YELP

Ever heard of Yelp? You know the site that gives peer reviews on all things that taste good and not so good… Well, I made a profile. Yes, I really need a job. You all should check it out.

CTSANG.YELP.COM

And Germany, you got lucky…

Peace.

4 More Years…

I apologize if anyone put money on betting that the USA and Korea would win…

While I am sorry for your losses, I can not be held accountable for poor officiating.

While I wish to place much blame on the idea that the game was poorly managed by a coach with no experience at such a high level, it is the officiating which has brought the masses of patriotic fans to tears.

As I stood in the pub proudly chanting U-S-A, after singing our lovely anthem, I waited, just like you, for a game which showed passion and determination for success. What I got was nothing short of a feeling of emptiness and wasted spirit.

To all my fellow American fans, we will once again rise to the occasion when our forces land in South America.

To the officiating committee, go fuck yourself.

Peace.

Can I ask you a question?

Ever wonder what your life would be like if it were a sitcom…

Well, five friends, including myself have found the one show we all can relate with, on a personal issue. Te show is called, 100 Questions, and it mainly focuses on one girl who must answer 100 questions about herself in order to find the ultimate soul mate. During the show, you also learn about her closest friends. It’s incredible.

I am sure the show will not make it to a second season so I cherish every episode. The show really hits home as it takes issues every person goes through and puts a funny spin on them. At times, the friends are just ridiculous, like faking a death to get out of a relationship.

I love the show and it makes me miss my friends back home all the more…

Take Care..

KNOCKOUT… 16,8,4,2… USA?

And then there were sixteen…. At the beginning of this world cup, I predicted, with much criticism, that the following countries would advance to the Knockout rounds. Those three teams where France, S. Korea, and USA. Two of those three teams remain… As for France, I shall describe my feelings in French, ” Les bleus, une equipe de primadonas et primadivas. In 2006, no one, outside of France, gave them a chance. I did. I still rub it into everyone’s face when I predicted that France would win the cup. And I would have been right had it not been for that foul mouthed, pizza loving, carbonated water drinking bastard who after four years still does not have the decency to apologize for one of the most distasteful insults I have ever heard. I mean, I completely understand that some teams must resort to nonathletic tactics, in order to gain an advantage. But never have I had a teammate or heard a person from a different team stoop so low. If I heard anything like that said about my family, I would have also retaliated. Though, my tactic would have left his wallet empty and his driver’s insurance premium sky rocket to a whole new world. But anyways… France, rebuild yourselves.. In four years, I’ll bet on you again. But for now, I predict, Korea will defeat Uruguay and the USA will defeat Ghana. This will later entail to “my world cup.” To see my favorite two countries duke it out would not only be, dare I say it, epic, but a true test of my blood pressure. In other words, may the girl I am with keep the beer coming. And yea, Germany beats England, Argentina beats Mexico… Though a USA vs. Mexico showdown would be quite pleasant as I will surely open my wallet on that little wager. Til next time, Peace.

You say goodbye, I say hello.

What is up world…

Yes, I have been gone long and I am sure none of you have missed me. Though I suppose if anyone has, please feel free to show those true feelings.

It’s funny how a blog can jog one’s memory. My last post was with two buddies I dont go out with very much and yet, it seemed to be quite appropriate that it be my latest post, if for no other reason, than to have a nice lead into this new post about Austin and my life here..

But first things first. A bittersweet end to my time in the stupidest big city of America… Houston.

I first arrived in Houston four years ago, to have a summer filled with blistering heat and humidity only second worse to Arizona. I came in search of being able to spend time with a cousin whom I had developed a close bond with, even though we had only met during my freshman year of high school. I came to enjoy public intoxication as a minor in a city where women had a calmer approach to life and reveled at the idea of southern hospitality.However, all that seemed so far away as I soon knew of my revised summer plans.

Flash forward to today, I was still able to accomplish all those things. However, it took more than one summer. It took four years. Four miserable years. Don’t get me wrong, I have great friends but the city itself only made me homesick and put a negative spin on my outlook on so many things…

I once spoke with my sis and she told me I had really mellowed out. We both agreed that Houston did that to me. I suppose it helped me but it also hurt me. I don’t go after every little thing I want. Now, I just waste time and if there is still time left, I then start to consider taking a chance.

