Mama's House

I just thought since we all don't hang out or talk as much we should start updating and using this site again.... I'll start by wishing Mehran a Happy Birthday!! Any plans?

That was a question frequently asked as Mehran, Lindsey, and myself continued the new tradition of going out for a post-holiday hike.

Our first post-Christmas hike took place Saturday morning at the Sage Ranch Loop.

This is one of my favorite hikes to take my 5 year old grandson on. It's a short easy hike, with lots of spectacular rock formations to either view or carefully climb around on. There are picnic tables amongst an oak grove, which makes for a nice picnic spot. Highly recommended.

Mehran picked Sage Ranch, saying it was right by Tita Malou's. Ummm... not so much. We actually got a little bit lost driving our way to the trailhead. That's right, we got lost in a car, with printed directions, on our way to go hiking out in the wilderness. Not the best of starts. Granted we got lost because we came to a fork in the road.


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Instead of going left we went right. After a few winding miles steeply up, and after a couple of jokes about just getting out of the car to start our hike, Lindsey finally looked up directions on her iPhone and got us back on track with a newly scratched bumper on Mehran's car. The way over there isn't all too difficult so long as you keep in mind that you'll pass three of the largest white horses you'll ever see. Trust me on that.

So we get there, park, and come to this signpost.



Mehran being the honest man he is, did pay the iron ranger. We make our way up a paved road only to find more parking up there. Also up there is a bulletin board which we took a look at and that look would pretty much define our hike. On that board was a warning to be on the lookout for leaves of three and to leave them be. Apparently poison oak (what we would from then on refer to as poison ivy) is a presence to be wary of when hiking. Who knew?


No longer blissfully ignorant, we stopped at every damn plant we came across, took a close look, counted the leaves, and debated if it was poison ivy. Mehran and Lindsey were pretty adamant that 90% of the plants we encountered were poison ivy while I was fairly certain that none of it was. Yeah, I think we all can see where this is going.

Now poison ivy isn't that big of a deal really because the trails are usually cleared pathways which usually prevents one from coming into physical contact with any of the surrounding plants. Of course, that comes with the caveat that one actually stays on the trails.

Can you see what's coming now?

Long story condensed, we go off the trail; Lindsey and Mehran are extra careful in avoiding any skin contact with plants, which at times meant hands inside of sleeves and arms shielding faces from suspicious plants (every plant to Mehran and Lindsey); me recklessly going through the brush; taking in a view of Simi Valley; spotting a boulder teetering precariously above Simi Valley; and hiking to said boulder before turning back.

I would like to say with sweet irony that it was Mehran and Lindsey who ended up getting a skin rash but there was instead a bitter truth for yours truly.

EJ still hasn't picked a best man and has let it be known that the position is open to all candidates. He has implied if not explicated that he will choose his best man on the basis of how those candidates treat him in the lead up to the wedding.

Unfortunately, Jade and myself have been declared ineligible for this competition by the future Mrs. EJ. It may have something to do with bachelor party ideas that included a boat and taking it out to international waters. Therefore, I'll continue to treat EJ in the same crappy manner as I've always had. But any of the competing candidates should feel free to contact either Jade or I for bachelor party ideas.

Jayden playing basketball in his backyard as Annette and I watch on.

Me: Your kid actually shoots the ball the right way sometimes but he needs to learn how to do it consistently.
Annette: Yeah, my brother actually wants him on his team of 7 - 8 year olds and he's coaching his kids that right now. I wish my dad were still around because all he did with my brothers was teach them how to play basketball.
Jayden: Yeah Mom but he's dead now.

It's been almost half a year and we're finally ready! Come by for FREE food!

Who: Karen & Co, Joni & Co.
What: Read the blog title!
Where: Reseda, CA 91335
When: Noon - 3:15 PM (pending, 3:45 PM the very latest =D)
Why: FREE food! No alcoholic beverages available nor wanted. (We're responsible apartment owners =P)

Notice: Everyone is welcome. However, if you make a mess, then you must either clean up after yourself or help with our security deposit. Thank you!

UPDATE: Austin has already adopted a cat so forget the talking sense into him. The focus now turns to what that cat's name should be. Austin is trying to decide Flo and Chloe. I'm leaning towards a name that makes a statement like, Kitty That Took Away Austin's Manhood or KiTTAAM for short. Any other suggestions?

Austin is considering adopting a cat. Yes, a cat. Can somebody please talk some sense into the guy?

Now that EJ has finally manned up, the question turns to who we should next pressure into getting married? A few thoughts before I put up the poll.

It's much more fun to pressure someone currently in a long (and by long, I mean at least a year), committed relationship; so that leaves Mehran, Roland, and myself out. Seeing that tradition still has it such that it's the man's obligation to do the proposing, it make sense to apply pressure to one of the guys; so that makes Faye off limits. And I think it's more fun if we limit our peer pressure to family; so that takes Jason off the hook. So by that set of criteria we're left with Darryll, Austin, and Oliver.

Get to voting.

austinrf: Any news on the softball front?
austinrf: I have started training... I am going to be in tip top shape.
austinrf: I just need basic softball mechanics
Bruin7089: haha
Bruin7089: I just got the papers in the mail
Bruin7089: Our team so far is:
Bruin7089: Faye
Bruin7089: Jason
Bruin7089: Annette
Bruin7089: Jade
Bruin7089: Brian
Bruin7089: Annie
Bruin7089: You
Bruin7089: Me
Bruin7089: Sara is part time
austinrf: We need to re-think our pitcher approach
austinrf: EJ?
Bruin7089: EJ and Joni depend on what night we play
austinrf: ah
Bruin7089: Karen might also play
Bruin7089: and we definitely need to rethink pitching
austinrf: EJ is our Andruw Jones
austinrf: you'd think he'd be good
austinrf: or atleast decent
Bruin7089: dude
Bruin7089: you gotta go there
Bruin7089: why you gotta go there?
austinrf: I went there
Bruin7089: I'm about to call you our Eric Gagne
austinrf: hahahahahaha
Bruin7089: maybe Jason Schmidt
austinrf: OH FUCK NO
austinrf: I am furthest thing from Schmidt
Bruin7089: We put up with your prima donna antics
Bruin7089: and you don't even play
austinrf: Schmidt = pussy ass bitch
Bruin7089: due to "injury"
austinrf: Injury is over
austinrf: rehabilitated
austinrf: I am a bad ass softball playing machine

Looks like Austin is already getting up for softball. Is everyone else getting ready for a new season?

FYI: Jayden's first game is at Mason Park on Sunday January 11th @ 1pm.

Mama informed that people are going to come over tonight to pray for Papa. It's going to happen sometime after work hours. Mama will also be making arroz caldo for dinner. So dinner and a prayer tonight everyone? I'll make sure the heat is on.

Well if you follow me on Twitter you already know the big news. This is my account of how it all played out.

I arrive at Uncle Joji's with Mama and my mom way before everyone else does. We settle down and watch a little Deal or No Deal in progress with Tita Evie. It happens to be a very exciting episode, not so much because it prompted a game theory discussion between EJ and myself (it's all about expected value people!), but because the contestant was on her way to becoming the second person in the show's history to win one million dollars.

During the show, which was tediously drawn out, an opportunity arose for some good-natured ribbing. The opportunity presented itself in the form of a commercial for diamond jewelry. You probably all know the one I'm talking about, the one with the Israel, Antwerp, Bangkok references which always makes me think of a certain movie. Don't know the one yet? Well it's also the one that says, "You have a friend in the diamond business."

Anyway with EJ sitting next to me it was too good of yet another opportunity to needle him about his relationship with Sara about taking it to the next step. Basically I told EJ that I have a friend who can help him get a better deal than George Thompson by taking him to downtown LA if he wanted to get a ring anytime soon for someone special. And how did EJ respond? Like it was any other attempt by me at humor by goading him into marriage. He politely laughed it off with a slight hint of annoyance.

The night continued and EJ eventually left for Sara's to celebrate New Year's Eve with her and her family. Now for the critical part of this story. There wouldn't be much for me to post if not for the fact that Jayden went along with EJ and was told by Annette to return before midnight.

So EJ returns with Jayden and Sara in tow. We ended up playing video games to kill the time - Little Big Planet, not that impressive. Just before midnight we switch the tv to Dick Clark (the man was physically falling apart before our eyes and his speaking ability has sadly degraded) and Ryan Seacrest surrounded by "celebs" (what was Lionel Ritchie doing there with Taylor Swift, some Disney chick, and The Jonas Brothers?). We counted down with Dick Clark wondering if he was going to live to see 2009, popped some noise makers, kissed loved ones, drank some champagne, and shouted Happy New Year! Yet another celebration of a overrated lame "holiday."

And then things seemed to get even lamer when EJ popped in a DVD to the PS3. At first I thought he was popping in a movie but the tv showed that it was a slideshow featuring EJ and Sara. I then thought it was the Christmas gift EJ told me he was making for Sara on Christmas Eve and he was belatedly presenting it to her. Other first responses were:

"When I saw it was a slideshow of EJ and Sara, I thought, 'Ok, party over, let's all go home now.'" - Anonymous Cousin #1

"Why the f*** is EJ showing this now?" - Anonymous Cousin #2

"Wow, we get to see an awesome slideshow of EJ and Sara." - Sarcastic Cousin #1

"Well this is a great way to start the new year." - Sarcastic Cousin #2

"This family is kind of lame." - Oliver's girlfriend, Linda

On the menu screen of the DVD though, there was an option for either the slideshow or "a love poem." I shouted for love poem, thinking that it might at least be very embarrassing for EJ. But EJ said later for obvious reasons.

So the slideshow went on and many a pictures where shown of EJ and Sara with some lovey dovey background music. Most of us were politely paying attention, meaning we weren't really paying close attention at all and then all of a sudden a black background with white text (helvetica font I think) appears on the tv and with my polite attention I make out the words out of the corner of my eye, "Will you marry me?"

I start pointing at the tv, screaming like a teenage girl sighting her favorite Jonas brother cheering like a man watching his football team scoring a touchdown, telling everyone to pay more than polite attention to the tv screen. Jaws hit the floor with an audible thump. A "What the...!" was sounded out along with a full version of "OMG!". Sara said something along the lines, "Are you being serious?!" More cheering and clapping as everyone gets over the shock and up-to-speed of what's happening. I'm yelling at Sara to say yes! Then EJ gets down on his knee and pops the question as he slides the engagement ring on to Sara's finger. People say Sara said something along the lines of, "About time," or "Finally," - don't know if that was in response to the DVD or to EJ on bended knee. More cheering and clapping. Congratulations abound. Best New Year's day EVER!

And that, my dear readers, is my account of how EJ proposed to Sara.

Congratulations once again to EJ and Sara! Now instead of wondering when EJ was going to ask Sara to marry him, we can now begin counting down the days until EJ and Sara get married (soon as Sara picks a date of course), which is a much nicer way of passing the time.

Sorry, it's the only pic I could come up with of the two.

Other Notes:

• If Jayden had not gone with EJ to Sara's and if Annette had not insisted that he be returned before midnight, EJ would have proposed to Sara at Sara's place. Very fortunate for us indeed.
  
• EJ hid it very well up until the very last moment. Nobody had a clue.
  
• Sara says to expect a summer wedding in the year 2010. Making this over/under officially closed. Congratulations to the 7 voters who said they would marry before 2012.
• In EJ's love poem, he says he loves her more than Cal.  Now that's when you know it's true love people!
• EJ and Sara have been dating for 6 years.