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Monday, July 30, 2001
What a great weekend I've had! Saturday morning, Meredith O and I swam a mile at Hippie Hollow. While we were there, Homer got to play with Meredith's dogs in her backyard while Strand Brothers was installing Stepan's new AC. Homer, Gracy, and Samantha seemed to get along just fine which is very good news for any trips Stepan and I plan on taking. After swimming, Stepan and I went to Round Rock, had some very good bar-b-q (I think we ate at Cooper's), and waded in Brushy Creek to the round rock that gave the city it's name (you can see it pictured on the City of Round Rock's home page). We also saw Kiss of the Dragon (which was a bit too bloody and gory for my tastes) before wrapping up the day with a 2 hour hike in Walnut Creek Park (where we only got a little lost). Sunday started with 3-mile run/walk with Homer at Town Lake followed by wading in the waters beneath Barton Springs Pool. Sunday night we got to visit with Stepan's former roommate, Carlos, and various member's of his extended family including his sister, Martina, who was visiting from Germany with her very precious 2 year old daughter, Elena (who speaks English, Spanish, and bit of German!). Friday, July 27, 2001
Many, many thanks to my loving and generous Mom and Sister!....I just got back from redeeming my birthday gift certificate for a Day of Rejuvination at Lake Austin Spa Resort. I had a fabulous massage followed by a hand and foot treatment that included a parafin wax dip. The gift certificate included lunch (parmasian trout with rice and asparagus spears) and a spa gift (lavender shower gel and body lotion). I also purchased a pair of rosemary candles that were outrageously expensive, but smelled heavenly! After all was over, I spent about an hour in a hammock by the lake under a shade tree reading Naked by David Sadaris....all in all I had a wonderful time. If anybody ever asks what the perfect gift for me would be - this was it!....The only thing better would have been to have someone there to share it with. Thanks again, Mom and Meredith! Wednesday, July 25, 2001
This morning I learned to distiguish between a live oak and an elm - the two dominant trees at Pease Park where I workout with my co-workers. Stepan and I need to plant a tree to replace the one we cut down a week and a half ago (my first ever experience with a chainsaw!). I really like the tree planted in front of WHM (the tall one on the right side of the picture on the company's web site)....I need to ask Lynn Wright (the office manager at WHM and my nature guide during workouts) what kind of tree that is. Friday, July 13, 2001
I've been following Le Tour de France pretty closely this year. Of course I'm mostly interested in how The Posties (as the French call the US Postal Team) are doing since they are led by local hero Lance Armstrong. After today's stage, Lance is in 15th place - 1' 53" behind the leader. I'm always so proud when I ride my 10 miles on my bike to work - but that is absolutely nothing compared to the 3,454K (that's over 2000 miles!) that is covered in The Tour. Thursday, July 12, 2001
Yesterday I met a women who called me on Monday to discuss "a business opportunity". Work's been hectic and I agreed to meet with her to break up my day and get me out of the office for a bit. It turns out that she is involved in Quixtar, a pyramid scheme-type business that I think is affeliated with Amway. These types of "business opportunities" always sound so easy (and to make it easier, THEY encourage you to join Team In Focas for monthly seminars, pep rally's, and training material - for a small fee). Unfortunately the two web sites are not user friendly for visitors and it's really hard to get any information from those sites if you aren't already a member. Of course in this information age, there is plenty of content available - some good, some bad. All interested parties will be relieved to hear that I know that I would be terrible at this type of "business" and will not be signing up with them any time in the near future. Monday, July 09, 2001
I was just skimming the on-line news and found an article about a speech by NAACP chairman, Julian Bond. I especially enjoyed the following quote: ...In his first months in office, Bush has "appeased the wretched appetites of the extreme right wing, and he picked Cabinet officials whose devotion to the Confederacy is nearly canine in its uncritical affection... Only 1,214 more days until the next election! Tuesday, July 03, 2001
It looks like Stepan and I are definetly keeping Homer. I think he's going to be a really good dog - he' s been much more affectionate and attentive since we started taking him on daily walks. We're also looking into training/obedience classes and we've made an appointment with the vet to get him fixed. I've decided that I want to build a doghouse. I've been searching the web for suggestions and plans - I'm positive that I want something unique...now I just have to convince Stepan! |
