Haunted By Black & Gold

What is is about the Black & Gold color scheme that tugs at me so strongly? To me it represents, fun in the sun, durability, & water resistance. Here are my Black and Gold belongings:

Nissan xTerra:


Jose Quervo Net:


Northface Ski Coat:


Samsung Rugby Phone:


Rio Cali MP3 Player:


Connair Chopper Clippers:


Head Blade Razor:

Happy Fathers Day

I love you dad.



He leans back from his desk,
rubs the back of his neck,
the stress takes effect.
Grips the bridge of his nose,
squints while he's showin' emotion he normally won't.
At fifty six, he re-evaluates,
possibly regrettin' some decisions that he's made.

Black is turnin' gray,
patches of his age,
reflectin' from the glasses,
a pass of every page.
Passionately day reads, readin' on occasion
Dreamin' of the day when he could do the same thing

He's always wanted to write,
that's all he's wanted in life.
With two daughters, a son, and a remarkable wife.
He's in a bind,
he has to provide.
A family is relyin' on him merely to survive.

His father died at fifty six,
so he's well aware how vital a father figure is.
How big of a responsibility it is,
to be a good husband and care for your kids
Never miss an event, helpin' them with homework.
Discipline to prevent things when they're older.

His only son is only twenty one,
and focus as a poet has only just begun.
Papa isn't dumb, he understands what this means.
His dream is my dream, my dream is his dream.

I close my eyes and I can see
The sacrifices he made for me.
Put it aside for his family
So I'ma keep it alive.

And so he targeted to be the dream guardian.
Guarding it from anything and anyone who's harming it.
But in his heart he knows the hardest thing about it is
givin' up on his dream to be all about his kids.

As he kisses the lips of the Mrs.
for twenty four years, goin' on the twenty fifth.
He thinks to himself, this alone is the wealth
That's greater then what's bought and what's sold on the shelf.

Sometimes a dream is all that we have
we have to continue to dream.
'Cause once it is lost amongst other thoughts
Then what really are we? What are we?

I close my eyes and I can see his dream
The sacrifices he made for me.
Put it aside for his family.
So I'ma keep it alive.

So he sits back at his desk
Crackin' his knuckles and back of his neck
Faxin' a paper displaying his name
On another application explainin' the main
things they should know but the things that they don't
are the things that distinguish him as an adult
and over the phone he can never expose
the roll that he chose, the roll in his home.

And at home he's a leader, a father.
He'll prove it by usin' his son and his daughters.
In their life he'll be playin' the part of
the one who inspires, the one we admire.

His only son is only twenty one
and focus as a poet has only just begun.
Papa isn't dumb, he understands what this means.
His dream is my dream, my dream is his dream.

I close my eyes and I can see
the sacrifices he made for me.
Put it aside for his family.
So I'ma keep it alive.

- Asher Roth

Halo's Render to Film Beta

Bungie has added a new render to film feature to their existing online fileshare system. It's amazing technology. Here are a few clips from some recent games I was in.

OK Coral
Go into room. Kill everyone. Exit Room. Simple Right?



Extermination
They say it's good strategy to stay close to your teammates. Oh Really?



Acrobatic Lazer
So what's a fella supposed to do when strolling in the desert and a warhog tries to run you over?



Kamikaze
We needed 2 kills to win so I turn Keith into a Kamikaze walking bomb as he charges 2 enemies in a bubble shield.



Jack Move
Sometimes the easiest way to get rid of those pesky warthog drivers is to get in the passenger seat and beat them down.

There's a new Sherriff in town

So I'm icing my back on the couch and Max comes up and punches me so hard in the stomach that he knocks the wind out of me. I fall on the floor and after I catch my breath I lay back down on the couch but I'm a little more weary of him. The next time he attacks I'm ready and I instinctively flex my abs, pulling something in the process. I wake up the next day and it's still sore.

I knew he'd kick my ass some day but I figured it would be around 14, not 4 !

I'm in trouble

So I'm driving home from the beach and as I pull into the driveway I see Riley sitting in her little lawn chair and enjoying a solitary snack as she's prone to do sometimes.

She's wearing a summer dress with knee high black boots and has her hair & makeup done from an earlier photo shoot at her dance studio. I could see all the dirty little teenage versions of myself that will be knocking on my door soon and all I had was this simple singular thought as I hit the garage door opener:

I'm going to jail.

Wine Glass Holder for Special Ed Students

Absentminded lushes rejoice: Never again will you have to wander around a dinner party wondering, "Where did I set down my wineglass?" With the handy Wine Glass Holder Necklace, your glass will always be right where you can find it -- suspended in front of your chest.

Just clip the glass's stem to the plastic holder and you'll have both hands free to raid passing hors d'oeuvres trays with a vengeance. But be wary of sudden, erratic movements, as the holder puts your glass in dangerous proximity to your shirt, making dry-cleaning bills a common hazard. To avoid fashion faux pas, you should probably wear this accessory only with ensembles that include a fast-drying burgundy shirt and black pants. The Wine Glass Holder Necklace consists of a piece of plastic that fits around the stem of a wine glass, and a nylon lanyard that goes around your neck.

Hate You Guys

So I decided to go on a hike with some friends this Saturday. Riley's softball game got cancelled and I knew the weather would be too crappy for v-ball so I got up early Saturday morning and headed to the usual meeting spot for all EWA trips ... the Factoria QFC.

I was starting to feel good about myself. Having the discipline to stay off the beach and give my back a break was a good idea. Then I get greeted with the following voice mail from Colin.

Hey Ardi it's Colin. I got your voice mail. Hey man, I'm really glad you're coming but I just wanted you to know that this isn't some fun hike like we normally do. This is a training hike for Rainier. It's pretty gnarly. Just wanted you know that. See you at QFC. Peace.

I called Adam.

Hey dude. I this hike pretty tough? Colin actually went out of his way to call me and warm me about it..

He laughs.

It's not any harder that the hike we did from Kelly's Cabin. Just a lot longer..

We all meet up at QFC and head out. B-Sack decides to cary a 35 Lb pack for better training. I guess they'll be haulin' 60 up Rainier. I don't know how B-Sack made it up there since I was struggling with just a camel back and couple of sandwiches in my pack. After the 1st mile we get our second wind and talk about Halo the rest of the way. The conversation makes it easier.

Anyway, Colin blasts his way to the top in no time with his giant stride and top notch cardio. When I finally make it to the top he asks me how I liked the hike.

Hate you guys.

Everybody laughs.

We eat for 30 minutes and head down since it's getting very cold and wet. Going down was even more work. I was using my legs and making sure no jarring or compression made its way to my spine. It seemed easier than going up but every time we stopped my shaking legs assured me otherwise. Adam and I talk about V-Ball on the way down and once again, the conversation makes things easier.

In the end I'm glad I did it and didn't hurt myself. B said if you tell anyone you did mailbox under 5 hours you deserve some props.

Payin' Dues

I wish injuries were like financial loans and you could pick & choose when you paid them off.


I'd like to put this injury on hold and pay if off in the fall please.

Certainly Sir. Would you be interested in 5 cc's of Cortisone.

I'm not sure. What's the interest rate on that?

High Sir. Very High.

Motivational Poster

Funny Pic I converted into a poster from Memorial Day in San Diego. Starring Matt, Steve, & Ben. Glad I'm not in it.

Click on Photo for full size view.

Another one bites the dust

Colin d'Hondt & Gayle Chonzena are getting married.

Yup, the pretty girl in the Salmon dress and the Viking with the 8 pack are tying the knott. Two of my best friends and closest confidants are getting hitched.

I hope they get married somewhere exotic so me and the crew will have another excuse to travel together.

P.S. Sorry fellas. The hottie in the middle is mine.

My Life Be Like Oooh Aaah

My buddy Chad Lyons, the tallented photographer and proprietor of SnapJacker.com was cruising Alki when he came across Toombstone and I lowering the boom on some poor victims. It was a good day. Biggest tournament ever at Alki. Teams came from Oregon, Washington, and BC. We won a few and lost a few. We played good but good's not good enough aginst the best from the NW if you wanna make the finals.

For the full gallery check out: www.SnapJacker.com