Friday night was a dinner party here in the Woodlands followed by boys night out downtown. We hit Big Top and had a few drinks.
Stories were told.
"in the hall?!" heh
Anyway, yes...and it was decided that once a year we should have a no holds barred bachanal. The sort of suare(sp?) where you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are going to get wastedface. Because...well...that's the reason for this party. One time a year when everyone can say screw it and really truly let loose. Plans are still murky though, so we'll have to see.
Saturday morning we woke up earlier than normal and headed to Austin to play with Monkey and some of her friends. Good times.
Good times.
I'm not telling all of my secrets but please, let's all agree that when someone of the opposite sex is very obviously attracted to you...it feels damned good.
Yes it does.
Also, I love hanging out with Monkey and her husband is a pretty cool cat too. I'm looking forward to seeing them again.
Then the sis and I drove home late at night, had a run-in with a pair of punks, and yours truly wanted ohsoverymuch to just pull over and beat the everloving daylights out of both of them.
The sister wouldn't let me...said I needed to just keep going...that we had no idea if they had a gun or knives or other such weapons.
I let her win the argument.
Lets be honest...if I insisted and she turned out to be right...I'd be dead or in a hospital...I don't like that kind of risk/reward system. It is no bueno.
Also, I've been saying that a lot lately.
No bueno.
It's fun...but then not so much...because..well...I wouldn't say it for a good thing right?
Right.
Oh...and SweetD's car blew up. Not literally. But yes...blew up. Almost 2grand to fix.
No bueno.
See what I mean?
But life is good otherwise. I very much enjoyed the trip to see Monkey and crew, boys night out was tons of fun, and I even had time for a movie this week.
Expect something on soap, a rocket update, and possible cider brewing soon.
Yay for making and doing! Woot!
-livin' la vida loca
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
RED
RED
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, as well as Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Look...it's an allstar cast beyond a shadow of a doubt. That alone is reason enough to recommend this movie.
Based on the D.C. Comic of the same name, this movie is about ex CIA operatives who have been tagged RED. That is to say they are Retired, Extremely Dangerous.
So the film centers around a group of folks who are probably in their 60s, have retired, and are living nice quiet boring lives.
At least until someone else decides that our heroes know too much and feels they should be whacked.
Then hilarity ensues.
That's the part I wasn't expecting...the hilarity. Because John Malkovich is brilliant (as always really but call me a fan boy) and because the plot lends itself to whacky moments. Not too crazy over the top when is this movie going to be over...but laugh out loud, that's funny, ooh what's next kind of gags. This is good stuff. I would never have expected a spy action comedy to be so entertaining but I stand corrected.
If nothing else, go see Malkovich pout with a stuffed pig, or because Mary-Louise Parker is cute as all hell as she rants about her bad date.
Good stuff.
Oh, and a distinct lack of gore. Sure...people die...but they handled that more disney...with a light sprinkling of blood and an absence of the attrocities you expect to see in Rambo or a war film.
I'm ranking it number 3 for the year. That is still high enough that I'd go see it again.
-Old man my ass!
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, as well as Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Look...it's an allstar cast beyond a shadow of a doubt. That alone is reason enough to recommend this movie.
Based on the D.C. Comic of the same name, this movie is about ex CIA operatives who have been tagged RED. That is to say they are Retired, Extremely Dangerous.
So the film centers around a group of folks who are probably in their 60s, have retired, and are living nice quiet boring lives.
At least until someone else decides that our heroes know too much and feels they should be whacked.
Then hilarity ensues.
That's the part I wasn't expecting...the hilarity. Because John Malkovich is brilliant (as always really but call me a fan boy) and because the plot lends itself to whacky moments. Not too crazy over the top when is this movie going to be over...but laugh out loud, that's funny, ooh what's next kind of gags. This is good stuff. I would never have expected a spy action comedy to be so entertaining but I stand corrected.
If nothing else, go see Malkovich pout with a stuffed pig, or because Mary-Louise Parker is cute as all hell as she rants about her bad date.
Good stuff.
Oh, and a distinct lack of gore. Sure...people die...but they handled that more disney...with a light sprinkling of blood and an absence of the attrocities you expect to see in Rambo or a war film.
I'm ranking it number 3 for the year. That is still high enough that I'd go see it again.
-Old man my ass!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
running through my mind
I think alot.
Alot alot.
And that's okay. I'm good with that.
There's an argument to be made that the brain is more powerful when we exercise it. Something that this man agrees with wholeheartedly.
Yet...exercise in this case requires a problem or process that must be sorted, fixed, or overcome.
Too often this is not the sort of thing that is running through my head.
Especially lately.
Have you ever noticed that when your brain gets moving on a painful or negative subject...that you just can't get off of it?
It's like a scab. The brain just picks and picks and picks at it...keeping that wound open and causing it to bleed all in the head till it consumes most of our thoughts.
Okay...my thoughts.
Which is one reason that I like difficult, hi stress, focused jobs. It requires the brain to focus on the task at hand.
In fact, that's probably why I'm enjoying all of the projects so much more now and trying to focus on them.
There's a group of thought that by focusing on the moment, actively recognizing that I'm sitting at a computer in the office, my back to the window, with a bit of airconditioning blowing down as I type on these keys...
That focusing on this moment I can kill the repetative negative train of thought. That I can, in fact, train my brain to be more focused when needed, and to perhaps go a bit quiet when not needed.
Peace and quiet would be nice right about now...because this constant motion is just too much.
Meh.
-noisy on the inside
Alot alot.
And that's okay. I'm good with that.
There's an argument to be made that the brain is more powerful when we exercise it. Something that this man agrees with wholeheartedly.
Yet...exercise in this case requires a problem or process that must be sorted, fixed, or overcome.
Too often this is not the sort of thing that is running through my head.
Especially lately.
Have you ever noticed that when your brain gets moving on a painful or negative subject...that you just can't get off of it?
It's like a scab. The brain just picks and picks and picks at it...keeping that wound open and causing it to bleed all in the head till it consumes most of our thoughts.
Okay...my thoughts.
Which is one reason that I like difficult, hi stress, focused jobs. It requires the brain to focus on the task at hand.
In fact, that's probably why I'm enjoying all of the projects so much more now and trying to focus on them.
There's a group of thought that by focusing on the moment, actively recognizing that I'm sitting at a computer in the office, my back to the window, with a bit of airconditioning blowing down as I type on these keys...
That focusing on this moment I can kill the repetative negative train of thought. That I can, in fact, train my brain to be more focused when needed, and to perhaps go a bit quiet when not needed.
Peace and quiet would be nice right about now...because this constant motion is just too much.
Meh.
-noisy on the inside
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Social Network
The Social Network
Director - David Fincher
Writer - Aaron Sorkin
Starring - Jesse Eisenberg
Based on the legal drama surrounding Facebook this movie actually shines.
A movie about a social network shows precisely how messed up a network can become and how quickly things can go horribly wrong. Well...if you aren't careful about how you treat your friends and whom you choose to surround yourself with.
Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job of getting you to hate him and feel sorry for him at the same time.
Also...and it pains me to say this...but Justin Timberlake has a short appearance and he didn't suck in the slightest. I don't know where he's taking lessons but his teacher is apparently amazing.
Keep in mind that I hadn't seen a movie in what feels like forever...but I really enjoyed this movie. I like watching the interplay of people.
Good stuff.
Go see it at the theatre, I strongly doubt that you'll be disappointed. I'm ranking it #2 for the year. Okay...that's just out of 4 for now...but still.
-written in ink
Director - David Fincher
Writer - Aaron Sorkin
Starring - Jesse Eisenberg
Based on the legal drama surrounding Facebook this movie actually shines.
A movie about a social network shows precisely how messed up a network can become and how quickly things can go horribly wrong. Well...if you aren't careful about how you treat your friends and whom you choose to surround yourself with.
Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job of getting you to hate him and feel sorry for him at the same time.
Also...and it pains me to say this...but Justin Timberlake has a short appearance and he didn't suck in the slightest. I don't know where he's taking lessons but his teacher is apparently amazing.
Keep in mind that I hadn't seen a movie in what feels like forever...but I really enjoyed this movie. I like watching the interplay of people.
Good stuff.
Go see it at the theatre, I strongly doubt that you'll be disappointed. I'm ranking it #2 for the year. Okay...that's just out of 4 for now...but still.
-written in ink
what now?
I was totally going to the gym on a regular basis for a while there.
Read that as "at least twice a week"...but then it seems everything crashed and I stopped. It is my humble opinion that the lack of exercise and my increased lack of intelligent food choices has only added to the downward spiral.
So umm, yes...must fix...back to gym...quickly now.
Right.
Did I mention that I actually made soap a few weeks ago? I believe I did. I'll buy wax paper tonight and wrap it up. Perhaps a few pictures will make it in here along with my basic recipe. I'd like to start showing some of my projects so that other folks can learn from my mistakes and maybe be inspired to go DO something instead of freaking out that they'll screw it up.
Just go screw it up...you'll still have fun.
I promise.
Also, the rocket will be ready soon. It's built, just needs a pretty coat of paint and possibly a decal or two. Then she'll be ready to fly. Definitely pics of that project as well.
Still not on an up slope...but working on it one day at a time.
-this too shall pass
Read that as "at least twice a week"...but then it seems everything crashed and I stopped. It is my humble opinion that the lack of exercise and my increased lack of intelligent food choices has only added to the downward spiral.
So umm, yes...must fix...back to gym...quickly now.
Right.
Did I mention that I actually made soap a few weeks ago? I believe I did. I'll buy wax paper tonight and wrap it up. Perhaps a few pictures will make it in here along with my basic recipe. I'd like to start showing some of my projects so that other folks can learn from my mistakes and maybe be inspired to go DO something instead of freaking out that they'll screw it up.
Just go screw it up...you'll still have fun.
I promise.
Also, the rocket will be ready soon. It's built, just needs a pretty coat of paint and possibly a decal or two. Then she'll be ready to fly. Definitely pics of that project as well.
Still not on an up slope...but working on it one day at a time.
-this too shall pass
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
spiral
Yesterday just continued on it's downward spiral.
Someone that I've worked with for the past 6 years, whom I looked up to and respected, passed away yesterday afternoon.
The funeral is Friday.
I'm okay, a little shaken due to circumstances and how some of the folks around here are dealing with it, but okay nonetheless.
Expect the rest of the week to be a downer. I'll start fresh and happy on Saturday.
'least...that's the plan.
-singing the blues
Someone that I've worked with for the past 6 years, whom I looked up to and respected, passed away yesterday afternoon.
The funeral is Friday.
I'm okay, a little shaken due to circumstances and how some of the folks around here are dealing with it, but okay nonetheless.
Expect the rest of the week to be a downer. I'll start fresh and happy on Saturday.
'least...that's the plan.
-singing the blues
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hits
There was a conversation last night regarding driving stories, particularly hitting things.
And there's a story there, of the time I hit something and it immediately and drastically altered my mood.
Strange how something so rare can either cause your day to immediately go downhill...or simply further cement the foul mood you were already fostering.
Today something hit me.
By "something" I mean a six or eight inch section of 4x4 that was launched by the vehicle in front of me. The soccer mom in the mini van who apparently didn't realize that she should have swerved around it rather than drive over it.
My mood was already poorly. Now it's particularly foul.
@#$%^!!!
-grumpy old man
And there's a story there, of the time I hit something and it immediately and drastically altered my mood.
Strange how something so rare can either cause your day to immediately go downhill...or simply further cement the foul mood you were already fostering.
Today something hit me.
By "something" I mean a six or eight inch section of 4x4 that was launched by the vehicle in front of me. The soccer mom in the mini van who apparently didn't realize that she should have swerved around it rather than drive over it.
My mood was already poorly. Now it's particularly foul.
@#$%^!!!
-grumpy old man
Sunday, October 10, 2010
On night fires and golf tournaments
Wednesday night I headed over to Humble to hang with Converse and friends. She sent the invite out to a dozen or so people, my expectation was a bonfire and craziness.
However, when I pulled up to the house, what I found was a quiet fire in the backyard with two folks hanging out. Just Converse and her man were left.
Here's the thing...though the night was nothing like I'd expected it to be, I'd tell you that it was far better. The conversation was stellar, the two of them are fantastic, and I missed Converse. We talked about the phone call a few months ago when she asked me for pointers on making jam, then her man and I discussed this long distance parenting thing I'm doing, and how...while it is painful and seems hopeless...it is such a good thing.
This coming from a bit of a personal perspective on his part, so it was very good to hear.
Oh, and the jam conversation...methinks that Converse and I will do a group jam session at her house. That sounds like music but is actually cooking.
The fire was awesome, so were the smores, and the conversation was delicious.
The only down side was that I missed Barista by like forty five minutes. Oh well...as she put it, we live in the same town, we'll have other opportunities.
Friday was the company golf tournament.
Man, golf is okay, it's kinda fun and not too shabby. But golf tournaments sponsored by companies and whatnot?
Just do it.
Four of us met up, drank alchohol, smoked cigars, cracked jokes, lots of homoerotic ball references, plenty of flirting with beer cart girls...sooo much fun.
I also won a $25 gift certificate and a $50 nike golf shirt. My entrance fee to the tournament was $75. Plus, all of the money goes to the company scholarship fund, so I'm helping someone get an education.
Good times.
Heh...oh, and about halfway through the day I met Barista's mom for the first time ever. Lining up to take a shot I heard my name from behind. After the shot I turned around and saw a cart with two ladies in it...one I recognized as having used to work here at headquarters...and I knew that she was friends with Barista's mom. Sure enough...I walk over and get introduced. Then she poured me a shot of tequila.
The universe is so random sometimes.
Yesterday I changed the oil on the car, then SweetD and I headed to Chi Sushi here in The Woodlands. After that, tailgaters with friends. Good times.
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.
-playing through
However, when I pulled up to the house, what I found was a quiet fire in the backyard with two folks hanging out. Just Converse and her man were left.
Here's the thing...though the night was nothing like I'd expected it to be, I'd tell you that it was far better. The conversation was stellar, the two of them are fantastic, and I missed Converse. We talked about the phone call a few months ago when she asked me for pointers on making jam, then her man and I discussed this long distance parenting thing I'm doing, and how...while it is painful and seems hopeless...it is such a good thing.
This coming from a bit of a personal perspective on his part, so it was very good to hear.
Oh, and the jam conversation...methinks that Converse and I will do a group jam session at her house. That sounds like music but is actually cooking.
The fire was awesome, so were the smores, and the conversation was delicious.
The only down side was that I missed Barista by like forty five minutes. Oh well...as she put it, we live in the same town, we'll have other opportunities.
Friday was the company golf tournament.
Man, golf is okay, it's kinda fun and not too shabby. But golf tournaments sponsored by companies and whatnot?
Just do it.
Four of us met up, drank alchohol, smoked cigars, cracked jokes, lots of homoerotic ball references, plenty of flirting with beer cart girls...sooo much fun.
I also won a $25 gift certificate and a $50 nike golf shirt. My entrance fee to the tournament was $75. Plus, all of the money goes to the company scholarship fund, so I'm helping someone get an education.
Good times.
Heh...oh, and about halfway through the day I met Barista's mom for the first time ever. Lining up to take a shot I heard my name from behind. After the shot I turned around and saw a cart with two ladies in it...one I recognized as having used to work here at headquarters...and I knew that she was friends with Barista's mom. Sure enough...I walk over and get introduced. Then she poured me a shot of tequila.
The universe is so random sometimes.
Yesterday I changed the oil on the car, then SweetD and I headed to Chi Sushi here in The Woodlands. After that, tailgaters with friends. Good times.
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.
-playing through
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
just let go
It's not that I'm ignoring the obvious connection. Or that I'm unaware of the crazy chemistry. I've forgiven you for all of the crazy bullshit that happened, I'm just unwilling to forget.
I've made the conscious decision that no amount of connection or chemistry is worth what comes with it in this case.
That might not be true if I hadn't been lucky enough to meet other equally amazing women who treated me with respect and love not because that's what you're supposed to do...but because that's just who they are.
I've experienced the connection and chemistry in other places and know that I don't have to put up with crazy in order to have that kind of awesome.
So umm...yeah.
-sticking it to ya
I've made the conscious decision that no amount of connection or chemistry is worth what comes with it in this case.
That might not be true if I hadn't been lucky enough to meet other equally amazing women who treated me with respect and love not because that's what you're supposed to do...but because that's just who they are.
I've experienced the connection and chemistry in other places and know that I don't have to put up with crazy in order to have that kind of awesome.
So umm...yeah.
-sticking it to ya
Monday, October 04, 2010
Creativity
I subscribe to the gapingvoid email list. He sends a picture plus a thought every day. Not everything he sends is awesome, but he has a knack for striking a chord...for making me think.
I like that.
Anyway, here's an exerpt from the email today:
Whether we're artists, corporate managers, accountants or whatever, we all want to create; and we want to do it in a purposeful and meaningful way.
I learned the hard way that, as agreeable an idea "Creativity for its own sake" is, it's not particularly sustainable, financially rewarding or emotionally satisfying over the long run.
Human beings are hardwired to embrace "Creativity With Purpose"- i.e.create stuff that actually has real value to ourselves and other people. Creativity is tied into our evolution as a species and our basic survival instinct. It's there for a reason.
I have no doubt that this is why I enjoy doing many of the things I do.
Take, for instance, the soap I made on Saturday night.
That's right...soap.
To be honest, I'm not too hopeful that it'll be good stuff. But I've already learned from the process and I've already figured two things I can do to make for a better batch.
1. Boil the fat to clean it...this is called making "sweet lard" as opposed to that normal lard that comes on your bacon.
2. no more lining if I'm using cardboard or peel away boxes...it just gets in the way.
I got off on a soap tangent there, excuse me
The thing here...is that creativity is in my bones.
I'm much happier...in fact I'd argue that we are all much happier, when we are making and creating. But most of us have been brought up to think that failure isn't an option, so we are paralyzed by the fear of it. Paralyzed to such an extent that many of us never even start.
A friend asked how I learned to make my own bread. She was interested in doing it herself but wasn't sure how to go about it. When my explanation was that I looked it up online then just did it, her first response said everything "But what if you mess up?"
Right...good question.
What if I screwed it up, failed, bit it, took a complete nosedive...
I guess if I did that, then I'd have a manky bit of dough and would've wasted a whole 75¢ on materials. Also, I'd have a horrible black stain on my baking record.
My actual answer to her..."Do over, start again. Who cares if you mess up? It's cheap and easy and fun. Just try it."
Because here's the thing...when you're in the kitchen making bread, or well...whatever you're making...no one really cares if you screw up.
Well...as long as you don't actually burn the house down.
But yes.
At the end of the day, if you learn from it, that only means the next experience will be much better. And it's those successes...even the small ones...that everyone will remember.
Also...soap.
-maker
I like that.
Anyway, here's an exerpt from the email today:
Whether we're artists, corporate managers, accountants or whatever, we all want to create; and we want to do it in a purposeful and meaningful way.
I learned the hard way that, as agreeable an idea "Creativity for its own sake" is, it's not particularly sustainable, financially rewarding or emotionally satisfying over the long run.
Human beings are hardwired to embrace "Creativity With Purpose"- i.e.create stuff that actually has real value to ourselves and other people. Creativity is tied into our evolution as a species and our basic survival instinct. It's there for a reason.
I have no doubt that this is why I enjoy doing many of the things I do.
Take, for instance, the soap I made on Saturday night.
That's right...soap.
To be honest, I'm not too hopeful that it'll be good stuff. But I've already learned from the process and I've already figured two things I can do to make for a better batch.
1. Boil the fat to clean it...this is called making "sweet lard" as opposed to that normal lard that comes on your bacon.
2. no more lining if I'm using cardboard or peel away boxes...it just gets in the way.
I got off on a soap tangent there, excuse me
The thing here...is that creativity is in my bones.
I'm much happier...in fact I'd argue that we are all much happier, when we are making and creating. But most of us have been brought up to think that failure isn't an option, so we are paralyzed by the fear of it. Paralyzed to such an extent that many of us never even start.
A friend asked how I learned to make my own bread. She was interested in doing it herself but wasn't sure how to go about it. When my explanation was that I looked it up online then just did it, her first response said everything "But what if you mess up?"
Right...good question.
What if I screwed it up, failed, bit it, took a complete nosedive...
I guess if I did that, then I'd have a manky bit of dough and would've wasted a whole 75¢ on materials. Also, I'd have a horrible black stain on my baking record.
My actual answer to her..."Do over, start again. Who cares if you mess up? It's cheap and easy and fun. Just try it."
Because here's the thing...when you're in the kitchen making bread, or well...whatever you're making...no one really cares if you screw up.
Well...as long as you don't actually burn the house down.
But yes.
At the end of the day, if you learn from it, that only means the next experience will be much better. And it's those successes...even the small ones...that everyone will remember.
Also...soap.
-maker
Friday, October 01, 2010
motivation
It's difficult to muster motivation at the office lately.
You see...sometime not too long after June of 2011, I will no longer work for the company.
I say that, I guess there are always alternative possibilities, but they are moving, and I don't plan on going with them.
So yeah...no job in 9 months.
But that's nine months from now. In the meantime I just keep reminding myself that I'm proud of my work and that I'd like to leave here knowing that I did my absolute best all the way to my last day here.
Then sometimes...yeah...it's difficult muster that motivation.
That's a fantastic phrase...muster motivation.
Heh.
Anyway, yes...motivation...I've found it in so many other places lately. There's a half built rocket sitting on my coffee table waiting patiently for me to finish...it'll be done and skybound sometime in the next 10 days or so. My lovely car had work done to it, and I'll crawl underneath to change the oil this weekend.
I have just about everything I need to make soap at home.
It's also time to do cider again...and beer. Mmmmm beer.
Then Hotflashing and I had discussed the possibility of her and the little one helping me make another batch of cheese. Apparently the little one thought my last batch was the best stuff ever. Woot.
So yes...more cheese.
I've been reading the foxfire books, and researching home building techniques online. I want this offgrid life. Perhaps this is my opportunity.
I'm mostly dreaming wildly and having fun with all of the learning and doing. It probably won't actually happen, but it's been in the back of my mind so often lately...popping up and inspiring me.
For the past 6 months or so I've said over and over that true happiness would be waking up in a handbuilt house and teaching other people to make bread and butter and soap and wine and beer and cider, oh and cheese.
That would be pure joy.
It's a thought.
-hand built man
You see...sometime not too long after June of 2011, I will no longer work for the company.
I say that, I guess there are always alternative possibilities, but they are moving, and I don't plan on going with them.
So yeah...no job in 9 months.
But that's nine months from now. In the meantime I just keep reminding myself that I'm proud of my work and that I'd like to leave here knowing that I did my absolute best all the way to my last day here.
Then sometimes...yeah...it's difficult muster that motivation.
That's a fantastic phrase...muster motivation.
Heh.
Anyway, yes...motivation...I've found it in so many other places lately. There's a half built rocket sitting on my coffee table waiting patiently for me to finish...it'll be done and skybound sometime in the next 10 days or so. My lovely car had work done to it, and I'll crawl underneath to change the oil this weekend.
I have just about everything I need to make soap at home.
It's also time to do cider again...and beer. Mmmmm beer.
Then Hotflashing and I had discussed the possibility of her and the little one helping me make another batch of cheese. Apparently the little one thought my last batch was the best stuff ever. Woot.
So yes...more cheese.
I've been reading the foxfire books, and researching home building techniques online. I want this offgrid life. Perhaps this is my opportunity.
I'm mostly dreaming wildly and having fun with all of the learning and doing. It probably won't actually happen, but it's been in the back of my mind so often lately...popping up and inspiring me.
For the past 6 months or so I've said over and over that true happiness would be waking up in a handbuilt house and teaching other people to make bread and butter and soap and wine and beer and cider, oh and cheese.
That would be pure joy.
It's a thought.
-hand built man
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