I "heart" LA

Been in California since Sunday. Having a great trip. Timeline and some observations:

Flew into San Francisco on Sunday, hung out with a friend I haven't seen in 5 years. It was cool because we picked up right where we left off years ago without skipping a beat. We talked about relationship drama and ate Chinese food. Overall, I loved SF. The only issue were the roads. The atmosphere and the people were amazing.

Drove from SF to LA on either the 101 or the 1, can't remember which, but it was RIGHT along the ocean. The views were nothing short of imaginary. There is no other way to describe it. Also passed a couple groups of seals. that was cool.

Stopped in a friggin townie bar to watch the marquette game. A townie bar along the coast of California with an amazing view of the sunset. Met a girl who ditched her plane ticket to ride a scooter from like Texas or Arizona or something to seattle, sleeping in schoolyards, firehouses and on the beach. She smelled horrible because she only spent money on beer and drugs. Good luck Ciadel.

Been in LA for a few days now. Did some venturing into the tourist places, including a walk down the red carpet of the oscars after having to ask someone what was going on. LOL - tourist. The people here are a different kind of whack job. Nothing against the area, but it seems everyone has a skewed realization of their world influence. You ask someone here what they do and be prepared for an answer that lasts about 3 minutes Then translate it into a struggling actor working in a bar/store/starbucks. Also, everything is a major endeavor - the search for the extra chair in starbucks to the morning commute.

And EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE has a blackberry. Except at the townie bar. Most people there had never seen a blackberry before.

My tips for those heading to So Cal. First, choose San Fran and make the drive down. It was worth the time. Second, I dare you to meet 5 people who are actually "from" So Cal. Once you realze there aren't that many, you will feel less like a tourist. Third, do the tourist thing one day and then find some of the more local places. Definitely worth the search. And finally make sure to scope out a few places to go to before your trip. Cab drivers aren't the best tour guides here.

Life is a highway

Sitting in the portland airport Alaska Airlines lounge waiting for my 10:50 PST flight. I go to Atlanta, get to milwaukee at 9am. Then, to the bank, post office, car wash (for the first time in a month) and then the gym. Library from 1:30-5, dinner, Marquette game, bed (alone). Flight to San Francisco 6am Sunday. Then to LA on Monday. Should be a fun week away from a lonely apartment.

Super Bowl Predictions

I will not finish my paper before my TV is turned on for the game.

I will finish the Spotted Cow beer in the fridge and the Cab on the counter.

Best ad will be won either by Bud or some animal commercial.

Halftime show will suck - who booked PRINCE for a football game?

The game will be over at 9:05 CST.

Midway through the third quarter, I will actually forget who is playing and so will the announcers.

Colts 34 Bears 17

Bears will win because I pick the Colts.

Major Change

Making change happen...

Can I graduate law school before I am 30? Do I go full time or stay part time? Stay with a company that has screwed me too many times to count or look for something else? Not work for the first time EVER???

Alone again. It's been a long time. I have never lived alone either. This is going to be an adjustment, but it will all turn out in the end.

All in all, scary and challenging next few weeks, but like always it's time to rise up and move forward.

Back in the swing of things

After a week in Mexico and 9 days without an alarm clock, it was a struggle this morning. Ugh.

At 12:45pm - I have zero, ZERO emails in my inbox. Just put my head down, closed my door and plowed through it.

And down the stretch they come

60 hours before the end of the semester for me. One monster exam, but I think I am ready for it. The only thing I worry about is a 4 hour exam - after a 12 hour day.

Focus while in the home stretch

Well, I don't think the next couple of weeks can get any more difficult, and my need for focus has never been greater. Nor has my inability to focus.

So many things going on, it has been hard for me to compartmentalize while remaining intense as I finish the semester. There are quotas, forecasts, and open positions to focus on. There are sales in my own territory to close. What about action plans for 2007 for the region and for each individual rep. Marquette basketball. Issues at home. Family I haven't seen enough of. A big TV that needs attention. My health/workout schedule. A paper that needs a complete overhaul. A major final in a class where we read 95% of the book. The school semester is rushing to an end, but I don't know where it went.

It's not easy at the moment, but one theme for 2007 for my team is going to be focus. I need to drink some of my own water over the next couple of weeks. All I know is that the massage on December 5th is going to be nice. Until the end of the race...