There is a new Golden Corral in South Austin. I am a fat ass but I don't generally like buffet places. My wife has gotten me thinking about all the exposed food and the kids hovering and touching all the good stuff. I do, however, like checking out a newly opened restaurant and this one has only been open about two weeks.
My folks are in town to try and get a new RV. They had signed paperwork to trade in their old one, but they found out today theirs has extensive damage and now have to wait to do paperwork and put a claim in with insurance before they can take new one. So, alas, it means they will have to wait one more week before they can take their new toy home. They do love a buffet, as they always encourage us to hit the Chinese buffets here or especially in Corpus Christi when we hang out.
I suggested going to the Golden Corral after they showed up and we went and showed them the smaller home and all its improvements. A quick and heavy thunderstorm made us go and find shelter at the Lowe's, plus I needed more light switch caps since I had decided to replace all with new crispy white ones. By the time we got out, Dad was running on fumes and we needed to eat or I risked having to carry the big baby.
First of all, it was over $40 for 2 adults and 1 child, I thought cost was excessive, then we had to wait inside the restaurant after paying. They have chairs where you can see the "mongolian grill" while you wait. They have many sections/rooms to divide the people up, but man!! There were just too many people eating there. I guess I didn't realize we were eating so close to dinnertime for the masses.
I know it's south Austin, but it seemed like we were transported to some exotic Mexican local, nothing but beaners up in there. It doesn't seem like that in Southpark Meadows and that is only a mile away. We got same feeling there as in that China Harbor Chinese buffet next to Academy on William Cannon. We eat out pretty much every day after school in one of the Southpark Meadows places and generally it is mixed well with all types of peeps. Golden Corral was very specific in the clientele. Maybe Mexicans love a good buffet, or maybe they are targeted with special coupons sent to any Martinez, or Perez, or Garcia in the area. It doesn't make sense, because it wasn't cheap.
Oh well, once bitten, twice shy. We shan't be visiting Golden Corral for a few fortnights. We'll go in a couple months, maybe it was just the newness attracting so many peeps. A lot of people were dressed in Sunday best, a kid was in his cap and gown, so somebody was graduating.
All I remember is being very full, we rushed home, I pooped and showered and was in a food coma by 7:45pm. Wife kept trying to get me up to go to movies, but no. When you put in 70-80 hrs a week, something's got to give. I woke up around 10pm, Boy started texting, he is halfway home. His skinny ass should be home tomorrow, maybe he'll start cleaning up his room.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
5/31/15 My First Cassette?
I just found Huey Lewis and The News-Sports, the full album on youtube. As I remember, this was my first cassette that I went out and intentionally bought. It is a great album, filled with music from musicians playing guitars and instruments, including some saxophone. As I listen, I keep getting a vision of my dad at a gas station where he is maybe listening to this patiently as I proclaim it the best music ever. I even think we were headed to vacation, we would swing through his workplace occasionally and pick him up and head to the coast or San Antonio. He still only listens to Spanish music from the 70s so he had to have been showing a lot of restraint to let me play my "rock and roll". I can even say thinking of my dad I smell that gas/oil mix he always kind of smelled like. Price he paid to work in the oil industry, when you gas up your car, that smell, 24/7.
Another very influential cassette in my arsenal when I started collecting my own music was AC/DC- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. I was in eighth grade and one of the "trouble maker" kids gave it to me as a Christmas gift. I was in awe. The music was dirty, maybe, it took a while to figure out as a naïve eighth grader. Big Balls will always be one of my favorite tongue in cheek punny songs.
I never felt a rebellious nature to me, my folks listened to Tejano, which was the normal background noise in the house, but my mom was "hip" in that she appreciated the 50s and 60s music, so anytime we headed towards San Antonio and we had good reception, we would listen to KTSA, an AM station that would play top 40 music. I didn't really start appreciating Metal until I was out of the house, when I moved to Austin, in 1991. I dabbled into country as well, when Garth Brooks was huge.
I am pretty open now. I can listen to a lot of music, even rap, as most people will stop there. I like country, pop, older metal music, but given the choice I always prefer some good spoofs, a la Dr. Demento, Key Of Awesome on youtube, Weird Al Yankovich. I love when a song is turned on itself and made a little fun of.
Another very influential cassette in my arsenal when I started collecting my own music was AC/DC- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. I was in eighth grade and one of the "trouble maker" kids gave it to me as a Christmas gift. I was in awe. The music was dirty, maybe, it took a while to figure out as a naïve eighth grader. Big Balls will always be one of my favorite tongue in cheek punny songs.
I never felt a rebellious nature to me, my folks listened to Tejano, which was the normal background noise in the house, but my mom was "hip" in that she appreciated the 50s and 60s music, so anytime we headed towards San Antonio and we had good reception, we would listen to KTSA, an AM station that would play top 40 music. I didn't really start appreciating Metal until I was out of the house, when I moved to Austin, in 1991. I dabbled into country as well, when Garth Brooks was huge.
I am pretty open now. I can listen to a lot of music, even rap, as most people will stop there. I like country, pop, older metal music, but given the choice I always prefer some good spoofs, a la Dr. Demento, Key Of Awesome on youtube, Weird Al Yankovich. I love when a song is turned on itself and made a little fun of.
5/30/15 All This Rain Reminds Me of Mudding?
This is a true story from way back before Wife and the Boys. I was in high school, sophomore year I believe and was pretty much driving daily by myself. It had to be 1986 and during fall, more to the point, after band practice. It had been raining like it has been and some of the roads down in our small town were not paved and became messy slosh pits during any kind of downpour.
Enter my friends who were getting a ride by Mr. Cool, driving a 1979 Mercury Cougar, two door but I bet about as long as a modern day Excursion. The car was actually cool for the time, a two door white square of a car with an orange interior, vinyl I'm pretty sure my folks weren't upgrading to leather back in the day. I don't know how the tables got turned but I was driving the family car and my mom was driving an F150, maybe it was even an F250 with the supercab and the thin bench in the back seat. I remember that truck was a compromise after my dad had come home with the coolest truck that we never owned. It was a Ford truck with just a bench, maybe bucket seats and flareside. I want to say it had a grey to purple hue with a red interior although my mom got rid of that truck quicker than quick. We were a family of four and possibly even six by then and the silly old man is bringing home a bachelor type truck.
Anyways, I digress.... back to my cool car. After band practice we were leaving and one of the roads leading away from the school was all mud for the length of maybe two football fields, one of the idiots in the back said go through it, and the idiot sitting in the front thought it a good idea. I got about halfway in, you know the point you can't stop and turn back and the water was up to the doorwell, I panicked and headed to an empty lot thinking the mud is better than water. My superior driving skills soon got the car to a complete stop. You can only turn the steering wheel so much and go back and forth before you end up submerged. There were no cell phones but my folks showed up rather quickly, and in the end I had to be towed out by some 4x4. There was a foot of mud in the car and they left it up to me to clean it out. I remember taking out the seats and even the carpet came out so I could get everything washed out. I learned that day, that all my vehicles should be 4x4, because I can be an idiot at the drop of a hat.
Enter my friends who were getting a ride by Mr. Cool, driving a 1979 Mercury Cougar, two door but I bet about as long as a modern day Excursion. The car was actually cool for the time, a two door white square of a car with an orange interior, vinyl I'm pretty sure my folks weren't upgrading to leather back in the day. I don't know how the tables got turned but I was driving the family car and my mom was driving an F150, maybe it was even an F250 with the supercab and the thin bench in the back seat. I remember that truck was a compromise after my dad had come home with the coolest truck that we never owned. It was a Ford truck with just a bench, maybe bucket seats and flareside. I want to say it had a grey to purple hue with a red interior although my mom got rid of that truck quicker than quick. We were a family of four and possibly even six by then and the silly old man is bringing home a bachelor type truck.
Anyways, I digress.... back to my cool car. After band practice we were leaving and one of the roads leading away from the school was all mud for the length of maybe two football fields, one of the idiots in the back said go through it, and the idiot sitting in the front thought it a good idea. I got about halfway in, you know the point you can't stop and turn back and the water was up to the doorwell, I panicked and headed to an empty lot thinking the mud is better than water. My superior driving skills soon got the car to a complete stop. You can only turn the steering wheel so much and go back and forth before you end up submerged. There were no cell phones but my folks showed up rather quickly, and in the end I had to be towed out by some 4x4. There was a foot of mud in the car and they left it up to me to clean it out. I remember taking out the seats and even the carpet came out so I could get everything washed out. I learned that day, that all my vehicles should be 4x4, because I can be an idiot at the drop of a hat.
Friday, May 29, 2015
5/29/15 If You Want It Done, Do It The Hard Way?
We just got kicked back to reality. We've been busting our butts fixing up old house, and kind of ignoring bigger house, frankly because it's going to be a pain in the butt to tackle. We tried an easy out by talking to one of those companies that buys your house as-is. We realized they would under price us, but man, they aren't kidding.
Wife talked to a guy and he seemed very honest and forthright, saying we were better off going with a realtor because he needs to undercut price by at least 20%. Wife asked him for a ballpark figure, to which he said if comps you are stating are real, probably buy the house from you for $350,000. We actually got a little excited, thinking since we aren't paying realtor fees, this is pretty close and we won't have to pick up a paintbrush. Guy said he would send an appraiser over in the morning.
He took a bunch of pictures according to Wife, but supposedly the real comps put value of houses in neighborhood closer to $370000. Which means he would have to offer something in the very low $300,000 range. I understand that they are running a business, but his final number he just texted would be $290000. That's less than we owe. There is no way I'm paying for someone to take house away from us.
So now the monumental task of doing what we've been avoiding. Making big house the focal point and beautify it. The easiest solution for the pool is rip it out and discard it. It has been nothing but trouble. For every hour I enjoyed boobs in there, I have probably been punished with 1000 hours of green water and nasty mess. There has to be a demolition crew for cement slabs, they can take it all to the dump.
Next phase will be working the floors, new cheap-ish carpet and flooring in kitchen and wash room. Finally, touch-up walls and voila, house gets sold. Hopefully this can all be done in the next two weeks. We'll see. I want to focus on me, I'm getting tired of writing about these two shitty houses. I want to write about my new truck and new adventures out on the lakes.
Wife talked to a guy and he seemed very honest and forthright, saying we were better off going with a realtor because he needs to undercut price by at least 20%. Wife asked him for a ballpark figure, to which he said if comps you are stating are real, probably buy the house from you for $350,000. We actually got a little excited, thinking since we aren't paying realtor fees, this is pretty close and we won't have to pick up a paintbrush. Guy said he would send an appraiser over in the morning.
