67) When The Bird Has Flown

Through the years many individuals are responsible for making me the person I am today. And these same individuals have helped me get through the tough times I have encountered. I know this memorial does not do them justice. But it is a start.















Mom: What can I say about my mom? She was there for me throughout all points in my life. Not matter what the issue, she was there to listen and offer her advice. In fact, she often offered her advice without me asking her. She is a strong-willed individual who helped me into this world, and has helped me ever since.























Dad: Through genetics and parenthood my father passed down to me my natural inclination toward music, my sense of value (some call it cheapness) and my overall competitive nature. When I was very young 4 states separated our homes. Each summer we drove 16 hours so I could visit him for a month. He realized how little he was able to be in my life with this set up and he uprooted his family in order to move closer to me. He doesn't realize how much I have thought about that sacrifice over the years and how appreciative I am that he made the effort to be in my life. He doesn't realize this, but he taught me to be independent and strong. He taught how to take care of myself. And I will never forget that. On a different note, doesn't my dad look straight out of a spaghetti western from the 60's? Sort of like pre-Deathwish Bronson?



















Joe: Joe married my mother when I was 3 or 4 year old and has been in my life ever sense. He taught me the value of education and encouraged the many interests I had growing up. He took it upon himself to raise me as one of his own, and I am happy to have him as an active part in my life today.


















L.: I cannot say enough about L. at this point. One of her true strengths is her ability to help someone when they are in trouble. She makes other's problems a personal responsibility and will stop at nothing to make sure those she cares about are taken care of. She is also responsible for my growth from college into adulthood. And now she struggles pushing me from adulthood into responsible adulthood. It is an ongoing process and one she is committed to undergo. And I love her for that.


















Stephen: Stephen helps me with spontaneity. I am a planner, almost to a detriment. Stephen is spontaneous. Because of him I often find myself out of my comfort zone. For instance, on multiple occasions he has called me while on his way to Dallas to let me know that he is picking me up and taking me to a sporting event or concert. Together we have seen The Red Hot Chili Peppers, A Perfect Circle, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, and the pinnacle of all spontaneous events Game 6 of last years ALCS. Yes, that is the game the Rangers defeated the Yankees to go to the World Series. This turned out to be the most impressive sporting event I have ever witnessed live, and a moment I will never forget.
















Chris: Chris and I have known each other since elementary school. He has been one of my closest friends through adolescence, and is personally responsible for undoing all he could of what my father has instilled in me as it pertains to value (cheapness). He has also taught me how to drink scotch and has helped me develop my love for wine. He worked tirelessly to ween me off of classic rock in favor of alternative rock, and together we explored many ventures that include: writing, painting, music, hockey, bad movies, cats, acting, dealing with naive baylor students, the A-Hole Olympics, just to name a handful. He has been instrumental in tempering the craziness that occurs when I get bored, and that is no easy task.



















Craig: Craig has been a close friend of mine since 6th grade and is responsible for my education as it pertains to girls. So now L. can understand why I was so unpolished when she met me in college. The first time I asked a girl to be my girlfriend, Craig and Chris were there to comfort me when she said no. Of course, I am pretty sure it was their encouragement that led me to that phone call to begin with. Craig also introduced me into the world of working, where I got my first job at Discovery Zone. I later repaid the favor by getting him a job working with Johnson and Ned at TxDoT. Craig started me on Classic Rock and was with me when I went to see Rush for my first concert ever. Later, he and I tried to see Kansas and Styx, but that did not work out so well. Over the years Craig and I played roles into our introduction into real life, marriage and eventually he will play a large role into my first experience with children. I know he is looking forward to that because he is going to get a lot of phone calls from me asking how he has been able to do it.














