#24. Keep Family Tree Up-To-Date

Maintaining the Family Tree is extremely important to me, I only know who I am and where I personally come from. But when it comes to the bigger picture I know absolutely nothing. I decided a few years ago that I’d start a tree on Ancestry.com in hopes of finding out more about my family as well as extended members. I also hoped for more involvement or input from other members. But, I started this project and I should own up to it.

Fortunately for me, my current job affords me the opportunity to verify certain information from records that directly influences my tree. Unfortunately, I have found discrepancies that make this project’s maintenance a little more difficult. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy and I look forward to the many challenges and changes as our family continues to grow.

I don’t know much about where I come from and may not know where we are going, but I am thankful to be apart of it. I encourage you to take a look at the bigger picture of you and your family, you never know what you’ll learn.

#23. Get a Bike (Haro) and Ride it

Well this hasn’t happened yet and it probably wont happen any time soon. As some of you know The Wife and I are expecting our first child. We’re actually rounding the final stretch of things and (She’s) hoping for an early March arrival. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Even though Cash hasn’t made his much anticipated debut I’m still looking ahead to things to come. Biking is definitely on the list of things to do. I remember good times riding bikes with my brother and friends at The Pit. This place was AWESOME -I wonder if it’s still there. We lived in the hood and the pit was actually some abandoned undeveloped piece of land where kids would rally and dirt bikes would growl & fly by. It was a sweet spot for boys who loved riding; we’d take our bikes on sweet jumps, ride along the walls of the pit and race through creeks and trails. Good times. Writing this brings it all back, I really miss riding. I might have to take a trip to the old hood to see if this place still exists, I don’t have a bike but I’ll take some pictures if I can. The No Trespassing sign never stopped me/us before.

Some of my friends had mountain bikes while others had BMX's but I had a Chrome Schwinn frame. Which in it’s day was probably a killer ride, but for me it was just a frame hand-me-down. Did that stop me, NO and it never will. I hooked that beast up with a regular size black tire in the back and a kids-size red tire on the front. Yeah, that’s how I roll, well how I rolled. You best believe I got down with the best of them.

While I really didn’t have a problem with that bike, I fully intend on getting my son a sweet bike that he can proudly roll around the neighborhood on. I’ve wanted a specific type of bike for a while and why not try to find cash one too. Check the pics below for some sweet bikes.

Cash Options:

-Haro Z10 - A perfect bike for the begining rider. Has a parental grip on the back of the seat for training.

My Options:

-Haro Forum Pro Lite - Out of my price range (now) but maybe when it comes time to purchasing one I can get down on it.

-Haro Flightline 20 - A more rugged and affordable setup.

Mad Men Style

I don’t currently watch Mad Men, but as soon as I finally finish The Sopranos I plan on getting into it. Yeah, I’m barely watching The Sopranos. I’m not a big sit-down and watch TV kind of guy. Please no spoilers; I HATE that, although I do know pretty much how it ends. ‘Nuf ‘bout that… As I was saying, I don’t watch Mad Men but I certainly do dig that era and style.

There’s just something about a dapper gentleman that in the back of my mind I have always aspired to be. Not long ago I was reminiscing about a time when I was young and remember thinking that “some day I was going to be a boss and wear suits”. I remember watching old movies with my mom from different era’s in time and telling her that I was born in the wrong time. My youthful mind would run wild imagining myself if different decades, wondering who’d I be and what I’d do.

I’m no Marty McFly and I don’t know Doc Brown so I won’t traveling back in time and/or back to future anytime soon, as awesome as that would be. I can only create my style by taking note of better dressed men of now and then with my own personal spin. Last Fall Brooks Brothers announced that they would be selling a limited edition “Mad Men” suit endorsed by the hit AMC drama, with the assistance of the show’s costume designer, Janie Bryant. The suit was on sale from Oct. 19th through Nov 8th and retailed for $998. Where's Doc Brown when I need him?

Photo Credit: Brooks Brothers

My 101... Doin' it. Or not.

#5. Change Light Bubls.

New and awesome energy saving bulbs cost a watt of money... Haha get it a watt... a lot... Uhh, okay. Yeah. I'll just wait until my current bulbs fade away, they've lasted for the most part a little over 3 years now so it just seems wastefull to toss out what's good and working.

#6 Sign a Hobo.

Probably never going to happen, I never stop, plus I don't have a camera to capture the moment.

#7. Finally Go on Honeymoon.
What’s this honeymoon you speak of? Seriously, it’s been nearly three years and The Wifey and I have yet to take a honeymoon much less a holiday. Life happens and currently trips aren’t in the plans. Someday.

#8. Visit Mom.
This one is much harder to do than one would think. As cliché as it sounds The Wifey and I are usually pretty busy, we are habitual planners. And the way our work schedule is we try to make as much time for each other as possible, so our calendar tends to be booked at least a month in advance. Add to the fact that my mom champs it up with 2 gigs, her time is pretty much locked up too. That lady works far too hard… But I do get over there as much as possible, even if it is just sitting on the couch watching cop chases and catching up. Love you mom.

#9. Visit Grandma and Grandpa.
Unfortunately I missed too many opportunities to visit with Grandma, I love you and miss you everyday. And as much as I hate to think about it, just typing it out sucks that much more, that I don’t spend any time with Grandpa. I just need to make time for Grandpa.

#11. Vacuum at Least Once a Month.
Okay I’m sure you’re reading this and imagining my house as some dust-filled dungeon. NO. I am a rabid vacuumer -Yeah that’s a word- and I do vacuum at least once a week sometimes every two weeks. What I mean with my once-a-month vacuuming is a detailed cleaning. When I pull that dust sucking machine out I get down and dirty getting the house dust free. That includes dusting, cleaning glass, wiping, moving furniture, removing couch cushions & pillows sweeping and banging the dust out of rugs. I get so detailed with this that it nearly takes all day and I’m sore by the end of it all. And I usually hate myself for being so detailed when I’m finished.

#12. Paint (Interior of House).
I wasn’t much a part of this goal but it got done. The Wifey’s mom and aunt came over to the house some time after Christmas to help paint Cash’s room and his bathroom. I wasn’t much assistance because I was so shittily ill, I painted a bit then sat down on the couch. At some point I faded out, got up and woke in my bed, to a completely painted nursery. Nice job ladies.

#17. Learn a Full Song on Guitar.
Pfft. I don’t have the patience to learn or teach myself a full song. I can learn intro’s or bits but never seem to put a whole piece together. At least I can do that much; that beats the “Rock Band Hero” on expert any day in my book.

#19. Maintain my Yard (I want it to be the BEST).
The Wifey and I put many a day of work into our yard. But that somehow isn’t ever enough. Should’ve gotten a Condo! With the high Texas heat and drought scorching sun we’d have to make more money for the “vanity” of watering our yard and flower beds on a daily. We try, we really do try. Spring always look the best.

#20. Write Again (Journal, Blog).
Here I am. :)

"...you'll have to totally do Jerry."

A blog-post or so ago I put together an outfit for my sister which proved to be a lot more difficult than I had expected. Color choice and style was a big factor in her ensemble and the choice of color made for her was what gave me the most problems. With that said I was able to put something together that I liked. Her comments assured me I did a solid job and she showed her interest to see what I have in store for her husband.

I decided that my next challenge would be Jerry and knew I'd have a lot of fun with his get-up. Being a big baseball fan and also quite active I already had a few ideas for him. He's a Boston Red Sox fan so I already had it in mind that I'd create his gear around a classic cap. Another important factor is comfort and it had to stand up to his active lifestyle.

The clothing had to be loose but not baggy durable but not rough. While deciding on his pieces I found a couple of items I just couldn't commit to, I liked them both so I had to throw them into the mix. Below is the final product or products.

Option 1:

-Boston Red Sox 1946 Era

-Eckley Thermal Henley

-Volcom X Factor Plaid Shirt Gray

-Woolrich Wool Town Coat

-Patagonia Continental Pants

-Carhartt Vintage Leather Belt

-Navy Paisley Handkerchief

-Darn Tough Vermont Boot Sock

-Danner Slusher Thrasher







Option 2:

-Boston Red Sox 1934 Era

-Dickies Grey Thermal Top

-Volcom X Factor Plaid Shirt

-Woolrich Wool Town Coat Navy

-Darn Tough Vermont Wool Sock

-Danner Slusher Thrasher

I'm not a Boston fan or much of a baseball fan actually but I would totally rock this with or without a tweak of the cap.

Who's next...

The Adidas Originals Star Wars Collection

My boy Reno just tipped me off to a new collection of Star Wars gear coming out this year thanks to Lucasfilm and Adidas. Inspired by the legendary films you know these kicks are going to be one of the hottest products this year.

The collection for the first season is split into three packs -- The Characters Pack, the Vehicles Pack and the Direct Pack. You can get down on the Characters pack now but you're gonna have to wait until march for the Vehicles Pack.

Want more? You can also find shirts, hoodies and other apparel within the line. Visit starwars.com.

Whether you're a 'Star Wars' fan, a pop culture aficionado or a sneaker freak, I know you gonna dig this.

In order of personal preference, the top 3 are my favorites...

Adidas Yoda

Star Wars ZX700 Yoda Boat shoe mixes earthy colors with textured details.

Adidas Skywalker
"The Adidas S.W. Luke Skywalker is a tribute to both the Skywalker 80s shoe, as well as the Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker. Built from a mix of leather and textile, this piece is modeled after Luke's orange X-wing flightsuit."

Adidas At At - Vehicle Package drops in March.

Like the machine itself these shoes are some big stomping show stoppers.

Adidas TIE Fighter - Vehicle Package drops in March.
Clean, simple and most definitely Star Wars inspired.

Princess Leia

I'm not one to rock vibrant shoes but these are sweet, I know some folks that can pull these.
"Inspired by the metal bikini Leia had to wear while Jaba's captive, the adidas Star Wars Princess Leia Game Mid is a spicy swirl of gold, silver, the signature maroon of the Lashaa silk used in that outfit."

Adidas X Wing - Vehicle Package drops in March.

Adidas Millennium Falcon - Vehicle Package drops in March.

#14. Finish Several Books I've Started - Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Synopsis:
Victor Mancini, a medical-school dropout, is an antihero for our deranged times. Needing to pay elder care for his mother, Victor has devised an ingenious scam: he pretends to choke on pieces of food while dining in upscale restaurants.

This 304 page book took me far longer than it really should have. My brother lent me the book and said he read through it quickly so I thought I'd do the same. When I first opened it I read page after page after page, from the very beginning the author's style had my attention. I never thought I'd put it down but of course distraction and pure laziness took it's choke hold on me.

When I finally picked it up again I killed it in two day's (during lunch) at work. While not as exciting as Fight Club, for me, Choke still has all the twists and turns you expect from Chuck Palahniuk. Upon finishing the book I Netflixed the movie to get the cinematic point of view, all in all, book and film they were alright.