He took a bunch of pictures according to Wife, but supposedly the real comps put value of houses in neighborhood closer to $370000. Which means he would have to offer something in the very low $300,000 range. I understand that they are running a business, but his final number he just texted would be $290000. That's less than we owe. There is no way I'm paying for someone to take house away from us.
So now the monumental task of doing what we've been avoiding. Making big house the focal point and beautify it. The easiest solution for the pool is rip it out and discard it. It has been nothing but trouble. For every hour I enjoyed boobs in there, I have probably been punished with 1000 hours of green water and nasty mess. There has to be a demolition crew for cement slabs, they can take it all to the dump.
Next phase will be working the floors, new cheap-ish carpet and flooring in kitchen and wash room. Finally, touch-up walls and voila, house gets sold. Hopefully this can all be done in the next two weeks. We'll see. I want to focus on me, I'm getting tired of writing about these two shitty houses. I want to write about my new truck and new adventures out on the lakes.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
5/28/15 It's Raining, It's Pouring, Who Could Be Snoring? (poem)
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain
Nice for them...
April Showers, bring May flowers
well ain't that a hoot?
In central Texas, when it finally does rain
it does nothing but bring a lot of fear and pain.
Dams are collapsing, lakes are losing their water
yet here we stand, ignoring the slaughter
I did not realize the water's might was so strong
do not go near the shoreline you do not belong.
This summer might finally be good to buy me a new boat
Let's see if Wife supports me and gives in with her vote.
We have an old one which I am ready to sell
it seems small to me now and even has a smell
I want a big sexy boat, full of boobs and butts
but I know my life, it'll be a Putz, a Klutz, and the rest will all have nuts.
My luck is that the boat will be a sausage fest
not one breast to enjoy, just some dorks in search of a quest.
It is good that the lakes are all filling up
it has been a few years yup! yup!
We went and checked on the creek behind our house
it was flowing and brown or so said my spouse
I didn't care for the heat and the humidity
this might be the summer we finally get back to some serious stupidity!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
5/27/15 I Love The Smell Of New Carpet?
Our new carpet came in and was installed Monday afternoon. It truly brought all the work that's been going on together. The heavy smell of pet store is now finally cleared out, the flecks of blue in the carpet matches the blue on the wall and the white just pops now. Add to that the new AC and we are running out of reasons not to move over. We have the water heater being replaced and a security company coming in to activate the alarm and add in some cameras we will be able to view on our phones or laptops.
Our last tenants, without asking, decided to run the A/C into the garage. We don't know why but because of this, we will have to look into closing the garage faster than we wanted to. All of a sudden, there are two A/C ducts and they are both blowing cold air into the garage. I know I didn't do this, the other tenants have not had money or interest in making any improvements to our house. The last tenant talked about her new hubby bringing his boys to leave with him and he mentioned the boys could sleep in the garage. Makes sense he did the work.
Today, Tuesday, we talked to one of those company's that advertise we will buy your home, in any condition. The guy sounded honest (I know), saying we would do a lot better going through a regular realtor. He needs to undercut in order for him to see a profit after doing his improvements. Wife asked him for a ballpark number and he was off by $10,000 on my minimum number. Wife then suggested my minimum number to him and he said he would send a guy over to inspect and evaluate the house. Regular realtor wants us to paint whole house one neutral color, we have to fix pool, linoleum in kitchen and wash room both have gouges in them which we would need to replace whole floor in those two rooms. Add to that the fear of us paying the rent/mortgage on both houses until we sell, and that cost alone could be costing me $10,000 through the summer.
Best case scenario, these guys offer a little bit more than they quoted, we stay there one more week to give Ale a chance to finish his school year in his school and then we move out in the next two weekends. By the time we go to Disney, all this is but a fleeting memory.
Our last tenants, without asking, decided to run the A/C into the garage. We don't know why but because of this, we will have to look into closing the garage faster than we wanted to. All of a sudden, there are two A/C ducts and they are both blowing cold air into the garage. I know I didn't do this, the other tenants have not had money or interest in making any improvements to our house. The last tenant talked about her new hubby bringing his boys to leave with him and he mentioned the boys could sleep in the garage. Makes sense he did the work.
Today, Tuesday, we talked to one of those company's that advertise we will buy your home, in any condition. The guy sounded honest (I know), saying we would do a lot better going through a regular realtor. He needs to undercut in order for him to see a profit after doing his improvements. Wife asked him for a ballpark number and he was off by $10,000 on my minimum number. Wife then suggested my minimum number to him and he said he would send a guy over to inspect and evaluate the house. Regular realtor wants us to paint whole house one neutral color, we have to fix pool, linoleum in kitchen and wash room both have gouges in them which we would need to replace whole floor in those two rooms. Add to that the fear of us paying the rent/mortgage on both houses until we sell, and that cost alone could be costing me $10,000 through the summer.
Best case scenario, these guys offer a little bit more than they quoted, we stay there one more week to give Ale a chance to finish his school year in his school and then we move out in the next two weekends. By the time we go to Disney, all this is but a fleeting memory.
5/26/15 Ran Into An Old Friend?
We were out shopping today before coming into work and we ran into an old friend we hadn't seen in a couple years. It is funny how time passes and the things that can happen. This was our neighbor, we hung out all the time, went camping together, even made it out to New Orleans for Mardi Gras one time. We were able to chat and probably talked for about 15 min. He has a new gal pal, I think they may even be living together, which is great. What struck me was at one point, he was devastated about the divorce, he would come over to discuss with us what might have been, did he do the right thing? I'm not sure who was to blame. Their main problem is they didn't seem to communicate with each other. He was always working, she felt ignored or abandoned. I can sense we have been in a similar wavelength, Wife and I, but I try whenever I am not working to do what she wants to do. And we are both aware that my extra working is to provide enough extra money to pave the way to get us to our goal of moving to other house.
He seems to be doing well, his new gal is attractive and she seems to be on the ball, adding into our conversation and not being weird or shocked that he had a past life. We've talked to other friends and the girls they date seem shocked that the person they are with have a past life, use your brain, the world does not revolve around you, Dingbat.
I always liked his first wife, we're still friends but she's not the same person without him. She's come over and we've hung out, but she insists on dating a dud of a human, and the pair just don't make sense to me when they come over. Consequently, I don't go out of my way to do things that call for people to come over, like barbeques. Plus nobody soaks their boobs in my hot tub, so I won't share my grilled meats with you.
Anyways, I guess it's good that people can pick themselves up after being shattered by divorce, I've now seen a few couples go through it but the people end up different. One friend swears his ex is Satan incarnate, he wants nothing to do with her and has nothing but hatred. This after worshipping the ground she walked on for so many years. People in either of me or Wife's family don't have too many divorces, but then again, who can walk away from all this??? ;)
He seems to be doing well, his new gal is attractive and she seems to be on the ball, adding into our conversation and not being weird or shocked that he had a past life. We've talked to other friends and the girls they date seem shocked that the person they are with have a past life, use your brain, the world does not revolve around you, Dingbat.
I always liked his first wife, we're still friends but she's not the same person without him. She's come over and we've hung out, but she insists on dating a dud of a human, and the pair just don't make sense to me when they come over. Consequently, I don't go out of my way to do things that call for people to come over, like barbeques. Plus nobody soaks their boobs in my hot tub, so I won't share my grilled meats with you.
Anyways, I guess it's good that people can pick themselves up after being shattered by divorce, I've now seen a few couples go through it but the people end up different. One friend swears his ex is Satan incarnate, he wants nothing to do with her and has nothing but hatred. This after worshipping the ground she walked on for so many years. People in either of me or Wife's family don't have too many divorces, but then again, who can walk away from all this??? ;)
Sunday, May 24, 2015
5/25/15 Entropy Will Undo Us?
Why are we always fighting to put things back where they belong? It seems our house is always in chaos. I can go with the flow for a time, but eventually the disorder bothers me enough that even I get off my ass. Every week, the same trash piles up by the trash can inside. We have a half wall separating the kitchen and living room and it seems to have been put there to hold refuse before it gets taken outside. If it isn't trash getting put up there, then it's kid's books, toys or other crap. Entropy is one of the laws of thermodynamics stating that things move from order to disorder. Maybe I'm stretching the definition here, but you try writing a blog every day.
The difference is that our chaos is caused by two distinct blobs, thing 1 and thing 2, for the sake of this discussion. Thing 1 is older, sleeker, but also carries a feeling of entitlement. 1 thinks this is his hamster cage and therefore can do as he wants, leaving clothes strewn about the place, leave food in his room, and now even take whatever he wants from habitat 1 to his mini habitat 2 closer to his daytime daycare. Thing 2 is younger and more naïve. He takes things slower, still learning basic functions, such as reading. Because of this, he will take piles of books, read them, then forget about them and leave his little piles of books wherever he may roam. He does the same thing with his play toys, and his clothes. Thing 2 is not about entitlement, just unaware. Either case leaves us as the caretakers of house and home to pick up way more than our fair share. Some day these two hamsters will have homes of their own and they will finally see and understand what it is to try and keep a good home clean.
Ergo, we can surmise that if my two blobs stopped moving, then disorder would stop. Therefore entropy is caused by blobs not just the homogenization of the system attempting to reach uniform temperature. But we must also remember systems are rarely inert. We may flush out the blobs and send them to their own habitats one day, they will repay us by sending back miniature versions of themselves, thus propagating the whole system into flux once more. This is, after all, As the World Turns.
The difference is that our chaos is caused by two distinct blobs, thing 1 and thing 2, for the sake of this discussion. Thing 1 is older, sleeker, but also carries a feeling of entitlement. 1 thinks this is his hamster cage and therefore can do as he wants, leaving clothes strewn about the place, leave food in his room, and now even take whatever he wants from habitat 1 to his mini habitat 2 closer to his daytime daycare. Thing 2 is younger and more naïve. He takes things slower, still learning basic functions, such as reading. Because of this, he will take piles of books, read them, then forget about them and leave his little piles of books wherever he may roam. He does the same thing with his play toys, and his clothes. Thing 2 is not about entitlement, just unaware. Either case leaves us as the caretakers of house and home to pick up way more than our fair share. Some day these two hamsters will have homes of their own and they will finally see and understand what it is to try and keep a good home clean.
Ergo, we can surmise that if my two blobs stopped moving, then disorder would stop. Therefore entropy is caused by blobs not just the homogenization of the system attempting to reach uniform temperature. But we must also remember systems are rarely inert. We may flush out the blobs and send them to their own habitats one day, they will repay us by sending back miniature versions of themselves, thus propagating the whole system into flux once more. This is, after all, As the World Turns.
5/24/15 It Was Dark and Stormy?
I was recollecting a past life the other night, as we all do from time to time. This one was from about five life cycles ago. The year was 1820 and life was good. I was mostly indian, had a horse named Kishi. I was about 14 and was mostly a man but still not married. I would consider myself a smart indian, but you would already know that. I led a crew of indians, ever vigilant of the white man encroaching on our lands. We spent the days on our horses, hunting, and always tracking game animals. We found it curious that although we never settled on a piece of land, the white man, chose land and there he stayed. We could count on Old man Johnson, always working on his farm. Sometimes I'd take a young indian princess and go riding by his farm, she'd be dressed in nothing but a reddish, burgundy hat. They weren't too bright but when they kissed, you get the idea....
There was also that other old man, Mr. Macdonald. He had a farm and boy was he proud of his chicks. He had some here he had some there, he usually had them everywhere. Once he started telling you, he would go through his whole list, from chicks, to pigs, to ducks, to cows. It made it very easy to steal from him, because he told us where he had everything.
So anyways, one day we're out on patrol, you know 1 little, 2 little, 3 little indians, 4 little , 5 little, 6 little indians, 7 little, 8 litttle, 9 little indians, 10 little indian boys... and there before us stood an injured David G Burnet. He had fallen off his horse and into the Colorado River. He was injured, already suffering from symptoms now known as tuberculosis. Normally, a couple arrows and we'd kept going, but he was traveling alone and we felt sorry for him. He was not a threat sitting there drowning in the water. We took him back home, and brought him back to health. He stayed with us for two years, finally leaving with Ben Milam, a trader. Last we heard he returned to Cincinnati where he wrote for the paper and finally back to Texas under Stephen F. Austin, where he provided law advice for 200 settlers and consequently set up the first Presbyterian Sunday School. He was a deeply religious man, who neither drank nor swore, so he was alright by us.
I think the thought came back to me because my son is impersonating David G.Burnet in a school activity and the name awoke that part of my brain. I remembered the man, hell I saved his life.
There was also that other old man, Mr. Macdonald. He had a farm and boy was he proud of his chicks. He had some here he had some there, he usually had them everywhere. Once he started telling you, he would go through his whole list, from chicks, to pigs, to ducks, to cows. It made it very easy to steal from him, because he told us where he had everything.
So anyways, one day we're out on patrol, you know 1 little, 2 little, 3 little indians, 4 little , 5 little, 6 little indians, 7 little, 8 litttle, 9 little indians, 10 little indian boys... and there before us stood an injured David G Burnet. He had fallen off his horse and into the Colorado River. He was injured, already suffering from symptoms now known as tuberculosis. Normally, a couple arrows and we'd kept going, but he was traveling alone and we felt sorry for him. He was not a threat sitting there drowning in the water. We took him back home, and brought him back to health. He stayed with us for two years, finally leaving with Ben Milam, a trader. Last we heard he returned to Cincinnati where he wrote for the paper and finally back to Texas under Stephen F. Austin, where he provided law advice for 200 settlers and consequently set up the first Presbyterian Sunday School. He was a deeply religious man, who neither drank nor swore, so he was alright by us.
I think the thought came back to me because my son is impersonating David G.Burnet in a school activity and the name awoke that part of my brain. I remembered the man, hell I saved his life.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
5/23/15 A Nice Quiet Day?
Boy took off at around 6:15am. I was supposed to get out around 5:30am but I committed to changing a part on the tool I use and that took longer than I wanted. Nevertheless, I left about 5:40am, stopped for some donuts and kolaches on the way home and was there to catch Boy and the gang loading up like busy ants into the SUV they took. They were all excited, Boy was unshowered but it didn't seem to matter. He just said "I'll shower when we get to hotel." That ended up being like at 8:00pm so I'm sure the funk was in that car. But I digress, I got home and saw them off, Wife was awake and came downstairs too. I had a couple donuts and up to shower I headed.
I decided to shave my head as I had not done in a couple weeks and that felt good, finished by the time Chubs was up and getting ready for school. He had track and field day, so he got into some comfortable shorts and the class shirt. He had a decent day, said they won some events, lost some, but it was all OK. I got up and had texts galore, from Boy where he was, from Wife, where Boy was, from Mom, responding to Boy and from Girlie who is saying she may leave Austin. I started rifling through the texts, and still picked up Chubs on time. We went and celebrated at Smashburger. The burgers are really great, they match them up with shitty string fries though or stringy onion rings. Plus the burgers start at $10. They are delicious though, Chubs then added a "hand-spun" milkshake which he was disappointed was done with a machine.
I kept texting with everyone, happy for Boy, waiting for Wife, and ultimately told Girlie she'll be fine. She was all excited she was leaving after her last trip so I figure it's more of the same. Chubs and I went home, I jumped under the covers, having already texted my supervisor and knowing I was gonna stay home for tonight and tomorrow..... Man, it feels awesome to be lazy after busting my butt the past month and a half.
Wife got home and had one of the lamest lines she has ever used on me. "Best Buy sent me an email that I have to go charge something or they are going to close my account." Can anyone say first world problems??? Her idea was that she'll charge a movie and keep her account active, Chub's idea was to get a new phone, after all, big bro got one not too long ago and Chub's phone has burnt spots all over the screen. We got I guess an OK deal, he was able to get a Samsung 6, latest phone leased for $20 but they give you $19 back every month. So phone costs $1 a month. At the end of 2 years, he hands it back in and starts on a new one. We'll see how plan goes.
We ended day by going to new liquor store that made Spec's look small and unorganized. Even Wife was putting in tiny airplane bottles, which she has always liked. We then ate at Cheddar's, and although food is usually so-so, I had sirloin and half rack of ribs with a baked potato, it was delicious.
Nicest thing was not going to old house. I had been losing hours during the week going over there and then rushing to work. Carpet people called, it is in. Now it just needs to be installed.
I decided to shave my head as I had not done in a couple weeks and that felt good, finished by the time Chubs was up and getting ready for school. He had track and field day, so he got into some comfortable shorts and the class shirt. He had a decent day, said they won some events, lost some, but it was all OK. I got up and had texts galore, from Boy where he was, from Wife, where Boy was, from Mom, responding to Boy and from Girlie who is saying she may leave Austin. I started rifling through the texts, and still picked up Chubs on time. We went and celebrated at Smashburger. The burgers are really great, they match them up with shitty string fries though or stringy onion rings. Plus the burgers start at $10. They are delicious though, Chubs then added a "hand-spun" milkshake which he was disappointed was done with a machine.
I kept texting with everyone, happy for Boy, waiting for Wife, and ultimately told Girlie she'll be fine. She was all excited she was leaving after her last trip so I figure it's more of the same. Chubs and I went home, I jumped under the covers, having already texted my supervisor and knowing I was gonna stay home for tonight and tomorrow..... Man, it feels awesome to be lazy after busting my butt the past month and a half.
Wife got home and had one of the lamest lines she has ever used on me. "Best Buy sent me an email that I have to go charge something or they are going to close my account." Can anyone say first world problems??? Her idea was that she'll charge a movie and keep her account active, Chub's idea was to get a new phone, after all, big bro got one not too long ago and Chub's phone has burnt spots all over the screen. We got I guess an OK deal, he was able to get a Samsung 6, latest phone leased for $20 but they give you $19 back every month. So phone costs $1 a month. At the end of 2 years, he hands it back in and starts on a new one. We'll see how plan goes.
We ended day by going to new liquor store that made Spec's look small and unorganized. Even Wife was putting in tiny airplane bottles, which she has always liked. We then ate at Cheddar's, and although food is usually so-so, I had sirloin and half rack of ribs with a baked potato, it was delicious.
Nicest thing was not going to old house. I had been losing hours during the week going over there and then rushing to work. Carpet people called, it is in. Now it just needs to be installed.
Friday, May 22, 2015
5/22/15 Boy Heads Out On Vacation?
I don't like it, but Boy is on his way to Florida. His friends and he have been planning this trip most of the past year. I don't mind that he'll be gone for a week, I worry about them being on the highway and so far away from us. We are going in about a month, and we wanted him to choreograph his trip to fall in line with ours, but of course, someone had to do something that didn't allow that.
He was able to get his tickets at a slight discount by having his Grandpa on his Mama's side get them at the VA. Plus we've been telling him to plan on taking about $1000 for food and incidentals. He was able to scam a week from our timeshare, we upgraded in the last year and they threw in a free extra week.
He should be good once they get there. He has condo waiting, has tickets to get into park. All he needs is tickets to Universal if they are going. Their plan is to go to 3 of Disney parks and 2 at Universal. Only park he is not going to is Animal Kingdom.
My mom decided to give him some money ($100) for the trip, and I was going to give him a hundred bucks, so before he went to bed I gave him an extra $200. Wife also gave him one of our credit cards which she called and added him to the list of available users in case of an emergency. He also managed to talk mama into a quick trip to Sam's and I'm sure she got him about $200-300 worth of junk food and crap for the trip.
I am glad I have been doing all this extra OT, because this trip of his which we were going to have no part in, is now costing us about $1000. Wife was nice enough to call a hotel in Alabama, somewhere I determined to be about the middle of the way and she already paid for a room so they can stop for the night. He is supposed to do this when they come back, and I guess we are paying for this room as well.
Oh well, at this point I have wished them all luck, they are all sleeping at our house, so they can load up around 6am and get going. I think leaving at 7am is pretty good to avoid morning rush hour in Houston, but we'll see what happens. God speed, Boy.
He was able to get his tickets at a slight discount by having his Grandpa on his Mama's side get them at the VA. Plus we've been telling him to plan on taking about $1000 for food and incidentals. He was able to scam a week from our timeshare, we upgraded in the last year and they threw in a free extra week.
He should be good once they get there. He has condo waiting, has tickets to get into park. All he needs is tickets to Universal if they are going. Their plan is to go to 3 of Disney parks and 2 at Universal. Only park he is not going to is Animal Kingdom.
My mom decided to give him some money ($100) for the trip, and I was going to give him a hundred bucks, so before he went to bed I gave him an extra $200. Wife also gave him one of our credit cards which she called and added him to the list of available users in case of an emergency. He also managed to talk mama into a quick trip to Sam's and I'm sure she got him about $200-300 worth of junk food and crap for the trip.
I am glad I have been doing all this extra OT, because this trip of his which we were going to have no part in, is now costing us about $1000. Wife was nice enough to call a hotel in Alabama, somewhere I determined to be about the middle of the way and she already paid for a room so they can stop for the night. He is supposed to do this when they come back, and I guess we are paying for this room as well.
