Add To My List

I found two more songs that I just have to add to my song list before I forget.

Usher’s “OMG” is hot. It’s been one of my favorites for awhile, but hearing it recently has brought it to a whole ‘nother level. Haha. It’s awesome.

Akon’s “Beautiful” is probably my new favorite song. I almost melted on the spot when I heard it this weekend. I love it and it's going straight to the top of my list.

Yeah, my weekend is going pretty good. Gotta enjoy the rest of it while I can. ;-)

Sex And The City 2

Well what can I say? Knowing that the movie didn't receive great reviews, I knew what I was getting myself into. It was your average chick flick. I liked it enough not to demand my money back and considered it cute...but...just alright. Not great, but just alright. Man, when was the last movie that I saw in the theaters that I really liked? ...I can't remember...maybe Star Trek...? And that was awhile ago. You know, I’d really love to go the theaters and walk out of there loving it and wanting to see it again…that would be nice, but unfortunately it wasn’t this one.

Since I loved the first movie (it truly was the ultimate chick flick) I wanted to really like Sex and the City 2, really...I did. But just like with any other movie sequel, I knew that I was only setting myself up for a big disappointed. I mean really, when was the last time that you enjoyed the sequel of a movie just as much as you did the first one...? I can't say that I have an answer to that one. Anyway, I was so excited for the movie, I know that the hype I built up was probably too high for it to overcome...but you know me and my anticipation. :-/ And then after watching the previews (which were pretty awesome and had me hungry for some of the upcoming movies), I was definitely psyched for the movie. But seriously, the first, I would say, half an hour of the movie was just a waste of time. The big outrageous song and dance number known as a gay wedding was just so over the top that I was just bored. The rest of the movie wasn't that much better. Sure it picked up a little bit, there were some laughs, some mildly interesting dialogue, and some bare male chests to admire...but that was basically about it. Granted, I'm not a huge die-hard fan of the Sex and the City series (there seriously were women in line waiting for this movie dressed up as Carrie Bradshaw…true story)...I loved the first movie but didn't really follow it on TV at all. So take this for what you will.

In My Way

Yes...this was the view from my seat.

Need I say more?

Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is rapidly approaching and I’m excited. Not only does the holiday mean a long weekend and no work (wahoo), but Memorial Day is the holiday that kicks off summertime fun (bigger wahoo). Although, with the crappy weather that we’ve been dealing with lately, you’d never know that it’s the end of May.

Anyway, this holiday weekend totally snuck up on me. If I planned things better, I would’ve been able to make some super cool vacation plans and been able to hit the open road. I do have some vacation time that I need to kill…damnit. Oh well, next time, next time. :-/

Why am I itching to go on another vacation already? I mean, every time I bring it up, people don’t hesitate to remind me that I practically just got back from S. Korea/Japan (which is kinda true), so why do I feel the need to take off again…? My next vacation isn’t until the end of July…and I’m not sure I’m going to make it that long. Ugh. :-(

Ode To The Sharks

I defended you when people said you stink,
I love you more than I hate the color pink.
I had faith that you'd be able to make me proud,
I stood by your side and always cheered really loud.
I look back and wonder where things went wrong,
Now I can only console myself by listening to our "Hey" song.
What was I suppose to do when all those goals were being scored?
My hands were tied behind my back with a long cord.
I hate knowing that you let me down,
You're the reason I've been wearing such a frown.
I wish we could have another chance,
So that you could prove yourself and then we could advance.
But I can't think about that and what could have been,
It causes a pain that grows from within.
So I anxiously await for our chance next year,
And hope that my bad feelings will soon disappear.
I still can’t believe that you broke my heart,
I think this means that we might need some time apart.
So for now I think it's time for us to breakup,
Because you couldn't bring me back that big fuckin' Cup.

Interview Time

Well it's that time of year again. Time for scholarships. This is the...what...fourth year that I'm serving on Cal's Alumni Association's Scholarship Committee. In years past, I was just charged with sifting, reviewing and scoring scholarship applications. And this year, I have the opportunity to be on actual interview panels. Wahoo. I can't wait. It'll be nice to not only review the applications...but now get to meet these little pip-squeaks. So yeah, I'm excited. Interviews are tonight.

