7/10/09 Giants vs. Padres, Section 216, Row A, Seat 8

Sanchez throws a no-no.

Last time a Giant threw a no-no, 1976. John "Count" Montefusco.

I like my new Giants hat.

MVP for the Gridiron training.

I like the hood ornament. I also like the car too.

Life is so complicated right now. Running on fumes.

Giants win on the 4th of July. I'm modeling my 4th of July Giants hat. I have a big head. I wear a second to the largest size of hats.

This is my good friend's catch. 9 lbs. I wish I were fishing.

I thought this was crazy. A chinchilla used for marketing purposes. There is a commercial that showcases chinchillas.

I play a Martin for worship on Sundays.

Rivercats vs. Rainers

My buddy is going to get married. He dressed up. I didn't put him up to it. I did provide him the belt though.

Attentive.

Must be food.

Suite tickets.

Lincecum shuts out the Braves.

Church in a box.

Played in the worship band this morning. My guitar was sounding funny. I thought I would pop a string. I thought about it during the first service. I told my friend who plays keyboards that I'm going to pop a string in the second service. It popped. Good thing two weeks ago I bought some extra strings. The strings on it now are mediums or even thicker. I like lights. My fingers don't have the callouses on them like I used to.

Gased up my car. Food is in the refrigerator. I'm home watching tv. Found out that we have movie channels on cable that I've never really flipped through. Great stuff but wastes my time. I am watching Shawshank Redemption right now.

I've got some major b.o. right now.

Last iTunes download:

Johnny Mathis "Open Fire, Two Guitars" album. I love the guitar arrangements and who can deny that Mathis' voice is phenomenal.

Blue Magic "Stop to Start." I like the falsetto.

The Chi-Lites "Oh Girl." The remake of this song was good but nothing beats the real thing.

Free "All Right Now." Classic guitar riff. I never knew who sang this song.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles "Ooo Baby Baby." Smooth love song.

Keith Whitley "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind." Pedal Steel Guitar. Love it. Plus Whitley's voice... a somber song.

Ronnie Milsap "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World." Sounds like a dated 70's country song. Good song. The sound is working on me.

Brad Paisley "Old Rugged Cross." From a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Solo guitar.

Ronnie Milsap "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." I like his voice. Good Southern hymn.

Alan Jackson "I Love To Tell The Story." Good Southern hymn.

I downloaded an album for $5.99. I got about 30-40 classical songs. Great bargain. Plus I definitely get in the mood for classical every now and then.

Jim Hurst "til There Was You." Never heard of the musician before but I think this has to be in the top 10 songs for me. From the musical "The Music Man." I version I heard first was the one by Shirley Jones. The version I like the best is from the Beatles. This is just an acoustic guitar instrumental version. I like it.

A very relaxed day today at home. It was a time to rest and reflect.
Downloaded some music. Watched some tv. Ordered a pizza. Hung out with the cats.
Lots on my mind with work. I was planning to start my book but I haven't started it yet.
I'm drinking a beer and flipping between "Pretty Woman" and "Terminator."

Life isn't about things where we've been or what we've seen or where we're planinng to go. Earthly events and places and activities take precedence in our lives in the carnal world. As Christians, shouldn't we focus on eternal things such as thanksgiving, praise, evangelism? If God gave me a mouth and a body and time and I don't use these things for His Glory, then what the heck?

If I had the cure for cancer, I would share it to the world.
If I had the cure for death, how much more would I share it to the world?

I'm still in the office tonight. Doing some office work and prep for next week.
I feel God working within me. Something is just not right. Been doing a lot of reflection lately. I'm out of sync with God right now. Can't rely on the feeling of being close in the past because in reality He is always close but I feel a bit of disconnect. It's me for sure. I believe there are just too many things today that distract me from the true meaning of life and joy and peace and happiness. That life, that joy, that peace, and that happiness is found in Him.

I'm feeling like there is a big burden off of me with all of these administrative stuff that I've put behind. So many small things add up to be a big burden.

Twittering now. Not sold on the concept yet.

Going to the Giants game on Tuesday. Suite. Quite nice that I get to go to these ball games and don't even have to pay for tickets. I've seen Cain pitch twice. I definitely would like to see Lincecum or Johnson pitch. We'll just see.

I turn the channel back to the game and the game is freakin' over!

