The Happiest Place on Earth?

So, my wife convinced me to go to Disneyland the day after Thanksgiving. I figured it was a good tradeoff since I convinced her to skip the family trip to San Francisco. I agreed since I thought well, with airfare, transportation, misc. Expenses, and possible hotel cost, it was the cheaper way to go. Heck, we where 1 1/2 hours away from Disneyland; how expensive could it be. Well, it was.
The first sign was that all the hotels within a 5 mile radius of Disneyland was sold out. Fortunately, we managed to book a room a few weeks back. Another sign was that we where not going by ourselves. My wife ask both her brother as well as mine to come along. Sounds fun as well as extra hands, I thought to myself. With my son being 2 1/2, I needed all the help I can get. Now, I know my brother might read this blogg, but he will agree, right now, he is currently financially challenged, and a free Disney getaway sounds like a good deal. And oh, yeah, her brother is also financially challenged and is currently full time college student. With 2 separate hotels(Don't ask), tickets, ,meals( which I tried alleviating by bringing our own food of Pandesal with your choice of either tuna or ham; chips and drinks included), gas and financially those little nick nack expenses along the way, it ended up costing more than the trip to the bay area. Did I mentioned the fact that there where so many people at Disneyland, they actually had to stop selling tickets by NOON. Imagine that, I theme park deemed it necesessary to stop selling tickets because they just could not fit any more people in the park.....that is crazy.

But you know what, it was all worth it. When my son saw Mickey Mouse(which we stood in line for over 1 hour), his starstruck happy face was priceless. And when we tried leaving to go back to the hotel to rest, he did not want to leave. Overall it turned out to be a great time, and we actually all had fun. Especially after we got back and heard the stories from the in-laws who decided to drive to the bay area,with 8 hours each way, for Thanksgiving. Lets just say its the typical waiting for everyone and accomplishing little or nothing. All of a sudden, Disneyland wasn't so bad, in fact it might even be the happiest place on earth...for just that thanksgiving weekend at least.

Turkey Bowl 2005

Every year, a bunch of guys get together and play flag football and relive the glory days when men where men and ice cream was 15 cents at Thrifty( Remember that?). Anyways, the last time I played with these guys where many many many years ago. Back then, my legs where still working somewhat, and I still had some "Athletic Ability" to back it up. I looked good when I played. Had 2 touchdown catches, and I think an interception to boot. I gave it all I got. The next day, I was a paraplegic( I apologize to all the truly are). I could not move my legs. I literally had to use my hands to get my legs out of the car. It was painfully. And I told myself I will never do that again.
Now, fast forward four years later, my buddy Alvin again invited me to play. ( I normally turned him down every year). This time, we where gonna play in honor of a fallen friend, and I was not going to turn that down. But, I was under the impression that there where about 30 people that might show up and I figure I could substitute once in a while. Well, I was wrong. Only 13 guys showed up and I played the whole way through. But this time, I am less athletic, less on the legs, and even less on the drive. With one interception to my credit, the rest of the day I was getting beat. I could not cover anyone( I wore tennis shoes...duhh), nor could I get peoples flag as they ran by me. It was a sad day. And to top it of, I have to go to Disneyland tomorrow with my wife and kid. That means walking all day long. I wonder if they will give me one of those electric wheelchair, so I can ride around the park tomorrow. Pathetic, I know. Oh well. Have a great TURKEY DAY....I will post later on how I did at Disneyland. Wish me luck.

XBOX 360

So about 5 months ago, I went into EB games store and saw ads for the new XBOX 360. Now, a little about myself; I am the ideal target market for Microsoft and Sony game systems. I am in my mid 30's(Yikes) and I have owned practically every gaming system as far back as ATARI. Then I had CALICO VISION, NINTENDO/ SUPERNINTENDO, SEGA Genesis then DREAMCAST, PLAYSTATION I, PLAYSTATION II, and finally, the XBOX( I may have forgotten 1 or 2 systems in between). Most of the games I play are competitive sports games like football, basketball, golf, and even hockey. My friends and I at one point where playing for the right to keep a stupid trophy. We would play for hours and hours. We all had to work the next day, but we just kept playing. Looking back, it was just fun times.

The average cost per unit is about $200. This is not including the games, which mind you, cost about $50 each; I had over 100 games. If you do basic numbers, I have spent over $6,000. Now if you invested that money for ten years in the stock market and earn a modest 8% return compounding every year..... I am thinking I should have over $20,000 right now......and that, my friend, is in no way sad.

