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FOLLOW ME AS I LEARN AND FUMBLE MY WAY THROUGH CREATING MY FIRST BLOG

- WORK IN PROGRESS (DON'T MIND THE DUST) -

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FONTANA LOCATION DINING ROOM
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THE SUPREME PIZZA
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THE ECLECTIC WALL DECORATIONS
Pizza restaurant interior image
FONTANA LOCATION DINING ROOM
x-large supreme pizza image
THE SUPREME PIZZA
pizza restaurant interior image 2
THE ECLECTIC WALL DECORATIONS


MY NY PIZZA SPORTS PIZZERIA

MY FIRST FOOD BLOG

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07 | NOVEMBER 03, 2023

Every neighborhood needs a local mom and pop pizza shop, a place that's been there forever, a place you went to as a kid filled with the warm fuzzies, nostalgia, and good memories. Normally located in the older parts of town, mom and pop restaurants, in general, are independently owned and family operated. Serving freshly made food created with locally sourced ingredients, mom and pop restaurants typically offer something unique that no national chain offers.

A month ago, I tried a local mom and pop pizza shop called My NY Pizza Sports Pizzeria. They have 2 locations, one in Fontana, California on the corner of Hemlock and Route 66 (Foothill boulevard) and their newest location in Ontario, California on the corner of 4th and Vineyard located in the Stater Bros. shopping center.

The location I visited was the original location in Fontana. Though rarely in Fontana, I was in the area by chance looking at a used motorcycle to purchase. Needless to say, the motorcycle was in bad shape and I passed on it. On the way home, though, my friend and I were hungry and I suggested My NY Pizza after a coworker mentioned them in passing. He said the place was trending because of their enormous slices.

With the help of Google Maps, I found the place located in a nondescript building, at a strip mall. The Place had lots of parking so that wasn't an issue. The inside though looked bigger than the facade suggested. In terms of decor, the place gave off lots of mom and pop restaurant vibes crossed with sports bar and man cave vibes. The walls were covered with an eclectic and dizzying array of sports, beer and other imagery. As a whole, nothing was distracting. Everything was more so fascinating and charming than anything else.

The menu overall was pretty simple. They offered 14" pizza slices (the length of my forearm) and whole pizzas in large, x-large, jumbo, and giant sizes. All at pretty reasonable prices. In addition, they offered calzones, wings, and sandwiches among other things. For drinks they had sodas, beers, and wines. Their beers cames in bottles, pints, and pitchers. For a complete selection, visit their website.

After some thought, we decided on the x-large Supreme pizza which came pretty fast. The pizza served was in the New York style which I wasn't familiar with at first. The NY style, I read, was typically hand tossed with a thin crust, a soft middle, and a crunchy edge. Typically, with a moderation of toppings. The NY style originated from the Neapolitan style from Northern Italy. Having been to Venice and Florence, Italy and trying the pizzas there, the NY style pizza I had was pretty similar to the pizzas served in Italy. Though in Italy, the pizzas seemed thinner with fewer toppings, eaten folded, and on the go.

The pizza I had, pictured on top, was actually pretty good, fresh tasting, light but still filling, and not oily at all. However, what really added to overall taste was the Ranch sauce that came with the pizza. If you are having trouble picking a pizza try the Supreme (and don't forget the Ranch sauce).

Established in 2010, My NY Pizza Sports Pizzeria is still new, but I have no doubts they'll be around for a long time. The food is good. The employees are friendly. The atmosphere is fun/casual, and the owners look genuine and down to earth.

With the motto "crafted by hand, made with love," how can you go wrong.





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BLUE SKIES AND CLOUDS

ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER

WHY WE TRAVEL

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06 | OCTOBER 24, 2023

There is something in our DNA that compels to travel, to step outside our doors, and to explore the world beyond our own. From Columbus discovering the New World, to Armstrong stepping on the Moon, now we are preparing to travel to a completely new planet, Mars, a journey of 2 to 3 years and millions of miles.

We definitely like to travel.

Travel, though, doesn't have to be historic, epic, or even ground breaking. Travel should, however, change the way we see the world and ourselves. It should, ultimately, make us appreciate what we already have at home.

