Wow, its already August. This year is definitely going by too fast. It only felt like yesterday the entire gang was counting the days for our massive group trip to Chicago during Labor Day weekend last year. I think it was about a year ago today I bought new luggage just for the trip along purchasing tickets for Wicked. This year...for myself, nothing really to look forward to. I guess the only significant thing is the opening of the new concert hall across the street from work, (which for some reason I feel wont be ready, even though it has to). And its not as if I have something to do with it or better yet is going to affect me in anyway. It's not as if we're going to get a huge paycheck once it opens. Just another building to stare at...and practice taking pictures of too. I went on another tour of it with our reps from Cox Media. It really looks impressive, but I just have this weird feeling it wont be done. Here's a sneak peak of what it looks inside.




Seats are installed, but still got a lot of work to do. There's still scaffolding throughout the building and the landscaping outside is no where near complete. Although, they do have that $7 million rusted wart growing out of the ground, as depicted in Karen's blog.

Didn't do much this weekend, although had our first double date with Cat and Joe. We watched Talladega Nights, and man it was so hilarious. I can't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but there so many lines in that movie that just make you crack up. I'd definitely watch it again instantly!

After that...nothing huge. Went to Hawthorne with Karen and went out to dinner that night. Watched The Girls Next Door for the first time...the reality show about Hugh Hefner's girlfriends at the Playboy Mansion. It's actually quite entertaining. Other than that...blah...

Sorta went crazy shopping on Friday also...ordered my flash and diffuser for my camera, and also spent over $100 on a brand new softball bat. I dunno why, but I just had this high to spend spend spend. I guess since we got that bonus check, I felt rich, even though it wasn't much. I easily spent almost $400 in a matter of minutes, which is huge for me since I'm not much of a big shopper. I don't even know why I freakin bought a bat. Maybe cuz it was worth over $250 and got a good deal of it. I'm not much of a power hitter, but maybe it'll help me get some power. I used a similar Easton Synergy bat once during league play last year and hammered the ball pretty deep. I'm hoping this Easton Stealth model will do the trick, since its almost the same thing.

Speaking of softball/baseball, them Dodgers are looking pretty freakin awesome...10 straight wins. Them trades are really paying off. Oh yeah, so last week I called my account exec for tickets for this weekends Giants/Dodger series. She emailed me back today saying that she got free tickets for Sunday's game and she was going to put it in the mail immediately. I thought to myself...what the heck is going on this weekend? I know I have something planned. Then after 10 minutes I finally remembered...

Wicked

Crap, of all days to get free tickets to the Giants/Dodgers series, had to be on the same day I couldn't go. Sucks because the original time was set at 1:00pm but they moved it to 5:00pm since it will be broadcasted nationally on TV. If it wasn't the case, I'd be able to watch the game then get back in time for dinner with the gang and the show. And what sucks is that Greg Maddux is scheduled to start. Crap! Oh well, hopefully something will turn up Saturday. At least I scored free LA Times suite tickets later this month against the Reds. I love the word FREE when it comes to tickets!

Taco Tuesday tomorrow!! Whoo hoo!! $5 24oz Corona's!!

Freakin crap!

Anxious to see Greg Maddux's debut as a Dodger, I turned on the T.V. at home to find out there was a rain delay at the start of the game, which turned out to be no rain.

So, I'm watching the entire game on T.V. and the guy is throwing a no-hitter....

Until the bottom of the 7th inning, where actual rain forces a delay in the game for about 45 minutes or so.

So now, they're about to re-start the game but they're taking Maddux out.

Dude! If this game started on time without a rain delay in the beginning, who knows...the game could've been over and Maddux would've probably pitched a no-hitter!

Boo on rain-delays! Boo on the decision to take Maddux out for Joe Biemel!

Oh well, go Dodgers!

Crap, I haven't blogged in awhile. Maybe cuz its been so hot lately that all I do when I come home is the usual: check my email, browse espn.com, flickr.com, and then just watch t.v. or crash for a bit. I dunno...I don't have anything really interesting to blog about so you can just go to your next desired page to look at.

And for those who've continued to read, thanks for staying.

Nothing new on my quest for a vacation. Still undecided. I really really want to go to New York, but still debating. Its pretty expensive hotel wise, so that's what's setting me back. We'll see what happens.

Also, haven't done really anything exciting the past few weeks. Although I did watch the Dodgers lose to the Cardinals last weekend. Hopefully, with their trades they made today they can push for the division title. Can't ask for anything more for free Dodger dogs and free tickets. Thanks again Jay (and Alpine) for hookin it up!

Started playing softball which is the first time I've done anything athletic, besides snowboarding if that really counts. Ankle feels fine, yet I still use my brace as a precaution. I'm still scared to run fast, but I guess I should just start running more often. Started playing with co-workers and even invited Ryan to play tonight. Regardless of having the longest losing streak ever, I'm having a blast playing, and that's what counts. I was really close to see Karen play in any type of sport. She did pinch run though, so I guess that counts. Can't wait for two more weeks to play again. Stupid Box Office staff has a staff meeting next Monday. Boo.

Let me rephrase...Stupid staff meeting (not stupid Box Office staff...well some of them are stupid. Oh, what? =P)

Week started out pretty cool also, receiving a bonus check through work. There were rumors that it wasn't gonna happen, then someone leaked and said that it was a possibility. I still kept it in my mind that it wasn't gonna happen, but it feels pretty cool to get a nice check without expecting it.

Now what to buy.....a new flash? a new tele photo lens? or should I save it for vacation wherever I go? put it in savings?? hmmm...

Ahhh fuck it...I'm going shopping. This is a bonus check, I guess I should splurge on myself. We get paid three times in September so I can always use that extra cash for my vacation.

Happy Birthday Tommy! Sucks you had to be at USC this weekend. But at least we got to hang out at Cat's for the night. Got to eat some great pasta, watch Entourage, and eat some Godiva Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Mmmmm...

Have a great week!

I'm a little bummed right now, finding out that Barbaro's chances for survival now our pretty slim. It was about two months ago we all saw the 3 year old colt break his leg in the Preakness. He looked good and seemed he was gonna pull through, but they're saying on ESPN that his chances of survival are poor. Feel pretty sad about the colt, but hopefully by some miracle, he'll survive.

Anyhow, I've been thinking about traveling lately. And I've sorta narrowed my options...

1) Chicago at the end of October
B) New York in December
III) Hawaii in December

I wouldn't mind visiting Chicago again, there was a lot we could've done while we were there, instead of eating overpriced sushi the last night we were there. Places like the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, I'd still want to check out. Hmm...possibly a Blackhawk game or a preseason Bulls game at the United Center might be an option. Then i'd get to take my picture with the Michael Jordan statue. The food there is freakin awesome, and the people are friendly and helpful (even this bum helped us get back on Michigan Ave). I could probably also hang out with Karen's relatives for a bit also. And after looking at a $200 roundtrip plane ticket during the last weekend of October, I'm very tempted.

New York...I've always wanted to visit that place in the winter when its all decked out in Christmas decorations. And plus, I really wanna lace up the skates at the Rockefeller Center in front of the huge Christmas tree. Hmmm...maybe I can check out a Ranger game there too...or attend an 18,000 seat comedy club (aka a Knicks game at MSG). I could do all touristy stuff, maybe watch a show or something (haha possibly Hairspray or Avenue Q again! Oh, or maybe The Wedding Singer or Spamalot!). But then again...NY is freakin expensive.

Hawaii...I haven't been there since I was in the 4th grade, but I remembered how much I loved it there. It'd be a little more different than Chi-town or NY as its a lil more relaxed. My best friend lives out there and I promised to visit him. Plus, it'd be offseason there, so not as much tourists. However, we all know how pricey Hawaii can get so it's still a question mark.

