Don’t Mess With Texas

 

Welcome to Texas

Last week, I attended a conference for work that was held in Austin, Texas. This was my first time being in Texas – well, more than the airport, that is, as I’d gone through Texas a few times coming back from Europe. Sadly, I woke up with a sore throat the day we flew out, but I picked up cough drops on the way. 

Once there, my colleague and I caught the shuttle to the hotel, where we took time to clean ourselves up a bit. We decided to take a walk outside the hotel, as it was a lovely 70 degrees Farenheight (21 C). This was a nice change from the 20’s and 30’s F we had been experiencing in Salt Lake City. On our walk, we came across this sign that said “Hike and Bike Trail for Tenant Use Only – All Others Will Be Electrocuted.” Considering this was Texas, we didn’t risk it, but did get a good picture of the sign. 

That night, we had awesome and spicy Mongolian beef at the hotel, which was part of the free buffet. I had one half glass of white wine, Texas style, in a classy plastic cup, to top off an excellent dinner. Later on, we sat outside on the patio, which is something we had not been able to do for several months back home, and enjoyed the evening. I ventured down to the building next to us and got a picture of some interesting abstract art.

 

The next day, Thursday, was the conference. I woke up feeling like hell, but I was there on business and had to drag myself out of bed. For anybody who thinks that going out of town for a work conference is all fun and games – they’ve never been to one! We had to be at the venue at promptly 8 a.m. After asking around, I called and arranged for a taxi to pick us up at 6:45 a.m. CST, which felt beyond early, as I am used to MST, which is one hour behind. We got to the venue thirty minutes early, but I would rather be thirty minutes early than thirty minutes late. 

The conference was more than I expected, and I ended up taking 25 pages of notes, which I am still typing up. Once that is all done, I will present it to my company’s executives. Hopefully, that goes well and I can add some more cool things to my resume.

The conference ended, and then it was off to dinner at Z’Tejas on Austin’s famous 6th Street. The dinner was superb and did not dissapoint! It was my first time trying catfish, and I found I actually enjoyed it. After the appetizers came a real Texas steak. I’m not typically a beef fan, but I made the exception in this case. I highly recommend the strip steak. 

Friday, it was time to head home. By this time, I was having trouble breathing properly and could not wait to get home and see a doctor. We took some pictures of the landscape, checked-out of the hotel and caught the shuttle to the airport. We were quite early, so we took the time to get lunch, which consisted of bbq beef, and do some shopping.
 

The flights went smoothly, and we finally made it home. After some much needed sleep, I saw the doctor. I was a bit worried as I had pneumonia this time last year, but the doctor found nothing. So, the culprit of my ills was a virus and possibly asthma. I have an inhalor, which has helped immensely, and I will be visiting a doctor soon to confirm the asthma problem. 

Would I visit Texas again? Definitely! The people are very hospitable and the place is gorgeous. I just wish I would’ve had more time to enjoy it all.  

We’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave

A tropical heat wave, indeed.

After nearly three weeks of straight snow, and then bitter cold temperatures, we’re back to normal in the 35 to 50 F range (2 to 10 C).  Yes, it feels like a heat wave. A few days ago, while going out to lunch, I didn’t have to wear my big wool coat. But, knowing Utah, I know not to count on the good weather for too long.  Snow is forecast around the end of the month.

So, what brought about this nice weather? Well, after the last snow storm, I went out and bought snow boots as I was sick of having cold feet. And, one night after work, a man got his car stuck on the back road leading out of the office, and I was going to get out to help push. However, I didn’t have boots, so the idea came to mind that perhaps I needed some.

The only pair I liked and that fit right cost $40. So, I got them. And it has not snowed since! $40 to stop the snow? I consider that an investment well made.

During the snow storms, driving to and from work was becoming scary. I slid off the interstate a few times, which nearly gave me a heart attack. Even going slow doesn’t always make it safe when there’s snow on top of icy roads. But, I got new tires on the car last weekend…and…it still hasn’t snowed.

But that is life – if you’re prepared, it doesn’t happen. But if you’re not….you end up on the side of the interstate with frozen toes. 

I fought the ice and the ice won

We’ve all had this experience. It’s winter, there’s snow and ice around, and as such, the danger of slipping on it is ever present. Most people are able to avoid slipping on their ass; I, however, am not. 

Rewind to a few days ago when I was taking out the mountain of trash leftover from Christmas. Now, as a back story, something I detest about winter is that just taking out the trash here becomes an adventure. It nearly requires arctic gear and sled dogs. I hate wearing socks and shoes in any weather, but, in winter it becomes compulsory, especially with a foot of snow on the ground. Then there’s the heavy coat because it’s bitterly cold out. All this just to take out the trash!

So after ridding myself of the trash, I decided to stop by my car before going back inside. We’ve had a string of never ending snow storms here, so I’ve been going through windshield wiper fluid rather quickly. I bought a new bottle not long ago and it was time to put more in. However, it was in the trunk of the car. While I park under covered parking, there’s a nasty side-effect: snow melts, drips off and creates ice sheets right behind the car. While I thought I was being careful, I missed that oasis of dry pavement and when my foot came into contact with the ice…

…..CRASH!!

