Wow, a day off! Well, sort of... I got to work from home... After I was through with my responsibilities, I figured I would visit my folks in New Braunfels. My dad wanted to install new components on his PC and had troubles with his chainsaw. What can I say? I'm a jack of all trades... :) I was also hoping that he would be up to go shooting (seeing as how I bought him a S&W .22 a couple of years ago and he STILL hasn't put a single round through it).
As I drove south on I35, I decided to stop at the San Marcos Starbucks for a hot, delicious latte. Rainy days are good coffee days, right? As I approached the order box, I suddenly said to myself, "I want to do something to brighten someone's day today." I decided that I'd offer to pay for the order behind me if someone drove into the line.
At that moment, a SUV pulled in behind me. I promptly ordered my beverage and continued to the window. The woman behind me looked frazzled, stressed and tired. My heart started to pound. I felt a sense of exhiliration. I asked the young woman at the window if I could pay for the car behind me. She ran my Starbucks card (ridiculous, I know) for the appropriate amounts. I didn't tell the cashier anything else, leave my business card or anything. I wanted to be totally anonymous.
As I drove off, another rush of adrenaline came over me. Not that I did anything profound, but I felt that I had gotten away with something. For those of you who read my blogs, this post might look similar to my 11/18/06 entry. Once again, I wanted to experience what pastor Cole Phillips once sent me in an email. "What a fun and simple way to brighten someone's day and connect it back to God's love."
As I continued on my drive, I had a grin from ear to ear. It's moments like these that truly make me happy. Consider what it did for the other person... It's a gloomy day and it was fun to brighten someone else's. I'll never meet that woman, know what she was thinking or how she reacted; but wouldn't you remember something like that for a long time? Pass it on!
God bless,
-J
Friday, May 25, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
My parents pray for me...
I picked up gemstones today
They were beautiful
It matters not anymore
Red turns into orange
I cry in front of strangers
I send them all back
It's just like fishing the sea
You can't keep all caught
Time-change is more than it seems
My hourglass empties
I tried to the very end
But I grew too weak
My parents pray for me...
They were beautiful
It matters not anymore
Red turns into orange
I cry in front of strangers
I send them all back
It's just like fishing the sea
You can't keep all caught
Time-change is more than it seems
My hourglass empties
I tried to the very end
But I grew too weak
My parents pray for me...
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
I think I'll go to the range tomorrow...
My heart is pumping quickly
Something's building up
Punch a Mack truck with my fist
I startle her, now
I apologize, but why?
I fall back asleep
Why can't I know God's sure plan?
I want to know now
I think I'll go to the range tomorrow...
Something's building up
Punch a Mack truck with my fist
I startle her, now
I apologize, but why?
I fall back asleep
Why can't I know God's sure plan?
I want to know now
I think I'll go to the range tomorrow...
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Capacitors hurt.
ca.pac.i.tor - n. An electric circuit element used to store charge temporarily, consisting in general of two metallic plates separated by a dielectric. Formerly called "condensor."
Wednesday 1/17/07 - I am looking for "AA" batteries to put in the weather radio at work. I figure the best way to get free batteries is to open OTUCs (one-time-use-cameras) until I had the four, required batteries for my application. There is a tool that is used to open the cameras, but naturally, I cannot find it. So, I start throwing them at the ground. This not only grants me quick access to said batteries but is fun at the same time. I finally destroy enough OTUCs to get my batteries. As I am picking up my mess, I feel a charge run up my arm. Capacitors hurt.
Friday 1/19/07 - I am looking for fuses in my garage (car trouble). My hands are a little wet from the rain. I see the fuses I need. They are behind a 1/2 farad capacitor used for car stereo subwoofers. As I pick it up - making contact with the terminals, I feel a charge run up my arm. Capacitors hurt.
Wednesday 1/17/07 - I am looking for "AA" batteries to put in the weather radio at work. I figure the best way to get free batteries is to open OTUCs (one-time-use-cameras) until I had the four, required batteries for my application. There is a tool that is used to open the cameras, but naturally, I cannot find it. So, I start throwing them at the ground. This not only grants me quick access to said batteries but is fun at the same time. I finally destroy enough OTUCs to get my batteries. As I am picking up my mess, I feel a charge run up my arm. Capacitors hurt.
Friday 1/19/07 - I am looking for fuses in my garage (car trouble). My hands are a little wet from the rain. I see the fuses I need. They are behind a 1/2 farad capacitor used for car stereo subwoofers. As I pick it up - making contact with the terminals, I feel a charge run up my arm. Capacitors hurt.
A message to Central Texas:
When the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety, The National Weather Service, mulitple law enforcement agencies and the media tell you to stay home because of inclement weather and icy road conditions, why do you not listen? Furthermore, why do you choose to go shopping at the grocery store? For those of you who work in retail, I understand why you had to work - because every working stiff with a 9-5 who did not have to go to work wants to come to your place of employment (after you were pretty muched forced by your supervisor to brave the weather) and give you crap. I work in Pflugerville and live in Kyle (which is a blog for another day). On one of the icy days this week, even I knew better to stay home. Why? Because I refused to go ice-skating in my pickup when there were over 200 accidents and EMS calls. Let me share with you some of the orders that I saw at my store this week, though.
1. 1 container of sour cream.
2. Beer, beer and more beer.
3. 1 half-gallon of ice-cream.
4. 1 bottle of Paris Hilton for men.
5. A CHI iron.
6. A magazine and a coke.
7. Frozen dinners - your power is going to be the first thing that goes out.
These are just a few examples. Was it really worth your life? How about your family's life? I saw people who packed up their entire families just to go to the store and buy a lottery ticket. Do you really need some unfortunate, horrific ordeal to teach you a simple lesson? Maybe you can ask the families who lost a loved-one that day. Maybe you should drive through Buda and inspect the remains of a violent and uneccessary accident that occurred on I-35 Tuesday. Next time you're told by the multitude of experts to stay home, I suggest you do it.
Now, for those of you who have to travel in this weather (retail slaves, public service employees, emergency staff) - let me give you a few suggestions.
1. Stay home.
2. De-ice your car - all of it. Visibility is important. You need to see (windshields) and people need to see you (ligths / markers). Plus, when you're on the road, Bernoulli's principle will quickly cause sheets of ice to lift off of your car, endangering other motorists.
3. Allow your car to fully warm-up. Not only will this make you more comfortable (because the last thing you need to focus on is how cold you are, etc.) but it will allow various mechanical systems such as your brakes, suspension and steering to thaw out - maximizing their perfomance.
4. Turn 4X4 on. This does not make you invincible, but it is nice to have your drive-train planted at 4 points intstead of 1 or 2.
5. Turn Overdrive off. The last thing you want is the computer jerking gears around when your traction is limited.
6. Slow down - It is not the Indy 500. A good speed is 35-40 mph. Take ramps and overpasses around 15-20 mph.
7. Do not tailgate. Leave some space around you. Other cars can spin 180 degrees before you have a chance to react - and yes, they'll probably still have their foot on the accelerator and head straight towards you.
8. Do not talk on your phone. Yes, I saw this; and then I saw them lose control. If you really need to talk, get a headset or pull over.
All of this sounds pretty trivial and logical, doesn't it? Yet, people continue to amaze me. I guess that's why we have the Darwin awards...
1. 1 container of sour cream.
2. Beer, beer and more beer.
3. 1 half-gallon of ice-cream.
4. 1 bottle of Paris Hilton for men.
5. A CHI iron.
6. A magazine and a coke.
7. Frozen dinners - your power is going to be the first thing that goes out.
These are just a few examples. Was it really worth your life? How about your family's life? I saw people who packed up their entire families just to go to the store and buy a lottery ticket. Do you really need some unfortunate, horrific ordeal to teach you a simple lesson? Maybe you can ask the families who lost a loved-one that day. Maybe you should drive through Buda and inspect the remains of a violent and uneccessary accident that occurred on I-35 Tuesday. Next time you're told by the multitude of experts to stay home, I suggest you do it.
Now, for those of you who have to travel in this weather (retail slaves, public service employees, emergency staff) - let me give you a few suggestions.
1. Stay home.
2. De-ice your car - all of it. Visibility is important. You need to see (windshields) and people need to see you (ligths / markers). Plus, when you're on the road, Bernoulli's principle will quickly cause sheets of ice to lift off of your car, endangering other motorists.
3. Allow your car to fully warm-up. Not only will this make you more comfortable (because the last thing you need to focus on is how cold you are, etc.) but it will allow various mechanical systems such as your brakes, suspension and steering to thaw out - maximizing their perfomance.
4. Turn 4X4 on. This does not make you invincible, but it is nice to have your drive-train planted at 4 points intstead of 1 or 2.
5. Turn Overdrive off. The last thing you want is the computer jerking gears around when your traction is limited.
6. Slow down - It is not the Indy 500. A good speed is 35-40 mph. Take ramps and overpasses around 15-20 mph.
7. Do not tailgate. Leave some space around you. Other cars can spin 180 degrees before you have a chance to react - and yes, they'll probably still have their foot on the accelerator and head straight towards you.
8. Do not talk on your phone. Yes, I saw this; and then I saw them lose control. If you really need to talk, get a headset or pull over.
All of this sounds pretty trivial and logical, doesn't it? Yet, people continue to amaze me. I guess that's why we have the Darwin awards...
Friday, January 5, 2007
Saturday, December 30, 2006
New Year's Resolutions.
After careful consideration, I've decided to make a few New Year's Resolutions. After all, I am a firm believer in self improvement. Some of these are going to be difficult; but with will-power and the help of God, my family and friends, I believe that I can accomplish all of these.
I resolve to:
Quit snorting cocaine. I've lost too much weight and haven't been able to taste my food in months. One of my teeth fell out this morning, too.
Stop using racial slurs. Honestly, who benefits from this? You don't see the Japs making fun of us...
Stop beating women. I'm starting to think that this barbaric act of conveying my thoughts is no longer necessary. I figure women have already been oppressed enough in America's history that I don't need to add insult to injury. I guess in my case it would be injury to insult...
Stop drinking. I guess it's not the drinking so much as the drinking and driving that makes it so dangerous. What can I say? I'm growing and maturing. After my third arrest, second DWI conviciton and court-ordered AA classes, I really feel like I can kick this habit.
Lose weight. I am really going to do my research this year and discover the best "silver-bullet-weight-loss" pill out there. Diet and exercise are for suckers...
Spend more money than I make. After all, my debt will eventually transfer to my estate upon my death. Either these financial obligations will be cancelled or defaulted to my family. What did they ever do for me anyway?
Effectively manage my time. There are many activities that I perform each day that are a waste of my time. Although these tasks only take a few seconds / minutes, they cumulatively take precious time from my schedule. Among the daily activities that I am choosing to stop: lifting the toilet seat, brushing my teeth, wearing deodorant, fastening my seatbelt, greeting my neighbors, taking showers and fully cooking my food. I have found that I can also combine certain tasks to save time. For instance, I can take a nap on my way home from work, clip my toe-nails at the movies and put food in the oven while I run a few errands...
Obviously, I'm kidding about all of this. However, I do want to wish everyone who reads this a very, Happy New Year.
-J
I resolve to:
Quit snorting cocaine. I've lost too much weight and haven't been able to taste my food in months. One of my teeth fell out this morning, too.
Stop using racial slurs. Honestly, who benefits from this? You don't see the Japs making fun of us...
Stop beating women. I'm starting to think that this barbaric act of conveying my thoughts is no longer necessary. I figure women have already been oppressed enough in America's history that I don't need to add insult to injury. I guess in my case it would be injury to insult...
Stop drinking. I guess it's not the drinking so much as the drinking and driving that makes it so dangerous. What can I say? I'm growing and maturing. After my third arrest, second DWI conviciton and court-ordered AA classes, I really feel like I can kick this habit.
Lose weight. I am really going to do my research this year and discover the best "silver-bullet-weight-loss" pill out there. Diet and exercise are for suckers...
Spend more money than I make. After all, my debt will eventually transfer to my estate upon my death. Either these financial obligations will be cancelled or defaulted to my family. What did they ever do for me anyway?
Effectively manage my time. There are many activities that I perform each day that are a waste of my time. Although these tasks only take a few seconds / minutes, they cumulatively take precious time from my schedule. Among the daily activities that I am choosing to stop: lifting the toilet seat, brushing my teeth, wearing deodorant, fastening my seatbelt, greeting my neighbors, taking showers and fully cooking my food. I have found that I can also combine certain tasks to save time. For instance, I can take a nap on my way home from work, clip my toe-nails at the movies and put food in the oven while I run a few errands...
Obviously, I'm kidding about all of this. However, I do want to wish everyone who reads this a very, Happy New Year.
-J
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