Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Cheers Moment

Ah the beautiful Westin La Cantera resort, my home away from home. Last night I arrived and unpacked my car, loaded up my trinkets, hiked up the hill to the entrance, and bounced in the front door. As I rounded the corner of the forer and before I could approach the front desk, Arturo, the friendly desk manager, says to me "welcome back Mr. Carpenter, how is the project coming along?" I think I may come here a little too often.

My room on the concierge floor was ready for me, complete with raspberry chocolates (my favorite). I unloaded my trinkets, sipped from my always handy bottle of water, and headed back out the door to visit Steinheimer's, the hotel's cantina, for a quick drink while jotting down some blog post ideas. This is always my moment to decompress. I walked through the door and before I could even take a seat, Philip, the bartender says "hey man, welcome back, Coors Light?"

Yes, I am here too often, but as long as I don't become the embodiment of Cliff Clavin, it'll be ok. Besides, sometimes you just wanna go where everybody knows your name.

Genesis of a Pre-Mid-Life Mini Crisis

As a sign of maintaining my dork status and jump starting what will certainly become a righteously funny mid-life scenario, I spent the remainder of my Christmas money (plus slightly more) on a few new toys over the weekend. I finally bought a small 32" flat screen for the upstairs playroom. To go along with it, I decided what the hell, let's add a PlayStation 3...oh yes I did! I then proceeded to spend the entire day rearranging the playroom/family room/office to find the optimal location for each "zone" of use.

It was important to optimize viewing, play area, and office/desk area in a bonus room slightly larger than an over sized bedroom. For hours, and I mean literally hours, I muscled furniture, unpacked and repacked shelves again and again, shuffled toys and chairs, and eventually ended back where I started. Nothing really changed. All my wasted time, which I can never get back, was for nada. The only change was a simple swap of kid toy area and desk area which allowed for the kids a reading nook and play zone. I have no doubt they will contain their toys as per my plan.

The new TV, which I had planned to mount on the wall, still sits atop the old black buffet cabinet where it has since the beginning. I did, however, find a place to stash the PS3...on top of the DVR. Now all I need is a bean bag chair and a mini bar and the transformation will be complete...I told you, dork. Never mind a busy travel schedule compresses my chore schedule into two very short days, this was important! So as predicted, not a single to-do item was crossed off the list this weekend, oh well, another one comes in just 5 long days!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Politics

Yeah I know, it's not exactly apropos to discuss on a non-political blog of random regurgitation. But tonight I watched the democratic debate in Austin. I have been on the fence since the beginning of the political season as to whom I would support (even skipped the Super Tuesday primary in AR). I have finally made my decision and although it pains me because I am forever a Bill Clinton fan, I have to cast my vote for Obama.

I have never seen such a rapid and staunch following of turncoat Republicans in all my days of voting...it is amazing. Last night I was having this conversation with my boss, who just so happens to be a fairly conservative Republican, and was amazed at his comparison between Obama and JFK. What? Did I just hear that correctly? So I did a little research...turns out, he was right on the mark. It's the youthful charisma which continues to sweep the nation, but if you look closely at the platform, there is also substance. It is our generation which will retire in 2035 only to run out of social security in 2041. It is our generation and younger that continue to fight in Iraq for an unspoken cause (oil) under the guise of democracy and freedom. It is time our generation did something about it.

As a voter, I am opposed to pork barrel spending, career politicians who accomplish nothing, special interest groups (I think all lobbyists should be banned from the hill), and Rove-ish political practices for the betterment of wealthy Texans. On the surface, that sounds like McCain. But I am also in favor of some form of universal health care, increased funding for education, equal rights for all, and the distinct separation of church and state. So by nature, I am not permitted to be a Republican, nor would I want to be.

So in closing, I am very glad to see the fanatical right-wing has fallen from the plane and we can finally get down to the real business at hand...fixing issues which affect us all, not just voting for someone because they oppose gay marriage. Why the hell was that ever an issue in politics? Who cares? I want to know why the poverty rate in the US has increased over the past 8 years while the collective wealth has done the same. It is time for change, and frankly, I'm down with the guy who has managed to inspire record numbers of young voters. He may not be perfect. He may not have the experience. But he has the charisma to inspire the people of this country to take back what is rightfully theirs. This is truly a government of the people, by the people, and for the people...all people. Our ancestors, grandparents, parents, and siblings fought hard for us to maintain the right to rule our own land. Lest we never forget it.

Yurt, Funny Name, Serious Hike...

Websters dictionary defines the Yurt as:

-n: a circular domed tent of skins or felt stretched over a collapsible lattice framework and used by pastoral peoples of inner Asia.

Eli's dictionary defines it as:

-n: a round thing in the middle of a pass, up an inclined, long-ass hike in the snow, where dinner and drinks are served with no electricity or running water and one is forced to pee in the duel-loading outhouse whose true aroma is masked by the fragrant wafting of scented candles burning incessantly; n: a cool place to spend the evening, even with a mile-long hike up and back; n: a structure for getting back to one's roots, typically not from pastoral Asian decent, but Coloradan rockyish mountainesque; adj: a precise description of one's time hiking up and down the hill to have a candlelit dinner for five (e.g. What a hell of a Yurt-y time we had the other night in the bitter cold. Remember that time we hiked up the hill a mile for a Yurt-y good time with some Yurt-y good food and wine?)

It was an experience, and it was really fun. I am so glad we did it, and even more thankful we didn't have to call the snow mobile to haul Cindy the rest of the way! For more info and pics, check out her blog (http://foursooners.blogspot.com/2008/02/will-walk-for-food.html )...I suck at adding pics to mine...the Yurt-y ending.

Airport Hijinks

A funny thing happened this week during my travels. I arrived at the Tulsa International Airport (of which I am intimately familiar) to find a man sprawled out face down on the sidewalk in front of the door. There were several emergency vehicles and, in no small part because it was the most fascinating event to happen in weeks, the TIA security/police detail. I gawked, of course, as they helped the man sit upright and spoke to him in childish overtones. They were no doubt trying to dissuade a potential lawsuit due to the teeny bit of ice, which crouched in a minute corner, the guy perhaps purposefully stepped on to fall. It got me thinking. If it were truly an accident, I am full of pity and empathy. If not, screw him. It is that type of individual which perpetuates our increasingly litigious society for unfounded gain. The funny thing is, I have seen this type of scenario play out many times while waiting for a flight and rarely do I give it a second thought. Once however, it affected me. Bitter I was.

It was in St. Louis, American Airlines, the flight was slightly delayed (I know, shocker) and the flight attendants were lined up next to the gate agent stand waiting to board. A woman standing in line at the counter, arguing an absurd case for seat changes (on a full flight I might add), stepped back in disgust, turned to return to her seat and tripped on the rubber threshold between terrazzo flooring and carpet. The nearest flight attendant, with baggage in tow, turned and immediately offered apologies for the poor woman’s trip over what he thought was his roll-aboard luggage. I watched the drama unfold. The woman was face down, which I am sure hurt like hell, then her entire family came to the rescue. She was fine, embarrassed I’m sure, but nonetheless unhurt. What happened next really pissed me off. See I was the next name on the upgrade standby list. It was a certainty I would spend my airtime in the bliss of over sized navy blue leather with free cocktail in hand. Such was not to be. Not only did I not receive my upgrade, but the entire family of 4 was upgraded after a spectacular feat of dramatic acting. So, finally aboard, I offered my name and contact info to the poor flight attendant as I told him the REAL story of what happened. It was never his fault; she didn’t trip over his bags. She tripped over a dumb ass piece of rubber on the floor and ruined my last leg home while doing so.

So yesterday, upon my arrival at the airport in San Antonio, I stepped off the escalator to see a woman sprawled out on the floor. She was surrounded by medical technicians and emergency personnel. All I could do was roll my eyes and be thankful I was arriving rather than departing…no chance for her to steal my upgraded seat. At the risk of sounding like a cynical jackass, I did have some pity, for I’m sure it hurt; but I can’t help but wonder if it was really an accident or a flair for the dramatic. Hmm…just like trying to guess the number of licks to the center of a tootsie roll pop, the world may never know. Maybe I am now tainted as a cynic for life…I hope not, but the more I see those acts unfold, the more I shake my head in disgust. Travel safely, and watch your damn step, I'm not losing my seat again for those who feel they are entitled to more than is due!

Friday, February 8, 2008

The Ultimate Dork Reveals Himself

I admit it, I’m a dork. I always have been, always will be. The most mundane geeky ideas are what pique my interest most often: the fish pond design, the idea of garage ceiling storage using a system of cable and pulleys, building a ceiling suspended bridge for the train set around F’s room, a funky canopy design for the back patio, a homemade LED light fixture for the play room, the pending master bath remodel, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, the “Coaster Bus”, and the list goes on. The projects that appear in my head endless times throughout the day could keep me busy until my last breath. Unfortunately, or not, depending on which way you look at it, I forget half of the ideas before attempting to start them. If started, they remain in a state of suspended animation while I bounce to the next with little to no follow through.

So being that I’ve developed a tinkering habit, I started screwing around with my PC. I took apart an old one lying around my office, then took apart my laptop (still have one screw missing) in a search to figure out a way to run Soldier of Fortune 3 from my not-so powerful video driver chip set. You were warned, dork. The irony here is I’ve never been a computer geek and barely know how to navigate windows much less screw with hardware and system settings. I found a way. Message boards are a blessing to the technically challenged. They turn the untalented and mechanically challenged geeks of the world like me into cyber info junkies seeking results. It took me several weeks to figure out how to run the game, which I have never played before, but finally met with success. With all the time spent, I have logged only one solid hour of playtime. The challenge is over, so it’s no longer as fun. If I were earning a paycheck for all these dorky projects, I’d be selling plasma to pay the light bill.

Enter the YotaTech.com forums. If only I had a dollar for every minute wasted clicking aimlessly around the 4runner pages. It did help me replace the brakes DIY style, replace the rear axle seals, pinpoint the problem with my door locks, and even gave me ideas on how to mount my iPod inconspicuously as an auxiliary to the head unit. Irony strikes again. I’ve never worked on a car before. Never changed my own oil or replaced plugs, filters or belts much less brake pads and axle seals.

