Three words

I'm working on a project for work that requires a little creativity/inspiration.  Last year the company won an award as one of Houston's best companies to work for/at (one of 100).    HR is in the middle of working for a repeat of that award and is encouraging employees to add in their comments about the company.  To do that, they have thrown down the gauntlet to produce a 5-10 second video clip of what makes it great to work here.  They shamelessly stole it from ABC news about using three words to describe the a situation or person.  Normally, being an engineer and manager, I have little time or patience for this stuff, but somehow, my inner muse struck me earlier this week and gave me an inspiration for a clip.  I am working on one this weekend and plan to post it later.  It's going to require a bit more tweaking, some creative editing and a wee bit o' scotch, but I have a funny theme in mind.  Of course, I really could use Meleah's expertise in videography help to really make this shine, but I guess I will have to improvise, adapt and overcome.


In the meanwhile, for those not tied in with the corporate world, I thought would share something my Golden Beginnings Rescue Group has been passing along this past week describing the typical corporate environment (in dog terms).  

   

Mother may I?

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a toast to all the hard working, dedicated, tireless moms out there (especially to my mom and my wife).


Once again, men and boys everywhere are scrambling to buy last minute cards and flowers and a boxes of chocolates for the most important woman in their life.  


Happy Mothers Day terri, abby, meleah, judy, ShadowRun300!!!


We have so much to be grateful for. You brought us into this world, loved us unconditionally, showed us how things are done, healed our hurts, paid our bills, and set us on the path of life. No mere card or flowers or cheesy bauble or hallmark memento can ever express the gratitude I/we owe. I couldn't even hold a candle to what you ladies do, thanks for making it all happen. It may be just one guy's opinion, but I think the hardest thing of being a mom is letting your children go. 

Thanks Mom!

And remember, you made me what I am so, in some way, you are to blame...

Idle time

One of the nice things about having your offspring out of the house is the weekends become ours again.  5 years back when Stephen left for college, we discovered something wondrous - our weekends were free.  No more football games, no more scout events, no more projects, no more school related activities.  Even in college, there were certain events we participated/attended (weekend football games, etc.).  Now that junior has graduated and off into the working world, our calendar has opened up a bit.  We've been doing a few more unscripted or impromptu things.  Like the rally we went to a few weeks back or the BBQ cook off or the Epilepsy Walk or last weekend's mulch exercise.  


I had a bunch of plans this year, some worked out, some still on the board.  I had hoped to take a road trip on a Saturday or Sunday and head north towards Austin with the dogs.  The spring is one of the best times to cruise the back roads of Texas because that's when the wildflowers explode.  Each year is a bit different, but this year was supposed to be spectacular with all of the recent rains.  Acres of Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush cover the plains and hill country of Texas making for some really outstanding photo ops.  Around springtime, carloads of people descend upon the area between Houston and Austin with the intent to take pictures of their girlfriend, wife, kids, dogs posed against the background of Bluebonnets.  I had intended to to that with the two dogs, but got busy on several weekends and most of the blooms are gone now.  


I wanted to go down to Galveston for their Mardi Gras celebration but never had the time available to make the drive.  


I had intended to go to north Texas to attend Pate (one of the largest swap meets) but junior was coming in town that weekend so that scuttled those plants.  Maybe next year.  Eventually, I intend to take the dogs to the beach just to see what they do with that much sand and water.      


Was hoping to go back to Rummy's Beach Club with the dogs to see if I can teach them to swim.  That's a 1/2 day run I have planned for some day this summer when it is ungodly hot.    


Looks like this year may be the year I finally get off my butt and have a new driveway installed.  


So for this weekend, while shopping for a few last minute gifts for my maternal unit, I took a quick side trip downtown to participate/witness a parade.  This particular parade is going on its 25th year.  It is kind of famous (or at least down here) for its eclectic nature.  Something that defines the different/creative/kooky side of this town.  Houston's not known for its off beat nature as as, say Austin (Keep Austin Weird), but it does have its moments.  So, for something different, I finally made it down to see the 25th Annual Houston Art Car Parade.    

Overall, 280 cars/cycles/scooters/wagons/skaters/mechanical conveyances involved. 


Interesting to see what goes on around here when you have the time....

Let's get physical!

I passed!  I passed!  It was a good thing that I stayed up all night studying for that urinalysis test.

No, actually it was a good test.  Something different than they had done in the past.  They brought in a group of therapists to do the various questionnaires and take your blood pressure and get your weight.  What was different this time was the strength/flexibility test as well as the body fat analysis.  The strength test was something that reminded me of my old army days – max number of pushups you could do in 1 minute.  I did ok for an old curmudgeon, but I could have done better if I had been working on my upper body strength.  Running does a body good, but not much for the arm strength.  I found it interesting that they used the pushup test as a measure of strength.  The standard Army PT test used to be comprised of running, pushups, sit ups and pull ups.  I could do the running, pushups and sit ups, but I always did lousy on pull ups and bar.  The flexibility test was simply sitting on the ground and pushing a rod to see how well you bend (just like touching your toes).  The body fat analysis machine looked like an electronics scale with a bicycle handle attached.  You stand on barefoot on the pad and hold the handles while it plays some Kenny G and takes your measurements.  The old school way used to be the pinch test with calipers.  Then, of course, they draw blood to run the lab work.  Should know in two weeks if I am going to live.  I still intend to do the full physical with my doc in June, but this will serve as a good baseline for comparison. 

I’ve taken enough of these test to be a bit sarcastic with the technicians when answering questions.  When asked how many fruits and vegetables I eat each day, my response:  Do the limes in a margaritas count?  My other standard answer to the question of fasting when told I can only drink clear liquids – Vodka is a clear liquid. 

Turn your head and cough

I've been fasting since last night.  Got a physical early this morning and I am not supposed to eat or drink anything for 10 hours prior except water or coffee (thank you).  This is one of those healthcare assessments being coordinated by work.  Everyone has to have an assessment done as part of the baseline for insurance coverage.  This is part of the company's new initiative of encouraging everyone towards a healthier lifestyle.  It is supposed to reduce insurance costs and motivate people to think healthy.  I applaud their initiative.  Not everyone gets checked out on a regular basis.  Some people avoid going to the doc for years or until something's broke.  I used to get routine physicals every year.  Not because I was a conscientious health nut, but the Boy Scouts required it as part of their long term camp programs.  Young & old, everyone had to have a Class III Physical to attend camp.  It was their way of making sure everyone was physically capable of attending camp without problems.  If you were over 50, you fell into the "extra attention" category and got the full service exam just to make sure you didn't cash out while at camp.  That may sound funny, but I know of two cases where an older (circa 55) scout leader had heart attacks at camp (one guy was just playing frisbee in the parking lot of Philmont).    


After my son graduated and went off to college, I stopped attending scout camps so the need to do physicals wasn't as pressing.  Then my insurance company changed and my doctor wouldn't take AETNA, so I had to change to one of those conglomerate doctor practices to get checked out.  Last year, AETNA and the conglomerate split the sheets so I am back trying to find another doctor to get "friendly" with.  Turns out my old doc now takes AETNA so I am headed back to see him again in June.  Even though I am getting a a general check up  today (blood work, blood pressure, EKG, etc.), I intend to do a full blown tune up with him just to check out the power train.  You never know what might fall off without warning.     


It was during one of those scout "camp physicals" when I got carded for an elevated PSA which, of course, led to the prostate cancer diagnosis.  If I hadn't done the physical at the time and hadn't followed through on the check ups, I don't know what the outcome would have been.  I don't consider my self a hypochondriac and will generally avoid the doctor's office on minor issues (ok, trying to reset my dislocated shoulder was a wee bit out of my league), but somethings you need an expert opinion upon.


Life's short.  Smile while you still have the teeth.  

Oh, and why is it when I am fasting for a test, the first thing that pops into my head this morning is BACON?  

Dirt tired

Made good progress this weekend on the beds.  Since I had Friday off, I scheduled Grayson’s annual checkup at the vet early and planned to have the mulch delivered right after the appointment.  Grayson came out with a clean bill of health (Thumbs Up!) and we were back on the road by 0930.  For some reason I cannot fathom, Grayson is not a big fan of going to the vet, but at least this time he didn’t have to stay overnight. 

I had hoped to have the mulch dropped by 1030 to get an early jump on the day before it started getting warm.  Of course, life has a way of changing your plans especially when the truck driver has a crappy GPS on his phone.  This guy was driving all over south Houston looking for my address (actually, my house is 5 miles from the mulch yard), after 5 phone calls, and more than a few cuss words, he finally showed up around 1400.  So, by the time he dropped his load, it was already in the mid-80s. It already has the makings of a warm summer and we are still 6 weeks away.   I was able to knock out about ½ the pile before heat stroke kicked in.  It’s been a while since I have done some serious dirt slinging like that and my back & shoulders reminded me of that fact the following morning.  Both dogs were a great help, serving like a line boss in the shade while I drug the wheelbarrow around the yard (Taking a water break, Boss).  I didn’t even try to run in the morning as I figured this was my exercise for the weekend.

The wife asks me why I don’t hire this job out (You’re too old to be doing that kind of stuff).  Maybe I am a bit stupid, but I sort of like doing this (occasionally).  In my mind, it’s honest work, honest sweat.  To me, something about the sweat equity that you put into a job makes you appreciate it more (and appreciate your indoor job no matter how crappy it may feel at times).  It reminds me of a valuable life lesson/epiphany my son got a few years back.   If you stay long enough in the scouts, you will eventually get tagged to help out on some kid’s Eagle project.  This is supposed to be one of the final tasks a candidate does before they can earn their Eagle.  Typical Eagle Projects are geared to help the community.  Some are with schools, others are with churches, while others will serve the local city park.  We’ve planted trees/bushes, installed a sprinkler system, built benches, rebuilt a baseball field, built a trail, and setup a orienteering course.  Most of these require the Scout to plan, coordinate, and execute the project without any adult help.  Typically, the projects are done when the kids are out of school and available (aka summer break).  Of course, by then, the temps are usually running in the mid-90s and humidity is way off the charts.  One summer, we signed up to help plant bushes bordering a local soccer field (to keep the cars from driving on the field and improve the park).  Since it was mid-July, we expected temperatures in the high 90s.  We had a big crew (25 kids & adults) cutting sod, roto-tilling beds, planning a row of bushes, and laying on mulch.  It was one of those days where everything you wore was either drenched or covered in mulch.  My son and I worked the entire day and towards the end, I made the casual comment that, some people do this every day for a living.  I think at that point he began to realize some of the benefits of getting a college education. 

Dishing up the dirt

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Have a Margarita or Corona on me.  Funny thing about this "holiday" is that, while it is promoted big around here, they don't celebrate it in Mexico.  Methinks it is another one of those holidays contrived as an excuse to drink more alcohol (like St Patrick's Day).   


Ever started a blog post and just couldn't find an end?  You know, some of those where you bang out a neat thought and by the time you get to the end, it seems totally lame?  That's the way it's been this week.  I started three different themes this week and all three are still on the drawing board waiting for my muse to show up.  The week has been busy (again).  We just finished up our financial year at the office and you'd think things would slow down at the start of the new year, but you'd be wrong.  I've been deluged with a pile of reports, meetings, reviews, end-of-year analyses, audit reports, etc.  It's that time of year when we do annual reviews and I am in the middle of writing assessment for all my people (one of my 1/2 baked themes).  


I took off Friday to take care of some odd jobs.  Wanted to burn a day of vacation, had to take Grayson into the shop, was cleaning up the garage, intended to do some yard work, and had hoped to take my bride out for our anniversary dinner.  Yep.  It's that time again.  Time to renew the old contract, sign up for another year, slap on another coat of paint, dust off the dancing shoes and celebrate that momentous occasion from thirty two years ago.  32.  Wow.  Just writing that make me feel old.  There are countries that haven't been around that long.  When my bride and I said "I do", Carter was still in office, the Berlin Wall still stood, the US Hockey team defeated the Russians in the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid (Miracle on Ice), and gas was $1.25.  My how things have changed.  


As I inferred, I had hoped to take my bride out for dinner, but, after 32 years, you learn that life has plans and things change and you learn to roll with the punches.  My wife is taking care of her parents and had to work late last night which left us a narrow window for a late lunch/early dinner.  Instead of cramming in a "quickie", we chose option 3 to celebrate Sunday evening for a more relaxed gig.  Gives me a chance to go out for more flowers and chocolate.  


In the meantime, I know that each anniversary has certain traditional gifts (25 - Silver, 30 - Pearl).  So what do you get for your 32nd?  


How about.........Mulch?  

Ever few years, I rebuild our beds and replant bushes/flowers that got taken out by last year's drought.  Instead of hauling in 20-30 bags of mulch from Home Depot, it is cheaper to have a truck bring in a pile and I try to kill myself spreading the dirt.  I must be getting old, a few years ago, I could have knocked out this pile in half a day.  As it was, I did about 1/2 yesterday before I packed it in.  Plan to finish up this morning while it's cooler and go get some new plants/flowers.  

Playing in the dirt

One bed down

Of course, while waiting for the driver to find my house (got lost for 2 hours), I had to find something constructive to do to occupy my time...

St Arnold wind chime 

Beer music