This weekend, was a throwback to the old days in Boston, when binge drinking was the norm, week in and week out. Chris Hamel and Chris Kinlin came out to San Diego, last week, and stayed with Dooling. From the moment there plane landed until Sunday evening, I had a drink in my hand the entire time. It made me realize that I have been a huge sober joe lately. I have an occasional drink, but no where near, the amount I used to consume in college or even when I lived in Ireland for that matter.
I went to my first Padres game of the 2009 season on Sunday. They played the Pittsburgh Pirates, and lost by a scored of 8 -3. The Padres have started off the season pretty well, so it was a much better game than the ones I saw last year.
To continue with sports, the NBA playoffs and NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are both in full swing. I'm not really a huge fan of any of the teams remaining in either sport right now, but I will be pulling for the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup and as of right now, I want the Orlando Magic to win the NBA Championship. My favorite sport is also reaching the end of the season, with the UEFA Champions League now in the semi-final stage, Manchester United is in prime position to repeat as champions. I'm hoping they can win again, because it may be our last season with Christiano Ronaldo in mid-field. He is seeking a move to the Spanish Premier League and specifically to Real Madrid. Regardless of what team he plays for I'll cheer for him, he's definitely one of the greatest players Man United has ever had.  ¶ 11:19 AM

 
Last weekend I spent 2 days in Los Angeles, with my friend Jay and had a really good time. He was shooting some footage for a video, so I got to experience the LA river first hand. If you have ever seen Terminator 2, you've seen the LA River. Its not actually a river at all, its a concrete ditch that is about 300 feet wide and 50 to 100 feet deep which is used to drain water out to the ocean. The footage that we got from the river was really amazing however, there is an entire ecosystem of critters that reside in the basin.
The Saturday night we went out, to a bar/club and had a really good time. Since I have lived out in California I have been to LA perhaps 6 times now, and every time I go it gets better and better. I love big cities, and LA is the epitome of the word big. In fact I would have to say it is slowly climbing the list of my favorite cities as well.
In the next few weeks, I have lot going on out here. My mum will be coming to visit on Tuesday the 5th of May, for a week. Then only 3 weeks later the first batch of my friends from Ireland will arrive. I just go word last night that Trish from NJ wants to make a serious effort to come out this summer as well. There are countless others who have mentioned wanting to visit as well, but we'll see what the summer brings.  ¶ 3:12 PM

 
The past few weeks have been a bit rough, but things are coming around. Next week a few friends from Boston are coming out to visit, which will most definitely be fun. Then a few weeks later my mom is coming to California for the first time. Finally in about 6 weeks, my friends are coming from Ireland for the whole summer. I have a feeling it will be a very good summer, and with all the visitors I will be really busy over the next few months. I think this is exactly what I need in order to help me regain my focus. Spending time with good friends and good people in general is always a bonus.  ¶ 11:49 PM

  1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?


The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." (Charles Schultz)


I heard this on the radio this morning, and I thought it was brilliant. Charles Schultz the comic writer, wrote this more than 30 years ago. I find it amazing how timeless certain pieces of writing can be. I hope that when I write, atleast a paragrapgh out of all I have written so far can be considered timeless. The funny thing about that, is that I will never know. By the time something is considered a classic piece of writing the author is usually long gone.  ¶ 11:07 AM