One Hundred Ninety-Sixth Entry

How about Janet's boob?

Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII in a stunning rollercoaster of a game. It was just a very emotionally unstable game. I was rooting for the Patriots, and it was touch and go there for a while, but they pulled it out. Awesome game.

Beyonce's rendition of the National Anthem sucked. It's hard to butcher that song(unless you are Roseanne) but she did it.

My weekend was really fun. My brother and Rouja came into town last Thursday. Didn't do much Thursday night. Friday, we bought a ton of food and my brother cooked some sort of soggy stir fry that was really good. We ate and watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Each time I watch that movie, I love it even more.

Saturday was snow day. I got up at 6am. We were all to meet at my aunts house at 7:30am. We were late, but we ended up leaving Tulare at about 9pm. August needed to make a stop in downtown Visalia, and Calvin needed to go to Wal Mart to buy chains. We went to Surplus City where I got a ton of snow gear for only $50. Pretty good. They sell all kinds of stuff. I even found the electric guitar I am going to buy. Hahaha.

We start the drive down 198 towards the mountains, and stopped at the Shell station on the corner of 198 and 65. That was the designated place where Calvin would meet up with us. We loaded up on food and water and BS'd for a while. Calvin was taking forever, so August decided to backtrack to the other Shell station on 198 thinking that Calvin may have gotten confused and stopped at that one. Well, while he was gone, Calvin showed up. We called August and he said that he would just go through to the park, since we already knew how to get there.

We took off from the Shell station and got up to the park at about 11:30am. We were informed at the gate that even though my brothers truck has snow tires and 4-wheel drive, we still needed to carry chains. California law, you know. We turned around and went to a general store about a mile away and rented chains. What a hassle!

With the chains on board, we head into the park and follow Calvin(he headed back when he saw that we weren't following). At about 4000 feet, Calvin has to pull over and put his chains on. We stopped too, thinking we would have to put on chains. Nope. The park ranger says that as long as we had 4-wheel drive, we would be OK. WTF!?!

We finally make it to the snow play area and meet up with August. They are ready to go. We gather the intertubes and head for the slopes. I didn't go down on the intertube until the very end when they tied all the intertubes together and we all went down the hill together. That was so much fun!

We got back into Tulare at about 6:30pm and I ordered pizza. Fred and I watched "The Royal Tenenbaums" on some movie channel. It is such a good movie! Fred told me I'd like it, and I did. Very funny.

At 9pm, we met up with August, his girlfriend Toni, Calvin and Paula at Billiard Park and shot pool for four hours. It was a ton of fun. We were totally exhausted though. When we got home, we played Hoopla for a couple of hours and then retired for the night.

Sunday morning we got up and ate the rest of the pizza. We watched TV, and then went to Sonic to eat a late lunch. After lunch, we went to my aunts house to check out the Super Bowl. (Repeat first 7 sentences of blog)

It was a really good weekend. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my brother and his girlfriend. It was a lot of fun.

I think that this will be the first season of American Idol that I will watch completely. I love all the shows they did last week and am looking forward to the elimination rounds. Very funny.

One Hundred Ninety-Fifth Entry

I officially have 5 readers. Not bad.

I would like to officially welcome Fred to the blogging community. And I came up with the Quentin Tarantino thing all on my own, Rouja!

I would also like to congratulate Ricky Gervais and the cast of "The Office" on BBC America for the Golden Globe wins. Did I not say the show was good??

This weekend was the best in recent memory.

Friday Night

Drove into San Leandro around 5-ish. I was set to receive a call from Amy after she got off from work. Then I waited for Amy to call. Waited and waited and waited. At 6:something, I called her. Supposedly, my cell phone was busy. I wasn't using my cell phone at all, but I concluded that since she was trying to call at a peak hour, the circuits were busy.

We ended up eating at Applebee's because there was no parking near Macaroni Grill. Good dinner.

Afterwards we headed back to her place and watched Erin Brockovich. I love that movie.

Saturday

Woke up at 6:45a. Went to IHOP at Union Landing to meet Jen for breakfast. It was really good to catch up with her. Plus we ate a ton of carbs. I had Biscuits and Gravy.

After that, I drove my truck to the Ford Store in San Leandro so they could give Bullet his 45,000 mile service. Good Bullet.

I got back home and lounged forever. I waited and waited for the Ford Store to call me so I could pick up Bullet. I never talked to them. 5pm rolls around, and I call them. "We're sorry, the Service Dept. is closed." WTF!!

I go with my dad to raise some hell. Luckily, the lady that took my car was still there. She gave me the keys and told me that she spoke to someone at the house. She spoke to Firmino, who was half asleep when he answered the phone. And he neglected to tell me. Oh well.

I got Bullet! and called Amy and Jen. I picked up Amy, and picked up Jen. We went to sing Karaoke in Hayward. Very fun. Then we went to shoot pool in Castro Valley. Very very fun. Then we hit In n' Out. Very good. Finally on to Wal Mart. Very nice.

I dropped Jen off, then Amy.

Sunday

I got up around 9am. I moped around the house til about noon. Then my mom wanted to go to Half Moon Bay to eat lunch. So we went to Half Moon Bay. It was nice. I've never been in downtown Half Moon Bay. It reminded me of San Luis Obispo a little.

I got back to San Leandro and ran a few errands. I got back home just in time to depart for the Travis concert in SF.

BART was uneventful. Amy, Jen and I got to the Warfield and we immediately went to the front and squished as close to the stage as we could. By the time Travis came out, we were packed in there like sardines. I loved it! The concert was totally awesome; it was the best concert I have ever been to. They rocked the house and the whole audience was singing along. It was great!

After the concert, I left San Leandro for Tulare. I didn't get back to Tulare until 3:30 am. It was lethally foggy on the 99 for most of the way. I made it alright though. The next day at work was hellish. I was falling asleep. I did get a lot of work done though.

Would I do the whole Sunday concert thing with work on Monday again? In a heartbeat. It was an awesome show.

********************

So that brings me to today. I still had a lot of stuff to do today, which was left over from yesterday, and even more stuff to do tomorrow. I love being busy at work. I just hate being at work. I wish I could work from home. Maybe once I get my licence...

One Hundred Ninety-Fourth Entry

Just got home from Paula's house. I was there helping organize the music for Dalila's 12th bday party. Yeah, I was there yesterday too, but they want to make sure they have enough music. For some reason, the Milkshake song came up a lot. It's growing on me.

Lisa's right. Toxic is a good song/video. It is almost Quentin Tarantino-ish at times.

Tomorrow I am going to the dentist for the third time for the second round of my fillings. Funny thing: half of a filling I had put in last week fell out today. Bastard dentist. We'll see what he has to say tomorrow.

Oh yeah, I spoke with Dayni on Monday. I called her in Hawaii, and she sounded very well and happy. It was good talking with her. I promised to call her again, and will do so soon.

Don't want to get all political on the blog, but I like Gen. Clark for president. I found out yesterday that Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine) is endorsing him. Even better. He seems to me to be the only democratic candidate that has a chance against Bush. Plus, I don't trust Dean...there is just something about him that I don't like. He has some kind of Clinton-esque past that can only hurt the dems in this election. Just a hunch....the magic 8-ball says "No Doubt About It." There it is. It was weird last week...for a split second I thought we would be better off with Bush serving another term, and I considered voting for him. Yikes! I banged my head against the wall several thousand times and came to my senses.

One Hundred Ninety-Third Entry

Just spent the evening at Tia Luisa's and Paula's house. Very good night. I got a CD of photos from the Holiday Lunch at vo's house, and they all look good, and most will end up on my website. Thank you Debbie! At Paula's, I helped design the music concept for Dalila's 12th birthday party. It is also going to be Dalila's first serious Boy and Girl party. OooooOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!

I was nearly done with my website additions, but now with the new pictures my website will take a little longer to get updated. From now on, when I develop film, I will ask for the photos on CD. Much easier than scanning pictures of Lisa smoking.

What else is new...I pretty much mentioned all that is going on in my life this weekend in the many blog updates I made.

Re-iterations:

-Super Furry Animals concert on Feb. 27th at the Fillmore. Anyone interested?
-Magic 8-ball questions. It has a very good record! Send your questions!
-Readership count. Let me know if you read this blog. Comments welcome!
-Travis concert on Sunday. Beautiful Occupation is their best song.
-I really want to go shoot pool sometime this week.

One Hundred Ninety-Second Entry

Oh my God. I am definitely going to see the Super Furry Animals next month. I bought two of their CD's today, "Rings Around the World" and "Phantom Power". My God, I thought Travis was mellow. Some of their songs are like smoking all kinds of pot without OD'ing. Amazing. Some of the songs are much more upbeat, almost danceable. A very good balance of the two. Anyone interested? It promises to be a night of contact highs and great music. I will put some clips on my website soon.

My day off has been very uneventful so far. I got up at 10am. Watched the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Amy was right, I really liked that movie. After the movie, I took a shower and watched a little TV.

Then I drove to Best Buy to see if they had the SFA albums I was looking for. Nope. But Borders did. I also got "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx. I was feeling hungry, so I went to BT's and got an All Meat Burrito. Soooo good.

I came home and watched some more TV, called home, made an appt. for my truck service this Saturday. 45,000 miles...wow. Bullet deserves it. Actually, by the time I get to San Leandro this Friday it will be pushing 45,600. 600 miles overdue. Oops.

Then I busted the SFA CD's in my stereo and am listening to them now. I am also reading my new book by Mr. Marx. No, I am not becoming a communist or socialist, just curious. I guess, at heart, I have always been somewhat of a socialist. Maybe that is why I am curious about Marx's theories. More about that later though, I can hear the fake snoring noises.

Hopefully later on today I can go do something, if anyone is around.

Ooh, scary song.

One Hundred Ninety-First Entry

Hey Jen. I just remembered that I saw the perfect bday prezzie for you today at Best Buy...I can see the #3's and 4's already.

So I think that I really want to see Super Furry Animals. Anyone interested? I am going to buy two of their CD's at Borders/Best Buy tomorrow to make doubly sure.

Alias tonight was very good. It's always very good. I can't believe Lauren is a double agent! Jesus Christ. And I have a hunch that Irina somehow turned herself into Isabella Rosselini in the same way that the Francine clone was made. Think about it...noone has seen Irina since last season. And I wonder how Syd is going to find out about Lauren(you know she has to). Must discuss with Gloria on Tuesday...

Ego Has Landed is a very good CD. After the CD is over...I will watch...Close Encounters.

I finally opened Eye Toy this weekend. Amy and I played. She did well, but me being so tall I kept hitting the fuckin ceiling fan. I was bout ready to just rip it out of the ceiling.

I am very glad to see that most of the magic 8-balls predictions came true. It seldom lies...send more.

I haven't done this in a while...READERSHIP CHECK! Email me before Jan. 26th if you regularly read this blog. And let me know your feelings about it. Not that I'm becoming self conscious about my blog again, I'm just curious.

Happy MLK Jr. B-Day! Those of you with days off, enjoy! Those of you having to work...think of us enjoying the day off!

One Hundred Ninetieth Entry

I am officially bored. Noone is home. Noone is answering the phone. Shooting pool and drinking beer is not something you do by yourself. So I'll just listen to my new Robbie CD and drink beer at home. After the Robbie CD, I will bust out the Travis CD's to practice for the concert next week.

Anyone interested in going to see the Super Furry Animals on Friday, Feb 27th at 9pm at the Fillmore? I'm not too sure if I am going because I have only heard a few of their songs. And none of the songs were off of the album they are touring with now. They are a Welsh rock band, and from what I've heard, they are as mellow as Travis(if not more), not as depressing and a little more psychedelic. But that may just be the songs I've heard..."Juxtaposed With U", "Presidential Suite" and "Shoot Doris Day". I guess some of their rock songs are really hard...sounds like a good balance to me though. I will find some mp3s and let you know.

And I'm sorry if my 188th entry confused some people. No I am not going to kill myself, no I am not pissed off, no I am not depressed. I just felt like saying FUCK 56 times. That's all.

I made several kamikaze's tonight using my crate and barrel drink shaker(thanks a mil Lisa) and they turned out super excellent. Yum, yum, yum. Think I'll have another...

One Hundred Eighty-Ninth Entry

I had one of the best weekends in recent memory.

Amy came all the way to Tulare to visit. It was a great visit. We are officially a couple. It was a great visit.

I was way off my diet all weekend. Much Sonic was had by all.

We went to Best Buy today, and I spent so much money. I love spending money. I bought the first Lord of the Rings, Run Lola Run, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Robbie Williams' The Ego Has Landed. Excellent purchases, no?

Super excited about Travis next weekend. Amy bought the 12 Memories and The Invisible Band CD's so she could listen to them in preparation for the concert. She must prepare. She'll probably be the only one there not singing along. Well, maybe Jen too...I remember her saying she didn't like the new album as much as the others.

I can't wait to hear Beautiful Occupation live.

I want to go shoot pool tonight. Will call round and see if anyone wants to go. No work tomorrow!!!

One Hundred Eighty-Eighth Entry

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

that is all

One Hundred Eighty-Seventh Entry

I finished the button puzzle last night. Jen gave it to me the night we all went to see Firmino's play in SF. Thanks Jen! It was a very challenging puzzle. It took me about 5 days.

Today I started another one I had sittin around and it sucks ass. It is of the blue sky and some clouds. What sucks about it is that the shapes of the pieces are very generic. One piece could fit five other pieces. It took me all day just to get the border done. I don't even know where to start on the interior of the puzzle. I think I am going to give up on this one and start my astronaut puzzle. It's 2000 pieces! 6 days work...tops.

I need to clean my house and do laundry. I had to rewear a pair of pants(I hate hate hate rewearing.) I also need to play my Playstation. I still haven't opened EyeToy. I am avoiding all exercise, and EyeToy is very much a cardio workout.

Off to clean...wish me luck.

One Hundred Eighty-Sixth Entry

I went back to the dentist yesterday. It went very well. This time they were showing Lion King on the TV. They called me almost immediately. I sat down, and the dentist started to fill in the holes with composite filling. I asked him why they don't do composite on all the fillings. He said that composite fillings don't last as long as amalgam, have been known to shrink, and are more expensive. He said that they only use composite fillings on the front teeth, because they are enamel colored. The gum next to the tooth that took the biggest filling is very sore. I might have to have a root canal. In which case I would have to nearly deplete my savings account because the root canal and accompanying crown along with all the work I wanted to have done this year will cost my insurance more than the $1000 yearly maximum. I e-hat Delta Dental.

I love my new reach flossing mechanism. It is so easy. The only thing that sucks is that every month I will have to buy refills.

I have a ton of stuff to do at work today. Good thing I only have half a day...wouldn't want anyone to think I'm a good worker or anything.

One Hundred Eighty-Fifth Entry

Today was a very weird day. Well, the weirdness started last night.

I got my monthly Columbia House mailing yesterday. My commitment ends sometime this month. So when a deal came through saying "Buy 1 Get 3 Free", I decided it's time to fulfill my commitment. So I leafed through the literature they gave me. I needed to find 8 CDs that I am remotely interested in. I started at 6:30 pm.

I could only find 3 CDs in the literature they gave me. I decided to hit the website. At 8pm, I was no closer to my goal and watched the "Simple Life" reunion on FOX, and browsed the website during commercials. By the end of the show, I only had 5 CDs.

I submitted my list to Columbia House at about 10pm.

I woke up this morning knowing that I would only be at work for 45 minutes before I had to leave to go to the dentist. I get to work. I get to the dentist. They were showing Finding Nemo again. I love that movie!

The lady tells me to have a seat in the same place I sat in last week. I sit down and we begin.

I'm certain that the dentist tried to kill me. He put the topical anesthesia on my gums and stuff, but didn't wait long enough for it to kick in. He pulls out this giant half inch diameter needle full of stuff and jams it into my gums. At first I didn't feel anything, but the more novocaine he injected the more pain I felt, until I felt a huge sharp pain from my jaw up into my temple. There is nothing more emasculating than shedding a tear in front of a stranger.

Once I was all good and numb, the drilling began. After about 2 minutes of drilling, the suction tube lady said, "Doctor, 30." I didn't realize what that meant until after I got back to work.

Then the dentist tried to drown me. The nozzle on the water gun he had was too small so it kept falling out and shooting water all over my shirt. I couldn't help but laugh. I don't think they liked me laughing.

Finally, they were finished. The dentist advised me that there was a possibility that I needed a root canal in one of the teeth that I had filled, but only if pain or heat sensitivity persisted. I paid my $25 deductable and went on my way.

Back at work, the novocaine started to wear off when I noticed that the tooth in between the two that got fillings was extra sensitive. I was perplexed. Then I remembered the "Doctor, 30" thing that the suck lady had said. I borrowed a mirror from Danny(who has all of a sudden developed a germ fetish, think Lysol wipes all over the place) and confirmed what I had just thought. When she said "Doctor, 30", she was reminding the dentist to drill in tooth 30. I discovered two perfect little holes in tooth 31! I did not have a cavity in 31!! I was like WTF...fucking kangaroos!

I was going to let it lie until my appointment next week, but Jane urged me to call. I called...

"Tulare Health Clinic, blah blah speaking, how can I help you?"
"I'd like the dental office."
"One moment."
(two rings)
"Dental Office."
"Hi. My name in Phillip Toste and I was in earlier this morning for two fillings. The tooth in between the two teeth that got fillings is really sensitive, and upon looking in the mirror, I found two tiny holes in it. I think the doctor made a mistake and drilled the wrong tooth initially."
"Hold on a second, please."
"Thanks."
(on hold for about 30 seconds)
"Can you come in at 9 tomorrow?"
"Yes I can."
"See you tomorrow."
"Thanks."

No questions. They know they fucked up. If I have to pay a cent tomorrow, I will say the two little words that I never thought I'd say, "Malpractice lawsuit." That should fix them right up.

I heard at work today that we are definitely going to hire a new engineer. I'll never get promoted.

You know that my supervisor and I were the same age when we started working for the county? Except he started 4 months before I was born. I like reminding him of that. Hahahaha.

I don't know why Danny has developed a germ fetish all of a sudden. We did have a discussion at length about the perks and perils of digital cable. He just got it and expressed his confusion with the remote control. It's easy once you get used to it. No more are the days of the preview channel.

If anyone ever goes to Taco Bell, you must must must try the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito. It is pure pleasure.

One Hundred Eighty-Fourth Entry

So I'm sittin there at work today(I was half an hour late today, yikes!) and my boss comes up to me and tells me that her daughter asked who I was the last time I was there. Now, I have only met her unbelievably hot, 18 year old, Harvey Mudd going(did I mention she's hot?) genius daughter once, so I didn't think she would remember me anyway. But when Marcia told her who I was, she commented on how much weight I had lost.

So this whole thing has added fat to the Kendall fire. Ooooh. A pun!

One Hundred Eighty-Third Entry

Happy 26th Birthday Amy!!

I got my Performance Appraisal today. I got a 7 out of 10. That is the highest rating you can get without having to fill out extra paperwork. I was pleasantly surprised at what my supervisor told me in the conference room. He said that I exceed any expectations placed on an Engineer I. I am hardworking, motivated, eager to learn and deal with situations with perfect tact and humor. I couldn't look at him while he told me these things. I hate stuff like that. It made me feel good though. Afterwards, I signed the PAF and he turned it in to Marcia(boss lady). She signed it and when she was taking it downstairs to personnel, she came up to me and said, "Excellent PAF. You deserve it. Great job." I damn near hugged her. I said thanks and glowed for about an hour and a half. Then I went into Bill's office to take a nap.

It doesn't make me not want to find another job, but at least I know I'm making some folks happy.

Travis in 2 weeks! Uber Excited.

Oh yeah. There is a big snow trip planned for the last/first weekend of January/February. That is, the weekend of Jan. 30th. August(Paula's brother) knows of a snow park around here where you can take intertubes and stuff and slide down the hill. It's not skiing, but its a lot of fun. The whole troop is going(Paula & kids, August/Toni and Nathan, me and whoever else...) Yes that's an invite! Let me know if you are interested. Not that I'm lonely or anything, but my downstairs is now clean and ready to accept visitors. I hear my air mattress is very comfy.

I got news today of another set up plan with one of my bosses daughters best friends. Her name is Kendall and she is as tall as I am. She'd probably kick my ass if I tried anything funny like smelling her hair or licking my hand. Feisty! I guess she's on break now and Marcia, in her never ending quest to get me married and settled in to a life of County service, has set the ball rolling in a chain of events that I no longer have any control in. Oooh. How very Minority Report. You have a choice.

I haven't gotten any questions by email to ask the magic 8-ball. Please send them on over! It's powers must be used before they are losed!

One Hundred Eighty-Second Entry

Last night, Phil died. Free Bird was born.

The holiday lunch yesterday at my grandparents house was delicious and lots of fun. It's always fun when 28 folks squish themselves into a room full of food and booze. There was laughing, talking, pictures and video. It was a great great time.

Well after the lunch, Paula had the idea of everyone going to shoot pool in Visalia. Great idea. It was Me, Fred, Rouja, Paula, Tia Luisa, Hernani, Carina, Marcia and Melissa. It was the most fun I've had in ages. There was beer, lots of beer. We were there for a total of about 4 hours. The last hour and a half was a mix of singing along with the jukebox loudly, pounding beers and shooting (mostly missing) pool. Fun, fun, fun!

Marcia and Melissa were requesting songs like crazy in the jukebox. At one point, a song came on that sounded familiar to Marcia. She goes,

"This is that 'Fly Like An Eagle' song."
"No its not Marcia, drink your beer."

It was some odd song that none of us had ever heard of. We tried to sing along with it, but all we could sing was a line that contained the words, "free bird". I was in the middle of a game with my brother and as I was about to shoot, Marcia shouts out "You can do it Free Bird!" I laughed for 5 minutes. And it stuck. For the rest of the night I was Free Bird. Marcia became Penguin and Melissa became Swan. Rouja tried Anteater, but it didn't stick. Sorry Rouja. Today when my aunt called me to see when we were going over for lunch, she called me Free Bird. It's funny when old people do stuff like that.

After pool, we left and it was really foggy. We went to Grandmas house where we were drunk and stupid. It was fun.

Today was fun also. We got up and went over to grandmas to eat leftovers. While it was being prepared, I went outside and hung out with grandpa and my dad. Apparently, Tia Luisa's dog Velcro was out in the backyard and found a gopher hole. My grandpa isn't one to let gophers run around in his dirt. He proceeded to put a hose into the hole, turn the water on full blast and let it run for half an hour. It never overflowed the hole. After he realized that too much water was going into the hole, he took out the hose and shoved a bunch of gravel in. Hopefully the gopher got away. It's fun to watch my grandpa on a mission.

New Alias tonight. Promises to be good. It's been awhile.

One Hundred Eighty-First Entry

So yeah, I was just thinking how much funner me and me friends were in college. I remember logging on to AIM late at night (on any given night) and finding my friends just to tell them that I was drunk or high. None of that anymore. I thought about calling someone, but everyone is certainly asleep. We are all so adult now and have to be drunk and high on our own. It's all so sad.

25 years old, and I have to drink on my own. Very depressing. Even Lisa's getting her drink on with other people. I think I am in some sort of alternate universe where things are not and cannot go my way. How bizzare.

I ran out of low carb beer and am now drinking the left over Corona. One bottle of Corona has the same amount of Carbs as the 5 bottles of Michelob Ultra I drank. That is bizzare too.

I should change the title of my blog to "The Bizzare Files".

I should write a will. You never know when you are going to kick the bucket. I think I'll leave my computer to Lisa...she needs a new one. Carolyn can have my Savings Acct. money since she has to pay an arm and a leg for her arm(hahahahaha). Louis can have my TV and paper shredder for obvious reasons. Amy can have all my Ikea furniture and telephones for when she moves out. Jen can have my giant collection of Atkins literature and my CD collection(she got jacked!!). Dayni can have her choice of any one thing in my house, including my lovely computer desk. The rest of it is to be sold off to pay off all my debts. I'm just kidding. If I did write a real will, y'all wouldn't get nothing. No hard feelings?

I am roughly $60000 in debt. That hella sucks. I thought I was doing good, but hell no. Assuming I live til 85, thats $1000 a year from here til there. Jesus! That's what I'll leave to you guys, my debt. I'm so thoughtful!

I am so bored.

The low carb beer tastes a ton better than Corona. It's a little more sweeter almost.

I'm so old. I have to go pee.

One Hundred Eightieth Entry

Well, I'm gonna get drunk.

My visit to the dentist was really good today. The Tulare Health Clinic is not the white trash slash "no habla ingles" slash poverty filled cesspool I thought it was. It was very working class slash "yo habla ingles y espanol". I did have to wait for half an hour, but they had Finding Nemo on for the kiddies. At least they thought it was for the kiddies. I was the only one laughing.

Once it was my turn, I got a full mouth x-ray, which revealed 6 cavities. Not bad considering I haven't been to the dentist for x-rays in over three years. And it isn't even a record. I believe 9 cavities is my record, when I was 9 or 10. Next Wednesday at 8:30am I get four fillings and then I get the other two at some other time. They even took my blood pressure today...128/78...is that good?

I asked the hot lady that took my x-rays whether or not I should replace my silver fillings with white ones. She said not for the molars because they shrink and could end up leaking. Ewww...definitely don't want that.

My magic 8-ball is letting me down all over the place. It said that I would die at the dentist. (Beer #1 finished)Well, it lied. By the way Lisa, it said no to your question from last night.

Overall, the magic 8-ball is 53-12. Still not too bad.

If anyone wants to take advantage of the magic 8-balls hot streak, email or call me and I will ask it. I brought it home with me this weekend in case I needed any guidance.

Tomorrow is the family luncheon at grandmas house. We are expecting about 30 people. I am to my grandma's house at 11:30 to help set up for the lunch at 2pm.

There will be tons of very un-Atkins food. I will go off the diet tomorrow and engorge myself. It's gonna be great. I was going to try to stay on the diet tomorrow, but once I found out that my aunt was making sweet rice, well, need I say more? If you ever want me to do anything just put a huge bowl of sweet rice in front of me.

(Second bottle of beer finished)

Since Jen and my horoscopes are the same, I must say that I am not feeling very sexy, nor do I have a powerful feeling of love that I need to express physically. I don't have any harlequin book lying around, so I'll just shoot up some bad guys on playstation.

I think my magic 8-ball works better than these cockamamie horoscopes. Hahahahaha.

One Hundred Seventy-Ninth Entry

Well, my magic 8-ball is now 45-4. It's prediction of a promotion was incorrect.

In a very stealth operation, I searched through my bosses office (she's on vacation this week) for where my supe hid my PAF. He didn't do a very good job of hiding it. It was stacked like four down in my bosses' in basket. I didn't read through the whole thing, but I did get a very high score, the highest I've ever gotten. That should set me up for promotion for my next PAF. I don't think I can wait that long.

I need to find a second job like at WalMart, Save Mart or something. I'm going to have a lot of dental work I need help paying for...haha.

One Hundred Seventy-Eighth Entry

Work was ten times better today than yesterday. I actually did some. Being busy at work is, dare I say it, fun. My favorite thing is the mindless stuff I have to do half the time. I find myself doing more research than actual engineering. And that doesn't bother me all too much. I know where everything is, and if it ain't there, then I stop looking.

My supervisor Phil found this great website. It is for anyone who forgot anything about Algebra or Calculus. QuickMath does all kinds of fun math stuff. I was surfing it for about an hour at work today. GOD I am such a nerd.

Towards the end of my day at work, Phil walked by my office and stalled a bit before continuing past. He was half waving some paper in his hands. Taking the bait, I asked him what he had. Of course, it was my PAF (Performance Appraisal Form, i think). He was going to deposit it in my bosses office so she could review it before he gave it to me. He said that there was a lot of text in it. Uh-oh, I thought and said. That can only mean I did bad. He kinda laughed.

What a lot of text can also mean, is a promotion since there is an extra form he would need to fill out for that. And interestingly enough, I asked my magic 8-ball if I would get a promotion with my next PAF and it read, "Positively". And the magic 8-ball is 45-3 so far in predicting the future. It even knew that tomorrow is the 8th.

The magic 8-ball is never wrong. Except I doubt that I am getting a promotion because I don't have the two years required by the-powers-that-be downstairs. I'm not getting my hopes up.

Dental news. I am a horrid flosser. I floss only when I have stuff caught in my teeth because I have a really, I mean really bad gag reflex. As a result, I have two broken teeth. Each broken at the point where they touch the next tooth over. Sucks. It hurts and I can't chew properly. It takes me twice as long to eat a meal, and I can't eat hard stuff. I saw a commercial the other day for the Reach Flosser fork thing (See...watching as much TV as I do is a good thing). I bought it yesterday at WalMart and I love it. It really does work. Now I don't have to stick my fingers into my mouth and become quasi-anorexic.

More dental news. I found out today that my Delta Dental plan maximum is $1000. I didn't think there was a maximum. This totally sucks. I wanted to have a whole slew of things done to my teeth: I wanted my three remaining wisdom teeth pulled, I wanted my two broken teeth fixed, I wanted my silver fillings replaced with porcelain, I wanted to fix my chipped front tooth, I wanted to begin my check up and cleaning schedule (every 6 mos.), and perhaps get everything whitened. With this damn $1000 max, I will probably only be able to fix the two painful broken teeth. And if it's worse than I think it is, they may have to be pulled and have bridges or prosthetics put in their place. MEGA BUCKS!! I am going to try to come up with a supplemental dental insurance, out-of-pocket of course, so if anyone has any ideas, let me know.

And just in case you don't know, I am officially back on the Nicoderm patch.

Don't nobody "cap" on me...hahaha.

One Hundred Seventy-Seventh Entry

I hate my job. Love the people, hate my job.

One Hundred Seventy-Sixth Entry

My brother called me just a couple minutes ago. He called to wish me a happy new year. No one else called me. For some reason, that has put me in a funk. Usually my mom calls, and some friends call. But thats it, Fred called. Not that I didn't like talking to Fred for a little while, but damn, I wish somebody else had called.

I know that this is a huge extrapolation on noone calling me, but I can only blame myself for being alone on New Year's. I can't sit around and wait for things to happen for me. I do it all the time. I wait for things to come to me. That ends now.

2004 will be MY year. I will make things happen and have no regrets for anything. It sounds selfish, but whose gonna watch out for me and my best interests? No one. I need to make things happen for me this year.

I won't be passive anymore. I will be more aggressive and upfront with the things that I want. I won't be as fake as I have been for the past few years and tell people exactly what I think.

The real, whole entire Phil is going to come alive this year and things are going to change. Fuck the naysayers.

Happy New Year. Hope you got laid.

One Hundred Seventy-Fifth Entry

I am spending New Year's Eve alone for the first time in my life. No one to kiss, no one to hug and noone to share the passing of another year with.

I can't say that I am altogether unhappy about my New Year's Loneliness. I am looking at it as a chance to destress and think about what I've done in 2003, what's planned for 2004. And oh yeah, I'm sick and the last thing I need is to fight with crazy New Year's partiers on the road.

I have a wish list of things to do for 2004. I wrote it up at work last week (my new favorite pasttime at work is writing lists...God, I'm such an engineer.) So here it is with no particular order assigned to the items.

Quit Smoking planned start date: January 5, 2004
Clean, Organize and Sterilize my apartment from top to bottomplanned to begin as soon as my disease is over
Lose More Weight ongoing
Study for PE Test planned to extend from January to October
Get a Second Job search planned to begin mid-January
Write Best Man Speech for Louis planned to begin early to mid-March
Pay Off at least One Credit Card I think I'll go for the Chase Card
Start Exercising planned to begin as soon as my disease is over
Go to the Doctor for a Physical and Blood Work planned for January
Fix my Old Computer and Network it to the New One I'm such a nerd
Paint Paintings I have four untouched canvasses that I made with my own two hands last summer

So there it is. I'm sure I will not accomplish some of the things on the list. And I'm sure other things will come up that had I known about them now would've ended up on this list.

Louis says I'm lazy. Let me tell you why...

Way back on 12-24-2003(I got impatient), my brother gave me a wireless keyboard and mouse. Very cool, I thought. Now I can sit on my couch and surf the 'net. Well, the last coupla days I tried that, but it was uncomfortable and the print on the monitor was almost too small to see.

I had a brain storm this morning. I remembered that my computer came with a TV Out jack (S-Video). Off I went to Radio Shack and bought a S-Video cable. I came home, plugged one end to the computer, and one end to the TV, and since then I have been surfing the internet on my TV! What's even better, since the TV screen is way bigger than the computer monitor, I can read it a lot easier, and therefore I can be further away.

So, as I type, I am laying down on my sofa, in the same position that I slept in last night, typing, surfing, mp3ing away. God I love it! And if I wanna watch TV, I can just hit the input button on my handy remote. Thanks Fred for helping me live the couch potato's dream!

Talk about lazy. But I'm sick so it's OK.

I just took a theraflu and realized that I was supposed to get gas and buy cigarrettes. Shit, shit, shit!

One Hundred Seventy-Fourth Entry

I had a very fun extra long weekend. Christmas was good to me. The food was great and there was tons of it.

I am coming down with a disease. I don't know if it is the flu, a cold or just a passing mini-malaise, but everything is happening at once.

Symptom 1: Hot and Cold. Right now I feel Hot, but half an hour ago, I felt Cold.
Symptom 2: My left ear hurts and is very sensitive to pressure.
Symptom 3: I broke a tooth yesterday. It doesn't hurt all that much, but feels a little sore.
Symptom 4: Sore throat. I woke up with it this morning.
Symptom 5: Mini muscle aches.
Symptom 6: Light chest pains.

These could all be completely unrelated. Or I could have a heart attack, strep throat, ear infection, arthritis and the flu all at once. Wouldn't that be lucky?

Prediction: I will meet my medical and dental deductible by the end of next month.

I was planning on going to Union Square for New Years Eve just because I never done that before. But now I am not even sure if I am going up tomorrow or not. Depends on how I feel. But if I am up to it, anyone wanna go?

Work is doubtful tomorrow. I could care less. I have 90+ hours on the books in sick leave.

Oooh...work news. I heard my boss say my name, and the words "special PAF" in the same sentence to my supervisor. This could get interesting. My annual PAF(Performance Appraisal Form) is coming up next week. A special PAF is used for promotions. Very interesting. I was hoping to already be a II, but it didn't happen. A II is the same as a I. Exactly the same duties. Only title and pay differ.

Other interesting work news. My boss was going to ask me if I want to join her husbands study group for the PE. Her husband Gene is taking the test in April, and the earliest I could possibly take it is October. But I was planning on starting to study next month anyway. There is so much I have forgotten.

In case I die before I talk to any of you, Happy New Year!

One Hundred Seventy-Third Entry

I am drunk right now. It is very fun. I like to be drunk. Lisa, Jen and Dayni are here watching Moulin Rouge with my mom. The movie, so far, is very forgettable. There are some funny parts, but for the most part it is a very mushy movie. Love, Love, Love. That's all they talk about. It's as if all you need is love to live. Yeah, wait til she dies of TB or whatever the fuck she has. See what love does then. There's nothing like 21st century health care.

This makes no sense.

I watched World Idol tonight. Very good and interesting show. I think that Kelly Clarkson is going to win. I am also pretty sure that the backers of the World Idol competition are counting on Kelly to win. She is by far the best singer out of all of them. The Canadian judge didn't think so, but, after all, he is Canadian.

I really like So Co.

Tomorrow is Festivist. I am really looking forward to it. I wonder who got me!?!?

One Hundred Seventy-Second Entry

Big earthquake today at the Coast.

I was just sitting at work when I heard this noise that sounded the maintenance guys when they are up on the roof fixing something. Except it lasted a lot longer and was a lot louder. My first instinct was to dive under my desk, but I waited a few seconds and decided that the quake was not strong enough to knock anything over. I just sat there and enjoyed the ride.

After it was over, I logged on to the USGS website to check out the earthquake. 6.5 magnitude it said. Whoa, very strong. Very strong indeed.

Office-wide discussion ensued, and being the dorky engineers we are, we tried to figure out how much our building swayed during the quake. We never quite got that far, but the consensus was somewhere between 4-6 inches at the roof level. The discussion moved on to largest probable earthquake in the Visalia area. Again, the dorky engineer in us turned to my 2000 International Building Code where the maximum probably earthquake acceleration we can expect here is something like 45% of g (32.2 ft/s2 or 9.81 m/s2 for the metrically minded). Not too terrible. Then I checked the Bay Area, specifically southwestern Alameda County and they can expect an event with an acceleration of 150% of g. Sheesh. That's a killer.

Once discussion died down, it was already lunch time. Everybody went on about their business. I kept refreshing the earthquake list to track the aftershocks. There are hundreds and hundreds of them!

I also read some articles on the quake online. 3 people died. Very sad.

In other news:

- I dropped off all the presents I needed to today. I am pleased with that accomplishment. I tried to deliver everything yesterday, but noone was home! Imagine that! My grandpa really liked the lottery tickets I got him. He tried to scratch them, but quickly gave up and asked me to do it. He's never scratched a scratcher before! Only two of the tickets gave money for a total of $4.00. He was excited when I told him that he won $4.00. So was my grandma. It was a regular happy-fest. Then he asked me how much the 10 tickets cost. "Ai, perdeste seis dolares." "Sim vo, eu sei." Such FOB's.

- My performance review should be coming up in the next few weeks. I will pass, of course. If I wasn't going to pass, they would have told me that I needed to shape up already. The only thing I am going to get dinged for is punctuality. And I live so close to work. It's the fog I tell ya...

- Yesterday at WalMart (which was a madhouse) I saw something that I have never seen before. Some kid jumped out of his pop's truck and stood in a parking spot to reserve it until his pop could get to it. Next thing you know, some Acura, unaware of the kids plan, tries to park in the spot. Havoc ensues. Honking. Yelling. Thank God I was leaving. The Acura ended up getting the spot anyway. Dumbass.

- Very much looking forward to Christmas this year. I am giving a record number of presents this year. My credit card needs to be retired soon.

- Has anyone heard the remake of Tears for Fears song "Mad World"? It's by Gary Jules, and believe me, this song will tear your heart out and stab 10 foot long spikes through it. It's good though.

See y'all Friday.

One Hundred Seventy-First Entry

I had a brainstorm this week.

As of this coming January I will be studying hard core for my PE license test in October. I will not use any vacation time, except for Louis' wedding of course. My vacation balance will grow and grow.

After the test, there are plenty of holidays where I can get away without using vacation time(Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Xmas, MLK Jr. Bday). I should find out the results in January 2005.

In February 2005 I will have a huge vacation balance(as huge as a Gov't vacation balance can get). Approx. 2.5 weeks. Ash Wednesday is February 9, 2005, and Carnival is the huge party in the days preceeding it....two and a half weeks of vacation....just finishing the hardest exam in my life.......Mardi Gras!!!in Brasil!!!

I know it is still a little over a year until 2/2005, but the idea of going to a tropical paradise in the middle of our winter and partying like I've never partied before is really exciting!

I just thought I'd share and perhaps pique your interest.

One Hundred Seventieth Entry

I would like to ask anyone if they have an extra calendar. I don't have one for next year at home, and would like one for planning purposes.

That is all.

One Hundred Sixty-Ninth Entry

I drove back to Tulare today. It was an uneventful drive.

I got home, unloaded my truck and then went to Target in Visalia. I was looking for more Christmas Crackers like the ones I found at the Target in San Leandro (they were the last box in the whole store!). Well, I couldn't find that particular style, but I did find some ice blue ones with snowflakes on them. Very cool. They had tons of them. I bought two packs of 8, for $8.

So now I have 24 Christmas Crackers. I think I will use them at my grandparents Christmas dinner. There will probably be 20 of us there. The rest I'll take to work.

Good night.

One Hundred Sixty-Eighth Entry

It's that time of year...

Paula called me on Monday asking if Jen was coming down. I was confused as to which Jen.

The Jen that went to the snow! Ohhh.

Paula is going to the snow this weekend. The snow is all over the place in the mountains. But not at the place we went to last time. Hopefully by the end of this month/beginning of next there will be snow at Camp Nelson.

She asked me if I wanted to go, I said no, I am going up north this weekend.

Anyway, I want this blog to serve as an open invitation to my house this winter for anyone who wants to go to the snow some weekend.

That is all.

One Hundred Sixty-Seventh Entry

My apartment is so clean! My mom can do wonders.

One Hundred Sixty-Sixth Entry

It's official, I am coming home on Saturday. Firmino's play is the main attraction. If anyone is interested, let me know. The show I am going to is Saturday night at 8pm. It promises to be fun. My mom was raving about it the other day.

In case anyone is interested:

"Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All"
The Actors Theatre, Stage Two
533 Sutter St., San Francisco
December 5-28, Thurs, Fri, Sat @8pm, Sun @5pm (No Show on 25th)
$15 a ticket
Call 415-345-7575 for reservations.

Like I said, I will be at the show this Saturday, and I will go to the show on the 27th.

Firmino is really excited about this play and would really love it if you see it.

*****

Tomorrow is Gloria's next to the last day at work. Sniff, sniff. She is one of the nicest people at work. Even though she is only moving downstairs, her presence will be missed. So will her Atkins cooking.

Prediction: Gloria's departure will create a huge overload for the three remaining drafters and a giant backlog of work will develop. Intra-office tension is imminent and inevitable. At least until a replacement is hired.

As a farewell, the Design Division is taking her out to lunch at Mimi's Cafe (it was my idea (brownie points for me)). I haven't been there since it opened. I wonder if they have Atkins stuff.

One Hundred Sixty-Fifth Entry

Rouja, I am disappointed in you.

*****

I ironed for the first time by myself today. Yes folks, in all the years I have lived on my own, I have depended on the kindness of others and hanging or folding things up immediately after laundry to keep my clothes wrinkle free. Well, today I decided it would be better for me to watch TV intently rather than do laundry.

Guess what? No more clean un-wrinkled clothes!

I perused my closet for something decent to wear. Nothing. I found a shirt that I really like, but wrinkles very easily, completely wrinkled. So, throwing caution to the wind (and a fire extinguisher nearby) I started on my ironing journey.

I love the steam button on my iron. I didn't have any water in it when I ironed, but later on I filled it up and played with it. Very cool. the sound it makes is very Star Wars. "Luke...I am your father."

My shirt is wrinkle-free and ready to go for tomorrow (it took me about half-an-hour). Unless it falls off of its hanger in the closet. Then I'm screwed.

I'm thinking of throwing a party to commemorate this occasion.

Thanks Amy!

One Hundred Sixty-Fifth Entry

I read Jen's most recent blog about her horoscope. And no Jen, it doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps a hint of sarcasm?

But it prompted me to check my horoscope for tomorrow:

December 9, 2003

Do countries abroad represent real openings for you, dear Gemini? This is a question that you will soon have to answer. It may be that this is true, but it may also be an illusion that gives you a simplistic explanation for the dissatisfaction that you feel in your professional life at the moment. Think about it, because some important decisions you are about to make will be depending on it. And you are not the only one to consider, either.

Very interesting. And very true.

It's probably just the post-vacation thing, but I would love nothing more than to pack it in and move across the "pond". But, as my horoscope points out, this is probably just an illusion to deal with my dissatisfaction with my current job.

Like I said, interesting.

One Hundred Sixty-Fourth Entry

Miolos.com

That is all.

One Hundred Sixty-Third Entry

Work was boring today. I am so over my job, and ready for a change. But that could be the post-vacation depression talking.

Jerry Springer Opera

Lisa and I started our Tube ride with much anticipation for the Opera about to begin. Well, I was bouncing off the walls, Lisa was more composed. We get off at the Covent Garden Tube Station and walk around for a bit. Lisa asks a local merchant where the Cambridge Theatre is. We walk up the street a bit and turn the corner. Just a little further down, in bright neon lights, we see, "JERRY JERRY". I was home.

We get to the Will Call and collect our tickets. We have about half an hour to kill. We walk around and check out the Seven Dials area. Lots of cool looking stores. I found it to be a very indie area.

After about 25 minutes, we get back to the theater and wait for the doors to open.

The main doors open and we walk upstairs. There is a waiting area with a bar and sofas. The doors into the theater seats are still closed, and remain so for about 10 minutes. While we wait, the bar area fills to capacity. It got pretty stuffy in there.

Access to the theater seats opened and off we went to our seats. Decent seats. It would have been nicer to sit a little closer, but from where we were, we could see everything.

Over the speakers they were playing music. Very nice. The theater was probably at about 70% capacity when the lights dimmed and the music started.

From the second the music started to the very last second of the opera, it was a laugh-fest. It was a HILARIOUS show! With songs like "Poop Your Pants" and "Mama Gimme Smack on the Asshole", how could it go wrong?!? I think I enjoyed the Opera a lot more than Lisa did. And I must admit, it was a really rude and crude production and a lot of people would be offended by it.

The first half was Jerry's show. The actor looked and sounded exactly like Jerry Springer! It was freaky. There were guests and fights and Steve and the audience and commercials. It was hilarious. At the end of the first half, Jerry gets shot by a man who gets sexually excited when he wears diapers and poops his pants.

At the beginning of the second half, Jerry is in purgatory. He is transported to Hell by the devil himself. When in Hell, he is informed by the devil that he is going to host one last Jerry Springer Show. The devil is going to be the main guest. And guess what he wants...an apology from Jesus!

Not for the religious and faint of heart.

Nevertheless, Lisa and I enjoyed it. I would definitely see it if it came to the States, but we figured it would never make it to the US.

The End

One Hundred Sixty-Second Entry

Left work early today. I didn't feel that good. I think it's post-vacation depression. Don't worry, my life is in no danger.

Thought I should write this funny story into my blog.

The Last Night in London

Last Friday, I got back to the Astor Hyde Hostel in London and met up with Lisa. We got our dirty laundry together and did laundry at a laundrette down the street about 5 minutes. After that, we went back to the hostel and up to our room to start packing. Our plane leaves at 11am the following day.

Our plan was to wake up at 6am, get ready and be at the airport by 8am. Good plan.

Our Italian roommate Stefano comes in and informs us we are going to go downstairs to the bar and drink some beer. Lisa and I try to tell him that we have to get up really early, but you know those Italians...persistent. We cave and start to go to the bar. Lisa remembers that she needs to buy a magazine and goes out to a news agent on Queensway. So that leaves me and Stefano going drinking in the bar.

We drink, we smoke. There are not that many people in the bar. It was only 10pm. Two of Stefano's countrymen arrive in the bar and he tells them how he taught Lisa and I Italian cuss words. I have to practice my Italian for them. "Succia il mi cazzo, figlio di puttana!", "Vafanculo" and "Faccia di merda" are my favorites. A little while later, Stefano remembers what he calls the most important Italian word, "Pompino". (I will not sink to the level of writing their translations in English...I'll let this website do it for me. Italian Cuss Words

After a while (another pint and three or four cigarrettes), Stefano leaves and goes to pick up a friend that is staying at another hostel. He tells me to wait for a ten minutes. I says OK, fulling intending on leaving as soon as he does and going to sleep. He takes off, and I finish my pint and cigarrette, when a Scottish guy comes and plops himself down on the seat next to me. He asks the barkeep for a pen and paper. He starts to write a note. It reads: "Excuse me, but will the hat buy you a drink?" I could barely keep from laughing. He was wearing a very Lisa-esque ear-hat, but twice as big (it must get colder in Scotland).

He turns and asks me if he spelt 'excuse' right. I said yes. He takes off into the next room and comes back without his hat. Almost immediately, he expresses regret for leaving his hat. "Ah should've ahsked fu me 'aht bahck!" I nearly split at the seams! (At this point I just finished my third pint) I told the guy he needs to go get his "aht bahck". Sensing some good comedy, I went ahead and ordered another pint.

The Scot went back and got his hat. I asked him if his note worked. He murmured something incoherent and inaudible. I asked him to repeat. Again, incoherent and inaudible. I just started laughing and he said something about his accent. We talked for a little bit. It was really hard to understand anything he said!

A few minutes later, the girls he was trying to buy drinks for came to the bar. He turned to me and said "Thaht's 'em!" He takes off his hat and askes Fabio, one of Stefano's friends to pass it down the bar. Fabio passes it to Antonio, another of Stefano's friends. Antonio doesn't know what to do with the funny 'at. He looks at the Scot with a look of bewilderment that just cracks us up. The Scot tells him to put it on the stool beside him.

The Scot yells at the girls and points to his hat. They give him the weirdo eyeroll and a half smile. He dismisses it and gets his hat back. The girls get their drinks. The Scot motions them over. They come over and we start chatting. Celia, from New Zealand, and Laura, from Washington DC. Very nice girls. The Scot excuses himself because he is tired and needs to sleep. He takes off and I chat with the girls all by myself. Liquid Courage, don't fail me now.

We chatted for about an hour about tons of stuff. Celia is in London working in an Art Gallery as a receptionist. Laura is in London working as a Tele Marketer, asking people about whether or not they like Rugby. Very interesting! The whole time in my head..."pompino, pompino". Definitely Laura, but possibly Celia.

We had a very interesting conversation. I bought them a drink each, and another for myself, my last for the night (I needed to save at least four pounds for the Tube Extension to the airport). After a while, I realized that a "pompino" was not in the cards. So I just enjoyed the company from then on.

After a while, I excused myself and went to the toilet. After what must have been the world record for the longest urination, I returned to the two girls and we talked some more. Their mental patient of a roommate Jean-Batiste showed up after work and talked for a while. He was easier to understand than the Scottish guy, but that's not saying much. Jean only stayed for one pint and went to sleep.

After about 'alf 'our, Celia and Laura decided it was time to go to bed. I bid them good night and good luck with their jobs. I looked at my watch, half past two. Jesus. "Lisa's gonna kill me for sure."

I stumbled upstairs and snuck into the room. Lisa was asleep. I quietly laid on my bed and awoke to Lisa waking me up, three and a half hours later. Time to go to the airport.

The End

One Hundred Sixty-First Entry

It's good to use a regular keyboard where the shift keys are the normal size and the 'at' symbol is above the 2.

I got up at six this morning. I don't know why. I'm just fully rested. I will take advantage of this and get ready to go home to Tulare.

The 10 day trip to Europe was absolutely what I needed. It was a much more chill vacation since both Lisa and I have been to London and Paris before, and we knew exactly what we wanted to see.

Paris

Paris is definitely a city for lovers. Everywhere you look there were people making out and enjoying Paris' romance.

The Eiffel Tower at night was fun to see. I had never been to the top of it and had never been there at night. It was also great to walk down the Champs Elysees at night and see all the lights and people.

There was a lot of walking in Paris. And a lot of confusing Metro. We learned to hate the Chatelet station.

We walked through the Cimetiere Pere-Lachaise and found Jim Morrison's grave and found several street markets with vendors selling their French wares.

We got along fine with the Frenchfolk and between the two of us, knew enough French to ask for things and directions.

The food in France was good. Quick was my favorite meal. Quick is the French McDonalds, but there are more McDonalds than Quick's.

Sleeping arrangements were also good in Paris. The floor of our room had "bugs" all over it. Lisa swore they were bugs, but I thought they were just little black skid-type things from shoes and the like.

London

Before the trip London was my favorite city in the world. After the trip it is even more my favorite city in the world. There is tons to see and do in London. I could see myself living there permanently or on a work visa.

I really like the anonymity of the city. It has 12 million people living in and around it. It is very easy to get lost in the crowd. Everybody is in a hurry all of the time, and has no time to care what anyone else is doing. I love that.

London at night is really cool. I didn't get to experience the streets at night the last time I was there. It is a very busy city at night.

A lot of walking was done in London. Almost too much. It was worth it though. Hyde Park, the South Bank, Oxford Street. These are all worth walking on.

The food was good, although by this time Lisa was sick and tired of chips. I didn't mind them so much.

Stonehenge was somewhat of a let down. I expected some monumental structure of rock so wide and tall you couldn't fit it all into one photo. I wasn't that impressed. I enjoyed the ride there in the double-decker bus more, at the top of course!

The Tube in London was less of a maze than the Metro in Paris. But much more busy. The Bank/Monument station is realllllllly long and it takes forever to get from one end to the other.

Jerry Springer Opera rocked! Graham Norton was hilarious!

Lunch at the New Scotland Yard with Tony, Lucy, Bernie, and Peter was fun for us. The food was great and the ambiance was very frou-frou. There were three different forks and spoons!

England has got to be the single largest alcohol consuming country in the world. Everyone goes "down the pub" to grab a quick pint or two after work. I love that. And I gladly joined them in their drinking.

All told, it was a very good trip, and I'm glad I was with someone I get along with and trust.

I'm sure I will write more entries as the stories come to me. But I think this is a good starting synopsis.

If you want the play-by-play, check out Lisa's blog as she will be transcribing her travel journal into cyberspace sometime soon.

One Hundred Sixtieth Entry

I am officially 85% done packing. The other 15% is a pair of pants, a sweater and A&W mugs. I think I over packed yet again. I will remove a pair of pants. I think four will be enough, including the ones I wear on the plane. Five shirts is good enough I think. The shoes are the ones on my feet, and the ones I will buy in London.

I don't know whats come over me, but I am starting to get into the shopping groove. Much shopping will be done in London on Oxford Street and Paris on the Champs Elysees.

Anyway, I am nearly packed. Better get back to it.

Another thing, if anyone wants anything from there, let me know. I have a short list of requests from work and family.

One Hundred Fifty-Ninth Entry

Dear Jen,

I read about your troubles in the induction phase of the Atkins diet. Yes most of the weight you lose on the Atkins Induction Phase is water, but that is weight you don't have to carry around! And once you get stuck in and keep up the routine, the diet will work better!

Your Twix cravings will pass, and be glad you aren't eating Taco Bell or Arby's all the time.

Your friend,

Phil

I ran all over the central valley today looking for hardwood flooring. Well...all over Tulare and Kings Counties. I ended up finding what I needed at the Hanford Home Depot. $715 for 18 boxes of Red Oak, Natural hardwood flooring. 36 bucks each. I was assured by several people that it was a good price for the flooring. Ok...if you say so. Sounds like a lot to me.

In other news...Europe 2003 is just around the corner! I believe it will be a great success. I bought some new clothes to take.


*********************

It's over. It's officially over.

I guess I thought you'd be here forever
Another illusion I chose to create
You don't know what ya got until it's gone
And I found out just a little too late

I was acting as if you were lucky to have me
Doin' you a favor, I hardly knew you were there
But then you were gone and it all was wrong
Had no idea how much I cared

Now being without you
Takes a lot of getting used to
Should learn to live with it
But I don't want to
Living without you
Is all a big mistake
Instead of getting easier
It's the hardest thing to take
I'm addicted to ya babe
You're a hard habit to break

You found someone else you had every reason
You know I can't blame you for runnin' to him
Two people together but living alone
I was spreading my love too thin

After all of these years
I'm still tryin' to shake it
Doin' much better, they say that it just takes time
But deep in the night it's an endless fight
I can't get ya out of my mind

Being without you Takes a lot of getting used to
Should learn to live with it
I don't want to
Being without you
Is all a big mistake
Instead of getting any easier
It's the hardest thing to take
I'm addicted to you
You're a hard habit to break

"Hard Habit to Break"
by Chicago

One Hundred Fifty-Eighth Entry

Moooo....

I feel like a cow today. Not in physical appearance (debatable), but in mood. I should be more excited about my Europe trip, but I am not. I just feel...hmmph. It's going to be a blah blah day.

Went to Walmart this morning.

I called Lisa to ask her if I forgot anything. I have pretty much everything she suggested.

My new beanies are cool. I need a scarf and gloves.

One Hundred Fifty-Seventh Entry

This is one of the funniest things I have read in a long, long time.

Resurrection

One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Entry

Too sad to sleep...

I'm here
Just like I said
Though its breaking every rule I've ever made
My racin' heart
Is just the same
Why make it strong to break it once again?

And I'd love to say I do
Give everything to you
But I can never now be true
So I say

I think I'd better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me how
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now

I'm here
So please explain
Why you're openin' up a healin' wound again
I'm a little more careful
Perhaps it shows
But if I lose the highs, at least I'm spared the lows

Now I tremble in your arms
What could be the harm
To feel my spirit calm
So I say

I think I'd better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me how
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now

I wouldn't know how to say
How good it feels seeing you today
I see you've got your smile back
Now you say your right on track

But you may never know why
Once bitten twice is shy
If I'm proud perhaps I should explain
I couldn't bear to lose you again

I think I better leave right now
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now
Feelin' weaker and weaker
Somebody better show me how
Before I fall any deeper
I think I'd better leave right now

"Leave Right Now"
Will Young

One Hundred Fifty-Fifth Entry

I am not ready to leave next week. So much to do/buy.

Today was a deadly day at work. I was extremely bored until my boss gave me a fun project to work on with about 1.5 hours to go in the day. I worked on it for the rest of the afternoon.

Thank God tomorrow is a short work day.

Oh yeah, if anyone wants anything from London/Paris, let me know. I am not bringing back anything for anyone but myself, unless it is asked for. If you've already asked me for something, email it to me, because I forgot. :)

One Hundred Fifty-Fourth Entry

Listening to my Stereophonics CD...

dancing
in the mirror
you could see her from a mile man
she was alrite
she looked right over her shoulder
right at me
i was falling through the floor now
she came over me

help me oh help me
shes out of her mind
help me oh help me
somebody

laughing, all night
she could tell a funny story
she could stay up all nite
she was someone to remember
she was black and white
we did it on a sunbed
and she did it right

help me oh help me
shes out of her mind
help me somebody
oh help me

prancing, around a low lit light
running rags over her shoulders
red chili lights
she'd drink you underneath the table
she'd hold you heavenly tight
slap you right across ya white face
she'd make you cry like a child

help me, oh help me
shes out of her mind
help me so help me
somebody

crazy out of her mind
you wanna shoot her wanna love her
you can't make up your mind
you wanna tell her all your stories
you wanna open your mind
you wanna show her how your heart works
but you aint got the time

fighting all of the time
cuz nothing working nothing gaining
just a waste of time
you're trying hard to remember
all the beautiful times
but ya clouded by the bullshit
all of the time

loving on a Saturday nite
making love under a blanket
with the telly on loud
you wanna show her that you love her
but theres sex on ya mind
you makin love from watching movies
i think im doin it right

help me oh help me
shes out of her mind
help me so help me
somebody

"Help Me"
Stereophonics

Makes you wanna get down and dirty, doesn't it. Download it, listen to it, get down.

One Hundred Fifty-Third Entry

Happy Veterans Day everyone.

I am absolutely thrilled I don't have to work tomorrow. It's supposed to be foggy, but that won't stop me from enjoying it. I think I may go watch a movie or two. Scott at work said "Second-hand Lion" was a very good movie, and Gloria agreed. I will watch either that or "Matrix:Revolutions". Or maybe "Love Actually". I read a review on it that was very very positive.

I'll pull a Jen and pay for one and see them all. Just kidding.

I need to get a Day Runner. I'll probably stop at Office Depot before the movies and pick one up.

For those of you with the day off tomorrow, have fun. For those of you that have to work, Haha, Suckers!!

One Hundred Fifty-Second Entry

This weekend was a blast. I had so much fun, with friends/family. It was a great weekend. I thought about calling in sick tomorrow to make it a four day weekend, but decided against it. Too much fun can be a bad thing. :)

Tomorrow everything goes back to normal. I hope my fish aren't dead. If they are, well, I will have to have another service for them like I did for George and Martha. I think I'll name my next dead fish Wallace. No reason.

This weekend was a nice diversion, but it still hurts.

One Hundred Fifty-First Entry

Have you ever wanted something you couldn't have, so badly it hurt?

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.

One Hundred Fiftieth Entry

Catch a star, if you can
Wish for something special
Let it be me, my love is free

Sing a song, to yourself
Think of someone listening
One melody, you're all for me

I'll write a symphony just for you and me
If you let me love you, I'll paint a masterpiece
Just for you to see
If you let me love you, let me love you

Are you ready, are you ready for love?
Yes I am
Are you, are you ready, are you ready for love?
Yes I am
Are you, are you ready, are you ready for love?

You're the one, like the sun
Shine your love around me
You'll always be, the one for me

Say the word and I'll be there
Loving you forever
Don't let me go
Just say it's so

We'll hear the music ring from the mountain tops
To the valley below us
We'll serenade the world
With a lullaby so the angels will know us
Angels will know us

Are you ready, are you ready for love?
Yes I am
Are you, are you ready, are you ready for love?
Yes I am
Are you, are you ready, are you ready for love?
Love

"Are You Ready For Love"
by Elton John

One Hundred Forty-Ninth Entry

I really had a lot of fun this weekend.

Halloween Party at Louis' was a lot of fun. It was good to hang out with everyone.

Saturday was a half family/half friends day. Breakfast and bonding with family. Dinner and bonding with friends.

Sunday was a treat. Family and I went to His Lordship's in Berkeley at the Marina. It is a very nice restaurant. Today was Brunch Buffet. It was good. After that I went on down to Union City and met Jen at Century 25. We watched "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". I was scared, but not nearly as scared as Jen! She kept jumping and pushing on me when something happened...oh wait, that was me.

Tomorrow starts another week at work. At least it is going to be cold this week.

One Hundred Forty-Eighth Entry

Tomorrow is going to be the first below 80 deg. day since April. I am very looking forward to it. I think I just may take a jacket to work. It's supposed to get up to 68, not too cold, maybe a jacket isn't necessary.

Work today was lame. I spent a majority of the day avoiding work and attending a health benefits seminar concerning our new Blue Shield bennies. They suck, as they always do, and the county share is measly. I will probably have to get a smaller paycheck just so I can avoid paying a $1000 deductable per year. Oh well.

I watched "My Cousin Vinny" this weekend. The funniest movie I have seen in a great while! If you haven't seen it, watch it!!

I can't wait until Friday! Halloween!! I think everyone is going to get freaked out at work when they see me. I need to buy an umbrella. It's gonna rain Friday. I wouldn't want to jack up my hair. And what about trick-or-treating? That is gonna suck if its raining!

One Hundred Forty-Seventh Entry

Apparantly, my phone call with Lisa, as she flirted with death crossing Hesperian last Friday, is the first known case of electronically transmitting a disease. I have researched this and I can't find another case of its kind anywhere.

I am officially on sick leave today. I feel like ish. I am not running a fever or anything, but I am completely congested and have a minor ache in my left arm. I suppose I could be having a stroke, but I think I just slept on it wrong. I am diagnosing it as a head cold. Thank you Lisa.

I left early yesterday from work(My check out board excuse for leaving is "Diseased". They didn't like it too much the last time I was sick and wrote "SARS"). Really shouldn't have been there anyway. The only reason I went in was because I had a meeting with my boss and Redevelopment about a cost estimate I ended up throwing together yesterday morning. It's shit as far as formatting goes(my ugliest work yet), but pretty accurate. Did you know that you cost Sidewalk Installation as a square foot quantity? Did you know that it runs $1500 to construct a curb ramp complete with detectable warning surfaces?

**********

If any of you have dish network/directv/digital cable, I have a show to recommend to you. It is called "The Office", and it is on BBC America. I can hear it now, "BBC? I hate England TV shows." But this one is absolutely hilarious. It hurts to watch because of some of the situations. Think of the worst boss you ever had, multiply by 12 and you have the main character on this show. Check it out...The Office.

I got up this morning to news of the wildfires in LA. I guess I won't be going there anytime soon.

Last night I experimented with my faux earrings. I tried gluing them on with eyelash glue, as was suggested by Gloria at work, but it doesn't work. So then I tried with super glue and it worked, of course. It took me about 15 minutes to get it off, but it stuck. If I can't come up with anything else, that is what I will use.

I also made a hematite necklace for my costume, bought the clothes I need(including wallet chain), bought the makeup, and got the sculpting gel. And I didn't need to go to Hot Topic! I will probably get into full costume today to see how it looks. Paula will probably help me out with it Friday morning, cuz I haven't a clue when it comes to nail polish. I love Halloween. I am actually going Trick-or-Treating on Friday with Paula, her kids and Igo. I went last year, but my costume was very last minute. This year, a lot of planning. Lisa would be proud.

One Hundred Forty-Sixth Entry

I just found two pretty cool websites that some of you may find interesting.

www.pollstar.com --- A website with every bands tour dates and stuff. Very cool.

uk.maps.yahoo.com --- A Yahoo!Maps for England. Very cool too.

Happy surfing!

One Hundred Forty-Fifth Entry

Marlins win the Series!!!!!!!!!

Louis was here today. He drove up this morning and left about 3 hours ago. It was good to spend some time with him. We ate, drank and were merry. I only wish he could have stayed longer.

Summer is supposedly coming to a close this week. The first below 80 day since April is scheduled for this Thursday. A 77. Very nice. And its all downhill from there. By the end of November, the Central Valley will be shrouded in fog...I love it!

I'm going to be a Punk Rocker for Halloween. I am going all black (including hair) with an almost too inappropriate shirt to take to work. It will be perfect!

Marlins win the Series!!!!!!!!!

One Hundred Forty-Fourth Entry

I did absolutely nothing at work today except walk around and get everyone excited about Best Buy opening today! I looked up their website to see if they had any specials for today, but nothing. I got off of work at 11:15 and made a beeline to Best Buy. It was sensory overload from the moment I walked in the door. It was pretty packed with people and there were almost as many salespeople. Every single worker I passed smiled and asked if I needed help. It was getting annoying toward the end of my hourlong visit. So much to see and play with!

All I bought was the new Seal CD. The only songs I heard from it previously were "Get It Together", "Waiting for You" and "My Vision". Very good songs, so I thought I'd take a chance on the CD. So far, so good.

After Best Buy, I went to the new Target Greatland and looked for a travel clock. Very expensive! I'd be better off just using my cell phone. So I just bought some Advantage Bars...yumm.

One Hundred Forty-Third Entry

The Marlins are one win away from getting rid of the evil Yankees and taking the world title of baseball!

Work today was very busy. My memo is awaiting me with the first round of corrections and revisions made by my super. Pretty much the whole day was spent on a preliminary estimate for my sidewalk project in Cutler and Orosi. I thought I had to have it done by tomorrow, but I got a call at the end of my day delaying the estimates delivery til next Monday. Good. I wasn't going to have it done tomorrow anyway. Work was much more interesting today than it has been for the last couple weeks. I learned a lot today about landscaping in the State's right of way. It may not sound interesting to you folks, but I thought it was pretty interesting.

Tomorrow will be spent working on my estimate more and polishing off the memo.

One Hundred Forty-Second Entry

Marlins win game four!!! There is a God!! The Yankees must DIE!!!

I was ready to quit my job today. I was so pissed off at everyone and frustrated with everything.

Story goes:

Monday morning I got an assignment from my boss: "Write a memo that I am going to send to my boss who is going to send it to the Road Commissioner, about curb ramps and what standards we are using." Fair enough. As far as everyone else in the office is concerned, I know the most about the requirements and standards for curb ramps, both state and federal. I don't know everything, but a lot, and certainly the most out of anyone I work with. I get started, kinda half work on it, while working on something else. Marcia (my boss) comes back and tells me that she needs this memo in like two days. Oh, OK. I start working on it full time. Fast-Forward

Yesterday I get to work and worked on the memo. About half an hour before lunch, I discovered to my horror, two things that somehow were overlooked by both me and anyone else who has reviewed anything at all concerning the curb ramp guidelines. I started stressing. I was on the verge yesterday. I put the two issues aside and continued to work on other parts of the memo that weren't affected by my discoveries. I finished those. Fast-Forward

Today I got to work and was determined to talk to Marcia about the issues. I was nervous. I don't know if any of you have ever had to go to your boss and take responsibility for something you fucked up on, but I thought I was getting pretty used to that. It never gets any easier.

