"370z" Reasons To Be Happy

10:58 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments


Now, I know we’ve been down this road before, but due to some unexpected circumstances, last Friday, I found myself being given a “second life” as far as my car went.  It is because of this that I’ve since given the Infiniti G35 back, in lieu of a Nissan 370Z; I tell you this much – I do not regret it one bit!

You see, when I first came to terms with the idea of incurring a car payment again, my first thought was that I would get a 350Z; after all, I have wanted a Z for as long as I can remember. Actually, there was this guy who we used to live next door to when I was a kid – he had a Z, but it was an older “classic” model. I remember seeing him constantly washing his car and wiping it down in the mornings. I think it was at that moment, when I first saw his car that I fell in love with the Z.

Fast forward to a couple years removed from high school, I joined a car club. One of the guys had a newer Z (1999) and one evening before we all headed to parking lot pimp as they called it, he and I made a quick run to the store in his Z. Dude wanted to show off, so as we turned a couple corners, he hit the e-brake and drifted. I swear, I thought I was going to die, but in retrospect, it was mad fun. When we got back, I looked at my Eclipse which was really nice, but still – I knew one day I had to own a Z.

So, without getting into the details folks, the deal as I knew it to be fell through and the bank wanted more…

“I say good-day!”

Lesson learned for any of you out there, if you ever buy a car and the parameters you agreed upon on the contract change even by 1%, you are not obligated to keep the car.

You can give it back without penalty – NO MATTER WHAT!

In this case, it truly was a blessing, because even though all along I knew I wanted a Z, I settled for a beautiful G35. It’s like someone saying you can sleep with Jessica Alba or Jessica Biel, either way you’re smashing a Jessica right?  HA! HA!

You catch my drift.

There you have it, you won’t be hearing from me anymore about getting a car. On a side note, I highly recommend buying a vehicle through Carmax. The experience was the best I’ve ever had and it was the most painless as well; their customer service was also top notch. The fact that they don’t “haggle” on the pricing and have instant approvals with the banks (99% of approvals by banks are pre-approvals which lead to issues like mine detailed above), therefore, when they tell you you’re approved for “x” amount, you truly are approved.

(Image found at Z)

How Prepared Are YOU?

8:25 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , 0 Comments

So, I've been on this tear of getting an earthquake/survival kit put together the last few days. Most of my peers say I'm being paranoid, others say it's good that what's gone on in Japan has prompted me to get prepared. That said, there is also one group of people which stems from either one of the aforementioned - those who have so much faith, whatever transpires simply "is what it is" and these people firmly believe that because it is in God's hands (if you believe in God), they believe worrying is a waste of energy.

While I see everybody's point, sometimes things are what they are. Just as you can take a zebra, teach him how to stand on two feet, teach him to listen, and teach him how to eat different foods - you cannot change a zebras stripes.

Make sense?

Either way, I am as prepared as can be and that in it of itself has given me confidence which I clearly lacked prior to putting together such a kit. You see, this Jim Berkland guy (he has predicted a 9.0+ earthquake in North America - California somewhere between March 19-26) who is said to have accurately predicted many quakes, including "The Big One" in San Francisco in the late 80's,  I don't believe that he truly can predict earthquakes; after all, if he could and was as accurate as he claims, he'd be much more prominent than he is, and quiet frankly, the government would be working with him in some capacity.


It is his science and logic that intrigues me, because anybody who can present information and logic in a manner which makes sense to me, I feel it is ignorant and naive to tune such theories out completely without at least processing and analyzing them myself.

God gave us free will and he also gave us the ability to think, so why not use it?

I guess for some, ignorance is bliss. Either way though, I'm not saying this man is going to be right and I definitely am not saying he is going to be wrong. What I am saying is that I would rather be prepared - period - for whatever is going to come my way; albeit today (Super-moon, Equinoctial Tides etc.), tomorrow, or for the remainder of my existence on earth.

So my question to all of you is, why not also be prepared - JUST IN CASE?

If you are interested in a check list, below is a good link to follow as you look to build your earthquake/survival kit:



Earthquake List


For those in California, let's hope Mr. Berkland is wrong - either way though, his prognostication has been a positive to me and hopefully to many others who've seen his video. He's lit a fire under those of us who've given him the benefit of the doubt to put together a kit I should have started long ago.


Have you started yours?

SOCOM: FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

11:12 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments

USC vs. VCU - Tonight!

10:04 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , , 0 Comments


As you all know, I’ve been following all that is going on in Japan closely. While it is extremely sad, it is also extremely captivating and much like a train wreck – impossible not to watch.  That said, I think I need to switch it up and take my mind off of Japan for a moment and focus on something a bit more positive and fun.

Tonight, the USC Trojans take on Virginia Commonwealth University in a game that will ultimately reward the winner with a birth into the NCAA Basketball Tournament; at which point, said winner would play the Georgetown Hoyas.

It’s much like winning the lotto, but in order to receive your money, you have to sit through an entire GLEE concert.

Nonetheless, it’s awesome that after all USC has gone through these past two years, it’s great that they FINALLY have a chance to play for something – even if it may be short lived. After all, the kids have been playing their butt’s off all season long, and they deserve an opportunity to punch their ticket to the dance as they call it in college basketball.

USC does have a pretty good team, so if you’ve got some time tonight, check in at 6 p.m. (PST) tonight to catch the Trojans putting a good old fashion ass whooping on VCU.

(Image found at sportschatplace)

MAJOR FAIL!

10:33 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

Keeping It Real: Can't Sleep!

2:15 PM CRW1018 , 1 Comment

So, I haven’t really been able to sleep much lately. With all these natural disasters happening around the world, it’s really hard for me to carry on as if oblivious from it all. A few of my co-workers and friends do have the ability to carry on without worry and boy how I envy them for it. Not only would I get more sleep, but I wouldn’t have this pain in my side from time to time. It’s not an ulcer (I don’t think), it’s more of a worrying myself sick type of feeling. Sure, I know worrying does not do my body good, but it’s who I am; it’s in my DNA to worry.

