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Moving sucks!

I found out last night that I might be moving soon. It's not of my own choosing, the gas well across the way at UTA has decided that they would like to put in a "compressor station" and my house is in the way. Until they prove otherwise, I am going to assume that the company will treat us right and compensate us fairly. I have a feeling I won't be assuming that for long! haha.

Talking to Ben about it today, he reminded me of my favorite moving story. I had screwed up ROYALLY and had to move out of an apartment before the next one was ready. I had put the date on the paperwork saying "I'll be out by X" when I really meant "I'll be out by Y" which was X + about 5 days. CP dumb sometimes...

So I found out with one day's notice that I needed to be out, and they had someone else coming in. So I had only packed about 1/3 of my stuff! I borrowed a van from work and my friend Kevin said he'd help me. We worked like dogs, loading van after van. Because my new apartment wasn't ready, I had to put everything into one of the warehouses at work. Everything I owned was there, bed, dressers, furniture, etc. and I could have lived there if there was a shower.

Unfortunately, Kevin was the least reliable of my friends. About 2/3 of the way through, we have the van loaded and he tells me "I gotta go, dude, sorry." and deserts me. So I'm standing there alone, with a van full of my stuff to unload by myself. I had to do another load or two by myself, and was miserable by the time it was through. I got it done, though!

That ended up being a great metaphor for my relationship with Kevin, always leaving right when you needed him most, so it's how I'll always remember him. "I gotta go, dude, sorry."

Five Years

Halloween 2001 - BT, Brad, and me.

5 years ago today, we lost Brad. It's amazing to me that it's already been 5 years, as it sometimes seems like a blink of the eye. Oddly, though, days that you'll swear have flown by later on seem to drag forever when you're in the middle of them.

I have spent a lot of time being sad about Brad's sickness, but we had SO many more good times than bad. He would much rather we dwell on good things, and today I was thinking about all the things Brad did for me. I know that everyone who knew him can make a list longer than I'd ever type here, that's the kind of guy he was.

Let's see, then. He:

• Taught me that a road trip with friends gives you a lifetime of great memories.
• Was always willing to board the Jack 'n Coke Express when I needed someone to cut loose with.
• Was always there for others, no matter what.
• Showed me that the nastiest argument could be resolved with 2 words and a hug if the people really cared about each other.
• Never made me feel bad about decisions I've made, then regretted later.
• Was the first person I have ever trusted completely. If he said he'd do something, he did it. If I confided in him, he never broke that trust. It left me vulnerable, and he never took advantage.
  
• Taught me what strength in the face of adversity really means. The great thing about that is that I could see that he learned it from his dad, another great guy and dear friend of mine.
• Left a hole in my life that will never be filled. He'll always be my best friend, and my life will always be missing that "one thing" that would make it complete.
  

That last one may not sound like a good thing, but it's a testament to what an amazing person he was. That emptiness has (I hope) made me a better friend, and has definitely made me appreciate my friends and family that much more. Of all the things he ever did for me or gave to me, that may be the greatest.

Love you all!
-CP

Art Collection

I'm trying to photograph my art collection a little bit at a time. I don't know if it's REALLY a collection, but it's stuff I like and that's what counts!

Check it out:
http://gallery.me.com/genmgr/100346

More as I get time to take more photos...

The Amazing Race

I was reading an article about all the contestants on the next episode today, it's right here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26287750/

Pretty funny stuff, especially this:

"Another team competing is geeky best friends Mark Yturralde, 41, and Bill Hahler, 42. The Comic-Con treasurer and student aid administrator from San Diego have been pals for more than 20 years and have auditioned for "The Amazing Race" since the long-running reality series' third season. The superhero and gaming aficionados said they left their toys at home during the race.

"We've got really teeny backpacks," said Hahler. "They are small. We wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything to prevent us from putting that pack underneath the seat in front of us when we got on a plane. We didn't want something to happen where we got delayed because of our luggage. We thought that would help us go faster.""

'Bay-jing’ or 'Bay-zhing’? Which is right? | Entertainment | Star-Telegram.com

'Bay-jing’ or 'Bay-zhing’? Which is right? | Entertainment | Star-Telegram.com: "In the shadow of Olympic venues, Brian Williams has anchored NBC’s Nightly News in a city he calls Bay-jing. Yet Bob Costas and many of NBC’s sports announcers seem to be in Bay-zhing.

