Foundation and Empire

Foundation and Empire, Isaac Asimov's tale of a struggling empire and a new foundation, started with a bang and ended with a whimper. A book that had tremendous potential to be an epic portrayal of an outer space battle between 'new ideas' and 'old established ideas' all of a sudden became a 'let's talk about what a bada$$ 'the mule' is the rest of the book'

The empire attacks the foundation, then the foundation is met with 'civil war' as a mutant called the mule dominates the rest of the book. Not good closure, not good transitions into the rest of the books or previous books, therefore I'm not inspired to pick up the sequel or prequel.

High point of the book I can bring to real life is bel riose's strategies on fortification. Basically he's a bada$$ general for the empire, all of his people love him, and he's skilled in the tactics of war and can do a tremendous amount with little resources, with the fortification of 'key' points. In the book he had about 10 ships and he used them to fortify ten points, even though he was spread thin, he was able to cover the ground he needed to cover. When I think business ventures, I think of the 10 places that need covered, the 'keys' that need to be fortified in order to make anything successful and then cover them, no matter how spread thin you are.

Now on to Crime and Punishment, we'll see how that one's gonna stack up.

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New Divine Comedy album came out Juneteenth, here's an excerpt from Victory for the Comic Muse, go out and buy it, it's good!

Her -- "If there's a war I'll sleep with you before you get killed, that's what maidens do in books, and I'm a maiden"

Him -- "You keep carrying on about your virginity, virginity is nothing, you can lose it riding a bicycle"

Her -- "I didn't know that, I must be careful, I'm going to be getting a bicycle in London."

And It's Hard to Hold a Candle in the Cold November Rain

Random tidbit, did you know Slash made them carry that church out in the middle of the desert, for the Video November Rain, just so he could JAM in front of it? That's some excessive sh*t.

In visiting Houston this weekend, I always go to my sister's church. I've been to many 'wrong' churches, and that's why I more often than not opt to sleep in. I get more out of sleeping in than going to hear a message. Well this church is progressive, the community is involved, there's lots of interesting people, and it's not 'preachy', wish I could explain it better. It's worthwhile to get up for this on Sunday morning, you can get something out of it, instead of just loafing about all Sunday.

I'm always excited for friends going overseas, especially friends that are going to see mutual friends and such. My friend Meghan from Canada is visiting London then Japan, potentially seeing Neil (a buddy of mine from 'the motherland') and of course Toshi in Japan. I'm all sorts of hyped about that, gives me something to daydream about. Like Red going to see Andy in Mexico -- I want to see my friend, my friend Toshi, my friend Neil. Hopefully they will drink a beer or two or twenty five.

Speaking of absence, I'm not going to be able to make the Belle and Sebastian with The Shins in Los Angeles as planned, the pocketbook just doesn't all for any sorts of adventures at the moment. Hopefully I'll get some phone calls at 'key' moments of the gig, and it would be stellar to check it out, but there will be other gigs.

Mr Steve, my buddy from San Antonio will be in town this week, and I look forward to spending some time with him catching up on the latest news and gigs at the amphitheatre.

PMP study lunches are still commencing at Denny's on Monday and Wednesday, still most of the day class on Friday, and yet another study session has been added for the weekend. I'm going to be taking my test sometime during the week of July 17th, to get it over with, no guts no glory.

A word HAS to be said about family, I love mine to death, all of them are amazing supportive people, sometimes I feel as if I wouldn't have them, I'd be out on the street somewhere, or working at the local convenient store in Shiner. A big thanks for everything family, I owe all of y'all one.

Stayed tuned for another dull week of postings, but I found my camera so I'll start adding pictures again. This week is studying, studying, studying, but I'm sure me and Steve will stir up something at least one night this week.

Out of Bed at 8am, Out My Head at Half Past 10, Out with Mates and Dates and Friends, That's what I Do at Weekends

Jamie was my 8th grade graduation dance 'date', and it's wonderful that we still are great friends. She travels all over the place, was in Calgary last week, has a potential trip to Moscow on the horizon, and the continental US is like my average trip to San Marcos.

