Auto-flush

For the most part, I am all about the sensors on toilets, sinks, and paper towel dispensers in public restrooms. The only thing I really have to complain about, is the in relation to the toilet bowls (the urinals are fine). I don't know about the rest of you, but every now and then I lean one direction or another when going about my business. Then you get the stupid sensor deciding that you got up and flushes while you are still going about your business. Depending on how powerful the flushing action of the toilet, you may actually get a little sprayed in the process. I definitely don't like that.

My solution, take a square of toilet paper tissue and place it over the sensor. That way, no flushing until you remove the paper. :)

Search for the Late Night Milkshake

I'm not sure what the deal is, but when I travel and get in late to my destination, it is impossible to get a milkshake. Either the fast food restaurants are closed, or the restaurants are open, but they have already shut off and cleaned up the ice cream machine. Sometimes I just crave a milkshake after a flight, and have been very disappointed with their lack of availability.

I think if they do not offer milkshakes 24/7, then they should display the hours that milkshakes are available. They do it for the breakfast menu; "only available until 11am". I can understand that there are peak times for the demand of milkshakes, but it is listed as a regular item....it should regularly be available for consumption.

Anyway, just a little something that has been on my mind.

Not so warm

This past week has seen a dramatic downturn in temperatures. I was in Pineville, LA and at lunch on Thursday it was in the 70s. By the time I left the client site around 6pm, it had dropped to the 30s. I was prepared though, I had brought some warm clothes with me just in case it really did get that cold.

Some of my friends from Tampa were in Houston for work, and I think they really were glad to get back to the Sunshine State on Friday. That is one thing I liked about living in Tampa....but I do enjoy being able to wear a coat more than a few times a year. I don't enjoy having to shovel the driveway, therefore Houston was a better pick over Dallas, when we decided to move.

I saw on the news about all these places further north (which is practically anywhere), where snowstorms were causing lots of problems with the air and ground traffic. I did used to live in Idaho and Ohio, so I am no stranger to cold and snowy winters. It just means that I had a few reasons for not wanting to live in those types of climates.

The changing seasons are nice to see and experience. I think we'll stay here a while.

BNL concert

BARENAKED LADIES ROCK!

We had a really good time at their concert in Austin at The Backyard last night (11/11/06). Sherry, Rick, Julie and I were rather cold though, as it is November. But, it had been in the 90s the day before. Coldness aside, I really enjoyed myself.

The opening act was a band called "The Mike Doughty Band". I really didn't care for their music too much. I like odd music...some of it you might even call strange...but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

One of the things I like about bands like BNL, TMBG, and Guster is their interaction with the audience. BNL incorporated a lot of material based on the fact they were in Austin. Such as in the encore, "If I Had $1,000,000", they started off with "I would buy you a big Backyard". They also talked about and incorporated into some impromptu songs, places such as the Chevron across the street, the mall next door, The Alamo movie theater, and some local haunted hotel, to name a few.

Julie was very happy that the final encore was one of her favorite songs, "Call and Answer". I was familiar with all the songs they sang. (I think). Anyway, they did a good job on playing a lot of songs from their new album "Barenaked Ladies Are Me", as well as songs from most of their past albums.

I would love to go to more of their concerts. This was my first one...first of many to come. It would be incredible if three of my favorite bands: BNL, Guster, and TMBG came together in one all-day concert. I would be ecstatic.
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Amy's ice creams

Silly me. I actually thought either Cold Stone or Marble Slab were the first of the ice cream pounding, mix-in smashing ice cream parlors. My first night in Austin, we went out for ice cream at Amy's. This is when I found out that Amy's has been around for something like twenty-five years. I had been to one of the Amy's in Houston before, but thought it was a Marble Slab rip-off. I did like the ice cream more at Amy's though.



Anyway, last night is when I also found out that Amy's doesn't use artificial colors. This discovery was as a result of wondering aloud as to why the "Dreamsicle" ice cream wasn't more orange colored than the slightly off-white mass of ice cream being pummelled before my eyes.



I like how they have a movie quote up on the menu board, which, if you correctly guess the movie the quote is from, you get a free mix-in. I recognized right away that "Ocean's Eleven" is where the line "Look, we all go way back and uh, I owe you from the thing with the guy in the place and I'll never forget it " was from. And let me tell you, the rare waffle cone mix-in goes very well with Dreamsicle.



Normally waffle cone is not a mix-in. But when the waffle cones get delivered, having been thoroughly jostled around in the van, you have make the best of what you have.



Oh, and even Sherry and Rick's dog, Baxter, got a free doggie treat, for being so cute.



I just have to say...Amy's Ice Creams...me likey.

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Barenaked Ladies

This Saturday, I will be going to a Barenaked Ladies concert for the first time. I'm pretty excited. From what I have heard from some of the live recordings, it seems like they had a really great time.

I'm going with my wife, sister-in-law, and soon to be brother-in-law-in-law. AND, this will be my first time travelling to Austin. An exciting weekend, I know. Oh, AND we'll be at a church conference where one of the Apostles (Elder Bednar, for those of you who know what I'm talking about) will be speaking.

Good times...good times
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Elite

Well, I have to say I am enjoying travelling more. Now that I have reached "Elite" status on Continental, I don't have to wait so long to have my ID checked at the security checkpoint, and I get to board w/the first boarding group. :). I could get used to this. Oh, and I guess I should mention.that I get a free upgrade to first class, if a seat is available.
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First post

Well, this should be an interesting venture. I have never blogged before, so please bear with me as I get into the swing of things.