XMAS-06

The site of this year's Bruns Family Xmas celebration, the big suburban home of Debra and Shannon. While the other Houston fools were evacuating from Hurrican Rita, Shannon and Debra understood the logic in it all, and they stayed put.

Gavin was clillin out this year, I got him an 'ugly doll' , I'm hoping I get a report back that he likes it. I think if I was a kid, I'd be all over those things.

Train, this was the first year we did a 'Bruns Train,' my at the helm, being the oldest and wise-ist, and me at the back, pokin' my sis, being the youngest and dumbest. A slew of personalities in that train, I love all these dudes and dudettes.

Shannon, mr suburban eccentric creates a fake tree farm in the front yard. It's bizarre, I love it!

Santa brought everything I wanted this year, mainly just to pass that #^@%!&# test, now, on with life

Click My Heels Get the Devils In Line

On this day, I sneekily hopped into the Prometric Testing Center and passed my PM* Exam. Sis has been waiting for my 'braggin blog post' forever, so here goes.

PMI has rigid standards on 'Codes of Conduct,' and don't really mention blogs, so I don't know what is ethical to post about or not. The test covers a lot of stuff that isn't in the 'study material,' that's why it's hard I suppose, but some of the questions I question the ethical nature of them. The material, straight forward, the test, a critical reading test designed to be sneeky and trip you up, therefore making it difficult.

No bragging really, but it does make me more marketable, I look forward to using this new knowledge, I know it will be valuable to people around me, and also valuable to me.

Yea, I was nervous, yea I was happy when it was over, and yes, as you'll read ahead, it's been a hardcore celebration session since, (as I'm posting this a week later.)

25 Dead Bodies -- Diehard and The Alamo Drafthouse

Talk about a strange drinking game, O God Why, that's what you get when you mix a bucket of Stella, The Sinus Show, and Bruce Willis's movie 'Die Hard' at your local bada$$ Alamo Drafthouse.

To give it a Christmas feel, every time Bruce would knock off one of the terrorists, we'd have to sing '1 dead body, 2 dead bodies, 3 dead bodies' etc, etc to the tune of '12 days of Christmas,' and yes, about 25 people died in the movie, so I was pretty tipsy rollin' outta there.

Great times, I love that place!

I Sailed a Wild, Wild Sea, Climbed Up a Tall, Tall Mountain I Met and Old, Old Man Beneath A Weeping Willow Tree

You know what that old man told me?
He said now if you got some questions, go and lay them at my feet, but my time here is brief, so you'll have to pick just three.
Here's what I asked --
What do you do with the pieces of a broken heart, and how can a man like me remain in the light, and if life is really as short as they say, then why is the night so long?
And guess what that old man answered me in song?
He said, see I once was a young fool like you, afraid to do the things that I knew I had to do, So I played an escapade just like you, I played an escapade like you...
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My sentiments, no, but I do appreciate this song Chinese Translation, and how you can pick it apart the dialogue between the old man and the young man.

M. Ward is my homeboy right now.

When You Don't Look Back I Guess the Feelings Start to Fade Away

Letting Go of God, man this is a smart woman, who I enjoy reading on a daily basis. 'Letting Go,' what a topic, weather its a spiritual being, a special person in your life, or just a bad habit.

Spiritual - Julia explains it much better than me --

Bad Habit - Mike P quit smoking for 36 days, I told him if he would quit till the end of Jan, I wouldn't drink beer for an entire month. Well, raise your glasses to bad habits.

Special People - So many times in the last 10 years of my existence I get the 'bruns when are you gonna get over $hit' line, and my rebuttal more often than not is, 'well that's a good question,' and the inevitable nature of father time makes the majority of your grief look silly in the perspective of things.

Why is it so hard to get over someone? In the past why have I struggled with this instead of 'getting my freak on at the club?'

I used to think it was about the tapestry of color that exists in different individuals. The first girl I 'loved' was a track athlete who enjoyed lots of success at a collegiate level. Number two was (ha ha, I said number two back there), a girl with the voice of an angel, who was attentive and listened, and we just sang tunes and had a great go of it. #3 possessed a rich texture and a 64bit color pallet, which made for a lot of great dialogue and overall fun. All these people made me feel special in a different way, and 'the science' behind it all says the 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling last for approximately 18 months, then you dig in for the long haul, living, loving, learning and leading, something I've never experienced, so in this case I may be one of the most naive 30 year old boys out there. I've never made it past the 18 month 'honeymoon phase' of a relationship, so I don't know what life after butterflies is like.

In the past I've used benchmarks, well she was good at this, and this was fun with her, and I've thought the key happiness in love is to push the envelope, how bout a 128 bit girl. I realize this is what my mind says, but not what my heart feels. My heart feels like you just stumble into this sorta stuff, and a key point to help overcome my 'neurosis' is to differentiate activities in the 'initiating' phase of something potentially significant. I'm not going to take a girl to 'Huts Hamburgers' if it was the place had significance in the past, etc, etc, etc.

To quote a cheesy lyric from the rembrandts, 'too many memories in this ol' town.' I used to think this was hard, you know, oooo, this ice cream place reminds me of girl A, and this live music venue reminds me of girl B, and this, hell, coconut cream pie reminds me of girl C, and so on and so forth. After considering this idea currently, on a sleepless night, I realize this is FAR from the case, and it is kinda sad how individuals like myself associate inanimate objects with people.

This idea of a 'stupid memory' as Sondre Lerche puts it, is something I've somewhat been able to overcome. I realize there are tons of 'dynamic' people, and even the 'non-dynamic' ones are dynamic, ever evolving, and so is society. So what if 'our song' was this, there were 1,500,000 million other realeased this year, just find the new feelin'. I was sittin' here tonight and 'The Who' came on the radio, and I thought damn, what kind of happenstance, circumstance, crapenstance, or I'm too younginstance do I associate them with, and the answer was refreshingly 'NO ONE.' Which made me remember a girl I met in a bar, ooo, about 5 years ago. One of the top 5 questions is always 'what's your favorite band?,' and her answer, 'The Who.'

