Hey Guys
Long time.. but the focus of the blog is going to be changing from a life kind of updates to my body transformation journal. I am started working out 6 days a week and trying to eat much better.. ie here is my out lawed list of stuff:
NO:
Fast food (anything that does not get served with metal silverware)
Soda
Candy
Chocolate
Any type of desert really
Eating more of:
Fruit
Veggies
Plus here my weekly workout plan. At first I am focusing on dumping the extra weight (about 60 pounds) and then building the muscle. I am about 6ft tall.
Day 1:
20 mins cardio (working toward 5K distance for short term goal)
Biceps
Triceps
Deltoids
Traps
Day 2:
20 mins cardio
Chest
Back
Abs
Day 3:
20 mins cardio
Quads
Cafs
Hamstrings
Repeat with day 7 being an off day.
Current weight 260, pant size 38
Goal weight 200, pant size 34
I will update weekly...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Life Update for the Big Indian
So in the next couple days I will officially make my off program job choice. For those who don't know the past 2 years I have been in a training program that rotated me through GE Healthcare and the US. It was a pretty fun ride, brought me out to South Carolina, DC, NYC, Indianapolis, Chicago and all sorts of other fun places. As I was working through this decision in my head, I came to realize its the first real decision I have had to make. I didn't as most people dont, have much choice over my high school. College wasn't much of a choice, gotten in to only 2 schools, and only was really financially viable. My internship with GE was the first offer I got, I actually cancelled all the other interviews. I got my offer for the training program in September of my Senior year.. no other interviewing was done. This time its different.
I got two great opporunties... I won't talk specifics because I feel like I have talked through them way to much over the last couple days. Explaining them to all my friends and family. The general concensus is that there is only one choice. From the outside, one of the jobs is far and away a better opportunity both professionally but mostly personally. It would require hours, but not to much more then my 40. I could work from home or remotely, I would have a ton of flexibility when it came to when and how I worked, and the manager of the team seems to have a lot of time devoted to development and mentoring. All of these are huge pluses that everyone I have talked makes it the job to choose. The other one is a little bit more difficult. Its the dream job of its kind though. The hours would be long, possibly 7 days a week going into the end of the year, demanding working enivironment with a staff that is truly understaffed. It would require tireless hours, percision, tough decisions and a high level of emotional and phyiscal committment. The manager, all be it a great guy - intellgent, on top of his game, and someone who really cares, just doesn't have as much time to mentor and develop his employees as the other does. This role is all work and little recognition outside of the group.. but everyday I would come home with a sense of accomplishment of success, of contribution. I have done a job similar, so I know the vast unnotice rewards. I am not sure I am just trying to be noble by defending it, but as I started to lean toward the first mentioned role, I got sick to my stomach. It just doesn't feel right to turn down this one. Maybe its the job I was meant to do, maybe its the job that I feel I have been building thus far for, maybe its just because I feel like after 2 years on a manufacturing training program I need and owe it to myself to take a role in manufacturing, but maybe its just pure stupidity thinking that its noble and giving to take a job I know will be tougher, when I can make the same doing a lot less with much less stress.
All I know is as things progress, I am not sure what to do. The clarity I had yesterday has somewhat turned into regret today. Its weird because as much as I thought I knew myself, it seems I really don't, that in making this decision on what is the best for me personally, I am turning my back on who and what I am.. who and what I enjoy.. or maybe I am just blowing this out of proportion, I will have plenty of opportunities to make this kind of choice and to enjoy and regret it, to have jobs that kick you when your down, and have those you can do in 20 hours.
So I guess with what I thought was clarity, came confusion. What I thought a decision came a choice. I don't think I would regret taking the mfg job.. I can find the first job in 2 years again.. but will I regret taking the first job, knowing I could have done the mfg job?
I got two great opporunties... I won't talk specifics because I feel like I have talked through them way to much over the last couple days. Explaining them to all my friends and family. The general concensus is that there is only one choice. From the outside, one of the jobs is far and away a better opportunity both professionally but mostly personally. It would require hours, but not to much more then my 40. I could work from home or remotely, I would have a ton of flexibility when it came to when and how I worked, and the manager of the team seems to have a lot of time devoted to development and mentoring. All of these are huge pluses that everyone I have talked makes it the job to choose. The other one is a little bit more difficult. Its the dream job of its kind though. The hours would be long, possibly 7 days a week going into the end of the year, demanding working enivironment with a staff that is truly understaffed. It would require tireless hours, percision, tough decisions and a high level of emotional and phyiscal committment. The manager, all be it a great guy - intellgent, on top of his game, and someone who really cares, just doesn't have as much time to mentor and develop his employees as the other does. This role is all work and little recognition outside of the group.. but everyday I would come home with a sense of accomplishment of success, of contribution. I have done a job similar, so I know the vast unnotice rewards. I am not sure I am just trying to be noble by defending it, but as I started to lean toward the first mentioned role, I got sick to my stomach. It just doesn't feel right to turn down this one. Maybe its the job I was meant to do, maybe its the job that I feel I have been building thus far for, maybe its just because I feel like after 2 years on a manufacturing training program I need and owe it to myself to take a role in manufacturing, but maybe its just pure stupidity thinking that its noble and giving to take a job I know will be tougher, when I can make the same doing a lot less with much less stress.
All I know is as things progress, I am not sure what to do. The clarity I had yesterday has somewhat turned into regret today. Its weird because as much as I thought I knew myself, it seems I really don't, that in making this decision on what is the best for me personally, I am turning my back on who and what I am.. who and what I enjoy.. or maybe I am just blowing this out of proportion, I will have plenty of opportunities to make this kind of choice and to enjoy and regret it, to have jobs that kick you when your down, and have those you can do in 20 hours.
So I guess with what I thought was clarity, came confusion. What I thought a decision came a choice. I don't think I would regret taking the mfg job.. I can find the first job in 2 years again.. but will I regret taking the first job, knowing I could have done the mfg job?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Amsterdam and Munich
So... its been a while.. Eric and I got caught up in the excitement that is known as amsterdam. it was a pretty fun time. We did the Heinkien experience (did you Heine has their e trademarked its called a smiling e) the FOAM musemum a cool gallerz of foto art, and did the Anne frank house. I was amazed at the house, it was much bigger then I thought, but also housed 8 people. it was kinda cool to hear from people who actually lived through the holocaust and new her their thoughts on it (both her dad and her best friend contributed to the exhibit) Also her actually diay was there. As for the rest of the night time activities you will have to ask us personally.
Munich was very cold adn rainy when we got here.. no surprise I guess.. last week it was 24 celisus (78 F) but we arrive adn in comes the rain and cold. We took a night train from Amsterdam here, and as we got off two polezi come up to us and ask for our passports. they then take us to their on site station, ask for more ID, search our persons (no strip search ladies) and then search our bags for contraband.. none of which eric or I had thank god. After about 1 hour they let us go with a enjoy Munich and sorry bout the hassle. I can appreciate their position, but it still kinda sucked. funny story now though.
Munich was very cold adn rainy when we got here.. no surprise I guess.. last week it was 24 celisus (78 F) but we arrive adn in comes the rain and cold. We took a night train from Amsterdam here, and as we got off two polezi come up to us and ask for our passports. they then take us to their on site station, ask for more ID, search our persons (no strip search ladies) and then search our bags for contraband.. none of which eric or I had thank god. After about 1 hour they let us go with a enjoy Munich and sorry bout the hassle. I can appreciate their position, but it still kinda sucked. funny story now though.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Boozing in Berlin
Berlin is a very unique city.. its old but yet also new. The archtecture is unbelievable... everything from gothic churches to new age structures.. the main train station itself is 5 stories.. and has trains on multiple different levels. its pretty sweet.
Eric and I have been amusing ourselves quite nicely with 2 euro kebaabs and drunk irish guys. our room has 6 of them.. which they tend to leave and shwo back up at 8 to 9 in the morning. kinda fun. We have managed to avoid the clubs in berlin which i hear is hard and stupid to do because they are awesome, but it sjust no our style. We got a walking tour tomorrow of the berlin, followed up with a train ride to yours and our favorite desitition... Amsterdamn
more ridiculousness to follow.
Eric and I have been amusing ourselves quite nicely with 2 euro kebaabs and drunk irish guys. our room has 6 of them.. which they tend to leave and shwo back up at 8 to 9 in the morning. kinda fun. We have managed to avoid the clubs in berlin which i hear is hard and stupid to do because they are awesome, but it sjust no our style. We got a walking tour tomorrow of the berlin, followed up with a train ride to yours and our favorite desitition... Amsterdamn
more ridiculousness to follow.
Friday, August 31, 2007
COPENHAGEN is wet
The internet blows here, the city is continuously changing its mind on whether it wants to be sunny or atleast dry or rainy and shitty. Eric and I have been caught in its mood swings twice in one day...
Other then weather concerns, the city aint to bad. People seem pretty nice, and the hostel we are staying at is huge.. prolly the biggest hostel I have ever seen. Its 18 stories and close to 6 beds per room, 13 to 14 rooms per floor. Has a large cafeteria and bar. seems like a new renovation or something.
out in the city, prolly the most interesting part of the city is christiania. kinda hard to explain, but say the US miltary closed the marines barracks in DC, but before they tore down the buildings, about 500 hippies moved in, declared it a free state, painted everything in pschodelic colors adn designs and mayde drugs legal. got it? now imagine the gov't just shrugs it's shoulders and looks the other way. well that's what happened in 1971 in copenhagen. nowadays though, the place looks like the scene in bratislava when they first arrive...a dog is gnawing on a human hand, an old lady is throwing human feces out teh window..basically a little unsettling.
outside of that, there are a lot of spiraling towers, fountains and monuments of old kings. BORING... then of course, there is teh carlsberg brewery, which, according to their own slogan, is "probably the best lager in the world" just probably. i know. weak. good beer though. will check in soon when we get dry and move our personal party bus to germany..
Other then weather concerns, the city aint to bad. People seem pretty nice, and the hostel we are staying at is huge.. prolly the biggest hostel I have ever seen. Its 18 stories and close to 6 beds per room, 13 to 14 rooms per floor. Has a large cafeteria and bar. seems like a new renovation or something.
out in the city, prolly the most interesting part of the city is christiania. kinda hard to explain, but say the US miltary closed the marines barracks in DC, but before they tore down the buildings, about 500 hippies moved in, declared it a free state, painted everything in pschodelic colors adn designs and mayde drugs legal. got it? now imagine the gov't just shrugs it's shoulders and looks the other way. well that's what happened in 1971 in copenhagen. nowadays though, the place looks like the scene in bratislava when they first arrive...a dog is gnawing on a human hand, an old lady is throwing human feces out teh window..basically a little unsettling.
outside of that, there are a lot of spiraling towers, fountains and monuments of old kings. BORING... then of course, there is teh carlsberg brewery, which, according to their own slogan, is "probably the best lager in the world" just probably. i know. weak. good beer though. will check in soon when we get dry and move our personal party bus to germany..
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Dublin activities and Stockholm adventures...
So when last we left the story we were drunk in dublin.. shockingly enough that was pretty much the story of the rest of our stay in dublin. On Sunday we watched a Gaelic football game.. its a mixture of rugby and soccer, and it is very exciting. The game was the Ireland semi final between Dublin and Kerry.. it was a close and exciting game.. unfortunately eric and i didnt see any hooligan action that night. However we went out to temple bar which was pretty awesome and hung out with a bunch of irishmen drinking mdg and one canadian.
