DISASTER. I HOPE, PRAY, that glue will stick these guys back together. I LOVE these figures. It crushed me. I just got them. They were expensive. Who would have predicted the shelf would break? What could I have done? What do I do now?!?!?!?


Movie quote time:
1. "It was great. She showed me all the wallpaper and where everything is going to go. And then she brought me in the back room where she took all her clothes off."

2. "No! Not good! Stop! Not good! What are you doing? You burned all the food, the shade... the rum!"

3. "El, you really must try this because it's puerco pibil. It's a slow-roasted pork, nothing fancy. It just happens to be my favorite, and I order it with a tequila and lime in every dive I go to in this country. And honestly, that is the best it's ever been anywhere. In fact, it's too good. It's so good that when I'm finished, I'll pay my check, walk straight into the kitchen and shoot the cook. Because that's what I do. I restore the balance to this country. And that is what I would like from you right now. Help keep the balance by pulling the trigger."

My New Boyfriend

With the World Cup constantly on at our house, I've watched more soccer than I care to. Oops, did I say that out loud?! Really though, I've quite enjoyed it. It has been exciting.

And as an added bonus, I've found a new boyfriend! Cristiano Ronaldo. He plays for Portugal. He's ADORABLE! In non-World Cup games he plays for Manchester United, which makes Manuel ok with the fact that we're dating. He's young. He's cute. What more could a girl ask for in a boyfriend?

I've included some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! I do...

World Cup and Quote Quiz

Quarterfinals begin tomorrow so how did I do in the round of 16?
Germany v Sweden - Germany - correct
Argentina v Mexico - Argentina - correct
England v Ecuador - England - correct
Portugal v Holland - Portugal - oops, I picked Holland
Italy v Australia - Italy - correct
Ghana v Brazil - Brazil - correct
France v Spain - France - oops, I picked Spain(underachievers again)
Ukraine v Switzerland - Ukraine - oops, I picked Switzerland


So here is how the quarters shape up:
Argentina v Germany - I have no idea who to pick. Argentina has looked solid the whole time, while Germany keeps looking better and better. Can Germany ride this momentum even more? I don't know. They have a good chance. I am going to still go with Argentina but if I am wrong, I won't be surprised.

Italy v Ukraine - Ukraine's offense has only looked good in one game whil Italy has a strong defense. Sounds like a win for Italy to me. 1-0 maybe, but still a win.

England v Portugal - England still doesn't look that good and yet, they have made it to the quarters. Can this keep up against a good Portugal team. Honestly, I think England has one more surprise suckout win in them. England wins in penalty kicks.

France v Brazil - 2 games ago, we weren't even sure that France would get out of the group stage. Now they have a chance to upset Brazil. If France gets something behind their shots, they csn win as Brazil's defense is shaky. France will have to score as Brazil's offense is solid. Still Brazil wins. Unfortunately...

Quiz time, name the actor and movies he says these in:

1. "From now on I see a red sash, I kill the man wearing it. So run you cur. And tell the other curs the law is coming. You tell 'em I'm coming! And Hell's coming with me you hear! Hell's coming with me!"


2. "Okay, I get the picture White Tigers, Lords of Death, guys in funny suits throwing plastic explosives while poison arrows fall from the sky and the pillars of heaven shake, huh? Sure, okay, I see Charlie Chan, Fu Manchu and a hundred howlin' monkey temples, and that's just for starters, right? Fine! I'm back! I'm ready, goddammit let me at 'em!"

3. "When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back."

Transformers Teaser

Well, I had it here so you could just click on it, but that link was taken down. Just go to the official site, and you can now watch it. Be warned, it is going REEEEEEEEEAAAAAALLLY slow right now probably because of everyone watching it.

http://www.transformersmovie.com/


Tired of waiting for it to load, watch the really cool teaser for Spiderman 3! Man this looks good!




Working again for now...

My Unlovely Lady Lumps

What the heck? Like I haven't has enough stress lately...

Saturday, as I was driving home from the Bay Area and the whole GG thing, every bump in the road that I hit sent pain through my left breast. Every time I moved my left arm and hit my boob, it hurt. I mentioned it to Manuel, but didn't make a big deal of it.

Then Sunday night, laying in bed, my boob started hurting again, so I checked it out. Yeah, I found a lump. When I squeezed it, it seemed to pop. I made Manuel feel and he felt it too. He got fairly alarmed and encouraged me to make an appointment to see the doctor.

Which I did first thing Monday. My appointment was for the next day, Tuesday at 10am. And of course, my breast hurt off and on all day Monday.

