Savers Thrift Store

If you live near a Savers thrift store, but haven't shopped there yet, I would recommend giving it a try. Starting on Wednesday (I think), they have a price tag color that is half price. If the color for that week is green, then any item with a price tag with color will be half off the marked price. Also, whatever items that still remain at the end of the day Sunday with that color price tag, will be on sale the next day, Monday, for only 99 cents. I have bought jackets, pants, shorts, shoes, bathing suits, glassware, knick knacks, and many other items for 99 cents. You have to get there early as I see many people that will load up their cart with items with that days' color tag. Then then will go through that cart of items to see what the really want to buy. This especially happens in the clothes department. I try not to go too often now as I am a shopaholic and buy things I really don't need. When it comes to clothes, it never hurts to get a few pairs of pants, shorts or shoes for under a dollar for each item. I have an addiction for cool knick knacks and books. Not long ago, I bought a new hardbound copy of "The Appeal" by John Grisham, for 99 cents, as well as MANY other books in excellent condition. They have paperbacks also. Goodwill also has some excellent deals, but I don't know their schedule of sales from memory. I believe they have a 50% off sale every other Saturday on everything in the store. Both of these stores have a website which can be found by a quick search at Yahoo or Google.

Your money would make more money in the bank !

The Arizona Lottery changed the odds on at least two of its online lottery games.The game that I have played most often, The Pick 5, has made it harder to win the jackpot. There were a total of 35 numbers to choose from as of April 19, 2008. On April 20, the total number became 39. They added only four more numbers, but the odds changed significantly. They added a new way to win: match 2 of the five numbers drawn and win $1. The overall odds of winning a prize improved from 1 in 72 to only 1 in 10. It sounds like a major improvement. If you want to spend a dollar to win a a dollar, this is the game for you. I have decided to no longer play Pick Five, which was once called Fantasy 5. The top prize in Pick 5 is at least $50,000, but it rolls over if there is no jackpot winner. The odds of winning the jackpot WERE one in 324,632. By adding four more numbers, the odds of winning the top prize are now one in 575, 757. Imagine looking at 3 black plastic cups, turned upside down. Underneath one of those cups is a white ball with the word jackpot written on it. All you have to do is pay $1.00 to guess which black cup has the jackpot ball and you will win $50,000 or MORE. The odds are one in three of guessing correctly. I would play that game ! Now imagine standing in the middle of a very large field. On that field you see thousands of black cups turned upside down. Not only thousands, but 575,757. You pay only $1 to guess which black cup has the the white jackpot ball. If you find it, then $50,000+ is all yours. That doesn't sound like a game I want to play. Now think about standing somewhere in the middle of Death Valley looking a millions of the black cups. Underneath one is the white jackpot ball. If you pick the right black cup that has the jackpot ball, you will win millions of dollars. Each guess will cost you only $1. How many black cups do you have to choose from? If you playing The Pick, another Arizona Lottery game, you will be choosing your black cup from a total of 7,059,052 cups. You can also pay $1 to choose from 146,107,962 black cups. If you guess the correct cup with the jackpot ball, you winn the Powerball jackpot. On January 4, 2009, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot went from bad to worse. The odds of winning it are now one in 195,249,054. I recently cashed in two winning Powerball tickets. All of the tickets I checked cost me about $75.00. I was the happy winner of $7.00. If you are going to play the lottery in Arizona, or in the state where you live, you'll likely have a better chance of winning playing the scratch ticket games. The scratchers usually have better odds of winning compared to online games.

Flickr is a GREAT place to keep your photos.

If you are looking for a place to find photos or to store your own photos, check out FLICKR.COM. It is a free site offered by Yahoo. You can also get an upgraded account by paying $24.95 for one year or $47.99 for two years. I am using the free account for now. Monte Mendoza 9 16 2007 Sunday 3:55 PM http://www.flickr.com/photos/elmundodemontemendoza/

Josh Groban Christmas CD "NOEL" October 9, 2007

Josh Groban released his first Christmas CD on October 9, 2007. The holiday CD is called "Noel". I bought my copy at Frys Electronics in Tempe, AZ on October 12, 2007 for $9.88, a sale that goes through Tuesday, October 16, 2007. There is more about this CD at my http://www.flickr.com/ account which can be seen by using the link below. By the way, after listening to this CD two times, I didn't really like it very much. Maybe it will grow on me like some of the songs from "Awake" did.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elmundodemontemendoza/

Monte Mendoza 9 9 2007 Sunday 4:20 PM (10/27/07 6:47 AM)

Tom Welling as Clark Kent on Smallville

The photos above are of Tom Welling as Clark Kent on the CW Network series "Smallville" which airs on Thursday nights. Exercise does the body good !

Monte Mendoza 11 12 2007 Monday 5:50 PM

"102 Minutes..."

In memory of those who passed away on September 11, 2001, I am reading a book called "102 Minutes The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers". The 323-page hardcover book from 2005 was written by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn. It is a sad reminder of the events that took place in Manhattan on that fateful September day, but I am glad that I am reading it. The sources for this book are 200 interviews with survivors and witnesses, thousands of pages of transcribed radio transmissions, phone messages, e-mails, and oral histories.

Monte Mendoza August 26, 2007 Sunday 10:00 AM.

"Smallville" Season Six on sale September 18, 2007

Season 6 of "Smallville" went on sale on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The show debuted on the CW Network on Thursday, September 27, 2007. (Channel 6 or 61 here in the metro-Phoenix area.)

Monte Mendoza 9 30 2007 9:00 PM

I recently celebrated my 35th year without drinking alcohol. My life hasn't been perfect because of the decision to never drink alcohol that I made back in July of 1972, but I know that my life would have been a disaster if I allowed alcohol in my life. I have NEVER taken illegal drugs in my life. I thank God for the wisdom He gave me to make those decisions.

July 21, 2007 Saturday 12:42 PM AZ

Happiness is...

HAPPINESS IS A WARM, COCKER SPANIEL PUPPY !

Recently Bought CDs

I recently bought some CDs, including the one shown above... Petra The Ultimate Collection. This double CD has 16 songs on disc one and 17 songs on disc two. The CD was released on March 21, 2006. Some of my favorites from disc one are: Why Should The Father Bother?, The Coloring Song, More Power To Ya, Not Of This World, Grave Robber and Hallow Eyes. Disc two favorites include: Thankful Heart, Love, Beyond Belief, Creed, Prayer, No Doubt and We Need Jesus. I am sure that once I listen to the CDs that there will be even more favorites.

I also bought the newest CD from Angelique Kidjo called "Djin Djin". It was released in early May of 2007 and the CD has 13 songs. I listened to about one minute of each song at the store , the FYE at Broadway and Rural in Tempe, Arizona. Lon Lon is song #13. It's a vocal version of Ravel's Bolero. It sounds really cool. Song #6 is Pearls with Josh Groban. There is also a cover of Gimme Shelter featuring Joss Stone. Angelique is from Benin, a country in West Africa.

I also bought a CD for 50 cents (no...not by 50 cents). It is the soundtrack to Wayne's World 2 with songs like...Frankenstein by Edgar Winter. Y.M.C.A. by The Village People. Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum. Those three songs alone are worth more than fifty cents.

I didn't put the normal quotes around the song titles or use italics for the titles in order to save some time writing.

June 10, 2007 Sunday at 6:05 PM AZ time.

747 book by Joe Sutter with Jay Spenser 2006

I recently began reading a book from the library called...

"747 Creating The World's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures From A Life In Aviation".

It was cowritten (?) by Jay Spencer. It's available in hardcover for $26.95 or in softcover for $14.95. It is a history of how the Boeing 747 was designed and created. Joe Sutter led the team of engineers that created the 747. As a HUGE fan of 747's, I look forward to reading this book. I am only in chapter 1 right now. I have learned already that the 747 first flew on February 9, 1969. I have never flown in a 747, but I will if I can ever pay off my credit card debt. There are 272 pages in the hardcover edition that I am reading. It was published in 2006 by Smithsonian Books in association with HarperCollins Publishers.

ISBN is 978-0-06-088241-9.

June 3, 2007, Sunday. 3:20 PM

I finished this book recently. I thought it was a great insight into the history of the 747 program. Joe Sutter did an awesome job of telling the story of the Jumbo Jet.

7 21 2007 Sat. 11:33 AM AZ time

Hello To Some Old Friends and Coworkers

I just want to say hi to some former coworkers and friends.

Jake Riccobono aka Giacomo Riccobono I really enjoyed working with you. I tried to call you several months after I left Metro, but your number had already been disconnected. I hope to see you again someday !!!

Jon Overson (aka Jonathan Overson)...I hope your two-year mission went well. I didn't get to say bye when I left EDS in Tempe, AZ. I'm not sure if you still live here in Arizona or if you went back to Palmer, Alaska.

Mark Huffaker I hope you and your family are doing well.

Jason Chouinard, I hope you are still working at the same place as when I last worked with you in Phoenix, AZ. That looked like an excellent job with lots of future potential.

Paul Hansen of Arizona...I pray that things are going well in your life. I miss working with you at ABCO 424 (ABCO FOODS or ABCO Desert Markets).

Also, hello to Joe Buelna. I hope you are still alive and kickin' it. Thank you for your MANY years of devoted volunteer work. You are an excellent role model. ("What's up?" ..."I can tell you what isn't.")

Hi to Scott Sepulveda. You are also a role model to me for how to treat another human being. I had a lot of fun working with you at ABCO 409. That company name sounds like a potent toilet bowl cleaner.

If any of you ever want to contact me, click on the link to see my complete profile at right. Then click on "My Web Page". You could then leave a message in the comments of one of the photos at my Flickr page. Have a great day/night everyone !!!

Monte May 31, 2007 Thursday 11:05 PM

Steve Green The Ultimate Collection

One of my all-time favorite CDs is "Steve Green The Ultimate Collection". This CD may be my all-time favorite CD. Steve Green's music permeates my brain and my heart and I am a happier person because of that. I am one of the biggest fans of Steve Green West of the Mississippi River. Perhaps East of the Mississippi too. I became a Christian in 1987. I fell away from my faith in September of 1995. I came back to my faith in Christ in October of 2005. For the ten years of my life that I was a backslider from 1995 to 2005, I doubt that even one day passed when one of Steve Green's songs was not in my mind. I was not only constantly hearing his music in my head but I would often find myself singing his songs. This from someone who was no longer trusting in Christ as Savior. After ten years I finally regained my faith and just in time to fully enjoy the 25 songs on Steve's two CD greatest hits compilation. I bought mine at CD Universe. I have listened to many times and I try to listen to it at least once a week, and I hope to do so for the rest of my life. THANK YOU Steve Green !

"The Ultimate Collection" is one of those CDs that would be my answer to.."if you were stranded on a desert island and could have a CD player and only one CD to listen to...". Steve Green sings many of my all-time favorite songs. Disc one has some of them including "Broken And Spilled Out", "He Holds The Keys", "God And God Alone", "Find Us Faithful", "I Can See (On The Emmaus Road)" and "People Need The Lord". The first two songs I listed are songs that start slow and then become stirring ballads. Disc two has 12 songs including one of my favorites called "We Believe" which is a song that starts slow and then builds to a crescendo and could move even an atheist to drop to his/her knees and accept Christ as Savior. Many of Steve's songs have that capability. Steve Green's music didn't bring me to Jesus but it did bring me back to Christ. Disc two also has the songs "God Causes All Things To Grow", "He Who Began A Good Work In You", "Embrace The Cross", "That's Where The Mercy Begins" and "Oh I Want To Know You More". Going back to disc one, you will also be blessed with "When His Kingdom Comes", "Household Of Faith", "Cherish The Treasure", "A Mighty Fortress" and "Enter In". The lyrics are NOT included with the two CDs but a songbook can be bought separately. More info can be found as Steve's site called

www.stevegreenministries.org .

If you are looking for some CDs to add to your Christian music collection, I would HIGHLY recommend this one.

DISC ONE
1. People Need The Lord
2. Pleasures Of The King
3. God & God Alone
4. Find Us Faithful
5. Broken & Spilled Out
6. He Holds The Keys
7. Household Of Faith
8. Grace By Which I Stand
9. Cherish The Treasure
10. Revive, Us, Oh Lord
11. God Of Wonders
12. The Faithful
13. Teach Me To Love
14. I Want To Know You More
15. We Trust In The Name Of The Lord Our God
16. Enter In
17. When His Kingdom Comes

DISC TWO
1. I Can See
2. Touch Your People Once Again
3. He Is Good
4. The Letter
5. We Believe
6. A Mighty Fortress
7. What Wonderous Love Is This
8. God Caused All Things To Grow
9. I Offer Myself
10. Let Us Praise The Almighty
11. That's Where His Mercy Begins
12. Cross Medley
13. Sacrifice Of Praise
14. He Who Began A Good Work
15. Embrace The Cross
16. I Repent

May 30, 2007 WED. 3:00 PM

Chayanne My Favorite Singer of Spanish Songs

Chayanne is my favorite singer of Spanish-language music. Chayanne was born on June 28, 1968 (Friday) in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. His birth name was Elmer Figueroa Arce. He was the third of five children (four boys and one girl). There were some discrepancies in the release dates of his CD's when I researched it on the net. I will list his CD's in what I believe is the correct order. At age 10, Chayanne joined the Puerto Rican boy group called Los Chicos. They released 5 CD's. At about age 17, Chayanne went solo.

1. 1984: "Chayanne Es Mi Nombre"

2. 1986: "Sangre Latino"

3. Nov. 1988: Self-titled CD with the song "Tu Pirata Soy Yo"

4. Dec. 28, 1989: Self-titled CD with the song "Fiesta En America"

5. Aug. 7, 1990: "Tiempo De Vals"

6. July 28, 1992: "Provócame"

7. October 20, 1994: "Influencias"

8. Sept. 17, 1996: "Volver A Nacer"

9. Sept. 29, 1998: "Atado A Tu Amor"

10. October 3, 2000: "Simplemente"

11. August 21, 2001 or July 10, 2000: "Sus Canciónes" (Import: 3 CDs and 33 songs)

12. March 19, 2002: "Grandes Exitos" Greatest Hits (Also on DVD)

13. August 26, 2003: "Sincero"

14. March 29, 2005: “Desde Siempre”

15. September 27, 2005: “Cautivo”

16. April 10, 2007: "Mi Tiempo"

May 30, 2007 WED. 2:40 PM

Josh Groban CDs

My favorite singer is Josh Groban. (Joshua Winston Groban) Josh Groban was born February, 27, 1981 in Los Angeles, California.

He released his self-titled debut CD on November 20, 2001. He released "Josh Groban In Concert" DVD on December 3, 2002. He then released his CD called "Closer" on November 21, 2003. He released a DVD called "Live at the Greek" on November 30, 2003.

"Awake" was released on November 7, 2006.

Josh Groban's self-titled debut has the songs called: "You're Still You", "To Where You Are", "Let Me Fall", "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" and "Home To Stay" along with 8 more songs!

The CD called "Closer" is the CD that has his hit called "You Raise Me Up". It also has the songs "Mi Mancherai (Il Postino)" with Joshua Bell, "Si Volvieras A Mi", "When You Say You Love Me", "Broken Vow", "Caruso", "Remember When It Rained" (from the movie "Troy") and "My Confession". There are five more songs besides those.

I saw Josh Groban in concert on March 17, 2005 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It was an excellent concert as was his concert on March 25, 2007 at the same location, but now known as U.S. Airways Arena.

Thank You for making some awesome music Josh !!! Millions of us greatly appreciate it.

I have Josh's songs listed below by CD and DVD.

Self-titled debut CD:

1. Alla Luce Del Sole (G1), 2. Gira Con Me Questa Notte (G1), 3. You’re Still You (E1), 4. Cinema Paradiso (Se) (G1), 5. To Where You Are (E12), 6. Aléjate (E12), 7. Canto Alla Vita (E12), 8. Let Me Fall (E1), 9. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) (E1), 10. Un Amore Per Sempre (G1), 11. Home To Stay (G1), 12. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (G1) and 13. The Prayer (duet with Charlotte Church) (E1) .

My personal rating system for songs is this: E for Excellent, G for Good, F for Fair and B for Bad. The number one means the song has a slow tempo. Two is faster, three is even faster, etc.

"Josh Groban in Concert" CD and DVD CD:

1. Un Amore Per Sempre (G1), 2. Aléjate (E12), 3. The Prayer (duet with Angie Stone) (E1), 4. For Always (from movie “AI”) (E12), 5. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) (E1), 6. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (G1), 7. Broken Vow (E1) and 8. O Holy Night (E12).

DVD: 1. Alla Luce Del Sole (G1), 2. You’re Still You (E1), 3. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) (E1), 4. Gira Con Me Questa Notte (G1), 5. Un Amore Per Sempre (G1), 6. Aléjate (E12), 7. Broken Vow (E1), 8. To Where You Are (E12), 9. Cinema Paradiso (Se) (G1), 10. For Always (from movie “AI”) (E12), 11. Home To Stay (G1), 12. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (G1), 13. Canto Alla Vita (E12), 14. The Prayer (duet with Angie Stone) (E1) and 15. Let Me Fall (E1).

Closer CD:

1. Oceano (G1), 2. My Confession (E1), 3. Mi Mancherai (Il Postino) (E12), 4. Si Volvieras A Mi (E12), 5. When You Say You Love Me (E1), 6. Per Te (G1), 7. All’ Improvviso Amore (G12), 8. Broken Vow (E1), 9. Caruso (G1), 10. Remember When It Rained (E1), 11. Hymme A L’Amour (G1), 12. You Raise Me Up (E12), 13. Never Let Go with Deep Forest (G1), 14. Mi Morena (G1) and 15. She’s Out Of My Life (G1). The "CLOSER" CD above costs about $23 as it has 2 extra songs (the last two listed). It also comes with a DVD called "The Making of CLOSER".

Josh Groban Live At The GreekCD

1. Oceano (G1), 2. Mi Mancherai (Il Postino) (E12), 3. Mi Morena (G1), 4. Canto Alla Vita (E12), 5. Remember When It Rained (E1), 6. Remember (from “Troy”) (E1), 7. America (G1), 8. Never Let Go with Deep Forest (GI)

DVD 1. Oceano (G1), 2. Per Te (G1), 3. To Where You Are (E12), 4. Mi Mancherai (Il Postino) (E12), 5. Mi Morena (G1), 6. Aléjate (E12), 7. Canto Alla Vita (E12), 8. Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody Lucia Micarelli (G12), 9. Alla Luce Del Sole (G1) and 10. My December (G1).

Josh Groban also recorded song number four on the soundtrack of "Polar Express". It's called "Believe". It's a great Christmas song/ballad.

Josh also sang a song called "For Always" in the movie "A.I.". It's an awesome ballad ! I have seen the movie twice but I have yet to hear where the song is played in the movie.

Here is a list of the songs from the new CD. There is a CD/DVD combo available also for "AWAKE" also. It has two bonus songs AND a DVD on "The Making Of Awake". The songs from "Awake" are

1. Mai (E12), 2. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) (E12), 3. Un Dia Llegara (E12), 4. February Song (E12), 5. L'Ultima Notte (E12), 6. So She Dances (G1), 7. In Her Eyes (G12), 8. Solo Por Ti (G1), 9. Now Or Never (E1), 10. Un Giorno Per Noi (A Time For Us) (E12), 11. Lullaby (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo) (E1), 12. Weeping (Also with L.B.M.) (G12) , 13. Machine (with Herbie Hancock) (G12), 14. Verita (A bonus track on more expensive CD/DVD.) (E1) and 15. Awake (Another bonus track on higher cost CD/DVD.) (E1).

http://www.joshgroban.com/home

May 30, 2007 WED. 2:30 PM AZ