I didn’t just fall, I went down arms flailing. I managed to catch myself on the ice with my knee. There was a loud CRACK! when my knee came into contact with the ice. I also apparently stopped myself with my arm somehow because when I woke up the next day? I felt like I’d aged 10 years. I have a nice bruise forming on my knee and it is swollen.  Unfortunately, this is the same knee I fell on in Amsterdam, and, ironically, I was wearing the same pair of jeans. 

Of course, yesterday, the ice melted, so I couldn’t go destroy it with salt, but I have a feeling after last night’s snow storm, it will be back. 

And I will be waiting with a bag of salt and an ice pick.

First post of 2009

It does seem slightly insane that we’ve already reached 2009. Hard to believe we’re already nearly a decade into the new century and millenium. 

So, let’s talk about 10 years ago – 1999. 

In 1999, I turned 16 and got my driver’s license as well as my first car. It was a 1994 blue Toyota Tercel, a manual 4 speed and I loved it! I bought it myself and paid the insurance myself. I worked at a retail store while I was in high school so that I could have spending money, pay car insurance and maintenance and when I was 17, pay my mobile phone bill. 

Have times changed? For sure. Now, I’m almost 26 and work as a business systems analyst for an e-commerce company. I live in my own apartment, where I have been for nearly five years now. I have a different car, which I bought at 19, and is paid off.  I still pay car insurance and a mobile bill…but now? I pay a whole other slew of bills too. And it is SO worth it. 

Now, here I am looking out into a new year – 2009 – with a renewed sense of confidence and hope.

Jason Mraz Concert

Back on  October 29 – I know, I know, I’m behind – I went to a private party which featured Jason Mraz. How could I say no to a free party with two drink tickets and a great performer? Sadly, no cameras were allowed, but I did manage to snag a picture on my Blackberry – which sucks for picture taking, by the way. 

The party was held out at Saltair, a popular concert venue here in Salt Lake.  Because it was on a week night, I knew I couldn’t stay out too late and party too hard – not that I am a partier. So, along with my friend Lisa, I headed out to the concert after fighting with traffic to get home and get dolled up. Of course, we hit another traffic jam on the way to the party. You know, if there’s an accident, everybody has to gawk and back up traffic for miles. Because nobody has ever seen an accident before. Ever. 

Once at the party, it was good times. I met up with some coworkers. Then, it was off to the bar. I had to prove my age, which, at this point is something I am used to doing. Once I had that special stamp saying I am legal, I headed up to get my favorite drink; a Long Island Ice Tea.  Since I was driving, I kept myself to one drink and had it immediately when I arrived so that it’d be worn off by the time I went home. 

Can I just say, what a performer! Jason Mraz put on an excellent performance and was really in tune with his band. He really knows how to get the crowd involved and keep them entertained. I would definitely see him again. 

Below is a video of his song “I’m Yours” – ENJOY!

My Christmas Story

Last night, I celebrated Christmas with my family. It is our tradition to celebrate on Christmas Eve, as my two brothers are married and spend Christmas Day with their wives’ families.  As I’ve become older, I’ve found that I am more excited to watch my nieces and nephew open their gifts than I am about anything I get. Nothing can replace their excited giggles and sweet smiles. To the left is a picture of my niece, Brooke, showing off her Dora Fiesta doll. Notice her classic crimped hairstyle? I seem to recall a picture of myself with crimped hair…and that was in the late 80’s.

I live about 65 miles (104 KM) away from my family, so I planned accordingly, as a big snowstorm was moving in. I packed an overnight bag, just in case I ended up staying overnight. So, since I planned, of course, the snowstorm came in later. But that is fine with me – driving 65 miles in the snow is not my idea of fun. 

When I arrived, I began emptying the car of gifts and adding them to the already huge pile under my parents’ tree. One thing about my family is that we are very generous people and know how special we are to one another. 

Earlier this year, I made some changes in my life that enabled to me to be much more happy and to enjoy my life. My happiness was certainly apparent yesterday and I am extremely thankful. I’ve wanted to be more involved in my nieces’ and nephew’s life and I’m able to be now. My twin nieces and I played the tickle game and they were so talkative! With my older niece and my nephew, I listened to stories about school and watched them open their gifts with delight. They let me know they “knew all about the Santa thing” but when it came down to brass tacks, they were the first to drop everything and listen to the Santa tracker on the TV. 

As is tradition in my family, we enjoyed a dinner of ham, potatoes, veggies and a few different desserts. I’m not normally a ham fan, but it was certainly a nice change. After food, and much begging from the kids, we opened gifts. I got some excellent gifts, among them a PS2 console. I know, I know, I am so not with the cool stuff anymore! But I love the PS2 console and the games available, so it works for me. I’m not a hardcore console player, so this will be just fine. Now I can take my frustrations and stress out on GTA: Vice City ,my favorite game, from the comfort of my bed.

