Galveston

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Winnie the Pooh



Today was a great day hanging out with MrsBlue :)  In fact, I really enjoyed just being together...OH how I love weekends to spend some time with her!

Today was a day of watching movies.  The first movie was "the Help".  WOW, what a great movie and the story line interesting.  As I sit in the movie theater in the Heart of Dixie, I had to wonder how many of these people in the theater were on the "other side" of this topic!  You know life hasn't changed in some parts of the south and I think it may be very evident in this part of the country.   That concerns me greatly since we have to deal with this issue even in today's world.  

However, later in the afternoon, MrsBlue asked if I wanted to go see Winnie the Pooh!  Of course I said yes and we headed out to watch the animated movie.  

As I sat through the movie, I began to think about each of the characters (Pooh, CR, Tigger, Eeyor, Pigglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kango and Roo).  It's very interesting how in some way or another each one of them is ME!  You may feel the same way, but let me explain...

CR (Christopher Robin) - he's the one who seems to understand what's going on.  Even when everyone else is running around and confused, he clears it up with a few simple words.  I too feel like this in the office at times.  You have people who are just "all over the place" and a few words or direction seems to get things back on track.  


Pooh - He's always hunting for Hunny!  Why?  Because it's always on his mind.  I too am hunting for "Hunny", but my Hunny is success.  Why can't I be happy with where I am instead of where I am going.  For Pooh, this fills every waking moment of his life and he sometimes misses the important things because he's searching.  


Tigger - He's bouncing, bouncing, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce.  This is what people think about me!  I'm always bouncing around.  I think this is important to not get caught into a rut and stay doing something that has no meaning in life.  However, the other side of this is that we bounce around a lot and don't stay fixated on what's important.  


Eeyor - He's get's down on everything.  Sometimes I do too!  Why I'm not sure, but you take things personally and it gets you down!  However, his ability to deal with this "the glass is half empty" keeps him moving in the right direction.  What a leader even when you get down and people are piling on top of you.  I too keep going even when the chips are down.  


Pigglet - He's a "fraidy cat"!  Think about when he had to walk across the forest and was afraid the whole way...  Aren't we all this way at times?  I mean, we are afraid of what will come next.  But in the end Pigglet overcomes his fears and moves on.


Owl - He's the "brainiac"!  He shows his superiority by spouting off words no one else understands.  It's like he is so superior to everyone and knows the right answers.   I find myself doing this as well...I know the RIGHT answer (or at least I think I do).  But just like Owl, events usually show that we aren't all that smart in the end.


Rabbit - Well what can you say about Rabbit.  He's a hard worker and wants to be the leader of the pack.  However, he gets lost in handling all of his focus!  


Kango and Roo - It's all about family!  They keep the focus and are their to help their friends out no matter what!  However, they believe Family is IMPORTANT!  I too believe in my family and appreciate them everyday.  Without them, none of this matters.


It's amazing how a animated film can teach you a little about yourself.  Who would have thought that Walt Disney had the forethought of talking to people about what makes the world go around.  I know I'm not perfect, but depending on the situation I find myself being just like Winnie the Pooh and his cast of characters.  





Saturday, August 06, 2011

Traveling and seeing old friends

This was a great week at least on the large scheme of things! I had a business trip back to Sweet Home Alabama and the drive was 8 hours across the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The trip was very uneventful...thank goodness. We did see lots of coppers and they had a lot of people stopped and good thing it wasn't me! Even on the way home today they were running the speed guns on overtime.

However, the trip allowed us to see several old friends (military and civilians). Probably the best was seeing our Best Alabama Friends!!! They are great and we love spending time with them...it's fun every time :)

The military friends were at the conference with me and it was great catching up with them!

Only draw back from the trip was the calls from home station about events...let's just say we have lots of events that I'll need to work once I get back...job security in the not so favorite kind of work!

Also, it wad once again brought to my attention that I am different, very different! I still don't know how or why I have the job I do...I just don't fit the average mold. Not sure if this is good or bad, but... Looks like I have reached the pinnacle of my career whether I like it or not!

Oh well, I'm still having fun so I'll keep doing it...for now!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Cars anyone

We have been car shopping (along with eating)our away across the US! We may have finally found one...

