Isra's Wedding and Mother's Day Weekend

"There are two dilemmas that rattle the human skull: How do you hang on to someone who won't stay? And how do you get rid of someone who won't go?" - Danny DeVito ,The War of the Roses

This past weekend I went home to the Valley for my cousin Isra's wedding and for Mother's Day. I left after work for my 5 hour drive. Here are the Flickr pictures from the weekend in general. Isra's Wedding and Mother's Day Weekend. It was a good weekend and I got a lot of family time in.

Saturday morning I visited with my mom and got dressed for the wedding. I had invited Bekkah to come with me so that I wouldn't go alone. I picked her up and we talked about her Drum Major tryouts for Band that were coming up. I really do hope she gets it. I think band has been a good influence in her life and she seems to really enjoy it. We drove to Harlingen the back way, which is about 20-30 miles or so away. It was the same trip I would take every other weekend growing up with my family to go and visit my grandparents. Since the wedding was at a church just a street behind the old house, the trip was pretty much exactly the same. I will say that not much changed on the route.

We arrived at the church about 10:45am for an 11:00am wedding. I wasn't sure if we were going to be on Mexican time or regular time, but we waited quite some time. It was good though, we got to visit with extended family that I hadn't seen in years. The church was quaint, but had a real religious feel to it. We met up with Rino and Jess there and my Tio Cama joined us later. The ceremony was nice and traditional. The bride has a classic dress and Isra looked genuinely happy to be getting married. I think I would have been more scared. I took pictures so that my family that wasn't able to make it could get a feel for the moment. The ceremony was in Spanish, which was nice, but when they said "I Do," I think they just said, "Si." I don't know why, but I just expected the words I do anyway. It was different. It was a very good experience. After, I left my gift and headed back to Edinburg with Bex. There was a reception that happened later that evening, but I wasn't able to make it. Here is a picture of my cousin Rino and I before I left.

May 9th was also the one year anniversary of the day that my grandfather passed away. I should of dropped by the cemetery while I was in Harlingen, but I didn't. It feels a lot longer than a year, but that is probably because the last few years we couldn't really communicate well when he was in the nursing home. I miss him and I know my grandmother misses him very much as well.

Once I arrived back in Edinburg, I picked up some Churches chicken and took it over to Ana's house. I haven't had Churches in at least 8 years I'm thinking. We had a late lunch there with everyone...including my mother, father, Ana, Bekkah, Jamie, Sarah and Michael. It was some nice catching up and another chance to see Ana's new apartment.

Afterwards, I went with my father to visit San Juan. He took me to the cemetery where his parent's were buried. His mother died when he was 2 and his father died when he was 12. I'm impressed with how much he remembers about his father. The cemetery was very Mexican, in the way that there were no rules and some people had extravagant graves and others very poor ones. For example.The cross on my grandfather's grave was made by my dad's brother who cast it in concrete and then my father engraved the name on the Cross. There were some real poor crosses there that caught my eye. Here is one, but I have more on my flickr page. After that cemetery, we went to the new RGV Veteran's cemetery where my father told me he wants to be buried. It was very nice and classy and very new. I didn't get any pictures while I was there, but I need to look into how all that works. Hopefully it will be a very long time before we have to worry about things like that.

I later went to see the movie Star Trek. I had been really wanting to see it. It was great. If you haven't seen it, you should. I was more than impressed, but to be honest, I'm more of a Next Generation fan and forward, so I didn't catch all the references to the old show. You really didn't need to know much about the series to enjoy the movie. I heard that the actors have all signed on for two more movies.

On Mother's Day, my mother and Bekkah returned home from Church while I was working on setting up wireless internet for the mother. I gave her my router and after much work was able to get it working. This means she can now use her laptop anywhere in the house, as can anyone else who is visiting with a computer. My sisters bought her flowers that they delivered to her work on Friday. My official gift to her was a Radio/CD/Tape player stereo she had wanted that she could use around the house to listen to her music since her older one had given out. She also liked the camera I had just purchased for the weddings I was going to attend, so I gave it to her for mother's day as well. I hope she learns how to use and makes good use of it. I tried to teach her how to download a picture to her computer and then email it, but she couldn't really remember her email password, so that slowed us down. I guess like anything, it takes practice.

We had a BBQ at my mom's house and my dad made fajitas. The food was great and I stayed around for much longer than I had planned. At one point, Ana took Jamie to the cemetery to leave flowers for Vero for Mother's Day. I was so focused on the day being about my mother I almost forgot that it was also about Vero, Ana and Eliza. Overall, it was a very nice time.

Abram was driving down from Austin, but I left for Austin before he got back. I'm sure we crossed paths at some point. The trip back up seemed much longer than usual. I talked to my grandmother and wished her a happy mother's day as well. That was a long and eventful weekend.

he never learns

Clean House

"There’s so much comedy on television. Does that cause comedy in the streets?" - Dick Cavett

My upper body is pretty sore today. I have been running and trying to eat better (as opposed to that unattainable right) for the last few weeks. What I had been putting off is getting to the lifting stage of this on and off exercise cycle which, if past is prologue, has a few more weeks left before I start to get disinterested. The main reason I've put it off is because I know how sore I'm going to feel when I start, that coupled with the sadness that fills my heart when I have to make the lowest number (amount of weight) on my lifting charts (I keep records) my highest as I start all over again. Next week should be a lot better.

I got home on Wednesday to see how our carpet cleaning went. The guy did a pretty good job on our living room and game room, but man did our living room stink when I got home. It reeked of a dog smell that even our 4 fans couldn't get out. We asked the guy why it smelled and he said that was what was in the carpet. I vacuumed the downstairs and upstairs before we started putting things back. This is something I hope we keep up with from now on. Then on Thursday, a maid came in to clean the house. I was thinking that having the carpets cleaned would help her finish up quicker, but there were still stains I'm guessing and although she did a very good job downstairs, she ran out of time before getting to some projects that I was really looking forward to, namely my bathroom. She ended up staying an extra hour than we had planned, but it was worth it in my book. The plan for next time is tell her how much time she has for each section of the house as to focus on quantity rather than quality. 6 hours is a long time. Plus, I'm sure she wasted a lot of time on the dishes, which were not part of the plan initially. Either way, I'm glad how it worked out.

I just found out my cousin Isra's wedding isn't in the evening this Saturday, but is instead is in the morning. This means that instead of taking off on Saturday early, I'll now have to take off on Friday night for the Valley. That wasn't my plan, but hey, what can you do? More time with family I guess. Mother's Day should be fun as well.

I just paid my bar dues for the year. It always sucks to have to pay out money you were not expecting to, or forgot about. I think my TiVo yearly bill is coming due soon as well, that isn't going to be fun, but man I love my TiVo. Humm, what other bills am I not thinking of right now?

A friend of mine's law school classes are over. She probably still has finals though. I kept her company online during a few of her last few classes while she kept me company at work on AIM. As an old friend from college I didn't know too well, she ended up being pretty personable. I think smart people are cool. One thing I remember fondest from my law school days is being in class and being so lucky as to be able to chat online with someone. It really helped pass the time and make me feel sane. That or I would just blog during class. During an ex-gfs last year of law school, we chatted a lot while she was in class, and though it felt like I being used to keep her less bored, I actually had a pretty good time. It was then I came to appreciate the chatting during a 2 hour class thing. Till this day I don't know if having the internet during class was more helpful or hurtful. I chat a lot less often than I did in college I must say. Probably due to Facebook.

My other friend, and former roommate, Mark is also finishing law school this year. I'm pretty happy for him. He can add this to his many lists of accomplishments. I can't think of a better guy. I'm not sure what his plans are exactly, but I'm sure next time we catch up he will fill me in. Way to go Mark!

Did you know that eighteen-year old Bristol Palin is an ambassador for teen abstinence, despite the recent birth of her son Tripp in December. Check out Bristol Palin's New York Abstinence Campaign (SLIDESHOW). Really? This just seems comical and more than hypocritical to me. How about you pick a girl who hasn't had a baby and have her go out and talk about safe sex? Would that make too much sense?

I'm kind of really bored of the Swine flu already and so is the media it seems. I think it is worth noting that Poverty Has A Lot To Do With the Mexican Flu Deaths. Also, Judy Trunnell, First US Swine Flu Fatality was from the Valley. I don't know all the details, but that is very unfortunate. I'm hoping things get better though, but I'm less worried.

Want some more happy news? Well, the 'High school dropout crisis' continues in U.S., study says - CNN.com This is a problem that I think many people over look. I focus more on high school grads not wanting to go to college, but dropouts, man they are just kids. Everyone needs an education.

