A Mini-Blog from my Blackberry....

I look back at most of the past blogs I've posted. I had so much potential in my writing skills. Not sure what's in store this present time. Stay tuned :)

A Mini-Blog from my Blackberry....

Chicago's weather has been flip-flopping w/ hot & cold temps....so, that means its better than never to take an extra coat or hoodie just in case. No joke!

A Mini-Blog from my Blackberry....

My first ever blog done thru my Blackberry...But I do have to say I'm happy for Dwight Howard's idea to stay w/ Orlando..now sign extension frm the Magic. Lol.

The Hangover: Part II

I'm not gonna spoil everything for all you fellow readers in regards to The Hangover: Part II, but I must say that it had everything so crude to satisfy the moviegoer anticipating for it. I can list 'em all from beginning to end, but I'll just toss in some tidbits here and there. There are some scenes that show full-frontal male nudity as I kid you not.  The jokes are really 'a ball-out-of-the-park homerun' as they get better and better! The whole plot itself is a like a 'cut-and-paste' method taking things from the original and adding our fellow wolfpack to newer settings: Thailand. Overall, this movie will leave you on the floor laughing so hard and saying to yourself in the end, "It's a friggin' brilliant masterpiece!" Because it is just that. And it just reeked in box office cash this Memorial Day weekend taking in the #1 spot over the competition which included that of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' and Kung Fu Panda 2.' The totals so far is estimated at $130 mil ... My personal experience in seeing this movie kinda hit a weird spot, too. For me, it was just the usual. But I also brought in Rizz and a female co-worker of ours to see it. It was their first time in the theater together and they've never seen so many men's private parts in one movie. LOL.

Bulls Lose The Opportunity

Just trying to update my previous posting. This happened a few days ago. The Chicago Bulls had let their chance of their Finals' run slip away against the Heat (despite the home advantage that went on in this best of 7 series). Bulls only won 1 out of the 5 games played. The Miami Heat led by their supermen (D-Wade, LeBron James, & Chris Bosh) advance to the Finals facing the same opponents from 5 years ago - The Dallas Mavericks, led by a reinvigorated Dirk Nowitski. As for the Bulls, they'll have to look to changes in the offseason which can affect their roster later this year when a new season starts. Derrick Rose cannot do it alone. Kudos to the Bulls on making it this far.

Congrats, Chicago Bulls in the Playoffs

Here's to a good NBA ball club, their superstar MVP Derrick Rose, and Coach Thibodeau! Everyone has done a marvelous job in the playoffs thus far (including the regular season in which they owned the best record). Right now you guys are going against the Heat which have a talented squad, especially consisting of the three (Bosh, LeBron, and D-Wade) and coached by the one and only Erik Spoelstra. As of right now, it's a seesaw battle and may the best team win! I'm hoping for the Bulls to emerge victorious as I currently reside in Bulls country.

Coldness gone; Warm summer weather brings fun - what to do, what to do!

(blog entry created in May, 2011) Here I am doing a work-related errand this afternoon. However, that alone will not occupy most of my time right now. I'm actually doing two things - typing this entry AND listening to the Bulls/Heat game 3 in the company vehicle's radio system. I usually don't take my netbook in tow, but I think I have to start making this a habit whenever I get an open opportunity to do so.

The Chicago area has now gotten out of the cold weather that had dominated for such a long time - when was it - October or November? The weather conditions and temperatures have never been this better. I find that awesome and those days of cabin fever are done with for the time being. I've never had this many days of staying home and not going out - because it was so cold. After being here for more than a year already, I'm still adjusting and it's not easy. Not easy for a dude like me that used to live in tropical settings before in the sunshine state of Florida.

With the weather going great now, that leaves room for more activity. And NO I'm not talking about work-related activities. I'm talking about all that leisure time to go around-and-about downtown or visiting the many suburbs that surround the Chicago area alone.

So what's there to do in the great city? I'd love to do some window shopping at the Magnificent Mile in the Michigan Avenue area. Maybe check out the aquatic animals at the Shedd Aquarium. Perhaps see a ballgame featuring the Chicago White Sox or the Chicago Cubs. Hmm, maybe take a stroll around Grant Park and Millennium Park. I'd probably save the best for last - the Navy Pier, for a great time.

Then again, I can go small scale.

I've come to appreciate small towns during my frequent work routes via scenic routes and several interstate changes. To tell you the truth, I am overwhelmed. I've never seen this many towns in my life in one area alone. This totally beats the Orlando area which is only 1/3rd of Chicago's size.

So what activities can small towns have? Well, there are some local events that go on during certain times such as parades, festivals, outdoor markets at the parking lot. Best advantage to check this out is go for a ride on the Metra commuter train and stop by these towns around the weekend. With the weekend pass having unlimited rides and stops, you can have as much fun as you want.

But for most of this to happen, I would have to make the necessary improvement in trying to get another job, which I've failed to do. I need to stop the procrastination such as going to Facebook, Twitter, and Google so often - and even repititiously. If I accomplish this task, I will be able to balance things in my life, especially on my personal time in which I don't plan on staying home all too much. I want myself and Rizz to do enjoy the most of our freetime. Seems like work is the mainstay to our active lives right now as we've been working machines day and night. Maybe that's why I lack the 'feel' for liking my surroundings at the moment. We just don't have enough time to go anywhere for the heck of it. By the time we get home and get the day off going on, we're so tired to do anything.

I look forward to challenging myself to better my life. Not just for me, but for Rizz, as well. It may not be easy all the time but I'll take the initiative to implement the change that's needed. I want to make the most out of the Chicago lifestyle while I can. There's so much to check out here. And it's all in the waiting for me to check out. It may not be Orlando or Virginia Beach, but I'll do my best to have as much fun as possible and not taking granted for the great days of summer. As I'm here for the time being, I gotta enjoy the sweet ride that is Chicago. I just may never know what destination in the U.S. I could reside next. That's the amazing part about life - not knowing where you'd end up. But at the same time, God's continuing to bless me in the greatest of ways and letting me enjoying life wherever I am.

My take on the 'Move-Over' Law

(blog entry created in April, 2011).....Let me shoot off for today's blog while munching on Boston Creme donuts this morning at Dunkin Donuts. I must admit that the IL state troopers got a good weapon here that they use on all drivers in this state. They do it at their own discretion and they can get whoever they want at a certain-so time they choose. And despite their initiative to stop drivers for the 'move-over' law (a/k/a Scott's Law), many are still getting away with it. A few months ago, I was pulled over for that. And I was the only one out of all drivers that sped up to 55 mph because I was driving a company vehicle for my job. I didn't mind the fact that I did break this type of law (as it applies in this state), but I am so profoundly disappointed that a lot of drivers I've witnessed don't get pulled over for the same exact thing I committed. I find it unfair, unjust and so wrong. I think that state troopers use this 'move-over' law as an effective tool to take away $$$ from anybody as a financial means to help the budget to maintain and build roadways in this state. The move-over law should apply to everybody that breaks it, myself included. I'm all for it. The law itself helps protect fellow emergency/maintenance personnel from harm during emergency procedures on the shoulder portion in all highways. For those that want to know how Scott's Law got started, it was because a drunk driver moron who hit a fireman hero during an emergency operation on the highway. Because of that, the law came into place and was passed through state legislation a couple years ago. The impending result of my situation was that I had to pay a court costs and fines, as well as attorney fees. But the good part from all of this was that my driving record is still good and that I have my license back (note: It was taken away when I was pulled as a way to bond myself). It was better than what the state trooper dude was requesting: to have my license suspended for 3 months and pay a fine. I've learned a lot from all of this and I want to pass this message to those that live in this state: DO NOT be the next one to be pulled-over by the trooper. Obey Scott's Law for what it is. Move your car one lane to the left or right depending where the emergency vehicle is with their rotating lights. It may not be easy sometimes as road conditions may vary, but do what you can to slow down and execute the move properly/cautiously. Sure you'll see rulebreaking drivers that won't act on it, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same. They'll get their day in court one day and be penalized for what they've done. In conclusion, I find it that state troopers unfairly use this law to get anybody they so choose from the pack of drivers on the road, the law itself cannot get all the drivers who break it, AND that no matter how this law is interpreted (through our perspective and the troopers), we have to obey it so we can help save lives for those heroes that are willing to protect us on our roadways.