27 Is A Solid Number

Yep, there goes another year. Today is my birthday and I am now 27 years old. I can go on and on like some people I know about how “old” I’m getting and how life is just racing by me but I refuse to do that.

Did you know that, according to the World Health Organization and Wikipedia, that in the early 20th century, the life expectancy of an average human was 30-40 years? And now the current world average is 66.12... That means, if I were to die the second that I turn 66.12, I still wouldn’t even be half way dead right now... or half way done being alive... however you want to look at it.

So with these statistics on my side, I have no reason to think that I am on my way to being “old”. In fact, with the advances in medicine, I bet I can expect to live to 100... granted I don’t fall off of a mountain or get pushed into traffic. My mom’s life goal is to live to 100 and if you know anything about her, I’m sure she’ll have no problem at all doing that.

I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that I am still young and even though I haven’t accomplished.... well, anything that I’ve wanted to yet (very strong emphasis on “yet”), I am happy to be alive. And because it’s my birthday and I can do what I want on my birthday, I’m going to share with you all why I think I should be glad to be alive:

• First and foremost, I am still alive. I am in relatively good shape and health and have all my appendages, even after working as a cabinet maker for 5 years.
  

• I have the most amazing family in the world. My mom can literally kick the shit out any of your moms (refer to above picture) and she’s probably one of the smartest and bravest people in the world. My dad is a freaking rockstar and has been ever since I can remember. Always encouraging his kids to play music or be creative in some way and to follow their hearts. Not to mention he gives great hugs and can tell you stories for days. Then there is my younger brother and sister. Two of the most creative and sarcastic people I know and I’m happy to have them so well trained... ;)
  

• I have the greatest friends that anyone could ask for. One I’ve known for 17 years and counting and some only a couple years. However, these are the friends that I would do anything for and I know if it came down to it, they’d do anything for me. Being away from these people, that I’ve grown up with and grown so close to, really is hard but I know that we shall all be together once again. There’s no need to name names, you all know who you are.
  

• And speaking of friends, one of my very best friends is my amazingly beautiful and terribly supportive girlfriend. I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for me and all the wonderful things we’ve done together. I can’t wait to see what’s next in our lives.

These are just a few key reasons that I’m glad to be alive and kickin’. I hope this was slightly encouraging to you and makes you look at all the positive things in your life. Even though I miss all my friends and family, I think things are going to be going my way really soon here.

Pronounced: [muhs-tash]

If you have experienced any serious disappointment in the past week or so, then you'll know exactly how I feel right now. 

Since I have moved down to the bay area I have been a little bit more lackadaisical about keeping the facial hair to a minimum. I'm not sure if it's because I'm almost 27 and finally hit puberty or if it's just good old fashion laziness.

Regardless, I had, what some people would call, a beard... ish... sorta thing attached to my face and I decided to shave it all but the upper lip region, thus creating a whole new level of manliness, known as the "Mustache"

Well, I really thought it would be funny to wear the mustache to work and get some funny looks and/or comments. Much to my dismay, I hardly received a second glance. Aside from two of my co-workers, Miyuki and Sammy, I was not on the butt end of any inappropriate child molestation jokes or clever jabs at how I should be riding in my 1986 T-Topped Camaro, blasting Journey as if Steve Perry were in my passenger seat.

Yet, even in the face of adversity, I am still bearing this banner of manhood in hopes that someone will look up at me and say, "Now there, there is a man with a story to tell."

Sunny Days In The City

Thanks to the sun and a good bit of driving, my left arm is now nearly burnt to a crisp and my right arm is still pasty white as ever. But you won't find me complaining any more than that, because any amount of vitamin D introduced to my life is more than welcomed.

Today we decided to head out and do our best to find an energy drink suggested to us by a Jean Aw of NOTCOT. The energy drink is called Rubyy. And yes, I know that there is an extra "y" at the end. We drove all around and finally found our prize at a really nice deli in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco. 

After driving more and enjoying our chilled beverages, we decided to navigate our way up to Coit Tower. We both haven't ever been and figured it was about time. The view was outstanding, but being the cheap bastard that I've become, I quickly vetoed the $5.00 admission to walk up the stairs to go to the top of the tower. The view from the small park the tower sits on was breath taking enough. At the bottom of this post is a quick little photomerge of the actual tower. 

Trying to take full advantage of the sunny day we found ourselves sipping on iced coffee and eating a delicious couple slices of pizza, while lying in the grass of Washington Square Park. Couldn't really ask for a much better day. 

Trying to keep up on my P90X workout and it's seriously kicking my ass. I'd like to consider myself someone that is relatively fit, but this program has shown me muscles that I didn't know really existed. Honestly though, I can't wait to have most of the DVD's somewhat memorized so I can turn the tv to mute so I don't have to listen to that tool of a host named Tony Horton.

Some Seriously Needed Friends & Family Time

Clearly I haven't been keeping up with this blog for the past couple weeks. In my defense, these last couple of weeks have been rather busy with friends and family. I had so much fun with everyone here and couldn't believe how fast it went. Also, I knew I needed to see everyone for my own sanity but I really don't think everyone stayed long enough cause I'm right back on that razors edge of teetering over to craziness. So if you don't mind, everyone, come back very very very soon.

I'm not going to be writing much about anything other than just describing the barrage of photos I'm going to be cramming into this post. So please enjoy and I hope to have videos up soon cause I definitely used my Flip Cam more than taking photos.

First things first. These two lovely ladies, Kellie and Alisa (left and right), took us out to a fantastic sake bar called Ace Wasabi, in the marina district. Not only did I drink my very first Sake

Bomb I was

 also sitting next to Tory Belleci, one of the newer guys from MythBusters on Discovery Channel. Pretty sweet... I guess if you're a nerd like me. I unfortunately didn't have the balls to ask for an autograph or even say hi. Not really my style I suppose. As for Sake, I was totally expecting something with more of a burn like a mix between wiskey and vodka and after about seven shots I decided to break out the iPhone and look up the average alcohol content of Sake. Yeah, right around the same as a bottle of wine. 

The next evening my mom, brother, and sister showed up. I couldn't have been more excited to see them. Not only was it great to get some well needed hugs from the family, they brought a real bed, a couch, my carpets, and all my camping gear that I had in storage up in Eugene. 

I tried to take my family to all the touristy places and show them what everyone should see while in San Francisco. We made it to the Golden Gate Bridge and chilled down at Pier 39 for a while. I personally don't have very many pics of my family because I forgot my camera and all of them had cameras. I suppose I should have been a little bit more proactive in asking for the photos via email or something before I wrote this. Damn. 

Either way, we had a blast. My mom tolerated her boys swearing like sailors, my big city driving, and everyone poking fun at everyone. It was like I never left. 

Then Monday rolled around and even more guests showed up. Ian (Kendra's younger brother), Cody (friend, old co-worker), and Jane a.k.a. Janice (friend and Ian's lovely girlfriend) rolled in and it was time to RAGE!

We strolled around the city, back to Pier 39, some of the really expensive designer stores, all over and around the San Francisco Zoo, back to the city for more strolling all with Ian hobbling around on a broken big toe. Let's just say, I wasn't kidding about the RAGE part. Our first night all together was fueled with alcohol, longboarding, and Ian deciding to go into a full out sprint and kicking a curb. Not to mention he just crashed on his longboard and acquired some amazing road rash, including on his ear. Silly Schmian.

[left: Ian and Kendra with matching scarfs.]

[right: Kendra and Jesse looking sexy in the city... duh]

[left: Cody & Ian riding a big furry tractor]

[right: Jesse double fisting the best thing to come out of mexico... Churros]

[left: Giraffes at the SF Zoo. My new favorite animal]

[right: Two pasty white kids smooching]

I had so much fun with everyone here and I can't wait for everyone to come back. I hope it's sooner rather than later but I think we'll have to make a trip up there to grab a breath of fresh Oregon air. 

[EDIT: I nearly forgot, and with a polite reminder, before anyone even showed up my friends Kolby and Allison showed up at my work disguised behind newspapers and visited for a brief moment. Unfortunately it was super busy and I could only get out and take this photo with Kolby with a quick round of hugs. Love ya guys.]