Highway 6 (something in itself that is blogworthy one of these days) is home to a Casa Ole with $1.39 margaritas all day everyday. Guess where I'm heading after I'm done with this blog posting!

Oh, What a World This Life Would Be, Forget All Your Technicolour Dreams

Grant is a cool little dude, today I taught him about the Green Lantern. I said whenever there is trouble you can hit the 'red button' on the Thinkpad, and the Green Lantern will come to the rescue!

I told him to not abuse the 'red button' though, and only use it when there is trouble. So Grants rebuttal was, 'So when I want to see this guy, I have to set the house on fire?'

When visiting Houston, A trip to Little Willies is always on the agenda. Meghan, Grant and friends were amused with the little duck I have on my dashboard, when I would take turns at vicious speeds, the duck would fly around the car, much to the amusement of the little dudes and dudettes.

Don't Give Me No Sh*t about Blood, Sweat, Tears and Toil

I'm officially hooked on YouTube, I'm usually not a quick adopter of trends, but this one is here to stay. I've browsed videos for a few hours, making 'my favorites' list, and here are a few. The creator was yet another panelists at SXSW this year.

Billy Bragg, singing its all about the price of oil, yea, my right wing nut jobs friends would scoff at the thought of me liking the banter from this bloody englishman, but what makes sense makes sense, he's got SERIOUS BALLS for singing this, especially in America, and getting applause. The song starts out slow, at the end it's pure venom! Great stuff! For Billy, the shit doesn't add up, as the lyrics portray.

Next is a singalong is some kinda strange place by Pete Doherty. Mr Boehm, I know you hate this dude, but damn this is some pretty down to earth shit, who cares if he's drunk or stoned or both.

Anyway, check out YouTube, its a great time waster, and you can see some great stuff.

Streets, Buildings and Cars, Far Away Stars, My Fingers Move Over the Borderline

It's that time, time to procrastinate about putting my resume together. Right now life is one big pile of uncertainty. I've been doing plenty research on the job market and potential places to move, even though Austin seems to be on the top 10's of many lists in terms of places to live, as it pertains to 'bang for your buck' and other intangibles that make the place unique. It sucks thinking about moving, considering I take advantage of a lot of the intangibles.

Resumes are kinda stupid, who tells the truth on them anyway, and it sucks you have to spend a lot of time prepping the resume in order to land face time. I have no idea how I landed the job I currently have back in the day, I chalk it up to 'interviewing skills.'

Weird how places are now asking you if you have a myspace account or a blog in the inquiry process. Lots of crazy social things happening on myspace these days....i.e. the video portion. It's mildly sick to see which 'videos' crawl to the top of the most watched list, even though they preach that if you upload porn, your account will be deleted.

I guess this means I search for a liberal place to work, or quit blogging, or sugar coat words to make things irrevalent, to the point where the next time I blog I will say, well here's what I ate for lunch.

I've checked out jobs in Baghdad, for a business / IT dude, the salaries are up in the 140's, sure would be nice to make that bank, ummmm, revolver, bulletproof vest, and a fast pair of tennis shoes please. Why the flipidy flip don't the troops wear some sort of gps units, and if they do, how can they get lost?

Well there's the random update, I'm tasked with getting draft one of my resume finished this evening, and one night this week creating a new face to this crusty blog.

Too Young to Hold On, Too Old to Just Break Free and Run

The guy from You Have Bad Taste in Music would have went crazy if here were here this evening. Turn off your TV, the Internet is On.

I could go down an extremely cynical in my depiction of the Buzzfest, instead I'll just say that friends like the Doc and Melanie make any event worthwhile. I didn't get my video of 'The Reason,' but I'm sure the distorted bass sounded badass, and some teenie boppers enjoyed it enough for me.

However, It's amazing how many people show up for concerts of this nature. It's great for people watching for a while. You can spot a poser from a mile away, I find it hard to believe you can wear a Ramones shirt and really mean it while you are rockin' hardcore to Hinder, or Shinedown, or Trapt, or Stained, or ummmm Hoobastank.

Doc sorry to dog you out, if you read this, I left the gig to catch the 7.30 showing of Nacho Libre at the local mall, a brisk walk from the venue. I've opted to 'lone pole-it' often lately, leaving friends here and there and everywhere, I'm sure it's a phase, all in finding myself.

It was great to see Nacho's patented 'butt flex' move, and I love it when little Mexicanos talk really slowly in broken English, and how's about that bee hive scene?

All in all a great day, now time to clean doc's dead peeled skin out of my car from intense sunburn from the week before.

When the Night Falls on Metropolis, Neon Dissonance, Warm Lipstick

Ashley B's babyshower and a nice conversation with Mr. Boehm was on the agenda for the evening.

Great seeing Kimmie P now Kimmie Z, and can't help but remember when the girls went 'Naked' down the streets of Austin, after the stellar performance from great band.

Marty, of course, always a pleasure chatting with you, and I'm looking forward to the Mexico or New Orleans road trip.

Pushing the Night into the Daytime, Watching the Sky's First Light While the City Sleeps

World Cup is well underway, I'm currently watching on my buddy Ron's 52 inch TV, the taping of Germany vs Poland. I'm going for Germany, since the USA is shiza. Last world cup I was in Spain, watching Germany and Brazil go head to head, watching Reynaldo and his goofy haircut slowly tear down Oliver Kahn, while some Spaniard lady kept repeating "Reynaldo, Que Lindo!". Later we would enjoy a Brazilian celebration on the Mediterranean in Barcelona, then followed by a party in Plaza Real.

Generalizing here, Renaldo is a beast, probably the best in the business, Beckham is a master, and extra points for marrying the hottest spice girl. The 'world rating system' doesn't mean sh*t, it's got the US ranked #5, they were destroyed by the Czech Republic, and will be destroyed on Saturday by Italy.

While in Deutschland, I got some commerative glasses, socks, and a shirt for the Diz who helped me find my way home after the missed flight. I think it's a pretty cool looking logo.

If I ever win the lotto, I'm headed to the World Cup in style, if not, I'm just going to try to make it there. I have another 4 years, and maybe I can make it to the 2010 cup in South Africa.

In the meantime, this gets my vote for the most state of the art sports facility today, or at least the most asthetically pleasing. Munich Alliance Stadium --

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"The Vision of a Champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, and the point of exhaustion, when no one else is watching." --Ditty Anson Dorrance

Your Lips When We Speak Are the Valleys and Peaks of a Mountain Range on Fire

As blogger would have it, I spent a decent amount of time tearing this song apart, lots of good meaning here, but alas I accidentally wiped out the content. In a nutshell, the thoughts were about how important great dialogue is, and what it means to be deviant.

As with any good tune, it's interpretative, what it means is up to you.

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girl inform me all my senses warn me
your clever eyes could easily disguise
some backwards purpose
it's enough to make me nervous.
do you harbor sighs, or spit in my eye

but your lips when we speak
are the valleys and peaks of a mountain range on fire.
so let me walk these coals till you believe
i can cut the mustard well enough
cause you know as soon as breathe we scrutinize

unknown quotients, you must be using potions
how else could you tie my head to the sky
this new convection has left me wondering why
i can't concern myself with ordinary tripe.

like what's this morning's paper got to say
and which brand of coffee to make
this is no umbrella to take into the wind
and before we begin is there nothing to kill this anxiety.

but your lips when we speak
are the valleys and peaks of a mountain range on fire.
so let me walk these coals till you believe
i can cut the mustard well enough
cause you know as soon as breathe we scrutinize
the paint away.

When Some Loud Braggart Tries to Put Me Down, And Says His School is Great...

