Lisa's Wedding - Moulton, TX

"I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back." - Henny Youngman (1906 - 1998)

On Saturday I went out to Moulton, Texas to attend the wedding reception of my friend Lisa. Rick and I met Lisa at a summer camp named TGHP my sophomore year in high school. Somehow, we have stayed friends over the past 11 years or so. I don't always keep the greatest touch, but I keep up more with Lisa than I do most of my high school friends. Maybe it was because we had to learn to be friends from far away and everyone around me I wasn't used to making an effort to catch up with. I like her husband Brian, he is a really nice guy and they seem really happy. Lisa is living in San Diego now with her new husband.


The drive wasn't too bad, a little over an hour and half from Austin to this town near Shiner Texas. I did get lost for a bit, but I still did very good. The town was small, but it wasn't exactly what I expected from Lisa's description.

This is the Moulton Dance. I have posted pictures too.

Sunday I watched Bill Clinton on Meet the Press. I can't believe I dvr MTP weekly now. Bill was impressive and such a great speaker. I don't only admire his delivery, but also the substance of what he is saying. I agree with a lot of his arguments and the one's I don't, I at least respect where he is coming from.

Saturday night I talked to my niece Bekkah on the phone. She is a sophomore in high school. I think she feels all alone right now. I think that this is a very important part of her life and how she comes out of it will determine the type of person she becomes. I just wish she had someone to talk to, someone who understood.

I need to get through October so badly

High School Reunion

"I think it is very brave what you are doing. Much better to be alone and feel like a success than be in a relationship and feeling like you are a failure all the time." - Meridith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

I don't have too much to report on as far as premieres go. I have a lot of them recorded and I hope to just watch them later. Actually using a dvr for what it as meant for, nice. Here are the two shows I did watch. First was Private Practice. I don't yet know how I feel about the show. I have not really connected with the new characters, but I guess we will see. I can't judge the show by one episode. Thursday was Grey's Anatomy. This novela I do admit to enjoying weekly. I could do without the gory medical scenes. I'm not a fan of Meridith, but the jury is still out on what I think about Lexi. I don't like that George is romantically connected to so many women (at least 4). I get it ok. I am indifferent on Isaiah Washington no longer being on the show, but I think I wouldn't of minded if he stayed either.

I don't have health insurance right now. My work offers health insurance and because I'm a new hire I have to wait until early December before I am put on to the policy. So that is still good news to know that soon I will have insurance. It feels like everything I'm always waiting for is in the future.

Attorney population density. Check out these stats for Texas. It is cool that they do these type of studies. I don't know what an ideal density is, but I'm sure the less the lawyers the better for me. Too bad Travis county has so many.


This weekend is my ten year high school reunion. EHS class of 98 is coming back for homecoming weekend (10 years from homecoming game). I had been planning on going for a very long time, but it ended up not working out. I just couldn't afford to drive home and I decided instead to go to my friend Lisa's Wedding reception. Hopefully Ill be able to catch up with old friends in the years to come. I feel like I am missing a right of passage, but I'm sure if I really wanted to go I would of found a way to make it happen. I hope everyone had a very good time.

like a walnut?

Premiere Week

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon

Another week of work has started and I have my hands full at work. I really did have to hit the ground running. I'm trying to learn their system and be as helpful as I can. We had planned to move to our new office next week, but my boss decided to renovate the new place more and our move in date is now looking like its going to be December. I don't mind staying at our old office and the commute isn't too much longer. It is hard to compare two places when you are new to the first and never really spent time at the second.

So premiere week started and I feel like I have so many hours programmed into my DVR. I forgot how much TV I used to watch. Daily Show, Colbert Report and Countdown is already 2 hours of news daily (sans one hour for reruns weeks). So Monday I recorded Prison Break, and How I met your Mother, oh and Heros. I only watched Journeyman to see if I'm going to like it. Now I have shows to watch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when there isn't too much going on.

I always tell people that HIMYM is the story about my life. I don't mean it literally, but the topics they cover hit me so directly. It is like I'm a target demographic and they are catering to me and my interests in order to advertise products to me. It is a quaint idea. I'm looking forward to this season and the tramp stamp episode was golden.

Tuesday I met up with Ericka after work. I got out much earlier and I dropped by and hung out of her house until she got home. They have a Tivo so I was able to watch some recorded shows I had wanted to see. Ericka was sweet and picked me up some food from Bill Millers and we had dinner and watched House. She liked the show, which made me happy that my recommendation was good.

Abram has been trying to figure out what he is going to do next. He has a lot of goals and ideas, but his next big step is accepting the manager position at his job. He will be training for a few months, but he is on his way to management. Hopefully he will start making better money.



Here is a random article I read, I should of just listed it in my news section. How "Fresh" is Air Freshener? Should I even worry about this type of stuff? Anti-bacterial soap is bad, popcorn is bad, bottled water is bad (I've actually heard that)... I don't know.

I want a Standing desk. I need to research them more and decide exactly how it should look, but I think it would be a good idea.

More on Pooch Cafe. In Tuesday's paper, someone replied to the original letter to the editor I talked about in my entry entitled The Martian Cat Problem Entrynot the site. She had a good response I think.

Relax - It's Just a Comic (Express, Tuesday September 25, 2007)
"I agree with letter writer [name]'s comment in Friday's Express concerning the comic strip's Pooch Cafe's treatment of a baby bird falling from a nest. This particular strip is constantly toying with the boundaries behind back and fiction. Every time I see the dog, I think about complaining that the comic perpetuates the myth that dogs can speak. We are also forced to believe that dogs talk to one another in English and that they walk upright. Maybe we should all boycott Pooch Cafe and only read Pearls Before Swine with talking pigs, goats and rats, and a militant duck." [name] Baltimore, MD

heroin addict

You can feel the power of inevitability

"Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear". - Isaiah 59:1 (New International Version)

NASB: Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear.
GWT: The LORD is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear. KJV: Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
ASV: Behold, Jehovah's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
BBE: Truly, the Lord's hand has not become short, so that he is unable to give salvation; and his ear is not shut from hearing:
DBY: Behold, Jehovah's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear;
JPS: Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear;
WBS: Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
WEB: Behold, Yahweh's hand is not shortened, that it can't save; neither his ear heavy, that it can't hear:
YLT: Lo, the hand of Jehovah Hath not been shortened from saving, Nor heavy his ear from hearing
Latin
ecce non est adbreviata manus Domini ut salvare nequeat neque adgravata est auris eius ut non exaudiatHE aquí que no se ha
Spanish
acortado la mano de Jehová para salvar, ni hase agravado su oído para oir:


Those were some other translations of the same verse. I couldn't believe there were so many. It really makes you wonder how much translation plays a role in the meaning of sentences. Here is why that verse is important to me.


I have been going through a really rough time financially as of late and my bank account was in the red and I didn't even have money for gas for work this week. I didn't want to borrow from my friends so I tried to not spend money on anything and actually try to be responsible which is how I got into the problem to begin with. Well in the mail I got a letter from my Tia Mati. Outside it said, "A FROG to help us remember to Fully Rely On God." The card had a bunny and said "Hang in there" and inside it read to trust in the Lord and she shared Isaiah 59:1 with me. She said "He hears everything you pray and think and will remember you." This card was so unexpected and the $100 check was such a much needed blessing and I know how much it means when they don't have extra money. Life has been full of blessing lately and I am so very thankful for them. Life is coming together and I'm starting over.


Sunday I had brunch with Ericka. She took me to HEB to get food and medicine. She loves to eat well and enjoys organic food and such. I am still not that healthy, but hopefully she starts to rub off. We watched We Are Marshall and talked about her week alone at home since her housemates are out of town on a cruise for the week. I've been on a cruise before. Here I go with another week of work, hopefully it goes well.


It is premiere week and I'm excited about all my shows starting up again, but know that I'll be watching a lot more TV than I used to watch. So here are the shows I'm excited about. Prison Break, How I met Your Mother, Heros, Grey's, Private Practice, the Office, Journeyman, October Road (January). Wish me luck.

Family Guy Salutes TV.




We have ants in my house. I feel like it might be my fault, but I don't know exactly why. Today I put my hand into a box of crutons to sneak a snack and my hand started to tingle and was I felt the small injections of pain I pulled my hand out to see it covered in ants. We need to spary, but I don't want to put the cats in danger, so I need a plan to get them out of the house.

sleeping well

Changes

"A week later Sammy (her goldfish) died. It was a pivotal moment in my life. I decided to never invest too much emotion in one thing. It's always a set-up to the pain of losing them." - Domino Harvey: [voice-over](Domino - 2005)

In keeping with my cat theme as of late, I had my Sammy experience with my first cat when I too was a little kid. His name was Snoopy. I got over it. It was cool to hear that my thoughts at the time were shared by others as well.

I made some changes to my blog and added a third column. Some other changes I had made previously don't work with this new template, but hopefully I'll get my comments working the same way as they did before. Feel free to give me feed on what you think.

I've been having problems with my cell phone. It just stopped working on Thursday night. I took it in and I think they might of fixed the software problem. I lost some phone numbers, but I think I'll be ok. It feels better to have a working phone, though I still need to get it back to the way I used to have it.

I now have some time to talk about my job. I'm a law clerk at a small firm and if I pass the bar exam, I'll probably be picked up as an associate. I don't mind working my way up. So here is the area of law I'm mainly working in. Car Dealership law and regulations. Conflicts between dealerships and factories. That is at least what I understand so far. I'm a big fan of regulation and Administrative Law, so hopefully it will be a good fit.

My allergies are a large part of who I am. I just accept them and probably don't notice them as much as others. They cause me to sneeze a lot and blow my nose really loud in the mornings. They also make it inconvenient to be outside when there are high pollen counts. I wasn't invited to a Farmer's Market today and though I didn't mind, I did mind it was because of my limitation of how it would affect my allergies. I never thought they would affect my life in this way.

I'm a big fan of embeding YouTube Videos, I think I'm going to do more of it. Here I am trying it again.

This is why I'm an Olbermann fan: YouTube - Keith Olbermann - Special Comment (9/20/07)

The following text comes from http://www.thiscenturysucks.com/

From the Transcript: Olbermann to Bush: "Your Hypocrisy is So Vast" (please do read it all)
Deliberately, premeditatedly, and virtually without precedent, you shanghaied a military man as your personal spokesman and now you’re complaining about the outcome, and then running away from the microphone?...Your hypocrisy is so vast that if we could somehow use it to fill the ranks in Iraq you could realize your dream and keep us fighting there until the year 3000.The line between the military and the civilian government is not to be crossed.

When Douglas MacArthur attempted to make policy for the United States in Korea half a century ago, President Truman moved quickly to fire him, even though Truman knew it meant his own political suicide, and the deification of a General who history suggests had begun to lose his mind.When George McClellan tried to make policy for the Union in the Civil War, President Lincoln finally fired his chief General, even though he knew McClellan could galvanize political opposition which he did when McClellan ran as Lincoln’s presidential opponent in 1864, nearly defeating our greatest president....Mr. Bush, you had no right to order General Petraeus to become your front man.

Saturday I did laundry and cleaned up my room. UT played so I watched them and kicked back and tried to relax and enjoy the time off.

watch that pride marty

The Martian Cat Problem

"It is healthier to see the good points of others than to analyze our own bad ones." - Francoise Sagan

My first week of work is over and I have to say it was an exciting one to say the least. I came in right before a trial and the entire week was spent at trial while I tried to catch up on the issues and share my feedback on how things were going. It is like skipping the practice and getting right to the game. That is the fun part. I have so much I want to say and have so much I want to complain about. It is just a bad idea to explain why it was such a strange crazy circus and win or lose just a process that was unlike I could imagine. I do think this was an exception to the rule and most hearings won't have these type of distractions. Was that vague enough?

Ericka got me into Paulo Nutini and I started listening to one of his cds. He has this new shoes song that is somewhat catchy. It made me think I need new shoes for work. I will just add it to my list of things I'll need when I start to have a positive income stream.


Tuesday was another long day at trial. We are still in our South Austin office, but plan to move in a week to the Hayes County office. I'm close to Ericka's work so I dropped by after work so we could have dinner. I first went to Walmart to get a suit. Yes a walmart suit...but I can still pull it off. For dinner Ericka took me to Red Lobster, she can be very thoughtful. Here is a fun fact she taught me: there are only 2 Red Lobster's in Austin.

Thursday was the last day of trial. The work we put in Wednesday night really paid off. After work we had dinner at Roy's to celebrate the trial being over. This was the type of place I don't think I'd be able to go if not for work. I had a very good dinner and some very tasteful expensive wine. I don't have a sophisticated pallet yet, so I know I can't fully appreciate good wine, but I hope to one day. What I did have was this great pineapple dessert and dessert wine. It was chilled Dolce I think was what it was called. It totally made me understand the concept of dessert wine. I liked it a lot.

I heard that "There was a letter to the editor in this mornings Express about how Pooch Cafe was propagating the myth that if you touch a baby bird the mother will reject it etc... You should've read this thing..it was all scientific and stuff..the person was really worried about people PC enforcing the myth "

I found the article in the pdf version of the Express. I thought everyone felt like me that Pet People should start day at Pooch Cafe. But I was wrong, I found out in Comics news and updates.

"That is to say that love and hate for the comics is very much an individual decision. One I like you may hate, and vice versa. For example, I think "Pearls Before Swine" is one of the funniest strips to come along since Dilbert. The crocs relentless pursuit of the zebra is laugh-out-loud funny. In our house, "Pearls" readings aloud are not uncommon. Yet we have heard from many who think it isn't funny, is too violent and inappropriate for children.

Never has this dichotomy been more true than with the current comic we are testing. It is called "Maintaining" and it involves the experiences of a young biracial man, Marcus. His Dad is black; his Mom is white. Its creator, Nate Creekmore, is of the same roots. To recap, "Maintaining" is the third test comic we have run in recent months. It is scheduled to remain in the paper through the end of the month. We invited comments and to date we have received about 900. They are split almost exactly 50-50 for and against. We've never seen such a divided vote for a comic. The first test comic, "Pooch Cafe" was widely disliked. The second, "The Secret Mind of Edison Lee" was widely praised. "

I include the first part because I had heard good things about "Pearls Before Swine" and thought maybe I should check it out.

I am the biggest fan of blogs and my friends starting blogs. Not all of them keep up with them, but I'm happy when more people start one up. So Mark decided it was time join the blogging world and has created The Martian Cat Problem. Interestingly, unlike my blog, cats are off limits at his site. I look forward to hearing his social and political commentary.

In honor of The Martian Cat Problem not being remotely at all about cats I have included the following YouTube Video. I get a lot of forwards from family and I delete 90 percent of them without even looking, I mean I'm really against the use of chain letters and propaganda forwards. I present "The Mean Kitty Song." Enjoy this one.

a day of glory

The Trial

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company." - George Washington (1732 - 1799)

I was reading some tips about blogging and my favorite was to not write about your cat. It made me laugh. Then I learned a new word I wanted to share and decided to break that rule right off. The word is ailurophiles, meaning "lovers of cats." I can't pronounce the word nor do I consider myself one, but I think it is neat that a word exists for such people.



Sunday I had lunch with Ericka at a cool hippie coffee shop near St Eds. I don't remember the name though. The food was good and I had bottled coke which is my favorite. Danny and Oscar headed out for their 3rd day of ACL. Bloc Party is playing today and I am starting to really like them.





I had to show up to work on Sunday to meet with the clients and prepare for trial. [Wow I sound so important now, huh?] I came in an hour early to try and do some of my own reading and catch up on what is going on since I feel like I jumped on to a team that is in the 4th quater already and the game is tied up and I know none of the plays. Texas makes you think football.




Monday we started our ALJ trial. I'm going to talk about my experiences, but I wanted it noted that I won't give any details about the case or anything that would be inappropriate. This is all new for me, but the experience was thrilling. I showed up to work at 8am and we headed for the hearing. I performed a support role. It brought back memories of debate and let me know that being a lawyer is exactly what I want to be doing. The competitiveness is really intense.

I need to run

Austin City Limits

"I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes...
Eyes...
Oh, did I say
That I loathe you?
Did I say
That I want to leave it all behind?
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind...
My mind
My mind...
Till I find somebody new."

- Damien Rice (The Blower's Daughter)

Saturday I went to Austin City Limits Festival with Ericka. She was so wonderful to invite me to this festival. I didn't attend Friday or Sunday. I'm glad I convinced her not to give up on getting tickets for the sold out Saturday show. This year they were Going Green for the ACL Fest, in case you wanted to know. I was worried I wouldn't be able to do an entire day music festival, but I'm proud of myself for manning up and rocking it with what felt like most of Austin. I had a pretty amazing time. Here are the bands I saw, Paulo Nutini, Augustana, Blue October, Damien Rice, Indigo Girls, and I left right before Muse. The White Stripes pulled out late and so did Amy Winehouse so that was disappointing.

Oscar and I met at Ericka's work. I have to say that there was no way I could of done a full 3 day weekend looking back. I got Ericka her favorite latte from Starbucks and we left for my super secret awesome kick ass free parking. It was better than paying and parking downtown, but it was still a walk on a day full of much walking.

As we walked in, the relief of knowing our tickets were real quickly settled and we looked out upon all the people and glaring sun and all I could think was wow, can I survive being outdoors for this long. (Marty has this thing with allergies and being dirty and being tired and being burnt.) All those thoughts just swept away as we started listening to the bands. My first thought was, man I really should of brought those really cool chairs you can carry. That is a must I think, especially when you plan to spend the entire day there. But really, man it was hot, I got a really good tan if not a sun burn and haven't sweat like that in forever. You don't notice all of it too much during songs you like, when songs you don't care for it sets in a bit more.

We heard Ericka's band she loves, Paulo Nutini. He was pretty good and I was glad I had checked out a few of his songs before I heard him. My favorite is Million Faces. We had a late lunch and later met up Danny and his friends to watch Blue October. Being with a group of friends definitely makes the experience more worthwhile. We left because they were going to watch the Artic Monkeys and we wanted to see Damien Rice, my choice. We then met with Karina and her cousin and hung out with them for a while. I was drinking water all day and had no beer. I guess you can have a good time by just drinking water and enjoying music. Then finally Damien Rice came on and it the was highlight of the festival for me. I had always wanted to see them live in concert, but was never able to. After the set it was 8:30pm and we had been there all day so Ericka and I just called it a night. At night the weather feels so cool and nice, perfect concert weather I have to admit. We met up with Oscar to tell him that we were going to skip Muse and just get going. Since I hadn't heard them before I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything, but I'm sure one day I'll look back and maybe wish I did stay to listen. I like the way it worked out. I later heard on TV that Muse put on quite a show and that Drew Barrymore made an appearance.

I have yet to try adding video to my blog and here is my first attempt. I've uploaded photos, so check them out here. Here are my Damien Rice video excerpts:

We made out long walk to my truck, got some dinner and came home where I watched the UT game I recorded (in fast forward) and TV ACL coverage. The TV coverage wasn't too bad. It was a good experience, but next year I plan to go again for just one day and I hope to invite friends and pass on the gift Ericka gave me by bringing my own guests to hopefully enjoy their first ACL. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with the dust issue from the past and that I had such good company. Here is looking to new year.

Here is Ericka's ACL video review at the end of the day:

maybe I should become a magician

A New Job

"Everything about you is how I'd wanna be
Your freedom comes naturally
Everything about you resonates happiness
Now i won't settle for less
Give me All the peace and joy in your mind
Everything about you pains my envying
Your soul can't hate anything
Everything about you is so easy to love
They're watching you from above."
- Muse (Bliss)

Friday was must first day of work. Work started at 8am and we are preparing for a trial on Monday. I'm excited about this new opportunity, but I still have some fear. I did the usual getting acquainted with the new job sort of activities. I drove over and had my first lunch with Ericka and it felt great to take a break from my new job to spend time with a familiar face. The old law clerk gave me some pointers on his last day of work which was very helpful, but it was a lot to remember. I'm sure I'll talk a lot about work in the days to come, so stay tuned. Rick turned 28 on Friday too. I'm going to get him a beer the next time I see him. I hope he had a good day.

This lyric in my quote above has special significance for me. I had never really read it until today. I was once sent this lyric and was told that it reminded them of me. All I could think was that this was something that happened when I wasn't there (the discovery of this band/song) and I couldn't look past that and just pay attention to the words themselves. I later had to decide if I should give someone a second chance or someone else a first chance....That line really got to me and I decided to give someone else a first chance. We don't always have the benefit of hindsight. The words now mean a lot, but that time has past and I'm just visiting memories right now since I happened to hear the band was playing at ACL. Why did I look past the good and on focus only on the irrational anger? Maybe my pride and ego were worth it. That is all I have to show for it in the end. It is a nice lyric though, I should listen to the song.


Always Sunny in Philadelphia started again on Thursday. The new season just started and the first two episodes were great. You should definitely check it out, you won't be disappointed. Short 22 minute segments are just long enough to be interesting. It is a dvr must add. Season 1 and 2 are pretty short, so catching up won't be a problem. Danny bought the DVDs and I put them off for a while, but I shouldn't have.


I was watching Real Time on HBO and as I usually do, I found out a fun fact. It was about The Price is Right. The set is actually tiny I read. It looks so much bigger on TV, but in reality it’s a small theater stage I'm told. The audience looks much larger on TV as well. Growing up watching the show I thought it was some huge warehouse or something. The important fact on why I am mentioning this. The studio for "The Price Is Right" is also used for "Real Time with Bill Maher," which is done live every Friday night in the very same studio! (They just cover up contestants row with a stage extension.) That and all the other Real Time set changes. I would of never guessed. Show business I guess. [I had some really good links, but lost them in a copy and paste.]

I need suits

Opportunity

"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well." -Joe Ancis

We all have our quirks. Maybe the more you get to know someone the less normal they become. Maybe the more normal they actually become. I'm ok with that. I think this is why it is sometimes hard to let someone in.

I like learning lessons and enjoy lists. Here are some good ones I felt applied to a lot of people I know including myself. Harriet Braker, Phd wrote a book in 2001 about women's need to please entitled The Disease to Please.

The Ten Commandments of People Pleasing

1. I should always do what others want, expect, or need from me.
2. I should take care of everyone around me whether they ask for help or not.
3. I should always listen to everyone's problems and try my best to solve them.
4. I should always be nice and never hurt anyone's feelings.
5. I should always put other people first, before me.
6. I should never say "no" to anyone or let others down in any way.
7. I should never disappoint anyone or let others down in any way.
8. I should always be happy and upbeat and never show any negative feelings to others.
9. I should always try to please other people and make them happy.
10. I should try to never to burden others with my own needs or problems.

No one could realistically live this way. This sets you up for manipulations by guilt and obligation. Some of these things make so much sense to me. I should read her book. She has another cool list I that I feel applies more so to me.

The Seven Deadly "Shoulds" for other's behavior

1. Other people should appreciate and love me because of all the things I do for them.
2. Other people should always like and approve of me because of how hard I work to please them.
3. Other people should never reject or criticize me because I always try to live up to their desires and expectations.
4. Other people should be kind and caring to me in return because of how well I treat them.
5. Other people should never hurt me or treat me unfairly because I am so nice to them.
6. Other people should never leave or abandon me because of how much I make them need me.
7. Other people should never be angry with me because I would go to any length to avoid conflict, anger, or confrontation with them.

These are good lists I think, what I should do about it, well that I'm not completely sure about because I know the opposite isn't the answer. Just something to ponder.

So here is the big news for today. Maybe I should of lead with it. I was offered a job today! I am excited and scared at the very same time. It will be good for me though. The work day starts at 8am which is going to be tough for me, but it is time to grow up. I start tomorrow, talk about getting thrown right into it. I don't know what to expect, but I know we have trial next week so that should make an interesting start. I'm starting off as a law clerk for a small firm, but if I pass the bar I'll be on the associate track which is a situation where my own self motivation will govern my future.

We got our 2nd ACL ticket today for Saturday. So I am going to ACL. I am excited and am very thankful to Ericka for taking me. It is so kind and thoughtful of her. Now I need to start listening to the bands I want to hear. Marty outdoors for an entire day, it is going to be hard.

everyone has a past, right now is what matters

A Window

("He's out there, she's out there, they are just learning what to contrast you against.") (introduction before he starts to sing)

Staying home alone on a Friday
Flat on the floor looking back
On old love
Or lack thereof
After all the crushes are faded
And all my wishful thinking was wrong
I'm jaded
I hate it
-John Mayer, Love Song For No One

This is a lyric Ericka shared with me. She really likes John Mayer too. The quote before is what he said before he started the song at a live concert. I wonder why it made her think of me. I wonder if it is bad or good. Trying to get to know her has been a good experience.

Tuesday was 9/11 and though it is a day of reflection, I feel like my anger on what was done with the unity of Americans on 9/11 is another travesty that needs to be corrected. A lot of years have past and I still remember the morning in Ithaca, NY when Juan Carlos woke me up to tell me what was happening.


It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a show that Abram first told me about. He said it was good, but I have so many shows I never checked it out. Danny got season 1 and 2 in anticipation of the premiere of season 3 on Thursday. So I started watching the dvds and have to recommend the series. It is pretty funny and the short is only a half hour long so it wasn't too crazy of an investment of my time.


Today I was supposed to hear about the job I applied for, but life isn't so easy. I have yet to hear either way and since I have the time, I've accepted both scenarios in my mind already.

One on the best directory to submit to is DMOZ (Open Directory Project), but it is not easy to get listed in DMOZ and usually takes a long time. Refer to DMOZ, the most important directory, and Blogger Tips and Tricks got listed without even submitting.

if it looks like a duck, talks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it is probably a duck

Job Interview

"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." - Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Monday I had a job interview. I have to admit I was nervous about the whole experience. I've had enough interviews to know what to expect, but you want to make sure to give off a fair honest impression of yourself. I figured I could memorize some answers or just react to the situation and share accordingly. I opted for the latter and it went very well. I should hear back on Wednesday if I was a good fit.

I watched the Patraeus Report on Iraq today. There were many protesters who made a scene at the briefing. I can't decide if I support them or feel that they are hurting the cause of ending the war. All I can say is that I was on their side and appreciate that they are willing to express their free speech and let the world know that people are angry and for that I understand where they are coming from. So we are getting a "token" withdrawal, now it is time to see if our elected officials can do what is right and go forward with a "responsible" withdrawal of US troops.

I was thinking about something Dawn has said on the NBC Nightly News when she was doing an interview about the documentary. She said she tries to surround herself with good people. I think that is such an understated practice. I probably attribute all the success and happiness I have found in my life from picking the right people to surround myself with. Whether it be smart people, people with good hearts, sincere people and social people, they all influence who I am and what my goals are. You learn so much by looking at what those around you are doing.

I spent part of the day looking for ACL tickets. Ericka and I are hoping to find two saturday tickets for face value. Hopefully it all works out. I need to start listening to the bands playing to figure out who I like.

too much too soon

Tailgating

“I'd like to think the best of me was still hiding up in my sleeve.” - John Mayer

Friday evening Ericka came over and brought dinner from central market. She is so thoughtful and I really do like that about her. We had dinner and then watched the movie Elizabethtown. I have had it for years, but I think the timing worked out on when I got to see it. It wasn't that good of a movie, but there some themes in it that I really connected with.

Ericka thinks I might use my computer too much. Reading news, writing blog entries, checking email and all types of internet activity I probably do too much. It is surely not a good idea and I'm glad she mentioned it because it made me think more about it. I want to start being more efficient and finding escape efforts won't help me. It is the main reason I am staying away from video games right now. We have a ps3 and a wii here at the house and I could rent a game and play for days, but I haven't even played once because I know I'll like it too much. I don't do lots of things because I know I'll like it too much.

Saturday Ana and Rick came into town for the UT game. I was so excited to see them. Rick was very generous and all around awesome and got me tickets for the game. How do you express your appreciation for something like that? I elected to take Ericka with me. This was the first time I had ever done the tailgate thing. Ericka and I showed up at about 2pm and I got home at 2am. Those 12 hours in between were quite a time.

We started off the day at a tailgate party where they had two large tents set up, a bbq pit, a flat screen tv, chairs and beer, did I mention the beer. It was so hot and so early, but I was amazed to see how packed the park was. So many people and so much UT spirit. I wore blue which was very close to the purple of TCU, there goes my great planning. Oscar joined us too which was cool of him to come out. I passively watched the A&M game as I tried to slowly drink all the beers that kept appearing in hand. All I could think about was how long the day was going to be and how I had to pace myself. I worry too much about this type of thing, maybe I don't like feeling like I'm losing control. We took some pictures and mainly talked a lot. Then it was time for the game.


We worked our way over to the stadium and I was in awe by the size and clarity of the jumbo-tron. There was a lot of excitement in the air and it is an experience to be in a stadium full of roaring fans. The first half was not a good one for UT. I blame the QB and the coach, but halftime came with Texas down 10-0. At halftime we went over to what I think is called the Alumni building where we watched the rest of the game on a large projector TV. We could of gone back to our seats, but the air condition and comfortable chairs felt so right after being outdoors for so many hours. Texas went on to make a strong comeback and pretty much blow the game out. As the game was ending, we went back to the tailgate where we caught the end of the game and finished drinking. Overall I have to say it was quite the experience and I was very thankful for being able to go. I had a really good time and feel like I missed out on an important aspect of college, the college football game. Hook Em horns!

Near 11pm we called it a night and went back to Ericka's house where we hung out with Monica's mom and husband. They remembered me from when they visited Cornell and I took that as a big compliment since it was so long ago. They were enjoying the hot tub while we all talked. Ana and Rick left the tailgate at 1am or so and proved to be much more equip at celebrating that I was. It is like an endurance event of fun. I posted pictures.


Speaking of, it gave me a feel for ACL and if I could go 3 days in the sun listening to bands. I don't think I am that cool, but I do think I am cool enough to do a whole day. I'm looking for tickets right now. I'll keep you updated on how that works out.

Sunday night I saw the documentary Alive Day Memories. I invited Ericka to watch it with us. It was very moving and almost too hard to watch at times. It is hard to describe, but right now my stomach just hurts and I feel sad, somber, traumatized, grateful and inspired. Part of me wants to recommend for everyone to see it because it is so true and raw, but the other part of me feels like I would rather hide from such realities, which were often too painful to watch. This is real life and real people are dying and getting injured the fact I'm anti-war doesn't make me just blame this on the architects of this war. I accept it exists and heroic American soldiers are doing their job to the best of their ability and everyone in America shares in our soldiers pain on both sides. I think the documentary did a great job of staying apolitical and not focusing on James Gandofini whose presence I thought might defect some. Seeing Dawn's story was the most moving for me because I know how awesome and professional she truly is. I learned a lot. I'll retreat back into my sugar coated world now, but am happy I got to see it. Here is a great interview on Huffington Post.

Here is some information on Cats and pregnancy. http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/humanpregnancy.htm

I can understand the want to take every precaution, I do, but it doesn't mean you should be ill informed. I know I'm safer in a plane than in a car, but I'm more worried in a plane. I get it, but don't spread the old wives tales. The story of the deaf indoor cat that was banished outside still breaks my heart, but who do you pick, your baby or an animal and I'm going with my baby too no matter how irrational it may be.

One month was ok

Letter to Vero on Jamie's Bday

An open letter to my beloved sister

Dear Vero,

Today is Jamie's birthday! I thought it would be fitting to write this today. I know we talk a lot, but sometimes I don't complete my thoughts when we talk in my head before bed or out loud while I am driving. I feel a little better about writing you a letter so that I can be more complete and feel like I'm actually talking to you. I assume you know how I am thinking and you are watching over me, so you must know how much I miss you. There are so many times when I have big news and I almost always look to my phone to share it with you still wanting to call you. I never want you to feel like you have been forgotten or that we have moved on because you are in my thoughts daily sister.




