Israel Vasquez Jr.

This is a list to remind me of the things i need to learn and how i’m to go about it.

 Database Stuff

• Mysql - I realize that there’s many things i still need to learn in regards to RDBMS & Mysql in particular. I need to find a good tutorial to begin with.
• NoSQL - This is the new hotness across the interwebs … CouchDB, MongoDB or other? Redis seems popular also

Programming Stuff

• Python - Because I love this language and i already use it with the Django stuff i do … oh and i hate really big snakes.

- Go through Learn Python the Hard Way by Zed Shaw (already started)

- How to think like a computer scientist - Allen B Downey (already started)

• Java - Used at work and has huge potentials; It’s the one language i don’t know anything about.

- I need a Tutorial for this

• Django - While not really a language, its a framework and a world on its own.

- The Definitive Guide to Django: Web Development Done Right -Django BDFL’s (Started)

-  Django 1.2 E-commerce - Jesse Legg - (Started this and is good)

• NodeJS - New hotness, need book/tutorial on this.

Projects - As proof that i’ve learned the language i’m going to do one project for each.

• Build a Cross Platform Python Desktop App - (I have ideas what i’ll build, not building just cause of build sake)
• A Java App (Same as above)
• Django - Intranet w Badges - Pinax/Social Features

In a certain twist of events this year, August… my birth month… the month that normally is the worst of the year for me was quite agreeable with me. Normally i’m either depressed or go through some kind of drama during this month.

This year it was far from it… I got new work/projects, i’m doing ok financially, i finalized the issue with my son and his Mom (case closed, i get him every 2 weeks, and i’m glad i finalized things with his Mom as it would never have worked out), I bought a New car, I even met a new, very special girl, and on top of that, I got the confirmation that in October, i will have another girl in my life! Yes, i’m becoming a dad for the second time and this time i’m having a Daughter.

I can only truly say, thank you August! i enjoyed and appreciated all that you brought to me… i’m still not sure if i’m looking to you next year though!

I have been a silent spectator of the BPFL Insurance Cup this season.  I watched as Verdes started the season in dismal fashion, losing against Newcomers Nizhee Corozal and several others.  I watched as they lost against Cruz Azul 12-0 in agregate.  And i knew something was wrong, this wasn’t the Hankook Verdes of last year, the verdes that fought to the last in the championship, something was wrong.

Apparently a lot was wrong. Amongst it all: dissent among the players and manager Sergio Chuc.  It started with the return game at Guatemala. Apparently some of the players decided not to travel with the team, claiming sickness among other excuses.  This did not appease the manager and he Suspended them, for the entire season it seems.  The problem is that the players suspended were not any players, but their star players: Orlando “Leech” Jimenez, his younger brother Danny Jiminez and National Team Player Trevor “Burger” Lennon.

Apparently the excuses were false, and they just decided to boycott the game in Guatemala for patriotic reasons.  A move that angered the manager citing that “They don’t have the team as their first priority”.  This spat went public when Sergio, wrote back to the Amandala sports desk in response to an article congratulating Orlando & the other players for not going.  And now Leech, the captain has spoken back by writing to the sports desk. He’s told his side of the story, he didn’t want to play not because of money, but because of other reasons.

What does this mean for our/my beloved team this season, simply that if Leech & the others don’t return by the next game, Verdes is doomed for the season, not being able to make it to the playoff’s and therefore finishing the season in dismall form.  If Leech and the others do come back, which he’s hinted he will, it will still be a very difficult task for them to qualify to the play offs and more than likely all of this will affect the players and i honestly don’t think they will be able to defend their title this season.

As for me, I’m sitting this season out. I havn’t been to a single game this season, partially because of other duties, especially with my company and also because of Verdes’ dismall form and because of the Absence of Leech & Danny.  I am a Verdes die hard fan as anybody who knows me can tell you, and will support the team in hard times and good times.. .but i hope the empty seats & the dismal result tell Sergio something, Verdes needs its star players, and yes the Club is bigger than any player, but as you have heard Leech say “Their blood runs Green”… swallow the pride and save the club some embarrasment.

Quick Facts:

Yes Hankook Verdes lost against Cruz Azul on a total 12-0 scoreline.

Yes i was dissapointed.

Yes Cruz Azul were the better team

Yes Cruz Azul fans you can go ahead and pile it up on me.

But mind you, i did not ever say Verdes is capable of beating Cruz Azul. Rather i said i think they have a chance to compete and surprise them. Unfortunately it wasn’t so.  Cruz Azul just proved how much class they have over our little semi-pro team.  Fact: Cruz Azul one of the best mexican teams, Verdes small semipro team

Apart from that i was excited in seeing Chivas & N.E. Revs get their butts kicked by little Joe Public & Tauro F.C.

I think the Concacaf Champions League will be very exiting still with the smaller teams on the roster (even though Hankook Verdes is not there). I will definately watch the other games and certainly expect and upset or two! maybe Cruz Azul getting their asses kicked? :-)