Survey time

I need to start smoking so I can quit. Think of the money I’ll save.

… A year ago I mentioned that Stockton, Calif. – the hub of San Joaquin County and where I grew up – was ranked No. 2 by Forbes Magazine in its Most Miserable City in America survey behind Detroit and ahead of Flint, Mich.

This year, there is no one above them. When I thought it couldn’t get any worse it did. Forbes calls Stockton the “… ground zero of the housing boom and now the subsequent bust,” and thus is “honored” with the Most Miserable City in America title.

While I knew the house bust was in Stockton, this is what I didn’t know – only 15 percent of adults have college degrees, one of the lowest rates in the country. I find this a bit odd since the University of the Pacific is there and is considered a good college. I guess people wise up after graduating.

In a way I’m kind of sad since it is where I grew up and they were trying to improve its image. The strange this is Stockton has won an All-America City Award, given by the National Civic League, twice since 1999. The way things look; they might not win another for a while.

Another survey I found recently said my car was one of the top 10 automobiles to get tickets. It was ranked No. 7. The Hummer H2 was No. 1 followed by the Scion Tc and Scion Xb.

When I thought about it, it made sense. I got a ticket within a month of getting my Scion Xa. I then got another ticket in 17 months later.

I’m not that worried about it, however. I love my car.

… In celebration of my friend’s upcoming wedding, they had a Laser Tag party. It’s been about 11 years since I played and it showed as I finished last out of 22 people in the “everyone for themselves” round. And just so you know, that included women and children.

I fared much better over the next two rounds, both team competitions. My team won the second round as I finished in sixth overall. Then in the third round my team lost, but I finished in third. What can I say, I’m a team player.

It was fun until my right hamstring cramped up at dinner, twice. The first time I was able play it off. The second time it hurt really bad. So I had everyone laughing at my pain – it wouldn’t have been the first time.

In less than two weeks, my friend gets married. I have the privilege to be the DJ at the wedding. My handle will be DJ takenorequests, I think it is pretty clear why.

I did buy a new suit for the wedding. I found a Ralph Lauren sports coat at Macy’s marked down from $225 to $28 in excellent condition. I got new slacks and a tie, both on sale. I have a styling new suit for $76. Plus, I had a gift card for $50 so I didn’t spend much out of pocket.

… February is half over and there is still a month and a half to go in my private hell. I know for a fact that my newspaper’s sister publication in Woodland Hills is going to transfer over in March to West Covina meaning our paper will probably move over in April. I’m still trying to get out by then. I also need to find a new place to live too.

… Ah, baseball season is here. I like my San Francisco Giants’ chances this season. They have strong pitching; they just need to find someone that can hit a home run more frequently than every other week.