I don't know what the hell happened to me out on the streets while waiting for Clinton in the dead of the night, but my right leg is all bruised up! It looks like I got beat up... but only in my right calf! Strange, no? Myabe Caroline abuses me at night while I sleep. Haha. (Caroline, just checking to see if you still read this... cuz blog, woman!)

This came from my Social Change book. It was written by a social movement leader by the name of Saul Alinsky to teach community group members how to avoid meeting unrealistic ethnical standards.

In war the end justifies almost any means.

I don't know if I can agree with this statement at all! Thanks to Mr. Anderson's 7th grade history lectures, all wars are fought for economical reasons, some more implicit than others. Even though the victor of the war may, in the long-run, become richer, I don't believe this in any way justifies the means, namely the loss of lives. What the hell was Alinsky thinking? Maybe I'm interpreting the text incorrectly. Somebody please explain.

WE ARE "CLINTONIANS"

The past 17 hours have been quite surreal. I don't think I've ever been on so many emotional highs and lows in a span of a day before. With a little urging from Caroline, the two of us set out to camp outside of Cody's a little past midnight yesterday. We had packed a picnic, blankets, and two trusty metal chairs. We got to Telegraph and Haste and actually realized we were fairly close to the front of the line. As I went through nostalgia of my days at Rochsdale, Caroline slept on the streets of Berkeley. She REALLY roughed it last night. I don't think you've truly experienced "Berkeley living" until you sleep on the floor. Unfortunately, I wasn't as gutsy... as I snuggled up against the cool of the metal chairs.

"Slick Willie" arrived right on time. Our spirits rose, until we realized that Cody's are f.ckwits and don't know how to run book-signings correctly. They had "sold" all their tickets through pre-sales, leaving no additional tickets to give out the day of, much against the wishes of Clinton's people. Caroline and I were one of the non-ticket holders. Our cushy position at the front of the line served no purpose as we watched hordes and hordes of ticketholders get in before us, accomodating people that got to the book-signing even AFTER Bill had arrived. Meanwhile, all the campers that endured the cold of the night stood watching.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I tried to get our line to rebel and just push our way through. Unfortunately, that didn't go over so well. Fearing that Bill would leave soon after he had signed books for a good 2.5 hours, Caroline and I started bumming around and asking ticketholders if they could "adopt" us and claim us as their guest. Apparently ONE ticket could get in TWO people and garner TWO signed books. (See how f.cked up the system is? And nobody knew about it 'til much too late!) So Caroline and I played the system. Unfortunately, ticketholders were very unfriendly and almost looked down upon us non-ticketholders. Just when we were ready to admit defeat, Lady Luck smiled down on us. Caroline managed to buddy up with a nice old man. Meanwhile, I finally found a buddy in a really tall man named Hal.

Caroline got through the line before me and came out really excited. Seeing at this point that I was at the front of the line, I was super excited. I would finally get my chance to meet my FAVORITE president (yes, Caleb, of ALL time). However, all was snatched away within seconds... THEY SHUT DOWN THE LINE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!

It was such a nightmare... as I stood there, tears welling in my eyes, ready to admit defeat for the 2nd time that day, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do more: blow up Cody's or crawl into bed for a good night's sleep. I guess the expression on my face gave me away. A nice police officer told me that I'd just might luck out and Bill would come out through the front of the store and sign some more books. I waited anxiously and true to Officer Odom's words, I saw Bill come down the stairs and head right in my direction.

I was right up against the barricade, and so I ended up becoming the 8th book he signed when he came out. This is what happened:

Me: Mr. President, I'm from Arkansas!!!!
Clinton: *turns to look at me* You are? Where?
Me: I was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. You were Governor when I was born! *now speaking in super speed* Three years ago when you came, I wanted to see you speak, but I couldn't get tickets and so I was really sad.
Clinton: *smiles and signs my book*

Wow... and now I sleep...

Tomorrow is a very important day. Tomorrow is the day I meet the President. No, not Dubya. Been there, done that. I'm talking about BILL CLINTON. He's by far still my favorite President of all time. (My favorite First Lady is Jacqueline Kennedy.) He will be at Cody's bookstore tomorrow. I sure hope I don't spaz and talk a mile a minute, like when I met Gray Davis. Or worse yet, say something completely stupid and idiotic, like with James Worthy.

You are, perhaps, by far, THE most confusing person I have ever met! I think, deep down, you have no idea what you want in life, which is why when something wonderful happens to you, you're too dense to realize it.

TWO GAY MEN AND A "FAG HAG"

I know this title is totally un-PC, but thus describes my afternoon with Caleb and Brent (Caleb's totally metrosexual friend from Hawaii). Yes, I'm the Fag Hag. Apparently that's what they call females that hang out with gay men. *shrug* Going suit-shopping with the boys was HILARIOUS! Brent almost bought a WAY expensive Kenneth Cole suit without trying it on! But seeing Caleb trying on suits was the BEST! Trust me, it's like watching Tarzan wear clothes for the first time. VERY VERY FUNNY! He swears it's his shoulders, but I still say it's cuz of his pecs. He has bigger boobs than I do! Whatever, Breaststroker.

IN A FUNK

I'm not on a winning streak. I absolutely HATE losing! The girls and I went to the go see the As battle it out against the Giants. And of course, my team, the As, lost the game in the first inning! Though they tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, it was much too late. I hate when I actually go to a game and the team that I'm rooting for loses. My Dodgers have also been losing miserably, getting killed today by the Angels. (Score need not be repeated.) And lastly, my dark horse of the year, the Astros, also lost tonight. Grrr...

Sometimes I wake up in my Kobe-fied room and think that the Finals were just one really bad nightmare. And then reality takes over and grips me in cold fear... and that's when I know it's all over for this year. I know all this isn't normal... I'm much too obsessed for my own good. All I know is that I'm completely out of wack. Don't play with my emotions, I'm much too unstable to deal with all the bullsh.t again.

WEIRD BUT TRUE

~In California, adultery is punishable by $1,000 fine and/or a year in prison. But adultery in Arkansas is much cheaper... offenders are fined a mere $20 to $100. (Good ol' Arkansas.)

~In Rhode Island, unmarried people can't have sex. However, if caught, the lovers are fined only $10 apiece.

~In Oxford, OH, it's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while standing in front of a man's picture. (I break this rule everyday!)

~It is illegal for any member of the Nevada legislature to conduct official business wearing a penis costume while the legislature is in session. (Cuz that happens ALL the time, right???)

~In Tremonton, UT, law states that no woman is allowed to have sex with a man while riding in an ambulance. In addition to pressing charges, the city publishes the woman's name in the local newspaper. The man does not receive any punishment. (Wow, that's fair!)

~The only acceptable sexual position in Washington, DC is the missionary position. Any other sexual position is illegal. (To all my DC intern friends, I sure hope you all play by the rules!)

~In Kingsville, TX, there is a law against two pigs having sex on the city's airport property. (WHAT???)

~In Romboch, VA, it is illegal to engage in sexual activity with the lights on.

~It is illegal for a man and woman to have sex "on the steps of any church after the sun goes down" in Birmingham, England. (You have to do it in broad daylight when everybody can see.)

For more strange sex laws, check it out here.

This weekend was spent at home... good, clean, wholesome fun. My mind is still reeling from Terri's graduation. I still can't believe that it's been three years since I marched to the tune of the Mighty Spartan Band playing "Pomp and Circumstance." This past Thursday was my sister's turn. (It really makes me feel old.) Sitting through the ceremony, I thought about my siblings and I, and the traits that each of us inherited. My sister, without a doubt, got the brains. I always thought I was semi-smart. But my sister always managed to outdo me in EVERYTHING! She's really the gifted one. So talented at the piano, so smart in anything math or science related, so skilled at writing... and top it off with a photographic memory. My brother swears he'll get by with his charming good looks... which leaves me with what? Social skills? I guess that's my trait. I talk a lot. I like talking. And that's how I get things done.

In other news, tonight was supposed to be the night I went to a riveting and unforgetable Game 7, where the Lakers take the championships, and to the utter amazement of ignorant sports analysts and Shaq, Kobe takes the MVP. With a heavy heart, I must admit that is not how the story unfolds... obviously somebody didn't read the script. This isn't how the Laker season was supposed to end. But I'll take the good with the bad. It was a fun season. Thanks for the memories... we'll see you next year.



In my eyes, you ARE the MVP.

To all those Fakers out there... have a little faith. Don't be so quick to jump ship. I have no tolerance for people like you.

WOW

I've got at least 10 more pages to write AND a midterm to study for by Thursday... but I didn't do any of that tonight. Nope, tonight, Caroline and I went on a date to McCovey's. Watching Kobe on the big screen is the BEST! Can I just say again... KOBE FOR MVP! This Laker win can be attributed to our efforts last night to redecorate. Caroline and I are now the proud owners of a VERY decked out Laker bedroom. From the life-size Kobe cut-out to the numerous Laker posters, there's no hiding the fact that we are die-hard Laker fans. And with a win like tonight, we couldn't be prouder of our boys in gold.



And just for the record, Kobe comes home to ME every night!

More Lakers analysis...

There's been lots of talk about the "dynasty" breaking up next year. But I'm not fretting too much. The key to keeping the team together will be to win the championship and to give Kobe the MVP. Here's why...

Kobe's biggest gripe about playing with the Lakers is that he's not able to shine under the shadows of Shaq. But if he gets the MVP trophy, that'll qualm his concerns. In him picking up the MVP, that'll justify Kobe geting a fat contract from Jerry Buss at the end of the season. Buss is going to do whatever it takes to keep Kobe around because that's his Golden Son. The Lakers can afford to put a big portion of their money into retaining Kobe because Shaq's getting old. As dominant of a player as Shaq is, it's simply not worth Buss' energy to keep him around for very long. But cuz Shaq WANTS to play here, he's going to stay too, assuming that his offer is "good enough."

With Kobe and Shaq still around, Phil's not gonna go into early retirement. Despite all the problems he's had with these two, he recently said that this was an "easy season." HA! Riiight... whatever. Phil's not going anywhere because if he sees a chance to win another championship, he'd be a fool to turn it down.

So moving on to Karl and Gary... if Kobe, Shaq and Phil stick around, they're ALL going to stay. Karl was welcomed with open arms by LA. And Gary's finally found his place within the Laker offense. As long as Karl and Gary get their championship rings, they'll be content.

Derek's not going anywhere either, unless he chokes big time in the Finals like the way Robert Horry did. Poor Rob couldn't hit that 3 last year, and that's why he's with San Antonio now. But as of now, Derek's pretty much a hero in LA; he renewed his contract with that infamous 0.4 second shot. (Gustavo says LA should build a statue of him.)

The only starter that I think might be leaving will be Devean, but I don't really care for him anyway. The one I'm worried about is Slava. Slava, you're my man... hope I see you in LA next year.

I'm calling it now:

Lakers in 6, Kobe for MVP. Let's see how well I do compared to the experts. If I get this right, it simply affirms my destiny to be a future Lakers commentator.

I think I may have complicated the situation. We're always going in circles... sometimes we're good, sometimes we're not... sometimes we're friends, sometimes we're not. I'm so confused. And I can never elicit a straight answer. All I know is that several months down the road, I'll be feeling the same way again...

When I read this, I laughed so hard I almost peed in my pants (Allie Mac-style)

A typical Asian girl from Montebello:
kkwonger14: he looked mexican and thats why i liked him

I don't even remember the last time Gabby and I have been apart for more than a month, much less than an entire summer! Partner-in-crime, I miss you already! And it's only been a week!!! I wish I was a part of everything that's going on in her life right now... well, maybe not everything. I'm sure she wouldn't want me tagging along as the 3rd wheel. Haha. I guess it was about time we started experiencing things on our own, separately. Though having a friend by your side through all the scary and strange moments never hurt. Love you, Gabbo. I'll miss you. Try not to have too much fun without me.