Mark my words, Brian Wilson should not be the Giants closer. Trade him now while he has some kind of value.

So frustrated. I need to stop blogging or I'll start cussing.

I can't watch the Giants game anymore. Brian Wilson needs to get 3 outs. The first guy gets on with an infield hit. Nothing you can do with that. Second guy is walked. Strikeout. Third guy is walked. Bases are loaded. First pitch to fourth batter...bean ball!

Trade Brian Wilson. He is meat.

My boss is leaving and my office is going to be "absorbed" by another state office in the East Bay.

The weather has cooled down significantly. I like it hot in the day and cool in the evening. Right now I think it's absolutely right.

I made it to the track today. 4 laps running. 4 laps walking.

I'm almost done with "The Choice." I think I'm going to continue reading "Clapton" and then perhaps another book. I have the book "Velvet Elvis." Not sure if I am going to read that yet.

I'm watching the bachelorette. I could never do a show like that. My love life definitely has to be off the radar. Being popular and being a high-profile person is too much work.

Pom juice is on sale and I've been drinking this stuff. I like it.

Got a bobble head of Tim Lincecum. Gave it to my bro to make up for the time I didn't get a Moises Alou bobble head.

Row G, right behind the plate! I really thought it was a good time to hangout and catch a ballgame.

This is the ooze that I put my wallet in a few months ago. Right now I have a rubber band holding my license, debit card, etc... My bro bought me a wallet for my birthday but I haven't used it yet.

Large #8 at the Pho shop by my work.

Hot day today but very pleasant day watching baseball. It was hot at first but it cooled down and it was perfect.

I have very sensitive skin. I broke out in a rash from yesterday's pool visit. I have the lounge chair imprint on my stomach and back. Lame.

I'm chilling right now. I should be sleeping in about 1 hour.

Productive day even though I didn't pick up black dress shoelaces and I broke the handle to my car.

I finished one book and on the verge of finishing another one.

Broke the Pho streak of 2-days.

Got a sweet tea today at McDonalds. $1.09 for something that reminds me of Cubs lo mu.

Picked up guitar strings and picks...should have done that about 4-5 months ago.

Got a haircut.

Went to find refills for my nice pens but they didn't have my refills.

My dry cleaners owner is trying to hook me up with one of her clients.

People on fb take mob wars too seriously. I have a bunch of "gangs" on there really mad at me. I think it is quite funny that I get negotiators emailing me, trying to get me to conform.

No electricity for a short time today this afternoon. Gave me an excuse to head down to the pool. It felt great and I feel refreshed.

The Giants really know how to mess up a game. The last 3 games have been absolutely horrible.
All the sports guys on the radio think the pitching is the best and the hitting is the worst. I have my doubts that the pitching is the best. I will agree that the hitting has been horrible.

Today I got a call... my boss is moving to another region to do the same thing. Bummer.

I got a library card today. Needed it for work. I haven't had a library card since hmmmm.... early 80's? I thought the machine they used to check out books back in the day were the coolest machines.

I need a haircut.

Jumbo oysters on the grill.

Tomales Bay.

The oyster place.

The place was packed. I've never had a bbq so close to a bunch of other parties. We all got along.

The water. It looked pretty. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Bbqed oysters. My friend from GA told me that they look like pig ears! That's about the funniest thing I've heard in awhile.

We went through 150 oysters!

Hit another milestone...caught my car exactly at 172,000.

I had a cheeksteak sandwich in O-town and it was delicious.

Went to the library today on my way home to get a library card. I got a number but my card doesn't work. I was going to use it for work. I'm headed into the City again and I'll go there and try to fix it.

The Rockets are going to send the series to game 7. I'm very impressed with this team after losing Yao. Brooks definitely has stepped up his game.

I could have fell asleep on BART. Been tried lately.

Still congested but doing fine.

Went to Tomales Bay to celebrate my bro's b-day. We ate raw and bbqed oysters. I don't want to see another oyster for a long while. The small ones we ate raw. The jumbo ones we bbqed. I'm sunburnt on my arms. Beautiful day today. Wish this was the weather when my friends were here last week.

Following the NBA playoffs this year. Haven't in recent years but find it quite exciting this year.

I ate my first watermelon today. It was ok.

Today I saw a video that I think I saw many years ago. It was from a megachurch in Chicago and it was one of the baptisms. The expressions of people's faces as they get baptized are priceless. You can't fake that kind of excitement. Touched my heart today. I don't cry much but I did today. Not sure if I was just overcome with joy for these people. Not sure if I was just emotional because I was hoping and praying that someone in the audience today got saved. Not sure if it was unconfessed sin and guilt I was feeling.

I woke up this morning to take my friends to the airport. I got them to the airport by 6 am and I was in the office for about 3 hours before I went to church. I then went to the grocery store to get food and then by 1 pm I was in bed. I woke up at 7 pm. Did some laundry and some cleaning.

My ankle is feeling better today. It's still a bit swollen. My congestion is better too.

I am quite happy that I have a clean car trunk. It's been a long time.

The tv in my bedroom doesn't get MTV and VH1 and Spike TV. Probably a good thing!

I wanted to mention that I pissed some dude off in Mob Wars. I've been attacking him in this facebook game and now he has his internet gang beating up and killing my character. Retarded! I thought I didn't have a life playing this game but after getting beat up by this gang of people, I feel like I'm not that bad off.

The Pink Ladies.

My favorite bridge.

Photo opp for my friend.

Me and my friend at her family's winery.

My friends checking out Bodega Bay. The rock structure and the water is really breath-taking.

I thought it was cool to see a bunch of rock formations in the ocean.

Water hitting the rocks over and over for years created a hole or passageway for the water.

Some of the sea lions looked like potatoes with eyes and a nose.

Some of the older or more dominant sea lions sat up in a statue. It looked real uncomfortable. These creatures are eating well. Didn't see one that wasn't fat and plump.

The other bridge. Doesn't nothing for me.

The GG from Alcatraz's recreation yard. That's so depressing if you were a prisoner and had that view.

The entire rec yard. My buddy is 0n the far left in the red jacket.

My friends checking out the isolation cells.

I'm glad we can all smile about pretending to be locked-up.

Great facial expression!

There's something really compeling about this emblem. Not sure what it is, but it moves me.

We missed the photo day opportunity on the field. There were 3,000 people that arrived way ahead of us.

Closer.

$126 M dollar man.

My buddy waiting for Lincecum.

Skinny Cy Young! He ran right past us. We were field level so we walked back to get food at Lincecum was in the tunnel. Could have got his picture then but we didn't have our cameras ready.

Cain. We were in the 5th row behind the Giants dugout. Best seats I've had at AT&T.

Pablo is the only Giant that is doing good at the plate. He hit a solo shot in the 9th. It was a screamer.

The acting owner of the Giants is in the black jacket at the right.

I'm tired but very happy I was able to hang out with friends these last few days. Life can't be all about work which unfortunately has been the case for me. Although I strive for balance, it's a battle I lose every day and every week. I need a coach.

My ankle was bothering me last week but it actually feels pretty decent today.

My congestion is clearing up too.

I have a bunch of maintenance things to do today.

Last night I cleaned out the trunk of my car. I had so much junk in there.

I feel a Sunday nap due but it would be nice not to take one and work through the afternoon but I have a feeling that is not going to happen. Does that mean I've lost the battle already for today?

Got positive feedback from last week's worship set with the kids. They want me to do it regularly. I told them that it is not possible within the certain parameters that I was given. I was stretched thin already.

One of the things that gets me excited recently is thinking about producing music. I know very little but I think I'm ripe for creating a few albums. I'm definitely inspired. Another thing that I'm inspired to do is to read more. I have difficulty starting but once I'm in the mood, it's hard for me to stop.

Wow, this sign made me feel like a VIP!

A grassy hill that I had to take a picture of. It reminded me of serenity.

4 tickets...5th row behind the Giants dugout! Sweet! I just got some tickets for the 4th of July, right behind the plate!

The coffee stains on my shirt after the waiter accidentally poured hot coffee all over me.

Me. I was fat but I'm getting fatter.

Looked online to see if sinus problems can cause a toothache. Yes. That's what I have.
I feel like crap.
Got to do our performance with the youth band today. After 2 months of practicing, we did really well. The only person to mess up was me!
The Niners picked Crabtree with the 10th pick. I think it is odd that sports reporters are criticizing the pick. Crabtree was ranked a top 5 pick.
I listened to the Giants game on the radio while I was in the car. Wilson blew a save opportunity. He's an All-Star but I will say that I am not convinced. The Giants made several poor base-running decisions today that cost them at least 1 run.

I'm sick or it's a bad case of allergies. Not sure what it is but my face hurts. I can shake my head and I can hear liquid in my head move around. It's a weird feeling and plus it make my teeth hurt. I've had 3-4 miserable nights. I missed my friend's wedding today.

One of my favorite things.... Sunday afternoon naps.

Last night I went to my friend's bachelor party/bbq. He got totally wasted. We had to make sure he was ok and that the house was still in one piece.

It was hard to see Chuck lose another fight and get knocked out. There's a time to retire and it looks like Chuck is going to make the plunge now. No more come-out-of-retirement bids. I want to say that Jordan was one of the first people to make that happen? Not sure.

I have a bunch of laundry to do but I am procrastinating right now.

Beautiful day today. Very warm.

A view from my hotel room on the 14th floor.

The church was gated. This is through the gate.

Statue of Job.

Isaiah 40 Bible verse for this statue.

Prayer tower.

This was a very inspiring statue. Jesus smiling.

The Holy Family. Baby Jesus looked like he was an android.

This was another statue that was just inspiring for me. Look at how happy Jesus is when he found the lost sheep. Powerful.

This was a cool statue but the reason I took a picture was the ducks on the right side. Got to represent my company!

Manhattan.

I had to spend about 1 hour at the train station. I caught the last train that night. Good thing. It was getting chilly. A guy approached me and asked me for a cigarette. Sorry dude. I don't smoke.

This is a picture of my friend's baby boy. She texted me this this weekend!

We are playing some challenging gospel songs for church. Definitely stretches my guitar playing skills. I enjoy the challenge, especially since practice is right before the 1st service.

We are out of propane. Time to get another tank because we've got some barbecueing to do.

I was ready for Monday to happen. I've got a lot of things to do for work.

I'm blessed tonight. I'm alive. My family is healthy and together. I've got good friends.

I was blessed to see a good friend of mine yesterday. I haven't seen him in over 20 years. We went to a Christian camp together back in '87.

My knuckles on my right hand are dryyyy!

I had some kind of rash breakout while I was at my work conference. I am allergic to the soap. I broke out on my face and when I tried to put my contacts in, it burned my eyes. I couldn't wear my contacts so I wore glasses.

To the conference: bus to the train to a shuttle to a plane to another shuttle.

From the conference: bus to another bus to the plane to a shuttle to a train to a taxi.

I barely made the shuttle last night. I got out of the plane and ran down and I just jumped on before it left. Would have really sucked to be stranded at the airport with no ride. It was one of the last shuttles and I would have missed the last train home. I had ideas going through my head as to how I would get home if I missed the train. I've never hitch-hiked, but maybe last night would have been my first time! haha

Today I haven't really done much. Feel like a sluggard. Filled my car up with gas, washed my car, did some unpacking, took my shirts to the cleaners (by the way, I had to record that one of the waiters accidentally poured hot coffee on the back of my head and all over my shirt the first night. That was fun.) When I was riding up in the elevator, some guy said that there was a nice aroma of coffee. That's me buddy!

I went to the Crystal Cathedral yesterday. Walked over from the hotel. About a 15-20 minute walk. I'm glad I did. Very cool to walk around their campus. They had some cool bronze statues that I have yet to post here. They were having a Good Friday service but I was too late for it. I didn't want to walk in last minute.

I'm not much of a drinker but I did have my first Manhattan this week. I liked it. It is suppose to be a sophisticated man's drink. The only thing I didn't like is that it came in a martini glass. A drank that in the bar while watching the Masters and eating some nuts/crackers that were FIRE!!!! I was sweating literally. I could feel my face starting to perspire.

My cat missed me. That was nice.

Tomorrow I'm singing and playing guitar for Easter. I haven't even looked at the music. The last two weeks, I've been playing horribly.

I felt really fat this week. I was eating everything that was unhealthy.

Bought a book at the airport. I'm halfway through. Easy reading. It was a Nicholas Sparks book. I forget what it was called but I just decided to buy it because he is a good writer and it is stuff totally different from what I usually read.

Watched the Valkyrie this week with my hotel roomie. Pretty interesting movie.

Woke up alittle bit after 7:30 am. Not sure why. I have absolutely nothing to do today since my flight doesn't leave until this evening. Catching up on emails and a report I had to submit. Thinking about walking down the street to the Crystal Cathedral to check that out.

