This weekend was spent getting all the Christmas shopping done. Surprisingly got without much trouble.
Wrapping up stuff at work, before Xmas, since I'll be gone till New Years after that.
Getting somewhat ready for National Convention. Trying not to expect much and hopefully enjoy myself.
For all the techies...a lil christmas humor.

Got some really thought provoking posts...just gonna formulate it first.
After Xmas I'll likely be offline till 2003....
new year..we'll see what happens.

On heavy rotation at work: www.shoutcast.com/
http://www.shoutcast.com/directory/index.phtml?sgenre=RnB
[Hip Hop Rap RnB Urban] CLUSTER Radiostorm.com: HIP-HOP R&B


Samantha Mumba - "I'm Right Here"


Really..if only it were that easy. My arm would hurt from holding it soo long. =p

PS..sorry for the lyric writer's poor grammer.

Wow...
its been like forever...ok...really a month..
Been wanting to blog about stuff…but not really feeling up to it.

Suffice it to say that yes, I am still alive. =)
So..here's the surface stuff:(mostly)

Work: Been really busy lately, but still loving work. Just came back from company holiday party and had a good time hanging out with my coworkers. My projects are wrapping up, and I'm finding time to clean my cubicle and think about other projects. Of course making time talking to people via AIM . (Still need to put a comment system up...but I guess now you can talk to me about my posts. That is as long as they are conversations...not "Hi I'm susy…check out my webcam) Note to self: Work on redesign. HAHAH...god…when will stop saying that.

APO: Feeling the burn-out of APO. I don't think I can ever be completely burnt out from APO, namely cuz of all the people I meet. I do get tired of the paperwork aspect of it especially with Nationals coming up. Not even really feeling up to it, being that my bro or sis won't be there...and some of the other people i know from APO (cheesy, biggwould, grace)...but I got a ticket and a room (thanks anna)..so I will be there making the best of it.

AX: Hanging out quite a bit with my AX friends. Fortunately since I've started working in Westwood, they seem to come out more often to hang out. I do feel bad that I don't go out to Ventura/Oxnard area, but definitely making plans to do that more soon. With the AX crew, our events can range from Movies, BBQs, Computer show, or bowling and pho. I like the change and keeps things interesting.

Family: Well happy that Samantha is coming home today. Cube is still ruling the house as he seems to be the one in it most of the time. Feeling a bit detached to the extended and nuclear family. Everyone doing something or leaving to go somewhere. Doesn't really feel like anyone is living at the house...just taking a temporary stop over. Feeling especially detached from my extended family. Aunts having surgery, nephews in the hospital, birthdays passing...never really keep track of it all or paid attention to it all. Kinda sad especially in this holiday season and still not feeling any urge to do something about it.

Ironic thing - My mom made me say the dedication at Thanksgiving dinner. I said in the dedication, as I'm looking at my feuding aunts, my single parent aunt, my former neighbor counting his days of cancer and his ailing wife, my parents, and my cousins..and said...thanks for everything we have...but most importantly for family and being there for each other. I just wonder if they were really listening? oh..why is this odd? well..my mom is a die hard catholic...church any chance she can. Yet of all the people she asks to say the prayer...she chooses me...the son who doesn't go to church anymore and feels detached from the rest of the family. ironic. At least I think so.

Holiday Season: Guess it hasn't really affected me. I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy or anything really. Become so jaded I guess. Work passes the time well....then I sleep. Actually started working out a couple weeks ago. Ok..."started" I said ^_^. I'll get back into it. Funny thing...reason why I got back into it. I'm about to cancel this one credit card, so I actually had to get into the 24 hour fitness to change it to the new card. Been paying forever for membership (it was a good deal...less than $30 for all 24 hour fitness...even sport type), but never really going. SO I WILL BE BACK...since my friend is changing in Feb and I'll have a work out partner.
Need to start shopping for Xmas...but not knowing who/what to by. Not sure myself what I would want. Got to the point where if I wanted it..I would have bought it already. Course..there are the things that money can't buy...

So of course...Relationships: Well boys and girls…thats will have to wait till another day. Not exactly surface stuff…but we may get to it. Or maybe not.

Notes:
BiggWould to SoCal = Count down begins...women and children hide.
Gracie Back to US = Miss ya Heaps too...soon we'll both get Trolleyed.
Anna = Congrats on your engagement ^_^ I'm happy for you.
Cheesy = I'll find some time to come up and see you.
Bro = Miss ya down here...hope to see you soon.
Everyone else too...ttyl.

WOW...what a crazy week at work. Insanely busy..and whatever could go wrong..basically did.
I'd have to say though that I wouldn't exchange it for anything. I love my job...and pretty much working in westwood...so sit back and enjoy the latest chapter in this crazy ride.

Basically, I needed to restore a server on an off-site location. Problems with disks, then eventually the motherboard...everything was pretty crazy. It actually kept me here till late Wed night. So begins the ride.

Normally, Wed nights are bowling nites with my UCLA friends. Most of them were pulled away at a dinner, but my homie Bren and I were still gonna go and just chill. As I'm leaving the building, the door man hands me an envelope and says "do you want these..I can't go...or see if you can give them to someone who wants them."

So I look in the envelope..and see two tickets to the premier afterparty of Friday after Next. Ok..I know its westwood...and I'm usually not starstruck, but hey..free tickets. ^_^. So I ask Bren if he wants to go...he was down....its cool just being so spontaneous. We go into the line..and into Napa Grill, right across from work.

Man...food...free drinks.....great. I asked for a jack and coke..and I swear it was 3/4 Jack with a splash of coke. Got some mini-burgers, ribs...man..it was tight. Hella faded after that jack and coke..but kept going with these lemonades. Got to shake hands with Ice Cube, John Witherspoon, and Mekhi Phifer. Looking at this cast list...remember seeing Terry Crews, Katt Williams..and oh my goodness..K.D. Aubert.

Soo faded..but really fun. And got back to work to check on the server after that...hella funny. Anyways...things were crazy again when I got back...but I'm off to Vegas this weekend!!! Time to just chill and relax. C-Ya

Long time since posting..and it may be a bit longer depending on what happens at work this week. Actually taking a sorta vacation for myself this weekend in Vegas with some friends. If anyone is gonna be out there...let me know. It should be a lot of fun.

Well..just had to post to say big ups to ALAN on his birthday. If he still reads this..just wanted to wish you a happy 21. Sorry I missed it man..but according to justin..the I guess you had a fun time.hahaha.


biGG WouLD: you missed some funny shit

Sasami514: really...hahah..what happen

biGG WouLD: the nite ended with alan saying "iam hung like a black man"

biGG WouLD: funny shit


Thanks for everyone keeping up with me via phone or IM. Yes everyone..I'm still alive. ^_^

Random shout-posts
I do want to say whats up and shout outs to everyone that I have been hanging with. Being in norcal these past two weekends have been cool catching up with friends (cheesy, justin, milly, steve, rosina, vince, alan, and many others).

I do have to give big ups to my boy alan for getting me dinner and the lemon drops on fri..good looking out man. For real that murder/redrum burger was good.

Steve- Cool costume man. Didn't recognize you at first. But I also regret not hanging with you more. Till next time.

Justin - Glad you joined the world of text messaging. Now I can now start sending to you too. Hella fun hanging out...and can't wait till you make it down here.

Milly - One of these days...we'll just sit and about our life long questions and quests. Why are we here and what do we want to do? Until then, guess we'll have to keep meeting each other over shots of whatever happens to be in our glass, and for the moment not really care about it.

Cheesy - Sorry you couldn't sleep last night. I swear I only took the corner of the bed. ^_^

-Anyways. I think its time to sleep. Got that extra hour...guess had time to spend it writing here. Night -

Time for myself
ok...so I'm sitting here...in the glow of my sister's monitor.

Don't really know what I want to say...so just kinda working on that stream of consciousness writing.
Spent most of the day fighting a headache...probably from the vodka last night. The party was a lot of fun (Love ya sis ^_^) and it was great catching up with people. Disappointed I just lost a whole day due to it.

Anyways...actually just wanted to use this time to write. Guess I've been so caught up in things lately...that I haven't taken time for myself. Majority of my time is obviously at work...and its actually been busy lately. Got another project to work on, but I honestly wouldn't change my job for anything.

