GUESS WHAT?!?!
  WOW! I just read an email from a friend and while I should be going to sleep this e-mail just freaking woke me up! I'm not gonna name names...cause I'm sure they want to tell everyone first. Lemme just say CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO! You know who you are! I'm so happy for you guys!!! HOORAY! Now I can't sleep...great. Such is the life of Joe...

Ish Talkers!
  First off...HAPPY BIRTHDAY REGGIE! It's my lil bro's birthday. And Congratulations and GOOD LUCK ROZANNO and DANA! And last but definitely not least...HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEVON!!! (well, technically belated birthday...but I really didn't blog on the 29th)
  80829 Party on Friday. Great times. Chilling with friends, new and especially old. Saw a couple friends there I haven't seen in a long ass time. Chris is a trooper going to that party even with a broken leg, Regi is a wussy for taking so long to take half a shot of vodka, Jevon is uber wussy for manning the door for the first hour and not taking any shots, Corner Office needs to know to bring in twice the number of bartenders than they usually have when there's a party there, my friends are shit talkers (see further down this entry) and finally, drunk Danielle and drunk Jovan shouting across the table is highly entertaining.
  So whenever I say something like "I can't wait to do nothing...." don't believe me on that. Yes, I can't wait to do nothing in the morning and afternoon, but when the evening/night comes along. I get really bored. Yeah, I suck. And remember, I refuse to call people to see what they're doing...because I think I'm imposing. But I broke down and called up Jevon who said that Lou, Belle, Ryan, and Sherwin were going out to Old Town Pasadena. So that's where I went on Saturday night...2nd time ever there. And yes, it was better than staying at home...and yes, I have to say this again every weekend...I need to live closer to LA...at least on the weekends. Jevon? Theda? I know you guys moved out there any takers on a weekend roommate??? HA!
  You know what I noticed? My friends are such bad "shit talkers". HA! "But That's What We Do" HA HA HA! I just noticed it so much this weekend. Friends just watching the dancefloor and making fun or commenting on how that girl is moving, how that girl is dressed, how that guy is dancing. MAN! Just remember to be careful who you're talking about, who's around you when you're talking, and make sure that you use your "inside voice". Case in point: we were eating in Chinatown after the CAS party, there was this group that left while we were eating. One of my friends (who's name is like Bell, but with an "e" at the end) just commented "that girl is sparkly" (the girl was wearing a green top with sparkles) in her "inside voice" and then followed it up with "look at how she walks" in a "normal voice" so loud that the girl turns around. HA HA HA! Good one Bell (w/ an "e")!!! Remember, after going to a party, you're ears are messed up...so you're probably talking a lot louder than you normally do. What you think is your "inside voice" probably sounds more like your "normal voice". Oh well, "but that's what we do". Good times.
  The start of another great work week!!! (said w/ extreme sarcasm) 5 days and then a 3 day weekend! HOORAY! Such is the life of Joe...

Weird
  Weird. Not a bad weird....it's definitely a good weird and nice. Just weird. Such is the life of Joe...

No one tells me anything!
  So completely opposite from my last entry when I said something being a good advice giver/listener. Well, apparently no one tells me anything! HA HA HA! I'm kidding...I'm just surprised that I freaking didn't know that one of my friends broke his leg on Sunday and had surgery on it yesterday. CRAZY. That's something major and I didn't find out until today.
  Now you have to ask yourself, is it because no one tells me anything? Or is it because I don't call people and find out what's up with them. Yup, it's the latter. As I've probably said before, I don't call people, I don't use my phone. I honestly use 300 minutes each month...AT MOST. So that's why I'm in the dark on certain things. Maybe I should actually start keeping in touch with people...that'd be the smart thing to do.
  So here's to Chris. Sorry I didn't know about your injury, may you have a speedy recovery. Such is the life of Joe...

