Monday, November 06, 2006

ELECTION

Over the weekend Olivia and I attended a "Hispanic Day Parade" that my employer and its "Diversity Council" supported.
I guess this parade was supposed to happen last month (Columbus Day, etc) but due to bad weather, the parade was re-scheduled. Of course most of the majority attending the parade were; Latin American, Hispanic or however you may refer to anyone south of the border. The parade was well intentioned becuase the theme was to celebrate "diversity."
This was quickly taken advantage of by some of the candidates running for office here in Southern Nevada. Of course, if you were a candidate for office, you would use any and every available gathering of people to get your face and name out.
The main culprit here was Jim Gibbons. He showed up in a big blue mobile home with a large entourage of his staff. They were also part of the parade and were lined up behind us.
It was funny to hear them cheering in Spanish with a "Viva Gibbons" chant. I say funny because of the stance of the candidate on immigration and the English language as the "official language of the U.S. (Nothing wrong with that) etc. It was obvious that they were just there pandering to the public. Shelley Berkley was there as well though I am also a bit surprised that none of the other candidates were not there as well. Particularly the Democratic candidates, you would have thought they would be there to show that they are concerned and wanting to be part of the "diverse" crowd. I gotta hand it to Gibbons for at least being there.

Monday, October 30, 2006

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!


Happy Halloween everyone.
Last year I asked how you celebrate this season, since in many other parts of the world people celebrate differently.
Tomorrow, I will get out of work early and make it home to scare the wits of some kids who come to my door "trick or treating".
Olivia and Anthony will go around the neighborhood and get lots of candy. It was only a few years ago that Olivia would not go to the door because she would be frightened by the kids in disguise coming for candy. Now, she has become a pro. Olivia is going to be Cleopatra and Anthony will be Captain "Jack Sparrow". I had originally told them I was going to be "The invisible Man", since I was going to be at work all day. Now I may just be "The visible Daddy"..
It will be a good Halloween.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

BOA---Bank of Africa

I've been seeing some of these e-mails in other bloggs, so here is my contibution:
In case you are interested, email me and I will go 50-50 with you.....

FROM MR.ERIC KOSHY
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION OF
BANK OF AFRICA
(BOA)
EMAIL;(benprivate1@myway.com)

Dear friend,
I am ERIC KOSHY the
director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Bank Of Africa
(BOA)with due respect and regard. I have
decided to contact you on a
business transaction that will be very
beneficial to both of us at the
end of the transaction During our
investigation and auditing in this
bank,my department came across a
very huge sum of money belonging to a
deceased person who died on
October 31st 2000 in a plane crash and the
fund has been dormant in
his account with this Bank without any claim
of the fund in our
custody either from his family or relation before
our discovery to
this development.The said amount was U.S $11.5M
(Eleven million Five
hundred Thousand United States dollars).

Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
confide next of kin to the deceased, to get the required approval and
transfer this money to a foreign account has been put in place and
directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as
you
indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also
benefit
your self to this great business opportunity.In fact I could
have done
this deal alone but because of my position in this country
as a civil
servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and
would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the
time of
transfer because I work in this bank.This is the actual reason
why it
will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims
as the
next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to the Bank and
also
present a foreign account where he will need the money to be
re-
transferred into on his request as it may be after due verification
and
clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the
whole
money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account.

I
will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk
free.On
smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to
30% of
the total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to
take care
of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and
also
telephone bills,20% will be set aside for the poor and the needy
after
we have received the money, while 45% will be for me. Please,
you have
been advised to keep "top secret" as I am still in
service and intend
to retire from service after we conclude this deal with
you.I will be
monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until
you confirm the
money in your account and ask me to come down to your
country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages
previously
indicated and further investment, either in your country or
any country
you advice us to invest in.All other necessary vital
information will
be sent to you when I hear from you.

I look forward to receive your
reply as the urgency implies.

Yours faithfully,


MR.ERIC KOSHY
BANK OF
AFRICA(BOA)

Monday, October 23, 2006

ELECTIONS

Elections are upon us and TV ads are all over the place that is hard to pinpoint who's running for what or what they stand for from one day to the next. Just today I received a "Employee Voter's Guide" from my employer. You would have thought they send you a straightforward guide with no biases. However, after reading through a few pages, I noticed boxes next to some candidates already checked. This was the "employer's recomendations". Granted, all recomendations were from both major parties. Though I disagree with this type of guides, If I am a business with thousands of employees, that would be the most direct way of affecting an election to my favor. Another advantage to the employer, is not only the passiveness of average voters, but also the diverse pool of employees. Most of these new citizens have never voted in their own countries. So, now they find a guide in their mail box that tells them exactly the way to vote.
Hopefully these new voters will read through the fine print and vote according to their beliefs. There is much at stake, as with any election, but this is the only way to send a message to the Bush administration that it's time to re-think and put an end to the Iraq fiasco. Does it matter that this implies to vote along and with Democratic candidates?. Not if you put your own self interests ahead of everyone else's, much like companies do when they send pre-checked "voter guides"
Happy Voting!

Monday, October 16, 2006

NEWS

Yes. it's been a while since I posted, aside form the one earlier today.
Been busy at work, much too busy. I also attended a 3 day seminar on "Diversity".. Somewhat of a life changing experience seminar. Based on the principals espoused by "The 7 habits of highly effective people" as well as the "8th habit". Plenty of exercises that make you look inward as well outwards towards your support systems. At the same time it allow me to not worry too much about work, however, when I got there, all hell had broke loose. Oh well, I guess it is time to put in practice what I learned.
Till next time..

Shopping for a worthy cause

Why not.

Product Red



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Thursday, October 05, 2006

KEVIN'S WEDDING

Anhtony overlooking the pond.

The wedding was great.
Kevin is a friend I've known for about 15 years now. Kristal is someone whom he's known since elementary school, not that they've been together that long. Everyone had a great time, Olivia was in her element. This was her third time as a flower girl, though she does not want to be a flower girl anymore, now she wants to be a "junior bride's-maid" By the looks of it, she may not be a bride's maid or other for a lot of years.......
This is Anthony "break dancing"

Melissa ---- Happy.
"The Boys" playing a joke on Kevin...Their last one

Indeed, it was a great wedding.
I have more pictures in flickr for those interested in seeing them.

Friday, September 29, 2006

LAST WEEK


So we did go to the baptism which turned out to be a great party. Lots of food were all over the place. A bottle of Chivas and some sort of Vodka that looked like Grey Goose (it wasn't)were also on each table. The party was done by a family of Armenians who live here in Vegas but I guess most of their relatives are in LA (Glendale), so that is where the party was.

We left on Saturday night after I got out of work. We got into Pasadena a little after 10:30PM, stayed at the Sheraton, a bit old but still comfortable.
Next day we hang out with the kids in Old Town Pasadena. Still a great place to walk around, but the restaurants are a bit more snobby and slow. Take Mi Piace for instance. Used to be a great place for a quick easy breakfast, now it is a pain. We sat for close to half an hour without anyone coming to our table. The place was packed, but it also looked like they had enough servers. Some were at time just hanging out. Finally a waitress, perhaps felt sorry for us or played the old trick of, "Nobody's been with you!!???. Let my find out who's got your station and I will let them know."
I guess she never did, because she came back to take our order, which was better than anybody else. We finally got our food, still good and hot as we ordered it.
So in a nut shell. Mi Piace, good for food, but slow service.
If I was a food writer, I would give them a "C". The party on the other hand was definitely an "A+".. Too bad we had to drive back that same night. Well Melissa drove, so the credit goes to her..

And now tomorrow....... Kevin's wedding! More to come.

Friday, September 22, 2006

OLIVIA'S WEEKEND PICTURES


This was the only picture I took.
A shot of an ad for Love.


At Lunch


At Build a Bear



Having fun with the mirrors


The Lobby


A shot from the upper floors at the mall.


A self portrait


My car at the car wash.


The inside of the jetta.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

STRONG WINDS


I guess when you see an airplane off the runway and into a street it's beacuse it did not measure correctly the length of the runway or because the runway is wet or icy, but to be "pushed" by the wind because "someone" forgot to apply the breaks or forgot to place those "wooden things" to keep it from taking off on its own is kind of unheard of.
That is what I happened to run into last night, well, I did not "run into the plane". I ran into this traffic snarl, luckily the "event" had just happened and I was able to drive fairly quickly through the mess, not without firsttaking a picture with my cell phone. (Picture to be posted later).
Aside from that, on Monday Olivia and I had a "Father-Daughter" day. She skipped school and we went shopping, to lunch, to the park and just had a nice relaxing day.
Pictures coming as well.

So far a good week.
This weekend the bunch and I are driving to L.A. for a quick baptism party. I promise I will take pictures ...

See you!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Fall Wheather

Finally it arrived!

I left work last night and instead of being blasted by hot blowing air, I was received by a cool breeze. Just wearing a thin black t-shirt made me wish I had a sweater on but after the long summer we've had, I just opened my arms and stood there feeling the air. A stronger gust came by and almost knocked me off my feet, that's when I made the trek up to my car.
Other signs of Fall:
College Football on Saturdays
College Football on Saturdays
College Football on Saturdays
College Football on Saturdays

What else could you wish for?

Thursday, September 14, 2006

TEXAS

There are good people in Texas after all. Ann Richards was one of them.

