Well, today I stopped being lazy and went outside for a run. I haven’t run in over seven months, at this point. Haven’t done much exercise of any kind in a while, actually. Of course, I have gained weight, and I’m very out of shape. Today was my first step in getting back into it again. I am tired of feeling out of shape, overweight and tired all the time. It was a short run thought (if I can call that a run), about 1.5 miles and as expected it was terrible, I’m not in the same condition as I used to be months ago. Oh! and I wore my AirPods while running for the first time since I got them. I was afraid they would fall or something, but they stayed put, no issues at all.

If I’m honest, when it comes to cardio I much rather do other things, like hiking. I genuinely hate running, but sometimes it’s my only option. I miss my workout buddies and do high-intensity workouts with ropes, rings, kettlebells and other fun stuff. I am hoping to get back into that kind of exercise soon.

In other news! My birthday is coming up (March 31st). I am wondering what kind of adventures awaits on my 35th birthday.

Treefort Music Fest

Every year here in town we have the Treefort Music Fest. It is a fest, as the name implies and there’s music (of course) food trucks, that’d be Foodfort, and the most important thing — for me — there is beer! This would be what they call Alefort, where many local craft beer breweries get together and feature their most delicious beer. Here’s where I spend most of my visit because I love beer, obviously. So my wife and I went and got together with some fantastic beer-lover-friends and family and had a great time tasting delicious beer.

I have deleted my Facebook account — again. It is not the first time I have done this. A lot of times it’s just because it has gotten out of control and is my way to do clean up. This last time it’s been a little different, though. Ever since I opened the latest one, I always had weird feelings about it. I always felt and told myself it was a “necessary evil.” I have friends and family back home I wanted to keep in contact with. Facebook was (is) the only way to do so. But this recent Facebook scandal with the Cambridge Analytica thing, it gave me that last push (excuse) I needed. I know it’s not going to solve or fix anything, but I feel better by not having it. I feel like by closing it I have reclaimed control of my brain and emotions.

In other news! I have had a job interview today. I think it went well! Will see.

Assassin's Creed Origins: The Curse of the Pharaohs DLC

This week Ubisoft released an expansion pack for Assassin’s Creed Origins, The Curse of the Pharaohs. It is the second out of two expansion packs for the game, alongside The Hidden Ones. It was amazing and creepy at the same time when I first saw one of Pharaohs coming back from the dead, and oh man, they look cool! I am probably just a few hours in into this storyline, and I have not been yet disappointed. My only complaint is the giant scorpions appearing around in the afterlife, and I don’t like scorpions at all.

Then again, I am having so much fun with this game in general. Once I finish The Curse of the Pharaohs, I will replay the whole game again, as I do, because I can’t get enough of this game.

Found this entry I wrote 4 years ago, as a “memory” in my journaling app. Can’t believe it’s been four years. That was a fantastic Batman run by one of my favorite artists. Batman 29 was part of the Zero Year storyline, where they basically retold Batman’s origins.

Something I gotta share quick, as some of you know DC comics back in 2011 or so decided to "reboot" the universe, meaning they gave their characters new beginnings, new stories, and whatnot right. They didn't do anything crazy like "Superman is now from f&%ing mars, and he's green” everything is like it should be, but some things have changed. So they started giving everyone new origins and what not except for Batman. Finally, they decided okay we need to tell the origins story for the new generation, so they reached the writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo to tell the story right. We all know the origins of Batman and blah blah blah but I just read Batman issue 29, and the story and the art are so well done that I was like "OH MY GOD THEY KILLED HIS PARENTS!!!" I mean if you can throw me off like that and engage me even tho I already know what's suppose to happen, you, as a creative team, you are doing your job right. And I have to say BATMAN # 29! WOW !!!!! Yeah, I know this is the Geek in me talking but had to share !!!

