Mama's House

Simple question, not to be confused with either whether he should go or stay, or, whether you want him to go or stay. It's what do you think Roland is going to do? Does he stay here in Cali or does he go back to Florida? What say you?

Is Roland Staying Or Is He Going?
	Staying
	Going
	Can't Decide
pollcode.com free polls

So far we have the wishlists of:

Vanessa
Joni
Lindsey
Oliver
EJ

Surprisingly, or not, the two people, Melanie and Annette, who suggested that we use this blog to publicize what everyone wants for Christmas have yet to do so themselves.

Not much time left for shopping people.

AKA Austin's housewarming party date. That's right, everyone's favorite family McDuck, Austin, is holding his housewarming on Christmas day. Details are scarce - like where exactly his place is - but are sure to be found out at least the night prior. So save the date.

I know you all care about me and all want to get me gifts..after all don't forget I am the youngest cousin. Forget the kids... Anyways, here's my wishlist.

Dear Santa,

Please feel free to gift one or more of the following items:

Marriott gift certificate $50.00
Orbit optical trackball $30.00
Costco membership $50.00

Thank you very much.

-Jonili Soller

P.S. Please don't get stuck in my electric fireplace (it doesn't lead out to the roof).

Everyone's favorite, former significant other, Faye's Pete, will be appearing on television's Judge Joe Brown on January 13. It seems that another ex of his is suing him for something or another - probably for being an all-around sucky boyfriend who annoys family.

Annalynne: Eww Jayden! Don't kiss me! I don't want to get married!
Annette: Anna, people get married by going to a church and having a wedding ceremony, you don't get married just by getting kissed.
Me: Yeah, but kissing is how you make babies.

So it's all been set - except for the food.

Christmas Eve at Uncle Joji's place.

There's also a gift exchange and it has been set so no backing out Austin - I tried, for the both of us, but to no avail. Each person has been set up with two other people to get gifts for. It's a secret Santa so I guess you're not supposed to tell whomever you're supposed to get a gift for that you're getting a gift for them - sorry for that mishmash of words posing for a sentence.

Anyway, for the sake of convenience and to make sure people have a chance of actually getting you what you would like, this is your chance to make it known what you would like to get from your Secret Santa. So tell Secret Santa what you would like and may I humbly suggest you use Amazon's wishlist.

Uncle Joji is ordering up tomorrow night's fight between the man from the East LA barrios and the man from the Manila ghettos - paraphrased from an actual promo. It's the Golden Boy versus Pacman! It's the man who is eating deer and kangaroo meat in preparation for the fight versus the man who ran away from home when his dad ate his dog - true story!

Coverage starts at 6pm.

Forgot that Austin and Lindsey have a Wii. So that makes the count,

Wii - 5
Xbox 360 - 4
PS3 - 3

I have no idea why the Wii is tops in our family. I thought this was a family of hardcore gamers who cut their teeth on the likes of Contra, Sonic the Hedgehog, and GoldenEye.

Because Austin and Lindsey had no idea what I was referring to when I mentioned that Lindsey's roommate situation reminded me of a bad sitcom, from Wiki:

The story centers on Janet Wood, Chrissy Snow (later Cindy Snow and Terri Alden), and Jack Tripper living in an apartment complex owned by Mr. and Mrs. Roper (later by Bart Furley and managed by his brother), in Santa Monica, California:, their misunderstandings, social lives, and struggle to keep up with rent.

Jack is studying to be a chef at a technical college and happens across Janet, a florist, and Chrissy, a secretary, in need of a new roommate. Due to Stanley Roper's intolerence for co-ed living situations, even in a multi-bedroom apartment, Janet tells him that Jack is gay. Helen Roper figures out Jack's true sexuality in the second episode, and does not tell her husband, her bond with the three roommates grows until the Roper's departure, and she often sides with them over her husband.

In celebration of the hike.

Thanksgiving night, Lindsey and Mehran decided to go for a run sometime before Lindsey left back for San Diego. Interested, I suggested that, instead of jogging around a neighborhood or even the park, we should try out Runyon Canyon where you can get a nice view of Los Angeles and the occasional celebrity. But Mehran shot down that idea saying that he didn't want to drive far for a jog.

So on the morning of our run, I looked up other hiking trails that were nearby. And found quite a few of them but settled on doing one of the Chatsworth Park ones, which was described as such:

Chatsworth Park consists of a south section and a north section which are separate. There is no direct trail connection between them. However, they both have hiking trails up to Santa Susana Pass, so a long hiking loop can be made.

Now I wanted to hit the Chatsworth Park South one but because of my stupidity we ended up at Chatsworth Park North, which ended up being a good thing.


View Larger Map

The above is where we started out our little journey. We began jogging due west on the paved path but quickly decided to get on the a dirt trail, which lasted all of 20 feet before we ran into a chain link fence with no apparent way to get to the other side, none that Lindsey could find any way. Disappointed, we turned around and decided to get back on the paved path but it became obvious that the paved path only followed the perimeter of the grassy park so we decided to get back on the dirt trail yet again. We soon came upon a fork in the trail, one seemed to ascend more directly up the hillside while the other not so much except it had this yellow sign cautioning us against mountain lions (I tried to find an image of the sign online but apparently people are too afraid of mountain lions to linger and take a picture to post online.) Lindsey takes the lead and goes the way of the mountain lions.

