Kelly and I are engaged. And it is great.

New York kicked my ass.

I'm exhausted.

Lost my wallet there.

Got on a plane with no ID.

Feet are hurting still.

Ready to take a nap.

I'm getting hit with the sick bug for the first time this school year. It's not fun working and getting a fever as the day progresses.

I went to San Diego this weekend. Took a trip to the zoo, and found one of the best bars ever. They let you cook the meat yourself.

Next week I get to go to NYC. Can't wait.

MGMT - The Youth

I'm stupid

I'm going to New York in a couple weeks. I'm excited about the trip but I need to find a place to stay there.

The Cubs hurt. They hurt me. I promise that my children will not become Cubs fans. I don't want them to know this kind of disappointment.

The presentation on my South East Asia trip at church went well. I hear it's going to be podcasted soon.

I'm going to the San Diego Wild Animal Park on Sunday.

I need a haircut.

I don't know who to vote for.

Beer Bear

I speak in front of my church this Sunday about a story that happened in South East Asia, Laos to be exact. And if there was any anxiety about this trip before I went, it was that I would have to speak in front of my church body. Now, I've spoken in front of a couple thousand people at Biola. But that was prepared student/political nonsense that is easy to remember and say without even thinking. On Sunday I get to speak about experience and feelings. The latter being something I am seldom comfortable talking about to one person let alone 400. So I must prepare for that.

And I'm also seeing Kelly's Dad and stepmom on Sunday evening. Hopefully I won't do or say anything stupid which lately it seems I am prone to do.

But probably the single most anxiety laced, stomach turning nervousness that I will experience in the coming week and hopefully for the next month is watching the Cubs in the playoffs. Just thinking about the game today puts me on edge. And on Saturday I will actually be at Dodger Stadium watching game 3 of the NLDS. I think I will wear a diaper. I've been reading how the Dodger's are the perfect spoilers, how the Cubs look tired, about their 100 years of futility, about this thing or that...

Such redemption this baseball fan seeks. Hope springs eternal yet doubt plagues the mind.

One year ago I didn't get to hear or see the Cubs get swept in the NLDS. I was in a hospital bed with a dead phone, no TV, no radio, and no visitors awaiting an MRI that took 3 days to be taken. Life is a bit different now though.

A few years ago I got a concussion from rolling off the hood of a car that nearly ran me over. While I was concussed and walking back to my house in Whittier, Brent helped me inside, and we sat on the couch where I asked Brent of questions. Since it had seemed I lost my short term memory I ask, "Do I have a girlfriend?" Brent said, "No." "Do I have a job?" Again Brent said, "No." I then responded, "I'm a loser." So things are a bit different now. Though I do find it a strange coincidence that that concussion happened in 2003, when the Cubs were five outs away from going to the World Series. Now, since I got a concussion in Laos this summer, do the Cubs go all the way?

Oh shit. I'm doing this in December.

I've had a weird stomach for a couple weeks know. Had the worst heartburn for a week, then started taking Prilosec OTC about a week ago, it feels better but still funny. Even when I drink water, my stomach turns. I went to my new doctor on thursday and told to take Protonix after the other stuff runs out. Though I don't know if I trust him. He's a little quacky. He promotes a diet that sounds like a starvation method. But he did refer me to a urologist to get my much needed "trimming." If I don't get better in a week I'll visit him again and see what he says.

Though my stupid stomach couldn't take any of this right now...

The Rules:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (at the LA County Fair)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp (I may have literally eaten 20 carp this summer, all super bony and nasty)
9. Borscht (borscht came out of my mother's breast)
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi (tried it in Rangoon)
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses (the German kind)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi (also in Rangoon)
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears, funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Forgive me.

The motivation to write has escaped me.

But some reason I feel like writing now.

It was nice to see Matt and Lisa yesterday. I will see them soon. And regarding that, I'm thinking about showing up in NYC for Brent's wedding on Oct 22 through the 27. I wonder when everyone else is showing up. I don't want to miss any extra days with friends.

South East Asia was good. Please call me if you want to know about it. I'm still looking through pictures and video that I hope to put up here and on youtube.

I start working at school on the 3rd of September. Which is great compared to all the other teachers I know. Which is lovely. And as far as the boys I work with, they are getting confirmed this Saturday at a Catholic Church in San Fernando. I don't know how I will be able to keep from getting a tad misty eyed. Especially seeing autistic kids receiving the sacrament of communion. I may straight out ball my eyes out.

