Last Call
Last night was the final 10 cent draft night for this Beta. It was great to see some of my friends from these past two years there, some people are gone for the summer, but for those around here we lived it up! Tons of people came out and we had a great time. Shot out to Santi, Hermen and Ramon for coming out and celebrating. I know Max could not get out of work or he would of been there. I will miss you guys for real.

So a night out is not complete with a set of pictures, so without further a due...

The Brothers... the BFE regulars. My Wednesdays will never be the same.

A toast with our 10 cent drafts.

Hey... look over there!

Some of my favorite girls where there already, Elaine and Stacey.

After the 10 cent drafts... Club BFE gets bumpin... well kinda.

Melissa was there and brought her friend Lindsey from back home.

AOPi Hotness Emily gave me a rubber ducky...

Rubber Ducky... in my Beer...

Cheers....

Of course the Santi and Kim chilled... thanks for the 40 cents!

Lindsey from UPO with a big smile. She likes to dance.

The dance floor getting hype once the DJ cut the 80 rock off.

Jeremy Cobb came out with a friend to say bye.

The AST gang in action... Stephanie is much cuter when not in the Speedway vest. No hot dogs tonight.

A toast with Hermen... man that was strong.

Jamie and Emily.

Kelly another AOPi hotness.

Ramon and the Passion of the Santi.

Representing for the Betas who could not make it.

With Hermen.... THATS MY NEO... bro bro bro.

So there is the night. We had a great time. I had a good send off in Allentucky and I will miss this place. Hermen thanks for everything bro and I could not be prouder of how this colony is doing, keep up the hard work and I will see you in Orlando. Ramon, tell your Brothers congrats for me at the weddings and thanks for being a goood bro and roadtripping with me. Santi... another Brother from the Naw... keep it up and I expect even greater things from GV Betas this coming year! The night was so good I did not even need Speedway Hot Dogs... just home and slept.

I will be back to get my stuff when I am done at Oregon. Please keep checking the blog as I will be posting about my misadventures in the Wild Wild West.

Now I got to finish cleaning out my desk...

Oregon Trail anyone?
Never thought I would live in Oregon... I never thought a lot of things which have happened to me would. I guess the best things in life are the things you can not plan for. For those wondering about this odd news... here is the deal.

University of Oregon is hiring a new Greek Advisor and they have tried recruiting me for the job. I loved it when I was out there in March but it is just too far from my family and Novalí. So I had to say no. They did not find someone during their search, so they closed the posting and will repost the job. They once again asked me to apply, and I said no. Then out of the blue Shelley Sutherland the director calls me an asks if I want to work for her for the summer. I have no job yet, and it will take three months for them to complete their second search so she thought it would be a good idea.

I just sent out applications for jobs to Albion College and Bradley University. Two places I do want to work, and their searches just started and will take about 8 to 12 weeks. So what does this mean... the Oregon job makes perfect sense. I move to Oregon and make some money (good pay, free apartment, new adventure), get a great professional experience with Shelley (she is a legend in her own time) and don't sit in Michigan waiting for a job offer complaining about being broke and working on my tan while taking apart the Nissan.

Even though I will miss the Nissan (and yes I need a tan)... and the Brothers here... I decided to take it. So Tuesday I fly to Seattle where I will sight-see a little and then drive to Eugene, OR. So my time in Michigan is limited. Tonight... watching the game with the GVSU Betas at the Duplex. Tomorrow BFE! My last Wednesday night with my Brothers at our towny bar. Thursday I will go to Kalamazoo and see the guys and hit up Club Soda for the last time in a while. Then this weekend sometime I roll over to Chicago to spend some time with Novalí before I go.

So I am busy right now. Cleaning out my desk at GVSU, deciding what I will take with me to Oregon (I got a fully furnished apartment... rent free!), and wrapping up loose ends around here so I can be gone for a while. I don't plan to stay out there more then 2 months. So I will see you all again soon!

Around Michigan in Four Days
So I did a tour of Michigan. Thursday went to Kalamazoo, watched the game with the WMU and GVSU Brothers and had a good time watching the Pistons win. Friday went to Saginaw cause it was Kelly's birthday. We had a nice dinner and I relaxed by playing dominos with the parents, Andres and Saloumeh. Saturday went to a wedding with my WMU counterpart, Megan, in Grosse Point. The wedding was fun and we went to Birmingham to end the night. Sunday went to Southfield where we planned to watch the game and ran into tons of NBA folks. All in a all an adventurous weekend. Check out some pics.

When I got home the first thing I saw was Miguel's cats... seriously the cat on top if the biggest I have ever seen.

Grandma with little Valerie, she is so much fun.

She is learning to crawl and doing a really good job... much better then Novali ever did.

We went out to dinner and Valerie wanted to see what was on the menu. Babies get tired of milk you know.

Of course the wait staff got to sing to Kelly in Spanish.

We acted embarrassed by the song... but we loved the free ice cream.

No pictures from my time in Detroit. I kept forgetting my camera everywhere Megan and I went. We had a blast though. Dinner and drinks at the Grosse Point Yacht Club was amazing. I got the DJ to play two Latin songs and the entire room watched Megan and I dance. Then we after-partied in Birmingham where the Lakers where staying to the streets were insanely busy. We ended the night in Bloomfield Hills and then called it a night with some T Bell and sleep.

Sunday was an adventure. I needed to get a haircut. I was in Southfield. I drove and drove... then finally found a place. The guy specialized in tapers and fades... but man he did my fade right! For real one of the best haircuts I have ever had. I got his cell number, and he told me to hit him up anytime I am in the area and he will hook up my fade. He tried to talk me into getting a taper... maybe next time. So with my fresh-do we watched the game and cheered on the Pistons!

The University Oregon has wanted me to work for them... so I figured for just the summer I can do that.

It is 2397 miles to Eugene, OR. This will be a fun summer adventure. No no no... I am flying.

Monday morning back to Grand Rapids. Had a phone call at noon and had to make a big decision. The answer is yes. Yes I am moving to Oregon for the summer. More details coming soon...

Wednesdays back to normal
Well a while back BFE, our favorite little bar closed from a flood. Well it is back now and Betas are back to our routine. They have 40cent wings and we head up there, eat cheap wings and relax. Then 10cent drafts which we are all over as well... poor college students living large in Allendale!

Last night was great. The night started slow and we all chatted and caught up. Chris finally said it is over with his girl... Hermen worked at the Kirk until 9, Maximo was there and thuggin, Ramiro came and we clowned him about his smacked up truck (LTR What?), Ramon was there and skinny as ever... and I was being the big spender and buying 10cent drafts for the guys and for some fellow grads who swung by (what up Ken, Mike and Von!).

Yes it is called BFE... Beer Food and Entertainment. Only fun when the Betas are there!

Hermen, Ramon and Chris... and yeah Ramiro is in the back trying jump and get in the pic.

Most of the guys left before it started to get really busy in there. Chris and I held down the fort. My friend Kristen showed up, and reminded me of how small the world is. She goes to CMU, and somehow her friend knew Chris. Funny how small the world is and everyone knows everyone. So we danced and had a good time.

Chris gave me a ride home and I had to show him some of my Allendale traditions. Speedway Hot Dogs! We stopped on the way and got some hot dogs. Can't beat 2 dogs for 99 cents. We grabbed some dogs and went home.

Nicole and Kristen got their first BFE experience with the Betas.

Me and Stephanie, she always works at night when I come in for hot dogs.

I came in and knocked out, it was not even that late but it was a long day and buying food and drinks with spare change can be tiring.

Tonight we all roll to Kalamazoo. Another photo adventure... maybe. Stay tuned as the GV Betas storm Kalamazoo and Club Soda... after watching the Pistons.

PLP... in the Game!
So this was a race weekend. Friday night Hermen was able to come with me and Team PLP (Parking Lot Performance) ran all over the place on Friday night. We each got about 8 runs around the course and it was sweet! Check out the pics:

Ready and set for the first run of the weekend.

Lined up and ready to hit the course.

Hermen was really handling the NX well and making some good times.

The sun was hot and so was the NX... had to have the heater blowing to keep it cool.

The course was very technical and had hard curves and turns.

Hermen posing before his last run of the night.

The night was awesome! I really got to push the NX and get a feel for the course. I hope Furrin Group (my car club) keeps hosting these Test-And-Tune nights the night before the races. Also as a final treat I got another cool video of the NX running to post...
Video
First clip is curve three, second is Hermen killing a cone, third is the slalom, and fourth is Hermen getting it right.

So Saturday was the big day and I had to go it alone. Hermen had to work and Team PLP was left to just me. The Auto Auction had an exotic car auction and before the racing I headed to check out the rides. They were better then last year! Check these out:

This old Ford GT... 600Hp! Sounded like a true race car.

They had some older classics as well... old 57 Chevys, 64 Impalas, and this nice Benz.

A Porsche Boxter and a few Ferraris... wish my garage looked like that.

Hands down one of the greatest super cars ever... Ferrari Testarossa.

So after the car dreaming it was back to the track area. There were more cars in my category then usual. There was 15 cars entered, 2 ended up not running due to technical problems so I had 13 cars to deal with. I am posting here a few pics of the types of cars that race with me, people have been asking what my competition is... so here are some typical cars you will see out there with me.

From left to right... Pontiac Firebird, Porsche 914, Subaru WRX, and a Dodge Neon.

This Eclipse took fasted time of the time.

In front a Honda S2000 and behind a Corvette.

Miatas really clean up in a few different divisions. So light, so small... just zippy.

In my class typically are newer model imports. This weekend I had a few Neons, Acura Integras, Honda Civics, an Eclipse, VWs, and even a Ford Contour with the SVT package.

So here is the breakdown of the day. Each car got 6 runs. I was feeling good and after the first run I was in 7th out of 13. I ran it clean and stayed on course. Each run after that I shaved time off... (my first run was 51.120 seconds). After the 5th run I was in 9th place with a time of 49.361 seconds. A great improvement from my first run. The final run I was set to move up a few spots. The guys ahead of me did not make any better times... I started the run. I hit the first two corners perfect... the slalom I nailed like a pro... and then on the fourth corner, heading toward the finish... I overshot the gate cone. I nearly missed it... I had to slam on the breaks to make it. I was just going too fast.

I ended the day 9th out of 13. Not to bad for my second season out there, and having the second oldest car in my class. I went home, washed the car, rubbed the cone marks off of it (a few did get hit) and then went out for the night with the Brothers in Kalamazoo. Sorry no pics this time...

Will the NX make it?
Alright. Race time again folks. I am pretty excited, and worried as well about the little NX. This Friday I have a test-and-tune that Hermen and I are heading over to and running the NX. Team PLP is back in the game! Then Saturday morning in Moline, MI the NX will be back in action.

The NX is needing some repairs. My axels (I blogged about this before) are in a really bad shape, and now I am developing a small leak in my exhaust which needs to be repaired. I am gonna need about $600 to get her back into top shape. I will run her hard this weekend regardless. I don't work at GVSU after this week so if I end up carless for a week or so while I fix her... no big deal. I can find rides to CompuCraft.

So for those who have been wanting to see a race you are invited this weekend. Racing starts at 10am on Saturday at the ABC Auto Auction grounds. It is in Moline right off of Exit 72 on Highway 131 (just south of GR). The auto auction is also running that exotic car auction that day (last year tons of classics, Ferraris, Lambos, etc.). So you can catch both. My heat will be later in the day, probably a little after 12. Come on out if you want. Good times!

Strangeness... or Funny?
Weird things happen to me, and often times I wait a while to be able to laugh at them. Take Sunday; I was finished packing my bag for my trip to see Novali and all of a sudden.... BAM! Lightning struck the house! I am watching TV and from the window came the biggest light I have ever seen! Then lightning so loud it shook the house and scared the crap out of me! Then the TV went out... Internet went down (yeah the internet I just spent 2 hours on hold trying to get fixed...). I have never been so scared (well with the exception of that time I got rear ended by a Semi truck on the highway). Needless to say... Hermen's TV is broken now, so might the DVD player, and also the wireless internet router and modem. Sucks.

Alright... the real story here, Novali. I had an awesome two days with the little one, well she is not so little anymore. I got there and as usually she was excited to see me. We hung out, watched some movies and she showed me her new toys. I taught her how to do a somersault, gave her a bath and put her to bed. She was very entertaining. She sings more now, notably the theme song to her Abuela's novela (Spanish Soap Opera) and sings it like a rock star. Hands in the air, face toward the sky, all the passion in her face like they do on TV. It was funny... well enjoy some pics.

On my arrival she jumped on me and gave me a big hug and we watched... Lion King.

I worked on teaching her a somersault... patience...

She would laugh hysterically on each one.

Of course I taught her to say, "Tada" after each roll.

Then we sat down and read a book before bed time and she told me what each character was doing.

All her clothes get stuck on her head coming off... so she stops and swings the sleeves around.

Saying a little prayer and in her PJs and ready for bed after her bath (sorry no embarassing bath pics this time).

After some rest we got up, and headed out to the store (yes she wanted to shop for more glasses...), but we stopped at the playground first.

She crawled around, over and through everything... got her pants dirty... but papi does not care.

She was not scared of any slides, climbing any height, and evening going high on the swings.

We headed home, watched more movies and she played and ran all over... got dirtier, markers... crayons...

Smiling with her mom just before I took off... then she got to crying. I hate leaving.

Now I am home, working at CompuCraft this morning and then off to GVSU to wrap up a few things. This Friday I am helping to coordinate the regional Association of Fraternity Advisors conference. Well let me get back to work now. Adios!