2009 MTV Movie Awards Suck...

So I had kind of a long weekend so I just bummed out today (Sunday) and stayed home. As I was watching TV, just flipping through the channels, I saw a commercial advertising the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, and realized they were on today. I haven't seen this award show in a couple of years, but because of the commercial I figured why not just watch? So I wait for it to start and when they are announcing the presenters and performers I get a little hyped up because it actually includes some actors/musicians/etc that I actually like. So the host is Andy Sandberg, a featured player on Saturday Night Live. He is most known for his famous viral videos like "Dick in a Box" with Justin Timberlake and the hilarious spoof of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video (also with Timberlake). So with that premise, I figured, it should be good show. It wasn't.

From the beginning it just seemed awkward. Presenters were messing up lines left and right making for repeated lines or uncertain celebrities on stage looking around for direction. There was a part when Sasha Baron Cohen (also known as Borat) came down on stage as his latest character Bruno (gay fashion designer, movie coming soon) and we ended up with his ass in rapper Eminem's face. I know Sasha Baron Cohen likes real reaction so I'm not sure if it was set up of if Em was in on it. Eminem seemed genuinely pissed off and his entourage manhandled Cohen enough to make it seem real. The whole scene was to award Zac Efron some award, I'm not even sure which one it was. The camera pans to Efron and you can clearly see him asking people around him if he is supposed to go on stage or what is going on. He goes on and accepts the award and even states "this is the weirdest way I have come up for an award". All of it just wasn't funny. And its not that the guests there aren't talented or relevant, the show just sucks. Although I'm sick and tired of seeing Millie Cyrus, Zac Efron and the rest of the other annoying teenie boppers at events like this. Anyway, I can see that I haven't missed anything worthwhile from not watching the last several years.

Wow, These Kids Are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G...

Was watching the 2009 National Spelling Bee Championship Finals tonight (I know, I'm a nerd) and it was amazing. It's crazy how smart these kids are in figuring out how to spell so many different types of words. Just wanted to say congratulations to thirteen year old Kavya Shivashankar of Olathe, Kansas. She is the 2009 National Spelling Bee Champion. Along with this great achievement she also went home with a $40, 000 prize. I'm sure her parents are very proud.

Excited About Monday...

Conan O'Brian takes over the Tonight Show starting Monday. Now that he is in L.A. I'm going to try and catch a show. He is pretty funny. I caught a Tonight Show taping last year with Jay Leno and it was great. Good Luck Conan!

Countries I Have Been Lucky Enough To Visit...

Belize
China
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Philippines

States I Have Been Lucky Enough To Visit...

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Louisiana
Mississippi
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virgina
Washington

Washington D.C (District of Columbia)

Lots Of Important Things Happening...

So today the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 (ban against gay marriage). This is a terrible discrimination and takes away the civil rights of Americans. I know there will be appeals so I will continue to follow the developments. Several states such as Maine, Iowa, and Massachusetts to name a few have passed laws allowing gay marriage. California needs to get on the ball and do the same. The only positive thing that the Court did today was to allow the more then 18,000 gay couples that got married when it was legal prior to the passing of Prop 8 to remain valid.

Also today, President Obama announced his nominee for Supreme Court Justice to replace retiring Justice David Souter, and it is Sonia Sotomayor. I need to look into her credentials and background a bit more before I make a solid judgement. From what I heard today it is a good nomination and she would bring more judicial experience with her then any other Supreme Court Justice has at the beginning of their terms in the last 70 years. I will post more about this when I get more knowledgeable about her. These are exciting times, there are lots of important things happening...

Have To Get Up For Work In 4 Hours And 40 Minutes...

I Need To Go Back To School...

So I gathered up my transcripts and looked over them most of the weekend. I have a total of 44 college units and a 3.74GPA. I really do need to get motivated again and get back to school. I applied today to take a class this summer (classes start in 4 weeks) so hopefully I can get the application back in time and be able to register for the class I want to take. For sure in the fall I will be back at Orange Coast College and I already have what classes I want to take and it looks like they are offered at times I will be able to attend. I only need about 16 more units to transfer. I am definitely leaning towards Cal State University, Long Beach or Cal State University, Fullerton. They are both good schools and because of location they also make sense. I am eligible for the new Post 9/11 GI bill that got passed and that goes into effect in August. Because of this, I think I will also apply to University of California, Irvine. Again, location makes sense, and there is a certain pride that comes from graduating from a UC as opposed to a Cal State, not to take anything away from the Cal State system. I will be happy either way as long as I graduate. I still have a long road ahead of me for this but I need to get motivated again and get it done. When I went back to school in 2006 I told myself that I wanted to graduate before I was 30. Seeing as I will be 29 this November that is no longer going to happen. Even though I travel for my full time job, spend my weekends with my son or doing my military service, I need to get motivated and put in the work and get these classes done. I will continue to write about my progress with school in the future...

Happy Memorial Day...

Night Of The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian

I went and saw this movie with my son this past weekend. I recommend it for anyone with children. It was entertaining and my son loved it. They have some funny scenes and lines thrown in there for the adults as well. I think it was funnier then the first one. So check it out if you get a chance.

Hello Mom....

Hello ma, how you doing, it's your son now.
And I picked up the pen and put the drugs down.
Now I'm tryin to do some things that'll make you proud
Not like before where everytime I called it was to bail me out
Oh why didn't I listen to things you used to tell me
Knowin that everything that you said would never fail me
But I wasn't listening or even paying attention
I was just trying to get mine
Takin advantage, you would worked two jobs at the same time
I was ungrateful, complaining about Nike and Polo signs
But you always come through, and what do I do?
I wrecked both your cars, stole money from my job
Sold drugs out of the yard, stayed into it with the law
Now I'm just tryin to pay you back for all the stress that I caused.....


-This is from an old song, with lyrics changed to make it customized to my mom. I can't take full credit for it all but it helps get my message across.

I Love You Mom

I Love This Video...

More Reason To Be Pissed Off And Broke In Cali...

So this is something I have been thinking about for awhile but haven't written about yet. I was getting a coffee at Starbucks a couple of weeks ago, when I was asked if I wanted my coffee "for here, or to go?". I froze up for a second and the wheels in my head started slowly turning, because the question really did throw me off a bit. Come to find out that California has a dine in tax. Can you believe that?? If I were to get a tall coffee (dumb ass way to say small coffee at Starbucks) and got it "for here" it would be $.12 more then if I were to ask for it "to go". No different ingredients, no difference in brew, same size, and same type of cup.

I commented to the cashier that I didn't remember ever being asked that before, and she let me know that the company had sent out instruction to start asking and to charge the tax if the items were purchased "for here". Up until recently the company payed the tax on "for here" orders, and recently, and I'm only assuming because of economic problems, the company had started charging the customers for the tax. Most companies are starting to do this here in California. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I have been looking into it and will try to get some more answers. It has something to do with all restaurant meals having sales tax and groceries not having sales tax in California. If its taken to go it may fall under the category of groceries. Not 100% sure but that is the type of explanation I got at Starbucks. I'll try and research it and get the correct answer. Still a ploy by the man to squeeze every last cent out of you. Damn the man.

Governator Has Us Truly Facing Judgement Day...

Well California is in complete financial shambles. Yesterday we had a special election that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was trying to use to help fix some of the huge budget issues that the state has been facing. The measures that were voted on yesterday included raising taxes, spending reforms and changes in borrowing and funding. 5 of the 6 did not pass and the state continues to grow a bigger deficit. Analysts have estimated that the budget deficit could balloon from $15 billion to $21 billion, forcing the state to take some desperate measures. This could include shortening the school year by a week and a half, cutting tens of thousands of education jobs, eliminating health insurance for 250,000 needy children, laying off 1,700 firefighters, withholding $2 billion from local governments — which could mean cuts in police forces and other services — and freeing almost 40,000 inmates from San Quentin prison. This has others asking how bad it would be if California goes bankrupt.

Gov. Schwarzenegger has run this state into the ground since taking office. Many friends, family and former co-workers of mine are being effected not just in these layoffs but also the inability to find another job once they are unemployed. If anyone is interested in seeing the results of the voting and the propositions in more detail they can click here. It pisses me off to the point that when I go see Terminator Salvation this week (it looks amazing lol) even though he is not in this one, it feels like I'm giving something to him for going to watch a movie of a franchise he help build lol. Anyway, I'm not sure how the state will fare in the coming weeks and months but I really hope that the politicians in Sacramento do something soon before it gets even worse (which is hard to imagine).

New Orleans Gets 2013 Superbowl....

NFL owners voted today and declared the City of New Orleans as the host of the 2013 Superbowl. This is a great accomplishment for the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana in general. It is estimated that when a city hosts a Superbowl it averages about $300 million in additional tourism revenue from the event. This will be the 1oth time the city hosts the Superbowl, which puts it tied with South Florida as the city that has hosted the event the most. $85 million has been allocated to renovations to the Superdome (this was approved before the Superbowl vote), all of which will be complete before the 2013 game. This means the dome will be in tip top shape and have state of the art equipment in place, as well as renovated concessions, seats, and concourses.

Now the Saints just need to get to the big game that year. No city hosting the Superbowl has ever had their home team also playing in the game in the same year. Hopefully New Orleans makes it a first. Before that, they need to win it this year regardless! Go Saints.

What A Sad News Story...

Just read that a middle school student in Louisiana went into a classroom, fired a shot at a teacher (and missed) then headed to the restroom and shot himself in the head. He is in critical condition at the hospital. Luckily no one else was hurt. The school is about 45 miles southwest of New Orleans. Kind of secluded area, but the school does have about 500 students. Very very sad to hear. You can read the news article here.

Terminator Salvation Opens Wednesday...

Super excited to go see this. First two were amazing, the last one was ok. From the previews it looks like this one will not disappoint. If I go see it I will give a review. Also, if you haven't checked out the newest Star Trek movie, it is really really good. Def worth the money, so check it out.

The Saints Sucked For Many Many Years....

Our old coach, Jim Mora, explaining how he really feels about the team's performance after a game back in the day...

Will New Orleans Host The 2013 Superbowl?

NFL owners will vote tomorrow to decide where the 2013 Superbowl will be held. The finalists in the process are Phoenix, South Florida, and New Orleans. If New Orleans wins the bid and gets to host, it will be the 10th time the city gets that honor. It is extremely beneficial for a city to host a Superbowl. It brings in tremendous revenue. There are many reasons that New Orleans has been such a great historic Superbowl city. First because of location, if your team gets to go to the Superbowl and you are from either the East coast or West coast then you don't have to fly cross country to go watch them. The non football related entertainment is enough to keep you around for the whole weekend and which will keep fans occupied until the game on Sunday (i.e. Bourbon Street, Restaurants, Casinos, Historical Tours). New Orleans also has an extremely high hotel room count in their downtown area, just minutes from the Superdome, where the game would be played. Lastly, the New Orleans Saints and State of Louisiana have just drafted a deal that would keep the Saints playing in New Orleans until 2025. Part of this deal is that the Superdome gets some serious upgrades, most of which would be finished in time for a 2013 Superbowl. This looks good in the eyes of the NFL owners when they vote tomorrow. Good luck New Orleans.

Houston Rockets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 7 today...

At 12:30pm (pst). The game just started. The Lakers are too good of a team to lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Anything less then a trip to the NBA finals would be a failure. Hopefully they pull it off today. If they do, they will play the Denver Nuggets in the next round.

R.I.P Chuck Daly 1930-2009....

Former Head Coach in the NBA. Most known as coach of the Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" in the 80's and 90's. He was also the coach of the original Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. R.I.P. Chuck Daly.

It's A Day Late, But It's The Thought That Counts, Happy Mothers Day lol...

Great Shot By Former LSU Player Glen "Big Baby" Davis To Win The Game...

Happy Mothers Day....

To all the mothers out there, Enjoy Your Day!!! You deserve it.

Much Respect To Nick Urban!!!

Everyone should read this story about Nick Urban, a football player from Winona State that got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings during the draft this past February. While other players are out buying expensive and superficial items after getting drafted, Nick stayed humble and went back to work his scheduled shift at Target, after being drafted to the NFL. Although Nick may have a slim chance of making the roster I truly hope he does. The NFL and professional sports in general needs more good character players like Nick Urban. It's nice to hear a news story that doesn't involve an arrest, drug incident, physical altercation or steroids from a quality athlete. Much respect Nick Urban..

JJ Abrams New Star Trek Movie Comes Out Tomorrow...

As I sit here, people all over the country are lined up to watch a midnight screening of the new Star Trek Movie by JJ Abrams. (some on the east coast have already finished watching it!) I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up but I will definitely be seeing this movie. Abrams has not disappointed with tv shows "Lost" and "Fringe" and his movie Cloverfield was pretty good as well. I'm excited, and the casting looks really good. Hope it lives up to the hype. Although I try to avoid critic reviews, the few I have heard about or glanced at have been pretty positive, so that is a good sign. I will prob catch it this weekend sometime. Go see it!

Wow, You Let Me Down Manny...

Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games for using banned substance. I will support him when he gets back from his punishment, but damn, very disappointed about it...

Haven't Seen This One In Awhile Lol....

DeNiro Saturday Night Live Terrorists

Funny...

Lakers Begin Round 2 Of The Playoffs Today Against Houston...

Here is a listing of the game times, locations and channel listings for this best of 7 series...

All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Games with * next to them are: if necessary only


SECOND ROUND
No. 1 L.A. Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston

Game 1: Monday May 4, Houston at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2: Wednesday May 6, Houston at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3: Friday May 8, Los Angeles at Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: Sunday May 10, Los Angeles at Houston, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5: *Tuesday May 12, Houston at Los Angeles, TBD, TNT
Game 6: *Thursday May 14 Los Angeles at Houston, TBD, ESPN
Game 7: *Sunday May 17 Houston at Los Angeles, TBD, TBD

Dodgers Are Still Undefeated At Home...

The Dodgers have been in business since 1890 and have never won their first 10 home games, until now. The 10-0 start at Chavez Ravine eclipsed the mark set at Ebbets Field by the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers, when current manager Joe Torre was 5 years old. This is the reason the Dodgers are 18-8 this season so far and have the best record in all of baseball. Hopefully they can keep healthy all year and do something in the postseason. It is still very early, but regardless, great job guys!

Wow, I Got Alot Of Sun....

Military duty this weekend and we were outside all day, California + May = Sunny!!!