Sunday, October 7, 2007
Pine Cove
We just got back from Pine Cove Camp in east Texas. My wife signed us up for a weekend parenting conference. I honestly went to appease her was pleasantly surprised. The facilities are awesome and I really enjoyed it! We are definitely going back. Check out the website.
Friday, August 31, 2007
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away.....
My loving wife supported one of my nerd addictions this past week and went with me to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Very, very cool exhibit! I was in a geeky euphoria. My wife said it was funny to walk around and see the people that were there for the exhibit and the women who loved them. I told her she should start a support group for spouses of Star Wars addicted nerds.
Friday, July 13, 2007
paraskavedekatriaphobia
paraskavedekatriaphobia - "Fear of Friday the 13th" - Personally, I'm not superstitious...I think it's bad luck if you are.
Other interesting phobias*
Other interesting phobias*
- parishiltoskiniphobia - fear of fake, skinny celebrities
- frapamocolattedekaphobia - fear of Star Bucks
- phobiaphobia - fear of phobias
ABC News: Clinton, Edwards Talk of Limited Debates
ABC News: Clinton, Edwards Talk of Limited Debates
I'm amazed how often people are "caught" by microphones saying things. They're are microphones everywhere for this debate! How dumb can you be!?! This happened to Bush too during a press conference.
I'm amazed how often people are "caught" by microphones saying things. They're are microphones everywhere for this debate! How dumb can you be!?! This happened to Bush too during a press conference.
ABC News: Grounded! Mom, Tot Booted From Plane
ABC News: Grounded! Mom, Tot Booted From Plane
Saw this today. What's more interesting than the story are the posts on the comments page. I love the comments from people that obviously don't have small children, or, if they do, aren't around enough to know how they act or how to raise one. Unbelievable.
Saw this today. What's more interesting than the story are the posts on the comments page. I love the comments from people that obviously don't have small children, or, if they do, aren't around enough to know how they act or how to raise one. Unbelievable.
Monday, May 7, 2007
How (not) to move to Texas
Well, I'm in Texas now! YEEE HAW!!!* We arrived on 5/4 at my in-laws. It has been an exciting trip so far...and we've only begun! This is only the first leg in our journey to become full citizens of the fine Lone Star State. Below are some highlights of the move so far. I can only hope that my attempt to move will serve as a warning to others who think "No Sweat! I can pack up everything I ever owned and move 800 miles away without selling my house first and not knowing exactly where we will live!!! Sounds like FUN!!!" I have listed them in instructional order.
1. Rent a POD. If you are not familiar with these, it is actually a really cool idea. POD stands for Portable On-Demand Storage. Basically, we had two weeks to cram as much of our possesions into the 16'x8'x8' crate they drop at the house. They then pick up said POD and ship to where ever you will end up (our case, Texas). They store the crate-o-crap until you have found permanent lodging and then, like magic, your POD shows up at your door-step ready to unload.
2. Realize not everything will fit in POD...PANIC!! This step is optional if you can figure out that a two bedroom house will not fit into one POD BEFORE you rent it.
3. Convince yourself remaining items will fit in cars This may require help either from other delusional friends or relatives or lots and lots of Benedryl.
4. Sell (or Give away) as much as possible to see if it will fit in Cars. Did this..kinda fun. Felt like a salesman at a clearance center..EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!
5. Buy tow-behind trailer kit from large Hardware chain. Box said it would take 2 grown human beings 5 hours to assemble this wonderful 8x10 trailer. It took me roughly 15 hours with almost 4 people working on it. The trailer was made in China. Apparently the Chinese are much more efficient at putting together tow-behind trailers. Yet another thing to worry about the Chinese.
6. Sit in DMV 3 hours and try to register trailer...only to be told that the hardware chain needs to sign the title before it can registered!!! ARGHHH!
7. Realize everything will not fit in trailer and cars...weep. This is actually a good step. Very good to get those emotions out. Weeping in the fetal position can be very therapeutic.
8. Rent Budget Truck and Trailer to tow car...weep again. Not cheap but what can you do.
9. Tow half empty truck, car, and empty 8 foot trailer to Texas. - This in itself could be an entire blog entry...matter of fact, I think I will make it one so stay tuned. Teaser - Missouri has a lot of adult stores.
10. Arrive at in-laws exhausted but happy to be alive.
Stay Tuned!
*Texas State law requires the use of "YEE HAW" after mentioned the name of the state. Violators will be barbecued..Texas Style..YEE HAW!
1. Rent a POD. If you are not familiar with these, it is actually a really cool idea. POD stands for Portable On-Demand Storage. Basically, we had two weeks to cram as much of our possesions into the 16'x8'x8' crate they drop at the house. They then pick up said POD and ship to where ever you will end up (our case, Texas). They store the crate-o-crap until you have found permanent lodging and then, like magic, your POD shows up at your door-step ready to unload.
2. Realize not everything will fit in POD...PANIC!! This step is optional if you can figure out that a two bedroom house will not fit into one POD BEFORE you rent it.
3. Convince yourself remaining items will fit in cars This may require help either from other delusional friends or relatives or lots and lots of Benedryl.
4. Sell (or Give away) as much as possible to see if it will fit in Cars. Did this..kinda fun. Felt like a salesman at a clearance center..EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!
5. Buy tow-behind trailer kit from large Hardware chain. Box said it would take 2 grown human beings 5 hours to assemble this wonderful 8x10 trailer. It took me roughly 15 hours with almost 4 people working on it. The trailer was made in China. Apparently the Chinese are much more efficient at putting together tow-behind trailers. Yet another thing to worry about the Chinese.
6. Sit in DMV 3 hours and try to register trailer...only to be told that the hardware chain needs to sign the title before it can registered!!! ARGHHH!
7. Realize everything will not fit in trailer and cars...weep. This is actually a good step. Very good to get those emotions out. Weeping in the fetal position can be very therapeutic.
8. Rent Budget Truck and Trailer to tow car...weep again. Not cheap but what can you do.
9. Tow half empty truck, car, and empty 8 foot trailer to Texas. - This in itself could be an entire blog entry...matter of fact, I think I will make it one so stay tuned. Teaser - Missouri has a lot of adult stores.
10. Arrive at in-laws exhausted but happy to be alive.
Stay Tuned!
*Texas State law requires the use of "YEE HAW" after mentioned the name of the state. Violators will be barbecued..Texas Style..YEE HAW!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Knights Templar
After reading The Last Templar I did some research online about the Templar Knights and why they really disappeared. It seems from what I found that the Templar Knights were "taken down" by the church and the current king at the time because of one major reason...greed.
The Templar Knights were extremely wealthy, powerful, and autonomous from the Church. After the Holy Land was taken back by the Muslims, the Templar Knights returned to Europe. There return posed a real threat to the current powers in control...The Catholic Church and the King of France, Philip IV. King Philip IV was in dept up to his crown to the Templar Knights and the current pope at the time had his own issues with the knights. The Templar Knights make for a good story and have a lot of mystery associated with them but it seems like their only true fault was being too powerful and too wealthy
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar
http://www.templarhistory.com/
The Templar Knights were extremely wealthy, powerful, and autonomous from the Church. After the Holy Land was taken back by the Muslims, the Templar Knights returned to Europe. There return posed a real threat to the current powers in control...The Catholic Church and the King of France, Philip IV. King Philip IV was in dept up to his crown to the Templar Knights and the current pope at the time had his own issues with the knights. The Templar Knights make for a good story and have a lot of mystery associated with them but it seems like their only true fault was being too powerful and too wealthy
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar
http://www.templarhistory.com/
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Wedding Bells
My best friend from high school got married over the weekend and I had the honor of being one of his groomsmen. The wedding was a wonderful ceremony and was held at a really need place called Funks Grove Church.
The reception was really great as well. A jazz quintet led by Dave Hoffman played the reception. Let me just say Mr. Hoffman is an incredible trumpet and piano player. He used play with and arrange music for the late Ray Charles. Several of the guests and members of the wedding party are accomplished musicians and had brought there instruments as well. By the end of the reception a full blown jam session had broken out! It was wonderful! Check out the link above for more info on Dave Hoffman.
My friend found a great person to spend the rest of his life with. They were truly made for each other :-)
The reception was really great as well. A jazz quintet led by Dave Hoffman played the reception. Let me just say Mr. Hoffman is an incredible trumpet and piano player. He used play with and arrange music for the late Ray Charles. Several of the guests and members of the wedding party are accomplished musicians and had brought there instruments as well. By the end of the reception a full blown jam session had broken out! It was wonderful! Check out the link above for more info on Dave Hoffman.
My friend found a great person to spend the rest of his life with. They were truly made for each other :-)
The Last Templar
I just finished The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury. I had bought the book at O'Hare airport to kill a 3 hour layover. The book was pretty good. I have not read The Da Vinci Code but I've heard if you like that book you would like this one.
*SPOILER WARNING*
The gist of the book is the revolves around an FBI agent and an archaeologists hunting down a disillusioned and somewhat-psycho archaeologist who stole an ancient Templar decoder device. The device is the key component in finding the Templar's greatest secret which could bring down the Catholic Church and organized religion in general. While this is all happening, the Vatican has sent its own "enforcers" to ensure this does not happen. The secret they are all trying to find or protect is that Jesus was not truly the Son of God and that the Templars were trying to unite the three major world religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The antagonist in the book makes the argument that the world would be a much better place if not for all the "holy" wars and strife between the three major religions. It is argued that if the world is given the knowledge of the true nature of Jesus, through this enlightenment, wars would cease and the Catholic church would no longer have the hold over millions and millions of minds. In the end the "secret" of Christ is not revealed and having "faith" in something isn't so bad after all.
I didn't agree with the premise the back was shooting at with the "religion causes all of the problems". I am a Christian...follower of Christ, not a follower of a religion, and I was not offended by what was written in the book as long as you keep in mind it is fiction. Nothing more.
Overall, not a bad read but I'm not going to read it again so I'll taking it to my local book resale shop soon.
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