Going to Texas
I’m going to Texas tomorrow, so I’m dressing the part!
This is what Texans wear, right?
Fix the truck
Maryse and I are leaving for a road trip to the great state of Texas to visit some friends on Monday.
So, before racking up thousands of miles on my truck, I took it into the shop to get it looked at. They ended up rotating/balancing the tires, changed the oil, topping off the fluids, replaced the rear brakes, and flushed the brake fluid. Sounds pretty good. And it cost me about $250.
That’s the part that kills me. You see, I try to do as much maintenance on my truck by myself as I can. This translates to me changing my own oil and other minor repairs. I wish I could do more, but this is all I know how to do. And especially before a long trip I’d rather trust professionals to tell me she’s in working order.
So, here are my questions:
- Did I get taken for the $250?
- What maintenance do you personally do? What do you pay someone else to do?
- Can anyone teach me how to do more on my truck? I’ll buy you a burrito!
I wear t-shirts
I wear t-shirts. Mostly. And I am very specific about the t-shirts I wear.
I have a problematic figure. My torso is elongated to the point where I cannot wear most t-shirts in comfort. If I find a t-shirt that fits my shoulders/chest it normally is way too short and looks like a midriff shirt. Once I find a shirt that is long enough to cover my mutated core it is normally so large in diameter i could fit two of me in it. You can see my problem!
So, I wanted to share the solution. I only wear t-shirts from one maker, Fruit of the Loom. I have 13 shirts at any one time. 5 of which are the Classic Crew white. The other 8 are a mix of Wardrobe Crew grey and black.
I find that these t-shirts are the perfect mix of shoulder/chest fit + length for my lengthy torso. And the bonus is that they are surprisingly affordable. For a grand total of $30 (America currency) I can replace all 13 of my shirts.
I haven’t been able to find these shirts at Target (where I feel cool to shop at) or Kohls (where I shop for jeans), but only at Wal*Mart (where I hate to go).
So take it from me: if you are a mutant with odd shaped torso I’d entreat you to try out FotL t-shirts. They haven’t let me down yet.
Anyone want to give me $30 for new t-shirts?
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
I received this text from my wife during youthgroup last night:
“I’m watching extreme home make over and I’m already tearing up. Why do I do this to myself?”
I had to chuckle to myself because I do the same thing. I watch Ty (darn him and his perfectly sculpted hair) and his crew enter into the lives of people who normally have a seriously difficult life, build them an amazing new home, buy them a ton of stuff, and I can’t help but tear up a little, too.
The only other time when I get teary is when Sarah McLachlan animal cruelty commercials come on the TV. Maybe I have a soft spot for dogs, but I can hardly watch sad puppy faces while listening to the emotional moan/singing of McLachlan.
But here’s what I’m wondering:
Is there some sort of formula to this?
And if there is a formula for tugging on my emotional heartstrings,
Does it actually make any impact on my life?
I mean, after watching these things I don’t immediately want to go out and help a family in need or save an abused puppy. In fact, I normally decide I need a snack, make popcorn, and turn on Dog the Bounty Hunter. What was the point of the intense emotions I just experienced? It is like I was turned into an emotional factory, churned out some tears, and then was turned off (only waiting to start again next Sunday).
What do I do with this?
My blog is ranked
My blog is ranked by technorati.com for the first time ever.
I am #49800
Is this a big deal? No.
Did I get a little excited? Yes.
Am I embarrassed that I got excited? Yes.
What does this even mean? Nothing.
So there you go…
Things I hate
- Prayer voices – I get annoyed when people at church use a different voice to pray. They may be talking totally normal, but when it comes to pray they almost moan or use a type or raspy whisper. Does God hear these prayers better if they come from a strange voice? If I do this unknowingly please punch me in the face.
- That ketchup juice which comes out before the actual condiment – Sometimes I forget to shake the ketchup bottle before I open and squeeze onto my bun. This slight party foul will cause my bun to become soggy and displeasing. Do I get a new bun and feel wasteful? Actually, that’s another annoyance, bun numbers not coinciding with hotdog numbers.
- Papyrus font – If you live in the church world or if you are a designer you have seen this font used way too much. I don’t want to bust any bubbles, BUT: 1) It doesn’t look ancient. 2) It doesn’t look middle eastern. 3) It definitely doesn’t look cool. IT JUST LOOKS LAME!
- Bad communion breath – If you go to church you know what I’m talking about. The recipe is:
Small breakfast + tons of bad church coffee + 1 or more hours of singing + small piece of bread and shot of grape juice
= The worst breath imaginable.
We should hand out mints after service on communion Sunday. - Solicitors who say they aren’t soliciting – I hate it when my doorbell rings, I get up from my comfy couch, only to realize I don’t know the person at my door and he has a clipboard. He says, “He bro, how’s it going?” even though I don’t know him. I say, “Sorry, we don’t accept solicitations.” which is a kind way of saying, please let me get back to my couch. He says, “Oh, I’m net selling anything.” Oh really, and then 5 minutes later he wants me to buy something.
Comment to add to this list
TV shows
One of my favorite things to do after a long day at work is to veg out on the couch with Maryse and just waste time together. We watch a bunch of different shows, and I’d like to give you the list, and ask for any suggestions you may have:
The current shows we follow are:
- American Pickers
- Pawn Stars
- Parenthood
- Lost
- Police Women of Maricopa County
- L.A. Ink
- Fantasy Factory
- Little People, Big World
- Deadliest Catch
- Breaking Bad
The old shows we re-watch are:
- King of the Hill
- Seinfeld
- The Office (Seasons 1-4)
- Friends
- The Simpsons
- Rob & Big
Which shows do you watch?
Suggestions?
Better marriage
I know what I’m getting for my anniversary:
My guitar
I love my guitar. Maybe that didn’t need to be said, but I do. There are some things a person buys but as they get old they become an afterthought. They may get replaced with something newer and shinier. They may collect dust until the next garage sale (or Craig’s List in our time).
My guitar isn’t one of those things. So, I’d like to share some things with you about it.
The hard facts:
- Make: Seagull
- Model: S6 CW Mahogany HG
- Year: 1999
- Electronics: L.R. Baggs Micro EQ pickup system
- Woods: Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, 14-fret mahogany neck, 21-fret rosewood fretboard with offset mini-dot inlays, rosewood bridge
The details:
- I have played thousands upon thousands of songs on my guitar
- I have led worship many hundred times with my guitar
- More than 50 songs have been written with my guitar
- I’ve played my guitar for groups ranging in size from 2-2000
- I’ve busted a TON of strings on my guitar (less recently because I use a softer pick)
- As you can see above, a pick guard would have been nice because I’m eating away at the top
- The black smudge comes from a Feedback Buster I sometimes use in live situations
- I have no idea where all the scrapes and dings come from, but that’s what I get from weekly use out of my guitar for over a decade
I love my guitar. I may buy others, but this one will never leave my possession. It will always be my guitar. As Hank Hill puts it, “I’d sell my wife before I’d sell my guitar.” (Not really, but you get the joke…)
What things do you “love”?
Chipotle étiquette
I’ve posted a few times about Chipotle in the past (Big Chipotle & New Chipotle). But today I want to share my philosophy on Chipotle etiquette. This philosophy has been developed over many years, thousands of trips to numerous different Chipotle stores, and in-depth conversations (especially with my friend Ben).
I’ll cover some Busch league mistakes people make in their Chipotle experience, and my solution to said mistakes:
Busch league mistake #1: Planning what you will have before arrival.
- Solution: I never choose what I want before entering the building. I even try to curb and desire for a specific meat. What if I have my heart set on a Chicken Burrito, but upon arrival I find that the chicken hasn’t been refreshed recently, and it is dry and displeasing? I’ll tell you what happens, a BIG let-down!
Instead, go in with a blank slate and an empty stomach. Survey the meats. Which looks moistest? Which has the best color? Which is the most appetizing? Survey the meats, and them make your educated decision. You now have diminished the chances of a let-down.
Busch league mistake #2: Over stuffing.
- Solution: One can become overwhelmed with the massive selection of rice, beans, meats, salsas, and other various fillings. An beginner mistake is to over stuff your burrito. This can only end in two scenarios (both of which are frightening and can lead to a displeasing burrito experience): 1) The Breach – In the wrapping phase the over-stuffed burrito will breach the hull of the tortilla. 2) The double wrap – The Chipotle employee will request a second tortilla, which destroys the tortilla to content ratio.
Don’t become over zealous. Be careful and don’t over stuff!
Busch league mistake #3: Forsaking the Tobasco sauce.
- Solution: Give these sauces a try. You may not like all, but a Tobasco sauce can enhance the natural flavors of a Chipotle burrito. Chipotle offers 3 different Tobasco sauces: Original Red, Milder Green, and Chipotle. I am a HUGE fan of the green sauce, and find that it makes my Chiptole experience even more spectacular.
Busch league mistake #4: Foil removal.
- Solution: Many newbies make the mistake of removing all of the foil at once, crumpling it up, and tossing it into their red basket. THIS SPELLS DISASTER FOR THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR BURRITO! Please follow the instructions clearly posted on the flip side of your napkin.
Step one: take burrito in hand. Step two: remove part of the foil, enough for a few bites. Step three: bite your burrito. Repeat and enjoy. This strategy will ensure that your burrito will stay together until the last delicious bites.
If you follow these steps of proper Chiptole etiquette it is my experience that your Chipotle burrito can be one of the most pleasing dining choices possible. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Pick up after your dog, please
I woke up this morning, poured myself a cup of coffee, and took my dog, Hank, outside. All of this was completely normal. In fact, I do these things everyday, and probably could do them without opening my eyes (except maybe pouring hot coffee).
But what I saw outside my house was out of the ordinary, and quite displeasing. As I walked out, I saw a dog squatting a few yards away from my front door leaving me a fun surprise. I heard someone whistle from a townhouse behind my house, and the dog proceeded to run back into an open garage which then closed.
My pleasing morning had turned sour. Thoughts and profanities streamed through my mind. How could this person be so thoughtless? Was it really that hard to pick up after an animal? Didn’t your mother teach you to clean up after yourself? It’s not like it was cold out, or rainy, or snowy. It was beautiful. Get off your lazy butt and pick up after your dog, please.
Two things struck me: 1) There are leash laws which were broken. 2) Aren’t there littering laws (which I would guess this could fit into)?
So, I have a few options of what to do, and I need your help:
- Report this person to the HOA
- Knock on the door and tell him off
- Gather the mess and fling it at the closed garage
Any other ideas?
BIG iPhone?
Would you buy this? I WOULD!
The giant iPhone: iPad + Skype + Moshi Moshi 01H handset.
Sweetness!
Credit: likecool.com
Expert or Generalist?
I have noticed that there are two sorts of people. Some people are experts in a couple of things, while others are generalists in many things…and maybe there is a third sort who can’t do anything well…
I’ve been watching a lot of the History Channel’s, Pawn Stars. In the show, people bring stuff into the shop to try to sell. Most of the time the guys at the shop have a basic knowledge of what people have, and can accurately make an offer for a price (these guys are generalists). But sometimes someone will bring in something so strange or rare that the pawn shop guys will need to call in an expert on that item (ex. antique firearms or naval memorabilia).
I think that I am more of a generalist. I know a little bit about a lot of stuff (worship, design, music, ministry, sports, computers, etc.), but I wouldn’t consider myself an “expert” in anything…
What would you say you are:
an expert or a generalist?
Weekend Hobbies
My birthday was this past weekend and I received a set of golf clubs as my major present. I am very excited to get out and use them, but the difficulty that comes with a weekend birthday is the reality of another work week coming right on the heels of celebration. As I sit in my office I am longing to go out into the nice spring weather and enjoy my present. Alas, I will have to wait until the weekend to come.
So, my question is this: What is your favorite weekend activity?
Andy Bernard @ Cornell website
This is real!
Tron Trailer
If this trailer gets you excited you were either raised in the 80s or a total geek.
Visit the official Tron website HERE.
Music from the great Daft Punk.
CREDIT: Pitchfork
Happy Mustache March/Spring Training
What’s better than Mustache March? Mustache March and the start of Spring Training! Here’s to you Goose…
More Mustaches
Jason Gonshor and I with our Mustaches in March!
Mustache March Phase 1
Here’s my first look for Mustache March.
Sonic Commercial
Happy Mustache March!
Hank is 1 year old
Today is Hank’s 1st birthday. Such a big boy!
Big Chipotle
This might be the largest Chipotle burrito I’ve ever had. It dwarfed my wife’s bowl!
