Sabotage

Why does life at times seem so hard, when in actuality it is us who unnecessarily make it that way?

Metro

Sometimes driving can be cathartic, but other times it can be a downright drag. Though Los Angelenos have fewer transit options than other large cities, make no mistake, public transportation beckons.

I started riding the transit bus the summer before my freshmen year in high school. I had sports camp at my soon to be new school but lived about 20 miles away. I had but two choices, being 14 and seeing as my football orientation camp did not begin until the afternoon. I could get up early and go to work with my mom or I could take the bus.

I chose the latter.

My bus experiences after that were limited to rides to and from games. Coincidentally, however, mass transit systems have become integral to my job with respect to the media we provide.

But from time to time I have also taken the local muni bus to work but having places to go and people to see always felt inconvenienced, tethered even to transit as it made difficult any whimsical after-work jaunts to happy hour, the gym or the grocery store. But recently I've rediscovered this vital service to our nation's commerce, independence and mobility.

I have two major bus lines that run by my apartment that happen to take me either close to work or to friends' houses. If I don't want to drive and hassle with parking, $1 each way, I've found, works nicely.

I have ridden the metro train, meanwhile, in cities across the work and have always lamented that There weren't more accessible lines in my area. That is not quite true, I've learned.

The train is still not optimal for my everyday needs but can be very helpful when my plans align with this option. For the first time I rode the LA metro, with a friend this weekend from Hollywood to Union Station to Chinatown. It was cheap, just as fast if not faster than driving and all we had to worry about was getting off at the right stop.

So on a Sunday evening, despite the fact I'm delayed because a motorist clipped our bus, I'll be home soon. My driving or transit decisions will continue to also be made time, which is invaluable to me. But when it makes sense, I'll ride the bus or metro, especially in response to gas prices.

The Worst Homecoming Present Ever

After a 14-hour work day, on a Friday night no less, I'd like to return home to a welcome sight or sound. Not an abomination such as "ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends."

When I was growing up, I loved singing and listening to Richie's songs. I dug his previous group, The Commodores. I still find "Easy" to be one of the better pop songs of all times. But this travesty of a TV "special" is just, well, a travesty.

Obviously CBS had nothing better to show on a Friday evening than an over-produced show featuring Richie hawking his upcoming release surrounded by, of all people, a bunch of horrible country stars I've barely heard of. I thought Richie was R&B, even in the old days a bit of funk. SO what the funk is this?

I find it amusing, and really a bit sad, that a middle-aged man, albeit still a talented one, has to stoop to this level. I happened to get home and turn on the TV, which happened to be already tuned to CBS. At first I thought, hmm, Lionel. Then, to my surprise, two hill-billy performers come running own carrying a guitar inscribed with the phrase "hee haw." Then, the duo launched into "Brick House." I kid you not.

Needless to say I turned the channel mighty quickly. Sorry Lionel, but it's gut check time. If you need to go country to hawk your new album, something is terribly wrong.

Dealing with A-holes

I try not to but still often times find myself thinking what makes people act like jerks. Is it a shitty home life? Possibly? Do they have low self-esteem, even a deep-seeded sense of self loathing? Quite likely.

But why they have to take that out on others continues to boggle my mind. Life is so much better without being a dick to anyone and everyone.

As best as I try to not judge others, I am only human. So when I cross paths with a bully -- not your garden variety schoolyard kid but an even worse form in my opinion, the dick work associate or, even worse, a client -- I try to take a deep breath and go on with my life. At least in my position I can deal with an in-house bully, but the outside bully who tries to lord fear over you truly suck.

Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. Fight the good fight, they say. Pick your battles. So when encountering asses who jump to conclusions and try to force their way to get their own way, think before you, yourself, do something stupid that you might regret.

I get it; when it's all about money, people will stoop to the lowest depths to affect the outcome in their favor. But, of course, that doesn't make it right. I won't accept it, and neither should you. So use logic in your favor, calmly and collectively. Nicely reason with the person, or client (or the absolutely worst kind, the "potential" client who really has no intention of doing business with you but will dangle that carrot ... and cry like a baby if they don't get their way or to try and push their agenda.

Now some of you might say, "Well, the client is always right." Yes, but no. Thank god I don't work in sales, although, truth be told, we all sell something. It can be our talent, in my case writing and editorial judgement. I've found that the intangible is actually easier to barter with a client (and bully) because as long as your argument holds up to the litmus test reason should always win out. Not such an easy thing to do with a tangible product.

Many bullies will never be turned, will never see (or admit to) their wrongs. But stay strong, protect yourself and others, embrace and promote reason, and you should be just fine.

After all, the weekend is right around the corner.

Taxing Times

Please, oh please, Ophelia, make me some money! After far too many medical expenses last year (and, well, expenses, period), I am in great need of a nice, fat return this year. If I don't drown under the paperwork first. Keeping receipts and other records of everything from co-payment receipts to mileage to donations forms can be quite mind numbing, and that's not to mention filling out my worksheet that is supposed to give my tax preparer Ophelia enough information to file my return. I just want to be rid of it all, have more money in the bank and pay off my bills! So much for saving money in this economy. I'll gladly pay for my time back ... yes, more bills!

On Top of Old Tony's

But not covered with cheese... Or, perhaps, judging by the patrons, there is a bit of the cheese factor. Still, there are few better places to enjoy a cocktail on a lazy, beautiful Sunday afternoon at the beach, the Redondo Beach Pier to be exact. In February. At a pleasant 65 degrees.

Madness, Won't You Get Here Already!

Growing up, March was my favorite time of year, holding more allure than even the summer months. That's saying a lot for a boy with a July birthday and who spent countless hours in the sun each vacation playing nearly every sport, game, etc., there is.
But it was the dawn of spring each year that was the most exciting because, since the age of about 10, I've been a huge college basketball fan, especially of the University of Arizona, where I would one day attend college and from where I'd graduate.
You see, being a Wildcats fans means looking forward to March Madness, the branded name of the annual NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament. It's a right of passage and, in my opinion and that of several people I know, the most exciting sporting event — amateur, professional, or in the case of many college players, semiprofessional — that there is.
It always helped that my Wildcats made every NCAA tournament from 1985 through 2009, the second longest streak ever behind only North Carolina.
The 'Cats stumbled in 2010 after Coach Lute Olson, uh, retired but returned in new Coach Sean Miller's second season, a familiar Sweet 16 appearance. Then, last year, the 'Cats came within one shot of heading to their fifth Final Four, losing by two to eventual national champion UConn.
So, here it is, almost the middle of February, and after a slow start Arizona has won four in a row and, despite injuries, is playing with intensity and good defense, even if the free throw shooting leaves something to be desired. The team wasn't and still isn't expected to do much this season, and yet another NCAA berth remains in doubt considering how average Pac-12 teams have played.
But I will hold out hope for another excitement-filled March, when it's much better to be mad.