Yes, I won season tickets to the Texas Rangers. I won them through a radio contest where you call in once every hour and offer something to trade for the tickets. At the end of the day the radio guys decide who had the best stuff to trade for. Well they picked me. So I won two season tickets for the Rangers' '08 season and a parking pass for all 81 home games. Sounds great doesn't it?
Well what I offered to trade was the catch. I offered Alexis' car. I wasn't sure on the value of the car so I thought it might be a good trade plus we are thinking about buying Alexis a new one. But I did not run this by her before I offered it up. When she got home I told her was was going on and she kind of laughed, but after a little convincing she was behind the whole thing. A little nervous, but behind it. We found out at 5:30 that I had won, and the tickets were ours. That night we went car shopping because we had to give them the car by the 9th of this month. Everything seemed to be in order.
Then we were able to sleep on it. And isn't it funny how choices that seem good at first only need a few hours of sleep to not be nearly as good. When I got to work the next morning, I looked to see where the seats were, they weren't great. I knew how much the value of the tickets was so I looked up the value of her car to compare. I thought her car would be worth more, but not much more. As it turns out her car was worth 2 or 3 times more than the tickets. Good thing I checked. I called Alexis at school and told her that we weren't going to keep the tickets, I got no complaints from her.
Anyway I called the station and I am no longer a Rangers season ticket holder. So close, but no. Weird story, huh?
One last thing. We will put up our Halloween pictures sometime this weekend, and some pictures of what Ace does when we aren't home.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Back to the LBK
This past weekend was the first time that I have been back to Texas Tech since I graduated. I went back for the annual beat down of Daryl's Texas A&M Aggies. I will get to the game and all of the festivities later, but first Lubbock.
Things have changed!! Across the street from the university used to be old and run down. It didn't really look great and most of the buildings were vacant. But now, the buildings are new, the businesses will actually make it, and the architecture of the buildings matches that of the university. It's really amazing how much nicer and friendlier it makes the area look. That's not the only new things going on in Lubbock. The city is adding a new highway in and around town, so far there is just construction, but you can see the plans starting to take shape.
As for the university, they are planning on adding onto the football stadium, and they are currently working on a water park that will be near the rec center that includes a lazy river around the intramural fields. That will be really cool.
There are lots of projects going on and the area around the university finally looks nice.
Now for the game. We arrived at the tail-gate around 11 a.m. We were greeted with jalapeno poppers, hot dogs, brats, burgers, and of course the official beverage of Texas Tech, cold beer. The tailgate was great, hundreds of trucks, RVs and grills. Tents were set up with couches and TVs playing various football games going on across the country and dozens of Texas flags, Tech flags and pirate flags. A great atmosphere. People everywhere. One thing I noticed, the student body seems to stay the same age even as I grow older, I may appreciate that more as I get older.
Earlier in the week a frat guy came up with the idea for a t-shirt just for the game against the Aggies. The shirt said Vick'em of the front and had a football player wearing the number 7 hanging Reveille, the Aggies dog mascot. The shirt was discontinued and Tech officials apologized to the A&M officials for the shirt. I was upset about the shirt and thought it was a bad idea at first, but after seeing them, I thought there were hilarious. I only saw a few, and they weren't nearly as bad as the shirt I saw that said "OJ'em" on the front, and had a picture of OJ stabbing the Aggie dog mascot. For the most part the fans were great and the rivalry was great.
I had forgotten how electric the atmosphere is for a Red Raider home game. I guess it was one of the things that I took for granted while I was there. Once I was in the stadium I was taken back to the first time I entered the stadium and how it made me feel. I was in awe. I remembered all the great games, catches, and hits I had seen there. It was great.
We found our seats which were in the shade. There was about a 20 mph wind blowing through the stadium, typical Lubbock. We got the ball to start the game, and we went three and out. Then the Aggies got the ball. They rumbled down the field and scored easily, it looked like it was going to be a long day for us, and it also looked like the Aggie running back who guaranteed a victory for them was going to make good on his promise. However, it was not to be for the Aggies. That was the only time they would score. We dominated the rest of the game. We scored 21 points in the second quarter to go up 21-7 at the half. The Aggies did not even get to our half of the field in the third quarter. They did not even score in the 4th when we had our mop-up defense on the field. We took it to 'em for the final three quarters and left no doubt who was the better team. Not a bad first game back for me to go to at all. The final score was 35-7. After the game we headed back to the tailgate spot for Victory Beers. It was a great win, and a great day. And it will be a great year as I have locked up bragging rights over Daryl...again.
Things have changed!! Across the street from the university used to be old and run down. It didn't really look great and most of the buildings were vacant. But now, the buildings are new, the businesses will actually make it, and the architecture of the buildings matches that of the university. It's really amazing how much nicer and friendlier it makes the area look. That's not the only new things going on in Lubbock. The city is adding a new highway in and around town, so far there is just construction, but you can see the plans starting to take shape.
As for the university, they are planning on adding onto the football stadium, and they are currently working on a water park that will be near the rec center that includes a lazy river around the intramural fields. That will be really cool.
There are lots of projects going on and the area around the university finally looks nice.
Now for the game. We arrived at the tail-gate around 11 a.m. We were greeted with jalapeno poppers, hot dogs, brats, burgers, and of course the official beverage of Texas Tech, cold beer. The tailgate was great, hundreds of trucks, RVs and grills. Tents were set up with couches and TVs playing various football games going on across the country and dozens of Texas flags, Tech flags and pirate flags. A great atmosphere. People everywhere. One thing I noticed, the student body seems to stay the same age even as I grow older, I may appreciate that more as I get older.
Earlier in the week a frat guy came up with the idea for a t-shirt just for the game against the Aggies. The shirt said Vick'em of the front and had a football player wearing the number 7 hanging Reveille, the Aggies dog mascot. The shirt was discontinued and Tech officials apologized to the A&M officials for the shirt. I was upset about the shirt and thought it was a bad idea at first, but after seeing them, I thought there were hilarious. I only saw a few, and they weren't nearly as bad as the shirt I saw that said "OJ'em" on the front, and had a picture of OJ stabbing the Aggie dog mascot. For the most part the fans were great and the rivalry was great.
I had forgotten how electric the atmosphere is for a Red Raider home game. I guess it was one of the things that I took for granted while I was there. Once I was in the stadium I was taken back to the first time I entered the stadium and how it made me feel. I was in awe. I remembered all the great games, catches, and hits I had seen there. It was great.
We found our seats which were in the shade. There was about a 20 mph wind blowing through the stadium, typical Lubbock. We got the ball to start the game, and we went three and out. Then the Aggies got the ball. They rumbled down the field and scored easily, it looked like it was going to be a long day for us, and it also looked like the Aggie running back who guaranteed a victory for them was going to make good on his promise. However, it was not to be for the Aggies. That was the only time they would score. We dominated the rest of the game. We scored 21 points in the second quarter to go up 21-7 at the half. The Aggies did not even get to our half of the field in the third quarter. They did not even score in the 4th when we had our mop-up defense on the field. We took it to 'em for the final three quarters and left no doubt who was the better team. Not a bad first game back for me to go to at all. The final score was 35-7. After the game we headed back to the tailgate spot for Victory Beers. It was a great win, and a great day. And it will be a great year as I have locked up bragging rights over Daryl...again.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The State Fair of Texas
It is that time of year. The weather starts to cool down to 95, and football season is in full swing. Yes it is that time of year. Time for the State Fair of Texas. Alexis and I took our annual trip to the fair last night. Now, I don't know who, if anyone reads my little rants, but this is for those of you who have not had the honor of experiencing the State Fair.
The fair takes place annually at the appropriately named Fair Park. This is the home of the Cotton Bowl and the giant Texas Star Farris wheel (which I won't ride). The "hood" surrounding the fairgrounds could rival any inner-city, poverty stricken, gang infested, graffiti covered ghetto in the country. It seems pretty rough and there is nothing nice around the fairgrounds. It is the type of area that could have really benefited from the economic stimulation brought on by building the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in the area, but Dallas' not-so-much-of-a-thinker mayor decided the new stadium would be a better fit in Arlington, leaving no economic benefit to the city that is associated with America's Team. Anyway, the area around the fair is ghetto.
But once inside the nurturing biosphere of the State Fair, you quickly forget what waits for you as you return to your car at the end of your fair experience (if your car has not been stolen). The State Fair of Texas is a treat for all of the senses. The people, while not purposely dressed as clowns or other comical characters, often look ridiculous. Jorts (jean shorts for guys) to one's ankles, big baggy shirts that could double as a dress, dirty clothes, clothes that are way too tight, sideways hats, gold teeth, and the nappy, ungroomed goatees. It truly is a meeting ground of the substandard people of the Texan society. The pathways through the fair are littered with flashing lights, dirty carnys, police and rides that look as entertaining as they do unsafe. In fact we saw a carny (a worker at the fair, usually white trash) being escorted out of the park by four police, he was probably drunk or high.
While walking through the fair one can't help but notice the gourmet items those crazy carnys have cookin'. Things like alligator sausage, fried coke, fried cookie dough, fried latte, fried guacamole, fried fries, fried cosmopolitans, fried queso, (are you noticing a trend?), fried peanut butter jelly and banana sandwiches, and of course the corny dogs. As bad as most of that sounds, there are a few items that are eatable, but of course will require a trip to the fair's angioplasty booth. Alexis and I love the corny dogs (a true fair staple), funnel cakes, and the fried macaroni and cheese. None of which can be found at a salad bar. After our dinner, we felt like he had gained about four pounds and we could feel the grease swishing around in our belly.
We did see some good things at the fair. We checked out the animal exhibits including the grand champion steer. Which was sold for $94,000, you will be able to see him soon in your grocers meat department. We went through the petting zoo, which now that I look back on that, may have been the grossest thing I have ever done. First of all, they are petting zoo animals, they don't exactly live in the cleanest conditions, unless you consider saw dust, hay and poo clean. Then throw in the nasty people mentioned earlier touching the gross animals...you got yourself a petting zoo!!
Our evening wrapped up with a pig race, but most of the people in the stands could have used the exercise more than the pigs as they watched the race with a bag of popcorn in one hand and a turkey leg in the other. We also toured the car show, which I can't twist that and make it sound bad. Unless...you consider that the same people who were at the petting zoo were probably a lot of the same people touching the cars, sitting in them, and imagining themselves behind the wheel of the latest model, just like Alexis and I did. Gross.
The State Fair of Texas is truly a great experience. The art exhibits are nicely put together, the entertainment is top rate (there are concerts almost every night and parades too), and the atmosphere can't be beat.
State Fair of Texas; I will see you next year!
The fair takes place annually at the appropriately named Fair Park. This is the home of the Cotton Bowl and the giant Texas Star Farris wheel (which I won't ride). The "hood" surrounding the fairgrounds could rival any inner-city, poverty stricken, gang infested, graffiti covered ghetto in the country. It seems pretty rough and there is nothing nice around the fairgrounds. It is the type of area that could have really benefited from the economic stimulation brought on by building the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in the area, but Dallas' not-so-much-of-a-thinker mayor decided the new stadium would be a better fit in Arlington, leaving no economic benefit to the city that is associated with America's Team. Anyway, the area around the fair is ghetto.
But once inside the nurturing biosphere of the State Fair, you quickly forget what waits for you as you return to your car at the end of your fair experience (if your car has not been stolen). The State Fair of Texas is a treat for all of the senses. The people, while not purposely dressed as clowns or other comical characters, often look ridiculous. Jorts (jean shorts for guys) to one's ankles, big baggy shirts that could double as a dress, dirty clothes, clothes that are way too tight, sideways hats, gold teeth, and the nappy, ungroomed goatees. It truly is a meeting ground of the substandard people of the Texan society. The pathways through the fair are littered with flashing lights, dirty carnys, police and rides that look as entertaining as they do unsafe. In fact we saw a carny (a worker at the fair, usually white trash) being escorted out of the park by four police, he was probably drunk or high.
While walking through the fair one can't help but notice the gourmet items those crazy carnys have cookin'. Things like alligator sausage, fried coke, fried cookie dough, fried latte, fried guacamole, fried fries, fried cosmopolitans, fried queso, (are you noticing a trend?), fried peanut butter jelly and banana sandwiches, and of course the corny dogs. As bad as most of that sounds, there are a few items that are eatable, but of course will require a trip to the fair's angioplasty booth. Alexis and I love the corny dogs (a true fair staple), funnel cakes, and the fried macaroni and cheese. None of which can be found at a salad bar. After our dinner, we felt like he had gained about four pounds and we could feel the grease swishing around in our belly.
We did see some good things at the fair. We checked out the animal exhibits including the grand champion steer. Which was sold for $94,000, you will be able to see him soon in your grocers meat department. We went through the petting zoo, which now that I look back on that, may have been the grossest thing I have ever done. First of all, they are petting zoo animals, they don't exactly live in the cleanest conditions, unless you consider saw dust, hay and poo clean. Then throw in the nasty people mentioned earlier touching the gross animals...you got yourself a petting zoo!!
Our evening wrapped up with a pig race, but most of the people in the stands could have used the exercise more than the pigs as they watched the race with a bag of popcorn in one hand and a turkey leg in the other. We also toured the car show, which I can't twist that and make it sound bad. Unless...you consider that the same people who were at the petting zoo were probably a lot of the same people touching the cars, sitting in them, and imagining themselves behind the wheel of the latest model, just like Alexis and I did. Gross.
The State Fair of Texas is truly a great experience. The art exhibits are nicely put together, the entertainment is top rate (there are concerts almost every night and parades too), and the atmosphere can't be beat.
State Fair of Texas; I will see you next year!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Happy Birthday to Alexis!
Today is her birthday! Sadly, I am no longer a year older.
We went out for her birthday dinner the other night. We went to a place call Buca di Bepo, it was an Italian place. She really liked it, it was pretty good. Why aren't we going out for her birthday dinner tonight you ask? Well, she wants to stay in and watch the season premiere of Gray's Anatomy. Hey its her birthday, she can do what she wants.
Give her a call and wish her a happy birthday. You won't be the first one to wish her a happy birthday, that was me. She really likes it when people call and burst into the 'Happy Birthday' song.
We went out for her birthday dinner the other night. We went to a place call Buca di Bepo, it was an Italian place. She really liked it, it was pretty good. Why aren't we going out for her birthday dinner tonight you ask? Well, she wants to stay in and watch the season premiere of Gray's Anatomy. Hey its her birthday, she can do what she wants.
Give her a call and wish her a happy birthday. You won't be the first one to wish her a happy birthday, that was me. She really likes it when people call and burst into the 'Happy Birthday' song.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Updates
Before we get to updates, I have some thoughts on this weekend's football game. How does Tech pile up 718 yards on offense and lose? The answer: the defense is so bad the Defensive Coordinator resigns the next day. Bad Bad Bad.
OK, updates. I recently achieved the status of Registered Landman (RL) by the American Association of Petroleum Landmen, (AAPL). This status is achieved by a recommendation by a Certified Professional Landman (a CPL is the industry standard for top landmen, they make more money and have the cool jobs, that is my ultimate goal, but I will not be eligible for that for another 6 years), also I had to pass a test. It's not really a huge deal, its more like a small step toward my goal of becoming a CPL, but I am excited about it and so are my superiors at Devon. For work documents and work e-mails, I have the initials RL after my name. Sort of like a doctor, but not really, I am not qualified to perform surgeries, except for splinter removals and applying ice to swollen body parts.
Alexis continues to brighten the future of America by inspiring and teaching the leaders of tomorrow. Maybe one day she will write something of substance about how she likes her job, instead of my interpretation of what she tells me. She is getting used to her kids and her new schedule. She does have this cool 'Good Morning' song that she plays for the kids every morning. I say it's cool because she taught it to Brynna and sometimes she sings it to me when I am having trouble waking up.
Two For the Grown-Up Table, Please.
This weekend Alexis and I decided that we should decorate our living room. This was long over due since we have lived in our place for about 4 months now. We bought three things for the walls. None of which had anything to do posters, pop-culture or collegiate loyalties. We got a mirror that matches our entertainment cabinet and entry way table, a metal circely, with squares, little candles on it thingy for above the fireplace (I know that description makes no sense, but that's what it is), and some art for above the TV. Let me tell you about this art. The guy at the store said it was a contemporary piece. Alexis and I both fell that we could easily do it our selves. It looks like Alexis recruited her best finger painter from her class and had the kid finger paint and drizzle paint splatters all over some canvas. We both agree that it's awesome though. The house looks more permanent and we felt pretty grown up after we had everything hung, it's pretty cool.
Don't forget, or let me forget, that Alexis' birthday is this Thursday, the 27. She will be 24. She wants a pony, world peace and a Play Station 3.
OK, updates. I recently achieved the status of Registered Landman (RL) by the American Association of Petroleum Landmen, (AAPL). This status is achieved by a recommendation by a Certified Professional Landman (a CPL is the industry standard for top landmen, they make more money and have the cool jobs, that is my ultimate goal, but I will not be eligible for that for another 6 years), also I had to pass a test. It's not really a huge deal, its more like a small step toward my goal of becoming a CPL, but I am excited about it and so are my superiors at Devon. For work documents and work e-mails, I have the initials RL after my name. Sort of like a doctor, but not really, I am not qualified to perform surgeries, except for splinter removals and applying ice to swollen body parts.
Alexis continues to brighten the future of America by inspiring and teaching the leaders of tomorrow. Maybe one day she will write something of substance about how she likes her job, instead of my interpretation of what she tells me. She is getting used to her kids and her new schedule. She does have this cool 'Good Morning' song that she plays for the kids every morning. I say it's cool because she taught it to Brynna and sometimes she sings it to me when I am having trouble waking up.
Two For the Grown-Up Table, Please.
This weekend Alexis and I decided that we should decorate our living room. This was long over due since we have lived in our place for about 4 months now. We bought three things for the walls. None of which had anything to do posters, pop-culture or collegiate loyalties. We got a mirror that matches our entertainment cabinet and entry way table, a metal circely, with squares, little candles on it thingy for above the fireplace (I know that description makes no sense, but that's what it is), and some art for above the TV. Let me tell you about this art. The guy at the store said it was a contemporary piece. Alexis and I both fell that we could easily do it our selves. It looks like Alexis recruited her best finger painter from her class and had the kid finger paint and drizzle paint splatters all over some canvas. We both agree that it's awesome though. The house looks more permanent and we felt pretty grown up after we had everything hung, it's pretty cool.
Don't forget, or let me forget, that Alexis' birthday is this Thursday, the 27. She will be 24. She wants a pony, world peace and a Play Station 3.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Happy Birthday to Me.
Today is just one of the annual events that I have circled on my calendar. I'm now 24, and since Alexis is just 23, that makes me one year older than her...for a week anyway. We don't have anything special tonight. I will just be watching Aggie vs Hurricane and hoping for a miracle win by Hurricane.
Last night Alexis and I celebrated my birthday. We went to a steakhouse called Truluck's. It was awesome. The food was great, the service was great, the bill was tough to swallow. Alexis and I are not getting presents for each other right now since we both bought a couple of big things back in August, but I will be receiving the greatest birthday present ever on Friday...Alexis gets her first real pay check since we have been married!!! I could not be more excited about that.
Football news. This weekend's game features the opening of the Big 12 season for Tech. They will be playing Cowboy from Oklahoma State in Lubbock. It should be a good game, both teams don't play a whole lot of defense.
Check back next week.
Last night Alexis and I celebrated my birthday. We went to a steakhouse called Truluck's. It was awesome. The food was great, the service was great, the bill was tough to swallow. Alexis and I are not getting presents for each other right now since we both bought a couple of big things back in August, but I will be receiving the greatest birthday present ever on Friday...Alexis gets her first real pay check since we have been married!!! I could not be more excited about that.
Football news. This weekend's game features the opening of the Big 12 season for Tech. They will be playing Cowboy from Oklahoma State in Lubbock. It should be a good game, both teams don't play a whole lot of defense.
Check back next week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
