Cant get much crazier than this.

Very interesting weekend and Monday to be quite honest. I finally decided between the two job offers that I had. I started my first day today only to HATE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I was so miserable. I finished out the day and called the job that I turned down to accept it. I hadnt actually turned the job down, I just hadnt responded yet. They were happy to have me. Same pay, less hours, but NO stress. I think I will do alright. Of course the most important paintball tournament of the year, Huntington Beach, is next weekend. The last practice before the tournament was on Sunday. I was so stressed about the job choice that my head wasnt in the game. I made stupid decisions on the field and took a lot of bad hits. Basically I looked like crap. I got my feet under me finally towards the end of the day and pulled some pretty good runs but it wasnt enough to make up for the morning. I got texts from the team captain and another player consoling me on the trouble I had but asking my not to let them down come Friday. I know that I am a great player and I just had a bad day. I would never let my team down but now another problem arises. If we as a team do well, Im the hero. If the team does poorly, I feel like secretly some blame would be put on me for the performance at the last practice. Thats a lot to deal with. Im not a stranger to intense situations and I always want the lead when the games on the line. The way that the Huntington field is setup allows my position to either make or break the entire game. Either way you cut it, all eyes will be on me come Friday.

Katy gets attacked by a shark

While exploring the undiscovered realms of the Aquarium of the Pacific, my unsuspecting roommate Katy falls prey to the most vicious predator that ever existed.

Howie Gato "el Pato"

This is how you say Howie "the Duck" in Spanish. Do not be confused with "Domo arigato el Pato" which would mean "Hello duck" in a wierd fusion of Japanese and Spanish. Also keep in mind the phrase "Howie Gato, Mr Roboto". This actually makes no sense unless you place a question mark at the end in which it would say "How is your cat, Mr Robot?" What about "Howie gato, Mr. Pato?" (How is your cat, Mr. Duck?) I would have to say that my all time favorite Spanish/English conglomeration would have to be the most infamous quote from the movie "Short Circuit" when Johnny 5 joins a street gang and proudly exclaims, "Los Locos kick your ass, Los Locos kick your face, Los Locos kick your balls into outer space!"

An Unscheduled Vacation.

What happens when you leave your job unexpectedly during an economic recession. Normally an unemployed person would hit the streets running with their resume to rejoin the rat race, coffee coursing through their veins and a wild look in their eye. Here is a breakdown of my first unemployed Monday since 1995...

8:00am- alarm goes off.

8:05am- backup alarm goes off

11:00am- finally get up

11:05am- jump on roommates bed because I am bored.

11:15am- exhausted from bed jump so I play with the cats for a while. Cats are noticeably confused as to why I am home but happy nonetheless. Howie "the duck" gets so excited that he poops.

1:30pm- breakfast at pancake house

2:30pm- job search is delayed because the Aquarium of the Pacific sounded like more fun.

6:00pm- gym, massage, beer, shower, beer, beer, taquito, beer

8:00pm- millionaire matchmaker marathon on direct tv

8:30pm- asleep on couch

Okay, so the job search was not a high priority but I certainly needed a day to myself to relax and reflect. On Tuesday I called two prospective employers, attended one interview, Wednesday attended another interview, Thursday was a working interview, and I will make my decision by tomorrow. I am so happy that my skillset and qualifications even in a global financial recession are still very important and needed. Not many people do what I do at the level at which I do it. I know that sounds cocky but I like it that way. Who else out there do you know is taking a day to decide which of the only two jobs they interviewed with will become their new employer? It feels good to be in the power position. I almost forgot, I also upgraded my Indy 500 tickets and bought some clothes. Ah, what a life. Viva la California!

Note to Future Employers...

If you tend to use four letter words when speaking to your employees, especially while you are angry, do not expect them to show up to work the following day. Appreciate your staff and take great care of them. They are the legs that you stand on and that position demands respect. I think that Flight of the Conchords said it best when....

Interesting

Its interesting, Ive noticed...maybe you have as well. In a social situation, do people talk to animals (pets and whatnot) to feel better in an awkward situation or when they have nothing to say? Is that one reason people have pets? To be able to have someone to refer to and take the pressure off of a conversation? It would be like taking a one on one convo and turning it into something else. Could that be the reason why people think that if a man or woman that they date do not like their pet then they are ineligible for a second meeting? I wonder if vets have a high risk of social anxiety disorders. I wonder if social anxiety disorder runs higher in demographics who own pets. Its a theory to be considered. For your consideration, Smitty.

New Events

Its been an interesting weekend so far for me emotionally. My good friends Mel and Laura called me tonight out of the blue and we hung out at Fred's Cantina and had some tacos. Ive been chilling indoors today since the lack of sunshine prevented me from enjoying the outdoors. My best friends today have been Corona Extra, Michelob Ultra, Pixxie Princess, and Howie Duck. Interesting how beers are given names to make them seem more grand. Terms like extra, ultra, select, and high life (the "champagne" of beers) just make it sound more glamorous to drink on your day off. Its kind of like cigarettes being called light, ultra-light, and red. I digress from my point though. Can you really be satisfied completely at any point in your life? I try to avoid controversy at all costs but it seems that no matter how good or bad a situation that I am in seems, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel or a wrench thrown into the plan. I love the light but despise the predicament that I get in to start with. I refrain to elaborate any further than this tonight. We will see what Sunday morning will bring for me. Hopefully I can resolve my personal strain and make sense of the direction that I have been pulled in recently. Furthermore, is it alright to give your personal contact info to girls you may be interested in at your place of business? I know this is off topic but it opens up a moral and emotional wormhole for me.

Paintball returns to Huntington Beach!

Im back in the game kids! After a long 5 month break from tournament paintball due to an unfortunate illness, I have once again been working with a new team for the 2009 USPL, Riot Series, and WCPPL events. Ive been practicing with them for about 2 months and will debut at the first event of the season which just happens to be the largest and most popular tournament paintball event in the world, the USPL Huntington Beach Open! Everyone come and watch me and my team, TL/Revolt as we prepare to storm the beach and take no prisoners. April 3-5...more details as the event draws near!

Howie "the Duck's" first week

Here is a copy of the email I sent to Howie's adoption agency who saved him from the sausage factory. She wanted to know how he and Princess Pixx are getting along. The best song for this letter would be Morning Jacket's "Highly Suspicious"...

Hi there! Thanks for following up with Howie. Its been a busy week for the three of us but a good one overall! Of course both of you know that my worst fear going into this was how Pixxie would react to the new kid on the block. Just as I suspected, it was a standoff for a few days. Usually ending with Pixxie hissing in disgust and hiding under the bed. My roommate actually loved it because she slept with her until Tuesday. Finally by Wednesday Id enough of the civil war so I came up with a compromise. I fixed Pixxie's favorite treat (tuna water) and gave both of them a bowl of it placed about 5 inches apart. Howie had no problem digging in but Pixxie held back for a minute. Finally the temptation won her over and it was more important to eat than be grumpy. A few nose rubs (by Howie) and butt sniffs (by Pixxie) and they were best friends. This is where the trouble starts, haha. They have taken over my closet. This seems to be Howie's fortress of
solitude. I have arranged his food, water, and bed in the corner of the closet and he does what he pleases. He even decided that he would rather have his own buddah catbox so he can #2 in peace and quiet. They trade off from time to time depending on what mood they are in. They both occupy a bed during the day and an arm of the couch after I come home. Howie was a little smelly after a few days so he got a good bath. He just let me wash him with no problems. Pixxie actually peeked into the tub the whole time and whined as if she thought she was next. She was.
Overall I think that the only one of us that had no problem acclimating was Howie himself. If he wants to get up on the couch or bed he just does it. If he wants to get off we just pat the floor in front of him so he knows how far he has to go and makes the leap. He navigates between legs of people and chairs without bumping into anything and as long as you talk to him before any sudden loud noises, he is not startled by the hair dryer, vacuum, or television. It has really been interesting to see how he operates on a day to day basis and we dont even tell people he cannot see until they play with him a while. Afterwards they cannot believe it. Attached are a few pics of his base camp in the closet and his bath time festivities. If you would like to come visit him just let me know and I would be more than happy to accommodate either of you. Until next time, take care. -Will






Bathtime!!

A Mexican Standoff in Laguna

Ok, first of all...whose bright idea was it to allow Kayne West to "sing" on American Idol tonight? Didnt we just get over the tragic news that he may be lip syncing and playing voice overs on SNL? (Turn my blog music player to Seal's "Future Love Paradise" right now to hear a real singer) Kanye is NOT a singer. He also is not a good performer. To be quite frank, he is not even a good person. I dont like anything the man stands for. I think he is pretentious and fake. Furthermore, whose bright idea was it for his mother to get a facelift before fixing the field goal between her teeth? I understand that she passed after the surgery and I respect the dead but damn guys! The best facelift in the world does not help when you can park a Cadillac in someones mouth.

Ok, back to reality...tonight in the ever changing world of Howie the blind cat and Pixxie the princess, I came up with the most ingenious idea. What if I were to open a can of tuna and give each of them a small bowl. What if then I place the bowls an inch away from each other? Brilliant! Howie the duck even finished his first and then dug into Pixxie's much to her dismay. The Kids are getting along much better. It seems like only yesterday Howie was locked in my room making number 2 on my Ikea shag rug and now they are sharing canned fish like a couple of trailer park Eskimos. He is much less work than I imagined and I am quite impressed at his adaptation to his disability. Pictures to come as fast as I can download!

Howie "the Duck"

News flash: Howie "the Duck" will make his appearance at my residence for the first time tomorrow afternoon. To refresh your mind about Howie, he is the blind cat that I saved from an animal euthanization shelter last week and will welcome into our family. We cant wait to take care of you and are anxious for your arrival!

I miss last weekend, will this week? ever? end?

Its Tuesday and Im already stressed to the max. Let me rant about it a little bit. By the way, this forum is by no means just a place for me to complain about my day but Im making an exception this time. Once before, an ex girlfriend told me that a great way to relieve stress over someone would be to write them a letter, seal it, stamp it, and then never send it. In fact, burn it. I did just that and Ill tell you what....I should have mailed it. Such a wasted effort on my part to open the wound a little more just to try to cauterize it with a cigarette lighter and a trash bin.
Ive opened up my blog in two tabs on the computer simply because Seal and Jeff Beck's cover of Hendryx's "Manic Depression" is playing and I cannot interrupt the great vibes that it is giving me right now. While you are reading this I suggest you click it and turn it up. (treble up and bass down obviously to be respectful of the way Hendryx intended it to be listened to). Such a funky groove when the guitar breaks down into some flat eight notes and ethereal squeals at about 2:40 into the track.
On a lighter note, I love the American Idol contestant tonight, Scott the blind guy. This goes right along with my brainstorming on whether to adopt my own little blind wonder, Howie the wonder cat. Yes there was a pun intended with the Stevie Wonder reference. For those of you that got it, congrats. For those that didnt, push button/recieve bacon.

Hes got to be one to remember. Im on the verge of calling the cat adoption agency and green lighting Howie pretty soon. Ive just got one hurdle to jump over and her name is Pixxie. She is sitting in my lap right now watching me type about this. Thank goodness she cannot read. (Time for Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Lenny"....please keep up with your selekta's selections) Im so worried about how they will get along. Will he be able to find the litterbox? Will I worry about them when Im gone? Am I up for the challenge? The answers are; I hope so, yes, and of course!
Ehhhh, enought for now. Finish up with Stevie and have a great night.

Blind cats

The search for my new pet continues...or has it ended. Today Katy and I had a meet and greet with Howie, a blind cat. He was the most lovable thing I have ever seen and Im pretty sure that we will pick him up and take him home. Im just so concerned about how Pixxie will react to the new member of the house. Howie was interesting because of course a blind animal has to rely more on other senses to get around. He walked in circles a lot. He was very anxious of any noises. He growled and hissed at a chair at one point. I was very attracted to his "pilot" ear. He points one of his ears forward so that he can hear better. He also tests the ground a lot with his paw before stepping. Ive never had a cat hug me before but this one gets a grip and holds on for the ride. Were making the decision this week and may just go for it.

311 am

its 3:11am. Ive just had Denny's and ive snuck into Katy's room to blog. shhhhhhhhhh