Random Memo 103005: Making Up For Lost Time

A lot has happened since I last blogged. And I've been busier than busy. If idle hands are the devil's playground, then I'm in good shape!

1. The Astros won the National League title. I'll admit it... I was in bed when the title was clinched, but I got up and dressed and went out to the street where neighbors were gathering to celebrate (hugs, high fives and fireworks).
2. The World Series fell far short of my long-awaited expectations. And it didn't have anything to do with how the Astros played. I think our guys did an outstanding job, played hard and displayed the heart and good character I know they have. It was the media degradation and incessant criticism... of not only the team, but the City of Houston, in general. I grew from weary and saddened... to outright engraged. I remain proud of my Astros and their accomplishments, but I've developed a pretty powerful disrespect for Fox Sports and their commentary.
3. Some really good neighborhood relationships solidified during the preparation for Hurricane Rita. Good things DO sometimes arise from difficult situations.
4. I picked up a great moonlight project, and I'm stoked about the potential.
5. I had a great belated birthday celebration, put together by Dude and KBJ. It rocked.
6. Work has been WAY more stressful than usual. I've got a fast-track project, with a tight budget, and I've been working as hard as I can to meet all of the requirements. It's kinda neat because I'm working with a principal who is really involved, and he's helping A LOT. Too, the project is located close to my hometown, and I am childhood friends with the general contractor. I want to do an extraordinarily good job (like always), for all of the parties involved... which doesn't change my work habits, but adds a layer of internally initiated responsibility and stress.
7. Tragedy. An acquaintance of my aunt and uncle... hit an 18-wheeler head-on. He was killed instantly, as was one of his dogs. The other dog was at home. Long story short (link provided later), the man's father took the surviving dog to the pound. My aunt and uncle rescued him from the pound and have placed him in a private kennel, while we can find him a permanent home. Look for more links later, while I agonize over whether Miss C would accept him!
8. I'm getting ready to go on a road-trip vacation. The timing is poor on all accounts, but there are extenuating circumstances. Miss C and I are swinging through Doches and picking up my aunt. It will be a week of relaxation, games and jigsaw puzzles, hanging out, old movies, good food, long walks and a little antique shopping. Check out my blog from the road!
9. Went to a club last night to witness, for the first time, (my pal) Mike's band. Check out 2nd Wind. I rode over with (my pal and) Mike's wife. We had a great time and the band rocked the house! I can't wait to see/hear them again!!!

Hurricane Rita: Journal Entries of a Hurricane Rookie

19 September - 25 September

You do what you can do to prepare, and then you journal for prosperity.

Luck was on my side this time, though. As I made preparations to leave, traffic was at a stand-still, in a universal effort to evacuate the city. In the end, I chose not to risk Miss C's life in the heat and traffic, as it might take 30+ hours in an un-air conditioined card to reach our place of escape, and to brace ourselves for the storm. And I was not alone. My neighbors were phenomenal.

And as it turned out, my destination... Nacogdoches... received far worse damage than did my neighborhood.

Check out my hurricane journal. I intend to keep it updated with survival and preparedness information, as well as to-do and stock lists.

Ray Nagin

is a putz! And I'm being nice!

Celebrities

They should that their place is on television, in the movies, on the red carpet, in the entertainment blogs and in the gossip magazines... NOT floating in the flood waters of New Orleans with a camera crew, or perpetrating a political agenda.

Charity is one thing, and I believe it is our divinely ordained charge, to help others in all the ways we are able.

Too often, though, celebrity charity is doled out with overwhelming measure of self aggrandizement and underlying manipulation of the populace.

And I'm really getting sick of it.

In the Midst of a Mild, Sunny Day...

There is the gloom and doom of 24 hour news networks. And today, I had to get away.

Can it get any worse?

It's been a stressful day:

1. Visual images broadcast from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama worsen by the day. There are folks who are looting for sustenance. There is a wild contingent who is firing on police officers and other search, rescue and recovery officers.
2. I saw many Kristina refugees in the restaurant at lunch, the grocery store and on the freeway as I travelled home today.
3. My MMSP left work early today, distraught. I know his doggy (Miss C's boyfriend) went to the vet today. He also has four missing family members. I'm so worried... I can't say any more. I feel just horrible, in anticipation of the confirmation of bad news.
4. I heard on the way home that Joran was released from custody and is no longer under suspicion of the murder of Natalee Holloway.
5. Having lost the first game of the first round playoff series last night, the Comets must now win two games in Seattle.

The answer to the question is that it CAN get so much worse. Today was just one of those days for me, that felt like the bad things were "piling on". I'm grateful for all I have. After all, my worst worries concern people far less fortunate, and wishing I could do more to help.

Katrina On My Mind

Hurricane Katrina has been on my mind a lot these last few days... and then I had this thought!

A.W.O.L.

Sorry folks... I've been A.W.O.L.

ALWAYS WORKING OFF LINE!

There's so much going on, my mind is spinning... but if I'm awake and upright, I'd better be working.

My project, (God's willing, blessings, mercies, miracles and prayers answered), is due and will be complete by the end of the month. At that time, I can (hopefully) resume my regular 'blogcast' schedule.

In the meantime, my prayers go out to the folks in Florida...