I reaggravated my rash behind my knee by scratching it. It's been ongoing but I am foolish enough to keep on scratching it. Feels so good when I scratch it though.

This trip has been some good time for reflection. I haven't had much time for that because life is going by really fast. Definitely have some ideas for work and my life in general. This past quarter, I felt like I was a slave to my position at work. I invested a lot of time into my new agents...more than I would expect other people in my position would do.

Deep down I have a sense of gratefulness but it is not often manifested publically.

I was a glutton this week. Ate a lot of junk food.

It's an overcast day and the forecast suggest rain in the afternoon.

Me at the Summit. There was a 70's theme tonight for the end of the conference party. Good time. I'm ready to come home.

The soap in the hotel is irritating. My face is burning and my eyes too. Can't wear my contacts.

10:10 pm, 40 years.

My cat.

He likes me.

My buddy caught a nice bass. Wow! Miss those days on the lake.

Great view.

Yesterday was a sad day. I have two friends that had their fathers pass away. I also know three other people I know that had loved ones die.

Paperwork has been crazy and has sucked the life out of me. I would like to hire someone to help out but it's not in the budget right now.

Dropped $4K on car repairs. Would be nice to buy another car right now but now is not the time.

I'm traveling to SoCal in April for work. I'm working in eneMy rot in May and possibly in Vegas in the summer. Who knows about the last one but it would be totally sweet if it did happen.

A bug bit me in the back of my leg in January and I remember it itching like crazy. Well, I've scratched, picked, and peeled the wound so much it looks really bad. I've put some ointment on there and am trying my best not to scratch it.

Weather has been very windy recently with a lot of pollen. Not good for me but I like the coolness.

My team at work is slowing coming together but still need a bunch more work to get everyone writing business.

I'm addicted to this stupid game called Mob Wars.

I'm tired.

So my church had a "picnic" at the new location here in town. Very exciting to see the large room we've got. We went through the room and prayed over it. We sang a hymn and it sounded really good it that room! Very nice acoustics.

Life is on repeat mode. I was asked to create and lead a worship band of high school kids for church for a special Sunday at the end of the month. It's like School of Rock but I'm not as fat as Jack Black is.

Today was the first Sunday this year I've missed a NASCAR race. Not like that is the end of the world but surprisingly, I've caught all of them this year until now.

I washed my car. It's been at least a month since I did that.

I went to the track to run. I ran 5 laps. I could have gone more but I'm not pushing it until I can get more consistent. The sun was out but it was chilly.

My bro told me that I was best man. Not sure what that really means responsibility-wise, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

I read the first chapter of my book in my car before running. I was in-and-out of consciousness while reading that. My body was crying for a nap but I was fighting it.

Doing my laundry now. I ran into a lady here who basically just ignored me. I said "hey" and she didn't return the salutation.

There are signs out warning of a guy doing indecent exposure around here. Absolutely stupid.

Talked with some friends in Cubs lo mu. Things have changed dramatically since I left 3 years ago. February 14 of this year marked my 3-year anniversary of leaving.

Worked this afternoon.

Went to Barnes & Nobles and got a book. "The Carrot Principle." It' s a management book. I wanted to get another book I have to be realistic. I really haven't made much time to read in 2009.

Springing forward.

Long week. I am mentally tired.

Heard on the radio a neat concept. The Giants are paying Cy Young Award Winner, Tim Lincecum around $665 K this year. The Giants are paying former Cy Young Award Winner, Barry Zito around $19 M this year. This is completely silly. But if you think about it...the Giants are spending $19 M and $665 K this year. Wouldn't it be more palatable if we thought of it if Zito was making $665 K and Lincecum was making $19 M? The answer is yes.

I haven't watched one episode of American Idol since the auditions. I have caught many Tool Academy episodes though.

Work life has changed a lot. I have to work smarter because working longer is not going to be a long-term option.

I went to Starbucks to network with two people. I went to the same Starbucks twice in a day. That's a first I think. There was a lady there with a very revealing skirt there. A high-cut in that skirt. I had to position myself at the table by putting my back to her so I wouldn't be tempted to look. That's funny to me. I know for a fact I'm a leg-man.

My cat is peeing on the floor this week. It absolutely sucks.