Got Mojo?

2012-01-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

January's Shows

Jan 7 - Fever and the Funk House at Poor David's Pub in Dallas

One of the original, original bands back in the late 80s/early 90s leading the Deep Elum resurgence.

Jan 13 - Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton

Willie's son with heart of a rocker.

2012-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2012

Another year has arrived and it's time for resolutions. 2011 resolutions were forgotten pretty quickly and that is disappointing.

This will be the year of the DO! Doing 'stuff' instead of letting time go by.

Happy New Year and let the doing begin!

2011-12-22T08:15:00.001-08:00

moe.

moe. Yes, lower case and with a period on the end. One of the hardest working jambands on tour. They are one of the top rated bands of the genre with soaring jams and amazing light shows. I've seen fantastic shows at the best festivals with moe. at the big stages (such as Bonaroo!). These guys started out in the '90s and finally made it to Texas in 2000. I haven't missed a Dallas show yet!

Interesting how the venue's in Dallas have progressed over the years.

Keep coming back, I'll be there!!

10/03/00 (Tue) Trees - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Akimbo, Understand, New York City, Yodelittle, Water, Meat

Set 2: Timmy Tucker, Spine of a Dog, Buster, Waiting For The Punchline, Bring It Back Home

02/15/01 (Thu) Deep Ellum Live - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Crab Eyes, Understand, Akimbo, Kids, Gone > St. Augustine

Set 2: Head, Time Ed > Lazarus, Tambourine, Yodelittle > Rebubula, E: Sweet Emotion

01/30/03 (Thu) Gypsy Tea Room - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Godzilla, Stranger Than Fiction, She Sends Me, Crab Eyes, Happy Hour Hero (1) > Mexico

Set 2: Not Coming Down > New York City, Bullet > Brent Black, Yodelittle > Rebubula, E: You've Got A Friend In Me (2), Deep Elem Blues (3), Sensory Deprivation Bank

Comment: (1) with Seat of My Pants teases
(2) Al solo. (Randy Newman - from Toy Story)
(3) not technically a debut, last played since 8/11/99, at a surprise moe. show with Gibb Droll, and billed as Gibb Droll and Friends

10/09/03 (Thu) Gypsy Tea Room - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Jazz Wank > Not Coming Down > Wormwood > Brent Black > Time Ed > McBain > YOY

Set 2: Livin' Again > Rec Chem > Happy Hour Hero, Reboob > Water > Head, E: Threw it all away

02/25/06 (Sat) Lakewood Theater - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Water, Not Coming Down > Wormwood > Okayalright, Blue Jeans and Pizza, The Road > CalifornIA > Bullet

Set 2: McBain (1) > Down Boy, Moth > The Pit, Buster > Where Does The Time Go? > Buster, E: Deal > Waiting For The Punchline

Comment: (1) unfinished

03/15/07 (Thu) Lakewood Theater - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Okayalright, Wicked Awesome, Stranger Than Fiction, Conviction Song, Blue Jeans Pizza, Time, hi&lo > head

Set 2: Rebubula > Spaz Medicine, Four, Timmy Tucker > Living Again, George, E: Not Coming Down > Rebubula

Source: Chris Pontti

03/29/08 (Sat) Lakewood Theater - Dallas, TX

Set 1: head. > The Pit, Tailspin, Queen of Everything, Letter Home > Faker > head.

Set 2: Crab Eyes, She Sends Me, Happy Hour Hero (1), All Roads Lead to Home > Captain America > Baba Oriley > Recreational Chemistry > Wind it up, E: Raise A Glass, Rebubula > Dear Prudence > Rebubula

Comment: (1) with Josh Clark (Tea Leaf Green) on Guitar

11/13/09 (Fri) Lakewood Theater - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Seat of My Pants > Sensory Deprivation Bank, It, Strychnine Waltz > New York City, Wind It Up > You Can Call Me al., Mexico

Set 2: Faker > Kyle's Song > Threw It All Away, hi&lo > Faker, She > Kyle's Song, Plane Crash, E: Willin', St. Augustine

11/04/11 (Fri) Granada Theater - Dallas, TX

Set 1: Dr. Graffenberg, Gone, Timmy Tucker > Skrunk, Time Again >(nh) Captain America

Set 2: Tambourine, Shoot First, Suck A Lemon, Puebla > Smoke > Tubing The River Styx > The Pit > Rebubula, E: Okayalright, She

Thanks moe.! See you in 2012...

2011-03-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Books

I'm in the process of getting rid of a lot of books. I have read them and put them on the shelf. Now these books sit and sit. I will never open them again. Why am I keeping them?

Joan now has a kindle. All her books are in a quarter inch thick electronic book.

Change isn't easy and there is something wrong with just throwing a book out. But many of these no one wants, not even half price books. So to the garbage they go.

Some of these are old book club books that I took from my grandparents house after they passed away. I took a few that were things I knew like Hemingway. But as I'm getting rid of them I notice that my grandmother had made a point to put their names in the book. As if this was a prized possession that may be loaned out but wanted returned. I look at it now and see its a cheap book club version. But in those days I'm sure books were an expense that was more significant then now.

2011-01-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

The Radiators
Road trip Jan 7 and 8, 2010

The New Orleans Radiators are a rock, swamp, funk, jam, hard working band. They have been touring non-stop for 33 years! Same 5 guys since 1978. But alas Ed, the keyboardist, said, "I'm 62 and I just want to stay home". So coming this June the Rads will hang it up. I've had many great memories with these guys and really will miss catching them from time to time. Of course, our favorite time to see them was every year closing jazzfest. That will be a tradition hard missed.

The Rads made their last run through Texas last weekend. Myself and a half dozen other friends all met to in Houston. They flew in from Minnesota, Oregon, Arizona, California and the rest of us from Texas. We hit the Rads at the House of Blues in Houston on Friday night.

The show was early and short (HOB) but a great set. One of our krewe got special passes for all of us to the foundation room. A hidden bar with special access hidden in the back and had special managers sky seats. We really didn't need the seats but the hidden bar was fun. After the HOB festivities were over we headed back to the hotel with boogie in our soul to finish out the night.

The next day we headed to Austin. In all the years I've lived in Texas I have been to Houston and Austin many times. But I had never once driven from Houston to Austin. A nice drive up 290 through Brenham, TX home of Blue Bell Ice Cream!

There isn't anyplace like Austin. That is a city that is just plain fun. And what a great place to see live music. But first the day started with football. We had to find a spot to watch the Saints take care of the hapless Seahawks. We went to the bonified Saints pub at 9th and Lamar. The place was rockin' with black and gold. It was also packed when we arrived at kick off. We stood through the first half then took off at the half time to find someplace to sit down for second half. The destination ended up at Woordrows on 6th street. We sat to see the Saints demise. Stunned for sure and sad, very sad. A re-dose of the Aint's less we forget...

Dinner was at the at Hoffbrau Steaks (not the chain, an Austin original). Then on to the legendary Antone's for the Rads.

This is a music town the Rads have been to many times and you could tell it is an old friend. Antone's was intimate, close and personal. The band was in high spirits. They pulled out all the stops and played well into the night. They opened the encore with a tribute to Elvis since it was his birthday.

Sunday we drove home. It was heavily snowing. Only two days ago in Houston it was in the 70s. We stopped at West to get Hot Chubbies. Then home.

It was a great time with buddies. But also yet another reflection of our age. Things as they were are fading away. But for two glorious nights we were allowed to travel back in time and dance the night away.

2011-01-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2011

The start of a new year always calls for reflection and reinvention. Let the new year begin and bring on the challenges.

2010 was an interesting year. Work was over demanding and finished with big changes that were not expected. But it also provided an adventure of 20 days in China. Fortunately my family was supportive during all that work. They never fail to amaze me and I'm so thankful for them.

I'm recommitting to loosing some weight and getting in better shape. That is a recurring theme but always worthy!

My plan this year is to start the great western adventure. We will adventure to at least one of the great western national parks. Either Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.

I also plan to do some camping. Always good to just get outside and away even if just for a day here or there.

So much more to do, so little time. With that everyday must be to love life and live it to the fullest!

Happiest New Year to all!

2010-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Days Between

Happy Birthday, Jerry.

Still missed...

2010-06-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Wooden

2010-05-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Ronnie James Dio

This week rock and roll singer Ronnie James Dio died. Dio was a monster of rock in the mid 80's. But he really was doing great work well before that. His death brought back memories of a time for me 30 years ago.

I had just moved to Phoenix to start my Sophomore year in high school. Once classes started I met Ken, he would be my best friend for the short 2 years I would be there. Ken had previously lived in Japan where his Dad was stationed. While there he had gotten into a band that was very popular in Japan at the time. This was Rainbow.

That same year we also befriended another Air Force transplant. Dennis had moved to Phoenix for just his senior year. That is a tough situation to be in. But being Air Force brats ourselves we all fell in well together. Dennis had actually joined the Air Force. As soon as he graduated he was going straight to England. Ken and I envied that Dennis could 'get out'.

But for that year we spent many hours hanging out just listening to Rainbow blaring at ear shattering levels. We just could not understand how this band was not more popular. The lead singer was captivating and Ritchie Blackmore's guitar was well established from his days as a founder of Deep Purple.

As it turns out, the lead singer was Ronnie James Dio. Dio would go on to repace Ozzy as Black Sabbath's lead singer and then form his own band, Dio. His popularity soared in the 80s as everyone discovered what we had been listening to hanging out in Dennis' bedroom.

As with all things, Dennis, Ken and I all moved on. I hadn't thought of Dennis in 30 years. Ronnie's death triggered memories of that time. So on a whim I searched for Dennis on FB and sure enough, there he was. His response to me after accepting the friendship request was asking if I had heard about Ronnie James Dio's death. Like me, Dennis said that triggered those same memories of He, Ken and I.

2010-05-19T02:08:00.001-07:00

Bird's Nest

Two Motorola engineers, normally worlds apart, on the same side of the planet for a moment.

2010-03-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

Who is that in the mirror?

Strange that I look in the mirror and don't see me. Instead there is some old man staring back. It's also strange to think back on something and realize that was 20 years ago and at that time you weren't a kid! I can see why people have mid-life crisis now. I guess I'm at the mid-life point. In many ways its an in between time. Kids are in between being kids and self supporting adults. Career is between the ambition years and retirement. Ca la vie but I don't like getting old!

O to be young again....

2010-02-11T23:09:00.001-08:00

One of the Coolest Things Ever...

and invented by a Morrison!

Walter Fredrick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee, has died. He was 90.

2010-01-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

Chicken Hawk

The great chicken experiment has taken another unexpected twist. So far we have let the chicken's free range in the backyard at will during the day. They love this and run around all day long. But with winter setting in a unforeseen consequence appeared. About 2 weeks ago we heard the birds squawking loudly. Joan went out to see what was happening and spotted a hawk sitting on top of the chimina. The chickens were below taking cover. The hawk was scared off by Joan's arrival.

For the next couple of days we kept the chickens couped up. But they don't like it. Eventually we started letting them out for an hour before sunset. Then finally went back to letting them free range all day. I spotted the hawk once more flying by. Strangely the hawk was accompanied by several loud crows.

I should have known better and kept them couped up. During the day the hawk came back and this time attacked. These chickens are big and strong so he must be desperate. I'm sure it is risky for him to attack. Amanda heard squawking again and went out and spotted the hawk. The hawk (and crows again) flew off but it was obvious a skirmish had taken place. The hawk took out Nugget's right eye. Otherwise she is fine. She did have a bloody beak so we are hoping she did damage back to the hawk during her struggle. It has been two days and she is pretty much acting normal.

For now they remain locked up in the coupe. Free range time will be limited to when they can be watched over. Nature plays out even in the suburban backyard...

2009-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

Cold

It has been cold lately. And for cold by our standards in North Texas that means it actually dips into freezing over night and sits in the 40s for high a few days. But this never lasts and now we are enjoying mid 60s with full sun. That type of cold is about all I can stand and even then I wished I lived further south!

The younger LSU Daughter, who lives in Baton Rouge, thinks that she has been denied a proper upbringing by never having lived in a extreme cold environment! She scoffs at this winter here in Texas/Louisiana and declares she thinks we ought to live where there is snow on the ground for the winter. She also thinks that living in that environment would allow her to where more fashionable clothes.

Her mother and I have been there and done that. We have survived those long winters in subfreezing temps and snow. And it is no fun. Never again! Not sure how this kid who was raised to hate the cold has gotten it into her brain that cold is what she wants! The banter continues, I say I'm cold, she sighs. We just tell her once you graduate from college you can live anywhere you want... and we will visit you in the summer!

