I Want One of These...

If anyone knows anyone with artistic skills, I'd like to have one of these. Also in Blue, Green, Red and maybe White (Gray).

Gangsta.

1000 Words: Rest & Relaxation

Snap Back to Reality.

Snap back to reality… The luster of lights hung with care is fading as we approach a new year. The holiday desserts and leftovers have all been consumed, adding a few extra pounds to the belly. Gifts have been wrapped and unwrapped, some returned and/or exchanged. Family fun is on hiatus for now, all returning home and back to the grind. On my drive home from town dodging douche-bags (yeah I said it), it’s clear the holiday season is gone and it took joy and kindness with it. I wish it didn’t have to end.

I had a great holiday, my first as a father and what a time it was. Lil Money is still too young to really understand what all the fuss was but for myself and The Wife it was an exciting time. She decorated, I hung lights, we shopped and we loved every bit of happiness we saw on Young Money’s face. I am thankful for my family and that I have the opportunity to give to my boy far too many toys than he needs… Or wants, that silly boy would rather play with house-shoes, TV remotes and dust pans. Haha. I am happier than I have ever been when I see him playing, smiling and laughing and love hearing family and friends when they say “he is such a happy boy.” He may not know it, but I know he had a great Holiday.

Another great thing about the holidays is spending time with the family. I’m especially glad that I don’t have the type of family that I dread spending time with. Everyone is so busy throughout the year that we don’t always have enough time to meet up so these times are cherished, especially now that I am older and the whole family is growing. This year my sister and her husband flew in from the East, so we were able to celebrate her birthday and Christmas together. We laughed, we played, we ate a little too much and boy did Lil Money have a lot of fun playing with “Tio Jaime” haha and Tia. Thanks for the fun. See you in the Spring.

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday as much as I did, I’m sure you’re not feeling the same excitement for your return to “paradise” of work, school, traffic or what-have-you.

  

[I wish I had taken pictures... But my craptastic phone no longer gets down on that.]

Get Square

Wow, these are some of the coolest pocket squares I've ever seen, the use of buttons is pretty word... The price point is beyond me but I'd love to have one (or two, or three, etc.). Maybe I just need to step up and start creating my own, I've actually got a few ideas I haven't seen anywhere else.

Armstrong & Wilson

Music Monday: The Brothers of Chico Dusty: Big Boi vs The Black Keys

Check it out.

"Here's to you Mr. Overly Christmas, Christmas Guy"

... At least, that's what The Wife said.

Wicked.

Happy Holidays

Rudolph (You Don't Have To Put On The Red Light)

Booked!

Music Monday: Holiday EP

It's been quite some time since I've had a Music Monday post, the last one was waaaay back in November, but with the Holiday season upon us the sands of time are falling far too fast. Christmas is only five days away so I figured it was a good time to post some of my favorite holiday songs.

There's something about the smooth voice of Frank Sinatra that for me captures the timeless classic tradition of Christmas. When I hear his voice during this time of year I am immediately transported to a Winter wonderland. I'm a stranger to snow, but I imagine families cozying up around a crackling fire, children laughing and playing and loved ones making memories. Below are some of my favorite holiday tunes.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays.

Frank Sinatra - White Christmas

Frank Sinatra - Let it Snow

Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Frank Sinatra - Silent Night

It's Snowing!

No, not here, it never snows here. But in Virgin-i-a, yeah my sister sent me another series of texts and pictures and it's really snowing. I think she called it flurries but uhhh, the pictures go from no snow to cars covered in snow, sounds like snowing to me.

So again while looking at the pictures I started thinking about music and the type of songs I would listen to on a snowy day. Now, I am not at all familiar with snowy days so I had to use a bit of imagination. Which led me to imagining a solo road trip, just jump in my 4x4 (Note: I no longer own a 4x4, I drive an itty-bitty 4 banger) and take to the snowy roads. The first song that came was Blood Bank by Bon Iver, I'm not sure what it is about the song but I really do imagine listening to this track while managing the elements on a Winter day. And as luck has it, someone else must've had the same feeling because I was able to find a video that captured the journey.

Enjoy the music and the weather and stay warm.

You're Gonna be the Death of Me...

... With your delicious Honey Buns.

Timescapes

Poker Night

There's Flurries Today!!

... That's what the text from my sister in Virginia read. Lucky, the closest to snow I get in this town is Jim Jim's Water Ice, while a delicious treat, it's not snow. I've only seen snow a couple of times in my life, in my neck of the woods we don't get snow, we do get frozen streets though. Yay. In all honesty it doesn't really bother me, I'm more of a warn to hot weather kind of guy, layering up your clothing is cool for style but I'd much rather be chillin in water on a hot day that chilling in my boots on a cold day. But every now and again would be nice, it would be cool to build and actual snow man or have a snow ball fight, that would be awesome.

Here are a couple of songs I think of when I think of cold weather and snow. Enjoy tunes and the weather.

Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 - Skin Thin

Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting - Baby It's Cold Outside

Event: Austin Urban Farmers Market

Related Post:  Austin Urban Farmers Market

"In Sleep"

During the week my routine with Lil Money is pretty much the same; sometimes we visit Mimi but most times we get home, eat a little, get our read on then I put the TV to one of those music channels our cable provides. You know the series of channels that hosts specific genres of music but no videos? Yeah, that kind. Well yesterday while we were sitting there I heard this song and as her haunting voice sang the verse with the passion of love and pain, I immediately thought the singer, Lissie, sounded like Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries. But then the chorus breaks in and all of sudden I have visions Pat Benatar maneuvering a battlefield.

Instantly I’m hooked and I listen more and find that the lyrics are simply beautiful, and I could easily sing along even though it was only my first time hearing it. And when that’s enough they break into a guitar solo and now they’ve got me thinking about how many different way’s I want to hear this song… This song that I haven’t even heard all the way through for the first time.

From the beginning her voice is familiar then add that the song is, for lack of a better word, catchy, then the solo… The first thought when I heard the guitar was, how awesome it would be to hear a version with Carlos Santana on guitar. Then I thought, why not a whole band, maybe The Roots. Sounds like some next level shit. And of course I think this song deserves a dance beat for the club, maybe a Chromeo take or DJ Mel. Either way, you spin it this song jams.

Lissie - In Sleep

Going Bowling

With matching 7-5 records The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will renew their rivalry with the Miami Hurricanes in the 2010 Sun Bowl on December 31st in El Paso, Texas. Every season the talking heads and those who listen but don't know any better discuss to no end how irrelevant Notre Dame is to college football. Any and all of these discussions is blasphemy, there is college football and then there is Notre Dame.

This season alone Notre Dame has played in the "hottest ticket" game twice, the first was week 8 against Navy (Meadowlands) and the second was against Army (Yankee Stadium). Now they're a part of the fastest sellout in Sun Bowl's 77 year history. To put this in perspective, last season's Sun Bowl mathcup between Oklahoma and Stanford was the fastest sellout in history, when it sold out 10 days prior to the game.

THE TEN MOST EXPENSIVE TICKETS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL (2010)

#10: Miami (FL) @ Ohio State: $374 per ticket

#9: Penn State @ Ohio State: $375 per ticket

#8: Alabama @ LSU: $401 per ticket

#7: Florida @ Alabama: $440 per ticket

#6: Florida @ Georgia: $460 per ticket

#5: Auburn @ Alabama: $471 per ticket

#4: Oklahoma @ Texas: $482 per ticket

#3: Michigan @ Ohio State: $519 per ticket

#2: Penn State @ Alabama: $524 per ticket

#1: Notre Dame vs. Army @ Yankeee Stadium: $583 per ticket

GO IRISH!

Tis the Season

December like Whiskey reminds me of a cozy warmth on frosty days.

1000 Words: Reflection is Beautiful

Shot by: David Herrera

Fallingwater - Frank Lloyd Wright

Often times during the day I find myself traveling sporadically through the world wide interwebs in search of the next thing that comes to mind. That's who I am and that's what I do, if you know me you know I've got catalogs of interests and a curious mind. I'm the type of person who has read bits of a lot of books, not due to boredom but due to the fact that while reading my mind tends to wander from one subject to another. I could be reading Your Baby's First Year then somehow and instantaneously jump into The Art of War and in another flash start up where I left off on The Tipping Point. Sometimes I don't even know how I got to where I am, but it's never a dull moment and that's what sparked this post.

Today my search was relatively simple, in that I was researching modern living and architecture (See I told you) when I came across Frank Lloyd Wright's - Fallingwater, which was designed in 1935. Upon first glimpse of the structure and surroundings I was in awe and in love with it. The house was designed to sit on top of a running waterfall, which makes it look as though it is floating over it rather than set on a firm foundation.

This is the type of house I'd love to live in and I can say the same goes for The Wife too and what an exciting place for Lil Money to grow up and play in. What I love most about this house is the opportunity it gives you to have living spaces that are indoors and out all at the same time. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to live in a home like this but I can dream.

I'm not going to attempt to go on and on about it; as I mentioned before,I only found out about this today so I am not at all completely knowledgeable on the house or the architect. But, I will let you enjoy the images of the house and the seasons it experiences.

Winter

Spring

Summer

 

Autumn



Austin Urban Farmers Market

This past weekend I caught up with my good friend Joseph who I hadn’t seen in quite some time, we hung out had a few beers and talked about the family. The great thing about friends like him, is even though it had been a while we picked up pretty much where we left off, didn’t miss a beat.

I talked mostly about Lil Money as he is the biggest thing in my life and like a proud father I enjoy talking about him. I found it interesting that Joseph has recently gotten into the local farmers market scene and is involved as much as possible. He is the markets local Quail guy, selling home raised Quail and eggs. I am a huge advocate of local business and believe that we should all be able to sustain our desired standard of living within our community; so when he told me that the farmer market he is involved in was hosting an event I told him that I would do my best at getting the information out.

If you’re interested in locally grown produce or happen to be in the South Austin area, you should stop by and say hey to Joseph (Joey). This event sounds like an all around good time with something for everyone.

Support Local Business

On Facebook: Austin Urban Farmers Market

1000 Words: I Pity the Foo

The Irish Bust the Trojans

Of all the games this season and every season, the one I look forward to most is when Notre Dame takes on The Trojans of Southern California. It's a rivalry game at it's finest and as soon as the schedule is posted, I make sure to circle that date. Recently however; and by recently I mean the last 8 match ups and 2 coaches ago, Notre Dame hasn't made this meeting much of a rivalry. The closest and best game was in 2005, Charlie Weis' first season, when Notre Dame lost 31 - 34 on the infamous "Bush Push" play. Reggie Bush went on to win the Heisman that season and his Trojans were defeated by the Texas Longhorns in the National Championship, Hook'em.

Bush Push

It's 2010 now, Reggie Bush is no longer the proud winner of the Heisman Trophy and The Fighting Irish are now coached by Brian Kelly. The feeling was different this season, instead of believing there was a chance ND could win this game I knew they could. They had the talent and heart to do it and they had just come off a two game win streak, with a win over USC they would be undefeated in November.

Unfortunately I was unable to see the game as I live in the heart of BIG XII country, Austin, Texas and ESPN on ABC was regionally and pretty much nationally showing the Oklahoma vs Oklahoma St. game. I guess it makes sense, they were respectively ranked #13 and #9, while Notre Dame is unranked and USC is under sanctions so they don't really matter. But that sucked for me. At least Notre Dame is on point and put the highlight reel together. How I wish I could have seen this game, guess I have to wait until they go bowling.

Robert Hughes Game Winning Touchdown. AP: Jae C. Hong

GO IRISH!

Hol-i-day

There’s no party like a Thanksgiving Party cause a Thanksgiving Party don’t stop. Des bulee those words rang true this year, from the moment The Wife and I loaded up and strapped Lil Money in his car-seat we were on go.

First stop, The Cowan House, there we gathered with The Wife’s family, enjoyed conversation and a lot of good food.



Shot by: The Wife



Just before the Dallas game started my tribe loaded up once again and headed to my mom’s house for more family, football and all around good times. This year was a good year, we were able to share this Thanksgiving with my Aunt Kim and cousin Richard, they’ve been in South Korea for a long time and we rarely get to spend time together so it’s always good when we get to see them. While at my moms we ate more and played with the kids my niece and nephew and Lil Money, it’s an awesome thing knowing that many holidays ago I was just a little one playing on the floor, now I am a father to that tradition.

Last stop, a holiday visit with our good friends Chris and Brandy… Hmmm, if they were a famous couple what would their “name” be…? Bris? Nah that’s lame and has no shine. I’m thinking Chandy, yeah that’s sweet, like candy. It’s settled that’s their now famous couple-name. Dig it. Visits with Chandy are always a good time, we enjoy the same things, movies, shows and we even read the same books and Chris even introduced me to the oh so sweet goodness that is BIG BLUE. Thanks Chris and Brandy, good times.

I wish I had taken pictures of the holiday weekend but I was just too busy living it to stop for a flash.

I am Thankful.

I am thanful:

... That I am a father to a healthy, handsome litte boy, I love you.

... To be married to a beautiful and strong woman, I love you.

... That my brother is no longer in that big sandbox & finally safe at home, thank you and I love you.

... For the loving and caring of the friends & families that I have and am a part of, I love you.

Sometimes we are too consumed with the mundane episodes of our day-to-day that we often overlook what is really important in our lives. I am no stranger to this at all, sometimes I wake up fighting mad and sometimes I feel as though I was born to lose, but it's those quiet moments when I am afforded the opportunity to contemplate and meditate with my thoughts that it all becomes clear. This clarity reminds me that I am not alone, it could be so much worse, I will experience the worst of times and just the same feel the joys of the best of times. I wish you all the best this Thanksgiving and Holiday season.

Austin Burger Bracket: Champion

As you know tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a time of traditions, family, friends, football and FOOD. And after the consumption of that midnight "snack" of a turkey sandwich, stuffing, broccoli & cheese casserole and combination of pies, also comes the many holiday traditions of parties, overspending and more food.

Unfortunately my goal to fill my belly with as many burgers that Austin could provide will have to come to an end. Scratch that, I'm not giving up burgers, what I meant to say is that the Austin Burger Bracket competition will have to come to a sudden end. While I started this bracket with the best of intentions; I didn't anticipate the occurrences of life (Work, family, friends, chores, etc) would interfere. I'm kidding, work didn't interfere, I ate most of the burgers during business hours and maybe even blogged about it too.

All joking aside, I wish I could have eaten my way to a Champion Burger but sometimes things just don't work out as planned. But in the spirit of things I have chosen a champion from the establishments I was able to enjoy. The Austin Burger Bracket Champion of 2010 embodies what a good ol American Austin Burger should be. A burger that isn't trying to be anything more than what it is and yet satisfies more than you'd expect. A burger you can't wait to eat and when finished wished you had more. A burger that teases you after you've eaten it by leaving it's aroma on your hands reminding you why you love it so much. This burger should be so good that if/when you do have another, you feel regret for your choice in meal, I know I have.

Number Three Honors:

P. Terry's Burger Stand - A staple to my lunch time dining, this burger joint keeps it real, from fresh vegetables to all natural Black Angus Beef. If you find yourself on empty and happen to be near this establishment, I recommend the Double w/ Cheese and add on a fresh squeezed lemonade and a cookie for desert.

Number Two Runner-Up:

Doc's Motorworks - In the heart if South Congress sits Doc's, a great place to enjoy a drink, people watch and of course devour delicious food. You can catch a game on one of the TVs inside or step outside the garage bay doors and enjoy the cool breeze of their patio. If you're ever in the area treat yourself to the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, you're belly will thank you.

And drum roll please...

Number One Champion:

Dan's Hamburgers - For my money there isn't anything better than Dan's Hamburgers, of course I order my with cheese every time. I've eaten at four different locations and at each I am given the same great quality as the last. If you ask me where the best place to eat a burger is, I'm going to direct you to the hometown hero, Dan's.

***   ***   ***

Thanks for following along, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I wasn't able to enjoy as many burgers as I hoped but I look forward to finally eating and/or trying the rest of the burgers from my Austin Burger Bracket.

Wrigley Field vs Yankee Stadium

One got it right and the other... Got it horrbily wrong. Stamp FAIL on it, cause this is a joke. And what was ESPN's College Gameday thinking hosting their show there? The better choice should have been obvious. I would choose tradition in excellence, always, before anything else.

Wrigley Field FAILED

Holiday Look N°3: Lil Money