I'll Take It

Just got back from the gym in time to see the Mets score 4 runs in the top of the ninth to make it 9-4. Looper of course came in and got the first 2 batters out, only to load the bases. I swear, leave it to the Mets to make their long suffering fans sweat out a game when their up 5 friggin runs. Anyway, Looper got the last out and salvaged the win capping off what was a horrible road trip (2-5). I give them credit though, they were able to get to Oswalt and came back several times today where they could've just rolled over and play dead. With no deals getting done it looks like I'm going to have to ride the rest of the year out with this frustrating bunch.

You smell that?

I'm trying to enjoy the remainder of my weekend but with the Mets on the verge of being swept by the Astros and apparently no deal getting done for either Manny Ramirez or Alfonso Soriano, that's not going to be easy.
I hung out with Karen and Shane at her house last night after picking them up from the train station. Her family had another party for Matt's graduation, with mostly family members in attendance. Sure enough there were cards being played when I arrived and I had to wait for my chance to get in on the action.
Unfortunately for me, while I was observing how everyone was playing their cards, I realized that something wasn't quite right. Jen, Karen's cousin, mentioned that there was a funny smell emanating from where I was standing. As it turned out I was so into my plate of lasagna and the poker, I stepped in a nice little 'souvenir' left by her dog Molly! Needless to say that's not the way you want to start off kicking back at a friend's cookout.
After getting that smell off of my slipper I was able to enjoy the rest of the night. And as luck would have it I ended up winning the next game of poker. Granted by the time it got down to me, Christian and Matt, I was the only one who felt like playing. After a couple of hands it was clear that those guys were going to give me their chips. And I was more than willing to accept them since I really needed the gas money for the upcoming week.

TGIF

I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but I can't wait to sit back and relax this weekend. If there's one thing I've learned after working a full work week, is that I'll never take the weekend for granted. I'm missing out on a couple of bdays tonight which always blows because I really need to let off some steam. With that being said there are some other things (modest as they may be) I'm looking forward to...
With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, I'm anxious to see what the Mets and Omar Minaya will do. Will they get Soriano? And if they do what will it cost? I've been debating that with my friends and feel that we don't want to give up too much. But then again you have to give up something to get something and we do need another 'bat' if we're going to make any type of run at the playoffs. As it stands it looks like Cameron, Heilman and either Milledge/Petit, any combo of those players, will be what it's going to take.
The other thing I'm looking for is my uncle coming through with the new Harry Potter. Can't wait to sink my teeth into that bad boy. Yeah I know that sounds dorky but if you've been reading my blog you already know that was already the case.

Hump Day

Man am I glad I got past the midway part of the week. It actually wasn't so bad today and I think my body has acclimated now to being at work now. Still, when I strolled out of the building and into the night, I felt a sense of relief that signaled I had made it past something difficult. I can almost smell the weekend from here.
Bong drove me to this other building on the other side of the massive Estee Lauder compound to get my ID badge. It didn't take long at all and I must say it came out quite well. It's one of the best my photos I've taken for an ID. Of course, when I returned to my part of the complex, my card didn't work and Jimmy the security guy had to let me in. Fortunately that problem was taken care of shortly and now I'm free to roam around wherever I want.

Downtime

Work didn't drag too long today which is weird since I had even less to do today than I did yesterday. I guess I'm getting used to all the downtime and my mind has been able to adjust to the lack of stimulating activity. Lee actually took some time this afternoon to show me some things but I have no idea what he was talking about.
On a bright note I was able to meet up with my old friend Joey Mirador. He happens to work at Estee int the labs and gets to wear a nifty lab coat with his name on it. It's been years since I saw him last, I think there was one time since he got married but neither of us could figure out when. Ever since he got hitched to Lisa, for whatever reason, they have pretty much kept to themselves only showing up to the occassional engagement party.
Maybe it's because things got a little out of hand after the reception and everyone ended up in our hotel room, where I may have asked her dad if he had any weed. Or maybe it's because Shane tried to choke her cousin later on in the evening. Oh well, what are you goin to do?
Anyway it was great seeing him and I hope that we get to hang out more now that we work in the same building.

I thought it would never end

Man what a long first day on the job. For starters I went in early, around 2:30, because I needed to get my picture taken for my ID. When I learned that I wouldn't be able to have it done til Wednesday, I should've known something was afoot.
Fortunately my buddy Bong stuck around a little while, til about 4 o'clock, to show me around a little before he went home. Little did I know that would be the last meaningful interaction I would have for the next 6 hours!
What was so maddening about that span of time was that there were people there, I met Lee and Jerry who have been with the company for a combined 100 yrs, but they weren't the chattiest guys I've ever met. Combine that with the fact that I had no idea what any of my duties were or what the hell goes on that justifies me sitting there literally twidling my thumbs and you can see my dilemma.
Finally this guy named Steve comes in around 9:30 and he's apologizing for being late. At this point I could care less, I was just glad someone was talking to me. As it turned out Steve has also been with the company since the invention of the cotton gin and proceeded to take me through what he 'expected' of me. I have to give the guy credit, he seemed like he knew what the hell he was talking about and I was glad because at least time was going by a lot quicker once he got to work. Steve guided me around what appeared to be the world's oldest working mainframe and I struggled to keep up with the breakneck pace in which he spit out his outdated jargon.
Before I knew it the guys from the 3rd shift i.e. the graveyard shift showed up around 11:45pm and I was done with all the tasks Steve had assigned me. Since there was nothing left for me to do I exited the building and walked off into the humid night air to head home and decompress from my first full day of work.

Money, Money, Money

As I star into the eyes of my Keira Knightly screensaver, I find that I am still a long way from where I want to be in life. I mean I'm glad I'll be starting work tomorrow at Estee Lauder but since I still have no money I have to rely on my mom to get me thru my first pay period. Jeez, it's just like friggin high school over again. I must remain patient and stick to my plan. It won't be long before I am able to pay for stuff on my own and then I'll be able to enjoy some peace of mind.

I saw Wedding Crashers last night with K, Alan and Jim. They picked me up from my cousin James' gradutation party (pt. 2) where I was knocking back Heineken's while presiding over the evening's poker proceedings. We were originally going to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Island 16 which is in nearby Holtsville. Much to our surprise we were unable to see it since the multiplex lost all power due to a overworked transformer. Undaunted by this setback we went to Regal Cinemas over in Ronkonkoma. Seeing that Charlie already started we quickly decided that Wedding Crashers would be a decent alternative.
I was more than glad to see it and heard nothing but good things about it. I'm pleased to report that it is the funniest movie I've seen all year. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are great together and it was their chemistry that carried the film whenever there were any slow moments. I would've liked to have seen more of Rachel McAdams (she is really easy on the eyes) who played Owen Wilson's love interest. She has great screen presence and I'm sure she's on her way to a stellar career in Hollywood.
Aside from being an obvious crowd pleaser, what I enjoyed most about the movie was the fact that it stirred something within me that's been there for a while now. I can see myself writing that type of script. I don't want to sound cocky but I feel that I am a pretty funny guy and it is a reminder of what I am capable of.

So now all that's left is to go out and do it already.

It's the least I can do

I'm usually not up this early on a Saturday but I'm going to help my Aunt get her house ready for James' graduation party later today. It's the least I can do, they always take care of me and let me mooch off of them whenever I go over there. And since I don't really have any money right now to get James a graduation present so again it's the least I can do.
Now that I am about to join the workforce again, I found myself lying in bed this morning, thinking about all the things that I'll need to do with the money I make and what I'll want to do with it. It's amazing to me how long I've waited to get my butt in gear. I'm really looking forward to putting some money away to either travel or to eventually move out. It's nice to know, at least for the time being, I am working towards a goal now (details will be revealed as I go along) and I don't have to worry about my mom and my sis breathing down my neck.

My 50th blog entry!

I couldn't think of a better way to commemorate my 50th blog entry than to recount my day at Shea. I was able to bask in a glorious day at the ballpark courtesy of my good friend Jim. He was able to score his company's primo box seats, situated behind home plate which proved to be an ideal location to watch my beloved Mets sweep the San Diego Padres 12-0.
We left Holbrook at around 10:30 AM and we were accompanied by 2 of his friends, Kevin and I forget the other guy's name. Kevin was kind of enough to do the driving and he proved to be an excellent driver as he sped us on our way to the ballpark, despite the fact that the LIE was partially closed and we were forced to take some back roads to get beyond the closing.
Needless to say when we arrived to the ballpark it was hot out. There were no clouds with only a hint of a breeze leading to a lot of sweating. Kaz Ishii was far from flawless today but he was able to work in and out of trouble, while the Mets tried to get past the Padres' ace Jake Peavy who was cruising along the first couple of innings.
But then Doug Mientkiewicz took him deep in the bottom of the 3rd and that started the deluge of runs that were soon to follow. When Ramon Castro homered in the bottom of the 5th to make it 3-0 things just went downhill for the Padres and Mr. Peavy. Before I knew it the score was 5-0 and the sweep was on.
I knew things were going my way when the lady behind me gave me the ice cream cone she bought for her son, who promptly refused to eat it. She then turned to her other son to see if he wanted it and he also refused. At this point I had sweated away about 10 lbs and was monitoring the situation very closely. When she offered the neglected ice cream to me I didn't hesitate to accept. I made sure I offered it back to her sons, as if they would some how come to their senses, but they were too intent on getting out of the heat and into the AC environment of the Diamond Club. Man did that ice cream hit the spot.
With the win today, I improve to 4-2 on the season and the Mets improved their current winning streak to 4 in a row. I just hope they didn't use up all their runs today since the Dodgers will be in town this weekend.

Life's a beach

For the first time in I don't know when, I woke up this morning without feeling like the world was closing in around me. I was able to enjoy a simple bowl of oatmeal while reading the newspaper. Then I went to get my haircut and then came back and relaxed a little bit before I had to go to Huntington for my interview at Estee Lauder. The funny thing was when I got there I called Bong to see where the entrance was but he didn't pick up. I was just done leaving him a message and before I hung up the phone I saw him standing outside right where I parked.

He introduded me to his manager Steve and we went into a small room to talk. It went really well, Steve was pretty laid back and it seemed as though he liked me. Even after I told him I am a big Mets fan. He kept talking to me as though I had the job in hand, making sure I was cool with the hours and gauging whether I was dependable or not. The whole time I had to keep myself from sounding too eager, little did he know how much I really need this job.
However, before I could be officially hired I have to meet one other guy who wasn't there. So I have to go back Friday to meet him and start my paperwork so I can start on Monday.

Afterwards Bong walked me out and then asked me whether I wanted to play some beach volleyball at Stingers later. I was feeling good and didn't see the need to go to the gym since we hit the weights pretty hard the last two days, so I agreed. As it turned out a team was missing most of their team and needed someone to play with them so they wouldn't have to forfeit. And although we didn't win a game (0-5), it was really great getting out there and throwing myself around in the sand. It's too bad I won't be able to play with them again since I'll be working nights now but hopefully I'll get out to the beach on the weekends and play there.

Goin to the Mets-Padres game with Jim and some of his co-workers tomorrow. I love goin to day games and the seats should be really good. Hopefully they can win tomorrow and complete the sweep before they head out on the road.

Waiting to exhale

My situation has been deteriorating to such a degree that I came really close to taking a job at this warehouse by my house. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Thank god someone upstairs intervened on my behalf.

As it turns out, on our way to the gym Bong was able to hook me up with a job at Estee Lauder. The funny thing was he asked me if I wanted the same job about a month ago but I had to pass since I didn't have a reliable means of transportation. But when Roz and my mom forced my hand and told me I had to take over the payments of our Corolla, last month, that really forced my hand. As it turns out it really worked out for all parties involved.
The only thing that sucks about the job is that the hours are from 3-11pm M-F. Then again I can't complain, it sure beats the hell out of warehouse work and pays a lot better to boot. Of course I'd rather have a job in the city but this will do. If anything this job will give me some cash flow and get my mom off my back (at least for now).

Harry Potter goes to the gym?

I went to work out with Bong and Tsavos today, trying to take my mind off of things. In fact, I think that's what I like most about it because it really is a place that I can just get away from it all. Well it's that and the fact that some hot chicks work out there as well.
Anyway, about halfway through our workout I noticed something that seemed really out of place. There was a girl on an elliptical machine reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! Just when I thought I had seen it all, I noticed a few minutes later that she was with 2 other guys and one of them also had the book with him!
Don't get me wrong, I'm a certifiable Potter head. I mean I can't wait to get J.K Rowling's latest from my Tito Boy later this week (he works at the Amazon warehouse in NJ). But not bad enough that I'm goin to take it with me to the gym! That really threw me for a loop. Then again I shouldn't be surprised considering how many copies that have been sold already.

Greatness...

I was watching the British Open earlier today as Tiger Woods was getting ready to wrap up his 10th major title, all of which he's won prior to turning 30. As the announcers took turns praising him while he was preparing for his various shots, I couldn't help but feel so unaccomplished compared to him. Granted, there are few people in the history of sport that have been able to dominate the way he has at such a young age.
However, in watching him walk towards history, I started thinking how he got there and what differentiates him from underachievers like myself. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't completely written myself off...yet. And I determined that I a lack what Tiger has in excess which is a singular drive to be the absolute best golfer the world has ever known.
Since he was a toddler he knew that he wanted to play golf and would eventually set his sights on Jack Nicklaus. It was only fitting that he picked the Golden Bear to not only emulate and aspire to but to one day overtake him therefore securing his own legacy.
That's the one thing I would agree with my mother about. Amongst the many criticisms she has peppered me with recently, I have to say that I haven't been the most driven person and I think that is what has caused me to be in the predicament I now find myself. I've always had numerous aspirations for myself and have dreamed of great things to happen to me. And therein lies the problem. I've been too content to let things happen instead of making things happen.
Now that I have been able to admit that as I struggle to get myself back on my feet, I do sense a new hunger to excel that I haven't had in quite some time. I'm not saying I'm going to reach the heights that Tiger has but I have made up my mind that I will die trying to. I've gone through too much to settle for anything less than to reach for greatness and to forge a legacy that I know I am capable of.

Trying to get something done...

I am on my way to the library to fax some paper work over to California in order for me to be considered for a promotion in the city later this week. It would be my first promotion since the whole South Africa debacle. I haven't heard a peep from Sierra or the folks at On the Go Marketing since then and coincidentally I haven't done any of that work since.
And although I've kind of grown weary of that type of work, this one seems to be pretty easy and the money is pretty good as well. So hopefully if I get this gig, I'll start feeling better about myself and try and keep that ball rolling.

Harry Potter hijinx and random thoughts

It boggles my mind when I read that stores in Cananda and Brooklyn 'accidentally' sold copies of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince the last couple of days. I mean is it really that hard to observe the calendar and not put any of the books on shelves until it is the 16th? Did it magically become Friday on Tuesday and Wednesday? It's people like this that give Muggles a bad name.
If I were Scholastic, the U.S. publisher, I'd be pulling my hair out. Just when you think that you have all the safeguards in place, there continues to be boneheads out there that are unable to follow basic instructions.
With that being said, I do find it funny that a Canadian court issued a gag order to the people in Canada that got their hands on the book. I mean I understand the tremendous public interest in Harry Potter but we're not talking about national security here.

The Space Shuttle Discovery was unable to launch yesterday because of some sort of glitch. It's always to be safe than sorry and so I'm glad that NASA is on top of things. I remember when the Columbia disaster took place. It was on the weekend and I was at CBS. When I arrived I learned that we were going to be pre-empted due to the fact that the Shuttle had been missing upon it's re-entry. I hated that feeling that as an American, we had failed in space travel, an endeavor that our country has taken extreme pride in.
And I guess that's why NASA is going that extra mile, not that they don't all the time, so that they can help restore pride and confidence back into the space program.

I feel pretty sore today. I guess that's what I get when I start lifting more weight than I normally do. I'm trying not to get too big but at the same time, working out with Bong and his buddy John brings it out in me. Still, considering the amount that I was lifting the last 2 days, the soreness I'm experiencing isn't unbearable. But it is enough for me to question whether I want to keep up this pace or not. Afterall, the last thing I want to have to do is buy a new suit since I had to do that already. Decisions, decisions.

Waiting for the new Harry Potter

The Half Blood Prince hits stores on Friday at midnight. It seems like only yesterday that I was anxiously awaiting The Order of the Phoenix. I can't believe it's already here. This time around I'm excited for it but for some reason I'm not as crazed as I was last time. I guess because the wait hasn't been as long as it was between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.
And with the arrival of JK Rowling's latest blockbuster, I'm reminded once again of Lady X. There's still this part of me that is still clinging to the hope that she still remembers me and the brief time we spent together. The reason why she is fresh in my mind again is because she also happens to be a big Harry Potter fan and I know that she is eagerly anticipating the new installment of Harry, Ron and Hermione's adventures at Hogwarts.
Sadly, I may never know if she remembers that I am a fan of all things Potter as well. And yet I still find myself hoping that she does and she will try to get in touch with me. At this point in my life the only thing I have right now is hope. And even if she doesn't call or email me after the book comes out, I'll always think fondly of her.

Must sleep

I need to start writing during the daytime. Here I am in the wee hours trying to think of something interesting to say and I've got nothing. Then I guess I shouldn't try so hard and just let the words just come as they may.
If I'm ever going to be a writer, I think I need to start somewhere and this blog is that first step. Next I need to complete that screenplay that I've been meaning to finish. The other idea I've been kicking around is writing an episode or two of one of my favorite shows right now: Entourage. If I can crank a couple of those out and maybe a couple of OC episodes, maybe I can find an agent and then get on a show.
Now, before I get ahead of myself I think it'll be extremely helpful if I can get into a better writing routine, preferably one that has me writing before 2 am. But first things first, I really need to get on the ball with this job hunt.

You're 31?!

For some reason when I tell people how old I am it doesn't seem so bad. Then again being 31 I've had some time to adjust to being in my 30's. However, when you hear the words: You're 31!? from a group of teenagers, that's when it really kicks you in the groin.
I was blundgeoned by this dose of reality when I went over to my Aunt and Uncle's house for my cousin's 18th/graduation party. I was just going to go over there and see how the proceedings were going to be, grab some food and hopefully take some of those whipper snappers money in poker. Needless to say that latter scenario never worked out and before I knew it I found myself observing how James and all his friends interacted with one another. And I must say it was really nice to see James in a social setting for the first time. I had my concerns that he was too reserved and that he might not have enjoyed growing up as much as I did. Well I'm glad to report that he seemed to have a solid group of friends and that they all seemed to be pretty well adjusted. It was neat seeing how much teenagers now are pretty much the same as I was when I was their age. Unfortunately that warm fuzzy feeling I was experiencing came to a screeching halt.
I knew it was time to go when I happened to mention to one of Jame's friends that I was in fact 31 and that the Radiohead t-shirt I was wearing was almost as old as they were. It wasn't long after then that I knew that I had stayed too long at the party and needed to get my old ass out of there.

Man I gotta tell ya, this whole hitting rockbottom phenomena is starting to get on my nerves.

Don't Worry I'm still alive...

I came. I saw. I drank some beer and sang some karaoke. That was the extent of my Sunday.

Other than that, some of you may have wondered why I haven't updated this blog in over a month and a half. I'll get to that in the very near future. I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still alive and well (well I could be doing better but that's another story).

Just know that I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and I've realized that I need to really look inward and figure out how I'm going to improve my 'situation.' As some of you may have known, I've been in a considerable funk and I really need to right the ship before people in my life begin to write me off. So the first orfer of business is to get some cash flow going because I've pretty much hit rock bottom lately. And it's taken me a long time to commit that to the written word.

And so in the coming few days I'll be doing everything in my power to get some sort of job that will allow me to re-enter the real world.