Shutterbuggin’ With Sodapop

posted by Sodapop on Aug 31

Double Rainbow taken October 2005

posted by Sodapop on Aug 31

This was taken July 19, 2006 from the back patio of my house here in Vegas. I was looking north at the Sheep Mountain Range.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 30

My brother RAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We should all bow down to his greatness. He took this theme and changed it all around to fit ME and my personality. It was originally that puke blue color Twitter has everywhere. Now it’s pretty purples for me. Cause, you know, purple is my fave color evah.

Thank you Slobokan! I pink puffy heart you!!!

p.s.  Please don’t be upset if your comments don’t appear immediately.  I have it set so I have to approve all “first time” comments.  Once I’ve approved your first comment, it will NOT do that again.  kthxbai

posted by Sodapop on Aug 30

Keeping with the many themes of this blog, I’m going to list the 12 Steps of Recovery.  Every 12 Step Program has these in one form or another.  Alcoholics Anonymous started the 12 Steps.   Gambler’s Anonymous took those 12 Steps and made them work.

1.  Admitted we were powerless over gamlbing - that our lives had become unamanageable.

2.  Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.

3.  Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.

4.  Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.

5.  Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6.  Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.

7.  Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.

8.  Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

9.  Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10.   Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11.  Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12.  Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.

And here’s the history of Gambler’s Anonymous.

The fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous is the outgrowth of a chance meeting between two men during the month of January in 1957. These men had a truly baffling history of trouble and misery due to an obsession to gamble. They began to meet regularly and as the months passed neither had returned to gambling.

They concluded from their discussions that in order to prevent a relapse it was necessary to bring about certain character changes within themselves. In order to accomplish this, they used for a guide certain spiritual principles which had been utilized by thousands of people who were recovering from other compulsive addictions. The word spiritual can be said to describe those characteristics of the human mind that represent the highest and finest qualities such as kindness, generosity, honesty and humility. Also, in order to maintain their own abstinence they felt that it was vitally important that they carry the message of hope to other compulsive gamblers.

As a result of favorable publicity by a prominent newspaper columnist and TV commentator, the first group meeting of Gamblers Anonymous was held on Friday, September 13, 1957, in Los Angeles, California. Since that time, the fellowship has grown steadily and groups are flourishing throughout the world.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 26

Taken September 27, 2006 from the deck of the Diamond Princess; while in the Mexican Riviera

posted by Sodapop on Aug 24

This is up in the Redrock area. Go west on Charleston until you can’t go any further and that’s where you’ll get too. This was during a snow/winter storm we had blow through the valley in January of this year.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 17

When I went to visit my friend who lives in New York City, and to see the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium in 2004, I went to the roof of her apartment building several times a day.

She lived in the West Village, near the NYPD’s 6th Precinct. I felt quite safe cause it was on the same street as their building. Here is a shot of the Empire State Building from her rooftop.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 12

I originally posted this on the Soda Stand and wanted to add it here as well.

I’ve broken it down into sections of 10-20 different things.

Things I’d like to do before dying.
1. I’d like to travel Europe, the United Kingdom and parts of Asia (specifically Thailand, Korea and Japan)
2. I’d like to travel the Caribbean, on a cruise ship - for more than 7 days.
3. I’d like to become financially stable and be debt free (this one is happening sooner than I think)
4. I’d like to become a photo journalist and do freelance work on the side of whatever career I’m in.
5. Find the man I’m going to marry and have a healthy relationship
6. Lose about 10 more pounds and get into better shape than I already am in
7. Get laser hair removal on my legs, bikini area, underarms and upper lip. I’m tired of shaving, waxing and plucking.
8. Finish my dental work I need done and then take care of my investment.
9. Learn more about web design, CSS and HTML
10. Always be there for my friends when they need me.

Random facts about me
11. I have two dogs, Josie and Chloe. Josie is a 7 year old Yorkie and Chloe is not a year old yet and she’s a Chihuaha/Dachsund mix.
12. I have three four tattoos.
13. The first one is an ivy vine surrounding the ankle with two red roses, one on each side of the ankle. 2nd one is Chinese for “brave one” on my right shoulder blade and the third is a huge tribal design on my lower back. And the fourth is a purple and black tribal butterfly ‘landing’ on a cherry blossom.
14. I want two more tattoos. Japanese Hiragana for “Love” on the back of my lower neck, closer to in between the shoulder blades and then Japanese Kanji for “Tranquility” on my left or right calf.
15. I live in Las Vegas and am relocating to San Diego Louisville, KY in October. I’ve always wanted to leave Las Vegas and so I’m finally letting myself do it.
16. My life is very good, I have a lot to be grateful for and I strive to keep that in mind every day.
17. I went to Las Vegas High School and graduated 1987. I was the third generation in my family to do so.
18. I’ve been working for the local police department since I was 22 years old. And again? I’m the third generation in my family to do so.
19. On July 30, 2007, I will recognize 6 years in Gambler’s Anonymous.
20. I drive a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta and it’s my favorite car ever.

I believe
21. I believe in a Higher Power, whom I choose to call God.
22. I believe in myself and the recovery I’ve gained in almost six years.
23. I believe in love and believe it’s out there somewhere waiting for me.
24. I believe in the good of others, whether they choose to see it or not.
25. I believe that my God would never bring me to a place without walking me through that same place.
26. I believe in compassion, compromise, monogamy and trust in a relationship.
27. I believe I’m becoming a better person every single day with the help of GA and my Higher Power.
28. I believe my friend Todd, who passed away in 2005, watches over me and guides me in some of my decision making processes.
29. I believe strong friendships can be nurtured and grow, whether online or in RL.
30. I believe for the last 6 years, I’ve had a very wonderful life and I look forward to continuing with the happiness.

I dislike
31. People who think they are better than you and me.
32. People with no common sense
33. Mean people who do and say things to be mean just because, for no real reason
34. Stupid people who continuously breed. Just.stop.the.madness.
35. Judgmental people who judge me and others for things we do and say. I only have one judge and when I die, I’ll answer to Him.
36. The drivers in Las Vegas. God they suck. They are rude, cut ya off and then flip you off cause you honked at them to let them know you were there. Fucksticks.
37. Men who try to take advantage of my emotions on any level. It’s mean and just not right
38. Men who are “happily” married, yet want to have sex with me. Huh? I don’t get that.
39. People who are two faced. Just stop. No point in it. If you don’t like me, don’t be
friends with me or pretend to be friends with me. I can see through it
40. That song Rehab by Amy Winehouse. It makes me suicidal listening to it and I just want to gouge out my eyes. I hate it.

Just stuff
41. I’m left handed
42. That makes me right brained
43. I love Dr Pepper but I’m not allowed to drink more than 2 a day. If that.
44. I’m in the best shape of my life. I feel healthier than I ever have.
45. I have carpal tunnel and tendinitis in both hands
46. I have red hair and green eyes
47. I am currently trying to grow my hair out and it’s pissing me off LOL
48. 2007 is the first year I’ve participating in the Blogathon.
49. I started blogging January 7, 2006 over at Blogsource.
50. The Soda Stand was created January 31, 2006.
51. My favorite music includes Hoobastank, Lifehouse, Trapt, Linkin Park, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Sugarland, Akon and Eminem.
52. I used to work at Odyssey Records from 1987 to 1992.
53. I worked at a 7-11 from May of 1992 until October 1992.
54. I was working 2 jobs from August 92 to October 92. I was at 7-11 full time 2pm to 10pm and Metro police from 8am to noon.
55. I am almost always listening to music. In my car, at my desk at work, when I’m laying in bed, when I’m working out.
56. I can relate a lot of songs to my recovery and/or my disease.
57. I’m going to see the Yankees play the Angels in August and I’m quite excited about that.
58. So far, my favorite vacation spot is the Mexican Riviera on a cruise ship.
59. I love my family and my mom is one of my best friends
60. I treat everyone with respect for who they are and don’t expect them to change for me.

