#32 Buy a CD a Month & Write a Review (1/33)

COMMON - Be - May 24, 2005












Thank you Crystal for the gift of this album.

Okay, the CD is in the player and my from the intro my head is bumpin! This is my first ever attempt at a review as well as my first time to listen to a full Common album. With that said... This album offers a fused feel of gospel, R&B and Hip-Hop. Common's voice sets the mood for every track with his naturally smooth voice. Considered a rapper I'd dare to say he is more of a poet accompanied by music. After several spins in the player, I feel this album lacks deep substance but for what it is, it's good, not the greatest but good.

My favorite tracks and Lyrics:
The Corner: We write songs about wrong cuz its hard to see right / Look to the sky, hoping it will bleed light / Reality's a bitch, and I heard that she bites

Go: (Go) And a ooh baby she liked it raw and like rain when she came it poured
(Go) Freaky like the daughter of a pastor, said I was bait for her to master

Faithful: I was rollin' around, in my mind it occurred / What if God was a her? / Would I treat her the same? Would I still be runnin' game on her? / In what type of ways would I want her? / Would I want her for her mind or her heavenly body?
Walk this earth for her, glory, I'm grateful / To be in her presence I try to stay faithful

They Say: They say "life is a game," so I play hard / Writin for my life cause I'm scared of a day job

#94 Buy Piggy Bank for Quarters

Well... I didn't have to buy a piggy bank.

Why are they called piggy banks anyway? (Off to the internet!)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pygg is a type of orange clay, once widely used for making pottery in the form of jars, cookware and other household items because it was economical.

A piggy bank was originally a "pygg jar". Later, the word "pygg" became less common, and its sound was reinterpreted as "pig"; only then did piggy banks actually begin to be made in the shape of a pig.

The original pronunciation of "pygg" was probably closer to "pug", but over time the pronunciation changed due to the Great Vowel Shift and became a homonym of "pig".

Okay, okay, enough about that... Although that was pretty interesting! Something I never knew nor ever really thought about before. Oh how my blog is full of useful information! haha!

Anywho, I didn't have to buy a "Pygg Jar" because I got one as a gift. Usually for Christmas my boss gives me some comically lame cologne products. Example, you say? Well, last year I got a fine gift set of Stetson, that's right Stetson, Avon's way of saying we should all reek of OLD men! And the year before I received a gift a little more up to date... Hot Bod! haha! Oh, just typing that makes me laugh! I have to say too, that stuff works nothing like the commercials portray it to! I rarely to NEVER had women flocking and/or fighting over me! Okay, yet again I've said too much and not enough! This year my boss got me a neat Guinness can that had pajama pants in it. The cool thing (for me) is that the can not only had the pants in it but it also doubles as a coin can!

Check it:

#74 Write a Haiku a Week (3/143)

The Sky Has Fallen

The Sky Has Fallen
And Gloom Leaves Tears on Petals
Until the Fog Lifts.

#61 "Hold My Beer & Watch This" (Do something cool)

So the days leading up the the Mayweather fight this past Friday (12/7/07) there was plenty of televised hype, with pieces on both fighters and an awesome training piece on Mayweather. He was doing sit-ups; but these were no normal sit-ups, at least none I had ever seen before!

This sit-up is like any other sit-up BUT when you get to the "up" position you stand up and throw a couple of punches. Of course when I saw it I knew I had to do it! So I did! On our camping trip I knocked out two in a row. Maybe I could've have done more but not after... "Hold My Beer & Watch This" haha!

Check out this video of Mayweather "Doing Work!" (@ minute 1:10) I can do that!

***By the way... My modified sit-up is nothing like his! :)***

#36 Make a Bonfire and Roast Marshmallows

Thanks to the camping trip and Reno for getting the fire started we had plenty of flame for the roasting of marshmallows!

The fire Reno and I maintained. Although I didn't wake up in the early morning hours to maintain it! haha! Thanks Reno!

The ingredients for a S'more!

#10 Go Camping

Pack it up, pack it up, let's begin!

Finally, after months of talk the much anticipated camping trip was put into action!
The list of necessities was exhausting and the weather was a tad bit of concern but we all had been waiting for this trip for quite some time. ...One night we nearly up and left on a trip (on a whim) late in the evening with COLD rainy weather on it's way but came to our senses! Good thing we didn't go because the weather was sickening that night and the following day! But that's a whole other story.

Crystal, Joey, Lando, Allison, Reno, Brad & I packed our gear loaded up and headed to Muleshoe Bend for a weekend (12/8-9/07) away from city lights, television and cell phones! The great outdoors!

Crystal and I next to "our" tent. Thanks James!

A VERY BIG thanks to James [Stephanie's better half, haha :)] for letting us borrow his tent! Otherwise we would have been crammed in Brad's tent, or possibly lost sleep in Joey's tent (CRAZY SNORES) or just cozied up in ReAlli's (Reno+Allison) tent. Even though the tent didn't have directions and none of us out there were familiar with it's pole system we figured it out and it definitely made for a more than comfortable tent with all it's extra space. Greatly appreciated James!

Our sleeping quarters. Crystal got the air mattress.

The trip was most definitely a quality ass time with some of the most awesome folks around! The weather was not a concern until we decided it was time to pack up. a nice little bit of rain blew through which had us tossing our gear in any open truck bed available! But we kept ehh somewhat dry and made it out before the mud got to thick to drive though.

I can not wait until the next trip! You guys made the weekend a great one! Next time, CHUBBS better be there!

THE CREW
Brad (Sleeping... It's barely 8:30)

Allison & Reno (Story time)

Joey (Camp Chef)

Lando

Diego & Cryatal

#99 Have Lunch or Dinner with the Cohens

Dining at a new restaurant is always a good time for me! Anyone who knows me knows I can put away some food and I love trying new places.


Erica invited Crystal and I to have dinner with her and her family at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant in Buda. Crystal and I had never been there before but heard so much about it from the sisters, Stephanie and Erica! =) So after work we met them for a GREAT dinner! The food was delicious and the atmosphere is "homey"... And better yet, the company was very enjoyable!

If you're ever in Buda and want some great, inexpensive Mexican food this is definitely the place to be!

#102 Hang Towel Bars in the Bathroom

Yes, Number 102! I'm a bit of an over achiever! Actually I just see it as extra credit (make up for other things). haha!

Whooo! It's warm now! After working in the yard all morning I need something cooler to do, something indoors. I got it! I've been meaning to go to Home Depot to get a Chuck Key for the drill so I can get our towel bars hung... Finally! =)

So, off I go to Home Depot... Windows down, cool breeze and warm sun compliment my ride!
Got the key and now the task at hand, FLAWLESSLY hanging the towel bars! Geez, this isn't cooler at all! I'm stuck in a stuffy bathroom, lights on baking myself! Stay calm Diego, you're gonna get it and get it right! And that I did an hour or so later!

And I know My beautiful wife is glad I finally accomplished this goal! ;)

CKY - DLY

Towel Bar


New Mirrors

#19 Maintain My Yard (I want it to be the BEST)

And I mean that! I want the greenest grass, the most vibrant flowers and strongest trees!

Friday I stayed home sick -YES I was really sick! But there's just something about being home sick when everyone else is either busy or at work that gets to me. I get so antsy and feel like I should be doing something. The house is pretty much clean, the dishes are all washed an put away, I've already cleaned and straightened up the garage. Outside it was rather gloomy and damp but not cold, so I decided I wanted to get at an activity outdoors. I thought about removing the over-taking Morning Glories from the back fence but it was just too muddy for that. Then I realized I hadn't fertilized the yard for the Winter season! So I spent a good amount of Friday morning fertilizing and weeding out the yard.

Sunday... Ahh the laziest day of all! A football day! But the Cowboys already played Thursday against Green Bay and won so I wasn't really interested in anyone else! What to do? It's a great day outside maybe I should get out there and remove some clutter and weeds. And that's what I ended up doing... Removing the Morning Glories I wasn't able to on Friday as well as removing some of the wilting parts of the banana trees and other plants in the yard! Everything looks very nice now... If I say so myself! =)

***Pictures will be posted soon!***

#46 Bathe Cats (1/3)

Mia and Marley are SO spoiled!
I mean, they've got it made! Strictly indoor cats just relaxing the days away, sunning in the window, sleeping in a bed from World Market, the best food and all the love a cat can be spoiled with. If you're still not convinced these felines aren't spoiled then get this, Crystal and I pretty much bought our house so they could have room to run around in and have their own comfortable place.

Mia & Marley

With that said Crystal and I still bathe them once or twice a year to keep their coats "So fresh and so clean, clean!" This is definitely one pampering they don't prefer! Well Marley especially, she HATES the bath and screams bloody murder the whole time (About 5-10 minutes). Mia on the other hand has no problem with it and just accepts it for what it is... She likes to play in sinks and tubs and plays in her water bowl sometimes so she has no issues with water and bathing. She "relaxes" as much as possible, knowing it's not hurting and will be over soon enough.

Oh the fun!

Marley (Apparently after defeating death)

Mia ("Behind the ears!")

#105 Cut My Own Christmas Tree

Well hells bells and pouring rain! This would have been the my first time to The Jolly Elf Christmas Tree Farm and one of the funnest events of the holiday season! But due to unexpected "bad" weather in the area we were unable to make the trip out to cut our own tree! =( WAH!
Crystal actually came up with the idea of asking my sister (Her SIL. Haha) if and when her and her family were planning on making the trip. We got the information, set a date and waited anxiously. All the while not even the least bit concerned with the forecast and what it had in store... I mean, not too long ago I wrote a Haiku with the current season in mind! So, we expected just to wait until after Thanksgiving before we chose our tree. But as she does, Mother-Nature stepped in and changed our plans, bringing in a cold and wet weekend! Needless to say the trip was canceled and Crystal and I were bit disappointed.

We decided to do the next best thing, haha, and go to the neighborhood Home Depot and pick an already cut tree. Not as exciting as actually finding the "perfect" tree and cutting it down yourself but, hey, a tree is a tree. =) I think we got a great tree and it's a beautiful Christmas tree!

Better luck nest season! =)

#74 Write a Haiku a Week (2/143)

Brandon

No Clouds In The Sky
And Still The Day Rains On You
-Wishful For Better.

#6 Sign a Hobo (0/33)

AUSTIN, TX - Where have all the Hobos gone? Sunday morning I had a few errands to run around town and thought, "this would be a perfect time to Sign a Hobo". But, to my dismay there weren't any around. I even hit the usual spots trying to get at the usual suspects; The one legged chair rider on the East side of William Cannon & I-35 and the crazy shake guy on the West side of 35, but NO luck! I am almost convinced even those guys take Sunday's off.

I'm thinking my next effort will have to take place on a Saturday. I mean, I'd much rather blog about my success, with pictures to highlight the "event" than to be here with really nothing at all. No worries, my next effort will be a definite success!

"I'm thinking Arby's"

Diego Ybarra

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

Coyote Lullaby

Midnight Lullaby...
Beneath Twinkling of Night
-A Coyote's Cry

#74 Write a Haiku a Week (1/143)

Autumn Texas

Mid November Now
In This Fall The Sun Still Warms
-For This, Is Texas

#3 Post List on Blogger & MySpace [DONE]

Now for some, this may not seem like a worthy item on the list. But for me, actually having my list posted rather than tucked away in a notepad or something drives me. Drives me to accomplish as many, if not all of my 101!

I've still got 98 tasks to complete with 1000 days left to do so.
Wish me the BEST!

Diego

#2 Finish List [DONE]

Yeah, I know what you're thinking... He isn't really doing anything at all! But like I said before, You've got to start somewhere! And, for me completing the list was a task in itself!

Don't Hate! Congratulate! Participate!

#1 Start List [DONE]

Day ONE and I'm already taking control of my 101!

Okay, so this was a gimme! C'mon, give me a break, you gotta start somewhere right? But coming up with a list of 101 things to do that actually seem worthy of being on the list is somewhat harder than I thought. With that said I was able to compile a list I deem worthy.

101 Things To Do In 1001 Days

I got an email from my sister yesterday... She has joined some of her friends on the 101 Things To Do In 1001 Days journey! After reading about the "journey" and her list, I knew I had to give it a try.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

So... Here I am, Day One!
My list -in the order the ideas came to mind- is over there to the right. Check it! [List REMOVED on last day of 1001 days]
And please let me know if you plan on starting your own journey!

DY