I think I can...

The past couple of weeks have been pretty trying at my job. I've been working like crazy with minimal support on a small budget program that has a really quick turnaround time. I pride myself on being able to handle programs like this and feel like I can get the job done. But, I gotta say, sitting here in my chair at home, I find myself wanting to relax and leave the job at the office. Instead I'm here writing about it. The stress is bothering me. I understand that everyone has different levels of stress in their jobs and the key to functioning with it from day to day takes balance. Maybe this blog sesh will help me find some...
Over the last 3 years, I've learned many things in the business of marketing brands . I feel like I now have the tools to do bigger things. I owe a great deal to my company on a bunch of levels. Sure, I have my issues with the way certain things are run and how the business has changed over the years. But, for the most part, my belief is that the business has grown just like me. I started there right as the company was becoming what it is today and I think its growth has mirrored my own in some ways.
I have always been the type of person that will dive right into something even when I have no idea what I'm doing. "We need you to own this Josh" they'll say to me. I'll say, "NO PROBLEM!". Own it? Fuck... I might as well have invented it with how quick I have been to appease my bosses during my time at this job. Ugh, this has always been a blessing and a curse. It's given me the absolute power to be able learn on the fly and with every account I take on, I obtain new and more efficient methods for the way I work. It's become an invaluable method of madness, something I wouldn't want any differently, but still hate that I do to myself. They have given me the opportunity and freedom to be a little creative in the way I put on promotions and that has been really important in molding my ability to work independently.
Anyway, going back to what I was saying about how the company and myself have changed, I think they did the same thing I do. Always say yes to the person who is going to pay you. Sell in the business and work out the details later. I think that's why they hired me. I'm the guy who will say yes to them. In order to succeed, any good company needs as many people like this as possible, capable, strong-minded yes men and women. Keep saying yes until you have the power to make choices and still succeed. So folks, that is my plan. I'm going to keep saying yes until I don't have to anymore. That time will come, I feel it in my bones. But until then, I will totally own that shit.

On another note, yet still very much in the same theme as "The Little Engine", I am up to 4 miles a day. It has been hard on my body, but damn its been good on the soul. This running thing is quickly becoming a pretty awesome addiction.

OH YEAH annnnnd I got a passport! I can go places now. First stop Israel! Peace - Josh

Love That Dirty Water 4 EVA...

I moved to Long Beach at the very beginning of baseball season. I must say this was the first season in about 8 years that I haven't watched at least 75% of ball games. I tried to follow along as best I could and certainly made an effort to get to a bar during the big games. For the most part, ESPN's GameCast has been an essential tab on my internet browser. Baseball for me is the one sport that brings me back to that sense of being a kid. I've missed being around Fenway and feeling that buzz this year. Fortunately, with exception of a few good friends, its really the only thing i've missed.

UGH, fucking umpire... As a true Red Sox fan, its hard to admit defeat. So... fuck that, I won't! I'm already looking forward to next year. Cheers to the Sox for a great season. Dad, if you read this, i'm going to give this to you one time... Go Phils!

Mmm what else.. I had a great weekend - hung out with Nance for most of the time. I kept up with my running which is a personal milestone for me. Running on a Sunday apparently can be done, even without black magic...

I was planning to hang with my friend Bill for the game today but he never anwered his phone. On my way home to the LBC, one hundred dollars started burning through my pocket. I knew i'd get a good seat to watch the game at my local card room so, I figured i'd give in to one of my known vices... Poker. I've been playing poker for about 7 years now. I've studied the game extensively and for a time a few years ago I was playing a lot. I found a good amount of success playing online and can actually say that over the last seven years I am still in the black. I have cooled off quite a bit these days and try not to make poker such a big part of my life, but i do love grinding it out on a Sunday afternoon at the casino. This guy on the left (Dan Harrington), is my poker hero. His books are absolute essentials in learning the game. *Please also note his Red Sox hat... The last 5 or so times I've played cards, it's been an absolute shit show of bad beats. It's been frustrating to say the very least. I don't feel like I've made any big mistakes and honestly I would stand by the decisions I've made, even in my losses. Stubborn much? Yup, I suppose I am about some shit.. I don't claim to be any type of pro, but I can handle myself at a poker table and I would never be intimidated by anyone in this game. Long story short, I rounded out my weekend with a big win for the home team. I walked out with 5 buy-ins playing 100-max No Limit Hold 'em. That is a total of $504 big ones - Net profit: $404. Booyah. Not a bad outing, this will help fund my trip back east in December. Super Sweet... Alright folks, I'm tired!

Goodnight Cyberspace - JB

Joe's Garage Reference?

Just like that i'm back a few hours later. I feel like the Central Scrutinizer from Joe's Garage. This is exciting, isn't it? Writing for the sake of nothing in particular. It's 12:30, i'm in bed, the DVR is on pause, and i'm flipping back and forth between this and apple.com. The new macbook is out and hot damn does that thing look fancy. I have never owned a mac and currently I don't even own a computer. You must be thinking (if you actually were reading this) how is he writing to me then? Well my friend/s, I have a work laptop and I use it after hours. There now you have your answer, stop badgering me...

I watched the debate this evening and I must say I was pleased with the way Barack handled himself. You can't rattle the guy. He tells it like it is, and doesn't speak with a personal agenda. He won't make this world perfect, but I think he will give our country much needed direction. I've known he was the guy for the job since the beginning and i'm impressed with his campain as a whole. I hope he pulls it out. Cheers to you Obama.

Things are really exciting for me these days. I moved to California, where the sun is always shining. I tell my family and friends that they are missing out. "Come out here, its the best, seriously"... I think people listen and just hear the new excitement in my voice and write it off as a quarter life crisis or a phase in my journey to adulthood. But, I gotta say, this is where i'm at, and where i'm going. I love this new change and every day i'm refreshed and excited to enjoy new things. I have a new girlfriend and she is absolutely fantastic. Her name is Nancy for all of you that aren't in the know. I hope that if you are close to me then you'll get a chance to meet her because she is radical.

OK Enough mushy stuff.

The Sox are one game from losing the ALCS. **Moment of Silence**

The boys have been in this position before and overcame the odds. I'm going to be optimistic because I know they are. GO SOX!!!




More of these please...

Book 1, Volume 1, Chapter 1, Page 1, Paragraph....

Ladies & Gents,

After much hesitation and internal reasoning, i've decided to give this blogging shit a try. I think this will be a good way to release whatever it is I deem public information in my little world. So, here it is! ME!

I have recently made a big change in my life. After 12 or so years i've made the decision to delete cigarette smoking out of my life. People say its hard to quit, but you know what people? A lot of shit in this world is hard to do and i've found that the only way to get ahead is to move forward, make change, try hard. These are the simplest answers, the practical and political responses to hard situations. I know its tough, i've quit a few times over the years... With that said, i know that addiction is real. But, I think will power is all you need in this world to make change. "The Patch", Nicorette, a few a day... Those are all reasons to start back up. Withdrawal is a bitch but its meaningless if you don't withdraw. So, Booyah - i'm doing it and so far I feel pretty groovy.

Two of my best friends from college, Daniel J Holmes and Scott "Jingus" Dyke recently contacted me and asked if i was interested in running a half marathon. Now let me just preface a scenario in which Dan or Scott would ever ask me something like this... The three of us are not the marathon running types. When i think of these dudes I have visions of drinking bottles of Jack Daniel's chased with microbrews. Things being smoked... (cigarettes, weed, pork butt) You get the idea. We aren't the picture of health but we are determined and I think this will be awesome. I started training last week and I will use this blog to update the interweb about my progress as a professional runner.

That's right folks, i'm a professional runner and a professional quitter. Thanks for reading my blog - I will be sure to keep it updated with other stuff about me. Interesting huh? Stay Tuned!

Peace - JB