Saturday, January 30, 2016

Throwback Blog: Potluck

Blogger’s Note: Throwback blogs are blogs from my past. I start posting past blogs reflecting what I wrote. It's like my "A Second Look" blogs for which I give myself feedback.

Today's throwback blog is titled Potluck in Nov 2006. It seems my Instant Bullets blogs began a long time ago. Pay attention to the second emoji bullet point calling for help. It's true today. The third emoji bullet point is a good resource to meet people and make new friends. The bottom line is be social, learn how to communicate, and be confident.

Potluck

O__o Today I voted in the 2006 mid-term elections. I waited one hour to vote. A couple of booths experienced technical difficulties. Before I voted, I requested the poll worker to reactivate my card to make sure the card is active while voting. I’m going to miss calls from President Bill Clinton and Clint Eastwood telling me who to vote LOL!

O__o Help, call the police. If you’re in a situation where the last means of communications is writing, then write “Help, 911” or “Help, call police” on paper, cardboard, or anything. There are places where people can buy help banners. And remember when the U.S.A flag is flown upside down, it’s a signal for help.

O__o Do you want an investment that costs $6.00? Purchase the “How To Be Popular: You’re Never Too Young or Too Old” booklet by Abigail Van Buren aka Dear Abby. Send a check or money order for $6.00 written to Dear Abby and a business-size, self-addressed envelope to the following address (postage is included),

Dear Abby
Popularity Booklet
P.O. Box 447
Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0447

Also visit www.dearabby.com for additional information and other booklets. I read a few pages and I learned something already. I learned to stop mumbling and never sell to your family and friends no matter how strongly you believe in it.

O__o 13 time all-star and 4 time NBA champion Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal formed a Miami-based real estate company in September 2006 named The O’Neal Group. O’Neal’s company plans to enter the real estate markets in New Jersey, Florida, Louisiana, and Los Angeles, California. O’Neal’s private real estate portfolio is valued over $50 million.

The basketball player played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to the Miami Heat after the 2003-04 season. O’Neal won the NBA MVP in the 1999-2000 season. O’Neal is a reserve police officer for the City of Miami.

O’Neal is one example thinking ahead for his retirement $-)

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Save Your Money For Moment Days

A common saying about saving money is "save your money for a rainy day." The saying has merit. Saving money is good. A savings can be used for emergencies, retirement, and the moments. What are the moments? A dream vacation, big ticketed goods such as a car and television, upgrade a computer, a wedding, and remodeling a residence. Other moments are one shot moments or once in a lifetime moments.

There's another good reason to save money. The reason is the life changers. The best example happened on Sat Oct 4, 2008. It was the day I realized I must grow up. I spent money to begin growing up. I purchased new clothes, I built a new desktop computer, I purchased a new mattress, and I started my fiction book collection. I went on a vacation escape to Washington and Canada. I controlled my spending even though there was no spending cap. My recent life changers happened on Oct 2015 when my cousin invited me to a trip at Zion National Park. It was the first time I backpacked 23 miles. Who knows when the next time I backpacked at Zion? Sometimes the life changers happen suddenly. I spent money getting minor facial treatment removing bumps and purchasing an exfoliating cream for my calluses feet from my dermatologist on Mon Jan 18, 2016. My initial appointment was just a routine checkup. And I have an opportunity to participate in a new mobile phone plan which saves money in the long run. I must purchase a new phone at full price. The timing is good to purchase Samsung's latest Galaxy S smart phone.

One advantage being a non-materialistic person is money ready to be cashed out for life changers.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

SOMT: USB Flash Memory Drives


Blogger’s Note: SOMT stands for Sign Of My Times, an occasional blog sharing my thoughts how time changes life from when I was young to today.

My first USB flash memory drive was a 128MB Soyo Cigar Pro I purchased at Fry's Electronics in 1998. I paid $50. Click here to view a pic and description from overstock.com.

I admit I'm not a tech expert and I'm not a tech historian. Flash memory drives have been getting faster, bigger, and cheaper. The picture above is most of my USB flash drives. I have a SanDisk 4GB Micro Cruzer in my daily backpack and a Swiss Army 8GB on my keychain both not pictured.