Don't get me wrong, there a bunch of places I'd want to visit...Canadia, Seattle, Philly, D.C, Boston...but these three places have been on the top of my list lately.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Anyone have any suggestions? Right now I'm leaning towards Chicago cuz its cheaper and its closer to date. I'm just so anxious to travel now because I probably wont be able to travel till next spring or summer (stupid Broadway shows and new concert hall!)

Help meeee!!!

I'm in need of a vacation. A lot of my friends have been on trips lately, and its making me jealous. Kinda sucks though, because I'm not sure if I can take any week long trips this year because of the new hall opening in the fall. And it seems like starting in September, there will be big shows every week, so its not as if I can take off anywhere. Well, I might be able to in November or December, and I'm undecided on where to go. I'm still praying that we can go to New York, but also looking into maybe Hawaii if possible. And this time...I want to spend multiple nights, not just during a 3 day weekend or anything like that. Hopefully a week. But we'll see...I'm in need of one, and after working 12 of the last 14 days, I know Karen would like one also.

Since Karen and I had to work Saturday, the weekend was pretty short. We had our Broadway Seat Sale open house that morning which went okay. Afterwards, we headed to Long Beach for Jovan's birthday with another night of playing Guitar Hero. Still trying to master some of the songs in expert level. Can't wait for the 2nd version to come out in November!

I hope this week goes by pretty fast.

Pictures from the weekend:
Broadway Seat Sale
Guitar Hero at Jovan's

Happy belated 4th everyone!!

Didn't get to enjoy the weekend like some people did. I had to work on Monday, so it was more like a weekend and a day off sorta-type-a deal. However, still had a nice weekend. Went to a birthday party in Carson on Saturday and got to finally see Nacho Libre for free and enjoy some free popcorn and drinks (thanks Klarisse!) Sunday, got free suite tickets to the Dodgers/Angels game at the Los Angeles Angel Stadium of Anaheim of Los Angeles, California with some friends. I had a set of four in the club level and another pair in the suite. And thanks to my Account Exec from Cox Media, I was able to get my friends in the suite with Ryan and me. Free food, free drinks, free alcohol, away from the heat....would've been perfect if the Dodgers won. Here are some pictures from the game and suite.

Monday went to work which was pretty dead. Then enjoyed the holiday at Jay's for a day of chillin, about 9 hours of Guitar Hero, some swimming, poker, and some bbq. This year's festivities didn't include any fireworks, although we can hear plenty around the neighborhood as well as some flashes from the distance. Other than that, not much fireworks. It was cool cuz back in my old apartment, they used to launch fireworks the next block over. So basically, just walk out the front door, and you have the show right in front of you. Oh well no fireworks this year. Here's some pictures from the day.

Not looking forward the rest of the week as we get ready for our annual Broadway Open House Seat Sale. Its pretty much an opportunity for my psycho's to come inside the theater and pick out available seats for the Broadway series. Shouldn't be too bad, but just sucks working on a Saturday. Boo on that!

Back from Vegas! It was cool, actually pretty chill. It was actually freakin hot, around 111 degrees or so (On the way home, Baker was at 124!!). So for the most part, Karen and I stayed indoors in our hotel. Went to the pool twice which felt good and went outlet shopping in which no one was there because they didn't wanna walk around outside. We had some coupons and deals, so we took advantage of the 2-for-1 offer and went up the Eiffel Tower at Paris to snap some pictures. We got there a lil late so the Bellagio fountain show were done for the day. Check out the pics. Also grubbed at the Seafood Buffet at our hotel twice. I can't believe I stuffed myself with so much lobster and crab legs. It's not as if I eat lobster often, so it was all worth it. I wanted to walk around the strip, but it was still too hot at night. Gambled a lil, but lost. Oh well. Karen won on some slots so that was good for her. But for the most part it was just a relaxing trip...no rush into getting up early or trying to dress up and get into clubs and wait all night.

