Looking Back

Wow...how quickly the year has come and gone. It's almost hard to believe another year is gone. I hope this year left you in good spirits. And i hope that 2009 will bring you your dreams and desires...

This year was a pretty good year for me. Better than 2007. And most certainly better than 2006. Looking back to the first post of 2008, i wanted to see how well i did. This is an excerpt of what i wrote:

If i could look into my crystal ball, i'd tell you what the new year will bring...but since i'm not that talented, i can tell you some of the things that i'd like to get done in the next 365 days.

• Complete the studio (minus a few pieces of wall art here and there)
• Buy that new vehicle
• Clean out the clutter from around the house
• Maybe get me a girlfriend
• Help take Finding Reason to that next level
• And some other things…

First of all, we had 366 days this year. The studio is more or less complete. I really don't remember when i declared that complete, but the goal was completed. There are still some things i'd like to do though...all in good time i guess.

I took care of that new vehicle. Delilah has been an absolute joy.

I was able to clear out quite a bit of clutter from the house. Granted there is still a lot of clutter to clean, but i feel this was also satisfied.

Didn't accomplish the girlfriend thing. I guess we'll put that on the list for 2009.

Finding Reason performed 2 shows this year. Two charity shows, one of which we headlined. Hey it was our show...we can headline if we want...The first show in included a 8 song set, 6 songs which were never played in front of anyone before. That was a thrilling night. The next show was a 9 song set in a real public venue. Unfortunately, there wasn't a huge turnout, but thanks to those that were there.

And well, the other thing to note was that i started working out and running this past year.

So, all in all, it was a good year. It could've been better but that is what 2009 is for right?

Again, i hope your 2008 was a good one...and i hope your 2009 will be even better...

Looking Back...Year in Review

I must say that 2007 was considerably better than the year before. However, I see a lot of room for improvement for 2008. The good thing about blogging as often as i do, is that it is easy to go back and look at the year, the good, the bad, and the boring...and with that, i'll recap the year by selecting one or two posts per month. Without further ado:

1. January -- iFell for iPod and The Brotha from anotha Motha.

iPod...what an invention! The iPod almost never leaves my pocket.

I always enjoy hanging out with my best bud from EB. Soon, i hope to find some time to visit them in Nevada.

2. February -- Rockstar? Finding Reason Debuts.

No surprise here that this was my selection for February. When are we gonna do that again?

3. March -- Party Like a Rockstar, The Birthday Pictures... The Call Came From Outer Space, and Chattin' with Astronauts in Space.

Hey, it's my birthday month, i'm allowed a few additional posts. Actually all the posts are tied to one day during the month, March 16th...my birthday. It was a great birthday! Probably my best yet.

4. April -- Increment 14's Success.

One of my proud work related accomplishments. It was a long ride, but a fun one. And it kept me busy...which was something i needed.

5. May -- The End.

The close of a 12 year chapter...

6. June -- Biggio's 3000th

I wasn't at this game, but i've been a long time Astros (and Biggio) fan. So that's why this got the pick. This was also the month that the ISS almost died.

7. July -- Definition of Cute

Not a whole lot of interesting stuff going on in July, but here's a my Godson being cute.

8. August -- And So It Begins...

This was the month of my mission as lead ADCO. There are actually 12 or so other posts for this month, but i'm too lazy to link them all. So, i'll leave you with the fist post of the mission.

Another proud moment in my work career.

9. September -- Sneak Peek.

I started painting the studio...and gave you the sneak peek here. The studio is not 100% complete, but it is closer. I need to acquire one or two more components and it'll be complete. I use it nearly daily...so it is operations. Just a few more touches and it'll be all complete...like i see it in my head.

10. October -- Current FR Logo and Busted Knuckles.

The FR logo change. We updated the logo in preparation for next year.

And, i was proud of my $3 fix that i had to put it here in the year in review.

11. November -- Debs Visit.

I was glad to get to visit with Debbie and finally meet her husband, Al. It was a good few short hours.

12. December -- 12 Christmas Facts and Time-Lapse Entertainment.

Christmas and Family...what could be better...

And that concludes my look back at the year 2007. If some of your favorite posts didn't make the list...that's okay...the posts are still there for your viewing pleasure.

2007 was a good year for me. A lot of other things happened over the year that didn't make the blog and that's okay. Those moments are for me. How did your 2007 treat you? Were you satisfied? Would you do anything differently? There is still some time left in 2007...maybe you could make that happen? Is there anything you'd like to accomplish in 2008 (you can wait to answer that question in tomorrow's post)

Farewell 2007!

Sonic Drive-through?

Seriously? Why does Sonic have a drive-through? My brother, sis-in-law, and I contemplated this very question while we sat at the outdoor picnic area of East Bernard's new Sonic. You really don't get your food faster do you? If you decide to park, you still get your food in your car. So, i think i have an answer...Sonic has a drive-through for the reverse-challenged. Those that are afraid of R go through the drive through at Sonic.

And who rocks your face off?? Sonic Radio...that's who! (This was heard at the sonic...i wonder if that channel is on satellite radio?

Really, the weather is really nice in the evenings. It was enjoyable to sit outside and not be bothered by bugs or humidity.

Petey Update: BTW, PeTey is the name of my cruiser...I know, not very original...I figured i'd give it a name before i got rid of it. So, Petey had the radiator cooling fan replaced and the overheating issues have gone away. However, the tech uncovered some other issues that may require attention. In the eyes of the tech, it almost requires immediate attention. Money-hungry basters... Anyway, he's not completely out of his mind, the issue at had would leave me stranded. Now, i turn the evil eye toward Chrysler for making a part so cheaply that it isn't even servicable...you have to buy the entire component if this piece breaks. I was kinda bummed when the auto shop told me this and then gave me the estimate of nearly $500 to fix the problem. Well, in my wallowing in self pity, i did some research on the internet. Some other PT owner encountered the same problem...but designed his own fix for around $3. Yep that's three dollars. In fact, i think his fix is probably how the thing should've been designed in the first place. Once i have a little time, i'm going to employ the fix and then i'll post the results. What should i buy with the $497 i'm going to save?

And on another subject, i'm excited. This post comes to you from my parents house. While you may think that's not unusual, you've posted from there before...you'd be right. However, i was able to link up with a wireless network. No, EB is not WiFi...that i know of. But this wireless link is much faster than that darned old phone line. Let's just say, the neighbors are nice around here...probably too nice.

Tonight we had 'show and tell' night. Mom dug out all of the artwork that me and my brother did over the years. Some of it's pretty good...i kinda remember doing some of it. I just wish i could remember the book that i used to make that one drawing from...it was an awesome book.

I have run out of things to say...other than, hello to melissa wallace...she's working one of the worst shifts in all of flight controller land...i know she frequents this blog from time to time...wake up...the sun will rise soon enough. :)

The Vacation

I thought I'd get a post in before i start my day. The vacation was a good one. I made a stop in EB to get some lunch prior to making the rest of the trip to San Antonio.

I met my brother at his store in the Rivercenter mall. He still had some work to do and i was there to buy some shoes anyway. So i shopped around and tried on quite a few shoes. All in all, i walked away with 5 pairs of shoes (1 of them was for my dad).







And here are the pair of shoes that my dad picked out.



After the shoe shopping (Thanks for the discounts, Brandon), we went to Brandon and Jessica's apartment to sort out the rest of the night. We decided to go to a pub to have a few drinks and shoot some pool. Well, it appeared to be a long wait for pool so we went back to the apartment to place some games.

One thing that Brandon i did as kids was play a lot of games ... on the Sega Genesis. My brother has an Xbox, so we played some Tiger Woods golf for most of the night. I remember back in the day when the controllers were much simplier--say a joystick with A button. Video games today have many different buttons and controllers to work through...definitely will help with hand eye coordination and memory. You have to remember what each button does functionally. Perhaps video games aren't so bad after all...despite the constant eating and no physical exercise...

The next day we did a little more shopping...making needed stops at Guitar Center, another mall, Game Stop, and Best Buy. We took a lunch break at Chipolte. Still doesn't beat Freebirds, Erin, but damn, it's awesome with the carnitas. I believe this past visit to Chipolte was the best i've ever had.

We went back to play the new game that Brandon bought, ESPN's NHL 07. Brandon and I used to play hockey on the Sega Genesis all the time. So we played some hockey for a few hours. Some things haven't changed, Brandon still beats me in hockey. We also played some football and ordered a pizza.

Ok, this is the part of the weekend, where i'll never look at Bob Saget the same way again. While we were eating, we flipped through the channels to find Bob Saget's That's Ain't Right standup. You remember Bob Saget as Danny Tanner on Full House and as the host of America's Funniest Videos. Wow, all i can say is that it was shocking. I almost think he was doing all that for shock value. It was friggin hilarious though.

Brandon and I did our usual music swap, and i was on my way back to EB for a quick visit before returning here.

I spent the rest of the evening preparing the studio for paint. Ok, i've spent a little too much time preparing this post, i must get some primer and paint now. Stay tuned for the next installment.

The Loss of Two

Houston loses two.

1) Marvin Zindler. If you've been in the Houston area for any amount of time, you've undoubtedly heard the famed line, "Slime in the ice machine." Marvin Zindler has been a iconic figure in the Houston area for longer than i can remember. My parents always watched Channel 13 Eyewitness News (simply cause we never had cable and channel 13 always came in the best.) I don't watch channel 13 news any more, but that does bring me back to my childhood years. Wikipedia has a page on Marvin. Yes, you've made it when you have your own Wikipedia page.

2) The Astros let 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg go. In the baseball business, it is not uncommon that players move from organization to organization throughout their career. Craig Biggio is a rare case...spending his entire career with the Astros. Morgan has been slumping this season and wasn't getting much playing time. I'm not totally surprised, but it saddening. Morgan is/was one of my favorite Astros players. I'm sure i will follow his progress to which ever team picks him up. Here's Morgan's wikipedia page.

Crappy Tools Make Crappy Results

Ok, i've had it. I've been trying to do some soldering on the guitar today. I've decided that it isn't necessarily my poor soldering skills, but rather the tool i'm using to do it with. Several years ago, i bought one of those Cold Heat (don't buy this product) soldering irons. It appealed to me because it was relatively small, battery operated and cooled down in seconds. I bought with the intent of doing my own guitar upgrades...fast forward a few years and i finally got around to using it. Let's just say that i hope i didn't damage any of the wires as i was trying to use the crappy thing.

Tomorrow, i go out and buy a proper soldering iron. Although, i'm not too fond of those things...*beware childhood flashback* Back in my pyromaniac days i would go in my dad's storage building and get out his soldering iron and melt tin wire into spectacular blobs of splashed metal. I was intrigued by the molten mass and how quickly it solidified... That was pretty fun...right up until i caught a molten blob of tin between my toes. I'm surprised i don't have a scar from that. I'm surprised that dripping molten metal between the toes isn't a practiced torture technique.

Well, enough of that. This morning i went into work to get some planning work done. I did quite a bit today and was satisfied with the results. I still have a lot of work to do, but some of the painful stuff is done. Next week, i'll get the rest of my team to help me out...then it's time to fly!

Will i be rockin' with my newly upgraded guitar? Tune in to find out... (i sure hope so...i'm excited to hear what she'll be able to do. Love-hate will really rock then...