Bored & Stroked

The Problem is us

2009-03-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

I can predict headlines. In fact, I do not read the front page of the newspaper anymore. I know what the headlines are. They have been the same for the past eight months. So now I make bets to myself about what the daily headline will be.

Will it be record layoffs? Another major corporation will announce they are millions of dollars in the red, or maybe Detroit’s automakers are asking for a few billion dollars more to play with? Any of these could be likely.

Yet these stories are all true, happening right now, and affecting us all. While the media has saturated us with news about the latest financial mishap occurring in our country, some have cried foul – too much doom and gloom they say.

Those crying doom and gloom say media coverage is only making the economy worse. I say the media is doing its job, and, unfortunately for some, it is making them uncomfortable. They are uncomfortable because the media is causing them to look long and hard at themselves, causing them to realize they might have to change their ways. They are realizing their ride on cloud nine might be over.

The media is doing what they have been doing since their creation, providing information – good or bad. They are not fabricating stories about record layoffs, bankruptcies or, elaborate as they sound, Ponzi schemes. The media is reporting these stories because they are happening right now and affecting thousands people, with the hopes these stories will affect the decision making process of their readers.

Dirk DeYoung, editor of the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, told Minneapolis’ WCCO, “[the media] presents a steady drumbeat of bad news because there IS a steady drumbeat of bad news.”

So, yes, doom and gloom reports have prevailed in the media recently, but only because doom and gloom occurs so frequently. As DeYoung bluntly put it, “times are tough, and it's not the media's job to put lipstick on a pig.”

Now the media is causing us really to examine how we got into this mess. Economists have told us debt is good and the only way to keep the economy growing. According to Reuters, American households are $14 trillion in debt, an amount equal to the country’s entire economic output. This is a ratio the country has not seen since the infamous year of 1929.

As we hungered for more, we stuffed ourselves with debt. People accumulated more wealth by drawing on the value of their home, and were told their homes would increase in value base on projections of past performance. We were wrong.

We raised the standard of living in the US, most of it done on borrowed money. David Beim, professor at Columbia Business School, explained it National Public Radio’s “This American Life.”

“The problem is us. The problem is not the banks, greedy though they may be, overpaid though they may be. The problem is us. We have over borrowed. We've been living very high on the hog,” he said.

We’ve all been a little reckless with our finances and the media is revealing the consequences by bombarding us with reports of the economy that we cannot ignore and should not ignore. Because without the media we would not know what the economy has in store for us.

The wise consumer is taking this information and is making better decisions. They are saving more, investing wisely, and maybe deciding to keep their car another year. The media is telling consumers what to expect and making it easier to handle.

Yet there is still hope for recovery. We are not in the next Great Depression. Job losses during the Great Depression were at triple the rate of 2008-09. Unemployment rates were at 25 percent. Currently the country is at 7.6 percent. Auto production during the Great Depression was down 90 percent. Currently auto production is down 25 percent.

Maybe this is a wake up call for all of us. Maybe we should all live within our means a little more. When you think about it, people lived without banks, mortgages, cars, and credit for thousands of years. They did not have all the luxuries we have now. Nevertheless, they still survived. They did have one thing thousands of years ago that we still have today– family, friends, and laughter. Maybe that is all we need.

The Return...

2009-02-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'll make this quick. Anyone that has eaten at the hundreds of "taco trucks" scattered across L.A. will understand the novelty of a Korean taco truck.

Korean BBQ and Mexican tacos, yes, the best of both worlds combined. And this one likes to post up close by!

The Lazy Blog

2008-11-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

OMG! I just noticed I have not updated this since they let me out!... You would not believe how heavy that rock really is. I hope they bring chocolate!.

I am flat out like a lizard drinking with responding to fanmail, rock crushing, just generally being a coach to the local soccer team, my day lasts forever from sun up to I run out of alcohol. I am avoiding recapture. but this damned rock is heavy.

I won't promise anything to you but I will update you with my nefarious activities as soon as I get a chance. Peace! This is for my ever faithful, devoted public..

Courtesy of The Lazy Bloggers Post Generator.

Sad thing is, there are some blogs that sound like this.

http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/blogpost.html

....

2008-10-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time. I kind of miss writing on this thing, but time has been a a premium and this blog has taken a hit. But, I'm not worried about the Dodgers anymore--till next year anyway.

P.S. I STILL HAVEN'T GOT THE LAPTOP BACK! STUPID COMPUTERS!

Worried

2008-06-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

The laptop is still undergoing surgery (new motherboard). And this computer is sometimes difficult to access, hence the infrequent updates.

What's on my mind?

The Dodgers.

I'm starting to get worried.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18872841@N08/2471992206/

Beyond My Knowledge.

2008-06-03T14:12:00.000-07:00

I've owned a few computers in my life. Yet, I had yet to have on crash and be rendered inoperable -- until recently.

I tried to all the trick I knew to bring my laptop back to life: reseating the memory chips, etc.

But, no dice.

Oh well, this one is beyond my knowledge.

So I wait for a call from the computer doctor to see if he can bring my laptop back to life. I'm lucky enough to have another computer available, so until then I will use the desktop computer.

*sigh*

But, it's just not the same.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/agea_blog/297238291/

ZZZ

2008-05-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

I haven’t been to many planning commission meetings, but I still think I saw something I won't see very often. While listening to a resident speaking during public comment, I heard a very distinctive noise over the PA system--the distractive wheezing of someone snoring.

No? Could it be?

Yes it was! The city attorney had fallen asleep! Though, he did only get about 3 or 4 good snores in before he woke himself up.

I had to try hard not to laugh aloud.

*The photo above is not the city attorney. But doesn't this cat look dead?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sevgi_durmaz/491037719/

Hmmm

2008-05-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

I just had a birthday a few days ago. It was that day when somebody asked me how to sum up my past years in one word. Well, I thought, and said to myself, "Hmmm."

Then I realized, that was it. If I could sum up my past years, it would be just like this:

"Hmmm"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesec/219846561/

There goes my wisdom

2008-05-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Had my wisdom teeth taken out today.

It hurts.

It sucks.

Enough said.

Thank God for Vicodin.

P.S. That is not me in the video.

The win streak continues -- because of me.

2008-05-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago the Dodgers were on a losing streak. I had no one to blame but myself. I was watching almost every game, and they were losing. Something had to change.

What was I doing different? Well, I thought, may be I should give them a break. Let's see what happens when I don't watch them.

So the next game I didn't watch them on T.V. I patiently waited until the next days morning paper. The next day, I nervously opened the paper. They won! Hmm. I told myself, "Well, lets see what happens tomorrow."

They won again!

So now it's been 7 games. And it's been 7 wins.

Because of me!

(I probably just jinxed them *sigh*)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremihad/535524354/

Exactly what was said

2008-04-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

I almost never do interviews by email. But, they gave me a contact that was expecting an email, so I did so.

What kind of interview did I get? Well, I one that gave more than I asked for. Which, is good.

Email interviews give me a written record of what was asked and said. Yet, the interviewee ALSO has a written record of what was asked and said. They can easily forward this email, post it on their blog, or do as they please with this electronic transcript.

Nothing bad has ever happened. It’s just always in the back of my mind.

Still, I will always prefer the old standby, and Adrianne Flynn said it best.

"I get on the horn and call the sources for my stories and ask them all kinds of stupid questions until I understand what they're talking about." -- Adrianne Flynn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grusia4ever/527392892/

Pee on bees revisited!

2008-04-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

I believe I've finally found the answer to those animated bees plastered on men's water less urinals. Apparently, they call the use of the animated bees "choice architecture." While listening to NPR, Richard Thaler, economist and coauthor of "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness," had this to say.

"The urinal example is a nice illustration of what we call a nudge. So, the picture of the housefly that has been etched into the urinals, the men notice it. Most of the men actually think it’s real. So they aim. So they pay attention to a task they normally don’t, and as result they do it more successfully.”

So I was partially right. The bees indeed give the urinator an object to aim, improving accuracy. But I still think it is just fun to pee on bees!

And thanks to MDG. Apparently, the word bee in Latin is "apis."

Recovery

2008-04-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Monday I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (try saying that five times fast) to have my gallbladder removed. I've already had two attacks because of gallstones, so the doctors said I was time for the gallbladder to go. I complied.

Monday night was the worst. I couldn't find a pain-free position to sleep in. Even with Vicodin I was up most of the night delicately and painfully moving around in my bed. Eventually, I found the best position was sitting up in bed, but that’s not the worst part.

It hurts to laugh! So I've been avoiding any comedy on television and conversations with my friends. Yet I've been able to master a new, less painful laugh. I smile, hold my breath, and slowly let breaths with a slight chuckle. It sucks, but I will manage.

Fathers

2008-04-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

While listening to the radio one evening I heard Ira Glass, the host of "This American Life," say something that just struck a cord with me, made me laugh with realization.

While interviewing a guest of about his childhood life, the guest, an orthodox Jew, said that as a child he recited his prayers with great resentment. The guest hoped there wasn't another "father" in heaven because the overbearing father he had at home was certainly enough for him.

With laughter Glass replied that he never really thought of it that way.

“My image of god is exactly the image of my father--but bigger. Which is, he is usually not around. Sometimes he'll take an interest. He means well. Mostly he is kind of like, ‘You're own your own,’ ” Glass said.

I laughed because this exactly describes my relationship with both "fathers.”

I must say however, however, my real life father has taken more interest my brothers and my life, especially my brothers who now have families of their own. And I would not be where I am now without my fathers help. I love him dearly for that. Still, I can't help and agree with what the host said.

To me, in many ways the father down here seems to be like the father up there.

http://www.futureofthebook.org/mitchellstephens/archives/evolution/
http://www.thislife.org/
http://www.myspace.com/thisamericanlifespace

Listen. Digest. Pursue.

2008-02-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Close my eyes. Clench my teeth. And slowly shake my head.
I do this every time I hear this speech.
There is and will never be another person like Robert Kennedy. You do not have to watch the video--just listen. Please listen.

“Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.”

2008-01-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

Being users of Blogger, some of you probably already use Google News. Indeed, it is a very useful tool. But, what I consider its best feature is its ability to let experts comment on issues presented in stories. It still has its flaws. Apparently, bloggers can be experts on anything they wish. Yet, stories do receive comments from credible doctors, attorneys, professors, policy makers, and other experts. As always, “Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.” Interested on what policy organizations recommend the government do to get the economy out of its suspected slump. See what Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities has to say.

The Four Pieces of Effective Fiscal Stimulus

How about living the real life “Day After Tomorrow?” See what Dan Bloom, director of Polar Cities Research Institute said.

Polar Cities in the Future

How about a needed (in my opinion) change in the NCAA postseason football system. See what the NCAA president says.

NCAA President Myles Brand Statement on Postseason Football

"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

2007-12-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

I didn’t realize it’s been this long since I’ve updated. Time has certainly flew these past few weeks. Anyway, I found something you might enjoy–my obituary. Obviously not my real obituary, but a 100 percent factious one. It was a written assignment given to me during my very first journalism class. And, apparently, I did a good job describing my life and death. I must be a good story teller. I got a A. Enjoy!

The following story is
fictional and does not depict
any actual person or event.
--Law and Order

Hero F-16 fight pilot G.A. Mendoza, 35, died Wednesday from injuries suffered in an auto accident near his Hawaii beach home.

The California native was killed on impact as another vehicle crossed into his path, Police Commander Sergio Diaz said. "It seems he was speeding. He was just going to fast. He had no time to react."

The driver of the other vehicle also suffered injuries, but is expected to survive, Diaz added.

Lured buy the Navy's speedy F-16, Mendoza enlisted in the Navy at 18. "The one thing about him," father Daniel Mendoza said, "he loved speed. He said the Navy was the only place he could fly something fast enough for him."

Within two years, he as acknowledge as a talented pilot. While stationed in Iraq, Mendoza received fame for intercepting an incoming raid by Iran during a routing practice mission. Outnumbered and faced with superior firepower, he proceeded to shoot down 24 enemy planes before returning back to base unharmed.

"He never understood what the big deal was," Longtime friend Jeremiah Lechon said. "He always just thought he was doing his job."

Mendoza was born March 3, 1984 in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Daniel and Lupe Mendoza. he grew up in Bellflower, Calif.

By the age of 7 he began taking automotive magazine to school and reading them during class time. Childhood friend Joe Herrera recalls Mendoza being named "Mr. Crankshaft."

"He loved cars." Daniel Mendoza said. "If they were low, loud, or especially fast he loved it."

As a teenager he attended Bellflower High School were he played baseball and football. It was here that teachers saw potential in him. "His writing and reading skills were excellent," his high school teacher Karen Johnston said. "I remember asking him if his parents were teachers because I was so impressed.

Mendoza graduated from Bellflower High School in 2002. On month later he joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 2011, Mendoza attended Cal State Long Beach, where he met his future wife.

Upon graduation in 2016, he went to work as a staff editor for Hot Rod Magazine. It was his dream job, Lechon said.

Daniel Mendoza recalled Mendoza saying, "Were else can I hangout with industry legends, drive prototype cars and get paid for it?" Around the office Mendoza was always polite and respectful, and willing got help others, Lechon said. "Helping people not only makes the one being helped feel good, but it also makes me feel good, " Lechon recalled Mendoza saying.

He eventually worked his way to editor-in-chief of Hot Rod Magazine. A this position he was able to influence trends and introduce alternative forms of power, colleague Sam Lawson said.

"He always saw gasoline price and availability as a limiting factor for the growth of the industry." Lawson said. "He thought the use of other fuels such as bio-diesel, propane, and hydrogen was the only way to keep the industry growing."

In addition to his parents, his wife, daughter, son, and two brothers survive G.A. Mendoza. The funeral will be at noon at St. Anthony's Catholic church in Falls Church, Virginia. The burial will be in Longden Cemetery, Virginia.

Dogs 1, Cats 0

2007-11-05T14:22:00.002-08:00

I've never trusted cats. Too independent and lackadaisical they are. They walk around, look at you, and say to themselves, "Ha, you know I can take you out when every I want to—I know were you sleep."
Recently, one of those sneaky son-of-a-guns was caught red handed. A pesky feline know as "Princess" attempted to kill her family in their Greenville, Maine home.
Fortunately the family was saved by their dog Thumper.
Attempting to burn his family in their home, "Princess" knocked over a kerosene lamp. But Thumper quickly jumped to action.
Thumper dragged his owner out of bed just in time for his family to safely escape. "Princess" refused to comment. In fact, she picked up her tale, and walked away.

Don't believe me?

Read about it here: Dog saves family from blaze started by cat

http://www.worth1000.com/cache/contest/contestcache.asp?contest_id=16091

Slang: I am falling behind

2007-10-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

I must be getting old. All these new words kids are using nowadays, and I have no clue when they mean. I still use slang words. I use "down" when I ask someone if they agree with me. “Don't trip" is used to tell someone not to get upset. “Late" and "peace" means goodbye. Of course I use the common ones such as "cool" and "bad."
The Boston Globe did a story on the current nature of slang. With it came a list of some current slang, most of which I’ve never heard of. I'll admit, some of them are quite funny, and even I am thinking about using them in daily conversations.

What they're talking about

A sampler of modern slang

The bunk (disgust): busted, ama weak, bogus, dirt, janky, vile, grody, rank, vomit.

The gnar (amazement): sick, ill, tight, nasty, beastly, dank, buttah, pimp, fierce, fresh, all gravity, gravy, all raw, sizzlin', crackin', off the heezy, out the frame, savage.

Money: cabbage, chalupas, cheddar, Gouda, paper, Kraft singles (for dollar bills).

100m hottie: Someone who looks good from afar, but fuzzy up close.

Agnorant: Someone both arrogant and ignorant.

Anchor: To wait.

Bluetool: Someone always wearing a Bluetooth, even when they're not on the phone.

Break your crayons: To upset someone.

Buster: A fake or phony person.

Check your vitals: To do a sweep of e-mail and other essential websites.

Butterfaith: A girl who is attractive by all accounts, except for her devout religiousness.

Dandruff: One who makes plans but often ditches them.

Earjacking: Eavesdropping.

Errorist: Someone who always makes mistakes.

Flossin': Showing off.

Going federal: Making it, usually in reference to rap stardom.

Marinating: Hanging out.

Multislacking: Slacking at a series of things all at once.

Nonpology: An insincere apology.

Noob: An unintelligent person.

Pay out: To dis someone.

Presidential tint: Cars with exceedingly tinted windows.

Remail: Following up on e-mails that have gone unanswered.

Subwoofing: Sitting in your car and blasting your stereo system to show off.

Swiffin: Making up stories.

Work hot: A person who may or may not be attractive, but is the best-looking person at your workplace.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/04/talk_amongst_yourselves/?p1=email_to_a_friend

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/04/what_theyre_talking_about/

http://xkcd.com/166/

The future of televison

2007-10-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

This should be the future of television. The New York Time s put together a project that is phenomenal. They transcribed the Sept. 26 democratic debate. Not only it is transcribed, but the words are in sync with video....wait, let me just make a list.

click on topics such as gay rights and illegal immigration and you are automatically forwarded to those topics of discussion.
Word counts - see which democratic candidate said the most words
Speaking time - see which candidate took up the most time speaking
Word or phrase search - enter a word or phrase and see which candidate said the word, how many times they used it, and how they used it.

Now, they need to figure out a way for TiVo to do this.

UPDATE: The republican debate has been added. Same idea, different people.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/09/27/us/politics/20070927_DEBATE_GRAPHIC.html#video
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.tivo.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/08/us/politics/20071008_DEBATE_GRAPHIC.html#video

Now taking applications!

2007-10-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer, a veterinarian, a marine biologist, then a millionaire (I eventually found out that you can't take classes for that). Recently, a new position has opened that made me think twice about my current career choice. I guess with all the bad press NASA has gotten recently, they decided to have some sort of astronaut tryout.

NASA ASTRONAUT APPLICATION

It can't be that bad. Sitting on a giant bomb, being able to pee in space, and eating foods out of tubes is a once in lifetime opportunity. I'm sure the benefits are good too.

USA Jobs
http://www.astro.uva.nl/exhibition/pictures/mooie_gifjes/mooie.map

"It's a shame what they did to those people who lived there."

2007-09-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

If I haven't said it already, but I am a Dodger fan. Yet, sometimes I have to wonder about what was once underneath Dodger Stadium. Chavez Ravine was at one point a poor, mostly Latino neighborhood. Both my parents were raised in the area just downhill from the stadium in an area that, to this day, I have difficult time describing to someone. It’s nestled between Elysian Valley and Echo Park, but I always remember it being called its barrio name--"Frogtown." Some people get, some just get more confused.

Raising my father is this neighborhood, my grandmother remembers Chavez Ravine quite well. I always remember she would say, "It's a shame what they did to those people who lived there."

Some have forgotten what the city destroyed to build Dodger Stadium. However, some are making sure it’s never forgotten. In an article in the L.A. Times, Vincent Valdez documented the event in his artwork, but not on canvas. Try a '53 Chevy lowrider ice-cream truck.

Los Angeles Times
A M B Y on Flickr
Dept. Special of Collections/UCLA Library

A goldmine of humor

2007-09-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

Ah, the internet. What wonderful things we find. It can shock us, make us cry, sadden us and, most important, make us laugh. I have stumbled onto a goldmine of humor - enter Wikiality. This spoof of Wikipedia was born from Comedy Central's Colbert Report. What a wonderful site it is.
Just to get the ball rolling, check out these links: Conservatives, Liberals, American, George W. Bush.
Warning: These are not for those easily offended.

He has a wide stance

2007-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

They have just released the tapes of Sen. Larry Craig’s interrogation after his arrest for soliciting sex. And I’m sure the words of the interrogating police officer express the feelings of some around the nation.

OFFICER: I just, I just. I guess, I guess I'm gonna say I'm just disappointed in you sir. I'm just really am. I expect this from the guy that we get out of the hood. I mean people vote for you.
CRAIG: Yes, they do.
OFFICER: Unbelievable, unbelievable.
CRAIG: I'm a respectable person and I don't do these kinds of...
OFFICER: and (INAUDIBLE) respect right now though.
CRAIG: But I didn't use my left hand.
OFFICER: I thought that you...
CRAIG: I reached down with my right hand like this to pick up a piece of paper.
OFFICER: Was your gold ring on your right hand at anytime today?
CRAIG: Of course not, try to get it off, look at it.
OFFICER: Okay. Then it was your left hand. I saw it with my own eyes.
CRAIG: All right, you saw something that didn't happen.
OFFICER: Embarrassing, embarrassing. No wonder why we're going down the tubes. Anything to add?
DETECTIVE: Uh, no.
OFFICER: Embarrassing. Date is 6/11/07 at 1236 interview is done.
CRAIG: Okay.

I'm back!

2007-08-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

I have missed this. My only unrestricted writing outlet. While I have been writing very much lately, it seems all of it has been correspondence. I have plenty of things to blog about because I have been keeping a mental notebook of ideas. This blog will probably change. My Emo moments will probably fewer. Also, I have a new idea for a totally unrelated blog that I have been collecting material for all summer. I'll make it public when I feel it's ready.

No smoking!

2007-07-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

I can't help but laugh every time I walk pass this sign.But I can't study quantum mechanics unless I'm smoking a stogie. You can't do anything fun no more.

Please standby

2007-07-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

To the few people who do read this blog, consider this blog on standby. Sorry people.

In order to simply my life for the next few weeks, I will be severely limiting my computer use. This does not mean I will not update. But, most likely, new posts will be short and infrequent.

This too shall pass

2007-07-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

The smell of salty air, sand between my toes, and the of sound crashing waves put me in such a calm state. I could not live without the comfort of knowing that the beach is close by. It is an escape for me.

There are too many good memories, many childhood memories. My mother use to take my family to the beach all the time. I will never forget building sand castles, body boarding, digging for crabs, eating egg sandwiches, and eating Jack-in-the-Box curly fries before we left for home. Curly fries were a delicacy to us.

(Sorry, I did not take this photo. I'm not that good. But it is nice though.)

Within the past few years, I found a small, rather secluded beach I love. When I say small I mean it, about 500ft. When the tide is low the beach has some beautiful tide pools you can see.

One of my best friends, Carmen, went with me. We both took photos. She is a much better photographer than me and I still have to see her photos. These photos here are the pick of the litter in my opinion.

Here's another photo I wanted to throw in.

Pee on Bees!

2007-06-28T20:48:00.001-07:00

My college recently installed new waterless toilets. You don't have to flush them. Just do your draining and walk away.

I will say, they are beautiful pieces of porcelain. Gone are the sharp curves and creases normally associated with urinals. These urinals are so inviting, you almost want to sit on them. Most intriguing, however, is the imprint of a small, cute, cartoon honey bee imprinted on the inside. The bee looks so odd, so out of place. I was even tempted to brush it off. Why is this bathroom fixture used in the removal of filth imprinted with a honey bee? I think I may have the answer.

It takes the urinating experience to a whole new level. I found myself seeing just how long I can pee on the bee, even tracing its outline.

Still, I can't help but wonder, why a honey bee? How about something more cute and less threatening than bees. Maybe some would rather pee on puppies or kittens.

But why stop at bees, puppies and kittens? The could expand to other species such as armadillos, sloths, and anteaters. This could be the next collectible craze. Remember beanie babies? Yes, some collect stamps or Pez dispensers, but I could collect urinals.

3rd Symphony

2007-06-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

I have a bad habit of writing on random pieces of paper whenever I have the impulse. At the same time, its kind of exciting when I find something I don't remember writing. I cleaned up my place this weekend (Now it looks like I'm moving out). More importantly, I found a few things hidden in some old school notebooks. They were interesting, to me anyway.

Laying in bed, he savors the euphoria of the alcohol. The sound of music emerges from his phone, Brahms' 3rd Symphony.

He reads the message

"Glad ur home safe talk 2 u 2moro goodnight muah!"

He is overcome with the sensations of warmth and love, and that night will forever be ingrained into his memory.

For now Brahms' 3rd Symphony is not only a piece he appreciates, but also a reminder of when he was at ease and the world was his.

Dust myself off

2007-06-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

I must admit that these past two weeks have been tough for me. Things do not always go as planned. And, sometimes, things go exactly as planned and you still hate it. It's been tough.

A couple of years ago I picked up a book about the faith of great men. It was not exactly what I was expecting, but I thumbed through the book anyway. However, there is one line I will never forget. It was a prayer said by a man whose name I forget. I do not remember the prayer verbatim but I do remember the last of it.

"...help for I am overwhelmed by discouragement, despair, and fear of the future."

This is exactly how I felt.

I guess that's the way life is. You have your lows and your highs. Sometimes you feel so low that you think you'll never be able to get out. But you do.

These are the times I stop and take a look around me. I look at what have and appreciate what I got. I look at where I am and where I want to be.

Then I pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep on going.

Toby on the Colbert Report!

2007-06-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Toby on the Colbert Report, who would have thought that would happen?

Yes I listen to country music.

I think country is simple, enjoyable music. It can make you laugh. It can make you cry. It can make you want to party. I know a lot of people can't stand it. Thats OK. They don't have to like. They're just missing out ;)

They're at it again boys and girls

2007-06-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

Watch these guys dance.
Poor, poor cubbies. They're such a mess.

Aw Gabe, don't listen to this old fudy dudy

2007-06-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

I love my grandfather and absolutely look up to him. He has so many stories to tell about life that I never get tired of listening to him. He lives in New Mexico and when I'm over there, I just try to soak up as much wisdom from his as possible.

I look at him and I tell myself that I want to just like him in my old age. He is in his 80s but is still robust for his age. He can still get up and mow that lawn and do some light duty yard work. But that is not what I find most fascinating about him.

After his daily early morning chores, he sits on the porch and looks into distance. There is a beautiful mountain range in front of his home so I assume that is what he is looking at. Yet, he does not just sit and stare at mountains. He sits and reflects.

He looks back at his life and, for him, it all makes sense now. He sits and looks back at his past and understands why events in his past occurred and understands them now.

His mistakes he laughs at. His tragedies he accepts. The happiest moments in his life, he values even more. But, more importantly, he looks back at his life and is happy about it. When he talks his voice is filled with a sincerity and contentedness that it puts you at ease. I just sit, listen, and appreciate. Yet he is humble too.

"Aw Gabe, don't listen to this old fudy dudy," he says.

I want to be just like him in my old age. I want to be able took look a back at my life and say, "You know what? I sure have had a great life."

For my grandfather, I suppose he believes that everything does happen for a reason, it just takes time to realize it. There is a quote that alway reminds me of this. I got it out of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," probably my favorite book from my one of my favorite authors.

"One day we'll sit and you'll lay it out on the table, neat like a solitaire deck, but now - why, you can't find all the cards."

I guess that's why we don't understand why things happen to us.

We don't have all the cards.

I love baseball

2007-06-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

This is just part of the game.

I miss playing baseball. I miss the competition. I miss the smell of freshly dewed grass. I miss tossing the ball around on a crisp morning. I miss playing in the summer at dusk. I miss the excitement from the ping of the bat. I miss the satisfaction from a beautifully handled ball.
What do I miss the most?
The camaraderie.

The approaching curve

2007-05-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

There's a curve up ahead
And I'm going too fast
No looking back now
I'm going too fast
Can't slow down
I'm going too fast
Got to make this turn
I'm going too fast
Going to hold on tighter
I'm going too fast
Close my eyes
I'm going too fast

The lost works

2007-05-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

I found this recently in my room. I wrote it a while back. I wouldn't call it a poem. Just an analyzation.

Relieve the pain.
Stop the bleeding.
Heal the scars.
Hide the fears.
Erase the memories.
And you will find.
The underlying goodness
In all human beings.

Speaking of my room, I love this song.

Let me pay my dues

2007-05-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

No, it couldn't be, but it was. Those facial features, those eyes, too distinctive. My conversation sputtered.
My heart raced.
She saw me.
"I'll have to approach her now," I thought
She turned and smiled. "Hey whats up?" she said.
I replied the same.
To the person accompanying me I said, "Excuse me, let me pay my dues."
I walked over.
"Whats up? Long time no see," I greeting her.
She got up.
She was thicker, breasts slightly larger, hips wider. But those eyes were still the same. cleopatraesque in shape, deep dark, and full of want. Unmakeuped, her natural beauty radiated, just the way I remember. We hugged.
"So how's everything?" I asked.
She told me she was accepted into a nearby college and that she still needs to take a few math classes. Then she explained how she continues work at a local retail store and had recently acquired a new dog.
I explained my situation: graduation, math classes, Cal State Fullerton, one class in the fall.
As we talked we looked into each others eyes, trying to catch of glimpse of each others feelings, thoughts, and emotions. But our eyes were so filled with inquiry that our true feelings were shut off.
The conversation fell silent.
"Well, take care. Good seeing you," I said.
We hugged and said goodbye.
My heart raced.

Chopped sectioned bored and stroked defined

2007-05-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention that some have no idea what the title of my blog means. That's OK. I knew most wouldn't have a clue. But, I just can't leave you in the dark. So, here you go:

Chopped
In reference to lowering the top or roof by cutting and removing material from the window posts and rewelding, giving lower height and sleeker appearance to the car.

Sectioned
The removal of a horizontal strip from the central point of an automobile body with the goal of reducing the overall height of the vehicle.

Bored and stroked
Engine cylinders that have been enlarged and crankshaft has been modified to increase engine displacement.

Thank "The Rodding Roundtable" and the "Custom Clinic" for their definitions.

The deuce

2007-05-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

chickety china of the chinese chicken. you have a drumstick and your brain starts clicken...

Now, turn around and pull your underpants down

2007-05-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

I just had a visit to the doctor's office recently. It was the typical touch your toes and breathe deep visit. But I was most relieved when the doctor didn't perform the dreaded grabbed your nuts and cough test.
"Cool, he is not going to do it," I thought to myself.
Unfortunately, he had other ideas.
"Now, turn around and pull your underpants down," the doctor said.
"Damn it, I thought I was going to get away with," I said to myself.
Yet, what I find most confusing is how do to bid farewell a doctor after such a fondling.
Do I say, "Thank You?" Thank you for what? For grabbing my nuts? No, that wouldn't sound right.
How about, "Have a good one?" No, I'm sure after this his day could only get better. Maybe, "See you later?" Well, I don't want him to think I'm looking forward toward our next visit.
So what is a person to do?
"Good luck on your test," the doctor said (he was refering to the accompanying drug test).
To which I replied "yeathgoommmmmmm."
And, then I walked out, feeling throughly violated, with my spirits and my head down.