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.