Belated birthday greeting, days off, new apartment....

Lots to talk about....this is a long one.

First of all, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to my friend Curtis. His birthday was yesterday and I didn't get on my computer at all yesterday so I didn't give his day the attention it deserved. Click on the GRAND MASTER CURTIS link to the right to send him a belated greeting.

So, days off happenings.......Wednesday, I got the keys to my new apartment so I went over there to check things out. Turns out I do have a fireplace [yuck] but I can deal with it. I just don't think when the temperature daily is 105 degrees, I can appreciate the need for a fireplace in Texas....even in the winter it is not that cold. Everything else looks great. It is smaller, no doubt about it, my place now is very big, but it will be nice and cozy once I get settled in. Ran some more errands on Wednesday and then met my friend Charles for a movie, MIAMI VICE. It was OK. I guess I tend to compare movies like that to Bad Boys or Die Hard or something action packed like that and this one was good but not as action packed as I would have liked. I am experiencing some kind of random insomnia lately so when I got home, try as I might, my uncooperative blue eyes would not close until 4:15am. Grrrrr.

Thursday, I got up [after about 4 1/2 hours of sleep] and went to Half Price Books to sell back some more books that I had come across in my random packing efforts. While I was there I was wandering around and came across what I thought was the textbook for one of my classes. I was thrilled. I asked them to hold it for me so I could confirm. After I got my money for my books, I went to meet my friend Alberto for lunch, it was great to see him. I haven't seen him in like 3 1/2 months. We had a talkative and yummy lunch and promised to make it a habit in the future. Then, off to the UTA bookstore and sure enough, it was the book. Woo hoo ! Went back to Half Price Books and bought it.....so, the book was $65.00 at the UTA bookstore and $5.98 at Half Price Books, what a bargain. Yeah me !! Home again, and then to color the hair, Loreal Preference Dark Golden Brown.....and of course, last night, we hit No Frills for dinner and trivia and then came home.

It was a busy and fun two days off. Another insomniac night put me to bed at 4:00am but I was up and ready to go when I got a call from my brother, Joey, at 8:20a. I have missed him soooo much, I can't even express it. I was trying to remember how long I have ever gone without talking to him and I can guarantee you that it was not anywhere near 28 days. So, I am thrilled to have him back at my beck and call......ha ha !

Whew.....a long one. Well, I was going to post some apartment pics, but the blogger picture uploader is not working [frown] so I will try again tomorrow. I am outta here, everyone have a great weekend.

Maria Rodriguez Update......

My cousin, Tom, posted a message back on the old Maria Rodriguez post I did in May....and it made me think it was time for the update I had promised you back then. As I predicted, the space below the stairs has changed......here are the original pictures I posted :

Well, here are two updated pictures from today :

So, this could be like a game - can you spot the changes. Let's see how many you can come up with......

Good Luck !

Arrgggh, matey !

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me .......


Well, FINALLY, I went and saw Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Man's Chest the other night and it was awesome. As most of you know, I have been to Disney World in Florida more than 50 times and I can assure you, I have ridden the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at lease 100 times so I always enjoy the movie because believe it or not, there are many things in the movie that come directly from the ride. Most of them were in the first movie but I saw many in this one too, which is fun.

I'm on day 3 of my work week and I must say, again, working on the weekends is really not that bad. The call volume is lower [it's 9:00a on Sunday and I haven't taken a single call yet] and to be honest, I don't really do anything during the day anyway - too hot !

Three weeks until my big move to the new apartment. I'll be sending out new address info, etc. soon. I am looking forward to being a grown-up again and living on my own. If anyone wants to help with the move, it all happens on Saturday, August 26th around 12:00n. Bring your muscles or your truck or your dolly or whatever you've got and we'll get it done in no time. FREE burgers and beverages when we're done.

I'm working on a Maria Rodriguez update which should be up tomorrow....so stay tuned for that. Until then, ciao.