Ad man

I majored in business with an emphasis in marketing in college. I thought with my creative ways I could make commercials someday. I never went down that exact road, but from time to time a commercial will come on that will make me think I could have done a way better job than that crap. However there are some amusing ones like the Miller Lite radio ads...

So I decided to make my own. Picture the announcer's voice going with this.

As the dog days of summer come upon us, we at Miller Lite understand you deserve a refreshing beer to kick back with friends and have a grand ol’ time. Cause grand is a lot better than paltry. Ever heard Beethoven’s 5^th played on a paltry piano? It sounds like my nephew going number 2 in his diaper. So your baseball team hit a paltry slam… congrats, here’s a burrito you’ll see more runs that way. While you’re at it, why don’t you take a trip to the Paltry Canyon? The ants tell me it’s majestic this time of year. Nothing compares to the smell of paltry ma-ma’s cookies. Except for her sweaty feet so don’t mistake the lint for chocolate chips, bud.

Getting a ride in your friend’s Paltry Am? Get ready to pee into his radiator. So you went to Paltry Valley State University in Paltry Rapids, Michigan? Guess what? The B.S. in your degree doesn’t stand for Bachelors of Science. Listening to some country music from the Paltry Ole Opry. There’s going to be a tear in your beer because I just kicked in you in the crotch. Waiting for a verdict from the paltry jury? Your guilty of being a loser. We stand by our beer at Miller Lite and when you’re looking for grandiose taste, pop open a refreshing Miller Lite.

I can still dream.

The scenic route

It was a perfect evening to ride my bike last night. It’s something I definitely need to do more often for several reasons. First I need to get my butt back in shape and I really hate running so biking is a great alternative. Plus I have a better chance of outracing a dog if needed and I like cruising down hills.

Secondly it reminds me when I was young. I used to ride my bike everywhere when I was kid. I had a handful of bikes and remember almost all of them because they were the soundtrack of my youth. I remember exactly where I was when I learned to ride a bike. It was a crappy bike that I think my cousins owned and gratefully pawned off to me. I couldn’t tell you what color she was or the brand, but like most things in life I remember all of its flaws.

It had no pedals… well, I should say it had the metal rod piece to place your foot on like a bike peg but no flat pedal to support my entire foot. I would pedal maybe two full revolutions and my feet would roll forward and I would have to keep adjusting by scooting my feet back on the metal rod. I have well-defined calves to this day because of her so I can’t complain (I’ll challenge anyone to a calf-flexing competition).

The pedal thing wasn’t even the worst part of the bike. She didn’t sport rubber tires for wheels. No, she had the black, made-to-look-real, hard plastic wheels. The same material as ones you would see on a kid’s Radio Flyer wagon. I literally felt every freaking crack, bump, rock, etc. so it was more comfortable for my butt to ride standing on the pedal thing. But doing that put so much pressure on my feet standing on two medal rods/pedals. I should have just ran to places come to think of it, but even back then I knew I hated running. Bikes could only go uphill literally and figuratively from that first beauty.

Then the movie “Rad” happened in 1986 and changed all grade school boy’s thinking of bikes. Diamondback and BMX bikes were totally awesome and everyone wanted one. They were a little pricey so I got some knock-off Huffy at Wal-Mart. I remember she was red, had REAL tires, and I would try to do all these tricks like spinning the handle bars, curb indos, your typical wheelies, and of course jumps. A wooded area across the street from our house became an obstacle course for my friends and I. How I never got lyme disease is a mystery with all the hours we spent going back and forth. God placed a perfectly-formed mound about five feet tall at the end of the woods that made a perfect ramp. We would have some epic jumping contests. No one ever attempted any flips, but there were some fantastic crashes. I ran that bike to the ground, but she’ll forever be my favorite.

The third reason I should ride my bike more is how aesthetically pleasing it can be. Normally I jump into my Toyota Highlander and take off on the most direct route passing by homes, parks, stores, etc. without giving a glance. A bike slows everything down. I’m not in a rush to get somewhere or worried about hitting another red light. Don’t have to flip through radio stations to find something interesting. It’s just me and the road and whether I want to go left, right, or straight is the biggest thing to ponder.

Growing up in town of about 10,000 people I knew every street and alley, every short cut, which streets to avoid because of hills, and which homes let the dogs roam free. Riding my mountain bike last night and exploring different neighborhoods near my home was refreshing. As I weaved through streets I was transported back to that Huffy only I had no idea where I was going. I stumbled across neighborhoods and found parks tucked away here and there. I had an idea where I was at all times, and it was fun trying to get back to those familiar roads. But part of me wanted to just keep venturing off and get lost. I would have taken that chance if it wasn’t getting dark.

Life is a lot like that I think. We might have an idea of the right path, but the more you take the path less known, the less it becomes unknown. We’re in such a rush to get on the most direct route that if we ever get lost, we don’t know what to do. We miss all the little things along the way and the details become a blur. We become so focused on the destination that the thrill of the journey becomes a burden. Our lives become charted out like a GPS and we lose our instincts to find our way.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just slow it down because even if there’s an easier way does not mean it’s better. Take a break if you have to. If it looks interesting, go detour over to it. Don’t forget that dead ends have some cool sights and give you an opportunity see them twice… from a different angle. Take that turn you always wondered about taking and see where it leads. No matter how dark it's going to get, don't worry... you’ll find your way back.

The house always wins.

Tonight is poker night at my house. I hold it atleast once a month and it's always a good time. I usually invite about 10-12 homies and we all know each other from various things. Plus it's a small Hmong world anyway so we can all poke fun of each other at the poker table while trying to catch the river (Chippy, I'm talking about you).

I won pretty big a few months ago and decided to re-invest in poker night. I built my own poker table top. At first I thought I could skimp a little here and there so I got felt from Michaels. Big mistake because the felt started balling up making it hard to slide cards. Lesson learned. Well, after a few months of procrastination, I finally have it right. Professional-grade material (water-proof FTW!), bottle holders installed, and a comfy arm rest bumper (I'll upload picture later). Can't wait for boys to see it.

There are certain unwritten rules with poker night that have become a tradition. As host, I am responsible for the food. This is one of my favorite things about poker night because I get to pick and choose what to make. If I've never made it before, I usually get a few weeks to perfect it.

In the past I've made steaks, brats and burgers, pizza and chicken wings, pho (I can now open my own restaurant called Pho Shizzle), and Philly cheese steaks (they were the bomb) to name a few. Tonight I am conquering hot dogs... I am having corn dogs, chili dogs, and bacon-wrapped dogs. It's going to be hot dog heaven.

Another unwritten rule is the homies bring the drinks. Beer consumption is a staple and now and then my buddy Gui brings the hard stuff. We started a new tradition at the last poker night. On any random hand, the winner not only wins the main pot, but also a side pot of chips donated from a few guys at the table. Great right? Well, there's a shot of whatever to go with it. I think I donated about $20 to that cause, but it's like buying your buddy a few shots at the bar.

Tonight I'm introducing a new tradition:

It reads "Tonight was duty / to answer / the call of booty." The last part has multiple meanings. The obvious one since we're dudes. Also a few of the guys play Call of Duty. Lastly "booty" as in treasure (aaargh, matey!). I'm thinking that everyone puts in $2 at a chance to win this bad boy. The first to win 10 hands on the night will have the right to proudly hold on to this manly cup until the next poker night. Great right? Well, they're going to have to drink whatever we put in there first.

The World Series of Poker may currently be on ESPN, but I tell you what, there's no better table to go "all in" then the one I'll be siting at tonight. And at the end of the night if I win or lose money, I always come out ahead.

But don't think I'm not going to try to keep the cup with me. I'm going to answer the call...

UPDATE!!!

Like I said, the house always wins.

Your calling

I'll ask, "On a scale of 1-10, how important is this to you?"

I usually get 9, 10, or 11.

