hutch off the cuff

Why this year?

We're not big travelers.  We're not against the idea, but as our family has grown, we've chosen to spend our money on other things, like diapers and car payments and food.  We've had some great opportunities to visit family from time to time, although not frequently.  As we've become more stable, we've started to dream of other trips we could take, both to visit family and to, um, enrich ourselves, you might say (we call those VACATIONS.)

This year has presented us with many such opportunities, and by next week we'll have travelled to Utah once and to Texas twice.  The traveling is fun, and we enjoy it, but fuel has never been so expensive as the year we start traveling.  What's up with that?  Oh well—it's still cheaper than flying our entire family all over the place.  We're heading out tonight for Houston again, and it's going to be good times.  Expensive, but fun.

A new look for a new direction

If you refresh your browser, you'll see that Houston is no longer gracing the head of this blog.  In fact, I'd say this new look has kind of a simplified reconstruction vibe, and that is exactly where my life sits right now.  There is a story to explain that, and it is here for those that care to click over and read the saga.  Suffice it to say here that I'm home, I'm happy, and we're moving forward in a big way.  Life is good.  I'm hoping that means I'll be blogging more regularly!

Early mornings and late nights

We met at 6:30 this morning after my restless night of sleep.  We had all already eaten our breakfast and gathered together our sack lunches, and we lounged about in the already oppressive humidity of the Houston morning.  Now it's after 10, and I have not stopped since that first sticky encounter this morning.  Fortunately I did get in a little jog around the area and made a run to Target tonight to buy some sinus medication, afternoon snacks, and water that doesn't taste like it was carried by dirty mules up to the 14th floor.  Thank you, Target, for having all these things in one place.

As I returned from my much-needed run to the giant store (everything really is bigger in Texas!) I listened as a band, probably at a summer camp here at the University, practiced in the "cool" of the evening.  As I walked across the parking lot, the sounds from their field reflected on the buildings I was approaching, and a curious affect spread over the area, as the sounds of two distinct bands emerged from the sound of the one behind me.  They echoed delay was such that one could not even connect the sounds to one another, and the effect was very Charles Ives as the sounds of receded and the second approached.  Musical nerd moment—glad to know I haven't lost it yet!

The Drive down

I arose at 3:30 sharp this morning, determined not to start the day behind the careful schedule I planned.  Google maps indicated a 13.5 hour journey, and I figured I could do it in about 12.  With time for fuel, bathroom, and food, I figured 13 tops.  So I set out in my sad little car that howls like the wind, and turn my headlights toward Houston.  The drive was uneventful, smooth, and I made it in 12 hours, 50 minutes.  A victory if I do say so myself!  The best part of my journey was the road signs, which I carefully noted and now have to share with you.  It's a shame I was in such a hurry, for there seemed a great many thing to do between Missouri and the Gulf of Mexico, but time pressed upon me, and I made haste.  Some gems of wisdom from the highways and byways of Oklahoma and Texas:

Jenks, America: Antique Capital of Oklahoma

My questions is whether Antique is a noun or an adjective.  I later drove through the city, but didn't get my question answered.  I remain justifiably curious.

No Tolerance

In reference to posted and consistently violated speed limits.  I thought we preached tolerance?

Drive Friendly

As opposed to drive bitterly and with disdain for your fellow beings?

Keep Our Land Grand

I hope Rodgers and Hammerstein are receiving royalties for these severally posted Oklahoma signs.

Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates

That's good to know.

Bridge Ices Before Road

Now, I know these are everywhere, but I thought we had fairly well ingrained that principle in middle school physical science.  Maybe not.

Don't Mess with Texas

There's really nothing significant about this sign except that it was my first that was actually about litter instead of the nationalism that is Texas pride.  Interesting note: while Texas speeding fines are among the lowest in the nation (really, everywhere is far away here, so you might as well go fast,) the fine for highway littering is $2000.  Yup.

Throckmorton Road

Only JP and maybe Sarah will smile at that.  It just conjured memories of a fun class and an obscene story.

Now, this last one is a mystery, and therefore I have saved it for your consideration and seek your wisdom.  At least four dozen of these beauties littered the roads of Oklahoma armadillo carcasses in the spring, which, coincidentally, I also partook of in spades.  The message?

DO NOT DRIVE INTO SMOKE

Um, what smoke?  With that many signs, one feels a bit let down at not seeing the smoke.  Really.

Summer cometh

With all the rain here, I needed something a little summery in my life. Therefore, I present, "Ragged Torch!"

Yeah, Typepad themes aren't the greatest, and in general I find them too wide for my purposes. If only I was smart enough to fix it. grr.

The name is Bond. James Bond.

Some things just make me happy.

A Game

TB did this on his blog, and I'm all about trying it out here to quench the dry spell that parches my blogging wilderness.

Instructions:
1. Go to www.flickr.com.
2. Type your answer to each question in the “search” box.
3. Using only the first page, pick an image.
4. Copy and paste the html into your blog.

So here we are:

1. What is your first name? James. This is the James River. Yeah, I don't know where that is either.

2. What is your favorite food? Curry. I love me some Curry.

3. What High School did you attend? Grantsville.

4. What is your favorite Color? Can you guess? By the way, I think this is a very interesting photo for discussion seeing that the woman on the right is a law-enforcement officer.

5. Who is your favorite celebrity crush? You know, I'm not much of a crusher, but when this woman sings, she moves my heart. I'd be grateful for just a fraction of the musical-emotion connection that she emotes. Not the strongest vocalist, but she's so sincere, and I respect (read: envy) that tremendously. For those of you who don't know her by sight, this is Brooke White, and she took a fifth place finish in American Idol this year (ROBBED, I tell you, ROBBED!) Let it be said: I really don't like American Idol. I just like Brooke White.

6. What is your favorite drink? Rich, dark, intense, hot chocolate.

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

8. What do you love most in life? Gotta be my family, no question.

It's back!

And better than ever! It's a funny thing how I've become so attached to my little computer. I do all my work here, all my communication, and plenty of fun stuff as well. Now I have a new keyboard, trackpad, plastic face, and looks like a new screen as well.

I'm a happy boy.

My keyboard clicks like brand new.

My marriage is still intact.

All good things.

Like Having my Arms Cut Off

I am without my computer.

Yesterday my screen when kind of gray and non-descript—you remember what Windows "safe mode" looks like? It was a lot like that, only I don't use Windows, and it wasn't safe mode. So I took it to my local place and they said they could easily get it taken care, and under warranty no less.

In 3-6 days. During that time I'm relegated to Liz's 24" screen. Actually, I love the screen, but I hate sharing, and so does she. I'm sure we'll still be married when it's all over, but this is sticky territory in our home life!

I always wondered what Dante was taking about, and now I'm starting to get a fair vision of the whole seventh circle thing.

Study Break

This is what interrupted my study. You can see a video here.

yup. hail.