Back to my point; I was in the store looking for a used game when I saw the sign that said " XBOX 360 first shipment sign up". At first, I wanted to sign up like I usually do for these things. But for some reason I thought well maybe I had outgrown this. Maybe, I am more mature now and being a father and a husband...its nonsense and not practical. I mean, it was over $300 without even any games included. I could buy a lot of other things with that. The other thought was maybe on the release date, I can just go to any store and buy one. So, for the first time, I walked away.

A few months later, I went back to the store to waste some time and curiously asked how the list was going, and the salesperson said that they are on their second shipment date and that the first list is closed. I felt a slight panic in the pit of my stomach, but again I said to myself that I don't have the time and that I can always buy it after the hoopla dies down. But just in case, I put my deposit and name down for the second shipment list......Just in case.

A month ago, I was in another game store with my brother in law who inquired about the Xbox 360, and the salesperson arrogantly replies that If you where not on the first 3 signing list, then who knows when. In my mind, I felt a little comfort knowing that I had reserved one. All was well. A week before the November 22 release date, I received a call from a recorded message stating that I was on the second list, but unfortunately, Microsoft is not releasing as much as promised, so therefore I may not get a call till next year. I don't know why, but a sense of urgency overcame me, and I started calling around. The best anwer I got was "GOOD LUCK WITH THAT"

Again, I overcame my feelings and life went back to normal. The day before the release, I was at Best Buy returning something when I noticed a line outside the building. It was a line for the release of Xbox 360. I mean these poor souls will wait outside the store for a whole day just to buy this thing...That's just crazy. Then that night I was watching the news at around 11:30, when they had a report on these people all over San Diego waiting in line for the console. For a brief moment I said to myself...I can just hop in the car and down the street is TARGET, I can wait it out. But again, I stopped myself.

The next morning seemed calm. The day started with me dropping off my kid at pre-school, then I thought maybe I can just swing by Target just to see if by chance there are any left. When I asked someone, he literally laughed at me...."You poor little man you, don't you know anything? It sold out last night". That comment set of something in me. The rest of the day I spent calling and driving to every location I can think of. As you may expect, It was sold out everywhere....And I mean everywhere. My brother, who pitys me called his girlfriend who lives in South Dakota to find out if any one has them there. We figured......It's South Dakota. Nobody plays video games there. Turns out that people in the United States and even around the world actually plays video games. I mean I thought I was the only one....go figure.

Ebay is now selling them for over $1,000 (Smart people). I am not there yet. For now, I have to live with the fact that I had a chance to reserve it and I did not. Lessoned learned. There is one thing I realized....I am a gamer for LIFE. I will be playing these consoles with my children and eventually, my grandchildren. This is who I am, and hopefully the tradition continues with my son. My brother told me that its a part of my life that has great memories attached to them. I believe that.
I will continue buying the newest and latest console in the market, this time without hesitation. If your a gamer like me, Its not worth the stress. Trust me.

Think before you speak

Ever said anything that you wish you can take back. Yeah, I did one of those. Stupid is stupid does. Story goes like this, a business opportunity presented itself to me and the first thing I did was to say yes without thinking things through. Well, as you might guess, "After Further Review" ( Football term), it turns out that its more of a risk than an opportunity. Good for me that I realized it early on, bad for the person that I committed to. Now, my concern is that it will have a negative impact in our relationship as friends. I mean, after I realized it, and I had gone over it in my head a million times how I can make it work, but I just had a bad feeling about it. I even just considered doing it to save face. I swear, sometimes I wish I could just be a jerk about things and not care too much. I over analyze things that does not even warrant any analyzing in the first place. My life is complicated inside my head...I'm a chick...noooooooooooo!!!!!
So, life goes on. I will just have to figure out how to make it up incrementally. Some would even say don't bother or just move on, but you can blame my parents for making me a "Guilty" conscious person. Thanks mom and dad...love yah!!!

Early reflection of 2005

I know its early to start looking back on 2005, but I can't help thinking where this year for me went. I was talking to my brother the other day, and we where thinking about things that stood out this year, and it actually took me a while to remember any outstanding experience. Maybe its because these last few months have been filled with negative news. Obviously, the loss of a good friend to cancer was the main downer for this year. Another close friend of mine lost his job and might have to move away. My mothers continual struggle to accept the fact that money does not grow on tree's and retirement on a fixed income does not mean unlimited spending spree. OK, that was uncalled for; sorry mom. Well, we did do some interesting things early in the year. My son started preschool this year...Over $800 a month for school...That's insane. We where able to also do a family getaway, we used our "Points" for 2 free nights stay at a Hotel in Seattle,WA. We even upgraded to the "Meg Ryan" Sweet. Apparently, when they where filming the movie "Sleepless in Seattle", that was the room that she stayed in. (Wow, that was useless trivia).

Okay, so what else...We visited family in the bay area. Note, try not to accept family offers to stay at their home. Its better to get your own hotel and transportation....Just trust me on that one. Oh, yeah...I won two trophies for playing golf with 2 of my buddies. I mean it' s pretty pathetic, I got these guys into golf a couple of years ago, and now they are even better than I am. Not that I was any good. But when it came down to it, I actually am better when it came to game time. So, here is how it started; at first it was about money...$20 per person for a total of $80 pot. Then we took it to the next level by buying trophies, and having home courses and naming tournaments....I mean its crazy. You would think that we where shooting around the 80's or even 90's, ....Try 105 the last game. But its all good. You know its fun, and that's what counts. I cannot wait to have my son go out there with me. Well, I guess more things to look forward to.
Maybe we can grow this thing, and make something out of it, who know. Well, more to come later.

Goodbye Jordan

I went to a funeral yesterday. It was an exhausting day. Lots of tears and hugs and reflection about a good friend who has touched many lives. Darrel Jordan Childs was one of those guys that once you met him, you get the sense that this guy was special. He has that "infectious" personality. He was a great guy. We all use to play poker once a month ( that's all we can really get away with our wives) and Jordan was the "MAN". He knew all the games, and he seemed to be teaching us a new game every time we met. His mantra was " YOU'VE GOTTA PAY TO PLAY". And he did. Often he will be so into the game that he has to "DOUBLE DIP". Which means that he has to go into his pocket and take out more money, because he lost all of his initial ante, but often times as well, we all double dip. But that is how he lived his life. It was always fun, and it was a privilege to have shared those times with a man that all of us agree makes us want to be a better human being.
Jordan left behind a wife and two beautiful children. That I guess is what hits home for me. He is a little older than I am and I can't imagine what his family is going through. I have a son, and it kills me to think about my wife raising my son without me. Life is not fair sometimes. They always said that god takes the good ones first. So, I think I will have to assault a few old ladies once a month, and maybe start lying about my golf scores. Or does it have to be drastic in order to prolong my life in this earth.

Jordan died of Cancer. I know so many now that died of Cancer that was close to me. It sucks. People say," you have to live your life everyday as if its your last day". But its harder than it sound. even though, I'm gonna give it a shot. You just don't know how long your gonna be in this world, might as well make the best of it. So, to Jordan...I promise to try to live my life a little fuller, a little brighter, and with more purpose because that's how you where. Thank you for everything that you shared with all of us.....The friendship, the wisdom, the disagreements, the laughters, poker, golf, football, video games, movies, business, family, and your kindness. You are still "THE MAN" and we will never forget you. Goodbye my friend.....You can rest assure that your family will be taken care of. You left behind a lot of friends and family that cared for you and your family. God needed you back sooner than expected. You have affected so many peoples lives in a positive way and you will always be an inspiration to me and my family. We will miss you and hope that someday we will all see each other again. I'll make sure I'll bring the poker chips just in case.

Christmas in November

I was in a local Starbucks, when suddenly I realized that they where playing christmas music...... first week of November. Are they crazy!!!! when I commented on the decor and music, the manager actually told me that they had to scale it back one week because last year they actually started on the 1st of November, and people like me complained.

So, I figured if I can get enough people to join, maybe...just maybe, they can start this insanity in December....imagine that, christmas marketing in December!? What a concept.

The truth is, I think it botheredme that I have to start shopping for Christmas gifts and spending money I dont have. Oh, well thats part of life.

Hi mom 

The First Day

So, its my first time in Blogg world. Heard a lot about it, but I am a firm believer that in order to truly understand, you must participate.

I have always been interested in puting my thoughts on paper...this is definately one way of doing it. Interesting concept...almost like free therapy with your choice of couch. Although, I was warned about how much I would want to say. Understandable, since it is possible any one in the web can read this. A bit risky.

I heard someone tell me once "those who takes risk dont live long.....yet those who does not take risk never live at all. "

Ok, there it is. My first posting. Short but sweet. Hopefully, more interesting as I go along. Till next time.