A Rambler's Rambling

I'll Give You Four: Weezer (Red Album)

2009-08-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of my second week of the new semester. This means I have completed my first week. It's not rocket science. . .

Either way, I foresee a busy schedule that will pull me every which way, but I still hope to at the very least post this type of column every Sunday (and as it is, this will be up on Monday). But no excuses, because I was off today, but I chose to spend the first half of my day lounging around, switching channels between the Little League World Series Championship (Chula Vista, CA beat Chinese Taipei to win the whole kit-n-kaboodle; USA! USA!) and the final round of the Barclays Championship, a golf tournament that held some serious dramatics, as a 20-foot putt separated the winner (Heath Slocum, I believe) from what would have been a five-player playoff (that would have included Paddy Harrington, Ernie Els, and the man himself, Tiger Woods). Great stuff on the sports front today. . . (as a footnote, the second half of my day was spent working out - first time in at least a month - walking Leia, straightening up the apartment, and doing some research online - today was a not a wasted day)

But that's not why you are here today (although I do intend to post an NFL preview before the season starts here in two weeks. It's time for my second installment of I'll Give You Four, where I give you four reasons why something that I find entertaining, brilliant, or a mixture of the two, should be viewed, listened to, or experienced by you, my faithful readers. This week, I'll go to something simple and easy for me to advocate for, my favorite band and their most recent album (in light of their new album, which will be released in October).

WEEZER (RED ALBUM)

Weezer's sixth album was released on June 3, 2008. For fans like me, it was excitement-filled, because it was their first album since 2005's MAKE BELIEVE, which wasn't as good as their older albums (although, in my opinion, "Beverly Hills" is still one of their catchiest songs to date and is one of the more fun songs to listen to). The single "Pork and Beans" was a video sensation, as it showcased celebrities of the Youtube community.

Weezer |MTV Music

But the album did not receive the greatest reviews, and apparently this is a common thing with Weezer. The internet explodes with opinions whenever they put anything out and it's divided down a fine line and usually results in people saying that they have not succeeded in anything since their first two albums (The Blue Album and Pinkerton). As someone who can always find a silver lining in anything that they produce, allow me to turn the tables on all those naysayers out there and show you why Weezer is the best around. Now I am no ROLLING STONE music reviewer and the only instrument I can play is the radio, so my opinion is rooted only in desire to listen to music. I listen to everything from country to rap, but no matter who, what, when, where, or why, I'm always in the mood for Weezer, especially The Red Album, which in my opinion, is their best all around disc to date!

I'LL GIVE YOU FOUR:

1) Rivers being Rivers

Just like Manny Ramirez, who had that statement practically trademarked for himself (Manny being Manny), lead singer and band leader Rivers Cuomo is a very unique individual. He does things how he wants to do them and his quirks shine through. Again, people quote from the new song (which has a line about wearing "Slayer t-shirts") and say that he is just digging into the well too often and trying to be hip with his allusions to other bands as well as pop culture. But why is this a bad thing? "In the Garage" (from Blue) mentions "my favorite rock group KISS". "Only In Dreams" (also Blue) has a line that says "You say it's a good thing/That you float in the air/That way there's no way I will crush your pretty toenails to a thousand pieces". Not everyday lingo. But that's who he is. I mean, hell, "P,"ork and Beans" itself says "I'm gonna do the things that I want to do/I ain't got a thing to prove to you"! My favorite part of that song is that he says "I don't give a hoot about what you think". Only Weezer brings out the "hoot" instead of the profanity, and maybe that's why I appreciate them. Their vocabulary is slightly bigger than that of your average rock band.

2) Everyone Sings

Every member of Weezer does the lead vocals in at least one song on The Red Album. This threw me at first, as I wasn't sure who I was listening to! But when I listened to them over and over (as I am to do with anything Weezer does) I realized that it changed the style up only slightly and gave it a different breath that I totally enjoyed. In fact, one of the best songs on the whole album is "King" which you can read about in this excerpt from good ol' Wikipedia:

""King" is the last song on the deluxe edition of the Weezer album and is sung by Scott Shriner. In the liner notes for the deluxe edition Scott says that the song was not being voted by the rest of the band but was one of his favorite tracks from the demos Rivers played for the band. One day Scott called up Rivers and demanded the band add the song on the album, Rivers responded by saying that if he [Scott] wanted the song so bad he should sing it, and so he did."

It just adds a different feel to the album. And I in particular found it to be a fun addition!

3) Classic Sound

I remember popping in the CD for the first time and hearing "Troublemaker", the first track, start up. Those first 10 seconds or so sound like classic Weezer to me. I immediately got a smile on my face and said "They're back," because even I, an eternal Weezer optimist, felt like they had taken a step back with their most recent efforts. "Pork and Beans" has a guitar riff that bleeds Weezer sound. And unlike "Make Believe", where they practically used the same music as a previous song (listen to the introduction to "Perfect Situation" and then go back to the Green Album and listen to "Simple Pages" - undeniably similar), they tweaked their classic music just enough to feel like they were doing something new and fresh while still staying true to their roots. "Heart Songs" is a ballad that reeks of Weezerization (just made that up!) with their ode to all the bands that made them who they are (as a sidenote, every single time I listen to this song I get goosebumps when he says "our song come on the radio/now people go "this is the song"" - - Rivers gets that his music is important to people and I know what that means to an aficianado like that because of the way he writes his songs). All in all, I feel that the songs they put together show an updated version of the old-school Weezer, and that's what made the album pop to me.

4) "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)

And this song is the biggest reason for why this is a great album. Constructed of distinctively different parts, it is broken up into almost mini-songs that combine to form what I consider the greatest Weezer song ever. It's brilliance is in its originality and its sound, which is different than anything I had ever heard. The bassist, Scott Shriner, agrees with me about its brilliance by describing it as a "masterpiece that includes ten different styles of music based around a common theme." I have no idea how they created the different sounds within this song (although I definitely hear police sirens at one point) but it never misses. Each part of the song (including a small section where Rivers is really just talking) leads up to a great chorus of "I am the greatest man that ever lived/I was born to give" while a choir of voices behind him echoes his words. What a song to listen to as you head into work and your confidence is a little shaky! I would have paid full album price for this song alone, and yet, there are many others that are almost as perfect as this one (among them, "Dreamin" and "Troublemaker").

- - -

Well I hope I convinced you to go put $10 or so towards a great album that you will be listening to for years to come. One year and three months after its release, five of the songs off this album appear in my TOP 10 MOST PLAYED list on my iTunes account. It is a step above everything else that is out there right now (I can't believe some of the crap on the radio - which is why I don't listen to mainstream radio) and it only gives me hope for their new album coming out in October (awesomely titled "Raditude" - and if that doesn't scream "Weezer" I don't know what does!)

That's all for now - if I don't hop back on this week (I hope to get a movie review of THE FINAL DESTINATION up here soon) then I'll meet you back here next Sunday for the next installment of I'LL GIVE YOU FOUR. . .

Have a night!

I'll Give You Four

2009-08-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

So here's my idea:

I'm gonna try this every Sunday. What am I going to try? Again, here's my idea:

Let's say that you like something, whether it is a television show, a band, a movie, anything. Ok, great. Now why do you like this particular thing, or even better, why are you right about this thing that other people are wrong about? Fantastic. "Give me a reason" is what is usually said.

Instead of doing you one better, I'll go ahead and do you three better.

"I'll give you four."

Four reasons why I am right and why others are wrong. Four valid, logical, arguable reasons why you should join me against the grain (or, if in the case of a critical darling, why you should jump on the bandwagon). And that's the idea.

So I'll start with one that not a lot of people are in on, a television show that was cut tragically short by a lack of viewers, which is often the case with shows like this. It's critically lauded (at least by some) and is professionally produced with a top-notch cast and an award-winning creator. And for some reason, it only lasted one season. And that one season, 22 episodes of roughly 40 minutes each, makes this one of the greatest 15 hour movies I have ever seen. Or, at the very least, became one of my favorite television shows (and would be number one, if it had only lasted longer).

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

NBC aired this Aaron Sorkin dramedy about the life behind the camera of a late night sketch comedy show (like Saturday Night Live) called the same thing as the show that we watch. It is run by Matthew Albie (Matthew Perry - this was my only gripe with the entire show; Perry is fantastic in the role, but Sorkin couldn't have named this character anything else but Matthew?!?!) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) and contains a cast that includes "The Big Three"; Simon Styles (D.L. Hughley), Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson) and Tom Jeter (Nate Corddry). The network is run in part by Jack Rudolph (Steven Weber) and Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet). Drama, hilarity, and a lot of coincidental occurrences, well, occur.

I'LL GIVE YOU FOUR:

1. The writing.

This is what Aaron Sorkin is known for. He wrote and created SPORTS NIGHT (another show that might get featured in this spot at another point) as well as the award-winning THE WEST WING (a show that I desperately want to watch - I found the entire series on half.com for under $100 if someone would like to buy it for me). He also wrote THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, an above average film starring Michael Douglas as the President who has lots going on in his life and then decides to get involved with a woman who also happens to be a lobbyist. The final speech by Douglas earned my vote, that is to say that if a candidate for the president or a sitting president actually gave that speech, I would be on his side.

You know these things already. Sorkin is well-known and for good reason. He writes better than anyone (arguably) and the banter that he creates between his characters makes someone like me just ecstatic. I love listening to his characters talk. And the Ramblerette (which is Heather's new nickname on here - I give credit to people like the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, who names his wife The Sports Gal, and Fletch over at Blog Cabins, who calls his wife Mrs. Fletch) cannot stand it. I have been watching the series over the past week and a half that I've been on vacation and occasionally (read: rarely) it is on while Heather is getting ready for work or playing on Farmtown (don't ask) and she asks "What are you watching? It's so boring." She complains that it's too much talking. That's what I like about it. What he does is show how you can entertain without a car driving 120 mph or someone shooting another person in the chest fifteen times or better yet, being 300+ pounds and massaging another 300+ person in a hot tub. Because that's out there. None of those things are as entertaining as smart people talking fast and challenging each other with logic, whether or not these people could possibly exist in real life.

2. Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry.

I could be very generic and give you "The cast" as a reason, but I already gave you "the writing" as number one and I figured that I would be slightly more specific. These two men create characters in Matt and Danny that are at best brilliant and personable, and at worst arrogant and assholeish. Their "bromance" caused me to increasingly cherish the friendship I have with George, my co-creator of "Life 101," the screenplay that we wrote together. I can't help but believe that their relationship is based somewhat on the one that Sorkin and co-creator Thomas Schlamme share, as they certainly have a long lasting one (Schlamme was an executive producer on both SPORTS NIGHT and THE WEST WING). My hope is that there are more friendships in Hollywood like the one personified by Whitford and Perry and that people creating the shows that we watch are at least close to the characters that they portrayed.

3. Reimpactability

Yes it is a word that I just made up. But break it down. The "re" means again. I have now completed the series three separate times (once when it was on television, and twice since I bought the DVD) and I know that this time will not be the last. I pick up on jokes and lines that I had not ever before each time that I watch it. I marvel at the acting skills of relatively unknown and unseen actors like Nate Corddry, who shows both his comedic and dramatic chops throughout the show. "Impact" in this sense is all about the effect that the show has on the viewer. There are several episodes that have caused me to get rather choked up (alright, alright, they make me cry) and this has happened every time I have watched it (The Christmas Show, in particular the last scene, gets me pretty good). The laughs are the same each time. The appearances by guest stars (John Goodman is more than good in his two episode stint - he even got an Emmy nomination for guest star; Allison Janney is very funny as herself in The Disaster Show) are an extra treat in addition to the quality of the cast that puts in "A" work each show.

4. Fearlessness

Aaron Sorkin is a brave man. In certain episodes, executives and presidents of the network are complaining to the television show creators about ratings, advertisers, and more. Sorkin was dealing with this on a personal level. As the season hit its midpoint, there were such vivid parallels to how the actual show was doing on NBC to the "show within the show" that I remember wondering at the time if Sorkin was taking actual conversations he was having with his bosses and putting them into the words of his characters. But he didn't stop. He created a world that was so real that I was certainly convinced that the world of television worked as he was portraying it. Whether SNL or other variety shows are anything like STUDIO 60, I really don't care. This was the behind the scenes of THIS show. And after the pilot episode, I was in. I cared whether or not these characters succeeded or failed in their endeavors. A major knock on the show was that the parts of the actual variety show were not funny. Well, I agree that not everything was shown in the sketches was as funny as the funniest seasons of SNL. But some of the recent seasons of SNL (Horatio Sanz anyone?!?!) were not that funny either. This was not the point of the show (although I would argue that some of the sketches are good ideas and could really make for funny television). Sorkin was showing how this show got made and the characters that make this show come together. And when he wrote about the difficult times, that's when he was at his best, in my opinion at least.

There are the four reasons why you should check out STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. It's only one season long (again, a tragedy) so not a difficult show to jump into. Give it a shot. Ultimately, its an interesting take on the late night variety show (as a side note, let me include that 30 ROCK came on at the same time and now has lasted much longer and to great success - see: multiple Emmys - and I cannot stand the show. I have given it many chances and it still cannot make me laugh. Sorry. Maybe it is too smart for me. Like Arrested Development, right? Pass!)

So this is my new idea. I have some other ideas lined up and you can expect me to keep up with the new stuff that comes out and about. What do you think?!?!

Here I Go Again On My Own

2009-08-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here's the scoop. . . (and yes, I began my triumphant return with a Whitesnake reference)

I am beginning again where I always seem to end up. I have four posts this year and I really should just put a cork in this thing and call it a day.

But, it's very possible that I could see a small up-tic in the viewership because of my contribution to a fellow blogger, code-name Fletch, creator of the movie-centric Blog Cabins. He runs a contest once a week called Tuesday's Twelve Tags where he puts twelve movie taglines on his page and has his readers guess which movies they come from. He also plans ahead so that there is a theme to all of the twelve films and there is a point value given to that theme as well as one point for each tag that is correctly answered. The reader with the most points when all is said and done wins. . . well, nothing. But it's fun. And I happen to be the reader with the most wins (10) and I have a pretty good lead too (second place has 5.5 I think).

So I offered to create one of these tests for him. He's going to put it up on his page (which has many many more readers than this site ever had) in a week or so and I am gonna go ahead and start working a little harder to make sure there is material (good or otherwise) on the site so that if some of his readers happen to become my readers, then there will be contemporary news and information.

The other bit of information is that I have to post more than just updates on me because, well, I'm just not that interesting. So expect more movie stuff (especially with Fletch's audience being interested in that sort of thing) and sports stuff as well (just because I like that sort of thing and the NFL and NBA seasons are just around the corner - at least that's what I keep telling myself).

I have some posts in mind already and I have a couple of new weekly column-type things on the other side of my mind as well. Add that up with the fact that my vacation ends today (oh yeah, I was on vacation from the MW for 12 days - fantastic amount of time) and my second to last semester begins Tuesday (I'm still in denial) and I have a lot on my plate.

But I'm here for you.

I leave you today with a picture of the newest addition to my family, my little Leia (as in Princess - see: Star Wars). Heather and I bought her from a breeder almost two months ago and she has been a perfect addition. She is playful and fun and sweet. She is a Miniature Australian Shepherd and is just short of six months old. She is our baby. Enjoy (and yes that's a real picture and not a stock photo of her breed, as has been suggested):

Talk to you again soon - - This time, I promise. . .

The Road to Nowhere: Part VI

2009-07-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember when I started this story. . . back in July 2007?!?!?! That was two flippin' years ago! But I remember it all like it was yesterday. And so, on this, my day off, I'm going to get to you the long-delayed penultimate part of my story (with a title that now has more meaning than before!). . . . .

You're probably gonna need to update yourself, so here are the links to the first five parts of the story:

PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
PART V

And here is Part VI:

"What the hell, Mike?!?"

Michael heard it again. Suzanne's shriek startled him, and this time he had a response.

"What the hell? Suzanne, I was thinking the same goddamn thing! What are you doing grinding on this Joe College Douche?!?"

Jack was now on his feet and was uninterested in their childhood drama.

"Who are you calling a douche, douche!?!"

Eloquent as always.

"Jack, I'm sorry I hit you. Just step off for a minute. I need to talk to Suzanne."

"No, you need to talk to me."

Jack stepped forward and attempted to land a rather awkward punch to the face of his weekend warrior college buddy. Michael, still not close to sober, watched in slow-motion as the fist hurtled towards him. It was at that same moment that a monster of a man, a 6'5'' 300 pound behemoth, walked in between the two college kids, not knowing what he was getting in the middle of. Jack's fist hit the giant in the ribs, causing a hush to fall on that side of the dance floor. On the other side, the bass continued to pound. The strobe lights continued to flicker. The twenty-somethings continued to live.

Goliath turned and stared Jack down. He then looked at Suzanne and then turned and faced Michael. All three gave him back the same look: eyes wide, mouth opened, body clenched. Goliath peered back around at Jack, but the clean-cut Mama's boy was already racing towards the door, forgoing his coat at the table, with only freedom on his mind.

Usually, Michael thought to himself, something like this escape attempt would cause Goliath to chase after his college buddy and beat him to a pulp. But that didn't happen. Instead, Goliath just stared at the two lifelong friends and in one word, gave them directions as to their next step of the evening: "Get".

Michael and Suzanne made their way to their table (curiously missing Allison, who undoubtedly ran off when she saw Jack fleeing the scene), picked up their items, and made for the door. It wasn't until they were just far enough out of reach of the booming music that Suzanne broke the silence.

"I can't believe you punched him, Mike. What came over you?"

Words flashed through his mind. Apologies. Justifications. Jokes ("Now is not the time!" he told himself, the filter finally flicking on). But as many times before, the filter only worked temporarily.

"Let me take you home."

They were silent the entire way back to Suzanne's house. When she got out of the car, Michael stared straight ahead, mind racing, and yet he couldn't bring himself to say a word. Suzanne, on the other hand, tried something she hoped would work to save the friendship.

"I wasn't gonna do anything with him, Mike. We were just dancing."

"Suzanne, it doesn't matter. You don't listen to me. You wear stupid shirts and dance with stupid guys. ."

"That you invited! To dance with me!"

"I didn't think you would be so proud and public about it though. You're my little Suzanne. You don't dance like that out in the crowd."

"And that's where you're wrong, Mike. I'm not yours. We're friends and that's it. Nothing else. What, just because you saw me naked at age 7 you think we are meant to be together?"

"It's not like that. It's just that lately. ."

"No. I don't want to hear the end of that sentence. I'm going inside, going to sleep, and then we can talk tomorrow."

"Fine."

Michael sped off, blaring his music at nearly midnight. Suzanne watched for just a moment and then turned towards her house and walked inside. What was Michael thinking? Them, together? It was something she had never thought of before. Who were they, Ross and Rachel?

She chuckled aloud, but her mood was not that way. Her pink pillow became a tissue for her tears as she laid on her bed, alone on another Friday night.

She was almost asleep when her phone rang. It was Jack. The night had only just begun. . .

Departures and Arrivals

2009-05-09T22:19:00.001-07:00

Hello all, and welcome back.

The reason for my recent shortage of new posts (well, it's been a week and a half) is very simple. I have moved. I am presently typing from my completely furnished and ready to be viewed apartment. Anyone and everyone should let me know when they want to come see it!

Just gotta make sure I'm here though. . . I haven't been able to enjoy the new space as much as I would like because I have been so busy this last week. Want to know how? Here goes nothing. . . (oh and each topic I discuss will either be about a departure or an arrival - those of you who have read me in the past know that I always make sense of my titles!)

The Big Move (Arrival. . . obviously)

Heather and I are enjoying our 840 square feet of freedom. We even made our IKEA trip and got new stuff (lots of new stuff) in the form of a kitchen table, chairs for that table, an end table for our couch, two bedside tables, a couple lamps, and a big plant (that is her new "pet" until we get a more mobile one). We set up all of that last night and threw away all the cardboard box remains this morning and are all set up except for the pictures on the wall, which is always the last thing to do anyway. Everything fits and the complex continues to make me happy each day. We both said that working out will resume this week (and it will) and I can totally see an absolute blast of a summer approaching. I have finals this week and then I am out of school for nearly three months (!!!) so I can truly enjoy all that the new area has to offer me! Pictures are coming soon. . . I just have to take some!

Scrubs (Departure. . . sadly)

A brief note about what will go down as my favorite television show of all time (sorry, FRIENDS). What a great ending! The final hour was everything that the series was as a whole. Serious, but funny. Bittersweet. And in the end, it showed the characters exactly how I wanted them to be (e.g. Dr. Cox revealing his true feelings for J.D.). I'm going to miss new episodes and I hope that the rumors of it coming back in the form of an "interns" type show with a couple of the main characters returning is ok by me, but I hope they don't. Scrubs was about J.D. and the people that were around him. Without him, it just won't seem right. However, if Dr. Cox is on every episode, you can bet I will be turning in!

Reseda (Departure. . . YES!)

On Thursday, in my two hour window between classes, I went to my apartment in Reseda for the last time. I spent about an hour vacuuming and cleaning the kitchen tile floor and cleaning the bathroom and all the jazz that goes along with moving out of an apartment. I gave my keys back to my manager and said my good riddances (not goodbyes. . . those are reserved for places or people I will miss). It was a necessary evil, a place that I can look back on as my first place outside of home. I did it on my own for seven months and could have kept going, but it just wasn't safe and secure, and I kind of like those things to describe the place that I am living!

Spring Semester 2009 (Departure. . . finally!)

It is officially Finals Week (as it nears the midnight hour turning into Sunday) and I couldn't be happier about the end of a semester. It has been a stressful one, mainly because of all my personal drama and my increase in hours at work (an average of 42 instead of 36, plus a longer drive at five times a week adds up too). But right now, I'm thinking I have a guaranteed A in my Lab (only one unit though) as well as one other class (granted I get at least a B on the Final). I have two B's for sure in two other classes (although they could end up being A's, which would be awesome) and then I have one other class. The number to the class is 170, which means its my last G.E. class for my Major and it just means that it is filled with Freshmen and it is absolutely ridiculous. The teacher likes me and told me on Thursday that "I'll be fine" as long as I take a make-up quiz that is available online until Monday. I'm not sure what "fine" means but if it is at least a C, I will be content. Then I'm down to two more semesters and I will have graduated! Four years down, one to go.

Spring (Departure)

It is officially summer in Southern California as the weather has certainly turned to the warmer, getting up to just shy of triple digits this past week. I do have to admit though that I love the mornings and evenings here, you know, when it cools down to the 70s and you can just enjoy the weather instead of feel the weather? Yeah, that's why I live in California!

Summer Movie Season (Arrival)

With last week's WOLVERINE release (not gonna see it, even if you pay me), and this weekend's STAR TREK it is offically the Summer at the Box Office. I have only seen four movies this entire year (crazy, I know) and I have a pretty good batting average right now (really enjoyed TAKEN, dug WATCHMEN despite not knowing anything going in, absolutely loved I LOVE YOU, MAN and was bored to almost-sleep by ADVENTURELAND). As a note to you, these are my top 10 most anticipated movies of this Summer, in order of least to greatest (and my next post will be all about why they are where they are on that list - for now, enjoy the list!):

10. UP

9. ANGELS AND DEMONS

8. FUNNY PEOPLE

7. HARRY POTTER 6

6. BRUNO

5. TRANSFORMERS 2

4. PUBLIC ENEMIES

3. STAR TREK

2. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS

1. TERMINATOR SALVATION

And finally. . .

21 (Departure)

In one hour, I will be 22. (Well, officially, it's not until 9:57 p.m. on the 10th, but I say it works). I'm excited to not be 21 anymore, if only because now I can scoff when they check my ID. What?!?! I'm 22 dammit! Haha. . . Either way, it's another in the long list of big steps on my way to getting older and more established. And I am excited to get older. I know people tell me that one day I will regret wanting to get older, but that's fine. For now, I want to be older. Let it be. But more importantly, it's Mother's Day, so give your mom a hug and tell her you love her. Because without her, you don't exist, and that's just science : )

Well that's it for tonight. Gonna go eat a late-night dinner that Heather just made for me (benefit number 6,783 of living with her - she can cook!) and cuddle up with a movie until we go to sleep after the midnight hour (gotta stay up til my birthday!). Have a happy Sunday and a Mother's Day and I will see you all here again very soon. That you can count on!

Goodnight. . .

On the Move

2009-04-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to A Rambler's Rambling. This is the new and improved version of this blog that is going to just blow your mind! Well, maybe not, but it's at least going to be updated frequently. Kind of like the way it used to be way back when (we're talking almost four years ago now!). . .

Anyway, my stress level is at an all-time high as I am in the process of moving in the middle of Week 14/16 of the semester, which also happens to be the first week of Prom for the high schools in the Simi Valley area, causing me to have to work a few extra hours at the ol' MW. So not only am I pulling twelve hour shifts (tomorrow, in fact, I will be there from 9-9), getting ready for finals and doing final projects (my last Lab Report is due this Thursday), but I'm busily packing the items that just got unpacked seven short months ago. . .

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

How did I get to some of these spots exactly? Let me divulge, if I can be brief. . .

Back in mid-late September, things were going decently at the MW in Palmdale. I was comfortable in the location and really getting to like the crew there. I was approaching my one year mark with the company (to see my thoughts after my first week there, head here) when Kim, my District Manager who recruited me, asked me if I wanted to go down to Woodland Hills (one of the top two volume stores in our district) and interview for an upcoming opening on their Sales Team. I was nervous, but thanks to her encouragement, I went for it. I got down there, met the Store Manager, Edward, and the position was all but mine, save for one thing. . . Me accepting it. Now, I had wanted to move down that direction for some time (even doing this same interview thing back in May 2008 in Burbank) but it was also a scary idea of having to move out of the nest, which was a rather safe nest at that.

But after much deliberation (and pushing from Kim - she told me that this could be my last chance to get down below, closer to school, for some time) I decided to take it. Ok, great, now you start in two weeks! So within that two weeks, I looked at some apartments in the cities in between Northridge (school) and Woodland Hills (work) and tried to find the best deal/situation available in such a short time. I felt like Goldilocks, where things were either too nice (therefore too expensive) or too disheveled to even consider setting something down for fear it would get taken. I finally found one in Reseda, and the apartment was 3 miles from school and 6 from work. Perfect! It wasn't great but it had a garage that I could share with four other people, so at least my car would be protected. It was a downstairs apartment, so at least moving would be easier. It was a one bedroom, all I needed, with a spacious kitchen and living room. And although the neighborhood was almost Little Mexico (complete with an Ice Cream truck that plays mariachi music), I took it because I could get it on my own without my parents co-signing, a big deal for my first place. So I signed a one-year lease to pay $950 a month plus utilities at the Ambassador Apartments.

Fast forward to today, and I have mixed reactions about my time spent here. It's been seven months, and having served my minimum tenancy of six months, I'm bailing. I gave them plenty of notice, so I will get my security deposit back (a cool $1000 thank you very much), but why leave, you might ask. Well I have had some interesting events occur around here over the last month or two, (don't worry, those stories will make their debuts soon) and my overall safety is in limbo on a day-to-day basis. I don't feel personally threatened or anything, but I just feel ridiculously uncomfortable, a feeling that you shouldn't have at home, or anywhere that you're spending more than $1000 a month to live in.