So which is it? Williams is right, if you talk to experts in the Chinese language. He’s even recorded something about the pronunciation puzzle for NBC’s Web site, although it doesn’t seem to be required viewing for everyone at the network.

'It’s been annoying me for quite awhile, honestly,' said S. Robert Ramsey, a college professor and author of The Language of China.

Does it really matter? Think how Tony Soprano would feel if you said he lived in New Zhersey. You’d get strange looks if you order zha-va at your local coffee shop.

Beijing used to be known as Peking to English speakers. It officially changed in 1949, when the new Communist government adopted the pinyin transliteration method for proper names, according to Logoi.com.

Williams said he asked around when he got to China. Everyone he spoke to used 'jing.' He said he’s tried to honor that, while admitting to a few slips.

'It’s all about being a good guest,' he said."

The LEGOlympics are awesome!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1046255/On-marks-set-Lego-Welcome-Olympics-everyones-quick-blocks.html

I'm A-Scared...

There's no WAY I'd try to challenge New Zealand footballers after a display like this:



Although they did get a good match-up from the Tongans:



I find the Maori "Haka" an interesting ritual, regardless:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka_Mate

Interesting stuff

I took a Psych class at UTA that touched on some of this, I've always found it very interesting.

Early research:


Same Doctor much later:

The good ol' days...

Fun!

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/08/08/101-classic-computer.html#more

OK, maybe she's not all bad...

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

It's a Trap!

The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?

Nice Hat!

Grandma tried on my hat today. We had a few rough weeks there, but I think she's settling in. She's been in a good mood for the last 10 days or so with no major setbacks! Today, she walked all the way from her room to the living room, and did it really quickly. 2 weeks ago, she couldn't make it at all...

She's a looker!

Randy's Top Ten Lone Star Memories

Inspired by Chris I have my own top ten list of memories. Typed some time ago off screen I'm now transcribing to Chris' blog to be forever recorded until they turn off the interweb.

Unlike David Letterman I'll start with the top memory and count back...well actually I'll start with number 2 so that there is a little anticipation.

2. Nerd heaven. I had virtually given up collecting comics during high school and my first year of college, but then the family moved back to Texas and I didn't know anyone plus it was summer so no social outlet through college. I whip out the phone book looking for a comic book store. Lonestar on Abrams street. I check it out. Now this was back in its old tiny spot across the street. The place was amazing not only comics, but sci-fi and fantasy books plus gaming!!! ay caramba I was in heaven all my geeky fanboy needs met in one spot. This has continued from that day in June 1980 to the present.

Hey Chris I just realized that in 2 years it will be 30 years I've been going to Lone Star... how about getting Buddy to spring for some 20, 25, 30 etc. pins to award to customers that have been coming that long.

Now this is really my only pre the big store we all know and loved.

1. "organically grown". Chris is my number one memory from Lone Star. Most of my friends I made through being in the same group such as school, work, clubs, etc. you get to know someone, they introduce you to others blah blah blah your circle of friends widens.
Lots of places someone can be a regular and be on a "hello and chit chat plus" relationship with the staff, but I've never become true friends with anyone this way.

Except for Chris. Our relationship just organically grew through talking at Lone Star until we crossed the Chris-Randy friendship qualifier....that being you aren't really really true friends with someone until you've eaten a meal together with just the two of you.

Now you can be true friends before this point as long as the potential exists, but you must at some point cross the threshold. Now I wish I could tell you where Chris and I first ate together alone..probably J. Gilligans :)

He is one of my truest friends in all the world. I always enjoy his company and the chemistry between us. I'm truly blessed and not going to say more or I'll just get emotional and not finish typing the rest of the top ten.

I love you amigo.

The rest of these are in no particular order

3. The Victory Lap. Lone Star put your name in the hat for a drawing for store credit for comics etc. You got in the draw by spending a certain amount each week...though I know for regulars a blind eye was often turned if you were just below the threshold (hmm.. i think that is the second time I've used that word in this list)

When you came in on new comics night the name of the winner from last week's draw was up... well one week I win! so I take off on a "victory lap" all the way around the interior of the store, arms raised in triumph whooping with joy. Well this went over as a big hit... I was to win the draw many times afterwards. I think mostly to see me run the lap of victory which brings me to my next memory.

4. Sam Jackson. Great guy and someone I got to know through Lone Star and the comics night dinners. Sam is a funny guy who will crack jokes, play a prank etc., but you just didn't see Sam doing something goofy like running a victory lap....well Sam finally wins the draw and we get him to run the lap... not with the same enthusiasm that I displayed, but he does the whole lap. I'll always remember the grin on his face... I'm sure he felt a bit silly because as I didn't say above the lap was done while the store was open with other customers there, but I know he had fun too.

5. Never dress up as a hot dog and stand near a street. Kevin Donnini a character that Chris mentions in his own memories. Kevin telling the story in his getting higher pitched as the tale goes along voice. Kevin was working for sonic? and had to dress up in a foot long hotdog costume and stand out by the street to promote a sale. Well some little kids came up and pushed him into the street and given the rigid nature of the outfit he couldn't get up and had to roll out of the street to avoid traffic. Just remembering it makes me LOL. When he told it he never seemed to understand how others could find this to be so funny. If you ever run into Kevin get him to tell the tale.

6. Pat Bussey. Pat is another friend I made through Lone Star and Chris, but he gets a special mention for... well for being Pat. Pat looked like one of the biggest skate punks around totally counterculture even had a girlfriend named peanut? [CP says "Turtle! Haha."] Well don't judge this book on its cover Pat is a conservative christian. I love Pat for being the living dichotomy. I also find joy in his ever youthful enthusiasm for all his hobbies (most which overlap mine) I once was tagged as being a giant 13 year old...if so Pat is a not quite so giant 10 year old. Keep the faith Patrick Bussey!

7. ...and all the rest. I'm sure I'll leave someone out but I've met a lot of other great people through Chris and Lone Star. Chrissy, Ben, Marlena, Maria, and Lori. stand out. I also indirectly met Mr. Baxter through Lone Star. We were short a few players in our gaming group so JP and I put up an ad at LoneStar to which Mr. Baxter and some dork responded to...well a 50% hit rate was pretty good as Mr. B has been a good friend and opened up a whole new branch of the friends tree once he revealed his new secret gaming group to his other friends :)

8. King of the cutting sarcastic remark. In high school this was me... I'm sure most of you will find this hard to believe ?? Well there was this guy about whom I'm sure we could make many list called John Scarpellini. his girlfriend was the store manager for a couple of months. I can't remember her name [CP says "Later on, it was Lily. It started out Brandy"], but was a real ice queen bitch who was mean to fellow employees and regulars alike. I had great fun going back to high school for a few minutes by verbal tagging her whenever she was mean to someone else. I'm not sure a great memory, but certainly memorable.

9. "you're fired" and osmosis. Chris in a WWII movie would've been that guy who could trade a few bottles of wine and get you a battleship. He has the most amazing ability to locate resources. One of his finds was a shoe company that did custom sneakers, etc. You picked colors, etc. He ordered a pair of yellow shoes with a word tag on each shoe. One said "you're" and the other said "fired"...they were the shoes he wore to fire people.

Through osmosis I've picked up a little bit about retail management. To paraphrase a line from an X-files episode "I didn't spend all those years in a store with Chris without learning something about bossing people around. I liked to tell employees that Chris was coming over soon and they wanted to dust that shelf or change those light bulbs over the comics rack etc.

This reminds me of a bonus memory of the look on new employees faces when they realized you were a good friend of Chris. you could see the wheels turning as they wondered did they treat you nicely and sell like they were supposed to when they saw me leaving the store with him

Last of the top ten and after Chris at number 1....my other fave thing. I loved Saturdays and Lone Star was at the heart of it. I got to sleep in late watch a Batman cartoon and then head to "The Lunch" at J. Gilligans. This was followed by a long session at LoneStar shopping. Then home to enjoy new purchases while sports or a re-run sci-fi show ran in the background. This many Saturdays led up to dinner with Chris and others and frequently a movie or late night bookstore run... ah how I miss Saturdays.

I can't wait to visit the new Lone Star and start new memories. I've been trying some future viewing exercises to come up with my top ten future memories of LoneStar, but I'll wait until I've been in the new store before posting that.

Adios,
Randy

Luvs him...

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