RanDom Thoughts

1. On a scale of 1-10, how weird is it to be attracted to Disney characters?

2. I don't like when people use smiley faces in reverse order, (: , like that. Mostly because it makes me feel dyslexic. I can't read that, it's like reading a different language. Left to right = :)

3. If you have enough time to complain, you have too much time.

4. Women will go against their better judgment if you can keep them on their toes and laughing. Not always, but more times than not.

5. You can lead a horse to water but you can't...you know what, forget that horse. If you gotta lead the horse to water, you've already failed.

6. "I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission."

7. I've been eating upwards of seven to ten eggs a day during our gym's life challenge that runs through Memorial Day. I feel guilty for all the chickens that have had to die for me to eat healthy. Almost as guilty for polluting my workspace with countless egg farts.

8. Come to think of it, I've been feeling guilty about eating meat lately. Well, maybe not meat but more so chicken wings. If I eat two drumsticks, that equals at least one chicken that had to die. Unless of course it was some genetically modified chicken with twelve wings in which if that is the case, I'm a little relieved.

9. There is an inherent difference between a man sending a woman a "good morning" text and a woman sending a man the same text. I don't make the rules, not all of them at least, but I do enforce them.

10. My coach always says "You have to know the rules before you can break them", he's absolutely right.

11. Never ask a woman her age... ask her what year she graduated high school.

12. You're in a dysfunctional relationship if people are taking bets on what happens first, you get a tattoo of your partners name or you break up.

13. I'm going to start treating dating like a loan. I need to see at least 2 utility bills with a girl's name on them before I approve her.

14. If you're a woman and you start a profile on a social networking tool, I swear you start with at least 100 followers/friends. I scroll across some women's profiles and I think "How does she have 1,000 followers?" and then I remember that she doesn't have a penis. The thirst is real.

15. Only in America can you lay in bed, turn on the television, and watch other people exercise.

16. I like liking depressing posts on Facebook.

17. On a scale of 1-10, how weird is it going to the funeral of someone who killed themselves because of you?

18. I've fully accepted the fact that I will die as a result of road rage because I'm the type of person who eggs crazy drivers on. Oh, I'm going to slow for you so you're going to switch lanes to pass me? Let me speed up after you've switched lanes so you can't get back over.

19. A persons convictions are only as strong as their desires. If you're willing to overlook your convictions for something you desire, it wasn't a conviction to begin with.

20. We've become more concerned with how our lives "look" and our perceived than how they actually are. Live like nobody is watching.

-D

National Mobility Awareness Month - LaRee Martinez and Andrea Vigil

If you're a follower of this site, you know by now that I'm not one to shy away from sharing my personal life. Today is no different.

I am writing to nominate my sister, LaRee Martinez, and my niece, Andrea Vigil, for a custom 2013 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

The committee for National Mobility Awareness Month is awarding a handful of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles based on the amount of votes applicants receive on their website through May 10, 2013.

LaRee is an amazing mother who has not let Andrea’s severe cerebral palsy, which prevents Andrea from walking or controlling her gross or fine motor skills, alter either of the duo’s lives. Andrea lives the very normal life of a 15 year old teen. She wakes up, goes to school, comes home and does homework, and hangs out in her room and watches TV. LaRee’s life certainly does not resemble that of a typical 33 year old as her job is taking of Andrea full time.

(My sister, LaRee Martinez, and my niece, Andrea Vigil)

Every morning, LaRee wakes up and starts her day by getting Andrea up and into the tub for her daily bath. Sounds simple enough but LaRee is 4’10″, 106lbs and Andrea is 4’9″, 90lbs. LaRee transports Andrea, who is nearly the same size, to and from the bathroom and to various activities each day. Sure, Andrea has a wheelchair but she doesn’t magically get in and out of it. LaRee lifts her in and out of it multiple times per day.

While this is extremely inspiring, the 15+ years of this has taken a toll on LaRee. Simple trips to the store or to visit a family member are met with hesitation as transporting Andrea into the family vehicle is a daunting chore. No family should feel like they are prisoners of their home simply because getting in a car is much to taxing an activity. In addition to the stress of difficulty of transporting Andrea, LaRee has developed chronic back pain from lifting Andrea.

A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle would not only mean so much to LaRee and Andrea but also to their family as it would enable them to visit more and allow LaRee and Andrea the flexibility to travel wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted. The vehicle would represent an ease in the emotional and physical load the two bare on a daily basis.

(This is a daily glimpse at what LaRee does when getting Andrea in their van)

Thank you for your consideration and for helping families who need it. We appreciate your review of this nomination and would love if you picked LaRee and Andrea to be the recipients of a custom 2013 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

You can cast a vote for the pair at www.lareemartinez.com. The site will ask for your email address, but rest assured that no spam emails will be sent. I haven't received one to date.

-D

W.O.W.

Today, Be Legendary.

-D

Q and A with Brandon Rios: "It’s about time, I’ve been waiting for a fight like this and now I’ve got it."

The only thing worse than losing is losing twice in a row, which could be the fate for either Manny Pacquiao or Brandon Rios as the two are set to meet on Nov. 23 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau, China. Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), coming off a devastating knockout at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez in late 2012, and Rios (31-1-1, 23 KOs), rebounding from a Unanimous Decision loss to Mike Alvarado this past March, will look to right their respective ships against one another in what is sure to be a crowd pleasing affair.

(Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios are slated to fight Nov. 23 in Macau, China)

With the contracts being finalized and boxing circles, boards, and chat rooms abuzz about the looming showdown, I caught up with Brandon Rios this morning to discuss the fight, rebounding from his first professional loss, and more:

The 4th Door: What does a fight of this magnitude, against Pacquiao, signify to you?

Brandon Rios: It’s about time, I’ve been waiting for a fight like this and now I’ve got it. Really, I’m just glad for opportunity. I want to say thanks to manager Cameron Duncan for getting me this fight and I’m just waiting to sign my contract. I got the news but I’m not excited yet because it’s not official but as soon as I sign that paper, I’m going to be really excited.

T4D: Bernard Hopkins said this morning that this is a brave move by Pacquiao fighting you coming off his knockout loss, what makes you such a dangerous opponent?

BR: No, it’s not a bad fight for him (Pacquiao) to take. He’s a veteran, being in the game for so long, and he’s going to come to fight just like I am. I come to give the fans what they want, all action. I come out, balls out, and throw punches in bunches. It’s going to be a great fight.

T4D: What do you say to those who say you don’t deserve the fight coming off a loss?

BR: I say they don’t know shit about boxing. Yeah, Alvarado won and I give that to him but he didn’t win impressively. He didn’t knock me out. It was a good fight and he won. Everybody behind a computer is going to talk shit but then they act like your biggest fans when they see you. I don’t care what people say.

T4D: You are coming off the first loss of your pro career, how has it been bouncing back?

BR: It’s going to be awesome coming back. The first loss bugged me for a while but my wife told me it happens, everybody loses at one point or another. I just had to stay out of the gym for a while and spend time with my family. Once the loss passed out of my memory, it’s gone for good.

T4D: The fight will be fought at 147lbs, how will another move up in weight affect you?

BR: It will be great. If it would have been at 140, it would have been great. I can make 140. I’m not killing myself to make 140 like I was at 135 so 147 should be ok.

T4D: What kind of insight can you former stable mate Antonio Margarito and your trainer Robert Garcia provide from their 2010 fight against Pacquiao?

BR: No disrespect to Margarito, you know because he is my boy, but I’m younger than he was and I’m not Margarito. I can fight inside. I’m young and I’m strong. Everybody wants to compare me to him and say that I’m the same fighter, but I’m not Margarito.


T4D: Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach told ESPN.com this fight is going to be payback for him over some things that were said by the Garcia camp prior to the Margarito/Pacquiao fight, is there bad blood between Roach and yourself?

BR: I don’t have any bad blood, if he still wants to talk about the past he can but we want to and have move forward. I became a man, I manned up and sent my apologies for what happened. If they want to say it’s ‘revenge’, let them come to fight and get it then. Freddie comes up to me and says hello at fights. He was by wife at the Alvarado fight and told her he thought I got it. Whatever they say, let that be in the past.

("I come to give the fans what they want, all action. I come out, balls out, and throw punches in bunches.")

T4D: Your thoughts on fighting in Macau, basically fighting in Pacquiao’s backyard?

BR: What time will we be fighting?

4D: I think around 9am Macau time.

BR: That means I’ll just start training earlier. Running and training earlier. We’ll get there early and get adjusted to the time difference and altitude. Like I’ve always said, I can fight in my backyard or in the street or in the ring. As long as there is an opponent, I’m ready. I fought Manny Perez in Denver, his hometown, and there were a lot of boos but I can change the crowd with my style where they are rooting for me by the end of the fight.


T4D: After reviewing the Alvarado fight, countless times I’m sure, what Adjustments you need to make going forward?

BR: Head movement. Not head movement only, but my ability to slip punches. I need to throw my jab more, I have a great jab but sometimes I just get in there and want to bang. I love fighting.


T4D: Anything you want to say to our readers and your fans in closing?

BR: Thank you for the continued support and it’s going to be a great fight!

-D

WEIGH-IN LIVE: Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero - 06:00pm EDT

MayDay is almost here as we are just one day away from Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs) putting his WBC welterweight title on the line against Robert Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs).

Tension has been building between the camps, albeit mostly between the fathers of the two combatants, and this is the last time the two fighter will come face to face before trading leather on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The war of words between Reuben Guerrero and Floyd Mayweather Sr., the respective trainers and fathers of Robert and Floyd Jr., has been well documented throughout the buildup to the fight and the two had to be separated by security at a Wednesday press conference for the fight.

Mayweather has a history of getting "handsy", for lack of a better term, with his opponents at recent weigh-ins. Before his 2011 fight with Victor Ortiz, Mayweather grabbed Ortiz by the throat at the weigh-in and things escalated quickly.

(Will Mayweather put his hands on Guerrero today at the weigh-in like he did Victor Ortiz in 2011?)



Guerrero has made it clear that he's not having any of that.

“If he’s touching, I’m going. If you’re going to touch me, I’m going to fire away. Whether it’s a press conference, a weigh-in, or wherever. Nobody’s going to lay their hands on me.” Guerrero told FightHub’s Marcos Villegas.

I'm not saying there are going to be fireworks at the weigh-in today, but there might be a few lighters and fuses laying around just waiting to be used. Tune in, you don't want to be the one who missed it in case there are.

-D

The Solution Showcase #14 w/ DJ Rhettmatic (Beat Junkies), Fly4Wird, Spyda T.E.K., DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & DJ Dozen at Beauty Bar Denver | 04.24.13

If you’ve been paying attention to politics over the last few years, you’ve heard your fair share of complaints regarding “redistributing the wealth”. Rest assured that no such complaints will surface tonight as The Solution Showcase “redistributes” it’s usual Friday show to a Wednesday slot at Beauty Bar. With The Solution back to weekly status every Friday night, the powers that be have decided to showcase the Showcase and it’s concert/party night on its own.

To kick of the new night, DJ RHETTMATIC is heading up a lineup includes Fly4Wird, 2013 Solution Beat Battle winner Spyda T.E.K., in addition to Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme and Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen.

DJ RHETTMATIC, of the Beat Junkies, has been perfecting the turntable science for 30+ years and gained acclaim for being a fixture of the California nightlife circuit in addition to his major role in introducing the Southern California turntable band to global scene. He’s worked with your favorite musician’s musicians (Rakaa Iriscience & Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, and more) and is Denver to rock for one night.

In addition, Red Bull will provide complimentary new Red Bull editions to the first 50 people through the door.


Beauty Bar Denver

608 E. 13th St

$10 at the door / 21+.

-D

RanDom Thoughts

1. I drink a Double Big Gulp of water each day at work, literally. I have a Double Big Gulp cup from 7-11 that I fill up with ice and water, but I always feel ashamed drinking out of the cup because I'm guessing other people must be thinking "Geez, this guy must like Double Big Gulps." Drinking 30+ oz. of soda is never a good idea and clearly I've done it at least once. I need a new cup.

2. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

3. I'm of the mind that if you complain about a situation but aren't doing anything to change how things are conducted besides sharing your opinion, shut up.

4. You can't be found if you don't know you're lost.

5. People are greedy by nature, since the beginning of time, but I'm just starting to realize how much we really are these days. Everything we are taught now seems to push us to the next best thing. People are looking up how to buy and iPhone 6 on their iPhone 5. We aren't taking enough time to bask in what we have.

6. Speaking of phones, I switched over from #teamandroid to #teamiphone and I'm happy with the switch. The best part of switching phones is I didn't transfer any contacts. When you have no contacts, you can't contact anybody. Obviously. It lets you know who really wants to talk to you and who you're pursuant of. Also, it's a fun game when a random number texts you and you have no idea who it is.

7. "If you ride like lighting, you're gonna crash like thunder."

8. Never see a depressing movie on a Sunday. It'll kill your vibe to start your week. If you're going to watch a depressing movie, do it on a Friday night so you have the entire weekend to redeem yourself.

9. I know a woman who has 4 children. She's told me she's got a new boyfriend, he also has 4 children. Real life Brady Bunch, but brown. If you can almost field a baseball team between the two of you, that's too many.

10. In today's day and age, you can't have a negative opinion without being a hater. If you disagree, you're a hater. If you don't like something, you're a hater.

11. Only real friends flip you off, honk their horn, and scream obscenities out their car window when they see you on the highway driving to work at 815am. That happened to me this morning.

12. I, like everyone else who resides in Colorado, am tired of the April snowstorms. Mother nature is having one heck of a PMS bout.

13. Breaking up always hurts, even if it's the right thing to do. Even if you're the one who feels wronged, it still hurts.

14. My co-worker looked at me typing this list and said "That looks like an email to a psycho girl". Nope, that was Monday.

15. Let's say you decide to step out on any given evening for dinner, let's say around 8pm. You take a shower, throw on clean underwear, get dressed and head out. You get home around midnight, change into pajamas, and head to bed. Is it unacceptable to wear those same underwear the next day if you only wore them for four hours the previous night?

16. Grant Boxing keeps posting custom gloves they've made for Floyd Mayweather but he's wearing Winning gloves in 90%of his training pictures. It's like when a girl posts a ton of pictures of a guy she's talking to on her Instagram/Facebook and then you look at his Instagram/Facebook and he has ZERO pictures of her.

17. There is a certain quality of a crazy girl that is just so appealing to me.

18. “You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”

19. If you're gonna be "that" guy, be him 100% of the time. Don't put on a front.

20. If you're living your life right, sometimes you're the picture taker and sometimes you're the person they're taking the picture of.

21. You want to know if you're the only guy the girl you're talking to is talking to? Send "anonymous" flowers and see if she thanks YOU. Don't do this if you're her legitimate boyfriend, you're only going to get hurt. If you have to question it, it's not going to end well.

22. The difference between men and women, well one of them at least, is that women will smile at another woman they hate while men will never do that. A woman can hate another woman but will play it cool, even take pictures with her.

23. Everyone was riding the "We Are All Boston" wave, until you're the only two brown guys who walking into a Boston bar in Downtown Denver. Outsiders.

24. Never show up early for work if you're constantly late if only to spare your co-workers the heartbreak of them thinking it's 930am because you walked in and it's really only 845am.

25. If a woman buys "Yoga" pants but they've never been to Yoga, what are they? Chilling on the couch pants? Drive men crazy pants?

-D