Soon the dirt trail went back to the paved path again so Mehran decides to turn his back to the paved path and make his way up the rocky hillside. Lindsey and I follow. I quickly learn why hiking boots are manufactured as my sneakers were not exactly the best choice of footwear to handle the rocky and broken beer bottle climb. But we come up on three kids, apparently one acting as a lookup, two of them with bikes, so I figured it wasn't as hard as I was making it out to be. A brief climb up and we make it to the train tracks.


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Now the train tunnel curves slightly so there's a bit of a blind spot and it's really dark in there but you can make out the light hitting the wall. So it's decision time again. We can either continue going up the mountain or go through the train tunnel. It not exactly being my finest moment, I suggested that we go through the tunnel and that any approaching train would make enough noise from a far enough distance that we could get out of the tunnel either by racing through it or turning back. Persuaded, we go through the mountain instead of climbing it. The tunnel was a lot longer than I expected and a lot rockier but I'm here now posting about it so it went alright. Lindsey and Mehran, physically fit and not wanting to tempt fate with a train, wasted no time in getting through the tunnel but I, in my sorry physical state, dawdled, hoping for a train.

At the other side of the mountaintop we found a lot of burnt shrubbery apparently from a fire and a little bit of a view of the northwest part of the valley (not the one pictured but close enough.) At this point we decide to find our way back to the car but not by going back where we came from - where's the fun in that? We start our descent diverted somewhat by a fenced off area. In finding our way we came across a sheltered area that had the rusted, springy skeletal remains of a mattress and a parka that Lindsey avoided stepping on but not me.

We find our way around the fence but we also find ourselves with another rocky path that requires having both our feet off the ground at times, not exactly jumping down from one rock to another, but we weren't exactly walking down either, which was made all the harder by carrying a damn water bottle. A few times, Lindsey and I joke that we would like to find our way down alive. At the end of our descent, we found ourselves at the edge of the mountain side and the park. The park and the mountain side were separated by thick brush that had dried off and provided a minor obstacle to get through.

We were now at Chatsworth Park, but not Chatsworth Park North but Chatsworth Park South. Who said the two weren't connected? Forget the part of the direct trail connection and the tunnel "shortcut" we took.


View Larger Map

Once past the brush we tried to figure out the quickest way back to the car. So instead of going through the park we decided to stay on the dirt road pictured above and cut our way across to Chatsworth Park South. The thing is, it's fenced off. No problem says Lindsey, as she suggested that we crawl under the fence at this gap between the road and the fence. My mind quickly wandered to whether Lindsey was making extra money as a coyote. With my mind wandering I found myself following Lindsey and Mehran under the fence. Of course, we come upon another fence this time, instead of an empty lot, this fence is protecting a residence and has barbed wire on it. But it also has a gap that Lindsey has spotted (apparently she has a real talent for finding a way around or through a fence.)

Before we could worm our way underneath, a man came out from his metal workshop/nuclear bunker and warned us, yes, warned us that by crawling under that fence we would be on private property. Now understand hisI don't think it's an exaggeration to say that by his tone, he meant to tell us that by crossing over to the other side of the fence he could and would have his way with us. And by having his way with us, I refer to this - click at your own risk.

So we ask the guy how we can get to the other side of his property hoping he would let us through. His response? "Turn around and go back." So we turned around and went back. Why? Because you don't mess with crazy, especially angry crazy people of a different race.

Back at Chatsworth Park South, Mehran noticed that it was empty and wondered why. I thought that there may have been people at a part of the park we could not yet see - the tennis courts and basketball court - but once they came to view I noticed that the adjacent parking spaces were occupied by garbage dumps. I assumed that the park was closed for the holidays for some odd reason. Instead, security accosted us and asked how we got there and why we were there. We told security that we got lost hiking starting out at Chatsworth Park North. Convinced, we were escorted out of the park but before so we asked why the park was closed and were informed that the park was now privately owned and closed to the public.

Having not heard about the park being sold to a private owner I decided to look it up and it doesn't appear to be quite that way. Instead, I found this:

A popular park in the San Fernando Valley is closed after tests showed the soil is toxic. Officials found dangerous amounts of lead in Chatsworth Park South and now they're trying to determine if it can ever be reopened.

Chatsworth Park South is closed to the pubic, and has been since mid-February, when a park visitor found dozens of tiny lead pellets along a hiking trail.

One hour after having started our little jog/hike/climb/descent/brush wading/fence crawling/train tunnel running/avoiding getting killed by angry private property owner/being escorted out by security, we found ourselves back where we started. And it was a fun workout.

Lindsey is about to answer by touching the screen.


Lindsey, with finger still hovering above 24 inches, hesitates.


Granted, Lindsey was under the influence.

EJ recently purchased a PS3 making the family count:

PS3: 3 (EJ, Annette, Oliver)
Xbox 360: 4 (Wayne, Darryll, Austin, Lindsey)
Wii: 3 (Annette, Joni, Tita Malou)

Today we give thanks! So have at it, what are you thankful for this year?

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Austin has taken up a 1 year lease on a tiny 1 BR condo in Glendale's Adams Hill. Congratulations are in order. Congratulations Austin! Housewarming date is TBD.

Keep your calendars free.

Updated to include what Faye and Roland have promised to bring. That only leaves Joni, Mehran, and Oliver who have yet to say what they'll bring.

Turkey - Mark & Tita Agnes
Tri-Tip - Tita Evelyn
Vegetable Casserole - Faye
Pansit - Jade & Annette
Arroz Caldo - Mama & Lindsey
Mashed Potatoes - EJ
Mac & Cheese - still trying to find the right recipe
Caesar Salad - Tita Evelyn
Balut - Jade & Annette
Stuffing - Faye
Drinks - Vanessa has the liquor and Roland thought it was the easiest thing to bring so he'll be bringing drinks of some sort.
Desserts - Austin and Faye have promised us desserts and I'm thinking of providing one as well.

UPDATE: Somebody - no Sara, it was not EJ - asked, "What if you don't think they're going to get married?" The answer is simple, you vote "over."

Remember, picking "push" (meaning you think they'll marry in 2012) is a bitch move.

EJ and Sara Get Married In 2012
	Over
	Under
	Push
Free polls from Pollhost.com

But this is genius advertising.

In case any of you were wondering when he was getting into town.

• Roland is making a return visit to interview with Medtronic. A permanent stay in the works?
  
• Tita Elma moving in with Mama? Well she's definitely moving out of her current home but no final destination has been picked yet.
  
• Tita Linda is here with us until January something, with plans on visiting relatives in San Francisco, and is currently visiting Uncle Joji's.
  
• Jayden is having trouble subtracting 29 from 42. "Regrouping is a bitch," says Jayden. That would be an accurate quote if Jayden were cool like that, but he isn't.

I don't really get it so hopefully someone can explain it to me. I'm not out there protesting any of the votes I made that didn't go my way and in California, that's a lot of damn votes that didn't go the way I would have liked them to have. I'm not out there organizing a protest against President-elect Obama even though I strongly oppose many of the policies he says he supports. Nor do you see me slowing down traffic because Propositions 1A, 2, 3, 4, and 9 went the other way. Don't those propositions have the same importance?

Perhaps it's because Prop 8 affects a minority. But doesn't me being on the "losing end" of those other votes make me a minority?

I suppose one could argue that it is more personal on a emotional level.

I still don't see what good protesting does though, it can't change the votes that have already been cast and counted, which is a good thing. And isn't it a little disrespectful to the political process? At the very least the protesters come off as sore losers. What these protesters should be doing is putting their energies toward something more constructive that will ensure their next attempt at legalizing gay marriages is a successful one. And if trends mean anything, then they should be successful next time.

I swear to god a pack of ducking monkies can run @metrolink better than they can. Fucking idiots I swear.

Well, it is governed by a bunch of government agencies, so what do you expect? Don't tell me you actually expect government to make sure something runs efficiently. You poor, naive socialist.

UPDATE: Save your stubs.

Here is my presidential election prediction.

291 - Obama
247 - McCain

If McCain can somehow take over Pennsylvania and its 21 electoral votes, then all bets are off with either Colorado or Nevada deciding the election. Of course, I could be way off, but I do expect it closer than what the polls suggest and I'm still holding on to a bit of hope that Sen. McCain can pull it off.

Most people say the trickiest part for them when voting is deciding how to vote on the various state propositions. So I thought I'd help out by showing how I intend to vote and how the major parties want us to vote.

Wayne says:
Prop. 1 - NO
Prop. 2 - NO
Prop. 3 - NO
Prop. 4 - YES
Prop. 5 - NO
Prop. 6 - YES
Prop. 7 - NO
Prop. 8 - NO
Prop. 9 - NO
Prop. 10 - NO
Prop. 11 - YES
Prop. 12 - YES

Republicans say:
Prop. 1 - NO
Prop. 2 - NO
Prop. 3 - NO
Prop. 4 - YES
Prop. 5 - NO
Prop. 6 - YES
Prop. 7 - NO
Prop. 8 - YES
Prop. 9 - YES
Prop. 10 - NO
Prop. 11 - NO POSITION
Prop. 12 - YES

Democrats say:
Prop. 1 - YES
Prop. 2 - YES
Prop. 3 - YES
Prop. 4 - NO
Prop. 5 - YES
Prop. 6 - NO
Prop. 7 - NO
Prop. 8 - NO
Prop. 9 - NO
Prop. 10 - NEUTRAL
Prop. 11 - NO
Prop. 12 - YES

So there you have it, I disagree with my fellow GOPers on 8 and 9 while I agree with the Dems on 7, 8, 9, and 12. Note the bipartisan support on 7 and 12. Of course, I'm also interested in how you're all voting, so let me know in the comments.

austin (9:02:14 AM): HAHAHHAHA
austin (9:02:19 AM): Darryls costume = hilarious
Bruin7089 (9:02:24 AM): no shit
Bruin7089 (9:02:58 AM): He looks more like Candy Pimp than King Kandy
austin (9:03:04 AM): lol seriously

Both EJ and Lindsey have requested Rock Band 2. I'll be happy to help oblige, but I was wondering what DLC would you like to play? Check out the list, make your suggestions, and we'll see what can be done. Maybe put up a poll, take up a collection, and select the most popular or something.

And damnit Austin, no Roam. Unless that's what the people want.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Updated to include EJ's comment.

What we have:

Mark & Tita Agnes - Turkey
Wayne - Mac and cheese w/bacon (pending successful trial runs)
Annette & Jade - Pansit
Vanessa - Liquor
Tita Evelyn - Tri-tip and Caesar salad
EJ - Mashed potatoes and soda

Another breakdown:

Main Dishes
Turkey
Tri-tip

Side Dishes
Mashed Potatoes
Mac and Cheese w/Bacon
Pansit
Caesar Salad

Drinks
Hard liquor
Soda

That looks solid to me but still not quite Thanksgiviney enough to be called biggest meal of the year. But we have yet to hear from Austin, Lindsey, Mehran, Oliver, Faye, and Joni. So we're probably going to get there eventually. And what follows is a Thanksgiving wishlist of sorts.

What else we would like to have:
Yams
More sides
Desserts

Another main dish like a ham or a beef roast of some kind for the non-turkey eaters would be nice. More sides are needed (potatoes please). Vanessa is planning on bringing a bottle of hard liquor with a mixer or two, so if anyone else wants something other than that to drink.... Non-alcoholic drinks are needed as well as desserts.

Actually, it would be nice if you think first then vote.

Last year's Thanksgiving went pretty well, people seemed to fill up nicely on all the offerings and hardly any leftovers at all (which is a good thing to some but not others), as the following contributions were made:

This year's Thanksgiving will be held at EJ's - I think. I know Annette wanted it there so that the kids would have something to do and I did ask EJ about it. But before he got back to me, I told Tita Malou about Annette wanting to have it there and she said that Tita Evelyn already said she would host it this year. So is that confirmation? If only EJ would take time away from gloating for a bit we could maybe get a hard confirmation.

Anyway, it is left up to us, the cousins, to once again plan out the Thanksgiving meal. Tita Malou figured that we should prepare enough food for 30-35 (that's not counting the kids because they don't eat all that much anyway especially since they'll have each other to play with all day) people this year. It should also be taken into account that it's probably going to be a late lunch with sporadic episodes of eating until everyone leaves after dinner. Don't forget that some of us though will be having one meal at EJ's while having another meal with their significant other's family. Though it is Thanksgiving so everyone is expected to eat quite a bit. So count on 50 or so servings. Of course, because of the number of dishes that will be at hand, those would be small servings rather than individual servings that can make somebody full.

I know the above may be confusing but you all have common sense and can figure it out on your own.

If it is at EJ's, then it would probably be best that EJ cooks the turkey this year. Aside from turkey, it might be nice to have a ham and/or roast beef as well, to give us the trifecta of poultry, pork, and beef. Those would be the main dishes of course. Now on to my favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal.

So what about side dishes? Potatoes are a must. I'm giving some thought to doing some sort of roasted potatoes dish. But it would be nice if someone else also did mashed and or scalloped potatoes. You can't have enough potatoes I say. I'm also thinking of making mac and cheese w/bacon.

What else can we have for sides? Cranberry sauce (does anyone in our family even like that stuff?), some sort of mushroom dish, a salad? We need more vegetables I suppose. Let's figure it out, just throw out whatever suggestions you have, whether it's something you'd like to make or something you would like someone else to make and bring.

Now on to dessert. The only dessert maker I know in our family is Melanie. So what will it be? Cookies, cheesecake, tiny muffins? Of course, someone else can always go out and just buy a pie and some ice cream.

What about drinks? Soda is a must, but is this going to be a dry event? Or are we going to have a Thanksgiving themed ale or perhaps some cider to imbibe on?

So what will Thanksgiving be like this year people?

Apologies to Lindsey - sorta. Since I've gotten back from Las Vegas, I've seen not once, but twice, white rice cooked with brown rice. So yes, apparently you CAN cook brown rice and white rice together. Of course, it's best to keep in mind the adage that just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.*

*I don't know if that really is an adage but I don't have the most recent edition of the adage dictionary on me that I can verify it in. If you have it, feel free to look it up and get back to me.

Got back last night after a near 7 hour trip back from Las Vegas. It wasn't what would be described as a perfectly fun-filled extravaganza - what trip is? - by any stretch of the imagination. But in spending a weekend with them I got to know Karen better and came to know her sister - probably a more pleasant experience for me than they. And best of all, even after what is now 25 years of getting to know her, I came to know my sister a bit more. Connecting with my sister over the weekend got to the point where I was subconsciously adopting her sense of humor by cracking the type of jokes she likes to make - not necessarily something I want to make a habit. In the end I'm happy she dragged me out to the desert oasis.

Happy 25th Joni!

P.S. Aside from the getting to know people better thing, I did take away another memory from this Vegas trip that revived somewhat similar older memories in Cambridge and Hotel Fig. More on this later after I get my hands on the incriminating photos to destroy share.

The latest on Lindsey's newest boyfriend.

Lindsey (6:32:13 PM): he thought you were going to call him retarded
Lindsey (6:32:16 PM): he's special
Lindsey (6:33:27 PM): special like geometry for the 3rd time
Bruin7089 (6:33:38 PM): wow
Bruin7089 (6:33:44 PM): You've got a keeper there
Lindsey (6:33:48 PM): and he rode the short yellow bus
Lindsey (6:34:02 PM): he's a keeper alright.
Lindsey (6:34:08 PM): oh yeah no helmet required
Bruin7089 (6:34:36 PM): anything else about your boyfriend you'd like to share?
Lindsey (6:34:57 PM): he's got a big weiner he says
Lindsey (6:35:06 PM): i dont know what a penis looks like you know

Lindsey (she's the young lady in the background pictured to the left in case you forgot what she looks like) is in town the weekend of her dad's - that would be Uncle/Tito Wilson for those of you who, like me, refer to all the elders as either Tita or Uncle and subsequently forget who is who specifically - birthday and proposes a cousin night out to either Friday's or Candlelight so she can walk herself home - her words, not mine. The only restriction is that it can't be on the night of her dad's birthday which falls on Saturday. So perhaps some time after Joni's birthday dinner? It is an early dinner after all and it might be nice to round out the night over at Candlelight afterwards. Sound good to everyone? Let me know so we can set this thing in stone.

*It's actually diabetes not cancer which makes it seem all the more doable but less important. But still feel free to donate... to Faye, not EJ.

