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She did what?!?

Written by on March 30th, 2009

So Ainsley was playing at school yesterday, on their play ground which we would all agree is no more than a BUS PARKING LOT. While running around like kids do, she fell and hurt her elbow and arm. Being a responsible school like they are, they sent Ainsley to the nurse to get an ice pack and somehow managed to not call her mother or me.

When Stephanie picked up Ains, she was in tears and was unable to use her arm to open her door, carry her bookbag or do much of anything with it. After a trip to Urgent Care and some X-Rays, we found out that Ainsley fractured her elbow and ulna. A trip back to the radiologist, and Ains was fashioned with a hot pink cast.

Ains in her cast

After several emails, I got to have a nice long chat with her principal about playing in the bus lot, lack of communication and more.

Three short weeks and my princess is back to full arm movement, and more scariness in the bus lot!

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Posted in Ainsley | 2 Responses »

Dinner and the traveler

Written by on March 30th, 2009

Tonight, my close firend Tory and I met for dinner to catch up. It was great times as always, but something odd happened.

As we left, a deshevled man came up and interrupted a conversation.

He apologized for the interruption, and his appearance, as he had been working for the past 48 hours trying to make money. As he continued, he explained he was trying to get home to his wife, of all places, NORTH CAROLINA.

Being a skeptic, I was reluctant to hear his story, but Tory let him continue.

He had been separated from his wife, and they lived in Charlotte, and all he wanted to do get is get home to see her. He was $10.00 short of a bus ride back to the Queen City.

What struck me as odd was that my daughter lives in Charlotte, but I listened nonetheless.

When he was done, Tory gave him the change in his pocket to help out. Being the skeptic I was, I asked him:

What part of Charlotte are you from?

He replied – Pineville, near Carolina Place Mall, off Highway 51.

Minutes from my daughter… just down the road… I shop at Carolina Place Mall when I am there.

My skin crawled. I reached in my pocket giving him the only bill I had – $10 - finishing his bus fare.

He offered Tory his change back, and Tory declined.

I believe things happen for a reason. I believe he met us/me for reason.

My skin still crawls when I tell the story.

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Posted in Misc | 2 Responses »

HRC Gala – Celebrating Austin, Inspiring Change

Written by on March 28th, 2009

This year, I made one resolution (to share with everyone), and that was to become more active in my community.

So far, I have made good on that resolution. There is an organization called the Human Rights Campaign, which is the largest organization in that nation that watches, supports, and fights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights in the US.

This year, I decided I would be a Federal Club member and support them as much as I could – going to events, donating monthly and becoming INVOLVED. So I joined, and went to the gala on Saturday night. LOTS of people were there, including my fabulous date, and our friends.

Never before in public had I cried so much for positive things. There were campaigns all over the nation with groups of people fighting for the very thing I wanted in my life – Equality, Protection, Representation, and the ability to marry the man of my dreams.

Lots of corporate sponsors are behind us… but the average, everyday person counts more than you know.

The one video that made the most impact was that of hate crimes. Think what you want, but many Americans lose their life based on those they love, or who they identify themselves as. The video below highlights some of those battles lost, and the fact that former President Bush had a bill in his hands to fight this atrocity, and chose not to support it. How on Earth does he sleep in Dallas?

Take two minutes and watch the following video…

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Posted in Equality | No Responses »

RuPaul, you better work it girl!

Written by on March 25th, 2009

So tonight, we went out with a group of friends to see RuPaul at the opening of Kiss and Fly – a new venue in downtown Austin.

It was a great time, and lots of fun. There are some pics in my Gallery from it – so check it out!

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Creativity in Naming

Written by on March 23rd, 2009

So there are lots of fun things about my job… one of them is naming. Sometimes, I get to put my two cents in about naming products…. Recently, it was about naming computer servers.

Here’s the catch… No one realizes how much fun Some guy can be.

In the case of computer servers, you can name a server SOMEGUY, and all of a sudden, you need to test SOMEGUY. One day, you may be working on SOMEGUY or need to test the capacity of SOMEGUY.

Resteraunts are the best. My family has contemplated buying a restaurant, and I decided a long time ago that Some Guys Place would be the name…. Why not!?

Where are you going to dinner tonight?

Some Guys Place

Oh my God – I had the best night last night, at Some Guys Place.

If you haven’t caught on, Some Guys Place would ROCK, but my family hasn’t bought in just yet….

Stay tuned… should I win the lotto, you may be staying at Some Guy’s Place

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Posted in Life, Misc | 1 Response »

Weekend Wrap: CFS, ASXSW, Softball and mulch

Written by on March 22nd, 2009

This weekend turned out to be a pretty busy one – and it was a blast at that.

Saturday started off as a lazy day, sleeping in and watching some awful yet gratifying tv. Jeff and I decided while watching Food Network that we’d make Chicken Fried Steak – his first ever taste of the southern staple. With a trip to HEB and the W for a Fry Daddy – fried pickles were calling, and they were so good! After a whirlwind in the kitchen, dinner was complete and the results were a success.

From dinner, we went to an Anti-SXSW party to relax and meet up with friends. Nothing against SXSW, but the crowds and traffic can wear on you. We played couples Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Jeff and I got everything right, minus one question – the first! Who cares about triangles anyway?

Today I slept in till NOON. The phone was off and I was cozy and couldn’t have asked for anything better! This afternoon Jeff’s softball team, The Shady Ladies, had a double header – and won both! First game was 17 to 8 and 20 to 7! The Ladies did awesome, with a couple of home runs and a few double plays at the hands of Jeff at 2nd base.

After some sun and softball, I headed home to do some yardwork. Lots of weed pulling, fertilizing, watering, planting, mulching and mowing. It’s BBQ season and the yard needs to be in showcase shape – or at least clean for friends!

This week is super busy, with bowling, a venue opening, dinner with my little nephew, networking happy hour and the HRC Gala on Saturday.

Here’s to an exciting week ahead!

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Just a bit o’ green

Written by on March 19th, 2009

Tuesday was St. Patricks day, and in typical fashion I was dressed in green from my shoes to my earrings – shirt and boxers too! I have these awesome green sneaks I like to wear, but they only match like two shirts in my collection, so St. Patty’s day is of course one day that I get to trot them out. I am part Irish afterall – my Great Grandfather’s family is Gilliam.

After work, I met some friends at The Flying Saucer in The Triangle for a few drinks. It wasn’t as crowded as you’d expect, but it took a while to vulture hover and steal a table.

Me and Bradley at The Saucer

From there it was off to Austin Gamblers bowling, for another run with Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria – my bowling team. I had made great little shirts for us to wear in honor of the green day. Everyone thought they were quite amusing, even though it took a while for some people to get the joke – either too much beer, or not enough. Luck of the Irish wasn’t on our side – we lost all three. But as my teammates say, at least we’re consistent.

Bowling shirts... Brian, Mike and Roy (L-R)

And for those who tried to catch the music montage in the last post, I fixed it, so you can give it a listen and actually hear what I was talking about.

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Posted in Life | No Responses »

Message in the music…

Written by on March 16th, 2009

As most of you know, I love music… It says things you want to say, but can’t. It conveys thoughts. It triggers memories. It brings out emotions you’re pushing aside. It makes you feel hopeful, happy, nostalgic, fulfilled, and more.

I go through many phases with music. Some days (weeks or more), I am into music that makes me remember the past… Sometimes it music that comforts, like a good break up song… Sometimes it just some anger rock to get me through traffic. I can’t ever really pinpoint when the mood will change, but I usually enjoy them nonetheless.

Lately, I’ve been in this state of believing in Happily Ever After, and so the music I’ve been drawn to has that same sentiment. Several of my close friends adore me enough to tell me they hate my taste in music, and I love that we have a close friendship like that where I could care less what you think But love it or hate it, I like to share my music with my friends. I like it when you share your music with me, because I love finding new songs and artists.

So what you’ll find below is a montage of the tracks listed out that are my current faves. Who knows, when my mood changes, I may come back with a new list.

Enjoy!

Adel – Make you feel my love
Lilly Allen – Who’d have known
Westlife – Something Right
Matt White – Just What I’m Looking For
James Morrsion – Precious Love
The Script – The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
Maria Mena – The Only One

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Birthdays and Bubble Wrap

Written by on March 1st, 2009

So yesterday, I took Jeff around for his birthday, since he’ll be on Spring Break on his actual birthday. It was an awesome day of just hanging out, eating, drinking, relaxing and a surprise trip to Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted Animation Fest.

If you’ve never been to Spike and Milke’s, it’s pretty much disturbing yet funny cartoons for adults. After a few (or in our case several) drinks, it’s even funnier.

The show started with some random clips, including this one, where a seven year old “hood rat”, as he likes to think of himself, is busted driving his grandmothers car because he likes to do bad things. The question from the group next to us was why he wasn’t in cuffs. My response was quite awesome, as I pointed out they couldn’t get the cuffs around his wrists! Watch the fun and glory for yourself below.

In the show this year was a lot of new things, and several Happy Tree Friends, which are funny in limited quantities. The one I most took to was the one below. Remember, this is adult cartoons, so the langugae is not kid friendly.

Happy Birthday Jeff!

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Homeward Bound from Heathrow

Written by on February 26th, 2009

So I had an awesome week this week with our clients. Such an amazing group of people and an awesome enviroment to be in.

Tonight, I had a wrap up dinner with the client at Brown’s Pub, which is situated in the shadow of Windsor Castle – it was like waiting for the royals having a Speckled Hen Beer (which was an awesome ale!)

From Fish’nChips to Shepards Pie, and my all time favorite ever – Sticky Toffee Pudding! The sights, the people and the experiences have been awesome. Great Brittain has always been on my list of sights to see, and I’ve been fortunate enough to make it!

Thanks for keeping up with the trip, and reading my stories from the road.

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Posted in Misc | No Responses »