My heart’s in Philly

Guest post written by Rick Stalls

They say people will move mountains for love. Well, I just moved all my stuff, which still happens to be quite a big step.

My girlfriend’s job moved her from our Philly home to rural West Virginia. It sounded like a nightmare at first, but once I went with her to the town to look around it seemed really nice and decided that I would move with her, after all.

Before the move, I used my wildblue in PA to remind all of the editors at the publications to which I regularly contribute as a freelance writer that I was moving but would still be available for remote work. I write a lot about the local music scene but there are also musicians in West Virginia too that I’ve been writing about since the move.

When we moved out here we settled on using satelite internet West VA, which has been great for keeping up with my editors and getting feedback from them about my new subjects.

This sure isn’t Philly, but I can get used to the nonexistent traffic here.

Finding the Love From the Gloves

I’ve been trying to salvage the green in the front yard. Weeds and dried grass are noticeable. I tried using fertilizers, weed killers and grass seeds. I also set the water sprinklers to be on twice a day considering how hot it is during mid day. I bought a lot of things from the hardware store that will make everybody think I’m genuinely serious of what I’m doing. There, I got hedge scissors, water hose, a couple of trowels, pairs of gloves, boots, grass trimmer, blower, lawn mower and fertilizer spreader. I’m not good in gardening and all these equipments seems new to me. I know it because when I use each one of them, it is either I made an operation mistake or used it in its not supposed function.

The worse are getting my hands pricked and feeling the weeds sap when I pulled and wrestle with those annoying weeds. I realized right there and then why the gloves I bought were on sale. That clearly explains its unbelievable price. Why did I fall on that again? I hate it when I thought that I got a good bargain and saved money then little I know that it comes with a big compromise – the quality. What a waste! Now I need to get a new one but this time I’ve learned my lesson, no more cheap gloves but instead a real work gloves. I wonder if electrical gloves will work better in gardening. I may have more funny stories to tell in this experience. I’ll give you updates of what this green project of mine will look like soon.

A Day Out at the Hotel Chelsea NYC

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

Me and my friend went to Manhattan for the first time since moving to New York state and found it very easy to get around on the famous subway system, saving a mint on taxi fares. We spent the whole day whisking about looking at places and things to explore that you rarely find on a scheduled tour. We left about 9 AM, packed up the cameras, and set the home alarm system for the day. I also recently put up an adt sign in front of the house so that people are warned about our security system.
I must say the trip we made to the Hotel Chelsea was our favorite hot spot of the day. You can take a tour of the hotel for $40 that comes with a guide to tell about all the unbelievable stories that happened in this eerie place. Room 100, where Sid Vicious allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, is no longer there fully in tack. However, the bathroom is still in place and we went to the sink where Nancy Spungon died beneath. The tour also includes the chance to meet some of the writers who are currently living in the Hotel Chelsea, and most of them loved to come out and talk to us and answer questions.

There are loads of places to eat near the Hotel Chelsea, but I recommend you walk about a mile down 8th Street to the New Yorker Hotel (Turn right on 8th and 23rd). The hotel's Tick Tock Diner is a cool 1950's style joint with good food, fair prices, and the subway is nearby to get out of town.

There are Plenty More Fish in the Sea

In the group of men, whenever there’s someone being dumped by a girl, you will hear this saying as a console for his broken heart, “There's as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it” or in more simple words, “there are plenty more fish in the sea”. I’m lucky that I never heard my friends saying this on me. To others, this is very hard to understand and oftentimes I will give a tease instead of explanation, “Are seas so deep for you to grasp?” Now, you can take this literally without getting any more confusion, and that is through the site, “Sea of Love”. It best describes the word ‘sea’ in that traditional saying. This is very applicable not only to those who are rejected by some girls but to every person who are still searching for their perfect partner.


I saw how cool the format used. Sea of Love is like a very nice getaway from the burning heat of the sun. I really like the theme. All graphics and terms used are related to things you can see under the sea. So if you’re ready to dive in and swim, this is for you. Time to fish that perfect match you’ve been longing for. Patience in this kind of fishing is not necessary. Good Luck!

What's in the car?

When I was a kid, I saw one of my brother’s posters in his room, it was a picture of a car with label “Porsche”. I thought it wasn’t real because it has an unusual look of a car for me but I definitely admired it and said to myself, I will get one someday. Seeing the video below made me think that I fast outgrew that dream. There are a lot of models that came out that I missed. But man, I think it will only live in a dream because the latest that they introduced for 2010 doesn’t fit anywhere in my budget. To give you an idea the porsche panamera price ranges from about $90,000 to $135,000. But who knows? I’m still young and if other people can afford it, why can’t I? But I won’t force myself if it’s not really meant for me. Anyways there are also other cars that can definitely go by my standards. Actually, there’s one which I believe a little cheaper than Porsche but also with unique design and features. Check this out – the Fisker Karma. I believe they are designed in California and rumors say that it will be build in Finland. Another great competition for Porsche. The Fisker Karma price is around $80,000 and up but I’m not really sure though. Just make sure to hold your chin up while looking at the pictures.

F I S K E R K A R M A (below)

Some people are just lucky, they don’t even need to earn just to get a car. I’ve seen this happened from one of the singing competitions here in US when the final 2 contestants both got brand new Ford Fiesta. What a gift! They got it all, the talent, fame and now cars. I think that the runner up of that competition is still a winner partying with her new Fiesta.

For now, I have to be reasonable and need to wake up from my Porsche dream. I have to face the reality that as of the moment the only tangible are among the non-luxury sedans. To give you an example, mitsubishi evolution price for 2010 models is from $27,190 - $40,990. Now, that is reachable for me. They offered sports sedans that racers will love. Whatever car you have, make the most out of it anyways the real function of it is the one that really matters – as transportation.

Curb Appeal

We always focus beautifying the inside of the house that we sometimes neglect the very first thing people will see and notice – our front yard. Having seen some of our neighbor’s neglected front yard made us think of another home improvement project, and that is to create a very enticing curb appeal. Aside from plants and grasses, we’re thinking of replacing the light fixtures and adding new mail box. This will make a big difference since our neighbors almost use same style of residential mail boxes
.


Getting new planters, shutters and nice shade of paints are all in the list. Window box planters can also make uncover our windows emptiness. I’m trying to search more curbside décor in the net and I know most of them offer both mailboxes and décor which will make it easier for us. Check these styles I got from the net and tell me what you think.

Kitchen Mix & Match

Designing a house is not our domain. We always look at magazines, TV shows and internet for tips and ideas. We started experimenting in our kitchen to see if it will work but still it didn’t satisfy us getting the appeal we really wanted it to have. So we’re on trial and error game again. There’s one spot in the kitchen that is an empty space that I don’t know how to fill in. Till we thought of an idea that a wine rack or bar can definitely make that spot functional. We searched the net and found few that can be in our list. One is from jk adams. We like their Hanging Wooden Slat Stemware Racks that will look good for our set of wine glasses.


Some accessories will also make the kitchen inviting and I’m thinking of getting one from jk adams spice rack collection. I like the touch of wood with the sense of having an organization for our spices’ small bottles. Its style works for me, saving more space in our counter.


If you also check jk adams cutting boards, you may think of using it as a décor instead of its original function since they have details that will really make you feel not using the top side of it but instead its bottom. It will be good to hang it in the counter. It’s really enjoyable to give your own touch in your kitchen, makes it more personal and with your very own taste and likes.

Dneero is back!

It's been so long before I get a new conversation, but now it's back with the new cool homepage. check it out!

No Pain, No Gain.

People are so busy that they don’t give much time for their personal lives. There are lots of websites offering people matching compatibilities to find an individual a perfect partner. Could you believe that? Everything can be ordered from the internet nowadays! I’m not against with it but my point is everyone can tell good things about themselves in their profiles. It’s easy to create a good image by just a click of a button. I’m still in favor of knowing the person naturally and with much awareness of her family background, of her roots. I know that some of you out there will react and say that using these matching websites will be the first step to know one person, but in my defense, different kinds of people are out there, good or bad, descent or psychos. It’s all up to you people if you want to try the risk. But for sure, if you, and I’m hoping not, for a thousand chances, matched to a psycho, that psycho knows how to do his thing. I’m thinking that in your very first date, you might regret it for life or even worse might worth your life. Like the ones I watched from movies, scary isn’t it?



I’m not good in giving advices but there are also lots of resources you can find in the internet. Some that tells on how to meet women or men in traditional and nicer ways. You can dig into other people’s own opinions. There are some professionals, like a pickup artist who are really experienced in this kind of dating thing that can really help you to do your first step. It’s all up to your judgment if their techniques or strategies work for you. All I can say is this: Good luck! Be careful in choosing the right person for you. If you can spend a lot of time in studying and structuring the right profession for yourself, find much and more time and effort in looking for the right person because that person will be your lifetime partner that will help you build both of your dreams and your own family. Do your research, make your pros and cons chart and consider your friends' or family's guts. Love is not everything, it’s just one ingredient in a relationship. If ever you find that perfect match, never let go of it for you know that you really worked hard to build a good foundation for it and confident that nothing can easily destroy and break it. As they say, No pain, no gain. No guts, no glory.

