Plannereeze

Closing out 2007

2007-12-26T11:37:00.001-06:00

It's been a busy year. I'm looking forward to wrapping up this year and preparing for the next as in 2008 we will have an even busier year.

Some of the things that happened this year:

My wife started her new position with the same company (jumping about 4 years ahead);
I became a free mason in July;
My wife got pregnant and is expecting a due date around March '08 (first baby!);
I passed my AICP test (American Institute of Certified Planners);
We held our first Christmas at our house. (since my wife cannot travel due to the pregnancy!)

Work is the same for both of us. Although next year, I'll start working on longer range planning, which is exciting. However, I am a bit taken aback since part of me feels like I'm going back to the way I was when I started my position with this municipality. Though, it was pretty much as a current planner, I had no long range experience and just like I learned with current planning, I'll learn with long range planning.

I actually turned down the opportunity earlier this year to move up to the next level for current planning in favor for waiting and moving up in a senior position and helping to start a long range planning division for our municipality. We now have the staff level that we are not reactionary, but beginning to attempt to be proactive. I think it'll be worth it and work is actually becoming fun again with learning new things.

Laters,
Urban P.

Possibilities

2007-06-17T14:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I never thought I would really do it, but I did! I made it to my two year anniversary with my work. I still miss my area that I came from and I miss the Dallas area as well, but I honestly would say it has been the best opportunity that I could have wanted in terms of learning and feeling like I make a difference.

Work is still work. Controlled by deadlines and a neverending change of attitude from my superiors on the policies, but it's had it's downs and its ups. Now that I'm pretty much considered the grandpa in the group I'm facing two new obstacles: advancing to the next level and accountability of my employer. The new problem is I guess I'm mired in my work and am hesitant to say, but am somewhat discouraged at times. There have been issues at work that everyone works with, mainly budget and space. To keep the story short, I just feel like I am seeing some obvious things lately such as the inequality of work spaces and the inequalities with other departments.

It's not the big thing, the big thing is that the past two months have been really tough in the amount of work we have been having. I noticed a change in myself and didn't like it.

I've been told that my perception around the workplace has changed which is understandable. I agree.....When I first started I was a happy-go-lucky, help anybody out, general goody too shoes. In the time between, I've seen that "too positive" attitude bring me into issues that my area of work doesn't come close, but that because I've found answers and given results, I feel that my generosity has made those whom I wanted to help an easy out to just transfer the issue to me. So now, that I'm taking on added responsibilities I've gotta politely get myself out of the mix. It's tough......I know I didn't like myself, I am working on it, but I have got to begin to politely say, "NO".

Although, such is life, it is also with a career and I'm moving up. I'm excited about the possibilities, but am worried if our department will be able to do some of the things that I think we can and want to do, just that we need more people and money to do the things we want to do after we do the things we have to do.

All I try to do now is pray every morning, noon, and night and just work on it. Work on what? All of it, all parts of my life now, but that's for another post.

Laters,
Urban P.

Honestly, I am still here.

2006-04-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm still here. It's just been incredibly busy. Actually, took my first 'significant time off' (significant = taking off more than just a Friday. Hint: we only work 1/2 days on Friday to begin with) recently. I took a week off. I come back work a few days and go away again for another 3 days. Yeah, that's my life right now.

Will check back real soon. Almost out of the tunnel.

Laters,
Urban P.

I'm Still Here!

2005-11-14T13:36:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to shout that really quick. Work has been EXTREMELY busy, frustrating, and exhausting, but I'm still here. I'll check in soon!

Laters,
Urban P.

Maintaining Status Quo

2005-07-31T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,

Nothing too much new. Work is still work. We went to see my wife's parents and sister (who was in town for the weekend) yesterday. Did some laundry since we still don't have a house.

I know that I need to start paying more attention to work. The past two weeks I haven't come home to my wife one night on time, except Fridays since they're so short. However, I actually took this Friday off. It was only four hours out of my work week, but I think the people at work were glad to see me take some time. I think they're kinda worried that I'll get burned out too fast since I'm the new guy. Anyways, I need to see about getting home more on time on days that I don't have meetings.

I'd like to say that I slept in late, but the alarm clock woke me up when my wife went to work. I had to do some very short noticed errands to make a family member happy. Other than that I just watched a little tv. And yes, (feeling a little ashamed), I skirted into my office for 5 minutes to get an address off my computer and was called by my boss 3 times in the afternoon. We're updating our website and I'm the only one who knows how to do it. It definately makes me feel needed/wanted, but I think that I need to teach my coworkers so that I'm less indispensible. It may sound weird, but it may be a nessesity especially in my profession.

Laters,

Cheers to Life, Love and Happiness!

2005-07-26T12:28:00.000-05:00

This weekend my wife and I went to my home in Dallas. Some close friends of ours got married in Plano. Congrats to David & Desi. We wish you all the best! And look forward to haning out with ya'll!

It really hit me when we were on our way from the rehersal to the rehersal dinner in Plano at sunset that I had really missed Dallas. Of ourse, it was my first time back since I started my new job, but I had remembered all the neat quirks of the area. It makes me look forward to the time in a few years that we can move to Dallas, but also for now I know that I need to be hear near Houston. There's alot of work to be done yet. It's not hard work, just alot of work, but the main think is I like the people I work with (which is a BIG plus), and I feel that I'm actually making a difference within my department and maybe it'll take some some to see the impact on the city's development.

Other than that we're looking for a house and the weekends are pretty busy. I think we have about 2 months of weekend plans lined up. So with me coming home at about 7 on a good night and 8 or 9 on a meeting night, I'm definately keeping up with trying to get enough relaxation time. I'm not complaining, my life is definately as busy as I wanted it when I was looking for a job.

Laters,

What a doozy of a week

2005-07-09T21:38:00.000-05:00

Sorry, this promised post will be quite short.

This was a doozy of a week, which is an understatement. My department had a planner resign immediately this week. The reasons are unknown to me, be it office or city politics or personal reasoning. Which is strange since I tend to be nosy at times. I really don't care. My first thought was actually what's next and what needs to be done.

As my Senior Planner told me when she announced the resignation, this was a time for me to kinda step up to the plate. I kinda felt like a fighter on the catapult, straining against the launch restraint bar. Waiting to be hurdled off the deck. And then WHOOSH, off we go. I still feel that way. She mentioned that she was already duly impressed with my knowledge and work ethic, which was really nice. Basically this is a challenge to work on and I'm ready. I will actually have direct imput on to our changes and be a key figure in implementing those changes. WOW. I never imagined something like this in my first planning job. I'll keep ya'll up to date.

Laters,
Urban P.

WAY, too long!

2005-07-04T23:48:00.000-05:00

I know, I know.....I've been way to long!

But, what can I say? I'm a working man now! I promise I'll update this weekend.

The short of it. My wife got a job the day we moved the big stuff down. I love work. I love the people I work with. We're beginning to hunt for a house. Honestly, that's really the jist of most of what's gone on, but I'll still fill ya in later this week.

Happy 4th, Everyone!

Laters,

Urban P.

Checkerboard 552 Cleared for Takeoff........

2005-05-13T00:42:00.000-05:00

Well, as you might not notice. I have made a few changes. I've added some friends and fixed one of my dead links. It should all be going now.