I'm asking them how important is it for them to go back to school and change their lives so it better be a 9, 10, or 11. That's my job. I work for the Admissions Department at a career-focused college.

I'll talk with prospective students who come here knowing for the most-part what they want to do. They vary from business, vet techs, medical assistants, criminal justice, paralegal, and a several others (contact me if you're looking). Company standard wants the meeting to wrap-up in an hour, but I like to get to know them better and habitually build too much rapport and end up spending about an hour-and-a-half... sometimes two.

I am scratching that itch that motivated them to come in and find out if going to school is the best thing they could do for their career and livelihood. I dig, challenge, consult, console and do such a good job that occasionally I'll get them to cry right infront of me... and it's not always women. I am not mean, berating or even judgemental. Truth is, the realization that they literally can change their future hits them when they talk to me. I'll come out and say what they have been thinking for years. "You're not reaching your potential are you?" That's when the eyes get watery. I am the "expert" they have come to see and when I tell them they're doing the right thing, emotions can come flooding if I've done a good job.

Now this blog has nothing to do with tooting my own horn. If anything, it's putting a plug in it. You may be thinking "what a great job." I get to help people reach their goals and fulfill their true calling. That does make it worthwhile cause I do enjoy helping others. I'm making recommendations and coaching others... I'm helping guide them to their future.

And yet here I am wondering if there's something better for me. I know this isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. What I need is a taste of my own medicine. Get challenged, consulted, and consoled. I'm like a marriage counselor who has marital problems... a chef without a palate... a dentist with crooked teeth. You get the picture.

I envy people who truly love what they do... those who love getting to work early and don't mind if they leave late. I think we all strive to do something we have a passion for... for me playing 2nd base for the Twins isn't going to happen.

So I borrow a saying when I meet with prospective students, "Love what you are doing and you will never work a day in your life." Unfortunately I do feel like I work everyday... like it's a grind. Maybe we never find our true calling. Maybe we're not all supposed to become professional athletes, models, actors, or astronauts because someone has to pick up my trash. Someone has to call me to donate blood. Someone has to plow the snow. Someone has to serve my food. Maybe I should just be grateful I have a job and can dream bigger. Maybe we just keep striving for the next best thing for ourselves until we grow tired of it and do it all over again. Maybe we'll always think we're not reaching our potential after each goal is conquered.

I know there's more of us out there still searching or going through the motions than there are who have followed their dreams. I see them everyday. My advice is don't be complacent where you are now. There is something better for you. It won't be handed to you and there will be obstacles standing in your way to make it difficult, but you shouldn't have it any other way because if it's too easy, it's not worth it.

So how important is it for me to find my calling?

It's a 12.

blog about blogging

Sadly I'm to the point where I don't know what I want to talk about and it's only my 5th entry. I hope I've done a good job so far. Maybe I should stop worrying about what to blog about and let it happen. Before I started this endeavor I thought about all sorts of things I'd write about. Inevitably I did all this thinking right before I went to bed. You know what that's like? What sounded brilliant while your head is on the pillow sounds idiotic the next morning while you're rinsing out the shampoo in your hair (which half the time I forget if I shampoo'd my hair or not).

I have had many a great movie scripts I was going to write about while I let slumber take over me only to think "Gigli" was a better movie the over a bowl of Frosted Flakes. I've had inventions go from "Shark Tank" worthy to more like toilet bowl worthy as I piss another one away. I've had grand ideas become boring ideas all within a snore session.

But I gotta think there are some really good ideas that happen at night (as long as it doesn't involve taking money out of an ATM). Axl prolly wrote "Sweet Child of Mine" after watching the 10 o'clock news right? Harry Potter had to be after a dark, thunderstorm rolled through. "Inception" was dreamt of at night for sure and "Twilight" - it's in the title! So there have to be some really good ideas that pan out from a late night think session.

I'll just let it flow. This will be my personal, unscripted blog battle and someday there will be a loosely-based-on-actual-events movie about me struggling in the 'burbs with 3 kids and a baby mama who likes to gamble our fortune at bingo night. I'm blogging away on my rickety laptop missing half the keys as the city bus takes me to my 3M factory job where I become addicted to the smell of tape. I have run-ins with my racist neighbor named Walt who countless times yells at my kids to stay off his lawn. I befriend him by bringing over some eggrolls and show him my blog. He likes them both and tells me "You're not like other asian fellas." I accept his back-handed compliment. Sadly the next day he chokes on a leftover eggroll and dies, but not after he changes his will and bequeaths me his favorite car... a Grand Am. I write a song about the events that transpire...

His palms are sweaty, all week his minds been heavy
There's comments 'bout his blog already, his dotcom's so cleverly
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop blogs,
but he keeps on forgettin what he jot down,
the whole internet goes so loud
He opens his lap top, but the words won't come out
He's bloggin' how, everyone's doggin' him now
The thoughts run out, wi-fi's over, bloah!
Snap back to the twin cities, Oh there goes longevity
Oh, there goes Walt, he choked
He's so dead, but he won't give up that
Easy, eggroll
He shouldn't have eaten it, he knows his whole back's to these ropes
It don't matter, he's toast
He knows that, but he'll post
like he's at his own roast
When he goes back to his residential home, that's when it's
Back to the Queen again yo
Bohemian Rhapsody
He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him


[Hook:]
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blog
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo
(You better)


No more games, I'ma change what you call rage
Swearing off these apps like Angry Birds caged
I was playing in the beginning, the levels all changed
they've been blown up and slingshot and flew off stage
But I kept trying and resettin' the next flyer
Best believe I'll get one star higher
All the pain inside subsides when I pass
the next level, my son and I high-five
And I can't decide the right type of flight for my birds
Cause man, this game would be awesome with bats and snipers
But it's no Batman movie, there's no Michelle Pfieffer, this is my life
And these games are so hard, and it's getting even harder
Trying to clean up my touch screen, plus
Teeter totter caught up between being a father and a premier blogger
kids screaming on and on
Too hard for me to comment
Stay in hot spots, another night of playing
Has gotten me to the point, I've grown stale
I've got to formulate a thought, another mixed pale ale and shot
Success is my only freaking option, failure's not
Fingers fail me not this may be the only opportunity that I got

[Hook:]
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blog
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo
(You better)

Still looking for a movie title.

Moral of the story is "never blog at night."

Being a parent

is the coolest thing in the world. If you can't have kids, choose not to have them, or just haven't yet, living for someone else who relies completely on you can be daunting... but so worth it. I thought I had a pretty good existence before kids came into the picture, but not until my oldest, Jake, showed up, I didn't realize how awesome life can be.

I have always wanted kids so it wasn't a big ordeal when it happened even if it wasn't quite planned. And like some of you who are childless often hear from parents, "It's the best thing ever, blah, blah"... I was in the same boat at one time thinking, "Yeah, yeah, great."

Well, it is.

I had lived for myself for so long that I never imagined what it would be like living for someone else. The nine months during pregnancy cannot prepare you for the lifetime you will have with them. Your priorities change the instant you hear him start crying. Trust me, that moment hits you like a ton of bricks. With each child that load lessens and the shock and awe tilts more towards awe. You simply pray that you have a healthy child.

We have three boys, but I will always consider myself a first-time parent. I'm always going to be surprised and wondering if I'm doing this right. There is no manual on how to do this. No book for dummies on parenting is going to help. This is OJT (on the job training). But the greatest thing about being a parent is that it comes natural. And if you ever wonder what kind of a person you are, you'll see your reflection in each of your kids. They just won't look like you... they'll act like you... they'll talk like you... they'll laugh like you... so if you give them your best, they'll take the best from you.

Now some people really shouldn't have kids for that very reason. Unfortunately there's too many that do. And I don't want to make it seem like parenting is easy... it's the hardest job in the world. It is your choice especially now-a-days with adoption and other ways to have kids (I have strong, athletic swimmers if you're wondering). But believe me and other parents can attest to this too, you start life when you give life.

I'm not the greatest parent in the world and I know I make mistakes. I know that I could do more. But if I ever had to give up my life to save one of them, I would smile knowing that if they had to, they would do the same for theirs.

Regret

The old cliche is that "hindsight is 20/20." I wish I knew what that meant 10 years ago (padung chee (sound of drum and cymbal to signal a punchline and possible asian name)).

So do you ever look back at your version 1.0 self and think, "What the hell was up with me?" Look at a picture with the crazy hairstyle and funky clothes and wonder, "Why?" And that was like 2 years ago. Now I'm pretty laid-back, but I'm a harsh critic of my younger me. The funny thing is I could right now look back at the 29 year-old Pete (yeah, I just spoke in the third-person) and see the error in my ways. What makes it funny is that the 29 year-old me was looking at the 24 year-old me and doing the same.

So it makes me wonder what the hell am I doing wrong now? What if foresight was 20/20 and the 39 (gasp) year-old Pete could look at me now. What would I think of myself? Maybe I do need a new hairstyle, but I'm not parting it down the middle again (damn you Dawson's Creek!). I'm sure he'd say I need to get back in shape. He'd say I need to save more and spend less. He'd say I need to start doing and stop procastinating. Man, I'm going to be really wise in five years.

So regret... I am a proponent of the theory that you only regret the things you didn't do... to some extent. Honestly, you only have regrets if you're not currently happy. Sure it's easy to look back at situations like relationships and speculate how your life would be different if you made different choices. What if I took that job or transferred to another college? Why didn't I think of Google?

Some things we have control over that decides our fate. No, fate's a bad word (could've just deleted it but I like the dramatic effect). The better word would be happiness. Fate makes it seem like you have no control over your happiness, but honestly your attitude is the only thing you have control of in life.

These things or decisions we make that shape our happiness guide us... or atleast it should. If you spend your time and energy sulking over all of your missed opportunities, you might not notice three awesome boys you have or the loving wife who lets you host poker night once a month (by the way, 50/50 that it's going to be this Friday).

So whatever crossroads we find ourselves in... whatever major decisions we have before us... decide whether it will make you happier and you won't have any regrets. I think I'm wiser right now, without more white hairs.

Facebook status update

I was late to the Facebook party because I never thought it would be interesting. The wife was the same way, but now we're constantly on there. I'm afraid to even start a twitter account b/c I might be that guy letting everyone know that I'm currently taking a crap (which I'm not right now, but thought about it).

So it got me thinking if Facebook had been around (and technology was in place for it) since forever, what would people would be updating. I imagine it would go like this...

Adam is in a relationship with Eve.
Adam
needs to go see a doctor. My ribs hurt.
Eve likes this.

JFK has checked into Dallas International Airport.
JFK
Jackie wants the top down. Happy wife, happy life.

Christopher Columbus
Can't believe it's 1492 already. Got my bags packed and ready to check out the edge of the world!

John "The Baptist" > Jesus
Happy birthday bro. Sorry about dunking you in the water the other day.
     3Wisemen Things are tight this year so hopefully you still have some of that Frankincense. Peace.
     Peter Dude, you're so popular. Happy b-day. Oh, and you need to teach me that walk on water trick.

A.Hitler likes the game Risk.

Lou Gehrig
Big speech today. Not sure if I should say "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." What do you think... too much? I'll just wing it.

Abe Lincoln
Martha wants to go watch a play tonight. Happy wife, happy life.
J.W.Booth likes this.

Shakespeare
Just wrote another romantic tragedy... tentatively calling it Ronny and Jaqueeta.

Michealangelo just checked into the Sistine Chapel.
Michealangelo
I hate my job... it's like watching paint dry.

Eve
craving apples!
     God Eat something else woman! You've got a whole garden.
     Adam I told you she never listens to me.
     God Happy wife, happy life.

Elvis Presley
is taking a crap right now. Something feels jffwefav23ava#^&4

Change

What's great about Facebook is catching up with people from my past. Some still live in the small town I grew up in while others are making their mark around the world. Some who were too hungover to go to church during college have finally found God. Some who were immature are raising families.

Can we change?

To some extent, but maybe we just make better decisions as we get older. I am still sarcastic now as when I was teenager a lifetime ago. I still love sports and competing. For the most part, I am still who I always was and will be.

I'm bringing up "change" because I think it's something we keep telling ourselves we need to do. Maybe we can physically change by working out and eating better. Maybe we can change habits and the things we do that are harmful to us and others. Maybe we can work on our communication skills. But can we really change who we are? I don't think so.

What we can do is evolve. We learn from our mistakes, but I don't think we can necessarily fix our faults. As I get older I know more about myself and my limitations. I don't want to make it seem like I use that as an excuse not to better myself, but it's easier to know where you're going when you know where you are.

I do believe that life events like getting married and having kids can affect you. But I'm not confident in saying it changes you. How you were before these events is how you will react after them. For example, having kids doesn't make you softer. It means you were a softy to begin with and your kids fleshed that out. If you were an S.O.B. before kids, guess what, you're going to treat your kids like crap. If you have trust issues before marriage, having the greatest spouse will not completely alleviate those mixed feelings.

I have noticed that the more I accept myself for who I am, the better I can tolerate others. I realize I have flaws and understand we all have our quirks. So no matter how much we want people in our lives to change... no matter how many ultimatums, threats, promises we can pose to them, the truth is they're not going to change. If you can accept them despite their flaws, than your relationship with them can begin to evolve.

So if you're introverted and think your life would be better if you were more extroverted, I have news for you. It's not. Why put yourself in awkward situations only to make yourself feel worse. You don't see a Geo Metro hauling a trailer cause it's not supposed to. Stay who you are... it's the other people around you that need to accept your high gas mileage and constantly being in their blind spot.

So what about the jackasses out there? I hate to say it, but their jackassedness will always be there. Maybe they can evolve and be less of a jackass. I understand that you'll alway have your jackass ways. But chances are I didn't accept your friend request.

Hello, my name is...

Pete.

I'm a thirty-something father and husband. I used to blog quite a bit but then life happened. So why am I blogging now? I have a promise I mean to keep.

I think we all have a need to get things off our chest. There is something therapeutic about confiding and sharing our insights. I have learned over time that we're all pretty much wired the same, have the same experiences, fears, and dreams. If I can connect with you, than that will be therapy for me. I'll be talking about family, marriage, faith, work, music, movies/tv, sports, everyday things. If you want the really juicy stuff you'll have to "friend me" (don't know the blogging term).

So, again, why blog? This is an open diary, and I don't know why but it is sometimes easier to anonymously put it out there even when it's not anonymous. Things we wouldn't tell our best friend, close sibling, significant other, for some reason we can dump on the internet for millions (don't think I'll get that popular) to peruse.

Now I've been married for seven years and having a relationship with "completely" open communication is a pipe dream. Yes, I know it's an area I need to work on (I'll explain for a later blog), but there are some things we muddle through on our own. I accept that my wife has her own internal discussions, and I believe we all have our own inner thoughts that rarely sees the light of day. Not all of them are earth shattering revelations. I'm not talking about deep, dark secrets or anything. Just insights.

I told you that I used to blog. Well, I think this entry I wrote (my last one) over six years ago sums it up...

my last entry gave some insight as to why i don't write as much. i'm gonna switch gears and focus on why i do write.

i just need to be inspired and that could be anything.

simply going through and reading some of my past entries is inspiring. seeing how my relationship with etep has grown through entries. laughing at myself in other ones. i never had a journal so it's eye-opening to see the changes in myself... sorta like the development of the main character in a book.

i'm sure lots of things inspire me. little things like my son smiling to something at work. i just have to be more diligent and put it down in writing so i don't forget.

so i will be more inspired. i promise.

Couldn't have said it better myself... actually I did.