Friday, December 18, 2009

Bowling Update

Week two on my quest for more consistancy in my approach and release. The lanes were flooded with oil. Had to slow the ball speed down dramatically. I also moved three boards to the right of where I normally stand, just to get the ball up into the pocket. I put into practice the tips I read about linking my right arm with my right foot to start the swing. I keep on with bending the knee at the foul line. No I'm not perfect, still had a few shots where I was off, but practice makes perfect or so they tell me so I'll keep on. The slowing down was a little difficult, but focusing on starting the approach and bending my knee kept me on track. The release felt good so I'm building upon the work done last week.

My scores? First game 198, came back in the second game with a 213, and finished the night with a 213. 624 series. My nephew had it a little rougher than I with all that oil out there. We would start the games fairly closely, one game I remember only being up 5 pins in the 5th frame. I think he rolled a 162, then a 178, and finished the night with 195. So he improved every game and ended up gettting his average for the night.

My 624 series helped in raising my average. It went up another 2 pins. I'll start with a 188 after the Holiday break. Our first week back is like a mini sweepers, it's the men vs the men and the women vs the women. It's a three week break before we start the second half of the league and before I can continue raising my average. I'm going to practice during the Holiday break so I can keep these things going in the right direction. I want to end this year with a 200+ average. I can see it happening, but seeing is not doing the work. Time to make practicing a priority. I don't do New Year's resolutions. I set this goal after last week bowling....it is a goal I'm going to reach.

Not sure if I'll get another post in before the Holidays, so I'll take this moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! I hope you are surrounded by friends and family and take the time to enjoy the 'Spirit of the Season'.

{{{{{************************}}}}} HUGZ to you all!!!!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A different Christmas poem

I don't know where it started but I read this a few years ago.. and every year I try to post it and try to keep it going. To those I served with, and to those who serve currently......


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said “Its really all right,
I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ‘ Pearl on a day in December,”
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘ Nam ‘,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall..”

“ So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

Monday, December 14, 2009

Ahhh

Bowling... so last Thursday I guess I decided it was time to actually do all those things you're supposed to do when you bowl. I realized a few weeks ago I wasn't bending my knee when I released the ball. So I've been working on that since. Thursday it felt pretty good. Then I wanted to know what my Venom would do on the lanes. I started with my Playmaker, and it was doing well, I was clean through the first 6 frames. Just felt like I was fighting it a little too much. So I grabbed my Venom from my locker. I didn't put tape in the thumb and the first shot in the 7th fell right off my hand. Luckily it went down the lane and struck. So I put tape in and kept with the Venom the rest of the night. Finished the first game with a 211. Second game was pretty good..a couple of bad shots, but I instantly knew what I had done wrong, and corrected it. I'm pretty sure it's because I knew the release was good. I never felt lost. Ended that game with a 220.

So it's feeling good. I'm loving how my ball is rolling down the lane. Definitely the the right ball for the conditions. I start the third game... strike, strike, strike.. the ball is just pounding the pocket. I know when I let it go it's a good shot. I see where it hits the lane and starts to roll.. I just KNOW it's going to strike. Let me tell you that's a good feeling. Three more strikes and we're half way through the game. I've strung 6. Got up in the 7th frame and yeah...the pressure was there. Thinking too much about it. Pulled it something terribly. Anyway pulled a 231 out of that game. Been awhile since I've had three good games like that so the mental aspect isn't there. It still takes a game of 250 or above to make me really happy. Just been awhile since I've bowled this consistantly. Would love to put my average up in the 200's again. We're basically at the mid point of the season. It can be done.

Was reading some tips online today and I found one concerning timing and your approach. The points raised really connected in my head. I was trying it out in the office today. Couldn't slide on the carpet, nor did I have a ball in my hand, but I liked the way it felt. So I'll be putting that into practice and let's see how things go. My average going into last Thursday was a 183, the 662 series jumps that up to a 186. One more week to go before the holiday break...would be nice to add a few more pins to my average.

15 weeks left after the holidays... only need to raise my average one pin a week. Let's see what happens.

{{{{*********************}}}} HUGZ to you all!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Surfer's Bible

The Holy Bible interpreted for Surfers. Honestly way back in the Desert Storm days I came up with this idea. I was going to have the language more in slang but this works too. Here's an excerpt or two....

Surfers love a challenge. From the big wave tow-in pros, to the aging veteran surfer struggling to manage their priorities and growing injuries, to the grommet pushing their limits on their local beachbreak. The Surfers Bible contains the greatest news of all. As well as the New Testament section of the Bible (the worlds best seller of all time for all times) we have added stories of surfers lives who have been touched by God. We also wanted to give a clear, surfer friendly description of just what this good news is all about.

Go on, take off on the ride of your life and read on…


It goes on from here with the four principals you should know...

PRINCIPLE ONE.

God is good, he is generous and he loves you. He made the world good and made you for a special purpose. He is also a just God and a God who will judge us (otherwise his love would be weak). {Dude he said weak....}


PRINCIPLE TWO.

Mankind blew it big time a long time ago when we tried to play ‘God' and made our own choices of right and wrong. Bad move for us as we weren't designed to play God, and have been suffering ever since with wars, family hassles, additions, crime, and sickness. What's more, the environment suffers with us. God's justice says that mankind has to pay the penalty for turning against him – and that's a death sentence. There are no rebels in heaven. Death is being for ever away from God and everything good.

Man blew it big time, and the classic 'There are no rebels in heaven'. I just about want to see how much this version of the Bible costs.

PRINCIPLE THREE.

Even though we gave up on God, God didn't give up on us. In fact God had a Rescue Mission planned to get us back on side with him. It started with the big advertising campaign of Creation (see Romans 1:18 -23). It touched us in our conscience (see Romans 2:12 -16). It was finally completed when he turned up personally in the person of Jesus. (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8)

Jesus' mission was to come and die for us! He was the only one who got it right, and he got what we deserved for getting it wrong. We didn't deserve it then or now, it is a totally free gift of God, that's how much Jesus loves us! Anyway, at Easter Jesus got killed on a cross, but three days later rose from the dead to prove his mission was a success. He made a bridge through his death back to God! (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-11)

Yes I'm prolly gonna burn in Hell, but come on.. "The big advertising campaign of Creation"...this is classic stuff.

PRINCIPLE FOUR.

It is not enough to know about these principles, you need to act on them. The bridge is there, it's free but it's not cheap. It's the only one, no making up your own way. (John 14:6). You have a choice of two ways, no in-betweens. Your choices are:-

Accept Jesus, allow him to pay your penalty, be forgiven, follow him as the leader of your life and he will stick with you forever. Jesus promises you will escape his judgement and make it to heaven.

Reject Jesus, pay your own penalty, remain unforgiven, follow your own way and the ways of the world. Jesus promises you will have to stand before God and will suffer his judgment and hell itself.

I, I will follow him.. and where ever he may go... I will be there.. cause I, I will follow him.. (God I feel like Martha and the Vandellas and I don't even know if they sang that song...)

I've saved the best for last though.... they offer the following advice:

Christianity is a team sport, in fact the church is your new extended family. We need each other to get encouraged, to learn, to receive advice. You need to join in with other Christians, even when they don't surf. Remember, they have to learn to put up with you just as much as you have to put up with them!

So yeah I'm poking fun at this but actually it's pretty cool. It might just be the one version of the Bible that I can actually read and understand. I'm not getting that 'old time religion' but there are some passages in the Bible that are used against me. It never hurts to be informed. Knowing your enemy can be a powerful weapon against them. {Read the Art of War, I'm too tired to accurately quote it here} Anyway.. have a good night!! or Day.. or whatever.. I'm outtie!!! {******************************}

HugZ to you all!!!!!!



Saturday, September 12, 2009

Energy 92.7

So you all know now that Energy 92.7 was sold and the new owners have flipped the format to a more top 40 feel. It's not like we don't already have 3 stations that play the same type of music already in the bay. So I'm not totally clear on the concept here, but then again I don't have the kind of money to go and buy a radio station so maybe that has something to do with it. Dunno.

Anyway Energy was a special thing. It truly was unique in that it was an independently owned and operated radio station. It had a small signal but did grow over the years. It didn't have a snowballs hope in hell of actually making it in the SF Bay radio market. Yet it did make it, it thrived, it grew it was something the Bay has never seen and something that could only happen in the Bay. Dance music was the format, and this station actually targeted the main audience for dance music.... The LGBT community. Advertisers were the clubs and bars and businesses that we all knew. The music was the stuff we had on CD's or downloaded but never could hear on the radio. It was great. Then there were the on air personalities. Fernando coming in for the morning show, Joey V to hold down the afternoon drive. Things grew from there.... Live mix shows with DJ's actually mixing in the studio.. World class DJ's stopping by the station and not only doing an interview but then mixing live on the air. The over an hour long commercial free segment on Joey's show, it was the 5 o'clock hour... do you know how major that is???

Trevor Simpson's mix at 6 and the countless songs and artists he broke in the Bay Area. Energy was playing songs 6 months to a year before any other station would touch them. Cardio Radio and the upgrade Cardio Radio version 2.0. DJ Ajax and finally Kid Loose taking over the station for an hour during lunch and just tearing up the air waves.

All of the above was Energy 92.7 but it was more. I wasn't just a listener, I was a true fan. I listened and loved the station, then I started going out to the events. I met all the people that I had listened to. I met Joey V, DJ Ajax, Fernando and Greg, Ali Wilder, Sterling James, Kid Loose, Trevor Simpson, and DJ Matthew Baker. I got to know the people on the street team, they saw me at so many events. I became friends with them, I know most of them outside of the station. Energy really was a big extended family. Yes that would include all the ups and downs and fights and drama and love that go into a family.

So with the friendships and knowing so many people that worked at the station I could share some of their pain when the station was sold. It's tough to see your friends in that situation and not be able to help them in any way. Radio is a strange gig, everyone who worked there knew the end was coming but they couldn't say anything about it on air. Just the way it works in this biz. It's easier to keep up with people now with sites like Facebook. The energy 927 web site is still up but who knows for how long? It can't be updated because the station no longer exists.

Anyway it is with sadness that I look upon the ending of Energy 927 and that amazing five year run that was never supposed to happen at all. Then I am happy for the friends that I have made and knowing that things will work out well in the end. One door closes and another opens. You never know where the path in life will take you but keep the positive thoughts and you'll end up somewhere great. It may not seem like it now, but just wait...

{******************************}
HUGZ to you ALL!!!!!!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Tarot Card


You are the Hanged Man


Self-sacrifice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Bound.


With the Hanged man there is often a sense of fatalism, waiting for something to happen. Or a fear of
loss from a situation, rather than gain.


The Hanged Man is perhaps the most fascinating card in the deck. It reflects the story of Odin who offered himself as a sacrifice in order to gain knowledge. Hanging from the world tree, wounded by a spear, given no bread or mead, he hung for nine days. On the last day, he saw on the ground runes that had fallen from the tree, understood their meaning, and, coming down, scooped them up for his own. All knowledge is to be found in these runes.


The Hanged Man, in similar fashion, is a card about suspension, not life or death. It signifies selflessness, sacrifice and prophecy. You make yourself vulnerable and in doing so, gain illumination. You see the world differently, with almost mystical insights.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Green Day

So Monday night (24 August) was the Green Day show in Sacramento. Wow...wow...wow. I had forgotten just what a show the guys put on. According to Billie Joe we were a much better audience than San Jose was the night before. It was a great time. They were on stage for over three hours and just one short break around the 2.5 hour mark.

They come out through the audience and climb up on stage. Then it's just the amazing high energy Green Day show. I think they hit the stage hard and see how people react. If they're getting that energy back it keeps them going, if not then they prolly trail off a bit. I did not think the show would ever end. Even "Time of your life" was not the end. Billie Joe ALWAYS ends with that song.
"It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life."

That really sums up every Green Day show I've been to. (ok yeah I've only seen them three times, but each one is better than the last.) There is something amazing hearing the entire crowd sing one song.

Another turning point
a fork stuck in the road
time takes you by the wrist
directs you where to go

So make the best of this test
and don't ask why
It's not a question but
a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind
hang them on a shelf
in good health and good time
tattoo some memories
and dead skin on trial
for what it's worth
it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life.

Ok well it's hot and I got things to do. Gotta wash the car and pack up for Disneyland. Not driving down, we're flying. Gotta meet Julie and Ian and Chelsea at the Okland airport early tomorrow morning. Like 6 am early...

It's gonna be sooo much fun. Spending time at Disney with my good friends.

HUGZ to you all!!!
{*****************************}

Friday, August 21, 2009

Hot Friday

Well it was cool throughout the week and they only predicted it warming up a degree or two today. They missed the mark by a good 15 or so. Yeah it's hot today. So I got home and decided to grab some ribs and fire up the bbq. Streaming energy 92.7 and cooking outside. yeah it's a little slice of heaven. Dunno what's going to be served with the ribs.. I'm thinking some good Texas beans.. and maybe some corn. Corn on the cob would be fantastic but couldn't find any good stuff around today. Ah well.. I even got some bbq sauce to put on the ribs. This should be some jammin food.

Gotta get a planting box together here quick. It's getting time to plant the garlic. Yeah baby, I'm gonna grow my own. I'll end up with soo much that I won't know what to do with it all. Well that's a lie cause I'm gonna roast some. That is soo killer on fresh sour dough bread. The pasta machine I ordered has been shipped so I should have it next week. I'd love to think it will be here tomorrow, but I can wait. Dunno why making my own pasta has invaded my cooking spirit but I know that it's all I want to try right now.

I bought all the stuff for lasagna today. So I'm thinking if it cools off a little tomorrow I'll make it then. Might have to wait for Sunday. Dunno. (that's like my new favorite word I think) Tomorrow night is the final spin off for the Ultimate DJ contest... then we head into the semi finals... Doesn't it feel like this one is going faster?? Yeah... get it done in a month.. why drag it out???

Damn Trevor pulled out an old song for the mix at six tonight. Haven't heard this in in almost two years.. he just dropped it in the middle of some new stuff.. Nice to hear how he makes it all work. It's been a fun couple of years and watching and hearing my friends grow as DJ's. Trevor is on that next level.. I swear it feels like he's just a step away from international superstar DJ status. His demeanor behind the decks is just amazing. I enjoy watching him spin.

Kid Loose has grown also. He's a totally different style, serious HOUSE DJ, and he can bring it. So full of energy behind the decks, jumping, bouncing and just totally into the flow of it all. How he has the energy to get through his sets I never know, but damn it's been fantastic the last couple of times he's spun. Being the exclusive opener for Benny Bennassi, and DJ Irene and he blew them both out of the water. Yeah this Kid don't play.

DJ Ajax.. he's always been amazing. I love his style. Quick cuts, putting songs into a mix that should clear the dance floor but it gets more packed. He's got the mic to keep the crowd going. His mashups can't be touched, and his feel for all types of music. I can only shake my head and smile. If you only know him from Cardio Radio, then you don't know him at all. 80's, Hip-Hop, House, etc.. he mixes it all.. and most times all in one night.

Yeah I've got some pretty amazing friends, and I'm always happy to go out and support them. They've helped me turn my life around. I really thought 40 was too old to go out and do the things I'm doing.. They made me see that wasn't true. There is no such thing as being too old to hit a club and dance to a DJ. Just ask Disco Bob and MaryAnn. It's all the positive energy that flows from and to them. You can't help but realize that is the way it should be. I have no time to waste on the negative, or to worry and fear. There is enough bad in the universe, why not make your mark with good??

Grass does not struggle to grow, it just grows. Follow your heart and you will be happy. The Universe has this amazing ability to give you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. All you have to do is see it. It might not be the path you thought you were on, and you might just end up somewhere you never thought you would go, but trust me the journey is amazing. Do the things that the innner you says you should do... you'll know that voice when it speaks up... follow it.. without fear.. and you'll be amazed at where you go.

Alright there's my pep talk to you all..
{****************************}
HUGZ to you all...

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Weekend...

So here we go on another adventure.... Did the bbq thing yesterday, and sent a random txt to friends telling them when it would be ready. Matthew almost made it over, but I really didn't expect anyone to reply. Chicken was good.

Football!!!! yes I watched the 9ers last night and it was good. They keep on like this and it's gonna be a good season. They never gave up and I was quite impressed. Just gotta figure out who is going to be the starting quarterback. My vote is for Shaun Hill, he keeps his composure, even though he did get sacked three times.

My latest cooking project is fresh pasta. I want to see what I can do with that. I'm thinking there are some good things and I've seen just how easy it is to make fresh stuff. Flour, egg, and evoo. Found a recipe for some spinach pasta that looks AMAZING... Went off looking for a pasta machine today and should have just headed to Walnut Creek and William Sonoma. I didn't though and wasted about an hour going through the mall. So I'll prolly just order it online. The shipping will prolly cover what I'd spend in gas and parking...

Tonight is the East Bay adventure. Heading out to the White Horse bar in Berkeley. Matthew Baker is spinning, Joey V on the mic... It's gonna be a good night. You got three Poles in one place... yeah baby. Ok just had an idea for a new club shirt.. I need to find a graphic designer to do what's in my head.. Take the Polish crest... the eagle on the shield.. and rock that on a shirt.. I can see what I want but can't really explain it... ugh...

Downloaded Ajax's latest Cardio Radio mix and it's great. He threw in a Stevie Nicks song and that makes me smile. Ronnie checkin in on me. Always makes me smile. Yeah he'll always have a place in my heart.. Rest in Peace Ronnie... I'm doing good...

Ok blogging here is not getting the work done around the house that needs to be done.. so I'm off to do that. Yeah I've put it off long enough....

{********************}
HUGZ to you all!!!!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday!!!!!

Rollin to the club in my 5.0
Windows are down so my hair can blow...

Vanilla Ice where did you go???

So it's a busy weekend here. Ruby Skye tonight to see Kid Loose and DJ Irene. Tomorrow night is the Cafe and Joey V. Been too long since I've seen Joey. Yes I miss my friends..

Anyway had some crazy stuff this past week. Weird sleep on Wednesday night, ended with a 'dream'. Not sure if it was a dream or I was off traveling. Felt like I went to my 'place', but it was a little different this time. Ran into people I haven't seen in years. Got into a huge conversation with some of the truckers from back in the Shell days. Been awhile since I went traveling at night. Yeah I leave the body behind... Got hit with some huge wave of 'blah' (it's the only way I can describe it), and the daily Tarot cards are pointing towards something big heading this way. Reminding me to accept it and always be me. Travel through it and stand my ground, don't lose sight of who and what I am. I actually got that message from a couple of different places. So looks like a challenge is on the way. Fear is wasted energy. I have no need to waste what I have.

Julie and Ian set the wedding date.. so now I know when... it's the where, and all the other little details that will follow along. Julie's been looking at dresses and we're hoping to go pick one next weekend. Yeah she wants my input, and it means alot. Well I'm not standing up there on her side for nothing. Yes. I think it's fantastic that she's having 'bridesmen' on her side instead of the 'traditional' bridesmaids... (no jokes of 'always a bridesman, never a bride'...) I'm husband material, just looking for a husband. One day I really will be able to get married in California. We had it for a short while and the world did not end. Just a matter of time I think....

Not the tangent I want to go on here.... so time to switch. Anyway... the mystical, the magical, the beauty of life surrounds me. I am a part of it as much as it is a part of me. Here's something for you to think upon until we meet again.... "Would the child I once was be proud of the adult I have become?"

{************************}
Hugz to you all!!!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Quick

So I did a quick read, and here's the cards:

Past: 3 of Swords (Sorrow)
Present: Empress
Future: 6 of Disks (Success)

Yes I was thinking of a certain person and these are the cards.

Just wanted these down where I'll remember them. I'll go into details later.

