Minority Threat and my FAST

August was a helluva a month. Raised about $280 in Bruce's name for the National Brain Tumor Foundation. The show success and a lot of fun. In the end, it makes it all worthwhile. Here's some pictures my friend Steve Flores took.

http://flickr.com/photos/punkcichlid

But man, I was so stressed, getting little sleep and all I ended up catching a cold. I'm just recovering now but it's been chaotic this month. After all this I'm planning a series of breaks and vacations. On the 21st, I bought a new car! Initially, I was planning to get a SUV, to take place of my Pathfinder. I had my eyes on the FJ Cruiser. It looks like a humongous, giant toy truck. Although it's a very capable and useful vehicle, i opted to go for more gas efficiency. And I was looking at the Subaru Impreza. It was the car I fell in love with when I first bought Gran Turismo. And as soon as it came out, everyone and their mom got one. But for me originality is important. I started to look at the Volvo S40 wagon, because I wanted more trunk space, if I got a car. But then I saw the Volkswagon Golf. My aunt had one, and it proved reliable for years, and her previous car was also a VW. Fine German engineering, and then I laid eyes on the GTI, which is a sportier version of the Golf. I looked it up and it has a impressive history.

Here's a pic of my car (not mine, but identical):



Specs for 2007 VW GTI MkV w/ DSG Automatic Transmission, United Grey, 3 Door

Package 1: Moon roof, 6 CD changer w/ mp3 readability + Sirius/AM/FM Radio

Interlagos (plaid interior)

Price Range (GTI MSRP): $21,990
Body Type: 3-door hatchback
Layout: front engine, FWD
Engine: 200-hp, 207 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L, 16-valve DOHC I-4 direct injection turbo
Transmission: 6-spd DSG twin-clutch
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, BA, EBD
Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 165.7 / 69.3 / 58.2 / 101.5 in
Curb Weight: 3,306 lbs
Tires: 225/45R17
Cargo Volume (trunk): 15.1 cu-ft
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 24 / 34 mpg
Observed Fuel Economy: 27 mpg

Summer update

congrats to dave and ilene who is due very soon.

happy birthday to tony, my life long compadre.

-Last weekend myself, and the guys from eskapo went to the ABS-CBN office to witness a anti war panel debate against pro-war republicans on a fil-am youth show talk show to be broadcasted at a later date. Little did i know, that i'd become part of debate. It was amazing how shallow and distorted in thought the people of the pro war panel were. Some of the things they said just made my blood boil. And it was just funny how they avoided issues and diverted from questions asked by the debaters, the audience and the hosts. It was just typical. On the pro war panel was a young boy about 12 years old, IMO, too young to know the horrors of war, it amazed me to see the conditioning and brainwashing he went through to make the statements he did. He felt that being attacked (911) justified defense of our own. Ok, fair enough. But why the hell are we in Iraq and not Afghanistan at least. That's where your war is. But they say that we're there to instill "Democracy" and secure our interests (OIL & government contracts) in a crippled nation at headed towards a civil war. I asked the boy and addressed the rest of the panel, If these are the reasons why you fight, and say 6 years from now the war is still going on (which will probably be true if we are still there)and you are of legal age, will you come to arms for what we say is an "unjust war" or for your reasons "as defending your country (even though they aren't on US soil), instilling democracy and securing your interests"? To the older man, I asked would you risk the lives of your children, and the eldest, his grandchildren? I know I crossed a sensitive issue. The boy hesitantly agreed that he would. And I commended his bravery and told him I hope that he wouldn't have to resort to that. The two adults gave me B.S. answers saying they have obligations to their families and the such. At the end of the day, I made the boy think twice. So a minor battle was won. They claimed him to be a genius. Maybe he'll use his genius to do the right thing.

-I missed out on the baby shower but i picked up Dave and Ilene's gift which I have to drop off still.

-I also missed out on Tony's b-day dinner. Happy birthday man.

I was out in battle.... ha ha...

-I got to spend time with the guys and Anna Sophie before she leaves for China again. She's running a production company with a friend over there and I wish them the best of luck. Now I have a reason to visit China!

-Minority Threat is in 2 weeks and it's the point of no return. At this point I just want to get it over with. I think I'm burned out already... But I think about Bruce and it makes me go on... Bruce's birthday is coming up and I wanted to celebrate it with a bang... and that's what it's all about. (Early) happy birthday boss. You are missed.