Horelica House of Music #11 and Other Musings

While I am still listening to disturbed and Drowning Pool, I decided that this installment of Horelica House of Music would be less angry. So i chose:






So, I was invited to a few Halloween parties this weekend. Part of me wanted to go and a part of me wanted to stay home. Well, the part of me that wanted to stay home won out. I didn't have a costume and I needed some time to get things done around the house. I did get a few naps in to catch up on some sleep that i have not had lately. I did get some things done around the house, but there is still much to be done.

My eye has healed for the most part. My black eye has turned into a sickly yellow and purple, but normal color is starting to return. The gash has healed nicely, there isn't even a scab anymore. However, it is still tender to the touch.

The most recent football outing yielded poor performance on my part. I threw an interception and turned the ball over on downs on my two QB opportunities. I did score 2 touchdowns though. But it was not enough. We lost 10-4 or something like that...I realized that the majority of the other team was the MudDogs! Speaking of the MudDogs, we have the week off due to Halloween. I'm glad we have the week off because I'm on console this week and wouldn't have a chance to play and I get an extra week for all my injuries to heal. Hopefully by our next outing i'll be able to run at 100%.

Well, i don't think there is much else to report tonight. Have a good evening...

It Can't Be Done...

So, physics...and common sense...tells you that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time without something catastrophic happening. Being an engineer, i decided to try this out for myself. So, after 6 hours in the emergency room, 12 stitches, and two broken ribs, i indeed learned that it can't be done. Two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

Ok, now that you are done freakin' out, i'll tell you what really happened. I did end up proving that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time...but with much less carnage -- thanks Tarik. I have a black eye and a small little gash over my eyelid, a busted lip and a few other bruises. See, not as shocking as the first story...
The gash above my eye has closed nicely, but i will probably have a scar. I literally saw red after the collision. I blinked a few times and i saw a tint of red...blood had gushed from my cut and into my eye. The ref had me leave the field...i went to the bathroom and by the time i got there the bleeding had stopped. I cleaned up and ran back out on the field. I ended up scoring an extra point and the MudDogs won 21-7.

It was a sweet victory. The guys we played were really mean looking...had the plays on a wristband and were very athletic looking. Unfortunately, they weren't all that smart. Our defense kicked some ass. We played smartly and took the victory. We even gave them 7 points so that they wouldn't look so bad. It was a great time.

So, today i'm very sore. I have aches and pains in places that i didn't even know i had. Well, i have two weeks to heal. Next week we don't have a game and i'm working late. I might try playing on saturday, even though i probably shouldn't.

Anyway...i'm fine. Sore, but fine. Does anyone know the best way to get blood out of a white T-shirt? hehe

Just remember, it can't be done...

The Dream...

I can't remember when or where the dream started. Perhaps it was when my parents got me my first guitar, which i never really played. The guitar still rests in a corner in their house. Perhaps it was later in life when i was able to appreciate music. I really don't remember...and i suppose it doesn't matter at this point.
Finding Reason will perform live in front of their first audience. (maybe) Ben's girlfriend, Jen, wants an opening band for her next birthday party in February. Jen really cares for Ben and she wants him to acheive his dream...playing original music...the road to rock stardom. While Ben already plays with his other band, their music is not original. So, Jen is helping Finding Reason along by laying down a goal...
Finding Reason will play a small set (2-3 songs) at her private birthday party at St. Arnold's Brewery in February. Now, we have a lot of work to do in the meantime. We need to get a drummer (in work). We need to finish some more songs (in work). We need to find a singer (have a temporary contact in mind). Now, i said maybe earlier...and that was because we have a lot of work to do. I think Greg and I are a little nervous...no, scratch that...a lot nervous about the whole thing. This is a big thing...bigger than i have ever imagined.
I always had the dream. The dream seemed so large that it could never be realized. But maybe it is...
Don't hold your breath...I don't think you'll see us in regular venues just yet.
I will keep you informed as things become more solidified.
I think i'll go throw up now...

Horelica House of Music #10

This week i'm into the high-energy-angry music. So, my choices are Disturbed and Drowning Pool. The angry "D's". I actually bought these CDs this week after going through several myspace song selections. I remembered Drowning Pool from several years back. Certain songs stick in my head...in particular Bodies from Drowning Pool and Down with the Sickness from Disturbed. These were radio songs...back when i listened to the radio. I won't say these are great albums, by my standards anyway...this kind of music is on the edge of the spectrum for me...but i go through weird music phases. I was listening to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata before listening to the angry "D's"...

You Know You Are Tired When...

Okay...let me set the stage here. So, I woke up a little earlier this morning to allow me time to shave. It's been an incredibly long week so far and i'm a bit tired. So, i prepared to shave...lathered up with shaving cream and then proceeded to pick up my toothbrush instead of my razor. I never did try to shave with my toothbrush, but man...that would've been a funny mix up.
So, i envision this as a Letterman-esque Top 10 list. Let's keep it to personal experiences, and if we don't have enough personal experiences then we'll make something up. But i don't think we'll have to make something up...

You Know You Are Tired When...

10. You try to shave with your toothbrush.

The MudDogs Meet

Well, I've taken on another extracurricular activity -- men's flag football. There is a league at work that formed and a few of us got together and formed a team. Our "captain" named us the MudDogs...not sure why, but it's cool. Perhaps I can now start talking like Bobby Boucher...
Anyway, we met tonight to go over some strategies and play a little catch.
I think we are also signed up for a co-ed flag football team. So, it looks like i'll be playing football 3 nights a week. Well, that is, as soon as i come off the disabled list. My injuries are still a little tender, but i think they are getting better. I hope to be ready for next week's football festivities...

On another note, it's been an incredibly long week for me already. I have around 22 hours put in for work so far...and there are 3 more days of work this week, with who knows how many more meetings...

Quad and a Hammy...

Today was another day of football. Today was also the day i went on the disabled list. I don't want to hear it, mom. I still had a good day prior to the injury. Threw for one touchdown and caught the obligatory 40+ yard TD pass. I say obligatory because, i essentially ran the same route that i ran last week with the same results...same side of the field and everything. Does two outings justify obligatory? perhaps another blog another time.
The injuries came on the TD catch. As i accelerated to catch up to the pass, i pulled both my quadricep and my hamstring...on the same leg. I thought i could go on, but decided it was best to not do further damage. So, i'm gimpy right now. I went to the store to pick up some icy/hot and some cold/heat treatments. Today i've been icing the injury....it numbs it for a while and then i have to massage out the knots...it's a bit painful, but i'm optimistic that this will get better.
I attribute the injury to not properly warming up. There was no awkward twisting or collisions or anything like that associated with football...
So, make sure you warm up properly before engaging in any kind of exercise.

As Promised...

Here are the pictures from our new home...FCR-1. The top picture was taken in 1968. The bottom picture was taken 2006.

Here are another set of pictures.

I actually made one of the pictures. See if you can locate me? Kind of a Where's Toddo?

Our New Home...

Today we "officially" had a ribbon cutting ceremony for our new home at the Mission Control Center. The International Space Station flight control team has a brand new room to conduct day to day operations. This is new room is known as FCR-1 (pronounced "ficker one"). Actually, the room is quite old...you see, this room was the control room starting for the first manned Apollo mission,Apollo 7, which launched 38 years ago today. This control room was also the control room for America's first space station, Skylab. And yet again, this control room was the control room for the first Space Shuttle missions.

While this control room has seen operations in the 60s, 70s, and 80s (perhaps the 90s too), it has been modernized for us. Everything is essentially brand new. New consoles, new carpet, new paint, new computers...etc. Our room is much more spacious than our previous home. It will be great to fly out of our new room. My first opportunity will be next week.

There were some big names present at today's ceremony...big names in the space business any way. Gene Kranz, Chris Kraft, and Glynn Lunney just to name a few. The room was packed and the ceremony was nice. I had the priviledge of being in the room the first time it went operational on Friday of last week. I think i might be in some of the pictures taken that day...although it'd be hard to see me. Our console is at the front left of the room again. Once NASA updates their website with the new layout of FCR-1, I'll post it so that you can see what it looks like.

What is your Quirk?

We all have 'em...quirks that is...we all have 'em. What is yours?
I was going to save this for the liner of Finding Reason's first album, but I suppose i can put this information out there now. I'm sure those of you that know me well have seen me do this...but perhaps didn't pay too much attention to it. One of my quirks is that i tie all my straw wrappers in a knot. I don't know why i do it, but i do. Every single one of them... Perhaps it is like my calling card.
I'm sure you will notice the next time we are out dining at a fine establishment that requires the removal of a straw wrapper...
So, what is your quirk?

Horelica House of Music (#9) -- Influences Edition

Welcome to another edition of Horelica House of Music. This is the first of the influences edition. Every now and then i'll list some of my influences. Although one could consider any music that i listen to an influence in some way.
But I consider both of these my major influences.

David Bowie. There really isn't more to say here. The name says it all. I was lucky enough to see Bowie in concert. Here is a review i did several years ago of the concert.



The Smashing Pumpkins. I don't exactly remember when I got into the Pumpkins, but it must've been the early 90s. I, unfortunately, didn't get to see the Pumpkins live. I did get to see Billy Corgan perform though with Zwan. Here is the review i did for that show. There is something intoxicating about the Pumpkin's music. I love the soft and loud transitions and the gritty distortion. There is something so warm and creamy about that tone...hopefullly I can bring some of that forth for Finding Reason.



You will see these guys again on future versions of Horelica House of Music.

Friendly Football Frills

Today was my first day to join a coworker/friends touch football game. I had a lot of fun. I caught 1 touchdown pass and threw for 2 more. Not too shabby for my first time out. I did drop a pass in a critical situation, but that's okay. My team did lose the game, but it was still a lot of fun.

There were no serious injuries throughout the day. My 30 year old body was able to handle a few tumbles and such. I'm just sore right now. I used muscles today that i haven't used in quite a long time. So, i'm sure i'll be sore for the next few days. I really didn't experience any of my "exercise induced" asthma symptoms. I was pleased with that.

The weather was awesome this morning. A nice low of around 65 or so at the start of the game and a comfortable 78 for the end of the game. I hope the weather stays as good as it was today for the next few months.

I am still tired from the weeks activities, but today's exercise has given me a little more motivation to do some musical experimentation for Finding Reason. I find it a bit interesting...since the heather situation, i have been taking a bit better care of my body (with the exception of the first few months where i stopped eating) I have cut way back on caffeine and i am doing a lot more exercise. I'm not necessarily eating healthier, but i am doing things that i haven't done before.
Well, it's time to clean up and get something to eat...

I'm TIRED...

It has been an exhausting week. I just got home about 20 minutes ago (it's 11pm now). I spent roughly 11 hours at work today...more than i wanted to. I came close to 50 hours this week and i only put in 5 hours on monday. Yes, it has been that kind of week. Most of the work comes from the fact that I'm Increment lead. We've been nurturing a not so healthy CMG and the past two days have been a little more than hectic. I've been planning several tests to conduct on the CMGs. I'm happy to report that the tests that we ran last night and today were successful and produced some data...whether it is valuable data is yet to be seen. We have more tests planned for monday. I'll probably have to go into work tomorrow or sunday to finish up the planning for the next week. The ADCO lead's work is never done...

At least it keeps me busy. No time to think about my personal life...

Tonight, the 3 founding members of Finding Reason met with a potential drummer. I'm optimistic about this guy. He's got a good personality and is very friendly. He's got a lot of experience too...but we have yet to hear/see him play. Tonight was a meet and greet of sorts. We introduced ourselves and we introduced him to our music. He went home with a few tracks that we've been working on so he can think about how to add his touch. Then in a few weeks we'll meet up again and listen to him play. He seems eager to get out and play...which is good for us...maybe that'll motivate us to finish some songs.

From work...straight to Ben's house...to Fuddrucker's. Ben, Greg, and I headed over to Fuddrucker's for a late night burger. We sat out on the patio and enjoy the very nice weather. The humidity was lower than normal and there was a nice little breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. We sat, ate, and chatted about recent happenings. It's been a while since we just sat down and talked. We talked about our fear (Greg and I ) of dating again. Although, i'm not ready for that just yet. Perhaps it's not fear but the pain of going through that stage again. We talked about money making schemes and other such nonsense.

I finally made it home...and i'm super tired. Yet, i write for you. To make things worse, i'm actually getting up early to go play football. I get to try out my new set of cleats tomorrow. I think my weekend is pretty much booked. There won't be much time for myself. I have dinner plans tomorrow night. Finding Reason might get together on Sunday...and somewhere in there I need to go to work for a few hours...

Sleep I need...sleep i must get...sleep for me...

It has come to my attention...

...that some of you out there have been trying to call me. I do screen my calls and if the caller ID says "Out of Area", i usually don't answer it. If you would like to talk to me, please leave a message and your number and i'll get back to you. Or you can try my cell phone. Email works too...
Thank you for trying to get a hold of me...

All in a weekend...

I had quite the busy weekend. I started off the weekend with a new haircut. I like to change hair styles every now and then so, it was time for something new to go with my new life. Ashley, my hair stylist, came up with this cut. I think this one might stay around for a while. Nice job, Ashley.



I did some quick shopping for some needed items on Saturday morning. I bought some football cleats so that i can start participating in touch/flag football. Looks like i might have to take Tarik's place since he is on the DL. I also bought another SD card for my camera. Now i can pack 2GB worth of pictures on my camera.

I did a little bit of cleaning around the house Saturday afternoon...laundry and dishes.

Saturday night, i was invited to a wine and cheese party. The party was thrown by Ben and his girlfriend Jennifer. I'm not much of a wine guy so i elected to sip on some margaritas instead. I did indulge in some different cheeses. But I left the party a bit early to make the drive to EB.

Sunday was family reunion day. This was going to be the first time to see my extended family since the heather situation occurred. Not once did i feel uncomfortable. There were some conversations about the heather situation (i call it the heather situation after Pulp Fiction's "the bonnie situation."-- although there really isn't much of a connection between the two.), but I'm pretty comfortable talking about it now. I spent a good portion of the reunion talking with my cousin Kyle about flying. He just started flying lessons in early september, so i was reliving all my experiences for him. I do miss flying, but it's really hard to make the time for it. I have a lot of things i need to do before i get back into flying...so that will be on hold for a while.
It was good to see all my relatives today. And the food was marvelous. The food was prepared by Uncle Ken and Granny, with mom on Tea detail. Uncle Ken pan fried chicken for a group of about 40 people. I think he started cooking around 8:30 in the morning. The food was excellent: fried chicken, buttered whole potatoes, green beans, cole slaw and tea. I filled up on this food twice today. here are a few pictures from the weekend's activities: