Packing the Bags

Time to pack the bags for a busy couple of weeks. I am leaving this afternoon to see Andre and the family in Gonzales/Baton Rouge for his birthday. It will probably never seem right to be going there instead of the house on Robert E Lee in Nola but things are different now. Can't wait to get there and see Ms Morgane's smile, she is always such a joy. Who knows what A.J. will be up to either.........trouble more than likely.

I am flying into Nola and will meet Andre there. I'm sure we will go out and stir it up before heading back over to Gonzales tonight. No real plan for the weekend other than to relax and hang out with the kids. We might surprise Andre and take him to dinner on Saturday night with friends or that plan could change. It will be a good long weekend no matter what. I can see myself coming back Monday night and running myself crazy the next couple days because a lot will be going on. I think I have TWO fantasy drafts in one night and not to mention doing my final planning and packing to head to Cali. Buckle up for the ride!

We All Tell a Story

I found myself doing it again over lunch today. Looking at people. Wondering.

I find myself often wondering who all of us are. We all have a past and present. Every person began the day today somewhere. It could have been at home in Houston or in another city followed by a plane ride to Houston where we cross paths in the door as I head out to lunch. Will I ever see this person again? What is their name? Do they have kids? Where did they grow up? Who were there parents? What is important in this person's life right now? What is on their mind? What stories could their parents tell of their lives and the people that they have encountered during their journey through life?

I think it would be interesting to find out who we are - that is who we are as people. We are more alike than different at the end of the day. Hundreds of millions of people everyday. Crossing paths. Wondering.

A Flurry of Activity

Seems like there is a lot happening on the horizon. A lot of fun stuff hopefully mostly travel. I knew a lot of this was coming but when it's right up on me now, I feel pressed to get my shtuff together.

Fall is right around the corner and although I hate the short days, I am kinda welcoming the changes that seem to be coming. My fantasy draft is right around the corner next week and that means football season. College ball, pro ball, it's all good with me. I can't wait to see my Tigers on the field this weekend. A lot of fun places around Houston opening so there should be some cool happenings. Also within a quick weekend, there could be a couple potential senoritas to get to know. Certainly not counting my chickens early but who knows. If nothing else I know KT will hold me accountable to one.......

Also a year later, Nola is still on my mind as Ernesto bears down (my best to Phain and Fame and any other friends in the path). Katrina changed Nola forever. Forever. That city will never be the same and it is unfortunate that it is reduced to a news item rather than a priority for this country to fix the problems in the community. I don't use the word rebuild because I am not sure that is the answer. The socioeconomic problems that the storm uncovered in Nola and the US (particularly the Bush administration) must be addressed and soon.

New Music
KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
311 - The Hits 93 - 03
Jurassic 5 - Quality Control
G Love - Lemonade
My Morning Jacket - Z
The Roots - Game Theory
Bob Schneider - The Californian

A Pre-Season Win

Things went well today with Fortis. I got a chance to sit down with the President and Sr. VP today and the conversations were good. I suppose the bad news is that they were looking for a structuring lead. If I really wanted to do that I could stay at Calpine. I kinda had a feeling that is what they wanted me for but the good news is that I got my foot in the door. The flat out asked me what I wanted to do and I told them and they were cool with it. But I gotta be patient because that role just isn't open right now. Soon. Maybe. I hope.

Did I blow it again? Sitting here at home wanting to go out tonight but nothing. Nothing. I gotta get out of this dating rut I am in. Seems like I can't find my way into meeting "dateable" women. I ain't gonna do it sitting here at home, that's for sure.

Detour

Well the Thursday plans have changed and unfortunately will have to be delayed until mid September because of all my travel. Got the call yesterday for an interview with Fortis so I will be there instead. This should be an interesting opportunity to talk to these guys but I have a lot of caution that gives me pause. They have been through a lot recently and the transition to the new company is still in the works. Also some of the leadership over there has been controversial. But, I always do well in the suit and tie and I don't think things will be different tomorrow.

I have really been thinking a lot about what the future will be for me at the current job. I just don't know. I applied for promotion to Director Structuring for my group. Well truth be told, everyone in my group has left but me so I am a group of one. I think I have favor with my boss and conventional wisdom would have me selected as I am the best qualified in all of the company. I'm no fool though. I would certainly have to add people to the group IF I am selected. The problem is that with this promotion it would potentially put my salary such that many other companies might pass on me. Golden handcuffs suck! This would lock me in with a company going through turmoil which I am unsure of. But then there is the financial benefit.......just gotta think this through as there is a hell of a lot more than dollar signs at stake.

This just all comes back to me wondering what is the end game for me professionally? Where am I going and at what point do I say, "George has achieved enough." I don't know when that is as I have always been so driven. There has always been a goal for me to reach towards. Is energy the industry I really find happiness in or is there something else for me? Is there a business opportunity for me to own myself?

I want the answers and I want a crystal ball that tells me "what I am supposed to be doing" and "what is the right path." You only go around once, and I want to make it count. Ultimately I want to position myself to be a provider for my family (whenever that happens) and be secure.

God, it's in your hands. Lead me, I have followed you for 36 years and it's worked out. Let's see how it ends.

Life is Right Now

In my quiet moments I have always done a lot of thinking. I probably have been thinking about the things that occupy the minds of most people.

Family
My mother
Friends
Job
Love

That's the big stuff that crosses my mind. Now if I am honest with myself, the end game of what really crosses my mind is the stuff that does not matter. I wrap my self around the axel with what somebody said. I sit and think about what somebody said. I stew about the past. I just plain think too much. Maybe thinking and my analytical side will be my downfall.

Life is right now George. It is today. It is right before you. Live it. Live it or it will pass you by. This is the Thursday you take off the afternoon. You know what you need to do. It's time for you to fly my friend.

A Weekend to Share

More pictures linked to the image.

What a weekend. I think I managed to get everything possible in this weekend - dead tired now, but it was worth it. Friday night Dave Matthews Band came to The Woodlands Amphitheater. Solid show. Scott and I headed up late afternoon and did the ceremonial beers in the mall food court before the show followed by several more inside. The show was good but I would not say as good as others I have been to. It was nice to check the box on some songs that I had not heard live before (Satellite, Proudest Monkey, Sleep to Dream Her, The Last Stop) but there were more that I would have loved to have heard. But I suppose there is always San Fran in a couple weeks. Idea of You rocks and that is gonna be solid on the new CD. Too bad there were so many people there and I could not hook up with Robin, or German. After the show we were able to run back into town for some late night Uropa to celebrate Laura's birthday. Paying for that late night right now.......

Rosalie was back at Texas Children's this weekend. I always enjoy seeing the ones that are special to me but I hate seeing them in a hospital. She has been through so much since I first met her 3 or 4 years ago and she will make it through, but I hate to see her back. The good news is that it is hopefully just a fever. Met a new little girl there, Selena, so cute and quiet. I went back today and took her a movie, I hope that will make her day somehow.

It was fun to go out with Greg Saturday night. I was kind of proud of myself for at least trying to meet a couple women. Hey, there is a game to be played right? I just suppose I fall short when it comes to the bravado part. I suppose I will never stand out when it comes to beating my chest and machismo. I think I am ok with that though.

Back to School

My roommate from Auburn, Chris, told me something the other day that I would have never considered. This year's incoming freshman class was born in 1988. Umm, I started at Auburn in 1988.

So I can imagine that there was a little girl that I saw dressed as an Auburn cheerleader on game day. Well now she is moving into the dorms, buying books, learning the campus and growing to love my beloved village on the plains.

Auburn vs Washington State at home, September 2nd. It's officially that time of year.

War Damn Eagle!

Corrine Bailey Rae

Love this woman.

Taking the Tag

Not usually my thing but I will throw this one out there.

Four things about me you may not have known:
A) Four jobs I have had in my life: NASA Booster Flight Controller, Banker at Goldman Sachs in NY, Weather Derivative Trader, and I read power meters on homes for a day
B) Four movies I could watch over and over: 2001, Swingers, Training Day, and Fight Club (Blazing Saddles is up there too)
C) Four places I have lived: Mobile AL, Chicago IL, Brooklyn NY, Jupiter FL
D) Four TV shows I love to watch: Entourage, Sports Center, that's about it, I dont watch a ton of TV
E) Four places I've been on vacation: Dominican Repub, Napa, Puerto Vallarta, Amsterdam
F) Four of my favorite websites: CNN, Yahoo, flikr, DMB Ants Marching
G) Four of my favorite foods: Patty Melts, chips & queso, awesome wines, boiled blue crabs
H) Four friends I will tag: I won't pass the buck on this one........
Right now I would rather be: Snuggled up in bed with a beautiful woman on vacation in Italy

A Different Tuesday

Tuesday.

