Day Two Hundred Two

Dear Readers,
      Another busy day today, but a very pleasant day with my wife.  At least half day that is.  I spent this morning playing  soccer.  Yup, you heard me right.  I play soccer from time to time.  With the guys from work.  It started a couple years ago, maybe a little less.  My boss from work challenged another department to a soccer match.  So we started playing from time to time.  Eventually playing the other department three times.  We even had a trophy and uniforms, the whole bit.  It was pretty goofy, but it was a good time getting out and doing something active and competitive.  We hadn't played in months and then this week they just decided that they wanted to start playing again.  So we spent this morning playing a game of soccer.  It was stinking hot and I was winded way to quickly.  I really need to hit the gym hard after my class is done in a couple of weeks.  I had a good time, even though I am completely terrible at soccer.  That's what happens when you have heavy feet like I do.
      Afterwards, Raina and I went to the Rip Curl outlet in Santa Ana.  I had bought a pair of shorts a few weeks back, then I wore them on our way up to Berkeley two weeks ago.  While on our way up, I noticed a draft in my shorts on my right leg.  The seam on my right leg had come undone and was leaving a gaping hole.  It was a real bummer because I really liked those shorts.  I knew I wasn't going to be able to find the same ones since it was an outlet.  At least when I took it back they gave me a credit that was for more money than I originally paid for them.  This time it paid to not have a receipt.  We did a little shopping, I bought Raina a fancy new jacket and myself a new shirt.  I couldn't find a good pair of shorts in my size to replace the torn ones, even though that is what I really wanted. 
      Raina and I also finally got our running shoes that we have been talking about getting for months now.  I was supposed to get a new pair before we did our half marathon in February.  My parents gave me some money for a new pair of shoes for Christmas and I am now finally cashing in on that.  We get our shoes at Roadrunners in Costa Mesa.  They specializing in running gear.  I even went through their little testing process to help you figure out which shoe is best for you, based on how you run and the way your feet are shaped.  It must have been difficult for them to find the proper shoe for my awkward wide feet.  They did though and I loved my shoes.  I definitely got my moneys worth.  They don't make the same shoe anymore, so I had to get a new shoe that is comparable to the pair I used to wear.  Hopefully I will get the same kind of mileage out of these bad boys.
      We topped off our afternoon together with a trip to Sonic's for a cherry slush and some tator tots.  They make the best cherry slush and who doesn't love getting their food served to them in their car.  You don't even have to get out.  Just hit the button, order your food, roll down the windows and relax until your food shows up.  They even roll up on roller skates.  Just wish there was one closer to home.

This Day In History: 1985
Treasure hunters find the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank 40 miles off the coast of Key Yest, Florida, in 1622.  They also discovered her cargo of $400 million in coins and silver ingots, the biggest underwater jackpot in history.

Born This Day: 1938
Natalie Wood - American actress

"There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice."

-Mark Twain

I love Obi Wan.

Day Two Hundred One

Dear Readers,
      I have the pleasure of having another guest blogger today.  My father in law, Mark.  I think he actually enjoys doing these and am guessing this won't be the last you hear from him.  So enjoy the words of Mark Piliavin.

      I'd like to thank David for the privilege of allowing me to be a guest blogger again. I originally thought the idea of beard blogging, and sharing ones existence under the pretext of growing a beard, was pretty dumb. For a quasi intellectual like David, he would be able to share his world like normal people. With speech. As I started to read his blogs, I began to change my original opinion. I got a chance to get a real glimpse into by daughter's life, what she's doing, what she's feeling, even though I don't see her or talk to her as much as I used to before she got married. It's actually quite enjoyable, and I do look forward to reading the blogs. I don't quite understand why it's turned into a roast of certain people. I realize it's supposed to all be in fun, blah blah, but some of it can rub people the wrong way. Matt and Chris's attempt to counter the blog, started out funny, but all I could think of was almond joy's, and phrases that Matt had never heard before, which led me to curtail my language around  certain people. Back to  the "fear the beard" thing. As David's beard continues to fester out of control, it's not fear I'm feeling. It's more like curiosity. Curiosity, in the manner of how and what to compare his beard to. The first thing that comes to mind is a pumpkin with hair all over it. No shape, no style, just a mass of  tangled, discolored yuck. Kind of like the mangroves that you see in the bogs in New Orleans. I than thought of a colander full of cooked noodles, but I enjoy that, so forget it. All the pictures that David has enclosed showing beards, show beards that look decent. They have a nice shape to them, and look distinguished. That is not a word I would use on David's. I've offered to pay him to at least shape the thing, but he refused. I even thought of having Brent / Brandon / Matt and myself hog tie him in the middle of the night, and shape it for him. I'd upset my daughter though, and anyone who knows Raina would not like the wrath that would surely follow. Anyway, I'm waiting for the day it gets shaved. Gillette ought to do a commercial. It might take 47 blades so their idea of a sharp edge would go down the drain. Maybe a tool company with a titanium blade would like a shot at it. Or a saw company. I'll sell tickets.

