Happy half B-day to me

Today I celebrate my 28th and 1/2 birthday. I know most of you think that celebrating half birthdays are childish; something kids do to feel just a bit older. Well, who cares! I celebrate off the wall "holidays" all the time. In a world were it is incredible easy to fall into a life sucking routine, it's important to find things to break the monotony. The following are just a few holidays that I've celebrated that mean something to me;

I play stick ball with friends new and old on Summer Solstice (June 21th)

I dust off the old parrot and talk like a pirate on September 19th (international talk like a pirate day.)

On April 5th I light red and blue candles, plant a few sunflower seeds, and shoot up a prayer to the old holy cow himself in hopes of this will be the year the Cubs win the world series.

So the next time you feel a little bummed and looking for a change try celebrating National Open that bottle night ( February 27th) =)

-Chris =D

Coco no moemoe

It's a sad day Candorteers, Conan O' Brien's last show as the Tonight Show host came and gone. Due to circumstances that I'm sure you're aware of, Conan's stint as host was a measly seven months.

What surprised me the most about his last show was when Conan had the opportunity to speak freely on the subject of his resignation, he had all the right in the world to stick it to NBC, but he took the high road instead. The following is a excerpt of Conan O' Brien's farewell speech;

"Every comedian dreams of hosting the `Tonight' show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know, and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-Eleven parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun....I hate cynicism; It's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

Cone-bone went on to thank NBC for giving him his first break and more than 20 years of employment. It was good to see someone that I admire go out with class, still giving me a reason to admire them.

In one of the terms of the buy out O' Brien will not be able to do interviews for three months, and it will be an addition four months before we see Conan behind a late night desk.

All I have to say is...We'll be waiting.

Thanks,

Chris Della Valle

P.S. Poor Andy =/

Chris Della Valle II The legend continues

A funny thing happened to me a few days ago. I was participating in some time wasting activity when it hit me..."Dude this is your sequeal," exclaimed my inner voice that I have a habit of ignoring. After that I took a minute to think about what I just "heard." I realized that if my life was a movie, I would be shooting the sequeal; think about it. The first CDV movie was my origin story; kid from Chicago, stranger in his own world, looking to find a place in said world. Jam packed with drama, adventure, and a splash of humor. It even left you with a cliffhanger ending; What will he do now??

CDV2TLC shows that with struggle comes change and that you can take a some good away from anything. Part two shows the hero as the fish out of water as he acquires the skills necessary to take on new trials and tribulations. I don't know how it's going to end, but excited to find out.

The reason I mention this is because a lot of us think our lives aren't very special. That we are here by chance and that no matter what we do it will be nothing of consequence. Well let me tell you that's crap! Your life is a movie, you decide if it's going to be a blockbuster or something that goes staright to video. (wait do they still make videos?? Well you get the point) Don't float through life waiting for things to happen, get out there! The good thing about being the star/director of your movie is that you get all the good lines AND you get to yell ACTION!

Get out there and yell action!

-Chris "A-lister" D.

Adios 2009

We had some good times we had some bad 2009. Seen some and done some cool things. As hectic as 2009 was I'm a little sad to see it go. Things started picking up a few months ago and I'm worried that 2010 will get all the credit for 2009's hard work. Well this is my chance to thanks you properly. THANKS 2009!

Eww I got the Good on me.

Happy Holiday's Candorteers (I save saying/typing Merry Christmas for the actual day)

Anyways...I wanted to make you aware of some good that happened over the weekend in the oddest of places...Philly!

That's right, Philly. The same city that booed Santa, threw batteries at many of ball player, and cheered when football players get carted off the field, went above and beyond this weekend and might even start earning their nickname.

The City of brotherly love spread some of that love during a five hour span at a local diner. It started with just one couple paying for their tab, but the tab of the table next to them; then the giving ensued. Patron after patron "paid it forward" not only did they pick up the check of another table, but even paid the tip!

Remember it all started with just one couple. Try doing something like this during the upcoming week. When you're at the drive thru, pay for the person's food behind you. When you're in line at Star Bucks give the cashier an extra five to pay for the next person in line. Let's try spreading the good in our own city.

-Chris "can't wait to go to Star Bucks" D.

p.s. if you want to read the entire story click the link below.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Mystery-Couple-Pay-It-Forward-79179347.html?yhp=1

News and Notes

Two quick things I wanted to share with all my Candorteers. First off, I want to officially hop back on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels bandwagon. Thanks to the generosity of a few friends; Danielle, Matt, and Trish I'm talking to you, I had the opportunity to go to a few Rebel games this season. Ever since the early 90's I've been a fan of UNLV's basketball program or what I'd like to call, Las Vegas' closest thing to a professional sport, but my interest wavers from time to time. Glad to say my interest has once again been rekindled by none other that Coach Lon Kruger. Before Coach Kruger arrived, the Rebels were mediocre at best, making it to the NCAA tourney only once in the 21st century.

But happy times they are here again, and it has something to do with the way the Rebels are Runnin'

Go, Fight, Win! (or go, white, red,)

Lastly, I have a movie recommendation that I want to pass along. If you get the chance please go out and see, "The Blind Side." It's a true story that will warm even the coldest of hearts, I'm talking to you Brian. I don't want to get into it because I'm afraid I'll give to much away, but give yourself a Christmas present early and go see that movie.

Thanksgiving Pirates!

Captain "Cook" log entry 256

The morn was looking promising this Thanksgiving; football was on the tube, the turkey was in the oven, and I was ready to embark on a voyage through the Mashed potato isle to Cranberry coast, when tragedy struck...Food Pirates!!!!!

For years now my contribution to my family's Thanksgiving feast was the garlic mashed potatoes. My Niece and I had the process down pat. We knew who was going to mash, peel, chop, and stir. To my amazement, most years they were actually edible.

This year Tragedy struck!!! Pirates overthrew mine and Amore's operation and not just any Pirate, the Dread Pirate Sookie sailed into the kitchen and demanded surrender.

Sauteed Sook, as she is known around the world, decided that our GMP's weren't up to snuff and made some of her own. I don't know if it was because she sauteed the garlic instead of chopping it, or the fact that they were GMP's made with love, but they weren't the same.

But this isn't the end of the S.S. chop and peel. We will regroup and comeback next year with a fiery vengeance.