So I sit here, on my couch, with one major question weighing on my mind. You ask, is it the economy? The housing crisis? Will crude oil eventually rise again, leaving all SUV drivers crapping their pants at the pump? (Which, by the way, would make a great channel 4 news segment) No. No. No. The question I’m faced with is that age-old night before New Year’s Eve predicament that many like me have faced in times’ past: do I go out tonight and risk wasting my resources the night before the big bash??? What I mean is, tonight is like the JV game before the Varsity hits the floor. Or you know how at NASCAR races there are like, 8 races before the main race on Sunday….kinda like that. You see, I could easily go out tonight, knowing that I can sleep in tomorrow but should I go that route, I don’t know that I’ll have the energy to do it all over again manana. Life is full of uphill battles, challenges, and forks in the road. Whatever my decision, I have my great upbringing to thank.
The nice thing about this time of year is my work schedule. More specifically, my non-work schedule. My company shuts down over the holidays leaving me with a lot of good intentions for home improvement, volunteering, and self-betterment. But really, all it ever means is me not shaving for 2 weeks and a lot of movie watching and catching up on The Office reruns. In all honesty, I look homeless. In fact, no disrespect to homeless people, but I look worse then homeless. My beard isn’t so much a typical beard that lands on most dude’s cheeks, but rather the ever desired and mostly Euro neck-beard. It’s itchy and starting to connect with the hair on my neck. That’s normal, right?
The other news in my life kind of big. I finally joined the masses and started a Facebook profile. I have rejected the idea ever since a friend back in California told me about MySpace and how it changed her life forever. My response: lame. Find a hobby, a boyfriend, or try watching more TV, but MySpace? Seriously? Well, here I am, checking it everyday like a crack addict. I CANNOT get enough!! What’s worse is I’ve had that last week and a half off work and all I do is sit and stare at the computer. I must look like the lamest dude ever because anytime someone writes on my wall (Facebook lingo), I respond within 30 seconds. I’m that kid in school that never got dates and just waited by the phone…..for it to NEVER ring!! I mean, what a nerd!
But this Facebook thing is a lot more serious then one would think. There’s a whole strategy involved. How many friends do you have? How many people have you asked to be friends with…..and have said no?!?! I feel like the popular kid at the lunch table when someone asks to join my friend list. It’s an immediate ego boost! But then, when you reach out to someone and write on their wall and they never respond, you’re once inflated ego quickly deflates and you remember you’re just a loser on a couch growing a beard!
What’s with these overachievers that rent out bars for New Years? We all know these people. They’re the ones that partner with your local bar/pub/club/crap-hole that serves booze, to offer fancy purple wristbands for $100 a pop to any sucker willing to fork over the benjamins. Problem is, we all do it! Here’s my hundy, now point me in the direction of the huge dude-fest where they are serving substandard drinks at a premium price and every guy has on a sport coat and t-shirt with jeans. Yea, and when did that become the standard uniform of choice for guys going out? Don’t’ get me wrong, I’ve got buddies that pull it off with ease but this really is an epidemic. I’m vetoing the sport coat t-shirt thing and going straight gangster. That’s right, I’m rocking a beard, bed-head, I may or may not brush my teeth, and if I get thrown out before midnight than that leaves me plenty of time to come home, work on my neck-beard, and check my Facebook page! I guess this is growing up.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Travel Bug
So, haven’t been around in a while. This whole work thing is really starting to take it’s toll on me. I’m not about to list all the places I’ve been over the past couple months, but after a long flight, I’ve never been so happy to land in…….INDIANA!!
The benefit lately of all this travel is that my focus is taken off the fact that my favorite bathroom at work is closed. Apparently, someone had an “accident” and they called in a haz-mat team to clean up the mess. But now, the dudes in the space suites cleaning up the mess shut the bathroom down for 3 months. 3 months!! The problem is this bathroom was like, 25 steps from desk. I relied on this as my mid-morning and late-afternoon sanctuary. If you remember, Wednesday is b-b-q day and now I have to walk, like a mile away just to do my thing. I’ve already gotten lost 3 times!
I went to a Notre Dame football game this weekend in South Bend and it was an eye-opening experience. Nevermind that I just had a birthday and being around all those hung over college kids only made me feel older, I actually got sleepy towards the end of the game. I’m sitting there, arm to arm with my Dad and the half drunk-half hung over kid next to me, and I started to doze off…..at a Notre Dame football game! I watched “Rudy” 8 times in preparation for this moment and I’m sleeping in the stands.
I visited Connecticut a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Before my trip, I received my new Blackberry in the mail and spent half the trip messing with the settings. By Sunday afternoon, I realized just how awesome this little device is. And when I say awesome, what I mean is down right addicting. Let me be clearer, I’m completely hamstrung by this thing, like Linus and his blanket! I now realize what it’s like to have a crack addiction. This thing is my crack. The upside is that it has a navigation function so now, I don’t get lost when walking to the bathroom at work! I guess this is growing up.
The benefit lately of all this travel is that my focus is taken off the fact that my favorite bathroom at work is closed. Apparently, someone had an “accident” and they called in a haz-mat team to clean up the mess. But now, the dudes in the space suites cleaning up the mess shut the bathroom down for 3 months. 3 months!! The problem is this bathroom was like, 25 steps from desk. I relied on this as my mid-morning and late-afternoon sanctuary. If you remember, Wednesday is b-b-q day and now I have to walk, like a mile away just to do my thing. I’ve already gotten lost 3 times!
I went to a Notre Dame football game this weekend in South Bend and it was an eye-opening experience. Nevermind that I just had a birthday and being around all those hung over college kids only made me feel older, I actually got sleepy towards the end of the game. I’m sitting there, arm to arm with my Dad and the half drunk-half hung over kid next to me, and I started to doze off…..at a Notre Dame football game! I watched “Rudy” 8 times in preparation for this moment and I’m sleeping in the stands.
I visited Connecticut a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Before my trip, I received my new Blackberry in the mail and spent half the trip messing with the settings. By Sunday afternoon, I realized just how awesome this little device is. And when I say awesome, what I mean is down right addicting. Let me be clearer, I’m completely hamstrung by this thing, like Linus and his blanket! I now realize what it’s like to have a crack addiction. This thing is my crack. The upside is that it has a navigation function so now, I don’t get lost when walking to the bathroom at work! I guess this is growing up.
Monday, June 16, 2008
How do you like dem apples?
Back in the saddle, another day at the office, another day another dollar…..each of these phrases is worse then the previous, but they all accurately describe life in the cubes. Let me explain:
One of the most fascinating things for me is going from desk to desk, looking at what people have hung up in their work areas. Being in Indy, there are a ton of Colts fans so naturally, Peyton Manning crap is everywhere. This guy can do no wrong at all here in Indy. I mean, let’s just say you play for the Pacers you just happen to be out one night and, well, there’s random gunfire. Again, hypothetically, let’s say this gunfire is directed at you and your crew…is that really that bad? I didn’t think so.
The other great thing about life on the “inside” is the parking situation. And when I say “situation”, I mean complete and sheer disaster. If I’m not here by 7:26 am everyday I’m relegated to the overflow lot which is located roughly just outside Cincinnati.
But work isn’t everything…traveling lately has been fun too. I dig the airport scene, at least I did until I was randomly chosen to participate in the “you look like a threat” frisking at the hands of a security specialist. Now keep in mind, when I travel I usually am tired from staying up the previous night packing/watching re-runs of Chappelle’s Show, and therefore kind of grumpy. So this guy flags me down and asks me to join him to the side where the fondling/professional pat down would go down. I politely decline. I’m told it wasn’t an option and before I know it, my pants are around my ankles and I’m coughing 3 times. Ok, so it wasn’t that bad and I got digits afterward so I actually came out ahead. Next time I’m in Boston, I’ve got a date with Neil, the surprisingly gentle dude from terminal B.
And on that note, Boston’s pretty cool. I had been once before with Sammy for my birthday where we did the whole Fenway father/son thing so going in, I knew that trip would be a tough act to follow. But, weather held up, had some great food with an amazing friend, and I even ran into Chris Mihm and his girlfriend on the street.
