Tatt2guy's world

Thoughts

2011-10-06T16:56:00.001-07:00

What a wild week it has been. The introduction of the iPhone 4S, the death of Steve Jobs. I want to address a couple of things here concerning the iPhone 4S and all those that are disappointed that it wasn't the iPhone 5. The original iPhone 4 was introduced 16 months ago. It was a leap above and beyond anything that came before it or you could find in any smart phone. It still was selling hand over fist up to the announcement of the next phone. In those intervening 16 months how many Android based phones have been released? Where are those devices in comparison to the iPhone 4? I honestly believe they have just recently caught up to and are slightly ahead of the iPhone 4. (4G speeds, cloud type features, 8MP cameras, etc.) I haven't heard of anything amazing or ground breaking on any of them, they have just caught up. Now the iPhone 4S is not breaking any new ground, if you don't include the Siri assistant in this mix. They have a better camera, a faster dual core processor a couple of new cool features in iOS5. Add in Siri and yes I know it's still 'beta', but there is pretty much the only leap Apple had to make. It's not just voice commands, it's moving into AI (Artificial Intelligence) territory.

A system that understands regular words, and can follow along the context of your queries. That was the killer "just one thing more" for this presentation. If you have an iPhone 4 already it's probably not worth you upgrading, wait for the iPhone 5. If you are in my situation, still using my original Motorola Droid for these past 18 months than it's one giant step into the future.

I feel we get bombarded with technology and the latest and greatest come out every two months. Some people have to live on that bleeding edge, I am not one of them. Because Apple has been gaining ground in the PC world, people now expect every new device to be revolutionary and ground breaking. That's easy to do when you've got 10% of the market. It's harder and harder as that percentage grows. The hype and rumors on the new iPhone started way back in February or March of this year. We've had months of leaks and people posting their wants and desires. I believe with this release Apple has kept to their philosophy of bring out technology that amazes and just works. Keep it simple and intuitive to use. No need to read a 500 page book to figure out how to turn it on.

How easily we forget the early iMacs and the small steps they took to transform into what they are today. What about the early iBooks and how quickly underpowered they were. Those same devices turned into the MacBook, and the MacBook Pro lines of laptops that will stand toe to toe with anything on the PC side from now to four years from now. (When I'll be trading my MacBook Pro in for a new one.) Apple has grown into an amazing company, and I for one, am excited and relieved that they are not sacrificing quality and amazing design just to 'keep up with the PC's". It's never been that way at Apple (Minus a few years there when they strayed) and I hope it never will be.

I know the arguments "Closed system", can't upgrade components, can't do this, can't to that. At the end of the day I've got a computer that I can turn on and use. I don't have to wait for a 3 hour virus scan to complete, I don't have to worry about some stupid virus attacking my computer. I can surf the web, chat with friends, get work done and not worry. Yes I know as market share rises more attacks will come, but there are far fewer holes to patch in the Apple world. Also Apple has a track record of just cutting off older technology when it becomes too much to try and support it. Having only used Apple for just over five years now I haven't had to face the situation where a program I use daily is now going to be cut and I've got to find a work around. Or 'gasp' switch to something new that actually works better. We do get stuck in our 'comfort zones' and yes people do not like change. (Just look to the latest Facebook updates to see how well that is received.) Just remember the world is ever changing. 5 years ago a phone with a touch interface was something that couldn't be done and would suck horribly. Today millions use their iPhone, or Android phone and if it's not touch screen it sucks horribly.

If you've actually read this far thank you. {*************************} HUGZ to you all. Smile a little more, hold the door for someone entering, or exiting a store, complement a coworkers outfit, inject just a little positive into the world everyday. See what amazing things can build out of the smallest efforts.

One more step

2011-09-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

So here we are one step closer to those dreams. "Don't ask, Don't tell" was officially repealed today. Gays and Lesbians can now openly serve in the defense of their country. It puts me in a reflective mode. Having actually been there and done that I can take time now, almost 20 years since I left active duty in the Army, to look back and possibly share what this means to me.

Funny how with a 20 year gap and the perspective of age(yeah I was young once and didn't believe that shit then.) how you can see events with a different clarity. Please don't take this as a sob story, or the plot for a really good movie of the week (showing my age there). So there I was a young man in his early 20's that knew it all but was desperately trying to figure out what was wrong, and why I was 'different' from all of my friends in that one crucial area. Sure we'd just returned from WAR and having 1/2 a bottle of MGD kick my ass was an affront to my proud Polish/Irish heavy drinking ancestry. Call us Alcoholics and we'd wear the badge with pride.

It's easy to blame your actions on the alcohol, it's much harder to escape the harsh reality when you're looking into the mirror two days later stone cold sober. All I 'knew' about gay men came from Hollywood and TV. The prancing queen that was over the top flamboyant and that was sooo far removed from the person I was I couldn't understand. I knew that was NOT me and I could never become such a thing, I'd rather be dead then end up acting like that. Things were still black and white for me back then, there were no shades of gray, no possibility that alternatives existed. So I wanted to be numb, if you can't think you can't face truths, you don't have to deal with it. As I'm sure any addict can tell you this is a classic behavior. It's a phase, it will pass, etc, etc etc etc.

Did I mention the Polish/Irish ancestry? To boil it down let's say 'stubborn' is a trait. Not to mention that I was raised much better than to just 'settle' and just take the path of least resistance. I have no idea what my outward projection was, but from what I can tell it was a totally different thing than what was going on inside. (This is not a sob story just let me get this out before you come give me a hug.) I end up getting out of the Army through a loop hole that will guarantee my Honorable Discharge (trust me in the early 90's before Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and holding a Top Secret security clearance this is a MAJOR plus) and end up making new friends. Life progresses.

So let's back up a little. Not to sound conceited but I was always a smart kid, curious, I wanted to know how things worked. Not the most co-ordinated of kids, but loved to be outside playing as much as sitting in the house reading a book. I remember the times Dad took me into work (Electronics Technician in the Navy) and he and a friend would show me how to tear down a radio or a radar rack and then they would watch me do it on my own. (Always ensuring I didn't electrocute myself or cause damage to their test systems.) On the times I got stuck they would show me again what to do from that point and then reset the failure and have me try again. Showing me what to do and explaining why and the theory as I went. I'll also credit and love forever my Aunt (Anut) Kathy who never would allow cable TV into her house. "You're better off reading a book than watching TV" she'd tell me. My parents read, and I read. Aunt Kathy would question me about the books I've read or what I was currently reading. It wasn't a 'test' it was a conversation. She'd ask me about the story, characters, what I thought, etc. One AMAZING person that the world lost WAY TOO SOON.

So anyway there I am. More a 'geek' than a 'jock'. I went from 5'4" and weighing prolly close to 175lbs when I was 12 to 6'2" and weighing just about 100 lbs by 14. The dramatic loss of weight and gain of height left me really uncoordinated. Sports were hell, my body would not do what I saw others doing and they laughed, so I avoided them at all costs. (I'm about 96.7% positive that anyone still reading this can identify with a good chunk of what I'm saying.)

You meet the person you are supposed to meet when you need to meet them. I firmly believe this as it has played out again and again in my life. (Blaine and Darrell to name but two.) From that skinny kid in Great Lakes, IL to the man that loved and learned from my partner (if even for the brief 18 months we had together.) Ronnie I am the man I have always been destined to become. A man that proudly supports our military and is in awe of the History unfolding infront of me. Ronnie served in the Navy, and I served in the Army, had we been allowed to serve openly and proudly would we have ever met?

Think on that as I close this post. Prolly one of the main things that spurred this post. As always I send my love and energy to you all {*********************}

HUGZ

The waiting is the hardest part......

2011-04-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

So on Friday I was cleaning up my old MacBook Pro to send in for the trade in value ($420 for a five year old laptop). I decided to log into the Apple website and see about my replacement. On a whim I decided to check and see if I could qualify for their financing. (done this in the past and always been turned down, figured what the heck and tried it again.) I was pleasantly surprised when I was approved for just about the full amount of my new laptop. I was prepared to be without a laptop for 4 to 6 weeks while I waited for the Apple gift card to come in, and get my OT check for the plays.

The new MBP is ordered and is on it's way to me as I type this up. Went with the 15" with the core i7 processor. Tis a true quad core, 4GB of ram, and a 750 GB hard drive. More than I'll need for the next five years, but oh soooo nice to have it be mine!!! Gotta love the $200 Education discount. According to FedEx the laptop is scheduled to be here on Wednesday. My next post here will be from the MBP.

It's like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. I've been wanting a new toy, and this will fill the bill. Yes I still want to upgrade my DSLR to that new Nikon, but it can wait until later. Learning what I have from my Olympus I know that the better the lens, the better the pictures I get. So I will not be satisfied with the cheap kit lenses that come with the Nikon, that brings up the price I'm gonna pay for my new camera. No sense in getting the better camera if I don't get some quality lenses with it. I'm thinking maybe for Christmas this year. Depending upon if the new Laptop is paid off. (yes there is a plan to have the laptop paid off within a year. I got the 12 month no interest financing on the laptop, so that's an added incentive to have it paid off.)

My other big news.... I now have a Lowe's credit card. Being a home owner I'm sure that will come in handy. I know there are a few things I need to get to do some projects around here, this will be a way for me to get those things. I'm really loving that Lowe's is here in Vallejo, finally another choice instead of just going to Home Depot. First item on the list an 8' ladder, second item(s) Power Tools!!!!

Spring is here, and I hope you all are enjoying the weather. It's been a mixed bag so far here, but there has been the few days of promising nice weather. I've done on BBQ so far, and yes this is just the start.

As always thanks for reading and HUGZ to you all. {*********************}

Vegas

2011-03-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

So the week in Vegas is wrapping up and it's been a great time. Got to do many more things this time around. I definitely recommend coming here for a week. Hoover Dam was AWESOME and that new bypass bridge is just amazing to drive under. The extended tour of the dam is well worth the money, they are serious on the claustrophobic part. Trust me there are some tight areas and if that freaks you don't even think about it. Prolly the most amazing part was getting to see out of the ventilation shaft in the face of the dam. Pics will be posted when I get home. I put a few up on my Facebook, but the rest will require a faster connection than what three f us are sharing here in the hotel. It was a very good idea to bring along the Airport Extreme to turn the single hard connection in the room into a wireless signal for all of us to use.

Stratosphere was amazing at night. 1000 feet above the Las Vegas strip and the views were amazing. It's worth the $16 just to go up to the observation deck, even if you don't do any of the rides. The night shots of the strip didn't turn out that well for me, definitely need a tripod if I'm gonna attempt those again.

Gold and Silver Pawn shop, yes the one from the TV show is definitely worth stopping by. Very cool to see many of the items I've seen on the show there in the shop. The Old Man, Rick, Corey and Chum were not there as they are out on the road doing a little tour of the country and prolly filming new stuff to be shown on air.

Was much fun to have the time to do the 'tourist' thing along the strip. We went up in the Eiffel Tower and saw the fountains at Bellagio from that angle. Then we went down and caught two shows from ground level. Still blows me away on how they can shoot the water that high in the air, and have it all set to music. "One singular sensation" (yeah I know prolly not the title of that show tune, but you know what I mean) was just amazing. I think that's from the show "A Chorus Line", but I'm not Mr. Showtunes.

Nascar weekend here in Vegas so we've seen that crowd swell. Last night on the strip we saw the parade of all the team semi's going down the strip. Was kinda cool even though I know next to nothing about Nascar. Never did catch the Volcano, nor the Pirate show at Treasure Island, but that's ok gotta save something for next time. Vegas is HUGE, that being said with a rental car you see how small it is. According to our map from Mandalay Bay to Stratosphere is only 4.1 miles. They sure pack one hell of alot in that space.

Ok people are getting ready and it's going on 1pm. Time to venture out in search of Lunch. I'm thinking the food court over at New York, New York needs to be hit.

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

I'm coming home with a little money. No I didn't hit it big in Vegas this trip. I'm super rich on memories and in the end those are worth more than the $$$ anyway. Got to spend some good time with an old friend (yeah Darrell and I have known each other for going on 20 years now) and that is something that money just can't buy.

Time to get it out....

2010-12-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've sat here and put some words on the screen. So many things going on right now that I better get some of it out of my head. LOL. There is a curse from the old country it says "May you live in interesting times." Well I'd say that's exactly what we're in right now. Can you believe that the hearings are going on and the repeal of "Don't ask, Don't tell" could happen before the new year. That is if the Republicans will let it go through. I find it extremely interesting that the biggest argument against it comes from John McCain. The one who would have been president if he had a running mate. (Don't get me started on Sarah "I can see Russia from my backyard" Palin) It seems the biggest fear on this is that some flaming queens will be on the frontlines the day after this policy is repealed and gays can serve openly in the military. They seem to forget that it's not gonna change a few basic things. You still have to enlist, you have to make it through Basic Training/Boot Camp. You still have to meet the standards and pass all the training. Take it from a guy that served his country honorably it's not gonna be the end of civilization they are trying to make it sound like.

You volunteer to serve your country for many different reasons. The pay is prolly the last thing that motivates you to join the military. I was listening to a talk radio show and they were discussing this issue. Many of the callers into the station that were against the repeal seemed to think that suddenly there would be guys making out all over post. In front of the barracks and flaunting their sexuality in front of 'decent, upstanding, christian soldiers. (Trust me this is the underlying feeling). There are standards and 'rules' that every soldier must follow, gay or straight. There are regulations governing 'Public displays of affection', and every other argument these people raise. Do you really think that once gays can serve openly that these regulations will go by the wayside??? Do you really think that Anarchy will reign supreme??? You've never been there and you'll never understand if that's what you think. Men and Women serve in the same units today and it's not an all out sex fest. Come on people it's 2010.

Ugh it's just really frustrating to argue against such stupidity.

So on to other topics. Had an interesting thing happen the other night. Was sitting at the computer surfing around and I saw that J signed on to Yahoo. Figured I'd say 'Hi' as we hadn't talked in over a month. Well we ended up talking for almost two hours. The upshot of it all is we're gonna meet up for dinner tomorrow. I'm not sure exactly what I'm feeling about this one. Back when it all kinda blew up many issues were brought up, and he told me I should think long and hard about things. Maybe not the best advice for me, or should I say he should be careful of what he wishes for cause he just might get it. I do know that there are some parts of me that aren't gonna change. A couple of those things are things he definately wanted me to change. I'm tough, I'm strong, I'm pretty independent. I'm not perfect by any stretch, but I do like my life and think I'm doing pretty well. I got here by my own two feet and no one can take that from me. We will see how things go over dinner and take it from there.

It was funny at one point while we were chatting on yahoo he asked where we were.... and I answered "Friends, I guess". That's where he left it, and I left the ball in his court. I realized awhile back that I never heard from him unless I sent the first txt. So I decided to just not send that first txt and see how long it went til I heard from him. After three weeks I was pretty sure that I'd not hear from him again. Ah Interesting times.....

Christmas is upon us and the best gift for me will be having family and friends together to celebrate the season. I've got all the 'presents' I need. I'll decorate the house soon and be ready for the big day. Yes I'll get a live tree for the house. Nothing smells better to me than that fresh cut pine decorated with lights and the ornaments that bring nothing but memories.

Looking ahead to the end of Feb and another celebration of my arrival here on this planet. The trip to Vegas is planned and will secure the flights and hotel in the coming weeks. The deals are there to be had, it really is a magical place. A grown ups play ground. This year Darrell, yes THAT Darrell, will be meeting up with Chris and I in Vegas. We're doing a week and I'll get to explore outside of the strip. Trips to Hoover Dam, Red Rocks and whatever else we decide. One day will be spent with Darrell and I in our "I love Las Vegas" t-shirts doing the tour of the strip. Hitting all the hot spots, fountains at Belliagio, Volcano at Mirage, etc, etc. Expect many of the 'tourist' type photos of us hitting the spots and having fun.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for reading. {*****************************} HUGZ to you all!

You've heard by now

2010-10-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

About the Freshman at Rutgers college that jumped off a bridge after his roommate put up a video of him making out/having sex with another guy. I remember last week when I heard the quick blurb on the radio about it. The first thoughts in my head were 'he was gay'. Before I knew anymore details this I knew. If it had been a straight guy he would have pulled the 'Macho' card and been high fiving all through the dorms.

My calendar says 2010. How much longer will shit like this go on? When will those that are 'different' from the 'All American boy' mold be able to live their lives? For all the strides the gay community has made. For all the families with two moms or two dads, the thousands of us that are living our lives out and free, there are still the numbing number of cases like this. A boy finally free from his home town, who can start exploring life and finding his path through it. He took his own life because of the cruelty of his roommate. It was a 'joke', it was a 'prank'. Yeah pretty fusckin funny one there, a young man is DEAD.

Even in this day and age getting that courage to come out and be who you are is pretty tough. We are not cookie cutter images and our paths are not all the same. It's scary there in the closet. You KNOW what you are and you KNOW that no one will understand and you will be shut out of the only lives of people you know. I've been there, I've done that. It's really not that bad. You beat yourself up inside your own head more than anyone that truly loves you will.

Because of this, and because of the countless other stories I'll never know I strive to live my life and show others that you CAN be who you are. You WILL have friends. You can DO anything you want in this life no matter your 'orientation'. I have an amazing group of friends, gay, straight, whatever. Remember one thing... always be TRUE to yourself. You'll be amazed where your path leads you if you never forget that.

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

Thought provoking

2010-08-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

FARTHEST STAR

[December 2006]

The will to greatness clouds the mind
consumes the senses, veils the signs
we each are meant to recognise
Redeeming graces cast aside
Enduring notions, newfound promise
that the end will never come

We live in times when all seems lost
But time will come when we'll look back
upon ourselves and on our failings
Embrace the void even closer still
Erase your doubts,
as you surrender everything

We possess the power
if this should start to fall apart,
to mend divides, to change the world
to reach the farthest star
If we should stay silent
if fear should win our hearts,
our light will have long diminished
before it reaches the farthest star

Wide awake in a world that sleeps
Enduring thoughts, enduring scenes
the knowledge of what is yet to come
From a time when all seems lost
From a dead man to a world
without restraint unafraid and free

If we fall and break
all the tears in the world
cannot make us whole again

So that is a song by VNV Nation. I love the lyrics. In a reflexive mood right now. I need to look inside and see if what was there was really what I wanted. I set myself off as a positive force in this universe and will see where the winds blow me.

