Goodbye Annabelle

 You'll find an entry from May 4, 2006 where I talk about a kitten I found. Well, 18 years later and she's become part of my life.

It's a different life than the one of transition I described back then. Now, it's steady with a wife and a kid. And still Annabelle.

However, that will end tomorrow at 3:45pm as we have an appointment to end her suffering via euthanasia. Balancing kidney disease and thyroid issues has become too tough for us and the 18+ year old cat.

She's been a good cat. She will be missed. By me, certainly. I've known her for 18 years. But also by Bailey, who has only known her for the span of her 6 years. She's been infatuated with the loyal cat who is always by her side, even though she doesn't have the energy or mobility she did a few years ago. She's still been a playmate. Bailey doesn't know a world without Annabelle. It's going to be hard.

Weird time to update my blog? But perhaps it's closure. I doubt there are readers. So I guess it's for me.

Goodbye Annabelle.

East Texas

Why can't people speak English in East Texas? I know they have an education. Certainly that's not how they teach them to speak...

And why do they eat so many "TATORS"?? Man, I'm glad to be back in civilization.

10 Years Later

We will always remember 11/18/99. The 12 lost, the dozens injured, the uncountable lives that were changed. Here.

This is the first Bonfire Remembrance video I saw. I think I originally found it on the campus hub. It's the one I continue to watch each year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWWrCu_uPt8


This is a new one put together by The Batt. They incorporated Aggie symbolism, which is fitting as Bonfire embodied the Aggie Spirit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIP4LW4g5yY&feature=youtube_gdata

Recent Trips

This is a shot of where my GPS tracker has caught me over the past 6 months.
















I like to use this tracker for this very reason. Just so I can pull up a map and look at it. It chronicles my adventures. Not too exciting, but somewhat interesting to me alone.

I'll be expanding this map pretty soon with an upcoming trip to Seattle/Vancouver. Most of this map is obviously centered in Texas, with brief trips to NC and Florida. I'll be expanding the Florida portion real soon also. I did make a brief trip to Nevada and a short stop in Arizona this year, but that was almost 11 months ago.

Favorite Trip? North Carolina. I enjoyed the rounds we made to the different Universities and visiting the "College Towns." Though, not as high profile as the others, I liked the hospitality at NC STate. The campus at Duke was the nicest I've seen.

Favorite Trip in Texas? I always enjoy the trips to Alpine. I got a short visit when I was there last, though the Holland Hotel was closed for renovations without informing me. Punks.

Favorite New Trip in Texas? I've been to Boerne before, but never stayed over night. I enjoyed the quaint city. Lots of interesting people, good food and finally a nice hotel!

Least Favorite Trip? Well, Laredo is not on there (I went early in the summer), so it's got to be Beaumont. I'm there way too often. It's the worst. At least I got to stay clear of the panhandle.

How About This

How about I don't resolve to start posting more. How about I just post when I feel like it. No matter how infrequent that is?

Cubivore

39 Poll

I saw this on TV.

The question: "How often do you text?"
"Text your answers to 39 News"

Magical

My foil turtle agrees that opening day at Freebirds is a magical time.

I'm engaged!

She said yes!

Wait A Second...

"Hey... If Chris hates Twitter so much, why is he using his blog like
Twitter??"

Shut It.

Sent from my mobile device.

Open At 9AM

The local Taco Bell boasts with a large sign "Open At 9AM." Some
people find Taco Bell appitizing as I do, but who's got that hankering
at breakfast time?

No thank you to that!

Sent from my mobile device.

It's Summer!

I just got my first "Is it hot enough for ya?" of the season. It came
in the parking lot at work as I headed out for some Burgerfresh (the
workd's best burger). Sharp wit my man.

Sent from my mobile device.

Have A Nice Day

The cashier just told me to "Have a good evening.". It's 8AM. She
didn't correct herself or try to take it back so I guess she meant it.

I will. I'll compound that though and have a good day too. Thank you.

Sent from my mobile device.

When A Bumper Sticker Won't Do

I saw this in the Taco Bell parking lot. Certainly a sleek alternative
to bumper stickers for your political opinions and short stories.

(Note the Ironic spelling of "idiotes.")

BEST VIDEO EVER

I recorded Jimmy Fallon’s show because Mark Paul Gosselaar was on. I watched it today. It was the best interview EVER!!

It made me go back to look at old episodes. Jimmy Fallon is orchestrating a Saved By The Bell reunion. The first 3 episodes are at the bottom of this page:

http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/saved-by-the-bell-jimmy-fallon-reunion/

They’re great, especially the third!

Then the fourth, the one from last night (the peak of late night TV):

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/06/zack-attacks-late-night-signs-on-for-the-reunion/

Fallon should retire now. He, nor anyone else, will ever top that last video.

Conan's Set Is From The Mushroom Kingdom

Seriouslunch.blogspot.com determined that Conan's set looks like it's from Super Mario Bros.

Pretty funny when you overlay it. Click for a wider image:

Sippie Cup

I'm at our big annual customer conference. We have small group
sessions where we break up into groups of 20-30. Yesterday, someone
left this in my breakout room, it's sitting on my table right now..
Keep in mind that my clients are grown individuals.

No one has claimed it yet.

The Understanding

Last week, Penny and I took in the Houston Symphony. They were playing at the Pavilion in The Woodlands and were accompanied by different types of dancers for their "Dancin' Beneath the Stars" theme. It was actually a good time.

I expected it to be a little different than it was. Most things are like that I suppose. For instance, I thought people in The Woodlands, especially those that go to the symphony had a little class. The group behind us must have followed me down from Conroe though or even worse, Willis. They were throwing back beer and chowing down on plates of nachos. Be sure to lick your fingers off when you're done. Oh...you already have.

And as I previously stated, I enjoyed it. That came as somewhat of a surprise as well.

How did we end up at the symphony? Well, it all goes back to an understanding that Penny and I have. We split the year into 3 seasons (rather than the typical 4 that people recognize or the 2 that Texas experiences (Summer and Cold Fronts)).

Our 3 seasons go like this: Football, Basketball, Off Season.

"Football Season" is a 4 month stretch from September through December in which I have free reign over the calendar. I get to call the shots and make our plans. Those plans typically include a trip to College Station every weekend for Football and Soccer and some healthy doses of NFL.

"Basketball Season" is a time from January through April that Penny and I both enjoy. Since we like to watch basketball, we compromise and once again end up in College Station most every weekend for Aggie Basketball.

Now, the "Off Season" (named by me obviously) is a tricky time because there's no constant theme that drives it. We do what Penny wants from May through August. This is when I broaden my horizons and is the specific reason we ended up at the symphony that night. It could also be a good time to save a little dough as free mezzanine seats at the Pavilion are considerably less than season tickets at Kyle.

I am not a cheap date.

Gun Blast from the Past

I found this note in a box when I was moving. Aaahh....let's reminisce.

Over The Hump