LAKERS game (my FIRST)

Today was a pretty productive day I would say. I cleaned up some, did several loads of laundry and made a dish for dinner. With those things I have to say I have my sister and definitely my brother-in-law happy (he does the laundry that’s why). I made a chicken dish called ‘afritada’ from the Philippines which can also use beef or pork but since chicken was available I used it.

My sister played nice and took me a Lakers game which was a first for me. It seems funny that I have never been to a game but I’ve been to their championship parades, after parties and I’ve even rubbed elbows with several of them but tonight was a first. Anywho, my sister’s friend Sasha gave her the tickets so off we went to watch them play the Charlotte Bobcats. The game was pretty boring to be honest with you but it was funny to watch folks get drunk, get mad at the officials for not calling certain fouls that they thought they saw and my favorite would be listening to people tell the players what they need to be doing and basically lecturing them when they themselves probably can’t play for shit. But yeah I enjoyed myself regardless of the drunks that were there.

After the game we had planned on hitting up Chinatown for some good soup but the traffic was horrendous that we just elected to go home. The drive home confirmed the fact that I am so not regretting the move to the east coast (not that I ever really did). First of all there is just way too many people out here now, then you have to deal with the dumb asses that can’t drive, oh and we can’t forget the SMOG and definitely the freaking’ folks who think adding a rims to your damn car classifies you as ‘balling’. Yeah we saw a doggone Geo Metro with rims on and I should have taken a dang picture so I could’ve shown you guys but yeah it was a sight to see. Then we got these young tricks flashing damn near everything that God gave them and it simply is just not nice. Oh we sure have to mention the FAKE BOOBS and the dudes with collas popped up and stunna shades while watching the game.

Los Angeles sure has changed from the days when we ran the streets and I can’t say its for the better.

My FIRST day in SOCAL after a year

<=== that's the SB mountains I am guessing

and that BROWN haze in the back ground is what SOCAL folks breath in EVERYDAY the SMOG=====>

So I finally took a plane ride to the west coast after almost a year and let me just say getting on that plane was an adventure in itself.

I took off from Lehigh Valley Airport in Allentown, PA (ABE) and it was great coz there was NO traffic or hardly anyone was there. Then I got to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and it was a whole different story. I had to take a doggone shuttle coz that airport is so huge it wasn’t even funny. I took a picture as we were landing and everything was covered in light snow. Anyhow, I was in such a hurry to find my flight that I didn’t even bother buying lunch coz I wanted to make sure I knew where I was going first and when I got to my gate they were boarding. So yeah that wasn’t kosher coz a heffa like me needs to eat.

I haven’t flown in year so I wasn’t too happy when I found out they don’t feed folks no more and they have these things called ‘snack boxes’ and you have to buy it at $5 each. I took that in stride coz there really was no point bitching about it. But they did show a good movie in my opinion which was “The Queen”: starring Helen Mirren who got nominated for the Best Actress category with the Oscar’s for playing the role of Queen Elizabeth. Now see, I think she should win because she owned that dang role.

Well after that movie I simply tried to chill until the end of the flight and I did. But as soon as we got into the LAX vicinity I couldn’t help notice the brown haze in the skyline. You’ll see the pictures I took while on the air by the way. After getting my luggage and my sister came to get me I went outside and breathed in the dang air and let’s just say that sure was one thing I don’t miss, SMOG. That mess is NASTY it actually hurt to breathe.

My sister was great coz she drove past a Yoshinoya and I just had to have some (my lunch) and for dinner we went to this restaurant out here in Long Beach called Los Compadres. Guys I never though I would say this but I MISS MEXICAN FOOD. That mess was great and I even consumed 2 huge glasses of horchata. Well that’s it for now with my first post about a trip. I’m pretty sure I’ll have much more to say in the future.

a new beginning

At last 2007 is finally here!!! I never thought I’d be so damn happy to welcome a new year but I sure am now. You see, as much as I hate to disclose this small piece information, a microscopic part of me just didn’t think I’d make it long enough to see 2007. I know that it should never have even crossed my mind but it did. Furthermore if you knew me then you’d understand.

In any case, 2007 gives the impression of being an eventful year for me (which is GOOD). I have been blessed with a family who has been so supportive both financially & emotionally. I had planned on possibly going back to work this year for the reason that I have been sitting at a standstill for what seems like an eternity and that simply is not something I am used to. But seeing as its been only 7 months since I had my 4th brain surgery, my family and some of my closest friends don’t feel like I should rush back into work. Given that I have not reached the 100% point in my health just yet I am actually willing (albeit reluctantly) to work with them on this one.

So to start of the year, I will be heading off to California for a month to spend some time with my little sister and her husband, as well as friends and family who I miss terribly. Besides I have this need for a change in scenery anyway. So I’m heading out there on January 24th after I have my follow up with my neurosurgeon on the 22nd. I then come back out here on February 21st after my sister’s birthday.

While out there I plan on playing tourist in the town where I grew up in. Which might seem weird to some people but it was something I don’t really remember doing that while still living there. Some of the places I am likely to visit (besides Roscoe’s) would be The J. Paul Getty Museum, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Museum of Tolerance (maybe), San Diego (which is a given), Las Vegas and some other spots my sister has not told me yet. That doesn’t include friends who all intend to come and visit and catch up with me.

So like I said it’s certain to be a memorable year and it’s only just begun. Wish me LUCK ! ! !