Bitter much?

http://kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=135536

Two short hours Till...

One Tree Hill Old photo I know... but I like it.

Breaking News!

Associated Press (9/26/2006, 2:30 PM PST)

OAKLAND , (CA)--Oakland Raiders football practice was delayed nearly two
hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery
substance on the practice field. Head coach Art Shell immediately suspended
practice and called the police and federal investigators. After a complete
analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown
to Raider players was the GOAL LINE. Practice resumed after special agents decided
the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.

Better late than never....

This actually happened two weekends ago now, but I've been lazy about posting. Brad won the Sports Jeopardy contest on 570am. The last time he won something from them it was Harlem Globetrotters tickets. This time he found out his prize was a lot better -- a trip for 2 to Vegas including 2 nights at the Stratosphere and 2 entries to a poker tournament with a $10,000 pot for the top 4 finishers.

We didn't trust either of our cars for that trip so we rented an Impala for $12 a day online. Friday after he got off work, we headed out and made it there at 11:30pm. At first we were disappointed that the check in line was long causing us to miss a midnight tournament, but later found out that the $20 entry fee didn't include about $100 in add-ons and fees. When we checked in, we got a bag of Stratosphere goodies from the radio station including a tote bag, shirt, hat, cards, dice, and bottle opener. We put the stuff in our room and then drove around to a few of the casinos, but didn't play much other than Brad playing some blackjack.

On Saturday they had a breakfast for us and we got our seat assignments for the first round. Luckily we both got the first session. We found out that 16 people from each of the 2 sessions would move on to a final tournament in the afternoon. In the first round, Brad said he was struggling to get good hands, but he managed to build up enough of a pot to make the finals. I dominated at my table early on and built up the biggest pot in the room when it got down to the 16.

We had a break during the second session, so we got something to eat and then used our free tickets to go to the top of the tower. Brad had never been up there before. It was scary just watching the people on the rides on top of the tower being dangled over the edge. Definitely not for us.



We went back for the finals at 3pm. They told us that everyone would go back to having the same amount of chips to start which didn't make me happy. Neither of us got many good hands, but we were both able to hold on for a while and knock people out. Brad finished in 18th place overall and I got 12th. If the pot was split up the way tournaments usually are, I would have been in the money so that gives me hope for the future.

We finished just after the USC game started so we watched that and then headed over to the Rio for the world's largest buffet. The line took forever, but the food was great once we got in. We followed the Noah's Ark rule of buffets: two of every animal. I had at least a taste of 8 different creatures. Mmm...creatures.

After dinner we acted like geeks by waiting for the Star Wars slot machines to open up. We had to go to bed early by Vegas standards because I had to work on Sunday afternoon so we had to leave at 7am to beat the traffic and make sure I got there on time.

Count Down

ONE MORE HOUR TILL...

Weekend Update

-Friday-

We had a P&C's day of fun today. Started off the day by going to see a double feature of Jackass and The Last Kiss. We were hungry so we decided to go out to eat, we tried to go to Red Robin but the line was way to long and our tummies were grumbling. So we headed over to Ruby's for some burgers. Paul and I didn't want to go home quite yet so we went next door to Nickel, Nickel! a video game place. The mister and I challenged each other at hockey, basketball, riding motorcycles and played some other games as well. It was a great way to spend the day.

-Saturday-

Paul had to work a 6th day so we got up a bit early and he drove me up to his folks since it is sort of on his way to work now. We went to the Santa Anita Mall because Amy needed some shirts to go with her suits for one of her classes. We also went by the nail salon and the puppy store. Then it was off to the grocery store to pick up some food for Amy to take back to school and for Mom to get some food for the house. At 6pm the 5 of us headed over to a restaurant called Matt Denny's for our September Family Birthday Dinner. Paul met up with us there after he was done with work. We had a good time visiting and watching the ball games on the TV's.

-Sunday-

Woke up early this morning to go pick up Curly and head over to the Komen Breast Cancer: Race for the Cure. Curly was running a bit late and parking was insane. We had to park about a mile away and then speed walk over to the start. Morgan and I got there about 3 min. before race time. There were cheerleaders doing cheers all along the route, and bands playing. Boy Scouts were handing out water along with many other volunteers. I cannot even put into words how much I was moved seeing so many people out in support of their loved ones and this cause. It was an incredible day, one I will never forget.

Bestest Friends

Final thoughts: I had a great time this past week. TK and I havent had the opportunity to hang out this much in a very, very long time. I appreciate her aunt letting me stay with them. It did feel like one really long day though, so I may have forgotten some of what we did. Thank you for a fun time kid. I haven't laughed as much as I have in the past 5 days in a good while. T's grandpa is so cute! The more I see of her family the more I love them all.

Later Gator

Thursday, September 21st

I woke up around 9am, grabbed a quick shower and started packing my stuff. Once TK was up and dressed we hung out for a bit before getting our stuff together to head over to the store. T was going to run her two aunts and their friend through the website and get their input on everything. I helped T put up some inventory that had just arrived and then it was time for me to say my goodbyes ='(

TV night

Wednesday, September 20th

Today the store officially opened.

We went back to the store again this afternoon, to finish up a few more signs. We had a late lunch/early dinner of Subway sandwiches and watched TV. Wednesday nights are going to kill us. There are so many shows on at the same time! We had to watch one show, tape a show and record another on DVR. TK, her aunt, grandpa and I all got some popcorn and sat down to watch dancing with the stars together. TK and I then watched the other shows we had taped. We then went to our room, talked and hung out. T needed to work on the website for the store for awhile, then I looked through it to see any minor details. Man, is this girl talented! The two of us watched some Boy Meets World, listened to music. I fell asleep sometime during the Cosby show... not sure what time but it was after 3am.

Cricket

Tuesday, September 19th

TK and I got up early today to head over to the store to help make signs for the different areas of the store. T is so darn creative with this sort of stuff. Everything turned out really cute.

We went home to veg for a bit and watch a couple shows. TK and I got hungry so we headed over to a Bar and Grill near the house. Had a couple of burgers, watched the Dodgers lose.

Grandpa approved?

Monday, September 18th

We slept in again, for obvious reasons. When we got up and dressed, TK scrapbooked some sample pages for the store while we watched Down with Love. During some parts of the movie we wondered if we shouldn't have watched it while Grandpa was still out. For dinner T made everyone pasta. It was delicious! Then it was time to watch Prison Break and the premire of Studio 60. After that we headed back to our room, I was either watching some TV or listening to Ipod and TK was catching up with all her online stuff.

Take the 60 to the S

Sunday, September 16th
We slept in late today. I had tickets to a Diamondbacks game for the afternoon. The ballpark is really cool. I liked the way it was set up. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks badly. The Rockies had an amazing game, pulling of incredible plays and getting runs when it counted. Arizona did something I have never seen before which is have a concert after the game. 10 minutes after the game ended, Lonestar began a concert. They played for over an hour. It was really good and it was included in the price of the ticket.

Back at the house TK and I hung out for awhile. Then we decided to go to dinner and a movie. We headed over to Friday's for some good eats. Our waiter was hi-larious and good looking. At one point he started doing the Robot, 'nough said! Once we finished dinner we headed across the street to the movie theatre to watch Step Up. TK hadn't seen it, couldn't think of anyone else who would go see it with her and I had free tickets. We were the only ones in the theatre which was kinda cool, I havent had that happen in a really long time. Then we headed back to the house, and went to bed somewhere around 4:30am.

Arizona

Saturday, September 16th
TK and I slept till around 9am when Arlynda called letting us know when her flight would be coming in to the airport. We went to pick up Arlynda and then met up with her aunt at Chill's for lunch. After that we drove around, showing Arlynda her aunts second house, the store and then headed back home so R could hang out with Grandpa for awhile.

We watched the Oregon football game which wasn't all that exciting until the very end. After that R needed to head back to the airport so she could finally make it back home. When TK and I got back she took a nap in our room, I started to watch the USC football game with Grandpa but I fell asleep on the couch. After that I read some of my book and used the computer.

Rewind

Friday, September 15, 2006
I woke up at5:45am got the car packed up and left for Arizona. I got here at noon o'clock.

I hung out while TK got ready. Then we headed over to her aunts new scrapbooking store. We stayed there for awhile then headed back to that house for some pizza and TV watching. TK and I tried to go to bed early since I had been up so early and all but I had trouble falling asleep, and she slept for a couple hours and then woke up at 1am. Neither of us were tired at that point so we turned Ipod on and listened to music. I laid on the bed singing for hours and she made some icons on the computer. At around 530am I fell asleep.

Long Road Home

I will be getting on that highway in the very near future. My time here in AZ is up. I have had a lot of fun and enjoyed AZ. Photos and stories to follow once I am home and on my own computer.

This week in math -- NFL edition!

49ers > Rams
Rams > Broncos

Therefore 49ers > Broncos.

Arizona Vegas

So Paul and I are each on a sort of Boys/Girls Weekend. Paul left yesterday with Bradley to go to Vegas Baby Vegas. And I left at the crack of dawn to drive out to Arizona to have some girl time with TK. Yea! I am looking to a good time, laughin and relaxin with my girl. So we will fill you in on all the excitement and fun once we are back.

...

Songs you need to know #5

Prayer Warriors

Paul and I both have multiple family members (Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, Parents) who are having from minor to major health concerns I am asking for you to please be in prayer for them as well as for the doctors, surgeons, and people caring for them. Thank You.

We will never forget

How I spent my weekend...

So what did you do?

...

Changes

A few changes have taken place. I have added a Survivor Blog up at the top of our Blog. Also over on the side bar I have created three headers for our friends and families blog sites. I started an additional blog for memories and high/low.

You can check it out http://cyndihutchins.blogspot.com/index.html

that is what you get

for helping a friend.

While we were helping Charlie get all of her stuff loaded up, I went to pick something up and my back said "oh no you don't" and it gave up. It hurt from that point on, but I figured I just strained something and it would be fine. So we kept working.

Next morning I wake up and need to go potty, so I walk into the bathroom very slowly and even the thought of sitting down sent me into tears. So I just stood there in the bathroom crying for a couple minutes till Paul came in because he heard me crying. He asked if I wanted help, I just stood there crying. Finally with his help I completed the task of sitting.

It was decided not long after that I should probably go see a doctor since it was obvious this was not going to get better any time soon. Off we went, to Bright Medical Center in Whittier. I saw the doctor and he ordered a shot for me (ouch) and the nurse kept telling me stop tensing up. I was thinking ::dude you are going to stick a needle in my backside when I hate needles and I am supposed to be relaxed?:: Got jabbed with a needle then had to wait in the the waiting room for 15 minutes to make sure that I didn't have a reaction. I was sent home with some pain/inflamatory medication and some muscle relaxors.

Florida sucks!

I may have a stronger opinion than most but that is because my Charlie is moving there.

BOOOOO!

Paul and I spent the afternoon helping her pack and load everything into the UHAUL trailer.

Angela showed up around 9-930 to help with the last of the stuff and take some photos. Here is what we think it may look like when they get to Florida (but the other way around) We decided to be all artsy and take a photo in the mirror.
Hell's Angels We couldnt get her to give us a normal smile, so we decided to do it for her. Sad Charlie
Finally a smiley photo
You will be greatly missed Charlie.

I know you wont see this for at least a week but I thought you should know.

Elephant Bar

Some how Jeric and P&C were both available on a Friday night so we decided we would meet up at Jeric's place. Paul brought his laserbeam and made Pip run around all crazy like. It was hilarious. I could be entertained by watching this kitty forever. After a bit we decided to go over to the Elephant Bar, I had never been there, Paul went into the bar once upon a time (he thinks). The wait was short, and the food was delicious. We sat and talked at the table for some time. When we left we headed over to Cold Stone for some dessert and to sit and talk for awhile longer. It was getting late so back to Jeric's we went. We annoyed Pip a bit more with the laser borrowed a few DVD's and back to our place for night night time.

It was a really nice way to spend an evening. =)

A night with the Foo Fighters!

On Wednesday night, Brad and I got to go see the Foo Fighters acoustic show at the Pantages Theatre. This was a big turn around for me since I used to hate them and it took years for me to get into them. I wasn't sure what to expect since I haven't heard any of their acoustic album and was just hoping they'd play enough of their hits to keep me entertained.

I really liked all the newer songs they played. Usually if I don't know the song a band is playing I get bored quickly. This was definitely not the case with the Foo Fighters. Every song was great. They also did a good job of mixing the new songs, hits, and talking with the audience. Dave Grohl made it seem like he was taping an episode of VH1 Storytellers as we got commentary on about half of the songs. He talked about how he got started in music and how he came to be a part of Nirvana. He said that when he got set up with a tryout for Nirvana, he called Kurt Cobain and while talking about music, Dave mentioned hearing a horribly depressing singer from Washington the night before at a party in Hollywood. It turned out to be Kurt's then girlfriend (Courtney Love).



The show started with Dave playing "Razor" by himself. The rest of the band (along with former Foo/Nirvana/Germs guitarist Pat Smear, Wallflowers keyboardist Rami Jaffee, and violin by .thatdog's Petra Hayden) joined in at the end as Dave began to really rock out. Dave soon broke his "no Nirvana ever" rule by playing the one song he wrote for them, "Marigold". For the encore, Dave played "Friend of a Friend", "Best of You", and most of "Everlong" by himself before the band joined him for the final verse.

The Foos seemed very comfortable doing the acoustic thing and they really seemed to be having fun with the songs and the audience interactions. Hopefully they'll be willing to mix things up a bit more in the future as far as doing acoustic as well as plugged in shows.