Why doesn't Xanga have a save draft functionality? Why is it that when you "save" it posts it to the web? I'm seriously considering switching to Wordpress in the near future if I keep blogging this much (which I plan to do).

This recap is more for my benefit than anyone else. I spent this weekend at so many different places, it'll be hard to remember by next weekend. The funny part about this weekend was the lack of planning involved beforehand. It started when I told my co-worker Peter that I had nothing to do all weekend. He promptly reminded me that we were going to the Del Mar Races on Friday afternoon.


Peter managed to get a set of Turf Club tickets for us at the Del Mar Racetrack. Now I had just been to the racetrack a week earlier, but sitting in the Turf Club is a different experience. Usually, you're at the 2nd or 3rd floor looking between pillars and fighting with people for a good view. The Turf Club on the 4th floor has a mezzanine view of the stretch with service to match. Of course, this means that the dress attire is pants, button up shirt, and a sports coat. On a hot Friday, it's not the most comfortable outfit. After several rounds of gambling, I actually came out on top. I really started to happen when Julie, my friend from Qualcomm showed up. My picking strategy is as follows: Pick the horse with the name you like most. Usually a video game or food reference. Then bet on the horse without looking at the odds. And I picked a winner three races in a row. The combined winnings afforded us one round of drinks, that's it.

After the races we went down for the Pete Yorn concert being held in the courtyard. I'm embarrassed to say that the happiest point in the concert was when I found the food stands in the corner. We didn't have much to eat all day, so finding those food stands was a true blessing. The least enjoyable part of the concert was the Jack Daniels Hard Cola. I thought it would taste like a Jack & Coke. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Never again.


After the concert, I got in contact with Matt from the old Concrete Games days and maybe hangout. Waiting at the Del Mar beaches was relaxing and cooling after a hot day. Shortly afterward, I ended up at Matt's place with some Hostess treats in tow. I will tell you now that your memory of Hostess snacks will always be better than the real deal. They are sugar laden and made from the lowest quality material.

Come round 8 am Saturday and I pushed reset button for another day. Made it out to Mission Gorge for a Trek Demo Day event. Don was super friendly put me on a high end road bike and mountain bike. Both were exhilerating in their different ways. The road bike felt like a Ferrari and the mountain bike felt like a Hummer. I have to figure out what I really want to do with the bikes and commit to it before making a purchase. These are not small investments.

I had my first BBQ of Labor Day at Ryan, Gillian, and Dunphy's new place in Encinitas. It's a beautiful 4 bedroom with tons of space and I'm glad they got it at a reasonable rate. It was fun to catch up with Rady alumni and see that they're doing well. Most of them are employed now in one way or another and heading in the right direction.

After BBQ #1, I headed over to my cousin Dan's for some street tacos and drinks. He had some amazing chicken cooked up and plenty of the right fixings. Fresh pico de gallo, crema, and spicy guacamole. I had seconds on more than one occasion. Afterwards, Dan took me to a bar he's been frequenting, the Haunted Head Saloon. The variety of activities and people there make it great for people watching. Also, the owners are very skilled in foosball and tear it up. In speaking with the manager, he would like to continue teaching the regulars how to play better and make it a fun hangout. I ended the night with a Grand Slam at Denny's. I don't know how I had the room for it, but on the drive home, I suddenly got hungry for pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. What else is open at 1 am on Labor Day Saturday.

More to write here, but I have to get back to work.

Sunday
Swimming
Homemade Dinner at a friend's place.
Hustle & Flow

Monday
Inglorious Bastards
Gears 2
Claim Jumper
Ford Focus SVT hit 100k

I'm surprised it's been a month since my last post because so much has happened. Last time I posted, I had just attended the Coldplay concert with Dan and Sarah. That was a great concert that I'll definitely remember for a long time.


That weekend (July 18-19), I went to a going away party for my classmates Michael and Mari. They were one of my earliest friends at Rady and I will miss them dearly. Returning home to Mexico City to be closer to family and for business opportunities. I hope to visit them in the next 12 months, as I've promised them that I will come by. I think I'll have to plan that trip for early next year.


The following week was Comic Con week. One of my favorite weeks of the summer. Thomas decided to stay in San Diego with me, and spending time with him is always great. I also got to meet up with Russ and Brooks, who are fellow GDC volunteers with me. I had a great conversation about Twitter which I immediately implemented in the PixelActive strategy upon returning to work. Other people I saw that weekend were Dan, Sarah, Cheryl, Geoff, Mandy, Ameesh, and Tammy. I sat in a bunch of panels and was bummed that I was in a panel with an old HS classmate, Kieth, and didn't even know he was in the same panel. Some panels of note were for the Simpson's, True Blood, V, State of the Animation Industry, Fables, Marvell Animation, DC Animation. All and all, another great Con. We also ate at Lou & Mickey's as well as Nobu. They broke the bank, but were worth it one time a year.





The other weeks were spent catching up with people around the area. A co-worker that also interned at Qualcomm last summer, playing soccer with my cousin and her husband, cooking steaks with Dan and Sarah at their new place in Ramona, networking lunches and happy hours, celebrating Adam's new arcade machine, watching Skye jam out, and a lot of running. The most recent highlight was the completion of the AFC Half Marathon where I finished in 1:45, a personal record (PR) for the course. I also completed the Triple Crown (Carlsbad Half, La Jolla Half, AFC Half), something that I wanted to complete last year but couldn't.


The next month looks to be just as exciting as the last. I've started doing P90X, and it is kicking my butt. I hope to be in excellent shape after I finish though. Looking to potentially buy a house near the coast, and working hard for PixelActive and spending time with friends.