Probably seen quite a few of them in my day. Not a bad day at work today but at the end I find myself wondering what is different. Did I go through the motions today? (I think I did) Will I remember this Tuesday a month from now? Not sure.

What makes a day a memorable day or even a day that matters? Actually I think that is the right question that I should be asking - What mattered today? Each day is such a gift they and should all be celebrated. I always remember that there was someone that did not wake up today - that puts it all in perspective.

Interesting news on the job front that I am actually just slowly coming to terms with in my head. I got a call from SFLA. Wow. There is a chance that I could be going back. Way too early to get excited but there could be some interest. Good news is that I could work in an office here in town and probably only have to travel there from time to time. But still, the memories of that period in my life just come flooding back. I need to separate that from this opportunity.

Never burn a bridge.........

The Delegate

Never fails that when I go to a comedy club I end up representing my race. This is kinda becoming a running joke at this point.

Last night Becky and River invite me to join them at the Laff Stop. No secret that I generally rank comedy clubs right up there with bowling alleys but that is for another journal entry. The host/intro comic was pretty funny and gets things going. Next up is a comedian who is Mexican American who launches into a routine on race. Of course I get singled out by name. Over all the guy is respectful and funny, nothing out of line at all. By the time the headliner gets up there and asks, "Are there any Black people in the audience?", I swear to you at least a half dozen people turn around in their seats and yell, "Yeah, George is back there."

Oy vey!!

Jurassic 5

Jurassic 5 rocked the house strong last night. STRONG. They were here in town at Warehouse Live, easily my favorite venue for live music in Houston these days. Spanking new venue with awesome lighting and sound. No need to ever go to the Engine Room again and deal with the grungy, dirty atmosphere (and wait 30 minutes - no joke - for a drink).

Jurrasic had a great set playing a lot of their older music. Crowd was totally into it. The show stopper was when DJ Nu Mark came out front and did this mix from all these triggered sequences, amazing.

One thing made me sad last night. If somebody decided to go house to house and kill all the black people in Houston except those at the concert last night there would probably be 10 of us left. I think it’s a damn shame that we don’t go out and support solid acts like J5 but instead we rock DJ Screw/Young Joc/Lil Jon and walk around talking about “Ridin’ Dirty” (All of which are some of the most ignorant crap you could possibly put together). It's not a race thing, it's a music thing with me because nobody owns the music. Yet on the other hand rap and hip hop are "stereotypically" viewed as "black music" and we embrace that community and identify with it. Seems as though we as a race are fine with that and embrace that label. OK, then fine. So how stupid does the whole scene look when the view of the genre is so narrow and ignorant as defined by the stuff that is popular? Kills me how a strong show like this will come to Houston and it is full of everybody but black faces. Clearly what I love about music is that it crosses all racial and religious barriers - just go to a Matisyahu show and watch him move the crowd. What I don't like is how under appreciated groups like J5 are.

BUT – we claim we love rap and hip hop here in Houston. No, obviously we don’t.

Getting off my soapbox now…………pictures from the show linked to the image above.

Chloe

Chloe died today. I hate it every fucking time this happens. A twelve year old does not deserve this, she just wanted to live but I can't imagine what the last year has been like. In a hospital. For a year. Every day. Every fucking day and in intensive care for the last 3 or 4 months.

I know it's cliche to say she is in a better place and she is better off. I will get there in time but right now I just don't understand. I know this is partly because of my own insecurities about death but right now it is hard. When I search my feelings I knew this day would come, I just hoped that she would be a miracle.

What in the world is Ellen thinking right now? Where is she? I don't think she has spent one night away from her daughter this whole time. Right there 24/7 every day with an undying love. I hope she can rest now because of going through everything. Chloe was so very sick. I don't think I ever really saw her doing all that well. Lord please comfort her.

Seems like I have lost so many kids. I wonder why I continue to do this sometimes. I wonder a lot of things. My last memory was dropping off body wash and the movie Something New for them a couple weeks ago. The loved watching movies, it was their only fun time.

I just hope there is some peace and happiness that can somehow be found in this at some point but for right now I just feel lost.