Merry New Years!

Gonna do the tradition: to Tita Cora's house, then to my house for the countdown, then out with the friends. I'll be back...next year

Maybe Spray Painting Without A Mask Isn't A Good Idea...

Holy headrush. I am currently painting my centre console to match the armrest I just bought. Should be interesting...here I go again wasting money on my car. But I don't care, I love that car.

Spent time with my girlfriend this afternoon. I love her. Awwwww....barf (as she would say).

Went to Originals with my cousin Corinne and her husband Stef and brother Con. Nothing like wings to make you forget your Uncle's heart attack/death. Horrible sarcasm, but I'm gonna have to learn sooner or later.

Also went to Tita Becky's house. A lot of people. I hope she has a better new year than the way this one ended.

R.I.P. Tito Arthur

Tums. Longenesa. Crown Royale. Menthol Yosees. Crazy Ol' Uncle Art. Papa Titus. Drunk Uncle. Samurai swords. Navy guy. Mean looking. Temper and sumpung, but a "big ol' teddy bear" according to Meng. Crazy-fast driver. -->(Things that I remember about Tito Arthur). And just like that, he's off to a better place.

His heart attack is even more disturbing to me because I just saw him two days ago at Square One, and he was pretending to box with me. It's always like that though, isn't it? You see a person one day, and if the death is fairly recent, it stings even more. And yet, I think that I shouldn't be surprised. Hell, he drunk a lot and smoked a lot.

Perhaps what gets me more is that deaths always make you think more about your own mortality, and those around you. What's one of the first things I thought about? My own Dad, that hard-headed son-of-a-bitch. Something like this won't change how he is. I just have to keep reminding myself that life is fleeting; nothing in life is permanent; God works in ways I'll never understand.

So why did I go watch "House of Flying Daggers" while I knew that he had a heart attack, and possibly died? Perhaps to delay the inevitable. Or even to test my own beliefs about the way life works. Most likely though, it was because I knew that there would be nothing I could do, and I'm not going to sit around and feel helpless. Him, his brother, his sister, all in one year. Wow. You'll be fine Tita Becky. Life goes on till you don't.

The only thing I can hope to do is control my own emotions. Try.

I'll see you one day. You too Lola, hope you're doing alright.

What Did I Do Today?

Woke up, watched an episode of CSI, did some laundry, worked on my parents bathroom, went to Downtown T.O. with Arv and Mike, bought an LED bulb for my car that I knew wouldn't work in my car yet I still bought it, went to Mountain Equipment Co-op (nothing there), ate at Thai Princess Restaurant (absolutely fabulous Curry Pad Thai, Spicy Princess Chicken and Lemon Grass Lamb), had a coffee at Timothy's (coffee!!! [I don't drink coffee]), went home to try the LED bulb, broke the original LED bulb in my car (figures), confirmed that the LED bulb did not work, got frustrated, went to Mike's house with Sharon and Nina, played with Pogi, went home with Sharon, spent a couple minutes of quality time with Sharon while watched the Raptors game, went to Jeff's house to play ghetto poker (I seriously have to learn the real rules and play with real money as the dynamic changes [i.e. Jeff doesn't go "all in" on his first hand...seriously, who does that?]), went home, ordered LED bulbs from Arizona that I hope will work, worried about whether or not the payment I sent will be accepted (as it may be more due to the fact that the bulbs are located in USA), surfed the Net, contemplated on who cares if I get ripped off and I break my car as nothing in life is permanent (holy fatalist), read Riz's blogs, then I wrote this. Now I am going to take a shower even though it is almost 300am, watch an episode of CSI, and think, "wow...I still have a whole week off before I have to go back to work...although that week will most likely just fly by. crap."

Fun Party, Sore Cancker

As above, my inner lip has yet again, another cancker (sp.?). Argh. The party at Liz's, however, was standard fun. I have an amazing group of friends that I forsee sticking with each other for a long time. Not to get too mushy, but I'm one lucky summamabich. There is always going to be that one person who is annoying (and everyone knows who that person is), but it's cool...that person brings everyone else together.

C-c-c-c-c-c-c-cold out there. Good thing I have a bunch of kumuts. I love sleeping in cold weather under warm covers; nothing like it.

Cheese and Garlic Croutons Are Tasty

I can eat it all by itself as a snack. Try it out!

Went to Sharon's classmate's engagement party today at Nirvana Indian Restaurant. I don't know why, but Indian food is just not tempting to me anymore. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I barfed and felt like total shit the last time I ate it. Yeah, most likely. And add to that fact that the food was warm instead of hot...yikes...big time paranoia.

I'm annoyed that people in my house don't realize that when my bedroom door is closed and when my girlfriend is over, that does not mean you can knock on it. I really have to get my own house

Christmas Gluttony

Yet again, another report of gluttony. I don't feel so well...bleech.

On a bright note, I had a grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat time at the Siervo household for their annual Christmas party. We all had our annual Ping Pong tourney (I really, really, really, really, really want a Ping Pong Table. Oh, and a house I can put it in). Aside from the Siervo boys who have had the table forever (and thus beats all of us), I can proudly say though that I am the Ping Pong Master of the Marquez brothers. Score!

Thanks for the Christmas gift Jeff; thus ruining, yet again, the "pact" us boys made about not giving each other gifts. Somehow, though, I'm not surprised. He's done it every year...why is this year going to be any different?

No Boxing Day shopping for me tomorrow, thank you very much. There are just no deals/nothing I really want/nothing I really want worth waking up insanely early for and waiting in the frikin' cold. My father, on the other hand, really wants this LCD TV that is marked down 7 bills. My father: the consumate value finder (aka "cheap").

Happy Christmas!

A time for faith, family, friends, food and fun (holy alliteration). Good time at "HB's" house, brought along Sharon and my family likes her (not that it was ever in doubt). Got some nifty gifts: tie; turtleneck sweater; weightlifting gloves; clock for my desk at work; and, of course...CSI Season 4!!! But the best gift of all is seeing those (especially the girlfriend) who I gave gifts too happy with the things I gave them. Yes, I really am that gay.

I guess this means there is going to be a CSI marathon tomorrow. Dang, I have a lot of laundry and ironing and cleaning to do too. But first things first: get some good ol' sleep.

Snow Tires Are Great

I felt more confident (yes, foolish, I know) on the snow and ice. I was not slipping and sliding like I would on my other regular all-season sucking tires.

Then I was on the highway, and this stupid idiot (why are there so many stupid idiots that drive on the roads as if there is no snow or ice on it?) who was tailgating me. So I slammed my breaks hard for a split-second (thank goodness for the aforementioned snow-tires) and I saw him swirving, almost skidding out of control...good times good times. For me, anyway. That'll show him. I sound like an idiot. But not a stupid idiot that doesn't know how to drive.

Why the heck did I go to work today? The roads were treacherous. Oh well, I stayed in the office most of the day. Except for when I had to go out, and almost got stuck in a residential road. Stalled my car like 4 times. But that's okay, my baby did good...now I'm gonna buy her an armrest. Yay eBay!

Now, off to yet another Christmas party.

Yay Free Raptors Tickets

Even much better up close. I love having a girlfriend who's Dad's company has these perks. I love my girlfriend. Yay barf!

I wrote a long piece on the game I went to on the Raptorblog forum (the forum I always go to, as I am a diehard fan). Seeing as how I don't want to retype it, I'll just repost it. It went like this:

Went to the game...and was 2 rows behind courtside seats! Needless to say, it was awesome. These NBA players are freaks of nature: ginormous men with co-ordination. Well, except for Aleks. Still can't believe GG picked him. Anywho, some quick notes of what happened during the game:

-at the platinum level, food is brought to you, instead of you getting it. A wee bit more expensive, but then again everything at the ACC is expensive anyway. That pulled-pork sandwich is still on my mind...damn good stuff-Memo has awful hair
-I screamed at Loren that he should eat something; perhaps at a buffet. He seems a little scrawny
-I sat close to Hoffa's wife and children. And Chris Bosh's sister. According to the season ticket holder sitting beside me. Most likely it was true, as Hoffa's wife and his children were all wearing "Araujo" jerseys, and Bosh's sister looks like Bosh with a wig on.
-Bonner is by far the crowd favorite, and he seems to enjoy it. During the shootaround, he couldn't help but smile, smirk and laugh at his own cheering section
-I yelled plenty of times to Lamond Murray that he was my hero. I know he heard me. He ignored me.
-Jalen pouting on the bench...priceless
-Dick Bavetta is a hilarious ref. He was dancing polka with the Raptor at one point. But it still doesn't excuse him for making some horrible calls. And he wears his pants crazy-high (like Sinbad)
-I sat close to the dancepak. I swear some looked like they are about to have back pain in the near future (mainly due to the implants). But then there were some that were...wow :drool:
-everytime Eric Williams did something good, I yelled, "good play Carter!"
-Superfan Nav Bhatia sighting. Wonder how he feels since his #1 spokesman for his business has left town. The sales of his vehicles are prolly gonna go drastically down, as Vince prolly won't make those nifty commercials or appearance anymore at the dealership. Because, you know, everyone knows Vince drives a Hyundai. Looks like he'll be stuck driving his Bentley. Dang. (Yes, I did actually think all of this while at the game)
-Harpring looks like he could be in the army...he's a monster who just looks strong
-I screamed to Arroyo that he sucked and that he was a joke all night. Also Boozer. Oh, and Aleks. And Raja Bell. I really should come up with something more creative than just "you suck [insert player's name here]!" Well, I did call Boozer a "loozer" all night. :? Listen, I was trying to take it all in at the time...I'm used to the upper 300 level seats. I'm just lucky my girlfriend's father's company had these tickets lying around
-I am always amazed at just how skilled a lot of these players are. They actually get 11 shots in a row during the shootaround from everywhere. Pales much better compared to mine and 435,602 other wannabe players 1 shot in a row while shooting around at a local gym
-MoPete...one of those players that look absolutely horrible during a span of 34 seconds, make a good shot and play the next 13 seconds, look bad again in 52 seconds, then look good for 4 seconds in a row. Even more amazing upclose-these athletes are freakishly huge like I said. Except for Lopez...he looked like a boy out there. I am glad he started over Arroyo. I can't pin down what I don't like about him. Never liked him here, don't like him there, prollly won't like him anywhere
-Overall a good game. Being close to the court (yes, I know I mentioned it incessantly, but dammit, I don't think I'll ever get this close to the court again. Let me just have this) during the third quarter...yeah, the heart attack probability is much increased as the lead is predictably whittled down by the opposition. But I'm glad that they won this. It's fun to win at least once in a while. Now we just have to figure out a way to get the NBA to let the Raps play all their games at home

Wow I wrote a lot there.

Might as well write a little more: snow tires are great. I tried doing fishtails, donuts, drifts on them, but with minimal results. Yeah, it's much, much, muchmuchmuch better than all-seasons, which slips around like crazy. Well, depending on your definition of better. It's fun to lose control of your car sometimes. "Sometimes"

Fun Party

Lots of good food. I like my workmates, hope that doesn't change in the future.

Had A Car Wash Today

Took my baby for a car wash today. First time through an automated car wash for her. I would've done it myself, but dang it's cold. It's like -25C. It was so cold my sparking lingonberry juice in my car I bought from Ikea exploded...yep, IN my car. Good thing it was frozen though, as the cleanup was relatively easy. But still...I was looking forward to drinking that. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy another one. Where was I? Oh, right...well, my car looks nice and clean compared to all those other dirty cars.

Now, off to the mall again with Arvin, then to the grocery store to get a salad I have to make for my work party tomorrow. I have a feeling with all the crowds, I'm gonna be one frustrated mofo

Interesting Party Last Night

Sharon's parents 25th anniversary party, that is. I wonder if future parties when we all get old are going to be like that.

I ate too much again. Seriously, no, SERIOUSLY, I gotta kick this eating shit habit. Sooner or later...maybe after my heartattack? Dude, that's not funny.

I'm either insane, stupid, or both. I'm going to Vaughn Mills mall, on the Sunday before Christmas. Yikes.

Bye Bye Bince!

Can't say I'm not happy...now Babcock, do your thang and trade Rose!

Hear I Grow Again

My waistline and my belly, that is. Went for the Originals again with Dr. and Accountant. So good, but I think I now have a chicken headache. What happened to the plan of not overeating this holiday season? Oh right, it went just out, just like my pants. That was gay.

Mental Blurbs

Of course one of the most exciting Raptors game, and I miss it because I was working (more on that, later). Matt Bonner? Trying to be Tie Domi? Nice, although Kevin Garnett says it's "bullshit". Seriously, trade Vince and Jalen. Just do it already.

Working these overtime shifts where we have to buy food doesn't bode well for my "diet". I put these in parenthesis because I don't know quite exactly what diet that is right now. But seriously, I ate so much today it's sickening. I should make myself lurch and barf. Well, maybe not.

How do you convince an old woman who is so certain that a specific restaurant made her sick may not be the case? Argh.

I had a bootleg of "House of Daggers", and dammit it didn't work because it's in the wrong region. Dammit.

I seem rather pessimistic and angry, but really, I'm quite happy right now.

Found out a lot of things about my managers today. Hope I never get on their bad side.

I should go to the gym tomorrow, but I am just not up for it. Maybe on Friday. Maybe.

I wish I knew how to play the piano well. Growing up, I tried to learn it and be patient with it, but that didn't pan out. I had other interests. Maybe one of these days/years, I am going to take it up again. Right now, though, there are too many things in life to try.

Christmas time soon? It certainly don't feel like it. Dang...I AM getting old.

Funny thing written in Chuck Swirsky's column that made me laugh (and made him quite obvious):

Jared from Toronto: I was at Sunday's game against the Heat and it saddened me when I saw Vince Carter joke around with Shaq after the game. Can't he just go to the locker room after the game? I pay good money to see my team and expect them to be upset when they lose.

Chuck: I completely understand. You make a valid point.

Oh Chuck...while slighty gay, you do make me laugh. You should've at least added in a "Boomshakalaka!"

Wow, I wrote a lot today. Hopefully it doesn't get erased. Oops, I might have just jinxed it...No? Score!!!

Happy Retirement Dennis!

What a great retirement party for my mentor, Dennis Alleyne. Wow...I can't even imagine when I retire, where I'm even gonna be. I mean, can you imagine staying and working in one place for 35 years?!? I just wish that I have left a mark on where I work (positive mark, of course). I even got to present the "2005 Hot and Sexy B/C PHIs Calendar" with some laughter (why do I insist on trying to be a comedian?), and the calendar itself got rave reviews. I try not to be happy with my accomplishments, but I am happy that one of my plans actually worked. I think Sharon is right: I'm such an attention whore. Look at me! Look at me!

On another note, now my right knee is killing me. What the heck is with these body aches? What am I? Old?

Wasting Time At Work

I feel bad, but not so. I mean, it is December. Should I be worried about my stats? Does it matter? I mean, I did a lot already throughout the year, and I did acquire my area pretty late. On top of that, I am moving to a new area start the new year. Should be interesting.

On another note, I hate the whole "getting over the madness" phase you go through after, well, you are getting over the madness. But whatever, such is life, no?

What A Crappy Weekend

Upset all around. Generally, I'm a happy guy. But when I get mad/angry, it all comes out. I wonder if that's healthy. Then again, I am in no position to talk about health at all.

Gotta get outta this funk. Luckily tomorrow is another day.

Gotta Lot Shoppin' Done

Oh the holiday season: a time to get broke. Went shopping today, and ended up annoyed. Not that I spent a lot of money, but at the crowds, at the hype, at the everything wrong with the conspicuous consumption society I live in. But I shouldn't complain, I like things. Almost done, but not quite.

I was very, very mad today. I cannot stand trying to be made feeling guilty when I do so much shit already, while other members of the family do absolutely nothing. I am getting high blood pressure thinking about it right now. I better keep things in perspective...

Good Times, Good Times

Went to the Raptors game today with the workmates (Tony, his wife Mel, Mikey, Ruby, her husband Kevin, Katie and her boyfriend Ty-Ty), and I had such a good time I lost my voice. Mike, Tony and I were the "assholes" in the crowd booing the Raptors and making screaming out/fun of all the players (noteable ones: "Camel Toe Anthony" for Carmelo, "Pap Smear" for Pape Sow). But it was all good, we got a free hot dog, drink, and Extra Large T-Shirt. Yikes.

Before that we went to some pizza joint in Toronto (Bitondo's, Bitongo's, Bizonga's, Bigina's...can't remember the name exactly). Damn good (and really, really bad-for-you) ponzo's. Yikes.

Afterwards, we went to Bier Market. It was fun, just chilling, sipping on my ginger ale. Oh, and some guy was hitting on me. I guess I looked gay today or something, but for some reason I can't imagine not being teased about this on Monday at work. Yikes.

Playing Basketball Is Fun

Against somebody for once. What better way to boost your ego than to beat a guy who sucks? I felt like a pro-star.

Found a new Jerk Chicken place, at the mall in front of my office. Cheap, filling, and actually good. This can't be good...for my health.

Gotta return stuff at Home Depot again. Damn, this renovation thing is just going too far now. Actually, not really. I still want a pick-up.

No chicken wings tonight, I must tell myself. No chicken wings.

I want to give up on the Raptors

...but I can't. I've been with them since the start (start-start...their first game). Plus, I have to remember that this is going to be a "rebuilding year" of sorts. All I know is that it is painful to watch them. I am going to the game on Friday against the Nuggets with my workmates. Should be fun, as I will be lustily booing them. The Raptors, that is, not my workmates.

Good thing I watched Spike TV's "The Club". It's an interesting show...can't wait till next week. I used to watch Joe Schmo on Spike TV, but I never got into Joe Schmo 2. Regardless, Spike does have some interesting shows.

I ate a vegetarian burger today. It's not the same tasting as a real one. I don't think I can ever be a vegetarian. I don't think it helped that I knew it wasn't real meat, or that I made it from the package. I wonder if someone else made the burger and I ate it if I wouldn't mind it. All I know is that now I have to eat a real burger, and soon. Yummm....meat....

Fajitas are Great

Especially when they are free. Texas Longhorn, you make good grub!

On another note, I am now quasi-richer. Thank you TD and your line of credit! Yay magic money!

Sigh...back to work tomorrow. Actually, I might be looking forward to it. I still haven't decided.

Life is Expensive

Snow tires are expensive. But I need them. I don't want to die from all-season tires. There goes the pick-up truck dreams for now.

Again...I just wrote something long and my own stupidity erased it. It involved me waking up late to go to my dealership, them finding out there is "nothing" wrong with my rear suspension, me getting mad, and then me reminding myself not to regret anything. When am I going to learn?

Sick Yet Again

What the crap? I have that leaky, runny nose again. I think I blame Pogi, Mike's dog for this one. Is it even possible to get sick from a dog? Regardless, I blame him. But how can I stay mad at him? He's so cute!

So I finally figured out what erased all those posts before. Listen up, this is a lesson for everyone involved: Do NOT highlight your text all the way to the top, or the text will "magically" (in other words, quite annoyingly) disappear. I better remember that one.

Now...to sleep

Ughh...

...the holiday season is a time for...overeating

Matt Bonner Is My Basketball Hero

FRICK IT TO HELL, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I wrote a long blog then it just erased again. When will I learn? Oh well...don't dwell Jason...don't dwell...

Mirror, Mirror on the...

...actually in the box still and broken. Finally found a mirror for my bathroom, and when I get home, it's broken. I hope Home Depot lets me return the frikin' expensive thing. I hate how I always worry like this. But still.