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My new favorite blog... on Earth. At this point, I could give a rat's ass if it is fictional or factual. It makes me feel better about my non-fufilling career. Oh, and I laugh a lot when I read it. That helps.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust I have these passing thoughts of just packing everything up and heading northwest. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Washington... whatever. I love Texas... really, I do. The years I spent away were mostly filled with longing to return. I simply dislike big city life. The traffic, the people, the attitude of the atmosphere... it's not for me. Career development in a technology industry relies largely on being where people worship technology. I either need to let go of my ideals of success completely and start over or pick up new bad habits that make me think I don't need to make a change at all. House payment, car payments, food and shelter are complications to progress. There is some happy place between the chains of financial obligation and living under a bridge out of a cardboard box eating shit out of a dumpster. Providing for a family (immediate or otherwise) is another challenge to factor into the overall equation. I'm amazed at these people that find a little slice of heaven in some small town and live off arts and crafts or whatever the hell they do with their time that results in mitigating starvation. I ponder if they are really happy or if they just pretend like they are before the eyes of the world.

I've got the Monday blues. It's not because I'm down... it's because my office is about 5 Kelvin and I'm seriously fucking blue. I don't know why it's so difficult to get the temperature right in the building, but it is. We are scheduled to move to a new location and although I'm sad to be leaving the friendly folks that manage this executive suite, I'm excited at the prospect of regulated temperature control. EL is visiting friends and family in the great white north. I'm doing ok for bach'n it, but miss her terribly. The house seems so empty without her around. I'm convinced that without her, I could live in a cardboard box... really, why have extra space. It's a waste. A cardboard box with broadband Internet access. I suppose that caveat is important. I drank entirely too much on Friday. Over the course of the evening, I must have imbibed about 20 Crown rocks... at least. We had a terrific meal at The Strip House downtown before attending the Ron White concert. We caught the Tater. Saturday morning I had an XM radio installed in my truck. I'm really digging it so far. Most of the time I stay on channel 74 (Bluesville), but XM150 is another favorite. Ted and I met up for lunch on Saturday at a local icehouse. I had fresh crawfish and baby back ribs. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The rest of my weekend was uneventful. I spent every spare moment with Henry because he is so needy without his mom around. I've been on conference calls all morning and had to interview a potential employee... all without letting my teeth chatter on the phone due to my being so cold. I have to visit an account this afternoon, so my day is pretty booked up. It looks like my week is pretty booked up. Hooty hoo.

Although standard time in time zones instituted in the U.S. and Canada by the railroads in 1883, it was not established in U.S. law until the Act of March 19, 1918, sometimes called the Standard Time Act. The act also established daylight saving time, a contentious idea then. Daylight saving time was repealed in 1919, but standard time in time zones remained in law. Daylight time became a local matter. It was re-established nationally early in World War II, and was continuously observed from 9 February 1942 to 20 September 1945. After the war its use varied among states and localities. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 provided standardization in the dates of beginning and end of daylight time in the U.S. but allowed for local exemptions from its observance. The act provided that daylight time begin on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October, with the changeover to occur at 2 a.m. local time. During the "energy crisis" years, Congress enacted earlier starting dates for daylight time. In 1974, daylight time began on 6 January and in 1975 it began on 23 February. After those two years the starting date reverted back to the last Sunday in April. In 1986, a law was passed permanently shifting the starting date of daylight time to the first Sunday in April, beginning in 1987. The ending date of daylight time has not been subject to such changes, and has remained the last Sunday in October. With the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the starting and ending dates have once again been shifted. Beginning in 2007, daylight time will start on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.