Dugat: Dugat is another friend of mine dating back to 6th grade. His first contributions into my development as a young person came in the form of getting in trouble. His antics allowed me to learn on a weekly basis how to deal with after school detention. And he taught me early on how to be prepared, forcing me to bring several pens to class so that I would have something to write with after he stole the ink from my pens. Later in our scholastic career our friendship led me into writing and music. Before I knew Michael I thought Dennis Deyoung was a quality lyric writer! Later in our friendship Dugat helped me to understand and appreciate sports. His insight into basketball and football has made my experience of these sports the last decade much more meaningful and enjoyable. And as life has happened to me, I have found Michael a consistent and reliable source of quality support, whether it be about my career or my personal life. I am just glad no jobs give after work detentions, otherwise I might think differently.























Britt: I met Britt working at Casa Ole in Waco. He taught me accountability. And toughness. And how to drink. Like Liz, Britt is at his best when helping others with their problems. These problems range from car issues to relationship issues. He is a great listener who will take what you have to say, combine it with his superior common sense and give you a strategic course of action that will likely lead you to the outcome you desire. He is good at giving bad news and is one of the easiest people to talk to. Over the years we have butted heads on many issues, and I would not trade that for anything. He has challenged me to become better in all facets of life and for that I am appreciative. Not only is he good at helping others get out of the trouble they get into, but he is also good at getting himself into trouble. The many strange situations he has somehow gotten himself into have made my life infinitely more rewarding.

66) Coddling Kidd

I became a Mavs fan while living in Waco and going to Baylor. I moved into an apartment complex 10 miles away from campus because it was new and much nicer than anything you could get near campus. Included in the niceness was the workout room. At least four nights a week I carried a handheld CD player into the workout room to lift weights, listen to music and run on the elliptical machine. During football season I discovered I could turn the TV on any game and I would get a better workout. For whatever reason sports inspired me and made the workout something I looked forward to instead of something I forced myself to do.

I soon realized that football only guaranteed me two solid workout days (back then games were only on Sundays and Monday Nights). Instead of listening to music I flipped through the stations looking for something else to watch. Fate brought me to NBA basketball. I grew up in Houston watching the Rockets. I was in high school when they won back to back championships. In Waco, however, they tune in to Mavericks basketball.

The year was 2000 and it was Dirk's first year as a consistent starter and contributor to the team. He was partnered with a young and energetic Steve Nash and the stud of the team Michael Findley. Thus the Mavs entered my life. Over the next couple of seasons I found myself working out almost everyday hoping to see the Mavs play again and again.

L. and I moved to Dallas in 2003 and for our first year of life together we decided to get Maverick's Season tickets. This was the year the big 3 were joined by Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker. Our seats were high up in the arena, but we loved them. And for the next 8 years I watched every single Mav game I could.

Needless to say, I was broken hearted in 2006 when the Heat (and the refs) tore out our hearts in the NBA finals. But the 2011 Championship run for the Dallas Mavericks has been amazing and rewarding. Before they could win the championship the Mavericks swept the hated Lakers. And then they met Kevin Durant in the Western Conference Finals. After staging one of the most impressive comebacks in NBA playoff history, the Mavs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in 5 games. I watched as the celebration commenced at the end of the game and was forced to pause the TV when I noticed Durant embracing Jason Kidd. Durant's hands are so big it appears as though Durant is coddling a baby.

Each time I see this image it makes me laugh, and it makes me excited to know the Mavs won their championship!

65) Little Black Book

Been married now for 8 years. It is amazing to think that much time has passed since I first met my wife and started building the relationship we have today. I am not sure I can pinpoint the moment I knew we would be married (probably the moment she said yes) but I remember when I discovered she was the girl for me.


In college I wanted to be a professional writer. I wrote short stories and at some point decided I needed to write my first novel. I had not been through this process before and so did not know best practices for writing a novel. My writing teacher explained to us that chapters need to represent a story within the story and that they should be written with a clear beginning, middle and end. So this is how I decided to organize my first novel. I saved each chapter as its own file on my computer and worked on them individually, not necessarily concerned early on how they flowed together. I got 120 pages into the project, far and away more pages than I had ever written on one project before, when my computer crashed. And by crashed, I mean completely stopped working.