Veronica, I feel like we had so much in common but that we never got to fully find out how much. A friendship that never got to keep growing. There was too much I didn't get to learn about you, but I'm so grateful for the times we did spend together and all the lessons you taught me. Thanks for being a good big sister, and role model. Even today I want to know your advice on relationships, on my life decisions on how to deal with how I am feeling. I admired your free spirit, your glow and how unlike me, a smile was just part of your face, not an expression. You did well for yourself and were so dedicated to your children.


Here are the things that go on in my head. I know you loved me, I know you were very proud of me and I know you were protective of me as well. When I'm in certain situations now I can just see you standing up and defending me and just wanting the best for me. My big sister. I can see you believing in me and inspiring me to do what ever I feel I can't do and going deeper and helping me find out what it is I feel I want to do exactly. It is like you are on this journey now with me and I hate that I can't learn more about you. I'll be honest and it is true that I don't know what happens when you die, but I do feel like you are still with us in a different way. I hope we get to meet again and if there is a heaven I look forward to joining you when it is my time.


There is so much I can say about the girls, but I'm sure you follow them much more closely than I get to. They are growing up to be so smart, caring, thoughtful and beautiful. I promise to try to be a good role model and uncle for them as I try for everyone else in our family. You taught them well and they really take after you in so many ways. They used to get extra love because they reminded me so much of you, but now they just get it for being their own wonderful selves. I hate that you are missing out on watching Ana's kids get older and take on her qualities and wow become adults. Andrew is so old now. I think you and Tori would get along so well now that she is older, and are you as excited as us that Eliza is expecting another addition to the family? You never got to meet Koki (or Mia) and I wonder what you would think of your brother having a cat. She is as old as the time you have been gone and she is now a full grown cat. She is almost my symbolic way of keeping you in my heart. I call her mamas just like you used to call Bekkah and Jamie. Really Vero, did you have to put all those k's in bekkah's name?



I really did believe what I shared at your funeral, that you were the glue that kept us all together, the central hub of the Alaniz family and it truly was a test to see what our family would turn out like after we lost you, both as a group and individually. It was like we all lost our emotional center and we were forced to redefine our relationships, pick up the gaps for each other and the emotional support you gave to us. That wasn't easy Vero and still isn't, but we are working on it. We didn't see it as test per se, but our family nevertheless changed. We took what was left and grew into something stronger. We still have a lot of growing to do as we take on each other's adversities as one.

I think Dad took a long while to get recover once losing you. He hid it well and I'm sure his past experience taught him how to deal better than I could, but you all were like best friends when you had to go. The father daughter relationship you always wanted and I'm glad you got to experience it. I always found it interesting how you all fought so much when you were younger and how strong your love for him was. I want to thank you for taking care of our dad, for softening him up and showing him that no matter what ever happens his family will love him. I hope to take over your role in doing what I can to help him enjoy his retirement and do what makes him happy.



I feel Mom probably took it the hardest and in some ways showed it the least, but I don't think she tried to hide it. We just expect Mom to be strong, to have faith and let that bring her peace. She is a grandma and fought very hard to get to see the girls and is still the pillar of faith and security in our family of whom if we owe so much to.



I'll never understand and envy the close friendship and love you shared with Ana, and it was like she lost her other half. You all were the girls. Now your girls are the girls. All our hearts were broken but Ana's was shattered and the poise she showed during those hard times hid the reality that she was hurting so much, that she missed you and wanted you back. She has memories of you that no one else has. The rest of us have picked up the slack for you Vero and now we are all so much closer, but we could never replace what you all had.

Your little sister Eliza probably shows her emotions the most and I can hear how much she misses you in her voice when she talks about you. You were her role model, her older sister, the person she looked up to. Now with the new baby coming along, she wants her baby to know about their Tia Vero. The same goes for me, any kids I have will know all about their Tia Vero and though they may not meet you for a very long time, when they do they will understand your spirit and know that even from Heaven that you still loved them.

Then we have Abram, who for some reason I feel takes after you the most. Maybe it was your sense of adventure, your people skills or personality. He is out forging his own path right now and is hard working just like you. You all had such a good rapport together.

It isn't big news that I finished law school since there was no doubt in your mind I would, but I had my doubts and fears. Thank you for believing in me. Now I am here, closer to home and I don't know what the future brings. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I hope you continue to stand by me and

Ok, well thanks for listening, since you know this is more for my benefit.

Love Your Little Brother,

Marty

First Friday

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and all to lose - especially their lives." - Eugene Victor Debs (1855-1926)

Don't forget to watch Alive Day Memories on Sunday night at 9:30pm CST on HBO. Here is my post talking about it and why I am looking forward to it. Friends from DC (8/22).

So Thursday I went out to First Thursday with everyone. I thought it was a once a year thing, but I guess it's a once a month thing. That does make more sense. We met up at Docs and had a few drinks. We checked out some of the tents selling jewelery and candles along Congress. We had some drinks and then checked out some live music at a local bar.

I was talking to my sister Ana and she made a really good point. I have two brothers with degrees and one wants to be a poker player and the other wants to be a helicopter pilot, I wish I could have those degrees. I guess we must really really want that because logically it doesn't make sense. Success feels so close, yet so far.


Mark left a comment! Underdog, I like that. I'm going to add Spoon to my new list of bands to learn. Maybe I shouldn't see it as learn and rather enjoy. I've added Colbie, VHS or Beta, Bloc Party and now Spoon thanks to Mark.

Friday I was back to applying for jobs online and hoping to hear back from ones I have already applied to. I feel like I should be applying for more positions and I need to find out where these positions are located so that I can get my name out more. The good news is that I have an interview on Monday.

pictures of an empty fridge

Irresistible

"God built a compelling sex drive into every creature, no matter what style of fucking it practiced. He made sex irresistibly pleasurable, wildly joyous, free from fears. He made it innocent merriment.
Needless to say, fucking was an immediate smash hit. Everyone agreed, from aardvarks to zebras. All the jolly animals -- lions and lambs, rhinoceroses and gazelles, skylarks and lobsters, even insects, though most of them fuck only once in a lifetime -- fucked along innocently and merrily for hundreds of millions of years. Maybe they were dumb animals, but they knew a good thing when they had one." - Allan Sherman (1924-1973) The Rape of the American Puritan Ethic, 1973

Wow that was a descriptive quote, but I thought it was good and I also am hoping my mom doesn't read my blog. I just felt Allan made a very good point that was worth restating.

As far as housekeeping issues go, I've been trying to revamp my blog somewhat and add some new features and remove some old ones. I decided to retire my message board. I think the comments section plays a better role and it's use has not proven to be helpful. I changed my comments section as well, so check that out too. I'd really like to know what you don't like, what you think is useless.

I haven't used instant messenger in like forever. I signed on today. It is always hard to remember who is blocked and who isn't and who I feel up to chatting with or if I even have anything to say. I used to be on aim all the time, but now I feel like most people I talk to don't use it anymore.

I complain a lot about finances, and I promise to stop...I also know it is just my chickens that are coming home to roost, but the noose is getting tighter each day so it is on my mind. I found out today I owe up to $850 in bills from my old apartment. Luckily I have some time, but it is just another obligation I have. All of this translates to more motivation or at least is should. There is the guy you are on the weekends and the guy who you bring to battle in the real world and despite all that is going on, I think that second guy is still pretty powerful except over the weekend guy.

Wednesday night I planned to go with Oscar to Speak easys for a dancing night. I still don't really dance much, but I enjoy going because my whole adult life my friends have always danced (salsa etc) and I feel comfortable just hanging out there. I ended up flaking out though to stay home and keep on my sleeping pattern which I've done a decent job of getting in order.

The new nano is out and I am not a big fan of the fatty nano. Why would you want to watch video on a nano? Wouldn't you just get a normal ipod? So maybe it wasn't that great that I didn't get the nano, but what do I need with an mp3 player, this is the problem Marty, do you see it?

Thursday I woke up early, really early. It always feels great to beat your alarm clock. I cashed out some poker money and picked up some medication at the store and then got some gas. I'm going out with everyone to First Thursday. I hope it is fun.

the hit and run

Privacy

"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there." - Herb
Caen

The New Year's Resolution approach I've taken to solving problems has just proven not to work. It is the best way I can describe how I think to take on my challenges in my life. The whole Monday I'll [insert new goal/habit here] has not done well for me either. I figure it is about time I try something new. So I'm going to try the baby steps method. You know, make very very small changes and add them slowly and over time and at some point I'll get there. I know I can make those big changes, but when I try I just end up just feeling like it is too much to keep up and then I end up quiting without even noticing. Go hard or go home, I just delay going at all...and if I go, I go hard, notice it was hard and then make an excuse to give up. This is not the person I want to be and it isn't the person I am. A journey of a thousand steps, well it is still a thousand steps and I know you can sugar coat it and call it different things, but all I see is a very long journey.



So I have already admitted that I am a big fan of Maria's blog. Now I even call her up to get ask her about it too. One discussion we had was about how people sometimes feel like they are invading your privacy when they read your blog. Like somehow they are reading something personal that they shouldn't be even though it is quite clear that it is posted on the internet for the entire world to see. This was her way of making me feel better that I didn't get more comments, saying that people just feel weird admitting they might be reading, like as if it is something wrong, where in fact it is more of a compliment than anything. It is funny because I feel like I want to know who cares and take it as a compliment that people would want to know what I'm thinking or up to....yet when it comes to other people's blogs I feel that same type of way so I understand.

Monday was another Labor Day and it was a well deserved break from all my working. I got in a few extra zzz's and then drove in the pouring rain to have dinner with a friend of mine. She told me that she was going to take me to the best pizza place in Austin. The thing was you had to wait 30 mins for them to cook the pizza. The pizza was good and that is with me not being a big fan of spinich.

Later in the night I drove over to check out Karina's new place. She just moved to Austin from San Antonio. Oscar, Ericka and I had a few drinks and played poker. I thought I was doing well, but I got cocky, thought I had a straight and lost all my money because I'm an idiot who misread the board. It was a lot of fun though and Oscar ended up winning, but Ericka is very good and learns really quick. I tell her I can read her, but really I can't.

On my drive home I talked to Maria on the phone and pretty much well it was a web entry in phone call form. It really means a lot to me when a person can identify with something I brought up or understands what I am going through. Her outlook on life while dealing with cancer really helps me reframe my thinking and also helps me see that she is still dealing with being a person too and she is more than just a person who is fighting cancer. I guess categories are so easy, oh that guy is a lawyer, doctor, veteran, guy that peed his pants in 2nd grade....it just defines you. Like how I see my mom, she is my mom, and I overlook she is a person experiencing life just as I am.

Tuesday I think I noticed my room was smelling a bit like funk. I don't know how to explain, but how do you clear a smell from a room? I guess I could vaccum and wash my sheets, maybe use an air freshener, but I don't know where this, well let's call it 'scent', exists. I took a shower and opened the window to get some fresh air. It's not a bad scent for those of your wondering, but not at all close to febreze fresh that I would rather have. After doing laundry though, it started to smell a lot better.

backing right up

Labor Day

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- from Akeelah and the Bee. The interesting thing I discovered is that although the quotation is attributed in the film to Nelson Mandela, it was actually written by inspirational guru Marianne Williamson.

Sunday I didn't end up having breakfast as was the plan. I used my coupon to get a haircut. I had a good conversation with my hairstylist about her kids and playing soccer. I then went to purchase some groceries and withdrawal money from the atm to pay my rent. I got a whopping balance of $17.12 now. How is that for motivation?


I was invited out jogging. This is something I need to do and I wanted to go, but right now I would just embarrass myself. I need to start training and then I can be that guy that is like, yeah I'll go jogging. Hopefully that training will start soon. Hiking was offered as the alternative which seemed really fun and I don't think I had ever done, but I had plans to see some bats so I took a raincheck. It was raining.



Due to rain the bats thing was canceled, so instead Ericka invited me to have dinner with Joselo and Monica. I joined and we went to Kirby Lane. Rick had taken me there before, but this was a different one. I had a conversation with an employee who had two piercings on her check bones. Ericka told me she just found out she had the same name as someone from my past. I think Monica put it best when she said, "It's a common name, get over it." The food was great and conversation with them is always so much fun. I like them all a lot, and I still can't figure out why I laugh with Ericka so much. Monica didn't like her meal, but the rest of us were very happy. Monica wanted fudge, so went on an adventure to find fudge. I can't wait till I'm pregnant and can have cravings. We ended up going to HEB. We rented a few movies. I recommended Akeelah and the Bee and Monica concurred, so we got that movie. We ended up seeing it first and it was such a good movie and it can be best described using Ebert's words "makes an uncommonly good movie, entertaining and actually inspirational, and with a few tears along the way." My big quote above is from the movie, I like it but I feel like I don't fully understand it yet, the quote I mean. Maybe I have this feeling that the meaning of life is summed up in a quote and it is my job to find it. Me and my magic pills.



I got a copy of Colbie's CD and have started listening to it. Her songs are short, lyrics wise, and it is not my type of music, but I still like it. It is catchy I think. I was going to use her lyrics as quotes in the future, but instead I'll just list the ones that caught my fancy here. Let's start with a part of the description of her cd..."but that is her appeal; she sings about simple, everyday things in an unassuming manner, letting her melodies and girl-next-door charm carry the day." I feel like I'm just posting her entire cd of lyrics now that I look at what I have collected, but I'll still post. And yes I know she is a singer that appeals to young women in their 20s (and from the concert I think a lot of sporty lesbians). I'm ok with that. The lyrics are not really that deep, but still touch a chord simple as they are.

If you just realize
What I just realized
That we'd be perfect for each other
And we'll never find another
Just realize
What I just realized
We'd never have to wonder
If we missed out on each other, now.
- Realize, Colbie Caillat

Oh I, I can't take it
So please please please won't you listen
To the troubles all around me, I'm caught up and I'm barely breathin
But I'm finding that holding on is harder than never leaving.
- Tied Down, Colbie Caillat

Cause this is a battle
And its your final last call
It was a trial, you made a mistake, we know
But why arent you sorry, why arent you sorry, why?
This can be better, you used to be happy, try!
- Battle, Colbie Caillat

Oh baby, if I was your lady
I would make you happy
I'm never gonna leave, never gonna leave
Oh baby, I will be your ladyI am going crazy for you
- Oxygen, Colbie Caillat

Back Up,Back up
take another chance
don't you mess up, mess up
I don't wanna lose you
wake up, wake up
this ain't just a thing that you
give up, give up
don't you say that I'd be better off,better off sitting by myself than wondering
if I'm better off, better off without you boy
- The Little Things, Colbie Caillat



I've got a midnight bottle gonna drink it down
A one way ticket takes me to the times we had before
When everything felt so right
If only for tonight I've got a midnight bottle gonna ease my pain
From all these feelings driving me insane
- Midnight Bottle, Colbie Caillat

Starts in my toes makes me crinkle my nose where ever it goes i always know that you make me smile please stay for a while now just take your time where ever you go
- Bubbly, Colbie Caillat

And I'm juggling all the thoughts in my head
I'm juggling and my fears on fire
But I'm listening as it evolves in my headI'm balancing on one fine wire....
- One Fine Wire, Colbie Caillat

I'm sorry it's taking me so long
To find out what I'm feeling
I wonder if it will come to me
- Feelings Show, Colbie Caillat

Is this the hook that brings you back as blues traveler would say? She has a good chorus for every one of her songs. I still think I might of gone a bit overboard on this one.

This portion of a letter I got reminds me so much of when Koki first met Mia and how she felt and how I was feeling about the crazy situation. I'm going to substitute my cats names in this story though since I am vain like that...but it isn't my story.

oh man, [koki] is NOT having this other cat. shes been acting like a cross between a king cobra and a panther.... half of the time shes hissing with her mouth open so wide im convinced she could swallow the other cat (who is more than 3 times her size) and the rest of the time shes growling like the panther in that janet jackson video. and seriously, the other cat, [mia], is trying so hard to make friends...shes practically stalking [koki]... its been really funny. i hope [koki] warms up to this cat soon...she doesn't seem to be making much progress though. shes acting like a 4lb bully.

I was very amused. My only advice is that I hear sometimes cats learn to tolerate each other. Some do become close, but that didn't happen for me in the least bit. I would say they are like an old couple, they don't like each other, but don't mind the company at times. I'm sure they will be best buds in no time.

confidence

Colbie

"By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote. In fact it is as difficult to appropriate the thoughts of others as it is to invent." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

I am rocking the updating daily thing. Maybe I have just accepted that it is ok to have short entries and figure it forces me to think more about things when I have to put them down in writing. I wish I had more blogs to read, right now I only really read Maria's and she updates about once a week or so. None of my other friends write blogs that I know about.


I finally saw the end of the movie Vacancy. Ericka returned it before we got to see the end of it and since it wasn't that great I didn't think too much of it. But today I had the time to watch the end of a copy I got and yeah, not a very good movie at all. Kate Beckinsale you are still my favorite, but please do better movies.



Today, Saturday is an important day. It starts the beginning of September and the last month I can afford rent to stay in Austin. No more messing around, I either get my act together and start a responsible life or I admit to failure and move home. Fear is a good motivator and I hope it really starts to kick in.

Saturday was also the first UT game of the season. I didn't get to see the game because it wasn't being played locally, but I later heard they won, though not in convincing fashion. I really am looking forward to this season and watching some HD games, tailgating and hell maybe even attending a few. Hook'em Horns. I think I could be a good poser.

Ericka was kind enough to buy tickets for us to see the Goo Goo Dolls and Lifehouse. She actually wanted to go and see the opening band Colbie Caillat. I had never heard the band/singer before, but I had heard some songs that Ericka had played for me and I liked them. I haven't been to a concert in a long time and there were a few I really wanted to go to such as Coldplay. So when we got there Colbie started playing soon after. Her set wasn't very long, but I really enjoyed her music even though I wasn't able to make out all the lyrics. I hear she has good lyrics and I look forward to reading them soon. Well we liked her so much that we waited in line for over an hour to get her autograph. She looked so tired when she signed, but she did have a half hearted fake smile and everyone there still loved her. The whole time we were in line was when Lifehouse played. They have two songs I like, but other than that I wasn't too impressed. Then the Goo Goo Dolls came on. I feel like I would of been more excited had it been 5 years ago, but they did put on a good show. Abram told me that they chatted too much between songs and I could see why he came to that conclusion. The place was packed and the energy was great and it just made me think that this is what I want as part of my life. To be able to attend concerts and listen to bands I enjoy, but I need to take care some of the being responsible business first.

After we met up with my cousin Rino at 6th street. We went to a pool hall where we hung out with his girlfriend Jessica, his friend from the valley Erik and his girlfriend Jessica(2). Rino and I split one for one on pool games and he is really good so I was proud of my play. After we went over to his place and played poker. 10 dollar buy in winner take all tournament. So it is 3am and Erik, Ericka and I are still all alive. Finally it gets down to Erick and I near 4am and I go all in and am called. My hand holds and we were finally even, so we just split the winnings (20 each) and called it a night. I got to invite Ericka to my being up all night routine.

bubbly