All that’s going on in Japan, it’s got me looking like “Nacho Libre Homer Simpson”.


As for what I worry about, it should be obvious; however, if it’s not, I’ll tell you: I worry about a natural disaster happening here, close enough for me and my family to be affected by it. By the way, for those who might be curious, I do believe in God. Sure, I’ve heard people say if my faith were stronger I wouldn’t worry. Well, my thing is, I love me some life and so much so, I’m not ready for my life to be over – even if his holiness is calling me for supper. I’d rather eat later. I can almost see it now, I’d be like:

“Come on Lord; just let me play a little bit longer, please? I promise I won’t ask again.”

It’s stupid, but it is my reality.  

Pray For Japan - Lady Gaga "Bands" For Cause

10:20 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments


Lady Gaga is trying to help Japan, so she’s created these bracelets that you can purchase for $5.  All proceeds go to helping aide Japan; however, $5 will get you the bracelet, but you’re encouraged to donate as much as you’d like.


I heard about it this morning on the KTLA news channel, but you can actually order them by going to Lady Gaga’s web site.

HERE!

You’re going to blow $5 on something you don’t need, heck that glass of beer at happy hour is going to cost you more – so why not help those in need?

After all, you never know when we (USA) will be in need of help.

(Images found at ladygagashop and ktla)

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!!

1:30 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , 0 Comments

In light of what just happened in Japan (again), I thought I would give you a 'FLASHBACK FRIDAY' which has to do with an earthquake we had here in California many years ago. It’s Friday and we’re supposed to be excited for the weekend, but after what Japan just experienced this week, this week’s Friday post is going to be a little on the somber side; however, from it you will also gather how grateful and fortunate I was and still am today. I think we should all use what happened in Japan as motivation to get prepared in the event that we have our “big one” and moreover, use it to reflect on all we have in our lives, albeit friends, family, jobs etc. Basically, the things many of us take for granted, because when God wants something to happen – it’s going to happen “like a thief in the night”.

Will you be prepared?

On that note, let me jump into this weeks ‘FLASHBACK FRIDAY!’

First off, I want to let everybody know, I don’t remember exactly how old I was and I surely do not remember which quake it was. It definitely was not the Northridge quake, because I was in high school when that one happened. It was the other big quake we had years prior to that one. I want to say it was the Whittier quake, but I’m not sure.

Moving on....

“Christopher Miguel, I hope you’re feeling well”

My grandfather used to sing that to me (my mother did as well) whenever I was sick and on this day, I remember saying I was sick so I wouldn’t have to go to school. It worked, because I remember both my grandmother and my mother taking off to work, leaving my grandfather and I at home.

Once they left, I hopped out of bed and went into the living room to play with my Nintendo. As for gramps, he was doing the usual – watching ‘The Price Is Right’. We weren’t home alone long when suddenly the house started shaking. I had never been through an earthquake, I had only heard about them, so needless to say I was terrified. The clown ceramics that my grandmother used to collect started flying off the shelves in the living room, the windows were rattling violently – it was chaos. I remember running into the hall way and straight for my grandparent’s room. Unfortunately, my grandfather thought I was lying down in bed (like I was supposed to be doing) so when the house began shaking, in the time that I was running into the hallway, he ran into the room; basically, we missed each other.

BOOM! POW! WHAM!
Doors were slamming shut, glass was breaking, boards were hitting the wall – I swear, I remember it sounding like a scene from a movie. Or in this case, for those of you old enough to remember, the description of the sound would be from Batman & Robin the original show.

Now, my grandparents’ room was not modern, they had a high bed, big mirror attached to an old wooden lacquered dresser. They even had a tall one where the TV sat atop of. The one item that annoyed the heck out of me as a child was one of their prized possessions – an old grandfather clock. They had this clock in their bedroom next to the bed and every hour on the hour:

DING! DONG!

I remember running into the room yelling, “Grandpa! Grandpa!”

When I ran in the room, I passed the clock which was going off due to the quake and in my state of disorientation, I didn’t even pay attention to the grandfather clock which had began to tilt and was on its way down – on top of me!

Again, I was disoriented, so I didn’t even notice it, but what I do remember happening next was getting yanked hard from my shirt collar, at which point I watched the heavy clock crash onto the ground. I looked up and my grandfather gave me a huge bear hug as we stood in the doorway. Like a good father, which to me he was, he consoled me and explained to me that we had just experienced an earthquake.

I can assure you all of one thing; I did not stay home from school for a long while after that. Also, while it was a traumatic experience for me, it is still to date a great memory I have of my grandfather. I don’t want to get all mushy on you guys, but it’s one thing when your grandfather gives you a hug, but it’s another when you can actually feel the love being transferred through his arms from such a tight squeeze. It’s more than just a hug, it was him protecting me and without words letting me know that I’m okay now.

My grandfather has since passed away and being that I grew up without a biological father, I would be remiss to say I grew up without a father; quiet frankly, between my mother, grandmother, and grandfather – I had all I needed far as I was concerned. Obviously, I miss my grandfather more than words can explain, so rather than mourn him, I will forever celebrate his life by bringing you stories on occasion during FLASHBACK FRIDAY which highlight the ways in which he gave me plenty of stories that I feel should be shared with the world.

In turn, I would welcome all of you to share back some of your stories as well; either via e-mail (thewriteguyz@yahoo.com) or by becoming a contributor on our web site and blogging there (www.thewriteguyz.com) or by commenting here and sharing your stories.

***One last parting note, I know many of you will want to help out by sending money to those in Japan; however, be very, very careful about the organizations. Unfortunately, there are very bad people in this world who prey on the kind and make a killing during natural disasters (i.e. see Katrina). Make sure the organization or causes are reputable and do your research before sending your money.

(Images found at blog.custommade and questgarden)

Top 10 Restroom Recommendations

2:17 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments



Throughout my life I’ve heard my friends talk about things people are supposed to do when in the restroom; by people, I mean guys. I’m sure some of their “rules” apply to women as well, but since those friends of mine whom provide me such in depth analysis of what one should and should not be doing in the restroom are predominantly male, my focus is on men at this time.