It's pretty cool now that Harrah's is partners with Bally's, Paris, Ceasar's, and of course Rio. They have a complimentary shuttle now that runs to each hotel, so its pretty convenient. And plus they give you deals and coupons within these hotels, so that was pretty helpful cutting down costs. Only regret was probably not being able to take more pictures...maybe next time when the weather is a lil cooler.

I also got to visit my uncle which I haven't seen in years. He's home alone while the rest of his family are in the Philippines. His house is pretty nice...a 4 bedroom house at the base of the mountain (the one you see on the east side of Las Vegas) which back in the late 90's he bought brand new for $119,000. Can you believe that price!!?? Irvine charges half a mil for a 3 bedroom attached condo. Kinda makes me sad, cuz the way California prices are going, I wont be able to buy my own house. Shit, I hope I'm not stuck with IAC for the rest of my life! That would suck.

Okay...time to eat.

Had a chill weekend. Went shopping really late (about 10:15pm) on Saturday at Robinsons-May at Mission Viejo. I needed some new dress shirts and had to take advantage of the 15-hour Father's Day Sale for myself. Also discovered Guitar Hero (thanks Kristine) and played that for a bit that night. It's pretty addicting. Sunday, went to Oxnard to see my dad for Father's Day and just hung out at home. I also waited for my sister and her family to drive up, which wasn't until 10pm. So I chilled with them for an hour before driving back to Irvine. I wished they came earlier that way I could hang out with my neices and nephews more. Its pretty rare that we all get together in Oxnard. My sister, her husband, and their 4 (soon to be 5) kids, its pretty hard to make the drive up from San Clemente. Lucky, they get to stay there for a week while I slave away at work.

Good gawd its been so busy and crazy this week at work. Wicked finally went on sale on Monday and it was pretty crazy. Check out this line (from front to back)









Look at these jackheads. This was taken about 11:00 that morning. If you can notice the line wraps all the way around and back. That guy in the pink is the last one in line at that moment. And that line would not end...from what I heard it was a 6 hour wait for those that stayed in the line. The box office was suppose to close at 6, but had to stay open until 9:30pm. Can't forget about the 2300 or so calls over the phone, which jammed our phonelines (we couldn't make outbound calls), plus the idiots that jammed our website to purchase tickets. A lot of pissed off people...finding out nothing close was available and waiting all day. I've seen the show in Chicago...its good, but it aint the best thing in the world. I've heard people as far as Utah were trying to get tickets.

Now, I don't work at the box office anymore which is great...I don't have to deal with these people. But it just brings back memories of doing on-sales that were crazy, but not as crazy as Wicked, and all the mayhem involved (Mamma Mia, Rent, Phantom, Les Miz, Mariah Carey, Clay Aiken, Jethro Tull, etc.). I felt sorry for those that had to deal with these patrons and their anger for not getting tickets. One patron actually got as far as speaking with one of the Vice Presidents about their anger of having to wait so long and not being able to buy tickets.

I think this week kinda just made my week crazy and kinda made me really irate with just people in general. I've heard people were literally crying because they couldn't get tickets. Bitches, grow up...shit, its just a damn musical. But yeah, it made me want to kill people. This week for me is officially named I Hate People Week. But yeah, a lot of shit going on, not just with Wicked, but other stuff both work related and not.

Let's see what else makes it I Hate People Week...The damn Miami Heat winning the NBA finals (I still can't believe it), the Dodger pitching staff fuckin up, found out the musical I hate the most is coming back to my work, and other stuff.

Highlights for this week....going to Vegas to get away from all the bullshit from this week, my new passion for Guitar Hero. and scored some free tickets to the Dodgers/Angels game next week.

Calgone, take me away!

