Last Day of '08

We close the books on 2008 today. For me, I've taken mental inventory of what I've done and acquired this year, and not only am I pleased with what I have accomplished over the past 12 months, I'm also a bit puzzled by how fast it all went by.

There are many memorable moments from this year, and it would be both difficult and unfair to attempt to pinpoint just one. I can say that 2008 was certainly filled with fun, laughter, and adventure. There is no doubt in my mind that 2009 will be just as satisfying with even more enjoyment and more new opportunities.

Cheers to you all for what I hope was a good 2008, and to a new year filled with happiness!

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." - T.S. Eliot

What Goes Around Comes Around

Today was a victory for John "Vegasgeek" Hawkins.

Upon my return from Mexico in late November, I got wind of the fact that Rick Astley himself had Rickrolled the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I felt motivated to continue promoting the cause. I randomly Rickrolled a few people in the past month for the sheer joy of doing so. John was the one person who fell victim to my Rickrolling schemes more than once. It was only natural that he seek revenge.

This morning I receive this IM from John:

9:04 AM John Hawkins: Hey, so, I get home last night and I'm totally stuck on the bacon website... I spent about an hour looking for themes for it. Haven't found one just yet. But, I was talking to Jason and told him about the Patron Saint of Bacon and he laughed and then showed me another bacon link... So, I had to post about them both. Go check out http://baconfan.com/ - too F'n funny!

Amused by the fact that John was so entertained by my finding the Patron Saint of Bacon, I obliged by visiting his bacon blog site. At first glance, there he was: Saint Anthony, Patron Saint of Bacon in all his pork glory. The post starts with praise for friends sending him bacon-related products, then describes my find and that of fellow blogger and friend, Jason. Jason's product was unsuspectingly presented as a link, preceded by "I tried 3 times to explain it, but this guy described it better than I ever could." John heralded it as "the weirdest bacon product EVER," so how could I not have clicked on the link?

Well, I clicked. My browser shrank into a smaller version of itself, and danced around on my desktop. When I attempted to use Task Manager to close Firefox, a pop-up appeared announcing that the fun wasn't over. Try to close the pop-up, and it encouraged me to sing along, displaying the beloved lyrics to "Never Gonna Give You Up." That's right...I got RickRolled.

John showed up in my office minutes later with a smile of satisfaction on his face. He turned to my colleague's desk, reached down to pull up a gadget, pointed it at me, and said "You just got RickRolled." We laughed.

It gets funnier.

His accomplice (another employee who had to stand in for my colleague who was his original partner-in-crime) planted the hidden video camera on my colleague's desk without actually pointing the camera in my direction. Instead of capturing my reaction to getting RickRolled, the video camera recorded about 30 minutes of wall. There was audio, however, and it did manage to capture over 4 minutes of my laughter and frantic clicking of the mouse while the RickRoll music played in the background.

Kudos to John for setting up this elaborate prank. You may have won this battle, my friend - but I'm still winning the war.

Shoo-shoo, Retarded Flu!

As we all know, it's not only holiday time, it is also the season of illness. As much as I've taken preventative measures throughout the year, I haven't been able to escape getting sick. I seem to have acquired a mild cold - my ears are plugged and my head is congested. Knowing that things could be much worse, and although I have also developed a bothersome cough, I am thankful for the absence of nasal secretions and overall body aches (knocking on wood).

Typically, I would be popping the nearest over-the-counter pills or using some medicinal ointment at the first sign of illness, but this time I didn't. What we know as the common cold is really our bodies' reaction to viruses that our system is attempting to expel. So if I'm coughing uncontrollably or my nose is dripping profusely, it's really my body productively attempting to rid the invaders. I've decided to allow my sickness to take its natural course and stick with good old fashioned eating right, drinking fluids, and rest, rest, rest. This regimen is rather difficult for me, since I am a person who is constantly on the go, but I'd prefer to take a more "holistic" approach and just deal with it. Besides, if my illness gets to an intolerable point, I always have shooting whiskey to fall back on - and I won't have to worry whether it will interfere with the effectiveness of so-called medicines that I would otherwise be taking.

Another Superbowl Countdown Begins

On the way home from another snowboarding trip, my friend, Kri, and I stopped for a late lunch and caught the last of the afternoon football games: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys. There were a few wipeouts in the earlier games that were pretty impressive: The Patriots beat Buffalo 13-0; The Steelers swept the Browns 31-0; The Colts dominated the top seed Titans 23-0.

With today being the last game day of the regular season, some of the match ups were crucial in determining who is moving on to the playoffs. Miami ending up in the AFC and Arizona on the NFC Division leaders lists completely baffles me, but they give me hope that perhaps my 49ers can someday play their way back up to the top. The Dolphins and the Cardinals haven't exactly been stellar teams in the past few seasons, but they have certainly proven that anything is possible.

Based on the current playoff picture, I would love to see Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts return to the Superbowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, who put up a fight against the Patriots but were defeated in Superbowl XXXIX. Both teams have a strong, loyal following, and veteran players that would collectively make for a great championship game. I personally have an affinity for both quarterbacks, Manning and Donovan McNabb, who have demonstrated genuine charisma and leadership abilities that have taken their respective teams far in current and past seasons.

However, based on performance, here is my prediction for the teams going to Superbowl XLIII: Last year's Superbowl champion New York Giants will attempt to defend their title against the Tennesee Titans, the team with the most wins this season.

Agree or disagree? I'd like to hear your opinions, football fans!

26 Posts Down

We're in the homestretch of the 30-day blogging challenge, and I feel like I have gained some momentum. Blogging has made its way into my daily schedule, and I almost feel like I can continue on with this going forward. Honestly, I highly doubt that I'll be posting something everyday, but I am confident that I can maintain blogging with some regularity.

