Da Factor

Okay, So It's Been A While!!

2005-11-01T15:24:00.000-08:00

So, By now you've probably already found out about little Timmy and Michael from DramaQueen. I just wanted to add a little something about that night. It's amazing when people are under the influence how far they really get into the spirit of things. When we were walking around holding hands, the sound of fans really got to me. People made me think that I was really him. After drinking so many beers, I felt like I had touched the Jesus Juice! ughhhhhhh.

A little info, when in doubt for a halloween costume, check out the Goodwill stores. "Thanks Goodwill. Oh yeah, thanks 98.1 for the $500.00 check." It also paid off that when I was a young, I practiced his dancing to the "Off The Wall" album. 35 and still got it baby!!!

My most memorable moment was when I came out the bathroom, and this really drunk woman was waiting there in the hallway saying in slurry sentence. "Heyyyyyy yurrrrr Pah rince" I think she ment to say hey your Prince. I couldn't help, but to get out of her way.....Can't wait til next year!!

That's right, That's right, that's right my baby's home!

2005-08-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

What up peeps? I'm feeling much better now that my Dancing Queen is home. Even if she's so sick, the doctor told her not to go back to work! This gives me the opprotunity to take care of her. I get to make her eat soup, make her drink juice, make her take her medicine. This is probably the only time I'll ever get lucky enough to make her do things.ha,ha,ha (well at least what the doctor ordered.

I have a feeling I'm about to get sick myself. And with the weather suddenly changing, it almost feels like the summer days are going to end in a heartbeat.
And it also looks like just a few more weeks of p/t from what my doctor says, and I'll be back to work. So I'm only thinking in my head, Rich, don't get sick when your about to go back to work. I cross my fingers.

I now realize how big of a difference it is from before. Since she was gone. Staying up until 4:00am in morning, with her not there to snuggle with. Eating alone, well not always alone, Mr. Kobi usually ate with me. Even when he was done eating, he still managed to eat with me!

So glad to hear about M's trip being so fun. Despite the fact that half of the group got sick. I only hope those that did, go see the doctor. Cause if you got what M got, don't think taking a couple of advil's is going to help.

I hope everyone can share there stories, and pics one day, "Like Dj John said" It's all about having one last summer bash for the Likha's. One of the coolest peeps. Even when Angelo was the last soldier in late at night, after traveling 30 plus hours. John was there late night, to meet him up with him at the airport, and take him to M's so he could get his car, and go home. Shot's out to John!!!!

The worries I get!!

2005-08-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

Just hasn't been a great day today...I just found out my Godfather is in the hospital. Turns out he had a stroke and was not breathing. They rushed him into the ambulance, but pronounced him as dead. Later, his heart begin to pump again. As of now, my family has said he is not going to make it. I feel so sad as a man. It has been a while since I felt this way. I only wish Maria was here to comfort me, and keep me busy. It sucks being sad, all you do is think of all the good memories of the past. I even feel more like shit, know my godbrothers will now be with out a Dad and Mom. Since my godmother past away when I was young. Neither my brother or I have the heart to go see my godfather in the hospital before he passes. I think we all feel the same way about seeing hime hooked up to a bunch of tubes and wires in his body. Don't want those type of memories....only good ones, damit i cnt writ know more i feel like crying...

this fucking sucks...shit...

Football......yeah!!

2005-08-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

I just can't wait for football season to start. Especially after seeing that pre-season game the other day. I don't know if it's me getting older or what?
I used to be into baseball,and basketball too, when I was younger. Now when either of those are on tv, I never fully get into it. Actually, I can't even remember the last time I went to a hoop game, or baseball game.

I guess out of the three sport's football has just stuck with me. A family blood line sort of thing. If you don't know me that well yet, it just so happens that I'm a Raider fan. (So Don't Hate) I guess since one of my first games was when I was a young boy. Kinda reminds me of when your all grown up and take your kid (s) to Disneyland. You begin to transform into a child somewhat. Don't ask me how I just put football and Mickey Mouse together....hhmmm.

I plan on taking Mur to her first Raider Nation game. With people giving us raider fans a bad rep, she is a little hesitant on going. I told her as long as your not an opposing team fan at the game your all good. If you can relate to this, "See You at Da Game!!!!

New status on Kobi..I think he's feeling better, But today had diaheria..like water flowing....Peace out!!!