HUGZ to you all {****************************} Thanks for allowing me this time.

Damn you Steve Jobs

2010-06-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ok I thought I was over the Apple lust that boils inside me, I was wrong. I got through the iPad fever when I realized that without a cam on it I didn't have a real reason for getting one. I have my DROID and no longer want an iPhone. (This may change with the 4G networks and if Apple ever drops AT&T as the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the US.) Today I read that Apple quietly refreshed the Mac mini and the thing that is a major selling point for me is the HDMI port. I could use my 46" Sony Bravia TV as a monitor for it. $700 for a new kick ass computer that will display easily on my TV.....yeah there's that "I want my PRECIOUS" lust that Apple always can raise in me.

Do I just spring for the $1,000 server model and stream all my content direct to my TV and surround in the living room?? Audio out on the Mac mini would go direct into my receiver. With the 802.11n wireless built into the mini I wouldn't need the Airport Express out in the living room. If I go the server route it comes with two 500GB drives and I could just relocate my iTunes library to the mini from my Time Capsule. If I find I'm streaming content from the web to the TV I'll just run a hard wire from the Airport router in Chris's room to the mini to get the full high speed out of our Comcast internet.

I was totally thinking of getting me a new Macbook Pro just because the latest refreshes in that series makes my mouth water. The top of the line with the Intel Core i7 processor really drive my inner geek crazy. My current Macbook Pro (15" version) that's going on 5 years old now still works perfectly fine so I don't really NEED a new laptop.

Minus to getting the Mini and hooking it up in the living room would be no built in iSight camera. However with the four USB2 ports on the mini it would be nothing to hook up my old Intel web cam. :-) Even going with the server version of the mini it saves me $1,000 over the Macbook Pro.

See the problems that geeks face?? I think I know my final answer to this one. Look for another post around the end of July to see if I bit the bullet or decided to spend my money on some other toy.

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

More randomness

2010-05-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

So I have this dream, it's a recurring dream. I don't always get to this place in the same way, but I always know it when I arrive. I visit this place from time to time. I know not where it is, but the people are always the same and they are always happy to see me. They grow, age, live their lives, I am but a visitor there yet it's like I've done something major in the past. I don't understand it but it sure feels like more than a dream, it's like I am visiting somewhere. I've never 'felt' weather in a dream, yet in this place I do. I feel the wind blowing, the temperature, etc.

Yes Google is my friend, but I never can find anything when I search for dream meanings. Just the standards of 'falling' and so many other things that I can't ever say I've ever dreamed of. The falling one is fun though, the 'wake up before you hit the ground' doesn't seem to hold for me. I've hit the ground many a time when dreaming I'm falling and I'm still here. It does tend to wake you up though.

Just been on my mind so thought I'd get it out here in the blog and see what I make of it when it's in print.

I remain a Gentleman, even after the first date.

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

Vetrans Lobby Day

2010-05-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that thousands of Vetrans, both gay and straight, converge upon Washington D.C. for Vetrans Lobby Day. A day to show support for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the Military. I would have loved to be there and hear the speaches, show my support, etc but I found out way to late about this day to get there. I have taken action, and you can do it as well. You can call your Senators, and Representatives and tell them you support the Vetrans Lobby Day, and the repeal of the Don't ask don't tell policy.

You can elaborate as much or little as you feel. They will probably ask for your zip code to ensure you live in their District. It only takes a few minutes, but if we can have their phone lines flooded it will show the support of the American public to allow EVERYONE to serve openly and honestly in the Military.

It wasn't until I was in the Army that I fully realized my sexual orientation. I knew that was something I HAD to keep hidden while serving my country. Given my specialty and the fact I carried a Top Secret security clearance had I not hidden that part of my life a Dishonerable Discharge would have been swiftly coming my way. Things would not have been good.

I don't want to get too deep here, but this is certainly something that is near and dear to me. I have called Rep George Miller, who co-sponsored the bill to repeal the don't ask don't tell policy. I have also called Senators Fienstein and Boxer urging them to work on repealing this discriminatory policy. Please take 10 minutes of your time today and call your Representative in Washington DC.

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

Dangerous surfing

2010-04-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

So I'm surfing around and land on one of my favorite toy sites. B&H video. I'm looking at lenses for my camera and checking prices on the new Olympus dSLR bodies (I've got the eVolt 500 and love the pics I'm getting with it) and find that the latest and greatest the e620 is only $499. Then I check out lenses and find a nice fast zoom that will replace the one that came with my original e500 is $995. There is a nice wide angle zoom for $600. As you can see I don't have cheap toys. The two new lenses will run about $1650 and if I find the extra $$$ I can get the new body and have a whole new set up for just over $2000. The sweet part of this the lenses will work with the e500 and the e620.

I've come to the conclusion that I need about $10,000 so I can get all my new toys and also do the work in the back yard this year. Since I don't see where the $10,000 will just drop out of the sky looks like I get to prioritize the expenses. The back yard work needs to come first. Built in BBQ and fire pit will make it really nice for the summer. Then I can worry about a new laptop (15" macbook pro), and the new photo gear.

The camera I have is only 8 mega pixels, but it being a digital SLR the photo quality is way better than a comparable point and shoot. Anyway I'm going through my photos and enlarging many to 8x10 size to put up around the house. The initial project was an idea to hide the speaker wire running along the wall from my surround sound system. I've gotten that done and it looks pretty amazing. I left space between the photos so it looks like they are actually hanging from the wire. Now I'm looking to enlarge others to poster size. (16x20 and up) to fill in the blank walls in my house. I figured I should use my photos to decorate my house. I've found a decent place online where I can get some enlargements done for a reasonable price. So if ever you come to visit my place just know that the majority of the photos you'll see on my walls are ones that I took.

Off to figure out something to eat and then prolly watch a movie tonight. Back to the grind and the middle school production of Grease next week!!

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

Acai Berries

2010-03-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here it is taken directly from the fine print on a website that looks like it's a Health report from the local news station on the Acai Berry diet. The write up was amazing and I was tempted to do the 'Free Trial' and see what happens, then I read the following:

It is important to note that this site and the comments/answers depicted above is to be used as an illustrative example of what some individuals have achieved with this/these products. This website, and any page on the website, is based loosely off a true story, but has been modified in multiple ways including, but not limited to: the story, the photos, and the comments. Thus, this page, and any page on this website, are not to be taken literally or as a non-fiction story. This page, and the results mentioned on this page, although achievable for some, are not to be construed as the results that you may achieve on the same routine. I UNDERSTAND THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY ILLUSTRATIVE OF WHAT MIGHT BE ACHIEVABLE FROM USING THIS/THESE PRODUCTS, AND THAT THE STORY/COMMENTS DEPICTED ABOVE IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY. This page receives compensation for clicks on or purchase of products featured on this site.

Buyer beware

The Fool on a journey

2010-02-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

I know I don't talk about the Tarot as much as I used to. It's still there and does help center me and really that's what I need some days. Anyway for my travels on this day as I was packing I came across my Fool pendant. I thought what a perfect thing to wear today. It fits. (this is what I mean about things always being there.) My first trip to Vegas, I set upon my journey just like the fool in Tarot.

Not too much more to put here. Just the thoughts that crossed my mind and I wanted to share. Yes I'll have the laptop in Vegas.... dunno if I'll ever be online. I do know that tomorrow night is gonna be a blast. Blue Man Group!!!!!

You all be good.. {*************************} Hugz to you all!
Keep that positive energy flowing....send some my way...

Never take even money

2010-02-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

Yeah doing some study for the Vegas trip. Here finally is an article that says what I've always said. NEVER TAKE EVEN MONEY when you have a Blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace.

Let’s say that you have a natural blackjack and the dealer has an Ace for an up card. You’re offered even money. Should you take it or not?

No, you shouldn’t.

You have the chance of winning a 3-2 payout. Why throw it away to settle for 1-1 blackjack payout? It’s kind of like having a winning argument and then backing down with meek deference.

So rather than take the even money you think you might want to insure your blackjack. You don’t want to do that either because it’s the same thing. You will come out with the same amount of money.

I’ll show you how this works. Let’s say that you have wagered $10 and you have that blackjack against an Ace. We’ll say that you take insurance on your hand, so you put forth $5. But it turns out that the dealer doesn’t have blackjack. He’ll take your $5 insurance bet…and then pay you $15. Now subtract the $5 you lost to insurance, and you’ll find that in reality your payout was only $10. Which is the same thing as taking even money.

See how it doesn’t matter whether you insure your blackjack or take even money on it?

Oh but wait! What if the dealer does have blackjack too and you have taken insurance? In that instance your blackjack would push his. And you would collect $10 on your insurance bet. It’s still the same $10 profit.

What even money does is simplify the steps in giving you the same amount you would win if you took insurance on your blackjack. But dealers don’t get a 10 for a hole card often enough to warrant taking insurance or even money in any case. Your best bet is to decline both and stick with your basic strategy.

Can this truly be?????

2010-02-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

“No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said it was his personal belief that “allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.”

Oh what do my wondering ears tell me they heard???

Ok gotta keep this on the positive tip, gotta not get on the cynical soap box. Don't see it that there is a severe shortage of straight people enlisting and we've got two wars going on and they need BODIES!!!! No keep it on the positive tip and see that maybe, just maybe they've noticed that there have been Gays and Lesbians serving their country since the begining of the Armed Services.

Just know that the chairman of the Joint Cheifs of Staff, the Highest uniformed position in the United States, as said in front of God and Country that it is his belief that the ban on Gays and Lesbians serving in the Armed Services should be lifted. This wasn't an 'off the record' conversation at a cocktail party. This isn't some rumor that's circulating. This is REAL. I can watch it on youtube until the electrons float away. (Remember how you could wear out the VHS tapes if you watched them too many times?)

I thought for sure the Military would be a battle for down the road. Yet here it is starting at the TOP. I know I won't wake tomorrow and things will be changed, but this is a start. Honestly I am stunned.....and I'm at work so I'll leave this here and possibly pick up the thread when I get home tonight.

{*************************} HUGZ to you all. Keep that positive flowing. Amazing things DO happen.

Paranormal Activity

2010-01-26T19:25:00.000-08:00

Ok so all I knew about this movie going in was that it was 'based on actual events'. I know that many people who did see it in theatres were pretty well shocked by it. It certainly did a number on my head after watching it last night. I bought it on Blue Ray dvd and wow. Seriously it's a fantastic movie. The research was really good, and trust me there is some factual stuff in there. I lived in a house with ghosts and other things for many years. I had several occurances of the clock radio turning on, lights, things banging around, etc. I once had an alarm clock that would go off at 12:15 am EVERY day. (that's 15 mins past midnight) Even when the alarm wasn't turned on. Even when the alarm was set for like 8 am.

I've had a few experiences with something not nice. I'd get times when my sheets would pull tight around me, and it felt like a wind blowing through them. The thing that did the number on me from the movie is the sound that came up on the tape when the demon was doing his thing... yeah that's the sound I heard when things happened to me. I'm talking DEAD ON for the sound. (bad choice of words???) Anyway the last time it happened was an interesting experience. I felt it coming on and it really seemed like it was going to be the worst one yet... I felt the fear rise up... and then that part of me that travels when I sleep raised up above the scene and I saw this point in the distance where all this energy was coming from. I could see it streaming out and enveloping me in my bed. It was so funny and I started to laugh, because there laying in my bed it seemed HUGE and overwhelming, but once I could see it from outside of that context it was pathetic. So I laughed, and laughed and that thing looked up directly at me. At that moment I realized that it had no power over me, and never would. Suddenly it all calmed down.

I always remember that, and it keeps me feeling good. NOTHING has power over me unless I let it have power over me. I can stand there and laugh at the unknown because it can't hurt me.

This is why I keep the positive going. I have no time or energy to invest in the negative. It gets you nowhere, and it lets the weak have power over you.

So am I saying that 'demons' and 'shadow people' and whatever else you want to call them do not exist? No they are there. They can only affect you if you let them. I have no time for their stupid games. I have no energy to waste on things like that. Interpret this how you wish. It sure sounds a lot like the good and evil from the Bible. I see it differently, and know that I am blessed. We are all blessed when we keep to the positive and do not dwell on the little stuff. The world is what you make it, so what kind of world do you live in?? Stop for a moment and ask yourself that question. Sit and think about it.

HUGZ to you all. {**************************************} my positive energy going out to you all.

El Nino!!! The terrible!!!

2010-01-22T13:43:00.000-08:00

Yea the title there is just a little something for me. If you live in California you know all about it. If you live anywhere else you've prolly heard about all the rain, etc we've been having out here on the Left Coast. Been a pretty dreary week and I'm happy to say there is currently a break in the clouds and I can see blue sky. Sometimes you forget it's there above the clouds. I bring you news of the weird...

The 1023 overdose event

Click the link there and see for yourself. I guess the skeptics will be ok but what if one of the people there actually does believe in the stuff and they are taking an overdose... could their mind make it true??? (Matrix stuff there)

I also read about passwords and a study done on 32 million cracked accounts online. The top four passwords used in these 32 million.......
1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
Seriously I didn't think anyone actually used password as a password. Here's the link to the article Password Study I thought my passwords were too simple and I find that actually they are decent. I do the alpha-numeric thing, although I do end up falling into easy patterns.

Just killing a little time at work by posting this. It was only a four day work week but dang did it go on forever. I did find some flooding in my new house. Half inch of water got into the garage. I'll have to go through it this weekend and see what's been wrecked and what can be saved. Guess I've put organizing the garage on the back burner for too long. Oh well anything ruined I didn't need, or it can be replaced. Not really gonna freak out over it. I got sand bags earlier in the week to barricade the doors that were leaking. The back yard turns into a lake. It does recede but when so much water comes down so quickly it does hang out for awhile. Some water got into the shed as well, and I'll have to see what got ruined out there. I know one box of wrapping paper got soaked, but we've had that paper for years and years and years and years and wrapping paper is not that expensive to buy. I've been wanting some new stuff anyway.

HUGZ to you all!!!!! {*********************} Have a fantastic weekend where ever you are, and remember put that positive energy out into the world. It will come back to you a million times over.

New Year

2010-01-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all!!!

So I did no bowling over my two week break, but it didn't seem to affect me too much. Last Thursday was our fun night. Sheets up over the lanes just past the arrows so you couldn't see the pins. It was a good thing cause it made you focus on your approach, follow through, and hitting your mark. All the things I've been working on since I set my goal.

It's fun night so the first game was 8 pin no tap (8 or more pins on the first ball scores as a strike), second game was 9 pin no tap, and the last game was regular bowling. I shot 268, 230, 236. As you see I shot 6 pins higher in regular bowling than in the no tap. Looks like things were working well in me putting the ball on the lane. The scores don't count toward average, or wins/losses it was our mini sweeper. Men vs Men, and Women vs Women. I shot a 764 with my handicap. My nephew shot a 300 his first game (five real strikes the rest were no taps) and had an 811 series with his handicap. He only had like 52 pins handicap. So he's got his game improving also. I've gotta stay on top of my stuff to beat him. It's a friendly rivalry, but I do have the lead in games won for the season. There's $100 riding on that one, and I'm gonna do my best to make sure I win. :-)

I'm pretty sure I'm just going to focus on using the Black Widow Venom, and my Ebonite Playmaker through the rest of the season. I've got my White Dot spare ball, so I don't see myself buying any new balls this year. I've got some damn good equipment, why buy more and get confused?

It felt real good bowling. You could drop down after your threw your ball and see it roll down the lane. Many of the shots I threw rolled so nice down that lane. It was good to see the ball do what it's supposed to. I even picked up a couple of 10 pins in that last game. It goes to prove that you don't need to see any more than 20 feet or so of the lane. What happens in that last 40 feet is a direct result of how the ball is sent down the lane. Good approach, bend your knee, stay behind the ball, follow through, reach out, hit your mark. You do all that and it's hard to beat. It's the mechanics of it all. There is no one 'right' way to do it. You find a style that is comfortable for you, and you do it every time. I use a five step approach, because that works for me. My nephew uses only a three step approach. When our balls hit the pocket, the result is the same. He can have those pins dancing around just as much as I.

So it's fun having someone push me as much as my nephew does. He's really impressed me before the break, and again last Thursday. Weeks when he shot a bad game and would give up. Not so anymore. He's figuring out what he's doing wrong, and correcting it.

Ok I've got some things to do, and heading out. You all have a great one!!!

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

Bowling Update

2009-12-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

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!!!!!

A different Christmas poem

2009-12-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

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.”

Ahhh

2009-12-14T18:07:00.001-08:00

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!

Surfer's Bible

2009-09-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

Energy 92.7

2009-09-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

Tarot Card

2009-09-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

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.

Green Day

2009-08-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

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!!!
{*****************************}

Hot Friday

2009-08-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

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...

Weekend...

2009-08-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2009-08-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Quick

2009-07-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

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.
{***********************}

Political

2009-07-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

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!!!
{**************************}

random

2009-07-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

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.

Lump/Natural Charcoal

2009-07-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

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.)

What???

2009-07-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

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
{************************}

Tarot

2009-06-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

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.

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

Chardonnay tastings

2009-06-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Golfing

2009-05-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

Moved in and Wii Fit.

2009-05-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

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!!

I live

2009-04-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Love is Like

2009-03-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

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

Words....

2009-03-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

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

Skold VS KMFDM

2009-02-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

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.

Birthday plans

2009-02-23T18:23:00.000-08:00

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!!!

Beer and Vicodin

2009-02-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

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
{**********************}

So much happening

2009-02-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

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.

American Legion sent me this...

2009-02-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

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

Boy (Extended Mix) by Book of Love

2009-02-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

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
{****************************}

Pisces

2009-02-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

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.

Comfort Food

2009-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

(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.
{*********************}

It's time to celebrate...

2009-01-27T16:37:00.000-08:00

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.

I KNEW IT!!!!

2009-01-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

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!!!

time goes by

2009-01-23T22:42:00.000-08:00

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.

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

A tale of two meals.....