Of course, what holiday at my parents’ house would be complete without giving the cat some play time? To the right, you see the cat, Tazz, preparing to attack my brother’s hand. Doesn’t he look fierce? For a cat his size, he shockingly has the ability to be agile. He’s a huge ginger tabby with the meow of a mouse. He only ventured out after the kids left, of course .

Funnily enough, this cat has been busy during the season. The amount of presents that were labeled from him were numerous. He even gave presents to my cat, perhaps to make amends for beating the crap out of her when I took her to my parents’ for a weekend.

Overall, it was a great celebration and today? Today, I will enjoy not going to work and relaxing. I don’t go back to work until Monday, so I’m going to enjoy a little mini-vacation. After a year like this? I could certainly use it.

Dollar Store Junk: Lee Press-On Nails

 I took this picture ages ago, and I’m just finally getting around to posting. As I’ve blogged about before, I’m always snooping around dollar stores looking for weird stuff. Imagine how excited I was when I came across Lee Press-On Nails! 

As a child of the 1980’s, I can remember these things and how popular they were. But, I have to ask: do women still use these? I remember my mother would buy me packs because I wanted nails just like she did. Bu those little glue pads? They don’t work. Maybe my nails are abnormally shaped, but, they were about as effective as gluing a brick to the wall. 

Below, I’ve included a video of a truly 1980’s commerical for these nails. As for them not snapping off her finger? They must’ve surgically attached them to her for the commercial. 

World AIDS Day

As today is World Aids Day, I’d like to write about it.

I have never known a world without HIV and AIDS. I was born in early 1983, shortly after AIDS was given its name. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; an epidemic that baffled the medical community.

As a child of the 1980’s, I was too young to understand what it was, but I remember hearing about it on the TV and in the newspaper. When I became a pre-teen, we learned about it in our health classes, but even back then, so much was still unknown. As a kid, all I can really remember is that it is incurable. That was reiterated over and over to us.

In 1993, a movie came out called “And The Band Played On.” To this day, it remains one of my favorite movies of all time. It was so well done and really gave a human face to an epidemic that has suffered much prejudice. This movie prompted me to do more research into the AIDS epidemic, so I could not only avoid contracting it, but so that I could have a better understanding of the HIV virus itself.

In the early days, it was referred to as the gay cancer, and subsequently, it got little attention when it needed it the most.  It is my personal belief that, had the US government acknowledged that it wasn’t just affecting the gay community, but rather, the population as a whole, perhaps it would not have spread as quickly.

In 1984, it was announced that HIV was the cause of AIDS. I was one year old, sitting in my mother’s lap, when it was announced on the TV. Of course, I don’t remember it, but I’ve been told about it. In 1985, a test was set up to screen blood supplies and in 1987, AZT, the first of what would become many treatment drugs was approved to treat AIDS. By the late 90’s, several combination antiretroviral drugs were available. 

Hopefully, we will continue to learn more about this virus and perhaps one day, there will be a cure. But until then, we should be as understanding as possible. 

Royksopp – Only This Moment

Royksopp, a Norwegian electronica duo, is truly amazing, and this song is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was American Thanksgiving; a holiday that happens on the fourth Thursday in November. This date was made federal law in 1941. 

But, what does it really mean? 

I am an American and Thanksgiving is a very important holiday to me. It represents a time when we sit down and break bread together and put aside our differences. I celebrate by going to my childhood home, where my parents still live, and spending the day with my family. Of course, we have a turkey; Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it. We all bring something to contribute to the meal. This year, we had turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, stuffing, fruit salad and of course, pumpkin pie! We also had our choice of cherry, coconut cream, and peanut butter pie. 

My mother sets the table most elegantly, with matching tablewear and perfectly positioned foods. Even if I can’t stand cooked squash, she still finds a way to make it look appealing. When it is time to eat, we all sit down and a blessing is said, as my family is somewhat religious. And even though I may not be, I still participate in their blessing. Then, we eat!

After the meal, we play card or board games. Also, the Thanksgiving Day newspaper is the largest newspaper of the year, in anticipation for Black Friday. My nieces and nephew, as well as my brothers read through the ads, pointing out their desired Christmas presents. Keep in mind, during all of this, a game of American Football is showing on the TV. 

Regardless of wars and economic woes, this Thanksgiving was the morale boost I needed. It reminded me that, even if things are changing, I’m still an American and I will always have a reason to be thankful.  In 2007, I was in India for Thanksgiving. It didn’t feel quite right, not celebrating with a Turkey. Instead, my Indian coworkers took me to the “Tastes of Asia” meal at The Leela Palace in Bangalore. I was happy to share my holiday with them, as they became my family during my long business trips in India.  I saw some of the most destitute, impoverished people while I was in India, and it really made me thankful I was born in my country to a family that always had enough to eat. 

This year, it didn’t quite seem like Thanksgiving of the past. It has been a tough year for Americans, and, as it appears, for the world. But, even with the financial problems this country is facing and the lack of morale we seem to have due to these problems, we still have Thanksgiving. Independence Day and Thanksgiving are two holidays that unite Americans because they are ours alone. Even when money is tight, we still get together with our families and put on a feast because some things are more important than money.