2009-11-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

Grandpa

Cavin James Shepard was born on Nov 17, 2009! He is my first grandchild. He is a beautiful baby boy with a full head of hair. Here he is with my son, his Uncle J.

2009-10-30T20:55:00.001-07:00

Dallas Morning News

In a recent article (on-line) about the Dallas Morning News closing one of its packaging plants, the statement was made:

"Caught in a national decline in newspaper advertising revenue, managers at The News have engaged in a strategy to raise subscription prices and shrink circulation to establish a core of dedicated subscribers."

I guess I did not qualify as the core of dedicated subscribers when I canceled my subscription. The price was just too high. It doesn't seem to make sense to me that this is the best strategy. What if they find out the core is out priced altogether?

2009-10-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Did you know?

2009-10-10T14:44:00.001-07:00

Fall in the Air

All are rejoicing because of the cool temperatures. All except me. I can't stand the cold and it's already cold :-( Give me the heat, just one more day, please!

At least I have football and post season baseball to distract me from changing weather.

2009-09-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

Geaux Tigers

For Joan's birthday we went to see the LSU vs. Vanderbilt game at Tiger Stadium. It was a great time. The weather did not cooperate but it was manageable. The younger LSU daughter went with us. Nothing like a little tailgating and football on a Saturday night. Unfortunately for Joan, Vandy lost :-(

Tailgater

Geaux Tigers!!

Welcome to Death Valley

The view

Meeting up with the cousins

2009-08-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Crazy Times...

A few years ago it almost looked like we were heading into easy street. Kids were moving out, bills were getting paid, house note was on the fast track and 401k was soaring. But I should have know that would not last. Nobody warns you about when your kids hit the 18+ to 25 stage that things would be crazier than when they were teenagers! Somehow we are taking care of all of their lives as well as still trying to run a household. It is necessary and hopefully temporary but things have never been this crazy before.

Plus the oldest daughter is pregnant. So I will soon be a grandpa. That certainly is exciting and wonderful. But it just doesn't sound right. How did I get to be this old? I so clearly remember being their age. I guess your just never prepared to be at the next stage.

One day at a time and trust that God doesn't give us more than we can handle!

2009-08-11T09:03:00.001-07:00

The Daily

I love the newspaper. I love to be able to sit and read through it. Unfortunately, I usually don't have time to read it. It piles up in the recycle bin. This week I got the bill for next years subscription. Like everything else, the cost of subscription has increased dramatically. The logical conclusion then is to say goodbye to the daily. To join the post modern world and skip the old school print. Hate to face that, but it is just time to let it go.

2009-08-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today was a Good Day

Only two showed up for Bible study this morning, me and Wayne. But that was all I needed. It was one of those days we never got to the study, just a day that needed fellowship and listening. Thanks Wayne.

Also,

Happy Birthday Jerry

Let Jerry week begin...

2009-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

2009-07-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

New Roads on the 4th

It was another great family gathering on False River in New Roads, LA. Cousins, siblings and parents all came to the camp. It was good to get away and just be with the ones you love in a place you love.

Dad and Joan blogged about it:
Dad's blog
Joan's blog

Here are some more visuals to go with it.

Refreshments!

Relaxation .... Joan and Amanda reading on the pier

More relaxation, Jamie using the hammock to its fullest!
Swimming in the River
Fireworks at Baton Rouge. We sit on the levy of the mighty Mississip' and watch the show launch from a barge in the river.

Pyrotechnics! After the Baton Rouge show we return to the camp to light off our own show! These babies were procured from Ms. Shirley in Morganza for a wad of cash and a dozen boiled crabs! Nothing like the thrill of lighting the fuse and running for it.

What a great weekend!

2009-06-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rail Adventure

Last week Joan and I took a day off and decided to have an adventure on the Dallas rail system (DART). We drove to LBJ and Central Expressway and caught the redline downtown. It was very nice and easy to use. The trip was $1.50 each way.

We road down to the Cityplace station. From there we caught the free McKinney Street Car trolley. The street car runs down to the arts district. We visited to the Nasher and Dallas Museum of Art. It was a great experience. After the museums we jumped back on the trolley, then train and drove home.

It was a great day!

LBJ Train Station

Cityplace Station is deep underground

McKinney Street Trolley

Outdoor sculpture at the Nasher

2009-06-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

CONCERT > GRADUATION > BASEBALL > STORM

Four exciting nights in a row!

Concert - Les Claypool and Matisyahu at the Palladium - Sunday

Graduation - Georgie's High School Graduation - Monday

Baseball - Rangers vs. Tronto - Tuesday

Storm - High winds, rain and lightning beat up the fence and took out power- Wednesday

Wonder what is happening tonight!

2009-06-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

Graduation for Georgie!

Our youngest daughter, Georgie, graduated from Marcus high school today!! I'm so proud of her. Way to go! The class of 2009 is off into the world!

2009-06-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Good Ol Days

I just celebrated 15 years at the mother company. After ceremonies I was talking with a fellow co-worker and before I knew we were both in "back in the gold old days" conversation.
"We used to have to work hard, kids today don't have that anymore"
"We used to accomplish stuff as a team together, not its scattered all of the world"
"We used to put a quality product and make our customers happy"

blah, blah, blah, you know how that one goes. I'm sure when I started working right out of school the old timers looked at me and then thought the good ole days too.

Times definitely have changed. And in 15 years at one company it has change tremendously. And certainly in 15 years I've changed a lot. I was 30 then and life was a whole lot different. But I am glad to still have the work and wonder what the next 15 years will be like.

2009-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

2009-05-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Bird Dog?

2009-05-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Graduate

LSU Class of 2009 - "The Katrina Class"

2009-05-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Proud Dad Shout Out

Daughter #2 will graduate from LSU this month Cum Laude!! And she did this in 4 years!!

I'm very proud of her!

And the icing on the cake is yesterday she found out she was accepted into the LSU Veterinary School! This is very difficult to get into.

I'm doubly very proud of her!

Congratulations Amanda.

2009-05-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

Red Box

At Walgreen's on 407 and Morris is our red box. They are here or there but that is the one we go to. And here lately every time we go there is a line at the red box! So this is becoming the community gathering spot. While you stand in line you chit chat about movies and such with people you've never met before.

If you don't know about the red box check it out. This is a great service. The red box is a refrigerator size box outside of a store. It holds DVDs that you can rent for $1 a night! Somebody took the itunes idea to DVD rental and its perfect. You can find your movie by browsing at the red box or pre-reserving on-line. Then just return it by 9pm the next day.

Easy, affordable and you get involved with our community! Who needs blockbuster or net flicks?

2009-04-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

End of an Era

Ten years ago my son was born. This made the kid count 5. The transportation of 7 people total takes a big vehicle! The Astro van we had was already crowded so with the new arrival it was time to just go all the way. We bought a full size van in Sept 99. It was well worth the money and served us well. She was named the 'blues clues' van for a while. We have logged many road trips and adventures with it.

But now we are down to only 1 kid that can't drive. Three of the kids have moved out and the fourth is on her way out this summer. And the blues clues van was starting to show her age with repair bills. It was just time after 10 years of faithful service.

The replacement was a snazy little Nissan Versa (with spoiler).

2009-04-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

Spring time in Texas

The official indicator that the Texas spring is here would be the appearance of bluebonnets. Its prime season and they are everywhere.

2009-04-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Dead Tour

The Grateful Dead is back on tour starting tomorrow. Its been 5 years since the last outing. The tribes are all geared up and the first meeting is fittingly on on Easter Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina. The tour runs through the summer. Wish I could be there but no luck for me this time. Hope all the happy hippy peeps enjoy the family and spread the love!!

And always remember the music and Jerry.

2009-04-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Opening Day 2009!

The daughter and I headed out to opening day on Monday at the Ballpark. We went with our friends Dave and Becky. It was a very chilly day and the wind kept blowing!

It was all fun though.
I got to hang out with Amanda all day!
It finally warmed up once we got into the sun.
And the Rangers hammered the Indians 9-1!
Love opening day... Baseball is back.

2009-04-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

Race Weekend

Once again its NASCAR weekend. The sea of RVs never fails to amaze me. Last weekend they started piling in. Everyday driving to work I see them come like ants. By Friday the city is complete. You have to admire their passion...

So this weekend we will stay far away from the track and all things west.

2009-03-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ramblings

This weekend we had a cold snap roll through. It dipped down into the 30s again and Saturday remained cold until later in the afternoon. Since the overnight lows were near freezing Joan brought the chickens in. They should be able to handle it but since they are still young we figured better not risk it.

Unfortunately the golf club March outing was also on Saturday. As diehards we pressed on. It was the most brutal golf outing I've ever had. Needless to say the scores were high!

And today I was driving to the parents house. This is about 1ish on a Sunday afternoon. I had to stop at Walgreen's and then figured I would head west on 407 and out. Big mistake. The 2499 and 407 intersection has become such a traffic nightmare that traffic was backed up to Bridlewood. Needless to say it was faster to turn around, head back to Morriss and back to Waketon to get out. This traffic is really ridiculous...

This coming weekend in the annual NASCAR event at Texas Motor Speedway. So we shall be avoiding heading west at all costs on the weekend. As we drove by it today the RVs are already piling up out there.

Need to finish the taxes up this week. So far its looking like I need to send Uncle Sam some more. But I need to give it the scrub down.

In two weeks the LSU kids are home for spring break! It will be good to see them.

And April 6 is opening day. We have tickets already in hand and it is sold out. I hope the weather is nice to us.

2009-03-19T09:27:00.001-07:00

Chick-chick-chickens!

They are getting big! Joan is building the coup and its coming along nicely. They have been enjoying running around the backyard and are ready to move out there.

2009-03-13T17:49:00.001-07:00

Favorite Places

Can my bucket list have places on it I have already been? One of my favorite places to be is at a music festival with my wife. Especially jazzfest in New Orleans. Its something we started doing pretty soon after we got together. Here was one of our first, the Memphis Blues Festival in 1994. At that little 'porch' stage Joan is standing in front of was unknown artists. The guyplaying was handing out tapes and playing blues for anyone who would listen. His name is Keb Mo'...!

And this was from our first jazzfest in 1995. That is Coco Robicheaux, Louisiana blues and medicine man! He was pretty crazy. That was a great trip and so much fun. We have not returned since Katrina but we will be back.

So put that on the bucket list, jazzfest with Joan as many times as possible before I die!

2009-03-05T08:27:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Katie!

I can't believe your 25! Seems like yesterday you were Daddies little girl and the only kid!

I'm so proud of you and hope you have the greatest birthday ever!

2009-03-01T11:49:00.001-08:00

LSU wins the SEC

LSU beat Kentucky in a down to the wire nail bitter. With that victory LSU claims the regular season championship outright!

Geaux Tigers!!

2009-02-24T21:23:00.000-08:00

No. 18 LSU clinches share of SEC crown!

LSU finished last in the west only a year ago. Now with 12 straight SEC wins and 9 wins in a row LSU is dominating. One more victory and they will win the conference outright! A great way to celebrate the 100th year of LSU basketball.

Geaux Tigers!

2009-02-18T22:14:00.000-08:00

Conan

This is Conan's last week in the late night slot from New York. I get Conan's humor and he is hilarious. Its been fun watching the recaps of past episodes this week.

Not sure what moving up in time slot and to LA will do to his act. Thanks for all the great, funny stuff over the last 16 years.

Good luck, Conan.

2009-02-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

Beast

This is the weekend for the annual Birthday prime rib! Can't wait...

2009-02-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Rifle
This is the Ruger 10/22 carbine. It shoots 22 caliber long rifle bullets. This model of rifle was the first gun I ever bought. Got it in 1980 and had a lot of fun with it plinking everything in the desert around Phoenix, AZ. I loved that gun. Sadly it was stolen when we moved from Phoenix.

So recently I've been wanting to get back into shooting. The boy has also been asking about it as well. So I naturally returned to my old friend the Ruger. I bought the same model and it arrived just last week. Since Texas is all private property the boy and I will head to the range to plink. But it will be good to teach him how to shoot and have some fun together.

2009-02-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Just Because...

Sometimes you have have to laugh at the random crazy stuff on this here internet.

2009-02-04T23:31:00.000-08:00

Teenagers

Had to love this quote from a facebook dialog about stressing out over getting into colleges:

"im not stressing out at all. i didnt have to writ essays and im pretty sure the schools im applying to are super easy to get into. haha i dont want to go to a hard school."

