06/30/04 -- Mornin' y'all!  I'm back!  Sorry y'all for not writin' in a good while.  I have been pretty busy these last few weeks, along with being out of town for a while.  Things have been pretty hectic.  I don't have much time to write this mornin', but I thought I would give it a shot since I haven't done so in like FOR-E-VER.

Yeah, so things have been pretty crazy recently.  I have been so busy; it's been unreal.  Things should be slowin' down this week though.  I am looking forward to the long weekend.  Anyway, there's nothing really major to write about as of now.  I have been seein' my peeps when I have had the time over the past few weeks.  I try to get out when I can.

Congrats go out to Mo', Annia, Holly, Carly, and all the other peeps that kicked ass at the trials and are going to camp in a few weeks.  Mo' and Annia, I am very proud of both of y'all.  To be still doing it after all these years and injuries...way to go ladies.  Paul, Morgan, Sean, and Jason...good luck to y'all and all the other boys too.  Make us proud men!

Okay, so now that all that is out of the way... yesterday was pretty routine.  I had to finish some work which I did.  I went to the games and did okay, but I could have done better.  My body is killing me right now.  I know, I know...I say that all the time.  But seriously!  Let's see, my left foot is hurt because I kicked something on accident last week.  My right ankle is always in pain due to the chronic injuries.  My left knee is still slightly hurting from when I banged knees with Brian like almost two weeks ago.  My chest is sore from a change in the workouts recently.  And for some damn reason my right eye is in pain also?!?!  Like, it feels swollen or something.  It just hurts, and hurts worse when I rub it.  I am all jacked up right now.  I'll get better though.  I might take the next few days to rest up.  That might be the best thing.

So I got home yesterday, showered, ate, and then watched Summerland.  Then I got back up and finished some quick reading.  My night was pretty much done as I was resting and watching Friends.  But then LB got in touch and convinced me to go watch the midnight premier of Spider-Man 2 with her.  It wasn't hard for her to do, I really wanted to see the new 'Spidey' flick.  So we braved the crowd and watched very first screening of the movie.  I was pleasantly impressed with it.  I heard great things about it.  It was better than I expected.  I highly suggest y'all go check it out.  I am curious to see how much money it's going to make this weekend.  Of course it's going to break the bank!  But I think it might make a run at the record for an opening weekend, currently held by the original Spider-Man from two years ago.  Man, this movie is going to make so much money!

Okay y'all, I gotta end this one here.  I'll try to get back on later and write more.  I have a lot of e-mails to respond to also.  I'll try to do so either today or tomorrow.  Thanks to everyone who writes in.  I haven't forgotten about y'all.  I will write back.  But I am already tired as hell from the lack of sleep from last night.  Perk up Mike .... it's time to get a move on!  -- Michael

06/29/04 -- Happy 2nd Anniversary to Brian and Roni (Gonzalez) Rapp and also to Jeremy and Jacqueline Hudson!

06/26/04 -- Happy Birthday Julie Goodwin!

06/25/04 -- Happy Birthday Erica Hutchinson!

06/23/04 -- Happy 3rd Anniversary to Mark and Kim (Besson) Lee!

06/22/04 -- Happy Birthday Leah Badalich!

06/19/04 -- Congratulations to Jimmy Guerra and Bethany Morgan on their wedding day!

06/18/04 -- Man, I am so hurtin' right now y'all.  I am writing this while on the rode.  (Yes folks, I can connect while driving).  It's probably not the smartest thing in the world though.  Like last night I had fun and all.  But beyond that kinda hurtin', my freakin' knee is killing me right now.  Yesterday I collided with Brian and we banged knees.  We both were on the same team, and we both went to a steal at the same time, coming from opposite directions.  We rammed into each other and went down.  Damn it hurt so bad.  We both got up and continued playin'.  But my knee is absolutely killing me right now.  It's swollen and very painful.  Oh well, gotta deal.  Okay, back to drivin'.  Talk to y'all tomorrow.  -- Michael

