Silvino’s Blog

There are a few games out that I’m probably going to sink into. While WoW is sort of phasing out again for me, Team Fortress 2 is taking up more of my time lately :).

I’m also looking at getting into Call of Duty 4 just because I’ve seen some pretty cool content from that title.

The last one is probably going to be the best title of the year if not the next few, Crysis. I put my pre-order in for the game which will come in sometime mid next week.

It’s been a while since we had so many great titles for the PC.

Not only is oil a source of our pollution problems but it becomes a major pain in the butt when morons screw up and spill it into our bays.

The pilot of this ship decided to disappear for 26 hours for some reason. Was it to avoid alcohol and drug tests? Was he getting briefed by his company lawyers? We’ll probably never know. Big oil companies will always win. Money > morals.

It’s depressing to see pictures like this.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7400734

I figured I should at least post something once a year if not more and at what better time than near my birthday.

Things are going pretty well with maybe the exception of some problems with my mom that’s driven me to some extremes.

Irina put together a nice get together for my birthday on Friday which was great. We had a bunch of friends meet up with us for dinner then did a little bowling smackdown. I’m still not sure if being that drunk helps or hurts Ben!

I’m still without a sporty car although I have the funds to get whatever at this point but my age is starting to kick in. I’m looking harder at potential investments more than I am a car. It’s probably a good idea since we’re looking at having the baby this coming year.

Iphone

I tried to resist but it only lasted a month or so. I broke down and picked up an Iphone which has been pretty cool so far. The ability to check yahoo mail, weather, stocks and web access with a reasonable display on the go is nice in such a relatively small package.

So the other day someone reminded me of a time where I had a near death experience. I told my quick story and the idea of me being dead didn’t leave my head. What if I did die? What if I died tomorrow?

First, I’d hope that Irina and the dogs would be fine with me gone. I’d hope Irina would be able to move on after such an event. I tell her that I probably wouldn’t ever marry again but I’d hope she’d find someone to grow old with. I’d also want my friends to live life to its fullest to make up for me being gone since I wouldn’t be able to. I think it sucks when death brings so much sadness and depression. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon but I really hope that my thoughts here are considered when its my time to go.

Oh yeah, I also thought about where I’d want to rest. Cemeteries are becoming a pain in bigger cities since they just grow and grow with the population. At some point that space may have to be used for living space or whatever. I’m thinking that I should just be burned into ash so that i can be spread out in the Pacific somewhere near Maui. It seems like a great place to have your spirit rest. Who needs to burden the people of the future with my rotting remains? Not me.

Well, I finally burned through season 1 and boy this show is pretty good. If you don’t like sci-fi this tv series may not be for you. I know that people also make a big deal about the show because of the smokin’ hot babes but I can’t really say I think they’re THAT gorgeous. Grace Park is cute but nothing too crazy (although her Maxim spread was HOT!). Tricia Helfer is nice but also nothing too crazy in my book but is still not bad at all on the eyes.

I highly recommend the show. It’s available on DVD but is also currently airing the latest season on the Sci Fi channel I believe.

There was one bad thing about the show though as it reminded me of someone who used to be my friend and is a sore subject. It’s like hearing a song that reminds you of an x gf or bf. I guess it’s not THAT bad but it was enough to remind me of them a little. Although I’m disappointed with that person, I still don’t truly wish them ill will even if I decided to no longer speak with them.

It’s late so I’m off….

I’ve been pretty laid back the past month or two with medical issues. It seems like age is hitting me hard all at once with issues involving my eyes, knee and shoulder. Thankfully everything seems to be going in a positive direction now.

I’ve been getting headaches on and off while at work (figured it was just work) and sometimes at home. I started to see a pattern where it didn’t matter what I did but as long as I used my eyes all day, I’d get a headache. That led me to believe it was time to get checked by the Optometrist. Sure enough, I need glasses and now have two pair.

Two pair? Yup, I have my computer glasses (read regular - Nautica frames) and sunglasses (perscription Maui Jim!). I was used to wearing glasses back in the day before my Lasik so things aren’t too odd for me. I actually kind of miss wearing something and since these are SO light (technology and my perscription) it’s no big deal.

My knees were having issues because I tore up my cartilage in the joint but it was only a minor tear so a coulpe months of “taking it easy” has fixed things up mostly.

And lastly, my shoulder has some calcium build up on the tendon which was a lovely painful learning experience. I was basically a one armed bandit for 3 weeks and am still rehabbing the arm to work! I must say that this has sucked bigtime but things are looking better.

Ok, work is slamming me today so Ihave to run. Take care :).

Well, I’ve been too lazy to post much but I hope to do a bit of catch up here. Here are a few scattered thoughts for the day :).

MAUI!

I just got back not long ago from a trip to Maui. I was there Jan. 5th to 12th and loved every minute of it. I usually say places are great to visit but not to live at; Maui is an exception (assuming I had a job!).

I really enjoyed everything about Maui. The weather, the people, the ocean, and the laid back atmosphere. Maybe I just needed a big tech break? In any case, I’m sure I’ll be back to visit as soon as I can. We stayed most of our time at Wai Ola (http://www.waiola.com/) with Kim and Jim. They have a real nice setup going there in Lahaina. I’m still dreaming about Kim’s banana chocolate chip bread! Most of the food there was pretty good if you know where to go. The prices are what I would expect from any places you go to eat out at in the Bay Area. You can find some cheaper places if you look around and you can run into some pretty pricey options if you aren’t careful. I suggest checking out the Pioneer Inn for breakfast and MALA for lunch/dinner. Oh yeah, if you’re a guy and you NEED a sports fix, Moose McGillicutty’s is the place to go.

The Old Lahaina Luau was a mixed bag for me. I appreciated the beautiful grounds and authentic dancing/show but the food didn’t live up to my expectations. The pig being cooked underground was supposed to be THE thing to try at a Luau. The string pork from the pig was dry, overly mesquite tasting and super salty. Very disappointing.

Got Maui Pics? Sure do!

See more: http://www.silvino.net/gallery/v/fancy/ and http://www.silvino.net/gallery/v/trips/maui07/ .

Sirius Satellite

…can kiss my ass! These jerks have now wasted SO much of my time! For the SIXTH time they’ve screwed up my billing and are trying to shut down my service because of non payment when each and every time it’s their fault! If it wasn’t for Howard Stern, I’d have canceled service already (which I did TWICE NOW but they begged me back with FREE service for a limited time). I honestly may just cancel altogether tahnks to their poor serviec where people don’t seem too bright, have crap attitudes and like to hang up on you.

I had more to write about but I got busy with work and sidetracked. I don’t recall what else I wanted to post so there may be a follow up sometime soon.

I’m out..

So I’ve been a bit too lazy and busy to post much lately but today I figured an update was in order.

I’ve been dealing with a sore knee the past few days and it hasn’t gotten much better.  Before I panicking, I decided to see the Dr. to find out what’s going on.  After a 2 hour wait at Kaiser (whom I have a love/hate relationship with), I finally found out that I have a torn meniscus.  The tear is slight and I should be able to rehab myself into normal shape; at least that’s the hope.  I’ve got to avoid running/jogging/twisting on my knees but still get in 3-4 times per week some time on the stationary bike.  I also am taking some supplements to help as well as attempting to drop some weight.

Christmas is coming and I’ve got a ton of shopping to do still.  3/30 presents found :(.  I should say 4 because I got Irina a wedding band that she wanted since she only had an engagement ring.  I also have to pick up a Christmas tree which I don’t know where I’ll put :).

Oh yeah, I snagged a PS3 just this past Friday.  The Bluray movies look fantastic!  The games I have so far look decent but nothing mind blowing yet.  I’m sure that’ll change in 3-6 months.  Big thanks to Mike, Sushi and Alex for setting me up with one.  Only downside is that I need an HDMI switchbox now :P.

I’m planning to take the normal holidays off and then maybe another week or two.  I’m seeing if I can fit in a Hawaii trip but I’m not sure if I’ve got to worry about rain or not.  We’ll see :).

If I don’t post anything until next year, happy holidays to everyone.  Be safe and remember to appreciate the good people around you and don’t stress over gift stuff too much.

I had a blast at UFC 65 at Arco Arena in Sacramento with Irina.  The fights were a little odd with no commentators but the raging audience and music system was BADASS!  The only kink in the trip was a couple in front of us who started smoking mid fight.  I tried to ask them to put it out but they ignored me.  They didn’t like when I had the security guards make them though :).  I almost wish things came to blows but that wouldn’t have done me any good getting sued for beating the crap out of someone.

 Here are some photos taken with my point and shoot camera which isn’t very good for these situations.  Some of them turned out so so.

http://silvino.net/gallery/v/sports/ufc65/

If you don’t understand people who own dogs, skip reading this….. 

On a regular morning, one of the last things I do is feed the dogs if I’m the last to leave.  Today was one such day and I think it was lucky that I did because I saved my dog’s life.

I put the food out for the dogs like normal and then proceeded to walk over to their water bowls that are around the corner from their food.  I started filling the water bowls and out pops Perrin.  I figure Daisy had stole the last of his food because he normally takes a few seconds longer to finish.  I decided to go inspect.

I walk past him as he coughs up his food a little like normal.  I look at his bowl and the food is only 3/4 done.  Daisy isn’t even paying attention to his bowl.  What’s going in here?  I look over to Perrin and I see him becoming disoriented.  He’s walking sideways!

I immediately knew something was wrong!  I ran over to him and he falls on one leg and shortly after as I reach him, he collapses!  I’m trying not to panic but Perrin seems to be choking on his food so badly that he’s passing out.  Perrin is like a child to me and there’s no way I was going to do nothing.

I quickly start pumping on where his diaphragm is like I might do with a human who’s choking.  I start to see him pass out until a few pumps later, he’s slowly coughing food out.  I keep pumping and then switching to patting his chest and he’s half way unconscience and coughing food while gasping for breath.  I didn’t realize what I was saying really but I do recall doing the whole “No, NO!, NOOOOO!!” bit like you see in the movies except I was doing it naturally, weird.  I’ve nearly choked to death a few times eating too quickly so I knew how he was feeling.  He’s trying to remove the blockage while gasping for breath.

After a few more seconds of this madness, he managed to cough up the food blocking his throat.  After a few quick breaths Perrin does the wrong thing and goes back to try and finish his food!  Ugh!  I keep him from getting it down again as quickly and he stumbles around seemingly fine.

I can’t believe this happened but I sure as hell am not going to let it happen again.  I’m currently feeding him with a tall but narrow bowl that’s really for water vs. a wide shorter one.  I think this is letting him gulp his food too easily so I’m switching to another bowl.  The spare bowl I have which is flatter and shorter should force him to take smaller bites of food vs. gulping himself to death again.

I’m off to check on him at home.  I’m still worried.