There's some new news!

I got a job.

I will be working for a city in the Houston area. I am excited about all the opportunities. It's probably one of the best opportunities as a "First Job in a career" kinda thing. Although I must admit that it's not my home town of the Dallas area. BUT that's not a terribly bad thing, and in my profession moving around is actually the norm. Well, I've taken this long to look in a highly limited geographic area and somewhat successful. Although, I don't plan on following the industry norm. By this I mean, the norm is to work in New York, then Boston, then somewhere in Connecticut, then somewhere on the West coast, not like other side of Metropolis kinda thing. I'm definately the moving to the other side of town kinda thing. I am a home body.

I must admit again that I am not good with major changes (i.e. high-school to college, college to first job), I'm the worryer, but it must my maturity from my last move after high school because it doesn't seem to be as bad this time around. The hypocracity of it is is that I'm not good with major changes yet I am in a profession that thrives and manages change of cities and communities. Explain that to me.........

So, my wife and I know that we plan to move back to the Dallas area sometime in the future within a time line of about 10 years. It's nothing really set in stome, just how life goes. (i.e. opportunities, kids, family situations, etc.......) It could be sooner, or it could be a little longer. Now that I'll be gaining working planning experience, It might be a bit better for me to get into the Dallas area job market.

That's all I have for now.

Laters,

Urban P.

......Then Again, It's Not!!!

2005-04-23T12:35:00.000-05:00

Well I've been passed over AGAIN! I was hoping I could tell ya'll I had an offer, subsequently I got the phone call just before quitting time yesterday. "We've already made an offer to another candidtae!" This one really hurts too, I worked really hard, brought my A-game and everything. I still have some other opportunities, but this is the brass ring that I wanted and I wanted bad. I know I was in at least the top 3 or 4, but that's not good enough.

One thing that makes me worry now is what the director, another alumni of my college, said. He mentioned that he was worried about how the planners from our school were not as marketable as the once were and that a rival school had basically taken its place. I had first assumed that that was because my class was the last with a good professor whom has since retired and we were the last class to experience a real-life planning project, but it does make me wonder. Especially, since I'm trying so damned hard to work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and it's located in Arlington. AH, shoot, I just don't know what to think. I have thoughts as to reasons why a lot of things happen. I back to not knowing what to do. One thing I do know is that I'm beginning to the possibility to look at other avenues other than planning. I've got to get something soon.....I have got to start a life for myself and my wife.....even if that means no planning. But hey, none of my contacts and/or mentors are willing to help and/or give advice either, so it'll be their loss if I leave.

Laters,
Gotta keep looking.

Something's Afoot

2005-04-20T23:34:00.000-05:00

Hey-

All I can say now is that I've been working on some things that I hope and the good Lord willing I can reveal by the end of this week.....stay tuned!

In the meantime.......I've added some more Texas mugs and more painted stuff.

Laters,
Urban P.

Uplifting Moments

2005-02-21T23:31:00.000-06:00

WOW! Two days in a row!

Well, since today was President's Day it was kinda flat as far a longing for a phone call and/or any correspondence by mail from possible potential employers. There were a couple of marathons going on television so my wife and I just kinda stayed around the house and were just blah, so today was a blah day.

HOWEVER, I heard from another friend whom reads my blog and passed me her family's blessings. It's amazing how warm it is to get the reminder that people are praying for me and my family's well being. I know, I know, it's something I really always know, BUT it's still nice to see or hear it. So let me say to Trisha and her family that we are praying for her and her family as well. You really uplifted our day.

Well, again I'm in the situation that all the applications are out and we're both simply waiting to hear since it really takes on average about two weeks for a reply. I must say I was spoiled when I heard back from two opportunities in less than two weeks. Actually for planning it's more like a month to 6 weeks for an interview and about a month to another 6 weeks for a decision. So, it will take time and I do have some good feelings about two opportunities.

My wife and I are going to be engaged in some activites for the next two days here so all the stuff I have in my "TO DO" list got shuffled to when it's over. Then I have quite a few things to do. Actually some "TO DO" and some "Recreaction".

For the recreation stuff we found a place here in town to paint pottery. Yes, pottery. For me growing up I've always had many hobbies, doing a little bit of everything. So when I went to college I curtailed much of that, but I'd also realized I've never found an outlet for stress. We found one on our honeymoon in Mexico where the resort allowed a vendor to come on where we painted pottery and he later put a clear coat on it. We couldn't use it for food, but it really relaxed me. To make a long story short, we tried to do that on our anniversary last year, but the store here in town had closed. Since then, a lady and her mother bought the equipment from the owner of the closed store. Well, last month we went for the first time and I got hooked. My wife did a small candy holder that looked like a basket and I did a red toy truck piggy bank and a large Texas mug with the Texas flag wrapped around the whole cup. We went again last week for Valentine's Day and then again last Thursday. My wife worked on a wooden spoon holder and I did a Cappucino mug for my wife so she could use it as a soup mug. I must say I've indulged again and am making another Texas mug with a Texas flag motif. This time, the flag is in three stars. At least two times we were there two other ladies who paint alot there along with one of the owners and I told them I'm just continuing the Texas Commemorative mugs. My wife told me she like my work more than hers. I just tell her I've just had more experience. It makes me think where we can find another store like this when we move, but we can always come back here too.

Better go for now. I'll post some pics of my mugs and truck in the future.

Laters,
Urban P.

The Winter Blues

2005-02-20T20:51:00.000-06:00

Again, it's been a while. I must say that blogging has not been that high on my list of priorities lately.

Still job searching. I'm kinda depressed right now because I was running along all fine with interviews up until about the first part of January, then they just kinda dried up. To top that one of the positions I applied for was relisted a few weeks ago, hence, confirming a gut idea I had. I was told another candidate was chosen and much less it was e-mail to me. Again, how can some of these fellow planners really expect the best when they treat the less experienced ones without any professionalism. It would have made it easier just to have simply told the truth, that due to unforseen circumstances they had to cancel the position for now and to reapply at a later date, instead I feel that I was simply lied to to make it easier.

Some of the contacts that I met at the conference I met I feel are not doing there jobs. Anyways, I'm still plugging away. It feels dark and I have very strong reservations. I've never really been THIS far before. I still feel as though the Lord is with me and my wife, whom is also unemployed now.

Things have been resolved with much of my family (regarding family moving back to Texas). My wife and I are all that's left with plans up in the air. I'M READY FOR THIS TO BE OVER AND TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE! However, we had two really good friends come over last evening and it was really good. I must say again, I'm beginning to feel ashamed that I can't get a job. One of the friends has been able to "put another ear to the ground" for me, which is great, but I'm definately becoming much quieter about the job search and how tough it is.

As an end right now, I can only think that "things are always darkest before the light!" Anybody got a flashlight! I know I'm on the verge, just how high or how close to the edge. I don't know.

Laters,

Just been plain busy!

2005-01-13T23:57:00.000-06:00

No, I haven't been on walkabout. I've just been plain busy. It all started with Thanksgiving and didn't let up until this week. I'll try and briefly catch up on news.

First, belated Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Holidays were good, nothing especially suprising or new, just that my brother and sister-in-law are moving back to Texas. Rest of the family is fine.

Still no job yet. I have had several interviews and serious inquiries, but nothing for us yet. I know it will be sooner than later (well, actually praying that it is........only God knows). However, the opportunities are still there and keep coming up.

Families are good as well as our cats: Molly and Tiger. They're just glad all the travelling is mostly over with, providing that we could be moving soon, but we'll see. That's been my moniker lately, " But we'll see........" I'm kinda tired of seeing and ready for doing. Just need more patience. Hope everyone is well, sorry this is short. Nothing really especially to say here.

Laters,
Urban P.

Gone Walkabout!

2004-11-29T23:38:00.000-06:00

It's been a while. I've just gone walkabout for a month or so!

It's interesting since this is my first walkabout and most assuredly not my last. I never know when to just GO.

Nothing has really prevented me. I think what it's really been is that I was depressed. YES, about the job thing. Until I took time, took stock of myself and had to realize a few things. Most of it, I already know, but there's just a few facts that have to be said over and over. GOD has something for me. Not at my own time. I've been at struggle with some of the advice I'd been getting since one side says do something (or anything) to say to fill your time while the other says 'no' concentrate on jobsearch. Regardless, it'll all come in HIS time.

There've been a few helpful things, it's amazing how things pop into your life and kinda smack you in your face. For example, I have a friend, Trisha, whom has her own blog. We haven't seen each other in years, but I'm still greatful for that connection and I read her blog. It's amazing how our lives have crossed paths so closely, yet we haven't seen or met each other in so long, but the wonders of the world wide web have allowed us to "check in". For the past few weeks she been in my town, just a few miles apart as well as her family (I think her father) lives really close to my family ranchland north of Denton, Texas. Anyways........another 'pop' that came was to rejoice in what you have. Thank God for all the positives in your life and I thank him for these people I talk about here in my blog.

The thing about it........all these people I talk about and care about I met a church. Specifically, the Wesley Foundation, for college age christians, when I was in college. When I was there I shuddered at the thought of leaving Wesley; however, after (hopefully) being wiser and definately older I know my place is somewhere else, BUT I still have these friends. I thank him for my friends in Christ.

Well, other than that I hope everyone had a good Turkey Day. I did. No real news to report, except........
-- My wife's grandparents got an apartment and when we went for a return visit the weekend before Thanksgiving we took them around Houston and found a couch and dining table with chairs. Again, it was as if the good Lord meant it to be.
--My wife's sister came in last Sunday night as we arrived from her parent's place and stayed the night. She had a job interview near Dallas for music therapy. We're praying for that. We sure to miss them.
--Also, found out my neighbor went in to his doctor about a month a half ago for a seemingly small thing and had tests. Well, they found that he had silent heart disease and had a quadruple bypass. Fortuneately, he has a big heart (physically, and naturally, not due to the blockages) Comes to find out they actually had trouble stopping his heart it was so strong. So thats good. He was home three days after. I wish him well and prayers.

Going for now, I'll report more about my walkabout if I remember it significant enough to write about it. Tiger has laid here on my desk so I guess things are getting back to order, but not the same. It's a good sign!

Laters,

Out like a light!

2004-10-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

Well, my wife and I finally got home last night, during the 10 o'clock news. I was NOT in the mood. I was sick. We had an eventful weekend.

The grandparents and parents are all at back and safe now. All be it, my in-law parents have a few interesting stories from their drive back towards the Houston area. It's kinda funny, but that's a story later on.

Anyways, yesterday we unloaded the U-haul right after we had lunch, after church and actually got everything unloaded at the storage place by 3. Then we unloaded stuff at the house and were still done by 4 or 4:30. The problem being that it's Houston, there were some rain showers (actually only one lasting less than 10 minutes), but the heat and humidity made me wish it would just rain. Regardless, I got a headache by the time we were finished. My wife thinks it was just from not drinking enough water and working in the heat so much. Plus when we left I started driving.

I think it was the first time that I drive with my head with my head turned to the side (as if trying to sleep on a pillow) It was ok in the beginning, just the annoying numb pain on the left side. Just outside of Houston, 1/2 way home, it got worse. I was hot and had the air on but sweating profusely. I had also started to yawn alot. It actually caused my eyes to water, which actually seemed to make my head feel a little better. Well, my wife got cold, as cold natured people do, and turned on the heat on her side. By the time we were almost home I had already brought to her attention to please stay awake, don't yap too much, and don't touch anything dealing with the A/C. I felt at any point, that I'd have to stop. For you know what reasons.

Fortuneately, we didn't. I walked in the house. My wife simply said, "I'll take care of everything, just go lay down." I went and took a hot shower. Laid down on my nice bed, my wife brought my bed-buddy and put it on my head and she took her shower. The next thing I know, "POW, lights out." My wife said I didn't even wake up the next morning when she gave me my morning kiss this morning. I was out. I love my wife and it was the first good sleep I've had in about two weeks. I truly love my wife.

P.S. I highly reccomend bed-buddies for headaches. I have a lot of them due to my sinuses, but it works. Also works for aches and pain areas. It's just universially nice. It's basically a sock with rice in it. I can't say I've ever cooled it

That's all for now.

Laters,

Just a Quick Note!

2004-10-21T10:48:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would write a little bit. I've spent the past few days at my in-laws house since my wife flew out to L.A. I'm working around their house and currently using my father-in-law's computer to do a little work. HE'S GOT HIGH SPEED INTERNET! Oh how I've missed it since I had it, but hopefully we'll get it back when I get a job.

Oh well, I'm going to get ready in a few minutes to go out to lunch with my former boss, and still mentor and friend. Then I'll head on to wait at the airport for my wife and grandparents. I'm really looking forward to this evening.

Talk to ya'll laters,

Objectives Met!!!

2004-10-16T09:58:00.000-05:00

I got back from my conference last night. I was very good. I did all of the things I wanted (or had needed) to do by means of contacts and/or working rooms, except one. I did not meet one gentleman that I really wanted to meet. However in many ways I exceeded my goals in how much I would learn and absorb and how many people/connections that I would make. I am quite suprised and pleased. Now the next step is making these connections work.

I must say though I'm a little annoyed. Annoyed with my next door neighbor who decided to have team batting practice at 9:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning less than 6 feet away from my house. I was really looking forward to sleeping in kinda later than that. Of course I haven't and got woken up only to find out that the batting practice means that he and his son have decided to do Fall little league. OH #@&*! My wife and I look forward to the end of summer because we know little league (i.e. batting practice ends).

This weekend will go fast though. This next week is going to start very soon. It is the week that we are helping my wife's parents move her grandparents move from the L.A. area to the Houston area. Her parents are already packing up their apartment and I'll be taking my wife to Houston Hobby Airport on Tuesday to go out there and help. She'll be returning on Thursday with our grandparents with her. I feel sorry for her parents because they're the ones that are driving the U-Haul and car carrier from L.A. to Houston. They should get back sometime Saturday. During that time my wife and I will be spending time with them and helping them acclimatize to Houston. We haven't seen them since our wedding. The longest of any other family members. At least the parents will also get to see my sister/brother-in-law in Phoenix.

Had better go for now. Starting the day earlier than I was expecting.

Laters,

Prepare for Takeoff!!

2004-10-12T23:41:00.000-05:00

Well, my conference is this week. Last week, was as good as I could make it and my wife, my family, and friends did their best to help me, even though it was to give me so so news (the former classmate) I still appreciate the help.

Another friend of mine, who is some distance away, has a blog and wrote not too long ago about 'Friends.' NO, not the show, but the people and how amazing they are. She also talks about her closeness with her family. She's a very special person, Thanks Trish!

Sometimes it's times like these that I really miss my brother. He passed away about 11 years ago. The anniversary of his death is actually approaching within the next week. I guess that's the thing about siblings is that their not your parents and their not your spouse, they are kinda of a breed split between the two. I know he's with me at times, but it would still be nice to have him.

I have another thought about how friends' (close and distant) lives can intertwine without really knowing, but that'll have to wait until after the conference.

Speaking of the conference, I'm getting things together. What to take, what not to take, how to prepare to access certain things quickly, and pulling out bags used for the conference last year. That's all for now, I'll relay more when I return from the conference. Wish me luck.

Laters,

The Pace is Quickening!

2004-10-07T23:20:00.000-05:00

I must say that this week has not been so well. I learned that another former classmate has an interview for one of the same positions with my current job oppotunity.

I'd really like this position for reasons I've stated before, but it's been so long since I've had positive news that the self-doubting comes around never-the-less. Regardless, God has a place for my wife and I and if it's meant to be it's meant. As much as it WAS against myself at some earlier point in my life, I wish her all the best. This person whom I call a good friend works hard and has accomplished much. So, all I really can say is I hope you best.

Other than that my mind is starting to prepare for my conference next week. I imagine I won't have that much time between now and then to post, no so much for time sake, but preparation sake. Don't ask!! It's a weird thing with me. I'm contacting my contacts and trying to set up meetings. Hope to hear back from them before the conference.

Nothing more really now.

Laters,

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY........No Soup for You!

2004-10-05T21:54:00.000-05:00

Well, since this is MY day........let's do history! So shall we........

1921 - The World Series is broadcast for the first time.
1947 - Harry Truman makes the first televised White Houst address to the United States.
1962 - The Beatles release their first hit, "Love Me Do."
1969 - First broadcase of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
1970 - PBS becomes a television network.
2000 - Slobodan Milosevic resigns in Belgrade due to mass demonstrations.

Birthdays.....ME ME ME ME (197?), Chester A. Arthur (1830), Robert Goddard (1882), Ray Croc (1902), Barry Switzer (1937), Steve Miller (1943), Bernie Mac (1958), Daniel Baldwin (1960), Michael Andretti (1962), Mario Lemieux (1965), Patrick Roy (1965), Grant Hill (1972), and Kate Winslet (1975).

You know it's amazing! My whole life I thought that I was one of the few people born on this day. It was only about a year ago that I actually read somewhere that October 5th was actually the day of the year with the most birthdays. Then all of a sudden I meet alot of people with my birthday. It's kinda nice, but I may prefer later in life that I never knew that.

Well, as I kid every year. One of my presents I request is to sleep in late. This year I made it to 7:45 a.m. I should really not complain because it's better than 6. I think my wife would have something to say if it were 6, not so much for the phone call, but the aftermath of Tiger realizing one of us is up and its time for the morning petting.

I did some more phone calls today to find some added assistance on resume, cover letter, and interviewing tips. I got it, didn't do anything after that. I had another one of those slightly "let me know it's there" sinus headaches.

My wife came home and I took a short nap (a result of the Sinutab I took) and we had a nice quiet dinner. Talked to both sets of parents and here I am now. Didn't either bother with the debates, heard that they were pretty much like the others. However, did watch Wing Nuts where the company MotoArt takes aircraft scrap and turns it into furniture. As an architect and creative person it looks and sounds cool. 2 problems though: I wouldn't have the thousands of dollars to purchase one, nor any place to do it justice. Maybe someday I'll have the chance to do a small project for myself.

Other than that my birthday has been pretty much ok, it could have been better, but it could have been alot worse too. I still thank the Lord for this day, and for what he's allowed me to do with it and/or done to help me.

Laters,

Gooooooooooooo........

2004-10-04T23:41:00.000-05:00

Congradulations to the team at Scaled Composites for their winning the X-Prise with Space Ship One! In my book, Burt Rutan(also designed first airplane to fly around the world non-stop, Voyager) is as much an aeronautical genius as Kelly Johnson (designed the U-2 and SR-71).

On a sad note, we lost Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper today. He was one of the original Mercury astronauts and the last of the Mercury astronauts to fly into space, excluding Deke Slayton. (played by Dennis Quaid in The Right Stuff)

My wife and I got back today from visiting my parents in Dallas earlier this evening. We decided since there was a family get-together yesterday afternoon that we'd take the extra day and take our time and not be rushed at least once. We also celebrated my upcoming birthday with my family on Saturday night.

Spending the weekend there was good. It rained most of the time, which was nice since we haven't seen rain in over a month. Although, the weekend maintained the conversation of the status of my job search in sparse discussions here and there. All in all I was just sad. It's close to my birthday and I didn't like feeling like this especially near such a happy occasion.

So tonight when we got home. I contacted one of our family's oldest friends to kinda "dust off" the rust on the interviewing tips and techniques he taught me about three years ago. We talked for about an hour and a half. Boy did he really help me. Not so much a new things, but reminding me about experience, insights, and positives and how to bring it across. Most of all he reminded me of what I REALLY had to offer and what I have accomplished, just that I have to polish up a bit more. It definately helps to hear that again, and confidence in myself knowing that I have the qualifications to do the work, I just really have to let them know that in a better way.

While relegating that information to my parents, my uncle called and again while talking to my parents again, my other parents called. To make a long story short. I spend from about 7:30 til about 11:30 on the phone. I came into my office and get online so that I don't have to talk on the phone. My ears are kinda sore. It was really nice to talk to everyone, but I began to wonder if they had all choreographed this with each other. I had to sneak in my Tombstone pizza dinner in the 5 minutes between phone calls.

Well, this week is mainly aimed at continuing my job search and working on trying to really work on this job opportunity in limbo up til the end of the APA planning conference. Which also reminds me to work on my resume and take names to meet more contacts at the convention.

I heard back, today, from my mentors and other friends whom I'd asked questions on Friday. Mainly, the suprise is that the planning job market in Texas is tougher than I thought and the possibility of getting a job this soon after graduation (May) is good. They all said that the normal time is 9 to 12 months. Well, maybe I can buck the trend. We will see, Lord willing.

I'm gonna go for now. I'm really tired. I didn't sleep as well at home, especially since my parents got rid of my bed to replace it with a smaller bed about a year and a half ago. Since this home is home, just home is not same with out that trundle bed.

Laters,

P.S. Tomorrow's my birthday. I may not go full guns until Wednesday.

Night.

And the Beat Goes On!

2004-09-27T23:04:00.000-05:00

No history, I'm still burned out!

I hear from my job opportunity today. It was not good, nor bad. The interviewee said that they hired a long-term planner, yet they were having another position open up. However, they were not going to make any decisions until after the State Planning Conference. They wanted to have a larger candidate pool. Apparently, it wasn't what they were expecting. And that means what for me........Well, I still expressed my interest and he said that I'd hear back from him in about a month.

I guess I was relieved that it was not another rejection, but I was still somewhat depressed this evening. I mean, really, what a kinda smack in the face is that to me. I JUST WANT A JOB! Oh well life goes on........but it just really sucks right now. I guess these are the times that the good Lord is trying me with. I will persevere.

I later brought my self out of those thoughts to realize there's MANY more things that need to be done, both job and non-job related. I need to take care of things, like walking, and just flat out getting more active. I did contact some contacts about looking into consulting positions. One thing's for sure is that the frustration is coming back. I need to find something to let it out!

I just realized tonight that one of my cats, Tiger, has put my desk on his daily routine of napping locations- making me realize how much I've worked on the computer and/or office the past month. I also recognized that I tend to call it a night soon after he moves from my desk to my futon due to the heat from the soft lighted glow of my antique looking desk lamp.

Although, it makes me feel good. He and Molly used to both sleep with me on my bed before I got married. Tiger hasn't since then like he used to. So it makes me feel like he still wants to spend time around me.

Laters,

All Quiet on the Western Front

2004-09-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

I'm burned out on doing history.

No word heard yesterday on my job opportunity like the interviewee said. I hate when they don't follow their own words, but it may land me a job. I'm actually not worried as much as I usually get, which means that I'm either getting used to waiting or I have some sort of feeling that I have a job. I REALLY don't want to jinx this.

Kinda a so so day. Some stuff to do, but just hang'in around here with my wife. Although, she just came in bouncing off the walls wanting to go somewhere or do something. I'm not really in the mood, I should (cabin fever?) I just don't want to go somewhere today. So I'll send her off to go explore the town. Maybe I can get some suprise cleaning done for her.

Laters,

The Calm Before The Storm

2004-09-23T22:40:00.000-05:00

That has more than one meaning........now our history lesson for today.

490 B.C. - The Battle of Marathon happens, the basis of the story behind marathon running.
1806 - Lewis and Clark return from the Pacific Northwest.
1846 - Neptune was discovered and verified.
1962 - The Jetson's aired for the first time on television.
2002 - The Mozilla browser, Firefox, was born.

Mickey Rooney (1920), Ray Charles (1930), Julio Iglesias (1943), Bruce Springsteen (1949), and Jason Alexander (1959) have B-days today.

Whoo HOOO! Arnold Schwarzenegger signs a bill to allow hybrid cars in HOV lanes. Finally, some smart ideas in which to make hybrid cars more "feasible" in areas with high vehicle impact areas.

First off, the two meanings.
1) We should get some rain soon. Hopefully!! The remains of Tropical Storm, then Hurricane, then Tropical Storm, then disturbance and now AGAIN Tropical Storm Ivan. That way I won't have to water my lawn as much to keep the grass somewhat happy. I've also been looking forward to some rain as well. I'm actually not one of those people that has to have a full and bright sunny day everyday. Granted I do enjoy the warm, breezy, sunny, not too hot not too cold days that makes me wish I was outside and/or makes me open the windows in my house. I also enjoy the dark, gloomy, rainy days that allows a person to take a restful nap, enjoy some time just watching it rain out the window, or just simply listen to the rain pound againt the roof or car as I drive around in it. Those are nice days as well.

2) Hopefully I'll hear from my job opportunity tomorrow. It's come down to that. We will see how it goes........ I also have yet to hear from two other positions I've applied for, I definately things are going slow, I still know that I have to work on my patience. Although, I think my continency now is that I'll start talking to my connections to begin looking at some consultants. I'm still weiry though. I don't want to sign my life or my family away for the next several years.

I guess when it comes down to that. All evidence to the contrary from my past working experience is that I'd just like an 8 to 5 job for a while. Now, I know it will have some late evenings and things like that, but I guess it's has to do with having a stable or "predictable" hours with an "unpredictable" day. I guess that's always been from my "dream day". Here's a quick insight into my dream day. Get to work at 8, see the news and papers or things that need immediate attention, meetings and work in the office in the morning, working/non-working lunches, and meetings and field stuff in the afternoon with an hour back at the office before I leave somewhere between 5 and 6. A mix between in and out of the office as well as multiple tasking.

I'll let ya'll know how it goes soon........as a friend likes to say "Make it a great one!"

Laters,

Fitting It In Between Chores

2004-09-22T19:16:00.000-05:00

This history goes out to my Dad on his birthday........Happy Birthday Dad!

1692 - The last hangings in the United States for the charge of witchcraft.
1789 - The position of United States Postmaster General was created.
1893 - The first American automobile was displayed.
1949 - Russia detonated its first nuclear weapon.
1985 - The Farm Aid concert happened in Champaign, Illinois.

Michael Faraday (1791), Erich von Stroheim (1885), Tommy Lasorda (1927), My Dad (194? he-he-he) Shari Belafonte (1954), Debbie Boone (1956), Andrea Bocelli (1958), Scott Baio (1961), Bonnie Hunt (1964) all have birthdays today!!!

Today is the Autumnal Equinox - FALL IS HERE!!!

I thought I would fit in a small entry before I talk to my parents. I'm assuming they went to a nice dinner and my wife's parents called just a few minutes ago, so better now than later.

I did find an interesting yet scary article about a current Supreme Court case that talks about what are the limites of emminent domain for cities. Right now some cities have few limits on exercising emminent domain towards any landowner. I hope the Supreme Court hears the case and there are limits placed that protect landowners in some form. Planning wise it helps, but is it ethical since land will almost always appreciate over time? Read it, and think about the implications!!

Laters,

Tense Timing?

2004-09-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

Todays history lesson........
1519 - Ferdinand Magellan begins his aournd-the-world voyage.
1946 - Beginning of the first Cannes Film Festival.
1979 - Lee Iacocca is elected president of Chrysler.
1998 - Cal Ripken Jr. takes his first day off in baseball after 2,632 consecutive baseball games.

Dr. Joyce Brothers (1928), Sophia Loren (1934), Gary Cole (1956) have birthdays today.

As I mentioned last Thursday, I felt real lazy. On the other hand, I just think I've been slacking on stuff here since I heard back from this particular job opportunity. I think I'm just really, really uptight about this job opportunity along with hearing back from some that I turned in a while back. We will see........

I did have a secondary interview over the phone on Friday. It lasted less than 30 minutes. The only thing is, is when someone asks about something off topic but knowledge of the area or subject helps type of thing. Well, I got asked something like that. When do you know if it counts or not? I guess the answer is you don't really know. So I did what I always do, I told the truth that I really did not know, but could find out! In actuality it's really up to the person asking.

Anyways, I figured out this weekend that I needed to kind of redouble my efforts. So I finished trimming the hedges, worked on several of the rooms in the house. Really cleaning and vaccuming the baseboards and such.

Getting Back to Basics!

While doing all of this stuff, of which I am still working on, I realized I needed to find another subject in which to pour some more of my resources, as I did earlier this summer to keep my sanity. So, I'm actually going to see if I can find some more stuff on something else. I have a few ideas and am already working on something. Not real big, just basic stuff that will help my wife and I........I don't know, but as G.I. Joe said, "Knowing is half the battle."

Just to catch up. I haven't caught back up on my readings yet, but I'm slowly working on it. But I have been able to get my body back into a somewhat 'normal' sleeping pattern. Yeah. Although the cats hate it.

Laters,

Getting to the Meat of It!

2004-09-16T20:56:00.000-05:00

Ok, I must be getting lazy. Today's history is here and here.

Tomorrow is my secondary interview with another job opportunity. I guess it's still quite far away until I start getting in 'preparation mode' sometime tomorrow morning.

For those I'm helping with the computers. UPDATE your anti-virus and anti-spamware. There's a bunch of new stuff out.

Now, I've been kinda racking my brain at some influential planners from 1978 to now. Off the top of my head are Andreas Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zybeck (New Urbanism Fame), but I really could not name many more. I guess that just shows my inexperience at reading the materials and knowings of things in urban plannning. I could name some others, but they're mostly off of my textbooks I read during my learning career. I do think the team above would work; unfortunately, I don't necessarily agree with their work either, but hey some of the people already listed on that top 25 list had some pretty outlandish ideas. In actuality my mind mainly leans toward architects. Yes, architect whom help shape individual lots within a city, but the architects I have actually read about and have opinions on, have large thoughts of larger cities and directionality. Here's some people on my list: Michael Graves, Lake Flato, Frank O.Gehry, and Robert A.M. Stern. My favorites being Graves, Flato, and Stern. It might also be because some do master planning as well. Urban planning and master planning, similar, just scale differences with complicability mixed in with the differential of scale.

Enough of planning now. Stuff like that at time seems moot since the discussions really have no end. As a professor put to my Urban Planning Class: What is the Planners role in city and society? Are we to be servants of the public? Should we do what they want us to do or should we tell them what they need? Mostly what I could figure in the plethora of hours discussed is that it is a little of a little bit of everything. In other words, planning is an art and a science, much like the rest of the world's jobs. Discuss that amongst yourselves!

Gotta go.
Laters,

Springing Back

2004-09-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

Today's History........bet you missed it!
1814 - Francis Scott Key writes the Star Spankled Banner
1948 - Ground is broken on the United Nations H.Q. in New York.
1959 - Luna 2 crashes into the Moon and becomes the first human spacecraft to reach it.

Walter Koenig (1936), and Sam Neill (1947) have birthdays!

WOW! It sure has been a while.
Alot has happened, but I don't think I can explain it all.

Well, I had a job interview. I didn't feel all out confident in it. The style was different and I showed them some of my work, but I must admit I was impressed. I was impressed with the city (where they were in the planning transition, being a suburb of Dallas, I can explain it later!) ,the people in the planning department, and their approach to planning along with the direction of the leadership. Well, I must have done something good. I got a call for a request to a secondary telephone interview later this week. Sooo, we'll see. I'm praying.

Being in Dallas I got to do alot of things I needed to do. I took my car in for some warranty issues, but found out my car was not on the list. Regardless they found some other stuff we figured they might check after we noticed things the night before on our way to dinner. Anyways, I actually found a birthday gift for my wife coming back from my interview. I'd like to tell ya'll what it is, but she may read this. Incidentally, today I was able to do some errands catching up on some stuff and on the way to one of my favorite gallery, I found a place where I got her Christmas present. This is very unusual I though WAY FAR ahead.

So when I got back we decided to go see her parents near Houston for the weekend. I did some painting at their place since we're getting ready to move them from California to Texas. It was really nice. I got to paint some and rest some. I wished I could have painted more, but I last week had just taken sooo much out of me. Basically on the run from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. for several days in a row. Well, basically enough that I needed to take a nap. It's been a while since I took naps earlier this summer.

All in all the past few weeks have been nice. I got to spend more time with family I had not expected to. This was nice. I got some small stuff done and off my plate.

Planning related........
There's an interesting list of the 25 most influential people to affect planning before 1978.
The thing that really gets me....most of these people are DEAD. I'm interested on how current things are? I have a few ideas, but I'll have to leave that for tomorrow. You know, to keep ya hanging on!!! Unfortunately, I'm just mostly exhausted. I'll see ya'll.

Laters,

Busy Busy Busy

2004-09-08T20:53:00.000-05:00

This will be a short entry. I'm currently not a home as I have an interview for another job opportunity. This week has been a really busy one so far. Already looking towards the weekend, more or less towards next week since we will probably go visit my wife's parents near Houston. I'll probably post early next week and fill in some things.

Laters,

The Weekend Visit and Weekly Work

2004-08-31T23:16:00.000-05:00

The Past History........
1897 - Thomas Edison patents the first movie camera.
1920 - The first new program is broadcast from Detroit Michigan.
1997 - Princess Diana is tragically killed in Paris.

Buddy Hackett (1924), Richard Gere (1949), Debbie Gibson (1970), and Chris Tucker (1972) are the birthday people!

Let me be the first to say good-bye to August and hello to September as it's just an hour away.

The weekend was ok. My parents came and went. I was nice for them to come down. They usually come down sometime around the beginning of the school year. It different now that my Dad has retired. I guess more so since I am out of school and most probably for good (no aspirations to get a doctorate degree).

I was working on the computer this weekend. On Sunday, it was brought to my attention that I had a virus. I checked with three antivirus and nothing, but I did it anyway. I'm assuming that there might have been something or it was a glitch between software, but regardless I fixed it. Now my mouse every now and then has a mind of it's own when it comes to highlighting and doubleclicking on a single click. Oh well, I'll get it figured out somehow. I want to kill it every now and then, just as everybody else when a computer doesn't do what one wants to do.

This week is pretty quiet. Doing house cleaning and laundry. Did take my wife's car in for warranty recall work, nothing big. Lawn work and car washing probably remaining as well. Now, next week is the zinger. It will be busy. It's another chance for a job opportunity, a chance to interview. I did get a copy of the Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development Plan from the work I did this past year and I can show that. I figure I'll start working on that in about two days, including my wardrobe selections. I'll tell ya about the plans later. I'm still going through them. Seeing what the final editors have changed.

Laters,

Will this rollercoaster never end? YEP! Whooop!!

2004-08-27T23:09:00.000-05:00

Let's see what happened on todays date........
1939 - The first flight of a jet airplane.
2003 - Mars made it's closest pass of Earth

Confucius (550B.C.), Lyndon B. Johnson (1908), Mother Teresa (1910), and Pee Wee Herman (1952) have birthdays today.

Paul Hamm was asked to give up the gold.
Why can't they all sides meet and discuss this over a video tape?

The rollercoaster ride hadn't ended on Monday! My job opportunity was to return the call on Tuesday. Tuesday came and went. Wednesday came and went. By Wednesday night I began to worry. Thursday afternoon I called. Only got a voicemail. However, EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning, the call came. I will have an interview in a few weeks. Just as understood, they were just totally swamped. My mind was put at ease. It was kinda stressful week with all the stuff going on. My parents are here now and the call was received. I WILL sleep better tonight. Just as before I'm continuing my vigilance on looking for more job opportunities, but God willing he will place me soon. Which makes me think of another philosophy of mine.

Urban's Philosophy: "If you wanna make God laugh, tell him YOUR plans!"

That made me think about all those billboards with God quotes.

My parents came in town yesterday and just hung around today. Just doing little things here and there. We took my wife to lunch and then went to Sam's for supplies and gas. My parents like it here where I live as well. There's just some things that you can get in smaller towns than the big cities for smaller prices. So far in the appoximate decade that I have resided in this town I found two things that are NOT cheaper in the big city: CARS & GARAGE DOORS!!!!!!!!!!

I had better go. This week really took it out of me with cleaning and stressing over job opportunities. I'm going to try and get my sleep cycles back into order. It might work. Maybe.

Laters,

Rollercoasters

2004-08-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

History Today........
1617 - The first One-way street was established in London.
1821 - Mexico gains its independence from Spain.
1839 - United Kingdom captured Hong Kong.
1889 - The first wireless message was sent from a ship to shore on this date.
1966 - Lunar Orbiter One takes first picture of Earth from its orbit around the Moon.

Birthday's Today........
Barbara Eden (1934), Shelley Long (1949), Jordan's Queen Noor (1951), and Kobe Bryant (1978)

The past few days has been an emotional rollercoaster. This weekend was pretty just 'there' in the scheme of things. I was kinda bummed out about the missed job opportunities. Although, I did hear from another job opportunity. I haven't yet taken time to redo my resume or anything like that. So I should hear tomorrow about when I will meet with them. This time they gave me the option (telephone, or in-person?) hmmmmmmmmmm. Decisions Decisions. I also got a CD I had ordered of an extrordinary composer and pianist.

Last night was weird though. I was working on stuff and just worked through the night and morning. My wife had to get up early so imagine her suprise when she realized I hadn't slept. I took a nap, but made sure not to sleep too long. Hopefully, this will cure my month long(er) bout of going to bed late. I may have stemmed from my job search. I don't know, but I think it might be time to put it to bed, sorta speak.

Tomorrow starts the major work on the house. To begin the build up to the parental units coming. Tiger has come and claimed his new domain (the desk) again. He's looking at me while meowing. Geez this cat talks alot. If I could only imagine what he were saying. The other one had eyed me all day because I didn't come to sleep.

I had time to think this weekend to think about things. I wish by now I had some more actual planning stuff that affects the everyday person. It's coming, just waiting for the right way to start or angle I want to interest my viewers. This blog is still building. Can't you tell I've added 'Links'. It took a while to refrest myself with HTML, but I did it, abeit at 2 A.M.

Hopefully, no longer at that hour. So we'll see how it goes and pray about it.

Laters,

Saturday's Catching Up

2004-08-22T00:22:00.000-05:00

History Today........(for August 21st, 2004)
1841 - The venetian blind was patented.
1959 - Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state.

Birthdays....Wilt Chamberlain (1936), Kenny Rogers (1938), Kim Cattrall (1956)

It's been a while since I've last posted. It's late already as it is so this may have to be somewhat short since there's church tomorrow.

This week most of my time was spend watching the Olympics and doing the daily day to day things. I did find out my parents are coming to visit next week and I'm looking forward to that. It also means that tomorrow, or rather that, later today (Sunday), will be a day to get the laundry, groceries, and church along with the To-Do lists for this week to prepare.

Yesterday was pretty bad. I got a double whammy.

For the first whammy. I first heard from my job opportunity that they had already chosen another candidate. It lead me to believe that there was first a telephone then in-person interviews for all finalists. It sounded as if they already had the in-person interview, meaning that they had interviewed one of the finalist, the one they picked. Regardless, all of the finalist, including me were well 'qualified' for the position. I feel good for that. I gave it a try and am revising certain things to come at job opportunities more directly and God just meant for me not to work there.

For the second whammy. I received an e-mail not more than 10 minutes after hearing from my first job opportunity loss I heard from another job opportunity's human resource department that another position I had applied for over a month ahead that the position had been filled. I was surprisingly not so upset about the position being filled, since no news over time leans towards that outcome (although I've heard that most cities take up to 6 weeks to call for an interview), but was moreover that it took OVER A WEEK for them to reply to my e-mail.
Here I am, a recent graduate with a form of professional etiquette and ethics dictated to us about how it happens "in the real world" and then to have it thrown back in our faces. I can sympathize that they are busy and somewhat 'overloaded'. Again, here I am taking the time to apply and write formal letters to apply and I cannot even get a dignified response to simply say "your application was recieved."Essentially they are saying, "DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU!!!!" I guess it's just a sellers market for now. It'll be interesting when it becomes a buyer's market when planners like myself are in need in about 10 years.

I hate to say this, but it makes me want to make a list of the cities that basically don't want to bother with people like me. Then, it wants to make me try harder and become an exceptional professional planner. Never the less, I will remember it. No, not negatively, at least trying not to, but to take this and improve myself to even better heights and thus basically 'learning a lesson from what's happened!" Eventually I believe that what comes around goes around.

That's enough for now. P.S. Note to self - I may need to add more links in my discussion.

Laters,

Simpleton Tuesday

2004-08-17T22:54:00.000-05:00

History for Today........
1969 - Hurricane Camille hits Mississippi.

Robert DeNiro (1943), Belinda Carlisle (1958), and Sean Penn (1960) have their birthdays today!

Google may have false started?

Nothing new really happened today. Makes me think of those fake historical markers. "In 1886: Nothing happened here!" Did a few errands: mailed an application, went to the store. More or less a "simpleton" day where I didn't think too much about anything. I just went through the day. Now that I think about it. I don't like that. I didn't do anything!!!! I'm suppose to do those only on the weekends! Tomorrow WILL be different! I at least did have some ideas about next week, possibly travel, but I may reveal that information later, or maybe not! We'll see.

Laters,

The Monday Monotony

2004-08-16T22:44:00.000-05:00

In History........
1954 - The first issue of Sports Illustrated is published.

Today birthdays are: Fess Parker (1925), Frank Gifford (1930), James Cameron (1954), Modonna (1958), Timothy Hutton (1960)

Google could start trading on the Nasdaq as 'GOOG' as early as Wednesday.

Monday's are just Monday's to me lately. They're not the dreaded day in which one must go to bed early again to start yet another work week. I'm on my third month from graduating and still no job, but there's job opportunities. Heard from my job opportunity and things are going slow. Regardless I'm still applying elsewhere until I snag the coveted position. I'll get a job when the good Lord says it's time to.

I spend most of Sunday night with my wife catching up with family over the telephone. I've realized the importance of trying to talk to family when I was working between my college careers. Although I actually enjoy it. We spoke with my grandparent-in-laws whom we are going to help move later this year. They're actually excited about moving now. We're excited too. We haven't seen them since our wedding and I'm looking forward to my wife living significantly closer to her grandparents, like I did, than she did growing up.

I think this week may be a starting for a Late Summer Clean Week. I may just start in a section of the house and clean really really good. I've pretty much started in my office, but I mean really put things away and scrub. No particular reason, but just get the house in tip top shape and cob webs out of the corners.

I still haven't REALLY started making a dent into my reading list, but I'm making headway. I'm making my TO-DO list for this week. Mainly I'm going to catch up on some stuff I need to check in on like the Comprehenive Plan I worked on a team with at the end of my master's degree. And check up on that 120 GB harddrive I got that the store had to order. I can also get things organized and off the computer and/or update my blog and website. Things I've been meaning to do for ages, and now finally get them off the list.

Should be a busy week. Tune in......same time, same channel.

Laters,

Working and Waiting...

2004-08-12T23:39:00.000-05:00

This day in History!

1851 - Isaac Singer receives patent for the sewing machine.
1898 - Hawaiian sovereignty is transferred to the United States.
1908 - The first Ford Model T is built.

Buck Owens (1929), George Hamilton (1939) and Pete Sampras (1971) share a birthday.

I'm blogging later than usual today. Today was a beautiful day. Well at least for Texas. The high was only 86 degrees with low humidity. Low enough that the air was turned off, a fan was put in a window and I let the air circulate.

I normally work later at night during the summer since it's cooler. I'm sitting next to my desk with a To-Do list of things on it. Although right now one of my cats, Tiger, a ringed tabby, has confiscated my workspace. This summer, of all, he found a place that suits him. On my desk, usually when my desk light is on. My other cat, Molly, is curled up behind me on my futon blissfully sleeping. Well, at least until I leave my office.

I've been pretty productive the past few days. Although, I know the whole time I've had a job opportunity return call in my mind. I'm suppose to hear this week if I can continue onto an 'in-person' meeting. BTW........

I just found out today that another colleague has found a planning job in Texas. She is very deserving of this opportunity and I wish her the very best. I will miss her, but that kinda comes with the territory with graduation.

That's the nice thing about planning, much less Texas planning that there are plenty of opportunities for us to bump into each other over the years.

So never the less, I'm working and getting things done while waiting, but at least I'm not hurrying up to wait.

My wife and I made some major decisions. Not really earth changing. We just simply were able to make some decisions to solidify some near and far future events that have been up in the air which helps to solidify the dominoe effect of other events. It was not necessarily due to us as it was the economy of cost. Regardless, it feels good to make some of those type of decisions.

Other than that there's not too much else. It's suppose to be cool for the next few days so I'm sure that I'll mow the front and back yards and most likely we'll work more in the yard this weekend.

Laters,

From the Simple Life.....

2004-08-11T18:14:00.000-05:00

On this day.....>

1948 - The Olympics opened in London.

B-days
Alex Haley (1921), Steve Wozniak (1950), and 'Hulk' Hogan (1953)

News........
Today is National Underwear Day!!!!!!!!
Los Angeles may try to block Wal-Marts.
Toys 'R' Us may stop selling toys.
There's a new bagle computer virus. It has 'price' or 'price quote' in the message body and has an attachment.
A good friend of mine got an internship with a school district here in Texas. Congrats to her.
Waiting to hear back from prospective job opportunity. Said it would be about a week. Well it's a week +1. We'll see that's where 'about' becomes that terrible word in laws that say 'reasonable'.

There, I just unlocked another secret. I'm a computer geek as well. Not as much as some, but I know my way around a computer. That reminds me.

Urban's Philosophy: "Don't opnen any unknown attachments from people you don't know."

That will prevent 99% of the chanes of inevitably getting a computer virus. Not to mention this blog being able to help those family and friends whom I have to remind to regularly update and run anti-virus software and programs. That makes it much easier than to work on a computer when I visit. With that instance coming up, I've realized that computers have become more and more 'high maintenance'. People can say they can remember when the Internet was safe. Well, now we're in the middle of a war zone. I can remember computers pretty much taking care of themselves, apart from their software glitches that were more prevalent in the mid-80's and early 90's. Now it's active control of the content and protection of information.

It really does prove that first there was the move towards manufacturing and mass production, but that our global society, with the U.S. being only but a handfull of countries who are leading into the truly information age, where information is worth more than the physical product. Where speculation is worth and/or can cost billions. Just look at the oil market.

Tweaking the Habits

2004-08-10T17:24:00.000-05:00

Today........

1846 - The Smithsonian Institution is chartered by Congress.
1949 - Harry Truman signs the National Security Bill developing the Department of Defense (DoD)
And today is Rosanna Arquette's(1959) and Antonio Banderas'(1960) birthday!

Well, since my graduation in May I've been on the job hunting trail. All be it that I am proud of myself in indulging in doing things while waiting for opportunities and returned phone calls. It also keeps me from going stark raving mad and I can expand my cranium even more. I've been indulging in doing things that I feel that I need to know more about. Specifically things my wife and I have not been able to learn more about since our marriage, just over two years ago. I look at the stock market, I am beginning to understand PE ratios and mutual funds better. I'm also taking care of things that we've both kinda put off like trying to clean out the garage, and go through some of our closets. Although, I did the closets mostly back over a long weekend in April.

So here I am today, doing the daily things a new college graduate, looking for a job and waiting for phone calls does and I realize something.

I need to catch up on my social reading.

Even though my wife does not really subscribe to anything, apart from gift subscriptions. She's a book reader. I on the other hand subscribe to my various hobbies and information texts. Things like This Old House and Texas Architect. The actual ones that I read from cover to cover are the aviation ones. Mainly because aviation is my passion. But, I've been reading a book since the start of the summer and I'm not yet 25% through it yet. The book I've been reading is interesting. I just haven't had time or thought about picking it up to read it. I guess I just need to add a little bit to my own personal philosophies of life.

Urban's philosophy: "Take 30 minutes a day for yourself to do whatever you want to do. "

So I'm going to tweak a little in my reading habits. I've also noticed that this time in my life I'm reading more, listening to the radio more, and watching tv less.

That's leads me to the fact that I don't really consider watching tv bad, at least for me. I don't watch sitcoms, but for one or two of them. The rest of the time, I'm actually watching channels that deal with history, learning about something, or informative like The History Channel, Fox News, The Food Network, etc. There is, of course, too much tv and I'm recognizing it the older I get. What it has all come down to is that I've become an information junkie of sorts. I'm fascinated by the little tidbits, the details, of information that make everything go.

And at the beginning!

2004-08-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

Well, welcome to the site. I will not begin with a life story so lets she what today is?

On this day in history........221st day of the year.

1892 - Thomas Edison patents his two-way telegraph.
1936 - Jessie Owens becomes the first American to win four gold Medals in one Olympics.
1944 - Posters are released showing Smokey the Bear for the first time.
1945 - The atomic bomb named "Fat Man" is detonated over Nagasaki, Japan.
1974 - United States President Richard Nixon becomes first U.S. President to resign from office.
1999 - Russian President Boris Yeltsin fires his Prime Minister, and, for the fourth time, his cabinet.

Birthdays........Sam Elliot (1944), Melanie Griffith (1957), Whitney Houston (1963), Brett Hull (1964), Deion Sanders (1967), Gillian Anderson (1968)

We lost........Jerry Garcia (1995) and Gregory Hines (2003)

Wow, what a busy day in history.

Today

Oil hits $44.97 a barrel........better start looking for cheap gas!

Since this is the first time I've posted on a blog be looking for changes to this website as I gather my thoughts and decisions of how this particular space of the World Wide Web will become all mine! Well, not totally mine, but you know what I mean.

Laters,