mindless morning mumblings

Well, here I am again, wide awake when I should be catching some elusive z's. I just watched The Pianist and I think that's what's keeping me awake. The horror, the shame, the guilt, the shock, and the fact that I can't breath because my nose is still stuffed from balling my eyes out. If you haven't seen the movie you should. In fact it should be compulsory viewing.

This week I made a new friend; I feel like I'm in Kindergarten. Thursday was a very enjoyable day; not only did I meet said gal-pal, but I had lunch with a couple of the old gang from you-know-where, then I made polite conversation with a bunch of people I'd rather not have talked to and a bunch of my favorite people in the world. It's nice to hang out with peers sometimes; but not being a very social person, sometimes it's just darn painful... Friday was a very enlightening day; I'm learning more and more that I know about 1% of what and who I need to know to do my job effectively. Trying to help someone else figure out where the opportunities lie is opening my eyes to what's going on out there too. It appears that not only does KG know his shit, he also know's who he needs to know, which is, as I suspected, much more important.

I purchased a wireless modem, money well spent I conclude as I can now lay on the couch at 1:30 in the a.m. instead of breaking my back in the dentist's chair at the desk. The only drawback is that I have to use that finger pad thingy instead of a mouse. I don't know who's smart idea that was, but if you ask me it wasn't so smart.

We made an equally important investment this week, we had a new roof installed. Funny, they haven't been back for the money yet. Something doesn't add up there (their checkbook, ha ha).

Young Wally was promoted into the Gifted and Talented class on the first day back at school. Seems like they had a spot open and his teachers from last year highly recommended him. Fingers crossed. That's all I'm gonna say.

I've decided Rachel Ray is a genius. I've recently cooked some stuff from both her 30 Minute Meals show and book. And while the rest of my family are about as adventurous as a panda when it comes to their diet, I enjoy something different when I have the opportunity. Go to www.foodnetwork.com and pull up her show to access recipes. I made the Cuban flank steak with all the trimmings - it was sooo good. Try the stuffed tomatoes too, I'm not sure if they are on the web though.

Went into work today, although it wasn't as bad as it could have been for a Saturday; Andres was there too, we were designing some boards to show off projects at our open house next week. and we got a paint high from the metallic paint being applied in the conference room (don't ask). There's still lots to do, not only to finish the boards but we have to purchase a fridge as the one we have is trekking up to UT. We also have to tidy up countless piles of drawings and sketches, file away numberous books, fill our ugly four-foot planters with fortune cookies (don't ask again) and buy food and bevs (some funky Japanese beer and Sake to wash down the sushi and wasabi peas. Yum).

Big Brother is superb this season - except that Kasar has gone for good this time - boo! And what is Janelle thinking? Stop acting like a b!tch and get on with the game, they're just not worth it Janey! Sorry, back to reality.

Why does leprosy keep cropping up on a day-to-day basis? I admit, for those of you who don't know, that I'm Michael Savage's biggest fan - Borders, Language, Culture - anyway, he was touching on the leprosy problem that is getting steadily worse in New York city, you didn't know about it? Well, that's because "they" are keeping it quiet. Just take a minute to figure out how such a disease can spread to NYC and why we're being kept in the dark. Come on, you can do it... The charming skin condition was also a heavy topic in The Motorcycle Diaries; a great movie, even if you don't happen to agree with Mr. Guevara's rantings, which, thankfully we are spared from in the 128 minutes... In India, leprosy is as much a problem today as it's always been. Can you fathom that people are lying on the streets dying, at this very moment, kicked to the curb and left for dead. No one will help them. It's tragic for sure. Read all about it in Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald, it's truly riveting.

Just for you, Big Daddy

My first post in what, 3 weeks? It's going to be quick, but here are my thoughts for the day...

1) Damn, I blinked and Monday Night Football is back...that signals the beginning of the end. MNF leads to Texan's home games, which leads to football-widowhood for me for a while. That's okay, I have big plans to get involved and educated on some of the topics I need to help me in my new job: the Menil Collection; Redbuds; Precinct 2 parks; the war memorial; the list is endless. I'm going to be busy at weekends. Who cares about football...

2) Just to add...I don't mind you watching MNF Ali, but when I'm trying to brush up on some homework and am obviously engrossed reading the latest Bayou tid-bits, don't ask me if Ricky Williams still has what it takes. Do I look like I care? Especially when Ricky Baby doesn't even play for the Texans!

3) My son is a delinquent...when the pre-game introduction came on and the two old farts from the balcony and Kermit appeared, he said "Oh cool, the Muffets". As if that's not bad enough he then asked, "Who do we want to win, the San Diego Dolphins or China?" Wha...?

4) The treadmill is up and running. Well, speed-walking anyway. 40 minutes/260 calories/1 mile/speed: 3.5 mph/incline: 3. I'll make my marathon running friends proud, even if it kills me! Hey, at least I can do something productive now while I watch Big Brother.

5) Our company's open house is in a couple of weeks. I've spent the last few days updating our very out-of-date mailing list. Inviting 400 people seems particularly crazy to me. Especially when you consider that our office is, well, smallish. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to it: we've invited architects, artists, key non-profit people, city staff, county staff, politicians; you name them, they're invited.

Over and out.