Under The Influence

A while ago I had dinner with an Aunt & Uncle of mine and my Uncle said something to me that has been hitting me hard lately and making me reflect upon myself and the life I'm living.  He told me that I have a very special gift... the gift of Influence. He said that he sees me as a very influential person because my personality draws people to me. He also pointed out that I have a choice to make, the choice of what kind of influence I am going to be.

The reason this has been hitting me so hard lately is because I've realized who I have this influence over, my Family. And yeah, I guess I do have an influence over the family that is my age or older, but I feel like my target audience is my younger family, especially one younger lad in particular... my 13 year old brother Noah. Noah is the little brat that stole my sunshine and took my throne as the baby of the family, but we have a 12 year age difference which makes his childhood way different than the rest of mine & my siblings. He's now at the age where he takes everything in around him and is going to pretty much shape his attitude and outlook on life. Before my Dad passed away, he gathered my siblings and myself and told us we all had one common responsibility now: Noah. That no matter what we were all responsible for his well being. And now that Noah isn't such a baby anymore, I feel that I need to start getting my shit together so I can be a good example for him since we are the closest in age and he looks up to me.

This new year of 2012 I am challenging myself with many goals that I intend to accomplish. Goals that I've thought about but never even tried to accomplish, goals that I've slightly tried to achieve, and new goals that I've never had the guts to push myself to mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. My life is going to take a big turn soon. All I can pray for is that I have enough strength to keep pushing and that I continue to have my friends & family support me and keep me focused. The motivation to better myself and my family, that pushes all of my individual goals for this new year is very clear to me now:

Lead By Example

Be the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma Ghandi

I hope you all have at least one fabulous resolution for the new year too & make it your bitch! 
Cheers to 2012 friends :)

If You Never Let Go

Flickr, Flickr

You Be The Sun

Birds of a feather flock together

Whoops, should've posted this earlier since it's almost the new weekend!

Last weekend was fabulous! Company Holiday party at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge then Cardinal domination on Sunday! Friday was a blur and Sunday was freezing cold! My niece swore it was snowing, I was too occupied with my hair blowing in a million and one directions.

So here are some pics from this beautiful weekend. Enjoy :)

On our way to tailgate! My #1 fans!!

My newly recruited Cardinals fans :) Tara & Sierra

Posted in the Red Zone

Lanae & Cardinals mascot, Big Red

Birds of a feather flock together.

Just another beautiful day in the AZ from the hotel balcony

So last night the first Toy Story was on TV

(yes I watch children's movies on a weekly basis) and when I walked passed the TV, it was on the scene of the little evil neighbor kid Sid, whose parents probably put him in serious therapy after the first movie if he ran and told everyone he shit his pants because toys started talking to him. Then I started thinking how TS3 ended with Andy going to college cause he's all growed up, which got me to wondering what ever happened to this Sid character. E! True Hollywood Story needs to get the update on Sid, but you're in luck for now because I think I have it pretty much all figured out. Read on.

After his traumatic experience, Sid was convinced that his little neighbor Andy and his possessed toys lived in a real poltergeist house. He spent the next few years of his junior high & high school being teased as the neighborhood crazy for telling the story to everyone. The tables turned and now he was the one who was constantly bullied so he was sent to a small alternative high school to graduate. He then turned to the crack pipe to deal with his issues. His neighborhood lost it's value (which was the reasoning behind Andy's move) and became the new ghetto. Andy's old vacant house become the new crack spot where he performed crazy voodoo rituals worshipping toys so they would be at peace with him. He was eventually arrested and incarcerated for breaking and entering into Disneyland with intent to kill Mickey Mouse because they toys told him they needed the ultimate sacrifice.

Wow... 

Shit BLACK Girls Say

RUINED!

What a horrible way to start the day! I get online and the first Glamour article I read is the rumor that Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel.

National Geographic

Nature Photo Contest 2011

Here are some of my faves

And my favorite

I know it's only 1:15pm

But this is probably the best Facebook update of the day:

Good News: Kim's dead
Bad News: It's not one of the Kardashians...

Random Conversation

*3AM, Waiting outside some lounge in Snottsdale for our car to arrive so we can put our wasted friend in it who's dry heaving on the side of the building

Tall Brotha walking by: Hey girl, you know where (insert club name) is?
Myself: Sorry, don't know where anything is around here.
Tall Brotha: Oh, so you ain't from around here? (checking us out, even Pukey McPukerton) Where y'all from?
Myself: No, we live more West.
Tall Brotha: Oh, so you mean like Phoenix? Or Downtown? So what y'all doin down here? Celebratin'? I can tell she had a good time (points to McPukerton).
Myself: (rolling my eyes still holding her hair) No,  we're from Hawaii. Oh look, the car's here. Bye.
Tall Brotha: Oh I can see that, Aloha to you too!

Poor guy, I probably would've been less bitchy if he wasn't trying to pick us up while my friend was puking her brains out... Probably

I Love It

When I'm asking Daria to tell me about her weekend adventures and she always, ALWAYS responds with:

"I don't even know where to begin"

Not. I don't love it at all.

Umm how about at the beginning aka Friday. I'm probably going to change her blog name to Rebecca Black.

I don't understand

how nail polish can chip off so cot damn easy but it takes like 5 giant cotton balls to get all the polish off one hand?? Seriously, I will polish my nails before bed and by the time I get to work the next morning, my tips are chipped. Then later when I'm trying to remove shit job left on my hand with nail polish remover, it doesn't want to come off and it may seem as if I gutted a polar bear with my bare hands because all that cotton clings to your nails... Ok, I'm done with my morning rant. Happy Tuesday!

I seriously

Feel like a big bag of douche every time I order from Starbucks.

Got Em All

except for.... "Let me tell you"

This Guy Is My New Best Friend

I am a little iffy on the dollar bill and the CD though... I guess I'll have to go home and test this.

The Shit My Boss Says Pt. 3

"Supposubly" instead of supposedly
"Maysure" instead of measure

Sometimes I just want to tell him to cut the shenanigans and talk normal.

Come On Little Miss & Do The Twist

Lately there have been quite a few situations I've been in where one of those giant straws that twirls & twists (preferably in green), would it make my life a lot easier.

1. When I'm driving around and don't want to let go of the wheel to take a drink. 
2. When I'm just too lazy to sit up while I'm laying on the couch, and my cup is on the floor. Insert giant twirly straw and boom, problem solved.

I guess you could just have a really long straight straw, but the twisty ones in cool colors that take like 30 seconds just to get your beverage in your mouth just look more appropriate. 

Plus drinking from a straw prevents beverages from staining those pearly whites ;)

Literally

They are calling my name. 

This Is So Me At Work

Holla for a Dolla!

I love the dollar store. So much junk in there you never knew you needed until you see it's only a buck! Yesterday I hit two different dollar stores and have amusing stories about each of them.

Dolla Holla Mission 1: Christmas decorations for office
Since we are being forced to have some Holiday office cheer this year, I was instructed to go get cheap decorations to spiff up my lobby because having a tree wasn't enough. So a coworker and I hit Dollar Tree and the main thing I was in search for were a couple of boxes of cheap lights to hang around my desk. I see the lights they have and on the box it said 5.1ft so I figured two boxes would be plenty. When we return to the office, I unravel the lights only to find out I've been bamboozled. I asked my coworker how tall I look and she says about 5'4 to which I reply "Well apparently I must be as tall as Lamar Odom to the Dollar Tree". Cot damn lights are only about 3 feet long and there's 2 feet of just cord and to top it off, there's no damn connector at the end to hook up another set. These kinds of details should be specified!! I guess that's why they're only a dollar.

