This questionnaire was so off-the-wall that I simply had to comply. Behold its craptastic goodness! Feel free to partcipate, and enjoy…

Continue Reading 13 comments June 30th, 2006

Prior to this, I can’t even remember the last concert I attended. It was probably so long ago that I was a teen. Recently broke that long dry spell by seeing Ringo and His All Starr Band at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City. Though it’s not an event that I would have chosen of my own accord, it turned out to be highly entertaining.

Take a look at the wild mix of performers Ringo Starr brought together for his tour: Rod Argent, Richard Marx, Sheila E, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, and Hamish Stewart. Apart from Ringo himself (and who wouldn’t appreciate the opportunity to see a Beatle in concert?) the most impressive musician was Edgar Winter, who is a genius on keyboard, saxophone, guitar, and vocals.

2 comments June 27th, 2006

This past Father’s Day was an automotive extravaganza. Dad and I kicked off the day at the LA Roadster Show at Fairplex in Pomona. We saw hundreds of road rods and it was really neat, even for someone like me, who knows little about classic cars.

Dad is building a “rot rod” in the garage, so after the show he took me for a spin, where he really opened up the engine for the first time. Particularly fun since there’s no windshield on it yet… Bug splatter on my cheek was sheer delight.

After that, we got some lunch and then headed over to Paseo Colorado where there just happened to be another car show. We looked over the gloss-covered beauties while waiting to see the latest movie from Pixar, which so perfectly matched the theme of the day: Cars.

From my dad’s perspective it was probably the best Father’s Day ever… Mission accomplished!

6 comments June 21st, 2006

Maybe this topic is too much on the urban fringe for the blogging world, but I feel compelled to share my enjoyment of the XM radio station called “The Rhyme” …It’s like a flashback to some of the simpler moments of my youth.

On the playlist: Public Enemy, De La Soul, Doug E. Fresh, L.L. Cool J, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool Moe Dee, Roxanne Shante, 2 Live Crew, KRS One, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Beastie Boys, Erik B & Rakim, Afrika Bambaataa, Sugar Hill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, Queen Latifa, Biz Markie, and Kurtis Blow, to name a few.

Now, excuse me while I tie on a pair of shell-top Adidas with fat laces, bust out a piece of linoleum, and start popping and locking.

8 comments June 16th, 2006

Many areas of my life are in need of greater illumination, and so a common frustration for me is accepting that I can only be where I’m at… I’ll be searching for answers about one thing only to be provided with other insights into things that appear to be completely unrelated.

We can’t force personal progress or even determine its direction. Instead, we find ourselves passing out of the darkness only by actively searching for areas where a fresh light is shining. Life has taught me to seek growth wherever it can be found, not just in the places I’d like to see it most.

3 comments June 13th, 2006

This Week: Ten Ways I Like to Relax

Here’s a timely subject. I’ve been through the wringer these last few months! Spending a little time on this exercise to figure out what makes me feel relaxed is probably a wise notion… Here goes!

10. Swimming – For me, there are few more relaxing experiences than floating around in the clear blue wetness. I love that weightless feeling you get when you’re underwater.

9. Cleaning – Don’t think I’m some kind of neat-freak, because I can be a mess at times, but I do find that when my body and environment are freshly cleansed and tidy I just feel a lot better… More like myself.

8. Touring – I detest driving. What I like is to be driven around by someone. We don’t need a specific destination. I just like to listen to music and look out the window to see new people and places.

7. Geekery – You know what I’m talking about… As frustrating as stretching our nerdy brains can be, there’s a certain zen in playing with code or learning something new about a technology that you enjoy.

6. Listening – I like a good story. Before my grandparents’ generation started passing away I enjoyed them often. Time-travelling with others broadens my perspective and furthers my understanding.

5. Solitude – As much as I adore people, sometimes I need time alone. In reflection, I find that the times I have spent in quiet thought always paid dividends far beyond the initial investment I had made.

4. Cycling – From the early days on my trike, to the BMX grandpa won for me, to mountain biking in college, to my beloved spinning classes, to these recent moments on a road bike… It’s always fun and freeing.

3. Playtime – Kids have this down to a science. They have an amazing capacity for fun! I find that by interacting with children I can reconnect with the simple things and my grown-up concerns melt away.

2. Helping – Often the most relaxing thing I can do is help others. Taking the focus off of myself and doing nice things for someone else makes me feel calm and happy… Plus, it’s a win-win situation.

1. Being Held – When it comes right down to it, I haven’t changed much since the day I was born. Still, the most comforting thing imaginable is to be held tenderly by someone who loves me through and through.

8 comments June 6th, 2006

Since I do not currently have internet access at my place of residence I have not updated in quite a while… And let me just tell you: I had no idea how much I relied on having all that glorious information right at my fingertips until it was no more. Now I feel quite disconnected.

Everyday life hasn’t changed much, even though it feels like everything is different… It’s an illusion. I’m still me, though always evolving, which is the norm. Work is still work. Friends are still friends. Family still family. Respiration seems to continue just the same as ever… Life goes on.

Managed to have some fun over the Memorial Day weekend. Following a business conference at Desert Springs I took my first train ride in ages. The next time you’re in So Cal, hop on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and enjoy a relaxing journey with a fantastic ocean view.

On Sunday, I was priviliged to attend what will likely prove to be the most opulent wedding celebration that I will ever witness. Held near the shore at a Malibu estate, words can’t describe how beautiful it was, and my lame cell phone photos couldn’t do it any justice either.

Went to see Benchwarmers on Monday. I don’t know why more people didn’t enjoy this movie… My best friend and I laughed until we peed. Then again, my friends and I tend to have the same sense of humor as the average thirteen year old boy. So, there you have it!

6 comments June 2nd, 2006