But, what ever happened to good, strong minded, independent, tough, democratic candidates? I know they want to take back the House of Representatives, but who are they? Where are they?. Here in town the political machinery is dominated by Republican money and it is business as usual, including the Status Quo Democrats. The only fresh face is that of Jack Carter, son of President Jimmy Carter.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Fun Weekend


This was quite a good weekend. Aside from the business from work, I was able to have a fun outing both Friday and Saturday.
Melissa and I went to theHard Rock Hotel on Friday hoping to get into "the Joint" for a concert (Kind of a surprise for Melissa). However, when we got there, they were sold out, so we just hang out at one of their bars where we stayed late into the night. I did buy tickets for the following night though.
What a concert.
Classic Albums Live did a concert of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (SPLHCB). In a nutshell, it is a concert where you are listening live music of the Beatles performed by these guys from Toronto. They recreate the music, as they say, "note by note cut for cut". They were awesome. They are not trying to imitate The Beatles by singing like them or looking like them. It is all about the music.
Every sound was recreated, including all the animal sounds in "Good Morning" and the strange sounds in "Helter Skelter".
After doing the SPLHCB songs, they did a medley of different songs culminating with an encore of some of the original first Beatles songs; Help!, I want to Hold your Hand, etc. They do other albums from other artists, so if they come by your town, check them out.
A great weekend!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

NEWS!

So, a new President was declared the winner in the Mexican elections. It is Mr. Calderon. He is also a member of the party that won the lection 6 years ago and began the dismantling of the PRI, the party that ruled the country for decades since the early 1900's.
He was declared the winner by an electoral tribunal, much like Bush was elected 6 years ago too, during the big "chads" fiasco in Florida.
So this should tell and show Calderon that just because a tribunal or a bench of judges signs off on your title and job, does not necesarily mean that all the citizens or at least half of them will go along for the ride.
As for Andres MAnuel Lopez Obrador. He worte himself off with the shenanigans that he and his party got into in the last month...He's done.

More news from the wires!
Dick Armitage revealed the name of Valerie Plummer to the press?....
I think he is just a patsy. The White house wants you to believe that now that there is a declaration of "mea culpa" everyone can concentrate on the displays of patrotism coming up in light of the 5 year anniversary of 09-11-06. Purely political I say.
The tune will be, "We republicans honor those who died on September 11"
While the Democrats just want us to cut and run.
Don't forget it is an election year and anything goes.
Dont get dupped!.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Mexico Crisis

In Mexican wrestling, there is an event where a bunch of wrestlers get into the ring and go at each other until there is only one standing. Something similar is happening at the moment in Mexico. It isn't just the presidential chaos. It is citywide protests throughout the country, the drug cartels and the entrenched corruption and undefined line between politicos and criminals that threaten to turn the country into a free for all.
For the last few years and since the PAN took power in Mexico, a political storm is about to come to its end or beginning. The PRD, who so far it seems, lost the presidential race anyway you look at it, is still claiming that it won the election because of electoral fraud and to prove its point (Or that of its leader, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador)it closed down one of the main avenues and thoroughfares of the capital city. In essence shutting down this main corridor has created tensions between the business community, city commuters and the political parties themselves. Now the PRD along with Obrador, are threatening with "shutting down" the last of the State of the Union speeches of president Fox. They have amassed a large number of supporters outside of their congressional building at par with the armed guards and soldiers who normally protect the building and the President himself. It's not only the supporters oustide but also the members of the legislature who sit inside the chamber, who have also threatened to "quiet" the President during his speech. By the way. This is supposed to happen today. So keep your eyes on the news.
In the capital city of Oaxaca, what once was a protest for better wages for teachers (Asamblea Popular), has turned into a free for all as well, for all kind of organizations who demand the same-better wages and the resignation of their current governor. The protesters have also shut down the Zocalo in Oaxaca, a beautiful place when it isn't being crowded by protesters. There have been attacks to offices, newspapers, people have been shot and killed. Currently there are talks between the state government and the Asamblea Popular to "solve" their situation however, the protesters main demand is the removal of the governor and as things go, that might be the only viable solution for everything to return to the way it was before.
The recent arrest of the "Tigrillo" does not mean that drug trafficking is about to come to an end. It actually creates a power vacuum within the drug cartels who are now going to continue killing each other for more territory. The drug cartels were limited to the North of the country as of a couple of years ago. Now you hear about killings, retribution, drive by shooting happening throughout the country. It is not just in remote areas anymore. There are shooting on touristic areas, such as Cancun, Acapulco as well as in residential areas where innocent bystanders get caught in the line of fire.
Who is doing something about this?
Nobody it seems.
The current President is on his way out. The federal government so far has refused to take any action to solve demands or at least listen to them.
The City government in the capital, has blatantly supported the blocking of the main avenues by providing tents and other supplies to the protesters.
Your average everyday law abiding citizen in the meantime just goes about his business as best as he or she can. It is almost futile to complaint to your local government (delegacion) unless you know someone on the inside, your pleas will go unanswered. Of course if you have a briefcase full of dollar bills, then all the head honchos will be shining your shoes.
I know this happens everywhere and every country suffers from these maladies. What is troubling is what is coming ahead. Looking at previous events in other countries, the next and logical steps are not pleasant. Violence and more violence. Sort of like what you see in Mexican wrestling. Lots of biting, chair throwing, pulling of hair and blood everywhere with only one winner.
Who is going to be the last man standing in Mexico?

Saturday, August 26, 2006

TIPS


While we are discussing tips and since it seems to be a hot topic lately; Waiter Rant,LV Review Journal, I must discuss it further.
When and who do you tip?

I only tip in restaurants and at the car wash. That is it.
Oh yeah, my hairdresser. Yes I have one. Also the pizza delivery guy.(Even though there is already a "delivery fee" added to the check by the pizza place)So, I break my own rule and tip a few other people. In a nutshell as long as you are provided good service regardless of the setting or place, it should be a good gesture to tip.
The problem is when certain places or jobs expect a tip.
Example-The drive through window at Starbucks. WTF!
Isn't it enough that you are paying out your eyes for hot dirty water?. OK I am a hypocrite, I indulge in Chai Tea Lattes.
Fast food places are also some where you are "supposed" to leave a tip. I don't. Why?....
There isn't much that is provided in service or quality. IT IS FAST FOOD!
Yes, the people working there don't make that much hourly, so I am supposed to subsidize their wages?...Yeah, once they split the tips for the day, they get about $5.00 a day..
Oh well.
There's the door bell...
UPS Guy.
Do I tip him?

Thursday, August 24, 2006

TIPS-TOKES-MONEY!

Our local paper, The Review Journal, reports that the Wynn (As it is known in town, because it is owned by Steve Wynn) is going to "split" the tips that dealers make. The split is going to include "Supervisors and or Pit Bosses."
Historically, all tips that dealers (those people dealing cards, shuffling dice, standing at tables waiting to empty your pockets, etc) earned for a day, are divided evenly amongst all dealers working that day. SO everyone gets an equal amount each day, regardless of the shift worked or the game worked. At the Wynn, according to the paper, this can amount up to 100K per year.
Of course because the supervisors or floor managers do not make that much in "salary," the hotel/casino management is attempting to make it more "appealing" to dealers, to move up to supervisory and managerial positions.
I think the casino management is just being cheap.
By dipping into the pooled tips to give to supervisors, they are avoiding having to raise salaries and or wages for managers. Since the dealers are not represented by a Union organization, Read More, the hotel can do whatever it wants, short of taking all their tips away.
Now when you talk about food servers or other position where they are not making 100K a year, that is a different story and I will let you in on that on my next post.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

The Interior Designer

Aside from being a great mom, Melissa is also a very creative and visual person. What does visual mean?...
Well.
Look at what she did with Anthony’s room. The room went from being a bland white walled room with just the basics; bed, dresser, blinds and a mess of stuffed animals on the floor and in the closet. (I wish I would have taken a picture of what it looked like before, but I just described it to you).


Now look at the new room.

The curtains or drapes she got from Pottery Barn-a bargain (they were on sale and because they gave her the wrong size to begin with on one side, when she returned to exchange it, she got another 10% discount. The wall she painted a light green with blue dots-circles all around. She also added some shelves to the wall for toys, pictures and other things that Anthony likes to have, mainly dinosaurs, yu-ghio stuff and such.
Here is another shot.

and another one

Saturday, August 12, 2006

The Week Ahead

Kids are out of school.
Anthony went camping with his grand parents-Not just camping, all the way to Mammoth (California) in one of those nice trailer home things....
Olivia will be going to San Francisco to hang out with her grammie and auntie.
Me?...Work work and more work. This week we are expecting a flow of 15,000 people at work. Large network company is in town for their big celebration, so that means work, work and more work.
Melissa is enjoying her last weeks of freedom then, off to school. 6 classes?..God bless her. I probably won't wee her till Christmas.
Yes, we are lucky to have such normal lives while in other parts of the world, people can barely sleep or eat because of all the mindless violence.
I suppose there is something good to be said for "taking the war to them" as Mr. Bush likes to say, rather than fight them here on our "homeland"...Although my feeling is, it's just a matter of time before have to deal with that kind of violence. I keep picturing George Bush poking at an ant's nest and if you've ever done that, you'll know what I mean.
Poke at the nest and they all come out in droves in all directions seeking to defend their nest.

This time they caught them before the act (London). But you know they (Terrorists) are all over the world now.
So, you must keep your eyes and ears open..

Monday, August 07, 2006

ECONO GIRL

I red this blogg a few weeks ago, posted a link to her blogg and for a while I though she had been silenced. However, she is back.
You can still read the ongoing string of comments on the old post. a piece on torture and the main reason why she got fired from the CIA.

Monday, July 31, 2006

MIDDLE EAST

How can we as citizens of the world, as human beings, as children of God respond to the on-going crisis in the Middle East?

Aside form prayers, donations to the Red Cross or other humanitarian organizations and a simple shrug of shoulders, there isn't much that we can do from where we are. It is a conflict between two sides that just want to completely destroy each other. Unfortunately their actions are going to resonate around the rest of the world.
Not one country can make another one stop from attacking or sending their fighter jets to bomb villages.
The UN?...That should be their job and what are they doing about it?..Not much by the looks of it.
The US can't pressure Israel to stop what they are doing in Lebanon when our own country is entangled in its own quagmire; Iraq, Afghanistan.
I think the Lebanese government is showing much restraint or they just don't have the means of defending themselves and are just hoping that eventually the Israelis will stop their attacks. Although according to the news, Syria is readying its army, and that can only mean that the conflict is about to spread.That is more plausible than an actual end to hostilities. So, what do we do?..
Continue praying and hope that both sides come to some sort of sense because ultimately, the ones that are hurt the most, are innocent civilians.

Monday, July 24, 2006

HOT!!!!


Yes, it is hot and we cannot get away from it. I guess we are a lot better off than the rest of the country. We are "used to it", whereas people from the Northeast and mid america are roasting and even California is having to deal with Power "issues" (I guess they do not want to scare their people by saying, "power outages")TOO LATE!
Living in a small city has its advantages. For as hot as it gets here, we do not have issues of power outages because our AC Units use up too much energy. If that was the case, the casinos would be the first to shut down and they would not allow such thing to happen. Imagine the millions of dollars that they would loose if that was to happen.
A few storms bring a bit of cloud coverage which brings a bit of coolness. We like it that way.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Mom's Home!


Yes.
She is finally here. I never thought she would actually agree to come here and I am quite surprised. She is also excited and eager to spend some time with us and her grand kids here. I thank my brother for going trough all the trouble of dealing with the INS and all the hassles of applications, letters, money and so much more. The process took at least a couple of years. Well done Max!
I am truly looking forward to spending time with her as well. There is so much to say and know. I love her dearly but I just have not been too attached to her as I used to be when I was a kid--Circumstances I suppose. I always enjoyed seeing her on my trips to Mexico, but if she wasn't around, it was not a big deal.
I hope that changes...
Her 3 brothers are driving from L.A. to see her this weekend and of course at the same time, my "other mom" (Mother in Law) is also hosting her sister from Arizona and she is expecting us (including Olivia-my daughter) to be there...
I hope there aren't too many issues between the "grannies".
Well, life is still full of surprises...

Till next time..

Monday, July 17, 2006

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

Life is good.
I count my blessings. Yes, I've had my share of pain but, who hasn't?..
Even the fact that my girlfriend is "late" does not scare or frighten me.
A child would be welcomed with open arms and lots of love. I am sure Anthony and Olivia (our kids) would be thrilled to have a little brother or sister. I would too. Not that it would be a planned pregnancy, but how many pregnancies are carefully planned?. Hopefully lots.
On the other hand, we were just settling into our ways,(No diaper duties, or up at night with crying and late night doctor's visits)but rather, enjoying Olivia and Anthony with their school and extra activities routine. So, what to make of it?...I am not sure.
I know it's not official yet.
Then again, we are also not married. Why do we make everything so complicated?
Why do "I" make things complicated.
Then again,
I count my blessings.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

MOM

So my mom is coming to the States.
My brother is in the process currently of getting her an entrance visa through the US Consulate in Juarez, Mexico. That in itself is another story.
The fact that she is coming here, I suppose is a good thing. She will be living with my brother for a while and perhaps with me here as well. I do not think she'll be staying long. She has lived all her life in Mexico (Cuernavaca) and her roots are there. All the grand children that she has helped to raise are there and I know she will miss all of them dearly.
I am happy she is coming here. I have not "lived" with my mom since I was 12 and even before then, the times we spent together as a family were sporadic. I hope that we can get to talk and really get to know each other as mother-son and as independent people as well.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

ADOE Second Edition

Michel Bernard from France is at it again...

A day on Earth project ---a flickr thing----
Is back on...

>

Monday, July 10, 2006

Where the hell is Matt?

Great Video---make syou want to get up and GO!

WHAT NOW!

World Cup is over----Italy beat France if you didn't know.
Mexican Presidential Elections are at a stalemate currently and Football season is stil about two months away.

So, what now?.
Well, more heat here in Las Vegas. The humidity has helped but it is still muggy. Much more else to come....Stay tuned

Saturday, July 08, 2006

THE WINNER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

That is what Mr. Calderon is.
He is not yet the President of Mexico. At least not until he is officially declared "The President Elect" around August or so. He will very likely stay in that position, despite the many challenges coming from Andres M. Lopez Obrador, the other candidate who received just as many votes, if not more according to his followers. (the difference being of only about 0.27%)
The comparison between this election and the one in 2000, here in the United States between Gore and Bush is all over the news. The similarities do not end there. There are also accusations of voter manipulation, software programs designed "by" supporters of Calderon that were used by the IFE, which again, has been dominated by PAN, the party currently in power. In the end, status quo will prevail.
Somewhere else, I read that the PAN is now the new PRI. Lets see how well they do for the next 6 years, perhaps a bit more than what the Fox Presidency accomplished.
As for AMLO, hopefully he can work with the new administration for the betterment of the country. Mexico.