Watched Les Miz for the final time and it was pretty cool. Man, I've seen it four times and good gawd, Cosette's voice is freakin awful. Everytime I've seen the show, her character has the worse voice. This time it was freakin whiney and annoying. Damn, they should've killed her off and kept Eponine cuz her voice was the best. Speaking of Eponine, I had to keep myself from cracking up after hearing Jovan's story in the car when Eponine was singing "On My Own." And when she started singing higher and louder, I started to sweat cuz it was so hard not to bust out laughing. But dude, the show was long...I guess watching a musical in the middle of the week can be so tiring. But we had pretty dope seats and nothing beats watching it with good friends. Thanks Cicely for getting the tickets and Jay for driving.

Got my Tamaron lens and I'm loving it. Hmmmm...what's next? A new flash?? A new telephoto lens??

Damn, its been warming up lately. It was only a month ago since we went snowboarding. Gotta love this picture...





Thanks Keno for making this dope video of us at Mammoth!!











Check his pictures as well as Cicely's pictures from that weekend.

I'm not gonna post any of my pictures from the Fundoo party since a lot of them were blurry...but here's a picture of us playing Super Bomberman. Gotta love everyone's outfits and expressions as Belle and Cicely battle it out against Jovan and Sherwin.


As evident through Belle's expression, Jovan and Sherwin won!! Good times!

Awesome...

Just watched the beginning of game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals between Carolina and Edmonton. The game is in Edmonton and during the national anthems, the crowd was actually singing the United States national anthem. What was even really cool was halfway through the Canadian national anthem, the guy who sang the anthem stopped and just let the crowd sing the rest of it. Pretty awesome, and much respect to the Edmonton fans. I'm always ehhh when it comes to hockey and Canada, but that was really cool of them to even sing the American national anthem and then go all out with their own. I remembered one time it was either in Toronto or Vancouver where they booed the American national anthem once. That kinda ticked me off cuz that was disrespectful.

Up to now, I'm not sure who to cheer for. I sorta want Edmonton to win just because they're the first 8th seed to ever make the Finals. But they were sorta the rivals of the Kings during the whole Gretzky era. And I also wouldn't mind seeing Carolina win just because its one of them cities in the US that doesn't really favor hockey as much as Northern cities and Canadian cities do. If they win, hopefully it'll just spread a lil more awareness of the sport in the States.

Dodgers are finally in 1st place by themselves (but for how long??)! US lost to the Czechs in World Cup play (boo!)

Didn't do much this weekend except go to the Fundue party at Cicely and Belle's, witnessed a freakin suv smash itself into the wall on the 5 freeway on the way home, and clean our room and apartment. Oh yeah, and finished season 2 of Entourage...again.

The scene: A Tavola Ferranelli Restaurant, Dana Point, CA

6:45pm: Enjoying my first Jack and Coke
7:00pm: Enjoying my second Jack and Coke
7:30pm: Eating Caesar Salad
8:00pm: Devouring my medium rare Filet Mignon
9:30pm: Eating a 3 sampler dessert plate of Tiramisu, Cheesecake, and something else.
11:00pm: leave for Irvine

12:30am: In bed trying to sleep...starting to feel really nauseous
3:00am: Ran to the bathroom and threw up everything I ate for dinner.
3:05am: More yacking.
5:30am: More yacking.
8:00am: Emailed I wasn't coming in to work because of Food Poisoning.

THIS FREAKIN BLOWS!! Of all days, I get a free Filet Mignon, the best ever and I yack it all up! I think it was my leftovers from lunch. Oh man, I hope this doesn't develop to more sickness! Time to lay down again. Entourage Season 2 would've really helped right now.

This was the first weekend in awhile that I had nothing really planned, which was actually good. Getting short on fundage and also been tired from all the traveling...San Diego, Mammoth, Vegas, etc. So it was good to just relax a lil.

Saturday, Karen got her new ride and it looks oh so beautiful. Just a lil worried cuz its her first big investment so I hope she'll be okay with money. I wont spoil the story so just check her blog out once she posts. Dude...it was scorching that day! We were mostly indoors at the Rancho Santa Margarita dealership so it was nice to take advantage of the AC, but outside was ehhh! But congrats on your new purchase Karen!