APO wise, things still busy and thats good. The first section wide event for this year - The intersectional picnic was a success. I passed the ball to Bryan, and he did well. I'll be the first to admit I was really worried to see it come thru...and based on the phone call I got at 2pm, I'm guessing he was too. But in the end, he was able to bring it all together. About 100 people in attendance...and still within budget. Big ups to Bry and Section 1 Staff for coming thru. I hear it was a lot of fun. I feel really bad that I wasn't able to go...but I know it would all work out. Still have to decide on what is coming up in Winter. Had plans for a formal, but don't know if I'll have the time to pull it off anymore. But hey...Thats leadership in being able to roll with the punches. And although cheesy put a lot of time into it...if I push it to spring I'll have grace back to help out ^_^ (miss ya girl).

Anime Expo wise, just starting to finalize some plans and do a lot of the preliminary work. Lot of the team building going on…and general hangin out. Things look really good for next year.

So whats going on with me....I don't know. Guess thats what this post is really about. Got thru all the surface stuff. Honestly just taking this time to think out loud (well..ok..on keyboard). What part of this I'll post and not post I'll decide later. I guess first thing I wonder is where is my time going. FUCK. Its already Oct 2002. I don't really remember much of this year, cuz time just seems to fly by. Been keeping really busy ...sheesh...been at the airport 2 weekends in a row...and going on 2 more. Been lagging on the whole exercise bit, and honestly feeling like I am stagnating. Most like I'm wasting time. I don't really watch TV anymore (even though its always on). My weekly viewings can be all set on 1 six hour tape. I enjoy the fact that get out more often...but again with the stagnating. I used to be a teacher...but even in that position I became routine. I think on my feet and analyze well…make things understandable...but am I myself no longer learning. This darn site...looking back…how long ago I said…"this site needs a redesign" with no changes or knowledge to do so. I guess it is I that need a change.

I want to make a list. A list for myself of things I want to accomplish. I've said it may times before…but writing it now, I'll see if I can start knocking things out. Brainstorming a couple here...lets see. Learn to cook. Read the Harry Potter series. Learn to dance (whatever…hip hop, salsa, ballroom). Learn HTML\XML (yeah...had to put something techie in here). Design my own webpage. Get my own place (the house idea is still ideal, but apt\condo is looking better). Travel (Europe, China, Japan). Guess thats a few of the things I'd add to a list. If anyone wants to join/teach/help me with something...let me know. Its always more fun in groups.

Guess I'm just looking for the simple time. To be able to stop...and just think of nothing and in that time just appreciate the things around me. The smell of flowers, the waves crashing on a beach, the simple art of writing.

My car just broke 200,000 miles.
yeah...I do enough driving.
short post to tell you I'm still alive..but just been really busy lately.
will hopefully write more later...but in the meantime...hangin out in the real world and catching up with people.
I'm happy to hear from all the people I've talked to lately...and hope to contact you others soon.
^_^

Sorry all...been busy at work surprisingly. Still chatting with peeps and seeing how things are going...but here's another quick note to see if Ray is coming to a city/town near you.

10/1 - UCLA Broomball and Ice Cream.- About to tear up the ice again ^_^
10/2 - UCLA Info Night and BOWLING
10/3 - UCI Service (and BasketBall maybe)
10/4 - UCLA Pinning and Clubbing at Monte Cristo
10/5 - Chill with the AX Crew in Ventura and BOWLING again.

Worthy of mentioning
10/19 - Section 4 Conf - SF
10/26 - NorCal with Family
11/2 - Section 1/2 Conf - AZ
11/15 - Las Vegas BABY

Humm...its 7pm…and I find myself at work. Oddly enough this is the one place I've never wanted to be...working on a weekend...but for some reason I find some solace.


Work has been really busy. Had to configure some new products, reset my data back-up procedures, cleaning out my office area... I'm still online chatting...but haven't really had time to blog about events in my life. Ha ha…funny…thats why I never was good with a journal.


Been semi-serious with the whole working out idea. Push-ups and sit-ups at home...up to 40 in the morning and night now. yeah...not a big accomplishment...happy that I'm sorta still sticking with it.