Éclair visited Uncle Ted this weekend and EL, Henry, and I headed to my dad's for Easter. It was a nice weekend until we got back to Houston. He lives in the Texas hill country where nature is the norm and civilization is the minority. It's like a little slice of heaven if you ask me. We had great meals and great conversation. We attended Market Days in Fredericksburg on Saturday. I worked with a tractor (yes, me). We watched the moonrise from the swing on the hill above the tank with the windmill. We sat around the fire and counted stars with cocktails in hand. It was splendid. The drive back on Sunday was my "welcome back to Houston" event. As we entered the Beltway, some strange trunk with a young man and woman inside started following us. After about 20 miles of tailgating through normal lane changes and eventually our exit, they took some photos of my truck (presumably my license plate) with their camera phone. I stopped for gas and they circled the station before leaving sight. I didn't see the truck again, but the story presents a vivid comparison of country versus city life. People in general are fucked up these days. They worry about things that should be trivial. They take for granted life's most precious gifts and get so caught up in their daily focus they don't cherish what could be if they simply took the blinders off to unrestrain their field of view. It boggles the mind. Back to my story... Henry, who's never been around other dogs much (other than Éclair), took some time adjusting to the bunch at my dad's. One of the dog's (Toots) took a disliking to him right away and tried to eat him a few times. It was a eye opener for the little fella. there was another Yorkie there visiting that was about half Henry's size (teacup maybe?) and five times the energy. Joey was his name. Crazy little dude. Tiger the fox terrier and Miha the chihuahua rounded out the bunch. Since Henry was adjusting to the dog situation and sometimes needed a break, he started looking for new playtime buddies. Saturday he found one... My camera was way across the driveway in the little guest room. I grabbed my dad's point and shoot off the table in the house to get a shot. It may not be the best quality photograph I've taken, but it makes me smile more than most. Henry and his deer fascination became the joke of the weekend with EL and I as he would play for 20 or 30 minutes at a time with them before they had enough and bounced away. They would chase each other back and forth and stomp paws and hoofs to play chicken. No barks... just tail wags and tilted heads. I have a pretty busy week this week. Lots to get done and it's tough ramping up after a 3 day weekend... especially one as relaxing as this past. I sincerely hope y'all had a wonderful Easter holiday. God bless.

Hush, little girl. Sweet baby don't cry. Tonight: Daddy's here and he'll sing you a soft lullabye tonight. Why can't it all be like it was before? How can I explain why mommy's not here anymore? Cuz Daddy likes porno and ten dollar whores. Daddy gets wasted and robs liquor stores. Daddy likes rubbing against little boys on the bus. I think thats why your mommy left us. Mommy left us. Hush, little girl, there is no reason to fret. Tonight, don't mind the smoke - daddy just wants to forget tonight. Soon it will all be like it was before. Any minute she will walk through that front door. But daddy plays poker and drinks lots of beer. Then he wants sex that involves mommy's rear. Daddy has sores on his naughty parts oozing with pus. I think that's why your mommy left us. Please don't cry, I swear I'll try to be here by your side. Right after Daddy gets home from the bar, visits his bookie and steals a new car, he'll drive to the stip club... And if daddy plays his cards right... he'll bring home your new mommy tonight. Lidey die, lidey die die die. Lidey die, lidey die die die.

Start at the 1 minute and 30 second mark... how crafty!

One more spring in Minnesota To come upon Lake Wobegon Old town, I smell the coffee If I could see you one more time That long, long time is always on my mind I'm just a stranger with memories of days of long ago Could it have been forty years since then What happened to us? I'd like to know. One more time, this dance together Just you and I, now don't be shy This time, I know I'll hear the music If you would hold me one more time That yard, that tree - you climbed it once with me We talked of cities we'd live in someday I left, old friend, and now I'm back again Please say you missed me since I went away One more spring in Minnesota To come upon Lake Wobegon Old town, I smell the coffee If I could see you one more time One more spring, the choir singing An easter anthem of God's grace I rise and slip past the sopranos Back to the third row and take my place

The weekend went far too quickly. We packed up the truck and went to Goliad Market Days with my mom, step-dad, and their friends on Saturday. There were more vendors than you could shake a stick at... all selling their arts, crafts, and giant smoked turkey legs like you can get an Ren-fest. Giant turkey legs and wenches minus the wenches. The goal of the trip wasn't Market Days, but that's where it started anyway. We spent the rest of the time at 22P Ranch. Grilled vittles and bonfires. Star-filled skies and silence only broken by the local critters big and small. It was a refreshing break from the city. It brought to the forefront of my mind all the plans of land and solitude I've mingled amongst over the years. I'm still, at this point, unsure about how to get there from here, but at least there is a goal. Eye on the prize. Our trip back was pretty smooth. Between the detail map my mother had to show me the basic route and my handheld GPS, we navigated one lane farm roads and zigzagged our way more directly home than had I just taken major highways and throughways. It cut over an hour off the travel time and turned out to be a more scenic route. The weather is fabulous these days. Cool in the mornings with left over chill from the night and warm, sunny days make for good excuses to spend time outside. I was reminded again this morning that this is a short work week (due to Easter). I am already looking forward to this weekend away from work. That Mega-millions Lotto route to early retirement looks better all the time. I guess I should start playing. Heh. I want to figure out how to set my phone to use an MP3 as the ring tone. I need to have my back looked at by a medical professional as the pain is worsening. I really want some Mexican food and a frozen margarita. If I were not so lazy, I would make a list.

