Please allow me to reintroduce myself…

[jjvaldez]

It took me a long time to do this but here it is.

My name is Jose Jesus Valdez (I just go by Jesus or Jesse) [jjvaldez] I was born on January 23, 1985 in Salinas, California to 2 very young immigrant parents; mom 14 pops 17. I grew up in a ****ty part of town full of gangs and violence [this is not the time to claim that your hood is harder, this is not about that]. Although I was gang associated I was never in a gang, for this I have my strict mother to thank.

I got involved in football when I was 9, I always wanted to do base ball too but I lived to far from the local team for anyone to take me to games/practice, so I waited till I was in HS to play. I played football, ran track, and played baseball for two years [I also played golf for fun, not on a team]. In addition to sports I was Senior Class President. I also coached a 6th grade basketball team. I was the first to graduate HS from many others that had attempted in my family.

In HS I was in the top 10% of my class so I got the opportunity to go to the University of California, Davis. It was the best time of my life; I was out of the hood! I was with people that where in to school and into partying. I had never been to a party where people didn’t en up shot till I was at Davis, I LOVED challenging thoughts and ideas in class; I was never quiet and always expressed my opinions, and thoughts. To this day I still believe that I got ripped off on grades because I challenged teachers too much. While at Davis I met a wonderful girl that was also from Salinas, she was from the good part of town and went to a private school, which is why we never met in Salinas. From Davis, I graduated with a BA in Chicano Studies [Mexican American Studies] and Film Studies.

I know reside in Sacramento living with my GF in our cool little 2-bedroom apartment.

Other Random tings about me:
I suck at spelling and don’t care…
I have a weird habit of doing things my way and I don’t care that it bothers others, ie. irovr “blog” and not photo post…
I eat subway everyday.
Love my pup, it’s my gf’s but after hating her for a yr I love her now.
Don’t have many friends because I don’t like the drama associated with it. [I’m kind of a jerk, if there is noting that I can gain from hanging out with you then I just won’t]
I like Diet Coke/Pepsi.
I like all sorts of electronics.
I hate the heat, prefer cold/rain
I like snowboarding
First time that I went to Disney Land I was 19 and I LOVE it now, and try to make it out there once a year.


I don’t know what else to say, many of you know me already but feel free to ask and depending on that you ask, I might reply.

[jjvaldez]

Random Pics:

Me and brothers
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/brothers.jpg

Me and Bella
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/BELLA-171.jpg

Jess and bella
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/IMG_0426.jpg

[jjvaldez]

Me and Jess
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/IMG_3403copy.jpg

Another me and Jess
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/IMG_1960copy.jpg

ME, only recent pic i have so i use it a lot
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/mecopy.jpg

[jjvaldez]

My mom remarried

brother
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/photo-147.jpg

sister
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/IMG_9728-1.jpg

[jjvaldez]

last football game in HS
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/f2222b.jpg

College Grad
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/mo66666m.jpg

HS and College Rings
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/photo.jpg

[acosmichippo]

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/EIC%20STUFF/IMG_1960copy.jpg

love the beard.

[connie]

Nice JJ. I love Disneyland, love it so much I got a job there. I also have family who works there too. I work in the stores on Main Street, if you see a Connie name tag thats me, I'm the only Connie there.
But back to you,
Cool pictures, nice family & gf!!!

[jjvaldez]

love the beard.

thanks, i miss it...

[jjvaldez]

Nice JJ. I love Disneyland, love it so much I got a job there. I also have family who works there too. I work in the stores on Main Street, if you see a Connie name tag thats me, I'm the only Connie there.
But back to you,
Cool pictures, nice family & gf!!!

i really do love it there..

[Saverino]

Hey. Was the picture of you and Bella staged, or were you really asleep?

And btw, Bella's cool :)

[connie]

i really do love it there..

You should see it when its closed and no one is around, it's awesome to stroll main street. I have gotten off work at 2 am and the streets of Disney are all wet from being hosed down and the lights are low and it's beautiful but eery, I once thought I saw the ghost of Walt over by the train station.:wink:

[Eragon]

Nice JJ. I love Disneyland, love it so much I got a job there. I also have family who works there too. I work in the stores on Main Street, if you see a Connie name tag thats me, I'm the only Connie there.
But back to you,
Cool pictures, nice family & gf!!!

I wish you had said that back in June when I spent a week in Disneyland for a business conference. :smile:

I took one of the days off from the conference to walk around the park, shop for souvenirs. I was probably the only one there listening to podcasts while walking around and getting a nice farmer's tan on my feet!!!!

[Eragon]

JJ,

Great reveal. This last trip to Disneyland, I had the opportunity to link up with Ramesh and have dinner at a restaurant near Knotts Berry Farm. I hope circumstances are better next time, and that more of us can actually get together.

The reverse is true as well. Look me up if ever in the DC area. :smile:

[jjvaldez]

Hey. Was the picture of you and Bella staged, or were you really asleep?

And btw, Bella's cool :)

look at how stupid my face looks, cant fake that, i was asleep...

[jjvaldez]

You should see it when its closed and no one is around, it's awesome to stroll main street. I have gotten off work at 2 am and the streets of Disney are all wet from being hosed down and the lights are low and it's beautiful but eery, I once thought I saw the ghost of Walt over by the train station.:wink:

ghost, yikes!!

i was there late one summer night and indeed it is cool...

