It's a wonderful night for the prom.

I have to admit, Adam and Aubrey’s photo session could’ve gone a lot better that day. I had to deal with a rapidly setting sun, chilly night winds, a raging school counselor, and only 10 minutes with them. We did what we could, and the photos came out alright. But I know if we had had more time, their photos could’ve been spectacular. Oh well, it happens. You can only roll with the punches. Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, so for those of you that know me, you know I’m not a big fan of celebrating my own birthday. But, should you feel so inclined, this year I’m willing to make an exception, if you buy me these:

You mean I don't have to travel to the east coast to see my favorite NFL team? Yes please!!

Now, I’m not one to ask for a lot of things. But a pair of tickets to send me and a friend to watch the Eagles would be a dream for me.

Of course, it also depends on whether you know my birthday or not

… is underway!

What is Operation: Think Thank? You’ll find out soon

OOOHHHH!!!! A MYSTERIOUS QUESTION MARK!

Last week, I got a fairly strange email. It was addressed to me from the Haley Family, who, I’m assuming from the email, live somewhere in Eureka, CA. Unless there’s another Eureka here in the US, I haven’t really taken the time to check that out. Anyways, Jeff, who I can only guess is the dad, apologizes to me for not having responded in a year. That’s all fine and dandy, except I have no freaking clue who he is. He then tells me he bought a new bike recently, and asks me what kind of bike I ride. I wasn’t even aware that I had a motorcycle license, much less a motorcycle.

I live in the Middle East? And I own a motorcycle?! Crazy!!!

After reading this email, I can safely guess I have a counterpart somewhere in the Middle East (my guess would be Dubai), who is also named Tim Monzon. It kinda makes me wonder…

So what does he look like? How old is he? Could there be a chance we’re related? It’s pretty weird knowing that there’s a guy halfway around the world who could be mistaken for you. I don’t know any other Monzons outside of my immediate family. Any other Monzons I’ve heard of are usually spanish, so that pretty much rules out relation. I find it all kind of interesting.

Then there’s my other theory: someone’s attempting to steal my identity. Wasn’t there a movie with a plot like that? It escapes my mind at the moment.

So last weekend, Jason, JR, and I had some spare time, and went out to eat at Wingstop. During our lunchtime conversation, JR had a revelation:

“You know what I’ve always wanted to do? Make a potato gun.”

So, over the next 3 or 4 hours, we found ourselves researching plans, purchasing materials, and assembling the device.

The result? The worst pain my back has ever felt.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, our documented afternoon (or if you just want to see me get shot, skip to 4:08):

So we do have plans to beef up a new potato gun, but more importantly, we have more inventions to create on the way . All in the name of SCIENCE!!!

Scene: A late Thursday night, at a coworkers backyard. A celebration of the coworkers birthday. Two seperate groups, the coworkers, well, coworkers, and the coworkers friends.

(Tim crosses over to the other group to get a can of Sprite at the counter)

Coworker’s friend: Oh dude, the beers right here too. Go ahead and grab one, they’re for everybody.

Tim: Oh, no thanks. I don’t drink.

CF: Whoa really? That’s crazy.

Tim: What?

CF: (showing signs of drunkenness) Haha, are you like some kind of Christian or something?

Tim: Actually yeah, I am. You okay with that?

CF: Haha, how dumb is that?

Tim: Excuse me? Is there something wrong?

CF: So you don’t drink just cuz you’re a christian? Do you even know why you don’t drink?

Tim: No one ever prohibited me from drinking. I don’t drink because I don’t want to impair my ability to think or judge. Sorry if that offends you.

CF: Ha! You guys are all the same! You guys are always judging people. Ain’t that a little hypocritical?

Tim: ….

CF: What? Can’t say anything now? You get offended? You gonna pray now?

Tim: No, I’m merely contemplating what you said. It’s funny how you said christians are always judging people. When I came to grab a drink, I’m pretty sure it was you who started judging me for not drinking alcohol. Wouldn’t that make you the real hypocrite for calling out christians as people who judge?

CF: wha… what?

Tim: Everyone judges, its human nature. People just take certain verses out the Bible and use it out of context. You’re drunk, so I don’t expect you to get it at the moment, so I’ll be on my way now. Just let (insert coworkers name here) know if you actually want to know more, and we’ll talk.

CF: What the #$^ was that ^#%) talking about?

Tim: (sigh)

(Scene)

It’s hard sometimes. But I perservere.

Yep, I’ve decided. Okay no, I probably won’t be going until say July or so, but I’m pretty much set on roadtripping this year. Last year both Hawaii and Florida helped me stimulate the economy, and this year it’s going to be Washington State.

I’ve discussed this at length before with Annie and Jason, but seeing as they’re getting married in a month (wow!), I’m probably going to end up going alone. Actually, in my mind, that makes it all the more exciting, and allows me to follow my own schedule.

I’ve got plenty of people to visit up north anyways. There’s Alyssa, Jayna, Veronica in SF, Jeff and Long in Washington, and Jonah in Oregon. People that I sorely need to reacquaint myself with, and hopefully crash at their places while I’m travelling up =P.

Ideally, I’d like to plan it for about 3 weeks to a month. I figure, if I’m gonna drive up there and back, I might as well take the scenic routes the whole way up. Maybe find out just what the heck the Mystery Spot is all about, and visit Pea Soup Andersen’s. Visit the Nike factory maybe, and find the Oregon Trail. Take another look at the Space Needle, and watch some fish fly while drinking some coffee from the first Starbucks.

A friend suggested that if I’m going to do all this, why not write a travel essay of your journey? I should. I mean, I’ve already made a couple of books that have been published on Blurb.com. Granted, they’re all photobooks of events that I’ve covered, but it sure would make for a great memento for myself. And heck, considering people can buy the book, maybe I’ll make some money too .

So why have I decided this? Well, I feel like I need to get off my butt and do some living. I’m a bit tired of all this talk about the financial crisis, international border conflicts, ecological meltdowns and what have you. It’s not that I’m trying to avoid these current events though, mind you. I just feel like…. I need to take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture. That this world is meant to be enjoyed, not worried over. I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like all these gloomy forecasts are showing in the work I do and my outlook on things. I need to change that.

So a vacation would help shake things up a bit. So here’s the plan: Save up a grand by July (sorry economy for not doing my part to stimulate you). That should be enough to cover all travel expenses, and hopefully keep me covered the whole time I’m not working =P (duh Tim, that’s what accruing vacation hours is for!). I’d do it in June, but I wouldn’t want to be gone during my sister’s birthday. July is fairly free for me. Visit anywhere and anything that strikes my fancy. Stimulate the economy through spending, and stimulate the mind by travelling and learning.

Let’s hope this happens.

“Tim?”

“Yes, brain?”

“Why are we at Target right now?”

“I dunno, cuz I’m bored. Why, is something wrong?”

“You know what’s wrong. We agreed never to go to Target when you get bored. Bad things happen!”

Read the rest of this entry »

Where are we gonna eat? Phuket, we're eating there.

Haha, I’m bad. (click on the thumbnail to read the fine print =P) Read the rest of this entry »