Monday, July 03, 2006

MEXICAN ELECTIONS

Si hay algo que aprendieron de las elecciones Americanas los politicos Mexicanos, es que cuando los resultados estan a la pareja, sea por unos cuantos millares de votos, uno tiene que decir, "Yo soy el ganador" No importa que los resultados no sean finales.

SI usted recuerda, lo mismo paso hace 6 anios aqui en los Estados Unidos, cuando Al Gore y George Bush fueron frente a frente. Inicialmente, los resultados eran favorables a Gore, y de repente las cadenas informativas retractaron eso para decir que los resultados todavia eran pre-maturos (FLORIDA) y que no habia un gandor por certeza. Cuando menos aqui nadie se declaro ganador inmediatamente. Aun sin haber resultados oficiales, George Bush se declaro el ganador, aunque oficialmente no fue declarado ganador por la suprema corte hasta mas de un mes despues.

Es lo que va a pasar en Mexico?
Quiza la diferencia sea de tan solo unos 300,000 votos. y eso sera suficiente para que cualquier candidato y sus seguidores griten, "FRAUDE", aun cuando todos los candidatos declararon que respetarian los resultados finales. Pero si ese fuera el caso, entonces nadie hubiera declarado victoria. Va a haber demandas, es lo unico que le queda al perdedor, demandar y tratar de que los resultados se revisen en detalle, como fue aqui en EEUU. No le conviene al perdedor el usar marchas, mitines, movimientos o paralizar el govierno,y que acaten los resultados sean cual sean.
Ojala que el perdedor use sensatez para aceptar la voluntad de la gente. Aunque el ganador no sea elegido por una mayoria de los Mexicanos, deben ver que la democracia continua su avanze en Mexico. Va ser muy claro despues de estas elecciones que el congreso ya no va a ser completamente dominado por el PRI. Quiza esa sea la unica bendicion para el proximo Presidente.


Ya se observo que la presidencia de Fox no fue tan effectiva, y eso quiza sea porque no supo "trabajar" con el congreso anterior. Y esa es una leccion que el proximo Presidente tiene que aprender.
Ojala y que en este caso, los unicos ganadores sean los Mexicanos.

Friday, June 30, 2006

A GREAT MARRIAGE

Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles Music are combined in a great production called .LOVE at The Mirage here in town. According to my brother, who works there and as an employee, got to see it before it opens officially tonight, it is a great show and he is no fan of the Beatles. There are very high expectations for the show, since its been a while since a worthy du Soleil production, since "O" at Bellagio, at least in my opinion. Now we have 5 of them; KA, MYSTERE, ZUMANITY and the previously mentioned "O" and now LOVE>
I hope to catch it soon since I have always been a Beatle fan. I will let you know how good it is.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

DREAM

I dreamt I was in Mexico City walking about with my digital camera, which was not my "real" camera, but something not so digital and bigger than a video camera. There were quite a few people around and I happened to know some of them. On of these people, was the front runner for the presidency of Mexico. Manuel Lopez Obrador He was just sitting there on the sidewalk with, I am assuming some of his assistants, while most people walked about. I asked one of his friends to take a picture of us. I sat right next to him and put my arm around him. Instead of looking to the guy taking the picture, I put my right arm around him and shook his hand with my left hand. I turned to face him and told him, "It is an honor. You are going to be a great President. It is in your destiny." Of course when the guy returned with my camera, I checked the pictures on the small screen and sure enough, no picture!
By then, he had walked off. The dream veered off into another direction, still dealing with the big ugly white digital camera.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

DICK CHENEY-HYPOCRISY

I guess if you are the V.P. of the United States you are exempt from hypocrisy. As the V.P. of the U.S. you are allowed to leak info on Covert CIA agents and get away with it. However, if you are the press, or anyone else for that matter, you cannot report on anything that the government is doing in the shadows of secrecy. Yes indeed. Hypocrisy!
Read more on: Huffingtonpost

Monday, June 26, 2006

WHAT A WEEK!

Hello all.
It's been a busy and relaxing week at the same time.
As usual, work keeps me busy during the week and not being able to go to sleep early, then getting up at 6:00AM my time, to watch the soccer games has taken its toll. Though now that the games start a lot later makes it a bit easier to concentrate on everything else but soccer.
Yes, my team was eliminated by Argentina as I figured.....Also, as I predicted, the US did not get past the first round. You don;t have to be a genius to know that, anyways.
This past weekend, I took two extra days off and went camping with Melissa. I can't remember the last time I went camping and this was a great experience. We went to Duck Creek up in the mountains of Utah. a mere 3 hour trip from Vegas. Also about 30 degrees in difference. Not a major camping trip, just a lot of hanging out and relaxing. Took some games and books to read. Lots of bugs but hey, its nature..
We talked (She did more of it) more about the state of our relationship and where we are headed. Too soon and too quick to make decisions. Sometimes these life changing, altering decisions must be thought through and we still have a lot of it to do. I do love her do. I know I may not show it at times but I know I do.

Monday, June 19, 2006

THE BEGINNING OF THE END?

Or is it?
There is this scene in a Woody Allen movie, where the main character-woman- comes back to her apartment after being out to see a "friend". She is confronted by her "boyfriend", an older man, played by Max Von Sydow (If that is how its is spelled) He looks at her and deduces that she has been kissed because her lips are red and she is nervous and on and on.
Then he breaks down and says, "I should have married you many years ago when you wanted to" or something along those lines. Because he knew it was inevitable that he was going to lose her.
Which brings me back to my case.
I think my girlfriend is finding out that she has a lot more in common with old friends and acquaintances than we do together. Yes we are great with our kids and enjoy each other immensely. However, my feeling is that it is dawning on her that we are not getting any "younger" but perhaps more mature in all senses of the word. The sticking point in our relationship is the marriage issue.
I do not want to get married and she does. Until we resolve this issue I don't think either of us is going to have peace of mind.
Does the fact that she is 26 and I am 41 matter? Clearly it is beginning to show. I am seeing some signs or changes in her demeanor. I do not believe that she is cheating on me, but I think she is considering her options (Not whether she cheats on me or not) but on whether it is worth staying together and what is good in her own life and for her own future.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

WORLD CUP-MORE NEWS

IN regards to the picture below, It says, PHO' KIM LONG.
Strange name. I am sure it means something in Vietnamese or other language, but when you read it in English, it does say, what it sounds like.
Anyways.
Lots of soccer games the last week; 3 a day to be more precise, exactly what the doctor prescribed. No big surprises there. The teams that no one has hardly heard of keep losing to those that are superior in the sport. It is like that in any sport I guess. Definitely a show of first tier teams; Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, versus the likes of; Ghana, Iran, Serbia-Montenegro, Togo, etc. Not that they don't deserve to be there, obviously they played in regional tournaments where they beat other teams, but at the end, I see the perennial 4; Italy, Brazil, Germany and Argentina. You pick the winner from that crowd.
The way the standings are right now, Mexico may have to play Argentina in the next round and that will be the end of it. The US will probably not get past the first round.
IN the meantime, I'll keep watching

Monday, June 12, 2006

Driving around Las Vegas


I took this picture with my cell phone, so I hope you'r able to read the name of the restaurant.

PHO" KIM LONG

JAPAN VS AUSTRALIA


So far a good leveled game. Japan already scored a gol against Australia. I think Australia needs to focus on playing better rather than play a dirty kind of game. Japan can handle the ball and move it around the field, despite their height disadvantage against Australia.
Australia will eventually score and make it a tied game or
Australia 2 Japan 1
--My prediction--.

Next game of course is the US.
Do Traditional American Networks know how much money they are giving up (in add revenues) by not showing the world cup games live on their networks?...
Univision is raking it in. Any person who wants to watch the game, knows that they just have to tune in to their local Univision channel to watch any game live. No matter their nationality (Even though the games are broadcast in Spanish.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

MEXICO IRAN


GOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!
3 of them, versus 1 from Iran. Great Game. Not much else to say. Tomorrow it will be the U.S.' turn to impress everyone.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

WORLD CUP SOCCER


I am watching right now the match between Paraguay vs England . It is 17 minutes into the second half. England is up by one, although it was a header by one of Paraguay's defenders. So technically, England has not scored.
However, it is hard not to notice the superiority of the English over Paraguay. Their game is very fluid and are taller than the other guys. That is an advantage, particularly when everytime someone hits the ball, it tends to curve up and up. England has kept more control of the ball and when they pass it, there is always someone who is open without a defender. Paraguay seems to just get the ball and pass it to someone who is alone without any support and the ball is quickly "stolen" by England.
As the game progresses, I can see England scoring and winning by 2 to 0. Unless the SouthAmericans get lucky and score 1. Still England will win.
Yesterday as was expected, Germany beat Costa Rica by a score of 4 against 2.
Argentina plays later today and of course. Tomorrow- Sunday here in the states- a perfect day for world cup soccer, Mexico, vs. Iran.

Monday, June 05, 2006

HOT WEATHER

yes Indeed, 105 yesterday, today 107 and tomorrow more of the same.
It's the dessert, I's Vegas, Thank goodness for air conditioning..

On another note. World Cupis comming soon. A whole month and more of nothing but good football. Will it be Brazil again?...
Probably...
As usual I will be rooting for Mexico

Thursday, June 01, 2006

GHOST?

So last night I went to the den to turn the computer off. After turning the light off, I was waiting for the "off" prompt, when out of the corner of my eye (left) I saw my girlfriend just standing there. I turned my eyes back to the screen and immediately turned to ask her if she needed anything. There was nobody there. (She was in the bedroom getting ready for bed. (As I am writing this, the goose bumps come back)
Was it a ghost?.. And I know I was not just imagining things.......

Monday, May 22, 2006

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Our Church group put together a "kids" version of "Fiddler on the Roof" this past weekend. The show was on May 21th. A great Birthday for me since Olivia participated in the play as Chava.

All kids did great in their performance. Ages varied from 7 to about 14. Olivia being the youngest, who by the way will turn 8 this Wednesday.

We went to a restaurant to celebrate her introduction to theater as well as to celebrate my 41 birthday....

I do not feel it though, I keep telling myself that I am stuck on 30's.

See more of the pictures on my flicker page...

Monday, May 15, 2006

NATIONAL GUARD ON THE BORDER

So, it finally happened.
National Guard on Mexico-US Border
Bush is going to supposedly announce that the National Guard from Border States is going to go and assist the border patrol in their quest to control the borders of the US and Mexico. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION:

The presence of armed military men/women is going to be the only way to decrease the entry into the US (from Mexico) by undocumented immigrants. The same should be done along the border with Canada.
The mere presence of armed military forces along the border is going to create friction between people who live close to the border on both sides. There was a shooting of a young kid (American) by a group of military folk a few years ago, who were "assisting" the border patrol then. They thought that he was a drug smuggler, since he had a small shooting rifle on his back. He was actually herding a bunch of goats close to the border and close to the town that he lived in.
The presence of the military will have a positive effect on the entry of "mules", or people carrying drugs into the US through the border. Undocumented entries will continue, albeit in smaller numbers. People will still risk getting caught and returned. Petty drug smugglers however, will not want to risk getting shot or imprisoned for some quick dollars.
The challenge will be in making sure that the members of the National Guard can distinguish between a mule and a simple migrant. Problem is, they look the same. Perhaps some of the people who already served in Iraq can be called back and placed on the border with Mexico, they already have the experience of dealing with stressful situations and can keep their cool and not be too quick to get into a shoot out. Unless of course it is necessary if and confronted by Armed drug smugglers.
Aside from what the President of Mexico says about the placement of the military on the border, this is an issue that had to be addressed by the US Government. Bush may be doing it to placate the conservative forces opposed to his stance on immigration and many groups from the left will decry the militarization of the border, but it is a necessary step. Once that step is taken, then some kind of amnesty for current undocumented immigrants must follow and only after they have satisfied a set of requirements imposed by the government.
Many other countries have the military guard their borders, why not the US?

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Thursday, May 11, 2006

MOTHERS' DAY

What is the meaning of mother's day?
Yes, to recognize and appreciate your mom and any and all moms. Happy mothers' day to you all.
Of course that was yesterday in Mexico. It will be mothers' day here on Sunday. A Bolivian friend told me that in Bolivia they celebrate in on May 27.
SO, why the difference in dates?..
Is it the same in Europe? Asia?
I wish my mom was here so I could wish her a happy mother's day.
I am sure she has a few happy days in her life. I make her cry when I talk to her. Are they tears of sadness?, happiness?
I don't know.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

MAY

The heat is back.
So far a week of great weather, a bit sunny but perfect-not too hot. SOon though, it will be upwards of 100 degrees here.
In the meantime, here are some shots of what is going on in Vegas..


Recently, there was a convention of Harley owners at the place where I work. I've never seen so many Harleys in one place.




Also,
at my daughters school, they had a Patriotic program where all the second graders sang and danced...
Good Show.


Life just goes on...

Monday, May 01, 2006

CRIPPLE THE ECONOMY?

"Illegal Aliens-Fail to shut down US"--CNN
Listening to the news shows this afternoon, you'd think that the marchs and protests today were geared towards, "crippling the economy", or "shutting down America."
I don't think there is anything that can accomplish that, short of war, as we saw back in 09-11. So a country wide march or protest will not ever accomplish that.

That is not the goal. The goal is to send a message to the leadership of this country to consider granting some sort of amnesty to undocumented aliens, or illegal, however you want to refer to them. Sure there were calls for not attending school and not going to work. When you are counting on the hours that you put in to work to pay for bills, rent etc, it can be a bit hard to skip work. There are ways of getting out of work by requesting the day off, or ask for vacation days, but if they are not granted, you can risk getting "counseled" or even fired. So, to those who missed a day of work, I salute you. To those who couldn't, try and support in one way or another.
I still believe that in the long run, the marches will have their desired effect and in some way or another, there will be legislation that will help many people without documents attain them or at least not make them criminals just for lack of documents.
What happens after today?..
Hard to tell, I am sure that there will be more, though not as wide spread or as high in numbers as today.