Houston also taught me about the difference between girls and women. It’s hard to come across a girl who wants to be more than just a pretty face and Houston just doesn’t have near enough to make me want to recruit bachelors to flock to this place. Please understand that I do not mean that in a disrespectful way. Houston has so many pretty girls but the attitude is very different. There’s a difference in being pretentious and bitchy and the girls here really need to learn it.

Houston and the drinking scene. It’s not bad. Not great but not bad. Houston has a way to make you feel welcome and then kick you right off to the side of a curb in no time. In other words, if it’s not your night, find someplace else. To break that down even more, If you’re not Asian and its Asian night at a club, pay up. To me, that will always be ridiculous. Thankfully, I have never had trouble with bouncers or organizers as I party with a variety of people and tend to blend quite nicely but to others, I pray for their wallets. In Vegas, Chicago, NYC, Miami, Austin, everyone parties together. Why can’t Houston understand this concept?

People say everyone in Houston is so nice. That could not be farther from the truth. I live in Chicago and when ever someone asked me for directions, you wouldn’t have to feel afraid. In Houston, asking a question to a complete stranger gets you nothing but a quick smile and a head shake. I once asked my cousin why he didn’t just tell the guy the answer and all he said was along the lines of, “that’s just how people do things around here.” I guess it’s contagious… Though I must have the ultimate vaccine cause I still give spare change to the homeless.

And the rest… Houston, your public transportation is awful. The European country of Slovenia has only two million people and they have super rails. You have 3.5 million more people and you have one lousy metro rail which spans a total of twelve miles. The word delivery is non existent unless we are talking about pizza. I was amazed to see nobody delivers around here. Shouldn’t you owners be thinking of new way to get that extra buck? Downtown is a joke. Urban planning is so messed up. I seriously do not think there are zoning laws. Who in their right mind builds an apartment complex next to a freaking skyscraper. And no, it isn’t a complex that goes up fifteen stories. It’s just a nice little two story condo building.

——

Austin. The state capitol. Home of 40,000 students wearing the color burnt orange with pride. Home to another two million residents with bright smiles on their faces because they are home to not only world famous bbq but a style that is never filtered. In other words, they love to welcome new people to their party.

This is the place I hope to call home. The live music city capital of the United States. The place where graphic designers, PR and Advertising yuppies do not care if they start at the bottom because there is actually an assignment which allows us to get our hands dirty and make those rookie mistakes.

A place where beer flows on tap and nightlife is met with meeting older people is a treat because they were once in our place. And just a quick tidbit, if an older couple or crowd buys you a drink, accept it. You just bought them a little youth in return.

Austin is also home to college coeds. Girls who are bright eyed about their future and driven to get it. And the whole pretentious act… Non existent. Let’s face it, no matter if a girl is from a sorority or watches anime on a Friday night, chances are they have the same free shirts and wear it any given day of the week. Did mention the sun only makes them prettier.

Houston, we had our moments. You’ll always leave this sour taste in my mouth on the note we ended but I will be back. Austin, we’ve had nothing but good memories for these last few years so let’s make it official.

Peace.

Casanova

Eric: Dude, my game is tight tonight. The bartender just put our drinks on the house.

Me: Hey, Casanova, you wasted. That’s Mike’s girl.

Eric: FML.

Good times….

Relax

It is time for student to crowd the libraries like no other and accomplish absolutely nothing.

Also, the traffic at a doctor’s office becomes increasingly high as students desperately try to get adderall in order to make them calm and study to the point where they are shocked to realize they just breezed through months of lectures in just twelve hours.

It is also the time for students to try and beg professors to make up all the tests they failed or complete extra credit assignments.

Yes, it is the end of the semester which can only mean one thing.. Finals.

I usually never feel lonely but during these last couple weeks, I can honestly say that my 9PM - 2AM schedule has been wide open. Usually, one person or another is coming up with the place or time to get a drink but not right now. It kinda sucks. Of course, I rather have them studying and acing their tests but what is a graduate to do in a time where the idea of sobriety looms ever so close to becoming a full blown reality? Drink alone in his room? Absolutely not. That’s just depressing. Drink with my fellow bartender friends? Though a good alternative, they all work weekend shifts. So what to do… Relax.

I realize that with this being my last month in Houston, there will be many things that will need concentration and without a girl friend, I am kind of own my own to get these tasks done. Surprisingly, I have been on the ball about these things and only have the obvious to finish.

However, while realizing this could be my last month in Houston, this also means this could be last month in the state of Texas. I will truly miss a good portion of this state. Yes, even Houston had its moments.

In my upcoming post, I will take the time to really thank all those that made me smile while I was here. Some made quick entrances and exits while others made lasting impressions. I will truly miss you all.

——————————————-

Finally, on an entirely different note but none the less very important, I wish to give a huge shout out to my niece who is graduating college. Yes, I realize I typed the word niece.

Although we did not know each other at an earlier age, we both agreed that was for the best. Simply put, we would have hated each other. She is extremely intellectual and is not afraid to correct a person when they are wrong. It is pretty safe to say that she is one of my favorite relatives and I will miss her very much as she starts a new chapter of her joyous life back home on the other side of the world. 

Yancy, I wish you all the best and will eagerly await to talk to you when you have the time and will power to be awake at 4:00 AM. ;)

Congrats on graduating and getting two degrees for the price of one.And If I am wrong about that last sentence, dont correct me. Let it be.

Always,

Chris

P.S. This should make up for the quack job I did with buying you that commercial graduation card.

10 POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR

Today, I went to the practice facility to work on my pitching.. Didn’t do well. Actually, I could not find a decent rhythm and towards the end I just started throwing hard not caring about velocity or anything. Not pretty.

Thankfully, I had a friend who cheered me up. Here is what she said:

“A friend of mine goes to Brown and she has a chemistry class with Emma Watson. She said one day Emma answered a question correctly and someone in the back shouted, ‘TEN POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR!’ She wasn’t happy.”

At first I tried not to laugh but couldn’t help it.. I burst out with laughter.

Lacey.. You rock.

STAY IN SCHOOL

I like a good rant just as much as the next person. I love watching shows where politicians are pitted against each other or where statisticians argue about what will happen to our economy. I even love people who have stupid arguments when they are somewhat tipsy.

However, there are certain topics which should never be put up for argument. Education is something everyone is entitled towards and I can not understand why someone would ever want to throw it away.

A certain someone I know personally believes that he does not need school to get by in life. While this may be the case for many millionaires, this guy doesn’t have a skill set which would put him in the driver’s seat for that future million dollar smile. Personally, I do not care for him too much but when I hear his explain himself to my friends and give them the idea that they can get rich quick with an idea here or there, I became livid.

Just because he is “burned out” from school, does not mean he needs to quit school completely. There are other options, some which lead to just taking some time off become refreshed, to the more extreme setting of going to a trade school. However, when you refuse to do either and just wish to get by working at a Best Buy type atmosphere until something better comes along, you do not have the right to impose your ideals on others.

When I told my other friend, he became just as livid. He is an architecture major and the work he will have after graduation will be extremely difficult. As if being an apprentice wasn’t hard enough, to then have his ideas ridiculed day after day is going to suck but he cant wish for the day to come any sooner.

Education is vital to one’s success but more importantly, it is vital to one’s future family’s survival. I do not care for your stories on how your family was poor and how your parents never went to college. Times have changed. Having a bachelor’s degree twenty years ago was the norm. Now, you better have a freaking Master’s degree to be in the norm.

And yes, I have told him all this straight to his face but he just does not care. School to him, is an obstacle perplexing him from taking the next step in life. COLLEGE IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT TO A PERSON YOU MORON!

If nothing else, college is meant to build a person’s character.

Stay in school. Get your degree. Then talk about being burned out and not knowing where you want to go or what you want to do  with your life.

Peace.

Fake

So the Masters in golf just ended… It had all the makings of a great one and it did not disappoint. Tiger Woods made his first appearance since his treatments for his infidelities and played extremely well. Anthony Kim, a rookie, shocked everyone by placing third and Phil, or better known as “Lefty,”  won the whole thing. Congrats.

While I can understand everyone’s appreciation for the game what I will never understand is everyone’s want to be part of the game. All year long, no one gives a damn about the sport and then all of a sudden, everyone is acting as if they have been playing golf all their lives. Golf is a great sport and one that takes much concentration and time. What it does not need are idiots who think they can do better with half the practice.

People who have facebook statuses about golf need to stop. Everyone knows you suck at the game and that fact that you make up bogus results just to make yourself seem like you can play on a pro’s level is ridiculous. “Today I shot a 78. Not Bad” Do you even know what that means! And to shoot a 78 is practically pro. Pros practice everyday and a score of a 78 would be average. You try playing everyday and getting a 78 three times out of the week… Then we can talk about you being “not bad.”

If you think you are better, then you become a professional. Give up everything and play in tournaments hoping to get noticed and get the sponsorship needed to support your family.

Idiots.

Peace.