So I'm moving. Now, common sense says to move to northern Northridge by the 118 freeway, since I now work at the Simi Valley MW (oh, I didn't say that earlier - - sorry, I guess that longer story will have to wait too. Just go with it for now - I got promoted and am now an Assistant Manager II at the store there) and that would be better for getting to work. But, as I said the other day, I am going for happiness.

And the thing, or should I say person, who makes me happiest is Heather. We have now been together nearly 5.5 years (remember from my last post before my big break that we are no longer engaged, but happily moving towards that time - we don't want to get engaged again until the wedding could be in planning mode and we want to be closer to careers before that happens. . . but again, I'm getting ahead of myself) and now that I live down closer to her, our relationship has really hit new levels. We are closer than ever and enjoy spending time with each other more than anything. She gets her Bacherlors degree in June and starts up again in the Fall at Cal Poly Pomona for her Masters degree. Her lease with her three roommates (four girls, two bedrooms, rare visits for Justin) is up in July so we had already began planning a big move when my lease was up in October. However, with me getting out of mine early, she agreed to do the same (while still paying her minimal rent in Pomona) and we began apartment hunting a month ago.

And now we are just three days from moving to Glendale together.

But I think I'm gonna leave it at that for the night. If you got this far, I commend you, and promise that more details will follow. But for now, my bed is what calls me and I must listen, because like I said, a twelve hour work day awaits me.

I would like to take a second and welcome any new readers (namely, Fletch from Blog Cabins, based out of my home state of Arizona!) who have decided to see what I make of this renewed interest in blogging. I do hope to post things different than updates on my life, but since it has been so long, that's what's going to be prevalent for a couple weeks. Hang tight, learn a little something about me, and when we get to some more "fun" stuff, it will be worth the wait.

I hope.

Goodnight all, and I hope you have a pleasant Thursday - - -

It's About Time

2009-04-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well hello there.

Yes, this site still exists. Yes, I still remember the password. And no, I don't think that I'm going to have that much fanfare over this decision to rejoin the ranks of the bloggers of the world.

But I guess I'll just have to find out!

I'm back. Yes, my faithful readers (all four of you!), I have decided to resume blogging on a regular basis. I realized recently that since my last post (some 8 months ago!) that I have moved once (almost twice, but more on that later), completed one semester (almost two, but, guess what, more on that later), been transferred for work twice (and promoted!) and have just about turned 22 (two weeks from today!). All that to say, I have lots of updates and hopefully lots of people who desire to read all about them.

I have big news on several fronts, and all in all, I'm extremely happy and content with the direction I'm heading. Something I have decided is that in order for me to be as happy as possible, others may have to be disappointed. Or bummed. Or upset. But what matters to me is that I am happy, something that I have not always taken into consideration, but am fully aware of at this point. So a special section in each of my posts from here on out will be called "I might offend someone, but. . ." and it will contain either an update on what's going on in my life, a friend's life, or just something I'm thinking about, as I think that is the true nature of a blog anyway. It's saying something that shows who we really are, and what I have discovered over the last couple months is that I am not all that popular. In fact, it has come to my attention that people don't always like me (sense the sarcasm). But I hope that in these few words that you will come to like me and enjoy the things that I say, or at least care enough to peruse through them.

So I'm going to leave it at that for right now. If the intrigue is there after this post (meaning if you the reader let me know that you are in fact there) then I will continue. If not, I will still continue. I need to get things out this way. I have missed it. And I never said I was gone forever.

So, like I said before, I'm back. And it's about time.

The End of an Era

2008-08-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

An "era" can be defined in several different ways. I don't think that I know the true, actual definition, but I think I have one that applies here:

"A period of time where something amazing occurred relatively regularly and was observed by a regular audience of tens of people across the world."

The "era" I'm referring to in this instance is the existence of this here blog. Many (George, Tom, Mallory, to name a few) have come and gone in the world of blogging, and yet I have stayed strong up until the last couple months. What happens is by the end of the night, I'm just not ready to relay my innermost thoughts out into the internet world. Plus, I like keeping some secrets. It's kind of nice.

I'm not completely dismissing it altogether. You can expect a post right before the beginning of the upcoming NBA season in November for my annual Season Preview and when I get the urge to write some movie reviews, you can bet that they'll show up here. But you can go ahead and take me off your bookmarks. Because there won't be regular updating. . . as much as that truly saddens me deep down.

I can blame it on so many things. It could be work (where I still put in 38 hours a week, struggling to sell that second tie to Casual Joe) or school (which starts again in - gulp - ten days) or the gym (which I joined last week, and will begin attending 3-4 times a week once I return home from Maryland, where I type from now) or the time I spend with my girlfriend (contentedly no longer my fiance', Heather means more to me now than ever before and we work hard everyday to move closer to a time that we can spend more time together, even in a place that has both our names on the mailbox) or hanging with friends whenever that actually happens (loneliness is Public Enemy #1 for me right now at home, with everyone pretty much either in Los Angeles or in the surrounding areas - but when one shows up in the A.V. you better believe I'm all over it) or ANY NUMBER OF OTHER FACTORS OF MY LIFE. . .

But the blame (not necessarily a bad thing) is only on me, the original Rambler (and as long as I own the access to this site, I will always maintain that pseudonym) and my desire to put my fingers to a keyboard and produce journal entries for both my own pleasure and yours (I presume).

And now on this, my Third Anniversary (wow. . . three years), I shut it down. Like I said, there will come times when I post on here something special but then it will end up being just that: Special. And not expected. And certainly not regular (not that I have been either as of late).

So thanks for reading as always - you consistent readers know how much it meant that you would even take a second to read my Ramblings. All four of you : )

Take care as always and thanks for being a part of something special. . .

Until (much) later,

JUSTIN

Monumental

2008-07-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

This is post number 299 in the history of A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING. . . I want number 300 to be a big deal, so I have decided to just preview what it will be and let you know that I just got back from a LEGENDARY banzai trip to Viva Las Vegas (prefix courtesy of hundreds of hours of marketing) with my good buddy Cy and I have tons of stories, memories, and money (well, actually, just $50, but for my first gambling experience, I'm stoked to leave with money that wasn't mine in the first place!) from my time there.

And all that will come very soon - -

Until then, while I was reading Bill Simmons' most recent magazine column, I came across one of the best lines ever about fandom and what it means to truly follow a team closely:

"We'll always find ways to care as much as we always did, if only because the day-to-day process of following a team is such an enormous part of our lives. Losing that passion would be like giving up morning coffee or not exercising anymore; a routine is a routine."

Amen.

O, and we are T-Minus 16 days and counting to THE DARK KNIGHT. There are no other words to say except:

O yes!!!

See you soon with my Vegas memories : )

Until then,

Entertainment. . . Now

2008-06-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Over the time that I failed to blog (that being the 50 day break that I took) I did not fail to be entertained by all things, well, entertainment. Movies. Music. Television. Lots of new types of viewing or listening pleasure have entered into my life and quite a few of them are top notch, ahead of the curve, overall amazing entries into my Entertainment Interests. So let's just get right to them, shall we? Away we go:

MOVIES

So far, I have seen 15 of the films released in 2008 (although there are many more on the to-be-viewed list) and it is increasing every week as those films that were released in the first quarter of the year are starting to come out on DVD. I'm also trying to make it out to the Cinema in order to take in those large-screen versions. Of the 15, only three have earned the much desired A grade (two of them A-'s), but you'll see that here. Here are the grades followed by a very brief review, in the same type of nature as the internet site, Four Word Film Reviews (but mine will actually tell you whether or not you should see it).

IRON MAN – (A)

Almost as perfect as Batman Begins

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL – (A-)

Another raunchy/sweet Apatow-produced home run

KUNG FU PANDA – (A-)

Familiar Dreamworks formula. Pixar-level execution.

CLOVERFIELD – (B+)

Worthy of all the hype.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – (B)

Just good to see Indy again (don't mind the aliens!)

HAROLD AND KUMAR: ESCAPE FROM GUANTANOMO BAY – (B)

Dumb and hilariously over-the-top.

DEFINITELY, MAYBE – (B)

The rare pleasantly surprising rom-com.

BE KIND REWIND – (B-)

Original story; competent story-telling.

21 – (B-)

Read Bringing Down the House instead.

RUN FATBOY FUN – (C+)

Simon Pegg should go back to writing his own material.

THE RUINS – (C)

Decent addition to the college/teen horror genre.

SEMI PRO – (C-)

A ridiculous and unfunny "comedy."

THE GRAND – (C-)

I guess Poker can't be funny.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS – (D+)

Just watch the trailer instead. Or go to Vegas!

THE HAPPENING – (D-)

M. Night Shyamalan needs his head examined.

I had planned on doing both music and television this morning too, but now I have to get ready for work - I will attempt to finish that up tonight or even tomorrow morning. But I'll get all the goods on the new Weezer, Coldplay, and My Morning Jacket CD's as well as my thoughts on the new season of The Mole! Until then, have a great Monday!

Until later,

Exceeding Expectations

2008-06-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

I do realize that it has now been 50 days since my last REAL post here on my blog. I needed a break. I paused in the middle (well, almost middle) of my planned 21 TO 21 thing before my birthday for many reasons. School was closing down and I began to desire (more than usual) to do well in my classes. I had coasted to what I would figure to be two A's and two B's, which would be fine (an overall 3.4 GPA) but towards the end of the semester, I decided that that would not be good enough. I actually sought to complete an assignment on time and to the best extent possible. I had myself prepared for tests and my finals as well. And what occurred?

I got the best grades I have gotten since my freshman year in high school. I completed the semester with two A's and two A-'s, giving me a 3.85 GPA and pulling my overall college GPA to over 3.5, which is my goal over the FIVE years that I will spend in college. Yes, five. Through my advisement and my own planning, I have discovered that I will need to spend one more year in college to earn my Bachelor's Degree. This is caused by my change of major between my first semester at CSUN and the one I just completed as well as the transfer from AVC to CSUN that provided some classes the opportunity to not count towards my degree. In addition to that, I would much rather not take more than 12-14 units a semester and I refuse to take summer courses because I want to be a sane individual through my schooling. I just do better when I take less classes per semester (as evidenced by my full point increase from the previous semester to the one I just finished). And I enjoy my schooling more when I can devote more time to the classes I'm taking.

Beyond this, blogging was not high on the To-Do list.

But now, four weeks into my summer vacation, I'm just a working machine, spending 40 hours a week at the MW. And it is going well. Every one of my last three weeks there I have exceeded my "Weekly Goal" and the week that just ended had me selling over $6900, essentially tying my highest week ever. My sales are higher because (gasp!) I'm spending more time there! Shocking that I can actually sell - maybe that's why I'm there in the first place. I love that my total sales over this last month meet or exceed every one of my counterparts. I now feel completely adequate and ready to move into the "Slow Period" of the Summer knowing that I can sell up to or better than everyone else in that store. Just bring on the customers!

The only kicker is that I have not seen Heather in nearly two weeks. . .

And there's actually some news on that front as well, but that will have to come next time as I am heading to actually see that better half of mine. She just got home since she just finished her quarter and has one week off (her "Summer" so to speak). So tonight, that means we get to watch KUNG FU PANDA, which I think will be good. And if not, at least I get to see this in its real context:

O yes! SKADOOSH!!!

Anyway, I'm back. And I'm better than ever. Expect more frequent (well, I guess anything is more frequent than once ever 50 days!) posts and just bring on the comments (Seriously - I need them to keep up my desire to be on here!) and enjoy as always!

So here we go - - -

Until later,

Hiatus.

2008-06-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia (the true all-knower of the internet; if you don't know what it is, just ask any college student or recent graduate) defines "hiatus" this way:

"A break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc."

But see, I have come to realize that a more specific definition should be added to the page. . .

"A 50-day break from a blog that has meant much to the writer."

What does this mean?

It means that I will see you again on Saturday, the 50th day in a row that I have not posted (well, except for this - but, well, whatever).

As always, until later. . .

P.S. What do you think of the new layout???

15 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

2. A shopping cart. Not as obvious a story-starter, but it's a good one.

I had a group of friends, my sophomore and junior year specifically, that included two guys (Matt and Kevin - once humorously referred to as Mevin and Katt by mistake haha) who were one year older than me. We played on the basketball team together and were often seen together on the weekends and any time that we actually would go out and do anything. Cy later joined the group and the four of us formed a pretty solid group of guys that hung out and had each others' backs. It was cool.

Well one night we were hanging out and we were at a Coldstone in Lancaster that was pretty proximal to a combination KFC/Long John Silvers and we wanted to go over there for fun (we were pretty respectable and didn't do anything illegal - this was "fun" for us). As we got closer (we walked since it was so close) we noticed some carts in the parking lot of a Target that sat right next to the aforementioned fast-food place. So we began playing with them (too many viewed episodes of JACKASS, you could say). Being much taller, Matt and Kevin (6' 4'' and 6' 5'' respectively) had Cy and me (both about 5' 8'') get in carts and they started pushing us around the parking lot. Then I got an idea - well, it was really a last-ditch effort to save myself from the pain that would eventually come from the Demolition Derby-like games we were playing.

(Note: I actually had to call Cy about this because I do not remember exactly who was pushing whom, but I am 75% sure that Matt was pushing me and Kevin was pushing Cy - no, it's not that important, but it is part of the story).

You see, we had drifted closer to the KFC/LJS and I mentioned to my driver (pretty sure it was Matt) that we should try to go through the Drive Thru in the shopping cart! Mind you, it was around 2200 or so and there was not a lot of people around, so it was completely doable. Well off we went and into the line we entered. There was one car ahead of us and we were fine. Then a car pulled in behind us! There we are, two high schoolers, one pushing the other in a Target shopping cart, in the Drive Thru of a fast food restaurant. We were stuck. . .

As we got to the Ordering Spot, we were greeted in a normal fashion, and asked what we wanted. We figured that they would just tell us to get out of line, or something to that effect, but there was no such rebuke. Well Matt and I had about 79 cents between us and scanned the menu for anything that we could afford and then we found it: a biscuit! The delicious KFC biscuits could be purchased at something like 50 cents apiece, and that worked for us poor, non-working juveniles. So we ordered a biscuit, were asked if that was all (we assured the lady that yes, that was plenty), and we then pulled around. . .

We were still a car behind the window, but when the girl leaned out to take the payment from the car in front of us, she had to do a double take (and it was the truest form of one ever - she actually went back through her little door and then popped out quick and looked straight out at us, smiling and laughing!). When we pulled up to the window, there was a group of 3 workers at the window, all laughing. One popped out and said (sorry about the language. . . gotta stay true!) "This is the funniest fucking thing I've ever seen!" and the others just continued laughing. . . we had made somebody's night, and we couldn't have been more full of ourselves.

O, and we ended up with two biscuits. . . and we didn't pay them a dime!

So I guess that just goes to show that a little laughter does go a long way and that a lot can be said for high schoolers who just want to have an innocent bit o' fun at the expense of a Drive Thru. So fast food restaurant managers everywhere, listen closely: Just let 'em do it. They aren't hurting anyone. . . and there's much worse things that they could be doing. And just admit that you actually think it's funny, too. It helps the process a bit!

That's good for that one - - see you tomorrow with the thrilling conclusion of this trilogy of stories within a 21-part series of stories. . . not sure what that makes this exactly, but I know that it's outside of my geekdom to decide. . .

Until later (As always!),

16 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, enough with the teasing. Let's get right to the stories (if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out last night's post). . . After some consideration, I have decided to break this up over three nights since these are all very detailed-oriented stories. So we'll start off with the first one and then the next two will be posted on the next two night successively. I'm posting anyway, so why not drag it a little, right? Enjoy!

1. Not only is that an amazingly funny picture of Heather and I, it leads me to a couple stories.

The first, I guess, will have to describe the picture itself. It's actually really simple. There is this band called the Scissor Sisters (I actually know nothing about them) and way back in September 2006, my good buddy Cy blogged about them and posted that picture on his blog - I simply copied that picture and put it on mine last night. I guess when they were more of a big deal, you could actually go in, put pictures of anyone you knew into their system, and those faces would go onto the bodies of those figures and do a dance to a song of theirs. I tried to do it again by going to their site, but that was to no avail. Kind of a bummer. Still a funny picture though :)

But it also led me to remembering how Heather and I used to take swing dance lessons (if you're wondering how I could ever get there from that picture, I guess it's just the fact that the figures danced. . . or at least that's what I'm going to say!). You see, back during the summer between our junior and senior years (I think. . . yeah, that sounds about right) Heather and I decided to take the aforementioned classes. We had gone to see Aimee's dance recital that spring and there had been some "Swingers" (not the keys-in-a-fish-bowl kind, but the dancing kind. . .in case you were unsure!) and it looked like so much fun! So I said "Hey that looks like so much fun." (I'm pretty consistent, you see.) And that got me into a world I never thought I'd see myself in.

We began taking a once-a-week class at Desert Stars, the studio that Aimee calls home so often during the week. Our teachers were a middle-aged hip couple named Paul and Lynette. For one, I have to say that Paul looked like a cool, buff version of Uncle Rico from the god-forsaken movie NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (o yeah, I don't like that movie. . .). I think that helps with the story, but I'm not sure why. . . Either way, we started this class as one of probably 6 couples. It obviously started off extremely rocky, seeing that I was born with two left feet. O, and I have no rhythm. Turns out you need some of that to get good, so I worked hard at not making myself look like a complete idiot. Over time, we got better (Heather was a natural - it was really just about getting me comfortable with doing any form of movement in front of people that did not include a basketball) and eventually we were one of only 3 couples who went consistently. We got good. Then we got even better. And then we even entered into a Swing Contest (I'm not kidding) at this place in Palmdale. We took honorable mention, if I remember correctly, just because we were so nervous about what we were doing. But it was all leading up to our most public display of dancing and one that I swore would never occur. . .

During our senior year, Cy and I hosted an annual talent show called the ToKnight Show (get it? our mascot was a Knight. . .). Usually the hosts just kinda strung along some banter in between the "acts" and tried not to cause the show to drag on too long. But Cy and I had wanted to host it since our freshman year and when we got our opportunity, we jumped at it and ran with it all the way. We wrote an entire script (with the help of our friend Justin, who also acted in our play-of-sorts) for a time-traveling adventure starring two scientists (Dr. Brown - me - and Dr. White - Cy, a Filipino. . . pause for laughter. . .) who had created such a machine. We went to all sorts of eras and associated the acts that we had with the time periods we were in (Example: a Rock band during the Prehistoric age. . . give us a break, we were high schoolers!). Well after the intermission, I claimed that I had just taken a trip to the 1950's and learned how to dance, invited my "assistant" (that would be Heather, who played the lovely Sandra Dee) out, and cued up the swing music (a song entitled "Nosey Jose" by Bull Moose Jackson) that we had listened to hundreds of times, practicing our routine. We then danced in front of several hundred on-lookers and. . . it went amazing. We nailed almost every step right on the beat and got a great big hand upon completion. What was special about it was that no one knew we were gonna do it and no one even knew we had been taking lessons, so it was a huge surprise! Great fun all around!

I do miss being good at something like swing dancing, and Heather often brings up the fact that we should go back and take lessons again, but it's too difficult since we live so far apart. Maybe one day. . . I'm serious. I would love to get back out there and be as good as we once were. I fear that I would not be nearly as good and would struggle with that, but I think we would pick it right up. . . just like riding a bicycle!

And that's about it for tonight. . . check back in tomorrow night for the story starring a shopping cart! Let the guessing begin!!!

Until later,

17 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Not much in the area of energy this evening. Or desire to blog, for that matter. But I'm not gonna quit that fast (but I do have to admit, it's really difficult to do this every night). . .

And since I'm not really all here tonight (and the fact that it is now after 0130. . .) I wanted to just post a couple pictures that brought back some memories that I will share with you tomorrow night. Call it a teaser post tonight. . . Kind of like the number up there (17). You can go see R rated movies but you can't do all the stuff 18-year-olds can do, like, you know, be an adult. . .

Anyway, here are three pictures that will hopefully make you laugh after I divulge the stories about them tomorrow night. . . Enjoy!!!

1.

2.

3.

Until later,

18 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Sigh. . .

Another SUNS loss tonight. We're two losses away from going home for the summer. But I'm not worried yet. The Spurs did what they were supposed to do - they took care of their home court. Now we go home for two games, and we take care of business there, and it's all of a sudden a best-of-three series. I never give up on my team. Ever.

But now I'm a little low and I need to blog to pick myself up, I guess. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. . .

The only thing that I can think about right now is high school. I stopped by my high school today to lead an ex-teacher of mine and his wife over to my house to watch the game (he's a Spurs fan - plus, he's a really cool guy). As I was there (I've been there more than just today as of late, but it's on my mind nonetheless) I got to thinking about some of my memories from my time there. And the funniest thing about it all is that a couple of them are available on YOUTUBE. Yes, the video capital of the world contains videos featuring yours truly. One, for example, shows several of us seniors sitting around in the gym during some routine thing for us as soon-to-be-graduates.

(Go to the 1:07 mark for the classic "Justin thinks you sound stupid" face)

That one is not as funny, but it is interesting to see us all back when we were high schoolers. I know it wasn't that long ago and all, but I still find it funny. I feel like I have changed quite a bit over the last 3 years, and I'm sure all of the people in the video would agree they have too.

One thing we got to do as seniors was participate in Senior Celebration at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It was just ok, but it did allow for a group of us to get together and ride the Log Jammer. . . what follows is a practically only-Cy video of 5 of us on the Log Jammer. The absolute funniest thing about the following video is that it has been viewed almost 1700 times! Who has watched this video!?!?!

And the final video from Senior Celebration featured our friend Justin (not me) creeping up on some ducks (or geese. . . can't remember) that were making this weird hissing noise. Look, I'm not promising awesome material here - I'm just sharing with you some high school memories (that also happen to be on YOUTUBE):

I really wish that more stuff like this could have been taped and put on YOUTUBE. I wish I could re-live some of those high school memories that I can only do my best to describe. . .

But not tonight. I'll leave you with just the videos tonight for two reasons. One is that it is late and I have a long day tomorrow. Two is that I'm still reeling from the loss earlier. . . I can't help it. I'm a die-hard fan. It's what I do. . .

Until later,

19 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

As I walked into work this morning, I noticed a small note next to the computer where I clock in. It read "Justin and Jim: You need to clean the men's bathroom today." There might have been a smiley face after that, and if there was, I didn't see it. And if I would have seen it, I would definitely have erased it. My statement in my head was "I stopped cleaning bathrooms the day I stopped cleaning tables." Which had been true. Until today.

Jim and I tackled the rather gross men's bathroom (I took the sink and mirror; Jim got toilet duty) and finished in under 10 minutes, but it was the nature of the job that frustrated me. I'm there to sell suits, not clean bathrooms. I don't get paid nearly enough money per hour to scrub anything. Plus, wouldn't you figure that a company like the MW would be able to hire some sort of cleaning/janitorial service to clean their bathrooms. I don't know. . . it was just frustrating, and quite gross, and that coupled with the fact that I had no sales in the five hours I was there, well, I considered today a bit of a waste.

But that scrubbing got me thinking about my past jobs. You know, the ones that actually required me to clean up after people. . .

So I figured I would provide you a couple stories from my time at JC (Johnny Carino's, for those not in the know) that make me glad I no longer call that restaurant my place of work:

- One night at JC, we had a large birthday party, complete with many kids, in the one large room we often had parties in (did I mention it was large?) and it was finished off with cake for the guest of honor. This cake was provided by the guests, but it was not really eaten per se. I would say that it was more smeared and smashed into crevices of booths, left under tables, and not enjoyed, as evidenced by the plentiful amount of leftovers on our small bread plates throughout the room. When this party left, it took two of us table tenders (wow. . . haven't made that reference in a great while) a good 15 minutes to completely restore the room somewhat back to its original state, although that was futile, as cake stuck into booth crevices is just too ridiculous. . . The moral of the story: Don't have kids.

- Another night at JC gave my buddy Chris the opportunity to clean up after a toddler who could not make it to the bathroom in time. Now usually, this would mean some form of vomit or spit-up, depending on the age of the child. Well, this was a special event, and I thank God that I was not there, or else I probably would not have had a job after. You see, this child could not make it to the bathroom in time before an explosion that no diaper could have contained. I remember hearing that story the next day and laughing so hard and telling Chris that I would have never cleaned it up. Poor guy never thought of that angle. . . And I'm afraid, that might have been another one of those booth crevice situations, too. . . The moral of that story: Again, don't have kids.

- On the whole, the job was rather thankless. Cleaning tables, that is. In my time picking up after messy eaters, I accidentally stuck my fingers in tomato sauce, spilled beverages of all kinds over myself, had plates shatter at my feet (both my fault and others), was blamed for all sorts of evil that only a customer awaiting a table could create, and even was left to discover some rather unfortunate materials in the bathroom. . .

- Which reminds me. . . There was once a time when I entered the men's bathroom to do my hourly clean-up and as I entered the larger stall, I smelled something awful. Now, it's a bathroom, so I continued to walk towards the toilet and noticed several toilet seat covers on the ground to the right of the toilet. As I got closer, the smell got worse. I wrapped my hand in toilet paper and lifted the edge of one of the papers on the floor. What I discovered was more throw-up than I think I have ever seen at one time (at the time, that is - I do believe that I have seen more at other times since then). The thing that I thought as I covered my mouth and backed away was "How in the world did this person miss the toilet?" It was literally over all the tile to the right of the toilet and nothing in the toilet. . . Either way, I was the lucky buck who got to wheel the mop over to the bathroom and clean up after this person (never did see the culprit. . .). This was not even the only time that I had to clean-up throw-up (are both of those hyphenated? I say yes.) either. . . Another time, it was in the girl's bathroom, and it was almost the same situation. Lucky for me, I got to mop that one up too.

That's good for now, but I would like to make a point as to why I think my time spent at JC was worth it. Not only did I make some good money for awhile (some weeks, looking back on it, were more profitable than some at the MW) but I began my journey to where I am now. At the time, I had been searching for a job for months on end, not able to beg for a job with anyone. But a new restaurant in town gave me an opportunity to begin anew. I started as a Host, performed well, eventually moved to Table Tending, became a certified trainer, gave them everything for almost 1.5 years and then left when they weren't willing to be flexible with my hours when I wanted to coach basketball. I had trouble leaving because I had no set income if I left, but I asked a friend to get me in at his job (that would be the FL) and I interviewed there, earning a job there only two days after my last at JC. I worked hard there too, putting my time in for 6 months and when an opening occurred, I took over as the Assistant Manager, running a relevant retail store for hours on end at times. It was there that two women came in and I did my thing and I was offered a position at the MW as a paid salesman. The real deal. The Show. And it's through this job that I will be able to begin my future. No matter what it is. . .

Back tomorrow night after GAME TWO. . . Just remember friends, if the SUNS win, it will be a happy post. If not, well, then go ahead and expect the worst of times. . .

