Friday, October 31, 2008

Payson, AZ

ETD: 30 mins.

"Headin up the hill" as they say. OK, nobody says that, but it sounds kind of Payson like. This weekend is going to be all about me sitting on my ass doing a whole lot of nothing besides reading and watching movies. Maybe a hike or two. Sound like fun? Yeah, it's good work if you can get it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Weezer

No I am not talking about the fat kid in school who make noises when he breathes. Im referring to the band. Who by the way put on a kick ass show at the AZ State Fair last Saturday night. They are very funny and sound great live, too. I give it my highest recommendation which is: What else do you have to do?

I must say that was the best part of the day/night. Earlier in the day, I lost my parents dog, Luigi. He is an Italian Greyhound, about 10 lbs and maybe a foot and a half tall. You can imagine it was difficult to find him. It took about two hours. Not my idea of a good time.

Between that and my girlfriend's car getting towed (lots and lots of walking), I got my cardio in for the week. Note to self: car getting towed not good. Avoid when possible.

It was not her fault. The fair/Phoenix PD put up some temporary no parking signs which we missed as they were hidden and tiny. Just to bring this blog full circle, you best believe I was "weezing" during my eight plus miles of walking.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

What's New?

The last week or so has been a blur. Between my colleague at work quitting (me having to pick up the slack) and personal items like having to deal with the DMV and health insurance (pain in the ass!), I've felt like a chicken with my head cut off.

Today is NFL football and my nephew's birthday. I got him a bunch of dinosaur stuff and transformers - he is obsessed with both.

I am also working on some new marketing items all of which I am quite excited about. I mentioned earlier the Arizona Fall League media pass and have been blogging about that on XTRA. I started a new blog... details coming very soon on that - animal lovers will enjoy. I am also writing an article on bachelor parties for a magazine website. My first paid gig!

As you can see I have been busy. Do not hesitate to leave me some comments. I will respond. It is my easiest way to stay in contact with each of you.

-Kevin

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Media Credentials

Sometimes it pays to be in showbiz. I scored myself a media pass to the Arizona Fall League. I will be the exclusive writer for XTRA and hopefully get an interview or two for my book. I know Ryne Sandberg is managing one of the teams so my mission is to get an interview from him. If you have a question you'd like me to ask drop me a comment.

This weekend I am checking out First Friday. I know I know. I've been in Phoenix for how long and never been? Then Saturday night I am going to a huge kegger. Not really. I am however going to a really freaking nice house up in Cave Creek and definitely looking forward to it.

I found out who the mysterious commenter was and is. Of course it was not too tough. After I installed google analytics and saw that most of my pageviews were from San Francisco it was pretty obvious. No not Barry Bonds.

No word yet on the bachelor party. I don't know what everyone is waiting for. Let's get this show on the road.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Updates

Some people have been getting on me about my lack of posting lately.

What I have to say to you is this:

Back off!

I have other blog commitments (and you can read them at xtra910.com), plus book deals, etc. In other words, I am kind of a big deal. People know me.

I was in Payson last weekend, the weather up there is amazing. Starting to cool off, breezy, etc. If you have the time, I highly reccomend it. Even though I was put to work.

Coming up in my world although I am not sure when is a bachelor party for my buddy Josh, congrats to him. I am super excited about the party. Ready to hit the streets of Vegas, Tahoe, San Diego or whever it takes us.

I started reading Harry Potter - Amy's obsession - and it's actually pretty good. Better than the movies I have seen. She is a very talented writer. Like myself. And modest.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Revelations

I woke up this morning and something strange happened. Amy was still sleeping and would continue sleeping for the next 3 hours (nothing new there). I went to Starbucks and read the newspaper (normal weekend routine). I checked my fantasy sports teams (a daily occurrence). And then I started reading Men's Health. There was an article about Gerrard Butler - the star of the bad ass movie 300 - in which he discusses quitting his job as a lawyer and deciding to become an actor. He had no acting experience, but that is what he wanted to do... so he did it.

It has motivated me to truly go after my dreams. In my case it is writing. Maybe for you it is photography, starting your own business or traveling. The point is - no matter what your dreams are, no matter what your passion is, you will not be truly happy until you work on achieving them. I have been discouraged and struggling lately with creativity - not anymore.

I know what I have to do. Go after my dreams. There are no excuses, there is only effort. So go get 'em and enjoy this day.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Weekends in Phx

There is something to be said for sitting around and enjoying your weekends. In Phoenix, you have no choice really. It is so FREAKING hot that it is literally all you can do. I have friends in San Francisco and DC... they are soaking up the rays, living it up in the 75 and breezy afternoons. Jealous. The good news is it gives me an excuse to sit around and watch football all Sunday. One more month... then October hits and this place starts to cool off! Thank god!

Plus, October means MLB playoffs, the Arizona Fall League and the NBA around the corner...

Speaking of the MLB playoffs, it seems more and more unlikely that the Arizona Diamondbacks will be a part of them...

Is anyone as excited about Halloween as me? I didn't think so. I've already got my decorations up. I even beat the grocery stores. Amy is trying to make me go as Harry Potter, but he is such a dork I am putting my foot down on this one....

Besides that, not a damn thing going on. I have not been feeling too creative lately, really slacking on the book writing... I think they call that writer's block.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Phoenix Cooks

Finally over! I can now relax and get back to business. I just got a massage today and released all that stress and tension from my neck and shoulders. You know the feeling.

The event went well... scored some free Hoegaarden (that's beer for those of you who did not know) and Stella Artois. Money. Took the Hoegaarden back to my condo where I was holding a Fantasy Football Draft party. My first pick? The man, the myth, the legend... Tom Brady. I would have paid an extra dollar if Giselle came with him. No such luck.

Finally got some of the pictures back from the photo shoot I mentioned earlier, some are good, some not so good. It's funny, the ones where I told the photographer (Amy) what to take - those suck! Then the ones where I just let her do her thing, well those are good. Strange how that works....

So I am getting back to writing, blogging and working on the website. More info to come.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sunday bloody Sunday

Don't you just love Sundays? Being able to simply kick back and not worry about the work week that lies ahead... just relax...

Yeah, me neither.

I woke up nice and early this morning and did my usual routine, which consists of hitting up the local Starbucks. As I was sitting there, who walks in? Josh Byrnes. For those of you that do not know Josh, he is the thirty-something General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. I have met him a few times before and even interviewed him for my book. He recognized me (always good when someone of power remembers you) and we chatted for a bit. Super nice guy.

Now I am preparing mentally for the week of hell. Next Saturday is my huge event at work, Phoenix Cooks. It is actually pretty cool (a huge food and wine tasting event) but a lot of stress. So if I am not posting much next week, you know why.

I saw a pretty good movie Friday night, Vicky Christina Barcelona. If you have been to Barcelona or like Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz (who doesn't) then you would love it. I have been to Barcelona and it is a bad ass city. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

Good talk. Let's do this again sometime.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Rain Drops

This Thursday morning has me a little fired up and it ain't from the coffee in my Starbucks cup. It's from my emotions following my web browsing experience. First off, dissapointment abounds as my girl J.Finch and her United States Softball Team lost to Japan. I know they play baseball in Japan, but softball? Come on. Unless Matsuzaka and Fukudome were on that team (they aren't) we had no business losing that game.

Then came anger as I discovered that last night none of my so-called friends (Casey) even gave me so much of a heads up on the "Wet T-Shirt Contest" that came as a result of the rain falling in Beijing at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Final matches . No texts. No phone calls. Not even an email. Nothing.

Finally came peace and then jealousy. Peace for the setting of this photo: US girls winnig Gold in the rain. Jealousy for... well, do I really need to tell you? No, I didn't think so.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Why not 2 gold medals?

Nastia Liukin was absolutely robbed by the judges of a gold medal on the uneven bars. Anyone know why they call them uneven? Insert punch line here....

Maybe it has to do with how unfair or uneven (pun intended) the judges scoring system is. Liukin tied with a Chinese gymnast (12 year old) and the final scoring came down to a tie breaker. In the tie breaking system, the highest and lowest scores are thrown out. Once this occured, the two gymnasts were still tied.

This is the part where it just seemed like the judges (none of whom have ever won a medal at the olympics) started making up rules. The result - well you already know it, was Liukin lost by a tenth of a point. Nevermind the fact that her routine was better than the cheater... err I mean Chinese gymnast.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Photo Shoot

I spent a full day today having my photo taken. 2 Photo shoots in one day! Yikes! But hey, when you are in demand, it is the price you pay. The pictures were for the cover and back cover of my book (whenever that is finished and released). You will be able to vote for the back cover and choose which images you like the most! Right here on this very page! It's my way of giving back to you. Help me, help you!

I was sweating like a dog in a sauna during the first shoot. It was so freaking hot! Amy (the girlfriend) and I hopped a few fences and snuck our way into a very nice baseball field. She took pictures and more pictures, but then as I told her, "Your talent is sweating. I've had enough." Summer in Arizona.... and you know this!

I watched some videos on Julia Allison... not sure if I like her or hate her, but damn if she isn't smart. Not bad in the looks department either, if you are into that kind of thing.

I will be making a guest writing appearance soon. I will let you know when and where to find me. I will not make you search the inter-web to try to find me, although that is not a bad idea for a contest. Talk to you soon!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Chinese Gymnasts

I know we covered this already, but I just learned a bit more about one of the so-called sixteen year olds. In order to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, you had to have been born by Jan 1, 1992. Take a wild guess as to the birth date of He Kexin (one of the gymnasts in question). Jan 1, 1992. Coincidence? I think not. Convenient? I think so.

At least the American girls Nastia Lukin and Shawn Johnson (see non-cheaters) won Gold and Silver respectfully.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Olympics

Did you know that the Chinese have a bunch of six year old girls on their gymnastics team? Seriously, who do they think they are fooling? Their ages have been "verified" and they are sixteen. Uh-huh and China is a communist country. Wait. Oh yeah, that's right.

How much of a bad ass is Michael Phelps? Talk about dominating. We have had the privilege of seeing Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and now this guy. Not to mention dude is shredded like a pile of paid bills. I have never seen anyone as ripped as Phelps. In fact, isnt he starring in a blockbuster movie?

OK, time for a little Olympic word association....

The vault = easy
China = cheaters
Swimming = world records (Seriously, is it just me or is every race a new record?)
Basketball = wife beater (Sorry Jason Kidd, couldn't resist)
Romania = end of a dynasty
Michael Phelps = hulk
Jennie Finch = hottie

That's it for me...

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Cubs

Today's lunch with the baseball exec went well. At one point I had an out of body experience: I used to be the guy waiting tables, who would overhear bits and pieces of a conversation. Our server today must have wondered just who exactly we were... a couple of guys at a restaurant in Tempe chatting about signing Derek Lee, traveling to Japan to check up on Kosuke Fukudome and Kerry Wood's latest rehab. All in a day's work. One could get used to this type of lifestyle.

Up next on the book front is a few more interviews, then tie their stories in to what I have already written. At this pace I might finish just in time for a summer of '09 release date. Ha ha just kidding. (Kind of).

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Monsoons and mornings

As I write this a deep rumble is occurring (no not my stomach). Thunder is booming like an angry man pounding on the door of a closed Luby's Cafeteria. It is quite disturbing, especially when you notice water pooling around the inside corner of your window. Oh well. Only another month of the storms rolling through the desert.

Tomorrow is Friday (thank god). I just need to make it through the work day and hit the bars. Its been a long week. Do you think anyone would have a problem if I brought my flask in and just did a few shooters in the morning? Nah, me neither.

This weekend I have an interview with a member of the Chicago Cubs front office. He is staying at an incredibly nice resort in the metro-Phoenix area, names will not to be discussed here. You will have to wait and read the book. Patience my friends, patience.

The power just went off for a split second so I better sign off. Until next time.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Kevin Rehberg

But did you know that I was once attacked by a goose?

I swear. It was an evil, carnivorous goose with huge teeth, fangs actually. I mean this thing was a monster. I think they were actually running a government test to see the effects of steroids on geese (that is the plural of goose). I am lucky to be alive.

By the way, I am working on my own website... expecting it to launch by the end of August. I will keep you posted.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Pyramid Hefeweizen

I have discovered something many of you may have already known. Hefeweizen in a bottle, not nearly as good as Hefeweizen from a tap. I threw down a ten spot at the D'Backs game last night and for my trouble received a bitter, almost nasty beer. I drank it and it still did the trick, but it failed in the taste test department. Oh well.

My girlfriend who is quite the photographer brought her camera along and took some quality shots. Once she gets around to uploading them, they will be here for your viewing pleasure. I asked you yesterday if you could think of a way to not really work yet still get paid. Well I believe I have come up with an answer. Operation: Sugar Mama. Date a girl with a talent and bright future, hop on the train before she opens her own studio and live the dream.

In other news.... did anyone catch that story about the guy who decapitated the teenager on a bus in Canada? Sick. Sick. And sick. Twisted like the sisters. And as a society we are not gonna take it anymore.

Thats it for now. Don't forget about the Olymics this weekend. I'm sure you will all be glued to your TV sets watching weightlifting or badminton or..... really? The Trampoline? Man, I could have so been an Olympian.

Monday, August 4, 2008

But you have no idea

This is the blog of Kevin Rehberg.

I read recently that in order to have success in the business world these days, you need to take control of your online image.

So that my fellow bloggers is exactly what I am doing. You can thank "crazy lady" Julia Allison (who seems to be a self-promoting genius) for my venture into the big bad blog world. See her page here http://julia.nonsociety.com/


As a side note: I have been writing online for a while now. You can read a few of my previous posts (all sports related) at http://www.xtra910.com/pages/kevinrehberg.html

With the required items and legalities out of the way, lets commence blogging.

So, tell me about yourself. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard that.... well I'd have about 10 cents. I am currently writing a book (who isn't?) which will be complete sometime before 2015. Seriously, it is a lot of work.

Today after work (there is that word again) I am going to an Arizona Diamondback game, a friend of mine scored box seats along the third baseline. I will upload a few photos later. (This is where you become jealous of me).