Dolla Holla Mission 2: Help my niece combine a Secret Santa gift for under $5
My Secret Santa niece needed some help on what to get her friend for under $5, so I told her we'd go to the dollar store and make a little basket of gifts. We picked out nail polishes, nail polish remover, cotton balls, and nail files and put them in a cute Christmas bucket, boom. 5 bucks. During our hunt, we stumbled upon the Dog section with food, treats, leashes and then... stripper dog clothes for small dogs. Seriously. There were cheetah prints, sparkles, glitter and SHEER shirts. Does a dog really need a sheer shirt with zebra print and sequins on it so you can see through it and think to yourself "That is one sexy little bitch"??? Actually, does anyone really need a shirt like that? The answer is no. So needless to say, my sister and I couldn't resist but to buy 2 of these outfits for her Chihuahuas (which are like my children) to help them stay warm in their doghouse. I know what you're thinking, and the answer is YES! Of course we did a family photo shoot!!

Happy Holidays!! Love Cocoa, Chapo & Gina

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates

Your coworkers that are allergic to nuts never know what they're going to get.
Ps. Is it pure Irony that your gay male coworker is allergic to nuts?

Random Conversation from the Weekend

*Playing Kings cup at 1 in the afternoon*

Ninja: So no names?
Me: No, that's my rule.
Ninja: So I can't say FAH-Gina?
Me: Look, this is Name Mountain (holds hand up high) and this is you (holds other hand down low). And you, you're just a fetus, it's pretty much impossible for you to get to the top of Name Mountain.
Ninja: Master Splinter is on top of fecal mountain
Me: .............. Who's next?

Gee Whizz

Everyday I read that more and more single people are confessing that they don't see themselves getting married or settling down. Our generation has reached the point where we believe it is better to be successful in our careers than to be successful emotionally. What the hell is happening to us? Like I know we're going through this economic recession and money problems get people down, dating is expensive, but is it really consuming our wallets and our hope? Are we living through an economic recession or is it an emotional recession?
Maybe it's not the economy. Maybe it's our generation. Our parents and grandparents grew up to believe that a successful life was about falling passionately in love with someone, having great friends, starting a family, and having a good job to support your loved ones. I feel like now it's all backwards and so many people have given up on finding someone to feel passionately about because our main priority is to "succeed" with a career then if we have time, we'll find someone who will love us. I understand that people want to have financial stability which requires education and hard work, but are we being so brainwashed to be workaholics and money focused that we are forgetting the meaning of life? I was raised to believe that you surround yourself with those you love and you find a way to make it through thick and thin, but the main thing was to Love. Maybe I'm sounding like a complete hopeless romantic right now, but I refuse to give up on finding love.
I guess that's what I get for watching stupid romantic comedies... Whatever.

Tis The Season

To GIVE.

Yesterday I finally took a box of clothes & shoes that have been in my trunk for the last month or so to the Goodwill.

After Thanksgiving I realized how much I am thankful for and then thought about all the other people in this world, country and my very own STATE who don't even have half of the things I do. Normally I can be as selfish as any other single person would be, my time is all for me going out and having fun. But since it's the holidays I figured this is the perfect excuse to switch it up, so I decided I'm going to be giving a lot more for others in need for the remainder of this month wether it's money or time or maybe someone who just needs someone to hangout with.

Bring on your needs bitches!!!!!!

Sounds like someone I know

Via TextsFromBennett

Talk about drunk vagina

(And I'm not talking about myself either)

Apparently it's cool to get drunk with a tampon?

A male coworker just walked by and I noticed that he had some small white thing on his back pocket of his black pants. I tell him to come back and of course teases me for checking out his ass so I disappointed him and pointed out that a big white spot on black pants would catch anyone's eyes.
His hands are full so he turns around and I informed him "I'm not fondling you, just helping you out" when I pull the string off he says "WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE!! I work out!". This guy is 41.
I am literally shaking my head. Literally.

I hate when random coworkers start chatting about their weight in front of you then pause and look at you to see if you have any input. I just want my coffee, I don't know you well enough to tell you "Yeah it's definitely time for you to hit that elliptical. Now please move so I can get the Splenda."

