I didn't know that computer can catch the flu

For those who don't know, my computer is officially kaput. I'm hoping to have it back up and running in a few days, but even with the tricks I'm trying to play with it, it looks like I just might have to spring for a copy of Windows XP (fucking Toshiba).

I cannot continue to elaborate on how great this weekend was, and I want again to thank everyone for thier kind wishes, and not to be forgotten- thanks to those who helped my ring in my 23rd year.

Other than that, I will hope to post something from my own computer in the coming days, until then, maybe I can actually do some productive studying.

Irish baseball games

I did some searching prior to leaving last night, and I found some info on a few games. This is just what I could find, and once Page (our bench coach) finalizes our 05 schedule it will be on www.stockmensirish.com until then, here's what we got.

May 15th vs. St. Louis Park (one of the perrenial fav. for the state title)
May 28th vs. Minnapolis Merchants
June 7th vs. Evansville (IN) Outlaws- they are a semi-pro team, meaning they are on the same level as us, but they get paid.
June 12th vs. Evansville (IN) Outlaws
June 18th vs. West St. Paul (league opponent)
June 23rd (2005 Stockmen's Tournament) vs. Minneapolis Cobras
June 25th (2005 Stockmen's Tournament) vs. Chicago Titans
June 26th (2005 Stockmen's Tournament) opponent TBA
July 9th at West St. Paul (league opponent)
July 12th at Dundas

There you go. Again, more will come once our official schedule gets released.

My 23rd birthday

You Are In a Fantastic Mood

You're confident, focused, and on top of your game. People are attracted to your energy right now. This is the time to go for it - you're likely to get what you want!

....duh!



Wow! What a trip! Thinking I had everything planned out yesturday, today I can only shake my head at the events as they played themselves out. The day began with the pursuit of Cubbies tickets, but only to come up short. I got a nice long phone conversation with my Dad, and then had a great nap inturrupted 2 or 3 times too many from phone calls (lesson of the day #1- do NOT take a nap hours before an event you planned).

We headed out to the Loring Pasta bar, and I couldn't have been happier with dinner, except for two things. First we had our group stretched out over two semi-circled booths, so our group of 15 was split up, and second, one of the fraternity guys I invited showed up just smashed, however he did provide some nice entertainment, and he stayed out of trouble. The food was fantastic, and the service was better than I expected (that place is really 50-50 on food quality and service, so we lucked out). We had a really nice spot in the upstairs section as well. The waitress was super cool, and she gave both tables the student discount, so we saved almost $120 on the tab, so we did the right thing and gave her a huge tip.

From there, we headed to The Local. The place was absolutely PACKED (go figure on a Friday night- who knew?). However, luckily we found a nice little section right near the door that was mystically empty (it was when a few idiots didn't close the front door did we finally realize why it might have been vacated). We had a good time drinking scotches and wine, and smoking our cigars. About an hour prior to bar close, we decided to find some place else, and we headed towards the 1st Ave area of downtown. We ended up going to The Saloon which is just one of the many gay bars (yes, we went to a gay bar) in the city. The great thing about the gay bars, at least for me, is that all I have to do is look cute, and I get free drinks and smokes (I had 1 cigarette last night for the first time in over a month). We left as they quit serving alcohol around 2am.

All-in-all it was a great night, however the greatest part came just before we left for dinner, as The UG gave me a surprise phone call. Thinking I was getting another "Happy Birthday" call, I was estatic to hear that he was able to pick up some tickets for the Cubs game!!!! We have some great seats (if I remember correctly they are in the first couple rows of the upper deck, on the first base side). I have never sat there before, and it will be fantastic to see the park from a new angle. Thank you very much The UG.

Finally, for those awaiting pictures, I failed to pick up any batterys for my camera, so I didn't take any. However Patty-Poo did have his, and we did get one of the group who sat at our table at dinner. Now that I think about it, it would have been pretty sweet to get a pic of the naked dancers at the club, but oh well (only in Minneapolis) :). Thank you to everyone for thier birthday wishes, gifts, and cards. This by far was the best birthday ever!!! I am truely appreciative.

....and Stephen took the mic, the crowd in awe....

I want the Cubs to go back to being perrenial losers! I'm serious, hear me out. Not only can't I get into to purchase tickets either over the phone, or on-line, but there are schmucks who have three pairs of tickets on eBay....fucking schmucks. I liked it better when the Cubs sucked and the only people at the ballpark were true fans, and dads taking thier kids to thier first game.

Obviously- no tickets....it's back to bed for me, long (but fun) night today, and Pat is on his way.

