tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201729972012-01-31T08:15:00.048-08:00Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.comBlogger1061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-53569810058582807842012-01-03T08:03:00.000-08:002012-01-03T22:01:16.843-08:00

I'm beginning to thing strokes are very frustrating. First the unable to walk and speak annoyance, then all the hubub of trying to cultivate replacement brain cells to fix all that. You'd think whatever "higher power" would make this easier. Okay, I get it: damnation upon my heathen soul. Remove my motor skills, my eyesight, my vocal range, my talent, just to make me fear the thought of a "

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-36856235204811998762011-05-24T18:28:00.000-07:002011-05-24T19:11:37.735-07:00

Y'know, I don't quite like talking, pontificating as it were, about religion. I mean, If worshiping God or a broccoli spear makes you more comfortable in life, good on you and I wish you well. But I have to say a few things about this Harold Camping and his "prophesy" about the end of the world May 21, 2011.I wouldn't mind so much, but it's all over the place, and why he decided the day after

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-25128330334661995722011-05-20T06:42:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:21:53.486-07:00

Well, today is my birthday, and I thought I needed to post something seeing as tomorrow is the foretold "end of days" and I haven't done anything here in about a year. If it is end of days tomorrow, I guess it doesn't matter if I do do this (*snicker* I said "do do"). But, at least I'll feel a sense of accomplishment when we're all flushed down the toilet of reality.Why haven't I posted

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-57826943699475899582010-09-18T16:11:00.000-07:002010-09-18T21:16:15.714-07:00

It's been months, but here we go...After my bout with Strokedom and recovery, Whitney and I decided to get another cat. I felt so bad that little Josie Marie Cat was all alone for months at home. Yes, Whitney went home every day for social time and feedings, but poor Josie was alone most of the day. The neighbors even said they sometimes heard Josie meowing at the door. One of the best days

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-86468017320953023372010-03-14T03:13:00.001-07:002010-03-14T03:47:41.166-07:00

Well, it's been quite a little while since I blogged. Trying to get back to where I was, and making ends meet since my job laid me off for daring to have a stroke on their time. It seems that juggling medications, disability, and life is just day to day complex. I'd rather have a job to be honest. Okay, a nice paying job with great cheep benefits, a hour lunch, and a masseuse, if I had a

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-66866884850328356122009-07-30T05:25:00.000-07:002009-07-30T06:43:52.197-07:00

oh, this is godawful weather around here in Washington, so I'm typing this at 5am when it's cool. Okay, I thought I'd share the experience it was to have a stroke from my point of view.First let me clear up a myth-conception: you don't feel it coming on. It's not like Fred Sanford grasping his chest screaming that he can feel that here comes the "big one". I didn't notice anything until i

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-4187967469454178142009-07-07T23:32:00.000-07:002009-07-07T23:41:00.706-07:00

My progress so far since I have been home: Ive got about 95% of my arm and it no longer looks like a smurf arm I guess, I can play Rock Band at medium finally one of my "long term goals" simply because Beatles Rock Band comes out September and I need to be expert again. I'm starting to use my left leg and I got my swanky new glasses so I dont look like a freak with double vision and space goggles

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-43434744866790141352009-06-16T21:30:00.000-07:002009-06-16T21:41:33.175-07:00

Where I left off from the last blog, I suffered a stroke on my birthday and I lost movement on my left side. So, as continued....My girlfriend, Whitney, mentioned that everyone she knew that was a stroke victim was effected on the left side. Which I thought was interesting. Anyway... the doctors determined that I didnt have any permanent damage to my brain, just some blood on it. I was responding

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-41104514566317786252009-06-15T16:00:00.001-07:002009-06-15T16:11:47.383-07:00

I promised I would blog, but I have been in the hospital for almost a month. As past readers would know, I have a birthday curse. Even though I gave my best efforts to avoid it, it struck back with vengeance. I was playing Guitar Hero: World Tour awaiting the face-melting lead in Billy Idols "Rebel Yell", when I was struck down by a stroke which literally melted my face. Which leads me to believe

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-30917705595460678712009-05-15T00:07:00.000-07:002009-05-15T00:23:52.773-07:00

Yes, It has been months and months since I've blogged!And, "why" you may very well ask. Well, you may. You also might be yelling "I'm out of toilet paper!!!" from the bathroom, hoping your significant other will hear you and toss you a new roll, much like a SWAT might lob a smoke bomb into an unsecured room. Then again, if you were otherwise occupied, you wouldn't be reading this... and then

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-88323610016624839922009-01-26T18:28:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:02:15.474-08:00

It is time to make Spaghetti. The really cool and yummy kind from Kraft Dinners in the green box. But, I'm not eating alone this time: Theres a small black monster sitting in her seat at the table awaiting her cherished pasta.A few months ago, I wrote about the wonderful time I had sharing my life with two kittens. And the missing part of that life when they were taken away. Well, one day, my

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-16144338592064507282009-01-20T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-20T20:17:36.119-08:00

I'm forcing myself to sit my ass down and write this.Yes, it has been a while since I wrote anything, but I do have a good reason: Life's been too good to me to bitch about. Hell, I probably have 4 or 5 subjects to write about, and then it snows outside, or I feel like a walk, or whatever...and I put off the internet! What?! How can this be?! Look for a pod casing! It looks like Michael,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-13174634853675502752008-12-18T19:33:00.001-08:002008-12-18T20:20:42.294-08:00

This is how bored we get at my job.It's a snow day and it's really coming down. No trucks can get loaded (which is sort of what I do), and people are going home early to avoid the icy rains. Well, everyone but the dock crew...guess we're uber important, we just have the humbleness to deny ourselves the fat paychecks of those that sit in offices.Anyway, when you're on an empty dock, you come up

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-13353122169804366022008-11-27T09:34:00.001-08:002008-11-27T18:57:07.414-08:00

I remember the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade so different long ago.When I was a child, we used to sit in from of our TV set in our jammies with the feet attached, earlier than we'd ever be voluntarily. But, floats! And balloons! Bullwinkle and Underdog with that always limp hand being dragged earthbound by tiny tiny people in colorful sweaters. It was a wonderful and the highlight of the season,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-48257450224384141102008-11-16T18:16:00.000-08:002008-11-16T18:56:28.252-08:00

A bit back, I did promise to expound my wisdom about the male condition to all my female readers. I thought being a "scab" would automatically ostracize me from the ranks of bro-dom. And, sad to say, fear took a grip upon me like I was a lone rebel upon the Deathstar...How typically male of me! I didn't realize that since my site does have breasts or sports statistics, NO male would ever visit

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-39288163990911628582008-10-30T23:02:00.000-07:002008-10-31T00:17:49.838-07:00

When you're driving to the Library at 3pm in the afternoon, the last thing you expect to see are tons of children in costumes being dragged about by parents with fairy wands walking about like the living dead Apocalypse... except with candy and in daylight.And it wasn't even Halloween yet! Blasphemy!!! I know last Halloween I was bitching about how the holiday wasn't like it was, with a pall of

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-35037054023815646522008-10-10T18:58:00.000-07:002008-10-10T19:52:08.138-07:00

I'm a dude, but somehow, it's quite entertaining to go shopping for food and crap!the only rules are to never go grocery shopping when you're hungry, or just got paid: You'll never get out alive. Trust me. It's a deadly social trap. So, for today's blog, I shopped, and made notes! Exciting! I know!!But, let me get this off of my chest right now. Parking.Some of the worst drivers are

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-79358642383938969012008-10-01T22:07:00.000-07:002008-10-02T20:06:26.194-07:00

I woke up and the two gorgeous ladies were no longer sleeping next to me. So I get up and walk to the kitchen and ask as I round the corner with a smile over inner joy, "Where's my girls?"...And I am welcomed by the sight of a sleek black kitten sliding to a stop in front of me, quickly followed by a tiger striped kitten half the size, colliding next to her adopted sibling. They mew and prance as

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-21644613373827371132008-09-18T20:12:00.000-07:002008-09-18T21:19:30.082-07:00

I haven't done a Bad Movie Review in such a long time. It's probably because, usually I love bad movies. I love the attempt at trying to be great on a shoestring budget. The overacting in place of talent. Bad costumes with the glimmer of hope that maybe, the audience wont notice.But. Sometimes, there comes a movie that dares us to sit through it, while it slaps the intelligence out of you. I saw

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-31344047811835140832008-09-06T17:39:00.000-07:002008-09-06T21:26:19.744-07:00

Seeing as that I don't have many guy friends and don't fully subscribe to the male-mind set of misogynistic buffoonery, I feel I might be the only outlet to the other half of the human race for the secrets of the male mind.And seeing as i'm totally clueless about females of any type. I'm kinda hoping for an information exchange.yeah. I'm a traitor to my gender. But, we're guys. We can get into a

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-91835422718902237022008-08-16T18:16:00.000-07:002008-08-16T20:55:47.018-07:00

My first comic book was Giant Sized Spider-man Man-Thing. Saw it at a magazine stand in a California Ralph's and I had to have it. That was my first foray into the whole sequentual art scene (as those who are embarrassed to admit they read "funny books" will say they "invest" in).Not gonna lie to you, that was my love afair with comics. Like your first crush. I think at that point, I saw more

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-86684809085551248162008-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:002008-08-06T00:12:48.910-07:00

"...On behalf of the group and me-self, I hope we pass the audition." - John Lennon on the rooftop of Abbey Road.I am not good at dating.I don't have the chops, or the experience. And many times, I don't even know that the get together of a man and woman can be construed as a "date". What is a date? God, I just wanna meet people, and it's like an audition for a part that i haven't even read

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-69121668655225409702008-07-05T11:21:00.001-07:002008-07-05T11:39:39.936-07:00

A while back, a few of the missing months in fact, the project was started to clean out my life.I probably threw away about 87% of my life. Old letter, picture, clippings, magazines, books, pogs, crap...if I picked it up, and saw no need for it right at that moment, I knew I wouldn't ever. Goodwill so made out like a bandit with me. Now I need a bed, a couch, and a pony named Frank.Anyway, I

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-44372505324655249502008-07-04T10:44:00.001-07:002008-12-10T08:22:47.715-08:00

I am so not going to blog about Independence day.Not the day, not the movie (which was awesome!), and not the Broadway play with Tyra Banks as John Adams. You spend tons of cash on exploding devices that last a millisecond. You have to watch the fact that at any time during this happy celebration, you might get your lips blown clean off by a "powder malfunction". And what real really pissed me

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-72707096521283924622008-07-01T18:32:00.000-07:002008-07-01T19:02:46.571-07:00

Everything is so fragile.There is so much pain and conflict, so much pain... You keep waiting for the dust to settle and then you realize, this is it: the dust is your life going on.If happy comes along, that weird unbearable delight that's actually happy, I think you have to grab it while you can.You take what you can get, cause it's here, and then...gone___________And with that, everything just

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-30015266585239382242008-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:002008-01-17T19:52:00.393-08:00

'Kay, there's his guy at my work that thinks everything he says or does is funny. Most annoying thing is the "funny voices" he thinks he masters. All it makes me do is get a mild migraine and cause me to attempt to pinch my eyes together.Anyway, someone somewhere happens to say, "hey, hey hey". And it's like a Pavlov's dog trigger. Out comes this horrendous Fat Albert imitation.A gravelly horse

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-70442229579147305512008-01-05T13:55:00.000-08:002008-01-05T14:26:56.450-08:00

Well, it's a new year, I haven't written anything in a while, and it's once again time to remunerate, reflect, and actually see whats been going on in the new year...and the fall out of last.I guess the biggest thing to start out with is that right now...i'm actually happy. And no, not selfish happy, smug happy, had a good poop happy, or artificial happy. I'm genuinly in a place that I never

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-12919994730985542042007-11-06T07:06:00.000-08:002007-11-07T22:56:52.159-08:00

There are some amazing things out there that brightens the human spirit and ignores the fears of mankind's eventual evolution into beings of great worth...I just didn't know that eating raw fish and seaweed compressed into rice balls was the arena in which we would prove ourselves. Yes, people, I actually ate sushi. I ate things normally picked out of ones swimsuits butt at the beach.Christine

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-86640308041600626602007-10-10T00:07:00.000-07:002007-10-10T00:47:46.897-07:00

Life is supposed to be funny, happy, easy, and safe.Most of the times, is scary and sad. A crazy place where it seems all you do is hurt people.I guess it's like that so when the safe times come, we appreciate it more. Or is it simply the worm on the hook: being that chicken on a skillet, ready to dance for someone Else's entertainment. I don't honestly know... But I do know this.I know of a girl

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-2529482991779438612007-09-14T00:12:00.000-07:002007-09-14T01:00:42.833-07:00

Oh Jesus, were do I start?How do I explain me virtually disappearing for months? What happened to me? How did I get here and what have I become? Honestly, I'm still figuring that out...I know whats it's like to have everything taken from you, and left to die. To have someone you thought you can trust do anything to destroy you. Even if it were to decimate themselves, after all, they can blame you

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-29842914193406211792007-06-22T23:20:00.000-07:002007-06-24T22:37:15.239-07:00

After the fantastic hug, she smiled at me and said, "...you smell nice...""Thank you.", I said as I returned the smile, genuinely touched."You smell like crayons..."I SMELL LIKE CRAYONS!?Woah! Whiplash! Wha-huh? I smell like crayons?! How does someone just smell like crayons? I do a quick assessment of the various smells that could possibly emanate from me. I showered recently, I used a powder

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-5649204171968638162007-06-12T23:43:00.000-07:002007-06-13T01:35:54.590-07:00

Today, a great and wonderful thing was bestowed upon me. Christine invited me to her Graduation ceremony.Considering she only had five tickets, she gave the rest to family, and she had lots of friends, to actually ask me If I could attend, was really a special moment for me. She once said that I particularly liked her because of the "spark" she gives me. She may be right.Jesus, graduations have

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-15694980793859920232007-05-31T21:24:00.000-07:002007-05-31T22:25:03.677-07:00

(part two)Christina's smile disappears.Trailers. Why does it have to be trailers?And yes, she feels obligated to say what is okay, what sucks, whats funny, and whats stupid. I laugh at one trailer, because it was funny, and I get a silent stare from her.Thankfully, she's a little excited by the Die Hard one. Good. Buys me some time. As causally talking is out of the question, at least some peace

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-12757127020457402712007-05-29T01:04:00.000-07:002007-05-31T21:24:19.872-07:00

This is the fantastic tale of terror and drunken adventure on the high seas of social interaction.This, is the story of going to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End with...Christina.Don't get me wrong, I like Christina. She's a good person, if somewhat lacking in social skills. And when we decided we'd see Pirates together, I didn't think anything more of that besides seeing a movie with

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-41883861971194075072007-05-21T00:33:00.000-07:002007-05-25T01:38:54.684-07:00

After a restless night of trying to decide if it's actually safe to do anything on my Birthday, I am awaken by an angry cat sticking his poisoned fangs into my scalp. Seems it doesn't really matter what day it is, a cats gotta eat.I figure lets see all the email benedictions I probably got! Yeah, sure, I don't usually receive any personal correspondence, but it's a birthday! And, I'm actually a

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-23336707557697787842007-05-19T23:22:00.000-07:002007-05-20T00:08:39.856-07:00

It's only minutes away, and I just don't know how I feel about it.I mean, it's not what I'd hope it would be.I dunno if I blogged about it, but way back in January, when I found out that Heather wasn't getting a very good birthday, I decided that I'd take her and Kim out and have a great birthday dinner outing. And I said, I wanted today to be all about her. It was going to be, without question

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-13121695155543361722007-05-15T18:05:00.000-07:002008-12-10T08:22:48.133-08:00

Today was Bad. Real bad. I actually thought I would die and no one would find me. They'd call tomorrow to say why I wasn't at work, and I'd get written up for a no show. And I wonder when someone would care enough to find me.That Tetanus shot I think really almost fried my immunities, or the hospital waiting room was alive with deadly spores. Within days, I had a persistent cough, runny nose,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-66573302379941485822007-05-15T17:22:00.000-07:002007-05-16T11:39:23.030-07:00

King Arthur: "...Your arm's cut off!!"Black Knight (spurting blood from his shoulder socket, sans arm): "...No it isn't...."King Arthur: "Well, whats that over there?", pointing to the dismembered arm on the grass.Black Knight, gazing at the arm, then back at the King, "Tis but a flesh wound...I've had worse..."I've always said that as my Birthday approaches, I have...HAVE...to be very careful.

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-46091438485313581122007-05-10T09:38:00.000-07:002007-05-10T10:43:01.523-07:00

If I ever...ever...get the bright idea to see a summer movie midnight on opening day for the exclusive sneak peak, please please please, refer me to this blog, or take a wooden fence post with a masonry block nailed on it across my head.Oh, by the way, I saw Spider-man 3. But everyone and their pimp has already talked about that.I arrive at the theater about 9pm for the 12:01 showtime. I'm

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-10091160846299950292007-04-24T02:11:00.000-07:002007-04-24T03:15:26.789-07:00

Well, I'm back and suffering like a vampire after spending 2 and a half weeks working a 10 hour graveyard shift, 6 days a week. It took me days to get used to the schedule, and the entire time, I was draining out of my sinuses like a down spout in a rainstorm. The screwed up part is: I'm a confirmed insomniac. Change up my routine, and I just...don't...sleep...When my boss asked me if I could

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-51748414581406567552007-04-05T09:31:00.000-07:002007-04-05T09:47:44.067-07:00

As I sit amongs the various cables, wires, guitars and vox boxes, i'm desperatly trying to fight the creative brainfart. I have about four ideas to toy around with and nothing solid. It doesn't help that i have that I have that Burger King "Big Buckin' Chicken" song in my head.My week as been kind of a creative brainfart.I need to try to take a bottle brush and clear out my head. I apologize

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-68151208197085511732007-04-04T23:09:00.000-07:002008-12-10T08:22:48.844-08:00

I don't particulaly like April Fools Day. Everyone always assumes you're full of crap. It's a day where you have to assume anyone who tells you anything, is setting you up. But I now realize that this caution I get over April 1st stems over an incident I was a part of as a child:I was home from middle school with my bowl of CherriO's and all ready to watch RoboTech and finish up my sugar induced

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-30876338843343110302007-03-18T23:59:00.000-07:002007-03-19T21:06:26.284-07:00

Synchonicity: an acausual connecting principle (it's Jung "thing")It's the most amazing thing to share a thought with someone at the same exact time. A emotion or reaction. It can be funny or thoughtful, or even scary. But it's an amazing synergistic moment. Now imagine that multiplied my 35000 people.ALL at the same exact time.Back in the 80's, MTV was just starting out. It showed the same 20

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-31015876416146698532007-02-14T00:37:00.000-08:002007-02-14T07:01:00.216-08:00

(this is part two, people. If you want to involve yourselves in my petty whining, and not have the super secret surprise ending that will shock and haunt you, read part one, "A Splendid Time...")A sea of unblinking eyes in the darkness.Every note feels over exaggerated and clumsy.I'm counting the milliseconds till I have to open my mouth. Thinking that perhaps I could extend the eight bar intro

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-80881330353077546222007-02-13T23:00:00.000-08:002007-02-14T07:01:53.830-08:00

Saturday afternoon, I was at work, doing anything to not remind myself about that night.Playing in front of a live audience...Nevermind awaiting me at home was my polished and tuned (for the billionth time) 62' Rickenbacher in it's hardshell case. Inside there was an army of picks, 12 copies of lyrics to tape to the stage (or what would pass for a stage). My clothes laid out. My bag of centering

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-24930907100212321912007-02-09T23:33:00.000-08:002007-02-10T00:17:36.996-08:00

In little over 18 hours, i'm going to do something that is scaring me to death.I'm going to lay myself, my soul, bare to an anonymous audience.Y'see, I had a lunch, well coffee, date with my very good friend Kimberlina, and among all the various topics we discuss, we started to talk about creativity. I love my chats with her, as she has such a deep essence and vibrancy. We'll start a talk about a

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-66415667062004744942007-02-08T01:02:00.000-08:002007-02-08T01:28:33.466-08:00

I have always said, that everyone has a great true story in them. It so happens, that even dentists do as well! Here's the one my dentist told me today, to distract me and calm my nerves:One day, my dentist was working on a very strange patient. There was just an odd vibe about him. An uneasiness. Hard to define, but it was there. But, there was a mouth to work on, so he set about working on the

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1170058391657381982007-01-28T22:28:00.000-08:002007-01-31T02:28:20.638-08:00

As I take my trips down memory lane, I seem to recall a moment that, after the fact, wasn't a true moment at all. And I find this all fantastic, because for the longest time, I couldn't remember anything of my childhood. And suddenlly, it's all coming backLet me explain. It's a tale of high school crushes that wasn't, and emotional episodes that weren't. Of what seemed to be, after all this time,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1169711502698451942007-01-24T22:16:00.000-08:002007-01-25T16:13:56.480-08:00

I just got a letter today from the past. It was from my best friend Leanne.Let me be honest to you: She isn't my best friend, thats too limiting. I've had many friends, and I've had many "best" ones too. Leanne didn't like to say I was her best friend. She didn't believe in that. She didn't think you could simply give someone a title, and that was that. You just graduated from "friend" to "best

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1168555130556216072007-01-11T13:32:00.000-08:002007-01-31T02:25:04.659-08:00

Here's a story I shared with HeatherJean (and I'm going to share in more detail here) that I totally forgot to tell her, until yesterday:Back in December, I was in Las Vegas and I was lucky enough to catch the Beatles Love Circe De Soleil show.All I can say...still say...Was that it was indescribable with mere words. It was Magic.Anyway, I promised Heather that I'd get her a something from the

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1167710572615642412007-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:002007-01-01T23:18:44.483-08:00

Well, here we are, one year later.I still have an active blog (there was some bumps in the road), and I'm still enjoying it all. I wanted to see if something turns out special way back then. And lo and behold, it has...I've told tales about my first Las Vegas, theater urinals, the pooh circle of life, my rock band days, toast, cybering, stupid people, cool people, car wrecks, Richard Simmons,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1167402682647998762006-12-29T05:47:00.000-08:002006-12-29T12:11:04.133-08:00

I'm sick.Really sick. Migraine. And my head feels four times it's normal size and weight and filled with liquid.Also, I might have broke my toe Christmas day.Yesterday, my car almost got it's read end shaved off by a driver. How can you miss a white beetle with racing stripes and a huge "53" on the hood and doors? How oblivious to the outdoors can you be? These are the kinds of people who smash

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1166906935769951252006-12-23T11:46:00.000-08:002006-12-27T06:03:58.070-08:00

"here I stand, head in hand. Turn my face to the wall" - John Lennon, You've got to hide your love awayI just got back from dropping off presents to my spiritual mistress, FaerieJean. And I guess by way of association, her life partner, FaerieJosh (although I think he probably would prefer a better nickname). Both are the most fabulous people one can ever know. I never know what I really want for

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1166693369457986062006-12-21T00:57:00.000-08:002007-02-04T01:32:44.049-08:00

Someone at my work reminded me of this story, and dammit, it would have been absolutly perfect to tell this tale on Halloween! It's weird. it's spoooky. It's true. And it's very much like a henwhey.You see, I am cursed with extreme hypertension. Was born with it, and someday, it may shorten my life. I have the blood pressure of a nervous fruit bat, plumetting thousands of feet into a hedge

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1165655068357548732006-12-09T00:07:00.000-08:002006-12-09T01:32:09.890-08:00

I'm now going to a gym, and I have a personal trainer. And he "motivates" me to push harder than I normally would. The importance of nutrition and keeping my caloric content between 1600 - 2400, how 15 reps the right way is more beneficial than 1000 done wrong. And he gets paid to torcher me.I constantly see people with grit teeth and screaming with eyes bugged out and the look of someone passing

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1165053667353868752006-12-02T01:25:00.000-08:002006-12-02T02:08:12.670-08:00

I've had a mad day. And been exploring the nature of guilt.No, not Guilty, like O.J. His kind of guilt is just a judgement from others. I don't see him suffering (and he should). It's when you feel guilty, even though you didn't do anything to be guilty about. Even though you know you shouldn't feel guilty, and logically, there is nothing to be guilty about. But, you still feel terrible. Like

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1163868344535563052006-11-18T07:57:00.000-08:002007-01-31T02:20:12.029-08:00

Here's my wonderful car. But, why am I so enamored by a white beetle?Time for a little backstory.As a child, I always had a vast imagination and creativity to go with it. I didn't get too many gifts and I used my own means to make myself the toys I always wished I had. I like batman, and mom wouldn't buy me any batman toys, so I built my own. It was an exact replica of TV's batcave! It was made

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1163737638173617292006-11-16T19:44:00.000-08:002006-11-16T20:32:30.996-08:00

Yep, I'm sick again...It's the flu, and it's creating havoc with my voice. Earlier this morning it was a wee raspy high pitch whine that only bats can hear. Now, it's turn the opposite way, and it's gotten so low, it sounds like either Barry White, or James Earl Jones.So, I had to call the few people I knew and when they answered, I'd play the Imperial March in the background and say "You are

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1163365785226337302006-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:002006-11-12T18:19:37.553-08:00

Kinda moot since i'm already here. But really, this is the story of the little guy beating the big corporate machines. The story of where i've been for the last month. And, it's a happy ending too.Ah, where to begin.A lot of people have been asking me where i've been all this time, as i usually post quite well. Thanks to all of you, and please, no need to worry about lil' old me anymore. Firstly,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1156278543369255302006-08-22T12:29:00.000-07:002006-09-01T09:16:37.626-07:00

(Note: If you have not read Part 1 first, please go to the previous post and do so now!~ Things will make more sense that way. And please do not reveal the shock ending! Now...Where we're we? Ah, yes... The Shark Club urinals...)PART 2: Purge TransitThe two party guys hand over the sagging load of stinking flesh that is my roommate for Vegas, Doug. I sling and arm about him and half drag him to

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1156274939374945322006-08-22T11:35:00.000-07:002006-08-22T22:30:18.456-07:00

PART ONE: the Vegas CurseThere are many kinds of drunken attitudes. When people drink and get inebriated, inhibitions drop and they become something else. There are happy drunks that like to hug. There are lonely drunks that'll call you at 4am to tell you. "I love ya, man...". There are stumbling drunks that just pass out and you can then write rude things on them with a magic marker.This is a

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1156011583555137952006-08-19T10:43:00.000-07:002006-08-19T12:57:30.480-07:00

Yesterday, I got a ride home from some people that I work with. I'm lucky enough to have people willing to do this on my lite night shifts. Sharri, one of my favorite persons and an aunt-ly like figure to me, was driving, and Kevin...er...just Kevin...needed a ride home.So I'm riding shotgun in Sharri's van with Kevin in the back. We're talking things and Kevin starts to relate a time at this

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1155589272116591152006-08-14T13:25:00.000-07:002006-08-14T14:51:59.420-07:00

Yes, they are, and I stand by that!Everyone says that children are so precious and innocent, they don't know how to lie. Well, snap out of your dream bubble, because, brother, do they...and know how manipulate people as well.It seems children gain this skill at an early age, and start to lose it around the 8 years of age range. Right from birth, they start to test everyone. Test limitations. Test

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1154198505776313682006-07-29T10:20:00.000-07:002006-07-29T11:41:45.850-07:00

(another cartoon title reference!)Jeez, last weekend was hot. Around 105 in some areas, and dry enough to cure jerky.it was time for a haircut, in my humble opinion. My hair grows like wildfire if kept unchecked. I think it's either a trait within my family or an odd chromosome defect. I cut my own hair for two reasons: I'm cheap, $20 bucks for a haircut that would take all of 10 minutes and 12

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1152985426622511012006-07-15T09:57:00.000-07:002006-07-15T11:19:04.066-07:00

Once upon a time, the internet was made only of the magical fairie ether-realm called AOL. And this magical land of AOL, which was ruler of all internet gumption, had a dark, dark underworld that bred a river of decite and gluttany. Where everyone was compelled to be someone other that what society proclaimed what was "acceptable in mixed company"The AOL chatrooms of the 90's. Yes, I was one of

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1152687550492439372006-07-11T23:00:00.000-07:002006-07-12T02:24:10.093-07:00

Digging about 15 years into my past for this one! This may be proof that being oblivious can be your savior.I used to work at a pizza place called, oddly enough, Pizzamania in Whittier, California. I worked there on and off for 6 years. Loved the place, as I practically grew up there. Made my first real friends out of high school there. My first real girlfriend. My first real occupational injury

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1152299620179545022006-07-07T11:13:00.000-07:002006-07-10T19:35:52.236-07:00

I hope everyone had a "safe and sane" 4th!I almost made it unscathed this time.It always seems that holidays are the nexus point of calamity in my life. Something always goes wrong, it can never be anticipated, and only my staying home and hiding, can it be averted. They usually involve car accidents, and I try to only walk those days. Memorial day, sideswipe and car totaled. Birthday, went to

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1151610477333780082006-06-29T12:39:00.000-07:002006-06-29T12:50:42.656-07:00

Get your geek on!I use to do a lot of movie production work and concept art, but this...this...my good friends, is what it's all about! This was done on the cheapest budget possible, and it looks amateur, but I dare you not to watch this over and over again.This is better than the usual Sci-Fi channel Canadian straight to DVD crap. Better than Revenge of the Sith and Catwoman (well, what wasn't

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1150994983166850052006-06-22T08:38:00.000-07:002006-06-22T09:56:20.796-07:00

I got free tickets to see a movie at the theater, and took advantage of that. I figure If I don't take out a loan to purchase a watered down drink and popcorn, I should be okay. And, unlike many others I see, I have the bladder of a God, a God , I say! It brakes my heart, it's so sad, when I see someone get up in the middle of a movie to shuffle off to the bathroom, and come back just after the

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1150741560215812322006-06-19T10:43:00.000-07:002006-06-27T02:00:44.980-07:00

Good God! Nothing seems to be more painful than a stubbed toe! And, it's the one pain in the world that the ratio of pain is in direct opposition to anyone caring. Sympathy from your friends is non-existent. You can't call work and take a sick day because of your toe stubbing. (if you did, you usually pump it up by saying 'it might be broken'). You'll feel embarrassed to wait in a doctors office

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1148329059663290242006-05-22T13:03:00.000-07:002006-05-29T12:33:00.010-07:00

Once a year, people think that there is a time for you to be humiliated and embarrassed. And because it's this "certain" time, you have to be a "good sport" about it. Any other day, it's acceptable to rebuke the way your treated.But, not on your Birthday.There are some benefits though. 25% off goodwill. You need to get a new photo on your expired Drivers License. And, if you know how to play your

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1147806777841623552006-05-16T11:28:00.000-07:002006-06-29T17:38:11.286-07:00

I love Disneyland. It's my perfect happy place. I used to go there almost everyday, with one of those passports, when "passport" ment something. When there were ticket books and the passport people were special.I'd go there to eat lunch, draw people, or just look around and unwind. I'd know when something changed on a attraction, when there was fresh paint, and when to avoid the churros just my

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1146817219052341332006-05-05T00:55:00.000-07:002006-05-16T12:24:57.776-07:00

I apologize for not writing anything for quite a few days.So much has happened, and I don't like bogging people down with my poop.He's the "previously on..." Teaser:Car resolution. Broken tooth. Root canal. Bone contusions. Ripped ligaments. Shock therapy (no no...a tens unit to help my torn tissue). Cats sick. Better Business Bureau. Doctors, doctors, doctors. Enough pain killers that'll make

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1145773873820237432006-04-22T23:03:00.000-07:002006-04-22T23:36:00.823-07:00

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. You may think i'm full of it, but, you'll know I'm speaking the truth...If you just observe.This is a little dirty trick food servers do at restaurants.You go out to eat, order your meal and it comes. You start to masticate. And, just when you have a mouthful of food, in sweeps the waitress to ask, "How is everything?"What can you do? All you can do is

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1144047069412433402006-04-02T23:20:00.000-07:002006-04-03T00:00:19.630-07:00

It's that time again: Things that annoyed me for March...1) March: Nuff' said! Whatta wussy wuss puss of a month. A month that leads to...2) NASCAR: The owners of the nascar frenchise so desparately want to make some mechandise money off of this. Now they're tring to get the women involved...you may think i'm making this up, but I saw at the market a NASCAR harliquin romance novel series. Time

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1143875562582412832006-03-31T22:26:00.000-08:002006-03-31T23:12:42.626-08:00

Lando Calrissian walks towards the Millenium Falcon, to commence the final assault to the Death Star. He tells Han Solo he'll take good care of her."Not a scratch!" Chides Han, obviously worried about his pride and joy."Would you get going, ya pirate!", Laughs Lando as he walks towards the starship. Leia, seeing the look on Han's face..."what's wrong?", She asks."I dunno.", Han says looking at

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1143517202386132462006-03-27T18:49:00.000-08:002006-03-30T13:42:54.333-08:00

I think I've come up with a way to raise the morale of all salespeople in the workplace!You see, working in that industry, you constantly are "helping" customers that think you're there for their amusement, and abuse. They can call you a liar, but if you defend yourself, you ought to be fired! I remember customers being complete bastards to an innocent worker, just because he's there, and he

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1143258950345597012006-03-24T19:33:00.000-08:002006-03-24T19:55:50.360-08:00

I was driving to a doctors appointment, when I noticed on the median, a man with a sign saying he's a vet and asking for money. I do have a soft spot for the homeless, and for vets. I remember once a man coming up to me and asking for some money to keep his family in a hotel for a night. I gave him the money I had, leaving me none for the rest of the week.I didn't see a family, and I doubt he was

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1142790835011373092006-03-19T08:48:00.000-08:002006-03-19T15:54:01.633-08:00

I'm actually proud to be a geek.No really. I see nothing to be ashamed of in being completely entertained by Sci-Fi, Star Trek, Star Wars, Comics, Cartoons, Dungeons & Dragons, and so forth. No, I don't walk about with a sword and a cape. No, I don't greet people with, "May the Force be with you." And, No, I practice good hygiene. But I have played D&D (hell, I was a tresurer in my high schools D

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1142700902145689492006-03-18T08:06:00.000-08:002006-03-18T08:56:00.280-08:00

It seems that the luck of the Irish escapes me.I was involved in an bad car accident on the way to the doctors yesterday. I don't think wearing green would have helped. And the whole thing is as stupid as a Hilary Duff career.I was driving to a specialist in Portland, with my MRI films in hand. I get close to the doctor, when he calls me and says that he needs me to get the originals from my

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1141786032257388812006-03-07T18:08:00.000-08:002006-03-07T18:47:12.326-08:00

What a limp line.(attaching the old scraggy beard to my chin and the chewin' tabaccy...)I remember a time when the Oscars ment something! When you annouced the "winner" of the naked golden guy, and not try to sugar coat the fact that someone lost. The actors would still get upset by not winning the award, why change the line to "and the oscar goes too..". I think the more dramatic way would be

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1140675163790736752006-02-22T21:15:00.000-08:002006-02-22T22:12:43.886-08:00

I am so sick today.Somedays, my illnesses are a bit more than tolerable. But, luckily, if you can call this "lucky", it only feels like a bad case of the flu. Well, it's not so much a flu then a bad cold. No, not "cold", it's the "Crud". From the insane migranes to the stomach cramps, to the near passing out. Makes work almost fun! Yes. I haven't taken a day off.I don't plan too either. I've got

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1140287078643279352006-02-18T09:43:00.000-08:002006-02-20T05:53:26.503-08:00

I know, I know...I don't have my annoy list for January. With all the hassle of moving and getting cable and stuff, I didn't have time. But, that didn't mean I wasn't annoyed!1) Guys who wear buck knives on their belts while shopping: What is it with these good ol' boys with workboots, beer ponches, and suspenders that they need to got to a wal-mart with a 6 inch bowie knife on their belt? Do

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1140102690858660292006-02-16T07:11:00.000-08:002006-02-16T07:11:38.670-08:00

With my moving now done, I can now…unpack! Ugh…But as I do, I'll go ahead and tell you another quick tale from my Internet customer support files.The subject of this page is a very real incident while I was working technical support for a free mp3 player product. The company and program was MusicMatch. We used to get tons of bizarre emails, which I shared a couple recently, but this one stands

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1139858817591444922006-02-13T11:07:00.000-08:002006-02-13T11:26:58.336-08:00

Well, i'm 85% done moving.One week later, and I finally have my internet up and running...Obviously, eh?I am also without any money for two weeks. And my City of Heroes account expired minutes before my internet was installed. As per usual, my luck once again murky. If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.Took three attemps from cable just to get here! Twice they forgot to

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138949735272165202006-02-02T22:13:00.000-08:002006-02-02T23:06:58.026-08:00

Just to prove that life mocks me.As you might recall, I was in the process of moving, or at least trying to. Had tons o' trouble trying to get a place. And my landlady forgot to get me an apartment. Promised it to me, and to someone else, and took their money. Leaving me SOL.I was depressed. I really started to like the new apartment. Walked through the place. Imagined where I'd put the furniture

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138744347030052502006-01-31T13:21:00.000-08:002006-03-01T07:00:49.423-08:00

While packing, I found an old article I saved from the USA paper. The advice that was given was so ludicrous, I had to save it.How kids can "bullyproof" themselves (usa weekend - March 20-22, 1998)The following is totally true, I kid you not. The clueless creators of the Cherry Creek school bullyproof program advise kids challenged by bullies to use these strategies that make up the acronym

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138608931934272112006-01-29T23:25:00.000-08:002006-01-30T16:00:49.536-08:00

Many years ago, in the era historians call the 90's, my life crossed paths with the man-child, fitness guru Richard Simmons. What is a "fitness guru"? I dunno. But I do know you don't have to show any proof that you are one. That's why he isn't "Dr." or "Nutritionist" Richard Simmons.Anyway, I was, at the time, the assistant manager at a Super Crown bookstore in Whittier, California. Every now

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138448536563803372006-01-28T03:04:00.000-08:002006-01-28T03:48:38.590-08:00

At my job, even though I just sell electronic merchandise, people always call me up and want me to "tech support" help them with a computer problem. You dont call an office supply store if your computer doesnt start. I don't go into a McDonalds and ask them how long to bake a twelve pound turkey! You could even ask them if their computer has a burner, and what kind. You'll get one of two answers

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138349091119657702006-01-26T23:31:00.000-08:002006-01-27T00:12:21.420-08:00

I don't think I need to go through Michael Jackson's insanity. The simple fact that his brain isn't wired quite right. That he's 40 years old, but sees himself as a child still. Nothing wring with keeping yur child-like sensibilities...Heck, I still do. But we're talking "child-like".Jackson says things like "poo poos" and "doo doo". And, he's very serious...Anyway, I read about Michael shopping

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138286363598822912006-01-26T06:22:00.000-08:002006-01-26T06:39:23.770-08:00

What is with my obsession with Lisa Loeb? I like watching her "#1 Single" show and I think she's really hot. Perhaps because she doesnt seem as vapid as all those Paris Hilton wannabe's. I don't even see what people see in Paris. I would be so annoyied by her in seconds. Maybe it's because she has real talent, but not a real big head. Maybe because she wears real glasses and doesn't try to

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138180590360312652006-01-25T01:02:00.000-08:002006-01-26T06:19:10.750-08:00

Okay, once again, here's another entry of my journal. As I re-read this, some parts are a bit dated, as it was reflecting the times. God, can I sound more old?This was only in the 90's! But that's about 15 years ago! Was it that long that I played on a stage? As I read this once more, I seem to miss those days.Setting up you're own electronics and equalization. Wiring up your effects and checking

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138135373358774132006-01-24T12:30:00.000-08:002006-01-25T00:54:06.986-08:00

I need to clear my head. Usually a shot of William Shatners "Mr. Tambourine man" will do it, but instead, I'm gonna let you all in on my history. As some of you might know or maybe not, I used to dabble in alternative bands in the mid 80's thru the 90's.Setting up for a gig can be exciting, but the waiting is boring. To calm my nerves, I use to write these "Band Road Journals" to make us all

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1138132226904073342006-01-24T11:25:00.000-08:002006-01-26T06:20:34.686-08:00

Typical for my luck. Just typical.Remember I was gonna move to a new unit. All nice and dandy, and all. I was actually very psyched about it, and everything (well, 87% done) is in boxes, but my clothes, a few plates, and my computer.Then...I get a call from the landlady...Seems the landlady I go though just collects the payments and owns the building, and she hired someone to rent out the units.

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1137747060791848432006-01-20T00:16:00.000-08:002006-01-20T00:51:00.906-08:00

Well, I've been turned down by everyone for an apartment.I must be a bad person, or have too much bad Karma. It's not enough anymore that you need a place to stay, and are a good tenant.I remember my first apartment. I just walked up to the door after seeing a sign stuck in the grass outside. I talked to an elderly lady who only needed to call my current boss to see if I had a job, and bingo,

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1137595940877034552006-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:002006-01-29T10:02:15.910-08:00

Television between 3am and 6am is infomercial-land. And, if by chance you miss the "show", you can always tune in tomorrow to see the exact same episode again! It's like they know you!I especially love the ones that look like a real talk show, and you just happen to tune in when they have their "very special guest" hawking their prostate paste. Hell, you're a virtual lottery winner! Seems today's

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1137057226339845082006-01-12T00:43:00.000-08:002006-01-17T14:35:58.866-08:00

I never thought I has so much crap until I had to pack for the potential move.I've been at the same place for almost ten years, and you tend to accumulate a lot of garbage, that at one point, you though you needed. And, even though you haven't use the item in question in amost a decade, a small part of you is whispering in your ear that you'll be sorry if you throw that away.Do I need an

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1136885729208485692006-01-10T01:27:00.000-08:002006-01-10T01:37:34.246-08:00

Ask anyone in Hollywood, and lurking in their bottom drawer is a "dream project" waiting until they have earned enough success and clout to unleash on the world. The last couple of years saw many of these dreams come to fruition, including Kevin Spacey's Bobby Darin biopic BEYOND THE SEA, Taylor Hackford's Ray Charles movie, and Halle Berry’s long-standing dream of taking a career peaked with an

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1136607095139535652006-01-06T19:53:00.000-08:002006-01-06T20:11:35.156-08:00

I was hungry today, and didn't feel like making anything, so I treated myself to a delivered Pizza.I worked at a Pizza place almost 8 years many moons ago, and it was one of the best jobs I had memories of. I can still authentic toss a fresh pizza dough in seconds and spin anything from a mug to a 2 quart pitcher in my hand. I made the best of friends there, and the most diverse of loved ones.I

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20172997.post-1136404723515898202006-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:002006-01-04T11:59:53.516-08:00

I actually like seeing parades on TV.Well, not all parades. The Macys Thanksgiving day parade is rather bad. What you get nowadays, is a few balloons, a very few floats that are mostly traveling commercials, about 1000 marching bands, and mostly, excerpts from various Broadway plays.The only saving grace of these long, vocal prerecorded plays, is seeing the original performers freezing their

Michael Avilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054755269804466113noreply@blogger.com0