The crazy small town politics seem to have settled, and students at the public school in Shiner will no longer have to deal with rats, roaches, and silly putty holding the building together, as the frame of the new school sits right next to the football field in Shiner.

Prime real-estate out there, right by the park. When I pull my Gump routine and run by the road, I see progress all the time.

I have many memories of what will be the old school, lunch lady land, a crusty gym, and the plot of land that currently houses K-12.

From what I understand, Shiner is now actually one of the biggest 1A's in Texas, It's nice that there is a new school. Next thing we have to work on is getting arts and humanities teachers, so kids actually know things like that exist.

Sometimes You're At Your Best, When You Feel the Worse, You Feel Washed Up Like Piss Goin Down the Drain

There's something strangely therapeutic about sitting at home all weekend and engaging in 'self improvement' type activities. Other than that, there is 'stuff' on the fringes I often think about, here's a list from the weekend.

Productive Stuff

PMP Prep -- Yea the test is going to be a pressure cooker, massive memorization of the 'inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs' -- when all said and done over 2,000 of em.' Some of the driest reading I've ever approached, and I've read a lot of dry tech sh*t in my day.
MyHometown -- Seldom do ideas reach past the feasibility study, in terms of providing a valuable service to a demographic and making money on it. It's a tough world out there and they say 'get rich or die tryin' -- well I'm not dying trying, but I am using a fair amount of brain cells trying to create an income stream that allows me to get my travel on, and potentially provide stability for family life one day, and also for self actualization, getting something profitable off the ground is hard work. This go around I'm trying to think my way thru a service that keeps church, school, sports, trading post 'stuff' online for a small town.
Foundation and Empire -- Reading the classic of an empire falling, as a more agile 'enlightened' foundation gains influence. Mimics perhaps what's going on today with the falling empire (if you consider that the US), but the foundation would be...>? hmmm......
My German Class --MyGermanClass.com -- These videos are funny as hell, even if you don't know any German, and even if you don't care to learn. The creator is a funny bada$$ that leaves me dying to see the next episode.

The Worthless Stuff

CD Changer --- I often ask people what's in their CD Changer, well here's what hovering in mine, for better or for worse.....1--- Two Gallants - What the Toll Tells --- 2--- Billy Bragg --Talking with the Taxman about Poetry --- 3 -- A Kraftwerk Hog Podge of Stuff -- 4 -- A Radiohead Live in Berlin Show supporting the Kid A / Amnesiac Tour, with excellent sound reproduction --- 5 -- The Shins -- O Inverted World --- 6 --- and last but not least, -- an acoustic mix tape that will probably land in Ashley's hands.
British Motorbikes --- Once I get a new job, if circumstances line up, one being its not cold all the time where I go, get a healthy raise, and I can live less than 10 miles from where I work, I may get a thumper, I'm too masculine to ride a moped, so here's something that's a bit more classy and not chromed out.

That seems to be the scope of it all at the moment. Seems a bit dull, but it's never a dull moment when you have a fast connection to the Internet, thank you Al Gore!

Women Be Wise, Keep Your Mouth Shut, Don't Advertise Your Man

100 f*ckin' degrees outside ALREADY. Miserable I tell you, even under the shade tree with margarita in hand and free happy hour BBQ.

The times were still good though all things considered at Freddie's Place, a hoppin' happy hour place on South First.

The live entertainment, Jane Bond, she's awesome. Her band plays the best songs, and the best covers. Thanks for playing 'Women Be Wise', I dedicate that to my old old old roommate Kevin King. Kevin King from El Paso, google search Kevin King from El Paso one day, or Robert Bruns from Austin, would be great to connect with you again old buddy, you did a lot for my life.

With that sentimental mumbo jumbo said, hope everyone has a great Friday and thru the weekend.