2009-01-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

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
{*********************}

Christmas fun

2008-12-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

Ah yes I am just about Apple certified to work on all versions of the MacBook. (In my house now there are an iBook G4, a MacBook Pro, and two of the new MacBooks.) I've upped the memory to 1 Gig in the iBook. I doubled the memory in my MacBook Pro to 4 Gigs. I replaced the hard drive in my MacBook Pro so now I have 320 GB of space instead of the 120 GB it came with.

I found this fantastic website called ifixit.com and they have the most amazing guides that show and tell you how to replace these things. Now if you aren't used to opening up computers this is not something I would try. If you do something wrong you could seriously damage your computer.

So I had to open up my MacBook Pro quite a few times, swapping the hard drives because I forgot to do a back up, then because I forgot the password to my Time Capsule. All in all it was a great experience because now I have absolutely no fears on opening up my computer. So it was much fun and I've learned soo much. So now it's like I have a totaly new computer. 4 Gigs of memory, and 320 GB hard drive. Sure it's only got a 2.2 GHz core 2 duo chip but the very new ones only have a 2.4 or 2.5.

I am very happy....I can wrench on a mac.

More to come....

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

Christmas music

2008-12-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

You knew I'd do it eventually.

A christmas story......of another kind.

2008-12-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Karen sent me this one and I'm reposting it here. It touches me on a deeper level because I remember the year I was the soldier on guard.

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 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.

"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.

"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."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Anniversary Blast

2008-12-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

"I had a little bit too much." Can you say Lady GaGa doing a stage dive at the end of her set??? Can you say Cyndi Lauper dancing barefoot on stage?? Can you say "Damn that Morgan Page is a HOTTIE!!!" ?? Can you "make love like a stranger"?? Did you know that DJ Ajax makes it better??? Did you know that there is a former member of Destiny's Child that isn't Beyonce and has talent??? Did you see Kid Loose wrap up the night with a set on the main stage??

All this and more happened last night at the Energy Anniversary blast.

If you were not there you missed THE party of the year. It was hands down the best party Energy 92.7 has thrown. The flow was good, acts kept hitting the stage, and it was a great time. Part of it could have been that Julie was there. I was going through Julie withdrawal. We have too much fun when we hang out.

Ok gotta run...time for the No Tap tournament.

Turkey Day

2008-11-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

So the day has begun. I got up at 7am after being out last night to get the ball rolling. Chopped up some celery, onion, garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme for the stuffing. Mixed that all in with the unseasoned bread cubes, and then added about 4 cups of water and a melted stick of butter. Stirred that around to moisten the bread and mix it all together.

Got the bird ready (removed the neck and giblets etc) rinsed it out well and then stuffed the neck cavity and then the body. Put Thomas (the turkey) on the rack in the roasting pan and put him in the 325 degree oven. It was just a little after 8 am when that happened. Yeah doesn't take me too long to get stuff chopped up and ready for the stuffing. I always think it's gonna take longer than it does.

I made breakfast after getting the turkey in the oven. Ham steaks and scrambled eggs. I also made some Apricot cresent rolls. (simple.. super simple.) you take the Pilsbury cresent rolls (yes the tube of dough that you pop open...you know what I mean) So you take some Apricot jelly (or whatever flavor jam/jelly you fancy) heat it up (you'll need about a half cup or so). Spread it on the triangle of dough, roll it up like normal and place on a cookie sheet. ( I would highly suggest putting some parchment paper on the sheet first. After you get them rolled up, brush them with an egg wash (should be egg white with a little water, I just beat a whole egg with a little water) and then sprinkle some sliced almonds or seasame seeds over the top. Bake them according to the package directions. ENJOY. (yeah it's a little bit of work, but the pay off is worth the effort.)

So the only two remaining things to cook today are the fresh green beans with bacon and almonds, and the Au Gratin potatoes. (Yes I do the potatoes from scratch.) The cheese sauce is the hardest part. As I remember I chop up an onion (somewhere between chopped and minced) saute the onion in EVOO or butter. Add flour to make a roux (cook the flour a little so you don't get that 'blah' taste) then add the cheese and milk. Cook over a med to low heat to melt the cheese and then thicken the sauce. Slice some potatoes put in a cassarole dish, pour the cheese sauce over and mix. Put in the oven and bake for 30 to 45 mins, until potatoes are cooked.

So now you know what I'm making. Yeah there will be left overs. Food is good.

I hope you are spending the day with family and/or friends. Enjoy the company and I hope you find reasons to give thanks on this day. I am thankful for my family, and all my friends. This past year has been a great one, making new friends and getting out of the house. Julie, Ian, Joey, Jenny, Matthew, Rik, Ajax, thanks for all the great nights and fun times. Brenda, Darrell, Blaine, Wyatt, Dani, thanks for the vacation memories. Everyone else who I forgot to mention thank you for the freindship and know you all are a part of my life.

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

Days go by...

2008-11-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

.. and still they fill up with activities. Long holiday weekend coming up and my 'down time' is filled with stuff to do. Kickin the long weekend off with DJ Matthew Baker and club 1220 in Walnut Creek on Wednesday night. Thursday is Turkey day and all the family, food, and football that goes along with it. Friday night... I won tickets to Nadia Ali at 1015 Folsom. Yeah I had no plans, but ended up being caller 7 tonight when Joey gave away the tickets. Saturday night is the Cafe with Joey V hosting, yeah he put me on the guestlist. So a busy weekend, but it's gonna be FUN.

Hangin out with friends is always a good thing. Going out and enjoying a night.. creating those memories... just having fun... Matthew Baker the fellow Pollack and one whose advice I follow. Joey, Ian, Julie.. good friends and good fun. ... ah so yeah you know what I'm talking about

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

Friday night

2008-11-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

So it was a good weekend. Off to the city to meet Joey V for drinks before we headed off to the Cellar and DJ Ajax. There was much traffic going into the city and we left Vallejo around 8:30 pm or so.. Fought with the navigator and wound our way up to the Cellar. (takes us on a different route everytime.) Parked in our garage of choice (yeah there was prolly street parking, but I'm ok with paying for the garage.)

We thought AJax was up first (10p to midnight) but he was not there. The DJ (I so forgot his name, spins for another radio station) was pretty damn good. He did an 80's set like you wouldn't believe. We were having some fun. Drinks, dancing, counting to see if there would be more Madonna or Michael Jackson songs spun. (it was a tie at 4 each) Disco Bob and his wife were there. Ajax shows up and we run into him near the bar. So we all BS and Chris buys a round of drinks, gotta get the Birthday boy something!!

Midnight finally rolls around. Joey does his last duty and then splits. Disco Bob and his wife leave not long after. Chris and I hang out to catch Ajax's set. We make our way over towards the DJ booth when we were getting ready to head out, and it's like Ajax knew we were gonna go. He dives into his bag of tricks and I can't leave. It's just so much fun watching him work, and how the crowd reacts to some of his crazy cuts. (yeah I'm a people watcher from way back in the day) So we get in the flow and just have fun. At one point Ajax looks at me, puts his finger up and wham.. "DJ Ajax does it better"... yeah it's his personalized version of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" I love it.

Finally it's time for me to get moving... I climb up in the DJ booth to say good bye to Ajax. The we make our way outta the club. Let me tell you the cool/cold air outside felt good. We made our way safely home and I fell into the bed.

So it was a good start to the weekend. I had told myself that Friday was gonna be fun, no drama kinda night, and it was. There was a friend who was gonna come along to the club, but he wasn't feeling well so decided to stay home. Around 10 pm he felt better and sent me a txt. Oh well I'm at the club now, catch you next time.

Speaking of next time......I caught a bulletin that DJ Matthew Baker posted over on Myspace. He'll be spinning at 1220 on Wednesday night. I guess I might have the little party to start the long weekend. I'll have to be good so I can get up in the morning and get the Bird into the oven on time.

Turkey day is a big one for me. I'm the chief cook here at my house. There is pleanty of work for me to do on that day. Turkey, stuffing, au gratin potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc.... Don't get me wrong I do love it... just tons of work to do on that day. Whatever your plans for that day I hope you travel safely, and enjoy the company of Family and Friends. Good Food, Good Drinks, and FOOTBALL!!!!

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

Nadia Ali

2008-11-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

Is this the voice of Joey V???

Nadia Ali- November 28th from Muna.Group on Vimeo.

Tis a voice over to remember.

2008-11-20T17:40:00.000-08:00

A rainbow flag flying over the crowd at the Prop 8 protest.

Stuff and stuff

2008-11-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

Not only do I LIKE this sign, but it hits a chord inside me. There have been times in the past where I've been told that I 'chose' to be gay.

It's not a choice people. I was born the way I am, you were born the way you are.

yeah... touchy as it is...

So there are so many things coming out of the Prop 8 dealio. The call to boycott businesses that donated to Prop 8. The realization of what a slippery slope it is when you vote away the rights of one group by a simple majority. The harsh spotlight turned upon this 'sacred' institution of marriage.

Let us leave those issues for awhile. (just things for you to think upon)

Friday night. This Friday, the Cellar nightclub in SF. Joey V will once again be there doing the host thing, and the DJ this week........DJ Ajax. (yes THE DJ Ajax of Cardio Radio FAME) (He'll get that joke, don't worry) To add to it all it is one of his 'official' birthday celebrations. So come on people let's get out there and have some fun. Yes there is a guestlist available at Energy's website, or you could call into Joey V (866-534-0927) when he's on air and see if he'll hook you up.

