It's the final countdown my friends

Today after work I went to the mall and spent 2 joyous hours with Marina and Anilga while they worked, then we went to Picanha with a cute bunch: Anahid, Ester, Sirvart, Ramtin, Marina, Anilga, and me. Saying bye was weird, very weird. It didn't feel like a goodbye. It still hasn't hit me that I'm going. A few more days...

And I jacked this from a buddy:

Many people are at a loss for a response when someone says: "You don't know Jack Schitt." Now you can handle this situation.

Jack Schitt is the only son of Awe Schitt and Oh Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertilizer magnate, married Oh Schitt, the owner of Kneedeep Schitt Inc.

In turn, Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt and the deeply religious couple produced six children. Holy Schitt, their first, unfortunately passed on shortly after childbirth. Next came twin sons, Deep Schitt and Dip Schitt; two daughters, Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt; and another son, Bull Schitt.

Against his parent's objections, Deep Schitt married Dumb Schitt, a high school dropout.

Dip Schitt married Lotta Schitt and they produced a Mongoloid son, Chicken Schitt. Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt were inseparable throughout their childhood, and married the Happens brothers in a joyous dual ceremony. The Schitt-Happens children are Dawg Schitt, Byrdd Schitt, and Horace Schitt.

Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned to the family farm with his new Italian bride, Pisa Schitt, on his arm. The young couple is awaiting the imminent arrival of Baby Schitt.

Now when someone tells you that you don't know Jack Schitt, you can correct them.

"Fool me once, shame...shame on...you. Fool me — can't get fooled again!"

Bush W is the new Churchill! So yeah, I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night with the guys and Yeva (wait, that was repetitive :-P ) Very good film, even though I don't like Michael Moore (after Bowling for Columbine, since I support guns strongly. If you want to stop unnecessary death, take off old Chinese women from the road!) So yeah, good film, one more day passed. T minus 3 days... EEK!!!


OH YUMMMM!

U.S. Hands Power to Iraqis Two Days Early:
"The U.S.-led coalition transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days early Monday in a surprise move that apparently caught insurgents off guard, averting a feared campaign of attacks to sabotage the historic step toward self-rule. "

Went to the mall yesterday, wasted $130 on some stupid Dead Sea thing that I don't even need. Then Yeva came (too late to prevent my purchase though) and we did more shopping. Pretty much everything is ready for the big day! After that adventure, I went to Wolfgang Puck with fellow peers and had some trademarked bad food to celebrate Armine's departure to France. And now here I am at the office, wearing the one dress shirt and pants that I haven't packed.

One good thing is that all my days till Friday are full. Keeping busy makes the time pass faster, and believe me I want the time to pass!

I'm going to miss the pull notice contracts, the permits, the cell phone calls, AIM, email, checking stocks, driving, waking up at 7, having to sleep early because I have to wake up at 7... wait.... NO I'M NOT! HA! Honestly the only things I will miss are my parents, my nieces (OH MAN!), and work.


Of all the people to take advice from! But if they have a point, why not? Let's see how it goes =)

Grow huh? Like a tree! Thx "anonymous"

I agree. Life is about growing. It's about discovering something new about the world and yourself every day. It's about being comfortable with who you are. It's about being able to enjoy every day and learn from it. Some people come into your life and help you out, and others end up causing you to go back a few steps. Yup, life is a board game, but what's wrong with board games?

In other news, some very important pending business got taken care of, and that cleared up a big hurdle to advance forward. Plenty to do once I return.

But a lot more than business will be done when I return.

CNN.com - Sources: Cheney curses senator over Halliburton criticism - Jun 24, 2004: "Cheney replied either 'f--- off' or 'go f--- yourself.'"

I feel so damn stressed out. One thing after another, it's overwhelming, but in a good way... if that makes sense. Someone said I'm spreading myself too thin. Let me remind you that I am NOT mustard. Nor am I In-N-Out spread, or the legs of a prostitute. So no spreading!

Some wise man once said... I forgot but it was probably something very intriguing yet completely impractical. Damn wise men...


