Mauricio Sent from my iPhone

Dinners, Shopping and Gift Wrap

Christmas is almost here and I am not quite sure how I feel about it.
I love giving gifts but usually spend too much money. I can't help myself. I want to give those that I care about nice gifts. I am sure most would appreciate a Snickers bar but I like buying things. Santa takes care of my boys but I find myself buying things I know they like. Do they need that extra Wii game? Probably not. Do I buy my wife that extra pair of gloves? Of course I do...even if the ones I got her last year still look new.
Its the time for giving right? If I can't spend it on the ones I love, who can I spend it on?
I will just think of myself as Patriotic and that I am helping the economy!

We had my wife's family over yesterday for our early Christmas eve dinner. My wife made great dinner of Prime Rib, creamed spinach and rice pilaf....yumm. Best part: we have a whole prime rib left over. Oh you bet I am picking up some rolls tonight and having a prime rib sandwich for dinner. Chase that bad boy down with a Black & Tan (Guiness and Bass Ale) and I am wearing a shit eating grin all night! Oh wait, there is football on tonight too....this is what I think heaven is like.

I am the worst wrapper in the world. I get the item completely covered but anything resembling style gets nowhere near the gifts I wrap. And is it me, or is packaging getting weird now? If you buy a sweater or shirt you can use a normal box...but, if you buy some sort of toy...forget it! You have angles all over the place and I barely passed geometry! All I can say is, I am glad Costco sells tape by the dozen.

Random Thoughts

Things I'd like to see this Christmas...

Empty parking spots at the mall. (I dont like malls in general, especially at Xmas, but I am sure I will need to make a trip)
Snow. I will settle for rain.
A big smile on my boys' faces.
My beloved Giants make a free agent move I am satisfied with.
My friends the Kirklands (ok, Im cheating on this one...I know they are going to visit)
Less stories about people being layed-off. It happens every year at the end of the year but the recession has reporters working twice as hard this year on these stories so they can keep their own jobs.
Money in my checking account. Last year I spent way too much on Christmas.
And my usual request....World peace and the end to world hunger.

Gobble-Gobble

I have been inspired.... I was going to post today or tomorrow on things I am thankful for but I just read a friends blog (http://isthisthingon-ckd.blogspot.com/) and it made me want to write now. If you read this blog, you should check out hers....it's great and she is exactly the same in person!

Anyway....I usually call Thanksgiving Turkey Day because for the most part, thats what we think about but given my moment of inspired thoughts, I am going the true spirit..here are things I am thankful for...in no particular order...

My two boys. They are great boys that love life and bring nothing but hapiness to me.

My wife, Marna. A beautiful person inside and out that loves me despite my faults.

Friends, in general. Good times and bad, they are there for me. Thanks for all you have done.

Bridget. A co-worker who has become a friend over the past year. She has had a tough year but has kept her chin up through out. She has showed me that even in tough times its best, and possible, to have a postive attitude....even if on the inside she would rather not.

Tony. A longtime friend who opened up the door to our friendship once again after a long period. A motivated person with a big heart that proves that its ok to take chances.

Derek. Another longtime friend. Derek has always been honest and straight forward with me, especially when I needed it the most. Though he is 800 miles away now, I know that I can rely on him if needed. A great person with a great family.

My parents. The have done so much for me over my life that I do not know where to start or how to begin to thank them. As a parent myself, I can now appreciate the sacrifices they made to give me the things they did and the life I had.

Health. Though I need to do a better job of taking care of myself I realize that things could be much worse.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Random Thoughts...