I was devastated. I still remember the anger and frustration I felt in our crappy apartment off of MLK blvd. When L. saw the devastation she immediately took my computer to a friend of hers who worked for the Baylor computer lab. He could not save the computer, but he was able to extract all the files and print all the pages for me. L. then took me to Best Buy where she used her money to help me purchase a laptop. I had not made a big purchase like this on my own yet, and I come from a long line of thrifty (cheap) Japanese tradition and spending this much money on one item made me extremely nervous. She answered my anxiety by saying, "You want to be a writer, right? Well, you need something to write on."

It seemed so simple when she said it like that, however it was not such a simple thing. The issue was courage. I did not have courage or confidence to spend money based on the simple idea I wanted to be a writer. L. not only had the courage to step up, but she had enough confidence in me to purchase the laptop.

My birthday approached a couple of weeks later and L. bought me a leather bound notebook. The inscription explained that this notebook is to be used to jot down all ideas I have for current and future writing projects. I still use the notebook to this day. Can you imagine how many wonderful ideas are amassed within it's leather binding? Let me just tell you there are many. Obviously the present was thoughtful. But it was much more than that. It demonstrated qualities like confidence, support and love. These are qualities worth building a future around.

I now have my little black book sitting next to my bed waiting for me to fill it with ideas. And each time I see it I think to myself how lucky I am for finding someone willing to take this journey with me, even if it means she has to read a bunch of crappy stories I write.

64) Trading Places

Question: If you could trade places with someone for one day, who would it be?
Answer: After careful consideration I would trade places with one of the Astronauts currently assigned to the International Space Station. There are several modules used to research our planet and other celestial objects, but the one that stands out to me is the Cupola. The Cupola is a dome-shaped window structure that gives astronauts and cosmonauts a valuable work area with great visibility of our planet, solar system and galaxy. The day I would trade would not include the launching out of or the re-entering into the Earth's atmosphere. These two parts of the process frighten me above all others, and I can do without those experiences. The rest would be invaluable.






















Or perhaps I would trade one day with Eddie Vedder so that I could spend one night crooning my favorite songs to a screaming crowd of slightly aging fans.

63) Tear Down The Wall!

A favorite recent memory I have (that I have a picture for) would have to be seeing Roger Waters perform The Wall at the AAC. Pink Floyd is one of those bands that made me sad I did not grow up in the 70's. I truly love their music. I am happy to say L. loves Pink Floyd as much as I do and over the years we listen to select albums during long drives to Houston.

Roger Waters and David Gilmour make up the heart and soul of Pink Floyd. Both are key song writers and singers throughout most of Pink Floyd's catalog. I have always been partial to Gilmour. L. has been partial to Roger Waters.

Last year we learned Roger Waters was performing The Wall at the AAC (without Gilmour) and there was no denying us. I was certainly happy to see 1/2 of the band that I love, though part of me wished Gilmour would have shown up. However, when the show started I was completely blown away. As Roger sang through the first part of the album their crew set up giant white bricks on the front of the stage. As they did this images were projected on the bricks communicating the various themes and motifs of the show.

Roger Waters was completely amazing. The show was incredible. And at the end they played L.'s favorite part known as the Trial. It is melodramatic, overly English and completely awesome. The show climaxed into a complete destruction of the Wall. Tear Down The Wall!

62) Night Games

A perfect evening for me would involve playing games with my friends. Looks strange written out like this, but it is true. I like to play games. Over the years, the games I like to play have changed. Following is an exploration of the games that have filled the various times in my life.

Elementary School: I played Parcheesi and Connect 4 with my parents. Sometimes we played Chinese Checkers, but that game really frustrated me.

Junior High: Played Life and Monopoly. We use to extend Monopoly out by allowing credit outside the mortgages on the backs of the property cards. We just tallied up bills. At the lake house we played Scattegories and Pictionary, my two favorite games for a long time.

High School: Risk became a key game during this part of my life. Games would last all night, and oftentimes into the next day. Risk had a way of ending with a board clearing sweep by a losing player. If I remember correctly, Craig had the most board clearing endings. I remember we would find Risk pieces on his living room floor for days. We also played a lot of BS and a poker game called Challenge.

Freshman Year of College: We played Chess almost every night at Common Grounds. I remember I did not have any money and would have to accept a free Dr. Pepper or coffee from Chris, who felt bad seeing me out there for hours without something to drink. Other than that, there were not a lot of games played in the dorms.

Rest of College: Played a ridiculous amount of drinking games including P&A, Categories, Up the River, Pyramid, Circle of Death, High/Low, Egyptian Rat Screw, Quarters, Chasers and Beer Pong. L., Jill and I went through a serious Dr. Mario phase during college that was odd.

Just After College: We held onto a lot of the drinking games for several years, staying mainly with P&A. We also played a game called Settlers of Catan. We started playing Texas Hold Em as well. It was during this period that Scene It had a brief appearance in our evenings until people got frustrated with how much movie knowledge me and Katrina seemed to have. Every Christmas Eve we played Uno.

Tyler: In Tyler we played Texas Hold Em a few times, but mainly we played Pictionary and Guitar Hero. Man, we played some serious Guitar Hero. I was addicted and could play the same three songs over and over. And with Pictionary, L. gets so competitive. Her teammate is guaranteed to get yelled at, which can be intimidating to new members. However, her team always wins. She is very good.

Back in Dallas: Since being back in Dallas we mostly play Apples to Apples. The last game evening we had there were two games we played that were fun, but I cannot remember what they were. I cannot seem to find anyone to play Risk with me.

61) Japan: Adventures In Food

On our trip to Japan it was important for me to be openminded about the food I ate. I wanted to try everything at least once and I wanted to learn what Japanese people ate on a regular basis. If forced to choose a favorite Japanese meal I would have to choose between Okonomyaki or Yakituri. Okonomyaki are weird meat pancakes that you cook on a griddle in front of you. The ingredients include batter, an assortment of meat, vegetables and a raw egg. You mix the batter and cook like a pancake. In the middle of the process you crack the egg and place on top of the pancake. Once the thing is done you drizzle your pancake with a Japanese BBQ sauce. It was interesting and tasted better than the more traditional Japanese meals we ate.

Yakituri consists of skewered meat basted with different spices and sauces, then grilled. I enjoyed our Yakituri meal immensely. It likely would have won my favorite Japanese meal award, except that I like the Okonomyaki photo better.

L. and I are huge sushi fans and one would think sushi might have been considered for this coveted award since it originated in Japan. Our one sushi experience at the Skiji fish market, while interesting and fun, proved to be disappointing as far as the food was concerned. First of all, our chef was sick and he constantly coughed and sneezed on our fish. We like sashimi best, but at the restaurant we chose on the outskirts of the market the sick chef cut such large pieces I felt like I was eating a raw fish corndog. Did not feel the same as the delicate sashimi we get here in the states.

We also enjoyed a traditional Japanese meal with a group of friends we met. The meal consisted of several courses that included shrimp that still had the heads and tails attached. The worst thing I ate in Japan was from this meal. It was a squid fresh out of the water. I am not even positive it was dead. The thing was squishy, clammy and much too big to be eaten as one bite. I put the squid in my mouth and when I started chewing it felt like I bit into slimy entrails. Not a good experience.

When visiting with my aunt, we ate Oden. My family insisted on us trying it and I must say it was not good. If forced to describe it I would say it was similar to muchy beef sticks with a strange flavor. Tasted overly processed but with a displeasing consistency. I ate everything in this picture, and had to force myself to smile when my relatives asked me if I liked it.























On a side note, we saw the two young women in the below picture at the Okonomyaki restaurant. We noticed many of the Japanese youth to be dressed like dolls or characters out of the Nutcracker. We asked friends and family members about these young people and they informed us this fashion is in style at the moment. I thought to myself, "Man, these kids today are weird." And then I realized I sounded like my dad when he saw me wearing Jams and a t-shirt.

60) Longtime Friend

Question: Who is the person you have been friends with the longest and still keep in touch with?
Answer: Chris White

Here are some fun facts about me and Chris. Hope his dad does not read this.

* We met in 2nd grade. I was in Miss Leverman's class. He was in Miss Brannock's (or something like that).
* Chris had a slumber party at his house one year and we thought it would be a good idea to have a boxing tournament. I got hit in the face and started crying. I threatened to go home because they weren't boxing fairly. I got as far as getting my shoes on before Chris convinced me to stay. He promised me no one else would punch me in the face.
* I broke my arm in his front yard attempting to do a bicycle kick we saw in the Sylvester Stallone movie Victory. Uncle Eric had to pick me up and take me home.
* While playing laser tag at the mall Chris accidentally punched a girl with his laser gun. She bled all over the mall. After that all guns became attached to the vest they make you wear.
* While playing football together for the SBJH B-Team Chris had a game where he caused a fumble, recovered a fumble, sacked the QB and had a handful of tackles. On the morning announcements I was recognized as a standout player, though I am not sure I even did anything in that game.
* The first girl Chris asked out was named Robin. He called her and asked her out on my kitchen rotary phone.
* In high school Chris put on an Ewok mask and dove down his stairs. Later that night he cleaned up at least three different places in his house where I had violently thrown up.
* Throughout high school Chris was the voice of reason. He fought with me endlessly on how far we would take the activities we participated in. I kept trying to stretch his comfort zone to include morally questionable, potentially illegal behavior while he tried to keep me reeled in to reality. It was this push/pull relationship that most likely kept me out of serious trouble.
* For the longest time Chris's dad thought we were gay. Not sure if he still does.
* We took guitar lessons together with a guy named Wally. I farted once at our lesson and Wally scolded me saying, "Man, don't do that. I like to sniff that chair after my 6 o'clock lesson". I don't think he was kidding.
* Chris and I bought and built hockey goals using PVC pipe. We played after school everyday and managed to get some of our school's most attractive girls to play hockey with us. When Chris was ready to sit he would let his feet roll out from under him and he would land harshly on his butt. He looked funny doing that.
* Chris is talented at doing the twist. Once Craig played Lorelei (from Styx) and danced in Chris's face. Chris broke out a hard core twist that sent Craig unexpectedly backward.
* Chris can open jars better than anyone I know.
* One summer we started a lawn mowing business. We made and distributed flyers and managed to get 1 steady client. We tried to undercut the competition with our $18 package deal.
* Growing up Chris had an unnatural affinity toward Ted Nugent. I had an unnatural affinity toward the Swedish Chef.

59) Ten Facts

Been challenged to reengage my blog with 30 posts in 60 days. Wish me luck. Here are 10 facts about me:

1) I have the ability to stay up as late as the last person in any given evening. However, once I climb into bed I fall asleep within seconds.

2) I have slightly webbed toes and cannot move them individually. And this has not made me a faster swimmer.

3) I do not wear deodorant and I do not have BO problems.

4) I cringe each time my work phone rings.

5) I use the same voice to impersonate everything: people, animals and inanimate objects. Strangely, my impersonation fits my mother spot on.

6) On a Saturday afternoon if forced to choose between writing on a novel, playing music with a band, or playing a sport, I would most likely choose playing a sport. Almost doesn't matter the sport.

7) I can watch long, boring movies better than most people. I can also watch crappy 80's movies better than most people. However, I have a difficult time with modern day crappy movies.

8) Things I love more than any dude should: disney movies, jasmine vanilla aromatherapy hand lotion, wine, my puppy, playing pictionary, movies about gladiators, chocolate chip cookies, painting weiner dogs, TruBlood, cooking with our home grown peppers, shopping online

9) Things I love as much as any dude should: Dirk, pizza, whiskey, playing ping pong, the original Star Wars Trilogy, being at the lake house, movies about Scottish revolutionaries from the 1200's, The Most Interesting Man in the World commercials

10) Of all things, I am most proud of my 8-year marriage. I certainly did a superb job choosing and wooing a beautiful and intelligent girl. But also, we have done a great job of growing together and moving our lives in a forward direction. Our relationship has kept me emotionally and intellectually engaged, and has enabled me to keep a positive attitude in all other aspects of my life. And our relationship has kept me entertained (you should see her argue with the dog...it is very entertaining).