Every year I am more and more shocked by how idealistic some of these kids are. Was I like that at that age? Did I fly out of high school thinking that I was going to be able to change the world? I can't even remember. Haha! It's actually kinda scary to look back sometimes. But seriously, some of these little squirts are pretty impressive. I mean, I know that these applications have already been pre-screened and I get to read all the good ones, but still...I'm always impressed when I see them each year. Some of the stuff that these kids have done are just insanely cool. I wish I could go into detail...but I can't. But anyway, it's just nice to see these kids with such a strong inner drive and a deep rooted sense of passion...you know, before they have to enter the real world and get that beaten out of them. Haha. ;-)

And lastly, of course, sports talk. I'm too depressed to talk about the Sharks...so let's talk about the Giants. What the heck happened to them last night? How did they lose to the freakin' Diamondbacks 13-1?!?! Seriously, guys?!?! Ugh.

Working Out

After enduring the most heinous day yesterday (work and otherwise), I got some hardcore exercise in and then proceeded to feel ten times better. Now, I know all about the mental and physical benefits of working out...but seriously it doesn't do justice to how good I felt after exercising after a long stressful never-ending day. I can't begin to explain how stressful my day was yesterday...I still need to take a deep breath to calm myself down just thinking about it. Yeah, I know, it truly was that bad. But with the exercise...it didn't feel quite as unbearable.

I was never really a hardcore workout fan. To be honest, the whole point of working out just for the sake of working out just never appealed to me. But I have spent the better part of my life staying active and trying to keep myself in shape. Sure, when I was younger, it was a lot easier and I needed less motivation. I mean, I played a ton of sports and had no problem filling my time with activities. I experimented with gymnastics for a few years, I spent many summers swimming and enjoying the water, I played basketball and ran track in middle school, and have played tennis and soccer since I was a wee young bit...but you know, I was never one of those people who could run marathons in my sleep (yeah, I do know people like that). But hey, it gives me something to aspire to right? And in the last few weeks, I have been making a greater effort to work out more. If for no other reason than to calm my racing mind and keep myself sane. Probably not the best of reasons to be working out...but hey...what can I say? Anything that works right?

So I sit here feeling mildly better than I did yesterday...and I'm hoping that today (and the rest of the week for that matter) will go much better than it went yesterday.

Iron Man 2

I wanted to like Iron Man 2. I really did. I liked the first one and had pretty high hopes for its sequel. And after a mildly stressful week, I just wanted to kick back and enjoy the movie. Sadly, Iron Man 2 was not the movie for me.

The movie was too slow (especially the first 30 minutes). The characters needed more development (I mean, San Rockwell as Justin Hammer and Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko, couldn’t portray the villains as menacing as they could’ve been). And, more importantly, the fight scenes were totally lame (after one hit Vanko goes down…what’s up with that?). The only redeeming quality of the movie was watching Tony Stark toying around in his home laboratory…yup that was about it. All the cool flares that were in the first Iron Man movie were sadly lacking in the second one. Of course, Tony Stark is still the arrogant badass that I loved from the first movie…but that in and of itself couldn’t carry the movie. Although, it did help that Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, was pretty badass, so that was cool.

So that was that. Aside from the idiots smoking in the back of the theater and the lovebirds talking and making out in the row in front of us…it was surprising that I could concentrate on the movie at all. :-/

Reminder

You know, sometimes, I need a reminder why something is bad for me...whether it be emotionally, mentally, or physically bad for me…I just need that kick-in-the-butt reminder. I bring this up only because I get the feeling that I’m being tested. And I need to know and, more importantly remember, why it’s so bad for me. Consequently, I looked through some of my old stuff yesterday and it totally worked…and I got the kick in the head that I needed to keep my ass grounded and remember what’s important and why you suck.

Speaking of a kick in the head, my body is finally starting to feel better. I know, it’s about time, right? Well I had no problem taking the last couple days off to let my muscles relax and return to normal, and it's paid off because I’m finally feeling better. I mean, I can walk and do all my normal activities with no problem and no pain. Wow, what a concept, right? Haha. With that said, I am trying to get back into a normal workout routine…but given my crazy schedule, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen in the foreseeable future. It’s not for lack of trying…unfortunately.

And yes...Go Sharks!

Burning

The last couple of days I have been sooo good about keeping up with my workout regime. I know, you're shocked, I can tell. But what can I say? If you had to deal with the stress that I've had to deal with lately, you'd be working out to release some anger and tension too.

Let's see, on Monday night I gave Thai boxing a try, Tuesday night I let myself get dragged to the gym for a kickboxing class, and last night I got talked into running the stairs and jogging around the neighborhood. I have to be quite honest and say that I'm actually really sore right now. And I do mean really sore. I know that I wasn't feeling this sore Monday night/Tuesday morning after the Thai boxing class, but Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I was starting to feel my core muscles tense up after taking that kickboxing class, and last night/this morning I was really feeling the burn because of those damn stairs. My calves and thighs are burning, my stomach muscles are tight, and even my ribs hurt. Let me tell you, it was a struggle to get myself dressed this morning. The pain really is that bad. To be honest, I should have given myself a break after Monday night, but like I said…it’s all the freakin’ stress. :-/

Anyway, of course, I can’t end this post without talking about the Sharks. They're on fire! I missed the game on Tuesday because it was on so freakin' early (stupid east coast time), but hey, they won, so I'm happy. Sharks play tonight. Hopefully, they can pull off a sweep and guarantee themselves some extra days to rest before heading to the finals. And as for those Giants, they’re not doing so bad either, not great, but not bad. And Zito, man, is it just me or has he gotten really hot lately? I’ll take him any day. ;-)

Not Bad

I had my first experience with Muay Thai (Thai boxing) last night. I signed up for a class with some friends and was surprised that I didn’t do as bad as I thought I would. The class wasn’t as bad as I had feared and I’m not as sore as I had expected to be. I think it helps that I went with a group of friends and we were all basically in the same beginner boat. Last night’s first class focused on a ton of cardio, muscle toning and introductory fighting stance formation stuff as opposed to actual combat…but I can feel myself starting to get a little drunk on power and wanting to throw down and fight. Haha. Now I don’t know if this is something that I’m going to continue…but let me tell you, I can feel the potential of my core muscles getting super toned…and I’m definitely liking that.

On a separate note and speaking of not bad, man, those Sharks are killing it, don’t you think? They've got 2 games over the Wings and have been playin' like they own it. Thornton finally earned his keep and scored his first goal in this years playoffs (it's about goddamn time, big man). And, of course, Setoguchi and Pavelski have been on fire lately (very nice work, boys). C'mon Sharks, only two more games and you're into the conference finals. Looking forward to Game 3 tonight.

Little Joe, if you're reading this...call me. ;-)

I Hate Cats

I would like to assume that everyone and their mother knows about my hatred (and yes, I do mean hatred) for cats. All cats. I know this may be hard for some people to believe, because we're talking about a goddamn cat here...but yes, I hate cats.

Now before you send me any freakin' pictures of cats or try to convince me that cats possess all the good qualities missing in this world, let me just say that I've heard it all before. Every time I mention to someone that I'm not a cat person or that I just don't like cats in general, I get the same look of disbelief and the same pathetic response. People tell me that it's just because I haven't met the right cat. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say that their cat is so cute, or so well behaved, or so...whatever and if I meet their cat, I'd totally change my mind. But you know what? It doesn't matter. A cat is still a cat...and I hate cats. Period.

There have been some people dumb enough to question whether I exaggerate my hatred for cats...and let me assure you, I despise their existence and hate them all equally. And to be perfectly honest, if I saw a cat, I would kick it. Psh...you think I'm kidding. I'm not kidding.

As for my feelings on cats, don't say I didn't warn you.