- Mid-week 'toons - Wednesday, September 29, 2004 One of the stops on our 'Tour of Cali' this past weekend was Long Beach, CA. Lupes and I were killing time before meeting up with Molls (who was driving up from San Diego), and we decided to check out Rusty's home rink in Lakewood. They were having practice that night, so we saw Wilma whippin' them all into shape, including some that we refer to as "mini-short trackers". A few of those kids looked young enough to barely be out of diapers, I was shocked! They were blazing down the stretch, crossing over, and swooshing around the ice like maniacs! There were a crowd of parents, maybe about 15, sitting in the bleachers as me and Lupes took a seat to watch. Man, it made me miss short track season even more. Lakewood has a pretty good sized club, and they were doing their drills and making us older 'wannabe skaters' look really bad. I've drawn another Apolo 'toon, just to help me get stoked about the upcoming season. Click to Enlarge Work week is almost over, people!

posted by April @ 9:29 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- That's it, where's my high-top keds? - Great. I've gone and done it. Poisoned my feeble brain yet again. The Teenybopper deep inside this grown woman's body is kickin' my ass this week. It's not fair that seeing one New Kid live can make a recovering NKOTB addict relapse. Well, now we have this evil technology called the World Wide Web. And I can't believe I found it. My favorite pic of Jon Knight; had no clue it would be floating around on the net! I had this pic (which I had cut from a magazine) in my school binder forEVER. I have found the freakin'... holy grail. I feel a wave of NKOTB mania trying to come on. *insert pre-teen squealing here* *slaps forehead* ARGH! OH, and Lupes, I found the pic of Jordan I was telling you about. Driving home from LA, I told her that there was this pic of Jordan that I LOVED, and my aunt (only 11 years older) at the time had the poster of this photo. She, too, was into wearing those nifty black rubber bracelets. I remember it like yesterday, she snatched this poster from Big Bopper Magazine *giggle*. God, I lived for that Mag! Sweet Liberty! This was the hottest poster of the 80's. Damn, that JK was a fine-ass mofo and single-handedly created the 'need to laminate'. There's still something somewhat frightening about a man with positively perfect hair. And, lastly, can't finish without the best group shot: Ok, I've lost it.

posted by April @ 2:38 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- 'Block'heads reunite - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 I don't even know how to begin, this weekend was incredible. Molls breaks down the whole play-by-play, but I just have to say how many memories came flooding back on sunday. I did so much driving, and we bounced from Visalia to LA to San Diego to Anaheim and back to LA again. On our drive to the House of Blues in Downtown Disney, we were playing the Jordan Knight NKOTB remix cd and re-living all the craziness of the late 80's. Back in the day, the Knight brothers were definitely my faves - of course, Jonathan being my biggest crush. I wasn't ever able to attend a New Kids concert during the height of it all, so this was my first time seeing a New Kid live and Whoa...what a trip. I know that most of the New Kids have kept busy, pursued ventures in other areas, but I really commend Jordan for sticking with the New Kid fans that are still out there, just waiting to be reminded of those amazing times when all that mattered was school work and NKOTB. As Jordan was on stage, he mentioned to the crowd that he realized the majority of the fans there were from the NKOTB days, and he thanked us all for still showin' the love after all these almost 14 years (yikes!) We met two super cool girls, RaeAnn and Kerry, in the long line and talked about our NKOTB adventures. I wish I would have kept my old Bop, Tiger Beat, and Teen Beat mags with the New Kids pics in them, since we saw tons of girls that brought their New Kids dolls, trading cards, posters, you name it. He sang all the great songs that I remember singing on the way to school, my favorites being The Right Stuff, My Favorite Girl, and Step by Step. I also loooooved Please don't go, Girl, but I know that's a "Joey Mac" song, lol. I was really impressed, Jordan put on a great show and used the nostalgia (some remixed with really phat beats) to connect with the crowd. Well, connecting with the part of the crowd that was coherent - this chick in front of us had potted herself with what seemed like 30 drinks and barely knew who was on stage. I was almost wondering if Lupes, Molls, and I were in the same concert, because it sure felt like we were the only freaks completely falling and crawling down memory lane that night! Molly was in 'single tears' when he sang Baby, I believe in You, and Lupes wanted to high-kick the girl that he brought up on stage with him! Shoot, we ALL did! But by far, the best moment? Jordan breaking out the patented "Right Stuff" dance. OMG! It was almost like we couldn't help ourselves. The teenybopper deep inside that never quite leaves for good just came barreling out, and yes, we did that dance right along with him. For a second, I flashback to the birthday parties w/ friends were we'd rent all the New Kids concerts on tape, and spend hours learning songs and the moves...I swear I felt 13 again. I know it's a stretch, and they don't even have to get back together as a band and sing, but I would so love it if the New Kids would just have a reunion meet and greet, just so the fans can see them all together again. I was searching online and found a fansite for Jonathan Knight and HOLY CRIPES, he looks even better now! I can't believe I fell for the oldest group member, but he still looks amazing. I also read on the site that Jordan had a concert in Florida and *dies* Jon was there!! It's so freakin' weird to open up these old emotions and excitement again after putting them aside for so long. The New Kids made such an impact on so many lives, whether they realized it or not. I had the time of my life, and I was so glad to be able to share it with these two fellow Blockheads.

posted by April @ 3:59 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Those Krazy Kali Girls - Saturday, September 25, 2004 I got into Visalia, CA. last night. I made it in record time, despite the traffic! Lupes and I will be heading for San Diego this afternoon for the San Diego Pacific Islander Festival, where we'll meet up with the other Krazy Kali girl. Tomorrow is Jordan Knight at the House of Blues in Anaheim. This is going to be off the chain, I just know it. I'm getting all giddy and also getting some scary flashbacks of my NKOTB days, lol. He better sing "This one's for the children" - I would just die.

posted by April @ 10:34 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- It's OVER - Thursday, September 23, 2004 I just finished my Computer Science Mid-term about 15 minutes ago. Man, that's a load off, for sure. Now, with one hurdle jumped and in the background, I need to: 1. Finish painting the trim of my room 2. Somehow get my ass to Anaheim, CA at the House of Blues to see Jordan Knight (aka the brother of my one-time-future ex husband, Jon Knight) I was so deprived, I never got the chance to see NKOTB live before - parents wouldn't let a young 4th grader crowd surf, so this may be the closest thing. Lupes, give me a holla - Molls, give me a holla once again (this time I'll answer it).

posted by April @ 6:07 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Just breathe in the paper bag - Tuesday, September 21, 2004 Ugh! Double shift at work, and I just realized that I had to inhale two meals. Yeah, my tummy is not liking me today. Any chance I can do the clone thing and finish painting my room, study for mid-terms, AND get some exercise in all in about, hmmm, 4 hours? Oh. Didn't think so.

posted by April @ 5:20 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Random Monday - Monday, September 20, 2004 - Love is finding the most confortable cords, khakis, and dickie-style slacks at Old Navy. *le sigh* - I miss the short track chicas, Madison can't come soon enough. - Congrats to Jo-izy on her new job! - Have mid-terms on thursday :-( Shall be the studying fool til then. - Websites, websites, and websites! I must have lost my damn mind long ago, but it's been more fun everytime. - Happiness is losing almost 15 lbs since June, and dropping 5 dress sizes. More important, I feel so healthy again.

posted by April @ 4:59 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Gray Sunday - Sunday, September 19, 2004 Picture it. Weeks, Months go by and there's no apparent end to the searing summer heat, despite what the calendar tries to persuade. Women and children simultaneously melting on the sidewalks, stray dogs and cats engulfed with flames as they attempt to hide under your parked car for shelter, only to then set your overheated automobile on fire. You sweat. Everyday. All day. Two showers, 5 showers, it don't make no difference. Now mid-way through September, it seemed as though that distant hope of 'relief' was never to come to SummerItIsAllYearLong, CA. But, wait! Hark! Do I see, should I utter it? O-O-Overcast? "Psh...it can't be" was my smug reply. How dare the weather here in GiveMe4Seasons4TheLoveOfGod, CA. insult my intelligence like this. We don't even start to recover from third degree burns until mid-October...yet, I see clouds? I didn't get my hopes up. Maybe it was just the result of the neighbors unsuccessfully cooking things on the BBQ. I couldn't be sure. Well, just before I nearly ran to the street to immediately start doing a rain dance, to my shock (and the neighbors relief) I didn't have to pull out my 'gansta lean' and threaten the sky to 'bring it!' BurningTilOctober, CA. was instantly Seattle, WA. Holy Cripes! What is this liquid substance falling from the sky? So while in Starbucks doing homework and sayin' "Hey" to Ednil & Nate, I periodically would lift my head to look at the tall window next to my table in the corner - wow. OneDegreeCoolerThanHell, CA. was getting the drink it has long deserved and I felt a smile creep onto my face to see the rain. Absence makes the heart grow frickin' impatient, so the rain was a beautiful sight for sore, previously burning eyes. It felt good to not have to take 59 showers today, not to mention saved me time. Now, I can't be sure tomorrow will be the same, or that I won't attempt a 'gansta lean' again (yeah, sad but true), but at least today was productive, and with the help of melodic rain hitting the Starbucks windows, calm and peaceful.

posted by April @ 8:49 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- WTF? Friday: Glad it's not Thursday - Friday, September 17, 2004 I am a moron. Now, my moronic tendencies show their fugly head more often these days then I'd like to admit, and I thought I was getting better. The work week is one big Hurricane Ivan to me, so usually I just start at Monday and count to 5 and WOO HOO, here comes my weekend. I was in a meeting today, and all the while thinking it was thursday. No Joke. I have end of the week loose ends to tie up at work, and I'm just ho-huming around while the funny looks begin. Thank God for the calender in the break room that so rudely reminded me it was Friday. WTF? This has truly been a WTF? 'it's Friday' Friday.

posted by April @ 5:39 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- It's all good - Thursday, September 16, 2004 Literally. I ain't got no dirt. Things have been going pretty smooth lately. I've been chatting with a ton of great people, and I'm so excited for the future. I made a decision to let the craziness fall where it may, and just feel blessed to know things are great, that I know where I stand, and I have amazing friends. I had a co-worker ask me about the World Cup in Madison, which almost blew me off the desk. Word spreads fast, apparently, and she found out that I was taking time off for Thanksgiving week for another short track trip. Now, almost no one at my work really knows about my 'hobby'. Granted, 90% of them are 20 yrs + my senior, so let's just say it's never come up in conversation. But my boss has really been interested and intrigued ever since during an evaluation meeting, I sort of laid it all out. I'm lucky to have nothing but support on this, and people that are extremely happy for me. I'm still living in a daze, of course. The past 2 months have literally blown my mind, and has made me even more humble. Who am I anyway? Nobody, really. I'll just go along with enjoying what feels like someone else's life, just continue to stick with my gut feelings: let my hard work and honesty speak for itself. So, ladies, what's on the menu for Thanksgiving?

posted by April @ 4:43 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- The newest Washington Post-a-holic - Tuesday, September 14, 2004 Since re-discovering Washington Post columnist, Dave Barry, a few weeks ago, I've been completely hooked on reading this sarcastic journalist. I deduced that if the article of his opinions on reporting short track made me double over in laughter, then this guy is worth a second reading...or a third and fourth. There's only a handful of columnists out there that capture an audience, but he takes such everyday things and twists them just right to hit my funny bone - which happens to be located in my head. Maybe I was already in a good mood since hearing from my boss that my time off for Madison is a go, but I could read his intelligent antics anyday. This latest column is awesome. If he ever gets tired of writing for a newspaper, he has waiting for him a stellar comedic career. Room Painting Status: room is cleared, naked, and bare. The paint slinging will commence tomorrow after work. Taking a sledge hammer to the room, upon much deliberation, was deemed not the best tactic for change. I'm a fickle gemini, I can't escape it. I'm always changing my immediate surroundings to better suit my mood, which in itself is ironic to the fact that I'm not generally a big fan of change. Contradicting? Sad, but yes. Another gemini trait that often gives me to urge to put myself in a timeout chair. Ok, I've been a preschool teacher too long.

posted by April @ 11:06 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- It's been too long - Sunday, September 12, 2004 ...since our last world cup adventure. Anxious for Madison as I sit here doing homework on the laptop.

posted by April @ 8:08 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- In lieu of our present state - Friday, September 10, 2004 ...just thought I'd vamp the blog accordingly. Remember the days? Those days when it was all about you-know-who?

posted by April @ 10:37 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Too close to home - Thursday, September 09, 2004 I just stopped over by the lovely Luna's blog, and was so shocked to hear this news I had to repost it.... Ex-ASU wrestler dies in accident; Olympian injured "Steven Blackford, 28, a three-time NCAA All-America wrestler at Arizona State, was killed in an automobile accident in Colorado on Friday afternoon. Blackford and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann [resident at the Training Center in Colo. Springs] were traveling eastbound on Interstate 76 just east of Brush, Colo. when, according to Trooper Gilbert Mares of the Colorado State Patrol accident reconstruction team, the Jeep they were in rolled off the right shoulder of the highway." And even more tragic and ironic is what I found on her Olympic bio at NBCOlympics.com "Pending trial McMann has had to overcome tragedy in recent years. In 1999 her brother Jason, then a student at Lock Haven (Pa.) University, was murdered. Through the television show "America's Most Wanted," authorities tracked down the suspected killer, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The case has yet to go trial, but McMann said it could take place around the time the Athens Olympics are going on." This is so horrible.

posted by April @ 10:58 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Upgrades - [insert complaint about the hot weather here] *Yes, it's so hot, I can't even type about how hot it is.* Anyhow, work went by quickly today, despite being up until 3am talking to someone, and then someone goes and falls asleep on the phone! Uh huh, I'm still laughing about that. I have homework to do, mostly studying for a quiz in my computer science class. Until now, I've been going to the school computer lab to finish work, since they have office programs that I do not. Well, I fixed that today. I can't stand going to the lab because the campus is about 18 mins away (I've timed it), and the only time I can go is after work, which is smack dab right in the middle of rush hour traffic. Not...fun. So, I went to fry's a bit ago and broke down and purchased Microsoft Office 2003. Obviously I've been trying to avoid having to make this slightly pricey purchase, but since most of my classes this semester will be dealing with this software, I had no choice. These programs are off the chain, though. I bought the student edition that comes with MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. Word. Slight sad news: Password Protect blogs aren't lookin' too bad lately.

posted by April @ 5:59 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- HOOTSC, where are you? - Tuesday, September 07, 2004 ...dear sweet st. joseph's hammer, it's HOT! I'm like, melting over here. I actually think I'm going to....to.... Why the hell do I live in California again? Oh yeah, I'm a sucker for watching my skin burn clean off. Alright, it's off to the well air conditioned, somewhat serene local Starbucks for some studying time and finishing websites (seems like I'm always finishing a website). I just need to get work done!

posted by April @ 4:29 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- Labor? What Labor? - Whoo, long weekend! Note to self: Me no likey driving on Labor Day weekend. But, we're loyal freaks here in Kalifornia, so I hit it to Visalia to add Lupes, and off to Los Angeles. Will there be fun to follow? You're damn skippy! We once again played the role of "Vendors" at the E Hula Mau in Downtown Long Beach, CA. Had the chance to meet Molly's dad and older sister for the first time, which only confirms that the Molla was made from a bomb ass mold that has since been broken... After a long day of pretending to work, watching some fine ass polys gettin' their 'hula' on, and trying to keep Molla away from potential customers, everybody went to eat at a chinese buffet. Now, the name of the place escapes me not due to lack of memory, but it's common medical knowledge that you forget things during a tramatic event. I...have...never eaten so much food in my life. Don't you ever go to a chinese buffet when you haven't eaten all day, because you'll need to be wheeled out to the ambulance shortly after. Stir-fry, Mongolian BBQ, sushi, pizza, crab, lobster, eggrolls, Kung Pao chicken, salmon, AND the list goes on. I wonder if the US National ST team would dig this place? I was bound and determined to have room for dessert, although my speech was begininng to slur. Molly's dad was killing us with jokes on the way home, so laughing was a 'bad idea'. Sunday night it was back to Visalia, and up the winding hills to Chukchansi - a resort and casino near Yosemite. We couldn't believe how many people were there! Lupes got in her game of Roullette (damn that lucky number 27!), and I was enjoying the stinging sensation of second-hand smoke. It probably would have behooved me to grab the nearest cancer stick and just start puffing, since receiving recycled smoke through the air seems to be a gip. I could taste the smoke and feel my eyes glassing over. All for the love of watching Lupes in true gambling action. Back at the house, I've realized I have a ton of things waiting for me as usual. It's September already? Damn.

posted by April @ 9:57 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- It's rainin' good news - Wednesday, September 01, 2004 Since it's still been an inferno from hell on the Sacramento, CA. weather front, I was really praying for actual rain, but I'll take this and continue to sleep under a lawn hose. Good news has come to me this week in 4-fold: 1. Work was strangely smooth and drama-free. The first week of kids back to school is always something similar to a sequel of Child's Play, and things are to be expected; children running frantically, teachers asking "why the hell did I get a B.A in THIS?", and the occational child that tests your limits all up until he loses an eye. But this was not so and I'm beginning to wonder if I came back to work at the right establishment. 2. I was informed, at the end of August, that I passed the testing and met the criteria of the 'No Child Left Behind' Act of 2004 in reading, writing, and mathematics. Along with having the title of "Highly Qualified Paraprofessional", my boss told me that the Trustees will be recognizing our efforts at the Sept Board Meeting. This is beyond a blessing, and has really taught me a valuable lesson: being humble and always willing to learn is so important. 3. Jennie is ALIVE! I was so stoked to see her email in my inbox. She wants to let everyone know that she misses everybody, and she hasn't really been too far away ;) She's still in Cleveland, still working on her moving plans, and as soon as her blog and email stop being bitchy, we'll have the Blogger Update to end all updates. 4. Speaking of email surprises, I got a whopper this afternoon. *omg, did I just say 'whopper'? yikes.* After submitting an application, and waiting to be approved, ST Gear is now officially an affiliate of Puma sports apparel, footwear, and accessories. If I had a chicken bone in my mouth while reading that email, I would have choked on it. They've set me up with some info and a client, and suggests that this is an excellent way to bring more spotlight to short track speedskating (crossing fingers). Next on the list is applying for Addias, which would be equally off the hook. We're getting short track to the masses, dammit - if it kills me....which is just might. *Edit: Lupes' recent post made me do it. Here's a shot of Apolo from Colorado Springs a little over a week ago with some poor soul that lost her mind about 2 1/2 years ago. **Double Edit: There were some peeps that were asking for my AIM screen name, so here it is: Go8pe4ohno

posted by April @ 6:14 PM [[ 0 comments ]]