Life with a girlfriend is good. I've been spending a lot of time driving from Burbank to Long Beach but it's worth it. I don't mind at all. And as far as living with my parents right now, it surprised to see that it its an advantage right now as I'm saving a good amount of money, that will be beneficial as things are looking good on the relationship front.

And the Cubs are great. Right now as write this they are 31 games above .500. I am a happy lad.

I'm leaving tomorrow for the East and will be off the Grid for three weeks. Not like I write much here anyways.

Here is a link to some of our happenings as I will be gone.

Hopefully I can write on this thing while I'm over there. Though I'm not promising.

RATATAT - MIRANDO

This is for Jorge.

Hey Internet. Since I'm doing the whole short term mission trip thing in a few weeks, I wrote a support letter. Mira Mira. I've been crazy busy the past couple weeks. Busier than the usual nonsense. And now I got the sickness. The throat is starting to hurt, I feel incredibly weak, and the sneezes are here. At least I'm getting it now and not 7 weeks in the jungle.

Now here is the letter.

Hello Friends and Family,

On June 28 through July 13, myself and 4 others from my church, Ecclesia, are traveling to the South East Asian countries of Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Laos and Vietnam on a short term mission trip to help the persecuted ethnic and religious minorities. It'll be in conjunction with Christian freedom International(CFI), an organization which specializes in helping persecuted Christians around the world. This is the second trip to South East Asia through Ecclesia, the last one being three years ago.

We will be working some of the time there with the Karen Tribes, who were our allies in World War II while the rest of South East Asia sided with Japan. As a result of their involvement and because of their Christian faith, the Myanmar/Burmese government (a repressive dictatorship) has been killing them off through "ethnic cleansing." Many Karen (70,000+) have fled to overcrowded refugee camps in Thailand, while ten of thousands remain across the border, deep in the jungles of Burma , hiding from the Burmese Military who will shoot them on site.

CFI came to the Karen's aid in 1998 by providing food, housing, orphanages, schools, and "Freedom Hospitals." The organization also set up teams of "Backpack Medics" who trek into Burma with medical supplies and illegal Bibles on their backs – risking their lives to help the Karen refugees. CFI has also established self-help, educational, and training programs so that the Karen could learn how to help themselves. We'll be potentially be serving by: constructing buildings, helping out in the orphanages, assisting medics in the hospitals, visiting refugee camps and villages and simply letting the Karen know that their fellow Christians in the USA are praying for them.

More information on the Karen can be accessed through this CFI video linked here.

We will also be traveling to Laos and Vietnam, visiting with members of the underground church, supporting them monetarily, with prayer, encouragement and through the smuggling of Bibles across their borders.

Now there are two ways in which you can support this trip:

First and foremost, you can support us spiritually. We'll need all the prayer we can get for fundraising, team training, physical safety, good health, divine appointments with the people we will meeting and an insight to which we will be lead on this trip.

Second, you can support financially. Primarily to take monetary funds to support the people we meet and also to cover some of the costs of travel so as to minimize the cost to CFI. I want to let you know that any money you give would go to the ministry we are doing there and not to paper pushing in some ministry machine. Personally, I am covering my travel costs out of my own pocket and any money given through me, will go directly to the need set before us.

One of the ways that you can give is through personal check, payable to "Ecclecia Hollywood" with the memo written to "SEA trip 2008." These checks can be sent directly to me at

1311 N Catalina St
Burbank, Ca 91505

And the other way in which you could give is through this paypal link.

All donations are also tax deductible. And we are trying to collect all donations by June 15.

We will be documenting our trip though a blog located here. Through this site you can get to know my team and see pictures and maybe even video of what we will be doing and see what God is doing in South East Asia.

I hope that this letter finds you well and if you want to get in touch with me, and hear some more about the trip, you call me at 562-619-4818.

Best Regards,

Mike Sycz

I confess, I am a bad blogger. Four people commented yesterday about my lack of writing. I am ashamed. So much has happened in life and yet I am too lazy to write. I rather watch Battlestar Galactica and 30 Rock.

First thing first: I have a girlfriend. I love her. Hooray. And things have been awesome at that front. Wonderful. Life is good.

The Cubs have been winning lately. This makes me happy. They lead the National League in OBP. This is strange historically and very exciting.

I am going to South East Asia at the end of June. Specifically, Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam, and Burma/Myanmar. I will be smuggling Bibles among other things. I'll post on this later.

Life has been very busy lately. Working over 55 hours a week, teaching Sunday school, leading a couple Bible studies, hanging out with Kelly, and preparing to go overseas. I'm also preparing for a youth program for our church retreat. Craziness. But life is good.

I'm sorry if I haven't called you lately. I will soon. Even all yous who live out of state. I miss you all tremendously.

I promise to write more soon.

thinking about this

Life is good right now.

I'm dating. And it's fun. And good.

And life is busy. Lots of work. 11 hour work days.

I taught Jr High Sunday school this past Sunday. Focused on John 14:1-6. The kids amazed me with their questions and intellect. They understand. So lucky to do this.

Had a terrible day at work today. Kid tantrumed on me today. And because he decided to go lose on me near a fence adjacent to the row of houses, I let him hit, kick and scratch me to seemingly no end. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Baseball is coming. I love it.

So on the big V day I met Brian Wilson and Kris Kristofferson at a show. A very nice friend decided to take me along and now holds the honor of giving me the best Valentine's day ever. In short, I got to hang out with the Beach Boy before and after the show and see him in his crazy glory. And while he was on stage, Kris K and I got to laugh our asses off. We are now BBF. Fer shur.

Got to do some Geocaching over the last two weekends. Some good hikes.

Saw a good friend off.

Helped celebrate another's birthday

Got some Mojo going.

Kicked ass in the fantasy baseball draft.

I've been into a lot of 20th Century Classical. I tuned into KUSC one day and got hooked. Look at me all cultural like and shit.

Everyone should go to this site and laugh.

I've been a bad blogger in the past week. Neglecting my duties write more on my blog. But I have been very busy with things. And a little lazy. But not too lazy. I think.

Let first just say that today is a tremendous day. Pitchers and Catchers reported for the Cubs. Baseball is coming. Good God this is awesome.

And tomorrow is Single Awareness Day. In which I will spend my day in a euphoric state of happiness because Baseball is coming.

The Lenten season is here I decided to for go the eating of meats. I crave steak everyday and in turn have reminded myself of my need of the Savior.

Last week I purchased a handheld GPS device. Mainly for the reason of Geocaching. Last weekend in fact I went on a nice hike with the Giuntas through a local Canyon and found some hidden treasures. And a couple days later went through the same canyon with Matt P., Corban, and Kari.


We saw some oil pits.


And some seashells in the mountainside.

We also saw some old rusted mining equipment. And since the rains have been good to Socal this year, the trail was green and a stream was running through most of it.

This past Sunday, Pat had a birthday brunch/party that featured friends some fancy Hollywood types. Someone walked in on me peeing. And I didn't mind at all.

I've been invited to a wedding of a coworker. He's a good friend of mine and I want to go but I need to take a date. I need a date because it is an Arabic wedding and I don't want to be a lonely Jew. Who should I ask? It's March 1st.

geocache 008

geocache 008
Originally uploaded by Omar de Armas

It looks like I'm done with my sickness.

While J Glo went to go see the Greatest performer of all time and Garth Brooks, Bill and I had some beers at the Red Lion talked some life. I forgot how good the beer is over there.

I like the rain. While everyone has been freaking out on the news about the storms coming through here, I've been enjoying them. And when those storms cease a little, those hills are going to be nice and green. I may just explore some of the San Gabriel Mountains. See what's up there. I'm aching for a good hike.

I'm watching The Corner. A miniseries from the people who made the Wire. It's good but really depressing.

I've been horrendously sick the past four days. I got this virus while hanging out in the LBC on Friday. Terrible fevers, chills, congestion, and violent coughing. Today I found out, through the person that I initially caught the bug from, that it's bronchitis.

I hate it.

I'm going to try and go to work tomorrow and then maybe head on over to the "Clinica de Puebla" and get me some prescription goodness.

Brief things of note:

Something for M & A P.

Baseball Advent begins in 20 days.

The only way that I can quell the coughing is by drinking wine.

I love you all.

I think I caught a sickness from watching Cloverfield. Something bit me, and I'm going to blow up soon. So much for doing anything today.

Sunday is good. Especially since I don't have to work tomorrow.