Oh my, too funny.

2009-02-03T17:46:00.000-08:00

The day the music died...

February 3, 1959

2009-02-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

It was 40 years ago...

Jan 30, 1969.

2009-01-30T08:31:00.000-08:00

Life...

Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

-Ferris Bueller

2009-01-27T06:17:00.002-08:00

ICE DAY!

There is freezing rain in North Texas so the schools are closed! Have fun kids.

As for work that is still undecided :-( It may have to be a "Work from Home" day today :-)

2009-01-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

The 2009 List

Part of the reinvention idea is really based on the fact I turn 45 years old this year. So I guess its time for the mid life crisis where you realize the "going to get to that one day" stuff needs to be gotten to!

So the 2009 list does include resolutions that are typical but it also includes new activities I feel drawn to or back to at this crossroads in life. The list (in order of priority):

1) Ask God to be in charge everyday - I always want to do it all by myself but it never works...
2) Daily exercise - no longer an option at this age. 30 min a day minimum, no exceptions.
3) Control finances - yet another typical list item but one that is critical with 2 kids in college
4) Reinvention - subtle changes so I don't get to stale...
5) Golf improvement. The game has been stagnant for me despite myself. It's time to get serious or walk away.
6) Deer hunting. The last time I hunted I was 18. Its time to get back.
7) Fly fishing. I've always wanted to try this and it seems like a good time.
8) A technical certification - got to challenge the mind and keep work skills up

That is it and that is a lot. Probably wont get it all done in 2009 but now is the time to start.

2009-01-21T14:28:00.001-08:00

Fit issues

I did do a brisk 30 minute walk yesterday around the kitchen island. So I'm off to a good start.

Then I tried to fire up the Wii fit. But the Wii wouldn't power up. Figure we have a detached cable. Dug though the massive spagetti pile of cables for the TV/cable box/ps2/game cube/fit jumble only to find out it is connected properly. Oh man, fear set in that the Wii was dead. The Wii that took a lot of effort to procure! I pulled out the power adapter and Wii box. Figured I might as well check the power adapter. Who ever hears of a power adapater going bad? But had to check it. I got my trusty digital multi-meter and set it up for a DC voltage measurement. The label on the adapter says it has a 12V output. The meter read ZERO. Problem found. I order a new power adapter which is $20 and will take a week to get here. So now I'm out of a Wii for a week. Ug, nothing is ever easy.

2009-01-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Fitness

The new year has worn off now and any feable excuses I had left are used up. The last one being if the new president doesn't have to start work until Jan 20 well then me too! Oh, so feable I know. So its time to get back to fitness. While I'm not sure I can shed 20 lbs like my friend committed to I do need to unload some and keep the bp down. So resolution one kicks into full implementation TODAY!

2009-01-19T08:55:00.001-08:00

The Dream

...From 1776 to 1862 to Jan 20, 2009, was really for us all.

2009-01-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Blogging Drought

Not much to say which means to much going (back on the work bullet train), obsessions, angst, searching, routines, winter, and just getting in my own way!

You know how it is...

And yes, I need to buy new shoes. Both of them have a huge crack right under the balls of my feet! Cheap Kohl's shoes... Ah, and yes, I have only one pair of 'daily' shoes at any given time.

2009-01-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Pop Culture

On my last visit to Chicago this sign was in my hotel room:

'Pop' is a term for sodas in the midwest. We always used the term 'Coke' for sodas regardless of what type it was. And other people actually use 'soda'. And it just so happens somebody studied this and made a map of what term is used where. I found it at the stange maps site:

Blue = Pop, Red = Coke, Yellow = Soda

click here for a bigger image of the map

2009-01-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

More SEC football

This has been a couple of days of some exciting games. The SEC really did well (until last night anyway).

South Carolina - oh well, they got to a bowl

Ole Miss - Love the upset and what a great game to watch

Kentucky - Another great game to watch, East Carolina was evenly matched in this game of knees.

Alabama - Wow, where did the Utes come from? I really didn't expect this outcome and am always glad to see another BCS shake up. Leave it to the 'bamers to make a mess of it all. The Utes will go down as number 2 but will have the legitamate argument to number 1. An all to familiar yearly BCS argument ritual.

SEC in bowls:
12 teams total
8 teams went to bowls
5 wins (LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Kentucky, Vandy)
2 losses (Alabama, South Carolina)
1 left to play for the National Championship (Florida)

Impressive!

To bad the national championship wasn't tonight. Spreading these bowls out all over just doesn't do a whole lot for the sport in my opinion. I know we have another BCS bowl to go (go Longhorns) and their is the NFL to contend with but come on schedulers. I want my college football to end with the holidays...

2009-01-01T00:29:00.000-08:00

SEC!!

They said Vandy couldn't beat the BC streak... Vandy 16 BC 15 . Yeah 'dores!!

Then LSU was the underdog to G Tech.. But LSU put that one down 38 - 3!!

Go 'dores!
Gueax Tigers!
Go SEC!!!!

2008-12-30T22:06:00.001-08:00

Vacation

Into week 2 now and it is flying by. The weather has been good so that has been a big plus.

Yesterday the boy and I went to the driving range together. That was a lot of fun.

Then Joan and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire. This was a really good movie and it was great to have a date night.

Tomorrow night is the annual New Years dinner party with friends. We take the young master to the Grand parents for an over-nighter and the girls go their own way.

One more day of 2008, how did this happen?

2008-12-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

Tamale Night

To start the festive season off we had Tamale and Pictionary night. The parents, older brother, oldest daughter with significant other and son, and all of the other children came together at our place on Sunday evening. Earlier I had picked up 5 dozen tamales from Joe T. Garcia's bakery in Fort Worth. The evening started by devouring the delicious tamales. All really enjoyed this and gut busting goodness was had.

Then we had a great game of pictionary. These were the advanced set of cards Joan had made. Two teams were made and off we went. Nothing like the free association that comes pouring out when your trying to figure out what the person is drawing. Lots of family fun.

The highlight was my brother trying to get us to guess zombie. Here he is below as well as the zoom in of the clues. Needless to say we didn't get it. After the timer went off and he was explaining it I'm still not sure I followed his logic. This included his picture of the pituirary gland... So all night the phrase "Chris, is that a pituitary gland?" kept coming up!!