Uh huh
  Dude, I was so freaking mad at this stupid teacher today just because she didn't freaking let me add her class. On Monday she has us all sign a piece of paper and said she'll add like 5 people to the class. The next class, I go up to her and she says she's not adding anyone. STUPID BITCH! Dammit...my blood pressure is just rising right now. I'm going to be so freaking pissed off if I hear from Mae that the stupid teacher called my name and dropped me because I wasn't there. You told me you weren't adding!!! Doesn't matter anyways...she seemed like a stupid teacher. You know, one of those teachers where I'd know more than she did? Yeah, one of those teachers that teaches straight from the book because she doesn't know what she's talking about. Yeah, I'm just venting right now.
  I don't know why I'm so mad...it's my own fault. But you can't be mad at yourself, right? It's my stupid procrastination problem. I mean, I had all so much time to add it...then I finally decide to add it...like a week before classes started, and it's all full. Yeah, I'm to blame. So...should I take the Friday/Saturday class? It'd be Friday 6-10 (that's scheduled, it probably won't be that long) and then again Saturday from 8am-noon? Hmmmm....that means I'd have no Fridays to play...not that I play at all.
  Well, a big thank you to Iya, I was bitching and bitching and bitching to her about my stupid class...then she starts to talk to me about something else and I totally forget about my stupid silly problem. Am I a good advice giver? Honestly, I think I'm more of a listener than a freaking advice giver....it seems all I do is go, "uh huh...uh huh....oh really....uh huh" then all of a sudden they go "thanks for all the help joemama". Help? I just said "uh huh" the whole conversation. HA HA HA!
Such is the life of Joe...

Why! Maes Hughes! WHY!!!
  Hump day. Ahhhhh...the weekend is halfway here. Today I get to find out if I'm added to that Easy A Anatomy class. I tried to get into the Tue/Thurs class but that was even more full than the Mon/Wed class. Too bad...the teacher seemed to know more about what he was talking about. So cross your fingers for me, hopefully I get into this Mon/Wed class...or else I might have to consider a Fri night/Sat morning class!!! WHAT! Yeah, that's not really an option. I don't think I can give up my Friday nights for 4 months (even though most of them are spent sleeping at home).
  Full Metal Alchemist...only the best anime EVER! Man, I am so caught up in it. I've never been so caught up in an anime, except for maybe Cowboy Bebop. I mean, I just watched episode 24 or 25 in FMA. SOOOOOOOOOO sad...but soooooooooo good. I thought Episode 7 was sad, this was so much worse. Pretty crazy to see how emotionally caught up I am to this anime. SGREAT!
  And finally, Happy 17th Birthday to my cousin Katrina. She doesn't read this...so it's kinda pointless to put it up here. Oh well....such is the life of Joe...

Easy A
  So I tried to crash an Anatomy class today at IVC. Dude, there were so many freaking people trying to get into that class! I dunno how good my chances are. But Danny was there...and Mae too! The class itself? I honestly feel like I'm not going to learn anything there, actually lemme put it this way, the teacher isn't going to be teaching me...I'll be teaching myself. Honsestly it seems like a freaking rudimentary class. BUT I know I can get an "A" in that class. Hmmmmm...I'm not in that class yet, and I'm trying to crash another anatomy class tomorrow to make sure my bases are covered, but it brings up this question. Should I take the EASY A class where I won't learn anything? Or take a harder class where getting an A would be a little harder, but I would actually learn stuff? Decisions...decisions.
  I wouldn't be in this perdicament of having to crash classes if I wasn't such a procrastinator. I mean, I got my enrollment time a copule of month ago...but I didn't freaking try to register until maybe last month and all the classes are full! MAN! That's what I get for being such a freaking procrastinator. Well, we'll see how great the teacher on Tuesday teaches....it might make my decision a little easier.
  Oh yeah....and I"m taking Anatomy just in case I wanna do Pharmacy or go to Physician Assistant Grad School. Dunno yet...but it's a step. Such is the life of Joe...

BURNT OUT!
  I NEED A FREAKING VACATION! I HATE WORK SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
  Such is the life of Joe...

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
  I hate freaking people at Poker Stars who freaking go "all in" in every freaking hand. Piss me off. Play the freaking game! Stupid idiots. I don't see the fun in just going "all in" in every single hand? Where's the strategy? Wooo hooo..you just won a pot of $20. YAY! I hate playing online....but it's always there whenever I have a craving.
  You know what show is freaking hillarious? "The Graham Norton Effect" on Comedy Central. It's so freaking random but so freaking hillarious! HA HA HA! I love it!!! Go check it out...you'll be laughing your ass off.
  Finally, Friday is here. I've been waiting for a while (like a week, HA!). Dude, I think I'm burnt out at work. I'm seriously thinking of taking a vacation. I mean, I have like 160 hours of vacation, plus like 50 hours of sick and "personal" time. Yeah, it's nice to get that big check at the end of the year for all your vacation time, but I'm getting so burnt out. A month long vacation? Hmmmmmmm...probably not. Maybe a couple days here and there. I actually might save some of that vacation time in case I go to the Philippines in May with my Dad...but we'll see what happens. Dude, I could take a week off and just go to Tulare and just chill there for a while...or stay at home doing nothing...or go up North and visit friends...go to Pismo since I haven't been there in a while...go up to Carmel/Monterrey since I've been wanting to go up there...go to Vegas and just chill there...go to Puerto Nuevo and get my lobster on...I dunno...just thinking out loud.
  Tommorow should be good though since it's a Friday. Seriously, there is no thing as a bad Friday. Unless you have to work on Saturday. Friday....mmmmmmmm....I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I can't wait to do nothing. Ok, that is all....such is the life of Joe...

Altered Body Image
  Why am I so freaking tired this week? I feel like I'm going to fall asleep in the middle of the day. I mean, I don't get up until maybe 8:30 in the morning (after ignoring the initial alarm at 6:30 and hitting the snooze button multiple times) and yes, I don't sleep until maybe 2 in the morning....but 6 hours is good, right? Yesterday I tried to sleep at midnight...but stuipd WSOP was on ESPN. Yup, another sign I'm addicted.
  Maybe it's this stupid thing of eating Salad for lunch and dinner all last week and this week...until today. I don't know why I'm starting a "diet" now. I mean, summer is practically over. But whatever. So salad for lunch and dinner all last week (I get to eat whatever I want on the weekends) and this week. Today I slipped and had oatmeal for lunch and Jack in the Box for dinner (oatmeal? Yeah, I know...random). But, hey, I lost 5 pounds. Now I'm down to 160...is it the salad? No, not necessarily, Serena says there's probably the same amount of fat/calories in a salad than a fast food meal (due to the dressing, although i don't believe her)...I think it's just because I'm eating smaller portions. I used to come back from lunch and dinner so freaking stuffed and complaining that I've eaten too much. Now I'm just perfectly full.
  So high school me weighed 135lbs. Joe as of last week weighed 165lbs. Joe as of today weighs 160lbs. Wow, I've gained 25lbs since high school....I'm a freaking fat ass. So I've invested in one of those exercise ball thingies. Sgreat....I've used it every day since I got it....but I'm lazy today....and probably tomorrow...and the rest of my life. So now it's just gonna sit there.
  Weird, how I consider myself "fat". Ok, not fat, but I have a freaking stomach. I can't get rid of it. I mean, before I was really into working out I was whatever. And the old college me would actually like the stomach that the now me has...but now my body image has changed. It used to be "just get that stomach to not protrude as much" now it's "gotta get that six pack". Same thing with everything else about me. People tell me that I look good and stuff...but honestly, I still think my arms/shoulders/chest need more definition...not more bulk, but more definition. Yeah, can you say "altered body image" I can see how some weightlifters keep on getting bigger and bigger...or how some skinny people keep on dieting to get even skinnier. No, I'm not that bad...I know I have an altered body image...
  Blah....I've convinced myself...time to get back on the ball and do some crunches...and also do some laundry. Such is the life of Joe...

Mr. Consistency
  I guess you could call me that. At least when it comes to poker. This past month or so I've always been the top 2 players (in a group of 6 players) or top 4 players (in a group of 22). Pretty good for a guy that doesn't really know strategy. On Sunday, I played in my biggest poker tournament. There were 22 guys, most of whom I've never met and so don't know how they play (not that it would've helped me if I did know how they played). I was really intimidated b/c they all were busting out their poker chip tricks and spitting stats (if I have this and this there's this percent chance that I'll win). I soon lost my money...but was able to rebuy in. And made it to the final table...and made it to fourth place...and earned myself $30 (in play money of course...gambling is illegal). Too bad that I paid $30 to play and $15 to rebuy. All good though...It was good times. I think I could've taken 3rd, but I was stupid.
  Yeah, I think I'm getting addicted to this stupid game of poker. I can't help but play if someone tells me a game is going on. I wanna buy a poker chip set...and start learning the stats and stuff. But whatever...playing they way I've been playing has been doing me good...so why change, right?
  Man, I LOOOOOVE Full Metal Alchemist. Jevon "bought" me all the episodes (because burning them onto DVD is illegal) and I've been hooked just watching it. Soooo good. Funny at times, sad at times, and great all the time. AHHHHHHHHH I'm sounding like Jevon now! Soon I'll be sporting a FMA pocket watch! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!
  It's only freaking Tuesday and I'm already waiting for the weekend. This weather has been killing me. I think I'm sleeping in because I keep thinking it's too early to wake up because it's too overcast and cool. Stupid weather...not even beach weather. And I've only been to the beach freaking once this year. The beach Berto, the beach.
  Ok, that is all for now...and no...don't call me "grace" BLAH! Such is the life of Joe...

Chasing Amy
  First of all, since my last post there have been multiple birthdays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!! Sorry I couldn't make it out to the Yardhouse. I owe you some drinks next time we go out. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHELE!!! You're old! (although still younger than most of us) HAPPY BIRTHDAY JA!!! Ummm, yeah...that's why I went to LA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!! Another reason I went to LA yesterday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISH!!! (even though I just found out it was your birthday the day of).
  Good times...good times. And where did I have these good times??? In LA of course, as usual. Went to Level 3 at Hollywood and Highland for Ja's birthday. Once again I was awestruck like a tourist amazed at seeing stars on the Hollywood walk of fame and just seeing Hollywood and Highland in itself. So freaking nice. Good times there with Joe, Riann, and Cile. Drank it up, chilled with friends (it was so random to see Dean, Trish, Mike, Joanna, Vic, and Art there for Trish's birthday), and danced it up. Yes, danced it up...I tend to dance when I have drinks in me...AND I had to make sure Riann did the "hat dance". The best part of the night was seeing Riann's favorite person (the one who wanted to beat Riann up in High School). Seeing her there allowed us to add another step in her dance routine...it's "hat dance" for 4 counts, then "fan dance" for 4 counts. HA!
  Chasing Amy....except her name isn't Amy. Yeah, the sad part of the night was being introduced to this cute girl. No, that's not the sad part. No, the sad part isn't the fact that she was the one girl that really struck my eye the whole night. The sad part is when I found out that she prefers the company of women to men. Sad for me...ruined my night. HA HA HA! So now I can kinda relate to all you ladies who drool over some hot guy, only to find out that he's gay. Oh yeah...and Cile...remember, this month is AUGUST. HA!
  The night ended chilling at the New Otani Hotel with Matt, Rochelle, Edwin, Stacy, Randy, Iya, Rachele, Eric, and Anna. THANKS ANNA AND MATT FOR PICKING US UP!!! Staying up late just watching and learning a little on how to play Mah Jong, watching the Olympic Ceremonies, watching Randy try on the kimono and slippers, and just chilling and talking makes for a great way to end the night.
  Good times on a Friday night. Now I'm freaking tired. I'm gonna sleep and hopefully do nothing at all tonight. Such is the life of Joe...

Turn Me On, Turn Me On
  Good times this weekend. Once again I have to plug Garden State which is an awesome movie. Saturday was spent at the beach for the first goodbye for Dana. It was hot, crowded, and there were no waves. It was so much fun...yes, kicking it with friends, playing poker (even though I lost), eating, and playing dodgeball made it all worthwhile. Dude, dodgeball was so freaking fun. We HAVE to play again.
  Later that night was Ro's goodbye part 1 at D&B's. I freaking forgot my money and ID at home and so I couldn't get in. So I called up James to ask if he could drop them off at the Spectrum. You know you have a great brother when he drives to the Spectrum, battling all the freaking traffic in the parking lot, just to drop off my money and ID to a stupid forgetful older brother and then just leave to go back home. Thanks again James. D&B's was grandiose. Kicked it with more friends...I think that's all I need. I just need my friends around and I'll be happy. Good times.
  And finally Sunday was spent trying to avoid this one priest at St. John Newmann's by going to 10:30 am mass only to find out that he's there too!!! Then a lil shopping and then off to LA with Fantone (thanks Fantone for driving) to go eat at Revolving Sushi w/ Fantone, Anna, Leia, Gwen, Cile, Cyn, Gary, Riann, and Joe. Good times, man, my freaking throat is so sore from laughing at all of Riann's stories. Also all the planning of future events like being full on tourists and going around Hollywood, Melrose, the Grove, Getty Center and the like...something that I've always talked about doing. We always say we're gonna do it...but it never happens. Oh well, wiht more people being added to our "tourist" day, I'm sure it'll happen. And if you ever see Joe or Riann just start singing that "Turn Me On" song by Kevin Lyttle. THEY LOVE IT!
&nbps Do you believe in love at first sight? No...becuase then what about blind people? Funny answer to a serious question. But no, I don't believe in love at first sight, but love at first conversation as Anna put it? Yeah, I can believe in that more than love at first sight. Great talk with Anna about our ever single lives. Made me relize some things about myself, things I already kinda knew...but that I never really though about. Thanks Anna for another great conversation.
  Until next edition. Such is the life of Joe...

New Joizy
  Also known as "The Garden State". HEY! What a coincidence! I just watched "Garden State" tonight and you know what??? YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT! It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. It's funny, it's sad, it's a comedy, it's a romance, it's just a great movie. If you are gonna watch it...let me know...I'll go again. I was laughing my ass off just because of the quirky humor. Small indy movie...you'd think that no one wanted to see it, huh? Nope, we were wrong as the freaking line at Edwards University was literally in the parking lot. We actually had to sit in the 2nd row. I didn't mind because the movie was so great. Best movie I've watched all year.
  So I missed another poker night tonight. Yeah, 3 poker nights in a week are probably too much for some people...but not me, since I'm addicted now. Tonight I heard there were gonna be 14 people playing! Damn! That's some serious money if you win!!! (not that we play with real money...that's illegal). Yeah, I think I'm addiected now because I kinda know how to play now, I know when to bet, when to fold, when to slow play, how to read what others might have. So much so that I actually won on Wednesday! Awesome! So ever since then I'm addicted...and I missed on an opportunity to play tonight but whatever. There's always next week. Hopefully I don't get too rusty.
&nbps&nbpsWeekend is here...time to rest and relax the rest of the weekend. Good times gonna happen this weekend. Such is the life of Joe...

Just bet big and I'll Fold
  Yeah, that's me (hmmm...maybe I shouldn't reveal that). If you freaking bet big, I'll fold. Especially when it's head to head, and the freaking blinds are 10/20. Dude, I was actually doing great at poker last night at Mike's. I took out Ed and Sherwin at the same time with a 9 on the river to make my straight....beating their 3 of a kind each. I was the chip leader...so far ahead of MIke. Yet Mike comes out the victor! I can't play head to head man...I need to freaking practice and pay attention more. Good times, good times. So when's the next poker game???
  Current addictions: Playing Final Fantasy IX (9 for all you non-Romans), smoking (cigars or hookah), Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, "The Adventures of Kavalier and Klay", Wendy's Ceasar Side Salads.
  So I got a check from Citibank for $102.80 which is my "dividend dollars". I have a Citibank Dividend Card and I get 1% back on all purchaes. It adds up until $100 and then they send me a check! I actually have 2 cards, one card gives me 5% on gasoline stations, drug stores, and grocery stores and 1% on everything else...so I earn my money back faster! How cool is that!!! I highly recommnend getting those cards. It's like you're only paying 99% (or 95%) for everything!!! I remember during the cruise at the casino I was just buying $100 since I knew that I was only gonna be paying for $99 since I get 1% back! I should've used the cruise as an ATM and freaking charged my card up to the limit...and then just put it all back in the bank. Next time...
  So who wants to watch Garden State on Friday (cough cough...Jevon...cough cough...Berto)??? I'm just throwing it out there...no plans...I just wanna watch that movie. Very rare that I'll actually go out and watch a movie in the theaters. Yeah, I know I watched "Harold and Kumar"...but I usually don't like going to the movies except for movies that I know I'm gonna like. I know it's showing at the Edwards University here in Irvine on Friday. So just a suggestion. If anybody does decide to watch it...in Irvine, or anywhere, I'm down...call me up.
  Ok, that's it for now. I know I'm already looking forward to Friday...and it's only Tuesday...but, such is the life of Joe...

Damn, It's Already August!
  Good weekend, and as usual, too short. Friday night was spent sleeping like a baby, only to be awoken by Jevon and Berto. I guess we're going to watch "Harold and Kumar". My review? Pretty damn funny. EXTREME!!!! HA HA HA! I think it was funny, but dont' expect too much. But as I'm watching the movie, Anna texts me that they're having the greatest time at the MUSE in Pasadena. BOOOO!!! I told you guys...I would've went...if someone would've picked me up!!! Freaking Drunk Iya showed up that night....the one night I don't hang out. And I also missed an opportunity to make fun of Iya and Rachele with Joe and Ms. Riann. BOOOO!!! Pasadena is just too far...I should move to LA.
  You know what movie is pretty good? "The Girl Next Door" with Elisha Cuthbert. As Danielle put it..."it's a cute movie"...as I put it..."ELISHA CUTHBERT IS FREAKING HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yes, so it's good for both the girls and the guys.
  Saturday was spent working out, going to the Lake in Irvine to swim there. No, not at the Lake but i guess they have a "beach" next to the lake. Pretty cool...well, it'd be better if the water was deeper all over instead of just a small section only 5 feet deep. BUT there was this HOT HOT HOT MILF there. AWESOME! I was kinda scared to look over there because her husband was huge...I mean, HUUUUGE! Later that night was spent in Santa Monica to celebrate Chiemi's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIEMI!!! Always great to see Chiemi and Emi, always good to chill and smoke with Verwin and Jay. Dude, I was so freaking tired driving back home that I had James drive. Man, I should move to LA.
  Weekend's over. It's already August and I haven't been to the beach yet!!! That needs to change...and change soon! Such is the life of Joe...