Highlight of the trip: we’re sitting at dinner and things are winding down. It’s obvious to us and probably everyone else in the place that we had had our fill of Goose and calamari. We look at each other as if to telepathically say, “Where’s the bill?” I get a little impatient and finally ask the waiter for the bill and he says that it was taken care of over the phone by my friend that afternoon. What!? Why didn’t I think of that?? I immediately look over and say, “Don’t get any ideas, my heart belongs to Neil, the pat-down specialist from terminal B.”
The other great thing about Boston, much like Phil-lay, is the historical significance surrounding the city. I mean, all weekend long I was walking around reciting Good Will Hunting lines like I was from Southie!
Random question: who are these guys that actually sit on those elevated chairs and get their shoes shined?
Also, is anyone walking through the airport and all of a sudden decides they want to learn French and only wished there was a Rosetta Stone kiosk in the terminal? Oh wait, there’s one at every other gate.
I had one of the most comforting and home-like experiences happen to me last night while driving home from Dairy Queen. I’m leaving the drive thru, small banana split blizzard in tote, and I pause at the stop light a little too long to enjoy the extra strawberries I asked for. Apparently, the dude behind me forgot his manners and sped past me, leaving a trail of blazing middle fingers, honks, and F-bombs in his wake. Oh, how I’ve missed Southern California. I guess this is growing up!
One of the most fascinating things for me is going from desk to desk, looking at what people have hung up in their work areas. Being in Indy, there are a ton of Colts fans so naturally, Peyton Manning crap is everywhere. This guy can do no wrong at all here in Indy. I mean, let’s just say you play for the Pacers you just happen to be out one night and, well, there’s random gunfire. Again, hypothetically, let’s say this gunfire is directed at you and your crew…is that really that bad? I didn’t think so.
The other great thing about life on the “inside” is the parking situation. And when I say “situation”, I mean complete and sheer disaster. If I’m not here by 7:26 am everyday I’m relegated to the overflow lot which is located roughly just outside Cincinnati.
But work isn’t everything…traveling lately has been fun too. I dig the airport scene, at least I did until I was randomly chosen to participate in the “you look like a threat” frisking at the hands of a security specialist. Now keep in mind, when I travel I usually am tired from staying up the previous night packing/watching re-runs of Chappelle’s Show, and therefore kind of grumpy. So this guy flags me down and asks me to join him to the side where the fondling/professional pat down would go down. I politely decline. I’m told it wasn’t an option and before I know it, my pants are around my ankles and I’m coughing 3 times. Ok, so it wasn’t that bad and I got digits afterward so I actually came out ahead. Next time I’m in Boston, I’ve got a date with Neil, the surprisingly gentle dude from terminal B.
And on that note, Boston’s pretty cool. I had been once before with Sammy for my birthday where we did the whole Fenway father/son thing so going in, I knew that trip would be a tough act to follow. But, weather held up, had some great food with an amazing friend, and I even ran into Chris Mihm and his girlfriend on the street.
Highlight of the trip: we’re sitting at dinner and things are winding down. It’s obvious to us and probably everyone else in the place that we had had our fill of Goose and calamari. We look at each other as if to telepathically say, “Where’s the bill?” I get a little impatient and finally ask the waiter for the bill and he says that it was taken care of over the phone by my friend that afternoon. What!? Why didn’t I think of that?? I immediately look over and say, “Don’t get any ideas, my heart belongs to Neil, the pat-down specialist from terminal B.”
The other great thing about Boston, much like Phil-lay, is the historical significance surrounding the city. I mean, all weekend long I was walking around reciting Good Will Hunting lines like I was from Southie!
Random question: who are these guys that actually sit on those elevated chairs and get their shoes shined?
Also, is anyone walking through the airport and all of a sudden decides they want to learn French and only wished there was a Rosetta Stone kiosk in the terminal? Oh wait, there’s one at every other gate.
I had one of the most comforting and home-like experiences happen to me last night while driving home from Dairy Queen. I’m leaving the drive thru, small banana split blizzard in tote, and I pause at the stop light a little too long to enjoy the extra strawberries I asked for. Apparently, the dude behind me forgot his manners and sped past me, leaving a trail of blazing middle fingers, honks, and F-bombs in his wake. Oh, how I’ve missed Southern California. I guess this is growing up!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Biggie Said it Best....
I'm back in Cali and it feels good!
I’m looking at the date of my last entry and I didn’t realize how long it’s been….my bad. The last couple weeks have been packed with work and travel, and a little fun mixed in for good measure. Let’s see, where to start….
Two weeks ago Trader and I headed south to Florida for a much needed mancation. We started things off in sunny South Beach for 3 days where I was abruptly met with $9 beers and the occasional nude beach (totally by accident, by the way). You remember that feeling when you’re at a club/saloon/tavern/bar/disco and your favorite song comes on? You feel the bass from the speakers work it’s way up your spine and all of a sudden you bust out in the moonwalk? No? Just me I guess. Anyway, somehow Trader and I convinced the very large and very Russian (think Ivan Drago from Rocky IV) bouncer at Mansion to let us in and few hours later, that feeling struck me. It not only struck me, but hit me square in the face in the form of JaRule! That’s right, I said it. He’s still around believe it or not. The lights went out and spoke filled the club and Ja jumped on stage a mere 25 feet from us. Pretty cool. I remember my college days and jamming to him in some random basement on a Saturday night and here he is in front of me……many years later.
From there, we took off for Captiva Island, which isn’t really an island at all. This was a trip the Trader won through work and brought me along as his Goose. I like to think that I did my job and did it with pride. The only downside to Captiva was that I got so burned in SoBe that I spent a good portion of my time under a cabana. Not a big deal though. Crushed some fish tacos, enjoyed the scenery, and pretty much did nothing for 3 straight days. Our last night there was fun. There was a big reception on the beach that kinda resembled a luau and then a few after hours gatherings, one of which kept me up all night. And when I say all night, I literally didn’t close my eyes or sleep for the entire night. And my Mom will be happy to know that it wasn’t because I was boozing…had only one all day!
We left with some good memories, some better pictures that may or may not end up on here someday, and some re-established and newly formed relationships. That was starchy, sorry.
So I bounce from Captiva straight to DC for a work thing on Friday. I did DC for the day/night and then hit up Phil-lay for the last leg of my adventure. PA has been a blast the couple times I’ve been there. It seems there’s always someone showing up to brunch in the same clothes they wore out the night before, or complaining that they have been on 5 dates with the same guy and still no kiss. And then there’s this girl that goes spray tanning and gets the level 5 treatment, turning her into a legit contender for a BET award! Wait, I just described the same person. It seems to me she should have her own nickname…maybe “Mini Drama”!! But seriously, Phil-lay’s rad and my new favorite place is Plough. They have the right mix of 80’s and hip-hop and it’s close to home so you don’t have to cab it. All I need now is a Phillie’s hat to complete the look.
By the time I got home I’m pretty sure my 2 dogs had no idea who I was.
Fast forward to today where I’m sitting at the John Wayne airport in OC in what is my first trip back to Cali since I left in December. It’s really crazy being here. I mean, the people, the buildings, the food…..everything is different. And in a way, I almost feel like a visitor to what was my home all my life. Almost like I left and everything changed in the 5 months I’ve been gone. But then again, I’m still sitting on a bench across from baggage claim so I’m sure things will pick up when I get outside!
And as I sit here staring at all the OCer’s I realize just how different life in the Midwest is. I mean, I get off the jet and all I see is huge purses, huger sunglasses, really really tan people, and little dogs everywhere. Ahhhhhh….how I’ve missed home! But there really is a change in the total mentality of folks out here and I think you have to leave to really see the difference. Even the weather knows it’s better then the weather everywhere else!
