I am wasted time...

It's so nice to know that all the work you spent staying up really really late so you can get everything done by a deadline the next morning all went for nothing. Frick. This calls for a cigarette....calgone, take me away!!! So for wasting MY time, I shall wastes work's time until I leave after lunch...bwah ha ha ha

Anyway, I said I was gonna post this pic London drew a while back. It made me laugh so hard. Her imagination is a trip. I remember drawing a bunch of stuff when I was her age(mostly Robotech stuff and jets), but I don't remember witty quotes and funny scenarios. I love this little girl man, she makes the worst day so much better sometimes.

HA HA HA HA HA HA

Can't believe I'm almost done w/ these...

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
16. Pay more attention to blogs when you first hear about them. They’re more than just journals.
I first read about blogs 7-8 years ago, but when I took a look at them they didn’t seem like anything of interest. Just some people’s journals about stuff they read on the web. Why would I want to read those? I have my own thoughts about the web, but I don’t need to share them with the world. I spent a lot of time on the Internet, on various sites and forums, but every time I happened upon a blog I would brush past it without interest. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I discovered what wonderful things they could be (I mentioned some of my early favorites in my list of influences). If I had gotten into blogging years ago … well, I wouldn’t have been wasting all that time.

Ahh, this one is awesome, esp since it is coming through my blog => I first read blogs about 9 years ago..my gosh, 9 years already? wtf!?!? It's a good way to keep up w/ your friends...esp those you don't get a chance to talk to too often. And let's face it...nowadays, it's really tough to hang out with everyone. It's a little impersonal, but people share a lot of stuff on their blogs...some more than others, but sharing nonetheless. Of course, if you really want to find out what's going on in a particular friends' life, then it should be assumed you're making every effort to go out with them and hang out on a more intimate level...but for every day happenings and meanderings, it does the job. But even more, just random blogs out there...some can be so entertaining, funny, and even motivational. Do not undersestimate the power of the blog! Internet is here to stay folks...you either ride the train, or get left behind. I have to admit, blogging has really been on my own list of influences as well. I think it really has given me an avenue to vent, be creative(well, that's relative, cuz I'm not really creative), and just spill my thoughts that I want to spill. Maybe even share some wisdom at times; which is what I'm actually attempting to do right now. Of course, I still am a supporter of journals and recording your personal thoughts, but blogging just offers a different type of "journaling."

Mammoth, here I come baby!

"The secret of success is to do the common things, uncommonly well.
- John D Rockefeller

I am the stress and tension building in my shoulders and upper back...

This is SO gonna be me at work tomorrow...I was actually gonna post a picture that London drew a while back, cuz it is SO funny. However, being as tired as I am right now, I wouldn't do it justice....I'll wait til next post. This one's more fitting for the moment anyway.

Yes...I am awake. I know, what's new? But I am working...yes, I know...lately, what ELSE is new? Blah. So I'm working on stuff cuz I've just been so overloaded with stuff to do lately that I can't get it all done during a typical 9AM - 7PM or 8PM workday lately. Plus there's so many mtgs and other distractions, it's practically impossible to get it all done right now; not to mention a shortage of resources, which I have to utilize when no one else needs them. Erego..I work.

Friggin Lakers - Lost to Charlotte today. Why do they own us man...goodness. Could've been the first western conf team to 50 wins; now it seems like that'll be San Antonio's goal on Friday. We play the Grizz, which SHOULD be a mark in the win column, but the Spurs play

I am way behind on my resolution of reading one book per month. Considering that it is practically April, I will now have 4 books to read by said month's end. Man...oh man. At least I have at least four books with me. That makes me have to read one book every 7.5 days....that's a tall order man. We'll see what I can do; I guess it'll be okay to bleed into the nex month. Maybe 5 books in two months isn't as bad...that brings my per book time to one book every 12.2 days. (I cheated on the second one...my brain was too tired to calculate, so I used the calculator. The first one was all me though...not too shabby for 2:40AM)

Registered for the Santa Monica "Heal the Bay" 10k for May 4th. Been training for the past 2 weeks. I am now up to 3 miles...not too shabby. Just wanna take it slow though and finish the 6.2 miles...or 10k, he he he. I just want another dri-fit shirt...I love those things; they're great workout shirts. And one can never have enough workout shirts :) Comfortable to wear around the house too. Join me, won't you? I stand corrected...it's officially called the Santa Monica Classic; but it's for Heal the Bay...I think, he he he.

Yes, I'm tired...but I will attempt to give my schpeal on the next 20 things that...blah blah blah, if you've been reading, you know what I'm talkin about.
20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
15. Forget the drama. Focus on being happy.
There have been many things that have happened to me, professionally and personally, that seem like the end of the world. And while these things were bad, they get blown up in our heads so that they become major drama. They caused me to be depressed from time to time. What a waste of time. If I realized that it was all in my head, and that I could be happy instead if I focused on the positive, on what I did have, and what I could be doing … I could have skipped all the moping about.

It's hard to separate yourself from the drama when you are neck-deep in it. It IS all in our head, but it is all in our lives as well...at least for the moment. Sometimes, you just can't pull yourself out of the drama. You are allowed to be sad, angry, and emotional...but you can't let it consume you. It's happened to me on occasion, and I'm sure it will again. But always always ALWAYS remember that every thing that happens...something can be learned from it, and really, to look at the positive side. Have your pity party - but limit it to a half a day. And then have a real party!

This makes me smile. One of my favorite bands....

Filipino dude on Journey...awesome! This is one of my favorite songs too.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
- Buddha

I am the sun in the cloudless sky...

It is such a gorgeous day outside...too nice to be workin. I wish I didn't have to. Which makes me focus even more on the countdown to my Hawaii trip! I am physically tired. Yesterday, I just planned to take a 2 mile run and chill at home and work on some stuff there around the house. What ended up happening? Well, I ran w/ Gen for 2 1/2 miles and walked 1/2 a mile after, for my total dist of 3(I know, I'm cheating, but it still counts as distance, he he he), and then I ended up playing ball w/ the boys from 9-MIDNIGHT! I haven't done that....hmmm, actually, I've NEVER done that. Granted, back in the marathon training days, I once ran 4 miles before a game, but that was just one game after the run. This was pickup for 3 hours...I showered and totally knocked out and got pretty good rest, but my legs are killin me right now, he he he. It's a little past the hurts so good stage, but at least I know I got in a really good day of cardio. Hopefully, I still have the energy tonight to hit the weights. Oh yeah, speaking of the gorgeous day, we had a luncheon outside to welcome our new president and bid our outgoing president adieu. It was cool. I asked if we can set up tables outside for the summer to accomodate those who want to spend their lunch time in the sun.

I meant to write about this the other day...
Easter Sunday service at St Tims was totally packed. It was awesome. I love seeing my church filled up like that. One thing about it that made me sad though was that it was packed on Easter. But barely any other time. Christmas is also packed...but I get a little disappointed that it's only these two special occasions when everyone comes out. I really am a proponent of our faith being our own personal thing, but I also realize the importance of community in faith, and that sometimes we have to give each other a nudge to work on ours a little more. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone, but it does to me. Cuz I think I could do more to nudge my loved ones to do the little things...like going to church or praying before meals and stuff like that. Its just that it's so exciting to see so many people at church, but I'd wish it was like that all the time, that we would all realize what we have on regular Sundays, not just those two big occasions...

I'm in Laker mood today.





Don't understand a lick, but I know this is one of the reasons why the girls love Kobe so much. I can't deny my own man-crush on him either, ha ha ha. I love LOS LAKERS!!!! (Thanks Anna for the 2nd and 3rd vids)

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
14. Your kids are going to grow up way faster than you think. Don’t waste a minute.
I just had an Oh My God moment recently. My oldest daughter, Chloe, is 14 going on 15 next month. I have 3 years left with her before she leaves my house and becomes an adult. Three years! I am floored by that single fact, because it really doesn’t seem anywhere near enough time. I want to go back to my younger self and whack that younger Leo on the head and say Stop working so hard! Stop watching TV! Spend more time with your kids! These last 15 years with Chloe (and my other wonderful kids) have gone by much, much too fast.

I'm not quite there just yet, but just seeing London grow up so fast really trips me out. She's already 7, and going on 8 in September. I wish I could spend a lot more time with her. I'm supposed to go to Disneyland with her during the summer, but I'm thinking of taking a day off sooner to go. I remember carrying her when she was just a baby, and I totally thought she hated me, cuz she would cry all the time. It made me kinda sad, but soon enough, she came around and actually wanted me to carry her. I've seen her grow up so fast. Now instead of carrying her, she's running in track meets and telling me all the stuff she's learning about. 10 more years, and she'll be 18...and I, unfortunately, will be 40. Great, I just depressed myself.

I am my giant craving for fast food...

First off, a big huge Happy B-day to Jenn! Hope your b-day is filled with lots of love, fun, and virgin margaritas!!!!

Been a not-so-insane Friday...got to do an easter egg hunt around the office. I couldn't even find one egg, someone just gave me one, cuz they went over the limit of 2 max per person, he he he. But it was good to get up and just lounge around with folk for a bit. Just a couple of minor meetings today, nothin out of the ordinary. Has got to be the most chill day I've had in about a month here at work...whew. I was ready for a breakdown at one point, he he he.

Well, the Easter weekend is upon us, and I have no official Easter plans. I have the usual church stuff, which is pretty much every day from Thurs to Sun, but nothin planned w/ the fam. Wtf. It's been a crazy year for everyone...did we just get too busy to plan it out? Hopefully I can talk to them tonight or tomorrow so we can have lunch or something. I can't even believe Easter has come so quick...maybe that was it, we weren't prepared for it. Here's to hoping to set something in motion w/ the fam and hopefully a hunt of some sort w/ the kids :)

I don't really have much to say today, no thoughts...not like my usual thoughts are that thought-provoking or stimulating anyway, but really, I'm just a big blank right now. If you could take a look into my brain, the dude pedalling and working the gears is totally zoned out. The lights are on, he's awake, he's just....out there....oh well. We all could use that once in a while...

This made me laugh...
Convo btwn ver and me
verdog: yo
me: yizao
verdog: watching the jabbawockeez
verdog: i like their shirts
me: he he he
me: don't tell me what happened
me: i haven't seen the latest ep yet
verdog: they die at the end
me: damn you
me: HA HA HA

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
13. All that time you spend watching TV is a huge, huge waste of time.
I don’t know how much TV I’ve watched over the years, but it’s a crapload. Hours and days and weeks I’ll never have back. Who cares what happens on reality TV, when reality is slipping by outside? Time is something you’ll never get back; don’t waste it on TV.

Hmmm....I don't know how much I agree with this, he he he. I LOVE TV. I can attribute some of my true loves in my life to TV(Friends, Heroes, Lost, Arrested Development, HIMYM), and it has affected my personality :). Let's not forget that TV can be quite educational too. This guy doesn't seem to be very techonologically savvy. No mention of Tivo or DVR. Sometimes, TV, DVD, video, what have you, is a great escape. I agree not to become a total couch potato, but there's nothing wrong w/ enjoying creativity on TV. Record those shows you like and watch when you're at home cleaning or feeling sick...it works out. As for me, I'm up so late all the time, reallity isn't really slipping by outside. Well, in actuality, it is...but everyone's asleep. And i totally agree that time is something you'll never get back.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy Easter All!

I am a foot out the door....

This post SEEMS long, but it's really not :)

Finally got through a deadline I was pushing to get my stuff done for today. So it seems like half the weight on my shoulders is gone...man I need a massage. So things haven't been as insane today, well not since after lunch, as they have been for the past couple weeks. And I'm happy to think that I won't really have to be taking too much work home, if any, over the holiday weekend. Whew! I do have a lot of work, but I have so much right now I'm feeling lazy...so I shall just blog til I leave, because I have to leave early for Holy Thurs mass at St Tims. I still gotta pick up Cat too...I better hurry up and finish this post, ha ha ha.

I took this test today. It's basically a personality test of sorts. Tells you what kind of person you are...the description is pretty accurate I think. Check it out...
Profile: ENFJ
ENFJs are the benevolent 'pedagogues' (I had to look this up - it means, schoolteacher or educator) of humanity. They have tremendous charisma by which many are drawn into their nurturant tutelage and/or grand schemes. Many ENFJs have tremendous power to manipulate others with their phenomenal interpersonal skills and unique salesmanship. But it's usually not meant as manipulation -- ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.

ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.

ENFJs are, by definition, Js, with whom we associate organization and decisiveness. But they don't resemble the SJs or even the NTJs in organization of the environment nor occasional recalcitrance. ENFJs are organized in the arena of interpersonal affairs. Their offices may or may not be cluttered, but their conclusions (reached through feelings) about people and motives are drawn much more quickly and are more resilient than those of their NFP counterparts.

ENFJs know and appreciate people. Like most NFs, (and Feelers in general), they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear.
TRADEMARK: "The first shall be last"

This refers to the open-door policy of ENFJs. One ENFJ colleague always welcomes me into his office regardless of his own circumstances. If another person comes to the door, he allows them to interrupt our conversation with their need. While discussing that need, the phone rings and he stops to answer it. Others drop in with a 'quick question.' I finally get up, go to my office and use the call waiting feature on the telephone. When he hangs up, I have his undivided attention!

Functional Analysis:
Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted Feeling rules the ENFJ's psyche. In the sway of this rational function, these folks are predisposed to closure in matters pertaining to people, and especially on behalf of their beloved. As extraverts, their contacts are wide ranging. Face-to-face relationships are intense, personable and warm, though they may be so infrequently achieved that intimate friendships are rare.
Introverted iNtuition

Like their INFJ cousins, ENFJs are blessed through introverted intuition with clarity of perception in the inner, unconscious world. Dominant Feeling prefers to find the silver lining in even the most beggarly perceptions of those in their expanding circle of friends and, of course, in themselves. In less balanced individuals, such mitigation of the unseemly eventually undermines the ENFJ's integrity and frequently their good name. In healthier individuals, deft use of this awareness of the inner needs and desires of others enables this astute type to win friends, influence people, and avoid compromising entanglements.

The dynamic nature of their intuition moves ENFJs from one project to another with the assurance that the next one will be perfect, or much more nearly so than the last. ENFJs are continually looking for newer and better solutions to benefit their extensive family, staff, or organization.

Extraverted Sensing
Sensing is extraverted. ENFJs can manage details, particularly those necessary to implement the prevailing vision. These data have, however, a magical flexible quality. Something to be bought can be had for a song; the same something is invaluable when it's time to sell. (We are not certain, but we suspect that such is the influence of the primary function.) This wavering of sensory perception is made possible by the weaker and less mature status with which the tertiary is endowed.

Introverted Thinking
Introverted Thinking is least apparent and most enigmatic in this type. In fact, it often appears only when summoned by Feeling. At times only in jest, but in earnest if need be, Thinking entertains as logical only those conclusions which support Feeling's values. Other scenarios can be shown invalid or at best significantly inferior. Such "Thinking in the service of Feeling" has the appearance of logic, but somehow it never quite adds up.

Introverted Thinking is frequently the focus of the spiritual quest of ENFJs. David's lengthiest psalm, 119, pays it homage. "Law," "precept," "commandment," "statute:" these essences of inner thinking are the mysteries of Deity for which this great Feeler's soul searched.

Famous ENFJs: I'ma italicize the ones I actually know...not in person, but you know what I mean...actually, I kinda know a lot on this list...so I'll italicize the ones I DON'T know, he he he.

David, King of Israel
U.S. Presidents:
Abraham Lincoln
Ronald Reagan

William Cullen Bryant, poet
Abraham Maslow, psychologist and proponent of self-actualization
Ross Perot
Sean Connery
Elizabeth Dole
Francois Mitterand
Dick Van Dyke
Andy Griffith
James Garner
William Aramony, former president of United Way
Gene Hackman
Dennis Hopper
Brenda Vaccaro
Craig T. Nelson
Diane Sawyer
Randy Quaid
Tommy Lee Jones
Kirstie Alley
Michael Jordan
Johnny Depp
Oprah Winfrey
Bob Saget
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Ben Stiller
Peyton Manning
Matthew McConaughey
Pete Sampras
Lauren Graham
Ben Affleck
John Cusack

Fictional ENFJs:
Joe Hackett, Wings

Take the test, and then use this key to check your description.

in other news...
The Girl Scouts of America have a new cookie baker for some parts of the country and, in a business move stupider than New Coke, have renamed some of their best-sellers, Samoas being one of the most prominent this year, changing to Caramel DeLites. Jos first told me about the name change, but I found out it's due to the baking company that's used...interesting...but to me, they'll always be Samoas :) So it seems like there's various options for the names. Here's what I found:

Licensed baking companies can offer up to eight varieties of Girl Scout cookies. The national Girl Scout organization reviews and approves all varieties proposed by the baking companies, but requires only three types: Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwiches (called Do-Si-Do's by LBB) and Shortbreads (called Trefoils by LBB). The other kinds can be changed every year, though several popular favorites, such as Caramel DeLites (LBB's Samoas) and Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs by LBB), are consistently available. Each baking company names its own cookies. Thus the exact kinds, names, and composition of the cookies may vary from year to year, depending on which baking companies have been licensed, and what they have proposed.
-courtesy of Wikipedia.org

And finally, in my continued series of the...
20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
12. The people you make friends with are so much more important than your job or the things you buy.
I’ve had a few jobs, I’ve bought a lot of things, and I’ve made a few friends over these last 15 years. Of those, the only thing that still matter to me are the friends. And I wish I could have spent more time with friends (and family) than on the other things.

I don't really think I need to elaborate much on this one...material possessions, in the long run, really don't amount to much. Nobody's gonna really remember much about the 328i that I bought last year, except for the fact that I had it, when I'm playing poker w/ the boys at the ripe old age of 50. One can never truly fully express the value of family and friends. They will last you a lifetime.

I didn't really write much today...it was mostly postings of postings...he he he.

I am a marathon nose...

Nadia has reached a milestone in her ever-so-young-life. She has reached 10,000 miles. I know...ALREADY!?!?!? She's not even 6 months old. Well, I already knew I drove a lot....I put over 125k miles on Baxter in less than 6 years before I handed him off to the parentals. Well, congrats on 10k Nadia...here's to 100 more 10k's!!!

Speaking of 10k's...I'm planning to run the Santa Monica Heal the Bay 10k on May 4th...which means...I REALLY need to get my arse running again. First run aims to be this week, schedule depending. Hopefully I can run on Friday at lunch or something...at the latest. I'd like to do it tomorrow, but work looks to be quite the busy day.

I loathe allergies. I finally had the opportunity to sleep earlier than usual last night, and the allergies decide to finally kick in. Kept me up til til about 2:30ish with the runny runny nose and million sneezes. Doesn't help that I worked out the abs quite a bit and every time I sneezed, it would hurt. Usually, I don't mind it..I kinda enjoy the pain, but not when I'm trying to fall asleep. Some people are ear and throat allergy peeps, some are sneezers, you have the nose people, and some eyes. Me, my allergies stay mostly in the runny nose and sneezing region.

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
11. All that stuff that’s stressing you out — it won’t matter in 5 years, let alone 15.
When things are happening to you right now, they mean all the world. I had deadlines and projects and people breathing down my neck, and my stress levels went through the roof. I don’t regret the hard work (see above) but I think I would have been less stressed if I could have just realized that it wouldn’t matter a single bit just a few years down the road. Perspective is a good thing to learn.

Ahhhh, good old perspective. Everything seems so much more crazy, stressful, what-have-you, in the short run, but in the long...the little things aren't so bad. We all go through stress...well, most of us do, but it's just one of those things you gotta learn to let go... Just don't let the stress overwhelm you in the short run, or you won't be around to look back at how petty and trivial it was in the long run.

"If nothing ever changed, then there wouldn't be any butterflies."
-anonymous

I am the corner being backed into...

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I hope you're wearing green today.

In the spirit of the holiday, I thought I'd share a little knowledge..and learn some myself about what today's celebration is all about.
Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa 385–461 AD), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Montserrat, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the rest of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, and is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. The date of the feast is occasionally moved by church authorities when March 17 falls during Holy Week; this happened in 1940 when Saint Patrick's Day was observed on 3 April in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and is happening again in 2008, being observed on 15 March. March 17 will not fall during Holy Week again until 2160.[3]
-Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hmmm, we're celebrating it here today on the 17th, which means that the church authorities did NOT move it this year...probably because it happens early in Holy Week, which doesn't really coincide with the Holy Week events; being that yesterday was Palm Sunday, and the rest of Holy Week doesn't start til Thursday.

Work has been just one big blur lately. Against my usual stance about not taking work home and working too much, I subjected myself to such torture this weekend. There is just too much to do and my days at work are too crazy if I don't lighten the load by spreading the work out a little, which is okay, cuz at home it's not as hectic as an atmosphere and I feel like I can get quite a bit finished w/o distraction. And my workday isn't as non-stop. I can stop and blog, he he he. Kinda sucks that the workday is just that hectic - but you have to make up for some inefficiencies somewhow...and as I've said before...as long as it's not ALL the time; I know I have my windows of time during the year when I'm just sitting on my arse...so it's give and take. I just hope it ends soon....

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
10. Make time to pursue your passion, no matter how busy you are.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and get a book published. I just never had time to write. With a family and school and a full-time job, there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Well, I’ve learned that you have to make those hours. Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work. If I had done that 15 years ago, I could have 15 books written by now. Not all would be great, but still.

Again, this cannot be any more true. Writing a book and having it published is definitely something I'd like to do one day, but it isn't my true passion; just an additional thing I'd like to say I did during my lifetime. One of them(my passions, not the books I want to write) is basketball, which I say is one(again, passion, not book) that I definitely AM pursuing, albeit only in the recreational capacity. But hey, let's be real...no NBA potential for me here, he he he. I play because I love the game. I also have a couple of other passions that I have just started working on lately, but I am somewhat private about it because I don't want to get over-excited about it or set up expectations from everyone else. I just want to wait til the ball is really rolling before I go full-disclosure. You truly do have to MAKE time for the things that really matter in your life. Life is too short - one day, even after pursing your passions, there'll probably still be thinking about the other things you could have done. Take advantage while you have time.

And of course, what St. Paddy's day wouldn't be complete w/o an official Irish Blessing?
As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

I am the opposite of a winning streak...

I so wish I could have a bowl of this right now... Lobster Bisque is one of my favorite soups of all time. It is definitely one of my top 3 soups...along with French Onion and the Canadian Cheese soup that they used to have at the dorms back in Irvine. I've never found it anywhere.

I've had this irritating headache for about 2 days now. I don't really feel like taking tylenol or whatever, but I guess I'ma have to if I can't shake it before i go to bed tonight. It's not as bad as when I was having major migraines back when I got out of school...but it's definitely irksome.

It was a somewhat relaxing weekend...somewhat. Didn't do too much inasfar as going out or anything. Just chilled mostly. I had to do some work, but it wasn't too bad. Just trying to get things off my plate so my days at work aren't so insanely crazy. If the Lakers didn't lose to Houston AND New Orleans; if we hadn't lost our Sunday game so badly; if UCI hadn't lost the final game in the Big West tourney; AND if my car hadn't gotten towed...it would've been a good weekend, he he he. So we'll just stick with somewhat relaxing, he he he.

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
9. That guy you’re going to sell your car to? On a gentleman’s agreement? He’s not gonna pay you.
I sold another car to a friend of a friend, who I was sure would pay me even if I had nothing in writing. That was smart. I still see the guy once in awhile on the road, but I don’t have the energy to do a U-turn and chase after him.

From personal experience, I cannot emphasize the truth of this little piece of advice. Finances and friendship are a very very VERY "skating-on-thin-ice" type situation. If you're going to put yourself in a situation with a friend regarding money...be prepared for the consequences; which is either not being paid back, or them taking forever and a day to do so. It can make the relationship very awkward...esp when one party is reluctant to mention the debt to the other. Because there is no formal agreement, it's hard to hold people to their word...because nowadays, one's word isn't as "solid as oak" anymore. Not to say you can't help out a friend or anything, just know what you're getting into. It happens far more often than you'd think.

Quote of the day is for my friend Mina :)
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
~ Mother Theresa

I am "just by a nose" ...

Having the competitive nature I have...it's hard for me to get over losses quickly. Whether it's the Lakers, my Lions, or esp my own basketball teams that I play on, I take each loss pretty hard. But I'd have to say I haven't taken one as hard as I am from last night's championship game...I almost feel like stopping this entry just at that, but hey, life goes on, and YES it IS just a game, regardless of how we men hate hearing that(esp from women). Life goes on...and so must my blog...

So what is it with daylight savings and traffic? Is there a direct correlation between the amount of traffic on the road and the amount of daylight? Because since the change to DST, my commutes have been a lot quicker to and from work. It's really strange. At first I thought to myself, "Oh okay, maybe everyone just woke up later than usual and they're not on the road yet," but it's been several days now. So the traffic seems to decrease with more sunlight. On the same token, I notice a marked increase when we change back to PST later in the fall. So strange, so strange. But hey, who's complainin...well, I am...but I shouldn't be. I'll save my complaint for when we change back to PST. Til then, enjoy the light whilst it lasts.

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
8. Don’t buy that used van without checking it out closely.
I thought I was being smart by buying used, but I didn’t check it out carefully enough. That dang van had loads of engine problems, a door that nearly fell off when I was driving, a door handle that snapped off, a side mirror that fell off, no spare tire despite three tires that were ready to blow (and did), windows that didn’t roll up, rattling noises, an eventual blown radiator … I could go on and on, but let’s just say that it wasn’t my best purchase. I still think buying used is smart, but check things out closely first.

Now, I've never purchased a used van, but I've had similar experiences with major purchases. I'm sure many of us have had our fare share of being "duped" into a purchase. I remember buying a refurbished ipod mini at like $100. Mini's during this time were still running abot $180-200 or something, and I thought I was getting a steal. Plus it came from Apple.com, so I figured it would be solid. I've had to repair that thing so many times man...I probably spent just about as much, if not MORE than if I had purchased a brand-new one at the time. I've had to replace the battery once and send it in 2x. I should've made sure there was some kind of guarantee or extended warranty on the sucker.

Oh yeah, here's an old pic, circa early 1996:

Look at that hair. Oh hair, how I miss you so... (picture compliments of Anna Banana Thanks Anna!)

"You take the good with the bad"
-anonymous

I am a plan gone awry...

Man oh man, did I just royally screw myself. Well, a few times over, now that I think of it. I didnt' sleep til 5AM today, which caused me to come into work later...and then, I decided to take a nap, and overslept. I woke up at 10....man oh man, I'm jacked. At least I'm awake I guess...


So the bachelor party...it was great! Probably one of the most laid-back ones I've ever been to, but equally exhausting. It was the perfect type of party for my friend Alex. And he fully and sincerely appreciated it and had an incredible time. Most of the weekend was spent on the fishing trip. I got into SD on Friday night and we just grabbed a quick bite, walked around and hung out at a bar. Woke up at 4AM for the big fishing trip. Did a 3/4 day of fishing off the shores of Mexico. It was a TON of fun. a 3/4 day of fishing is practically a full day of activity. It's 11 hours on the boat...so we set off at 6AM and got back a little after 5PM. First-time fishing and I didn't fare too badly...caught 8 fish. Four were a little too small to keep, the other four comprised of a little team of 2 rock cod, 1 other one I can't really remember, but it was some type of cod, and a little sand dab(which is kindof a flat fish - you pretty much just cut off the head and pan-fry the little sucker). I had them fileted(sp?) instead of gutted and cleaned, which now I wish I had done, so I could have the whole fish. But anyway, it was awesome. I didn't really know what I was doin though...we drop the lines all the way to the bottom of the water, which is over 300 ft at the deeper parts and 150 ft deep in the shallows, where you catch whitefish; but I didn't catch any. Crazy thing about the deep fishing is that the fish are pretty dead when they come up to the surface because they get the bends and pretty much blow up from the inside. I never knew that. I did get sick for a bit though. We were on bonine; took it the night before and then an hour right before we took off. I think i was near to the 6 hour mark when I needed to take it again. I was at the front of the boat feeling a tiny bit nauseous. But I have a renewed love for gingerale, it helped A LOT, just enough to hold me over til the 2nd bonine kicked in. A second thing to sea-sickness is mind over matter. When I sat down towards the front of the boat, right in the middle, I was feeling it the most, cuz that's where the most rock happens. If you hang to one side, the movement is strictly up and down. But with the mind over matter part, I just got back up and decided to throw a line back into the water, which helped a great deal. Here's my catch of the day. I think this was the biggest of the ones I caught;


We were SO tired when we got back. Just showered up and napped til it was time to go to dinner. Great weekend though. Can't wait for the wedding!

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
7. All the stuff you’re doing that seems hard — it will be of use.
This is the first one that might not be as obvious. There were times in my life when work was hard, and I did it anyway, but hated it. I did it because I had to, but boy did it stress me out and leave me exhausted. Hard work isn’t as easy as I wanted it to be. But you know what? Every bit of hard work I did without knowing why I was doing it … it’s paid off for me in the long run. Maybe not right away, but I’m using skills and habits I learned during those times of high stress and long hours and tedious work — I use them all the time, and they’ve made me into the person I am today. Thank you, younger Leo!

I am one pull-up too many...

Man, I'm quite sore today. I think it's so weird that I get sore the day AFTER the day after I work out..with the exception of abs, cuz those are crazy weak for me, he he he. I worked out on Tuesday and knew I wouldn't really be sore until today. Which brings me to quite the dilemna about my workouts for the rest of the week. I may have a chance to workout tonight...and I need to do a leg workout. If I workout tonight, I won't be sore til Sat, which means I can work out some upper body stuff manana and be slightly sore on Sun. Can't work out on Sat cuz I'll be in SD for a bachelor weekend. I have a game on Sunday, but not til 8:30. I can still play when my upper body is a tad sore, cuz I've gotten used to it. However, my legs...i haven't done a leg work out in quite a while, so they might be uber sore. If I can't workout tonight, that means my leg workout will come tomorrow...and then I may be hurtin pretty bad on Sunday. Hmmm, what to do what to do. Man, that was a whole bunch of rambling right there, he he he.

Communication is so very important. I always thought I was a great communicator, but I think my strength lies in listening rather than communicating my own thoughts and feelings. I mean, I can give a 10-20 minute speech about practically anything, but to actually communicate, that's where I struggle. For some reason I get freaked out and scared to voice myself. It's weird. I think I think too much about reaction and after-effects, which make me reluctant to act. But I've learned that the only way to be a better communicator though is through practice. You can't really fake it or prepare for it. Well, maybe, but not effectively. We always need to improve, and this is my challenge.

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
6. Fund your retirement, son. And don’t withdraw it.
This piece of wisdom, and probably all the ones above, might seem blisteringly obvious. And they are. Don’t think I didn’t know this when I was 18. I did. I just didn’t pay it serious attention. Retirement was something I could worry about when I was in my 30s. Well, I’m in my 30s now and I wish I could slap that little 18-year-old Leo around a bit. What money I could have invested by now! I had a retirement plan, but on the 3 occasions when I changed jobs, I withdrew that and spent it frivolously.

I didn't jump into it when I was 18, but I did do it when I was about 23 I think. 5 years would've made a momumental difference in the long run though. Even if you can put a little in each month, do it. 25 a month is bringing your own lunch or eating at home 4 times, and that's lowballin it!

I am the steam coming out of my ears...

Man, I really can't wait until I can eat fast food again. Granted, once Easter comes by, I still plan on eating in for lunch 9 out of 10 work days, but here are the following items i will be buying in 3 weeks:
Yoshinoya - Large Beef bowl
McDonalds - Big Mac and small fries
Arby's - 5 for 5 meal (2 arby's samiches, one arby's melt, fries and a drink)
Taco Bell - Cheese Quesadilla, Mexican Pizza, and one soft taco w/ sour cream
In N Out - Cheese burger and fries
Jack in the Box - Anything
Hmmmm....did I forget anything?

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
5. Smoking is just dumb.
I didn’t start smoking until I was well into my adult years. I won’t go into why I started, but it didn’t seem like a problem, because I knew I could quit anytime I wanted. Or I thought I could, at least, until several years later I gave it a go and couldn’t do it. Five failed quits later and I realized with horror that my addiction was stronger than I was. Sure, I eventually beat the habit (quit date: Nov. 18, 2005) but it took a piece of my soul to do it.

This is one that I totally agree with. If you never take it up, you won't ever have to deal w/ quitting. I'm on my 2nd OFFICIAL quitting attempt. Quit for 4 years, and then started up again last year...which I should have NEVER done. Now I'm trying to cut down and eventually quit. Don't do it kids. It'll EFF you up. Trust me.

I am the bottom of the dumps...

Man, nothing says unhealthy snack quite like grilled cheese on whole grain wheet bread at half past midnight...

I am bambi's legs shortly after birth...

If you were a believer of Airborne as a cure-all from 2001 - November 2007, then you were deceived! Additionally, you are up for an AIRBORNE REFUND!!!. That's right. Airborne settled a class-action lawsuit for about $23 million, to be used to refund consumers who still have receipts from their purchases. Supposably, you are still entitled to a refund even if you do NOT have those receipts anymore. There's a number you can call to find out. Luckily for me, I have a lot of my receipts for my airborne purchases. So be careful what you say people, the reason they got sued was because of false advertising. They claimed that they had a "CURE" for the common cold. They have since toned down such claims...but let's be real folks, we all knew it wasn't a cure, but more of a remedy, or a preventative measure; to be taken prior to getting sick or at the first sign of weakness of the immune system. It's basically a vitamin overload, something you can do w/ vitamins. But hey, I get $$$, so I shant complain too much. Time to dig through my files...

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
4. Junk food will come back to bite you in the butt.
Yeah, it wasn’t just the sedentary lifestyle that got me fat. It was all the damn junk food too. I would eat pizza and burgers and Twinkies and sugar cereal and desserts and donuts and … well, you get the picture. As someone used to being able to eat whatever I wanted, it never seemed like it would be a problem. Bad health was something to worry about when you got old. Well, my jeans began to get way too tight, and to my horror, I climbed several pants sizes and developed a gut that only now is going away. I wish someone had shown me an “after” picture when I was young and downing the Big Gulp sodas.

Man, it's only TUESDAY?!?!?

I am a blurry picture...

Weird how we sustain strange injuries w/o even knowing it. And i'm talking about sober injuries, not the "Man, I was so messed up last night, how did I sprain my ankle" injures. I seemed to have strained/pulled/somethinged my left quadricep. It's not excruciatingly painful, but it did give out on me while walking up the stairs into the office so that I fell, he he he. I don't know how I did it. Had a league game last night, but didn't do anything that I remember where I could have possibly injured it. In fact, I even played less than usual last night, so if anything, I worked it LESS than usual. I didn't fall...hmmm...really strange. I'm going to test the extent of the injury tonight at the gym, hopefully it's not too bad because I have a playoff game tomorrow.

Weekend went by too quick; we even had an extra day this month. Can't believe it's March already! Bev and Ja's engagement party was on Friday, which was awesome. It's always fun to hang w/ those two and the peeps that come with them, he he he. Ate at Full House after the shindig and got home quite late. I ended up being pretty tired on Sat and other than having lunch w/ Chris and a small workout, I just spent the entire day cleaning and chillin at home. It was definitely a much needed and much missed day on my own at home. I'm glad I didn't end up goin to play poker, as was the original plan.

So my latest dilemna...what should I buy, or rather, what do I really need the most right now of the items I think I need?
Need # 1 - New digi-cam
As some of you may already know, I lost my beloved Pentax Optio w10 camera while I was in New York. I don't know if it was on the subway or in a cab during my drunken stupors, but fact is, it's long gone. I loved that camera. And trying to always have a camera with me at all times, I've really been missing it. I have NO camera at all right now. The most kick-a$$ part of the camera was it's durability. Not only was it class 5 dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters(like 6 or 7 feet) for up to 30min, but that sucker withstood pretty much anything I've been through. So I've been checking out if I could get it for pretty cheap. Ebay has it for like 30 bucks, which makes me really suspicious, because all other sites have it for like $180. I would've thought it might go down in price after 2 years...it has, but only like $70 bucks. My original plan, pre-camera loss was to get a nice P&S(point and shoot), like a Canon, and keep the optio for more rugged outtings. Now, I'm faced with getting the same OLD camera, and have to spend more for the nice one. I'm definitely not gonna buy the nicer one now, but the choice is between getting the SAME optio, or the new and improved one, the W30, class 8 dustproof(I think), waterproof to 10 feet for up to TWO hours, and has slightly better resolution. Price? About $250 + S&H. I'm not sure which way to go. Aaargh.
Need #2 - Headboard and metal bedframe
I have been living in Downey since October and have yet to complete the furnishing of my room. It has been cleaned and organized, with the exception of making more efficient use of my closet space, but still, I need a frickin frame already. I don't like the bed just sitting on the floor. Plus there's more storage space underneath the bed, when it's not just on the floor. Target has a frame and headboard for about $220, which includes S&H. 15% off right now when you spend over $125 online too.
Need # 3 - Tinting + detailing for my car
I've been wanting to have Nadia's windows tinted since I got my her, back in October. I just think the car looks so much better w/ tinting. I also need to get the sucker detailed because before I left for a business trip, a bird decided to leave a nice big present on my hood. I said I was gonna get it cleaned before I left for the trip, but I was pretty busy and didn't get around to it. For those of you NOT in the know, bird dookie is VERY acidic, and especially in coastal states, such as ours, just being out for 1 or 2 days and baking in the sun will eat at the clear-coat on the car. So yes, that's EXACLY what happened to mine, the doodoo ate through and stained the clear-coat and now it looks like a permanent stain. Washing and even waxing and buffing did not do the trick, so I have to have it detailed.
Need # 4 - Work on next tat
This is actually more of a WANT than a need, but I thought I might as well post it anyway, maybe Santa's reading my list and will give e an early Christmas gift this year. My next tat is actually a series of tats, and I need to get the design started on them, which will definitely cost me a good amt.

Obviously 1 and 2 are bigger needs than 3 and especially 4, but still. A decision needs to be made.
Now if I were to get a phizzy phat tax return, then I probably wouldn't really care, but I'm really trying to track and control my spending(refer to #3 of "Things I wish I had known when starting out in life"). But being that I typically get a very small return, this is not an option. Plus the deal for the W30 ends on March 17th, while supplies last. I also have a $50 AMEX gift card, which I have yet to use, so that's also another plus...which way to go, hmmm.....

Anyway, Laker highlight of the weekend(Kobe scored 52 yesterday, but that's too hard to put on a single highlight reel, plus a lot were free throws, he he he)


20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life con't
3. How to plan finances.
I always knew that I was supposed to budget and track my spending, when I became an adult. I just was too lazy to do it. And I didn’t have a good idea of how to actually do it. Now, I’ve learned how to plan, and how to stick to that plan. Sure, I deviate from my plan, but I’ve learned how to handle that too. Maybe that’s not a skill you can learn from book reading. You just gotta practice. Well, I hope to teach it to my children before they go out on their own.

"Some succeed because they are destined to; most succeed because they are determined to"