Disneyland

Man, I haven't been to Disneyland in at least 10 years, and that's being conservative with the estimate. I went with Maggie for my nephews 3rd birthday. Wow, he's growing up (that's what kids do, right?) real fast and it was actually really fun just to be around Andrew and Noah (my other nephew). A lot of that time was spent walking around, waiting on them, or just figuring out what to do next... but that's cool though. Considering I only see Andrew every few months or so, it was good fun spending time with him and seeing him having fun with Noah.

As far as Disneyland goes, that place is crazy. It has changed so much since I last visited yet it hasn't changed at all. Being older now makes me realize what a zoo that place is though. But I can't help thinking about how much fun a lot of the rides would be if the crazy lines weren't there. My cousin Peter, who has an annual pass there and goes about once a week, says the weekdays are the best times to go because there isn't a damn person there. Anyway, it was fun and we had to get a picture with the kids in front of the castle... whose castle I don't know.

Delay

Here I am playing catch up again... the last time I posted was after Michael Jackson's death. It sucks that he's gone and listening to his songs brings up many memories. I can't help but reminisce about the past. Life goes on.

Since then, I've just been climbing a lot... climbed my first V5... I've gotten two V5's and it's tough to progress, but I am determined to move forward... or upward is more appropriate.

I'm not going to lie though, what really inspired me to blog today was the acquisition of a new laptop... but not any new laptop... I actually purchased a Macbook Pro yesterday... I never thought I would see the day that I would purchase a Mac... but I did and so far so good. It definitely looks good... it's years ahead in design when compared to a PC... we'll see how well it performs... Chris seems to think that I won't be going back to a PC any time soon. Take a look... Gotta have Rossi on my desktop... It's a good looking laptop... no doubt about that... but we'll see how it performs... I'm definitely a PC guy but I can't argue how cool it is... so far so good... but I've only been using it to go online... I'll see if I like it during school... which starts in about a week or so... I'll be graduating in the spring of 2010... I'm very excited to finally complete it... so wish me luck.

With that said, I'm currently planning to take a trip to Asia for 2 or 3 months... it's only in the idea phase right now, but I definitely want to do it... I've never been abroad for too long and I've basically been a California boy all my life so it'd be cool to travel and see the world from a totally different perspective... I'll blog about it the more things become clear.

Long live the Captain...

There's not a single doubt in my mind that there are a million posts up about Michael Jackson's death. It's tragic really. What's funny is that when I first heard about it from Maggie, I didn't think much of it. I thought it sucked, but what did it have to do with me. As I sat and watched the coverage during my lunch break, they started showing images of Michael as a kid and it really made me think about what the guy must have gone through. Obviously, there is no way I'll ever know, but try to imagine being as young as he was enjoying the up sides of fame... and the down sides of it. Being responsible for the well-being of his family and all the expectations... No one will ever know what went through his head, but it made me feel sad. Then I remembered how much I loved Michael Jackson as a kid. Not to the extreme as most people and I wouldn't even claim to be a fan... but as a kid, I remember that I loved watching 'Captain EO' at Disneyland. How he turned the bad people into good people with his 'spirit fingers'. The robots were the coolest. I really had a blast watching Moonwalker too... I used to have the video in my drawer and I can't seem to remember who let me barrow it... and the 'BAD' video was super fun... when he turned into the stop-motion rabbit... Thriller, Bad, Billy Jean, Beat it... good stuff. I guess maybe I lost touch as I grew up... plus there's the fact that he didn't look the way he did as I remembered him as a kid... all the weird stories that went around... with all that, his music trascended all of it! He's certainly a legend in his own right and it will be interesting to see his music live on many years from now. Well, life goes on and soon, we will all pass too.

Hello new friend...

Well, I was gonna hold off for a year to purchase a new car but I ended up going to the dealership and drove home with a new one. Recently, my bro got into an accident and totaled his truck, which I was planning on using to take my bike to the track. He ended up getting a 2009 Honda Accord Coupe so I no longer have a way to get my bike to the track when I finally hit a track day. So I've been thinking a lot about purchasing a truck... it wouldn't have been a smart move but I figured it would be good to have one for the bike and since I'm doing a little more out door climbing now, I'd be able to use it whenever needed to get up some off-road trails... after toying with the idea a bit, I decided it would have been much too expensive for an actor to do such a thing. The $3000 I'd be spending on insurance a year alone could pay for acting classes and the monthly payments (probably of about $400 - $500 per month) could be used towards things such as head shots, more training, etc... things that would contribute to my chosen career path.

Anyway, Chris, Peter, and I all decided to go check out trucks anyway and luckily, they did not have the Toyota Tacoma I was looking for. Chris left for work and Peter and I trekked over to the Honda dealership... with NO intention of buying... just test driving... but one thing lead to another, we sat in the cubicle and started wheeling & dealing. The down payment and monthly payment seemed like a good deal and I went through with it. Peter and I ended up driving home that night in a brand new 2009 Honda Fit. I had a post where I said good bye to my old friend, my 1997 Honda Accord... so I thought it was FITting to say hello to my new friend. Everyone seems to like it and most importantly, I like it. I like that it's very practical and very chill at the same time. This will definitely be there with me during auditions and stuff when I finally move my ass out of my parents house. Well, here it is, my new friend!!!

I'm a die-hard Yamaha Motorcycle loyalist... but when it comes to cars, I love my Honda's... I think their engineering is far superior to American and European brands. My Accord treated me so well that I had to go with another Honda. I'm definitely glad that I did.

It's 2am right now so I'm going to bed... however, wait a little bit and I will show you how cool and practical the Fit really is!

The Great Outdoors...

I don't think I've mentioned this here, but I enjoy rock climbing. Chris, Peter, Johnny, and I have been climbing since about July of 2008... unfortunately, Chris and Johnny are no longer really into it so it's just been me and Peter. Since then, it has strictly been indoor climbing. We've both progressed from struggling on V0's and 1's and now we're solid V3 and V4 climbers. Peter has the slight edge cause he's a really strong climber and it's awesome to see him finish routes so easily now. I'm a bit of a weaker climber, but I tend to focus more on the quality of the climb as opposed to just finishing it. Either way, I think we've both found something that we really love besides motorcycle riding and we both want to get even better. Recently, we both went with a fun group of climbers from Rock City to 'The Tram' in Palm Springs, CA. It's a beautiful mountainous range about 8k feet above sea level... it was our first time outdoors together (although I went a few days earlier to Steele Valley, blog to come) and it was amazing. The feeling is so different compared to climbing indoors and as a climber we ran into said, "survival mode" kicks in. Here's a picture of my proudest 'send' outdoors so far. The name of this route is 'Yo Picasso'... perhaps because it looks like a distorted face or object that Picasso is known for... either way, it's an 18 foot send and it was amazing.

As usual, it took me a while to get the sequence down. Watching Peter and the others helped... although I do want to mention that I did provide Peter with a beta to get from one point of the route to another too!

The sequence we followed up was a V3 and I worked really hard to get it. The first time I attempted the finish, it was SCARY. You're about 16 feet off the ground (which doesn't seem that high), but when you're hanging on your finger tips and everything in your body wants to fail, it is crazy scary! My arm was too weak to pull myself up so I came back down. Peter finished it immediately after.

This was motivation for me to get it because I knew if Peter could get it, I would eventually get it. I did. This time, I tried to conserve as much energy as possible because the ending was where it counted the most. It was a proud moment and I don't think I'll ever forget it... if I do, that's what I've got this blog for!

Summer lovin'

*SIGH* The 2009 Spring Semester is finally over! This semester was very stressful for me for two reasons. 1) It was my first time taking 15 units... that's 5 classes!!! Learning does not come easy for me at all and this semester was proof of that. Factor in the fact that I procrastinate and get sidetracked easily and you can imagine how crazy I must have been. 2) Four of the classes were academic classes... re-read 1) about how easy isn't easy for me!

Well, I made it through alive with three A's and two B's... it should have been four A's and one B, but I had a professor who did not want to give me the ONE point to make it a B so whatever. Considering that I thought I was gonna finish the semester with 3 A's, 1 B, and a C, I'll take the final grades I got any day. I'm not going to let some professor who was a complete jerk ruin my summer!

I start May intersession this Tuesday for three weeks, but after the semester I just had, I'm confident that I can handle three weeks of one class. It will get me closer to graduating in Spring of 2010!!! I might just graduate before turning 30 after all!

With the semester over now, there are a few things that I would like to focus on before the Fall semester starts in the fall. Consistent time in the gym and rock gym, hanging out with people who mean everything to me, read, acting classes, and whatever else summer time brings.

Maggie and I made it onto the wedding photographers favorite pictures list! Haha... it was a fun-filled night with a lot of dancing, laughing, eating, and drinking!

Maggie and I are determined that we do actually have rhythm... it's just the music that does not! In any case, we danced the night away and enjoyed the company of her coworkers/friends. Although there was frustration from getting stuck in traffic, to me missing the wedding, to me getting lost - the fun we both had at the reception more than made up for it.

Congrats to Emily and Andy... obviously on the wedding... but also on keeping things so simple. Weddings should all be like this... simple and non-religious!

Saving Paul

Went to audition for a guest star spot on the show, "Saving Grace." I thought it went pretty well even though I didn't get a callback. I got the sides late in the day before and had about a million other things due in school. I actually sat down and tried to analyze the scene (which a 'real' actor should always do - I'm learning!) the best that I could and I felt I had a good take on the character. The sides that were provided gave a good feel for the characters past so that helped a lot too.

Anyway, the day of the audition (which was early the next morning), I was relaxed and went in with confidence. Tried to keep things as simple as possible. Of course the casting director (as most do) didn't give me much to work off of, but it was a good thing I developed a solid past for him. Did the best that I could at an audition and walked out with a smile.

Like I said, I didn't get a callback and to be honest, I felt bummed... always do when it comes to roles that are actually on TV! But I gotta remind myself that many working actors today have been turned down and later on went on to do solid work so it's cool. I know I did the best I could in the time that I had with the lack of experience that I have. I look forward to finishing school and getting myself into some much needed acting classes. It's awesome to be getting into these kinds of auditions and that's a positive step forward... along with actually breaking down characters... work in progress baby... in the words of some of my favorite MotoGP stars, take the positives and move onto the next track!

4:20 time...

Stoner (Go Casey!!!) dominates the first race of the season by leading all the practices, both warm-ups, and of course, winning the race - leading from start to finish. Rossi (Go Vale!!!) comes in 2nd, which is better than his 5th last year... Lorenzo 3rd (Go Yamaha!!!), Edwards 4th (Go Yamaha!!!), and Dovizioso 5th. Pedrosa, riding injured finished 11th and Nicky (Go Hayden!!!), who qualified 16th after a big crash finished 13th... not a great start... but better than expected considering his crash. Toseland came in 16th... which should make Edwards happy!

