Just a boy playing with his little cars

Funny, growing up I used to have an endless amount of Hot Wheels. I never thought to collect them. Now, some 25 years later, I wish I had the money and the space to start collecting some of these. The space would be coming soon. I should be moving into my apartment any time now. The money is what is harder to come by. The Carl Edwards Office Depot Owner Series one will run me about 100 bucks. Throw in the autographed display case for another 40 and you can see how quickly this collection can empty out my bank account. If you consider there are 5 drivers on the Roush team. And you consider the cars run about 70 to 100 bucks each. Then just collecting 1 car from each of my Roush boys will be around 500 buckaroonies. Man it sucks being broke.

Can't wait for September 1st!!!

I received some good news today. NASCAR 06: Total Team Control will be released on September 1st! I can hardly contain my excitement. This lastest version of the game finally takes the "team" aspect of race car driving into consideration. Using a headset you can give VOICE commands to your Crew Chief and to the rest of your team. You can also use the right analog stick to send commands to your teammates.

You can tell your crew chief to change all four or just the left sides, tell him to put in a round of wedge, ask him for some stickers, or for scuffs. I actually do not know just how many voice commands the crew chief understands but these are all rather basic.

I can't wait!

How the fuck isn't it apparent?

You want to print the entire help document. You push the Print button. Windows presents you with a dialog box and asks Do you wish to print the current topic or do you want to print the current topic and all of its sub-topics?

Apparently it isn't apparent that to print the entire help document you select the option to print the current topic and ALL OF ITS SUB-TOPICS!!!

Here's your sign.

I woke up Drunk

It was 7:30am when I rolled out of bed to realize that I was still drunk. We went to Mr. Moe's last night. I only had 4 beers and 2 shots of Patron. I will leave the detail that two of those beers were the big Mr. Moe sized mugs out of this story. Oh, and I will also neglect to mention that the shot glasses seemed larger than normal. The gym is going to suck arse. The trainer is going to punish me and it's going to hurt.

Slow to Post, on an island

It's been a long and tough couple of weeks for me. I haven't been posting because I've been exhausted. Long, tough hours at work. Even the gym has suffered. I have not gone in several days.

I want to post how my other home has been overtaken by estrogen. The other male, Aaron is on holiday. Away from a computer for the month of August. That makes me the only male. Well Mike is supposed to be part of our culture but he has gone Missing in Action after only 1 post. And to make matters worse, Diane took it upon herself to recruit more estrogen. She's invited another female, making what little balance there was in this world completely skewed.

I cannot wait until Aaron returns. Maybe he can openly back me up. I know of one of the ladies who agrees with me but won't post because she is afraid of the out lash. I encouraged her to go ahead and post but the site has been unreachable for the past couple days so it wouldn't matter anyway.

This post won't make much sense if you don't know my other home. I am hoping that our Chairwoman of the Board reads this and gets our webhost to fix whatever problems they are having.

Should I Move?

I don't know if I am ready to move just yet. I am just getting used to this place, its quirks, its inadequacies, its cookie cutter look. The most important quality it has is that it's mine. It's my home. However, I must confess that there is another Blog I have been frequenting.

Yes my faithful readers. I have been cheating on you. I've been unfaithful. But can you blame me? Diane's built this super sexy, super sleek, super unique new place for all of her blogging cohorts. A Super Blog of sorts. A Justice Hall for her Blogger friends. She told me about it and I couldn't resist. It's so fast, so convenient, so customizable. I love it.

On the other hand, this old place has sort of grown on me. And I am not sure I am ready to abandon her just yet. I am unsure what future my current home has, but I you can be sure that I will keep you all informed as to my where abouts. Keep in mind that I will also do my best to keep myself Googable. For the moment, I will continue to live this double life because once I mixed the two together, it would be like worlds colliding.

This "Why" entry can save a life

Why is it that we can do so many things nowadays that we would have never ever thought of but something that can save lives has not yet been put in place? Telephones are smaller than a deck of playing cards. They take pictures, they can email, they can play MP3s. Devices the size of 5 sticks of gum can hold and play the equivalent of 40 to 50 audio CDs. We can visit Google Maps and view satellite images of our cities. GPS can know your pinpointed location. My point is that technology has really come a long long way.

Here is my question. We can do all of these things, but yet a traffic light can hold up an ambulance for vital seconds. Why can't someone somewhere control the street lights so they all turn green in favor of the ambulance? I am sure the Ambulance already has GPS. Heck, a NEXTEL phone has built in GPS - I am sure the ambulance does too. The "eye in the sky" can see which streets the ambulance is headed down and cycle the traffic lights so the cars can proceed through the intersection and not hold up the ambulance. I have seen ambulances held up in traffic because the cars are at a red light. No matter how much the EMTs honk and blast their horn, no one can move. Who dares proceed through an intersection with cars zipping past? I sure as hell do not want to get T-Boned. If the light were green, everyone should be able to make it through the intersection and not hold up the ambulance.

Why would foam damage a multi-billion dollar piece of aeronautical and space exploration?

I don't get it. Today, well actually last night, I had this thought and wondered Why? Yes this would be the 2nd of my Why entries.

We spend billions and billions of dollars researching and designing this wonderful Space Shuttle. It withstands the G-Forces and the vibrations of lift off. It gets pelted by space particles zooming by at light speed. It also withstands the extreme heat of re-entry. So why would a piece of foam damage it?

First of hopefully several Why entries...

I just came home from the gym. While I was doing my weights and running on the treadmill I was thinking. The main thought on my mind was the lack of contributions I have made to the blog. I wanted to think of something I could post. Which that was about the time I noticed the Marlins game was on the TV. And I thought, Hey I bet people wonder why do the managers and coaches on the baseball team wear a uniform?

Well, I can tell you why. People joke that the reason why is because they want to play and are hoping to get their chance to take their turn at the plate. This is not true. The reason why the coaches have a uniform and a number is because they have to enter the playing field. The coaches in other sports do not ever enter the playing field. Substitutions, arguments, and calling the plays are all done from the sidelines. However, in baseball - the coaches do enter the playing field.

During a pitching change, the manager will walk out onto the field to make the change. Players in other sports just seem to enter the game while the players they are taking the place of exit. In Baseball, the coach can call timeout and come out to the mound to talk to his players. In the other sports, the players come back to the bench when time is called. If the manager does not agree with a call or wants the umpire to explain what just happend he is allowed to walk onto the field to ask. Notice how in the other sports the coach will throw his tantrum on the sideline.

She's neither Puerto Rican, nor does she have the annoying voice.

A friend pointed out to me today that it had been a while since I posted to this blog. I had to think of something to write about so I asked Linda Richman from Coffee Talk with Linda Richman. She thought for a second then gave me a topic, "Your friend, she's neither Puerto Rican, nor does she have the annoying voice. Discuss."

She must be tired of hearing this. Her name was probably perfectly fine. Just like Michael Bolton from Office Space or anyone named Sabrina. They can live anonymously until someone with a similar name becomes famous or a witch. So to all of these regular folks out there having to endure yet more of the stupid jokes, I am sorry.

Can anyone guess my friend's name?

All I want

All I want is a smart, cute girl, with a cute personality, who can ride a bike. I've found one once. Well, she wasn't that smart. Found another one, who didn't have that cute of a personality but she made up for it in so many other ways. Found one who was a genius, and cute, and cute personality but didn't know how to ride a bike.

Right now, I'd be happy with just someone who could ride bike.

It took a whole minute...

I jumped on the bike and headed towards the trail entrance. Since last week's ride was so incredible I decided to tackle a trail I haven't done in many many years. I climbed the first hill of Strangler Fig. I rolled over the roots and down the hill. I then attempted to climb the second hill when I heard it and I knew it wasn't good.

There is a noise that no one really wants to hear when you are riding anything with gears. If you have a car, especially a stick shift car, you know exactly the noise I am referring to. It's that sound of metal on metal, grinding. You hear that noise and you think to yourself, "Oh that can't be good." It means your gears skipped, the teeth jumped off, the chain slipped. It's especially bad when you continue to hear the noise as you pedal. And yes, I kept hearing it.

I changed gears, up and down. Nothing. All I heard was the cranking and the grinding. It took all of one minute for my bike to break. Yes I was frustrated. Yes I was pissed. Yes I had managed to bend 3rd gear. And yes I plan on riding tomorrow. I took the bike to the shop and they were able to fix the rear cassette (that's the set of cogs or gears on the back wheel). It probably took you a minute to read this post. In this time, I had already bent the 3rd gear and knew I had to head back to the car.

Famous Family

My mom showed me an ad in Oprah's Magazine. I was like, "Is that Martincito???" Martincito is sort of a cousin of mine. If I get this right, his mom is cousin's with my mom. His real name is Martin Amado. He's done random local TV commercials, made appearances here and there on local TV, and even has a stint on WSVN 7 News. It's all been local. I just thought it was an ad for something local.

Then I noticed what the ad was for. In the lower right corner of the ad is an HGTV logo! Yes, HGTV! I am like wait a minute! This is national. Awesome I thought. Good for him. The name of his new show is Small Space, Big Style.

I got curious and Google'd him. The first link in the search results was www.martinamado.com. I checked out his site and learned he has done more than what I have seen. And that he is "for hire" in the designing a room department. So guess what? I am thinking I should be contacting him to hook a cousin up with the decorating of my new apartment.

She said she was hairy

She told me a couple times she was hairy. Today it hit me, and I thought, "Just how hairy could she have been?"

Diane is Wonderful!

Yes, a second entry referring to Diane in as many nights. But I have to give her my praise, my thanks, and my gratitude. We love Diane. Diane is wonderful.

She introduced me a while ago to Clipomatic. I used the program for the first time tonight while working as a consultant. It took what would have been a 5 hour tedious task of repetitive copy and paste to a 1 hour breezy walk through the park. I don't think she has any idea just how big of a hug I want to give her right now! MUAH! MUAH! MUAH!

