Another Year in Houston for Thanksgiving

Houston
Originally uploaded by SolisRough

We have a tradition that we've acquired since moving to Texas. That's that we travel to Houston to be with friends.

It's turned into a very fun weekend of shopping, hanging out, catching up and of course - eating. But, really the whole weekend is about gratitude. This year was much scaled back in terms of pace.

I think that's a good thing although it takes some getting used to. I'm used to being in the middle of everything. This year I purposely took a back seat to let others take a lead. I didn't even participate in half the outings, but I'm here Sunday in the afternoon following the holiday. I'm at Strange Brew Coffee Shop, and I'm not completely wiped out and exhausted.

So, maybe there is an upside to not running a amok EVERY weekend.

This photo is of Rob, Justin and I. We enjoyed meeting Landrum from Virginia and spending time with Rich from West Virginia. We even got an opportunity to visit with Patty and Sue from San Jose. That was nice since it had been at least 5 years since Rob saw them.

Overall it was a nice weekend and it's good to be home.

Things to be Grateful for Today

Dash. Ugh
Originally uploaded by SolisRough

Even when bad things happen, one can still find some solace in knowing that things could always be worse. No. Really. They could be.

Gratitude often comes in the form of either how it could be worse or the people in your life that you share these events with that somehow lessen the problem and help reduce it to it's right size.

This picture is what I woke up to this morning when peering inside my vehicle but here's what makes it not such a big deal.

1. They chose my car over some poor frail or elderly person that wouldn't be as ready to deal with the police and insurance issues that always follow.

2. I have insurance.

3. They broke the window and not sliced through the convertible top.

4. I have a vehicle to break into.

5. Hell - I have two. So, this wasn't my only way to get to work this morning.

6. The Diamond Dog Dodge is a "thing". It's not an irreplaceable person or something like my health.

7. Husbands who remind you of number 6 while standing in their jammies among broken glass.

8. Husbands who while in the state of number 7, send you off to work, while they call the police.

9. Husbands who sweep glass and move the truck back into a safe place in the garage.

10. Husbands.

11. Especially #10.

:)

Diamond Dog Dodge is Having a Bad Morning

Diamond Dog Dodge is having a bad morning
Originally uploaded by SolisRough

This morning I arrive to my truck and find glass on the ground. Not ever a good sign. But, looking inside made it worse. It was all chopped up in there. Wow. If someone is going to be a thief, I would think they'd want to be quick and good. I can't imagine the fussing they must have done to get at the stereo to create this much damage.

I wish I had a dog that would have woken me up. :(

Our Nukes Are Good, But our Cows and Cars Aren't?

It's odd that after just a week after President Obama left Korea with an empty sack that news of South Korea considering asking the U.S. for nuclear weapons to be deployed in their country. Believing the U.S. to be in a poor bargaining position, they've offered few concessions in key areas of trade. Thankfully, President Obama passed on their unattractive proposal. Not surprising, RMO Fox (Republican Media Outlet) and others have criticized the President for coming back empty handed. The same outlets that would have derided him if he came back with a treaty which was unbalanced.

Now though, it seems South Korea may want something from us. Nuclear weapons? Really?

When you think of how much the political fall out would be with Russia and China if we tried to reintroduce new weapons in the Korean Penninsula against the idea that our cows and cars are tarriffed among other items and kept out of Korea - I think this idea is a non-starter. At least I hope it is.



http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4be9943c2de1875b

Hi everyone, I posted a new episode to my podcast, Solis Rs SoberTexas Podcast. Please click the link below to view it.

http://recoveryspeakers.podomatic.com/entry/2010-11-20T09_41_31-08_00 See you there! - SolisR

Of all the Advice He's Getting. This Might Actually Be Right

Of all the information coming at our President these days, this article might outline the best approach yet. While the Republicans decide whether they want to launch investigations for un-American activities, or whether they want to try and repeal the 14th amendment to repeal birthright citizenship for infants born in the U.S. - perhaps all that should remain in the periphery. Perhaps, the agenda should not be distracted by what's going on the other side of the isle. The crazy side.

Maybe what our President should do, is what I've been advocating since his first day in office which is to be a strong leader with clear direction advocating for sensible reforms regardless of whatever goes on in crazy-ville. The reason we hired the guy was because he sold us on the vision of hope and change. And, to be honest, that hopey changey thing hasn't been working out so well. Or at least, hasn't lived up to it's potential. To prevent a lame duck situation for the second half of his term, he might want to just go balls to the wall (first of course, he'd actually have to grow some) and push forward an agenda that makes sense. And, to hell with those want to label the agenda liberal or middle or even conservative. We're one America, he ought to lose the labels and do what's right. In the end, like the cited article suggests, it will be recalled as the Obama era. Not the John Boehner era, or anything else. No body thinks of the Tip O'neill era or even the Newt - what's his name era.

So I hope he moves forward decisively regardless of what goes on in the rear view mirror.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111806290.html

Sam and I

Sam and I
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Epoch November 2010

It's Time to Stop. No. Really.

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4be9943c2de1875b

It's clear that we have many government employees. Some whom take advantage of loop holes and advantages in retirement systems. Ultimately those who pay the bill are taxpayers. I think somewhere along the way, public employees may have forgotten is that when they are on a pension of $100k for life, we're on the hook for that money for the duration of their life. Which, may be a longgg time.

Maybe it's time for states like California, to seriously consider the bankruptcy option. Certainly a judge could nullify every retirement pact and these could be renegotiated to a reasonable amount. It's time to stop putting bank bail outs, nationalization of companies like GM and all this madness on the backs of the American taxpayer.

Of course, now that Jerry Brown is in office, this will never happen. But, will SOMEONE please step up to the plate!?

Brokk Sean and me

Brokk Sean and me
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!

Fun in Sacramento

Fun in Sacramento
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!

Patty and Sue

Patty and Sue
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

C!