If any of you women out there read this and agree with anything – or disagree – please comment as well. I would love to hear some of the things I am not aware of; after all, I don’t frequent the ladies' restrooms. I can say though, I have been inside one and I have used one – awkward to say the least. 

I’ll give you that story one of these Fridays for “Flashback Friday!”

So here are the Top 10 recommendations when in the restroom - according to men (a.k.a. my friends):

  1. Be quiet when using the urinal (talking is taboo)
  2. Courtesy flush when dropping a “deuce” (nobody wants to hear it)
  3. If your work provides badges with your name and picture on it, please make sure you put it in your pocket or turn it over – sometimes you can see it from outside and people would rather not know that it was their neighbor who was squealing like a pig.
  4. Flush when you fart (like #2 – nobody wants to hear)
  5. If you are going to fart while using the urinal, please do so when nobody is directly next to you.
  6. Wash your hands after you’ve gone to the restroom – period.
  7. Because not everybody has good hygiene, using a paper towel to open the door is recommended.
  8. When you’re done dropping a “deuce”, don’t leave the stall until you’ve properly cleaned what you’ve left behind. It’s just wrong for it to look like a dog pound crime scene. Seriously.
  9. If you’ve got food in your hand or gum in your mouth, leave it as far away from the restroom as possible (if gum, throw it out). Apparently many feel that it’s disgusting to have that in the restroom considering all the nastiness floating around in the air.
  10. Do not brush your teeth in the restroom after breakfast or lunch! Sure, it’s great that you want to have great hygiene, but as stated in #9, it’s nasty to try and be clean while someone is in the stall taking the “browns” to the Super Bowl.
So there you have it folks, above are the Top 10 things some of my friends feel should be adhered to when in the restroom. They definitely make sense, I’ll give them that; especially, with all the crazy stories I’ve got having experienced first hand in the restroom all of those things above – including some not listed.

What do you all have to say about their recommendations? 

(Image found at mylaughingblog.com)

Miami Heat: Man Up!

8:08 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments

Let me preface this post by saying, I’ve played organized sports before. I played before elementary, I played in middle-school, in high school, and I dabbled with college sports – even if it was from the bench. Far as I can remember, I did cry after a loss; however, it was not out of frustration, it was because that game against La Canada was a playoff game, and after having been down at the half, to come back and be within two free throws of winning and advancing – it hurt. I was a freshman in high school though, so I think it’s expected.

Play hard or go home right?

Now we fast forward to today, I work for Corporate America and I earn a living by performing tasks on my playing field – in the office. I’ve had some good days and certainly I’ve had some bad one’s as well; however, just short of being fired, thankfully, I’ve never been in a position where my job brought me to tears. I’m not naive though, I know some people out there have a disdain for their jobs that is unequivocally genuine and real – to them. Many work to live; rather, than live to work and I can definitely get into that one, but I’ll save that for another time. The point I’m trying to make is, for the vast majority of us who work – period, we do what we do and despite those occasional bad days, we know that once we step out of the office, the rest of our lives begin; after all, for most of us, we have people and/or pets who love us anxiously waiting for us to get home.

Point is, no matter how hard the day at work was, in my opinion of course, there really is no reason to cry about it - right?

It’s funny, because it reminds me of something my mother used to always say to me when I was acting up and I would start crying “for no reason”:

“You want me to give you something to cry about?!?”

Truth be told, there are in fact much more important reasons to cry in life than to cry over a bad day at the office. It is because I feel and think this way, that I would love to send an e-mail to the Miami Heat directed to their players with the following:

CRYING IS FOR PANSY ASS LITTLE GIRLS! MAN UP YOU BUNCH OF B******!

If you didn’t know, after yet another collapse in the 4th quarter, the Miami Heat lost to the Chicago Bulls. Lately, the Miami Heat simply have been unable to get it done when it matters most; moreover, they’ve lost much more than they’ve won the last few weeks. I could write you all a dissertation as to some of the reasons why I feel this is happening, but that would put you to sleep; hell, I don’t even want to think about them that much to be honest. What I do want to focus on now is the fact that their coach did the dumbest thing possible in that situation, and during the post-game interview, he told the media that some of his players were in crying in the locker room.

There goes the neighborhood.

I’m sure the Heat players appreciated being thrown under the bus after another close loss. Informing the media of such personal things served no purposes, it serves no purposes, and quiet frankly should not have been discussed. It is with great confidence that I assure you, WHEN the Miami Heat are bounced out of the playoffs this season, their coach will have coached his last game as a Miami Heat.

Either way, the Miami Heat players make millions to play a game for a living. I do get the fact that frustration sets in, but at the end of the day, it was one game and there will be many more before it’s all said and done. So personally, I don’t see any reason why any of the players cried after the loss yesterday – nor do I condone it.

Basketball is a man’s sport, and unless they are in high school playing a top ranked La Canada school, they need to:

MAN THE F*** UP!!!!

(Image found at hoopstopia)

Infiniti G35 Drifting Skills

8:16 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

So, I came across this dude in an Infiniti G35 getting his "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" on and once I got past the horror of how expensive it must have been to replace the tires, I actually realized this dude's got some driving skills.

Drifting is not as appreciated here in "the states" as it is in other countries (i.e. Japan), but it still is something that I feel is a great skill to have. I'm just saying, most people who have robbed banks or done some crime, when they're getting chased by the cops, I don't ever see any of them do anything crazy which displays any sense of great or even good driving. Just once, I would love to turn on the TV while I'm in my robe and see the cops chasing somebody who does things you'd only see on GT5 or Midnight Club (video games).


In any case, check out the video and if you're a car person, let me know what you think.



(Image found at blingcheese.com)

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!!

11:05 AM CRW1018 , 0 Comments



I was about 10 years old and I didn’t have many friends – yet – in “the heights”, also known as Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles, CA. I was an outgoing kid, so not having friends was not in my vocabulary; right up there with being quiet, not getting in trouble, and not being a spoiled little punk.

What can I say, despite these characteristics, I was a cute kid – CHURCH!