When I was younger, I really didn't think much about traveling. Maybe my brain wasn't wired yet to think about the world outside my own world. But being young wasn't easy as many of us know. Just out of high school, you were either looking for work, starting college, or both. You started making your own decisions, questioning that decision, then backtracking on that decision's decision. Then you had your friends who you wanted to hang out with because they reminded you of simpler times. And, in addition to them, you had your relationships which teetered between madness and bliss, and heartache and happiness. Yes, being young wasn't easy. It was, in many ways, its' own journey.

Being older now, though, I find myself wanting to travel more. However, there is always that annoying thing of time and money. (Isn't that always the case?) I kept telling myself, with unlimited resources, I would travel far, travel well, and travel with whoever I want. But like Gandalf said:

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

Or, in other words, make do with what you have — which I did. I've been to a few place already that left me gobsmacked, the historic Venice in Italy, the majestic Yellowstone in Wyoming, and just recently my first cruise on a ship surrounded by an ocean so incomprehensibly big thoughts get lost in the waves.

Traveling does go hand in hand with vacation time. But where a vacation is merely paid time off, there is no guarantee you will travel. People take their vacation all the time and stay home. It such a common thing, it has its' own word: staycation. Traveling, though, is leaving the known and familiar behind. It is heading out your door for an extended amount of time, going somewhere far, sleeping in a weird bed, in a weird time zone. So yes, you can travel while on vacation, but taking a vacation doesn't mean you will always travel.

Travel is good for the body, mind, and soul. Yes, that sounds trite, but it's true. Studies have shown that travel reduces heart attacks in women and lowers the risk of heart disease in men for those that travel regularly. Intuitively, travel also forces you to be fit and stay active. The word travel is a verb meaning to go from one place to another. And assuming you don't lose your luggage, travel has shown to boost your mood and relieve stress. As for the soul, travel leaves you with a deep sense of satisfaction after experiencing new foods, new culture, and diverse people. Travel, as stated previously, should also make you appreciate what you have already.

Personally, travel has changed my life immensely. My first cruise has somehow cured my creative burnout. Before I took my cruise, I stopped designing; I had no inclination to touch my Mac or even take pictures. But after my cruise, I felt fully recharged creatively. This blog and this website are testaments to that.

So, if you are ready to travel, here are some things to keep in mind. The busiest travel days are the days before and after Thanksgiving and Christmas. Avoid those days if you can. June, July, and August are popular vacation months. During those months destinations will be more crowded, and plane tickets and hotel rooms will be at a premium. For fewer crowds and the best travel deals, January and February are good months as well as September and October, the off peak season.

The number 1 travel destination in the world is Paris, France, a country known for their food, culture, and fashion. For Americans, we go to Mexico a lot which is not surprising. And oddly enough, we travel often, north of the border, to Canada. For travelers to the United States, the most visited city is New York, the home of the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Traveling is in our DNA and our blood. It has been proven scientifically to benefit the body, mind, and soul. I personally have seen the benefits first hand with my renewed creativity. And it is my hope that everyone can travel far, travel well, and travel often.



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PORT OF ENSENADA
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ENSENADA TOURIST SIGN
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RIVIERA CULTURAL CENTER
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PORT OF ENSENADA
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ENSENADA TOURIST SIGN
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RIVIERA CULTURAL CENTER


I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

MY ENSENADA MISADVENTURE

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05 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

For the longest time, when I thought of Ensenada, magic and mystery filled my mind. I thought of warm golden sands and swaying palm trees. I imagined clear azure skies and a golden sun. I thought of gentle cobalt waves foaming up and down the beach and a cool ocean breeze.

Then when I saw Ensenada for the first time reality hit me like a brick wall — it had none of that (or at least on the day I went).

I must admit, I wasn't thrilled seeing Ensenada after seeing the picturesque Catalina the day before. The first time I saw Ensenada was in the morning under gray skies in an industrial port. The tropical paradise I was expecting was replaced by shipping containers, brown hills, and tugboats. Instead of Waikiki Beach, I got Long Beach.

But in hindsight, Ensenada wasn't bad at all.

The second busiest port in Mexico (though I've seen articles that contradict that), Ensenada is blessed, geographically, with a protective bay and a harbor that can accommodate both cruise and cargo ships. The word Ensenada actually means small bay or cove. The bay itself is called Bahia Todos Santos (Bay of All Saints). Protecting the bay from storms and strong waves are the Islas de Todos Santos (Islands of all Saints).

Founded in 1882 by the Spanish, Ensenada grew when gold was discovered in the nearby fields. However, Ensenada only became a true tourist destination after prohibition hit the U.S. in the 20s. Tijuana was first developed, followed by Rosarito, then Ensenada. In the state of Baja Mexico, Ensanada is the third most populated city with Mexicali and Tijuana being larger.

So, this is totally on me. When I was expecting a tropical paradise, I really should have known better. Being only 2 hours and 30 minutes from San Diego, Ensenada has similar wheather to Southern California which is described as mediterranean and subtropical. Really, what was I thinking letting my imagination get the best of me?

With just a day in Ensenada, Carnival offered several excursion with varying prices points from wine tasting to off roading, from kayaking to scuba diving, from zip lining to hiking. I took the guided tour of the city which stoppped at 10 locations and lasted about 5 hours. I'll have more to say about the tour in a future post. Overall, the tour was fun and informative. It took half the day but still felt short. Our tour guide was also friendly and witty.

Ensenada may not be the tropical paradise of my dreams, but it is a large, charming city with lots to do. With a relaxed astmosphere and friendly people, Ensenada claims to be the birthplace of the Margarita (which has been debated). Even if it's not true, Ensenada is still known for their fresh seafood (I had their shrimp and fish tacos which were amazing), for their wineries (Ensenada is Mexico's largest wine producer), for the shopping, and for their famous blowhole, La Bufadora, not too far away.

So was Ensenada worth? If you have never been, then definitely yes.



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CARNIVAL'S FLUTED FUNNEL
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CROWDED LIDO DECK
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CARNIVAL RADIANCE
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CARNIVAL'S FLUTED FUNNEL
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CROWDED LIDO DECK
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CARNIVAL RADIANCE


THE UNIVERSE SPOKE AND I LISTENED

MY FIRST CRUISE

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04 | OCTOBER 08, 2023

Back then, if you were to ask me to go on a cruise, I would have given you the look a baby would give after sucking down on a lemon slice for the first time. I'm just not a water person. I don't dive into pools, jump into rivers, or lie on the beach. It's just not my thing. But then, the universe called and I listened. It was time for me to go on a cruise.

For some reason, now felt like the right time. Whatever shift in tide or planetary alignment happened, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. After asking my family and friends what they thought, there were two camps: those that hated it, and those that loved it. Those that loved it had their compelling reasons and suggested a Carnival cruise which I ultimately booked.

I picked Carnival Cruise Line mainly because of cost, convenience, and recommendations. If you look on their website, you will find a lot of packages depending on your starting port, destination, and number of days at sea. I chose a 5 day cruise starting in Long beach with stops in Catalina and Ensenada. Currently (I could be wrong so don't quote me), there are three ships operating out of Long Beach: the Radiance, the Firenze, and the Panorama. My ship was the Radiance.

Pictured above, the Radiance started her life as the Destiny-class cruise ship, Carnival Victory. She was built in Italy and has a total length of 893 feet. She was ordered in 1997 and completed in 2000. Then in 2021 after a $200 million upgrade, the Victory was renamed the Sunshine-class, Carnival Radiance. With a crew of approximately 1000, the Radiance accommodates approximately 3000 guests.

Typically, your package will include all your food served three times a day. The type of food ranges from high-end fast food, to buffet, to 3 course formal dining. There are specialty restaurants as well but they cost extra. Drinks like coffee, orange juice, and ice tea are included, but sodas and adult beverages are extra, though drink packages are available. Nearly all the meals I had onboard were amazing (of course there were exceptions), but I'll save the details for a future post.

If my reluctance to cruises were based on too much sun and pools, my experience on the Radiance blew that image out of the water. Onboard, you are basically free to do anything you want (ethically and morally of course). If you want to spend 12 hours by the pool, you can. If you want to stay in your cabin during the entire trip, you can. However, there is so much more to do, and every ship has a cruise director that makes sure you have fun from the moment you wake up to the wee hours of the night.

During the day, there are onshore excursions where you are free to walk around, explore the local culture, try the food, see the sites, and take pics (which I did). Additionally, for an extra cost and depending which port you are in, you can book a wine tour, go kayaking, go snorkeling, or go off roading among other things. No matter what you do, you need to be back on the ship before 5 or risk being left behind.

In the evening and after dinner of course, there are many things to do on the ship. In addition to heckling the comedians at the comedy club, there are stage shows every night. You can break the bank at the casino like James Bond, drink your 5th margarita while listening to a live band, do the Elaine dance at a dance club, or watch a movie while wondering why there's no popcorn. You can do all that while still making time to live out your rock star dreams at a karaoke bar (which I did).

Carnival Cruise Line's success shouldn't come as a surprise. Ted Arison, who founded Carnival in 1972, also co-founded Norwegian Cruise Line in 1966. Now known for their family friendly atmosphere and budget friendly cruises, Carnival has a global presence with 24 ships including the Carnival Jubilee, Celebration, and Mardi Gras, their largest ships to date.

Though not exactly cheap or doable for some (I get it), once you go on your first cruise you won't regret it. Or, you might (bad things do happen ships, actually bad things happen everywhere). But no matter what, you will never forget it.





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KARAOKE STAGE ON THE CARNIVAL RADIANCE (NO, THAT IS NOT ME ON STAGE)

WHY I SING TERRIBLY

MY KARAOKE ADVENTURE

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03 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

I like singing at karaoke bars, oddly enough, because I like the fear. I like the anxiety it causes. And I'm pretty sure you know that feeling too, if you've ever spoken publicly, or raised your hand answering a question in class.

The anxiety from karaoke is mostly, for me at least, in the wait. The fear, that dread you feel causes your heart to race, your breathing to become short, and your knees to go weak. And at the same time, beads of sweat form on your forehead, upper lip, and underarms.

To calm yourself, you try taking deep breaths. You crack jokes. You do a shot, chug a beer, or you simply withdraw into your own mind imaging the worst possible outcome - freezing on stage.

And finally when they call you up (up next is...), disbelief sets in. You disassociate yourself and don't recognize your own name. Time starts ticking away. In the back of your mind you think, "if I don't go now I will lose my turn." Then the crowd starts clapping. Your friends egg you on. And somehow you make it on stage with a mic in front of you. At this point you ask yourself, "How did I get here?"

But then the music you picked starts playing and something magical happens. All your fears, all your doubts, and all your self-imposed agony disappears and nirvana sets in. This is when you start feeling the music, that you've heard a thousand times before, and you finally let go. This is when absolute pure joy erupts from your soul like a geyser, and you sing your heart out.

Then after several minutes, the moment is over (just like that).

So what is karaoke? Karaoke is actually a noun, a thing. It is a form of entertainment centered around a machine loaded with prerecorded songs (without the lead vocals), two mics, and digital connections to a tv. All of this is obvious now, but not back then. That's why you really cant pinpoint the invention of karaoke to just one person. Actually, the Japanese word "karaoke" had been in use in the Japanese entertainment industry for years even before the machine had been invented. The history of the karaoke machine started in the 60s and 70s mainly in Japan, with several prototypes developed independently of each other. It should be noted that a filipino named Roberto del Rosario (no, Im not related to him) has the only recognized patent for a karaoke machine.

Karaoke is now everywhere. You can buy karaoke machines and sing in the comfort of your own home. You can sing publicly at karaoke bars and clubs. And if you want to go out still but not sing in public, they have Karaoke Boxes which are establishments with private rooms.

I recently sang at a karaoke bar on the Carnival cruise ship Radiance. It was held every day at weird hours from 5 to 7, right after bar trivia and during early dinner. Karaoke was held at the RedFrog Pub which was pretty big. It had a stage for live music and a dance floor. Either way, I slotted time for karaoke everyday and there was always tons of people there. Unfortunately, for the entire week, I only managed to sing three times. I honestly thought I would be the only one singing. I thought everyone would be having dinner, playing at the casino, or at the other shows.

Unlike the convoluted and nebulous history of the karaoke machine, I know who to thank for my enjoyment of karaoke, my former coworkers and life long friends, Jesse and Andrea. Andrea was the first to have the machine. I still remember them fighting over the mics and the book with the song listings. Back then, I was way too shy to sing, but watching them have all the fun broke the ice, and after a couple of weeks I started to sing. So, if you want someone to blame for my terrible singing, it's them.

My final thoughts on this subject.

