I'm No Longer a Virgin to the RED Card.

I've been playing soccer for about 15 years now and I finally got my first red card last night. I'm still kind of in shock about it. I have a little bit of shoulder pain, but that might be from the diving header I did in the same game and not from the collision with the goalie on the other team that got me my RED card.

Here's how the deal happened. I was playing forward and someone kicked the ball over the other team's last defender toward the goal. I was running full force and saw the goalie going for the ball. I knew I was going to get there way before goalie and head the ball. Well, I did get there before him and then he collided into me. Mind you this goalie was twice my size in weight, so you would think I was the one that would be flattened like a bug. Apparently, I was the stronger one since I knocked him to the ground and I think I remained standing. The other team started to cursing at me and so did the goal keeper. I apologized and gave them me "Oh so sorry" look with a little mixture of the "puppy dog" face. I guess it worked because the goalie apologized to me about using such foul language as I helped him off the ground. The referee then called me to side and told me that due to the nature of the collision that he has to give me a red card. I thought it was a joke and tried to argue my point very calmly, but it didn't work and I got the RED card. The referee was nice enough to let me stay and watch the rest of the game, even though I was suppose to be booted off the field. Not only did I get ejected from the game, but I can't play on next week's Riot game. I have to sit a game out due to the RED card.

As I walked off the field feeling a bit bad for almost taking out the other team's goalie, my teammates asked me if I was okay. Apparently, the sound the collision made was fairly loud and they thought that due to the size of the goalie that I probably got hurt pretty bad, like I would be bleeding or get a concussion. I told them I was fine and I was. I didn't even feel anything from the collision. The one I feel sorry for the most is the other team's goalie. I think I may have bruised his ribs. Ouch!

It's really surprising for me to get a RED card since I'm fairly a passive player. I try not to rough up the other team...at least not on purpose. I hate playing dirty soccer, but last night I was pretty much the king of thugs on the field. The bright side of it all is that I should my teammates how butch I can be and I actually get time off to do homework next week Tuesday.

I hope that's the last RED card I ever get.

Lost My WAMU Debit Mastercard

After soccer on March 2nd, I went to a Key Bank ATM on Capital Hill to pull out some money, so I can buy dinner at Smith's (a pub/cafe) with the rest of the soccer team. I accidentally left my WAMU Debit Mastercard in the ATM. I didn't even realized it until 24 hours later when I tried to buy one of my school books online and my card was declined. You may be wondering how I was able to type in my card number when my card was lost. Well, I memorize at least 2 credit card, so I can shop online without having to pull my credit card out all the time. I don't like storing my credit card info online, so memorizing it is a lot better.

Anyways, back to my story. Who ever took my card ended up doing a shopping spree at QFC, Safeway, and 7Eleven. This person spent like $110 at a 7Eleven. Hot damn! I would spent that money in a better place. This person charged around $253 on my debit card. What sucks is that the back of my card says "SEE ID" and I take it none of the retailers really don't check people's ID. It's dumb!

I was starting to believe that humanity is basically good, but now I think that most people are just basically evil. It's still under investigation and I don't know if I'm going to get my money back. It is hard to be optimistic about things after I feel like I've been totally violated. It reminds me of the time a few years ago where someone got my credit card information somehow and charged $500 on in California. When I called up the credit card company, I had to explain that I haven't traveled in 6 months and there's no way that I was in California that day, because I was stuck on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Identity Fraud really sucks!!! I hope no one tever has to experience this.

Blogging About Someone Else's Blog

Today at work, my manager introduced me to a very interesting blog. It's called, Stuff White People Like. I am so hooked on that blog that I saved it as a favorite at home, at work, and on my BlackJack II. If people really like to read blogs and post comments, then this is one that you should definitely read. I'm sure it's all in good fun and some people may be offended by it, but it's all about a person's self construct, how we each view things. They can either be different or similiar, but at least we can recognize both.

I wish I was that creative as a writer to post blogs, such as, Stuff White People Like or Political Blogs. I pretty much use blogging as a journal for all the world to see...ok, not the whole world since my blogs are never that interesting.

Anyways, if you are interested in reading "Stuff White People Like" then just click on the link provided or search for it on your favorite search engine.