A spot on my couch for Diane

Many things have been said and noted about Diane's pull out sofa bed. It's been home to me a handful of times and has welcomed my drunken ass with open arms. Each time I have passed out on that sofa bed I have been more than greatful for having such a caring friend as Diane that won't allow me to make the hour drive home in the state I am in.

Enough about her sofa. It's time to maybe speak of my sofa. My sofa does not exist just yet so the jury is still out on how comfy it will be. And it may not be until September when my sofa does materialize. I hope it is comfy and cushiony. However, this sofa will welcome Diane just as her sofa has done to me. And when it's time to purchase this sofa, I will be thinking about Diane and making sure that the Princess will feel at home on it.

Maybe Diane will come party down in Miami in September and help me christen the new apartment. Yes, you read that right. Today I went to see a 1 bedroom apartment behind Dadeland Mall. 630 sq ft, $765 a month. It is not as nice as Diane's place but it is in a GREAT location. My credit and background checks have been put in motion. I cannot wait until I can move in!!

13.5 Seconds

This is about NASCAR so I'll keep it short since I know no one will admit to being a fan even though it is behind only football in popularity. No one hardly gives credit to the crew members in NASCAR. Most fans think the driver is the only member of the team. But yes, NASCAR is a team sport. Pit crew members risk their lives every time they jump over that wall to pit the car. These 7 members of the pit crew basically perform a ballet every time the car pits with cars zipping past them at 55 mph while they carry a 60 pound tire or a 25 pound jack. Two tire carriers, two tire changers, a jackman, gas man, and the catch can man make up the team.

It is amazing to see how the same tire will pass through two or three different sets of hands. How it's all perfectly timed. 5 lug nuts come off, the jack man lifts the car, tire carriers are there, tires come on, 5 lug nuts on and jackman lowers the car. Then run around to the other side, not forgetting to bring the old tires back, and do the same thing all over again. While all of this is going on, the gas man is trying to fill the 20 gallon tank as fast as he can. The catch can man has to catch any fuel overflow. This coordinated dance has to happen in under 13.5 seconds. Each second the car is in the pit is about 100 feet on the track. If you can get the car out in under 12 seconds you may have just picked up 2 or 3 spots and put your driver in a very good position.

The next time you are near a TV that happens to have a NASCAR race on and you see a caution flag come out (Yes, the yellow flag) pause and take a moment to watch. You will see controlled chaos as the field of cars enters pit road, criss-crossing, crew members trying not to get hit by the cars, and 14 seconds later its all over. Pay special attention to the front tire and you will see what I mean as it changes hands from one crew member to the other. And if you are lucky to make it to a race one day then be sure to bring along a scanner so you can hear the sounds from the pit.

Ok so maybe that wasn't that short of an entry. I want to continue writing but I am sure no one has read this far down.

Bike Results

I got to squeeze in a 45 minute bike ride at Oleta on Saturday to try out the new parts. The results were incredible. The bike rode so well, the gears shifted quickly and efficiently. I do believe my rear brake cable has been stretched beyond usable but that's ok and very inexensive to replace.

The ride felt so nice and so smooth that I did all of the novice trails and the three pack Dragon's Gate, Dragon's Tail, and Kitchen Sink, without stopping once. I did have to put my foot down once because of one hairpin turn that I always have trouble making. That's about 30 minutes of continous riding and 30 minutes of fun fun fun.

And I want to make a comment on girls riding bike. Girls... get out there and try it. The riders that go to Oleta are about 80 to 90 percent male. And a lot of them are fit, in shape, with strong shoulders, arms, and legs. If you go out there on any Saturday or Sunday afternoon you are bound to strike up a conversation with at least one of them. Just pretend you need help with your bike.

How I Spent My Friday Night, by Eddie Suarez

The final pieces for my bike arrived today. I was so excited to see the UPS truck pull up to our building because I knew the booty it held inside. On Wednesday, I had already spent $300 on a set of Sun Rhyno LT rims, XT hubs, DT Swiss spokes, and an XT rear cassette. That UPS truck pulling up to our building held my Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires and a new set of XTR brake pads. I could hardly wait to rush home to put her together. Too bad I still had another 4 hours of work.

And in case you didn't catch that. Yes. My bike is female. I spend way too much money and way too much time with her to consider it a male. If it were male, people would start to wonder about my sexual orientation. So, my bike is female.

I had to run some errands and even pay the gym a visit before making it home. I rushed from place to place, running in and running out - not wasting any time because I knew where I really wanted to be tonight.

It was just after 8 when I made it home. I will not boar (or is it bore?, Melissa where are you when I need you!!) with any of the details of the assembly. I will just say that I assembled the bike. And damnit, it looks beautiful. I just want to stare at it. Gaze lovingly at it. Definitely a thing of beauty. I cannot wait until tomorrow to ride. One thing I do wish is that I had a chick to ride with. But it seems every girl I have met lately does not know how to ride bike. I am getting off topic here, that will need to be an entry for another day. Tonight, I had a date with my 2001 Specialized Stumpjumper XC Comp - and it went wonderfully well. Maybe tomorrow I will take a picture before it gets all muddy.

Gotta Love Dubya

I read an article in today's Herald.

To summarize the article, it basically states that the initial projection of a 427 billion dollar deficit was wrong and it actually is more like 333 billion. You may think that this is good right? Well, upon further reading of the article written by JONATHAN WEISMAN from the Washington Post Service, you'd think different. And reading the article made me more and more upset.

The 427 billion dollar deficit would have set a record and would have marked the 4th straight year it has risen. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called the deficit numbers "misleading,"since "Congress is raiding Social Security to mask the true size of the deficit." So, to avoid setting a new record, they raid Social Security to bring that number down to 333 billion.

Another disturbing number, President Dubya took office in 2001 with a 128 billion dollar surplus. Four years later, that surplus is gone and now 427 billion dollars in debt (333 billion if you consider the new projection). Additionally, the White House is only including 37 billion dollars in the Iraq and Aghanistan War costs for 2006 and 13 billion in 2007. Now, it does not take a genius to realize that this war is costing more than just 50 billion dollars. The article does not mention if the current costs to pay for this War are included.

Take a second to let these numbers sink in. He took over the country with 128 billion dollars in the bank. A short four years later, he is 427 billion in debt. If he was a CEO, the board of directors would have his head on a platter. That's 555 Billion Dollars in 4 years. He is going to be in office for another 3 years. And according to this article he plans to cut the deficit in half by 2009. I have no doubt he could cut the deficit in half if he continues to raid Social Security. And if the monies to pay for his war, yes HIS war, are not included in the deficit.

Red States, thanks for voting this idiot back into office and letting him continue to screw up this Country for another 4 years.

Weight loss is not rocket science

The basis of losing weight is simple. You have to burn more calories than what you shove into your mouth. In order to be successfully, you want to burn 500 more than what you take in.

Sounds easy right? Well, yes it is. Remove soda's, fruit juices, and that bagel and cream cheese and you are looking at an easy 500 calories. A bagel is anywhere from 250 to 300 calories just by itself. OJ is 110 calories for every 8 ounces. Add the cream cheese and the soda and there is your 500.

Now, you've removed 500 calories from your diet. Ok, now walk for an hour, but make sure you cover a good 3.5 to 4 miles. You've just burned another 300 calories. Your daily deficit is now 800 calories.

Now the funny thing about your body is that it wants to survive. Cutting out just the calories will work in the short term. Eventually your body will learn to live on 500 less calories a day. It slows your metabolism down to the point that you can survive on less and less food.

You fight that by increasing your lean muscle mass. Which means you must do some sort of resistance training. Muscles help burn calories, even while you rest. You increase muscle, you increase your metabolism.

You also fight that by eating more often. Have your 1500 calories in 5 separate meals. The more often you eat, the more your body realizes that it does not have to store food for the intensive workout it knows it will be getting later. If your body things it will not be getting any food, it hordes what it has and will refuse to let go. You also have to learn what to eat when. We are limiting the amount of calories you ingest. So, you want to try to allot more of those calories to proteins and less to carbohydrates. And as a general rule, avoid the carbs during the times that you are not going to use them. If you work out early in the morning, then maybe have the carbs in the evening. If you work out at night, have your carbs early in the day. Keeping in mind that whichever carbs are not used up get converted to fat real easily.

Now, another funny thing about your body. It is lazy. Say you ate a 6 inch sub. You go work out an hour later. Should you do your cardio first or your resistance training first? The resistance training should be first. Doing this first will burn whatever is left of that sandwich. The body will want to use the easiest available energy source. Cardio is the best method of reducing fat. But if you have a readily available sandwich in your tummy, that will go first before your body is forced to use its energy stores. And guess where it stores energy? Well that all depends...

If the cardio is anaerobic which means without oxygen, it's not burning fat. It needs quick energy to feed the muscles and the heart. Your body will end up breaking down the muscle for its energy source. Not good if you are trying to increase your muscle to, in turn, increase your metabolism. You want to do aerobic exercise. Which means with oxygen. How can you tell the difference? Try reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while you exercise. If you can only sputter one word at a time, its anaerobic. If you can say a verse at a time then you are good and burning away your fat.

So what does this all mean? If you do those classes in the gym, do them after you do some resistance training. Additionally, if you can't recite the Pledge, then slow it down! Finally, this is key. You have to take one day where you just rest and you eat. Let your body know that not every day will be the same. Give it time to recover, and rebuild the muscles. Feed it some fatty foods, pizza, and ice cream, and everything yummy. Every persons body is different and will respond differently. But I have done this twice now and it works very well for me. If I leave any part of what I just said out, then I won't lose weight.

Damn, you know what? After reading this - maybe it is rocket science.

Too much weight loss?

I may be losing weight too fast. I weighed 239.5 pounds on June 25. I did not make an entry for it but the Friday before July 4th I weighed 237. That's 2 and a half pounds, 6 days later on July 1st. I knew it was July 4th weekend and BBQs and eating was on the horizon so I didn't worry too much. I knew I was going to eat plenty and I did and was back at 239 by the end of the holiday.

It's been about 9 days since July 4th. The scale this morning read 233. I thought nah, can't be. I Stepped off, then back on and 233. So off again, and on again. 233. Holy Hallucinations! It must be right! Then I thought maybe that's why I am feeling so damn crappy lately. For Aaron and the rest of the population that is weak in math, that is 6 pounds in 9 days. I think that is too much, too fast.

I've been eating about 1500 calories a day. Yes, I am keeping track and no I am not feeling hungry. Then I am going to the gym and working out with weights for about 45 minutes then running about 3 or 4 miles on the treadmill afterwards. I've been doing this about 6 times a week. I think the headache I have this morning is my body telling me to Chill. And warning me that if I don't there will be more pain to come.

Since I listen to my body I have already given it a little treat this morning. I still had my egg white omelette but I tossed in a slice of American Cheese. Then I added a side of Wellsley Farms Chipotle Black Bean Salsa Chicken Sausage. Total caloric intake is about 400 calories. Compare that to the 100 to 150 I usually have and you can see the difference. And I can tell my body is thanking me for it. The headace is still present but it is hurting much less than it did when I woke up.

It took a survey to figure this out.

610 WIOD took a survey in the wake of the London Terrorist Bombings. They asked this question to their South Florida listening audience.

"LONDON BOMBINGS................... Do you use Mass Transit? "

You could select:

A) Yes, regularly.
B) Occasionally.
C) No, never.

What do you think was the winner by landslide?
The results, in their respective orders were: 12%, 21%, and 66%. And it took a survey about the London bombings to figure out that South Floridians do not use MASS TRANSIT?!?? Wow, go figure.

One Hand on the wheel...

And one hand on the horn, and one hand on the eyeliner, and another hand on the cell phone.

Yes. This is yet another rant about the idiot drivers in South Florida. Here is what I saw on my 30 minute drive to work this morning. None of these incidents surprised me.

1) Someone coming out of their driveway couldn't wait for me to pass. Pulls out in front of me forcing me to swerve to avoid hitting them.

2) On 8th street, lady in the left lane. Swerving and riding her breaks. I am behind her thinking, "What the fuck?" I finally see why. She is concentrating on putting on her eye liner in the rear view mirror! I changed lanes, drove past her, and cut her off so incredibly bad that when I looked in my mirror she had completely stopped. I hope I poked her eye out.

3) Trying to merge onto the highway. I have my blinker on to signal that, "Hey I need to move over." You think the lady in the next lane let me in? Hells no! Not until I began to swerve erratically like a crazy driver did she ease up making room for me to move over.

3) Getting off the highway. I have one car in front of me. We make our left turn onto Sunset Drive. There is a traffic light about 100 yards down the road. The light is green. And what do you think the guy in front of me does? He comes to a complete stop! I honk at him, because, "Hey buddy THE LIGHT IS GREEN, GO!!" He has the nerve to look into his rear view mirror and give me the "WHAT?" look and hand gesture. As if!

4) Then again. Driving down Sunset. Another car pulls out in front of me, then doesn't accelerate. If you are gonna jump out in front of me, then hit the gas! This was a nice ass brand new F150 so I KNOW it had the power to go. 5) So I finally make it to the Sunset and US1 intersection. Light goes green and we don't move. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... I look way ahead and some idiot hasn't moved. All the traffic in the right lane is zipping past her. You think she'd notice. Nope. So again, I lay on the horn. I wonder why I had to honk. I was like 10 cars behind her. Why could any of them take the initiative and have the cojones to honk at the idiot. She finally went and I just made it through the light.

Serenity now, or Insanity later.

Why won't they stop flashing "12:00"?

Women drive me nuts. I don't understand them. First I don't know why a girl just wouldn't immediately fall in love with me! I am a definite catch. Fine I am far from rich, but I make up it for it in so many other ways. I cook, I clean, I do laundry, I am a hopeless romantic, I am understanding, patient, open minded, I've been told I am hot, "do-able", and also a good kisser. I'm funny and can make the girls laugh. I am so many wonderful things. But I digress. This post is not directly about me, it's about you women.

I met someone via Match.com a while back and I dug her. I thought she was super cool, SUPER adorable, she even made me laugh, and I think we had plenty in common - Unfortunately I didn't get the same vibe back from her. Something told me she didn't feel the same about me.

I asked her out for a second date. She said she was busy. I am all about giving someone the benefit of the doubt so I asked her out again and was blown off. I asked her out a third time, and again she was busy. So I figured my Spidey Sense was on. Third time was enough for me to get the hint so I ceased asking her out and even chatting with her.

A couple days pass and she IM's me. We exchange some small chit chat, and I had to run so I couldn't really talk. Again a couple days pass and same thing. I don't remember if it was an IM, or email, or a MySpace comment. What I do know it brings a smile to my face when I see the message is from her. I just don't know what to make of the situation. I've been assuming it is either her just being nice or keeping me interested in case nothing better comes along. Either case, I still chatted with her but wasn't going to be asking her out for a fourth time.

Well, the little messages have continued and I am a stubborn goat, yes a Capricorn. I have to admit that with the latest message I thought to myself, "Man what the hell is up with this chick?!?! What is it she wants?" So guess what? I asked her out for a fourth time. I didn't get the immediate 'no' but I knew it was coming. The only assumption I can make is that she is isn't interested. That book, He's Just Not That Into You comes to mind. If she wants to hang out and be friends, then it's cool. If she is interested in more, then I don't think she is building the right foundation with her actions, or lack of action. But women work in weird ways and I am having trouble figuring out the code. Heck, I figured out how to program my VCR. Why can't I do the same with women? No matter which buttons I press, I just can't get them to stop flashing "12:00".

Did anyone see that?

Did anyone see Leeann Tweeden on July 4th's Nascar Nation episode. After seeing her outfit I have a new appreciation for the Stars and Stripes. She is any man's fantasy, a hot chick that knows about sports.

You won't believe what just happened...

It started off like any other Sunday. I ran my 3 miles in the morning, then came home and cleaned up my place. Sweeping, Mopping, Laundry. Nothing out of the ordinary.

What was different about this Sunday was that I was chatting with Hotel. I call her that because she works for a hotel chain. And just like every other Match.com date I have mentioned on here before, I change their names to protect the guilty parties. My comedic evening all started when she winked at my Match.com profile on Friday. I emailed her back, she replied, and then a couple more back and forth and on Sunday I called her up.

We agreed to meet at Greenstreets in the Grove. I left my house, and still everything seemed to be going ok. However, on the way there I decided I wanted a Cortadito from La Carreta. That's when the fun began.

As I get back into the car, holding the scalding hot beverage in my hand, I knocked into something. I don't know what it was but steaming hot coffee and milk was pouring down my thighs! After a few curse words - I called Hotel,"You won't believe what just happened to me." She said she didn't mind the Africa sized coffee stain on my right pant leg nor the Australia sized one on the left pant leg. She said to come anyway. The she added that she was already there!

So great, not only do I have 3rd degree burns on my thigh and two HUGE coffee stains on my jeans, but now I am also late! Some first impression I am making...

I finally arrived at Greenstreet and thanks to some very handy HandiWipes that I keep in my car I was able to sort of mask the stain a little. We sat at our table along the sidewalk. Everything was going ok. The waiter came over and we ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio - Ruffino. Then from out of nowhere, like an Air Attack, came the mosquitos. We got swarmed! Mosquitos were everywhere! I found a waiter, any waiter, and told him if we could please move inside. He understood and he did move us into a quiet corner at the back of the restaurant.

. Luckily, things improved from there. The conversation was good, and the food was delicious. It was my first time having Pinot and my first time having Lamb. And it was New Zealand Lamb. I don't know what that means but the waiter made a point to mention it was lamb from New Zealand so I guess that means it's good.

I don't know if she'd ever see me again since our date had such a horrible start. If she doesn't, I'd understand. And I would use this as a learning experience. Next time I will bring a change of clothes with me!

Our State Must Have Gone to an 'F' School

I was hearing 610 WIOD on the way into work this morning. Apparently some genius in the State government, or maybe the county governement, is trying to shutdown three schools in Dade County. Three schools have consistently scored F's on the FCATs. The Government's solution is to shut these schools down and move the students to other area schools.

Ok. Take a minute to let that sink in. Did it even take you that long to realize what a stupid, idiotic, solution this is? Schools are already over crowded as it is. There is a need to build more schools. And here we are, suggesting to close down three of them becuase of low test scores.

If they succeed in closing these schools down, it would mean teachers, administrators, staff - all without jobs. It means thousands of school childrens' lives disrupted because they may end up in schools different than their friends. They would probably need to be bused further away which means less time to be at home, or studying, or playing, or doing whatever kids do nowadays. And what does it mean to the school that will take these kids in? Won't it overcrowd them even more? Which in turn can turn affect their FCAT scores.

How about we try to make the 'F' school better? Lets find out where the problem lies. Is it with the kids? Is it with the teachers? Give the teachers the same FCAT test they are supposed to be teaching to their students. If they can't pass the test then it's time for them to go. Lets pay the good teachers more money to retain them. Lets also raise the teacher salaries in general to attract better teachers. You can't pay a teacher 20 something thousand a year and expect to be hiring good quality educators. It just doesn't work that way.

Someone clicked!

Someone clicked on one of the Google Ads giving me a 13 cent bump. I am now up to 99 cents. That's right, 99 whole complete cents. Just one more click and I gots me a dollar! Too bad Google waits until you make it to $100 before cutting you a check. It took me 2 months to make 99 cents. So all of my smart friends, here is where you come in. If this rate continues, how many months will it take to reach $100?

Rules of Engagement

So a second person tells me that they have been checking out my blog. First person tells me that, "isn't it great?! I don't have to talk to you and I know all about what is happening in your life." I mentioned to the second person how I have been going to the gym and she says, "Yeah I read it on your thing."

Ok friends... Here is the deal. I am writing these things, putting my feelings and thoughts and my whatevers out there so that all of you can laugh at me. It's ok to laugh at me, I don't get offended that easily. I do get a little discouraged when I don't think no one is reading. I will stop posting for a couple days and the only person who seems to notice is Diane. She will even post on her blog about the lack of posts on my blog. I gotta love her for that. I can't find her post at this moment but I swear I remember her commenting somewhere about it.

For the rest of y'all. There is a little Comments link down there beneath each post. Don't be afraid to use it. I allow for anonymous posts so you don't need an account to write, but please sign off at the bottom so I know who you are. So, write your comments. Let me know that I am wrong, or humor me and tell me I am right. Say Hey good job! Or say well 239 pounds is still fat ya big tub of goo! Anything so I know who my audience is.

Good News for us South Floridians

I just read some excellent news posted on Herald.com. The headline read, "Gap between home prices, income widens in Florida." Isn't that wonderful?! Gives us all hope of ever owning a home here. The estimated median household income in Florida is $43,982. The article does not state what the median price of a house in South Florida was but I can make an educated guess that it is lingering at around $300,000. The average mortage for a household making $43k a year would be no more than $120,000. There is a gap there of $180,000. How do they expect us to make up that difference? Are we going to start to see 60 or 70 year mortages?

The problem needs to be fixed, pronto. The higher prices also affect rent prices, commercial properties, etc. Which means that our employers are also having to pay more money to keep an office here. Which means there is less profit. Which means there is less of a chance for a substantial raise. House prices go up 30% while we get a modest 2% or 3% cost of living bump in our salary. As property values go up, rent will usually follow. Eventually there will be no profit and no more job. What is going to happen then?

Then what happens when the person renting the apartment realizes they can sell it for much more than what it can rent for. They get to sell their property, turn a profit and not have to deal with a tenant any longer. Why not sell? The new owner then raises the rent, who then sells to the next highest bidder, who then raises the rent, and up and up. Eventually pricing everyone out of the market.

I really love this city. No really, I do.

Practice

Yes, I am still living at home. But I am not a "momma's boy." I am anything but that. Since I was about 13 or 14, I've been doing my own laundry, my own cleaning, my own mopping, my own sweeping, etc. I've also done my little bit of cooking here and there. Mom has never "babied" me. Not even when I am sick. And I think I am a better man for it.

The parents have been on vacation this week leaving me home alone with my younger sister. I am loving being alone. I've gotten the chance to use my cooking skills. On Sunday, I roasted some chicken seasoned with a little Badia Complete Seasoning and some mojo. Delicious! Monday night, a "cuban" steak. Yummy. Tonight was my best yet. Sweet and Sour Pork Chops with some dirty rice. Purrrrr. (I just realized I hadn't purred in a few weeks). I honestly cannot wait until I have my own place.

I decided a couple weeks back that I have had enough of the folks. And took on a second job to make extra money so I can afford rent. Now it's just a matter of finding a place I can afford in a place I want to live. I am not being too picky. First, I can afford about $750 a month. Second, I would like to be near the LA Fitness in Doral. Third, a washer and dryer in the unit. And fourth and probably the most important a place to put my Weber Genesis Grill. I could leave it here but my parents have never ever used it. It would go to waste. The Fountain Blue, Westchester, Sweetwater, Dolphin Mall, Doral areas are all game. I hope I can find a place soon for my own sanity.

239.5!

I did it!! I met, and beat, my goal of weighing 240lbs by this morning!!! I am so excited!!!! My goal this next week is to get down to 238 pounds!!!!!

I've got Bluetooth!

No, not blue teeth, but Bluetooth! And I am so happy. I bought a new cellphone and the only feature I was looking for was Bluetooth. And I think it is so worth it. As I sit here on my laptop, my cellphone can sit up to 20 feet away and still transfer pictures, music, and synch my Outlook calendar with it. The synch happens automatically at a set interval. I don't have to do a thing, as my Outlook calendar updates, so does my phone's.

It also has that feature that lets you attach an image to each caller. So I have Shannon's pic on there because she is one of my bestest friends. I would put up Kim's picture but I don't really have any that I can show. And because I think they are both adorable - I put Dimple and Spectacular on there too. Not that I have a chance with either one of the two but they're cute and I like them.

So you wonder how I got their picture? I'm pretty bright and resourceful. Nothing too crazy. I just went to Match.com and right clicked on their picture. The context menu appears with Save Picture as an option. Yes that easy. So now in the off chance that I actually get a call from one of them, I'll see their picture.

Through the magic of Bluetooth, I also transferred a handful of MP3s to the phone. Yes, it also plays MP3s!! I just have to get a bigger memory card since it only comes with a 32meg card. So yeah, I'm loving it.

I'll just call her my girlfriend

I've been spending so much time at the gym lately. I also currently do not have any females in my life. Which gives me plenty of extra time to spend, where else, but in the gym. Today I decided that I will just call the gym my girlfriend. Her name will be Gymena. We spend so much time together that I just might as well.

Two good Letters to the Editor in today's Miami Herald

There were a couple Letters to the Editor from today's Miami Herald that I think I worth a mention.

Nancy Erdvig from Pembroke Pines suggests that South Florida secede from the rest of Florida and become the 51st state. It is apparent by their actions that the legislature is not looking out for South Florida. I agree with her. They only seem to look out for North Florida, while South Florida continues getting the short end of the stick. They continually pass or veto bills that affect South Florida in a negative way. I say we secede and invite Orlando and Tampa to come with us. Maybe we invite Daytona too. That pretty much means that all of the huge tax bases of the State would now belong to us! After Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando - are there any other cities or counties that generate as much in tax revenue as us?

The second letter was from Rolf H. Parta from Pembroke Pines. His letter is in reference to politicians promoting democracy around the world and forcing it on other nations like it's a one size fits all solution. He says, "a democracy's purpose is to impose the majority's political will on the minority." In a way, I agree. However, our forefathers left Europe looking to escape the religious persecution they were facing. Fast forward and "All men are created equal."

Unfortunately this is not true. This country is being run by the Christian Right. They are forcing their views, their opinions, and what they see as being correct down everyone's throat. And our idiot politicians are allowing them. We live in a blue state so why is our Governor Jeb Bush running this as a red state? He is being pressured or lobbied by the Christian Right (or is it the Christian Reicht?). Or he is doing it out of spite because he knows that the only reason the entire state is Blue is because South Floridians voted that way.

The Incredible, Shrinking, Ed

We've been hearing about Melissa's weight loss program. She's been using Weight Watchers and having much success with it. Personally, I have a tough time "dieting" like that. Unfortunately for me, I was getting larger and larger. The last couple of weeks has been different. I've been shrinking! And ladies, don't worry - it's not THAT part that is shrinking. Geez get your minds out of the gutter you perverted people. I meant my belly is shrinking!

I was weighing in at 300lbs at some point in my life. I managed to lose 100lbs in about 8 months. I did it by eating less. I still ate all the foods I normally ate, I just ate less amounts of it. Then, I would go to the gym every day. About an hour of weights with about 30 minutes running on the treadmill. On weekends, I would mix it up and ride my bike instead. Eventually I met someone who distracted me from the workouts. And you get comfortable and the weight slowly started coming back. I've been lingering around 245 pounds now for some time. I decided last week that enough is enough. So, the gym it was. I've been going religiously now for just under 2 weeks.

Since I don't like to cheat myself of all the yummy food society has to offer, this past week's lunch diet included Taco Bell, Burger King twice, Pizza and Garlic Rolls. Also included little pieces of cakes and sweets for dessert. You'd think I'd be gaining weight right? Negative my friends! For one, I would eat a very light dinner figuring I ingested enough calories at lunch to cover me for the whole day. Second, I've also been spending an hour and a half in the gym everyday. All of this hard work seems to be paying off. I just stepped on the scale and it came in at 240.5 pounds. Just over my 240 pound goal that I wanted to be at by tomorrow.

Lucky for me, I am off today. And my plans include going to the gym this morning. I also don't have any plans for this evening so I will probably return to the gym for a second workout. All I need to lose in one day is a half pound and I would be able to hit my 240lb mark for sure!

Apartment Hunting?

I am off on Friday. And I've had it. I need to get my own place. I really wish I could find a roommate but looks like I am going to have to live like a poor person. I think that for my own sanity, I should go. I can't take my current situation any longer. I live with a bunch of inconsiderate people who only care that they are not bothered. Yes these are my parents and my sister. Well, that is not fair to say. My little sister and I actually get along. My big sister however insists on visiting every day.

She drives an SUV and doesn't care how or where she parks it. However it ends up is where she shuts it off even if it is taking up 2 or 3 spaces. She talks SUPER loud not caring if you are taking a nap. She cranks the TV volume up so she can hear over herself. I've had enough.

I am not even going to get into my parent's problems. Way too numerous to list and the only response would be to ask me why am I still living at home. Well, it's a very simple answer. It's because rent in this God forsaken banana republic of a half ass backwards city is ridiculously high! I don't know how much more the market can bear since our salaries are not keeping up with the sky rocketing housing situation but I can tell you that I cannot bear my living arrangements any longer. I have already found a couple places online that I am going to have to find out how to afford. I don't know how I am going to come up with the money but I'll find away. Friday I will drive around and check them out.

All-State Insurance Company lives by Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission Policy

Insurance companies in Florida love to stick it to us. It does not matter if it is car insurance, health, home, flood, windstorm. Regardless, the rates continuously go up 10, 15, 20, and now thanks to All-State up 28%! Our salaries may go up 3% each year. However, each time my policies renew they are up and up and up. When I ask them to justify why my car costs more to insure now than it did when it was newer, the agent doesn't have an answer. "Many factors determine the premium..." My car is older now, it is worth less, I am older more responsible, another year without a traffic violation - so why would it go up 12% in 6 months? No answer...