First Time Visit to the Dentist

I had to show him lots of video of kids going to the dentist the night before his appointment to prepare him and get acquainted with the dental clinic, dentist, procedure and instruments.. hoping to get a happy visit for the very first time. It was a success..



I don't care whether the hygieneist and the dentist were not comfortable in me videotaping them, I just told them that this is an important event to my son's life for this is one of his first time experiences that needs to be documented. They even have a sign saying that 3 years old patients should not be accompanied inside the procedure room.. just pretended that I wasn't able to read it, .. hehe.. Clarence did a great job in his teeth x-ray, he cooperated in all 6 x-ray done in his mouth. He finds it fun seeing pictures of his teeth xray in the monitor. I'm proud of him, unfortunately I wasn't able to taped it because he had to sit on my lap. He really loves the dental clinic, he told me that he wants to go back there.

Cars, cars and more cars

My brother always say that having a pickup truck may be necessary if you own a house because most of the time you’ll find it useful in furnishing your house. I found out that it is true. Sometimes you’ll think of a home improvement project that will require you buying big stuffs that won’t definitely fit in an ordinary 4 -door vehicle. And the fact that you have to consider the store’s delivery and shipping charges, I’d certainly agree with him. I saw a lot of homeowners that owns a truck as their secondary vehicle and this always make me think of what my brother told me about it. Some people chose to get a stylish car like jaguar xj –one of my favorites just to show off instead of getting a truck. I can't blame them jaguar is a real head turner, I, myself can't help stop looking at it when I spotted one on the road. But what people don’t know is that most truck manufacturers nowadays don’t want to be left behind in terms of style. Some are so neat that people would also desire in owning one. Like the gmc sierra especially when you get the one in black, I totally love it, functional and yet stylish too. King of the road is one thing I can think of when riding in these kinds.



I teased my brother, what the heck I need a truck for when you already have one that I can borrow. He just laughed and said, “it’s good thing that you’re younger than me”. He has two vehicles, one truck and one luxury car which cost him a lot of money in the maintenance and fuel. He’s thinking to trade in the luxury car because he finds the truck more useful than it. I showed him two choices which I know both economical and efficient in terms of price and performance. One is the subaru impreza and the other is nissan cube. He said that he’ll consider reviewing their ratings and specifications first and look for a dealer when he’s ready. Well, I hope he can make up his mind as soon as possible because possessing a luxury car is really expensive. For now, I have to borrow his truck first since I’m still in the process of furnishing our newly purchased house. I’ll just help him back in other ways I know. For I go with the saying, blood is thicker than water. That’s what brothers are for, right big bro? I love you bro!

Real Estate Stimulus - It’s still not too late

When we’re in Maryland friends kept on urging us to buy a house to avail of the first time homebuyer tax credit which is part of the Real Estate Stimulus package. We stick to our principle that we’ll not get a house unless we really like the location. We wanted to settle in a place where we know we could stay forever and raise our kids in the best environment we envisioned. We let that opportunity goes until we decided to move in California where we really look forward to live, close to my brother and not much of snow. So blessed, we really felt like we did the right decision when we heard that the first time homebuyer tax credit has been extended. We knew from the very start that it’s the perfect time to buy a house since the price went really down due to economic condition. We also wanted to have our own house instead of renting, at least now we know that every penny we’re spending for our shelter goes to our own property and not to any apartment owner. We can do whatever we like in our house without thinking of disturbing other people like what we experienced in our previous apartments. Who knew that we can have the best of both worlds by just sticking to our principle. We got the escrow closed before 2009 ends and now we’re enjoying the home that we meticulously chose for our family and also waiting for the federal tax credit of $8000 for being a first time homebuyer and the real plus is the fact that we really loved the location.



I learned from this video that not only us, the buyers, benefited from this purchase but the economy as well, how cool is that! That’s really something, a real win-win solution for both the government and its people. We were able to help without even knowing it. Good news to those first time homebuyer couple who filed jointly in their income tax who have large annual income because the income limit has increased from $150,000 to $225,000 if they purchase their home after November 6, 2009. You will know more from this video.



Always follow your guts!

Car is a necessity not a luxury

Since we moved here I didn’t get a chance to check on my car’s condition, I felt guilty knowing how helpful she is to us and yet I’m not giving some of my time and care she deserves. One time when I was driving home, I saw the maintenance minder popped up in my dashboard. So unexpected that really concerned me a lot. Then I recalled the last time I brought her to the dealer for maintenance has been a while. Good thing that one of our friends knows how to fix it. I found out that the oil went down to 15% and I needed to do oil change immediately. We went to buy oil and filter and proceed in getting it done before it leads to a more major problem. We drained it and I got to see that the oil was already dark, like black. We used one quart of oil just to clean and wash away the old dark oil from my tank, I don’t care if I used the whole quart, my objective is to see my oil back to its clear color, which is closely yellow like the cooking oil. I don’t want to end up giving my car a tune up, you know. This one is my treat for her.






I have a Honda Civic 2008 and I love it. I also like old car models like Acura Integra but I’m afraid that it could cost me much in repairs and maintenance since it’s old. Vintage cars are also head turners nowadays but it’s also kind of pricey in terms of updating and finding its obsolete parts. Oh well, whatever car you have if you don’t appreciate what she can do for you and your family, Pretty sure that she will be taken for granted and before you knew it, you might ended up paying so much for the repair or even worse you might get into a serious accident that you might regret at the end. Win-win solution should always be considered, your car helps you, you give the credit back by maintaining it right. For me, car is as important as food I take each day, without it I'm like lifeless (if that's even a term).

Merry Christmas!!!

My child can read part 2

One thing my son misses from Maryland is his school’s playgroup. He started going to school in Maryland when he was 2 years old. We won’t forget how fun and full of learning it was (I know because I’m also inside the classroom every class). The ‘Infants and Toddlers’ and ‘ABC class’ that he was attending really helped him a lot to develop his confidence in mingling with other kids. Aside from him attending school, my wife and I are always assisting him to learn more in the best we can. My plan of finding him a new school here in California is in my priority list, but unfortunately, we moved here late September when all schools are closed for new registration and we need to wait for next year for him to be included. As of now, he’s attending Sunday school in New Life Christian Fellowship church; while we are in the service; all the kids are in a separate room for the Sunday class. I’m so happy about it because, this time, not only his academic skills are being developed but also his spiritual aspect. One night when we are praying, he includes Kuya Noy (their Sunday school teacher) and the other kids (his classmates) in his prayer.
“… and please take care of mommy, daddy and me… and Kuya Noy and other kids…”
I know that he’s in good hands with them because I saw it myself when I stayed in the classroom since Clarence doesn’t want me to go away from him in his first day. Plus the fact that Clarence said I love you to his teachers really shows how comfortable he is with them. Started with a prayer then all their story-telling and fun activities are about Jesus and children with good behavior.

We don’t want him to be deprived of the things he could learn from school, so we always find time at home to do some activities he used to do in school. There are story-telling, painting and now reading. We’re proud to say that his reading skills are taught by us, his parents. No other people made him learn to read but us. I’m planning to bring him in McKinley Library twice a week for they have a program for toddlers. Circle time or story-telling. I always believe that my son will do well someday and we will support him to the best we can. This is part 2 of my blog where I show the whole world how good he is. At the age of 2yr/11 mos. he can read 3 letter words and when he reached 3yrs/6mos. old he can read a full sentence. A bit struggle for some words but I know with a little more patience and with some fun-strategy learning, he will be able to read without any mistakes in no time. Please have time to watch the video below to see his progress.



My child can read part 1 can be accessed by clicking this link

Use Thy Gifts

When I was still clouded with insecurities, low self-esteem and fear before, I always tell myself that I don’t have any talents nor I can do anything. I’m so shallow that when there are people doing small things which are different, I was easily amazed and felt jealous. I even blame my parents for being deprived of things other people gain from their riches, I was thinking then that if they only give me all the things I needed, I will be as good as those people I envied. –See how dull it is. I lived with these negative thoughts throughout my life but one very thing I kept on wondering was – in spite of all these obnoxity, I was still being taken cared of and blessed with a better life than others.

This was all answered when I started my curiosity about Jesus. I noticed that if you are interested in something, you’ll find a way to know it more and more. I started looking for answers and I believe God assisted me in the right way. I went to many Christian churches, and was able to join Couples for Christ.. –this started everything. My spiritual health began to nourish and little by little, took away my wrong thoughts about myself. God uses His people as instruments to make me a totally new person. I was grateful to what He has done for me. Even greater, He lead me the way to be closer to my brother here in California who encourages me more of my faith with Jesus. He put me in their church, New Life Christian Fellowship which made my understanding deeper with the weekly teaching of their Pastor and spiritual conversations with his family. I was able to realize things I don’t think I ever had before—and these are my gifts.

I learned that everybody has given a gift, big or small, unrecognized or obvious. These are all from God if we treasure and claim it. Gifts that are already within us ever since and the only thing we needed to do is to make it richer and pure. Make use of it in the right and best way we can. Thank God for thy gifts and offer them back to Him – for He is worthy of all of these. How?

As simple as this writing, I don’t even consider this as a gift before, but now I’m using this to reach other people as a form of thanksgiving and to serve Him in the littlest way I know. From now on my knowledge in computers will be shared to others according to what God has planned for it. My patience in teaching as what I worked before being Class Instructor can be used in trying to deliver what I know. Gifts of tongue, friendship, and love made my little ways into its biggest mission and that is – to serve our Almighty God.

If you know how to play guitar, use it – in fellowship;
If you are an athlete, use your power to reach your team mates and introduce God;
If you are a teacher, use it in spreading the word of God;
If you are a caregiver – read the Bible to your patient, show them goodness;
If you are good in photography – use it in showing the beauty God had created for us;
If you’re a simple worker – use it, give hope to others by helping your colleagues in getting out from the darkness;
If you’re a musician – use it in giving glory to the Lord;
If you’re a lawyer – use it to give the right justice for all who are in need;

A simple task you can give may create a big impact to others as what had happened to my life. Use thy gifts and share it with others.

It's About Time

I just noticed that most of my friends and former college classmates chose to get married at this time of our age. Last year 3 of them had their wedding and this year 2 more. No one likes to be left behind. Probably, because at this stage, I believe that most of us reached stability in life and becomes more ready to face another life’s challenge. We’re not getting any younger. I supposed. Sadly, some of my friends are still looking and even worse, one of them hasn’t experienced to have a girlfriend in his entire life. He has other priorities than his own happiness. Love can wait, he reasoned out. But he can’t deny it because he’s longing to have a partner is somewhat getting into our conversation most of the time. There’s one time I teased him to look for a pickup artist and learn from that person. Well, he’s not that desperate he defended. He told me that he already has prospects and all he needed is to be noticed. I told him that it will all depend with the right pick up lines that he’s going to deliver, I guess. Sometimes, a simple “Hi!” or “How are you doing?” will do the trick. I also added these other lines and advised him to have the guts to say it when he gets a chance.

"Pardon me, is this seat taken?"
"Excuse me but have we met before?"
"I’m just new here can I ask you something?"

I admit to him that I’m not good with this but I can say that the important thing is to get the woman’s attention, and once he got it, he should know what to do next. He should also seek dating advice from our other friends who have lots of experience from girls, and when I say lots, I mean numerous of exes, which made them experts in these kinds of stuffs. All I can say to him now, is to be serious in finding the right girl for him and when he did find her, make sure that he’ll get to know her better and that she’ll be the one that will be with him for the rest of his life – For he deserves to be happy, and I wish him all the best!

Another Time-out story

I was surprised when my son put his stuff snake in the corner and kept on saying "Stay there, Mr. snake!". That's what we're doing to him as his time-out when he's misbehaving. And when I asked him what Mr. Snake did to get a time-out like that, I laughed when I heard the reason..



"Daddy I put him in the corner because he's sticking out his tongue, that's not nice! diba? (right?)!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's another special day to celebrate, Thanksgiving. It's so special that should actually be done everyday. I would like to share my son's prayer that he's citing before meals maybe your children can use this as well, simple yet meaningful. Here how it goes:

" God is good
God is great
Bless the food
We're about to eat
Amen "

With a combination of his sweet smile makes the food so rich and blessed. He started this before he reach 3 years old and from there on, he was able to memorize it and get to know the real meaning of it. It's a good christian practice for our children to give thanks to the Lord. As what we all believe, It is right to give Him thanks and praise. "All that we have and all that we do, we give it back to you Oh lord, Jesus."

Know how the enemy works...

For us to know how to deal with the enemies we should know how they work. This will enable us to defeat them strategically and effortlessly. This opponent’s plan is apparent whenever we do good things for our Lord Jesus.