2009-04-20
Astros drop another one
What can I say? The Astros are 4-9. Hitting 4 out of 13 at bats would be a great average, but 30.8% is a lousy winning percentage. I know they usually play better ball in the second half of the season, but at this pace they’ll only win 50 games and be competing for worst team in baseball honors. They’re not going to win the pennant, but honestly are they that bad? I don’t think so. The problem is that as the casual fan, I can’t see that they have a whole lot to work with. It seems that every player has been living up to their expectations. Let’s face it Astros fans, I think it may be time to start focusing on 2010.
Running with the boys
I went on a run yesterday with the boys. They were riding their bikes while I tried to keep up. I let Jax take the lead and he took us all over the neighborhood trying to find what he called “new places we’ve never seen before”. During the first few minutes, my Garmin 301 kept beeping at me, but I ignored it. I thought it was a low battery beep since I didn’t turn on the interval training or virtual partner. About the third time I glanced down at it to find that I was running at 7:45 per mile and the Garmin was telling me to slow down.
To put things in perspective, I usually do my training runs at 8:45 to 9:00 per mile with a walk break periodically. I was more focused on keeping the boys out of the traffic than my pacing. As a result we had to cut the run short to only 2.75 miles since they wiped me out in the beginning. I guess I should set the goal to keep pace with them rather than making them slow down to stay with me. It wasn’t too long ago that I would not let them go with me because they couldn’t keep up with my slow pace. They’re growing so fast it’s just amazing.
To put things in perspective, I usually do my training runs at 8:45 to 9:00 per mile with a walk break periodically. I was more focused on keeping the boys out of the traffic than my pacing. As a result we had to cut the run short to only 2.75 miles since they wiped me out in the beginning. I guess I should set the goal to keep pace with them rather than making them slow down to stay with me. It wasn’t too long ago that I would not let them go with me because they couldn’t keep up with my slow pace. They’re growing so fast it’s just amazing.
2009-04-19
Boys weekend: Day 2
The boys and I decided to hit some golf balls today. We went to a great place just off 290 between Telge and Cypress North Houston. Prices are great and the kids hit free when the adult buys a bucket of balls. We all had a great time.
2009-04-18
Have you ever seen the TOP of the fowl pole?
Well I have now. First of all, I didn't misspell it. Chik-Fil-A sponsors the foul poles in Minute Maid Park, so they are aptly named the Fowl poles. So how did I see it? The boys and I headed through the rain to have a tour of the park and watch the Astros from the cheap seats. Outfiled View Deck is only $7 for adults and $1 for kids. So $9 got us in the game. We had a blast. Here are a few of the pics to document the fun.
Watching BP from behind the plate!
Jax in President Bush's seat and Ollie in Barbara Bush's seat.
Ollie got his hat signed by Jeff Bagwell
Jax got his hat signed by Jeff Bagwell
We absolutely had a blast!!!! Oh yeah, the Astros won 7-0.
2009-04-09
2008-12-04
5!
Before leaving Austin, I was fortunate enough to catch up with an old friend from high school, Ben Brumfield. We had lunch a few times with catfish and good beer to talk about old times and share stories about what everyone we used to know is up to.
One story that we talked about was about a practice for an academic decathlon event. Our English teacher, Miss Holier was the sponsor. On a regular basis, we would stay after school and she would quiz us on possible questions we would face. She was calling out questions and we were answering quickly, each of us trying to beat everyone else to the punch. All of a sudden, she came up with something that stumped us all. She called out, “5!” with all the enthusiasm and exuberance that only she could muster. We all looked at each other wondering if that was really a question. She yelled “5!” once again. After a long pause, Joel Lack hesitantly spoke up with a possible answer. He said, “120” as if he were the one asking the question. We all understood immediately and started laughing.
Mrs. Holier on the other hand was amazed. She had no idea how Joel came up with 120. We then explained to her that the exclamation mark didn’t mean she needed to yell. It meant factorial and everyone knows, or at least all of us nerds knew that 5! = 5x4x3x2x1 = 120.
So, for those of you that were there, I hope this makes you laugh. And for those of you that ever doubted, I am proud to be a nerd. Everyone has to be something…
One story that we talked about was about a practice for an academic decathlon event. Our English teacher, Miss Holier was the sponsor. On a regular basis, we would stay after school and she would quiz us on possible questions we would face. She was calling out questions and we were answering quickly, each of us trying to beat everyone else to the punch. All of a sudden, she came up with something that stumped us all. She called out, “5!” with all the enthusiasm and exuberance that only she could muster. We all looked at each other wondering if that was really a question. She yelled “5!” once again. After a long pause, Joel Lack hesitantly spoke up with a possible answer. He said, “120” as if he were the one asking the question. We all understood immediately and started laughing.
Mrs. Holier on the other hand was amazed. She had no idea how Joel came up with 120. We then explained to her that the exclamation mark didn’t mean she needed to yell. It meant factorial and everyone knows, or at least all of us nerds knew that 5! = 5x4x3x2x1 = 120.
So, for those of you that were there, I hope this makes you laugh. And for those of you that ever doubted, I am proud to be a nerd. Everyone has to be something…
2008-08-06
Getting to know Halliburton
It has been a while since I have posted and for a very good reason. The item consuming my mind for the past few months was the impending transition to Houston and Halliburton. I couldn’t very well spill the beans here and have the world know too soon.
I am officially in the Oil & Gas industry now. I was able to go to one of the many Halliburton facilities today to see a tool that is in development. The guys who knew what they were looking at were very excited. As the newbie, I was just excited to see anything at all. What a different world this is going to be. So far I am having a blast and learning a lot. As long as that continues, I’ll be fine.
Having Beth and the kids still in Austin is not at all the ideal situation, but it seems to working so far. The house in Kyle will sell soon. We keep telling each other that. We both know it will be over soon.
I am officially in the Oil & Gas industry now. I was able to go to one of the many Halliburton facilities today to see a tool that is in development. The guys who knew what they were looking at were very excited. As the newbie, I was just excited to see anything at all. What a different world this is going to be. So far I am having a blast and learning a lot. As long as that continues, I’ll be fine.
Having Beth and the kids still in Austin is not at all the ideal situation, but it seems to working so far. The house in Kyle will sell soon. We keep telling each other that. We both know it will be over soon.
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