I want to be bothered by this: Mormons Baptized Obama's Mother: CONFIRMED, but you have to believe that it is a possibility and that this is any different from doing any other make believe act. Hence, it doesn't bother me too much. I hope I get baptized for the church of the flying spaghetti monster after I pass away.

Why will this guy not just go away. Here is his latest, Joe the Plumber: I Would Never Let Gay People 'Anywhere Near My Children' I wonder if he knows most pedophiles are not homosexual and that generally a messed up and bigoted thing to say. He is such a great example of the Republicans I don't respect, but then again, I hear he is quitting the party because they are not right wing enough for him. Who is he?

truth be told, I miss you...truth be told I'm lying

You Teach People How to Treat You

"Knowledge comes by taking things apart: analysis. But wisdom comes by putting things together."- John A. Morrison

Happy Cinco de Mayo! You would think this would be a big celebration day for me, but it never really has been. Maybe in college, but there was always a backlash since it isn't really a Mexican Holiday (other than in Puebla). We decided to throw a small BBQ, but Abram did most of the work.

I am learning some lessons about writing about everything that comes to mind, such as in sometimes conveying information that one person would rather keep private and making it public. I think this is rare, mainly because I go through the trouble of trying to not talk about things that would violate a person's privacy or what not. There are actually a lot of things I don't say that are on my mind. Sometimes you mess up and well you have to apologize. At least this time, it wasn't too big of a deal.

This past weekend there was a poker game that Rino invited me to. I've done very well there in the past, but this time I decided to pass and focus my time and taking care of things at home. Rino ended up doing very well and came in 3rd place. Man I miss playing poker and taking it seriously. It is my all or nothing attitude that holds me back, either I'm going to read every book I can and study and practice or I'll just take a hiatus. It shouldn't be like that, but usually when a game pops up, I jump at it, but this time I decided to pass. Next time, I'll be there.

When you live with other people, there will always be tension when it comes to the topic of cleaning. I am usually not the best when it comes to this topic. I'm very much about each person just taking care of their own situation, but that theory fails when it comes to common areas where you can't determine whose wear and tear is needing to be cleaned. The result is a less than ideally clean house. I also have trouble cleaning when I know I'm cleaning after someone else (even if a percentage is mine), so I have trouble just sucking it up and cleaning anyway, something I know should do. By God, I use paper plates and silverware just to not have to figure out which are my dirty dishes. (I have a nice set of silverware and plates I don't use.) I don't want to be accused of being the dirty one that doesn't clean up either because that is not the case. This is the background to Abram coming to me with his concerns that we really need to clean the house. My only solution was that I was willing to hire at my own cost a maid to come clean the entire house and then bring in a carpet cleaning guy to take care of all the pet stains (at a shared cost) so that we could start off from square one. At least this do over, can either help us figure out a workable plan or at the least be able to notice when there is a new stain on the carpet. I made the appropriate phone calls and got it all set up. So Wednesday I have a carpet cleaner coming and a maid coming in on Thursday. I hope it makes a difference and hope it shows that I'm willing to try and fix the problem even if means that I'm not a hands on type of guy.

Saturday I went to Walmart and purchased a new vacuum and a lot of cleaning supplies. I figured it would give the maid everything she might need to clean our house and well cleaning supplies are useful. We do have some, but it was just easier to buy what we needed rather than collect all our half used bottles and see what was actually usable.




Saturday night was the Pacquio Hatton fight. Man, it was a good one. Two action packed rounds and the knockout reminded me of why I used to really like boxing. I'm still an MMA fan, but you can like more than one thing.

Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? MINE THAT BIRD: Derby Winner On To Preakness
My friend Mark was there. I think he has been before. It must of been quite the experience.

My aunt/tia came out on CNN I'm told. Here is article: CDC confirms four new swine flu cases in Tarrant County Star-Telegram.com She is the one with the umbrella.