Until later,

20 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here's the thing. . . I am in no mood to blog. I just finished watching Game 1 of the SUNS/SPURS series from last night. That should be enough to get my point across. . .

But it got me thinking. I knew the outcome of the game. There was no way that I could avoid finding that one out (actually, there probably was - - but I couldn't do it to myself). Instead, I put myself through the misery of a double overtime game that I knew would end with my team on the losing end when all was said and done.

So what does that say?

It says I'm a fan (and maybe a little bit of a masochist. .). And that is how you can describe me and who I have become. If you have visited this site even once before, it is likely that you saw a post that discussed something about my beloved Phoenix Suns. I truly do live and die by the fate of my team. And it is that strong commitment to my team that leads me to the next step on the road to my 21st birthday. . .

20 to 21:

There are many stories that I could bring forth via my fandom, but the one that sticks out to me the most is the one that is providing me with hope as I struggle with the loss in Game One.

It was the 2006 NBA Playoffs. My SUNS were in the first round against the 7th seed Los Angeles Lakers as the 2nd seed and had just come off of losing the "home court advantage" (for those not in the know, these playoff series are a best-of-seven with the team with the better regular season record getting 4 games at home in a 2-2-1-1-1 fashion. . . follow?) by losing Game Two after a Game One victory. My best friend George (as big of a Laker fan as I am a Suns fan) and I decided we had to go to Game Three in Los Angeles as we were only an hour from the stadium and it's not every day that our favorite teams battled it out in the playoffs so close to home. So we found tickets on EBAY and made our way to the Staples Center on April 28 for what would be one memorable evening.

I was one of maybe a handful of SUNS fans in the entire stadium. Imagine 20,000 fans worshiping at the altar of the purple and gold, and there's me, just trying to make that gold a more orange color! I bravely draped myself in my Steve Nash jersey and George (donning his Kobe "The Rapist" Bryant jersey - - no, he will never live that one down from my standpoint) and I took the game in from the upper deck, but the front row of said nose-bleed section. It was an exciting game that ended in a Lakers victory, 99-92. Within the first minute of the game, an already feisty series got a bit more physical as a skirmish broke out. Later in the game, former Laker Kwame Brown knocked Suns player Boris Diaw down and decided it was best to stand over him in a taunting manner. This only added to the animosity that the two teams (and fans, apparently) had for each other.

Every now and again, I would feel something hit my back. I assumed popcorn, candy, or something like that, and as long as it wasn't gum, I was ok with it. However, once the game ended, I was introduced into a world of Suns-hating that I had never visited before, and looking back, quite possibly could have gotten ugly.

As George and I tried to exit the unsafely crowded stadium, people began squeezing ever closer together to get to the escalator down to the main level. When a couple people (it's a safe bet that these wonderful individuals were mildly intoxicated) noticed my jersey, a fun chant of "Phoenix Sucks" began to break out. Mind you, the series was now 2-1 in favor of the Lakers, giving them the inside track to winning the series and sending the Suns home for the summer. As the chant got louder, I felt closer shoving and more direct forms of abuse as more food items were thrown in my direction and I sensed that things might get out of hand.

I was not the only one. A security guard pushed his way towards me and asked me if I would like an escort out of the stadium. I declined, thanking him for his offer, as I assumed it would be just fine getting to my car. Boy, was I ever wrong (in retrospect, I wonder what would have happened if I had agreed - would George and I have been taken out a secret way? Or would I just have received a worse case of vocal abuse with a security guard on my hip?). . .

As I made my to the top of the escalator, George and I began to look around. This escalator is essentially the center of attention in the area of the stadium with people standing around on three levels awaiting their turn (waves of people would be allowed to go, and then a period of nothing, as to alleviate the amount of people leaving at the same time). Once again, my jersey stood out (some of you may be saying, "Justin, just take off the jersey!" No thanks. I don't give in that easily. I would be so embarrassed to this day if I had succumbed to the pressure.) and a new chant of "Phoenix Sucks" began to echo through the corridor surrounding the escalator. I was essentially standing on an escalator surrounded by hundreds of Laker fans, singling me out as the anti-everything they stood for. I was the only Suns fan within vocal range, and they made sure that I was aware who won the game. I cannot explain to you what that felt like. There very well could have been 500 people standing in that vicinity that night and every single one of them (Except for George - he kept saying "Shut up! He's my ride home!") was yelling at me because of the team I support. I was worried, but not really, as I assumed once I got outside, everything would be better. . . Not so much.

Unfortunately, we had exited the side of Staples Center exactly opposite of the side we entered, thus causing us to walk around the entire stadium and then down a couple blocks to reach our parking garage. As we exited the stadium, I was approached by a guy who was approximately 30 years old. This man had 2 small children in tow and was also clearly filled with magical liquids that made him act a little obnoxious. He came right up to me, got in my face, and said "It's over! It's over! Phoenix sucks!" Now, if you know me, you know that I am a smart ass. Up until then, I had kept my mouth shut, but I just could not take it anymore. I said to him "You've gotta win 4" as he walked away from me. . . Mistake. He stopped, spun, and immediately was in my face once more, saying loudly "What did you say, boy? I'll beat your ass!" Quickly, I responded with "Dude, you've got kids with you!" and walked away with George. . . Crisis One averted.

George and I were talking and laughing, trying to show that I had no desire to stir any trouble (Which was true) and it did work for the most part. One woman walking the opposite direction as me came right up to me and began lifting my jersey, saying "Take that shit off." I grabbed her arms, moved them away from me, and politely said "Get the hell off of me!" (No, that's not true. . . I did say something to the effect of "Ok. . ."). We made it to my car, but not before I witnessed another Suns fan walking the other direction who was being slapped around with those awful "Thunder Sticks" as he walked. George and I exchanged quick glances and booked it to my car as to avoid any actual assault and battery, which we both were pleased to find did not occur.

Now why does this story bring me hope? Well two days later on April 30, a dagger was inserted into my heart when Kobe Bryant hit a jumper as time expired to win Game Four in overtime, giving the Lakers a commanding 3-1 series lead. It was all but over. My "You've gotta win 4" statement was still true, but it was looking grim for our chances, as we had to win three games in a row after we had just LOST three in a row. I never gave up though, and neither did my beloved SUNS, as they came back to win Game Five and then the thrilling Game Six in Los Angeles thanks to Tim Thomas of all people. This of course gives me the opportunity to post this video so all my Lakers fans friends can enjoy it:

After that, we won in overtime and took that momentum and destroyed the Lakers in Game Seven in Phoenix and went on to later lose in the Western Conference Finals, but it was an amazing playoffs that displayed resiliency and perseverance in my team.

And that's what we now need, down 1-0 to the Spurs, which, in comparison, is nothing. All we need to do is win Tuesday night and home court is ours. . . so here's to that happening!!!

And now I retire to my bed for the evening. . . Hope you enjoyed the recap of one of the most memorable night of my life and I hope you return tomorrow night for the continued journey towards my big 2-1. . .

Thanks again and as always -

Until later,

21 to 21: A Birthday Countdown

2008-04-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

So here we are, the beginning of a journey to my 21st birthday, which lies just a mere 21 days away. Some may say I am making too big a deal out of it, but I say I'm not making ENOUGH out of it. So there. . .

When I was at lunch the other day with my sister Aimee, I asked her what she thought I should fill these stories up with, seeing that I had 10 ideas, tops, and that I gotten myself into something maybe I couldn't accomplish. But helpful sister that she is, she gave me a few more ideas and created new ideas in my head that I then decided to lay claim to. So all in all, I feel ready to embark on this trek towards the big 2-1 with you, as I give you a true collection of stories about the years that I have lived and the times that I've had:

21 to 21:

I think the most logical place to start something like this is at the beginning. I was born on May 10, 1987 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale Memorial North Hospital was the first building that tried to contain me in any way, shape or form (that is, if you don't include my dear mother's womb). Around the time that my mom began heading into the labor period, she was given a bowl of tomato soup. Almost immediately after completing said soup, my mom threw it all up, giving one very unfortunate nurse the scare of a lifetime as the red tomato soup came up completely undigested (do I need to explain. . . I don't think so). I now believe that this traumatic event caused a rift and has led to my complete dislike for tomatoes by themselves and in most situations (no, I don't want ketchup, tomato soup - obviously - or tomato on my sandwich; but I have grown to like tomato sauce with Italian food, and most mild salsas do me just fine!).

As I was on my way out of my watery home, the doctor began letting everyone know that I was nearly there (everyone being all three sets of my grandparents, my mom's sister, and both my parents, naturally). My parents did not know the sex that I would be, but the doctor seemed to have an idea. He began saying "Here she comes, here she comes!" (inside, I'm sure I was not amused). My dad insisted, however, that I was a boy and there were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. "It's a boy" I imagine he claimed. "Here HE comes!"

And at 9:57 p.m. local time, I did. There I was, a bundle of joy, I'm sure. Wrapped in the traditional blue blanket and passed around the room to all the family, I'm sure (only after the pros made sure I was all good).

And so began my journey into the world.

***UPDATE***

My mom posted a comment here and it gave some added details to the eventful weekend of my birth and I figured I would give it its due and put it after all of my words:

"The fact that I had been there all weekend and that it was Mother's Day -- and that my doctor was a Mom too helped make it all the more profound when you finally appeared to make my first Mother's Day memorable -- along with your grandmothers. Actually everybody was waiting outside the "delivery" room in anticipation except for Grandpa Bruce & Grandma Pam -- they were actually there for the "event", if you will. Minutes later -- and only minutes -- the rest were ushered in to welcome you into our family. The funniest memory I have though is when they wheeled me to my room, at midnight, there was an entourage with balloons, video cameras and it was like there was a movie star or something - we all watched you get your first bath -- no privacy there -- thankfully Dr. Haas made it in time though - arriving with wet hair from her shower she just made it :) I love these memories. Hope you don't mind me adding to them. Love, Mom "

- - -

Come back tomorrow for the stirring continuation :)

Until then,

There Can Only Be One

2008-04-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

All season the NBA has been showing commercials with their new slogan, "Where Amazing Happens" and they have all been very good. . .

But now that it's playoff time, they have put into motion a series of commercials featuring 2 NBA players saying the same lines at the same time in a half-screen type thing.

The combinations of young stars like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul

and title-contenders Kevin Garnett and Lebron James

are good, but my favorites are the ones featuring my guys (of course).

Here is the first one of those two, which features two future Hall of Fame point guards, Jason Kidd, and my man, Steve Nash:

And this one will go down as one of the greatest commercials ever as it pairs one-time teammates, and now rivals, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal:

- - - -

Check back in tonight for my NBA Playoff Predictions!

Until later,

It's Playoff Time!!!

2008-04-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Today is my second favorite day of the year (I think - I'm not making a blanket statement here. . . I'm just saying it right now. My first favorite day would be the first day of the NBA's regular season. . .). . . and today is the last day of the NBA's regular season. Why is this such a big day? Because it signals the beginning of the playoffs! The playoffs begin on Saturday and I could not be more excited about this year. The road to the championship is a tough one for my beloved SUNS but I'm always hopeful, like a good fan should be.

I had get to my initial thoughts (go ahead and expect 2 posts about the NBA playoffs before they begin on Saturday - this one and another one more focused on exact predictions) and also needed to post the bracket for what would have occurred had the NBA switched over to a format like the NCAA. I talked about this last year, and I still think that is not a bad idea, especially since if it was this way, every playoff team would be at least .500 instead of having an awful team like Atlanta sneak into the awful Eastern Conference Playoffs. It would certainly provide an interesting several rounds. . . Check out the first round:

1. Boston
16. Portland

8. Utah
9. Orlando

5. San Antonio
12. Golden State

4. New Orleans
13. Cleveland

6. Houston
11. Denver

3. Los Angeles
14. Washington

7. Phoenix
10. Dallas

2. Detroit
15. Toronto

- - -

If all of the top seeds won, we would be looking at this for the second round:

1. Boston
8. Utah

5. San Antonio
4. New Orleans

6. Houston
3. Los Angeles

7. Phoenix
2. Detroit

- - -

Holy crap! And the "Final Four" would be:

1. Boston
4. New Orleans

3. Los Angeles
2. Detroit

- - -

Not that this year's playoffs are gonna be bad (it's actually going to be one of the greatest ever!) or anything, but that would be incredibly entertaining - - -

But in the end, it's all about what is set up and for that reason, I'll leave you with this thought about the playoffs before my post in a night or two:

BRING ON THE SPURS!!!!!!!!!!

Until later,

I'll Be Brief (For Now)

2008-04-14T23:16:00.000-07:00

So here's the plan, Stan. . .

My goal here starting on Saturday is a post every night leading up to my birthday on May 10. The reason I will be starting on Saturday is that it is 21 days before my 21st birthday, and I will be doing a post called "21 til 21" on that day and so on ("20 til 21," etc.). Each day I'm gonna re-live a story that I may or may not have shared on this site in the past through my 21 years alive. I know it's not much, but I think it could be fun. If anything, it will get me to posting again, and it will be more about the past and not about my present and/or future. . .

Which is completely and utterly up in the air.

As an "Update" of sorts to my previous post this past week, I have to say one more thing about "Who I Am":

- I am starting to realize that I just might be depressed. The distance between Heather and I (the 95 miles, that is) is starting to really take its toll on our relationship. Our rare moments together are amazing and are everything to each of us, but the moments apart are much more prevalent and much more difficult. It's tough. And I know it sounds so. . . sad. But guess what? It is! We're working hard at something that every day seems less and less likely to succeed. Which is exactly the opposite of what we want - -but the lows are so low. . .

So we're working through things. And I know that posting that here is probably not the right move, per se, but it's what is going on for me at this time. It weighs on me every day. And it keeps me from putting my best foot forward (Except, of course, for those moments that we are actually together - no one brings out the best in me like her!). . .

So look for those posts starting on Saturday and enjoy the trip down memory lane as I near a milestone birthday!

Thanks as always :)

Until later,

Who I Am

2008-04-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

In honor of my first post in nearly a month (hopefully a sign that much more is to come in the near future), I decided to provide you with a little insight into who it is that you wanted to post all this time. Recently, I have decided where it is I think I'm headed on this life-trek and in doing so, discovered a little bit about myself in the process. This is partly for me - when you put something into print, you mean it a bit more than if you just think it - but it's also for you, my readers. I know all of you (I assume, of course, but I deep-down hope that there are hundreds of people out there with no idea who I am save for this here website) but you may not be aware of who I actually am or what I think about different things. And what I have to say may not be what you want to hear, but it's just the way the ball bounces, I guess. It's not a confessional period, but you might learn a thing or two. And you can judge. It's ok. Just know that I wouldn't judge you if you said any of the following to me. The rest is up to you. . .

So without further ado, I give you. . . Me:

- I am Justin David Gott, but while you are here, you may call me the Rambler.

- I am a mere thirty-eight days short of my 21st birthday (but don't tell anyone, I've had a drink or two already).

- I am white and please don't call me Caucasian until you can point out the country of Caucasia on a map and prove to me that my ancestors came from there. I'm serious.

- I am engaged to be married to Heather Lynn Acuff, my girlfriend of over four years, but because of our individual career aspirations, family influences, and overall goals for the future, may never actually go through with the process of joining in holy matrimony. Only time will tell if our love will stand the test of distance and scholastic endeavors. Either way, one thing is certainly true: I love that woman more than you can imagine.

- I am an alumni of Desert Christian High School (Class of 2005) and Antelope Valley College (Class of 2007) and currently attend California State University, Northridge, where I am majoring in Family Studies Education and minoring in Human Sexuality.

- I am planning on using that degree and the teachers credential that I will attain a year or two after I graduate to become a high school teacher, but more importantly, a basketball coach. My goal is to teach either a Health-type class, a Sex Education class, or even Physical Education, with the main focus on being the best coach that I can be. My aspirations continue beyond a high school, as I hope to, once a Masters Degree has been achieved, coach in college.

- I am at my best when people doubt me and tell me that I can't do something.

- I am severely addicted to basketball. Whether it's playing, watching, or (eventually) coaching, the rush that I get when around the game invented by Dr. James Naismith cannot be expressed with words that I know. I bring the ball up the court at the park in a 5-on-5 bloodbath and pull up for the game-winning three, and I feel alive. I watch Steve Nash, the point guard of my beloved Phoenix Suns, do amazing things and create opportunities to be victorious, and I feel the highest highs when good happens and the lowest lows when the unfortunate occurs. And when a player on a team that I'm coaching follows an instruction that I gave, performs the act perfectly, and is elated at their newfound ability (it happened several times when I was an Assistant Coach last season at Desert Christian), there are absolutely no words to express the pride and joy that I feel. That orange ball has brought to me a love that I didn't know existed. I have sacrificed my body by diving on a wood floor to attain a possession. I have sprained both of my ankles so many times playing basketball, that occasionally, they just give out and I fall to the floor. I wept bitterly as my high school career came to a close at the hands of Yeshiva High School, knowing that I would never again play in front of a crowded arena. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat. There is no other way to describe how much that game means to me, and that is why I need to be around it for the rest of my life. I cannot live without it.

- I am a person who respects those who have faith, whether it be in Jesus Christ or Mohammed, because they are able to go out on a limb that I am presently too petrified to venture out onto. I cannot be considered a "Young Man of God" (has been said of me, to be honest) because I don't know what to think anymore and I don't want to let anyone down at the same time. I'm sorry, but I don't pray and I have seen the inside of a church no more than 3 times in the last year (Christmas Eve being one of those times). I struggle because I can't stand "religion" and how it stops people from being a normal human being and creates all sorts of problems.

- I am open-minded and accepting instead of intolerant and hypocritical. Call me crazy.

- I am 5'8'' but my driver's license says that I am 5'9''. No, I didn't shrink. I lied. I wish I was taller.

- I am grateful for my height (yes, I realize what I just said) because as a wise man has told me, we short people have been challenged by bigger people our entire lives, so there is never a reason to be afraid of them. Been there, defeated that. Thanks. Now bring it on.

- I am a natural cynic, believing that the worst possible thing is most likely to occur. It makes it a lot better when fantastic things occur.

- I am a big brother. I have an almost-16-year-old sister (a brilliant, beautiful young woman who can dance circles around any other girl, literally) and a nearly-7-year-old brother (hard-headed, hilarious, and bound to be a millionaire one day). They are a part of me, so don't even think about messing with them. That little endeavor, my friend, will end in pain.

- I am a good listener. People come to me with problems and I give advice. Take that Dr. Phil!

- I am a lover of all types of music (except techno - sorry Moby). If you randomized my iPod, you could get the following 5 recording artists: Johnny Cash, Kanye West, Linkin Park, Alabama, Weezer. Do it again and you could get: Eminem, Michael Buble, Jimmy Eat World, Confederate Railroad, and Coldplay. I have seen Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Maroon 5, and Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert. I'm going again this summer to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this time with Hank Williams Jr. Country is at my heart (I just bought the new Alan Jackson CD and love it) but I will never abandon good ol' rock-and-roll. O, and that rap stuff? Yeah, I can't get enough and I have been known to bust a move from time to time. . . It's true.

- I am a non-smoker and will be until the day I die. All kinds. I have been around marijuana but have never used it. Don't want to. No interest whatsoever. The person I marry will also be a non-smoker. No questions asked.

- I am a Wardrobe Consultant at the Men's Wearhouse, which is a fancy way of saying that I'm a salesman. And I can bullshit with the best of 'em. But unfortunately, the United States' economy has decided to drop like a lead weight in the ocean, and I have been left scratching and clawing at every retail customer who walks through our door. But I'm good at what I do, and I've only been there five months. And I will get you to like what you're wearing. And yes, I do guarantee it (Sorry Mr. Zimmer!).

- I am just like 99.999% of the men out in the world today: I have seen/viewed pornographic material.

- I am a boxer-briefs type of guy, converted in the past year from the baggy boxers. That was a dumb high-school phase. But the BB are here to stay. Trust me.

- I am jealous of those living the "College Lifestyle" if only because my closest friends live so far away from me. My best friend lives in Georgia. Two of my other close friends live in Thousand Oaks and Ventura. Heather lives in Pomona. I live in Lancaster. I lose.

- I am the proud owner of Marty, my 2008 Scion xD, who I purchased in January. I make a payment of $296 a month and happily at that. Marty is everything that I have wanted and more and I am happier every day that I decided to take the plunge and buy him.

- I am one of maybe 10 Americans who does not have a credit card. But that will be changing. Very soon.

- I am emotional. I have been known to cry at many things, namely movies (not all of them, of course, but I don't deny it happening from time to time) and congratulatory moments. You know, like the time when your mom says she is proud of you over the phone while you're driving and you're thankful that no one can see you break down as you listen to her tell you how great she thinks you are. No? Didn't happen to you? Sorry, must have been just me who was blessed like that. . .

- I am the son of a hard-working perfectionist who has taught me how to care for a family and run a household correctly. He is the son of a hard-working perfectionist who taught him how to care for a family and run a household correctly. Those are Numbers 1 and 2 on my Heroes list, and I love and respect them both immensely. I hope to one day be half the men they are, but at the same time, will not settle for half. They wouldn't want that.

- I am dedicated to several television shows: House, Scrubs, The Office, anything with Chef Gordon Ramsey, and the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert combo.

- I am completely against and cannot stand the following television shows: Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Everybody Loves Raymond (I have my reasons!), and American Idol.

- I enjoy reading good books about all sorts of topics. Books are the original form of escape for those seeking it. And they never go out of style, that's for sure.

- I am a registered Independent. I don't know who I want to vote for in the presidential election in November. On personal levels, I like Barack Obama's age, confidence, and suavity; I like Hillary Clinton's tenacity, perseverance, and stubbornness; I like John Mccain's. . . umm. . . nothing! I don't know why, but I can't stand him. But guess what? He's the one I'm leaning towards just because he doesn't support Universal Health Care and is Pro-Life. . . Dammit!

- I am frugal, but when I want something that I feel like I can afford, I usually buy it. Hence, my massive DVD collection. And my ever-expanding work wardrobe. But it is my belief that there will always be ways to make money and that will never change, regardless of the state of the economy.

- I am a frustrated consumer who cannot stand paying almost $4 a gallon for gasoline. I think it's fishy that since President Bush has been in office, gas prices have risen from $1.60/gallon to nearly $4. It can't all be blamed on 09/11, sir.

- Ultimately, I am a never-say-die, hard-working, steadfast and immovable, dedicated, content but always striving for more, witty, genuine, and relatively simple individual. I am never afraid to succeed, and will always be a winner (that's not some happy Fortune Cookie telling me that, either - that's my other hero, who I know as "T").

And now I am heading to bed to prepare for another twelve hour day. I hope you learned something, or at least found something interesting about yours truly. If you did just that, then come back and see what else I have to say or am up to in the weeks, months, and even years to come (no plans of stopping A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING here).

And as always, take care of yourselves. And just remember:

"You will miss 100% of the shots that you don't take."
- - - Devin Thomas

Until later,

The Just Plain Funny (and the Awesome!)

2008-03-05T11:19:00.001-08:00

In the wake of another downer of a post (Monday's Return of the Ass of the Week) I figured I would bring you a series of pictures, links, videos, and other fun multimedia forms to make you either smile, laugh, or both! I do hope you enjoy, because I did, and that's the only reason that I would put them out there in front of you. . .

The Just Plain Funny

- Jack Nicholson is in favor of Hillary Clinton? The tape doesn't lie. . .

- This little girl is the cutest and thinks that STAR WARS is actually pretty simple to understand. Just watch it. And just remember: Darth Vader will getcha!

- Although it has been said that it was an accident (not by Kobe himself, but by analysts of the following clip), I still think this video is hilarious because it contributes to the theory that Kobe Bryant is one of the biggest (fill in the blank) in the NBA.

- This summer is going to be one of the best summers for comedies ever (which I will preview by the end of April)! Among the titles vying for best of the best are PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (Seth Rogen and James Franco), FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (Judd Apatow-produced), ZACH AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO (new Kevin Smith film), STEP BROTHERS (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) and one that I will highlight right now, TROPIC THUNDER, which stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr, who plays, wait for it, an actor trying to earn himself the accolades of moviegoers by playing a black man. Don't believe me:

O YES!!!!! I can't wait for this summer!!!

- Don't say white guys can't play defense. Thanks Kyle Korver! (Photo Credit: David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Awesome

- My all-time favorite basketball player is running for mayor of Sacramento. I have Kevin Johnson's jersey hanging up in my room. I acted as him many a day in the hallway of our old house in Lancaster as I performed entire SUNS games. And he is an incredibly upstanding, go-get-em type guy that I hope has a long future in the world of politics, because I think he can change things for the good (he is hoping to bring some light to the ghetto-type areas of our state's capital). Go get em KJ! And it also gives me a chance to show this video again. . . Eat it Hakeem!

- - -

I'll be back soon with another fun post like this. I like doing them because it brings what I find on the internet to you! Hope you enjoyed at least one of these things!!!

Until later,

The Return of the Ass of the Week

2008-03-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

Well welcome to you all!

I've had three tests in the last seven days and now I sit at my computer watching Deal or No Deal of all things (I swear it's because of the contestant!) and I figured that I would take the time and put together a column that I have been pondering for some time now. Ladies and gentlemen, it's the grand return of the "Ass of the Week," although since it has been a month (almost exactly - I last did one of these on 02/02) between these posts, this could technically be considered the "Ass of the Month." But I'm not doing that. This is instead "The Return of the Ass of the Week" as the title says. But I do have to mention, in the words of the wise Randal Graves, "There is only one Return, and that's of the Jedi." But I'm sure he'd be ok with me just snagging the title for a brief moment. . . I hope.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think about this one. Thanks!

- - - - - - - -

The group of people that I will chewing out this week usually have their fair share of haters amongst the crowd. But that doesn't mean that I can just let them do their thing without getting a bit of lip. Or a tongue-lashing. Or something like that. . .

This week's winner of this now prestigious award are the too-rich bigwigs out there who make decisions about the lives of those so far below them with no regard for their hopes, dreams, or desires. Call it a broad generalization, but nonetheless, it's a rousing victory for the cronies. . .

I actually have two reasons to how I came to this conclusion this week. The first has to do with something that I read through Roger Ebert's website and a blog done by Jim Emerson, a guy who helps out Mr. Ebert occasionally. In the blog, Emerson discusses how Glen Hansard, part of the duo that wrote and starred in the film ONCE, has claimed that the company that created the cover for the film's DVD release has screwed with his original intention. And upon further review, he could not be more right on:

I don't know if you can see it there, but the picture on the left is the original poster, which also appears on the cover of the Original Soundtrack. The picture on the right is what is on the DVD cover. Some of the things that Hansard points out in the interview is that they are shown holding hands on the DVD cover, which is an action that the characters never do during the film. Furthermore, the cover is substantially brighter (not a huge deal, but still important nonetheless) than the originally intended poster (designed by Hansard himself) and the other half of the duo, Marketa Irglova, has been made taller to put her closer to the height of Hansard. The guitar they are waking on is made more prevalent and Hansard was put in a bit more trendy clothing, also stretching the true nature of the film.