All-State Insurance Company is taking this to a whole new level. Not only didn't they renew 95,000 policies but, it is raising those remaining premiums by 28%! Problem is that any increase over 15% must be OK'd by the State. All-State didn't. It went ahead and decided to bypass the approval process and take the 30-day grace period to ask for permission after it has already committed the new policy pricing. Apparently, they believe it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Hopefully, Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Tom Gallagher's request to block the increase IS approved. He has asked the Insurance Regulators to block the unapproved rate hike.

Actions like this is what leaves me with little faith in the insurance companies. They enjoyed many years of very fat living. The last major hurricane coming through here was Andrew in 1992. They have had 12 years to fatten up their wallets. Then last year was a bad hurricane year. Several came through here causing lots of damage. Now they want to use that excuse to raise the premiums.

Their business is money. As a policy holder, you give them x amount of dollars to protect your property. If you pay them $3,000 a year for 10 years and never make a claim then, in essence, you've given away $30,000 of your money plus the interest. Well, Floridians did that. We paid our premiums and never made a claim. So I understand that the insurance industry took a hit during last year's hurricane Season. But what happened to all that money from the last 10 years? The reason we pay premiums is so that when the time comes there is money there for us to use. Did the board of directors, CEO, CFO, take it all? Is it all being used to pay for their Expense Accounts? The TV commercials starring that black dude? Policy Holders pay you to protect their property. That is why you went into this business. To take our money and hope we never make a claim. You had at least 10 good years. But last year, we had a few hurricanes. So you stumbled. Well continue as you were, at the same rate, and the next 10 hurricane free years will regenerate your coffers. There is no need to increase your rates by 28%. If you were allowed to raise your rates by 28% but then we have 10 hurricane free seasons, would you return that money to us? I doubt it. You'll just take the money and get fatter and fatter.

Love comes in the shape of a peanut

I love my Tivo. And it loves me too. It has to love me. First, I get home from work and it has all of the tv shows I like recorded for me. I pick up the peanut shaped remote control and press the all empowering TIVO button. I scroll down to Tivo Suggestions to find it has recorded several shows for me. Who's Line is it Anyway, The Daily Show, South Park, Robot Chicken, Seinfeld, etc.

Second. The peanut shaped remote. It fits so snugly and perfectly in my hand. Your thumb automatically falls to the big yellow pause button. This remote puts you in control. No longer am I at the mercy of the TV Networks. I no longer have to wait for a commercial to use the bathroom. I can go whenever I have to go. Also, I get to watch TV when I want to watch it. Seinfeld is on at 6:30pm when I am at the gym. But here I am watching the Michigan Bottle Deposit Scam at 12:50am.

Third. You realize how much you love your TIVO when you are in the car and wish to TIVO the radio. You miss something and you want to rewind to hear it again. Or the cell rings and you want to pause. Or at a ballgame, you miss the big play and want to watch it again. You come to the conclusion that life should be TIVO'd.

You can record, pause, rewind, then forward live TV. All because of the power given to you by this peanut shaped remote. It's a TIVOlution!

My Namesake

My screename is Kpeste99. If read it properly, you are basically saying, "Damn it stinks" in Spanish. Today I can tell you I definitely lived up to my namesake. I was at the gym. I did some weights for an hour. Then I went to do some left lifts to work the abs a bit. As I hung from the machine, I caught a whiff of something. I thought that it couldn't be me. The gym was packed so it could have been anyone really.

I then walked upstairs to run on the treadmill. I sat on the floor to stretch a bit and WOAH, what the hell? It was me!! "Damn," I thought to myself. If I can smell myself then I must truly smell. A treadmill eventually freed up between to girls. As I made my way over there I was beginning to feel bad for those two girls. I began running and sweating and sweating and sweating. And with every drop of sweat I could smell myself more and more and more.

Twenty minutes of running and 2 miles later, I was done. And boy that was one long car ride home. I looked over at my Glades Car Scents and it was empty. I jiggled it hoping to get just a little more mileage out of it but nothing. I resorted to cranking the A/C even though I was soaked with sweat. I was wet, and the A/C blowing on me could make me more susceptible to catching a cold. I didn't care. I rushed straight home and immediately took a shower. Now I smell like sugar and spice and everything nice.

Quick Update

I just wanted to update everyone who has been reading about my love life on this Blog and rooting for me. I have some bad news of sorts. Looks like I am back to square one. No hard feelings though. I can't complain. I met a Spectacular girl and had lots of fun in the meantime. Too bad it's not going to work out. Yes, I am a little bummed but Obladi Oblada.

Rage

Today I am filled with rage. Maybe it's because my parents are slobs. Yes unfortunately I still live at home. I don't know why no one in this house can ever put anything away. Everything is in the way. You can't go to the bathroom without having to move all of mom's makeup, and creams, and crap, and tissues. She has a vanity. She should use it. Dad's briefcase, suitcase, bag, his other bag, and his other bag have been sitting around the coffee table for a week now. In the hallway is a desk he bought about 10 years ago. The desk and hutch are still in their boxes, unbuilt.

Maybe it's because I am trapped here with no place to go. Rent in this city is super high. Any apartment will cost you 750 bucks a month. Which I know I can afford but then I won't have money for anything else. I am on the verge of just saying screw it and biting the bullet and having to make due with the 500 bucks a month I will have left over after I pay my rent.

Maybe it's because I am 31 years old and I don't have a wife, nor a fiancee, nor a girlfriend. It's father's day and it seems every male around me is a father. I have hopes of meeting that person one day that will make my headspin and my tummy tingle, but seems that when I do I am either not ready or she is not ready. It's all very frustrating and I am on the verge of, I don't know what I am on the verge of.

If not for the gym, I'd be even more pissed today. The gym seems to be the only thing right now that is keeping me grounded. The dating scene is not going as planned. Work is not going as planned. Heck, my life isn't going as planned. I am a smart, funny, honest, hard worker. I am loyal, loving, and affectionate. And I also don't think I am a bad looking guy. So why do I have such a hard time meeting someone?

Here's to mud in your eye

I went to Oleta Park today to ride bike. I pay my fee and drive up to that first row of parking spaces. As I pass the bike wash stand I notice how muddy everyone is. I think to myself that this is going to be one fun bike ride. Then I remembered I had just paid 40 bucks to get my bike cleaned, polished, greased, and lubed. "Wonderful I thought, there goes my nice clean bike."

I pull into an empty parking space and it begins to rain. Well, it wasn't really rain. It was more of like a twinkle. I had paid the entrance fee so I figured I might as well make the best of the situation. I put on my shoes, gloves, helmet, and slung my CamelBak on and rode towards the trail's entrance.

It's only about a 100 yards of paved asphalt to get to the entrance. I look down and already my bike is dirty. And as I look down the path I see big puddles of some nasty water.

Splash! Through the first puddle. Splash! Through the second. Oh well there goes the clean polished bike, it's all fun now! I ride to the end of the main path to the first novice trail. As I ride through I learn something. Tree roots are a pain in the ass when dry. When they are wet there are a pain in the ass AND slippery. I was getting zero grip as I rode over them.

I finished the first trail and immediately let some air out of my front tire. This would give me more grip since more of the tire would make contact with the ground. My theory was right. I rode over the roots in the second novice trail without incident. My confidence was slowly growing.

I continued riding, hitting all of the novice trails along the way. I splashed my way through water puddles, negotiating the roots, over rocks, bounced down a hill, and made my way through the maze of trees. When I finished I realized that I had not stopped! I normally stop at least once to catch my breath. I had ridden through all the novice trails without stopping. My confidence was up another notch.

I rode back to the parking lot. But I wasn't ready to leave. I felt amazing. I decided to hit some of the Intermediate trails. I am not ready for Strangler Fig or El Diablo and the wet rooty hill and ensuing drop of Gator Bank seemed too scary.

I rode back to the main path, making my way towards Dragon's Gate. The beginning of this trail has always been a challenge to me. It's a blind uphill climb. Yes, blind. The entrance is blocked by a sea grape tree. The hill is covered in roots and rocks and trees. It is nothing like the impossible first hill of Oyster Ridge but it's enough of a challenge for me.

I ride through the opening and quickly survey the hill. I needed to find an open line, a path of least resistance to make the climb. And just like that, I saw it. I saw the line. I hit the granny gear turn towards it. Up I went, maneuvering around the roots. I made it! And just that quickly, you have to shift your weight because what goes up does come down. I dropped past that last root and down the hill. Swoosh! And Splash! Another mud puddle. I had done it! My confidence was now soaring!

The next trail is Dragon's Trail. This is not too hard a trail. The only tough part is a climb and a 10 to 15 foot drop. Because it was muddy and wet I had to keep plenty of weight on that back tire. I sat back in the saddle and up and around I went. Then down! Woosh! Wow, super exhilarating!

Then I see the sign for the Kitchen Sink trail. I remember that one spot that always snags me. It's a three foot drop, an immediate hairpin turn, then you have to climb the same 3 foot hill and practically step up the hill. I was feeling so confident that I honestly believed that today I was going to tackle this obstacle.

I get to the drop. Woosh, make the turn, and climb. Pump the pedals, pump the quadriceps, go go go. I pick the front tire over the root. The back tire is next. Ugh. Nope. Negative. The root caught me. The front tire had made it over but the back tire didn't cooperate. As quickly as I could I unclipped and put my foot down. I pushed that back tire over the root, hopped back on the bike and kept riding. Confidence level was now down a notch.

I need a boost now. Should I go to Twin Peaks? Too long I thought. Robinson's Ridge it is then. I didn't make that climb up the gravel hill. It is way too narrow a path. Only a foot wide at some points and a long way down. I made it to the top and, oh there's a girl.

She was contemplating continuing up the Robinson's Ridge hill or continuing to Area 51. I described the hill to her. She said FORGET IT! I told her it was worth it. The high bank turn at the bottom and the hills were so much fun to ride. Nope she said. Oh well, I tried. Up I went and down I went.

That was a mistake. The rain had washed away any grip that this hill has. I slid down the hill. I didn't have the impulse to make the banked turn, then in turn didn't have the speed to enjoy the small series of hills. I made my way around and back. Area 51 was next.

This is a super short trail. It is basically a super steep drop, followed by a steep hill, then immediately followed by an even steeper drop. The trick bike guys use this trail to catch air and do their tricks. I don't do tricks. I just roll down and over.

I finished. It was over. I was pooped. I rode back to my car. Looking at the mud covering both me and my bike. I felt incredible. I only got stuck that one time. I rode the novice trails without stopping AND I also rode a handful of the intermediate ones too. I can't wait until next week now.

I Can Only Fathom

She had to work late tonight so I did not get to see Spectacular. I can only fathom that when I do see her that her cute smile will be that much cuter. That her pretty brown eyes will be that much prettier. That the hugs will be that much better. That the kisses will be that much more, well... Let's leave it at that.

There is so much I want to discover about Spectacular that I don't even know where to begin. Yes, I know we've been on three dates now but it seems she's been the one asking all the questions. I told Esteban about her today. He asked me some questions about her that I honestly didn't have an answer for!

I hope the weather is nice enough this week to go to the beach after work. We can lie on a blanket, perhaps bring a bottle of wine, and be able to enjoy one another's company.

Not Guilty

Michael Jackson has been acquitted. Jury found him Not Guilty on all ten counts.

Crazy...

Missing her hugs and kisses

I didn't see Spectacular Sunday this weekend. I have to admit that I miss her hugs and kisses. It feels so good when we hug. And the kisses - the kisses are, well, spectacular.

NASCAR for Dummies

I was just reading Jayski's and saw this NASCAR for Dummies book by Mark Martin. I am not dummy but I am sure I could learn from this book. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

Miami Mid-Town Duathlon

I did it! I completed the 1.5 mile run, the 10 mile bike ride, then another 1.5 mile run in about an hour. I even received a medal for finishing in the top 200.

My official time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 29 seconds.

I came in 77th out of 96 Men
97th out 134 men and women
And I came in 14th out of 16 in my age group.

Not too great but with this horrible weather we had been having I was not able to train. Also, a bunch of these people had road bikes and were hauling ass. The top guys were averaging 28mph on their bikes, I was able to average 17mph. Which is pretty good for a fat tire bike but doesn't compete with a thin tire road bike.

The "Wow" Factor

When I am checking out my date, I give a lot of weight to what I call The Wow Factor. The Wow Factor is only considered when you first see the person. It is your initial reaction when they walk into the room, or the door opens, or they come around the corner.

I was early for our first date. I took a seat at the bar wondering what my first reaction would be. I ordered a Coors Light while I waited. About a quarter of the way through the beer I noticed her walking towards me. "WOW" I thought, or maybe I said - I don't remember. I was a little nervous and not thinking straight. But it was a definite wow.

I went to pick her up at her friend's office for our second date. When I saw her come out through the door she practically knocked me on my ass. WOW WOW WOW. She was wearing one of those skirt suits and she looked HOTT. Yes HOTT with two T's!! This girl definitely has scored some huge points on the Wow Factor.

She's got the brains, the personality, and the looks. Wow, a trifecta. By golly I think I am smitten.

I thought I had forgotten how...

It had been so long since I kissed anyone. I thought I had forgotten how. If memory serves me right, it must have been March when I last kissed someone. I even began to think kissing was over-rated. Forcing a kiss with someone you didn't really have a connection with just isn't the same as sharing it with someone you do. The kiss may be there but the affection, the touching, the caressing, the emotion and the feeling just aren't.

Tonight I realized that kissing is almost like riding a bike. You may stumble a little bit when you first get started but it won't take long to regain your balance. At first there was a little slurpy sound. The second and third were better and better. More importantly I realized that kissing is wonderful when you have that connection with someone. I could have continued to caress her soft cheeks and kiss her lips. But when we made the plans she told me she didn't want to be out too late. And looking at her eyes I could tell she was tired. The reckless and crazy me wanted to stay, which is when the responsible and sensible side of me surfaced and gave her one final kiss good night.

An Even Better Evening?

Tonight is date #2 with Spectacular Sunday. And Murphy has been paying me a visit today. Not only do I stain my shirt but I also accidentally wrote with a black marker on my light colored pants. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong for me today.

When Will I Make My First Dollar?

The micro-cents just keep on adding up. The balance on my Google AdSense account is currently up to a whopping $0.69! That's right, do the math, only 31 cents shy of my first dollar. It took me only 1 short month to reach 69 cents. Another 30 or so clicks and I should reach the unheralded milestone of one entire dollar! Aren't you all envious and jealous of I?

A Spectacular Day

Today was just about as perfect a day as it could have been. Forget that I woke up late, that it was raining, and that I could not ride bike as I wanted to in the morning.

First, my sheets, pillowcases, and comforter are clean and smelling fresh. Our dryer had been broken for a couple weeks. I was to the point of just taking my bedding to the laundromat to wash. Luckily the repairman came through and we are back in business.

Second, I went on a date today. Yes with a girl! We just met at Dave and Buster's and talked and talked. We were supposed to have lunch but I was so into the conversation that I forgot to eat. Then we walked and walked around Dolphin Mall. We must have done about 5 laps but I didn't even notice. I had a great time.

Third, today was the Twilight 5k. Our date was cut short because I thought it was at 7pm when in reality it was at 6. So imagine my surprise when the phone rang at 5pm asking me if I was on my way. Thank goodness Danny called. If not, I would have missed the race.

I did horribly. It began to rain 1 minute prior to the start and didn't stop until we were about 1 minute from the finish. And it didn't just rain. The skies opened up and water poured out of the clouds. My time was way off of my pace, 35 minutes and something.

Finally, not only did my boy Greg Biffle win today's NASCAR race, I maintained my second place ranking in our Fantasy Racing League. I didn't pick so bad this week. I had the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th place drivers on my team. And one of them led the most laps. Bobby Labonte dissapointed me. He was my only blemish, finishing 38th. I chose him over Jeremy Mayfield who finished 14th. Something was telling me to pick Mayfield but I had read somewhere that Labonte was the sleeper for this race. Oh well, next week they will be at Pocono. Hopefully I continue to do well.

Daytona International Speedway Called This Evening

This evening about 30 minutes ago. The cell phone rings to the tune of Final Countdown. Caller ID shows an 800 number. I think, "Toll Free?" I click the green answer button and speak into the receiver, "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Angie calling from Daytona International Speedway. Our records show you came to the Pepsi 400 last year but you didn't renew your seats for this year. There are still seats available, don't you want to come?"

"Trust me Angie. I am dying to go. But it seems I am the only person in Miami crazy enough to make the trip."

"Well, you'd better find someone quick!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying. Believe me I am trying!! Are there still seats along the Super Stretch? In the Lund Tower?"

"Sure are!"

"Well, if I convince someone to go I will be giving you a call!"

"Ok, good luck! And hope to see you at the races."

Sticky Fingers Rib House

One of the Google Ads on my site the other day was for Sticky Fingers Rib House. What has this world come to?

First we get meat on a stick. What better invention could there be than meat on a stick? But lo and behold, I discover Sticky Fingers Rib House. They will deliver BBQ Ribs right to my door! And I can even join the BBQ of the Month Club. Imagine, on the first Monday of each month you wake up knowing that you will receive a wonderful package of either BBQ Ribs, BBQ Wings, Pulled Pork, or a combination of the three.

How wonderful. Now if they delivered some ice cold beer with those ribs...

That Match.com post broke my sidebar!

I don't know why but this Match.com post broke my sidebar!!!!

If I delete the contents of it and leave just the word Test it works. However something in that post causes my sidebar to shift all the way down to the bottom of the page.

UGH! I am soo annoyed.

Match.com

Diane and I were chatting the other day about how our endeavors over on Match.com were going. She had just posted her profile and is already getting tons and tons of responses. She says though that most of the guys responding are losers. On the opposite side of the spectrum, my profile has been up for about 6 months, maybe longer. I have only had a handful of replies.

I asked for her to check out my profile and give me the girl's point of view. She did. And she said that it was too sports oriented. Diane knows me pretty damn well. She knows that I do like sports and they are a part of my life but I am not the kind of guy who sits there, 24/7, tuned into ESPN. She recommended I change it because my profile gave the impression that all I do all day is watch sports.

I took her advice and made a change....

I am looking for someone I can be friends with, but who can also be my lover. I want a partner in crime. I want someone who will laugh with me and at me. I am a goof ball that does not embarrass too easily. And I want someone who will smile when I do those little things that lets a girl know she is special. A physical attraction is something I obviously look for, but a friendship is the most important piece. Without that, any relationship is bound to fall apart.

Now each person has this idea of what is and isn't cute. My best friend has told me that I have a weird definition of what I think is pretty or cute. I explained that someone's personality can make them cute without actually being physically cute. I actually prefer someone who has a cute personality over someone who is just physically cute. If you have both, then I am in big trouble.

As for me, last week someone told me, "You know what your problem is? You're too nice!" I replied that is a good character flaw to have. I'd rather be too nice than be a jerk. Sometimes people take advantage of me. But I don't learn. I continue being nice.

She said that this new profile described me more accurately. I worried about it being too sappy. She said not at all. The new profile is up and active. I will see how it goes. I can always change it later if I don't like the results.

I don't know

Am I back to square one? Do I have to go back to the drawing board? Who the heck really knows....

Third Night I Cook

Tonight is the third night in a row I cook.

First night was simple. Burgers and fries on the grill.

Night number 2 was a little more challenging. El Capitan marinated some churasco style meat and asked me to grill it for him. Medium, still red in the middle.

Night number 3. I am totally on my own here and most challenging. Mom wants ribs. I asked her how do you want to marinade them. She said, "Get creative." I did.

1 rack is marinading in a smoke seasoning.
2 racks are marinating in Mojo.
2 1/2 racks are rubbed with blackened seasoning and some cajun powder.

They are gonna hit the grill in about 10 minutes. Can't wait till they are done to see how my experimenting turns out.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is a whiney, crying little bitch

During the Coca Cola 600 post race interviews, I coulda sworn I heard Jr. start to blame teammate Michael Waltrip! Jr ran into the back of Mikey and Jr didn't take 100% of the blame.

Dale Jr said, "He either moved up or took his natural line through the front straightaway and I was right there on him. Next thing I know he is spinning around in front of me."

He later added, "...if you're not in the race car, you don't know what the hell's going on out there, so I can't expect anyone to understand what exactly was going on at that moment and time, and how we all came together and wrecked."

His choice of words. Using "He" moved up, took "His" natural line, "he" is spinning around. Then saying "we" all came together.

Come on Jr! You ran up on and basically over your teammate. You need to take 100% blame for that. Mikey was in front of you and you should have the courtesy to give him plenty of racing room. If your car was faster then you need to have the patience to wait for the room to pass.

So who else thinks Dale Earnhardt Jr is a whiney, crying little bitch?

I hate Darrell Waltrip

How many of you cannot wait until Alan Bestwick, Benny Parsons, and Wally Dallenbach take over in the broadcast booth for the second half of the NASCAR season? Anyone know exactly what race that is?

Whenever Darrell opens his mouth, all I can think is Who the fuck cares, shut the fuck up!! Darrell, no one but you thinks Boogity, Boogity, Boogity is funny. Just like you drove way longer than you should have, you are continuing to work in the broadcast booth much longer than you should have. You do not add anything to the broadcast. Telling me that "there will be comer's and go'ers during the race. What matters is who leads that last lap." No fucken' shit Sherlock! Yes obviously you stupid fuck. The leader of the last lap wins the race you mindless, and pointless shithead. So yes, that is the most important part of the race to lead. Geez. Just like John Madden's brilliant observations, "If you don't score more points than your opponent, you're just not gonna win the game."

You, your comments, your person, are detrimental to the sport of NASCAR. Why haven't you been fined and docked some points? Oh yeah, now I remember. It's because YOU ARE NOT A DRIVER ANYMORE!!!!! Stop talking as if you still drive.

Anyone want to buy me a present?

I love donuts! Especially Krispy Kremes. But I also love racin'. And would love to have one of these donuts on my Ford.

Spring Cleaning?

Our dryer busted up a couple weeks back. The service guy came out and said parts on back order, it will be awhile.

Laundry has been piling up, and up, and up. And we have practically used every open spot of the house as a clothsline. In case you are not from South Florida, it is VERY humid down here. Hang a dry towel outside on any given day. It will not rain, but come back a handful of hours later and that towel is moist.

Today, I have had just about enough. I decided I am doing all of my laundry. I even took the time to sweep AND to vacuum. I am going to mop next...

I did my first load and realized I can't wash anymore. I have no where else inside the house to hang any more clothes. So looks like I am going to spend my Memorial Day weekend doing laundry.

What a contrast from last year's. Spent the weekend in Key Largo. A couple days at The Sandbar in Holiday Isle's Tiki Bar. Fishing for dolphin.

Glutton

I am such a glutton! Today for lunch I splurged. Not only did I have some Papa John's Pizza. But I also had a little bit of Chop Chop, some chicken and bacon, and some chocolate ice cream. The word FAT came to mind.

So, after work we play a little tennis. Someone, not me, made a mistake and mentioned going for a beer. 4 Amber Bocks, wings, AND ribs later... we are leaving Flannigan's in the Grove.

I get home and the folks had ordered Pizza Hut. Half of a large Sausage pizza was sitting there, on the dinner table... I swear it called my name. I heard it say, "Eat Me" when I peaked into the box. I could not resist. I had a couple slices. Maybe even 3.

I was able to walk away. But about 30 minutes later... 3, maybe 4 more slices. I suck. I had lost about 2 or 3 pounds this week. I guess I gained it all back tonight.

It is Memorial Weekend. This time last year, I had plotted this weekend - from start to finish. Now, not having a girl to make plans with, my weekend is 100% open. I guess the gym and a couple bike rides await. I should be start training for the Duathalon.

:-)

That's all I am posting tonight... just a :-)

Pepsi 400, Happy July 2nd

I used to have a racing buddy. However life situations have put her in Tampa and with a new beau. When she lived in Miami, her and I used to watch the NASCAR races together.

Last year we went to the Pepsi 400 in Daytona. I had a great time. It rained for what seemed an eternity, the race delayed for hours. We made the best of it, finding a somewhat dry spot under the Lund tower along the Super Stretch.

Our plan to drive to Daytona and back in one day was foiled by the 4 or 5 hour rain delay. We left Daytona after midnight, thinking we could stay awake for the 5 hour drive back. We didn't have a place to stay, and knew we would not be able to find a vacancy.

The rest area about an hour and a half south of Daytona was our refuge. We found a parking spot. Put the seat down and passed out. We woke up at 6:30 or so as the sun came up. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The foggy mist broke up the sun's rays. I peeked my head up to look at the rest of the parking to find it over flowing with other race fans who had also spent the night with us sleeping in their cars. It was an adventure I will never forget.

I am going to miss going to the Pepsi 400 this year. A night race in Daytona. The fans, special paint schemes, the sparks, the racing, the "Big One," and the post race fireworks. I am still hoping for a miracle, but I am not going to be placing any bets. You never know what life can throw your way and maybe I will be in Daytona for that July 2nd race. But I won't bet on it.

The Update to the Chase

Before you continue, please read this first.

When I posted last, I mentioned how She had just IM'd me. She told me she was actually reading my blog. Yes even the latest entry.

I am too honest sometimes. Yes it gets me in trouble. I always vow to learn from my past mistakes but my filter doesn't seem to learn. No matter how many times I say the wrong thing, it never learns to catch everything. It's like my mouth can think faster than my brain. Before I know it, I am thinking "Oh I shouldn't have said that."

Well even after reading my blog and that latest entry, She still continued to chat. I think we actually even had a good conversation. And we even made plans for a date!

I am not sure I will continue this line of posts since it is becoming a little too private. And really, how many of you truly care about this sorta stuff?

Should I Continue?

I have been chatting with a match.com girl now for a few weeks. She seems super cool and we seem to have plenty in common. I have been wanting to meet this chick now for about 2, maybe 3 weeks. We have made plans but, for some reason, they have fallen through. Sometimes because of me, sometimes because of her.

I called her Monday and left her a voicemail. I haven't heard from her since. No phone call, no IM, no Email. Should I even continue?

I really do like this girl. I found joy in just hearing her voice on the other end of the line. I know it sounds crazy since we never met, but I was getting a very good vibe. Plus I have had problems opening up my heart to girls, something about "Once bitten, twice shy." I normally would keep myself reserved and shielded to not have my heart broken again.

I've been making a strong effort to not continue hiding from my feelings. And with every new girl I have met, I have been more and more ready to receive love. With this girl, I was ready.

And just as I write this sentence, she IM's me... she says hello.. so I guess the chase is still on?

I will continue the post afterwards with any updates...

No Penalties for Harvick, Nemechek - NASCAR getting the picture?

The fans love it. It adds excitement to any sport. Players just going out there and doing their jobs is, well, boring. You want their personalities to come out. You want to see them smile and applaud and cheer and grunt and scream and cry.

Tell me who doesn't enjoy Roger Clemens post game interviews when one gets away from him? Or seeing Lou Pinella throw a tirade? Who didn't laugh when then Knicks head coach Van Gumby clung like a rag doll to Alonzo Mourning's leg? The fans love this sorta stuff.

Additionally, the league does not have to always step in during these scenarios. A lot of it is handled under a gentlemen's agreement on the field. You hit a homer off of Clemens, you'd better now show him up. Your next time up at bat may find you ducking out of the way of a 90mph fastball into the earhole. In baseball, it's understood, you plunk my guy for no reason then I plunk yours.

NASCAR apparently has lost sight of this. They fine drivers money AND championship points if they peform any acts detrimental to the sport. Yes that vague language is exactly how it is stated in the rule book. If you ask me, Brian Vickers should be fined for bumping Mike Bliss, and spinning him during the final 100 yards of the Nextel Open. That got him a spot for the All-Star race. Then going on to finish 3rd. His actions were detrimental to the sport, especially Mike Bliss. NASCAR should fine him and make him share his winnings with Mike Bliss.

NASCAR understands that we want to see more than just the on track stuff. They have shows like NASCAR Nation and NASCAR Drivers: 360. They also have NASCAR This Morning, Trackside, Victory Lane, and NASCAR Nextel Cup Live. All of these shows let us capture more about our drivers. But when the same driver takes it upon himself to let his emotions show during a race he is penalized.

NASCAR did get it right this time around. During a restart in the All-Star race, Nemechek and Harvick ended up together. No one knows for sure what happened but it was a racing incident. Some drivers had tires some didn't, so some spun on the restart and the accordion affect, and about half the field was wrecking. After the melee, Harvick had a few choice words for Nemechek. He also asked him to check his HANS device to make sure it was ok. I was loving it. Some shoving, some throwing of equipment, some name calling. I was, of course, screaming for more. You could tell both drivers knew that NASCAR's heavy hand was waiting to swat at them and stick them with a fine if their actions were detrimental to the sport.

However, it seems that this time they are not going to fine the drivers. I guess that the format of the All-Star race breeds these kinds of actions. It's a winner take all sort of race. The difference between first and second place is about $700,000. 1 Million dollars goes to the winner and about $300,000 goes to the first loser. Drivers will claw their way to the front for all the money that is at stake. Thefore, at least for this one night, racing clean is actually what is detrimental to the sport.

Today

Today was a down sort of day. I slept in this morning. I woke up around 10am, maybe 10:30. I realized a call was never returned last night. I watched the NASCAR All-Star race that my loyal TIVO had recorded for me, and followed that with the California episode of NASCAR Drivers: 360.

I tossed the idea around. Should I call or wait and see. I told myself, grab the bull by the "horns" and call. I did. Voicemail was left. I took a nap. Woke up and watched Friday's episode of The Practice, again thanks to my trusty TIVO. Hours later, still no return call.

Our schedules never match up... Today I had nothing to do and could have met her whenever she wished. I guess I will have to wait for another.

Darrell Waltrip must be in bed with Hendrick

Did anyone watch the Nextel Open last night? Mike Bliss had the win. About 100 yards from the finish, Hendrick driver Brian Vickers taps the back bumper of Bliss causing him to spin. Vickers won.

Darrel Waltrip, not once, said that was dirty. Darrel, you stupid biased idiot, that WAS a dirty move. I've heard DW rip into other drivers for doing the very same thing. Yet, this Hendrick driver gets a free pass? Vickers could not get around Bliss. He just wasn't fast enough to get inside of his quarter panel. Vickers tapped Bliss not once, but TWICE. That's inexcusable. Once is a mistake, twice is on purpose.

And for those who would call this a racing incident? Sorry Darrel, it wasn't. If Vickers had his quarter panel and he slid up, or Bliss slid down, then OK. But Vickers tapped the back bumper twice to cause Bliss' spin. If you are going to be a commentator then you must do so equally and with fairness to all drivers.

Are we ever going to meet?

As I lie here, I wonder....

Will our schedules ever not be so hectic that we could actually meet? It seems that every time one of us is available, the other is not.

Do I really want to go to this wedding that is getting in the way of meeting Her?

Do I really have to go buy the bride a card?

Should I go get something to eat so I am not starving during the ceremony?

What if my suit does not fit?

Tour of the Gables in 30:45! [updated]

Wow, if you saw the post from earlier this morning you would have assumed that my time would be a personal worst. However, after running the Tour of the Gables in 30 minutes and 45 seconds, I must admit that it's a personal best! My current goal is to break 30 minutes. If I shave 15 seconds from each mile, just 15 little seconds, it means I can come in below the 30 minute mark. Things are good... and will be even better if I finally get to meet one of the girls from match.com today.

[updated]
I just checked the results page. I am in the Male 5K Run Age Group: 30 - 34. I came in 51st out of 63 who were in that group. Not too bad. The fastest person in our group completed the race in a lightning fast 16 minutes and 8 seconds. I ran each mile at an average of 9 minutes 54 seconds. The winner's pace was 5 minutes 12 seconds per mile. A 5 minute mile... can you imagine ever running that fast?

Tour of the Gables 5k starts in 1 hour

It's race morning, about 6:30am. I haven't left to the race yet. The Baptist Hospital Tour of the Gables 5k starts in 1 hour. I am not ready for today. I haven't trained in about 2 weeks. Luckily our time to beat is 33 minutes. I personally wanted to beat 30 minutes. But no training and after the debauchery last night, there's no way.

Yes there are butterflies. I am also dehydrated already, I can tell by the hang over. I am going to have to stop and pick up some Gatorade before arriving at the race.

This is gonna suck arse!

I've been wearing wrong size shoes

For the longest time I have worn size 13 shoes. I recently went to Footworks and the salesperson told me my sneakers looked too small. He checked and he was right. He told me to try a size 14. That was a month or two ago. I went this past weekend to buy shoes and I looked for size 14s. After trying them on I wondered, is this what a comfortable shoe is supposed to feel like?

I can't believe that all this time I had been wearing a shoe one size too small! I wonder what else I am wearing that is one size too small and I have no idea.

I made it to a search engine!!

Woo Hoo! I checked my website stats today and I noticed that someone actually came to my site from the results of a Yahoo search! I am thrilled! I had submitted my URL to a handful of search engines and been waiting and waiting. I am still not on Google but I am on Yahoo.

What do you think I did next? That's right! I went to Yahoo and searched for my site and I FOUND IT! With this exposure the traffic should be rolling in now. Then with increased traffic, there's better chances someone clicks a Google Ad. Since I began displaying the ads on my site on May 5th, I have 59 pennies in my account. That's right folks, 59 shiny pennies. U.S. American pennies. The kind that are good for legal tender anywhere in these United States.

So now the next thought that comes to mind. What can I purchase for 59 cents?

1) Can of soda?
Nope those are 65 to 75 cents now.

2) Bag of chips?
Nope, 75 cents.

3) Candy bar?
Negative. Well maybe.

4) How 'bout chewing gum?
Maybe a small pack of juicy fruit.

Looks like I am not gonna be able be buy shit.

It's not easy being opinionated, why am I so damn happy!

I thought blogging would be easy for me. I am a very opinionated person. My friends always complain about my complaining. Today I realized that I had not posted in a couple of days. Also realized that some of my entries were fluff. Like who the hell cares about my PB&J for dinner? What I also realized is that I have been a happier person lately.

No I haven't met anyone or gotten a little action or anything of the sort. To be honest, I actually did meet someone I liked. However she told me a couple days later she had met someone else. Which is cool. The first time in a long time a girl has been honest with me. I actually thanked her for her honesty. I even added that we could be friends! Yes, I can hear all my male friends gasping and saying NO ED!! You can't be friends with a chick! But truth is, I can be.

So I get turned down and I am still happy. I don't know why. I should be sad right? Who knows? Maybe it's because I am still chatting with another couple girls I've met on Match.com. These girls also seem really cool and they look really cute too. I have not met either of them yet so there is no telling. But cool and cute is a dangerous combination for me. Those girls that posses both cuteness and coolness can usually hold me in the palm of their hands.

I can only figure that my happiness is keeping my bitching at bay. That's the only explanation I can come up with. Diane, Kim, and Shannon all know me very well. If any of them read this I am sure they will agree.

Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion

This is Great! And so creative... Everything from Obi Wan Cannoli and Chewbroccoli, you'll be sure to laugh!

Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion

Nascar Drivers: 360 - Message to Kurt Busch, "She's in it for the money."

I finally queued up the TIVO and watched the premier episode for the 2005 season of Nascar Drivers: 360. The first episode from Daytona featured Rusty Wallace, Kasey Kahne, and Kurt Busch.

This is a reality sort of show where a camera crew follows the drivers around doing their day to day activities, promotional engagements, getting ready for races, or just having fun.

During some of the segments, they have the players in a "confessional" sort of interview. You've all seen this before. Plain background, medium shot of the talent, as they talk to the camera about what is happening and their thoughts.

Well, Eva Bryan is one of those players. She is Kurt Busch's girlfriend. If you have not seen her, she is... Well let me put it this way. You would not expect geeky trophy headed robotic Kurt Busch to be able to land such a mermaid if not for the fact he is a race car driver. And after hearing her comments during her interview, I don't believe that to be true. What I believe is that she is with him because he is the NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. If he was not the champ, I don't think she would still would have stuck around.

In a way I feel bad for Kurt. I rooted for him at Homestead and was thrilled that one of the Roush boys brought home a second consecutive championship. I don't feel that bad because as Jay Mohr put it, Kurt Busch wrote a check and the bank bounced. So things are not all bad for him. Lets hope that he gets a pre-nup and protects his millions. Did anyone else watch this episode and get the same feeling about Eva?

What a fun weekend! Howl at the Moon Tonight!

On Friday, I coached the Youth Flag Football time. Then I went to Monty's in Coconut Grove. I already went to the Doral Ale House today for lunch. I get a call that they need another player for softball. Sometime into the second game, Kim calls me. They are going to Howl at the Moon up at Beachplace! Yippee! Now if I could only grow the testicular fortitude to actually try and pick up a chick the evening would be complete.

Deadliest Catch

After watching a few of the Deadliest Catch episodes, I have a serious problem with anyone who eats Alaskan King Crab, ofilio crab, or snow crab, or any other crab these men risk their lives for.

Eating their catch only perpetuates the killing of these fishermen. We make a fuss about killing a dolphin when catching tuna. Such a stink was raised that Americans began to only purchase Dolphin safe tuna. How come these same Americans don't raise a stink about the killing of humans when catching the crabs? And why don't they petition for Fishermen Safe Crab?

This is just another example of what little value we place on human life.

ComCast rolls out Video On Demand

I see that Comcast has rolled out Video On Demand. It seems to be a rather neat idea. You browse through a menu of movies and shows, select what you want to watch, and in about 5 seconds it begins playing on your TV.

I just perused the menus. My first thoughts weren't good. The menu is too granular. It is divided up into too many sub menus. Some menus were even empty. Additionally there wasn't a Full Listing option. You have to go granular menu by granular menu to find a show you want to watch.

The free shows and free movies were nothing to write home about. The free movies were older movies. The free shows were also older. I guess since they are free you really can't expect too much. I did not check the premium selections because I am not about paying money. Now between my TIVO and VOD, there should be enough TV to watch.

I am a little drunk at the moment

I went to Monty's, Coconut Grove. Drank enough beer and I am slightly affected by that at the moment... I am thinking about the couple, maybe two or three girls I am chatting with from Match.com. Things are good....

I just ate a PB&J for dinner

I was hungry but trying to not eat since I had such a big lunch today. I gave in and had a delicous and yummy peanut butter and jelly with a cold glass of milk. It took me back to when I was a kid.

I Hate Compaq and their Rude Service

---

I received a call this morning from Compaq. They pretend to be following up on the phone call I made into Tech Support the other day.

"Did you receive the replacement?"

"Did it fix the problem?"

etc...

Then here comes the rudeness...

"Do you know how to ship a package?"

I replied very short and just as rude back to her.

"Of course I do and I already did"

The amount of hate I have for Compaq is immeasurable. I have to deal with them on a daily basis and each time it's like pulling teeth.

Higher Fares is Miami-Dade's Answer to Increase Ridership

This will be a quick post. Miami-Dade has been trying to increase ridership on the county's mass transit system. They recently announced that they are raising the fares to ride. They want us to use the system more but yet they make it more expensive to ride. Tell me again how this will entice me into using it?