The JJ Adventures

the rest of the WEST COAST trip

2007-03-02T16:54:00.000-05:00

This right here is basically just a compilation of everything else I did while in the WEST. Since I fell behind in updating and loading up stuff its like a bunch all at once.
This couch that they have was like a magnet whenever we sat down as you can see. We found ourselves posted on that couch more than once knocked out. But thank goodness them two didn't think to be evil like me and take pictures while I was out for the count.

This group of shots here were taken the first Saturday I was in town when the Masangkay's came by to hang out and grub with us. We did a mexican theme and had good ass grub that had everyone going back and forth.

This was my first Sunday there when Maya and I went to BB Kings in Universal City to go watch Teedra Moses. It was aiight I mean I had no idea who the folks were but it was just to be out. I did meet the members of one band randomly which was cool coz they were actually not so bad. Funny part was out of all those folks there I get a personal card from their SAX player, John. Oh the group name was "MULATTO" by the way.

Now this was when we ran errands for my Mom at the Garment District and decided to spend my Dad's money when we ate at the Mayflower. You see we don't get the same quality out where I live in PA now. My sister and I ordered everything we wanted and ended up having way more than we really needed. OH IT WAS RUBBING THE BELLY TIME!!!!!

This right here is my godson Christopher Andrew Go. The last time I saw him was right after his baptism in January 2006. So of course I had to at least go visit and some time with him. Isn't he cute?

A visit to SOCAL would not be complete if there wasn't a stop at Roscoe's. As you can see I had the #2 which was 1/4th of a chicken drowned in gravy & onions, a sunrise and the waffles. Now that was a good dinner.

This was my friend Stan & my cousin Emily when I did a day trip to San Diego. Maya and I spent the day there shopping, getting facials, more shopping and visiting with both Stan & Emily. I even saw both Auntie Cely & Uncle Boying there on our quick visit at Emily's pretty house.

We saw the Geronimo's on 2.18.07 after Jill's party. We met up with them and had brunch at the Queen Mary. Now that brunch waws so good that when all of us headed to the floor we all stopped at stood there because none of us had any idea where to start.

That same night the Viray's all came to visit after Ate Agnes went and picked up Kuya Henry at the airport who was arriving from the Philippines. Now that was a nice visit because Ate Agnes was so animated and it was just nice to see the ones we grew up with. I guess it just reminds me how old I am getting.

This was taken the night before I left (2.23.07) when an old friend came to visit, Eric Jennings. Now this one and myself have an extensive history. We have known each other since we were fresh outta high school and we were both 18 years old. Granted we went through a period there where we did not speak for about 4 years I am guessing. But now we have this good thing going where he's back to at least being my friend. Pretty ain't he?

Now the last few were taken when my plane took off Chicago O'Hare Airport on February 21st. So basically what you are looking at is the skyline of Chicago at night which of course includes the Sears Tower. Then I snuck a picture of myself inside the plane because I had nothing else to do and I was bored what can I say? Now hold tight until I get to Asia coz I doubt I'll be doing anything else between then and now.

Jill's Birthday Dinner & Party (02.17.07)

2007-03-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

I flew out of Las Vegas Saturday afternoon (2.17.07) to make it for my sister's party. The picked me up from the airport and gave me an hour to get ready for dinner, so let's just say tired isn't even the word I will use to describe how I was feeling. But we went to the Yardhouse for dinnerand to the Basement for the party. It was a nice night with good food, good people and definitely good drinks.

NBA All-Star Weekend 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada (2/15 - 2/17)

2007-03-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

OK that last post doesn’t even fall into the 2007 category I know but I had a moment damnit. So here goes my first out running the streets adventure with my girls in Vegas a few weeks ago.

MEDICAL HELL

2007-03-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

I’m pretty sure most of you reading this are wondering why in the world I’m posting pictures that some folks might not want to see. You see, for me it’s my way of finally releasing those fears I have harbored for so long. So, try to avoid the negative comments the pictures and the WTH comments because I don’t care for them.

This one right here of my younger cousins was the one that kinda really showed me how crappy the situation I was in was. I mean think about it when folks you want to see and spend time with can't even come visit you because the doctors were afraid you'll catch whatever germs they carry from the outside. Thank goodness there wasn't a picture of my other two cousins Jill & Joshua when they saw me after my last surgery (5th) in June 2006 because their faces showed it all. If there was one thing I remember from that even when I was so drugged up it was that.

LAKERS game (my FIRST)

2007-01-27T03:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-25T16:48:00.000-05:00

<=== 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

2007-01-11T02:06:00.000-05:00

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 ! ! !