Last night I went with deva's bartenders Amy and JJ down to San Diego for Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp district was a good time! I’ll try to upload a picture of us at deva’s before we took the train down. They do not allow cameras at the event so I left mine at the bar. The most fun we had was being driven around by muscular men on bicycles that pull little carts. I distinctly remember JJ yelling “Mush” most of the way! It was so funny!



The latest on the Rosario Marin campaign is that she’s still going strong and gaining ground! Apparently the Bill Jones campaign is broke and his fundraiser with Arnold only raised $200,000, not the $1million he was hoping for. Too bad for him. I keep hearing Rosario’s ads on KFI, funny; I don’t recall anything from the Bill Jones campaign? That alone should tell people that Bill Jones doesn’t have a chance against Boxer and her millions. What is he thinking? The candidates running for Assembly in the 70th district have raised more money than Bill Jones! Chuck DeVore and Cristi Cristich are in a heated race for the 70th Assembly District, which covers a large Republican area from Tustin to Laguna Beach. I had the opportunity to hear them each speak along with the other candidates in the race at a luncheon at the end of last year. I have to say, and I think I mentioned this earlier, that Chuck Devore is an extremely impressive speaker. I like the fact that Cristi Cristich is a successful businesswoman. She also sent me a very complimentary note after we talked; I liked the personal attention. The one thing I think she will have trouble with is the fact she supported Bill Clinton. Not financially, but it doesn’t change the fact she did support him. Also, the fact that she had to send out an apology for having implied in a mailer that Rep. Chris Cox, R-Newport Beach supported her probably won’t help much either. Chuck on the other hand, is an “Absolute Republican.” I don’t know if that’s the best description, but it’s what comes to my mind. They both are strong individuals that oppose higher taxes and support business. To find out more on Chuck Devore you can go to www.ChuckDevore.com .

I live in the 69th Assembly District so I am voting for Otto Bade. He’s a business owner, former Police Officer, Vietnam Veteran, and has the support of many prominent Republicans. From Congressman Ed Royce, Senator Dick Ackerman, to Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, and the Orange County Lincoln Club. Too many to list, but he has great support. Most importantly he is against higher taxes and wants to protect Proposition 13! It’s going to be a tough battle in a district that’s something like 75% Latino, and mostly Democratic. Otto Bade, like Rosario Marin immigrated here at a young age, he came from Guatemala. I respect people that work hard and do well for themselves. Having to learn another language on top of that is even more impressive. This country is full of citizens who have so many opportunities to make something of themselves and they are Lazy! Instead of taking advantage of the countless opportunities surrounding them, they chose to live off of the rest of us hard working taxpayers. I have little sympathy for people who refuse to educate themselves and work hard, and then complain about their situation. Sure, sometimes people do need help, and we should try to help each other. You can’t help those who refuse to help themselves. My message to those people:
If you need a helping hand, look on the end of your arm!
I may sound a bit angry. It’s just that when I came to California I had no money. I worked my butt off! I actually had 5 jobs at one time because I wanted to do whatever it took to better myself. It really offends me when people make comments that I only got ahead because some “Sugar Daddy” must have helped me. I’ll stop here but I’ll write more on this subject later.

March 2nd is really closing in fast! I’m supporting Brett Franklin for County Supervisor. I haven’t seen the 1st District candidate forum with the candidates, but the OC Register today states that Adelphia will reply it on public access channel at 6:30pm tonight and on Sunday at 1pm.

Well, I’ve gone on and on today so I better get back to the never-ending paperwork!

2/21/2004 3:22 PM

The Election is so close now! Rosario has moved up in the polls quite a bit. Last I read Bill Jones was at 24%, while Rosario was at 12%, with a large number of people still undecided. There are a lot of people who don’t have a clue and don’t care. Hopefully they won’t go with the familiar name of Bill Jones. Jones only raised a little over $300,000, while Rosario has reached $1 million! Get out the word to vote for Rosario Marin on March 2nd! She is the only candidate that can beat Boxer!!

As for the propositions:

Easy!


55 NO!
56 NO! NO! and NO WAY! (Lowers the voting requirement to 55% from 2/3rds!)
57 YES! (This better pass or we’ll be hit with higher taxes!)
58 YES!

2/20/04

I currently have no Internet connection. Lovely. Happy Friday!

Anyway, I wanted to post an e-mail I received the other day from Captain Rice. He says it well……..

All,

I have officially landed in Kuwait, never to return to that accursed country called Iraq. Though I would never call it much of a country. M any a time I looked out across the great expanse of nothing and thought to myself or said out loud to no one in particular, "They can Keep it." I am in Kuwait for the next 30 plus days as the vanguard element for the 82D ABN in planning for their re-deployment outta here...

I trust all of you are well and have endured the long hard winter. We are doing fine and keeping it going to the final days here. I want to thank you all again for all of your support, e-mails, packages, and prayers, it meant so much more than any of you will ever know.

I will leave you with my final thoughts as I flew over the vast Iraqi desert, heading south and the first steps toward 'home'...As I looked out of the window, past the door gunner, starring down at the primitive mud huts and seeing the shepards tending to their flocks. I saw so many children and even adults waving and jumping with joy as we flew over. I also thought that there are others waiting in the midsts with RPGs waiting to shoot us down. I mulled over, we have handed them one of the most precious of all gifts, we have given them freedom. Like the two Iraqis in my thoughts so it is in this country some accept the newfound freedom joyfully, others shun it, possibly out of fear of what they do not understand or have never known. I thought, so we give them their freedom, the rest is up to them, whether they use it to build a new world, or throw it away and remain the savage people I had seen so many times...So many things left for time to tell. Time is the great equalizer, we will see if they will truly live it well....


Safe Journeys,
Bart

Well, mother, grandparents and baby are all doing just fine. Courtney came home from the hospital on Friday. There’s a picture of the baby under “messages” on deva’s website.

Friday night I went with some friends to the Grand Opening of “Club Vegas” in Costa Mesa. They handed out 1,000 VIP passes for the 7pm opening. Of course they had us all lined up around the building so they could take pictures and film the crowd for obvious reasons. Luckily we were in line with the wife of a manager of the club who got us in a lot faster. I just hate to wait in a line! The place is nice inside, I think they spent somewhere around a million dollars on the place. That would explain the $8.00 Red Bull I got to go with the $9.00 Stoli. That’s a bargain though compared to the $500 or $1,000 booths you can rent for the evening around the dance floor. They do have cocktail waitress service up there though, which is where I preferred to sit. Anyway, it was a fun place to go dancing.

We registered 21 Republicans yesterday in front of Target in Irvine. That brings the tally to 50 Republicans registered in a week! I did convert one Democrat to re-register Republican on Friday at deva’s. He even said he would vote for Rosario Marin-yeah!

I’ve got to get to Trader Joes and do the shopping in time so I can watch the All- Star NBA game tonight. Maybe it will be interesting.

Finally! Baby Shamus (I was right the first time) was born yesterday a little before 6pm. They figured out why he didn’t want to come out…………..he couldn’t. Shamus weighs 9lbs, 7oz, and is 22 inches long. What a big baby! Courtney is just a petite girl and they had to perform a Section on her. Good news is the baby is perfect!

Back to the hospital………………

So I went to the hospital last night around 9pm and the baby was a no-show. I spent the night laying on a fold out chair covered by hospital blankets as the air-conditioning blew right down on me. I’m trying to avoid getting sick again, but it’s difficult when you don’t sleep all night and the room is at 60 degrees! Courtney is holding up great considering the poor girl has been throwing up and having contractions for the last 16 hours! I came home to shower and try to rest; like I can rest at a time like this. I need to get ready and head back down to the hospital before Shaymus (I think I spelled his name wrong earlier) decides to grace us with his presence! That boy just does not want to come out yet.

Wow, have I been busy lately! I’ll try to keep this blog current from now on. My good friend and “sister” is ready to give birth any day now. Actually more like any minute, as she was due Jan. 30th. Courtney is just ready to burst! The baby’s name is Shamus, how Irish is that? Anyway I’m supposed to be there to make her laugh in the delivery room. I’ve been through this once before with my friend Whittney about 7 years ago. She recorded the birth and I kept saying, “I’m not ready yet!” after the doctor said, “Next push and you’re having a baby.” I was serious! Anyway, hopefully I can be there to make Courtney smile!

I went to a Lincoln Day luncheon last Thursday. Supervisor Chris Norby (Fourth District, OC Board of Supervisors) gave a speech on Lincoln and we all had to stand and recite the Gettysburg Address. I never really paid attention to the words before. Everyone should re-read it and really think about what it says.

The candidates for Senate running against Barbara Boxer were there, or a representative on their behave. Toni Casey was quit an impressive speaker, I like her. I don’t think she could beat Boxer though. Rosario Marin wasn’t there because she was giving a press conference at the Nixon Library. I couldn’t be in two places at once so I sadly missed her speech. You can read about it though on her website:

RosarioforSenate.com

She is the only candidate that can pull this off and oust Boxer!

I have to get going, I need to drop off Voter Registration cards to the Registrar’s Office! We registered 27 Republicans this weekend!

I’ve so got to get to work……….more later!

I know it’s been too long! Sometimes “life happens” and you just can’t do everything. I took off at the last minute to Las Vegas for the Super bowl! It was a blast! If you can’t have a great time in Vegas……………….stay home! Several friends and patrons were there so that made the trip even more entertaining. Nothing like watching the Super Bowl on a giant screen in the Cirque de Soleil venue at Treasure Island. They really take care of you during the game. Waitress service, appetizers, and big comfortable seats. Okay, I’m not that into football, but the commercials are always fun. The half-time show was a bit of a shock; I wasn’t sure what I was looking at when Justin pulled off part of Janet’s top. Things look blurry on a movie-sized screen.

Anyway, off to work………running late!

I just finished addressing all of the W-2’s and 1099’s to go out in the mail tomorrow. The fun never ends! I need to start figuring out what I’m going to do for our Super Bowl party this year. We will be having our 5th Annual Chili-Cook-Off during the game. It’s seems so weird to have Super Bowl Sunday in February.

I just finished another article about The Republican’s attempt to oust Boxer. I keep reading how Bill Jones is in the lead, especially after Arnold’s endorsement. At least one article from Saturday talked about how Jones didn’t have a chance and how Rosario Marin was our best bet. Well, one article is a start.

I’m trying to sell tickets to the Laker game on Wednesday night. They are the seats I had last time on the floor behind the Lakers bench. I really would love to go again but I’m too busyL I bought tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters as well, but that’s not until February 21st at The Pond. That should be a lot of fun; we’ll be in the front row. I used to watch them on TV with my father and brother all the time as a kid. I have no idea who any of the new players are. I remember Curly and Meadowlark Lemon the most.

Well, back to paperwork………………………..

I’ve been so busy with fun tax forms lately. DE 6, DE 7, 941, 940……………….you get the idea.
Last night was another fun filled evening at deva’s with karaoke and dancing. I’m feeling much better now, finally!

I dragged my best friend Leisa to the Chamber mixer on Thursday night at the OC Register. We took a tour of the building and it was quite interesting. I never realized how much work goes into the newspaper every day. It’s really amazing to get a look at tall the different departments, editors, graphic artists, writers, researchers, the many people running the presses (at 35 miles an hour by the way). Anyway, if you get a chance it’s a tour worth your while. I did run into two of the reporters that did stories on me during the election. George Stewart I knew already because he has been in deva’s several times for interviews. He writes a column as well for the Tustin News that’s pretty entertaining. The other reporter I spoke with on the phone only so it was nice to put a face with a name. Tustin’s Chamber mixers are becoming a fun event to attend-finally!

A few days ago I had the sudden craving for orange slices. While refreshing, sweet, and full of vitamin C, I usually don’t think about eating them. It’s obvious to me today why the sudden urge. In 1991, on January 19th, my father passed away from cancer. I was there, holding him as he let that last breath escape, never to inhale again. My father held on through the night of the 18th, I remember it like it was yesterday. He kept asking me what time it was, trying to look up at the clock. He clung to life a bit longer as to not die on the same date as his father did of cancer, for his mother’s sake. My grandmother never did recover from losing her husband and son. She lived several more years and fought off the depression repeatedly. My grandmother died on August 3, her birthday, of cancer.

You’re probably wondering why the orange slices………... My father was Coach Roger Renz, basketball coach at Findlay High School in Ohio. I remember my mother cutting up a bag full of oranges before every game for my father to take to the gymnasium for his players. Every half time the players went to the locker room for orange slices and Juicy Fruit gum. Sometimes for a reaming from my father if they weren’t playing up to their potential. I know it may sound a bit strange, but sometimes it’s the littlest things that remind you of someone. I certainly remember riffling through my father’s sports coat pockets searching for the Juicy Fruit. I can see that big Tupperware container sitting on top of his clipboard, where he drew the plays for the game, tucked under his arm as we made our way to the game. My father passed away during one of his team’s basketball games. They announced it after the game and the gymnasium, I was told, was full of silence and tears. He coached right through chemotherapy, right up until he went back into the hospital for the last time. The funeral was held in the gymnasium to accomadate the hundreds of people attending. There was a basketball on top of the casket in the middle of all the flowers. The casket was on the court, right under the basket, which seemed very fitting.

I have his leather jacket that I bought him for Christmas one year hanging in my closet. I took it from the hospital after he passed away (after a struggle from a horrible step mother, I don’t want to think of her today.) There’s still a piece of Juicy Fruit gum in the pocket. I miss my father very much; he was a great man who did everything in his power to help his players, students, family, and friends. I hope I can live up to what he accomplished. Most people never even knew how much he helped others until he passed away and the local radio station had an hour show where people called in to talk about him. Now that’s a true sign of a special human being. He was only 49 years old, never smoked, rarely touched any alcohol, exercised daily, ate healthy (was a health teacher), and our family grew our own vegetables. Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how healthy you try to be.

I’m going to go cut up an orange for breakfast.

Is anyone paying attention to the propositions that will be on the March ballot? Prop 57 needs to be passed so that we will not incur more tax increases. The proposal calls for a $15 billion bond so that the state can refinance the accumulated debt. Apparently, so far, the majority seems to be against it in the polls I have read about. Wake up people! It’s far better than an increase in taxes! Of course the first people everyone wants to tax is the rich, the smokers, and the drinkers. Any further taxes on these areas will send even more businesses packaging out of California. I know my small business can’t afford more taxes. It really hits hard when you’re a small business that sells alcohol. Most of my customers that drink also smoke. It’s bad all the way around. Hopefully Arnold can convince the people that this is a good idea. And as for the $6 billion short fall anticipated by Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill next year………………hello! If the business climate improves in California, there will be more tax revenue coming in. It only makes sense to vote yes on Prop 57.

Well, now that I have that off my chest……………….I need to go serve up some cocktails and sing karaoke! Happy Friday!

The sun just does wonders for me. I actually spent some much needed time outside yesterday. I feel much better now, but still not completely over this hell-flu!

I went to a meeting yesterday at American Express Financial Advisors Inc for a friend who is just getting started in a new career. I do miss being in that financial environment. It’s been a long time since I sat in an office as a registered rep. My license expired a while back; I couldn’t find anywhere to “hang” it to keep it active. I sure wouldn’t want to take the Series #7 exam again! It’s a difficult test, mostly about options. Six hours of 250 questions out of a possible 10,000. At least it was 10 years ago when I took it. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years! I’m getting old fast!

I can’t believe Arnold is endorsing Bill Jones for the Senate race to oust Boxer! I still am convinced Rosario Marin is the best candidate. The endorsement today of all five Republican women in the California State Legislature was a good sign. The primary is coming up quickly; hopefully I can help spread the word about Rosario. I have heard several Democrats say that are going to vote for her, I hope that is the case come March!

I woke up at 5am today. I’ve been at my desk for almost 10 hours now! The bottom of my desk is still nowhere to be found! I know the payroll tax booklet is around here somewhere, it’s due on the 15th. Good thing I never procrastinate!

Okay, I’ve been sick now for 5 weeks. Please! I felt a little better yesterday; I’m just tired today. Everyone I’ve talked to that has this flu- thing said they were sick about 6 weeks. Lovely.

My steady diet of potato chips, french fries, popcorn, pizza, Top Ramen noodles, and raw potatoes with salt (yummy,) is starting to have an affect. I can’t wait to be well again so I can go back to Sugar Free Red Bull, yogurt, and romaine salads to shed these extra pounds! What is it about being sick that makes you crave carbs? I guess it’s that whole “comfort food” thing. I just wish comfort food didn’t make you fat! Seriously, I just had sour cream potato chips while waiting for my fries in the oven to get crispy! What a well-rounded dinner! It’s okay, I have taken tons of Vitamin C and drank gallons of juice, and so I’m good. I’m eating the healthy things as well. Rice crispy treats, ice cream with hot fudge, See’s candy, and broccoli. I’m such the health nut.

After quite a bit of feedback about the article yesterday, I guess I may have been too hard on myself. This never-ending flu must be clouding my vision a bit. Maybe the article and picture weren’t that bad. I was trying too hard to sound like a politician, when all the while people seem to like the straightforward, simple approach. Lesson learned. I just need to be myself, like always. I must have read too many articles and interviews with politicians and just assumed I needed to sound like them. Anyway, I’m just happy to have a voice and know people actually read what I had to say. I received several kind e-mails about the article. I even received one from a terrific guy involved with the Chuck Devore campaign (70th Assembly). While I originally volunteered for his campaign, I felt I had a better understanding of Rosario Marin’s efforts. I learned rather quickly that you need to volunteer for someone you feel you know on a certain level, and more importantly, someone you truly believe in. If you don’t have that, there’s no passion involved. I’m confident that the “DeVore in ’04” campaign will be strong. I only listened to Chuck speak once, so I didn’t really get to know what he’s about. I was impressed with his speaking ability; he commands such presence in a room.

