Birthdays, Movies, Basketball, Car, Toilet, and Baby Name!

It’s been awhile since I last blogged.  But the past two weeks have been killer!

Cinch and girlsStarted off with Cinch’s 25th birthday with friends at Centennial Park in Coronado with a BBQ during the Red Bull Air Race.  It was definitely a good time.  Maybe next time though, I won’t get up at 4 a.m. to hold a spot.  LOL.

Cinch and boysAnd then Cynthia and I saw Star Trek.  Awesome movie, considering I never really was a Trekkie.  I’ll definitely see more if they decide to keep it going.  Speaking of movies, Cynthia has especially enjoyed watching movies lately now that she’s pregnant.  She says it’s like watching everything in 4-D because the baby moves inside of her whenever there’s an explosion or other loud noise.  LOL.

We also saw X-men Origins.  It was okay.  Thought it could have been better, I had higher expectations.  Seemed a bit short too.  It really had nothing to do with the other X-men movies so if you skip this one, it’s not a bad thing.

Artest and KobeWe’ve also been watching A LOT of playoff basketball, thanks to the invention of DVR.  Seriously, we don’t watch the commercials, it’s awesome!  Wished the Bulls beat the Celtics–they still got a lot of maturing to do, but watch out for them next year.  If Gordon can chill out and Rose can step up, they got a pretty good thing going for them.

Other team I’m rooting for of late has been the Rockets.  Most of you already know that I’m a huge T-mac and Yao fan, but this whole Laker/Rockets thing is interesting.  Brooks is like the Darren Sproles of the Rockets.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they go into game 7 this weekend with an upset, even without Yao and T-mac.

But of course, I wouldn’t mind if the Lakers advance.  Actually, I hope they do.  So that Lebron and Ilgauskus (Cinch’s fave) and the rest of the Cavs can kick their asses!  I don’t know–this Laker team really irks me. But–that’s another blog.

Car updates–We got Cinch’s car windows tinted so now I don’t mind being in the driver seat of her car so much.  Lol.  Also, her car broke down.. really random.  But we got that fixed, eventually.  Both of our parents sort of got involved and made it all more complicated than it needed to be.  *sigh*

Toilet.  This is awesome.  So for the past couple weeks, we’ve noticed that the toilet has been leaking.  Not leaking outside, but back into the bowl, so it wasn’t a big deal.  But then it got to the point where we couldn’t sleep because of the dripping noise.  Soo…  Thanks to Google..  I was able to take out all the old, broken down parts and install brand new inner-workings of a toilet! Haha, I’m so proud of myself.  Mario and Luigi ain’t got nothing on me!

T-678And as I wrap this up, there’s still so much to look forward to:  Friends and family’s birthdays and graduations.  Watching Terminator Salvation with our very own Resistance team.  More NBA playoffs basketball.  Just got my car cleaned and looking all new.  More baby appointments.  Baby showers to plan–yes, I said showers with an “S”.

And by the way, we’ve come up with a name for our baby.  But we’re not telling anybody yet.  Lol.

21 Weeks – I felt the baby kick!

We were laying in bed watching playoff basketball when all of sudden Cinch felt a strong kick. Immediately afterwards, I placed my hand over the baby and a few seconds later WE felt the baby do it again. And AGAIN! 3 times in a row! It was the coolest thing!

It’s a Girl!

In case you didn’t know, Cynthia is now 20 weeks pregnant and we just found out that we’re having a baby girl!   Our due date is September 1st.  You can view more pictures from our sonogram by clicking the image above.

We’re extremely excited and can’t wait to meet her!

San Diego Chargers 2008-2009 Season Review

LT Tunnel Vision

Call it what it is–that was a CRAZY year of football!

Here are a couple of Charger memories that stood out from this past season:

 

The Bad:

  1. Carolina’s last second miracle catch in the back of the endzone.
  2. Cutler’s fumble called as a incomplete, forward pass by Hochuli.
  3. Miami’s stupid offense and how the Chargers couldn’t defend it.
  4. Stupid overseas London game and how the refs kept making unnecessary calls.
  5. Three game losing streak–Steelers, Colts, Falcons.
  6. Through the first 12 games, 4 wins and 8 losses.

The Good:

  1. Favre finally losing to the Chargers.
  2. Chargers beating the Patriots in New England.
  3. Beating both the Chiefs and Raiders TWICE.
  4. Down 21-3 to the Chiefs in the 3rd, and with 73 seconds left rallying back, recovering an onside kick, scoring the game winning touchdown, and the Chiefs getting a chance at a game-winning field goal due to a whack delay-of-game penalty on the defense, and them missing it!
  5. Beating the Bucs when a lot of people were saying the Chargers wouldn’t stand a chance.
  6. The Bills beating the Broncos setting up a destiny-rematch/dream-redemption game between the Chargers and Broncos on Sunday Night for a playoff berth.
  7. The Chargers giving a convincing beatdown to the Broncos (52 – 21).
  8. The Chargers hosting the Colts in the first round of the playoffs, forcing the game to go into sudden-death overtime with the Colts losing the coin toss, and FINALLY refs were making correct calls IN FAVOR of the Bolts, and Sproles capping off a great season by rushing into the endzone for six.

San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary SeasonLooking to the future, there are plenty of reasons why the Charger faithful should be optimistic (as long as GM A.J. Smith doesn’t screw things up)

  1. The 2009 season marks the 50th anniversary of the Chargers
  2. The return of a healthy Ladainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman
  3. The D will be back to their intimidating ways–Jamal Williams (pending DUI), Quentin Jammer, Shaun Philipps
  4. AFC WEST still sucks (My predictions–Chiefs 4th, Broncos 3rd, Raiders 2nd)
  5. HERE’S MY X-FACTOR, WATCH THIS GUY — #53 Anthony Waters

That’s about it, people.  It was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride of a season and I can’t wait for the next.  Hope you guys had as much fun as Cynthia and I did.

GO BOLTS!

Taken is like Bourne, but better!

TakenRating: ★★★★★

When: Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:35 p.m.

Where: Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 & IMAX

Review: Last blog I said, “It’s rare that I ever give a movie a PERFECT rating.” Well, it’s even more rare that I see two PERFECT movies back-to-back!

Taken stars a bad-ass Liam Neeson. Forget Qui-gon Jinn or Ra’s al Ghul. This time Neeson takes on the role of Bryan Mills, a former spy who sets out to find his kidnapped daughter in Paris.

The timing in the movie may seem rushed (it’s quick, only 90 minutes long) but if you ask me, it’s perfect. It’s an action-packed thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Random note:  I saw the movie late on a Friday night with Cynthia, and when we were looking for parking I thought I found a spot but this really nice Mercedes was taking up a spot-and-a-half.  Luckily there was parking across from it.  Fast-forward to after the movie, we end walking behind the owner of the vehicle.  GUESS WHO!  It was the San Diego Chargers Cornerback Quentin Jammer and his wife.  LOL, I said, “Whoah, whaddup Q?!”  He smiled and replied, “Whatsup.”  Nice.

Sorry, Dark Knight. Gran Torino takes my vote for Best Movie of the Year, possibly EVER!

Warner Bros. Pictures - Gran Torino
Rating: ★★★★★

When: Saturday, January 18, 2009, 9:45 p.m.

Where: Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 & IMAX

Review: It’s rare that I ever give a movie a PERFECT rating.

Nowadays, even promising actors/directors who delivered in the past just don’t know when to quit.  Example: Tom Cruise in Last Samurai, and then Valkyrie?!  Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa, and then Rambo?!???  C’mon dood.

So even though I really wanted to think this movie would be good, I have to admit that I had my doubts at first.

Now that I’ve seen the movie for myself, here is what I have to say about Gran Torino:

I have never seen a more PERFECT movie than this one–from it’s overall theme, to the characters, visual direction, even the soundtrack, this is truly the standard by which all REAL MOVIES should be made.

Sure, I’ve enjoyed other movies in the past.  But in a time where the theaters are inundated with bullshit, it’s nice to know that there are still talented people out there making REAL movies.  Movies with purpose, authenticity, morals, values, emotion, story, originality.  A movie that both entertains and inspires.  Basically, it’s movie that moves you–go figure.

Clint Eastwood is like the Michael Jordan of movies.  You can’t hate someone who has truly mastered their craft.  Once again, just like he did with Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood has starred in AND directed a movie that delivers.

The man who once crowned the phrase “Make my day,” has come out with another one: “Get off my lawn,” followed by, “I blow a hole in your face and sleep like a baby.”  LOL!

Forget Katsumoto from the Last Samurai.  Walt Kowalski from Gran Torinio is my new hero!

I’d hate to go into any details of the plot because summarizing wouldn’t do it any justice.

Just go see it.  I promise, you’ll love the movie.

Valkyrie is the new “Fail”

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Review: Disappointing. Deceiving. Unorganized. Uninspiring. Un-American.

Waste of time. History books are better than this. That’s all I have to say.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Just like the plot, the movie FAILED.

Terminator Salvation Trailer Released

Oh yes, it is no doubt that Will’s most anticipated movie of next year is Terminator Salvation, starring Christian Bale and directed by McG.

Can’t wait!  Check it out for yourself.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/terminatorsalvation/

Also, check out this nifty flash-based movie poster from their marketing department.  Sick, huh?

http://rss.warnerbros.com/terminatorsalvation/motionposter.html

Bolt (3-D)

Rating: ★★★☆☆

When: Sunday, November 30, 2008

Where: Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 & IMAX

Review: Bolt was cute, but don’t expect too much.

It won’t be an epic like some of Disney’s other animated movies (i.e. Lion King, Aladdin, Little Mermaid).  And definitely don’t make the mistake I did thinking this is a Pixar movie because it definitely isn’t.

Also, I wouldn’t fork over the extra money to see this in 3-D either.  About 20 minutes into the movie, I forgot I was even watching it in 3-D.  The 3-D effects were there it’s just the movie wasn’t made with the intentions of giving the audience a 3-D experience.  You’d actually sacrifice picture quality by watching this in 3-D.

Despite this, it was overall an okay movie.  Honestly, if it wasn’t for Rhyno (think hamster version of Stitch on crack), the movie probably would have been a dud.  It had its moments and wasn’t totally boring, so if you’re in a cutesy kind of mood, go see Rhyno–oops, I mean Bolt!

Adrienne and Noel Cruz’s Wedding

 

We had an awesome time at Noel and Adrienne’s wedding.  It was nice to just sit back and enjoy one as a guest for a change.

Well, at least that’s what I thought…

About halfway through the reception, there was a very unexpected moment where 10 individuals “at random” were called up by Adrienne and Noel to perform a pairs dancing contest.

LOL, here is the final round. I’m glad that one year on MMHS All-male Hip-Hop Dance Team and watching all those Jabbawockeez videos paid off.