I saw Cloverfield on Friday with friends in the LBC. I liked it for what it was. A blockbuster, monster movie. Very entertaining.

Played some fun games with the Simi friends on Saturday.

Great sermon today at church. It's so hard for a pastor to accurately convey Law and Gospel. But when it is done, the truth of the Word convicts and restores the soul at the same time.

Today we had our first Youth group meeting. Someone today called me a "Junior High Pastor." That felt weird. I'm only leading the boys on Sunday. I am excited though. I just want to teach them basic doctrine. Christ and the cross.

Hopefully I'll head on over to the Bass Pro shop in Rancho tomorrow. I hear it's heaven.

I need to do karaoke in Little Tokyo.

That is all.

Boy I'm tired. Not J Glo tired but tired none the less. Working a lot and Having to do a lot after work as well. Led a couple Bible studies that I really enjoyed, but led me to stay up too late for someone working on a school schedule.

I'm glad it's Friday tomorrow.

We've been having water pressure problems in the house this week. Meaning I've been taking cold showers lately. I hate it. I miss the shower I had at Park LaBrea. It had the best water pressure and it was always hot. Like a scalding fire hose.

Since it's going to be MLK day on Monday, I was looking through a book with his collected writings. I found this quote which I highlighted some time ago. I like it.

The Kingdom of God is neither the thesis of the individual enterprise nor the antithesis of collective enterprise, but a synthesis which reconciles the truth of both.

Dmh and I talked about making a baseball Advent calender. Only 27 days till Pitchers and Catchers report.

People, I need something to do Friday night. Hit me up.

Hung out with Jackson's dad yesterday. Kielbasa and wine. Talked baseball and women. It's nice to have a friend that encourages you to do the most debaucherous things to a woman. And say things that stunned my hardened ears. While I have the look of a 13-year-old boy at a whorehouse. Shocked and unable to respond.

I want to hike this weekend. I want to climb a mountain. I want my lungs and heart to hurt.

Reading Death in the Afternoon. Feeling it.

Gave some blood today.

Last night I hung out in Simi. Ate some good sashimi. And then watched some Planet Earth in HD.
God I'm lonely
Work has been giving me the blues. The kids are cool, but the classroom atmosphere is killing me.
Help me out
I need to hit up the batting cages soon.
Please
I got a new moleskin. Reporter style.

Getting a second job soon. Longer workday coming.

I miss everyone.

Listening to the White Horse Inn.

Started back at work, in the school today. I'm very tired. Also sick. Had to deal with some punk kids. I was very mean to them. Didn't give them any leeway. Too bad for them that I've been watching The Wire Season 4. First half of the day was hard, but second half was good.

I just finished The Wire S4 a couple hours ago. So good. So good. Every teacher should watch it.

I got a cold right now. I hope I get over it by Sunday. My church is doing a blood drive and I'm giving some. They love my -O type. And Sycz blood is special. Ask Jen. It cures SIDA.

I had an appointment yesterday. Doc says that I don't need any more check ups and that I don't need any rehab. He says I heal extremely well. Again I say Sycz blood is special. And God is good. He also said I should be able to run in six months.

I paid off $1000 on my surgery bill. Only about $2500 to go.

Arnold made me sad today. Woe is California.

My charge Jorge has been leaving comments on the blog recently. Feel free to comment back to him. I encourage it. He is awesome.

I really have a desire to camp out soon. I little bit too cold but as soon as it gets warm enough, I'm out in the outdoors.

Pitchers and catchers report in 35 days.

I started work yesterday. Feels good to be back with the kids. Yesterday, we took the boys to the library. Today we took them out to the Burbank Mall. Easy days. While in KB Toy store today, I bought a box of baseball cards. I had to. I love them. Though baseball cards are so much more expensive now. In the box I bought there are 11 packs. With only 6 cards in each pack. The total was $11 before taxes. I remember when you could get a pack of Donruss was 50 cents. And there was 12 cards in a pack. Shameful. Now this box sits in my room. Waiting to be opened. But I need someone to open them with me or wait till I'm really low to help pick me up. I see them as special. Not to be wasted.

Tomorrow I go to the county hospital for an appointment and to try and fix up all the billing errors that have occurred. Hopefully all can be resolved.

My usual bible study was canceled for tomorrow. I want to visit with some of y'all so give me a call if I don't give one to you.

And congratulations to the Goose.

Yesterday, the Ninja and I became members of a special society. The National Speleological Society. We're going to go spelunking and shit. They have access maps to all kinds of cave systems around here. And you can borrow equipment for personal adventures.

I love the rain. The air is so clean.

I start up work tomorrow. It's about time. The last day that I worked was on September 27. Too many months ago.

I got asked today to lead the junior high boys ministry at my church. Crazy. I'm interested to see how that pans out.

Feliz Dia de los Reyes

Went down to Long Beach yesterday to see our new little friend Maya Belt. Cute little girl. Jayson and Jen are blessed.

Stayed the rest of the day in town, hung out with friends and watched the Mothman Prophecies. It was more fun watching one particular person get scared than watching the movie itself. I also laughed by damn ass off and seriously almost pooped my pants. I know I must have at least let out a stray fart.

Driving back home in the wind and the rain was pretty bad. I hydroplaned three times on the freeway. One time even having the back of my car start to come around but I got it under control. Thank you EVOC training.

Tomorrow is Epiphany. But we're celebrating it today in our household. We even got an epiphany cake. We're also celebrating the Ninja and Jen's first wedding anniversary.

Serving communion at church tomorrow. I love sacrament.

I tried to get a doctor's note a couple weeks ago from the people at LA County but they refused to see me until my scheduled appointment on the 9th. But this boy has got to get paid. So through a friend at church I met up with a doctor in Anaheim. All the way in Anaheim. Just to get a note saying I can work again. Can't complain though. I got my note, and traffic was pretty good. From there I visited the Gloyds and gave Jackson a little gift. The Pools later showed up and before you know it, Uncle Buck was the TV with brews to be drank. The conversation was great and I must say it was a mighty fine way to start 2008.

Tomorrow I get my passport renewed and then head on over to Long Beach to greet another little one into this world. Hopefully the rain will not come down too strong tomorrow. Being the trek to Long Beach can take up to 20 hours. I may try to fly from Burbank to Long Beach of these days if weather permits.

Listening to a lot of Gram Parsons today. Some solo, some Flying Burrito Brothers, and some International Submarine Band. All good.

Here is a list of things I want to do this year. I probably won't do all of them but hopefully I'll try.

1. Go to Spring training in Arizona.
2. Explore the Manson caves
3. Climb Half Dome
4. Go to Thailand
5. Fish more
6. Visit STL
7. Visit Chicago
8. Drink less
9. Visit the batting cages more
10. Go up to the PNW to chill and such. Road trip.
11. Listen to more new music.
12. Go to more shows
13. Write on the blog more
14. Read the Scriptures more
15. Buy a Tuba and record something with it
16. Talk to that Redhead at church who goes to Fuller.
17. Surf again since tearing the achilles
18. Shoot a gun, preferably at an animal.
19. Cook more
20. Call my friends more
21. Play catch more

New Years Eve has never really been fun for me. Aside from one year at our half-way-house in La Mirada where I woke up on the roof at about 6am, freezing my ass off, NYE has always been a bummer. And it's entirely my fault. For some reason I make the day my own personal Yom Kippur. While everyone else looks forward to the New Year as a fresh start, I can't help but think about the past and see all my regrets, my mistakes and other shitty things that have happened in the past year. And as for bad years, this one was pretty bad.

I know. I know. Cry me a river.

Regardless, I'm glad that 2007 is over. That year kicked my ass. Not that today is any different than yesterday, I just hope it can be. Somehow. Magically. Poof... New Year we start from scratch. Today will be better regardless of what happened yesterday.

But I can't think like that. Unless it's Opening Day. That's when the heart is full of hope and "next year" is finally here. I can saw that my "new year" is actually when baseball begins again. David Hume thought it erroneous to assume that since something has always happened the same way that it will continue to do so. Just because the Cubs have not won the World Series in 100 years, does not means they will not do it this year.

I think that I need to apply this thought process to my life. I need to believe I will win my World Series.

Regardless of my personal grumblings, it was excellent to see the Hamiltons yesterday. Along with the peoples from Long Beach, as Long Beach might as well be another country as far away as it is. And also Greg because he said I look like Cap Anson.

And as it is the new year, I've been looking at new place to move to. The PNW looks mighty fine. I promise I won't turn into a weirdo craft-happy hippy.