A boring weekend........

2005-08-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

Well with dog daddy being on vacation, mur in brazil, I really didn't have anything on my plate that was going to keep me busy. So Kobi and I have just being hanging out at the parks these past few days. Today was definitly the hottest day of the year. We ended up hitting up the point(dog park). As soon as we started to walk on the trail along the water. There was drama, Imagine this,.....without M around.j/k M!
So this lady was with her 10yr old daughter walking a fairly small dog. And then this large german shephard wanted to play with him. The owner of the smaller dog was screaming, because the shephard wouldn't let up off playing.

The owners actually exchanged some words of anger. Well the lady that owned the small do did. Then later as Kobi was swimming in the canal. More owners yelling and dogs with defensive barks in the air. This happend almost the whole time we where there. one thing after another.

So if you don't know by now, Kobi is not a big fan of swimming in water with waves.
I just don't think he can swim when it's rough. we happen to be walking along the waves. Somebody got excited and followed another dog down to the water. Where there were waves crashing against the rocks. Both seemed to be thinking about going in as there legs were shaking. I knew Kobi wouldn't go in, so I thought if I threw the tennis ball in the water, mabey the black lab would jump in. And then Kobni would follow right behind him.

Turns out Kobi went in first. Ahh..the moment I have been waiting for. As he nervously plopped in to the water and swam towards the ball. I could sense some urgency that he wanted to rush for the ball since the water was rough. He quickly retrieved the ball and proceede back. While the black lab swam towards him. Kobi got nervous and dropped the ball out of him mouth, and swam back ashore. The things is the black lab seemed like he was going to get the ball, but swam righ behind Kobi.
I almost didn't think they were going to make it back. The current was pushing into them hard, and the waves were providing lot's of extra drinking water in there mouth.
Kobi's head even vanished under water for a second. As they both struggled getting up that first rock. I thought to myself, I guess that's the first and last time I throw his ball in real water.

Later we made it home. Since I drove back with the air conditionor on, I didn't realize how freak'n hot it was until we got out the car. Like always Kobi get's excited when he comes home from the park. He usually runs in the house to his water bowl, picks up a toy in his mouth and throws it across the room. Well, he did his routine thing, but, I noticed he something was bothering him. He kinda paced around nervous. Then started to clear his throat and lick his chops. The it all came right as I got closer to him. GRRlllooowwwfff. Yes he threw up all over the floor. It was so gross, because it was so much. Must have been the like a quart or so... I quickly managed to have him lay on the other side of the room as I used several towels cleaning. Turns out, even though when we were at the park and he did his business several times. The barf had lot's of food in it.

I guess it must have been all the salt water he drank while swimming in the rough waves!!!!!! Or the heat?

Dark energy at 7pm Saturday

2005-07-31T23:44:00.000-07:00

The day was pretty good. C, M, and I decided to head to the Sea Breeze Market to meet up with my best friend, his wife, and their cute new baby girl. He told me that his baby, Ryann, was going to be on solid foods very soon. As I listened to him, and looked into his eyes, I was still having a hard time seeing him as a Daddy. But he looked so proud and happy, even with the Baby Bjorn strapped to his chest. Ha, Ha, Ha!

After that, I decided to take C, M, and K to my old stomping grounds....the little Albany Beach. It just so happens that it's right behind the Golden Gate Fields Race Track. This was their first experience venturing there. Right away M was throwing a two foot long stick in the waves as K ran and dove in to the waves to retrieve it.

Meanwhile, my son and I put together his large glider and attempted to fly it into the air. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing too hard. This prevented the glider to sail in the air. Instead it would fly and then the strong wind would slam it into the sandy beach. We couldn't stay long for the fact that M had lots of shopping errands to complete for the big trip to Brazil.

On the way home from the beach, we decided to take K to the pet store for a bath. I managed to get a parking spot right in front of the store doors. It just so happened that the adoption for cats was right out in front of the store. K and M had gotten out of the car as C and I were still trying to do the same. I turned my head towards the sound of the cat adoption ladies saying "Are you okay?" It turned out that K had walked so fast towards the cats, that M ended up tripping over the curb and onto her knee.

My first glance was from the car, and M was staring right at me from the ground in pain. All I could think about was her trip to Brazil, as I rushed over to see if I, too, could assist her. Turns out she was in so much pain. One of the adoption volunteers gave up her chair and told M to sit down. Everyone was talking at once. I wasn't quite sure what to do at that point. So as this older man was saying the same thing had happend to him, I told him straight up, "Look sir, right now is not a good time for your story please, thanks, now beat it" well the "beat it" part was under my breath, but I still didn't feel like hearing that shit. My baby was on the ground. So a lady told me to get some ice at the grocery store. I quickly jumped in the car and hit the market down the block.

Later, she felt okay to walk to the car. We decided to head home until M's laser appointment. We rested for a little. The plan was that K and C were going to stay home while I dropped M off at her 5:30 appointment. Then, I would head to mom's to pick up some of my things in the garage. I came back to pick her up around 7:00 then headed home to pick up C. Our plan was to get some dinner and then head to the stores for M's final touches of shopping for the big trip.

As I backed the car out of the driveway, we noticed two cop cars sitting in front of the lesbian neighbors' house. Then we headed down the steep hill, and two more cop cars were sitting on the corner. My presumption was that they must have someone cornered on the block....maybe in our backyard. Poor Kobi. While driving to Applebee's, we kept trying to put together a scenerio. Dinner was cool, and shopping was aight. But getting home and watching Mad TV was better.

The next day Angelo picked up M for rehearsel. C, K, and I just drove over to Mom's and hung out. Later that night when M came home and our night was about to end, already tucked in the bed, I turned the 10 o'clock news on. After they showed President George Biatch Bush kissing boy scout troops' ass, they mention and highlight that the trail that I walk K on was a murder scene. Two boys were shot and killed and one was critically injured. The suspect had been caught in the back of someone's yard. All just F#$%$ great news before M was getting ready to leave in a few days. Could this had happen when I usually walk K over there?

Here is the link to the news story, with a video. I have a feeling even though there was dark energy in the air, the force was with me!

Walking The Campus

2005-07-23T01:19:00.000-07:00

So I had another physical thearpy appointment in the morning. Afterwards, I decided to head up to Berkeley to catch up on some reading. While I was there, I couldn't resist taking my camera out of the bag and taking a few shots. Here are a few of the 70 or so shots I took.

Ding Dong!

2005-07-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Yes 9:02am. "Ding-Dong!" was the sound at the door and of course, the loud non-stop Kobi barking. So I woke up, and rolled out of the bed thinking, "This better be good Kobi." Now, usually his walker picks him up around 9am. But this bark woke me up with a sense of protecting the house. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, proceeded down the stairs, and peeked out the glass from the front door. I saw it was Brown placing a box in front of the door and carefully covering the box with Kobi's beach towel. Now, this I was impressed with.

I quickly realized what it was. Half asleep in an excitement, I opened the door and picked up the box. First, I had to make a cup of coffee before I got busy. As Kobi ate his food and I drank my coffee, Dog Daddy arrived.

Now, I could be alone with my box. I carefully opened the UPS box and realized what a crappy job the distributor did with packing my new toy: The DJX700.

For those that know about audio equipment, this is a decent piece of electronics for the money. After using most of my valuable morning-time getting familiar with its functions, Kobi arrived back home with excitement from another day of swimming in the Bay.

I thought I would take a break and play with him. Later, we both ended taking naps after tearing up the house.

Look, now the only reason I'm a nap guy is because of all the pill popping I do to rehabilitate my back issues.

I remembered M wanted me to take Kobi to get his nails grinded, since the last groomer did a sucky job. So I convinced Kobi to take a walk. Heading down the hill and cutting through the park, we arrived at the Dog Groomers. After explaning to the groomer what I wanted done, she asked me if I wanted to help her by comforting him. It wasn't my intention to but I told her I didn't mind.

As I held Kobi between my legs, she attempted to start grinding. He moved with a bob and weave motion like a boxer. Not getting any nails done, she had asked her assistant if she could help. Well, Kobi is definitley getting older. It took my legs bracing him, one lady holding one paw and his head, while the other attempted to grind his nails. It finally got accomplished. I still find it hard to believe he had almost out-strengthend us.

Another exciting day of disability.

I luv my Drama with "The Queen".

2005-07-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

So the day was a another hell hot fireplace. Mur and I decided to take Mr. Kobi to see his favorite stinky yellow gap-toothed dog groomer, so he could get a manicure. Of course as I pulled him out of the car on his leash, he smelled the area, lifted his leg with grace, and shot his squirt gun on some ivy bush. Then as we started to head for the door, his tail shook with excitement, we entered. Then the look of two victims on the table, tied up, looked towards us. I laughed inside for a second as the two victims were merely getting a haircut. "Hi , we'd like to get his nails grinded," M said. So she took him in and closed the glass door. As we sat down, I could see Kobi's body against the door. Sure enough, ears down, the fast beating chest, and his eyes big and sad with terror. He did a few body slams against the glass door, making her earn the big dog groomer money.

After they were done, he came out with excitement. "Here Kobi a new rawhide for you," M said. He took it in his mouth and threw it across the store as if he was trying to let the groomer know that I'll "ruff, ruff," vandalize this store, yellow-toothed lady.

Then we decided to go to the Berkeley Marina's "Sea Breeze Deli", sat outside, and got some sandwiches. M ate the yummy catfish sandwich, I ate the yummy crab sandwich, and Kobi, well he just stayed nervous about the loud car traffic near the intersection. After feeling full, I suggested we go to Ceasar Chavez Park down the road. M quickly went back into the market to get some fresh cherries for dessert.

We arrived at the park, and M brought her new camera to test out. If you're not familiar with the Berkeley Marina area, there are great views of the City, all three bridges, plenty of boats, and the Berkeley/Oakland hills.

But the best part was all the kites in the sky.

We strolled on the trails and fresh green grass over to the rocky shores. Kobi fell in love here. I think he made some new friends! The area is full of little cute gophers. They ran across the trails to rocks and bushes and popped up out of the holes, avoiding Kobi.

They also have a huge area for the dogs to run around off leash. I think sooner or later we have to have a bbq here.

Headed home, we went by Costco. After having a full day, having dinner and relaxing, we decided to watch this chick film M rented. It was all good with me since I wanted to go downstairs where it's the cooler part of the house, and lay on my back with my legs up. The movie was titled "Closer." It actually wasn't that bad.

Let's see, then it must of been around 12:30 at night when the movie ended. So I turned the last part of SNL on. M was laying on the couch, Kobi and I on the floor, with the lights out. All of the sudden, "BOOM, UHRMM!" We all looked at each other with a frightened startled look. Almost simultaneously, we both whispered, "What was that?" It was as if someone was in the house, upstairs in the piano room, and had tripped over some furniture.

Shit, I was thinking, here I am still with an injured back and I've got to protect home. I looked at Kobi, he sat up and was looking up at the doorway by the stairs. I got up, dialed 911, and handed the phone to M and walked her to the computer room by the back door. "Shhh," I whispered, "don't talk too loud."

Hearing the bizarre sound again, I decided to take my ass upstairs empty-handed. Kobi led the way, barked and ran up with me right behind him in the dark. Quickly I grabbed my wooden cane I left by the top stair and hit a light on. Kobi barked and stopped by the piano room steps. I had the cane up in a batter's stance, ready with anger. I hit more lights on and peeped down the hall and kitchen, checking the deck door. I thought, if someone wasn't in here they might be outside.

I opened the front door ready to Fuck somebody up. I saw a person in the dark moving around along the side of the driveway. Kobi came out and barked once, getting the attention of the shadowy figure. Ahhh, shit! It's the "OG" gangster mom neighbor. "Margie is that you?" The shadow turned and looked, "yeah, who is that?" I replied "Wuz-up? I came out here thinking there was someone in the house or breaking in. We were downstairs and heard some noises. M called the police." Sure enough the cops came around the hill with all his lights off. Margie-"Nahhh, I was over here moving some tires on the side of my house and one of them rolled down the hill under your deck." Fucking laughing inside with relief, I yelled to M to cancel the call. As the patrol car got the message, he turned down the hill and left.

I went back in the house with adrenaline pumping and both of us laughing. "Okay, time to go to bed." We turned off all the lights and locked up. M set the house alarm and we all laid down on the bed. M and Kobi fell asleep. I couldn't sleep yet with all the adrenaline still flowing threw my body. After a couple of hours, I finally fell asleep with the laptop on my chest.

I woke up this morning, rolled over and with one eye I squinted open. Where's M? I don't hear her in the house. And then "swoosh" the sound of the toilet flushed. Around the corner comes M stumbling slowly,"Babe my tummy hurts." All I could think about is I love my Drama Queen!

Sunshine and grub

2005-07-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

Today was Mur's 4th of July company party at Skywalker Ranch.

Pulling out of the driveway on our way to the fiesta, Camren, Mur, and I had one thing in common: growling stomachs. Mur kept telling us how much food there was going to be there. As we headed down Richmond Parkway to hit the 580 freeway, all of a sudden in the distance are brake lights. There was a lot of traffic sitting to get on the the freeway. And the freeway was totally backed up. It kind of bummed us all out, especially the one who was pumped up to show us the easy way to get to work. Unfortunatley it took us almost 2hrs to get to our exit for the party.

But we made it. Arriving with hunger, we walked straight to the food along with Mur's famous pasta salad. After eating lots of food, we decided to stroll around and get Camren a face lift. Well actually the artists painted him to look like Darth Maul. After his face lift, Camren participated in the kids egg toss. Let's just say he walked away with a third place ribbon. Then it was Mur's turn to get in the adult egg toss. I ended up being a spectator for this one. There must have been 80 people competing. Mur's team lasted about halfway through it.

I have to say the best view was to watch Mur and Camren sitting watching the others still playing the egg toss with a grey haired, plaid shirt wearing gentleman standing right next to them also watching. "Dad, I can't believe George Lucas is standing right next to me." He sounded so nervous but excited at the same time.

I have to say when the day all ended and we came home to rest and play with the dogs, my highlight was to see Camren so happy and sitting next to Mr. Lucas, who is now one of his biggest idols.

Just another handicap day:

2005-06-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

Nothing exciting today. Although when Mur came home from work, we decided to go pick up Camren from his mom's. Round Table pizza was the dinner of choice for us. As we arrived home and sat at the table to eat, Camren busted out with a Yoda talking doll upright on the table. And then the books came out.

Sure enough he was ready to give Mur and me some Star Wars trivia questions. Mur actually did really well starting out on level 4. I guess I did okay. I was just so hungry and under the influence of meds, that I really couldn't focus on the questions. I think Kobi even wanted to participate.

Even though it was a slow day, it is always great to be a family and enjoy the conversation at the dinner table.

"PLOP PLOP FIZZ FIZZ"

2005-06-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

You know, I used to think that some things would never happen to me! And naturally, I was wrong. Headed from physical therapy to my Orthopedic Doctors appointment, I had a funny feeling inside. Turns out I needed to sit on the toilet and handle some business. In a rush and about to be a half hour early for my appointment, I decided to go to Target which was a block away. I tightened up my cheeks and walked fast past the security guard at the door. "Yes! The bathroom!" I thought in my head...it almost felt like I yelled it out to the store.

Hope you can handle this!....."Just my luck!" I had the whole bathroom to myself. We all know how that comfort zone feels. Quickly I unzipped and dropped my pants, of course keeping my balance from touching the seat.....minutes later my stomach felt better.....

The only thing was, as I tried to stand up to wipe... "BaClunk!" I thought I was finished.......wait I was....I quickly looked in the toilet and "Oh Shit!" My cell phone had fallen and floated to the bottom of my breakfast. So believe it or not, I actually ended up sticking my hand in the toilet around my breakfast and retrieved my phone.

I pretty much knew it was a done deal, but I tried to resuscitate my phone for a heartbeat, like a paramedic. I washed up and grabbed some paper towels and wiped the phone. I walked out of the store shaking the water out of it.

As this is happening, along comes an old co-worker with his wife saying "Hi Rich.......Hello Rich!" All in a moment's time of seeing someone you know, somehow I became impaired. I just said "Hey, what's up dude! Let me get your card, I have to go. Take care!" and ended up going to my doctor's appointment.

I sat in the waiting room and all of a sudden, the thought of losing all my friends' and family's numbers from my phone vanished out of my head with this thought........"Did I even wipe?"

"Mr. Rios, you can come in now. The doctor will see you."

"Virgin no more"

2005-06-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

So it's my first time. So be gentle. Well at least with this whole blogger talk.......So if in any way you get lost with my street words, don't even trip.....just ask.....and I'll explain it. As for tonight, I don't have much to say but thank god for muscle relaxer pills...........ugh.....