More activities are planned, can't wait!

Merry Christmas yall!

2008-12-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

Man Shack

Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and played a round of golf with the club. Afterward we went over to one of the members house for the post festivities.

We had the gathering in his new man shack! This baby sported a shop, gym, ping pong table, pool table, soon to be indoor driving range, and 50" HDTV. Outside the shack was his new putting green and outdoor driving range with markers.

Wow, now that is a man shack like I have never seen...

2008-12-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

Random Cell Phone Picture

2008-12-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

Texas Winter

Yesterday it was a beautiful 80 degree day. The boy played outside all day. Positively shorts and t-shirt weather. Then about 7pm a front blew through and the temperature dropped 40 degrees! Today's high will be in the 30s! But don't worry by Thursday it will be back in the 70s.

Such is winter in Texas. A see saw of temperatures for several months. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and those people already had their winter regalia out. Layers of heavy clothes. You could tell they were dressed for the cold and ready for it to be cold for a long time. My wardrobe hardly includes any long sleeves. When it gets cold I just throw on the coat and power through knowing in a couple of days it will warm up again.

2008-12-11T12:40:00.001-08:00

SNOW!

The girls texted at 7am this morning to report the ground was covered in snow! This is a rarity in south Louisiana. Here are some pictures from New Orleans at the French Quarter and St. Charles St. Very weird indeed!

2008-12-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

Stove again...

As Joan pointed out the dead stove makes a great storage cabinet for the toaster oven!

2008-12-06T15:10:00.001-08:00

The Stove

We have your typical stove, oven on bottom, burners on top. Our stove decided to kill itself about 6 months ago. For some reason it went into full self clean mode all on its own and burned itself up.

So far six months it has sat there with breaker off. And we have cooked without it. What is suprising is that so far we have not missed it. The kitchen is so full of additional cooking appliances that it turns out the stove is really just not necessary. While we have discussed getting a new one so far there has been no rush to do so. In fact its now like a mission to just avoid buying one.

I suppose there are a lot of things we have that we would get along just fine without.

2008-12-03T08:39:00.000-08:00

Planets

Maybe you have been noticing at dusk the last couple of weeks two bright objects in the southwest sky. The moon has been passing through them this last week. These two objects are Venus and Jupiter. Both are very bright and you can see them clearly before it gets dark.

So take a few minutes, go outside and take a look at dusk.

2008-11-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

Vacation

-The Saints ROCKED the house last night! Even without Reggie. And Duece set the all time Saints touchdown record. DEUUUUUUUUUUUCEE!
-It's nice to be on a full week of vacation. The company has a use it or loose it policy so about this time of year people really start disappearing. I'm using 3 days to get the week off!!
-Winter is real tough here in Texas - NOT! I was in Chicago last week and forgot how people really layer and dress for cold. I don't have any of that stuff so maybe I should quit complaining about the cold we get here.
-The kid and I have been playing football and basketball everyday. Great fun. I'm going to try and get him to the 9 hole golf course this week too.
-My brother had his first kid, a son. I'm so excited for him. He and his wife will have a lot of joy with the little prince.
-This year for Thanksgiving my Mom is cooking a prime rib instead of turkey. Yum, Yum!!
-I can't get enough of the new XM channels. Between the Grateful Dead channel and the JAM ON channel I'm listening all the time.
-I still can't believe how low gas prices have become! At racetrack yesterday it was $1.58!!! Wow.

2008-11-22T20:32:00.001-08:00

2008-11-19T12:33:00.001-08:00

Chicago...

Traveling to Chicago in November is usually not fun. And when its for me to give a customer demo with lots of buisness implications it's really no fun! But you know what makes it all better??

That's right, yummy, delicious Portillo's!! Especially the Italian beef and sausage combo with sweet peppers on a roll plus crinkly fries on the side. Man that is to die for.

It just may have to be deep dish tonight at Lou's...

2008-11-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Thoughts of the Day

-Thanks Dad and all the other veterans who fought for our country. We will never know your sacrifice but will benefit it's reward.
- Nothing is as perfect as Joan's sweet tea
- Traffic in Denton is horrible. But gas there was only $1.84/gallon today!
- Google maps on my Motorola Q phone is pretty awesome
- I have to go to Chicago next week for work. Talk about winter shock, ug.
- Very much looking forward to the holiday time off coming up soon.
- For the most part cars are there for you but when things go wrong it can be painful.
- Is anybody really going to shop this Christmas season???

2008-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Polotics 4

I know a lot of one side is saying the sky is falling and the other side is pointing fingers at the current administration. But really if you look at it the president's office over time it oscillates back and forth between right and left. That means most people are in the center. After 8 years one way it's time to drift back the other way and so forth. To much of one thing, especially in politics, is a bad thing. And change in our government is always slow no matter who you are. So I think this will be good for the country and in 4 years we can all decide again which way to head.

2008-11-03T19:27:00.000-08:00

NASCAR Nation

Today was Monday after one of the big NASCAR races. I drive to work down 35W so go right by the track. I could avoid it but I love to see the spectacle of NASCAR nation leaving sacred ground. Monday morning all the thousands are peeling out of the track and heading home. The freeway is bumper to bumper RVs with all the faithful. In a sense I'm people watching as I'm driving. You get to see all kinds. And they all have crazy flags, stickers, trailers, custom BBQ pits, and the best of all suped up golf carts. These people know how to have a good time and they come prepared!

This evening I drove home in the dark, it was only 6pm :-(

2008-10-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Winter...

Yesterday there was frost on the ground. Our electric blanket has been used twice this week. The mornings and evenings are getting dark. Even though I'm still wearing a short sleave shirt to work with no jacket the season has changed. Let the long winter stretch begin as my depression sets in...

2008-10-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Politics 3

I think the old adage that if the economy is good the incumbent party wins and if the economy is bad the opposing party wins is about to play out.

I get at least one email a day from a concerned friend passing along a detailed account of why it is party X's fault we are in this economic mess. Of course one day its from a Republican friend and the next its from a Democratic friend. Some things just don't change.

Maybe I will vote this week to get the drama over with. I still have yet to decide. Barr is looking pretty good at this point...

2008-10-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Stuff...

- The Bosox went down in the 7th game. Nobody took their eyes off of them until that final out was done because those guys prove over and over again how scrappy they are. Funny how a few years ago the Red Sox were everyone's favorite underdog (besides the Cubs) and now they are the dynasty winning machine. So overnight the world has become Ray's fans. Its a great story, I'm on board.

- Fall is here :-( And looming is the worst day of the year for me. We shall not speak of the day when the clock hands move in the middle of the night 1 hour.

- The wife and I are secretly lamenting our age. It seems to be that point when you realize everything really has changed and you are on the other side of it. I recently had 2 great aunts die. One from my Dad's side, one from my Mom's side. Both of these were the last of their generation in our family. So my Mom pointed out that now they have moved up into that oldest generation slot and therefore I have moved up in the order as well! doh!

- My answer to polotics and a bad ecomony is sports. Give me college football, MLB and NFL so I can ignore the problems of the world!

- It's time to retire the traditional Elvis mask I wear on Holloween. I need something new, going to have to make a mask run.

- The Texas State Fair has come and gone again and I didn't make it, again :-(

- I'm not going to miss the King Tut exhibit

- Happy Monday.

2008-10-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Baseball

You got to love playoff baseball. Last night's Red Sox come back was amazing and exciting! Within two innings to go from being down 7-0 and winning 7-8 was incredible! The bad part is I wish both teams could win. Not sure Bosox have it to come back all the way this time though.

Looking forward to some more games like this.

2008-10-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

More Politics

Things are heating up. We were discussing this the other day.

Person 1: "I vote straight regardless of what the name is. It doesn't matter who the actual person is and I'd never vote any other way." This person went on to say almost everyone is this way and that its rare for people to vote based on the person and to not follow a strict party line.

I have to admit I do see this behavior from the majority of the people. I guess I'm in the minority. Although I have been registered with one party all my voting life on every election I decide based on the information I have on the person running and party is just part of the equation.

Person 2: "I'm not registered to vote and have never been registered to vote. I have no opinion and just don't want to be a part of it."

I can see a lot of people opting for this as well. The alternative is to seek opinion of others and that usually goes down the path of there is only one right choice...

2008-10-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Politics

I'm pretty a-political but had to comment on this. Yesterday I was behind a car that had two bumper stickers on it. The first was "Protect America, Nobama" and the second was just "NO" with the O being the Obama logo.

So this person took the time to adhere two bumper stickers to their car for what they were against. Yet they did not bother to add any sticker to endorse who they were FOR!

That's politics in a nutshell....

2008-10-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Back from Austin

It was good times and a plethora of live music. We festivaled all day and then went to an after show each night. Austin is the live music capital of the world so its only fitting that it have such a festival. Much like New Orleans' Jazz Fest its a community event instead of just a concert production.

We got to see a lot of great bands including the unknowns to the well known. The varieties in the line up keep things interesting all the time. And the intimate after shows were a nice addition to the festival this year (that's Jakob Dylan in the picture).

Thanks Austin!

2008-09-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

ACL Festival

Thursday I'm off to the Austin City Limits Festival for 3 days of live music! I guess I need to go look at the line up and see who is playing...(!)

2008-09-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

STRIKE!

His second game pitching was much better then the first. Good improvement He had a fair number of strikes and really stayed in control! Way to go son, we are very proud!

2008-09-16T13:56:00.001-07:00

Live Music

Last Friday I ventured to the Granda and caught a great Umphrey's McGree show. They were fantastic and really put on a great show.

2008-09-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

IKE Cometh

(As seen from the International Space Station)

Another massive storm in the gulf, this time Texas will take the hit. Hopefully everyone gets out that is told to. The kids are reporting that strong wind and rain started in Baton Rouge this morning.

2008-09-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Twin Towers

I'll never forget that feeling.... vulnerable, exposed...

2008-09-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Proud Dad Alert

Saturday was the opening game for Fall Little League. The son has a new team this time around so things are going to be different. He has also been going to the baseball gym all summer to improve his skills including pitching training. Pitching is something he has never attempted before.

In preparation for the first game the coach tells him that he is pitching first! He pitched the first inning and even threw a few strikes. I was very proud just to see him take it on, to get up there and go for it! It was a great moment!

2008-09-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

Gustav Pounds Baton Rouge

We arrived Friday night in New Roads. The girls came in later that night. The next day we all had a great day on the river. The weather was perfect. But this was the calm before the storm.

All day the news was consumed by Gustav. Fortunately, the storm never slowed down over the Gulf so Cat 3 was all it could muster. But this meant the storm was coming in earlier. Instead of Tuesday it would hit Monday. LSU's football game kick off was moved up on Saturday from 5pm to 10am, the earliest kick-off in school history. The Contraflow plan was moved up from 6:30AM Sunday to 4:00AM. My cousin spent the day putting everything away and trimming tree limbs. He was hoping it was for precaution that would not be needed.

South Louisiana seem to mobilize Saturday night. My coworker left Thibideaux Saturday at 7:30pm on HWY 90 with his family. Thidideaux was in the direct path of the storm. It took him 12 hours to get to Shreveport (normally about 4 hours). The girls left to return to LSU Saturday night before the Contraflow began.

We decided to leave Sunday morning. At 7:45am we headed north on LA1 avoiding HWY 190 and I-49 south of Alex. LA1 was deserted so we made easy time. Joined I-49 North at Alex and all seemed light. But about 50 miles up the road traffic stopped. It would remain thick the entire trip back to Dallas. Mostly moving at the speed limit but with bunches that would slow down and stop occasionally. Almost all Louisiana plates getting out.

Spent Monday watching CNN. Not much was reported on the Baton Rouge area. But it took a beating. Lots of wind, not as much rain. Worse for this area then Katrina or Rita was. The power went out around noon. I got text messages from the girls into the late evening but its been silence since.

Now waiting for the day after damage reports. Although Gustav was no Katrina it was still a very scary storm. Thank goodness for all the preparation this time.

2008-08-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Into the Eye...

It's Labor Day weekend so we are doing the traditional road trip to Louisiana. This year we get to visit two daughters that are in residence at LSU. Daughter #2 is a senior. In her first week as a freshmen in 2005 Katrina hit! Welcome to Louisiana. Now Daughter #3 is a freshman and Gustav is heading straight for Louisiana to welcome her. Hopefully things will be far less mayhem then the devistation that Katrina brought.

We will get in late tonight. The govenor has order New Orleans to evacuate Saturday. Gustav is due to arrive Tuesday. So we maybe leaving early to avoid storm and traffic.

2008-08-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

fit... wii fit!After hearing about the wii fit for so long I finally decided to get one. The boy says its fun and I know it can't end up as a clothes hanger collecting dust in the corner.

Well getting one proved quite the challenge. You can't just buy these things, they are harder to get than the wii itself. I had to employ serious technology to get one. I found a wii stock tracker page and set it up to send me a text message whenever it found one on line. The first few days I kept missing getting one. One would pop up and then be gone in seconds. But finally I scored one from Toys R Us!!

The Wii Fit arrived a few days later and I was committed. I found out rather quickly this thing was serious! And how out of shape I was :-( First time up I take the body test and it gives me my wii fit age.... 49. Ouch, even the family winced.

But me and my personal wii fit trainer have been at it for 6 days now. He keeps telling me to keep working at it, one day I'll be in shape but only if I excercise everyday.

The truth is I'm enjoying it. It's a fun way to approach excercise. It's easy to do. Whether it works or not its got to beat sitting on the couch.

2008-08-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Game Time!

Today the little widget thingy on this page for LSU football changed indicating this week's game! College football is here and I'm excited. LSU goes into the season with uncertainty at the quaterback position like many other SEC schools are facing. Unfortunately the loss of Perrileaux now reflects on what just could have been a much more certain repeat trip to the BCS. But none of that matters once ball is kicked off on Saturday.

2008-08-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

My Morning JacketRock and Roll brother called Saturday to invite me to his work. My Morning Jacket was playing at the Pladium and he knew I liked them. So I headed down to the Palladium and hung out with the bro at the sound board. Very cool since the place was jammed packed. And since he is the sound man the best seat in the house is where the sound man's ears are!!

The band was great! This was a stronger set than what I had seem them do a few years ago. I really enjoyed the full 3 hours. I was really amazed by the light show, tons of lights. Erika Badu made an appearance and sang one of the songs in the encore.

Love live music, thanks bro!

2008-08-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

The King

I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
Just a country boy that combed his hair
And put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air
And he shook it like a chorus girl
And he shook it like a Harlem queen
He shook it like a midnight rambler,
baby,
Like you never seen

- Gillian Welch, Elvis Presley Blues

Well she drew out all her money from the Southern Trust
And put her little boy on the Greyhound Bus
Leaving Memphis with a guitar in his hand
With a one way ticket to the Promised Land
Hey little girl with the red dress on
There's party tonight down in Memphis down
I'll be going down there if you need a ride
The man on the radio says Elvis Presley's died

- Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Bye Bye

Aug 16, 1977. RIP Elvis.

2008-08-12T08:44:00.001-07:00

Nest is emptier...

Kid #3 left for college on Sunday. She drove by herself to Baton Rouge. And we are left a bit emptier. She will be fine...

But we are loosing critical mass. Down to only 2 kids in the house. One of them is a high school senior so she is rarely seen. Thus leaving the house feeling very empty. Kind of one of those things when I was a younger parent and heard about that I just didn't get. Empty nest? Woo Whoo!! But then when it starts to happen you get it...

2008-08-11T11:19:00.001-07:00

Geekfest '08

Last week I traveled to Austin to attend NIWeek 08. This is a week long technology conference presented by National Instruments. Not exactly a household name. But for 3,000 experts in instrumentation, automation and graphical programming its mecca. This is an Austin based company that lives the moto, keep Austin weird. They take innovation, engineering and out-of-the-box all together and produce gee wiz stuff for us engineers.

This technology is exciting and spectacular. Part of NI's vision is to create more engineers and technologist. With our enormous appetite for all technology such as cell phones, hdtv, wireless internet, video games, ipods, etc. you would think ever kid in America would want to be involved. But not so. It seems our kids measure success by Derek Jetter or Hanah Montana with little room for much else. Technology is cool and so many oppotunities are out the for the taking. NI is working to get to kids into techology, primarily with their Lego Mindstorm robots. This is NI's brain child and one of their most exciting projects (slightly cooler then their fully automing the beer making process at the Spotzel brewery in Shiner, Texas).

So I applaud companies like this and really am awed but the power of innovation when its fueled. A modern day Edison lab for sure. And yes, that makes me fall into the geek squad. As Joan pointed out, "We have seen the enemy and they is us!". But I'm ok with that. Enjoy your techology!

2008-08-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

RIP Jerry

See here how everything
lead up to this day
and it's just like
any other day
that's ever been
Sun goin up
and then the
sun it goin down
Shine through my window and
my friends they come around
come around
come around

2008-08-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hail Caesar!

Last night we went to the Caesar Salad competition in Dallas with a group of friends. This competition is hosted by the American Institute of Wine and Food. Some of Dallas' best chefs and restaurants serve their Caesar Salad and an appetizer. They included:

J.W. Foster * The Fairmont Hotel
Mansour Gorji * Canary Cafe
Chad Kelley * The Oceanaire
Daniel Nemec * Kirby's Steak House
Mike Owens * Morton's of Chicago
Scott Romano * Charlie Palmer
John Tesar * The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Jason Weaver * The French Room
Brian Wubbena * Truluck's
Michael "Buzzy" Zeve * Sevy's Grill

There were 10 restaurants in all. We tried every one of them! So it was very filling and delicious. All of the salads and appetizers were really good. The appetizers included escargot, crab (crab, crab and more crab), filet mignon, sweetbreads, quail, duck, and others. Very much a variety.

It was lots of fun, a night out and good eats. Joan and I thought the Canary Cafe salad was the best. But the winner this year was the Mansion at Turtle Creek. They did have a great salad and their fried sweetbreads were very tasty.

2008-08-01T21:26:00.001-07:00

So it begins....

LSU's first SEC match up will be at Auburn on Sept. 20!

I'll wait to start complaining about USC and Ohio State's soft schedule. They deserve to play each other... oh wait, I guess I just did complain!

USA Today Poll

1. Georgia (22) 0-0 1,438

2. USC (14) 0-0 1,430

3. Ohio State (14) 0-0 1,392

4. Oklahoma (3) 0-0 1,329

5. Florida (5) 0-0 1,293

6. LSU (3) 0-0 1,163

7. Missouri 0-0 1,143

8. West Virginia 0-0 1,008

9. Clemson 0-0 999

10. Texas 0-0 979

11. Auburn 0-0 888