This is going to sound either very funny or very wrong, especially given my situation. But I am taking a week off. I am taking a break from job-hunting and stressing about it. From stressing about whether or not I’m going to hear from someone or checking up my email every 5 minutes, contacting or checking up on people. To realize that I have no control over people or specific processes, that there’s only so much I can do and the rest it’s off my hands. And maybe, this is probably something I shouldn’t be doing, given how desperate I need a job — or so I feel. I feel like this is something I need to be on top of, no matter what. But I also feel like I need a little break. Do other things like finally, it’s getting warm out, so let’s take Marley out to the park, or go out for a hike, take pictures, do other stuff that lifts my spirit and inspire joy. Anything else other than staying indoors stressing about things.

Then again I feel sorry for doing this, in a way. I think I don’t have the luxury to say “I am taking a week off from job-hunting.” Because I need a job, I need a real income, we (as a family) need it. But, I am sure my 2yo would appreciate spending some time out of the house and so would I.

In other news! Nothing too exciting to report. I had a phone interview that I think it went well. We will see what happens next.

Ever since I became a “freelancer” my routine and habits have changed drastically. Not only has been affected because of my new found “profession” but some other life events as well. It got pretty much all over the place, a little out of control some may say. And it was like that for a while, trying to figure things out and dealing with it. However, things have changed recently. Still a freelancer but now I can say I am also a stay-home dad — and it’s excellent.

Needless to say, my personal routine has changed again. But this time things are a little more interesting. First thing in the morning, Marley wakes up (before everybody else of course), I change her diaper, prepare milk, give her the milk and sometimes she might go back to sleep. Some other times she doesn’t fall back asleep because we need to drop off mama at work. After either she wakes up, or we get back, I make coffee (always coffee first — always). I also prepare myself some breakfast. Usually, two eggs scrambled with veggies. I prepare something for the little one as well, a plate with fruits, cereal and a piece of chocolate (please don’t judge). We sit at the kitchen table set her up with her iPad Pro (actually my 10.5” iPad Pro), so she can watch some cartoons while she eats. Once she’s all set up I login into my computer, put on my helmet and start job hunting. There are several breaks in between due to a very demanding 2yo which I don’t mind at all, she’s a lot of fun. Sometimes she will get a bath, and I’ll let her play for a long while I do my computer stuff.

Then around midday is nap-time, usually a struggle but I have found ways to make it happen. For example, “Hey Siri, play Jump Around by House of Pain,” and we jump around the house until she’s exhausted. That’s when I do catch up with my nerdy podcasts, maybe watch a movie or like yesterday, take a phone interview! Then usually the afternoon may vary, we play or watch cartoons or just go out and about.

So I am both a freelancer and a daddy-daycare and to be honest, it is a lot of fun (a lot of work too), and it makes me happy. Getting to spend so much time with my daughter is one of the best things I have right now. Yes, I would love to find a job and get some real income, and I’m doing everything within my power to achieve that, or at least I think I am. But I have no control over certain things, unfortunately, but spending time with Marley and play around, teach her things, it is so awesome, and I love it!

My professional life is a little screwed up at the moment, but my heart is content. Perhaps I should find a job where I could work from home? Maybe start the most fabulous successful blog in the world? Probably not, this is just a thing I’m doing for fun. Seriously though, the day I find a job, I am sure I will be missing these moments, so better enjoy them.

In other news! I had a job interview over the phone, and I am expecting to have another one coming up, from a different company. And we will see what happens. I am sure I’ll write some nonsense about it!

After a long hiatus, I finally got to go out for a hike this weekend. I forgot how much I love hiking, it’s such a good way to distress the mind, and a great workout too. Also was nice to catch up with my friend Gingee and her pups, since I haven’t seen or interacted with in months. Wasn’t a very long hike, about 3 miles or so, but invigorating. It was a little cold out, we had some snow, but it melted pretty quickly too. So by the end of the hike, the trails were muddy. This is also part of my plan to get back in shape. I have been very inactive for many months now, I have gained some weight and feel physically weak. It is no secret that I have been battling depression for a while and losing my job also contributed to my lack of exercise or activeness in general. But things are starting to look up a bit, in a way. Having the motivation to go out for a hike and reaching out to my friend is a good sign I guess.

And here’s a picture of the fabulous John P.

The Saturday after it’s release date, I walked into my local Best Buy just to browse around whilst my parents here at a different store. Little did I know that they would have the HomePod in stock. There was only one Space Gray HomePod left, so I had to pick it up (had to or really wanted to?). Anyway, I picked one up and I have to admit I was never too excited about it before like never got my attention until I saw it in front of me. But after trying the Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) for a while I thought I would give HomePod a try. Also being an Apple Music subscriber it sort of made sense I’d try the HomePod (also since I’m so invested in the Apple ecosystem). I didn’t know exactly what to expect but at the same time, I was expecting it to work somewhat like the Echo did. Set up a timer, reminders, play music and that’s pretty much everything I need (I think). I don’t have smart stuff around the house to control with — yet. So my needs for such a device are pretty basic. My first impressions were this thing is massive — compared to the Echo that is (and yes, I smelled the thing). The sound quality blew me away, I don’t think I have ever owned something in my home that sounded so good. It does a good job at hearing me well most of the time — as long as I say the magic words, “Hey Siri”. But there are a few times were it doesn’t quite work, like I’ll be asking to “Siri in the tube” to play a specific song or artist and it will tell me something like “I cannot find that in your library” (like the other day when I asked for “Medico Brujo by La Banda Algarete”). Or when we tried to play music by Cultura Profetica, we had to ask like in 5 different ways before we got the right thing. Which it becomes a little frustrating at times (especially to my wife, she has no empathy for the machine). Then again, I love how it sounds, it sounds better than the Amazon Echo for sure. And like I have said before, my needs are minimal — for now. I’m hoping that this product will get better over time because right now it feels like a half-baked product. That being said, it’s sitting in the kitchen area right next to my Amazon Echo still debating whether to return it or not.

In other news! I got 2 new video games. Dynasty Warriors 9 (which I have been waiting forever) and Bayonetta 2 for the Nintendo Switch. And I am pretty excited.

I was thinking about why I, all of the sudden, started writing again and having the need to share it. Is it because I’m bored and have too much in my mind? Or simply lost the fear of sharing whatever I write? Also thinking about the things I have been writing about. I am not a tech journalist or critic — nor a professional blogger. I just have stuff in my head and feel like putting them down in words. I feel like most of what I write and the way I write about, it’s more like a conversation I would have with a coworker or a friend. Which it’d make sense that I’m writing more because I have recently lost my job so I don’t have coworkers or many people around to talk about some stuff. And maybe that’s the reason why I feel more and more the need to write, to take things out of my head. Either way it’s seems like it’s been a good exercise. Plus it’s my own blog so I can’t talk/write about anything and everything I want, right? But what had always held me back from sharing my thoughts had been the fear of criticism. The same thing goes for my passion for photography, some people say I take good pictures. That I should put up a website to showcase and/or sell some of my photos. And again, when it comes to photography I am also afraid of criticism. I am my worst critic and I don’t think they are worth showing or sold. Maybe one day I’ll get around that and lose that fear too.

In other news! I don’t really have anything exciting….. I found the Super Mario cereal box at my local grocery store and that made my daughter happy (or it made me happy).

Am I the only one who loves the smell of new tech? Let me explain. Since I can remember I have always had a thing for smells, of any kind, but particularly for new tech or hardware. For example, every time I got a new video game, I would open the box and smell it. I would smell de disk and the manual (weird right?). Same every time I’d get a new computer, a new console or a camera. Most recently when I got my 2017 MacBook Pro and my iPhone X, I smelled the crap out of those devices! Also kind of like the smell of new shoes and new cars, I think, but not as much as the “new-tech-smell”. I’m sure I’m not alone on this one but who knows. Or maybe I’m just a weirdo?

It has been 164 days since I had been forced to leave “my village”. I had lived in this village for 5-plus years, give or take, and I loved it there. It was a nice lovely place, I didn’t mind the early hours, the chores or the occasional troll attacks — I was content. But things changed, things got a little difficult for everybody in the village. Although we were promised many things by the village’s elders, they always seem to have a hidden agenda of sorts. So most of the villagers were unhappy and stressed, I included. Others were indifferent to the situation and didn’t mind much “there’s nothing to worry about” — some said — “we will all be fine, you will see little one” — little did I know.