This Day In History: 1879
"Doc" Holliday commits his first murder, killing a man for shooting up his New Mexico saloon.  Despite his formidable reputation as a deadly gunslinger, Holliday engaged in only eight shootouts during his life, and it has only been verified that he killed two men.

Born This Day: 1814
Samuel Colt - American inventor of the colt revolver handgun.

"A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends."

- Baltasar Gracian

Mark's great-grandfather, Lazer.  What a cool name.  I hope I spelled it right.  Either way, he is sporting a pretty awesome beard.  Time for Mark to grow his out.

Day Two Hundred

Dear Readers,
      It is fitting that my 200th day of bearding and blogging is not only a milestone, but also a fantastic day of Batman.  Yes, I went to see The Dark Knight Rises tonight and had a great time.  Remember what I said about my predictions being purely coincidental if they are true?  Well I am not telling if they actually came true.  In fact, I am not going to give anything away so as to ruin someone's experience of seeing the movie for the first time.  I am not even going to say if it was better than the last movie.  I will just say that I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed watching it.  All two hours and forty four minutes of it. 
      I actually got more love for my shirt then my beard today.  Only one person acknowledged the greatness that is my beard.  While eating a late lunch, at Killer Shrimp, one of the waitresses asked how long I had been growing it and then complimented it.  Always great to hear from a fan.  The shirt on the other hand, got me about five or six compliments today.  In fact, while leaving the theater before the film started, to get some snacks, I asked the security guy outside if they would let me back in or if it was one of those things where you couldn't come back in once you left.  He then proceeded to tell me that it was no problem, especially for Batman.  He actually called me Batman, because of the shirt.  Then as I came back into the theater, the same security guy just let me in, saying that Batman was good to go.  It was pretty funny.  Another guy wanted a picture of the shirt.  He had noticed it while we were standing in line.  The love for Batman is out there, even if it is just a Batman shirt.  Think about it.  Batman is just a regular guy with a lot of money.  It leaves that little bit of hope that even we could do something like he has done.  If only we were dedicated enough.  That glimmer of hope that we could become a superhero too is what makes him so appealing to people.  I know I wish I could train and train and train, then study and study and study to become the master detective that he is.  Another one of my many dreams.  Either way, go see the movie.  It will be worth every penny you spend.

This Day In History: 1986
The remains of RMS Titanic are seen by the world for the first time as videotapes of the British luxury liner are released by researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.

Born This Day: 1918
Nelson Mandela - South African president.

"The richest man is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least."

-Unknown Author

My now famous shirt.

Our awesome lunch at Killer Shrimp and as Raina said earlier today, "We killed that food."

Day One Hundred Ninety Nine

Dear Readers,
      I was able to spend a little time watching TV last night, because I was able to finish my blog in class and finish my homework in class, which gave me a little free time.  I have been giving my sister in law, Brooke, a continuously hard time for being such a big Harry Potter fan.  The fact is, is that I have wanted to watch the Harry Potter movies for a while now.  I just didn't want to start and then wait for the next movie to come out.  I wanted to wait for them to all come out and then watch them in a row.  Then I would read the books, because the books are always better then the movies.  I figured if I had read the books first, like most people did, then I wouldn't enjoy the movie as much.  So, last night in my little bit of free time, I watched the first Harry Potter movie.  At least I started it.  I began to fall asleep half way through the movie.  I am not sure if it was because the movie bored me or if I was just that tired.  I am thinking that I was just that tired, because the movie wasn't really boring as much as just an introduction movie that was done over eleven years ago.  I'm sure it will be enjoyable, but I fear it will be sub-par in comparison to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Late at night is probably not the best time to be watching these movies and trying to keep up with them.  I am sure I am missing things that the average fan of the books is getting.  It's just like when Brandon and I make a joke or comment that only an avid Star Wars fan will get.  Pretty nerdy of us, but I am sure Brooke would be the same way if she had a fellow Potterhead to joke with.  Just the other day I caught a little bit of one of the other Harry Potter movies.  It was on TV and I watched for a little bit, but I had to ask what a "muggle" is.  Anybody who has seen the movies from the beginning will know this.  Since I hadn't at the time, I had to text Brooke to find out the answer.  If you haven't seen the movies or read the books, it is a person that has no magic ability.  Whatever.  I can't believe I spent my blog talking about Harry Potter.
      On to something infinitely better.  I am going to see the new Batman movie tomorrow.  I can't wait.  It is worth skipping the class, even if I might fall behind.  Now Batman is a subject I am much happier discussing.  My love of Batman began many years ago, when the old school TV show with Adam West was on.  Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!  It was a goofy show, but I loved every minute of it.  Bam, biff, pow, wham and all the other silly words used to describe Batman and Robin putting a beat down on Gotham's criminals.  For those of you who know what I am talking about, remember the "shark repellant"?  Yes, he actually had a spray can that could be used to keep sharks away.  All those goofy gadgets and gizmos.  Although, you can't deny that even that version of the Batmobile was pretty stinking cool.  It was a convertible for Pete's sake.  There wasn't even any doors to it.  They just hopped in and out over the side of the car.  Then it shot flames out of the back rocket engine.  I wish I could have a car just like that.  Maybe someday.  I can dream.

This Day In History: 1968
The Beatles' animated film Yellow Submarine premieres in London, England.  In the movie's psychedelic fantasy, The Beatles save Pepperland from the evil Blue Meanies.

Born This Day: 1952
David Hasselhoff - Actor, singer producer, businessman.

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."

 - Benjamin Franklin

Even Rocky grew a beard out to defeat a giant of a Russian.

Day One Hundred Ninety Eight

Dear Readers,
      What is it about Mondays that we dread so much?  Is it really just because most of us have to go back to work?  Has Monday been tainted so badly that we automatically find Monday to be a downer?  Especially after a long weekend, Mondays are really hard to get back into the swing of things.  I am never ready to go back to work after the weekend.  After that first day is out of the way though, I am ready to go.  It is the whole stopping for the weekend that wears on me.  Especially since most of my weekends are three day weekends, due to how my schedule works and because of our furloughs. I think that work schedules should be amended for this.  Possibly work half days as our first day of the week.  Then Mondays wouldn't seem so long.  Maybe we could do as the Spanish do, and have a siesta in the middle of the day.  I'm not sure how great that would be though.  Stopping in the middle of the workday.  I guess we would miss the hottest part of the day, for those of us who work outdoors, but then the work day wouldn't end until later and you might feel like you have less time to do things in the evening.  I think I would rather work through to finish my work sooner and then go home sooner.  So, I'm gonna go with the half day Monday idea.  Maybe we wouldn't dread it so much.  If only I was in charge of everything.  I know there are minor things you would like to see changed to, or at least try.  What might those be?
      I just realized as I am sitting here typing this, that my teacher actually takes off his shoes while teaching from his computer.  He literally kicked them off and let out a sigh of relief.  Maybe his shoes are too small for his feet, or maybe at his age they swell from standing for too long.  Who knows, I just thought it was funny that as professional as he dresses for the class, that there is a moment of relaxation for him in kicking off his shoes.  At least it isn't him unbuttoning his top button on his pants for comfort. 
      Does anybody watch American Ninja Warrior?  I think that is one of the coolest things out there.  I wish I could just go run the obstacle course for fun.  Just to see how far I could get.  I am no where in as good as shape as those guys doing it.  Nor do I have the kind of balance that they possess.  It just looks like a lot of fun and would love to challenge myself at it.  I have been telling myself that I want to train for it, just like I wanted to train to be on American Gladiator back in the day.  It just isn't working out.  I watch some of the home videos of these guys and most of them don't have real jobs and are able to spend most of their time training for this obstacle course.  How do they get by in life with that much time spent training.  Some of these guys actually built certain parts of the obstacle course in their backyards to train specifically for it.  I wish I could have more time in the day for that.  Maybe that can be another thing I could wish for.  That the hours in the day would increase to thirty six instead of twenty four.  So much more time for activities!  Wouldn't it be great if the days were that much longer?  Then we could spend twenty four hours awake doing productive things and twelve hours a night spent sleeping.  If only.  Then I could start my training in Parkour.  Running and jumping all over ten story buildings and playgrounds.  I'll just keep dreaming.

This Day In History: 1926
The American magazine National Geographic prints the first underwater color photographs.  The pictures were taken off the Florida Keys.

Born This Day: 1907
Orville Redenbacher - American popcorn gourmet and tycoon.

"There are no small parts.  Only small actors."

-:Ginger Rogers

If this guy can do it, then so should I.

Day One Hundred Ninety Seven

Dear Readers,
      We had a very full day today.  Starting off with our morning run.  We woke up early and took off for three miles.  It was nice to get out and do something physically active.  I had been cooped up indoors during the week because of class.  At least I get to work out in the open.  My workouts have been lacking though.  After our run, it was a pleasant Sunday church service at Calvary Chapel Refuge.  We are really enjoying the studies and worship there.  I think as the weeks go by it is becoming more evident that this is the church for us, at least for now.  Time will tell if we actually become involved here. 
      The next part of our day is what made it such a great day.  We spent our afternoon at the park.  Picnicking and playing outdoor games and sports.  Picked up some sandwiches and snacks at the Sprouts in Rossmoor and headed to the park.  It was a really beautiful day, with the sun out and a nice breeze.  It was great hanging out with friends throwing the Frisbee around, trying to figure out how to throw it straight, and tossing the football around.  We even got a new Bocce Ball set that we busted out for the first time today.  That is actually a really fun game for a group of people.  Tossing some balls around, trying to get it close to the little white one.  Even knocking your friends balls out of the way.  Liz actually turned out to be a ringer, beating us more than half the time.  Raina had also picked up a set of assorted outdoors games from Target the other day.  It included Hi Li, lawn darts, badminton, and a set of those things that go on your hand with Velcro on them that are used to catch a tennis ball thrown back and forth.  I had always wanted one of those as a kid, so I got to live out my fantasy of playing with one as an adult today.  We had a blast today, and have even talked about going back next Sunday.  There was only one bad part about the whole day.  I got stung by a bee, while running to catch a Frisbee.  I had taken my sandals off, because it was too hard to run around on the grass with them.  So, while running around barefoot I must have stepped on a bee and had it sting me.  I never saw the bee, but I did see the stinger and had to pull it out of my foot.  It was not a pleasant experience.  Thankfully I am not allergic and don't even notice it now.  Other than that, it was a fantastic day.  Getting out of the house and doing something active.
      Those Velcro pads for catching the tennis balls came in handy while just sitting around in the shade.  We would sit in the shade just throwing the ball to each other.  At one point, there was a time where they put the pads on their feet and tried to catch the ball that way.  The only one extremely proficient at catching a ball that way was Brooke.  She could swing that leg over and snatch the ball out of the air.  Her husband, Brandon, attributed it to her monkey features.  Brandon should never have said that, because I did not let her hear the end of it.  Every time she caught or threw the ball I would make monkey noises.  I even went as far as to ask the waiter if Brooke could have the Bananas Foster for desert because she had been looking forward to it.  We went to dinner with Brandon and Raina's dad afterward.  It was pretty funny.  Either way, it took great skill to catch a ball that way.  Now if only she could throw the ball just as well with her foot.

This Day In History: 1916
Pacific Aero Products, which will be renamed the Boeing Company, is founded in Seattle, Washington, by William Boeing.

Born This Day: 1606
Rembrandt - Dutch artist

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

-Theodore Roosevelt

Some pictures of our day at the park.

Micah and I playing Hi Li.

Getting ready for Bocce Ball.

Throwing the ball around.

Throwing the ball around and Micah pouncing my sister.

Trying to play badminton.

Throwing the Frisbee around, right before I got stung.

Brandon showing off his Frisbee skills.

Chris launching a bullet of a Frisbee at me.

Day One Hundred Ninety Six

Dear Readers,
     Spent my morning helping a friend move out of their apartment today.  Raina and I have really started a trend.  There is another couple heading out from their own place to live with their aunt and uncle to save money.  We may have created a monster with all this moving out stuff.  Maybe with one fell swoop we can save the real estate market, thus helping out the economy and ending the recession that we have been in for what seems like four years now.  If only it could be saved that simply.  Anyways, I went over this morning to load up the last of the heavy stuff into their U Haul truck and then unload everything at their new home in Downey.  Speaking of Downey, there are some sneaky nice neighborhoods in Downey.  I was driving down Firestone Blvd, following our friend Jacob, when we made a right turn into what seemed like a teleportation portal.  I was sent into a stinking nice neighborhood, just off the ghetto area of Firestone.  It is like the Bixby Knolls in Long Beach version in Downey.  If you live here in Southern California you will get that reference.  For those of you who don't, Bixby Knolls is this fantastic neighborhood with double wide streets and huge houses, right in the middle of all the ghetto that is Long Beach.  This neighborhood in Downey was the same way.  I had heard there were nice neighborhoods in Downey and now I have finally seen one of them.  If I didn't have to live so close to my work, I would actually consider living in that area someday.  It was awesome, and with reasonable pricing.
      I also went to see The Amazing Spider-Man tonight.  It was really good.  Much better than the last three with Tobey Maguire.  Especially that last one.  They really ruined what could have been a great movie with that last one.  So, I do recommend seeing this new one.  I like the actor portraying the new Spider-Man and am hoping they continue this series of Spider-Man in a much better fashion.  It was a great two hours of geeking out and action eye candy.  Maybe just a little bit too much of the love story for my taste.  It could have done with a little less of that and more fight scenes with The Lizard.  Anyways, here is to a better franchise of Spider-Man movies.  Do it right this time.  Less of Peter Parker being a pansy.

This Day In History: 1881
American outlaw William H. Bonney ("Billy the Kid") is shot by his former friend Patrick Floyd Garrett.

Born This Day: 1913
Gerald Ford - 38th U.S. President

"When I was a little boy, they called me a liar, but now that I am grown up, they call me a writer."

-Isaac Bashevis Singer

Check out all these great beards of the Civil War.