“A 16-year-old boy shot inside a vehicle Thursday in S***** R***** succumbed to a critical gunshot wound to the head Saturday morning, according to the S***** R***** Police Department…

…Police said the shooting occurred Thursday at 10:30 p.m. in the **** block of W******* Drive. Officers who arrived on the scene found three unidentified people outside a vehicle and [the boy] inside.

Investigators believe the homicide is gang related, and authorities are asking anyone with information to call the gang crimes team…”

There is a memorial set up on the street corner. The shooting took place about 400 feet away from my apartment. Neither of the boys in the house heard it and I was in Sacramento and missed it. But we drove by the site twice yesterday and I was filled with sadness and fear. Of course, there is a strong possibility that he was part of a gang and the people who shot him were part of a gang as well. But there is also the possibility that he wasn’t.

I knew we didn’t live in the best neighborhood. But I had no idea that a shooting would take place right outside. We are moving again in April. And I am sorry that we have to wait that long.

p.s. the clip came from the SFPost.

The omens suggest that you’re most likely to be happy and healthy in the coming weeks if you treat the whole world as your classroom. Thank God, then, that you won’t suffer anytime soon from sophophobia (a fear of learning) or optophobia (fear of opening one’s eyes). It’s my duty to inform you, however, that you could experience politicophobia (fear of politicians) or myxophobia (fear of slime). Ironically, that would be quite lucky, because it’s crucial that you avoid manipulative power-brokers and mud-slinging know-it-alls who might confuse you about the educational experiences you need to pursue.

So I haven’t had a chance to post in quite awhile. I have been very busy with my new job and my new life apparently. Some updates:

1. I travel alot these days - ALOT. I am normally on the road at least once a week. It has started to take its toll on my body - both physically and mentally. I am just exhausted overall. There really isn’t an end in sight just yet. I can expect to feel this way for the next coming months. I am not complaining about it. I actually really enjoy the travelling aspect of my job - it just gets tiresome.

2. I am moving. But I still don’t know my move in date. It was supposed to be August 25th, but after contacting the managers of the building (which is still being built) I was informed that it looks like I can’t move in until after September 8th. This of course is incredibly frustrating. How am I supposed to enlist help, a truck, and various other items (such as setting up electricity, changing my mailing address, etc.) until I know the actual date that I can move in? Don’t these people realize that in order to have a successful move certain things need to be in place well before the move in date? I am just hoping that the management of the leasing office is not as incompetent as the management of the building. And I am really hoping that they are not one in the same.

3. On the dating front - I still have a few prospects - but have decided to be by myself for awhile again. With all the travelling I’ve been doing it is hard to keep relationships - both romantic and otherwise. So I apologize to all of those who I have ignored. I am a little self absorbed right now I know and I apologize profusely.

Well those are my updates. My goals for the next couple of weeks consist of:

1. Focusing on my many work deadlines (I am already ahead of the game on most of them - YEAH!).

2. Delegating tasks when I need to.

3. Purging/packing my belongings and possibly holding a yard sale (which my boss volunteered to handle - again big YEAH!).

4. Most importantly truly taking some quality time for myself to unwind and de-stress (which will include both “me” time and friend time). During the “me” time, I will be conducting some self evaluations and reflections - you were forewarned.

Well, I am two paragraphs away from finishing the 4th draft of my second chapter. Yesterday I got the website set up for one of my classes. I am really in just the “retyping” phase of other people’s work… Good times, fun times. Gotta have it done by Monday. Which means I have to miss an opportunity to pour wine for two of my favorite wineries at this fancy function in San Francisco. I will, however, be attending a function called “hog in the Fog” - a BBQ for Grape to Glass. At least I will get to do one fun this this weekend.