Mr Rogers? Or Next Leader of the Republican Party?

OK. I just listened to the Republican response to the President's address last week. It took me a while to get around to it. But, I had heard some negatives from some folks so before passing judgement on something I hadn't heard first hand, I thought that I should sit and listen.

This guy is a moron. Or, maybe he's super intelligent. But he comes across like one because he talks in baby-speak. I feel like I should have a plate of cookies, glass of milk and a fuzzy blanket curled up on my lap when he talks.

Does he really think people are that stupid? I mean when he says tells the story of the sheriff yelling in the phone. I had Mr. Rogers Neighborhood flashbacks. I envisioned the Governor of Louisiana wearing a cardigan and taking off his shoes.

It was really hard to get to the substance of what he said because of the kindergarten delivery. Awful.

But, there was substance in what he said. He condemned in his words "something called volcano monitoring". What? I wonder if Governor Jindal replaced the word "volcano" with the word "hurricane" - if he'd think it was such an inane expendture. Come on! Do, folks who AREN'T in LOUISIANA deserve less protection? Or, maybe those folks who are dumb enough to live next to a volcano and persist on building in the path of a lava river get what they deserve? But, shouldn't they be at least afforded warning that disaster is about to strike? Or, is that reserve for those in the Big Easy?

I think he ought to be ashamed of himself for his insensitive comments, unthoughtful conclusions, and moronic delivery. If THIS is the hope of the Republican party (some have even floated Jindal as a potential rival to Obama in the next Presidential election) the state of the Republican party has a lot more in common with our economy than I thought.

Which is to say, we all think it's bad - but the truth is it may actually be much worse than any of us believe. Poor republicans - they may never, in this generation, be a viable alternative to the democratic or any other party.

That stands to reason. George W. broke the world - why wouldn't the republican party be included in that?

A great Austin Weekend -Back on the Road

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

A weekend here in Austin. Back home after a great California trip. 

Last year we had a challenge getting the Dakota to pass the Texas inspection. Which, of course, made no sense to us since it just had passed California smog, which is supposed to be stricter.

I was worried because the technician told me last year that it only passed "barely". And, it would likely not pass again. But, we did have the fuel injection system replaced since then, so it passed. Which, I should have suspected it would. But, it still didn't curb my surprise and when the technician handed me the paperwork, I looked down half expecting the same "fail" that I received last year. When I scanned the paperwork though, I didn't see it. So, I asked "did it pass?" and when he said "sure". I said..   "IT DIDDDD?????".

He looked sort of strange at me.

I'm just happy to be back on the road.

Round Up Weekend in Austin Texas

We had a great time with our friends Steve and Dave who visited from San Jose, CA. They brought friends from San Francisco and Seattle with them.

We went to the capitol building and looked around Austin. Unfortunately the eateries were not cooperating this weekend.

What usually is great fare, was a little poor this week for some reason with some of my favorite places having an off day. :(

There was Magnolia's with cold pancakes and even colder butter. So cold, the butter would rip right through the chilly cakes. Not a good representation of Magnolia Cafe. Usually the food there is hot and good. Then Hyde Park Cafe, known for their french fries could not seem to put together an entree that didn't have onions. Our friends that day all deplored onions (not me. I love em). And try as they might, they couldn't seem to do it. But the worst was Artz Ribhouse. Wow. That place just plain sucks. Do not even bother. They had no ribs, no chicken, no brisket, no turkey. Just burgers. Not really Texas BBQ do you think?

We ventured out and had a good time though. Here's some pictures.

Here's David and Steve in front of Ann Richards - smiling and then for some reason when I had them step over just a few feet they lost their smile under the picture of dubya (he has that affect on some people)

Georgio and Rob enjoying BBQ.

Take care.

Some of the boys outside of Ironworks

A MILESTONE FOR SURE!

Well. I made an agreement with myself I would sit down immediately once the scale dipped below 200 because in my mind, that would be a huge accomplishment!

I haven't been under 200 pounds since 1992. Not that I haven't tried. 

I have been feeling particularly nauseous this week but have pushed through with my regular routines knowing that it would appear that less eating always results in loss.

So, it would appear - an uncomfortable day equals a good weight loss day.

Hmm.

But, all is well here. I'm doing fine and am able to move around much better so I guess my excuses for not visiting the gym more often are slipping away. Yikes.

Here's a spontaneous picture of Rob that is one of my new favorites. Also is Resta and Cupcake at our favorite Yogurt place I turned everyone onto - Planet Yogurt. Great yogurt, terrible smoothies.

Then we have the smiling Adam, who we've determined is called "Minnie" because he's quiet as a MOUSE. 

Lastly we have the lovely Selena in our kitchen getting a new do from Serene and we're all one big happy home in our home/barber salon here in Texas! I hope this note finds you well and I'm excited about my visit to California next month. :)  Be well.

7 Months and 80 Down

Well, I'm now 7 months after my surgery. I'm still making progress! I'm averaging about 2.2 pounds per week weight loss. So, for today that accumulates to 80 pounds. I'm now 200 down from 280.

I think that's amazing. I feel better and am able to move easier. I'm also seeing the first signs of baggy skin. eww. But, I think that's a price I'm completely willing to pay for improved health. Friends all comment on the amazing transformation but I'm thinking when I see my friends in California next month and Detroit in March, all who haven't seen me since before the surgery - they will really be surprised.

You can see from the graph, it really adds up that's for sure.

This week was President Obama's inauguration. I wish now I had taken the day off. It was too difficult to try and watch it at work. The internet streaming kept jumping and of course there were still clients in need - so I was pulled away so many times - I just gave up. I watched it at home that evening. It seems like so many folks were touched, I think it's great that we had a national moment. I really didn't detest Pastor what's his face so much that day. I was too filled with hope to allow differences to diminish the feeling.

I hope whereever you were, and who you were with, were also filled with hope. With so much work to do - all of our hopes need to be with our national leaders these days.

Be well until I see you again.

How is Left Wing Lunacy any Different from Right Wing?

I think that just plain crazy should be called such. It doesn't really matter who proposes crazy does it?

I mean really.

I say this in all seriousness because it's hard to take serious the new campaign by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Their aim is to rename fish - SEA KITTENS.

It seems the folks at PETA have come up with the notion that if FISH are renamed people will be much less likely to commercially and personally angle for them. They are opposed to fishing.. or, excuse me, sea-kittening.

Somehow they believe that people who normally have no problem putting an earthworm on a hook (most likely it's own travesty in PETA's view) and putting it in the water to catch a fish would somehow conjur up different images if we associated kittens with hooks in their mouths.

All this is just plain ridiculous. Love me some pets. Hate mistreatment of animals. Even have come to not roll my eyes at my vegetarian friends. But this is crazy is, as crazy does. There's really no other way to view it.

All this ranting has now raised my appetite. I'm heading to red lobster to eat me a plate of sea kitten planks.

Mmm Mmm Mmm.

Sometime in the Near Future - Warmth Will Return

Car.DakotaSide
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

I'm dreaming of warmer weather and running around Austin with the top down. The truck is in need of a new transmission but, it's older so I guess that's to be expected.

We spent this weekend hanging out and went to the Paramount Theatre to see Carol Burnett. We had the best time. It was so fun, and funny. She's amazing and looked great for being nearly 76!

It's been cold in Austin and I'm not going to complain too loud or long because I remember how hot it is in the summer. So, for now - we're biding our time. We have fires in the fireplace, Uno the cat loves those. We've been doing around the house stuff, like painting and decorating - and spring will come soon enough.

In the meantime I hope your winter is wrapping up nice and you look forward to warmer days and hopefully us spending time together. I'm traveling to California next month and looking forward to that.

It's going to be great. :)

After the New Year

Eric
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

It's 2009 and all is well. It's good to be back at work and settled back into the routine. I enjoyed the time off at the holiday break. We did get somethings done around the house. Ok, a lot of things. But, after all is said and done - there's something nice about a familiar routine.

Eric came to visit from Dallas and that was nice. And, I'm looking forward to visiting California next month and maybe seeing some of you. Fun!

Perhaps the Earliest ReElection Campaign Ever

Before he's even raised his hand to take the oath, it appears our President Elect is working at his reelection in 2012.

What other reasonable explanation could there be for his selection as invocation choice for the inaugural ceremony. Let me start by saying, I'm an Obama fan. I may even be willing to cut him some slack and set aside my concerns in this instance because what our country needs now more than anything - is unity.

That being said, choosing Rick Warren is certainly a bold choice, if not a dumb one. We're talking about a mega-church pastor who has equated Gay marriage to incest.

I know - huh?

Certainly that must qualify as some sort of radical thinking - if not insanity. But, Obama's reaching-out may be centered more on trying to bring evangelicals into his centrist fold rather than anything else. It is sort of a nod to the right wing to say "See! I'm really, really not a muslim - and it'd be alright if you moved on over to the center somewhat. And, come 2012, remember how I reached out to you. I'm not a liberal".

Great. Good for you Mr. President elect. However - if you recall, none of Pastor Warren's constituents were involved, worked hard, or contributed their dollars to get you the the position where you'll get to waltz around the floor at your inaugural ball. Quite a large portion of your supporters who did, will be left outside in the cold, looking in the window.

As an admirer of political-posturing-done-well this may be a master stroke. Pastor Warren has much to benefit from this newly-cozy if not odd coupling. With the Reverend Billy Graham and the like moving off the scene - there's no preeminent successor to carry the torch as the figure head of Christianity for sanctioned formal events.

What a great opportunity for the reverend to raise his stature among his followers, and lure in a whole new batch of converts to his mega-church by pointing to his move towards national prominence. Great. Hope he gets a new hummer out of it.

But, Mr. President-elect - you're walking a fine line. If things don't go very well in the coming years (and right now, things are so bad, you're going to have to be a miracle worker to say the least) the first ones who will seek to throw you overboard to the minnows will be the followers of the good pastor himself. And, if you continue to make moves like this - which isolate, offend and otherwise disillusion the Gay community - I don't know that you'll be able to call on that constituency to throw you a life preserver NO MATTER HOW GOOD AN ORATOR you are or if you tap dance a jig better than Ben Vereen himself.

So, that being said - I'll forgo this one. I'm cautiously optimistic. I'd like to see where you're going with this one before I write you off as a bait-and-switch candidate who has taken the money of the Gay community, thrown in a few references to aknowledge our existence off stage, and then conveniently forget our existence now that our checks are cashed.

Oh. And a fucking appointment to your cabinet might not be out of the question either. How about that for balance?

Thanks.

In Houston at Thanksgiving

In houston at thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

I had a very nice time this year visiting friends in Houston.

It was a good time, but of course Rob was in California with our family - so that would have been nice too. I had used up my vacation in my surgery, so I wasn't able to venture west this time.

But, I am looking forward to going that way in February.

It's going to be great fun. In the meantime it's getting cold here. Yesterday it was 77 degrees, today is like 57. Big drop! And, I'll survive but I prefer the warm weather any day. Pictured above are friends I traveled from Austin with. Left to right, Shefonda, Resta, Jessica and FaLisha. We mostly stayed off each others nerves and some moments were more successful than others but remember, close quarters does that to even the best of friends right?

Looking forward to gettting the Christmas tree this weekend and starting a painting project in the next couple of weeks. I'm sure the house will look totally different!

Hello and greetings from Austin --> Christopher