Much time has past since I last wrote. Bad, bad blogger.

Here are some things that have past since last time.

Jen's birthday at the zoo. Then drinkin drinkin with Neil Hamburger and friends.

I spoke to a fourth grade class about emergency medicine. They were awesome.

Seeing good friends who I wish still lived in LA.

Jackson is born!

Simi adventures with the mountains and absinthe.

Christmas time in the Sycz house.

Dealing with inept people in the billing department at LAC/USC.

That's about as condensed an update as I can manage right now. I might have missed a few things.

On the sports/nerd front, I won my fantasy football league. Luck of the Jews I tell you.

I'm listening to Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy. I like. I've been into any music with noise lately. Heavy guitar muff. Seriously. Like No Age. I love that stuff.

One of the highlights from my Christmas gifts is a book called Borat that my sister gave me. I am willing to do readings for anyone over the phone at any time. Especially Drew because I miss him and can never get a hold of him. And Dan too. I also miss Micah and Emily but do not have their number. Also Brent. I need to congratulate him. But I think the only person that would appreciate the voice of a anti-semitic Kazakh would be DMH and maybe Becca. Though I've seen the Brooklyn power couple recently, and they might like to hear it as well. And also those named Alan and Xio in Texas. Oh how I miss my friends.

I am trying to find a bow tie. Anyone know where to get one? I need it by Monday. I would also like it to be brown.

The Wire season 4 is incredible. All should watch.

I have also just finished watching every single Office episode to date. Season 3 should be committed to memory.

A New Year and I should be putting some predictions of the coming year. Hopefully soon.

More Treeman

My People

Ivan Mládek - Jožin z bažin

Stolen from Darren

This gets me every time. Happy Advent.

Unbelievable

I'm walking. And it feels great. I got a walking boot yesterday. It's good. Though when I'm at home, I never where it. It actually feels comfortable to walk with no support. The tendon is tight but very comfortable to walk with. I also took my first shower in two months. Good Lord that was awesome. I hate baths. I feel like I'm laying in my own filth. I also drove for the first time in two months. It felt like freedom. I drove to the bank. Deposited some checks. Cruised Burbank Boulevard in my Dad's truck. I need to take my car in tomorrow to pass some recall test. No big deal. I'm watching Dexter. It is good. Matty B was right. I feel good.

As you can see by the time signature, I'm having a little some trouble sleeping tonight.

Going to the clinic at 9:30am to get my cast off. Walking time. I can't wait.

I watched Rescue Dawn yesterday. It's really good. I recommend it.

I have also started watching the second season of the Office. All of you were right. It is damn funny.

On Drew's behest I watched Time Infinite yesterday. I must I was surprised how much I liked it. Good stuff.

Today I watched Sarah Silverman's Jesus is Magic. I laughed a lot. She is also very easy on the eyes. Her, Rachel Weisz and Selma Blair are the babe-alicious Jewish trinity. But I digress. Sarah Silverman probably has the best timing of any comic today. It amazes me how comfortable she is on stage and can wait for the right moment to deliver a line while other comics seem to rush through their material.

Anyways, here a song from the movie. I hope to someday put this on a mixtape for my future wife.

I think thanksgiving is a great holiday. If you like family and gratefulness. I hate that I hear it called Turkey day or associate it with crazed shopping. I really like the premise of the day, that I can sit at a meal with my family and think about just how fortunate I am.

I posted this comment on Myste's blog in regards to five things I'm thankful for.

1. I'm thankful that though I'm injured and can't work for awhile, I have place to stay and not worry about that financial burden right now.

2. I'm thankful for friends/family who drive my gimpy ass all over LA.

3. I'm thankful to whomever sent me an anonymous cashier's check for $1500 to help me out with my medical bills.

4. I'm thankful for the music of Neutral milk Hotel, Page France, Buck 65, Danielson, Bonnie Prince Billy, and some others that have been rocking my socks off.

5. I'm thankful that I'll finally be able to walk again next week.

I'm also thankful for all my friends, hear there and every where. For a good family that at times can be annoying, frustrating, or unreasonable. But are also the most loyal of people.

But most importantly to an unfair God who gave us grace when we didn't deserve it.

I like Matt B's post too.

Today I've been listening to On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel.

Beautiful beautiful noise.

No wonder the peoples go crazy for these guys.

I'm watching a documentary called Sherman's March. It's about a guy who sets out to film on the lasting affects Sherman's march in the South circa 1986. What he ends up getting a film on his insecurities about the women he meets. It's amusing so far.

On Saturday I got anonymous cashier's check in the mail for $1,500. A note in the envelope said it was for my medical expenses. It's hard to express my feelings about this other than gratefulness. I hope someday I could do the same for someone else.

Hung out with some church people at the Cat and Fiddle last night. It's nice to drink with people from church. I hope this happens more often. Right after church.

This is England is good. You should watch it.

I've been listening to the new Buck 65. It's alright. Needs some more listening.

Can't sleep.

Jen said that I should put together an Amazon wish list. I kind of feel bad. I don't want people to buy me stuff. I just want to hang out. But Jen likes to shop. So this is for her.

The list.

I got a new cast. One that I can walk on pretty easily though I shouldn't. The appointment was pretty long. I get my walking cast in two weeks. I also met up with a financial consultant and my total bill for my surgery was reduced from about $15,000 to $3,276. Obviously awesome. Also awesome, Amber for picking me up and taking me home.

Right now, I'm watching a replay of a Venezuelan league baseball game on ESPN 360. These guys sure don't like waiting on pitches. Swinging at everything. Hideo Nomo is pitching. Boy he sucks. So nice to see baseball in the winter.

Today, I was offered to lead the Junior Highers at my church. Seems like someone wants me to work with youth in a church setting. Though this situation would be a lot less time invested and pro bono.

I'm listening to Merle.

I watched Idiocracy today. Terrible and annoying.

I want to watch No Country for Old Men.

I can't wait to drive in two weeks.

I have an appointment tomorrow. Doctor's appointment. I'm ready to wait another eight hours as I did two weeks ago, just to change my cast. Though since the appointment is at 12:30pm and the administrative shift ends at 4:30pm, I could be out by 5pm. I hope. I also hope that I can get my financial situation squared away before my appointment. At least then I will finally know exactly how much I am going to have to pay.

Someone told me about a possible job opportunity on Saturday. It would require me moving away from LA to Ventura. Out of the blue. I'm seriously considering it, but at the same time, the responsibility of the position is quite daunting. It's one of those things where something falls into your lap and you think, "Really God? You realize it's me right? You can't be serious?" I like church ministry but I never, never would have considered it as a profession.

I'm listening to Page France right now. The first time I ever heard about them was about a year ago through Matt and Lisa. I liked it then, but didn't really get it till now. Sometimes, when listening to music, you hear something that hits a bell in your soul. That's how feel about this band right now. I hear a lyric or a note, a movement, and a it hits a bell in my soul.

A little over three weeks ago I week to Yosemite for a wedding. It was a bitter sweet time, in regards to all the beauty that was around yet being on crutches. I was fortunate enough to get out of the house and into the Yosemite Valley but it was hard to see everyone else go hiking and walking around the park while I had to resort to sitting around looking at newspapers or sitting in a fancy hotel lobby on the web. As a result, I set a goal for myself regarding my rehabilitation process. I want to hike to the top of half dome next October. Hopefully others are inclined to do the same and will join me.

How to Vote

I really like his video. The presidential election is a year from today.

Great Northern

So I won free tickets to see Great Northern tomorrow at the Echoplex. The problem is, if I am to go, I need someone to go with me and offer to pick up my gimpy ass. And I hear the kind person to share my company will also receive a beer. A good cold beer. In your mouth. Beer beer beer.

Beer.

Werewolf Bar Mitzvah

I wish I found this about a month earlier. Everyone of you should watch 30 Rock at least once. I think it's the funniest show on TV right now.

To the Wagonmaster.

When I first heard the album "Neon Bible" I couldn't help but think that Keep the Car Running sounded a lot like a Bruce Springsteen song.

Bruce Stringsteen and Arcade Fire - Keep the car running

I'm sitting at a really nice hotel lobby in Yosemite, typing away, as the wedding party and family of Tisa and Kevin are having their rehearsal dinner. The Gloyds snatched me up in their Euro van this morning. I found out it's an awful feeling being around such gorgeous nature while on crutches. I can't hike. I can't wander too far. And I hate the feeling of being helpless and having to rely on others for the simplest things.

One of the things that I have learned about myself through this injury is how much I value my independence. I like to go places on my terms and through my own self reliance. If I'm hungry, I eat. If I'm thirsty, I drink. If I want to go somewhere, I go. I'm a individualist. A typical American. Is this good? I don't know. Maybe not. If I want to be a married man, which I do, I can see some obvious conflicts of interest that may arise. A man cannot be a individualist his whole life if he wants a family.

Though throw this situation I've been learning to receive things(money, help, grace, etc.), and realize that there is no way I can "repay" the favor, and that I shouldn't. I've never had the problem of helping someone and expecting anything in return. But when I'm on the other end, I feel guilty. Guilty of receiving a free gift. I find this strange. I guess I realize just how much of a prideful person I can be. Now I just wonder, how can rectify this. I'm sure I myself cannot do it but rely on God who sanctifies me, through his Holy Spirit, as I mature not only as a man but through faith that He has given me.

Wow.

I try not to get too personal on this blog and especially not use religious language to convey a point, but sometimes I just can't help but do it. If I'm going to explain matters of personal character I have incorporate my faith because they are intermingled one in the same.

Anyways, last Wednesday I got a new cast. It's hard, which is nice, and will come off on the 31st. At that point I will get a boot, which I can take off, and put a little pressure on. I'll still be on crutches for the time being. Hopefully by the beginning of December, I will be able walk without crutches and finally be able to work and drive.

It's nice to get out of the house right now. I really appreciate that. It's a lot cooler up here. Temperature wise. The leaves are changing. And as a certain grandmother would say, "Pretty, pretty, pretty."

I'm bummed that I'm missing Dumas this weekend along with Tom Waits. Bad timing. I'm also bummed to be missing bunch of Halloween parties this Friday and Saturday. Someone needs to throw a Veterans day party.

And one last thing. I found out my bill for surgery. $15,000. It's less than what I thought I would pay, but it's still 15 grand. On Wednesday I find out if I can get it lowered. If not, then I'll explore the idea of a fundraiser tentatively called, "The Michael Sycz Rock 'N Roll Circus."

Rapture Prank

awful

Ray Charles

I was feeling pretty shitty today. Sometimes not being able to move around gets you depressed. But then I found this video which made me feel good for little while.

Back on the Internets.

Surgery went well on the 4^th. I didn't go under, just local anesthetic. Surgery was only half an hour but was pretty painful. The anesthetic only numbed me halfway so I felt the suturing going with my tendon and the closing of the wound. But since it was a local, I was able to get out of the hospital quicker and the post surgery pain was much easier to handle.

So I've been back in Burbank ever since.

I think it's healing well. I only used the pain meds for four days total. I have an appointment on Wednesday to take out the sutures and put on a hard cast.

I've been watching a lot of Heroes on Netflix.com. I've caught up to the current season. I like the show. Though the acting is bad, it's hard to go wrong with a good vs evil story.

The Cubs got swept in the playoffs. And strangely the Rockies are in the World Series.

Last Sunday I was made a deacon.

I should be doing a ton of paperwork regarding disability, workers leave and other medical things.

Story time

I'll be off the internet for awhile now. Who knows when I'll be back on. Hopefully soon.

My surgery got moved up to tomorrow. I check in at 5am.

Something Vin Scully wrote and read onair before Game 1 of NLCS in 1989.

She stands alone on the corner of Clark and Addison
This dowager queen, dressed in black and pearls
75 years old
Proud head held high
And not a hair out of place
Awaiting yet another date with destiny
Another time for Mr. Right

She dreams, as old ladies will
Of men gone long ago
Joe Tinker
Johnny Evers
Frank Chance

And of those of recent vintage
Like her man Ernie
And The Lion
And Sweet Billy Williams

And she thinks wistfully of what might have been
And the pain is still fresh and new
And her eyes fill
Her lips tremble
And she shakes her head ever so slightly

And then she sighs
Pulls her shawl tightly around her frail shoulders
And thinks
“This time.”
“This time it will be better.”

Oh how things turn up.

Saturday morning I finally decided to have my right ankle checked out at LAC/USC hospital. Perfect place to go for a guy with no insurance. After waiting a few hours, I got an x-ray and a talk with a doctor. She told since I hurt myself 18 days prior, they were going to admit me at that moment and schedule me for an MRI to determine if it was a partial or a complete tear of the achilles tendon. Long story short, I was in bed, IV in me, till I got my MRI on Monday at 11:30am. Long wait. The surgical staff decided that I could wait and have scheduled me for surgery on Monday the 8th.

I should fully recover in six months. I don't know when I could start walking again.

So these are things I will be missing out on in the coming month, mainly do to recovery and lack of funds from working.

Toreo
Myste's wedding
Tisa's wedding
Bridge School with Tom Waits. (by the way, anyone want tickets?)

Asi es la vida.

I also must move in with my parents due to the cost of my rent, and the impending medical bills I must pay.

But things are looking up. The Cubs are in the playoffs.

I guess I'm suppose to have a deacon interview tonight on the phone. Nothing yet.

I'm also trying to figure out what to do with my time in recovery. Dmh mentioned some online seminary courses which sound good. Maybe I'll read up some more on autism to better equip myself for work.

Hopefully my parents will finally put up an internet connection so I can blog and do other internet related stuff. My pops has got a nice digital camera so I may do some video blogging via youtube. We'll see.

Good times this weekend.

Friday I hung out at the Giunta casa and watch a movie about killer sheep.

Saturday I drove up to Ventura to fish on the pier with J Glo. I drove through the hard rain and loved it. Rain is good. I want more of it. Regardless, J and I fishing. Or as Mrs. Ninja calls it, “F ing.” We didn't catch a thing. Well, we did catch a buzz from the whisky and beer we were sneaking. (lame joke)

We did see some possible hobo jungle residents catch some sting rays. One dude made a habit of catching crabs and them stomping on them and then kicking them back into the sea. J and I were wondering why the hell this guy would do such thing. But never would we dare ask him for fear of having a conversation with a possible deranged man. Plus I think he was eyeing our booze. Shame on us.

Later, J, his wife and others had some righteous sushi and a dip in the hot tube before evening libations.

The Cubs are close to clinching their division. People at church were asking me if I'm excited about the Cubs. Of course not. I watch every game with a extreme anxiety knowing they are going to lose it. I have known from past seasons to guard my heart closely rather than having it broken once again. Regardless, if by some miracle of heaven, this team gets to the playoffs and makes it to the World Series, I'm flying to the homeland.

I've been really into Bonnie Prince Billy's album Master and Everyone. So sad and lonely. Yet so good.

I've been walking on the ankle at school. Though I'm sporting a pimp walk, I think it's getting better. By the end of the day, I'm dying to get it elevated, off the ground.

It should be raining tomorrow. That will make me feel very good. I love the rain. I miss it.

I've been reading a lot about election. A lot of what I'm reading is blowing my mind.

Do you ever get those feelings of nostalgia, and start missing everyone at once? That's how I feel.

I just realized how busy October will be for me.

Oct. 7 - Bullfight with the Brother In-laws

Oct. 14 - Phil and Myste's wedding

Oct. 27 - Kevin and Tisa's wedding

Oct. 28 - Bridge school

Should the weekend of the 21st be booked for anything? Maybe some time in Simi. Or Oktoberfest fun.

I need a babe.

Tuesday night I was playing a pick up game of basketball and hurt my ankle nasty. I can put some weight on it but walking is fairly cumbersome. So I took the rest of the week off at school. Need to rest up and heal. Hopefully heal soon.

I also got a wedding to attend to in Santa Barbara on Saturday. Maybe I can find a cane to borrow.

I received a letter from my church elder board stating they want me to be a deacon. I will be in good company. Like this guy, this guy and this guy.

In the past three days, I've had much time to waste search for various things regarding sport, specifically baseball, some theology and even politics. So I've looking at all the presidential candidates. I've been really liking this guy. Ron Paul. Check him out.

When I look at a calender today, why does today say "Patriot Day?"

Are we suppose to be proud of something?

Tony Pierce wrote a nice little diddy about today.

Crazy Slap Contest

This is so stupid. yet so entertaining.

I found out earlier today that Tom Waits is playing Bridge School.

The website for the event says that the acts for the event will be playing on Saturday and Sunday, the 27th and 28th of October. Now, in the past, some of these acts only play either on a Sunday or a Saturday. I need to find out if Waits is playing on both or Saturday or Sunday. Because I'm going to Tisa's wedding on Saturday. And I'm praying that Waits is playing at least on Sunday. That would make me most joyous. Tickets go on sale this Saturday the 9th.

Work has been pretty rough so far. My boys have been pretty good but the other kids in class have been horrendous. I had to get in the face of one of them and I almost snapped. This particular kid actually pushed one of the boys I work with. I wish corporal punishment was still legal.

Thank God it's cooler now.

The Cubs are driving me crazy.

I love boxing. And I found this story about a boxer who is competing to get on the USA Olympic team named Deontay Wilder. He is a heavy weight boxer from Alabama, 6 foot 7, and only 21. What really gets me about this guy is that he works two jobs, one as a truck driver and another at Red Lobster. The reason for the two jobs is because he has a two-year-old daughter with spina bifida. And he needs to pay the medical bills. Now, a fighter can fight for money, for pride, and even for country. But I'll be damned if I ever face a man that is fighting for for his sick daughter.

Let's hang out on Friday.

Listening to Jon Brion. "Here we go."

Sick

I caught a cold. Probably from the flight from Hawaii. I feel like a cerote. But there is a cure.



Hungarian wine will do the trick. It helps with sleep.

The Cubs won today. They are driving me crazy as usual. I hate Ryan Dempster because he causes me to have heart attacks yet he has gotten the job done. Please God let this be the year.

Working at school again. More on this later.

Who wants to go to Cha Cha Sunday night? Being it Labor Day on Monday and happy hour all day on Sunday.

What is Circuit Bending?

Geek-a-rific

I got back from Hawaii on Monday morning and then went straight to work. I was hating life that day.

Hawaii is good. But it can get annoying with certain people in my family. I sort-of-kind-of glad to get back. I think I'm over the Big Island. Hopefully my next destination for travel will be Thailand.

I just got back from a trip to magic mountain with the autistic client I work with and his family. Super duper heat exhaustion time. But the time flew by very fast.

Last week I gave my client a copy of Wilco's new record, Sky Blue Sky before I left for Hawaii. When I asked him today if liked it he said, “I love it Mike Sycz, it makes my heart happy.” Someone please tell Wilco that.

I go back to school tomorrow. Nothing like dealing with middle schoolers.

I wish I was seeing Gogal Bordello tonight and Wilco tomorrow.

Look what I found at a Long's Drugs in Kailua-Kona.


Tis a sign of good times.

God Bless you all.

Sometimes lava rock looks like a penis.

Today

I drank a ton of yerba mate.

I rode tasty waves.

I caught two fish.

I drank good beer from Hawaii and Tahiti.

I bought some ocean equipment.

I ate the fish I caught plus ahi tuna and opah.

I am full of fish and beer.

I want to send you a postcard. Send your mailing address to mikesyczatgmaildotcom and will send you one. Even you lurker strangers.

Mahalo

It's about 11pm and I'm trying to get some sleep before my flight tomorrow.

A couple hours ago while looking for a microphone for my computer, I stumbled upon an old letter from exgirlfriend that was written three years ago to this date. A nice little letter telling me that she misses me and can't wait to see me. You know, the usual. She even sprayed some of her perfume in it and still smells. Those smells and reading “I love you” brought me back to some nice moments. It's how you can look back to certain moments, to places where you once felt anger and hurt, and come right back around to fondness and all the fuzzy wuzzies.

I got a haircut today and look like a douche. Supercuts failed me. I need to go to Dana Smith. She can save me from this.

The trip has not even begun and my parents are getting on my nerves.

My cousin Gerardo is taking care of my parents place while we are gone. He has free rein of the beer and wine. I'd advise anyone to come down to Burbank and party with him. Ask Jen for the address. So make friends with my favourite Uruguayan. Being Gerardo.

Rolo Tony Brown Town.

So I will be heading on over to the Big Island hopefully on Wednesday. I say hopefully because there might be a chance that the flight will be delayed by some little hurricane. But I hope we just fly right behind it and bask in the wetness it leaves behind. Though be it the case that me and my family get bitched slapped out of the air, I will leave all my possessions to the future Jackson Duke Gloyd. My sister Jen, though she would normally be the one to acquire such spoils, just called me a "pansy"in the comments of my previous post. Sorry sis, thems the breaks.

I took my client bowling today. Watching autistic kids bowl is hilarious.

Packing sucks. I'm procrastinating.

Look who's coming for dinner.

I was extremely fortunate to hear that people at my work read this blog.

Can you imagine if I got caught nay saying them? Though they've been good to me so I haven't had the pleasure of bitching about them. Everyone above me on the administrative ladder is awesome and they are the greatest people ever, yada yada yada......

I'm going to Hawaii in 9 days.

Last night's post was a nice flashback. I haven't written anything like that in about 3 years.

Ugly.

I'll tell you something that's not ugly right now.

The Cubbies are in first place.

I am excited but wary.

Much like my love life, as soon as I get excited and everything seems great...
they break my heart. But like a loyal dog, I come crawling back. Because the Cubs will always be there.

Regardless, they are winning games.

And if the impossible happens...

And they make it to the World Series...

This Polack is going on the first flight out to Chicago.

Nothing Like Being Told How Terrible You Are.

I'm at an emotional crossroads. On one side I have the feeling knowing my own depravity and being remorseful for the person that I am. And on the other side I have the feeling complete anger because of being told of how immature I am and completely devoid of any common sense regarding communication.

I can say that I am absolutely inept when it comes to intrapersonal relationships with women. I can say that you can put me in a situation of dire consequence with lives on the line and I will hold my own. I've delivered 5 babies, I've relocated 3 dislocated hips, I've treated bloody genital wounds, I've treated burn victims, I've held eviscerated organs in my hands after traffic accidents, I've been stuck with a needle that was just in a patient with HIV, etc. Hell, I've even been shot at twice. Now, why the hell can't I communicate my true feelings in regards to a woman? Whether they be good or bad. Maybe I'm just a complete asshole.

Fuck me.

I'm done with dating. I'm done with going out on dates, flirting, having any kind desire to start a family with any woman. I'm a bachelor for life. I'm done with dealing the bullshit of relationships. I'm no good for them.

Fuck.

All I want is to start a family. To love a girl, have a couple kids, and serve God.

I'm listening to Elvis Costello right now. Of course.

It's been some month.

Bullfight.

Trying to find a new place to move to.

Finding it.

DMH bachelor party and wedding.

The sadness of seeing friends move.

Moving.

Dating/not dating

I got a bitter/sweet taste in my mouth. More bitter than sweet. I loved the times of hanging out with friends, seeing them wed, and going off to great things, but I'm a selfish selfish man. I think about what I have lost. I miss them terribly already.

I also had to end a dating relationship for solely pragmatic reasons. Which fucking sucks. I start dating an awesome girl, but for reasons you can email/call me about, I had to break it off because I would have made her worse.

There are two things I require in my future mate.
1. Christian
2. She has to make me a better man.

This girl would have fit both of these requirements. But I'm afraid I wouldn't have done it for her. Fuck.

As it is, I'm an asshole. Torn between my mind and my heart.

Other than that, my new place is nice. The room is pretty much set up. Listening to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy right now.

And if you scroll down to the word "pol" for polish on this page, you will learn what my last name means.

Crazy thing happened today.

The house that I'm going to move into starting tomorrow, got broken into today.

What?

The bachelor party was great.

Beach Baseball. Meat. Beer. Friends.

The White House is a ghost town. Now it's time to pack and move this week.

Rehearsal dinner on Friday.

Then the wedding on Saturday.

I need to dry clean my suit. Today.

July is crazy.

It hit me on Monday.

The Change.

Friends leaving.

Bitter sweet.

It's been too long and so much has happened.

Brief rundown...

Hamiltons came to visit
Retreat
Bull Fight
Hollywood Bowl
Found out I needed to move out of my house...
And then found a new house.

And tomorrow starts the dmh bachelor party extravaganza.

And next weekend is the wedding.

And I'm trying to pack.

And I'm trying to go out with some girl.

I'm a little overwhelmed, a little confused, a little scared, and a little excited.

But I here a lot people are going through those same feelings. At least I'm not getting married or having a kid.

Wait...

No

Those are good things. The world tells me these things are burdens but they are of great joy.

Anyways...

Everything is changing. And it's good.

Billy Dee Williams For Colt 45

Cubs Comeback 06-25-07 vs. Rockies

Sometimes the Cubs comeback.

Average Homeboy

Got My Mojo Working

That's right.

Powerthirst

I'm hungry...

for meat!

Romance

This is how you do it.

Unknown Hinson with the truth.

The greatest musician today!

Yesterday was a great day.

Much beer.
Many friends.
Mojo flowing.

Even the Cubs won.

Now it's time to get Syczed.

For the first time I had to walk out of a classroom, with my charge, because of how out of control it was. If I have children, and if I'm still living in LA, I promise that they will not be attending an LAUSD school.

10 hours till birthday fun time.

Update: The autistic child I worked with just sang me happy birthday, gave me a big hug, and just said, "A new age has dawned."

Yes. A new age has dawned.

Rory Gallagher - Too Much Alcohol

Speaking of drinking...

I got a birthday gift for myself. It's awesome in theory. Kind of hard to use though. I need to walk through the audio settings to get a good sound transfer. Also I can't figure how to get an audio play back before I convert the track to an mp3. It's probably a Vista thing. Regardless, it's my new toy and I like it.

I'm watching a soccer game right now. USA vs. Guatemala. Guatemala plays dirty.

I just got my first installment of modern reformation. It's awesome. By the way, it was a drunk subscription.

I'm making a formal announcement to anyone who reads this blog.

Come down to the Red Lion, in Silverlake, on Friday at 7:30pm. Buy me a beer. I want Das boot.

Also, look who got a linky-link on aol music.

It's late. Can't write too much.

Had a work evaluation today. I rock. Raise coming in July.

John Rambo looks like the greatest movie ever made.

My fishing experience last Saturday was completely different from every other fishing trip I've ever been on. I am more use to fishing for freshwater trout and bass in lakes and rivers. I have been out in the ocean before, most recently bill fishing in Hawaii, but all those trips were pretty boring. Maybe a few bites in four hour time period.

With a bunch of guys from church, we sailed out of Marina Del Rey on a boat called the New Del Mar. Dirty looking vessel. There were about 35 people on the boat and I think the most accurate way of describing all of us collectively would be a floating dive bar. We had some Latino gangsters, some bros, old men, young men, illegal immigrants, large burly women, fathers with sons and daughters, wives getting sick, African Americans, old rugged china men, young naive white men, and a couple actors.

Once on the boat the captain took us to the cliffs near Palos Verdes, about a mile off shore, when at some point he started strange grunting noises over the PA and then immediately started yelling at his crew to chum the water all the sardines they could throw. On the captain's call, everyone with a rod in hand threw jigs, lures, or live bait in the water and began to furiously reel in barracuda.

Within 15 minutes the deck was writhing with fish, blood and boots stomping down on the heads of these beasts. I guess there is a necessity to kill them right away upon entering the boat because of the damage they can do with their sharp teeth. At one point the barracuda were jumping out of the water right next to our boat. One of the guys next to me mentions that the scene reminded him of Braveheart.

As a testament to my fishing prowess, I caught only one. The boat total was 270. We only fished for a couple hours.

I need to go back. Maybe in a couple weeks. Hopefully for the whole day next time.

No party for Friday. Going to the Red Lion for food and drinks. 7:30pm.

I've been tired all day. Still recovering from yesterday. Church was great today. Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. Grace bomb.

Birthday is on Friday. Looks like the party will be on Friday.

I'm still too tired to write about fishing. Tomorrow.

I found what I'm getting myself for my birthday. I'll tell about later if I get it.

Sleep time.

Very good day. I'm too tire to post about it right now.

All I can say is:
Fishing
Golfing
Drinking
36 inch pizza
Beer

Good night

Got my car back. I looked at the parts and labor and it totaled to about $2k. Damn. Thank God for the 30 day warranty.

Going fishing tomorrow. I think about 10 guys from church are going. It should be fun.

The Cubs are playing like sorry pieces of shit. And they are even fighting amongst themselves.

The birthday is coming up.

Becca, Jen, O'Brien and I all want to celebrate our birthdays together next week. From talking with Ryan, we are most definitely getting a keg. All I need to do is the tell the other roommates about our plans. My guess is that we'll have our party on the 9th.

Dmh got his car stolen but he got a replacement the same day. All thanks to Mrs. Ninja. She's swell.

I've been looking at prices to fly to Philly. I still don't know when I would go. I know I just want to visit. I would also love to stop off in Chicago for a couple days.

I promise to tell Emily before I come over.

One of my goals in the next month is to write a bit more on this blog.

Last night I was reading over some of my recent posts and noticed that my writing style and form is deteriorating. I've been writing short concise sentences without any elaboration or emotion. I don't see myself coming out of the writing. That needs to change. I was reading another blog on the idea of making blogging part of your daily routine regardless of if you have something to say or not. And regardless of how terrible your writing may be.

So I'm going to try and blog everyday, at least for the next month.

Camping was good.

I will be going to fishing on Saturday.

New car had a little problem. Check engine light came on. Took it in to the dealer today. Going to replace the catalithic converter. Do some valve work. 30 warranty will finish on Saturday. So happy this happened now. It would have cost me a lot of dough if this would have happened a week later. Fortunate. Got a loaner right now. Pontiac Grand Am. Should get the Rav 4 back by Friday.

Watching the Wire right now. Zigg just shot up a couple Greeks.

I feel like visiting Chicago this summer. Or Philly. Or both.

Lucky

Today I get out of work at 12:21pm.

I will most likely buy some boxing equipment.

I will go see the Cubs play today.

I will have beers.

Today is good.

At around 8pm tonight, dmh and i had our first sparing match.

Boxing. Gloves. Helmets. Mouthpieces. In the Living room.

That's how we run things here.

I think I will buy a heavy bag next week and place it in the garage.

By the way...

My Skype name is michael.sycz

New things for me.

1. Got a new car. Vroom.

2. Got a new a laptop. click click click

3. Got a new place for church.

So life is good. Except for the nasty cold I got. Had to take a sick day on Thursday.

Summer is looking good so far. Camping next weekend. Fishing trip on June 2. Birthday weekend from the 8th-10th. Hamiltons coming to visit the 18th and 19th. Church retreat on the 22nd - 24th. Bull fight on July 1. And with dmh bachelor party and wedding... dang, I think I'm booked till August.

Also in amusing news, about one month ago, I had a little bit too much to drink one night and signed up to eharmony. So far no dice. I'll keep trying till my subscription runs out.

The Believers Heaven

Heaven is full of singing midgets? I can't wait!!!

David Lynch on Product Placement

I like this guy.

It's Friday again. Thank God. I get out of class at 12:30pm today. But I have to tutor from 3pm -5pm. I want to cancel this session but I shouldn't. Must finish my cases.

Three of my cases for tutoring are for the Contreras family. Three brothers who are the most annoying, spoiled, little twits I've ever met. Collectivly, I have 19 hours left with them. They suck the life out of me.

Maybe I will cancel.

Everytime my phone rings, I think that it's Drew. I'm ready.

Two weeks till the 4/13.
Gloria!

Writing from the school computer lab

St. Paddy's was good. Good to break the fast. Good to be back on it.

The old Corsica broke down again. Today I find out if I need to finally put her down. But I don't what I would do if it was the end. No money for a car right now. Maybe she still has life in her. I hope. But for now, I'll fill out every sweeptakes form to try and win a car.

New Arcade Fire is really good.

I'm working about 50 hours a week now. Which is good but tiring. 8 hours a day at school, a couple hours a day tutoring.

DMH and I rule at trivial pursuit.

The new place is great. I need to organize my room. I actually need someone to tell me how to make my room kickass. I'm terrible at interior decorating.

Changes

There have been a lot of changes around. People moving, people going, people breaking up, and people getting together. Last week I went to a funeral, and in a few days from now we'll have a new Hamilton. I just moved. I also just started working with a new client at my job. And today I got a haircut.

And Baseball started again. All is right again in the land.



Also....

Wilcoweb is streaming the new Wilco album tonight. I like.


Random Wikipedia search of the day: Cossacks

Lent

If I gave up writing on my blog for lent, it would be too easy. So I decided to be a little harder on myself this season and give up a big one. Alcohol. Beer, Wine, Whisky, Scotch, Vodka, Rum, and all the other good drinks that like. Before last Wednesday, nary a day went by without me having at least one drink. Now... no drinks till Easters.

I want one now.

I moving to Pasadena this week. Do you know what's essential for moving? Beer.

42 days till I can drink.

In other news....

My mechanic is retiring. This is a big deal to me. Art taught me so much about my car and how to fix it myself. He taught me the ins and out of my cars cooling system so that if I ever had a problem with it, most likely I could fix it myself. No mechanic does that today. Did I mention he is the most honest man I ever met? My mom and I went to his retirement cookout yesterday. I gave Art a big hug and he teared up a bit. I teared up a bit. He's going back to Alabama to fish and raise hogs.

Seeing the Cold War Kids last night made me very proud. All that I could hear from the crowd that was walking out of Spaceland was accolades and praises. In fact, a girl behind me, while I was walking out, had the quote of the night. She was on her phone, and said in a exasperated voice, "It was so fucking good, it was even better than Timberlake!"

I laughed out loud. And then I had to take a look back to see who made such a statement.

Who's bringing sexy back?

Bear Down, Chicago Bears

Obviously he looks like a Bears fan.

90s Basement style Basketball

Jewfro!

Guess what... I'm writing

I'm posting from my sister's apartment.

She is now married. I have a new brother.

I also saw a good friend Mike get married last week.

Dmh and his boo are now engaged.

And he may be spending his last days as a single man with me in a big white house in Pasadena. We'll see if this actually happens. It would be nice.

I don't usually write about sports on this blog but I must mention the triumph of the Chicago Bears. The last time that they were in the Superbowl I was a five-year-old boy watching the game with my older sister. I remember her yelling out "fumble" about five times during the game. It was also the second time I remember caring about the outcome of a sporting event. The first time being July 15, 1984 when the Cubs beat the Dodgers 4 to 1. As the day has gone by, I am more excited about the Superbowl. Though I do think that Bears will probably lose the game. Regardless, I will cheer for them as any Sycz would. With all my heart.

As many of you like to hear about cool things on the internet, I stumbled upon Tom Green's website. Now, Tom Green does a live show every weeknite @ 8pm PST from his own house. It is remenisant of his style of comedy and some of the aspects of 60's live talk shows, but it is streamed live from tomgreen.com. I would encourage all of you to check it out because it is one of the best things I've ever seen on the internet.

I will be seeing the Cold Wars Kids this Sunday. It will rock my socks off.

Drew has a nice list of what will happen this year. I hope he is right on some things.

Hopefully I will write more often this year. The year of the Oso.

Da Super Bowl Shuffle

Da Bears

Love Sucks

Martin Luther King

For Jesse

Because he didn't know about Django Reinhardt's disfigured hand.