Now to me this is a big deal. What's the point of all of this? Is it to sell more DVDs? This is clearly rhetorical -- I guess what frustrates me about this particular instance is that people WILL in fact fall for the illusion that the marketers have created for ONCE. People searching for a romantic comedy will find one in ONCE (apparently). This could not be further from the truth. It's an at-times heart-breaking, but ultimately inspiring drama that feature powerfully moving performances, beautiful music, and (spoiler alert) a potentially sad ending (for some). Not the bright, shining, hand-holding imagery that they want you to envision when picking up the DVD. As Hansard mentioned in his acceptance speech at the Oscars, they made this film for $100,000 (although the production budget is said to be $150,000 - either way, it was really cheap to make) and as of right now ONCE has brought in nearly $17 million combined between the domestic and international box office. You think they've already made enough money. . .

I'm gonna go with yes.

Here's a second idea for you if that is not enough for you to agree with me (which is always possible). . . And this one actually hurt more.

You see, I found out on Friday that because of the lack of business we are doing at the MW that one of our tailors was going to be let go on SATURDAY. The next day! We didn't find out until the day before. Just crazy. Look, I know it's a part of business - I get that. But why does a guy like Sam, one of the sweetest old men you could ever meet, have to lose a job so that other higher-ups can keep theirs. That's right, Sam, the guy whose wife just underwent a bunch of chemotherapy for cancer and uses his skills as a tailor to earn medical benefits for his sick wife and his son who has Downs Syndrome, has to be let go instead of maybe cutting back on both tailors' hours. And of course the whole "letting go" thing - yeah, that's just a slang term for "Thank you. Now get the hell out." It was so sad. We went and got him a cake that said "Thank You Sam" on it and when we took it back to him, Sam, who somewhat resembles Gepetto from "Pinocchio" but without the mustache or hair on top of his head (so really, he looks nothing like Gepetoo. . .) began crying and telling us that we were like family to him. It was truly heart-breaking. But hey, at least George Zimmer can maintain his billion dollar business. . . (and not that it was Mr. Zimmer's decision - I have actually gotten to meet him and he is seemingly a very caring individual - but it was his underlings who went through with the releasing of hard, honest workers).

It's just wrong. It goes along with the fact that gas here in the Antelope Valley is now at $3.50, which is just ridiculous, and the companies that distribute the gasoline were posting record returns last time I checked. There is just too much of a difference between those lofty big-wigs that get to roll around beyond comfortably and those who work harder than anyone and have to scrape by uncomfortably.

So why is it my goal in life to become one of the former??

Well, I guess that's for another day. . .

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings and all tonight. Have a fantastic week and love each other always!

Until later,

Every ONCE in Awhile

2008-02-26T21:22:00.001-08:00

Three things right off the top:

1) Yes, things have started to get busy for me and no, that's not the reason I haven't been posting. More often than not, it's because I get to the end of the night and just don't feel like putting my fingers to the keyboard. Sue me.

2) I know what you're already thinking, and no, this post will not mention my beloved PHOENIX SUNS beyond the following statement: We're fine. Don't agree with me? That's just ok with me. I'm a die-hard and you're not. Again, sue me.

3) Please don't sue me. I'm an engaged college student doing my best to just get by.

- - - Ok, so now that that is out of the way - - -

I'm just gonna fly through my updates as quick as I can, mostly because it's getting pretty close to the end of the night. And you know what that means :)

And away we go. . .

- I watched most of the Oscars on Sunday night. It was not as necessary for me to follow as closely as I did last year (you remember the running diary, right?) because I had to write two articles for the AVC Examiner the day after the broadcast. And I did. But this year, it was strictly pleasure and my hope that NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and, more importantly, the Coen Brothers left the show victorious. And they did. But it was three moments in particular that had nothing to do with NO COUNTRY or the Coens that actually, in all honesty, made yours truly tear up. One was of course the inclusion of Heath Ledger at the end of the classic In Memoriam montage. It still gets to me that he's gone. The second was the performance by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of their song "Falling Slowly" from the brilliant film ONCE. That performance can be seen here:

And then the third was the absolute best part of the show. By now I'm sure you have heard that they won the Best Song award at the Oscars and then Hansard gave one of the most humble acceptance speeches ever. But it was the moment when Irglova was not allowed to speak because the music guy played her off the stage that it got sad. How could they do that, right? Well a few moments passed and then a commercial happened. Then Jon Stewart did something that the Academy has now taken down from Youtube. So I'll just explain what you probably already know. He brought out Irglova to have her moment instead of riffing on something that he had pre-planned. And then she brought the heart just like her comrade and proved that people who love what they do and that work hard at it do win some of the time. And that, my friends, is what it is all about! O, and go rent ONCE. It's amazing!

But you knew that. . .

- School has been going well and now it is starting to roll even quicker now. Had a test today and got at the very least a B but probably an A. Have another one Thursday. It's school alright. . .

- I had a $1500 sale today at work and now have $3000 for the week after only two days. I still have three more work days this week and I'm gunning for my best week ever. Wish me luck!

- Heather and I went and saw DEFINITELY, MAYBE last weekend and it was actually quite good. Ryan Reynolds is a great talent who I am glad to see getting away from the likes of VAN WILDER. He has a bright future. Great cast all-around and I'm glad that romantic comedies are getting wittier and more guy-friendly. Good stuff. (GRADE: B)

- I saw this online on a Myspace that asked me to be their friend. It just makes me warm all over:

. . . I love it . . .

- I just finished going through the whole series of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP again. It's just brilliant.

- I will post again this week (before March begins) and I do know that I haven't posted an "Ass of the Week" column in some time, but I'm gonna get all of that up soon. I'm trying. Work with me here. . .

O and the more comments I get, the more I post. So if you like reading my thoughts, my concerns, my plans, and most importantly, my RAMBLINGS, then give a little click click to the comments button at the bottom of this post. . . Just a thought. . .

Thanks as always - - -

Until later - - -

A Saturday Grab-Bag

2008-02-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

I have been planning this post for several days now as a Mid-Week Grab-Bag but now it’s Saturday and I was in a bind to do it before the weekend and my new “Ass of the Week” column which should go up tomorrow night (yes, I know it's a day late - sorry). And as always, I welcome ideas for that column there. If you hear something in the news or read something on the internet that you think is worthy of this esteemed web site (and really, what isn’t) then either comment on the most recent post with a link, or you can always e-mail me at gottjustin@hotmail.com and I will be happy to give you credit for the find. . .

But that’s neither here nor there. So much has happened over the last week or so and I realized that I haven’t updated you out there so much on my school (which is not overly difficult, but that drive 4 days a week is killer!) or work (well that there just gets me upset) or engagement plans (don’t circle any dates on your planner just yet) or movies (don’t see THERE WILL BE BLOOD – trust me on this one) or, of course, the SUNS (you thought I forgot, huh?). Well all that is coming in the following paragraphs in all of its non-chronological goodness. I do hope you enjoy as always!

And away we go. . .

- So I’ll begin I suppose with the news that you all heard and immediately thought of me after: the SUNS, my beloved team, traded 4-time All-Star and SUNS-lifer Shawn Marion (we drafted him) along with our back-up left bench. . . I mean point guard. . . Marcus Banks (don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!) to the Miami Heat for veteran center Shaquille O’Neal. I’ll let that simmer for a second. . . Ok, so now that I’ve begun to boil, here’s what I’m thinking about the whole thing. I am extremely skeptical. In fact, when I initially heard that we were even discussing such a trade, I got upset and claimed that I would cry if we made the trade out of anger and frustration. Shaq is old. Shaq is slow. Shaq is the anti-Sun! Why would we take on this giant (literally and figuratively) contract – 2 more years at $20 million each – for an aging big man that has a questionable amount of gas left in the tank?

The reason that I was not as worried as some was because I knew it would never happen. First year General Manager Steve Kerr would not begin his career as a man in charge of a team with a trade that made this little sense, right?

Wrong.

We made the trade and now this is a fact:

But I’m coming around. I’ll admit I was upset that first day. I felt that we had permanently given up a chance of winning a championship during the Age of Nash. But after Shaq’s press conference where he was introduced as a SUN

I began to feel different and now I am border-line excited. Not only will Shaq improve Amare Stoudemire as a player (he will actually benefit the most out of everyone) because he provides Amare the ability to leave the paint without fear of no one in there to rebound. Shaq himself called his time as a Sun as the “Amare Stoudemire Project” so I’m ready for it to begin. We’ll see. As a fan, I’m an eternal optimist, even amongst skepticism (of which, there is plenty), but I still feel we have a chance to do some damage once the playoffs begin. Only time will tell. . .

- The next logical place to go is work. Unfortunately, it is deathly slow at the MW. Our annual sale is over (not that was lucrative) and it is as slow as it has been for the last two months. Unfortunately, this job has not been as financially stable as promised. I say “promised” because it was practically shoved down my throat that I would be completely comfortable once I began to get rolling. However, in a severe twist of fate, I have not had a pay check that exceeded the amount I would be making at the FL in the last two months. That is just plain frustrating and there are no other words to describe it. It’s not the fault of the people who recruited me – it’s supposed to be busier than this. But the amount of people that walk through our doors on any given day is miniscule and a good percentage of those people are extremely cheap, making it that much more difficult to sell enough to make any money at all. You see, the better the sale, the better my commission. So when Joe Nosuit comes in and just buys a $250 suit with nothing else, I make about $7.50. Wow, thanks. Now everything is wonderful!

It’s just really difficult. I was optimistic that this was the type of job that I could have for several years as I move through college. And with what they “promised” me, it was not even an issue. But now it is. And I’m about 2-3 more puny checks away from e-mailing my District Manager (who recruited me) that something needs to change. Unfortunately again, I can’t make more per hour, since every Wardrobe Consultant makes the same. It’s all about my sales. And I’m not having any. . . So, again, that’s nothing but frustration and it leaves me sitting at work, typing away at a blog, describing my frustration. Kinda makes it more frustrating. . .

- Now school. My classes are pretty all over the place. My Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday classes start at 1620 and go til 1850 while my Wednesday class is from 1800 to 2045. I have one class each day. So I drive about two hours each day; about 110 miles round-trip. Times four. That’s a good almost 450 miles a week plus my in-town driving to work and such and I easily top 500 miles a week. I’ll put it to you this way: my new car is about a month old. It already has 2000 miles on it. . . But the classes themselves are mostly interesting, at-times extremely boring, and altogether just a bridge to my future in teaching. I’m getting more and more excited about the prospect of teaching at a high school and coaching the basketball team. That’s a good picture J But here’s a quick recap of each of my classes and what they entail, along with the return of the Justin Teaching Grade Scale (JTGS) , where I evaluate my professor on the really important things. You know, like entertainment qualities.

Family and Consumer Sciences 230: Life Development (Monday)

Taught by Professor Rigney-Hill, this class is a trip through the life of all of us, from conception to coffinization. It’s mostly lecture, with an emphasis on group activities and such, which never excites me, as I would usually prefer to just go to class, do my thing, and get on my way home. And this is even more obvious to me when I know no one in class and I don’t meet anyone in the first couple of weeks that is necessarily worth making them “single serving friend,” to steal a line from FIGHT CLUB. But it’s ok. The teacher is nice and I think she has made a pretty simple class that I should have no trouble getting an A in, but I could easily coast to a B if I chose that road instead (which I don’t plan on doing). She’s got a semi-strong New Jersey accent and is pleasant enough, even amongst all of the Power Point goodness. Overall, just an average class. JTGS: 5 out of 10

Family and Consumer Sciences 330: Child Development (Tuesday)

Taught by Professor Giordano, this class is all about the kids. Three classes in and we are just now on the actual childbirth process. Luckily in this one, there are three people that I could see myself chatting up throughout the semester. One girl named Casey I knew from a couple of my Journalism classes last semester so we started re-living those classes and stuff like that on the first day. I also met another girl named Denise who is pretty cool and actually from Lancaster, no less! So of course we have the evil commute to discuss among other things. The one thing about my three FCS classes is that I am one of only a handful of guys in each of them. So in this one, a guy and I started making life a little more enjoyable for ourselves amongst all of the class discussion about things like getting your weight down after having a baby, the types of foods that you crave during pregnancy and a phrase that I never thought I would ever hear: “Frankenstein Vagina.” For those who want to know what it means, it was in reference to a post-birth mother and the way that her husband might look at her. . . I stayed quiet and just doodled on my note paper! But our teacher is nice, young, and funny and she does make the class enjoyable, even though it’s not her specialty. Again, I could probably get an A, (and most likely will) but a B can be achieved with little to no effort on my part. Overall, it’s one of my better classes. JTGS: 7.5 out of 10

Sociology 452: Sociology of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People (Wednesday)

Here’s where the fun begins. Taught by Professor DeCrescenzo (spelling?) this class delves into the psyche of each of the communities listed above, as well as other similar types of individuals. No textbooks – only memoirs that have been written by members of these communities and the class time is taken up by discussion on the passages which we have to read each week going into class (on average about 75 pages – not a lot at all, especially since the memoirs are easier to read than text books). We are going to have guest speakers and we also have to lead a class discussion on any topic that we wish in relation, of course, to the topic of the class. Some might immediately ask why I would ever take a class such as this. That is actually the easiest of questions to answer. It would be naïve of Americans to believe that people with any of the above orientations have no effect on society and culture today. Having now been in the world of college for almost three years now, I can tell you that people identifying as gay or lesbian are quite common and quite influential. I have enjoyed many conversations with individuals like this and have learned a whole heck of a lot from them. And as far as I’m concerned, these are people. That may seem a bit obvious to some, but for others, I swear, it seems like anyone identifying as gay or lesbian are considered less than human. Again, until we discover that they are all chronic child molesters or are in fact robots, than they deserve the same respect as you want in return. Our teacher is brilliant, funny, and relatable, even to those of us in the class (I would say about half) who are straight. I look forward to the class each week and I’m excited to see my A go in the column at the end of the semester! JTGS: 9 out of 10

Family and Consumer Sciences 320: Family Resource Management (Thursday):

Taught by Professor Schlesinger, (again, I'm not sure about spelling - these teachers have difficult names!) this is my least favorite class. It's supposed to be about how to manage a family and the resources that comes with having one, I suppose. But instead, we have spent the first three weeks discussing, among other things, what values are. We are defining things that need not a definition, since we are all college students and not seven years-old. It's weird. Plus, her voice is literally grating to my ears. The only thing that gets me through the class is a former Desert Christian alumni, Hannah, who graduated in my class. Both her and her roommate are in the class and so we discuss how bored we are throughout the time we are there (which is the whole 2.5 hours - it's a doozy). It will be another easy B, but an almost assured A because of the simplicity with which the class is run. Overall, it will be a bit of a waste of time, but it will be an easy grade. JTGS: 3 out of 10.

And that's really it for school. The drive is tough, but it works. It is something that has to be done and it will pay off eventually. I hope.

- On the movie front, I'm gonna make a couple quick recommendations and a couple "Stay Away" comments for some others. But quick is the optimum word. I promise. . .

GO SEE:

ONCE - the independent film from earlier this year that caught all the critics by surprise is just brilliant. A true musical, I don't need to say anything more than just do yourself a favor and go rent it. It's under 90 minutes long and if this gets you going, then you should absolutely go rent it immediately:

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - I saw it again a couple weeks ago with my dad after we both completed the book and I tell you right now: this film is a damn-near masterpiece. The only issues I have with the movie are trivial and are mostly regarding the way the book is brought onto the screen, but overall, it is a perfect adaptation of an intensely strong novel. If you don't have to have hope at the end of a movie to enjoy it (I still love that you hate this movie, Heather!) then try to find it in your theater.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS:

THERE WILL BE BLOOD - My dad and I went to see this after we both thought it had the potential to be a GANGS OF NEW YORK-like film, seeing that Daniel Day-Lewis is in the starring role. A gritty, true historical tale, perhaps? How about a frustratingly tedious mishmash of confusion and absurdity instead. I'm sure it's art to many, and I can see how it is getting the accolades when it comes to cinematography and such, but I cannot see the quality that is supposedly so present throughout the movie. Sorry.

FOOL'S GOLD - No, I didn't see it. Just please don't go. Promise me. My Canadian friend Mike said it best.

- Beyond that, I don't have much more to recap right now. I'm working from 1100-1800 tomorrow so I'm planning on coming home and writing up my "Ass of the Week" then. So expect it up some time tomorrow night!

Thanks as always for reading and enjoy your weekend!!!

Until later,

Super Bowl XLII: The Live Blog

2008-02-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

This is my second go-around at the live blog, with my first being the live blog during last year's Oscars telecast, which was met with quite a nice reception, so here we go again, this time as the Super Bowl captures the attention of millions across the world.

So join with me as I enjoy the game, (which I predicted to result in a Patriots victory last night - - but really, who isn't picking the Pats!?!?) - - I hope I can help you enjoy it more!

And away we go (keep refreshing for constant updates!):

3:03 pm - For the record, I can't stand Joe Buck. My friend Joseph and I could broadcast this one with much more panache than Mr. Buck there. In the words of Joseph, "Stick with the St. Louis Cardinals, Joe." Indeed.

3:05 pm - I'm surprised that Troy Aikman can still carry on a conversation, let alone hold his head up after all of his concussions. And of course, that doesn't affect his decision to broadcast next to Buck. . . o no, he really enjoys that. . .

3:07 pm - The first set of commercials, kinda. The real big money spots happen after kickoff, but it's still exciting to see what the ad-wizards out there have in store for us. . . If that commercial where the animals jump in the car and start singing comes on more than 3 times, I just might turn the whole thing off!

3:10 pm - American Idol now has instruments! That just might get me back to watching the show. But not really. . .

3:11 pm - I like Eli Manning. He's a good quarterback (some of the time, at least) and a nice guy, based on his personality from his many commercials with big brother Peyton. Too bad Peyton is better. And the team he is about to lose to, yeah, they are pretty darn good too. . .

3:12 pm - The Giants just came out to Kanye West's "Stronger," which is a good choice actually. The Pats should come out to Queen's "We Are the Champions."

3:13 pm - A little Ozzy instead, huh? That works for me. . . But what exactly does the "Crazy Train" refer to for the Patriots. . .

3:15 pm - This VANTAGE POINT movie looks inventive, if nothing else. I'll probably go with Heather, who is infatuated with Mr. Matthew Fox, of LOST fame. Apparently the scraggly good guy (his character, at least) is attractive. On an unrelated note, I'm growing out my chin hair. . .

3:17 pm - These SYNC commercials are the best! My favorite is when the lady walks into the glass doors though. Nothing better than coffee going everywhere!

3:18 pm - Nice to see that Tom Coughlin's face looks better than it did last week. Man, I thought he would have permanent frostbite after that game in Green Bay! . . Keep your fingers crossed for Arizona's own, Jordin Sparks. Just don't say the wrong line. . . She's got a good voice, that one.

3:21 pm - And. . . goosebumps

3:23 pm - It's nice to see Owen Wilson back up and moving after the whole attempted suicide thing a few months ago. . . but not in that P.O.S. movie. Come on Owen!

3:25 pm - The game is gonna be in the dome exclusively. Now it's really over. The Pats are the new "Greatest Show on Turf." I wouldn't want to defend Randy Moss on any surface, let alone turf. . . Those are some great 49ers right there. That is the reason why I grew up a Niners fan. But once Rice retired, that was it. He is the greatest. No questions.

3:27 pm - The Giants won the toss. That will be their last victory of the year.

3:28 pm - Looks like my favorite show HOUSE is gonna be awesome tonight. Too bad I'm an episode behind on my TIVO. . . Hmmm. . . decisions decisions

3:32 pm - First play will be a run up the middle. . . and I'm right.

3:33 pm - I was concerned about Eli's first pass. But that was a good one. It's easier when Plaxico Burress is your receiver - the guy is huge!

3:36 pm - I said Patriots 34, Giants 21 before the game. I'm sticking by it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a bit more high-scoring. . .

3:37 pm - Fire-breathing commercial gets an early lead on best commercial of the night. . . and Audi and their beautiful sports car? Well, amazing car. Not so good commercial (really? a Godfather reference?)

3:39 pm - First HUGE play of the game with this 3rd and short. . . I'm thinking Jacobs running up the middle. . . I was wrong, it was to Bradshaw. Either way, the Giants are running a nice drive here. I still think it ends with a field goal. . .

3:44 pm - Buck just said something that the Giants just want to keep the ball away from Brady. That's too defensive of a game plan, in my opinion. You have to go for the TD as well as keep him off the field. And now they have to settle for a field goal. . . Giants 3, Pats 0. Here we go!

3:47 pm - Pepsi is on its way to worst commercial of the night with the "What is Love?" one (is Chris Kattan supposed to be the celebrity in that one? Or is it LL Cool J?).

3:48 pm - Just what Tom Brady needs: good field position.

3:49 pm - Well done, Bud Light (the "Wine Party" commercial). And if it was Under Armour's intention to scare the crap out of us, then they did a good job.

3:51 pm - I'm rooting for the Patriots. I want to see history made here tonight. But I really like that Steve Spagnuolo, the defensive coordinator for the Giants. I hope he gets a good head coaching job over the next season or two.

3:54 pm - They have completely overkilled the Brady-ankle injury thing. He's playing. He's fine. Leave him alone. . .

3:58 pm - That penalty will come back to bite the Giants. They would have had a stop there and it would have been just a tie game going into the second quarter. . . Instead, the Pats have 2nd and goal on the 1-yard line as we begin the second. End of the first quarter now - Giants 3, Patriots 0. But not for long. . .

4:02 pm - And once the game is over, don't forget it's almost SUPER TUESDAY!!! I'm leaning more towards Barack Obama every day actually. . .

4:03 pm - See? Not long at all. . . Pats 7, Giants 3. O and this WANTED movie? Yeah, it is gonna be freakin' awesome!!!

4:04 pm - Good call Danica. You think they made life difficult for you in the car racing world because you were a girl. Yeah, the whole "Exposure" thing with Godaddy? Not gonna help. . .

4:06 pm - And there are several great commercials!!! FedEx (scary carrier pigeons), Cars.com ("Ring of Fire"), and Tide ("The Talking Stain"). Well done to you all. . .

4:09 pm - Anyone betting against Jim Carrey as one of the luckier men in the world? Actually, now that I think about it, I'm gonna go with Tom Brady. . .

4:10 pm - Here comes another Giants field goal. . .

4:12 pm - There's the first obligatory sight of big brother Peyton. You know he wishes it was him out there, thus sayeth my father.

4:13 pm - See, I was wrong. No field goal. Just an interception that was not Eli's fault. Bummer.

4:15 pm - Budweiser played their cards right with a "Rocky"-inspired commercial, and then we got our first TV spot for this summer's to-be blockbuster IRON MAN. One word: HellYeah!!! (You say them together when you are as excited as I am!)

4:17 pm - Surprising call on the 3rd and 1 by the Pats. I would have preferred a 4-wide receiver set with a throw of some kind. But I'm also not paid to make decisions, so there's that. Giants ball near their own 40. Let's see how Eli reacts. . .

4:20 pm - Funny Toyota Corolla ad (the "Badger" one) as well as a funny TV spot for this spring's LEATHERHEADS, which I mentioned in my movie preview from a couple weeks ago. Smart placement there, seeing that it's a football-central movie and all. . .

4:22 pm - Buck just said that him and Aikman aren't the best announcers around. Finally, something out of Buck's mouth that isn't complete nonsense. . .

4:23 pm - Tough series for the Giants. Without a TD on that first possession and a couple letdowns (the interception in the red zone, a terrible drive that went for -6 yards), the Giants should be careful here. . . Watch out for Moss going deep on this drive. . .

4:25 pm - More bad commercials!!! Just what we spent millions of dollars on! Careerbuilder.com (the heart quitting), some sort of Life Water or something (the "Thriller" dancing lizards, etc.). It's just crazy the type of stuff that gets on television. . .

4:27 pm - Wow. . . that Giants defense showed up right there. That was impressive.

4:30 pm - As soon as I saw Carlos Mencia, I had to simultaneously bite my tongue and push every throwable object away from me so I didn't hurl it at the TV. O, yeah, I can't stand him. . .

4:33 pm - Here comes another Giants field goal. . .

4:35 pm - I don't get how this is a half of football that Giants can be happy with. I mean, I kind of understand. But are they winning? Is there intention in this game to play close with the Patriots, or is it to win?

4:38 pm - Just as a warning, I will be taking off the live blog during halftime. These last two minutes are gonna produce some excitement, I have a feeling, so I'll stick around til then. But as soon as Tom Petty shows up, I'm done blogging. . .

4:40 pm - Good ads this time around. Planters showed some guts with that unattractive woman getting guys to make fools of themselves (physical humor is easy) and the Fave Five with Charles Barkley making me laugh like always (Except when he is saying bad things about my SUNS). Pepsi and Justin Timberlake is always a good combo as well. As for that NARNIA movie: Meh. The first one was pretty underwhelming and I probably won't be seeing this one in theaters at all. . .

4:45 pm - Huge first down. . . But you knew that. . .

4:47 pm - I'm gonna save all of my analysis once the half ends, but Brady is getting roughed up and that is never a good thing if you are the Patriots.

4:49 pm - That was pure New England Patriots football right there. They will score on this drive. . .

4:50 pm - Maybe not. . .

4:54 pm - And that's the half. Patriots 7, Giants 3. I gotta give it up to Steve Spagnuolo and the way he prepared his defense. They seem extremely ready for the long haul of the Super Bowl and they are certainly getting in Brady's grill nonstop. I don't think that the Pats should be concerned just yet, though. They get the ball first in the second half and a score there makes it potentially a two-possession game. I still like the Pats to win by a couple scores, but the confidence level has certainly dropped. Enjoy Tom Petty and I will go enjoy some food from the refrigerator. See you in a little bit!!!

5:23 pm - And. . . we're back. A couple notes about halftime: 1) Tom Petty is old. And is that really what we want? Apparently! Consider some of the most recent musical guests during the halftime shows of the past few Super Bowls: U2, Prince, Aerosmith, and the Rolling Stones. It sure seems like we like to see old guys coming back to play songs that were popular back in the days of people like my friend Manny and other late twenty-somethings (there's your shout out, sir!) or even before that! 2) After some more thinking, I'm even more sure that the Pats come out and put up at least 21 points before the game ends. The Giants will continue to struggle on offense and may not break single figures. I'm going with 24-9 as my new final. 3) I'm fed up with Joe Buck. Just one more half. . .

5:29 pm - All Brady needs is a little bit more time. The more time he has to throw the ball, the more he will begin to pick apart the Giants' secondary. . .

5:32 pm - I like those Cars.com commercials with the whole "Plan B" thing. On the other hand, I hate those Salesgenie.com ones. Really? Chinese panda bears selling bamboo? And don't get me started on Shaq's ad with Vitamin water. If you can't step foot on the court, you should not be able to do ads, especially ones that have you horse racing, or at least pretending to do so. And even if you weren't hurt, you are still not as big of a name as you once were. . . sorry

5:36 pm - Cavemen humor is still not funny. Neither is Carmen Electra (pretty? Yeah. Funny? Um, no). And if I have the choice between swerving in the road and running over Richard Simmons, well, let's just say there's a reason that I'm not the driver in that commercial. . .

