The Holidays

Happy Holidays to all my friends and I hope you have a safe and peaceful time. I wrote a personal reflective on my website. I didn't put it on HFT because it's personal and not too much happy and/or fun. However, I would like to say how much fun I've had in the past week hanging out with friends and I look forward to New Year's Eve.

I've always said New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday. It's not because of the cliche--that we get to "start all over again." That's just bullcrap. Of course you don't start over. You're bringing that smelly baggage from last year and you know it. Anyway, the reason I like New Year's Eve is the cheeriness of the entire night. Well, there were past moments that weren't cheery, like the time Chris almost got into a yelling match with some party crashers while drinking the beer that they brought. But that's the only bad New Year's incident I can recall. Sorry, I digress.

New Year's Eve. It's another excuse to stay up, drink, and socialize. I really don't know why we cheer when the clock strikes 12 and I feel like an idiot when I scream HAPPY NEW YEAR! But damn it, it's fun! Plus, New Year's Eves are the most memorable times with friends: chicken wings, rocket launchers, overflowed toilets, small pugs, bonfires, drinking games, strangers crashing, Island of Dr. Moreau, "Gancing," gunfire, and the annual (sort of) crashing of Vic's party. I wouldn't miss that for the world.

Tacky Holiday Party

A few old high school friends gathered at Tony's mom's apartment and had a holiday party with tacky gifts, good food, Team America, and Kindergarten Cop. Click here for pictures.

Dodgers Stepping It Up

So here's my story with the Dodgers. I was both a Dodgers and Angels fan when I was younger. Then the Dodgers were sold to FOX and it went downhill from there. Last year seemed to be the lowest point they've had in the past few years. I blame last year to the recently fired general manager, Paul DePodesta, but that's another story.

Anyway, the Dodgers got a new GM, Ned Colletti, and finally the team is starting to look like something. They recently acquired a number of proven veterans, like Kenny Lofton, Bill Mueller, and Nomar Garciaparra. They also got a new team manager, former Red Sox manager Grady Little, who helped build the Red Sox to a World Series caliber team until he got fired in 2003 (the BoSox finally won it all in 04). But LA Times sports columnist and ass in general, TJ Simers, noted that adding anybody to the team will make it look better compared to this past season's team of no-names.

This is true, but bottom line is at least they're trying to improve. And finally, I think I have some faith in the Dodgers again. I think it's because of the fact that upper management is actually trying to build a team to win the World Series. Well, I guess Paul DePodesta wanted to build a World Series team too, but his strategy sucked ass (i.e. players with good on-base percentage, but shitty defense). This time, they're building with the traditional strategy: get good all-around players. Despite the team's commitment to win, they still fired probably one of the best managers in the league, Jim Tracy. Oh well, he wasn't having a good relationship with the owner anyway.

Well, here's to the Dodgers and a good 2006 season.

Why I'm excited for Christmas

This year, my family and I will be spending the Christmas Holiday weekend in.....Las Vegas.

So, this is why this is going to be my FAVORITE CHRISTMAS EVER!

1. Outlet shopping at Stateline on the way otu
2. The ROLLER COASTER at Stateline
3. Our planned Family Pub Crawl on New Years Eve down the strip
4. Teaching my mom how to play craps
5. Getting my brother drunk
6. Stuffing money into the Wheel of Fortune slot machines
7. $40 on Black
8. SHOPPING
9. Seeing Cique de Soleil "O" on Christmas Night
10. Seeing the Hoover DAM!
11. Drinking myself silly WITH my parents (who are often crazier than me)
12. Living out the holiest day on the Catholic Calendar (except for Lent) in SIN CITY!
13. Jacuzzi'ing at night with champagne
14. THE BUFFET AT THE RIO!
15. The water-side bar/lounge for drinks and dancing at the Bellagio

Anyone have any more suggestions?