Race was canceled yesterday because of the rain... so they raced today...

Next race: Motegi, Japan on April 26th!!!

Rossi & Yamaha baby!!!

New MotoGP Season

Opening MotoGP race starts this weekend in Qatar!!! Here is a small preview of what to expect... Go Rossi!!! Go Yamaha!!! Go Nicky!!! Go Stoner!!!

The preview below is courtesy of crash.net

The 2009 MotoGP World Championship begins under floodlights in Qatar this weekend. Here is a team-by-team preview, followed by a summary of the main rule changes, heading into the new 17-round season…

Fiat Yamaha Team - Valentino Rossi (46), Jorge Lorenzo (99):

After his return to the top in 2008, Valentino Rossi arrives at the 2009 season-opener as an eight-time world champion and with a 'stable' technical package. The Italian and his Yamaha now have the benefit of a year's worth of Bridgestone tyre experience and The Doctor has been consistently fast in winter testing.

However, he was only third at the Qatar test and the desert circuit has not been Rossi's strongest venue in the past. Nevertheless, make no mistake, Rossi is once again the overwhelming title favourite heading into the new season.

Unlike Rossi, 2008 rookie of the year Jorge Lorenzo is new to Bridgestone tyres, but his gained momentum during a sometimes challenging winter 'apprenticeship' on the Japanese rubber, and took fourth position in the final Jerez test.

Lorenzo claims it will be difficult to repeat his stunning debut pole of one year ago, now that qualifying tyres have gone, but has his sights set on a firm podium challenge this weekend. Lorenzo finished second only to Casey Stoner at Qatar last year.


Ducati Marlboro Team - Casey Stoner (27), Nicky Hayden (69):

Casey Stoner may have lost his crown to Rossi last season, but the young Australian remains the most successful rider of the 800cc MotoGP era, with 16 wins to Rossi's 13 and a stunning 25 pole positions since the start of 2007.

Stoner has also been fastest in every pre-season test he has attended, having missed November's Jerez outing due to wrist surgery, and was almost one second clear of nearest rival Lorenzo at the Qatar test.

But, as was proven last season, lap times and pole positions alone are not enough to beat Rossi and Stoner is approaching the new season with caution - and a pledge to be more aggressive in the races. Stoner has won at Qatar for the past two seasons and is considered the pre-event favourite this weekend.

Fellow former world champion Nicky Hayden has changed teams, motorcycles and tyres for 2009 and has been hit hard by the reduction in winter testing. The former Repsol Honda rider is yet to get fully comfortable on his new GP9, with its carbon fibre chassis and swingarm, but appears to have settled in well to his new surroundings and has formed a useful working relationship with Stoner.

A top six would probably be considered a success for Hayden this weekend.


Repsol Honda Team - Dani Pedrosa (3), Andrea Dovizioso (4):

The once-feared factory Honda team heads into the new season on its back foot, after an injury for Dani Pedrosa - Honda's only race winner since the end of 2006 - and a low-key winter for new signing Andrea Dovizioso.

Pedrosa might not even be able to ride this weekend, as he continues to recover from skin graft surgery to his knee - damaged at the Qatar test in early March - while Dovizioso is adamant more changes need to be made to the RC212V.

Dovi was the top Honda rider at the final Jerez test, but seventh position isn't what he expected as a factory RCV rider. Pedrosa meanwhile has been cautious about changing the RCV too much, as his intention had been to start the year with a well understood package.

Expect Repsol Honda to view the first few rounds of the season as a damage limitation exercise.


Monster Yamaha Tech 3 - Colin Edwards (5), James Toseland (52):

The top satellite team of last season returns with an unchanged line-up, but with new Monster Energy title sponsorship and a wall dividing its riders after a winter feud triggered by a swap of crew chiefs.

Colin Edwards has adapted to Bridgestone tyres like a duck to water, while James Toseland had suffered two huge accidents from the three 2009 pre-season tests as he continues to understand the characteristics of the Japanese rubber.

Edwards now needs to prove he can race as good as he tests, while Toseland needs to stay on two-wheels and regain vital confidence. Toseland qualified second to Lorenzo on his MotoGP debut at Qatar last season.


Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - Chris Vermeulen (7), Loris Capirossi (65):

The most improved manufacturer over the winter is undoubtedly Suzuki, whose revamped GSV-R set the third, fourth and third best lap time during the three pre-season tests - at Sepang, Qatar and Jerez respectively.

Veteran Loris Capirossi led the Suzuki challenge on two occasions, while Chris Vermeulen was the top man at Qatar. After such encouraging form, Paul Denning's team will surely be aiming for nothing less than a double top six finish this weekend - and hopefully a podium.


San Carlo Honda Gresini - Toni Elias (24), Alex de Angelis (15):

The return of Toni Elias and the arrival of a satellite RC212V for the Spaniard have been the main talking point at Honda Gresini this winter. Unfortunately, a factory Honda is no longer a guarantee of competiveness and Elias heads into the new season seeking a cure for rear traction problems, while satellite rider de Angelis will be most concerned with eliminating errors during his free season.

Team Scot - Yuki Takahashi (72):

The honour of being Honda's home grown MotoGP rider has fallen to rookie Yuki Takahashi for the 2009 season, who starts his first premier-class season within the familiar surrounding of Team Scot - for whom he rode in 250 - and with the knowledge of what the squad achieved last season with Andrea Dovizioso.


Pramac Racing - Mika Kallio (36), Niccolo Canepa (88):

All change for the satellite Ducati team with a double rookie line-up for 2009, but former 125 and 250GP title contender Mika Kallio has already proved competitive - highlighted by sixth place at the final Jerez test - while former Ducati test rider Niccolo Canepa has had more mixed fortunes in testing.


Hayate Racing Team - Marco Melandri (33):

Born out of the ashes of the Kawasaki Racing Team, Hayate will field Marco Melandri on 2009 ZX-RRs during what looks like being the team's first and last season of MotoGP competition.

The level of factory support is unknown, but Melandri has made clear progress during the two tests the team attended and might be able to claim a top ten this weekend.

After a nightmare season alongside Stoner at Ducati in 2008, Melandri may yet revel in his new underdog role as he seeks to secure a return to competitive machinery for 2010.


LCR Honda MotoGP - Randy de Puniet (14):

Randy de Puniet remains with LCR for a second season, with his and the team's number one priority being to convert the Frenchman's practice and qualifying speed into race results. A new approach has been devised and de Puniet appears to be gaining confidence with the pneumatic-valve satellite RCV.


Grupo Francisco Hernando - Sete Gibernau (59):

Making a popular return to MotoGP in 2009 is double world championship runner-up Sete Gibernau, riding a fifth Ducati for the newly-promoted Grupo Francisco Hernandez outfit, which fielded Pablo Nieto in 125 last season.

Nieto is now a joint team manager, alongside brother Gelete, and the young team's first priority is to find its feet in MotoGP, whilst providing nine-time race winner Gibernau with the technical package he needs.

Gibernau has repeatedly downplayed expectations, but most expect the 36-year-old Spaniard to run towards the front at some point this season - probably in the wet.

Main 2009 MotoGP rule changes:

* All riders on Bridgestone tyres, slick options limited to one soft and one hard compound at each race. No qualifying tyres.
* No Friday morning free practice session.
* Only five engines can be used for final seven rounds, 10 point penalty for additional engines.
* Only two post-race test sessions.

The Hardy Girl...

Francoise Hardy, "Tous les garcons et les filles"

This song is so beautiful. I remember listening to this song as a kid... I don't know where... perhaps with my mom... yes, I remember my mom singing this song on our karaoke machine... I love this song... I love my mom...

McDonald's

I went on another audition today... it was for McDonald's... print work... it was interesting because it's got a rock climbing theme to it... I don't eat McDonald's, but the ad looked to be interesting... they had some rock climbing holds up and you went up and posed like you were climbing on it... the pictures would be used on the sides of buildings as if the climber is climbing up to the top of the building to get to a cup of coffee or something like that. Anyway, with my indoor climbing experience, I feel like I had a level of confidence that I normally wouldn't have... it was quick and easy... I should've worn exactly what I wear to go rock climbing... instead, I attempted to look like a hiker/climber type dude... screw that!

Good bye old friend...

I recently had to say good bye to an old friend of mine... my 1997 Honda Accord, my first new car. 1997, that means I'd been driving it around for 12 years - that's a long time. It was always good to me... but unfortunately, it wouldn't be able to say the same about me. Was it part of me being young and dumb? Or was it because I was being lazy? I think it had a little (or a lot) to do with both... once it got to the point where the Accord was starting to get beat up, I had no job to take care of it... once I did have the job, it was not a priority of mine... I figured, it runs so why fix it? This seems kind of silly, but I feel guilty because it was so good to me. That's why a part of me was so sad to see it go. When I was younger, I always thought I'd keep it forever... I remember my dad laughing at me saying that wouldn't be so... the rebellious teen in me thought otherwise, but he was right. I've learned many things with the Accord and I hope to be able to transfer that knowledge onto my next car.

Racing down the freeway against other idiots, three girlfriends, police encounters, friends, school trips, SF trips, car shows, car accidents, jobs, job interviews, auditions, rehearsals... this car has driven everyone - from friends, dates, family, girlfriends, non-friends, strangers... people who have all somehow contributed to my life... just as it has contributed to my life. I will miss you old friend and I'm sorry that I wasn't always able to be as good of a friend to you as you were to me... you've been there for me and I hope that I can treat my next car the way you deserved to be treated... I will do so Accord-ingly. Haha...

Catchup to you...

*Sigh* I've been so busy with things... school, work, staying active... it's not that I don't want to blog with you... here, let's play catch up. Here's what happened since the last time I blogged:

-I auditioned for an Apple print job and booked it... this actually happened before the 'Gym Rat' post.

-Ben Spies won his first WSBK race during race 2 of the first race of the season! Go Yamaha!

-Noriyuki Haga won race 1 of the first WSBK race of the season! Go Nori!!!

-I've had a plethora of cramming going on... took my first Comm. 330 test, Comm. 200 quiz, turned in my first abstract (?), turned in my annotated bibliography yesterday... papers... writing papers and all that stuff were always my weak point... but it's an opportunity to improve on this.

-The MotoGP boys tested at the Losail Circuit in Qatar... Stoner finished 1st, Lorenzo 2nd, and Rossi 3rd.

That's about it. I'm thinking about buying a new car cause it's time... but you know, I just finished paying off debt so I'd like to have a one year cushion where I can save up a good amount of money just to have, especially since I've never had the opportunity to do that, what, with Infrared and all. So yeah, I'm gonna hold off... damn, I'm getting responsible... sortof. Gotta think about moving out once school is done too... I'm old, dude.

That's all!

