Richard C. Runyon eight years later

I wonder after eight years what would Richard C. Runyon be like, and I can to a conclusion: he would have been the same person he'd always been. He would say that he was always younger than his age. I believe, (if not mistaken) would have still had a crush on actress Cameron Diaz. And he would have been the man that was always up for a plane ride. Today, marks a sad and somewhat somber reminder of the day that change when he, and another passanger were killed in a plane at the Santa Monica Airport.

Twenty years of memories come back whenever I think of him and his attitude, his love for his life and for what a giant he was when he walked into a room. At least that's how I saw him. What do I remember most? The numerous shirts he had, and how he liked his stuff organized. How much he looked at me and always treated me with love, although at times he had his way of showing it.



But most of all, I miss seeing him when I was not in school. I haven't seen the house he lived in, in a long while and yet, the house, still looks the same and I remember what it did look like. The train collection was in the living room, the office would be right next to it; the dog Ace would be happy and go in the kitchen. The rest of the train set would be outside by the deck. Anything else I would miss? Yeah, what he would have say about my mom being accepted to California State University, Los Angeles...

He was, after all a giant.

Richard C. Runyon

April 26, 1937-Nov. 13, 2001

Santa Monica Daily Press looking but...

Just saw this in my e-mail about the Santa Monica Daily Press:




Skills:
Job Description:
Full-time Reporter

The Santa Monica Daily Press, the Westside’s leading daily newspaper serving the more than 89,000 residents of this beautiful beach-side community that boasts its own municipal airport, award-winning bus company, a robust tourism industry, a world-famous pier and a vibrant arts community, is looking for a full-time, general assignment reporter. This is a position for someone who is hungry and not afraid of pounding the pavement or working long hours to find the diamond in the rough. Reporters are expected to write at least two stories a day and occasionally take photos. Covering City Council and school board meetings is crucial, along with community events. We pride ourselves on providing a product that captures the city’s essence, a product that is impartial and accessible. We have high standards and take pride in our work and you should too. Experience with computers and digital cameras is essential as well as having a firm grasp of AP style. A journalism degree and at least two years experience at a weekly or daily newspaper is preferred. Experience with Quark is a plus. Candidates musts be self-starters, detail oriented, well organized and have a creative flair. Story generation is key. Former reporters have benefited greatly from the position, enhancing their writing style while making valuable contacts on the Westside. You will have a chance to effect change that is tangible, develop life-long friendships and enhance your writing portfolio. The job is demanding. Reporters work long hours, produce at least 10 to 12 stories a week and will work some holidays and weekends. If there’s a gang shooting at midnight, you have to be there. Still interested? This is a great opportunity for the right person who loves community journalism and wants to work in a fun, rewarding atmosphere. Salary is based on experience. Health insurance available along with paid vacation days. Send resume, relative samples of your work, and a cover letter explaining why you are the right fit for the Daily Press.

Okay, so you have read the above. Now, I know that this is the one thing that I have wanted to do. And yet, I still have to be cautious. After the disaster that I had from the previous "internship", I still doubt my ability and still have to work toward this, to which I am. Another problem: LOCATION. I wish that I were closer to the city of Santa Monica. If I were and if I could, I would. How many times do opportunities like this, with the Santa Monica Daily Press happen? I can only imagine few and far between. But I'm working on it...BELIEVE ME...I am!!!

Epple, Hughlett in, Avalos out

It's bye-bye-bye Carmen Avalos, and welcome back for Bob Hughlett, and Bob Epple. The Cerritos College Board of Trustees has one newcomer. The former South Gate city clerk, Avalos was ousted by Shin Liu, a college professor.

Avalos was quiet during the four years she was at Cerritos. I talked to her only once and yes, I walked away knowing that she would not last long. And she didn't....and it was like a battery, you know, that they don't last...

About Cerritos' new web site

User friendly? I guess. New? No. Better than before. Maybe. Future of the 21st century? Not yet. But it's better than the previous one I guess. Cerritos College's new update, futuristic, user-friendly (whatever) page is up and it's okay.

ASCC President Oscar Franco is excited about, but I took a peek and it's just a page with a "better" not "user-friendly" look. I don't know what the big deal is. It's all the rage now. Everyone from MySpace, to YouTube to Facebook will end up saying it, "Check out my NEW USER FRIENDLY PAGE." I say.

Good for you ! Where's the marching band? Confetti?

(About Time!) New photos of N-dolla

These recent photos are the latest that are taken of yours truly and after the death of our beloved chow-chow dog, Prieta. SO, I have given you an idea of what I look like now.



As of right now, the fall semester at Los Angeles City College is a little more than halfway done. And I'm out by mid-December. My apologies for the delay of writing, I'm just focused on my classes and reaching the finish line.



I think I look okay, not great. I still have another 20 lbs. that I want to lose. And I'm working on it.

Our Prieta's memory is remembered

Here is your first look at the wooden urn where our beloved Prieta's ashes will remain forever. As you can see the urn has no pictures of our chow-chow just yet. Those picutures are upload to a flash drive and hopefully the urn will be filled with just pictures of her. In the last week, as I have said, Prieta, 12, passed away on Oct. 7 of throat cancer that was diagnosed in August.



Since her death I have walked over the the urn and placed my hand on it and have always remembered everything about her. There will be no other chow-chow like her. I don't know when we, and if we will get another dog. I haven't moved the bed that Prieta slept on since Oct. 7, and I don't plan to. It's the only way that I will never forget.



May we never forget. And finally, below is the generous donation given to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that I mentioned. I was in tears when I saw this. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Prieta's ashes are sealed in a wooden box

As all of you know, our dog passed away on Oct. 7. On Oct. 10 her ashes were picked up at a pet cementary in Huntington Beach, California in a wooden box. That box now sits on top of the piano in the living. As of this morning pictures of Prieta were saved on a flash drive so that way the wooden box wouldn't be so plain. As soon as the pictures are placed on the box, a photo (I hope) will be taken. As soon as that happens I will upload the picture onto the blog.



Also...I would like to extend my appreication to someone who made a generous, and I do mean generous donation to the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in memory of our beloved chow-chow. A card was mailed to our home saying that this person did it in her memory. I would like to say many thanks for the loving thought. It only reinforces what I knew about Prieta; that I, my sister, my mom and dad loved her so much.

AND MOST of all...

A million and one thank yous to Prieta.

April 27, 1997-Oct. 7, 2009