Yesterday was my little brother’s birthday. So of course he received the usual “Happy Birthday Fool!” from his loving sister. I actually went to deva’s yesterday morning and announced to the morning crowd that I had sold the bar. I let their chins drop to the counter and put quite a scare in the morning bartender, Caroline (bless her heart, she just turned 66 two days ago) before I said the whole” April Fool’s” bit. The rest of the day they all pulled the same gag on the other regulars coming into the bar so we all had fun with it.

I am actually going to Sacramento this month for Advocacy on the 26th & 27th. This should be interesting; I’ve never been to the Capitol. Arnold will be at the luncheon on the second day I’m told. Finally, at least I’ll be in the same room with him. I’m so tired of everyone asking if I’ve met Arnold yet! The closest I’ve been to him was at his Car tax rally at the OC Fairgrounds during the campaign. All I could see was a car being smashed and a guy at the podium that I could barely make out. Anyway, I’m excited just to going up there and see how the legislature works.

I’m off to Camp Pendleton today to accompany a friend who just got back from Iraq and is on his way back in a few days. Thank God for Marines like him putting their lives on the line so we can enjoy our freedom!

National “Party for the President” Day is April 29th. I’m in the process of planning one at deva’s. We are going to have some fun that evening, we may end up chasing Democrats out of the bar. We will have campaign materials, bumper stickers, snacks, and sodas out in front of deva’s from 5pm until 8pm that night. Come on in if you’re in the area!

They had a rally today in front of Loretta Sanchez’s District Office to protest the fact that she voted against a Congressional Resolution (HR557) honoring U.S. Troops serving in Iraq. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it this morning. I got up at 7am but wasn’t feeling too well; I was at deva’s pretty late last night. I really wanted to be there to show my support. We need to get rid of this Sanchez woman! Dr. Alexandria Coronado is running against her. Hopefully I can help get out the word to vote for her, she’s a super lady! I don’t understand Sanchez at all. She actually has walked in the Tustin Veteran’s Day parade the last few years. She doesn’t know what she’s doing; a lot of people are upset with her.

People need to laugh more…………….



Subject: A Few Zen Thoughts for Those Who Take Life Too Seriously:



A Few Zen Thoughts For Those Who Take Life Too Seriously:


Save the whales. Collect the whole set.



A day without sunshine is like, night.



On the other hand..... you have different fingers.



I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.



42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot. .



I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Honk if you love peace and quiet.



Remember, half the people you know are below average.



He who laughs last thinks slowest.



Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.



The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.



I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.



Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.



Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7 of your life.



A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.



Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.



Get a new car for your spouse. It'll be a great trade!



Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.



Always try to be modest, and be proud of it!



If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.



OK, so what's the speed of dark?



How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?



If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.



When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.



Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.



Everyone has a photographic memory; Some just don't have film.



Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.



What happens if you get scared half to death twice?



I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.



I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.



AND THE ONE I RELATE TO THE MOST THESE DAYS - - -

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering "What the hell happened?!"

I took my acting teacher from Cypress College out to lunch yesterday. It’s nice to catch up on everything. I hadn’t been to the campus for a long time. Mark Majarian is a good guy, a real passionate teacher. We used to fight when I was taking his classes over 10 years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long! Anyway, I started taking his classes right after my father passed away so I had a ton of issues to deal with. If you can’t afford therapy, join a good acting class! I think Mark helped me quite a bit, of course I didn’t know it at the time. I would storm out of class, or he would throw me out. One time he actually made me come to class for 2 weeks wearing no makeup, perfume, high heels, hairspray, jewelry, etc. It was either that or be thrown out of his class permanently because he said I used all that stuff to mask the real person underneath. Well, I did it. I didn’t like it, but I did it. He was right too. Oh well, that was a long time ago.

I went over to Chat Noir last night to meet one of my liquor salesmen for an Effen Vodka. It’s still my favorite vodka, black cherry with a hint of vanilla-yum. I just love that restaurant; it means “Black Cat” in French. I’m not a big “French” fan, but I really enjoy this place. They have live jazz, it’s really dark with red velvet booths and curtains, and there are candles everywhere. The food is quite tasty as well. Thursday nights are too busy, they actually have a line out the back door and a DJ because it’s so crowded you can’t even walk through the place and you wouldn’t be able to hear any jazz. I don’t like lines; I refuse to stand in line. They were having a private party for St. John last night. They are having a Fall 2004 fashion show today at the Bren Events Center at the University of California, Irvine. I’m staring at my invitation laying here on my desk wishing I had one good St. John’s Knit suit. I’m too tired to drag myself down there today.

Another example of just how small the world really is: as I was sitting at the bar yesterday at Chat Noir, two older gentlemen with heavy Polish accents kept motioning for me to come over to their table. I stood up and said, “ I know you” as I pointed at one of them. They laughed thinking yeah, sure, she must use that line on all the older, rich looking future sugar daddies that she hits on. Anyway, I said, “You’re George.” And I thought he was going to have a heart attack. I then proceeded to tell him his last name, that he drives a green Land Rover, and where he used to live. By now, they are both going into shock. So, I let them down easy. As it turns out that I bought my house from George and his wife 5 ½ years ago. They sold the house to me because they liked me and I promised to not change anything that he had done to the house. George was so cute; he had been saving some bathroom fixture for me at his new house because it matched my house. I also got busted because he had driven by and seen where I had to cut down all his precious bottlebrush and pepper trees that destroyed all the cement with their massive roots. Anyway, he wants to retire to Europe and wants me to look at their house before they put it on the market incase I want to buy it. Funny how things work out. He wants to sell me their house again because he spends all his time on little Home Depot projects and knows I’ll appreciate his work. How sweet.

I’m feeling a little better today. A weekend of movies is just what I needed. The movie Pay It Forward was really good. It’s sort of a chick flick, but it’s well worth watching! I can’t believe I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time the other day. I liked it; it seemed so ahead of its time. Last night I watched We Were Soldiers. Not a good movie to watch right before you try to go to sleep. Mel Gibson is such a great actor, but the movie was so sad. Makes you think what is really important in life. Well, that’s it for the movie reviews.

Question: Why do I receive hundreds of e-mails for Viagra? What is wrong with these marketing people exactly? If I don’t respond to the first 500 ads, I’m probably not going to buy from them. I have people telling me not to click on the “unsubscribe,” because then the company will know that they have a good address. If those companies are paying attention to this I have something to say:


I don’t need prescription drugs
From singles networks, I don’t need hugs
I don’t need to refinance my house
No exterminators for a mouse
Omaha Steaks on sale again
A new car, I just can’t win
Printer ink by the ton
Victoria Secrets………well, I like that one

Happy Monday!

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.