Wow, this year's birthday wasn't too bad afterall. My department took me out to lunch at Z-Tejas. And I got a lifetime service to Tivo from Karen, Joe, Tommy, and a few of my fellow co workers. Thank you everyone for the gift. It's freaking awesome. Although I didnt set it up correctly and missed my first two recordings (ucla's comeback win against Stanford, and the Kings/Blues game), its by far a freakin awesome machine. I'll have to buy a wireless adapter for it sometime this week.

Friday night was pretty chill. I was going to throw something like at Dave & Busters, but it seemed everyone had plans. And plus, I was lazy. I don't like planning for these things. So instead, I just had some pizza, two of my 'sisters' came over, Chelsea and Kristine. We watched Anchorman, and Joe got me pretty faded with some Jaeger shots. Thanks Joe!

Again, thanks for making my birthday very memorable. Though I didn't do much, I couldn't ask for anything more or better!

Its always fun to get together with the family for a few hours, and that's what I did on Saturday for lunch. I also found out my sister and her family will be at our parents for Thanksgiving. So that's something I'm really looking forward to.

The rest of the day, Tommy, Jevon, Joe, Glenn, Jay, Lou, Ryan, Karen, and I helped Cicely and Belle move in to their new apartment. It sucked that they didn't have electricity, though having dinner a Noodle Planet, and just bonding in their living room lit with candles was so fun. Little moments like this is priceless and just creates memories with one another. Its always fun when we all get together as a group. Nothing but a bunch of laughs and good times.

Today's softball game was the fastest ever. 45 minutes! Of course we lost, but we all played great. We didn't have as much people there which wasn't as fun, but still had a good time. Hopefully next week, we'll have some regulars back. And welcome back Jon Almero, first game of the season!

Again, thank you everyone who made my birthday special this year. I love you all!

Daylight savings begins. Another extra hour of sleep! Whoo hoo! But a longer day at work. Boo!!

I scored my first goal in almost 3 years last night in a loosing effort, 6-2. It came off of the the slowest slap shots you'll ever see. So slow, that it surprised the goalie and went in between his pads. Oh well, I'll take it. Though we lost, I felt we all played great. I'm slowly getting back to my normal self, but still not 100%. I think we could've won the game if we had more players. I think in the end, we all just got tired. I have a sore back to prove it.

So my first goal of the season, is dedicated to my bro Bobby, who's been having sharp pains in his head. Hope you're feeling better man!

And Happy Birthday to Greg Manley!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!

Man, there a some concerts that I wanna go to.

The first is Depeche Mode's concert in November in Anaheim. My co worker has connections there, so there might be a chance I can watch for free. I saw Depeche live back in 1990 during the Violator Tour at Dodger Stadium. That was my first concert ever. I'm just a little curious how they are now live. In 2000, they were voted as KROQ's greatest band of all time by the fans.

The 2nd concert is Kanye West's concert at UCI. I've never been to a Hip Hop concert, and I figured this might be a good chance to see a legit rapper. Hip hop nowadays just isn't the same as it was before. But I like Kanye's style so I might check it out.

The third concert is 311's concert that just went on sale this weekend at the Wiltern. I'm not much of a 311 fan, but I've recently listened to their Greatest Hits album and I like it. I've heard their first album back in 95, but haven't really kept up with them. But their style is pretty cool. A little bit of reggae, ska, rock, and hip hop.

I haven't been to a concert since I saw Incubus twice last year in a matter of days, once in Vegas and 3 days later at the Pond. The concert was freakin awesome. I heard they are back in the studio recording a new album, so hopefully I'll get to see them on tour in about a year.

Had a nice weekend. But it went by too fast.

Friday, I decided to go to the Mai Tai Bar in Long Beach to celebrate Theda's birthday. It was pretty fun, had some drinks, kicked it with some friends. Had Roscoe's afterwards...2nd trip two weeks. It was fun until...(continued in the next few paragraphs)

Saturday, went home to Oxnard to see the folks. Enjoyed some home cooked food, shopped for some cleats for softball that I never bought, and headed back to Irvine.

