We had a busy night on St. Patty’s Day. My friends Allen & Kathy cooked up a bunch of Irish food for deva’s. We’re usually not that busy but I guess people are getting smarter and staying closer to home. Most of the big Irish bars are down along the beach. I’m not complaining, we had a great night!

I’m sick again. I’ve been in bed and I’m going back there after I’m done checking my e-mails. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done when you’re trying to do too much. I burn the candle at both ends and it always catches up to me in the way of a sore throat or cold. I’ll rest this weekend. Last Sunday I went with JJ, a deva’s bartender, and some friends down to the beach. It was so nice hanging out by the water listening to live music. The food is really good too at Billy’s down on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). The band “The Jetson’s” played at deva’s a few times before, they are pretty good. It’s just such a small world. We also went over to Margaritaville and took over the dance floor for a while. That’s how a weekend day should always be.

Back to watching boring TV. If I see one more commercial for dental assistant school or for lawyers promising you millions of dollars, I’ll scream!

I attended a luncheon today for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Arthritis Foundation in Fountain Valley. One of our Federated ladies, Jeanne Graves is the President of the group and I went as her guest. I can’t believe how many truly wonderful people I keep meeting. These ladies are a terrific group and I believe the only “Women’s” Auxiliary for the Arthritis Foundation around. They are currently raising money to send children that suffer from arthritis to an outdoor camp called Camp Esperanza (Spanish for “hope”) up in Big Bear. Hopefully I can help somewhat, it’s difficult with my schedule. Anyway, I had a lovely time chatting with everyone today. It’s so fun to see the reactions from different people when they find out that I ran for governor. Most are at the least curious; some just think it’s wonderful. Of course there are the ones that roll their eyes, but oh well, maybe one day they won’t think it so funny when I actually accomplish the task of winning a race. I’m thinking politics, but if it comes down to it I may need to run a marathon (okay, walk, crawl, bicycle…).

The mixer was a huge event last night with at least a hundred tables. I had no idea how many people were going to be there. I saw several women all in red with flags at their table and I had to go see who they were. Of course they were Federated Women from Fullerton with a voter registration table. There were mostly financial planning people there. A good place for them would be right next to the Cadillac dealership people. They tried to talk me into buying a Caddy; they do have a nice convertible now. (And it’s really cheap-haha.) Anyway, I did find out that Casino Barona finally obtained their liquor license as of yesterday. I can’t believe they didn’t have one until now. Anyway, it was a good time.

Well, off to work!

This week is just flying by! I can’t seem to get any work done with the weather still so nice. I just got in the pool today-yeah! The water is only 78 degrees, but it’s got to be close to 90 degrees outside. I changed the filter and solar to stay on longer this week to heat up the pool. Can you tell I really like the sun?
Yesterday a bird landed next to me on the arm of my chair. I called a neighbor over because I thought maybe he belonged to someone. The poor thing, he just kept looking at me like he needed help. Sure enough my neighbor (and bird enthusiast) informed me it was a wild bird and he was injured. I didn’t want him to be my cat’s next meal so I shooed him into the corner behind some plants until he rested up enough to fly off. Poor little bird, hope he made it to safety.

Almost finished with the tax stuff. My appointment is on the 14th; I always seem to wait till the last possible minute. Well, not much new or exciting to report for this week. I am going to a huge Chamber Mixer tonight at Angel Stadium. It will be weird being there without a baseball game going on.

No wonder it seemed so nice yesterday, it was 93 degrees! I would love it to be like that all year around. My mother just moved from Florida to Tennessee because it was too hot. I can’t wait for “hot flashes’. I originally wanted to move to Florida and attend Daytona Beach Community College. Things don’t always go as planned, but I knew I’d end up somewhere warm.

Well, it’s “Happy Monday” again, so off to work!

What a gorgeous day today! It’s currently after 5pm and the temperature is still in the 80’s! It’s a welcome change from the cold, rainy weather we’ve had lately. I could’ve lain in the sun all day. Unfortunately, the search continues for the bottom of my desk! My taxes are due on the 15th of this month so I guess I better get started. Hey, I have a few more days left. Why do today what you can turn into a stressful emergency tomorrow? Really, I would’ve liked to complete this annoying tax thing earlier this year but I’ve been so busy. Then again, nothing makes me work harder than an upcoming deadline.

I’ve got to go back outside and enjoy this weather while I can. I can smell the neighbors BBQ, hear the other neighbors watering their yard, and I’m sure it won’t be long before the other neighbors start playing Mariachi music. Ahh, the sounds of summer. (We won’t discuss the noises coming from across the street. Let’s just say the 20 people living there should really return the 5 Big Lots shopping carts parked in front of their house!)

I think that overall the Election went well. At least the people were smart enough to see through Prop 56. The electronic voting machines had fewer problems than I thought they would. Some people pushed “Cast Ballot” instead of “Enter” after the first question and that meant they were done after that point. Oh, and the Democrats are stuck with John Kerry-hehehe! I’m sure they are thrilled to have a candidate they know little about except that he is as far left as Boxer.

The meeting yesterday went well. Both speakers were very informative. Dr. Barbara Stone was hilarious! I really enjoy listening to her; the students are lucky to have her at Cal State Fullerton.

I am sad that Rosario Marin didn’t win. She gave it a good try and I think she did an excellent job for her first run for office. Now it’s time to get behind Bill Jones. It’s going to be a battle to beat Boxer.

I had such a great time last night at the Election Party for the Republican Party of Orange County. I met so many wonderful people there. I spoke with Congressman Ed Royce to start with. He actually asked me if I was November on the Recall calendar. I made sure to point out that I am 2004 November, not last year’s November! I don’t need to be confused with Mary again. I had the pleasure of meeting Tom Fuentes, Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County. I spoke briefly with a very energetic Chuck DeVore and his lovely wife, Diane. There’s nothing like winning! Chuck’s energy was amazing; he will defiantly be going places! He will be representing the 70th District in the State Assembly. I’m so happy for Dr. Alexandria Coronado; she was winning the 47th District to challenge Loretta Sanchez. I should’ve mentioned her earlier; I can’t believe I left her out. I heard her speak at a luncheon and had the honor of meeting her last year. I hope she can get the word out to defeat Sanchez!

I think the biggest surprise of the night was when I just happened to be standing directly in front of the podium and Pete Wilson and his wife walked up on stage. He introduced Bill Jones and his family. I liked what Bill Jones had to say. Let’s hope California does too!

I almost forgot.......... Assemblyman Todd Spitzer was the charming host of the party. I didn’t manage to talk to him, as he was extremely busy. He’s defiantly the hottest looking Assemblyman! He, of course, has a very pretty wife.

Patricia Burnes, the President of OCFRW was there along with several of us Federated Women. I’m attending the meeting and luncheon tomorrow for the OCFRW, where the Honorable Bill Campbell, Orange County Board of Supervisors, Third District, will be a guest speaker. Dr. Barbara Stone will be the keynote speaker. She is great! If you ever get a chance to hear her speak-do it! I just love what she has to say; she is so funny as well. She is a Professor of Political Science and Member of the Executive Committee of the State Republican Party. Should be interesting!

I’m off to deva’s to get some work done.

Yeah! 57 & 58 passed!

Okay, today is the big day! I’ve been so busy this weekend with paperwork and payroll. Make sure you all get out there and vote! No, No, Yes, Yes! And vote for Rosario Marin for Senate! (She’s the one who signed your money-take a look.)

I can’t believe I actually watched my friend Michael Washington marry the love of his life, Valerie. I watched the ceremony “live” on the Internet on Saturday! The Internet is a wonderful thing. (I’ll have to thank Al Gore when I see him.)

Well, I’m off to the polls!

Last night I went with deva's bartenders Amy and JJ down to San Diego for Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp district was a good time! I’ll try to upload a picture of us at deva’s before we took the train down. They do not allow cameras at the event so I left mine at the bar. The most fun we had was being driven around by muscular men on bicycles that pull little carts. I distinctly remember JJ yelling “Mush” most of the way! It was so funny!



The latest on the Rosario Marin campaign is that she’s still going strong and gaining ground! Apparently the Bill Jones campaign is broke and his fundraiser with Arnold only raised $200,000, not the $1million he was hoping for. Too bad for him. I keep hearing Rosario’s ads on KFI, funny; I don’t recall anything from the Bill Jones campaign? That alone should tell people that Bill Jones doesn’t have a chance against Boxer and her millions. What is he thinking? The candidates running for Assembly in the 70th district have raised more money than Bill Jones! Chuck DeVore and Cristi Cristich are in a heated race for the 70th Assembly District, which covers a large Republican area from Tustin to Laguna Beach. I had the opportunity to hear them each speak along with the other candidates in the race at a luncheon at the end of last year. I have to say, and I think I mentioned this earlier, that Chuck Devore is an extremely impressive speaker. I like the fact that Cristi Cristich is a successful businesswoman. She also sent me a very complimentary note after we talked; I liked the personal attention. The one thing I think she will have trouble with is the fact she supported Bill Clinton. Not financially, but it doesn’t change the fact she did support him. Also, the fact that she had to send out an apology for having implied in a mailer that Rep. Chris Cox, R-Newport Beach supported her probably won’t help much either. Chuck on the other hand, is an “Absolute Republican.” I don’t know if that’s the best description, but it’s what comes to my mind. They both are strong individuals that oppose higher taxes and support business. To find out more on Chuck Devore you can go to www.ChuckDevore.com .

I live in the 69th Assembly District so I am voting for Otto Bade. He’s a business owner, former Police Officer, Vietnam Veteran, and has the support of many prominent Republicans. From Congressman Ed Royce, Senator Dick Ackerman, to Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, and the Orange County Lincoln Club. Too many to list, but he has great support. Most importantly he is against higher taxes and wants to protect Proposition 13! It’s going to be a tough battle in a district that’s something like 75% Latino, and mostly Democratic. Otto Bade, like Rosario Marin immigrated here at a young age, he came from Guatemala. I respect people that work hard and do well for themselves. Having to learn another language on top of that is even more impressive. This country is full of citizens who have so many opportunities to make something of themselves and they are Lazy! Instead of taking advantage of the countless opportunities surrounding them, they chose to live off of the rest of us hard working taxpayers. I have little sympathy for people who refuse to educate themselves and work hard, and then complain about their situation. Sure, sometimes people do need help, and we should try to help each other. You can’t help those who refuse to help themselves. My message to those people:
If you need a helping hand, look on the end of your arm!
I may sound a bit angry. It’s just that when I came to California I had no money. I worked my butt off! I actually had 5 jobs at one time because I wanted to do whatever it took to better myself. It really offends me when people make comments that I only got ahead because some “Sugar Daddy” must have helped me. I’ll stop here but I’ll write more on this subject later.

March 2nd is really closing in fast! I’m supporting Brett Franklin for County Supervisor. I haven’t seen the 1st District candidate forum with the candidates, but the OC Register today states that Adelphia will reply it on public access channel at 6:30pm tonight and on Sunday at 1pm.

Well, I’ve gone on and on today so I better get back to the never-ending paperwork!

2/21/2004 3:22 PM

The Election is so close now! Rosario has moved up in the polls quite a bit. Last I read Bill Jones was at 24%, while Rosario was at 12%, with a large number of people still undecided. There are a lot of people who don’t have a clue and don’t care. Hopefully they won’t go with the familiar name of Bill Jones. Jones only raised a little over $300,000, while Rosario has reached $1 million! Get out the word to vote for Rosario Marin on March 2nd! She is the only candidate that can beat Boxer!!

As for the propositions:

Easy!


55 NO!
56 NO! NO! and NO WAY! (Lowers the voting requirement to 55% from 2/3rds!)
57 YES! (This better pass or we’ll be hit with higher taxes!)
58 YES!

2/20/04

I currently have no Internet connection. Lovely. Happy Friday!

Anyway, I wanted to post an e-mail I received the other day from Captain Rice. He says it well……..

All,

I have officially landed in Kuwait, never to return to that accursed country called Iraq. Though I would never call it much of a country. M any a time I looked out across the great expanse of nothing and thought to myself or said out loud to no one in particular, "They can Keep it." I am in Kuwait for the next 30 plus days as the vanguard element for the 82D ABN in planning for their re-deployment outta here...

I trust all of you are well and have endured the long hard winter. We are doing fine and keeping it going to the final days here. I want to thank you all again for all of your support, e-mails, packages, and prayers, it meant so much more than any of you will ever know.

I will leave you with my final thoughts as I flew over the vast Iraqi desert, heading south and the first steps toward 'home'...As I looked out of the window, past the door gunner, starring down at the primitive mud huts and seeing the shepards tending to their flocks. I saw so many children and even adults waving and jumping with joy as we flew over. I also thought that there are others waiting in the midsts with RPGs waiting to shoot us down. I mulled over, we have handed them one of the most precious of all gifts, we have given them freedom. Like the two Iraqis in my thoughts so it is in this country some accept the newfound freedom joyfully, others shun it, possibly out of fear of what they do not understand or have never known. I thought, so we give them their freedom, the rest is up to them, whether they use it to build a new world, or throw it away and remain the savage people I had seen so many times...So many things left for time to tell. Time is the great equalizer, we will see if they will truly live it well....


Safe Journeys,
Bart

Well, mother, grandparents and baby are all doing just fine. Courtney came home from the hospital on Friday. There’s a picture of the baby under “messages” on deva’s website.

Friday night I went with some friends to the Grand Opening of “Club Vegas” in Costa Mesa. They handed out 1,000 VIP passes for the 7pm opening. Of course they had us all lined up around the building so they could take pictures and film the crowd for obvious reasons. Luckily we were in line with the wife of a manager of the club who got us in a lot faster. I just hate to wait in a line! The place is nice inside, I think they spent somewhere around a million dollars on the place. That would explain the $8.00 Red Bull I got to go with the $9.00 Stoli. That’s a bargain though compared to the $500 or $1,000 booths you can rent for the evening around the dance floor. They do have cocktail waitress service up there though, which is where I preferred to sit. Anyway, it was a fun place to go dancing.

We registered 21 Republicans yesterday in front of Target in Irvine. That brings the tally to 50 Republicans registered in a week! I did convert one Democrat to re-register Republican on Friday at deva’s. He even said he would vote for Rosario Marin-yeah!

I’ve got to get to Trader Joes and do the shopping in time so I can watch the All- Star NBA game tonight. Maybe it will be interesting.

Finally! Baby Shamus (I was right the first time) was born yesterday a little before 6pm. They figured out why he didn’t want to come out…………..he couldn’t. Shamus weighs 9lbs, 7oz, and is 22 inches long. What a big baby! Courtney is just a petite girl and they had to perform a Section on her. Good news is the baby is perfect!

Back to the hospital………………

So I went to the hospital last night around 9pm and the baby was a no-show. I spent the night laying on a fold out chair covered by hospital blankets as the air-conditioning blew right down on me. I’m trying to avoid getting sick again, but it’s difficult when you don’t sleep all night and the room is at 60 degrees! Courtney is holding up great considering the poor girl has been throwing up and having contractions for the last 16 hours! I came home to shower and try to rest; like I can rest at a time like this. I need to get ready and head back down to the hospital before Shaymus (I think I spelled his name wrong earlier) decides to grace us with his presence! That boy just does not want to come out yet.

Wow, have I been busy lately! I’ll try to keep this blog current from now on. My good friend and “sister” is ready to give birth any day now. Actually more like any minute, as she was due Jan. 30th. Courtney is just ready to burst! The baby’s name is Shamus, how Irish is that? Anyway I’m supposed to be there to make her laugh in the delivery room. I’ve been through this once before with my friend Whittney about 7 years ago. She recorded the birth and I kept saying, “I’m not ready yet!” after the doctor said, “Next push and you’re having a baby.” I was serious! Anyway, hopefully I can be there to make Courtney smile!

I went to a Lincoln Day luncheon last Thursday. Supervisor Chris Norby (Fourth District, OC Board of Supervisors) gave a speech on Lincoln and we all had to stand and recite the Gettysburg Address. I never really paid attention to the words before. Everyone should re-read it and really think about what it says.

The candidates for Senate running against Barbara Boxer were there, or a representative on their behave. Toni Casey was quit an impressive speaker, I like her. I don’t think she could beat Boxer though. Rosario Marin wasn’t there because she was giving a press conference at the Nixon Library. I couldn’t be in two places at once so I sadly missed her speech. You can read about it though on her website:

RosarioforSenate.com

She is the only candidate that can pull this off and oust Boxer!

I have to get going, I need to drop off Voter Registration cards to the Registrar’s Office! We registered 27 Republicans this weekend!

I’ve so got to get to work……….more later!

I know it’s been too long! Sometimes “life happens” and you just can’t do everything. I took off at the last minute to Las Vegas for the Super bowl! It was a blast! If you can’t have a great time in Vegas……………….stay home! Several friends and patrons were there so that made the trip even more entertaining. Nothing like watching the Super Bowl on a giant screen in the Cirque de Soleil venue at Treasure Island. They really take care of you during the game. Waitress service, appetizers, and big comfortable seats. Okay, I’m not that into football, but the commercials are always fun. The half-time show was a bit of a shock; I wasn’t sure what I was looking at when Justin pulled off part of Janet’s top. Things look blurry on a movie-sized screen.

Anyway, off to work………running late!

I just finished addressing all of the W-2’s and 1099’s to go out in the mail tomorrow. The fun never ends! I need to start figuring out what I’m going to do for our Super Bowl party this year. We will be having our 5th Annual Chili-Cook-Off during the game. It’s seems so weird to have Super Bowl Sunday in February.

I just finished another article about The Republican’s attempt to oust Boxer. I keep reading how Bill Jones is in the lead, especially after Arnold’s endorsement. At least one article from Saturday talked about how Jones didn’t have a chance and how Rosario Marin was our best bet. Well, one article is a start.

I’m trying to sell tickets to the Laker game on Wednesday night. They are the seats I had last time on the floor behind the Lakers bench. I really would love to go again but I’m too busyL I bought tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters as well, but that’s not until February 21st at The Pond. That should be a lot of fun; we’ll be in the front row. I used to watch them on TV with my father and brother all the time as a kid. I have no idea who any of the new players are. I remember Curly and Meadowlark Lemon the most.

Well, back to paperwork………………………..

I’ve been so busy with fun tax forms lately. DE 6, DE 7, 941, 940……………….you get the idea.
Last night was another fun filled evening at deva’s with karaoke and dancing. I’m feeling much better now, finally!

I dragged my best friend Leisa to the Chamber mixer on Thursday night at the OC Register. We took a tour of the building and it was quite interesting. I never realized how much work goes into the newspaper every day. It’s really amazing to get a look at tall the different departments, editors, graphic artists, writers, researchers, the many people running the presses (at 35 miles an hour by the way). Anyway, if you get a chance it’s a tour worth your while. I did run into two of the reporters that did stories on me during the election. George Stewart I knew already because he has been in deva’s several times for interviews. He writes a column as well for the Tustin News that’s pretty entertaining. The other reporter I spoke with on the phone only so it was nice to put a face with a name. Tustin’s Chamber mixers are becoming a fun event to attend-finally!

A few days ago I had the sudden craving for orange slices. While refreshing, sweet, and full of vitamin C, I usually don’t think about eating them. It’s obvious to me today why the sudden urge. In 1991, on January 19th, my father passed away from cancer. I was there, holding him as he let that last breath escape, never to inhale again. My father held on through the night of the 18th, I remember it like it was yesterday. He kept asking me what time it was, trying to look up at the clock. He clung to life a bit longer as to not die on the same date as his father did of cancer, for his mother’s sake. My grandmother never did recover from losing her husband and son. She lived several more years and fought off the depression repeatedly. My grandmother died on August 3, her birthday, of cancer.

You’re probably wondering why the orange slices………... My father was Coach Roger Renz, basketball coach at Findlay High School in Ohio. I remember my mother cutting up a bag full of oranges before every game for my father to take to the gymnasium for his players. Every half time the players went to the locker room for orange slices and Juicy Fruit gum. Sometimes for a reaming from my father if they weren’t playing up to their potential. I know it may sound a bit strange, but sometimes it’s the littlest things that remind you of someone. I certainly remember riffling through my father’s sports coat pockets searching for the Juicy Fruit. I can see that big Tupperware container sitting on top of his clipboard, where he drew the plays for the game, tucked under his arm as we made our way to the game. My father passed away during one of his team’s basketball games. They announced it after the game and the gymnasium, I was told, was full of silence and tears. He coached right through chemotherapy, right up until he went back into the hospital for the last time. The funeral was held in the gymnasium to accomadate the hundreds of people attending. There was a basketball on top of the casket in the middle of all the flowers. The casket was on the court, right under the basket, which seemed very fitting.

I have his leather jacket that I bought him for Christmas one year hanging in my closet. I took it from the hospital after he passed away (after a struggle from a horrible step mother, I don’t want to think of her today.) There’s still a piece of Juicy Fruit gum in the pocket. I miss my father very much; he was a great man who did everything in his power to help his players, students, family, and friends. I hope I can live up to what he accomplished. Most people never even knew how much he helped others until he passed away and the local radio station had an hour show where people called in to talk about him. Now that’s a true sign of a special human being. He was only 49 years old, never smoked, rarely touched any alcohol, exercised daily, ate healthy (was a health teacher), and our family grew our own vegetables. Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how healthy you try to be.

I’m going to go cut up an orange for breakfast.