5:38 pm - Another huge break for the Patriots! Wow, what a challenge!!!

5:39 pm - Is anyone really going to go on Myspace to re-watch commercials? I think not only has the quality gone down in them across the board, but really the excitement over them has dropped as well. With internet advertising being as big as it is, I don't think that it's worth all of the money that these companies pay for these ad spaces.

5:41 pm - That was the biggest play of the game so far (the Kevin Faulk reception for the first down on 3rd and 13). I actually yelled out loud when he made it over that digitalized yellow line!

5:43 pm - I'm not sure about that call to go for it on the 4th down. It would have been a 49-yard field goal which is long, but not too long for Gostkowski, I think. But again, I'm not the one getting paid for that decision. . .

5:46 pm - WALL*E is going to be absolutely amazing. We're talking RATATOUILLE amazing. And that's pretty, well, amazing!

5:47 pm - Having your knee reconstructed is not something that sounds good. At all.

5:50 pm - I like seeing the Giants going for that TD there. It shows they see a chance to actually win this thing and that they want it. So far, I've only seen that desire in the defense.

5:52 pm - Another missed opportunity for the Giants. Until they can get a good drive going, I don't like their chances. And I don't like our chances of seeing an exciting game, as we are just a couple minutes away from going into the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl with a score of 7-3!

5:53 pm - No, I'm not interested in JUMPER, and no, the E*Trade commercial with the baby talking with a man's voice was not funny at all. Bud Light continues its hit-and-miss night with another funny ad featuring a flying man getting sucked into the airplane turbines. Again, physical humor like that cant miss. However, I have yet to laugh out loud at any of these, so it's still not a good night commercial-wise. . .

5:55 pm - I just wanted to take a second and congratulate Steve Spagnuolo on his new job as the Washington Redskins head coach. . .

5:57 pm - A box of bananas was reportedly taken to the Giants locker room at halftime and then to their bench now. This is considered investigative sports reporting, by the way. Aren't we excited that Pam Oliver and Chris Meyers are our sideline reporters for tonight's game?

6:00 pm - Wow. This has to be the most unbelievable score ever! Patriots 7, Giants 3 after three quarters!!! This fourth quarter is either going to be extremely exciting or extremely boring. Either way it's going to be EXTREME! (A little Harold and Kumar humor for those of you who like that sort of thing. . .)

6:04 pm - I still don't understand these Propositions (94-97) about the Indian gambling or whatever. At all. Except that one side is supposed to be "greedy". . . Right, like that clears thing up!

6:06 pm - I had Stewie as the prohibitive favorite to get that Coke balloon. Then the underdog. . . no not Underdog. . . Charlie Brown came out of nowhere and picked up the victory!!!

6:08 pm - There's your big play. Wow. . . But even still, here comes another Giants field goal.

6:10 pm - How many times are they gonna show Peyton up there? Leave the man alone!

6:11 pm - Giants 10, Patriots 7. Just unbelievable. . . I'm still not worried for the Pats, but now you have to score (obviously) and that hasn't happened since quarter two. But the Pats aren't the best scoring team of all-time for nothing. . .

6:13 pm - Kudos to both James Carville and Bill Frist for participating in that Coke commercial. Good stuff all around. . .

6:15 pm - Can we all just agree that Adam Sandler is no longer funny. . . thanks.

6:19 pm - Another turnover on downs for the Pats. Just shocking. . .

6:20 pm - Babies speaking with an adult voice has not been funny since Adam Sandler made a really funny movie. That would be The Waterboy. . . and actually, it wasn't funny then either. I just thought I'd slam Sandler one more time. . .

6:23 pm - Nine minutes left and the Giants are up by a field goal and have the ball. No one saw this coming.

6:25 pm - That tackle by Rodney Harrison just might end up being the biggest play of the entire game if the Patriots are able to score here on this drive.

6:27 pm - So that SEMI-PRO movie with Will Ferrell seems to be ANCHORMAN: THE BASKETBALL VERSION. Which is fine by me. ..

6:28 pm - Who could possibly be the MVP of this game? Can the Giants defense get it collectively? Can it be Steve Spagnuolo? Of course, if Mr. Brady there orchestrates a comeback then we all know who gets the trophy. . .

6:30 pm - I wonder if the Pats wish that they had kicked that field goal earlier on that 4th and 13???

6:32 pm - I'm telling you, it's all about time! Give Tom Brady an extra second to find his receiver and you will lose. That's what is happening on this drive. . .

6:34 pm - You had to know this was coming. . . the Giants D is good, great even! But even the greatest get tired. . .

6:38 pm - A TD here would be huge, of course, but you have to make sure a FG is possible at least. Be careful, if you're Tom Brady. . .

6:39 pm - There it is! You KNEW it was coming!!! He was going to Moss all the way!

6:42 pm - That's a football hit!!!

6:44 pm - I just don't want to see Eli throw an interception. . . a turnover on downs or a fumble by a receiver. Just no pick Eli!

6:45 pm - There's the two-minute warning. Pats 14, Giants 10. Here. . . we. . . go!!!!

6:46 pm - Amp (an energy drink of some sort I guess) worked it with that fat man dancing commercial. You can never go wrong with fat men dancing! And kudos to Big Ben, the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, for singing solo on an American Idol ad. Good stuff.

6:47 pm - Huge huge fourth down. . . run up the middle, I say. . . yep, it was.

6:49 pm - Eli better be careful if he decides to do that again. . . slide earlier, sir!

6:51 pm - I don't think they can score a TD here. Not against this team.

6:52 pm - If the Giants DO win this game, that will go down as one of the greatest plays in the history of the Super Bowl. . . simply amazing, young Manning.

6:55 pm - Heart pounding. . .

6:56 pm - Unbelievable. . .

6:57 pm - Keep in mind that the Pats have all three timeouts left and only need a field goal. Just a thought. . .

7:00 pm - That was the entire game in one play. Brady pressured and goes down. That's what has been the difference tonight. . .

7:03 pm - This is it. . .

7:04 pm - Wow. . . The Giants actually did it!!! Hey, hats off to them. They played a great defensive game and did just enough on the offensive end to warrant them a victory. Congratulations to the New York Football Giants! You are the winner of Super Bowl 42!

7:05 pm - And now, four hours (almost exactly) from the moment this all began, the Live Blog from Super Bowl XLII is absolutely done. Give me a hand, huh? But either way, the NFL season is officially over and will be until Labor Day. And that means only one thing, since we know that Spring Training isn't for another couple months. . .

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE NBA!!!

And with that, I leave you for the night. Hope you enjoyed the game and the live blog, which I hope to do again if the Academy Awards happen later this month. Please take the time as well to scroll down and read my brand new "Ass of the Week" which I posted last night and comments are greatly appreciated as always!

Thanks as always for joining me here at A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING. And take care!

Until later,

Ass of the Week 2

2008-02-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are again. It's Saturday and it's time again for my brand new column (how long is something new, by the way?) entitled the "Ass of the Week." Last week's edition saw me rip John Gibson of Fox News fame a new one, but it's not like more people hadn't already done so. That was a little bit obvious, I would say. But beyond that, it was really enjoyable to do (it's always nice to go off on someone you not only don't know but don't like based on their just plain awful actions) and I got some cool feedback from people I had no idea even read this thing. So I must continue on with the idea, seeing that it is, as previously mentioned, Saturday once more.

This week's was a little bit more difficult to come up with, to be honest. And I probably would have just searched the news archives on any news-gathering website for some ignorant individual who mouthed off this week had I not experienced something tonight that was not only life-changing for some and thought-provoking for all, but frustratingly upsetting for me. . .

So here we go:

This week's "Ass of the Week" is whoever is responsible for this group to feel any pain:

And especially the kind of pain that I learned about this evening. Starting this past Wednesday at the Desert Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Lancaster (it's the church that my parents attend weekly and when I actually go, it's where I go as well) and going through this coming Monday, WORLD VISION's "Step Into Africa" Experience brought the tragedy of AIDS to the forefront of the thoughts of Southern Californians. The way it works is that you are outfitted with small iPod (Heather and I debated whether or not this "personal audio device" was of the Shuffle or Nano variety) and a set of headphones where an African woman narrates a story to you about a child affected in some way by AIDS. The story is told as if you are the child and are walking in their footsteps, which you do, in a way, as you enter little rooms decorated to look like the homes and surroundings of these native Africans.

And it's heartbreaking. The mere thought of the powerlessness that we do have (because even if we do the whole "Support a Child" thing, there are millions who die every year that cannot be helped) is almost more frustrating than the stupid teenagers who were acting as they are defined (they were the runners-up this week - these kids were distracting, annoying, and just plain rude, which is really not cool when it comes to something so potentially impacting, like this event).

And as Heather and I headed back to our warm place of shelter for the evening (in this case, my house) in my comfortable new car, we discussed the things we had just heard, seen, and experienced. Heather was more affected like my sister and mom were (both were able to take part earlier this week) in that they were saddened to the point of tears, for which the World Vision people are perfectly prepared for, thanks to the Kleenex boxes lining the wall under the pictures of the hundreds of hungry children. And yes, it is sad. Devastatingly so, in fact. But for me, the response I had was of pure anger.

Heather made an interesting comment on the way home. She said "It's just the cards that they were dealt." And she could not be more right. These kids (and their parents, for that matter - and their parent's parents, and so on) have been dealt the shittiest of shit hands (think worse than seven-deuce off-suit). So my problem is a) Why them? and b) Why at all?

I understand the world is a fallen and sin-filled place. That's what I'm told and it's clear that there is plenty of evil running around the world today. But the thought of kids like this:

getting intentionally dealt hands of a life filled with AIDS-stricken homes; hunger-filled days upon days; a complete lack of safety (the girl whose story I heard had to hide in fear since another young girl about the age of 10 had been kidnapped and subsequently raped every day for an entire month!); and eventually a death that if not physically painful, is certainly emotionally dreadful, just plain pisses me off. It's true that not nearly enough effort can go to solve the problems that AIDS has brought to the far reaches of this giant world. The U.S. alone pledges over $10 billion to aide groups like World Vision to try anything to get a step up on this tragic disease.

And I, The Rambler (if you will), am left with this empty feeling inside of weakness and rage. I don't frickin' understand how kids like that can live such a (I'm sorry) pointless life. They are born into starvation and disease-ridden families. They watch their siblings and parents suffer through some sort of illness, if not deal with it themselves. Then, if they are fortunate enough to make it to a child-rearing age, they themselves get to have children who are more than likely to contract the AIDS virus as well. And then they are told to have faith that a "Shepherd" is watching over them and that God protects them. And they believe. Some, at least. And that makes them much better individuals than me. . .

And maybe that's why I struggle so badly with this. I have been getting more and more upset each week at work because I am making less at the MW than I would have been at the FL, even though I was told specifically that I could potentially make TWICE as much as I made previously, but certainly more, in either case. Well for six straight weeks, I have made less. And it's not me. My stats are great and I tackle each sale with the same aggressiveness as the last. But we don't get customers. I was at work on Friday for nearly 8 hours and sold one scarf. . . That's it! So you could see my frustration. . . And of course I bitch and complain about it (more to myself than anyone else) and can't figure out how I'm going to get by with a measly $250-$300 a week. Flash over to this kid I just heard about whose entire family survives on $1 a day! Maybe I should evaluate myself before I go calling a higher power an Ass. . .

And I've thought of that, of course. Have been for some time, actually. But I'm not in a place right now to watch disasters like Hurricane Katrina and hear about children like the young girl who had to watch her mother die of AIDS and be without both parents at the age of 11 and turn and worship a gracious and loving God. Because it just doesn't seem fair. And life's not fair. I get that. But I have too much and I complain. And I don't have that much, actually. So take what you will from that. . .

So who is the "Ass of the Week" this week? I guess it's a toss-up from me and it's up to you to decide who it is for you. It could be me, in fact - an almost 21-year-old college student with a whole life ahead who wants to shake his fist at God for all the wrong in the world. It could be that God, who allows these things to happen for reasons that I'm not sure we will ever understand. Or maybe it's just the plain evil in the world, that without which we may never be able to see the infinite wonders of God and all the blessings that He delivers. . . or so I'm told.

Sorry for the downer this evening - just wanted to get some stuff off my chest. . .

. . . . . .

And on a completely random note:

Super Bowl prediction:

New England Patriots: 34
New York Giants: 21

. . . . . .

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday everyone!!!!!!

And thanks for reading as always :)

Until later,

Memory Lane

2008-01-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary!!!

No, not for this blog and not to some family member who might be reading this. . .

To Heather. And me. It's four years now. . . Who would have thought it?!?!

I have to bring it up because it is a true feat and I am proud of our progress, not only as individuals, but as an awesomely compatible couple!

And now, for absolute kicks and giggles, I want to take you back four years into the past to see a young couple who have no idea where the next forty-eight months will take them. But wherever it takes them, I want to assure you that they never stray apart. In fact, the further apart they are physically, the closer they seem. It's uncanny. And it's good. (Although this picture here is far from good. . . I can't believe how little we are!!!)

And now here they are, just three months ago after having gotten engaged. Unbelievable. . .

Heather, you are my Best Friend. And as WEEZER says:

"When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you
You make things alright when I'm feeling blue

You are such a blessing and I wont be messing
With the one thing that brings light to all of my darkness

You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

There is no other one who can take your place
I feel happy inside when I see your face
I hope you believe me
Cause I speak sincerely
and I mean it when I tell you that I need you

You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

I'm here right beside you
I will never leave you
and I feel the pain you feel when you start crying

You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

You're my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
Yes I do...
Yes I do"

I'm making a special trip down to Pomona tonight (Thursday) even though I have to leave early on Friday to get to work, but it will be fun to actually see each other on our anniversary, something I don't think we have been able to do since maybe our first one. So you can bet good money that we will be happily in each other's arms. And yes, I know how lucky I am. I am reminded of it every day :)

I love you Heather! Always have - always will. . .

Respect Defined

2008-01-28T14:32:00.000-08:00

I love Christopher Nolan. I have for some time. Ever since I saw MEMENTO for the first time, I knew that I was watching a talented director at work. Through his films INSOMNIA, THE PRESTIGE, and of course BATMAN BEGINS, I have been a vocal supporter of his work and greatly anticipate his newest film, the oft-mentioned THE DARK KNIGHT. Strictly based on his work, the man is one of my favorites out there.

But now, as a person, I respect him even more. In the wake of the death of Heath Ledger (I know I keep bringing it up - this is what happens when tragedies occur, though), the co-star of THE DARK KNIGHT, the first words that Nolan would speak about the death in relation to the film would be extremely important to fanboys everywhere. And now he has. But instead of talking about what he is going to do with the film, which, as difficult as it is to say, is JUST A FILM, Nolan went the classiest route possible and relayed his true feelings about the man who performed brilliantly for him (one can assume).

What follows is the piece that Nolan wrote for Newsweek, and think that people like John Gibson can certainly take notes about how to be both respectful and professional, but beyond that, simply a nice person. And all I have left to say is, thank you Christopher Nolan. I'll now let you have the floor. . .

"One night, as I'm standing on LaSalle Street in Chicago trying to line up a shot for "The Dark Knight," a production assistant skateboards into my line of sight. Silently, I curse the moment that Heath first skated onto our set in full character makeup. I'd fretted about the reaction of Batman fans to a skateboarding Joker, but the actual result was a proliferation of skateboards among the younger crew members. If you'd asked those kids why they had chosen to bring their boards to work, they would have answered honestly that they didn't know. That's real charisma—as invisible and natural as gravity. That's what Heath had.

Heath was bursting with creativity. It was in his every gesture. He once told me that he liked to wait between jobs until he was creatively hungry. Until he needed it again. He brought that attitude to our set every day. There aren't many actors who can make you feel ashamed of how often you complain about doing the best job in the world. Heath was one of them.

One time he and another actor were shooting a complex scene. We had two days to shoot it, and at the end of the first day, they'd really found something and Heath was worried that he might not have it if we stopped. He wanted to carry on and finish. It's tough to ask the crew to work late when we all know there's plenty of time to finish the next day. But everyone seemed to understand that Heath had something special and that we had to capture it before it disappeared. Months later, I learned that as Heath left the set that night, he quietly thanked each crew member for working late. Quietly. Not trying to make a point, just grateful for the chance to create that they'd given him.

Those nights on the streets of Chicago were filled with stunts. These can be boring times for an actor, but Heath was fascinated, eagerly accepting our invitation to ride in the camera car as we chased vehicles through movie traffic—not just for the thrill ride, but to be a part of it. Of everything. He'd brought his laptop along in the car, and we had a high-speed screening of two of his works-in-progress: short films he'd made that were exciting and haunting. Their exuberance made me feel jaded and leaden. I've never felt as old as I did watching Heath explore his talents. That night I made him an offer—knowing he wouldn't take me up on it—that he should feel free to come by the set when he had a night off so he could see what we were up to.

When you get into the edit suite after shooting a movie, you feel a responsibility to an actor who has trusted you, and Heath gave us everything. As we started my cut, I would wonder about each take we chose, each trim we made. I would visualize the screening where we'd have to show him the finished film—sitting three or four rows behind him, watching the movements of his head for clues to what he was thinking about what we'd done with all that he'd given us. Now that screening will never be real. I see him every day in my edit suite. I study his face, his voice. And I miss him terribly.

Back on LaSalle Street, I turn to my assistant director and I tell him to clear the skateboarding kid out of my line of sight when I realize—it's Heath, woolly hat pulled low over his eyes, here on his night off to take me up on my offer. I can't help but smile."

. . . . . .

Ass of the Week

2008-01-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

I think what is potentially funny about this new series of posts that I'm starting today is that it could essentially be taken so many different ways. . . But since I'm not a flesh-sharing website, the true meaning of the new title is something in the vain of Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in the World" or ESPN Radio guys Mike and Mike and their "Just Shut Up" segment.

This is going to be a weekly post, usually on Saturdays (as it is the end of a week) that will feature someone in the news who was, for lack of a better term (as of now. . . I'm still working on a potential change to the title) an ass. I think the term works better with out the hole on it, and that's just my opinion, but go with it for me won't you?!?!

And for the first ever version of the Ass of the Week, I went no further than to a place that has had its fair share of nominees for awards o so similar to this one:

Fox News.

As you heard, I'm sure, this week was saddened by the loss of 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger to what appears to be an accidental overdose. The shocking news was presented in a respectful manner by almost everyone out there in the news world. Except, that is, for John Gibson. On his radio show, just hours after the news of Ledger's passing came across the wire, Gibson began making jokes and cracking-not-so-wise about Ledger's role in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, among other things. Riffing off of the movies' line (said about Ledger's character and not by him) "I wish I knew how to quit you" Gibson countered "Well, he found out how to quit you." Further mocking the young actor, he even called him a "weirdo with a serious drug problem" and went on to say the following, which is up there on the list of worst things to possibly say:

“Apparently Heath Ledger was suicidal and his friends saw it coming. I think he watched the Clinton-Obama debate last night. I think he was an Edwards guy, cause he saw his Edwards guy was completely irreverent.”

I understand that he was making jokes - I get that. But really, is this the best time (not that there is a good time) to be making SUICIDE JOKES! Running quotes from Ledger movies that have the word "dead" in them and running an intro to his show with funeral music and repeating the "We're dead" line like it was a sports score or weather or traffic update.

Gibson later apologized, but it was one of those half-assed attempts. You know the ones where they say, "sorry that some took my comments as anti-gay and insensitive." Well, I'm not really concerned about whether or not he used this as a platform to preach anti-gay messages (which, don't get me started on that - until we discover that gay people are in fact, not people at all or are all child rapists, then I think we should lay off of them, huh?) but I'm more about the whole "insensitive" part.

You see, Mr. Gibson, the reason some people took your comments to be insensitive was because they flat out were such. You ever heard that saying "Don't speak ill of the dead." - - yeah, that means you too! And if this was any other 28-year-old who accidentally overdosed then I would still have a problem with it. This man is no longer with us. His ex-fiancee' Michelle Williams and his two-year-old daughter, along with his family, are going through their mourning processes, but he also has fans who cared about whether or not this man lived or died. So the least you can do is respect not only him, but those who actually do respect other people, even if they did play a gay cowboy in a movie once.

So congratulations John Gibson! You are the first ever A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING, "Ass of the Week"!!!

Take a bow, sir. And don't let the collective boot up your ass get ya on the way out.

An Absolute Mess

2008-01-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

So the weather here in southern California is just plain terrible. The rain is coming down like crazy - I swear, at times it's like God turned on the faucet full-force and just forget to turn it off after he finished brushing his teeth. Or some other analogy that means the weather is not nice. . .

I got to experience the wonderful weather in full force this evening as I came home from school in the middle of, get this, a snow storm! As I went through the mountains on the 14 freeway, the pouring rain turned into slush which gradually turned into those little white speckles that began furiously flying horizontally at my car (that's when you know it's snow - when it begins attacking you instead of nicely - or in today's case, roughly - falling on top of you).

That's right - I'm back in school. And I am none too thrilled. It's not that I hate school or the idea of learning something new, it's just the damn drive that is already getting to me two days in. Yes, I love my car (who, by the way, I have decided to name Marty. Why Marty? Well, my favorite film character besides Han Solo is definitely Marty McFly from Back to the Future. I mentioned the thought of naming a very distant future son Marty to Heather and she quickly declined, which I understand, but something has to be named Marty for me. Maybe a future dog. . . we'll see. . .) but it's still an hour drive there and an hour return which I get to look forward to during the three hour classes that I sit through. It's tough knowing you have to sit through some traffic and inch along the same freeway four days a week. . .

O yeah, my schedule is awful. The only workable schedule I was allowed (due to the fact that some 35,000 people are trying to get the same 45 seats as me) was Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1620-1850 and Wednesday from 1800-2045. That's four classes in four days. One a day. That sucks. But, all of my classes are of specific interest to me in one way or another, and I am looking forward to getting what I can out of them. The more I think about my future, the more I get excited and scared at the same time. I'm really no different than the weather, really. I am, for lack of a better term, an absolute mess. . .

But I'm always fighting. Always. No one will ever stop me from working hard and doing my best. Not even stupid customers that buy nothing from me (more on the tragically-slow MW in the days to come). Not my deceitful store manager who gets nothing but good luck when it comes to sales while the rest of us struggle to get by. And certainly not me, the cynical-as-always person in charge of all of my actions - and I am the most difficult adversary when it comes to me. No one is tougher on me than me. . . And no one is gonna convince me otherwise.

But enough of that for now - I'll be back soon with another update. Once I go to my last first class on Monday (did you follow that time table?) I'll completely recap my entire schedule, which you have already heard about. But more in depth, of course. It wouldn't be A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING if I didn't :)

Happy trails for now and as always - - -

Until later,

In Utter Disbelief

2008-01-22T23:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, so school started today and I can't believe how fast my vacation went by. I've gone through a slow period at work and let's not forget the extremely awesome CLOVERFIELD experience I had last week that left me with the same feeling as the title says. . .

But none of that compares to the sadness that I felt when I heard the news this morning that Heath Ledger had passed away.

I am still so absolutely excited about seeing him act as the Joker in this summer's THE DARK KNIGHT, but it will be with a heavier heart that I enjoy his (assuredly) masterful performance. The actor, known most notably for his roles in THE PATRIOT, A KNIGHT'S TALE, and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, was found dead this morning by a hired masseuse and his housekeeper. There were pills near the scene of his death and it is rumored to have been an accidental overdose that did in the talented 28-year-old.

I still can't believe it. . .

R.I.P. Heath. . .

Another First-Third Movie Preview: Part Two

2008-01-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Continued from Part One, which I posted last night. . .

05. LEATHERHEADS (April 04)

Another film that has been postponed from its original release date (it was originally slated for this past Christmas), this one stars was directed and co-written by lead actor George Clooney (you might have heard of him). The film involves football in the 1920's and is a romantic comedy that also stars The Office's John Krasinksi and the usually great Renee Zellweger. The trailer shows a good mixture of humor and drama that should result in a good flick for both the guys and the gals. Plus it's got both Krasinski and Clooney, so the cool guys are featured quite prominently and I am a softie when it comes to forking over my money for movies that have actors that I think are pretty cool. So, yeah, that's the case here.

04. HAROLD AND KUMAR: ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO (April 25)

If the title to this sequel doesn't even ring a bell, then you have no idea what I'm talking about here and could never understand why this movie is number four on the list. But it's here and it's not going anywhere. Just like me when I sit down in the theater when this comes out!

03. CLOVERFIELD (January 18)

What can be said that hasn't already been brought up about this little flick about a mysterious monster that terrorizes New York City? All of the promotional material that has been around since July when this first teaser came out before TRANSFORMERS

is beyond anything since, well, SNAKES ON A PLANE. That might scare some people (although I thought SOAP was everything that it should have been) but this looks like a completely different type of picture. It looks scary, creepy, interesting, entertaining, and most of all, secretive! There has yet to be a sneaky picture of the monster or a featured article with the big guy in all his glory. And I love it. I'm probably gonna go at midnight here on Thursday night because I'm so excited to see what all the fuss is about. . . And I'll let you know after that!

02. BE KIND REWIND (February 22)

The final film that was postponed from its original date, this very original film stars Jack Black and Mos Def and is directed by Michel Gondry, who directed the brilliant ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. The film is about a man (Black) whose brain becomes magnetized and unintentionally destroys every tape in his friend's video store. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, an aging woman with signs of dementia, the two men set out to remake the lost films, which include Back to the Future, The Lion King, and Robocop. How could you not love that premise!?!?

01. PRIDE AND GLORY (March 14)

I knew nothing about this movie until I saw the trailer before AMERICAN GANGSTER and I was immediately aware of the fact that I would be spending money to see this movie and it is all about one guy: Edward Norton. With the exception of 2006's THE ILLUSIONIST, Norton has not starred in a widely released film in four years! He has been doing very small independent films that no one sees and that's it. Well this year, he will star in three anticipated films, including this summer's THE INCREDIBLE HULK, in which he takes over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner from Eric Bana. But it's this film, which co-stars Colin Farrell and Jon Voight, that has me really excited. The classic cop family movie (you know the one where there is good and bad cops, but lo and behold, one of each of those is from the same family. . .) to be sure, but with Norton and Farrell (almost always guaranteed to be at his best) headlining, there is no way that it can miss. Get ready for the year of Edward Norton everyone. . . And I for one could not be happier for the guy.

And that's that! Hit me up with comments on these movies and any that you think I might have left out (I have good reasons -- trust me!).

Hope you enjoyed it all! Take care - - -

Until later,

Another First-Third Movie Preview: Part One

2008-01-14T22:17:00.000-08:00

But this one is for 2008. . .

I know I have posted a lot about movies recently (seeing that 3 out of my 4 posts so far in this new year were the three parts of my BEST MOVIES OF 2007 series - which was completed here. . .) but maybe I'm trying to lean towards that over, ya know, the goings-on of my life. Not that I won't still cover that - -

But I'm kinda on a roll here with this movie thing, so I'm gonna keep it up!

Anyway. . .

Last year's FIRST-THIRD MOVIE PREVIEW contained fifteen movies and I only saw 8 in the theaters and only one more once it came out on DVD. So I looked at the release dates for the next four months and I realized that there quite a few movies coming out that I have no desire to see at all. I could have done 15 again, but 5 of them were really just fillers anyway.

So I'm going with 10 this time around and I'm sticking to it, seeing that I'll probably end up seeing closer to 7 or 8 anyway. . . but here we go:

10. DOOMSDAY (March 14)

There isn't much out there plot-wise that I can really follow (this is why I think trailers are really what convince me to go to a film and not the people involved) but what I do know is that this is the new film from director Neil Marshall who directed the British horror film THE DESCENT, which is one of the best horror films of recent years. The film involves a virus, which of course has been done many times, but I'm interested to see how Marshall handles it all and how he can possibly re-invent the genre like he did the "creepy cave" horror in the previously mentioned film.

09. RUN FATBOY FUN (March 28)

Previously mentioned in my last movie preview, the directorial debut of David Schwimmer of "Friends" fame stars Simon Pegg of both SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ as a guy trying to remake his life in order to win back his ex-girlfriend (Thandie Newton, of CRASH). I love the cast (which also includes the always-funny Hank Azaria) and the premise and I will absolutely support Dr. Ross Gellar in his pursuit of directing.

08. 21 (March 28)

A card-counting tale in Vegas that does not feature a guy called Rain Man. . . although I'm willing to bet that there is a joke in here about that movie! Kevin Spacey plays a teacher who encourages a group of students (one of which is brilliant at mathematics) to head to Las Vegas to make enough money to pay for their college education. Now, of course, they succeed, and what are their prevailing thoughts once they start rolling in the dough. . . That's where the drama kicks in, I suppose. Anything involving gambling has me interested (except for the looks-awful Matthew Mcconaughey movie TWO FOR THE MONEY from a few years ago) and definitely anything with Kevin Spacey gets me excited, so I'll probably be checking this one out in theaters!

07. THE ROCKER (April 18)

What appears to be the first starring vehicle for The Office's Rainn Wilson (that's Dwight for those who don't know) is attracting by plot alone. It seems to be a bit like SCHOOL OF ROCK but without the substitute teacher thing. I'm looking forward to a trailer just to see the type of funny that it's gonna bring - meaning if it will be more dumb like Adam Sandler (who has regressed in my mind) or smart (like the recent Apatow films or even the previously mentioned SOR). Either way, I gotta get my Shrute-fix somehow and with no new Office episodes, this may be the only way!

06. CHARLIE BARTLETT (February 22)

This film was supposed to come out last August (this seems to be a trend with a lot of these movies, and will actually continue with two more on this list) and I have only gotten more excited as the time has gone on. Anything with Robert Downey Jr. of course has me ready to watch (a tangent: KISS KISS BANG BANG has been on HBO a lot lately and the more times that I see it - even though I own it, I watch it every time it's on - the more I absolutely love it! It is certainly in my top 5 films of all-time and just might be penned in - instead of penciled - to the number 2 slot shortly!) and the plot itself is quite funny. Briefly, it's about a spoiled high schooler who uses his personal psychiatrist to learn how to provide his own evaluations to kids at the new high school he is attending. He becomes popular through his sessions and the prescription drugs he begins to prescribe. A weird funny, if anything.

I'll be back with numbers 05-01 tomorrow! Enjoy!

My New Baby

2008-01-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to come up with a name for it, but as of right now, it will just have to go by it's given birth name:

Scion xD

That's right, I have a new car! I have been putting crazy miles on my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta for some time now (with the commute to school and frequent trips to Pomona to see Heather). I recently crossed the 122,000 mile mark to be exact.

But the xD had 14 miles on it when I picked it up today.

And that's just one reason why I did this. Others include the fact that it gets better gas mileage than the Jetta, is naturally more trustworthy of a vehicle by being a brand new vehicle, and despite being exponentially greater than the Jetta, is only $100 more a month due from me than I paid for the Jetta.

And o yeah, here it is (it's the red one, only mine is a silver color):

I also added a GPS Navigation System (which is the same system that is in the Toyota Avalon - Scion is a separate company from, but an affiliate of, Toyota - which is the luxury vehicle of Toyota), a light kit that makes the interior light up, a sporty shift knob (this is an automatic, unlike the 5-speed Jetta), and the Bluetooth capability (which I have to figure out soon since it's illegal to talk on your cell phone nowadays. . .) which will allow me to answer my phone through my car and hear my callers through the speakers of the car.

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More news on it as I drive it around a bit more (I've only driven from the dealer to work and then home from work) and that should be after my trip to Pomona - I'm heading out there to see Heather tomorrow and coming home on Saturday morning before I work at noon.

So, yeah :)

What do you think!!!

The Best Movies of 2007 - Part Three

2008-01-07T22:18:00.000-08:00

(Continued from Saturday's post and last night's post)

05. 3:10 TO YUMA - (A)

I'm not a real big fan of all of the epic Western classics. I can't say that I've seen even a handful of them over my entire life, to be honest. But when you put Christian Bale (who, by just being Batman at all, flew up my favorite actor list - and by being the best Batman ever, went to the very top!) and Russell Crowe together in a film directed by James Mangold (director of WALK THE LINE, a film I love because of the Cash factor), well, I wasn't going to miss it. And when I experienced the movie for the first time (I'll let you know about a second visit after I watch it again this week - it comes out on DVD tomorrow) I was absolutely blown away! There is a regular dose of action and deception as is the case with any Western, but it is the chemistry between the actors through the tight dialogue that causes it to rise so high on the list. And the most amazing thing of all about the film in my mind was the performance by supporting actor Ben Foster. The young actor (previously in films like X-MEN 3 - as the character called Angel - and the TV show Six Feet Under) is delightfully evil as Crowe's right-hand man. People can debate the ending and whether or not it's great or whatever but for me, it was just another perfect step to conclude a very near-perfect modern Western.

04. TALK TO ME - (A)

One of the two best performances this year by a Lead Actor is in this film, starring Don Cheadle as real-life DJ Petey Greene. The biopic (or sorts) tells the true story of how Petey Greene rose to prominence in 1960s Washington D.C. Cheadle has been one of my most favorite actors for a long time now and here he proves that he can handle the lead role just fine. Entertaining from the first scene on, the film is highlighted by great performances all around. I would love to see nominations for not only Cheadle, but also Chiwetel Ejiofor for Supporting Actor and Taraji P. Henson for Supporting Actress. Also fantastic in small roles are Martin Sheen and Cedric the Entertainer. This one had my support through the classic tunes, the groovy outfits (sorry, I got a little carried away there. . .) and the powerful messages portrayed by the filmmakers.

03. KNOCKED UP - (A)

This year's THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN. No coincidence that the creators of this film (namely, Judd Apatow) were behind that gem as well. This run of brutally raunchy films that at their center are truly sweet at heart is just plain fantastic. Not for everyone to be sure, KNOCKED UP carries with it several of the funniest scenes from any movie over the last several years (with the best of these being the entire scene in Las Vegas with Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd!). But not only does it make you laugh (which it will!) but it also makes you think while taking successful strides towards being a truly sweet romantic comedy. Seth Rogen is now a leading comedic presence and Paul Rudd is without a doubt the funniest wingman out there right now (see: ANCHORMAN, VIRGIN). There was no comedy better this year than KNOCKED UP.

02. MICHAEL CLAYTON - (A)

A confusing, fast-paced, and incredibly intense thriller. This George Clooney vehicle is (and I'm borrowing from critics here with this quote, but I thought it too while watching it) a fantastic John Grisham novel that is just, well, not one. Of that same ilk, MC is an absolute winner of a film. Clooney is toned way down here in a very bare performance that shows his real acting chops. Beyond Clooney, Tom Wilkinson provides pure insanity (or is it?) to the film and Tilda Swinton, in a very daring role (consider her first scene where she attempts to dry off her heavily perspiring underarms before a highly stressful interview), is also nomination-worthy. And I promise that you will never look at horses in a field the same way. I'm looking forward to watching it again once it comes out on DVD to recapture that feeling I had while I was watching the amazing final shot that continues for several awe-inspiring minutes. Who knew something so simple can be considered so brilliant!

01. RATATOUILLE - (A+)

The easiest decision of the entire bunch, hands down. I have watched this absolutely perfect Pixar-animated film over five times already and it truly gets better each time. Everything from the practically perfect CGI (the graphics are so life-like you forget that you are watching an animated film) to the top notch voice cast (Patton Oswalt of "King of Queens" fame is the perfect choice for Remy, the main character, but the best of the best is certainly Peter O' Toole as the food critic Anton Ego) is precise and exact to the point that I'm positive that there are no useless scenes or unnecessary lines throughout the entire movie. Another note about O' Toole briefly: his monologue at the end of the film (his review of Gusteau's restaurant) may be one of the best written and spoken pieces of film I have ever heard. Just plain brilliant!

Writer/Director Brad Bird (who previously struck gold with THE INCREDIBLES, another genius Pixar flick) is clearly among the best animator filmmakers out there and Pixar can do absolutely no wrong (consider their lineup: TOY STORY, MONSTERS INC, FINDING NEMO, and both of the films by Bird). Just thinking about this film makes me smile. It went directly to my TOP 25 all-time list and I would have to admit that after all of my viewings, it has to be in the TOP 10. I am not ashamed to say that this animated film about a rat who wants to be a world class chef in Paris was my favorite film of 2007 and I think that's exactly right. There is nothing wrong with RATATOUILLE. And since I used the word already about ten times in this paragraph, I'll say it again and leave it at that. In my mind, RATATOUILLE is perfect.

. . . . . . .

I hope you enjoyed the list - - hit me back with all sorts of comments!

I'll be back later on in the week with an updating post about all sorts of new things including something very exciting from my neck of the woods. Let's just say that the commute to school this semester is going to be a bit more bearable. . .

Until later,

The Best Movies of 2007 - Part Two

2008-01-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

(Continued from yesterday's post)

10. JUNO - (A-)

This year's independent movie that got incredible word-of-mouth and made lots of money at the box office (a la last year's LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) is indeed worth all of the praise that it has been getting. The at-times over-the-top dialogue (Are these real people talking like this?) grows on you as the movie moves along and you really grow to absolutely love these characters. For me, I thought every moment featuring J.K. Simmons' character was pure gold and one worthy of a Supporting Actor nomination for sure. Michael Cera plays the same guy as he did in SUPERBAD, but he still makes it seem different - it's either great acting or the guy is just one awkward force to be reckoned with. Memorable roles from Allison Janney, Jason Bateman, and Jennifer Garner should not go overlooked, but it's the tour de force performance by young Ellen Page that has put her completely on the map as one of those up-and-coming actresses to look out for (along with Amy Adams. . . but we'll get to her shortly).

09. ZODIAC - (A-)

Long, drawn out, and at times severely monotonous. But pure brilliance. David Fincher returns with his first directorial effort since Panic Room and knocks this one out of the park like his films from the past (both masterpieces SEVEN and FIGHT CLUB, as well as the underappreciated THE GAME). I love Robert Downey Jr. as always, but it was Jake Gyllenhaal that really surprised me with his intense performance here. But the real star of the film is the tension that Fincher creates throughout the picture. In the end, you are left to believe that it is eerily possible for the actual Zodiac killer to be sitting right next to you. . . even though it's highly unlikely, Fincher makes it just that plausible. And for a film about a serial killer, the blood level is low, although when it comes, it's heavy. But even the faint of heart should make an effort here as this police procedural is more than just average. It's highly above that.

08. ENCHANTED - (A-)

I know I will get all sorts of crap from men everywhere, but I absolutely dug the Disney film that spoofed, well, Disney films! Amy Adams gives one of the most believable performances in an absolutely unbelievable position. This film would have been completely D.O.A. if it wasn't for the way that Adams makes you believe that this story could very easily be true. She is a princess straight out of the fairy tales of old and her naivety is added up with her innocence and hilarity ensues. I was even willing to deal with Dr. McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) in the lead male role, although the perfect film for me would have had The Office's John Krasinski (Jim on the show) in the lead role. But that's just me! This one is truly for everyone willing to have an enjoyable 90 minutes! And let's start the Amy Adams for Oscar nomination publicity right now - - she's that good!

07. HOT FUZZ - (A-)

Pretty much forgotten amongst all of the Judd Apatow-produced or directed comedies of the year (one of which is still to come tomorrow), this send-up of buddy cop films by the guys who made the almost-as-funny SHAUN OF THE DEAD is absolutely top notch. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost continue their perfect chemistry (it's amazing what being friends will do for you when you act off of each other!) and Edgar Wright does everything right for a director in this type of movie. There's the right amount of action, comedy, suspense, and just plain entertainment to please anyone who has ever watched BAD BOYS, POINT BREAK, or LETHAL WEAPON and enjoyed the nonsense that those types of film present.

06. I AM LEGEND - (A-)

I had only marginal expectations for this CAST AWAY-like film starring Will Smith as the "Last Man on Earth" so when this film totally blew my mind, it flew to the top of my list for the year. Not only does Smith turn in his best performance since ALI (I was not a fan of last year's sap-fest THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS), but the film never crawls along, which is certainly possible given the plot. And even though many critics are knocking the CGI effects with the zombie-guys, I thought that it was just fine for what was needed, as they were not the story. The graphics are not what is important. That's not what we want to potentially take away from our concentration on the film itself and the passionate performance from the former Fresh Prince. And although there are some questions that, when brought up, potentially derail the film, I for one never even considered them. I thought the ending was perfect too! There was not much at all that I did not like about this one!

That's all for tonight, but don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the top 5 films of 2007!

Until then,

The Best Movies of 2007 - Part One

2008-01-05T23:30:00.000-08:00

Simply put, I love movies. If you visit this blog with any frequency, you know this to be true already. Of all of the films (and there were many) that were released this calendar year, I saw 31 of them. And the thing with this year's group of flicks is that a majority of them were really top notch. And there's even more (eleven, actually) that I want to see (the ones I really want to see are INTO THE WILD, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR, and GONE BABY GONE).

But of the 31 that I did see, I created a top 15 list (with a tie for that 15th spot - just because) of the films that rocked my world in one way or another and I'll tell you why you should take the time to see them yourself. I've included the letter grade that I gave each film and you can see that there was not much that was wrong with movies this year (except of course for the awful sequels National Treasure 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean 3, both of which are on my Worst Films of 2007 list). . . Enjoy! (Due to time reasonings, this will be a three-part post with numbers 10-6 coming tomorrow and 5-1 coming on Monday!)

15. (Tie) 300 - (B+)

The best film this year about Ancient Greece featuring ripped Spartans in red leather briefs. . . O wait. . . Well it's undeniable the effect that 300 had on filmgoers this year. The visuals are stunning and the action is non-stop. For flat out fun, this has to be your go-to. For my full review, which I wrote back after I saw it, head here.

15. (Tie) GRINDHOUSE - (B+)

If you have three hours to kill and you enjoy films that have an overabundance of blood, zombies (in the case of part one, PLANET TERROR), and Kurt Russell (in the case of part two, DEATH PROOF), then make sure you pick up the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez celebration of, well, those previously mentioned features of the movies. And for the record, PT is better. Sorry Quentin.

14. THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM - (B+)

A perfect end to a fantastic trilogy. Arguably the best of the three films featuring Matt Damon as the lead character Jason Bourne, TBU keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time thanks to fantastic acting by Damon (of course), David Strathairn, and Joan Allen and a fast-paced script that takes you all over the globe. Put Bourne on the level right below James Bond - if we get several more of these Matt Damon flicks, however, Bond there might have some competition.

13. SUPERBAD - (A-)

Filled with brutally awkward, excessively dirty, and shockingly hilarious humor SUPERBAD was one of the biggest surprises of the year. Written by KNOCKED UP's Seth Rogen and his pal Evan Goldberg, the film masterfully portrays the last week of a group of partying high schoolers' time in grade twelve. The film concludes surprisingly sweet and leaves you both laughing and thinking about the time you spent with your friends. Quality humor all around.

12. BLACK SNAKE MOAN - (A-)

Criminally unappreciated. Samuel L. Jackson gives a haunting performance as a righteous man trying to find both his soul and a cure for a scandalous woman (Christina Ricci, in a daring role). Sure, it's probably better known for the fact that he chains her up to a water heater in her underwear, but the powerful blues music and the heartbreaking final minutes leave an undeniable memory for the viewer. This is HUSTLE AND FLOW director Craig Brewer's second film and he is now two-for-two. I look forward with great expectations to his next one!

11. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - (A-)

When I got home from seeing it, I gave it no grade. The next day, I decided I would give it a B-. One week later, since I still could not get the haunting power of Javier Bardem's performance, the Coen brothers' direction, or the frustrating ending out of my head, I moved it up to a solid B. Now, after having read the book by Cormac McCarthy (from which the movie is adapted from), and contemplating the ending and all that surrounds it, it has become more of a masterpiece in my mind. I truly believe that after another viewing, this one is gonna fly up the charts (much to Heather's chagrin -- she absolutely hated it haha!). Check this one out if you really love the art of movie-making and take in every bit of it. You won't regret it!

Ok, I'll be back with the next set tomorrow! Thanks for reading!!!

Until later,

Revelations

2007-12-31T21:47:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't blogged in forever. I know. And please forgive me. If I was positive that I had as many readers as some blogs (most notably, Mike's Bloggity Blog Blob and Blog Cabins, among others) I would never allow so much time in between posts. . . .

But I have. And now it is a new year. But this post will say that it was made a part of the world wide web on December 31 for a couple of reasons, which are as follows:

- I can

- With another post in the year 2007, my total number of posts for the year tapers off at 66. This is just ok, considering that I posted 99 times last year. However, I find it funny because of the unintentional symmetry formed by the upside-down nature of the amount of posts this year compared to last year. . . I'm weird like that.

And that's my reasoning behind posting this on New Year's Eve (although, for the record, I wrote it on the night of January 2 - - shh, don't tell anyone. . .).

But beyond that, the title serves as both an allusion to the final book in the Bible (a book which I have not cracked open in eons. . .) because of a calendar year ending and the fact that I will be revealing some rather notable truths that have come to be in the month since I have last brought my fingers to the keyboard, at least in order to type on this website (but you will see that shortly. . .). Please enjoy and comment if you did so - you know how I like that :)

- On the work front, the MW is currently fighting through one of the slowest fourth quarters in recent memory. Ironically enough, this downward spiral began the week after I began. The lofty promises that were thrown at me have been thrown directly out the window, and I have been instead fighting tooth and nail with cheap customers to make enough money to justify leaving my management position over at the FL. I have made more money in the time that I have been there, true. And my responsibilities are much less, of course. And I don't work nearly as hard (in between customers, I will join my co-workers in either reading - which as led to me completing more than four books since I started merely two months ago - or playing games on my phone - which led to me scoring a seemingly insurmountable 10 million points on Collapse, the most popular game amongst us employees). But it's frustrating when on many days, I have helped barely a handful of people throughout the course of an eight-hour day. Just today, in fact, I only helped out one customer the entire time I was there (besides the people who come in to pick up their previously purchased garments that have been altered). If I hadn't sold to them (which I did - I got two suits out of it which garnered a $600 sale, which is a tad above average, and made myself around $45) then I would have left with nothing to show for my day, which has also occurred (one day I left with only $55 in sales for the entire day - that was especially tough). So I don't know. As I honestly told my District Manager (the one who recruited me), every day at one point or another, I think to myself that I made a mistake in coming over to the MW. And at another point in the same day, I will think to myself that I made the right decision. This happens every day. Who knows what this continued indecision means (I personally think that it only shows what a tough choice it was in the first place and my harbored regret, which personifies itself in my weekly visit to the FL to check in old friends and co-workers, sometimes gets the best of me) but it's present and that's all I know.

- Now onto school. . . My classes were up and down all semester as I previously vocalized here. I had actually thought at one time that getting an F was possible in not one, but two of my classes! However, this did not happen, and I managed to pull a rabbit out of my hat in the form of passing grades across the board. I got an A in my Marriage and Family Relations class, B's in both my Visual Communication and Anthropology class, a C+ in my man-hating Journalism class and a solid C in my J210 class, the one that pushed me like no other class has (for better or worse). Those grades gave me a 2.85 GPA for the semester (the + gives me an extra .05), which is lower than I ever received (hell, those are my first two C's I have ever seen on a report card) and I could not be more excited. Not only are these tougher classes than at AVC (which was theoretically easier than high school) but the commute down to CSUN is slowly eating me away. It strains the education process severely, and there is unfortunately no solution that has presented itself yet, because of high living costs, a full-time job, and a desire to have some money in the bank at the end of the month. So sue me. I'm doing the best I can (which I didn't do this semester until it came down to the nitty gritty) and I got the grades I deserved. But I passed them all, and that is a great relief. Furthermore, it doesn't matter anymore that I passed the Journalism classes. . . You see, I went through with the whole major-changing thing. I am now a Family and Consumer Sciences major and I will be minoring in Human Sexuality. My goal in all this (at this point) is to work my way through CSUN in this field and after graduating do one of two things: 1) Continue into the Master's program at CSUN, earning the master's degree in something potentially teachable or 2) Getting my teaching certificate through some manner and beginning to teach at either a lower level (high school and below) or begin some sort of training for higher level teaching. I'm not sure how it all works out, actually. But I can totally see myself doing this. And the greatest part about it is the possibility for me to write on the side. Whether it was going to happen or not, I could have presumably grown to hate writing if it was both my meal ticket and my hobby. I like writing as more of a thing to do on the side - something I'm good at that I can improve on while I'm doing other things. I think teaching is potentially the perfect vehicle for this train of thought and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

- On a much lighter note, the football season has ended and thus so has the pool that I am a part of. Even though I did hold the top slot for a few weeks, I ended the season in a tie for third, most unfortunately. I do win some money (essentially the same amount that I paid to enter for the entire season) but I was more upset by my inability to win. I hate losing (yes, it's true) and am one of the worst losers out there, actually. I'll be humble to your face in defeat (depending on who you are, I suppose) but once I'm away from the arena of play, all bets are off. And I'm still fuming over my finish here (although I did outguess every single ESPN expert overall - I know it means nothing but just go with me, ok?).

- On another sports-related note, my SUNS went 10-5 in the month of December, instead of the predicted-here 12-3 (and given their losses, it should have been even better). It was a tough month, but one that we will hopefully forget and move on from as we have a busy January with 16 scheduled games. Now we are riding a 3-game winning streak and I think we can take at least the first seven in January (the one trap game is at Utah on the 10th since it's a back-to-back after a home game against Indiana, who is not a bad team at all). I'm not worried about New Orleans on the 5th because it's a back-to-back for them and we are in the middle of a short home stand, so I'm confident we win that one. The first big match-up for us is on the 17th in Los Angeles against the suddenly-pesky Lakers. I don't know how, but this team has risen up to a level that honestly scares me. They have a post game with Andrew Bynum that Kwame Brown never had (and never will). They have a one-two punch at point guard with Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar that make Smush Parker and Sasha Vujacic look like high school players (but a lot of players do that to those guys too). And Kobe is still Kobe, which always means they have a chance to win, which they have done against us so far twice this season (out of two games). We have to win this game in order to show that we are still the best team in the division, not to mention a title contender. We finish the month with a home game against San Antonio who will almost certainly be looking for revenge after we provided them with their first home loss of the season this past month. Now I'm sure we will lose at least a couple of the apparent Gimme Games like they did in December (perfect examples being the embarrassment in Minnesota and the home game against Miami) but I still say we get at least 11 wins out of January, and no less than 10. We sit at 22-8 right now and I predict we will finish January with a solid 33-13 record.

And for now, that will be enough. My goal in 2008 is to get back up to that 99 post plateau, or at least higher than 66! I will come back soon with an update on how Christmas went, the movies of 2007 (a year filled with a whole bunch of quality flicks!), and my predictions and more for the year 2008! But for now I sleep - -

Goodnight, and good 2008!

Until later,

The Stretch Run

2007-12-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

With one quick rip, the November page was ripped from my desktop calendar (which, ironically enough, does not top any desk, but rather is tacked to my wall) and I have now entered into December, arguably (especially by my beautiful fiancee) the greatest month of them all. . .

What follows is my agenda for the next month, and hopefully tonight, a few more detailed plans will follow that as well:

- Working at the MW at least 35 hours every week (the week of Christmas will be more like 30 though - -)

- My advisement with a counselor in the Family and Consumer Sciences department on 12/03 to go over my potential major change and what my possibilities are for next semester and beyond.

- Registration for the Spring semester on 12/04 (most likely limited to 12 units)

- Five finals (one no-note, no book; one at-home, open book; one oral, in class; one project; one I have no idea), countless tying-up assignments (in a simple maneuver that will God-willing get me through my 210 class - which is the one where I was told just yesterday, "If you pass," by the teacher whom I have most familiarized myself with this semester. . . that was tough to handle) and anything else that involves the last 14 weeks of school. My final day is the 17th and I will officially be done at 1000. . . yes, I'm counting.

- The MW Christmas party on 12/15. They take us via bus down to a hotel in L.A. where all of our stores in the district get together for a night of free food, drinks, and fun in a controlled, MW-only environment. As an employee, I was able to rent a tuxedo for free (this instead of a Christmas bonus) which gives me a no-charge $150 tux. That's cool. Seeing that I get to bring my lovely Heather, she wanted a new dress since I'll be wearing a tux. I agreed that since I will not be paying for my tux, gas, or food that night that I would buy her a brand new dress. . . so that's in the plans as well - probably this weekend. Should definitely be a fun night!

- Random tangent: Han Solo is the single coolest film character of all-time, joining the pantheon that includes Indiana Jones (so what does that say about Harrison Ford. . .), James Bond (but really only Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and now Daniel Craig), Marty McFly, and a tie for fifth that includes countless characters that we all love, and won't be delved into now (that's a future blog post waiting to happen. . .). Don't agree with me on the Han Solo thing? I have one perfect argument that has no holes in it whatsoever. Ready?

Any questions?

- Christmas shopping: I guess. . . God knows when I'll actually be able to get to the store to pick up gifts (I'm planning one single gift of significance for each of those around me instead of several, potentially insignificant gifts) for my loved ones. Plus Heather's birthday on the 27th (for which she will be in Las Vegas with her sister and mom to celebrate her big 2-1!). . .

- And many other things. . . of course. But this is just a brief. I head to work at 1300 today and will be there for 8 hours, then it will be home to begin chipping away at all the work that I have to do for school.

- Another quick aside: my beloved Suns enter the month of December with a 12-4 record, giving us a pretty strong leap into the new month. I'm predicting a 12-3 December, which would put us at a very strong 24-7 through two months. Our potential struggle games are at Toronto on the 5th, as it's the second of a back-to-back after a game in Indiana on the 4th. We struggle in these types of games, which goes to show our giant loss to the Lakers earlier this season, so I would not be surprised if we lost. At home against Utah worries me on the 12th, if only because that is a good team, but they will be on a back-to-back after a home game the night before. So maybe not. It will be a good test though. We then are at San Antonio on the 17th and at Dallas on the 19th. . . two big tests. We WILL beat Dallas, but that Spurs game, I don't know. That one will be tough, and one that I will TIVO and watch later that week (why won't I be home - - - I guess you will have to check back in later this weekend to find out!)

Well enjoy your Saturday (for those who aren't working) and if you live in the area, hop into the MW for me. I'll be there til 2100 and would love to sell you a suit. . . it's been slow this week!

Take care and until later,

Cars, Coughing, and 'Crastination

2007-11-27T00:47:00.000-08:00

Hello readers - - -

I have a made-up reason for not blogging recently (I wanted casual viewers to the page to see The Engagement Story as the title of the most recent post and read it) and a real reason (I've been really busy with school, work, and everything in between) but in the end, it's just the simple fact that blogging takes up time and I don't have a lot of that. . .

So why would I possibly choose nearly 0100 in the morning to start writing a blog after two weeks absence?

One word: Procrastination.

I officially have three weeks of school left and it's getting down to the nitty gritty. I have an insane amount of insecurity right now about my grades. With my classes right now, I have the potential of getting a 3.6 G.P.A. but it is also very possible for me to get a 2.4 - - that's how up in the air everything is right now. I believe fairly strongly that I'll end up with a 3.0 even (the most likeliest of scenarios would two A's, one B, and two C's) and I would be ecstatic if that indeed happens. If my one classes tails down into a D, however (which I never thought would be possible for me, but lo and behold, it is a possibility) then I have to turn that into three A's, one C, and one D for that desired 3.0 average. More updates to come as the semester winds down.

However, the one major reason that I have been struggling this semester is the fact that I have lost the passion for Journalism. I blame it two main things: 1) My Journalism 210 class on Fridays, which has caused me to have to delve into "Investigative Journalism" which is not an interest of mine in the least, but a mandatory lesson for future journalists of any kind and 2) I'm not writing what I like to write, namely opinion pieces, reviews, and editorials. This one has more to do with the fact that I'm not writing for a paper that I'm among the editorial staff on (I'm not even writing for a paper at all, to be honest) and have no reason to even write articles like that, except for my own betterment. Well, I haven't, and I'm beginning to forget how to write a movie review (not really, but it would take some time to get back into the swing of things) or even express my opinions in written form (well that's not really true, but you get my point). I'm struggling, to say the least, and I have decided that I'm not going to pursue something that I hate doing.

Because, you see, I hate school. The thought of dropping out has crossed my mind numerous times, but will not come to pass because so many people want to see me graduate and I suppose that I am one of those as well. A break is an option, sure, but I know me, and I don't think that I would ever return to school if I took even just one semester off. . .

So I have done the only thing that my rational mind could come up with:

I'm switching majors.

Yes, I am forgoing (potentially - anything is possible after I actually get that piece of paper down the line) the lifelong dream of calling NBA games for a living because I am not enjoying a single Journalism class that I am taking. And as Heather put it, "You should enjoy your major classes - they're your Major!" - - Smart lass, she is. . .

So what is taking its place? Well, it's kinda funny actually. Ever since I was little, my mom's mom (Grandma Pat, or GP) has always told me that she saw me teaching one day. Well that would be one potential occupation for me after I attempt to get a Bachelor's Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. I looked at my classes this semester and the only one that had subject matter that interested me was my Marriage and Family Relations class, which was in the section of FCS. So, let's go with that, I guess. I do have a meeting with an adviser on December 3rd and my registration date is December 4th, so a final decision will be made quickly and soon, so keep in touch to find out what all goes down.

Other than school, work at the MW is going ok. I'm much more comfortable now selling suits, however there aren't any customers to sell suits to! We have been surprisingly slow (so I'm told) for this time of year and I've spent a lot of my time at work reading books and playing games on my cell phone. . . which is fine and all, but it doesn't make me any money! I'm still doing about the same that I would be doing at the FL, but I was promised more, so I'm really hoping for a whirlwind of customers over the month of December to make up for this initial month.

And with that hope of more money comes the very real possibility of me becoming the proud owner of a new car! I have been car shopping very seriously over the last two weeks and even went as far as to test drive a couple last Friday. . . I am actually poised to make a purchase this week (if all goes according to plan, it would be either Thursday or Friday) but I'm gonna keep the make and model a secret until it actually goes through. . . Just know that it is absolutely positively NOT another Volkswagen. . . no no friends. Not again. . .

I have also been fighting a nice cough/congestion/runny nose/no voice cold thing since last Tuesday and it pretty much made Thanksgiving a forgettable one. Of course I am supremely thankful for Heather taking care of me on Thursday (even while cooking our turkey dinner all by herself - it was just her, me, and her mom, who worked most of the day - - my parents went up North to be with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins but since I had to work Wed. and Fri. I could not attend. . .) and the meal turned out great. I wish that I could have been more a part of Heather's first turn as a turkey cook and that we could have done things more together but I had to just lay on my ass all day and watch blowout football games because I didn't feel good. Heather took such great care of me though. . . It really does make me think about how much that she cares for me and how lucky I truly am when she makes me hot tea (with honey and lemon, her favorites) and goes to the store to get soup and cheese to make a Grilled Cheese sandwich (which I ate rather quickly!). If it hadn't been for me feeling like absolute crap, then I could have enjoyed all that she did even more, but she certainly made a difference on this so-so holiday.

Anyway, now that I've spent the last 20 minutes writing all this, I'm thinking I should get cracking on my three-page Media Critique on a website that is devoted solely to Men and their world (I'm choosing the oft-visited by me Ask Men) that is due in now thirteen hours. . .

But stay tuned this week. I'm hoping to put thought to type on a theory that I have been constructing in my mind over my last few journeys down to CSUN (there's only so many things you can think about when you drive long distances. . .) that I will merely tease you with in the form of a title:

The Justinian Theory of the Male Viewpoint of Sexuality

Intrigued? I know you are!!!

Anyway, I'll post again soon - - take care of yourselves!!!

Until later,

The Engagement Story

2007-11-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

(UPDATE: YOU CAN VIEW THE PICTURES THAT I HAVE POSTED ON MY MYSPACE BY WAY OF THIS LINK HERE)

Ok well there are about twenty things that I should be doing right now (18 of them being homework) but instead, I'll post my version of the story of how this whole proposal thing went down (Heather's version can be found here). . .

And o yeah, we're engaged!!! (That's for those of you who didn't know and had no idea what I was talking about. . .)

And away we go. . .

So the back story of this whole thing begins in July, when I bought the ring. That's right - July! I had to get it because the one that I wanted was the last one in the entire company of Kevin's Jewelers! The last one! So I did it - - I bought an engagement ring (and for those wondering, yes it is beautiful, big - but not gaudy - and bought and paid for in one fell swoop). . .

But I had to have major self control. In my head I had always planned on proposing on a special, planned night and not on a whim or just because I felt like it. I have always been a helpless romantic (poetry, flowers - you name it, I've probably done it) and I have always known that my wonderful Heather enjoyed all of the things that I did for her.

Plus, as Heather's sister Chelsea told me when I requested her assistance, Heather has always wanted a special event come time for her engagement. Apparently when they were little (Chels is three years older than Heather) and were playing "house," Heather had to be the one playing the bride or was in the process of getting married. She wanted (deep-down, no matter what she says) a memorable engagement. Now sure, just the process of getting engaged is a big deal, but I wanted her to have a story to tell people when they asked what had happened.

So I planned it - - it wasn't going to be extravagant, but it would be memorable. I had requested off November 11th (for the significance of the date 11/11, check out the beginning of this post back in 2005) from the FL and then made it a requirement if the MW wanted to hire me, which they absolutely agreed to. This would be better than Christmas or her birthday (12/27) because I wanted to make this a special, separate occasion. This was not just a birthday present. This was forever.

So I planned to head down to her apartment on the 11th. I had talked to Chels and she was going to take Heather out to lunch while I went into her apartment with flowers and my ring. I would wait in her room til she got back and then when she walked in, I would present her with flowers and she would probably ask why I was there. I would then say that it was because it was 11/11 and then I would kneel down and propose, having the date be the biggest deal of the whole thing.

But then, something happened. . .

With the Veterans Day holiday causing us both to have no school on Monday the 12th, Heather suggested she come home for the three day weekend (after she got off work on Saturday). Well this set me back quite a bit, as you can imagine. So I was left with a work and school-filled week to come up with a better proposal plan than the one I had originally intended.

And boy did I ever. . .

We went to Hollywood on Saturday night, the 10th (not before I supplied Heather with a beautiful collection of peach roses) to the AFI Festival at Arclight. We went to see CHRIS AND DON: A LOVE STORY, an independent feature directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara, two fantastic individuals whom I met back in April at an AVC function by way of my professor, Charles Hood. I also met Don Bachardy that night (I can't remember if I ever blogged about that night) - that night was one of my most memorable ever!

But anyway, their film was having its Hollywood premiere and since I had kept in touch with both the directors and the producer, James (Jim) White, I was invited to attend. I took Heather with me (we both got dressed up - me in a button-up underneath a nice sweater, nice blue jeans, and my new shoes; Heather in a beautiful blouse, black dressy pants, and some heels that pulled it all together) and we had a fantastic time. The movie was good and all, but I was more excited to be out and about with Heather on a Saturday night! After the film and the meet-and-greet (we met up with Prof. Hood to say hello and also Jim, and the star of the night, Mr. Bachardy) we headed outside.

Since I had wanted to get back to my house at midnight (thus making it the 11th) I needed to find a way to prolong our evening down below. As we walked out, we saw the newer restaurant Charcoal (at least we think it's newish), a club-like bar with some tables along the side. We went in, both being hungry and desiring a new experience. We enjoyed some $16 Baked Shrimp (for only four shrimp!) and a couple drinks (of course meaning a Sprite for Heather and an Arnold Palmer, like always, for me). We got out around 2215 and had nothing else to do but head home.

On the way home, Heather actually brought up the fact that we were going to be together on 11/11 and all I could do was nod and smile, knowing full well that Heather had absolutely no idea what was about to happen. . .

We got to my house around 2330 and Heather and I entered the house. Before I had left that morning, I had put a bunch of rose petals up my stairs and leading to my room. Heather saw this and was excited, and asked if she could go upstairs. I told her that of course she could and I waited downstairs. . .

When she got up the stairs, she found a note on my bed that read: "So here's what I need from you: - Sit on the edge of my bed.... - Press play on the remote... - And just listen...... I love you!" When she pushed play on the remote, "Come What May," a song from Moulin Rouge that has been one of our many songs along the road of our relationship, came on from my iTunes. As soon as I heard that the song had started, I began walking up the stairs with the box in my hand.

I got up to my room and there she was, sitting on the edge of my bed. Smiling. Oblivious to what was about to happen. I hugged her when she put her arms out for a hug, but with only one arm, the other being behind my back. She asked "What's behind your back?" and with that, I knelt down in front of her. I looked into the eyes of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and calmly asked the question that sounded o so surreal coming out: "Will you marry me?"

When I said it, her jaw dropped. She covered her mouth and gasped. I'm pretty sure there was no oxygen left in the room immediately following my proposal. But anyway, she kept asking "Are you sure?" and exclaiming "O my God!" and crying . . . but was not giving me an affirmative response! I kept staring and waiting. . .

Once she asked me "Are you sure?" for what was probably the fifth time, I took off my glasses and said once again "Will you marry me?" And finally, (it's not that I was worried, but I just really expected a different response) she said "Of course" and I put the ring on her finger, and the shock slowly began to wear off. We began to smile and laugh. I kissed her and told her I loved her and when she asked if I was sure for what was probably the tenth time, I looked at her and told her I wanted to marry her and spend forever beside her.

Then it got crazy exciting! Heather started screaming excitedly and saying "We're engaged!" Then she started calling everyone in her phone book that was possibly awake at what was now 0030 on the 11th. . .

And as Heather said, we were ecstatic. We stayed up for quite awhile, calling people and reliving the past hour over and over. We finally went to bed around 0200, woke up around 0830, and had an entire Sunday together since I surprised her with my day off :) The Sunday included a trip to the movies to see BEE MOVIE (a big let-down - grade: C+) and a journey down to San Clemente to celebrate with a dinner with her dad and his wife Claudia. It all went well and it seems that everything will fall into place in the coming months. . .

And that's how it all happened. . . I'm now a Fiancé and Heather is now a Fiancée (Yes, there is a difference in the spelling, according to the all-knowing Wikipedi a). . .

It's very exciting - - - But really, that word does not say enough about what it is that we feel. We are both ready to make the next steps towards becoming a married couple and all that that entails. This is just the first of many. . . And I couldn't be more ready to get the ball rolling!

For those wanting dates for the wedding, well, we just aren't that sure yet. But our goal is to be married over the summer of 2009 and most likely either the end of June or the beginning of July. But we'll see. . . it's a long time til then, but it will most assuredly fly by!!!

Thanks to everyone who knew and didn't say anything to Heather. Thanks to everyone who didn't know and is now offering their congratulations. Thanks to all those who are just as excited as we are - you being excited for us just helps us know that we're doing things right.

But most of all, thanks to Heather for saying yes. . . I love you!

Two Words: Steve. Nash.

2007-11-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

Check out a new NIKE tv commercial starring the BEST point guard in all the lands. . .

GO SUNS!!!!!!!!

The Gears Are A-Gunnin'

2007-11-05T23:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to bed here shortly because I have a long day tomorrow, but I wanted to post a couple quick thoughts from my ever-going mind about everything that has been going on recently. . .

- I have now been at the Men's Wearhouse (which, as stated before, will be forever known as the MW) for a full week and I feel more comfortable now than I did last week at this time. Over my first five days there, I sold a total of $7000, including over $2500 on Saturday alone (one sale alone was $1100!!!). I'm not sure what my paycheck will look like, but as long as it's more than what I would have made at the FL, then I will be happy (which it most assuredly will be). Every day I learn something more and I get more comfy in my role as the clock ticks. So come and see me, buy some suits (or sports coats. . . or casual wear. . . or shoes!) and add to my check!

- I went 12-2 this week in my football picks, only missing the Minnesota upset over San Diego and Tampa Bay beating Arizona (went for the upset on that one). I think I might have won the week, but I won't know til either tomorrow or even Wednesday, but I'll keep you posted. I'm also in first overall, which is an awesome development. More on that as the weeks progress.

- I finished INTO THE WILD, the book, and am now looking forward to seeing the film because I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I also went and saw SAW IV this morning with my friend Alex (another DC alumni) and we both agreed that it was entertaining but nothing special. Fun to watch, but also extremely gross (in the words of Alex: "I now know how to perform an autopsy."). Overall, if you have seen and enjoyed the first three, you won't be disappointed by the fourth installment, but newbies should avoid it all costs. GRADE: C+

- My favorite movie of the year comes out on DVD tomorrow: it's RATATOUILLE!!!!!

- I'll give a SUNS update every Thursday (since that was the day that our season started) but I do have to react to all you Laker fans out there: Congrats. You won an early season game against us yet again. But consider the facts of the game. . . The Lakers shot 60% for the ENTIRE GAME. You can't compete with that. The Lakers just happened to play the game of their lives against a tired SUNS team that had gotten home at 0400 in the morning after their lackluster performance in Seattle. We're just off to a slow start again. But more on that on Thursday.

- Some interesting reads on the internet:

Waiting Room Sex by Dan Neil
Random Thoughts by Mallory Roseborough

- Also, I've been bugging Heather to post something on here in a so-called RAMBLERETTE'S RAMBLING, but she does not like to talk about herself. Well not that much. . . However, on Myspace, she recently posted a brief update about herself and how things are going in Pomona. . . So here it is:

I haven't blogged in months, and I thought enough has happened that it's finally time for an update. First of all, I switched jobs from the Pet Resort to Claremont Veterinary Hospital. I'm currently working as a receptionist there, however I intend to become a Vet Assistant after some time (a vet assistant is a step below a vet tech, which is still a step behind a registered vet tech). When I transferred to Cal Poly, I was certain I wanted to become a registered vet tech (RVT), and I jumped right into the classes and loved what I was learning. I loved learning about animals so much that I thought, why in the world would I NOT try to apply to Vet school? I knew that would be something I would think about for the rest of my life...why I didn't even try! I was doing well in my classes and I had made several friends in the AHS program and the PreVet program...and I decided I would do it. I would change majors and apply to vet school. So I did! And now I'm a prevet major planning for the long years ahead at vet school. I would love to get into Western University, a new Vet school right here in Pomona, but since you can't put all your eggs in one basket, I plan on applying to Davis, Oregon State, and Colorado State as well. The idea of become a vet is so exciting, but it's scary at the same time, financially and for mine and Justin's relationship. I know everything will work out for the best though, no matter what happens.
The last several months have been difficult for my family...we've lost three grandparents in the last 6 months. We're sure to miss them as the holidays come and go..
Speaking of the holidays, this was my first Halloween that I actually dressed up in years! I had so much fun, thanks to all my friends here. I can't wait til Christmas rolls around.....It will be my 21st birthday! AHHHHH!!! I'll be going to Vegas with Chels and my mom for a weekend, and then I'll probably celebrate here with my friends once school starts again in January. I love everything about the Holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Years. It definitely the best time of the year!!!
I'm still amazed at how fast time has gone since I've moved to Pomona. And at how fast I know it's going to keep flying! I've mapped out the rest of my quarters here, and I can't wait to see what the next few years have in store for me. A wedding? Vet school? A career?? You just never know what is around the corner, and that's the way it should be. It keeps things exciting and keeps me motivated to be ready for anything.
Since its November 1st, I feel like it's a new page...I fresh start in the middle of a chaotic quarter. I hope to stay organized, start exercising more, and ace all my classes. It's like New Years haha, but New Month instead. We'll see how it all goes.
Anyway, just a quick update. I hope to blog more often than I have been. Thanks for reading!

- O and I got my speeding ticket in the mail and it came out to $273 plus $39 for traffic school and then another charge for traffic school from the actual school. This sucks. . .

- I have exactly 15 days of actual school left. . . not that I'm counting.

Ok, well that's it for now. But thanks to all those readers who sent me comments after the NBA Preview - - the fact that some people are reading what I write makes me want to keep going!

Thanks everyone!

Until later,

The 2007-2008 NBA Season PreviewThe Western Conference

2007-11-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

The 2008 NBA champion will come from the Western Conference. And I'm torn, to be honest. The safest bet to win the title is the San Antonio Spurs. . . (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. . .).

But I don't subscribe to logic when it comes the National Basketball Association. The most appropriate or probable event never happens. Like right now. The Seattle Supersonics, coming off of a loss last night to the Denver Nuggets are up on my beloved, supposed-to-be rested Phoenix Suns halfway through the third quarters. We look rusty, slow, and just plain troubled. . . Is that the way it was supposed to go tonight? No, I don't think so. (A strong fourth quarter was enough to put us ahead for the win, but it was not pretty in the least)

But just wait for it. . .

It's a long season and I believe strongly that we are built for it this year. But I'll get to the SUNS in a minute. . . here is the rest of the Western Conference in the same manner as yesterday's Eastern Conference Preview:

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets (3)

This team is going to be dangerous. I don't know why more so-called experts aren't raving about these guys. AI and Carmelo are together now for a full year and you better believe they are plenty comfortable with one another. Throw in Marcus Camby, a beast in the paint, and a finally healthy Kenyon Martin, and this team scares me a whole lot more than Dallas or Houston and I think that given a 7-game series, the Nuggets could beat any time in the entire league. I think this is the true dark horse in the league this year that could very well win it all if they stay healthy.

Utah Jazz (6)

Carlos Boozer is an animal. Deron Williams is the future of point guards with Chris Paul of the Hornets and the rest of the team is not so shabby either (Kirilenko, Okur, Millsap, etc.). They won't make a lot of noise come playoff time but they are among the best 6 in the elite conference. Given the right opportunities, they could make a return to the second round of the playoffs, but certainly not the Conference Finals like last season (that just worked out for them perfect with the stupid way that the NBA playoffs are positioned. . . see this post for what it should have looked like).

Seattle Supersonics (10)

Kevin Durant will win the rookie of the year for sure and this team will be better than expected. I think Nick Collison will play well this year and Chris Wilcox (who always gives the SUNS fits) will be much improved as well. They need a good effort from other rookie Jeff Green and the newly acquired Delonte West to make a real push to the playoffs, but give this team a couple years, maybe some more young talent (or a savvy veteran scorer), and they could be playing into May and June in the near future.

Portland Trailblazers (12)

They could have made a push for the 8th spot had Greg Oden played this season, and not because he is that good, but because other people will THINK he is that good. But he's not playing and the offense is going to go through Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, which is fine, but it's not good enough to make the playoffs in the West. But think about this: the Blazers will get a healthy Oden back next year and if they do finish in the lower half of the West, they could very easily get another top 10 pick in next year's draft! They would then have a very young team, but one filled with potential and that in itself is scary for us older teams.

Minnesota Timberwolves (15)

Sigh. . . This team might not win 20 games this year. Al Jefferson will show that he is good, but he is not KG, and no one will ever fill those giant shoes in Minny. They can hope to get that number one pick next year and that's about it. Not much to hope for the T'wolves this year. . . and not much to watch either.

Southwest Division

San Antonio Spurs (2)

For the record: I hate this team. I cannot stand a single player on this team that is not named Tim Duncan (who I tolerate simply because of his brilliance - you cannot deny his skills as a basketball player no matter who you are!). But you know what? They're good. They always are. They are a year older, but they were a year older last year too and that didn't stop them at all. Like I said earlier, this is the safe bet for the NBA champion, and are certainly capable of winning it all again. BUT, as you will see in the coming playoff predictions, I don't believe that they will. It's too hard to repeat in the NBA and the Spurs won't be doing it.

Houston Rockets (4)

Another trendy pick for the dark horse contender, I feel that T-Mac and Yao need to get out of the first round one year before we can say they will win it all. It's true that they are better this year. Steve Francis (AKA Stevie Franchise back when he was Rocket some years ago) might contribute a little, but it will be big man Luis Scola who makes the biggest mark on this team. They will win more games than the overrated Mavericks, largely because T-Mac WILL stay healthy (God I hope so, just for his sake!) and Yao is going to have an MVP type year, but won't win it because the voters won't give it to him until he has accomplished something (or gotten past the first round!).

Dallas Mavericks (5)

If there is a team that I despise as much as the Spurs, it's a close tie between the always-hated Lakers and this so-called team from Dallas. Dirk is a good player, but he's not a closer. Josh Howard is ridiculously overrated and the guard combo of Jason Terry and Devin Harris was exploited last year in the Warriors series and will continue to be torn down all year. Plus, they aren't deep! Once you get past Stackhouse (who always seems to come through in the clutch), you get to Diop (no good) and newly acquired Eddie Jones (ooh, an almost 40-year-old swingman!). I actually see them bowing out in the first round again this year, but this time it won't be such a surprise.

Memphis Grizzlies (7)

Sleeper pick alert! The West is really strong in the top 6, but after that, it pretty much tapers off. With new head coach Marc Iavaroni, (former SUNS assistant) I think that with a healthy Pau Gasol, an improved Rudy Gay, recently acquired Darko Milicic (who STILL has something to prove), rookie Mike Conley Jr. backing up veteran point guard Damon Stoudamire, and Pau's best friend, one Juan Carlos Navarro, the Grizz will put it all together in a hurry and get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005-2006 (not a long time, but after last year's debacle, it will be a big deal!). And they might just win their first playoff game while they're at it!

New Orleans Hornets (8)

When you have the best young point guard (Chris Paul), an athletic beast in the paint (Tyson Chandler), a scoring machine (David West) and a veteran three-ball shooter (Peja Stojakovic), I think that's enough to get the final playoff spot ahead of the likes of Golden State and the Lakers. If they make a trade in the next year or two for another top-of-the-line scorer, or even sign a big name free agent over a summer, this team could really make some noise in the future. But not just yet.

Pacific Division

Phoenix Suns (1)

Ok. . . I love my team. This you all knew very well already. But I really love them this year. And here's why:

Our starting five is top-notch. We have the best point guard in the league (Mr. MVP, Steve Nash) and one of the best defenders in the league at the 2 (everyone's favorite, Raja Bell). The always unhappy, but always trying to prove himself, Shawn Marion at the power forward and the big off-season pick-up, the finally healthy Grant Hill (in an interview this summer, he said that this was the first off-season since 1999 that he was not in rehab - - he's ready!). Throw in a rarin' to go Amare Stoudemire and there is not a better top 5 in the league. Coming off the bench we have the returning 6th Man of the Year, Leandro Barbosa and a hopefully returning to form Boris Diaw. The once hated (passionately, at that) by me Marcus Banks worked hard this summer and appears ready to finally listen to the coaches and do as told. We lost Kurt Thomas, but picked up Brian Skinner, a less offensive Kurt, and Sean Marks has improved and may see some time as well (but probably not). And look for the two rookies, Alando Tucker (from Wisconsin) and D.J. Strawberry (from Maryland) to struggle for minutes, but expect Strawberry to actually get some good playing time at some point - he was a steal for us in the second round. I love our chances to finally bring the first title ever to the Valley of the Sun and if we don't well, I guess that's not really an option. It's really Now or Never for us this year, and here's hoping that it's NOW!

Golden State Warriors (9)

They had a nice run into the second round of the playoffs last year (the big upset of the Mavs and then the heartbreak against the Jazz) as the eighth seed, but they won't be able to even try this year. They will miss Jason Richardson, but they will miss Baron Davis more, as he is bound to hit some injury patches this season. I think they might make a deal around February, but it won't be enough to put them over the hump this year (they'll start out 15-30 or something like that and that will be too far down).

Los Angeles Lakers (11)

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Lakers will not make the playoffs this year. The whole Kobe fiasco right now is just too much for them. Not only will they get off to a bad start (I'm thinking 3-13 through November with wins over Minnesota, either Indiana or Milwaukee on the road, and maybe the home game against Seattle), but they will end up under .500 for only the second time in seven years. They might make a push if they unload Kobe before the trade deadline, but I think it's gonna be a tough year for ol' Jack Nicholson and company. Hollywood and its team: Beware.

Los Angeles Clippers (13)

I read something about a month ago that told me everything I needed to know about the upcoming Clippers season: Elton Brand would not be playing. Well, he might be back post-All Star break, but it won't matter because the Clips will be back to their losing ways without their anchor in the middle. Sorry alien Chris Kaman, you just aren't the same. And neither are you Mr. Tim Thomas. . . Their hopes are again in the lottery and the hope of a better year next year. Ahh, just like the good ol' days. . .

Sacramento Kings (14)

Mike Bibby is hurt. Ron Artest might be on his way out. Brad Miller is old. And Kevin Martin is all alone on a team that if it weren't for the terrible T'wolves, would absolutely be the worst team in the entire conference, and maybe even the league. I hope Martin has another good year (I have him on my fantasy team) but it won't matter in the long run as the once Western heavyweight will completely fall off the map this year and into obscurity. And if they don't make a big change soon, they should just go ahead and make themselves comfortable in the Pacific Division cellar, because they will be there for many years to come.

