Investment strategies from the Braz

I have always felt that there was really very little difference between sports betting and playing the stock market. In both, you're risking money in the hopes that you will make money. The only difference, I see, is in sports betting, you will know right away whether you win or lose money. In stocks, it could be years before you profit or lose money, as stock prices will remain relatively the same over that time span. Both usually use a 3rd party to make transactions. And both, charge a commission of some type for this transaction, meaning that they make money whether you win or lose on the trade or bet, provided that there is an equal amount of action on a sporting event.

With that said, here's a simple strategy for the upcoming football season. Last year, the Detroit Lions finished with an 0-16 record for the very first winless season in the NFL. That's right, no other team in the history of the NFL has ever gone an entire season without winning at least 1 game. Knowing that, here's what you do: Bet on the Lions to win game one of the regular season. Don't screw around with the point spread, bet on the Lions to win outright. If you don't win your bet, double your bet for the next week's game. And then, keep doing this until you win a bet. This is pretty much a no-lose situation because the Detroit Lions can't possibly go another entire season without winning at least one game, right? Right??

2009 Schedule

Sun, Sep 13 at New Orleans - 1:00 PM
Sun, Sep 20 Minnesota - 1:00 PM
Sun, Sep 27 Washington - 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 4 at Chicago - 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 11 Pittsburgh - 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 18 at Green Bay - 1:00 PM
BYE
Sun, Nov 1 St. Louis - 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov 8 at Seattle - 4:05 PM
Sun, Nov 15 at Minnesota - 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov 22 Cleveland - 1:00 PM
Thu, Nov 26 Green Bay - 12:30 PM
Sun, Dec 6 at Cincinnati - 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 13 at Baltimore - 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 20 Arizona - 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 27 at San Francisco - 4:05 PM
Sun, Jan 3 Chicago - 1:00 PM

But, remember: Joe Braza can not be held responsible for any losses regarding this blog entry. Good Luck!

Fro Update - Beard out, but Fro still in

Here's the latest on the fro: 14 days since the last time I shaved my head and going strong. As far as the beard, I had to shave the beard as it became really, really itchy to the point where it would keep me up at night. Now although many of you agree that the Braz doesn't need any beauty sleep, because the Braz is beautiful on the inside and out. I do, however, like to sleep. It's one of my favorite activities. So off came the beard. My dreams of achieving the Geico Caveman look have been ceased. But, many of you will be happy to know that the Fro will stay. No one can stop the Fro!

My Favorite Actress

A lot of guys will list Megan Fox or Jessica Biel as their favorite actress. But, for the Braz, Anna Faris tops them all. She has wonderful comedic timing while at the same time maintaining a high level of physical beauty. I describe her as "approachable" hottie. For example, at any bar she's in, she'd probably be the hottest chick in there, but also the most approachable. Like, if I were to come up to her and say, "Hey, is the sun shining or did you just smile?", she wouldn't look at me with disdain. She would actually engage in a nice conversation and possible do a shot or two. But, of course, no girl looks at the Braz with disdain. The ladies just can't resist the charm and the smoothness that one would expect from the Braz.

*Note: Joe Braza doesn't use a pick-up line because he doesn't need it.

I saw her for the first time in the movie, "Just Friends", starring Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart. I found the movie to be just alright, as in, I would've been pissed had I paid 10 buck to watch it. But, I saw it on HBO, so it was cool. She played Samantha James, up-and-coming pop singer and did a great job. She basically made the movie a decent watching experience. You can see what I'm talking about:



The thing I like about her most is that she's very versatile in the roles she plays. I next saw her in "Waiting" and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend". And, while watching those movies, I had to remind myself that she was the crazy diva-like chick in "Just Friends". She can do crazy diva-like chick and the sweet girl next door. That's talent. Usually, an actress can only do one or the other.

Don't get me wrong. I do like Megan Fox and Jessica Biel. I mean, last time I checked I am a guy and I'm straight. But, Anna Faris is the one. And you can take that to the bank------->$$$

30 ain't the new 20, it's the still the old 30

A lot of people talk about how 40 is the new 30 or 30 is the new 20. This crazy talk has gotta stop. There are no universal guidelines of how you're suppose to act in regards to your age. And there shouldn't be. Your age shouldn't be a factor in deciding how you go about your day. You should do whatever you want and act any way that you want. Let your desires determine how you live your life. We live in exciting times, with many opportunities available to us.



Why limit yourself?

If you happen to be 40 years old, but you want to participate in an activity that 20 year olds participate in, again, you should do what you want because it's what you want to do. Unless that activity involves scoping out high school chicks, but that's a whole other issue. But again, why limit yourself? Why let others dictate how you live your life, just because they don't think a person of your age should be allowed to engage in a certain activity? It's your life. Don't let other people's insecurities about how one should act affect how you live your life. Go do it if it's really what you want. Break free from the prison of social acceptance. Cause the bottom line, you don't want to be in your death bed, looking back, and thinking to yourself - I never did anything cause I was always too old. YEAH!!!!

I like ALL kinds of Music

Something that a lot of people might not know about the Braz, I really like music. I like all kinds of music, from Classical, to Jazz, to Hip Hop, Rock, Blues, even Country. I find it kind of strange how much some people really hate Country music. I'll ask them why, and they usually can't come up with a real reason. In fact, a lot of times, they haven't really listened to any Country Music at all. So, I suspect most of this hatred comes from their dislike of the kinds of people who listen to it. But, I'll tell you straight up, I've met a lot of cool people who also happen to like Country music. In fact, I think I've gotten more free drinks from Country music fans than the fans of other music genres.

Now, I'm not claiming to be a Country music expert. In fact, admittedly, I've only listened to a small amount. But, I've liked most of what I've heard. What I like about Country Music, I enjoy the realness of the Country singer. I listen to a Willie Nelson or an Allison Krauss and I can feel the pain that they've suffered in life just from their voices. The songs tend to be very personal and aren't superficial. I also like the fact that there are a lot of successful Country performers who are average looking. In Country, you don't have to be Bootylicious to make it. I mean, I'm sure it helps, but it seems to be more about how good your music is.

So as you're all starting to learn, the Way of the Braza is about having an open mind. If you've never really given Country music a shot, here's your chance. Here's one of my favorite Youtube clips featuring Willie Nelson and Norah Jones. I know that Norah Jones isn't considered Country, but anytime you're singing a duet with Willie, you automatically become Country.

The Fro

Okay, here's the deal. I am in the process of growing back my hair. Here's what I looked like sometime last week:






For those of you who don't know, my hair is naturally thick, really thick. Here's what I looked like back in 2005:







And here's where I'm at now:





*Note - As you probably already know, the goofy smile in the above pictures doesn't come naturally. I had to put a lot of effort into it.

Now the plan: I haven't shaved my head since Friday, July 10, 2009 and I haven't shaved my face since Tuesday, July 14, 2009. So, I will not shave either my face nor my head for as long as I can, at least until Halloween. That way, I can at least save on a costume and just go as a homeless person or one of those Geico Cave Men.

Why am I doing this? I dunno, because I can. Why do I have to have a reason? Because I'm tired of being bald and looking like every dude you see at a sports bar? Maybe, I should have a better reason. I know, I'm gonna grow the Fro for world peace. That's right! I want all the fighting to stop and the cooperation among nations to increase because of my fro. We will all come together in love and happiness because of me. That's right! Be sure to check back in now and then to see the progress. But for now-------->

One Love, One Fro

My Amazing 2000 Saturn

I dedicate this first blog entry to my 2000 Saturn. I recently surpassed the 200,000 mile barrier with her. I find it hard to believe that I have traveled the equivalent of 8 times around the planet, with this GM Motors product.


Throughout those 200,000 miles I suffered only one car accident. I did over 9 years driving most of the 200,000 on the 5 & 405 and all of the other crazy Southern California freeways. But, I don’t think about that accident. I think about all the “almost” accidents. I think about all the times that I could have ended up on a hospital bed because other drivers feel they need to arrive at their destination 30 seconds faster. Basically, I owe my life to the person who invented brakes. Thank you, Louis Renault!

Anyone who doesn’t believe that human beings can cooperate with each other, doesn’t understand how amazing our road traffic system is. Whenever you drive, you put an amazing amount of trust in other drivers. You trust that other drivers will stop at red lights, that they’ll stay in their lanes, that their cars are sufficiently maintained and safe to drive, that they’re mentally fit and sober to drive, etc. We trust complete strangers, people who we’ll probably never, ever meet or even like, we trust them to make good and safe driving decisions. If we met some of these people, we probably wouldn’t trust them to give us the correct change back, yet we basically trust them with our lives.

At this time, I would like to apologize to my Saturn for not treating her the way she’s deserves. I apologize for not putting the best motor oil in her and waiting until the last minute to gas her up. I apologize for allowing people to smoke inside her, along with all the cigarette burns. I apologize for all of the fast food trash and Gatorade bottles that I left in the back seat for several days at a time. I apologize for using her instead of a motel room whenever I met a lovely lady. Of course, being Joe Braza, this opportunity came up ---> Never.

So right about now, I want you all to know that my 2000 Saturn is the most wonderful car in the world. She may not be a Ferrari or even a Mercedes, but she gets the job done. She has served me very well and she still runs strong. I think it’s time for a car wash.