Time to get back on the horse...

Well, after a four week (yikes!) lay off, today is the day that I get back on track. Went for a run, ate some breakfast, and am well on my way to drinking water like I am supposed to. I guess the beach house interfered more than I would have liked. I mean, I got busy on the week leading up to it, and then being on an actual vacation just slowed me down. I was really looking forward to running on the beach. I was at 3.5 miles and that would have been a great run, in the end I didn't go. No real regret. I missed out and now I start back up. I did 1.5 miles today and it wasn't all that bad. Next run is 2 miles, we shall see how that goes...

I have a few personal goals for the week and I hope to live up to them the entire week.

Run - done that!
Play guitar everyday
Read - have some books in need to get into!
Listen to some new music (to me)
and of course, clean up around the house here and there....

My first run back, I ran to The Dark Knight Rise Soundtrack.  I figured that I need some superhero shit to get me going.  It worked.  I always dug that soundtrack, it kind of gets me hype!!  Cheesy, corny..yeah, yeah, yeah....

I have gained about six pounds back from the four week layoff, and I kinda feel it.  I guess if any, that is the only real regret...boy, you sure can gain that weight back so easily and so quickly.  It's all good, just gotta keep it up and start eating a bit more sensible, and it all should work out in the end (no pun intended)...

"At last we will reveal ourselves to the jedi..."

"...at last we will have our revenge.." Darth Maul

It's finally arrived! May 17, 2013. I have been looking forward to this day for sometime now. Yep, that's right...the release date of Star Trek: Into the Darkness! It has finally arrived, and it is now at the theaters.

With that being said, can the official work on Star Wars now really begin? I fully suspect that it will...very soon. Once Abrams gets done with the press, which Star Wars is interfering with the interviews already, maybe a short break for him and then full fledge pre production. Hell, Disney has already said that they are scouting locations in like Iceland, and even had a press release that they are indeed going to film in the UK (Where the original Trilogy started...full circle).

It's unclear just how Disney will handle the secrecy aspect of the filming. I am sure with any big time movie, especially Star Wars, they are going to try and play it close to the vest, but how close exactly? I know that most things that leaked in the prequels, Lucasfilm made websites pull a lot of pictures and such...I would think it would be something similar, wouldn't you? Surely casting news will soon be coming, I think that most have an idea of just a few that may show up in this movie. What other news will make the light of day.

It's an exciting time for a fanboy of Star Wars, such as myself. There is a lot of pressure riding on this. Disney took a gamble. Abrams has a lot of pressure, especially. What I have seen in a few interviews from him already, he seems to be happy and ready for the challenge...or that could just be my wishful take on it. What's cool is that he has said that they have already started on somethings...but in the very early stages of it. That's exciting in itself...oh to be a fly on the wall....

My biggest wish or concern with the new trilogy is that there is some sort of redemption for the saga. Let's face it, the prequels were not great, by any stretch of the imagination. I still enjoy them a little because, let's face it, it is still Star Wars. It is somehow better to watch when there is a child present that digs them too, so that helps. I think most fans think that Abrams will bring this redemption back the the story, which is why I say that he has a huge amount of pressure on him. I think a lot of us think he can do the job because he is a true fan, someone that fell in love with the Holy Trilogy...which is what is giving the rest of the fans, "a new hope" (ugh, that was terrible, wasn't it?)...

Only time will tell, and unfortunately, we must sit and wait. Waiting patiently is all we can do, and we will all drool over the little bit of news and pictures here and there that make their way onto the internet...

Helpless

After a pretty good day of Raymond staying home as more of a precaution than anything else, everything changed. It's funny (not really) how something can change in the blink of an eye.

Soon after finally getting to watch Teen Titans Go! Raymond's ear started to hurt him. Just out of nowhere, no sign of it coming, nothing. It's weird. The kids were so looking forward to finally getting to see NEW TEEN TITANS, they were sooo happy when it came on. They sat, they watched, and they laughed. They loved it! Then everything changed.

Raymond was in extreme pain. I didn't know how to take it, it was so sudden, so quick. I don't recall ever seeing him in the state that he was in. He cried almost constantly from after 7:00, until he fell asleep at around 9:00. I still don't know how he fell asleep.

As with most things, we look to home remedies first. Garlic is the big winner here, from drops, to just putting a fresh clove on your ear. We tried this tonight, knowing that we have had success once before. It wasn't working.

I anticipate a long night, knowing that illness tend to get worse at night, but so far, so good. I have seen a little discomfort, but he has been able to remain asleep. He sleeps now on the couch, and I don't want to move him or disturb him in any way. Eventually I will have to attempt some sleep, but for now...I watch some playoff basketball and keep an eye on Raymond...

In the meantime, here are quotes that will break your heart, as it did mine...just helpless to do anything to comfort...

"Why isn't it working daddy?"
"I just want to play,"
"How does your ear hurt you Daddy?"
"Why does god make you sick?"
"I just want to feel better than I do right now!"
"I don't like this feeling"

Yeah, etched in my memory...

General Zod....

Haven't posted in a long time, but nothing like a good ol' hero movie to get me going....This originally aired duing the MTV Awards, I hear (I wouldn't know)...and a lot of response was that it was creepy and great marketing.  It is a message of General Zod calling for the people of Earth to turn over Kal-El to him (Superman)....I really like it. He appears to be wearing a mask, which is supposed to be equally as creepy from those working closely to the movie. MAY I SUGGEST CLICKING THE VIDEO AND CHECKING IT OUT ON YOUTUBE DIRECTLY?!?!



I don't know how Nolan does it, but he manages to keep a lot close to the vest and not many spoilers come out.  In these social networking days, that must take a lot of work, but it also makes for great movie going experiences...you know, like the way it is supposed to be....

The third and final trailer is also out (www.manofsteel.com) and it is definitely worth checking out. (The father and son parts of it already is pulling at my strings...getting really soft as time goes on....)

No TV or Internet...

We haven't had cable or Internet since Friday evening, but somehow we have managed to survive it. Chances are we won't have any until Wednesday due to AT&T screwing up setting up our appointment.

Should be interesting. It's been more boring than I thought it would be. Now, I am not the biggest tv advocate out there, but it can help out with the kids from time to time. I would, however, be lost without a smartphone. Whew, glad I can check Internet through the phone.

It's amazing what you can get done on a phone if you think about it. It's not always the most ideal way to surf, but it definitely does the trick. I mean, I typed this up while sitting in bed, ready to retire for the night! Kinda cool if you ask me!

Bengals vs. Texans

As nervous as I was about the state of the Texans (and hell, all of Houston for that matter), I was able to go to my first NFL Playoff game. It was fun to be at a game that the Texans were victorious.

It also marks the first time that Raymond attended a Texans game. I don't think I could afford to take him other wise. Not to mention meals and drinks anyway, it was pricey. He had a great time and I am sure that he will not soon forget the experience. He fed off of the crowd. He watched and learned when to wave the towel and yell. I didn't have to coach him at all. He was amazed when some tackles happened, he smiled in amazement. I taught him the "FIRST DOWN" chant, and he took it from there.

It was great to see him happy about the game. As I have found more and more, just about everything has turned into "for the kids". I am probably more happy that the kids are happy. Not that I can't enjoy myself or anything like that, it is just that much more better when the kids are having fun.

Now the tough task of going to Foxboro to take on the Patriots again. Not many teams get a second chance on playing and beating a team. They have a unique chance to make things right. I fully expect them to play better, and make it a close game. If it's a close game, anything can happen. Still...I am nervous...c'mon boys! Leave it out all on the field!!

Bulls on Parade!

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are officially over. I always get a little said, but at the same time, I am glad to get back into a routine. I have actually gotten way off track with the holidays. I feel a bit scattered and unorganized. Once school starts back up for the kiddos, I can get settled back in to a routine.

The new job has been absolutely fantastic. Stress free and pretty easy, so far. I know that there are going to be a little bit of challenges that will pop up, but I look forward to them. I am sure that business will pick up and that ESC's presence in Houston will grow! I actually like working again, and I am actually looking for some challenges. I am still trying to find my way. I mean working out of home and by yourself can be a little tough for the most part, I still need to find the best way to work. Getting going on your own can be a huge challenge in itself. At least for me.

Going back to the "holidays are over theme" we have decided that this is probably the last Christmas that we will spend in our little home. Truthfully, we will be out of this house sooner than you might think. We just can't continue to stay here anymore. The conditions are getting worse. It's sad. It's frustrating. It's the right thing to do. Right?! Now we begin the planning phases of moving out and figuring out just what the hell we are going to do with this house and more importantly, financially. No doubt we are going to take a substantial loss...we are just trying to make it as painless as possible....sigh...more on this to follow, that is for sure....