These are my cousins. Most of them aren’t really blood cousins, but nonetheless, to me, their blood. I would seriously die for these people. OK, maybe not Marilyn, she’s a little ghetto ass punk. Just kidding. We are SO close, and having a major holiday with one of the cousins missing always feels incomplete. A Christmas without a cousin is downright depressing! We need to be together. There’s about 15 years between the oldest and the youngest, but we all get along fine. I’m so happy to be blessed with such cool relatives! There’s not much I can say about them than they are awesome. I can’t wait for the next generation of kids so they can grow up close like we did!

You know, I get kinda nostalgic and mushy after being awake for 24 hours. Can you tell by the quality of my posts?

Tags: Daily by Yano
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There are so many things that being a short track fan, er, enthusiast, has given me. First and foremost to me, it’s given me a chance to meet people from all over the US. Some I’m just aquaintences with, some, I’m friends with, and some I would consider best friends. I guess I’ll just list out my thank you’s, because I don’t know how else to put it.

To all the fans that I’ve gotten to meet, gotten to chat with, and gotten to know. Thank you so much for being so passionate about the sport. I have had so much fun with you guys in chat rooms and in postings on the OZ or on rs.com. We may have our disagreements at times, but like it or not, we’ve grown into a family of richly diverse people, coming from all walks of life, having all sorts of opinions. That’s what so awesome about us. One thing has brought all these different people together. A love for guys in skinsuits! Long live BT!

To all the people I’ve become close to in the ST world, and you should know who you are. Thank you so much for being my support, for listening to me rant and rave about the thousands of injustices that I make up in my life. Thanks for all the talks about nothing and the talks about everything. Thanks for asking me for my opinion like it means something. Thanks for letting me share the special moments in your life. Thanks for letting me share the special moments that I know that I would get shot for if they were shared publicly. Also, thanks for keeping me sane, I know it’s not an easy job. I will always be there for you, my friends! You are near and dear to my heart.

To Rod, and I know you’re screaming like a little girl to be mentioned several times during this marathon. Thanks for including me into your world. It’s been tough lately, I know, but we’re still friends, and that’s what counts. Everything else can be rebuilt to what it was before. You have been such a terrific friend, and I miss the talks that we used to have. Remember, if it wasn’t for ST, we would never had known each other. Yes, since the secret is out, you’re my internet best friend, for better or for worse. Keep yourself in line, buddy, and we’ll do ok. Love you - in a strictly platonic sense. *evil grin*

To the skaters I’ve met, you are all awesome. You all deserve to be stars. I had so much fun interviewing you all in my travels. I really hope that the sport takes off and becomes as popular as it should be. Believe me, I’m trying everything in my power to help you guys out. You all have such great personalities, and I can only hope that our team becomes better and more dominant. I’ll be cheering you all on, all the way!

To Rusty and the rest of rustysmith.com, thank you for letting a crazed fan be part of the ‘inside’. Last year I would have NEVER thought I would be where I am today, a webmaster for your site, and more. You all have given me opportunities that I would never have had, and I thank you for that, and more so for the friendship you have given me. You’ve never failed to make me laugh and we always have a great time when we get together. I’m so happy to be part of the crew.

To Apolo, dude, I know you checked me out twice at Oakbrook Mall. I have witnesses! But really, it’s all because of you that I’ve lived this rollercoaster ride over the last year. Thank you for standing out at the Olympics. Thank you for not going to Milwaukee, so I got to meet Rusty, Shani and Dan instead. Thank you for just being a regular 21 year old guy, who people think they know, but they don’t. And thanks for making incredible eye contact with me during interviews. I was melting inside. And dude, I think Rod was checking you out.

Thanks for everything, short track, it’s been a ball. Can’t wait to see what next season holds.

Tags: Short Track, Daily by Yano
8 Comments »

Sam is always entertaining

Amy is my only female friend at work

Halloween’s always a good time

And we’re all cool with each other

The thing I love most about work is the people. Amy, Dan, Sam, Bryan, Don and Tony are what make it worth coming in everyday, and what I look forward to coming back to when I’m away traveling. They make me laugh, and they’re my friends. We’re all around the same age, so it makes it really easy for us all to get along. If it wasn’t for this group of people, I’d be outta there! But they make all the stress and anxiety worth the while. We’re all in this together, and we get through it together with laughs, playful violence, singing, dance, and a couple handstands. We’re a family, and we look out for each other.

Tags: Daily by Yano
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OK, so Chris shared his right-out-of-the-shower pics on his blog, so I said I would reciprocate. It’s so weird taking pics of yourself in the bathroom, especially in a towel. It felt like porn. Anyway, here they are! Enjoy! Remember, you can still sponsor me!!!

Tags: Pictures, Daily by Yano
4 Comments »

The gang gathers together

Me and my FAR boys

The hags get dressed up

The Ruffnecks at formal

My four years at Urbana were the best in my life, and I know I’ll get shit if I don’t post at least ONE picture of Emer during this marathon. So here they are. The wonderful, amazing friends that helped me through some tough times in school. That I partied with, studied with, cried with, and basically learned about life with. Thanks to everyone in these pictures for all that they’ve done for me, and so much more!

My memories at U of I are the reason for my favorite quote from the Joy Luck Club:
“I don’t know why something that made me so happy then feels so sad now. Maybe that is the way it is with the best memories”

I had the best memories there, and looking back on a lot of them are bittersweet. They were great days, and it was such a carefree time for me. But they’re over, and I’m a grownup now. Fortunately, all the people I love from those times are also trying to be grownups, too!

Tags: Daily by Yano
1 Comment »

I love the city of Chicago. It has such character, it has such awesome people, and it’s so much fun to photograph. That’s why I carry my camera around, to take pictures of things that happen in Chicago. Here’s some of the more normal sites of Chicago. Later tonight, I’ll post some of the more unusual things…

Tags: Daily by Yano
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This is a group question being answered by Chris, Rod, Kathy and Leesa, who are kind enough to still be awake, cheering me on…

5 Male Celebs on My To Do List
1) Antonio Sabato Jr.
2) Hugh Jackman (dressed as wolverine)
3) Mark Wahlberg
4) Orlando Bloom
5) Colin Farrell

5 Female Celebs on My ‘Yeah, I’d Do You, Too’ List
1) Angelina Jolie
2) Ashley Judd
3) Jessica Alba
4) Halle Berry
5) Charlize Theron

Tags: Daily by Yano
5 Comments »

So I was asked how Fatima got her name in the chat. She was supposed to me named ‘Charlene’. Get it? Christine, Claudine and Charlene? The amazing triplets born 5 years apart. That’s what we would have been.

But then something happened. I was a difficult birth for my mom, so she had a C-Section with me. Fatima, too was a difficult birth.

Now all of this is just from bits and pieces we’ve heard, so it’s more like a legend. But when my mom was in delivery with Fata, she flatlined. For a few moments, my mother was dead. However, in that time, my mom had a vision. She saw a woman, shining in the dark, telling her that she wasn’t ready yet, and that she had to go back. You’re typical ‘Light in the Tunnel’ near death experience. The woman had on a white veil and a crown, and my mother knew immediately that it was Our Lady of Fatima that had spoken to her. She had seen her statue enough to know what she wore. So this woman brought my mom back to the living.

And so, in a show of gratitude, my mother named her child Fatima. Which is a MUCH cooler name than Charlene! (sorry to the Charlenes out there!)

Tags: Daily by Yano
2 Comments »

Well, the late night show was a bigger success than the 8:30 show. I actually had people in the room giving reactions! I’ll post up the chat once I clean it up here.

inspired2: yano has shades on
inspired2: what up yo
Daysies1974: you look great woman
inspired2: she got her beanie on
sheetysami: GAHAHA
TexxSk8: lol
inspired2: ooohhhh pretty
TexxSk8: love the teeth
sheetysami: beautiful
inspired2: nice glasses
CykMike: haha
Daysies1974: haha
inspired2: 4-eyes
arcent01: it looks like ewok is on your head
sheetysami: HGAHA!
inspired2: ewwwwwwww feet
CykMike: save that one for future blackmail material at the wedding
inspired2: nice toes
TexxSk8: AHHHHH
TexxSk8: toe jam
inspired2: minnie mouse !
sheetysami: lol, does your soon-to-be-husband know what you’re doing?
TexxSk8: yano, hook that cam up for the wedding
inspired2: yeah!
CykMike: hehehe
Daysies1974: what is that i’m seeing?
sheetysami: what is that?
sheetysami: what are we looking at?
TexxSk8: YAH YAH YAH
inspired2: a bunny?
Daysies1974: energizer bunny
sheetysami: energizer?
inspired2: everready bunny
sheetysami: niiice!
missyano: the energizer bunny!
missyano: jaja
CykMike: energizer
CykMike: do you guys use duracell or energizer? hehe
inspired2: oh the blonde wig!!!!!!!
TexxSk8: lol
TexxSk8: love that one
inspired2: what is that?
inspired2: oooh pretty
inspired2: looks like courtney love
TexxSk8: yo yo yo yo yo yo
inspired2: what up dawg
CykMike: heh, that webcam refresh countdown is just enough time for your
supergirl changes
Daysies1974: it’s Christine-a!
missyano: i know
missyano: i’m going so fast!
sheetysami: GAHAHA
inspired2: aaahhh extreme close-up
CykMike: show the bottle-cap eyeglasses!
Daysies1974: harry potter!
X60071X: hahaha
CykMike: hehe i’m one of those ‘wish i lasiked my eyes too’ club members
Daysies1974: shiny!
inspired2: ewwwwwww
TexxSk8: me too
inspired2: she showing us her pit
TexxSk8: eeewwwwwww
Daysies1974: stinky
inspired2: niiiiiiiice
TexxSk8: she is sniffin it
inspired2: sometimes when I get nervous
TexxSk8: nice ear
inspired2: I put my hands under my armpits like this
sheetysami: haha Linda
TexxSk8: Mary Catherine Gallagher
inspired2: and then I smell them…….it’s bad
inspired2: it’s really bad
inspired2: good tex!!
missyano: for the guys out there
TexxSk8: lol
inspired2: hey! belly
inspired2: guys? anyone?
CykMike: heh
TexxSk8: Look, she’s doin the "hangloose" sighn
inspired2: ahahahah
missyano: guess the belly doesn’t do it for the guys
Daysies1974: she looks like she’s picking her nose. LOL
CykMike: sure it does Daysies1974: i didn’t see the belly
Daysies1974: not that i really want to
arcent01: huh?
Daysies1974: lol
CykMike: belly shots, rod
arcent01: man!
inspired2: it’s the eye
inspired2: we’re being watched
sheetysami: what is that?
arcent01: i go away for a sec and i miss the belly!!
sheetysami: lol
inspired2: poor rod
sheetysami: poor Rod
inspired2: stop it sami
inspired2: it’s the messy room tour!
sheetysami: nooooo yoooooouAH
missyano: for rod
missyano: i’ll do the belly again
Daysies1974: rasta yano
sheetysami: hm
sheetysami: lol
arcent01: thank you my friend
arcent01: you’re swell
sheetysami: HAHAHA!
X60071X: OMG MY GOD
inspired2: oh pony tails, cute
X60071X: you rock girl
Daysies1974: oh my god!
Daysies1974: that’s great!
X60071X: this is what lack of sleep will do to a person
CykMike: i know, kathy
Daysies1974: Cousin It!
Daysies1974: where’s Fatima?
inspired2: yes let’s meet the famous fatima yano
Daysies1974: ask her if she could show her face just once
inspired2: we want fatima
Daysies1974: i don’t see her… Daysies1974: i don’t even what to know what that is… LOL
inspired2: lol
CykMike: you got some scary toys
sheetysami: wasn;t that Stitch/
missyano: it’s hedwig
inspired2: what the ?
sheetysami: the owl?
Daysies1974: stitch w/ blonde wig!
CykMike: oh man..y’know it’s 3am when Yano puts a wig on her stuffed animal
inspired2: thanks for the great webcam show!
missyano: that’s it
missyano: i’m tired
missyano: hahaha
inspired2: take a break
missyano: thanks for watching!

Tags: Daily by Yano
3 Comments »

The late night “Crappy Webcam Show” starts right now. Click on the webcam link to see the show. I’ll be dorky, i’ll be silly, i’ll be provocative. OK, not that. But it’ll be fun!

If you want to chat with my support crew, either IM me at missyano on AIM or join the ‘yanowhatimean support’ chat room.

See you there!

Tags: Daily by Yano
1 Comment »