I am 32 years today...

Look at me in this photo - as Ana always points out - man, I am a ham

I turned 32 years old today.

I can really grasp this turning of the age sort of thing that people always talk about. The getting older, feeling wiser in my observations, and even the cracks and sounds that my joints and limbs make remind me that I've been through so much in my many years. I'm not going to bore you with lines of memories of my years, however I feel tasked with writing this note to you all to remind you of who I am.

I am you. And thank you for who I am.

Every person in my life has been a part of making me who I am. Good, bad and the in-betweens are equally paired when it comes to the simple truth of the lessons learned. Chalk them up to the experiences of a life well lived. I'm happy. I'm content. That's a lot compared to what I used to be. But it is that simple. For now. My life, our lives, Ana and mine are going to be filled this coming year with all the necessary tasks, deadlines, choices, and of course the taxing measure of expenses on our wedding. And we'll still be in our full time jobs, and one of us in college.

But in the end of it all - I'll be fine. We'll be fine. Everything is going to be alright.

So Happy Birthday to me. And thank you, all of you, for my life and what you've helped make it to be. I could never have done it without you.

A visit with Kirk and Chris

Some impressions from our first few hours in Orlando:

- the little Asian guy that sat next to Ana on the plane that practically stole her magazine and was rude enough to tell her, 'I'm done,' and handed it back to her. What a tool.

- the humidity that hit us when walked out of the terminal - just like it's been described - like a hot towel slapped in your face.

- water, water everywhere...and not a drop to drink - unless you want a gator to snap your head off...or arm...true story...Kirk told us.

- Chris and Kirk's place is super cool, and surrounded by some of the hugest most unbelievable properties and houses I've ever seen.

We arrived and met Chris in the terminal and set out to for the car after collecting our luggage in the very crowded airport. We headed out to the house, as Chris took us the 'long way' so we could see more of Orlando and downtown. Since this was my first time to Orlando (Ana had traveled there with Guitar Center for work) I was eager to see all I could see. I was a bit bummed out I didn't see Epcot or Disney World from the plane and was dissappointed to hear it was about 30mins outside the city. So I saw more sites, asked more questions and low and behold - Harley-Davidson of Orlando was just off the expressway!!! "Can we pull off?" I asked, adding "I gotta get a shirt!" Which is a trade among HD riders to have a collection of places you've been. Really it's where you've ridden too, but, well, I'm a cheater...go figure. I got some goods, and we were off and to the house.

As we entered Chris and Kirks town of Winter Park and weaved through the brick layered streets, both Ana and I were taken back by the properties. Holy crap man! There's some old money combined with some new money, with some NBA money, and yea, probably some mafia money too! So let's just say...they show it off!

We pulled up to the house and Kirk met us outside, we headed in and dropped our gear, and Kirk showed us around their place. There place is total cool and like the perfect hideaway cottage type of place. Lots of windows and a really cool room for Chris and Kirk to do their writing and studying. They gave us the full tour and then headed out on the town.

First Kirk took us on the House Tour, and we saw more and more of these houses/mansions that surrounded the area. It was just unbelievable what we saw. Amongst these homes was that of the president of the school Full Sail (where Kirk worked and helped to start up/build in Florida). Kirk and Chris explained that he is a very modest and humble guy, but his house they were building was a huge-mansion with multiple garages and rooms, as well as dining and evening rooms for parties. Kirk said that the president has lived very, very modest for years prior, but the amount of entertaining that he and his wife do, they can and will use the property. I'm sure it's a HUGE tax write off, because as business savvy that this team of the head of FS is, I'm SURE that's what will happen. Gawd I love America - NICE!

We went out for food and stopped at a BBQ place that they, like us, never have been too. Not being big BBQ fans, Kirk and Chris humored me, since those that know me - I'm a HUGE fan. It was good, not great by my standards, but it satisfied. We finished up dinner, and to our surprise when we walked outside it was raining. Not too much compared to what was yet to come, but enough for Kirk to pull the car around so we could hop in the car quickly.

Kirk drove us around, even in the rain, to see Full Sail where Kirk had worked, and Chris and he both go to school. From what we did see it was quite impressive and they own a whole city block that used to be a shopping center but has been converted to class rooms and studios. But the rain just kept coming down, and the wipers were on full blast, and lightening strikes were, well, pretty dang close! So I think that was the signal to get back to the house.

Now, I've SEEN the rain come down and I've seen some down pours, but I've never, EVER been in buckets! You know those cartoons or drawings of the dark clouds with lines drawn to represent the rain falling in straight lines, like streams? THAT is what this was! It was like a constant pour - unbelievable. We pulled to the front of the house, and made the run for it! It was only a short distance, maybe 5-10 jogging steps - but it was enough exposure. We were all soaked.

We got in, changed up into our warm PJs, and put on the film Once. Highly recommend it. Definitely on my Top Ten. We were all a bit exhausted, and turned in for the night. The week would be a busy one, and Ana and I were excited about our first full day in Winter Park with Kirk and Chris.

From the Phoenix to the ATL...we go to the South!

Okay, I know it's been months - literally - since I last updated this bad boy, and I feel - as does Ana - that I have definitely done some injustice here.

Sooooo...let's just start from this weeks past happenings with our vacation:

Ana and I decided some months ago that we'd be taking this time off to do something, and that something would have been a trip to California for Ana's grandmother's birthday. It was announced that her g'ma was going to Mexico instead to visit family during this time, so this opened the possibility up to do whatever we wanted - with some restriction of course.

Immediately, Ana suggested a trip to see Kirk and Christi down in Orlando and I thought it would be a chance to drop in on our friend in the 'dirty south' Mike and his family in Atlanta. We talked it up with the parties involved and with no resistance at all - we were set for it!

Although the timing was a little bit off for us to see Mike DJ to hundreds of people at DragonCon in downtown ATL - which is just a mad gathering of sci-fi, comic, movie, and other freaks and geeks like me and the rest - for this weekend event at the first weekend of September of every year, we were able to spend the following weekend with Mike, Karen, and the boys, and then head on down to spend time with Chris and Kirk. Go to the link below to see what I'm talking about, and all the AWESOMENESS that is DragonCon, and the total SCENE that Mike's boys, Remy and Michael (aka P-Dubs), create at the convention - check out the Starbucks and the people snapping pictures!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKRJhNZsSy4

The time leading up to our trip just flew by and before we knew it we were packed up and ready to roll out! Our early morning flight from Phoenix landed us in Atlanta in the early afternoon. I had a splitting migraine from lack of caffeine and probably sleep, so it took a little while to recover, and we stopped at none other, but the famous diner/drive in, The Varsity. We walked in and the whiffs of fried...everything...hit us like a wave. The barrage of shouts from the workers of 'what'll ya have! What'll ya have!!!' is almost over-whelming. We stepped up ordered a chili cheese dog, an order of onion rings, a burger, a diet coke and the famous 'FO' - aka Frosted Orange. As you can see from the pic - the oil is oh so ever present in everything there...mmm mmm fried goodness...

And thus, what Ana and I deemed as 'The Tour of Fat' had begun.

After The Varsity we headed on up to Mike and Karen's. They're about an hour and a half outside the city in a town called Gainesville. We were just taken back by the green...everywhere!!! Gone were the long views from horizon to horizon of hot dirt and rock, and now we were surrounded by rolling hills of green and trees so thick we couldn't see through them!

Mike and Karen's home is beautiful! The boys have their own playroom, which is same size as our living room back home! Mike has a whole loft to himself for his office and schtuff including his drum kit, and DJ equipment, and TONS of toys-ahem...COLLECTIBLES. We went to dinner that night at a buffet that I gorged myself - hey, what can I say, even Karen pointed out that they had extra plates for the continued pile-on! The next morning Karen cooked up a killer breakfast of sausage, eggs, biscuits, tots, french toast sticks, even apple-butter for the biscuits! Oh, man she tore it up!!! Then we were off to Helen...

We headed up to the German town of Helen where Oktoberfest had just kicked off, and the Tour of Fat continued with a visit to candy stores filled with fudge and chocolate covered - whatever - and then bratwurst sandwiches and beers with Mike...oh, yea, I was ready for a nap. We headed back home, but not before stopping to pick up boiled peanuts.

Yep, I've never had them, but Mike insisted that it just ain't Southern for me not to dig in on this cherished snack. We loaded up and headed to the house, set up the slip 'n' slide (for the boys, Mike insisted that we could not and should not participate - no matter how many beers we have), cracked the beers, turned on the football game, sat down in some lawn chairs, and dug into the peanuts.

Here's some video Ana took of the boys going to town!

To describe them to those of you that have never had them, I will start with the process: first, the shells are still hard enough to need to be cracked. Not with your fingers however, with your teeth - this gets the first 'pop' of goodness that you receive with the salty or spicy (depending on which flavor you eat) as it coats your fingers and mouth. Now that it's open, the nut will not just 'come out', like 'normal' peanuts, you have to suck 'em out! The consistency is not what I expected. It's not crunchy like a normal peanut, it's soft and smooshy - kind of like peanut butter in a shell. I was a little drawn back, but soon found my disposal bowl full of spent shells, as I became increasingly addicted to the Cajun style.

