Oh, it was not a good week. In my weekly battle with blubber, the fat won out this week. I'm pissed, but this is why I started this weight thing on the blog, so I can own up to it after the fact. I gained a pound and a half this week bringing my weight loss total after two weeks to only half a pound. What went wrong? It's fairly simple. I am not going to make excuses, I will just show you the facts:
Friday night: We went to a concert so that means we went out to dinner first and I had a big hamburger.
Saturday night : Once a month, Jessica's family has a gathering of around 15 people for a big dinner. Steak, mashed potatoes and rolls. Uh oh.
Sunday night: Can't remember
Monday night: Jess decided to try a new recipe - Chicken and rice casserole. Had tons of cheese and wasn't the healthiest thing on the menu. VERY yummy. Very fattening.
Tuesday night: Jess and I were shopping all evening. Of course that means eating out because we get hungry. Burrito at Chipotle.
Wednesday night: Valentine's dinner. Taquitos and chicken nuggets. Don't ask. It's a long story.
Last night: I made tacos. I only had a couple though as I knew the rest of the week was bad. I could have eaten more, and I did go to bed a little hungry, but I figured I had screwed up enough.
Plus, there were tons of leftovers of that caserrole that I finished for lunch over the week. Well, obviously, we see what that all adds up to. I did make it to the gym three times this week, but it didn't really matter when you eat that much. I mean, what are you going to do? I'm not going to eat something I barely like when I go out to eat just because it is better for me. I can't jusify spending money on something I won't enjoy at a restaurant just to save some calories. I just have to suffer the consequences. Oh well. Technically, I am still down in weight so I guess I can look on the bright(okay, slightly illuminated) side of things.
I am scared though because I think this week will be just as hard. Tonight, we are making home made pizza at Jessica's Dad and stepmom's house. Then, Jessica's mom and stepdad are coming for the weekend which I KNOW will include lots of unhealthy food. It always does with them. Okay, so I can be REALLY good Sunday night through Thursday afternoon. Why not Thursday night, right before my weigh in the next morning? Well, it's Jessica's birthday on Thursday. Who knows what the calorie monsters will bring then. Maybe if I can break even this next week, it won't be a total loss. Wish me luck.
Totals: 2 weeks down, 1/2 pound loss
Friday, February 16, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Makes no sense!!!
Today I decided to go on Fandango to see what times Babel would playing on Monday. Being a holiday, Jess and I, along with her stepmom(who also sees every Best Picture nominee with us) were going to see it during the day. Much to my chagrin, I found out that tomorrow is the last day it will be in theaters. WHAT?!?! How can they take a movie out of theaters, a movie that is the favorite to win Best Picture, a week before Oscars? Don't they think people will want to see it the week before. Now granted, it is not being take out of every theater.....just every theater withing 100 miles of Sacramento! What the hell? So, unexpectedly, we have to go see Babel tonight at 8:00 PM. I mean, I want to see it, but when you suddenly HAVE to see it at this one time, it makes it a little less convenient. It better be good! I hate going to the movie at night. I don't like to pay the non-matinee prices and we avoid it usually at all cost. Oh well, at least we have a plan now for when we will see each movie. Friday night, we are going to her dad and stepmom's to make pizzas and then watch Little Miss Sunshine. Monday during the day, we will see Letters From Iwo Jima. Expect a review of each movie by Monday night.
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!!!
OHHHHHH...in other news. I forgot to mention last post but this blog has now hit the 400 post mark with that last post! Thanks to Rich and Jess for helping me reach this number!
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!!!
OHHHHHH...in other news. I forgot to mention last post but this blog has now hit the 400 post mark with that last post! Thanks to Rich and Jess for helping me reach this number!
Monday, February 12, 2007
The tax man cometh....
...and I taketh away! I tell ya, is there anything more nerve wracking than doing taxes? We had the tax guy come this evening and even though we were pretty sure we would get money back because I didn't make much $$ in Real Estate last year and we pay so much interest on our house still, it still makes us nervous. No worries though as we did quite well this year. I am not going to say how much we are getting back, but it could probably be enough to buy a KIA with cash. Not that we want a KIA; just trying to give you a point of reference. We won't go crazy with our return, but we will probably make one sizable purchase - a new mattress. Yes, we will finally ditch our mattress that is no joke, over 30 years old. We bought it at an estate sale when we first moved in together and couldn't afford much. Hell, we got a whole bedroom set AND two sofas for around $150. It's been comfortable for the most part, but it is now starting to give us pain every morning. It' pretty much a necessary thing. So hopefully, soon, we will be getting the new matress we have been waiting for.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Fat Free Friday #1
So, how did you all do? I know many of you said you were in for the challenge, so here we go with week one. I was a little worried at the beginning of the week because, well, I pigged out at the Super Bowl party. Who doesn't pig out at a Super Bowl party?!?!?! Regardless, this week I worked my ass off at the gym, ate a little less than usual(kind of), and stepped on the scale this morning.
Drum roll.....
After one week, I am down 2 pounds! One pound ahead of my goal! Woohoo! Now let's keep it up next week. How about you guys?
Tonight Jess and I get to go see the Blue Man Group. We LOVE them. If you have never seen them before, they are an amazing act. This will be the third time we have seen them after seeing them off Broadway in New York and when they cam for a tour here a few years ago. They put on an amazing show and we can't wait for tonight! Have a good weekend everyone.
Drum roll.....
After one week, I am down 2 pounds! One pound ahead of my goal! Woohoo! Now let's keep it up next week. How about you guys?
Tonight Jess and I get to go see the Blue Man Group. We LOVE them. If you have never seen them before, they are an amazing act. This will be the third time we have seen them after seeing them off Broadway in New York and when they cam for a tour here a few years ago. They put on an amazing show and we can't wait for tonight! Have a good weekend everyone.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Wednesday night is alright for fighting
Sorry for no post yesterday. I had gone over a week without missing a post, but yesterday, I both had nothing to talk about and was busy. We saw The Queen last night, one of the nominees, but I will save our review for the end when we have seen all of them.
Wednesday is fast becoming my favorite night of the week. Why? It's clan night!!! Now, before you think I have gone psycho, let me explain. As you know, I play my PS3 online in a game called Resistance: Fall of Man. Basically, you kill everyone around you. Here is a view of what I see in the game(This isn't me, just some random video I found on YouTube. It's a little blurry and more hectic than most games, but you will get the idea):
It's a fun game, but there are a lot of annoying kids who do nothing but swear and talk trash the whole game. It's just random, "You're so gay,", "You suck," etc, on the headset. Wanting to play with a more mature group, I joined a group, or clan, to play with people who are just there to have fun. Many of my "teammates" are very good, but don't have that stupid cockiness. Anyways, my clan, OTD or Older Than Dirt, meet on Wednesday nights to play together. It's fun because we can create rooms where we just play against ourselves and don't have to worry about annoying kids. In fact, I am tied for the youngest in the group along with another girl. After we have played a while, we compete against other groups just for fun. I don't know how long they play every Wednesday because I usually only play an hour or close to two before I have to eat dinner. But it's fun and it is nice to play with a group of people who share the same outlook on gaming. Here is the banner for the message board we have.
Yes, nerdy, but you know I couldn't care less....
Wednesday is fast becoming my favorite night of the week. Why? It's clan night!!! Now, before you think I have gone psycho, let me explain. As you know, I play my PS3 online in a game called Resistance: Fall of Man. Basically, you kill everyone around you. Here is a view of what I see in the game(This isn't me, just some random video I found on YouTube. It's a little blurry and more hectic than most games, but you will get the idea):
It's a fun game, but there are a lot of annoying kids who do nothing but swear and talk trash the whole game. It's just random, "You're so gay,", "You suck," etc, on the headset. Wanting to play with a more mature group, I joined a group, or clan, to play with people who are just there to have fun. Many of my "teammates" are very good, but don't have that stupid cockiness. Anyways, my clan, OTD or Older Than Dirt, meet on Wednesday nights to play together. It's fun because we can create rooms where we just play against ourselves and don't have to worry about annoying kids. In fact, I am tied for the youngest in the group along with another girl. After we have played a while, we compete against other groups just for fun. I don't know how long they play every Wednesday because I usually only play an hour or close to two before I have to eat dinner. But it's fun and it is nice to play with a group of people who share the same outlook on gaming. Here is the banner for the message board we have.
Yes, nerdy, but you know I couldn't care less....
Monday, February 05, 2007
More useless laws
I read this weekend about a new law that is being proposed into state legislation this week here in California. As you might recall, a few weeks ago, I wrote about California considering putting a ban on spanking. Now, a law is being proposed that would require all high school seniors who are 18 at the time of graduation to be forced to register to vote in order to get to graduate. I think this is ludicrous. Do I think more people should vote? Of course. However, I think that making them register is just a waste of time. There are tons of people who are registered who don't vote. I don't think it will cause some dramatic rise in the number of people who will be voting. Voting is a very important right and I think everyone who qualifies should do it. I just don't think this is the way to accomplish it.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Drunk friends are crazy
Just got back from a great Super Bowl party with my friends. As with pretty much any time you get my friends together, there was a good amount of drinking. I don't really drink much, but I am still able to enjoy myself because they are all fun when they drink. After a few or more beers, the crazy gamblibg began. Did we bet on the game? A little. However, it got really crazy when we started doing one dollar bets with each other. Here is a small sample of what my friends and I were betting each other on:
-rocks, paper, scissors
-odd or even dice roll
-high card out of a deck
-will the next card out of a deck be red or black
-if we drop a card from really high, what side will it land on
You get the point. But truthfully, when a bunch of drunk guys get really excited and scream when a playing card lands face up, how can you not have fun?!?!?
By the way, I ended up even for the night. Not bad. No wait, I did end up ahead for the night. Up 37 cents to be exact when I made a bet for a friend's last 37 cents. So overall, a profitable night! Have a good week everyone.
-rocks, paper, scissors
-odd or even dice roll
-high card out of a deck
-will the next card out of a deck be red or black
-if we drop a card from really high, what side will it land on
You get the point. But truthfully, when a bunch of drunk guys get really excited and scream when a playing card lands face up, how can you not have fun?!?!?
