I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles er... 10,000 Views)

Happy 10,000 views everyone!

Here we are on the eve of St. Patrick's Day celebrating 10,000 views for IEC. It's actually more like 10,175, but who's counting? I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this blog and it is with great honor I present you with the picture posted above, courtesy of a neighbor on my street that stacked some used couches in Tetris block fashion on his front lawn.

As we approach the thirty day mark since my last update, it feels right to update everyone on what I've been brewing over these past weeks:

Mile long yard sales have got to go. Every first weekend of the month the city of Lynwood, CA allows tenants on Abbott Road to set up Raider tents that house your variable amounts of used items such as faded Kobe Shirts, piles of old baby clothes, ceramic farm animal cookie jars, non-working R/C toy cars, and of course endless amounts of stained cabinets and furniture. I'm not against anyone making a buck or two off of their used Lupillo Rivera albums or slightly stained FUBU gear. I am against the assholes driving in front of me who. stop. to. look. at. every. yard. hoping. to. find. a. bargain. on. old. patio. furniture. Your hazard lights don't make it okay. Park your fucking car and get the hell out of my way. Lynwood, I beg of you, put an end to this immediately.

Work is tiring, but the income is welcomed. This summer marks my sixth year with the same company and I'm surprised as anyone that I'm still working there. Recent changes have allowed me to do my job with more freedom, but the struggling economy combined with ravenous competition make it tougher by the day. I'm thankful the job has given me the money to help my mom keep the house she mortgaged with my father many years ago. It also gave me the opportunity to lease my own car and put every single thing in my own name. Cell phone, satellite TV, insurance, groceries, rent, hospital bills, appliances, repairs. It's all on me. There aren't many people I know who have to give an entire paycheck to keeping an old family house so it feels good.

Yogurtland is definitely better than Pink Berry. I'm not going into detail here, but Abel was 100% right when he made that statement. Double cookies 'n cream ice cream with oreo toppings? Unbeatable.

MLB The Show '11 is challenging to say the least. This review is limited having only played the demo on PS3, but pitching and hitting is a real pain. The new mechanics make it so that you have to use the analog sticks for practically everything. It works great for the fielding, but to pull down to wind up and push up and tilt for the follow through is asking a bit much when you're pitching. It's a welcomed change to hitting "X" for everything, but I can't see anyone playing an entire game the new way.

Vacation starts in 6 days. March 22nd is the start of a twelve day vacation which includes going to Albuquerque, NM for five days, driving Vero to the dentist to get three wisdom teeth pulled, and possibly attending a Dodger game (not opening day). Obviously, I can't wait. There's a Sonic on every block in Albuquerque and we know someone who just got hired there so we have free tots and chili waiting for us. I'm pretty sure that's all there is to do in Albuquerque, but stay tuned for my post-vacation blog.

The older Black Keys albums are just as incredible as the latest. I heard about these guys in December and already have four of their albums. Get Magic Potion and The Rubber Factory. Great music.

That's all for now. I'm off to Target to buy travel sized everything for the upcoming plane ride. 'Til next time.

- Mike O.