Certification Required

On my way to the blood bank today, I was thinking that I need to upgrade my certifications. Which ended up leading to things that we SHOULD be certified to do.

I think that before couples get married, they must take a "communication workshop" and show their certificate of completion when they apply for a marriage license. And on the test, if you miss certain key questions, then you shouldn't pass. This way they'll at least have a chance since without communication, a relationship won't last.

I believe the same applies for having a baby - semester course, or longer in all the stuff you'll have to face. Then you can get your baby license!

What do you think?

Making it Right

We were supposed to go out and have some pizza and hang out at a local place, but ended up in eating next door. We sat at the bar, and ordered a medium half of mushroom, and half of pepperoni. The girl messed up and gave us a large, and all pepperoni.

I was curious as to how she was going to make it right, and she had that look on her face as though she didn't know what to do. I'd just charge for the medium - problem solved. But, she waited until a manager was there. We got the pizza for medium price, our drinks free, and we got a personal size mushroom pizza. One better, huh? We talked to the lady and she was glad we didn't chew her head off. I just smiled and asked for a re-fill. No alcohol since we both drove.

A second later, Bonds hit his 756th homer. I was most interested in the fight for the ball. Did you see the guy in the orange jacket crawl over the people trying to get the ball? The trivia question for baseball: Who pitched the homer? Washington’s Mike Bacsik.

Of course, I figured the guy would have an escort but didn't know they would send 6 police officers! That guy is set. I bet he will be on one of the morning shows tomorrow. I was surprised that they stopped the game for a ceremony, though. I figured they would do something after the game.

We stayed for about two and half hours then headed out. 'till next time.

Did you see the record breaker?

Blood Bank Calling

It's time for the double donation again. I got my call on my cell this time, seems like they tried calling me at my work number but no return calls from me, so I set it up for tomorrow during my lunch.

Do you donate blood?

My Drive Home

Heather was heading out to Oklahoma City to watch Mariah play in the 18U Gold Nationals today, so I checked out after she was ready at 11:45 a.m., the last to go. Heather packed my car with all my stuff, and all the stuff she wasn't taking to OK. I gave her a hug, kissed her and told her I loved her no matter what! I stayed about 10 minutes longer to update the website, and wrap things up.

Even though I knew the cleaning staff would be cleaning the room, I emptied all the trash cans into a trash bag, cleaned up and made the beds.

I was expecting the invoice to be put under the door, but I had to get it at the front desk. The lady told me that she'd miss me, and told me to drive safe. I filled my tank, and I was off.

Two out of the three times that I have driven Nationals there is some sort of accident that I help out with or witness. In 2005 it was a family of 4 that rolled over in the middle of the night, and nobody would stop for them. I gave them water, a blanket and called for help. The helicopter came and blocked the highway. This year, this car fully packed rolled over scattering stuff everywhere.

I didn't have to stay this time! :) Of course, you ask if everyone is ok, if they need water, or anything. I just happened to have the breakfast bags from the hotel just in case! I don't know if my friends believe me about this but I thought I'd take a pic :) This time, I'm not saying anything, so I don't get the "uh huh...again." I took this photo of RUSH HOUR at 5:30 p.m in Los Angeles. Like the freeway was clear for me to go home! Uh, yea right.

I stopped at Lolita's, and I was short by a significant amount but the lady smiled and let me get what I really wanted, and told me not to worry about it. I had ordered, and forgotten that I had used my $50 for gas because the credit machine was busted.

The Alarm company called the police and I was surprised at the quick response. They asked me for my ID and checked out my house, did their report and left. That's another thing that happens when I go to Nationals.

I'm all softball'd out and I'm glad to be home!!!

They did it!

The girls are the 2007 14 & Under National Champs!

They went 8-0 in the National Tournament and finished with a 46-0 record for the year.

After the game, the girls realized that this would be the last year that they would get to play together. A little tear here and there. Some of the girls on this team have four National titles. Many never even get one! I bet Nationals will be a memory they'll never forget!

Heather has three (2004, 2006, & 2007) plus one when she was a bat-girl for her sister's 2002 National Champion Team. Yes, they gave her one too since she got the bat EVERY SINGLE TIME.

They can't wait for the team party coming up at the end of the month and neither can I. ;)

Two More Games

The girls beat Escondido Extreme 6-0 to advance to the semi-final game against Los Al. If they beat them then they are in the Championship Game. IF they win, then they will have had an UNDEFEATED season, and we get to jump in the pool with all our clothes on! :) It's weird I know, but a tradition.

Our 12U team lost their 10:00 pm game soundly and got eliminated from their Nationals. :( They finished 9th.

Re-match

The girls are 42-0-1 this year. That tie was in PYL against Cypress and that game was never officially finished because there were no lights at the fields. Each team has wanted to face each other ever since and now at Nationals they will. Game time 11:45 a.m.

First Bracket Game

The girls beat the San Franciso Angels 9-0 in five innings! My Aunt and Uncle (mom and dad :])drove down with a couple of the grandkids to watch Heather play. They're staying here until Sunday to hopefully see us win the championship.

I caught a foulball in the Stadium field, actually almost caught TWO from the other field while waiting for our game to start. The temperature has been about 100 or so, but it's been ok to deal with. The girls hydrate through out the game so they haven't had issues either.

Everyone was on their own for dinner so Heather, Granddad, and I went to KFC across the street. Heather had a 9:30 pm curfew so we hustled her back to my room.

We had quiet a few playing cards tonight....let's see, I think about 10. I just got back so I'm glad we don't have a game until 1:45 pm.

1:35 a.m., 2:30 a.m.

Finished 1st in Pool Play at Nationals

The girls cruised to a 14-0 win in 5 innings. Did you watch? We had 80+ watch for the both games online. The game was ended early by the "mercy" rule. As a result of this Bonita Valley came in 1st in the pool and gets a "bye" in the first round of the double elimination tournament.

We came back to the hotel to freshen up before going to the Old Spaghetti Factory in Stockton. the girls went in the BV Van, and the parents carpooled to the location. About 50 of us in total. We used up a whole room :) The team paid for the meal! Woohoo. At first they had told us that only the girls would eat "free" but then we were informed that the whole team family would. I had my moola ready for my share just incase.

We headed back to hotel and I teamed up with one of the girls to play the fifth grader game - a trivia general knowledge game. We won! heheh...

Then some people started a scrabble game, and card games. So there was plenty of stuff to do! :)

Play Ball

We got up pretty early today. The girls played un-characteristically and trailed 3-0, the victim of a clear bad call, and a "routine" play for what should have been the third out. It didn't take long before we tied up at 3-3, and our manager sent one of the girls home to try to take the lead, but was thrown out at the plate.

The next inning, the girls showed what they could do and busted out 6 runs, and added 2 more in the 5th to "run rule" the other team. Found out that the majority of the team we played are HIGH SCHOOL girls, while our girls are going into the 8th and 9th this year. Glad they didn't know that beforehand!

We play at 1:45 p.m. for 1st place in pool play and then the seedings will be determined for the championship double-elimination bracket.

Nationals - Opening Ceremonies

The opening ceremonies for the 2007 Nationals was tonight. Here is a panoramic view of all the teams that were there. They went back many rows but I got on home plate and took this picture as quick as I could!

Here is our team as they announced "Bonita Valley!" They marched around the field and then took their spot on the outfield and faced the crowd. Teams were tossing candy and other items across the field. I collected all the smarties that I could find! :)

And since the games start tomorrow at 7:45 a.m. , we have to be there at 6:30 a.m. to start pre-game warm-ups! Wish us luck! Oh, we have to pay $40 to watch our kids play! What do you think of that?

US

Heather wanted a photo of both of us . . . So, here it is! Taken before dinner.