It's getting late, so I'm off to bed.

Peace Out!

~ Abmel

Seattle - Portland Ski Trip Weekend

The pic is of my carpool buddies on this ski trip: Me (left), Travis (middle), and Kenny (right). The pic was taken on our way back to Seattle at a Dairy Queen somewhere in the sticks. Yikes!



This past weekend was the most exciting weekend I've had since my Sydney, Australia trip earlier this year.

I know Travis and Kenny from playing soccer on Ripple Effect on Sundays, but I've never hung out with them outside of soccer. It was nice getting to know them on the road while driving down to Mt. Hood. It also gave me a chance to let out a side of myself that I usually keep bottled inside. Yes, I let the queen out! Hopefully, I didn't scare Travis and Kenny. It was a nice escape from my busy life though.

It took us about 5 hours to get down to the cabin that the we rented out for the weekend. It was so beautiful. The cabin had 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a hot tub. The only bummer was it didn't have WiFi, but I only used the internet once so it really didn't matter. I was too distracted to do any studying or homework anyways. Also, I was too much of a prude to actually use the hot tub with the rest of the soccer guys.

We all went ski and snowboarding on Saturday. I haven't snowboarded in since 2001, so I took the beginners' class as a refresher. I was lucked out, because the snowboarding instructor was hot. Not only was he hot, but he seemed to have a great personality. A great personality always trumps looks in my book. I was glad he had both. I'd sign up for another beginners' class if he taught it. I still wasn't confident about leaving the bunny slope, but maybe next year I will.

Too much happened this past weekend that it makes it hard to blog the entire thing. I can say that the best part was bonding with everyone and getting to know Travis and Kenny a little more. Travis and Kenny are great guys. They are good looking, smart, and have awesome personalities. I'm glad that I as able to carpool with them.

I probably dominated majority of the conversation, but you know me...Mr. Talks-too-much. Ha! I just can't help it. I don't socialize that much anymore. All in all, I'm glad that I made the trip and I was able to make 2 new friends.

~ Abmel

Why I Like My Co-Workers?

Yesterday I sent out an email to the folks in the team I am on stating that I will be on vacation on Friday, February 22nd. This is what I have to deal with. They are so hilarious. I love working with them.

Here's how it went down. I've pasted the email interactions below.

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My Email:
Hi Team,

With approval, I’m taking vacation this Friday, February 22nd and possibly the following Monday depending on how late I get back from my Ski/Snowboarding trip. If you need to get a hold of me, please don’t hesitate to call my cell. I will have limited email access.

Thanks,
Abmel

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Their response:

Hi Abmel,

If you're seeking my approval, your request is declined. You should not be having fun for goodness sake, you need to work! And be sure to get yourself back in the office on Monday. No calling in sick.

Dana
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My Response:

Hi Dana and Dawn,

I apologize for not seeking your approvals first, but Adam and Fredrik have already approved my request. I will strongly consider your objections the next time I decide to take a scheduled time off. I just can’t do it right because I already paid for the Cabin with the hot tub. Sorry! :(

I’ll think of the two you though while I’m having fun though. :(

Sincerely,
Abmel
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Their response:

Hi Abmel,

It's only scheduled time off when you schedule it and its approved. Since you asked for approval to the web team--a team of which we are a part--we feel obligated to let you know that when given the option, your request will be declined. We just like it better when you're here. J

Since it didn't work out this time, I guess you'll just have to have to go ahead and have a good time. Do NOT break anything skiing and/or snowboarding!

Sincerely,
Dana
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I forwarded the message to my manager and this is what he had to say:

Dana, that is hilarious!

“we feel obligated to let you know that when given the option, your request will be declined. We just like it better when you're here.”

Pure comedy gold – I love it!!

I’m totally going to steal that line to snuff out somebody’s hopes, next time I have the chance to do so! As I said to Abmel, it’s right outta Dilbert.

Bravo! :)

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Can you believe this? I can. You won't believe all the IMs I got for sending that email. I'll be sure to take lots of pics and flaunt them to my co-workers. Aren't they just awesome? This is why I love working here so much.

Ha ha ha!