Yawn - Saturday

It was a lazy Saturday. I didn't do much besides getting a hair cut and having a facial. It was really very relaxing.
I think I found a place to get a hair cut in the surrounding neighborhoods that won't cost $50. I found this place called Socorro's


Socorro's Beauty Salon
(sorry the picture is so small - I will figure out how to make it bigger)

The people there were very nice and friendly. The owner even offered me a gansito which I love. I think that won me over. They also paid compliments on my shoes and my shirt :) How could I not go back? And my hair looks pretty good.

Since I just moved to my neighborhood I have been trying to find out what it has to offer. There is a lot of hip and cool places to the north west of my neighborhood but to the east there are a lot of hole in the wall places. Those are the ones I am interested in, while I was running around I found an Asian market, an Italian shop with fresh pasta, and there are a lot of Mexican restaurants. There is also a little Thai restaurant and a lot of Vietnamese restaurants. Now I have to find someone to try these restaurants with me. I need to find a place that makes fresh baked sweet Mexican bread. That use to be my breakfast on Sunday mornings.

I have decided I will start incorporating pictures of the places in my neighborhood. Right outside of my place you can see all of downtown Dallas and it is a beautiful sight at night. As soon as I take one at night I will post it. I will need to figure out how to make the pictures bigger.


On a positive note: I did have another phone interview and I have a follow up interview on Tuesday. There are some pros and cons to this job.
Pros -
1. A lot more money (A LOT)
2. They are interested
3. They have two positions and they are only interviewing 3 candidates.
4. Great vacation benefits
5. Great medical benefits

Cons -
1. It is in FW (about 45 minutes away)
2. It is not the job I wanted.
3. It is in the defense industry. May conflict with my morals esp. the anti-war beliefs.
4. Once I get use to the money it would be hard to leave.

On a different note: I have been working with this guy on getting some stuff done. All of our communications have always been through email but yesterday he called me and his voice is SEXY. It is deep, masculine, and seductive. Yesterday we met up so he could give me some stuff and the voice matches the body and the personality. He seems like a really cool guy but he is really young. I think he is 22 or 23 and he is the artsy type. I love the artsy type...but the artsy type and my Type A personality don't really mix to well. Not that he showed any interest in me or anything. I am just saying.

Sleep Over's

I don't like it when men spend the night. It complicates things and it makes for a shitty day.
My reasons are:
1. You don't get any sleep (this is both a good and a bad thing).
2. He may be a snorer
3. He may be a sheet hog.
4. I am not use to having someone in my bed so every time he turns I wake up.
5. He gives off to much body heat and I wake up in puddles of sweat.

The sex was good though.

It's been a bad week!

Yea, a pretty shitty week indeed.

My boss quit yesterday so I decided to stay home today and continue my job search. It is pretty hard trying to find a job when everyone wants to know why I am leaving my current company after 4 months. Can I tell them that my current employer is corrupts? Can I tell them I feel like I am working in hell every time I show up to work? I have to find a better way to tell them why I am leaving.
On a better note, I do have some job leads and I had a phone interview this morning. At the end of the interview they tell me there isn't a job opening YET and that when there is it will probably be in Canada. I am cool with that, I like Canada.
I have been a ball of nerves. I didn't think my boss was leaving until the beginning of January but she said she couldn't take it anymore. She is trying to help us find jobs so hopefully her recomendations will help.

A dog peed on me. That is all I am going to say about that.

I am having my morning coffee right now (I know it is already 12:07 but I just woke up about an hour ago) and I am going to jump in the shower and go do some shopping to distract me for a minute. Tomorrow I am going to get a facial and make it a ME day. I need some pampering.

Predictions

O.K. So nobody is into making New Years Resolutions so how about we try to make some predictions (guesses) of what is going to happen for you in 2007, and if you want of each other.

I will start - feel free to join in:

I predict -
I will have a new job in 2006. Hopefully I will be living in DC and traveling a lot with my job.

I will loose 10 lbs and I will still not be happy with my body.

I will start talking to Wade again because I miss him but nothing will come out of it...I am willing to give it a shot anyway.

I will finish my masters program.

I will fall in love. Truly in love.

I am a Type A - That's not such a bad thing.

You Have A Type A Personality

A You are hyper, energetic, and always on the mood You tend to succeed at everything you attempt And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top! You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

New Year...New me?

I am not one to make new years resolutions because I don't follow through with them, and I really don't know anyone else who does. But there are some things I want to do this coming year but I won't call them new years resolutions.
This coming year I want to:
1. Finish my masters
2. Loose 10 lbs.
3. Dust off my camera and take more pictures.
4. Take karate or boxing lessons
5. Read more

That is it. I should be able to do all of these if I put some effort into it.

Do you make resolutions?

Happy New Year

This has been a very exciting year for me, both personally and professionally. I switched jobs and started working for a high tech company which turned out not to be the best decision I have made but I did learn a lot and I worked for the best boss anyone could ever ask for. Personally, I met some great people through some activities I was involved in and I made at least one life long friend. I also bought a condo this year and I love my new neighborhood. And hopefully around this same time next year I will have my masters and I will be done with school.

Overall, it has been a great new year and I hope this year was as great to you as it was to me.

Here’s my wish for all of you in 2006:
A year of happiness, opportunity, peace, luck, love and the power to make your positive dreams come true!

I am jealous

I am jealous of those interesting people that always manage to find something interesting in their lives to write about. I have nothing...so I write about nothing.

I could write about how I gained 4 lbs since I have been jogging but that won't be interesting.

I could write about how I really hurt my back, that would be interesting but it would also be embarrassing.

I could write about everything that is going on at work but I am afraid that would only manage to depress me and you.

Other than that I don't have anything new to report.

Ohhh, My Back

I decided to escape my family after two days. My plan was to spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday with them in Fort Worth but after Saturday and Sunday I packed my overnight bag and I came back home. No drama, I was just tired of sharing a bed with my little brother (or not so little, he is 21) and not having a moment of piece and quiet.

Yesterday I went shopping with my friend Juan and I got a great coat. I also found a really great pair of shoes but they only had the left shoe so I didn't get them. Later Chico, Juan and I went to see Memoirs of a Geisha. I was very disappointed with the movie. I was expecting it to be better because the book was so great but they left out so many of the good parts. I truly don't believe that anyone who hasn't read the book will enjoy the movie but Chico has a different opinion.

I am in so much pain right now. My back is killing me. I am not sure what I did (I do but I don't want to air out my dirty laundry) to deserve this. It hurts to walk, it hurts to sit, it even hurts laugh. I think I need some strong pain medication but I don't want to go to the doctor for back pain. I think I will just wait it out and hopefully it will go away in a few days.

Note to self: Don't try that again.

Christmas with the family

As always, Christmas was a big production. I won't bore you with to much details I will just say that kids performed, adults played games, and like the last few years we had a kareoke contest (which I did not win even though the judges were my parents) all in all we had a great time.
The picture above is of the gifts when I got to my sisters house. I was the first one there so by the time everyone else arrived there were a ton of gifts. I left my sisters house around 2:30 in the morning and the kids had opened their gifts and the adults hadn't even started.

I got some good gifts this year. My favorite was the one that my mom gave me, she made me a quilt that is just absolutely amazing. I love it and it is very warm.

I hope the rest of you had a great holiday!

Did you like your gifts?
What was the best gift you got?
Is it really the thought that counts?

Persona non grata

I have become a persona non grata at my previous place of employment. I received an email from one of my ex employees who informed me she was in trouble for communicating with me and was asked to cease all communications. I originally thought one of the analyst who I have also been communicating with told my old boss because she has been known to have loose lips but my employee told me her new boss had been reading her emails.

Can you believe it? She was reading her emails.

Her new boss also use to work for me and when I left she was promoted. Before I left I, along with the 2 other managers in the department, strongly discouraged my boss and my director from promoting her because of her lack of social skills and her negative attitude but apparently they didn't listen. Now they have people who want to leave because she is a complete and total Bitch and she lacks the basic social and communication skills the rest of us learned at the age of 5.

So...now that I know I am not suppose to be communicating with them I am dropping off Christmas cards at the security desk and I am sending them all an e-card. I am doing it because I too can be a total and complete Asshole but most importantly I am doing it because I worked there for 7 years and I made some good friends while I was there. If my old boss or the Bitch have an issue with me they can take it up with me directly and leave the people that stayed behind alone.

The greatest love story ever told

I saw King Kong last night with my friend Juan and the movie is amazing. It is action packed and I was scared so many times that I thought I had peed in my pants (no not really). I never saw the original movie so it was all new to me and in my opinion King Kong is the greatest love story ever told. Speaking of Love, I love Adrien Brody. Well I love his nose. Some of you know I have a thing for noses. No, I don't go home and masturbate thinking of noses but I think a guy with a great nose and good check bone structure is HOT. And by a great nose I don't mean small and slender, I mean big, crocked, or somehow different. I know, I am weird but I love noses...what can I do. On a side note, you also get to see Adrien shirtless and it made me fall even more in love with him.

On a totally different note:
I just paid $296 for my school text books. Why are books so expensive? I have decided to take 2 graduate courses this coming semester instead of three since things are a bit uncertain with my current situation. I also decided to take both classes online so I won't have to drive to class in case I have to move cities or states.
If all goes according to my plan I will be done with my masters in 2006. I can't wait to get it over with. I am still considering going to law school but I have to study for the LSAT and bring my LSAT score way up before I get to excited about getting admitted into law school.

On a completely totally unrelated note:
I get to go home tomorrow at 10 a.m. I am excited. I am going to go to lunch with friends and then I may go watch Brokeback Mountain. Not sure of the plan yet, I am just excited to be going home early.

If I don't get to write or read your blogs before the Holidays have a great time and enjoy every minute you spend with your friends and family.

I don't mean to brag

but although I never cook I am pretty good at it. My friend Kathy and I meet at my place for lunch about once a week. Normally we order food but last night I decided I wanted to cook lunch for us. So I started cooking and it turned out delicious. I baked pork marinated in lemon and basil/cilantro, I also made some couscous, and some rice pilaf. So today we met at my place for lunch and we had a wonderful lunch with great food and even better company. True to our tradition, Kathy brought the dessert, an Italian cake from Neimans. I don't mean to brag but the pork was heavenly...the couscous was divine...and the rice pilaf was so so.

One of these days I may cook for you :)

On a side note: Thanks for your help Joey Destino. I can now insert hyperlinks without appearing as if I had meant to do bullet points. Check out his website, great pictures but even better stories. (I am still trying to figure out who HSNB is.)

Oh what fun it is to ride.....

(I bet some of you were thinking dirty thoughts)

on a one horse open sleigh...

I am almost done Christmas shopping. I almost wish I didn't celebrate this holiday!!!! (notice the exclamation marks...I really mean this) I always feel obligated to get people gifts even if I don't like them just because they got me something. I wasn't planning on getting anything for my co-workers because I just started here and I really don't know them to well but they all got me something so now I have to do the same. I was thinking about going to Bath and Body Works and getting them a basket with goodies but I just remembered of a suggestion that was made by

Shigeki

about getting them

chocolates

and I may do just that.

On a positive note, I am almost done Christmas shopping. I need to buy a gift for my parents, my little brother, and 4 other miscellaneous gifts. I know what I am getting everyone though. GIFTCARDS! I know it is impersonal but my parents would really appreciate a gift card rather than buying them something they will need to pack and take back with them to California. My little brother is so picky that I just don't know what to get him and the other 4...well...I just can't think of what to get them. So tonight I am going shopping and I will be done.

On a side note - does anyone know how I can get rid of the bullet when I insert links in my post?

My Friends are Drunks

Last night there was a holiday/anniversary get together at Havana for the non profit that I use to be the president of. My friend Chico and I were only planning on staying there for a little while because we had other things to do but one thing led to another and next thing you know it is midnight and we are still there. I was planning on taking a cab home because I rode with Chico but his roommate took me home at a little past midnight while the rest of the crazy kids stayed behind and kept partying.

Around 9 a.m. this morning I sent three of the guys that stayed till the end a text message and this is how the conversation went:
Me: I drank to much. I may still be drunk.
Friend 1: I ha8 life right now.
Friend 2: Me 2 i am home rt now.
Friend 3: Oh me too. Just waking up.

I had a 2 hour meeting with my boss and I kept thinking...I am going to throw up, I am going to throw up. Luckily I made it out of there without throwing up but I almost fell asleep in her office.

I have a BIG decision to make this weekend and I was planning on thinking and drinking my weekend away but after last night I decided to speed up the decision making process and avoid the alcohol.

I am not as young as I use to be.

The Elephants

Ever since I moved to my new place I have been speculating about what my neighbors,

The Elephants

,are doing when they make all of the noise. First I thought they were training for a marathon because they walk from one side of their home to the other all day long, then I thought they were bowling because I would hear something drop and roll, I later found out that they had a dog. Last night I got to see this dog. I thought it was a BIG dog like a German Shepard, a Bulldog, or something along those lines but last night I got to see the dog that makes most of the noise (the humans are still the ones training for a marathon not the dog). Guess what breed this dog is? Go on guess.


Ready? It is a pug. A freaking pug. How can such a small dog make so much noise? It seriously sounds like he is dropping a ball and rolling it across the floor. I now have to come up with a plan to make this dog disappear.

One of the guys did apologize for being a heavy walker (I didn't say anything). We were all leaving our homes at the same time and he asked me if the noise was loud.

Nothing New to Report

I wish my life was more interesting but unfortunately I have nothing new to report.

I did start jogging last night. I went for a jog in my neighborhood around 9 p.m. and it was nice to do something physical again. I am committing myself to jog 3-4 days a week. I only joged about 1 mile last night but I want to bring that up to 3 to 4 miles a day. We will see how it goes, I need to loose about 5 - 10 lbs. which is not much and shouldn't take me very long to loose them provided I stick with it. I am also going to start trying out gyms in my new neighborhood this week. There are some really nice gyms a few blocks away but I don't really feel like paying $68 to work out. Although this gym has some really great amenities like... they wash your car for you, they have a full spa, they have two heated indoor pools, all kinds of classes, and did I mention they wash your car for you?
But still, I am not sure I want to pay $68 when I can go to another gym a few miles away and pay $30 (but they don't have as many classes and they don't wash your car for you).

I am also considering taking a karate/Tae Kwan Do (sp?) class at a place two blocks from my house. I think that would be interesting and I have always wanted to take a class like this. Well, I have always wanted to take boxing classes but since the karate school is so close I think I will give that a try.

Work sucks right now. It is very stressful and I am actually busy. We just received news yesterday that they are moving my department to another building about 15 - 20 minutes away. I am not really happy about that because I live less than 8 minutes from work right now.

That is all I have...send good thoughts my way.

Warning: Do Not Leave Candle Unattended

I am so glad they put that warming on candles. This weekend while I was unpacking I came to a box of candles so I decided to light one up. As the day progressed I kept doing other things and later while I was on the phone with my cell phone provider my smoke detector beeped once, at first I didn't pay any attention because I was trying to take care of an issue but then it beeped again, and then it just kept beeping so I turned around and I look at my coffee table and there on top of my favorite tray was a little fire caused by the candle I was burning. The fire was self contained in the candle holder that came with the candle. Well, it was self contained until I tried to put it out. First I started to fan it with some files laying on the floor, then I threw a glass of water and that only managed to make the fire bigger and the candle holder shatter. After all was said and done I had wax all over the tray, pieces of glass everywhere and a horrible smell in my new place.

To make things worse, I screamed like a little girl while I was on the phone with my cell phone provider. I will say, that was the best service I have ever had from Cingular, she had to call me back several times to take care of the issue and each time she asked me if I was okay and if my place had stopped smelling. Because of this I am nominating Alex Mendoza with Cingular for Best Customer Support of the Year.

And yes, the smell is gone. It is now safe to come and visit me.

Winter Mess

What would you have done if you didn't have to work today?

All week the weather reporters have been forecasting a winter nightmare with sleet and snow covering our streets. It was suppose to happen yesterday and we I was hopeing for the worst but all we got was some sleet that didn't stick and cold weather. Normally when it snows or sleet in Dallas/Fort Worth the city is shut down and hardly anybody has to go to work. I wanted to take the day to rest and read a good book but instead I am at work. I did wake up late though, I decided I would take an extra hour of sleep just in case it was bad and I didn't have to come to work but living a few minutes away from work doesn't give you much of an excuse.

I hope you guys enjoy your day!!

Unpacking Sucks

How long did it take you to completely move in to your current place? And by completely I mean how long did it take you to unpack all of your boxes and place everything where it belongs?

I think it is going to take me months. I am to busy in the afternoons to unpack anything so I am going to have to do it over the next few weekend. Every time I open a new box I take the stuff out and I put everything on the kitchen table and I pray and hope that by the time I get home the little elves would have put all of my stuff up. Do you remember the story of the elves that made shoes while the shoemaker and his wife slept? What was it called? Well, that is exactly what I want, minus the

shoes

. Actually, if they made me

shoes

I would probably be happier...I can worry about arranging my stuff later. Once I am done decorating I will post some pictures.

My drive to work

Today was the first day I drove to work from my new home. My drive has been reduced from 1 - 1.5 hours to...drum role please...8 minutes. 8 minutes, isn't that great? That is 8 minutes from the time I close my door to the time I open my office door. I even stopped at the cleaners to drop off some clothes. Incredible.

I even woke up an hour and a half later than I use to so hopefully I won't be sleep deprived anymore. Life is GREAT!

Move & My New neighbor's

I finally moved in this weekend and my new place is slowly getting to feel like home. The movers brought my stuff on Saturday morning so I had most of the afternoon to unpack and arrange. I made the guys from the moving company move my furniture several times before I was happy with the location. Actually, it really wasn't me, my friend Kathy was passing by and she came in to help me out. I had no clue what I was going to do with my furniture...thank goodness she has a nack for decorating.

I spent all day Saturday unpacking and decorating but I still have a long way to go. My furniture is a little to big for this place but I am managing to make it work. It is hard moving from a house to a condo...don't ever do it....although there are advantages. I will give you my final verdict in a few months.

Last night I had a few friends over to keep me company for a little while...that little while turned into hours, and hours. I have never drank so much beer and eaten so much pizza in all of my life. We had a great time but I was exhausted from unpacking all day. Needless to say my Sunday was pretty much wasted. I didn't wake up until 11 and by the time I decided to get out of bed and going it was way late. I did manage to go back to my old place and picking up some more stuff that I needed. As of now all of the stuff I brought back with my is sitting in my living room...maybe I will get around to putting it away this week...maybe.

I met some of my neighbors and one of them pointed out where all of the gay people live...apparently there is a lot of us in my little community. Hopefully they are all not full of drama. I can already tell I am going to strongly dislike my neighbors from upstairs. They are load but I am not sure it is their fault. Every time they take one step I can hear them and it is driving me crazy. I have never been in an apartment type setting so I have never had to deal with this sort of thing. I should have thought about that before I purchased this place. I am sure I will get use to it but sometimes it sounds like they are bowling up there. My mother came over last Thursday to help me do some stuff and she things I am exaggerating and my friend Juan things I am being a bit to dramatic but it does bother me. Right now I can hear their t.v. and it is loud. But I probably shouldn't complain to much because we were here until 3 or 4 a.m. last night laughing and being loud. Maybe with time I will get to know and love my elephant neighbors.

How Impersonal!!!

Last night I was at dinner with one of my friends who is visiting from Los Angeles and while we are having dinner I receive a text message. Normally I silence my phone when I eat but we were having such a good time that I completely forgot about it.
It turns out to be a text message from the guy that was suppose to rent my house and in this text message he tells me that he after some consideration they will not be able to rent my house.

I know we are living in a high tech world but come on. I think this is the equivalent of breaking up with someone over email...or sending electronic flowers.

Does anyone else think this was impersonal?

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha going to do...

Originally I thought I wasn't going to get an alarm system in my new home because I didn't want an additional bill and I didn't want to set up a home phone but after going to the police website and checking out the crime statistics I am not sure sure I can do without an alarm.



The red is either aggravated assault, murder or BMV related and the blue is either residential burglary or individual robbery.

Does't it look scary? That is a lot of red and blue.


After zooming in it doesn't look so bad.


Mostly theft, car theft and business theft. I will still have to consider getting an alarm...I don't want my home to be one of the ones that get burglarized but at the same time I don't know I want that monthly bill. We will see.

Thanksgiving, dreams, and other random things

Thanksgiving was great. We normally don't celebrate Thanksgiving in my family but this year we all got together since my mom is in town. We had two turkeys, and all of the side foods plus some Mexican additions to the table such as salsa, flan and tortillas :) It was way to much food and way to many deserts but I enjoyed every bite of it.

So I was at my new place yesterday after work and I met with one of my friends who is a contractor and he looked at some of the things I want to get done before I move in. One of those is hard wood floors. We measured and then we went to Home Depot to look at the different colors and types. The hottest guy helped us, his name is Aaron and he speaks with the cutest lisp. I have to go back and return some stuff I bought and buy new door locks. Maybe I will get Aaron to help me :) This will definitely be my new Home Depot!
My friend

Chico

joined us and while we were waiting at my place for my contractor friend to show up we discovered that I have an elephant living above me. This guy is going to be loud. When I was back there today he kept walking back and forth from one side to the other. I may have to go elephant hunting soon.

I am going to be painting all day tomorrow and Saturday. I am not looking forward to it but I did most of the prep work today. I drove up there early in the morning and I put tape down, filled holes, caulked, and fixed some other stuff. After I paint it will be ready for me to move in. My friend

Chico

will be helping me and I am thankful for that. Maybe it will take half as long now that I will have help. If any of you are in the neighborhood swing by and pick up a paint brush. Free food and

Chico

is bringing the wine.

I have had a some-what re-occurring dream the last three days. It always involves me and another guy who apparently is my boyfriend. Last night we were going on a trip together to one of my social events and I was helping him pack by telling him what I needed him to wear while we were there (two suits, a black one with the stripes and a charcoal gray one). And that would normally sound like me telling people what I need them to do but then I did something socking...I asked him what he needed me to pack. Although this doesn't sound like much, it is a pretty big deal for me. I am not self-absorbed, but after so many years of being single I usually don't change my habits after I meet a guy. It is still about me first and about our relationship second. I know it is bad, I know I should change. Maybe the fact that this guy has been for 3 days in a row means a long relationship is on its way. :) I can always hope right :)

I hope I dream of him tonight.

Condo

I closed on my condo today and I am beyond excited!

I can't help but feel guilty though, my mother came to town from L.A. to help me clean my house and pack, sell, and throw away everything I have in our current house. Since she got here I have noticed that she has been a little sad because she is packing, throwing away, and selling some of her stuff. Although this is my house, everyone (my family)calls it 'our' house. This is where my parents stay when they come to town. This is where we celebrate our family Christmas, New Years, and other holidays even though my house is the smallest out of my brothers and sisters houses. This is where my sisters families stay when their a/c or their house is being worked on. And finally, this is where my brother lives when he is on vacation from college.

Anyway, even though my sisters are happy for me they are a little sad also...but I am still happy...one of my friends who was visiting from Aguascalientes MX this past week told me I am a selfish during one of our conversations about relationships. Selfish with my time. Selfish with my emotions. And maybe it also translates to my family. Selfish...maybe I agree. But how could I not feel happy?

Anyway, my mood has changed since I started this post. I planned on telling you guys about my real estate agent and the gift he game me after we closed, the colours I want to paint my new place, and the plans for the house warming party. That will have to wait for another time.

Hello Doctor & Weekend Update

So I met this guy at a gathering over the weekend and he is cute, smart, funny, lives in the same state as I do, and he is adorable. I just don't know if he is interested in me or not. It was a brief conversation, actually not so brief I now know most of his history. We talked, we laughed, we flirted (or I flirted...I think he was flirting with me also) and we had a good time. I gave him my number before I was dragged away so hopefully he will call me. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I think he may be a keeper.

Soo...Saturday morning I decided I was going to take the wallpaper off in the restroom, paint, and fix it up a little before I rent out my house. Well, I should have had this idea before my mother came to town. I love her to death but she made my simple weekend project last a lot longer than I wanted it to. She decided it would look better if we added texture to the walls, and I don't know how to do that so now we are going to wait until my father visits for Christmas to fix the restroom. It looks horrible, all of the wallpaper is down. I will be glad when I finally move.

Other than that my weekend was pretty uneventful. I went shopping with my one of my friends who gets a discount at a major retailer and I took advantage of his friends and family discount. I now have more than what I will need to decorate my new place.

Oh, the guy is a med student and is currently doing his rotations.

Why Me?

This morning as I am getting ready for work I decide to be a rebel. That is right, I decided to be a rebel. Normally I wear a suit and tie to work but today I, Cesar the Rebel, I decided not to wear a suit and only wear slacks, a dress shirt and a tie.
I was just informed a few minutes ago that we will have a meeting with our General Counsel at 10:30 and I don't have a suit jacket to wear.

This is what happens when I am spontaneous. Next time you guys tell me that I need to step out of my box and be more spontaneous I will remind of November the 18th when I took a chance, became a rebel and wound up in a quandary.

Bomb

Since my mom is home right now and she is going to have all kinds of GOOOOOD food cooked for me when I get home, I decided to take my 3 hour final during lunch today instead of doing it after work. I am not sure what happened but I completely bombed the final. Completely.
I studied so hard and I even passed up on a couple of opportunities to go out and have a good time to stay home and study.

Para desquitarme (I don't know how to say it in english but it is something like...now to get revenge) I am going to have a few drinks tonight.

The Case of the Missing Suitcase

My mother came into town yesterday for a long visit and I picked her up from the airport. As we are waiting at baggage claim C25 we catch up, wait for her luggage, decide where we want to have dinner, wait for her luggage, talk about my family and wait, and we wait some more. Next thing you know there are two lonely suitcases in the carousel and everyone is gone except for this couple with two young kids and my mothers suitcase is nowhere to be found. Luckily there is a baggage desk right next to C25 so I asked the guy (who I think was from Nigeria b/c of his accent)and he points to the carousel and asks me "Is that your suit case?" I look at it, then at him and I say "No" as if he had just asked the dumbest question in the world. So the search begins. 15 minutes later my mother and I are snacking on some chips and drinking a diet coke and he comes up and says "I am sorry sir but we cannot find your suitcase we will continue to look for it, do you want to come back?" and since I don't live so close to the airport we wait...and wait...he comes back with a big smile on his face and he tells me they found my mother suitcase. Guess where it was? Go on, Guess.

It was spinning on the carousel the whole time. The whole time. The same suitcase he asked about earlier. So I looked at the guy apologetically, took the suit case, and we left the airport embarrassed but laughing all the way to the restaurant.

It turns out my mother forgot she had borrowed my dads suitcase because hers was to small. It was very funny.

Work It

I was running late this morning because I didn't have a good nights rest. I kept having a dream that I don't care to retell (and no, it wasn't a dirty dream). But anyway, as I am rushing in my building I am putting on my suit coat and my security guard tells me "Looking Good. Looking Good. Work It. Alright!"

What does that mean? Have I become so gay that even my security guard knows it? Does it mean anything?

I thought it was funny, I smiled and said "Thanks".

It's the little things

I am so proud of myself! Last night I was driving around running errands and there the only place I could park was on the street to so I had to attempt parallel parking. Normally if I have to parallel park I either keep driving until I find a better parking space or I pay to park OR who ever is in the car with me parks my car. Not yesterday. I was in a hurry and had to be somewhere else so instead of driving around I paralleled park without any coaching or without any embarrassing situations. It probably took me a little longer than most but I was proud never the less.
I freaking paralleled park!

Sarah...do you remember our Sears Driving School days? Would you ever have thought that I would be capable of such thing?

Studying, Shootings, and Weekend Update

I don't really have much to say, I didn't do much this weekend other than study so it was rather uneventful. I went to a little dinner gathering on Friday in FW and had a good time. I think I was sitting next to one of my friends ex boyfriends but I am not really sure, we talked most of the night and by the end of the night everyone thought we were flirting...No, not really...we were just having a really good conversation.

I had two meetings on Saturday for a nonprofit...I don't normally talk to much about this part of my life just because I don't really know what to say or how to say it. Being the president of a nonprofit is a lot of work. I will leave it at that.

There was a shooting three blocks down from me on Saturday. Scary isn't it? Some kids were driving by and they shot at a house where a black couple and their small child(ren) live. It wasn't gang related (I don't think we have gangs in our neighborhood) so I was a little confused on why anyone would want to shoot at the home of a couple with young children. One of my neighbors thinks it was racially motivated.
I passed by the house and there were a lot of HUGE bullet holes. I don't know anything about guns but I would think the guns they used must have been powerful.
I don't think anyone was hurt but I can't image disliking anyone or a group of people so much that I would want to hurt them. Not to long ago someone I know told me he hated me...I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt a little at the moment but that didn't last very long. I can't expect everyone to like me, I was more shocked by the public, immature and childish way in which it was done. Anyway, back to my story... I can't imagine disliking anyone so much that I would want to hurt them.
Thinking of this event made me think of the KKK and the march against Proposition 2 in Austin and how their hatred has hurt so many people. It made me think of the countless killings each year that happen around the world because of differences in ideology. The countless of lives that are cut short because someone hated so much they were able to take someone's life.
Next time you find yourself using the word hate think of the hate groups that use this word as part of their vocabulary and the groups that have become associated with this word. Do you really want anything to do with that?

Sentimental Fool

Sentimental Fool
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

I have been cleaning my house and I have come to the conclusion that I am a sentimental fool. I keep so many things that remind me of good times...bad times...and everything in between.

While I was cleaning I threw out so much that I filled my recycling bin and my trash can with stuff that I wanted to keep at one point.
The heart is an example of one of those things. This heart was given to me by one of my good friends,

Kerry

. She gave it to me along with a black and white tiger that said "I am wild about you" and it is made out of starburst wrappers. Isn't it cute?

I probably should have thrown it out but I decided to keep it in one of my boxes that I am putting in storage. I don't get to see

Kerry

anymore and the fact that she cared enough to make this for me means a lot to me. That is the problem with wanting to clean my house and unclutter it a little, everything has sentimental value or I wouldn't have kept it

Big Mistake

Do you guys watch Sex in the City? Did you watch the episode where Carrie is trying to get over Big (I know, she is always trying to get over Big)and she calls up her fuck buddy and thinks she could possible build a relationship and invites him to dinner only to realize they have nothing to in common?

Well, I made a similar mistake last night. I went to see a play with some friends in Fort Worth and I invited an old "friend". I was running terrible late so we grabbed a quick bite to eat and the conversation was just awkward. He is a nice guy but is just not for me I guess. He has a little to much attitude and I don't think he realizes he has attitude. On top of that he is lacking some social skills. He was falling asleep at the play, how embarrassing is that? I finally asked him to go outside.

Oh, by the way. The play was great.

What is wrong with you?

Actually, what is wrong with me? As I have mentioned in previous post, I have a lot more free time at work at my new job than I use to at my old one so I when I get bored I surf the net and I read other peoples blogs. I have found some really interesting blogs out there but there is one problem. Nobody ever updates their blogs so I have nothing to read while I am bored.

What is wrong with you guys? Why don't you update your blog for me so I can be entertained?

Hopefully I won't be bored for to long, I am being placed in a special project this week that should take a lot of my time. I love the project environment, everything is critical and there is little room for mistake. Stress...how I love thee.

I hope you guys are having a blessed day. (A lady at work use to say that....do you remember her Kerry?)

Cesar Needs

As I was surfing the net today during work I came across

Sam's

blog with a meme. So in my infinite boredom I tried it out.

Here are the instructions...Visit

Google.com

, put your first name and the word needs in quotations (e.g., "Cesar needs" ) in the search box, and then click the Google Search button. Write down the top 10 results.

01. Cesar needs Care
02. Cesar needs Your Help!
Cesareasr needs a Pal
04. Cesar needs someone to refresh his memory on his training and keep him active.
05. Cesar needs to be deported back to Spain
06. Cesar - needs help!
07. Cesar needs your feedback
08. Cesar needs to work on its timing.
09. Cesar needs to walk a delicate line while addressing the problem.
10. Cesar needs to improve in the second half

Two out of ten say I need help. I would totally agree.

Klutz

Have I mentioned that I have become a total and complete klutz? One of my friends said that it could be because of my lack of sleep...I want to believe that.

Yesterday, I had a huge red stain on the back of my shirt so I was forced to walk around with my suit jacket every where I went. I have also been spilling food all over myself when I go out to lunch.

Today...Today of all days!!! I ripped my pants...right on the side by my pocket. You can see my underwear...It is huge...I can't go home because it is not even noon...so I am going to stick it out here for a few more hours, close the door to my office and avoid human contact at all cost.

I use to have such great eye hand coordination.

Condo Bylaws

My real estate agent (who is a total and complete hottie) dropped off my paper work for the condo I put a bid on yesterday and I don't think I can move into a place that places so many restrictions on how you live your life.
Here are a few of the restrictions listed on the bylaws:

1. I can't have a waterbed in the condo...it is a structural hazard.
2. I can't carry on any immoral, improper, unlawful or offensive activities.
3. I can't keep horses, cows, hogs, sheep, goats ducks, chicken or turkeys.

Now, I can live with 1 and 3. I hate attribute and my place will be way to small to have and cows BUT how am I suppose to live my life without being able to carry on immoral or unlawful activity? I am just completely lost, I may call the whole deal off.

No, not really. I love the place. It is small but it is just me so I don't need the three bedroom house I am living in now. As it is, I only use one of the bedrooms, one of the bathrooms, the living room and the kitchen. The rest of the house goes unused.

As soon as I have pictures I will post them. I am going to have some minor work done to it before I move in :) I can't wait. It has TWO huge patios that will be great for entertaining.

Just Like Me

During one of my meditation or yoga classes I learned to play a game called "Just Like Me". I normally play this game when I am stuck in traffic or when I am waiting in line. Now that I am driving to Dallas for work everyday and I am stuck in traffic for an hour or an hour and a half I get to play it a lot more often.

This morning I was stuck in traffic for an hour and a half because of two accidents off of 20 and 67.

So here is how you play...while sitting in traffic you look at the person in the car next to yours and you say "Just Like Me he/she is in a hurry to get to work" or "Just Like Me he/she feels abandoned by (insert name of ex-boyfriend here)". The point of the game is to express your feelings openly and out loud (to yourself) by projecting your feelings onto someone else. Sometimes you may feel a certain way but until you actually express your feelings out loud it doesn't really hit you how you actually feel about it.

I really enjoy playing this game, you should give it a try.

I have great news!!! I may not be making the drive to Dallas anymore...I may actually be living in Dallas soon. I placed a contract on a condo last night, hopefully they will accept my offer and I can move around Thanksgiving. All I have to do now is find renters for my house in Fort Worth.

Addictions & Meditation

I went to a 3 hour lecture on meditation this weekend. A zen monastery close to my house had a visiting nun from Canada and when they have guest they usually have a reception to allow the community to hear the thoughts of the honored guest. I can't remember this lady's name but she was very interesting. Her main focus was on meditation, of course, but more specifically it was about how to use meditation to overcome addictions. Normally when we think of addictions we think of alcohol, drugs, smoking, and those sorts of things but she included addictions such as self loathing, over eating, hatred of others, negative thoughts, etc. It was so interesting and very revealing. She showed us how to spot these addictions in our own personality, how to acknowledge these addictions as we are doing them, and what to do if we want to stop.

I discovered that my addictions are:
1. Negative Thoughts
2. Eating
3. Shopping
4. Sleeping

She made the analogy of an addiction being a bad itch, the more you scratch it the more it itches. So, I am sure my addictions will get worse before it gets better.

Most of us don't normally take the time to hear ourselves think. Spending three hours in a monastery and being at peace with yourself and with those around you is such a wonderful experience. I use to go a lot on Saturday mornings for the meditation lecture and to meditate for an hour but I stopped going several months ago. I am now going to make an effort to go at least once a month and spend sometime by myself.

If You Love GOD, Say No to Halloween

If You Love GOD, Say No to Halloween
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

This flier was left on my door on Sunday October the 30th.

Smelly Candle Lady

There is a lady two doors down from my boss’s office that has a candle on all of the time. It is the worst candle smell ever. It is one of those .99 cent store candles that use cheap scented oil and even cheaper wax. I don’t know how to describe the scent other than cheap and oily. It is horrible.

I think I mentioned before that we are running out of room in our building so there are conference rooms with 3 to 4 people in them and Smelly Candle Lady shares an office with another lady. I don’t know how the other lady stands it, if it was me I would have already asked her to turn it off. Maybe I should drop off a good candle on her desk and put everyone around her out of their misery.

I walked by her office about 15 minutes ago and I can still smell the candle. It is horrible.

KB - do you remember how you felt when you sat next to Bad Perfume Lady? Well, it is 100 times worse.

Rosa Parks, civil rights heroine, is dead

It has been reported that Rosa Parks died earlier today. May she rest in peace and may we all accomplish and build a legacy half as great as hers.

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm6901_20051024.htm

To Much Fun

To Much Fun
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Someone had to much fun this weekend.

There is nothing worse than throwing out empty bottles of alcohol after a night of drinking and realizing that you are a drunk.

Boy or Girl

Boy or Girl
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

This is Kate and Kate's owners have a question on her gender.

This weekend I was at my sister’s house and she was telling me that she is taking Kate to the vet find out if Kate is a boy or a girl.

Is it me or is it obvious? I could not stop laughing, has she not seen her cat? Are they blind?

What do you think?


(I know the cat should have been neutered by now...that will also happen on Monday)

Pictures of My Life

I am going to start de-cluttering my house, actually I have already started, and I have found items that make me wonder what I was thinking when I bought them. As I find new items I am going to post them on my blog. I don't think I will find anything embarrassing, I think I threw all of that out a few years ago when my mother was staying with me for a few months.

I have a lot of crap I use to buy at the P1 sample sale. While you are at the sale you just put things in the bag, you really don't have time to figure out what it is or what you will use it for so you just grab and bag. I am sure I have a lot of things in my closets that I never intended to use but I felt bad getting rid of them because I had paid money for them.

Is there anything in your house that you would be embarrassed to have someone else find? Or do you own something but are you not sure why you have it?

When you moved, did you find anything interesting?

China Town

China Town
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

This is the entrance to China Town in San Francisco.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

The tower in the background is Coit Tower, from the top you can see all of SF and the bay. It is beautiful.

Protesters

Protesters
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Once a month the people of San Francisco take to the streets in thier bikes to protest. They congest traffic and for about 30 minutes all you can hear is honking.
I love these people.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

On to San Francisco...this is Lomard street, it is the worlds most crooked street.

Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

We went to Little Tokyo and we came across a festival they were having. I am not sure what the drummers are called but they were amazing.

Disney Center in LA

Disney Center in LA
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Isn't it beautiful?

Chinese Theater

Chinese Theater
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

These are pictures of my trip to Los Angeles with Chico.

Work

I think I have mentioned that I never see anyone where I work now. I spend most of my day in my office in the corner of a building and nobody ever passes by my door. My team mates are in a different building that is literally located a block away so I try not to go to their building unless I really need to. It's a lonely existence but I like it...sometimes.

Anyway, I never see anyone over here, I just hear voices and the occational "That fucking son of a bitch!" or "FUCK" or "SHIT" or some guy saying "Beth did you pull the deposition for the ______ case?" So I either keep my door closed most of the time or I have my ear phones on.

Anyway, there is a guy up here that has a voice that gives me the chills, in a good way of course. I can hear him talking in his deep voice. His deep sexy voice. I have no clue what he looks like but I imagine him to be around 6 feet tall, with piercing blue eyes that let me look into his soul, brown hair, and looks that would stop traffic. Doesn't he sound dreamy?

One of these days I am going to find out who he is and ask him to marry me.

All Systems Down

Most of the systems I work with or think I work with are down this morning at work. For a technology company they seem to have these issues very often. Anyway so I had to options 1. Read the Regulations or 2. Kill time online. I obviously choose the latter.
I didn't do much this weekend. The only productive thing that I can think of is installing my wireless network at home yesterday. I am not very technical and I figured I would need help installing it but it was as the instructions claimed to be "Easy as 1, 2, 3.".

I was feeling kind of down because of all of the things going on in my world and because of occurrences of last week so I did drink a bit more than I should have. But other than that I had a pretty uneventful weekend.

I am considering going on vacation at the end of this month to California but I am still not sure I want to spend the money. I just need to get away for a while and clear my head.

If I don't talk or see you guys, I hope you have a GREAT week.

I am not one to judge, but

people at my new office don't really care about how they look when they leave their house in the morning. I am not saying I look like a super model when I come to work but I at least have pressed clothes on. Some of these people look like they rolled out of bed and decided to come to work.
I am so glad I am so glad the area I am in right now has a business professional dress code or I may end up looking like the rest of these people.

At my old job people use to dress up to go to work, it was like a freaking fashion show every day. Here it is the complete opposite. That will take some getting use to.

Damn! The boy is HOT!

Did anyone catch the Oprah show tonight with Ricky Martin? Damn! The Boy is HOT!. I am going to run out and buy the CD tomorrow.

Chico,
Did you record it? I want the show. Do you have it?

My First Week on the New Job

I started my new job on the 5th of October and I love it so far. The commute is not as bad as I thought it was going to be and I am still figuring out new shortcuts to avoid traffic.

I am still not entirely sure what my new company does. I know what I will be doing and how it affects other areas of the company but I am not sure what those other areas are.

My first few days were spent doing training and getting to know everyone I will be working with. My group is in one building and I am in a completely different building so training hasn't been very convenient. I can't wait for them to let me loose so I can stay in my office all day long.

Speaking of offices, did I mention my office is HUGE? I am on the same floor as some of the big wigs of the company and the legal team and they all have huge offices. I have already been warned that my set up is temporary until they figure out what building my team will be working from. My department is fairly new (6 months old) so we are still in limbo.

I think I am going to love it here.

My favorite new website

I found a website that I think is just awesome. The website is called

PostSecret

and people send in post cards with their secrets on them. I am thinking about submitting a few of my own such as "I am gay and nobody knows it" or "I secretly wish today was Wednesday". But seriously take a look at it, it is a great site.

I am a prisoner in my own home (help)

I have a baby lizard living in my home and I am terrified. Every time I walk through the kitchen it dashes across the room and sends me screaming and running like a little girl and I don't know what to do. I know I shouldn't be afraid of a tiny defenseless animal but it always catches me off guard. I can't kill it because that would just be wrong but I don't want it living with me. Doesn't it miss his/her mamma? Doesn't it want to go back home?

If you have any good lizard catching tips let me know.

Welcome to the Family

As many of you know I have been wanting a dog for a very long time and since I never got one I have decided to adopt a virtual pet. Her name is Fatima, isn't she adorable?

California

I had such a great time in California. I am finally back in TX (not that I want to be back) and enjoying my busy life once again. Although I have been back for exactly a week I still keep hoping that I will wake up in the morning and find myself in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
It was a great vacation, Chico went with me and we went out every night we were there except for 2 days. That is 10 days of going out and staying out until at least 1 a.m. and up to 5 a.m. When I got back I was exhausted. I don't regret it though, we met some great people and I came back with a GREAT tan. I know, I know, I am Mexican, how much of a tan could I have gotten...but let me tell you...I have the perfect color now. I wish I was this dark all of the time.
Here are some highlights of the trip:
Saw Family (Mom, Dad, Sister)
Took Chico to see some of the tourist stuff
SPENT TIME AT THE BEACH
Did some great shopping
Went to San Francisco
Had some time to think

I know the recap is short and it doesn't have a lot of details but I can't bring myself to bore you with 12 days full of stuff in one entry. I will just say I had fun and I can't wait to go back again.

One more thing...I did some shopping while I was there and bought some great casual clothes. This past Friday I was at a local bar and I came to the realization that I would never be able to wear the clothes I bought. The new clothes are casual and I live in an uptight, pretentious city. I guess I will have to put them away until I go on vacation again.

I Confess

My confessions

[ ] I am bisexual

[x ] I am homosexual

[ ]I've run away from home

[] I listen to political music.

[ ] I collect comic books.

[X I shut others out when I'm sad

[X] I open up to others easily -

[X] I am keeping a secret from the world

[X] I watch the news

[ ] I own over 5 rap CDs

[ ] I own an ipod they jacked IT!

[] I own something from Hot Topic

[X] I love Disney movies.

[ ] I am a sucker for brown hair

[ ]I don't kill bugs.

[x] I curse regularly.

[ ] I have "x"s in my screen name.

[] I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.

[ ] I love Spam (wait.. spam maill?? or food spam?? well either..

[ ] I bake well

[x] I would wear pajamas to school.

[] I own something from Abercrombie

[X] I have a job

[X ] I love Martha Stewart.

[X WELL, IN MY OWN WAY] I am in love with someone.

[ ] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS

[X] I am self conscious.

[X] I like to laugh.

[] I smoke a pack a day.

[] loved Go Ask Alice.

[x] I have cough drops when I'm not sick

[ ] I can't swallow pills. - i have to break them in half

[ ] I have many scars

[x]I've been out of this country

[ X] I believe in ghosts.

[ ] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room

[x ] I am really ticklish.

[x] I LOOOVE chocolate.

[X ] I bite my nails

[X] I am comfortable with being me

[] I play computer games/video games when I'm bored

[ X ] Gotten lost in the city

[] Saw a shooting star.

[] I had a serious Surgery.

[X] Gone out in public in your pajamas

[X ] I have kissed a stranger.

[] Hugged a stranger.

[] been in a fist fight with the same sex.

[] Been arrested.

[]Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose.

[] Pushed all the buttons on an elevator

[X] Made out in an elevator.

[] Swore at your parents.

[] Kicked a guy where it hurts

[ ] Been skydiving.

[ ] Been bungee jumping.

[] Broken a bone.

[x] Played spin the bottle.

[X] Gotten stitches

[ ] Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.

[X] Bitten someone.

[ ] Been to Yosemite Falls.

[X] Gotten the chicken pox.

[] Crashed into a car.

[ ] Been to Japan

[X] Ridden in a taxi

[] Shoplifted.

[] Been fired.

[X] had feelings for someone who didn't have them back

[ ] Stole something from your job.

[x] Gone on a blind date.

[x] Had a crush on a teacher/coach.

[] Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

[X ] Been to Europe.

[x ] Slept with a co-worker.

[ ] Been married

[ ] Gotten divorced.

[] Saw someone dying.

[x] Driven over 400 miles in one day.

[X ] Been to Canada.

[X] Been on a plane.

[] Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[] Thrown up in a bar.

[X] Eaten Sushi.

[ ] Been snowboarding.

[ ] Been skiing.

[X] Been ice skating.

[X] Met someone in person from the internet.

[ ] Been to a motocross show.

[x] Going to or have gone to college.

[] Done hard drugs

[X] Taken painkillers.

[ ] Cheated on someone else ..

pass this on with your own confessions

Kids are a zest pool of disease.

My 2 nephews and my niece are here from California on vacation. The boys have been staying at my house a lot and I really enjoy having them there, they add laughter and life to my house. Last week, the boys went to stay with one of my sisters who had sick children and late last week my nephews got sick. One of them had fever, diarrhea and was throwing up. While the other starting coughing, had blisters in his mouth, had fever, and was throwing up.

Well, on Sunday I got it. It all started around 1 and from 1 to midnight I was throwing up about every 15 minutes. I couldn't even keep down water, it was horrible. I felt as if I was going to die. I have never been that sick in all of my life. While I was doubled over the toilet I kept thinking about how those kids are a zest pool of disease and then...the oldest boy came over to the bathroom to check up on me and to see if I needed anything. I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world. My own bother didn't even do that. He was so cute, I took care of him while he was sick and I would keep bringing him medicine, seven up and crackers and he wanted to do the same thing. How cute is that? I now know that all liquids make it worse so I was actually making him sicker rather than helping him out, I didn't tell him that though.

Other than having a HUGE headache, being a little dizzy, and having a throwing back pain I am all better now. I am still afraid to eat so I have only had a yogurt and a glass of orange juice since yesterday morning. I am very hungry but I am afraid to eat. On a positive note, I am 5 lbs skinnier today :) Aren't diseases wonderful for diets?

My friend Juan

I have a friend name Juan, yes just one friend named Juan and for his birthday party he decided to change outfits several different times throughout the night to see if anyone noticed. Well, today I have done the same thing, although it wasn't planned. This morning when I left the house I didn't look at my schedule and I didn't realize I had a meeting this afternoon and I was wearing a work shirt with a logo. So I went home for lunch and I changed. I am now waiting to see if anyone notices.

Gray Hair

If I hear "You have so much gray hair!" ONE more time...I swear I am going to start shooting someone.
Yes, I do have gray hair!
Yes, I am getting old!
No, it is not because I worry to much!
No, I don't color my hair!

I feel better!

I am not a quitter but I am going to quit

I am officially done smoking. I was sitting at home tonight working on some non profit stuff and I had a huge craving for a cigarette. Luckily I had some left over from this weekend so I went outside and smoked one. Although I recently starting smoking socially it is starting to become a bad habit. The more I smoke the more I crave it. Smoking is so relaxing, after you take your first drag you become so relaxed and it feels oh sooo good. While I was sitting outside I realized that I don't want to be a smoker anymore. I am taking the cigarettes I have left and I am going to take them with work with me tomorrow and throw them in the trash.

How could something so bad make you feel so good?

It's been a long, long time

So much has happened since my last post but most of you that keep up with me know most of it. I am going to try to get back intoit and keep most of my life online...well not most of it but the part that I want to share online.

Toronto, The Weekend, and other happenings.

My trip to Canada was good. Just good. I have always enjoyed taking trips by myself because it lets me clear my head, relax, and give my vocal cords a rest, but this time my trip was uneventful. It is all my fault, I know, I am usually very anal about planning my trips down to the last detail but this time I decided to just figure it out when I got there which was a big mistake. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the city and what it had to offer.
Before I left I kept monitoring the weather in CA and it was always in the 40’s and low 50’s so I was ready with my coat and lots and lots of sweaters. When I get to the airport I noticed that everyone is wearing shorts and t-shirts so I knew my coat was probably a bit overboard. Although for me 50 is still cold, apparently in CA 50 is great weather. When I get to CA the weather is beautiful and I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to wearing my scarf that doubles as a shawl, it even matched my coat and everything. Perhaps I will get to use my scarf next winter.
When I first got to Toronto my first impression was of a NYC pre Gulianni. Do you remember NYC when it was full of graffiti and dirty? That is what Toronto reminds me of, although it isn’t as bad and it is a lot safer that was my first impression. I really didn’t do anything on Friday because I got in kind of late and I was really tired. Saturday was spent walking through the different neighborhoods and relaxing in many of the public squares they have in Toronto. I did all of the typical touristy stuff like going to CN Tower, Rogers Center (?), China Tow, The Gay Village, Greek Town, some sort of market, etc. I had the BEST Dim Sum, EVER!!! I went to this little place in China Town off of Padina and it was amazing, the best dim sum I have ever had by far. That night I met up with Carlos and Kim and they took me to one of their favorite restaurants where Kim ordered all of our food in Cantonese for the three of us without asking what we want to eat. I was a little disturbed by that, I LOVE food and I like to have a say in what I am going to eat. Soon after, the staff was bringing lots of food to the table, by a lot I mean 8 different dishes. 8…….there were only three of us. Needless to say we hardly made a dent in the food but it was good.
After dinner we went out to the gay bars in Toronto. Have you ever seen the show Queer as Folk? Have you noticed how gay, crowded, and lively their gay neighborhood is? Toronto is nothing like that. I have seen the show once or twice before and I thought the gay district looked very big and so full of people. Well, when we got there the hood is only 2 city blocks. I was a little disappointed but the clubs were good. They played good music and they are very small so they don’t let a lot of people in at the same time. I think they must bus people in from the surrounding cities when they film the show because there was hardly anyone there. I met some people from Dallas that night and it seems a lot of us fled the DFW area for the weekend. We exchanged numbers so we could get together when we got back to town but I already misplaced their numbers. Maybe they will call me.

I was suppose to go to Niagara Falls on Sunday with a tour from the hotel I was staying at but I did something I don’t normally do, I slept in. I forgot to ask the hotel for a wake up call so I didn’t wake up on time. So instead of Niagara Falls, which I was really looking forward to going to, I walked around the city and did some more shopping (see previous entry).
On Sunday there was a protest in front of my hotel, it seems protesters like to follow me wherever I go, so I walked over to the group to find out what they were protesting and it turns out that it was the Falum Dong school of thought from China. Recently, Wade has become a big follower of their philosophies and has started practicing but he has never been able to explain the philosophies to me in a manner in which I can understand so I sat through a little lecture and a meditation session that helped me get a better idea of what they are all about. I still don’t understand all of their ideas and philosophies but I have a better grasp of the whole thing.


I really didn’t get to do much after the conference started because I had to try to get some work done in the afternoons while I was in Canada. I had to switch hotels to be closer to the conference and it would have cost me CAD50 to get to downtown Toronto so I decided to stick around the hotel area. There really wasn’t much to do in the afternoons around the hotel so we all (including my new love) hanged out in the hotel and drank. A lot. The conference had a social hour immediately following the conference and we all took advantage of the free drink opportunities. It was great, I love drinking with compliance people, they get so passionate about compliance issues that it is kind of funny. They had raffles every afternoon and I won twice but I had to pass on the opportunity because of the luggage situation. Next time I am going to pack an extra bag just in case.

That is really all I have to report. I met some interesting people and I learned a lot about what is going on in the industry.

Toronto, The Weekend, and other happenings.

My trip to Canada was good. Just good. I have always enjoyed taking trips by myself because it lets me clear my head, relax, and give my vocal cords a rest, but this time my trip was uneventful. It is all my fault, I know, I am usually very anal about planning my trips down to the last detail but this time I decided to just figure it out when I got there which was a big mistake. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the city and what it had to offer.
Before I left I kept monitoring the weather in CA and it was always in the 40’s and low 50’s so I was ready with my coat and lots and lots of sweaters. When I get to the airport I noticed that everyone is wearing shorts and t-shirts so I knew my coat was probably a bit overboard. Although for me 50 is still cold, apparently in CA 50 is great weather. When I get to CA the weather is beautiful and I was kind of disappointed because I was looking forward to wearing my scarf that doubles as a shawl, it even matched my coat and everything. Perhaps I will get to use my scarf next winter.
When I first got to Toronto my first impression was of a NYC pre Gulianni. Do you remember NYC when it was full of graffiti and dirty? That is what Toronto reminds me of, although it isn’t as bad and it is a lot safer that was my first impression. I really didn’t do anything on Friday because I got in kind of late and I was really tired. Saturday was spent walking through the different neighborhoods and relaxing in many of the public squares they have in Toronto. I did all of the typical touristy stuff like going to CN Tower, Rogers Center (?), China Tow, The Gay Village, Greek Town, some sort of market, etc. I had the BEST Dim Sum, EVER!!! I went to this little place in China Town off of Padina and it was amazing, the best dim sum I have ever had by far. That night I met up with Carlos and Kim and they took me to one of their favorite restaurants where Kim ordered all of our food in Cantonese for the three of us without asking what we want to eat. I was a little disturbed by that, I LOVE food and I like to have a say in what I am going to eat. Soon after, the staff was bringing lots of food to the table, by a lot I mean 8 different dishes. 8…….there were only three of us. Needless to say we hardly made a dent in the food but it was good.
After dinner we went out to the gay bars in Toronto. Have you ever seen the show Queer as Folk? Have you noticed how gay, crowded, and lively their gay neighborhood is? Toronto is nothing like that. I have seen the show once or twice before and I thought the gay district looked very big and so full of people. Well, when we got there the hood is only 2 city blocks. I was a little disappointed but the clubs were good. They played good music and they are very small so they don’t let a lot of people in at the same time. I think they must bus people in from the surrounding cities when they film the show because there was hardly anyone there. I met some people from Dallas that night and it seems a lot of us fled the DFW area for the weekend. We exchanged numbers so we could get together when we got back to town but I already misplaced their numbers. Maybe they will call me.

I was suppose to go to Niagara Falls on Sunday with a tour from the hotel I was staying at but I did something I don’t normally do, I slept in. I forgot to ask the hotel for a wake up call so I didn’t wake up on time. So instead of Niagara Falls, which I was really looking forward to going to, I walked around the city and did some more shopping (see previous entry).
On Sunday there was a protest in front of my hotel, it seems protesters like to follow me wherever I go, so I walked over to the group to find out what they were protesting and it turns out that it was the Falum Dong school of thought from China. Recently, Wade has become a big follower of their philosophies and has started practicing but he has never been able to explain the philosophies to me in a manner in which I can understand so I sat through a little lecture and a meditation session that helped me get a better idea of what they are all about. I still don’t understand all of their ideas and philosophies but I have a better grasp of the whole thing.


I really didn’t get to do much after the conference started because I had to try to get some work done in the afternoons while I was in Canada. I had to switch hotels to be closer to the conference and it would have cost me CAD50 to get to downtown Toronto so I decided to stick around the hotel area. There really wasn’t much to do in the afternoons around the hotel so we all (including my new love) hanged out in the hotel and drank. A lot. The conference had a social hour immediately following the conference and we all took advantage of the free drink opportunities. It was great, I love drinking with compliance people, they get so passionate about compliance issues that it is kind of funny. They had raffles every afternoon and I won twice but I had to pass on the opportunity because of the luggage situation. Next time I am going to pack an extra bag just in case.

That is really all I have to report. I met some interesting people and I learned a lot about what is going on in the industry.

I am in love

I knew it was bound to happen in Canada, I just didn’t know with whom. I fell in love. His name is (say it with a Yugoslavian/French accent) Hugo and he is absolutely adorable. He has the sexiest accent I have ever heard, and although he doesn’t know it yet, he is mine, all mine. I sat by him for most of the conference just to hear him speak and I got chills every time he said my name…uhhhhhh. Wait, I need a moment……. Alright, I am ready now. He works for a company that manufactures paper and paper products and he gets a discount on toilet paper. Isn’t that fabulous? Toilet paper, we all use toilet paper and it’s not like you could ever have to much toilet paper. Just when you’ve given up on using the facilities you have to go again. You always need more. I seriously think I am in love, if nothing else just for the benefits that would coming with dating someone like Hugo.

I have an addiction.

I am about to make a confession, a confession that I hope my friends and family don’t use against me later or judge harshly. Just remember, I am only human and I am allowed to have flaws.

I have an addiction. Yes, I have a problem. I have kept it a secret for many years now but this weekend forced me to look at myself from a different angle and it showed me that I am a weak, weak man. I can’t help it; sometimes I just do it because it is there. I don’t really need it, but I can’t seem to stop myself. My addiction is shopping. More specifically, shopping for shoes. I have more shoes than anyone I know, I really don’t need one more pair but I couldn’t help it. There are so many shoe stores in Toronto it was like being in heaven, a dirty heaven but heaven nevertheless. I started shopping on Saturday and I did pretty good, I bought a few shirts and some other things I don’t need and will probably never use. On Sunday, I broke down. I walked into a shoe store, just to check it out, I didn’t want the shoes to feel neglected, and I walked out with a pair of shoes. I promised myself that I wasn’t going to buy anything else that day because I didn’t have room in my suitcase. Later that day I was walking passed an Aldo’s shoe store and I couldn’t help but go in. There was a sign on the window that said 50% off. Yes, 50%. I love Aldo shoes and I normally buy their shoes for the full price so I had to go in. How could I not, it was half off. At first I didn’t see anything that I liked but give me 15 minutes in a store and I walked out with two pairs of shoes. If you are keeping track, that is 3 pairs total. Keep in mind that I don’t have space in my luggage to take them back home. Aldo’s is based in Canada and they are the Starbucks of Canada, they have stores in every corner. As I am walking through the city I keep running into more Aldo shoe stores and I am starting to believe that they were strategically placed in my path to test my will power. I seriously saw and went into at least 5 Aldo shoe stores within a mile radius. All said and done I ended p with 4 pairs of shoes. WAIT, before you judge me, they were on sale and I got a GREAT deal on all of them, except maybe the first pair I bought, but I love them and I would never think about taking them back.

I go back home tomorrow and I am wondering what trick I will need to pull to get all of these shoes back home. I am at a conference full of logistics and compliance professionals, perhaps I should propose my situation as a case study and have them provide a solution and a rate quote by the end of the day.

Oh, one more thing. All of the boots at Aldo’s were on sale. Had they had them in my size I would have bough two pairs. Guess what I am doing this weekend? I am going to the closest Aldo’s in TX and looking for my boots.

I am ready for an intervention.

Week in review

The whole time change has really screwed me up three times now. I think I have updated all of the watches, clocks, alarms, etc that I have so it should not happen again. I can't be late anymore.

I finally reserved my hotel for my trip to Canada. Thanks to my friend Noboru I got a reeealy good deal at a really nice hotel. I still don't know what I am going to do while I am there but at least I have part of it taken care of. The hotel I am staying at is close to everything so I may just plan it in when I get there. I can't wait to get out of town.

I talked to W. today and him and his 25 closest friends are going to Vegas in June/July. I am considering joining them. They are staying at The Palm, I am not sure I can afford that. But who knows, it will be nice to go to Vegas with people who actually like to have some fun. I can finally have the Vegas experience I didn't get last time I was there. Who knows.....it will be a good opportunity to spend some time with W. and get out of town again.

WOW Weekend

Climbing
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Here are a few pictures of my weekend and the ropes course I took as part of a leadership course. It was the most amazing time I have had with a group of strangers in my life. If I could do it over again....I would.

Sunday I took part of the Tarrant County AIDS Walk but we were a little late so we missed most of the people.

Tight Wire

Tight Wire
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Tight Wire Pose

Tight Wire Pose
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Log

Log
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Transfering

Transfering
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Tight Rope 4

Tight Rope 4
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Swinging

Swinging
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

I figured out why The Straights get married

My brother has been visiting this week for Spring Break and all week long he has been cleaning and cooking. When I get home from work or from whatever activity I have going on there is something in the refrigerator waiting for me. I had pork chops one night and steak the other. Who could ask for anything else? And it really wasn’t all about the food, it was more about sharing household chores. He cooks, I clean, I take out the trash, etc.
So I was thinking, is this why The Straights get married? Two people, half the work. It makes total sense to me. Although some (especially women) would argue that women do most of the work, the fact that you have two people working towards the same goal makes things so much easier. This whole sharing responsibility thing is wonderful. I have made a decision. A decision that I hope to keep. I, CR, will get married or move in with someone within the next year…or 2…or 10. Yes, within the next 10 years. Imagine how much more convenient my life would be.

That is it, my petition to for The Gays to get married is the mail.

New York New York

New York New York
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Metal and Fabric

Metal and Fabric
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Metal and Sky

Metal and Sky
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Golden Goose

Golden Goose
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

The Real Vegas Part 2

The Real Vegas Part 2
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

The Real Vegas Part 1

The Real Vegas Part 1
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

Vegas At Night

Vegas At Night
Originally uploaded by kai7710.

View from the top of the Eiffel Tower

My House is a Home AGAIN.

I cleaned for a few hours on Sunday and my house is clean once again. I have been a bit busy for the past few weeks and have not had a chance to clean my house until today. It smells clean, it looks uncluttered, and I feel at home again. When my house is a mess I would rather not be here because it makes me feels as if my life was also a mess and I would rather not think about that.
I got a lot done today, I almost finished my PM paper, I took a bunch of books to Half Price, I cleaned, and I visited with family. I decided to put my homework off for today, that means I will need to do it during the week.

I also got a chance to upload my pictures from Vegas so I will be posting a few of those later.

Vegas

I am back from Vegas and I had a good time.

I am not going to bore you with to much of the details because 1. I know you don't care and 2. I can't write freely about what I want to write.
I got to see my parents on Sunday in Vegas and that was the highlight of my trip. I thought about hiding in the trunk of their car and have them take me back home to California. I was so close to going back home...so close. (Humming California here I come..or is it San Francisco here I come?)I think my parents would love to have me back in CA, I just don't think I could ever live with them.

Anyway. Here is a summary of my trip in 50 word or less, Ready?

Missed flight and had to wait at airport for almost six hours. Didn't gamble that much, visited with parents. Did some shopping. Hanged around the pool and relaxed. Walked a lot, my feet hurt. For the juicy part, you are going to have to call me and find out.

Mid Week and all is Well

I have another presentation tomorrow and I am not ready. I have tried to prepare but I am just not into it. The good thing is that it is about compliance issues in CA and I know the subject like the back of my hand so it should not be to difficult. I just hope I can fill my one hour slot with useless information that nobody will remember after they have left the room.

I also have a lunch with my co-workers. They decided they wanted to do an "international" theme lunch so everyone is bringing a dish that they have prepared at home. If you have talked to me about work lately you know how disappointed I am with my work team. I just don't think I can sit there for two hours and pretend to be happy with them. I still don't know what I am taking, I am probably going to stop at a grocery chain and pick something up. Or if I conveniently forget, I can say I am not going to go and eat their food since I didn't bring anything.

KB...why did you abandon me? WHY? Oh, I have a lot of news to tell you. A bunch of people are leaving the P. You are going to be so surprised when I tell you who it is. There are definitely more changes coming, I can feel it.
I was looking at the SR list and you still have like 4 SR's out there. Even after you left your ideas are still working for us. :)

It is mid week...but I guess all is not well. Have you noticed that have been complaining in most of my post lately? I need to get that attitude in check.