RAMBLINGS INC

2011-12-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

Catherine - Only baby at home last year

Christmas Again

2011-12-16T10:50:00.001-08:00

Christmas is very stressing. There's gifts to buy. People to see. Places to go. Lots of money spent. Do we really know why? I remember a time when all that mattered was to be clOse to and around the people u cared for. Yes, there were presents; simple affordable that were given out of love rather than obligation. At times nowadays it feels like an obligation because of the number of people you give stuff to. I wish there was a way of showing your appreciation and thankfulness without spending an arm and a leg. Christmas doesn't stop being Christmas no matter what you spend or who you are with. Christmas is what you make of it. Christmas is as meaningful as you make it. Your kids and family are Christmas. Everything ls is pocket change.

Random Thoughts on the state of our country, our world and Herman Cain

2011-12-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

What a year this has been. At the end of last year, both Cecilia and Charlie were still at the hospital with Charlie not getting out till February. Then home with brand new babies, a whole new experience all together.
It's been a crazy ride and it gets even crazier. Have you been following politics lately?
Our current crop of candidates (Republican) are a complete mess. At this point it is their contest to lose. Obama is a lame duck who doesn't even remember if he is a Democrat or still a Senator from Illinois, maybe right now he actually wishes he was from Indonesia and not a US Citizen,(sorry birthers).
It is unfortunate that our first black president was saddled with such challenges as the wars and the economic crash, all brought on by previous administrations (read-Bush)
It reminds me of the time I was in 5th Grade at boarding school. On a weekend when I decided to stay at school rather than go home, a few kids were playing with marbles close to the swimming pool and one of them (marble) went into the water. I was close enough to them where the teacher who was "babysitting" us thought that I had tossed the marble in the water.
As the marble slowly rolled towards the diving pool, he "asked" me to go and retrieve it. I did not know how to swim at the time and sure enough, clothes shoes, and all, he made me jump into the diving pool (from the middle diving board) to "retrieve" the marble.
I came close to drowning that two of his good swimmers had to go in and help me out of the water.
Obama is in almost the same situation. Someone else tossed in two wars and a mess into wall street, he comes along wanting to be the president with only 4 years in which to fix it all and ends up almost drowning. Right now he is just coasting to re-election thanks to the bunch of crazies on the Republican side.
Once Romney gets his shit together, he might be the only one viable enough candidate to beat Obama, unless some skeleton in a dark closet appears (quite possible).
Bachman will never be the first woman president.
Cain will never be the second black president or ever be a president at all. he might have had a better chance if he was a democrat. Democrats forgive indiscretions, Republicans pounce on them if they are Democrats, otherwise they squirm and make no comments until they are ready to resign.
I started this post days before Cain decided to "suspend" his candidacy.
Here's whats next for him.
Divorce from his wife. Continue running for some office unless. He is probably going to expect to be nominated as secretary of state for whomever wins the Presidency. (Fat chance)

THANKS FOR.......

2011-11-24T06:28:00.001-08:00

Another Thanksgiving to celebrate. Pies are cooked, veggies are clean chopped and prepped. Turkeys have been defrosting for the last couple of days. Oh Yeah! I forgot to mention that the babies finally slept all night long. Catherine whined and cried for a little bit, which woke me up at 4:00 AM. I prepared her a bottle, which is still sitting by her crib, let the dog out and I was not able to go back to sleep.So here I am. Facing another Thanksgiving holiday. We have always celebrated Thanksgiving in San Francisco at Bill and Debbie's. The last couple of years it's changed because of work schedule (mine) and the arrival of the triplets. This year we made the decision that we would start our own tradition and have Thanksgiving diner at home. We invited Melissa's parents and my brother Max and his family will be here as well. There is much to be thankfull for.To begin with, I am thankfull that our babies are healthy. Catherine is walking and talking while Cecilia and Charlie are not far behind.olivia and Anthony are turning into little adults. Soon they will graduate into full blown teenagers. They are great kids with much promise and have the support and love of their extended family. I am thankfull for that. Melissa and I have had some challenging days brought on by the pressure of raising triplets. It is not easy to stay home and day in and day out deal with three very active babies though she has stuck to her routine and schedule with them which has made it somewhat easier on her. We try and make time for each other and that is where it gets rough. My schedule at work continues to be crazy with the long weekends so by the time Saturday arrives, I am useless at home and i'm not myslef till Monday rolls around.I am thankfull I still have a job in a town and industry that has been hit hard by the economic situation, where people's hours and salaries have been cut jsut in order to keep a pay check coming. There is also much to gripe about but today is not the day.I am thankfull for the friends in my life that have remained constant and for those who left good memories of past Thanksgivings.Now, to enjoy some good food and great company.

New Experiences

2011-11-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

The triplets have turned a year old, To celebrate we headed out ot Disneyland with the family. At least my wife's side of the family. Itturned ou to be a great week/end getaway. The babies seemed to have enjoyed all the sights and sounds.Today they are headed to LA for an audition. One of Melissa's doctors suggested that we should sign the babies with an agent. Not sure if this was a joke or an actual real thought. Well, it turns out that his wife owns a talent agency here in town an dtheir daughter is acting in movies, commercials and such. So he knew what he was talking about. Eventually we followed his advice and signed up the babies with the talent agency.They'd already had a casting call but it turned out to be during our anniversary weekend gettaway. This time they got selected for an audition. Of course it is all the way down in L.A. The only two selected were Charlie and Cecilia, but of course Catherine is tagging along. You never know.It will be good if they get it. It will get Melissa out of the house and with enough to do other than laundry, bottles, and house cleaning. Of ocurse if I am able to go, I will be there.In the meantime, I am enjoying the solitude right now with a nice hot cup of coffee. "Sexy Feet', Sexy Feet", "Sexy Feet"

One Year Olds

2011-10-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

It's been rough, challening, sometimes depressing and at times it seems hopeless. Now you look at the entire past year and it's all been worth it. Their smiles, their little sounds and cooing. Their looks of amazement at everything around them.
Their fight and struggle to grow and stay healthy from the time they were little embrios. Now a year later, its been all worth it. I would not do anything diferently. When we found out that Melissa was pregnant, there was no doubt or hesitation that we were having a baby (at the time). Once we found out that they were multiples, even then, there were no hesitations.
Now that they are turning a year old we could not be happier at the big event so we are going to celebrate in The Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland!
the whole family is headed there with our big kids in tow. So they'll miss a couple of days of school. It will also be nice because we did not do anything with them during their summer vacation, (though they did plenty).
I got one more day at work which should be fairly quick and then off for a week. it will be good to clear my mind if at least from work related crap.
We'll be posting updates daily on Facebook.
Toodles!

My Life History in Chapters for my children

2011-07-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

This list is for my children.
I know I cannot condense may years into one post, so I will try my best to do it in several posts. It isn't easy to remember every little aspect of some one's life particularly when that someone is 46 years old. But as we remember things and or dig into the past, we will fill many chapters.
Starting with

CHAPTER ONE
My childhood was spent in Mexico City from when I was about 5 or ever since I can remember. During that time, I remember the first few places that we lived right after my parents emigrated to The Capital from the State of Oaxaca. I had already done first grade back in San Miguel (Do you know how many towns and or villages are named San Miguel in the entire country of Mexico?) Google it.
So when I arrived in Mexico City I started second grade at an elementary school named "Heroes de Zacapoaxtla" in COlonia Moctezuma Segunda Seccion. Third grade was also in that same school, though if I remember well, I had to repeat second grade for some reason. Perhaps because Spanish was not my first language, but rather Zapotec. Interesting how history repeats itself with so many migrants coming from Mexico with their kids into the U.S. Of course neither speaks English so when they start school at an American school, they are at a disadvantage because of the difference in language.
There will be more about these early years in subsequent chapters. In the meantime, enjoy these tidbits of my first 15 years of memories(some not so memorable).

First Visit of John Paul II to Mexico City - I saw him from a distance.
Also spent an entire night in the basilica as a boy scout controlling and directing traffic inside the church (December 12-big day)
Disco Music - Disco Inferno anyone?
Mom and Dad splitting in 1976 - Many chapters will be written about this.
Queen Concert in the City of Puebla (Why not Mexico City?)
Kiss at Azteca Stadium
Star Wars, Jaws, Saturday Night Fever, Grease.
Dressing up as Kiss (Peter Criss) for Halloween.
After Disco came: Duran Duran, Culture Club and many more. Disco was dead.
MTV arrived - Cindy Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - one of the first videos shown? - Video Killed the Radio Star, 99 Red Balloons.
Panasonic Boom box!
Later on Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Arrival of Cd's death of cassettes.
Sony Walkman
Jordache and Sergio Valente designer Jeans.
Dallas and Dynasty - never got into them - 6 Million Dollar Man (Lee Majors) yes. cool show.
Left/Communist Vs. US Supported governments in Central America.
Election of Ronald Reagan - at time it was feared that he would get us into a war with the Soviet Union - What? You don't know what the Soviet Union was?
My oldest sister gave me the saddest news upon returning from a vacation in the mountains (John Lennon had been shot)
I remember riding Trolleys in Mexico City. The kind they still ride in New Orleans.
Overthrow of Somoza in Nicaragua and arrival of Sandinistas in power - This after a widely viewed clip of a reporter being shot by a government soldier. Public opinion turned against US support for government in Nicaragua and that ensured the success of the Sandinistas.
Arrival of Gorbachev in power in Soviet Union and subsequent collapse of Union (Lech Walesa- Poland - also a catalyst force in the collapse of Soviets)
Fall of Berlin Wall.
Lost my appendix in 1985
Westin Bonaventure Hotel
Don't remember the first Shuttle launch, but do remember the explosion of the Challenger. sitting in my Aunt's couch and watching my cousins play (Jairo and Leslie)
First American friends - Mary Beattie, Vicky Basil, David Ewards - Weekends in Palm Springs.
Trip Across country - 4 weeks of driving in a 280Z (Mary's)
Checkers Hotel/Thomas Keller
Moved to South Pasadena
Went to Pasadena City College (Go Lancers)
Met your Mom.
Moved to Pasadena
Adopted Charlie (Cat)

More to come

"You Must Have Your Hands Full"

2011-07-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

No matter who they are: family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, they all say the same thing when we mention we have triplets.
"You must have your hands full"
I'm definitely beginning to hate the phrase. Then it is followed by "Are you getting any sleep"?
Quite observant people, I Think to myself. Indeed, I am not getting enough sleep. Working weekends at the club prepared me for my now irregular sleeping pattern. Late into bed; waiting for Cecilia to wake up at 1:00AM before she goes down for the rest of the night, then an hour later to have Charlie wake up 'cause she is hungry. After she goes down, then if I am lucky, Catherine will sleep till 7:00AM, otherwise, 5:30 it is. So it is 1 hour of sleep, then 3, then up for the rest of the day 'till work beckons. Sometimes I can sneak a short nap before getting ready for work.
No i don/t have my hands full. If anyone has her hands full is my wife. In addition to caring for the babies, she has to contend with our teens along with the household duties that she has to deal with. She has more than full hands.
Throw in all the emotional feelings of abandonment each time I go to work, the dissapontment of having those close to her not be as helpful as they made it out to be and you have a very unhappy person. Yes, she has her hands full and when people point it out, it is rather annoying.

Charlie The 17 Year Old Cat

2011-06-18T01:22:00.000-07:00

I had to put my cat to sleep. She was a wonderful cat. (I didn't know what else to post about Charlie) I think it was such an emotional moment that I did not want to relive it.
Post from June 18. This year
Charlie She was 16 years old when she passed.

MILESTONES

2011-06-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

12,12 Cecilia
11.15 Charlie
13.8 Catherine

That is their current weight. Charlie can hold her bottle with both hands, take the bottle out and then put it back in. Catherine should be crawling anytime and is also sprouting a tooth. Cecilia is mellow and sweet. Not too much concern for wanting to hold her own bottle or roll around. All three have very strong necks and can hold their own while being held up. All three are eating solids (pureed) that Melissa prepares at home. They were baptized with their "aunties and uncles" as their Godparents.
They are all doing excellent, including their older siblings who finish the school year today and looking forward to their Summer vacations. Anthony unfortunately will have to attend Summer school.
Melissa and I happy as clams (How does anyone know about Clam happiness?)
You've been updated.

LIFE

2011-05-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

Life is coming on fast. Big Kids are 12 and soon 13. Babies are 7 months today and growing quickly. Their personalities are beginning to show and it is quite interesting to see how they are each displaying a little bit of our own personalities while they develop their own.
It's been a crazy 5 months since they've been home. Malissa has had a rough time dealing with all three when there is no one home and I am at work. Unfortunately my job keeps me out of the house on average 12 hours each day, so by the time I come home, Melissa is exhausted from dealing with all babies. I try and help out by getting up in the middle of the night when one or two wake up to get fed.
We've also been busy with doctor's appointments which thank goodness have stopped in frequency. We have yet to purchase a minivan- looking for a specific kind at a price we can deal with (Remember - 1 income household now)So it is quite the trek when we are going somewhere with all 3 of them, being to church or appointments. Currently we have to take both cars with two babies in one and the third one in another car.
Melissa's mom comes to the house from time to time to help out. The kids also help out a lot. I think that combination has helped Melissa to maintain her sanity. On my days off, it is my turn to do most of the baby duties, though of course as long as Melissa is in the house, she helps.
Never for one moment in my life did I think I was going to be raising multiple babies. Sometimes when they are asleep or just sitting in their swings playing, I stare and stare in disbelief. What happened? How did it happen? Was this all planned by the all mighty God? because I didn't plan for this and neither did Melissa. I am not regretting it, I am just amazed at all the twists and turns that life takes. One day you are driving along PCH making plans to travel to exotic places now that the "kids are older" Next thing you know, you are installing car seats in your cars, setting up play pens, remaking a den into a nursery.
Life comes at you fast. You better be ready.

CECILIA

2011-02-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

Cecilia has been home for 4 days now. Both Cecilia and Charlie should have been here but Charlie pulled out her G-tube completely out of her stomach. Of course this caused an infection somewhere in her tummy after the doctors replaced the G-Tube, so she was checked back into the NICU. This all happened Sunday. One day before they both were ready to be discharged. Both had passed all kinds of tests (including the car seat)..

I am posting this today December 9, 2011. (I started it on February- and never finished it)

ROUTINE

2011-01-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

Its midnight.
Catherine has been wake since about eight at night and with each hour that passes, I hope she goes to sleep so I can put her in her bed.
There is only so many news channels or Great Discovery Channel shows you can watch before you are just completely tired and yet, she is still awake.
Every now and the she lets out a whimper which is bound to become a cry for food.
After eating (Do they eat at this age?) about two ounces of formula and a slight burp, she pretends that she is asleep.
Finally I can put her down so I can also go to sleep.
Wrong. As soon as I put her down she wakes up.
There goes another ounce of formula.
By now it is two o'clock and we both feel asleep. Me with a crooked neck and her over my chest.
I get up and take her to her room. Gently place her in her bed waiting for a loud cry but she only lets out a small cry. I wait by her crib in case she wakes up crying but this time I got lucky. It is now about two thirty as I climb into bed.
Melissa stirs into bed not knowing that in about three hours it will be her turn to change diapers, get a bottle ready with formula and start her day.
Hopefully I can sleep till about ten in the morning but also knowing that by eight, I will be up.
And this is only with one baby. Wait till the other two come home (Perhaps Sunday)

TRIPLETS UPDATE II

2011-01-21T11:57:00.001-08:00

Last post here on Blogger was around Halloween and I have been fairly busy during all that time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Visits to the hospital, family in town, Vacation at work, Stressing from work, you name it.
I've been waiting to keep this blog a little more up to date with the goings on around my babies (Well, Melissa's babies too- she did most of the work).
Another milestone is quickly approaching. First it was the birth of the 3C's, then came the arrival of Catherine at home. That was back in early December. Throughout all that time, Cecilia and Charlie haven't had such a great time at the hospital, though they are growing at a good pace, 8 pounds back and forth lately, they are having issues with keeping their food down. The doctors have changed their formula to a heavier cereal type and that has helped, some days the eat all of their bottle without spitting up and some days, they just do not want to eat. At this rate they could stay in the hospital for a while and we do not want that. We've been expecting them home for well over a month now and there is no progress.
So, the milestone now is going to be a quick operation on them to install a feeding tube while also tightening the top of their stomachs to avoid any more acid reflux.
This is going to allow for them to come home. We hope that this will help them get over their issues while they get all the personal attention they need and crave.
They've been off of oxygen for a while, so the only issue has been the feeding and their issue with reflux- Charlie more so than Cecilia.
It's been rough the last couple of months. With splitting time between work, home, hospital visits at 11:00 or 11:00PM (After I get out of work)and also tending to our two pre-teens, who are a great help.
It is also rough on Melissa on the weekends when I work long hours and into the morning; which means when I get home all I want to do is sleep, but since it is the time when Catherine wakes up to eat, I stay up with her usually into 6-6:30 in the morning. I am not complaining. She is a great baby so far.
She sleeps at regular intervals so we know when she'll be asleep, crying, or eating, sometimes she will also stay up and just chill for a good three hours.
All of that is going to change when Cecilia and Charlie come home. It is going to take a huge adjustment for all of us. As of right now, I am on medical leave for a few weeks to help with their care and transition into home. Once we settle on a routine for them, it will be time to go back to work.
Until then, I hope to keep you updated more often in the next feww weeks.

Halloween and Dia de Muertos Images

2010-11-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

From Den to Nursery.

2010-10-18T17:05:00.001-07:00

Different stages of the room conversion. It used to be my den/office and with the upcoming arrival of the girls, the room had to b e turned into a nursery. A big task considering that it was a room with 3 walls and a big opening into the living room down below. My father in law and brother in law offered to help out (They are contractors) so what seemed like a big task for me turned out to be a quick side job for them. Of course they did it for the girls and they will eventually know that.

What the room looked like to begin with after a first attempt at painting it (Melissa) with a fairly dark brown color. - An unfinished project since we did not care for the color once it went onto the wall.

Rick after removing the glass panels and measuring for new walls

Scaffolding up to place sheet rock and later for painting

Closet framed and in place

Walls finished, textured, painted and ready for removal of scaffolding.

Door in (needs a knob)

Contrasting colors

Wooden floor ready to go down

TRIPLETS UPDATE

2010-10-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hello all.

The Girls are doing wonderful according to the doctors despite the PDA -technical term for their little heart issue-.

Nothing that the doctors haven't seen, particularly with multiples. However, our babies are doing well including beginning feeding from their mom's milk.
Of course the doctor also explained that the babies will do well one day then they may have a bad day on another time, etc. But overall, they are on the right path.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Now on to finishing their nursery.

CHARLIE

2010-10-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Charlie was the last baby that the doctors found at the beginning of pregnancy and once we spoke to the specialist, the suggestion was made to consider terminating 1 baby because of the inherent dangers of carrying triplets. Charlie was also the smallest of all three babies but eventually she gained up on Cecilia on weight and size.

Charlie so far is having issues outside of the womb. her heart rate is slightly higher and the pressure in her little lungs is higher than expected. According to the doctors, a couple of valves that should have closed after birth have not done so and that may require medicine and or surgery. This is worrying Melissa and me as well, though our reactions are different. She is the mom who's carried them all this time so her being upset is more natural and warranted.
We've also seen them, touched them, and spoken to them. A connection has been established so the though of loosing any of them is upsetting.

I'm just rambling here.

I am worried
i don't want our babies to suffer much less to die.
We re hopeful that she will be fine and no surgery will be needed.
We need all prayers and support for her right now.

Melissa is doing great in recovery. She's been walking around the maternity floor and throughout on her own. Hopefully she will be out of the hospital by tomorrow or Sunday the latest.

I am a father of natural triplets

2010-10-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

Today October 13, I became a father again for the second time. Only this time to 3 little girls.
Catherine Elia, Cecilia Marie and Charlie Lucille. They were born right before 11:00pm right at the 29 week mark. We were trying to hold out a little longer but I guess they were eager to make their grand entrance. Melissa's water broke on Saturday afternoon and she checked into the hospital. At the time, the doctors told her that she may have to be on bed-rest anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. This in order to give the babies more time to develop. However it wasn't meant to be. Babies heart
Rate began to spike and Melissa was developing an infection so the doctor had to make a decision and deliver the babies.

Cecilia Marie - 2.8oz 14 inches at birth

Catherine Elia - 2.11oz 14.4 inches at birth

Charlie Lucile - 2.5oz. 15 inches at birth

I will update with more details as they progress.

ON TRACK

2010-10-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

All good with the babies, though Melissa is getting more uncomfortable as she gets bigger.
Last week's visit to the doctor made things a lot more real when he said that the babies were doing so good that if there were any issues and they had to come out, they would be "OK", of course with a prolonged stay at hospital. Knowing that they could be here anytime made us realize that the house was nto ready to receive them. The following day we went to the store, got paint, looked at flooring, and began to move everything out of the den.
Pictures above are o fthe room to change and Anthony and his Papa(Grandfather) helping with remodeling.

GREAT NEWS

2010-09-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Forget about the post below. Look at the previous one and you will see that there is a lot to talk about.
Back at the beginning of May, it was one baby, then twins. Well, the good news is that it is triplets.

TRIPLETS!
Yes. Triplets. Melissa is in her sixth month and doing good so far considering the "load" she is carrying.
That is not all.
We got married on September 11 of all days. A happy day for us spent with family and friends. (Pictures to come)

Work is work.I still need to find another job. I am still happy with our staff an place but I do need a new challenge.

There. My life for the last 5 moths.
You've been updated.

2 BABIES ON BOARD

2010-05-13T23:45:00.000-07:00

The biggest surprise in the world came in the form of a baby scan. Melissa went back to the OBGYN for an update and conformation of the pregnancy (due date). The doctor had trouble finding the embryo and after a couple of trips to the bathroom to clear her bladder, the doctor was able to "find" the embryo and to confirm that not only was there one but what appeared to be a "cyst" or the "bladder', turned out to be another embryo.
So there we have it. We are having twins.
My mouth was wide open at the finding and complete surprise. Melissa was laughing nervously, for we both knew that neither one of us had any twins in our family history.
So what were the odds and why? the doctor could only say that twins had to start "somewhere". The odd also increase when you are past 30 (due to hormonal changes) and as a side note, Melissa found that the chances are 3 in 100.
Quite an exciting time, since we are getting married in about 4 months- Wasn't it yesterday that I just proposed to her?
Didn't we just find out about 3 weeks ago that she was pregnant?
And now twins?

Wow!
Wow!
I still can't believe it.

BABY ON BOARD

2010-04-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

There is a new baby on the way and it is ours.
Kind of unplanned but welcomed. Crazy thing was that just a few weeks ago we had gone to a fertility clinic for an exam since Melissa was not getting pregnant even though we had not used any kind of protection at least for the last 4 years.
After the regular tests, it turned out that there wasn't anything wrong with either one. So, the doctor asked Melissa to go back when she got her period next.
Well, 45 days went by and no sign of the "evil".
She bought a couple of those over the counter tests and Voila! they all came up positive.

We are all happy, including our two grown up kids (11 and soon to be 12)

It's been a while but it was also time.

"Four's Love"

2010-03-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

As part of the new me, I have decided to join the gym. Running and biking has kept me in good shape but I think I can do better. I soon will be 45 and I know i gotta take care of myself. I do want to be around for the long haul. There are many chapters yet to be written in my life book.
A new chapter is about to begin, though Melissa and I have been together for a long time, this indeed is a new beginning.
I see life as a series of chapters, what Buddhists would refer to as Karma I think. There are also all kinds of people during different parts of our lives as well as different locations where we end up living and working. Your true friends and or family are those that no matter the circumstances or the distance, are a constant in your life. The rest are all part of the chapters in your life who will be that. Past chapters only to be remembered from time to time. Though at the time they may have influenced you in ways that perhaps still resonate with you.
I look forward to this new chapter called, "Four's Love"

Return of a Man Called Horse

2010-02-23T10:29:00.000-08:00

I thought of this movie for the title of my post because it is one of my favorite Westerns by Richard Harris
It is time consuming and sometimes hard to try and keep up with email addresses, blogs, facebook and all this social media crap that we're getting addicted too, so I deleted the 44 year old groom blog and instead I am staying with my original -Ramblings.
I can continue posting everything about the upcoming wedding as well as any other thoughts I have as I have been doing for the last 5 years, though perhaps not as frequently. Work takes up a large amount of my living hours. It keeps me away from family, friends, loved ones. Why must it be this way? However, I still have to make a living and pay bills (Some unnecessary).
Anyways. A lot is happening at work with people leaving, moving, job interviews, some BS and more of the same. If I was at any other job, I am sure I would be dealing with the same issues.
I guess ultimately I am the one in control of my time and I have to make sure I make the best of it, particularly when it comes to family.
So, which one of my kids is looking for "Lesbian Sex" and other porno related info while doing their homework on the Internet? huummmm. I guess they haven't figured out that they have to delete their search history, particularly when searching for naughtiness. It should be an interesting conversation.

The wedding, 7 months away and approaching like a bullet train. It was only 3 months ago that I proposed to Melissa and we've made good progress (Actually mostly her effort) Things are progressing quite well and most everything is lined up. I still have to find a tux, limos and hotel rooms for the day of the event.

Oh yeah! I almost forgot. AVATAR. Add it to my list of favorite movies.
Till Next Time!

Groom's Update

2009-12-28T22:13:00.000-08:00

What a crazy month. Beginning with the proposal, Christmas, shopping, parties, work, days off. Visits to places for the wedding, etc. So much in so little time. No wonder brides go crazy. Me? just cruising. Letting Melissa take the reins. There is one more hoopla to go through. New Year's Eve, That is going to be a tough one. A 4 day weekend at work.
It is going to be crazy for both of us, but once it is over, it will be such a relief. Then we can "both" focus on the details for the wedding.
We have a photographer already. My good friend Joan , whom I've known going back about 20 years, has become a photographer and will be doing the honors. Melissa has seen the pictures though she has yet to meet Joan.
Our Resident DJ Gil Barba will be emceeing our event.
I have a good idea who is going to make the cake. I have yet to approach her about it, also a good friend (Ring bearer's mom) Is that even allowed?
We have looked at some rings for the wedding but have yet to decide on anything in particular.
Melissa has accomplished to get her bride's maids to pick their dresses as well as get measured for them.
She is doing good so far. She is getting a lot of advice from the experts. I think it has eased her mind and eagerness a little. I know that before you know it, the date will be here, so getting ahead as much as possible is a good thing.
The trickiest aspect is going to be the honeymoon plans and destination. We basically are all over the place literally. From a tour of Europe to Tahiti. From New Zealand to Moscow.
We might just end up honeymooning in Alaska!
Here we come Sarah!

Day 2

2009-11-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

Day 1 was the proposal day which you can read all about in Melissa's blog. Day 2 is today and it is a bit disappointing because of the way UCLA's been playing all night. Now back to the engagement news.
This is day 2 and the fun has begun. There are 2 bride's dress magazines already in the house and a date for the wedding is already materializing. There is already a prospective count of the guests as well as proposed locations.

Let The Madness Begin!

I am going to keep this blog updated as often as I can with news about the "event" which will consume our lives for the next 12 months.
It will serve as a diary of our upcoming wedding just as much as it's been my diary for the last 4 years. Even if it is just for the 2 of us and the 2 or 3 other people that read this blog regularly. (You know who you are....)

Oh yeah! The picture is from the last halloween. Not our wedding outfits!

OK, There it is. I am getting married

2009-11-28T13:24:00.000-08:00

To Melissa

See what I was talking about?

2009-11-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

I found this on Yahoo.

http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylc=X3oDMTBmZ3RtY3M2BHRtX2xuawNVMTEwNDY3NA--/SIG=10vmqfopr/**http%3A//www.livecareer.com/

A great coworker can help you look forward to going to work each day. An annoying coworker, on the other hand, can make you want to hide under the covers.
A large survey by the staffing firm Ranstad USA asked employees what their biggest office peeves were. It turns out they all involved coworkers. Annoying ones.

Do you recognize any of the top six most annoying coworker types?

The Psst-er: Gossipers were the number one pet peeve in the survey. While some people like to hear juicy tidbits about the boss or their colleagues, too much gossip can undermine the spirit of the workplace. Plus you're always wondering when the Psst-er will make you the topic du jour.

The Broken Clock: These coworkers stink at time management. They're routinely late for everything, including work. They tend to spend too much time on emails, take long lunches, and then scramble to get others to help them meet their deadlines, which, for some reason, they keep missing.

Mold Guy: Coworkers who mess up communal spaces were third on the list of workplace pet peeves. Their month-old leftovers sport a thick layer of fur in the company fridge. Every office seems to have at least one who stinks up shared spaces.

The Whiffy Wonder: You can smell these coworkers wafting about from the other end of the office. They just wear too much perfume or cologne. Some have an obsession with Obsession. Others feel the need to douse themselves with Old Spice. And hiding in your cubicle won't make the overpowering smell go away.

The Cracker: Crackers are loud. They crack loud jokes, they crack their knuckles, they crackle their chewing gum, they clank spoons in coffee cups like they're calling the cows to come in from the fields. People who work near crackers can find themselves ready to crack.

The Tapper: Tappers are generally quieter than Crackers. But that doesn't make them any less annoying when they're tap-tap-tapping on their personal communication devices during meetings. It's distracting, rude, and yes, just plain annoying!

The one positive aspect of these annoying coworkers is that they tend to unite the rest of us who can bond over the latest outrageous offense. Besides laughing at the insanity, here are some other ways to cope:

* Even the most annoying types may annoy you less if you love everything else about your job. Take the free career test to find a job you absolutely love.

* If you find yourself subject to one or more of these annoying types and they're driving you batty, it may be time to find a new job that offers greater job satisfaction, with fewer obnoxious coworkers. Take the free resume test to ensure your resume is in shape.

* If you find that all of your coworkers get under your skin, you may be better off working for yourself with the power to select your own co-workers. Take a free entrepreneur test to find out if you have what it takes to start your own business.

PERSONALITIES

2009-10-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

We all have them. Personalities that is. We are one way at home and different at work. We put masks and disguises on to fool, please and make people happy.
You will find the "know it all", that person that gets their information from people magazine or enquirer and joins your conversation with facts about everything. Then there's the "I'm so good looking, all girls want me" guy. This is the same of girls who think all guys ought to ask them out and strut their stuff around oblivious to the fact that they are not that attractive at all. I could go on and on about the types of personalities we have at work, or school. I know I fall into a certain personality trait just like next person.
Most of the time though, the changes in personalities are not as bad except when you turn into a complete asshole or bitch. Yes, those are the right words to describe people who are completely unhappy with their job and their surroundings. I think those are the worse, the rest are harmless.
Those who feel pressured by their bosses, disliked by their co-workers. Those who are all about take, take, take, and nothing about give, give, give. Those who feel that their issues are bigger than everyone else's and they should get all the freebies and benefits without working for them.
They do not see themselves as a bitch or asshole. They see you and everyone else as that, simply because you do not support their views.
They are harmful because they spew their venom no matter how far it goes or whom it hurts. They glee at someone else's pain or mishap. Sometimes pretending they care and support the person while hugging and offering words of support. All the while just soaking up the misery and enjoying the moment.
It doesn't last long though. They eventually fall to their own doing. Eventually all the negativity the spew comes back and bites them in the ass. I have seen it time and time again. I have also been lucky enough to work closely with a couple of them.

Just venting.

Do you know any? No names please.

OBAMA SPEECH TO STUDENTS

2009-09-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

What happened to all the controversy? I guess it was good that he did not want to follow up with the "follow up lessons" He's got good people that advise him, that would have been a bad decision.
Agave Jueves III went without a glitch, unfortunately I forgot my camera so there are no pictures, but I gotta tell you it was a success. I will upload pictures taken by others (read - Gil)
Still around..

UNBELIEVABLE SCORE - MEXICO 4, US 0

2009-07-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

That's not the Mexican team that shoWed up today at Giant's stadium. That is also not the US team that's been playing for the last few years.
What happened?..
We'll let the experts in sports figure it out.
Gold cup is going to Mexico. Great second half.

LET ME REPHRASE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!

5 GOLS TO NONE!!!!!!

DREAM # 9

2009-07-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

Disturbing dreams are my thing.
They are filled with violence and disturbing images that when I wake up, I am sweating and full of relief that it was only a dream. They are so vivid and the more that I remember about them, it's because they were so intense.
Last night, aside from the frequent battle with "bad guys" who wanted to get me into a scam around housing, etc; There was a scene (that is what I call them) where I found myself thinking that I had to take a pill(s) that would kill me. I had to commit suicide because that is what I had to do. Like an Aztec indian facing sacrificial at sunset, I knew that I had to do it and I was willing to do it.
As I was trying to analyze my dilemma in my dream and wondering why I "had" to do it, I came to the conclusion that since I was on my last hours, I might as well make the best of it. I though of drinking champagne since that is one thing I liked so much (at least one of them). I thought of finishing my day with those that I love. As time approached I began to question why I had to commit suicide. I then fought the feeling. I refused to go so willingly. I told someone, not sure who,"I do not want to do it, I am happy and I want to enjoy that feeling for the rest of my life" aware that I was not sick or with an explanation for the suicide, I hang on to the idea that I did not want to die and that I had to fight the feeling.
The struggle in my mind is what got me out of sleep and woke me up.
Lesson there?
Maybe (as people like to say) I have to live each day as if it was the last one of my life.
What do you dream?

Somewhere in that sequence, I rescued two kittens out of a tree by jumping from the top of a building (about 6 stories). Not fearful of the jump I grabbed them and brought them down. As we were walking away, one of them began to talk to me.

SEATTLE

2009-07-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

I thought I liked the Northwest after I visited Seattle a few years back. A few years back means even before Olivia was born. After visiting again this year, I found out that I love the area more. Particularly after visiting Vancouver, B.C. What a city! Nothing like I've seen before. I was truly impressed by the layout of the city with its bridges, parks, and proximity to the mountains. Though I thought the traffic was rather heavy, maybe it was because of the weekend. It is nothing like NY city or San Francisco, each one has their own appeal and attractions that make people visit from all parts of the world. I'm sure Vancouver gets its share of tourists from cruises into Alaska and such. If I lived there, I wouldn't mind them, just as much as I do not mind them here in Vegas.
yes, I would move there in a snap.
Any Canadians wanna sponsor a family of 4 with 2 dogs and an Iguana?
Let me know.
On to Seattle!
Melissa and I had a great trip. There wasn't anything to wine or complain about. The weather was great, the walks were interesting with plenty to keep us entertained. The food was as usual, excellent. The highlight of the trip amongst others, was a visit to Eliotts. Their happy hour was the best, no doubt about it. It was so good we went back on our last day for lunch. Of course we had to go up to the Space Needle while we spent a few days in the city, took a few ferries into some of the islands, checked into another hotel in Bellevue, rode their underground transit including their new
Light Rail and to top it off, ended up getting interviewd by some local TV outfit as I was getting into the train.
We had a great vacation.
Enjoy the pictures

DEAR FRIEND

2009-07-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear Friend.

It's been so long since I last heard from you or you from me. I cannot remember the sound of your voice and sometimes just a faint whisper of it comes to my mind from long memories ago. Memories that we carved during our times together and with other friends or acquaintances at best and yet still part of my memory and yours.
I remember our talks, our outings, our fights and through it all, we remained friends. Up until the time we decided to go our own ways.
Since then, I've been busy carving new memories and again taking on new paths. Paths that not you or I could have imagined; full of love, hope, pain, laughter, and desires.
I've done things that I am proud of and ashamed of. I've loved and disliked. I've loved and been rejected. I believe I have cried sometimes and made some cry plenty. I am sorry. I am sorry you are not in my life anymore. I am sorry I lost you and that our friendship did not last as long as we hoped for.
I still think of you
and every now and then I think of the great time we had together as kids, as youngsters, as young adults taking on the world.
I heard that you died with no way of confirming it, or for laziness for not going to find your tomb. I am sorry.
I heard you were a successful person in life. I applaud you and I am proud to say I knew you.
Back then we were friends.
Now we are just memories, memories that with each passing day become almost like a dream. Did we actually know each other? or were we someone else's idea of a dream. I knew you. You were real.
Sometimes I miss you. I am sure I cross your mind from time to time. At least that is all we have left since I last saw you.
Perhaps in another life as people say, we'll see each other again.
Perhaps not.
I have had a good life. I have fathered children. I am happy.
I hope you are happy as well

CHECKING OUT?

2009-06-26T11:50:00.001-07:00

Once again, its been over a month since I posted anything as you can see from the date bellow.
Scrolling to my right at the other blogs I read, I find that the same is true for just about everyone else. Not many are blogging as much as before, few stay true to their blogs and continue with updates and what not. I believe that Facebook is taking most blogers away from their pages for quick interactions with friends or other readers (blogers). At least that's the case with me.
I am not sure I'm ready to give it all up. It serves as a good record of what is happening at the moment with feelings, moods, happenings (Like the MJ and Farrah deaths).
I will continue however to read your blogs and try and catch up with whatever is going on with you.

SURVIVOR FAN?

2009-05-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of some of the survivor shows and seen probably 2 of them in their entirety. The one I remember watching was Micronesia I believe where Parvati won it against former Survivor winners.

Yes, that Parvati, the conniving, bitch who would do anything to win. At least that was the impression I got from watching the show.
That was not the impression I got when I met her at our restaurant. She stopped in with some friends after being out at the pool. Of course they did not have a reservation (On a concert night- with a full restaurant). That wasn't the worse of it, one of the guys did not have a shirt,so of course they could not come in and eat. As they were standing outside the restaurant attempting to get a table, I noticed one of them and she looked very familiar. her was wet from being at the pool and I though it was probably one of our employees (Cocktail server or something similar). Her smile was what gave her away as familiar. She noticed me and asked me if they could get a table in the restaurant to which I asked if they had inquired with the hostess at the door. Of course they had and received a negative answer which I confirmed again. As we continued on idle conversation, I asked her where I had seen or met her. The answer came not from her, but from her friend. She asked if I had seen any of the survivor shows. After saying yes, she asked if I remember Parvati. That was enough for me to place her face. Indeed it was the "Parvati" from Survivor.

I ended up giving them a table after I gave the other guy a shirt to put on. Sometimes when you are a celebrity, even if it is from a reality show, you can get a table at a completely booked restaurant (As long as you are not a bitch).

IT"S GOING TO GET HOT!!

2009-05-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

By the time Mother's day arrives, It is going to be cloe to 100 degrees in Vegas. A bit too hot too soon. It's been great here for the las 3 month with complete spring wheather and a couple of hot days in between, not too hot.
Normally you don't get 100 degree days till June, but we knew they were coming. We expect to have a hot summer where you go for weeks with 100+ everyday. Wheather because of global warming or other nature twist, our whether pattern has chnaged,, twice during December it snowed, just a couple of weeks ago we still had snow flurries here in Summerlin (In April!)
Oh yeah! where have I been?
Facebook - it makes it easier and immedate to blogg about anything.

SPRING BREAK IN LAS VEGAS

2009-04-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

This is Spring break in Las Vegas.
Olivia is in Kansas City with her grand mother and aunt.
Anthony is in California (Disneyland) with Melissa.
Me, chilling at home with 2 dogs, a lizard and a cat(Charlie).

Of course there is always work.
Work is so interesting and crazy from day to day. One day all is calm, everything goes according to plans; everyone shows up for work, every employee minds their own business, all customers are in their best behavior.
And then there are days like yesterday.
Someone did not show up for work, another servers is minding everyone else's business but hers, I cannot get another bartender because the beverage department does "not have anyone" available.
(How many people are without a job right now?). I am sure one of them has bar tending experience.
Then you get the people who show up at the door and demand a table before going to their show and of course they do not have a reservation and they get irate when told to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Of course they are "going to take their business" somewhere else, right to another restaurant that is busy with all the same crowd going to see the same show. Next time may I recommend making reservations ahead of time (particularly when you have a group larger than 6)
All of a sudden, as if the storm has passed and the sky clears and you see nothing but sunlight and a calm breeze. Everything stops.
The concert crowd leaves, we are left with empty and dirty tables, an empty bar while everyone behaves better, including me.
Yes, I admit it, everyone was getting on my nerves and it showed, though I think sometimes they need to see that side of me. The side that says, I am not going to take your shit and just do your damn job and do it right.
The storm has passed, there will be more to come and for now I am breathing easier. I am enjoying my spring break.

HSM

2009-03-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today is the first performance of High School Musical at my daughter's school. It is for students and teachers and open to everyone in general. The next 3 shows require tickets, etc. I will be posting some footage on you tube later on.

AIG

2009-03-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

AIG is getting bailed out and their top people still got their bonuses. Maybe when the company I work for declares bankruptcy, I'll get my bonus which I did not get this year and perhaps even a fat raise. I consider myself a "key" employee and thus should receive a few thousands dollars of tax payer money. I am not asking for 1 million or more, just a few thousand.
Yeah Right!
The company I work for, though private like AIG, will not affect the national economy if it goes bankrupt. It will also not receive a bail out from the Fed or even our state government. Imagine the uproar if we were to receive money from Uncle Sam so we can continue to build and run our gambling palaces like before. That might not be such a good idea, imagine the return on the government's investment (last year one of the big companies in town racked up 1.B in profit, just in the third quarter, though this year it was not as lucky.
I think it's wrong to bail out all these companies out of the troubles they placed themselves in. This did not happen overnight and someone should have seen this coming. Obama is not the reason this country is delving into socialism. You can't even call it socialism because we have yet to see medical care socialized. Should it be called selected socialism?
I can understand that many people may suffer if one of these "biggies" go down. the big question is, how many are already suffering because of the economic instability, myself included. Should I sell the house and save for what may come? or stay in it and wait for what may come without any savings to account for?.
Right now we just are sitting ducks waiting for the guns to fire.

MARCH ALREADY?

2009-03-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Some happenings

Olivia got the lead part(Gabrielle?) for High School Musical at her school. Not bad for a 5th grader. She is quite excited and she says that if the play was tomorrow, she's ready. Performances (3) are at the end of March.

This is Olivia singing El Shadai at church.

Anthony seems to be doing better at school. There have not been calls from her teacher wigging out! We both were sick last week, so we kind of paled around going out to breakfast, getting haircuts and such. Oh yeah!. watching lots of movies- All 3 of the Lord of the Rings -one per day. best movies when you are bed ridden. You start watching, then you take a long nap, wake up and movie is still on.

Melissa started on the South Beach diet again, that is very good, because it changes her whole personality and attitude. I remember the last time she tried it, it worked for her.

I have not been on the Wii for a while. Aside from sickness last week, I've just been tired from work, but I think things are getting back to "normal" which in this case is "slow" at work. I have not even been to take pictures or biking. Tonight Melissa and I are going out to a nice dinner to celebrate Valentines.

I have now been in Las Vegas for 10 years.
We moved here back in January of '99. Olivia was not even a year old, not even walking yet. We lived at the Durango apartments on Peace way. This was while we were looking to buy a house. I already had the job at Mandalay Bay, which I got without even an interview with the Room Service manager, my future boss at the time. I was just there for my initial interview with him and went to the trailers where they were doing all the processing. When I got there, of course he was not there, but rather inside the hotel doing a walk through of the Room Service area. When they called him to remind him about the appointment, the message relayed was, "Just go ahead and get him processed." So I went through processing and by the time I walked out of there, I had a job and an ID without even a face to face interview. I though to myself, Wow! am I that good that I didn't even know it?"
Of course this nagged at me so when I got home, I called him back to find out what that was all about.
Of course he was freaked out about it, then he remembered that he also had another appointment with another "Francisco" and since he had already interviewed him, etc. He was ready to hire him. Of course he hired the wrong Francisco for the wrong position.
I think to save face, he decided to hire me anyways so he took me to his VP's office for a follow up interview, not before instructing me to not say anything about being already processed and hired. The VP asked me a few standard questions, getting the standard answers and then he asked my future boss in front of me. "Are you happy with him" to which he answered in the affirmative.
That is how I got my first job in Vegas. Actually my first job was with the Four Seasons in the same building at the "Veranda Cafe". I had also been already hired - after the proper interviews, including one with the then General Manager of the hotel, and was ready to start. However, MB came up with a better offer ($$$) and so my career began at Mandalay Bay.

It was also during this time that Barb was diagnosed with A.L.L.

WHAT HAPPENED TO VALENTINES?

2009-02-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

We are having great weather in Vegas with rain, snow in the mountains and still a bit of cold in the air. Yet, we've been very busy at work (thank goodness) that I have not had much time to get out biking or running. Aside from my last foray into Blue Diamond where I scraped my knees and a return trip last week into a new trail, I have not been outdoors much.
This is really the best time to get out there and probably once it warms out a bit, before temperatures reach 100+.
We did have another tequila tasting in our restaurant last week prior to Valentine's weekend and we've been busy since that I practically left Melissa out of Valentine's celebration, not that I celebrated anything or anywhere else.

I'm sorry I missed it. I know you like to celebrate Valentine's and other holidays that sometimes I do not even remember, sorry for that again.
My schedule has been all over the place as well that there have not been time for planning an outing or so, but I have an idea where I'd like to take you to celebrate our love.
It won't be biking or running,though I would like you to go next time, maybe running.
HAPPY VALENTINES anyways.
Love you on February 14Th and every day.

22 Miles and Counting

2009-02-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Today it was a 22 mile ride
View Larger Map through Lake Mead area. A good series of ups and downs-mostly down at first all the way into the Lake Mead Camping site from Lake Las Vegas area. Great road with no autos and not as many cyclists.
The pictures tell the story.

This is our departing point. Looking West towards Lake Las Vegas

Going down after a few downhills

Curvy road with no one around

The long road ahead

Looking north towards the main road (bridge)

Our destination in the distance - Lake Mead Camping Site

Pepe - on the way back

Yes. this is the 11 mile mark - now its back with nothing but uphill!

Pepe at the 11 mile mark

Oasis 1

Oasis 2

Some shots from the Lake Mead area

Back to Lake Las Vegas

Not before I saw this great shot!

Wii Age 37

2009-01-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

Facebook

When Wii Fit came out I was very skeptical thinking, "Who needs a platform or wii game to lose weight or be fit?". What happened to just running or going to the gym?. Well boy was wrong!
I love Wii fit. the games of balance, yoga exercises and others are amazing. Why? It really is like having a trainer in front of you while you see "immediate" results right in front of you.
If someone looks at you they cannot tell whether you are putting more pressure on one leg over the other. However, the Wii, while you are standing on the board, measures every inch of pressure you are putting on each foot and that is what I mean when I say you see immediate results. It is also a scale, though not very accurate at times. but regardless, it shows progress and there is good direction and instructions for exercises, of course you could cheat but why bother. You Will get as much out of it as you put into it.
If you don't have one, Get it.
By the way that was a gift to our kids, who do not need to be or stay fit, so I am wondering if it was actually "for us"...
No matter, great gift!

A BRAND NEW DAY

2009-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Despite all the ugliness of politics, despite the name calling and at times, uncivilized behavior from our representatives in government, despite the scandals and greed, America is still a great country.
I am sitting here watching the Inaugural and what a show. It is a great show because of the attendance and participation of regular everyday Americans lining the streets, the mall and any open space in sight, including rooftops.
This is probably one of a kind of inauguration, will we see another African American elected? Maybe a woman?
I'm not sure. No one ever could have predicted that he'd get elected 2 years, or 5 years ago. So we cannot say that a woman may not get elected or another African American, who knows, maybe even a Latino president someday.
It took long enough for a minority representative to get elected. It's happened before, not in the U.S. but in other countries. Take Bolivia's current president, Evo Morales, an indigenous native of Bolivia and not a Harvard educated and trained economist.
250 years ago, Mexico elected a native indian form on its poorest states. Benito Juarez, who successfully expelled the French occupying forces at the time.
It was time for the U.S. to experience this kind of pride. It was time for us as Americans to feel proud again of being Americans.
I was telling my son this morning as we were watching the beginning of the inaugural that when the next inaugural happens again, he will be 14 years old, and eight years later, my daughter perhaps will be voting for and watching the first woman be elected to the presidency.
No matter what happens between now and then, whether Obama's presidency is a success or failure, the fact that he is speaking to the country as the new President, is a sign that we've come a long way as a country.
Indeed it's a brad new day.

4 Mile Run

2009-01-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

I guess riding 3 miles uphill on a mountain bike and 3 miles downhill through rocks, gravel and mud is paying off.
Today I decided to go running after dropping my daughter off at school and I ran a little over 4 miles. Most of the time I have always gone no more than 3 miles, maybe 3.5. Today I felt good though and I could have kept on going; though I did not want to over do it and have Melissa get a call from the police saying I had passed out on the street from over exhaustion.
How do I know I went over 4 miles?
Thanks to the wonders of iphone and a neat program called Map my ride. It tracks your progress by using the GPS within the iphone.
I've been using it frequently to track distance when bike riding or just running. It is good app for your iphone if you run or bike.
4 miles though?.. I never though I could.

ENTERING INTO THE WILDERNESS

2009-01-06T09:42:00.001-08:00

The trail begins on the side of the road. you park by the fence along with other cars and the trail is visible so it is the only one that you take.
As you begin the walk, you see the two huge mountains in front of you with the road clearly headed for the middle of them. The first part of the road is very flat though with lots of rocks around. You could ride and ATV through some areas but there comes a point where you'd have to turn around. The second picture shows a runner whom I encountered as I was going up. She was coming down. It isn't rare to see many people around these areas, particularly those who practice rock climbing since the mountain sides are so flat and steep.
Soon you reach a bit of higher ground with a meadow off to the left.
Looking left you realize that next to the meadow there is a hill of a good altitude which seen from the main road, it looks as though its just another feature of the huge mountain now behind it.

It takes about an hour to reach the base of the mountain. As you enter into the creek, you find yourself surrounded by lots of rocks, some as big as a small house. At this point any sign of a trail is gone. On both sides you have steep rocks with trees and bushes that make it hard to either climb or walk.

I still managed to climb on on side of the mountain till all that was above me was sheer rock. Looking on the other side, I saw a trail that continued upwards into the mountain. At that point I did not want to risk it so I returned. The hike took no more than 3 hours total.

On the way down, I walked into the meadow and found the creek. Currently there are a few waterfalls that feed the creek since we got so much snow over the Christmas week.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS

2008-12-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Christmas season is here if you haven't noticed. This time it came with snow as well. On Monday we got at least about an inch and a half of the white stuff, which is a lot by our standards here in Vegas (0.in avg per year) Today it was supposed to start snowing at about 4:00in the morning but it only started to fall in the last hour. By tonight it should be everywhere. They are even predicting lots of snow along the strip.

Kipper seemed to enjoy the snow more than LuLu did. Every time we opened the back door, he jumped right outside and did not want to come in. Of course once he came in, what a mess!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in a church program where gifts were delivered to needy families here in Vegas. These are people who either do not have a job or have the means to provide gifts for their children. Some of these places did not have a single decoration or a small tree that tells them it's Christmas. There were about 60 families who received food boxes and gift certificates in addition to the actual gifts. It is something worth doing for people that deserve it. I got to do it as well through our workplace last week. In our department we adopted a family who scored really well with cash donated, gifts, gift certificates and more.

It hit close to home because as a child growing in Mexico, I saw "familiar faces" in the 3 homes we went to. I say familiar because frankly I do not remember having a Christmas as what my kids now do. We were also of limited resources so our Christmases as I remember them, were slim. They got better as I got older.

On to a different subject.

Last week our bike trip was through Red Rock National Park. A scenic loop that goes for about 12 miles through a beautiful area of Southern NV.

The first 4.5 miles was rough because of the climb - nothing but uphill. Once you reach the top, it goes down where you can go really fast and with a couple of long uphills. The previous week we went to Blue Diamond where I thought I had lost my friends. It turned out that they got too far ahead of me and by the time I found them, they were on top of a hill. By that time it was time to get back so I did not make it all the way to the top.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Merry Christmas and everything else good that you wish and desire. Hope you get it all.

Red Rock Scenic Loop
Find more Bike Rides in Las Vegas, Nevada

THE SMELL OF CHRISTMAS

2008-12-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

So it comes again.
December, Christmas and everything in between. Football Games (NFL). End of the College football season, College basketball defining who will be going to the "Big Dance" in March. Obviously I'm a sucker for college sports.
Oh yeah, Christmas.
What are you wishing for?.
It used to be very simple. you bought a few little things for your brothers, sisters or parents. A set of socks, perfume, a box of chocolates, a pretty sweater and you would also get something similar in return. You would also visit a friend's house and partake of whatever food or beverages they had to offer.
Indeed, very simple. You were able to "smell" Christmas in the air. The smell came from the boiling of fruit for "ponche" (hot fruit punch). It also came from the burning powder of fireworks - small tiny ones that you would light from the side of a box of matches and throw into the sky. There are lots where you could buy Christmas Trees, this must be universal around the world. The trees of course had their own smell, so all these assorted smells mixed in and that to me, that was the smell of "Christmas".
Of course that was also a long time ago in Mexico, prior to my move to the States.
My wish is to get a whiff of the Christmas smell.
What's your wish?

SIGHTS OF THANKSGIVING

2008-11-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Stuffing, made from scratch

Yummy Apple Pie

Seasoned Turkey, Can't wait to taste it

Cheescake, probably the best part of the meal

All these goodies brought to you by the talented Chef de Cuisine - Melissa. She's been working hard since yesterday and of course more cooking today to entertain her dad and friend. Me?... I gotta work.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Mountain Biking

2008-11-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

So, for the last couple of weeks, I've taken up Mountain Biking seriously. I could not have done it on my own. I needed motivation, I needed someone to drag me out of the house and sit my ass on a bike and say, "Pedal".
That someone was a co-worker, one of our great bartenders at work. He seems to be a natural at it. while I struggle up a hill he seems like he's riding on a paved road. It started with just the 2 of us gong to a trail out by Blue Diamond and the group has grown to 5. I have also gotten back to running and biking around the neighborhood. Basically I am getting back into shape and Mountain biking is the perfect sport; outdoors, communing with nature and hanging out with friends who enjoy the same.

These were from our first outing with Red Rock National Park behind us.

These are from yesterday. On the left, Cesar the other bartender/tequila connoisseur, Pepe and Cisco.

PRESIDENT ELECT

2008-11-05T09:08:00.000-08:00

It's very rare for someone to say, "I was there" when something historical occurs. Last night was one of those nights.
Though I was not in Chicago awaiting the news (which we already predicted), I feel I was also part of history.
Now the hard uphill climb begins for Obama. Though he received a majority of votes in the country, there are plenty of unhappy, dissatisfied people who call themselves "Americans" who will make that climb hard and dangerous. What they believe in is not what America is all about. They will seek to destabilize the country, they will put up road blocks to minimize and undermine the actions that Obama needs to do to get the country back into prominence.
There will also be plenty of people expecting that now that a "minority" candidate got elected, that Mana will fall from the sky and all we have to do is open our palms.
Bad news for this fringe for nothing will come easy.
We can only hope that the new President will take steps necessary to get our country out of the pit it's in.
4 years should be enough to see what he's made of, though not enough to turn everything around. For that, he will need 4 more years.
And the campaign for that begins today as well.

Si Se Puede

2008-11-04T09:01:00.001-08:00

All it takes is for you to go vote

WHY OBAMA WILL WIN

2008-10-28T09:07:00.001-07:00

If you want to understand the process of electoral college votes vs. popular votes or just get a good grasp on the projections, go to: Yahoo. It has great description and breakdown of what states may go to whom and the likelihood of a candidate winning a given state that is up for grabs like my home state, Nevada.
More than just the numbers, Obama is going to win the presidency because of the the complete dissatisfaction that people feel about George W. Bush and the last 4 years. People may point to the last 8 years and feel that it has been a wasted 4 years. If that is the case how come he was not voted out on the last election? You may argue that indeed he was voted out because Kerry received the majority of the popular vote. Nonetheless, Bush still got sworn in and look where we are now.
I have spoken to a few Republican "friends" and the agreement is that even they want to see change.
Obama represents change.
There are people that are not voting for him just because of his skin color but it is a minority that will not have any effect on the election. I originally wanted Hillary to get the nomination, not so much because she was a woman but rather because of the experience that she would have brought to the presidency. Obama may not have that much experience but the belief is that he will surround himself with the right cabinet and he showed that by selecting Biden as his V.P. Contrary to what McCain did, which was just to pander to a certain segment of the electorate and look at the shape that they are in now.
The race may still be close to the end despite; voter fraud, malfunctioning machines, voter suppression, rules that make it hard for certain people to vote and many more scenarios, Obama should and will win.
Have you seen so many people vote ahead of the election? Have you seen how long the lines are and that they go for the entire day? I did yesterday when I voted. Luckily the process was quick and painless. I can only imagine how long the lines are going to be next Tuesday.

The last 2 elections were not won by Bush, they were lost by the Democrats, they fumbled the ball and threw too many interceptions to a team that was less qualified than them. This time it will be different. The election will be won with a clear mandate for change. And the score will be 60 to 40.

Vote and vote with your conscience.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

2008-10-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

Elections, the economy, personal issues, work. What does it all mean? What does it all mean in my life?
Sometimes I feel as though I am living someone else's life. I should not be here, why am I here?.
I was born in a small village in Mexico that still stands with plenty of people in it. People that wake up, go about their daily chores,and feed themselves somehow. They die, they laugh, they cry the same as everyone else. Since I left that village, plenty of US presidential elections have come and gone, the market has dipped or gone down plenty as well; and that village still stands with the same people going through the same motions as they were 20, 30 years ago and perhaps even longer.
They did not have a housing bubble or worry about the price of gas. Maybe they worried about rain and or the lack of it which is more damaging for their crops. I do not think that they expect a bail out from their state government or federal government. Maybe a hand out from their relative living in "El Norte", but never from the government. If there is not food, they just do not eat, or maybe a neighbor or family member will help.
That could have been my life.
I could have also stayed in Mexico City where it would not have been as simple as in the village. It wasn't. I lived there plenty and was happy as well, not without some minor heartache. As Stitch (From Lilo and Stitch) said,"We were a broken family." I did not have a happy childhood according to most therapists or psychologists. According to them, I should have died at about my mid twenties; and did have friends that fit the profile and did not make it past 20 or 25. I considered myself happy regardless and made the best of it.
That is perhaps why I find myself where I am right now. I always sought a better way. A better something.
Somehow I landed in L.A. Another metropolis just like Mexico City, perhaps not as corrupt but still sinfull.
So much has happened that determined where I am today. many things that I did not have control over. Some of them I did. I have made some bad choices and decisions. I have also been lucky with the people I have met.
So I guess when you add app all the steps in my life, they have all led to where I am now.
I have very few regrets, but I am very happy where I am.

7 DEGREES OF SEPARATION - CHARLES KEATING

2008-10-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to meet Charles Keating while his trial was going on in L.A. it seems like a long time ago. Now he is back in the news because of the current election. At the time I was working at Checkers a restaurant in a hotel by the same name, now owned by Hilton.
Charles Keating was a quiet and personable man. He never seemed mean and liked to eat well and drink wine along with his lawyers. Our restaurant was small and private so they always sat in the back of the room and go over the day's business; This also kept them away from the media. Their bill was always high by the time they were done, though Keating never paid; It was always his lawyer or family member who handled the bill. In previous posts I have written about this restaurant because it was here where Marcia Clark would sometimes come in and unwind after a rough day during the O.J. Simpson trial and also where Thomas Keller - Chef of the century - moved to after leaving N.Y.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

2008-10-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday may not have been Friday the 13th but for OJ Simpson it must have felt like it. 13 years after being acquitted in L.A. he is found guilty here in Las Vegas, of all places.
His lawyer summed it up by saying that it was "Stupid" to go into a room and attempt to recover personal belongings on your own without getting either cops or lawyers involved.
Perhaps he is right and O.J is simply stupid and somehow because of his money and bad police shenanigans in L.A, he got away with murder 13 years ago. Maybe he thought because of who he was, he could get away with it.
But does anyone really get away with anything?..
To me, clearly he was guilty of the murders in L.A. How he got away with it is still beyond me. Watching the proceedings here in Las vegas, the similarities were everywhere. the testimony from both sides clearly pointed to a crime being committed with his lawyers arguing that perhaps OJ did not see the gun in the room, thus not knowing that, he was not guilty, even though the law here in Nevada says the opposite.
In L.A. the knife still has not been found, had it been found then, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
Now, I do not think there is any satisfaction at all for anyone, maybe not even the Goldmans and Nicole's family including the kids, who are now of college age.
There is still an appeal to come and a lot could change at that point but I think finally, Karma has caught up with OJ for whatever bad things (very bad things) he did in the past.

WHO IS GETTING BAILED OUT

2008-09-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

I understand that if the government does not do anything about the current financial situation, that things could really look bad; high unemployment, closure of businesses, basically a situation close to what was seen early in the century. Now that 700 billion (and I could not imagine 80 billion in my previous post)is being proposed to rescue and bail out financial firms on Wall Street, I wonder: Are some of these benefits going to "trickle down" to me, to you or your neighbors, and or relatives? Is their mortgage going to be lower in interest? or at least revised to allow for more realistic payments?
I also understand that a lot of regular working people got greedy and thought that by taking on two loans or buying a home that was out of their "budget" was a bit of a stretch and this combination of greed between the little people and those holding the purse strings is what has us in this mess.
So who are we really bailing out here?
I am not sure that anyone has the answer.
Our "fine" Senators are looking really like they are for the people as they give a tongue lashing to Paulson and Bernanke during this morning's Senate banking committee hearing. These same Senators however, are the ones that have the power to regulate, control, pass legislation and in essence police Wall Street. These same Senators have probably rubbed elbows at some point with all the Wall Street big wigs and intervened on their behalf to help or obstruct legislation that will benefit both.
So again, who is at fault in all this mess? It seems that we all have a certain degree of fault and maybe that is why we should all be "bailed out". Instead, and according to Senator Enzi, who is part of the committee, each tax paying American will be "contributing" $2300.00 to bail out Wall Street.
I can tell you this is not end of this fiasco. There is more to come and more to bail out.

GOVERNMENT BAILOUTS

2008-09-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Last time I checked it was in socialist countries where the government took over private or public owned companies. No matter the reason, whether to rescue them or for nationalistic pride or whatever you want to call it. Wasn't it just recently that Bolivia made a move to nationalize its oil and gas reserves?

The U.S. Government is now poised to "own" 80% of AIG at the low bargain price of 80 billion. I can't even picture how much money that would be if it was all piled up in $100.00 bills. I know it is only a 2 year loan however, if you have to bail me out and pay my mortgage off, how can you expect me to pay you back in two years?. AIG will not pay back and the U.S. will own a bunch of nicely appointed offices around the world until a "buyer" comes along to buy it from the government at a discount. That is precisely what happened in Mexico a few years ago when the government "nationalized" and took over failing companies because of the recession in the late 80's then it sold all those companies to well connected friends within the presidency.
The argument is the same as with the rescue of Fannie and Freddie
. If the government sits and just watches without doing anything about the mess, the entire world financial system will collapse because of how inter-related everything is.
I am sure that there is a lot of true to that and maybe I am just thinking small potatoes and fail to see the "bigger picture".
Who are we helping and rescuing here? Is it the institutions themselves or a bunch of highly placed investors with lots to lose.
Why not bail out our health care system instead and put that 80 billion dollars to better use?..
maybe we might just lead a new revival of true socialism.

iPhone

2008-09-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

I caved in and ended up getting an iPhone over a blackberry. I could have gotten a blackberry for free but, the selling point was the combo of an i-pod and a phone. You can also add more memory to a blackberry and still get he same effect. If I hadn't busted my i-pod, then I probably would have gotten the blackberry - despite the fact that its email property is useless since I cannot hook it up to our company's email server, thus not able to receive work email instantly on my phone. I know it is possible to set up a forwarding mode through outlook, but the company "politely" asked everyone to turn the feature off.

I am already having issues though. I just bought it and it already has an update to its software - to repair bugs and other connecting issue that iPhone's been having. Then again, I had some issues with the TMobile server as well. Will I stay a convert and recommend it to everyone?. Maybe I have 2 years to decide.

GREATEST TEQUILA TASTING EVER

2008-09-10T09:49:00.001-07:00

I am quite sure you've heard of wine tastings, beer tastings, perhaps even sake or scotch tastings. Granted maybe even gone to a liquor spirit tasting, but have you ever seen 60 labels of tequilas in one single tasting?.. I am not talking about cuervo gold or any tequila that will make you throw up at the mere sound of the name "tequila".
I am talking about names like; Chinaco, Casa Noble, Corzo, even Patron and Don Julio were represented.
We did the tasting at our restaurant as part of a charity event for Three Square and their Restaurant Week program where lots of restaurants from Las Vegas offer special menus at pre-determined prices with proceeds going to Three Square. Our event took place on a Thursday night.
We put together 60 labels from our tequila list in addition to others offered by local distributors. It wasn't just the tequilas that we offered. We also had old black and white movies from Mexico's golden era playing on our plasma screens and projectors. The ambiance music was enhanced with a live DJ sound of old Mexican songs as well as some modern beats.

Of course we also had food passed out on trays for the crowd as well as some "goodies" to take home on your way out.
The tequilas were of course the main attraction. Each brand was represented by their best line up; including silver or blanco, reposados, and aniejos. Some of the local vendors came in representing their brands while they educated the participants into their product.

Why it was the greatest? Because for $15.00 you got to taste some of the best tequilas anywhere. It is hard to find a restaurant who has a good selection of tequilas, much less a great list without traveling to meccas like: New York, L.A. or even Mexico.
Now for you to tray lets say a flight (A flight is a selection of 3 or more selections for one price) of tequila, you'll spend anywhere from 15 up to 100 dollars depending on the types.

For this tasting we had some of the best for the price. Granted, it would have been greater if you'd had the chance to try a 30th anniversary Chinaco, Sauza Triada, or even Patron Burdeos, but we did have offer some JC Reserva de la familia and most of the aniejos at hand were just as good as some of the higher priced tequilas. What is making these aniejos better is the new techniques and high tech now being used at the distilleries in Tequila Jalisco, though not all tequilas is produced in Jalisco, other states have the right to produce it and still call it tequila. Even Mezcal from Oaxaca is beginning to be aged in barrels that have stored whiskey or red wine. This of course will add more depth and character to the spirit.

Tequila has come a long way and it still has a lot more to go. Tastings like the one we just had help to promote not just the product but the culture as well. Our music was not all about mariachis and ranchers, we had boleros sang by Lila Downs and old trios like, Los Dandys and Los Panchos.

If you ever go or are invited to a tasting, please let me know or invite me as well. My favorite:
Corzo Aniejo
Chinaco 30 yr
If you ever have the luxury to try Patron Burdeos, it is worth the price (anywhere from 50.00 to 100.00) sip it. Do not shoot or even drink with a lime or salt.

BOOK REVIEWS

2008-08-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

In the past 2 weeks I have read 3 books which I thought I would share with you.
During our outing to Pasadena last week, Melissa and I looked for Waiter Rant the book by "The Waiter". We stopped through a couple of stores and none had it. Eventually I find the one and only copy of it at a Barnes and Noble on Fairfax. Excellent description of what happens in the restaurant industry from the view of a waiter. I used to be a waiter once and can relate to most everything in the book. Entertaining.
The second book I picked up just because I was bored and ready for more reading. John Grisham's The Broker.
It is a quick and fast paced story, much similar to all his stories about lawyers and courtrooms. It keeps you interested in the on goings of an attorney who's being "hidden" by the CIA only with the purpose of getting him assassinated by other spies, etc. The setting is in Bologna, so you get a detailed description of this Italian City through the writer's own experience. Quick read in two days.
While we were in L.A. Melissa also picked up, The Art of Racing in the Rain by, Garth Stein. This novel tugs at your heart with each page as it tells a story through a dog's eyes who thinks of himself almost human. The dog, Enzo, is witness to the trials and tribulations of a young race car driver as he struggles with his career, then marriage 'till his whole life is in complete turmoil and hits bottom.
It is a story that personally hits too close to home and definitely recommend the book to anyone.

Let me know if you read them.

It's the economy stupid!

2008-08-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's the economy stupid

That was the slogan in 1991 when Clinton was running against George Bush senior. That should be the slogan that Obama should be running against McCain. If you have not felt the rumblings of a spiraling economy, consider yourself lucky. I know it's been around for the last couple of years. However, it finally hit home.

Things began to go south a few months ago when there was a series of layoffs in town. The layoffs have continued from casino to casino and now, "big" construction projects that you never thought they would stop, have come to a halt because of lack of financing. I am talking about billion dollar projects I have never been afraid to lose my job until now. restaurants are closing, some are reducing hours of operation and some are doing everything to attract and keep customers who are looking to save every Penney they can.
There are people who are still making a good living, but they are just as nervous. As nervous as I am.
I can only hope that our place continues to do somewhat better than our competition. Actually, my job is to make sure that we continue to do better than the competition but it is so hard when you do not feel appreciated by your upper management.
I like what I do and I would like to do it somewhere else but in the current economic situation, it would be stupid to try and change right now.
I'll just have to ride it out and as I am fond of saying, "Go with the flow." Whatever happens is going to happen, no matter what you do.
You just have to do everything better than the next person.
I wish Clinton was here to tell me, "I feel your pain"

SUMMER FUN

2008-07-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

Olivia jumping into the pool on a hot day

Pablo and Hilda at their "altar" with Vida (Pablo's dog) admiring them.

This is what summer is all about: friends, family, hot weather, pools, good food, wine, beer, tequila and even a BONG! Actually a hookah! (If that is how it is spelled.

This weekend was full of fun. despite coming home really late from work (about 4 in the morning). I was up early on Sunday and did not do much but relax after a long week at work. On Monday, I finished cleaning up the mess I made when I ripped out the grass in my front yard. At about 11:AM I got a call from "Pablo" reminding me that we had a barbecue at his house that afternoon with a couple of other people from work.
I had completely forgotten that a few nights ago, Pablo, Hector and I stopped by a local's bar close to where we work and had some beer while playing pool. This was supposed to be "a beer" before we headed home. well it wasn't until 4:00 in the morning when we finally left and we did discuss getting together for a barbecue, though I did not realize it was that soon.
We had a lot of fun. ate a lot, drank some and we got home around midnight. Here are some pictures of the weekend.

Kipper showing off. He is big dog now and still growing
Melissa, Pablo and Hilda
This is how flames are fanned in Argentina (According to Pablo)
Hector and Melissa
Smoking the hookah!
Puppies visiting the house. 4 dogs in the House!!

NO TITLE

2008-07-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

For a review of the last leg of our trip, please read: Melissa of course you may have to scroll down.
This is the busiest I have been at work and not just working a lot but an average of 12 hours a day. On the weekends it is about 14 hours a day. If I was working an hourly job, that would be the equivalent of having 2 jobs and of course getting paid for 2. My reality is different, no matter how many hours I put, I earn the same amount. I am a salaried manager.
I am not complaining. I know the kind of job that I chose. I like what I do and perhaps I could find something else to do further in my career but in the meantime I am where I need to be. I hear and read stories about people who have a job like: card dealing or waiting tables and during these troubling economic times, their income has fallen and continue to decrease. Again, a matter of choice. When things are good, these jobs provide a good amount of money in tips.
The one thing I do not worry about is that. My paycheck is always the same no matter what, so as long as I stay employed and as busy as I am at work, I should not worry about the "economic situation"
It's been rough here in town, probably not as bad as some other areas of the country. Here, we've had layoffs, reduction of hours, closing of businesses, etc. At work, I knew about 4 people who got laid off a couple of months ago. It has not just been hourly staff, these have been managers who have been with the company a few years. Just yesterday I heard off another director who got the ax. Probably because of the large amount of money she was making and now someone else with perhaps a bit of less experience will take over her job at half the salary.
Economics, that is what is all about.
Things will get better, perhaps not soon enough, but eventually they will.

PROFILING

2008-06-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

A funny thing happened on the way to Napa.
After we left Half Moon Bay
We drove into San Francisco to get to the Golden Gate and on to Napa. Melissa however was hungry for breakfast. Rather than eat at the hotel, we opted for something quick like IHOP or something similar. Once we got on the freeway (101 North) it was difficult to see any signs of Denny's or IHOP, so slowly and through traffic, we entered into San Francisco. We slowly made our way towards the Gold Gate and eventually we pulled over in an area where there were plenty of restaurants. Melissa went into the restaurant while I placed some quarters in the meter. I went inside the restaurant while Melissa went to wash her hands.
This is when it got interesting.
As I'm walking to the table assigned to us, an older lady turns around and says:

"Excuse me, can I please have an extra napkin?"
I turned around to see who she was talking to but there was no one around. As I turned back around, I see that she was still glancing at me as if waiting for me to meet her request.
I just grabbed a napkin from another table, just placing the silverware aside and handed it to her.
At least she said thank you and proceeded with her conversation with her family.
I just kind of giggled and sat down. I looked at the staff in the restaurant who were wearing a Hawaiian kind of shirt and jeans. Me, I was wearing a pair of beige shorts and a baby blue polo shirt. Hardly the kind of "uniform" you would find in cold San Francisco, more like something you would find in Palm Springs or Florida.
If you know me, you will clearly know that I am Latino or Mexican or someone from a Latin American country, I have even been asked if I am Filipino.
Maybe this lady didn't care about that. All she saw was a brown skinned man in a restaurant where most staff were of the same color.
Are you one of those people? I hope not.
It is not the first time that this happens to me. it happened recently about a month ago when a manager where I work asked me if I could "send someone to mop the floor on station 8". Her assumption was because I was brown skinned even though I was wearing a shirt and tie and there was another manager, who happens to be white, also wearing the same outfit, that I was somehow in charge of the dishwashers, who happen to be mostly brown skinned. I kind of looked perplexed because I was not clear as to what she was asking of me. The other manager saw this and explained to the one making the request that I was just there to help briefly and that I would not know where station 8 was.
At this, the requesting manager apologized and turned beet red. Again I just giggled and brushed it off.
It also reminded me of a time years ago when I was coming out of a restaurant with a group of friends in L.A. As we were waiting for our car, a guy pulls up and hands me his keys and I instinctively just took them.
I just tossed them back to him and said. "I don't work here". All he said was, "sorry" and waited for the valet guy.
I cannot get mad at people's ignorance and prejudices. It isn't me. I am sure if it happened to someone else, they might not react as I do.

After I told Melissa what had happened, she said she wished she had been there 'cause she would have given them not just a napkin but a piece of her mind. Those people were completely oblivious to the situation. They all just went back to eating and talking.
At least it gave us a good story to chuckle at while we continued on our way to Napa and Sonoma. We forgot all about over 2 days of wine tasting and being buzzed.

Till next time.

LAST WEEK

2008-06-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

The problem with traveling with a lap top is finding wi-fi signal that is free or accessible. Also, the time to blog is superseded by the time to have fun.
When we were in Pasadena last week, the hotel offered free wireless connection, however, Melissa was the only one that got to blog about our first day of vacation. After that, it was just impossible because either we were busy driving or when we checked into our third hotel, the fee to connect was about $20.00 for 24 hours.

Well, after close to 1750 miles and paying gas from $4.29 in Las Vegas to $5.25 a gallon, we finally made it back.
Here is a re-cap... though not the entire trip....

The first three days of the trip were the most relaxing. I did surprise Melissa with a stay at the old Ritz in Pasadena and also at the Ritz in Half Moon Bay. All along I had her thinking that we did not have any reservations except for the hotel in Sonoma. The next leg of the trip was through Wine country and then the drive to Mammoth mountains for camping and a meet with family (Olivia and Anthony were already there). The last leg of the trip was back to Las Vegas. We were not sure which way we were going to return yet.
Day 1
Read Read Melissa's

Day 2
Pasadena to Half Moon Bay

We got up early enough to have breakfast in Old Town Pasadena. There are still quite a few of the old places where you can have a decent breakfast without waiting forever, it was still early enough. After breakfast we got on the 134 freeway towards the valley where we eventually got on the 101 to Ventura. The final destination (which Melissa did not know) was Half moon Bay. For someone who enjoys driving, this has always been a great drive for me. Once you leave the traffic of the city and climb up towards Ventura it is a joy to drive. We stopped quickly in Santa Barbara for gas and a bathroom break, from there it was up the 101 to San Luis Obispo where we would get on the PCH (1).
Once you get on the 1, as it is known in CA. the road winds alongside the coast where you can stop and walk on the beach or look at sea lions. There are plenty of spots worth sopping at just for pictures. The road quickly climbs up and the road is high with steep turns, where if you are prone to motion sickness, good luck! Luckily Melissa managed to take a nap after damning me for taking her on this road. Because of the meandering and risk of falling rocks, one must be careful when driving on the 1.
PCH (California 1)

On the way up, we saw this guy sprawled on the road. He was being assisted by some other drivers while he was on the ground, apparently he was either going too fast or he crashed into a car. He looked like he was conscious since he was moving his arms and such. Further up the road, we saw about three ambulances headed in that direction. Of course by the time an ambulance or any kind of help arrives on a road like the PCH, you better hope it isn't too serious.

We arrived into Monterrey and from then on to Half Moon Bay. One way of getting there is to drive to San Jose and drive up the 101, then turn left towards the coast when you get to San Mateo. This would have been to obvious, so I stayed on the PCH north where we eventually arrived to Half Moon Bay.
Again, she was surprised when we pulled into the driveway of the Ritz at Half Moon Bay. I had told her I wanted to check it out since we had plans of going there on another trip. The hotel also has a public parking for those who wanted to go to the beach area so she suggested to use that as an excuse to check out the grounds. There is a security booth that you have to stop at and announce yourself. At this point I told the guard we were checking in. Melissa still thought I was just saying that t o get in. Once we got into the parking area, instead of pulling in, I went into the driveway where I stopped and got our luggage out. She was surprised....Again.

Looking out our window

The marble bathroom

By the fire outside on a cold afternoon
Air Surfing

Cuddling

The hotel at night

FINALLY!

2008-06-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Two days to go!
L.A. Napa, Mammoth here we come!
It is a well deserved week off, though I am dreading the gas bill at the end of the trip. We'll probably be driving about 1300 miles by the time the trip is over. at an average of $4.50 a gallon for gas, it will be about six hundred dollars worth of gas. $600.00! enough for airplane tickets but since we are going to different places it only makes sense to drive. No wonder oil companies are making such huge profits while we get deeper and deeper in debt. All for a bit of fun and relaxation.
I will keep you posted of our whereabouts and progress.

KIPPER THE DOG

2008-06-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

Where is the time going and how much more is there of it.

Kids are out of school though ours have been out since last weekend. They are scheduled to return today from California and boy do I have a surprise for them!
This past Monday I adopted a dog from the local animal shelter, actually through a friend from work who "fosters" animals then helps with their adoption. She had been telling me about the dogs since she got a family of 6 puppies and their mom to take care of. By the time I picked up my puppy, she only had 1 more to adopt out. The mom (A Chow) was picked up the same day I picked up mine and Julie (friend from work) got to keep the last one. Not even Melissa knew about the dog. I had told her that I had a meeting at work (which I did) and I would go by her office after my meeting. I had planned on getting the dog that same day, which I did not tell her until I showed up at her office with the dog in tow.
We decided to name it Kipper, he seems to be of a Chow and lab mix.
He has a very gentle disposition though he is big and is only going to get bigger. He is already the size of Lulu.

Work has been just crazy with lots of drama to go around which I really don't want to get into cause it will just bore you or make you sigh at the familiar work events, sometimes I feel like I am in a bad episode of The Office.
In a few days I finally will be taking some well deserved time off and Melissa and I are planning to have a great time, then in August, work is slow so we are closing for about 12 days. At that time I am probably going to be enjoying some more time off, luckily the kids are out of school still.
I hope summer will be good for all of you.

OBAMA - PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

2008-05-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

After a grueling campaign against the other Democrat, Senator Clinton, and after a series of Superdelegate switching their votes back and forth for a few days, Senator Obama was finally declared the righteous representative for the Democratic ticket. On the other side of the political spectrum, McCain and fellow republicans were salivating at the prospect of running against an "unknown" candidate.

The following question was posed to Senator Obama after his official nomination.

American Electorate: Senator, now that you've won the nomination for your party, what are you going to do next?

Obama: I am going to Disneyland!

American Electorate: Wrong answer Senator.

The answer is, You are going into every house that you ever lived in, every hotel that you ever stayed at, every tape of your kids and or family that you recorded.
You are also going to dig into every taped box that you have in storage, go through every old school record, make copies of every prescription given by a doctor or other and make everything public, beginning today.

Why you ask?.

Because these are the things that the Republican machinery and their unofficial "associates" are going to do and they will dig and dig for every morsel of information that will give you a bad name.
Imagine a bombshell, say a girl"friend" in the past or a night spent at a "friend's" house due to some issues at home. How would it read to the American electorate?.

"I should have known he was lying and covering up, maybe I should have voted for Hillary"

That is how it is going to read.
I hope you were paying attention during the trial and impeachment of Bill Clinton, because that is what you are going up against.
Reverend Wright and his "sermons" will look like small potatoes once the Republicans find a juicy tidbit about you or someone even close to you.
Did you ever have a housekeeper? did they have papers?
Who mows your lawn?, who washes your car?

SO, do you still want to go to Disneyland?

CITIZEN'S ARREST

2008-05-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

What makes a young guy homeless? Why do they stand on street medians holding signs asking for money? I see it a lot more often. These are not teenagers or runaway kids, maybe they were a few years ago. These are guys, (I have not seen a mid-20's woman on a side street holding a sign) who seem at first sight well capable of lifting something or able to do something to make a few bucks so they can eat.
Then there's the other way of making a living, by defrauding a business, which can land them in jail for a couple of days.
A couple of weeks ago, this strange looking guy came into one of our restaurants. I was walking by his table when he motioned me over to tell me how great the food was and much he liked it. I didn't make much of it until the server came to Tell me that the guy had skipped on the check. He had told her to order a cocktail and he'd be "right back" because he was going to the bathroom. Usually that is a sign for most servers that he intends to not pay. which is what happened then.
Lo and behold, same guy walks into another one of our restaurants. I was also walking by his table and he looked familiar. As I approach his table he tels me that, "The steak is so wonderful, he'd like to buy the chef a shot". All kinds of bell rang in my head at this comment. I quickly approached the server, whom at the time had already deduced that the guy had no money.
I called our security and they showed up quickly after I told them of the situation. In the meantime our "friend" continued to eat, have dessert, pretend to go to the bathroom a few times, I am quite sure while planning his escape which at this time was futile because all staff was on to him as well as a couple of security guards conspicuously posted outside.
It took him about 45 minutes before he realized he had no way out. When he was presented the check and asked for the table since, "We needed it for another large party", he replied that he was just "waiting for some Friend coming from the pool," even though the pool closed about an hour earlier. It wasn't long enough before he asked to speak to a a manager. I gladly accepted his request.
Once I was with him, all he said was, "You can call security, I have no money and I am homeless".
I asked him to walk with me outside where security was waiting for him. He was taken to the security office where he was later picked up by The Metro Police. Not before I was required to officially do a "Citizen's arrest" for defrauding an in-keeper.
In other times, or other country, He would have been beaten up or put to wash floors, dishes or other kind of hard labor that would make someone think twice about trying to get a free meal out of a restaurant.

FORECLOSURES HITING CLOSE TO HOME

2008-04-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

It has been well over a month since I wrote anything. As you can see from my last post, not much has changed in politics.
Work on the other hand has kept me really busy. Since my last post I've been working long hours, six days a week or more, but when you are trying to "impress" your bosses, you do what is in your power to let them know you are a team player. Even though that hurts the family unit since most of the day is spent at work.
I was put in charge of staffing and training another area in our division. All this while at the same time, holding my responsibilities in my current job. So my day begins at about 10 in the morning and ends at about 8:00pm and sometimes even longer. So I get home and of course lovely Melissa has dinner ready and all I want to do is sleep. Of course laundry is also ready, sometime shirts are ironed and still all I want to do is sleep.
This weekend I was able to have two days off though, yesterday Melissa and I went shopping, finally bought a new stove which won't be installed for another 3 to 4 weeks and we still managed to squeeze some love before the day was over.
Did I tell you both houses next to us were foreclosed on by banks?.. This is in addition to a third one that was finally sold last month.
Kids are busy with school. I think Olivia is ready to give up ballet and wants to take on Soccer, so I have to check the AYSO and see about a girls league here at home. Anthony is still in cub scouts but I don't think he's really that much into it.
A lot happens in one month and now you are up to date.

UNITED STATES OF ARIZONA

2008-03-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

I guess McCain eventually wants to secede from the union. In a speech this morning in San Antonio Texas, he named all the Arizonians who have run for the White House but have failed to reach it. He then thanked the crowd for helping him clinch the nomination for "The United States of Arizona".
That is quite all right. He can go back and be the President of Arizona, where he is bound to get probably about 90% of the vote. The other 10% being those who still have a mind of their own.
Then again, I believe that he will continue with the trend of Arizonians failing to reach the White House. Let that be an omen..

FRIENDS

2008-02-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Chloe wrote something about a friend who she had and through time, she lost and did not see till years later.

I have a friend whom I am losing touch with. It is a matter of distance and indiference. Last time we spoke was when I was in Detroit. I gave her a call to say hello, left her a message and we have not spoken since. Ever since I left L.A. and moved to Vegas, we'd talk a few times, but it was always I who initiated the call. She never caaled me. her rule that it was always "guys" who must call the girls. friends or other. She left L.A. and moved to Vermont, so really the "distance" excuse is really mute and with LA as close to Vegas, we could have been in touch a lot more often.
I have been OK with her rule with regards to our friendship but I refuse to call anymore. There could be a lot of reasons why she has not called, illness, busy with work or what not, but I know it does not take an act of congress to pick up a phone and call your best friend. I am guilty of that as well but that is another story with regards to my own family.
But getting back to Chloe's point.
At what point do we make the concious decision/choice to not call someone?. Or does it happen gradually and we become lazy and just decide not to call. We've known each other now for about 20 years. Hopefully one of these days she'll call or I will call her.I would not want to conciously give up on our friendship, maybe that's just the nature of it.

VALENTINES

2008-02-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's

Melissa and I went to Sedona AZ this past weekend. It was a relaxing trip despite all the little "mishaps" with the area and people. It used to be a place where you could get a good meal and when it was not so crowded with t-shirt selling stores. It has now become another touristic spot just like any other. The allure of the red rocks is not there anymore. Most of the area is now populated and full of condos and quasi-resorts selling time shares to the innocent. The service levels are probably the worst. Most people act as though they are doing yo a favor by providing you good service, so they rather not do you the favour.
There was this front desk agent with a bad cold who had probably not blown her nose in a half hour, then there was the gum chewing bartender who could hold conversations while showing you all sides and sights of his gum. Then there was the food at a place called Oaxaca. The menu consisted of 3 items prepared in several ways. Enchiladas, Burritos and something else. I had a caesar salad with grilled shrimp. The salad was not a caesar and the shrimp was not grilled but sauteed. and there was about 2 lbs. of it in the salad.
Aside from all that, it was a relaxing weekend beacuse we did what we wanted when we wanted it. The place we stayed at was not the best, then again at an average rate of $135.00 what can you expect? The other option was to pay $250.00+ in one of the better resorts, where you could be pampered at a high cost while keeping you away from the main drag.
The high-light of the trip was a hike through the "West Fork" canyon. A good hike through snow and frozen streams. It took us close to 3 hours to go up and down.
Beautifull place with high walls around and lots of snow everywhere due to the fact that the sun hardly shines inside it.
From there, we drove up towards Flagstaff and then home.
Great Weekend for Valentine's

WEEKLY UPDATE

2008-02-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

I guess that's what it's turning out to be. A weekly update.
Giants of course beat the New England Patriots, it was a good day for our business, lots of crazy football fans, luckily most made reservations except for those who still showed up at half time wanting a table right by the TV or right at The Bar, as if we would be saving seats for people without reservations.... Funny.

Today of course is "Super Tuesday". My prediction is that when its all done and over, McCain and Hillary will be the contenders for their respective parties. My fear is that MacCain is very electable. I know we've had a rough 8 years with the currrent Republican presidency, but the candidacy of Hillary can be scary for a lot of people who fear another Clinton presidency. At the same time, there are those who think that a woman just cannot be president and thus lean towards McCain. Obama would be on the same boat as Hillary. Running agains people afraid of women and or a black president, though both are very well qualified for the position, they are running against fear. We must vote for change. Sadly, I do not think that McCain is the answer though. So my Vote is going to Hillary. Not because she is a woman, but because her experience in and with government goes back even further than her marriage to Bill. Her healhcare project, when she was the first lady got derailed by politics at a time when she was neither in power nor well liked. This time it will be different.
It is still a long time before the general election and a lot can happen still.

Kennedy Endorsement

2008-01-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

So the Kennedys have endorsed Obama as their candidate. Is this an indicator that we should all rush to vote for Obama just because the "princes'" of Camelot have shown their predilection?. What if they had selected Hillary instead of Obama?.
Frankly who they support or wish they had as president is irrelevant. Voters who support and admire the Kennedy's have already made up their minds since last year. Actually, they still will be voting probably for the second Clinton because they are closer to the Clinton generation than to the Kennedy generation.
The undecideds are still wavering between candidates considering all and no one at the same time. Their minds change based on whatever a candidate might be saying at any given time. Hillary coming second in South Carolina isn't a surprise. If Hillary had won South Carolina, that would not have been the end of Obama.
Also, lurking in the background and waiting for the right opportunity, Edwards will sprint back into the action to really put the Democratic ticket into a spin like we have not seen in years. That will definitely give us the time an opportunity to support the best candidate- Not the best of 3 evils.
The republicans on the other hand are deciding between McCain and Romney. Huckabee is slowing down and Guliani's friends have been a "No call-No show." The question after that will be, can the Democratic candidate defeat either one of the Republicans?

2008-01-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

In Between work, caucuses and reduction of interest rates, Melissa has been cooking up some really good meals. I am not talking meat and potatoes or chicken over pasta with tomato sauce. I mean real "gourmet" type of food and she makes it seem so easy and quick to make.
Beginning with last Christmas/NY Eve, she made tamales that were so good you would have thought she's made them a hundred times before.
Last night she made this wonderful soup with turnips, apples, yams and watercress. Last week she made this delicious chicken with onions, plums and a red balsamic sauce. To top it off, there was a side of Brussel sprouts (YES!_ Brussel sprouts) they were tender, full of flavor and the kids ate them and wanted more.
The point here is that Melissa has surpassed my cooking abilities. I used to think that I was good in the kitchen but now... forget it. There is a new chef, correction, there has been a new chef in the kitchen for a long time now.

ELECTIONS

2008-01-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

Obama, Hillary, Edwards.

The lesser of 3 evils

MaCain, Romney, Huckabee

The lesser of 3 evils.

But they are not evil.
They are just like you and me. Only they get influenced by people with deep pockets and even deeper influences to the point that regardless of what they promise during their campaigns, they are "forced" to go into war even against public opinion.
For the last 3 weeks we get calls at home every night from their campaigns. I am sure some of you have heard Hillary leaving a message on your answering system as well.
As the horse race heats up, we'll see how they all deal with the mounting pressure of the campaign, perhaps there are still a few skeletons buried deep in closets that have yet to surface and all it takes is for one meaningless skeleton to pop out and derail someone's train. Sometimes at the expense of the American electorate.
Do we really care if they did drugs in their youth?, do we really care if they had 2 wives and then switched to a younger girlfriend?

Does that dictate the kind of president they are going to be?.
Or does that decide how you are going to vote?...
I have not made up my mind yet.

CES in Las Vegas

2008-01-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

CES- A giant "toy convention" for adults-
IT is all about the latest computer/electronics gadgets that will go on sale in the next few months. There are people from all over the world attending this convention. They all look happy and giddy at the fact that it is an "invitation" only type of thing. You must have registered through your company prior to attending. I am sure at a pricey entrance fee that only computer, electronic companies can afford.
This post is not about CES or the convention itself. It is about the morons who "knowing" that they are in a town with thousands and thousands of people, forget to make a reservation at a restaurant and end up showing up at your door, "demanding" a table for 2, for 6, for 10.
"Oh, is there anything you can do?" "we will eat quick", "We will tip good". On and on they come. They will even point out to you that, "Look at all those empty tables over there, can't you just seat us?". Maybe in your world buddy. Those are reserved for people that bothered to make reservations.
Sometimes you are able to accommodate them (Of course we need the revenue) Some other times they just are pathetic. It is not just this group, there have been others in the past, particularly for concerts.
You know the drill.
You got a show to go to, you want to eat and drink before the show and just have a good time.
DOOM!!!! You forgot to make reservations and like Mary and Joseph, you go from restaurant to restaurant begging for a table only to be turned away or told that you have to wait 59 minutes for a table, of course by then it is 7:00PM and the show starts at 8:00PM, so you settle for standing in line to get a "Happy Meal" at MacDonald's or other fast food joint. All this aggravation just because you did not make reservations.
Next time, no matter where you go, make reservations even if it is in a couple of places. That way you will guarantee yourself a table.
We hate people that make reservations at 2, 3 or 4 places. That is why we also overbook our reservations, because we know there are some that will not show up. Thank goodness for those who call and cancel their reservation, it allows for those who don't have one to get a table.
PEACE!

THE LAST WEEKEND

2008-01-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have been sleeping through the last couple of days. Normally I am up by 7:00 in the morning and these days I cannot even get out of bed. Only thing that gets me up is I have to go to the bathroom by then no sense in getting back into bed. Work was busy with concerts, nightclub business, me staying out late with friends (though not drinking). It's been a while since I felt a kinship or friendship with co-workers. This is true with a couple of the managers that I work with. It has to be because we all (3) speak Spanish and also because we are in the same business. So there is a lot to talk about, though not necessarily about work but about where we've been, where we're going, etc. I would not necessarily call them friends at this point but I guess that is how friendships begin.
So the horse race begins with Obama and Huckabee leading the pack. Next comes New Hampshire and after, the stragglers will begin to drop. Not like tired old horse but like flies, dead and no wings left. Despite all their money, popularity and bull shit, even the likes of Gulliani and Romney will drop as well soon after if they do not do well in the next primaries and caucuses. Would Obama ask Hillary to be a VP?... That might me an interesting ticket.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! '08

2007-12-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

And the years keep on Piling.

Today is Friday and I do not think that I am going to have a moment to rest or sit down till about Tuesday Morning.
Our Restaurant is gearing for the New Year's Eve. For us that begins today.
The club will be open today, Saturday and Monday. Van Halen is doing a concert today and Sunday of all days. It is not sold out but it will still bring in a good crowd.
Santa was good to me and everyone in the family, though after thinking about it, I think we could have used that money and: gone to Europe for Christmas, buy a ranch somewhere in Mexico, Put a down payment on a car. Re-do our yard. Nonetheless it was a good Christmas.
Olivia and Anthony got a Wii from Santa (wink, wink) We could not find one here in town so, "Auntie Debba" had to purchase them in San Francisco for everyone in the family. Now we all have a Wii to play with wherever we may be visiting them, whether in S.F., Virginia or here.
May all your wishes come true this coming year.
Till Tuesday... or after.

BENAZIR BHUTTO

2007-12-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

The first thing that came to my mind after hearing of Bhutto's assassination was that the current "president" was behind the assassination.
That was a quick, "lets blame someone mentality" which is so easy to do.
However, when you look at the political situation in Pakistan, Lebanon or any other country where an authoritarian leader faces opposition from more liberal or pro-democracy movements, those who end up getting assassinated are the ones who pursue an agenda of freedom and democracy.
Everyone is expressing "shock and condemnation" now, as if they hadn't seen it coming. Perhaps Bhutto saw it coming as well and like sheep to the slaughter house, she returned to Pakistan after being in exile.
Soon enough they will capture some low ranking militant from some extremist group, blame them and hang them for everyone to see and that will be the end of the story. Our current administration will continue to send millions of dollars to Pakistan and it will be as if nothing happened.
Who will be next and where?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all.
Wherever you are and whomever you are, whomever you pray to, may the lord rain his blessings on you and keep you healthy safe and happy.

ONCE AGAIN!!

2007-12-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

I am enjoying a well deserved time off from work. Our restaurant is closed and will not re-open till Friday. That means I am not doing much other than resting, shopping, eating and trying to keep sane amongst the craziness of the season. Melissa has done well with keeping up after every one's shopping list. I have merely been the bag carrier from store to car. The end is near though, a few more things to buy and then it should all be over before I return to work.

Tuesday I am driving to L.A. to a wake. A cousin of mine, whom I grew up with as a kid, passed away. He had to be about my age. It is quite sad given to the season and the fact that he is survived by his wife and a couple of kids. I had not seen him for a few years and it just so happens that I saw him last month when I went to L.A. for the "Quinceaniera", where he was catering the party. We did talk, reminisced about our time in L.A. then about a couple of weeks after that, he fell at home, went into a coma and just last Friday he passed.
As I have personally learned, life goes on.....
No matter what.

Santa Run- Guinness World Record?

2007-12-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I dressed up in a Santa outfit and joined about 7500 other Santas in Downtown Vegas. We set out to break a world record of gathering Santas, I believe previous record held by the city of London. Not sure if we broke the record yet. I checked Guinness website and did not find anything.
After the gathering, there was a 5K run through the streets of Downtown Vegas. It was quite a spectacle to see that many "Running Santas". SO I hope you enjoy the pictures.

American Film Institues Top 100 Films of All Time

2007-11-23T10:44:00.000-08:00

American Film Institues Top 100 Films of All Time:

Melissa mentioned this to me a couple of weeks back.
My favorites are #'s
2,3,8,13,15,17,32,33,35,50,52,53,68,69,74,76,84,86,97. And just about any Mel Gibson movie made- Particularly the Mad Max Series, with the exception of "Beyond Thunderdome"

Which ones are yours?..
1 CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2 GODFATHER, THE (1972)
3 CASABLANCA (1942)
4 RAGING BULL (1980)
5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
6 GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
8 SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
9 VERTIGO (1958)
10 WIZARD OF OZ, THE (1939)
11 CITY LIGHTS (1931)
12 SEARCHERS, THE (1956)
13 STAR WARS (1977)
14 PSYCHO (1960)
15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
16 SUNSET BLVD. (1950)
17 GRADUATE, THE (1967)
18 GENERAL, THE (1927)
19 ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
20 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
21 CHINATOWN (1974)
22 SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
23 GRAPES OF WRATH, THE (1940)
24 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
25 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
26 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
27 HIGH NOON (1952)
28 ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
29 DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
30 APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
31 MALTESE FALCON, THE (1941)
32 GODFATHER PART II, THE (1974)
33 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
34 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
35 ANNIE HALL (1977)
36 BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE (1957)
37 BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE (1946)
38 TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, THE (1948)
39 DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
40 SOUND OF MUSIC, THE (1965)
41 KING KONG (1933)
42 BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
43 MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
44 PHILADELPHIA STORY, THE (1940)
45 SHANE (1953)
46 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
47 STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A (1951)
48 REAR WINDOW (1954)
49 INTOLERANCE (1916)
50 LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE (2001)
51 WEST SIDE STORY
52 TAXI DRIVER (1976)
53 DEER HUNTER, THE (1978)
54 M*A*S*H (1970)
55 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
56 JAWS (1975)
57 ROCKY (1976)
58 GOLD RUSH, THE (1925)
59 NASHVILLE (1975)
60 DUCK SOUP (1933)
61 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS (1941)
62 AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
63 CABARET (1972)
64 NETWORK (1976)
65 AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951)
66 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
67 WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966)
68 UNFORGIVEN (1992)
69 TOOTSIE (1982)
70 CLOCKWORK ORANGE, A (1971)
71 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
72 SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE (1994)
73 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
74 SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE (1991)
75 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967)
76 FORREST GUMP (1994)
77 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976)
78 MODERN TIMES (1936)
79 WILD BUNCH, THE (1969)
80 APARTMENT, THE (1960)
81 SPARTACUS (1960)
82 SUNRISE (1927)
83 TITANIC (1997)
84 EASY RIDER (1969)
85 NIGHT AT THE OPERA, A (1935)
86 PLATOON (1986)
87 12 ANGRY MEN (1957)
88 BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
89 SIXTH SENSE, THE (1999)
90 SWING TIME (1936)
91 SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982)
92 GOODFELLAS (1990)
93 FRENCH CONNECTION, THE (1971)
94 PULP FICTION (1994)
95 LAST PICTURE SHOW, THE (1971)
96 DO THE RIGHT THING (1989)
97 BLADE RUNNER (1982)
98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)
99 TOY STORY (1995)
100 BEN-HUR (1959)

HIATUS

2007-11-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

It takes longer and longer to get back and blog. Has it lost some of its allure?. Is it becoming just another chore like cleaning or other that you just don't feel like doing?..
There is plenty to say about things happening all around.
Yet, I just don't seem like I want to get on the computer every morning, like I used to and rush to read someone else's blog.
From time to time I still will get on the computer and read some, leave some comments but not blog anything.
Today is the exception. There is so much to talk about:

Weather: (Cold finally arrived here in Vegas-40 degrees this morning)
Work: (No GM for us yet, so I am still running the show, perhaps that is why I do not blog as much--Too busy!)
Love life: (Melissa and I still going at it, settling into a routine perhaps---Gotta change that)
Politics: Everyone is turning on Bush, including those who were closest to him. Is Clinton or Obama the answer to this country's problems..... Not quite sure. On the one hand it is time that we elect, or at least consider a woman for the presidency, but just because it is Hillary Clinton, again. I am not so sure.
Kids: (I can't believe how big and tall they are getting. In a couple of years, they will be as tall if not taller than me.)
I am so ready for a long vacation....
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, even though it may be one day late.
I am thankful for all the good stuff that happened over the last year and for my little family.
As far as all the bad stuff, what bad stuff! It's all in the past.

YURIDIA

2007-11-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

WINDING DOWN

2007-11-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

The end of the year is quickly approaching and we are already looking at presents for Christmas, mainly for the kids.
Melissa's birthday is coming up soon, right after Thanksgiving. I also have plans of going to L.A. next weekend for a Quinceaniera. That should be fun. Not certain of going yet since we still do not have a GM at our place and on that same night, there is a concert (Piano-man)
Tomorrow, we are sponsoring an "invited" only mini concert at Studio 54. Featuring Mexican singer Yuridia During the last 3 weeks, we have been giving away tickets and passes to the concert. Thursday is the actual Latin Grammy's and all this week, there are concerts trhoughout most of the big nightclubs featuring latin singers.
Work has been fairly busy at least I have a more balanced schedule with Sundays and Mondays off. Blogging has taken a back seat to most of those activities. It does not mean that I am completely off blogger. 'till next time.

BACK TO WORK

2007-10-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

I've been working now for a week since I returned from Detroit. ALL THE NEWS!

I am now completely in charge of our restaurant, not by choice but by default. Our previous General Manager decided to turn his notice in so I got the news that he was leaving the day after I got back from Detroit.

Nothing new, I've been in this situation before. Surprisingly it was the job I had before my current one. Now, I am not sure what is going on around us because in our division, currently there are only 4 GM's and we are missing 5. Some of the 5 missing left on their own, others were "let go".
"When you are handed lemons, make lemonade" I believe that is the saying and that is exactly what I am going to do. Aside from our GM, two other staff members "resigned" and that should make things a little better for all the staff involved.
I am looking forward to this other challenge and see where it leads.
I am happy to be home as well. It sure was great to see the kids and Melissa after being apart for so long. Of course as soon as I got here, Melissa and her mom went to Disneyland to celebrate her mom's birthday. Now she is back.
Our life is back to "normal" again.

2007-10-11T08:16:00.001-07:00

Today (Wednesday) I checked my baggage in at curbside for my flight to Las Vegas. Spirit wants you to “pre-check” your baggage on line for half the price otherwise it is $10.00 per bag. Of course both times that I tried to do this on the flight here and now back, the online system was down, so it would not let you check anything in.
At least on the way here, the baggage handlers honored my print out about the system being down and only charged me $5.00 per bag.
Today however, as soon as I approached the baggage handler in Detroit, he instructed me that to check my bags in, “they charged $2.00 per bag cash (in addition to what Spirit charged) and that they also “worked” for tips.
So it cost me $25.00 for checking my bags in at curbside. Granted, I will get this money returned to me as a business expense.
The baggage handler an unshaven fat bastard got an attitude because I only gave him a dollar tip.
As I see it, they are ripping people off, without their management’s knowledge, by asking people for $2.00 per bag (cash) at curbside.
Aside from this going into my blog, it will also go as an email to customer service at Spirit Airlines.

At least I am on my way home.

TOMORROW

2007-10-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow at this time I will be home. I am so anxious to get back that my bags are already packed. Only toiletries and such are left outside. Hopefully tomorrow when I get up, there will be hot water since today there was none and as of right now, still none. I had to settle for a very cold shower. It felt good after walking for about 5 miles around the downtown area of Detroit and working up quite a sweat. I did go into work for about 4 hours but did not do much other than to talk to people. Most other co-workers also left early since there was not much to do today. The only big even was a meeting of the board of directors for the company.
Last night we went to a hockey game where the Detroit Red Wings beat the Edmonton Oilers. Once we got back into the hotel, we got a chance to see the Cleveland Indians beat the NY Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys beat The Bills by 1 point. It is no wonder the people in this town are so crazy about sports. They have a team in every sports category.

I wish I was there already.

THE END IS NEAR

2007-10-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

The end of the trip is near and I cannot wait to go home. Today I decided to take the day off and I just spoke to one of my sidekicks and we are going to a new place for breakfast where supposedly there are mariachis (live)..
Another aquaintance (Richard) wanted to go into Windsor (Canada) for breakfast but I have not heard from him yet so it seems like it is going to be Mexican food for breakfast, more like brunch.

Work has been crazy busy, I am used to this kind of frantic levels of business but I usually know that it's going to last 2, 3 maybe 4 days at most. Here in Detroit, there is no end in sight. As Mr. T once said, "I pitty the fool". Those who are here to stay and work and can't go work somewhere else. At the same time, I asm sure taht they count their blessing that they have a job in a very swank place (See pictures below).

Till next time...

6 DAYS

2007-10-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Yes. 6 Days more. The opening was quite a hit in town. Today is the third day and there is still traffic congestion around the hotel. Our restaurant has been mobbed since we opened, the first night it was 24 hours straight. The crowds were eating everything in site as if that was their last meal. Then again, it was because they had gotten a credit for just signing up for a "players card". So as long as it is a free meal, everyone was taking advantage of it. Me, I am tired. It's been a very busy week with little time for anything else other than sleep and rest. Though on Tuesday I managed to go into Windsor, Canada. as tone throw away from Detroit (South). What a difference a river makes. The difference in surroundings between Detroit and the other side of the river is as marked as the difference between Tijuana and San Diego. I can't wait to get back home. I am done here. I think we (All staff from Vegas) are done. There is only so much we can do and it is time for the management of this property to take the reins. They have voiced this plenty. "Once the people from Vegas leave, we can do things our own way".Indeed. Once we leave, they are on their own and I do wish them good luck because they are all going to need it.

TRAVELING LONLINESS

2007-09-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

I experienced this lonliness a couple of years ago and it was only for about 7 days then. I was traveling through Mexico alone. Going from one state to another and arriving early in the morning when there is no one on the streets, but cabs and drunks.
Here in Detroit at least I have familiar faces, but it is still lonely. Yes we work together and share meals and some fun together, but at the end of the day we all go back to our rooms. These are our homes for the next 14 days or so. It's been our home on and off for the last 3 weeks.
What makes it harder is that I am so far away from my family. We talk on the phone frequently but it is still lonely.
I am not whining.
It is a feeling that though I may be enjoying certain aspects of the trip; like the trip to the game, the gourmet dinner at a fine dining place, etc. Nothing is the same if I don't have my family here.
This is a great experience for me in terms of my professional career and I would probably do it again, perhaps not for this length of time.
I suppose that the more you do it, the more you get used to it. In the meantime, like Melissa, I am counting the days.
14

Lookin out my window

2007-09-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

Lookin out my window
Originally uploaded by Ciscokid1

Here I find myself after a short day at work. (7 hours). Once again I am tired and it is nice outside. I decided to show you what my view consists of.

Days 4 through 9

2007-09-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

It has gotten very busy with work here. Working 6 days a week with a lot going on in between.
In between, I have moved into the new hotel, I have moved out of the hotel and back into the old one.
On Sunday we went to see the Detroit Lions play, they won the opening home game, it was good with the result being decided in Overtime.

Over the weekend we also found "Mexicantown" with not very good results. 4 of us went to dinner and we happened to walk into a restaurant with a DJ on the lower floor and a small dance floor. However through the "grapevine" we found out that there was a third floor where there was another DJ with a much larger floor for dancing and sitting. we went up there and it turned out to be very much like the place that I work at in Vegas. On the way back, there were no cabs that would come to pick us up, so we ended up walking back to our hotel. If you've been to Detroit you will know that there are some areas that not even the devil would walk through. However we made it safely back into a major avenue where a passing taxi picked us up.
The same attitudes prevail amongst the "snobs" that I wrote about last week. There are some people that I have talked to one evening over dinner or at the bar and the next day they don't even glance your way even when you are standing in front of them.

I have also found that there are a lot of good people here in this town despite the prevalent look of depression around the city.
I have yet to venture out into the suburbs, then again after working 10 to 12 hours sometimes, the only thing I can do when I get back to the hotel is pass out from exhaustion.
A couple of nights ago while we were in the new hotel, the fire alarm went off at 4:00 AM. We had to evacuate the hotel, luckily I was on the sixth floor. Though it is kind of strange to be with a bunch of strangers in the middle of the night while dressed in the first thing the could get their hands on. It turned out to be a false alarm. It was hard getting back to sleep and to top it off, the alarm went off again at about 5:00AM. This time we all stayed put.

Oh yeah!. The TVs did not work in the hotel and there were no services or anyplace to go after work.

The highlight of trip since I've been here was the following.
6 of us were invited to one of Michael Mina's Restaurants to sample a "tasting". He has two in the hotel; Bourbon Steak and Saltwater. The invitation was for the steak house but when we got there, they were busy with people also attending their invitation to try out the new menu as well as to train their staff. So we ended up walking next door to Salt water, their seafood restaurant. They were also training but none were eating, so they sat us at a long table close to where their staff were going over their menu.

The tasting was wonderful. After eating bar food, fried food and mostly anything else out of our hotel's cafeteria, sampling such succulent dishes was heaven sent.
We had; foie gras, figs with prosciutto, perch, salmon, scallops, terrines with caviar and to top it off, since we had been originally invited to the steak house, the chef from Bourbon Steak brought us a flat iron kobe steak to finish our meal. The steak was not a "tasting" size it was a full 16 oz of perfectly cooked juicy and tender piece of beef.
That made up for everything else.
I talk to my family everyday at least twice a day. However I still miss them all every moment of every day.
Till next time.