So today I went for my appointment today and naturally, no pain. It never fails - whatever ails you enough to go to the doctor goes away the second you sit on that exam table.

She felt around, the "good" boob first, to get a baseline. Then onto the "bad" boob. She said she felt some fibrous tissue that didn't really concern her. As she was feeling though, it hurt, so I mentioned it, and she dug a little deeper.

And as she dug, I saw her face change. She got quiet, and looked like she was concentrating. Sure enough, she said she felt a lump (not the one I had felt) and wants me to get an ultrasound. She said it's nothing to be seriously worried about - we'll wait to see what the ultrasound says - and better to be safe than sorry. She also had me make an appointment for 2 months so she can check and see if things are better, the same, or, god forbid, worse.

So yeah, I'm a little worried. My great grandmother (GG) had breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy. I don't know about my grandmother, but I know my mom has had breast issues and has had to have a few biopsies.

So I have lady lumps, but not the lovely kind. Good thoughts, please...

Confused...

Martin Luther King Jr. was a brilliant man who advocated for peace. Why then, I ask you, does every ghetto in this country have a Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard? Wouldn't you think, because he is so revered, his street would be in a nicer part of town?!

Let's check those predictions

Ok, the round of 16, the elimination round starts tomorrow, well, actually in 6 hours since it is 130 in the morning. Let's check my predictions on who would be in it against what actually happened.

Group A - I said Germany and Poland advance - actually Germany and Ecuador
Group B - I said England and Sweden advance - CORRECT
Group C - I said Argentina and Holland advance - CORRECT
Group D - I said Portugal and Mexico advance - CORRECT
Group E - I said Italy and USA - actually Italy and Ghana
Group F - I said Brazil and Croatia - actually Brazil and Australia
Group G - I said France and Switzerland - CORRECT, but in reverse rder
Group H - I said Spain and Ukraine - CORRECT

Not too bad. Let's see the matchups with predictions
Second Round
Germany v Sweden - Germany
Argentina v Mexico - Argentina
Italy v Australia - Italy
Switzerland v Ukraine - Switzerland
England v Ecuador - England
Portugal v Holland - Holland
Brazil v Ghana - Brazil
Spain v France - Spain

Quarters
Germany v Argentina - Argentina
Italy v Switzerland - Italy
Holland v England - England
Brazil v Spain - Spain

Semis
Argentina v Italy - Argentina
England v Spain - Spain

Finals - Argentina v Spain - Argentina

Got a few controversial picks, but just going on gut from what I have seen so far. We'll see. Bedtime...

An interesting concept

The United States is out of the World Cup(more on that tomorrow), so I thought it would be good to write something positive(the anger comes tomorrow). I stumbled across a great site today while reading the comments on Val's blog. This guy, the Complimenting Commenter, has a very cool site where aims to get people to leave positive comments on other people's blogs. As today is the first day of summer, he is challenging people to leave 100 comments to 100 different people by the end of the summer. Doesn't sound too hard. I actually think it is an awesome idea. I get to see what other blogs are out there while maybe(hoepfully) getting people to come pay me a visit. I added a link on the side here as well as a couple of other cool blogs I have discovered in the last couple of days. Check them out if you get a chance and wish me luck in my goal to leave 100 compliments. As angry and pissy a person as I am, it might be a good thing...

Civil War

I got back into comics recently because I heard that there was a storyline coming out called Civil War that sounded interesting. Through 2 issues, I have to say that I made an amazing decision to start reading again. The storyline has been amazing. Basically, this is what is going on. Some young superheroes have a tussle with some villains which leads to an explosion and the deaths of hundreds of kids at a school. The public turns on heroes and demands super hero regulation - training, organization, and the topper, the unmasking of secret identities. It passes and becomes law. Naturally, not everyone agrees with this. Some heroes see it as way to make the public happy and support it. Others are clearly against it, mainly because of the secret identities thing. It puts them AND their families in danger. A bunch of heroes have now gone into hiding as vigilantes led by Captain America while the heroes who support it vow to track them down. At the end of the second issue which came out last week, the ultimate unmasking occured at a news conference set up by Iron Man and Spider Man(You can click on the pics to make them bigger):

Peter Parker's boss, Jonah Jameson, watches the press conference on tv...









Peter Parker voluntarily unmasks in front of the cameras....












Jonah Jameson faints. A classic moment in comics. Loved it. Can't wait for the next issue...

Let's look at those World Cup predictions...

Each team has played 2 games now and the final group games for each team start tomorrow. Let's review and look at my predictions...

Group A
I said it would be Germany, Poland, Ecuador, Costa Rica. Well, I was wrong here. Especially about Poland. They have stunk it up. They play Costa Rica tomorrow in a game that is strictly for pride. Germany and Ecuador tomorrow should be fun. Ecuador is actually in first on goal differential and only needs a tie to win the group. How crazy would that be? But you know what, Ecuador has played pretty good. Germany has been ok, but will need to step it up in the knockout stages. I predict a 2-1 German win tomorrow with Germany and Ecuador finishing 1-2 in the group.

Group B
I think the biggest surprises have been the heart of Trinidad and Tobago and the difficulty that England has had in scoring. With England/Sweden and T&T/Paraguay tomorrow, there is still a little doubt in the air. England has already advanced. They move to second though if Sweden beats them. T&T can squeeze past Sweden for second if England beats Sweden, T&T beat Paraguay, and T&T make up the minus three goal differential. I would love to see T&T advance because of how hard they have played. It is a longshot though. I see Sweden and England drawing making the other game pointless. England and Sweden go one-two in the group as I predicted.

Group C
Ivory Coast has played well, but Argentina and Holland have been the class of the group. They have won both their games and now play each other for control of the group. Because of goal differential, Argentina wins the group with a draw. I still predict a 2-1 win by Argentina making Argentina and Holland go 1-2 in the group as I precited...

Group D
Well, it SHOULD end up Portugal and Mexico. Portugal has looked ok, while Mexico looks lost without Borgetti. Unless Mexico loses big to Portugal in the last game while Angola beats Iran by a bunch, it should be Portugal and Mexico going 1-2. Mexico can get first in thr group if they beat Portugal, but I don't see that happening. My predictions should remain correct.

Group E
Well, after that gutty tie by the US against Italy and the upset win by Ghana over the Czechs, I actually think the US will advance. As you may know, they have to beat Ghana and have Italy beat the Czechs. There are other scenarios possible, but they are LONGSHOTS. Yes, I see the US doing it. Italy and USA go 1-2 like I predicted...

Group F
Blah, blah, Brazil is going to win this group. What will be interesting is the fight for second place. Australia needs just a tie against Croatia while Croatia advances if they can beat Australia. Australia has been a pleasant surprise while Croatia has been so-so. I don't see Australia letting down now. The game will end in a tie making Australia the second place team to the Brazilians. I thought it would be Croatia, but I think I'll be wrong here. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, OY OY OY!!

Group G
The biggest surprise has been how bad France has looked again. However, they play Togo last while the two teams ahead of them have to play each other. If France wins and Switzerland and South Korea doesn't end in a tie, France will go on. They can even go on if that game ends in a tie and France wins by two goals. There are a lot of options. Therefore, I see Switzerland and South Korea drawing, with France beating Togo by two goals. Switzerland gets first and France gets second. Just the reverse of what I predicted, but the right two teams...

Group H
Despite being rocked 4-0 by Spain, Ukraine is still the second best team in this group. Both will win their matches against Saudi Arabia and Tunisia respectively making Spain and Ukraine go 1-2 as predicted.

I will make my predictions for the second round on Friday. Thank you to those who got this far. I had pictures for all these groups, but they aren't loading for some reason...damnit...

Running out of time...

My job is killing me! No matter how hard I try, things just aren't clicking right now. I mean, I do what they ask me to, I try to stay busy, but the $ is just not coming in. I'm tired of things falling through for me and watching others who started at the same time as me start to get deals. I am not doing anything differently than them. They tell me that. Well, one lady just has a ton of friends who suddenly want to buy and sell, but I don't see that happening for me right now. I have my listing right now, but that still hasn't sold and it is frustrating. The overabundance of houses for sale and the way the market is right now is just killing me. I picked a career change at the absolute worst possible time. I talked to an experienced agent the other day and she said it has been the worst 6 months of her career. How is a new agent like me going to survive like that? If I could sell my listing it would be great because I will be getting 2 deals out of it. They tell me that they understand that I am doing all I can so at least I have that going for me. But they have given me until the end of July to sell it. Basically, I have 6 more weeks to sell it or I lose 2 deals. And if I lose them? Well, I could get lucky and pick up some more buyers in the meantime, but my luck hasn't gone that way yet. Jessica and I have basically given ourselves till the end of the Summer for this Real Estate thing. I love my job, she loves that I am happy, but we can't live with no paycheck from me. I only need about 8 deals in a year to make what I did as a teacher. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it isn't going that way for me. And then what do I do? Well, I guess I have to find another job. I don't know what. I don't want to go back to teaching. I hated teaching. I guess I could get a state job. I just don't want to end up in some job that they will give to anyone with a high school diploma. I have a college degree from a good school. It would kill me to waste it. I don't know where to begin. I could always do Real Estate part time when deals happen, but that would require me switching companies as my office doesn't allow part timers. Who knows, maybe I will find the perfect job. I think I have the perfect job right now. Just not the perfect timing. Well, I guess we will see in a few more months.

I HATE YOU!!!

There is this doctor at work who, I think intentionally, gives me a bad time. Every time I speak with her on the telephone it is a battle. I can't remember every single instance, but for example, she has interrupted my report then accused me of not giving her all of the information. And last night, the following exchange occurred. For the sake of anonymity, we'll call the doctor Dr. A (and yes, Mom, she's taken care of you...)

Background: I had a patient with a bad rash and the skin had broken open and was causing the patient a great deal of discomfort. Being the good nurse I am, I called Dr. A.

*ring ring*
Dr. A: (speaker phone) Hello?
Me: Dr. A? (it didn't sound like her)
*silence*
Me: Hello?
Dr. A: Yeeeessss...
Me: It's Jessica from San Juan. I'm calling about (patient) who has a rash on her (location) that...

At this point she interrupts me and tells me what medicines to give her, which is cool, but I feel it is important to give her all the information and let her know that the skin is broken (which I was about to do before she interrupted me). So I tell her.

Dr. A: Ok... Give her the Diflucan and Neosporin like I told you.
Me: Ok, can you tell me how the Diflucan comes? Milligrams and all?
Dr. A: No.
*silence*
Me: Well, I don't know how it comes, Dr. A.
Dr. A. *sighs* 150 mg.
Me: Ok, how often? (There are always 4 things you need for a correct medication order: 1) the drug 2) the dose 3) how to give it 4) how often to give it)
*silence*
Dr. A: (very patronizing) Just once.

When I hung up I honestly was on the verge of tears from anger because speaking to a doctor and advocating for your patient's safety and comfort should not be that difficult. I should not be given a bad time, harassed or spoken to like I'm a 5 year old retard for doing my job. If it was only once that this happened, I could let it go, but every time I speak to her on the telephone, without fail, I hang up pissed off because she does something like this.

A wise woman at work said that I'm probably especially sensitive to it because I go into the call with her on the defensive. And that makes sense - if she's treated me like crap every phone conversation we've had before, why wouldn't I be prepared for more? But also, in so doing, it's like I'm looking for it, thus more sensitive when it does happen. It makes sense...

But it doesn't make it right. Whatever I did to piss her off or get on her bad side, I wish I could take back because it is a horrible feeling to be spoken down to/harassed/belittled for doing your job.

Hopefully, there is More Than Meets the Eye

Yup, just a little over a year away until my movie dream comes true. They sure are keeping a tight wrap on the filming right now. Most pictures that get leaked quickly disappear for fear of lawsuit.

Crap....

Well, the U.S, got watch the mighty Czechs celebrate three times today. Just depressing. Guess we have to go and beat Italy now. Yeah....

What many Americans wouldn't understand...

The first three days of the World cup are over and what a spectacular time it has been. There have been beautiful goals, hard play, and a few surprises. No surprise can top 0-0 tie that Trinidad and Tobago was able to get with Sweden. In fact, this may have been the best of the 8 games so far. Wait, a 0-0 tie is the best game you may ask? See, this is where American sports mentality comes in. One of the reasons that many in America hate soccer is that they feel it is too low scoring. They feel a game can't be exciting unless many goals/points are scored. But they are so wrong. Let's look at this game deeper. This was Trinidad's first game in their first ever World Cup. They were going up against a fairly strong team in Sweden. By all accounts, they were supposed to get blown out. Yet, with one half down, they were still at 0-0. Then 1 minute into the second half, a Trinidad player gets ejected and now Trinidad has to play the entire second half with one less player. So, they are inexperienced, playing a good team, and have one less player. Yet somehow, they were able to play their hearts out, giving it all on the field. The last 5 minutes, as they blocked shot after shot from a charging Sweden side were some of the most tense moments I have ever seen in a soccer game. When the ref finally blew the whistle, the players of Trinidad mobbed each other as if they had just won the World Cup. They had accomplished what nobody thought they could. It was straight out of a movie. Yet, American mentality will look at the final score and say that it had to be boring. Little do they know, the game had a storybook ending. Trinidad may lose their next two games, but they will probably return home as heroes for the shocker they were able to pull on a Saturday afternoon. Not bad for a "boring" 0-0 game.

World Cup Time!!!

It only happens every four years and it is the greatest sports event in the world. Nope, not the Olympics, but the World Cup. For one month, I am going to be on the edge of my seat as the greatest soccer players in the world will compete in the game I love. Being that it is only every 4 years only adds to how great it is. Mess up in the first round, you have 4 whole years to think about it. So, here are my predictions and don't worry, if you don't care about soccer, there will be some movie trivia at the bottom...

First Round features 8 groups of 4 with the top two in each group advance. This is how I see each group finishing...

Group A
Germany
Poland
Ecuador
Costa Rica

Group B
England
Sweden
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago

Group C
Argentina
Holland
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro

Group D
Portugal
Mexico
Angola
Iran

Group E
Italy
USA
Czech Republic
Ghana

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia


Second Round
Germany over Sweden
Argentina over Mexico
England over Poland
Holland over Portugal
Italy over Croatia
France over Ukraine
Brazil over USA
Spain over Switzerland

Quarterfinals
Argentina over Germany
Italy over France
England over Holland
Brazil over Spain

Semifinals
Argentina over Italy
England over Brazil

Finals
England over Argentina...and I will rejoice in England's win!!! It's finally their time to reclaim the cup. A betting man would put the $$$ on Brazil, but I hate Brazil and refuse to proclaim the winner. We shall see....


Movie trivia time...We'll make them sports movies in the spirit of the Cup. Name the movie and the character who said it.

1. Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.

2. If we play 'em 10 times, they might win nine. But NOT this game.

3. Yeah, starting defense! PLACE AT THE TABLE!!! YEAH!!!

Early Morning Telephone Call

I was up this morning at 615am, which is no big deal, since I work tonight and will nap at some point today anyway. So I got up, fed and pottied the dogs, ate breakfast and checked e-mail/played on the computer until 700am, when I woke Manuel with a kiss to the forehead and the morning paper. When he got up to get ready for his day at work, I went back to the computer.

At 725am the telephone rang. Normally when it rings at that time, it is either my mom or step-mom calling, thinking I worked the night before and trying to catch me before I go to bed. I was sitting in the living room and when the ringing started, I looked up to where the phone usually is, but alas, it wasn't there. I stood up and looked around for it but still couldn't find it. I ran to the bedroom to answer the phone, and by the time I got there, the answering machine had picked up, so as the recording was going, I kept saying, "Hang on, hang on" to whoever was on the other end so they knew I was there and wouldn't hang up.

It was a good thing I couldn't find the phone and the answering machine recorded the whole conversation because it was entirely bizarre and what follows is a direct transcript I took by listening to the recorded conversation over and over again. The person calling had an VERY thick Indian accent and the words in parentheses are what I think he said.

Me: Ok, go ahead.
Him: Yes, Miss. Can I speak to Manuel?
Me: He's in the shower.
*pause*
Him: Ok...
Me: Who's calling?
Him: My name is (Satchel?) and I'm calling, uh, from the credit team at (paytroll?), ok?
*pause*
Me: And what is that?
Him: Well, this is regarding an online purchase that he made (out of a trite?), ok? What I will do is I'll just give him a call after 5 or 10 minutes, Alright? That ok?
Me: Ok, but, I mean, where are you calling from?
Him: I'm calling from United States.
Me: Well, I know United States but, I mean, it's 730 in the morning here.
*silence*
Him: (VERY quietly) Ok. I'm really sorry Ma'am.
Me: Ok.
Him (Still VERY quietly) Bye bye.

Yeah... Whatever online purchase Manuel made isn't important enough to require a telephone call at 730 in the morning.

Oh, and by the way, it is 845am right now, and he still hasn't called back. So much for that 5 to 10 minutes... I think I scared the crap out of him.

Free Money

I got a call from my boss at work a few days ago. She said she was embarassed to tell me this, but Human Resources never got the paperwork notifying them that I took my boards. So all this time, HR had me as an RN-IP, working under an interim permit that is good for 6 months or until I pass (or do not pass) my boards. My IP started 6/04, when I started working, and was due to expire 6 months later, 12/04. Well, I took my boards in 9/04 and passed, thus nullifying my IP and becoming a REAL nurse, and I've been working like that ever since.

Only, like I said above, HR never got that info (which REALLY gives me faith in our HR department, working under a licence that expired over a year and a half ago and nobody caught on to it...) But the good news is, and I did not know this, there is a pay difference between IP and real RN status, which I have not been receiving since 9/04 - 21 months! So yours truly is apparently going to get a check for retro pay, paying me 21 months worth of IP and RN pay difference. I don't know exactly how much the difference is, but regardless, it's like getting free money!

Now we can get those hardwood floors! Score!