The SanDisk Mini Cruzer 128MB and SanDisk Mini Cruzer 512MB were plenty of backing up files space when I ran Windows XP back in the early 2000s. I purchased the Micro Center 4GB in 2010 for my files when I attended De Anza College. The cost was $14.98. The SanDisk 8GB Micro Cruzer replaced the SanDisk 4GB Micro Cruzer for backing up pics. The Sandisk 16GB Ultra was purchased from a 3 pack on Black Friday 2012 for $19.99. The 16GBs are used for all backups. The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 64GB was purchased on Black Friday 2015 for $17.00. My current USB flash memory drives are still sufficient. It's a matter of time when file sizes get bigger and more files to backup I use my 64GB.

I conclude my SOMT brief evolution on USB flash memory drives.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Monday, January 25, 2016

Instant Bullets Blog Jan 25, 2016 (last bullets Dec 1, 2015)

*The Fairly Intelligent Fly. Click here to read the fable by James Thurber. Read the moral there is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.

*Watching Movies Again. If you feel like watching a movie, consider rewatching movies watched years ago. I rewatched The Matrix trilogy, Dead Poets Society, Goodfellas, and Good Will Hunting recently. I understood more rewatching these movies again.

*More Hours Driver Training. Pilots require thousands of hours training to fly an airplane. I believe more hours are required for automobile drivers. How about a require driving refresher course? Police, fire, paramedics, medical, and military require refresher courses and routine testing. Professional sports require practice and drills. People can learn something from pilots, police, fire, paramedics, medical, military, and professional sports. Find time to refresh our skills, practice, and learn new skills in our own professions. Never stop learning. Never stop innovating.

*Don't Be An Old Fuck. Speaking of never stop learning. Speaking of never stop innovating. Keep your brain sharp. Work intelligently indefinitely. Do you need ideas to learn something new? Take a look at my Top Ten I Want To Learn More.

*Henry B. I believe the top reason why Henry B. at Palo Alto Networks hired me for a contract position was because Henry B. wanted to give me a chance to improve my resume. He wanted to fill my resume gap. He was laid off in a past position. I believe someone at Palo Alto Networks gave him a chance to fill his resume gap. He paid it forward to me.

*Living The Present Physically. Getting physical is an example of living the present. Being physical today reduces stress, stays focus, lives with lots of energy daily, and lowers the chances of getting chronic sickness. Being physical today prepares the future with good health, slow aging, and minimizing popping pills at an older age.

*My Job Search Taking Longer. I felt stupid when I started job searching. My friends who lost their jobs via layoffs found another job up to two months later. I'm job searching more than two months. I'm looking for new positions excluding data entry. If I apply to data entry jobs, then I find a job up to two months. The job searching is taking longer because I'm applying to business analyst, data analyst, and reporting analyst positions. I'm not stupid. I can't give up.

*My Parents Have No Social Life. My parents have very little friends. They have no social life. They're always late. They're disorganized in the house. They have poor socializing skills. I wonder if my parents question why nobody calls them for gatherings. My parents are boring. They put no effort being good people. Ironically, I think they're happy the way they're living their senior years. Ignorance is bliss.

*Add up the little things for something big. We hear the little things make a big difference when succeeding at our goals, daily responsibilities, and assignments. The little things also apply to disasters, complications, tragedies, and frustrating moments. Everyone experience bad days. Nothing is going correctly. It's those little things going against us adding up to something big. The idea applies to positive outcomes and negative outcomes.

*Complementary Relationship. We hear the common descriptions describing a good relationship: chemistry, getting along with each other, good communication, kindness, and common interests. One description under recognized is complementary. For example, the late Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell. Powell complemented Jobs giving him an anchor, keeping Jobs in check intelligently, and filling the missing pieces of Jobs emotionally. Think how you complement your partner for those who are in a relationship.

*Practice Eye Contract. I made a discovery when I brushed my teeth on Nov 17, 2015. I looked at myself in the mirror eyes open. I made eye contact with myself. I brushed my teeth with my eyes closed before Nov 17, 2015. I practice eye contract making eye contact with myself brushing my teeth in front of the mirror.

*Truly Experience Life. If you never experienced rejection, failure, frustration, depression, and tragedies, then you never experienced life. If you never encounter problems and solve problems indefinitely, then you never experienced life. Agree or disagree?

*Skipping Meal Mistake. Jan 10, 2016 was the laziest day my household experienced. Nobody cooked lunch. I watched the NFL playoffs. My mom didn't cook. My dad didn't cook. The minimum I could have done was baked frozen chicken stripes. There was no bread, no rice, and no vegetables. I could have eating a fruit. Another option was ordering a pizza or take out Chinese. There are restaurants a short driving distance I missed a little of the NFL playoffs. And there is a Safeway minutes away. I could have purchased frozen meals or buy something in the deli for my parents and I. I ended up cooking dinner after 7pm. Dinner was served at 8:30pm.

Lesson learned. Never skip breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and dinner in the evening. I must do whatever it takes to eat meals. It's better to eat something than nothing; however, the logic must not be abused such that I eat junk food or eating out of the house all the time.

*Give My Mom Credit. She made correct choices regarding poor fruits and vegetables. She taught us to avoid iceberg lettuce and golden delicious apples. Iceberg lettuce is mostly water. There is too much sugar in golden delicious apples.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Saturday, January 23, 2016

I Blog, You Comment Jan 23, 2016

I read everyone's viewpoint agreeing, disagreeing or both.

Almost everyone said it's better to do nothing than do something Half Ass Is Better Than Nothing.

"My husband cooks half ass. He does cleaning half ass. It's not worth him doing anything. Let him watch his sports. I cook and clean myself." --Kasandra Matthes, Culpeper, VA

"The people at my workplace work half ass. Sometimes even worse. I would rather do it myself from the start than correct the mistakes from my co-workers." --Ella Adan, Westport, CT

I received feedback asking for a follow up to my Timeout Good Raymond Mar. I blogged I needed to take a break from job searching. The timeout was worth the break. I was stressed out. Pace myself. I refocused myself. I remembered to take life one day at a time intelligently.


"I read articles. More people are stressing out." --Ranae Bickers, Annapolis, MD

"I refuse jobs working over 60 hours, over 40 hours. The long-term affects to my body and my mind are damaging for my future. What's the money going to help me when I'm 65? Medical bills. Money can't buy good senior citizen health." --Maida Donoghue, via email

I'm still job searching. I didn't get a job when I wrote I Get A Job Very Soon weeks later.


"My two sons and daughters experienced unemployed. Layoffs and cutbacks of hours. We believe in faith. They got jobs eventually. They never gave up. I would never give up for my children." --Carl Calfee, Mcallen, TX

"Job searching is a full time process. . . . One company out of many will see who you are and like you. That's when you're going to get hired. I see you're a good person. A company finds the pot of gold--you. You think back why the companies rejected you and the one company hired you. Everything has a reason." --Aurelio Chisum, Stone Mountain, GA

There were many comments taking my Fake Happiness blog deeper in the fake abyss. I wrote my past happy moments were faked. My past happy moments were unearned. My past happiness moments were one offs and short-lived.


"You have not struggled enough. Happiness is achieved when a person conquers all the sufferings in life. You need more struggles. Don't avoid struggles. Bring them in life, fight them, and win them. Then you happy." --Wing Leung, China

"I bet your family cuddled you too much. Too much comfort. Shielded you [from] the outside world. You asked what you want and you got it. They told you to live easy and life happy. You're a spoiled adult." --Coral Lusby, West Deptford, NJ

"Happy life. Own a home paid off the mortgage. That's happiness." --Elaine Dressler, Miami Gardens, FL

"You don't know happiness. That's why you are a coward. Get the courage to do something new. Take a risk. Earn the happiness as a reward. Get out. Take your head out of your ass. Work to happiness. That's the problem with the world. People want happiness the easy way, the lazy way, short-cutting success. My days we earned our money honestly. Happiness was the end result." --Monte Mccary, South El Monte, CA

"My happiness is living alone. No drama. No conflicts. Peace." --Linwood Crowell, Bronx, NY

"You're happy. You're in paradise. You're smart, healthy, have people in your life. You have goals. You're going to be happy." --Cara Germain, Greensburg, PA

"Long time reader. You don't know happiness. Most of your blogs are crap. You say you know everything in life. You don't. You're full of crap. I want see results. I want see you living what you wrote. I have not seen anything." --Galeazzo Scopel, Italy

Thank you for the congratulations and positive comments blogging for ten years. I Remember My 10 Year Blog Anniversary Yesterday was written to recognize my tenth year.


"Congrats! I hope you blog for another ten more years." --Tiana Hanning, Kissimmee, FL

"Keep the blogs on pics you share from your phone. They're interesting with your interesting comments." --Malcom Swinger, Anaheim, CA

"I hope you find a job soon. Your work blogs assured me I'm not the only person in the world working with dummy people." --Bennett Barcus, Mesa, AZ

People told me my Intelligence May Change Your Daily Life Intelligently was simply intelligent. Be smarter adding the word "intelligently" to your daily routine.


"Let me sum the blog intelligently. We read and hear people trying to be different, and it's cool. We read and hear different perspectives to be different and to stand out. I tell you something that adding the word "intelligence" or "intelligently" is simply intelligence. Work hard intelligently. Play hard intelligently. I tell my boyfriend to coach his youth sports to play, have fun, be a kid, and be intelligent." --Easter Janicki, Appleton, WI

The point for my blog Good You Experience Being Unemployed Is Unfair is life is unfair. Some people misunderstood commenting on my job searching.


"Finding a job shouldn't take more than six months. You're heading there. Your job searching techniques are ineffective. Networking, networking, networking." --Brad, Calumet City, IL

"I don't understand why you can't find a job. The economy is improving. What're you doing? Applying for senior positions you're underqualified?" --Deandre Turberville, Elkton, MD

"Go back to school. Get an intership. Then do a good job the company hires you full time. Then drop out." --Rubie Winsett, Hartselle, AL

"The job searching and job hiring process are outdated and broken. Outdated because the questions asked don't work anymore. Broken because companies are hiring the wrong people. Unfairness in life can be seen in companies. I see people not qualified earning paychecks and I see people qualified getting unemployed checks in the mail and I even see overqualified people doing nothing and earning paychecks." --Jackson Saulsbury, Omaha, NE

I appreciate comments suggesting how to keep using my brain in The Brain Use It Or Lose It.


"Crossword puzzles, read books, play games, and socialize. That's how I use my 85 year old brain today." --Pamelia Moreles, Hendersonville, NC

"Walking 30 minutes a day, stretches, fruits, vegetables. No sweets. No processed foods. No binge TV." --redlitemad, Skokie, IL

"I encourage healthy habits to my family. Eat healthy, exercise, read books, conversations, and good manners." --Darline Rodas, Bethel Park, PA

"Never stop learning attitude. That's how I keep using my brain. It's simple." --Delia Mcshan, Portland, OR

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Friday, January 22, 2016

Take The Time Cleaning And Organizing

The rewards for cleaning and organizing are limitless. A residence, a car, a workspace, a workshop . . . anywhere tidiness requires work. For example, there is less stress because a person knows where everything is. The less clutter the less stress. The more organize the more time saved in the long run. Routine maintenance is required to keep and to improve neatness. In addition, a person may find something misplaced. A clean area lowers the chances for health problems.

There are no short cuts to clean and to organize. A cleaned and organized person is professional, mature, and responsible. To end on a sarcastic note, use Walter White from the TV series Breaking Bad as an example of being clean.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Rapid Finish For Summer 2015 Pics

I ate Wheaties for breakfast to swim indoors. I drank coffee to stay awake for the long Mahjong games. I bet Humphrey Bogart took risks in his early movie career. The money earned he purchased long-lasting slippers that could protect his feet for a 6.2 mile hike.





















Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Monday, January 18, 2016

Sore Throat And Runny Nose New Year's Eve 2016

I was sick on New Year's Eve for the fourth time in the last seven New Year's Eve. Fortunately, my sickness was a sore throat and runny nose. Almost all of my sore throats resulted in more serious sicknesses. I log my treatment to remember the next time I experience a sore throat and runny nose. I also note the likely causes.

Mon Dec 28, 2015. I overstuffed myself eating leftovers from the Christmas dinner because I skipped a meal. I almost threw up twice.

Tue Dec 29. My throat felt dry in the movie theater during the morning. I got a sore throat in the afternoon. My nose was stuffy. I drank hot chocolate in the afternoon. I drank Coke starting in the afternoon.

I experienced trouble sleeping. I applied a Breathe Right nasal strip. I sucked a sore throat lozenge in bed.

Wed Dec 30. Sore throat improved. I took an afternoon nap. I drank hot chocolate for breakfast. I drank Coke for lunch and dinner.

I coughed four times. I was concerned my sickness became worse. I didn't panic. My nose experienced either runny nose or stuffy nose many times. I slept with a Breathe Right nasal strip.