I’m here for a couple reasons that are work/vacation related. I’ve got some meetings in LA the next couple days and then I’m heading home to the IE (Inland Empire) for 5 days. From there it’s San Diego for work and then back up to Malibu for a wedding next weekend. I’m really curious what home will look like when I get there Saturday. It was always fun coming back during college break to see friends and find out what new restaurant had been put up and who was dating/married/broke up. Now, as I get older, it’s not so much who is dating or married, but who has another child or is expecting their first. I guess this is growing up!
Two weeks ago Trader and I headed south to Florida for a much needed mancation. We started things off in sunny South Beach for 3 days where I was abruptly met with $9 beers and the occasional nude beach (totally by accident, by the way). You remember that feeling when you’re at a club/saloon/tavern/bar/disco and your favorite song comes on? You feel the bass from the speakers work it’s way up your spine and all of a sudden you bust out in the moonwalk? No? Just me I guess. Anyway, somehow Trader and I convinced the very large and very Russian (think Ivan Drago from Rocky IV) bouncer at Mansion to let us in and few hours later, that feeling struck me. It not only struck me, but hit me square in the face in the form of JaRule! That’s right, I said it. He’s still around believe it or not. The lights went out and spoke filled the club and Ja jumped on stage a mere 25 feet from us. Pretty cool. I remember my college days and jamming to him in some random basement on a Saturday night and here he is in front of me……many years later.
From there, we took off for Captiva Island, which isn’t really an island at all. This was a trip the Trader won through work and brought me along as his Goose. I like to think that I did my job and did it with pride. The only downside to Captiva was that I got so burned in SoBe that I spent a good portion of my time under a cabana. Not a big deal though. Crushed some fish tacos, enjoyed the scenery, and pretty much did nothing for 3 straight days. Our last night there was fun. There was a big reception on the beach that kinda resembled a luau and then a few after hours gatherings, one of which kept me up all night. And when I say all night, I literally didn’t close my eyes or sleep for the entire night. And my Mom will be happy to know that it wasn’t because I was boozing…had only one all day!
We left with some good memories, some better pictures that may or may not end up on here someday, and some re-established and newly formed relationships. That was starchy, sorry.
So I bounce from Captiva straight to DC for a work thing on Friday. I did DC for the day/night and then hit up Phil-lay for the last leg of my adventure. PA has been a blast the couple times I’ve been there. It seems there’s always someone showing up to brunch in the same clothes they wore out the night before, or complaining that they have been on 5 dates with the same guy and still no kiss. And then there’s this girl that goes spray tanning and gets the level 5 treatment, turning her into a legit contender for a BET award! Wait, I just described the same person. It seems to me she should have her own nickname…maybe “Mini Drama”!! But seriously, Phil-lay’s rad and my new favorite place is Plough. They have the right mix of 80’s and hip-hop and it’s close to home so you don’t have to cab it. All I need now is a Phillie’s hat to complete the look.
By the time I got home I’m pretty sure my 2 dogs had no idea who I was.
Fast forward to today where I’m sitting at the John Wayne airport in OC in what is my first trip back to Cali since I left in December. It’s really crazy being here. I mean, the people, the buildings, the food…..everything is different. And in a way, I almost feel like a visitor to what was my home all my life. Almost like I left and everything changed in the 5 months I’ve been gone. But then again, I’m still sitting on a bench across from baggage claim so I’m sure things will pick up when I get outside!
And as I sit here staring at all the OCer’s I realize just how different life in the Midwest is. I mean, I get off the jet and all I see is huge purses, huger sunglasses, really really tan people, and little dogs everywhere. Ahhhhhh….how I’ve missed home! But there really is a change in the total mentality of folks out here and I think you have to leave to really see the difference. Even the weather knows it’s better then the weather everywhere else!
I’m here for a couple reasons that are work/vacation related. I’ve got some meetings in LA the next couple days and then I’m heading home to the IE (Inland Empire) for 5 days. From there it’s San Diego for work and then back up to Malibu for a wedding next weekend. I’m really curious what home will look like when I get there Saturday. It was always fun coming back during college break to see friends and find out what new restaurant had been put up and who was dating/married/broke up. Now, as I get older, it’s not so much who is dating or married, but who has another child or is expecting their first. I guess this is growing up!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Eight Belles, Thoughts and Prayers
I'll get to that in a minute, because something really bothers me about that. But first, I woke up this morning in Florida, and turned on the tube and John Q is on with Denzel. This movie is awesome....Denzel at his finest. The only beef I have with D is that while he is a great Lakers supporter and is at nearly every game, he needs leave the NY Yankees hat at home!! You're in LA, dude. Pick up a Doyers hat, or even the Angels....anything but a Yanks lid.
Speaking of the Lake Show, we look real good. When I was a kid, I used to watch the Lakers when it was the Showtime days...Erv, Big Game James, even Rambis. Then, I got a little older and fell in love with them all over again. You had Nick the Quick, Cedric, Eldon Campbell (deepest voice ever, by the way), Eddie Jones, an old Byron Scott. I know I'm forgeting some dudes. Those were the run and gun days. Then we got KB8, The Diesel, Big Shot Rob, B-Shaw (best alley-oop tosser ever), D-Fish, and the titles starting rolling in. Those 3 years were a few of the best of my life.
After a few years of minor dropoff, it's looking good that we will get back on top again. Game 2 is tonight at 10:30EST and even though I'm on an island in FL that isn't really an island, I'll be watching.
This thing with the Derby horse that broke both legs and had to be put down right after she finished second is bothersome. What bothers me is that PETA is now coming forward saying that the horse, a filly, should not have been running with the boys. That she was overmatched and outside of her comfort level and this may have been the cause of her ultimate death. PETA is blaming the jockey for pushing her too hard and is calling for drastic measures to be taken to prevent this from happening again. While I agree that this is very tragic and the thought of any animal breaking both front legs to the point where the bone is sticking out of the skin is horrible, how do you put that on the jockey, or the trainers and owners for that matter??? The horse clearly had the stuff to run with the big boys, as she finished a close second to the hands-down race favorite. There were only 20 horses in the field and with the competitive nature of this race, the most famous of all horse races, there is no way that she could have just stumbled into the field of 20 without earning a spot. I look at this as just another way for a fanatical group of people with nothing better to do, to make posters with silly catch phrases, redirect blame and stand outside Churchhill Downs and other horse stables and make a scene. GIVE IT UP! I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals but not when it means asking for the jockey's job calling out the trainers and owners as people who didn't truely care for the well-being of Eight Belles.
My Aunt and Uncle raise horses in Minnesota and if you've seen one horse person, you've seen them all. What I mean is, they eat, sleep, and live for these horses as if they were their own children. They would gladly sacrifice any personal comfort in return of knowing that their horses had enough to eat last night, or a warm barn to sleep in, or an open pasture to run. This is the same mentality that Eight Belles' handlers surely have. For PETA to call these people out is hysterical. I mean, this horse probably lived a better life then I do!! She ate, she slept in very comfortable stables (heated and air conditioned), she ran around all day and big deal, the dude on her back weighed 90 lbs.!!! I'm pretty sure I could make it to the finish line with 90 lbs. El Salvadorean dude on my back.
PETA needs to stick to house pets, and dolphins....both arenas they know very little about, but still more then horses.
Today's my last day in the FL sun. I leave manana for DC, then throwing in a little Phil-lay for good measure. I got cooked down in Miami but I'm confident my skin will either bubble up and fall off, or turn a nice shade of tan.
Speaking of the Lake Show, we look real good. When I was a kid, I used to watch the Lakers when it was the Showtime days...Erv, Big Game James, even Rambis. Then, I got a little older and fell in love with them all over again. You had Nick the Quick, Cedric, Eldon Campbell (deepest voice ever, by the way), Eddie Jones, an old Byron Scott. I know I'm forgeting some dudes. Those were the run and gun days. Then we got KB8, The Diesel, Big Shot Rob, B-Shaw (best alley-oop tosser ever), D-Fish, and the titles starting rolling in. Those 3 years were a few of the best of my life.
After a few years of minor dropoff, it's looking good that we will get back on top again. Game 2 is tonight at 10:30EST and even though I'm on an island in FL that isn't really an island, I'll be watching.
This thing with the Derby horse that broke both legs and had to be put down right after she finished second is bothersome. What bothers me is that PETA is now coming forward saying that the horse, a filly, should not have been running with the boys. That she was overmatched and outside of her comfort level and this may have been the cause of her ultimate death. PETA is blaming the jockey for pushing her too hard and is calling for drastic measures to be taken to prevent this from happening again. While I agree that this is very tragic and the thought of any animal breaking both front legs to the point where the bone is sticking out of the skin is horrible, how do you put that on the jockey, or the trainers and owners for that matter??? The horse clearly had the stuff to run with the big boys, as she finished a close second to the hands-down race favorite. There were only 20 horses in the field and with the competitive nature of this race, the most famous of all horse races, there is no way that she could have just stumbled into the field of 20 without earning a spot. I look at this as just another way for a fanatical group of people with nothing better to do, to make posters with silly catch phrases, redirect blame and stand outside Churchhill Downs and other horse stables and make a scene. GIVE IT UP! I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals but not when it means asking for the jockey's job calling out the trainers and owners as people who didn't truely care for the well-being of Eight Belles.
My Aunt and Uncle raise horses in Minnesota and if you've seen one horse person, you've seen them all. What I mean is, they eat, sleep, and live for these horses as if they were their own children. They would gladly sacrifice any personal comfort in return of knowing that their horses had enough to eat last night, or a warm barn to sleep in, or an open pasture to run. This is the same mentality that Eight Belles' handlers surely have. For PETA to call these people out is hysterical. I mean, this horse probably lived a better life then I do!! She ate, she slept in very comfortable stables (heated and air conditioned), she ran around all day and big deal, the dude on her back weighed 90 lbs.!!! I'm pretty sure I could make it to the finish line with 90 lbs. El Salvadorean dude on my back.
PETA needs to stick to house pets, and dolphins....both arenas they know very little about, but still more then horses.
Today's my last day in the FL sun. I leave manana for DC, then throwing in a little Phil-lay for good measure. I got cooked down in Miami but I'm confident my skin will either bubble up and fall off, or turn a nice shade of tan.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
KB24 MVP!!!!
I'm on vacation but had to update the blog with the late-breaking news that Mamba earned his first regular season MVP award. More later.....
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Hate Sunday Nights
The worst part about the week for me is not Monday morning, but Sunday night. It's lonely. It's dark. It's cold. I hate it. I've felt this way as far back as I can remember. Theres something about the harshness of yet another weekend passing that really brings me down. And letely, the weekends have really been fun, so it makes for an even worse Sunday.
When I was younger, my Dad and I would play a boardgame, watch SportsCenter, and eat ice cream every Sunday. It got to be a real nice tradition and it was a great way to help pass the time before Monday AM hit. The game: either Sorry or Yahtzee. Sammy would always be the red piece in Sorry and I always picked blue. And when I lost I wouldn't sleep well. I'd recount my moves and wonder if I should have moved that one piece back one spot instead of forward 10 spots. Those of us "Sorry-heads" know what I'm sayin'!
So fast forward to Sunday nights in Indy. Tonight was different because I had a dinner party thing at my dude's house with a few other kids from work. This is always a good time with great discussions and it's perfect for taking my mind off what is soon to be another crappy Sunday night. But typically, it's go grocery shopping in the late afternoon, top of the tank in the whip, and pickup whatever clutter has accumulated over the weekend. Lately, there's always some leftover burrito sauce, chips, a
nd random Gatorade bottles that Trader and I did work on the night before. Hop into some comfy's (blue sweatpants, Jordan hoody I got from Nance and Dan, and these old-man slippers I got for Christmas that are like walking on clouds) and hit the couch. Time to catch up on the DVR from the previous week and that's it. That's Sunday night.
nd random Gatorade bottles that Trader and I did work on the night before. Hop into some comfy's (blue sweatpants, Jordan hoody I got from Nance and Dan, and these old-man slippers I got for Christmas that are like walking on clouds) and hit the couch. Time to catch up on the DVR from the previous week and that's it. That's Sunday night.And the other thing that sucks is I stay up late on Friday and Saturday night and so lately I'm not grabbing zzz's until, like midnight, so then I'm fried on Monday.