In case you didn't get the email.

Greetings!

I'm writing to you to ask for your support in a very special cause.

This year, I'll be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes along with a half-million other walkers across the country. Our goal: To raise $105 million to help fund research for a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people--a large and growing percentage of them children.

Many people think type 1 diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with type 1 diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by the disease.

That's the bad news... and yes, it's pretty bad.

The good news, though, is that a cure for type 1 diabetes is within reach. In fact, JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date. And JDRF funds a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity.

I'm writing to ask for your support because now more than ever, EACH of us can be a part of bringing about a cure. Each of us can make a real difference

Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as you're able?

Together, we can make the cure a reality.

Thank you,

Farrah-faye Valencia

You can donate here.

Go Dodgers!

Karen would like you all to help celebrate Joni's upcoming birthday by joining them on October 24th at Maggiano's in Woodland Hills for a 6:00 pm dinner. Leave a comment if you can make it that Friday.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a growing public awareness about farm animal production methods, and how these practices affect the treatment of the animals. In particular, concerns have been expressed about some animal farming practices, including the housing of certain animals in confined spaces, such as cages or other restrictive enclosures.

PROPOSAL

Beginning January 1, 2015, this measure prohibits with certain exceptions the confinement on a farm of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Under the measure, any person who violates this law would be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment in county jail for up to six months.

FISCAL EFFECTS

[T]his measure would require more space and/or alternate methods for housing pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens. As a result, this measure would increase production costs for some of these farmers. To the extent that these higher production costs cause some farmers to exit the business, or otherwise reduce overall production and profitability, there could be reduced state and local tax revenues. The magnitude of this fiscal effect is unknown, but potentially in the range of several million dollars annually.

Additionally, this measure could result in unknown, but probably minor, local and state costs for enforcement and prosecution of individuals charged with the new animal confinement offense. These costs would be partially offset by revenue from the collection of misdemeanor fines.

Proponents say Prop 2:MY TAKE:

Ever heard of free range chicken? This proposed piece of legislation is just that. Apparently, not enough people are buying products that are marked free range, which is probably why they are people pushing for this particular legislation. I'm going to assume that there aren't much buyers of free range products because it's more expensive. And since there aren't enough buyers, not enough farmers thought it wise to switch to free range practices. Simple supply and demand at work.

So if the market doesn't demand a particular product/support a particular agenda, what does one do? Make it the only legal alternative I suppose. Damn you animal rights fascists!

MY VOTE:

No on Proposition 2.

I recently received my absentee ballot in the mail, nearly a full month before I have to cast my votes. I thought I would share how and why I'm going to vote on each measure. Hopefully, this gets the rest of you interested in voting and if you should disagree with any of my votes I would hope you would leave a comment explaining why and maybe you'll even persuade me to change my vote.

The following comes from the Legislative Analyst's Office.

BACKGROUND

The authority estimated in 2006 that the total cost to develop and construct the entire high-speed train system would be about $45 billion. While the authority plans to fund the construction of the proposed system with a combination of federal, private, local, and state monies, no funding has yet been provided.

PROPOSAL

This measure authorizes the state to sell $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds to fund (1) pre-construction activities and construction of a high-speed passenger train system in California, and (2) capital improvements to passenger rail systems that expand capacity, improve safety, or enable train riders to connect to the high-speed train system.

The High-Speed Train System. Of the total amount, $9 billion would be used, together with any available federal monies, private monies, and funds from other sources, to develop and construct a high-speed train system that connects San Francisco Transbay Terminal to Los Angeles Union Station and Anaheim, and links the state’s major population centers, including Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego.

Other Passenger Rail Systems. The remaining $950 million in bond funds would be available to fund capital projects that improve other passenger rail systems in order to enhance these systems’ capacity, or safety, or allow riders to connect to the high-speed train system. Of the $950 million, $190 million is designated to improve the state’s intercity rail services. The remaining $760 million would be used for other passenger rail services including urban and commuter rail.

FISCAL EFFECT

Bond Costs. The costs of these bonds would depend on interest rates in effect at the time they are sold and the time period over which they are repaid. While the measure allows for bonds to be issued with a repayment period of up to 40 years, the state’s current practice is to issue bonds with a repayment period of up to 30 years. If the bonds are sold at an average interest rate of 5 percent, and assuming a repayment period of 30 years, the General Fund cost would be about $19.4 billion to pay off both principal ($9.95 billion) and interest ($9.5 billion). The average repayment for principal and interest would be about $647 million per year.

Operating Costs. When constructed, the high-speed train system will incur unknown ongoing maintenance and operation costs, probably in excess of $1 billion a year. Depending on the level of ridership, these costs would be at least partially, and potentially fully, offset by revenue from fares paid by passengers.

PROPONENTS of the proposition say it will:

• Ease Congestion on the highways and in the airports
  
• Create new jobs
  
• Save energy
  
• Clean and protect the environment

MY TAKE:

Well what the proponents say is all well and good and who wouldn't want to get from San Diego to San Francisco in about 4 hours time? But my main complaint about this proposition is that California taxpayers could be paying a lot for nothing.

There is no guarantee that the other $35 billion or so (remember the total cost of $45 billion is only an "estimate" and some estimate that the costs could indeed be a lot higher) needed to complete the high-speed rail project will be funded. It is assumed that the additional necessary funding will come from "any available federal monies, private monies, and funds from other sources" when "no funding has yet been provided." So how exactly is this thing going to be paid for? More issuing of bonds perhaps? Or maybe even an increase in taxes?

