San Antonio Stroll

Happy New Year!
Myself, I'm headed to San Antonio to the St Anthony Hotel. I'll spend the eve on the riverwalk eating good food, drinking good alcohol and at midnight I'll try to find a pretty girl to kiss.

Have fun, be safe and here's to a better year next year.

Sunday Ink #16

This is "H". I found her on Christmas day down at BD Riley's pub while eating a great turkey dinner and quaffing Guinness. She is an absolute hot tough girl with short black hair and sparkling eyes. The ink is a violin neck. She got it at Southside Tattoos here in Austin from an artist named Jack.

Just for the guys, I grabbed a shot of another piece she had. Her sister gave her a pendant with the "I love you sign" on it... Sadly the pendant was lost, so she replaced it with something a little more permanent...

You Know...

As bad as I wanted to, I just couldn't bring myself to buy this.

Dog Gone

Well, the girl picked Regan up from my house yesterday while I was at work.

I had to work late, and when I got home and let Jack in, instead of his normal tearing around the house, he just wandered in and sat down to be petted. I thought he was sick at first, but he's just going through withdrawal.

I have to say my house seemed much bigger (not to mention my bed) and a lot more quiet, but I'm sure Reagan is happy to be back with his mommy and I know she missed him too.

It was a good time and a lot of fun, but now it's time to get back to normal.

Santa Came!

Short and to the point. Happy Dogs. Happy Christmas.

I took the boys for a run, left them outside while I put stuff under the tree.
They got a little too excited and broke a couple of ornaments.
But they each picked what they wanted and unwrapped their own stuff.
Never know how excited they were would you?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Christmas Morning

The girl at the grocery she's pretty and seems nice
But she looks right through me with eyes cold as ice
She never answers when I ask her name
She only says I should have a great day

But hey what could she mean by that
Perhaps I'm the fool she takes me for
Not anything more

I guess it's the season the time of the year
When people they're happy and full of good cheer
Well they'll wish you and kiss you and wish you again
And they'll tell you it's peace and good will to all men

But hey what could they mean by that
Perhaps I'm the fool they take me for
Not anything more

We stood at the altar and you held my hand
And everyone watched as the preacher he asked
Will you take him and love him for bad and for good
You looked at me then you told him you would

But hey what did you mean by that
Perhaps I'm the fool you take me for
Not anything more

Now each Christmas morning I sit in my chair
And I look up at the angels that float through the air
Some look down upon me, some come to my side
And they tell me that Jesus he said to say hi

-Lyle Lovett

Christmas Past and Presents

Merry Christmas all! I'll still be damned if I'm in the Christmas spirit... But God help me, I'm trying.

I've been so happy with my house full of dog this week. Jack and Regan are both characters, and although there has been some growling, and even an ocasional snap here and there, it's no more than you'd expect from any family gathering.

Today after lunch we're going to go to the dog park and act stupid... The rest of the day... Well, who knows?

Tomorrow morning I'll play Santa for my boys, and they're getting a haul. Squeekies, frisbees, rawhide bones and real bones to boot.

I remember when I was still on Santa's good list. Long time ago I'll tell you. All of my family is gathering at Ma's house, and I wish I could be there... Sadly that's not the way the world works.

So... Take a minute, remember when you were a kid... Remember when you were on Santa's good list too... And have the best Christmas you can. May God watch over you and all of yours today and every day.

...For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord...

Lie Down With Dogs

Last night went WAY better than I had hoped. After some initial grumbling and growling, territory was established.
I got the left hand facing side of the bed... My accustomed spot... I am the Alpha in this pack after all. Jack took the head of the right hand side and Regan took the foot.

The best part, I got to turn down the heat in my house. Although it was in the 20's here in Tejas I was toasty warm.

Dogpile

Reagan got here about 2:00 yesterday. He was super happy to see me, and you could tell it was a homecoming for him. He greeted me in the yard with great enthusiasm.

Inside he and Jack had a real quick dominance tussle... Tie. And so I booted them in the back yard.
Lots more roughhousing and running around like mad. Wild dogs, the both of them.

After a while I got them inside and got them to sit and be nice for a treat.

Not one, but two spilled beers, a broken Christmas tree ornament and a severe blow to my groin and they were back outside and I went to the pub. This is going to be a great week!

Sunday Ink #15

Meet "A". She is a beautiful girl with long thick black hair and deep brown eyes. I met her completely by serenditpty, and she just showed up on my front doorstep one day. She has a couple of fairies on her, but this is far and away the best one.

The Snowman Cometh, A 100 Word Story

Santa stood in the doorway of the North Pole’s walk-in freezer completely totally aghast.
It was all laid out in front of him… The whole scene just broke his heart.
Elves were sitting around, wild eyed and stoned. In the center of the freezer was a small table with a mirror top. There were razorblades and rolled up Christmas cards.
Worst of all was Frosty… His button nose covered in a fine white powder… His coal eyes glazed over… a kilo of Columbia’s finest in that old silk hat…
It was true… They were right… Frosty really was the snowman.

I'll Have A Blue Christmas

My ex-girlfriend is going home to NY for Christmas... Which in and of itself is not a big deal to me.

How this does affect me though, is that I'm going to dog sit for her while she's gone. While we were dating, she adopted a blue heeler mix named Regan. He's a good dog, and I got to help raise him for the first year of his life... He lived with me for a lot of that time.

I've missed Regan since they've been out of my life, and I'm really excited to have him with me and Jack through the holiday. He and Jack have met before and they are only about a month different in age. I think they will have a ball making me crazy the whole time they're together.

I think I'll have a ball having not one, but two crazy freaking blue dingos tear-assing around my house. I'm gonna play Santa for both of them and have some presents for them to unwrap. I'll try to take some pictures in between the screaming and breaking of objects.

Reel Lines (35) Film Festival

James Bond: Vodka-martini.

Bartender: Shaken or stirred?

James Bond: Do I look like I give a damn?

Camille: Friend of yours?

James Bond: I have no friends.

Overheard Over A Glass Of Wine

Me: Deal with it, I am what I am.

Her: I don't believe it. You know, I'm only one semester short of having my degree in Psychology...

Me: Hmmm... How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?

Her: (with furrowed brow) I don't know.

Me: Just one. But the light bulb has to want to change.

Of Human Bondage

I saw Quantum of Solace two nights ago. I like the new Bond. I think Daniel Craig was an excelent choice, and I like the dark element they've introduced in the new movies.

I saw the George Lazenby movie once a long time ago, so I don't have much comment there.

I grew up with Roger Moore and really liked him as Bond as a kid... Till I grew up and saw how hokie it was..

Sean Connery I always thought of as the quintisential Bond afer I was old enough to really "get it".

Timothy Dalton barely deserves mention, and Pierce Brosnen was just a better looking version of the Roger Moore Days.

Casino Royale (2006) made Bond what Bond should be. A bad ass. I think the line that really sold it was with Vesper in Monaco.

Bond: No, sorry. You're not my type.

Vesper: Smart?

Bond: Single.

You saw how cold and calculating he could be in that one instant.

In the new movie he is nothing less than brutal. At once an unstoppable force and an imovable object.

Slice Of Heaven

I felt the need last night for just a little casual personal time... Nothing fancy. Pizza and a movie (the new Bond flick, I highly recomend it) sounded like just the ticket, so I headed down to SoCo (South Congress Ave) to Home Slice Pizza for a bite and a beer.

I'd picked up pizza from there before, but never eaten in. It's a neat experience.

Since the wait for a table was a half hour, I opted to sit at the bar. The bar faces the prep area and you get to watch them make the pies.

Pie after pie after pie. That place rolls in the dough, pun intended.

These guys are fast. It's really impressive to watch guys who know what they are doing and obviously enjoy doing it... Mash, mash, mash... Twirl, twirl, twirl... Top it, rack it and on to the next one.

My barmaid was a dark haired amazon who towered over everone else behind the bar. She was really sweet, and suggested Brooklyn Lager to go with my meal. Not a bad brew if a little light for me.

I had a slice of their margarita pizza (tomatos, cilantro with a bit of a tang, really good... kind of interesting) and a slice of pepperoni.

I went to the movies in a good mood and satisfied. And if you haven't seen Quantum of Solace... Go... Of course you need to have seen Casino Royale first... So do that and then go... But by all means, GO!

Sunday Ink #14

Meet "L", a stunning young beauty I met at the dog park. She would have been hard to miss anyway, but the bright ink drew me in imediately. Picture #1 is a pair of orchids, said beauty's favorite flower. #2 is a heart with hope... Enough said. #3 translates to "What I say and what I think..." The things we have the most control over... Some of us anyway.

It's Beginning To Look...

...A lot like Christmas...

But I ain't feelin' it. Rather than bitch, However; I went home last night and put up the tree. I tried to get in the mood, so...

I put on a classic holiday movie... And, with Lethal Weapon playing in the background and a little Wild Turkey by the shot, and Jack wondering what the Hell I was doing, I decorated.

Purple and Gold, just like last year, in honor of my CUSA Champion Pirates.

I still ain't feelin' it, but nobody can say I'm not trying.

Give Me Liberty

It's Official

Friday January 2nd, 2009

East Carolina University

Meets

The University of Kentucky

In Memphis, Tenn

for the 50th

Auto Zone Liberty Bowl

Gruene With Envy

"At a dance hall down in Texas

That's the finest place to be

The women all look beautiful

And their men will buy your beer for free"

-Lyle Lovett

Yesterday afternoon I headed down to Gruene, Texas (say Green) to Gruene Hall and met up with some friends to see Redd Volkaert play.

Gruene Hall is the oldest dance hall in all of Texas. Redd is a Grammy nominated (three times now) guitar player.

The hall is much bigger than it looks from the front... It stretches way out back.

Redd is a Hell of a guitar player and the musical stylings, while mostly country, ranged into some damn good rock and roll.

The Venue is exactly what you'd expect when you hear the words "Texas Dance Hall".

A couple of the guys and myself decided to get a picture with Redd... A great time was had by all.

So, if you ever find yourself in Gruene, Tx, stop by the dance hall, have a beer and listen to some good music.

Pearl Before Swine

7:48 AM

Sunday

December 7, 1941

The first attack wave of Japanese planes

Brought the reality of World War once again to the United States

Ninety minutes later

Carnage and destruction was everywhere

When it was over, the U.S. losses were:

USA: 218 KIA, 364 WIA
USN: 2,008 KIA, 710 WIA
USMC: 109 KIA, 69 WIA
Civilians: 68 KIA, 35 WIA
TOTAL: 2,403 KIA, 1,178 WIA

Tulsa Straight Ahead

Game Day, Pirate Fans!

Today is the CUSA Championship Game!

Despite a roller coaster season, after a stellar start

Our very own East Carolina Pirates

Are #1 in the east

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the west

So...

12:00 pm eastern

In Tulsa, Oklahoma

It's going to be a...

First Down...

PIRATES!

Winner today gets a bowl bid

The Liberty Bowl in Memphis

Loser gets a bowl shot

The GMAC Bowl... Maybe.

17-17 at the half

No complaints.

27-24 Pirates!

Paint this conference PURPLE!

See you at the Liberty Bowl!

Well... I Did.

Well I took a fifth, and I poured me a shot
And I thought about all the things that I haven't got
And I drank that down, and I poured me some more
Kept drinking and pouring till I felt the floor

I got drunk and I fell down
I got drunk and I fell down

Another slow day in this damn town
Keep asking yourself "why am I still hangin' around?"
You spend half your time just staring into a beer
What you need, you know, you can't find here

I got drunk and I fell down
I got drunk and I fell down

Well I took a fifth, and I poured me a shot
And I thought about all the things that I haven't got
And I drank that down, and I poured me some more
Kept drinking and pouring till I felt the floor

I got drunk and I fell down
I got drunk and I fell down
I got drunk and I fell down
I got drunk and I fell down

-Uncle Tupelo