New Photos Added

The pictures I took in Savannah have been uploaded. Take a look at Flickr on the left side. I didn't take a lot of pictures so there aren't too many but there are two that are special to me. :-)

Double Sigh!

Not only do I return to work today but it is also the last official day of summer for 2006. I guess that is why the weather turned nasty last night.

I'm Home

I returned home yesterday from what seemed like the world's fastest vacation. I guess that's what happens when you spend four days with someone you truly love. Savannah is a great place and I had fun seeing the sights but I just really enjoyed being around Natalie. It was a lot of fun seeing her around her parents and going for a walk and talking to her while there. I can say we really grew closer to each other as a result, which is all I can ask for. But, it was fun spoiling her while I was there and did she ever need it. It's hard being anywhere, whether it's home or not, without people who are near and dear to your heart. I admire Nat for being able to do that but at the same time I really hope she is motivated to find a job out here and move back. I wouldn't mind my second trip to Savannah being a little bit shorter as a result.

Either way, time will ultimately tell what success/failure this trip was. I remain optimistic that it was as much fun for her as it was for me.

Special thanks to Robert & Debbie for welcoming me into their home and allowing me to monopolize Natalie for the weekend.

Thanks Natalie for a great time! I hope you will get more time off next month and come visit. I love you! :-D

Last Month Warning

Now the fun starts!

1 month left until my birthday and I know what I want.

That's right, I know exactly what I want.

It's a 2 part gift.

First, I want Natalie to get a job in ABQ.

Second, I want someone to give Natalie round trip tickets to visit ABQ in January.

Simple.

On a side note, I'm really having a great time here in Savannah. I can't believe that I can have this much fun just being around Natalie. Our friendship has really grown and continues to grow. The level of trust we have for each other is growing and we are really having great talks and learning a lot about each other. I'm so thankful that she has really demonstrated a lot of love for me by taking me around town and showing me the sights and sounds of Savannah. Because of it, I can confidently say I love her, more now than ever before and I'm glad I get the chance to build her up and love her unconditionally.

Notre Dame Football Sucks!

Anyone doubt Michigan as a legitimate National Championship contender now? How about you Notre Dame fan?

A Little Bit of Bad News

My brother left me a text message last night (good thing I actually had my phone with me) to tell me that his beagle, Gohan, died last night. It seems his brain was swelling and the doctors couldn't figure out why. I know my brother is taking this hard and to be honest, I'm gonna miss the little guy at Sunday dinner (as will the other mutt's at my parents house).

So, if you know someone with a beagle puppy that they are looking to give away, let me know.

Day 1 in Savannah

Despite a 1 hour delay in Houston to fix the door of the bathroom, I arrived in Savannah and yes, Natalie was waiting for me (I also thought I had left my phone in the car but it turned out that I left it in my electronics bag - on during the flight while stowed with the rest of my luggage). I have seen her house (nice house) and the nicer houses in her neighborhood. I have had my seafood already (catfish) and we have hung out at Barnes & Noble (and I've already spoiled her - green chile, Frontier tortilla's and a CD she wanted).

All is good for the first day.

More tomorrow.

Your State's Longevity Report

Where does your state rank?

5 Years Passes Quickly

I'm sure everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing September 11, 2001. I spent the day worried about my brother and cousins and when I was let off work early (because all government entities had closed early), I went home until dinner and watched t.v. and waited to hear from the rest of the family about my cousins. Fortunately they were all fine (and my cousin Dan took some great pictures of what happened that day).

Is the world any different today as a result of 5 years of conflict and changes? Dare I say, no? I'm still scared of flying (and I fly to Savannah this Friday). I'm just as scared as I was flying to Baltimore, November 2001. I'm scared that security will pull me off the flight or out of the security line because of the electronic equipment I travel with (digital camera, battery charger, laptop computer, etc.). Now, I can't even bring a bottle of water on the plane with me.

As I sit watching the 9/11 Commission report on the History Channel, my heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and friends during the attacks. Gwen sent me a message today expressing her feelings about today. My response, I'm proud of the people of New York and Washington, D.C. for continuing to move forward and live despite the constant threat this country faces.

Five years have passed. I may be afraid of flying but that pales in comparison to the anguish this day will bring for those directly affected by the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Call It A Personal Milestone

Being the computer geek I am, I wonder why it took me so long to finally tear out the guts of my laptop. Last night, my replacement motherboard arrived (and since I am really busy at work this week I couldn't work on it there) and I immediately tore into my laptop. I was surprised at how easy it was to take apart and put back together.

I got the motherboard because my old one had intermittent problems with the USB ports (o.k. - so one port didn't like my iPod. Is that my fault?). Well, the new one has no problems with the USB ports and everything checks out so far. I still need to test the modem but since I have only used it about half a dozen times in my life, I won't be hurt if it doesn't work. Personally, I can't wait for Sunday because I believe the motherboard was the reason I couldn't connect my laptop to the mixer at church without a lot of static.