Dwight Howard...

I have loads of updates to write, I just haven’t been able to get in front of my computer for an extended amount of time. Hopefully I will have updates for you during the week.

First off, let me say a big “THANK YOU” to those of you that bought my book and just a regular “thank you” for those that congratulated me. =) I never thought my book would ever be a best seller…and it is FAR from being that but the book is kind of like playing the lotto…you never have a chance if you don’t play.

In any case, the target number I had in my ‘head’ of what I would consider a “successful” book is almost there. Still hundreds of books away from breaking even but it have been lots of fun.

This weekend I was at 3rd Street in Santa Monica and I saw Dwight Howard. He didn’t so tall when I saw him but now that I look at the picture I realize how tall he is!!

Book S&H

Okay, so after I myself made the very FIRST order, I realized that the publisher charges a lot of money for shipping and handling. Boo.

Thus, for people that I see in Southern California, if you are interested in a book, I can place a bulk order and you can buy from me so then you can save on S&H.

I didn't think twice about S&H when I was talking to the publisher about book prices. The publisher just said 'normal' shipping and handling costs. I don't think their price is 'normal' but this is just their way of taking more of the pie.

By the way, I get ZERO money from S&H fee's.

My goal for 2008...

In my first post of 2008, I wrote that I have a goal that I want to accomplish this year:

http://milesthegreat.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-new-year.html

At the time the goal was G14 (Top Secret) because I was not sure if I would go thru with it or if we could even complete it in 2008. The process was longer than I expected and I definitely learned from this experience in case there is a next time.

Here it is....I wrote a book titled "Tell Me Something New":

The book is available at a discounted price here at AuthorHouse.com. In a few weeks the book will also be available thru Google and Amazon.

The idea for the book basically took form when Jack was born. Aya and I were getting the house ready before Jack was born. I found our college diploma's in the garage and I decided to hang them up. Not to boast or brag (heck my is from CSUDH) but we figured our office would be Jack's study room when he gets older and I wanted him to see our diploma's and hopefully it will instill in him to get an education. Not that you need a college degree to be successful in life, my best friend didn't graduate college and he is VP of a multi-million dollar company with hundreds of employees.

In any case, it made me think of what I would be like as a 'dad'. I figure kids don't listen to their parents until they become themselves become adults so the only thing I could do is to try to show Jack and lead by example. Yes, I realize I have many more things to work on but hey no one is perfect.

Thus, I thought about doing something different and what could be more of a stretch for me than writing a book. Sure, my book won't be winning any kind of Nobel Prize or be on any best seller list but it is registered in the Library of Congress and more importantly one day Jack will see it and hopefully he will learn that if he sets his mind to something that he can do ANYTHING he wants.

Here I am with the very FIRST copy of the book:

So, hopefully a few of you will buy the book. I hope you enjoy the book and if you do enjoy the book please tell others to buy the book!!

Lesson learned...

A few weeks ago it was just Jack and I at home. During bath time, Jack was giggling and I asked, “Jack, what is so funny?”

Jack replied, “Jack’s farting…making bubbles”.

I looked in the tub and sure enough “fart bubbles”. Of course I said, “Fart Bubbles” and Jack thought it was hilarious so he laughed even more. I then said, “Keeping doing it and it is like being in a jacuzzi”.

Maybe it was the first time Jack heard “jacuzzi” so he was laughing and trying to make more ‘fart bubbles’. I should have known this was not a good idea.

Next thing you know I noticed “particles” in the water. I was thinking, “Hmm, what is that?? Hmmm… NNNNN-OOOOOO!! I know what it is….Jack took a little dookie in the tub!!”

Another parenting lesson I learned. While fart bubbles are funny it can lead to dookie in the tub…which I had to clean.

It is bigger...

At work which bathroom stall do you use? For me, I prefer the handicapped stalls because they are more spacious. Heck, I could get naked and take a crap if I wanted…not that I do that…but I could.

I never have a problem using the handicapped stall until I started working at eHarmony. The problem is I never worked with a handicapped person before that would actually need to use the handicapped stall. At eHarmony there is some dude in an electric wheelchair that would need to use the spacious stall.

I decided to be a nice guy for once and I stay out of the handicapped stall.

House watching...

Okay, so it would be remiss if I didn't even up the score between Jenny and Jeff about who is worse at watching my house when I am away. Not that I am not grateful, but facts are facts:

Years ago, I asked Jenny to watch my fish when I went on vacation. Pretty simple task...feed the fish. Well, when I got back from vacation most of my fish were dead...or eaten by the surviving big FAT fish.

Needless to say since that time Jenny hasn't been the person that comes to mind when I need my house watched.

So, I left for Alaska and Jeff so kindly offered to watch my house. Granted this was my fault, but when I left for Alaska I needed to get JTs milk from the freezer. Well, I must not have closed the freezer door all the way...but far enough to where the freezer light was not on.

Well, Jeff was so busy trying to 'vandalize' my house with a post-it propaganda that he noticed my freezer was loud but didn't check it out. Thus, when I got back from Alaska my freezer thawed out, my ice maker leaked and made cool little icicles in my freezer.

Thanks guys....don't quit your day jobs!

Shari's Scrap Place...

I added a new link on the right had side of my blog. The link will take you to my friend's Shari's blog.

Shari's does a lot of scrapbooking so it's a good place to get some ideas, tips or buy scrap book stuff. Stop by, check it out....say H-E-L-L-O.

Champion again....

Last weekend I went to Vegas to play in the Las Vegas basketball tournament. I haven't played in the tournament in 2 years and I have been trying to retire from basketball but I keep getting sucked into playing.

I had stopped going to the Vegas tournament because I was trying to stick to my guns about being retired. In addition, it was just too far to go to lose. I hate losing.

Unfortunately for me, I got hurt in the first game. I sprained my knee and my calf. Don't even ask me how, because it was such a random thing...but the second I was hit I knew I was hurt (even if I did fall over in slow motion while Jeff laughed).

Sadly, I had to play sparingly thru the next 3 games. It was great to win, but it kinda sucked watching from the bench unable to really participate.

In any case, it has now been a week and my knee is still swollen but getting better. My sister treated me and then I went to see Voodoo Victor. I have not been able to straighten out my knee for a week and Victor said, "Nope, you should have no problems making it straight...lemmie try it."

I swear, I must have been tapping out like UFC fighter for what felt like 5 minutes. Victor then stopped and said, "Are you tickilish or does that hurt?" Sadly, it was true, I am tickilish, but after the 1 second of laughter the pain kicked in and I was wilding kicking with my good leg and arm. I must have sweated a gallon of sweat on EACH of his chiropractic tables.

When I thought I would pass out from the pain, all I could keep thinking was, "Pretend it doesn't hurt, keep my eyes close, don't move...and maybe if I look dead Victor will stop and let go." Sadly, it just made him press harder.

The good news is that my leg went straight...for a few minutes....and I feel much better. I am already dreading going back Wednesday for the follow up.

I am thinking maybe I should just quit while I am ahead and REALLY retire this time....retire as a CHAMPION!!

A total scam...

On Wednesday I got home from work and went thru the mail. Nothing interesting except I got a delinquent registration notice from my car from the DMV.

The statement says that I did not pay for this year's car registration...which was due on July 17. The only problem was I never received the original registration paperwork.

The delinquent penalty is $140 bucks!

So I called DMV yesterday to see how I can resolve the issue and not pay the penalty. After calling and waiting several times I finally got thru to someone. The answer was I would have to go into the DMV office and speak to a manager and provide proof or explain why I didn't get the first letter. Umm, how do I do that? I am not the mailman?? On top of the that the DMV lady said they can still reject my explanation and I would have to pay the penalty.

Then finally the DMV lady on the phone says, you know it is written on your registration card when it is due. I said, "Yeah, I stick that thing in the glove compartment all year and never look at it!" The lady chuckled and said, "Yup."

It all boils down to go to the DMV, wait in line, explain my situation and hope they take the penalty away....or pay the penalty. I decided to pay the penalty and not waste any of my time with the DMV. Crap. A total scam. If it was just a matter of waiting in line I would totally do it...but to wait in line and then still reject my lame answer of "never getting it"....I just have to bite the bullet and pay.

What gets my goat even more is that I turn my car back into the dealer next month so I basically paid a year of registration for one month....plus the penalty. SUCKS.

Labor Day...part 2

We finally got the "okay" to visit Stewart's mini-me...baby Nate! Getting having thoughts of having a second child. I had to remind her we are only visiting!

SKIM and Jack:
Jack playing with Owen and PJ:

Labor Day...part 1

I am still trying to catch up on updates from vacation, so here is our Labor Day weekend. We started off by going to Lucy's 8th birthday party.

Jack had such a good time playing with all the toys:

Jack has so much fun visiting Harrison, Lucy and Maggie that he did not want to leave!

First Day of School...

I can't believe it....my little buddy started pre-school last week!! Right now he just goes part time from Monday - Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

We planned to send him just 2-3 times a week but he seems to be doing okay so he went every day last week. He cried 3 of 4 times last week but cheered up after he got a sticker from the teach.er Hopefully he does better this week.

Day 8 Vancouver...

We arrived in Vancouver and Jack was outside the United States border and got to use his passport for the first time!

Sadly, we did not get to tour Vancouver at all. We basically disembarked from the ship, got onto buses, got on the plane and then headed home.

This was the first cruise for Aya, my parents and myself. We had a great time on the cruise. It was great that my parents, sister, Eric, Aunty Paul and Uncle Alan could all make the trip.

I would definately go on a cruise again but not until Jack is about 8 years old so he could participate on the expeditions with us.

Day 7 The last day at sea...

Day 7 we headed towards Vancouver. This was our roughest day at sea and I could really feel the boat rockin. After being at ports the last 3 days it sucked to be back at sea...or maybe it sucked because we knew our vacation would be ending soon.

Jack wearing my gold medal from the zipline expedition:

Jack at happy hour...the margarita glass was as big as Jack's head!

The last night on the cruise after dinner they did the "Alaskan Bake" where they played music and show cased their dessert while we thanked the food staff and chefs. Jack loved the music!

After a long day of playing, eating and drinking Jack was winding down his busy day:

Day 6 - Ketchikan...

Day 6 we arrived in our last port, Ketchikan. My parents had Jack again so Aya and I selected the Rain forest zipline expedition. Aya actually made this pick and I was surprised. I had picked a zipline course as well but I picked an easier one.

This course had 8 ziplines and 3 rope bridges. The longest zipline was 850 feet and the fastest zipline we went abour 35 miles per hour.

I was a little nervous because I am scared of heights but I figured if Aya can do it then I can do it as well. Aya was all geared up and ready to go:

It was a huge rush to go on the zipline. I wasn't scared on the zipline at all, but I was more nervous waiting my turn as 6 of us were bunched around a tree waiting for our turn. Aya was the ONLY non-scaredy cat of the group as she just hung on the side or over the edge of the platform. Most of us just hugged the tree and didn't trust our rope and caribbeaner.

Here is Aya about halfway down the 850 ft zipline:

See it really is Aya and not some other customer:

Sadly this little expedition cost me a little more than I expected. The guides forced us to tie our digital camera to our harness. On one of the zipline my camera must have hit my caribeanner and it cracked my LCD so the rest of the trip I had to take pictures old school style thru the view finder.

After our zipline we headed into Ketchikan and we saw salmon literally jumping out of the water. You can not use any bait to catch the salmon. You are allowed to catch 50 salmon a day but only keep 6.

Aya with her daily limit: