Thoughts from Tex

What's Up With That?

2006-05-26T07:31:00.000-05:00

I mean, honestly. This is simply ridiculous. Once again, short people have all the luck.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0525062shorty1.html

When I grow up, I want to be a little person.

Live in Texas? Want to save some money?

2006-05-02T07:10:00.003-05:00

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http://ckhoes.igniteinc.biz/index.asp

You can save lots of cash, especially if you're with currently using WTU or TXU. Generally, this company has the lowest kwh rate and you could save money no matter who you're currently using. If you're interested, let me know!

Your Stupid

2006-01-27T07:13:00.000-06:00

You know what makes me sick? You know what really chaps my hide? It bothers me to the core of my existence when someone writes "your" in place of "you're." I mean honestly, do you not know the difference or are you just that lazy to put two additional characters in any single word? Perhaps your brain doesn't know you are stupid. I ain't no English type or nothin', but com'on. We learned the difference in like the second grade. What's even worse than this used in personal correspondence is when businesses use it in their advertisements. I passed a roadside billboard sign on the way into work this morning that was advertising for a gym. It said "Your 100 feet away from the best gym in the DFW area." Even if it was the best gym in DFW, it's run by the most ignorant people, that's for sure. Well, just thought I'd unload on my four readers this morning. Hope your having a great day!

Adventures of the Sea

2006-01-12T10:25:00.000-06:00

I recently arrived home with my wife and best friend from a cruise to Mexico. As a virgin cruiser, I have to say that this is a hidden delight that is apparently widely known. From comedians to liquor, and gambling to more liquor, there is everything you’ve ever wanted to do on a vacation all aboard one massive floating structure. Ok, not everything. So there’s no snow skiing or bungi jumping, but depending upon your cruise destination, you might even find some of these events. After many days (two) of partying aboard the ship, we came to port in beautiful Calica, Mexico. When you peek out of the porthole to gaze upon all the beauty of Mexico, you see a large rock, many trees, and a building flying a Mexican flag. So, we drove into Playa del Carmen. A ten-minute drive turned into a worship service as we held on to the eroding cab for dear life. We did a little shopping, enjoyed the beach, saw half nude sunbathers, and sipped on a Corona. On the way back to the port, justice prevailed as we were pulled over and our driver was awarded a speeding ticket. We were flying along at well over 100 kph in an 80. Nevertheless, this did not stop the cabby. After finally accepting his ticket and proceeding on to the port, the speed limit decreased to 60 and then 40, but he carried on in excess of 100 kilometers per hour.

To sum up, there was much feasting, some gambling, a little drinking, and a lot of fun. If you’ve never been on a cruise, I would recommend that you take time to pursue an adventure of a lifetime. Who knows, you may even get to experience an angry speeding cabby with nothing for which to live. Happy cruising!

Age Old Adage

2005-12-21T08:52:00.000-06:00

For quite some time now, I’ve been intrigued by unique phrases. I often contemplate the meanings behind various new adages I hear from others as well as old expressions I hear myself utter. It’s always amusing when you surprise yourself by saying something even though you don’t know the meaning. Here are a few quick examples.

“That’s no hill for a stepper!”
“Fair to middling” as used in response to ‘how are you doing?’
“Rise and shine, daylight in the swamp!”

What are some of your favorite sayings, of which you’re not quite sure their origin?

Nerd Alert

2005-12-14T10:27:00.000-06:00

Some people might consider me somewhat of a nerd. I don't know why. Just because I get excited when I write programs. And who cares if I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to crunching numbers. But if you're not convinced I'm a nerd quite yet, just visit this site and remember who directed you there and that I think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread and megapixels.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/

Whatcha Think?

2005-11-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

Now, you can't tell me these two look nothing alike...

Ode to My Brother

2005-11-03T15:03:00.000-06:00

My brother is an unusual character to say the least. He’s older than me and always seemed to protect me and take care of me. Yet he will be the first in line to push me around or beat on me, like any good older brother. A couple of years ago, he purchased a purple truck. Now, some of you might express how you would never be associated with a purple truck. But not him. He’s different. Did I mention he used to have a goat? Well, he did. He carried it around in a large cage in the back of his purple truck and claimed he was “growing” it. I guess he ate it or something, because I haven’t seen it in quite a while and my brother is much larger in the mid region.
I’ve always thought that my brother was the oldest young person I’ve ever known. He’s not even thirty years of age, yet he acts as though he’s in his sixties and even has similar complaints. Loss of hearing. Bad knees and back. He even shuffles around very slowly like a member of the elderly community.
My brother is also quite a bit darker than myself. And I’m a fairly tan caucasian. Some would call him “shaded.” When he visited me in college and followed down the stairs to the parking lot, I was asked if “some black guy was following me.” At my wedding, many pondered as to who the Mexican guy was related. Yep, that’s my brother. Quite a dark, hairy, round fellow.All this said to say I love my different brother. He’s unique and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. But all this doesn’t make him normal by any stretch of the imagination.

Children & Cleanliness

2005-10-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

Most children do not like to bathe. I was a peculiar child. I really did not like to bathe. Sometimes it took yelling or even force to push me into the bathtub or shower. Although I did enjoy swimming. I’m not sure why parents don’t just teach their kids to play with soap in a chlorine-free swimming pool, but I digress.

One particular bathing debacle, I remember trying to come up with every excuse in the infamous book of why I did not need to be cleaner that I was already. My parents persisted. By the time I surrendered compliance, wouldn’t you know that all of the hot water had vanished. Reluctantly I climbed into the shower, despite the glacial temperatures of the liquid flowing from the pipes. I proceeded with the quickest shower in all of time.

After drying off and getting dressed, I shivered into the living room where my parents were sequestered. They promptly questioned as to why I was shaking abruptly, which impelled my response “You told me I had to shower.” At this point I was able to manipulate whatever type of chocolate or other yearning my little heart desired.

A Bit Nippy

2005-10-25T07:49:00.000-05:00

I am officially more than a fair-weather biker. Today I rode to work and it was 38 degrees with a wind chill of 33. I had on many layers, so it wasn’t too horrific. My fingers got a little nippy. But maybe that was because I only had on two pair of gloves. I’m sure I received a few strange glances from within the toasty cages that passed me by.

Its supposed to get up to 68 degrees today, so I’m sure I will be “burning down” by the end of the day.

Be friendly, wave to a motorcyclist today! Or at a minimum, pay attention and don’t run us over.

Always an Adventure

2005-10-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

We’ve all been to the grocery store and had that crazy basket. The messed up wheel. The one that never seems to go in the direction you are pushing it. Well, I’ve had this and more. It was a pleasant fall Saturday morning in the big city. My wife and I went to get groceries at Wal-Mart. We pulled into the parking spot and wouldn’t you know we found a bright and shiny new grocery buggy awaiting us the moment we stepped from our car. It was meant to be. So, we it was obvious what we must do-use it to contain our consumables for this shopping round. Upon arriving in the store with the basket, we began to notice a strange lingering stench. It filled our nostrils and seemed to follow us. Of course we checked our shoes for animal excrement. Nothing. We carried on with our shopping only to receive numerous glances, funny faces, and a few wrinkled noses towards our aroma.

It wasn’t until we had nearly completed our shopping experience that we pinned where the smell was originating. The basket. It was so obvious. Being of the curious nature, I kneeled to take a whiff of the cart. Sure enough there it was. It smelled as if someone has defecated all over the basket, wiped with the push bar, and then let their pet do the same. It was horrendous. Needless to say, we immediately finished our shopping and rushed home with hands held as if just scrubbed by a surgeon before operation. Finally to the moral of the story. No matter where we shop, no matter how much or little we are getting from the store, I now smell each shopping cart before our adventure begins. If you are smart, you will learn from this encounter and do the same. Happy shopping!

The Mark of the Beast

2005-10-21T15:56:00.000-05:00

I used to mow lawns for a living. Okay, not for a living but part time and only for family when I was young. One of my customers, of course, was my parents. I mowed our home lawn as well as their business. They own a steel fabrication shop and five acres, so it was always fun. At least they had a riding lawn mower. I remember one particular sunny summer day I was mandated to mow the business lawn. I climbed upon the riding lawn mower and drove it around the shop to the front of the business. In doing so, I had to ride on the gravel portion of the shop yard. A tremendous dust storm began for absolutely no reason, throwing rock, dust, and much more. I would realize later that I had the blade engaged.

We all know that when youngsters are operating any type of motorized device, there is only one speed. As fast as possible. A combination of things that were to come made this day a special event. Between being blinded by the squall and someone leaving a piece of steel hanging off a roller, I managed to collide with an 800-pound beam. Don’t worry I was ok. Luckily, it managed to whack me square on the head. After having an enormous headache, a gorgeous mark began to emerge. This mark became a scab and, hence the title of this blog, formed the shape of what my friends called the mark of the beast.

My first blog

2005-10-19T17:45:00.000-05:00

After being updated on the "cool" scene and being exposed to blogging, I've decided to explore into this new fangled world. For my first blog, I'd like to discuss something near and dear to my heart (besides my wife, of course). The newest edition to my family is a '02 Honda Shadow 750 DLX A.C.E. She's a beauty. Black 745cc V-twin 5 speed with a 64.8-inch wheelbase, chain drive, 34-degree rake, 152mm trail. Upgrades include highway lights, sissy bar, crash bars, and windshield.
I decided to get a motorcycle because of fuel efficiency. I get about 53 mpg with this bike. Now that I am a motorcyclist, I've decided it’s about more than just being economically efficient. It's just plain fun. Cruising on a beautiful afternoon day, acknowledging my fellow riders, I've officially found a new joy in life.
I like motorcycles like a fat kid likes birthday cake!