Back from Nashville...

We took a long weekend in Nashville to visit some friends and we returned with a couple of things that I never envisioned we would. First and most importantly, we came back with life long friends. Stuart had always been a friend, once introduced by Mike, and now he and his wife, Melissa (corbininthedell.com) are now friends that Ruby and I miss so dearly already. They were wonderful hosts, and the weekend was perfect. I just wish that I could move into their patio, but that being their favorite room, I probably couldn't. I almost think that we need to go visit them annually from here on out. At least, I would love to.

Secondly, we came back with inspiration. Ruby has been more and more of a proponent of a life style change, which included organically grown foods and meats. I fully support this. The trip to Nashville was a real eye opener and is fully inspiring us to take on the challenge of gardening. Seeing Stuart and Melissa's garden just kind of showed us that it is 100% possible. I mean, we see someone that we know, and they have a bad ass garden. It shows us that we can too, it is different than reading about it first or seeing something on television. We have seen it first hand. Now, I know that it is going to take a lot of research and time, but I really want to do this. I know, I know, I am king of procrastination and I hope that I lose my crown on this very subject and get to it. For sure, we will definitely benefit from this.

The trip out there just got us excited to do something different, do something that we thought that we could not do. After having a pretty healthy last couple of months, we have gotten way of the tracks, sort of a personal train wreck so to speak, but this event is a great way to get back on track. There are so many things coming up here towards the end of the year, and a few of them will be life changing for sure, and this is just one more thing to add to it. It is so very exciting for us though, I almost cannot wait to get going. There will surely be blog updates and photos of progress on the gardening adventure!

My procrastination knows no bound, as I have started this blog on our first full day back from the trip, but here a week later, I barely finish it. I originally thought it was going to be a super long post, but some steam was let out and it was severely shortened. (and I don't know why I just typed this up)

Anniversary

It's been a weird 24 hours for me. Ruby and I hit the eleven year mark being married, but it also marked the passing of her Grandfather that was battling lung cancer (mesothelioma). He passed on the way to Brownsville to seek medical treatment, apparently he had been in some pain for a couple of days. He passed in Mexico, which means the entire clan had to make the convoy to Mexico. Ruby went, reluctantly I know, but deep down she knew that she had to.

Being our anniversary, I found myself pretty sad that she went. I had to focus my attention to the kids, but was still sad. It was weird for me. Usually birthdays and holidays like Valentine's Day are just normal days to me and don't really amount to shit. This day kinda falls into that category in the grand scheme of my thinking, but it hit me. I know, I find myself getting soft in my old age. Struck me, I mean the day wasn't particularly special. We had no plans for anything, except for the grill being started up, but that isn't a big deal. When she walked out the door to meet up with family, I felt sad. I wished that she didn't have to go, but of course, she had to. It didn't help that I didn't end up receiving any kind of update from her, text or call for at least 16 hours or so. I knew that she was fine, but still. I wasn't upset or anything like that, I was just wanting to hear an a-ok from her or something.

So far, so good...considering the circumstances of course. They lay him to rest tomorrow around 1:00, and she hopes to be home around 10:00 or 11:00. Another long day for her, but rest assure I will sleep much better with her beside me (who knew that having more space in the bed wouldn't mean a better night's sleep!?!?!?).

Well, I better go sit with Raymond...it's He-Man time.


Just a random post, I guess I needed to get this off of my chest somehow.....

On the horse...so to speak...

Just a week update, give or take a few days, on what I was trying to accomplish last week.....

Run - On my second week of running, I seem to be back on track, or just keeping it up I'll just say...
Play guitar everyday - SWING AND A MISS ON THIS ONE...NEED TO DUST IT OFF...
Read - On my third book in just over a week...
Listen to some new music (to me)- yeah, well on that one!!!
and of course, clean up around the house here and there....on going...never ending quest...

I have had a pretty good week, as far as personal goals go. I mean, I read two books and am in the middle of my third in just over a week. That is a personal record for me...I mean, it just has to be. I feel pretty great about that one, as if you couldn't tell.

The guitar thing is a little disappointing to me. I don't know why I didn't get on it. I really need to, and really want to....

I am also on a small show run as well. I went to see twitter sensation Rob Delaney at Walter's in downtown. I was a funny show. Had some really great laughs at that one. I am glad that I went. Tonight is LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and De La Soul at Verizon, Aerial, Buffalo, music theater or whatever it's name is now. Last by not least by any means, is the Geto Boys at House of Blues. I am really pumped about that one. It will be the second time I get to see the original line up, and for $6? Can't beat that.

Well, gotta get to work!!

Till next week...

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....)