One of my resolutions for 2008 was to blog more, and I think I've done a satisfactory job of accomplishing that. Along the way, I've connected with others in the blogworld who have inspired me with their stories and encouragement. I'd like to continue on this same path for 2009, and I also have a few new blog ideas formulating in my head that I'll be sure to share when the time is right.

Here's Giving You a Reason To Drink

The Today's Reason to Drink widget here on my blog says that today, December 26th, is Boxing Day. Last night I receive a text message invitation to a Boxing Day party. My first thought: I get to punch the living daylights out of someone as a way to celebrate! Sadly, I'm totally wrong about that.

Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the UK. The day is also referred to as St. Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen, after the first Christian martyr. Boxing Day originated as a day for members of the social upper class to gift boxes full of food, fruit, clothing, or money to their servants and household personnel. In modern times, Boxing Day is celebrated by Commonwealth nations with large family gatherings, outdoor sporting events, and the ever-popular after-Christmas shopping sales.

I'm about to embark on my own Boxing Day celebration and simply take the advice of my Reason to Drink widget and grab a few beers...and perhaps shop a bit afterward as well.

Cheers!

My Favorite Christmas

For me, Christmas has always been about celebrating family. Growing up, I even remember that although it was exciting that Santa may be paying our home a visit, it wasn't so much about the presents.

Up until I was 20, my family and I spent either Thanksgiving or Christmas or both in Hawaii with my paternal grandparents. In 1991, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, so we arranged a long vacation to coincide with that celebration and Christmas. It was the last time that I spent the holiday with my dad's extended family while my beloved grandfather was still alive.

That year, I remember waking early morning on Christmas day and watching aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids slowly make their way into my grandparents' kitchen, rubbing the sleepiness out of their eyes as they yawned and walked in. I recall the smell of the tropical air as it breezed in throughout the house, a hint of guava tree scent from the one that grew in the front yard. Granny and Grandpa orchestrated the distribution of presents. There was joy and laughter as gifts were opened and breakfast was served.

After the morning's activity, my parents accompanied my cousins, sister, and I as we walked down the road to Pokai Bay Beach where we played until the early afternoon. December in Hawaii is both stormy and warm. There's nothing like swimming in the open ocean as the tropical rains showered down on our heads.

Following a quick rest, we caravanned from Waianae to Aiea to my great-aunt's house for dinner. Great-auntie Helen had as many children and grandchildren as my granny, so it was like a small island nation was convening at her house for holiday celebration. More food, more gifts, and more family entertainment ensued. We sang and danced, and listened to the adults tell funny stories about their favorite memories of us and eachother.

I've experienced many fun Christmases over the years, but this has been the most memorable for me for a long while. My grandfather and great-aunt have since passed away, and I only see relatives intermittently a few at a time. I enjoy spending time with my family, not just over the holidays but for all occasions, and I hope that one day we can come together for another memorable reunion again soon.

It's Christmas Eve 2008

On the eve of Christmas, many people are looking forward to having tomorrow off, some are scurrying out at the last minute to buy gifts, others are traveling to visit their loved ones, and there are some already preparing to celebrate. Holiday cheer is certainly in the air, and it's a time of year that a lot of people look forward to.

This is the time of year when goodwill towards all men and women is most prevalent. I realize that the holiday season is a catalyst for good feelings as an emotional contagion, but we should be doing nice things for others throughout the year, not just in the 4th quarter. Based on my observations over the years, people seem to give more or volunteer in their communities during the holidays. But the truth of the matter is, there are children and families in our communities that need assistance every month of the year. In fact, regardless of whether you are less fortunate or well off, everyone deserves some kindness in their lives.

In a recent conversation with friends, we shared our thoughts about the state of the world. We all agreed that despite the economic turmoil, natural disasters, and underlying turbulence we've experienced in the past several years, there is a sense of rebirth and change in the air. We, as humans, are uniting under strife, but also under hope that the world as we have known it to be is now under transformation into something positive.

My wish - not just for Christmas, but for any time of year - is that this paradigm shift in humanity becomes fact, and that we will watch a better world start to manifest soon. Kindness, whether you give or receive it, always leads to happiness. I would like to encourage everyone to extend simple acts of kindness to others, big or small; to strangers, to friends and family. Then perhaps we can watch that happiness spread like wildfire.

Fashion Talk - Part 2

Style is about polish and more importantly, about confidence.

Sometimes, though, sporting an ugly ensemble with confidence doesn't necessarily work. Attempting to assert their individuality, we often see people take fashion to the tacky. Quite honestly, this is ok. Without the no-no's, how can we gauge what is tasteful and what is intolerable? Let's take a look at some key don'ts for females in today's world of style:

Don't wear accessories in ways they are not intended. Take the the Rambo band, for example. This misguided soul does not resemble Sylvester Stallone, nor is she carrying an AK-47. Headbands are meant to be worn on the head, not around it.

Don't wear tights in obscure colors or tights that are overly textured. Yes, leggings are cool, but coordinate them correctly - they should not stand out. Hey, chica! 1980's Madonna called. She wants her lacy, pink day-glo tights back! Oops, I take that back. Even 80's Madonna didn't wear anything as hideous as these.

Don't wear too sheer lace out in public. Frocks like this belong in the bedroom only. Oh, and if you bought it at Frederick's of Hollywood, it should be worn under clothing, not as clothing.

Don't wear a top that accommodates a visible bra. If the exposed bra is unavoidable, at least wear a pretty bra.

Don't wear jeans that don't fit. Baggy jeans are for rappers. Too tight jeans give you muffin-top. Find a pair that fit you just right.

For more fashion do's and don'ts, check out Glamour magazine's list of America's Best.

Let's Talk Fashion - Part 1

With recent costs from my big Cancun excursion, I have had to cut down on shopping drastically. Fashion is one of my many passions, and as a result, I am experiencing what I have self diagnosed as "Mall Withdrawal." Last week, in an effort to feed my clothing addiction, I had sifted through a heap of clothes I have had in storage for a couple of years. I managed to salvage several classic pieces of apparel, but most ended up in the bin I designated for donation - those in the donation pile I was absolutely certain I would never wear again. This task was difficult for a clotheshorse such as myself, being fully aware that fashion trends are cyclical: what was in-style a decade ago or so will surely make its way back en vogue in a matter of years. Remember the 80's? Well, apparently it is creeping into the new millennium, and has been for some time. I wish I had saved my leggings from back then.

My interest in fashion can be traced back to my mother. Her uncle was a freelance designer overseas, and ran a small boutique that made clothes exclusively for women. Inspired by Western and European fashions, my mom's uncle regularly tailored custom clothing for her, so she always had something chic to wear. This sense of style was ingrained in her being and followed her for years. I remember growing up how well put together she always looked, and that she insisted the same of her daughters. From the time I started Kindergarten until I reached the 3rd or 4th grade, I wore pretty little dresses with tights and matching shoes. My hair was always groomed with matching accessories. Shopping back then with my mom was never excruciating, and fortunately for the both of us, it is still just as fun when we go shopping together now.

There is much to appreciate about fashion such as the craftsmanship of couture and the artistry of its various styles. I personally enjoy the aesthetic that clothing demonstrates: accentuating our unique figures and often times making us look like the runway mannequins we wish we were.

More style talk tomorrow. Stay tuned!

When Being A Good Samaritan Goes Wrong

If in passing you saw a stranger who needed help, and you were the only one around, would you stop to assist? What if a friend were in danger, would you risk your life to save him/her? Most people would probably take the initiative to aid someone in crisis.

Such was the case for Lisa Torti, a 30-year old Las Vegan, who in 2004 rescued a friend from the wreckage of a major car accident in California. Sadly, today that friend is a paraplegic, supposedly as a result of Lisa pulling her from the car 4 years ago.

This week, California passed a ruling that would allow Torti's friend, Alexandra Van Horn, to sue her for allegedly causing her paralysis. Torti claims that following the accident she saw smoke and thought the car was about to explode, and therefore rushed to get Van Horn out of the car. Van Horn argues that there was no imminent danger, that Torti acted recklessly, and that she should have instead called the proper professionals to assist.

Good Samaritan laws have been established to protect from liability those who come to the aid of others. There are stipulations, however, such as the principle of imminent peril, which applies to the Torti/Van Horn case - cause of hurt or injury can make a rescuer liable if there is not evidence of imminent danger, according to this principle. The problem is, such as the case of Torti, how can you defend your own judgment for "imminent peril"? Torti acted with urgency in an attempt to save her friend from a situation that she saw as certain death. In my eyes, this is a good deed that should not be challenged, nor have any consequence. If my life was in jeopardy, I would sure hope that friends, family, or even strangers would reach out to help.

This is a really unfortunate story. What's even more troubling is that with this ruling, people are going to now think twice before acting on their good samaritan instincts.

I Like Weddings

Whether they are extravagant events or small gatherings, I enjoy going to weddings. When attending such a celebration, you become a spectator to the pageantry, ritual, and drama of it all. It's all quite entertaining, if you ask me.

Today I attended the nuptials of a young couple, both the bride and groom in their late teens. It was a lovely ceremony and a very modest reception. Obviously this was a wedding on a budget, as there was no food served, no alcohol available (sacrilege!), nor was there a DJ to get the party started. It was unlike any wedding I have been to before, but the novelty of young love did give some meaning to the occasion. The wedding may have been simple but it was straight to the point, intended to allow the newlyweds to genuinely share with friends and family the celebration of their love and union.

Truly, sometimes less is more.

Let The Snowboarding Begin!

I've been excited to get back on a snowboard since I got a taste of the sport last winter season, and I finally got the chance to do so today.

Following days and days of snow storms, Brian Head Resort in Utah was the perfect venue to start off the snowboard season. Four of my friends and I left Las Vegas at 5:30am for the 3-hour drive, in order to reach the snow park promptly at its opening time. We spent nearly the whole day there, to the point of exhaustion!

The end of last snow season was spent with a climactic 3-day trip to Lake Tahoe for an entire weekend of snowboarding. The itinerary covered Heavenly Ski Resort on Day 1, Kirkwood on Day 2, and Northstar on Day 3. It was an extraordinary weekend getaway, with many memorable moments and just a lot of fun.

Since then, I've been plagued with snow dreams, just eager to tackle the slopes. Ironically, I am not a fan of winter, nor do I care for cold weather or snow. However, snowboarding has become something of a hobby of mine now. Although I can't say I am skilled at it, I enjoy it immensely. I would encourage everyone to give it a try.

Alarm Scare

Today right after lunch, I received a phone call from my dad: "I got a message from ADT. The alarm was set off at your place."

My heart sank. My friend's house was burglarized around this time last year, and despite all of the precautions I've taken to avoid the same experience, it was happening to me too.

As I'm talking to my dad, in my mind I'm retracing all of my steps from this morning. Funny thing is, when I left my house this morning, I turned back around because I had doubt about remembering to close my garage door. When I circled around, I saw that the garage door was secure.

I called the alarm company to get more answers, and most importantly, get someone to my property asap. The young woman I spoke to said that Perimeter 2 was breached, which is the door from the garage into the house. They had already sent a security officer to check out the situation.

After rushing home to meet the security guard, then having to wait a couple of hours for Metro police to show up, it turns out it was a false alarm. Whew! Was I relieved! The officer who entered my home for the walk-through said that the door did not appear to have been shut completely. All of my belongings were present and untouched, and there was no damage to the door.

This incident had really stressed me out as it was happening, but I'm very thankful for the good outcome!

A Day In The Life

Gonna try a little something different today.

Inspired by Flickr photo group "a day in the life of...", I'll be posting a few photos over the course of my waking hours today, illustrating a day in the life of me. Here it goes:

6:03am - My view of the snow-covered hills right before entering US-95 on my commute to work.

8:33am - Day at the office begins at 7am. My colleague and friend Kristin is in the background. We work hard, as you can see.
11:55am - Walk across the street to the local bar for lunch with Kri and our friend, LindaLou. We all had the burger special.

1:20pm - Take a quick break from work to check out the increasing snow shower outside the office!

2:32pm - Watch the call center employees downstairs engage in snow fights.

4:31pm - Start the commute home. The roads were precarious today, with several inches of snow and more snowfall expected. Lengthy commute is not out of the ordinary - but the frozen precipitation most certainly is!

6:03pm - Arrive home! Whew!

7:49pm - Finish up this blog, watch some TV, wind down for the night. Set the alarm for 4:20am, and start over again...minus the snow, hopefully.

Never Too Sick To Snowboard

It's my second snowboarding season, and I've decided to take some vacation days here and there during the work week to get some all-day snowboarding practice in. Yes, that means I will be playing hooky during the snow season. Fortunately, I have a boss who is completely understanding of my newest addiction, and is totally open to me taking off to play in the snow - as long as I don't have any critical deadlines to meet and there is someone to cover for me in the office.

I told the bossman that I will be using some of my many vacation days accumulated over the past year. "No calling in sick," I told him. "I'll just give you a few days notice." He teased that I might as well feign a cough when notifying him.

More often than not, I call into work when I am severely hungover or incapacitated/disoriented from illness that would keep me in bed all day. However, I have managed to come into work on occasion slightly hungover or sick, while still able to function. Some of my friends have come into work still drunk from the previous night's festivities - they're brave and obviously far more skilled as drinkers than I.

Anyway, I suck when it comes to faking sick when I have to tell a boss I'm not going to be in the office, when in fact I am on my way to the ski resort for a day of fun. My conscience becomes far too guilt-ridden with a lie like that. And besides, if I were to call in sick then show up to work with snow burn or a snowboarding injury, I'd have to create another lie to cover for it! Clearly, that's a bad cycle I'd rather not get into.

Ahh, Holiday Cheer

Right before Thanksgiving, I stepped into a local department store and cursed under my breath about it being way too early to play holiday music. They were blasting Christmas music full force, and it became even more annoying when I realized "Jingle Bells" was stuck in my head for days.

Even earlier than that I discovered that one of the radio stations I listen to had started playing holiday music 24/7. "Bah, humbug!" I exclaimed as I switched to the classic rock station.

Well, I don't know if it's due to the cold weather or because we have reached mid-December, but the holiday spirit has finally engulfed me. Today, as I work, I am enjoying tunes such as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Little Saint Nick" from the Elvis Presley Holiday station on Pandora.

Take that, Ebenezer!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Living in Las Vegas means extreme desert heat in the summer, and that should be it. Not the case. Right now the temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit, with winter weather advisories in effect. Tomorrow's forecast calls for snow. Snow!

I remember one morning 4 or 5 years ago, I had to report to work at 5am, and was astounded to find myself in a different world when I opened the door to leave the house. Overnight, we must have had several inches of snowfall. It was the most beautiful, wondrous sight I have seen in Las Vegas. I recall the stillness in the air, the crisp coldness, and the crunching of snow as I took several steps toward my car.

Panic set in as I struggled to brush the thick layer of snow off of my windows. I have lived my entire life on the west coast, and never had I experienced snow like this. Once I managed to de-ice my car windows, driving wasn't any less difficult. The roads were empty and the snow was fresh, so the streets were completely covered in white powder. I couldn't tell where the lanes separated, and so I must have driven 15 mph in my confusion. Fortunately, a mile into my drive, a news van showed up on the road. I was comforted in the fact that I could follow his tire tracks through the snow.

I eventually made it to work, but was completely distracted throughout the day as snow continued to fall and I was able to watch it all from my office window. It was such an incredible day to witness, but I don't know if I can ever deal with commuting through such conditions again. Despite all of that, I am truly a wimp when it comes to the cold. Once the temperature drops below 60 degrees, I'm geared up like I live in Antartica. Fortunately, Vegas winters pass in a blink of an eye, so I should be fine.

Planning for Europe

I've only been home from my last vacation for about 3 weeks now, and like I mentioned in a previous post, I am ready for the next adventure. My travel pals and I have already been having conversations about taking a trek to destinations that are characteristically more historic (and perhaps educational), rather than the paradise getaways that are easy to plan. Naturally, we have collectively concluded that we'll end up heading to Europe next year.

The challenge with planning for a European vacation is that there are a multitude of cities that we want to target. Two weeks of vacation is a limited period of time to explore, considering at least two of those days will be devoted to the Trans-Atlantic legs of our flights. This revelation has led me to evaluate the countries I want to visit, but more importantly, the landmarks I want to see.

Here's what I've narrowed it down to, in order of preference:

1. Italy - With thousands of years of history and the center of Christianity, Rome is my top pick for sightseeing. There are a slew of churches and ancient monuments in this city that can't be missed. Vatican City and Venice are also Italian stops that I'd like to take.

2. Spain - Ever since Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics, I've wanted to see it for myself. The architecture, particularly in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, is tremendously intricate and completely allures me. Barcelona is also the gateway mainland city in Spain to the island of Ibiza, where I dream of partying for days on end. Many of the best DJs of the world play in Ibiza, and I only hope that one of my favorites is there whenever I decide to venture over.

3. Greece - It's just a hop, skip, and jump away from Spain. Other than that, it is aesthetically and culturally a magnificent country. Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens are among my top stops in Europe. The Parthenon has withstood time and the elements, and will inevitably crumble - I want to see it before that happens.

4. Netherlands - Amsterdam represents a neutrality and freedom known nowhere else in this world. It is also the origin of the Dutch Masters and where the prolific Anne Frank spent her days in hiding while inadvertantly writing herself into history.

5. Czech Republic - I can't say I know much about Prague except its beauty has drawn tourists there for years. I can say that I am in awe of and wish to see the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

Aside from my top picks, some close runners-up were Ireland and England, which obviously I haven't completely dismissed from my dream European vacation. Even if I don't get to do everything I want to this first time around, the great thing is that I'll have more than one reason to head back across the Atlantic.

Cool Gadgets That Make You Look Not So Cool

I just read an article on MSNBC.com entitled "Gadgets that make you look like a jerk." Being a person whose friends are into the newest innovative gizmos, my curiosity was piqued.

The Crackberry, er, I mean Blackberry was the first mentioned. The phone is pretty cool, however, I think its reputation is attributed to the obnoxious users that are attached to them. My 7-year old nephew told my mom that he wants a Blackberry for Christmas. Perplexed as to why a child of his age would want such a grown-up toy, my mom asked her grandson for a reason. His answer: a kid in his class has a Blackberry. I feel a sense of responsibility to stop douchebaggery in the 2nd grade. Therefore, I will proceed to tell my nephew that his classmate is a jerk and that he should expect to receive Guitar Hero 2 for Christmas.

Another gadget that I agree with on this list is the Bluetooth. I remember a guy wearing his at our annual holiday party, and I was distracted by the blue blinking light. I also recall thinking that the Bluetooth isn't exactly the right accessory for party attire. Mind you, the Bluetooth is perfect in the car or in the office, but it's not necessary anywhere else. One of my gal pals went on a date with a handsome man who had so much potential, until he showed up at dinner with a Bluetooth on his ear and didn't think for a second that he should take it off. To this day, she still ignores periodic phone calls from him...knowing that he's likely using the Bluetooth to make the call.

Some Good Advice

Don't you just love e-mail? You know the kind with the funny, sweet, or inspirational message that urges you to forward to friends and family, or else you're doomed? Well, usually I don't. However, today I received one that had some simple, good recommendations for some peace of mind:

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

Worthy suggestions for life, right? These lines made me think back to when I was growing up, and the advice my family gave me. My parents urged us to be tough yet kind, and be strong in mind. My grandpa used to tell all of us granddaughters, "If someone wants to fight you, fight them back." He totally contradicted other adults who always told us to play nice, and we loved how he taught us against the grain of what we were learning. Grandpa knew how to keep it real. That seemed to be the most effective way of ensuring that we listened.

Advice doesn't really change as we get older. Most of the lessons we receive are similar to what we've heard before, just different words. What changes is how we value those lessons and how we apply the advice to what we do based on who we have become. Another thing that changes, too, as we grow is that we don't keep advice to ourselves for our own benefit - we often pass it on.

Help Save Three Sheets!

Zane Lamprey falls into my personal "Top 5 Celebrities I Would Like To Marry If They Weren't Married" list. Zane isn't an A-lister by any stretch, but he is on TV and has the greatest job ever. Oh, and he also gets points for being funny and handsome all in the same package.

For those of you unfamiliar with ZL, he is the effervescent host of "Three Sheets," one of the best shows to grace High Definition TV. Zane has the remarkable privilege of traveling the world to explore the diverse drinking customs of different nations. Furthermore, he gets to sample the local fare, and even teaches us about how some of our favorite drinks are produced and other interesting alcoholic drink facts. For example, did you know that there are three categories of tequila? If you didn't, they are

• Blanco - clear tequila aged a few months
• Reposado- medium colored tequila aged for 2 months - one year
• Anejo - dark tequila aged one - three years

Another cool tidbit: Budweiser is German for "From Budvar." Budweiser Budvar has been brewed in the Czech Republic since 1265. American Budweiser and Budvar are not friends (Budvar thinks they stole their name). For that reason, American Budweiser is not allowed in the Czech Republic. Here's the episode of Three Sheets in Prague:

Three Sheets is a highly entertaining show, as you will all agree. However, the show is in peril. MOJO HD, the channel that once broadcasted Three Sheets went off the air on December 1st, and therefore left the show without a network home. With such a strong following, Zane continues to film episodes around the world for Three Sheets' 5th season. Simultaneously, he and his team have been pitching the show to other HD channels and rallying in major cities to get the attention of major network executives. Recently, he has requested the help of Three Sheets fans and the public, with messages such as this:

Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 11:27am

OK, as you probably have heard by now, MOJO HD is off the air as of December 1st. The big surprise, however, is that another network hasn't swooped in to grab it. What's up with thaaaat?

We have 15 NEW episode completed and 5 more in the works. Can you imagine not ever being able to see them?! So, a grass-roots campaign has been started to SAVE THREE SHEETS. Some radio stations have gotten involved, but the power really is with you.

Here are some networks that would make sense. Send them emails. Tell your friends. Spread the word. Inundate them! Call your local radio station to have them get the word out! Blog about it! Don't let the most fun show on TV end up on the web!

Feel free to send people to my MySpace page. MySpace.com/ZaneLamprey
I'll put the following info on my page...

Here's Spike's email address (they also have an HD channel):
feedback@spike.com

Here's Comedy Central feedback form:
http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

Here's the Travel Channel form (they also have an HD channel):
http://www.travelchannel.com/About/Viewer_Relations

Here's the form for Discovery Channel (they also have an HD channel):
http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

Don't let me become "that guy who used to host that drinking show"!!!

Cheers!

Zane

I have stated my case with these networks, and I hope that you might be compelled to do the same, once you've watched Three Sheets. You can see most of the episodes on Zane's site. Write to the networks. It's a show worth saving.

Weeknight Theater

I'm keeping this post short so that I can watch The X-Files: I Want To Believe on DVD. It received many scathing reviews this summer, but as a fan of the original series I am still very much compelled to watch it.

My long-time crush on David Duchovny had dissipated with reports of rehabilitation from sex addiction following the movie release. However, his character Fox Mulder will always be the McDreamy of the sci-fi world.

If the film moves me with enough interest, it may incite me to write a review as a follow up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Lord, Please Send Me a Housekeeper

My home is in shambles. I have not had a day to myself where I could just pick up and clean. Every weekend for the past several months has occupied my time with work, social events, or travel. Yesterday would have been the perfect opportunity to do some cleaning, but several things kept me from doing so, namely a hangover.

When did I become this messy person? Because of my militaristic upbringing, I remember my living space being absolutely immaculate. There was no natural transition away from this growing up. I like the sense of organization and cleanliness. Oh, but today, I'm looking around and it's a disaster area. I would not even allow my mother to see the state of my home at this time.

Perhaps making this known to people will motivate me to actually do something about it...and maybe that means it is time to hire a maid service.

Happy Anniversary, Papa & Granny

December 7, 1941 has long been known as "a day that will live in infamy." This was the day that the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters known as Pearl Harbor was surprise-attacked in a military air strike by the Japanese Navy.

Across the Pacific Ocean, 16-year old Magdalena and 20-year old Lope married in a tiny chapel barricaded and chained shut to avoid any potential disruption of the ceremony by Japanese soldiers. The Philippines had previously been invaded by Japan and the occupation by their military forced the people to be prisoners in their own homes. Magdalena and Lope's marriage defied their rule.

Despite their dramatic union, they endured World War II and the Japanese occupation, and went on to live fruitful lives. They raised five children, 4 boys and one girl, their only daughter whom they ended up losing to an incurable health crisis at age 17. Shortly thereafter, they left the Philippines and settled in Oahu, Hawaii - coincidentally, the same island that was attacked the same day they were wed.

Three of Lope and Magdalena's sons married and went on to start families of their own. I was the third grandchild, born to their second eldest son. My grandparents were blessed with six granddaughters, two from each son, and no grandsons.

Today would have been my grandparents' 67th wedding anniversary. My grandfather passed away in 1997, after his battle with liver cancer. My granny is alive and well, traveling around with my uncle, visiting family. She has since sold the Ala Hema Street home in Oahu where her and my papa made their life - he died in that house, and it pained her to be in a place that she felt gave her life and later took it away with my grandfather's passing.

They had a wonderful life together. When she visits, Granny and I often talk about Papa and some of the great stories of times they shared. During one of our last conversations, she shared with me that it gives her such joy to know and remember that she was married to her best friend. Although she misses him terribly, her love has not wavered and transcends the vow "until death do us part."

Appearance Says A Lot About You

Tonight I will be attending a company holiday party. Woohoo! This means that I will spend the next three hours primping myself to catwalk standards. Yes, you read that correctly: three hours. Most people might react incredulously to this feat, but getting to what people see as the final outcome takes planning and most importantly, meticulous attention to detail. I am a female after all, who takes much pride in how I present myself to the world. Many of you would like to say that you could care less about what people think about you, but I think there is always a slight hint of self-consciousness in everybody about their appearance. I strongly believe that people make judgments about others from the way they look. I'll admit it - I'm totally guilty of judging, but only from first impressions.

When it comes to presentation, it's really not about style, because everyone's styles are different. However, the perceived amount of care that you put into how you look says a lot. Showering, grooming your hair, ironing clothes, etc. -those small details require time and energy, but are tell-tale signs that you don't neglect yourself.

A few of my female friends have revealed to me that they assess their boyfriend prospects by their shoes. Strange, right? Surprisingly, the logic behind that makes some sense. Shoes require thought when selecting them for purchase and also when coordinating them with an outfit. Maintaining them also requires some effort. Basically, old, ugly, dirty unmatching shoes equates to bad boyfriend material. Boys, take note: if you're looking for a girlfriend, check your footwear.

Beware the Rickroll

The online phenomenon of Rickrolling has taken a place in the annals of web history. For those of you unfamiliar with the meme, Rickrolling is essentially a bait and switch where a person presents a web link seemingly relevant to the topic at hand. The link, however, leads to the 80's Rick Astley video, "Never Gonna Give You Up."

Apparently Rickrolling originates from the practice of "duckrolling," where a link would point to a peculiar picture of a duck with wheels. Earlier this year, I had read an article mentioning a poll that revealed that 18 million adults in the US had claimed to have been Rickrolled. Since the phenomenon has started, sporting events, radio and TV have Rickrolled unsuspecting spectators. With the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade being televised to millions of viewers this year, that number has multiplied exponentially, I'm sure.

Want to learn how to Rickroll someone, and see someone get Rickrolled? No problem - just check this out.

Slim Chance I'm Divorce Material

Perusing through Freakonomics today, I came across a blogpost entitled "Assessing Your Divorce Risk." Sweet. I enjoy doing assessments like this. However, as a person who has never been married, I evaluated my divorce risk with the next best thing I could think of: my "work spouse." My colleague Kristin and I have been sharing an office for a few months now, and prior to that either sat near eachother or worked closely together on major projects. She's the one I commiserate with when major projects take a nose dive, the one I complain to when our employees are acting up, and she's one of the first people I seek out when major organizational news comes up. Kri and I are "married" through our work. At first, when I told her about this assessment and grumbled that I couldn't do the assessment after all because I wasn't married, she jokingly suggested, "Assess our risk!" Knowing this could only result in fun, I proceeded.

Oddly, the relationship factors weren't really taken into account in this survey, so I dismissed my work spouse (Sorry, Kri). As it turns out, as a college-educated female sans children, "wed" after 1980 in my late 20's for 2 years, my risk of being a divorcee is generally low. According to the data, individuals whose backgrounds are similar to mine who have already divorced made up 1% of the sample population. Individuals whose backgrounds are similar to mine who will likely be divorced over the next five years were 10% of the polled.

Naturally, like most other evaluations of this type, I have doubt in the results. Although, I do think it is funny that marriage, divorce, and matchmaking have become such a science in our day and age. Personally, I see divorce as a risk reliant on the attitudes of the individuals involved. Obviously, it's so much more than just that, but fundamentally I see marriage itself as a risk like any other we take in life, and it's up to the individuals involved to go in on it with open minds or act negatively in it.

I hope I don't jinx any of my future marriage(s) by making these statements, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Vacation Withdrawal

My Mexico vacation last week was the most satisfying break from regular life I could have asked for. It had elements of everything I needed to relax: sun, beach, ocean, alcohol, a good book, a bit of adventure and, of course, good friends. With all of this to fill 7 days, I returned to the U.S. completely fulfilled and yet surprisingly glad to be home.

On Sunday, I was anticipating the worse for Monday, but found that reintroducing myself back to work was a cinch. Throughout the day my travel pals commented how they could have used a few more days on vacation, but personally I was able to say that I didn't need the extra time. I admit that I still do miss the beach, but for those that know me best, my obsession with the surf is a constant one.

As much as I would like very much to return to Cancun someday, I don't have much of a desire to do that any time in the near future (unless the trip was gifted to me, of course). There is a vast world of destinations that I have yet to see, and I am determined to visit a majority of them.

I suppose my lack of attachment to this recent vacation has everything to do with my eagerness to see the rest of the world. There is a sense of freedom and adventure that I have rediscovered in myself in the past couple of years that has been feeding my appetite for travel and desire to see and learn new things. The idea that there is a new adventure on the horizon for me soon keeps my yearning at bay - I just hope it's just not too long before I get to experience it.

Yet Another Writing Challenge

Two years ago, my pal John convinced me to do Nanowrimo, a month long challenge that was supposed to ultimately result in a 50,000 word novel, written by me. The few of us who bought into the idea probably accomplished a collective total of 10,000 words. Our respective novels were all failures.

Today, I managed to allow John to talk me into participating in a 30-day blogging challenge. For a fraction of a second, I hesitated, recalling the lack of follow-through with Nanowrimo. After that brief moment though, I concluded that I had nothing to lose. What the heck? It took me less than a minute to decide and sign up.

I am going to maintain a positive attitude that I'll get through this challenge satisfactorily. One of the obvious differences between Nanowrimo and the 30-day blogging challenge is simply the subject matter. With Nanowrimo I was restricted to writing a story that I had not even fully laid out in my head, the character profiles and plot having to be completely spontaneous and rich with description. Shoot, I only know so many adjectives, and the thesaurus is exhausting. At least with daily blogs, I can simply pull thoughts out of my ass, figuratively speaking.

Cheers, bloggers! The next 30 days will be interesting.

Too Busy To Write?!?

Going through the entire month of November without one single blog post makes me feel like a jerk. The most fantastic part of that statement is that there have been a handful of exciting things happening between the last post and December 1st. Let's see if I can recap everything since October:

• Saw New Kids on the Block perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. I don't care what anyone says; they are hotter than ever and put on a hell of a show.

• Traveled to San Francisco to watch the 49ers battle the Philadelphia Eagles at Candlestick Park. The Niners lost, but I don't care. They will always be my team.
  

• Enjoyed an extended Halloween via multiple celebrations. I actually had a use for two different costumes this year. I suited up as a boxer one night (a tribute to my recently acquired reputation of being the one who gets drunk and gets into fights at concerts) and an 80's rocker/GnR groupie on Halloween day (I just wanted to wear body jewelry, fishnets, and a mini-skirt to work).

• Took a weekend to Orange County, CA to watch my nephew play in the Mighty Mite Football Championship.
  

• Kept tabs on the presidential election whilst drunk at the Alkaline Trio, Thrice, and Rise Against concert at the House of Blues, and fought some random boy for apparently no reason.

• Watched OneRepublic perform at the Pearl. If you've never been to the Pearl, watch a concert there. If you've never seen OneRepublic, you're missing out. Such talent.

• Finally took the long-awaited trip to Cancun. Ridiculous, relaxing fun!

So, if you now feel caught up in the life of 408Down, you've been misled. There was much drinking and partying not mentioned above that happened in between all the major happenings...but you probably already figured that out.

California Transplant

Traveling back and forth between Nevada and California over the past few months I have developed a strong sense of escape that I haven't experienced since my younger years.

I forcibly came to Nevada a few months shy of my 16th birthday, right after I finished my sophomore year of high school at Milpitas High. Upset that I would have to relocate to a new state in the middle of my high school career, I pleaded with my parents that I be allowed to return to MHS to complete my Senior year and be able to graduate with the friends I grew up with. They agreed under the pretense that I maintain my high GPA in my junior year and that I behave while in Las Vegas. When the time came for me to make the move back to California, I was crushed to find out that my parents would not allow me to do so.

My first year in Las Vegas was a blur. My new curriculum was no different from my last school as I was placed in honors and AP classes. I quickly made new friends, and even tried out for the volleyball team in hopes of simulating my school experience back at MHS. Sadly, there was nothing that could match what I considered home, and I became all-consumed with being homesick. My motivation dropped dramatically in my junior year, and by the time I was a senior at Cimarron-Memorial, I was a whole different student and a totally different kid. In retrospect, I'm pretty sure that something inside me felt that if I acted out enough to get my parents' attention, they would send me back to California. Well, they remained unfazed, and firmly stood their ground against my request.

Sixteen years later, I'm still here in Las Vegas. On the upside, I have met some great people here, and know that with some of them I have made lifelong friendships. I've established a life of sorts also: finished school, started a career, bought a home, and have gotten very close to planting my roots deep into this city. I nearly married a man with deep-seated Vegas loyalty, who wanted us to build a life and raise our children in this town. Thank goodness I escaped that trap, because at this point I'm feeling the urge to uproot myself again. The great thing is that this next time, it will be on my own terms. California will forever be my home, and it will always beckon for my return. However, whether I decide to retreat there or elsewhere, I know that Nevada is not the place for me. Sure, I have had fun here and still continue to do so, but there is a time in everyone's life when change is needed. For me, that time is fast approaching.