APO stuff keeping me busy too. Its RUSH everywhere...and I have been making chapter visits. Meeting a lot of cool people...and catching up with old friends. Feeling really good about my section staff. They are definitely coming up as good leaders. I get the feeling that there will be a lot of qualified candidates when I pass on the Section Chair position. The chapters are doing well...and the section reps are doing their thing. This will be a good year.


Surprisingly the other thing that has kept me really busy is Anime Expo. Recently I was given the position of Security Department Head. Now...Expo was something I did once a year to hang with some friends that met at the convention. Most of them live in Ventura/Oxnard county, which until recently had always been significantly far away. But now that I work in Westwood (plus sitting online all the time)… I have been making a lot of plans with the AX Crew. Dinner at Curry House…clubbing nights...plans for Vegas. (sidenote: Yeah...you heard...VEGAS BABY....Been a while...and actually pretty random...but anyone who reads this...I'll be in Vegas Nov 16-17 weekend.)
I had always done AX security since I was bored of just sitting at the convention. They turned out to be a great bunch of people...like another family. So now I'm seeing what I can do to keep that spirit throughout the year, before AX...which leads me to my next topic of ...


Bowling


I've developed a new passion for Bowling. You can thank Rich and Angie from UCLA for getting me into it. Starting out as a way to just chill with friends, I know find myself checking out bowling.com and reading articles on gripping the bowling ball. I just bought my shoes this weekend on an impulse buy and am already planning on hitting the lanes twice this week. (Wed with UCLA, Sat with AX Security). I found a replica Bowling shirt of the Simpson's Pin Pals and was pretty close to buying it. Its was too funny.


Anyways...I basically still a straight bowler. Wrist locked straight and down the center. Bowled with family on Sat night and saw my cousin did really well with this funky curve. So...you never know…just re-acquainting myself with the sport. Very inconsistent...but usually above 100 ( 90-160). Its all for the fun of it anyways!


So…any challengers?

Man...I'm really bummed today..and not sure why.

Thanks to Brenden for this link...Funny as hell.

Yoda's twin. The oldest women alive.

Getting your butt licked by Clifford. So wrong on many levels.
I think the Old man and the lil blond girl liked it too much.

A look into my mentality....
Here's whats in the CD CHANGER (10-Disc baby)

1. USHER - 8701 (best tracks 9-11)
2. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP
3. Lea Salonga - Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal
4. Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera
5. Walk in the Park Soundtrack (only hope)
6. Jay-Z -Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life
7. Nsync - Celebrity (selfish...well...I'll admit..most of the tracks are good)
8. Boy Band Mix - Personal mix (yes christina...bsb is there too)
9. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (one step closer and in the end)
0. Love Jams - Personal mix

Ok..I had Sam's help on the choices..but they were all my CDs..
soo..mostly hip hop and R&B..but some out of the ordinary favorites too.
and if you're at work...listening at work at www.live365.com : R&B-2002.com channel

Dang..forever and a day since I last blogged.

So we start off.....actually busy at work now. Learning new stuff and one of my supervisors in Boston seems to have a strike against me. I didn't do anything..but thats the way I feel. Otherwise work is still great. Get to learn new stuff and work with cool people.

Been really busy with APO stuff. Helping revitalize the Long Beach chapter and hanging out with USC. Bowling with UCLA. These are the cool things about a Fraternity is hanging with so many people from different schools. Hung out with a bunch of peeps from APO-Phil.

Find myself chatting more often with peeps. Get to tell them all the stories (hence..blog starts lacking)...some I may not even repeat here. (hee hee).

OK..so about the shout out from Steve's blog....here it is....the new mentality.

I've decided to say...

SCREW relationships..and focus on my NBA Career (basketball).


Honestly..its working. We'll..doubt the sixers will be knocking on my door, but just enjoying the moment..instead of thinking of forever. Got picked up by some younger girls (sweet)...and just find it a lil bit easier to talk to people. Got my first dance at a club with someone I didn't already know. (BTW..going to a club with just guys in your group makes it really difficult..gotta bring some girls along). Otherwise trying to focus on a workout/exercise schedule and try to get some BBall in. Tired of being "afraid" of girls. If they don't wanna hang out..their loss....and as I told steve...

BeefcakeGT: just go with the flow, don't overthink things...
and just see what happens


raywarriner: yeah..if you don't get a gf..you at least get a friend


BeefcakeGT: yeah.......................................................





So there boys and girls...is the moral of the story...







PS.steve doen't sit on the keys like that...I needed to do that to even out the names. gotta improve my HTML skills. =/

Dude...
I am soo loving this job. Here's a couple interesting and quick links for you all.

The New 2003 Honda Accord

The Secret Menu at In and Out



PS..
went to check out the 24 hour fitness in Beverly Hills yesterday. Figured it would be some world class ritzy place.
Um..no...ghetto as heck. Too many people in a crowded little room. Had to pay to park (getting used to that in LA).
They did have a Hip Hop class...so you never know...but I'm planning on checking Santa Monica later.

PPS.
Got my business cards yesterday....sooo loving this job. Just reserved for Kings Hockey and Laker tickets.. ^_^

So I'm sitting here...at work of course...eating vanilla ice cream with M&Ms for my chocolate fix. Gonna post an entry (longer one) later...but here's a quick blurb.

1. Vanilla - getting a better appreciation for it. Personally I'm a chocolate fan...almost chocolate freak, but lately Vanilla has tasted pretty good. Why you ask...well its all about Vanilla coke. I really hesitated about that one...but honestly its like drinking a ice cream float. Yumm.

2. IM from work - Gotta love it. Its been busy...sorta...but you gotta love a job where IM is part of the communication structure. Now I have a work sn with my buddy list on it...so I can keep in touch with everyone. ^_^. And I'm on like all day.

3. IM chats - Since CPW, we've had a bunch of IM chats all day long. I heard one even went till 3am. Well..its all about the interchapter love. Hopefully some of it will get people going to each other’s events.

4. AX Security - The current department manager is planning on moving up, and has asked me to become the dept head in his place. I still feel a lil out of place since most of them are like a family (out in Venture/Oxnard) and me out in LA. When the news was announced, there was no reaction. Kinda worried, but individually, people congratulated me. Personally, I just do it for fun...no titles. I just don't like hurting people's feelings.

So a couple weeks ago I went to chill with the AX crew. It was a lot of fun being able to just hang out with everyone. I guess I find my live is primarily work and APO. Anime expo provided for me another outlet to meet people and just hang out. I was hesitant about doing expo this year, only because of certain people or wondering how I would be viewed. I do my job, but I guess some people may have felt as if I was stepping on toes. Either way I was glad I did it. It was great to see old friends again and this year we kicked ass. I was "recruiting" con goers to help regulate the line, met some new people on staff, escorted a japanese singer w/ dancers, and also got a free signed CD from them. ^_^

Magic Mountain is our traditional after-con get-together. It was a lot of fun...although hella hot. Got there and just chilled thru most of the rides. You know...it was all about hanging out. I didn't even remember that there were two new rides opened that I had never been on (and didn't ride that day either). Sam was supposed to go with us, but wasn't feeling too well (see her post about the ear-ache). We rode Roaring Rapids (and this time I did get wet), Riddlers Revenge, Goliath and Colossus. I guess I have always felt like an outsider to this group. Most of them are out in the Oxnard/Ventura area, which is about a hour and a half north of cerritos. They are all from the same anime club and started working as AX security before I joined. I've been with them the past 4 years now...and things are good. Now that I'm in Westwood now...will likely be hanging out with them more.

Thought this might be interesting for all my raver and E-user friends out there. I think the best part of the article was when he states

Psychedelics are a means for adults to gain insight into themselves,
Shulgin says. "The best words I can use are research tools."
article link

Plus the fact that he tests the drugs on himself first. enjoy.

I guess it was just a matter of time before we start seeing more of this.

(Last line in an article by ZDNet regarding Network Security)

Ray Ozzie is chief executive of Groove Networks and the creator of Lotus Notes. You can also access his latest writings on his personal weblog.

Ahh…a quiet day.

Today was a good day at work. No real problems came up. Got good comments on a suggestion I made to the IT Staff...I got a lot of sleep...woke up late...and still made it on time. All in all a really good day.

So now that I have some time...(as I did all day today)...let me hit you with some highlights.

Job/Career - really nice. Type of company I can retire with. No longing for something else...(well maybe different hours).. Secure career, family like atmosphere, good company. Let me put it to you this way. When I park in the parking structure...my wheels squeak because the floor of the complex is just that clean...yeah. ^_^ I already have tickets to 2 Kings games (anyone interested in going?) and was told the company usually buys Lakers tickets for outings (hopefully they'll be playing the 76ers). Really cool group. Besides all this craziness the first week and a half...I was told that was more work than the last guy had in the past 3 years. So I'm hoping things will remain relatively calm.

APO - Came back from SRW in Kansas City. It was really cool. Got to meet a bunch of people...catch up with old friends (iowa/midwestern girls...yeah ^_^) Really good workshops...and just chillin Region X style. Hanging out with the Rabanera Bros and Anna...plus Region X staff peeps. Introduced Kansas City to the Tokyo Tea. Became the life of the party at that bar (of course this has nothing to do with the actual SRW conf...because APO is a dry fraternity). Actually got to hang out at the National Office. That was dope. So much history...in a location behind the local Discount store. (honest) I knew that the first time I stopped by (2 years ago…early plane trip before it opened)...but this was the first time I was actually able to enter. Really cool stuff.


This week will be CPW (dang...all these letters). Now I get to hang with the actives. Kickin it at UCLA. Should be a lot of fun and planning on running wild (hopefully). Cheesy, Anna will be coming down from norcal. Bunch of peeps from SF and Voltaire...New people = new opportunity...err people ^_^. Rich, Jeanne (happy now =p), Francis, Kelly, John, Anh, the Rabanera bros, and many others. I'm running a workshop...and I always make it fun. We're in charge of Sat night’s event...so we'll have to see what happens. Hope were not stuck in the dorms...but either way we're with brothers. Too bad I may be passing up a Sexy Fashion show at a club on Fri night...but we'll see what happens.=(

I’ve started people working on the APO Winter Formal Cruise. That something I have always wanted to have. Checking prices show it can be fairly pricey…but I have three very capable girls working on it (Cheesy, Grace, and Anita). More info on that to come.

Upcoming posts…Magic Mountain with AX Security.

Arrg...I had a post on Fri...but hit the wrong button. Oh well....

So...finally had time to go ahead and update this. For those that don't know...I did get the job. You are now looking at the Senior Technical Operations Support Person for the LA location of Charles River Associates. (www.crai.com). Basically I'm the computer/network guy for the office. Been a crazy first week. Lets see...started out on my day with the network connection to the Internet crashing. Nothing I could do on my part…but not the best way to start the week. Then as I tried to recover thru the week, just a series of other problems came up. The most difficult part about this is that the person I replaced is not around. Didn't get much of a training, so much of this is crash course figuring out how things are being run as well as who to call when things don't work out. Just stumbling thru things myself.

Surprisingly too, No matter when I leave the house...it seems to take at least an hour to get to work. My job hours are 10-7 so it cuts traffic a little...as well as cuts much of my social time. I guess there had to be a trade off for the better job and security.

I miss Orange County. I went to a UCI meeting...and could immediately feel better once I hit that portion of the 5 freeway. A lot more relaxed...i don't know. I just hope that this company eventually moves into OC.

Cube is doing a lot better...mainly thanks to his physical therapist (my sister samantha). She's keeping him under strict guard…but now has him stumbling on all four paws. Not 100% yet...but a good 50-60%.

Still really busy getting used to everything...and stuff going on weekends. I'll update more as I get more time...which hopefully will be soon.
Things to talk about…SRW, CPW (this weekend), Magic Mountain.

Special Shout outs
Grace - Hey...you may not feel it...but you are definitely missed. I hope you're having fun in Europe. Enjoy ^_^..and come back soon.
Justin - Punk...ditching me and CPW...but I know it was for something better (^_^)
Cheesy - See you this weekend.
Al - Update your block Jedi Squire.
Rachel - I'll get your letter to you. Hope things go well in the PI. Check this spot for messages.
Will - Happy Bday...I called you...but figured I'd post here too.
UCLA crew - I'm back in westwood. Let me know whenever you want to hang out.
Anyone else...um...yeah...just watch the spot for more updates.
I need to put up a comment system and ability to email...but something to work on later.