The Good Old Days we'll I Suppose I'm Glad They're Behind Us Now, The Only Thing Worse than Growing Up, Is Never Quite Learning How

I love this 'passage' --

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What uniform can I wear to hide my heavy heart? It is too heavy, it will always show. Jaques felt himself growing gloomy again. He was well aware that to live on earth a man must follow its fashions, and hearts were no longer worn.
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Down by the River on a Friday Night, Pyramid of Cans in the Pale Moonlight

Blast from the past, some pictures from 'Billy Bobs', the biggest honky tonk in Texas!

I was thinking on a trip to Dallas / Fort Worth this weekend to see these wonderful folks, Manuel and John if they will be around. my o my, last time in the house there was a hoot of a time. I caught up with Mr Manuel a few weekends ago, it's always good, this dude always helps me put life into perspective. We always hit 'Ye Ole Bull and Bush' for the best music in town, and then to the Shamrock Pub (that's where all the chicks hang out), and I usually kick a dudes ass or two in pool while there.

Yea, they made me do it, but I suppose somewhere down in the blood it's there, and I suppose if I did smoke, I'd be wrappin' my cigs in my sleeve.

Since Britney got fat and has two babies, it's time for me to let her go. I'm also browsing thru the hard drive Turdboy found that he lost, and now has given back to me, and admiring the 'artwork' the diz did back in the days of Spain. Is that my IP address on my shirt?

I dug up a slew of old school pictures, so as the days are 'slow,' there will probably be some blasts from the past.

Have a wonderful day all my cube dwelling friends, everyone everywhere.

Back in the Day You Had Been Part of the Smart Set, You'd Holidayed with Kings, Dined out with Starlets

Random Updates....

Living in limbo has been getting much better. Thanks for everyone offering a bed, couch or moral support thru my month and coming months of indecision. Especially my wonderful sister Jeannie, who's taken the brunt of it all. And also thanks to Ashley and John for a lovely couch, and the best shower head EVER! Just how do they make the water feel like that coming out? AMAZING -- I will be driving from Shiner two days a week, once on Monday, once on Wednesday (or until further notice of 'friend wanna hang out type scenarios, and o boy the way can I sleep on your couch type excursions'). The IPOD is my friend, iTunes is bearable, and the podcasts are STELLAR, so driving doesn't matter too much at all. Just wish Bush could do something about the gas prices (blame it ALL on Bush, it's ALL his fault! hahaha)

I got 'permission' from PMI to sit for my PMP exam based on my application, how's that for acronym overload. The next 5 Fridays are prep class, then a day of cramming, then a 2 day brain overload of information that will hopefully ensure that I pass the $600 to take exam the FIRST time. Geeze, I can't imagine it being that freakin' difficult. So weekends are studying, and a few nights of week are studying.

We have the first ever 'tech' intern at AMF, his name is John, a cool dude, great to bounce ideas off, etc. We meet on Tuesday and Thursday 4pm, and on the agenda for the summer is build 'intelligent' reports for membership, set up an exchange server, a 2003R2 domain, as well as other things like an AMF wiki, and podcasting. We'll see how it all goes.


Blogging will commence back to normal now that I'm for the most part caught up with laundry, and have the comfort that I can actually take my test, and that I got into my prep class, etc. Damn, too old for this sh*t. Now, gonna pop in some Guided by Voices and relax for the drive home.

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Quotes from my new homeboy

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The heights charm us, but the steps do not;
with the mountain in our view we love to walk the plains.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing
in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Give me the benefit of your convictions, if you have any,
but keep your doubts to yourself, for I have enough of my own.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Roots / Blackalicious -- Stubbs BBQ

Black Thought, Rahzel, Quest Love put on a brilliant show at Stubbs BBQ this past Friday, while Blackalicious and The Gift of Gab opened. If I were to imagine a sound to capture the south Philly atmosphere, it would be The Roots. They play their own instruments, not only play them, but play them much much better than the typical white boy indie rock band.

Here are the boys, as I found a killer view for the concert. The Gift of Gab is down there with his chick, I nodded to him, he nodded back, pretty cool stuff.

If you are looking for some authentic / best of genre hip hop, look no further.

All the Highs and the Lows and the To's and the Fro's They Left Me Dizzy

The best therapy for the soul is to get out there and get exposure to something other than yourself. The posting wraps up a series of posts about my 'adventures in Deutschland.'

Often people in life take shit for granted, I'm probably one of them. Often people get caught up in mundane details in life, and maybe lose the big picture, or lose vision. A hop across the ocean helps people acquire vision, if they chose to accept this help, and they choose to accept a vision.

Throughout the trip, I've done like Ben Kweller says, "I want to see everything TWICE." I've covered the same ground, and its great to see what's changed, what's not changed, how you've changed, and how you haven't changed. It's great to see old friends, how they've changed, blah blah blah. It gives me the warm and fuzzies to know that things are how they were left, a mutual respect and admiration of friends who are living or are from a different culture. That's a world flatten-er, and something that I believe teaches you tolerance, on a global scale. There should be a freakin' 'travel to a different country' requirement in today's education system.

My boss always tells me I'm a communist, I'm not a communist, but I'd like to think that they had some things right, and the people who have grown up under communist control seem to have a lot of character and appreciation for what they have, which we seem to have lost as a nation. Maybe the only way to get this appreciation back is thru crisis.

I always hear people bitch about 'Mexican immigrants' around here, but putting it into perspective, Germany has immigrants from Poland for cheap labor, Turkish people who seem to not want to integrate into the German culture, or at least 'speak German', and the older generations that have a communists ideology. That seems like a real challenge, the re-unification, or unification of Germany, and O wait, then there's the European Union, and the struggles for the heart and soul of that organization. That's some challenges, so please no more complaining about Mexicans.

Well that's it for now, have a great day all my internet friends. Bye Bye

Turning and Returning to Some Secret Place Inside

I read the departure time wrong on the flight so another night in Berlin. I'm walking the streets disgusted with myself for missing the flight, but after a few hours I settle down and take in all the scenery. I love Berlin, the people, the feeling, the vibe.

This was home base for me, Alexanderplatz, the TV tower is now sponsored by T-Mobile and painted pink, perhaps one of the aesthetic values brought to the city by Berlin's gay mayor.

The Brandenburg Gate, one of the few touristy pictures I took. I sat there for a good while, in front of the Russian Embassy and sorta just soaked it all in. Of course I ate a few Currywurst, and drank my typical Coke (the only time I drink this is on vacation).

Last but not least, the Europa Center and the church next to it. This is located in the Zoolischer (sp?) garden, lots to walk around and see, just leave the checkbook at home, because you can buy any and everything around this area.

Travelling is very therapeutic, I'm blogging a few weeks later since I've been back, and for the sake of keeping up with life, I've cataloged much of what I can in a reasonable amount of time.

It would take way too much time to put it all into perspective into words, and I'd be more than happy to do that, but that damn thing called life and work is always popping its head up to demand your time.

Hence, I look forward to talking with all my buddies about the trip, the stories, the experience and the exposure.

Reebok Classics and Canons at Dawn

For the last time this round in Germany, I ate some killer BBQ, this time with Franzi and Marco, in their hometown of Lehnin. The night before I ate some killer pizza with Frazi and her parents.

The crew for that evening, Marco and Leipold, Franzi, Patrick and his girlfriend, and Christin.

Earlier in the day, Marco and I went to a soccer game, he speaks very little English, I speak very little German, but hey, have a beer, it's all good! hahaha

Marco cooking the steaks and braut. I suppose I gained about a million pounds on this trip.

For lunch we went to a place near Lehnin that served white asparagus, pictured are Franzi and her lovely daughter Charlotte.

Later in the evening the liquors came out, and the guys pressured me into taking a bunch of shots with them, always saying, come on this will be your last shot in Germany, and so on and so on....

The worse thing that could ever touch your mouth.

I could elaborate on the 'feel' of these events probably to a fault, instead, check out the pictures -- hanging out with old friends is always a great feeling.