Birthday song

It has phrases that fit, some that don't, but it has my soon-to-be-age in the title, so what more could you ask for (BTW, these cats are from Chicago)...

Lucky Boys Confusion's 23(God Only Knows)....

Shut his eyes at 23, god only knows
Doctors say it's a mystery, god only knows
It's not your place to be questioning, god only knows
Why I am so shaken
Cross that bridge when the time comes… it's in my face
Cross that bridge when the time comes… it's in my face and if that's the case
Bury me into the ground
Don't make a scene, no, don't make a sound
These roads are separated, we've thrown out yesterday
But don't let tomorrow throw this all away
Will his feet again embrace the street, god only knows
Will this infection turn and retreat, god only knows
It's not your place to be questioning, god only knows
Why I am so broken
Seedlings brainwashed, deprived
Notions that they've all contrived
Feel this, yeah, I'm still alive
But I'm barely holding off

I just take these tests, I don't argue with the results

You Are From the Sun

Of all your friends, you're the shining star. You're dramatic - loving attention and the spotlight. You're a totally entertainer and the life of the party. Watch out! The Sun can be stubborn, demanding, and flirty. Overall, you're a great leader and great friend. The very best!

What Planet Are You From?

I just won the 50/50 raffle

One of my wishes came true today, when Patty-Poo shared that he will be in town for my birthday extravaganza!!! However the part that sucks about him coming up here is the timing of his drive- he won't be able to help in capturing Cubs tickets. I guess not everything could go my way, but I'll still snag a pair without a problem...the tickets go on sale in less than 33 hours.

Happy to have Pat in town, I am even happy enough to take him and his friends out to a club (have I mentioned in here how much I dislike going to clubs?). I guess if they act as the sober cab, then I can deal with it, plus I don't think I can really turn down a oppertunity to get my boogie on (well maybe I could, but since Pat is coming up here, I'll give it a shot).

I never made it to my advisor's meeting today, as a form of protest on how crappy I was treated last semester. Realizing early this morning that I did not have to have her approval on transfering (read- she doesn't have to sign off on anything), I am taking care of both applications on my own. To save my butt in the future, because I will have to run my prospective classes for next semester possibly by her, I will stop in, and claim that I had the flu (which isn't all false). I just loathe her and the entire drama-filled November I had last semester, and without having to see her today, my day was doubly- good.

I was healthy enough today to make it to the rec center. I lifted a few weights, and took part in some co-ed volleyball, and I come back still healthy- sweet! I still have a horse's cough, but I'm sure some fire water tomorrow night (after midnight) will get rid of whatever else is hanging around in there.

It's off to continue my search of excitement in the world of textbooks. Take Care.

The 6 quarter man

Getting healthy is good. I'm back, reasonably ready to return to making a positive contribution to society, and ready for Friday! Less than 58 hours from now Cubs tickets go on sale, and I am ready (let's get it on!).

Tomorrow isn't a day I'm looking forward to at all (well really today- Wednesday). I meet with my Ass of an advisor so she can go over my major applications, and with the crap I had to go through last November I am not looking forward to see any of those breaucrats again. It will be a good meeting if I just have to nod my head and say no more than 50 words, and leave. It's not so much that I know this is important, but I did go through this process last year, and I know I will be accepted into either Sports Management, or *sigh* Rec and Leisure Studies.

I received my first birthday gift tonight, as The UG sent me a gift cirtificate for more songs off of iTunes. (THANKS!!). I wasn't really expecting anything, nor am I expecting anymore, but it always nice to recieve something. (I just hope I'm not shunned by my purchasing of more red state country music...yeee ha!!!)

I will finally return to my work out schedule next week. Because I've been so busy with school, then getting sick, I haven't had the time, or the energy to continue my now lost goal of achieving the 150 pound mark by the beginning of my baseball season.

I have yet to receive a grade back for my Public Health mid-term, but I should have that by Thursday, and I'm sure it'll give me another reason to smile...'cause I felt I did pretty well on it. Other than that..Wednesday is going to suck, Thursday will be long....I'm sure I'll visit an establishment for a birthday beer...then Friday it's on....Here I come North Side (well in a few weeks anyway :).

Take care.

Death Chat

**Understanding that most people do not feel comfortable talking about death, I must include this disclaimer- if you are one of those people, please do not read any further. Much like anything that I discuss, I will use bad humor as well as words that might offend or hurt- however offending and hurting is not what my aim is. My goal with this is to discus death as a legitimate time in everyone's life, and a legitamate topic of conversation, and one that should not be scarry.**

With the recent passing of writer Hunter S. Thompson, a question of righteousness comes to my mind in the way that the media is reporting his death. When does one get to decide on how thier obituaries are worded? (Not that I really cared about any of these people, but...) Kurt Cobain, Van Gogh, Hemmingway; they commited suicide, however HST he "died of an self-inflicted gun shot wound." Does this make sense to anyone, because it doesn't to me. Maybe, just maybe the media is choosing to use softer language about death/dying topics, but I gaurantee, sure and shit (BTW, who did that study to see that shit was so sure?) that next time some rock star or athelete kills themself that they will lable it a suicide.

When I pass, I wish I could have some soft, hippie language on my obituary. For instance if I pass in a car accident, I'd like it to sound something like, "He was involved in a rearangement of normal driving conditions." Cancer- "He passed from differentials in organ mass." Lastly, old age- "Stephen's organs went on a vacation after working for so long without a contract."

I fully understand that the wording of obituaries has to be done in a respectful mannor, because of the sense of loss of a loved one. Lord knows I wouldn't want some crazy wording of my Grandfather's obituary, or of anyone else close to me. My point is that if we are going to play games with one person's cause of death, then why the change? That's all....maybe I'm totally off-base, and if I am let me know, but I just don't get it.

Some great things (revised)

Ok, so I said that Cubbies tickets are the make or break gift this year, but even more than important that tickets would be able to see some family...and that might just happen! I got word from Patty-Poo that his lady friend are coming to the Metro to visit one of her friends who goes to a local college, and Pat is coming along. I'm not really sure how much he'd want to hang out with his older bro, but just to have him come up is something special. It's still not 100% that it'll happen, but even still, sweetness.

There is nothing more important to me than my family. Knowing that I do go to school so far away from home makes it hard for my family to make the trek up to the Metro, and when one makes plan to do so, it superceeds anything else. I am proud to say that my brother is one of my best friends. With our roads in life not yet paved, it is a blessing to get to spend whatever time we have together, whether on-line, on the phone, or in person. It's what makes our Wrigley tradition something that much more special, knowing that a day like that can turn into a life-long memory.

Of things other than family...stagnation is the nation that I'm living in, whether it is of my own doing or not, in respect to women. I broke the news to Amber that I don't believe things will be worth pursuing on my part, because as selfish as this might sound she was just too young. While I know I have said that even if one were to be under 21, so long as she could converse and some some ability to use her brain it would not matter, but since I took some time to think it over, I was indeed wrong.

Yeah, I'm an ass. Yeah, I'm selfish. It is because I want not to spread myself too thin that a gal who cannot join up with my friends and I at a bar, or put myself into a situation where I have to be watchful of what someone might be doing under my watch if they are drinking while underage. It isn't a situation I want to be in. Furthermore, as a whole, I just didn't feel comfortable getting into such a relationship. It's no ones fault, just how the cookies crumble.

(On a general note)The thing that kills me in general is lack of communication. If someone isn't doing something right, or whatever the case might be just fucking tell them. Life is too short to be filled with stupid time wasters or mind games. I have been told that I am intimidating to talk to, and if it is because I don't pussy-foot around, well then I'll wear that honor proudly.

Everything I do this week will lead up to Friday. My studies, classes, and sleep in between, will be sprinkled hopefully with some grocery shopping and laundry (both of which are in code red right now). I am debating picking up some new threads for my gathering on Friday, but as much as I'd like to dress up, I don't think it'd be fair when I didn't include a dress code in my invitations....eh, we'll see.

Friday I'll have tickets, my brother *fingers crossed*, a scotch (or two, or three), and a cigar....I just have to get organized, focused, and healthy before then.

I wasn't going to write, but...

With The Sickness kickin' up again, all I can do here at work is try to do as little as possible (which is a normal rutine). I have been surfing the net the past few hours, and I think I'm finally ready to get my tattoo that I've been screaming about for the last two years. For those of you who don't know, I'm getting the Cubbies 1914 logo. I was thinking my pitching arm would have been the best spot, but now I'm not so sure...Pops got a tattoo to celebrate USC (his almamater)'s National Championship on his calf, and it looked like a nice location. I guess I have a while to figure it out.

One of the many things that I believe I need to work on this year is that I need to quit digging myself into ditches when it comes to what I say. Not so much with the times I stick my foot in my mouth, but with what I get myself tied up into. As the saying goes, don't let your mouth write checks you can't cash.

I'm really getting stoked for my birthday this Friday, and I know, I just know that Patty-Poo and I will come through with at least OUR tickets for the Cubs home opener. Now that I won't have to spend $7 on a camera at the ballpark, (because I will have my cell camera and my digital camera), Pat and I will be able to share one more beer. I remember the two of us went in 2003, and we easily spent $70 on alcohol alone!

