I'm driving to the airport to pick up my brother who is taking the red-eye from San Diego, and blasting, absolutely blasting Chris Tomlin. The fork in the road came up alot faster than I thought because I wasn't paying attention and enjoying the music.
I needed to veer left but was in the righthand lane. I turned on my blinkers but nobody was letting me through. Finally, I saw a small opening and bullied my way through. But the guy behind me high-beamed me a few times, which annoyed me.
While singing at the top of my lungs and without missing a syllable, without any hesitation, I flipped him the bird, and kept it up until he disappeared in my rear view mirror. I even switched hands so he (hopefully) wouldn't miss it.
Then it hit me--what I was doing while I was listening to praise music...I'm sorry Mr. Jeep Cherokee. That wasn't a Christian thing to do. I'm sorry whoever you are.
Woah (said in the tone of Bill and Ted in their Excellent Adventure)! I got a job! B2B--back to banking! It's in NYC and it pays more than my old one. Advice to you--don't put your money in this bank. haha! Actually, it's not that kind of bank.
My mother is relieved. Upon hearing my news, she sighed and proclaimed, "Congratulations! Now I don't have to pray for you every morning to get a job!"
Now the big dilemma--where should I go on "vacation" before I start work? I already have offers by none other than Yoda Kim--to go mountain biking in the Moab and/or Hawaii.
Who should I hire as a nanny? What cool things should I get w/ my second paycheck? My first one has been already spent by other people who need/want: jewelry, a round of golf, steaks (3 requests), a car indirectly (my brother suggested he take mine, and I get a new one).
I have U2 tix for 5/18 at the Continental Arena, and now "Desire" tickets to see Bruce Springsteen who is playing there the next night. I suppose we wouldn’t be “Dancing in the Dark”—this is an acoustic tour.
I can’t get Bruce tickets on ticketmaster.com. Hmmmm….”Am I Counting on a Miracle?” If I go to both concerts, am I “Out of Control” or being too “Boy?”
I would like to say that "Super Size Me" has dramatically affected me in a positive way--that my family and I are eating healthier, that we’re buying organic foods, and monitoring our portions better. To some degree we are. But I broke down in the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, the nation’s top rated family friendly zoo.
It is! But they had fried Oreo’s. Though I don’t really like Oreos and was grossed out at the thought, my sweet tooth was curious. My sister in law, a pediatrician, was really grossed out. She said, “It’s so bad for you. Don’t give any to the kids.”
Despite her warning, I ordered it. The cook dipped five Oreos in batter and then dropped them right into a small vat of hot oil, and 10 seconds later, the smell wafting all around us transformed us into zombies. Then the cook, who let me behind the counter so I could watch and take pictures, took them out, sprinkled powdered sugar and chocolate syrup on the desserts.
I thanked the cook, took the plate and was surrounded by four adults. While waiting for them to cool down, my sister in law with a big smile on her face said, “err…I’ll have a piece.” After a few bites, she handed a piece to her 15 month old daughter. Mia loved it, as did my kids. We’re now Oreovores and I should have super sized them.
I can't believe that people in Yankee stadium booed Rivera. Of course, the Sox fans were out there in force (it looked like it on TV) but there weren't THAT many Sox fans at the stadium. He's slipped a bit, but he's still best reliever in baseball by far. I admit I'm not the biggest Yankee fan ever, but I know that just can't boo Rivera for all he has done. Boo A-Rod--he deserves it.
I'll be the first to admit that New York is a lousy place to live. There is a lot of crime. Housing prices are out of this world, as are our taxes and insurance. We don't get a lot in return either. Our highways and bridges are run down as our subways and buses. We have to deal with lots of crowds, traffic, smog and litter too. Ever buy gasoline in NY? You pay more and have to pump it yourself. That's very typical of what we have to put up with to live here. When you pay more, you just get less.
But for all our problems, NY is still home for me--and for all my talk about loving YVR, Tampa (or wherever I am on vacation)--I don't want to move. Well, I love NJ too--though I do make fun of the place more often than it deserves. I love Tampa, where I am currently, but it has enough problems (traffic and crime) and issues that make me realize that I wouldn't want to live here.
I suppose I am being harsh. For most of my life, I've only lived in the NY metropolitan area. The exception was college--went to school in Boston--and worked there afterwards for 1 year--and only one year! But your hometown or state isn't perfect--read your newspaper or watch the news--and it ain't NY.
I'm loud. I know it and am damn proud of it. If you have something to say, there is nothing wrong in expressing yourself--even if it is loudly. We have freedom of speech--not freedom of speech, as long as you keep your voice down. In fact, I would say, that if you really believe something, you shouldn't feel inhibited, embarrassed about expressing yourself. I simply hate being milquetoast and hate it when my friends, loved ones and relatives exhibit this trait too.
I also don't take things personally. If we have a debate, and we have differing opinions, I don't take things personally. I really don't. Our conversation today, will not affect my love friendship or relationship with you. But you better be prepared to defend position, because if I think differently, then your job is the same as mine--convince the other why your opinion is--not nec. correct--but better. My desire is not to make you feel stupid. My aim is to educate myself and to learn, and if I have to push you to draw the information I need...so be it. I still love and respect you for it. It's just me and just the way I think and work.
