Ouch

So as a follow up to that other Pilates post, I didn't think it was too bad. Until precisely 1:30 a.m. last night when I rolled over in bed. I actually felt like my abdomen was being pulled apart, a lot like being quartered. And today. Wow. Maybe that shouldn't have been jumped into. Not that I probably won't do the same thing again the next time a free membership comes my way.

Scared of a Very Nice Dad

A few times in my life I have been nervous about telling my dad something. The circumstances are all different, but generally it is me doing something that I probably shouldn't be doing, but I do it anyways. For example:

Back in January I owed my dad some money. I actually still owe him that money. However, I got offered a trip to Hawaii for $200. I knew it would cost a litte more with the hotel and stuff, but it was really too good of a deal to turn down. Even when I knew that the $500 I spent probably should have gone to my dad. Because of this, I waited almost three months to tell my parents about that trip. I was a little worried my dad might punch me in the face.

Recently, I "borrowed" a Husky socket set from my father. I actually would have asked, but he was at church still. I wasn't sure if he really would want me to take them though, and I thought that I could maybe get them back before he ever realized that they were gone, and then I would just skip the part about telling him. I thought that I should tell my brother-in=law Adam, cause I knew that was who my dad would ask first if he were to come to find out they were missing. I forgot to make that phone call to Adam though. My mom called me yesterday to chat and she mentioned that there was a lot of theft in the neighborhood. One or two cars had been broken into, and dad's socket set had been stolen. He had looked all of for them, tried to think if he loaned them to anyone, and finally went and filed a police report. "Umm, Mom . . . ," I sheepishly say. "Dad's sockets weren't stolen. I might have them at my house in Tempe." Yep, I was pretty sure I was gonna get punched for that one too.

That list could go on for a few more pages I'm sure, but I am proud to say I have made it nearly twenty-four complete years without having my dad punch me (even though that is probably more of an accomplishment on his part). Just wanted to say thanks for putting up with me dad. Sorry about the sockets. The good news is that even though I broke two of them, they had a lifetime warranty so I got you brand new ones!!!!

A Really Good Day

Here's my day.
-I woke up around noon. I was a little mad cause this dumb sales rep kept calling or texting me about a job. But.
-I went down to the leasing office to use the tanning bed because I didn't really have time to lay out by the pool. After I tanned, the temp working there got my number.
-I was at a customer's house about one thirty. Even though things should have gone faster and I had to be on the phone for forty-five minutes before the company figured out the problem, it is now a completed account.
-I went to the Mrs. Baird's bakery outlet and bought bread and snack pies. Mmmm, delicious.
-I went to pick up my wire that I left at a customer's house, and then went to K&G to look at suits. I then went to the library for an hour, and then to the mall.
-At the mall they gave me the clothes I wanted for much less than I expected. And gave me 25% off of the shirt that wasn't on sale.
-I went to a customer's house that I had installed for several weeks ago, and spent two and a half hours getting her windows to work just cause I'm such a stinkin' nice guy.
-I actually got a job at 9:30 and went and installed it. The guy kinda looked like Hulk Hogan. He was very, very nice.
-I went to the gym with Tom and lifted for thirty minutes.
-I showered.

It was a really good day.

Back to the Gym

I have become a little bit of a gym hopper. I have the tendency to go do different gyms and get trial memberships from time to time. It really is just enough to make me feel like I am doing some sort of physical activity and I don't have to pay a dime or have any long term commitment that makes me keep going to the gym. I have not worked out very much at all since I have been in Texas, except for a few push-ups and pull-ups. Since this is my last week here, I decided it probably would be a good idea to sucker the guys at 24 Hour Fitness into giving me a free week. Ha ha ha.

I went by myself the first day. I took Tom with me last night. He had actually never been to a gym before. We worked out a little legs and back, and I think he enjoyed it. This morning I woke up and called my job to push it back an hour and went to a 10:30 pilates class. It was a pretty good class actually, and the teacher only called out the single guy in the class one time. I didn't even care though. After the leg workout eight hours prior, there was no way I could will my body into that exercise. All in all, it has been a nice week. Maybe I'll even go again tonight.

Future Dreams and Ambitions

In response to Christin's post, I will post a picture that Ariana sent to me with the caption "I Found Your Life's Calling."

"Do you work out?"

Even though I do not spend a lot of time in the gym or really enjoy going all that much, I do enjoy the result of it. Like everyone, I really enjoy being complemented on my body. However yesterday at the library I sat down to read and then shortly after I had someone ask me if I worked out. Normally I would be very flattered. Normally I would expect it to come from a girl though. Yep, you read that right. Some guy (probably about my age, black) asked me that. Then he told me that I had "like, the perfect body" and that he wanted his to look like that. I kinda laughed and went back to reading. A few more minutes pass and he starts talking to me about hte book I was reading, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Anyways, he talked to me for the next forty-five minutes about Dickens, other literature, what sign I was, me mentioning several times that I had ex-GIRLfriends and me not drinking. The conversation finally concluded at five, though I am unsure if it was because the library was closing or because I threw out the Mormon card. Whatever the reason, I was happy it was over. Not that it was bad conversation or really that uncomfortable, but having a guy flirt with me for that long was, well, not what I went to the library for.

Some Random Stuff

Only in Texas do they still have a "White Settlement"














Some of you got this already, but doesn't a Texas shaped waffle just cheer you up?


















I helped out a guy who blew a tire the other day. Wow.


















Ha ha, the street is called "Flippin Way"


















A picture one of the reps in Alabama sent me of a street sign there.


















So if you go back to my second post ever, you will read about how my car died in Texas and I tried to jump it with my drill. Well, I didn't really think it would work so I gave up before too long. - I got this picture from Sandon the other day, who tried the same thing. Obviously he was more patient than me. He waited a little while and it clicked, and after a little longer it turned over. How sweet is this.

Sunday Morning Jam Sessions

I have not really been around much musical talent in my life. Candice can sing and Christin can play I Swear on the piano, but that's about as far as it goes. My living room is now filled with guitars. There are two acoustics, a bass, and an electric. It has been a unique experience, but I enjoy it. Sunday morning I stumbled out of bed around noon to sit and listen to Taylor, Josh, and Jared jam out a little. The windows were open so there is a little breeze that picks up in the speakers, but you get the idea. It was a good morning. Or afternoon, however you tell time.

Good and Bad Gifts

There are some things that I really like people to give me when I am installing. One of those things is give me something to drink. Sometimes if they don't I will ask for a drink. About a week ago I did an install for a girl that was probably between Christin and I in age, and while I was there gave me a mineral water to drink, and then two of these Fuse drinks to take home. And a Ziploc bag of those little fudge striped cookies that are so delicious. Some people are just that nice.



Now on the other hand, a man with very good intentions I believe asks me if I would like a bottle of water. I reply that I would, and this two hundred and fifty pound man comes returns with this ridiculous bottle.



Do the people that buy these realize that they contain less fluid ounces than most baby bottles? Do they really think that this is enough for a grown person to get any satisfaction out of? I appreciate the thought, but I would almost rather have him keep it and not just cruelly wet my palette without really giving me a drink.

And last, I love little girls that ask my name and then make me a paper gingerbread man.

Nostalgia

Growing up in Bay City my two best friends were Brett Ashcraft and Jace Arbuckle. Now to say that we have been bad at keeping in touch would be a big understatement. We have maybe spoken four times since I moved thirteen years ago. Taking advantage of the fact that I am in Texas, I decided to drive to Houston a week and a half ago. I hadn’t been able to get a hold of the Arbuckle’s so I couldn’t stop and see them, but I got to Brett’s house about eleven. Now Brett is only six months older than me, but he has been married for five years this month and has two kids. Now I don’t really know how to describe this feeling because I don’t think I have ever had it before. But I was sitting there talking to him and his wife, Melanie, and I couldn’t have been happier. I was happy that even though we had only seen each other once in thirteen years, I still felt that we were as good of friends as any that I have made over the years. I was also really happy that he is still a good guy. He’s been through some rough things but he is very active in the church and had his head on straight. And I love his wife. I am really glad that Brett ate his words that she “really wasn’t his type” and decided to ask her out, even if it was a week after she bought a wedding dress for a wedding with a different guy. He probably would have never found another girl as cool as her, let alone one that would put up with him for eternity.

Sunday I went to church and happened to see my old bishop, as well as my old friend Chase and his wife. And if you’re wondering what guys do after a six-year absence, they do what makes them feel like boys again. They play catch. And then Guitar Hero of course.






Sunday night the Arbuckle’s finally wrote me back, so on the way back to Fort Worth I made a two hour stop in College Station and got to see Jeannie, Jace, and Alex. We talked about the last few years, about our families and whatever else we could think of. It was a little sad to leave, but really good that I was able to see them.

Having moved so many times in my life has had its challenges. But it has also given me the chance to have friends all over. And sometimes if you’re lucky, you’ll always stay friends.

A Big Storm

We had this crazy big storm last night. There was actually a tornado like twenty minutes away. It knocked out the power at my apartment complex for about an hour. I got my Ryobi flashlight out of my car and the guys sat around the living room playing guitar for a while, but it came back on around 12:30. When I first woke up around nine this morning, the storms intensity had kicked up again and the power was back off. Work has been postponed for the time being. Here’s a little clip of the video from last night. There isn’t any good lightning in this one, but you can hear the rain or hail hitting the outside of my room. As annoying as it is that my food is slowly going bad in the fridge, it was still sweet. Good thing I finished off my half gallon of Blue Bell last night. Whew.

Sad Days

Today I should be on a plane to Spain. As I type this.

I decided last week because of some things that happened that this whole Europe trip should be canceled. It really broke my heart. It hurts me today.