Four ways from Yesterday!

Connect four! A milton Bradley game introduced in 1974. If you are reading this and you dont know how to play or have never heard of the game, google it. Im far too lazy right now to explain. The point is yesterday Nessa picked up some bored games for us to play and this was one of them. So Im thinking this should be real fun. I havent played this game in about 2 decades. The long and the short of this post is that out of 9 games I won ZERO! How sad is that? I couldnt win to save my life. I used to be a wiz at this game. I took my beating like a man but couldnt for the life of me remember any of my strategies from yester year. All the while Nessa was telling me I should change from red to black, or I should go first. Of course I refused. But I now know what she knows. Find out how to strategize like a connect four master here!

Where Have I been?


Obviously, I have not been blogging. Lately I have been in relax mode to the fullest which means no working out and eating like a refugee. I will give a brief run down of what I have been up to and throw in a few random thoughts and facts:

Saturday Night was Cirque de soleil. We witnessed amazing feats that included little people, tight rope walkers, hula hoop jugglers, and men wearing tight pants with no shirts doing flips. This show was really entertaining to say the least and probably more so because I havent been to a circus in about 23 years. The show was at the Forum in Inglewood. We had a great trip from OC to LA. a little bit of traffic here and there and a quick detour so because Nessa needed a snack!

Afterwards, we made our way to Gindi Thai in Burbank for a delightful meal consisted of corn fritters, chicken drunken noodles, and pineapple fried rice. The meal was great and the service was pleasant. Actually a little over pleasant....I have never been asked if anything was ok so many times. http://www.gindithai.com/

After Cirque de soleil, We headed to Roscoes Chicken and Waffles in L.A. I ordered (Pico and La Brea) I ordered my usual...2 chicken sausage, scrambled egg whites and a waffle without butter and a sunrise (freshly squeezed orange juice with lemonade) Nessa Had a Fried chicken breast and a waffle. It was her first time their so she had to taste the fried chicken! After that, we gobbled down a cold slice of sweet potato pie!

The ride back was not long at all especially with me behind the wheel. it took about 35-40 minutes if that!

Random Facts and thoughts:

Yonkers is the 4th Largest city in NY

I have been to the Equator

There are 10 human body parts that are only 3 letters long (eye hip arm leg ear toe jaw rib lip gum).

Stressed is Desserts spelled backwards.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching TV.

The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear. Any cup-shaped object placed over the ear produces the same effect.

So I have been away for a minute...

I have been feeling a little ill over the past 3 days. I have had an extremely heavy cough followed by bouts of mucous spitting and a really sore throat. On the first day I was nurtured by my kitty kat who gave me tea with honey which went down real smooth. Of course you must be wondering if I went to work on either of these 2 days and the answer is...NOPE. I called in sick Sunday and Monday and I must say it felt great to just relax. Now being "sick" or "dis"eased is not ever a good time and Im not the type to lay in bed all day so I spent monday pretending to do school work, and straightening up, downloading music, and watching Law and Order season one. Went back to work yesterday and everyone was doing the usual, "are you ok?" which to me is really like, "were you really sick?" Anyway, Yesterday was a slow, slow day. Filled with minimal phone calls and a lame workout on my break due to a lack of motivation on my part. After work, I met up with Nessa at the gym where we did some basic exercises, and sat in the steam room for about 20 minutes. Then it was home and off to bed after some late night post-workout snacks and chit chat.
I almost forgot about Saturday night we went to Bubba Gumps in Long beach and it was pretty good. I definitley enjoyed the sampler and the tempura. service was pretty quick too. After dinner, we were off to Cal State Long Beach to watch the shaolin monks. The show was honestly fantastic. These guys were swift like the wind and showcased some of the finest warrior showmanship I have ever seen. I was extremely captivated especially at the young monks in action who competed each move with practically excellent form! then there was a part where the monks invited some of the younger audience members on stage and showed them some moves. Out of nowhere, one of the boys executing the moves yells out, "soy sauce!" the crowd including myself exploded with laughter. It was a great night all in all! Anyway...today has been long and drawn out and im ready to go. Today Archie and I completed our second rendition of the 300 workout. 25 pull ups, 25 reps bench press w/ 185 lbs, 25 hanging knee raises, 50 walking lunges w/ 45 lbs dumbells in each arm 9thats 25 lunges per leg) 25 reps of seated military press, 25 reps reverse grip bench press w/ 135 lbs, 50 body weight squats, 50 4 count flutter kicks, and 25 deadlifts w/ 135 lbs. finish time:18:53...

I Just woke up about 2 hours ago. I don't even remember what time I fell asleep. Last I remember is filing some papers and then laying back in my bed....anyway, yesterday I made it down to camp pemdleton to take my marketing management final @ park university. For some reason, I wasn't even nervous although I had not studied for it that much. Needless to say the exam was pretty much a breeze. I'm sure I didn't ace it but I know I passed. Afterwords, I tool the time out to visit a few old faces from my USMC past. The first was Chief Warrant officer Jerry Knight. He was my platoon commander when I checked into 1st Marine Division communications company. We chatted for a few. He even brought up my old nickname "jumbo jet" when prompted by another marine as to why he called me this, he said, "shit! That's a big boy coming in for a hard landing." I was a little bigger back then. He informed me he was retiring in may 2008 and looking forward to it. We concluded our convo and then I was off to G-6 to see one of the men that made me a marine....My senior drill instructor, Master Sergeant Tommie Hanks. As soon as I got into his office, he looks up as if he was so busy and says, "what the fuck do you want?" I replied with hearty laughter and told him I was just stopping by to see what's up. He told me he was pissed at me for getting out and what not. We actually talked for awhile and covered numerous topics to include: me being a 911 dispatcher, his divorce, orange county's african american population, his retirement plans, and a few boot camp stories. All in all it was a great visit. He gave me his number in case I needed anything and I was on my merry way. I decided to get gas while on base and while I was at the pump, my boy Shalo rolled up right behind me. I haven't really spoke to him in a few months. So we took the time out to catch up. He gave me some insight on new music that I have yet to hear. We were talking for so long, we didn't realize people were behind us waiting to get gas. So we pulled into the dominos pizza parking lot on mainside and proceeded with our convo. He invited me to pt with his platoon any day I wanted. We got to talking about cadences and got our selves so motivated that the next thing I know, we were driving over to the pull up bars to get a few sets in. Then we did some push ups and dips. I let him know that I would be in the area for the next 2 months for school and we would definitley get a chance to get together. After that I took off and made my way to get some nourishment and then home to straighten up. Random quote said by Lee Haney...."You can't eat like a bird and train like a horse!"
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Saturday morning we got up early and while Nessa showered I whipped up some breakfast burritos...we left about 6:45 am enroute to the Marine Corps reruit depot in San Diego. While driving down the freeway at about 80mph (standard california speed) I pulled up alongside a san diego city police officer. As we drove past him, he proceeded to get behind me and ride my ass for about a 1/2 mile. He then pulls up alongside of me and screams out his window "65 not 85!" At this point, I am lost because I was going the same speed as him...ANYWAY. As we exited the freeway, and got close to the depot, I could already sense the motivation in my body. It was rumbling. This was my first trip back to the depot in a few years. Althoug it is not the depot where I was "born" it was still the depot. The place was packed. Marathon runners, triathletes, Marines, spectators, high school track teams! You name it, and they were there. I had no idea the turnout was going to be so enormous! So we parked and met up with Mr. W and Cindy! It was good to put faces to names and meet Nessa's friends! They were both cool. Tim informed me that he had gotten out of he Corps in 1984. Yes that's 21 years before I got out but still as they say, "once a marine always a marine."
We walked around and got our gift bags and dog tags and such when we spotted the pull up bar. Some recruiters were offering us civilians the challenge of either men doing 20 dead hang pullups or women doing the flex arm hang for 70 seconds. If this was completed, the lucky person received a free "pain is weakness leaving the body" t-shirt. Nessa convinced me to "win" her a t-shirt which I thought would be no difficult task since 20 pullups is my norm. 19 3/4 pull ups later, I felt that perhaps I had lost my edge. All eyes were on me and, I didn't meet the standard. I did not get down on myself, I just mentally prepped for the race. At 8:45, as the individual males entered the chute...there was a drill instructor barking out orders and prompting the crowd! I didn't feel the need to respond at all. Finally, we took off. It was so crowded, I must have chopped my steps for about an eighth of a mile. The first mile was a bit boring but I managed to keep a decent pace...then we got to the obstacles!!!! I then immediately thought It was 1998 and I was back in boot camp. I attacked every obstacle like a killer! I even made time to elbow the shit out of the dummies used for bayonnet training that everybody else seemed to run by. I was fairly quiet the whole race, until I saw a few marines that I recognized that are now drill instructors! Also the sound of motivating cadence blared over the P.A. System and that's when I knew I wouldn't slow down or stop running! I did however manage to see a few guys that looked like they were dying! I thought to myself silently, "you are not a warrior" anyway my overall time was 26:02. Mr. W came in @ 25:25. Great job by the way! Afterwards Tim and I sat in the shade and talked about the corps, current and past pay rates, the race, and waited patiently for the girls...they showed up around the 30-31 minute mark. They looked a little flustered but still of sound mind and body! So off to our cars we went so Mr. W and Cindy could change and Nessa could get her ATM card to pick up a tanktop. At some point, I felt compelled to make my way back to the pull up bars and win her a T-shirt! The line was long and Nessa even held my spot while I caught up with a few of the drill instructors that I had recognized. Once I got back and it was my turn, I mounted the bar and attacked it with vigor and determination! (the twenty pull-ups came easy as I thought they should have the first time and Nessa got her t-shirt. Overall the day was great. After the race Nessa and I walked to the command museum which is where the pics are from. I have lived in a 2-man tent on numerous deployments. Brought back a few memories I must say. Can't wait until next year!

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Taking care of my feet!

Me and jayla are at "the nail shop" as you can see I'm getting a pedicure. Anyone who has seen my feet know I need this treatment! Meanwhile the grey goose (my silver jeep) is getting an oil change. I finally started cleaning my apt and rearranging a few things and should be finished by the time jayla gets picked up this evening!
I was thinking about communicating since its what I do at work and a thought ran across my mind...why is it hard to communicate with certain people sometimes. Its no secret that me and jaylas mother can get into a disagreement in a heartbeat. But why? For the past 4 months there has been no tension whatsoever. I was actually surpised then when I picked jayla up on wednesday, we got into a minor disagreement. Basically over our differences of opinion. I left feeling extremely angry and confused. Long story short, we spoke on the phone and ironed everything out like adults. The call even ended with a few laughs!!! My point is sometimes communicating is easy and sometimes it aint! (Insert quote) "choose your words carefully" why? Because you never know how the other person is going to take it! More omportantly choose the way you say those words carefully because it might be the greatest thing in the world about to be said, but if it sounds like shit then that's how it will be taken. ( I am at the point in my pedicure where they scrub the bottom of your feet with what looks like a soft brick. Problem is I am ticklish and this causes me to squirm like a twisted bitch! This is my least favorite part) back to communication, sometimes I get a little nervous to say things...like telling someone you love them for the first time! Who did I tell? Why was I nervous? I was nervous because, I had no idea what she would say back...what if she thought I was crazy? What if she said "you need to chill!" Well for my ego sake she said it back and even said yes to being my girlfriend! Its a great feeling! Thank you Vanessa...I am making this entry via my "crackberry" and I feel like I have been typing forever! My fingers hurt and if you are reading this you may be getting bored. Jayla is finishing off her ritz crackers and the lady doing my feet is cracking my toes wih some hot towels as well as caressing my calves. I gotta go!
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18:28

Thats how long it took me to complete our modifed 300 workout. It was grueling. The deadlifts, the bench press, and the curls were by far the most difficult for me. I felt like I was gonna die. Seriously though, Im gonna do it again and again...maybe ill get my time down to 10 minutes....
My workday is almost over and my brain is racked. Good news is, im going to get jayla who Im sure is going to fill my next two days with laughter. In case anyone cares, the jogger stroller is fully functional again so Jayla and I are once again fully mobile.
I was informed today that I insulted someone near and dear to my heart. It made me feel like a little upset. then I found out it was based on a slight miscommunication. Either way, it is now rectified and I feel much better. 10 minutes left at work then im off to pick up Jayla. I will also be consulting my personal therapist and best friend Lyphe. be back tomorrow!

At Random

I was late to work today! Probably my least favorite thing in the world. I did, however sleep like a baby while cuddling next to a certain feline! I do have to write a memo at my job but thats neither here nor there. Right now I should be studying for my marketing management class but im not. I took a break to update the blog. Nothing much is really going on and today has been a slow day. One of my coworkers proposed a modified version the the 300 workout. (google it! Im too lazy to link it) I told him I am gonna do it on my 30 minute break:

25 pushups
50 bench press (135 lbs)
50 deadlifts (135 lbs)
50 EZ bar curls (75 lbs)
50 body weight squats
50 windshield wipers
25 T-bar rows (with 3 45 lbs plates)

Sounds like alot but its just the motivation I needed to kickstart my current laziness. So thats what Im doing in about 2 hours. work is catching up with me....be back later
**UPDATE** Archie completed the workout in 17 minutes and 50 seconds...in about 20 minutes I will be out trying to complete this grueling set of exercises. Archie said, and I quote "I wanted to throw up!" Just the punishment I need for those 2 big ass donuts I ate yesterday!

Sleep is a crutch!

Do you really need 8 hours of sleep to function? When I was in iraq a few years ago, we coined the phrase, "sleep is a crutch" it was our testament to the fact that we could operate on less sleep than the average. Fast forward to life as a "nasty civilian" and I must admit, every so often I need my fucking crutches! In other words, I know I need my sleep! Last night I got 3 hours of sleep and I have a 12 hour workday! I am less then excited to say the least. On my way to work, I decided to pick up some starbucks to give me a quick boost. Grande chai latte with soy milk no water with a little nutmeg. I know it sounds like a feminine drink but damn if it doesn't taste good! Just had a random thought...I'm gonna start posting random stories and sayings from when I was in the corps....FYI, this is my first post from my blackberry! Yes I'm mobile bitches!!!
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Allow me to reintroduce myself!

I havent posted here in forever. However, I have been reinspired to pick up my digital pen to periodically post my thoughts, concerns, and feelings if I feel like it. Where should I start? Well, I now have a beautiful 20 month old daughter Jayla.

She is hands down beautiful and already developing into an independent little princess. I am still in school, but I will be finished by the summer without a doubt. Currently employed as a 911 dispatcher and everybody thinks they have an emergency! In my free time, I like to chill, run with Jayla, take her to the beach, workout, cook and devour turkey sausages, watch movies, make jokes about serious issues, and wear my sneakers! or at least try to. I still have a laid back attitude and nonchalant attitude. Most peopleassume I don't care about things and sometimes, I don't. However, for the most part, I just refuse to allow certain things to cause a negative shift in my attitude. Dr. David Banner once said, "Mr. Mgee, you wouldnt like me when I'm angry."