HUGZ to you all.
{***********************}

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Political

15 July 2009
As you've prolly heard California is in a crazy budget mess. Issuing IOU's and all the other fun stuff. The Governor is considering 'suspending' Prop 98. This is a proposition that requires the State of California to spend X amount of money on Public Education. As you know I work for a School District and the nightmare of the cuts to Education are a day to day reality for me. Cutting even more money from Education is not an option. So I composed the following letter and emailed it off to Arnie.


Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

As a California School District employee, and concerned voter I urge you to reject suspending Proposition 98. In six short years it seems you’ve come along way from the candidate running for office who promised the following:

"I strongly support Proposition 98 and I will protect California's commitment to education funding.”

I thought you were a great actor in your movies, but you’ve given an even better performance as Governor. You sold us all on your commitment to education.

Charlie Kryszewski

It's direct, it's to the point.. and it's got my style. So I urge all of you to take a few minutes and either send emails or call your representatives, and the Governor and let them know how you feel on their ideas for solving the budget crises. Let's get involved more than just showing up and voting on election day.

HUGZ to you all!!!
{**************************}

Sunday, July 12, 2009

random

So tis time for the random post.... just those thoughts that cross my mind.. iTunes on random is pretty amazing sometimes.. Having a slight issue on it loading the music I want to hear.. but 20 - 30 seconds delay can be amuzing. (I'm not even gonna spell check that...it SHOULD be spelled that way. )

Get my television fix.. sitting my crucifix.. (Thank you Green Day)

Was going to get more work done on my back yesterday, but babysitter issues arose and this was not to be. I'll have to see if time can be scheduled soon. I want this done by sept so I can show Darrell the finished product. I do want that piece finished. Then I can work on the rest..

Speaking of Green Day, I'll be seeing them at Arco Arena at the end of Aug. The choices were either San Jose or Sac.. I chose Sac. Never been to a concert at Arco. I've seen many Kings games, and most recently watched my niece get her degree from Sac State. I've seen Green Day 4 times, so this will be the 5th. I'm fairly sure that "King for a Day" will show up in the set list. They've done it every other time I've seen them. It's a great break in the show, and yes they've had a guy in the bee suit dancing. I love seeing the Green Day logo in the back light up in rainbow. It's a tribute and a band that acknowledges all it's fans. Yes they did the big 'Serious' album (American idiot) but they never forgot that they started as a Punk band. They explore different things, but never forget the roots.. and I think that's a major part of why they can still be big today. They haven't 'grown up' ala blink 182.

Anyway bbq and cooking the side dishes.. so not much more to put here right now. Tri-tip is the bbq. right now it smells pretty amazing.. got a little hickory smoke going to help the flavor... yeah should be damn good stuff.

Tis all for now..

{***************************}
HUGZ to you all.


Yeah I didn't talk at all about the 'flashes' or what came up the last two times I touched the Tarot decks... it's like a focus... a clairity of what I already feel/know.. the cards are a great tool to help me... I'm just training myself to know what the 'flashes' mean.. it's a good thing.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Lump/Natural Charcoal

So today was the second time I've used the Lump Charcoal. There are pluses and minuses to it. I like how it's ready to go faster than the traditional briquettes. I don't like how it seems to not last as long as briquettes. I like how there is like zero ash compared to the briquettes. (I like typing briquettes, and no I didn't cheat and just type it once, then copy the text and then just hit Ctrl+V everytime I wanted to put briquette in the sentence.... although that would save a few key strokes...)

yea!!!! Tangent man is back.... I've missed him.

So it's the boneless pork ribs on the grill tonight... Just about done.. in fact I'm gonna get the rest of dinner ready then I'll finish this blog. No worries you'll not even notice the delay..... (it's time dilation......just don't tell Eddie)

So either you get the references or you do not. No worries..

Wow dinner was GOOD. I like the extra flavor from the lump charcoal. So looks like I'll be picking that up when I can. I know there is some always at Trader Joes for not too much money. (read cheaper than Kingsford) So tonight is the bottle of Chateau St. Michelle chardonnay. Went well with the ribs.. I'm guessing it's more on the dry side than the full bodied side. Dunno.. I truely don't have the vocabulary to describe it. It's great to me.. got the sharpness I like and there is the dry.. but it doesn't leave you 'puckered'. Like you just bit into a lemon kinda puckered.... it is there but doesn't linger.. totally drinkable wine. I like that 'bite' on a chardonnay.

Been a fantastic week and I'm sure it's only going to get better. Won tickets to the New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) concert tomorrow night in Concord. Yes I'm gonna go. No one seems interested in going with, so there will be an empty seat next to me. Have had some great calls with Joey this week. I got the full story on his adventure in returning from Cabo on the 5th of July. (ended up being the 6th, and he just made it in to work on time.)

Anyway I will end this one here... Hope you all enjoy...

{************************}
Hugz to you all.. (something special going out to Oklahoma.... you know who you are.)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

What???

Let me see if I get this straight: people willing to believe a 2,000+ year old religion based on pagan rituals think an invisible god created the entire universe in a week yet was so incompetent that she created homosexuals by accident? And if somebody is one of these accidents they're going to be tortured in the afterlife as punishment?

Seriously?

And you people are breeding, voting and driving heavy machinery?

Forty years since the Stonewall riots, and how far have we come? We can be legally married in 5 states. There are some 18,000 couples that are married in California but it doesn't seem to mean too much since Prop 8 passed.

Highs and Lows during Pride week. The beautiful weather and the celebrations. The attack on the Pink Triangle. A gay bar raided in Ft. Worth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VNV Nation at the Regency center. Yes I ended up going alone, but that really doesn't stop me from seeing VNV Nation. Ronin and Mark were in really good form and it just felt kinda relaxed. Almost like Ronin knew he was performing for friends. I never can explain VNV Nation. The first time I saw them live I left the club almost walking on air. Filled with a positive vibe, and just somehow knowing I'd see them again, and again and again. Here we are many years, and many shows later and still they fill me with that positive vibe. As Ronin said during the show, yes things out there suck but for one night why not let all of that go and just enjoy yourself? There was one thing that happened that I've never expierenced before. I didn't truly think it possible. At the end of the night after the last song and Ronin and Mark were bowing to us, and we cheered, and cheered, and returned their energy 100 fold... the emotion hit Ronin and tears welled out. Yes we (that San Francisco audience) made Ronin cry.

I could never express all VNV Nation means to me. I could never articulate it to Ronin and Mark and have it stand out from all the others. I will never forget the first show, and I will always come out and support them. Yes even on a Monday night after Pride weekend. Even though I stayed out late on a school night and only got 4 hours of sleep then went into work. I will buy their CD's, and shirts at the shows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fourth of July and no plans.... I've got another new lens coming in for my camera so I can get some hot club shots. Things are on the horizon, and we'll see where the paths may lead. I have amazing friends.

HUGZ to you all
{************************}

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Tarot


You are the Hanged Man


Self-sacrifice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Bound.


With the Hanged man there is often a sense of fatalism, waiting for something to happen. Or a fear of
loss from a situation, rather than gain.


The Hanged Man is perhaps the most fascinating card in the deck. It reflects the story of Odin who offered himself as a sacrifice in order to gain knowledge. Hanging from the world tree, wounded by a spear, given no bread or mead, he hung for nine days. On the last day, he saw on the ground runes that had fallen from the tree, understood their meaning, and, coming down, scooped them up for his own. All knowledge is to be found in these runes.


The Hanged Man, in similar fashion, is a card about suspension, not life or death. It signifies selflessness, sacrifice and prophecy. You make yourself vulnerable and in doing so, gain illumination. You see the world differently, with almost mystical insights.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Chardonnay tastings

Ok so this is my 'unofficial' tasting blog on the three Chardonnay's I just picked up from Safeway. (Hey BevMo was too far away, and Safeway has a pretty decent selection.)

So this first one....it's not dry... I'm guessing it leans more toward that 'buttery' flavor. It feels like it wants to cross over into that dry territory, but won't cross the line. Can a Chardonnay be 'fruity' and 'buttery'? This one definitely gives some apple, citrus, something else that I just call 'grapefruit' and ends sweet. Not a huge fan of this one. (yeah I'll grab the bottle here and give you the name and what's printed on the back for the description.) Not a fan of this one.... I'll drink the bottle, but won't be thrilled by it.

Ok I'm going to do this review over a couple of days and post my findings as I drink the different bottles.

Watching reruns of "Top Gear". It's a BBC show all about cars... and the crazy things they come up with. There is always the top of the line, here's the super fancy car you'll never have that we're driving. Then it goes into whatever 'theme' they came up with for the show. Winter Olympics this time around. Playing ice hockey with 10 of the new little Subaru cars. Pretty funny stuff. You have to get the 'British' humor or it's not going to click for you. Just watch it.

On to Time Warp now. Gotta love a couple of crazy guys and their high speed cameras. They do some of the things just because they can. Nice stuff though. I do enjoy watching.

{************}
Hugz to you all.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Golfing

Yes I know Tiger Woods and all that kinda hype. I got started golfing back in High School. Dad taught me and we went out pretty regularly. (this was BEFORE Tiger) It was mostly a fun thing, and some good exercise there. Not counting the swinging the club and hitting the ball there was the walking. (not many courses where we rented a cart)

One of the guys we bowled with on Thursday nights asked if I golfed. I told him that I can swing a club and 9 times out of 10 hit the ball...... if he was looking for someone better than that, then I really wasn't the one. Seems like I'm not the only one that is so-so when it comes to golf. So I went and got a new set of clubs today. Dragged Dad out to the driving range and we hit some balls. I realized that I've not forgotten all I knew about this game. I also realized that a gentle easy swing beats the hell out of me trying to kill the ball at the tee. When I tried to swing hard and muscle the ball it sucked.... When I just swung the club and tried to pop this 'bubble' (the golf ball) it sailed so fscking far and down range that I was in awe. I worked a little on the short game, and the putting. I'm sure that will all come back to me tomorrow.

It's gonna be fun, and at the very least it's us getting outside in the fresh air and getting some exercise. I guess the Wii Fit gave me the excuse to start getting some exercise....so now I'm looking to increase my activity wherever I can. It's a good thing.. I lose some weight and get into better shape and I like "ME" Can't hope for someone else to like "ME" if I don't like "ME".

{*********************}
HUGZ to you all!!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Moved in and Wii Fit.

I'm all moved into the house and we've had the Housewarming party. It went really well and while not everyone could make it, I had a great time. Thanks to all who did make it and do know that I'm planning a BBQ in June so there is always another chance to be here. (yes invites will be going about here shortly, once I get the date figured out.) Last weekend in June seems promising.... maybe do my own 'Pride' bbq.

For Mothers Day I got Mom a Wii Fit. She had been talking with my Niece Amber (who has a fit) and was really interested in getting one. So this is a good way for her and Dad to get some exercise and hopefully stay active. Chris and I are also getting our time in on the Wii Fit. Let me tell you that Wii fit can kick your ass. You'd think it wouldn't be that bad, but dude it gets me sweating. Step arobics gets you going, finally unlocked the Advanced and damn that's gonna take me a couple of days to get the routine down. Trust me I'm enjoying this. Maybe it's the kick in the pants I need to get more exercise. I've been threatening to get my ass in shape now that I'm in my 40's, I think I'm on the way. It only takes 21 days to change a behavior. I've put in at least 30 mins a day on the Wii fit for the two days we've had it going. I want to keep that record up. So I'm thinking about getting up in the morning and then doing the body test and some step work outs to get my blood flowing.

Any movement is better than no movement. Anything you can do is better than sitting on the couch and watching TV. Thinking you should be doing something but still not doing it. Getting out and walking for 30 minutes...any activity.

Yeah I know I'm up on the health kick again, but I'm really liking it so be ready. Something about buying this house and living in a nice neighborhood, dunno what it is, but sure as hell is better than where I was. I love this place, and love being in my back yard. I love going out front and washing my car. It's just soo nice.

Anyway I'll post more often now, and hopefully have something positive to report on the health front. According to the Wii I'm weighing 186, and a BMI of 24 something... It fluctuates. I'll try to keep a log here. Yes the Wii keeps these statistics for me.

Ok all for now...
{**********************}
HUGZ to you all!!

Monday, April 13, 2009

I live

Yes I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted here. So end result is I did end up buying a house. It is mine, and the first mortgage payment is due at the end of this month. I'm pretty much moved in and now just trying to unpack and get the place set up the way I want it.

It's a ton of work but I'm kinda liking it. I've found the paint color for the main two rooms and should have that finished this coming weekend. It will be much easier to paint once the boxes are out of the way. I've got two weeks to finish setting things up. The house warming party will be May 2nd. It's going to be nice to have friends over to my house.

This is short, but just a quick note to let you all know that I'm still alive and kicking. There will be pics up of the house soon. I want it all put together before I go photo crazy. Ok time to get back to work.

{*****************}
Hugz to you all!!!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Love is Like

One day you will crack it
The other me inside
The pig always slopping away
Winning seems so probable
Until you lose
The only real conclusion
Is the one you choose

Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What you heard is never what I said - uh huh
Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What I wrote is never what you read - uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

Some day you will find it
A way to say goodbye
A way to put the memories aside
It's only getting better
Once you cross the line
Every trace of happiness
Erased in time

Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What you heard is never what I said - uh huh
Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What I wrote is never what you read - uh huh
Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What you heard is never what I said - uh huh
Love is like a bullet in the head - uh huh
What I wrote is never what you read - uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Words....

