10 June, 2008

I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane the other day...

This past weekend was one for the books, definitely one I will never forget.

On Friday I didn't have to drive in to work, so naturally I slept in. It feels great to wake up at 930am on Friday morning, brush my teeth, then sit around working in my underwear. There's nothing more liberating than working from your skivvies, I recommend trying it, but not getting fired over it. I managed to get a lot of work done, although because I was working via the internet it did take some more time.

I haven't been able to see both of my roommates, along with a few friends during the day on many Fridays, but I got to see Justin, David and Jillian before they left to ride in Tehachapi. Matt and Vanessa also came by, Vanessa was all kinds of excited for me taking my first jump. Mike and I tried to get her to convince Matt to go up with us sometime in the future. He said he'd watch us jump, haha.

The entire day I was trying my best to contain my excitement for the morrow's fun to come. I didn't want to dwell on going skydiving, for the sake of not making myself nervous. Mike and Jason came by, we loaded up my car and headed to Marco Polo's Pizza for some dinner before the drive to San Diego. We lived up to the "norm" of leaving 40 minutes late the night before a jump.

Our drive out to San Diego was sketchy as can be. First off, my car is slowly falling apart underneath me. Second, Mike had a feeling that something was going to happen, bringing all kinds of bad juju to us (haha). Third, my car wa really in need of some oil. Going through San Clemente, my car had an nodd feeling hiccup and the Check Engine light started to blink. I didn't even know that they did that, so I got off at the next exit. I checked my fluids and saw I was low on oil. We let it cool down for a while and skated around. After putting a quart and a half in, we were on our way. The light was still blinking, so I babied it. I was going to get there, no doubt about it.

Once we got to Jen's place, we said our hellos, dropped our stuff and turned back around for an 18 pack. Jen pointed out the nearest gas station, and we head off. Mike and Jason brought skateboards, so we high-tailed it to the ARCO. It was a long, sweaty half mile ride, but worth every bump in the road. Once back we finally got some quality time with Jen. After a few beers, we decided to call it a night, so that we could get up at a decent time to get to the dropzone in the morning.

I made sure to pop some Claritin the night before, so I wouldn't die in my sleep, completely worthwhile. We geared up and headed out for the dropzone, it was a nice day out, there was some haze, but it'd easily burn off. The drive to Otay Lakes in Jamul, CA was a nervous one, but my Check Engine light went back to (good ol') solid. We got to our destination: Skydive San Diego! We checked in, signed our lives away and manifested ASAP.

Within a few minutes, I was getting taught on how to properly tandem jump, getting fit for my harness and walking towards the plane. I didn't even have a free moment to get out my camera and get a pre-jump shot. Jason wasn't able to get onto the same plane, but Mike was at the front of the bus. I was excited as can be, others in the plane were obviously nervous. My instructor and tandem-mate Shawn asked if I was scared, I declined. All I'd heard from Mike about jumping just made me want to do it. Our flight up to altitude took about 10 minutes, I was looking out the windows at all that was below. We were about 2 miles from the border, Mike pointed out Tijuana.

once we were nearing altitude; 13,000 feet, we buckled in and got ready. Sitting low in someone's lap is one of the worst positions ever, but lucliky it didn't take long. Mike backflipped out of the plane, it was awesome. Then it was our turn, we lined up to the door, I assumed the position and we were on our way. Falling at about 120mph is a feeling like none other. I looked around and everything was so minute beneath us. Shawn game me the thumbs up and I gave it right back, on the way down I gave free reign to Shawn in regards to spins and twists. We were in freefall for about a minute, at about 5000 feet we pulled the canopy. The drift down was about 5-6 minutes, we did some spinning and had some fun. I was surprised how easily I could hear shawn's every word. I was even able to take the reigns and steer some spins myself. Our touchdown was the only choppy part of it, I am a bit taller than Shawn, and sitting lower, needless to say we tumbled a bit.

Mike and Jason jumped 4 times in total, I snapped a ton of photos from underneath. Amongst the jumpers, there was an 85-year old grandmother jumping. Her grandkids were so amped for her, it was awesome.

After being there a few hours, we headed out for some food. We saw a snake crossing the road, and luckily I was able to drive over it without hitting it. We stopped at In 'N Out for some deliciousness and headed back to Jen's. She was all wrapped up in studying, hanging out with a buddy and watching a movie. We wanted to grab some beer and head to the beach, but she decided to be a good student. We headed off to Ocean Beach and grabbed an 18-pack. Unfortunately what we didn't hear was that there is no more drinking on the beach there. So we caught some of the sunset and headed back. Mike was in the mood for drinking games, particularly Centurion and Circle Of Death. I knocked it for a little while, but obliged. We even picked up another 18er on the way back.

Centurion is, dully speaking; 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes. I knocked it saying that I just like to drink. We started, and first to fall was Jason. He was about 4 in, but said he was done. Mike stopped second at around 6 beers, he was out. I went to about 8 and was pretty buzzed, borderline drunk. Jen studied while we all drank our day away. She was a little bummed, but sipped off our beers. Her roomie Jackie came home and joined in with us. We all sat down for a game of Circle Of Death; a game where you balance cards on an empty bottle whle drawing cards and hoping you got a higher one than the previous person. If not, they counted the difference while you drink. By the end of this game, I was sloppy. I tumbled our tower of beer somehow and ran a muck. Sorry again Jen, haha. We watched No Country For Old Men, but I don't remember if we ever finished it. There was also a walk down some path alongside a river, eventually to a Mimi's. That turned out to be what we'd want for breakfast. I was staggering all around, I do remember meeting a dog out there though.

Fuck shirts I said, then I passed out cold. I'd wake up to Fuck being said repeatedly, oops. Jen slept in, first on purpose, then on accident and was late for work. I was still a bit drunk, she ran out of there with a quick but lovely goodbye. Thanks again for being a rad hostess. We all started to get ready to head out. I cracked another beer, hoping to avoid a hangover, it worked. We watched the Renaissance Faire episode of King Of The Hill and headed out for some food. Mimi's was completely busy, so we found some nice little Mexican place. It was also delicious. Mike and I had Carne Asada fries, Jason had a Torta, we were happy. The drive back was quick and easy. I was happy about that, because I was sick of driving my POS.

We got back home and regailed the people with our tales. I fed my snakes, fish and frogs. Then I took a nap, I was beat. Everyone got home, and we ate some good pizza, and watched some movies. Tim came over to grab some wigs for his cruise with Charlie, we shot the shit for a while. Gilbert and Nina came by too, I got to see Gilby's new ink. All in all, a good way to end the weekend. I was happy.

Oh yeah, Monday... I didn't drive to work, instead I did the whole skivvies thing and hung out with my dad. I love this schedule.

I'm tired of writing this, goodnight.

04 June, 2008

Irish Toasts for Everyday and Special Occasions!

http://islandireland.com/Pages/folk/sets/toasts.html

Irish Toasts for Everyday and Special Occasions!

Irish Christmas Toasts:

'Nollaig shona duit!'
Happy Christmas!

'Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.'
A prosperous and happy Christmas to you.

May
peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and
happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.

Irish New Year's Toasts:

'Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo arís.'
May we be alive at this time next year.

'Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!'
A prosperous New Year!

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship but never in want.

Irish Saint Patrick's Day Toasts:

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here's a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.

'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Wedding Toasts:

'Sliocht sleachta ar shliocht bhur sleachta.'
May there be a generation of children on the children of your children.

Health and long life to you, land without rent to you, a child every year to you, and death in Old Ireland.

May the roof above you never fall in,
And those gathered beneath it never fall out.

Here's to health, peace and prosperity. May the flower of love never be nipped
by the frost of disappointment, nor shadow of grief fall among your
family and friends.

May you be poor in misfortune, rich in
blessings, slow to make enemies and quick to make friends. And may you
know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

May I see you grey and combing your grandchildren's hair.

'Sláinte go saol agat,
Bean ar do mhian agat.
Leanbh gach blian agat,
is solas na bhflaitheas tareis antsail seo agat.'
Health for life to you,
A wife of your choice to you,
Land without rent to you,
A child every year to you,
And the light of heaven after this world for you.

Here's an Irish toast to your wedding:
May the roof over your heads be as well thatched
As those inside are well matched.
An Irish Toast for a Bachelor
May you have nicer legs than yours under the table before the new spuds are up.

Irish Birthday Toasts:

May you live to be 100 years, with one extra year to repent.

We drink to your coffin. May it be built from the wood of a hundred year old oak tree that I shall plant tomorrow.

May God grant you many years to live, for sure he must be knowing, the earth has angels all too few and heaven is overflowing...

May the doctor never earn a pound out of you.

May the good Lord take a liking to you...
But not too soon!

May you die in bed at 95, shot by a jealous spouse.

Irish Toasts to Drinking:

A bird with one wing can't fly. —said to encourage someone to take a second drink

It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow
than to spend tonight like there's no money!

That the tap may be open when it rusts!

My friends are the best friends
Loyal, willing and able.
Now let's get to drinking!
All glasses off the table!

Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold pint-- and another one!

Here's to a temperance supper,
With water in glasses tall,
And coffee and tea to end with--
And me not there at all!

When money's tight and hard to get,
and your horse is also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt,
a pint of plain is your only man.

Here's to being single...
Drinking doubles...
And seeing triple!

I drink to your health when I'm with you,
I drink to your health when I'm alone,
I drink to your health so often,
I'm starting to worry about my own!

Here's to women's kisses,
and to whiskey, amber clear;
Not as sweet as a woman's kiss,
but a darn sight more sincere!

Irish Toasts to Friends & Family:

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door.

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.

Here's to you and yours,
And to mine and ours,
And if mine and ours ever come
Across you and yours,
I hope you and yours will do
As much for mine and ours,
As mine and ours have done
For you and yours!

To live above with the Saints we love,
Ah, that is the purest glory.
To live below with the Saints we know,
Ah, that is another story!

May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road...
And may all your friends remember
all the favours you are owed!

Here's to the land of the shamrock so green,
Here's to each lad and his darlin colleen,
Here's to the ones we love dearest and most.
May God bless old Ireland, that's this Irishman's toast!

I have known many,
and liked not a few,
but loved only one
and this toast is to you.

Irish Everyday Toasts:

May you be in heaven a full half hour
before the devil knows your dead.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

May your heart be light and happy,
May your smile be big and wide,
And may your pockets always have
a coin or two inside!

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint!

May the face of every good news and the back of every bad news be towards us.

May neighbours respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up.

May you have food and raiment, a soft pillow for your head. May you be forty years in heaven before the devil knows you're dead.

May your mornings bring joy
and your evenings bring peace...
May your troubles grow less
as your blessings increase!

May you get all your wishes but one,
so that you will always have something to strive for!

'Lucky' Irish Toasts:

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

If you're enough lucky to be Irish...
You're lucky enough!

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

May your pockets be heavy—
Your heart be light,
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night.

Everyday Toasts in the Irish Language:

'Sláinte!'
(pronounced 'slawn-cha', meaning Health! A common toast in Ireland, the equivalent to 'Cheers')

'Sláinte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mná go deo.'
Health to the men, and may the women live forever!

'Faol saol agat, gob fliuch, agus bás in Éirinn.'
Long life to you, a wet mouth, and death in Ireland.

03 June, 2008

Some random facts about my current life:

~ I've listened to See You Next Tuesday's album Parasite about 5 times between my drive home yesterday and drive to work today. Here's some black people dancing to it:



~ My band Dr. Holiday has a show on the 14th and we're just about ready for it. It's kind of exciting when we have great practices, even if we're hammered.

~ I got an hour cut and a pay raise all in one day. At first when my boss explained it to me I was nervous about it, but the more I heard, the more I liked the idea of it. I no longer have to drive in to work on Mondays and Fridays, I only have to work 4.5 hours from home (as opposed to my normal 7 hour day). So basically, I will be making $30 less each check +/-, but I can easily make those dollars up. If you need some graphic design done, let me know. If you want some web stuff done, I'll do it too. But I won't enjoy it.

~ Yosemite is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. The 4 days we spent there will be unforgettable, not that I'd try to forget them. We hiked to Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls and all over the meadows and forests. I've got plenty of photos and memories.

~ I witnessed a cracked-out fairy get change for a dollar, then leave the dollar on a toy dispenser. He disappeared into the nearby restroom for a bit, then left without the dollar. Up the block he creeped out a family, I laughed.

~ Falling Down is one of the greatest movies of all time.

~ I've started to sleep with my right arm stretched out completely, covering the other half of the bed. I don't know why, it might be a subconscious sign of loneliness. Come sleep with me.

~ Contrary to how that last one sounded, I am anything but lonely. I've been keeping very busy lately and I've got amazing friends to help.

~ There is no such thing as a Russian Werehound or a Northwestern Dil Terrier. Those are lies made up to protect Bear's species (75% Wolf + Giant Alaskan Malamute). I love that dog.

~ Psyllium was a great choice. Try it out.

~ Disregarding the one day I weighed 198, I can't seem to maintain pace to my target weight of 180. I'm floating around 200-202 now. I need to get back to the gym and hit that treadmill some more. Someone let me tack onto your gym membership.

~ Upon my brother Stevo's begging, I am no longer going to be purchasing the GIANT Trance X2. Instead I am interested in the TREK Fuel EX 8. Hopefully he can work out a good deal at his shop for me. I still haven't heard back from him.

~ I miss making out. Damn...

~Saturday I'm going to be jumping out of a plane. It's not a suicide attempt, I'm finally going skydiving. I can't wait. The whole thing was my last birthday present from Celina, she was nice enough to let me have it after the breakup. Otherwise I'd of fought for it.

~ I've been abusing cdscompletosdownload.blogspot.com/ a lot lately. Weezer's new album is better than the last 2 for sure.

~Gilbert's best friend/dog Tank passed away yesterday. He said to pour out a little liquor for him, so Opie and I split an 18 pack of Tecate. In honor of course. 11 was a good amount for me to be all stumbly this morning.

~ Being "in like" with someone is kinda fun. It's also kinda lame to put a title like that to it. I'm completely lame.

~ After I buy my bike, I need to get another iPod. This whole CD thing is getting really old.

So that's that. My current situation. It's got it's ups, it's downs, it's all arounds. I love life, so let's live.

-Chris