Of course, I'm assuming that the bonds will be issued before all of other necessary funding is accumulated. But even if that's not the case, why vote yes for the authority to issue these bonds before we get the rest of the funds? I suppose you could argue that this would encourage investors. But I really believe the only thing that encourages investors is a return profit on their investments, not a mere sharing of costs, and I don't think this proposition achieves that.

MY VOTE:

No on State Measure 1A.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

For the first time in two decades, the Dodgers popped champagne corks in October.

Yup, two decades since their last postseason success and I've been a fan through all those years which seemingly makes this all the more special.

(AP Photo/Francis Specker)

On a night when the old stadium rocked like a giddy teen, the Dodgers shed the baggage of a 20-year postseason series drought by tossing the darling Chicago Cubs back into irrelevancy with a sweeping 3-1 victory.

Players threw their caps in the air and wrestled each other to the ground. Fans stayed in their seats rocking and waving.

In keeping with a new Dodgers victory tradition, Russell Martin later led the players back to the field to spray champagne on the fans, and why not?

Perhaps, the celebration was a little over the top for merely advancing in the playoffs but it has been 20 years since a playoff series victory and for a fan for all those years to finally see it again it was wonderful.

(AP Photo/Francis Specker)Russell Martin and Matt Kemp celebrating among the fans in the Left Field Pavilion, how cool is that?

Even for those who had been paying attention, who had understood how well the Dodgers had been playing the past month, the ease in which they dispatched the sad little Cubbies had to be astonishing.

Eight game losing streak, 4 1/2 games out of a playoff spot just a little over a month ago, and now this? Awesome.

If you're looking for that one moment the Dodgers turned their season around. That one trade, that one signing that one managerial decision that transformed this bunch from playoff outsiders to the first team to advance to the Championship Series you won't find it.

"Its right here, no question," says Don Mattingly grinning from ear to ear and bouncing up and down like a 47-year-old hitting coach trying to dance to hip-hop.... "It was this song. I don't know what it is, but I like it."

As Mattingly closed his eyes and bent his knees to the rhythm of M.I.A.'s Paper Planes, saying "Stay in the box baby, just stay in the box...."

Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake played the song prior to the team's 6-2 win over Arizona on Aug. 30 after the team was on an eight-game losing streak. The song was played from then on, before and after games, as the Dodgers went on an eight-game winning streak and won 22 of their last 30 games.

Not exactly sure how appropriate this song is but whatever works. I present to you the Dodgers' rallying song of '08:

The Cubs, whose 97 victories just sort of evaporated into thin air, never knew what hit them. The Phillies or Brewers stand warned. The Dodgers spent so much of the year limping or dragging through the schedule, right up until losing eight consecutive games -- with Manny -- in August.

But the longer this group plays together, the more special it looks.

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Go Dodgers!

1. What is your favorite word?

Boobies


2. What is your least favorite word?

The N word.  (ED's Note: "No?")


3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

San Francisco or Chicago. I have never been to Chicago but from what I hear about it, I would love it.


4. If you won the lottery what would you do with all that money?

I love this question. I think about it all the time. I would retire my parents immediately. After that, I would sit down with a financial planner and plan out how to invest this money into a no risk fund and spend money off the interest.

To tell you the truth, I probably wouldn't give my extended family anything. I would hate the give a mouse a cookie syndrome to go down. Instead, I would give all my once removed cousins college scholarships.

As for me: I would love to get several homes. One in the middle of downton San Francisco. One would a beach house of sorts and would be a bad ass ranch somewhere in Colorado. Cars I would love my dream car Shelby GT 500e. I also wouldn't mind a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (White), and a Ferrrari F430 Spyder (Red).

Like I have said, I have given this alot of thought.


5. What sound do you love?

The sound of baseball fans erupting have a home run of sorts.


6. What sound do you hate?

People scratching black boards. Shit gives me the chills.


7. What is on your iPod?

The Go! Team, The Black Kids, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, N.E.R.D., Hot Chip, Vampire Weekend, Rilo Kiley, The Pipettes. For more of what I listen to it can be found: http://www.last.fm/user/austinrf


8. If you have or had a TIVO/DVR, what is or would be on it?

Friday Night Lights, 24, Lost, It's Always Sunny, Seinfeld, and King of the Hill


9. What turns you on?

Women rocking the librarian glasses.


10. What turns you off?

Liars


11. What quality do you most appreciate in a friend?

Friends to keep me as friends even though I am flakey as hell.


12. If you were to star in a movie, what kind of film would it be and who would it co-star?

Action. I want to be a Jack Bauer bad ass. As far as the co-star would go, I would take Tina Fey. She's hot, funny, and rocks the librarian glasses


13. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck


14. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Transformers. Pre Michael Bay bullshit movie.




15. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Culinary chef. Stupid cooking channel getting everyone interested in cooking.


16. What profession would you not like to do?

Anything nasty. Cleaning up public restrooms would be the absolute worst.

(ED.'s Note: Oh, I wouldn't say that would be the absolute worst.)




17. What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?

Off the top off my head. A satellite phone, a boat filled with necessary living supplies and sunglasses.


18. Which 3 people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner and what would you serve?

Spencer (The Hills): I really want to know if he's that big of a douche in real life. Lance Armstrong: Because he's a bad ass and yes he is innocent. Bill Clinton: My political hero.


19. What would you like said at your funeral?

No one will dress up and everyone will have a beer in their hand andjust relax. The death of me will not be the end of the world and I acknowledge that.


20. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

I want God to refer to me as his homie.

I'm thinking about moving out to Texas. Darryll has said he would put up with me for a little bit. I'm also beginning to think that a change of scenery might do me good. It just seems like I've been stuck in a rut and pretty much unwilling to get out of it since taking the bar exam. Perhaps being stuck out there with Darryll and Co. will get me going wherever that is supposed to be. It wouldn't necessarily be a permanent move but that doesn't mean I'm going out there with plans on moving back.

Obviously, I would miss family that is here, which would include not only my mom and my sister but also the rest of you guys, my cousins.

Basically, should I go to Texas and get on with the rest of my life already or should I stay here and somehow, someway (a way and a how I have yet to find after all this time patiently afforded to me) find my way out of this rut I've gotten myself into?

Anyway, no plans have been made yet for me to leave, but I'm seriously considering it and would appreciate advice or any other input whatsoever from you guys because I'd like to make my decision based on as much information as possible and I value what you guys think.

None of that today please.

As for why I love postseason baseball more than any other postseason,

Even if your team wins a baseball game 20-0, you'll suffer at least 24 mini-defeats before the game is over. That's the minimum number of things that can go wrong for a baseball team in an 8 1/2-inning victory. If you want to count each time your hitter gets a strike or your pitcher throws a ball, that bumps the total into the hundreds....

On a good day, baseball has one-tenth the amount of actual scoring that basketball has – but that doesn't tell the whole story. If baseball counted all its jump shots, hook shots, free throws, dunks and three-pointers in its point totals – not to mention how we hang on the outcome of every single pitch – you'd have a truer idea of just how crazy it is to pin your faith on such an uncontrollable affair.

I can't put it any better than that.

Go Dodgers!

Which can mean only one thing... the start of the WNBA Finals!

Oh, there's that other little matter too I suppose. Wish we had more secret sauce for today.

Go Dodgers!

(ED.'s Note: Pretty easy to figure this out by the time you read the answer to question #10 and really easy after #18, so if you guess who correctly before then feel free to give yourself a gold star.)

1. What is your favorite word?

Quirky


2. What is your least favorite word?

Button. Apparently I don't say it right.


3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Possibly Europe. I still have a lot of place to visit in Europe, so I'm not too sure where specifically.


4. If you won the lottery what would you do with all that money?

Put the money in some sort of bank account with high interest rates. Let it ride for a bit and then live the high life. Maybe buy out a company or something.


5. What sound do you love?

Rain hitting the window. It's calming esp when you don't have to go out.


6. What sound do you hate?

Its a tie. The cats wrestling throughout the night only because we have hardwood floor. Or the alarm clock.


7. What is on your iPod?

Random songs that I hear on the radio that I like. I have yet to completely transfer my iTunes over to my iPhone. But I do have my favorites like britney spears, kanye west, rise against, john legend, dave Matthews band, and mix CDs people have made me.


8. If you have or had a TIVO/DVR, what is or would be on it?

Let me remind you I have two roommates so it's not all mine. Gossip girl, two and a half men, the hills, and various football games and movies.


9. What turns you on?

Massages


10. What turns you off?

Hand on feet or feet on feet action. I hate feet. I may have to change my major because everytime I touch someones nasty feet I want to throw up.


11. What quality do you most appreciate in a friend?

Well what I love about my roommates is our openess and honesty with each other.


12. If you were to star in a movie, what kind of film would it be and who would it co-star?

A movie with julia Roberts.


13. What is your favorite curse word?

I don't like cursing but I say the f word quite a bit. It's a bad bad habit.


14. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

I loved the simpsons, however growing up at mama's house and being the youngest I had no choice in what cartoons I wanted to watch. So I watched whatever everyone else wanted to watch.

And yeah I wasn't really allowed to watch cartoons. But tonight I had an epiphany and my favorite cartoon was Inspector Gadget. (ED.'s Note: Added per Lindsey's comment.)




15. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Forensic science...damn csi for that.


16. What profession would you not like to do?

Teacher...I'm horrible at telling stories and explaining things.


17. What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?

Costco, books, and a friend.


18. Which 3 people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner and what would you serve?

Abby, michelle kwan, and papa.


19. What would you like said at your funeral?

What I wouldn't want said is the trip to vegas. But I would like people to say nice things about me and their fondest memories of me.


20. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

Welcome..?

Austin asked me recently if I would vote for Sen. Obama if he were a Republican. Same views, same everything, just a different political affiliation; my political affiliation. I told him that under those circumstances I would still not vote for Sen. Obama. Anyway, I was reminded of that conversation when I ran into the following.

In a forum on public service on campus earlier this month, Mr. Obama (Columbia '83) and John McCain (Annapolis '58) were both asked about the ROTC ban. When Mr. McCain predictably called on Columbia to "re-examine" the ban, he was predictably booed by a crowd of several thousand students who were watching the debate on a giant TV screen on campus.

The question was later put to Mr. Obama. "I think we've made a mistake on that," Mr. Obama replied. "I recognize that there are students here who have differences in terms of military policy, but the notion that young people here at Columbia aren't offered a choice or an option in participating in military service is a mistake." The same students who had so lustily booed Mr. McCain, reported the New York Times, were "largely silent" when Mr. Obama gave the same answer.

I would like to add that this Republican would have applauded both of the candidates' answers.

(ED.'s Note: Not exactly the most loquacious "interviewee" but it got the job done. Can you guess who this was?)

1. What is your favorite word?

Facetious


2. What is your least favorite word?

Stupid


3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

NY city


4. If you won the lottery what would you do with all that money?

Share it


5. What sound do you love?

A perfectly swished basketball. (ED.'s Note: This probably narrows it down to about 2-3 people.)


6. What sound do you hate?

Nails on a chalkboard


7. What is on your iPod?

N/A


8. If you have or had a TIVO/DVR, what is or would be on it?

Prison Break


9. What turns you on?

Intelligence


10. What turns you off?

Lack of intelligence


11. What quality do you most appreciate in a friend?

Honesty


12. If you were to star in a movie, what kind of film would it be and who would it co-star?

Action, Wayne (ED.'s note: Who wouldn't want to co-star with the next Paul Newman and star of the greatest film ever?)


13. What is your favorite curse word?

Arse


14. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Transformers




15. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Doctor


16. What profession would you not like to do?

Dentist


17. What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?

Lifetime supply of beer, BBQ, Opposite sexed cows


18. Which 3 people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner and what would you serve?

Bill Gates, Grandpa, Jesus... pizza.


19. What would you like said at your funeral?

He was never the best, also never the worst, but he was average.


20. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

Welcome!

And they are decidedly so. 9 out of 10 experts over at ESPN have the Cubs winning the series and Sportsline is giving the edge to the Cubbies as well. Time to prove the experts wrong I suppose.

1. What is your favorite word?

Yes.


2. What is your least favorite word?

Don't.


3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Somewhere along a beach, preferably a beach here in southern California.


4. If you won the lottery what would you do with all that money?

Depends on how much money doesn't it? But for the sake of discussion I'll assume it's a fairly large but not a record amount, so: new homes for immediate family, retire the debt of all family members - so feel free to max out those credit cards on the hope that I someday win the Lotto, cars for the cousins - start picking out your dream car now on that aforementioned hope, and 4 season tickets to the Dodgers for the entirety of my life.

I would also give a chunk of it to the various educational institutions I graduated from (maybe establish scholarships and/or get UCLA to finally renovate Pauley Pavilion and rename it) and invest whatever was left into the stock market.


5. What sound do you love?

The sound of the ocean.


6. What sound do you hate?

Keith Olbermann's voice.


7. What is on your iPod?

I've got Squeeze, Joan Jett, Pearl Jam, The Guess Who, Kansas, Dinosaur Jr., Fleetwood Mac, The Muffs, Presidents of the United States, Alice in Chains, The Donnas, Lacuna Coil, L7, Ratt, Steve Miller Band, Norman Greenbaum, Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones on it.

Notice any theme there?


8. If you have or had a TIVO/DVR, what is or would be on it?

• Psych - a very funny buddy-buddy show,
  
• House - a drama that does comedy better than most sitcoms and I'm in love with #13 and the other hot chick on that show,
  
• Entourage - best show about guys being friends,
  
• Top Chef - amazing to see what they can do with each challenge,
  
• The Amazing Race - the best reality show about various relationships,
  
• The Hills - second best reality show about relationships,
  
• Greek - hot college chicks need I say more?, and 
  
• Friday Night Lights - some of the best acting and writing I've ever seen.
  

Really, if I had TIVO or DVR, I would record just about everything so I can watch it all while fast-forwarding past all the commercials and save a ton of time spent in front of the tv but those are the ones I can't miss.


1. What turns you on?

Confident women who know how to shake it on the dance floor. That and porn.


2. What turns you off?

Giggly girls. Nothing like a girl who giggles at everything for no reason at all to make Lil' Wayne sad.


3. What quality do you most appreciate in a friend?

Loyalty.


4. If you were to star in a movie, what kind of film would it be and who would it co-star?

I don't know if you could pigeonhole the type of movie I'd be in. It would be an action/adventure/drama/comedy/romantic comedy/sports/soft-core porn/foreign/hardcore porn/chick flick. The co-stars would be Jessica Biel, Monica Bellucci, Olivia Wilde, and Malin Akerman, Jack Black, Tom Hanks, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Rock, The Rock, Johnny Drama, and others.

Roger Ebert would give it a thumbs up calling it, "A film that will make you sit on the edge of your seat, laugh, cheer, cry, and just a bit horny. You will find yourself standing up and applauding at the end of this film. Wayne has arrived as the next Paul Newman. The greatest film of not only my generation but of all generations, past and future. An enthusiastic thumbs up!"


5. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck, because it's such a strong and versatile word. For instance, "Fuck, that was awesome!" Or "Fuck that sucks." Or "Let's fuck." Or "Fucking Austin."


6. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Hard question to answer because I truly believe I grew up in the Golden Age of cartoons. There was nothing cooler than Robotech or the Transformers. But I wouldn't name any of those as my one and only favorite. I would have to say that the classic Looney Tunes with Bugs Bunny and Co. was my favorite as a child.


7. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Baseball player.


8. What profession would you not like to do?

San Francisco Giants baseball player.


9. What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?

Hot chicks (can that count for just one thing?), laptop with internet connection - so I can visit all of my favorite sites, and a boat of some kind.


10. Which 3 people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party and what would you serve?

I would invite the aforementioned Olivia Wilde, Megan Fox, and a mountain ox for obvious reasons.

The menu for the night would include dishes containing aniseed, arugula, basil, chocolate, coriander, honey, pineapple, oysters, truffles, and wine for obvious reasons.

And maybe energy bars/drinks for after dinner so we can get it on all night long.


11. What would you like said at your funeral?

That fucker was alright.


12. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

What took you so damn long to get here?