Baby Mench

Just thought you east coasters might want to see some more recent pics of Baby Mench...aka Ian. Man, he already looks so different than the early pics that Blue Ryder took when she was out here.

A and C seem to be taking to parenthood pretty well and I think Ian is adjusting nicely to his new surroundings. We've already taken several little trips out to eat dinner and such and he's always been so good...sleeps most of the time. Man, he's cute.
Anyway, Enjoy...

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Home...is Where the Heart Is

It's no secret that I love Southern California...or SoCal as it's otherwise known. The Beaches are endless, the weather is amazing (I can't even remember the last time it rained out here), and the car culture is a notch above any other place in the country...all traits which are big "plusses" in my book. For a long, long time I've wanted to move to the LA area...it just has so much to offer to a person with my interests. Pretty much every hobby that I have ever had a passion for, from cars to snowboarding to paintball to bodyboarding to mountaing biking to the Filipino Martial Arts (or any Martial Arts for that matter)...you can pretty much find some of the best places for those hobbies in or around (within hours) of the LA area. What can't I find in good ole SoCal? My Family and close knit group of friends...

I have always felt very blessed to have the friends that I have and have always taken a great deal of pride in the friendships I have built up over the years. I have friends that I have known for a long, long time (some from as far back as second grade), and friends that I have been through thick and thin with. This, in addition to having a very close-knit family definitely made it hard to decide to move to a place over 3000 miles away. Why did I do it then? Well, I didn't want to turn 40 (which isn't too far away) and look back and wonder "what if?". I didn't want to look back and regret not making that decision and trying something new. And it hasn't been without it's ups and downs.

On one hand I kinda like being away and doing something different from the "norm". I like being out and about "doing my own thing". However, I do miss the sense of community that I have with my family and friends back home. That sense of community isn't something you can create overnight....or even in a year or two. Our most recent trip back to Baltimore for R&R's wedding definitely placed emphasis on this for me. During our previous visits back to Baltimore, I have always enjoyed our time there and very much enjoyed seeing everyone, but I did't necessarily feel sad when leaving and heading back to LA (Am I dead inside? What's wrong with me?). For some reason, this time was different. This time, on the plane ride back I found myself feeling a little sad...Feeling like I really missed that sense of community...like I was missing out on something. I'm not sure why it was different this time, though. Maybe it was getting to see almost everyone at the wedding and getting to hang out like old times or maybe it was the fact that the kids now seem to out-number the adults and we (P and I) are missing them grow up. I just dont know. The fact of the matter is, it made me sad to leave...regardless of the reason.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't miss Balimore as a place at all. Deep down inside, I am totally through with Baltimore as a place. The ONLY thing I miss are my Family and Friends...but as we all know, those are definitely a HUGE part of what you are....part of your being. Now, If only I could get all of my family and friends to move here to SoCal...now THAT would be heaven! But I digress...
Anyway, to my Family and Friends that may be reading this...I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you are, for everything that you have ever done for me, and anything that you may do for me in the future. I thank you for just being a part of my life and want you to know that you are very much appreciated. I learned a long time ago that you should cherish every moment you have with people as that time could be cut short at any moment and I wanted to acknowledge you all for being a very important aspect of my life. I have the best family and friends in the world and that means more to me than anything...

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Yup...That's my real name...

Yes folks, I do indeed dare to post under my real name. No screename or abbreviation to hide behind. No alias or handle to give me a false sense of internet security. It's just me and my real name out there for everyone to see. You see, in the time that i've used the internet i've seen so much of what I like to call "internet bravado"...people that are willing to post garbage and talk so much trash to other people just because they are on the internet and can hide behind a screename. General respect for your fellow man (or woman) just seems to get thrown out the window in that void we know as the world wide web. Ahhh...the beauty of human nature. Well, ladies and gents, it's time to take a stand...

On every web forum i've ever posted on, i've always signed my posts with my real name. Never solely under an alias or screename. To me, posting with your real name gives you credibility...tells the world you have nothing to hide and are willing to put it all out there. It keeps you accountable for your actions and statements...something that seems to be inherently lacking out in cyberland. But then again, that's just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. Opinions are like assholes...everyone has one and they all stink.

To my friends, etc...don't worry. I'm not saying everyone has to share my thoughts and beliefs. What fun would that be? I respect other people's decision to stay anonymous and to use screenames or abbreviations. If I make reference to you in this, or one of my other blogs I will maintain usage of an abbreviation or anonymous reference if that's what you desire. If you make reference to me in one of your blogs, you can use my first initial if you wish or you can feel free to use my real first name. Makes no difference to me...

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Alvin & The Chipmunks...The Revival.

As long as I can remember, I've had a problem with introducing myself to people. When I introduce myself as "Alvin", that's almost always immediately followed up by, "Huh?...Allan?". Am I mumbling?! Did I not enunciate the "V" enough?! Don't know what that's all about. Either that, or they hear it right and it's immediately followed up by either an, "AAAALVIIIIINNN!!!" in a Dave Seville type of yelling voice or a question of, "where are Simon and Theodore?". Now, I don't mind the references to The Chipmunks, but I hate going through a conversation with someone that keeps referring to me as "Allan".

My solution for both has always been to just nip it in the bud and introduce myself as, "Alvin...as in Alvin & The Chipmunks". The function of this is three-fold. First, there's no mistaking what my name actually is since most people are familiar with the old cartoon about some rockstar rodents and their weird human manager. No more, "What?...Allan?" replies. Nice. Second, it works as a bit of an ice breaker and usually generates a slight chuckle that eases conversation. Finally, it puts the brakes on any future Alvin & The Chipmunk jokes, references, etc. I already made that joke myself so the other person would end up looking like a fool doing it again. Perfect. But wait!...there's a kink in this plan. Or at least there was...

My Wife, P, has always kind of made fun of me for doing this (she makes fun of me for A LOT of things, actually). It's always worked for me and I have no plans on changing it, but about a month ago she made the comment that, "someday you won't be able to use that because people aren't gonna be familiar with that old cartoon anymore." And I started thinking. She was right...That cartoon was a long time ago, and the popularity of The Chipmunks isn't what it used to be. One day I will say, "Alvin...as in Alvin & The Chipmunks" to someone and it will be followed by...*blink*...*blink*..."What?...Allan?" Aaaarrgh!

Alas, there is a light at the end of this tunnel! Well, sort of. I recently saw something that will save "this little thing of mine"...recently saw a trailer for the live action/CGI Alvin & The Chipmunks movie starring Jason Lee as Dave Seville that is due out this Christmas. Interesting. Now, I can't believe they made a movie out of it and in all honesty it looks pretty bad (will probably go see it anyway just for curiosity's and old time's sake), but this movie ensures that my "intro" will have a much longer life expectancy! Rock on Alvin & The Chipmunks!

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Hmmm....

Well, finally jumping on the bandwagon with this whole blogging thing. Didn't really understand what a blog was before when everyone else was talking about it, but here I am. I guess it really makes sense for me...while i've never been the journal keeping type, I do kinda enjoy writing and sharing my random thoughts on the world around me. So, here goes...

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