Sunday, woke up to shop for cleats that I never bought again, showed up 5 minutes late to my 1st of 2 softball games, which ended in a forfeit. So yes, we won our first game! By forfeit! Of course, we got blown out 15-0 during the 2nd game.

Do I care that we lost?? Hell no. I love showing up seeing my friends and just having plain simple fun. Its sad that some people don't see it that way.

Funny...this is the 2nd game this week in which my team has won by forfeit (we won our hockey game on Wednesday cuz the other team didn't pay their dues on time).

Would've been a perfect weekend until...(continued from 2nd paragraph)...

Someone swiped my BofA card and wiped out my entire checking account. I found out when we went to National's for lunch after our softball games and my card got declined. So I came home to find out that about $1500 used in transactions.

Can you fuckin believe that? I dont think I even had $1500 in my account! My savings might've covered for the overdraft.

This person spent a lot too. Almost $800 at Sears, $300 at Victoria's Secret (fucker couldn't settle for Hanes), filled up gas twice at Shell (fucker couldn't use Arco?), so that was about $90. Bought some shit at Rite Aid.

Completely wiped out! I called BofA and I'll get my money back tomorrow since it was all pending transactions. I have to wait till they actually go through. But shit, just sucks that you become a victim of fraud. I have an idea that my card number got swiped at Mai Tai. That was the only time my card wasn't with me. So I'm suspicious.

I'll file a claim tomorrow and I'll let them know what might've happen. I also have to wait 7-10 days for a new card to come. So in the mean time, I dont think I can withdraw any cash or buy anything (which might be a good thing). But damn, just sucks that this happened.

In the meantime, I will be taking donations to help out the Joesan's Money got Wiped Out Relief Fund.

I'm in Oxnard today with the family. Just having a nice relaxing day here. I haven't seen my folks in almost two months. I finally gave them their souveneirs from Chicago.

Left Irvine around 10:30 and I hit traffic near LAX. Its been foggy all day, so I decided to take PCH all the way up from the 10 freeway, since I didn't think a lot of people would be hitting the beach this morning. It was a nice smooth drive. Although there was this house on sale that was painted in a pastel combination of purple, yellow, white, and pink.

Gee I wonder why its on sale? And how much is that ugly thing going for??

A cool coincidence. I put in my Incubus Morning View CD. In the middle of the track, while I was driving through Malibu, I passed by a street called Morning View.

Hmmm...possibly where Incubus recorded the album?? (They did record the album in an empty mansion in Malibu)

Gonna relax the rest of the day. Gotta take advantage of my mom's cooking, free laundry, and the outlets.

Just had an interesting thought from last night's episode of E.R.

Dr. Pratt and his lady started arguing about his dad outside this lounge. He started yelling, she started yelling. And then all of a sudden they start making out. And I'm not talking about little kisses, and I'm talking devouring and eating the hell out of each other. Then they ended at one's apartment and they began to start knockin boots.

Its kinda odd, but I don't think I'd fight with a girl and then ended up just freaking trying to swallow each other whole. I'd be like 'fuck you bitch! you're walking home!'

But, you must be one horny bastard to actually get in a fight with your lady then start slobbering each other.

I guess certain people just like it rough that way.

Oh man, I have a week to renew my drivers license. And its not that I have to just sign the renewal form, pay the fee, and mail it in. I have to actually go in to the DMV and take a new picture. I guess that's okay cuz my picture and info is out dated. I think I was 17 when I took mine. And my height and weight isn't 5' 4" 115 lbs, respectively.

Come to think of it, that's almost a girl's height and weight. How gay is that?

But just sucks that I have to go in and do it. I looked on the internet and it said it can take up to two months for a new drivers license to come in. What also sucks was last Saturday was the only Saturday the DMV is open for the month. I guess I have to go in during my lunch break to renew it. And man, I have to pay $25 this time. I swear last time, it was only $15 at the most.

Finally got my DVD shelf up on the wall. Thanks to Ryan for all the help. Got my hockey trophies on top of them. Yeah, all 3 of them. Haha!

Wow, it freakin rained. First storm of the season. It didn't rain too much, but it was pretty crazy watching Lost with thunder and lighting flashing in the background. Hope there is more rain to come.

More rain = snow = calling in sick = snowboarding = having a blast!

Freak, I bought this DVD shelf from Ikea like over a year ago. And I've yet to put it up. One of the reasons was because I needed to buy a drill, and at the time, I didn't wanna buy one, and was too lazy to borrow one. Well, after moving I finally have the opportunity to do so. I bought a drill, and some new bits and drivers. Now I can put up the shelf and mount it to my wall right??

Not quite...the shelf didn't come with screws to mount them to the wall since every person has a different wall. So...Tommy has these screws with the anchors, but after drilling two holes, stickin the anchors in, I find out that the screws are too small.

So, today after work, I go to Ace Hardware, and not knowing what size I might need, I buy two sets of screws with anchors (like $3 total). I come home, and find out that I don't have the right size drill bit to drill the right hole size for the anchor to fit.

What the fuck dude?? All I want to do is hang this DVD shelf so I can put all my DVD's and games in there. I've spent so much time and effort on this stupid thing, and then I find out the drill bit size is too small for the hole. Frustrating!!

Oh well...

We lost our softball game again yesterday, 15-1. It wasn't as fun as last week, I guess since our opponents were a little bit more of cocky jerks than last week. Oh well, whatever. I was actually more pissed off that me and Jemm got shuffled around to positions we weren't comfortable with. Before the game, we spent over an hour at our normal positions (me at Shortstop, Jem and 3rd), and we both were doing good. So what happens when we get switched?? We mishandle everything during the game. I blame myself cuz I think I could've played better, but I thought that was a bone-head move by our bone-head manager.

Oh well, next week we have a double header, so hopefully we can actually win one of them.

Overall, the weekend was almost perfect. UCLA won, Michigan won (friggin about time), the Angels lost, the Kings won, I won my fantasy football and hockey games, but shit....USC had to freakin win with 3 seconds left. WTF??

It's official...

I'm addicted to LOST. That show is freakin awesome. I know, I'm late, but man the thing so addicting!

I bought Karen the DVD set of the first season, and we've been watching about 2 episodes a night. We have two more discs to go (eight episodes) so we'll be caught up by the weekend hopefully. And hopefully, we'll be caught up by Wednesday with the new episodes. We've just discovered Sawyer's past. Pretty interesting.

Note to self: give Joe a DVD-R to burn new episodes.

I don't think I've been this involved with a TV series since 2000 when I'd be watching Friends, New York Undercover, and ER on Thursday nights. I think that's the only night I'd watch TV. But thanks to Karen, and also my roommates, I've been watching more TV than usual. I don't have a set schedule on what to watch on what days. But as of now, its The Office and Law & Order SVU on Tuesdays and Joey and ER on Thursdays. Its cool cuz I get to do my ER discussion with Kristine. I don't really know who else to discuss and analyze ER with, but its cool. I would be watching Lost in between days, but I'll be caught up soon and will have nothing to watch.

Well, I could start on my ER Season 2 DVD set which I bought from Target last week for only $19.00 Not too shabby. I'm not sure if I've finished Season 1 yet. But I've seen them anyway.

Oh by the way if you are an ER fan reading this before 8:00 pm Friday, October 14, 2005, ER Season 1 DVD's are on sale at Fry's for only $14. This gives you an hour to finish reading the rest of this post, hop in your car, and drive down to Fry's. Or if you have today's ad with you, price match it at Circuit City or Best Buy since Fry's is just a fucked up place to be if you don't know what you're looking for.

Speaking of ER, I think its going downhill now. So far, this season is tanking. It's not as entertaining. I think they're trying too hard, trying to find new fill-ins like Danny Glover, that nasty chick from 3rd Rock, and John Leguizamo. The hightlight so far was seeing Nila in her skimpy nurse outfit, posing for Gallant. I think its time to close down the ER soon. There's no way Morris is gonna run that ER successfully.

Crap, we have free HBO for two months. Since I switched my account over from Greenmoor to here, the customer service dude offered it to me for free. I think I'm going to be a couch potato pretty soon.

So the whole softball/hockey thing...

Yeah from a competitive perspective, we'll probably be losing all of games this season. For both sports, they put us in a more competitive division. So in a way that sucks. But it's still a lot of fun.

We had our first softball game this past weekend. We played a team that has been playing for 10 years. I don't even know what the score was because we lost by the mercy rule. Shoot, by the time it was the 5th inning, we needed 8 runs just to be withing the mercy rule. But we lost...a billion cagillion to 4. Lou Lavarro hit a 3 run homer. That was our highlight of the day. But I'll admit, it was a lot of fun. I don't remember seeing a team getting blown out that much, and then end up laughing and smiling in the end.

Hockey...is slightly different. I think all but 2 of us haven't played hockey in two or three years. So we're all out of shape. We've lost 8-1 and 6-1. The first game was bunch of laughs. Last night's game, was a little more frustrating. But what do u expect, we're out of shape, have no chemistry, and we're in a division where the skill is more advanced than its suppose to be.

No goals or assists so far. Just 2 penalty minutes for holding. I blew an open net the first game, and blasted a slap shot just wide on the left side. Hopefully, next week we'll make some progress and score 2 goals.

Oh man, I just saw my first Christmas commercial this season on T.V. a couple of days ago. I think it was a commercial for Carnival Cruises. They had the Christmas lights, snow, and everything.

We're barely into October and they're already thinking about Christmas. WTF??

Christmas time is always fun cuz you get to spend time with friends and family, and its also the first few days of snowboarding season. But man, this year is going by too fast.

What's worse is I'm getting old! Boo!

Okay, its been a while since I've updated this sucker. A lot has happened, so lets see how much I remember to cover...

First things first, after 2 years at Greenmoor, and 5 years living with certain people, I have finally moved out. How do I feel? FREAKIN HAPPY!! My roommates are freakin awesome! Probably one of the best things about it...no more cats!!! No more fur on my couches and tables! No more fur I'd have to pick off of my food and throw away! (Gross huh?) and I can finally leave my door open and not worry about them walking in my room. The best thing, rent is finally fair. I don't have to worry about covering for people that refuse to pay or couldn't afford their share of rent. I still don't understand it...I worked part time hours with a lower pay and I was still able to afford paying rent for my own room.

Is there anything I would change? Well during the last few months of my stay there, yeah I would've changed. In the last year, I've questioned my friendship with a certain someone, and I've slowly found my answer. When a person doesn't show up to your roommate's suprise birthday celebration, and after making it clear what time to be there, because that person would rather play basketball with his friends and become the last person to show up, that starts to answer my question. When you do all you can for people, like saving them from unemployment and hooking them up with a job, and you don't get a thank you, that says a lot. When you carpool with others to work when your car goes down, and when you don't offer to drive the following week or don't offer to pay gas, sure that's gonna say something.

One word...selfish. I'm a very patient person, I've put up with a lot. But when you pile a bunch of bullshit on me, I'm gonna explode and become pissed. And when people become selfish, and rather think for themselves than others, that just adds to it.

I'm still pissed about the whole thing...but I'm slowly getting over it.

On to better things....

I've joined up a softball league with my friends in Cerritos. I've never played in a league before so it'll be fun. Bought a new glove and some batting gloves. Went to the cages a couple of times, practice the past two weekends. Now our first game is this Sunday. What sucks is that we have 20 people in our roster. So I dunno how we're gonna work that out. But what's cool is that it's co-ed, so that's gonna be a lot of fun.

I've also decided to rejoin hockey. With the return of the NHL, I've decided to lace them up again. My first game in two years will be this Wednesday at 10pm at the Anaheim Hockey Club. I bought brand new equipment, my jersey is on its way, and I'm ready to play. I went to slap the puck around at a park in Tustin. I got dressed up and everything. But I forgot something very important...the puck. So I just skated around the rink, trying to get the feel again. Its been the first time I skated in over a year. My only practice will be my warm up prior to the game. So I'll be ready, hehe.

Speaking of hockey, I had the chance to attend the Mighty Ducks meet and greet. Yeah I know, I stepped into enemy territory. But the only reason I went was to get my Sergei Fedorov Detroit Red Wings jersey signed. And plus it was free, thanks to my co worker, Jonathan. Click here for the pics.

Fedorov was really cool. He was able to sign my jersey and I was able to take a picture with him. He actually commented my camera, saying that it was cool and he had the exact same camera. I thought it was cool just meeting him. The rest of the time, I just went around and took pictures of players, like J.S. Giguere, Petr Sykora, the Niedermeyer brothers, and Teemu Selanne.

Life's full of ups and downs. But right now, everything's looking pretty positive.

Had a pretty nice weekend.

Friday, I went to the batting cages with Son, Don, and E-Man from work. Gotta prep up for the new softball season I'm joining in Cerritos. I bought new batting gloves, and got blisters on both of my thumbs. Its not too bad, they're almost healed up now. There were a few that I hit pretty hard. Hopefully that'll carry on to the season. I did better than I thought I would. But towards the end, I got tired and couldn't swing. I'm still pretty sore.

Yesterday, Karen and I went to the Kings/Ducks preseason game. Its been over a year since I last watched a live game. And what a way to start the season with free tix to a preseason opener. It was really fun. Karen wore here new Luc Robitaille jersey for the first time. It was a fight and penalty filled game. At one point the Ducks had a 9 minute powerplay that was unheard of. The score was 2-0 at the end of the 1st, but the Kings came back and scored 4 times to win 4-2. Alexander Frolov scored 2 goals, while newcomer Jeremy Roenick had 3 assists. We didn't see some other players like Mattias Norstrom, Luc Robitaille, and Valeri Bure in the game. I guess they wanted to rest some of the vets, and dress the rookies. Got to see Pavol Demitra and for the first time, Jeremy Roenick in a Kings jersey. I hope they do good. Click here for pictures!

Today, just watched football on T.V Also ran some errands, then packed up some stuff and moved in to our new place. Only a couple of more weeks left, but we'll be out pretty soon. I'm pretty excited, yet still pissed off. Oh well, change of scenery will be good, then I wouldn't have to come home with such a bad attitude anymore.

Today is the 4th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Its crazy how its already been 4 years. I still remember that day clearly.

I remember being waken up by Rozanno's cell phone. I guess his mom was saying two bombs exploded in New York. This was still around 6 am, so I was still half asleep. I went back to sleep and woke up around 8 to get ready for work. When I went to go outside to put my shoes on, the news was on in the living room and I was just shocked what I was seeing.

I then left for work, heading north on Main Street in Irvine. It was pretty eerie, as there was no planes flying into John Wayne Airport that morning. Throughout the day at work, they kept televising the planes hitting the WTC. I don't think I was more stunned that day. What sucked was that all the buildings and offices around the Center were closed. After awhile, the Center's administration office also closed for the day. But for us Box Office employees, we had to stay open. I found it ridiculous that everyone went home for the day, but we had to stay open. I understand that we're open 24/7 365 days of the year. But in the wake of a disaster, we have to stay open? Sad but true.

Today, Karen and I watched the 9/11 documentary that we Netflix'd. I've already seen this when they televised it on the 6th month anniversary. Its basically about two French filmakers that were suppose to film a rookie fire fighter, becoming a man in New York. It turned out to be a documentary of the tragedy, which depicts video o the first plane hitting, as well as the two towers collapsing while firemen were inside. It's a pretty interesting, yet sad documentary. I recommend you watching it. It just gives a small taste of what the people in New York went through that day.

On that note, my thoughts and prayers go out to those families and victims lost on 9/11 as well as those involved with Hurricane Katrina more recently.

Happy 2 year Anniversary, Karen! Dinner was great!! I can't believe I finished a whole 10 oz Prime Rib. It was soooo good!! Hope to celebrate many more anniversaries with you!!

Today, Michigan lost to Notre Dame. Chad Henne played an awful game and Coach Lloyd Carr called some awful plays. I hope he gets fired. He doesn't win the big games. On a brighter note, the Dodgers won 3-1 today, even though their playoff chances are slimming. And the last time I saw, UCLA was up 49-14 against Rice at the half. Oh yeah, and Ohio State lost today to Texas.

Watched the first episode of Lost today on DVD, followed by Crash. That movie is freakin awesome. Well written and well acted. It makes you think about life and what we face everyday. Sadly enough, its something that will take a long time to be fixed.

Also went to Ikea today. Saw some stuff I want to buy for our new apartment. I can't wait to move out. I can't wait where I can walk into an apartment where I can be laid back and free. Soon, I wont have to worry about fur sticking to my clothes since no one here cares to vacuum (a piece of equipment that is mine) the couches (that are mine also) from cats (not mine) laying down or their lazy asses all day. Nor do people here clean the dining table (mine) after eating, nor dust around the t.v./home theater system (mine as well).

Everyday, I'm getting more excited moving out from this place. I'm excited about living with my new roommates. They're a lot more responsible and take more initiative.

I've already heard them say 'Thanks, Joes' to me. Now that's a first.

I hate it here. I hate it here. I hate it here.

First full weekend of football tomorrow. That's something to be happy about.

Just got back from our Labor Day trip to Chicago. Probably the best trip ever! We did a lot, had a lot of pizza, watched Wicked, rode the El, went up top to Sears Tower, went to Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Signature Lounge up the Hancock Tower, a Chicago River/Lake Michigan Tour, and Wrigley Field.

Click here for pictures.

Chicago is such a beautiful place, combined with both contemporary/modern buildings allong with old historic ones. Shopping and restaurants were down the street, with the subway station a few blocks away. I'd love to live here, though I'm not too sure if I can deal with the weather. We picked a perfect weekend to go, not too hot or humid. But I know its not always like that.

Wicked was a nice musical, although I was really tired Friday night. I only got 45 minutes of sleep and wasn't able to sleep on the plane. Southwest isn't that comfortable. I probably would've enjoyed it more if I wasn't too tired. But it was pretty good. However, it was overplayed at our hotel room by Karen and Kristine. Good thing I slept outside in the living room with Ryan and Jevon. Ana Gasteyer was really good. Ben Vereen played the Wizard as an understudy.

Honestly, its a good musical, but its getting really played out for me. Its a good musical, but its not the greatest.

Lots of fun and laughs. It was a great way to get away from California and all the shit that's been going on with me the past month or so. Now its back home for more bullshit the rest of the month.

I can't wait to move out of my apartment already.

One more week....

till I finally use my new DELSEY luggage, in which we will...

wake up early and drive to LAX to catch our 7:30 flight to...

CHICAGO!!!, where we also....

watch the Broadway musical WICKED!!!...

then afterwards celebrate the birthday of LOU LAVARRO!!!

4 days, 3 nights, with my friends who have been quoted as, 'too cool.'

I can finally get away from the bullshit that's being going on here the last month!!

Lately, I've been pretty excited about things that are coming up. Of course, one of them will be the Chicago trip. I've never been on an airplane heading past Las Vegas, though we did some traveling when I was very young when my dad served in the Navy. But I haven't been on an airplane vacation wise. I wouldn't necessariy count the 50 minute flight to Vegas, since its primary excuse is to avoid traffic on the 91 and 15. A little more than two weeks to go.

The other thing I'm excited about is the return of hockey, my beloved sport. After a full year cancelled due to an owners lockout, the game is back on the ice, with a whole new game. The new salary cap system has changed the economics of the game, and I'm excited about my Los Angeles Kings. We've resigned Luc Robitaille, traded for Jeremy Roenick, signed Pavol Demitra, resigned Alexander Frolov to a long term deal, and also signed Valeri Bure (that's right, Full House's Candace Cameron-Bure's husband.) We've lost Ziggy Palffy, but his lost doesn't take any excitement away from the game. I've already got my free pre-season tickets against the Ducks on September 17th. It'll be an exciting year.

The return to hockey has also prompted me to lace up the skates again. That's right, I've decided to return to league play roller hockey. I've rejoined some old teammates and we will be starting sometime in October at the Anaheim Hockey Club. I haven't played since 2002 at the old Gretzky Center in Irvine. So I've got a lot of conditioning and practicing to do. I also got to get new equipment and new skates. I'm probably gonna get new skates, new gloves, and a new bag. I've had my gloves for about 12 years so that needs to change. My current bag doesn't have a shoulder strap since it ripped off. My skates are currently uncomfortable. So I'm about to get these bad boys:



















These are the Nike Quest Hi Ho Silver. Yeah the name is pretty funny, but its practially the best boot out there. Funny enough, these skates actually run pretty big, so I can actually fit the biggest junior size. What's even better, it's a lot cheaper than adult sizes. I couldn't believe it myself when I tried these on...that I can actually fit a junior size. I wear a fitted size 8 shoe. With this skate, I can fit a size 5.5. Adult price, $400. Junior size, $200. Not too shabby huh?? Most hockey skates usually run about 1 to 2 sizes smaller than your normal foot. I'm just suprised these Nike skates ran really big, almost 3 sizes smaller than your normal shoe size. What's best, they're Nike's! I hope to get these sometime in the next week or so.

Here's a couple of action shots:















Yeah, that's iddy biddy me taking the face-off.

















Me, no where near the puck.

Maybe I'll have more action shots to post up this fall. Stay tuned!!

Busy weekend. Worked on Saturday for our Broadway Seat Sale. It was pretty fun, although we didn't have Lawry's catering this year. Pizza will do just fine. Thanks Karen for ordering! Afterwards, I went to Friday's with Chels and Karen, and vented about stuff going on. Got home, and knocked out for 3 hours. I was exhausted in the end. Had dinner and watched Coach Carter, which I may say is a pretty good movie.

Sunday, went to the beach to hang out with some friends and had dinner with Karen's family to celebrate her brother's birthday. Afterwards, went to Walmart and did some small shopping.

Monday, I went to work for a few hours to do my reports. My numbers were off, but I just wanted to get the heck out of there. Stayed at work till about 11, then took the rest of the day off using my comp time from Saturday, and met up with Karen's family and relatives from Illinois at California Advernture. It was very hot, but we had a lot of fun. It was suprisingly empty at the park, even though there was traffic for parking. California Screamin was closed due to a previous accident a couple of weeks ago, but we still had fun. Rode Tower of Terror 3 times, Grizzly Bear Run twice, and rode Soarin over California. Didn't get to go into Disneyland, but I have a passport that can take me there anytime I want.

On a sad note, it was back to work for the rest of the week on Tuesday.

On an even sadder note, long time ABC journalist and anchorman Peter Jennings past away this week. If there was another person that was a part of my life ever since the beginning, besides my family, it would probably be him. I remember coming home from school and watching World News Tonight every weekday at 6:30 with parents every now and then. Whenever there were significant events occuring in the world, I would always turn to him. Even now, before he left the air in April, I would occasionally watch the news.

I don't think there's another person that can cover the news better than he did. He was simply the best. I watched a 2 hour special tribute today on him, and I was just overwhelmed the job he did and all that he covered. From the Challenger disaster to 9/11, he was the best. I didn't even know he was Canadian until he became an American citizen in 2003.

Karen summed it up best earlier today. She said, 'They always take the good ones.' And that's really true, and sometimes unfair. I know all this does sound cheesy, but the guy was just a classy person...someone who cannot be replaced.