My fave smells
61. Men’s cologne (specifically Polo, Obsession and Drakkar)
62. A freshly showered man - just something about that.
63. A man during sexual activity. Hmmm mmm mmm
64. Vanilla candles burning
65. Coffee brewing
66. freshly baked bread
67. anything cooked with garlic in it
68. freshly baked cookies
69. Patron silver tequila (I know – I’m crazy)
70. Black by Kenneth Cole

Just stuff, part 2
71. I was born in Sunrise Hospital here in Las Vegas.
72. I lived in Boulder City, NV until I was 11 and then we moved here to Vegas.
73. I went to Andrew Mitchell Elementary and Garrett Jr. High in Boulder City
74. I went to Fremont Jr High for one here – 8th grade – here in Vegas
75. I graduated from LVHS, as previously mentioned.
76. I started working as a runner for an attorney when I was 12 or 13. After school, I would walk to work cause it was just up the street.
77. I worked for that attorney until 1987. December of 1987 is when I went to work at Odyssey Records
78. I worked at Leatherby’s ice cream in 1986 during my Junior year of high school.
79. I’ve had a total of 5 jobs in my life
80. I’ve never had to job hunt until now.
Things I’d like to see happen when I move
81. I’d like to find a nice 2 bedroom 2 bath that isn’t too too expensive. This, just in case mom doesn’t like Georgia, she can come to SD Louisville with me.
82. I’d like to find a kick ass job that is flexible, professional and fun.
83. I’d like to go to the beach once a week to take pictures and/or just to relax
84. I’d like to get settled within 6 months, even with the adjustment of living in a new place
85. I’d like to be a season ticket holder for the Padres (this won’t happen since I’m not going to SD)
86. Go to my first NFL game ever and see the Chargers at least one before I die.
87. Have friends come visit me
88. Go to lots of GA meetings and start making friends there.
89. Start getting pedicures and manicures regularly again – I’d have to find a nail girl tho.
90. Take the furbabies to the beach and introduce them to the Pacific ocean

Self awareness at it’s best
91. Sometimes I’m too blunt and honest and I think it shocks people into silence cause they don’t know how to handle it.
92. My life is an open book on this here blog, except a few things here and there I have no intention of sharing.
93. I’m learning to respect myself more and more everyday.
94. I continuously make sure that what I’m doing is for the right reasons and keeping my side of the street clean.
95. I’m learning to NOT taking someone else’s inventory (judgmental)
96. I’m learning to look in the mirror and think “Hey, I like who you are today. Hey, I like how you look today.”
97. I believe in second chances for people who have made poor choices in their lives
98. I believe love is worth taking risks every now and then, no matter how many times I’ve been hurt in the past.
99. I do, however, let my past experiences influence my current experiences.
100. I’m going to miss my friends here in Vegas when I move. Not cause I won’t ever see them again, just cause I won’t be able to see them at the drop of a dime.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 10

This is my Chloe girl. She was born in November of 2006 (unknown exact date) and we got her right around January 20th or 21st. She’s a neurotic little Chihuaha/Dachsund mix. She jumps as high as my waist and chews whatever she can get her little puppy teeth on. I LUFF her.

___________

This is my Josie girl. She was born June 4, 2000. I got her in August of 2000 when she was 7 weeks old. She is a Yorkie/Silky mix and is very neurotic as well. She and Chloe get along fairly well, yet I can tell the puppy annoys this older lady a lot. Josie is a princess and is very prissy. I LUFF her.

posted by Sodapop on Aug 3

I’ve wanted to start a blog where I can post photos, that was NOT Blogger. I’m not hating, I just think you get what you pay for. And since Blogger is free? I don’t get shit in return.

I will eventually get all the posts from Blogger over here, but for now, this will do. I’m still searching for a Wordpress theme I can use over here. I’m looking for cheap or free. Free is better, but I am willing to pay for a theme.

This blog is going to serve several purposes. I’m going to post my photos here, I’m going to post about my recovery from compulsive gambling here and I’ll be doing some sponsored posts (I will also eventually get a disclosure page on here like I have on The Soda Stand, so sensitive type folks don’t get all bent outta shape if I don’t specifically say something is a sponsored post.)

Here’s your first photo: