Change is good
All this talk about change must come in threes or fours or whatever. I've been offered a new job with my old employer. I had to jump on it because there are so many benefits. I will be working closer to home, in Cordelia. I'm doing something I went to tech school for, network administration. But most importantly I'm getting a raise! I don't know how much time I'll get to spend in front of the internet so I won't be able to catch up to all the blogging as much until I get home but I'm excited at the prospect of not wasting time commuting. Less gas to buy, no toll to pay and I can work my own ours as long as I get nine done, 7 to 4 or 8 to 5, whatever. I will definitely miss all the friends I've made here as well as the good food around the area. Everyone wants to know if there's other positions out there just in case. I'm nervous but I'm up to it. I've been waiting for this for awhile.
Need new sites to visit
I have a daily routine when I get to work, which is to boot up my laptop, get into my different applications and then open up my firefox browser with all of my different bookmarks. When I'm able to I look at all my different sites, reading news articles, op-eds, sports and also blogs. I'm getting burned out on all the news, in my opinion mostly bad. I need to turn to something else. I love reading blogs though, that's cool. I thank
Bev and
Gary for putting up all the links since I'm too lazy to put them on my own. While also at work I need to be careful of which sites I visit. Even some of the ads for everyday products can look like a porn popup.
Just gotta get outta the office
On tuesday I had to do an onsite training session in SF. I always loved being a part of the hustle and bustle that is downtown but I think those days are gone. I'm sure coming all the way from Vacaville doesn't help but it wasn't that bad. What was bad was just trying to get through 80 after Pinole. It took forever for the wife to take me to bart in El Cerrito, then just to wait for the Daly City train took awhile also. I prefer to stand on bart because I hate seeing older folks have to stand but I was a little fatigued myself so I sat, but I sat backwards. I can hang with that too but I did start to feel a little ill as the ride took longer. When I got out of the station at Montgomery I was excited to get on Market and make my way down 2nd with all of the other people then it hit me. It's already crowded walking down the street but then you start to hit spots with those familiar smells... urine. Yes, I said it, urine. I love SF but man if it doesn't have some dirty streets. It could have been some homeless person, it could have been some drunk hanging out after the bar, who knows. That's what I love about Vancouver, it is so clean. I'm sure they have their bad spots too but definitely not like SF.
Anyways, I made way to CNet where the training was but half an hour late. That's grounds for termination. I was in a conference with about 15 people and we went through the product training. One thing about dot coms, the sure do get to dress as they like. There I was in my shirt and tie and there they were in jeans and tshirts, nice. It was also nice to see the diversity in the staff. My stomach started growling so at lunch I made my way back down towards Market. I thought about going to Linda's Place, to get a $5 plate of Pad Thai with one shrimp (yes, literally, one shrimp, right Bev?), but i was still kinda far and didn't have that much time. I walked further and noticed that I was right by my buddy Dom's restaurant, Zebulon. I peeked in and around but didn't see anyone I knew so I left. With no other thoughts of what to eat I just found myself in a 7-11 picking up a Spicy Big Bite, a bag of Muncho's and a can of Arizona iced tea, wow. At least big bites are huge and I love Muncho's and I did only spend under $4. You can easily lose your shirt just trying to but a meal in the city.
I stayed onsite till about 4:30 and made my way back to El Cerrito where the wife and Andres picked me up. I don't think I can do that on a daily basis. I'm already going to put together a proposal for our staff to have the 4-10 option, 4 10 hour workdays. I'm glad that the wife and I commute together more often. There are days where I have to go to the arena or softball or her to CoCo practice but we're saving more on gas and get those extra hours together before work.
Busy bee on a saturday
I still try to act like I'm 25 so on friday nite, I drove up to Sunnuyvale and stayed at my cousins house. We had a softball tourney at Twin Creeks which is right down the road from their place. Unfortunately, on saturday he had an engagement party for he and his fiancee and since I had a gig I couldn't go. I also packed the van with my gig gear and took that to Sunnyvale also since the gig was in SF. I stayed up till 2:30, copying cds for Moe. Thanks to Gary for the hard drive load up. It really helped and it will continually help. 232gigs of music, gigs! Chew on that for awhile.
Anyways, we had to be at the field at 7:45am for a game at 8:30. The tournament was strictly Asian, Pilipino, Pacific Islanders. There were hapa guys there but the majority were full APPI. We lost our first game to some team that was older than us and that's saying something because most of our guys are pretty old. We played our second game at 10:00 and lost to a samoan team. We got spanked 20 something to 1. Yikes. We got lunch at 11:30 at a cheesesteak place just around the corner, dee-lish! We then had our third game at 1:00 and though it was tied 3-3 in the last inning, the other team scored 10 runs and that was the ballgame. That sucked, 0-3 for the tourney. It was just a seeding round so the guys had to play again at 5:30, whereas I had to go to my gig. I got cleaned up at my cousins and made my way out to the city.
Going down 101 I knew that I was going to head to the golden gate bridge so I went to 280 to go through the backside. For all my years living in the city I guess I didn't learn much because I thought I could go straight down 19th Ave. Bad move. I knew I should have went to brotherhood way and cut through the sunset. It took 15 minutes just to get past stonestown! Anyways, I made it to the Golden Gate Yacht Club a little after 4:00 and met Moe there. The wedding was upstairs and the place had no elevator. We had to carry everything up the stairs. Furthermore, Moe was leaving me to do another gig in downtown so I had to bring it all downstairs by myself, oy vey! They gave me the smallest place to set up due to the room being a little small, all good though, I managed, and used minimal equipment.
The wedding was at the end of a pier, long walk for everyone, but really pretty. The reception was in a small restaurant but for the amount of people there it worked out well. Looked like it was pretty full, with about 160 people. The view was fabulous with the Golden Gate bridge and Marin across the way. The sun was shining and the weather was beautiful.
As music goes, I played a lot of country, especially during dinner. She gave me a list of what country songs she was looking for as well a mp3 cd with songs for all night. Some of the songs I was finally able to throw in that I've been aching to play at a wedding: Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama", Rolling Stones "Miss You", Def Leppard "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and Guns N Roses "Paradise City".
I left the city at 12:00am and went to Pleasant Hill where the family was and had to get up at 7:00am to go back to Sunnyvale and play softball at 8:30am. We lost, but it was closer this time. We should have won. I met up back with the family and we all went to the SF Zoo. That was fun.
I'm not a young stallion anymore. I need more weekends than weekdays I'm finding out.
Some people just don't get it
I was on a break at around 10:30am when I took a drive to Costco to fill up the van with gas. I got to listen to Al Franken's show on Air America while on the way. The president in his speech last night announced a phone number to call to give assistance and Al thought it might be a good idea to call the person who had the 1-877-Katrina acronym as a telephone number to maybe offer up their number for usage in the aftermath of the hurricane. The woman who was the owner of the number actually happened to live in Louisiana but apparently was safe from harm. As Al gave her different scenarios of ways that she might cooperative you could hear the apprehension in her voice. He brought up a scenario where she may even receive a monetary gift for her trouble. She wouldn't budge. It was then that she said she was from Louisiana. She then mentioned that it's really not as bad as the media is making it out to be. She also said that her taxes are paying for the recovery anyways. She mentioned that they're all getting $2000 bucks and that they're spending it on designer purses and what not. I was speechless at this point. As the call went on Al kept his poise but was also kind of stumbling in disbelief. You know the phrase, "you can't make this stuff up", well, you just can't make this stuff up. Al asked her what radio program she frequently listened to and apparently it was another right wing host. She was confident in the person that she listened to and mocked Al for not knowing who he was, saying "you know he his, Al."
It's apparent to me that this whole fiasco with the disaster and the aftermath is not going to be handled in the best way possible. Here's what I see happening:
1. N.O. is too toxic to work in and clean up but like in NYC after 9/11, the cleanup crews will be told that everything is fine and that they can go back to work. In later months or years we'll hear of severe illnesses acrrued by those who did their duty to assist in the clean up.
2. Gentrification is working as we speak. One Republican Lousiana state senator said that God did what we could not do, clean up public housing. Many of those now in Houston do not plan on going back to New Orleans.
3. Watch who gets all the contracts to rebuild N.O. It will be anyone and eveyone who supported Bush, but not the actual New Orleanians that do the work. If they do it'll be for lower wages.
4. The mainstream media will not cover the story as thorough as they should.
We gotta take over the house and senate in 2006. No doubt about it.
My First Parent Teacher conference
Wow, I really am getting older. I went to Andres' school for a parent/teacher conference. I still remember my parents going to my old grammar school for theirs. It actually wasn't covering what each specific child was doing, rather, it gave parents an understanding of their method of teaching. It is a Montessori program which allows the student (child) to cultivate whatever interests they are showing. I'm really encouraged because I think Andres is pretty smart. He picks thing up so quickly. It'll really develop his artistic side as well. I watched him during their outdoor time and he was playing in the sand, filling a bucket and building a castle. A little girl kept putting her broom stick in his bucket while he was pouring the sand in and he would get mad, but he never touched her. He just looked at her crazy and told her to stop. Maybe he shoulda smacked her one time and settled it... =)
Thanks to UPSer
Now the the wife is working in CCC and we're both riding in together I have to give a shout out to UPSer for allowing us to use his truck for commuting purposes. Our mornings are simpler now that we can go to Pinole, pick up the truck, go our separate ways, meet back in Pinole and drop off the truck, cross the bridge with 3 people (no toll!) and get home by 6:00pm. I don't have to take the van out and waste gas getting 20 mpgs. I last filled the tank for 50 bucks! Damn. Thanks though bud, you're really taking care of this whole family and I appreciate that.
Anyways, now that I have the truck I get to boom his system since I lost mine when the accord got stolen. Although he doesn't have many cds left in the truck he did have one favorite, Duran Duran's greatest hits. Actually, I think it's just a cd he ripped with some of their songs, not all of them. I popped it in and out came "Hungry Like the Wolf" and there I am singing at the top of my lungs, "In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt, I'm after you...". Then there's one of my sleeper favorites "Union of the Snake". When that song first came out I didn't care too much for it, but you can appreciate the whole song when you understand music and musicians. Back then in the 80s, I just wanted to be able to do my "white people dance" to songs like the Reflex, Rio and others. I just can't believe how well I still remember the lyrics. I guess you'd have to call me a Durany.
PS. Does this mean they're going to send me an invitation to subscribe to Playgirl now?
When you get a chance, read this story....
I read this website daily for my liberal soul. Click
here for an amazing story that took place in New Orleans. Thankfully, it has a happy ending.
Thoughtful tuesdays (or thoughtless)
I'm gonna make Tuesdays my random thoughts, rants and insite day:
I like spicy food especially with hot Jufran, spicy cheese, Habanero sauce.
I drink too much soda. I like water but I need the sweet stuff, especially when it's straight out of an ice cooler.
Barbara Bush is a product of "White Privilege" and that's why she and even her daughter-in-law say the stupid things they say.
I can't believe how many people still support this president after all that he's done and hasn't done.
I'm still a Barry Bonds fan, even though I know he probably took steroids. All I know is he's definitely not the only big name star that did. Shame on me, I know...
If the Niners win their next two games, the bandwagon will be full again.
I'm excited for Likha, it's amazing the amount of traveling that is coming up next year. I hope we're a part of it as well.
Gay marriage is long overdue. I'm so embarrassed that this country is progressing so slowly. If marriage is so sacred, outlaw divorce.
These gas prices suck. I'm glad the wife and I are carpooling again. Andres gets us over the bridge for free! Next year it's going up to $4!
I need new clothes. I look the same everyday I go to work.
I hate trying to keep up with today's new music. It's too damn hard and a lot of it just sucks.
Does it really matter?
Nothing really serious here but I have a funny story to tell about the Niners football game this Sunday. I watched it from home on my lovely 50in HD LCD projection screen, with the full surround sound going. I dropped off Andres at my parents house in the morning so he could join them. I was going nuts throughout the game as the Niners surprised everyone with an explosive 2nd quarter that nearly finished the game then and there. With the lopsided score and the Niners defense in control I then got ready for the wedding reception that we were to attend. The lead was relatively safe, they played a little conservative at the end but they were holding on against a dangerous Rams squad. We went to get gas and the to Target to get the traditional gift card for the couple. While waiting for the wife get the gift, Mr. UPSer called me and we were laughing at how well the Niners were playing when all of a sudden the score and the game was getting away. Although the Niners had a lead of 28-25, they gave the ball back to the Rams who had it all the way to the Niners 35 yard line. At that point there was nothing but bad news going on so I told him lets hang up since the lead started getting away when we started talking. Soon enough, right after we hang up on the next play the Niners get an interception and the game was over. Amazing. I know 70 miles away the Niners could care less if I'm on the phone and that phone call is jinxing them but it's just funny how a little superstition like that can work wonders. The whole time we were on the phone it was just bad play after another but the second we got off all was well again. So I have to ask "does it really matter?" and are we really that connected? I think sports in general does that to you.
Are you ready for some football?
The NFL season is kicking off. It's kicked off for others just last night. I'm excited because we get to watch the games on HD and after seeing it on HD there's nothing like it. My dad, being the loyal fan that he is, still bought season tickets to the Niners for this year. It's been tough to be a Niner fan the past couple of years but I'm still driving the bandwagon, looking for riders. I've been a lucky fan because my family got season tickets back in 1979 and have had them since. So I saw a 2-14 season back then and now another 2-14 season just last year. Inbetween those years though, there is little to complain about. We've had 5 Superbowls, double-digit years in playoff appearances, the honor of seeing greats such as Montana, Lott, Rice, Young and the like. We've even some bums like Laurence Phillips. I can brag that I was at "The Catch", Superbowl XIX at Stanford, all NFC Championship games they've played at home. I've even made friends with Goldrush cheerleaders, though not in that way. (Damn!) So as the season approaches, I hold some optimism that things will get better this year. It's hard to get any worse but you never know. We're actually supposed to go to a wedding this Sunday so I won't be able to watch this weekends opener but I'll have my cellphone with the updates in scores available. I actually have 3 tickets and a parking pass since my parents are also unable to go this weekend so if anyone wants to buy them let me know. It's really fun to be there live, especially on opening day. Go Niners!
Who collects country music?
Ok, here's a shout out to all you country music lovers. I don't have a huge collection but we're deejaying a wedding and their request list has a lot of country artists. Anyone willing to share their collection? I've got tons of music I'd be willing to share with you if you're out there. Let me know!
Thank you Destiny's Child
The Destiny's Child concert was pretty good. They have so many songs, both together and as solo artists. Yes they are all beautiful and talented but for me there's still something missing. They went through all their hits, but I think their solo stuff made the show stand out. We all know Beyonce can do her thing, and Kelly is great as well but Michelle, who knew. She has 2 solo gospel albums and me being the gospel afficianado that I am... Anyways, she was bad-ass. The girl can sing. She was very powerful and had a commanding stage presence. I think everyone was just taking in her singing as she belted her tunes. No sexy outfit, no exotic dance moves, just singing. I miss that in today's artists. The one who sticks out that I can appreciate these days for pure talent is Alicia Keyes. (I hate hearing her talk with that thick New Yorker accent though, just me.) DC is cool party music though, good jams and beats to keep a party "jumpin, jumpin". I'm sure the ladies can relate to their lyrics better than I can. What woman artist today do you really admire?
One of these days I'm gonna have to buy me a mousetrap
We're both home after a long day. The wife had a gig and I worked at the arena. This morning at 8:30 I drove out to Benicia and took batting practice with my teammates. My swing is coming back around and I'm hitting the ball pretty well, down and hard. That was for about 2 1/2 hours, pitching, hitting, fielding and cracking jokes. I went back to the Double V after that and stopped off at Wal-Mart, yes, Wal-Mart. I know, I know.
I just went to buy some mousetraps. New story. On my way to Benicia, the wife called me, terrified about a mouse that she saw. We live right by a field so you just know that they'll find their way out to the homes. After the first scream she screamed again, "There's two of them!" Previously I bought some of those mice boxes that are really sticky and are supposed to catch them but I think they were just laughing at me. I even tried putting peanut butter in them to coax them. It kinda worked because I saw one box moved from it's original spot, but the mouse got away, losing some hair in the process. After telling my softball buddies about my predicament with the mice, my old friend Eddy said to get the old school one, the snapper, and put cheese. So I went to Wal-Mart and bought 2 4-packs for a total of 2 bucks. Cheap! Probably on the backs of Chinese labor, I know. Anyways, I put the cheese in its place and I set the traps, four in total. By this time the wife thought that there might be three so they were all over the house. I got ready for work at the Destiny's Child concert (I'll post about that later) and the wife got ready for the gig.
After getting home around 1:30am, we got the kids in their bed and I proceeded to check on the traps. Sure enough, under the kitchen sink, behind the tv and in the jacket closet, 3 mice, all snapped. It wasn't a pretty picture so I didn't take one. I thought about it, but out of respect to the mice I just couldn't do it. I felt bad already that I had to kill them. After realizing what I had done I just stood there thinking about these dead animals. No they weren't pets but they were just looking for food. I do know that with mice, you just cannot let them take over your house, so it had to be done. I thought about getting a cat but the wife and I are allergic to them. The boys are probably allergic as well. Plus, with a cat they might walk up to you with a half-eaten mouse in their mouth or find it in the corner of the room somewhere. A couple thing ran through my head after seeing the mice: Mickey Mouse, Fievel from American Tail, Three Blind Mice. It made me feel worse. I think I'm just turning soft. And although I had thoughts of a proper burial, we just tossed them out, trap and all.
Thinking through it, and after putting it all here, I realize that it's the hurricanes that's making me sad. There's already been so much death and destruction that I just felt horrible about adding to it. No, the mice are not as important as people. I do feel a little better now but I'll have to be prepared to do it again.
God bless all those in New Orleans
I was driving into work today, on my way to drop off the boys first, listening to Air America radio's morning show. They began to play audio of the mayor, Ray Nagin, who was being interviewed by another radio station, and he told the story of what was going on in the city. My heart started to break and my eyes welled up with tears. With his descriptions of the despair of widespread deaths and the anger of the non-response and assistance, you can just feel the pain that the whole city is going through. If you haven't heard the audio, here's a
link
