New Year, New Life?

Santana is back and ready to rock! I had taken some time off to get a few writing projects in line, and I gotta tell you that the moments away from the blog, were tough. I write all the time, but never before in the capacity of an "instant-media" format.  In all fairness, I am still an "old schooler" that still believes in the printed word; the hard bound books that await the reader like a a taxi cab with an open door to escort you to the exciting adventures contained within.  The well worn paperback that has been poured through at least a hundred times, found its way from rummage sale to rummage sale, hand to hand, bathroom to bedroom begging to be pured through again, versus the web based, "let me get all the info in 5 minutes" gig.  I do have to admit that blogs and the social media networks are by far the easiest and quickest way to bring an author's writing to the general public though.  I'll also admit that there are not a lot of people out there like me, reading die hards that spend countless time perusing the shelves hunting down the next greatest novel.  There are however in my opinion, tons of people that don't mind getting a kick out of the occasional blog put out by someone like me; a cynical, observant and rebel of all that is mainstream.  So there you have it. I am officially back, and yet, still rough and unedited.

This year I saw so many things that I would have loved to comment on.  From the outrageous, (Li-Lo in Playboy, really?) to the "What Was He Thinking?" stuff  (Charlie Sheen going off like he had a bad case of Tourette's syndrome.) All in all, it has been an eventful 2011. We saw three former enemies of the U.S meet their maker; Osama, Gaddafi, and Kim Jong II; we saw the foretelling of the end of the world in 2012 through the Mayan calendar (I know you are as anxious as I am, right?), and most sad of all, the Oprah Winfrey show made it's final curtain call (why are there so many reruns then?), I'm joking.

My final sober thought for 2011 is simply this; as you get ready for 2012, and as you make your resolution (everybody does), are you aiming for just a new year, or a whole new life? See, there are people that will vow to lose weight, gain money, a better job, a better romance, a better parent, the list goes on and on, but sometimes what I think it really boils down to is what they really want is a new life, not merely a better one. Think about it seriously, you don't want to just lose a few pounds and get healthy, you want to lose a lot of pounds and look mesmerizing in that new bikini in the back of your closet.  You don't want just a new job, you want to make a ton of extra money to get away from all the debt you have accrued right? In order to do that my friends, and be successful, you have to change the platform. If the Beatles had never chosen to come to America, the world may have never known who they were. New Year, or New Life? Aiming the bar low, or as high as you can dream?

You have a New Year's resolution. Great; swing the bat everyday, over and over again, until you hit it out of the park, and if you go down swinging, who cares?  But if you are standing there on December 31st, 2012 like me, saying you gave it your very best, and it really doesn't matter about the outcome,  I'll be right there with you, and maybe we can have a drink together! Have an awesome New Year, Cheers.

-Lou
 

Winners, Losers and Admissions…

Happy Weekend!  

Now that the weekend here, the weather is cooling and Hot Rods are rolling!  We may have to catch a few shows in the next few weeks and give you the down low on all things Hot Rod! Who doesn’t like Fancy Cars? 

Winners!

Today, we are going to talk about character.  The setting is San Diego, land of beautiful sunshine, tanned Californians and surprisingly to most non-San Diegans (yes, it’s the right word, I looked it up) honesty, at Qualcomm stadium. This doesn’t happen often but in a pre-season game in San Diego where the Chargers were playing the San Francisco 49ers, a waitress slipped on a step, and lost control of 1,000 dollars that rained down on fans as they watched the game.  Most fans, maybe even you or I would see cash hitting our heads and think to ourselves, “Maybe I will hang unto this, and see what happens.”  The Charger fans however, loyal to the bone, and having known this as the same server who delivered sweet treats from Hot Dogs to brewski’s made sure no one kept the lost cash by shouting to those scrambling for the money, “That’s the waitress’s money!” Wow.  Within 5 minutes, all the money was returned.  The waitress, Heather Allison a mother-of-four, who has worked at the stadium for five years, added: ‘It was all there. Charges fans are amazing, we’re like a family.’  I agree Heather, and I will be the first one to endorse both Charger and 49er fans.  For the most part, they are great fans!  Just make sure they aren’t playing the Raiders!  

Losers

Just when you think that the selfish overpaid athlete trend is starting to die down, it rears its ugly head once more in women’s tennis. The following tid bit I am sure will not surprise you, however the latest ranting from Serena Williams is appalling.  The entire tirade reflects the poor quality character of an overpaid and an immature women who carries with her a sense of entitlement that in my book, she has not earned.  In fact, by accusing a completely different chair umpire of being the same one involved in her last tirade makes me think she might be packing something a little stronger than just water in those bottles.  Really Serena?  Not only did she unfairly go off after an accurate call, but she had the audacity to call the chair umpire a “loser” and a “hater.”  Just for you guys out there, the chair umpire I am positive was not aware of what that meant and probably got home to ask her children what a “hater” was.  Nice one potty mouth.  On a side note, isn’t the name “Serena” from the root word serenity?  Wow, the William’s parent’s got that wrong!   Anyways…. Serena, you are no John Mcenroe!

Admissions...

Wow! Never thought I would see this day come.  Throughout Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya boxing career, I would tell people, “It’s easy being the champion when you are fighting old guys and smaller guys that lack experience.”  

It wasn’t until De La Hoya’s career was almost over when I finally gained some respect for Oscar as a fighter.  His defeat of Fernando Vargas, and Ike Quartay toe to toe, was astonishing to see.  Here are the former champ’s comments:

“I fought guys over the hill, guys who were too small,” said De La Hoya, I won world titles that maybe were questionable. It’s the truth. Mayweather is a victim of this, too. He has fought guys too small, washed up.”

Thank you Oscar, for finally giving me MY moment in the sun, but then again, who knows, maybe I am just a “hater” right Serena?

Enjoy your Football weekend!  Go Cardinals! 

P.S. Dear Victor Ortiz, will you do all of us a favor and finally shut Floyd Mayweather Jr. up tonight? Thanks! That is all.

Follow the Leader

It is fall, and we are in the midst of preparing our minds for the holiday season that is quickly approaching like a large lady at an open buffet. 

This morning, while I sip on my coffee and contemplate all things contemplatable, (yes, it is a word, sort of) my mind wanders to the impending holiday social interaction of male and female species, and it raises a question in my mind, “Why does male leadership terrify most women?”  Admit it or not, men’s whole spiritual and social DNA is coded to be the leader (read hunter, gatherer) of mankind.  This is no slight to women at all.  In fact, if most men would take the accurate role of leading in their prospective environments, most of the social problems we face today, I feel would be extinguished.  From the absent father syndrome, to the “love them and leave them” philosophy, men all over the world have been laying down on the job (no pun intended) and leaving it up to others to take the controls for life’s responsibilities they themselves’ should be fielding. 

Admit or not, men are under attack these days in almost every medium you can imagine, from the printed word, to the TV set, men these days are being viewed in one of two ways; inept fools, or harsh dictators thereby devaluing and diminishing the role they should serve in today’s society.  Why is that the case?

The harsh and abusive male “dictators” we see today are simply a moral failure from a lack of accurate understanding of what authentic and accurate manhood should really stand for, however this isn’t new.  Men having been falling prey to complacency and failure as far back as the first few pages of the Bible. 

Why is it that men fail not only themselves, but also others around them?  Easy, it’s the temptation of ego. Men like lambs, are led to the slaughter everyday when their egos are tempted.  Most women on the other hand, have been proven to be stronger mentally in regards to being tempted and seem impervious to such visual temptations. 

Breaking it Down:

 So how is man so easily tempted?  Out there in the outlying temptation lies a false promise of getting more than is intended for him to have at that time, and his fall is almost always based on greed rather than need.  Funny how we men are huh?  We always want more than we have, and we are almost never satisfied with what we have already, hence our tumble down the wayward steps of folly. 

The unfortunate thing for men is that we are still held accountable everyday whether we choose to do the noble thing to lead in our environments or shuck the responsibility and leave it to someone else.  Without proper order, there is complete chaos.

The Answer:

The long answer to my complicated question is this, and see if you agree: Women are terrified of male leadership because there is no security in a man that a woman can not trust.  Simple as that and you can boil it down to every situation.  If you get to the nucleus of the issue at hand, it is almost always because of that one thing.  People that want to be led need to know that their leader is someone they can trust.  Man or woman.  A great leader drives home the belief that in the course of his leadership, he can be trusted.   

So there you have it folks, a little side road form our usual spiel, but don't worry, we'll be back with the usual social observational mumbo jumbo before you can say "Kardashian!"

This holiday season, if you intend to find that “Special Love” make sure you understand the roles that you should take; lead, follow, or get off the bus! 

This week’s 5 most exciting NFL match ups!

Green Bay at Carolina- Can Cam Newton put up huge numbers again vs. the reigning world champs? Prediction: Green Bay

Chicago vs. New Orleans- Was the Chi-town victory a fluke? Prediction: New Orleans  

Arizona vs. Washington- The Cardinals got lucky last week, can they win #2 on the road?  Prediction: Arizona

Dallas vs. San Francisco- Can The ‘Boys bounce back from last week’s gift giving? Prediction: Dallas   

San Diego vs. New England- Last week the Bolts bounced Mcnabb out of the stadium, can they do it again to Brady and company? Prediction: New England

Water Cooler: NFL Week 1

Good Morning my Pretties! 

It is the Monday after the Inaugural NFL Kickoff Sunday, and I can bet there are fans of at least 14 teams out there that are elated while the other 14 will find it hard today to find a hiding spot from their co-workers ready to razz them right?  For those of you that weren’t glued to their 70” HD 1080DLP’s let me give you all the quick run down so you won’t look like the only American not watching football yesterday.

Game of the day- Dallas VS NY Jets- 24-27  Cowboys dominated for 3 quarters, but then decided they didn’t need a victory and promptly handed the Jets the win via the “Romo Special” From what I hear, this plate is served regularly in Dallas.  Prediction: If Dallas (read Romo) can not stop shooting themselves in the foot, they will be starving like their fans for some wins.  Good luck Boys!

Upset of the day- Cincinnati  & Cleveland 27-17  Being Week , not a whole lot surprised me, however Cincinnati’s win over Cleveland was impressive.  This is a team bound for the 1^st round pick of the NFL’s 2012 draft.  Prediction: 4 wins maybe  

Worst Sunday Beat Down-  Buffalo strangling the Chiefs.  41-7  K.C played so bad they are considering changing their name to the Chafes. Nice job KC, next time, show up for the game. 

In other news:

Baltimore beat the beloved Steelers 35-7  Who was the guy with the Number 7 jersey on? It definitely was not the normal razzle dazzle Roethlisberger.  He was terrible going 22/41 and 3 picks.  Ouch.  Good thing they play Seattle next week to get their confidence back. 

The Chi-town Bears took care of Atlanta 30-12  Decent job by Cutler and Company and raises flags about the Flacons chances to go all the way, but hey, it’s only week 1.

Houston demolishes a Peyton-less Colts team 34-7  Are you telling me that the beleaguered Colts QB is the entire hinge on which the team’s victories rest?  Yup.  Sad thing, without Manning, this could be a loooong season for the Colts. 

Jags scrape by the Titans 16-14- Enough said, yawn…. Boring.

Philadelphia does it big against St. Louis 31-13  Vick and Co. took care of business Sunday afternoon against an up and coming Rams team.  Both fought hard and numerous injuries were reported.  Now that’s football! 

Detroit beats Tampa Bay 27-20  Who?

Arizona pulls off a lucky win against the Panthers 28-21  Nice job by the new Cardinals team; almost half of the players are playing in their first year with Arizona, the rest are wily veterans that knew enough to survive and spoil Cam Newton’s debut in the NFL. The Cardinals need to shore up mistakes if they want to take the short run to the NFC West title. 

San Diego whips Minnesota 24-17  The Bolts proved they still got it against a so-so Vikings squad.  Again its only week 1 so we will see if the Bolts can be a contender this year.

San Fran beats Seattle 33-17  Both QB’s in this contest threw for under 200 yards.  Exciting huh?

Washington surprises NY Giants 28-14  Maybe the Redskins aren’t going to be so bad huh?  It seems like they change players faster than congressman over there in D.C but maybe this time they have the right mix to challenge in the NFC East. 

Tonight’s Games-

New England at Miami and Raiders at Denver- My Prediction?  This will be a perfect time to get in a workout at the gym, or maybe a nice steak and some red wine.. Snooze alert!

Until Next Time, Catch you on the Flipside!