This past weekend was the wedding of a friend/old girlfriend of mine, I'm pretty sure. The pictures were pretty amazing, she looked great and very happy. Like I have said, she is one of those people that you are happy for and truly deserves happiness. She found a good Christian man. It was an outdoor wedding and from the pictures, it looked pretty amazing. It reminds me, I made my hotel reservation for Jon's Wedding. Hotel check, Tux check. I think I've got my ducks in a row. I won't be attending my cousin Adam's bachelor party, which I do regret, but there will be a lot of traveling. One of these days I'll get to go to one.

jajajajajajajaja

Vocational Paradigm Shift

"People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily." —Zig Ziglar

I'm really feeling that long term motivation gap today. It is easy to do anything for a few days, even a week, but even easier to go back to the old patterns of doing nothing, or much worse doing all the things that got you into your original position. It isn't a pep talk I need, or the will power, but a pay off for doing the right things. Just like in poker, you make a play with the best odds, but when you lose, you have to have faith that in the long run the odds will make you profitable. Of course, the problem comes when people are making a bad probability play and thinking that it is actually the correct play, so it is more important to figure out what the right play is first. I digress. Saving money doesn't have a quick payoff, but eating a big mac does. Hence, why one is much easier to do than the other. I need to learn that although seeing the right things to do as a chore can make you feel a lovely virtuous, slightly self-righteous glow when you do make it to the gym or do not buy that dvd player online, that mindset is unlikely to help you to stick these activities in the longer term. How do I make these things I enjoy and look forward to.

Thursday was Abram's last day at his current job. He decided to leave for bigger and better things and I think he made the right decision. We all went out after work on Thursday to celebrate. I was also selfishly celebrating the recent case we won. I started off by going to this Mexican restaurant to get some margaritas. I was there for about 45 mins all alone, so I just drank and listened to music. Later Abram joined me and we had dinner and more drinks. From there we met up with Oscar on West 6th Street. I thought we would have some drinks there and then call it a night. Next thing I know, it is 7 hours later, past midnight, and I'm trying to get home as Abram and Oscar venture off to a new adventure. It was a fun time time, but man how I'm paying for it right now.

I miss my best friends from college. There is just something about having 3 different viewpoints and personalities to see yourself reflected in. There is also something about college and interacting with people 24/7 where you really get to know them. Now you see people at work, your friends when you go out, but never are you just sitting there bored and procrastinating from studying talking about randomness and plans. You just really get to know people. This is just a reminder to myself that I should do a better job of keeping up with my friends.

Next weekend is Mother's Day and I'll be heading down to the Valley to visit my mother for my cousin's wedding. The trip is long, but it is one I've done enough times. Abram and Rino should be down too. Today I got my oil on my car changed at the dealership, so I don't have to worry about there being any mechanical problems on my trip down. It was a very long wait though.

Mark reminded me of an old saying: "Mixing religion and politics is like mixing ice cream and manure. It doesn't do much to the manure, but it sure does ruin the ice cream." I wonder which is which in this analogy. Either way, the topic has been on my mind as of late.

Did you know that Church Going Americans More Likely To Support Torture .

You know what, I hate the fake apology. The one where you say, for example, "I'm sorry if you were offended (or if you took offense) by what I said." That is much different from saying "I am sorry for hurting you." The first one blames the victim, by saying 'if' for some unknown reason they were 'offended' then well you apologize even though you are not quite sure what for. Here is a good example that is in the news.

Rep. Foxx backtracks: My Matthew Shepard comments were ‘a poor choice of words.’
Foxx's office released a statement, saying that calling the details of his murder a "hoax" was a "poor choice of words." "I am especially sorry if his grieving family was offended by my statement."

She isn't sorry "she offended the family", she is sorry "if his...family was offended." That is different and she really takes no responsibility and it almost sounds like she is apologizing for them in a way because they took offense. Also, how do we know how she really feels, well she said she still stands by her belief that Shepard's murder may not have been motivated by hate.

Alabama Man Sleeps With Gun, Shoots Himself
I think this is a good lesson for gun owners everywhere. Once again, I'm waiting for the story where the guy sleeping with the gun under his pillow was the hometown hero by saving his family from attacking ninjas trying to kill his children and steal their toys. Though the story about the guy with the gun under his pillow getting pissed off at his wife and killing her, well that story you hear all the time. Now don't get me wrong, he has a right to have that gun and sleep with it, but it doesn't mean it isn't stupid. I just think people should be more responsible about things like this.

Real Life Twittering (VIDEO)
Ever imagined what it would be like to say the things you Twitter out loud? How about saying them out loud in public? Well Dan Gurewitch from College Humor undertook that experiment speaking in tweets in Union Square and getting appropriately odd looks. This is probably a good test of what you should and should not Twitter: If you wouldn't say it to someone in the room, don't say it to the entire Web.

Cute/Ridiculous Animal Thing Of The Day: Kitten Vs. Fan (VIDEO)



Have a good weekend!

Arlen must of asked, how do you fix something that no longer wants your fixing