By the way, I ended up even for the night. Not bad. No wait, I did end up ahead for the night. Up 37 cents to be exact when I made a bet for a friend's last 37 cents. So overall, a profitable night! Have a good week everyone.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The Walking Dead
Recently, I started reading a series of comics called The Walking Dead. The series, done in black and white except for the covers, is brilliant. To an outsider, it looks like a basic zombie story: something happens to turn most of the population into zombies and the rest of the people have to struggle to survive. I started reading it because I love zombies. However, as I got farther and farther into each comic, I realized just how good the story really is. Yes, there are zombies in the story, but the core of the story is the human interactions between all the suvivors. The zombie infestation is solely the backstory. The main story is how a small group of suvivors band together to not only fight zombies, but create a new society. The results are not always pleasant. Not only is this easily one of the best comic series I have ever read, this is one of the best stories I have read/seen/heard. Ever. So far there have been 34 issues released and I could not stop reading them. Comic after comic had to be finished. Not that I am caught up, it is absolute torture waiting for the next issue to come out. Think of your favorite show ending with a cliffhanger every episode and then having to wait for a month for the next show every time. This series comes highly recommended. You can get collections of the comic in trade paperbacks, collecting 6 issues at a time. Also, the first 24 issues were recently released in a nice hardcover edition. Maybe you can even check it out from your local library. I couldn't recommend this series any more highly.
Today when I was at the gym, there was a couple in front of me using the bicycles. Normal, except for the fact that they were pedaling slowly..........and drinking there huge cups of Starbucks coffee. Nice...
Friday, February 02, 2007
Fat Free Friday #0
Did you all weigh yourselves this morning? Today is the official start of the Fat Free Friday challenge. I couldn't really call it #1 because it isn't the end of the first week. I went with #0 because that is what they do in comics sometimes. A series starts with #1, but if they have a backstory to tell so that you understand everything else, they sometimes call that issue #0. A little comic lesson for you all. You are all that much nerdier now!
So, if you didn't do it already, remember to weigh yourself today. We have a good number of people participating which is wonderful. Good luck to everyone!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
How many of you?
Sonja talked about this on her website a while back and Kelly also brought it to my attention somewhat recently. This website shows how many other people in the country have the same name as you. It also lists how popular your first and last names compared with all other names.
Here is some info on my first name:
There are 271,472 people in the U.S. with the first name Manuel.
Statistically the 231st most popular first name. (tied with 2 other first names)
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Manuel are male.
Names similar to Manuel:
Emanuel
And my last name:
There are 20,998 people in the U.S. with the last name Valle.
Statistically the 1664th most popular last name. (tied with 279 other last names)
And when you combine my two names(with link just for you):
Pretty fun huh? Give it a try and let me know!
Did you know: The large majority of the time, I respond to your comments. Be sure to go back after you comment to see what I wrote back to you....
Here is some info on my first name:
There are 271,472 people in the U.S. with the first name Manuel.
Statistically the 231st most popular first name. (tied with 2 other first names)
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Manuel are male.
Names similar to Manuel:
Emanuel
And my last name:
There are 20,998 people in the U.S. with the last name Valle.
Statistically the 1664th most popular last name. (tied with 279 other last names)
And when you combine my two names(with link just for you):
Pretty fun huh? Give it a try and let me know!
Did you know: The large majority of the time, I respond to your comments. Be sure to go back after you comment to see what I wrote back to you....
Entertainment
It comes in many forms. More than likely it is of the audio/visual variety.
ENTERTAINMENT!
As usual I have to relate it to myself in order to attempt to relate it to other folks. Finding ways to entertain my self has led to many things in my life. And I was intending to list them all and show the many ways I entertain myself. I have been sidetracked though and find a deeper meaning through all this jumble in my head. A reason as to why I watch TV or go to the movies. A motivation for my late night trips to a basketball court or a visit to the world wide web. A purpose behind checking for my latest friend approval on MySpace.com or seeing if I got an email from someone real and not just an advertiser.
I don't want to think about it.
The "IT" has changed over the years, but my methods of getting away from it haven't. I just never considered the way I handled it to be that big of a deal. I assumed that other ways to mask memories were more severely harmful to myself and others around me. I believe at the moment I am wrong. While drugs, alcohol, and sex are the more widely spread versions of what I am talking about, it appears that I just invented my own way to accomplish the same thing. In the process I made myself feel better about what I did cause it wasn't as bad as those other vices. I have entertained my life away. I am full of useless knowledge and I can apply at any given moment. I.....................oh blah blah blah. I can feel myself slipping into a melodramatic event already. Ya know after a full energy drinks, too much sugar and an entire night spent entertaining myself thanks to the magic of a DVR I am just not going to bore the rest of you. There is no real poignant moment here. I just finally get it now and sometimes it helps to clarify. I find clarity through an empty house and a TV. And a blank computer screen that needs filling. Perhaps this is a chance to have a positive spin on what was always a negative for me. All that time spent entertaining myself was not a waste of time if it becomes useful. If I can apply it somehow in my everyday life and make it valuable. Then that would be turning a frown upside down.
Point being we all hide in a way. We all find a way to deal or cope or move on. Guess it's time to find a new hobby. Perhaps base jumping.
OH yeah! Almost forgot. Cassie, you already know where I live. You didn't need to have me give your brother my address. You will feel better once you stop hiding and live honestly and openly with everyone. I know a while back I told you about the Pride Fighting company cause of your being a UFC fan. Well two of it's well-known products will be on display Saturday Night. I am going to make you a promise. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Mirko "Cro Cop" are going to knockout the two men they are facing this weekend. Guaranteed. Rabble Rock!
ENTERTAINMENT!
As usual I have to relate it to myself in order to attempt to relate it to other folks. Finding ways to entertain my self has led to many things in my life. And I was intending to list them all and show the many ways I entertain myself. I have been sidetracked though and find a deeper meaning through all this jumble in my head. A reason as to why I watch TV or go to the movies. A motivation for my late night trips to a basketball court or a visit to the world wide web. A purpose behind checking for my latest friend approval on MySpace.com or seeing if I got an email from someone real and not just an advertiser.
I don't want to think about it.
The "IT" has changed over the years, but my methods of getting away from it haven't. I just never considered the way I handled it to be that big of a deal. I assumed that other ways to mask memories were more severely harmful to myself and others around me. I believe at the moment I am wrong. While drugs, alcohol, and sex are the more widely spread versions of what I am talking about, it appears that I just invented my own way to accomplish the same thing. In the process I made myself feel better about what I did cause it wasn't as bad as those other vices. I have entertained my life away. I am full of useless knowledge and I can apply at any given moment. I.....................oh blah blah blah. I can feel myself slipping into a melodramatic event already. Ya know after a full energy drinks, too much sugar and an entire night spent entertaining myself thanks to the magic of a DVR I am just not going to bore the rest of you. There is no real poignant moment here. I just finally get it now and sometimes it helps to clarify. I find clarity through an empty house and a TV. And a blank computer screen that needs filling. Perhaps this is a chance to have a positive spin on what was always a negative for me. All that time spent entertaining myself was not a waste of time if it becomes useful. If I can apply it somehow in my everyday life and make it valuable. Then that would be turning a frown upside down.
Point being we all hide in a way. We all find a way to deal or cope or move on. Guess it's time to find a new hobby. Perhaps base jumping.
OH yeah! Almost forgot. Cassie, you already know where I live. You didn't need to have me give your brother my address. You will feel better once you stop hiding and live honestly and openly with everyone. I know a while back I told you about the Pride Fighting company cause of your being a UFC fan. Well two of it's well-known products will be on display Saturday Night. I am going to make you a promise. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Mirko "Cro Cop" are going to knockout the two men they are facing this weekend. Guaranteed. Rabble Rock!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Still doing photoshop
Haven't posted a photoshop picture in a while because I have been learning some basic stuff with a book I bought. Trying to learn what all the tools mean and do rather than just putting my head on different people all the time. Here are two things I did today with the color replacement tool. They may not be as exciting or funny as my other ones, but they took just as much time and I am actually learning.
I started with this picture of a building. Quite an eyesore for neighbors I am sure.
With a simple tool, I gave the building a more acceptable color. Now the neighbors won't be so upset.
Here is a picture of some people outside. Nothing special.
Thrown in a different skyline and suddenly, the picture looks slightly more interesting!
If you missed yesterday's post, be sure to check it out!
I started with this picture of a building. Quite an eyesore for neighbors I am sure.
With a simple tool, I gave the building a more acceptable color. Now the neighbors won't be so upset. 
Here is a picture of some people outside. Nothing special.
Thrown in a different skyline and suddenly, the picture looks slightly more interesting!If you missed yesterday's post, be sure to check it out!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Challenge
This is me at about 14 years old. Good lookin' kid I think. I know a lot of you are looking at this and saying, "Wow, he used to be somewhat skinny." It's true. At one point in my life, I was. I actually stayed pretty close to this weight until I was about 16 or so. Didn't help me get any girls or anything, but hey, that is a different story altogether. My point is that I wasn't always the big hefty man size that I am now. And you know what, I am tired of it. I'd like to lose weight. I'd like to lose a lot of it. Slowly of course, because too much at once is a bad thing. I'd like to document my weight loss here on this blog. I tried this once when I first started the blog, but because there was only like one reader at the time, I felt no pressure to keep it up. Now I have a good number of readers and I feel like this will help me with my goal. My goal is to lose an average of one pound a week. If I gain a little one week, I can still check to make sure I am still at my pound a week average. I.E. - by the end of week 4, I hope to have lost 4 pounds. If I lose 4 pounds by week 3, and then in week 4, I stay even, it's still okay because I am still at the one pound of week average. I know that some weeks, shit happens. But I always have that average to fall back on.
So, what I plan to do is weigh in every Friday morning and then post my total weight loss. Ex. Week 1, 1.5 pounds lost. I won't be putting my total weight because it isn't important right now. All that matters is if I lost.
I am asking if any bloggers or even fellow readers who don't have a blog if they would like to join me in this challenge. On Fridays, you will weigh yourself and then see how you are meeting the average goal. YOU DON"T HAVE TO PUT YOUR WEIGHT. Just what you have lost. My posts will be called "Fat Free Fridays." I am not saying any of you need it by any means, but hey, I am going to be doing it, and I thought I would extend the offer to all of you. Hey, if nobody else decides to do it, no biggie. But the invitation is out. If you do decide to do it, remember to weigh yourself on Friday morning. At the least, all I ask for is your support!
BTW: This is not a competition. More of a support group. Nobody is competing to see who loses the most weight. Just try to meet your goal.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Damn, I suck
Sorry readers for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last post. Yeah, sorry. It has been awhile. I really have no excuse. I have had things to write about, I have been just too lazy. I never feel a mental block or something similar as some of my fellow bloggers have written. I never feel uninspired. If I am not blogging, it is due to one thing and one thing only - I am just too damn lazy to wite something down. Or maybe I am just too preoccupied with other nonimportant things. Who knows...
Friday night I played in a 16 player tournament at my friend's house. Only a few people that I normally play with in my regular, every other week game at my house. I have to say that on this particular night, I played some of the best poker I have ever played in my life. Did I win? Heavens no! How did I play some of the best poker if my life if I didn't even win? Don't I win enough to say THOSE games were the best I have played? Of course. Hell, I only got 7th place out of 16 players. But on this night, I was dealt the stinkiest piles of crap cards that I have ever seen on a consistent basis. I mean, I barely saw anything that was even remotely playable. But I am a pretty patient guy. After a while though, playing no hands and watching your chips dwindle away from the blinds gets frustrating. I had to take a stand and what followed was some of the best betting, raising, and talking I have ever done in a poker game. I was winning hands with crap. I had to convince them that after waiting this long to play a hand, I now had the goods. Now, this isn't supposed to be a ringing endorsement for bluffing. I think that players who bluff too much or think they are so clever for showing you a bluff are idiots. People love showing their bluffs to show how smart they are. I don't show the others anything. Why? I just kept them guessing. I would rather them think I had good cards than embaress them by showing I bluffed them. I knew I would be bluffing again on that night. I didn't want them thinking they should be calling me the next time I made a big bet. When it was down to 7 players I lost a big race that would have put me near the chip leaders. Alas, it was not to be and my game ended. I won't say my luck ran out because there was no luck for me on that particular night. Nothing went my way and I still did ok. So, even in defeat, you can play some of your best.
I have some fun and interesting stuff coming up this week in blogland. It is my goal to post every day this week to make up for my laziness. I even have a challenge to my fellow bloggers and readers tomorrow. Stay tuned....
Friday night I played in a 16 player tournament at my friend's house. Only a few people that I normally play with in my regular, every other week game at my house. I have to say that on this particular night, I played some of the best poker I have ever played in my life. Did I win? Heavens no! How did I play some of the best poker if my life if I didn't even win? Don't I win enough to say THOSE games were the best I have played? Of course. Hell, I only got 7th place out of 16 players. But on this night, I was dealt the stinkiest piles of crap cards that I have ever seen on a consistent basis. I mean, I barely saw anything that was even remotely playable. But I am a pretty patient guy. After a while though, playing no hands and watching your chips dwindle away from the blinds gets frustrating. I had to take a stand and what followed was some of the best betting, raising, and talking I have ever done in a poker game. I was winning hands with crap. I had to convince them that after waiting this long to play a hand, I now had the goods. Now, this isn't supposed to be a ringing endorsement for bluffing. I think that players who bluff too much or think they are so clever for showing you a bluff are idiots. People love showing their bluffs to show how smart they are. I don't show the others anything. Why? I just kept them guessing. I would rather them think I had good cards than embaress them by showing I bluffed them. I knew I would be bluffing again on that night. I didn't want them thinking they should be calling me the next time I made a big bet. When it was down to 7 players I lost a big race that would have put me near the chip leaders. Alas, it was not to be and my game ended. I won't say my luck ran out because there was no luck for me on that particular night. Nothing went my way and I still did ok. So, even in defeat, you can play some of your best.
I have some fun and interesting stuff coming up this week in blogland. It is my goal to post every day this week to make up for my laziness. I even have a challenge to my fellow bloggers and readers tomorrow. Stay tuned....
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
It doesn't matter.
It was a catchy phrase a pro wrestler use to say frequently a few years ago.
"It doesn't matter."
He even turned it into a music video with Wyclef Jean, but that is not the purpose of this poetic rambling. What follows is something very simple.
A list.
It will contains things that you, the reader, probably never even thought of on this very day. Maybe in the future you will. Perhaps in the past you did. Not today though. Today this did not cross your mind. Guess what?
It doesn't matter!
1. Today a friend of yours was up all night puking from a mysterious illness. The sound of said puking was so vile, that it made those around him wanna puke.
It doesn't matter!
2. Somewhere right now a criminal is breaking into a house and destroying the hard work that someone put into said house. The TV is being stolen and the drawers in every desk are being emptied. The kitchen is being raided and left a mess. The doors are left open so that the family dog can run out and never come back.
It doesn't matter!
3. A movie is being made right now that you will eventually see in the year 2008. It will be the best movie you see that year. It will star some famous actor that you love. You will tell everyone that you saw it and you will probably blog about it somewhere just to spread the news.
It doesn't matter!
4. There is a 8-year old dribbling a basketball. It was a Christmas present and he has been carrying that thing around with him everywhere since he got it. he will be the next one cause there is always a next one. He will have a shoe named after him and everyone will know his name. And he will inspire the next 8-year old to dribble his heart away and be the next.
It doesn't matter!
5. There is a woman right now that is your age. She is stuck in a loveless marriage cause of the son that connects the two parents. She is surrounded by negativity and a family that has done nothing but suck the life out of her. If she wasn't around her husband and her family would just find some other helpless soul to leech off of. Her only source of hope is being able to give her son a good life. Her only friend through all this has just left her to go through all of this drama alone cause he could no longer help.
It doesn't matter!
6. Your neighbor just bought a new car. It is the exact color, make and model that you have been wanting to buy for the past two years, but you can't afford it. Now you have to wake up every morning and see your dream car right next to you. So close, yet so far.
It doesn't matter!
7. A new born baby just died. A innocent college girl was just raped. An elderly man just passed away in his sleep. A close friend just insulted you behind your back. A story went unwritten. A voice was left unheard. Someone just asked you for help and you didn't give it.
It doesn't matter!
The list could go on and on in full detail or in vague generalizations. Point being that no matter who you are there is something that you are not thinking about right now. Cause you are busy with work or taking care of your children or yourself. You are off doing whatever it is you do with your day and none of what I just listed is even remotely in your thoughts. Guess what?
IT'S OK
Millions of events will take place today that have nothing to do with you. You will not read about them or hear about them. You may never experience these things ever in your life. And you will still be OK. Point being that there isn't anything out there that is so horrible that you can't overcome it. There isn't anything out there so grand that you can't achieve it. There is a whole lot of grey area going on. My philosophy for the week is make the big things small and make the small things big. Flipping the script helps every now and then. Oh and guess what?
Somewhere out there there is someone that isn't reading this blog posting. They aren't getting the knowledge of an insane man passed to them via the Internet. They aren't getting a laugh out of the end of this very posting. Cause it doesn't matter. And I am fine with that.
The final paragraph is just for Cassie alone cause this is the only way I talk to her and I thought she would find this thought I had the other day interesting. So, feel free to tune out everyone else cause SEE ABOVE........If I am remembering this right you are the artistic type so maybe you will appreciate this. Of course, it has to do with Christina Aguilera. I was listening to her latest album and for some reason hearing one song popped a video idea in my head. The track, "Save Me From Myself," has basically just her and a guitar playing throughout the song. So, this is where you come in Cassie cause I only have the idea and no way to actually make the idea come to life. We can become rich kiddo. Not that she would take an idea from us to make her own video, but it's just something to pass my day so here it goes. You ever see the movie "Desperado?" There is a scene in the movie wherein the characters Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are playing are in bed together. Banderas is sleeping I believe and Hayek is sitting at the foot of the bed singing a song to him with a guitar in her hand as well. If I recall she is playing along and singing a Spanish language song to him. You see where I am going with this? The whole video for this particular Christina Aguilera song would be shot from the POV of Banderas laying in bed looking at the Hayek character playing this song. Christina sits there with the guitar in her lap and sings the song to her man. Clothing optional. Last part was just for me, but anyways. What do ya think? Maybe you already had the idea. If she does come out with this video and it is exactly like I just describe it then you will all know who came up with it first. ME! hehe These are the types of ideas that got me accepted to Chaminade University. What could have been.
Rabble Rock people.
"It doesn't matter."
He even turned it into a music video with Wyclef Jean, but that is not the purpose of this poetic rambling. What follows is something very simple.
A list.
It will contains things that you, the reader, probably never even thought of on this very day. Maybe in the future you will. Perhaps in the past you did. Not today though. Today this did not cross your mind. Guess what?
It doesn't matter!
1. Today a friend of yours was up all night puking from a mysterious illness. The sound of said puking was so vile, that it made those around him wanna puke.
It doesn't matter!
2. Somewhere right now a criminal is breaking into a house and destroying the hard work that someone put into said house. The TV is being stolen and the drawers in every desk are being emptied. The kitchen is being raided and left a mess. The doors are left open so that the family dog can run out and never come back.
It doesn't matter!
3. A movie is being made right now that you will eventually see in the year 2008. It will be the best movie you see that year. It will star some famous actor that you love. You will tell everyone that you saw it and you will probably blog about it somewhere just to spread the news.
It doesn't matter!
4. There is a 8-year old dribbling a basketball. It was a Christmas present and he has been carrying that thing around with him everywhere since he got it. he will be the next one cause there is always a next one. He will have a shoe named after him and everyone will know his name. And he will inspire the next 8-year old to dribble his heart away and be the next.
It doesn't matter!
5. There is a woman right now that is your age. She is stuck in a loveless marriage cause of the son that connects the two parents. She is surrounded by negativity and a family that has done nothing but suck the life out of her. If she wasn't around her husband and her family would just find some other helpless soul to leech off of. Her only source of hope is being able to give her son a good life. Her only friend through all this has just left her to go through all of this drama alone cause he could no longer help.
It doesn't matter!
6. Your neighbor just bought a new car. It is the exact color, make and model that you have been wanting to buy for the past two years, but you can't afford it. Now you have to wake up every morning and see your dream car right next to you. So close, yet so far.
It doesn't matter!
7. A new born baby just died. A innocent college girl was just raped. An elderly man just passed away in his sleep. A close friend just insulted you behind your back. A story went unwritten. A voice was left unheard. Someone just asked you for help and you didn't give it.
It doesn't matter!
The list could go on and on in full detail or in vague generalizations. Point being that no matter who you are there is something that you are not thinking about right now. Cause you are busy with work or taking care of your children or yourself. You are off doing whatever it is you do with your day and none of what I just listed is even remotely in your thoughts. Guess what?
IT'S OK
Millions of events will take place today that have nothing to do with you. You will not read about them or hear about them. You may never experience these things ever in your life. And you will still be OK. Point being that there isn't anything out there that is so horrible that you can't overcome it. There isn't anything out there so grand that you can't achieve it. There is a whole lot of grey area going on. My philosophy for the week is make the big things small and make the small things big. Flipping the script helps every now and then. Oh and guess what?
Somewhere out there there is someone that isn't reading this blog posting. They aren't getting the knowledge of an insane man passed to them via the Internet. They aren't getting a laugh out of the end of this very posting. Cause it doesn't matter. And I am fine with that.
The final paragraph is just for Cassie alone cause this is the only way I talk to her and I thought she would find this thought I had the other day interesting. So, feel free to tune out everyone else cause SEE ABOVE........If I am remembering this right you are the artistic type so maybe you will appreciate this. Of course, it has to do with Christina Aguilera. I was listening to her latest album and for some reason hearing one song popped a video idea in my head. The track, "Save Me From Myself," has basically just her and a guitar playing throughout the song. So, this is where you come in Cassie cause I only have the idea and no way to actually make the idea come to life. We can become rich kiddo. Not that she would take an idea from us to make her own video, but it's just something to pass my day so here it goes. You ever see the movie "Desperado?" There is a scene in the movie wherein the characters Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are playing are in bed together. Banderas is sleeping I believe and Hayek is sitting at the foot of the bed singing a song to him with a guitar in her hand as well. If I recall she is playing along and singing a Spanish language song to him. You see where I am going with this? The whole video for this particular Christina Aguilera song would be shot from the POV of Banderas laying in bed looking at the Hayek character playing this song. Christina sits there with the guitar in her lap and sings the song to her man. Clothing optional. Last part was just for me, but anyways. What do ya think? Maybe you already had the idea. If she does come out with this video and it is exactly like I just describe it then you will all know who came up with it first. ME! hehe These are the types of ideas that got me accepted to Chaminade University. What could have been.
Rabble Rock people.
And The Nominees Are...
Manuel and I woke up at 530 this morning to watch the Academy Award nominations. The Academy Awards are a HUGE deal for us. For those of you who don't know, every year we see all 5 movies nominated for Best Picture. Manuel and I have been doing this for 10 years, and before he was in the picture, my step-mom and I were doing it for a few years before that. I really like that we do this - it gives us intimate knowledge of the nominees and we are better able to enjoy the awards show, especially the end when they announce the big winner.
So, without further ado, I give you the Best Picture nominations for 2006, a little information about each movie (thanks to www.imdb.com) and our status and opinions...
Summary: Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.
Summary: A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.
Summary: After the untimely death of Lady Diana Spencer, Queen Elizabeth's restrained reaction causes a public relations debacle that Prime Minister Tony Blair must defuse.
So, without further ado, I give you the Best Picture nominations for 2006, a little information about each movie (thanks to www.imdb.com) and our status and opinions...
Summary: Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.Status: Saw it
Opinion: LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED it!
Summary: A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.
Status: Has been on Netflix since before it was nominated.
Opinion: We look forward to seeing this. We've heard it is really cute.
Summary: Tragedy strikes a married couple on vacation in the Moroccan desert, touching off an interlocking story involving six different families.
Status: Have to see it.
Opinion: We're ok with this one too. We think it sounds a lot like 2005's winner, Crash. But Brad Pitt is in it!
Summary: The story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it.
Status: Have to see it.
Status: Have to see it.
Opinion: I'm not a big war movie fan - Thin Red Line, Saving Private Ryan. I'm ok if I never ever see those movies again. Manuel is ok with having to see this.
Summary: After the untimely death of Lady Diana Spencer, Queen Elizabeth's restrained reaction causes a public relations debacle that Prime Minister Tony Blair must defuse.Status: Have to see it.
Opinion: Neither of us is really interested in seeing this movie. We are SO over the whole Princess Di thing... Of all the nominated movies, we are least thrilled about this one.
But SUPER thrilled we don't have to see Dreamgirls!!
We'll update you as we see the movies and the opinions roll in. So excited for February 25th!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Enough with the cold....
I don't remember ever being this cold for this many days straight. It's been freezing. What makes it worse is I have always been someone who starts to cough when it is really cold outside. Especially in the morning. I don't have to be sick. I can be perfectly healthy and I will cough if it is cold outside. I played basketball yesterday morning with my friends because I needed to get out and get some exercise. I paid for it when I left the house and when I was done playing as well. At least I don't cough while I am playing. What amazes me is that there are still some places that are not cold. In fact it is bikini weather:
This is Jessica Biel RECENTLY. Bikini weather in January? Where do I sign up? Not that I want to wear a bikini peronally, but at least the weather would be nice. I don't want heat, just no more cold, bordering on below freezing weather. And while I am showing Jessica Biel, let me talk about her. Beautiful. On my top five list if not at number one. But here is what I dig about her and you should too. As you know, Hollywood has a problem right now with skinny actresses. They look sickly. It's not sexy when you can see almost every bone in the girl's body poking out. It's gross and does nothing for me. Now, Jessica Biel is sknny too, but a different kind. She's in shape. Hell, with those muscles, she might be able to beat me up. So please, Hollywood actresses, let's have more of this. In shape = sexy. Anorexic = not.
Here are a couple more of her, just because...
This is Jessica Biel RECENTLY. Bikini weather in January? Where do I sign up? Not that I want to wear a bikini peronally, but at least the weather would be nice. I don't want heat, just no more cold, bordering on below freezing weather. And while I am showing Jessica Biel, let me talk about her. Beautiful. On my top five list if not at number one. But here is what I dig about her and you should too. As you know, Hollywood has a problem right now with skinny actresses. They look sickly. It's not sexy when you can see almost every bone in the girl's body poking out. It's gross and does nothing for me. Now, Jessica Biel is sknny too, but a different kind. She's in shape. Hell, with those muscles, she might be able to beat me up. So please, Hollywood actresses, let's have more of this. In shape = sexy. Anorexic = not. Here are a couple more of her, just because...
Friday, January 19, 2007
No More Spanking in California
I ran across a very interesting article on the front page of the paper today that you Sacramento folk may have read already. There is legislation being discussed that could BAN spanking of anykids over the age of 4 in California. Here are the highlights from Sacbee.com:
"Spank your child, go to jail?
California would become the first state to explicitly ban spanking for children younger than 4 under legislation to be introduced next week.
Slapping, smacking, whacking or kicking also would be outlawed.
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, a Mountain View Democrat who is crafting the measure, said corporal punishment victimizes helpless children and contributes to a society "addicted to violence."
"The only thing a child learns by being beaten is that it's OK to beat or dominate children or animals that are smaller," she said.
"To my mind, there's no amount of physical force that's appropriate on a child 3 years old or younger," Lieber said.
Critics blasted Lieber's proposal Thursday as silly and excessive, or "nanny government" that would step on parents' toes and force judges to decide whether a swat was a spank, a nudge, a push or a "love tap."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the measure, press secretary Aaron McLear said.
In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Schwarzenegger, who said that he and his wife "never" spank their four children, hinted that he has concerns about how the bill could be enforced. "Is it that when you see someone spank a kid, you go and say, 'Can I see the birth certificate of the kid?' "
But Schwarzenegger also said that he understands the desire to "get rid of the physical, the brutal behavior that some parents have."
Lieber said her measure would make spanking a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine.
But Thomas Nazario, a University of San Francisco Law School professor who has helped develop the bill, said the goal is to change behavior -- not incarcerate parents or remove children from homes.
"My guess is that people would get a citation," Nazario said. "They might go to court and, as a result of that citation, have to take a parenting class."
Lieber said passage of her bill could prompt a supermarket shopper, for example, to approach a fellow shopper who is spanking a child and warn, "That's against the law in California."
But Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said such confrontations can be risky.
"I don't think that would necessarily be in the best interest of any of the parties," he said.
McGinness said that an anti-spanking law, if passed as a misdemeanor, could be enforced only by citizen's arrest or by a peace officer who witnessed the corporal punishment.
Critics said a spanking prohibition could spark a torrent of calls to overloaded law-enforcement and child protective agencies, but Lieber disagreed, saying problems didn't occur when corporal punishment was banned in schools.
For many years, the conventional wisdom in the early-childhood education community was that child spanking is unacceptable in all circumstances, said Kimberly Gordon Biddle, an associate professor of child development at California State University, Sacramento.
But during the past 10 years, research has indicated that a "light tap," accompanied by an explanation, can be effective in cases where toddlers are endangering themselves or others, she said."
I do agree with that Sheriff. Could you walk up to some random stranger and tell them to stop spanking a kid - even if it was a light tap? The adult could be crazy and it could start a fight right there in the market. Would this really stop abuse in the home, where nobody is looking. Child abuse is of course a horrible thing, but most abuse has to happen in the home and I believe that this will continue. I just think that the government is getting way to involved here. Do I condone spanking? No. But do I think they should pass this bill? Absolutely not. Stay away Big Brother. Thoughts???
"Spank your child, go to jail?
California would become the first state to explicitly ban spanking for children younger than 4 under legislation to be introduced next week.
Slapping, smacking, whacking or kicking also would be outlawed.
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, a Mountain View Democrat who is crafting the measure, said corporal punishment victimizes helpless children and contributes to a society "addicted to violence."
"The only thing a child learns by being beaten is that it's OK to beat or dominate children or animals that are smaller," she said.
"To my mind, there's no amount of physical force that's appropriate on a child 3 years old or younger," Lieber said.
Critics blasted Lieber's proposal Thursday as silly and excessive, or "nanny government" that would step on parents' toes and force judges to decide whether a swat was a spank, a nudge, a push or a "love tap."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the measure, press secretary Aaron McLear said.
In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Schwarzenegger, who said that he and his wife "never" spank their four children, hinted that he has concerns about how the bill could be enforced. "Is it that when you see someone spank a kid, you go and say, 'Can I see the birth certificate of the kid?' "
But Schwarzenegger also said that he understands the desire to "get rid of the physical, the brutal behavior that some parents have."
Lieber said her measure would make spanking a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine.
But Thomas Nazario, a University of San Francisco Law School professor who has helped develop the bill, said the goal is to change behavior -- not incarcerate parents or remove children from homes.
"My guess is that people would get a citation," Nazario said. "They might go to court and, as a result of that citation, have to take a parenting class."
Lieber said passage of her bill could prompt a supermarket shopper, for example, to approach a fellow shopper who is spanking a child and warn, "That's against the law in California."
But Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said such confrontations can be risky.
"I don't think that would necessarily be in the best interest of any of the parties," he said.
McGinness said that an anti-spanking law, if passed as a misdemeanor, could be enforced only by citizen's arrest or by a peace officer who witnessed the corporal punishment.
Critics said a spanking prohibition could spark a torrent of calls to overloaded law-enforcement and child protective agencies, but Lieber disagreed, saying problems didn't occur when corporal punishment was banned in schools.
For many years, the conventional wisdom in the early-childhood education community was that child spanking is unacceptable in all circumstances, said Kimberly Gordon Biddle, an associate professor of child development at California State University, Sacramento.
But during the past 10 years, research has indicated that a "light tap," accompanied by an explanation, can be effective in cases where toddlers are endangering themselves or others, she said."
I do agree with that Sheriff. Could you walk up to some random stranger and tell them to stop spanking a kid - even if it was a light tap? The adult could be crazy and it could start a fight right there in the market. Would this really stop abuse in the home, where nobody is looking. Child abuse is of course a horrible thing, but most abuse has to happen in the home and I believe that this will continue. I just think that the government is getting way to involved here. Do I condone spanking? No. But do I think they should pass this bill? Absolutely not. Stay away Big Brother. Thoughts???
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
SCORE!!!
I just scored a cool deal with Directv! As many of you know, I have NBA league pass and I have had it for many years. I gt to watch basically ever single NBA game. I am big fan, but it isn't my favorite sport. Soccer is my favorite. There are a couple of soccer channels, but you have to pay the $12 a month for the complete sports package to get the 3 soccer channels plus all the regional sport networks. I wanted to do it, but I just couldn't pull the trigger. However, thsi year, I am barely watching any NBA games outside of the Kings. They are all at night and Jess and I usually have something better to watch. Even if there is a good game, Jess really doesn't want to watch and we end up watching something else.
I decided to call Directv and see if I could get half of my money back since the season is not even half done yet. They said there were no refunds and they apologized. I told them I would get the sports package so they would still be gettin my money. (Well, a little less as the sports package is $12/mo x 12 momths for $144 while the league pass is $169/yr.) The read me the contract that says no refunds and again apologized, but told me, if I wanted the sports package still, they would give it to me for TWO DOLLARS a month! Right away, I said, "SOLD!"
So, I still have league pass. I'll watch some games when I can. But now I am getting my sports package which most importantly has the soccer channels for $2/mo instead of $12/mo for the first 6 months. Not too bad a deal. And with my high definition box coming next month, my tv life is good....
I decided to call Directv and see if I could get half of my money back since the season is not even half done yet. They said there were no refunds and they apologized. I told them I would get the sports package so they would still be gettin my money. (Well, a little less as the sports package is $12/mo x 12 momths for $144 while the league pass is $169/yr.) The read me the contract that says no refunds and again apologized, but told me, if I wanted the sports package still, they would give it to me for TWO DOLLARS a month! Right away, I said, "SOLD!"
So, I still have league pass. I'll watch some games when I can. But now I am getting my sports package which most importantly has the soccer channels for $2/mo instead of $12/mo for the first 6 months. Not too bad a deal. And with my high definition box coming next month, my tv life is good....
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
That show is back
American Idol is back on tv tonight. We despise this show. You know, it was kind of fun at first, but the amount of time it is on is just overkill. For two seasons, I watched it because competitions are fun. Singing is fun. But the reasons I hate the show just got too much. Too many cheesy skits hawking various products. Too much time wasting. It just drags to no end. Too much Ryan Seacrest. Too much ass kissing. Then the topper came when a good friend and her brother tried out for the show. They are awesome singers. Amazing. But when they decided to try out two years ago, they each got about 20 seconds with some random judge before they said no thanks. They couldn't get a decent tryout, but we get bombarded the first few weeks with horrible singers just trying to be stupid to get on tv. That's bullshit. It was then that I decided I wasn't watching anymore. I know that the show will continue to get good ratings as people love this stuff, but hey, it's just not for me.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Review of Cross
I finished reading Cross the the other day so I figured I better follow it up with a review. Cross is the newest book written by James Patterson and the latest in the Alex Cross series. I'm a big fan of the books in the series including Kiss the Girls and Big Bad Wolf. It doesn't bug me like Jessica that Alex Cross always seems to single handly save the day at the end of each book. Anyways, this was a really good book. Loved it in fact. If you know anything about the Alex Cross character, you know that he has always lived with the fact that his wife was murdered and that the case was never solved. Well, in this book, new developments give clues as to who may have murdered his wife so many years ago. I'll leave it at that as I don't want to give too much away. Needless to say, with what is at stake, Cross takes a deep interest in the case at hand. If you have read any books in the Alex Cross series, definitely check this one out. Easily, one of my favorites in the series.
As an added bonus, here is my sister playing Guitar Hero. Always trying to spread the gospel....
My wife and sis are now a band!!!
As an added bonus, here is my sister playing Guitar Hero. Always trying to spread the gospel....
My wife and sis are now a band!!!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Civil War update
As I mentioned previously - http://manuelsview.blogspot.com/2006/09/civil-war.html - I am reading a series called Civil War in the Marvel Universe. It would help to reread that post, but here is a very brief recap. The death of hundreds of civilians during a battle between heroes and villains causes the government to pass a law stating that all costumed people with powers must register with them. Some heroes led by Iron Man support it. Others led by Captain America disagree and go into hiding. This lead to the now famous unmasking by Spiderman to support the law. Things go bad when an anti-registration hero is killed in a battle. Everyone is split into two sides except the X-Men who have chosen to remain neutral. Spiderman soon realizes the law is wrong and had just decided to switch sides at my last update.
Well, many months later, 2 more huge issues have been released(there has been some delays). Spiderman did in fact leave the registration side, but is hunted down by villains now working for the heroes on the registration side. He is near death, but is finally saved by the Punisher, seen for the first time in the series. This led to the Punisher bringing Spiderman to the other side for help in this memorable picture. I LOVE this picture!!! Click on them to see them bigger and more clearly.
Before it got even more carried away, Iron Man and Captain America met in private to try to talk it out one last time in an issue separate of the Civil War main title. In what may be one of the best single issues I have ever read, the two talk it out and discuss their history together. In the end, they realize they can't agree and briefly fight before going their sepearate ways, maybe for the last time. A spectacular issue. Both sides know the final battle is coming. With the help of the Punisher, the anti registration heroes find a way into the other side's base for one final battle. Both sides have their forces gathered and meet like two boxers in the center of the ring. These are the last two pages of issue 6. I had to scan one of the pages in two sections as it was across two pages. That is why they may not match up perfectly. The final battle comes next month. I'm so excited.
Well, many months later, 2 more huge issues have been released(there has been some delays). Spiderman did in fact leave the registration side, but is hunted down by villains now working for the heroes on the registration side. He is near death, but is finally saved by the Punisher, seen for the first time in the series. This led to the Punisher bringing Spiderman to the other side for help in this memorable picture. I LOVE this picture!!! Click on them to see them bigger and more clearly. Before it got even more carried away, Iron Man and Captain America met in private to try to talk it out one last time in an issue separate of the Civil War main title. In what may be one of the best single issues I have ever read, the two talk it out and discuss their history together. In the end, they realize they can't agree and briefly fight before going their sepearate ways, maybe for the last time. A spectacular issue. Both sides know the final battle is coming. With the help of the Punisher, the anti registration heroes find a way into the other side's base for one final battle. Both sides have their forces gathered and meet like two boxers in the center of the ring. These are the last two pages of issue 6. I had to scan one of the pages in two sections as it was across two pages. That is why they may not match up perfectly. The final battle comes next month. I'm so excited.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Testing it out...
So my sister wants me to make a video collage for her wedding in September so I have to learn this new program called PhotoStory. It was actually fairly simple. There are a few tweaks I want to learn, but this is what I accomplished this morning. Since I had to use images, I used most of my photoshop pics that you have already seen since I didn't want to waste time scanning pics right now. Here ya go. Let me know what you think of the program.
Edit: I am not sure why the youtube screen isn't centered and there is white on the right. If it bugs you, double click on the video to be taken to the youtube site where the video is centered. The video isn't like that there. Just some html problm I can't figure out.
Edit: I am not sure why the youtube screen isn't centered and there is white on the right. If it bugs you, double click on the video to be taken to the youtube site where the video is centered. The video isn't like that there. Just some html problm I can't figure out.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Mistaken Iden-titty
So I was sitting here reading my new comics when my phone beebed that I had a message. I checked out my phone and it said I had a picture message. I don't subscribe to text or picture messages(although I do occasionally text MrVideoGuy telling him to come over and get his but kicked on my PS3). They cost money, but I decided to check out what the picture was even though I didn't recognize the number the message was from. I opened it up and to my shock, it was a picture of two people having sex from a camera phone. I figured I better get to the bottom of who was sending this to me so I called the number:
Guy: You like the picture?!?!?!
Me: Umm, who is this?
Guy: Isn't this Brian?
Me: Umm...nope, sorry.
Guy: Oh, my friend Brian told me to send him the picture and he gave me this number. Maybe I misheard him.
Me: Sorry, wrong number man.
Guy: Well then, YOU enjoy the picture my friend! HAHAHA!
Talk about a wrong number!
Sorry I haven't been posting this week. Truth be told, I have been too busy with work and even more, playing my PS3. I finally got my PS3 to work online on a consistent basis and since then, I have been playing Resistance:Fall of Man nonstop. I go online and then compete against other people. Well, compete isn't really the word, we run around trying to blow each other up. It's so addicting. So far, I suck, but I'm getting better! Have a good weekend.
Guy: You like the picture?!?!?!
Me: Umm, who is this?
Guy: Isn't this Brian?
Me: Umm...nope, sorry.
Guy: Oh, my friend Brian told me to send him the picture and he gave me this number. Maybe I misheard him.
Me: Sorry, wrong number man.
Guy: Well then, YOU enjoy the picture my friend! HAHAHA!
Talk about a wrong number!
Sorry I haven't been posting this week. Truth be told, I have been too busy with work and even more, playing my PS3. I finally got my PS3 to work online on a consistent basis and since then, I have been playing Resistance:Fall of Man nonstop. I go online and then compete against other people. Well, compete isn't really the word, we run around trying to blow each other up. It's so addicting. So far, I suck, but I'm getting better! Have a good weekend.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
He's back too!
Well, it has been rumored FOREVER, but it was finally confirmed this weekend. Indiana Jones is BACK! First Rocky. Then John McClane. Now the best of all of them is back. Lucas and Spielberg finally got a script they are happy with and shooting is confirmed to be shooting in June. Harrison Ford chimed in with:"I'm delighted to be back in business with my old friends. I don't know if the pants still fit, but I know the hat will."
How can you not get excited by that quote?!?
Hope everyone had a fun and safe new year.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Adventures at IKEA
Last night Manuel and I went to IKEA. We wanted to pick up a TV stand for the bedroom, because we’re doing a lot of TV rearranging. The new LCD HDTV is now in the entertainment center in the living room, so the TV that was there is going into our bedroom, but it is HUGE and I don’t want it sitting on top of the dresser, hence we were looking for a TV stand.
But that’s not the point of my story, that’s just why we were at IKEA last night. Here’s the point of my story…
It was after 6pm when we got to IKEA and we hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so we decided to eat before we shopped. IKEA actually has some pretty good food; we recommend you try the meatballs the next time you’re there. So we each get a meatball plate and notice a sign on the counter that says you get a free roll with each hot food plate. Score – a free roll!
We go to get our rolls and as we’re doing so there are 2 ladies also with a meatball plate at the roll place. I overhear their conversation:
Lady 1: Let’s get a roll.
Lady 2: No, you have to pay extra for them.
Me: No you don’t. They’re included in the price of a hot plate.
Lady 2: No they’re not.
Me: Well, that’s what the sign on the counter said…
And I walk away, thinking to myself how much of a bitch that lady was for arguing with me. It doesn’t come across in print, but she had a tone and a half when she said, “No they’re not.” Well excuse the hell out of me for trying to help you out!
So Manuel and I are in line waiting to pay, and bitchy lady is behind us. The line is longish, as you can imagine, what with it being dinnertime and all. An IKEA employee is cruising down the line, asking if anyone plans to pay with a credit card. Manuel and I NEVER have cash and ALWAYS pay with credit cards, so he raises his hand and says that we are. He calls us to a different register and as we’re walking away, I hear bitchy lady say, with an unreal amount of disgust in her voice, “Can you imagine paying with a credit card?!”
Excuse me?! Who is she to judge how we choose to pay for our food? We pay off our credit card bill every month and I guarantee our credit is better than hers. What I should have done was turned around and said, “I’ll remember you said that as we’re taking our free flight to Europe.”
But that’s not the point of my story, that’s just why we were at IKEA last night. Here’s the point of my story…
It was after 6pm when we got to IKEA and we hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so we decided to eat before we shopped. IKEA actually has some pretty good food; we recommend you try the meatballs the next time you’re there. So we each get a meatball plate and notice a sign on the counter that says you get a free roll with each hot food plate. Score – a free roll!
We go to get our rolls and as we’re doing so there are 2 ladies also with a meatball plate at the roll place. I overhear their conversation:
Lady 1: Let’s get a roll.
Lady 2: No, you have to pay extra for them.
Me: No you don’t. They’re included in the price of a hot plate.
Lady 2: No they’re not.
Me: Well, that’s what the sign on the counter said…
And I walk away, thinking to myself how much of a bitch that lady was for arguing with me. It doesn’t come across in print, but she had a tone and a half when she said, “No they’re not.” Well excuse the hell out of me for trying to help you out!
So Manuel and I are in line waiting to pay, and bitchy lady is behind us. The line is longish, as you can imagine, what with it being dinnertime and all. An IKEA employee is cruising down the line, asking if anyone plans to pay with a credit card. Manuel and I NEVER have cash and ALWAYS pay with credit cards, so he raises his hand and says that we are. He calls us to a different register and as we’re walking away, I hear bitchy lady say, with an unreal amount of disgust in her voice, “Can you imagine paying with a credit card?!”
Excuse me?! Who is she to judge how we choose to pay for our food? We pay off our credit card bill every month and I guarantee our credit is better than hers. What I should have done was turned around and said, “I’ll remember you said that as we’re taking our free flight to Europe.”
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
What a Christmas
I had a great Christmas and I hope you all did as well. Tamales on Christmas Eve were great and even greater knowing that once again, I took part in making them. I also did pretty damn well in the gift department. Let's see if I can think of everything I got:
Patio furniture
Gas barbecue
Cap Gun
Alien statue (as in the movie) made from random car parts
Fart tshirt
Sword holder in shape of claws ( I have a sword collection)
Cookie jar
Cookies
Guitar Hero 1 for PS2
Ice Chest
Bully for PS2
Lucky Number Slevin DVD
50 First Dates DVD
4 pairs of fun boxers
Young Guns 2 Soundtrack
Monopoly Here and Now Edition
Rocky tshirt
Cobra Kai tshirt
Punisher tshirt
2 Comic Book tshirts
Buddah Belly tshirt which will be returned - too small
PJs
Resistance for PS3
X-Men Encyclopedia which is a history of the comic and the marketing of the comic - HUGE
Stuffed PEZ snowman
Gift certificates to comic shop
Antique WW2 German Bayonet
I think that is it. Hopefully I didn't forget something. Yeah, I am pretty spoiled. It is weird. I am 28 years old and I see many similarities to when I was 12 years old - video games, comic stuff, etc. I am not grwoing up in the least.
In case you didn't notice, I made a post on December 22 where I gave all you fellow bloggers a Christmas gift. Be sure to check out what I got you if you haven't already.
Patio furniture
Gas barbecue
Cap Gun
Alien statue (as in the movie) made from random car parts
Fart tshirt
Sword holder in shape of claws ( I have a sword collection)
Cookie jar
Cookies
Guitar Hero 1 for PS2
Ice Chest
Bully for PS2
Lucky Number Slevin DVD
50 First Dates DVD
4 pairs of fun boxers
Young Guns 2 Soundtrack
Monopoly Here and Now Edition
Rocky tshirt
Cobra Kai tshirt
Punisher tshirt
2 Comic Book tshirts
Buddah Belly tshirt which will be returned - too small
PJs
Resistance for PS3
X-Men Encyclopedia which is a history of the comic and the marketing of the comic - HUGE
Stuffed PEZ snowman
Gift certificates to comic shop
Antique WW2 German Bayonet
I think that is it. Hopefully I didn't forget something. Yeah, I am pretty spoiled. It is weird. I am 28 years old and I see many similarities to when I was 12 years old - video games, comic stuff, etc. I am not grwoing up in the least.
In case you didn't notice, I made a post on December 22 where I gave all you fellow bloggers a Christmas gift. Be sure to check out what I got you if you haven't already.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Brilliant
We just saw Rocky Balboa. Brilliant is all I can say. Truthfully, this is now one of my favorite films of all time. The emotion in this movie is just magnificent. My mom pretty much cried the WHOLE movie. Jess, who wasn't really excited about going, said she got teary eyed a few times. Now, I have been always partial to Stallone as one of my first posts ever was a tribute to Stallone films - http://manuelsview.blogspot.com/2004/12/why-hate.html. But seriously, this film exceeded my expectatins by a mile. There were plenty of naysayers when I first blogged about this movie many months ago. But truthfully, this one might be even better than the first. Bravo Stallone. You did it. You have silenced the naysayers. You have made a movie to stand up with the original.
Thank you...
Thank you...
Friday, December 22, 2006
COME ON!!!!!
Let me relay to you a telephone conversation that took place at work today. When I'm done, let me know if I was justified in wanting to murder this woman.
Background: She previously had a girlie-problem for which the doctor prescribed a pill, and now this girlie-problem was back and she wanted the pill again. She called me asking for it and there are a few pills I can prescribe via standing orders without asking a doctor and this is one of them.
Me: What pharmacy do you want me to call this into?
Her: The Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack.
Me: Do you have the number?
Her: Yeah, it's 339-0872 (not the real number.)
Me: 339-0872?
Her: Yes.
Me: I'll call it in right now.
Her: Thanks.
So I dial the number but it's not the Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack, it's the Walgreens on Auburn and Madison. But I leave the prescription anyway. And I didn't have to do this, but I'm a nice person so I call her to tell her.
Me: I wanted to let you know that the number you gave me was for the Walgreens on Auburn and Madison, so I called the prescription there.
Her: No, that's too far away!
Me: Well, that was the number you gave me.
Her: No I didn't.
Me: Um, yes you did. I even read it back to you before we hung up.
Her: 339-6549?
Me: That's not the number you gave me.
Her: Well I don't know how you got that other number... Oh, I see it right here on the bottle. Sorry.
Me: OK, so the number to the one of Fruitridge and Mack is 339-6549?
Her: Yes, 339-6549.
Me: OK, I'll call it in now.
Her: Thanks.
So I call this number. But it's not Walgreens. Oh, no...
Ring, ring...
Him: Yolo County Sherrif's Department.
Me: Um, you're not Walgreens...
Him: No...
Me: Sorry.
I try the number again, thinking maybe I misdialed. No such luck - I called the sheriff's again.
So I call the patient back... again.
Me: I've never had this much trouble calling a prescription for a patient. The number you gave me was for the Yolo County Sheriff's Department.
Her: It was? 399-6549?
Me: That's not what you gave me. I'll try that.
And indeed it FINALLY was the Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack but MY GOD!!!!!
Background: She previously had a girlie-problem for which the doctor prescribed a pill, and now this girlie-problem was back and she wanted the pill again. She called me asking for it and there are a few pills I can prescribe via standing orders without asking a doctor and this is one of them.
Me: What pharmacy do you want me to call this into?
Her: The Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack.
Me: Do you have the number?
Her: Yeah, it's 339-0872 (not the real number.)
Me: 339-0872?
Her: Yes.
Me: I'll call it in right now.
Her: Thanks.
So I dial the number but it's not the Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack, it's the Walgreens on Auburn and Madison. But I leave the prescription anyway. And I didn't have to do this, but I'm a nice person so I call her to tell her.
Me: I wanted to let you know that the number you gave me was for the Walgreens on Auburn and Madison, so I called the prescription there.
Her: No, that's too far away!
Me: Well, that was the number you gave me.
Her: No I didn't.
Me: Um, yes you did. I even read it back to you before we hung up.
Her: 339-6549?
Me: That's not the number you gave me.
Her: Well I don't know how you got that other number... Oh, I see it right here on the bottle. Sorry.
Me: OK, so the number to the one of Fruitridge and Mack is 339-6549?
Her: Yes, 339-6549.
Me: OK, I'll call it in now.
Her: Thanks.
So I call this number. But it's not Walgreens. Oh, no...
Ring, ring...
Him: Yolo County Sherrif's Department.
Me: Um, you're not Walgreens...
Him: No...
Me: Sorry.
I try the number again, thinking maybe I misdialed. No such luck - I called the sheriff's again.
So I call the patient back... again.
Me: I've never had this much trouble calling a prescription for a patient. The number you gave me was for the Yolo County Sheriff's Department.
Her: It was? 399-6549?
Me: That's not what you gave me. I'll try that.
And indeed it FINALLY was the Walgreens on Fruitridge and Mack but MY GOD!!!!!
Present time!!!
Time to hand out presents to all my fellow bloggers. I worked hard on finding the perfect gifts for all of you who have entertained me with your writings over the past year. So what did I get you all?
Battlerocker - Yeah, I think this shirt explains it all. With one semester left before he graduates from law school, he will need this novelty shirt soon.
Sebastien - He like art so much, why not get him a big book of nothing but famous art.
Crazybitch cousins - I'm sure this calender will be right up their alley!
Rhys - Yeah it is a lot , but I know he really wants one of these 360s. Of course, if he was smart, he'd go with a PS3. Hehe.....
Jose - He likes Harleys and I think he likes to eat. Why not a cookbook of good foods to cook before you go on a long ride?!?
Night Panther - Well, he really doesn't need a book on how to do phoography as his pictures are all amazing. Here is a book of great pictures taken in Life magazine.
Jerry - Mr. Political gets a book that I believe makes fun of politicians. Hell, he has probably read it already!
Sonja - The parrot who owns me? Yeah, I think she'll like this one.
Sushi - Not to make light of her situation, but maybe it will help her get a good laugh .......or idea.
Jerkstore - Ya get jerk Sauce. Yup, pretty original.
Val - A Rouge graphic novel. Yeah, I am sure she'll read this.
Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy the holiday...
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I don't think I can move to the UK
Before I start my post, where the hell is everyone?!?!? I think I am averaging like 3 comments per post the last week or so. Is it because I switched to BETA? PLEASE, if you are having trouble commenting on my blog now, please email me at mrmanuel @ surewest . net to let me know about it so I can give some suggestions. I miss my readers...
Anyways, today I got a Christmas card in the mail from Rhys across the pond in Wales. I thought it was cool we were exchanging cards. I've never received a Christmas card from Europe. It was cool because I have always had a fascination with the UK because of things like Manchester United, Wimbledon, etc. I've always wanted to go there. In fact, my parents promised me when I was a freshman in high school that they would pay for me to go after I graduated. Still waiting on that one. So back to the card. I opened it up and what did it say? Read below(sorry for the blurriness):
"We don't have Santa here!!"
What?!?! No Santa? I still really want to go there, but my heart just broke into a million pieces. I can visit there, but not during Christmas time! Regardless, thanks for the card Rhys.
By the way, here's the trailer for Ocean's 13.
http://movies.aol.com/movie/oceans-13/24822/trailer
Anyways, today I got a Christmas card in the mail from Rhys across the pond in Wales. I thought it was cool we were exchanging cards. I've never received a Christmas card from Europe. It was cool because I have always had a fascination with the UK because of things like Manchester United, Wimbledon, etc. I've always wanted to go there. In fact, my parents promised me when I was a freshman in high school that they would pay for me to go after I graduated. Still waiting on that one. So back to the card. I opened it up and what did it say? Read below(sorry for the blurriness):
"We don't have Santa here!!"
What?!?! No Santa? I still really want to go there, but my heart just broke into a million pieces. I can visit there, but not during Christmas time! Regardless, thanks for the card Rhys.
By the way, here's the trailer for Ocean's 13.
http://movies.aol.com/movie/oceans-13/24822/trailer
FUCK YEAH!!!
Quick post. The new Transformers trailer is up. Go see it. Go see it now!!! Here is the link!
http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/transformers/
My god, it looks good. CAN NOT WAIT!!!
http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/transformers/
My god, it looks good. CAN NOT WAIT!!!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Another brawl
Last night saw another brawl in the NBA. Not really too surprising, as the big grown men beat on each other for two and half hours. It just drew my attention because some of my least favorite people in the NBA were involved. First the background: Nuggets were up by around 20 with only a couple of minutes left and still had the starters in. Why? Were they rubbing it in? Well, according to some people, yes. Larry Brown was treated pretty shittily as a coach last year in his one year as coach of the Knicks. Isiah Thomas, who controls the Knicks, could probably be seen at the main person responsible for it. So who coaches the Nuggets? Not Brown, but George Karl, who is a good friend of Larry Brown. The rubbing it in was seen by some as Gerge Karl retaliating against how Isiah, now the coach of the Knicks, treated his friend. What a better way than a blowout?
So, according to sources, Isiah picked up on this and told Carmelo Anthony, a player for the Nuggets, that it wouldn't be a good idea to go anywhere near the paint. If that is true, that is definitely a threat. "Come anywhere near the basket and we will take you out," is pretty premeditated. So, it comes as no surprise that a Nuggets players, JR Smith, was fouled pretty hard by a Knicks player, Mardy Collins, when trying to dunk. From there the brawl was on. Pandemonium ensued. It could have been just between the two players, but Knicks player Nate Robinson was the first to get involved and take it further. Once another player gets involved, you can be sure more will follow. If Nate had just let the other two go, it might not have been so bad. But he is not the only one to blame. Carmelo, who I probably hate more than any player in the league, then ran over and sucker punched Collins right in the face. The audio picks up the brutal bunch very well.
So does Carmelo stand his ground and fight? Nope. As Collins recovered and started to give chase, Carmelo ran away like the bitch he is. When Nate Robinson tries to confront Carmelo, who is a foot taller than him, Carmelo continues to back pedal away from the fight. So that's how you fight Carmelo? Punch someone and run?
There is just so much I hate about this fight. First, Isiah. I have always hated that little bitch. If it is true that he made the initial threat, then fuck him! In fact, based on what I know about Isiah, it probably is true. He probably ordered his player to take the brutal foul. Fuck you Nate Robinson for getting involved. You made a bad situation just escalate out of control. And finally, fuck you Carmelo. Sure, your team was threatened and then the threat was carried out. You know what, I have no problem with you sticking up for your teammates. I actually have no problem with you throwing a punch to fight for your teammates after they were attacked. But, I do have a problem with sucker punching someone and then running. Thanks for confirming my belief that you are nothing but a bitch.
I would post a video of it all, butI know the NBA is already taking action to take all of the videos of the fight down so I won't even bother. I'm sure most will be gone in a few days anyway...
So, according to sources, Isiah picked up on this and told Carmelo Anthony, a player for the Nuggets, that it wouldn't be a good idea to go anywhere near the paint. If that is true, that is definitely a threat. "Come anywhere near the basket and we will take you out," is pretty premeditated. So, it comes as no surprise that a Nuggets players, JR Smith, was fouled pretty hard by a Knicks player, Mardy Collins, when trying to dunk. From there the brawl was on. Pandemonium ensued. It could have been just between the two players, but Knicks player Nate Robinson was the first to get involved and take it further. Once another player gets involved, you can be sure more will follow. If Nate had just let the other two go, it might not have been so bad. But he is not the only one to blame. Carmelo, who I probably hate more than any player in the league, then ran over and sucker punched Collins right in the face. The audio picks up the brutal bunch very well.
So does Carmelo stand his ground and fight? Nope. As Collins recovered and started to give chase, Carmelo ran away like the bitch he is. When Nate Robinson tries to confront Carmelo, who is a foot taller than him, Carmelo continues to back pedal away from the fight. So that's how you fight Carmelo? Punch someone and run?
There is just so much I hate about this fight. First, Isiah. I have always hated that little bitch. If it is true that he made the initial threat, then fuck him! In fact, based on what I know about Isiah, it probably is true. He probably ordered his player to take the brutal foul. Fuck you Nate Robinson for getting involved. You made a bad situation just escalate out of control. And finally, fuck you Carmelo. Sure, your team was threatened and then the threat was carried out. You know what, I have no problem with you sticking up for your teammates. I actually have no problem with you throwing a punch to fight for your teammates after they were attacked. But, I do have a problem with sucker punching someone and then running. Thanks for confirming my belief that you are nothing but a bitch.
I would post a video of it all, butI know the NBA is already taking action to take all of the videos of the fight down so I won't even bother. I'm sure most will be gone in a few days anyway...
Back to back baby!!!
Last night was the player of the year tournament at my house. All year we earn points from the poker tournaments at my house every two weeks. These points give us a certain number of chips for the final tournament. Well, after the elimination of 11 other players, I am the player of the year again for the second year in a row. Like I said last year, sure the money is great. I got almost $250 for first place. It might mean more to me to actually win the dorky trophy and be considered the top player of the year out of all my friends. They are all really good players so to be at the top for the second year in a row means a lot. Hey, I might be pretty good at this poker thing!
The player of the year trophy, right next to my good luck card marker.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Are You Serious?!
Look at these pictures and tell me what you think...
This is Manuel playing Guitar Hero 2. If you look very closely, you can see something in his hand...
Yes! He's playing while holding a piece of pizza!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The switch
Well, I switched the blog over to BETA. Hopefully, this fixes my problems with posting comments on other blogs. I heard that it makes it hard sometimes for people to post on blogs that have switched to BETA blogs so please email me if you have trouble posting on my blog. My email, in case you need it to let me know of problems is mrmanuel(at)surewest (dot) net.
Guess what I saw today?!?! A trailer for a movie coming out next summer that I am VERY excited about. A sequal (well, isn't everything). I was going to post it, but it got taken down already because it accidently got leaked one day early. The trailer fucking rocked! What is it? Well, if they release it back on the net tomorrow as promised, you will see it here. Yippe Kiya mother fucker!!!!!
Again, please email me with any problems that arise from me switching, please!
EDIT: It won't let me copy and paste the long code right now to put the video on the blog for some reason, but here is the link to go see the video. Go see it, you won't be sorry! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHbpRg86Vi8
Guess what I saw today?!?! A trailer for a movie coming out next summer that I am VERY excited about. A sequal (well, isn't everything). I was going to post it, but it got taken down already because it accidently got leaked one day early. The trailer fucking rocked! What is it? Well, if they release it back on the net tomorrow as promised, you will see it here. Yippe Kiya mother fucker!!!!!
Again, please email me with any problems that arise from me switching, please!
EDIT: It won't let me copy and paste the long code right now to put the video on the blog for some reason, but here is the link to go see the video. Go see it, you won't be sorry! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHbpRg86Vi8
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Random Thoughts
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. There’s not much new to report, but I do have a few random thoughts I’m willing to share…
Thank you, Sonja, for asking how the new job was going. All is well. Apparently the holiday season is slow, so I have a lot of down time. I usually have 5 patients I see each day – these days I’m lucky to have 3 scheduled. And I’m even luckier if they actually show up. I never knew how many people just didn’t show up for their appointments. No call, no reschedule, no kiss my ass, nothing. So yeah, I spend a good deal of time playing Minesweeper or wandering around, looking for things to do. I like the cushy, laid back, relaxed atmosphere – a BIG change from the stressful, crazy, hectic pace of the hospital. Things will pick up after the New Year. I’m just hanging in there until then.
My name is Jessica and I’m a Guitar Hero 2 addict. I know I bought this game for Manuel for our anniversary, but I admit that I play it more than him. In my defense, he plays his PS3 more, but still, I’m always the one asking if we can play. It’s addicting! We try to beat each other’s high scores, plus I think it fills the little musical void I’ve been feeling in my life. Granted, I’m not REALLY playing the guitar, I’m not REALLY making music, but it’s a pretty good substitute.
Anyone who knows me, or has seen pictures of me, knows that I’m a bit fluffy, voluptuous, curvy, thick, heavy, fat - whatever descriptive words you want to use to say that I could stand to lose some weight. I’ve been heavy ALL MY LIFE. That’s my cross to bear, I suppose. It upsets me, sure, but I try to make the most of it. I think I’m surprisingly healthy for my weight. And when it makes me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, I use self-deprecating humor. I know I should be happy with who I am and not worry about what others think, but I do – I think that’s human nature. I make fun of myself so they know that I know I’m fat. For some reason it’s my ultimate fear for someone to look at me and think, “Does that girl know how she looks?” Yes, I am painfully aware, thank you. And I can honestly say that I’ve done everything under the sun to lose weight without 100% success. Oh sure, I’ll lose the weight, but keeping it off is the hard part. My point? I am, easily, the heaviest girl who works in the back at the office (the back sees patients, the front checks them in.) Everyone else has a cute little figure, and if they have weight to lose, it’s 20 pounds at the absolute most. Why then do I constantly overhear my co-workers talking about how fat they are and how they want to lose weight? Are they serious?! I want to scream at them, “ I’m sure your problems are real to you, but open your eyes sister! I WISH I had your weight issue!” Then I want to hit them until they fall down, then kick them until they die, then go through their pockets to see if they have anything good to snack on.
I made myself laugh with that last part. But really, if you’re going to talk about your weight issues, please be aware of your surroundings and not to it if someone heavier than you is within earshot.
Christmas is fast approaching. Thanks to my wonderful husband going out to shop while I was at work today, we are very nearly done. I think we have 2 things left to get for 2 different people, and that’s it. It’s a good feeling, to have all of your shopping done - a big weight off the shoulders, almost like you can enjoy the holidays now.
And I think that’s it from here. Thanks for listening to my random thoughts, and feel free to comment as you like. And if I don’t talk to you before, have a fantastic Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Thank you, Sonja, for asking how the new job was going. All is well. Apparently the holiday season is slow, so I have a lot of down time. I usually have 5 patients I see each day – these days I’m lucky to have 3 scheduled. And I’m even luckier if they actually show up. I never knew how many people just didn’t show up for their appointments. No call, no reschedule, no kiss my ass, nothing. So yeah, I spend a good deal of time playing Minesweeper or wandering around, looking for things to do. I like the cushy, laid back, relaxed atmosphere – a BIG change from the stressful, crazy, hectic pace of the hospital. Things will pick up after the New Year. I’m just hanging in there until then.
My name is Jessica and I’m a Guitar Hero 2 addict. I know I bought this game for Manuel for our anniversary, but I admit that I play it more than him. In my defense, he plays his PS3 more, but still, I’m always the one asking if we can play. It’s addicting! We try to beat each other’s high scores, plus I think it fills the little musical void I’ve been feeling in my life. Granted, I’m not REALLY playing the guitar, I’m not REALLY making music, but it’s a pretty good substitute.
Anyone who knows me, or has seen pictures of me, knows that I’m a bit fluffy, voluptuous, curvy, thick, heavy, fat - whatever descriptive words you want to use to say that I could stand to lose some weight. I’ve been heavy ALL MY LIFE. That’s my cross to bear, I suppose. It upsets me, sure, but I try to make the most of it. I think I’m surprisingly healthy for my weight. And when it makes me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, I use self-deprecating humor. I know I should be happy with who I am and not worry about what others think, but I do – I think that’s human nature. I make fun of myself so they know that I know I’m fat. For some reason it’s my ultimate fear for someone to look at me and think, “Does that girl know how she looks?” Yes, I am painfully aware, thank you. And I can honestly say that I’ve done everything under the sun to lose weight without 100% success. Oh sure, I’ll lose the weight, but keeping it off is the hard part. My point? I am, easily, the heaviest girl who works in the back at the office (the back sees patients, the front checks them in.) Everyone else has a cute little figure, and if they have weight to lose, it’s 20 pounds at the absolute most. Why then do I constantly overhear my co-workers talking about how fat they are and how they want to lose weight? Are they serious?! I want to scream at them, “ I’m sure your problems are real to you, but open your eyes sister! I WISH I had your weight issue!” Then I want to hit them until they fall down, then kick them until they die, then go through their pockets to see if they have anything good to snack on.
I made myself laugh with that last part. But really, if you’re going to talk about your weight issues, please be aware of your surroundings and not to it if someone heavier than you is within earshot.
Christmas is fast approaching. Thanks to my wonderful husband going out to shop while I was at work today, we are very nearly done. I think we have 2 things left to get for 2 different people, and that’s it. It’s a good feeling, to have all of your shopping done - a big weight off the shoulders, almost like you can enjoy the holidays now.
And I think that’s it from here. Thanks for listening to my random thoughts, and feel free to comment as you like. And if I don’t talk to you before, have a fantastic Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
What the hell?!?!?
Blogger is having some major issues right now which is keeping me from commenting anywhere. I was able to try something different and comment on my cousin's blog using a google account, but it is not my true blogger account. I don't know if this is keeping people from commenting on mine. So if I haven't commented on you site since Monday, you know why. Hopefully, this gets resolved soon...
Monday, December 11, 2006
Movie Recommendation
Yesterday, Jessica and I saw a TREMENDOUS movie called Lucky Number Slevin. It's a little less than a year old so some of you may have already seen it. We didn't get to see it in the theaters so we had it on our Netflix list. This was a really fun movie. It's kind of a cross between Pulp Fiction and Usual Suspects with an element of black comedy thrown in. It may seem a little confusing to some at first so just be patient and it will all start to make sense in the end. If you liked the above movies I mentioned, you should definitely give this movie a chance. We liked it so much, I think Jess and I might buy it. Anyone else seen it yet? Anyone planning on seeing it now?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
The celebration
Well, I missed the post yesterday, but I did mention that December 9th, was going to be a special day. Why? Well, besides it being Sushi's birthday, it was also the 2 year anniversary of my blog. Yes, I have been writing on this blog for a whole two years now. It's amazing that it has lasted this long. In fact, I am more enthused about ti now than ever before. I actually have readers and even though my last two posts have only garnered 3 and 2 comments respectively, I know I have a readership. Thanks to my wife and MrVideoGuy for their great contributions.
So what do I hope for the future of the blog? I don't know. More good ideas. More bloggers that I can share ideas with. More people commenting. You know, the usual stuff. I just hope I can keep you entertained for many posts to come. Thanks to everyone.
Friday, December 08, 2006
PS3...and then some
So, I promised my view on my PS3 today. It is 10 o'clock, but I keep my promises. In simple words, I LOVE it. I have had it almost a month now and I am so not disappointed. At first, I was excited about it, but I knew it had more to offer. The problem was, it was meant for an HD TV. So, although it looked great, I knew it had more potential. I convinced Jessica, rather easily, that we should get a new TV as well. Of course, that was really out of our price range until Circuit City so kindly did a 3 year no interest plan on TVs over $999. With that kind of plan, it was more than affordable. We ended up buying a 32" Samsung 720i. I wanted a 1080, but that was definitely out of our price range. So, with the PS3 now connected to the brand new TV, it looks AMAZING. Amazing what a TV can do to improve graphics. And to boot, the sound on the new TV is amazing. So, how do I feel about the PS3 overall? It's great. I think it is great that it has Wi-Fi and connects to the internet. Now, I won't be surfing on it for fear of getting a virus, but it is cool that Sony sends updates to download and you can download everything from game demos to full games. I downloaded one demo and realized that I had to have the game. That is what is cool - not sure if you want to get it? Download the demo. So far, I am VERY happy with my purchase.
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