Kapt'n K, the awesome Sascha K, the leader of KMFDM had the following to say about SKOLD vs KMFDM:

The idea for making the SKOLD vs. KMFDM album came about spontaneously. Whilst I was up to my ears in work on KMFDM's BLITZ album (to be released March 24, 2009), Skold and I decided to start a project.

4,653 cigarettes
12.5 gallons of Tanqueray
804 olives
2,965 ice cubes
9.7 gallons of coffee
4.56 terabytes of exchanged files
594.3 kilowatthours
198 hours of intercontinental phonecalls
712 hours of collective sleep
and 101 days
later it was done.

Enjoy the latest iteration of the 'Ultra Heavy Beat'.

KMFDM turned 25 this year and they are still going strong. New album out on March 24. Shit I gotta order the new single.

Laters

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Skold VS KMFDM

I got it today and am listening to it. The Ultra-Heavy-Beat just in time for my Birthday!!!! Loves it!!!!

Skold vs. KMFDM was performed, engineered, recorded and mixed by Sascha Konietzko at KommandoZentrale in Hamburg, Germany and by Tim Skold at The Unabomber Shack in Studio City, California.

This collaboration was conceived in June 2008 and completed by early October. Notably the entire album was recorded without the two artists ever being on the same continent, much less in the same room. Konietzko explains "We constantly bounced stuff back and forth over the [FTP] server, and with a time-difference of nine hours between us, it turned out that one of us slept while the other one worked and vice-versa, and thus we got two full days of work done in just 24 hours."

Before they began exchanging files, Konietzko and Skold agreed to some ground rules for the album, which included a no-guitars proviso and a "no real drum kits" stipulation. Skold elaborates "This is a very electronic album but the majority of the instruments used are actually analog and many of them are not even electric. What we decided to intentionally avoid this time was the traditional electric guitar. This was done to confuse and bewilder our fans. We like to keep them on their toes and many of them appreciate the challenge."

Tim Skold is a Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer that has played with Shotgun Messiah, Skold (his self-titled solo-project), KMFDM, MDFMK and Marilyn Manson (where his credits, besides songwriting include bass, guitar, drum and synthesizer programming on the albums The Golden Age of Grotesque, Eat Me Drink Me and Lest We Forget).

Skold's production credits include the three Marilyn Manson albums he played on, Skold, Shotgun Messiah, MDFMK and KMFDM. Remix credits include Prong, KMFDM, Rammstein, Lords Of Acid, O.N.A., Bloodhound Gang and Kidney Thieves.

Sascha Konietzko, the mastermind and frontman of KMFDM, is a vocalist, synthesist and bassist as well as a composer, audio-engineer and producer. His production credits include KMFDM, Treponem Pal and Sister Machine Gun. Konietzko's remix credits include Metallica, White Zombie, Rammstein, Combichrist, Mindless Self Indulgence, Kittie, Love & Rockets, Megadeth and Flotsam Jetsam.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Birthday plans

My Birthday is this coming Friday. (yes that would be the 27th of February) The plans as I know them are as follow:

Food. (People gotta eat, right??) Benihana's in Walnut Creek. I got three people so far and the table seats eight. So if you wanna come and get this party started let me know. I'm thinking 7:30-ish... Plans will firm up as the week progresses.

Party. You know we gotta celebrate. My Birthday, my new house, my boyfriend....etc. Matthew Baker is throwing down the beats at 1220, and so where else should I go? Yeah it's a Gay club in Walnut Creek, but it always has a mixed crowd. (gay lesbian straight, etc) Come on out and have some fun. The cover is only $5.....am I not worth $5????

So there you have it.
{*******************}
HUGZ to you all!!!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Beer and Vicodin

Sure you're all thinking I'm kinda buzzed with that title so you'll not believe any of this anyway.. Works for me.

In seven (7) days I turn 41. Yes one more notch on the post. You see it's kinda mind blowing on this end. I don't know where it came from but it's been there for years in my head that 35 would be the end. I'm way beyond that point now.

Wanna know the other funny thing? I've seen my death twice now in dreams. They were not the same. Once was back when I was in the Army, the other not so many years ago. Anyway different situations, but I KNOW I've died in each. So it makes me wonder... it there a hard count where when you reach that one you are gone?? Was I just peaking on a parallel me and see that one die?? (yeah that one sounds a lie to my ears) Many questions stem from all of this.

To bed with me.... and all the crazyness swirling in my head.

Hugz to you all
{**********************}

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

So much happening

So life continues to move at it's accustomed pace and you gotta either keep up or be drug along and try to keep your head above water. After waiting, waiting, waiting, things started moving in a hurry for my house. I've signed a few sets of papers and wrote the check to open the escrow account. I've scheduled the house inspection (currently going on) and will get the results here shortly.

Well there was going to be more, but then Energy played a song by Fleetwood Mac and I was surrounded by thoughts of Ronnie. I swear I almost felt his arms around me. He always checks in on me, and I'm hoping he is happy with what he finds.

Ah... well.. {***************}
HUGZ to you all.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

American Legion sent me this...

Fanatical special interest groups are well financed and organized. The use the courts - unelected, unaccountable, often irreponsible, immoral, amoral, atheistic judges for their agenda. The cost to continue fending off their attacks is high, but we cannot stand back and watch as these groups slowly chip away at our country's moral foundation. We must draw a line in the sand. Would you be willing to consider a gift of support to HELP ADVANCE our fight to protect our flag, our pledge and great American institutions like the Boy Scouts?

So my reply??? NO.

I filled out their survey and gave them my thoughts. Funny how the questions only had a choice of two answers... and no space to put your thoughts into it. One question I totally did not answer. (Should private organizations like the Boy Scouts have the right to make their own policies regarding homosexual men supervising young boys?) Read that question again because it's not asking should an organization like the Boy Scouts allow gays.

I'm returning their survey and I think this should be the end of the American Legion contacting me.

Anyway things are dragging on the house... and now I'm wondering what's going on.

{*****************}
HUGZ to you all

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Boy (Extended Mix) by Book of Love

Hey guys, if you don't have an iPod or iTunes, use some sort of music player that's shuffle-able!

