This is my Friday night ... 2 and a half months back, my buds and I decided we wanted to actually go to a Lakers game. We were trying to decide which game to go. Back and forth we went, ultimately we decided on the Memphis Grizzlies, I wanted to see a team that would be better. Haha funny decision I thought, but being that Pau Gasol, a big man that can score, was on the team I agreed. February 1st rolls by, and tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Gasol gets traded to the Lakers. I was all stoked but in the back of my mind I was bummed becuase I just knew that the Lakers were going to route Memphis. I still get to see Gasol play so Im good with that

I read articles on the Gasol trade, some of them saying how much farther the Grizzlies would fall without Gasol. I was still looking forward to the game though, being that I would get to see and route aand my Lakers would get a V toward the end of the season.

And then comes March 15, I think that's the date, Gasol gets hurt and is helped off the court. To make a long story short, I just knew he would come back in time to see the Lakers beat up on the Grizzlies. So comes the Wednesday before the game. I read in the Times that Gasol would definitely miss the Memphis game. :P lol ok I thought to myself the Lakers will still win!

Friday arrives and we get to Staples about 45 mins early... we were thirsty so of course we got up and got something to drink ;). We sit down and watched the game, nothing could go wrong, the Lakers were going to win, I mean they were playing the lowly Memphis Grizzlies playing without Gasol. The end of the game rolls around and um well this outing was never meant to be the way I pictured it. There was 1 highlight, Kobe's 53 points... Just when I thought the Lakers were getting a more balanced offensive attack, so much for expectations. Final score Grizzlies 114 Lakers 111. I did see Gasol sit on the bench though :).

Sorry this is quite wordy... Letting steam off... haha… show some perseverance

This last weekend my cell phone went whack, so being that I had a chance at getting a new phone, while getting a replacement, I decided to brave my way to one of those cell phone stores. I walk in the store and tell the "customer service specialist" about my situation. He asked if I had my ID to verify some things. I checked my back pocket and realized I had forgot my wallet. He asked, "Can you verify the expiration date on that license?" I thought to myself that I've had two renewals in the time I've been with this provider. I asked the rep about that. He responded by saying that's new company policy... blah blah blah. I told him I thought It’s usually the last 4 digits of my social security number. He said just anyone can come in with that info. To that I said if someone can get the last 4 numbers of my social, someone can certainly get the expiration date. After that.. I said a certain year (which later turned out to be right) he said that's not it. I sttood there for a bit. The manager came to me and started taking care of me. I explained the situation to him. He seemed to be the help I needed. Then I told him I forgot my wallet and he asked how far away I lived. I told him. He then said pick out a phone I'll hold it for you so you can get the wallet from your home. He also offered their lan line to call for the replacement phone. I felt so much better about the situation. Go me!!!!!!! To make a long story short, they gave me a number to call for the replacement. I called that number it took them 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete that, on hold off hold, "Sorry I have to ask the supervisor, so frustrating! So, finally I finished. Told the manager how long it took (why didn't he know). He graciously apologized. One and a half hours of my life I couldn't get back. After that I told the manager I'd be back within half an hour, "No problem, I'll have that phone here waiting for you. Twenty minutes later, I get back. Showed him the expiration date on my license, he again simply said sorry sir, the rep made a mistake we go by social security number (I cringed). I abstained from any comments, it was hard, but I held my ground. I then asked for the phone I picked. The manager went to get it, he was gone for like 10 mins, he didn’t even come from out from the stock room once within that period of time. He finally came out. He apologized to me yet again saying, "I'm sorry we had a mix up. The phone you picked out was sold. "Well, get me another one." You want it in pink? We sold out of the one you wanted." A blank stare came on my face. I remained quiet. "Do you realize that I've spent a couple hours in here for an exchange and a phone?" Yes sir I'm so sorry." "This is very frustrating." I said back to him. He proceeded to again apologize. Instead of going on and getting very angry and make a scene, I stopped. Admittedly it's hard to stop in the heat of frustration. I took one for the sake of peace. There were kids in that same store, a lot of people around. They wouldn't know what I've been though and if they did what would they think. I've seen people raise a scene and thought to myself hmmm what a jerk. I went to another store 10 mins away and was done in 10 mins, went home with the phone I wanted.

Driving to work Yesterday morning I was on the 5 freeway. While I was driving there was a Semi in the number 1 lane, I was in the 2. The Semi was like 1/4 mile in front of me and was slowing down because we were approaching a freeway onramp an anticipating a car coming from that onramp. I looked at my right side mirror and see a black Lexus coming at a good clip. Seeing that there was a closing gap between the Semi and my car, I ASSUMED (Taking chances doing this) that the driver of the black Lexus would take a place in back of me. But I was wrong. He sped up even more and barely fit his car in front of me while merging into my lane. If the truck would have stopped suddenly, it would have been ugly. If I didn't brake hard I would have had to call my insurance. I noticed that instead of taking their time, some have to always get the front spot at any price. It's a habit to speed up, instead of making it safe. I do not like accidents, they clog up the freeways, insurance costs go up and the worse part is they hurt people. The only pleasant thing that could come from this is hearing Tiffany's voice reporting it.

Just got back from lunch. This lunch was for 2 friends here at work that were part of a company layoff. They are wonderful people and we had a good time. I will try to continue to see them. After the lunch, the thought came to me, how could these people smile and laugh at a time like this? These are selfless people not absorbed in their own endeavors, they have families, they talk about them often, they talk about what they did with friends and family on the weekends. There are different kinds of personalities in this office. These people choose not to complain. I've found when I have projects due, I can count on these people to get them done without any trace of dissension. I can go on and say more things about these two. For them I'm sure things will work out. Why do they smile and laugh at a time like this? Read this again... it speaks volumes on important things.