And thus I was forced to leave the village. Despite my anger and frustration, I do take a lot of good things with me. It was a fantastic growing experience, I have made many many good friends — some even family now — that had always been there for me. I had really good mentors and awesome co-villagers. Had those that would say “it’s dangerous to go outside alone, take this sword with you” or “here’s some healing potions ” as well as the ones that were just not very helpful and difficult. The schemers, the liars and the “nobodies”.

It has been one hundred and sixty-four days and I am still sad (and a bit angry) of what happened. To this day I don’t know what happened or the reasons I was forced to leave. I am still wondering the wild-lands looking for a new village where I can bring my skills and grow within. I do wish all the best to the people that still live there and hoping things get better for them.

For a long time, I have wanted my own blog, a place where I can express myself, talk about things that interest me, and at the same time, have a “site” that I can call my own. I write often but most of my writing I keep for myself in a journal. So a few months ago I thought “maybe I should start a blog!”

So here I am, after a lot of thinking and lots of back and forth (mainly with myself), my blog is set up and ready. There isn’t any specific theme or topic for this blog — just a place to share some of my thoughts.

I want to thank cl1ck4207 on the Twitters for helping me. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate his help.

We helped out!

Today our friends Kim and Cole moved in to their new house! We had a lot of fun helping them out despite the bad weather. It was cold and everything was slippery. But we managed to get everything in their new home before it started snowing and that was awesome. What was less awesome was, as we just left. Our car got stuck in the snow! Not fun! If it wasn’t for the help of a random person and our friends (Kim and Cole) we probably wouldn’t have made it out. Needless to say that wasn’t as fun but we made it and that’s all that matters.

After helping our friends move today. I’ve decided that from now on all books and movies will be bought digitally!

Snow Day

Today we had probably the worse snow day in the past few years, at least to my knowledge. The last time I remember seeing this much snow was back in 2008 when I first moved here. I remember it was mid February and there was still a lot of snow around and yet people say it wasn’t as bad as this year. Regardless, today was a challenge to come out of the house and try to get the kid to the grandma’s and then the wife to work and the worse part of all of it is that for some reason I woke up starving! I was super super hungry so I knew I needed something to eat right away. So I had decided to go to a near by Starbucks after dropping my wife off and get a sandwich or something and coffee, of course. I get to the Albertsons (where the Starbuck it’s located at) and perfect, there was nobody in the parking lot and nobody in the store. I purchased my coffee (Grande non-fat flat White) and my sandwich (Double smoked bacon and egg). Go back to my car and thought it was the perfect opportunity to sit there in my car and eat my sandwich. And just when I was about to get my first bite, another car pulls right next to me! Crap! Now I’m thinking that this person is going to look at me eating. Of all the places this person could have parked — the parking was empty — it parks right next to me! Anyway, regardless I ate my sandwich and continued my merry way to work, which it also was kind of a challenge. The roads were so bad, cars were getting stuck in the snow and everything was slower than normal — a mess to say the least.

Getting back home at the end of the day had the same challenge, roads were bad (specially in the neighborhoods, not so much the main roads) traffic was slower than normal and cars stuck in the snow. I don’t think I have ever shoveled so much snow in my life. I hope tomorrow conditions improve otherwise it’s going to suck a bit.

last night I was rocking Marley to sleep (as I do) and after 30 to 40 minutes of “hard work” (she actually put up a fight) I finally had it down *until* I get up and *accidentally* stepped on this interactive-book with sounds thing she has and then loud cow sound — no more sleeping Marley!

Cow: 1
Gaby: 0

The rise of Marley

February 5th 2016, is a very special day for my wife and I since our daughter Marley came to this world. She was born at 1:48 pm MST, weighted 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18.25 inches long. Needles to say she is a beautiful baby and we couldn’t be any happier and in love with her. Mom and baby are doing great all things considered and as expected we didn’t get much sleep the first night at the hospital mainly due to her feeding schedule but other than that she’s a pretty awesome baby so far. Really excited (and a little scared) to see what the future holds for us as a family and can’t wait for all our friends and family to meet her!

I am not sure exactly what will go in here, I just know I needed a place for all my random thoughts and nonsense. So where we go!