Elevator

As I took the elevator to the third floor, I smell something slightly foul and uncomfortably familiar.

As the elevator putted along I wonder what that smell could be. I believed it was either vomit or old chicken parmigiana heavy ladded with smelly parmigiana cheese.

After the elevator stopped, I walked up to the waiting room front desk counter. Sitting at the end of the counter was an open bag of cheese popcorn.

I guess that was it.

Jeb Bush
The last person I'd vote for as President of the United States.


John McCain
Most likely the first person I'd vote for as President of the United States


John Edwards and Barrack Obama
People that I like but whom I feel our country is not ready for just yet. Maybe 2012.

Bill Gates and V for Vendetta

Two weeks ago I officially began my journey into Mr. Bill Gates' world of Microsoft. I'm currently enrolled in the IT academy at UNLV which is a Microsoft partner. I'm taking a series of seven courses that will give the experience and education to help get me certified as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

So far I really like the classes. The professor is good. He's got several accreditations and tons of hands-on experience. Being with him and the other students has been good. I'm also liking the class make-up and structure. With the exception of two peeople, all the students in the class are currently in IT. The cool thing is that many of the people are in the business and have proven themselves exponentially. However, they also see the benefit of taking these preparatory classes. That makes me more comfortable in dropping xK dollars for these classes. I'm relieved :-)

On another front, this past weekend MaryAnn, my mom and I watch V for Vendetta. I was impressed. It blew my expectations. I had expected the movie to be about some masked man going around killing people in the future. But to the contrary, that's not what the movie was about. It was actually very good and had obviously some great affects, and a really good story and some great acting.

I would liken V for Vendetta as a mix between The Matrix and 1984 (the movie).

Great photo. Great food.

I love octopus!

My Favorite Movies
Damn you Myspace

Ever since I joined myspace I've been nagged to figure out what 'my favorite' movies are. The reason being is that on my myspace profile, there is a section to list the titles of my favorite movies. So, ever since joining myspace, I've been trying to figure out what my fav's are.

After much thought and deliberation, please find below 'my favortie' movies -- or at least a partial list -- in no particular order:

Pirates of Silicon Valley

Finding Forester

Antwone Fisher

Goodwill Hunting

Barry Gordy's The Last Dragon

Dead Poets Society

The Matrix (1st and 3rd, not the second)

The War At Home

The Rock

La Babamba

Napolean Dynomite

The Sum of All Fear

Stand and Deliver

Philadelphia

The Island

Big Fish

Will someone please buy me this calendar?





To my Republican friends: this was in jest.

Prunes

I've been on this new diet for 9 days now--no, its not an all prune diet.

My diet consists of mostly organic meats, poultry, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

I'm called, however, to be completely wheat-free, dairy-free and grain-free.

I cheat a little though. Black coffee is tar to me, so I covet my half-and-half.

Since my food options are limited, I eat all sorts of fruits. Which brings me to prunes. I am finding that prunes' side-affects are 'multiple' bowl movements. Typically, I wouldn't mind: extra gas means more farts, more farts means more things to chuckle at.

However, there comes a time in a man's life when he is just plain tired of wiping his arse -- common...five bowl movements in one day. And worst yet, they day isn't even over yet.

I guess I may have to become prune-free too.

Crap!

Selling my car, going back to school

I've decided to sell my car.

If anyone is interested or knows someone who is interested in an Acura TL, 2004 w/ Navigation, automatic transmission, Granite Green exterior, Tan Leather interior, please let me know.

I haven't posted anything official yet on craigslist or elsewhere, but will being do so shortly.

I hope to use part of the money to payoff classes I'm taking towards the MCSE certification (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). With the remaining portion of money, I will put toward a nice used car.

Finally got an add!

A while ago I reluctantly joined myspace by creating my own page.

Since that time, I pursued one individual time after time to add me to his 'friend's list'. After many 'add me as a friend' requests, and an email asking to be added as a friend, I have been confirmed as a friend.

The person who runs the myspace page that I wanted in on is not the same person who the page is about.

The page I wanted so dearly to be on, because I respect his music so much, is "Israel Kamakawiwo'ole", also known as 'Bruddah Iz'

When you have a chance, take a listen to his stuff: http://www.myspace.com/israelkamakawiwoole

Oh, and to the person who finally added me -- thank you!

Rumsfeld Resigns

Early reports coming in say that an announcement will be given in a few minutes.

From 3 months to 1.5 months

Admittedly, going 1.5 months without blogging is a long time, but you can agree -- at least I hope -- that it is much better than going 3 months without blogging.

Our New Perro

To all those who submitted entries, thank you.

For those of you who wanted 'esteban'-- thank you -- unfortunately, you entry was not chosen. But please don't dispair, you're still a winner!

In case you have forgotten what the prize is, allow me to remind you:

* Grand Prize: Lifetime membership in babysitting our dog.

* Other prize winners: same prize as Grand Prize Winner.

Congratulations to all who participated!


What's That Doggy's Name in the Window?

We went for a real storng mexican name. We named him Nicolas Cage.


"'Nicolas cage', what type of damn hell name is that -- that's no mexican name?"

I know...I know...at the onset, Nicolas Cage doesn't seem 'too' mexican. But before you get your chones (spanish slang for underwear) all bunched up, I present to you this:

Nicholas Cage, the actor, is a "fine, handsome, specimen of a man", in my mother's eyes. We think she has secret crush on him--she watches all of his movies.

So, as a joke, we name him Nicolas Cage, but we call him 'Nico' for short.

Plus, we figured that 'Nico' sounds fairly mexican.

Three Months?

Time gapes me.

How insensitive! Not attending to my blog, what a shame.

But is it really the fault of time? Can time really be blamed? Or should I point the finger at myself? Can I be blamed for this?

Probably not.

The culprit, here, is unconventional. I blame my wife. Its all her fault.

There, I said it. Its my wife's fault. She is to blame for this.


Perros Calientes

"Last night, in a shaddy parking lot, of an East Las Vegas Jr. High school, our transaction went down.

She meet us there, with prodcut in hand.

We weren't sure what to expect. We questioned whether or not the product was legit. How many times do you actually get quality from a one-marked vouch proprietor?

Thank the lord, the prodcut was good. It looked clean and smelled sweet.

We were lucky. All things could have gone to hell. With cops and other consumers all around. We were lucy that no one screwed the pooch."

-------

The above rant is one of the many musings in my mind. Its all a rouse just to say, we got a new dog!

Here are some pixs:










Name that Dog

Yes, folks....we need helpnaming that dog. The dog doesn't have a name yet.

Feel free to pass along some suggestions. There are only three criterias:

1. the name must be a strong mexican name and must be in spanish
2. It's a boy dog, so please only suggest boy names.
3. We are under no obligation to accept the name provided to us, but if we do accept a suggested name, the suggestor will win one free "babysit the Avendano's dog, sitting session."


Name on!

Is it really her fault?

Okay, okay. Its not my wife's fault that I have not blogged in the last three months. I made it up. Sorry, honey.

The truth is, its the Dog's fault!

Enjoying maui, part II

Its a lazy afternoon here in maui. Which was needed after this morning's sunrise tour to the volcano.

I wish I could say we were up at the butt crack of dawn, but to do so is a huge understatement.

This morning we got up at the crack of the butt crack of dawn. At 2:00 am we were up and getting ready to meet our tour guide in the lobby of the hotel.

1 hour later we were at a local convinence store buying coffee and looking for a snack to eat.

After settling for some boring pastry next to the donought island we made our way to the counter. And while paying, to my surprise, I got the biggest treat of my early morning life. Behind the counter were piping hot fresh Manapuas.

I couldn't believe it, this convinent store had fresh manapuas.

I love me some manapuas.

If you don't know what manapuas are let me explain.

Manapuas are white in color and resemble pizza dough balls prior to being cooked. However, manapuas are fully cooked and in the center of them are filled with one of many fillings. The one I had this morning had a traditional filling of pork.

Bitting into a manapua has no comparisson. Although I will say this, the meat filling is fabulous and the dough salty and sweet flavor.

I didn't share any of my manapua with MaryAnn, altough she did offe me some of the pastry we bought. I didn't see the need to offer since she probalt wouldn't have like it anyways. Nonetheles, why chance it to only find out she really does like 'em? Then I'm stuck trading half of my manapua for some day old stale pastry.

-- Ramon

P.S. The sunrise and the volcano were cool, we got lots of pictures.

--------------------------
Ramon Avendano
via BlueBerry

Enjoying maui

We are in our second day in maui and are enjoying the traditionally popular event: relaxing in a cabana on the beach in front of our hotel.

Sex is GOOD.

More details to come.

--------------------------
Ramon Avendano
via BlueBerry

Desires

I told MaryAnn the other day that I want to learn to play the piano. I think deep down-inside me, I believe, I have a hidden talent -- a prodigy, of sorts.

Now, I'm not saying I'm a prodigy. But I have a craving and yearning to deeply express myself via the piano.

There's something mysterious about engaging your whole body, mind and soul into an activity that when done right, produces some phenomenal music.


Saturday (June 17) is 4 days away

Four days and counting...

Since our wedding date has approached the 'days' instead of the 'months', I've been keeping a running count.

Today is precisely four days away till I marry her and she marries me.


A future Hope

The future hope of us getting married is so soon and so far away. These last few days seem to wallow in drudgery. And in turn, these last four days seem "to soon" to get married.

This future hope of marriage is a ubiquitous euphoria that one day will realize itself. To get to that day requires work. Some of that work has been joyful. Other parts have been tedious.

My running count of joyful vs. tedious right now has tedious winning 5 to 1.

Now before I get strung up by my toes for making such an "insensitive" remark...I say as Jesus said:

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

So, we too will forgot our 'tedious' pains of getting married and then one day soon celebrate with joy!

12 days

Some days are easy, some days are hard.

Its hard for me to completely comprehend that we...that...I...are...am...getting married.

I know we are getting married, but it is hard for me to comprehend that we are getting married.

12 days remain. I know there is great beauty ahead. And I know there is hardship ahead as well.

There is joy and there is pain.

I stand at the crest, dawning a new time.

I think of the disciples becoming disciples, for the first time since their natural birth they would know a new life -- one packed with joy and pain.

 

I'm sure they welcomed they joy and squirmed off the idea of pain. But as they grew in Christ, they somehow, God-led, welcomed the pain.

 

Us too. May we welcome the joy and may we not dwell on the future pains. Rather, may we accept them and deal with them as they come.

 

This I need help in.
 

Where to start?

Today was better than yesterday.

Yesterday was filled with much anxiety, fear and just plain believing some lies. I often forget God's words in trying times. And at times, I fail to put God's word into practice.

Life.

The last 10 monts have brought some great joy and some trying times. Since August:

- We sold my house by UNLV

- MaryAnn and I got engaged

- We've been planning a fat wedding -- fat to be understand as "damn...this is hard, overwhelming stuff"

- We've bought a new house

- We've been furnishing the new house

- We've moved MaryAnn in

- We had some hard fights, but well-learned lessons

- We've come to love each other so much more

- We get married in 18 days


Car accident.

The new car is out of commision for another 15 days.

On Friday, May 12, some guy wasn't watching and rear-ended me on the intersection of Green Valley Parkway and the I-215.

As of yet, a rental car has not been provided by his insurance. But thank God, my mother allows me to drive her boat (Mercury Grand Marqui)

Dinner tonight.

This evening I'm having dinner with MaryAnn and some guy she was 'Best Friends' with in High School. She hasn't seen him since high school and was recently reunited with him.

I'm told that there was nothing ever romantic, but I'm curious to see how things play out this evening. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but what if he comes out and says "I need to tell you that ...." -- you fill in the blanks.

But like I said, I'm sure it'll be fine. Really, I'm sure he is cool.

Nonetheless, we are having dinner at one of my favorite cuban places. 'Rincon Criollo' has the best Cuban food at the best prices.

Immigration Issue

In light of it, please remember, we are human.

Here is a spanish song by the group Mana that I have translated.

Pobre Juan

Juan se lanzo marchandose al norte
iba en busca de una vida digna
cruzando Mexico por valles y por montes
iba Juan lleno de fe.

La historia es que Juan se iba a casar
con Maria embarazada
pero el no tenia ni un centavo
ni un clavo que darle.

Pero este Juan iba muy decidido
y a la frontera el llego con todo el filo.

Se conecto con el mero mayor de los coyotes
y la historia le conto:

Mire usted que yo quiero cruzarme ya
a San Diego o Chicago,
digame usted lo que hago
que precio le pago.

Juan ya nunca regreso,
en la linea se quedo,
pobre Juan
o la migra lo mato
o el desierto lo enterro,
pobre Juan.

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Juan le enseno al coyote
una foto de Maria
con la cual se casaria,
le prometio que el regresaria
para formar todo un hogar.

Pero el coyoto a Juan lo traiciono
dejandolo al olvido,
de tres balas se tronaron a Juan,
pobre de Juan,
no regreso

no, oh.

Juan ya nunca regreso,
en la linea se quedo,
pobre Juan
o la migra lo mato
o el desierto lo enterro,
pobre Juan
y Maria lo fue a buscar
y ella nunca lo encontro,
desaparecio,

oh...

Poor Juan

Juan marched north
he sought a dignified life
crossing Mexico's mountains and valleys
full of faith Juan went

The story is that he was to be married
with Maria pregnant
he had not one cent in his pocket
nor one pot, nor window

But our Juan, determined, he went
He arrived at the border amongst all the others in line

Talking to the best of the best Coyotes, Juan told his story:

"Understand, I want to cross
to San Diego or Chicago, I don't care
tell me what I should do
what must I pay?"

Juan never returned
at the border he stayed
Poor Juan
Immigration killed him
the desert swallowed his body
Poor Juan

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Juan showed the Coyote
a photo of Maria
the one he is to marry,
he promised to return
establishing a new home

But the Coyote betrayed Juan
Forgetting about Juan
with three bullets they shoot Juan
Poor Juan
he did not return

oh, no.

Juan never returned
at the border he stayed
Poor Juan
Immigracion killed him
the earth ate his body
Poor Juan
And Maria went looking for him,
never finding him, he disappeared,
oh...

As a side note:

If certain legislation is passed, I guees I might become a felon.

My father was illgeal at one time and I aided him.

Do I get to go to jail for that?

If so, bring it on!

Mariachi Band?

I'm looking for one that is reasonably priced and available June 17, 2006.

Please do not send me any leads that will cost me $850/hr.

Thanks.

Ramon

Missing my father
Johnny Cash, Hurt

On an island of all bequeath things

I stand along with thee

You sit with me

a cloud of witnessing things

How could it be

arrived on an island of all bequeath things

The road you traveled landed me here

I'm surrounded by water

I look to the sky to see the stars

You've bequeath me to this island

traversing the desert you landed me here

The island I stand

nothing in common with the desert you traveled

traversed, two million miles away

I look up to the sky

There the star that shined

All the same

When you were alive

Sitting in the car

you told me that you were sorry

Sorry for not giving more than what you did

How could I ask for me --

although I myself thought wanted more

All I need is you

you are not the one who sat in the recliner this morning

who does he think he is

He has no idea of what he did
he has no idea of what he did

You are the one to sit in the chair
you are the one to sit in the chair

No one else can sit there

How he dare.

MySpace

I don't know why I did this, but I did.

Here you go: click here

Very good wine

Rosa regale sparkling red (Italy)
--------------------------
Ramon Avendano
via BlueBerry

Today I am 30

30 years ago this day around 10 a.m. I was born :-)

Am I supposed to make a speech since I am 30 now?

Happy Birthday, me!

Makes me sad

I was making a lunch run today and ran into friend/aquantense of my brother's.

He made some comments that were odd for him. Although he has never spoken ill of my brother to me, today, he had something nice to say about my brother. But, he said it in a slightly depricating tone, that as I drove back to the office it hit me--this guy is depressed.

It makes me sad that he is depressed. I've know him for many years.

Its easy to spot someone who is depressed, when you yourself have been depressed.

I need to pray for him. He is Jewish by culture and is agnostic by religion.

I pray for the healing of his heart, mind and soul. I pray that all blinding factors be removed. I pray for his soul to be free and lifted of malice. And that repentance be the condition of his heart. I pray for a grace that props him up like the ocean props up ships.

Proposed. Engagement.

I was told today by one of my co-workers that I now have a fiancé.

"Interesting and scary", I thought. Just 24-hours ago I had a girlfriend.

Last night I gave the talk/sermon/talk at the gathering. I spoke on faith.

The main idea of the talk was to look at the perspective of faith...not the idea of faith, but rather, the object of our faith -- Jesus.

I'm not quite sure how good of a job I did. There were a few moments where I blundered and forgot to say some things. In addition, I'm not sure how effective the talk was, so I'm not quite sure how well it was received. My hope was that it hit the home of everyone's heart. If that happened, then I am happy.

Last night's talk had two purposes: give a talk on faith and then make a transition to propose to MaryAnn in presence of our community.

Toward the end of my talk, I spoke on the idea of faith and marriage--and my internal/mental struggles with it. As I made the transition into that realm, I asked MaryAnn to stand up and look toward the back on the sanctuary. At first she was reluctant and asked "why". I responded with "just turn around."

When she did, she saw her entire family sitting in the last row. That was one of my gifts to her. I thought it to be a good to sneak her family into the sanctuary and be present for the proposal.

Upon seeing her family, she immediately knew what was coming next. But instead of proposing to her, I continued talking a wee-bit longer. I proceeded to thank Greg for the opportunity and then spoke to the crowd. In the mean while, MaryAnn was on the edge of her seat--rooting me on--to hurry up with the proposal. It was actually quite cute.

So, then, I said, walking toward her, "I've never done this before ... umm...MaryAnn, can I have your hand in marriage."

I'm thankful she said yes. Phew!