Sunday, Karen and I took a spontaneous trip to the Pantages to see Hairspray. Honestly, I think its become one of my favorite musicals...the music is cool, dancing is pretty nice, and the story is non-stop entertaining. It sucks, it doesn't have the credentials like Phantom or Les Miz, but I highly recommend it. This was my second time watching it and I think it was the most fun. It had a lot of energy and I guess being surrounded by an L.A. crowd, just made it so much fun. Watching it in Orange County, you don't get the loud cheers, the loud laughs, etc, during the show or after a song. This time around, they were into it, so it made the show that much better. And plus, they were making a lot of L.A. references, like this one dude got chicken and waffles from Roscoe's, even though the setting is in the 60's in Baltimore. It's playing at the Luxor in Vegas, so maybe I'll check it out sometime. Highly recommend.

Anyhow, I'm stuffed and have food coma. Just got back from God-brother's engagment dinner in Dana Point (who is also my sister's husbands younger brother). It's crazy cuz the bride is the 5th child or 11 children! Freakin crazy, and they were all so outgoing and friendly. The menu...oh man...a choice of filet mignon with ravioli and lobster sauce, sea bass, or filet mignon. I chose the filet...I mean heck it was free anyway (along with the cocktails before dinner)! But I had a lot of fun, got to meet my new people, and possibly some future relatives. Dude! I'm gonna have white relatives!! Not that its bad or anything, but dude, I'd never imagine!! At least we wont be that blood related....imagine shopping for 11 kids for Christmas?? oh man, that's too much for me. My sister has 4, working on 5, and that's already too much!! Sheesh, props to white people with big families!

Big day tomorrow...Entourage Season 2 on DVD!

So yesterday at work, I took these pictures of the new Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall during our tour, and now our Public Relations Director wants to use them for our Revue magazine, which is our quarterly calendar magazine we mail out to our patrons. Yeah, I know they're not the greatest, and I don't know how much truth is behind this, but man, that would be totally cool! He told me I'd get recognition/credit for the photo(s). How freakin awesome that would be! I just hope he's referring to the exterior photos, cuz a lot of the indoor photo's are blurry.

Thanks Jon for letting me borrow the lens! I'm for sure gonna buy one soon!

Wow!! What a weekend!!

It couldn't have started off better after receiving a phone call Saturday morning on the way to Vegas. At first, I looked at my caller ID and split second thoughts ran through my head, which included...

"Why are you calling me this early in the morning?"
"Aren't you suppose to be sleeping somewhere in San Diego next to your girlfriend. You must be gay, dude."
"Are you lost? Because you have 784640340769 navigation systems in your car."
"Are you calling me for the Dodger score or any sports score?"

Anyhow, after hearing the news, I couldn't be more happier!!! Congrats to both of you. You guys are the perfect match for each other. And I totally lost my bet with Karen cuz I thought this other couple was going to get engaged first, no offense or anything. Boy, I was wrong, and Karen was right. Luckily money wasn't involved.

But seriously...the news had already made the weekend awesome! And we weren't even in Vegas yet! Congrats again. I love both of you.

Anyhow, Vegas was nice and chill. Started drinking early once we got to Stateline. Drinks were so cheap there too! A lot of people were at Vegas, which meant tables were full, so I didn't gamble. Plus I only brought $40 on me cuz my old ass forgot to go to the bank the night before. Oh well, kept me from gambling and possibly losing more money. But I figured I'm going back in a month, I can gamble then. Checked out Avenue Q and man was it hilarious!! I was laughing so hard at times it hurt!!

We also, grubbed at the Aladdin for dinner and at Gold Coast for Sunday brunch (dude, its so good at Gold Coast!! Not bad for a $13 brunch!). Checked out the Shark Reef again for Mr. XT, but freakin pictures came out too blurry. Also did some shopping at the outlets, which I didn't buy anything. Only stayed for a night, but had a lot of fun and we were able to avoid the Monday traffic. It was possibly the least expensive trip ever to Vegas, yet we had a blast. Can't wait for next month again!

Monday, slept in, went to a couple of car dealerships with Karen and had a bbq here. Thanks Joe and Cat for bbqing!

Okay, time to start shopping for a new lens. Oh yeah!!

I KNOW HER!! I KNOW HER!!!

Sorry Belle, gotta spread the love!!

BELLE IS FAMOUS ARTICLE

Pictures from Sea World & San Diego

Ahhh....what a dope week! Checked out Stomp at the Pantages this past Wednesday with some good friends. As before, such an awesome show. Different cast, but just as talented, and maybe even better. Too bad it wasn't as packed as expected. That show is freakin awesome.

This past weekend was spent at Mammoth for one last snowboarding trip of the season (or is it??....dun dun dun!!) Snow was nice, a lil icy at first but pretty smooth during the afternoon. This was probably one of the chillest and maybe the best trip ever at Mammoth. I dunno why, maybe it was a combination going with a smaller crowd, not a lot of people at the slopes (literally just walk on the lifts), the weather, the food, our location, etc. Ankle was hurting a bit at first, but that was just cuz of my brace I wore. I switched braces during lunch. But after that, we went on a tear on runs, probably did at least 10 runs easily. Later that night, had a nice meal of spaghetti (thanks to Jay and the others that helped out), and watched Remember the Titans on T.V. ("What is pain??? French Bread!!!")

Had an opportunity to board again on Sunday, but stupid rain/snow/wind had to roll in overnight. Oh well, had a blast regardless. No pictures, but hopefully Keno and Cicely will post some soon.

Other highlights of the week...Dodgers swept the Angels (destroying them 31-7 total runs scored), the Oilers are beating the Ducks 2-0, eating a pastrami sandwich and wet fries from The Hat, discovering Super Bomberman and laughing until it hurts after Mammoth for two hours, and the Kings hiring Marc Crawford as their coach.

Lowlights of the week: work, getting sick, watching Barbaro break three bones in his legs (I don't watch horseracing, but love animals. Seeing that horse in pain during the Preakness really made me sad), and finding out a personal unwanted guest coming to my apartment while I was at Mammoth. Oh well what can you do.

Another weekend of fun this week...hitting up Vego and watching Avenue Q. Time to grub at the Aladdin buffet, laugh ourselves till we hurt, then consuming mass amounts of alcohol. Oh yeah!

I didn't realize until this weekend how much fun San Diego can be. Usually, I'm there just to visit family, but sight seeing-wise its freakin awesome. Friday, Karen and I celebrated her birthday first at Sea World. Although the weather wasn't great, mostly gloomy all day, it was really cool. We didn't hit up any of the rides cuz we were there mostly to see the animals. Damn, sea lions are fuckin mean ass animals. You think they're all cute, especially watching the sea lion show, but then you walk across the way where you can feed those bastards, and they can be the meanest sons a bitches ever. There was one that got all jealous and started yelling at one cuz he was being fed. Like little kids or something fighting over candy. Everything else was cool...Shamu, Dolphis, Manatees, Sharks. It was funny cuz we went to the dolphin exhibit, where Karen, me, and this family of 3 got fuckin drenched by a dolphin that swam by. Karen and I didn't get it that bad, but dude, the little kid, probably like 7 years old, got it real bad! He started crying real loud and said, "I got some in my mouth!!" Haha!! It was hilarious!!

Afterwards, we checked in at our hotel at the Westin which is such a dope place because its within walking distance to everything. Later that night, we went to eat at Ra Sushi, drank, then headed back to the hotel. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day, so we visited Balboa Park and went into a couple of museums, drove down to Coronado Island where we walked along the beach, went window shopping, and also had a nice romantic dinner outside along the beach and watched the sun set and the downtown lights turn on. It was awesome! Later that night, I remembered I forgot my dress shoes in irvine, so we just walked around, then ended up at Ra again and drank and ate more food. Yummy! Sunday, walked around next door at Horton Plaza, left for San Clemente to visit her family, then had dinner with Karen's family for Mother's day.

Pretty busy weekend, but I had a blast celebrating Karen's birthday. Happy Birthday again!

Oh yeah, I got to play around with my new dSLR. I'll post some pictures later. I took almost 500 shots so I have to edit some of them out before I post em up.

I had my final physical therapy session today and it went well. There's not much the therapist can do anymore so its all on me. Overall, the ankle feels good, I've been doing some light runs. It doesn't feel the same still, and I dunno if it will ever be. But I'm just glad I can do simple things like walking.

Hmmmm....another free concert that might be on the horizon....check it out.

I might have to dig out my Cross Colors shirt and my Air Jordan IV's for this one!

pics of San Diego to be posted later....

Happy Birthday Karen!!!!

Just got back from the Boyz II Men concert last night, and it was pretty tight! Took me back to my high school/early college years. It kinda sucked that we had to stand the entire time, but hey, it was free! They actually still sound really well as a trio now. As stated earlier, Mike McCary left the group in 2003 because of scoliosis. I remember back in 1998 when I saw them at the Forum, Mike had to just sit on a stool on stage. Pretty sad. But they still can harmonize really well without Mike. They played most of the old school stuff along with some new stuff from their upcoming album that will be out this fall. One of my favorite songs they sang was "Please Don't Go" which is probably my favorite song from the Cooleyhighharmoney album. For some reason, it just sounds dope live. Some of the songs they sang were cut down in length, so in a way that kind of sucked. But I'm glad I got to see them again and knowing that they can put on a good show in front of a sold out House of Blues.

It kinda sucks that they tailed off a bit. I kinda blame the whole pop movement during the late 90's. Yunno, like Brittany, Christina, and those gay-ass boy bands like 'Nsync and Backstreet. (Sorry fans....ahem....Ryan....ahem). j/k!! They took over the airwaves and fans and I guess r&b itself has tanked the past few years. Well, in my opinion. I'm sure they're still good r&b out there, like John Legend and Alicia Keyes, but not much.

Come to think of it, I don't listen to the radio that much anymore in general. Well, for the exception of Kevin & Bean. Probably cuz they play the same shit over and and over again. Today's r&b isn't the same, so I still stick too my high school roots on my Ipod...Shai, Troop, BBD, ABC, Mint Condition, Tony Toni Tone, New Edition, Jodeci, Boyz II Men; and female bands like En Vogue, SWV, TLC, etc. Those were the good old days. Today's r&b isn't just the same anymore (yah, shuddup I'm old!) It's weird, cuz you can listen to these groups and say, 'damn i remember when this song came out.' But some of the stuff they have on now, you probably wont remember it 10 years from now. Again, that's just my opinion.

Here are some pics from the concert. I have some video clips, but I'm feeling lazy right now so I'll post em later. Pretty lucky I got my camera in since I was suppose to check it in after getting searched. But there was a line and Karen was ready to go in already. So we just said f' it, and went in.

As you can see, most of them are blurry, which sucks. With that in mind, I've joined the dSLR club. Hopefully I can take better shots (maybe not at a concert) and wont have to deal with anymore blurriness. But crap, I gotta learn how to use this bad boy.

Oh crap...I just found that my sister is pregnant....AGAIN!! What the eff woman!!?? Slow down!! This is her 5th kid and she's only 33. Good gawd! I swear!! Ever since 1997 with her first child, every two years she gets pregnant. But don't get me wront, I love my neices and nephews, they are the best! They are sooooo cute!!! But man, when they heck are you guys gonna stop!??

Okay, off to San Diego for the weekend. Happy Mother's Day to my mom, sister, grandma, aunts, and all the mothers out there!