If you happen to be a 'Creepy Walnut Creek Stalker Fan' you need not apply.

So I'm working things out here. Getting ready for Turkey day. Yes I've got the bird, 17.6 lbs, and have the general idea for the rest of the meal. Home made AuGratin potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, etc. Got a week to pull it all together. Good food, good drinks, good FOOTBALL, and time with family.

Ok off with me.

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

Yesterday

2008-11-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

What a great day. Weather beautiful, friends, fellowship, commitment, work, etc.

Started the day heading out to the city and the protests over Prop 8. Parked near the station and walked down Market street to Civic center plaza. Found Joey, Jenny, Rik and Baby Bobby and spent our time there in solidarity with the crowd. We are united on our fight against Prop 8 and the various backers of said Proposition. I've posted many pictures on Myspace. There were some great signs and yes my favorite is "A recent vote shows that 52.5% of you are IDIOTS" (I'm not mentioning names, but for some reason Alice in Wonderland comes to mind.)

We left the protest site and headed off in search of food. Quiznos was settled upon, and since Joey/Jenny and Rik all parked at the station we headed to the one near the station. After a quick meal, then we wandered over to the station. Julie and Kid Loose were there and so we said our good bye's to Joey, Jenny and Bobby while Chris, Rik and I hung out with Kid Loose and Julie in studio for a little bit. We added content to Kid's show and basically had a great time. yeah the geek in me got a good fill of watching how 'Live' radio happens. How the calls into the station are edited, etc. How they know what will fit between songs. How the beds are added in while spots are going, etc. etc etc etc

Yes I love seeing the technology and realizing how complex this thing called radio really is.

Ok gotta run.. hope to get a pic or two up soon.

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

where did he go??

2008-11-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

Protest baby...that's what we're doing tomorrow. We are not going silent into that good night. (where did that line come from and why do I keep repeating it????) Anyway my role tomorrow is 'official photographer'. I will have the camera at the ready, and am going to get some great shots while there.

It is hard to imagine that I will be there in the middle of something more than the sum of it's parts. Can you actually 'feel' history when it's being made???

So sleep for me tonight, then the city tomorrow. The off to Sac and help my niece move.

More to follow......

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

I can't say it any better

2008-11-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

So I will not even try to say it any other way. The following is an article from the HRC. Please read it, think about it, no matter where you may live in this country.

Op-Ed from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese on Defeat of Proposition 8

You can't take this away from me: Proposition 8 broke our hearts, but it did not end our fight.

Like many in our movement, I found myself in Southern California last weekend. There, I had the opportunity to speak with a man who said that Proposition 8 completely changed the way he saw his own neighborhood. Every "Yes on 8" sign was a slap. For this man, for me, for the 18,000 couples who married in California, to LGBT people and the people who love us, its passage was worse than a slap in the face. It was nothing short of heartbreaking.

But it is not the end. Fifty-two percent of the voters of California voted to deny us our equality on Tuesday, but they did not vote our families or the power of our love out of existence; they did not vote us away.

As free and equal human beings, we were born with the right to equal families. The courts did not give us this right—they simply recognized it. And although California has ceased to grant us marriage licenses, our rights are not subject to anyone's approval. We will keep fighting for them. They are as real and as enduring as the love that moves us to form families in the first place. There are many roads to marriage equality, and no single roadblock will prevent us from ultimately getting there.

And yet there is no denying, as we pick ourselves up after losing this most recent, hard-fought battle, that we've been injured, many of us by neighbors who claim to respect us.

By the same token, we know that we are moving in the right direction. In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 by a margin of 61.4% to 38.6%. On Tuesday, fully 48% of Californians rejected Proposition 8. It wasn't enough, but it was a massive shift. Nationally, although two other anti-marriage ballot measures won, Connecticut defeated an effort to hold a constitutional convention ending marriage, New York's state legislature gained the seats necessary to consider a marriage law, and FMA architect Marilyn Musgrave lost her seat in Congress. We also elected a president who supports protecting the entire community from discrimination and who opposes discriminatory amendments.

Yet on Proposition 8 we lost at the ballot box, and I think that says something about this middle place where we find ourselves at this moment. In 2003, twelve states still had sodomy laws on the books, and only one state had civil unions. Four years ago, marriage was used to rile up a right-wing base, and we were branded as a bigger threat than terrorism. In 2008, most people know that we are not a threat. Proposition 8 did not result from a popular groundswell of opposition to our rights, but was the work of a small core of people who fought to get it on the ballot. The anti-LGBT message didn't rally people to the polls, but unfortunately when people got to the polls, too many of them had no problem with hurting us. Faced with an economy in turmoil and two wars, most Californians didn't choose the culture war. But faced with the question—brought to them by a small cadre of anti-LGBT hardliners – of whether our families should be treated differently from theirs, too many said yes.

But even before we do the hard work of deconstructing this campaign and readying for the future, it's clear to me that our continuing mandate is to show our neighbors who we are.

Justice Lewis Powell was the swing vote in Bowers, the case that upheld Georgia's sodomy law and that was reversed by Lawrence v. Texas five years ago. When Bowers was pending, Powell told one of his clerks "I don't believe I've ever met a homosexual." Ironically, that clerk was gay, and had never come out to the Justice. A decade later, Powell admitted his vote to uphold Georgia's sodomy law was a mistake.

Everything we've learned points to one simple fact: people who know us are more likely to support our equality.

In recent years, I've been delivering this positive message: tell your story. Share who you are. And in fact, as our families become more familiar, support for us increases. But make no mistake: I do not think we have to audition for equality. Rather, I believe that each and every one of us who has been hurt by this hateful ballot measure, and each and every one of us who is still fighting to be equal, has to confront the neighbors who hurt us. We have to say to the man with the Yes on 8 sign—you disrespected my humanity, and I am not giving you a pass. I am not giving you a pass for explaining that you tolerate me, while at the same time denying that my family has a right to exist. I do not give you permission to say you have me as a "gay friend" when you cast a vote against my family, and my rights.

Wherever you are, tell a neighbor what the California Supreme Court so wisely affirmed: that you are equal, you are human, and that being denied equality harms you materially. Although I, like our whole community, am shaken by Prop 8's passage, I am not yet ready to believe that anyone who knows us as human beings and understands what is at stake would consciously vote to harm us.

This is not over. In California, our legal rights have been lost, but our human rights endure, and we will continue to fight for them.

I will not go silently into that good night. You DO not have my permission to call me your gay friend if you voted yes on Prop 8. That is not the kind of friend I want to have.

Join the fight

2008-11-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Looks like there are quite a few people that are not happy about Prop 8 and it's narrow victory. The next round of the fight has started. Counties in California bringing lawsuits against it. There is even a petition going around that you can sign.

Sign the Petition here

I say do whatever you can to ensure that all groups have the same rights in this great State of California.

To go on to other topics, check out that Obama. Damn he's not even taking the week off to enjoy his victory on Tuesday. He's busy forming his cabinet and consulting with his advisors. Enjoy the holiday season this year, cause we're gonna be busy after that. This country has some major work to do, and yes the tasks seem daunting now, just remember "Yes We Can". (Ok the chills run up and down my body when I typed that. We are on the edge of something major. It's the same kind of feeling I get when I'm working with my Tarot deck)

Ok cooking dinner.. Brats tonight... it's bowling night.

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

Ok so here we go....

2008-11-05T15:23:00.001-08:00

Time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get ready to face the next round. History was made last night, you cannot deny that fact. I would have liked that history to be the defeat of a proposition that changes the constitution of the State of California, and takes away one of my rights. Well you can't always get what you want (didn't the Rolling Stones tell me that YEARS ago???) Years ago Prop 22 passed with a 61% majority. Yesterday Prop 8 passed with a 52% majority. I want to say only 8 years have passed between the two propositions. Do you see what this means?? Yep we're closer than ever to getting there.

I have a feeling that come January 20th some major things will be changing. A new era is dawning in America. There is a shining light that is going to Washington and he's gonna get us on the right path. You know what struck me deeply in Obama's acceptance speech? It wasn't all "Look at how great I am" "I won, I won, I won", no it was quite different. It was "Look at what WE did." and a "Get ready boys and girls, cause we got some work to do." YES WE CAN.

I've never been so moved by any politician in my short time here on this planet. I remember some of Reagans' speeches, but I was in 9th or 10th grade. He had that talent to stir the American people and get them going in the direction he wanted. Barak Obama does the same thing. He touches everyone and makes us see that we need to pull this together and get going. He's not gonna put up with any BS either. He's stepping into one hell of a mess, but I think he's the only guy that could pull us out of this mess.

John McCain, what can you say about that man?? His speech last night was really amazing. If he had run his campaign the way he gave that speech, well I'm thinking things would have been totally different last night. He was gracious, and showing that spirit that truly always has been there. Had he gotten the nomination back in 2004 instead of Bush, well hard to say where we'd be but I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be in the situation we currently are in.

I took my day off, worked through my emotions, and am ready to face the new day. It was not easy, and I KNEW I wanted this one too much. The major questions need to be answered. What does the passing of Prop 8 mean to the thousands of couples that have been married from May til now?? Will their marriages be annuled? Where do we go now?? Now that the State Constitution is being amended to say that a Marriage is between one Man and one Woman ONLY, how do we fight this?

Will of the people?? 52% of the people maybe. What about the 48% that don't agree with that decision??? I thought we'd make it this time. I thought we'd defeat those that oppose us out of fear. Fear is more powerful than I thought. It must be a sad existance to live your life in FEAR. I can't do that. I live my life in the sun, and out, and without fear.

Get ready Boys and Girls, the work still lies ahead of us. At least we now have a leader that can show us the way.

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

How can you ever fight this mindset???

2008-11-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

This is why Prop 8 passed. (well it's not official yet, but the writing is on the wall) I recieved this message as a reply from someone after I sent a note thanking her for legislating one of my rights away. She is in a Domestic partnership with a man.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNERS, WE STILL DONT HAVE THE SAME CHOICES AS A REAL MARRIED COUPLE. IF PROP 8 PASSES, YOU WILL HAVE MORE CHOICES THAN DOMESTIC PARTNERS. THEY NEED TO LEAVE EVERYTHING THE WAY IT IS AND KEEP TRADITION GOING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
I'M NOT AGAINST GAY PARTNERSHIPS BUT IF WE CANT GET THE SAME RIGHTS AS A MARRIED COUPLE THAN GAY COUPLES SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT.
I GUESS MY FRIENDSHIP WASNT WORTH IT IN THE END.
I REALLY HOPE THAT PROP 8 PASSES AND IT STAYS THAT WAY FOREVER......

Barack is President, at least we have that bright spot. I truly think he can bring this country back together and get us on the right track.

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

Living in a bubble

2008-11-05T04:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't know it. I guess when you are inside the bubble you don't know. You just assume that everyone OUTSIDE the bubble feels the same way you do. You don't know that you are surrounded by hate and intolerance and that you are a SECOND class citizen. You are NOT WORTHY of your LOVE, your LIFE being recognized.

FEAR won out over LOVE. It's a slap in the face, it's a punch in the gut. I am physically ill. I'm not even going in to work today. I could not face it nor handle it.

I want to be gracious, I want to not seem like a bitter old queen bitching here. It's official a RIGHT is being taken away from me. There is no way to be gracious in this situation. OUTRAGE is what I feel. I am angry, bitter, disappointed. The list is long.

It's 2008, and rights can be taken away from a huge slice of the population. If only there were a way that every gay and lesbian in the state of California could leave today. We obviously are not wanted here. If only we could uproot all of us and move away. Let the rest of California see the impact.

I am NOT directing this at all of my friends. I know you support me in every aspect of my life. I know so many of you that voted No on Prop 8, and I love you all for that. Please don't take this as an attack on YOU. It's my release for those that were so swayed by FEAR. I will grieve, I will try to recover, I will have some serious decisions to make.

What happens to all the marriages that have been preformed from April to now? They will all be made null and void??? Give me something and then take it away 6 months later. Do me a favor and don't give it to me at all.

{****************} Hugz to you all. I think we'll need alot of those in the coming months.

Finally

2008-11-03T18:40:00.001-08:00

Shoot me cause it took this long.. it's been bouncing around in my head and I just couldn't get the details down correctly because of all the misinformation going on out there. The blur between State and Federal on Prop 8.

It is the battle of the word "Marriage". The people that support Prop 8 say the following: "Though it would alter the state’s constitution, it would not alter domestic partnerships which under California Family Code SS 297.5 extends to same sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples" This is where the lie comes into play. We are NOT afforded the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples.

So a man and a woman are married in the state of California, we'll make it a June wedding for poetic dressing. Come November the wife is offered a KILLER promotion at her work, however it does require them moving to South Carolina. The couple talk, take a trip out to see the area, and for Hubby to check out the chances for his employment, etc. They decide to move.

Let's use the same situation but this time make it a man and a man with their "Registered Domestic Partnership". They do the same things and make the same decision to move to South Carolina.

So what's the difference here?? If both have the same 'rights and responsibilities' whether it be called a 'marriage' or 'registered domestic partnership'. In South Carolina the Man and Woman are still Married and legally recognized as such. They have lost NOTHING. The Man and Man couple are not recognized as 'registered domestic partners' in South Carolina. They do not have the same rights as the heterosexual couple.

So in effect my equal rights and benefits are only good as long as I stay in California. To me that is NOT equal.

Yeah I know, and I did state, it's the separation between State and Federal laws. State says "It's not us it the Federal that is denying you the rights.", Federal says "We represent the will of the states, we'll change when they change." We're not standing for it. We've had enough. "As goes California, so goes the country" or so the saying goes...

Tomorrow is election day. History will be made no matter the outcome. Participate in the Democratic process. Get out there and VOTE.

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

When I grow up

2008-10-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Doll Domination... Pussycat Dolls...

The dance remix (no I don't know who did it) is KILLER. Then again I am a bpm junkie, you gotta get it up to 120 or more... (I'm kinda thinking that 127 bpm is like the ULTIMATE. Just fast enough to keep yo' ass moving, but not so fast that you've gotta be on speed to keep up.) Don't get me wrong there are a couple of songs that top out at 147 bpm and I LOVE them.. it's just not a sustainable level...

(intersting side note, I'm typing this blog, listening to Joey V, chatting with a friend on Yahoo messenger and doing the txt message thing with my nephew) Who says guys cannot multitask???

Ah yes Adam Cova doing the Earthquake mix. So sweet.. he does have some good skillz. He did win the first Ultimate DJ competition.

So the next big party is the Anniversary Blast 4. Energy 92.7 is throwing the party for the listeners. The line up is amazing... Cindy Lauper is headlining the whole event. It's gonna be a good night. All the usual energy DJ's will be doing their thing. (Ajax, Trevor, Kid Loose, Eddie Santana) The line up is varied on the acts, and more are being added. David Guetta is here this year and I'm psyched to catch his set. (hope Kid Loose isn't spinning at the same time) The party is being held at the Regency center, same as last year. I'll know many more people there this year, so it's gonna be a fun time. Even Fernando and Greg will prolly talk to me.

Ok so the title of this blog relates to not only the song that runs through my head, but also to a post a friend did over on Myspace. She posted a little something about if you only had one wish, what would you wish for??? yeah so you see how that one goes. The 'problem', she got her wish....but it's a good one. She wished to be happy.....and she is.

I haven't gotten to my wish yet. I know what I will wish for when I do get it. You all will know when I get it, and that's all I'm gonna say.

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

Life is ROUGH

2008-10-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

Yes boys and girls we're gonna see how it is to live on that 'other side'. Life is rough even if you're in a 'comfortable' state. The following is the Police log that is printed in the Ark newspaper. (The Ark is the paper for Tiburon and Belvedere.) This is all true, I CAN NOT make this stuff up.

Enjoy:

Hedge Hog: Oct 2nd, A Mercury Ave woman called to report that her neighbor had gone into her yard and cut down her rose bushes. She told police she was only reporting the incident so they would be aware of it.

Abra-Car-Dabra: Oct 3rd, a man called police because he was unable to locate his car after only one drink at a bar on Main Street. It was later determined that a towing company had picked up the car for being parked on private property. The man got the information necessary to recover his vehicle.

Reap What You Sew: Oct 4th, a Hacienda Drive woman called to report that there was sewage spilling into a residence on Benton Court. She said a plumbing company on the scene was requesting police confirmation for the spillage so that the city would pick up the bill.

Racket Club: Oct 5th, a man complained, as did several other citizens, about noixe coming from the Tiburon Peninsula Club (TPC) on Mar West Street. However, the TPC had a permit from the town to play loud music until 5 pm and all residents within 100 yards were notified.

Mad Money: Oct 6th, a man at a bank on Tiburon Blvd between Beach Road, and Mar West called the police because he felt that he was receiving bad service. The police spoke with the manager, who told police that the man was not a customer of the bank but wanted to cash a check. When the manager asked him to have a seat and wait for assistance, he bacme impatient, started to yell and refused to leave. Officers and the manager were able to resolve the problem.

Fishing for Change: Oct 3rd, a woman reported that her wallet was stolen from her bag while she was at a sushi restaurant in Strawberry Village. The Sheriff's Department investigated and found three suspects who appeared to have worked together in an organized theft of a wallet from a purse.

Little Bag Lost: Oct 4th, a Bay Vista Drive woman reported that she lost her black overnight bag containing expensive jewelry, her wallet and credit cards. She said she was unsure where she had lost the bag. A deputy took a report.

There you have it boys and girls, a glimpse of life on that other side of the rainbow. As you can see having money doesn't make life any easier. Some would say it's tougher.

I'll try to keep up on the police logs and maybe post these once a month or so. There are some funny ones.

I'll do something else tomorrow. Just wanted to take a little break from the serious stuff I've been doing. The races are tightening up, and dude I'm more nervous then I've been in awhile.

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

2008-10-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

PROP
8

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME–SEX COUPLES TO MARRY.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ANALYSIS BY THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST

BACKGROUND

In March 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 to specify in state law that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the statute enacted by Proposition 22 and other statutes that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. It also held that individuals of the same sex have the right to marry under the California Constitution. As a result of the ruling, marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid or recognized in the state.

PROPOSAL

This measure amends the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As a result, notwithstanding the California Supreme Court ruling of May 2008, marriage would be limited to individuals of the opposite sex, and individuals of the same sex would not have the right to marry in California.

FISCAL EFFECTS

Because marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid in California, there would likely be an increase in spending on weddings by same-sex couples in California over the next few years. This would result in increased revenue, primarily sales tax revenue, to state and local governments.

By specifying that marriage between individuals of the same sex is not valid or recognized, this measure could result in revenue loss, mainly from sales taxes, to state and local governments. Over the next few years, this loss could potentially total in the several tens of millions of dollars. Over the long run, this measure would likely have little fiscal impact on state and local governments.

So there you have the exact text from the Ballot, and you have some other information. The striking thing to me is what is NOT included in this write up. All those little things that come along with this thing called Marriage that are NOT included in a 'Domestic Partnership'. You are married, your spouse gets into an accident on the commute to work. You rush off to the hospital to see them, they ask you who you are, you are their SPOUSE...wham, bam you are in to see them. If needed you can make the medical decisions for them, etc, etc.
Now same situation but when you get to the Hospital and they ask who you are, and you tell them you are the Domestic Partner of the injured... yeah well maybe durning normal visiting hours you could see your partner. Making a medical decision for them.....yeah only if you've previously got that paperwork signed and filed and the Hospital recognizes it. If not you could be left out in the cold.

There is no form that can be filled out, filed with the courts, etc that gives you the same rights as that Marriage License. It's not even 'separate but equal' because it's NOT EQUAL.

I know I keep saying that I've done this post and I'll leave it alone. I just cannot. It's too important to me. I have this dread in the pit of my stomach. Will the FEAR win?? It's been working for 8 years of W. Is the FEAR soo ingrained into people now that they can so easily be swayed like sheep?? If you notice in the wording of the proposition nowhere does is say that school curriculum will be changed. No where does it say anything about churches being forced to perform gay marriages. The 'Yes on 8' people have nothing but FEAR to use, and so they are.

So back to work for me. I didn't get anything out of the freezer before I left for work, so not sure what's gonna be for dinner. I do know that currently I am freezing so I'm thinking along the lines of something HOT. (Chili and cornbread, or some kind of soup and biscuits.) Nope didn't make the biscuits last night, so I could do that today.
{**********************} Hugz to you all!!!

Yeah!!!!

2008-10-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

OK so I'm figuring out this blogspot thing. I worked out how to post a pic on the last blog. (Yeah can you find me there in the pic???) So a little positive tip here, the election is two weeks away. I know that Politics is a topic where heated debate can happen. I'm pretty sure most of my friends know how I'm voting, or they can guess. I'll leave it on this one, the cadidate I'm voting for will make history if they are elected to office. (This would be the election where that statement can apply to all the candidates running.)

I must mention my Butterfly. I was very sad when she disappeared from Myspace with nary (I've always wanted to say that) a word as to where she went. As luck (we believe in luck, .......right????) would have it she has turned back up. I've been wanting to set up a blogspot for awhile but always too lazy. So my Butterfly turns back up and it's the catalyst I need to get this Blogspot thing going. (Doesn't hurt that I've got a Gmail account up and running.)

I know she reads my stuff, and sometimes it's easier doing this knowing that you have at least one person reading it. Yes it's still my place to do the 'brain dump'. It lets me vent, and explore things that I can't work out in my head. I see that people can leave comments (hint, hint) so the feedback is always great.

Dad had another procedure on his heart today. The Doctor thinks this should take care of alot of his problems. I'd go into details, but I honestly don't remember them accurately enough. Let's just say that he came through the procedure just fine and is home now to start the recovery. He can't bowl this week and I think that's got him a little bummed. I say rest and recover (and give me a week to get ready for him on the lanes.) and save his dollars. If he's not bowling this week he can't lose any money. LOL.

Ok I'm gonna go.. dinner is cooking (one I don't have to do alot of work on) Pork Tenderloin that's been marinated, and I'm doing a brown rice pilaf kinda thing. Green veggie to go with, I was thinking about biscuits, but not sure if I want to do the bit of work making them from scratch.

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

Long weekend

2008-10-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Not the kind of weekend I like. It was a full one, but one day was work and the other was just decompressing/visiting my niece.

Saturday was the Tiburon Peninsula Children's Book Festival. (What you didn't hear about it??? Guess that's why you were not there.) Anyway the plans were very grand, and if more of a crowd had shown up... (yes the famous ... ) The highlight of the day for me was the guy from ILM who was the lead for Ironman did a talk/presentation on the effects, etc. It was a very cool presentation and a nice little glimpse into the world beyond what you see on the screen.

Clean up always takes longer than you think, and of course the volunteers always seem to either not show up or leave early. Being the District representative and the guy with the keys/alarm codes...I had to be there to the end.

So no 1220 and no Matthew Baker for me this weekend. He should be back there in two weeks so maybe I'll see him then. Hmm Matthew Baker spinning there on Halloween weekend...could be interesting. (I do not know if that is his schedule or not, so don't quote me.) My nephew came with me to Tiburon on Saturday cause I knew I needed some help grabbing tables. He was as dead as me at the end of it all, but I know I couldn't have done it without him.

I didn't get a chance to watch any football yesterday, but from the recaps this morning I didn't really miss anything. Other than Oakland winning over Brett Farve and the Jets. (I'm still tired from Saturday so I could have heard that wrong when I was driving in this morning) It sticks in my mind, so I'm not sure.

Gotta add a picture to this blog. (ok not sure that one worked, but we'll see.) Anyway as I was getting ready to leave the house this morning I checked Myspace and saw a bulletin from one of my friends. (Everyone is a friend on Myspace) It was "Vote YES on Prop 8" Kinda blew me away, I mean who in this day and age can actually be behind that proposition??? I read her little blurb and it truely did not make any sense to me. I replied using my friend Julie's comment on my blog from myspace. I haven't been able to check Myspace from work to see if I'll get a response or not.

It just goes to show that it's in no way a sure thing that Prop 8 will not pass. There is still much work to be done. Domestic partnership is NOT Marriage. The RIGHTS are not the same.

Why is it such a battle over the name?? "Marriage" If two men, or two women get married does it somehow diminish YOUR marriage?? What if it's an interacial marriage? Does that somehow take something away from YOU? Turn the situation around and for a moment think that Gay is the socially accepted thing and if you are straight then marriage is not legal. You could have a domestic partnership, but that would not provide you the same rights and benefits given to those that are MARRIED. How would you like it???

I'll let it go for now, the point has been made and sometimes you can't keep hitting a rock and expect it to suddenly become a tree.

More to come.... stay tuned to this blog...

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

No on Prop 8

2008-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Prop 8, the one that will take away the RIGHTS of people in the State of California. If Prop 8 passes it will remove the right of marriage from gay couples.

I'm not sure I'll ever get married, but I want to have that right.

I haven't done this blog because I can't keep it level. It's way too close to the bone here. How do I explain this?? It's something that straight (man and women) couples take for granted. It's something I took for granted growing up in this country. I was taught there is NOTHING that I cannot do. There is NOTHING that I could not become. Choose what you want and put the work and dedication and you can achieve ANY goal. That's the promise of this country. It doesn't matter your background, your education, etc. If you want it you can get it. It's not handed to you, you gotta work for it, you gotta earn it......but dammit something like Marriage should not be a battle ground.

I saw the best shirt at Castro Street fair.... a guy was wearing it and he passed by... "When do I get to vote on your marriage." Seriously... What's the latest statistic one in two marriages will end in divorce. (That is 50% for those of you that didn't do good in math class.) Seriously what is this so called "sacred" institution of Marriage?? If you don't even take it seriously... "til death do we part".... is there something in the hetro make up that doesn't get it????

My love somehow doesn't equal your love???

Can you explain this to me??

I do not get it......

All I know for sure is that if Prop 8 passes it's gonna be a huge blow for me. Why stay in California?? Why even stay in America??? I've served my country... I LOVE this country. I've gone to WAR for this country.

What do I get in return???

No on 8.... if you're a voter in California. I don't care about anything else you vote on. I don't care who you vote for President... just vote NO on 8.

{*************************} (I give you the energy I have, so you can return it 10 fold to me)
HUGZ to you all.....

Here I am

2008-10-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

Ok so those of you that know my Myspace page you'll already know some of this stuff. Just bear with me cause I gotta give a little background about myself.

Hi!! Welcome to my blog. It's my space to rant about whatever I want. Yep I'm on Myspace (Click here) Yeah this is much cooler....fully functioning blog. That link thing is SWEET!!

Anyway I'm a guy, 40 (2008), white, gay, single... if you want more info, you gotta ask me. (I'll work out those details as I get to know this site.) Just a quickie here while dinner finishes cooking. (Pork and rice and not at all what you are thinking right now.)

Yeah I'm blogging over here cause Myspace is being my home of "Mobsters" and I've wanted to put a blog out that ANYONE can read. You don't have to be a member of the site. (Yeah Butterfly it's for you, and others)

I try to keep on the positive tip. I KNOW that if you put out POSITIVE, you get it back. Same for Negative. I'm on my own journey through this world, I've met others that help, some that hinder, but I know I've needed them all to get to this point. Lessons are to be learned, and there are no shortcuts.

So I'll end this now, and I'll do more later.

{************} My shot of energy to you.
HUGZ to you all!!!