The next day we met up with Rohit and dan on their stop in dublin. We hit the town hard, did the jamo and guiness tours and then also hit up a backpacker pub crawl. I was a little hesistent to pay someone to show us the bars, but it turned out to be a pretty good time. When to a couple cooler pubs and then to a pretty nice lounge where rohit promised this irish guy to get him a job at NBC.. interesting since I dont think he knows anyone at NBC. Also we hung out with 3 candian guys.. Joey, Jimmy and Johnny. All three were awesome especially since they took the candian stereotype and exaggerated it all night.
The night ended with a drunken kebaab and talking to a US girl from NY.. this is when rohit attempted to hook me up with her, but totally missed the wedding ring and all her attempts to tell him she was married.
Our flight to stockholm was pretty uneventful, neither eric nor myself remember much of it. Stockholm itself takes a second to get orientated in, its a bunch of little island connected by walking and car bridges. Everything is very much in walking distance, and accessible. We had a great burger yesterday. Eric had the hot tuna, and I had the italian burger. both were excellent. Our next adventure lead us in search of a bar, not a club which turned out to be very difficult. we ended up running into this former irish pub that I guess just was sold to a swedish guy. The bartender was pretty cool, gave us some great clubs to go to.. which we passed on. but also some good things to do in Kopenhagen. Swedes are just as friendly as irish people.
We are off to Kopenhagen today by train.. so catch up with all you guys then.
The next day we met up with Rohit and dan on their stop in dublin. We hit the town hard, did the jamo and guiness tours and then also hit up a backpacker pub crawl. I was a little hesistent to pay someone to show us the bars, but it turned out to be a pretty good time. When to a couple cooler pubs and then to a pretty nice lounge where rohit promised this irish guy to get him a job at NBC.. interesting since I dont think he knows anyone at NBC. Also we hung out with 3 candian guys.. Joey, Jimmy and Johnny. All three were awesome especially since they took the candian stereotype and exaggerated it all night.
The night ended with a drunken kebaab and talking to a US girl from NY.. this is when rohit attempted to hook me up with her, but totally missed the wedding ring and all her attempts to tell him she was married.
Our flight to stockholm was pretty uneventful, neither eric nor myself remember much of it. Stockholm itself takes a second to get orientated in, its a bunch of little island connected by walking and car bridges. Everything is very much in walking distance, and accessible. We had a great burger yesterday. Eric had the hot tuna, and I had the italian burger. both were excellent. Our next adventure lead us in search of a bar, not a club which turned out to be very difficult. we ended up running into this former irish pub that I guess just was sold to a swedish guy. The bartender was pretty cool, gave us some great clubs to go to.. which we passed on. but also some good things to do in Kopenhagen. Swedes are just as friendly as irish people.
We are off to Kopenhagen today by train.. so catch up with all you guys then.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
dublin
soooooooooooooooooooooo
beer is soo much better in dublin.. by that I mean both guiness and smithwicks are more fresh when they are fresh... its amazing...
Irish people are also some of the most friendlynest
beer is soo much better in dublin.. by that I mean both guiness and smithwicks are more fresh when they are fresh... its amazing...
Irish people are also some of the most friendlynest
Monday, August 20, 2007
Need your addresses...
Hey
If you know me personally and want a postcard from europe.. or just want a post card from Europe.. email me or post your address on the blog:
email.. francis.antaoATgmail.com
Frank
If you know me personally and want a postcard from europe.. or just want a post card from Europe.. email me or post your address on the blog:
email.. francis.antaoATgmail.com
Frank
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Volleyball and Career Success...
Hello my name is Frank... And I am a volleyball Addict!
I love the game. It has become the highlight of my work week, playing on Tuesdays and on Thursdays. I never would have imagined. Now while I am still a work in progress from a skill stand point, it has truly been a lot of fun. The Tuesday team I play on is called "Da Big Indian and the Slammers" -- you can guess who the big Indian is. But its a blast just hitting the volleyball. Last Tuesday we lost 15-0. You should have seen the rejoicing when down 6-0 we scored our first point (granted the other team mis-hit the ball) but it was the first success the 6 invdividuals on my team had seen all night. There was much happiness. Granted we ended up losing that game 15-2 and lost the next 4 games but by the end it was at least some what competitive losing the last game 15-13.
My Thursday team is a little better. Our team name is actually - Team Cougar Bait.. however only half of our team is actually cougar bait, the other half are females, but we have a good time goofing off and occasionally do win a game or two. Really what it comes down to is not winning (although that is def a nice side effect) but every week we get a little bit better. Its only a matter of time before we break out as a team and really start to dominate the Tracks volleyball circuit -- after the Tracks.. we are on to the Olympics..
I love the game. It has become the highlight of my work week, playing on Tuesdays and on Thursdays. I never would have imagined. Now while I am still a work in progress from a skill stand point, it has truly been a lot of fun. The Tuesday team I play on is called "Da Big Indian and the Slammers" -- you can guess who the big Indian is. But its a blast just hitting the volleyball. Last Tuesday we lost 15-0. You should have seen the rejoicing when down 6-0 we scored our first point (granted the other team mis-hit the ball) but it was the first success the 6 invdividuals on my team had seen all night. There was much happiness. Granted we ended up losing that game 15-2 and lost the next 4 games but by the end it was at least some what competitive losing the last game 15-13.
My Thursday team is a little better. Our team name is actually - Team Cougar Bait.. however only half of our team is actually cougar bait, the other half are females, but we have a good time goofing off and occasionally do win a game or two. Really what it comes down to is not winning (although that is def a nice side effect) but every week we get a little bit better. Its only a matter of time before we break out as a team and really start to dominate the Tracks volleyball circuit -- after the Tracks.. we are on to the Olympics..
Thursday, August 2, 2007
So its been a long time.. big updates..
So its been a long time since I posted.. sorry for that.. but my job search has started to heat up and I have another vacation planned.
For those were with me from the very beginning, and know why this started... I am going on another trip.. This time not by myself but rather with my good buddy Eric "The Buttram" Bertram. I am really excited. We are leaving August 25th arriving into Dublin, and heading back September 9th from Amsterdam. If you can imagine two weeks of non-stop fun tearing up all kinds of countries in Europe. My top ten list for the trip:
1. Do not get arrested
2. Do not get deported
3. Get massively drunk
4. See northern western europe
5. Play golf in Ireland
6. See where Guiness and Jamo are made
7. See where Henieken is made again!
8. See the wall... or whats left of it.
9. Enjoy the sites of Sweden and Denmark.
10. Do not die..
More updates to come...
For those were with me from the very beginning, and know why this started... I am going on another trip.. This time not by myself but rather with my good buddy Eric "The Buttram" Bertram. I am really excited. We are leaving August 25th arriving into Dublin, and heading back September 9th from Amsterdam. If you can imagine two weeks of non-stop fun tearing up all kinds of countries in Europe. My top ten list for the trip:
1. Do not get arrested
2. Do not get deported
3. Get massively drunk
4. See northern western europe
5. Play golf in Ireland
6. See where Guiness and Jamo are made
7. See where Henieken is made again!
8. See the wall... or whats left of it.
9. Enjoy the sites of Sweden and Denmark.
10. Do not die..
More updates to come...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
25 Things i Must Do this Summer
1. Workout 80% of the days from now til Labor Day.
2. Go to Summerfest
3. Make a career decsion and find my full time permenant position.
4. Enjoy the sunshine and summer weather.
5. Go Tubing.
6. Go on a real date.
7. Go to europe with Eric
8. Read at least 3 books
9. Find something enjoyable to do on Friday nights that does not envolve booze.
10. Take a trip to St. Louis to see Jesse.
11. Take a trip out to DC.
12. Get my own place.
13. Perform at least 20 hours of community service
14. See Cowboy Mouth Live (bringing red spoons and tooties rolls)
15. Figure out how to use T9 so text messaging doesn't take so long.
16. Get out and play some golf!
17. Learn Hindi
18. Grow my hair out.
19. Go the rest of the summer with no fast food (anything that does have metal silverware)
20. Clean out all the crap stored at my parents house from my childhood
21. Look at MBA programs (maybe study/take the GMAT)
22. Keep my car clean
23. Met more people (not at the bars)
24. Get a mentor at work
25. Tell the truth
2. Go to Summerfest
3. Make a career decsion and find my full time permenant position.
4. Enjoy the sunshine and summer weather.
5. Go Tubing.
6. Go on a real date.
7. Go to europe with Eric
8. Read at least 3 books
9. Find something enjoyable to do on Friday nights that does not envolve booze.
10. Take a trip to St. Louis to see Jesse.
11. Take a trip out to DC.
12. Get my own place.
13. Perform at least 20 hours of community service
14. See Cowboy Mouth Live (bringing red spoons and tooties rolls)
15. Figure out how to use T9 so text messaging doesn't take so long.
16. Get out and play some golf!
17. Learn Hindi
18. Grow my hair out.
19. Go the rest of the summer with no fast food (anything that does have metal silverware)
20. Clean out all the crap stored at my parents house from my childhood
21. Look at MBA programs (maybe study/take the GMAT)
22. Keep my car clean
23. Met more people (not at the bars)
24. Get a mentor at work
25. Tell the truth
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Milwaukee VS Chicago.. Whats the big deal??
FIB.. Flatlander.. Cheesehead.. Trailerpark..
Last night I had the opportunity to hit a Cubs/Brewers game at Miller Park. After a quick tailgate (you know I love tailgating), my buddies and I (half Brewers fans, half Cubs fans) went into the game. My first impressions of the game were actually kinda scary. I had the opportunity to see the down right worst of people over a baseball game.
The problem really comes down to two simple facts:
1. Milwaukee residents (in general) HATE Chicago/Illnois residence... this goes much pass Packer/Bears or Brewers/Cubs.. but really down to their cores.
2. Chicago residents really just don't care at all about Milwaukee to the point where its insulting. The lack of any respect might not be equal the hatred but you can see how it contributes to the cycle.
It blows my mind that in span fo 2 innings we saw 5 people get ejected over talking trash during a baseball game. Lets be honest, baseball has to be one of the most detached sports when it comes to fans, unlike basketball or football where the action really connects fans to the game, baseball and its methodical family friendly pace does the exact opposite. The excitement from a homerun lasts 2 minutes, while a good facial will keep a crowd energized for a quarter. People rarely stand and cheer during a baseball game until its late in the game and there are runners in scoring position. However in the middle of teh 3rd inning, I saw my first fan get run. It was def not the last I saw, but it was the begining. What happened to a civilized rivialary.. even between the Brewers (the bottom dwellers of the central for years) and the bad luck Cubs.
On the walk out, after seening a couple close fights, and one Cub fan pretty much get his lights knocked out by a Brewer fan, my buddy Mike and I decided to debate this issue.. now what you need to know is Mike and I rarely agree on anything, but have an extreme mutual respect for each other and our right to disagree on everything:
To summarize --
Mikes point was that the Milwaukee people are instigating the incidents because of their hatred of Chicago. The chicago people are just responding.
My response was its about 50/50 for both sides. It takes the hatred plus a general disregard for a persons city to create the situation that we saw.
I think people really need to get a hold of themselves. There are much bigger things to be fighting about then a baseball game.
Ill get off my soap box now....
On a side note.. Milwaukee did win.. making that drive home from the Cub fans pretty long.
Last night I had the opportunity to hit a Cubs/Brewers game at Miller Park. After a quick tailgate (you know I love tailgating), my buddies and I (half Brewers fans, half Cubs fans) went into the game. My first impressions of the game were actually kinda scary. I had the opportunity to see the down right worst of people over a baseball game.
The problem really comes down to two simple facts:
1. Milwaukee residents (in general) HATE Chicago/Illnois residence... this goes much pass Packer/Bears or Brewers/Cubs.. but really down to their cores.
2. Chicago residents really just don't care at all about Milwaukee to the point where its insulting. The lack of any respect might not be equal the hatred but you can see how it contributes to the cycle.
It blows my mind that in span fo 2 innings we saw 5 people get ejected over talking trash during a baseball game. Lets be honest, baseball has to be one of the most detached sports when it comes to fans, unlike basketball or football where the action really connects fans to the game, baseball and its methodical family friendly pace does the exact opposite. The excitement from a homerun lasts 2 minutes, while a good facial will keep a crowd energized for a quarter. People rarely stand and cheer during a baseball game until its late in the game and there are runners in scoring position. However in the middle of teh 3rd inning, I saw my first fan get run. It was def not the last I saw, but it was the begining. What happened to a civilized rivialary.. even between the Brewers (the bottom dwellers of the central for years) and the bad luck Cubs.
On the walk out, after seening a couple close fights, and one Cub fan pretty much get his lights knocked out by a Brewer fan, my buddy Mike and I decided to debate this issue.. now what you need to know is Mike and I rarely agree on anything, but have an extreme mutual respect for each other and our right to disagree on everything:
To summarize --
Mikes point was that the Milwaukee people are instigating the incidents because of their hatred of Chicago. The chicago people are just responding.
My response was its about 50/50 for both sides. It takes the hatred plus a general disregard for a persons city to create the situation that we saw.
I think people really need to get a hold of themselves. There are much bigger things to be fighting about then a baseball game.
Ill get off my soap box now....
On a side note.. Milwaukee did win.. making that drive home from the Cub fans pretty long.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Interesting Past Week..
So our volleyball team - Da Sauceville Slammerz are on fire. We are 5-1 over our past 6 games going 2-0 in matches. This is especially amazing since we started the season 0-2 in matches and get entirely to liquored up prior to coming to the bar. Lets be honest here, we may be the only team that actually has to take a cab to and from the bar... Go Us!
Even though the season is not over, we have already developped our next summer's team name - Team Cougar Bait. No ever said we weren't orginal.
Volleyball has kinda become an addiction for us recently. Mike, Jerry and I now have two things we do together, drink copious amounts of booze and play volleyball. One is relativly good for us, the other will probably lead to the downfall of our lives. I'll let you decided which is which.
So now that TV shows are starting to wind up with their season finales, what is a lazy indian man to do. I can no longer spend Mondays watching Prison Break or Black Donnellys, or Thursday watching Grey's Anatomy. I have to spend more time with my other hobbies.. Golf and Hindi I guess. Maybe I'll do a little traveling. I am heading to Cincinnati this weekend, and southern Michigan next for a couple weddings. Also I have to spend a weekend down in Chicago catching up with some of my college buddies. Maybe I'll take a trip down to St. Louis or out West to LA or San Fran. I could def use some help with the decision making process.. so if you got any ides shoot them my way.
Work is about to pick up, as the lady I am covering for is heading off to maternity leave. Its about to get really exciting when I get to do the entire job all by myself. It should be a pretty good challenge all be it a tad bit overwhelming because she is leaving right at the end of the quarter.. Thanks! But I think I am up for the challenge.. besides if I mess up.. its only a couple million in top level that is lost oh yea and maybe my job :)
Anyway.. if I tend to be a little short with you, or maybe down right rude and mean I apoligize for it now.. I am not that horrible of a person :) I don't think atleast.
Last bit of internet garbage for you to check out.. I am not opposed to smoking as an adult choice people want to make. Doesn't really bother me and on occasion I have been known to lite one or a pack up and enjoy the addictive tastes of nicotine. However I saw this and thought it was pretty hilarious:
If you want to create your own cigrette warning label check it out here at the American Cancer Society Website.
Even though the season is not over, we have already developped our next summer's team name - Team Cougar Bait. No ever said we weren't orginal.
Volleyball has kinda become an addiction for us recently. Mike, Jerry and I now have two things we do together, drink copious amounts of booze and play volleyball. One is relativly good for us, the other will probably lead to the downfall of our lives. I'll let you decided which is which.
So now that TV shows are starting to wind up with their season finales, what is a lazy indian man to do. I can no longer spend Mondays watching Prison Break or Black Donnellys, or Thursday watching Grey's Anatomy. I have to spend more time with my other hobbies.. Golf and Hindi I guess. Maybe I'll do a little traveling. I am heading to Cincinnati this weekend, and southern Michigan next for a couple weddings. Also I have to spend a weekend down in Chicago catching up with some of my college buddies. Maybe I'll take a trip down to St. Louis or out West to LA or San Fran. I could def use some help with the decision making process.. so if you got any ides shoot them my way.
Work is about to pick up, as the lady I am covering for is heading off to maternity leave. Its about to get really exciting when I get to do the entire job all by myself. It should be a pretty good challenge all be it a tad bit overwhelming because she is leaving right at the end of the quarter.. Thanks! But I think I am up for the challenge.. besides if I mess up.. its only a couple million in top level that is lost oh yea and maybe my job :)
Anyway.. if I tend to be a little short with you, or maybe down right rude and mean I apoligize for it now.. I am not that horrible of a person :) I don't think atleast.
Last bit of internet garbage for you to check out.. I am not opposed to smoking as an adult choice people want to make. Doesn't really bother me and on occasion I have been known to lite one or a pack up and enjoy the addictive tastes of nicotine. However I saw this and thought it was pretty hilarious:
If you want to create your own cigrette warning label check it out here at the American Cancer Society Website.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Golf Weekend.. 74!
So I shot a 74 this weekend.. would be an amazing score if it hadn't been for my 7 put on 2, and my 5 bunker shots on 6, and my amazing, yes amazing, approach shot of 7 that put the ball behind where I it lay on my orginal shot.
So that is how one gets to 74 while only playing 9 holes. Now I did have a great 3 iron shot on 1, but that was only after 3 shots that went a combined 15 yards, and I also had a pretty sold approach on 5, but that was after I lost my ball on my tee shot and got to drop it on the fairway. But all things considered, those two shots made my day :)
I released the importance of keeping the ball on the fairway this weekend. It is impossible to hit the ball out of tall grass between three trees, and still get good yardage on it. When you have to use a punch shot on average 2 times each hole, you may have a problem as well. It was a scenario, where every shot became a trial of my character which I found I have a pretty solid one. I not only feel comfortable laughing at myself, but feel pretty good when others laugh at me too.. I feel its my gift to humanity for those 3 hours that I can bring humor to the lives of all that get to watch me.
But I think my major take away from the golf outing was people. The married couple I played with were pretty awesome, always encouraging, and just out for a good afternoon. The older gentleman we struck a conversation up with about the weather and the conditions of the course was more then happy to give me a little advice on my swing, and call all weekend golfers ameteurs (which of course I am). But everyone I met out on the course (even the kid who accidently took my clubs instead of his) were all pretty happy, and enjoying themselves. I didn't see anyone breaking clubs, swearing about bad shots, or generally pissed off. (Just because I didn't see it doesn't mean they weren't out there.. but I like to believe they weren't).
Anyway.. besides my incredibly high score, my first solo nine was a fine time.. can't wait until next weekend :)
So that is how one gets to 74 while only playing 9 holes. Now I did have a great 3 iron shot on 1, but that was only after 3 shots that went a combined 15 yards, and I also had a pretty sold approach on 5, but that was after I lost my ball on my tee shot and got to drop it on the fairway. But all things considered, those two shots made my day :)
I released the importance of keeping the ball on the fairway this weekend. It is impossible to hit the ball out of tall grass between three trees, and still get good yardage on it. When you have to use a punch shot on average 2 times each hole, you may have a problem as well. It was a scenario, where every shot became a trial of my character which I found I have a pretty solid one. I not only feel comfortable laughing at myself, but feel pretty good when others laugh at me too.. I feel its my gift to humanity for those 3 hours that I can bring humor to the lives of all that get to watch me.
But I think my major take away from the golf outing was people. The married couple I played with were pretty awesome, always encouraging, and just out for a good afternoon. The older gentleman we struck a conversation up with about the weather and the conditions of the course was more then happy to give me a little advice on my swing, and call all weekend golfers ameteurs (which of course I am). But everyone I met out on the course (even the kid who accidently took my clubs instead of his) were all pretty happy, and enjoying themselves. I didn't see anyone breaking clubs, swearing about bad shots, or generally pissed off. (Just because I didn't see it doesn't mean they weren't out there.. but I like to believe they weren't).
Anyway.. besides my incredibly high score, my first solo nine was a fine time.. can't wait until next weekend :)
Monday, May 7, 2007
For You South Park Fans....
Not a big South Park fan.. but I know there are a lot out there you need to check out the South Park Face Generator some one put online. Its kinda cool, lots of different options, accessories, and other great South Park type stuff.. Anyway here is me as a creation of South Park.
Anyway I was not a big fan of their facial hair choices.. there was no chin strap option. But other then that great tool to blow 30 mins on at work over your lunch break.
FYI.. horse racing is fun from what I remember.
Anyway I was not a big fan of their facial hair choices.. there was no chin strap option. But other then that great tool to blow 30 mins on at work over your lunch break.
FYI.. horse racing is fun from what I remember.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Happy Blog!
So I hope that my blog is more uplifting then depressing. I have had a chance over the past week to hit the next blog button up above... it has led me to a couple conclusions about my fellow blogspot users:
1. There are more non-english writing bloggers then english writing ones. I have a very hard time understanding some of the blogs, although the pictures are pretty cool.
2. The english speaking blogs are kind of scary. I mean seriously the are all black background, my life is in dissarry and this blog is my only outlet. For most of those people I feel for, but come on... get outside me people.. try to find an outlet that will talk back and more importantly help you.
On a side note.. I got a new phone, and like most people its kind of exciting (as most new material possessions are, but now that I have it, I am kinda depressed... I miss the more comfortable old feel of my razr in my pocket. The familar ring tones, and not having to move my contacts over one by one (VERY ANNOYING!!!) and more importantly I just have to get used to a new button layout, new features.. when all I really want to do is make phone calls. But then the geeky part of is like dang its got a 2.0 mega pixel camera, can take movies, auto focus WOW even plays mp3s.. man my phone/camera/videocamera/ipod/stylish accessories ROCKS... if you interested I got this one - FIRE KRZRSo the last thing I want to leave ya'll with is the Butter Jesus..
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Update on my hobbies..
So besides my normal weekend activities of drowning my self in large quantities of alcohol, I hit the links for the first time on my attempt to better myself as a person and a golfer.
To say it was incredibly successful, as much as I would love to say, I must say it was a testiment to man's ability to continually doing something bad, but still go on. The major success for me, easier to mention because the failures were far to numerous, were sinking a 60 foot putt to make an eagle, a solid bunker shot that put us 15 yards from the pin, and only lossing 3 balls for the entire round (this was prolly driven by my lack of any power rather then hitting the ball and not being able to find it).
I will say this, my favorite form of golf has got to be a scramble because if you hit one good shot(60 ft putt or bunker approach) you feel like you have really done something good, and can easily forget the 3 or 4 other shots that chased you from one side of the fareway to the other. In addition, every time you take a swing, you have a chance to play a nice shot because normally you arent hitting it through trees, playing the rough or bunker or in general have a bad position. It def. increased the enjoyment of my Saturday.
Hopefully when I get home my "Hindi for a Baba" will be there. For those who don't know Hindi, Baba is short for favorite son.. normally the first born. The cds/interactive teachin experience come from Rosetta Stone, which I heard was the best way to learn a new language. It better be for the $150 bucks I shelled out for it. Soon I will be writing entire blog entries in Hindi (if that happens just so you have a hint.... blogspot will translate your blog into Hindi.. only Hindi no other languages.. kinda funny huh).
This weekend I am heading to DC, so be prepared for horseracing stories, chilling on Lincoln, going to Irish Times, and general ridiculousness that occured when I was still living there.. Pistal here I come!
To say it was incredibly successful, as much as I would love to say, I must say it was a testiment to man's ability to continually doing something bad, but still go on. The major success for me, easier to mention because the failures were far to numerous, were sinking a 60 foot putt to make an eagle, a solid bunker shot that put us 15 yards from the pin, and only lossing 3 balls for the entire round (this was prolly driven by my lack of any power rather then hitting the ball and not being able to find it).
I will say this, my favorite form of golf has got to be a scramble because if you hit one good shot(60 ft putt or bunker approach) you feel like you have really done something good, and can easily forget the 3 or 4 other shots that chased you from one side of the fareway to the other. In addition, every time you take a swing, you have a chance to play a nice shot because normally you arent hitting it through trees, playing the rough or bunker or in general have a bad position. It def. increased the enjoyment of my Saturday.
Hopefully when I get home my "Hindi for a Baba" will be there. For those who don't know Hindi, Baba is short for favorite son.. normally the first born. The cds/interactive teachin experience come from Rosetta Stone, which I heard was the best way to learn a new language. It better be for the $150 bucks I shelled out for it. Soon I will be writing entire blog entries in Hindi (if that happens just so you have a hint.... blogspot will translate your blog into Hindi.. only Hindi no other languages.. kinda funny huh).
This weekend I am heading to DC, so be prepared for horseracing stories, chilling on Lincoln, going to Irish Times, and general ridiculousness that occured when I was still living there.. Pistal here I come!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Picture Update
Rather then writing.. I figured I would put up some pictures of my adventures/events over the past year or so...
Enjoy
The Name of the Band is COWBOY MOUTH.. or as true fans call them... The Mouth.
$250 dollar Whiskey with Grandpa.. Let's do it!
Looking Repectable.. Ridiculous
Friends Sleeping on the Metro floor.. Yep the Floor
Friends at Dupont Circle
Me and Washington
Me and my car
Enjoy
The Name of the Band is COWBOY MOUTH.. or as true fans call them... The Mouth.
$250 dollar Whiskey with Grandpa.. Let's do it!
Looking Repectable.. Ridiculous
Friends Sleeping on the Metro floor.. Yep the Floor
Friends at Dupont Circle
Me and Washington
Me and my car
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
My New Hobbies..
So I have decided to take up two things to better myself over the next year. The first is pretty mainstream is golf. I think its about time I get myself out on the links and starting swinging a club a little. I enjoy being outdoors on a nice day, and I love being frustrated, so I think this could be a good fit. I am currently in process of picking my first set of clubs out. Going with something cheap from Sports Authority along these lines. Anyone with any knowledge about golf would like to give me some advice, I will be purchasing Friday or this weekend, so let me know. I am way excited to do digging through forests/weeds/lakes for my golf balls. Just Can't Wait!
The second hobby I am attempting to get momentum on is learning Hindi. Hindi for those who are unsure, is the national language of India. It is spoken almost everywhere throughout India, but probably a little less then English. I am not sure why I want to learn, but I think it has to do with my dwindling connection with my ethnic background. As I meet more and more Indians, I am learning how different my up bring was as compared to their's and in addition just the part of India I am from is very differnt. I have a different religion then most, neither of my parents speak Hindi, both spent large amounts of their upbring away from India whether it be Africa, or the USA and when people see me, I do not automatically strick them as Indian. I think the last point the most is what strikes me hardest. I think of myself as an Indian, but to others I am more hispanic then Indian. I think learning the language will strengthen my bond with who I am. Also I want my children and my children's children to feel the connection with India as I do through my parents and grandparents and extended family. The secondary motive is that I am planning on taking a trip to India next year, and I would love to be able to speak Hindi fluently so that I can really travel and see the country with no problems.
The second hobby I am attempting to get momentum on is learning Hindi. Hindi for those who are unsure, is the national language of India. It is spoken almost everywhere throughout India, but probably a little less then English. I am not sure why I want to learn, but I think it has to do with my dwindling connection with my ethnic background. As I meet more and more Indians, I am learning how different my up bring was as compared to their's and in addition just the part of India I am from is very differnt. I have a different religion then most, neither of my parents speak Hindi, both spent large amounts of their upbring away from India whether it be Africa, or the USA and when people see me, I do not automatically strick them as Indian. I think the last point the most is what strikes me hardest. I think of myself as an Indian, but to others I am more hispanic then Indian. I think learning the language will strengthen my bond with who I am. Also I want my children and my children's children to feel the connection with India as I do through my parents and grandparents and extended family. The secondary motive is that I am planning on taking a trip to India next year, and I would love to be able to speak Hindi fluently so that I can really travel and see the country with no problems.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
House of Tee Shirts Part Deux
Hey All.. Take a look at my latest designs.. taking orders now..
Email or post here if you are really interested.. otherwise I am open to any other suggestions.. It kinda has become a way for me to get a release from stress. Turns out its quite the relaxing activity for me.
Email or post here if you are really interested.. otherwise I am open to any other suggestions.. It kinda has become a way for me to get a release from stress. Turns out its quite the relaxing activity for me.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
You guys got go in or Go home NOW!
What is up all you amazing baseball fans out there!!!!!
Everyone has got to be pretty psyched because America's past time is back in action. Every fan's hopes are raised that this might be the year their team lives up to expectations, or matures into a winner or is the dark horse that no one expected to be as good as they are.
At least that is what most baseball fans are thinking right now.. not me so much. I personally happen to believe that baseball like nascar is best watched via ESPN SportsCenter highlights. I think for 3 to 4 hours people sit around watching a game when to be honest there is only 3 to 4 mins worth of action.. very different from football and basketball where the percentage of playing time to action time is much much greater.
So I go for what I believe most people go for but just refuse to admit... Tailgating! Tailgating might very well rank as one of my favorite things to do.. Not just tailgating for baseball games, you can tail gate for football, basketball, band concerts, volunteer events, graduations, and even the occasionally wedding.. what you think I have crossed the line.. I think you could even tailgate for a funeral although I don't think I would participate in that activity.. I got respect for the dead. But more seriously.. tailgating is an important part of what baseball and sporting events are. Its the part before and after the action, its the togetherness time that watching sports isn't. Its acceptable during tailgating to cheer for whatever and whomever you feel, its your chance to show how much you love your team or hate the opposing team. Its your chance to show how manly or not-manly you are by competing in games, drinking contests and overall non-important contests of stupidity.. No wonder I love it.
There are too many tailgating stories to tell, but I will share one of my favorites. It took me 5 years to graduate from college because I decided to do some internships rather then go to school straight (best decision I could ever have made).. but at then end of my 4th year of school when half of my buddies were graduating, while the other 4 of us were hanging out for one more year, we decided to go to a brewers game. This game happened to be the same game that my school was going to for Senior Week (basically a party week with all kinds of activities planned). So we loaded up my MPV with all the necessary stuff.. the four b's - brats, burgers, beer and a bat.
So we had ourselves 20 lbs of meat, a barrel, and on TPS aluminum bat. We also thought ahead and brought a grill, and a couple stacks of cups for those who walked by. Game time was at 7 pm.. we showed up at 2 pm to start the festivities. The beer was cold, the brats and burgers were warm and the day was progressing nicely. When I hear my name.. I looked over and it was my girlfriend at the time walking over. It was at the moment I realized where exactly we had parked. We got there so early, they put us in with the groups and the professional tailgaters .. you know the people who pay others to provide their food and beverages. But right next to us.. I mean the next car spot over was the Marquette Tailgate for Senior Week.. we had managed to park right next to our friends.. pretty dumb luck if you ask me. Let me tell one thing I have learned about all throughout college, college students (freshmen through seniors) are drawn toward beer. Because the Marquette tailgate had a limit of one beer per person, all of a sudden our barrel became the most popular thing in the parking lot. Which was good for us, because we controlled the cups.
So the day progressed quite nicely, more beer and meat was consumed and our party grew from 5 of us to a around 20..that was when we decided to break out the bat. The bat game as my friends and I affectionately call it was invited the Winter of 2003, one Saturday pre-gaming for a big Marquette Cincinnati showdown at the Bradley center. It involves spinning around a bat (much like the childhood game) as many times as you can.. minimum of 10 times.. and then running an undetermined length to a cup of your beverage choice and then drinking the entire thing. This is a timed event where the best time plus bat spins wins. As you can imagine there has been many injuries, I have skinned my toes and feet more times then I can count playing this game. I went through a door as well. Fortunately we have not had any serious injuries while participating in the bat game. So we start playing, I of course, usually am volunteered to go first, and I set the bar about average.. going for 13 times around the bat and a total time of somewhere close to 1 minute which included taking two of my buddies into the front end of a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
We proceed to play, while numerous on lookers start to gather and even more adventurous souls start to participate. At one point I have to guess the crowded number 50 people watching this hilarious stupidity outside Miller Park. I remember vividly at one point a 12 year old kid want to participate, but his dad wouldn’t let him. And even a police officer watched for a few minutes before deciding to break up the action because we were getting a little bit to rowdy. At this point, the crowd and our friends started to disperse. It ended up being myself, and 4 of my roommates attempting vainly to finish the barrel. Its about 7 pm and we here the crowd roaring at the first pitch. At about 9 pm we are still fighting the good fight and a police officer walks up...
"You guys got go in or Go home NOW!"
We quickly realize that we are not going to be driving, pack up and head into the game. However, we realize.. we never bought tickets.. we hadn't planned on staying this long anyway. The ticket window is closed, but we happen to run into a scalper who sells us 4 tickets for 4 dollars. We think major steal even for the 6th inning. As we walk in, we realize that all 4 tickets had been used.. but through the grace of the ticket lady she lets us in.. I think she might have been worried about us to be honest. Well to bring the short to a quick close the game when 18 innings and the Brewers won.. so we got a full 9 innings and then some in even after we arrived at the 6th inning.
I LOVE TAILGATING.
Everyone has got to be pretty psyched because America's past time is back in action. Every fan's hopes are raised that this might be the year their team lives up to expectations, or matures into a winner or is the dark horse that no one expected to be as good as they are.
At least that is what most baseball fans are thinking right now.. not me so much. I personally happen to believe that baseball like nascar is best watched via ESPN SportsCenter highlights. I think for 3 to 4 hours people sit around watching a game when to be honest there is only 3 to 4 mins worth of action.. very different from football and basketball where the percentage of playing time to action time is much much greater.
So I go for what I believe most people go for but just refuse to admit... Tailgating! Tailgating might very well rank as one of my favorite things to do.. Not just tailgating for baseball games, you can tail gate for football, basketball, band concerts, volunteer events, graduations, and even the occasionally wedding.. what you think I have crossed the line.. I think you could even tailgate for a funeral although I don't think I would participate in that activity.. I got respect for the dead. But more seriously.. tailgating is an important part of what baseball and sporting events are. Its the part before and after the action, its the togetherness time that watching sports isn't. Its acceptable during tailgating to cheer for whatever and whomever you feel, its your chance to show how much you love your team or hate the opposing team. Its your chance to show how manly or not-manly you are by competing in games, drinking contests and overall non-important contests of stupidity.. No wonder I love it.
There are too many tailgating stories to tell, but I will share one of my favorites. It took me 5 years to graduate from college because I decided to do some internships rather then go to school straight (best decision I could ever have made).. but at then end of my 4th year of school when half of my buddies were graduating, while the other 4 of us were hanging out for one more year, we decided to go to a brewers game. This game happened to be the same game that my school was going to for Senior Week (basically a party week with all kinds of activities planned). So we loaded up my MPV with all the necessary stuff.. the four b's - brats, burgers, beer and a bat.
So we had ourselves 20 lbs of meat, a barrel, and on TPS aluminum bat. We also thought ahead and brought a grill, and a couple stacks of cups for those who walked by. Game time was at 7 pm.. we showed up at 2 pm to start the festivities. The beer was cold, the brats and burgers were warm and the day was progressing nicely. When I hear my name.. I looked over and it was my girlfriend at the time walking over. It was at the moment I realized where exactly we had parked. We got there so early, they put us in with the groups and the professional tailgaters .. you know the people who pay others to provide their food and beverages. But right next to us.. I mean the next car spot over was the Marquette Tailgate for Senior Week.. we had managed to park right next to our friends.. pretty dumb luck if you ask me. Let me tell one thing I have learned about all throughout college, college students (freshmen through seniors) are drawn toward beer. Because the Marquette tailgate had a limit of one beer per person, all of a sudden our barrel became the most popular thing in the parking lot. Which was good for us, because we controlled the cups.
So the day progressed quite nicely, more beer and meat was consumed and our party grew from 5 of us to a around 20..that was when we decided to break out the bat. The bat game as my friends and I affectionately call it was invited the Winter of 2003, one Saturday pre-gaming for a big Marquette Cincinnati showdown at the Bradley center. It involves spinning around a bat (much like the childhood game) as many times as you can.. minimum of 10 times.. and then running an undetermined length to a cup of your beverage choice and then drinking the entire thing. This is a timed event where the best time plus bat spins wins. As you can imagine there has been many injuries, I have skinned my toes and feet more times then I can count playing this game. I went through a door as well. Fortunately we have not had any serious injuries while participating in the bat game. So we start playing, I of course, usually am volunteered to go first, and I set the bar about average.. going for 13 times around the bat and a total time of somewhere close to 1 minute which included taking two of my buddies into the front end of a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
We proceed to play, while numerous on lookers start to gather and even more adventurous souls start to participate. At one point I have to guess the crowded number 50 people watching this hilarious stupidity outside Miller Park. I remember vividly at one point a 12 year old kid want to participate, but his dad wouldn’t let him. And even a police officer watched for a few minutes before deciding to break up the action because we were getting a little bit to rowdy. At this point, the crowd and our friends started to disperse. It ended up being myself, and 4 of my roommates attempting vainly to finish the barrel. Its about 7 pm and we here the crowd roaring at the first pitch. At about 9 pm we are still fighting the good fight and a police officer walks up...
"You guys got go in or Go home NOW!"
We quickly realize that we are not going to be driving, pack up and head into the game. However, we realize.. we never bought tickets.. we hadn't planned on staying this long anyway. The ticket window is closed, but we happen to run into a scalper who sells us 4 tickets for 4 dollars. We think major steal even for the 6th inning. As we walk in, we realize that all 4 tickets had been used.. but through the grace of the ticket lady she lets us in.. I think she might have been worried about us to be honest. Well to bring the short to a quick close the game when 18 innings and the Brewers won.. so we got a full 9 innings and then some in even after we arrived at the 6th inning.
I LOVE TAILGATING.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Roomates getting to Close... Indian Standard Time.
So I just got back from Cleveland. Lots to tell and lots of fun was had. I learned a lot about compliance with FDA regulations and what it really means to be under an FDA magnifying glass. It is not fun. I had originally planned to regale you with stories of Ohio adventures including century club, Cleveland night life, great seafood and sushi, amazing pizza, Kent Ohio and karoking to Ring of Fire, but instead I want to recount my Saturday night with the folks.
My mom wakes me up on Saturday from an amazing dream of Tyra Banks to tell me that we are going to dinner and seeing a movie, The Namesake, tonight and I am going with her and my dad (hence the we in the previous statement). This was one of those decrees that a son doesn’t argue with just goes along. Any way, instead of getting good Indian food as originally promised we go to this Thai/Hmoung restaurant which doesn’t happen to also be excellent. What is weird though is its not just myself and my parents, but they have invited a family friend, a priest from India... not to shocking if you have ever dined at my house, there is always at least 1 if not 2 priest in attendance.. I think in directly my parents are praying for my already lost soul. If had just been an Indian priest then it would not have been a huge deal, but there was also an old family friend there. A girl that I knew when I was growing up who is about 3 years older then me. She was always pretty nice to me, so we hit it off pretty nicely mostly because being 20 something’s we really did not have much to talk with my folks and a priest about. Since I was the last to sit down I get the crappy seat in the aisle between my mom and this women that I will call Kim.
Dinner was excellent.. volcano chicken is da bomb.. just a fyi if you are ever in Milwaukee.. check out EE-Sane on Farewell.. amazing food. After paying the bill we decide to head out to the movie theater but here is where I thought something was up.. Kim had didn’t know how to get to the theater, so my dad quickly volunteers me to help navigate her there.. little do they know, I don’t really have the slightest idea of where the place is... After some wrong turns and a couple good laughs we make it to the theater and find my parents have bought tickets and left them at will call. So we get inside and the three old people in our group are no where to be found.. This is starting to disturb me a little bit. But trying to find three Indians in an Indian movie theater might as well be a needle in a hay stack. That is something else you all should know.. Indian Standard Time.
This is how it works.. the movie is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm. Most people arrive a couple mins before or after really not missing anything at all. However, in the Indian world, the movie scheduled to start at 7 pm.. doesn’t start until 7:30. Yep sat and stared at the screen for 30 mins with nothing.. no Kal Penn nothing, all the while sitting in this theater with this girl I haven’t seen since I was 12. Anyway.. the movie finally starts 30 mins late, but the theater is only a 1/3 full. Although they way until 8:30 there is a stream of Indians flowing through the door to find their seats. This is Indian Standard Time... showing up 90 mins late for a movie that is started 30 mins late.
Anyway after the movie was over, my parents soundly reappear as if they have been there the whole time, and invite Kim over for tea.. how does that on a Saturday Night.. tea.. esp since I have not seen my parents awake past 9:30 in I don't know how many years. She being the polite Indian woman that she is accepts and off we go. After a couple more hours of tea and cookies and a little bit of awkward conversation, she decides to head home. At that point I take the opportunity to sneak off to bed because I don’t want to deal with the impending debrief on the night my mom is definitely going to ask for.
You guessed it.. at 8 am on Sunday my mom is back in my room asking about the night and our conversation.. saying she has her email address and phone number if I didn’t get it..
You know how embarrassing it is to be set up on a blind date by your parents and not even know it until its all over??
My mom wakes me up on Saturday from an amazing dream of Tyra Banks to tell me that we are going to dinner and seeing a movie, The Namesake, tonight and I am going with her and my dad (hence the we in the previous statement). This was one of those decrees that a son doesn’t argue with just goes along. Any way, instead of getting good Indian food as originally promised we go to this Thai/Hmoung restaurant which doesn’t happen to also be excellent. What is weird though is its not just myself and my parents, but they have invited a family friend, a priest from India... not to shocking if you have ever dined at my house, there is always at least 1 if not 2 priest in attendance.. I think in directly my parents are praying for my already lost soul. If had just been an Indian priest then it would not have been a huge deal, but there was also an old family friend there. A girl that I knew when I was growing up who is about 3 years older then me. She was always pretty nice to me, so we hit it off pretty nicely mostly because being 20 something’s we really did not have much to talk with my folks and a priest about. Since I was the last to sit down I get the crappy seat in the aisle between my mom and this women that I will call Kim.
Dinner was excellent.. volcano chicken is da bomb.. just a fyi if you are ever in Milwaukee.. check out EE-Sane on Farewell.. amazing food. After paying the bill we decide to head out to the movie theater but here is where I thought something was up.. Kim had didn’t know how to get to the theater, so my dad quickly volunteers me to help navigate her there.. little do they know, I don’t really have the slightest idea of where the place is... After some wrong turns and a couple good laughs we make it to the theater and find my parents have bought tickets and left them at will call. So we get inside and the three old people in our group are no where to be found.. This is starting to disturb me a little bit. But trying to find three Indians in an Indian movie theater might as well be a needle in a hay stack. That is something else you all should know.. Indian Standard Time.
This is how it works.. the movie is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm. Most people arrive a couple mins before or after really not missing anything at all. However, in the Indian world, the movie scheduled to start at 7 pm.. doesn’t start until 7:30. Yep sat and stared at the screen for 30 mins with nothing.. no Kal Penn nothing, all the while sitting in this theater with this girl I haven’t seen since I was 12. Anyway.. the movie finally starts 30 mins late, but the theater is only a 1/3 full. Although they way until 8:30 there is a stream of Indians flowing through the door to find their seats. This is Indian Standard Time... showing up 90 mins late for a movie that is started 30 mins late.
Anyway after the movie was over, my parents soundly reappear as if they have been there the whole time, and invite Kim over for tea.. how does that on a Saturday Night.. tea.. esp since I have not seen my parents awake past 9:30 in I don't know how many years. She being the polite Indian woman that she is accepts and off we go. After a couple more hours of tea and cookies and a little bit of awkward conversation, she decides to head home. At that point I take the opportunity to sneak off to bed because I don’t want to deal with the impending debrief on the night my mom is definitely going to ask for.
You guessed it.. at 8 am on Sunday my mom is back in my room asking about the night and our conversation.. saying she has her email address and phone number if I didn’t get it..
You know how embarrassing it is to be set up on a blind date by your parents and not even know it until its all over??
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
25 and Loving It!
So.. its been awhile, but I have a very valid reason. I got shipped off to Cleveland, OH for three weeks to help with quarter close at a GE plant. Technically I am in staying in Streetsboro, OH... a small town about 30 mins outside of Cleveland. The plant is pretty cool, and the opportunity is pretty slick, but I was kinda of hesistant because March is my favorite month. There are three things in March that make it so..
1. March Madness - perhaps the greatest sporting event yearly. Incredibly exciting, tons of action and a lot of amazing compeition plus my alama mater Marquette was looking like it was going to make the field.
2. St. Patty's Day - Probably my favorite holiday, yes better then Christmas. Always a ton of fun, up and partying from 6 am til close.. who wouldnt like that :)
3. My Birthday - March 16th in case you were wondering, is the day I was born. Now while I haven't spent/did anything to wild my last couple birthdays, I resented the fact that I was being told where I HAD to be for my birthday.. was a little bit upsetting.
Now as it turns out, I was probably mistaken about most of this stuff. The 8 days I have been out here have been a lot of fun. I have learned a ton about complaince, shop ops, what not and to do.. and a lot about the other 7 OMLPs that are down here with me. This will be an experience we will all have that will keep us tight knit. I have learned about wild times, sad times, scary times and especially happy times. It has really opened my eyes as to what amazingly gifted and talented people I work with every day with their ability to amaze me with their understanding of my actions and their ability to catch me off guard with things they had done/said or actions like getting me a birthday cake and making an extreme effort to ensure that my birthday was all about me... Its werid as one of the women I am out here said about me " He'll go along with just about anything, he is very flexible and does his best to allow others to have their way/good time".. but it was the same person that insisted on my birthday that we were doing something that I wanted to do... and she wasnt taking no or maybe for an answer...
Other things that have caught me off guard, is a guy that I think could have been a great friend of mine if we met 4 years ago in college. Down to earth, simple, loves to hangout, and overal cool person. Seeing how living with someone creates a very stong bond both that allows you to make fun of them, but also understand them. Seeing how a person of a different culture sees America... allowing me to see my world through a different lens has really opened my eyes up. Meeting an old friend of a friend who easyily manages to knock me off my feet with surprise with some of the things she does.. and a awesome next door neighbor who I was able to be there for when she needed some help..
Its pretty awesome how this experience has shaped my view of these other 7 people.. some I have known for close to 3 years.. others I really basically met 3 weeks ago. So I guess the month of March was not a complete disappointment..
1. March Madness - perhaps the greatest sporting event yearly. Incredibly exciting, tons of action and a lot of amazing compeition plus my alama mater Marquette was looking like it was going to make the field.
2. St. Patty's Day - Probably my favorite holiday, yes better then Christmas. Always a ton of fun, up and partying from 6 am til close.. who wouldnt like that :)
3. My Birthday - March 16th in case you were wondering, is the day I was born. Now while I haven't spent/did anything to wild my last couple birthdays, I resented the fact that I was being told where I HAD to be for my birthday.. was a little bit upsetting.
Now as it turns out, I was probably mistaken about most of this stuff. The 8 days I have been out here have been a lot of fun. I have learned a ton about complaince, shop ops, what not and to do.. and a lot about the other 7 OMLPs that are down here with me. This will be an experience we will all have that will keep us tight knit. I have learned about wild times, sad times, scary times and especially happy times. It has really opened my eyes as to what amazingly gifted and talented people I work with every day with their ability to amaze me with their understanding of my actions and their ability to catch me off guard with things they had done/said or actions like getting me a birthday cake and making an extreme effort to ensure that my birthday was all about me... Its werid as one of the women I am out here said about me " He'll go along with just about anything, he is very flexible and does his best to allow others to have their way/good time".. but it was the same person that insisted on my birthday that we were doing something that I wanted to do... and she wasnt taking no or maybe for an answer...
Other things that have caught me off guard, is a guy that I think could have been a great friend of mine if we met 4 years ago in college. Down to earth, simple, loves to hangout, and overal cool person. Seeing how living with someone creates a very stong bond both that allows you to make fun of them, but also understand them. Seeing how a person of a different culture sees America... allowing me to see my world through a different lens has really opened my eyes up. Meeting an old friend of a friend who easyily manages to knock me off my feet with surprise with some of the things she does.. and a awesome next door neighbor who I was able to be there for when she needed some help..
Its pretty awesome how this experience has shaped my view of these other 7 people.. some I have known for close to 3 years.. others I really basically met 3 weeks ago. So I guess the month of March was not a complete disappointment..
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Fox.. Get with the Times...
With the emergence of cable, pay per view and services like Tivo and DVR, network TV has taken a major hit over the past 10 years. Why watch the show when you can Tivo do what you need to do and watch it with minimal commerical interruption? In fact most besides sports, how much network TV really is watched. I am sure it is becoming less and less.
How do you battle such technological advances you may ask? Streaming Video!!!
Whats streaming video you may ask? Its a complex (way over my head) setup that allows you, the viewer, to view a television show online whenever you want to with limited commericial interruption, I believe on ABC its 20 seconds instead of 2 minutes. What network TV has done is go to uploading their programs on to their website shortly after it airs real time, so that you can catch up on episodes you missed or rewatch episodes after an extended break in new episodes. Its pretty awesome, I can watch an episode whenever I want to rather then having to be stuck in front of my TV to get my fix. Eat that Cable! However, one channel just hasn't figured it out yet.. Guess who --- FOX! Now I don't watch much Fox, but I wish I could get my Prison Break fix with out having to be at my TV on Mondays at 7 pm CST. Its kind of frustrating to be honest. I can watch Grey's Anatomy on Sunday afternoons with out sacrificing my Thursday going out night, and I can watch Black Donnellys and get caught up on the first 2 episodes I missed all without missing a beat and when it is most convenient for me.
Besides streaming video, the release of DVD seasons which has been all the rage has also increased viewership, speaking of which, I need to get caught up on Lost. Also the success of iTunes selling both movies and TV shows has allowed network TV to create revenue out of shows that they have already bought.
Finally network TV is starting to go the route cable, TIVO and DVR having been leading them.. to what is the most convenient to you the viewer!
Now if only Prison Break and Fox would figure this out!
How do you battle such technological advances you may ask? Streaming Video!!!
Whats streaming video you may ask? Its a complex (way over my head) setup that allows you, the viewer, to view a television show online whenever you want to with limited commericial interruption, I believe on ABC its 20 seconds instead of 2 minutes. What network TV has done is go to uploading their programs on to their website shortly after it airs real time, so that you can catch up on episodes you missed or rewatch episodes after an extended break in new episodes. Its pretty awesome, I can watch an episode whenever I want to rather then having to be stuck in front of my TV to get my fix. Eat that Cable! However, one channel just hasn't figured it out yet.. Guess who --- FOX! Now I don't watch much Fox, but I wish I could get my Prison Break fix with out having to be at my TV on Mondays at 7 pm CST. Its kind of frustrating to be honest. I can watch Grey's Anatomy on Sunday afternoons with out sacrificing my Thursday going out night, and I can watch Black Donnellys and get caught up on the first 2 episodes I missed all without missing a beat and when it is most convenient for me.
Besides streaming video, the release of DVD seasons which has been all the rage has also increased viewership, speaking of which, I need to get caught up on Lost. Also the success of iTunes selling both movies and TV shows has allowed network TV to create revenue out of shows that they have already bought.
Finally network TV is starting to go the route cable, TIVO and DVR having been leading them.. to what is the most convenient to you the viewer!
Now if only Prison Break and Fox would figure this out!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Movies and Dogs
So my last week or so has been one continous run of movies and dogs, which both happen to be a couple of my favorite things in the world.
I recently watched the Departed, which if you aren't familiar with you really need to get in touch with the world. Its a Marty Scorsese film that won him is first Academy Award, which I learned is the same as the Oscars. It also stars Jack Nicholson, Mattttttt Damon, Leo Dicaprio, Marky Mark Wahlberg (one of my favorites), Marty Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and of course Anthony Anderson. Think big black guy from all the funny movies like My Babies Daddy, Romeo Must Die, and Barbershop.
The movie is fricking amazing! The major complaint I heard, was that the ending was kind of forced. But I believe that is the only way you can end a movie in this genere. I am not saying anything more because I don't want to ruin it.
I also watched the Illusionist which stars another two of my favorite actors.. Ed Norton.. come one who doesnt like 25 hours and Fight Club and Death to Smoochy. Also Jessica Biel because she is amazingly hot! I wanted to watch the Prestige because I heard it was a better movie, and all be it kind of predictable only because of one sceen early on, I thought they Illusionist was pretty intriguing, dark, and all around a decent flick.
Also I have been feeling a little stir crazy these past two weeks being back at home. It is not actually from living at home, but now that I live in a place where I could have a dog, it is so hard not to. I have managed to hold back on this issue because I know this living situation is temporary, but at the same point I have found myself scouring Craigslist and pet sites looking at all the adorable puppies available for ownership and friendship. Check it out.. these are some of the best.
I recently watched the Departed, which if you aren't familiar with you really need to get in touch with the world. Its a Marty Scorsese film that won him is first Academy Award, which I learned is the same as the Oscars. It also stars Jack Nicholson, Mattttttt Damon, Leo Dicaprio, Marky Mark Wahlberg (one of my favorites), Marty Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and of course Anthony Anderson. Think big black guy from all the funny movies like My Babies Daddy, Romeo Must Die, and Barbershop.
The movie is fricking amazing! The major complaint I heard, was that the ending was kind of forced. But I believe that is the only way you can end a movie in this genere. I am not saying anything more because I don't want to ruin it.
I also watched the Illusionist which stars another two of my favorite actors.. Ed Norton.. come one who doesnt like 25 hours and Fight Club and Death to Smoochy. Also Jessica Biel because she is amazingly hot! I wanted to watch the Prestige because I heard it was a better movie, and all be it kind of predictable only because of one sceen early on, I thought they Illusionist was pretty intriguing, dark, and all around a decent flick.
Also I have been feeling a little stir crazy these past two weeks being back at home. It is not actually from living at home, but now that I live in a place where I could have a dog, it is so hard not to. I have managed to hold back on this issue because I know this living situation is temporary, but at the same point I have found myself scouring Craigslist and pet sites looking at all the adorable puppies available for ownership and friendship. Check it out.. these are some of the best.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Roomates... and DUI's
So now that I am back in Milwaukee, I have roomates again. For 5 years throughout, I lived with a group of guys that were light heartedly referred to by our girlfriends and outsiders as "The Cult" because we hung out a lot together, and really did not need much to keep ourselves entertained besides a case of beer and a combination of Halo/Fusion Frenzy.
So after a year or so on my own through South Carolina and Washington, DC.. I am once again in the position where I must live with some roomates. Now very much unlike my previous situation, where by shear luck.. I mean shear luck... I ended up meeting and living with some really cool people, I have a little bit of choice in the matter. So let me describe my two roomates, one male and one female. The male is a 66 year old man, getting close to retirement if he could give it up, with two Master's degrees in Finance one from Marquette who works for the Federal Government. The second is a 55 year old women that is the principal of a inner city high school that is just a block away from our chosen residence (very nice for her).
Now before you go and start critizing me or them, you must realize.. They are my parents :)
I feel kinda blessed that I have cool enough parental units that I at 25 can live with them without feeling like they are cramping my style or impacting my everday life in anyway. They are pretty cool people who just like to talk to me these days. Which I think at 25 is a great thing, to actually be able to have a civilized educated discussion with my folks, with feeling like they are judging my life choices or need to give their input on everyone of my choices. They have become more like friends, and less like authority figures. Granted, if they ask me to do something, there is no question of whether it gets done, but rather they dont feel like they have to chase me around to do it either.
I am pretty sure you saw DUI's in the topic and started to worry.. don't both me and everyone I know have been safe the last 6 months and haven't recieved a DUI. However, I got a link I would like to share:
WI Courts Link
This is an awesome site that I can not take credit for discovering.. the credit goes to Mr. Dave Hamers, a guy I worked with on my last team. Basically you can look up any civil or criminal background on any person in the state of Wisconsin. It covers speeding tickets, to DUI's to disorderly conducts, to more servere trials that peopel were involved in. If you are in WI, check it out you may find out some scary things about the people you work or hang out with. Now the disclaimer on this is.. if you don't want to hear about something stupid or horrible your boss did:
DONT LOOK HIM/HER UP!!!!
My record is clean.. all my indiscretions occured prior to my 18th birthday.. which means clean record for Frank... but what about you??
So after a year or so on my own through South Carolina and Washington, DC.. I am once again in the position where I must live with some roomates. Now very much unlike my previous situation, where by shear luck.. I mean shear luck... I ended up meeting and living with some really cool people, I have a little bit of choice in the matter. So let me describe my two roomates, one male and one female. The male is a 66 year old man, getting close to retirement if he could give it up, with two Master's degrees in Finance one from Marquette who works for the Federal Government. The second is a 55 year old women that is the principal of a inner city high school that is just a block away from our chosen residence (very nice for her).
Now before you go and start critizing me or them, you must realize.. They are my parents :)
I feel kinda blessed that I have cool enough parental units that I at 25 can live with them without feeling like they are cramping my style or impacting my everday life in anyway. They are pretty cool people who just like to talk to me these days. Which I think at 25 is a great thing, to actually be able to have a civilized educated discussion with my folks, with feeling like they are judging my life choices or need to give their input on everyone of my choices. They have become more like friends, and less like authority figures. Granted, if they ask me to do something, there is no question of whether it gets done, but rather they dont feel like they have to chase me around to do it either.
I am pretty sure you saw DUI's in the topic and started to worry.. don't both me and everyone I know have been safe the last 6 months and haven't recieved a DUI. However, I got a link I would like to share:
WI Courts Link
This is an awesome site that I can not take credit for discovering.. the credit goes to Mr. Dave Hamers, a guy I worked with on my last team. Basically you can look up any civil or criminal background on any person in the state of Wisconsin. It covers speeding tickets, to DUI's to disorderly conducts, to more servere trials that peopel were involved in. If you are in WI, check it out you may find out some scary things about the people you work or hang out with. Now the disclaimer on this is.. if you don't want to hear about something stupid or horrible your boss did:
DONT LOOK HIM/HER UP!!!!
My record is clean.. all my indiscretions occured prior to my 18th birthday.. which means clean record for Frank... but what about you??
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Back after Hiatus Number 2..
So... I am back.. Just finished my major migration from Washington, DC (home of the White House, and "W") to Milwaukee, WI (home of the Antao's and cheap beer).
Its kinda funny, being home... in way a lot has changed, I am different (a year older), the city is different new condos are being built everywhere, my local best buy moved to a better closer location, some friends have moved around to new more swank pads, but yet it still is very much home. It feels very comfortable and nice.
I spent last week driving back taking the long scenic route of 1100 miles from DC, to Erie, PA, to Cincinnati, OH then then to WI, only to go to Chicago that night to catch a Marquette game. I basically made a zigzag path all the way back. It was pretty good execpt for getting stuck in Cincinnati for 2 days do to an ice/snow storm affectionately called by southern Ohio residents as The White Death. In fact, people did end up losing power for close to 2 days, and I am sure there was some severe car accidents caused by the storm, but still coming from WI all I could do was laugh as everyone ran to the stores for bread and milk.. yes bread and milk.
Apparently if you get caught in a storm, bread and milk is all you need to survive, not exactly what I would have chosen. What would I choose you may ask??? Beer and Oke Doke... Gotta love the artificially flavored cheese popcorn!
Anyway, this week has been spent catching up with work friends, and starting to ramp up on my new role. Which is very exciting. The role seems cool, and my new team is pretty awesome.. but really only time will tell.
In my normal effort to gain viewership of TV shows, I would like to point out some great stuff going on on the boob tube this week --
Tonight - We find out if Meredith is going to die (I hope so, it would be a first for network TV, killing a main character off in the middle of the season.
Tomorrow - If your watching TV on Friday night..you really need to get a life.
Saturday - Two clutch Wisconsin basketball games.. Marquette at Notre Dame and Wisconsin (#1 in the land currently) at Ohio State (#2 in the land).
Sunday - No football.. so everything else is crap!
Monday - Prison Break - getting close to the end... although I wished they would just end it soon.
Tuesday - You can watch Law and Order all night long between TNT and USA.. you know how much I love Jack McCoy and his hot Assistant DA's.
Wednesday - Not really sure.. there isn't much at all on on Wednesday, I guess that might make it a drinking night...
So watch some TV this week, don't do it for me, do it to rot your brain.
Its kinda funny, being home... in way a lot has changed, I am different (a year older), the city is different new condos are being built everywhere, my local best buy moved to a better closer location, some friends have moved around to new more swank pads, but yet it still is very much home. It feels very comfortable and nice.
I spent last week driving back taking the long scenic route of 1100 miles from DC, to Erie, PA, to Cincinnati, OH then then to WI, only to go to Chicago that night to catch a Marquette game. I basically made a zigzag path all the way back. It was pretty good execpt for getting stuck in Cincinnati for 2 days do to an ice/snow storm affectionately called by southern Ohio residents as The White Death. In fact, people did end up losing power for close to 2 days, and I am sure there was some severe car accidents caused by the storm, but still coming from WI all I could do was laugh as everyone ran to the stores for bread and milk.. yes bread and milk.
Apparently if you get caught in a storm, bread and milk is all you need to survive, not exactly what I would have chosen. What would I choose you may ask??? Beer and Oke Doke... Gotta love the artificially flavored cheese popcorn!
Anyway, this week has been spent catching up with work friends, and starting to ramp up on my new role. Which is very exciting. The role seems cool, and my new team is pretty awesome.. but really only time will tell.
In my normal effort to gain viewership of TV shows, I would like to point out some great stuff going on on the boob tube this week --
Tonight - We find out if Meredith is going to die (I hope so, it would be a first for network TV, killing a main character off in the middle of the season.
Tomorrow - If your watching TV on Friday night..you really need to get a life.
Saturday - Two clutch Wisconsin basketball games.. Marquette at Notre Dame and Wisconsin (#1 in the land currently) at Ohio State (#2 in the land).
Sunday - No football.. so everything else is crap!
Monday - Prison Break - getting close to the end... although I wished they would just end it soon.
Tuesday - You can watch Law and Order all night long between TNT and USA.. you know how much I love Jack McCoy and his hot Assistant DA's.
Wednesday - Not really sure.. there isn't much at all on on Wednesday, I guess that might make it a drinking night...
So watch some TV this week, don't do it for me, do it to rot your brain.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
House of Tee Shirts
The first run of Frank's House of Tee Shirts is starting.. if you ever admired my classic one liner tee shirts, then now is your time to get in on the bottom floor... become a wearer, a distrubutor, a contributor, or just a fan..
Here is design number one for the MU vs Georgetown weekend Feb 9th thru 11th, aka Frank's Last Bash in DC...
Comment, email or call me if you want in on the first run...
PS.. the discoloration in the middle of the shirt will be taken care of by the printers.
Here is design number one for the MU vs Georgetown weekend Feb 9th thru 11th, aka Frank's Last Bash in DC...
Comment, email or call me if you want in on the first run...
PS.. the discoloration in the middle of the shirt will be taken care of by the printers.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Where have you been Frank???
Believe it or not ... I have been right here.
Just have been swamped planning my next 6 month adventure and my move to Milwaukee, WI, my hometown! Sorta excited about it, because I have a lot of friends there, my family is pretty much all there as well, but even more importantly, beer is 2 dollars a bottle, a shot will only cost you $2.50 and a good night of drinking and fun (with the use of specials) will run you an amazing 25 bucks plus tip! Seriously do you know how much cash I am going to save!
Lets take a second to compare the economics of DC vs Milwaukee...
Beer (Avg. Price of Miller Lite) DC - $4, MI - $3
Shots (Avg. Price) - DC - $5, MI - $2.50
Late Night Food - DC - pretty much non-exsistant. MI - Everything imaginable.. cheap
My entire budget will go through the roof.. in addition I am doing the living at home thing, which is kind of lame right, but my parents have actually grown on me and they are sort of cool and have some good insights on my life. I think there is a normal maturation process for all young people that at some point, your parents should start becoming cool or at least okay enough to socialize with.
So there is my economic status as of end of January.. basically to drink even more then I do when I get to Milwaukee.
Another quick topic I wanted to touch on ...
This show is insanely addicting. I started watching it at the beginning of the second season, because an ex-girl friend of mine suggested it and it also came on after Desperate Housewives.. oh Teri Hatcher.. But I digress..
Anyway I have managed to flow it through impalements, cancer surgeries, cheating on everyone possible, babies being born, dying fiances, quiting medical practice, bombs blowing up, george, McDreamy, McSteamy, the chief retiring and getting shot down by his ex-wife.. but last week I saw something that I just couldn't believe..
Addison getting shot down by Karev.. No Way
Addison, played by Kate Walsh (IMDB Profile), is probably one of my Top 10 hottest women. I dont exactly know why, but something about her and it may be the doctor character she plays really creates this aurora of WOW...
So when Krev shot her down, I was in a state of disbelief... I can take all the random craziness associated with Seattle Grace Hospital, and suspend disbelief for a little bit, but there is something totally and utterly wrong with Addison getting rejected. I am sorry ABC but you lost me there!
Just have been swamped planning my next 6 month adventure and my move to Milwaukee, WI, my hometown! Sorta excited about it, because I have a lot of friends there, my family is pretty much all there as well, but even more importantly, beer is 2 dollars a bottle, a shot will only cost you $2.50 and a good night of drinking and fun (with the use of specials) will run you an amazing 25 bucks plus tip! Seriously do you know how much cash I am going to save!
Lets take a second to compare the economics of DC vs Milwaukee...
Beer (Avg. Price of Miller Lite) DC - $4, MI - $3
Shots (Avg. Price) - DC - $5, MI - $2.50
Late Night Food - DC - pretty much non-exsistant. MI - Everything imaginable.. cheap
My entire budget will go through the roof.. in addition I am doing the living at home thing, which is kind of lame right, but my parents have actually grown on me and they are sort of cool and have some good insights on my life. I think there is a normal maturation process for all young people that at some point, your parents should start becoming cool or at least okay enough to socialize with.
So there is my economic status as of end of January.. basically to drink even more then I do when I get to Milwaukee.
Another quick topic I wanted to touch on ...
This show is insanely addicting. I started watching it at the beginning of the second season, because an ex-girl friend of mine suggested it and it also came on after Desperate Housewives.. oh Teri Hatcher.. But I digress..
Anyway I have managed to flow it through impalements, cancer surgeries, cheating on everyone possible, babies being born, dying fiances, quiting medical practice, bombs blowing up, george, McDreamy, McSteamy, the chief retiring and getting shot down by his ex-wife.. but last week I saw something that I just couldn't believe..
Addison getting shot down by Karev.. No Way
Addison, played by Kate Walsh (IMDB Profile), is probably one of my Top 10 hottest women. I dont exactly know why, but something about her and it may be the doctor character she plays really creates this aurora of WOW...
So when Krev shot her down, I was in a state of disbelief... I can take all the random craziness associated with Seattle Grace Hospital, and suspend disbelief for a little bit, but there is something totally and utterly wrong with Addison getting rejected. I am sorry ABC but you lost me there!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
I guess.. GE Owns my Soul..
Its been a week since I posted, mostly because I have been getting my butt kicked all over New York this week. Imagine, condensing a 4 week long training course and a 1 semester long finance class into 5 days of intense, intense training with a bunch of young go-getters in one of the most competitive companies in the USA.
One word -- ROUGH..
Working 7 am til 3 am Sunday thru Thursday, was intense. In general, the people I met were awesome, truly the reason I am so proud to say that I work for the General. The people are top notch. Basically the class was for the top engineering and operations people throughout all of GE who are in their first 2 years. Its a business simulation, where you are running a company. I didnt realize how many different inputs really add up to making a company successful, and how close success and failure really are in the business world. One of the dynamic instructors we had made a statement about halfway through the week that really hit home:
Business is the Greatest Game in the World!
It really is.. there isn't any other game where you can really change the rules of the game whenever you want! Think about it, each and every decision fatally changes the make up of the game. Its amazing. The power is completely in the players hands, and there is no end.. it keeps on going!
Either way, after a long week of training, I just really wanted to get home/back to DC to meet some friends up for an unwinding of sorts, however after 5 hours of delays, and another 3 hours sitting on the runway, I arrived into DC at 15 mins past midnight, only to find out that opps.. They had left my luggage in JFK.. Frick'n Delta.. but what the hell.. I m in DC and I have clothes, I just had them deliver it. Which they gladly did the following night at 3am.. amazing time huh?
Anyway.. I am still exhausted, tomorrow I'll fill you in on one of my top 5 drunkest nights in DC.
Frank Out.. Can't stand Ryan Seacrest...
One word -- ROUGH..
Working 7 am til 3 am Sunday thru Thursday, was intense. In general, the people I met were awesome, truly the reason I am so proud to say that I work for the General. The people are top notch. Basically the class was for the top engineering and operations people throughout all of GE who are in their first 2 years. Its a business simulation, where you are running a company. I didnt realize how many different inputs really add up to making a company successful, and how close success and failure really are in the business world. One of the dynamic instructors we had made a statement about halfway through the week that really hit home:
Business is the Greatest Game in the World!
It really is.. there isn't any other game where you can really change the rules of the game whenever you want! Think about it, each and every decision fatally changes the make up of the game. Its amazing. The power is completely in the players hands, and there is no end.. it keeps on going!
Either way, after a long week of training, I just really wanted to get home/back to DC to meet some friends up for an unwinding of sorts, however after 5 hours of delays, and another 3 hours sitting on the runway, I arrived into DC at 15 mins past midnight, only to find out that opps.. They had left my luggage in JFK.. Frick'n Delta.. but what the hell.. I m in DC and I have clothes, I just had them deliver it. Which they gladly did the following night at 3am.. amazing time huh?
Anyway.. I am still exhausted, tomorrow I'll fill you in on one of my top 5 drunkest nights in DC.
Frank Out.. Can't stand Ryan Seacrest...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Mad Apple Love
I LOVE Apple.. yea.. I LOVE Apple.
The company is so truly amazing, it continues to amaze and impress me with its inate ability to command the markets attention with new, innovative, and stylish products all the while producing a high quality and value retaining product while turning a solid profit because it can do one thing that not many other companies can do... Demand a Price.
Take a look at some of the products they make or are getting ready to release:
iPhone - release date 6/2007
Macbook
Of Course the iPod:
The company is so truly amazing, it continues to amaze and impress me with its inate ability to command the markets attention with new, innovative, and stylish products all the while producing a high quality and value retaining product while turning a solid profit because it can do one thing that not many other companies can do... Demand a Price.
Take a look at some of the products they make or are getting ready to release:
iPhone - release date 6/2007
Macbook
Of Course the iPod:
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Man-gagement
Just before New Years Eve, one of my friends proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes, and he placed a gigantic rock on her left ring finger to symbolize their commitment to each other. Beautiful no??
Until recently, I had pretty much hated the idea of spending anywhere from 7 to 30 grand on a ring just to prove how much I cared about a woman and so that all her friends can ooh and ahh over it. It seemed to me that there is so much more you can do with that money.. ie put a down payment on a house, take a trip around the world together, or in general start the college fund for your potential children. All of which seem to me to be a much better use of the funds.
Well this past weekend, I met a couple who took a different approach to this whole engagement thing.. They coined the phrase.. Man-gagement.
Now a Man-gagment does not replace any part of the actually traditional engagement, so a ring must still be bought, and the guy needs to get down on one knee and "pop the question".. however a Man-gagement does even the playing field ladies.. The idea behind it is to even the amount of financial burden the couple faces equally due to the engagement.. in orders the guy, soon to be husband, gets gifts equal to or reasonable compared to financial ability to that of the ring he purchased for his bride to be. In the case of the couple I talked with, it was a big screen TV (which had already been mounted to the wall and gave me a hard on), a nice (as the guy put it Flava Flav style watch), and a nice gas grill. At the moment of our conversation, the bride to be had the ring, the husband to be had received the TV, the watch and grill were still forth coming.
I will not say that the Man-gagement idea has totally pushed me down the road of purchasing an incredibly large diamond ring for my bride to be (not that there is one at the moment ladies.. email me at francis.antao@gmail.com) but rather put an interesting twist on getting engaged. It makes it a couple commitment, having both people invested similarly into the engagement.
Now the idea of receiving a TV when I get engaged has intrigued me a little bit more to the idea of settling down.. especially if its a 61 in HDTV.. ladies remember to take notes now.. but it still seems like there is a lot of money being spent prior to the biggest expense of them all the actual wedding. However, for those guys out there who are looking for a reason to pop the question.. the Man-gagment is here.
Until recently, I had pretty much hated the idea of spending anywhere from 7 to 30 grand on a ring just to prove how much I cared about a woman and so that all her friends can ooh and ahh over it. It seemed to me that there is so much more you can do with that money.. ie put a down payment on a house, take a trip around the world together, or in general start the college fund for your potential children. All of which seem to me to be a much better use of the funds.
Well this past weekend, I met a couple who took a different approach to this whole engagement thing.. They coined the phrase.. Man-gagement.
Now a Man-gagment does not replace any part of the actually traditional engagement, so a ring must still be bought, and the guy needs to get down on one knee and "pop the question".. however a Man-gagement does even the playing field ladies.. The idea behind it is to even the amount of financial burden the couple faces equally due to the engagement.. in orders the guy, soon to be husband, gets gifts equal to or reasonable compared to financial ability to that of the ring he purchased for his bride to be. In the case of the couple I talked with, it was a big screen TV (which had already been mounted to the wall and gave me a hard on), a nice (as the guy put it Flava Flav style watch), and a nice gas grill. At the moment of our conversation, the bride to be had the ring, the husband to be had received the TV, the watch and grill were still forth coming.
I will not say that the Man-gagement idea has totally pushed me down the road of purchasing an incredibly large diamond ring for my bride to be (not that there is one at the moment ladies.. email me at francis.antao@gmail.com) but rather put an interesting twist on getting engaged. It makes it a couple commitment, having both people invested similarly into the engagement.
Now the idea of receiving a TV when I get engaged has intrigued me a little bit more to the idea of settling down.. especially if its a 61 in HDTV.. ladies remember to take notes now.. but it still seems like there is a lot of money being spent prior to the biggest expense of them all the actual wedding. However, for those guys out there who are looking for a reason to pop the question.. the Man-gagment is here.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Dispelling Nasty Rumors about Indians
Okay.. so I felt the need to finally defined my ethinic background against some viscious rumors that BBC has decided to spread. Know I am normally a fan of the BBC, because they have unbiased and good journalism, BUT on this issue they are DEAD wrong and need to be refuted.
They have made the claim that Indian men, in general, are to small for normal western condoms. Now, first I would like to state that the article claims that the problem is being to short in length, and says nothing about the girth. I think there are two major points that need to be made, prior to the masses believing this to be true.
(A) the sampling taken was of normal men.. I would like to assert that I think that the average length for Indian men is probably no different then that of most ethinic backgrounds. I think there are a few backgrounds that have an above average and there are a select group of men (ie porn stars) that bring up the average so that the Indian men now feel inadequate.
(B) All men know.. that is truely about size, but more about your ability to use it. Some claim that this a small man's arguement.. but in reality, the article says nothing about how much pleasure Indian men provide to women as compared to other backgrounds. As far as I am concerned that is truly the question at hand.. What ethinic group provides the most pleasure to women? Know I have no background or information or statistics to back it up.. but I will make the claim that its Indian men.. mostly because this is my blog and I own all input!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Back to the Grind
So I am back to the daily grind.. and very much missing my backpack. I guess it shouldn't be to shocking because who likes to work right?? Just got to survive 1.5 days and then the weekend hits.
So I cleaned my bathroom yesterday, and for those who have seen it.. it looks good now. I can actually have people over to my apartment now, which I hadn't before because the place was a mess. Way to go me!
As far as random posts go this is going pretty well, so I wanted to talk about one more topic... first beer of the night.
Now I am a firm beer drinker, I love the stuff and it quite clearly shows on me (love the beer belly :)).. Recently, I was sitting on my couch watching ND get stomped by a much more dominante LSU team, and felt the need to drown my sorrows in a cold refreshing brew. Now I do not promote drinking by ones self, nor drinking in excess, although I have been known to do both, but rather drinking for the pure enjoyment of the beer, much like some people play sports for the enjoyment of the game.
There is nothing better then a freshly cracked cold beer, no matter what your poision may be: Miller Lite, MGD, High Life, Heineken, Becks, Corona, Red Stripe, Guinness, Harp, Amstel, any Leine's product, Sam Adams, or even the dreaded Bud products, the clear crispy refreshness of a cold beer is undenialable. This just isnt a guy thing ladies.. next time you come home, after a long day of work, kick off your shows, and crack open a cold beer.. it may do wonders for you..
All this writing about beer is defintely making me thirsty.
So I cleaned my bathroom yesterday, and for those who have seen it.. it looks good now. I can actually have people over to my apartment now, which I hadn't before because the place was a mess. Way to go me!
As far as random posts go this is going pretty well, so I wanted to talk about one more topic... first beer of the night.
Now I am a firm beer drinker, I love the stuff and it quite clearly shows on me (love the beer belly :)).. Recently, I was sitting on my couch watching ND get stomped by a much more dominante LSU team, and felt the need to drown my sorrows in a cold refreshing brew. Now I do not promote drinking by ones self, nor drinking in excess, although I have been known to do both, but rather drinking for the pure enjoyment of the beer, much like some people play sports for the enjoyment of the game.
There is nothing better then a freshly cracked cold beer, no matter what your poision may be: Miller Lite, MGD, High Life, Heineken, Becks, Corona, Red Stripe, Guinness, Harp, Amstel, any Leine's product, Sam Adams, or even the dreaded Bud products, the clear crispy refreshness of a cold beer is undenialable. This just isnt a guy thing ladies.. next time you come home, after a long day of work, kick off your shows, and crack open a cold beer.. it may do wonders for you..
All this writing about beer is defintely making me thirsty.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
So if your wondering what the heck that is all about.. check out the following site... My Heritage It is a cool site that matches a picture of your face to different celebrities. The one above was done for me by a co-worker. Little did I know, I most closely resemble a president.
Its a pretty cool site.. you should check it out..
Monday, January 1, 2007
So Back in DC
So got back to DC last night after what seemed like 36 hours of traveling.. Since there were no available places to stay in Amsterdam, I spent the night hanging with fellow backpackers in the Amsterdam Schipol Airport.. which is a very slick place.. open 24 hrs a day, and always seemed to have flights arriving and departing to all over the world.
So I finally arrived back in DC at 7 pm.. about 3 hours late.. but on the same day.. so I guess it was a win..
New Years was fun.. went out with Lily and Lauren to a GW Ultimate Frisbee party... which was a total blast.. I also got a lesson on women and their signals to men ... ie how they tell us they want to hook up with us.. very interesting.. although a ton more straight forward then I imagined it to be.. but I think guys are just clueless..
Spent today mostly on my couch.. until guilt finally set in and I started cleaning.. my first floor is pretty decent.. but my bathroom is kinda scary.. I think I will tackle that tomorrow.. or sometime in the future.
Other then that.. here are the top 5 from my trip to Europe..
1. Sun and Rome are AWESOME!
2. European women are amazing to look at.. but a little tough to talk to .. no matter what language you talk in.
3. Aussies rule Europe Hostels over Xmas.. they are everywhere.. not that that is a problem.. kuz Aussie women are mighty attractive.
4. Europe is amazing no matter the temperature outside.. if you see it alone or in a group.. just make it your goal to get there..
5. The US needs to adopt the idea of building more Plazas.. ie like Time's Square.. they are great for bring people together, creating community, and fun places to have events at.
So I finally arrived back in DC at 7 pm.. about 3 hours late.. but on the same day.. so I guess it was a win..
New Years was fun.. went out with Lily and Lauren to a GW Ultimate Frisbee party... which was a total blast.. I also got a lesson on women and their signals to men ... ie how they tell us they want to hook up with us.. very interesting.. although a ton more straight forward then I imagined it to be.. but I think guys are just clueless..
Spent today mostly on my couch.. until guilt finally set in and I started cleaning.. my first floor is pretty decent.. but my bathroom is kinda scary.. I think I will tackle that tomorrow.. or sometime in the future.
Other then that.. here are the top 5 from my trip to Europe..
1. Sun and Rome are AWESOME!
2. European women are amazing to look at.. but a little tough to talk to .. no matter what language you talk in.
3. Aussies rule Europe Hostels over Xmas.. they are everywhere.. not that that is a problem.. kuz Aussie women are mighty attractive.
4. Europe is amazing no matter the temperature outside.. if you see it alone or in a group.. just make it your goal to get there..
5. The US needs to adopt the idea of building more Plazas.. ie like Time's Square.. they are great for bring people together, creating community, and fun places to have events at.
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