I had grown up in and out of “the heights” since birth, however, my mother and I never really lived there (we eventually did, but this was later in life); my grandparents did. Since I was young, my grandparent’s never really let me venture too far. I’d play with my neighbors, which was cool, that is, until this one beautiful Saturday when I decided to be a rebel and sneak away.  You see, my mom had gone out the night before and whenever she went out with her friends; my grandparents’ house was the landing spot for me. I’ve got no complaints though, I loved visiting them.  If I wasn’t being spoiled by them, I would be out and about riding bikes with my buddy’s Chub Johnson or David Diaz -which brings me to that beautiful Saturday I was talking about.

I woke up Saturday, just like any other Saturday, I turned on my Nintendo, I believe I played “Kung-Fu”. I remember getting bored thinking I should get my bike ride on; there was one problem though, I didn’t have my bike at my grandparent’s house, I had left it at home.

FAIL!

Luckily, my friend David (who was 4 years older) had his bike and he let me borrow it; unfortunately though, his bike was an adult bike and it was hard for me to get on and off it. Any who, I hopped on and off I went down Griffin Avenue. I was about 15 houses down from my grandparent’s house when I saw these kids playing in their front yard. They looked like they were around my age, so I figured I would talk to them.  Well, I’m usually not shy, but for some reason on this occasion I was. I remember riding by several times, I jumped off curbs, rode fast, rode with no hands, I was a total nerd basically doing anything and everything to warrant their attention.

In retrospect, man I was such a “noob” using such lame tactics.  Ha! Ha!

Well, long story short – I got their attention, we became friends for years and Nelson, who was the guy I was closest to of the brothers, he and I from time to time would laugh about how we met. At this point, you are probably wondering what is so funny, so here it is. You see, after hours of riding back and forth I grew tired and figured I’m too chicken shit to just talk to them, I needed to do something to get their attention – and that’s when it hit me – literally!

That “brilliant” 10-year old brain of mine came up with the following:

I figured, I would try and “be cool” and jump off the bike just before I got to the front of the fence where they were hanging out at, then I would talk to them. It would look cool and it would be a “grand entrance” type of move. Well, the bike being too big for me posed a problem and as I got near the fence, I was still on the sidewalk passing their neighbors house approaching them, I made the move to jump off, but due to the awkwardness of the handle bars and the seat, I couldn’t get my right leg over the seat and the frame.

BAM!!!!!

Off the sidewalk, onto the neighbors grass and into the fence I went. Luckily the fence was high enough to where I didn’t fly over it; instead, I flew up over the bike – crotch onto the front of the handle bars – up over the handle bars, into the fence, and then I bounced off of the fence onto the neighbors grass. I remember it hurt like a mother, but I wasn’t going to cry – no way!

After laughing at me, one of the boys (Nelson) came up to me and asked if I was okay. The rest is history. Unfortunately, he and I have lost touch and I wish I could get back in touch with the guy.

::sigh::

Chub Johnson and Nelson, single handedly are responsible for some of my fondest memories as a child in “the heights”.

Well, at least since then, I’ve learned to communicate and to befriend people in less dramatic fashion and in less painful ways.

Thank goodness for that ‘eh?

(Image found at pat-aview)

What's On My Mind?

8:18 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

So, my mind has been pretty full as of late with many things. I'm supposed to be focused on this website, but let's face it - with all these things on my mind, there's no possible way I could focus solely on the site.

What I thought I would do is give you a snap shot inside my mind. If you've got any comments, please let me know what you think. Maybe we're thinking about some of the same things. Either way, every now and then I intend to do this, it's a visual way to let you know what goes on in the mind that is Husky Downs.

Without further ado, here are some snap shots of the inside of my "noggin'" this week:



Top Left: Vida Guerra

Top Right: Substation

 Left: Lakers

Right: Filet Mignon




Left: Money                           Right: Mom   










Left: Write Guyz           Right: My Huskies








Left: Mountain Bike - Maybe Buy One Like This.

Right: Place where Grip and I like to go and may go Sat.


 Of course, my fiance' - that's 24/7!

The Winner Is: Infiniti G35

9:13 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

After much deliberation in trying to decide between the Nissan 350Z and the Subaru WRX, a sleeper stole my heart:

The Infiniti G35

As far as performance goes, the G35 'overall' is better than the 350Z, which was the front runner all along. I won't "spec you" to death, but the top of the line 350Z is equal to the base model G35; however, my particular model is not the base model which then separates itself from the 350Z in other ways.

Now, the WRX is faster; however, its body style is ugly in comparison. Plus, who wants 4 doors on a sports car? Sports cars should be coupe's in my opinion. That said, the G35 is not necessarily a sports car - if at all.

Breaking It Down

Basically, if the top of the line Infiniti Sedan met the top of the line Nissan (GT-R) and invited it over for drinks and some unprotected unadulterated sex which would consequently lead to pregnancy. Well, 9 months later the G35 would be born. Of course, for you car connoisseurs, you'd know that the G35 is inferior to the G37, but that's for another story. In a nutshell, the GT-R is a tramp and slept with the G35 as well (keep it in the family is what's up) and then 9 months later (unprotected sex - just feels better right?) out would come the G37.

I digress though, this is about my choice of car. For reasons that went beyond cost, the G35 was my choice and I could not be happier with my decision.


I got it Friday evening and have driven it for 2 marvelous days now. No complaints - the baby is fully loaded and she's even earned a nickname:

"Black Mamba"

Okay, so what if it's not original (thanks Kobe Bryant), she's just as cold, just as lethal, and just as bad ass as #24 for the two-time Champion Lakers. Either way, that's what I've named her. Deal with it. Ha!
I'm not going to lie though, when I see a 350Z or 370Z pass by, I can't help but admire the body work; what can I say, Nissan's got some great genes. If I ever decided not to go Infiniti again, I would definitely go Nissan; after all, Nissan and Infiniti are one (for those who didn't know).

Either way, if you are ever in the market for a new or used vehicle, if you do not NEED 4 doors, I highly recommend a G35 or G37 (they're similar - with the G37 being newer and better overall). The 306 horses certainly put a smile on my face every time I jumped on the freeway this weekend. I mean, not everybody can say that in a 24 hour period they have the opportunity to have two powerful things in their hands.