Did I mention that I hate car shopping. That's a lot of money that I don't like to spend and most of these are priced to high. Worse thing is, we are looking for two cars...LilBlue and MrsBlue. Good thing we saved money over the last year...but I just hate giving money to others...I like having money put away for retirement.

Oh well...let's hope we get back into a Honda very soon!

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Tacos with Kelley

Tonight was great! We went over to our friend Kelley's to have dinner. She made a favorite with Missouri taco shells and her famous burritos in the oven. Best part was the gacomole made from scratch.

We've had mexican several times since arriving in TX... I like it!

Tomorrow the trip continues inland to OKC. Seven hours of traveling...

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Heading Inland

We are heading inland away from the Surf today.  Headed to Austin TX!  Maybe I'll get to try to SUP from SUP ATX (Stand Up Paddleboard Austin Texas).  I might even talk MrsBlue into buying a SUP.  Look here at the SUP on sale for July 4th!

Wish me luck.

But the best part is seeing some old friends from Italy!  WOOOHOOO

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

3d Coast Surfing

It can be said that Texas HAS surf!!!!  Yes, we arrived in Galveston TX today and headed down 37th street to the beach and quickly found SURF!  Hooorahhhh.  I found surf only 5 hours away from LA.

If you look real hard you can see me in the whitewater...  It was very disorganized with short rides, but FUN  :)


It was very mushy and all over the place, but nothing different from a storm along the East Coast beach break.  Best part of this was the jetties along the beach which help create a little bump.  I was a pig in mud to say the least.  

However, it did cost me a little bit!  MrsBlue is not too happy with my "search for waves" along this trip.  Well, I have now found the waves so no need for continued looking...  

MrsBlue...THANK YOU for putting up with my search and coming along for the trip.  It wouldn't be the same without you along in the Smartie with me!  I DO love being with you and it's really great hanging out with you for hours on end...even when we go through Beaumont at 90MPH and miss the lunch spot!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Costly thirst

MrsBlue was very thirsty after arriving at Jackson Barracks so we took a little drive to quench her thirst.

When we ordered a large glass of tap water we were surprised to have to pay a dollar for it.

BTW: The ice-cream and peach pie were a bonus.

GREAT Leaders Still Exist

On Friday, our last day at the Atlantic coast, I went for a surf at 0600 only to find the MWR people setting up for a 5K run on the beach.  So I had to ask the question and see if I could "join in".  Sure enough, at 0700 I was running a 5K along the beach and having fun.  Boy, do I need to get in better shape since my 5K time is 'hurting'.

However, I ran into Q (my local surfing buddy who rides short boards...in fact, if he rides a long board he feels dirty all day long).  All I have to say to this is Wave Count!  but this doesn't matter to him since he catches everything on any wave.  Wish I could surf like that.

But after the 5K, I went back to the room to change into my surf clothes and go for another session when there was a knock on the door.  It was Q and BG...surprise!!!!  Had a little talk with the both of the them and it was very nice.  

Then later I received a great note from BG...what a Great Leader!  Sometimes I wish I had stayed in Florida to work more with him!  I know it would have been great...well that's in the past, but I'm so glad to know that Leaders like him still exist.  He GETS it!!!!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

In West Florida

We have begun the trip along the Gulf Coast.  First stop...Hurlburt Field to check out the surf and have dinner with some old friends.  The trip in the Smartie with the 9'8" surfboard on top, made it with no problems.  I think MrsBlue was a little worried about traveling at 70+mph with that surfboard on top of the car.  

We did get a few looks...okay, several looks and comments along the way.  What...haven't these people ever seen a surfboard on top of a car :)

 However, we have arrived on the first leg of the trip to find FLAT and CHOPPY conditions here.  Looks like no surf this afternoon.  I think I will give it a go tomorrow morning just to saw I surfed here. 


Arrived Safe and Sound at Hurlburt Field

Thursday, June 23, 2011

New Fin

After two days of surfing the beach break, I noticed my fin needed a replacement. So I talked MrsBlue into it, which really wasn't hard! Gave it a try this evening with a huge south wide and lots of chop. Tomorrow morning will tell the real truth...but initial feel is GREAT bottom turns...just what I needed. Still working the board walking...need more wave time!!!! Not sure that will happen in LA but I am going to try to stay in the water whenever I can~