Entirely too early in the morning to be awake on a Saturday. Indeed. It feels like a cool front came in last night, but I haven't been out to verify. My house just seems chilly. We're going to spend the day with my mom and step-dad today at a local art and craft festival thingamajiggy. I've been out the last couple of days for drinks or dinner... or both. I rolled a toon on the PvP server and played that a bit for a change of pace. EL got her new laptop in and is digging the upgrade from that boat anchor she was using. Right now, my primary objective is to get just enough clothing on to not get arrested as I make my way for coffee. Caffeine is your friend.

(Well listen up closely little children Gonna tell you a little story now It's the seven-toed devil, the Dirty Sanchez, A Texas legend in his own right, Ahmen...) Well, I got so much sin seeping out of my skin Got to get myself some time with you Don't you tell me your last name Don't say anything, you know what to do I got an old-time religion Got fever got friction Got dark thoughts in my head You've gotta purty dirty mouth I gotta demon down south Gonna make you sweat and beg For the Dirty Sanchez The Dirty Sanchez They call me Dirty Sanchez I'm gonna skin you like a cat On a hot plate got you on a hot date Liquored up and ready to sin I've got a dashboard Jesus He's ready to recieve us So open up and let me in Oh, I'm your savior I know your favorite Down and dirty deeds Just when you relax I'm whipping out the betamax I'm outta style and out to please With the Dirty Sanchez The Dirty Sanchez Yeah, they call me Dirty Sanchez I'm gonna skin you like a cat Like a cat... Whoah! (We're gonna take a li'l trip down south now... low and slow... Come and get some...)

by The Burden Brothers

Please pass the liquor.

Well, it's fucking April already. Summer is lighting up over the horizon and already pushing heat our way. Before you know it we'll all be like ants under a focused magnifying glass between the sanctum of air conditioned bliss and our hopeful destinations. I've been up to work and more work. In the virtual arena, I relinquished my position as Guild Leader as it became more troublesome than it was worth. After countless sermons about what my team needed to do to get back on track falling on deaf ears and an unbiased delivery of guild removal to a member I really didn't know nor have issue with resulting in a subsequent threat to my safety and that of my family, I realize that administrating the guild was really not worth the drama that came along with it by default. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my time there... but when people started getting antsy and stopped listening, I knew it was time for a change. I really did try though... at this point they will be better without me. I needed a fresh start. In the Real World, I have been disenchanted with how life is playing out. I am not happy most of the time. It's not that I have a reason to be not happy. Work is good. Home is good. I generally feel that time is slipping away and I'm not really getting the satisfaction out of life that I should be... I feel like I should be doing something else... something more. I need to get in better shape first and foremost. It's not that I'm the 1200 pound fella laying on a bed of crushed Doritos and feces because I can't lift myself off the couch, but I am certainly not the ripped 6-pack sporting gent of a few years ago either. I need to spend more time behind my camera. It makes me happy. I am trying. I find that when I am outside and around green stuff I smile... when I'm around cement and machinery, I frown. I have a long range plan that has become more fuzzy as the months have passed. It is increasingly unclear how to get from here to there... wherever "there" is now-a-days. In general, this entire predicament is nothing the Mega-millions Lotto or Powerball couldn't instantly rectify. Money might not buy happiness, but like they say, it will buy you a big fucking boat to sail right up next to Happiness. You can shake up a martini and offer Happiness a toast. I don't really care for money... but time is money and I really care for time. It's a conundrum. Maybe all I need is perspective? Although untrue, it seems that I can't find the time to get a grip on even that...