Freebies

As i mentioned yesterday, Delilah had her first scheduled maintenance today. I also had Infiniti replace the tint on my window that wasn't done properly the first time. They were accommodating and had me scheduled in.

I arrived a few minutes early and they promptly took Delilah to the service bays to get her oil and oil filter changed. That in itself didn't take too long. A part of their complimentary 24 month service, I get a car wash with every service. This saved me about 3 or so hours of washing/detailing. I appreciate that service.

The tint guy finally got there (they outsource the tint guy). I could see Delilah's nose from where i was sitting. I waited and waited and waited. I saw the tint guy drive away...well, at least the truck he drove up in. So, i thought i was finished. Not the case. It seems that the tint guy wanted to take my key fob for a trip around the clear lake area. Of course i didn't know this and Infiniti didn't know this until someone started asking questions.

Because i was inconvenienced by this, Infiniti decided to give me a free tank of gas. In this day of $4 per gallon, I think i was appropriately paid for my time. Before i left, i wanted to get a sunshade for Delilah. Infiniti carries custom made shades that fit the windshield perfectly for each make of car they sell. I expected to pay for this. Unfortunately, Infiniti doesn't have the custom made EX35 sunshades available...and they won't be available for a few months. I decided to go with a G35 sunshade because the two vehicles are similar. The service guy i was working with asked me if i received a sunshade when i bought the vehicle. To which i replied, "yes, that's why i need this one." Ok, so i just thought that...I told him that i hadn't received one and he handed me the sunshade and once again apologized for my inconveniences.

So a few hours of my time yielded me a free tank of gas and a free sunshade. I like freebies...but i'd rather get them when when i'm not inconvenienced.

Oh Yeah! and Aww Man...

Bummer. I missed the paintball festivities today. Today was Rob's 30th Birthday Paintball surprise party. For some reason, i thought that was next weekend. Awww man...i've got some mad paintball skillz too. Sorry i missed it Rob. Hope you had fun.

In a continuing string of good things, my good friend from high school, Jason, called me up Friday afternoon to let me know that he had some free time this weekend. We've been trying to get together for some time now. With noting on my agenda for saturday night, he drove down here and we hung out getting caught up on all the goings-on. We ended up shooting pool at Main Event for a few hours. It was good to catch up with an old friend. Unfortunately, the catching up lasted into the wee hours of the morning. This only afforded me about 4.5 hours of sleep.

I would've slept in, but Rockstar practice takes priority over sleep. I went over to Groovy B studios to work on the live sound of Finding Reason. And Oh Yeah!!! Ben and I dialed in some killer tones. I'm super excited about the sounds we created. We dialed in an awesome acoustic simulator sound that will be used on Blue Devils and Got Me Wrong. Ben was so envious of my patch, that he tweaked his patch to get it closer to mine. My guitars sound great...despite the mediocre guitarist behind the guitars...I'm getting really excited now...
We're getting closer...Are you ready?

Debs Visit

Ahhh...it was good to see you again Debbie! Debbie and I go way back...almost 10 years now...or something like that. You see, Debbie was my professor in college...and has since been a good friend. She contacted me the other day saying that she was going to be in town for the weekend. It was great to see her. It was also great to see Al, her husband. He's a really cool guy. We spent the rainy day walking around the large...ok GIGANTIC Saturn V rocket at JSC. I wish she would've given me a bit more notice...then i would've been able to get her and Al visitor badges and we could've have a real tour. Next time though. Ethan is a friend of mine who i knew at A&M and i see him every now and then on site and and Freebirds.

We braved the weather and headed over to Boondoggles for lunch. Had some great conversation. Alas, time is too short. I think i need to plan a trip to the D.C. area.



Well, i think i'm off to take a short nap...nothing else to do on a rainy day...

Day 9 -- Surprise Guests

Who were the mystery surprise guests? You may have heard by now, but the surprise guests were former President George H. W. Bush and former first Lady Barbara Bush. The Bush's are big NASA and manned space flight supporters. Why the visit? George and Barbara were at JSC for the Columbia memorial and they said that they'd like to return to the control center once we returned to flight. Well, i suppose their schedules were a little swamped, because we've had 6+ missions since then. But they fulfilled their promise to return.

Their brief visit took them to the WFRC (Shuttle Flight control room) where they were able to speak to the crew and watch them perform zero-G antics. After the visit to the WFCR, they visited FCR-1 (Space Station Flight Control room). This is the room that i would normally be in, but not today. I didn't want to crowd in that room and potentially distract the controller on console (not that we were doing much at the time). I just decided to go down to where the Engineering support personnel sit and watch the events unfold on the TV screens. Several of my friends and colleagues got to see and talk to the Bush's. They even asked Melissa the name of her unborn child...(there is a funny story that goes here, but i'll let melissa tell that one).
Did I get to see President Bush and the Silver Fox? You bet! Turns out that the last stop on their visit was to the very location i had decided to camp out. We exchanged a few words with the Silver Fox as she admired the console that our engineering counterparts work at. On the way out President Bush and i gave each other the manly nod as he acknowledged my presence. It would have been rude of me to reach around the lady that was guiding him out to shake his hand...the manly nod works for me just the same.

We weren't able to do much today...since plans are still being developed. As happens so often, we are waiting on others to finish their work before we can finish our work. But we were able to develop some theories as to some data that we are seeing on the vehicle now...not a terribly exciting work day, but it seemed to fly by without warning...

Oh, and there is something so wrong feasting on lasagna (excellent lasagna Erin)at 5am or fajitas at 7am. I didn't partake in both on the same day...but given a bigger stomach, i would have. The one bad/good thing about missions is all the food...there isn't a lot of healthy items there to choose from, but it's all very tasty. I have a feeling lots of diets will go into effect following the mission.

Just a few more days left in the mission...then i can get back on a regular schedule...

OH...i was super hyper today for some reason. I had this tune in my head and i needed a guitar to see if i could work out that tune...it was the beginning of the next Finding Reason hit. Unfortunately, i think i lost it before i could get home. I did get into the studio today to do some work though. In fact, this post comes to you from the studio computer. The past few days i've been too wiped out to think about getting in the studio...but i made it happen today. Maybe tomorrow will yield similar results?

Beautiful Wall Art

And here are my beauties. Displayed in the proper way when not hugging me... I told you that i had a surprise post...this is it. Not what you were expecting, huh? That's why it was a surprise... ha ha.

But really, just a few more things for the studio and she'll be done. I still have 2 other guitars floating about the house, but when i tried to hang those, they just didn't sit right...so i may have to come up with another solution for those...or i could just leave those in their stands.

I was a bit hesitant to drive dry wall anchors into my newly painted walls...for if i screwed that up, it would be a rather noticeable mess. Luckily, things worked out and i gathered the courage to drive those into the wall. The guitars are secure...away from direct sunlight, heat, and cold...they rest comfortably, and are pleasing to the eye.









Sorry the pictures turned out so crappy...i didn't have time to polish them up. So for now they'll have to do.

BTW, i typed up this post sitting on my new comfy love seat, listening to some groovy tunes in the studio. Nice and relaxing...

Day 1

Day 1, the easiest of them all...is done. Melissa and I were the first shift of this long mission. But we made it through. Today was the easiest of them all. All we did today was prepare for the next 10 days. Actually we really only prepared for a few days. The next two shifts will do the same thing. Tomorrow is the big day for us ADCOs, docking day. This is one of the days that we train heavily for, it's ADCO's day.

I'm starting to feel really tired right now...i think i could easily fall asleep. i need to hold on a few more hours. I did run a few errands before i made my way home. Stay tuned for a surprise post...it may not be today, but soon...

Called In For Broken Water...

It's now nearing 5am...i'm sitting here watching telemetry flash before my eyes. Am i really seeing what i'm looking at? I think so...but i am tired. You see, i was called in (cause i'm on call) because Mike and Molly are having a baby. Molly's water broke and Mike was working midnights (his last shift of midnights). Didn't quite make it did he.

It was quite weird...Molly's last day in the office was today, er...yesterday. We were at a meeting... Excellent timing on her part i suppose. Well, congrats to Mike and Molly!!!

Mike, don't feel bad for calling us in...Life happens...
Congrats!

Return of Saturday Football and Surprises

I bring you this post from East Bernard. My internet has been down the last few days and it is really frustrating when you want to get some information and you can't get to it.
Yesterday, was my first time at Saturday football for 2007. I must say that I am not as sore as i thought i would be today. It was a lot of fun though. We just need more people to play...those short, narrow fields can be a pain.

Surprises are only surprises when the person you are trying surprise knows nothing of the planned surprise. Melissa Green is relentless when it comes to surprises and gathering information on said surprises. Some how Melissa found out about the party we had planned for her...although i don't know all the details, but she previously thought we were throwing her a party on the 20th, but in reality it was last night. I think the word on the street is that she found out...oh well, it was an interesting party nonetheless...Stay tuned to Parris Perceptions for the party pictures...

And as far as surprises go, i plan on showing up at my best bud's parent's house this afternoon. I don't know if he knows i plan on making an appearance, but i'd like to think he doesn't. I should have a few pictures to post following my visit with my very good friend...assuming that i have internet.

Oh by the way, Texas weather is about to surprise you. When i left the house this morning it was a balmy 72 degrees F outside. By the time i got to EB, it was a chilly 48 degrees F. I expect it to only get colder throughout the next few days...with the potential for ice...

Stay warm....