It's a few more hours before 2010 ends, and 2011 begins.
This year has been an adventure. This year had some personal struggles, but I was also able to experience some new things as well as experience some things I haven't done in years.
-----
The biggest event for me this year was my 3-decade birthday! Yep, I turned 30 years old this year, and I wanted to celebrate in the biggest way possible, while staying on budget.
You can read about it at
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-3-decade-celebration.html
As well as my life story of my 1st 3-decades at
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-first-3-decades-of-life.html
In other news ...
Economic/Jobs
2010 started off on a crappy note for me economically. But it's ending on a good note now!
I have been working as a substitute teacher since 2005, with both the public schools and the private schools.
A sub only gets paid on the days you get called to work. If you get called very often, the money is good. If you're not getting called often, then you're going to struggle.
In 2008, I was on a roll. It was the best year economically as a sub. Getting plenty work for both public and private schools, even working in the summer.
The first half of 2009 was great too, but the slowing economy really start to put the cramps on the education industry by Fall 2009! The public schools had Furlough Fridays. The teachers were really to trying maximize their time in the classroom with whatever days they got left. And even the private schools had struggled, since less people were enrolling.
So yeah, early 2010, I was really feeling the sting! My industry was in the decline! I seriously couldn't afford some things I used to!
I was already starting to check the job ads on Craig's List for additional work. I sure as hell didn't want to quit working in the schools, but I wouldn't mind an extra job.
On early February, I applied to work a temporary job at Punahou Carnival. It was my first time working at a carnival, but it sounded like fun! And I haven't been to the carnival since 2002 and I missed going! I was originally scheduled to work with the rides, but was moved to work with the games. I liked working the games involving tossing beanbags and shooting basketballs.
Then later that month, I saw an ad on Craig's List about working part-time as a para-professional tutor (PPT) with students in the Special Education programs within the DOE! I had applied in previous years for Educational Assistant (EA) positions, but didn't get hired for them. But I sure wasn't going to give up! So I applied for the PPT position and took a training session. And I got hired by the 1st school to interview me.
Summer was slow, but I was back to work when Fall 2010 semester rolled around!
Being pro-active and remembering the income-free winter breaks of years past, I decided to apply for a temporary position at Macy's for the holiday season. This was my 1st retail job ever. Stereotypically, retail jobs are what people do in their early 20's. But a later start in life doesn't hurt here!
I worked in what is called "recovery" which basically folding clothes and making sure things look nice. I never worked the cash register and didn't have any sales pressure since I wasn't a sales associate. I saw some shoppers that I knew from before, but not as many as I expected! It was an eye-opening experience working there, and I'm glad that I did!
So yeah, I'm ending 2010 in an economically high note. I can afford to party New Year's Eve without worrying about that breaking my budget.
Fun Events -
Another theme of mine in 2010 was rediscovering fun events I haven't done in a long time.
One example is the carnivals. Before 2010, the last time I went to the carnival was in 2002! An 8-year hiatus.
I did work the Punahou Carnival in February, which I mentioned already. I was considering working the 50th State Fair, but it never happened. But I did go there as a customer.
If you're not from Oahu, then let me tell you what the 50th State Fair is. The 50th State Fair is held on the parking lot of Aloha Stadium for about 4 weekends every May and June! It is what many people live for. Rides, games, food, petting zoos, exhibitions, etc.
For 8 years, I missed out on all that due to other distractions in my life! But I was back this year. I noticed there were smaller crowds, and there wasn't the big roller coaster anymore. And higher prices. But I still enjoyed the rides, the games, the loud music, the food, and watched some pigs racing! I felt alive again!
----
Another thing I had an 8-year hiatus on was the Waikiki Ho'olaulea. This is the huge block party on Kalakaua Avenue with multiple stages of people playing music, and people walking around having fun! This usually takes place in September!
The Ho'olaulea organizers don't put out much advertising on this event, so some years I found out" too last minute" for me to make time for it! This year, I was able to find out in advance! I went with my friend Aaron G., walked Kalakaua Avenue, saw local reggae band Ten Feet playing and re-lived what I missed out the last 8 years.
Like the 50th State Fair, it was done on a smaller scale, due to the slowing economy. But I still enjoyed it!
---
I also ended my hiatus from karaoke events on my 30th birthday. This year's birthday was on a Friday, so it was convenient time to party! Though it wasn't convenient for a few people I tried to invite because they finished work late in the evenings and weren't able to make it to my events in time. Hopefully, they can make it to my next birthday which falls on a Saturday.
--
In all club adventures of the past, I still didn't go to one when I was wearing a Santa hat! Again, other distractions the previous years. I was going to go party on Christmas Eve, but I had other distractions, so I went on Christmas night. It was a last minute decision to walk into Senor Frogs. Senor Frogs has a stage to dance on, and their drinks are more reasonably priced than other places. They also had a great atmosphere that night!
Music
My favorite song of the year was "Billionaire" featuring Travie McCoy doing the rapping, and Hawaii's own Bruno Mars singing the chorus! There is also a great remix version of that song with Hawaii's reggae/hip-hop group BET!
I loved the Billionaire song so much , it was the 1st song I sang on my birthday's karaoke! Too bad 2 of the guests came after I was done with the song.
While I congratulate Bruno Mars on his success this year, and his 7 Grammy nominations, he needs to stay out of trouble. He's already busted for cocaine! He needs to stay away from that, and stop trying to fit in with those in the industry who encourages him to do harmful substances.
---
I remember mentioning in my earlier blog post about the West Coast hip-hop making a min-comeback with a more party flavor, especially with the jerk dance! There was a song by Audio Push earlier this year called "Teach Me How to Jerk".
Well, "the jerk" got overshadowed by "the dougie" this year. Cali Swag District had their southern-sounding hit "Teach Me How to Dougie" which had very catchy phrases that I loved to repeat!
---
My other favorite song this year was "California Gurls" with Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg! I also remember this being the last song I sang at my birthday karaoke event!
----
BOB had some hits with Bruno Mars, Eminem and other stars, but my favorite is "Magic" featuring Weezer's Rivers Cuomo! A great rock/rap combo inspired a 1960's "Do You Believe in Magic?" by The Lovin Spoonful
--
My favorite Rihanna hit this year is "The Only Girl in the World". I was singing along with that song when I was dancing on the stage at Senor Frogs on Christmas. I wonder if someone You-Tubed it! You might find it hilarious!
--
There's obviously more great music, but this is my list for now! While people may complain about how "there's no good music anymore", there's always something good every year. and I'm looking forward to what great stuff comes out in 2011!
Sports
The world's biggest sports event was the World Cup in South Africa. My commentary on the World Cup at http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2010/07/world-cup-2010.html
---
For UH football, they weren't expected to have a winning season. But they were able to go 10-3 in the regular season. But they lost the Hawaii Bowl to Tulsa. Yet, some people are calling for Coach Mack to get fired over losing a bowl game? HELLO - WE HAD A WINNING SEASON! Too many people demand instant gratification these days!
Besides, Tulsa was one of the greatest offensive teams this year, and one of the most under-rated teams of the year!
----
Another sign of people demanding instant gratification at UH- 2 men's basketball players quit the team in the early part of the season, because of a "lack of playing time".
Seriously, I'm not exaggerating.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/20101208_Rainbow_Warriors_lose_Salter_Coleman.html
HELLO - basketball is a TEAM sport, not an individual sport! Instead of whining over playing time EARLY IN THE SEASON, just keep practicing! You never know when the team needs you on the floor! Maybe if things don't work out at the end of the season, then they could chose other options.
But if they're going to quit EARLY in the season over playing time, then how are they supposed to handle minor inconveniences the first month in their future jobs? Are they just going keep quitting jobs as soon as something minor goes wrong? That's not going to pay the rent!
----
Another side of excessive demand of instant gratification! Maryland's football coach got fired, even though he had an 8-4 season and won a bowl game. But the mentality nowadays is "winning seasons aren't enough, you need to win a championship every year!" Instant gratification run amok!
Learn more at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/18/AR2010121802878.html
-----
UConn women's basketball team finally lost a game yesterday (to Stanford) after win streak of 90 games in a row! That's the longest win streak for any college basketball team!
Yet, there are some haters out there disrespecting that team, saying stuff like "it's just a woman's team"
Oh yeah, where's the video evidence that you can beat those women in basketball? Is the answer "nowhere "? Then shut the beeping hell up! Actions speak louder than words!
---
Brett Favre already is a sports legend, with a Super Bowl ring, and on the way to the Hall of Fame! But he needs to move on to the next phase of life already! He's past his prime!
Check out http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1110/hess_farve.php3
---
I mentioned on facebook when Terrell Owens (TO) joined the Cincinnati Bengals, that TO and Chad Ochocinco could make the Bengals an exciting team. I had visions of the team having the most touchdown dances in NFL history. But they're past their prime, and the team wasn't successful! But the Bengals still got the coolest helmets that McKinley High School should imitate!
News Stories
You might've noticed that I didn't mention major news events on this blog posts. That's because I already wrote about them on the blog already.
I already wrote a blog post on the oil spill, the elections (both Hawaii and national), the controversy over a mosque near Ground Zero, airport security controversies, Arizona immigration controversy, Hawaii tsunami scare, and other stuff
And for sports, I already wrote about the Winter Olympics, World Cup, Ben Roethlisberger's rape case, and coaching and conference changes at UH!
Just go to the right side of this blog, click on a month, and explore my great insights, :)
And have a happy and safe new year's celebration