Remembering not as Important as Learning and Doing.

Good Morning.  It is September the 11^th 2011, and a decade after the U.S tragedy that saw our citizens come together like never before.  Directly after the event, we saw politics, religion, and race take a backseat to what this country should really be; one nation indivisible, under God.  It’s strange how, the further we get away from an event that completely freaks us out and scares us bad enough to force our hand to make those phone calls to family members who live in other parts of the world just to say you love them amid tears and sorrow, that we as Americans tend to forget what was so beautiful after such a great loss to our country.  That we are despite our differences, Americans. 

Many people are going out of their way to publicly remember the events of 9/11 by tuning into the myriad of TV documentary’s, or going to a local memorial, but in my opinion, the single most important thing we can do, is to not only remember, but also act on what brought us together following those events; a sincere care for each other as Americans and a willingness to put aside our differences and selfishness long enough to help out our fellow man.  See to me, that is what I will remember.  How for just a moment, we stopped complaining long enough to hear the National Anthem playing on our radios, or hear the Pledge of Allegiance at all of our public events.  How for a split second you weren’t regarded as Republican, Democrat, right or left, liberal or conservative, but just an American wounded by what was done to this country. 

I am grateful that our country will never forget such an event that meant a great loss for  all us, whether directly or indirectly, but much more, I would like to send out a challenge to all of you out there, who in spite of your good intentions, will do nothing more than to just tune in and only remember.  My challenge is this.  Be something more than an American who commemorates tragedy.  Be an American catalyst for change.  Understand the importance and the privilege that we have everyday, to care for each other like we did following the 9/11 attacks.  We can do it if we choose.  We just need to choose. 

Remembering is great, but learning that we have value and becoming an American means to care for each other, whether we know them or not.  That is how we overcame a seemingly impossible task of rebuilding our lives, and that is how we will overcome the selfishness that is all too present in our country today.  I for one, will take up that challenge.  Will you?  Have an awesome day! God blessed America.

-Lou 

Who Wants Some Ice Cream?

Just a real quick Friday Slam for you guys to get your weekend started the right way!   

Ben and Jerry has come out with a most amazing limited edition ice cream flavor called,  “Shweddy Balls.”  Ha ha ha… Hilarious!  The flavor, which mixes vanilla and rum-flavored ice cream with fudge-covered rum balls and chocolate malt balls, will be available through the end of the year. Now let me say this, “Who doesn’t like ice cream?”   

For those of you guys that are saying “huh?” You must be too young to remember back when Saturday Night Live was over the top hilarious.  This is a show where guys like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and David Spade got their start. SNL in the 90’s was solid gold.  All I know, is it looks and sounds delicious, but I might get a few weird looks if I try eating some Schweddy Balls in public.  Youtube it, it's hilarious!  Go get yourself some Schweddy Balls Ice cream, as their slogan puts it, “You won’t be able to resist our Schweddy Balls!”

In Infomercial news:   

If any of you have been like me, night owls, channel surfing and trying to get past all the 30 minute infomercials to see some quality late night programs, then you may have seen this already, if not, you should!  Introducing the all new Poo Trap!  What is it you might ask?  A handy dandy harness that installs a plastic bag right on your best friend’s rear, to catch that annoying poo before it hits the ground!  I am serious! One word?  Disgusting.  Second word? Hilarious!  See it for yourself and get one for your 4 legged friend today! 

As a side note: I am just kidding about the Poo trap, if you are too lazy to pick up after your dog, try getting a fish. 

That’s it for Today! Until Next Time my pretties, enjoy the Inaugural NFL Kickoff weekend, tailgate anyone? 

-Lou 

Are you ready for some football?

The NFL is finally here, saving us from the overdose of reality TV shows that ten years ago, would have gotten the inventors laughed out of the TV networks offices. 

Aren’t you tired of all the crap my pretties?  And yes, I will say it again, most Reality TV today is crap.  The biggest and smelliest is by far the TLC show, “Dance Moms.”  Wow, that is a whole future season of therapy on Dr. Phil waiting to happen.  Of course Dance Mom’s birth mom, “Toddler’s and Tiara’s” showed us how checking out prepubescent girls strut their stuff on national TV should be ok right? (Cuckoo, Cuckoo) My question, is for normal healthy people, where is the entertainment value?

Here are the biggest “Boys of Fall TV” shows you just can’t miss, and 5 that you should… Get your DVR’s ready!

Can’t Miss TV

1. The Big Bang Theory- By far my favorite show since “That 70’s Show” said a bell bottom see ya!

2. Pawn Stars- Hey, everyone has something to sell, and count on the Pawn Stars to low ball them every time!

3. Storage Wars- 4 knuckleheads digging through someone else’s crap.. priceless!

4. Top Gear-USA version- Unlike the U.K. version, these guys are authentically funny! A breath of fresh automotive air that doesn’t rely on naked chics to spice up their ratings!

5. Hawaii- Five 0- If you tune in purely for the amazing footage of beautiful Hawaii, then your set, but the action is also intense without being overdone, and the characters all have very good chemistry

A special Nod Goes to: Border Wars- Who doesn’t like to see cops digging out drugs, money and people out of special hiding spots in their vehicles?- WOW!

5 Shows I Still Wonder Why They Made

      1. Dance Moms- How does an overly obese woman qualify for any kind of dance instructor? The only thing I know she can dance around is doughnuts! –Creeper Alert!

      2. Toddler’s and Tiara’s- Anyone who just watches this show should feel like a pervo! Shame on you!  :0)

      3. Any reality show on E! Anything with the name Kardashian in it to Playboy’s;  We’re not that bored are we?

     4. Housewives of Anywhere- Who cares?

     5. Fox Cartoon Sunday night- When did we as America grow up and decide that watching a full evening of cartoons would really contribute to our intelligence? These are for all my brainiacs out there! You’re cool!

Special Nod goes to- Big Networks short lived sitcoms- Come on ABC, NBC, and CBS- What happened to the good ol’ days when sitcoms ruled the roost?  What, your writer’s can’t deliver any more big hits like Brady Bunch, Three’s Company, or the Loveboat?  Tsk Tsk.

Back to Football!

Anyway, there you have it, the fall lineup, but my favorite by far is NFL Sunday!  (Not really a TV show I guess) Thank you Peyton, Tom, Ochocinco, Fitzgerald and Roger Goodell for saving us!    Sincerely, -Lou  

Until Next Time! Keep it Real! 

Facebook Etiquette part Deux!

What to do With Those Crazy Pics that YOU are Itching to Post 

Pics, Pics, and more Pics.  If you have a profile on Facebook like myself, you know that when it comes to pics, there are all kinds of craziness out there!  I have seen drunk pics, naked pics, family pics, baby pics, sports pics, fight pics, hunting pics, and frankly, some of the stuff scares me.  I am going to keep it short today, and just give you the rundown on all things pics, and the 411 on the good, the bad, and the ugly, oh and the naked.

Scariest pics I have ever seen.  Probably the scariest thing I have seen are the parents that have posted pics of their kids in some state of nakedness. Seriously?  I have been subjected to everything from bath time pics to “Isn’t she a little young for that?” pics.  Let me just give those “proud” parents some advice on the dangers of posting publicly viewable photos of your naked children… STOP!  In this day and age of Creepers, privacy is ok these days, trust me on this.

Funniest pics I have ever seen. Drunk, drunk, and more drunk… when it comes to drinking, why is that someone always has to whip out their fancy phone and start snapping away? Why? It cracks me up anytime I am in a bar, or a restaurant, and I see a rowdy group knocking out photos like the drunkarazzi!  If you happen to get your fabulous mug taken during one of these liquid escapades, make sure your friends know not to post it, or at the very least, tag you in it!  People get fired for this people!

(Almost) Naked pics.  I had to post a special set of sentences for you gallivanting and aspiring models out there. There is no denying that in today’s world, we are all a people that sees way more flesh than we used to.  No matter where we go, we are bombarded by scantily clad boobs, butts, and well, you know… whether it is the line at the supermarket, TV, or movies.  What strikes me as so funny is that, and this is especially for the ladies, that when some random guy makes a comment about some ladies “stuff” when she has that as her profile pic, she has the audacity to feel offended. Ladies? Please, if you have the Conejos to post a almost naked pic and then use that as your profile, don’t be mad when some dude acknowledges and makes a comment about your said nakedness.  What I would like to know is what response did you think that pic would elicit?  “Hmm, she has great eyes, and I just love those shoes if wasn’t for those boobs that were all in the way!”

Enough with the madness, enjoy your week my people! Until next time, catch you on the flipside! 

Best Haircut EVER! :0)

Oh and BTW? If THIS is the best pic you can find of yourself, leave it blank would you? 

-Lou

Facebook Etiquette- is There Such a Thing?

Learning how to behave on the world’s most popular network

In today’s world, social media is King.  We have gone from the days of hanging out on front porches and riding bikes ‘til the twilight hours, to being on life support, fully integrated to our mobile devices.  If you are a pad, pod, or smart person, you know that without our social media, we may get withdrawals and feel like the lone survivor on a deserted island.  With all this media moving us at the speed of light, how do we interact with our fellow buddies, professionals and friends without coming off like a total socially inept individual? Lucky I am here to save you! 

Recently I had an opportunity to talk to some professionals in this field studying this exact phenomenon, (and yes believe me it’s a phenomenon; when is the last time you can remember you had your day ruined by someone on FB, or a rude email?) they had some great wisdom to share, so I am going to pass this awesome stuff on to you!

Biggest Things to Remember

Biggest issue right now is that believe it or not, people still like to have some kind of response- If you are invited to something, take a few moments to answer the invite, whether it be a public event, or sent to you in a private message. When you ignore someone, you make yourself out to be a socially shallow individual that is too preoccupied with yourself to have an authentic connection.

It’s okay to say no.  If you don’t know someone and they send a friend request, its ok to say no.  I actually had a guy send me a private message upset because I had turned down one of his girlfriends… Dude, please! Get a life.  

Leave the cussing for the Navy ships- I appreciate that you are now old enough to talk like a sailor, however, it doesn’t make you look cooler when you drop F-bombs on your page, it just makes us reel in horror, looking over our shoulder to see if our boss just saw what you wrote.  Please, if you want to cuss, audition for a reality show.

Drop a note when you send a friend request to someone you don’t know.  I’ll be the first one to tell you that I love to network, and many times when I send out an invite is because I think that person may be intriguing, however when I heard this idea for the first time, I thought it was classic.  Most people, if you are like me will respond with… “Who in the heck is_____?” If you drop a note with the request, you can tell them you are just interested in connecting on a social level. Genius right?

Finally, if you get an instant chat, acknowledge it.  If you don’t like the instant chat thing, then turn it off, its much better to be non existent on IM then have someone drop a salutation, and just wait FOREVER for you to respond (and don’t tell us you are the last one on earth to have a dial-up)

Finally, remember that social media is just that, social. Yes, you may think of yourself as attractive, but remember that in most cases, people just want to connect with no ill intent.   When you are addressed, say hi, or be bold enough that if you don’t want to connect, don’t, but at least do them a favor and take them off your friend’s list. Trust me, it’s way better to be slim and trim on FB, then to have a million contacts and friends that you completely ignore. 

I would talk about pics, but that’s a whole other mess!  Maybe I will do a part two! Tell me what you think, post a comment or share a few ideas I may have missed! Stay tuned my pretties.  Until Next Time!

-Lou

Warning: These thoughts are real, unprovoked, and sincere. Can you handle it?

I was sitting in a wine bar the other day, and the interviewer was asking me what my new blog "Sober Thoughts" would be all about.  The first thing out of my mouth was to tell her that I wanted it to be free.  No sense in charging folks to listen to my rants and raves for a premium.  The next thing I told her was that everything I wrote these days, from the pieces I do for magazines to my upcoming book centered on our crazy world we live in, without prejudice to politics, social beliefs or any other interests that would slight my hand.  At one end, I absolutely promise to stay away from politics.  Ever since Obama hit the White House, the political agenda has opened up like a giant storm and has soaked the entire country with a call to arms in regards to choosing sides, left or right.  Just for the record? I am ambidextrous. Now, on the other end, I will talk about our social world.  With the wackiness that has hit our TV screens, movie theaters, and entertainment industry,  someone has to stand up and ask the question, "Is that normal?" So there you have it.  Sober thoughts.  We'll see how this train goes right? Feel free to drop a comment, ask a question, and I promise, I will get back to you! Until next time my pretties!