The end of 2021....but what does that mean?

 

   As yet another year winds down, I will dust this thing off and reflect on the last year (or two) and start to map out the incoming new year...2022!!  Wow...that sounds weird.  

   We are wrapping up a two year stretch that has got to be one of the weirdest two years in human history. I am not sure if that is true exactly, but it certainly feels that way, doesn't it?  I have said for the last six months, that 2021 might be stranger than 2020.  I seem to think that COVID and everything that surrounds it has made it, and will continue to make it weirder, stranger, or whatever adjective you want to use.  I am also afraid to say, that I don't see any end to COVID in the foreseeable future.  Unless more people take it more seriously, it will remain to be the case.  I am not going to get in to all of that shit here.  I think we are probably all sick of rehashing the same things related to all things COVID.  I will remain to take all for the precautions needed to ensure that me and everyone around me, stays as clear from COVID as possible.  That is my choice....

   Of course as a new year rolls around, I always take some time to make resolutions.  Why not?  Resolutions are just goals,  and setting goals can be a good thing, whether reached or not.  I think the usual suspects will be on my lists.....reading, getting healthy, etc, etc....what are some of your goals for 2022?  I continue to read, but fell off a little the second half of this year.  I hope to get back on it this year, I need to continue to try and finish all of the Stephen King books (yeah, right!!)

   Running is something else that I very much try to do and get better at.  I hope to start back on that horse the first week of the New Year.  I need to get healthy.  It ain't going get any easier the older I get, and time is definitely marching on.  Not to mention, that I have pretty much picked up the twenty pounds that I lost in 2017-2018.  That was something that I should have never let happen because I really feel the extra weight, and I feel terrible.  

   There is so much more that I can type up here and make this post go on and on and on, but I will wrap it up here.  I just wanted to get something in the books.   I have thought about blogging and journalling a lot the end of this year so wanted to act on that.  I am not sure what 2022 will bring, but I think things are going to change, and I'm sure things aren't going to get any easier for anyone in the future.  Having said that, I do think that making some goals/resolutions and trying to chip away at them one day at a time will help get these goals (for me or for anyone) accomplished as we try to make the absolute best of what will be handed to us in 2022.  I wish nothing for the best for everyone and for myself as I try to get focused and to continue on as best as I can.  Won't you all join in with me?  Let's do this!  

Sunday - 7/29/18

Ah Sunday!  Here we go again.  A new week is upon us as the weekend winds down.  Sunday nights we find ourselves almost at our busiest time of the weekend.  We try to tie up loose ends around the house and Ruby furiously meal preps for the coming week.  She has done a great job of it the last three or four Sunday nights.  At times you can see the exhaustion on her face while working on the menu for the next two to four days.  I feel bad.

I really don't have any particular direction for this post, so I leave with a couple of random thoughts....

- be careful what you wish for sometimes.  We are doing some work to the house, and knowing that in the long run it will be well worth it, the journey to getting there can be a bit frustrating.  Wish we would just get to the end of it...not so fast though....

- Ruby purchased a couple of Stephen King audio books for me.  I've never dabbled in his books before, although I have read The Shining and Stand by Me so never mind.  I will add this to the growing number of "books to read," although audio books can be a little easier since I can listen while I drive around the greater Houston area for work. 

- August is pretty much here.  I keep reminding the kids that summer is almost done, just so it doesn't catch them off guard.  Gotta try to make the most of what little summer that is left for them...time, where does it go?!? 

- I hate yard work.  I've put mine off well enough to punish myself once I finally get to it. 

- I have thought about getting into mediation here and there, but am thinking more about it lately.  I don't know why? 

I guess I will leave it at that for now.....will try to post in the next week or two....(maybe)...

What Motivates You?

Here we are again, yet another blog post about trying to pick things back up.  We are six months into the year and thought it might be good to look at what goals I set out to do at the beginning of the year and see how well, or how shitty I have done.  After evaluating that,  I would probably reset or refocus on said goals.  The only problem is why?  Why does one stop doing something that they really want to do?  What is it that makes maintaining, say a work out program, or eating better throughout the year?  One of the great mysteries of my life.

I remember someone said that if you need motivation to get started or to do something, then you probably don't want to do it, or shouldn't.  I can see the point in that, but surely this isn't the case for everyone.  If memory serves, it was Trent Reznor that said that on a Rockline interview many moons ago.  That is easy for him to say.  He may be wired a certain way than I might be (very clearly).  Let's say that he is musically gifted and working on music isn't as hard to him, and he probably has the means to do so as well.  Different circumstances for everyone.

I do certainly understand what he meant by that.  If you want to do something, then just fucking do it, right?!  Bam!  Simple as that.  It certainly makse a ton of sense, but it just isn't as easy as that for some...hell, for most, I imagine. Having said all of that, I am starting to just do things.  It's a slow process, but I am crawling my way into starting things, and keeping them going.  There's a lot to do.

The big thing is maintaining it  I should be so much better at running, but I always stop.  It's never easy.  There a lot of reasons to stopping, but in the end you might think that are excuses.  You can say that, for sure, but they are legitimate.  Having a family, having a full time job, and even owning a house.  None of it is easy.  It is easy, however, stopping.  Way too easy.  Ugh.  I am really going to try. I've had a successful week, now just to grow in it.  Improve.  I have to.  It is my goal.  I am going to try the just fucking do it thing.  So far, one week in, I've done it.  One week...no big whoop, right?!!  No.  Maybe not, but it's a start, and I go from here.

Well, here I go....(Second goal of 2018)

Up next on my goals for 2018 is to start working out consistently.  I did for quite a while last year, but of course, the inevitable break happened.  Why oh why do I have to stop in the middle of something?!?  I'll never know.  I am just looking to continue on what I found out that I can do.

I found that I could work out almost everyday of the week.  Utilizing things that we have at home already, and especially utilizing time to do it.  The main thing is using a Spin Bike that Ruby once bought while she was up in the wee hours of the night when Raymond was but a small baby.  While up in the middle of the night and having the tv on, the old infamous infomercial did it's magic.  The infomercial was for Spinner Bikes, and it worked its charm on Ruby.  Wow, to think we have had it for 11 years!!!  Sure, we have used it to exercise from time to time, but we really used it for was as a nice clothing rack.  It's a shame of course, but I have really tried to get our moneys worth from that thing.  Having it at the house, what excuse do I have to not work out.  (Being lazy, that's what)

The hard part was getting going.  Like I said before, I know that I can work out five to six days of the week, but just pulling the trigger would be the challenging part.  I decided to start working out once I was done with a work trip to Arlington for an entire week.  I figured that there was not a chance in hell that I was going to eat right while away from home.  I was right.  I didn't go bat shit crazy, but it was nowhere near what I would eat if I was at home.

The work week came and went, and I decided to start on the Monday that I was back.  I eased into with a simple work out for this first day.  I didn't want to kill myself, I just wanted to get back into it.  Mission accomplished!  I have completed day two and feel really positive that I did.  Day two seemed to be the harder than the first day to just even get started (so far).  I really didn't want to, but as usual, I was glad that I did.  Easing into it might have done the trick.  I will be sure to gradually increase what I do as the weeks go on (hopefully).  Next week, I will even start back running.  First the easy work out, then add the spin bike, and finally the running.  The next 5K in the Run Houston Series will be here before I know it.  I really want to improve on my 5K running this year as well.

Last year I started putting together nice work outs and runs, and this year I just want to continue on that and eventually improve on it all.  Will I?!?  I am sure the odds are stacked against me.  Just trying to be honest here, but for now, I will try my very best to keep it going.  Now, if I can get to eating right.......ugh....

One goal for 2018

I’m trying to read more in 2018, among other things. 

The first book up is American Gods.  I actually started reading this last year, but finished it up with the help of Audible. I’m up to debate on whether audio books are actually considered “reading” books or not. In any event, I completed it via audio book. I read more than half of it, and in true Nick fashion, stopped and put it away for a while. 

I absolutely loved this book. I mean, I really enjoyed it. I’m not going to review it or anything because I’m the absolute worse when it comes to describing or recommending something to anyone. That being said, I am about to dive into all things Neil Gaiman. Hell, I will even READ this novel again. Like freaking seriously. 

I have come to find out that he has a few other stories based in The American Gods Universe. I must have them...

Now, they just adapted and aired a season on American Gods on Starz.  I’m not entirely sure I like it. It strayed from the book a bit. The first two episodes or so are solid, then it strays. The show runners that were in charge of the first season have since left the show. I wonder what is going to happen from here on out. I think it was casted wonderfully, so there is that. I’ll just have to wait and see if they can get it together, at least in for me....

So, there it is. I’ll go and consider that my first book read in the new year.  Does it really count?  Hmmmm...I don’t know, but it’ll do for me. 

Happy Birthday Mike!

A Sundae Drive working on 4/1/17 @ White Oak Music Hall

It has been said that Mike Medina is the hardest working drummer in Houston.  It is hard to argue with that.  The proof is when you see him play.  He has shown that if you practice, practice, practice, good things are the result.  I mean, he is the absolute proof that hard work and practice pay off.  There is not doubt about that.

I finally got to go see Cousin Mike perform with A Sundae Drive this weekend for their album release and was just blown away.  I am so glad to see Mike where he is now.  I am not meaning to take anything away from the rest of the band because they are all just as amazing.  It's a good fit that band.  I believe that Mike found a great group of people to play with. I don't get to go see Mike play too often, and for that I feel bad, but I wasn't going to miss this show for the world.  I am so very glad that I didn't.  I watched Mike closely, smiling...beaming a little, and just was glad to see him up there, continuing the dream of playing music and having fun.  It was a great night.

We don't get to hang out as much as we would like, I think, but a lot of that is on me. If only we lived a little closer to each other....well, we might be in trouble.  That would be a lot of beer consumed.   I do miss the hangs though.

To see where Mike is now, is so fucking awesome.  I know how much work he had put in.  Just to see where he is now from when we used to play in ZTZ is wonderful.  I am not saying that he was ever bad or anything like that, god no, but I think he is clearly on a different level that I will ever be.  He should be the embodiment of what one should strive for if you want to achieve a goal.  He has never stopped and always wants to improve.  You should be my inspiration.  I want to be like you when I grow up.

What more is there for me to say?  I am sure I can find more to brag on Mike about, but I just wanted to type up a few quick words on his birthday.  Keep up the great job Mike (and the rest of A Sundae Drive---Zeek, Jen, and Serg!) and I am going to try and catch you guys more often.  Hell, I am even trying to knock the rust off and play the ol' geetar more often.  Who knows, maybe one day soon we can even get a session in like old times?!?!  Happy birthday Mike.....I'm happy for you.

Me and Mike in 2011..need more pics together!  

2017 Up to Now....

....it's been a very strange year up until now.  I don't want to say it's been a terrible year just yet, although the last week or so for me has been a strong indicator of that.  As usually the case, the year is flying by and it is still very early?!  Is it?!  Maybe not, but I will stop short in saying a terrible year, for now.

It's a weird thing, losing a best friend even though you weren't as close as you once were.  Big Sis said it best when I told her the news of one our best friend being killed, "Heartbreaking."  Yes indeed, it was very heartbreaking.  Heartbreaking in that he was full of life, funny, and just the "life of the party" in general.  We drifted apart many years ago, but were able to stay in touch, even more so recently, through the power of social media.  It's weird knowing that he isn't on the planet anymore.  That fact alone hurts.  We had a lot of history together, and he was always a part of my life.  I think about things, and he was always there with me.  The memories, as they say, are what someone can never really take away from you and that rings true.  Sports played a huge role in our growing up.  Every time I see a historic sporting event, chances are we saw it together.  Every time I see a Rockets Championship highlight, a Houston Oilers disappointing loss, or just an old Astros highlight, it will no doubt take me back to a certain point in time.  It may even bring a smile to my face.

Another thing that is strange is that it takes a tragic event such as a friend's passing to bring old friends back together again.  A positive in my mind, maybe not always the case though.  It makes you realize even more that time just flies by and simply waits for no one.  Too much time can pass, and there is nothing you can do about it.  It's a precious thing, that crazy time.  So you try to make plans and only hope that you follow through to actually see old friends more often.  You realize that you missed hanging out and too much time passed.  You try not to let that happen again.

So needless to say, there has been a lot of reflection lately.  Great memories revived after a tragic loss of life.  It's made me focus lately, and that could only be a good thing.  I've even followed up already and hung out with an old buddy and his family, with my family no less!  How about that?  Now, time to stay focused on things and get back on track.  The year is about to really get busy, but we have to remember to not let time get the best of us and make us miss things.  Ahhh, challenges...life is full of them.  I hope I am up to them.