We watched and laughed as we watched Remy and P-Dubs continually hit the slide, bounce, scream, and splash. Mike and I retreated into the house to begin the preparations for the grilling that consisted of chicken breasts marinated in chipotle for the adults and the lemon and herb slices for the boys and whom chose not to get the spicy side. Mike threw together the marinate before we left to Helen, so them bad boys were r-e-a deeee! Also joining them on the grill were some foil wrapped potatoes Mike and I 'did up'. The grill was fired up, more beers were cracked, and then - we feasted.

More beers, laughs, fun and games, and soon I found myself hopelessly passed out on Mike and Karen's couch in the TV Room - yes! Homeboy even has a TV ROOM WITH SURROUND SOUND!!! (Gawd I love this guy!)

The next morning we'd wake - half with hang-overs - as the boys had to get up and get to school, and Mike ready them up. Karen left earlier that morning to her job, and Mike would see to taking the boys to school, and after some cereal, and Mike and I with our Homemade Starbucks Coffees - YES! He's got a Barista Machine Karen bought for him where he can make his own Carmel machiattos! It was now 'inspection time' as the boys mounted up and grabbed their back packs, but first...big Mike had to check what they had stuffed in them. This ritual appeared to be consistent every morning before leaving for school for...out came the action figures, 'no you're not taken this...Star Wars ain't gonna go...' the comic books next, along with '...Spidey ain't gonna fly this time...P-Dubs, you ain't taken the ball to school...' and what was left on the table, was an array of kiddy-armament of entertainment galore. It was like a drill Sergent pulling merit points for contraband. Ana and I got a kick out of it - we forgot to take a picture of the table of the stuff Mike had pulled from their bags - but I hope you get the idea.

Mike and Karen are awesome parents. I hope only one day that I will have the relationship that Mike has with his boys, that I will have with mine. Mike is a great dad, and I am so happy that Ana and I chose to visit he and his family and they welcomed us into their home and had us stay with them. Thanks Mike and Karen.

We said our good-byes to the boys with hugs, Mike took them to school, we loaded up, and when Mike returned, we said our farewells, and 'have to dos this agains' and we were off to the airport to head to Orlando...

See my sisters post and pictures as the Tour of Fat hit Disney World! Click on her link below - she's an awesome writer...I'm just funnier.

http://lilieshavedreams.blogspot.com/2008/09/photo-plunge.html

I will post more of our fun times to come..due to this getting a little long winded...

There is funny...and well...

One thing that always has always been hysterical to me is how Ana can bring herself to tears laughing at, well...about anything. It's actually quite comical, especially for me, because she's got a beautiful smile, and these huge and cute dimples, and she's laughing, yet crying, and if you're with her at the time, you can't quite help but get caught up in the moment with her.

Now, here's where it's, well...not so funny. She's prone to have these 'fits' in public. Whether in the car, at dinner, or in a place where others, who don't know us mind you, are free to make their own observations of what's going on. Picture me: six foot two, two hundred pounds, sun-glasses, and probably look intimidating enough as it is if I'm not laughing let alone smiling. Then Ana: smaller than me by almost a foot, looking cute and innocent, and at this moment is in the passenger seat of the car, tearing up, and although she is laughing, she's in a state of breathing that looks like she is crying and upset.

Anyone in the cars next to us can look over, see me, see her, and of course come to the logical conclusion that this jerk next to her has obviously made her so upset that she's balling.

Or when we're at a restaurant, and it starts...and I'm telling her to stop...'people are going to think I'm breakin' up with you...' And that I should just get up and walk out. Why? Because THAT would be funny. But uhhh...that's not so funny.

Yes, the girls don't appreciate that. Don't ever take it over the limit and make a scene of what it's not. Besides a swift smack to the head, you could get a cold shoulder all-day-long.

So boys, love your woman. Keep her happy. Even when she looks sad, although she's outrageously happy at a moment in time, but the emotions are so much that tears stream down her face - go with it. Laugh along, smile and enjoy the moment with her.

How hot is it?

So Ana and I are checking out places for catering for the reception and she requested some information from one of the vendors that we really like.

Ana checks the mail daily, and when our package from the vendor arrived, she remembered pulling it from our mail box, and thinking, 'okay, this is weird, and it feels kind of akward...and...smooshy? What the...?'

When our 'care package' arrived with all of the information from them, they included a little somethin' somethin' extra for us to...well, I guess - share?

You see...here's the thing: it's already busting triple digits every single day since early June and will stay that way through July and to the end of August. It was probably, easily a buck-10 when they sent us this package, and in the small metal box that faces east and south(regarded as the hottest and most exposed angle you could have toward the sun by any means[except the south of the equator]), it had to be about 50 degrees hotter, if not more.

So a word to you all out there - wait until November, maybe mid-October before sending us anything that 'melts'. Because this vendor decided not to send us a really exquisite soup of fine Belgian chocolate with a rock-salt additive surrounded in a aluminum foil package wrapped in a nice paper wrapper...it was supposed to be a candy bar.

Mmmmm...not so much.

"Who's motorcycle is this?"

"It's not a motorcycle baby...it's a chopper..."

There's another new addition to the family.

Yes, Ana and I have a new baby.

It's loud - boy does she have some pipes on her.

It needs to be cleaned up after being out all day - and we are stocking ultra-soft cloth diapers now.

It attracts people, who want to look at it, and make faces at it - mostly shock and awe.

And both of us want our turn to hug her and hang on tight - forever.

Most of all of you know that I've had a want to ride motorcycles for a long time. And last year I took my riding course, tested, passed(of course), and earned my license to ride. I purchased an old beater bike - a '88 Kawasaki Ninja, that just HAD to be the same as the one Tom Cruise rode in Top Gun - so that I could get a feel for riding, learning the ins-and-outs of the road, and the feel of a cycle.

I fell in love immediately, and Ana encouraged me quite often to get out and ride more. I mostly took the bike on rides around Anthem, running errands, going to meet by buddy Tracy for coffee, and took Ana out a few times as well on short runs.

Back at the beginning of April, when Ana and I came out for Ava's birthday party in Fresno, then to Disneyland for Ana's birthday, we stopped by our friend Devin's shop in Orange County. I told him that I was ready to throw down on a bike, and would love it if he could help me out. I didn't hear from him as quick as I expected. Those of you that know me, know that I have very little patience to 'wait and buy'. I have to go and 'get it now', while the money's burning a hole in my pocket. Although over the years, I've grown to practice a bit more patience, and taking my time researching and looking, I still couldn't wait to hear from Devin.

Weeks turned into months and the 'fire went away', and it was in the back of my mind. Until two weeks ago, and I get a message from Devin while I was traveling. It was short, brief, and to the point: "Bob...Devin...how you doin' buddy? I just took a bike in here about a half-hour ago, and it's the one." He said he'd send some pictures over, look at it, and give him a call, but assured me that this is the bike.

Ana and I planned a trip to come out to California the same weekend as Father Day, the weekend of Mom's birthday, and a family gathering on Saturday, and to check out the box and finalize the deal if it was indeed, 'the one'.

Well, we pulled up Saturday morning, and Rod(Dev's guy) was out front cleaning up. We parked the Prius, walked on up, looked at each other and smiled, and knew - she's the one.

So here she is. Hope you enjoy the shots. While we enjoy the ride.

What we've been up to...

Yes, I know it's been quite awhile since we posted...but there's too much now to get you all caught up on, which is just a blantent reminder that I should be doing this more.

Life has thrown some curve-balls to us this past month in a half, and we've pushed through them with the help of our close friends and family. With the passing of Ana's aunt being on the top of our minds, it's been hard to focus on other things around here. Ana was very close to her aunt and her passing made it really hard, as you could imagine.

Being out in California for the wake and the funeral, and spending time with her family, I can tell you there is a lot of love in her family. Her cousins, remaining aunts and uncles and mother and brother were all there to tender their support and also be a pleasent distraction for what could have been a harder time. But since they were nearby, including Ana, I was able to see a beautiful legacy her aunt left behind. She was a great woman and it reflects all to well in her daughters and her son.

Work for the both of us has been a bit up and down. Ana is busy preparing for holiday - yes! Christmas at her office is in full effect. And I have new managers and new challenges each and every day and week.

Below I posted a couple more updates and pic and video.

OH! And this is the place where we are set to have our reception. It's the Norris Pavillion in Rancho Palos Verdes. It has PLENTY of room for all of our guests to get down and party with us when we get married! Whoo hoo!

Gettin' a smile out of Riley

We discovered that Riley likes to do this 'thing' when she gets excited...smile!

Most people when they first see her do it that don't 'know' Riley get a little freaked out, and who can blame them when they have a 70lb Golden-monster with a slobbering tongue and mouth like that!

Take a look at this video that Ana shot at work, while her friend Gilbert busily coaxes Riley to flash that million dollar smile it takes a little but then...HILARIOUS!

Take THAT big oil!

HA!

We bought a hybrid.

Yea, it's kewl! And everyone wants a ride...

Between the gas prices and the dollar amount for the services to keep the Audi going on all the trips to the stores I do for work, something needed to be considered. Ana and I have been talking about getting a hybrid for some time now, and we knew that something had to be done soon. She's wanted a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, but right now they are REALLY expensive, and since I was the one more in need of something, we settled on a Prius.

We totally love it! It totally rocks!

And with me using it for work, and get the mileage checks - the thing practically pays for itself.

Here's a pic with me with 'The Bubble Maker' - a nickname we so aptly stuck to it.

how good it is to be a kid...

This is Ava.

She is my brothers daughter, whom he and his wife, Michelle, first started their beautiful family upon Ava's birth, just over two years ago. This pic was taken at her recent birthday bash, where others may have a 'bounce-house', she got a 'Bounce-Castle'! A standing legion of a playful lot, her and her cousins, close friends, mum and dad, g-mas, g-pas, and even Uncle Ducky bounced around for some good 'ole fashioned body-slammin' fun!

I love this picture that Ana took. It captures the innocence of youth when all of life's surroundings are completely lost, and for a period of time, the focus is one thing.

It's almost surreal to think about how much more Ava has to experience in her life: school, making new friends, a new dog, a new cat, a new brother or sister(coming soon), her first trip to Disneyland, playing with the waves at the beach, horses, snow-globes, family trips, seeing snow and making snow-angels...don't eat the yellow-snow Ava.

Mix in: a scraped up knee, the big scary dog down the street, the jungle gym, staying out past dark, learning to ride a bike, another scraped knee, getting lost for the first time, homework, exams, finals, first-choices, final-decisions, first love and loss, first airplane ride, a job, car-payments, insurance, rent, top-ramen and mac-n-cheese only, more tests and exams, college, more tests and exams and more ramen and chili-mac, dating, more college, a career, deadlines, love and marriage, a house payment, a family, and the loss of a loved one or long time friend.

The list can go on and on for the many things that she will experience that will impact and forever remain as memories in her life. All the things in life that make for decisions who lead her to be who she is.

And between them all, never should any of them be taken away. They make you who you are Ava Helene Serrato. These things develop your mind, your soul, your body...your place in this big old world where all these things are taken for granted and sometimes left behind. Don't forget to jump and smile, and fall, and get back up, and live life.

After all...this world is just one big Bounce-House.

The check is in the mail...

And our date is officially:

September 12, 2009

We sent our check in to lock in the chapel on that date and we'll soon be locking in the reception venue as well. Ana had heard from a dear friend of hers at work, who passed away recently, about this place, and it's just awesome!

The 'pre-lock' happened(when we knew it just had to be) was when I went there on my own about a month ago while I was in town for business, and none other than Kat Von D and Nicky Sixx - whom we all know Ana is and has been forever a HUGE fan of - came walking across the lawn, and were there themselves for a friends wedding. I called Ana, and she screamed, and said, 'it's a sign, we're getting married there!'
And that was that!

We're really excited and cannot wait to lock in other details that are the biggies...food/catering, honeymoon, photographer, etc.

The only one not excited is Mr. Checkbook!

Check out the website for the link to the Chapel and see more photos of the spot too!

http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/

Episode #1: First Blog

Blogging.

After some urging from my little sister, I found myself over the last week or so contemplating this idea, and decided, 'well, the heck with it.' So here we are.

I've heard of some funny postings. I've read some. I've even responded to quite a few, or posted my comments on friends sites, but never had my own. My perception has always been that the idea of not picking up a phone, or even putting pen to paper - the classics - should remain a constant, but then looking at how often I actually do those things, led me to this. Blogging.

You won't find me on myspace or facebook, for sure. Seems to me to be too much work. Post pics, profile updates, links to bandsd. Add a friend, delete a friend, request a friend. I have friends. And I don't have a dire need to reach out to those that I need to have back as friends. Most of the people that have come and gone in my life, I would still consider friends, but people grow apart, and for various reasons, touch base again, and then move on. Plus there's, 'okay, I sent/received a notify/contact/friend request, now what do I talk about with a person I haven't said a word to for ten-years-ago?'

So after Christi pointed out that this would be a good idea to post pics, and update the peeps on stuff, and it's not the same thing, and pretty simple, I jumped in.

Ana will, I'm sure, urge me to post more and more, and we'll stay on it as best we can. So let's see where this goes...