Oh well, at this point I have wished them all luck, they are all sleeping at our house, so they can load up around 6am and get going. I think leaving at 7am is pretty good to avoid morning rush hour in Houston, but we'll see what happens. God speed, Boy.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
5/21/15 Home Depot Made Me Do It? (Poem)
Home Depot Made Me Do It
I go in, buy some wood, then command "I'll make it fit!"
I'm doing it old school, like I'm freaking Bob Villa
tearing out the old and snorting, I'm a silverback gorilla
tear it down all the way to the core
I forget I'm out of shape, in the morning I'll be sore.
I'll do it like they do behind the scenes on all those HGTV shows
go get me a truckload of Mexican "pros."
I don't even care if they are illegal
I know at the end of the day my place will look regal
They've been at it for a couple weeks now
painting, electrical, and stuff that makes me say wow!
The costs keep climbing creeping higher
Still the wife thinks she'd like a new washer and dryer.
They've made more work for me, they broke a window
I said that's fine, I'll make it a secret door to sneak in my bimbo.
My painter was suggesting he'd like to paint the outside
I told him he was off on his estimate, now my wallet has died.
The AC guy lied to us about new air ducts
they were in and out in 2 hours, not giving half of 2 fucks.
I'm not done with them, it was noted in the contract
they'll be back, to fix their shortcomings, that's a fact.
I've almost maxed out my Home Depot card, I guess I wasn't paying attention
where do I call to get a credit card extension?
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
5/20/15 Boy Doesn't Know He's Funny?
Boy has come back home for the summer. I am mildly shocked at his flat delivery when he says he wants something. I am not always sure if he is kidding or serious. We were at the mall on Saturday, and I was trying to be the good father. He is going to Florida with his friends this coming weekend. I was offering some new shirts or clothes for the trip. He starts that he wants new boots, but the Harley Davidson kind with a chain that dangles between the heel and the front part so people can hear him coming. I look at him like ummm, no. But try again. He's not sure if maybe some new cowboy boots, oh yeah and then at Buckle he was going on and on with the guys, apparently one of the cashiers has his same name so they bonded. He was asking if they had the red leather jacket they carried a couple years ago. The other dork actually goes in the back and comes out with one of the last jackets of the season. I looked at both of them saying "it's summer". Boy looks at me like "and..." then it was his hard sell "come on Daddy, it's only $600." No! This is what I get for being nice.
This was on top of his very straight pitch of he wants a new Tag watch that was over $5000. And of course, he's gonna need new tires soon for his Jeep, like maybe this summer. The idea he could work and pay for them completely slips his mind, I don't think his little brain can grasp that idea.
Of course, he had to run back to his apartment this week. He needed to go get a couple things he forgot. That means he spent the night, which is fine, during the week all I do is work. But so far, I see one box in his room that he has packed. Box might be empty, but at least he or Wife put tape on the bottom and there's at least a box ready to go in his room. He needed to know when we are making move, officially. Told him I don't know, I am sure he wants to know so he can plan on packing on the night before.
Tonight he was just sending me random pictures of stuff he'd like. I said no to expensive watch, he sends me info to go look at Oakley watch at a lot cheaper price of $1995. Then Leatherman, company with the knives has a bracelet coming out where each link will have tools on it, I told him I liked that. I'll get him one of those, in the $150 range. It sure is nice to have Mijo back under the same roof as the rest of us.
This was on top of his very straight pitch of he wants a new Tag watch that was over $5000. And of course, he's gonna need new tires soon for his Jeep, like maybe this summer. The idea he could work and pay for them completely slips his mind, I don't think his little brain can grasp that idea.
Of course, he had to run back to his apartment this week. He needed to go get a couple things he forgot. That means he spent the night, which is fine, during the week all I do is work. But so far, I see one box in his room that he has packed. Box might be empty, but at least he or Wife put tape on the bottom and there's at least a box ready to go in his room. He needed to know when we are making move, officially. Told him I don't know, I am sure he wants to know so he can plan on packing on the night before.
Tonight he was just sending me random pictures of stuff he'd like. I said no to expensive watch, he sends me info to go look at Oakley watch at a lot cheaper price of $1995. Then Leatherman, company with the knives has a bracelet coming out where each link will have tools on it, I told him I liked that. I'll get him one of those, in the $150 range. It sure is nice to have Mijo back under the same roof as the rest of us.
5/19/15 Is TV The Bad Guy?
We were watching Scorpion tonight and I noticed something disconcerting. The episode was from a couple weeks ago on our list of recorded shows. This episode had a crazed man working in a building where they make nerve gas, sarin gas, which pops up in the news enough to be a name the lay person would recognize as bad.
Without going any further Wife paused it and I told her this has to be a middle eastern guy, he lost his family or loved one to an attack and it's payback time. Fast forward five-ten minutes into the show and they find the guy, who surprise surprise is from Baghdad and his wife just died after fighting for 16 years to survive an attack with the nerve gas. The "geniuses" found this within two minutes of looking at him acting suspicious, HR didn't have this info? Why would you hire someone from a war torn country in such a highly classified place of employment? It bothers me because at the beginning of the show, they state these are cases taken from real life of the main character Walter O' Brian.
My point though is that even now that our invasion of Baghdad by Bush never did produce anything, we will keep being reminded by TV that middle eastern people are to blame somehow. It can't stop, "we" love our shows which show us daily heroes, be they cops or doctors. The Avengers can't save the day from aliens and robots every day, most of the time, the drama we watch is just normal people saving lives, which means we need an enemy. It is easy to make the enemy one we have become comfortable accepting, wrong but easy.
My son Chubs asked me if I could get one wish granted would I ask for peace on earth, I laughed and told him no, we need wars, humans have always been at war. We suck as animals on the planet, I told him Ultron is probably right, then we switched to talk of the Matrix which he hasn't seen, that made me happy because it is such a kick ass movie and he hasn't experienced the action sequences. The robots in that series also decided us humans are a virus on the planet and all we do is consume, but what are you gonna do? Do you know Kung Fu?
Without going any further Wife paused it and I told her this has to be a middle eastern guy, he lost his family or loved one to an attack and it's payback time. Fast forward five-ten minutes into the show and they find the guy, who surprise surprise is from Baghdad and his wife just died after fighting for 16 years to survive an attack with the nerve gas. The "geniuses" found this within two minutes of looking at him acting suspicious, HR didn't have this info? Why would you hire someone from a war torn country in such a highly classified place of employment? It bothers me because at the beginning of the show, they state these are cases taken from real life of the main character Walter O' Brian.
My point though is that even now that our invasion of Baghdad by Bush never did produce anything, we will keep being reminded by TV that middle eastern people are to blame somehow. It can't stop, "we" love our shows which show us daily heroes, be they cops or doctors. The Avengers can't save the day from aliens and robots every day, most of the time, the drama we watch is just normal people saving lives, which means we need an enemy. It is easy to make the enemy one we have become comfortable accepting, wrong but easy.
My son Chubs asked me if I could get one wish granted would I ask for peace on earth, I laughed and told him no, we need wars, humans have always been at war. We suck as animals on the planet, I told him Ultron is probably right, then we switched to talk of the Matrix which he hasn't seen, that made me happy because it is such a kick ass movie and he hasn't experienced the action sequences. The robots in that series also decided us humans are a virus on the planet and all we do is consume, but what are you gonna do? Do you know Kung Fu?
Sunday, May 17, 2015
5/18/15 Is One Day Off A Weekend?
I have been working crazy hours for over a month now. Wife was complaining at first but I think she has accepted that I am helping the transition to the other house by paying for everything. Both houses are under our care right now and if I have been whining about paying for our big house, add to that another $850 for the second house, and there will be a light bill in a few more weeks.
The painters are about done, the house is looking better than it did when it was new. Whole house was painted Norwegian Blue a color we decided on because it matched the colors in the carpet. I like blue, our bedroom is painted blue and gold in the big house. I could say I like yellow, Chubs' room is bright yellow, or red, Boy's room is red and cream. Of course, I've used plenty of Dark orange, large portions of the smaller house were painted orange, hot lava, to be exact, as was the guest room upstairs in our big house, Hook 'em Horns!! We also have plum and black and a bright baby blue in the guest room. We're Mexican inside, what can we say, we like color.
I am going to keep the walls under control from now on. I will add color to the boys room with accents, be it curtains, pillows, the bedspread. I was all set to buy Chubs a Spider Man quilt and Boy the similar quilt with Batman, but maybe Boy is having second thoughts that they aren't cool enough. Me thinks Boy wants to keep his old smelly sheets if he ain't gonna appreciate what Daddy is doing. The little jackass doesn't really want to live with us, what does he care what I do with decorating the room if he will only sleep there twice a week.
Sorry, I was gonna whine about the long hours, but I am so used to it, that it doesn't seem strange to me. I do enjoy the Saturday off. I was asleep by 11pm after being out for awhile in the afternoon. I woke up around 2am, gave Wifey like the best 2-3 minutes I had and then was up til 5am looking at crap I can't afford... but soon.
I offered Chubs a new nice watch when we move to celebrate, he liked bright colors of G-Shocks, from like $100-$200. Boy just heard of this a month later and said he wants a new watch too... he points out a $5000 watch. I said seriously, he comes back with a $7000 watch, with a straight face. Little Robot needs to go in for a tune-up.
The painters are about done, the house is looking better than it did when it was new. Whole house was painted Norwegian Blue a color we decided on because it matched the colors in the carpet. I like blue, our bedroom is painted blue and gold in the big house. I could say I like yellow, Chubs' room is bright yellow, or red, Boy's room is red and cream. Of course, I've used plenty of Dark orange, large portions of the smaller house were painted orange, hot lava, to be exact, as was the guest room upstairs in our big house, Hook 'em Horns!! We also have plum and black and a bright baby blue in the guest room. We're Mexican inside, what can we say, we like color.
I am going to keep the walls under control from now on. I will add color to the boys room with accents, be it curtains, pillows, the bedspread. I was all set to buy Chubs a Spider Man quilt and Boy the similar quilt with Batman, but maybe Boy is having second thoughts that they aren't cool enough. Me thinks Boy wants to keep his old smelly sheets if he ain't gonna appreciate what Daddy is doing. The little jackass doesn't really want to live with us, what does he care what I do with decorating the room if he will only sleep there twice a week.
Sorry, I was gonna whine about the long hours, but I am so used to it, that it doesn't seem strange to me. I do enjoy the Saturday off. I was asleep by 11pm after being out for awhile in the afternoon. I woke up around 2am, gave Wifey like the best 2-3 minutes I had and then was up til 5am looking at crap I can't afford... but soon.
I offered Chubs a new nice watch when we move to celebrate, he liked bright colors of G-Shocks, from like $100-$200. Boy just heard of this a month later and said he wants a new watch too... he points out a $5000 watch. I said seriously, he comes back with a $7000 watch, with a straight face. Little Robot needs to go in for a tune-up.
5/17/15 My Wife's Family?
I am quite lucky/blessed (your choice), I suppose. I have the perfect parents who have made me the man I am today, but I also have very good in-laws who have never hesitated to come in and lend a hand when it was needed. They have been visiting more regularly lately to help us in our transition to our smaller house. They came in about a month ago and separated everything in the garage. I was having a hard time, not because I am a pack rat but I was sure everything in there could have been sold for a little something-something. The reality is that we just do not have time to break everything apart and hang out on Craigslist or even the idea of getting up early for a garage sale hurts my head.
My father in law, on the other hand, is a bit of a pack rat and my mother in law fights him constantly to get rid of his gems. For example, he said he found a pair of clowns he bought for $5 or $10 but he found them online selling for $300. I told him "well, you sell them and I'll take the mooney". Don't leave me some scary ass clowns in your will, they'll end up in trash. He already has his truck loaded from Saturday afternoon, ready to go for Sunday. The man showed up with his own bins, and all sorts of straps to tie everything down in the back of his truck. I won't ask, but Wife said they are having a couple garage sales before we go to Florida and the boys are going to get the money to spend at the Disney parks. That sounds good, but I honestly just appreciate the fact that my garage could actually fit a car now. After this weekend, maybe a car and a motorcycle. The plan is coming together, and I am getting excited.
Went over today and the painters finally got the walls painted. The house is looking so freaking good, I can't wait for the carpet, but Home Depot said about 2 weeks. We went ahead and told the painters to go ahead and paint the cabinets polar bear white in the glossy paint like the doors. When we were talking to them about painting the house, I was just thinking I'd replace the doors because they all looked old and yellow-ish, my wife suggested they paint them. They cleaned all the gunk and dirt from years of use and spray painted them with that glossy white, looked new to me. Even the windowsills, which again, I hadn't thought of, they suggested it was a very easy job. He pulled one off, and it was just that compressed wood. We bought pine wood, so it should last another 20-30 years. Plus I love that glossy white shiny paint as an accent. The whole house is a relaxed blue, Norwegian Blue in the Behr Paints to be exact.
My in-laws liked how the house is looking, my mother in-law commented on how it felt like we never left, it still feels very much like our place. Everyone that goes in comments on what we are going to do with it. We are half jokingly saying we'll sell for $135000 right now. People are saying that price sounds pretty good, one of the painters had his wife there and she was interested. We are installing a new AC/heating unit next week, price will have to go up accordingly. Even a coworker drove by he's looking for a new place, it is a very beaner-ific neighborhood, I didn't think it would be right for him, but it is very close to our work. I'm looking forward to a five minute drive instead of the almost 20 minutes I do right now.
My father in law, on the other hand, is a bit of a pack rat and my mother in law fights him constantly to get rid of his gems. For example, he said he found a pair of clowns he bought for $5 or $10 but he found them online selling for $300. I told him "well, you sell them and I'll take the mooney". Don't leave me some scary ass clowns in your will, they'll end up in trash. He already has his truck loaded from Saturday afternoon, ready to go for Sunday. The man showed up with his own bins, and all sorts of straps to tie everything down in the back of his truck. I won't ask, but Wife said they are having a couple garage sales before we go to Florida and the boys are going to get the money to spend at the Disney parks. That sounds good, but I honestly just appreciate the fact that my garage could actually fit a car now. After this weekend, maybe a car and a motorcycle. The plan is coming together, and I am getting excited.
Went over today and the painters finally got the walls painted. The house is looking so freaking good, I can't wait for the carpet, but Home Depot said about 2 weeks. We went ahead and told the painters to go ahead and paint the cabinets polar bear white in the glossy paint like the doors. When we were talking to them about painting the house, I was just thinking I'd replace the doors because they all looked old and yellow-ish, my wife suggested they paint them. They cleaned all the gunk and dirt from years of use and spray painted them with that glossy white, looked new to me. Even the windowsills, which again, I hadn't thought of, they suggested it was a very easy job. He pulled one off, and it was just that compressed wood. We bought pine wood, so it should last another 20-30 years. Plus I love that glossy white shiny paint as an accent. The whole house is a relaxed blue, Norwegian Blue in the Behr Paints to be exact.
My in-laws liked how the house is looking, my mother in-law commented on how it felt like we never left, it still feels very much like our place. Everyone that goes in comments on what we are going to do with it. We are half jokingly saying we'll sell for $135000 right now. People are saying that price sounds pretty good, one of the painters had his wife there and she was interested. We are installing a new AC/heating unit next week, price will have to go up accordingly. Even a coworker drove by he's looking for a new place, it is a very beaner-ific neighborhood, I didn't think it would be right for him, but it is very close to our work. I'm looking forward to a five minute drive instead of the almost 20 minutes I do right now.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
5/16/15 Degree Jumping?
Boy started up today about maybe changing his degree. He had settled on Manufactoring Engineer, but is now thinking of switching to Computer Science. He really thinks he is talking to two street bums when he starts explaining the possibilities of jobs available, if he were to want to stay in the Austin area.
His words out of his mouth, "I typed in looking for jobs with a Manufactoring Engineer degree and there were two jobs, working in the trash dump and something about a recycling plant." When he started out looking at degrees to consider I told him just stay with the classics. You can't go wrong with a chemistry degree or a physics degree. Those are good anywhere stuff gets made. AND PEOPLE ARE MOVING BY THE THOUSANDS A WEEK TO AUSTIN BECAUSE OF THE JOB MARKET!!! This little jackass thinks I've been in a coma and I don't know anything.
But of course, there is an underlying reason for the sudden change, I think the last calculus class scared him a bit, there was one I remember that was a pain in the ass.
I asked him what of computer science, a year ago you said you didn't like programming, that's all those nerds do. If he liked it, he would already be doing programming and tinkering, I've never seen him doing it. He says he can do it. And most of the courses he has taken so far could easily transfer to the new degree plan. I just want to see him progressing, I don't care if it takes him five or even six years to finish, but I don't want to see a bunch of changing majors because his friends are doing it.
I've paid attention to the boy. He was in the robots program, he wanted to assemble the robots, not worry about the way they moved through a maze. Then he did Rockets for three years, again, he wanted to be in charge of putting them together. He put in many late nights in high school making sure his parts were made correctly, frequently going to Home Depot to buy fiberglass and epoxy out of my pocket.
I never noticed him being worried about joining programming groups in high school, there must have been some, his high school was so big. Maybe he was just blowing steam by messing with us. I think he'll come to his senses, but then again, programming does pay well, either way, the kid's alright.
His words out of his mouth, "I typed in looking for jobs with a Manufactoring Engineer degree and there were two jobs, working in the trash dump and something about a recycling plant." When he started out looking at degrees to consider I told him just stay with the classics. You can't go wrong with a chemistry degree or a physics degree. Those are good anywhere stuff gets made. AND PEOPLE ARE MOVING BY THE THOUSANDS A WEEK TO AUSTIN BECAUSE OF THE JOB MARKET!!! This little jackass thinks I've been in a coma and I don't know anything.
But of course, there is an underlying reason for the sudden change, I think the last calculus class scared him a bit, there was one I remember that was a pain in the ass.
I asked him what of computer science, a year ago you said you didn't like programming, that's all those nerds do. If he liked it, he would already be doing programming and tinkering, I've never seen him doing it. He says he can do it. And most of the courses he has taken so far could easily transfer to the new degree plan. I just want to see him progressing, I don't care if it takes him five or even six years to finish, but I don't want to see a bunch of changing majors because his friends are doing it.
I've paid attention to the boy. He was in the robots program, he wanted to assemble the robots, not worry about the way they moved through a maze. Then he did Rockets for three years, again, he wanted to be in charge of putting them together. He put in many late nights in high school making sure his parts were made correctly, frequently going to Home Depot to buy fiberglass and epoxy out of my pocket.
I never noticed him being worried about joining programming groups in high school, there must have been some, his high school was so big. Maybe he was just blowing steam by messing with us. I think he'll come to his senses, but then again, programming does pay well, either way, the kid's alright.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
5/15/15 Another Semester Done? (Poem)
Another semester is all but done
seventeen weeks of your life are again gone.
What did you learn, what did you do?
Has it stuck to you like glue, do you somehow feel brand new?
If it is how I remember, you're just glad it has ended
10% was splendid, the rest you just pretended.
But alas it is summer time
a whole three months to live on my dime.
Enjoy your youth is the best advice that I can give,
for time just escapes us as if through a sieve.
Before you know it, it will again be Fall
and your freedom and leisure will again be in a stall
You're getting closer to your prize
academia with a piece of paper will baptize
How far you go depends on you,
be lazy, start smelling like pooh
or show us that you grew and your knowledge did accrue.
Before you go getting all mature and get a big head
clean the plates of food from under your bed
And you may think you're in your prime
but like the Chubs you'll have a bedtime.
I'm hoping it'll be good to have you home for a few weeks
unless you think we have become a couple of antiques.
I don't care, I love you my Boy
Just don't be "mas puto" and say now I take my coffee with soy.
5/14/15 Creatures Of Habit?
I find our behavior to be interesting when looked at from an outside the body experience. I married a strong, bossy chick who has no problem taking charge and laying down the law. My Mom is very much like my wife in that regard. I also notice the similarities between myself and my father in law. Like my father in law, I too am an introvert. I do not generally like taking control of the room in a party or large gathering. Wife knows I will make the big decisions, but only after reflecting on them for a long time.
Trusting on these types of relationships, I haven't believed Boy to have met his wife yet. If he is to marry a ball buster, he needs to date a tougher chick. Boy has dated a handful of girls, all very pretty and nice, but I haven't seen that take charge attitude. Even in high school, Wife was a handful, running for office of her class and being drum major in the band. We all think we are unique and we do what we feel inside, but we are like salmon running upstream when it is time to reproduce. I believe that our relationship works because we married the right type of person.
We grow up with a certain vibe in the house. Because my dad was always working away from home, my Mom pretty much ran us from morning to night, like cattle. She'd get us up, to school, we'd gather with her after school to go home, she'd make dinner, feed us, and shower time. It is like this now. I may pick up Chubs after school and we eat, but I am only holding formation until Wife shows up. She feeds him dinner, makes sure he showers and poops (yes, you tell him to go poop and he goes and drops a deuce). Wife was used to her dad working at the factory back home and my mother in law has said he worked the night shift for about ten years. Wife is used to the man of the house not being at home at night.
It is weird how complementary we are in filling the roles our respective parents filled. It has been stressful the past month or so with our decision to move, Wife is doing all the stuff she does, I, luckily have been able to make more money to cover the rent on both properties through OT, and once we get past this hiccup and sell, I expect our life to get back to a leisurely pace. One can dream, at least.
Trusting on these types of relationships, I haven't believed Boy to have met his wife yet. If he is to marry a ball buster, he needs to date a tougher chick. Boy has dated a handful of girls, all very pretty and nice, but I haven't seen that take charge attitude. Even in high school, Wife was a handful, running for office of her class and being drum major in the band. We all think we are unique and we do what we feel inside, but we are like salmon running upstream when it is time to reproduce. I believe that our relationship works because we married the right type of person.
We grow up with a certain vibe in the house. Because my dad was always working away from home, my Mom pretty much ran us from morning to night, like cattle. She'd get us up, to school, we'd gather with her after school to go home, she'd make dinner, feed us, and shower time. It is like this now. I may pick up Chubs after school and we eat, but I am only holding formation until Wife shows up. She feeds him dinner, makes sure he showers and poops (yes, you tell him to go poop and he goes and drops a deuce). Wife was used to her dad working at the factory back home and my mother in law has said he worked the night shift for about ten years. Wife is used to the man of the house not being at home at night.
It is weird how complementary we are in filling the roles our respective parents filled. It has been stressful the past month or so with our decision to move, Wife is doing all the stuff she does, I, luckily have been able to make more money to cover the rent on both properties through OT, and once we get past this hiccup and sell, I expect our life to get back to a leisurely pace. One can dream, at least.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
9/13/15 A Whole Lot Of Hurry Up And Wait?
Wife took the day off today to focus on our rental/old house. Light was supposed to have been turned back on under our name by Monday afternoon, we had called last week after renters moved out. Painters were going to go in and start patching and doing what they do. Only problem was that electric company guy decided not to turn on power because our fuse box was not up to code. When we moved out EIGHT YEARS AGO, I ripped out wires to hot tub, they were not connected, but I wasn't able to pull them out of electric/fuse box. They were attached going in to box inside a PVC pipe that was butted up to box but not really attached. All this was my bad, I accept the blame, but it came back and bit me in the ass today. The light wouldn't be turned on until it was all fixed. Wife called me at 9:00am, I had been asleep for maybe an hour and a half. This is part that pisses me off, light company wouldn't talk to her because her name was not on the original application 19 years ago. In order for her to know what was happening I had to call, which means I was woken up from my 6 hour sleep window to ask crappy questions.
Fast forward, I told Wife to contact Fox which came and fixed our wiring problems for $200. We lost painters for a day. I prefer they not try to paint with all the rain, it's not supposed to be good for paint when it is this humid. Wife was over most of the day, talked to AC guy, said $8500 for new AC/furnace and ducts/vents with a digital thermometer on wall.
Carpet guy took a little longer than quoted, but he showed up eventually and he did his measurements, hopefully carpet can wait until after all the work is done. I even pulled back carpets to get Wife to relax by showing her pee from all those freaking animals was caught in carpet and pad. A small section of concrete looks like it got stained in smaller bedroom, which we will treat this weekend with some Kilz.
We might even do counter tops with some cheap laminate until we decide what to do with kitchen, probably change out all counters with laminate for $200-$300. Of course, Wife wants new sink and faucets too, so we will go ahead and do that.
Fast forward, I told Wife to contact Fox which came and fixed our wiring problems for $200. We lost painters for a day. I prefer they not try to paint with all the rain, it's not supposed to be good for paint when it is this humid. Wife was over most of the day, talked to AC guy, said $8500 for new AC/furnace and ducts/vents with a digital thermometer on wall.
Carpet guy took a little longer than quoted, but he showed up eventually and he did his measurements, hopefully carpet can wait until after all the work is done. I even pulled back carpets to get Wife to relax by showing her pee from all those freaking animals was caught in carpet and pad. A small section of concrete looks like it got stained in smaller bedroom, which we will treat this weekend with some Kilz.
We might even do counter tops with some cheap laminate until we decide what to do with kitchen, probably change out all counters with laminate for $200-$300. Of course, Wife wants new sink and faucets too, so we will go ahead and do that.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
5/12/15 Grilling Still Chilling?
We haven't been grilling as much as we used to. A couple years ago, we could count on a couple friends to always be ready to come over and join us for some burnt meat off the grill. But through life's twists and turns, we find ourselves hanging out just the four of us most weekends. Don't get me wrong, we still have a good time, but it takes a rowdy crowd to get me motivated to go out and clean the hot tub, I'm not doing it so Wife can say ehh, I'd rather watch TV, it's too muggy outside.
Friday was good that it was just us four. Boy was able to get us tickets to the new Avengers Movie, which we went and enjoyed as a happy family. I was under the assumption he still got food for 50% off, but that has changed. I'm like sure get the popcorn, the pretzels, the sodas, and then we all had meals. That little smorgasborg cost me over $70, but as Boy said, "the movie was free."
One of our old friends has told Wife she'd like to get together like we used to, but she's dating a dud of a dude and I'm not a fan of his lame ass. Why do you hot chicks date these freaking guys with no personality? They add nothing to the conversation, they don't offer to cook or clean, they come over as the equivalent of a mosquito, something you don't want but tolerate because you had a party outside.
We need to get out there and meet more people, make more friends. Chubs will be going to Del Valle ISD next year, when we move. Maybe that will be better. Boy's friends all had attractive single mamas, not sure if it is a Del Valle thing, but I liked it. We've met a couple of Chub's friends parents over here in south Austin, but none of them seem grill worthy. Maybe that takes time, or maybe the mamas at Del Valle like it when a fat man and his son befriend their son and they want to repay him by bathing in his hot tub half naked.
If we make good friends like that again, I'm never moving away again and my plans will include becoming mayor or king of Del Valle, for that I believe is the land of women that dig a Big Mando. Go ahead FB peeps tell me "you deserve it!" I love that quote on FB, women can do anything from a good bowel movement to buying a new car, some friend will declare "you deserve it girl, woo-hoo!"
Friday was good that it was just us four. Boy was able to get us tickets to the new Avengers Movie, which we went and enjoyed as a happy family. I was under the assumption he still got food for 50% off, but that has changed. I'm like sure get the popcorn, the pretzels, the sodas, and then we all had meals. That little smorgasborg cost me over $70, but as Boy said, "the movie was free."
One of our old friends has told Wife she'd like to get together like we used to, but she's dating a dud of a dude and I'm not a fan of his lame ass. Why do you hot chicks date these freaking guys with no personality? They add nothing to the conversation, they don't offer to cook or clean, they come over as the equivalent of a mosquito, something you don't want but tolerate because you had a party outside.
We need to get out there and meet more people, make more friends. Chubs will be going to Del Valle ISD next year, when we move. Maybe that will be better. Boy's friends all had attractive single mamas, not sure if it is a Del Valle thing, but I liked it. We've met a couple of Chub's friends parents over here in south Austin, but none of them seem grill worthy. Maybe that takes time, or maybe the mamas at Del Valle like it when a fat man and his son befriend their son and they want to repay him by bathing in his hot tub half naked.
If we make good friends like that again, I'm never moving away again and my plans will include becoming mayor or king of Del Valle, for that I believe is the land of women that dig a Big Mando. Go ahead FB peeps tell me "you deserve it!" I love that quote on FB, women can do anything from a good bowel movement to buying a new car, some friend will declare "you deserve it girl, woo-hoo!"
Sunday, May 10, 2015
5/11/15 Money Money Money Money?
I was discussing with Wife, how do regular people get by week to week, month to month? Part of the reason we decided to sell our big house is that I am getting tired of scraping by. Moving will put our mortgage payment under $1000. This should allow us to live much more carefree, but people we know that make much less, how are you doing it? We went to HEB to get some meat for grilling and we didn't get anything fancy, definitely no steaks. The tab was still close to $200. Every time we go to the store, it is over $100. We are not eating fancy food either. Most breakfasts for me and Chubs consist of either a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a banana or a bowl of cereal during the week. Once a month or so, I might stop and get some kolaches, but that has become rare this year.
Boy works and he gets paid and he is doing a good job of keeping himself fed during the week. We go and get him some stuff so he has food he can prepare easily, be it cereals, tunas, or anything else he can throw in the microwave. Plus I'll give him cash, if I have it, when he asks.
I know when Boy was still in high school, he'd bring friends over and they were always hungry. We tried to always have frozen pizzas or other easy to make food in the freezer.I don't like the idea that these kids that I have known most of their lives are starving while I am sitting here getting fatter.
The biggest debate in this is when I help Girlie. Am I doing her a favor by helping her? Wife thinks it would be better for her to figure out life on her own and have her starve and feel pain in order to force change, perhaps quitting the low paying job. I feel that will happen in its own time and though I know she is not my daughter, I've known her since she was four, and she has always been close with us. She lives with an aunt who I think barely makes enough to feed her kids so that is not an option.
What is the endgame, in the big scenario? City keeps raising property taxes, but 150-200 new people a day keep moving to Austin. If we don't like it, too bad. One of these new 4000 to 6000 new people a month will gladly take our place. So taxes won't slow down anytime soon, food prices won't come down either, as will any goods or vehicles. The only thing we can do is figure out ways to make more money. I'll hold off on buying new vehicles for Wife and I until after we move. Wife wants a cheap SUV, I won't fight her, she can have the bare bones Ford Escape. I will get a loaded F250 first chance I get.
Boy works and he gets paid and he is doing a good job of keeping himself fed during the week. We go and get him some stuff so he has food he can prepare easily, be it cereals, tunas, or anything else he can throw in the microwave. Plus I'll give him cash, if I have it, when he asks.
I know when Boy was still in high school, he'd bring friends over and they were always hungry. We tried to always have frozen pizzas or other easy to make food in the freezer.I don't like the idea that these kids that I have known most of their lives are starving while I am sitting here getting fatter.
The biggest debate in this is when I help Girlie. Am I doing her a favor by helping her? Wife thinks it would be better for her to figure out life on her own and have her starve and feel pain in order to force change, perhaps quitting the low paying job. I feel that will happen in its own time and though I know she is not my daughter, I've known her since she was four, and she has always been close with us. She lives with an aunt who I think barely makes enough to feed her kids so that is not an option.
What is the endgame, in the big scenario? City keeps raising property taxes, but 150-200 new people a day keep moving to Austin. If we don't like it, too bad. One of these new 4000 to 6000 new people a month will gladly take our place. So taxes won't slow down anytime soon, food prices won't come down either, as will any goods or vehicles. The only thing we can do is figure out ways to make more money. I'll hold off on buying new vehicles for Wife and I until after we move. Wife wants a cheap SUV, I won't fight her, she can have the bare bones Ford Escape. I will get a loaded F250 first chance I get.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
5/10/15 Mother's Day Thought?
Mother's Day, yet another way
to show our mothers love, in a new display
I can thank the Lord or I can thank the Earth
both take credit for the woman that gave me birth
she taught me right from what is wrong
and probably to appreciate a 60's song
She said "with open eyes you tackle life"
go forward and find a good wife.
This was perhaps the best advice of all
for a good wife makes a man stand tall
and though we both argue over small crap
I know my wife always has my back
She's given me two boys that seem so different
but in their core it is us they represent
The first one thoughtful and quiet
the other loud and a laugh riot
but put them together and you'll notice both burning with knowledge
If the secret of life is to always be grinning
call me Charlie Sheen cause I am "winning!"
Life has always been good for me at every stage
thanks to all the women who have acted as a sage
Sometimes I feel like I might be slow
but I think all the mother's I know just wish I was their Joe.
I was raised to be so awesome and debonair
all the mama's I know wish I was their heir.
I love all you mama's in the proper amount
for you give me your knowledge, and I do not discount
I am a better man for all the lessons that I have been taught
but of course it all started with the woman that cleaned off my snot.
5/9/15 Avengers, Good For Us?
I thought I loved super hero movies. Age of Ultron was even better than I thought, the commercials had made it seem kind of dark. My thought about this movie is that it seems self indulgant. Problems on the screen are alien and out of this world.
Movies like this don't make us think about real world problems, maybe that is a win for us. I really don't want to hear about people starving or the latest update on wars that will never end. My coworker was asking if I had seen the latest tragedy on the news, I told him I don't bother getting sucked into the news anymore. It's the same depressing crap every day. I think he was talking about the latest race thing in Baltimore.
I don't like the idea of police abusing citizens, but when a police officer asks me a question, I don't mouth off with a rude "what?!" Police officers are members of the community, they start off with the best of intentions, to protect and serve. The citizens who end up getting beat up also have something to do with their beatings, be polite, if you are not doing wrong, you'll be on your way in no time. Rodney King, who started the LA riots back in the 90's was high and out of his mind, it took a handful of cops to subdue him. First of all, don't get high away from home, if you can't maintain.
Maybe the movies are supposed to be an escape on second thought. Why should we carry the burden of society's miscreants? I've never had problems interacting with police officers, if they want to rally in Baltimore, go ahead unemployables, you all got all day to do nothing. Us working people will be at work. When we get out, we won't get drunk on the way home, we'll wait and drink at home, if that is what we want. Guess what, we won't be running into the law and yelling at him to "fuck off", we'll see them and think "good, keep an eye on those troublemakers over there".
So yeah, my reward for living on the straight and narrow is that I get to go enjoy an occasional movie with my family that is just filled with eye candy, what's better than Scarlett Johansen in black leather kicking ass, even the guys are all chiseled and perfect? Of course, in the end the good guys win, because that is how life is supposed to be.
Movies like this don't make us think about real world problems, maybe that is a win for us. I really don't want to hear about people starving or the latest update on wars that will never end. My coworker was asking if I had seen the latest tragedy on the news, I told him I don't bother getting sucked into the news anymore. It's the same depressing crap every day. I think he was talking about the latest race thing in Baltimore.
I don't like the idea of police abusing citizens, but when a police officer asks me a question, I don't mouth off with a rude "what?!" Police officers are members of the community, they start off with the best of intentions, to protect and serve. The citizens who end up getting beat up also have something to do with their beatings, be polite, if you are not doing wrong, you'll be on your way in no time. Rodney King, who started the LA riots back in the 90's was high and out of his mind, it took a handful of cops to subdue him. First of all, don't get high away from home, if you can't maintain.
Maybe the movies are supposed to be an escape on second thought. Why should we carry the burden of society's miscreants? I've never had problems interacting with police officers, if they want to rally in Baltimore, go ahead unemployables, you all got all day to do nothing. Us working people will be at work. When we get out, we won't get drunk on the way home, we'll wait and drink at home, if that is what we want. Guess what, we won't be running into the law and yelling at him to "fuck off", we'll see them and think "good, keep an eye on those troublemakers over there".
So yeah, my reward for living on the straight and narrow is that I get to go enjoy an occasional movie with my family that is just filled with eye candy, what's better than Scarlett Johansen in black leather kicking ass, even the guys are all chiseled and perfect? Of course, in the end the good guys win, because that is how life is supposed to be.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
5/8/15 Temptation Looms Everywhere?
Now that we are in the process of moving to a smaller house, one of our older friends who did live in the rental house for a couple years asked if we would consider renting her the place. This makes it hard to make decisions. With the mindset that I will be living over there, I am willing to buy a nicer carpet knowing it is for me and my family. If we did let them rent house and we just hold up on selling big house for another year, I would want to install a carpet costing 1/3 what the one I chose will cost.
We went through whole scenario in our heads about renting her house. It would make it easier for us to not have to move. But we know it is just a matter of time, people at work are already talking about their taxes going up for next year. The best thing for us is to get out of the monster mortgage bill, the sooner the better.
See? Temptation abated. I've been meditating, reading books, I have become the master of Me. Go ahead, test me, put some big ole boobs in my face, I won't even motorboat them "brbrbrbrbrbr!" Maybe.
So we ordered the pricier carpet, I love me a fat shaggy thick carpet, on the floor. Wife has a couple painters lined up to touch up and fix the walls and repaint indoors, whole house, maybe even outside. Those dudes will start showing up tomorrow after school. I will have to pick up Chubs and run over there ASAP.
Here's another temptation. We are kind of dieting. No dinner at night, except for some vegetable juice. It seems coincidence though, but there are cookies or donuts every day at work, and I have a hard time saying no to them. Yesterday, my coworker saved me a donut and before I could think about it, I swallowed it in like three bites. Coffee didn't even get a chance to brew.
So maybe I'm not a master of saying no to temptation, maybe I still need a little donut or just a little donut hole now and then, come on, I swear I'm doing better.
We went through whole scenario in our heads about renting her house. It would make it easier for us to not have to move. But we know it is just a matter of time, people at work are already talking about their taxes going up for next year. The best thing for us is to get out of the monster mortgage bill, the sooner the better.
See? Temptation abated. I've been meditating, reading books, I have become the master of Me. Go ahead, test me, put some big ole boobs in my face, I won't even motorboat them "brbrbrbrbrbr!" Maybe.
So we ordered the pricier carpet, I love me a fat shaggy thick carpet, on the floor. Wife has a couple painters lined up to touch up and fix the walls and repaint indoors, whole house, maybe even outside. Those dudes will start showing up tomorrow after school. I will have to pick up Chubs and run over there ASAP.
Here's another temptation. We are kind of dieting. No dinner at night, except for some vegetable juice. It seems coincidence though, but there are cookies or donuts every day at work, and I have a hard time saying no to them. Yesterday, my coworker saved me a donut and before I could think about it, I swallowed it in like three bites. Coffee didn't even get a chance to brew.
So maybe I'm not a master of saying no to temptation, maybe I still need a little donut or just a little donut hole now and then, come on, I swear I'm doing better.
5/7/15 Wet Hot American Summer Was Ehh?
I saw this on Netflix last night. It was pretty bad, hard to imagine considering the amount of familiar faces. The stars noted are Jeneane Garofalo as the camp director, David Hyde Pierce as a vacationing Astrophysicist, Molly Shannon, one of the camp counselors, Paul Rudd, assistant/older camper, Amy Poehler another assistant/older camper, Bradley Cooper, yet another assistant/older camper, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ian Black, Judah Friedlander, H. Jon Benjamin, just names I recognize among many others.
Movie is supposed to be a spoof of 80's summer camp style movies of which I grew up watching plenty. I don't think they did a great job spoofing, since we have gotten used to movie spoofs and I believe they could have done better. But the premise to the movie is that the last day of camp is coming up and they should all be trying to get it on so as to have that story of doing it for the people back home.
Paul Rudd gets plenty of face time with the camera and makes out with a couple girls. He is the cool guy in a stereo type way. He makes out with Elizabeth Banks who is very cute but looks about 18-20 and not yet filled out. Jeneane Garofalo was big 10-15 years ago, but I don't believe she has made much in movies lately. David Hyde Pierce was also much more popular in 2001, when movie was released as he played Niles Crane, brother of Frasier in that long running show.
Bradley Cooper and Michael Ian Black play closet gay and actually have a pretty intense scene where they go in a shed and the underwear falls off and they only show the feet but Bradley takes it like a champ, all the way to the wall and almost up a ladder (not sure what they were spoofing there). Their buddies find out later and everyone seems OK with it, but that would not have been the consequences of that back in the 80's, when the movie is set.
I did enjoy seeing the actors much younger and raw playing goofy kids, specially Bradley Cooper who has recently been nominated four times for an Oscar, and a young Kevin Sussman, who currently comes out on Big Bang Theory as a comic book store owner. In the movie he played a very dorky and out of it nerd, surprising how little he has changed, but still cool.
Movie is supposed to be a spoof of 80's summer camp style movies of which I grew up watching plenty. I don't think they did a great job spoofing, since we have gotten used to movie spoofs and I believe they could have done better. But the premise to the movie is that the last day of camp is coming up and they should all be trying to get it on so as to have that story of doing it for the people back home.
Paul Rudd gets plenty of face time with the camera and makes out with a couple girls. He is the cool guy in a stereo type way. He makes out with Elizabeth Banks who is very cute but looks about 18-20 and not yet filled out. Jeneane Garofalo was big 10-15 years ago, but I don't believe she has made much in movies lately. David Hyde Pierce was also much more popular in 2001, when movie was released as he played Niles Crane, brother of Frasier in that long running show.
Bradley Cooper and Michael Ian Black play closet gay and actually have a pretty intense scene where they go in a shed and the underwear falls off and they only show the feet but Bradley takes it like a champ, all the way to the wall and almost up a ladder (not sure what they were spoofing there). Their buddies find out later and everyone seems OK with it, but that would not have been the consequences of that back in the 80's, when the movie is set.
I did enjoy seeing the actors much younger and raw playing goofy kids, specially Bradley Cooper who has recently been nominated four times for an Oscar, and a young Kevin Sussman, who currently comes out on Big Bang Theory as a comic book store owner. In the movie he played a very dorky and out of it nerd, surprising how little he has changed, but still cool.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
5/6/15 Rental House Is Now Empty?
Our rental house is now empty. The renters came over Sunday night and handed over a handful of keys. Our goal now is to make that house new-ish again for us. My first goal is to get the carpet replaced because we didn't meet a renter who couldn't live without a dog or two or four. I'm sorry people, but those of you who have dogs inside the house, have houses that smell like dog. All the Febreeze in the world can't hide it.
Next on the agenda will be to install a new water heater, mostly because the one in the house is now 18-19 years old. Our neighbors there had their water heater burst while they were gone or something and the whole house had to be gutted due to water damage. I am leaning towards getting a tank-less water heater, specially since they are making a big deal of the new water heaters being bigger and not fitting in the same size closet as before.
After these two things which Home Depot can handle with relative ease, I am thinking of switching out A/C heater unit. Furnace broke last winter and luckily it never got that bad this winter. We were told unit was so old, they didn't stock parts for it. And since A/C is also going on twelve years or so, I figure we can swap them out, along with ducts, as I fear it might be full of dog hair and dander.
Wife has thoughts of upgrading the kitchen. I like idea too, but I am hoping this can wait a couple months, as I really want to close the garage and make it a large den area, maybe place the pool table as a centerpiece.
I am sure I don't want another pool, but I would like a hot tub sometime in the near future. I want to build a big sun blocker of some kind to enjoy being outside on a regular basis with a large grill of some kind.
We'll see if we can get it right. Either we do all the improvements or I'll be getting whiny and looking to move again in a few years. That is part of the fun, though. Sometime back, we were nomads, we roamed the countryside, looking for food and shelter. I don't think that can be removed out of our DNA.
Next on the agenda will be to install a new water heater, mostly because the one in the house is now 18-19 years old. Our neighbors there had their water heater burst while they were gone or something and the whole house had to be gutted due to water damage. I am leaning towards getting a tank-less water heater, specially since they are making a big deal of the new water heaters being bigger and not fitting in the same size closet as before.
After these two things which Home Depot can handle with relative ease, I am thinking of switching out A/C heater unit. Furnace broke last winter and luckily it never got that bad this winter. We were told unit was so old, they didn't stock parts for it. And since A/C is also going on twelve years or so, I figure we can swap them out, along with ducts, as I fear it might be full of dog hair and dander.
Wife has thoughts of upgrading the kitchen. I like idea too, but I am hoping this can wait a couple months, as I really want to close the garage and make it a large den area, maybe place the pool table as a centerpiece.
I am sure I don't want another pool, but I would like a hot tub sometime in the near future. I want to build a big sun blocker of some kind to enjoy being outside on a regular basis with a large grill of some kind.
We'll see if we can get it right. Either we do all the improvements or I'll be getting whiny and looking to move again in a few years. That is part of the fun, though. Sometime back, we were nomads, we roamed the countryside, looking for food and shelter. I don't think that can be removed out of our DNA.
Monday, May 4, 2015
5/5/15 5 de Mayo?
Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.
This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.
The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.
The National Day of Mourning occurs each year onMay 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.
You all hush!! :D It's punny!! I heard this one a couple years ago and thought it was genius. I found it online at www.snopes.com . I believe I had maybe heard it from a comedian or on the radio a couple years ago.
The real reason for Cinco de Mayo being a day to celebrate is a victory of the Mexican Army over the French Army. The French Army came to attack after then president Benito Juarez declared that because the country was mostly bankrupt after the Mexican American War, they would cease payments of money owed to all European countries. The French Army was considered the premier army at the time, but a battalion of 6000 French infantry were defeated by a poorly armed army of 2000 Mexicans near Puebla, Mexico.
Either way, drink up Beaners, this one's for you. Pass the Coronas and Margaritas for the ladies.
This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.
The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.
The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on
You all hush!! :D It's punny!! I heard this one a couple years ago and thought it was genius. I found it online at www.snopes.com . I believe I had maybe heard it from a comedian or on the radio a couple years ago.
The real reason for Cinco de Mayo being a day to celebrate is a victory of the Mexican Army over the French Army. The French Army came to attack after then president Benito Juarez declared that because the country was mostly bankrupt after the Mexican American War, they would cease payments of money owed to all European countries. The French Army was considered the premier army at the time, but a battalion of 6000 French infantry were defeated by a poorly armed army of 2000 Mexicans near Puebla, Mexico.
Either way, drink up Beaners, this one's for you. Pass the Coronas and Margaritas for the ladies.
5/4/15 Classic Loveline Rocks?
I found the classic Loveline series on the Apple Store Podcast section. If I could pass along any information to anyone it would be to listen to the series regularly. There are over 2,600 episodes. It lasted from 1995 to 2005 with Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew Pinsky. The show still exists, but back then it could be listened to on the 101.5 alternative station here in Austin. On the radio it would play from 10pm to midnight. On the podcast format, the shows last roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes with all the commercials removed.
Adam added humor and sarcasm and made it interesting while Dr. Drew who started volunteering on the show, originally only on Sunday nights, back in the 80's. Basically, the show takes random calls from anyone in the country, dealing with issues of drug abuse to adolescence to sexual abuse to the macabre. One of the most interesting callers was an 18 year old wondering if it was OK to take a skull from a masoleum to place in his snake aquarium. He thought it would be cool for his snake to gothrough it to impress the ladies. Both Drew and Adam were bothered by the caller and suggested he needed psychiatric help, eventually suggested he just use a Halloween skull.
Many times Adam would yell at the callers, which was always funny to me. His rants at the teenage male is one I have adopted. He would always declare the teen male is useless until about 25 as he matures. Every prank call was the product of a male and even when a girl would attempt a prank call, they could get her to admit there was a guy in the room, prompting her.
Another interesting feature of the show is they would regularly have guests, from obscure bands of the time, to celebrities like Andy Dick to Tom Arnold and everything in between. They would come on the show to advertise whatever movie or concert and then stay and participate with the callers. There were a couple of guests who found the material offensive, notably a band from Europe left the show 10 minutes in because they considered the content too risque for their fans.
Through Adam's comedy I went and listened to the whole 10 years worth of shows. There is a lot of knowledge that can be gathered from the two personas. I feel as if I have insight into people's issues from listening to Dr. Drew handle his callers.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
5/3/15 Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter House Five Was Good?
I just finished reading another book, this one by Kurt Vonnegut. It was suggested to me by Boy, and he even had a copy of Slaughter House Five in his room. It is roughly 220 pages so I was able to read it in a week's time, here and there (meaning on the crapper).
Vonnegut has a strange way of writing, like he's getting into a swimming pool a little at a time. It sounds very much like a 1st person story for the first 20 pages, then suddenly in Chapter 2, about page 23, he introduces Bill Pilgrim, who the story more or less follows up until the last five pages when Vonnegut again turns the story back to his perspective.
In the first chapter he seems to be stammering, I almost put the book down, best I saw was a limerick:
Vonnegut has a strange way of writing, like he's getting into a swimming pool a little at a time. It sounds very much like a 1st person story for the first 20 pages, then suddenly in Chapter 2, about page 23, he introduces Bill Pilgrim, who the story more or less follows up until the last five pages when Vonnegut again turns the story back to his perspective.
In the first chapter he seems to be stammering, I almost put the book down, best I saw was a limerick:
There was a young man from Stamboul,
Who soliloquized thus to his tool:
"You took all my wealth
And you ruined my health,
And now you won't pee, you old fool."
Bill Pilgrim, though, is an interesting fellow. He either can transport through time, has been studied by aliens (Tralfomadorians, to be precise), survived World War II as a prisoner of war, and managed to grow old and wealthy. The story kinda flows like Pulp Fiction where the action jumps time and places very easily and routinely. He is on a train headed to an internment camp one minute, then he flashes 20 years in the future and he is on an alien ship communicating with aliens and their ability to see a fourth dimension. The aliens convince Bill that people don't die, time does not exist for them. Any moment in time is always there and they can go up and down a person's timeline just by choosing where they want to see. It is a war book which Vonnegut feels he has to write but his friend's wife has a problem with war stories being glorified. This is part of the reason Vonnegut chooses Bill Pilgrim to talk about as there is nothing heroic about him, other than he survives being a prisoner of war and being in Dresden as Dresden is bombed by the Americans. Even as a prisoner of war, other americans see him as someone who should die and not survive, but through luck and circumstance he unlike many other more deserving and heroic people make it through an uncomfortable time in his life. The story ends just as Vonnegut promises his friends wife, with a bird chirping "poo-tee-weet!"
Friday, May 1, 2015
5/2/15 Afternoon Delight Is Overrated?
Wife thought it would be fun to go at it during the middle of the day. Middle of the day is when I wake up, and because I have been working non-stop Sunday is identical to Wednesday, I am working most every night. Anyways, she came home, surprised me by coming in the room in her birthday suit and saying "what's uppppp???" I was in the middle of a horrific dream, drowning in a pool and I wake up and my face is in a puddle of saliva. I cleaned my face off, tell her to give me a minute so I can go potty, come back, we go at it like horny weeble wobbles, and then I'm done for the day, except I have a twelve hour shift to get to in an hour or so.
We went and ate Jersey Mike's Subs, which are delicious but expensive. I am fighting that drowsy feeling I shouldn't have since I am about to head to work. It was hard just driving to work, staying awake in the warm afternoon. But I get to work, drink two cups of coffee quickly, which seem to help, but I am still not right. It was a long wait until lunch time at 10pm.
We went and ate Jersey Mike's Subs, which are delicious but expensive. I am fighting that drowsy feeling I shouldn't have since I am about to head to work. It was hard just driving to work, staying awake in the warm afternoon. But I get to work, drink two cups of coffee quickly, which seem to help, but I am still not right. It was a long wait until lunch time at 10pm.
Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
Gonna grab some afternoon delight
My motto's always been, when it's right it's right
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night
Gonna grab some afternoon delight
My motto's always been, when it's right it's right
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night
When everything's a little clearer in the light of day
Then we know the night is always gonna be here anyway
Then we know the night is always gonna be here anyway
Thinking of you's working up an appetite
Looking forward to a little afternoon delight
Rubbin' sticks and stones together make the sparks ignite
And the thought of rubbin' you is gettin' so excited
Looking forward to a little afternoon delight
Rubbin' sticks and stones together make the sparks ignite
And the thought of rubbin' you is gettin' so excited
Sky rocket's in flight, afternoon delight
Afternoon delight, afternoon delight
Afternoon delight, afternoon delight
I love the song and I love the idea of an afternoon quickie, but maybe the reality is I got old, and I'm just too busy to be busting nuts all willy nilly. I have to plan on a sleeping strategy post coitus. Otherwise, prepare for a long night, Fatboy.
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