Gym Rat

I ditched my Interpersonal Communications class and was extremely late to my Storytelling class today for an Intel audition in Santa Monica. There's not really much to blog about but I'll make an attempt anyway. The call was for a guy at the gym... so I wore my shorts and cut-off shirt (which is what I actually wear to the gym), showed up, handed over my head shots, was given a call number, went in and the dude took pictures of me with a dinky little digital camera.

Auditions like this are much appreciated because they're quick and easy... but I can't help but think about how weird they are too. I mean, I go in, they take these arbitrary photos of me, ask me to smile in them, and send me on my way... that's cool, but when I get there, there are a whole bunch of dudes dressed in gym clothes, just like me... well, some went all out with the muscle tees and such... and some are freakin buff (haha, laugh it up...) ... ... it was strange... I saw head shots that weren't really head shots... more like body shots with their shirts off... strange... I couldn't help but smirk as I was sent rushing back to CSULB in bumper to bumper traffic about how funny it is that this is what I do.

PB&J

This is what I bring with me for lunch when I'm at school. You can't really tell in the picture (although you should've been able to tell from the title of this blog), but it's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Not only are they good, they also save me money, and they are a great snack to have immediately after a workout along with a cup of milk!

Anyway, I got a call from my agent today congratulating me on booking an Apple print job! Which reminds me that I did not blog about the audition. I need to blog about my auditions... is there a way to make a blog private??? I'll have to check on that.

A new adventure!!!

I'm currently learning how to build websites... very basic ones. Why the sudden interest in building websites? Well, I have recently come up with an idea for a semi-business and need a website. Hire someone you say? Well, building my own website will a) save me money b) give me the opportunity to learn something new c) it will allow me to make changes as needed instead of having to rely on someone else to do it and d) it certainly opens my eyes to what goes into building a website... something that is easily overlooked by us mere mortals.

Here's a screen shot of my first web page ever:


I know, it's not much... heck, the page itself says so... but there is some pretty interesting "markup's" that you use to get something as basic as what you see... then there's the second web page that I laid out... another daunting task for someone that has the worst luck with computers... here's what it looks like:

I'm only in the beginning steps of website building and I am already pretty excited. I can't wait until I start putting this stuff to use on my website and will be able to share it with the world!

Reading: 'Build Your Own Website The Right Way Using HTML & CSS' by Ian Lloyd

Yamaha for life...

Valentino Rossi came in 2nd fastest at the test in Sepang, Malaysia. James Stewart has won 5 races in Supercross. Ben Spies looks very comfortable on the new R1. Yamaha is on top of it's game and all of us Yamaha fans are going to enjoy a good year of racing. Here's a pic of Ben Spies 2009 R1, with war paint. If you look below, you'll see Rossi's war paint... I can't wait for the season to start... it'll be nice to watch some exciting racing amidst the stress from school!

*I make it rain*

I enjoy the rain very much. I like the way it sounds when it hits the ground and the way it makes the air feel, cool and crisp. I especially like what the sky looks like when it stops raining.

Sun & Moon

Testing resumes February 5th through the 7th! I am definitely excited. Read what Rossi has to say about things in the interview below or visit motogp.com to watch free footage of the interview and the unveiling of the 2009 YZR-M1.

How was your winter holiday? What have you been doing during your time off?

My winter holidays were great! I have a great passion for snowboarding and so I went to the mountains with my friends, did a bit of boarding, which was great fun, and now I am ready to start working again.

How are your memories of 2008? After having some time for your victory to sink in, can you choose your absolute favourite moment of 2008?

It's difficult to choose my favourite moment because, luckily, there were many in what was an incredible season! I returned to winning ways, but the most emotional race was the one in Laguna Seca, because it was definitely the most important victory of the season.

You had a chance to try the prototype bike before the break. What's your opinion of it so far and do you think Yamaha are doing a good job?

Yes, I had the chance to try the 2009 prototype briefly after Valencia but more so in Jerez, when I was very fast. The bike seems better and I was faster than I was with the 2008 version. I'm very confident, and anyway we're only at the beginning of our work and now we must use these months before April to improve the 2009 M1 even more.

What improvements are you hoping for in the next evolution model that you will test in Sepang next week?

In Sepang next week we will use our new bike... I will use my two bikes with the parts which I will use in the race, so I want to quickly try to find a good feeling. We're working a lot on the engine and we're trying to find a way to improve the acceleration a bit, and I think that this is the area in which we will be concentrating.

The wall is staying in your garage. Why do you want it to stay?

In our team there are two very strong riders and both of these riders are setting out to win the world championship. We found the arrangement to work very well in 2008 and so we will continue with it also in 2009.

Are you expecting Jorge to be one of your main title challengers this year?

Yes, I do think that Lorenzo will be one of my strongest rivals, because he has a year's more experience and this year there is also the monotyre, so we will start equal. He will be a very hard rival to fight.

Apart from him, who else do you expect will be fighting at the front with you?

I think that the number one rival will be Stoner. Then also Pedrosa will be very fast, and of course Lorenzo.

What do you think about the MotoGP 'crisis' and the departure of Kawasaki? Are you worried about the number of bikes on the grid?

I am very worried about the number of bikes on the MotoGP grid because in 2008 there were only 19, which was already not many. I hope that Kawasaki stay because otherwise this will become 17; we have to find a way to have more bikes on the track.

What do you think needs to be changed in order to try to increase it?

It's difficult for me to say. I think that we need a bike that is a little less sophisticated and a little cheaper.

After two tests, what's your opinion about the new mono-tyre rule? Do you think it's going to improve the racing or not?

It's a bit early to say, but I think that there will be a better show because everyone will have the same tyre. With the monotyre, for better or for worse and considering the show, during the last few laps of the race the bike will move around a bit more and so you will have to go a little bit slower. This will probably produce closer battles. We hope so!

What else do you think should be done in order to bring back closer racing? You have talked about a reduction in rider aids, can you tell us more about what you think should be done in this area?

In the last few years there have been races, especially since the arrival of the 800cc motorcycle, with a lot less close racing and I think that this is mostly to do with the evolution of the tyres. Now in the corners we're very fast and so there is less time to try to overtake. Furthermore however, the huge evolutions in electronics have levelled the performance of the riders and therefore this has also led to a few less battles.

Everyone knows that you made a request to Yamaha to take part in a WSB race, specifically against Bayliss. Are you upset that this is not happening? Would you still like the chance to compete in a WSB race?

It was a fun idea, and I would have been very happy. I would still like to do a race in superbike and I would like to battle with Bayliss, because he is the world champion! Unfortunately it is a bit of a difficult period and I didn't have the chance, but I hope that in the future, maybe next year, we can do it.

You did very well in the Rally of GB. Has this increased your desire to try rally fulltime at some point?

I have always loved rally, ever since I was little. It is one of my great passions and it is great to do one when I have the time and the chance. I always enjoy it a lot and probably, when I have given up the bikes and when I have the chance to improve and I have more time, I will do more...but it's not a close future, because I still want to race with the bike for a few more years!

You also had another chance to test the Ferrari. Do you think you have improved your level in the car?

The Formula One... to try the Ferrari again was a great emotion. I have always been a great fan of racing cars, not just of rally. I was fast, so I was happy; I am fast enough also in Formula One! In 2006 I decided to stay with the bike and, of course, I still have some doubts, but just to climb inside the red car at Mugello and work with Ferrari was fantastic.

Have you had any more thoughts about F1 racing in the future?

As I said before, I had my chance and I decided to stay with bikes. The choice is made and I don't think that there will be another possibility.

You are great friends with Marco Simoncelli. What's your opinion about his 250 title last year and do you think he is the favourite to win again this year?

I am good friends with Simoncelli; he is a great guy. We train together and last year he surprised me because I knew that he great potential, but I didn't think he would become World Champion. I am happy for him; he deserved it. He is staying in 250 and I think that he is the favourite for 2009.

Do you think Marco could be a good prospect for Yamaha in the future?

I think that Simoncelli will come to MotoGP, because he is a fast rider and he is very young. In Yamaha, however, we already have Lorenzo and I, so I think that he will be a good prospect for other factories.

Are you going to continue as 'your own' manager in 2009? Have you considered working with a new manager?

I am very happy with what I have decided to do and with my actual organisation, I don't have any need for a manager and I am not thinking of having any type of manager for now.

There aren't many targets left for you in your career...you're already the most successful rider in the history of the sport. Do you have many more targets? Would you like to reach Agostini's record of 122 wins in all classes?

Agostini's record is something very important, naturally. I am not far off, but to do it I would have to continue to fight and race for a few more years! My principal objective is to win a few more world championships; this is more important than catching Agostini. Obviously, if I succeed then it will be wonderful!

Do you still have the same level of motivation as previously? How do you keep your interest and hunger?

To ride the bike on the track and to try to find ways to be faster, but above all to work with Yamaha and with this group of people, always makes me happy and therefore I feel motivated. I have been racing for a long time and every year I need to stay concentrated to find the right motivation and to be aggressive. I feel in form.

Finally, you said 2008 was the hardest title of your career. Do you think 2009 will be easier or even harder?

2008 was difficult because it was the year in which I had to give the most of myself in order to win. In 2009 it will be even more difficult because my adversaries, who suffered in 2008, are now out for payback and will be looking to beat me. I think it's going to be even harder than 2008!

Good looking out...

The Superbowl was today... Steelers VS. Cardinals. I don't follow football much during the season, but I do enjoy catching the Superbowl because it's usually an opportunity to get together with friends. We get to chat, talk trash, laugh, eat, drink, and all the other fun stuff. I don't have a favorite team but I do like Brett Favre... there's just something about the guy... so I usually found myself rooting for whatever team he was on and the team he's on now. Otherwise, I don't care who wins or plays against each other... it's really to be with friends. This year was different though... my good friend Taine passed away and he was a die-hard Steelers fan. At his funeral, someone bought a Steelers cap and put it on his coffin, which I thought was a really nice gesture. When I heard they were in the playoffs, I was really rooting for them because Taine would have been. Then the Steelers make it to the Superbowl... that's pretty damn cool... then they win the damn thing. I'm not religious at all, but I can't help but want to believe that somehow, Taine had a hand in this. It's like it was his way of being with us as we watched the game today. I miss my friend.

On a different note... as much as I came in rooting for the Steelers, they were acting like a bunch of cocky jerks on the field during the second half, which I didn't care for... then I found out about the Cardinals star receiver, Larry Fitzgerald. Everyone was saying how great of a receiver this guy was and sure enough, he made some great catches and played a good game. That's not what struck me the most though. It was when I was informed that he makes $40 million for four years and his teammate (Boldin, who isn't anywhere as good of a player) started complaining and wanting out of his contract because he wasn't being payed as much. Fitzgerald was reported as ripping up his contract to renegotiate for less pay to pay the difference so his teammate could make as much money as him in order for the guy to stay. Wow... I didn't know people like that existed in American "stick-and-ball" sports. Although I think it sucks for Fitzgerald to have to do such a thing, it's also a great thing because it should be a wake-up call to all those cocky, self-absorbed, overly-paid, overly-macho athletes out there... it should help them realize what a REAL role model actually is. If I were Boldin, I'd be so embarrassed and ashamed of myself... I wouldn't allow Fitzgerald to do such a noble thing... be grateful for the amount of money I'm making and shut the heck up! But that's the state of our country... the state of the kind of society that we breed... Fitzgerald, to me, is awesome. If there were more people like that in the world, it'd be that much better of a place to live in. And everyone could benefit from a better place to live in. I still like Favre... but I'll be keeping an eye on Fitzgerald for sure.

I really wanted the Steelers to win for Taine... but inside, I also wanted the Cardinals to win because they had Fitzgerald and they stayed strong throughout the game... even after they were being pounded on. In the end, the Steelers won and I know Taine's got a big old smile on his face... and that makes me smile too.

People...

So I was at work today and I encountered one of the worst type of persons I have ever had the privilege of encountering. He was the type of guy that I would try not to judge as I walk pass him on the street, but I wouldn't be able to help myself. This dude wears the Ed Hardy type trash with his slightly tinted sunglasses and walks around like he's some big shot... only he's more like a wannabe Hispanic-American-Euro-Trash crossover that went terribly wrong.

I knew he was trouble the moment he sat down (sad to say)... this guy asks for a salted rim cup for his Corona... I inform him that we don't have a bar therefore we don't offer salted rim cups... so he asks me to make available all of the necessary accessories so he 'can do it himself'... SO, I save myself the hassle and salt the cup for his ass... no problemo...

I take this dudes order, he's unsure what the hell he wants, but it's cool... I gladly explain to him the ordering process and he orders for himself and the three kids that are with him. My bad... I forget to enter his order... so the food doesn't come out... my bad... it's about 10 or 15 minutes since his order... I frantically run over and apologize for the delay (of course I didn't tell him that I forgot to enter the order... I just tell him that the ticket didn't print out in the back...) the dude starts throwing attitude (which I can understand)... so I tell him that I will have the cooks rush his order and it will come up very shortly (it'd take the shrimp about 5 minutes to come out and about 7 - 10 minutes for the fried stuff to come out for his devil children)... he starts telling me he has to leave... so what did he want me to do? Lick his shoe? I kindly said that if he needed to leave, that I'd be happy to ring him up for his drinks and he can do so... dude flips out and says that I'm trying to put words into his mouth... he says he's hungry... well dude, you're the one that said you have to leave... so I gave him an attitude right back... dude was trying to get something for free... to make an already long story shorter... I end up putting aside my pride, buy the dude and his buddy each a beer... and for the rest of the time, the dude was still a complete dick. His kids made a mess (a mess!!!! How do you allow your kids to throw food all over the floor... literally) and he continued to bitch about this and that... I didn't expect much of a tip from him... he left like an 8% tip or something... which is fine, my bad...

The point? It's moments like these that teach me how to be a decent human being... I feel like I was raised in a family by parents and brothers and sisters who are good and considerate people... but ultimately, it's up to me to treat others accordingly... and moments like these help me appreciate good people in the world... Man, I wanted to tell that dude to shut the fuck up with his fake ass glasses... but it's cool... he contributed something to my life that I will be able to keep forever... and that's worth more than the $6 bucks that it cost for his beer and the $6 tip that he left.

I plead the 5th...

So it was the 5th year of our annual SF trip - 5 years of wine tasting (although I opted to be the double d this year), hitting the gay bars & clubs, shopping, museums, and most importantly - eating. I think most people take vacations to go site seeing and all of the things that I mentioned above, which we do. However, when we hit SF, we focus on the good eats first... which is what I'll do in this blog.

The first stop when we got into town was Cafe Fanny's. They offered a low-key breakfast menu which was a good way to start the weekend off. There was a tasty potato soup that was delightful. Right next door was a bread shop named Acme Bread. Their baguettes were warm and filling... in a good way... so much so that I had to buy a second loaf! We visited Sociale's, a little Italian joint that won favorite dishes of the weekend from 3 of 4 of the crew. My dish, the Brick Chicken dish (what they're known for) was probably the best chicken I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I try to stay healthy by ordering chicken when I go out and it can be boring at times... especially when members of your group are ordering things such as wild boar ravioli. This time however, the chicken was far from boring. It melted in my mouth like butter. As a matter of fact, I think they marinated butter in chicken with this mind melting dish. It was sooooo good that I have to post a picture of it. We also re-visited The House, an Asian fusion restuarant located in Chinatown. Our 4th member had her favorite dish there, the sea bass. They're known for their bass and I'm jealous I didn't order that dish... I will next time. We had amazing dessert dishes at each sitting (except for the Japanese Ramen restuarant... which we didn't order) and it'd be too crazy to sit here and list them all. I do want to mention that for the 5th year in a row, we stopped off at The Boulangerie, a French pastry shop that offers great fruit tarts, chocolate croissantes, and other delicious goodies that leave me feeling no remorse for all the calories I take in just from breathing the air inside the shop. You have to visit if you're ever in the Bay. We also visited Burma Superstar, which offers Burmese dishes (I've never tried) and the morning of the departure, we visited (also for the 5th year) Koi Palace and had 15 (or was it 16?) dishes of yummie dim sum!!! It was a good way to end the 5th annual SF trip.

The weather was perfect all weekend which was really strange because it's been very cold every single year we've gone up. I guess that was SF's way of saying, "Thanks mufucka's for coming up again... I'll see you next year and it'll be cold as a mufucka again!"

I spent time with my girlfriend and some good friends on a trip that comes up faster and faster with each passing year. We were discussing my bad memory and this blog of my experience of it is a good way of remembering our 2009 trip to SF... I hope you all have traditions or trips you take with your family & friends that will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's these moments that I cherish the most... moments that are worth more than all the money in the world.

I'm so Proust of you...

The Proust Questionnaire is a questionnaire about one's personality. Its name and modern popularity as a form of interview is owed to the responses given by the French writer Marcel Proust.
At the end of the nineteenth century, when Proust was still in his teens, he answered a questionnaire in an English-language Confession album belonging to his friend Antoinette, daughter of future President Felix Faure, entitled "An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc." At that time, it was a fad among English families to answer such a list of questions that revealed the tastes and aspirations of the taker.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Having your family & friends be with you through the good/bad times... doing things that you enjoy doing... there's no such thing as perfect... happy things change from time to time... but family & friends are always on the list.

2. What is your greatest fear?
Losing members of my family & friends.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Selfishness

5. Which living person do you most admire?
Those who chase their dreams

6. What is your greatest extravagance?
I'm too care free about my money

7. What is your current state of mind?
Inspired to finish school and chase my dreams

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
All virtues can be overrated depending on how you apply them...

9. What is your favorite flower?
Don't have one... one's that smell good... I'll look into it

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Nothing

11. Which living person do you most despise?
Those who are selfish, greedy, and egotistical

12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Kindness

13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Kindness

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Right now, 'What up'

15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Family & Friends, acting, performing, motorcycling, learning

16. When and where were you happiest?
When I am around my Family & Friends

17. Which talent would you most like to have?
To be more disciplined about things

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be more focused

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
So far, going back to school and working on finishing it

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Myself so I can learn more

21. Where would you most like to live?
Where people are kind to each other... I haven't traveled enough to be able to decide... but as long as the people around you are kind, then that's a good start.

22. What is your most treasured possession?
Material things do not matter... my Family & Friends... but they're not my possession... some come and go... perhaps the memories or lessons that I gain from each of them

23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The experiences of those in the world who do not have the opportunities that each of us in this country are given... even then, many of them are able to pull themselves out of the so-called 'misery' and do wonderful things... so I'm unsure

24. What is your favorite occupation?
Acting

25. What is your most marked characteristic?
Friendly... I don't know

26. What do you most value in your friends?
Honor, loyalty, selflessness, kindness...

27. Who are your favorite writers?
Hmmm... those who write. I don't know a lot of writers by name... I just enjoy reading and taking things and applying them to my life...

28. Who is your hero of fiction?
Son Goku

29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
We are all a part of history and I learn something new about myself through many different people I encounter...

30. Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents, selfless people, Valentino Rossi, people who try to make a difference in their own little ways

31. What are your favorite names?
Don't have any

32. What is it that you most dislike?
Selfishness, greed, egotism

33. What is your greatest regret?
Discovering that I actually want to finish school and learn something now instead of earlier.

34. How would you like to die?
Peacefully

35. What is your motto?
I have many... but one I always think of on a daily basis is, 'be kind'.

I Wish I Never Met Your Mother

The most recent episode (and many before it) from season 4 of 'How I Met Your Mother' was terrible. It has become very gimmicky and has followed in the footsteps of many other television shows of having key characters falling into a love triangle. One of my favorite shows (season 1 and 2) has now become one of my least favorite shows. Time to move on.

Hi, my name is Paul!

Okay, so I have never kept a 'diary' or anything like that because I have either been too lazy to write or I completely forget that I was supposed to do so on any given day. Any attempts I have ever had would start off one day, then it would jump to a few months later when I accidentally find said diary again... so I thought it would be interesting to blog about my daily, weekly, or monthly interests for those who are, well, interested... but mainly for myself. I guess a way of keeping aware of, well, myself.

I don't think you'll find anything too crazy here. I am simply a guy who is trying to make a living for himself... not with money necessarily... when I say a living, I mean just learning to navigate through this life that I live. Who cares, right? Nobody needs to... but I think we all go through this in some way or another... whether it's through our daily experiences as human beings or through our minds. We're always trying to figure out what to do next.

A little about me... I'm a student, in school and in life. I'm an actor. I'm a son. I'm a brother. I'm a boyfriend. I'm a bartender. I'm a server. Oh gosh, not another actor! Well, I'm one of those guys who cannot stand the expected normalities of a "successful" life... what does that mean? Working a 9 - 5? That's not me... it drives me crazy. I'm currently a server and bartender and I work about 20 - 25 hours per week... it leaves the rest of the week open to audition, be active, read, go to school, be with friends and family... it leaves the rest of the week to LIVE. I guess that's me in a nutshell... an extra small nut shell. I hope you find my blogs interesting, controversial (at times), thought provoking, not so thought provoking, fun, boring, exciting, and everything else... Life is all of these things and so a blog should be too... let's just see if I keep up with this better than I have with my 'diaries'!!!

Reading: 'The Forever War' by Dexter Filkins
Watched: 'The Wild One' and 'Julius Caesar' starring Marlon Brando
Just: Got back from indoor rock climbing... my fingers hurt