Thur Dec 31. My sore throat was gone in the afternoon. I continued drinking Coke. Stuffy nose and runny nose were reduced. Slept good wearing a Breathe Right nasal strip.

Fri Jan 1, 2016. I continued rest. I continued drinking Coke during the weekend. I stopped wearing a Breathe Right nasal strip when I slept.

How Did I Get Sick?

Throat Irritation From Almost Throwing Up. My throat caught something when I almost threw up twice. The potential vomit reached above my throat. Vomit bacteria?

Food Allergy. The leftovers I ate Mon Dec 28, 2015 tasted funny. Maybe I didn't heat the leftovers hot enough. A higher probability was Costco Cranberry Juice Cocktail. I got sick in the past drinking the cocktail.

In The Air. The winter time causes people to get sick. I could have gotten something from another person in the movie theater. The air had been dry.

Family. My brother and my sister in-law had a sore throat. My nephew was sick when my brother's family came over for the Christmas holiday.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Moment Of The Years

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel was the 2015 Person Of The Year from Time magazine. The annual Person Of The Year inspired me to select my Moment Of The Years. My Moment Of The Years is the first time I select my top moments. I choose 1998 after I graduated from San Jose State University (SJSU) to start the moments. I pretend I select each year's moment as if I was in Dec of the particular year; for example, for 2011, I pretend I select my 2011 Moment Of The Year in Dec 2011.

1998
Nominees: Cal Poly Open House, First Gym Membership, Geocities Web Page, Grubb & Ellis, Microsoft Access, Weekend Trip To Santa Barbara
Explanation: My first road trip was visiting a friend at Cal Poly's Open House in San Luis Obispo, CA. I helped him raise money for his club. I signed up for a gym membership because Grubb & Ellis moved to another building. I could no longer use the building's gym. I learned HTML. I created my first webpage at Geocities. My first job was at the global commercial real estate company Grubb & Ellis. I also learned Microsoft Access. My mom and I took drove to Santa Barbara to pickup my grandfather for the weekend. It was the only time we spent significant time together.
What Won: Grubb & Ellis
What Should Have Won: Grubb & Ellis
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Any college graduate earning a salary for the first time is remembered forever. I never thought I worked in commercial real estate for 8.5 years. It just happened.

1999
Nominees: Anime Expo, Colliers International, Fanime Con, Dot Com Stock Market
Explanation: All anime fans during my generation dreamed of attending Anime Expo for which I attended for the first time. My manager who hired me at Grubb & Ellis hired me at Colliers International which was a better commercial real estate company. Fanime Con was the first time it was held in a hotel with 24 hour anime viewing. Everybody with money wanted to participate in the dot com stock market boom.
What Won: Anime Expo
What Should Have Won: Anime Expo
My Thoughts Jan 2016: More workers should know people quit companies because of bad management. People don't quit companies because the company is bad. Learning Microsoft Access in 1998 opened the door to work at Colliers International. I wished I realize Colliers International was not a long-term career. Anime Expo was the correct choice.

2000
Nominees: Fanime Con, Innovate Infinitely, Sailor Moon Role Playing Game, Stock Market Crashed
Explanation: Fanime Con held their first four day anime convention. One of the midnight events was the Card Captor Sakura marathon. I created Innovate Infinitely as the theme for my webpage. I purchased the official Sailor Moon Role Playing Game book for which I ran one adventure.
What Won: Innovate Infinitely
What Should Have Won: Innovate Infinitely
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Innovate Infinitely became my own webpage years later. Click here to view. I learned my mistakes from the stock market crash. It's unfortunate some people continue to make bad stock market choices.

2001
Nominees: 9/11, Anime Expo, First Golden State Warriors Game, Played Softball, Reno Weekend Trip
Explanation: The world changed on Sep 11, 2001. Many anime attendees were happy Anime Expo moved to Long Beach instead of staying at Disneyland. A broker gave me two courtside tickets to a Golden State Warriors basketball game. A broker assistant organized a company softball team. I organized a Reno, NV weekend trip to celebrate one of our friend's 21st birthday.
What Won: Police, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, military
What Should Have Won: Police, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, military
My Thoughts Jan 2016: I dedicate the 2001 moment to the people who choose a career to save people's lives.

2002
Nominees: eBay, My Fired Boss, Musee Mechanique, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Thanksgiving Trip To Santa Barbara And Los Angeles
Explanation: I signed up on eBay to sell useless goods. My second boss at Colliers International was fired for doing nothing. A friend introduced us to the arcade museum Musee Mechanique in San Francisco. A co-worker introduced me to financial education by reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. One of my uncles organized a last minute family Thanksgiving trip to Southern California.
What Won: Rich Dad Poor Dad
What Should Have Won: Rich Dad Poor Dad
My Thoughts Jan 2016: The financial education I learned opened my eyes how rich people become rich in good economic times and bad economic times. My stress level went to virtually none from the end of 2002 to the end of 2006 when my second boss was fired. The lesson I learned when my second boss was fired is true today: have nothing, do nothing, be nothing, and people treat you like nothing. These lessons are part of me today. The winner and second place My Fired Boss were not close.

2003
Nominees: Anime Expo, Bad People Gone, Loneliness, Two Wedding Family Vacation
Explanation: Anime Expo moved back to the renovated Anaheim Convention Center. Every bad person disappeared from my life which included my second boss in 2002. I failed to meet new people. The family took a week vacation because of two back-to-back weddings in Los Angeles and San Diego.
What Won: Anime Expo
What Should Have Won: Anime Expo
My Thoughts Jan 2016: 2003 ended on a bad note. I was lonely. I read too many books. I watched too much anime. I didn't work out at the gym enough. I didn't meet new people. Otherwise, 2003 was a good year. I admit 2003 being a good year somewhat makes no sense.

2004
Nominees: Boston Red Sox Won The World Series, First Costume (Cosplay) At Anime Conventions, innovateinfinitely.com Went Online, Las Vegas, Nintendo GameCube, Poker
Explanation: The Red Sox proved curses were meant to be broken. I wore my first cosplay to expand my activities at anime conventions. I created my own webpage innovateinfinitely.com. My Washington friend and I met in Las Vegas for a three day weekday vacation. I purchased the GameCube because I wanted to play Super Smash Brothers. I participated in the poker craze.
What Won: First Costume (Cosplay)
What Should Have Won: First Costume (Cosplay)
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Expanding on wearing my first cosplay, I quit anime if it wasn't for cosplaying at anime conventions. I watched 17 episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist at one of Fanime's midnight marathons. I said to myself at the end of episode eight, "I'm going to cosplay (the main character) Edward Elric". The Fullmetal Alchemist anime series also saved me from quitting anime. The series is my all-time favorite anime series.

2005
Nominees: Anime Expo, Innovating Common Knowledge Blog, My First Laptop, Oregon, Washington Canada
Explanation: Anime Expo 2004 was a bad con experience. I made significant changes which resulted in a fun Anime Expo 2005 such as driving to Anaheim instead of flying and choosing a hotel outside the immediate convention center. I created my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge. My first laptop was a Dell Inspirion 8600. My parents, uncle, and aunt took a trip to Oregon. I visited my friend in Washington for the first time. It was also my first time in Canada.
What Won: Washington Canada
What Should Have Won: Washington Canada
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Cosplaying for the first time in Sep 2004 began my life going up which continued in 2005.

2006
Nominees: Anime Expo, Business Plan Class At De Anza, Crystal Reports Class, Las Vegas, New Circle Of Friends
Explanation: Anime Expo was the best Anime Expo I attended. I enrolled in a Business Plan class because I thought about starting a business. My company paid for Crystal Reports training. My friend from Washington and I organized another Las Vegas trip. I made new friends for the first time.
What Won: Anime Expo
What Should Have Won: Anime Expo
My Thoughts Jan 2016: I hope Anime Expo stop winning the Moment Of The Year. The anime hobby dominated most of my time, yet I could have done a better job balancing being an anime fan and being normal. The new friends I met were all anime fans. If I spent less time on anime, then could I become a mature person earlier in my life? The best examples were stop taking life for granted, be more responsible, and be stronger. If I turned back time, New Circle Of Friends should be the winner because knowing people is the most important in a person's life.

2007
Nominees: Braces For My Teeth, Cisco, First Car, Ren Faire, Settlers Of Catan, Team Fortress 2 (TF2)
Explanation: The stars aligned when I thought about getting braces for my teeth, my co-worker got braces for her teeth, and my family dentist said I needed braces. Colliers went downhill motivated me to get a new job at Cisco working in the technology sector for the first time. I purchased my first car from a neighbor moving to Virginia. I attended the Ren Faire for the first time. I experienced a new world of board games playing Settlers Of Catan for the first time. I played my first multi-player online game TF2.
What Won: Cisco
What Should Have Won: Cisco
My Thoughts Jan 2016: The nominees suggested 2007 was a good year. 2007 was the worse year in my life. Jan started on a bad note when my grandfather past away. Mar was the highest peak when I worked at Cisco. The year went downhill consistently starting in June. I took 2007 for granted. The successes weren't earned sincerely and honestly.

2008
Nominees: California Academy Of Science, Gaming PC, Growing Up Being A Mature Adult, Fiction Books, New Mattress, New Year's Eve 2009 At San Francisco, Washington Canada, Workout Gym Plan
Explanation: I visited the new California Academy Of Science in Golden Gate Park with my dad, uncle, and aunt. I built my own desktop named Gaming PC with help. I stopped being immature when I realized I must grow up. I started reading fiction books. I slept on a new mattress. I celebrated New Year's Eve seeing fireworks outdoors for the first time. Washington Canada was a perfect timing vacation. My health improved when I was introduced to bodybuilding.com following a workout gym plan.

My life changed forever when I realized I must grow up. I could combine all the nominees because they happened after Sat Oct 4, 2008, the day I grew up. Moreover, the timing of the nominees should communicate 2008 was a bad year ending on a good note.

What Won: Growing Up Being A Mature Adult
What Should Have Won: Growing Up Being A Mature Adult
My Thoughts Jan 2016: I still have more growing up. I still have much to catch up what I missed in my 20s and early 30s. There are adventures I must seek. There are new experiences I must experience. I'm working hard to get better.

2009
Nominees: Accutane, Anime Expo, Ballroom Dancing, Braces For My Teeth Removed, De Anza College, Fanime Con, Hiking, Jazz Festivals, Mahjong (Riichi)
Explanation: My better looking face continued taking Accutane to control my acne. Anime Expo was a last minute choice to attend which was fun. My sister introduced me to ballroom dancing. My braces were removed. I went back to school attending De Anza taking ballroom dancing and accounting classes. Fanime '09 was my best Fanime I attended. I hiked on hiking trails around the San Jose area. I attended two jazz festivals because I started becoming interested in jazz. A friend challenged me to relearn Mahjong (Riichi).
What Won: Ballroom Dancing
What Should Have Won: Fanime
My Thoughts Jan 2016: I was a beginner again. I was less sure about life. 2009 was the year I started growing up. One example was open myself up. I did something new. Everything I experienced in 2009 has come back to me in later years.

2010
Nominees: Cable Car, De Anza College Accounting Classes, Ice Skating Lessons, Monterey & Carmel, Paul McCartney Concert, San Francisco Giants Won The World Series, Starcraft II: Wings Of Liberty
Explanation: I rode the cable car in San Francisco for the first time. I choose to major in Accounting at De Anza College going back to school. I was inspired to take ice skating lessons after visiting the Charlie Brown Museum in Summer 2009. My parents, uncle, and aunt visited Monterey and Carmel for a day. I attended a Paul McCartney concert. Finally the San Francisco Giants won a world championship. I finished my first real time strategy video game playing Starcraft II: Wings Of Liberty.
What Won: De Anza College Accounting Classes
What Should Have Won: De Anza College Accounting Classes
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Time will tell going back to De Anza College was worth the two years out of the work force from 2009-2011. De Anza hasn't paid off in terms of finding long-term employment. Personally speaking, I was satisfied going back to De Anza to correct many mistakes when I attended San Jose State.

2011
Nominees: Began Job Search, Christmas Tree, Droid X2, Golden Gate Bridge, Girlfriend Alien Cat, Graduated De Anza College, San Jose Sharks
Explanation: I job searched for the first time since Dec 2006-Feb 2007 after I finished my accounting classes. I purchased a 3 foot Christmas tree because my family celebrated Christmas without a Christmas tree for years. I purchased my first Droid X2 smart phone. I walked the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time. I met my girlfriend who was my first long relationship. I earned my AA degree in Accounting at De Anza College. I attended my first San Jose Sharks home game at the HP Pavilion.
What Won: Girlfriend Alien Cat
What Should Have Won: Girlfriend Alien Cat
My Thoughts Jan 2016: I should have job searched while I attended De Anza College. Also, I should have job searched in 2009. I could search for an internship, an entry level accounting job, or a full time job. Lesson learned. College students should spend a little time job searching. Job searching informs college students real world knowledge classrooms failed to inform. Moreover, I knew people who found jobs during the Great Recession.

2012
Nominees: Cinequest, Fanime, Half-Life 2, Hunger Games Trilogy, Job Searching, Oakland A's, San Francisco Urban Hike, TV Shows
Explanation: Everyone should attend an independent movie festival such as Cinequest once in their life. Fanime 2012 was redemption after a bad 2011 anime con season. I completed Half-Life 2 from The Orange Box I purchased in 2007. I read The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins in 10 days. I continued job searching with eight interviews. I attended an Oakland A's game for the first time since 1990. I went on an urban hike along The Embarcadero in San Francisco. I was introduced to television shows including Breaking Bad, Justified, and Glee.
What Won: Fanime
What Should Have Won: Fanime
My Thoughts Jan 2016: Fanime finally got recognition; although, to be honest, all the nominees as a collective should have won. 2012 was the year I had fun--arguably too much fun. I made the choice to have as much fun as possible before I started working full time. Enjoy the present. Make fun memories. My job search resulted in eight interviews.

The lesson enjoying the present was misapplied. It's true we should live the present. Live the present intelligently now for the future. I should have spent time learning new job skills and refreshing job skills to improve my resume.

2013
Nominees: Artisan Wine Depot, C6, HTC One M7, Kickstarter, Russian River, South Bay Job Search Network
Explanation: I found a job as a Data Entry/Bookkeeper at Artisan Wine Depot. I learned about a job networking group C6 from another job networking group South Bay Job Search Network. Both networking groups taught me better job searching strategies. I purchased a new smart phone HTC One M7. I was introduced to Kickstarter backing two board games. I went canoeing along the Russian River.
What Won: Artisan Wine Depot
What Should Have Won: Artisan Wine Depot
My Thoughts Jan 2016: One event which failed to be nominated was learning job skills. I used Accountemps online job courses to learn new job skills and refresh existing job skills. Waste of time. Accountemps online courses were boring and ineffective. The lesson I learned in 2014 was learn new job skills via YouTube videos.

2014
Nominees: Anime Retirement, Breaking Bad, Code Academy, Learning New Job Skills And Refreshing Existing Job Skills, Palo Alto Networks, Podcasts
Explanation: I officially retired from anime watching my final anime series Space Brothers. I finished watching my all time favorite TV series Breaking Bad. I learned new job skills and refreshed my existing job skills at Code Academy and YouTube. I found a new job at Palo Alto Networks. I listened to Podcasts for the first time driving home from work.
What Won: Learning New Job Skills And Refreshing Existing Job Skills
What Should Have Won: Palo Alto Networks
My Thoughts Jan 2016: The mistakes I learned when I learned new skills and refreshing existing skills in 2013 paid off. I watched YouTube videos refreshing my Excel and Access skills. I learned Python at Code Academy.

2015
Nominees: 1,000th Blog; Avaya Stadium; Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); Golden State Warriors Won NBA Finals; Levi's Stadium; Lost Ten Pounds; Mission Peak; New Feelings Which Were Sacrifice, Nothing To Lose, Out Of My Comfort Zone, Willpower, Not Giving Up; Raymond's Personal Computer; Zion National Park
Explanation: I wrote my 1,000th blog. I attended Avaya Stadium watching the San Jose Earthquakes for the first time. I completed the CERT training seminar. Finally the Golden State Warriors won an NBA Championship. I attended Levi's Stadium watching the San Francisco 49ers for the first time. My improved workout at the gym resulted in losing ten pounds. I hiked an elevated trail Mission Peak in Fremont, CA. I experienced new feelings--adult, mature, grown-up feelings. I upgraded my Gaming PC renaming to Raymond's Personal Computer. I backpacked for the first time at Zion National Park in Utah.
What Won: New Feelings . . .
What Should Have Won: Zion National Park
My Thoughts Jan 2016: 2015 was the beginning of real adulthood. All 2015 nominees were different compared to 1998-2014. The nominees were all adulthood new adventures, new experiences, and new feelings. Destiny, life, and karma may be telling me I'm still in self-training before I become fully an independent professional mature man. My intuition tells me I'm doing many things correctly.

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