I love to sing at karaoke bars, and the wait still fills me with anxiety, but if there is one point I want to stress, it is this: it is OK to do something that scares you once in awhile.




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CATALINA CASINO
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CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP
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AVALON HARBOR
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CATALINA CASINO
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CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP
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AVALON HARBOR


SANTA CATALINA

THE ISLAND OF CHARM AND NATURAL BEAUTY

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02 | SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

I recently visited Catalina Island for the first time, and I am forever changed by its' charms and natural beauty. Just 22 miles away from the California coast and an hour by high speed boat, I'm still shocked that I haven't been there sooner.

My main impressions of Catalina were mostly of the city of Avalon. With a population of roughly 3,400 people, Avalon felt and reminded me of another city by the sea, Santa Barbara. Both felt, relaxed and laid back, ever present were the cool breezes and that sweet salty ocean air. Though touristy, both places, when I visited in the late Summer, had hardly any people. In Avalon, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops lined most of the streets with hardly a car in sight. In fact, there are no car rentals on the Island. However, if you do need to travel far, they do offer golf cart rentals, but mostly people just walk.

Known officially as Santa Catalina Island, most locals say Catalina Island, or simply Catalina. Two main companies offer services to the island with ports in San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. Or, if you have a boat, you can sail there yourself. Or, another option is by helicopter. The typical cost of the boat trip is around $80 per person for a round trip.

Geographically, Catalina Island is part of an eight island archipelago known as the Channel Islands National Park. Five of the islands, though, belong to the National Park. A majority of the islands are empty with some conservation, research, and military testing being done. Of all the Islands, Catalina is the only one with a significant full time population.

Historically, the Channels Islands had inhabitants going back centuries starting with the indigenous population. They, in turn, were forced off the islands when the Spanish Conquistadors came looking for gold. After a fight for independence, the Spanish then left and Mexico took over. Finally, the United States took control driven by the ideals of Manifest Destiny.

The Catalina that we know today can be attributed to the island's various owners such James Lick, the Banning Brothers, and William Wrigley. Their individual contributions are found online and is worth looking up.

Since I was part of a Carnival Cruise shore excursion, I didn't have much time to explore the Island completely. I had just enough time to do a walking tour of Avalon with cell phone and camera in hand. Pictured here are just a tiny sliver of all the pictures I took. Most of them can be seen on my social media.

If you have the time and opportunity to visit Santa Catalina Island, it is a definite must.





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LAPTOP IMAGE FROM PEXELS.COM


MY FIRST BLOG

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01 | SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

Right about now you are probably thinking this blog is about blogging. Well, yes and no. I do plan to write about the creative process of making a blog. But more so, you will find my thoughts on the places I've traveled, my hobbies, and things in general that fascinate me.

I have no intentions of getting technical. So if you are looking for tutorials, there are tons of websites out there. Here, you will find me making tons of mistakes in terms of writing, page layouts, and choosing the wrong pics. Along the way, I hope you learn from my mistakes and enjoy my creative process.

So, what is a blog? Short for weblog, a blog is simply a website or even a page written by a person or a group that's regularly updated. Or in other words, blogs are basically online journals on anything.

If you do a google search on popular blogs, you will find tons of blogs on travel, photography, food, and so much more.





SELFIE IN THE STYLE OF ANDY WARHOL

ABOUT ME


00 | SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Hi, my name is Michael. For those who don't know me, I was a graphic designer for a very long time. I did my job; I made many good friends along the way, and I was pretty happy. Then eventually I got burnt out. It got to a point where I vowed to never design again. Soon after, I found myself a regular job to make ends meet, and I thought my story would end there.

Then something profound happened — I found inspiration!

The funny thing about inspiration is it can happen anywhere and anytime. Oddly enough, I found mine on my first cruise. While taking in the whole nautical experience, going on excursions, and taking pics, It hit me. Why not write about it. Like most people, social media would have been my first place to go to, to add a pic and even a few words. But I wanted something more. I wanted a longer format to focus on my thoughts, to pontificate, to reflect. And after looking at YouTube, podcasts, and such, the best thing for me was to create a blog.

And here we are.




CONTACT

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FULL NAME:

MICHAEL DEL ROSARIO


PHONE NUMBER:

909 286 5462


E-MAIL:

MICHAELDELROSARIO@YAOO.COM


LOCATION:

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA