No really...it has.
Not in the sense that it begins right after Thanksgiving, or that Santa is plastered over everything, or…well…any other crazy number of things.
It’s just…all of this stuff, these things we own.
Think about it for a second…the sheer volume of electronic gadgets, cooking tools, plates, utensils, tv’s, cars, clothes, books, toys, thingamabobs…
Ninety nine percent of the population is jaded toward ownership. How can we not be given the way that we are trained to consume from the time we are born?
So you get a new shirt, and it’s cool and all…but you’ve got 15 very similar to it sitting in the closet. So…eh…thanks?
I worked so hard this year to cultivate enthusiasm both as a giver, and receiver of things.
It also dawned on me that part of the reason I’ve been such a Grinch for the past few years is that I haven’t been able to give the kind of gifts that I really wanted to.
Not that I was able to do that this year either…but I put some serious thought into it and came up with some goodies. I’m happy with my choices and how they all turned out.
Yay!
Seriously though…my original point…
Imagine that it’s December 25th, 1860, and you just got a new pair of boots for Christmas.
You aren’t going to bitch about the color or style, you aren’t going to complain that it isn’t the kind of leather you wanted…
No, because you only own one damned pair of boots and those are starting to fall apart. You only have 2 sets of clothes…maybe 3…and your bedroom contains half a dozen books (if you’re lucky enough to know how to read) as well as a hobby horse and a cork gun made of wood.
So those boots are almost a miracle.
Can you imagine how your face would light up? How crazy happy you would be running downstairs and seeing the 2 or 3 gifts with your name on them under the tree?
I wish we could have that back. A statement which probably makes me about 100 years old. But it’s so true in my heart.
I want that simpler happier life when gifts were truly gifts and nothing was ever returned.
-a simple man
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
no such luck
This last weekend was pretty decent. Thursday morning I woke early to accompany SweetD on her apartment search. She's moving out. I don't think I mentioned that, but yes...
She has decided that she just can't handle roomates. Says she likes my sister and her boyfriend, but just can't handle living with anyone anymore. At the same time...she'd love it if I moved in with her.
Right.
And I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I'm waiting until she's gone...to see if I'm relieved and happy for the space or if I miss her terribly and just want to spend all of my time with her. If I'm honest, and I usually am...painfully so, I think I'll be more on the side of relief than disappointment and sadness. We'll see.
Anyway, so yes...apartment shopping. Then a quiet day at home brewing cider and whatnot. Friday night we went to see Harry Potter. Good stuff, go see it, worth the money, yada yada. I may review it...but eh...yeah...I guess I should. I'm hoping to make that a regular feature of the blog so it's gotta be there.
Sorry, look for a review soon.
Then on Saturday SweetD and I headed to Magnolia Texas to enjoy the Texas Renaissance Festival. She'd never been to a Renfest that she could remember so it was a new experience for her. We were there about 5 hours, walked around...saw Dead Bob, and the Mud Show. It was fun, plus I got to wear my horns so that's always a bonus. heh
Then sunday...back to work. I'd say yay...but not.
Oh...almost forgot...there was some drama revolving my personal feelings towards matrimony and her persistance regarding the desire to be betrothed. Mild drama really. Like I pissed her off a smidge and politely told her she'd have to deal.
meh.
I don't want her to be unhappy. I thought she was okay with the idea of not getting married...but the more we talk about it, the more it seems she was hoping that she could change my mind.
I don't even know what to say to that. I keep starting sentences and then stopping. Meh.
Other than that, life is most excellent. Hope yours is too.
- i gotta be me
She has decided that she just can't handle roomates. Says she likes my sister and her boyfriend, but just can't handle living with anyone anymore. At the same time...she'd love it if I moved in with her.
Right.
And I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I'm waiting until she's gone...to see if I'm relieved and happy for the space or if I miss her terribly and just want to spend all of my time with her. If I'm honest, and I usually am...painfully so, I think I'll be more on the side of relief than disappointment and sadness. We'll see.
Anyway, so yes...apartment shopping. Then a quiet day at home brewing cider and whatnot. Friday night we went to see Harry Potter. Good stuff, go see it, worth the money, yada yada. I may review it...but eh...yeah...I guess I should. I'm hoping to make that a regular feature of the blog so it's gotta be there.
Sorry, look for a review soon.
Then on Saturday SweetD and I headed to Magnolia Texas to enjoy the Texas Renaissance Festival. She'd never been to a Renfest that she could remember so it was a new experience for her. We were there about 5 hours, walked around...saw Dead Bob, and the Mud Show. It was fun, plus I got to wear my horns so that's always a bonus. heh
Then sunday...back to work. I'd say yay...but not.
Oh...almost forgot...there was some drama revolving my personal feelings towards matrimony and her persistance regarding the desire to be betrothed. Mild drama really. Like I pissed her off a smidge and politely told her she'd have to deal.
meh.
I don't want her to be unhappy. I thought she was okay with the idea of not getting married...but the more we talk about it, the more it seems she was hoping that she could change my mind.
I don't even know what to say to that. I keep starting sentences and then stopping. Meh.
Other than that, life is most excellent. Hope yours is too.
- i gotta be me
Sunday, November 21, 2010
things completed
I've been watching Victorian Farm on Youtube for the past few days. Good stuff. I had caught an episode on one of my visits to the boy, but didn't realize someone had been kind enough to post the whole series online.
The lovely Jenna at Cold Antler Farm mentioned it in one of her posts though and I had to check it out.
Between that and a new show on History...Apocolypse PA, it dawned on me that we don't make much ourselves anymore. I mean honestly...vegetables, meat, honey, butter, cheese. Heat, light...hell even many of our meals are prepared by others. Everyone is so specialized that if there were suddenly a crazy apocolypse and all modern machines ceased working, I'd be willing to bet that most 3rd world nations would be fine but 90% of the modern world would be shit out of luck.
Look, I get that in our current society, with the lives we lead, most of us just don't have time to make bread or butter or cheese. Hell...I love some Jarlsberg or smoked Gouda and I'm not gonna lie...I'm not nearly as talented as the people who do this for a living. Still, I know how, so I can provide for myself and my family and friends.
Also, we're all so busy...watching tv and generally being lazy bastards. If we spent just an hour less on the tv every night we'd have time for most of these projects. If nothing else...at least we'd know how.
As for yours truly, my soap is decent, but it needs more lather. I'll write the entry and show the pictures shortly. The rocket is ready to go with a nice new launch rod and I think we'll be doing that at the Woodlands' Football Stadium parking lot this next weekend. Actually, now that I think about it, Thanksgiving might be an appropriate time for launching rockets and whatnot. Hmm...
Anyway, I'll write something on that too sometime in the next few weeks.
Then there's the Cider that I started two days ago. Two one gallon carboys are currently bubbling away in my garage. I'll buy two more next week.
Oh, and I need to work on a new soap recipe because because I have plenty of bacon fat sitting in the fridge waiting to be used.
Projects galore.
Still, I'm looking forward to more. What would you kids like to see me make? Any suggestions?
-a force for good
The lovely Jenna at Cold Antler Farm mentioned it in one of her posts though and I had to check it out.
Between that and a new show on History...Apocolypse PA, it dawned on me that we don't make much ourselves anymore. I mean honestly...vegetables, meat, honey, butter, cheese. Heat, light...hell even many of our meals are prepared by others. Everyone is so specialized that if there were suddenly a crazy apocolypse and all modern machines ceased working, I'd be willing to bet that most 3rd world nations would be fine but 90% of the modern world would be shit out of luck.
Look, I get that in our current society, with the lives we lead, most of us just don't have time to make bread or butter or cheese. Hell...I love some Jarlsberg or smoked Gouda and I'm not gonna lie...I'm not nearly as talented as the people who do this for a living. Still, I know how, so I can provide for myself and my family and friends.
Also, we're all so busy...watching tv and generally being lazy bastards. If we spent just an hour less on the tv every night we'd have time for most of these projects. If nothing else...at least we'd know how.
As for yours truly, my soap is decent, but it needs more lather. I'll write the entry and show the pictures shortly. The rocket is ready to go with a nice new launch rod and I think we'll be doing that at the Woodlands' Football Stadium parking lot this next weekend. Actually, now that I think about it, Thanksgiving might be an appropriate time for launching rockets and whatnot. Hmm...
Anyway, I'll write something on that too sometime in the next few weeks.
Then there's the Cider that I started two days ago. Two one gallon carboys are currently bubbling away in my garage. I'll buy two more next week.
Oh, and I need to work on a new soap recipe because because I have plenty of bacon fat sitting in the fridge waiting to be used.
Projects galore.
Still, I'm looking forward to more. What would you kids like to see me make? Any suggestions?
-a force for good
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
a weird sort of kindness
"Some people are kind enough to spend their lives making sure no one will be sad at their funeral by alienating those who might love and cry for them."
Love that line.
Not because I want to do it, but because it's just the sort of dark humor that I get.
Also, loving someone is sometimes painful. It's probably safe to say that loving someone is always painful at one point or another. Some people are more painful than others.
Right, happy thoughts yes?
Oh, and if you'd like to see that line in its original context...clicky clicky.
-keepin' it real
Love that line.
Not because I want to do it, but because it's just the sort of dark humor that I get.
Also, loving someone is sometimes painful. It's probably safe to say that loving someone is always painful at one point or another. Some people are more painful than others.
Right, happy thoughts yes?
Oh, and if you'd like to see that line in its original context...clicky clicky.
-keepin' it real
Monday, November 15, 2010
call me jack
This!
Man, I read that and it just...yeah...it so matches the path I've been on for the past few years. I mean...her blog in general matches much of what I'd like to do, but that post specifically grabs hold of the idea that we should just get out and DO things. Looking in the comments I found another GEM as well. Go ahead and click it, it's about the cult of DONE. I like it, you should too.
There's a book too...but it's at home and I don't have the title...I'll come back and edit this to add that info.
That's all I've got. I really need to write up the cheese and the rocket and the papercraft, as well as make more cheese and get on the cider and beer kick now that it's cooling down. Also...possibly mushrooms. I'd like to grow them too, we'll see.
-jack of all trades
Man, I read that and it just...yeah...it so matches the path I've been on for the past few years. I mean...her blog in general matches much of what I'd like to do, but that post specifically grabs hold of the idea that we should just get out and DO things. Looking in the comments I found another GEM as well. Go ahead and click it, it's about the cult of DONE. I like it, you should too.
There's a book too...but it's at home and I don't have the title...I'll come back and edit this to add that info.
That's all I've got. I really need to write up the cheese and the rocket and the papercraft, as well as make more cheese and get on the cider and beer kick now that it's cooling down. Also...possibly mushrooms. I'd like to grow them too, we'll see.
-jack of all trades
Thursday, November 04, 2010
heebie jeebies
I hit work on Halloween day wearing a pair of horns. The jokes were plenty. But hey...I like my horns.
Also...I wasn't about to get all crazy dolled up for work. Not happening.
Though....funny enough, outside of work I would have loved to play dress up. Go figure.
Anyway, the next day was no bueno. I didn't sleep at all due to a headache so I called out.
I've been out all week. Also...I apparently have vacation next week.
Hew knew?
Not I.
Oh, and if my typing is poor I apologize, I'm doing this at 4am without a pair of glasses, so I'm pretty much doing it by feel and then just hoping that it comes out correctly because I can't actually see the words unless I squint my eyes and get right up on top of the computer screen.
Heh, right up on top of...you're dirty.
Me too.
But yes, so typos galore, now you know.
Also, I saw Paranormal Activity 2 last week with Rooms and her husband. Let me tell you...creepy mccreeperson. Holy crap. No lying.
A week later and I still get a little bit of the heeby jeebies when the lights go out. No joke.
So yes...4am and I'm awake with a cough wishing that I felt better and that I wasn't afraid of the dark. While I type this without glasses in a adark bedroom.
Right.
At least I won't actually be able to see the evil demon when he comes to get me.
blblblblbl....heebie jeebies I tell you.
Hope you're all doing well. I'm out.
-midnight writer
Also...I wasn't about to get all crazy dolled up for work. Not happening.
Though....funny enough, outside of work I would have loved to play dress up. Go figure.
Anyway, the next day was no bueno. I didn't sleep at all due to a headache so I called out.
I've been out all week. Also...I apparently have vacation next week.
Hew knew?
Not I.
Oh, and if my typing is poor I apologize, I'm doing this at 4am without a pair of glasses, so I'm pretty much doing it by feel and then just hoping that it comes out correctly because I can't actually see the words unless I squint my eyes and get right up on top of the computer screen.
Heh, right up on top of...you're dirty.
Me too.
But yes, so typos galore, now you know.
Also, I saw Paranormal Activity 2 last week with Rooms and her husband. Let me tell you...creepy mccreeperson. Holy crap. No lying.
A week later and I still get a little bit of the heeby jeebies when the lights go out. No joke.
So yes...4am and I'm awake with a cough wishing that I felt better and that I wasn't afraid of the dark. While I type this without glasses in a adark bedroom.
Right.
At least I won't actually be able to see the evil demon when he comes to get me.
blblblblbl....heebie jeebies I tell you.
Hope you're all doing well. I'm out.
-midnight writer
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
weekend update
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
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
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
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Come join me
Next time you should come, you can make a silly 2-up gang sign too.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
freefall
Imagine a point in the sky two miles high. Somewhere just above the clouds where the bright sun touches everything and there are no shadows. So far above everything we know on a daily basis, removed from the hustle and bustle. In the mind, this place we conjure up is quiet, it is hushed, it is brilliantly silent.
Soft clouds moving slowly below, occasionally breaking up the view of earth and it's manic occupants, everything up here moves at a different pace.
At least, that is the image that still plays back when I try to imagine a spot so high and far removed from this office I now sit in.
But that image shares a spot right next to a reality that I enjoyed this last weekend, a real world experience that was out of this world. It is something that, two days later, I am just now coming down from.
You see...two days ago, on Saturday morning I jumped out of an airplane.
After a meager four hours of sleep, yours truly got up in the wee hours so he could drive to Rosharon Texas. It's an adult playground, a mini amusement park. It is so much fun.
And the story is long with lots of little jokes and comments, all of the sort that end with "you should have been there".
But the part I want to tell is where I wasn't nearly as scared as I thought I'd be. How the ride up was loud and windy and funny and exciting, everyone talking and laughing as we watched altimeters and glanced out of the windows. How that spot so high up, that I'd always imagined would be quiet and peaceful and still, wasn't any of those things at all. The time came to jump and my tandem partner and I slid down to the door...my knees hanging out into space as I looked into a world of bright blue and was blasted by wind whipping past and then...
Ready.
Set.
Go.
It got quiet, for one second my entire life was as hushed as a church while I slowly toppled end over end and the airplane slid out of view.
Then it was loud and windy with excitement and yelling and happiness and joy.
The rush is like nothing I've ever experienced.
I'm hooked.
-free as a bird
Soft clouds moving slowly below, occasionally breaking up the view of earth and it's manic occupants, everything up here moves at a different pace.
At least, that is the image that still plays back when I try to imagine a spot so high and far removed from this office I now sit in.
But that image shares a spot right next to a reality that I enjoyed this last weekend, a real world experience that was out of this world. It is something that, two days later, I am just now coming down from.
You see...two days ago, on Saturday morning I jumped out of an airplane.
After a meager four hours of sleep, yours truly got up in the wee hours so he could drive to Rosharon Texas. It's an adult playground, a mini amusement park. It is so much fun.
And the story is long with lots of little jokes and comments, all of the sort that end with "you should have been there".
But the part I want to tell is where I wasn't nearly as scared as I thought I'd be. How the ride up was loud and windy and funny and exciting, everyone talking and laughing as we watched altimeters and glanced out of the windows. How that spot so high up, that I'd always imagined would be quiet and peaceful and still, wasn't any of those things at all. The time came to jump and my tandem partner and I slid down to the door...my knees hanging out into space as I looked into a world of bright blue and was blasted by wind whipping past and then...
Ready.
Set.
Go.
It got quiet, for one second my entire life was as hushed as a church while I slowly toppled end over end and the airplane slid out of view.
Then it was loud and windy with excitement and yelling and happiness and joy.
The rush is like nothing I've ever experienced.
I'm hooked.
-free as a bird
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Detroit Rock City
I spent the past weekend in Motor City.
The atmosphere there is definitely different from anything I know. Not in a bad way. Just different.
Though, I guess it's nice that I was even there long enough to realize that difference. Seems that so often travel is so short, or we are so secluded, that we don't get time to see those small things that set one place apart from another.
Anyway...yes...
Detroit.
There was a wedding. SweetD was a bridesmaid and I was asked to be her date. Our room was right next to the bride and groom. Honestly? I was not happy with that setup. Seemed a bit weird. But it worked out very well.
We arrived on thursday, headed to the hotel to change clothes, and then off to the rehearsal dinner. Pretty straightforward...this is where we began the drinking. The evening ended with your truly sharing a jacuzzi bathtub with four beautiful women. We were all drunk, and all fully clothed. It was pretty damned hilarious.
"I'm a beached whale!"
heh
Friday was the actual wedding. Girl got up early to drink mamosas and get all beautified and whatnot.
I went to The Henry Ford Museum instead. On the way, I stopped at Dearborn Itialian Bakery...good stuff. Not at all what I was expecting...because I was thinking more of a sit down type restaurant than a deli counter...but negating my preconceived notions...damned good food. Also, everyone in there was super nice and helpful. If you should ever be in the area I definitely recommend it.
The museum was great. I probably should have checked out the Greenfield Village instead of the inside section, but the skies were threatening to open up...and I didn't feel like walking in the rain. Still, I'd never been there, and even the meager 3 hours that I had available was totally worth the $15 admission.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to go back in spring.
The wedding was fun, the reception, better, and in general I had a fantastic weekend. Drank a few too many whiskey and cola's at the reception...but eh...maybe that's part of why I had so much fun. hehe
Saturday we flew back, managed to find time to hit Goose's Acre here in the Woodland's that afternoon, then to bed.
Fin'
-going to the concert
The atmosphere there is definitely different from anything I know. Not in a bad way. Just different.
Though, I guess it's nice that I was even there long enough to realize that difference. Seems that so often travel is so short, or we are so secluded, that we don't get time to see those small things that set one place apart from another.
Anyway...yes...
Detroit.
There was a wedding. SweetD was a bridesmaid and I was asked to be her date. Our room was right next to the bride and groom. Honestly? I was not happy with that setup. Seemed a bit weird. But it worked out very well.
We arrived on thursday, headed to the hotel to change clothes, and then off to the rehearsal dinner. Pretty straightforward...this is where we began the drinking. The evening ended with your truly sharing a jacuzzi bathtub with four beautiful women. We were all drunk, and all fully clothed. It was pretty damned hilarious.
"I'm a beached whale!"
heh
Friday was the actual wedding. Girl got up early to drink mamosas and get all beautified and whatnot.
I went to The Henry Ford Museum instead. On the way, I stopped at Dearborn Itialian Bakery...good stuff. Not at all what I was expecting...because I was thinking more of a sit down type restaurant than a deli counter...but negating my preconceived notions...damned good food. Also, everyone in there was super nice and helpful. If you should ever be in the area I definitely recommend it.
The museum was great. I probably should have checked out the Greenfield Village instead of the inside section, but the skies were threatening to open up...and I didn't feel like walking in the rain. Still, I'd never been there, and even the meager 3 hours that I had available was totally worth the $15 admission.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to go back in spring.
The wedding was fun, the reception, better, and in general I had a fantastic weekend. Drank a few too many whiskey and cola's at the reception...but eh...maybe that's part of why I had so much fun. hehe
Saturday we flew back, managed to find time to hit Goose's Acre here in the Woodland's that afternoon, then to bed.
Fin'
-going to the concert
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