On life being what you make it

I forgot exactly how it was brought up, but the other day my friend told me, "Your life is like a party." to which I replied, "Are you serious?" He then followed up by saying, "You just seem like you're always having fun and enjoying yourself." I told him that it was because I made it that way.

When thinking about this conversation, I first thought to myself, my life is nothing like a party- he couldn't be more wrong. Do you know what I did yesterday? I woke up semi-early and ran three miles. I later spent over five hours studying for the Audit section of the CPA Exam. With the exception of hanging out with friends here and there, my "summer" has basically been comprised of studying for the CPA Exam and taking the different sections. Between the review classes and the homework/studying, I haven't really gotten the chance to relax like I had hoped.

The funny thing about all of this is that despite all of the work I've been doing and all of the stress that I have, I gotta say that I'm enjoying this summer. I'm definitely not seeing my friends as much as I'd like, and that part sucks (cuz when we hang out, it's awesome), but all the studying- it isn't so bad. I try to look at it as an investment in my future- studying for the four exam sections has given me a well-rounded knowledge base that will help me in the business world. Also, as I study for the Audit section, I'm getting a better idea about what my career will be like, and I'm meeting some cool people in my classes.

I could approach all of this in many different ways, but trying to make the best it, and making the effort to enjoy myself throughout this process- well, that's the only way I know how to do it. It has to do with attitude. In no way am I having the time of my life, but I'm still happy. I don't know if it's weird, or dorky, or even slightly concerning, but I kinda like learning this stuff. I guess I am having fun...

...because I made it that way.

On butterflies

When we were younger, we'd see a butterfly land on a flower and we were so intrigued because it was really beautiful. We wanted to get closer to see it better, but we knew that if we moved too quickly, it would fly away. So, we'd take our time and slowly make our way towards the flower, as to not frighten the butterfly. However, when we finally got close enough to truly appreciate what we were seeing, it would fly away, just like that.

On one regret

Obviously my four years in college weren't perfect, but they were absolutely the best years I've had so far (hopefully that will change in the near future). However, I'm unfortunately regretting something- not something I did, but something I didn't do. It's kinda too late to do anything about it now, and I'm just gonna have to deal with that. Even though I made many mistakes during my years in LA, this is probably the only thing I regret...and I didn't even do it.

On why we do it

Do you ever tell yourself that you're not gonna do something, and then almost immediately after, you do it, and later feel really terrible about it? Why does this happen? Is there any way to prevent it? Maybe it has to do with a momentary lapse of judgement, or even lack of control.

On Brian Wilson quotes

You guys gotta check this out. So awesome...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/671371-san-francisco-giants-brian-wilsons-10-most-hilarious-quotes

On our dreams

"If you don't have dreams, you don't have anything."- Jimmy Morris

On growing out my hair

I like to keep my hair short. No surprises there. But when I mean short, I mean I like to get it cut every four to five weeks. Why? Because I hate it when it's long.

However, for some unknown reason, I've decided to let it grow out. It's already long (by my standards) and I can't remember the last time I got it cut, but I'm gonna give myself another month to see what it looks like. Bad idea? Good idea? We'll see...

On accepting help

Just because you have someone help you doesn't mean you've failed. It means you're not in it alone.

On taking risks

Those who take risks may not live long, but those who take no risks never live at all.

On closing

Closing out a game and finishing strong can be a tough thing to do, but if you don't play well enough to win and give it everything you've got until the very last second, you don't deserve it. Gotta leave it all out on the field...

On fishing

Yesterday I went fishing with some family friends at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. We were all super excited to catch some fish an eat it for dinner, but after a few hours we packed it up and went home empty handed...or so we thought. I guess that most would measure success by the number of fish caught, but even though we didn't catch anything, it was a blast! It was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone on the pier, bonding over our collective failure to reel one in. I can't wait to go fishing again :)

On turn signals

I really don't get why people don't use their turn signals- do they want to get into an accident? Also, what's up with those people who signal, change lanes or turn, but forget their signal is still on? It's really not that difficult.

On freeing ourselves from bad relationships

This post was inspired by TJ.

Sometimes we unfortunately find ourselves in situations where it's hard to be friends with someone. Being friends with them has become so complicated, and causes us so much unnecessary frustration, stress, and headache. We start to wonder if being friends with them is worth it anymore. Are we getting anything out of this friendship? Do the costs of the relationship outweigh the benefits?

In life, it's really important to keep good company. The sad truth is that not everyone we meet is in fact good company. Also, people change, sometimes for the worse. We need to free ourselves from these bad relationships because they're anchors weighing us down, keeping us from moving forward with our lives. I know it sounds kinda dramatic, but we gotta cut these people loose. It's for our own good.

This relatively straight-forward idea of cutting ties with all the negative influences in our lives is made complicated by the emotional connection we might have with them. For example, if we've known a person for years- grew up with them- it's extremely difficult to simply give up and walk away. We can't just bail on our friends, right? I agree, but we need to make sure they're really our friends. A real friend doesn't put us in bad or awkward positions. They don't take advantage of the relationship without giving anything back. We don't need any of that.

I hope it's obvious that I don't mean we should walk away from a friend in need because it's always important to be there for our friends. However, if we have friends that are constantly in need, constantly asking us for "big favors", constantly getting into trouble- is that a good relationship?

There are too many people in this world to get held back by those who don't really care about us.

On Casual Fridays

Not too long ago, I was hanging out with my grandparents and I don't know exactly how this came up, but my grandpa claimed to have invented the concept of Casual Friday. He said that when he was working a long time ago (possibly at Standard Oil), he "didn't feel like wearing a tie to work" on a Friday. Apparently, others agreed with him and the following week, more guys were showing up to work without ties. My grandpa told us that after that, the bosses said that no one had to wear a tie on Friday.

On why we drink

This is from a sign at my grandpa's house:

"Those who drink get drunk.

Those who get drunk go to sleep.

Those who go to sleep do not sin.

Those who do not sin go to heaven.

So let's all drink and go to heaven."

On not moving

Cheers to the stubborn...

The Man Who Can't Be Moved- The Script

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9o1FAszdk

"Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, I'm not gonna move
Got some words on cardboard, got your picture in my hand
Saying if you see this girl can you tell her where I am

Some try to hand me money, they don't understand
I'm not broke I'm just a broken hearted man
I know it makes no sense, but what else can I do
How can I move on when I've been in love with you

'Cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street

So I'm not moving
I'm not moving

Policeman says son you can't stay here
I said there's someone I'm waiting for if it's a day, a month, a year
Gotta stand my ground even if it rains or snows
If she changes her mind this is the first place she will go

'Cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you see me waiting for you on the corner of the street

So I'm not moving
I'm not moving
I'm not moving
I'm not moving

People talk about the guy
Who's waiting on a girl, oh whoa
There are no holes in his shoes
But a big hole in his world

Maybe I'll get famous as the man who can't be moved
And maybe you won't mean to but you'll see me on the news
And you'll come running to the corner
'Cause you'll know it's just for you

I'm the man who can't be moved
I'm the man who can't be moved

'Cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we meet
Oh, you see me waiting for you on a corner of the street

So I'm not moving
('Cause if one day you wake up, find that you're missing me)
I'm not moving
(And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be)
I'm not moving
(Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet)
I'm not moving
(Oh, you see me waiting for you on a corner of the street)

Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, I'm not gonna move"

On donating blood

I donated blood earlier today at Blood Centers of the Pacific in Millbrae. It's something I try to do as often as I can because it takes so little effort on my part and can potentially make a big difference in someone's life. I think donating blood is something that everyone should at least consider- it doesn't take a lot of time and it makes you feel good, helping someone. Over my four years in Los Angeles, I gave a gallon to the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center and got a special pin (woohoo...lol). I get that many are freaked out by needles and that's a hard thing to get past, but the truth is that there are a lot of people who need it. Just something to think about...

On Field Of Dreams 2: Lockout

SO FUNNY:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/7836326dd7/field-of-dreams-2-nfl-lockout-with-taylor-lautner?playlist=featured_videos

On my imagination

A classic from my favorite band:

Just My Imagination- The Temptations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Z9-QCmZyw

"Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by.

I say to myself, 'You're such a lucky guy.'
To have a girl like her
is truly a dream come true.
Out of all of the fellas in the world
she belongs to me.

But it was just my imagination
running away with me.
It was just my imagination
running away with me.

Soon we'll be married
and raise a family.
In a cozy, little home out in the country
with two children, maybe three.
I tell you, I can visualize it all.
This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems.

But it was just my imagination, once again
running away with me.
I tell you it was just my imagination
running away with me.

Every night, on my knees I pray,
'Dear Lord, hear my plea
Don't ever let another take her love from me
or I will surely die.'
Ooh, her love is heavenly;
when her arms enfold me,
I hear a tender rhapsody,
but in reality, she doesn't even know me

Just my imagination, once again
running away with me.
Tell you it was just my imagination
running away with me.
I never met her, but I can't forget her.
Just my imagination
running away with me..."

On Texas Hold 'Em

I've been playing Hold 'Em for a number of years now, and what I've learned is that the game is just as much about luck as it is skill. I'm a pretty streaky player in that I wouldn't consider myself either lucky or unlucky. I can collect chips just as fast as I can lose them in a big pot- it really depends on the night.

The great thing about poker is that it's as much about playing the person as it is playing the cards. Granted, it's really hard to win if you don't have the cards, and bluffing only goes so far if the other guy has the nuts (the best possible hand). It's really difficult to keep it casual when I play because I'm always looking to see what other people are doing- watching how they move and how they bet in different situations. I understand that there's a lot of math involved- probabilities and pot odds- but I try not to get caught up in the calculations because a 1% chance is still a chance.

Even though I've been playing for a while, I don't know if I would consider myself "good." I think I understand the game almost as well as the next guy, but being a "good" poker player is a little more arbitrary than you'd think. I guess you could base talent off of overall winnings, but then you'd also have to take luck into account, and that's where it gets complicated.

I can't really tell how I come off at a poker table, because I'm trying not to give too much away to my opponents, but the game is always pretty stressful for me. I don't know if exhilarating is the right word, but I love the rush after winning a huge pot. Unfortunately, on the flip side, losing a big one can be pretty defeating.

My general stance on poker, and gambling in general, is that I hate losing money more than I like winning it. I just have to tell myself that I'm paying for the entertainment value and if I happen to win some money, then great! I'd say that over all these years, I've come out about even, possibly $20-$40 ahead.

Earlier tonight, I got really lucky, and it was pretty epic. Within the span of a few hours, I had a straight-flush (6 to 10 in diamonds) and four 8's. I ended up winning $30 so I'd say it was a good night.

On finding yourself

It's good to give yourself to others because in the event you lose yourself, they can help you find yourself.

On price and value

"A fool knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."