What a night
14 June 2005
13 June 2005
Full swing
Wedding season is in full swing, and in prime time right now for Jennie and I. In fact, Jennie is already in NC, she just left this morning, after almost missing her flight and her bags arriving on a different flight, she made it there safely.
I, on the other hand, am still here in Austin; just working away. Mainly trying to keep my mind on work, but having somewhat of a hard time doing that. How's that different than any other day? It's not really. But usually i'm playing some on-line pool for lunch time, and now i'm looking up what route i'm going to take to get to the wedding.
In case some of you didn't know, i'm driving to North Carolina for my wedding.
I have two friends who have graciously decided to make the trip with me. So I won't be soloing the cross country trek. (Thank god)
Just had a new stereo put in the car, again, the voracious gratitude of my man Chase pulls through. Along with that, he's also picked up the ties for the groomsmen and plenty of other things I've surely, or will no doubt forget before then.
More later, back to the grind.
- JB
I, on the other hand, am still here in Austin; just working away. Mainly trying to keep my mind on work, but having somewhat of a hard time doing that. How's that different than any other day? It's not really. But usually i'm playing some on-line pool for lunch time, and now i'm looking up what route i'm going to take to get to the wedding.
In case some of you didn't know, i'm driving to North Carolina for my wedding.
I have two friends who have graciously decided to make the trip with me. So I won't be soloing the cross country trek. (Thank god)
Just had a new stereo put in the car, again, the voracious gratitude of my man Chase pulls through. Along with that, he's also picked up the ties for the groomsmen and plenty of other things I've surely, or will no doubt forget before then.
More later, back to the grind.
- JB
26 May 2005
Re-do
I'm going to repost this quote because I need to read it again due to the last few days i've experienced:
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
- Aristotle
I really didn't have a terrible day in terms of total shit-dome. But when you look at the small picture:
- I had to drive to Dallas for work. Not leaving until 3pm. I had to rent a car, cause my wonderful ride might not make it back from Dallas. [the ride to Dallas is a cluster-F waiting to happen]
- When I go to rent the car, the fantastically helpful folks at Hurtz-dont-it rentals tell me my card won't work (Great)
- Finally resolved that issue and trudge up the highway. Do the job (45 mins tops) and get back in the car. In the mean-time I had to dispense 100 bones to the client for a "fee" out of my own pocket.
- Get back home about 10pm and couldn't sleep. But, that's ok, I get to sleep in the next day. Only having to return the rental by 10am.
- Upon returning the rental car, I find my car with broken glass and a missing stereo. &#^% *&@#! @(*#*...needless to say. That cost 140$ for the window and now no stereo.
- I'd say that qualifies for a decently bad day.
I have a place to call home, food to eat, a car that does run, and a great dog. A beautiful woman who has committed to be my Bride, and a job that pays most of the bills.
There is more to it than that, but when I look at it, those are the things that make "it" okay.
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
- Aristotle
I really didn't have a terrible day in terms of total shit-dome. But when you look at the small picture:
- I had to drive to Dallas for work. Not leaving until 3pm. I had to rent a car, cause my wonderful ride might not make it back from Dallas. [the ride to Dallas is a cluster-F waiting to happen]
- When I go to rent the car, the fantastically helpful folks at Hurtz-dont-it rentals tell me my card won't work (Great)
- Finally resolved that issue and trudge up the highway. Do the job (45 mins tops) and get back in the car. In the mean-time I had to dispense 100 bones to the client for a "fee" out of my own pocket.
- Get back home about 10pm and couldn't sleep. But, that's ok, I get to sleep in the next day. Only having to return the rental by 10am.
- Upon returning the rental car, I find my car with broken glass and a missing stereo. &#^% *&@#! @(*#*...needless to say. That cost 140$ for the window and now no stereo.
- I'd say that qualifies for a decently bad day.
I have a place to call home, food to eat, a car that does run, and a great dog. A beautiful woman who has committed to be my Bride, and a job that pays most of the bills.
There is more to it than that, but when I look at it, those are the things that make "it" okay.
The nicest gifts...
Max's crafted bench gift
This was a gift from our friend Max. (aka "Willie") see following pictures of Willie and friends...
Max heard that we needed a couple more chairs for folks to sit on at the party, so he built this Bench and planter combo and brought it with him; as his gift to us. It's nice to know you have friends who care enough to put some sweat and heart into a gift like that. Thank you Max.
23 May 2005
Roadtrip box score - South Padre Island, TX 5-20-2005
The trip to South Padre for the Bachelor party was a success. No major injuries and no insurance claims were filed.
Here is a rundown of what we did:
-Sat on beach and got sunburn
-We used sunscreen but couldn't get our own backs and we
weren't going to be the four guys on the beach rubbing
lotion on each other's backs. Ummmm - no.
-Danced with some women from a bachelorette party. Young enough but not quite as good looking as we'd hoped. But who will complain?
-Got the truck stuck in the sand at high noon (about 103F) four times. Lots of fun!
-Sat by the pool and had cocktails.
-Nearly caught the entire Island on fire. (details not available at press time)
-Nearly dropped a gimp in a fountain.
-Nearly lost a finger on a palm tree.
-Lots of sand in the crack
-Only one minor incident in the hotel - involving Matt's clothes and someone's urine..eeewwww
The crew:
- 4 of us jammed into a 2000 Ford crew-cab F-150. Not bad for room in the extended part, just not real comfy. Fit the bill though.
- 1 sirius satellite radio (Matt's) that is on the brink or either Chase's stereo is on the fritz; either way we had to listen to my bluegrass & folkie CD's.
- 1 fishing cooler (~100 gal) with a case of water and 2 cases of beer. **beer was finito before we even got to the island...
- 1 wheelchair
- 0 blow-up dolls (we had one but it was popped by some British chicks a couple years ago...that's another story)
- 3 emergency flares (almost got us in trouble)
- and 1 thong (texas flag model)
it was one hell uv'a good time.
pictures might be available upon further review...
Here is a rundown of what we did:
-Sat on beach and got sunburn
-We used sunscreen but couldn't get our own backs and we
weren't going to be the four guys on the beach rubbing
lotion on each other's backs. Ummmm - no.
-Danced with some women from a bachelorette party. Young enough but not quite as good looking as we'd hoped. But who will complain?
-Got the truck stuck in the sand at high noon (about 103F) four times. Lots of fun!
-Sat by the pool and had cocktails.
-Nearly caught the entire Island on fire. (details not available at press time)
-Nearly dropped a gimp in a fountain.
-Nearly lost a finger on a palm tree.
-Lots of sand in the crack
-Only one minor incident in the hotel - involving Matt's clothes and someone's urine..eeewwww
The crew:
- 4 of us jammed into a 2000 Ford crew-cab F-150. Not bad for room in the extended part, just not real comfy. Fit the bill though.
- 1 sirius satellite radio (Matt's) that is on the brink or either Chase's stereo is on the fritz; either way we had to listen to my bluegrass & folkie CD's.
- 1 fishing cooler (~100 gal) with a case of water and 2 cases of beer. **beer was finito before we even got to the island...
- 1 wheelchair
- 0 blow-up dolls (we had one but it was popped by some British chicks a couple years ago...that's another story)
- 3 emergency flares (almost got us in trouble)
- and 1 thong (texas flag model)
it was one hell uv'a good time.
pictures might be available upon further review...
Recent Reviews
The house party was great. My shitty thought from the previous post was that we would have an egg on our faces and everyone would leave early...well, it was quite the opposite.
We had a large crowd of many different peeps. Only one lacking thing: music. Who would have thought the Karoake machine was going to flop, along with the fog machine. No special FX for the party scene. Good thing we had lots of good beverages and great eats.
a rundown of all we had:
1 pot roast w/garlic taters and gravy *Tasty!
1 dish of home cooked ham and beans
1 dish of home cooked cream corn
1 tray of homemade appetizer samplers
2 veggie lasagna dishes
1 tray of rum brownies **** (four stars by the review team)
1 tray of homemade cupcakes
1 Quiche
various types of beer and wine (1.5 cases wine - 5 cases beer)
1 Big red dog - w/no poop in the yard
lots of stringed lights and candles
awesome landscaping and seating in the yard (Andrea went full-tilt)
spiked punch
1 italian creme cake
1 Karaoake machine*Bust
1 fog machine*Bust
28 Good Friends
great weather (no rain)
1 awful rendition of "I got you babe" by the soon-to-be's.
Those of you who left the party early missed out on some guitar/fiddle tunes by Jennie and I.
- Jerusalem Ridge
- June Apple
- Billy in the Lowground
We had a large crowd of many different peeps. Only one lacking thing: music. Who would have thought the Karoake machine was going to flop, along with the fog machine. No special FX for the party scene. Good thing we had lots of good beverages and great eats.
a rundown of all we had:
1 pot roast w/garlic taters and gravy *Tasty!
1 dish of home cooked ham and beans
1 dish of home cooked cream corn
1 tray of homemade appetizer samplers
2 veggie lasagna dishes
1 tray of rum brownies **** (four stars by the review team)
1 tray of homemade cupcakes
1 Quiche
various types of beer and wine (1.5 cases wine - 5 cases beer)
1 Big red dog - w/no poop in the yard
lots of stringed lights and candles
awesome landscaping and seating in the yard (Andrea went full-tilt)
spiked punch
1 italian creme cake
1 Karaoake machine*Bust
1 fog machine*Bust
28 Good Friends
great weather (no rain)
1 awful rendition of "I got you babe" by the soon-to-be's.
Those of you who left the party early missed out on some guitar/fiddle tunes by Jennie and I.
- Jerusalem Ridge
- June Apple
- Billy in the Lowground
12 May 2005
Party-time -"it's fun-time"
It's party time in Austin. A party is being thrown in our Honour--this weekend, should be a good one. Our friends Margaret and Howie are coming from NC for this one!! Hopefully we'll have some good pics and stories out of it too. Margaret put the invites together and sent them out, each one had an item for the person(s) to bring to the party; such as: beer, wine, appetizer, entree, dessert, you get the idea.
So yes, it is a pot-luck style dinner. Jennie and I have spent some good hours in the back yard and in the house getting it all hussied-up for our guests. We don' git too many folk in our nape o' the neck. Andrea has been involved too, designing different ideas for themes and what-not, dressing up tables and chairs and who-knows what else!
We had some live entertainment set-up: no not mud wrestling, although a slip-n'-slide w/baby oil did enter the conversation - - no we had the fabulous Seth Walker and friends set to play a bit, but alas, he has found a real paying gig.
Opening for Delbert McClinton in Gruene Hall (the oldest dance hall in Texas, no joke). It's good for him, when music is your LIFE, you tend to go where the $$ are. Especially in that business, we'll miss him but we can't blame him, hopefully he'll be able to join us later.
A recent shitty-thought: That we have a lame-o party and people are ready to leave by 10pm. That would be a bummer. But Justin, I know I can count on you!! - "Yep"
So yes, it is a pot-luck style dinner. Jennie and I have spent some good hours in the back yard and in the house getting it all hussied-up for our guests. We don' git too many folk in our nape o' the neck. Andrea has been involved too, designing different ideas for themes and what-not, dressing up tables and chairs and who-knows what else!
We had some live entertainment set-up: no not mud wrestling, although a slip-n'-slide w/baby oil did enter the conversation - - no we had the fabulous Seth Walker and friends set to play a bit, but alas, he has found a real paying gig.
Opening for Delbert McClinton in Gruene Hall (the oldest dance hall in Texas, no joke). It's good for him, when music is your LIFE, you tend to go where the $$ are. Especially in that business, we'll miss him but we can't blame him, hopefully he'll be able to join us later.
A recent shitty-thought: That we have a lame-o party and people are ready to leave by 10pm. That would be a bummer. But Justin, I know I can count on you!! - "Yep"
10 May 2005
Austin Voting FLOP
A flop on the issues
Get this -- an election for city officials and council members where only 14.9% of registered voters cast votes. What kind of shit is this?? I thought Austin was a pro-active town, where it's residents have the mind-set to participate in items like this?
They passed a smoking ban, the second one actually. The initial one really didn't do a whole lot, but now, it will be tough for restaurants and bars. Especially all the nightlife places that thrive on drinking, smoking, and late night carousing. Drinking and smoking seem to go hand in hand, especially when you are listening to some type of music one might like.
ANYWAY...all you folks out there that didn't get off your drunk, smoke stenched ass - don't bitch and complain, cause you had your chance to shoot it down.
[by the way, i voted for the ban. so ha.]
Get this -- an election for city officials and council members where only 14.9% of registered voters cast votes. What kind of shit is this?? I thought Austin was a pro-active town, where it's residents have the mind-set to participate in items like this?
They passed a smoking ban, the second one actually. The initial one really didn't do a whole lot, but now, it will be tough for restaurants and bars. Especially all the nightlife places that thrive on drinking, smoking, and late night carousing. Drinking and smoking seem to go hand in hand, especially when you are listening to some type of music one might like.
ANYWAY...all you folks out there that didn't get off your drunk, smoke stenched ass - don't bitch and complain, cause you had your chance to shoot it down.
[by the way, i voted for the ban. so ha.]
05 May 2005
Danny Barnes - entertainer
If you haven't heard of Danny Barnes, he's OK with that. I went to the famed Cactus Cafe last night on the campus of Univ. of Texas - Austin where he played a solo gig.
Almost all of the people that come out to his shows already know of him, which means he doesn't attract a lot of new listeners. Anyway, if you like something different or look for a change of pace in musical taste, try out some of his music. You can't really put a marketing tab on his music like "rock", "pop" or other. it's definitely in the "other" category. His website is listed in the links section (---> to the right)and join the yahoo group on the link at the bottom of this page. Thanks for your tunes and personality Danny.
BTW his website is pretty comical. Not meant to be, but he also does a "box score tour" section, where he provides a gig by gig breakdown of some funny tours he's done. lata'.
Found this quote also: The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
- Aristotle
Almost all of the people that come out to his shows already know of him, which means he doesn't attract a lot of new listeners. Anyway, if you like something different or look for a change of pace in musical taste, try out some of his music. You can't really put a marketing tab on his music like "rock", "pop" or other. it's definitely in the "other" category. His website is listed in the links section (---> to the right)and join the yahoo group on the link at the bottom of this page. Thanks for your tunes and personality Danny.
BTW his website is pretty comical. Not meant to be, but he also does a "box score tour" section, where he provides a gig by gig breakdown of some funny tours he's done. lata'.
Found this quote also: The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
- Aristotle
02 May 2005
Mind Clutter
Funny thing one of my friends said the other day: "Why is it when people do something amazing or unbelievable, they always credit god?" But when something bad happens they can't say - "the devil helped me" or "it was God's fault" or something similar.
Probably because people will put you in the loony bin for saying the devil made you do it, but if you believe in the powers of the almighty, that he put you up to it, and it was something good, then it's grade A-OK! One negative thing and your in the psyche-ward for 30 day observation. (no personal account, just imgaination here)
So in other words - God doesn't allow any screw-ups. Only people who do good things. I don't want this thing to turn into a religious babbling site. I am simply at work and have a high amount of curiousity in simple thoughts.
Probably because people will put you in the loony bin for saying the devil made you do it, but if you believe in the powers of the almighty, that he put you up to it, and it was something good, then it's grade A-OK! One negative thing and your in the psyche-ward for 30 day observation. (no personal account, just imgaination here)
So in other words - God doesn't allow any screw-ups. Only people who do good things. I don't want this thing to turn into a religious babbling site. I am simply at work and have a high amount of curiousity in simple thoughts.
26 April 2005
The drive to know -- something
I wrote this last week sometime, just now getting it posted. It has been nicer here of late so that's an improvement. Everything else is historically the same.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why is being the pope such an "honor". You wait all those years to be "elected" to this position, by the time you get there, you are so old, can you really soak it in? I guess so, Billions and gazillions of people the world over still listen to him. Whichever one it ends up being.
Why do people like to ride my ass on the way home in the car? Why? I drive a piece of shit, you know i'm not going to go fast, cause it looks like it will barely run. Yet you persist in edging closer and closer to my bumper. One of these days it's just going to fall off and i'm going to get out of the car and completely lose it on someone. ...and it won't be my fault!
Why is it that I am writing in this box and not doing something useful?
What is more important A - Keeping your lawn mowed so the neighbors don’t think you are a slob?? or B - Keeping your fly up in the office so they don't laugh??
It has been an interesting week here in Austin. It has rained. I have been grumpy. Sometimes at work my head feels like an ant-hill. One of those humungous ones that looks like a dirt-bike ramp. Then there's an aardvark, he waltz's up and drops one, and I feel like a shit-head.
Two friends of mine recently passed away. It reminds me that there are other worlds than this simple place. There are more important things to life than the blunders of my day and the errors of my ways. Yes, those things are life. But they also are not life. We all view life in our own personal way, and that is amazing. There is bad advice, good advice, no advice, and some advice. Here is some advice: live your life whilst you can.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why is being the pope such an "honor". You wait all those years to be "elected" to this position, by the time you get there, you are so old, can you really soak it in? I guess so, Billions and gazillions of people the world over still listen to him. Whichever one it ends up being.
Why do people like to ride my ass on the way home in the car? Why? I drive a piece of shit, you know i'm not going to go fast, cause it looks like it will barely run. Yet you persist in edging closer and closer to my bumper. One of these days it's just going to fall off and i'm going to get out of the car and completely lose it on someone. ...and it won't be my fault!
Why is it that I am writing in this box and not doing something useful?
What is more important A - Keeping your lawn mowed so the neighbors don’t think you are a slob?? or B - Keeping your fly up in the office so they don't laugh??
It has been an interesting week here in Austin. It has rained. I have been grumpy. Sometimes at work my head feels like an ant-hill. One of those humungous ones that looks like a dirt-bike ramp. Then there's an aardvark, he waltz's up and drops one, and I feel like a shit-head.
Two friends of mine recently passed away. It reminds me that there are other worlds than this simple place. There are more important things to life than the blunders of my day and the errors of my ways. Yes, those things are life. But they also are not life. We all view life in our own personal way, and that is amazing. There is bad advice, good advice, no advice, and some advice. Here is some advice: live your life whilst you can.
21 April 2005
Project Needs
I am in need of a project. Any suggestions helpful. I probably should make a project out of my bank account; getting it organized. That's more like torture.
Finances are a pain in the ass, unless you are rich enough that you don't have to worry about it. Or does it just make it more worrisome that you have more? Any insights are helpful here.
Something in the woodworking world would be cool. Look below, i've made a wine-rack. A birdhouse is on the agenda, but yet again, I have no money, so supplies are just a bit of a limiting factor.
Finances are a pain in the ass, unless you are rich enough that you don't have to worry about it. Or does it just make it more worrisome that you have more? Any insights are helpful here.
Something in the woodworking world would be cool. Look below, i've made a wine-rack. A birdhouse is on the agenda, but yet again, I have no money, so supplies are just a bit of a limiting factor.
20 April 2005
Old-Timers game
Did you hear about the recent story of the old-timers wanting to play for the Stanley Cup? There was a court hearing in Canada; where a group of men wanted to play for Lord Stanley's cup. Their argument was this: That Lord Stanley's intention was not strictly for the NHL to play for the cup, it was meant for all of competitive hockey. And since there is no NHL playing, that someone else should be eligible to play for the glory of the Cup.
I don't know if they will/or have gotten a ruling on this, but it brings about a good point. Why not organize another situation for the cup to be awarded? Although the NHL has a deal with the owners of the Stanley cup as far as rights go.
Commercial sports and the industry of sport has come a long way since the early days of competition for the Stanley cup, or any other sporting trophy/award. A long way doesn't necessarily mean a long way in a good sense either.
If they could revert the sports pay-scale back to olden days. Pay each player a similar salary, not the same obviously, but at least "in the same ballpark" . Then you get bonuses for performance, similar to today, but not that grand over-the-top scale. Go to shorter contract lengths so the players have to play for something besides a cup, you have to play to keep your job. Just brainstorming here. Sporting in general definitely needs to make some changes in the next few years. Not just the NHL.
I don't know if they will/or have gotten a ruling on this, but it brings about a good point. Why not organize another situation for the cup to be awarded? Although the NHL has a deal with the owners of the Stanley cup as far as rights go.
Commercial sports and the industry of sport has come a long way since the early days of competition for the Stanley cup, or any other sporting trophy/award. A long way doesn't necessarily mean a long way in a good sense either.
If they could revert the sports pay-scale back to olden days. Pay each player a similar salary, not the same obviously, but at least "in the same ballpark" . Then you get bonuses for performance, similar to today, but not that grand over-the-top scale. Go to shorter contract lengths so the players have to play for something besides a cup, you have to play to keep your job. Just brainstorming here. Sporting in general definitely needs to make some changes in the next few years. Not just the NHL.
13 April 2005
Old Crow
another by-the-way...Old Crow medicine show is coming to Austin the 27-28th of April @ Stubbs BBQ. Should definitely make a trip to see them. Check them out at: http://www.crowmedicine.com/
always a fun show, entertaining and talented, a little whacky too. (what musician isn't)
take care.
always a fun show, entertaining and talented, a little whacky too. (what musician isn't)
take care.
Old Masters
How about Tiger and Chris Dimarco? wow. what a battle. Would have like to have seen Dimarco come out on top, but a great finish is even better.
Just trying to finish up the latest plans for our wedding and then...finally it will be done with!! er- or is it just beginning, can't tell which yet. kidding.
My advice...Elope!
By-the-way, any of you interested in the Bachelor party, give me a call or email. Looks like we'll be spending a couple hot days in South Padre Island on May 20-22nd. Hope to see some old faces there. drop me a line/comment.
Just trying to finish up the latest plans for our wedding and then...finally it will be done with!! er- or is it just beginning, can't tell which yet. kidding.
My advice...Elope!
By-the-way, any of you interested in the Bachelor party, give me a call or email. Looks like we'll be spending a couple hot days in South Padre Island on May 20-22nd. Hope to see some old faces there. drop me a line/comment.
04 April 2005
Seth's Digs
Mind Clutter
Don't just visit the website of Seth Walker (to the right) but buy a CD as well. Excellent output by the "old-masters"... Look for more from him in the future!!
Don't just visit the website of Seth Walker (to the right) but buy a CD as well. Excellent output by the "old-masters"... Look for more from him in the future!!
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