Disneyland: Fun At Any Age!

My adventuresome crew and I had been discussing a trip to Southern California for at least the past year, as a way to escape the brutal desert summer weather. A few weeks ago, we collectively summoned the motivation to take this road trip and spent a day at Disneyland.

Now I could not even remember the last time I had gone to Disneyland, although clues from distant memories tell me that I may have been there at age 11. That's 2 decades ago. The last time I was there, Michael Jackson's Captain EO 3-D film was one of the newest attractions. Sadly, Captain EO was removed from the Land of Disney in 1997 - perhaps due to the controversies surrounding the gloved one at the time? Possibly, but that is only my own speculation. Lucky me, I was fortunate to have the Captain EO experience. If you haven't, here's part one of the film - 3-D glasses aren't necessary for this version:

I must say that Disneyland truly maintains its appeal no matter what your age. Even more exciting now is the addition of Disney's California Adventure theme park, complete with more rides for the thrillseeker in all of us. One notable ride: The California Screamin' roller coaster. Had I not been feeling ill to begin with, and time not a factor, I would have rode that coaster several more times.

We managed to spend half of our day at California Adventure before moseying over to the Magic Kingdom, just yards away. Disneyland itself continues to reinvent its own experience, while maintaining the attractions of our youth. Pirates of the Caribbean, the legendary Tea Cups, the Dumbo ride, and Space Mountain are all mainstays.A couple of the new rides proved to be welcome additions. Even though we spent 90 minutes waiting in line, the Indiana Jones Adventure ride is a new favorite of mine. It is definitely a rocky ride, and puts riders right in the midst of the action. If you ever wondered what it might be like to be in an Indy adventure, this is the ride for you!

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is inspired by the movie Toy Story, and riders feel like they're in a real life video game. Essentially, the point is to shoot your laser gun at the targets for points as you defend the universe against the Evil Emperor Zurg. In the end, I scored a modest 14,000 or so points, which I felt wasn't so bad for a beginner. To put things into perspective, my pal John (who has clearly had some practice) scored upward of 160,000 points. I'll get there eventually. Fortunately, he's shared some pointers for next time!

All in all, our Disney adventure was quite satisfying. I won't deny myself the opportunity to ever go back, because one day I will. Next time I won't wait 20 years to do so.

What Economic Analysts Might Not Tell You...

If you had purchased $1,000 of AIG stock one year ago, you would have $42 left.

With Lehman, you would have $6.60 left.

With Fannie or Freddie, you would have less than $5 left.

But if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have had $214.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

It's called the 401-Keg.

The Beauty of Men

My pal Linda Lou, writer/comic/human extraordinaire, co-hosts the Aging Nymphs Internet radio show on Wednesday nights, exploring the reality (and comedy) of a variety of topics. The show started off as a forum intended for the female demographic, but the Aging Nymphs have a pretty strong male following now, too.

The most recent show discussions featured what men look for in women. Starting this week, they are turning the tables and are polling the ladies with what they look for or appreciate in men. When I received an email from Linda Lou earlier this week asking for my feedback on that very topic, I could not resist. At first I had instinctively began with the superficial: good-looking, wealthy, owner of a luxury vehicle and sexy red speedboat...but then I got to thinking that when it comes to snagging a good fella, the material things are not important.

So what makes a great guy in my eyes? At his core, a man has to be considerate and have a heart. Additionally, here is a list of things that I think make up a quality guy:

• Confidence. The vast majority of men out there walk a fine line between confident and cocky. A good man knows how to NOT be a jerk, while being able to embrace his vulnerability. Guys who show severe signs of insecurity through their words and/or actions typically don't make the grade either.

• Stability. I would like to end up with a man with an unyielding sense of self, both mentally and emotionally. This is a guy who has his own identity, doesn't try to be someone he's not, is totally reliable, and accepts his past in order to make his future the best he can make it. He should have ambition and be sensible enough to know which dreams to chase.

• Social aptitude. Kudos to men who are able to carry themselves in any social setting and be able to connect with a woman one on one without being overwhelming or awkward. Men should not only be able to carry on a conversation, but also have some class. Guys who are socially inept are so unattractive. Women like the gentlemen, not dudes who hoot and holler at females to get their attention.

• Spontaneity. Guys, don't be stiffs. Seek adventure and try new things! Furthermore, I don't care what any woman says - ladies enjoy being romanced. A guy who catches us off guard and can sweep us off our feet every once in a while is sexy. I hate when I hear men say that it's gay if they act romantic. Honestly, guys, it's gay if you don't.

• Sense of humor. Laughter and happiness go hand in hand. A man without a good sense of humor is just plain boring, is likely without a personality, and is usually a waste of time.

• Intelligence. Nothing turns us girls off more than a guy who thinks he knows everything, when clearly he does not. A really smart guy is well-rounded, open-minded, knows when to chime in, and is aware of those times in life when words just aren't needed. Intelligence isn't about IQ's; it's more about appreciating life and all of the diverse things in the world, and showing real interest in all of it.

Ok, I know. These all sound like high standards, right? I like to think that I am a woman of substance, so simply looking for an exquisite male specimen with requisite penis is so yesterday. I realize that no handsome man exists with all of these characteristics, but a girl can dream. I'll settle for a dude with at least 3 of the above 6 qualities.

To hear more on this topic and what A.N. might have to say about my response, tune in to the Aging Nymphs show Wednesday at 8pm Pacific time via the Aging Nymphs web site. And for some good reading, check out Linda Lou's blog here.

Disclaimer: The above blog post is not an indicator that I am looking for a boyfriend. Think of it as a social experiment of sorts, simply exploring an idea...