Gang Leader for a Day

This morning, I finished reading a book called 'Gang Leader for a Day', written by sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh. In the book, Sudhir spends close to 5 years studying gang culture in Chicago by living with and 'running' with an actual gang. His life is completely altered by what he sees in the projects of this city as he learns more and more about the power plays and hierarchy found in the apartment complexes.
On one particular section, the main antagonist, named JT, gives Sudhir the task of actually being the leader of his gang for one day. Many decisions end up going through him for basis of taxation of 'hoes', 'pimps' crackheads', 'shorties', 'squatters' and more. It was funny to read how he handled the pressure of being the boss and interesting to read about inner city life in its truest form instead of glorified on the TV screen.
Reading it got me thinking...what job would I want to do for a day? Here's my list:
President of a non-waring country
Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers
Investigative Reporter
Avon Salesman
Sleep tester
Dean of an Ivy League University
Lead Singer of a popular band that just fell off (to know what it's like to lose something huge)

What about you?

The next day

Everyone loves routine. Even the people who say they are unpredictable and hate routine have the routine of changing their routine. It's a scientific fact. My routines have changes a lot in the past 3 weeks since Eliana was born. In the mornings before I go to work, I let her lie on my chest and fall asleep. Even if she is already asleep I do this, just so she can hang with me before I go into the office. It's a sweet scene. Mom is on one side, playing with Ellie's hair while I'm kissing Ellie's head. Somehow that routine works for me. The church sometimes keeps me for long hours so to have that moment before I leave home means a lot to me.
A routine that I'm going to try to start doing is going to the library to do work. I never liked the library. I love books and reading but I hated the library because rather than working, I'd look around at books, listen to old records, try to find a table with a plug for my laptop...and never get work done. But I think I'm gonna try it out and see if I can get some reading in and some studying for the future.
Another routine - going to the gym. Many people have commented on my weight loss as of late and it's starting to get to me. I can't keep weight on no matter how hard I try. And believe me, I try but I think I need to get healthy in the worst way. So bring on the weights and the tuna because I need that protein!

Awesome moment of last week - Going to Van Johnson's house. Van is one of the coolest guys I know. He's like Stephen Colbert to me, hilarious, insightful and worth emulating. Becca and I brought Eliana to his house so he and his family could meet her. It was a blast. We stayed there for so long, laughing at birthing stories and baby pictures, watching TV, eating pizza and changing diapers. It was a great way to end the Easter weekend! It's one of those thing you don't do all the time, for fear of it losing its...je ne sais pas, you know. You don't every now and again to remind yourself of the awesomeness of friendship, the uniqueness of family and the joy of fellowship...though if he invited me over right now to watch 24, i would already be there:)

Lost Item

A few days ago, I realized that i misplaced my wedding ring. Now obviously the ring has major significance for me and my wife as it was and is a sign of our vows together (the circle that never ends represents our ongoing and on growing bond) so naturally it sucks when I go down to feel it and I feel nothing. I told her and she wasn't mad or upset at me but upset that I can't find it. Now I lose everything, mind you, so this was a matter of time (The fact that I've kept it so long is quite impressive actually) before it was missing. What I love about my wife is that with or without my ring, she knows that my vow is true and that I love her more than anything. I try to live those words out, those wedding vows with every breath I breathe and she reciprocates all the time. She doesn't need the symbol. Pretty cool, eh?

But it was expensive so I need to find it!

Soon!!!