Tonight I sit wasting time finding templates for constructing a scale model trestle bridge for the aforementioned train set. There are some good ideas out there, but mine must be unique. I’ll be sure to post pics of my endeavors (translation: mistakes and countless prototypes) for your entertainment. Now you know my secret. I am a dork, but proud of it!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Giants Win

I am not a Giants fan. I'm not a Patriots fan. But something about the Super Bowl tonight made me root whole-heartedly for the Giants! Anyone named "Eli" has my vote for a win! Besides, Brady is a punk...who knocks up a supermodel, then breaks up only to date another supermodel?...what a hard life. Hats off to the NY Giants, it was not only a great game for spectators, but a humbling experience for "some", not mentioning names. MEADOWLANDS RULE!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

GF: Reflection of Life Together

Cindy and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. We are opposed to the commercially driven materialism of a holiday which really has no meaning (well she told me she was anyway, whether true or not is debatable!). Nonetheless, I feel compelled to reflect on our life together as a unit. I am lucky to be married to my college-found soul mate. I am lucky she puts up with me and all my man/boy antics, the same stories and jokes, the temper, the chaotic lack of organization, the forgetfulness, the Eli piles.

The first day I met her, there was a spark. Ironically, we lived on the same floor of a 12 story dormitory as freshmen. It wasn’t until the following year, just before winter break, did I meet her officially. She was the best friend of one of my fraternity brothers. I always knew who she was…the shoulder length silky red hair, the bright red lipstick, the denim shirts, the brilliant sparkling blue eyes, and even her trademark lip curl. When I did meet her at an “end of finals week” party, I was smitten. She was perfect: low maintenance, fun, laid back, extremely grounded, focused, and fiercely independent. I even woke up early the next morning to pick her up and drive her to the airport in my old Jeep. I just couldn’t get enough time with her. She was flying home to Denver for the holidays.

A few weeks later, a few friends and I stopped by her house while driving through Denver on our way to Winter Park for a ski trip. She and her sister Amy ended up driving up to ski with us. That was all it took. Cindy and I spent New Year’s Eve talking into the night and I knew that my instincts were spot on. I, of course, babbled on about petty college drama. She listened intently, even repeatedly offered advice. I told my friend Doug on the way home I would marry her someday. For the next few months I pursued, unsuccessfully, our first date. I kept asking, she kept saying no…we were just friends. She finally caved to my persistence and said yes on St. Patrick’s Day 1994, no doubt induced by the green beer we had consumed.

The rest is history. In retaliation, I finally caved to the idea of married life six years after our first real date and chose March 18th in honor of our lucky drunken holiday. Now, fourteen years after that Christmas trip, we are a family. We managed to create two little clones…our legacies.
It has been a typical couple’s journey full of good times, good trips, bad times, worse times, hectic and stressful times, child birth, ups and downs, sleepless nights, screaming matches, sacrifice, silent treatments, laughter, and rekindling. I once heard that marriage is defined by the stuff which happens between the joyous photos of an album. I’ve learned one important lesson so far along the way. It’s ok to have bad times, it’s probably even healthy. Growing apart is natural and you can’t stop it; but you can build bridges that connect those gaps. She is my lifelong best friend and we seem to always find a way to mend whatever tear, albeit not always easily. Given all of that, we both knew it wouldn’t be easy but it would be worth it. It is today. It will be tomorrow. I regret not a single second and, if given the opportunity, wouldn’t do it any differently.

Resolutions for the New Year

I hate them. Every year I make them. Every year I break them. Perhaps my resolutions are just too much, too far a stretch to conquer. This year I went the simple route. I made no resolutions. You heard me correctly, my peeps. None. Nada. Zilch. Finally a life of simplicity and order without the stress and anxiety of worthless New Year’s resolutions. I feel empowered and lucky already and to think, I ate not a single black eyed pea. With careful trepidation, I am wading out into the unknown shuffling through the muddy bottom with the anticipation of landing square on a stingray. Such would be my luck. Whatever, this year, I don’t care. The stingray bite will heel, as will I. So I have devised a new plan, a sure bet to success.

The secret lies within the Lenten season. I know, I am the last one who should preach, but if you know me at all, you know I am a very strong willed person. Ok, stubborn ass is the term most often used by my G. Every year, I devote this tiny block of 40 days to my only spiritual action of the entire year (sadly) and look upon this as a serious undertaking. Typically I forego my incessant addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper only to become addicted to Diet Snapple as a substitute. This year I am going for broke. The combination of resolutions and Lenten sacrifice is my ticket. I can’t believe I am actually publishing this idea, for now it shall tie my soul to this endeavor until being released by the jubilation of Easter. Oy Vei. I refuse to spill my guts and tell all. But suffice it to say, it involves three very prominent indulgent behaviors in my life (get your mind out of the gutter). I will let you know the outcome when the time is right. Until then, shalom my good friends…good luck with your resolutions. I have all the faith in the world you will succeed.