Toyota in Nextel Cup

1 more week...

Ow.

Went to see my trainer, Mandy, for the first time last night. I wish I could tell you more about it, but it seems my arms have gone on strike and are hanging limply by my sides, daring me to cross the picket line and make them work.

JDM

Blogging Revealed.

California dreaming, as usual...

One of my co-workers just left for his first ever trip to California and Disneyland. I could not be more jealous if I tried! I'm going home for my dear best friend Amanda's engagement party next weekend. Yay! But I will be in California for barely 36 hours. Not quite enough time to sneak in a trip to The Mouse. Damn.

JDM

How did I miss this?

As a fan of Letters to Cleo, I've always loved Kay Hanley's voice. Through myspace, I found out that Hanley had continued to make albums post-Cleo and that she had worked with some of my favorite female artists (such as Nina Gordon and Leah Andreone) while in a group called The Dilettantes! I bought her latest solo album off of iTunes and it's definitely what I've missed since the breakup of LTC. I'll have to check out the Dilettantes next...
Check it out at www.kayhanley.com

JDM

2 more weeks...

I can't wait for the Superbowl.

Because once it's finally over, racing season begins! I'm glad I chose to be a fan of a sport with only a 3-month off season -- I couldn't handle much more!

Go Jeff & Jimmie!

JDM

Boy

Boy
(August 1st, 1990 - September 2005)
Had to share this picture. I had this adorable little feline since I was ten years old and I miss him terribly. JDM

Cherry Hill at Red Hawk

First, let me just say that Cherry Hill is the most talented undiscovered band in the universe. Last night's show at the Red Hawk was so much fun! And I even got to request one of my faves, their cover of "Set Me Free" which I don't think I've heard since my birthday in '04!


I am proud to have been a fan for a little over 4 years now, and even prouder to be able to help get their amazing music to people who may otherwise never hear them, so if I haven't already converted you, please check them out here.

JDM

I know, I'm shocked too!

After 26 years of resistance and just plain laziness, I have done the unthinkable. I have actually taken after my parents (my mother, who has a lifetime membership to Bally's, and my father, who plays racquetball like 6 times a day and who were both -- may I remind you -- the first members when a Cardio Fit came to Chino Hills) and joined...

...The Gym.

Eh, it was inevitable. Just so that I knew it wouldn't be a waste of money, I gave myself 2 months before I joined to see if I would actually work out. I have been, and it's actually become part of my routine. I now have a membership to the behemoth next to the freeway that is LVAC.

That's not even the best part! No, the best part is the person who gets to whip my ass back into shape! I get to have someone measure me every month and tell me what to do. I say it like it's a bad thing when, truth is, it's totally what I need.

I meet my trainer for the first time next Monday. Let's pray I can walk the next day, shall we?

JDM

Strip Fireworks

January 1, 2006 -- Across from McCarran airport. After dodging a security guard, we were actually in the parking lot of Konami Gaming's LV Headquarters, which I think, in itself, is cool. JDM

Top 5

Remember the movie "High Fidelity" with John Cusack? The one where he had his "Top 5" lists? In it he's a record store owner, and he and his ex-girlfriend were discussing his "Top 5 Careers" list and their conversation went like this...

Laura: "Number 5... architect. Rob, wouldn't you rather own a record store than be an architect?"

Rob: "Well.... yeah."

Laura: (writing) "Number 5... record store owner."

The point being that you might think you want to do something simply because it's not what you're doing now. I tried to make a "Top 5 Careers I Think I May Somewhat Enjoy"-type list. It's effing hard! Let me explain.

I'm done with school for the moment, and have lately had many internal debates with myself on the pros and cons of going back for an MBA. I've come to the conclusion that I have neither the funds (MGM MIRAGE will pay for undergrad courses, but graduate classes must be directly related to your job -- somehow I don't think they have graduate courses in event planning) nor the time to go back to school right now.

When and if I did go back, then why? Yeah, I went to school for Hotel Management. I haven't done that yet. My concentration was Entertainment and Event Management. I've done that. I enjoy it...sorta. Can I see myself doing it forever? Truth is, no.

Top 5 Things I Wouldn't Hate Doing:
1. Security Manager for Disneyland Resort
2. Stadium/Arena Operations Manager for Arrowhead Pond/Edison Field (are we seeing a location trend yet?)
3. (TBD))
4. (TBD)
5. (TBD)

It's a partial list, but one I intend to return to after I do some more of those "Career Finder" quizzes.

Oh yeah, and my mom told me she thinks I should be a news anchorwoman. I love my mom.

JDM