Where does all this rambling lead? Well, the future does look bright if you focus on the future and forget the mishaps of the past. To this day, perhaps in many ways I've been scared of the future, scared of actually being happy, and heaven forbid scared of anyone 'understanding' me. I've come to find out, it's not really 'understanding' your partners 'I've been thru shit-s, I've had this happen, I see the world like this, I want to do this in my life, etc', but rather 'understanding' of the human element of 'There's power in two, You're a person I respect, You're a person I love, You're a person who I enjoy talking to, going out with, bragging about, and most importantly someone I'm certain I want to grow old with.

The first type of 'being understood' and 'understanding' is the vicious cycle of crapola I've been stuck in for the last however long, and I look for bright things in the future and areas to use my new level of true understanding of others and understanding of myself.

Thanks Manuelabor and Lacinator for helping me understand that, and my sister gives y'all kudos. And thanks sis for being there for me, I know it's hard for you to sit back and watch the emotional train wrecks while I figure it all out.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Wie treu sind deine Blätter!

If you can't tie a not, tie a lot....That's what the Christmas Tree dude said to us as we tied the tree to the top of the minivan. He said they grow 4,000 feet up in the mountains of North Carolina. How's that for some salesmanship.

I have no idea why, but going to pick up the tree this year made me recollect movies, concert dvds, and actually most prevalent 'chick flicks' I've sat down and watched this year. Why just this past Thursday I watched one called 'A Lot Like Love' -- Long story short, first encounter they become members of the Mile High Club, go thru a series of events, and the highlight is when the dude sings Bon Jovi to the chick in the apartment courtyard. A great movie, about irony in relationships, much much much times ten less painful than Serendipity. I doubt love to ever to be this ironic, but it's good for Hollywood and entertaining for me.

Next I sat down and watched a few with sis this year, biggest one that hangs on the mind, The Notebook (on the link you can buy the 'platinum dvd,' just available for the holiday (and I'm NOT giving hints)) hahaha. This movie has got a good ring to it, and it seems like many people I meet and chat about chick flicks with say 'Hey I can relate,' and that's what a good chick flick is all about. Another one of those too ironic love affairs that has a double dose of happy ending.

My favorite, which I can hope to drag sis down and watch it during the joyous holiday yuletide is 'Love Actually,' probably my favorite chick flick of all time. It shows how things are people and situations are tied up, and no matter how mundane love may seem to be, it exists all around.

The setting is in London, and this movie is FULL of love heroes, and all around happy ending, from the Brit 20 something that goes to Wisconsin and winds up having a foursome with three hot girls, to the dad who inspires his 8 year old son to go Hollywood on the chick he likes, to the prime minister getting together with his 'big thighs' assistant (who he wrestles out of the hands of Billy Bob Thorton, aka. President of the USA). And one can't forget the writer and the portuguese girl, but, the clincher is this ultimate gut wrenching scene.

Speaking of Love existing all around, just ask this 'washed up has been' in the industry, as he takes on a boy band for the 'Christmas hit of the year.' The tune is one we know with a twinge of variation in the lyrics 'So if you really love Christmas, come on and let it snow!' I especially like the barrage of cuss words he uses after he gets the lyrics wrong the second time around.

That's all for this posting, whenever I'm feeling down, I just pop that one in. Hollywood keep the over 100 million dollar budget thrillers, movies like Van Wilder, and chick flick with caked on irony, I'll keep paying my 10 bucks for the theatre, and 5 bucks for the rental.

I Search for Comfort and I Find it Where I've Found it Many Times Before, Times Before Can Be Forgotten

This is the eating joint in my hometown, it looks like a Masonic or Elks Lodge. Dead Animals on the wall, crazy booths that don't really seem to belong, and that time of the year, the dreaded Christmas lights.

Eyes Wide Shut ruined me for Christmas lights, every time I see colored lights, it puts me in a disturbed Kubrick mindset. Not to mention the animals all checkin' you out, perhaps say 'Hey there, that's my relative you are eating,' you don't want me to come off this wall and stick this antler up your a$$, do you?

Seems to me as the Christmas season is rushed this year, 'our' Round Rock house is the only Griswald lookin' house on the street (kudos Jeannie and Rob), and I haven't had the motivation to dust off and plug in the ol fiber optic tree.
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I've found it hard lately to blog about the nuance-s of life, as I'm trying to further define myself as a human being, what that means, how to be a good human being, and ultimately finding my place in it all.

After a stimulating talk about religion at the Shimek residence (after I changed my drawers from the 8 foot python scaring the bejesus out of me), driving home, listening to cd 42 of the 56 cd set of Atlas Shrugged, the quote came up and I had to rush to write it down, it was profound. It goes -- 'learn the extent of your own power, and understand the calamity around you.'

I thought, can it be that easy? That hard yet that easy? Easy because, yes, it is all up to you to make yourself a better person, and if everyone does their part and lives up to their potential, the world is a better place. Where did it get confusing, if you decide to make it confusing.

Hard because, let's see, kinda hard to articulate. It's hard because of human expectation. Sitting there watching Manuelabor and The Diz down a hurricane a week ago while I was sipping on some piss water, I talk about what challenges me in life, and the people that challenge me, their thoughts, their ideas, the typical 'what makes you tick' type stuff, and surely getting on my high horse.

Manuelabor's rebuttal (as the finger points at me for accent) is.......Robert, anyone, especially any girl WILL challenge you (and I do paraphrase). You know why? Because half the time you don't even know how to wear clean pants in the morning, you don't know how to change your sheets, you don't know to enjoy the moment for the sake of the moment, and you don't give many people a chance because they don't necessarily follow your twisted, bitter, cynical idealist BS, and as I play the role of the critic in many aspects of life, I wind up alienating myself and any chances for unity.

I did a rant back or two or ten back there on love, and for historical purposes I have to show where I stand and how I feel. Sure we all need the social aspects of 'at the end of the day when the dust settles' you have someone to talk to scenario, and in identifying this in my life, I have to take at least one other factor into play heading into the great beyond, as it pertains to instinctive behavioral traits of human beings (man I sound like a wanna-be scientific retard). I can't live by the 15 minute 'sniff test,' alone -- that's too small of a window to know if someone is right for you or not.

Which begs the question for me of relationships, or at least for me in the future. If it doesn't hit me like a ton of bricks, will I have the intelligence to awknowledge a win-win, and embrace it open minded-ly and open hearted-ly?
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The hump of 'test-new job-new place to live' is coming to a head very soon. I didn't pass this test the first time, after taking a class that cost $2,500 bucks. If I pass it using this crusty website, can I blame academia for not captivating me and motivating me? If I can, what does that say for our education system. I can say a lot of things about why I didn't pass the first time (lazy, heart not in it, not captivated, didn't study enough, etc,) but how as educators do we motivate and inspire people in the digital era and how can they improve their part?.....slap a math equation on Britney's breasts?

Enough ranting -- Bed Time :) --

Here I Go Again on My Own, Goin' Down the Only Road I've Ever Known

I always knew I was a little girly girl, or princess, or insert other panzified word here, but it takes the cake when 'the gang' set me up and bring an 8 foot long python into the picture.

Just listen to the screams, how pathetic.

Holla New Orleans

At the stroke of 10pm Friday night, we decided to head over to New Orleans. A lot of bachelor parties have the BBQ pit, and getting the groom wasted beyond belief to where he's pretty much injured for the next few days. Well, we just wanted to take a road trip.

We (Mike D, Manuelabor and I) gas up the VDub and head to NoLo, with a stay over in Htown, arriving at destination at 5ish. Manuel and Mike D both say that there are homeless people running around better dressed than I. In fact, they were embarrassed to even walk into Denny's with me? What the hell is that all about guys?

First stop was.............NOT!

First stop was Tropical Isle, where the hand grenades are touted as the 'strongest drink in New Orleans,' and this beastly amazon woman guards them. Yea, ....we're probably drinking the cough syrup she's guarding.

A chilly Saturday night, this is Bourbon Street. Any given summer night its packed, and during Mardi Gras you can't even see the street.

The only picture of the night of us together, don't you just HATE going up to people and goin' ...ummm, could you take our picture?? Boy just look at Mr I could stand to lose some weight.

They broadcast it everywhere, but there is none to be seen.

A nice shot of Manuelabor and Mike D, some crazy artificial light going on there.

The trip was great, didn't see any fridges in trees, the French quarter is beautiful (except for the drunks and stench and all -- reminded us of the times walking about in Barcelona in search of our favorite tapas bar.)

Ride home = sinister (are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet, FINALLY!) -- Not to mention a bad case of IBS on the trip home.

I'm sick of the Millennium, Bored by the Pain I Waited for the Gospel, gospel never Came Prophets and Pimps, Working for the Man

Let's see, gotta put my thinking hat on a bit for this one. Mr Garza's gig at the Continental Club, inspiring to say the least. He only played a few of what he called 'Christmas Songs' (i.e. old favorite 'hits'), instead he focused in improvisation and experimentation to the sparse crowd.

The guy has to have more friends than you can shake a stick at, he changes band members like I change underwear (well maybe a bit more than that), and he always seems like he's having a great time.

One of those people, if I was from the Mexican culture, he'd make me proud, and he would represent. People watching revealed shirts like, 'Kiss Me, I'm a Mexican' and proud proclamations of 'Beaner' and things like that.

What you see at gigs like this, is not a 'melting pot', but a 'cultural mosaic' to site a tired analogy of the interaction among cultures.

I'm partial to this guy, for at one time he was 'get over my ex' music. Thanks Dahveed, you rock, wish I could find the words better, but back to work.

How Was I Supposed to Know

The poster outside my cube that the auditor deemed 'offensive,' and I had to take down.

Yo Yo, Holla From Carlsbad Caverns

Goin' to this place as a kid I was amazed, still it is pretty fascinating. Not many pictures came out, but Flickr has tons of them taken of caves and stuff like that.

Ronnie, Jr, and Mom, throwing up some random signs in front of the start of the 'big room' tour. Josh, Ashton and I descended into the caves the long way, following a trail of crazy switchbacks, where the 'putting on the brakes' muscles in my legs are still kinda hurtin.

And to the left here, we have the 'nipple stone,' yes, it was cold down there, maybe that explains it.

Man I know these posts are weak, I could expound ten times more, but I need to study and sleep, so hence, stay tuned for more commentary on life to come.

The Poets and The Painters They Won't Leave Him Alone

White Sands Missle Range, yes it does look like you are on the moon. We learned that many episodes of 'Lost in Space' were filmed out here in this environment.

Josh and I throwin' up the deuces on top of one of the dunes.

Here's one of the dunes, once we were on top, Josh and I decided to almost lose our Thanksgiving dinner by rolling down the dune. It was worth it, despite the dizziness and near vomiting.

Me and Mummy, in front of what appears to be water on the moon. Hahaha

Tank, I Need Instructions on How to Fly This Helicopter

A healthy hop, skip and jump from Roswell, across an Indian reservation yielded Alamogordo, site of Trinity, the first a-bomb test.

I wanted to eat Thanksgiving on an Indian Reservation, even though there's really no way to honor and dignify the way we handled the 'original homeland security.' The Alamogordo Golden Corral was just splendid for the occasion.

On top of a big mountain, about 6,000 feet in elevation is a beautiful site. We got up to as high as 8,750 elevation, in Cloudcroft. Josh and Ashton, messin' up the good view! hahahaha

The dreaded family shot.

Jr hopped on the Sonic Winds seat, in which some dude went over 620 miles per hour, man sounds like a bada$$ ride!

Tur-Alien

Roswell, a city with aliens, or weather balloons or whatever was the place we intended to eat Thanksgiving dinner, however, on arriving in the town, low and behold most things were closed, including the alien museums and such. Rest assured, one day I will make it out the the UFO Festival.

My mummy found this creature, as she attempted to do the Vulcan live long and prosper in front of the beast.

Leave it to Coke to hope on the branded city bandwagon too, hell it made me want to buy a drink from the machine.

The Pleiadians even made a storefront appearance.

Also, there was a stash of decent priced guitars that obviously appealed to tourists in all locations. I would have liked to strum on the Toby Keith angry American lookin' guitar, but alas, the store wasn't open.

No food in Roswell, just a stroll down the street, but I did pick up some literature and some great stickers, that will be slapped on back of my already stickerified to the max geetar.

New Mexico or Bust

Putting it all into perspective days later, we 'set sail' from Shiner this morning, the goal was to get Ashton and Josh out of Texas, and do something different this year for Thanksgiving. So we gased up the van, and Jr, Ronnie, Mom, Josh, Ashton and I headed west.

You can't put this into perspective, and the picture doesn't do it justice. I never thought I was a 'sunset man,' but it's inspiring to set back and watch the sunset on the wide open plains.

Well here's the gangstas at the border, we reached it at about 6pm that evening, just enough daylight to snap the picture. The family was appalled that I took a piss behind the bushes near the border sign.

With the overhead of getting out of Texas out of the way, we knew lots of goodies in the Land of Enchantment were to come.

Truly. Truly We Have Become. Hated And Feared For Something We Don't Want

What can I say about the boys from My Morning Jacket, Stubbs BBQ, other than fantastic. Mike D at least remember the show this time, as himself, myself and my brother in law Shannon painted the town. We had a set of 'goals' to be reached for the evening, and all of them were met, so as one would say, 'another successful evening.'

My Morning Jacket is cool without trying to be cool, one of those bands, they do some very significant sh*t for the music scene, and if our generation is going to be remembered for poetry, it will be in the form of music, and this is some poetic stuff for sure.

Here's two of my favorite songs of theirs, youtubed, or gootubed, or whatever. My criteria was they play these two songs.

Golden, with the Golden light behind --

Mageetah or 'my geetar' as I proudly sing it in the automobile. Watch how Jim James accidently bumps his head in the mic.

When You're Riding the Rails with Those Wide Open Eyes, There's One Old South Paw You Will Always Fight

What a day for family bonding, a trip to San Gabriel Park for a stroll, the light saber battles, and random backyard antics, that yet again throws my back into a tailspin.

Right by the water, Grant, Meagan and Kman throw up their GQ looks.

Later the geese (I think that's what those things are) came and we feed them tons of random items. I always thought human candy, cake and cookies were bad for animals, but the seemed to not mind. Maybe even American geese are fatter than the rest of the world!!

Gavin was just thrilled with that pipe thing you could yell in, and the sound comes out the other end across from the playground. We had loads of fun making farting sounds in the pipe.

Finally Grant and Meagan singing some Joel Plaskett Emergency jams, I knew they were fans, but didn't know they knew the songs by heart. One word, awesome!

Sitting here Monday morning, my back still hurts from the light saber battle, Thanksgiving time family bonding is the devil in terms of physical fitness.

Things that you Believe, But You Can't Prove

I recently read somewhere on TED and interesting article on things you believe to be true, but you can't prove, and I started thinking about this topic, and about what I think, but alas, what I can't prove, here's the short list

1. Love conquers all, means many things to many people, but in most cases becomes a complicated business arrangement and a pretty taboo subject to bring up in daily conversation.
2. Yin and Yang --- You get Jesus and a religious and ignorant nut job in the white house, you get equally religious and ignorant nut jobs, or nut jobs in general springing up all over the place.
3. Something Adam Sandler would think up, If those people in the middle east wouldn't be so hot and hungry, they wouldn't be as feisty.
4. The original of wealth, loosely speaking has come from exploitation, not hard work.
5. Building a wall on a border does not keep people ....ooo....I mean 'illegal aliens' out of one's country.

Things that can be proven

1. You can be moral without God.
2. Promoting Censorship in Iraq is not representative of our country.

OOOO, I'll quit now ---

Didn't Know I Looked So Dorky

Ok friends laugh all you want....

Strike up the Music the Band Has Begun, The Pennsylvania Polka

Wurstfest 2006, one of y'all promoters read this -- the beer price is outrageous, why do you make people pay an ungodly amount of money (19 dollars) for piss like bud light, and 25 dollars for something like Spaten. Y'all make me sick, and if you keep doing it, I'm not coming and I'm going to tell all my friends what a ripoff y'all are. Isn't 6 million dollars for your community enough, I think it was something like that the last one brought in.

With that aside, this dude is s TRIP, the second song, the Pennsylvania Polka sent me back to Groundhog Day, thinking, what if i relived this day everyday. The band playing 'Who the Hell is Alice', and the super-extendo Sweet Home Bama Alabama, and not only that, playing it TWICE. I was standing next to a gal who had 'intimate relations' with one of the band members...icky!

Ran into oodles of people I know, got a steak on a stick, drank 28 bucks worth of beer, which was like a drop or two, and listened to some great polkas, and ummm, yes, I think it's a bit strange out there, and I can't put a finger on why.

Don't know what's the deal these days, but it seems as every time I'm out and about these days, some 'hot' 21 year old starts chatting me up out of the blue. Within' the usual 10 minutes, my sparklingly cynical personality 'scares' them away. I suppose one of these days I'll jump in there and go thru the motions.

Great fun, but a grimace at the prices, I ain't goin' back next year with prices like that.

Brown as a Berry From Riding the Prairie, and He Sings with An Old Western Draw

The 50k Wurstride bike ride today, something I didn't really 'train' for, turned out to be not really difficult, sorta.

Waking up in the morning, cold as windy as the dickens, the first mile out of the starting block, I'm all happy and giddy, first 3 miles are like, ahhh, this isn't gonna be bad at all. Around mile 5, a huge f*ckin' hill, by the time I've reached the summit, I'm like damn, this is gonna be a LOOOONG ride.

To start, Garth, Stephanie, Bob and I. Garth has the mobile Ipod and speakers, a wonderful setup, as they go thru the rural route jammin.

Me and Bob tore up the 'race,' therefore we didn't see Garth and Step till the end of the race, where free beer and sausage were being served. Check out my helmet, the shadow I cast on the road made me look like some kinda french wussy.

Brown as a berry you ask, yes, this was my biking attire, dickies shorts, while most other had plenty ass padding, so as I'm typing this up the next day, the only thing that is sore is my bottom.

Verdict, against the wind sucks, big ass rural hills suck, riding a mountain bike long distances sucks, but overall the trip is pretty easy.

Granted, I only passed two people along the way, and it seems like everyone else was passing me by, but o well, I can do the course, then drink 10 spatens, perhaps the best beer on the planet.

For the BASH, there will have to be a bike upgrade, one of us responsible for the tunes, one for the pony keg, and of course we will have to identify a lifeline, therefore making the BASH one big mobile tailgate party --- any takers?

Everyone's A Winner if the Stadium is Right

Nostalgia sets in at the Hotto Hippos Jr High football game. Big Kev's oldest kid plays on the team and the doc and I went out the check out the action.

No rough hits, good ol titty rubbin' on the class b team. Class A team hit pretty hard and had a talented little QB. It made me think of all the little personalities and that time in my life, kinda interesting.

The discipline was crazy in Shiner for us football players, but nowadays, the kids sit with their girlfriends and have their cell phones out, chattin' in the bleachers.

The doc said they used to sell weed to kids under the bleachers, wow, I didn't really know what that was all about growing up in Shiner, but you know, things may have changed. Damn, the whole kid thing has gotta be hard.

Also, a momentous occasion tonight, as I went knee deep in Barton Springs, first swim lesson with Ashley.

Jak Se Mas

As the winds of change are sweeping across the country this election night, Mike D, Mike P, and myself go see Borat.

First I must say I've been with this dude since the early stages of Ali G, you either love it or hate it, and I must say, I love it.

From talking to feminists, to saying we support your war of terror, to cleaning out bear poop from the back of his icecream truck, the movie is full of laughs.

Good thing the movie IS a success, so he does not have to be execute!

Stop the Bus, I Wanna Be Lonely, When Seconds Pass Slowly and Years Go Flying By

For the hip people, Ben Folds will say, 'make me feel small if it makes you feel big, but there's always someone cooler than you.'

I saw Ben in 1995, when he was an 'up and comer', 11 years later, he's playing a sold out show at Stubbs BBQ supporting the release of his 'B-sides EP's', now that's some tenure, and the beauty of it, there's 'oldies' like me out there, yet it's on the cusp of a new generation of fans.

He's the first person who's ever awknowleged the 'beautiful black man' who's 'poster' is on the back of the Stubbs stage.

I blogged about how much I love the dude HERE (Tulsa) -- HERE (DFW) and HERE (AUSTIN) -- if you care to read what the dude means to me.

Closing in on the Pain and the Torture

Cynical times, yes indeed, but for a minute here I'd like to transition this cynicism into hope. This means not dwelling on politics, religion, hormones, work, personalities and all other things that potentially drag me down on a day to day basis.

While still being engaged with this evils, there's good people fighting the good fight everyday, and there's spirits of inspiration in many things, they just have to be acknowledged and expounded on.

1 -- Seein' the little dudes I live with happy as can be, feelin' my sister and brother and law are doing good as parents

2 -- Listening to a Billy Bragg or Sondre Lerche cheesy ironic love song and understanding you're not alone in your quest for the most idealistic love affair

3 -- Knowing that while you don't know what you want to be when you grow up, you are swimming ahead of the current, and positioning yourself for that 'big break' or a nice stroke of luck -- how bout a nice horseshoe of roses that says 'good luck robert bruns'

4 -- Feeling appreciated as a friend, and cultivating personal relationships with people, showing mutual care and consideration for each other

5 -- Having a family that is epic

6 -- Having the attitude 'it's not what i can't do, it's what do i want to do', and being able to do anything I want, in any sphere of life

7 -- Not having to compromise an effin' thing

8 -- Being close to my heritage, being proud of it, being in touch with it.

9 -- Feeling that there is justice in this world, and it comes in many shapes and forms and that people get out of life what they put into it, and that I'm a contributor not only to my person betterment, but the betterment of society.

10 -- Feeling that there isn't anything in the world to figure out, that there aren't any contradictions, but rather one of your two contradicting thoughts are out of line, not ever playing the role of the victim, instead playing the role of someone who's got it under control.

Life is a Highway, I Wanna Ride it All Night Long

White trash rich day!

On the way home I hope on the new toll road that's pointed out towards the burbs, straight to my final destination, and as the toll is free for two months, I think....Life is Good.

Then I think, OK, roughly 700 bucks of my check every month goes to programs like this, and I think of the beurocratic inefficiency that goes into making a road like this, and I'm thinking Bruns Construction could do it in 1/3 of the cost, 1/3 of the time.

It is nice riding on an un-tainted highway, but rest assured, when that toll comes along, I'm gonna be skummin' it in traffic.

I was Working in the Lab late one Night, When My Eyes Beheld An Eerie Sight

Tonight is when the ghouls and goblins get to go out and grab candy, girls also can wear skimpy outfits and not have to worry about being called the 'S' word.

KMan and Collin, ummm, I mean Batman and Superman go out to tear up the suburbs. Poor Collin's Superman outfit looks a bit big on him.

20 houses into the night, the typical scenario was this.....

I don't want to cuss in the same blog posting, but can you imagine an Ebonics trick or treater....Female Dog, give me some MF'in candy.

Spaceboy I've Missed You, Spinning Round My Head

Smashing Pumpkins, Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin, or family pumpkin carving outings, pumpkins are sure to reveal a smelly interior, as you scoop out the guts, you vow never to eat pumpkin pie.

This year, it was the bat and the spider web, as I nearly barf at the smell. Jeannie and the Kman doing their best to get the pumpkin primed for the carve.

Herbal Tea, a trail mix of pills for Mr Sick, and Deming, Crosby and Juran have left me exhausted for the evening, normal blog patterns will commence once I regain my life.

Leaf by Leaf and Page by Page, Throw this Book Away

I've never been much for Halloween, like many say, its an excuse for chicks to wear slutty outfits. Mike D and I venture out to Natedoggs party only to find we are the only people at the party without an outfit. I guess I could say, I'm standard Robert Bruns, plain ol' street trash.

Low and behold he had a smoke machine and a strobe light that stole the show.

Somewhere in the middle of kings, barbarians, catholic school girls, police women and vampires, I dogged Mike D out, sorry about that bud, I owe you one.

People Always Told Me, that Bars are Dark and Lonely, And Talk is Often Cheap and Filled with Air

She Rocks, what makes Austin kinda cool, what other city this size can come up with 12 AWESOME bada$$ rock chicks and make a calendar out of it, and on top of that, donate profits to a non-profit.

Jane Bond, man I used to have a crush on her, but alas, she's cool, I'm not. hahaha

Momo's, man if I could own a club in Austin it'd either be Momo's or The Parish, either one would be fine. :)

take a byte out of this new jam

Tonight was my first 'shopping' trip since April. I have been travelling with one pair of pants, worn last Thursday, Friday, Sat (while in the rain at the renfest), and today at work (yes, by then the pants were a bit musty and ripe).

Still not having touched home base and heading to New Braunfels for the Cowboys and Bob's Bada$$ BBQ, the need to stop at 'the gap' for some jeans and a nice shirt was eminent.

So, by the time the morning readers of this blog are reading, I'll be prancin' into work with a new pair of jeans, new shirt, and even a new belt. My co-workers are going to think, who the hell is that?

I sure don't like the idea of having to dress up at the job one day, even if that means 'business casual.'

The Color of Her Eyes Were the Color of Insanity

Ahhh, The Texas Renaissance Festival, I've been waiting to go back for 14 years, When I was a young, I suppose a JR in high school I went to this with sis, and it was spectacular. Don't ask me what went on in the last 14 years, but it's turned into political correctness and 'good family fun.' No tellin' what 'sue crazy' person decided the typical belly dancer offended him or his family.

First stop was the Parthenon in this medieval mix-up of European cultures. Here me and bob got us a bottle of Mead, which made us sleepy, and it was the ONLY 'pub' in the entire campus that served Spaten and other goodies, I guess the rest of the medieval people drank Bud Light, Miller, and Coors.

Hanging out by the Parthenon, I stumbled upon pregnant KIMMIE and Randy Z, a pleasant surprise considering I haven't seen them in ages. Fat boy representin' with his shirt from, ummm, Scotland?

The coolest 'ride' I would have loved to got on were these 'kings swings,' but alas, just like me looking at Manuelabor, then a two seater gondola in Venice, I just couldn't bring myself to hop on this thing with Bob.

The grounds are incredible, some serious work is put into the aesthetics of the place, and it is nicely tucked into a vegetation that begs you to even believe you are even in Texas. The incense is great, and 'Robin Hood' type tunes are everywhere.

Only in Texas will you find a dude dressed like a Roman, but with a cowboy hat and a Timex. Since is was the Roman week, even when in Rome, I guess Texas do what the Texans do, and appease the Romans.

A brawl out there, why? Who knows? The European's didn't even know what the hell was going on in the days of Feudalism, but, I bet it was something seeing dudes fight lions and things like this.

Last and I guess least is the joust. Last time I was there, this was hardcore, lots more speed, dudes gettin' creamed, now it was cream puff titty rubbin'. Don't get me started on what they've done to the mud pit, 14 years ago that shit was a free-for-all. Here's a youtube of the joust, the French dude didn't win, cause you know, like the shirt says.....Texas is bigger than France......hmmmm....

Too Hard on the Breaks Again, What if these Breaks Just Give In

Killer cars is right, last night on the way home, as I35 goes from three lanes to two, the Astro Van in front slams on the breaks, I therefore slam on the breaks, barely missing a collision, but the Altima behind me, BAM, slams into the back of the VDub, and the momentum pushes me into the van in from of me, creating a car sandwich. No injuries and minute harm done to the vdub, but my neck is killin' me today from the whiplash.

What does it all mean, I hate driving, especially on the daily commute. It's different driving a Porshe thru winding country roads, but the exotic commute always produces near collisions.

Driving is scary, we take it all for granted, especially on highways, where the person in that other lane could just smash right into you. Damn, I'm morbid, and what a lame post, have a great weekend everyone.

Striving to Be Extraordinary

Ahhh, the musings at despair.com, we all get a kick out of it, especially if you are in that sorta demotivating environment, the stuff either gets you going or gets the best of you.

The book I continue to make progress on is amazing. It's slow progress, because it's challenging, every concept of it, a life changer of sorts, one that perhaps challenges all preconceived notions, at least for me. There's one thing to read a book and understand it, consume it, etc, but to actually embrace it as if it's the biography of your unfinished life, that's a different story.

It speaks of a Fountain of Youth, a fountain of youth at the top of a mountain, a mountain that has taken your utmost energy to climb, against all odds, with everything thrown in your way. Once you're at the top, you don't want to come back down, and you can't bring it down with you, and as Randy Newman once said, OOOO, it's lonely at the top.

So what's at the top, and what makes it so lonely up there. Self actualization is what's up there, once realized, it allows your ambition and desire to break free and run, suddenly things become much clearer. What's at the top is a cold focus on achievement. The meek do inherit the earth, but only after the ignorant destroy it, as the creative and intelligent do their best to protect it.

I'd say there are a handful of these people that hold the world on their shoulders, they don't accept no for an answer, they focus on their goals, dreams and ambitions. The world of frivolous conversations that go nowhere (politics, religion, ex-girlfriends, what kinda spinnas are on your ride, etc) are not of interest anymore. These people are the unsung heroes of the world, creating wealth, jobs, careers, advancements in society, etc.

Well it may seem like I've drank the Ayn Rand cool-aid, however presently it's what makes sense to me. It's says to me get in wiggle ass mode while you can, for love might be on the way.

Speakin' of love, let's harp on it for a minute. Currently I'm struggling with the idea that it's just an abstract idea (true love is a rose, behind glass that's locked and kept closed). It's a business arrangement that gains baggage as it rolls along until you're left with little or no wiggle room, it's that smothering feeling that keeps me from becoming attached to anyone who's not prime Grade A 100% funky badass chick (i.e. your idealistic 'dream girl').

The idea is about taking care of yourself first has always been a blogbit of mine. People who claim to have found a mate that takes care of them more than they take care of themselves and vice versa, and say it works....are strictly delusional.

If you check out that 'Hierarchy of Needs', and notice some gaps, that's what's f*cked up in ones life, you can either choose to fight against it or let it own you, me, I check that sh*t out quite a bit, try to make my weaknesses my strengths and all that self triumphant stuff......maybe that's why I need to buy this shirt -- haha, TOTALLY just kidding.

I want to be in that elite group. My brother in law always has the phrase 'striving to be extraordinary,' what better phrase to live by.....what better tag-line for personal motivation, because when the lights go out and we leave this place, us people that believe in worm food have but reflection to look back upon, did we do a good job in life or did we not.

Rain's Gonna Come In Fair Sized Drips, We're Gonna Go to Heaven Wearin Paper Hat Ships

Sometimes I don't think my hometown deserves a festival like this, and sometimes I think this festival deserves my town. First of all, getting a lineup of sissies, a bunch of alt-rock has-beens, a Hodge podge of country artists, for the performers, a proper lashing out / and vice versa from the religious zealots of the town.

Only high point was 4-5 pm, and even then, most of the people I spoke went out of the way to NOT LIKE the only talent of the evening, the Old 97's. Even Rhett's gyrating hips didn't get the attention of the average 'hate me' blue October fan. That's OK, Ashley and I represented in the front line, and when the curtain called, after a few glasses of 120 proof, I boldly shouted out to Godsmack and Blue October fans, enjoy your shitty bands, as I went to the back to socialize.

The only shot of the weekend, gotta love the elevated stage that the best you can get is 20 feet away.

The STEVEMEISTER and the MITCHMAN came down for the occasion, even though they were too wussy to ride their Harley's down! hahahaha -- Always great times with Steve -- Other notes, I met my friend Pam Snook who's now OBGYN in Florida, and Matt Hendrickson, who I haven't seen in 15 plus years, reconnected thru myspace, both pleasant surprises.

Not so pleasant surprises include watching the ever evolving social circles of Shiner people making up, breaking up, hookin' up, conspiring, and the like, in hopes to gain.....ummm, what?? In many ways, thru the course of the night, and mingling between social circles, I would have either hung out with Godsmack, or the baptist preacher for that matter.

Speaking of preachers and such, the 'blasphemy' on the Shiner Church this year read 'Don't use the Lord's name in vain, or god will 'smack' you. Tisk Tisk Tisk, you know what I REALLY don't like about the new wave Christians, they want it both ways, they want the humble and meek thoughts of Jesus (which is good), but yet they feel this testerone in that they have to 'lash out' to the community, and JUDGE! yes, JUDGE things they don't understand, instead of TOLERATE, hell, 14 years of Sunday School and Church, that's what I learned. So hence, you got 'billboards quoting things Jesus never said or think.' Riddle me this religious right, if you like your life, live it to the fullest, and have no regrets, what does that afterlife have for ya? Believe me, I have tons more on this one day.

and who gives a flip if you listen to Godsmack or not, and exactly what makes this bunch of dillweeds so intimidating, they ain't to me???

Stickshifts and Safetybelts!

Today we made a fast trip out to brother Derwin's house for some family bonding. We checked out his fully restored 72 Corvette Stingray, his latest project car, a 69 Camero, and to tour one of his 5 oil rigs he works for as a consultant.

Derwin says whenever he has a bad day, he just hops in the Vette and it makes everything a bit better. I can see why they call it a stingray, it's menacing, even in the passengers seat!

Me and brother Jr in the middle of the rig, amazing gadgetry all around, it's amazing how advanced these things are, and tree huggers, don't worry, from what I saw, this thing is clean as a whistle.

Somewhere in the course of the day we stopped and pigged out at this country kitchen, the roast beast was nice, and don't you just love the restaurants that serve 'sweet tea?'

The next project car, a 69 Camero, projected due date, 1-2 years, this one's gonna need a lot of TLC.

Can't do it justice, but here's the Vette out on the country road, we hit about 80 mph before we ran out of straight road. This thing is a monster!

Keep up the good work Derb, hope to see you again soon and stay a spell.

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, In Perfect Harmony

Skype, the new old hotness since Rolando and Olando haven't embraced Google Talk yet became the venue for a geek out / bad music session tonight.

Rolando, Olando, Mike D, Mike P and myself all hopped on the conference and talked ummmm, shit the majority of the evening.

Some recordings also came out of the evening, and the guys will bash me for this, but what the hell. Extremely BAD recordings, ALL bad voices.

Olando - Silverchair Song
Rolando - Some DMB song
Mike D - Just Pretending
Fat Head - Singing tribute to the missing Manuelabor

and the 'MAIN EVENT', Mahon singing Thom Yorke, boy someone put this poor guy out of his misery!

Takin' to you Girl, Is Like Long Division

Recapping the night from a few days later, it's hard to point out a central theme, so I'll wing it with a bunch of random tidbits.

As I'm heading down to Shinertown, I call the beast, and he just so happens that he's sittin' there with the gang at Howards, so there's a few dollar cups down the drain. Then the singer / songwriter Bill Pekar comes in for a beer, our band director from back in high school is always there, some cousins, and nice mix of people.

Later I text message Mr Boehm, he comes out to join us, a sound human being who's diplomatic and funny to boot. I might add that him and his wife Julie are one of those couples I brag about, they are like Robbie Hart and Julie Sullivan in the wedding singer.

So the dollar cups are flowing, Bob and his better half and Ms. B come out, then followed by T-Dog and Tony-meister, as we sit there, conversation always goes to some strange places. Next, our old football coach / English teacher, who I haven't seen in ages comes up, gives me a big hug, and tells me he's now a preacher. An interesting man Mr. B is.

Speaking of preachers, the Shiner preachers are at it again, condemning the Bocktoberfest (in specific Godsmack), and wrote a big article in the paper bashing the band (funny they don't bash the revenue it brings for the city.) In response, my buddy Nate Dogg 'lashes back', a much more sophisticated rebuttal, kudos Nate Dogg. Next time I'm in a bad mood, I'll pour some violently flammable fuel on that fire.

That was part one of the evening, a typical night in Shiner, hanging out with friends that are extremely loyal and fun, from all walks of life, in one tiny outside gas station / tavern.

Part two of the night involves Mr Boehm, myself, Timmy and Evylyn (my nephew and his better half), and Daniel and his better half (old classmates from back in high school.)

At the 'cool' bar, 23 bucks for 3 shots and two beers, simply robbery, anyone want to open a bar in Shiner for the weekend, all we need is beer, karaoke, and a friendly personality and we're golden.

I started to blog about the limo girls that 'graced' the place with their presence, but the prose went south pretty quick, so there we have it...

Perceptions on Marriage and the American Family

Lacinator, Manuelabor's better half decided to ask me some question for a class about the above topics, the open door!

Perceptions on Marriage

Is marriage important in American Society? Yes, in what way? No, why not?

Yes, I believe it is tremendously important and vital to human happiness and survival, problem is less and less are doing it 'right' as the influx of information and opportunities create more FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt). It takes a two very strong people to do marriage 'right' these days, and they merit the utmost respect in my opinion.

Is marriage in the increase or decrease in America?

My guess is that it's a gradual increase, but 2nd and 3rd time marriages are on the up and up. Geeze, if you didn't do it right the first time and learn from it, what compels these folks to stick their hand in the fire again, it's hot, you will get burned!!! Mr. Cynicism might add, the divorce rate is climbing, and if you cross reference miserable soles caught in dead-end relationships, these numbers are probably extremely shocking and disheartening.

Is marriage necessary to have a family?

I'm assuming your own genetic code (kids) and the like. I say no. If I was a kid that grew up under shitty circumstances where mom and dad were together just because of me and psychologically had a grudge on me, I'd rather have been adopted by the (pardon my bluntness)...fat lonely chick who is caring and nurturing and will take care of me and love me, but not so much as I grow up to be a titty baby. It's all a trade-off.

American Family

Describe the typical American Family....

Well the nuclear family is described as man, woman, kids and dog, but I would say the typical American family is man, woman, kids, dog, and loser uncle, or some other variation, addition or subtraction of a third party that invades the tradition makeup of the nuclear family. Life is full of hustle and bustle, and plenty of distractions work their way into the typical American family, therefore making it a very, very complicated business that needs a lot of care and attention. I'm thankful to have what I think are above typical family in most stretches of my life, and I thank the ether for that everyday, because it has a direct influence on any success I have in life...If you don't have that, you have the latter, which makes up the dynamic of American society.

What is the major role or function of a family? Is the family on the decline? If so-how so?

The major role of a family in my opinion is to TEACH ethics to kids (not relying on religion) while letting these ethics you teach keep you the parent in check. I would also put these ethics together with the idea and importance of a unified family. If you're not teaching and learning from each other first, external factors enter the sphere of influence. If you're nothing paying attention as parents to kids and vice versa, something or someone else, or some other idea is. I'm not saying you have to sit down at family dinner every night like the Brady Bunch, but show a genuine interest in your family, work with each other, and give each other the benefit of the doubt, and project that shit to the world.

The family is on the decline for several reasons, biggest one is economic reasons, and the advent of consumerism and purchase power, therefore making it necessary for dual income families. Essentially, I've learned that families with children have two jobs, and one of them you can't call in sick. Another reason is desire and temptation portrayed in the media, i.e. scantily clad chicks running around on ABC and the like. Last but not least the advent of the information age, which instills wonder in the hearts and minds of many people who are alone yet not alone.

How do you feel about homosexual marriages?

Love is love, and it transcends gender, and history has proved this. I have nothing against gay people getting married, however, as it becomes legal in more places, tax benefits for ALL married people should go away and tax cuts should be evaluated by other means to be determined. If I can get a significant tax break for marrying this brokeback mountain stud, show me to the alter, and don't worry mike p, you don't need a cork.

work musings

Draw complicated sh*t out on the board, that's what my boss has taught me. If you are working with a good team, and you are somewhat creative and don't have a white board, chances are you aren't working together that well.

Unfortunately CCR isn't the band.

I always think about writing a book, I could write one about work that probably transcends any environment.

The outline would include look something like this off the top of my head....reverse discrimination (being a white heterosexual male that actually gets things done is discriminated against in some places), people with conflict of interest, a study of the brightest and best solitaire players in the world, a loss of objectivity, political correctness to a fault, grudges (many times worse than the average kids), emails threads that are abso-f*ckin'-lutely out of control, and last but not least how bad leadership always leads to mutiny on the bounty.

I Hear Beyonce on the Radio, and That's the Way I Like It

A big hit for the Austin Music Foundation this evening, as a bunch of Indie labels sent reps to hang out and talk to the local artists.

Bringing out reps from the record industry brings people out of the woodwork, not to mention demo and promo cd's.

Thanks for the Beyonce reference Ben, she's gone a long way with her dad at the helm of their label.....hopefully one day they'll play you on the radio.