Arnold’s budget plan is due to come out today. I’m curious as to what it’s going to entail.

Anyway, I need to get to deva’s. I haven’t been there in a week!

Well, it?s on page 7 today in the OC Register. I wish the reporter, Ricky Young, were calling about my subscription yesterday. The photo wasn?t very flattering to start with. The reporter twisted some of my answers to make me sound, well, stupid. Should?ve seen it coming by now, huh? The previous articles in the Register were a better measure of my speaking ability than was this horrible Q&A! Guess I was out of practice yesterday in my flu-ridden state. Usually I can steer my answers into intelligent quotes for the reporter to write. Oh well. At least they?re still asking questions and I can voice my opinion to Orange County; I should be grateful for that. Here?s the article if you are signed up with the Register:

http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75173§ion=REGION_STATE&subsection=REGION_STATE&year=2004&month=1&day=8


I did attend our Neighborhood Association meeting last night. City Council woman, Claudia Alvarez was there to give the ?State of the City? report as of last July. She did a good job dealing with all the complaints and problems from our section of the city. Then we had to go over the Center Line project again and again for those who missed the last meeting. What a nightmare this Center Line project has been. It?s basically a light rail train that goes nowhere and costs millions of dollars. I know the premise is that it is the foundation that we will build on in the future. Hopefully that is what will happen if this project gets approved.

Still trying to shake this flu. I should’ve bought the entire Theraflu Company to save money this winter!

The OC Register called me today. I actually answered because I thought they calling regarding my subscription. Funny. The reporter asked me how I thought Arnold was doing so far. I watched his State of the State yesterday, and I thought he did a good job on the speech. He was positive about California and was standing by his word about not increasing taxes. Anyway, you can read the Q & A in the Register in the next few days. What a pleasant surprise; I still get to voice my opinion. That was the first interview of the New Year. I’m sure there will be the “Where are they now?” interviews before too long. I guess I better “get” somewhere! If I could just get over this flu I could at least “get out of bed!”

I haven't dropped off the face of the planet; I'm still sick! This is the worst cold, flu, or whatever it is! You start to feel better, and then it hits you again!

I'm back to bed with my Theraflu!

Happy New Year!

I have nominated deva's as a meet-up place for all you fellow Republicans! Check it out:



2004-Year of the Deva!

It’s almost 2004! So much work to do! I bartended the last couple of days so I’m even further behind. Tomorrow is payroll and the big New Year’s Eve Party at deva’s. We are having chicken, spinach dip, and appetizers. I think we serve more food then most restaurants during the holidays. I wish deva’s had a kitchen! I made gallons of “Mad Cow Stew” (vegetable & Top Sirloin) for Sunday football two days ago. The patrons ate every drop and asked for more. I don’t think many people are actually worried about getting Mad Cow disease. The line is still around the corner at Inn & Out, the hamburger joint, down the street. We had steaks on Christmas Day. Its just one cow, linked to Canada, come on. I’d probably die from chocking on a piece of steak before I’d actually die from Mad Cow Disease. A person actually wrote in to the OC Register today proclaiming they weren’t going to eat beef anymore because of all the pictures on TV of cute little cow faces being slaughtered. Okay. That guy probably believed the commercials of the “Happy Cow” in California as well. Does he think that the cheese slices on his turkey or chicken sandwich today came from “Happy Cows” roaming free in the sunshine over the vast green, daisy covered, hillsides? What about the poor little cute chicken or turkey faces that were slaughtered for his non-cow meal? Give me a break. I guess we all should become vegans, wear man-made material shoes, and hug a tree.

Friday was such a lovely day at work. By the time I got there the ice machine stopped running, the cash register died, and several light s had burned out. It wasn’t even a Monday! Deva’s is such an electrical nightmare. The previous owner was an electrical contractor, and still is! Scary! We have outlets in the strangest places. The one above the TV’s is fell out of the ceiling when I first took over. I really would like to remodel the place. Only problem is all the laws, regulations, ordinances, commissions, departments, landlord, etc………. maybe someday. ( There are so many idiotic regulations that prevent imprvement.)

I’ve got to get all these bills in the mail and start searching for the bottom of my desk again before next year starts!