BAHAHAHA!!!!

Any who, I know my friends and family members are glad the search is over; they don't have to hear me no more. I'm sure I can get an amen on that one, huh people? Ha! Ha!


(Images found at myg37forums.com)

Hilarious Cheerleader FAIL!

8:05 AM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

11:46 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

So, I was supposed to bring you all a new "Flashback Friday" story; however, due to my car shopping rendezvous this evening, working late, and a few other distractions, I was unable to get you a new story in time.

Don't Trip!

Next Friday, I will make it up for you and bring you two stories. I'll make sure they are the best yet - promise.

On that note, if you're in "sunny california" it's not so sunny these days, so dry and stay dry - and warm! It's crazy "2012" type weather. Since you don't have a story to read though, I will say go check out some cool videos HERE!

(Image found at thejoyofyoga)

Which Car To Buy?

11:06 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments

So, I’ve gotten the new car itch and I haven’t found a cream that can relieve it. The only cure is to in fact secure a new vehicle. My 05’ Scion is paid off and although I enjoy not having a car payment, I’m just so used to having one, so long as I am paying for a car I have happy with – I don’t mind a car payment.

Weird right?

I’ve got my heart set on the following vehicles:


Now, I test drove the 370z, but that’s out of my price range. I could afford it, but it’s not worth paying so much a month just to have a vehicle that is almost identical to its predecessor (350z). It drove beautifully and looks magnificent. I definitely could see myself in the 350z; however, it is the epitome of a sports car. By that, I mean it handles well; it doesn’t have the smoothness of a Cadillac or Sedan. It’s tight inside and the second you get in your mind set immediately shifts to, “It’s race time!” whether you like it or not. The vehicle invokes this without regard to your purpose for driving that day and therein lays my concern with it being my daily driver. Sometimes I want to drive and just relax – you know? I don’t always want to feel like I should be drifting or looking for a pit crew. If it were my secondary vehicle – it would be cool beans; however, it would be my primary. On top of that, I did some research, read some forums by people who own one and the knock of this vehicle is it’s relatively expensive to maintain. It goes through tired much more frequently than one would like, so you’re looking at high end tire replacement every (approximately) 10K miles. Not to mention the fact that it’s a V6 and has a big gas tank which consumes gas like Jared at Subway.

Definitely some things to consider; which in fact is why I’ve considered it’s big brother – the G35. But that’s for another post.

The other vehicle I’ve considered is the Subaru WRX (non-STi). Spec for Spec it’s superior to the 350z, and without boring you with specs I will simply say it’s a car with a lot of speed and all wheel drive (AWD). I’ve never been keen on the body style; however, my co-worker bought one recently and I saw it this morning and wow – it’s beautiful. The price range is comparable to the 350z, so really it comes down to preference. The 350z is a true two seater; the WRX is a 4 door vehicle which is much more practical.

Decisions.

Well, I’m still looking around and trying to get a feel for which car I really want, so stay tuned for more!

(Images found at techeblog and nissan-insight)

'Dog' Gone Funny Joke Of The Day

10:57 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , , 0 Comments

Little Johnny comes home from school one day and asks his mother what "shit" meant.
Thinking fast she replied "food on the table".
Next day he comes home and asks his mother what does "son of a bitch" mean.
Again, thinking fast again she says "It's a priest".
Next day he comes home a asks what does "fuckin'" mean. She says it means "getting dressed".
That same night a priest was coming over for dinner. Johnny is just finished setting the table when he hears the doorbell ring.
He yells "got it". He opens the door and says "Hey son of a bitch, shits on the table and mom and dad are upstairs fuckin'".

(Image found at cute-pets)

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

10:31 AM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

The year was 1998, War Emblem and I were fresh out of high school. When we weren't playing basketball, cruising through the mall looking for some fine "breezees", or eating at 'Taco Lita' - we were rapping.

"I'm compact like a bobcat, I maneuver on tracks like an F14-Tomcat."

Sure, some of our closest friends were assholes and laughed at us, but in retrospect, we had skills. We weren't gangster - we were lyrical and had potential; we just didn't have the right beats or producer. In any case, we did have this friend of War Emblem's; his name was Andy (R.I.P.). He used to do radio back in the day, he was an older man with a studio in his home. It wasn't a studio like one you'd see in Diddy's house, but for aspiring rappers getting their feet wet; it did the job nicely.

***One last note before I move on, War Emblem worked at a local Karate dojo and Andy had recently taken over as owner of said dojo. The dojo became our "peach pit" (yes that was a 90210 reference) and on Saturday's I would go and wait for War Emblem to finish training or teaching and then we'd head over to Andy's house (down the street).

So it was a Saturday and we left the dojo (in one car - I left mine at the dojo) on our way to Andy's to drop some hot tracks; I'm talking straight fire. After all, that's how 'Paradox' rolled - oh yeah, that was the name of our rap group.

"Paradox on the mic, tight like a virgin on prom night - aight!" 

Without boring you all to death, we dropped it like it was hot and our producer Andy, he gave us each copies of what we had just done on tape. We hopped in War Emblem's ride and headed back to the dojo to get my car.

Now, I usually parked in the alley in back of the dojo that looked something like this...


War Emblem pulls in back, I get out and hop in my ride (Old ass Toyota Corolla). War Emblem pulls up next to me, I'm sticking my head out of the window talking to him when all hell broke loose...


I hear people yelling, it was too loud and sudden to make out what they were saying; however, actions spoke MUCH louder than words as I saw a rifle pointed at War Emblem from just outside the drivers door. Then I see cops pop out from in front of both our cars and they're yelling at us to put our hands where they can see them. They tell War Emblem to get out and basically get down and they proceed to cuffing him and detaining him in the back of their ride. Then they go through the motions with me. Now, I don't know how many of you have had dozens of cops roll up on you like it was Black Ops, but things move kind of fast; especially, when you have absolutely no idea why. I could see if we had robbed a bank, then it would make sense and wouldn't surprise me much.

Unfortunately - it did surprise us both.

I remember the cops telling me to get out of the car, so I reach for my seat belt and all hell broke loose once again.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS UP! DON'T MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVES!"

Now I'm tripppin' cause I got guns in my grill and I'm supposed to get out, but unless I've got super 'X-Men' powers, I've got to unbuckle my damn seat belt. So I reach with my opposite hand and one of the cops yells...

"USE YOUR OTHER HAND IDIOT!!!"

Okay, shit just got real! It got real ridiculous cause there's more instructions than for Gremlin's man. I swear the dude just wanted to put a hot one in me; least, that's how it felt 'cause I couldn't do shit right!

Eventually, one of the cops gets close enough (with pistol pointed at me) to watch me undo my belt, then I open the door and the cop nearest me pushes me on the ground. I'm wearing a red Fubu sweater (it was in at the time) and black nike mesh pants, so when he made me get down on my kness - on the gravel - it hurt. After awhile, both War Emblem and I were in separate cop cars, in cuff's dying to find out what the hell all this drama was about.

Was Ashton Kutcher going to pop out? Probably not, he wasn't around at that time.

Turns out a bank nearby had just been robbed and the suspect (get this) had a red top and black bottoms. Well aren't I the lucky one for matching the description. Being in the back of an alley in separate cars with the bank being less than a block away is probably the epitome of "wrong place-wrong time". The cops had one of the tellers stand far away, then they had War Emblem and I get out and stand far from the teller. Basically, he was identifying us - which obviously he told them we were not the culprits.

Without so much as an apology, they released us and said they were just doing their jobs. I mean, I guess they were, but damn that was some Saturday afternoon. At the end of the day, it was funny and for two aspiring rappers - it definitely gave us something to rap about; it also gave us a little "street cred" as they say.

After all, that's the rappers life right? We were actually living the dream. No Hollywood gangsters here.

"I'll put an X on your chest like Wolverine"









(Images found at njmonthly and painttalk)

iPad vs. Galaxy Tab (Hands On)

10:28 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , 1 Comment

Dancing Marine Disposing Bomb (Funny!)

7:03 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

Valentine's Day Can Be MY Day Too?

12:33 PM CRW1018 , 2 Comments

So, my fiancé and I decided that this year our Valentine's Day gift to each other would be to take a trip to a resort this coming weekend. No candy. No flowers. No gifts. Well, at least that was the agreement. If you know my fiancé, listening to me is not always her strong suit.

Gotta love her.

I walk into the office eager to talk to my Supervisor about taking a longer lunch; you see I wanted to go surprise my fiance with flowers. I'm thinking about this all the way into work this morning. After all, if any of you know me, listening to her is not my strength either.

Gotta love me.

So, I walk in, I see heart shaped balloons from afar, and I think to myself, "No way those are on my desk." Of course, as I got closer - they were. The first thing that crossed my mind was, which of my ladies such an arrangement had come from. Ha! I kid! I kid! I honestly was surprised...it was a pleasant surprise for sure. They were in a nice red vase, red and white roses with two Mylar balloons. Something in would have sent her for sure. Although traditionally guys don't get flowers, I must say, as the day goes on and I see all the women who are watching others get flowers, and they do not have any, it makes me feel even more special. Especially, because I'm probably the only man in my building to have received flowers.

I truly am grateful to have found somebody i could be myself with, somebody i could grow into the man God had intended me to be with, basically, I am grateful to have found my partner in life. As we approach being together for one whole decade, it's awesome that she thought of a very thoughtful way to make what otherwise is a woman's day, a day that any man who received flowers from their loved one would and could appreciate. The flowers are not just for me, they are for every man out there who has grown accustomed to today being strictly about the woman.

Thank you babe!

Today, you re-calibrated the bar for woman across the globe, and in the process, you solidified why you will be Mrs. Downs.

Bruno Mars - "Lazy Day"

12:37 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

So, apparently I've been under a rock, 'cause I hadn't heard of Bruno Mars until he released the single, 'Just The Way You Are'. It's crazy. I've heard several of his songs and all I can say is wow, this man is the real deal. I always thought Ne-Yo had skills, which he does; however, Bruno Mars' voice captures the essence of what an acoustic R&B singer would/should sound like.

IMO.

So, check out this song titled, 'Lazy Day', as it applies to how I feel today.

Zombieland Thoughts

4:07 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

I finally got around to watching the movie 'Zombieland'. To be clear, I finally got around to finishing the movie 'Zombieland'. I tried watching it weeks ago at Chub's house, but there were too many distractions (Chub talking) to pay attention. It's all good though, today was the day Jimmy Kicks popped it in (the movie that is) and I finished it. Chub, Jimmy & Grip all said it was a really good movie. They recommended it. Those are some facts.

So, what was my take on it?

I will refer to "Rule #32 - Enjoy the little things" and this movie simply was worth enjoying. It wasn't epic, it wasn't a trilogy (although I do think a sequel could be made), and it definitely wasn't the prototypical zombie movie. After all, that's what made it so good - the fact that it depicted zombies as we've never really seen them before. Let me break down the ways in which I feel it differed from the rest:

1. The zombies had on Jordan's, Nikes, New Balance (made in the USA), or something 'cause they ran fast! That's why in the movie, "Rule #1" is 'Cardio'. In all other zombie movies the zombies kind of limp towards people as if they had a ball and chain attached to them - or like a married man would when walking inside of a woman's shoe store with his wife. You get the point. However, in 'Zombieland', the zombies ran full speed with blood dripping from their mouths like rabid dogs. Fortunately, they were not smart; therefore, one could simply run in a circle and out run them.

2. The cast was an "All-Star" cast. I use "All-Star" loosely; however, it's not without argument. You have Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Emma Stone (Easy A), Woody Harrelson (You know what he's been in), and Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine). In all other zombie movies, you really don't find actors of their caliber. Albeit, a comedy movie, it still maintained the essence of how Hollywood has always depicted zombies. Again, the casting is where director Ruben Fleischer broke the mold.

**There was a cameo by Bill Murray (You have got to know what he's been in), so he adds to the comedy nicely.

I found that in these ways, 'Zombieland' was different and definitely worth watching. If you're a zombie fan (Hi Melissa in the mid-west!) or a fan of any of these actors, you may consider buying this movie - on blu-ray. However, if you simply want to watch an entertaining and funny movie when there's nothing else to do one night, you can Netflix it; it is available as an "Instant View" movie.

By the way, if you've never seen it, you're wondering what these "Rules" are that I'm referencing. In the movie, Jesse Eisenberg's character (Columbus) compiles his own set of rules on how to survive a world suddenly filled with zombies; the rules are pretty hilarious, yet logical. There are a total of 32 rules.

On that note, go watch it, come back, and let me know what you thought. I say a sequel can be made, but the question is - should it be? Let me know your take on it.

"Rule #33 - Go watch it ASAP!"

What Are YOU Doing For Valentine's Day?

9:41 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

Some aren't really keen on the "holiday", while to others it's a big deal and they go all out. I for one have been both type of people in my lifetime. Currently though, the girl I am with, she is not big on it, so it kind of gets me off the hook. At the same time, we decided to celebrate it in a more practical way - by taking each other to a resort for the weekend. It won't be this weekend; however, it will be soon and that's how we have chosen to honor Mr. Cupid.

You see, my girl doesn't want roses, she doesn't want chocolate, she doesn't need more sexy lingerie, no edible undies, and definitely, she did not want to be proposed to on Valentine's Day. She made it VERY clear on that last one. Let me tell you. I got lucky with this one, that's for sure. Even more so, because her birthday is in January; therefore, I'm looking at Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's Day. As you can see, the only threesome I get - IS THAT ONE!

$$$$$$$$$$

However, I am fully aware that many of you guys and girls out there are not so lucky. So if you can, please answer the following:

What do you have planned for your significant other for Valentine's?

(Image found at freshnewtracks)

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!!!

12:49 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

Basically, on Friday's 'The Write Guyz' will bring you a story about something from our past. You might get a funny story, you might get a sad story, heck, you may even get one that has you saying, "TMI". Odds are, if the latter is what you're saying, it's probably one of my stories. In any case, that is what "Flashback Friday" is all about. You getting to know a little bit more about us than you ever thought you would.

And away we go!

It was my sophomore year in high school and 'flojos' were in style. For those who don't remember, those were those rubber sandals that criss-crossed near the front where your toes are. Here's another clue, they resembled "Jesus' sandals" and I'm talking about "HIM", yes that one. Not your friend Carlos' uncle (Tio) who passes out drunk every time the family plays 'Loteria'.

If I weren't typing this on my iPad I'd google a picture and include it. Oh well. Moving on.

My mom asked me to go to JC Penny's with her one morning, so I slipped on my flojos and off we went. We got there, she did some looking around on the 1st floor, as did I, but I didn't have money to blow, so it pretty much sucked. She wanted to go upstairs and knowing the sports gear was up there I happily tagged along. Nothing too exciting went on up there; however, when it was time to go back down, that's where things went terribly wrong.

::face palm::

Mom's went down the escalator first, I followed, but halfway down this cute brunette rocking those black spandex pants, you know the kind fella's, so tight that if she sat on a quarter she'd fart out two dimes and a nickel. Suffice to say, I was distracted. That's when it happened...somehow the rubber from my sandals got sucked in as I reached the bottom of the escalators. The contraption of death didn't stop, it just kept pulling, which kept tightening then sandals around my foot. Mind you, they criss-crossed, so it's not like other sandals where I could have just slipped out of it with ease. I remember looking up and seeing my mom look back with that look of, "Pendejo what are you doing? Hurry up!" She couldn't see that the escalator was sucking my rubber like Paris Hilton on a Friday night in night vision trying to be safe.

Well, I somehow got my foot out, and i do mean that, because it had a death grip like nothing my foot has ever felt. I was embarrassed, so I took the other sandal off and walked out holding one sandal - barefoot. It wasn't until we got outside that my mom asked why I am bare foot. I told her what had happened and she just laughed. Surprisingly, she didn't offer to take me back in to get my sandal from the escalator. She never bought me new sandals either. All I got from her was a "that's what you get for being dumb."

So now it was MY fault. Well, i blame it on that damn girl for being so hot.

The funny part is to this day when I'm on an escalator in sandals, while they are not flojo sandals, I still make sure I pick my feet up extra high. Funny as it may have been to witness, it was pretty scary.

David Wright feat. "The Situation" - Comedy!

9:27 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , , 0 Comments

California Is Where It's At

9:27 AM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

Every morning as I am ironing my clothes for work, I watch the Channel 5 news and everyday, for the past two weeks, I hear about how bad the weather has been in the mid-west, and on the east coast. I feel for them, I really do. After all, living in California has many perks, celebrities, beautiful beaches, beautiful women half naked, great variety of food unlike any other place (New York is close), and while the majority of the country is covered in snow – my week has looked like this…



Yes, I love California and quiet frankly, I do not see how people choose to live anywhere else. I don’t need to have all 4 seasons to enjoy my life. When it’s 60 degrees here, I’m spoiled, because that to me feels as if I were in the snow; sad but true. If anybody is reading this and you’re in the mid-west, or east coast, I’m pretty sure you wish you could be like Freddy Krueger, and reach through the computer and choke me out Chris Brown-like. I can’t help it though, us Californians are spoiled.

Sue me. Oh wait, that’s a California thing also.  Ha! Ha!

A Star Is Born - Parts 1 & 2 (Must See!)

11:31 PM CRW1018 , 1 Comment



"Mr. Aaron Rodgers' Neighborhood"

11:29 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , 0 Comments

To Hover Or Not To Hover

4:16 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments


So, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. It’s not a pretty one, it’s a rather personal secret, and quiet frankly, if you don’t have the stomach for it – I highly recommend you stop reading now.

(Pause)

(Double Pause)

Okay, if you’re still with me, then odds are you probably are the type that enjoys watching baby birthing videos. More power to you. Who am I to judge right?

Any who, let’s jump right into it!

I am a hoverer. When I am in an unfamiliar or familiar environment and multiple people are using the restroom, your boy Husky Downs will hover. What these means, is rather than sit down, or put that paper stuff restaurants and businesses offer down, I choose to pull my pants down, grab my phone to search for content or play a game until I absolutely am ready to – hover.

As soon as I have to “drop and pop” I will hover, do my business, and then clean up shop. Sure, sometimes it’s never that simple, but that’s why I hover, that is why I train for moments like that. Where I once could only hover for a few minutes, I can now hover for as long as it takes to get the “job” done. I’m pretty sure there is some type of medical term for someone like myself, so if you know it, feel free to holler at your boy. 

You see the thought of everybody’s ass on the seat, regardless of whether they put that paper stuff down or not, it just isn’t cool with me. Some men have hairy butt’s, heck, some girl’s probably do too. All’s I know is, I ain’t trying to mix butt juices with nobody. On top of that, some men just can’t seem to aim very well, and even though I could clean off the top of the toilet seat, it still is nasty to me.

So there you have it folks, I am a hoverer. It’s clean. It’s simple. It’s me.

Anybody else out there a hoverer also?

'Da Poetry Lounge' Reviewed In A Poem

1:14 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

Da Poetry Lounge Reviewed In Poem from Husky Downs on Vimeo.

"A Picture Says One Sentence"

11:14 PM CRW1018 , 0 Comments

If you recall this "game", it's called:

"A Picture Says One Sentence"

Now, the object is to look at the picture, and take the "clues" I will give you and make up a sentence. A funny, weird, raunchy, or whatever type of sentence, and then comment with it. Here is the kicker though, the sentence MUST contain each word listed below.

The person with the funniest sentence will get some sort of prize; not sure what yet, but something.

Sorry "Write Guyz", you can't play.

Here are the "clues":

Ball, rock, dirt, heads, husky, grass, hole, red & black coat

Good luck people and let's try and keep it rated 'R' at a minimum please!

www.thewriteguyz.com

Thoughts On Lakers vs. Celtics (Video)

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"A Picture Says One Sentence"

11:28 AM CRW1018 , 0 Comments





A new thing I'd like to do on my page is called, "A Picture Says One Sentence" and basically what I will be doing is posting a picture every so often, and I will give you clues that have to do with what or whom is in the picture. I would like you to put a sentence together using the clues given. Your sentence can be funny, clever, witty, etc.

Without further ado, here I go:


Angels, Christmas, Grip Johnson, War Emblem, Husky Downs, Tree, Holiday, Suck, Friends, Bright Lights

Go for it people, take your best shot!

Great Cover Group Doing 'Rocketeer' By Far East Movement

10:00 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , 0 Comments

Check it out! But, see the original on my page on the right side bar!

The Youth Today

8:33 PM CRW1018 , Posted in , , , 1 Comment

This weekend I was determined to find some more writers for the web site, so I sought out to do so. It was beautiful out and with my fiance away for part of the weekend I figured I would do work all day and play all night - with the Write Guyz of course.

When it's beautiful out, if you live in California, where do Californians find themselves on days/weekends like these?

At the beach!


In this instance I did not go to the beach; however, I went to the Huntington Beach area to meet up with my fellow 'Write Guy' Jimmy Kicks. We met up at this Archery spot (check his review of it soon) in Orange and I must say, when I walked in I knew I wasn't in "Kansas" anymore. Deer heads on the wall, bow and arrows, pictures of animal carcasses on the counter - I literally was waiting for 'Larry The Cable Guy' to pop up with a "Git-Er-Done!"

After a nice conversation with the owner, we headed to the local mall to really recruit for and to promote The Write Guyz' web site. If you are familiar with the area, we hit up 'The West Minster Mall', or should I say 'The Ghost Town Mall', cause by mid-day it was practically empty. From what I remember though, it's one of those malls that seems to be living on life support. I used to work nearby and unless it were Christmas, it basically is about as busy as Pee-Wee Herman's Playhouse - and I do mean "Playhouse".

Hey-Yo!

Here is where it got bothersome for me. As I walked around talking to people, it just so happened that the demographic of people I could find and talk to were somewhere between 17-25 years of age. I must have spoken to over a dozen people by myself, not to mention Jimmy Kicks who was talking to people as well. Of everybody we spoke to, I got one person (whom had asked for our business card) to actually send a friend request on our company Facebook page. Other than him, everybody else had the same thing(s) to say:



"I'm sorry, I don't know anybody who writes or blogs."
"What is blogging?"
"All my friends and family are stupid, they don't write."

The most disturbing response was, "I don't know anybody that is in college." I was really astounded to hear that one. I for one am not a college graduate, yet; however, I know many people who are in school or have graduated. How these people do not know anybody in school is amazing. That in it of itself speaks volumes. I remember looking at Jimmy as we walked out and I told him that I just couldn't believe so many people do not write anymore. Maybe I'm a little bias cause I was the Sports Editor of my high school news paper and I also did some work in college, therefore, I was surrounded by people who not only "had" to write, but loved writing. So much has changed since I was in high school and college and I do not like it.

I ended up leaving that mall and on my way home I stopped at a mall closer to home to do much of the same. This mall was much more crowded than the previous, so I was excited to hit some people up. Truth be told, I was much more successful as I met a few people who were truly interested in writing. Although, once again, I ran into person after person whom simply did not write, nor did they have any friends or family members that did.

My evening ended in much better spirits as I met up with the other The Write Guyz to watch what turned out to be a great movie, 'No Strings Attached', yet despite the way my evening ended, I could not help but feel dejected by the youth today. Are writers truly that scarce or was it simply an anomaly? This I do not know, but I do know that the youth today has gotten lazy, because the one thing that literally, and I do mean literally, each and every person had in common was - they all used Facebook.

I guess if I were looking for people to write on our 'walls', maybe we would have hundreds, maybe even thousands of people by now?

After all, quick quips, anecdotes, and details of how much they pwned their friends on the internet is what our youth has become - right?

::shrugging::

To bed with my quill I go, praying things change...somehow...someway...someday.

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