Just got back from Bible Study. Ben gave a good message. I was cracking up with Martin during some parts. He kept nudging me when Ben made references to certain things. I think everyone enjoyed the message. Yes, I'm sure everyone did. I think next time I speak, I'm going to have to outdo Ben with his cookies and bring brownies. Or perhaps I will bring some biblical bobbleheads.

I'm an Alice 97.3 Everyday Rewards member, so I just gather up these Alice points on their website. I've got like 600,000 points. Some of these people on the site have 1,000,000. They recently had an auction for a Ben and Jerry Vermonster, which is 20 scoops of ice cream at a Ben and Jerry's ice cream store. I was tempted to blow all my points on it and invite everyone to help me eat it, but it ended up getting 1,000,000+ points so I couldn't bid. Of course if I won, I'd invite 19 of my closest friends to help me eat it. I'd eat 19 scoops and all you people can share that 20th scoop. I can't compete with these people when Alice has auctions. So I have to buy the lame items they have, but it's first come, first served, and things are snatched up within seconds of their listing by those DSL people. I was lucky enough to get Rob Thomas' new debut solo album on their site for only 30,000 points. I just finished listening to the CD. It's pretty good. I'll give it 4 out of 5 middle fingers up. The thing about the songs is that Rob Thomas took a break from Matchbox 20 (which I've always liked) and this cd is supposed to be all his creations and sounds. But to be honest, a lot of the songs sound like Matchbox 20 songs because the only thing distict about Matchbox 20 songs is Rob Thomas' voice anyway. Basically if you like Matchbox 20, you'd like this cd.

I'm actually glad I got this cd. The thing about solo albums is that these singers want to get away from their band's sound and establish their own "musical identity". But sometimes, these singers try too hard on their solo albums and it sounds like crap. Take Justin Timberlake for instance. He's actually one of the rare successes. His solo album was different from NSYNC songs, but he didn't deviate too much from the music we're used to hearing from him, so people liked his music. But then JC Chasez went solo right after Justin Timberlake. I never bought their cds or anything, but I remember hearing two of JC's songs, and they were pure crap. I literally had to turn off the tv when I saw his music video. I had to take a shower right after I heard his songs to get rid of that filth. He tried to be all unique and establish his own sound, but it just sounded like horse poopoo.

Another recent soloist is Gwen Stefani (or as I call her, Gwen Stephanie). I never was a big No Doubt fan, and I'm not at all a fan of her solo stuff. I can't stand her songs off her solo album. It sounds like a lot of gibberish and whining. She made a mistake taking a break from No Doubt. And what's up with all those Asian girls that keep showing up in her videos. Is Gwen Stefani Chinese?

Anyway, that's my two cents. You can feel free to disagree with me on my take on solo artists and their music. The one thing you can't deny is the fact that JC Chasez's music is horrible.

I got my $50 Amazon gift certificate for reviewing some handbook at my work. I'm not really sure what to spend it on. I think Amazon actually sells ipod shuffles, so I'm considering spending it towards that. Or I could use it towards my brother's wedding gift, but I haven't decided what to get him yet. Boy, think of the possibilities. I also get a free McGraw-Hill textbook of my choice, but I have no idea what classes or books I'll need next semester.

Speaking of my brother, I haven't really mentioned it to many people yet, but I guess I should mention it now since this site is probably the only way I communicate to many of you. My brother's fiancee got her podiatry rotation in L.A., so they'll be moving to L.A. in July after their wedding and have to stay there for the next 3 years. It's kind of a bummer since they had a place ready in the Sunset and would settle in the city, but it looks like those plans are on hold. They're probably going to rent a place down there for 3 years, rather than buy a home. Technically, houses are so cheap down there, and if they rented for 3 years, it'd almost be the same as buying a home at $300,000. But they'd rahter not own a home in L.A. and have to deal with all the paperwork and maintenance. So basically they'll only be back in S.F. during the holidays. I was talking to Bernard about how we could go visit them during Spring Break, and go visit his brother in San Diego as well. It'll be tough to adjust, but things always work out. This is definately one of those "why God?" situations, but you have to just assume you'll see the bigger picture He was trying to paint someday in the future. I know they want to come back to S.F. when the 3 years is done and live in the Bay Area. I mean come on, who wants to be surrounded by Dodger and Angel fans? And with Kobe Bryant hanging around L.A., you have to remember to lock your doors at night.