This is a test...

Somewhere in France, my sister is having too much fun. Wining and dining at a chateaux.

I really wanted to see if I could keep up with the techno, and get some video on my blog to spice things up.

Hats off to Wade et al... and a big F u to LAL

Hats off to Wade
Originally uploaded by your pal Matt.

I'm happy. For Riles, Shaq, GP, Zo, and or course... D Wade. What a baller. Flash is the real deal... and thank god the Mavs choked it. I Hate Dallas. I'm a Dirk guy, but the rest of that team is a bunch of whining, flopping chumps... including the owner. I do have to say however, to any haters out there, the NBA is back! There were some phenominal games this post season. NBA 2006... good times, and a good ending. Now it's time to pork up and find a hollowed tree to nap in until November. I'm glad this series ended in 6, I'm exhausted. I need the rest.

How does Jason Kapono have a ring?

Memoirs of a disgruntled busboy

I took a leisurely stroll to the mail box a few days ago, and what did I find? I found a coupon. Coupon? Yes, a coupon with a large photo of an audacious angler named Duckett, with his machine in one hand, and his prize in the other. How glorious, triumphant, and dare I say mythological on some level.
It's that time of year, the genesis of another summer. The 6 week circus (T.D.M.F.) has started, and everyone and there mother has absconded from there banal existence out east for greener pastures, "where the turf meets the surf". The ponies will soon follow, and the climax of summer debauchery will commence. Who cares any way... right? Just stay away, or embrace the gluttony with a mouthful of fried whatever and a face spattered ala Pollack, with powdered sugar. What you don't know, is that this is no ordinary coupon. Yes, it's a run of the mill restaurant snare, spend 50$ and get 10$ off, but there is added significance for me. It is an ad for the Fish Market.
In case you weren't aware of this, I spent nearly 2 years of my life bussing tables at this "fine" dining establishment. If you've spent any significant stretch of time working in a restaurant, you will undoubtedly appreciate the anxiety that this seemingly harmless solicitation might induce. While the extra money I made was often euphoric, the withdrawal from the nightly restaurant circus was unfailingly exhausting and caustic. After a night of both physically and mentally depleting labor, I would be forced to beleaguer my gratuity from a disgruntled server staff, and emerge from the Fish Market smelling like a mélange of wet garbage and B.O. that was spawned from an expired can of Bumble Bee "chicken of the sea". Stepping into a moonlit night with a wad full of ones in my wet malodorous pockets, it was hard not to feel like a five dollar crack whore standing under a red neon beacon, waiting for the next wave of "johns" drawn into this black hole, perpetuating the viscous cycle and fueling my opiate-like addiction. Just one more night... then I'll quit. That was my mantra. What an F-ing nightmare.
It has now been years since I donned the navy blue apron, dark blue jeans, completely white shoes, and the Eddie Baueresque fish monogrammed polo. I will say that The Fish Market is a quality eatery. The food is good. I will go back occasionally... and reluctantly, to eat. Most of my battle wounds have healed. Every summer these coupons get circulated, and I am compelled to dredge up the memories that have scarred me like a bad tattoo. The moral of this story is to appreciate those that serve you, and especially those that serve you well. A little love goes a long way. And finally, money only assuages one's dignity for so long.

Do you remember your 1st haircut?

AA 1st haircut
Originally uploaded by lalto19.

I don't remember mine. That might be a good thing. Hopefully Aisley won't remember hers. It didn't go this bad the whole time... thankfully. She really did do pretty good. Just a funny pic.

On a lighter note...

S6
Originally uploaded by lalto19.

Holy shit... I thought Crystal put a shirt I wore today in the wash this evening. It had my headphones in the pocket... I almost shit a brick! Luckily it was a lighter color and got left out... phew! headphone tradgedy averted. Riley and Stern show still on schedule for tommorow.

A pen and tuesday's NYtimes CW was washed... no ink catastrophe. Win some, lose some.

Top of the Mountain

Top of the Mountain
Originally uploaded by lalto19.

After riding the high of a great friday afternoon on the high seas last week, I thought I'd reconnect with nature by basking in the memory of past triumph. enjoy the moments you have, where nothing else matters and the day to day seems small and trivial... seriously. Life can be sweet.

This post is the essence of this Blog

What a great way to spend a friday afternoon. Life can be sweet. I decided to take friday afternoon off from the lab to spend the time with my dad. We rented a Cat 270 for a few hours and sailed around San Diego Bay. Sandwich's and beers on the boat... good times. It's really easy to get all rapped up in the importance of your work. Life is short, so go out and enjoy it. Work can wait.