From a Q&A in "Texas Monthly" February Edition:
Q: How concerned should I be that the framed diploma on the wall of my vet's office is from a school other than Texas A&M University??
A: It is a fact that Aggies do make fine veterinarians, but there are many other institutions of higher learning known to produce adequate animal doctors. Where you want to exercise caution is when you see a framed certificate of graduation from Texas A&M on the office wall of your therapist, tattooist, accountant, podiatrist, LAWYER, plumber, personal pastry chef, midwife, or Football Coach. These are all cause for grave concern.
End of article.
Those two are particularly funny to me. Good thing it didn't say engineer or we'd all be screwed down here in Texas.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
4th largest city? Really?
I've lived in Houston officially for about two years now. I finished high school in the Houston "area" (there are going to be a lot of things in quotes in this post). Which is really the only reason this "city" is the 4th largest city in the country. The Houston area is huge. It spands over 45 miles from side to side. The great thing about this town is that it offers everything L.A., New York, and Chicago can dish out. Almost, anyway. I've never been to New York and I've never seen the L.A. night life but from what I gather from my brother in L.A. and from my knowledge of Friends, Houston at least holds up for a few hours of fun.
What I really like about this city is that it sleeps. Maybe I'm a little more boring than your average joe but I really like my sleep. We have better weather than at least two of those larger cities. Brag on bro no one can beat L.A. weather except San Diego and we all know that so don't even bother remarking. Once I started biking I realized just how lovely this over expanded city really is. I've been all over parts of this town by a much slower and more fun mode of transportation than the crawl of automobile traffic and you notice a lot more. You meet nice people on the road and the trails. You experience the cool February air and the beautiful Texas sun sets (although that may only be the result of the chemical plants and refineries, but it really does make for a peaceful evening).
Houston is the Suburb haven of America. You can only tell that you aren't in Houston anymore because you start rolling through sleepy neighborhoods and to many Home Depots and Targets. But it really does add to the appeal. Many people would say; "That's nuts, who the hell wants to live in a gorgeous five bedroom house on an acre lot with a pool and a detached three car garage for less than a million dollars?" I live right on the edge of the suburbs and the inner loop where the "city" of Houston really begins. Its only 15 mintues to my nearest get everything you desire and need strip mall, 5 minutes to blocks and blocks of multinational restaurants, and 15 minutes to the opera, symphony, baseball, basketball, or football arena. The "in" crowd scene isn't far down the street and even the bars out in the burbs are starting to pick up. No one likes to drive 30 minutes to have a good time and have to drive home at night. Much easier when it's in your back yard.
So this town isn't like those other megametropollis. It has the millions of people and large expanses but it still feels small enough to enjoy. It doesn't overwhelm the senses and dazzle anyone but it can be just as fun all the same. So to anyone considering a relocation, Houston isn't as bad as I usually make it out to be. Short of Austin I would consider this one of the greatest cities in the country.
What I really like about this city is that it sleeps. Maybe I'm a little more boring than your average joe but I really like my sleep. We have better weather than at least two of those larger cities. Brag on bro no one can beat L.A. weather except San Diego and we all know that so don't even bother remarking. Once I started biking I realized just how lovely this over expanded city really is. I've been all over parts of this town by a much slower and more fun mode of transportation than the crawl of automobile traffic and you notice a lot more. You meet nice people on the road and the trails. You experience the cool February air and the beautiful Texas sun sets (although that may only be the result of the chemical plants and refineries, but it really does make for a peaceful evening).
Houston is the Suburb haven of America. You can only tell that you aren't in Houston anymore because you start rolling through sleepy neighborhoods and to many Home Depots and Targets. But it really does add to the appeal. Many people would say; "That's nuts, who the hell wants to live in a gorgeous five bedroom house on an acre lot with a pool and a detached three car garage for less than a million dollars?" I live right on the edge of the suburbs and the inner loop where the "city" of Houston really begins. Its only 15 mintues to my nearest get everything you desire and need strip mall, 5 minutes to blocks and blocks of multinational restaurants, and 15 minutes to the opera, symphony, baseball, basketball, or football arena. The "in" crowd scene isn't far down the street and even the bars out in the burbs are starting to pick up. No one likes to drive 30 minutes to have a good time and have to drive home at night. Much easier when it's in your back yard.
So this town isn't like those other megametropollis. It has the millions of people and large expanses but it still feels small enough to enjoy. It doesn't overwhelm the senses and dazzle anyone but it can be just as fun all the same. So to anyone considering a relocation, Houston isn't as bad as I usually make it out to be. Short of Austin I would consider this one of the greatest cities in the country.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Officer Longtin
Really can't stand a week that feels like it should be over and its only Wednesday. Who invented Wednesday? Who invented the 7 day week? Exactly how productive is anyone on their so called Friday? Those are all the questions I had to get off of my mind. Now I can enjoy the rest of my post.
I've worked three days as an officer now and let me tell you it's awesome. Heart pounding, slick talking, gun wielding, loads of fun!! There is nothing more exciting than entering a building hunting for suspects in a possible breaking and entering. Nothing is more satisfying than serving a federal warrant with FBI agents on a possible child porn suspect. Don't let anyone tell you different because making your first traffic stop is the most nerve racking thing ever. You pray that while approaching a vehicle the last 8 months of training kick in because you don't feel like you have a freakin clue what the hell your doing. But everything goes smooth, you get back to your car, you calm down, your heart slows and your body loosens, breathing becomes natural again, and you start all over. Policing is unlike any other job on this planet. My service in Iraq is comparable but not exactly the same. It had the same ups and downs physically and emotionally and the same type of excitement but an entirely different attitude. I'm going to enjoy this career a lot. A whole lot!!
Valentines weekend was a lot of fun. If anyone wants to know what their significant other really wants, I figured it out, at least a little this year; its all about effort. I got the usual teddy bear and box of chocolates. My wife loves bears so she really liked that. I added a little fun with a new Wii game. Monkey Ball is one of her favorite games. But what she liked the most was the homemade card. If I was at least a little poetic I would have written something original inside the card but I found one that I really liked and it expressed how I feel about my lovely wife. All that was left to do was add a little personal message and I think I did pretty good.
I've worked three days as an officer now and let me tell you it's awesome. Heart pounding, slick talking, gun wielding, loads of fun!! There is nothing more exciting than entering a building hunting for suspects in a possible breaking and entering. Nothing is more satisfying than serving a federal warrant with FBI agents on a possible child porn suspect. Don't let anyone tell you different because making your first traffic stop is the most nerve racking thing ever. You pray that while approaching a vehicle the last 8 months of training kick in because you don't feel like you have a freakin clue what the hell your doing. But everything goes smooth, you get back to your car, you calm down, your heart slows and your body loosens, breathing becomes natural again, and you start all over. Policing is unlike any other job on this planet. My service in Iraq is comparable but not exactly the same. It had the same ups and downs physically and emotionally and the same type of excitement but an entirely different attitude. I'm going to enjoy this career a lot. A whole lot!!
Valentines weekend was a lot of fun. If anyone wants to know what their significant other really wants, I figured it out, at least a little this year; its all about effort. I got the usual teddy bear and box of chocolates. My wife loves bears so she really liked that. I added a little fun with a new Wii game. Monkey Ball is one of her favorite games. But what she liked the most was the homemade card. If I was at least a little poetic I would have written something original inside the card but I found one that I really liked and it expressed how I feel about my lovely wife. All that was left to do was add a little personal message and I think I did pretty good.
The rest of the weekend was a lot of fun. I think mom and dad had a good time. They may have found out more about my college years than they wanted to know but it was one hell of a dinner. Nothing like being the loudest and most fun table in the restaurant. Especially on Valentines day when everyone else is so dam serious and uptight. Really was a blast.
Friday, February 13, 2009
It's Finally Over!!
The classroom portion of my training is over!! >:) >:) >:) >:) Wahoo!! My badge was pinned on today and I am officially the PO PO. How freakin cool is that. I'm so anxious and excited and nervous as hell but entirely ready to hit the street with my legs running. Hopefully I don't trip after taking my first step. I'm so ready to do this job. I've been working toward this career since I started school in 2002 and its 2009 and I made it into the door. I can breath a little now. Until Monday when I start my evaluations. 22 weeks of on the job training, observation, and demonstration. That's a long time to be scrutinized. Wish me luck with that one. Its going to be so much fun. I'm so happy I've starting my career; in case you couldn't tell by reading this.
Thank you to everyone who came to support me today at my graduation. And thank you to everyone who didn't come who has supported me through my pursuit of this career. I couldn't have done it without you.
Thank you to everyone who came to support me today at my graduation. And thank you to everyone who didn't come who has supported me through my pursuit of this career. I couldn't have done it without you.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Recap
Last week was a good week. Learned a lot about myself; my will to suceed and physical limits. I always enjoy finding out new things about myself. After all, isn't that what life is? Growing into yourself, your identity, your accomplishments and failures. You get to do a lot of that when you start a new career that's unlike any other or push your limits like never before.
I got paid three days last week to learn how to kick some one's ass. How cool is that?! I also received pay to get my ass kicked. That wasn't as cool as beating on someone else but with one comes the other. I definitely learned that I need to keep my distance. I also learned that I can take a shot better than I thought I could. My nose still hurts. I survived the hit though and kept fighting. It feels really good when all the training you've done comes back to you when you need it. I'm way more confident after last weeks training than I was before going into it.
Then Saturday I did something I've never done before. I participated in a sponsored bike riding event/race. Its called Puddle for the Ducks. Its to support wetland conservation. Mainly to keep duck hunting lands available and protected from poaching and things like that. Make hunting fun and safe and lasting. I don't personally hunt ducks but I know a lot of people who do and I know its a large thriving industry here in Texas. Anyway, it was a 45 mile bike ride. I've never done over 40 miles before and the last time I did it was at least two years ago. This event was so much fun. It started around 7:30 in the morning with about 400 riders in the parking lot outside Sun and Ski at Katy Mills mall. Then they just started releasing people in speed groups. The psycho tournament riders first or the Lance Armstrong wannabees as I like to call them. Then the rest of the people essentially; to include me. I realized just how far and how hard I could push myself before my body was actually going to stop working. Apparently somewhere around 30 miles is my limit without a break or some energy replenishing. I could actually feel my stomach beginning to eat itself and my mind started to get a little cloudy. I was almost worried. But I pushed on and a few more miles and there was the third rest stop. They come stocked with fruits, candy, cookies, Gatorade, and lots of water. All the essentials of a cycling fool. I'm glad it came when it did. When I got home and did my work out analysis on my Garmin Forerunner it said that according to my stats (height, weight, age, speed, distance, time) that I burned about 2600 calories for the entire work out. That's my daily caloric intake. I worked off everything I ate Friday in about three hours Saturday morning. That's crazy!! So lesson learned, need to stop a little more often and refuel or eat a much larger breakfast before these workouts. I won't get caught wanting to give up next time.
On a completely different non physical but much needed bragging topic; my wife and I went to see music by John Williams performed by the Houston Symphony Sunday night. Since I'm not cultured at all and don't recognize anything by composer or by name much to my delight it was the guy who wrote the music for all six Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter, Indian Jones, and Superman. The focus of the performance was on Star Wars. The show was fantastic. Made me want to leave the theatre and go watch the movies. How awsome would it be to watch the movies in a movie theatre while a live orchestra was playing the music in the pit. What amazed me more, and only because like I said I'm pretty well the farthest thing from cultured, is that this guy actually wrote the most memorable songs in my lifetime that came from movies. I'm still singing them in my head.
So the weekend was a blast. Lots accomplished and lots learned. I grew in mind, body, and soul all in the course of a week. You have to love life.
I got paid three days last week to learn how to kick some one's ass. How cool is that?! I also received pay to get my ass kicked. That wasn't as cool as beating on someone else but with one comes the other. I definitely learned that I need to keep my distance. I also learned that I can take a shot better than I thought I could. My nose still hurts. I survived the hit though and kept fighting. It feels really good when all the training you've done comes back to you when you need it. I'm way more confident after last weeks training than I was before going into it.
Then Saturday I did something I've never done before. I participated in a sponsored bike riding event/race. Its called Puddle for the Ducks. Its to support wetland conservation. Mainly to keep duck hunting lands available and protected from poaching and things like that. Make hunting fun and safe and lasting. I don't personally hunt ducks but I know a lot of people who do and I know its a large thriving industry here in Texas. Anyway, it was a 45 mile bike ride. I've never done over 40 miles before and the last time I did it was at least two years ago. This event was so much fun. It started around 7:30 in the morning with about 400 riders in the parking lot outside Sun and Ski at Katy Mills mall. Then they just started releasing people in speed groups. The psycho tournament riders first or the Lance Armstrong wannabees as I like to call them. Then the rest of the people essentially; to include me. I realized just how far and how hard I could push myself before my body was actually going to stop working. Apparently somewhere around 30 miles is my limit without a break or some energy replenishing. I could actually feel my stomach beginning to eat itself and my mind started to get a little cloudy. I was almost worried. But I pushed on and a few more miles and there was the third rest stop. They come stocked with fruits, candy, cookies, Gatorade, and lots of water. All the essentials of a cycling fool. I'm glad it came when it did. When I got home and did my work out analysis on my Garmin Forerunner it said that according to my stats (height, weight, age, speed, distance, time) that I burned about 2600 calories for the entire work out. That's my daily caloric intake. I worked off everything I ate Friday in about three hours Saturday morning. That's crazy!! So lesson learned, need to stop a little more often and refuel or eat a much larger breakfast before these workouts. I won't get caught wanting to give up next time.
On a completely different non physical but much needed bragging topic; my wife and I went to see music by John Williams performed by the Houston Symphony Sunday night. Since I'm not cultured at all and don't recognize anything by composer or by name much to my delight it was the guy who wrote the music for all six Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter, Indian Jones, and Superman. The focus of the performance was on Star Wars. The show was fantastic. Made me want to leave the theatre and go watch the movies. How awsome would it be to watch the movies in a movie theatre while a live orchestra was playing the music in the pit. What amazed me more, and only because like I said I'm pretty well the farthest thing from cultured, is that this guy actually wrote the most memorable songs in my lifetime that came from movies. I'm still singing them in my head.
So the weekend was a blast. Lots accomplished and lots learned. I grew in mind, body, and soul all in the course of a week. You have to love life.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Fantastic Month of February
Lots of great things in February. Especially this February. My Birthday at the end of the month, Valentines Day a few weeks before that, and next week I graduate from my final stretch of Academy classes and start my new career as a cop. Freakin awesome right!?! My wife and I bought a rather expensive Christmas gift for ourselves and got a new Sony HD TV so all the holidays and birthdays and anniversaries for the 2009 were so suppose to be taken care of. Spend that kind of dough and get something we've wanted for years what else could we possibly need?
Well my wife loves me so much and knows me so well that she couldn't pass up a perfect gift opportunity. She found a deal on a recliner that couldn't be passed up and she jumped on it and surprised me today when I got home with an awesome new chair. I've wanted a recliner since I moved out of my parents house and no longer had the opportunity to sit in one. Recliners are by far the most comfortable piece of furniture ever made. Whats better than kicking your feet up, leaning back, and watching TV or just relaxing? Absolutely nothing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So with all the fun going on this month I'll always remember my Happy month of February gift as I conk out every night, and the occasional afternoon.
Well my wife loves me so much and knows me so well that she couldn't pass up a perfect gift opportunity. She found a deal on a recliner that couldn't be passed up and she jumped on it and surprised me today when I got home with an awesome new chair. I've wanted a recliner since I moved out of my parents house and no longer had the opportunity to sit in one. Recliners are by far the most comfortable piece of furniture ever made. Whats better than kicking your feet up, leaning back, and watching TV or just relaxing? Absolutely nothing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So with all the fun going on this month I'll always remember my Happy month of February gift as I conk out every night, and the occasional afternoon.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What the hell is a Cephelopod??
My brother always writes posts about going out to trivia at his local bar. About his team winning and keeping up with scores and stuff. It always sounds like so much fun.
Well tonight I found myself enjoying a little trivia at Indigo Joe's. Minus the beers; since 7 AM comes awfully early. My wife wanted to play since we had time to kill waiting for a friend stuck in traffic for an hour. We assisted her in some answers but she got most of them before we could add our input. She ended up in first. Way to go honey bunny!! It was a lot of fun. We could even hear someone on the other side of the bar cheering after their answers. Might have to make it a small habit. There isn't any good TV on Wednesday anyway.
Well tonight I found myself enjoying a little trivia at Indigo Joe's. Minus the beers; since 7 AM comes awfully early. My wife wanted to play since we had time to kill waiting for a friend stuck in traffic for an hour. We assisted her in some answers but she got most of them before we could add our input. She ended up in first. Way to go honey bunny!! It was a lot of fun. We could even hear someone on the other side of the bar cheering after their answers. Might have to make it a small habit. There isn't any good TV on Wednesday anyway.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Texas Legislation
I've added a link to the page that takes you to the Texas Legislature web page. Since their in session right now I would advise anyone who lives in Texas to keep an eye on things your concerned about. Maybe even read over filed bills and votes concerning things you might not even know about. Everyone I know is at the age that politics matter. Democrat or Republican doesn't matter, but the things the legislature votes on do matter. Growing up sucks because things like education reform and tax code and zoning make difference in our everyday lives. We don't all have children yet but some day we might and we want that future to be great. Don't let your representative get away with something you disagree with. At least send them a letter letting them know what you feel. Maybe they'll listen and maybe they won't. Then you can be an informed voter. Something I've taken for granted. I won't let lack of action on my part be the reason Texas goes to sh**.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
One Super Day
Waking up in the morning at 7 AM and starting your day with a 30 mile bike ride is fantastic. Its the only advantage to early rising dogs. I really wanted to go back to sleep this morning but couldn't resist 60 degrees and no wind. Last time I went there were like 15 mph winds with even stronger gusts. Huge disadvantage when your trying to exercise. Sometimes it makes you feel like your not even moving. Have to get prepared for next weeks big ride. I've never taken part in a sponsored road ride. This will be my first 45 mile bike ride. Most I've ever done for liesure was 40 miles; and that was almost two years ago. I'm so excited.
On another note congratulations to the Steelers. I really thought the way Arizona had held them to three and out two drives in a row they could stop them from scoring. Goes to show don't underestimate your opponents. Rothlisberger and Holmes wanted to win and they sure stuck it to them.
Two weeks left of training and I'll finally hit the street. Can't wait for it. I'm going to be so nervous. Police work is going to be so much fun. Wish me luck in my defensive tactics class this week.
On another note congratulations to the Steelers. I really thought the way Arizona had held them to three and out two drives in a row they could stop them from scoring. Goes to show don't underestimate your opponents. Rothlisberger and Holmes wanted to win and they sure stuck it to them.
Two weeks left of training and I'll finally hit the street. Can't wait for it. I'm going to be so nervous. Police work is going to be so much fun. Wish me luck in my defensive tactics class this week.
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