Good to Great to Best


never change for anyone who won't change for you

PUT YOUR HANDS UP!

The Godfather Part IV

Yahoo! News - Mutation Found in 'Muscle Man' Toddler: "Somewhere in Germany is a baby Superman, born in Berlin with bulging arm and leg muscles. Not yet 5, he can hold seven-pound weights with arms extended, something many adults cannot do. He has muscles twice the size of other kids his age and half their body fat. DNA testing showed why: The boy has a genetic mutation that boosts muscle growth. "

I'M GOING TO HAVE A NEPHEW!

I think I should incorporate more of what is happening in the world into my blogs, so that when I read them years later, I'll know what the times were like:

Militants Decapitate South Korean Hostage in Iraq
Militants beheaded a South Korean hostage in Iraq on Tuesday after Seoul refused their demand to withdraw its troops and scrap plans to send more. (third decapitation by Iraqi militants)

Bush Claimed Right to Waive Torture Laws
President Bush claimed the right to waive anti-torture laws and treaties covering prisoners of war after the invasion of Afghanistan, and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized guards to strip detainees and threaten them with dogs, according to documents released Tuesday. The memo also argued that the president's wartime powers superseded anti-torture laws and treaties.


Very hectic day at work. Another day over, another day closer to Europa 2004. Quote of the day:
"Are you planning on staying there for a while? Because if you quit, I will too" - Our accountant.

Oh boy... what a day. The last thing I wanted was a legal mess.

When you are driving and you see the people who are making a left or right turn, or the people who are on the smaller streets adjacent to the main street... don't you subconsciously see them as inferior?

Went to Kendall's Brasserie with Ara today. Got a nice workout trying to take the lobster and crab out. It was fun though, I'm glad he liked it. Back to the business discussions... I really had missed them.

I won't get to "THE PLAN" by the age of 21, but I will reach it at 25. Not bad =)

July is going to be the most amazing thing ever, but August and on is going to be the most interesting work time ever. Oh baby!

And finally, a paraphrase of Ara's statement of the month: Once you've dated a Blue Media executive, everyone else seems so... ordinary

Apres Aziz

Business Lessons I've Learned The Hard Way

1 - Don't buy things you don't need that exact moment. This includes equipment, cars, supplies, marketing material, etc…

2 - Make sure those who have a share in the company have invested something - either money or skills. Don't give out stock until all contingencies have been met.

3 - Get a virtual office if you don't need a physical place to work out of on a day to day basis. It’s much cheaper and offers everything you need.

4 - Make sure everyone is involved by having regular meetings and plans of action. Everyone should have a role, otherwise they are not necessary. Get everyone pumped up and don't lose sight of the goal.

5 - Make sure the entire company doesn't hinge on one person. Have succession plans and replacements planned out.

6 - Set milestones for progress. Don't let things linger and become extended across months when it was planned to take weeks. When things start going off track, meet and discuss what is going wrong, what was not accounted for, and how to get back on track.

7 - Never overestimate the market. Make conservative forecasts, and then cut them by 10%. How long are you willing to wait before seeing any income?

8 - Research the market before any major financial investments. Go out and talk to potential customers and see if there is a need for what you are providing.

9 – Be wary of people that are more interested in personal gain instead of what the company as a whole will get. This will cause a lot of tension.

10 – Start as a sole proprietorship or partnership, and then become a corporation when there is income. This will save thousands of dollars.

11 – If possible, fund the company with one large deposit instead of incremental deposits. This makes it easier to see how much money is available.

12 – Budget all possible expenses, then increase it by 15% to compensate for unforeseen expenses.

13 – Have contingency plans for every possible scenario.

14 - Last and most importantly: Don't get overwhelmed. It might seem like there is too much to do and too much effort required, but if there is anyone that can do it, so can you. Lay it all out, then tackle one task at a time. The big picture can sometimes be frightening.

Stay tuned for more.

The older we get, the deeper into the ocean we walk. Sometimes we feel like we can walk on water, and sometimes we're drowning in fear and uncertainty, overwhelmed by the waves of change and new responsibility. At times the shore looks so far behind, and the ocean terrifyingly large. It gets dark, it gets cold. Any illusion of safety is quickly dispelled, and we’re left shivering in doubt. But morning will come, and our quest will continue. Just remember, we’re not alone in the ocean. There are those who will always be with you. There are those few special people who will lift you when your arms are too tired to take you further. Those who, just by being by your side, make the sunset so much more beautiful, and the thunderous clashing of the waves peaceful instead of frightening. Never let go of these people, because, at the end of your journey, no amount of money, no exotic car, no 12 bedroom house, no Rolex watch will comfort you. The only thing that will matter is who is by your side when you take your last breath.

More shopping yesterday, then saw Troy with Yeva. Brad Pitt is hot! I mean... NO! :-P

VERSUS



Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity. and so we ask ourselves: will our actions echo across centuries? Will strangers hear our names and wonder who we were, how bravely we fought, how fiercely we loved?

Let me tell you a secret, something they don't teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be more lovely than you are now. We will never be here again.

So far I have about 6 months of blog entries, 204 in total. It's going to be great looking back on these a few years down the road and reading about what I was thinking and what I was going through.

I went to the mall with Yeva today, got a few cool things from Banana Republic. Then we headed off to Pasadena to pick up an order from the Banana Republic there. We ate, then I ended up getting Versace sunglasses.... how shallow! But I like them, and that's all that matters (insert AIM angry smiley here)!!!

Went to my brother's house, watched some armenian comedy thing (which had 5 people from Clark in it, including Hasmig's sister...), copied a DVD, and off to home. DUDE! JULY IS ALMOST HERE! I can barely fit everything into the one suitecase I'm taking, but it'll work out. As will everything else. I'm happy. That's all that matters.

Ara's birthday "gathering" last night. 50 people who, this morning, couldn't tell you what they were doing if their life depended on it. Oh boy. It was cool but I really don't like big gatherings. Anything more than 3 people is too much. As for today, from work I'm going to go to the mall to try and find a gift for my niece, then at 6 go to their house. EEK! The big 0 4 for Ani! Oh yeah and happy birthday to Ara for his big 1 9.

Sitting there, away from everyone, not having to try and fit in. It felt great. I was me, and no one else mattered. If I learn this much about myself everyday, I can't even imagine how much truer I will be to myself within a few months.



So this is a fight we have to make everywhere. Which will be more important in the 21st century – our differences or our common humanity? Think about how important your differences are to you. Think about how we all organise our lives in little boxes – man, woman, British, American, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Tory, Labour, New Labour, Old Labour, up, down. We have to organise that, but somewhere along the way, we finally come to understand that our life is more than all these boxes we're in. And that if we can't reach beyond that, we'll never have a fuller life - Bill Clinton

Got the tickets, hotel vouchers, and rail passes today. Wow. Has it hit me yet? Nope.

"A trip by air is in your future"

Interview with the Christian God

As I lay quietly in my warm bed, God himself came down. I knew it was Him, it was a feeling inside me.

"Now do you believe, my child? The Bible is true, I am the true God," he whispered.

"So you are real huh? The God who committed genocide against the entire human race with your flood gig?" I replied.

"The world had become an evil place, it needed to be done."

"Hey it was your world, you created it. You shouldn't have messed up in the first place."

"That is all in the past, my son."

"Well if you are the God in the Bible, and it really is all true... well then we're fucked now, aren't we? I would rather not believe and go to hell than accept such a cruel, arrogant, jealous God. I rather spend eternity in suffering than bow down to you!"

And in that instant, God was gone. Forever.

It was stupid, so I blurred the end.

Apparently I wrote this last night, I don't remember much about it other than waking up and feeling dizzy. Interesting ay? The date is even off, it's supposed to say June 7

Secrets Unlocked

Well I spent 6 hours going through all of my family's documents to reorganize them. I love being the head of the family and being able to decide stuff. My mom loves it to, she said "all this time I've been doing this and now you are taking over and taking all this weight off my shoulders." Isn't that the most wonderful thing to hear?