At the moment, we're preparing for the tournament registration and I'm waiting for Heather to get all "girly-ed up." Blow dryer still humming. Lucky I woke her up early! :)

City of Lard

I drove to the nearby city of "Manteca," which translates directly to LARD in Spanish. I wonder who came up with that one.

I ordered the fajita trio and Heather had some boneless buffalo wings for dinner. This was actually one of the first times that we had room for dessert. Here's the "Chocolate Molten Lava Peak." Nobody said we're on a diet or anything. We can start that up again when we get back from Nationals. :)

After we got back, the adults played cards, socialized, or just watched flat screen TV in the lobby. Some of the kids played cards, others were in the room playing PS2, or just doing girly things.

The girls are all in bed as they have registration tomorrow, and practice following that. Good night everyone.

Fear

We're experiencing a little downtime in the hotel right now and Heather and I are experimenting with the camera, video, etc...and I wanted to show her how lighting can affect the mood of the photo.

I came up behind her and got this picture...Can you tell it's a little dark in the room?

We found a "Blair Witch" type house VERY close by. Windows broken, weeds, trash, boarded up stuff, the usual abandoned house. Guess where we're going tonight with the full moon! I have the video camera all charged up and camera ready...Hope we make it back - safely.

Where should we have lunch?

Heather has resorted to a new method of communication. Something having to do with testing whether subliminal messaging actually works. Look very carefully at this photo and let me know if you can see the message...



hmmm, where do you think we might be going? :)

Good Morning!

Me: May I have the current access code for the internet, please?
Front: It's 489...[pause] Do you know X?
Me: Yes, I do.
Front: They left a message and didn't want to disturb you because they knew you were probably tired. They are on their way and will arrive a little before noon.
Me: Thank you! Was that the full code?
Front: I'm sorry, it's 4891. Can I help you with something else?
Me: No thank you. I appreciate the personalized voicemail :)
Me: [Punch in the code. Invalid code: 12 characters required]

I figured it out even in my half dazed state. I slept well though, but Heather's totally zonked. It's pitch black in here so you really can't tell the time but I know I have to wake her up shortly for breakfast! Hasta folks!

We're Here!

Heather and I headed out at 9:00 a.m. this morning and went to visit a friend since I had promised her. We stayed an hour before we headed out. We got some lunch in Oceanside since it was the last stop before civilization! We kept trying to figure out why traffic was stopping for no apparent reason. Well, something happened on the OTHER side of the freeway/highway. Nothing at all on our side and we were not moving at all.


We decided that we needed some munchies and use the restroom so we stopped and bought a couple of things :) Can you guess which are mine and which are Heather's?



One of those was consumed immediately.


Heather didn't last long after this and it was time for a power nap. As I was nearing our destination, I smelled the most foul stench. It wasn't until I drove a little further that I discovered the source - The mile of cows! It seemed like an endless mass of cows everywhere. Heather slept through the whole thing. Lucky her.




Heather knows her job and packed up our stuff to go to our room. Oh, we got here at 6:30 pm Pacific. It seems we have some baseball guys in the room next to us. One has Heather's number 9.

Nothing in that little cooler except water and sports drinks. We must bring the green blanket and black pillow. I'd be in trouble if I didn't bring them... ;)





I brought the PS2 again with some new games for Heather but when she went down to drop off the cart, I noticed that half the power cord was missing. Damn. I looked up a Best Buy in the area and we zoomed down there. Just as we got into the parking lot, Heather spots a SONIC. Her eyes lit up, so I told her that I'd take her.

I bought the power cord and drove up to Sonic.





It's been a year since I've been to a sonic (Nationals in Midland, Texas). Last year, I remember them taking forever to get our order for something really simple, but today the rollerblading girl got to us real quick.

Heather is throwing the Sonic frisbee in the hotel room, trying to hit me. :) I'm ready to zonk and she's all rested up and wanting to play her new games.


There doesn't seem like much to do here so we might go to the "Jelly Belly" Factory. Doesn't that sound exciting? Uh...didn't think so.

The temperature today was 106 F. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same!

Oscar the Death Cat

Apparently "Oscar" goes into rooms before a patient is about to die. The grim reaper sort of speak!

Now, can you imagine if you saw Oscar come into your room? I don't think it would give you that warm fuzzy feeling would it. But, they say most of the patients aren't really aware of what's going on and Oscar goes and snuggles with the patients before they die.

Michael Vick

Michael Vick is in a little trouble if you haven't heard. He's accused of cruelty to animals. Here he's going to court to plead "not guilty." If you saw the video footage he's strutting his way down the street adjusting his suit. He's asked for a trial by jury for sometime in November.

He's been suspended from the NFL, all his endorsements have been cancelled or suspended and he is fighting that he is guilty. Something that has confirmed to have taken place on his property.

I'm not a lawyer, but if I were his then I'd advise to do the mea culpa, and throw yourself at the mercy of the courts and the jury. Basically, he's wasting everyone's time, or is this another "Duke type case?"

Should all the NFL/companies/public wait until he is convicted before punishing him?

Bottled Water is Tap Water

Bottled water is more expensive than gasoline, but tap water costs about 1cent.

The makers of Aquafina ADMITTED PUBLICLY that their water doesn't come from some mountain top, super clean glacier river, or other perceived pure source but from THE TAP.

These bottled water companies are making BILLIONS on hoping we will assume their water is better than purified or filtered tap that you have in your home.

What do you think about this? Think the price will go down on bottled water?

Down At the Bay.

Today was a really slow day down by the bayfront. That's a photo of my work location. It was the perfect tourist day and I saw a lot of them walking around the piers and taking the little cruises. As I was waiting for my lunchdate, I saw some pedicabs cruising around and they kept asking me if I wanted a ride. I said no but stopped a couple to see if they would answer some questions.

I asked Fernanda how much she charged and she immediately said, $5.00, even for just taking my picture! LOL. I could tell she was a ham. I asked them both a bunch of questions. Seems Fernanda makes more money on the bay because she's wearing short-shorts. AJ makes more money on the hour tours and the hilly rides.

Just as I was asking AJ some questions, we saw a guy taking a picture of one of the pedicab girls rear end as she was pedaling he was the customer enjoying the view. Fernanda knows they do that and she says maybe it will get her a better tip. Seems like this is the best time for making money and they really don't fight for the customers except when the younger foreigners compete and get upset when they (foreignors) don't get "fares." Some pedi's have blankets, boomboxes. and other gimmicks to set them apart. AJ says that the first week his legs were completely wasted and he was sore especially after the gay pride parade.

Well, after I interviews I stopped by the "roach coach" and they made one of my favorites: chilaquiles with carne asada topped with an egg. It's not on the menu but they take care of me! :) That's Esther asking me if I'm buying lunch for both of us!

My friend says that after eating with her that we need to head to the gym. I;ve always liked the play on words here. They are moving the gym to inside the main building later but for now it's on the pier. Always someone there that is willing to help out with the work out.

The comic-con is in town this weekend and I think the following sign was drumming up support for the show Dexter on showtime. Yesterday, I got teased for reading this sign out loud and the ladies asked, "Is that why you don't have a girlfriend? haha"

Later on, I headed to Fry's and purchased the JVC GZ-HD7 with 60GB. It's charging now, so Heather and I will play with it on our trip to Stockton tomorrow!

Interesting email subject line: ASAP TODAY ASAP AS IN NOW. This is in regard to contract that I need to get my information in for. Well, I thought it was funny. :)

Camera Sensor Hot Spots

Put your camera in TV (Canon) mode or S ( Nikon) and expose a shot for 30" in the TOTAL DARKNESS - Yes, it will be black or so you hope. Upload the image and look over the image carefully and see how many spots you see.

Final Practice

[Photo of Girls] The girls had their final practice today before Nationals and it was a short one. John gave the team another one of those "talks." It seems there were more people at practice today to get the last details. than usual but it finally time to "get ir done?"

I posted the skype photo down below since you guys kept bugging me about it!

DOW fell 300+ today, Yikes! Wonder how many are going to go on buying spree. Was your portfolio hurt much?

Can You See My Point?

I just got asked right now whether I HAD to be right...I replied "Nope, but I'd like it if you SAW what my train of thought is." This means that you don't have to agree with me, but see where I'm coming from. If you've ever had a debate with me, then you'll often hear me say, "Can you see what I mean?" I'll listen to you and see your point, may not agree, but I'll see it.

Agree to disagree or argue to the end?

Too Early

Good Morning! Someone woke me up at 4:45 a.m. today because they wanted to talk and now an hour later, I can't sleep and since it's 15 minutes before I get up anyway.... I don't even remember the phone ringing or anything. I found myself talking. Hmmm, I wonder what I said. Did I even say, "Hello?"

But what was interesting is that I suddenly, was conscience enough to know that I was actively listening and trying to decipher who it was and what my response was going to be. Hmmm, OK - A follow up text message.

I can't remember the very first part of the call, so I'll have to ask. Crazy... that's all. I don't think that I'll be a zombie. OH!? That just reminded me! If you use Zombie in your blog, your content rating goes to PG. Just a random thought.

You ever get a call at a weird time and wonder who the heck is calling or why?

Stumbling for Words

I accidently recorded CNN (yup, the DVR is full again) and I zoomed by and saw that there was an explosion of some sort in Dallas. The funny part was that after the anchor said, "There has been an explosion near the I-35" He had to fill up a huge amount of time and I expected him to start telling us a story about the light pole or something. Besides, all the traffic that was diverted what much else can you say?

A Gift at My Door

This morning when I left, I saw a package on my doorstep, it wasn't for me, but addressed to someone that I have on my contact list. I messaged them saying, "Hey, I got a package here with your name!" They said, "Open it!" LOL It was a gift for me! Now that totally surprised me. Thank You! :)

Here it is in the dark. It's a gyro with blue LEDs and they are spinning in my hand like crazy. It kind of looks like an alien eyeball, doesn't it?

Minimum Wage Skyrockets!

Well, not really. The Federal minimum wage went from $5.15 USD to $5.85 USD. After TEN years the rate has gone up. I saw a commercial with a politician boasting about the rate increase today, but adjusted for inflation, this rate is inadequate.

Did you see the debate where they asked the candidates if they would work for the minimum wage? Most said, "yes." I liked Obama's answer stating that since everyone on the stage was doing well financially, then of course they would. I doubt they would...

Do you think businesses will raise prices to adjust to this new wage?

Skype Me!

Practice was short and the girls headed over to one of the girls house to design shirts for opening ceremonies up in Stockton. We already know who we play; a team that is near my folks.

Today was interesting in that I got to help out a novice set-up skype, and the webcam so that we could communicate. It was really an interesting process and I'm sure all you technical support people know that you have to describe everything on the screen to guide them. That sometimes doesn't work, but I've been doing this since I was 17 and when I'm about to get frustrated then I pretend they are teaching me something I have no clue about. We finally got everything working and I saw her smiling face on the screen. I think she's hooked. The funniest part was that she covered up the camera EVEN after the computer was off.

Do you get frustrated easily when trying to help someone if they don't understand?

Deep Sigh

I hate how making some decisions make you feel like crap.

Anyway, on a different note, a friend is RVing around the country and somehow ended up in San Diego! I took her, and her little girl out to lunch at a place they had wanted to go to. We sat outside for a long time talking and then I took them back. We have tentative plans for tomorrow if things go well.

Nothing really exciting at practice for the girls except they are in the playing with their sweatshirts and fine tuning their play. They received their new red sweatshirts with a grey liner today. They wanted those instead of jackets. We sang "Happy Birthday" to one of the moms today, she's 29 today! :)