Sam's Last 30 Days

2004-03-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

So here is the breakdown of how VEGAS went:

DAY ONE DROVE TO VEGAS AFTER SMALL SERVICE AT MY FORMER CHURCH IN SOCAL:
We drove for 4 hours through the hilly desert. We talked and H sewed the nifty wedding hat for herself. We talked about the impending wedding and what would happen. We got to Vegas checked in our room which would also be the same room the boys and I would stay in Thursday. We hooked up with various folks who had already arrived, the sister Swanson, the fabulous Amanda and Berdinne, Heathers bestest gal pals and Farron who was there early with some friends from school. We went to COYOTE UGLY at NYNY and got frosty frozen booze crack. YUMMY. These became a staple among the few days we stayed in Vegas. It was also ST PATTYs day but that did'nt really matter. We drank a few and then I realized that you can actually drink everywhere. EVERYWHERE. WOW shit is crazy in VEGAS! We ended up at a Punk Rock Bar called the DOUBLE DOWN and listened to a great 10 piece blues band. We drank then went back to the Luxor and crashed.

DAY TWO THE FAMILIES ARRIVE AND SOME ARE ALREADY DRUNK WITH WHISKEY LOVE EARLY IN THE AM:
I was awoken by the pounding on the door. It was H's family, the bros, Dusty and Brady the Ma, Colleen the Da, Robin the Aunt, Paulie the Aunt's friend, Jill and the 2 other family friends, Croey and April. I had passed out heavy like the night before after eating a RUBEN that gave me crazy dreams. NOTE TO THE I: DO NOT EAT RUBENS at 4AM then go to sleep. Dusty H's bro and Corey a family friend drank JD all the way from Minesota to Vegas starting at like 6 am. Crazy buggers! I sat in my bed not getting up due to lack of pants. I greeted as Dusty hounded me to "Get my ass up and lets get a drink!". How could I argue with his logic. The cell rang it was Foster who just had arrived too. Then Farron arrived. WE took off and started to head to the local casino bars and frozen drink establishments at 11am to get our heads right. H visited with her folks and all we had to do today is meet and great the friends and fam and get our marriage license. A funny story. Farron currently looks like Charlie Manson Jr. He had to haul his tux and big bag across the city from where he had slept the prior night. He had to take a bus then he used a shopping cart to rodeo his crap to the Luxor. Awesome, my friend the secret agent art genuis homeless impersonator! Later Foster,brother Dusty, brother Brady and Farron and I walked around drinking and looking around the Luxor and Mandaly Bay. Everywhere we went there were spring breakers and NCAA basketball crazys. We wanted to see the Shark Reef at Mandaly Bay but the line was too damn long. We boldy hiked out of the pool area of the Hotel and headed to the strip to get beer. We figured it would be cheaper. No such luck, a sixer of Corona=10 bucks. Damn! We drank it but were not happy about it. We went back to the room chilled out then H and I went to get our marriage license. Bummer. Traffic was aweful and we had Family dinner plans at 7pm. We sat in the cab kinda worried about the time. We got to the Court House in downtown old vegas and filled out our forms to get our license. I wrote in big block letters so the lady there freaked and made me fill out my form again. Intresting note, none of the ladies at the court house marriage buerau were married. Weird. After we exited we were approached by flys who wanted to sell us cheap chapel weddings. WE swatted them away and headed back to the Luxor to change and meet everyone on the North Side of the hotel to take a shuttle bus full of friends and family to Bucca Di Beppo to eat and meet. Louis my best man and nephew arrived earlier with his dad and I was glad to have him by my side along with Farron Manson. We go to Bucca and the rest of my family were still not there. Finally they arrived like an hour later and we introduced them to everyone and we all ate and talked. I was feeling wierd like pre wedding jitters cause I could not eat. Drinking was no problem but eating was difficult. We hung out and enjoyed the company and we then later planned to meet at the Nile bar at the Luxor with all the kids who had flown and driven in that night. After dinner we regrouped and met everyone to go and drink. It was a 30 some odd group of our favorite people from all over. Dfunk, Tenzen, Chris Wong etc etc. Like a bunch of booze hungery locusts we walked from the Luxor to the Excalibur to NYNY to go back to COYOTE UGLY to get FROSTY DRINKS! We stopped and Chris bought a bottle of 1800 Teq and it was gone in less than 10 minutes. Amazing. We then met more cats there and then headed to the MGM to go to the dome bar and listen to a decent funk DJ and drink drink drink. H and I where excited and we planned not to stay in the same room this night. I planned to stay in a room with Louis and Farron. As we all laughed and had a blast I realized Farron and I had been drinking since 11am. Like 14 hours ago. I then made a good decision. We had to leave here by 2am so the day of my wedding I would not be Sam the Zombie Groom. H decided to stay and that was fine. Louis and I scrapped Farron off a couch and carried him back to the Luxor. Not cause we wanted to but cause he could not walk. We got back to the room , tucked Farron in the bathroom and ordered food. This time I ordered something mellow and went to sleep. I slept like a baby drunk. The next day was to be the happiest day of my life.

2004-03-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

Dude, I'm married.......

I did it. It was epic. Like mega epic. More later.

Man, I'm married. I have a lovely wife and a ring.......

2004-03-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

SO THEN I SEZ TO HIM LOOK HERE I'M RICK JAMES B***H!

SO spent the last 2 days preping to leave OAKTOWN. Finished printing out the programs and other assorted goodies. H finished her dress. We finally got out of Okalnd at 7pm last night. I drove tired and haggard to LA. We sat in the car talking about wedding particulars. I was excited to see my uncles in LA. We got to LA at 12:30am. We crashed at Louis my nephews house. We were brunt out.

Woke up today to go get my hair cut by my barber. This guy is way old school. He even has a handlebar mustache. He has been cutting my hair since I was born. He was my dad's barber, he cuts my nephews hair etc. He gave me a nice shorter but not buzzed cut. I look good. He wished me well and did not even charge me! Wow, how great!

I then went to my Ma's, showered and then went to grab Lou and H to go to the church I grew up in for a blessing from the pastor. We video taped the whole thing, it will be an extra on the DVD. At the church my mom and uncles and aunt were there. The pastor stood at the altar where there was 2 white pillows for us to kneel at. There was a white bible wrapped in Ribbon. He told the biblical story of Adam and Eve. He told us how marriage is important. We kneeled and smiled and held hands and listned. It was holy. God is on our side. Then we went to breakfast and had a good time with my unlces. I am excited for Vegas. Now we are off to drive to Vegas.

2004-03-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

Friday was a funny duck. Work was ok. No surprise there. Most of the Sales folks are going to Phoenix for the LPGA golf tournament with customers. Us Analysts hold it down back at the fort.

Friday after work I went and picked up my tux. It fit well and looked great. I just need a haircut now.

Heather's co-workers did a killer wedding shower for her and she came home loaded with tons of stuff. We were going to go to the city to see folks but not many people were going to Zeitgeist so we opted out. We ended up going to Cafe Van Clif in Downtown Oakland and then to Katos in Oakland as well. We had a nice time with our friends Nate and Nichole. Heather and I talked about how tense its been and we chalked it up to the wedding. I drank alot of Belgium Triple Ale and Vodka. I still felt kinda tense and drank more. I ended up getting into a verbal with an old fella who is some old liberal who keep raging about the old movement and other ancient hippy piss. We did not see eye to eye and he was not having it. I was getting louder and louder so I excused myself from the bar. We then headed to Katos where I drank more ale and chilled out. My homey Nate and I went over to across the street to Blockbuster where I was being very loud and hung out at the counter drinking soda and eating popcorn and telling every customer to rent from Netflix cause its better and cheaper! I was ranting on and on about savings. I was very surpirsed they did not throw me out or call the coppers. We left and then we ended up catching a cab home where I passed out. At some point that night I also tripped and almost sprained my ankle and my right shoe was covered in mud. Mysterious indeed.

Saturday I remembered I did not eat dinner the night before and I felt bad bad bad. I drove H around to do errands and then we stopped and had Japanese. We talked about vows and how excited I was to be getting married to her and we had a really nice time. I then took her to her spa appoinment for tanning needs. I went home and cleaned the kitchen and chilled for a sec. I then realized I left my cell charger at work. I picked up Heather then left her to work on her dress at home. I wet to try and get in my office. The office was so too secure I just went to Radioshack to buy another one and return it Monday.

I was slated to play at a Street Art magazine benefit in S.F. for a friend Mel. We caught a ride with Jason my friend and neighbor and then planned to catch a ride back with Gaby. The event was low key. Cool videos and neat photos and other assorted art work. The Djs and bar were worth the 3 bucks or any type of donation. I played for like 45 minutes and that was fine for me. I met 2 other djs I had only heard of and they were nice and good. We then said our goodbyes and headed to the Mission with Gaby, her sister and our friend Holly who was visiting from Humboldt. We headed to Dalvas on 16th to drink. I did not feel too drinky. I only had a beer and drank light the rest of the night. I did get a kick ass fallafel though. I brought it back to share with Heather. At the second bar called the Cassanova I ran into an old aquantince from back when I first moved to SF, ten years ago. We talked and shared our life stories. I found out, who was alive, out of jail, playing in a band, married etc. It was a strange time to run into him but it was fitting. Later Gaby drove us home and we went to bed.

Sunday H and I went to Gabys for a lovely breakfast with her and Holly. We talked at length about the wedding and how we wanted to come and visit Holy in Humboldt. Later H worked more on the dress I finished up the programs. We expected to do more but Heather got abucted by the woman at the Nail salon on Grand and was there for 2 hours. I had my own problem when the car I was borrowing from our local Angel, Amy, had a fan belt split. I did emergency surgery on the belt and got it to work. I drove it back to Amy's. I was bummed, what was it about our car Karma this week? I changed my rental reservation from ORBITZ to Monday and planned on picking up a rental. That was going to be great! A car that would probably work and even have leather seats.

Sunday night I made the pork bbq I had been marinating and made tacos from it. We chilled and watched the Sopranos. This season is off to a great start! Later H was up late finishing her dress. I read more of my great book. I slipped off into dream land as I finished the chapter about the Free Masons battling the Illuminati facists.

Monday I got a ride to the rental car place from Angel Amy again. I rented a Chrysler Concorde. I nice land boat with great leather seats and fake wood panleing on the inside. My co-workers took me to lunch where we talked at length about love , marriage and Vegas. Now I am finishing out the day and not coming back until Wednesday of next week! Got lots to do before I leave tomorrow! AHHHHHH!!!

2004-03-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Last night H was gonna work on her dress. I opted to go out on my own and enjoy the warm night air by the lake. I went to the local used book store and found a great trilogy I have been looking for. The Illuminati Trilogy. This book is a fantastic account of major world conspiracies spanning the ages. A Perfect book to read over a steaming hot bowel of Udon . I went to the local sushi bar odered some udon and drank a few Kirin drafts with my book. Later I came home and H was still working on the dress so I closed my eys and skillfully like a blindfolded ninja, walked to the bedroom and got comfy and read my book. I slept well. Very sound.

Skeet SKEET SKEET!
FAST FORWARD 1 week to March 19th 2004 9:98am:

Interior Luxor Hotel suite 420. The room is a mess with beer bottles, room service, Playstation 2 joysticks, games and assorted DVDs. On the bed sits a lone figure still as a statue, calm as a coma.

LOUIS(the Best Man): Sam get up we have lots to do today man.

FARRON(the Good Man): Sammy its time to wake up.

LOUIS: Dood, he's not asleep.

FARRON: Holy S**T, he's been awake all night sitting there.

LOUIS: Damn, SAM! HAVE YOU SLEPT YET?!!

SAM(smiling like a chesser cat on xanex): " "

FARRON(waving his hands in front of Sam's face): Sam! SAM! PANDA MAN! SAM!? SAM?

END.....

Friends, loved ones, plebians, this will not happen. I am so ready to get married I could do it a hundred times with my eyes closed while jumping a shark on water skis. As many a monkey has said BRING IT ON!

Today I have a day of easy work and then I go back to Selix on Broadway in Oakland to get my tux again. Yesterday my shirt was too short for my gorilla like arms and the jacket was too tight. The Tux steward said I need to be able to "move comfortably" or some junk like that. More on that later.

Today at work Heather's co-workers are throwing her a shower! I can't wait to hear how that went. Here at my work my co-workers are ......WORKING!

Later tonight we hit Zeitgeist for after work refreshment with some of the kids that live in S.F. and then probably go home. Saturday and Sunday I need to go to day care for at least 8 hours so my bride can execute the final finishing moves on the Wedding Dress.

I AM ANXIOUS. I want it to be Wednesday so I can be in Vegas on St. Pattys day drinking a guiness and relaxing before the armies of families decend on Vegas.

I am packiing a survival kit.

1. gum

2. lip balm

3. handkerchief

4. a small flash light

5. digital camera armed with a combined 192 megs of memory.

6. spare litium batteries with charger

7. digi video camera

8. a map of las vegas.

9. cell phone

10. a pen

11. game boy

I should have these items on my person at all times. This should ensure I will be ready for all that may come my way. Expect the DVD day and date with VHS by MAY 2004.

2004-03-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

Days go on and on......

MY TUX IS READY! Yes I am picking up my Tux today after work and trying it on. Ohh yea! I am looking forward to this! More on that later.

2004-03-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Thursday! Almost a week away! Damn! Crazy! Skeet Skeet SKEET!

Have you heard ITS BEEN HOT? Very hot, so hot. So hot I am drinking cold White Wine. Not right now, I'm at work. Our Air System at work is bad. When its hot its hot and when its cold its cold. We have been told there is nothing that can be done. SO right now I am freezing, and around noon it will get hot. The situation is so bad my boss had our admin buy thermometers to keep track of the climate in the office. Yesterday it was 80 degrees IN MY OFFICE!

I need to start eating breaksfast. I am already hungery. I wonder what I will eat today.

Also anyone who is going to Vegas please email me your itinerary please. When you arrive and leave and what hotel you are staying at. That way we know where you are and how to reach you.

Also I am djing an Art Party Benefit for COLOUR OF SHADOW street art zine, this weekend in SF. If you are intrested and want details please email me at: isamu23@yahoo.com.

2004-03-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Dig it! If the CIA says your lying then you know your in trouble. SKEET SKEET SKEET!

2004-03-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Skeet Skeet Skeet. Damn its hot. I look forward to pre wedding lounging by the pool in Vegas. It can only get hotter.

Today is mid week and it feels like time is moving faster. We are almost a week away. Next Tuesday we will be stopping in LA as a half way mark to Vegas. My 2 fave uncles, one from Miami and one from CR arrive this weekend. I have not seen them since I think my fathers funeral in '89. Gilbert lives in Miami and is a trumpet player in many Latin salsa and Afro Cuban bands for most of his life. Uncle Martin lives in Costa Rica with his wife in a small small town in what is considered the outback of CR. He has worked in clothing factories for most of his life. One is my fathers brother and one is my moms brother. Its gonna be great hanging out with them!

Another Vegas wedding related thing I was thinking about is my grandmother. She has never been to Vegas in all of her 94 years. She has lived in LA for the last 30 years. She has gone to malls, stores etc but never Vegas. She is gonna trip out on the Luxor. A pyramid man how crazy is that. She is gonna see this thing and I can't wait to see what she thinks of that and like all the other hotels in Vegas. I think its as close she will get to going around the world. I want to take her on a little driving tour of all the hotels like Paris and NYNY and the Venetian all these representaions in mini of the real thing she probably will never see in her lifetime.

2004-03-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

Well how quickly things change. Yesterday I got a call from Heather and she had gotten into an accident on the freeway. She got hit by a woman on a motorcycle. Everyone is ok. I got over there about 20 minutes after it happned. Heather was in the fast lane and she was merging over to the next lane and the woman came up and smashed into the front right side of our car on the passenger side. She tore the crap out of our bumper and right wheel. The woman slipped off her bike and she was ok. She got checked out by the paramedics and she only had a cut on her elbow. She is damn lucky. H was shaken but ok. Our car is jacked. I got there and the bumper was on the road and our steering is jacked. We were planning to drive to Vegas but now we need to rent a car I guess. Bummer. Glad everyone is ok!

2004-03-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Finally found a website for TV ON THE RADIO. I think these cats are the future.

Nice day over here in Oakland. Feels like BBQ season.

H is on her way to pick me up from work. I think tonight I am gonna try to call my Aunt in Costa Rica. My Uncle Memo died yesterday so the family is pretty shook-up in many ways. He had a heart attck at my cousin's, daughter's 3rd Bday party on Sunday. Pretty heavy. I have not seen him in at least 10 years but talked to him on the phone during holidays. I kinda felt something like this would happen before my wedding. Like there would be a family tradgy before the event. I can't really explain the feeling but it seemed very real. I was'nt surprised when my mom called me and told me what had happned. My uncle was a carpenter who fell off many roofs. He had many problems health wise as he got older. He was a slim man who worked hard. He had gotten cancer and beat it and now his heart just gave in. He always had white hair like Steve Martain, earlier and premature. I hope I get to talk to my aunt tonight.

2004-03-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

H came over for dumplings too then we left to go grab DFunk to party at his homey from schools house.

We went to a party on 56th and Martain Luther King. It was at a house of one of Dereks buddies from Expressions. Nice cats, had a keg of Anchor. We all pounded Jager and listned to DFunk play a nice funky set. Talked to mega kids. Met a nice guy named Leo. He plays guitar in a metal band called Hotblack Desiato. I was sold on the name alone. Its from the Hictchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Leo gave me a demo and I told him I would check it out. The night progressed with more conversations and then the beer ran out. Then from nowhere another keg of beer came out and damn that was way cool. We left late took Derek home then hit the midnight taco shack for food.

Sunday I woke up at 3pm. Felt pretty good. Listned to the demo I got the night before and really enjoyed it. Great riffs, powerful chords. They rocked hard. After I talked to H about wedding stuff. I startd to pick music for the ceremony. That was fun. Its gonna be very us and very non traditional.

H made killer Mahi on the grill and we watched the Sopranos on HBO East at like 6pm. Great start to the new season. Steve Buchemi is on the show now. It should only get better. Sunday night was spent on the couch talking and watching tv. Then sleep.

2004-03-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend I tried to stay off computers. Hence no blogg updates.

Friday night was spent in a post Thai food coma of epic proprtions. H and I hit Thai after work and talked and talked. This wedding planning thing has been very intense. More for Heather than myself. I have not been there at every step planning stuff. In my own maleness I kind of just let Heather make most of the desicions. We talked about this over dinner and it was very emotional and words were heated but understanding was obtained. In the end, things are going to be great and I expect the whole event to go off. After the wedding a few weeks later we are planning a Bay Area reception for all of those who could not make it to Vegas. More on that later.

Saturday I rode my bike around Oakland listening to Metallica. Old Metalica. The good Metallica. Do you like Metallica? Went to my homey Tommys house to work on a photo slide show project for the wedding reception. I got my mom and H's mom to send us pics of our baby days and kiddie days and pics of family to make a cool little looping slide show of our lives so far. I scanned pics and drank beer. His studio was a buzz with people editing video and other folks working on photo projects.His loft space is like a video editing studio. I was there till like 9. Tommy made chinese dumplings and we drank more beer.

2004-03-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

T-minus 2 weeks and counting kiddies! Har har har.

Last night we went to STYLUS at the Oasis to visit Brian the promoter and Sonja the bar tender there. Also met DFunk and Gaby for bevys. Sonja is an amazing fashion designer, make-up artist and general sweetie. She gave us perfect advice on marriage do's and don'ts. She used to be married way back a few years and she felt she was too young and it was in error. But she still had good advice. The music was Deep House like it always is and it was nice to drop in and say hello.

Not going out much during the week unless I'm playing. A few things on the horizon as far as djing goes. Got a call to do another Art Party benefit next weekend, that shoudl be cool. Those events are always fun to do. Nice folks, cool artist, great networking.

Back on the Coke ranch, folks are freaking out in the UK over Dasani water. We make this stuff from local water and take that and purify it and then add minerals for taste. Now this stuff tastes fine to me. Not like Coke ever said HEY WE ARE SELLING GLACIAR WATER PURIFIED THE BY THE HAND OF GOD HIMSELF. I guess the bottom line be, don't believe the hype ya'll.

In music news I am delighted to be listening to the new TV on the Radio. A fantastic band from NYC. These cats sound like Tricky and a Peter Gabriel Barbershop quartet with a mean drum machine that makes nice drone like sounds. This is the future of music right here.

My work laptop is being fixed today. I am using a loaner that looks like a waffle iron circa 1955. At least it has 1 USB port.

John Ashcroft is in the hospital. Bush is worried about the price of gas and Dick Cheney is still a dick.

2004-03-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Getting married is exciting and I am looking forward to it. It makes me happy. Just like this bit of news makes me happy. Its gonna be an interesting election.

2004-03-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Just read this, reminds of the time the USDA decided that ketchup was a viable vegetable in school lunches. Freaking politicans, its our country people encourage your friends and family who might vote for that liar in the White House to change their minds. Argue till your blue in the face. We get another four years of the Texas shaft we might get into another war we cannot afford and maybe the mark of the beast on our hands, a microchip in our heads and nice shit sandwhich served with a side of super size lies. For the love of Benji.

2004-03-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday ended around 7pm for me. Finished up the finanicals for a sell story on Minute Maid Light drinks and was bummed casue it was too late to vote. I heard later Kerry won and California will now borrrow money to pay off its debt. Great. More debt. I then caught the Train to SF and hung out with Chris Wong, my main damey in SF. We had Paki food and then hit Dalvas for drinks. Lately I have been drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon with a shot of chilled Skyy Vodka. Odd combo for some but it really hits the spot. We hung out till late then I caught a ride home with Heather who hooked up with a friend in SF to do her dress fitting. My homey Paul hooked us up with phat rugs from his work. We came home and tried them around the apartment. Now our place looks lavish.

Today gave the sales guys the sell story data and sent them off to the customer to do their job. I took a lunch break and read my new issue of Wizard(the comics news rag) that was all about all the new Comics related films coming out. 3 of my fave characters all have movies coming out this year. Hellboy looks great but I am skeptical about the Punisher.

Its Girl Scout cookie season and those crazy little pixes are out slanging the goods trying to make that mad cookie dough. I ordered early from a co-worker. I got more than enough. They usually last me till late summer. Next time your at my house hit me up for some. Over in Texas some are not happy with the Girl Scouts.

2004-03-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile back on Earth. I am sitting at work still trying to work on a sell story for Diet Juice drinks. Waiting for the sales Ninja to appear with numbers that may or may not exist. My co-worker is obsessed with that damn Quiznos comerical with the rat-scum-sponge-monkey bastard things singing. I think its vile, now I think Quiznos has rats! I ate at Quiznos the other day and felt weird eating there. The whole time I am thinking I am eating one of those "things".

Arnold now approves Gay Marriage as long as his state approves it. Can't figure this guy out.

2004-03-02T15:23:00.000-08:00

Did you hear water on Mars!
I think the Mars deal went like this. Some race wasted Mars. Mars dried up and the left overs went to EARTH! On Earth they breed the Human being and maybe even installed the God OS in most of the minds of all ancient man that would kick in to start society. Then Mexican food was invented and now I am sleepy from eating it.

2004-03-01T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well today has been good. I just got back from a shopping trip and I got my wedding band. Wow a ring for the rest of my life. I went with Titanium. It weighs nothing and lasts forever. Platinum felt like wearing my keys on my hand. Getting closer to being married!

At Target I picked up Napster brand blank CD-Rs. Pretty funny, Napster branded with 4 free songs from Napster. Pretty cool. They are made by Imation so they should be good. I got the 50 pack for $14.99 at Target.

At the mall I tried on a silver rope chain diamond encrusted Jesus head, just to see how it felt. I think rope chains are my missing fashion accessory. maybe I should comission a robot head. After I get married of course. Heather freaked when she saw the Jesus on my neck. Freaking hilarious, for shaggitty. Now I'm chillaxing. Hope you all are too.

2004-03-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Monday and its still raining here. Yestarday we rested at home and hung out. Heathers Bachlorette party was fun and very girly. Too girly in my opinion but I am glad she had fun.

Now we come to the pay off. The wedding is 18 days away and I am gearing up. Getting ready menatally, spiritually and taking the world in.

I am so looking forward to getting married. I am really excited. I know the night before I am gonna be like a nation of kids on Christmas eve multiplied by 10 to the power of 1 Million.
Oh yea!

Back at the Oscars as many of you may know 2 of last years best films (in my opinion) got the props they deserved. LORD OF THE RINGS: Return of the King got everything it deserved and it ruled them all! LOST IN TRANSLATION got best original screenplay. I was happy to hear this fabulous news.

Over in Haiti its former President bailed big time to the Dominican Republic and then to Africa. Good to see our tax dollars are still being put to use by the CIA. Remember rule number one of ruling the word is make sure no free standing soverign democracys do not exist unless you made them.

Aside from all that I am very happy to be getting married soon.

2004-02-29T06:17:00.000-08:00

Wow. Ever have a moment when you decide, well I am just gonna relax and let things happen where they may?! Well tonight is one of those nights. My lovely Bride Heather. Itwas her bachelor party and we deciided to crash. Me and my good mate Dereck. Man I tell you tonight we went out to have a drink and talk about life and then things happned.

FIRST:
Tenzen calls and is like yo come over to my music studio in oakland, we are hanging out lets chill.
So Me and D-funk are like ok man lets go hang out. So we stop at my crib to grab any thing we might need for the next few hours and we decided, right then and there to drop in on my loves BACHELOR event...

SECOND:
We get there and lets just say it was GIRL friendly in a way I don't think I want to invovle the FCC with. We go there and we infiltrated like true ninjas. It was epic. I saw my true love and she was chilling smiling and had a big grin on her face.....

PART 2 coming up!

2004-02-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

Almost done with work. WEEKEND! Well considering I have only been at work for 3 days I am lucky.

2004-02-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

I present the best box art for any MS Product ever WORD! I found this on a message board I frequent. Email me with names of all the rappers on the box and I will give you a cool prize!

2004-02-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

Today has been good. Left my FM radio pen at home today so I have been listening to some new found dj mixes on mp3 by one of my favorite Canadian DJs, TIGA. The set I have been listening to is from a club in Italy called MAAFIA. Pretty cool Electro-house. The morning was good. For lunch my team of analyst and I decided to go have sushi in celebration of finishing one of our major website projects! Whoo Hoo! We ate at Sushi House in Alameda. Had some tasty rolls and socialized with the work crew. Then after that we headed back to work. Fridays feel like a slack day . Today is a day to catch up and make sure all is wired tight for our Monday staff meeting. I checked the news of the hour and found this story. I swear man MJ cannot catch a break but hell, he is such a freak!

2004-02-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

Back at work today. Still dark and grey outside. No temprature means me worky long time! Last night I slept well but had strange dreams. Anyone know what it means when everyone in your dream has a small hat? Like a really small hat. I asked Heather and she did'nt know. This weekend is Heather's bachlorette party. She is getting picked up at 2pm Saturday and thats the last I'll see of her for at least 12 hours. I don't know what to expect. From what I hear neither does she. I will spend my time cleaning house and playing video games, mixing records, watching Freddy vs. Jason and taking it easy. I know Heathers in good hands. Maybe I will pull all my robot toys into the living room and have an epic big battle.

2004-02-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

OK today I woke up with a fever and I spent most of the night sick. I have slept most of the day. After my fever went down I logged into work email and did a bit of work. I also put up Pics from the weekend.I have some others from my bud Andy, I will post those later. If you notice Chris is at the Bachelor party. She dressed up as a guy named Richard Pound. It's the only way she could attend. Going back to bed now feeling weak ya'll.

2004-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Another event going on today aside from all the stormy weather across Cali is the Passion of The Christ film is hitting theatres. People are flipping over this movie. I hear its like Braveheart meets Mad Max meets Lethal Weapon 2 meets the New Testament, but I could be wrong. Don't think I will see it anytime soon. I would rather learn about Jesus from either the Bible or some crazy street preacher instead of Mel Gibson. His last few movies have sucked anyway. The last movie I liked by him was Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Either way all his movies have a reoccuring theme:

1. Man is good
2. Man is tested in some way
3. Loses everything he holds dear
4. Gets beaten to a pulp
5. Then he has some sort of chathartic revenge
6. 2 men enter one man leave

Apply this theory to any Mel Gibson film and it will mostly hold true.

2004-02-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

Got on the freeway today and it was like driving in a gutter. Rain, wind, cars swaying. Pretty hairy. This is the kind of day that makes me want to stay in bed and only wake up to have cocoa, soup and read old comics. Old comics to me are black and white mutated funny animals with swords like Ninja Turltes. I read Turtles before they ate Pizza and yelled COWABUNGA every other minute. They used to be dark, tough and funny in a black way. Those days are gone and now I must work.

Here at work things are the same. Trying to avoid drinking soda and staying with water. I went to the mini fridge filled with everything we make here at Coke, to get a bevy. I just had some (SURPRISE!) Mexican food and went to grab a Coke Classic. Mexican food and Coke are just a no brainer. I looked at the bottle going, I don't wanna drink this, I should drink water. Well I guess some divine hand agreed with me cause the Coke was out of date. It was old by about 2 months. HINT, everything expires including water. Next time you have most any 20 oz soda look on the cap on the side and there will be a date, like 013103. This means the date the item expires.

Yesterday I came to work with chapped lips. Must have been the weekend of ummm..dehydration cause I looked like I had been puched in the lips with a big old boxing glove. I got to work and drank a POWERADE, our version of Gatorade and by noon my lips were normal again. Amazing, food technology is amazing. Too bad we don't have a machine like the Jetsons. Pick your meal and BAM it's there, fresh for the taking.

2004-02-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Monday I stayed home. Had breakfast with friends who came up over the weekend and recouped with H over the weekend. I spent most of the day on the couch watching movies and sleeping. What a weekend. Now I am at work typing away on the website. Life is not so exciting here. Me and my coworker Matt are the only Analysts in today. I am hungery. Its 11:03am but its time to eat! Still need to post pics from the weekend. I will do that later tonight. Days go on and on....

2004-02-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

What a day. The bachlor party ended early! Well early in the morning. We came home from my friend Chris's house in S.F. and we all crashed. What a great night! Thanks to Chris and all others for a swell time. It was weird hanging out with just guys all day and night but I was happy to be surrounded by all my friends! Today in the afternoon I djed for a few hours at a friends cousin's Bday. That was a fun time but man I am glad to be home! Now its time to kick off my shoes and reflect on what it all means. Stay tuned for pics from Saturday night.

2004-02-22T02:53:00.000-08:00

Ok I have had a killer day. Friends Family we have all come together. Why?
Cause they love me. We went to APE then we went to Zeitgeist, a biker bar where we chilled and drank. Till they dragged me to the Hustler club. It was really wierd. Never been to a girly club. Then we went to my friend Chris's house to drink and hang out. Then my friend Ben came over in a limo he drives and a few of us went to the A.P.E. after party at Isotope. That was fun got to see the hardcore late night comic fiends hanging out. Said hi to James the comic pimp, Ryan Yout and Andrew the Scurvy Dogg cats. Even though my boy Dereks car got stolen outside the girly bar all was fun but the next day was a tough one. I cannot thank Chris Wong enough for her infinite hospitality and tolerance. Good thing my bachlor party only happens once in a lifetime.

2004-02-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Its been nutz, o far.

here I am with my boys sharing living rhyming. Chris Wong, my true friend has made this entire night easy. WOo/

2004-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Ok rise and shine. Gangs all here and its time to get started. We are gonna have brunch then zoom to APE. After APE we will start the bachlor party machine. Stay tuned for updates as they come. Wish me well.

2004-02-21T02:18:00.000-08:00

Its late. The L.A. kids are here. We played Soul Caliber 2 on PS2 and had a blast. Watched that Rick james Episode of Chapelle show, it is so funny. Seems like all the beer is gone. Very suspicious......Good Night!

2004-02-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

This weekend is the A.P.E.! The Alternative Press Expo. I will be going there before the Bachlor events. Its usually a bunch of indy mag and comic folks showing off new items and new books. Its not really a comic book convention. There will be comics there but thats not all. Ahh a day of fine indy reading material and a night of action packed bachlor madness. This outing will also allow Heather to sew sew sew that wedding dress. That has me bugging. I can't wait to see her dress. I am also gonna check out suits over the weekend with my Nephew (best man) and Farron (good man). I am looking for a playerlicious suit for myself.

2004-02-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Spoons ya'll. I am dealing with spoons now. I just got off the phone with my mom. She does'nt know what she wants to give H and I. She mentioned nice spoons! Shes like everyone needs spoons, nice serving dinner spoons! For the love of Benji, I never thought in a million years I would have a say in spoons. Gotta love moms man, they think of this stuff. Spoon!

2004-02-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

You kow what really pisses me off?! This!I swear this years presidential race is damn impiortant, I urge everyone to vote. If you even humor Ralph Nader I will personally give you crap everyitme I see you! This reminds me of the whole Perot burn from the early 90's. Considering my taxes will go up once I get hitched, I am really rabid about this years election. Whos gonna steer the ship next year? I will now get off my soapbox. Bung.

2004-02-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Ahhh its almost lunch time on the West Coast. What will you be eating? I seem to eat alot of Mexican. All the time. Heather, man she loves mexican. Lately we have been fascinated with a Taco truck on the corner of 44th and International called Gordos Tacos. Its not really a truck its more like a trailer We rolled out there after a freinds Bday late nigth like and man they had some bomb tacos. They tasted so good. We went back a week later during the day and they forget to put the sour cream and cheese on them. Tacos ain't nothing with out the cheese ya'll. They just become holders for meat. I did regret eating beef toungue tacos without cheese or cream. It was downright creepy. Right now people are eating at taco trucks all across the west coast. Many of my co-workers are scared to eat at a truck. I have never had a negative epsiode from Taco Truck tacos. Knock on virtual wood ya'll. Well over the last few minutes things have changed and I am not going to lunch I am working through lunch on this damn work website. Looks like a run to Subway.On the upside I am taking Monday off to recover from this weekends impending events.

2004-02-20T09:21:00.000-08:00

The weather outside my cube looks like gray misty crap. I hope it does not rain heavy today. I have a small army of my closest friends from L.A. coming up today for this weekends Bachlor Party. Oh yea! I don't really know what to expect. All I know is we wil have a full house of guests and they will all be sleeping with the robots. Some of my cru I have not seen for like a year. An eccentric band of artists, musicians, freaks. I love them all. Some I have known since we were in the 3rd grade, breakdancing at the jungle gym back in the day. Other I met on the bus going to summer school, talking about heavy metal patches.

Later today Heather is going to an event at Hill Top Mall in Richmond. Kanye West, a fantastic HipHop super producer and Rapper will be there perfroming and meeting people. Heather's evil PR company does PR for Hilltop. I told her to take a pic with Kanye and get me any free crap. I would have gone but I have to work on my work website. Sucks for me.

2004-02-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

I did so much website publishing today. At work I have been creating and publishing a website dedicated to our main customer (Safeway). At home as H dozes behind me (the girl can sleep standing up I swear) I keep updating our wedding website.After this I am off to watch my bedtime toons of Family Guy and Futurama. Before I sign off here is the current state of the world....

2004-02-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

Just updated the wedding website and added our itenirary and some new pics. We are putting together a multimedia slide show deal for our wedding. As I went through old pics I really tripped out on myself as a kid. The diffrent faces of myself as a kid.Man I could probably fit 2 of myself as a kid in my belly!

2004-02-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is it. Nothing in my life has compared to the approaching event except maybe meeting Heather and the death of my father. Some people see marriage as "the end of the fun". Monkey toss I say! I look at it as the beginnig of an action packed partnership in life. 2 is better than one in many instances in life, Twinkies come in 2s right. Today I also went to the doctor to make sure I was tiptop. Made a check out to the Luxor for the party, called relatives. 30 Days from today I will be 1 part of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Arroyo. I think we will end up as Arroyo-Swanson though.