I was watching Crash this weekend on the FX channel (what exactly is that channel? A spinoff from FOX or what?) and that is a ca-razy flick. I dig it, but it makes you think alot. I like that it's set in LA; kinda makes me homesick for my days growing up in Compton. I just realized that Don Cheadle http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000332/ is an awesome actor. Dude lights up the screen like no other. If I could have anyone play me in a movie I'd go with Ryan Phillipe. I think he has the chops to capture my vibe and convey the struggles I overcame while growing up in South Central.
The other thing that I do on Sunday's is watch this dude on youtube: http://youtube.com/results?search_query=boyce+avenue&search_type=&aq=0&oq=boyce
Maybe you've seen him, but this kid can sing.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Guest Blog
So, occasionally I'll open things up. My man wants to freestyle so I'm letting Hoff take the stage in what will surely become the beginning of a long career free-lance blogging:
Let the record show that at 8:15 Central Standard Daylight Savings Time on 4/23/08 Ryan Halverson and myself, Ryan Hoffman, engaged in what is the largest bet we have ever made with each other.
The bet? You guessed it, has to do with sports and of course has to do his favorite team. The Los Angeles Lakers (formerly Minneapolis Lakers) have to win the Western Conference championship for “Hal” to collect his $100. If the Lakers fail to make the NBA Finals I win the cool $100.
I was asked to blog tonight before this bet but having this bet out there for the world to see was more than enough incentive for me to share my thoughts. Good evening to all.
By the way, I just heard Reggie Miller refer to Kobe Bryant as “Triple Ocho”…disgusting.
The bet? You guessed it, has to do with sports and of course has to do his favorite team. The Los Angeles Lakers (formerly Minneapolis Lakers) have to win the Western Conference championship for “Hal” to collect his $100. If the Lakers fail to make the NBA Finals I win the cool $100.
I was asked to blog tonight before this bet but having this bet out there for the world to see was more than enough incentive for me to share my thoughts. Good evening to all.
By the way, I just heard Reggie Miller refer to Kobe Bryant as “Triple Ocho”…disgusting.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
UEFA & Mamba
Somewhere along the way, I got into futbol. It might be due to my brother playing back in the day, or learning of a guy they call the "Pretty One" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo and watching him race cars on foot http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vv2dkd1ZiO0 for fun, but lately I'm into it. ManU played Barca to a nil-nil tie today and it was a great way to start my sporting evening. The other greatest athlete in the world will be on tonight. But, because I live in the east time zone, I'll be DVRing that as well because it doesn't come on until 10:30pm. Lame. Just to show my support, I'll be sleeping in my Ocho jersey.
It was bbq lunch day at work today and based on how I'm feeling now, that's the last time I participate in bbq lunch at work. It's fair to say that it's all good at noon but then tragedy strikes about 4 hours later.
Tomorrow's Thursday which is good and bad. Good in that it's almost Friday which is almost the weekend and bad in that I have to shave in the am. I hate shaving. Hate it. But at least they aren't serving bbq at work.
It was bbq lunch day at work today and based on how I'm feeling now, that's the last time I participate in bbq lunch at work. It's fair to say that it's all good at noon but then tragedy strikes about 4 hours later.
Tomorrow's Thursday which is good and bad. Good in that it's almost Friday which is almost the weekend and bad in that I have to shave in the am. I hate shaving. Hate it. But at least they aren't serving bbq at work.
Monday, April 21, 2008
First Take
So this is it. The blog. I got this idea to start this from my buddy, Agent Zero, and then I crossed it with another friend, P-Loya, and he said do it. He had a blog back when it wasn't fashionable and I admire that so I'm taking his advice and getting after it.
Look for late-breaking news on Indy life, what I ate for lunch, why my dogs continue to smell dispite many baths, and bbq tips in the near future.
Look for late-breaking news on Indy life, what I ate for lunch, why my dogs continue to smell dispite many baths, and bbq tips in the near future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