[projectdarkside]

Nice reveal man :wink:
-You seem like a pretty uum "grizzled". . .In the points you've made saying that you dont have many friends and that if you dont have a use for them then you wont be friends with them :eek: haha!
-I dont know, dont take this to offense or anything but I think you should of went to college and majored in Business cause you seem to have a perfect business sense, ya kno the not bull taking boss not here to be your friend kinda guy ya kno :wink:

But anyways Awesome reveal, you've had my respect for awhile but seeing this is definitely a +rep :laugh2:

[patrickj]

Really excellent job jj. Great pics and great writeup, and pretty damn cool what you've accomplished so far, seems like probably lots more to come ...

[Buffy]

JJ, thanks for the time and effort it took to post this reveal! I had no idea of your background, of growing up in the hood, etc. Kudos to you for not getting into a gang. Now our joking on IRC about your biker mouth makes perfect sense. :wink: You have so many sibs, holidays must be nuts, but fun. There are eight kids in your family? WOW! Anyway, it's impressive that you've accomplished so much; let it continue! I have a feeling it will. :smile:

[ArEa_CoDe_415]

Nice reveal.
.........

[projectdarkside]

How come I didnt get a thanks! :(

[kokogirl]

Hey JJ, nice reveal.

You are not a jerk. You made me my tattoo avatar and I did not even ask! :)

[up10ad]

jj, what a great reveal. I love the name Jesus, but the pronunciation throws lots of folks. I know Salinas well, was in Bakersfield 28 years. Your photos are wonderful and show a close family. It's great getting to know you. Take care bud.

[jjvaldez]

Now our joking on IRC about your biker mouth makes perfect sense.


Although I believe that people are to an extent a product of their environment , ie. people being gang member because they grew up with that or people liking country music becouse they grew up with it, I dont belive that I have a bad mouth becouse i grew up in the hood, it is my choice, I know other people that still live in the hood that tell me that I have a dirty mouth..

[patrickj]

Although I believe that people are to an extent a product of their environment , ie. people being gang member because they grew up with that or people liking country music becouse they grew up with it, I dont belive that I have a bad mouth becouse i grew up in the hood, it is my choice, I know other people that still live in the hood that tell me that I have a dirty mouth..

I agree. I did not grow up in the hood at all, and I *love* profanity - swear like a sailor all day long except when my daughter's around ...

[jjvaldez]

yea me too i keep it away from the kids that are girls, not to much from kids that are guys..

[Hayesimus]

hey jj. very good reveal. one of the best we've seen yet. Love the pics of you and your family. You are all very photogenic. And i like the fact that you tell it how it is and don't sugar coat it. You can always tell where you stand with people like that. No guess work you know?

[Ramesh]

Cool reveal JJ. I guess I should start one on me now, eh?

I may have missed it, but what position did you play in football?

[jjvaldez]

You didn't miss it, i played full back and defensive end... i'll post a pic of my helmet in a few

[jjvaldez]

helmet pic
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x189/josejesusvaldez/photo-149.jpg

[kokogirl]

hey jj. very good reveal. one of the best we've seen yet. Love the pics of you and your family. You are all very photogenic. And i like the fact that you tell it how it is and don't sugar coat it. You can always tell where you stand with people like that. No guess work you know?

Exactly. :smile:

[coasts]

nice one...good to have you showing off the left coast on rovr. i'm with you on the friends thing. i do better with strangers.

[Hondamaker]

nice reveal, jj! Nice-looking family, too.

[iCafe]

Cool reveal JJ but i already knew all this info
i have been stalking you for years now
-icafe

[jjvaldez]

Cool reveal JJ but i already knew all this info
i have been stalking you for years now
-icafe


thanks icafe

[Hayesimus]

where did you get the new avatar JJ?

[jjvaldez]

i made it, drew it a while ago using the sketches app when i was JB and i just like it now..

[connie]

Very cool avatar!!

[Saverino]

Very cool avatar!!

What she said ^^ :laugh2:

[psylichon]

Sorry it took me so long to see this, JJ... it's been a busy weekend. But this is some seriously quality stuff. I appreciate your honesty, your loyalty, and your .... youness, for lack of a better word. Every forum needs a JJ, and every person does too. I'm really glad that I've met you, virtually, and I can't wait to do it for real some day.

You still suck at Mario Kart.

Ooooooh snap!

[jjvaldez]

What she said ^^ :laugh2:

thanks

........................................

[Hayesimus]

i must say it is a terrific avatar and since you made it yourself its even better! lol. It makes you look... OFFICIAL now :p

[projectdarkside]

I think you avatar is awesome Jesus :wink:

[Hondamaker]

You still suck at Mario Kart.

Ooooooh snap!
Ohhhh, you just got pwned!!!

[jjvaldez]

Ohhhh, you just got pwned!!!


aggggg, dude beats me EVERY TIME, i suck :(

[morth58]

i always wondered about you, being from Salinas. One of my best memories was a house party in Salinas where the band was green day before they had made it big. spent a week surfing and sleeping on the beach. i still have a bottle of ocean water and a bag of sand from the beach, that was almost 20 years ago. still one of the best times of my life.

nice job on the reveal

mike

[aknightstale41]

Great reveal JJ, your sister looks like she can handle herself pretty good there in the hood with that ak47. Very nice looking family. Good to know ya dude.
:smile: