Overdue blog action!

One on One with Jeremy!
Friend and former college roommate.

JMarti1623: i was looking at your blog the other
day
JMarti1623: you sure love pictures of yourself
HeRk18: oh, Blog of Bryan?
JMarti1623: 9 out of 10 pictures are of you!
JMarti1623: myspace
HeRk18: oh Myspace
HeRk18: 2 hot sites!
HeRk18: It's the
Uncrowned King of Life's Myspace... inquirers want to know who the owner and publisher is... I can't leave them hanging in the balance!
JMarti1623: its either you striking some kind of come-hither pose or you with jamie, holding her head
like shes some kinda puppy dog!
HeRk18: LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
HeRk18: that's awesome
JMarti1623: its true!!
JMarti1623: that whole hand on the side of her head thing
JMarti1623: like "awwww...thats a good girllll...WHO'S a good girl??? aww....thats right..."

Jeremy is hilarious. I miss that dude. I also miss my fights with him on Fight Night Round 2. Well, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it has been a while since I last updated, but here I am once again to thrill and captivate my world-wide audience of friends and fans.

The job hunt is still progressing, slowly but surely, but I now have one interview on the line with Sherwin Williams Company. Upon a successful interview, the offer is an M.I.T. position in sales with a base salary of $34,000 the first year. After I graduate from the training program, bonuses are to be included. This is not a horrible deal, but I am eager to see if any other companies can match and top this deal.

Today, through Careerbuilder, I applied for two more positions. One was for a buyer position at Spencer Gifts. The other was for a home furnishing sales consultant opportunity with Raymour and Flanigan. That opportunity, should I land the position, could offer me as much as $45,000 to $72,000 the first year I am employed with them. Much of it is commission-based, but I believe there is also a base salary. Hopefully Lady Luck is on my side.

A week from today, at 9am, I have a meeting with a lady at Career Services to discuss potential job opportunities. Hopefully that is a successful appointment. My wishes are to move out of mom's house as quickly as possible as well. Colleen and Frank are still looking for an apartment as well; I am currently looking into the apartments at the CLUB III real estate development that Jeremy, Sean, Keeley, and Jack are currently living at. I will be in touch with Colleen and Frank to see if they are interested in getting an apartment over there with me in the near future.

Jeremy, Sean, and Keeley are currently living together in two bedroom apartment at CLUB III for a mere $265 each! That deal is phenomenal. I can only hope to land a deal nearly as good as that.

On an unfortunate note, the California trip just might be unraveling before my very eyes!!!! Bill Dyer withdrew from the trip due to a job opportunity that came his way with some corrections facility. He will not be flying out to California on January 26. His withdrawal from the trip makes the entire experience (transportation to J.F.K. Airport, hotel accommodations, etc) that much more expensive for me. I may not be going anymore do to a lack of funds for my five day stint in California. Loan bills from school are coming my way, along with credit card bills, auto insurance bills, and many other payments I am required to make upon my return to the East Coast.

Remember, while I do have some leads for potentially lucrative job opportunities coming my way, I remain an O.G. ( Olive Garden or Out of Goods??) slave -

Oops...I meant server/busser/host.

Therefore, I am on a rather tight budget at this moment. So we'll see what happens in the next few days.

For now, it is time for me to depart. Take care, be safe, and have a nice day.

Peace.

Thursday, January 12, 2006 | posted in | 3 comments [ More ]

Random Quotes

All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did.
-T.E. Lawrence;Seven Pillars of Wisdom




Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
-Winston Churchill




Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
-Dr. Seuss




Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
-General George Patton Jr



You see, if you ever wanted to ever be anythingThere'd always be somebody that shoot down any dreamThere'll always be haters, that's the way it isHater niggaz marry hater bitches and have hater kidsBut they gon' have to take my life 'fore they take my drive'Cause when I was barely livin, that's what kept me aliveJust the thought that maybe it could be better than what we at at this timeMake it out of this grind, 'fore I'm out of my mind...
-Kanye West

All black folks are fighters...from the womb to the tomb!
-Don King

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.
-Van Wilder

I'm Brick Tamland. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded.
-Brick Tamland; Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

If the grass is green, leave the lawnmower in the garage.
-The Great One; creater and author of this page

Never spill the pepper if you don't want the salt to find out.
-Jeremy Martinsen

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Job search in Atlantic City not terrible... but certainly not great!

My job search in Atlantic City yesterday went okay. Not great. Not terrible. Contrary to Dr Whithem's statement, there were not 100-200 job postings at the Human Resource Departments of those resorts!

I applied for a few positions at Hilton and Resorts, as well as a few positions at Borgata online. Hilton stated that they would review my application and call me back within the next week. Let's see if they actually call me back. Either way, every single one of those resorts will be receiving a follow-up call from me within the next week. I also left my resume with all of those resorts along with Tropicana, which did not have any available positions to my liking. My patience is about as scarce as the employment opportunities that are out there for me right now, or so it appears. Perhaps I am too anxious, but would like to have a job that will enable me to pay back my loan bills as well as my credit card and auto insurance bills.

People always have a tendency to say, "Stop whining! Stop complaining! You're so ungrateful! Be happy for what you have." However, when the tables turn, and something goes wrong for those particular souls, they fail to practice what they preach and one can hear their whining - their complaining - their ungratefulness - 1000 miles away! Nobody ever got anywhere by being satisfied with the bare minimum. You stay satisfied with the bare minimum too long, you could end up with a bare ass and no money to pay for clothes to keep it warm! Finding a job is a battle and I must keep fighting.

I need a job other than Olive Garden, or should I refer to it as Out of Goods? They never have SHIT! Looks like I will be making some calls to Dr. Whithem, Donna, and Career Services this coming week. I need a job that I can get with my bachelors degree, period! I am not backing down ONE BIT. I want to make money. I want to be happy. After 20 years of schooling and almost eight years of labor, is that too much to ask for???

Last night, I met up with Jaime in Howell and together we met up with the rest of the gang at this bar called Ecco in Red Bank. I had this slammin' Berry Margarita, which gave me a nice buzz to remember on the way back to Jaime's house.

As I started drifting off to sleep in the car, I began to think about this job hunt and when it was going to end.

Saturday, January 07, 2006 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Undisputed World Middleweight Champion...

for one moment in Dreamland!

Are you wondering what exactly you just read?

Last night, I had a dream that I was at a boxing match. I do not even remember who was fighting. I can remember being at ringside and seeing many of the highrollers and boxing luminaries (Roy Jones, Jr and Smokin' Joe Frazier included). The strangest thing happened to me. Next thing I knew, I was the one who was in the ring boxing! I do not even remember the opponent - I know he was a caucasian and that I whooped that ass, but that is about it. The fight went to the scorecards,
and I was announced "the winner... and New Undisputed Middleweight Champion."

How about THAT for a dream???

This is all coming from a man who has boxing on the brain! I'm telling you, I did not want to wake up from this dream. It felt great being an undisputed champion - it also felt extremely real. I could have sworn I was holding three belts (WBA, WBC, and IBF). It was such an awesome dream. My mother, uncle, friends, and media were constantly taking pictures of me with the belts around my waist and draped over my shoulders. Unheard of, I tell you! Overnight, I was the Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world. I reiterate - I did not want to wake up. I just wanted to look at my title belts and hold them up in air, embracing the moment and taking pride in my achievement of dethroning the middleweight champion - whoever the hell it was in my dream. I was a celebrity - a superstar - overnight in my dream.

Sadly, I eventually woke up. After getting up at 7:50 am to make drive down to South Jersey, I am now at Stockton because I have to update my resume and head to Atlantic City in search of an employment opportunity.

Jermaine, give me my damn belts back! I am not crazy enough to fight you for them...

Friday, January 06, 2006 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Focus on post-graduation career grows stronger!

Along with the focus, lies THE VISION.

Last night was the first Tuesday night, in God knows how long, that the O.G. crew and myself did not attend Murphy's for kareoke night. Quite a sad reality, I must say. Apparently the manager at Murphy's was being an asshole; this probably prevented the kareoke night from transpiring. I sincerely hope that Murphy's does not fall off the map for all of us due to this problem that happened last night. As a result, a few of us ended up going to The Laughing Lion. We did not stay there for very long. Attendance was at an all-time low of O.G. peeps. Those in attendance were Rico, Jamie, a couple of her friends (non-O.G. related), Mike Espineli and myself.

While Rico, Jamie, and her friends sat at the bar, Mike and I sat at one of the tables and had a chat about work, New Years Eve celebration, and the future. We talked about the lives of the managers at the Olive Garden and how they have no life. I told Mike that I did not want that to me ten or even twenty years down the road.

Activities, such as the California trip, are vastly coming in my direction. Bill and I will be flying out to California from JFK airport on Jetblue on the 26th of this month. God I pray that you get us both there and return both of us home safely. Responsibilities are also resurfacing in the new year. This month, I also begin the payments on my new auto insurance bill for the new year. The job hunt continues, but I am working hard to pursue a potential lead that came my way during graduation weekend - a lead that has been largely overlooked up until last week!

There is a hotel in Ocean City, NJ, for which I have yet to figure out the name of it, where I could potentially land a job with my bachelors degree. When my mother and uncle were staying at the Rodeway Inn on White Horse Pike on the weekend of my graduation, one of the attendants at that hotel informed my mother that this hotel in Ocean City was beginning to recruit graduates from Stockton College. I only wish my mother had taken note of the hotel's name so I could approach them myself as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the faculty at Stockton will not be returning until January 10, so I can not yet benefit from the hookups that I have there in attempt to get a job this mystery hotel. The school officially opened January 3, but the faculty are not due to return until January 10?

O.K.

Patience is a trait that will be required on my part in the meantime. I will just have to wait until Dr. Whithem and Donna return their offices next Tuesday. When they do return, I will try everything in my power to land a job at this Ocean City mystery hotel, which I hope is no longer a mystery come next Tuesday. Hopefully, yours truly will finally have a job that pays well and instills less stress than my current job has been doing. My faith lies in the fact that hotels have many different jobs, such as property management, facilities management, hospitality accounting and finance, service management, and food and beverage to name a few. It is not like the restaurant industry, where food and beverage is basically the lone job requirement.

A couple weeks ago, I had a vision that came to my head when I was getting ready for work. My vision, since that moment, has been to land a job at a hotel with my Business Hospitality Management bachelors degree, in hopes of building a reputation with the company as an M.I.T. and eventually going to graduate school for Finance. As an undergraduate, I did reasonably well in my Financial Management course. The course content came off surprisingly easy to me. Acknowledging how financially rewarding a career in finance could be, couple with the fact that I would already have a job a hotel, I could be transferred to the financial department of the hotel, pending my attainment of Masters Degree in Finance. There is nothing more rewarding or desirable than getting promoted from within a company. This entire paragraph details my recent vision. Thought always precedes action, so I plan on taking action that will fulfill this thought and vision of mine.

At this time, I must head over to Best Buy to make an exchange. This past weekend, Jaime bought me the Eminem Curtain Call album for Christmas, which is a great album I might add. It contains all of Eminem's greatest hits with the bonus track "When I'm Gone" included. However, my mother bought me the same album yesterday and attached it to my bedroom door as a surprise. I felt so bad telling her that Jaime had already bought me that album. Therefore, she gave me the receipt and I can exchange that CD for a different CD! Not so bad afterall. I am getting a new CD today! So I am heading to Best Buy to take care of this exchange.

Everyone have a great day. Wish me luck in regards to the vision as well as my future plans.

Take care.

Peace.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Photos from New Years Eve at Headliner!

As you can see, we enjoyed the festivities to the fullest extent!

For the third year in a row, as I predicted, I drank a ridiculous amount, did not get sick, and woke up this morning feeling like a man fit to run a marathon.

Sunday, January 01, 2006 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Welcome 2 0 0 6!!!!
Countdown announced, well-heard, and celebrated THIS YEAR!

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: "You're the hardest bitch to get!"

Last night was an amazing time at Headliner with the Hizowell crew. Lauren, Gena, Ken, Laura, James, Charlie, Dan, Nancy, Charlie, Erin, Caroline, Dave, Cheryl, Alicia, Marissa, Jeremy, Pete, Jodie, his cop pal, Laurie, Jaime, and myself were ALL at Headliner. I believe that's everyone. If I missed anyone, anybody important, let me know via comment!

As we had previously done for two years in a row, we once again put Headliner back on the map! We drank a lot of alcohol and ate plenty of pizza. After the clock struck midnight, I apparently made a number of drunken phone calls to some friends of mine. There was also a cardboard poster by the restrooms that almost fell on top of me at the end of the evening. James, Laura, Ken, Gena, Jaime, and myself rented out rooms at the Days Inn, which was minutes away from Headliner. According to the taxi cab service that picked us up and drove us to the club, 28 of the hotel residents at the Days Inn last night called for taxis to take them to Headliner!

Once Jaime and I returned to our room at the end of the night, I stripped myself of my outfit - all with the exception of my boxer briefs. According to Jaime, I wanted to go outside to get some air. Sporting nothing but boxer briefs, I opened the door to our room and walked outside in my boxers! LOL. I do not remember any of that! I wish I could have seen a picture or video of that moment. What a great night.


Unlike 2005, I respectfully greeted the arrival of 2006.

Let there be as much peace as possible. Let there be fun. Money earned, respect gained, and may all be right with the world. Let 2006 be a better year than 2005.

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Headliner here we come!

In just a few moments, Jaime and I will be leaving to head for Neptune, where Headliner is located. The time has come to commence with New Years Eve celebrations!!!!

Time to get wet.
Time to eat.
Time to have fun!

Everyone going out for New Years Eve, be safe!

MAY THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!!!!

PEACE OUT 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, December 31, 2005 | posted in | 1 comments [ More ]

New Year Resolutions!

As we all know, new years is right around the corner. This is the appropriate time for many of us to determine what we want to do in the new year to better our lives. New Year resolutions, if you will. There are a number of goals and resolutions that I would like to set for myself in the year 2006.

Make sure I am present for the countdown to the new year! This would surely be a nice starting point. Last year, I missed the countdown and I still believe to this day that it brought me a considerable amount of bad luck. Considerable enough to make me superstitious. Considerable enough to the point where I refuse to miss another countdown!

Move out of mother's house and into my own place. Such a move is desperately necessary. Love between family members, in my honest opinion, is stronger when those family members are at a distance from each other. When you see your mother everyday, you tend to find certain things to fight about or cop an attitude about. I, myself, admit that I am guilty of those attributes. However, when you are apart and you get a chance to chat or talk on the phone with your family, there is nothing but love. You do not see each other every day, so you do not have anything to pick a fight or argument about. Additionally, I would much rather live under my roof with my own terms and conditions. It is time to move out of the mother's homestead and into my own pad - preferably in South Jersey. Let us pray that I can meet this resolution EARLY next year. In order to do that, I must make some headway in meeting my next resolution.

Begin a career in something related to what my bachelors degree stipulates - a job that is somewhat enjoyable. The job search has been in effect. This is nothing new to all of my readers or friends. The job search is still in effect. I have had a few leads from companies; I have called these companies back and I am still looking for a conclusive answer from them. I need to develop a career. In addition to the rigorous job search I am currently conducting, I will also go to Career Services at Stockton, come the new year, in an attempt to gain some assistance from them, in my pursuit of a job.

Nail the GMAT. I am surely taking this test in either March or April of 2006. As I have stated on numerous occasions before, my preparation for the test coupled with my intellect and prowess will result in none other than a successful outcome. I predict a high score - one that will shock my detractors. Look out! I am going to shake up the world!!!

Graduate school for my MBA. I want to go graduate school for either Business Administration or Finance. My long term goal for graduate school, which is not really a 2006 new year resolution, is to graduate with honors - atleast cum laude (with honor). This is an achievement I failed to accomplish as an undergraduate. However, graduating with atleast cum laude requires that I get off to an impressive start with a high GPA and that is a resolution for 2006 should I begin my graduate school career in September. My detractors may be skeptical about me accomplishing this. Sit back, watch me do it, and be amazed when it happens. When your jaw drops in amazement, and your mouth is hanging wide open, try not to druel all over yourself.

Update this website on a regular basis. People read my publications on this page. The traffic flow is great and people are interested and curious about me. More importantly, this page serves a purpose in allowing me to speak my mind and practice my writing. I believe this page makes it possible for me to improve my writing skills, which is a positive thing. This page, as well as updating it, is an enjoyable hobby of mine. Expect PLENTY MORE BLOG OF BRYAN updates in 2006.

Minimal stress/minimal flakeouts. Stress is a negative feeling. Problems arise in life, but I need to be calmer person. I must learn not to flake out over every little dilemma. Some dilemmas, however, are greater than others. This resolution will be quite a challenge, but I will give it a go.

Neat and organized lifestyle. Life is much easier when one lives this way. I want to keep my room clean. My hair needs to look good when I am out. Fresh haircuts are to be expected when the hair gets too shaggy or out of place. I would also like to dress a little nicer when I am out in public, especially when I am at the clubs or bars. One gives off a more self-confident and positive vibe when one's appearance is neat and attractive. Hygiene is to be continually maintained to the maximum. I am way too handsome and good looking not to keep my image looking spotless!

That is all for now. Expect some more in the near future.

Thursday, December 29, 2005 | posted in | 1 comments [ More ]

New Years Eve celebration to officially land at Headliner!

For the third year in row, I will be celebrating New Years Eve with Jaime and company at Headliner, appropriately touted as The Night Club for the Jersey Shore. As previously stated, we originally intended to celebrate New Years at Beachcomber Bar and Grill in Seaside Heights, but all of the suitable hotels in the local area were booked and the only hotel vacancies left were all ghetto fabulous.

Therefore, the next best alternative was to purchase tickets for Headliner, where we celebrated New Years Eve for the previous two years. Third time is a charm, but it is also the third time - third New Years Eve in a row - that yours truly will drink almost everybody under table, remain the only one who does not vomit up my money, and wake up on New Years day like a man who has the energy to run a marathon!!! HAHAHAHA!

Headliner's open bar only lasts two and a half hours, from 8:30pm until 11pm, but for $30 that is still a tremendous deal. Most bars in the Central Jersey/Jersey shore areas only provide open bar for two hours on New Years Eve.

I still consider myself fortunate; I am quite pleased that I am off from work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Believe me when I tell you this; nobody is more deserving of such privledges. Known as somebody who offers much assistance to co-workers in the workplace, I deserve to spend this holiday time with friends. On New Years Eve, which falls on a Saturday this year, the restaurant is open until the regular closing time at 11pm. FUCK THAT. Pardon my French. The poor souls, who are working the dinner shift on December 31, will still be in the restaurant doing God knows what when the clock strikes midnight. I just could not have any part of that, so I avoided having to work at that time. Props to those who are either going to be at work at that time, or even have any bit of desire to work at that time.

Not I, roared the lion.

I feel as though I am at the end of my rope with all of this restaurant turmoil. Every man has his breaking point and I am just about at the finish line. The place has me fed up. My retirement from the Food and Beverage Industry is coming very soon in the near future. You heard it here first!

On Saturday night, for yours truly, there will be no getting booted from the club, no arrests, no getting sick, and plenty of drinking and eating because that is how The Great One gets down these days and I would not have it any other way. Whoever is going to be part of this extravaganza with me, I will see all of you fine and fortunate souls very soon! Let the celebration begin.

I'm ready for 2006!!!

No missing the countdown this year!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Anticipation of New Years Eve celebration (as well as the new year)!!

Christmas came and went - it did not stop for anyone or anything - but the day was rather nice. I sat around with the family and relaxed, as we watched Christmas movies. I got some nice things for Christmas - including clothes, a few DVDs, and some other useful goods. I finally got the first three episodes of the Star Wars Saga! In the next week or so, I definitely need to sit down and watch all six, starting with the first episode.

Do not think that I am going to watch all six in one day. I do not have that kind of time on my hands. Olive Garden would never allow it. They did, however, give me off from work on Friday and Saturday. Saturday is New Years Eve, so I am delighted that I have been given off for that day. Originally, I was scheduled for noon on New Years Day, but Janine, one of my co-workers, was looking for shifts on Wedesnday and Sunday, so I gave her my Sunday afternoon shift. How about that? Now I am off from work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!!!

*applause*

It is amazing how I always manage to avoid working on holidays! It never fails. In my honest opinion, that is the way it should be. That is the way I plan on keeping it in my work life for a long time - the rest of my life in fact. No work on holidays. That is my party time. Cut into my party time, I cut you! HAHAHA! Just kidding. But for real, no work for me on the holidays. Why work on a holiday that is intended for celebration with close friends and family???? Taking away the rest of the holidays, there are approximately 355-360 other days of the year to work. Holidays for yours truly?? A big no-no!

This coming New Years Eve, I will be heading to Beachcomber Bar and Grill in Seaside Heights with Jaime and company to commence with the New Years Eve celebrations. For the last two years, we have been going to Headliner for New Years, but Beachcomber, for $35, has a longer open bar. Beachcomber's open bar lasts from 8pm until midnight, which is a damn good deal. I can not wait for that evening! New Years is a terrific time of year for me because it symbolizes a potentially fresh new start in one's life. It marks the beginning of a whole new year and the chance to correct anything that went wrong the previous year.

Last year, I missed the countdown to 2005 due to the fact that the club did not even announce the damn countdown. I was in the bathroom emptying my blatter, with three other dudes doing the same in the urinals right next too me, when I happened to look down at my watch and notice, through my drunken haze, that the time was 12:06!! How could I have missed the countdown?!?!? It will not happen this year ladies and gentlemen! I will be present for the countdown, and whereever you are (hopefully not working your ass off at your job), I hope you will be present for the countdown as well.

Bad luck to miss the countdown to a new year. Yes, I believe that.

That is all for now. Have a nice day.

Expect at least one more update before we reach 2006!

Tuesday, December 27, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Hot stuff at a fine moment!

Friday, December 23, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Happy Holidays!

At this time, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year. Happy Holidays!

Whatever you happen to be celebrating, all due respect to your religions, have a happy celebration!

Christmas is just two short days away, so I must get out to the mall and do some shopping for the family! Yours truly is off from work for three days in a row. Super duper!!!

Time for shopping. Time to get some gifts as well as egg nog. Take care everyone.

Stay warm. Stay merry!

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Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man (2005) is a brilliant motion picture, directed by Ron Howard and based on a true story, that reflects the hardships and rise to prominence of heavyweight contender and North Bergen, New Jersey resident James J. Braddock, who is played by actor Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind, 2001).

The plot takes place during The Great Depression, at a time when employment was extremely scarce, anxiety was at an all time high as a result of the recession, and suicide was both attempted and committed. After losing his boxing license as a result of a lackluster performance in the ring, one that ends in a no contest, Braddock finds himself without a job and unable to generate income to support his family. Braddock and his family ultimately lose the utilities (gas and electric) to their home. Braddock, doing everything in his power to make a healthy home for his family, continuously goes to the docks in an attempt to work shifts.

The shifts are competitive; some days he is denied - other days he is chosen to work. Labor is rough for Braddock, who works with a broken right hand. Eventually, Braddock's manager is able to reinstate Braddock's license land him a fight with the number two middleweight contender Corn Griffin. Braddock would survive a knockdown to knock out Griffin in three short rounds, and score two more wins, over the likes of John Henry Lewis and Art Lasky, before finally getting a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship against reigning champion Max Baer.

This motion picture truly reveals the phrase "ashy to classy." What Braddock accomplished, under such unfortunate circumstances, is unprecedented and should be admired. Ron Howard did an excellent job directing this movie and Russell Crowe pretty much resurrected Jimmy Braddock, bringing him back to life, with his performance in this film. This is a must see for boxing fans, as well as people who long to capture a real-life fairy tale.

These types of stories, inspirational and heartwarming, do not happen every day in the real world. This movie can really inspire one to be all that one can be and appreciate what one has. The fact that this true story happened during a time as rough as The Great Depression enhances the magic of the legend that is James J. Braddock.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 | posted in | 1 comments [ More ]

Post graduation reaction, three year anniversary, and more!

My graduation this past Sunday was an absolutely beautiful event.

As I have stated on numerous occasions over the past few months, this graduation was long overdue. I was not going to be denied that ceremony come December 18. As a result, I completed my internship on time and received an A. When President Saatkamp issued my diploma frame to me, I raised both arms up in the air to symbolize the victory that I had earned over the course of five and a half years. Expect graduation photos within the next couple days.

I overcame all of the recent hurdles - entrance and exit interviews, registration disputes, transcript disputes, payments, graduation applications, any little thing the faculty could possibly pin on me to prevent this day from happening, etc - to assure myself a spot in that ceremony. Perhaps these obstacles are necessarily in order for one to determine what one really wants in life. As I embraced the atmosphere in the sports center at Big Blue on Sunday afternoon, and realized that I truly made it through all the of the obstacles and adversity, the weekly trips to Stockton in the month of December were all well worth my time. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the exact same thing.

My love for South Jersey, Stockton, and the Atlantic County area has not dyed down one bit [frankly I am not sure if it ever will], so even the smallest of reasons, such as a 12oz cup of coffee, could probably encourage me to commit to the 2 hour and 15 minute drive necessary to get down there from D-town. After being involved in a graduation ceremony there this past Sunday, I can say that my love for Stockton College is even greater now - if that is at all possible.

I have been ecstatic ever since the ceremony. Although I have major responsibilities approaching in the New Year, I feel as though a heavy burden has been lifted off my back. Up in a cloud nine, even at work at certain times, I think about what has just happened this past Sunday. Hard to believe the day came, but I am so excited that it did. I was not going to be denied; you can believe that.

What is next?

The GMAT is a test, an important requirement, that I must register for very soon in order to apply to any school's MBA program. The GMAT, which may not predict how well I will do in graduate school, is going to be a fabulous and accurate indicator of who I am and what I am capable of. That test is a success in the making for yours truly, so I must get registered for it as soon as possible. There is much on the line with that test, but I can tell you right now that I will not fail to impress. My greatness knows no limits.

A successful outcome for yours truly, on that test, is inevitable. Period.

I have updated my resume, so I have sent the resume to various companies that I am interested in working for. JobNET, which was a plug in my previous post from this morning, is my latest and greatest employment opportunity resource. The job hunt is slow at this moment, but I everything is progressing along just fine. I am confident that a legitimate offer and opportunity will come my way with time and effort. The key is to maintain a consistent search, keep my options wide open, and buckle down so that an opportunity may come my way at some point in the not too distant future. One must never give up! One must continue to earn money by any means necessary while searching for an opportunity bigger and better.

Jaime and I totally enjoyed our three year anniversary on Sunday. We went to Gourmet, a local Italian restaurant, for dinner and had a romantic dining experience. I love Jaime very much. In fact, I am probably the happiest whenever I am hanging out with her. Our personalities clash perfectly, making our company with each other extremely enjoyable. On Sunday night, we got a room with a jacuzzi at the Passport Inn on White Horse Pike. Jacuzzis are the bomb; Jaime and I lived it up like royalty! Seriously - we do not fuck around. Well, I suppose we do, but when reading that previous statement from a tainted and perverted perspective, it is none of your business. LOL.

Sunday was an amazing, God-given day. Thank you God.

Thanks to everyone, particularly my family, friends, and Stockton professors, who guided me and helped me out in my college/graduation pursuits. Those years in college were a genuine thrill and the commencement ceremony was the sweetest of icings on the cake.

Before returning home on Monday morning, Jaime and I went to Denny's for breakfast. Basically we spent money, that we did not even have, to get breakfast. We LOVED it!

Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe, is an excellent movie! Jaime got me the Collectors Edition DVD as one of her anniversary gifts to me. That movie is as compelling and inspiring as any movie I have seen in a long time. The fact that it is a true story, based on the hardships and rise to prominence of heavyweight boxer James J. Braddock, makes it that much more beautiful of a movie. Expect a BLOG OF BRYAN movie review of Cinderella Man within the next day or two.

Tonight is Tuesday, which means that I am headed to Murphy's later on to meet up with the O.G. crew for kareoke night. More good times are upcoming baby!

What the hell am I going to sing tonight? Any recommendations folks?

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 | posted in | 2 comments [ More ]

OFFICIALLY A STOCKTON COLLEGE GRADUATE AND ALUMNI!!!!

Finally, on December 18, 2005 (two days ago), yours truly graduated from The Richard Stockton College of NJ with a Bachelors Degree (BS) in Business Studies - with a concentration in Hospitality Management! I was so proud of myself, as was my family and my girlfriend.

The entire ceremony was truly a compelling event - one that was warm and heartfelt on my end and I am sure on the end of the other 350-400 graduates that day. Since then, I have been in somewhat of a cheery mood. This graduation has been quite uplifting; it was something that was long overdue. There will be more to come later on, but I must be at work at 11am today. I am working as a server.

Also on December 18, Jaime and I celebrated our three year anniversary! Congratulations to both of us! More to come about that later today as well.

When I get out of work, anywhere from 4pm to 5pm, I plan on conducting a vigorous job search on JobNET at the Stockton website. They have some really intriguing prospects for graduates. I need to get the ball rolling on this job hunt, or else I could be working at the O.G. for months on end - that is NOT going to happen, if you see where I am coming from.

I also need to get going with Christmas shopping. Perhaps later on this evening, after my job search session.

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Growing coffee addiction?

My addiction to coffee is gradually increasing. It is just so damn good!

What is to be said for that?

Some have stated that caffeine addiction is as harmful as nicotine addiction, but I can not help my taste for coffee. My countless hours of work at The Olive Garden do not exactly help to provide a cure for this addiction. Starbucks coffee is really good, but some would argue that it is expensive. Others call it Charbucks, noting that their coffee has too much of a burnt taste to it. Their Caramel Macchiato is sinfully sweet; it really wakes me up when I am tired or have a long trip ahead of me.

Starbucks teas, however, are pricey, but I find that their coffees are sold at reasonable rates that rival other coffee companies. Coffee Beanery, which is located at the Rockaway Mall by my house, is a terrific little coffee shop. I always get their Caffe Mocha- it is the best one I have had from any of the coffee establishments. Starbucks, however, has a nice variety of seasonal coffees, like the Peppermint Mocha Latte.

What else is new?

As many of you already know, Howard Stern is moving to Sirius Sattelite Radio come January 9, 2006. Yesterday, while driving down to Stockton, I listened to Howard's final free radio show on K-Rock. Too bad his show is no longer going to be free to the general public. I really enjoyed listening to his radio show on K-Rock, when I would go on trips to school or work early in the morning. I think the man is brilliant and I am not sure if I can go without being able to have access to his radio show. Perhaps I should pay for my own Sirius activation and installation come the new year?

Onto the topic of my current mood and scene...

Here on the campus at The Richard Stockton College of NJ, there are very few students present at this time. Most of them have departed to go home to their families for the holidays upcoming. This campus almost has a desserted look to it. Last year, at this time, I was a student who had a bedroom, in an on-campus apartment, that belonged to me. Times can really change.

Yours truly, however, is here for the big day coming up tomorrow. After years of attending college, a journey that began at the County College of Morris in September 1999, I am about to participate in a ceremony that concludes such an extensive journey... one that transferred me from County College to Stockon in September 2002... and will finish with me graduation from Stockton tomorrow on December 18, 2005. I can not wait to have that diploma in my hands. The past three months have been pretty tough for me; the challenges of assuring this upcoming Fall Commencement ceremony were immense. Between holds, difficulty in registering for the internship I recently completed, denials of approval for graduation, and loan disputes, I was beginning to wonder if this stage of my life was ever going to let me go.

From about October 2005, up until now, I have been stuck in somewhat of an indeterminate state. Uncertainty plagued my life those last few months, but hopefully tomorrow's ceremony marks the beginning of a new phase in my life, and the end of the Autumn wasteland where I was restrained in one massive bubble of ambiguity. Heading into this graduation ceremony, I long to discover a decisive conclusion to the six years of hard work and dedication that I put in. Afterall, if one does not know where one is coming from, where is one supposed to go?

Where do I go after tomorrow?

Job search? Did that not begin over a month ago? Hopefully I land a decent job in due time. I plan on talking to some of my professors from Stockton about job prospects very soon.
Moving out of the household where I currently live with mom? Whether or not I find a high paying job that can be earned with a bachelors degree, a move away from home is inevitable in the very near future! I need to once again move out, as has been covered for almost two months here on this website. I would like to move sometime in the month of January. Hopefully Jaime can move out of her house and come live with me, should she find a higher paying job than the one she has now.
GMAT registration and preparation? I would certainly like to take that test sometime in April so that I may further earn the opportunity to attend graduate school. Graduate school, in my opinion, is a MUST. Scoring high on the GMAT serves as a form of redemption for any bit of slackage that I may have done in those years of college.
Partying like there is no tomorrow??? HAHAHAHA!! That has happened an insurmountable amount of times prior to this ceremony and I do not see it coming to a halt afterwards.

Before all of that happens, I desperately want to see tomorrow. I am ready to walk in that graduation ceremony right this moment! There will be a strut. There will be a swagger. There will be a loud applause. There will be many folks and college graduates present. College staff - professors who lived through those fruitful years with me - will be present to watch me move onto the next chapter. There will be a ceremony - one for which I will be a part of.

There will be a proud young man - who will finally be a college graduate - tomorrow.

Saturday, December 17, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

A couple more pictures!

A couple more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Ray, Mike, Jack, Erik, and myself at Caspah in Atlantic City for Anna's 21st birthday.

Jaime, myself, and Alex at Alex's birthday celebration at Chubby's in Red Bank on 11/04/2005.

More where that came from!

Graduation is TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

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Internship result, graduation weekend at Stockton, and more!!!

Photo of Jaime and I:

Extremely handsome + undeniably beautiful = sight for sore eyes

This picture was taken of us at Friday Feast approximately four weeks ago. Rarely do I ever put pictures on this website, so I figured it was time for a picture. I really like the way this picture came out. Most of the pictures from the previous three months or so have been on Jaime's digital camera, which I bought her for her birthday I might add. The picture quality is excellent. The actual content is even better! Rest assured, there will be plenty more pictures to come in the near future!

NEWS BULLETIN:

I received an A on my internship!!!!!!! *applause* *more applause*

How about...

*endless applause*

Alright already... you can stop now. Enough respect. How about that phenomenal result? I...

*APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!*

LOL.

I am happy that all of my courses are officially complete. I am officially graduating on Sunday! My diploma will be in my hands in no time! Keep your fingers crossed that the college does not find any other reasons to pin a hold on my account. What else could they possibly get me for??? I have taken care of everything and acknowledged every single possible road block that could prevent me from getting that diploma. Shit, I passed my internship with an A!

Will the school, by any chance, change the grading scale on Sunday December 18 at 12:59 pm???? Is A going to turn into a failing grade, just to prevent me from graduating? Are dick size or testicle circumference criteria for holds that can prevent graduation????? Seriously, I do not care to drop my drawers and bend over for the administration in order to remove a hold, so I seriously hope not!!! Hopefully, all roads are finally clear for Sunday, December 18. I have done everything in my power to clear those pathways. On to my graduation in just two short days!!!!!

I am once again at the Richard Stockton College of NJ, which most of you know by now is like my second home. Actually, it has been The Olive Garden, but let's not get into the topic of that dark hole of hell. Stockton is great, the drive down to South Jersey early this morning was smooth, and the roads are completely clear of ice and snow. The sun is out and the temperature is like 50 degrees, which is nice after the inclement weather conditions we have had in the past couple weeks.

At this time, I must head over to G-wing to meet Jack, Jeremy, and Anna for lunch!

Take care everyone. Blog ya later!

Friday, December 16, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Bring Me Down

Bring Me Down
by Kanye West

I really do like this song:

[Chorus: Brandy]
I always knew that one day
They'd try to bring me down

WOoow, one day, they tried to bring me down
ALways knew that one
day, they'd try to bring me down
Dooown, way down

[Kanye]
We
gon' last today, we have to pray
Besides what the pastor say,
I have to
say
Since Pac passed away
Most you rappers don't even deserve a track
from me
You see, if you evern wanted to ever be anything
There'd always
be somebody that shoot down any dream
There'll always be haters, that's the
way it is
Hater niggaz marry hater bitches and have hater kids
But they gon' have to take my life 'fore they take my drive'
Cause when I was barely livin, that's what kept me alive
Just the thought that maybe it could be better than what we at at this time
Make it out of this grind, 'fore I'm out of my mind


And get some lee way on the he say she say
You girl don't like me, how long has she been gay
Spanish girls say "No able ingle"
And everybody want to run to me for their SINGLE
It's funny how these wack niggaz need my help
Wasn't around when I couldn't feed myself
Dog,
If I was you, I wouldn't feel myself
Dog, If I was you, I'd kill myself
Made a mill myself, and I'm still myself
And I'ma look in the mirror if I need some help
Ask me from the heart, y'all all frontin
Everybody feel a way about K but at least y'all feel somethin

[Brandy]
Why you come here,
I bet it only it was forget to get ya
What kind of dream we found, see I'm often at your cross way
forgetting it was that heaven let ya. They tried to
bring me down[Chorus] - 5X

4 more days until graduation baby!!!!

There is nothing that is going to stop that.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]