Lately

A Catch Up

Apparently its two weeks from Christmas, and I am wondering where the past couple of months have gone. Here’s what I’ve been up to lately (and not so lately).

The first of November we went to the NASCAR races in Ft. Worth, which were absolutely awesome. We stayed out in the camping grounds and had wonderful food and got to catch up with the family. I rode 5 laps in a NASCAR going upwards to 170 mph, which was by far the coolest part of the weekend! Whooaaa

The next weekend I took on a home project that I thought would be pretty simple. I had some bathtub tile that were missing and needed replacing badly. I wish I would have had the whole process on video because it had to of been hilarious watching me take on this task. I easily turned an 8 hour job into 3 full days worth of work, but it was fun and the bathtub now looks pretty dang good.

Then Thanksgiving came around and my dog Kaiya and I took a road trip back to Gunter for a “fun” filled weekend of eating, putting lights on Mom’s house, putting up yard ornaments, playing slot machines with Mom and Ricky, eating some more, and of course watching Kaiya do her favorite thing in the world, roll around in cow crap. It was a great Thanksgiving and I even got to sneak out to my favorite place on the planet, Dino’s Deer lease in Sunset, TX, for some much needed time with Dino, his Dad, a deer stand, and my rifle. I saw over 30 deer, but didn’t see the right buck so I didn’t even fire a shot. It was a great end to a great weekend.

Last weekend we went out to my buddy Sam’s Ranch in Clarendon, TX to do cowboy things and to hunt. They actually work cattle so I get to ride around on a horse and try my hardest to act like I knew what I was doing, which I didn't. For some reason, riding a horse does not come natural to me, and to their own amusement, Sam and his Dad love to put me on the horse that loves to do his own thing and to scare the living bejesus out me. Needless to say I am still sore from riding that beast, and my hands still hurt from hanging on to him for dear life. I did survive and even managed to shoot an Aoudad, an exotic game animal from Africa that hangs out in the rough parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

I am looking forward to getting back to Gunter for Christmas and New Years to see what I can get into this trip. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here are a few pics from my adventures.

Blury Camera Phone Pic of my NASCAR, #14 Old Spice!

Ripped the bad tiles out

Just call me Bob Villa

Dino and Me in Sunset, TX

Dead Aoudad. Clarendon, TX

Project Update

I've been asked several times this past week about the progress of my cooler. It is not 100% complete yet because I couldn't decide what kind of wook I wanted on the outside. However, I have found the perfect wood, and the cooler should be done it time for its public display in this weeks Thursday Thougths. Adios

Thursday Thoughts on Friday: Weekend Project

The weekend is almost here, and I have decided to make it a bit different than my usual. All of my running buddies are out of town in various places hunting Elk or Quail, so I contemplated heading to Dallas for the large Texas/OU weekend festivities. However, while browsing Craigslist this week I ran across something that caught my eye, a large customized, backyard cooler:

No, I’m not going to buy it from him. I am going to build my own. As far back as I can remember, I have always loved to build things and this cooler will(could) look perfect in my backyard! The problem is I may be over my head on this one, and I’m not sure I can even get close to pulling it off… I’m no Bob Villa(Trust me), and I have no wood shop. However, I do have determination and a brand new Miter saw that has been sitting in my garage, still in the box, for over a year. Is it bad that I don’t even know what a freaking Miter Saw is!….kidding. When(if) finished I hope to deck it out with some sweet personalized logos. Hopefully something like this:

I think this will be quite the expirence and no matter how ugly, unleveled, off balanced the cooler project ends up, it will be MY ugly, unleveled, off balance cooler! I will keep you updated, and hopefully someday soon you can come over and treat yourself to a frosty beverage out of it!

Here is what I am starting with, wish me luck:

Happy Friday and Weekend to all. For this weekend only Go TEXAS and HORNS UP!! Cheers!!

Thursday Thoughts on Friday

Back in Lubbock

I got home this week (finally) from a 2 week stay in Lake Whitney, Gunter, Dallas, and Grand Prairie. I was kind of a nomad, sleeping on couches, eating other peoples food, and living the big city life. Nice. Some of the highlights included: Blink 182 concert, a dove hunt, a weekend on Lake Whitney, and a horseshoe tournament. When you throw work in with these things, I was completely exhausted when I made it back to Lubbock, but it was a good time. I got the question frequently, “When are you going to move back to Dallas?” and my answer is still firmly “Not anytime soon.” Since my arrival back to Lubbock I have been in bed by 10:30 every night, eaten better, worked out more, spent less money, more productive at work, and even made it to Church. All of this, and not to mention the much needed rest that my liver has taken! Great to be home.

Our Red Raiders play Kansas St. this weekend, so Get your Guns Up people!


TiVO Filling Up

When I got home, I noticed that my DVR was at 100%. This is obviously due to my favorite shows starting their new seasons. In between football and baseball playoffs I’ve got some highly recommend shows for the fall: Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Gary Unmarried, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the Office, and Nip/Tuck starts next week. I have also added a few new ones that are pretty solid so far: The Good Wife and Cougar Town. Check them out, and let me know of any shows that you think I should be watching.


A Truly Great Man

I ran across this story awhile back and thought I should share it. If you don’t know if you know who Mark Richt is you should. He is the Head Coach of the Georgia Football team, and is a great man with a great story. Richt is one of the few famous people in the world who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. We should all cheer for his Georgia football team every week. When you get a chance and a few minutes check out his story (you might need a tissue Mom).

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3663225&categoryid=2564308



Happy Friday and Happy Weekend to all.... Cheers!

Thursday Thougths: Pop Culture Update

This is my list of a few things that happened this week in the world that may be good, bad, or ugly. At any rate, you should know about them (at least a little bit) so you are not clueless at this weekend’s cookout (Mom).


MJ’s Hall of Fame Speech Gone So Wrong

If you didn’t see it, don’t worry, not many did, and I highly recommend that you do not either. It is sad... Sad... not in a tearful way, but in a bitter/cold way. Michael Jordan is one of the greatest athletes of all time. Period. However instead of thanking all the people who helped him along the way, he spent his time nit picking, and poking jabs at NBA people he didn’t get along with. Greatest Basketball Player of all time acting like a 7th grade girl is not my ideal of a good way to go out. Shame on you MJ.

Prime Time Jay

The freshly retired from the Tonight Show, Jay Leno, has moved to a new show called The Jay Leno Show in NBC’s primetime spot this week. I’ve seen one episode, and it’s pretty much the Tonight Show….only at nine o’clock. Enough said.

Patrick Swayze Dies

A great actor that played both funny and serious characters passed this week, losing his battle with a terminal cancer. Most known for his role in the movie Ghost, that I actually can vividly remember watching as a kid. I bet the VHS version is still in the movie cabinet at Mom’s house. How about that clay pot spinning scene, Nice!

Kayne, being Kayne

The VMA’s (Video Music Awards), presented by MTV, took place Sunday. During Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Music Video, singer/rapper Kayne West decided that he needed to steal the microphone from her and tell her that he thought Beyonce’s video was better. I was not watching, but you can find the scene on youtube.com. Kayne West is an idiot, and is an embarrassment to society. Beyonce, being a very decent human being, let Swift finish her speech. Check out this moron for yourself: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435995/taylor-swift-wins-best-female-video.jhtml

Adios Guiding Light

CBS’s daytime drama show Guiding Light is calling it quits due to a fall in ratings. This show has been around for 72 years. That's 72 years! But really, who wants to watch soap operas when you can watch Emmit Smith dance, a splitting couple with 8 kids embarrass themselves in a lovers quarrel, or a Bully Brit tell people how terrible their voice is. I digress...



Toddler Tosses Ball

Funny Story that happened Tuesday at the Philly’s game. I don’t care who you are, you will love this!





Happy Friday and Weekend! Cheers!!

A Goodbye to My Favorite Season

Good Bye Summer

The kiddos are back in school, its not 110 degrees outside, and I’ve cleaned the guns for hunting season. This can only mean that Summer has run its course and Fall is here. Summer is by far my favorite, probably because the heat down here really doesn't bother me, and I am going to miss it....This is a sad thing people! However, really the only thing I hate about the Fall is the dang time change. How are you supposed to work and get your fun in a day that the sun only shines for 9 hours!!!?? Oh well, I’m sure we will blink and it'll be right back to see us. In remembrance of a great Summer, here are a few of my favorite highlights:

Memphis Golf Classic

Dan, Travis, Nic, D-Lo, McQueen, and Myself in front of our cart in Memphis, TX

4th of July

Selling Fireworks, sitting in the A/C

Barnett's Wedding

JJ, Cowan, Barnett, and Me in Fort Worth

Boat-a-Palooza 2009

Flip-cup Champions!

Lake George, Colorado

I found this sweet hat and caught a huge Pike!

Smitty Lake Party Reunion 2009

Me, Nic, and Chad getting some sun

Rocking out w/ Jerry (best guitarist I've ever played with)

Broken Bow, OK

Johnny G, Ferg, Me and Dave hittin the links

Happy Friday, Weekend and Fall to everyone...Cheers!!!

Football Season is Here!!

Thank the good Lord, Football season has finally arrived! Here in Lubbock, TX everything and I do mean everything is focused around Texas Tech Football. Our team is probably not going to be as strong as last years, but we are very hopeful that a few things may turn our way. We do have a wild card up our sleeve that frightens everyone in the country, Coach Mike Leach. He is not afraid to do some wild things, and take some huge chances to get a Win. I had the pleasure of meeting him last night, and I will tell you that he could not of been a nicer fellow. He answered my question, took a picture, and actually seemed to be waiting on me to ask another. I often wonder what celebrities are like in real person, and I know not all of them are really nice people but it is sure good to know that our coach is a great guy. GUNS UP! and GO TECH!