Haiku

This is on my list of things to do, but I've lost track. With that said, I'm still gettin to it; less the tracking.

Today my wife's aunt had to put her dog (Winnie - Pug) down. I've never had to deal with putting a pet down, but have had to deal with the loss of pets. :( I may not not know what it feels like to knowingly give your family member (Pet) back, but to lose one that you love is a pain I'm sure we've all felt one way or another. When trying to think of something comforting to say when anyone loses something or someone close to them is a huge task in itself. I ususally start with, how I'd like people to respond to me. Most times I wouldn't mind just a simple word and nothing else. But I just don't know what a person is dealing with inside and how much they'd like to possibly talk about it. So, I thought some more and thought it would be nice to know that as much as you cared for your family member that they cared just as much about you. And decided to write a poem from our furry friends to us. Clonda this is for you...

We are not the same

You on two, me on all fours

But we are... Best Friends

#13: Vote in next election

Simply that... I stood in line for over TWO HOURS just to express my right to vote. I really wish there was more to it than that, but nope.

Crystal and I stood in line in downtown Buda, Texas on Main Street for over two hours. Two hours of wait time for only 5-10 minutes of booth time. Ugh! I'm just glad Crystal and I decided to eat before we stood in line, otherwise, some candidates would have missed my vote.

It's 2009! Can't they figure out a way for us to vote securely from home? Probably not in Flroida, but I think everyone else can manage.

#11: Vaccuum at least once a month

Not too much to say here. No exciting picture of me 'gettin my vaccuum' on either. Haha!
I made this a task to be done simply because I was slacking on it for too long. But now, I'm back and better than ever. That's right BETTER! Now instead of once a month I'm doin it every Sunday.

I know what you're thinking... "It's just vaccuuming." To which I say HA! I laugh at you! When it comes to me, nothing is "just" anything! When I do something it has to be melodically calculated for perfection. Yes, even vaccuuming! My belief is, if something deserves to be done it deserves to be done right and on the first go. I don't like doin anything more than it needs to be done.

And for those who are still reading this and are still thinking it's just vaccuuming, let me school you on my vaccuumin skillz! That's right, I spelled it with a Z, I keep it "clean" like that. Haha.

1. Dust from top to bottom. (Fans to blinds to decorations to table tops.)
2. Pledge to shine. Something about pledge reminds me of being a kid.
3. Remove and clean vaccuum filter.
4. Vaccuum furniture. (Not just what you can see, under coushons too!)
5. Move furniture for a complete and thorough vaccuum.
6. Hands and knees action. For the hard to reach spots get out the hose attachment and do work!
7. Put furniture back in place and admire the cleanliness.

There you have it. This sweat inducing total quality vaccuum is the thing Good Housekeeping dreams are made of.

*Coming SOON!*

A little something on:

#11: Vaccuum at least once a month.
#13: Vote in next election.
#14: Finish several books I've started.
#19: Maintain my yard (I want it to be the best).
#21: Go to the movies.
#25: Get healthy (Diet & Exercise).
#33: Plant a tree (Anywhere).
#38: Go to Flea Market.
#42: Grow and give away a plant.
#45: Play in at least one poker tournament.
#50: Run in the next Schlotzky's Bun Run.
#52: Go six straight months w/out credit card use.
#68: Get on the radio.
#72: Go to the Green Belt (Just to clean).
#73: Drink a glass green tea.
#80: Take daily vitamin.
#82: Enjoy a REAL massage.
#84: Get a better paying Job.
#95-97: (Check list) Pretty much goes with #25.

As you can see, it's been quite some time since I last blogged, but that doesn't mean I'm not taking strides to complete my 101 in 1001.

#74. Write a Haiku a Week (6/143) +1

Mission

Like stars in the sky

And dirt on the ground

I live planted, aiming high.

Alternate:

Like stars in the sky

And dirt on the ground

A life planted, aiming high.

#15 Get New Tattoo(s)

I'm sure all of you are aware that this past weekend was Valentines weekend. A traditional holiday celebrated on February 14th, when lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. With that said, my wife and I are anything but traditional.

So... We decided to do something we've been wanting to do for quite some time. So we headed out to Austin's Resurrection Tattoo to get inked. We got there around 1:00 - 1:30 or so; talked to a couple of artist, giving them our ideas. Bradley my artist said he'd need an hour or so to draw up my design and Roger Crystal's artist said he only needed a few minutes.

Tic-Toc-Tic- Toc-Tic-Toc...

(An hour or so later):

We show up after having some lunch and find that the artist are putting the final touches on their sketches. Roger finished Crystal's sketch first and soon got to work. Not too long after maybe around 3:00 or so Bradley set up shop and was ready for me.

Crystal's tattoo (Butterfly is original w/ added detail):

When Crystal's tattoo was done she sat around a bit checking me out, as I was still getting work done, but soon got bored. Out the door she went to find a new camera... We had intentions of taking 'before and after' pictures of our tattoos but when we got to the shop and got ready to shoot, her camera just died. When she finally got back to the shop, she had a brand new Nikon Coolpix camera and I was still getting inked.

Me getting inked:

The final product:

Finally after a little over THREE HOURS of tattooing we were all done and headed home. We had to race home because by this time it was 6:00 and we had 7:45 reservation at PF Chang's, for a more traditional celebration of Valentine's Day. FYI: Crystal and I did make it to the restaurant on time and enjoyed the night with our good friends Reno and Allison.

I'd like to thank the fine artist at Resurrection Tattoo for their skills and time they put into their work. Thanks Brad and Roger!

Back on the Grind

I’d like to thank all of you for your continued support and undying effort during my time of transition. I’d be lying if I said it was a long three months of not working, but it wasn’t. I guess it was a long time to be out of work but I didn’t miss waking up so early every weekday. Haha. But, here I am day 4 back on the grind and I’m starting to get back into the routine. Still struggling to wake up but I expected that struggle. I’m just glad my patience served me well as I believe I’ve found a position with The Department of Vital Statistics that will be rewarding professionally as well as come payday. J

Special Thanks:

• Mom, for your prayers and thoughts.
• Crystal, for understanding that this was as difficult of a time for me as it was for you.
• Stephanie, for the encouragement and the card. Good stuff.
• John, for the dedicated time and effort you put into my job search.
• And to everyone who provided potential job lead opportunities.
  

One,

Diego Ybarra