I am so geeked out right now on having Adobe Illustrator 8 installed to my Windows7 computer. It took some answers to find out how to properly do it since this Illustrator version is incompatible with Windows7. I'm gonna sound techy but I had to find the .dll files within the Windows XP folder and copy those on top of the Illustrator 8 files contained in the Programs folder - all directly from the old laptop. And then, I had to transfer all of those to the x86 folder in the Windows7 computer. It took some hard work reading people's posts and such on how about to go forth with this. It's been a long hibernation but I think it's finally time to launch my artistic side off the ground once again. Prior to that, as mentioned earlier, I just got a sketchpad and colored pencils for Christmas. All in all, the New Year is going on full blast.

My head is feeling woozy today with no thanks to the pressure coming from last night's flight heading home. I didn't even feel like coming to work this early in the morning having this condition. Thank goodness the Advil and Mountain Dew Code Red alleviated me somewhat. Glad to be home for a bit and then head off for another round of work. So relieved to know I'm off tomorrow.

Highlights from the last-minute R.O.C.K.S. Karaoke Event - 1/1/2013

Me and Rizz had a great time with everyone who attended the R.O.C.K.S. (Rockin' Organization of Compulsive   Karaoke Singers) event held at Uptown Buffet in Norfolk, VA .... All for the sake of fun, we danced crazy and screamed our lungs out with the singing. This one definitely capped the highlights of our vacation to an awesome finale! I look forward for another go around in the future....And so our holiday vacation ends. It's back to Chicago and the life there.

NOTE: All video clips shown here were recorded and trimmed via Samsung Galaxy S3. The editing and compiling were done on Windows Live Movie Maker)

Its the first day of 2013. Things are better left unsaid than said when it comes to making my New Year's resolutions. Part of it came true last year such as being in fit and trimming my body frame. However, there had been dismal failures that never got off the ground. I can only hope in fulfilling real promises this time around rather than saying things that'll never come to fruition....Aside from real-world issues, I will also try to make the concerted effort in blogging daily for a year, too. That's a swell challenge but I'd rather go for it than not putting up a fight against myself....so here's to making improvements and going where I left off in life. No resolutions. Just a green light. GO!!!

(Note: written minutes before midnight on the next day)

I hate family politics that divides. I just do.

It's that time for me to make what's old - new again. I've just trimmed a couple of pounds to get into a lighter frame which closely mirrors to that of my old-self from high school as well as the one in Orlando. From a size 36, I'm now down to size 32. I can fit into those old clothes that I worn in Orlando in which I've put in the closet for quite a long time. There was previous intention to give those clothes away at one point, but I've decided to challenge myself and work out almost daily. It won't stop there though. I will try to master new methods to my workouts and keep pushing harder. The artistic side of me is also coming back. I plan to do more drawings in the future as I was recently given sketch pads and colored pencils for a present. The last masterpiece I created was a collaboration drawing with my bro in which we worked together on a portrait of Michael Jackson from the 1980s. So what else could be coming back? Definitely NOT the weird haircuts and insane fashions from yesteryear. However, I admit I still sport on T-shirts that are well over 20 years old now. They feature the likes of the rock band INXS, the hip-hop group 3rd Bass and Michael Jordan. Time may have passed, but the shirts are still in good condition to wear since they have been seldom worn. I look forward to making life full of fun again.

It feels great coming back home to Virginia after Christmas, where it's all laid-back and relaxing. To be in the company of family and friends, I couldn't ask for anything better. I'm thrilled that Rizz has decided to make another return trip and introducing herself this time in person to my relatives, particularly my cousin Camille. I'm not exactly sure as to what will happen in the next few days, but me and Rizz will make every moment worth it until the day we leave.

Random Facebook Blog - Part II 12/23/2012

Its weird for many folks out there these days are complaining (i.e. 'soooo bored'....'what to do, what to do') especially when they're on the computer, tablet, phone, what have you, etc. I'm talking about those that are just massively addicted to it all.......if only they can put aside that technology for a day or so, breathe the air outside and enjoy what life is really all about! Gotta make the most if it than wallow in self-boredom. I've experienced life w/o technology before and I'm glad I did. It's actually more fun than one would think....my rant for the day. haha.

Random Facebook Blog 12/23/2012

Time for my open opinion. I'll say it and I have read some of my friends' views since the Sandy Hook shooting..Gun control is NOT the answer! It's not gonna change anything. [In the latest incident, Adam Lanza's mother was registered. Adam was not. He shot her and everyone that day.] All we gotta do as registered gun holders is to be keenly alert and aware, especially at home, in which there must be responsibility for the safekeeping of firearms, equipment and such. I strongly believe in the citizen's right to bear arms. We have to protect our families from any immediate danger and harm.

Notice something new on my blog page? I have an Instagram widget now which shows past and present photos straight from my Samsung Galaxy S3. Enjoy these :)

It felt surreal last night seeing Dwight Howard going against his old team - the Orlando Magic. Howard, as we all know, is now with the Los Angeles Lakers - the Kobe Bryant-led team he lost to in the 2009 Finals when he was still with the Magic. Howard had previously left a bittersweet and sour relationship with the Magic during most of the offseason demanding a trade despite saying earlier he was to stay with them for one more season. Fast forward to now. Howard only knows five of the players from the Magic while everyone is new including the coach and general manager. But even that in itself doesn't do much of friendly exchanges. Both the Magic and newly-anointed Laker, Howard, are moving on. And so it had came to this: the Magic won and they're a team that plays with all heart even with lesser-known names on the roster. To add insult to Howard, they purposely fouled him in the closing minutes because the Magic know he's not good with free throws and sucks at it (stats don't lie). I couldn't be so proud of the Magic as they showed that teamwork is the key to winning although there are some losses expected to this latest roster of guys that are still getting to know each other...As far as Howard goes, he is a Laker and loves L.A. That's his home now. Orlando is all but a memory in his past, even to the throngs of fans including the inner city kids in his basketball camp he coldly left behind no-showing last summer. When he and the Lakers visit Orlando, I don't expect warm reception for him. How he treated that city and organization last offseason will pretty much solidify what he really is now to them. On March of next year in the Amway Center, he will see just that.....And so the next chapter awaits

The Slacker Shake - a.k.a Best Milkshake Recipe EVER.

The Slacker Shake looks like fun to make.....it can't be said any better than this. All I need is a mixer and I'm set. I think I'll be saving my tastebuds for this after moving to the sunshine state late next year. So I'm gonna make it as a blogger entry as a way to remind myself. Ha ha.

Music Track of the Day: Ellie Goulding - Lights

This song has been constantly playing on heavy rotation for the last couple of months and there's still no slowing down UK sensation, Ellie Goulding. Her single 'Lights' has been holding steady on the Top 20 via B96 FM in Chicago. I have downloaded this and many others new MP3s on my iPod lately which contains the sounds of Bruno Mars, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ne-Yo, Enrique Iglesias, just to name a few....I look forward to Ellie's next follow-up on the radio waves soon, but I can listen to 'Lights' immensely for the meantime. Not tired of this yet. By the way, the music video shown in this posting is an amazing light show :-)

Rizz took some great snapshots of downtown Chicago while we were on I-290 exiting towards I-90/I-94 (Wisconsin). I decided to put these into a photo collage utilizing the cartoonify effect from a photo-edit program on my Samsung Galaxy S3 handset. Looks really cool! I like it!

What's up with no sun the last few days here in the Chicago suburbs? I wish it would return. I'm sick of cloudy skies already. This is why I hate the fall and winter seasons.

I try my best to make every day worth it, even at times I feel like I don't want to or just keep muttering to myself on how things seem to fare for the worse. The most challenging part is providing the optimism within when there are times of doubt and impossibility. I have openly admitted on my Twitter that I have been disappointed because I still can't reach that goal in finding a better job. I was hoping I'd find something towards the middle to late part of this year but it hasn't happened yet. Most of the failure that does stem from me is my lack thereof in looking for job leads. I've been putting most of my time and body on the line to my present job thus putting aside my interests and wants. It's been tough. I've been complaining and showing other signs of frustration which is so unlike me. And at times, I feel like I want out. Man am I becoming my own bad version of Dwight Howard who demanded a trade changes during the NBA offseason? And that's when I wanna stop. I do not want to let my bad self take over. I can look up to the A side of life when its going B right now. Its best to rely on my faith and let time steer the course on whats next for me. So now I've come full circle and shift myself to keep enjoying each day like I always do. Perhaps I should borrow The Lion King's motto 'Hakuna Matata' which translates to 'No Worries.' I know things will be okay :)

Photo slideshow (via Samsung Galaxy S3): The Return to Chicago Botanic Garden - taken 10/2012

Photo slideshow: Springfield, IL trip - taken 9/2012

I'm here on assignment. I just drove the work crew to their destination. They have a lot of stories to tell that can go on forever. Its good to hear different perspectives. Comparing their experiences to mine's, my life is probably less interesting (lol). Just kidding. If it was, I wouldn't be blogging.

Sure has been a while since I have blogged actively. A lot has happened lately and I'm going to update all my loyal readers really soon perhaps maybe as early as this week. Definitely stay tuned. More to come.