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the game from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
4am by VNV Nation

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Untitled 3 by Apoptygma Berzerk

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
The Longing by Imperative Reaction

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
I Want You Back by 'N Sync

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
The Industry is Punks by Tech N9ne

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
These Boots are Made for Walkin' by KMFDM

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Do Ya Think I'm Sexyback? (Mashup) by Rod Stewart and Justin Timberlake

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
I am ready by Size Queen

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
The Last Day of Summer by The Cure

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
More Serotonin....Please by Apoptygma Berzerk.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Smoothie King by Bowling for Soup

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Bright Young Things by Marilyn Manson

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Carry You by VNV Nation (check the lyrics)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Bio-Vital by Decoded Feedback

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Chamber of Helios by Wire Train

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
The Lovecats by The Cure

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Black Day by Depeche Mode

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Document by Assemblage 23

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I'll fly with you by Gigi D'Agostino

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Serial Code by VNV Nation

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Fascination Street by The Cure

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
California Dreaming 2004 by Benny Benassi

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
S. A. T. O. by Ozzy Osbourne

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Something Like You by 'N Sync

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Back to the Rivers of Belief by Enigma

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
She Talks in Stereo by Gary Myrick and the Figures

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Boy (Extended Mix) by Book of Love

Well not as funny as the first time I did this one on my Facebook page. (in my notes) Some good ones in there though. If the title of the song doesn't seem to fit then the lyrics prolly do.

Ok time to catch up on some recorded programs then off to sleep.

HUGZ to you all
{****************************}

Monday, February 2, 2009

Pisces

You are the zodiac's most sensitive sign, so you need to take extra special care of yourself. Nobody can beat you up, as much as you can beat yourself up within your own mind. In your purest form you are psychic, visionary and a guiding light to all who know you. But, in your "out of tune" state, you become depressed, obsessive and confused.

To be honest that's about the truest sum of me. I seem to go between the 'purest form' and 'out of tune' with some regularity.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Comfort Food

(yes Matthew this one is for you)

Stress is an amazing thing. Buying a house seems pretty full of the stuff. Anyway at the end of the day I was a wreck. Ready to throw in the towel and give up on this "American Dream" that I seem determined to persue. After a call from my Realtor to help relax me, and a follow up from Julie I had an idea for what I was making for dinner. (Ok it pretty much consisted of chopping some shit up to get the stress thing under control) I pulled a package of stew meat from the freezer and popped it into the Microwave to defrost. Chopped up an onion and saute'd it. (standard practice, evoo) Pulled the onion out of the pan, added a little more evoo and heated that thing up good. I sliced the stew meat into smaller pieces while the onion was cooking. Once the pan was good and hot I dropped in the stew meat. Add some fresh ground pepper (yeah I got a peppermill) and brown/sear that meat up right. This is where it gets fun. Grabbed the beef stock and poured in a cup or so. Put the onion back in and while the stock was heating up I chopped up a couple of cloves of garlic.. Dropped in the garlic, lowered the heat and covered it. let it simmer a bit.

I decided this was gonna be a rice and beef kinda dish. So I get the rice going, and check the beef. Add a little Cumin to the beef mixture, and some more stock.. Let it simmer along, cooking and building flavors, and letting the beef get nice and tender. Anyway about the time the rice is done the beef is ready. Heat up some corn, thicken the juices in the beef for a gravy. There you have it.

I titled this one "Comfort Food". That is what I described above. Beef, rice, gravy... that's comfort food for me. Hell just Rice and Gravy is good enough for me. I don't even need the meat. (shut up Matthew)

Anyway just thought I'd post something up here. Things will go well. I see it happening, and thoughts become reality

Hugz to you all.
{*********************}

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

It's time to celebrate...

The offer I put in on the house was accepted. Now comes the fun stuff. Getting the inspections done, entering escrow, etc etc. (i really have no idea what comes next but I know there are many things that need to happen between now and me moving in.)

So I'm a home owner (assuming inspections come back clean, etc etc) I know there is some painting to do. (so much easier if it's done before I move in. ) The kitchen will be done in shades of blue. Lighter on the ceiling, darker on the walls. The master suite needs to be in this color I've had for almost two years now. (never did get around to painting my current room.)

Finding out when I can start moving stuff into the house.

Getting rid of the garbage I've got now because I'm not moving all this junk to the new place. Pricing out the closet organizer system I want from Ikea....

Soo much stuff to do ...

Ahhhhh.. yeah...

{**********************}
Hugz to you all.

Man when the universe hits me, it does it all at once. 2009 is starting out as the most amazing year I've ever had.

Monday, January 26, 2009

I KNEW IT!!!!

No, the Coyote never ate the Road Runner. He did, however, catch the bird in one cartoon, produced in 1980 by creator Chuck Jones. That film, Soup or Sonic, was part of a TV special called Bugs Bunny's Bustin' Out All Over. In that film the Coyote shrinks to tiny size but manages to grab the Road Runner's giant (to him) leg. Unfortunately the Coyote is like a tiny insect to the bird. He holds up a sign to the audience: "Okay wise guys, you always wanted me to catch him. Now what do I do?"

It's almost like a vindication. I sooo remember seeing this. I remember the sign he held up at the end... I've asked tons of people and they all thought I was on crack... No one else knew of this one. I guess that's what I get for watching all the Bugs Bunny specials.

Wow this really is shaping up to be a great year.

( http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2297/did-wile-e-coyote-ever-catch-the-road-runner-plus ) if you want to read about it yourself.

Didn't Tom Petty say...

The waiting is the hardest part.....

I'm pretty sure it was Tom Petty that sang that. (I could be wrong, but I sure hear his voice.)

So yeah I'm in the waiting pattern. There are times it's fine and good and no worries. There are times where it just drives me fsckin crazy. I want to know if I'm getting the house or not, but then again I don't want to know too soon. Friday is pay day, I get my W2, I can do my taxes for this year. If I'm getting the house I can claim the First time Home Buyers Tax Credit and get $7,500 because I bought a house. If I am smart (and I like to think that I am) I'll put that money into it's own ING account and let it earn me some interest, and then use it for things like Property Taxes, etc. (all those little things they forget to tell you about when you're looking for that house.) Call it a 'housing cost' fund. It would be nice to have that as a 'cushion' for the first few years so I'm not scrambling to cover those expected and unexpected things that pop up.

Nerve wracking and exhilarating all at the same time. Buying a house that is. 30 year fixed mortgage...talk about commitment. (see even with the vacation from these blogs the spelling didn't improve.) So can I just do one thing at a time that is like this?? No I've got to end up meeting this great guy and go through trying to get him in my life, and buy a house, and try to not freak out over the budget crisis in the State of California and how I'm a State employee, and if something major doesn't happen soon I could be getting IOU's instead of pay checks. I'm some how thinking that the mortgage company isn't gonna take an IOU on my brand new mortgage.

The answer to dealing with all of this??? BEER. (if you really think about it BEER can be the answer to almost everything.) Bass was on sale at Safeway. It's been YEARS since I've had Bass. So I bought a 12 of it today.

So just a quick update.

{***********************}
Hugz to you all.


Spell check does work!!! This internet thing just might catch on!!!

Friday, January 23, 2009

time goes by

Days go by and still I think of you.....

And so we start another blog.. but then VNV Nation comes on and I feel compelled to put some lyrics down.....

"I know it's hard to tell
how mixed up you feel
hoping what you need
is behind every door

each time you get hurt
I don't want you to change
cause everyone has hopes
you're human after all

The feeling sometimes
wishing you were someone else
the feeling as though
you never belonged
this feeling is not sadness
this feeling is not joy
I truly understand
please don't cry now"

Now onto the blog

Where to start??? New bowling ball??? Offer on a house?? Boyfriend????
(yeah I've been a busy boy.) Black Widow Venom is the bowling ball. Very nice ball, and yeah I know I'm back to Hammer. ( Non bowling geeks can skip the next paragraph or two.) See way back when...1993 or maybe even 1994...I was out of the Army, back home and bowling....well it was time for a new ball. The guy in the pro shop (Dorn) told me I should move up to a 16 lb ball and not keep the 14. I was concerned that I would drop the heavier ball. Dorn told me that I'd have no problems with the weight. As it turned out he had a couple of 'used' balls from Nikki G (women's pro bowler, born and raised in the Vallejo area) So he felt one of her old Hammer balls would be a good next step for me. (I think it was the blue one first then the red one.) So I started this bowling journey with Hammer. (I think Dad had a black one, 14 lb and I took that over as I got better) So full circle in a way.

The ball is very NICE and it's one of the few that tells me what I'm doing by the way it hits. (Ok they ALL do that if you just pay attention) I rolled a few games with my nephew just to break it in. We did this BEFORE league bowling that night. Then we bowled 3 games in league. Yeah no one ever said we were smart. So 6 games bowled on thursday. After the first set of three I thought I had it figured out. The first game in league, I fought that ball and tried to steer it, control it. Make it do what I wanted it to do and not just let it roll. 151 was the reward for all that work. (Now at this point some people would be bitching about how bad the ball sucks, and how they just blew $200 plus on a brick......etc, etc.) I knew I had to go back and let the ball do the work. All I had to do was stay behind it, follow through, and hit my mark. The ball would do the rest. Second game.... 203. (Hmm seems to be some logic to this.) So third game comes up (6th game I rolled that night if you've been following along.) and I've warmed up to this ball and KNOW that if I just let it do the work it can be an amazing thing. Last game.....232. Pretty SWEET if you ask me. That was 6 games that night and it's been FOREVER since I've rolled 6 games in that short of a span. So yeah I'm liking my new ball.

New house.... well the reality of life in these times has hit and through the twists and turns it seems as though I can actually BUY a house. (yeah there are many factors here and details that won't be posted.) Suffice it to say that bargains abound, and my act has been pulled together. I looked at 10 different places last Monday, and only two were contenders. The one I put an offer in on is the best of what I've seen and really too nice to be in my price range. It is a foreclosure so I'm sure that's why it's a bargain. Granite counters in the kitchen, a master suite with walk in closet and a bathroom that I could LIVE in. I'll have pics up when I know it's mine. (look for a post by Tuesday next week). Excited??? Hell yeah..

So I met this really amazing guy and damn..... what can I say?? damn.. went out to 1220 last Saturday and it was just soo good. Matthew Baker was just soo great. He gives my man one of his CD's to welcome him to the Energy family. Later on in the night Matthew gave me some great advice, and shock of all shocks I'm actually following it. "Let the past go, all of it. Do the unexpected and just follow this for as long as it lasts." Or words to that effect. (Bartenders were pouring STRONG that night.) It was just how he said it and when he said it. It definately hit home and I'm following that bliss.

Bitter Ball 13 Feb, 2009. Yeppers it's on the Hornblower boat again. Couple of hours out on the bay. Kid Loose, DJ Ajax, Matthew Baker, GHR, Trevor Simpson... Party time!!

Ok I'm out.. it's late and I gotta get up early.

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Hugz to you all!!!


Friday, January 9, 2009

A tale of two meals.....

So here you'll have it a couple of ideas to spur your cooking. Last night was bowling night, so that means it's gotta be a quick meal. I was thinking along the lines of ground beef and beef rice a roni.. (quite tasty and quick) I wanted to do something a little different this time around and knew I had a Pepperidge Farms sausage in the freezer. I thought that would give a different spin on the flavor. So I got home and pulled out the sausage, went to grab the box of rice a roni...and saw a box of Long Grain and wild rice mix. So I decided that would be better on the flavors... since I was already adding things I grabbed a can of petite cut tomatos also.

I start the rice cooking then slice up the sausage to brown it up. yes it's fully cooked and ready to use, but I like the taste when I cook it more. Since I'm adding stuff I figured I should saute up some onion to mix in. Garlic, you gotta mince up a couple of cloves and mix that in. (this is kinda how my mind works while I'm cooking...I straighten the steps out below.)

Cook the long grain and wild rice according to the package directions.
Mince/chop an onion, add some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to the pan, heat then saute the onion. While the onion is cooking, slice up the sausage. Take the onion out of the pan and then cook the sausage. Drain the grease from the sausage. Deglaze the pan with some white wine. (seriously whatever type you prefer. I generally use something fairly cheap, but a bottle I would drink.) At about this time the rice should be done. Dump the rice into the pan with the sausage, add the onion and minced garlic. Open the can of tomatoes, drain, then add to the pan with everything else. Stir it all together and turn the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 5 to 10 mins. (lets all the flavors mix and build....) Enjoy!!!

Soups have been on my mind lately. Probably due to the cold weather and I like a good hearty soup. I did a beefy onion barely thing earlier in the week. So I had orignally planned to do a chicken thing with great northern beans, and whatever else fell into the pot. The beans hadn't been soaked so they were out. (yeah I use the dried beans.) I ended up doing a variation that I made up as I went along. (is that possible??? Hell yes) Bratwurst for the meat, chicken stock (yeah I've found some great packaged stock, it's lower in sodium than Swanson broth/stock) Onion, garlic, corn... as it was coming together I decided some rice would make it hearty and replace the great northern beans... (so the original idea was a chicken/corn chowder kinda thing.) Can you see the flavors? Taste the ideas here??

There are so many other options that you can do here. Variations on the basic theme... Red or Green bell peppers, green onions, even some fresh spinach... parsley, thyme to bring a citrus/lemony flavor...

Never be afraid to try. Get the flavors in your head and then you'll see how to combine them. There is no one 'right' way to do it. Endless variations...

Ok I'm getting hungry again and that's not always for the best....

Hugz to you all
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