I went into her office and told her I have some bad news. She said uh-oh. I told her it was about curb ramps. She gave a sigh of relief and said she thought I was gonna tell her I got a hot new job up in the Bay Area! Whew... I told her the problem. She said it wasn't a problem, that it was outside the project limits. I told her that the regs require it, but she shot me down again. What a relief!! Off the hook.

I continued writing the memo and kept getting bombarded with requests from all over the place. I needed to get this memo done by the end of the day but couldn't for all the people that kept bugging me. By the middle of this afternoon, I was burned out. I wanted to go home. I was past the verge and ready to go Osama on everyone. I went outside and took a break. I cooled down and got back to my office. I finished the memo at 5:30. I went to take it to Marcia, and she was walking down the hall saying "See you next Monday, I'm off to LA."

Shit.

So at least I got the memo done.

I think a lot of this stress is from my first full week on non-smoker status. I start my second week of "patching" tomorrow.

Some good news:

The Roach Coach company sent out another truck for us! After a month long absence, we have a truck again! I bought a bottle of water this morning and a chef's salad at lunch. Pretty cheap.

Some other good news:

Bill at work celebrated the 5th anniversary of his heart attack today! What did he do to celebrate? Well, what everyone else does to celebrate a milestone at the County...he brought in donuts.

Marlins Win!!

One Hundred Forty-First Entry

I found out today that I have to work at the county for at least another 2 years. That is when I should know whether or not I passed the PE exam that I will take April 2005!!!. I previously thought I was going to take it October of next year. I nearly cried when I discovered that I would have to work here for another 6 months. I decided that once I return from Europe, I would start looking for another job. I don't know how long I can take much more of this job.

On a lighter note, I had dinner at BT's a very good mexican restaurant in Visalia. I had an all meat burrito with guac, sour cream, lettuce and cheese. Mmmm mmm.

I stopped at Costco on my way to dinner and got four cases of bottled water to take to work. I like Costco. I browsed through the CD's and DVD's, but was good an' di'n't buy nuthin'.

I am getting excited for my trip to Europe. I can't wait 'til 11-19!

One Hundred Fortieth Entry

The more I listen to the new Travis CD, the more convinced I am that this is one of my favorite CD's. By far my favorite song is Beautiful Occupation. It's a protest song against the war in Iraq. Very nice. Good lyrics. Re-offender is another great track.

I played Sims all day today and yesterday. Great fun. Since I bought my new computer, I hadn't installed the Sims, so I am having to start anew. It's fun.

The Yankees lost last night. I am soooo happy! They are winning 4-0 right now, but its only the third inning.

I spoke with Mylinh today. She is doing well. She likes Vietnam. She asked about "The Gang" and sends her love to all.

Did you know it costs $5.00 a minute to call to Vietnam if you don't have any of those fancy int'l calling plans? Well it does.

I have decided to take a laid back approach to work. Yeah it is boring me stiff. And yeah I can't get anywhere at the County unless someone leaves (not gonna happen) or dies. But I only have to be here for one and a half more years! My stay in Tulare is very nearly half over.

My boss and supervisor at work were trying to convince me to enter a Masters program with them. We were talking about the GRE and stuff. I think it is a masters in Public Administration, which is completely worthless unless you plan on working in the Public Sector for the rest of your life. Which I don't

Did I tell you about Adam's job? He has the ultimate coolest Civil Engineering job. I am sooooo jealous. He works for Provost and Pritchard in Fresno. They get two bonuses a year which are a certain percentage of your salary. They have a really cool breakroom with Ping-Pong and the like. They get one $50 gift certificate to the store of their choice every month (Adam chose Home Depot). Every five years that a person has worked there, they get "roasted", which sounds really cool. They have company picnics and a softball team. And the ass kicker...if Adam referred me to work there and I got hired, he would get $1000! He already promised me $300 of it. I wish I worked there. The thing is that the type of Civil Engineering that they do is not the type I like doing. Besides, they aren't hiring.

Gotta go, The Office is on.

One Hundred Thirty-Ninth Entry

Yankees and Marlins are in the World Series. I am very disappointed.

Adam came to Tulare tonight. I like hanging out with Adam. We went to Joe's Place Mexican Restaurant and it was goooood. I ate way too many carbs. Then we went to Walmart and I bought soap.

One Hundred Thirty-Eighth Entry

Red Sox lost tonight...sniff. It doesn't look good for the Sox. I may have to Cowboy down by the end of the week.

For some reason summer is clinging to Tulare with all its might. It is supposed to be in the mid-80' from Friday to next Thursday. I am sick of it! On the bright side, we are scheduled to have our first below 80 degree day on Thursday. Relief!!!

Today was full of beautiful sights. On my drive to work, I noticed that the harvested, barren fields had a thin layer (approx. 4 feet thick) of fog! It was really cool. And then, on my way to play tennis tonight, I was driving down Tulare Avenue just as the sun was setting at the end of Tulare Avenue. It was a huge bright orange ball, slowly crawling into the western horizon right in front of me. Very beautiful.

Work was good today. I was busy. I called people at Disabled Student Services at Cal Poly, the Mayor's Council on Disability in San Francisco, and the Curb Ramp contact for the City of Phoenix. They were all very cordial and eager to help, but didn't. I need to call Phoenix again tomorrow. I wonder if they are hiring???

One Hundred Thirty-Seventh Entry

Red Sox won tonight. Pretty exciting towards the end. I need to see a Sox-Cubs World Series. The two great curses go head to head. Think of it!

And whats up with the niners? What are they, 2-5? Worst start in the last 2 decades, I'm sure.

Work was good today. I got to talk with a nice lady that works for the City of Scottsdale, AZ. She was very nice. I should have asked her if they were hiring engineers.

Blas at work asked me if I was Pro-Choice, or Pro-Life. As that is inappropriate conversation for the workplace, and I didn't want to have a long drawn out bible discussion, I told him I was Pro-Life. Please don't hold that against me, I was under great emotional duress...he was slamming the Bay Area, my home and my peoples, for being ulta-liberal. Please, if he thinks being pro-choice is ultra-liberal, I wonder what he thinks of gay marriages? Super-duper-ultra liberal??

Major drama of the month(not as big as Jens major drama, but drama nonetheless): One of the drafters was not at work today. He didn't even call in sick. The head drafter had to call his dad, who works at the other end of our building. In any case, he was a no-show.

Fast-Forward 5 hours

I went downstairs to get everyones mail, and I happened to glance at a sheet of paper that, at the top, had the word Delinquent, and further down included the name of the missing drafter.

No doubt that was from the payroll department saying that he had no more sick leave or vacation, and didn't make his 40 hours last week. That coupled with his missing 9 hours today, and his previous warning from the management that if he ever took leave without having any leave in his bank he would be terminated, surely means someones head is gonna roll.

Will keep y'all posted.

Cowboy up!

One Hundred Thirty-Sixth Entry

I've done it again.

Target Greatland opened this week. I have been awaiting the opening of Target Greatland ever since I saw the sign that it was coming.

Target Greatland is huge! You could stand at one end of it and not see the other for the curvature of the earth!

I went there tonight. I spent money I don't have. I bought a dart board! I bought the new Sim City expansion pack! I bought three puzzles! I bought $50 dollars worth of Atkins bars! I bought ziploc bags! in two sizes!!

Depression shopping sure sucks the account dry, but feels oh so good!!!

One Hundred Thirty-Fifth Entry

I hate work. I love the people, but I hate the work. Today I was stuck using a planimeter all day. You run the planimeter around the outline of a shape, and it tells you the area in square inches. It is a mechanical integrater (think calculus). I was excited about it at first (a mechanical integrater! who'd a thought!!) but after the fourth hour of mechanically integrating landfill closure x-sections, I was tired of it. And that is not the most boring and tedious thing I could have done today!

I still get the "you're late" reminders from my supervisor, and they are still annoying.

If things don't change soon, I am leaving. I don't know how much more I can take.

One Hundred Thirty-Fourth Entry

It is a sad, sad day for politics.

I voted this morning. No's all the way.

For two days in a row, I rooted for the loser.

And now we have to deal with a womanizing nazi-sympathizer in charge of Sacramento.

I'm getting a new job in another state before California, the land I loved, sinks into the Pacific.

One Hundred Thirty-Third Entry

I am heart broken.

The A's lost the Division Series.

I watched games three and four and the A's played pitifully, game 3 especially. Tejada and Byrnes are dumbasses. I wouldn't care one bit if Tejada left the team next year, as was hinted by the broadcasters. Byrnes is just a crybaby and should learn that there is no pain in the post-season. He should take a lesson from Durazo, who limped his way into second tonight on a double he hit.

The A's strike me as a young team. Most of the guys are not mature enough and seem to have that pretty-boy attitude that only loses pennants and stuff like that.

I must say that I am impressed by the Oakland pitching staff. They held their own throughout the series, and would have won the series if not for idiot mistakes by retards in game 3.

Oakland does not have as much offensive capability as I was expecting. They used to be such a power team.

Boston on the other hand has, what I think, a more mature and balanced team. They seemed confident and aware of their capabilities. The coaching staff also knows what its doing. They pulled tonights pitcher before he could do anymore damage. The A's coaching staff let Zito lose the game for them.

I hope the BoSox go on to beat the Yankees (I'm just tired of them), and win the World Series. They deserve to break the curse.

Cowboy Up!