IKEA adventures

Took my grandma to IKEA for the first time today as she had never been there. I figured with all the great prices and impulse buy items, she would love it. I LOVE IKEA and I am always excited to go with someone who has never been there. We got there at 9:40, but it didn't open until 10. Luckily, the food area was open so we had the 99 cent breakfast special. Not bad for a buck. Then, the rest of the store opened at 10. We were out by 10:30. Yes, we did all of IKEA in just under 30 minutes. I actually didn't think that was possible. I think the store just overwhelmed her. She never really stopped and looked at anything - more of a carnival ride where you just have to keep going. Maybe she just wasn't interested in browsing, but I think it was just too much for her. I bought the juice dispenser I went for so I guess I can't complain. My favorite part was when I picked it up, Grandma asked, "I am going to a wedding next month, do you think that would be a good gift." Since it was plastic and $4.99, I politely told her that it probably wasn't. Either way though, it was still a good time with my grandma. She said she'll stick to going to Target as she knows where everything is. She did like one thing though. She talked repeatedly about how good the 99 cent breakfast was. Hey, at least she got something out of it...

A quick post...

Just saw this Directv ad from some Spanish speaking country and I wanted to post it really quick before I left to take my grandma to Ikea for the first time. Check it out and let me know what you think. I wish this had played here in the States...

Q and A

JESSICA'S ANSWERS ARE FIRST AND IN REGULAR TYPE
MANUEL'S ANSWERS ARE IN ITALICS

1. My roommate and I once:
I've never had a roommate besides Manuel. Threw a big party where the cops came to tell us to be quiet.
2. Never in my life have I:
Been this happy. Been to Europe
3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is:
Manuel. And I HATE that he can do this. We'll argue or he'll piss me off, then make me smile/laugh. I HATE it! Jessica. Isn't that what a spouse does?
4. High school was:
Drama. A good time.
5. When I'm nervous:
I have to pee. I feel like throwing up.
6. The last time I cried was:
It's been a while... Flat out cried? I can't remember.
7. If I were to get married right now, my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be:
Same as they were when I got married, minus Anna. Maybe I'd add Crista. Probably the same guys, but I might want to add some more.
8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends?:
Do I know the people in the crowded room? If I HAD to choose, I'd go with the email.
9. My hair:
Is getting so long! Boring, but user friendly.
10. When I was 5:
I had the best handwriting in my kindergarten class and got to write the word "kindergarten" on my class' yearbook page. I was as much a kid as I am now.
11. Last Christmas:
I got a bracelet from Tiffany's. Score! I was spoiled.
12. When I turn my head left:
I see the dogs standing by the sliding glass window wanting to come in. I cough and take a deep breath?
13. I should be:
Letting the dogs in. It's hot outside. Job hunting.
14. When I look down I see:
A French pedicure. Legs too white for a Mexican.
15. The craziest recent event was:
Something I can't mention here, but trust me, it was timed and it was CRAZY! My deal that fell through.
16. If I were a character on Friends I'd be:
Monica - I am a clean freak. Not AS BAD as her, but I like things in their places. Ugly Naked Guy!
17. By this time next year:
I hope to be a mommy. I hope I have a good job.
18. My favorite aunt is:
Hmmm... Janet. Well, only one aunt reads my blog so.....
19. I have a hard time understanding:
How drug addicted, welfare receiving women can have multiple babies and keep custody of none of them and I am having trouble getting pregnant. Why so many people are just so stupid.
20. One time at a family gathering:
We saw a mariachi band and asked them to come play for us, and everyone looked at me when they asked what song we wanted, like I would know a song because I married a Mexican. When I was little I said, "Let's have a party so the women can cook and the men can play games."
21. You know I like you if:
I talk to you. You'll never know for sure.
22. If I won an award, the first person (people) I'd thank:
My parents. My wife.
23. Take my advice:
Laugh loud, laugh long, and laugh often. Don't do real estate in a bad market.
24. My ideal breakfast is:
Chilaquilas. Egg Sandwich.
25. If you visit my home town:
Go to the House of Chicken and Ribs! Go to a Kings game.
26. Sometime soon I plan to visit:
Hawaii or Europe. Europe
27. If you spend the night at my house:
Be prepared to get dog hair all over everything. I hope you like dogs.
28. I'd stop my wedding if:
I found out my to be hubby had a go with my bridesmaid before the wedding. If the Kings were playing in the championship.
29. The world could do without:
Misplaced apostrophes! Oprah
30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than:
Stand in a room full of free flying birds. Skydive
31. The most recent thing I've bought myself is:
A blow dryer. Comics
32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is:
A charm for my bracelet. A lunchable.
33. My favorite blonde is:
Brad Pitt! Shandi from Lingo
34. My favorite brunette is:
Colin Farrell! Natalie Portman
35. My car must have a sign on it that reads:
WASH ME! Chick Magnet
36. The last time I was drunk:
Was New Year's Eve. Jason kept giving me drinks. I threw up
37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds:
Pigs, then all the impossible things would happen. You know how you say, "When pigs fly." Chinchillas
38. I shouldn't have been:
Exposed to my parent's bitterness toward each other after their divorce. So dumb my first year of college.
39. Last night I:
Slept really well. Cheered for Josh Blue!
40. There's this girl I know who:
Is having a really hard time answering this one. Makes me good dinners
41: I don't know:
Lots of things but I'm willing to learn. Why I didn't get picked for Survivor
42. A better name for me would be:
The Wonderful and Amazing Super Nurse Super Wife Jessica Manuel - World Series of Poker champion
43. If I ever go back to school I'll:
Need to be slapped across the face and told to snap out of it. Need someone to pay for it
44. How many days until my birthday?:
A little over 6 months - right Jenn?! Too damn long
45. One dead celebrity I wish I'd met is:
Kurt Cobain Eddie Guerrero
46. I've lived at my current address since:
We purchased this house years ago next month. Almost two years now
47. I've been told I look like:
When I was little, Drew Barrymore. Nobody in particular.
48. If I could have any car, it would be:
Hmmm... I like the BMW Z3. Convertible. Black. Yeah. Anything that goes really fast and gets really shitty gas milage.
49. If I got a new dog tomorrow, I would name it:
Gozer the Gozerian Fezzik or Ripley
50. I believe in:
Myself Karma

Kinda what I figured.

Less than a year into being moved out of my parent's house and I come to the conclusion I always kinda knew. I'd rather live alone. This is not a shot at my two roommates. I got no problem with them at all. In fact, it is nice to have someone around at times to do whatever with like go to a movie or head out to lunch. That said, I know my own quirk very well and here it is. I get so much more done alone with absolutely no one watching or helping. There is just something about having everything a certain way and coming back to it just as you left it. If I leave the dishes in the sink, I know I gotta come back to em later and wash those suckers. Similarly, If I leave my house and the kitchen counter is spotless then the only thing that might make it's way to that counter is dust. Nothing else. I really like that comforting feeling. My own lil corner of the world that I have complete control over. Having my own room is not the same. It has restrictions. I gotta close my door and try and find freedom in a compact area. That is not for me.

Something about this also makes me work harder or more efficiently. I could probably write two posts a day on this blog if I lived alone. Why? I'd have complete access to this computer at any time. I'd come up with an idea and just do it right then. I no longer want to wait my turn or share certain things in my life. I like having only myself to blame. I have no other scapegoats. This may have a sense of me making excuses for my laziness or procrastinatory (think I made up a new word again) tendencies, but it's just about not really breaking away even now. I am convinced this all goes back to not going away to college back in the day. I have just always been surrounded by people. I have never had a chance to miss anyone or truly step out and say to myself, "Well Rich it's all on you now kid." Perhaps I am still finding a way to blame others for my faults. If so, I guess I have some growing to do still. Till then, guess my real mission in life should be moving out on my own.

If any of you happen to swing by a Linen's and Things check out the Whisper Silk collection by Scent Sation. Expense, but those or just great freaking bed sheets. Kinda slippery though, but always instant sleep on those babies. Random plugs rule baby. Rabble Rock!

Why J.K. Rowling should kill Harry Potter.

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

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

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

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

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

Rich....

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

This is the end....

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

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

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

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

Virginia baby!

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

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

The Vomit Incident

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

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

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

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

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

"Gross."

"Yeah, where's the bathroom?"

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

"Gross."

"Yeah. There's no paper towels."

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

You can guess what she said, "Gross."

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

"I'll have to call my manager."

"Get on the phone."

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

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

The week ahead

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

Why J.K. Rowling should kill Harry Potter.

Remembering the 2002 Sacramento Kings.

Top 5 movie soundtracks

Why I miss my cousins

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

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

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

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

What do you remember?

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

Rabble Rock!

A Giant Breakthrough

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

I went to WalMart.

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

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

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

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

Hmmmm

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

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

The medication many need right now!

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

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

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

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

June 29th, 2007....

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

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

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

Sidetracked

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

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

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

Clean your house yo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jury Duty

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

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

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

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

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

Why I became an ass.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Someday.

The explanation

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

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

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

LET THE PROJECT BEGIN

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

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

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