Is it going to rain or not?
Does turkey really make you sleepy?
Will I ever break 100 in golf?
Will Timmy the Kid get another Cy Young award? Will he sign a long-term contract?
Will Jack Bauer get thrown in jail? Will the jail hold him?
Is the First Man (on 24) evil?
Will the 49ers ever be good again?
What school will my son go to next year?
If I kept all the fur that my cats shed, would I have enough for a pillow?
Will there ever be a cure for lactose intolerance? And I dont mean those pills that rarely work.
The world would be a better place of we tolerated lactose...at least my world would be better if I could tolerate lactose! Damn I miss ice cream!
Will I see any of my old high school chums BEFORE the next reunion?
Is my hair really growing at a slower rate now?
Will the nurse poke my arm more than once tonight when I donate blood?

Thats all.

Well...what happened?

So I have been asked how my soccer team did in its playoff game a couple of weeks back.... we lost. It was a good game, one that I think we should have won, but my team came out flat. There seemed to be no energy that day and it showed. In the end, a couple of goals we should have stopped but did not were the deciding factor. My boys played hard and were a little down afterward but I think I rallied the troops by handing out some "awards" that I had printed up for them.
It was a great season and the team came along way. I hope they learned something this season and take it with them to other teams.

Go Fire Strikers!

I have mentioned the soccer team I coach before. My youngest son, Xavier, plays on this team and this is the first time I am coaching him. When the season first started I was wondering what I got myself into. I had an assistant coach signed up with me but he was a no-show. It turns out he had family stuff that wouldn't let him commit to the time but he is still actively involved in the team as his son plays. He's kind of an assistant coach but not official. So, in the beginning it was me and 12 8-9 year olds...I bet you can almost feel my frustration already. Since this is an AYSO league, all kids play. I have no problem with that but what it means is that there are usually kids on the field that do not really want to be there or arent the most coordinated. No problem, really...just makes things interesting.
As the season started, I saw potential in these little guys. They all had played soccer before (same league, lower age bracket) and they all seemed like they wanted to be there. Phew, what a relief. My task became to teach these boys some soccer (each division adds more of the regular soccer rules to the game) and find a lineup that worked. The "regular" season doesnt count in this league as wins and losses arent tallied. At the end of the season there is a round robin tournament, then a playoff system if you qualify.
I tinkered with lineups almost every week for games hoping to stumble across the right one. It is not easy when no one wants to play goalie or everyone thinks they are the next Beckham, let me tell you. So we had our ups and downs. We lost some. We tied some...and we won some. Through the course of the season I have worn the hat of peacemaker, motivator, disciplinarian and coach for the kids... and sounding board, baby sitter (in a good way), friend (I hope) and coach to the parents. It has been a "job" that I have taken seriously, cared too much for, couldnt wait to be over and enjoyed immensely at one time or another through the course of the season. In short, looking back, I had a great time.
This Saturday, the Fire Strikers or U10 B-07 (as we are officially known) will play in the semi-finals. We entered the playoffs as the #1 seed after finishing the regular season in the middle of the pack (unofficially). If we win Saturday morning, we play at 2pm the same day for the Championship! I have half jokingly told some parents and the team, that its all about having fun...BUT, its more fun when you win! I know, bad, bad bad....but we all know its true. However, this past weekend, I witnessed my team play soccer like it has yet to all season and it was beautiful. Passes were made. Shots were taken. Defense was played...it was awesome. I saw kids on my team who didnt seem to have an aggressive bone in their body take the ball and dribble past defenders like there was no tomorrow. I saw kids move back into position before I could yell at them to do so. It was as if the all the practices for the past 12 weeks finally sunk in at the same time. I was more proud of this team, my team, than ever before. As much as I would like these boys to win the championship...and I know that not winning it will seem like such a downer to the team....if our season were to end Saturday morning, to me, I was successful. We were successful. I saw all I needed to see last weekend. Regardless of how this all ends up, these boys had a great season and nothing can take that away from them. Thats my new task...to show these boys, if we dont win, that it was all great anyway. Just between you and me, I hope I dont have to complete that task! GO FIRE STRIKERS!

WOW

Change is good. Good things do not always come with change but when things are not going well (and they are not for this country), change should be welcomed.
I made it a point to listen to Obama's victory speech last night and I liked what he had to say. I agree that we must all work together to right the ship. I agree that "yes, we can" make an impact, each of us, if we put our minds to it. But we must work together...all of us. Blue or red, it doesnt matter. And remember, if you didnt vote, shut up.

Halloween and Other Scary Caca

Boo!
I am not a big Halloween person. Never have been. When I was a kid, my best friend was the kid who's mom was the cool mom and she often dressed us up in funky costumes. He also had two older sisters that would like to embarrass us whenever possible so you can imagine some of the pictures I hope never turn up on the interweb (borrowed that from ckd). Now that I have two kids of my own, I kind of get into it a bit but not really...sorry boys. We carved pumpkins, will go trick or treating tonight and probably wake up eating a couple of Buttersfingers for breakfast but if there was a Scrooge for Halloween, it would be me. I dont know why.
Speaking of scary, tomorrow is my 20 year high school reunion. I have mentioned this before, I am looking forward to it! There has been a movement on the web from former classmates to attend and I think some have been convinced to go. The list of attendees has grown and by reading some posts on facebook, it should be fun. I feel kind of bad for all the husbands and wives (including mine) that will have to sit and smile politely as their partners stroll down memory lane speaking of times that they have never heard about but will certainly have questions about on the ride home! Is it weird that some of the people I am most looking forward to seeing tomorrow are people that I really was not that close to while in high school? I think it is because while in high school I didnt know how to speak to people and though we probably had more in common than just theCivics class we shared, we kept to our own little cliques. Now however, we have kids; ave been through college and are married. We have everything in common and are much more sure of ourselves than we ever were before. Should be fun.
Next Tuesday is the election. I encourage everyone to go out and vote. I am. This is a scary time we are going through with our economy and all. Now more than ever our voices need to be heard. In my opinion, if you dont vote, you lose the right to bitch about the next four years.

Back in Cali

I visited my good friend Derek and his family in Arizona this past weekend. I had not seen my Scottish brother and family since he served as my best man over a year ago. My wife Marna, two boys, Alejandro and Xavier, and my dear friend B, all flew down Thursday. B used to babysit for Derek so it was a little reunion of sorts for all of us. We had a blast!
On Friday, the ladies and kids hungout at the pool (they have a beautiful house that is made for entertaining!) and went to the park while D and I lost golf balls. Saturday was ladies day as the three went off for a little spa action and the boys went to watch Daniel play in his soccer game. It was really exciting as Little D scored a goal for us! Watching him run back to his teammates with his arms raised was definitely a highlight of the weekend.
Later that night, us guests cooked a little dinner for our wonderful hosts and proceeded to finish off quite a few bottles of wine in the course of the evening. Let me just say that jumping in the pool around midnight with each of us in various stages of dress was a lot of fun!
Seeing my friends made me realize how much I actually miss them. Derek, Jenna, Daniel and Emma are some of my closest friends and I look forward to the day when we are much closer than a 2 hr plane ride away. Until then, I hope to see them more regularly and unfortunately continue to miss them.
Thanks for a great weekend.

Random Thoughts

I havent written anything in awhile...I hope my two followers havent been disappointed!

I am glad the Dodgers are not going to the World Series.
Dodger fans will say that they finished better than the Giants but I remind them that they needed a Giants product (Ned Colletti) to make it happen!
Go Devil Rays.
The SJ Sharks are actually winning games early in the season AND look good doing it. Go Sharks!
My son's soccer team ( I coach)played a game last week with two less players than the other team and we looked good too. Proud of those little guys!
Later today I will be seeing a good friend of mine for the first time in a year...looking forward to it.
I baked some cookies for him and his family....I make some damn good cookies and I dont mind saying so.
I really like my iPhone.
Approximately two more weeks to my 20 year high school reunion...scary that Im looking forward to it.
I am powerless over chocolate.
McCain is correct, he is not George Bush. He still isnt the right guy for the job either.

I am never going to Retire

I have already accepted the fact that there will be no social security for me when I become of age. I have participated in my company's 401k program since day 1 and though I do not have a lot in there, I feel a little better knowing that something is being saved and working for me. I figure by the time I do retire, my little nest egg will be adequate and coupled with property I hoped to own by the time I retire, I'd be ok.
Hold that thought.
The housing market is crashing (not really but it's the hot topic right now). Those that do own are "losing" money. (Personally, I do not see how you can "lose" money by owning property unless you plan on selling NOW and your house is not worth as much as it was when you bought. Of course, given how things were a few years back, I am willing to bet that if you bought a house in the last 5 years, you paid too much). Those that dont own, cant get a loan without 20% AND perfect credit (slight exaggeration...if you do not have perfect credit, you can get a loan with a higher interest rate - still need 20% though).
The stock market is crashing...and with it, my 401k! Most funds invest in stocks. Stocks are worth less so, 401k's are worth less....for now. I know I am 30 years from retiring but I cant help but feel like I should pull my money out, stop putting it in or something. I do not know if I will do that but it is on my mind. So, to recap...I do not expect SS; I dont own a house (yet), and my 401k is getting a worse beating than a Sponge Bob pinata. Lotto here I come.

Bail Out

I do not owe millions. I have not invested badly nor have I made bad loans. My credit could use some help (hey, I went to college) and selfishly, I want a new car but I do not need one. All I am asking for is 20 grand. Mr. Bush, if you can give BILLIONS away, how about adding an extra bundle of Ben Franklins to the pile for me? Yeah, I did not vote for you but c'mon now, you shouldn't hold a grudge. Some of the money will go to my boys' school fund and some will go to my house fund...see, it will be our own little mortgage bailout plan all on its own!
How about Mr. Bush? I'm good for it.

You're How Old?!?

My yougest son Xavier (pronounced Javier) turns 9 tomorrow! Happy Birthday Little Boy!
It's hard to grasp that he is 9. When I look at him I still see the baby that used to use the corner of his blanket to rub against his nose as he was falling asleep. I will probably always see him this way, sorry buddy, and thats ok with me.
I have been blessed with two beautiful boys that listen, are great students, have super personalities and are growing up to be fine young men (still a long way to go, I know but they are well on their way!). Friends always comment on what a great job I am doing raising them but I must share the glory with these same friends and family that have been there all along with me.
Thanks to the following peeps for being there at one time or another for my boys:
Grandparents Sifuentes....for always being there to pick up, watch them after school or weekend night when I have plans. Also for being big fans of their soccer and little league games.
Uncles and auntie Sifuentes for talking, playing and being good role models for them.
My wife Marnitas for being the best stepmom any kid can ask for. The boys truly love you and you bring much happiness to their lives.
Nana and Papa Muto for accepting my boys as you have accepted me, into your family.
Jeff, Rex, Bridget, and the entire "Swinger" group for being such good people that I have no problem having my boys around you. From talking to them to letting them propose a business plan to house sit for you....every experience has been fantastic. I know you have seen them become more comfortable with each of you and it is a direct result of your efforts in always making them feel welcome.
Thanks to many more of you that have left an impression on my boys.
Happy Birthday Xavier.

Random Thoughts

Lots of things going on in my head lately....

Are the SF Giants ever going to win a World Series?
Will the 49ers score more than 21 points this season?
Will I ever own a new car? Do I want a new car?
Is the housing market going to get even better for us buyers?
Will I find a haircut I like for under $30?
Will my soccer team ever listen to me?
When will I get a dog?
What does my son Xavier want for his 9th birthday? Where did the 9 years go?
Will I ever feel comfortable in a pair of 501's again? Wait, the answer to that one is NO.
Will I break 100 in golf?
Have we seen the last hot spell for 2008?
Is my iPhone ever going to get better 3g reception?

Thanks for reading.

Football

The NFL season starts tomorrow.
I have one more fantasy football draft tonight. I am a fantasy junkie.
Those who dont play fantasy football think I'm a nerd. I dont care. I like sports. I like to gamble. I like to win money. Thats why I play.
I have enjoyed football since about 1978. I remember betting Rodney, a classmate, $5 that the Cowboys would beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl. Actually, he bet me that the Steelers would win. I remember Rodney calling me when the game was over, asking for his money. I am happy to say that I have made smarter bets since then but most of my enjoyment has come from fantasy. Here is how I see it:
I am going to watch football regardless. The hometown team has not been very good for about a decade now. Why be forced to follow a team that sucks? Actually, since I live in the San Francisco area, I would be forced to follow TWO teams that suck...and only ONE of them has their games televised locally regularly. So, about 11 years ago I started playing fantasy. Have been hooked ever since. I started with one league, then joined another and another. I was winning enough to break even or better every year. I think one year, winning at fantasy football bought all my christmas gifts for family and friends! Now, I am sure this sounds like I should be in some sort of 12 step program (Hi Mo), but it's not like that. I am in 6 leagues, 4 of which I consider "real" leagues that are competitive and I try to win. The other two are "fun" leagues that I would like to win but I play for social reasons (work and contacts I know).
Is it too much? How do I keep track you ask...its really easy. I spend about 1-2 hours a week going over this stuff. This does not include watching football on Sundays but like I dont count that because like I said, Im going to watch anyway.
I havent had too much trouble with my wife....yet....but I guess Im lucky she watches football too. I would like to include her more in some of my fantasy stuff but she knows that its "guy" time and gives me space....I probably need to insist. I think it might be fun if I do it right. Maybe start a wife/husband league. How many wives would play? Ok may not work...I will think of something. In the meantime.....I will just watch some football, go over the waiver wire religiously and win some cha-ching.

School, Soccer and Sleep...

School has officially started. My boys soccer season has officially started. It's time to start stockpiling the sleep.
I love this time of year. Though I hate that summer is ending, the weather actually gets better in the Bay Area around this time. I love that my boys are excited about school. I love the sound their new school pants make when they walk even if its not exactly that "corduroy" sound I grew up making. I love that for about 2 months, they do their homework without having to strap them down in a chair. I love that my boys play soccer and are actually starting to understand the game and the way to play it. I love going to their games though I am exhausted at the end of each one because they can be so exciting. I never thought I would yell at a referree like I do. I think I have turned into my mom in this regard! I love coaching my son and seeing him develop both as a player and as a person. The once shy, quiet boy is now a funny, likes some attention kind of kid. I like to think that some of that is my doing...yeah, I'm going to run with it.

Four Letter Words

Golf. Love. Life.
These probably aren't the words you think of when someone says "four-lettered" words but I think these fit with the others on occassion.
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy all three but they all can drive you nuts and make you scream.
Played golf yesterday for work (another four lettered word mind you), and had a great time overall but golf is the great humbler. Shots you think you can make get sprayed onto other fairways. Putts, roll right by the hole or stop just inches short, ARGH. It's enough to want to make me take up tennis instead! But then, just when you think you have had enough, you sink a 22 footer from the fringe to save par and stay tied! Move over Tiger!
Love and Life are the same way.
I have a friend that is going through a divorce and it hasn't been easy for her. She's a great person, deserves the best, yada-yada. I hope that she realizes, or I can help her see, that just when you think you have something down, that you think you understand how to make it work, is usually when you get tested. It's not that you can't do it anymore, or you forgot, rather its that if it were too easy, you wouldn't appreciate just how hard it really is. That you have actually succeeded for awhile now, have done quite well and life is just catching up a bit.
I hope I don't sound like Dr. Phil and I am by no means an expert, but that's how I see it. Love and life are not games by any stretch but there is no reason why we can't enjoy them. We just cant let those things keep us down.

Back to the Grind

Ever take a vacation, have a great time then get back to work and wonder if it was all worth it?
Yup, thats where I am at today. The sad part is that I had this feeling the last time I went on vacation.
WTF?!
Is this a sign that I am not in the right place?
I guess the question I should be asking is, is it the same everywhere?
Can someone shed some light on this for me?

Vacation

Im sitting at the counter in the kitchen of our rental house in Lake Tahoe. I love this place. Tahoe must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am about 10 minutes from the hustle of the casinos yet it feels like I am miles in my own little place in the world...I guess, in a way, its true. I look out across the deck and I see trees, mountains and the sky is a clear blue. Its going to be a great day.

Fans for Life

Took my two boys and my godson to the Giants game last night. A coworker of mine gave me his tickets in the 6th row on the third baseline. I decided to get there really early so that my boys could watch batting practice with the hope being that they could see the players up close from our seats. Well, not only did the boys get to see the players hanging out, my oldest boy Alejandro, got a baseball from Brian Wilson, the Giants closer.
Wow! My boys are more fans than Carlos, their cousin and my godson, and they have seen Brian Wilson on TV many times as I watch almost everygame but I think Carlos now may have some interest in my beloved Gigantes. Also, I am pretty sure that Alejandro is now a lifetime fan of both baseball and Brian Wilson....heck, I kind of like the guy a little more now too!
Xavier, my youngest, is still an A's fan. I am hoping he grows out of it.

Paint, Tequila and a Midnight Drive

Its Monday morning and despite a couple of long days this weekend, I'm feeling pretty good. I spent the weekend at my mom's painting the inside of her house. Marna (my wife) my two boys Alejandro and Xaiver and our good friend Bridget, all got our hands dirty and painted. I have to say, my boys did great. The had a good time, didnt complain and we accomplished what we set out to do. Great job boys!
I also need to thank Bridget. Bridget is a friend that started off as a coworker. She has met my mom a couple of times but by no means should she be painting my mom's house. Where was she on Saturday and Sunday? Painting my mom's house! The deal was we get friends to help paint, and my mom would feed them some excellent Mexican food. The plan went as designed and I think my mom and Bridget each found a new drinking partner in each other as a bonus. Bridget, thinking my mom wouldnt do it, told my mom that she would have as many shots of tequila as my mom did! Five shots later, Bridget had learned to keep her mouth shut around my mom! It was a great way to end the weekend....though my mom was trying to persuade Bridget to come to Lake Tahoe with us next week for more fun!
So I am sitting at home last night, getting ready for the week and my cell phone rings. It's my friend Tanman, who I think is still overseas. I answer the phone and I get hit with a favor request - I am at the airport, can you drive me home? Ah, but here is the catch....Tanman lives 1 hr away from me! Its after 9 pm, closer to 10 really and I am beat. The next thing I know, I am driving to Boulder Creek. Some would say I am a good friend and that may be true but aside from Tanman being one of the few friends I would do this for, the real reason I drove him home was because of Bridget. Bridget was a friend to me and my family this weekend. There is no way we would have finished painting without her help. How big of a hypocrite would I have been had I told him no after she so willingly helped us?
Sometimes the opportunity to keep a string of kindness going comes at inconvenient times. We must make sure that we seize those opportunities whenever possible.

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Well, here I go. I have always been fascinated by the blogging "concept" but I never quite understood it until I started reading a friend's blog. What I thought was a tool for shameless self-promotion is really just a cool, effective way to keep friends/family in the loop! With all the technology in todays world, the world is shrinking but for some reason, it seems I see some friends less.
So, this is going to be my attempt to keep people updated. The beauty of it is, if you don't want to know, don't read it. I wont know if you read it unless you post a comment or tell me about it someday...and that's cool. You can even read it and not tell me, it will be your little secret.
As you can see, Im pretty new to this. What more can I say? What more am I "supposed" to say?
Today is August 1 and I am wondering where the summer went.
Wait, do I get a summer anymore?