Cybermania

Is there really a reason to fight a soccer mom in the suburbs for that Wii or TV on Black Friday when you can just get it online Cyber Monday????

All this cyber talk makes me want to cybernate and stay offline. No cybersex for me tonight.

It's like Spanish

So my sister and I were going through NetFlix this weekend and happened to come across Romeo + Juliet and we both agreed to watch it cause neither of us haven't seen it in forever. Well this scene is about as far as we got before we had to change movies. I told her I felt like I was watching a movie in Spanish and couldn't understand what the funk was going on cause that whole Shakespeare dialogue was ridic. The only reason I kind of wanted to continue watching it was because Michael from LOST was in it dressed in drag and wearing a white wig. It's one of those things you see that you want so badly to look away, but you can't. I wish I was more into that whole Shakespeare stuff so I could've watched the whole thing. It is a good movie, I just need subtitles.

5 Day Weekend

I spent half of it at my local watering hole and the other half in my bed.
I am thankful for PTO.

I was on a rhyme fest last night

Sticky Tape!!

Since it's Thanksgiving week, I figured I'd share something I'm truly thankful for...
Friendship

I am bountifully blessed in the Friendship department. Each and every friendship I have is so different and special in it's own way, and I am so grateful for all of them. This week I am especially grateful for the one with my favorite guy pal. My bestest buddy Jared came in town from Cali this weekend and we partied it up just like we used to back in our teen days. This friendship is super special to me because it's kinda hard to come across good friendships with the opposite sex. Usually emotions slash hormones get involved, one person starts wanting more than just friendship, all that lovey dovey junk can get in the way and ruin everything. We can still talk about relationships, family and all kinds of other drama just like how I talk with my girls, but it's more interesting to me because it's a guys perspective. I wish we could've hung out longer but I'm happy we had a chance to hangout at least for a day and take our shenanigans to the HNL.

Friends always come and go but it's comforting to know I have at least one good guy pal that I know will always be there even if he lives 6 hours away.

Let me get that handclap

A coworker and I were talking about our pet peeves when watching movies and her main one was the people who clap at the end of a movie in a theater, because no one actually "performed", so why the applause? I then bashfully confessed to her that I am one of those people she hates. Now I don't clap for every single movie I see, hell I go to the movies maybe like twice a year because I have the attention span of a 4 year old and cannot stand to be in that uncomfortable seat for 3 hours or more. But sometimes movies just end so good that I can't help but to express my gratitude and new found giddiness with a nice round of applause. I mean, it's either that or look over at the person next to you and give them a hug or high 5 because you're so filled with joy that there was a happy ending. That would be weird.

Here are some other pet peeves we came up with for movie watching:

• Sitting with a person who's already seen the movie who insists on telling you "Oh my goodness I love this part" or "This is so scary" or "HAHAHA! THIS PART IS SO FUNNY, WATCH!" or something else to ruin what is about to happen that is supposed to be surprising.
• Sitting with a person who's already seen the movie who feels the need to explain what just happened and how it ties to something that already happened or will tie to what is going to happen next. Like, I'm watching the movie too, I can figure it out on my own. Now I missed what they just said cause you were talking, damnit.
• Teenagers in the movie theater. Either they're making out ridiculously loud or they're laughing ridiculously loud. Ridiculous! There should be a movie theater just for teens so they will stop annoying the shit out of the rest of the world. Of course there will be condoms in all the restrooms, duh.
• (For me) Movie theaters all together and people who've already seen the movie.

We also agreed that movies at home are bad ass. You can wear PJ's, drink wine or beer without having to sneak it in and wait for that loud part in the movie to crack your can open, pause for a bathroom break or another drink, and fart without anyone giving you the stink eye (pun?). So, what are your movie watching pet peeves?

Uh oh,

I woke up this morning in full sarcasm mode. Watch out.

For all those who are easily offended:
just remember, I am kidding (maybe)

Yes, I definitely want to be here

iWantToBeHere

First World Problems

http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/194147-first-world-problems

If your ex ever tells you that you will never meet another like them, tell them GOOD!

That's the point.

Life

Bougy

It's my new favorite word.

Pronounced:
Boo-gee

I'm on a roll

Bahahaa

Via

Can't Stop Listening To

Linda Ronstadt

Yes,

I am immature.

You can never make the same mistake twice
Because the second time you make it, 
It's not a mistake...
It's a Choice.

Fashion Blogger

Rebel Attitude: One skirt: 2 styles:

I adore this fashion blogger, she is so chic & casual at the same time. And she shares my love for Westies, she's got my vote :)

I have this obsession with the moon.
I can't help but to just stop & stare at its beauty and feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility run over me.

Make a wish

11-11-11

Sparklers!

“Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life”

Epictetus

Happy Veteran's Day!

My Vet <3

Samuel R. Pacheco 

Served in WWII

This is one special Vet I am extremely thankful for, my Grandfather. Although I never met him, I heard he was quite the rascal and probably the reason sarcasm blatantly flows through the Pacheco bloodline.

Happy Veteran's Day to all!!

Some packaged things

should really have motivational phrases on them. Maybe say something like: "You're almost there!!" or "Don't give up Buddy!" or "Tear it one more time & it's all yours!!!!"

I just want to drink my protein shake!!!!!!!

Inner Dialogue

Whenever you think to yourself, does your inner voice always sound like your normal voice? My imagination tends to get the best of me when I'm thinking and I noticed that my thoughts seem to have different accents whenever I think about certain situations in my head.

When I'm gossiping with Daria on the gangster, I always have this heavy New Jersey accent flowin' through my head and I imagine myself sitting there chompin' on a piece of gum so loud that she can hear it through her computer. You know, just like classy ladies on the East Coast would trash talk people.
i.e. Me: I'm SHORE she will have some'um bad to say about her. I mean, who doesn't she say anything beead about? *smacking gum loudly*

My funniest inner dialogue is when I'm chatting with my cousin on the gangster. It's like a mix of a straight up BonQuiQui hoodrat fresh out of the Compton projects and a valley girl straight outta the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. Read on:

me: knee garowwwwS: What is up foo! Sooooo you missed out on the crazy bill debate at Texas last night

  ur mom was getting gansta with the waiters bcuz they put everyones tab together and gave us a pen to figure out who got what. It was pretty hilar!

me: oh em gee, thats why i hate going out to eat with everyone!

  and yeah, wtf is their deal!? they always split it!

S: I know. It was craziness. We didn't leave there til 1040!!!

 me: daaaaaang! i hope you guys didn't tip!

S: They included the tip in everyones total.

 me: oh shit thats right, i would've complained!

  throwed some bows in that bitch then square danced on the table and said YIPPEE KAY YAY MONKEY MAN!

 im having a sugar rush!

 S: lol. I think ur mother drank too much when she was preg with yo crazy ass!

 me: seriously!!!!!!

  I so sorry fo yo moda

 S: Speaking of drinking Its NIKOLAS Bday officially todow!! Lets get wasted!

 me: HELLS YES! FROSTING WASTED! So what time are we making cupcakes?!

 S: I get out at 6 so like 645?

  And I got wine foo.

 me: wine makes me sleepy... and whinny

 S: U make me sleepy n whinny

 me: exactly! Cause I'm sooooooooo smooth ;) ;)

 S: Umm not really. cuz ur boring!me: yo face is boring!

 S: Sooo. Where r u and the hubby going for your date?

  

  me: Ew. Grosssssssss

 no husband or ex husband of mine will ever have "corn rolls" unless it's muthafucking T.I.

  Anyways, we are going to a romantic lil pizzeria in downtown Glendale followed by romantic drinks at Pinks cabaret the strip club, jk

 S: lol, Seriously u come up with some random shit!

 me: lol! don't hate

 S: I dont know about youme: well know dis... I am your fatherrrrS: Wow

Why, Yes. I'll Have 1 Deftones

Don't know what to drink? Well what are you listening to?

drinkify

I've been feeling like the 3rd Gucci Mane allllllllll day!

Straight Today, Gay Tomorrow

Straight Rugby Player Wakes Up Gay After Stroke - The Frisky

Really? I mean there had to be at least one moment in his straight Rugby playing life where he checked out his teammates junk in the shower and thought he'd like to have some of that. Some feeling deep down inside of him (pun intended) that always steered him towards men but he just refused to believe it, then used waking up from a coma as a legit excuse to live his life the way he really wants to. And he should... but I wouldn't buy that he was completely straight before the stroke.

If I were to ever wake up from a coma, an Australian accent would be an awesome surprise.

When men take phone messages

Nerd Alert!

Dear World,

Today begins a new era. Nerds all around the world will rage, relationships will be broken, friendships will bond, and the internet just might crash. There's a good chance at least one of your loved ones will have the lives sucked out of them... all thanks to MW3 being released today.

Postsecret.com

Sheck it out!!

Blog by my kick butt Fam

verballyattackedbysak: We Are not The Same..Im a MuthaF*kin Alien

I'm ready!

Today I have this overwhelming feeling of giddiness that I just can't shake. I'm excited, nervous, and I have butterflies in my stomach. I feel like something great is going to happen. The best part is that I'm not quite sure what brought on this feeling, maybe it's the awesome weather we're having in Phoenix or maybe cause someone special is about to come strolling through my life.

Whatever it is... I'm ready. 

Smiley face.

Stranger Danger

Top Three:

1. 
While I was walking to meet a friend before church, before noon, wearing a dress: “Yeahhh, walk of shame!!!”


6. 
Drunk Girl: "So, when are you due?"
Me: "I'm not pregnant."
Drunk Girl: (shocked) "No! You're TOTALLY pregnant!"
Me: "...I'm. Not. Pregnant."
Drunk Girl: (confused) "...Are you SURE?"
Me: "I'm going away now."


9. 
Halloween. My girlfriend was dressed as a Bavarian beer maid and I, also female, was dressed as a fairy. We took our kids up to one door. 
A middle aged woman gave the kids some candy and said, "A beer maid. You need bigger boobs." 
Then looked at me. "And you," she said. "You're supposed to be a girl, right?" "Everyday," I said.


Check out the rest of the Amusingly Horrible Things Strangers Have Said 

Have a fantastic weekend people!!

The Best Things I Used Google For This Week

5.) Puking pumpkins

4.) Richard in The Break Up - I swear this is a character in a movie! 

3.) Pinterest - Only to be told by the internet that right now I'm not quite cool enough to join on my own but if it feels like sending me an invite in the near future, I will receive one via email.

2.) Beyonce & Justin Timberlake single ladies SNL

1.) "How do I make a song on my iTunes into a ringtone" So I could fix my Ma's ringtone back to her normal "Party All The Time" by Eddie Murphy for my new iPhone.
I really do heart Google

I went to a MOVIE PREMIERE!!!!!!

SIKE! So yesterday Iago aka BFF & I went to see a private movie screening of Martha Marcy May Marlene and let me tell you... I thought it was a waste of two hours of my life. It sounds very interesting from the description, but that was the only interesting part. It had a sort of Girl, Interrupted vibe to it, but with no well put together plot. And then it was one of those movies that you're almost two hours into and BAM! It's over, just like that leaving you wondering to who the hell would fund production for such a movie.
Although we didn't enjoy the actual plot of the movie, we agreed that Elizabeth Olson is a really good actress & that will probably lead to this not-so-really-good movie winning some sort of crazy movie award. But if you really want to see it just cause you're Curious George, then I'd recommend getting it on bootleg; don't waste $11 on it.

It's Friday Bitches!

You know what chaps my ass?

Needing an "invitation" to create an account for a website that millions of people have.
Fuck you Pinterest & Spotify