Weekend Eh

This weekend was a lot like last weekend, except that I didn't do anything fun or get anything done. I wasn't really in a bad mood, just needed some rest I think.

Speaking of Music

My band has been on a break for a bit, not because of issues but just because there have been a lot of vacations and work trips that have disrupted our normal practice schedule. But, it looks like we will probably get together next week, and we have a gig scheduled in July sometime. I have been lazy on my self-assigned homework which is to come up with one or two keyboard-centric songs to try, so as to give one of our guitar players time to switch guitars, and so I can show off, of course. Lately we've been adding some 80's stuff to our mostly 70's line-up, but I think what I want is some fairly recent tunes to add to our list. So, if you can think of any keyboard-centric tunes from the 2000's, or even the 1990's, that you like and were popular, please let me know.

Weekend OK

Yeah my Sunday entry was kinda depressing and that is indeed how I felt when I wrote it. But, I did manage to have some fun and get stuff done that weekend. Saturday night I went to a Round Rock Express game. I wasn't sure I would have fun because I decided quite awhile ago that baseball is boring, but I knew actually being at the game would make up for it, and it did. Also, I have some sort of neurosis in that when I actually make plans to do something, I get worried that I might be missing out on something better, even though in all liklihood I would've probably just stayed home and did nothing anyway. So, my first instinct was to decline the invitation, but in a moment of opposite philosophy thinking, I decided to commit and went, which I should do more often. Not baseball specifically, just in general.

Another thing I managed to do while watching TV was work on a programming project. I'm a little worried, because coding seems to be the only thing I get obsessive about. I knew I had to make some progress on my project that weekend or I would end up trying to do it at work, and I couldn't afford to spend any time on it there. I wish I was obsessive about other things, like music. I guess that's the way it's always been though... in my younger years I would avoid practicing piano, but sit for hours in front of the computer writing a game or BBS or whatever.

Nothing

I haven't been motivated to do anything today, so I watched a lot of TV. I catch up on a lot of TiVo either Saturday or Sunday most weekends, and that's what I did today. It sounds like it might storm a little bit again tonight for the third night in a row and that would be great. I won't get sick of thuderstorms anytime soon.

Anyone Want Some Twizzlers?

I managed to go watch on Sunday, however not quite as early as I thought. I got there around 7:30 and I believe I was watching the first cyclists as I drove down Decker Lane. The event was a lot bigger than I imagined, and the parking lots seemed to be getting pretty full. During my walk to the staring area, Barbara passed me on her bike. I yelled “Go Barbara!” and she replied “Thank you!” So polite. I think I managed to see everyone I knew at some point during the race, so that was cool.

I felt really stupid trying to give away licorice, but I had to try with 10 lbs of the stuff in my bag. I made it down to the halfway point of the run, which was right after a water stop. I was the only person in the area, and I got mostly strange “what are you doing?” looks, but also a few “thanks but no thanks” looks. However, no one was “biting” so after ten minutes or so I packed up and concentrated on clapping. I guess either everyone was taking the event more seriously than the marathon, or maybe on a 5K you just don’t need or want any quick sugar powered energy, or maybe everyone came prepared with their own snacks if they thought they’d need ‘em. Who knows, it’s not a big deal but at least it helped me get up and go out there to support everyone, which is what’s most important.

Congratulations to everyone who participated! Next stop Ironman, right?

Danskin

Tomorrow is the Danskin triathalon and I've been debating whether or not to go watch and support the participants. I always go watch the annual marathon we have in town and I always enjoy it, so this should be as fun. I'm wondering what kind of crowd to expect since this triathalon is held a bit out of town instead of right through town like the marathon.

Our group has always handed out beer at the marathon each year but lately I've been offering an alternative fuel in the form of licorice. The ladies especially seem to appreciate it. I stopped by Target tonight to get a pack of Twizzlers in case I decided to go. I was surprised to find not only the ubiquitous strawberry flavored ones, but also cherry, watermelon (!), and chocolate (!!). So now I have four packs of Twizzlers, which means I will have to go tomorrow cause I'm not going to eat all of this! Hmmm... I hope there is a way I can hand them out, I don't know what to expect. I think my plan is to show up at the parking area around 7 (when the first heat starts). I'll miss the shuttle bus but I'd rather not have to worry about fighting for a seat, and it's only a mile walk.

Truth or Consequences

Someone you may know is debating whether or not to drive to Truth or Consequences, NM, but it is a couple of hours out of his way. I stopped there when I drove from Hawaii to Georgia during my time in the Navy. There wasn't really much interesting to see there, but I think they did have one of those historical marker things if that means anything. I think I have a picture somewhere but it's too much bother to find someone to scan it.

Bob Barker was one of the hosts of Turth or Consequences and I know I loved the show because I named my first two pets "Truth" and "Consequences." I knew what "truth" meant at the time but I don't think I knew the meaning of the word "consequences." They were goldfish, by the way. I always planned on being on the Price is Right but the last time I seriously planned on going, Bob Barker had a heart attack and cancelled a month or two of tapings. But if I ever go (and it better be soon or it's going to be too late), I know what I will tell the interviewers about my goldfish (and Bob if I make it on stage).

Didn't See That One Coming

1. Impromptu jam session on stand up bass and melodica in the work parking lot after work.

2. Check Engine light checked at Autozone on the way home (they do it for free):

P0455 - Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)

In other words, you forgot to screw the gas cap back on. Easy fix, did it myself even.

Cropduster

Occasionally I pass a cropduster in operation on my way to work, like today. It's fun to watch him buzz the highway and fields, then climb into a huge banked turn and start again. I hope he makes a lot of money and has great life insurance, because it looks dangerous as hell. It's hard to believe there isn't a cheaper and safer way to dust crops.

Two Loops

I realized last week I am wasting a lot of time adding an hour to my daily commute to go run at Zilker for a measly half an hour. So, in the name of more effective time management, I will go down there half as much and stay twice as long. Today was the first day, and thankfully it was one of those few days I worked near the airport, making the trip much shorter. I made it around the 3 mile loop twice, though I thought I might quit half way through. Luckily for me there were plenty of great looking ladies out there to keep pace with. Even better, there was one particular one (in red shorts this time) that had a similar walk/run pace and we kept on passing eachother as the other was walking. I might not have continued the second loop if she wasn't there. Thank you!

NBA Finals

Great, the teams I wanted to make it to the finals since the first round have both made it! The reasons for my picks are only slightly more valid than picking teams with my favorite colors. That being that I like Mark Cuban because he's a loud mouth spastic coach I find entertaining, and I like Shaq cause he calls into a (non-sports themed) radio show I listen to and he is funny and personable when he calls.

You're Welcome

A reminder to anyone interviewed on NPR:

You are not allowed to say "you're welcome" after being thanked, you must respond to a "thank you" from the interviewer with another "thank you."

Dr. Pepper

I like Dr. Pepper, in fact I think sometimes I might like it better than Coke. So, when I heard about Dr. Pepper Berries & Cream, I was excited to try it. I did, and it tastes like cough syrup. I will be sticking with regular Dr. Pepper.