Sunday, January 27, 2008

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.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

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.

Monday, January 21, 2008

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, January 20, 2008

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.

Friday, January 18, 2008

I need to do karaoke in Little Tokyo.

That is all.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

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.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

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.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

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.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

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.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

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.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

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.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

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.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

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.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

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.