Then at night, my dad calls me downstairs:
Arthur, I want to talk to you about going to Europe. From my experience, i think it would be best (I'm thinking... here we go again with him not approving of me going) if you... put a visible mark on your baggage because all of the bags look the same.

WOOHOO!!!!

I'm going to revisit this after I get back from Europe, but I think what I really want for my birthday is a large wall map of the world, so that I can mark where I've been, and where I still need to go :-)

Maps.com World Wall Maps

I'm going to buy the one I like, wrap it up, and surprise myself!!

Watching "Greed", one of the female contestants said: "I never got a chance to do what everyone does when they gradaute from high school, so I'd really like to go to Israel and ride the camels." WHAT THE FUCK????

OK I'm done.

Meridien Park
Duminy Vendome
Princesa Sofia Intercon'l
Savoia and Jolanda
Regno Hotel
Athens Acropol

What if one day it turns out that the GPS systems used in phones, cars, and just about everything else are actually being tracked. And we find out that since GPS was invented by the military, it wasn't hard convincing companies to leave a few tracking features intact in exchange for use of the satellites. Quite honestly, I wouldn't give a damn. I have nothing to hide. What is with you privacy freaks? Your lives aren't that interesting, trust me. Are you afraid they will find out about your porn videos? Now, what if passive tracking turns into active fascism, then I'm obviously not for it. But since the government has been doing it for hundreds of years, and will continue to do so, I say follow me all you want, just don't bother me.

Parents came back today from Cancun. It was a very cool week. Great night, rather tiring though.

These movies are so stupid.

Finally got TGP enrolled in the Drug & Alcohol Testing Program. There isn't a day I don't learn something new, it is so wonderful. And the people I work with, each one has such a great heart. I'm very lucky.

I'm happy, I'm content.

Wait... there's something missing: pictures! real pictures! Well now Kodak has... ok sorry, I started quoting a commercial

Angela bit my butt today, then she sprayed all my colognes in my room, and then spilled the body wash everywhere. How damn adorable. I am looking forward to having my own kids so much.

I'm sleeping. I slept 10 hours yesterday, and I was still sleepy. You're crazy.

Ronald Reagan died today at 1:45pm. He was 93. Very sad. I predicted he would die, then 15 minutes later I read the news article about him just dying. Trippy.

Obstacles or challenges... it's all in how you look at it.

What's stopping you people from going after your dreams? That's not a rhetorical question, I want answers! Post a comment, IM me, email me, call me (gasp). I want to know. Thanks.

It is comments like the one for my entry below that give me a reason to write down my thoughts in this blog. Especially when such comments come from people I admire and respect so much.

It's 2am and I just got back from Malibu beach with Yeva. We were playing in the water, then decided to see how fast we could go on the freeway. Hit 140mph. Not bad, eh?

I'm sooooo hungry right now. 29 more days! Oh so excited. I need to clean my room. Still home alone. Good Night.

Hi world. I'm human. I get tear-eyed during sad movies. I sometimes forget to clean my desk. My hair is not perfect. Nothing about me is. I'm probably shorter than your youngest sibling. I'm obsessive-compulsive, but I don't care. It's what defines me. Hi world. I'm not normal. I don't like chocolate. I hate whipped cream. I will stand up to you. I do not respect elders unless they deserve it. I eat steak any chance I get, and I'm still as thin as a stick. I change my mind a lot. I don't like fast food. I'm a nerd. I get As on math exams. I'm intrigued by physics. If you get in my way, I will move you. I'm a workaholic. I read fine print any chance I get. Hi world. I'm me. I hate yelling. I hate insecurity. Your greatest flaw is your problem, not mine. I admire the strong, the spontaneous. I don't live within my means, I don't believe in such mental barriers. I will stay true to my word. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I will never stop. I'm strange. I have a heart attack when people turn off my car lights. When asked to pick a random number, I will always pick 11. If it's 1 through 10, I get confused. When asked to pick left or right, I will always pick left. Hi world, this is me. I'm overly sarcastic. I go from overly cocky to unreasonably insecure within seconds. A word can change my mood; a deep gaze can change my life. Hi world. I will never give in, I will never stop. Never.