For what it's worth, I really should complain about this weekend being so busy, and I won't have to work again until the Monday after my birthday. It'll be so nice to just spend time recooperating and studying.

Ending on a baseball related note (hey- it's about the only thing on my mind these days)...I believe I have found a new stance at the plate this year that will help me to at least crack the dreaded Mendoza line (.200 batting average). From the looks of things I will have either short stop or second base duties the first handful of games or so. After that I will have compedtition, but knowing that if I make a good showing when I get the chance, it'll be my spot to lose. Once again, my defense isn't my concern, it's my ability to hit.

**Weather update** In Minneapolis, we're expected to get anywhere from 4-8" before the snow stops tomorrow. I guess the bright spot is while it won't be 60* for my birthday, Friday is looking like the warmest day in the next ten (38*), so I won't complain too much. As long as it's 70 and sunny for the home opener, I'll be smiling :).

I've waited, it's Next Year, now let's come through!!! The Cubs will come alive in 05!

Just call me Condi

In what hopefully won't continue to be the case, I've had to act as a social diplomat across my social circles in the last 36 hours, and thankfully my term is over! Things are now clear, everyone was on the same page, and I even recieved an interesting blessing of sorts. I picked up my grapfruits and said what's on my mind, and the end result was good. The thing is that I am old school- once I know what I want to say, I say it. It is clear, concise and to the point. I very well could have lost a friend tonight, but instead he appreciated how I delt with the situation.

Long story short, communication is a lost art in my generation, however I somehow have that in my arsenal. I love the art of the spoken word, as it has the power to exert power, affluence, experience, stupidity, etc. as very few things can. I know for a fact that those who have seen me think I'm some pip-squeek guy, but when I open my mouth I turn heads, and I love that sense of surprising people- at least it should come in handy in the grown-up world. I can talk sports, law, politics, love, relationships, and bull shit with the best of them, and I love it.

On my way to work after patching things up with D-lo, at a club I swore I'd never go to again, a poem came into my head. It's about an hour or so since the words came to me, but I will try and share them:

Those who say they've never lived make me laugh,
Those who do nothing but laugh have never lived.

....Actually regardless of the fact that I can't remember anything else other than those two lines, I think I'll leave it at that. The reasoning is because those two lines by themselves seem awfully powerful to me. I've met handfuls of people who are astounded by what I have done; whether it's going away for college, still being in college :), or the experiences I have had in my life. To them I have been told that their life seems insignificant. To those that think that in some way they have not yet felt things other people have felt is a negative, I ask them to look to what qualities they have that no one else has. It makes me laugh, because in such a compeditive world already there are those who are failing to provide themselves an edge. It makes me laugh, because as I have learned, if you aren't willing to make yourself look interesting, who else will? You, and you alone are your biggest personal marketer.

The second line becomes significant when those who belittle, degrade, and dispose of other people, thier thoughts, and thier ideas only because they seem outside a personal rhelm of understanding. It isn't the duty for everyone to agree, or even believe in other person's words, however it is a responsibility to stand up for a voice to be heard. You can laugh at age, you can laugh at life's little boners, but to dispose of another's dreams only gives you a place on thier list of people to thank for not believing in them when they make it to the top.

To those who want, they shall never try, those who try shall never want.

I'd love for a day to see what the stars live like, to know what is really like to be a baseball player dressed in a suit with a briefcase off to thier next game. I'd like to know what it feels like to live on my own, or to live with someone. It's the constant persistance to live that give me the ability to reach my goals and my dreams. I couldn't want anything more than I have because it is I and I alone that controll what I might accumulate. I've been on the other side of the coin when I asked why isn't it that I don't have a nice car, why don't I have a nice phone, why can't I spend money constantly at bars, restaurants, why can't I's all day long...however the fact of the matter was I just wanted and I never worked.

In my generation, kids don't try anymore. I work my ass off for my toys, and I enjoy the hell out of them. When I graduate and have more toys, and have more time, I'll enjoy those too, because I know I EARNED them. The reason why I made amends to friends when they have made possibly conscious harms on me is because a friendship is never there, it is a commody that can be won or lost in the stock trade of life. I work, and I work for what I have, and while sometimes I come out on the short end, I press on, continue to percivere and live.

No, I'm not depressed, and no I'm not stoned or drunk...this is a sober moment of maturity. It is a hard (possibly unreadable) manifesto of who I am and what I am about. No longer am I filled with propaganda from others, and no longer will I succumb to things I never wanted. This isn't about sexual escapades, this isn't about the gain of greed or personal wealth, and this isn't the accumulation of gidgits and gadgets. To be clear it is the outline of how I live my life.

In my high school days I used to repeat a phrase that up until now, because I feel that it might have been misleading, however I resurrect that phrase today..."Regret nothing, everything happens for a reason." Sure I have made mistakes in the past, and I'm sure that I will make a few thousand more, but such is life, however the pressure to outlive those blunders isn't pressure at all, because I know every day that when I bring my butt out of bed, I have a new day to do at least a little better than that day before.

In my first two years of school, I wasn't ready...but now I am. I look to a higher power (and a family assistant in his cabinet) that I will continue on a road that is consistant with my morals, values, goals, and ethics. That's it, no more- I feel clensed, and I feel that I can actually feel a burden of information no longer on my back (although this wasn't written for any one person in particular, there still felt a burden). The lasting impression that I want to make on everyone is that I did what I said I would, and I don't play games.


(For clairification purposes, again, this is not a drepression note, this is not a cry for help. I am healthy, welthy, and strong. I'm not going anywhere, and I am going to do nothing different....this was just a posting of thoughts from the heart.)

Awake- sadly

One of the crazy things about not being able to do anything but sleep for a certain period of time is that (at least for me), I have to make up that time at least two-fold in being awake. Today is one of those crazy awake kind of days.

After making a pretty good showing on my Public Health mid-term, and going snowboarding, I headed to the bar happy that I survived the demon flu, and that I still have yet to find out about my work schedule this weekend....I guess I should call work now and find out...hold please......

This weekend's schedule
FRI Movie with Amber, then work 2300-0800
SAT work 1600-2300, work 2300-0800
SUN Baseball practice 11am, work 2300-11am Monday

Well needless to say this kid ain't going to have much energy Monday, but then again it's nothing new for this semester; thankfully my only class on Mondays doesn't start until 1820.

Last night I made a trip out to the bar, and for some reason, Labatt Blue was having some hockey promotion, so like any guy, I gave it a shot. To give you some idea of the set up, they have a huge goal and it had 9 lighted "screens" (think of a tic-tac-toe board). The deal was you had to hit all nine blocks in under 60 seconds to win some gear (shirts, hats, etc.). Knowing that I strickly play baseball, and haven't played at least gym hockey in a decade, I was insanely anxious not to take any longer than 2 minutes. The craziest thing happened though, and knocked out all 9 blocks in less than 40 seconds...and I picked up a Labatt baseball T-shirt. I was extreamly surprised, and my score was better than 4 of the 6 guys who tried before me (and they all claimed at one time or another they all played Division I hockey colligiately). Shocking is the only word....but do not think the NHL is in my future, because they only thing I would even think of playing is goalie.

Well, here's to another day, and a good amount of rest for what should be a long weekend.

Oh the humanity!

How is my timing? Inpecable! I'm sick AGAIN! For the third time this winter my greatful body is breaking down once again. I'm sitting here wasting time because I can't focus, and that's bad when you're trying to read.

The first time I got sick, was relatively good timing, because it was over Thanksgiving break, however I was scheduled to work double shifts everyday over the holiday, so I slept, went to work, slept at work, etc. When school finally got back in session, I spent the next week and a half making it to only 3 of my next 12 classes....somehow it worked out, because I ended up with the best GPA of my colligate career.

ARGH! I feel so pathetic right now, as I sit with a ice back wraped around the back of my neck- trying to drop my body temperature. Today I had to skip my Accounting mid-term and hope that my prof. will have the same empathy he had for others last semester. He's a good guy, and with the class being as easy as it is, taking the test for at least 50% of the points would still leave me open for a B, which ain't too bad. I have my Public Health exam (fitting eh?) Thursday, and anything other than death can keep me from going to that, because well- the prof doesn't take excuses unless they are accompained with a doctor's note (not having insurance- that's a hard thing to do).

Now don't get me wrong- I love (LOVE) sleeping. In fact, it's my second favorite sport to baseball, however when I can't do anything BUT sleep, I get a little angered. This month is when I begin to wake up (no pun intended) from a SAD couple of months. Oh well I guess, such is life.

If every day is truely a holiday- then for me today must have been Bastille Day, or some other crap-ass French holiday. Tomorrow's holiday is the first Cubs practice of the year, so things should get better...I'd love to hit the bar up right now, and do a couple shots of 151, but I have to continue studing for my exam....take care.

It's my time to shine

It's about DAMN, DARN, FRIGGIN' time!!!! Baseball gets underway today as the Nationals, Reds, and Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to camp a few hours ago. After a disapointing season, the feeling I have is let's get to it.

Personally, other than the mounting euphoria, school is beginning to whip my ass. I found out last night that I had a journal review last night, so I woke up early this morning to get it done, and my computer shut down on me- not once, but twice! (Dad, the UG- y'all are computer nerds, any ideas why this is happening?) I eventually got the damn thing done, and printed out the 25 page journal article, and went to class happy and in good spirits. I got my first grade of the semester back- an A on the first article review we had to do, so far I'm looking at a 4.0 GPA!!! :)

My first exam of the semester is Wednesday night (Accounting), which will be quickly followed by my second exam (Public Health- Drugs and Alcohol). I am prepared for the accounting one, but the public health one shouldn't present a problem as I will be putting in a good 10 hour study session wednesday night to make sure I know everything there is to know.

Other than that, I'm just looking forward to another good weekend. I'm going out with Amber again- this time to see Hitch, and probably hit up a local establishment to stimulate the economy. Cubbies tickets go on sale on my birthday, so other than a Nomar jersey (more on that in a bit) the tickets Patty-Poo and I are going to get will certainly make it a great birthday.

Part of the tradition of going to Wrigleyville for the opening day game is to add to my Cubs collection, as every year I add a new piece of Cubs clothing to my collection:
2000- a 1914 Cubs hat
2003- Cubs hooded sweatshirt
2004- a Goat t-shirt and 1914 Cubs jersey
This year, I will purchase a Nomar jersey, and I will spend each night praying I can wear it with pride...he better stay healthy!!

That's it for now kiddies (and older folk)...I think I'm off to bed.

What a weekend!

For getting a decent amount of sleep this weekend, I am just exhausted...

Friday night the guys night out didn't begin so well, as Hitch was sold out. We headed to a local mall to pick up some poker chips, and our first Hold 'Em Night was such a success that we might make it a once-a-month deal. Personally I broke even, so I can't complain.

Saturday was our baseball fundraiser, which even though it wasn't as large a turn out as we had expected, I had plenty to do and had a lot of fun. Our shift schedule got tossed to the wind, and so did I, as I spent most of the night working behind the bar. Thankfully our DJ had moments of clairity where he realzed that it wasn't a wedding, and playing some music from the last 10 years. While new jerseys are probably out of the question, the chemistry of our squad will hopefully fit a little better this year than last. Last year we seemed to have a guy who wasn't all there, or a group of guys just playing ball to have some fun. This year it seems to me that a lot of chemistry comes from our focus to play as one. We'll see what happens, as it is only about 2 months until our season gets underway. Our non-conference schedule should be availible in a week, so check our site for details. From what I heard Saturday night, we will have a short weekend road trip to New Ulm, MN (about 1-2 hours south of the Metro), along with a longer trip out to some WI towns. If I haven't mentioned it, the Chicago Team I will most likely be playing for once I make my return to Chicago will be playing in our Stockmen's Tournament (info is availible on the web site for that already), so I'm stoked for that.

Today, I finally got to see a pro basketball game for the first time since the 99-00 season when I saw Detroit play Milwaukee. This time it was the Baby Bulls playing strong for three quarters to beat the T-Wolves 87-83. Regardless of the Bulls winning, Amber and I had a fantastic time. Hopefully she'll understand true sporting hardships watching some Cubbies games this summer, so that the current underachieving of the Wolves (including Sunday they have lost 8 of thier last 9) isn't so bad in the grand scheme of things.

So things are going well, but I have to get going on my studies as this weekend was as scholastically unproductive as they come. Baseball will finally get underway this week as pitchers and catchers for the Yankees (hey, it's baseball), and 2 other teams on the 15th. The Cubbies will begin thier chase of the championship on Thursday the 17th. Single game tickets will go on-sale on my birthday, so hopefully a couple of tickets for Patty-Poo and I to make our yearly pilgramage will make it a happy birthday before my party begins (not having class that day already is making it look like a good one :).

Take care, and go Cubbies.

Oh pa-lease

So I took a quiz on-line today to find out how much I'm worth, and the answer was...

I am worth $1,795,740.00 on HumanForSale.com

Give me a break...let's break it down, and see what I'm really worth shall we?

22 year old male= 750,000
College student (junior)= $1, 300, 000
SUV= $10, 000
Good, loving family= $1, 500, 000
History of stroke, heart attack, and cancer= -60, 000 (20k times 3)
Speaks (good) English and understands German= $450, 000
fertility= $75,000
organs (e bay estimate) = 1,500,000
Good personality= 50, 000
Above average looks = 80, 000
slender frame= 20, 000
No history of birth defects (family)= 150, 000
Baseball player (and all-around athletic= $2, 000,000
That totals $7, 825, 5000.....and I am taking offers

I wanted to clarify something I published in my last post. Last time, I said that Amber (the woman who I am going to the Bulls game with) is special, because she is into Minnesota sports teams. I want to clarify that she is not special in a "short bus" kind of way, but special in that she is a gal who can be counted on when things go sour (i.e. the Vikings & T-Wolves sucking it up for example), she's not the type to pick a winner then switch when they go down....happy Amber ;)

I got through another round of snowboarding, and I think I'm actually getting better! I fell a good number of times, but nothing tradgic. This is going to be such a great weekend that I can't even wait. The guys and I are planning to see the new Will Smith flick, Hitch, and then coming back to my place for some brews and a "friendly" game or two of Texas Hold-em (if the feds are reading this, we only play for "candy")...hehehe suckers


Saturday is my baseball team's fundraiser , and hopefully it will very successful, because it'll be neat to get some bad-ass jerseys. My schedule for the event is as follows...
3-4pm food/cleanup
4-5pm break (read- drinking beer/getting wasted)
5-6pm working the door (i'll be the best damn doorman ever- no one gets in without slippin' me a 20-spot)
6-7pm bar duty (getting more drunk)
7-8pm bar duty (getting more drunk, part II)
8-9pm food/cleanup
9-10pm food/cleanup
10-11pm bar duty (getting drunk again, now that I've had some food)
11-12am food/cleanup

12am- ?? finishing off whatever is left of the beer, then finding a comfortable table to sleep on.

Sunday, Amber and I are heading to the Target Center to watch the Bulls face the T-Wolves. The game won't be on TV in Minneapolis OR Chicago- how shitty is that. Oh well, I am sure it will be a great time- no matter who wins. We picked up some great seats from a ticket broker, and we'll be behind one of the baskets in the first row of the upper deck (hopefully we'll be above the player's entrance so I can dumb a beer on a player if a riot breaks out :). I'm sure whose ever team wins, that person will console the other.

To finish the weekend off, I will make my traditional overnight shift at work, and will probably spend most of the time sleeping off what should be the best weekend in a while. Things are looking up, except that I have to meet with my shitty advisor and get ready to tranfer into the College of Educational and Human Development. Once again I will find out sometime in April whether or not I will major in Sports Management or Recreaction, Park, and Leisure Studies. The great thing is that this will be the last time I will ever have to meet with my shitty-ass advisor.

Peace, love, and taco grease- I'm out like a fat person's belly button. Take care.

The baby Bulls? Damn I love that town!

For those who know me, you know that my fortay is baseball, followed by college footbal, pro football, and then after college hockey comes NBA basketball. I know absolutely nothing much about it. I love college hoops, because it's almost pure, and there are teams I can root for (Minnesota, N'Western, SIU, and the 23-0 Illini), but as far as the NBA goes, I couldn't have cared less...except of course until the Baby Bulls decided to start taking teams to school.

The reason I bring this up is because this Sunday I will be going on a diplomacy field trip with a young lass who I met watching the State of the Union last week. Her name is Amber, and she's special...I mean really special- she's a Minnesota sports fan. In an effort to build communication between the two cities in hopes for a Randy Moss to Chicago deal, we are leading the way for the Vikings and Bears to get together and discuss a possible trade :). Should I remember to take pictures when the Bulls have the lead, I will certainly post them.

My baseball team's fundraiser is coming up this Saturday, and I couldn't wait for this thing to be over and done with so we can see what new toys we will be able to get from it. Along from the new stuff (which I will touch on later), we also use the money we raise for umpires (we should probably pitch in for glasses as well), travel money (as we go all over the state in search of quality compedtition), and field maitenance. As far as new toys go, we play in a wood bat league, and just like in the pros, the toothpicks don't last forever (hell, even I broke two of my bats last year). We are also looking into getting sweet new jerseys....I asked for throwbacks uniforms with the drawstrings, but that didn't go over so well, and neither did my request to wear my pants as they did back in the 20s and 30s (our owner is like Steinbrener- which is why I call him George, but I guess he isn't so bad, because he lets me keep my chin hair and side burns).

I'm looking forward to what could be a very good weekend, but I need to super glue my ass to a chair and get to reading before I fall behind. I should receive my first paper of the semester back Tuesday, and I have a very good feeling I will get an A on it.

My 23rd birthday

It is fast approaching, the day upon all days I dred the most, my birthday. The one day that I can truely call my own, gives me as much excitement year in and year out as a mid-terms. Last year was an aboration, as friends came to congradulate me on surviving another year, however the night began and end with my then girlfriend arguing (I guess I should have taken that as a hint). The year prior I spent my 21st birthday in a bar, in Kenosha, by myself. The examples go on and on.

However in trying to turn the tide, I have organized a dinner and drinks thereafter in Minneapolis. We are having said dinner at the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown followed by drinks at The Local. I'm not sure who or how many will attend, but I hope against history that this year will be one to remember.

For those of you who have yet to get an invite by monday (February 7th), e-mail me at soch0010@umn.edu and I will forward you one.

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As I sit here wearing a token of mistakes past, tears, just tears are drying off of my "worn" face. The source of this pain, this anguish is via poor decisions, and letting him down. My stake in this was passed on to me the day I was born, and as I have chosen to live these soon to be 23 years now, I continue to accept it. (If this in fact confuses you, then please read no futher- this post is not meant for you).

From what I have aspired to, and what I have become should both send joy and shame to those who look upon me for the future. Sure we all make mistakes, and all of that jazz, but for most of my life, I felt as if I was carrying a burden; a burden to succeed at everything that I do, a burden to be perfect, remain perfect, and always be in fact, perfect. I have never met those standards, and I know that I never will, and that's ok.

As he sat there with you....I know you sit here with me (which is strange for you should be in Illinois :). I have an entire congregation of all of you with me in everything that I do, and it is only now that I know it isn't pressure you are putting on me- its support, in its purest, most loving form. I used to sing Sammy Davis Jr's If They Could See Me Now thinking you were there watching me, only to realize you were singing it along with me.

Gosh DAMN, how I'd kill for a scotch and a Primo Del Rey (or whatever humble excuse for dominican trash I offered to you on Christmas) right now. Forgive me for sounding like a country song, but every sip of the good stuff brings the pain down my throat that fills my heart for not being able to tell him how greatful I was to begin such a lineage. The UG, GS, PS (if you happen to find this)....I know that there is never a time when any of us will truely be alone, however the more and more we find ourselves tested, the more and more we must realize that we can never part. Never forget where you came from, as for me- I was certainly reminded of that today.

The post as promised

As I alluded to earlier, here's my post, because I know you've been dying to read it...

1) The State of the Union address...
I watched the speech at a local pub with the College Republicans, so I knew I had back up :). It was a sound speech, which surprised me, because I thought he would have been a litle more headstrong, however he turned out to be more diplomatic than anything else. I was appaled that the Dumicrats had enough gull to act like the British parliment as boo- what a bunch of jerks. Overall the point at which all of us watching gave the loudest applause to was the Social Security overhaul plan, as it will effect us more so than anything else, and our generation will need a change if we expect some retirement change.

2) My new dissagreement with King George
Up until last night, I had assumed that Bush's push for a constitutional admendment to "defend" the act of marriage was actually to have the Supreme Court to agree that gay marriage isn't worthy of federal tax benefits (or vice versa). However after hearing his speech last night it is clear that he is trying to garner support to be the first president to use the Constiution to discriminate against a section of the public, and it pains me for him to do so. However, Kerry would have been elected by acting as though he's for gay marriage when he won't give them anything except for "civil unions" which I have to say isn't anything special....give gays the same rights as any other group- please.

3) Snowboarding Part II
This time was much less painfull than last week, however I was much more caustious than I was last time. No purple butt, not much lingering stingers- so all is well. I'm getting better, and Tahoe here I come! (psyke!)

4) My politcal affiliation as OkCupid.com sees it
Before I took this on-line quiz earlier today, I considered myself a fiscal conservative/socially moderate person....the results of the quiz are....

You are a

Social Conservative
(38% permissive)


and an...

Economic Conservative
(78% permissive)


You are best described as a:

Republican


You exhibit a very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness.
Right and wrong, yes, I know about that, but economic fairness- I don't agree with that assesment, but they don't know me, so there! :)

5) Misc. crap
I had quite the humbling experience today, when I read a fellow blogger's page. Jennifer over at Crazy Random Thoughts, had very kind words for me, after I had given her some kind words of my own about her sister leaving for Iraq. It was very touching for someone to appreciate a nice jesture of mine, because I think sometimes my kindness goes unaknowledged (and not to say I expect a red carpet or rose pedals thrown at me for EVERY nice thing I do, sometimes it's just nice to know that what I do is apprecited every now and then).

That's all for now...maybe I'll throw something on here later....once the Sosa deal is done, I'll for sure have a comment on my Sports Blog.