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

FIRST ROUND

(1) Phoenix over (8) New Orleans (4-1)
(2) San Antonio over (7) Memphis (4-1)
(3) Denver over (3) Utah (4-2)
(4) Houston over (5) Dallas (4-3)

__________________________________

CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

(1) Phoenix over (4) Houston (4-1)
(3) Denver over (2) San Antonio (4-3)

__________________________________

CONFERENCE FINALS

(1) Phoenix over (3) Denver (4-2)

__________________________________

NBA FINALS

(1) Phoenix over (1) Detroit (4-2)

I know that by picking my team to win it all AGAIN is just going to cause all sorts of problems with people calling me a homer or whatever, but it's now or never (like I said earlier) for my beloved SUNS and it all comes down to two number 3's: Grant Hill (who wears number 33). If he can stay healthy and contribute like he did in the first game of the year against Seattle (13 points, six rebounds and five assists - although he needs to cut back on the 3-point attempts; he was 1-7 from behind the arc), then it's ours. It has to be. Steve Nash will not go his entire career without winning a title - he won't allow it! The man wants it too much and that heart is going to put us over the top when all is said and done.

GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There you go - - the predictions are in!

Let's just hope I'm right this time. . .

Until later,

The 2007-2008 NBA Season PreviewThe Eastern Conference

2007-10-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

The following fact is all that is important to me right now at this moment (over school, especially!):

The NBA season began yesterday! (Update: This was written before the season actually began and was completed after the second day of the season, but all of the predictions were made before the season began. . . I promise.)

The World Series is now over (Congrats to the Boston Red Sox!). The NFL is in the midst of a great season (and one that I am picking very well) that will be highlighted on Sunday with the massive Patriots/Colts throwdown in Indy. But besides that, it is ALL ABOUT the NBA!!!

And just like last year, I am previewing the upcoming season with full predictions for each team. This is just one man's opinion, but it is as always one FAN'S opinion and you know what that means! But just wait: there's real reasons for everything!

So the format of this bad boy is as follows: I have ranked the teams 1-15 in their respective conferences. I will be starting in the East and showing each division separately in the order I think they will finish. In parentheses will be their overall rank in their conference. Got it?

Then on to the West discussion (but that will come tomorrow night. . . I'm tired).

Casual sports fans, get ready to have your world rocked! Because here comes my second annual NBA SEASON PREVIEW!

And away we go. . .

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (2)

The team with probably the biggest expectations going into this season because of their additions of Kevin Garnett (yes, I still resent the fact that the SUNS couldn't get him) and Ray Allen to go along with the already-there star power of Paul Pierce. The biggest question mark for this team is the supporting cast, which includes second year guard Rajon Rondo (a potentially very good point guard) and rookie Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who will be a factor for this team. Also, the potential to pick up some veterans at the trade deadline (look for Juwan Howard and Sam Cassell to be putting on the green and white at some point this year) is much more likely because of the Big Three. They will be good. It's true. However, they are not the best team in the East and unless Rondo and starting center Kendrick Perkins have improved substantially, they won't win the title like many believe they will.

Toronto Raptors (5)

The Raptors surprised a lot of people last year, including yours truly, when they took over the terrible Atlantic Division but fell to the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the playoffs. They will be in the thick of things in the East this year because of the star power of Chris Bosh (an absolute beast that no one knows about) and free agent signee Jason Kapono (a pure three-point shooter). They still have T.J. Ford at the point and the much improved Anthony Parker at the shooting guard position. Second year center Andrea Bargnani will be better and they also picked up Carlos Delfino from the Pistons, who played relatively unnoticed in the Motor City, but look for him to contribute off the bench. I still don't think they are as good as the top 4 teams in the East and are most likely looking at another first round exit.

New Jersey Nets (7)

I'm not sure how this team is not better. They should have been in the Finals at least once since they have trotted out J-Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter every night. But injuries have plagued this team and you can almost guarantee that one of those three (or forward/center Nenad Kristic) will go down for a month or two with some sort of leg injury. It's bound to happen, and as long as they make the playoffs (which they always seem to do) the lottery will escape them as a helpful tool. The only way to benefit this team is to trade one of the main three guys (most likely Jefferson) and some bench players for a big name that can stay healthy. They couldn't get Kobe or anything, but I think they should try harder to get Jermaine O'Neal (Jefferson, Kristic, and a future draft pick would be plenty to get it done in February when Indiana is in the East cellar). They'll be outed in the first round and left to wonder why they gave Carter so much money this summer.

New York Knicks (9)

I'm not sure if a sleeper pick has to make the playoffs, but I think the Knicks are gonna be better than everyone thinks this year. They showed signs of life last year in parts, and the acquisition of Zach Randolph will give them some wins. I like the combo of Randolph and Eddy Curry and David Lee, who I wish was on the SUNS, but I don't think that they have enough to crack the top 8, even in the abysmal (although improved) East.

Philadelphia 76ers (13)

It's sad that this team had to drop off the map after finally trading Allen Iverson last year. At the beginning of the year last year, they had both AI and Chris Webber, both of which helped teams make the playoffs that were not the 76ers. How nice. Andre Miller is still okay and Andre Iguodala has to improve as a go-to-guy. They have little-to-no post game as well. Watch for Kyle Korver to get recognition and become one of the elite behind-the-arc scorers in the game.

Southeast Division

Washington Wizards (4)

My cousin Josh, who lives in Maryland and is as big of a fan of the Wizards as I am of the SUNS (well, maybe not. . . I'm pretty crazy!) had this to say of the upcoming season:

"You seen how low in the east all the analysts are pickin the wiz??? It's ridiculous, we were the #1 team in the east before all the injuries in the 2nd half of last season and now we are supposed to suck? It's like their bosses pay them to promote the Celtics because they're marketable. Well none of the big 3 in boston have ever been passed the 2nd round of the playoffs, and they have zero supporting cast. Why should i be scared of them? I'm sure theyll be good, but don't sleep on the Wiz!"

I won't! (Although sorry Josh, your facts are a little wrong: Both Garnett (2004) and Pierce (2002) have made it to the Conference Finals)

The Wizards are the best team in their division with a healthy Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, who was phenomenal when both of the guards were out at the end of the year. Here's the thing: in the East, if the Celtics can be favored to practically win it all with their three, then why not the Wizards? Arenas is just as prolific scorer as Pierce (and maybe moreso), Butler drives to the hole a lot more than Allen but doesn't shoot nearly as well (but is younger), and Jamison doesn't really match up to KG, but he is still a good player. They have no bench (neither does Boston - yet) but that could change by February's trade deadline. Watch for Nick Young, the rookie out of USC, to make a run for Rookie of the Year (Besides the shoe-in for the award, Kevin Durant).

Orlando Magic (6)

They gave Rashard Lewis $118 million to score 20-some points a game. That should help. . . The team is better (Jameer Nelson is another in the long line of competent, but not quite great, point guards) and this year will only prove that Dwight Howard is THE dominant big man of the future (that is, except for Amare. . .). They will be good, win more than half of their games, and make the playoffs, but their season will most likely end after one round and they won't have anyone to blame but themselves, because all they did this off-season was overpay a small forward who is replaceable by most of the other same exact players in the NBA. . . What a shame.

Miami Heat (11)

I have been saying this last season ended: the Heat WILL NOT make the playoffs this season. The best thing that they could do in the off-season was sign Smush Parker, the SUNS 6th man from the last few playoff series (you see, the former Lakers point guard was SO BAD when it came to defending Steve Nash that I considered him to be our sixth man. . .), and then trade Antoine Walker to the helpless T'Wolves for Ricky Davis (who apparently is supposed to turn everything around for the team) and o yeah, they signed, wait for it, Anfernee Hardaway. That's right. . . Penny Hardaway. From forever ago. . . No word yet whether or not the Heat also get the rights to Lil' Penny. This team is old. And they aren't healthy. And they just are not good anymore (except for D-Wade, but the way he plays, well, let's just say that he might want to change that slogan about getting up all the time. . .).

Charlotte Bobcats (12)

This was going to be my sleeper team of the year (I changed my mind, though. . . I'll get to them in the West) but injuries to both Adam Morrison (terrible facial hair and all) and Sean May (this was the killer) mean that Jason Richardson (their off-season pick-up from Golden State) will have even more pressure on his shoulders. Raymond Felton is good, Gerald Wallace can score, but without those two young guys, I just don't think that Emeka Okafor and company can put it all together this year. . . I guess the only hope is that they get a good draft pick and put it all together next year!

Atlanta Hawks (14)

. . . and the Hawks. Some people think they are going to win this year. However, they are the Hawks and the Hawks always suck. I know that is not a good reason, but I guess I just really want them to be terrible because the SUNS get their draft pick next year no matter what it is and I really want a high pick! Something good has to happen for my team! Either way, Joe Johnson is still the same scoring shooting guard and Josh Smith is athletic and all, but they are not going to do better than they usually do. I love their draft pick (Acie Law IV) and truly wish the SUNS had him instead, but I don't think that he improves them that much. He's good, but he's not THAT good! Come on now people! These are the same old Hawks!

Central Division

Detroit Pistons (1)

This is still the best team in the East. They have been for several years now (they have averaged 54 wins a year over the last six years and have never finished below 2nd place in the East since 2001) and don't expect anything to change this year. They still have a starting five that includes the names of Billups, Hamilton, Prince, and Wallace (that would be 'Sheed) and then any other bum in Detroit. This team is still good and still will be in the hunt at the end of the year. It's that simple.

Chicago Bulls (3)

This pick is odd, because the Bulls may or may not end up with Kobe and that would throw a wrench into everything. But I don't know if that would make them better or not. . . I still cant decide. But before any Bulls trade happens, they still have Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, and the defense (plus terrible free throw shooting) of Big Ben. The extra help of youngins Tyrus Thomas (coming into his own) and Joakim Noah (a younger, shorter Big Ben) will put this team ahead of most of the East and may even get them into a Conference Finals matchup with the Pistons. But no finals for them this year. . . Unless they get Kobe. Then all bets are off.

Cleveland Cavaliers (8)

And that is a very nice position for them. Lebron got no help and there are still contract disputes between the Cavs and key players Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao (although apparently Pavlovic has re-signed). I just don't think that the NBA and its wonderful referees could allow THE Lebron James to miss the playoffs so they'll fit in the last position just to potentially make a run (if they got past Detroit, they could potentially do some damage) because of all the help Lebron gets. But don't count on it. The off-season for them next year will be filled with questions about who they should get to help out King James, and who knows what they come up with. . .

Milwaukee Bucks (11)

Another forgettable year for a truly forgettable team. Michael Redd would be a household name if he played for a team not located in Wisconsin but he is again left to his own devices and will fail again to make the playoffs. Yi Jianlian was a terrible draft pick and won't be anything except an extra in all the new dunk posters that come out (he will be the guy being posterized by the likes of Vince Carter and Josh Smith). Tough time for the Bucks right now. . . maybe they can get a good draft pick next year! What a horrible future, huh?

Indiana Pacers (15)

Wow. Not only do I think that Jermaine O'Neal will be gone by the trade deadline (finally!) to either New Jersey or Chicago (if they don't make a push for Kobe) but this team might not even win 25 games. They are terrible and if it wasn't for a few really bad teams in the West (more on that tomorrow) I would say they would have the best chance to get next year's number one pick. . . Go figure that the last team on here would be the worst (I really didn't plan it that way!). . . It's just sad really. . .

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

FIRST ROUND

(1) Detroit over (8) Cleveland (4-2)
(2) Boston over (7) New Jersey (4-3)
(3) Chicago over (3) Orlando (4-1)
(4) Washington over (5) Toronto (4-1)

__________________________________

CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

(1) Detroit over (4) Washington (4-1)
(3) Chicago over (2) Boston (4-3)

__________________________________

CONFERENCE FINALS

(1) Detroit over (3) Chicago (4-2)

The Detroit Pistons will represent the East in the Finals! They will lose (I predict) but to who???

Come back tomorrow to find out :)

Until then,

Slow Down Speedy

2007-10-23T23:51:00.000-07:00

So I got a speeding ticket today. . .

It's kind of a long story, but the end result was me getting a ticket when I was a mere mile from school this afternoon. I was pissed, but I kinda had it coming, so I guess I can't be too mad. . .

I was in a rush because I had to get to class to present my MEDIA DECONSTRUCTION project on the role of women sportscasters in the media. Left to my own devices, I turned to what I do best: ramble! So, without further ado, here is another installment of A RAMBLER'S RAMBLING:

A RAMBLER’S RAMBLING – The Women Sportscasters Version

- Women Sportscasters

- Some would argue that is an oxymoron

- Like “jumbo shrimp”

- Or “awfully beautiful”

- And speaking of beauty

- It’s the number one attention-grabber

- For women sportscasters

- Or is it their sports I.Q.

- Either way, women have come a great distance

- Kind of like pioneers

- That is, if pioneers had microphones

- And make-up

- Formerly referred to as “Barbie-on-the-air”

- She now has a much better nickname:

- A Google search reveals the improved pseudonym

- “Women Sportscasters I would bang”

- What progress!

- But I do recall

- When I was a mere shell of a sports fan

- Way back in the day

- The NBA on NBC broadcast

- With Hannah Storm

- Or ESPN’s SportsCenter

- With Robin Roberts

- Or Linda Cohn

- And the MLB Playoffs on FOX

- With Jeanne Zelasko

- These were the more recent pioneers

- But what of the classic “first women”?

- Jane Chastain did play-by-play for CBS in the 60’s

- Jeannie Morris was not allowed into the press box in the 70’s

- Not to report a Vikings/Bears game in Minnesota

- In the winter

- So she reported anyway

- Outside; in a blizzard

- Gayle Gardner, Suzyn Waldman, Gayle Sierens

- They all paved the way

- Some women were hired for their looks

- Others for their knowledge of the game

- Broadcasting companies worked hard at toeing the line

- Who knows their thought processes?

- It’s a man’s game!

- Women don’t even watch!

- There aren’t even any TVs in the kitchen!

- But lo and behold

- The men were wrong. . .

- You see, more women are getting out there

- Onto the sidelines and into the locker rooms

- Keep the towels on, boys!

- And that is all fine and dandy

- If only so they can have an equal opportunity

- You see, sports fans

- The real die-hard ones that actually watch every broadcast

- Yeah we don’t like most of the male commentators

- Because of their ignorance

- And often pointless anecdotes

- “When we spoke with Jimmy last night in the hotel. . .”

- Yeah we get it

- You have tremendous access to the players

- Stop rubbing it in our faces

- And start speaking intelligently

- And that female sideline reporter

- The one who tracked down the coach at halftime

- The coach whose team is down by three touchdowns already

- If you can contribute to the broadcast

- In an absolutely sports related way

- You can wear a burlap bag and report

- It really makes no never-mind to us fans

- We’re really just watching the game only

- Well, and the cheerleaders

- But that’s for another time

- And where are they now?

- What chance do women have nowadays?

- To sit alongside the ex-athletes and “expert analysts”

- Well my advice is this:

- Pick up a mic

- Learn as much as you can about sports

- Know the terminology

- And if you’ve got it, flaunt it

- Because there’s two things right there that I can’t contribute

- And might get you on air before me

- Because what can I possibly flaunt?

- That’s certainly an advantage

- And isn’t that what we are all really looking for

- An edge

- Anything to get us a step ahead of the opposition

- And to where we want to be

- And if that edge is all that fledgling women sportscasters want

- Then we are all in the same boat

- And isn’t that the definition of equality?

Any thoughts???

Hit me up with comments on this one please :)

Thanks and good night!

Strugg-a-ling

2007-10-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

So here's the thing:

It's now just past midnight and it is officially Monday.

I have a book report due in a class I have at 1900 today (seeing that it is Monday) on a book that I not only haven't read, but don't even own! It's for my MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RELATIONS class, so I know I can masterfully B.S. my way through a two page reaction and response report, but that is beside the point. I haven't started. I guess that's the point. . .

You see, I'm in a major rut. Or a funk. Or a whatsitdoesit. . .

Either way, you catch my drift. Not only do I have that report due at 7, but I have a so-called Media Deconstruction on the role of women sportscasters in the media world (which contains a five minute presentation about what we have learned, a one page Abstract describing my position, an annotated bibliography with five legitimate sources, and a Talk Back Letter, which I really don't understand at all) on Tuesday. O and what about the 500-word newspaper article about the in-class guest speaker that is due on Wednesday by noon. . .

This is week 9 of my semester right now. Weeks 13 and 14 just might kill me and I certainly wont kill you via the details of those weeks until they get closer, but let me just say that I have my metaphorical plate filled.

So then my friends Mallory and Cy decided to blog tonight after at-least-month-long absences from the blogging world and I felt like I had to as well. . . But again, I didn't feel like it, because that would completely take away from my severe procrastination.

You see, these are just a few things that I would rather be doing than the homework that I am supposed to be doing, (didn't you know that studying the role of women in the sideline reporting business will get me a really great job one day. . .)

- Finishing the season of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP which I bought last week (o wait, I've been doing that anyway - I'm done with disc four of six to be exact). I am so saddened by the fact that I will never see a new episode of this fantastic show that I completely fell in love with last year. The characters, the writing, and the chemistry are just three reasons why you need to go rent (or buy, for that matter - you will like it!) the entire series (only one season, unfortunately) today!

- Reading any of my books that I am enjoying immensely but seem to have no time to continue (including INTO THE WILD, the book that the new Sean Penn-helmed film is based on, and Stephen Colbert's I AM AMERICA AND SO CAN YOU).

- Putting my thoughts together on either a nice film review of MICHAEL CLAYTON, the first film I have seen in theaters in forever (hint: it's really good!) or the NBA Preview that I have still yet to complete. . . and thank God the season actually begins in less than two weeks! Something else I can distract myself with instead of doing homework!

- Cleaning my room. Sounds silly, I know, but my room looked great about two weeks ago and it has slowly turned into the pigsty that it has grown used to being.

- Get a haircut. Although that would definitely be more difficult at 0100 in the morning, which it is now.

- Be at a Halloween party with Heather and her friends. Which, by the way, I will be doing next Tuesday night and yes, I will be wearing this:

- Receiving and adoring my brand new Phoenix Suns gear that I purchased through the NBA store online. Yes, I could have waited for Christmas. But I figured I would just ask for one of the other sweatshirts. . . I bought these and I could not be more excited!

- How about doing anything with Heather? Whether it is talking to her online (which we do a lot of since we both are on our computers so much) or cuddling with her on a couch (which we can't do nearly enough of) all I want is to spend time with my better half. She is the best!

- Watching videos like this:

And this (it's Heather's fave song right now):

And. . . THIS:

- Or. . . going to sleep. Which I am going to do now at 0130. . .

Wow, I'm screwed.

Just Me and My Pam

2007-10-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Before I get all sorts of comments or e-mails about some blatant infidelity, allow me to say don't. As I was driving out of the Antelope Valley on Saturday night, I texted Aimee to tell her to enjoy her weekend with Jim and Pam (the finally together couple on THE OFFICE, which she is catching up on - actually has finished catching up on) since I knew she would be watching my seasons non-stop. She replied by telling me to enjoy time with "My Pam" since I was heading out to spend some time in Pomona with my Heather :)

So, in conclusion: Heather = my Pam. Problem solved.

I was able to come down on Saturday night because I had off from work at the FL on Sunday, which was nice. We were able to be lazy most of the day (Watched some football for the first time all season which was fantastic - although, I did not get a chance to watch the much-anticipated Patriots-Cowboys throwdown because of the non-local nature of the contest; I was stuck with the Chargers-Raiders borefest. . . score!) and then decided on a dinner destination in the afternoon:

BENIHANA! It was our first visit to the Japanese restaurant, and my first visit to ANY JAPANESE RESTAURANT!!! I was sorta scared actually, because I am not a fan of food from the Orient. However. . .

We had a blast! It is one of those places where they sit you around an oven with other people (there were 8 of us at our table/oven thing) and they take your order and then the chefs come out and make your food for you right there. They interact with you as much as they can and they also do some food tricks that are quite entertaining. I tried their Japanese Onion Soup (or, as Heather so clarified: the broth only!), fried rice (which is just steamed rice combined with a veggie mix, several eggs, soy sauce, and garlic butter, which makes an appearance in EVERYTHING else that they serve), Hibachi Chicken (what I ordered - it was very good!) and some of Heather's Hibachi Shrimp (which I know my dad would like - another guy at our table got lobster and scallops which also made me think of my dad. . .). They really pile on the food and you leave completely stuffed. . . yes, it was a bit pricey, but with the amount of food and all, it was well worth it.

You see, you might remember a little while back when I said that I had been recruited by the Men's Wearhouse. . . well here is the whole story, for the last time. . .

I was working at the FL on a Wednesday night and it was incredibly slow. These two ladies came in and they were both dressed in women's suits - they looked very nice. I usually go out of my way to assist customers who are better dressed, because I feel like I can maybe sell them a little more. I approached them, provided my usual dose of charm and wit (of course), and once I was told they were just looking, I told them that I would be there in case they needed any help. My parents then came in with some food for me (I was working one of those shifts that does not allow for a break of any kind) so I chatted with them for about a minute. As I was walking my food back to the back room, I saw the two ladies looking at the toddler shoes and decided to say something. I asked if anything was "jumping out at them" and they approached me and asked me if I worked on commission. This was an odd question, but not an entirely new one. Mostly people just assume that we do work on commission when, in fact, we do not. I told them I didn't and they followed that up by asking what my incentive to sell was. I told them that we have to run numbers (8.5% accessories and 52% multiples - - if you are really interested, ask me) and that my incentive was originally to get promoted, which I had done.

They continued to ask some questions about work and all that and I finally requested to know why they were curious. The one that had done most of the questioning responded by saying that she was the District Manager of Men's Wearhouse and the other lady was the Store Manager of the one across the street from the Mall. They asked how much I made and I told them and Kim (the DM) told me they could give me more. They gave me business cards and asked me to call them if I was looking for another opportunity. . .

So I did. I called the following Wednesday and was told to come in on Thursday for an interview of sorts. So I did. I talked to them for about 45 minutes and I was really impressed. They offered me more money overall (I'll be making far less an hour but I will be getting commission as high as 10% on items I sell) and that's exciting, because we can always take more money!

But I was extremely torn. I am very comfortable at the FL, and only getting moreso as I learn more about the world of management. Here's the thing though: the MW (which it will now be referred to as) also offered me full benefits if I work over 32 hours a week (for the FL it was over 35 hours a week, which I did not do). So not only would I be getting more money, but a chance to have benefits for the future. My exact title would be Wardrobe Consultant, and I would actually be second on the ladder, just under management, and ahead of three other positions.

Not that that matters. . .

So what did I do?

I took it. I had to. It's not every day that you get offered a job at an upstanding, highly revered company (according to the website, it was voted to the Fortune Top 100 Best Companies to Work For. . .). It's a once in a time thing (not lifetime, exactly, but close). I had to take it.

SO. . .

I put in my two weeks notice at the FL and my last day will be Saturday, October 27 and I assume my first day at the MW will be the next Sunday, the 28th.

Scary.

But I'm ready and excited and nervous and excited and scared and excited!!!

So, yeah.

I'm actually writing this from Heather's apartment as I am still down in Pomona until tomorrow when I head to school and then home from there. It has been a great couple days with her and I can't wait until I get to come home from work (or school) every night to see her on the couch and curl up with her, or snuggle in bed as we drift off to dream. It's just wonderful. . .

And now as LOVE ACTUALLY winds down (the movie that has now risen into the ranks of my top 25 of All-Time), I'm going to retire for the evening. . .

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

COMING SOON:

- NBA Preview
- The Road to Nowhere: Parts VI and VII (I promise. . .)
- The first ever guest blogger: I'll give you a hint: it will be called A RAMBLERETTE'S RAMBLING. . . O, and another hint: it's Heather :)

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Have a happy Tuesday ladies and gents (and avoid the 14/5 interchange at all costs - trust me on this one!!!) - - -

Goodnight, and peace for now. . .

Um. . . My Bad

2007-10-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not blogging this week - - it's been a busy one. . . or two. . . or every single one! God I'm always busy!!!

I had planned on blogging quite a bit tonight, but I put it off for a bit, then watched some television (the nightly dose of DAILY SHOW and COLBERT REPORT) and now am getting a little too tired to divulge my week that was - - -

So I'm sorry, but I will give you a preview of what is to come:

- Had a great weekend with Heather. She came home. Good stuff.

- Decided today that I will not be buying shoes for a long time, thanks to my horoscope, actually. It's a long story, but I'm not jumping into the world of the zodiac. Just trust me.

- Bought four books today for $40 - good deal all around.

- The countdown to my SUNS beginning their season is down to just 21 days!!!

- I hate school and have had a recurring thought of dropping out. . . I'm not going to, but I really despise my scholastic endeavor right now!

- I got recruited by Men's Wearhouse!

- And I am no longer tied for first in the football pool. . .

All that and more in the next edition. . . which will be very very soon. It has to be!!!

Until then, my friends - - -

2007 MLB Playoff Predictions

2007-10-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

The MLB Playoffs start today (already did, actually - - I have to be honest) and I have to give out my predictions sure to be wrong -

Last year, I predicted that the Twins would beat the Mets in the World Series - - well, what actually happened was that the Twins were bounced in the first round and the Mets lost in the NLCS. So I was very wrong. . .

But that doesn't mean that I don't have any info about this playoff run, and here are those predictions that will undoubtedly be incorrect by the time November hits:

NLDS:

Diamondbacks over Cubs in 5

Simply because of the home-field advantage (and if I had a team, it would be my hometown team, so I have to make the homer pick!) - - Brandon Webb will win two games and the D-Backs will pull it out in the end!

Rockies over Phillies in 5

I made this prediction in my head before this afternoon's game began - it's true. You will have to trust me on this one (at this exact moment, it is 4-2 Rockies in the top of the 9th) - - Even though everyone thinks the Phils are gonna go all the way in the NL, I truly think the way that the Rockies made it to the playoffs will carry them through the first round. . . and further??

NLCS:

Diamondbacks over Rockies in 6

Don't ask why. I can't even name five guys on either team - it's true. Call it a hunch on this one.

ALDS:

Red Sox over Angels in 4

The Angels are injured and the Red Sox own the Angels over the last few years. This is the best chance for a sweep in the first round.

Indians over Yankees in 5

It's all about pitching and the Indians have two of the best pitchers in the entire league (so I read) and as far as I know, the Yankees are trotting out old fogies like Andy Pettite, Roger Clemens, and Mike Mussina. Yes, their offense is superior to the Indians, but I like the Cleveland team to take out the perennial favorites.

ALCS:

Red Sox over Indians in 6

As much as I want to pick the upset, I have a feeling the Sox are gonna make it back to the World Series after a three year absence.

World Series:

Diamondbacks over Red Sox in 7

I have to go biased and homer with this pick. Think about it though. . . the last time we all counted out the National League (last year) we ended up with a terrible Cardinals team winning it all! I also know that the last time the D-Backs made it this far, they were victorious and took the baseball world by storm when Luis Gonzalez blooped that single off of Mariano Rivera to beat down the Yanks. So it will come again - -

The World Series MVP will be ace Brandon Webb in the same way that Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling did it all that year they won. And that's just the way it will happen!