06/17/04 -- I don't have much time to write this morning y'all.  I am already late.  I'll talk more with y'all tomorrow.  In the meantime though, I wanted to post a few links that some peeps sent me.  Hunter sent me this link containing information about the famous camel spider picture from Iraq.  The page is pretty funny, and speaks to some of the rumors about it.  Also, Gabe sent me this acticle.  Take a bow y'all.  It looks like Corpus Christi ranked as the nations 4th sweatiest town in America.  That's right folks, they actually have a poll to see who sweats more where!  Maybe The CC will be number one next year!  Okay, I gotta run biatches.  Y'all don't forget to check out the Message Board to read up.  If you haven't already, register as a user and make some posts!  The more the merrier.  Talk to y'all tomorrow.  -- Michael

06/16/04 -- Sorry B, but I gotta tell this story...

So last night in our game, the funniest thing happened.  There is a younger girl who has just started playing in our group, and I must say that she is freakin' baddass.  She really is a good athlete and can very much handle herself with the big boys.  Well, last night Steve grabbed a rebound and launched it up court to the streaking above mentioned Chelsea.  Brian was in position under the basket as she was driving the lane.  It was only them two in the play.  For the record, Brian is still in decent shape with an athletic stocky frame.  Chelsea is tiny and probably at most 100 lbs soaking wet.  She's was probably giving up 100 lbs or so to Brian.  Well, she drove hard to the hoop charging right into Brian.  OMG, it was SO funny.  What would you expect to happen in that collision?  Me too...for her to get killed right?  Nope!  Brian was the one that went down, and Chelsea stayed on her feet as if unaffected, and made a kickass layup!  In that game she was the leading scorer for their team, which didn't surprise me at all.

To be fair, this is what happened.  She drove into to Brian with their bodies colliding.  In the process, her knee hit Brian's, and he went down in brief pain grabbing at his knee.  Still though, through our eyes, we saw a tiny young lady with no fear drive right into a strong 200 lbs dude, knocking HIM down all the while still making the bucket!  Oh man, it was SO funny!

I saw Summerland last night.  It was good.  I also caught the Pistons beat down of the Lakers ... AGAIN!  I am so glad the Lakers lost.  I wish Phil Jackson would have won another ring, but I hate Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and the has-been "glove" Gary Payton.  Man, I can't stand Shaq!  After that I went to bed 'cause I was so exhausted.  I'm still kinda tired, but I'll manage.

That's all for this mornin' my peeps.  I hope y'll have a great Wednesday.  Talk to y'all later!  -- Michael

06/15/04 -- Sorry this one is coming later in the afternoon, I was really busy this morning.  I have a few minutes right now, and I wanted to write about something hilarious that happened last night...

So I was having dinner with friends Becky and Erica at a local establishment.  I hadn't seen either in a little time, so we did the whole catching up thing for a while.  It was fun to share all the fun stories.  Well, we were talking about stuff, and Erica asked me a question about someone from the past.  So I gave her the beans on that situation, as well as everything else pretty much since undergrad.  Also though, as with any conversation taking place between three Corpus based friends, rumors also were discussed.  They are always ramped, y'all know that.

Anyway, so I got into a conversation about how awhile back there was some shit being talked about me.  I still subscribe to Destiny's Child's "I'm not gonna dis you on the internet" prose (Look it up peeps, it's in the song Survivor), so I'm not mentionin' any names.  In short, there was this adult who, because of what she does (works with young people), was always in everyone's business and still lives through that drama.  It's like she never grew up.  (No, I am talking about a certain dance director from the old days.  I love her to death, but let's face it...she was always in everyone's biz)  I think y'all get my point as to how she is.  Well, for whatever reason, she started telling some peeps all this bullshit about me.  Straight up bullshit it was.  Her behavior was very adolescent.  I mean c'mon...what are we in... 3rd grade?  She was sayin' crap, and because she is an adult, a few peeps believe her taking her words for face value.  One of the girls that heard all this came up to me and accused me of that crap.  At first I started laughing because it was so not true, it was comical.  I set her straight.  But then another person came up to me.  Then the first girl came up to me again with total attitude talkin' shit.  At that point I got pissed because this chick had no right to bring her guns blazin' at me.  She was barkin' up the wrong tree.  But she was like, "well so-in-so said this".  And I was like, "I don't give a good goddamn what so-in-so said.  It just isn't true".

Back then it kinda bothered me because this loser sore woman was saying ridiculous shit and some people were believing her.  I had to remember that I was an adult, and to not allow myself to get caught up in that shit.  I talked with my mom about it, because truthfully it was bothering me a little.  She reinforced that I didn't have to prove myself to those people.  My record speaks for itself.  The truth was on my side, and that's all that matters.  To hell what other people say.  (I love my momma!)

So back to the story.  As I was telling the story to Becky and Erica, I noticed that the girl who came up to me sayin' mess was sitting in ear shot!  It was so freakin' hilarious that she was there!  I died laughing!  I SO hope she heard me talking.  I wanted her to hear what a silly immature bitch she was back then.  Man oh man, I was laughing when I noticed she was there.  She left shortly after.  Haha, classic stuff!  Sorry y'all, maybe you had to be there, but I thought it was funny.

So yeah, that's about it for me this afternoon.  My game is tonight at 6:00 PM.  Here's to hopin' I kick some ass tonight.  Talk to y'all tomorrow.  -- Michael

06/14/04 -- Happy 1st Anniversary to Matt and Nichol (Badalich) Everett and also to Blaine and Kate (Schnelle) DeLeon!

Man, I am SO unbelievably sore right now.  Yesterday I played for like almost four hours straight.  It was pretty though, but I was pleasantly happy with my wind level and endurance.  I really wasn't that tired afterwards.  It wasn't until I got home though when I felt it.  My body was so damn hurtin'.  It surprised me because my actively level is very high right now.  It's back to being used to the pounding and wear of physical activity.  I rolled my ankle again, but the brace I was wearing helped it from getting seriously hurt.  I banged knees with someone which hurt also.  Both the knee and ankle were swollen afterwards.  My lower back is killing me, and my legs are also sore.

I guess my years of sport are taking their toll.  Years of lifting and training are showing their signs on my body.  It sucks because I'm still in my 20s, yet my body sometimes feels like I am in my 40s or 50s.  My doctor told me a while back that if I continued training and competing, I would be mortgaging years of pain free living off my life.  That's initially why I retired from competition a while back.  My body just wasn't holding up anymore with all the injuring I was sustaining.  But yesterday was the first time I have felt the old kind of pain, (the kind I used to get from a hard training session), after merely some recreational sporting fun.  It kind of humbled me.  After the games I tried to stretch a little.  My flexibility is NOWHERE near what it used to be.  It sucks to know that my body can't perform what it used to be able to do.  I accepted that when I retired, but it never really hit me 'til yesterday night.

I really shouldn't be venting so much.  This past year has been hard on my body and my health.  They both went through a lot.  I am very grateful that my energy level is back to normal.  I am happy that I am young, active, and healthy again (at least healthier than I have been in the last few years).  Obviously I can't compete anymore, but the fact that I am able to get out and play and be active is a good thing.  It wasn't too long ago when even those things seemed to be in question.

The pain sometimes just comes with the territory.  I guess it just reminds me of my new limits now.  Even so, I still find a way to push myself physically.  After a few more weeks at this level, I'll up it a bit and get back to a good routine.  I am not doing any of this for competition anymore.  This time it's for me.  It's because it makes me happy.  Just because I can't do some of the same things anymore, doesn't mean I can do anything!

Not much else happened.  Deadwood was great as usual.  Plus, I was so happy the Pistons beat the Lakers again.  Hopefully they can close it out on Tuesday.  Okay y'all, time to start the day.  Thanks to visiting and for being an ear to my ventin'.  Talk to y'all later.  Bye! -- Michael

06/13/04 -- Hey y'all.  I hope y'all are having a good weekend.  Last night I was with Thomas Hogan.  I hadn't seen him in years, so it was good to hang out with him.  He's been in Europe for the last few years.  He, Larry and I hung out last night with some friends.  We all went to WP and Baker together, so there was much nostalgia present.  I saw some others peeps which was cool also.  I am pretty tired today though.  I am going to be here resting for a bit, and I might run an errand or two before our game at 5:00 today.  Then I can't wait to watch the season finale of Deadwood, and hopefully watch the Lakers get their asses handed to them again by the Pistons.  That's about it for me.  I know, this entry is kinda boring and bland.  There wasn't much to write from this weekend.  So I'll write some more tomorrow morning.  Talk to y'all then.  -- Michael

06/12/04 -- For those interested, Katie McLellan's services will be held today at St. Andrews By The Sea Catholic Church on the Island (14238 Encantada Ave. 78418) at 6:30 PM.  I am hearing that traffic on and off the Island will be tough because the annual Sea Sculptures event is going on all day today on the beach.  It might be best to allow for a little extra driving time when heading out there.  There is a thread for Katie in the Message Board (In Memory of... Category) where anyone can leave thoughts, comments, memories, etc. about her.  Please keep her family in y'alls thoughts and prayers.  I'll talk to y'all tomorrow.  -- Michael

06/11/04 -- (Update) 04:00 PM - I have been getting a lot calls and write ins about Katie McLellen.  I just thought I would write again this afternoon for those who have not yet heard...

I found out about 8:00 AM this morning that Katie McLellan died in a car accident on Wednesday.  She graduated from Carroll in 2000 and then went to Tech and transferred to A&M.  I met her a few times, but not many, through some mutual friends.  I didn't know her very well, but she was always very nice.  She was the type of person that like, if I saw her out, like was the case last time, I would say a quick "hello", but not like spend 20 minutes catching up ... because we weren't close, you know what I mean?  Nonetheless, my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.  I ask that everyone please do the same.

It really sucks, because it seems like death has been happening so much recently.  I had a friend from undergrad die a few weekends ago.  My uncle died in March.  Another, all be him distant, died in December.  And my friend Carrie died last October.  Katie was definitely way too young.  Her obituary is below, as well as an article I found on the Caller-Times website.

Recent Carroll grad killed in car crash by Tim Eaton Caller-Times

Kathryn Marie McLellan (1982 - 2004)

"Kathryn Marie McLellan on the afternoon of June 9, Jesus took back one of the lights he put on earth.

Katie was born February 4, 1982 and graduated from Carroll High School in 2000. She was a senior at Texas A&M University, College Station, majoring in nutrition. She was an active member of Young Life, Pi Beta Phi and loved sports.

Katie is survived by her parents, Mike and Donna McLellan and brother, Keith, of Corpus Christi, Texas; maternal grandparents, Don and Joyce DeKoch; paternal grandparents, John and Marie McLellan; uncles, Mark (Monica) DeKoch, Dirk (Susan) DeKoch, Pat (Anne) McLellan, Dan (Noma) McLellan, Neil (Ruby) McLellan and eight special cousins.

Katie's light will continue to shine brightly in those whose lives she touched.

A Memorial Fund has been set up in Katie's memory. Please make donations to Katie McLellan Young Life Camp Fund, c/o Frost Bank, Attn: Alan Wilson, P. O. Box 749, Corpus Christi, Texas 78403-0749 / payable to the Katie McLellan Young Life Camp Fund.

A Rosary will be recited Friday, June 11, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Saturday, June 12, 2004 at St. Andrews Catholic Church on Padre Island at 6:30 p.m., followed by a friendship gathering at the Fellowship Hall."

(Information courtesy of Corpus Christi Caller~Times.  Information can be found at this link.)

07:30 AM - Man, I like passed out last night when I got home.  I was so freakin' tired.  The games were good and I played okay, but I was totally zapped afterwards.  I was able to catch the Pistons kickin' the Lakers asses though!  Oh man it was a great game.  Two more guys, go get two more!

I don't have much to write this morning.  I am watching the Reagan Funeral coverage right now on a TV that is on.  I think I am going to watch it, so I'll talk with everyone tomorrow or so.  Bye y'all.  Go Pistons!  -- Michael

06/10/04 -- *Important Message.  Please read in full!*  Last night I went on a very long mental journey.  Honestly, I had been thinking about all this stuff for quite some time now; I just never got around to doing anything about it.  Before I go on, I must first send a few acknowledgements.  Gabbs, Kelly, and James: each of y'alls conversations over the last month helped me to reach this point.  Y'all really helped me get the ball rolling of this.  Yesterday, Heather's e-mail question got me thinking again.  And then it was actually Nicole's website that gave me the last push that I needed.  That being said, I'll explain...

Yesterday I got an e-mail from Heather, in it asking "what is the hardest part/biggest problem in maintaining the website"?  The question is actually very easy to answer.  The funny thing is that I have been reluctant to do anything to help alleviate the problem.  The hardest part/biggest problem with the site is my self-imposed notion of trying to please everyone and while being politically correct and minimize the things/words that might be offensive to others.  On the surface, or at least how I justify the feeling to myself, I try to act accordingly for a few reasons.  I want people coming to the site because they enjoy what they read and see.  I don't want to write about subjects that might divide the audience.  I try to be neutral in most topics, especially controversial ones when they come up, so I don't offend anyone's views or ideas.  I also try to take into account who actually reads this website.  I don't want to post things that might not be appropriate for some of the readers (i.e. - children).  Those are just some of the reasons for my methods of posting material.

Believe it or not, it is actually a VERY big problem for me.  Many times I have sat down to write, complete a post, read it through, and then think to myself, "geez, I can't post that!".  What often happens is I censor my real thoughts and ideas in fear of others getting offended.  More often than not, y'all get a much more watered-down version of things.  And honestly, that sucks.  It makes me feel like I can't be completely honest on my own damn site!  Some of y'all might be wondering what the big deal is.  Y'all might be saying, "Mike, like it really matters.  Who the hell cares?".  Well, I would care.  I don't want people to visit the site, and then not like what they read.  I don't want people to get offended on accident.  It's like when you are with people in a social setting.  You never know how mature the person across from you is.  You never know what their limits are.  If you say something they disagree with, are they going to get mad, or merely allow for a different view?  If it's a big topic such as religion, politics, money, how will they react?  What about abortion, the election, the war in Iraq, etc., etc., etc.?  You never want to inadvertently push someone's buttons.  Yet, at the same time, you don't want to compromise your own integrity in the process either!

Another thing that happens is I sometimes want to write in more detail about certain things, events, occurrences, yet I refrain for one reason or another.  It's my nature to be very outgoing and social.  However, I have definitely noticed that has changed in me recently.  It's like I don't want to write certain feelings of thoughts because of what others might think.  Anytime someone opens his/herself up to others, it makes he/she vulnerable.

What people don't realize is that I honestly don't know all the people who view this site.  Mostly, it is viewed by my friends (acquaintances to best friends), most of which are Corpus Christi (elem, jr., and high school) based.  Of course though, I have friends (young and old) who are not Corpus based, that also visit the site.  My family knows about it.  Former teachers visit it.  The site has become somewhat of a personal calling card, if you will.  A lot of the people who have been in touch though, found the site through their own means.  Word-of-mouth found it's way to them.  They did a search and found it.  Heck, you can search my name, perhaps anyone's name from the Classmates or Guest Book section, Corpus, Classmates, Carroll, etc. ... and find it.  I have even had random people that I don't even know write in saying they stumbled on the site.  My point is this: not all the visitors are people that I know.  And honestly, I love the fact that is has become so popular.  How could I not?  It's nice to know that I created something that people like to check out.  However, there in lies the pressure.  Because I don't know who is checking it out, I never know if my words are safe?  Some children I used to teach found the site on their own!  When then told me, I was quite surprised!

Well, the way I approach the website has become completely out of character for me.  I want to be more free with it.  I want to be more juicy with it.  I normally live my life not giving a damn about what people think.  That's the way the site should be also, don't y'all think?  Hell, isn't that the reason for the disclaimer at the bottom of every page?

Like I said, in casual conversations with Gabbs, Kelly, and James respectively, the topic has come up.  They all individually helped me to realize that I should be more free with it.  Heather's question made me realize that the hardest part about the site is self-imposed and something that I can remedy.  The kicker, though, was Nicole's website.  Last night I read what she wrote, and it was a deeply personal entry about a personal situation she is currently going through.  I was very intrigued.  I thought to myself, "man, she gets so personal on her page".  Then I thought, "every single post she makes is always like that".  She writes what she is feeling at that specific moment.  She doesn't change anything.  She just writes for herself, and doesn't apologize for it.  Even if it makes her vulnerable, or if it might piss off certain people...she just doesn't seem to care.  I really admire that.  And honestly, there is no reason why I shouldn't be the same way.  Granted (and this is meant with absolutely no offense intended), her site is not quite as visible as mine nor does it experience the level of traffic that mine gets from visitors on a daily basis, if she can do it, so can I.  After all, it's her honestly and personal nature that keeps me coming back everyday to find out what is new in her life, even if I have already personally talked with her that day.

All that being said, I am going to make a conscious effort to be more me in the way I write this site.  I am going to just not give a damn anymore.  I am going to remove the pressure that I put on myself, and just write what I feel and think and not worry about what the readers might think.  If y'all like what I write, then y'all will probably continue to come back for more.  If y'all don't like what I write, either y'all will just not visit, or perhaps y'all will come back more often to see what I write next because you will probably disagree again.  Either way, It should make no difference to me.

Okay, so from now on I am going to just be me.  I am who I am and I think what I think ... and I shouldn't have to apologize for it or censor myself, especially on my own website.  What y'all read is what y'all get.  Maybe more people will be able to relate in the process.  At the very least, I'll feel A LOT better about the site and what it represents.  Damn, I feel better already by just having typed all the stuff above!

... I know that was long, but I wanted to explain in full.  I am out of time this morning.  It's 6:00 AM, and I need to run, hit the shower, eat, and then finish up some readin' that I didn't get done last night.  For those who went to the chat room yesterday, I'm sorry I wasn't there like I said I would be.  I didn't realize until later in the afternoon that I forgot.  I won't be in there today, but hopefully tomorrow.  If anyone has any thoughts about what I wrote today, please feel free to e-mail me and express your opinion.  Talk to y'all later.  Bye!  -- Michael

06/09/04 -- Happy Birthday Ricky Taboada!

Damn those Lakers!!!  Damn damn damn those freakin' Lakers!  I was SO pissed last night when the Lakers erased that 6 point deficit with 30 seconds to play.  Oh man, I thought Detroit was going to get out of LA with a 2-0 lead in the series.  I was pissed!  Hopefully Detroit can win the next three at home and close out the series, though I doubt it.  I think it will get to game six in LA.  One game at a time though... they need to take it one game at a time.

Yesterday was pretty routine.  Last night I played okay, at the very least better than I had been the last few days.  I was late so I didn't get to play as much, but I did good on defense and hit my shots.  Hopefully I'll do better on Thursday.  I came home and caught the game, and watched Summerland.  It was a good episode.  For some reason I like that show a lot.  After talking to Heather and Coop on the phone for a bit, I finished some readin' and then headed to bed.  I wish I had more to write this morning.  I mean, I actually have some time, yet I don't have much to write.  Wouldn't that be my luck!  Haha, oh well.  Anyway, I'll be in the chat room again today at 1:00 PM CST.  For those who wish to talk, y'all can reach me there at that time.  Click on the Chat Live icon above to enter the room.  Hope all is well.  Talk with y'all soon!  -- Michael

06/08/04 -- Howdy y'all.  Sorry for the incommunicato over the weekend.  The past few days have been okay.  Friday I saw my parents on their 35th wedding anniversary.  That was fun.

Saturday I was feelin' kinda sick, but I managed to get out for a bit.  James and I were having lunch when I saw on the news that Former President Reagan died.  I read in the newspaper that morning that his health had taken a major turn for the worse recently.  Then, while we were at the restaurant, the TV went to a news update expressing that Reagan died that afternoon.  I was kinda shocked.  It was sad.  He was the first President that I remember.  Those who are my close friends, y'all know that I have an IMPECCABLE memory.  It goes back WAY far allowing me to remember things from way young.  That being said, I actually remember watching Reagan being sworn in back in Jan 1981.  I was really little, but I remember being with my mom watching it at our old house.  I voted for him in our pretend election in 1984 in 1st grade!  lol.  Looking back, there were a lot of major events that happened during his tenure.  My first real ideas of what "The President of The United States of America" should look like, sound like, act like, etc... all start with Ronald Reagan.  His passing just reminds me that we are all getting older.

Sunday was pretty normal also.  I was SO glad that the Pistons beat the Lakers in LA!  I SO hope the take the series.  Man, y'all have no idea how much I hate Shaq!  The Sopranos was also good.  The season ended with good violence and humor.  Now we just have to wait for like months for the next season to come.  And I also saw Shrek 2.  Even though I am a major Disney fan, I must say that I did like Shrek 2, though I didn't think it was as great as how everyone described.  It had a lot of funny stuff, including a lot of adult pop culture humor that I got.  All in all it was pretty funny, though I liked Finding Nemo, among others, better then the Shrek sequel.

Last night I went to see The Day After Tomorrow.  Slowly, I am starting on my summer movie list.  I liked the movie.  It was entertaining, though I thought the ending could have been better.  It was worth the price of admission though, (or worth the price of two admissions as is usually the case).

So after I got home I was on the phone with my friend Coop and she was listening to Michael Jackson.  I think she was just trying to get me dancing!  Needless to say, I had to stop what I was doing so I could listen in.  I can never get enough vintage Michael Jackson.  Haha, I got SO in the mood I got the DVD Hunter bought me a few years back and watched some of MJ's kickass performances from the past.  He is an amazing performer!

Anyway, I guess that's about it for now.  That pretty much catches me up.  Happy Birthday goes out to Octavio Garcia.  His day was yesterday.  Congratulations goes out to Angel (Martinez) Mabry.  She got married on Saturday.  Also, a big congrats goes out to my bud Paul for kicking ass at nationals and winning.  Morgan did great too coming in 3rd.  I know y'all, along with all the other boys (and girls), will give 'em hell this summer in Athens.  I can't wait!  Okay y'all...I'm signing off for now.  Talk to y'all tomorrow.  -- Michael

06/07/04 -- Happy Birthday Octavio Garcia!

06/05/04 -- Congratulations to Angel Martinez and Clark Mabry on their wedding day!

06/04/04 -- Happy 35th Anniversary to my parents!

06/03/04 -- Mornin' y'all.  Everyone havin' a good week so far?  Mine's been routine, and kinda busy.  It sucks because I was hoping to head east to Houston this week so I could see Jason before he leaves to Alabama on Friday.  He's my best friend, always has been.  He and his wife are going to be doing their medical residency in Birmingham starting later this month.  I tried to get out there this week, but it isn't going to happen.  So I am going to have to visit them in 'bama later this month if I can.  I know once his residency starts, he isn't going to have any free time.  Hopefully I'll be able to get out there after they settle in a bit.

Yesterday I was SO tired.  When I got home, I like hit the sack and napped for like hours.  I didn't wake up until like 10:00 PM, which then sucked 'cause of course I couldn't get back to bed.  So I stayed up late working on some crap.  I feel pretty good this morning though, not tired at all.  Today should be a good day.  I hope I keep this energy up for the games tonight.  I need to pick up my play a little and get back to last week's form.

So remember that show I was talking about yesterday, 'Summerland'?  Yeah, well it good huge ratings for a WB show, and is getting great reviews.  I tuned in and liked it.  I suggest y'all check out the replay on Sunday, and then see the new eps which will air on Tuesdays.  I think it's going to air for like 13 weeks this summer, and hopefully it will get picked up for the fall season.  I think the show is going to be good.  At the very least, it will hold me over until 'The O.C.' returns next season!

I don't have much else to write right now.  Hopefully more will happen in the next few days.  Have a great day y'all!  I have to take out the trash, eat some b-fast, workout, and then be on my way.  Talk to y'all again tomorrow!  -- Michael

06/02/04 -- Okay, so I have a little bit of time to write this morning.  So yeah, the weekend had it's ups and downs.  I hung out with some good friends each night, which was well received by me since I haven't had much free time recently.  It was nice to see some peeps this weekend.  Friday I was with James and Marcos and was supposed to meet up with Kelly, but we never got in touch after her concert.  We ended up going to Marcos' afterwards.  The night did bring some terrible news though.  I found out that a friend of mine was killed in an accident.  I was pretty shaken when I heard the news.

Saturday night was with with Gabbs and Deedra.  It was good seein' both.  Sunday I went to a concert with Gabe and met up with a few peeps.  Monday I enjoyed the holiday and then played in a few games in the late afternoon.  I didn't play very well, which sucked.  Last Thursday, I was kickin' ass.  I was hittin' shot after shot, and makin' great passes.  But I sucked hard on Monday.  I played yesterday also and faired a little better, but not much.  I hope I am out of this rut by Thursday so I can play better.  Over the last few weeks, I have doing better each time, sans the last two outings.

Last night I decided to check out the new WB show 'Summerland'.  I have been seeing tons of promos for it over the last few weeks.  It looked decent, so I decided to check it out.  I have only really done that twice before, tune in to watch a show's premiere because the never-ending promos for the show were on like all the time.  The first time I did that was when 'Dawson's Creek' premiered.  Man, there were SO MANY commercials for that show.  So I couldn't help but watch the pilot, and needless to say I got hooked.  The other time was last summer when I tuned in for the 'The O.C.' pilot.  Yeah, I got hooked on that one too.  The last thing I need is another show to watch.  I gotta admit though, that 'Summerland' show is pretty darn good.  I liked it alot.  I hope the show takes off and does well.  I definitely recommend y'all tuning into the WB on Sunday for the replay of the series premiere that was shown last night.  The show will air on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM CST.

Thanks for all the e-mails and questions and stuff recently.  I should respond to everyone by today.  I gotta burn a few CDs right now before I head out.  So I am going to end this one here.  Have a great day and I'll talk with y'all tomorrow.  Bye y'all!  -- Michael

06/01/04 -- It's been a few days since I have written.  I have been doing my best, but I have been out of town and honestly haven't had much time to sit down and write.  I am going try to find some time this week.  Right now though, I don't have time so it will have to wait.  I'll try to update some sections later this afternoon.  I am once again playin' "catch-up" with the site.  I was talking to Gabby about this last week.  Sometimes it gets really hard to take the time each day to work on it to the level of which I would like.  I'm doing my best though y'all.

Memorial weekend was fun.  I hung out with Gabbs and her sister Deedra on Saturday.  In fact, I saw quite a few people this weekend.  Sunday, I went with Gabe Marinez and friends to the A Perfect Circle concert.  The weekend was fast-paced.  I hope to write more about it later, along with adding some pictures soon.  Yeah, I really will sit down to write tomorrow and get this site updated again.  Have a great day y'all, and I'll talk with y'all soon.  -- Michael