I was just a kid...

Tonight is foggy. This does not not happen that often here where we are in Texas. There was a winter 17 years ago in Oregon that was super foggy. It seemed like every night along the Willamette River, on the road between Salem and Dallas (Oregon) it looked like tonight, foggy - have to drive by the lines foggy, foggy. This was a special time for me and perhaps the most important time for our family.

I had been dating this girl I had met a few weeks earlier and things were very serious. I will admit that things were moving much faster than I wanted or expected and now looking back it seems like I was operating outside my own body, and that I was a spectator in my own life. But there was something to this. Something special, something I did not feel I should stop, something I am not sure I could have stopped...

17 years later, 4 kids, half a country away, on a foggy night, I am still in it and loving every moment.

Any way there is something about the fog that makes me a little nostalgic. Good times.

WOW Time Flies....

I have been traveling a bit lately, and have had some time to read. I read this book called Into Thin Air, its about an expedition to Everest that ended poorly. It got me to thinking about goals. Some folks like to list things they want to do -loose 100 pounds, read the complete works of Leo Tolstoy, or learn to speak Chinese. Some folks may also have some things they would like to do - grow a Mohawk, get a tattoo - you get it. So as I was reading this book I thought I never want to climb Everest and it got me thinking about some sort of reverse goals, and I was wondering why people don't keep a list of things they don't want to do. That way if they get a wild hair and can't remember that they did not want to climb Mt. Everest, they wont spend 60k to do so. So here are a few of the things I don't want to do.

• Climb Everest
• Parachute
• Bungee Jump
• Play Professional Soccer
• Animate a Pixar film
• Race in the Iditerod
• Eat Dorian Fruit
• Hike Across Cambodia
• Become a Gynaecologist/Proctologist/Podiatrist/Dentist
• Sleep in a snow cave
• Swim across the English Channel

There are more I am sure but I am having hard time deciding.... What are some of yours?

Let The Music Move You

First I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and regardless of your socioeconomic (I got to use it again) status you were able to take some time with family and or friends and celebrate all that you are thankful for.

So the other week, I went to a movie with a couple of friends, Jason, Sam and Stan. On the drive over we were discussing our top ten bands, songs etc. and it ties into a post I had been wanting to do for a while but could not seem to get it. I had been thinking about creating a sound track for my life Volume I, but as I started it was getting too long and there were just too many great songs to narrow down, so this seems to fit in quite nicely.

Top Ten American Bands/Artists:

1 - The Ramones
2- Blondie
3- REM
4- Nirvana
5 - Social Distortion
6 - Prince
7 - Camper Van Beethoven/Cracker
8 - No Doubt/ Gwen Stephani
9 - Sublime
10 - B-52's

Top 10 Eur Asian Bands/ Artists:

1 - Billy Idol
2 -The Clash
3 - U2
4 - The Sex Pistols
5 - Joy Division/ New Order
6 - INXS
7 - Pink Floyd
8 - The Cure
9 - Depeche Mode/Erasure
10 - The Cult

Top 10 Songs of all time: (Can not be an artist from the above lists, that would be too easy and I am trying to diversify)

1 - What is Love - Howard Jones
2 - Creep - RadioHead
3 - Turbo Lover - Judas Priest
4 - Family Tradition - Hank Williams Jr.
5 - Fire Maple Song - Ever Clear
6 - Jeremy - Pearl Jam
7 - Baba O'Reilly - The Who
8 - Imagine - John Lennon
9 - Enter Sandman - Metallica
10 - Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

Which Leads to my top 10 albums (no best of, but live albums are OK)

1 - Electric - The Cult
2 - Never Mind - Nirvana
3 - Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
4 - Live on St Patricks Day - Drop Kick Murphy's
5 - Joshua Tree - U2
6 - 1999 - Prince
7 - 101 - Depeche Mode
8 - Mixed Up - The Cure
9 - License to Ill - Beastie Boys
10 - Legend - Bob Marley (I know I broke my rule, but how do you leave that one off)

I am sure there are many that I missed and this was fun to do and to think about. What are some of yours?

It has been a while

So this has been an interesting year. I am not sure if its been cause of my age, socioeconomic status, (I really don't think it has anything to do with that I just wanted to see if I could spell it), or all the kids being out of the house or what. But life is weird isn't it. I seem to be battling against my self. The inner ying and yang thing is driving me crazy. It seems like when ever anything positive happens I have to go ruin it for myself. Example, I worked out then I ate meatloaf and then Captain Crunch (Huge Bowl or two). This sort of behavior is counter productive Why can't I let good things be? Ah well I guess I will just need to keep on trying.

So that was some election eh? I was impressed by both candidates speeches I thought that John McCain was very gracious and very statesmanlike. I was also very impressed by Obama's speech. It was very positive and I thought, inspiring. I was at Byron and Tara's when they announced Obama had won. Byron was away on business but he called Tara and said now I can tell my boys they can be anything they want. This really put it in perspective for me as have not been personally affected by race. I am optimistic about the future of our nation. I hope that he can do what he says. Should be an interesting couple of terms.

Anyone else

Like to read the last page of a book before you get to the end, to decide if you want to keep reading?

Like to eat ice cream while watching the Biggest Loser?

Brush your teeth with warm water?

Only wear certian clothes on a particualr day of the week? (My Friday outfit is an MFB shirt, and my green Old Navy cargo shorts.)

Obesess about clearing out your inbox?

Don't like to go to any meetings - and think they are all a waste of time?

Check for comments on your blog too much?

Are planning your midlife crisis?

Figure out what time you are going to have a Diet Coke during the day, first thing when you wake up? (Sorry Laura - you are so good to give it up - I think I need an intervention)

Like that song Paper Planes? (did you know that the hook or sample is from the Clash's Straight to Hell?)

Wish you had a super power and or the force? (If you had the force you could get the remote without getting off the couch! That would come in handy while eating ice cream and watching the Biggest Loser. If I had the force, I would'nt need telekinesis so I would choose flight for my super power.)

Wish you could have a mowhawk?

Think Google Chrome cool?

relate to "SELECT * FROM people WHERE clue > 0
0 rows returned"?

Love anything on Discovery or TLC and Nova?

Want to open a Skate/Fish Taco shop ( I am thinking about the menu:
The 2 Taco Combo with chips and queso and a soda - $6.99
Ultimate Combo - a longboard, from longboard larry - is there a finer board? NO, fully set up and two tacos chips queso and a drink - $306.99
Super Ultimate Combo all of the above and Tee-shirt (An Eric Devericks design - duh) for $326.99.
Of course you can get all these ala carte - silly...

So there are some things you may not have known about me... now I will be looking for comments so feed my obsession! Let me know if you think any of these things or if you have some for me to think about?

Watching the Olymics is...

so fun... I do wish I had the body of some of those guys... (heck even some of the women have manlier bodies than I) That Jamaican kid, Bolt, is INCREDIBLE, anyone who appreciates sprinting can tell you he is a freak! I feel bad for Lo Lo Jones, she was the clear favorite yet she tripped on the 9th hurdle and I think she ended up 4th... She is 26 and this was her shot. She was very positive and it was good to hear. In contrast the 400m favorite lost as well... She ran a horrible race and had all sorts of excuses, it was interesting to listen to the two.

I was watching diving last night and decided something... If I was in last place and had no chance of getting a medal, I would get to the end of the board and start my dive. Midway through I would curl up into a ball and yell "CANNON BALLLLLLL". Then I had a better thought. I would also take a spare speedo in my hand and let go of it as I hit the water. Those guys are just way too stuffy.

Hope all is well with ya'll.

All the Small Things

What a week or few... Chrissta spent a week at girls camp, we some how survived with the thanks to many a good friend. Work has been busy, baseball games, a home grown sports injury, and a whirl wind business trip which is where this post begins.

Planes are not built for the large in stature. It does not help that smaller folk, seem to be less sensitive to this fact, not to judge but check it out next time you fly, the larger (taller) folk seem to be less inclined to recline, while the less taller folk seem to want to sprawl or lie flat when flying. I really don't have an issue with it, except when they try to recline the seat and it stops a little shorter than expected, and the looks start and the backwards thrusting against the backrest begins. What are these folks 5? Come on, its immature and it hurts my knees. Something to keep in mind the unassuming nice large man behind you may be listening to punk and feel like moshing, soon.

Listing to my iPod on shuffle did however take me away to that special place, and a song would come on and it would remind me of a special time, like the time my dad me tickets to the Hank Williams Jr concert, and Larry and I rode from Washougal Washington to Portland Oregon in the very back of the diesel Peugeot on these hard rubber things. Or the time when we were out moving irrigation pipes and a corn stock fight broke out and Larry ended up in the emergency room, needing stitches in his eye lid. Then there was the time Larry and I went over to meet this new chicka, that his mom wanted him to meet. (Turns out it was something special, they got married and have four fantastic boys.) Then there are the songs that remind me of driving out the Dallas (Oregon) on a warm spring afternoon with the windows down and the Ramones blasting. Or the trip to Portland with Brandi and Chrissta for sushi and some Social Distortion.

It got me thinking about the finer things in life that we all enjoy. Here are a few of those things for me.

Mighty Fine Burgers - Great Burger, and I know.
Wahoos Fish Tacos - Love me some Fish Tacos
Rudys - BBQ need I say more?
C.O. Bigelow Shave Cream - Little spendy for shaving cream but DANG! (hide it from your wife)
T.V.
Good Books.
Friday Night Football at the Round Rock ISD Athletic complex
Watching my kids do anything.
Doing anything with my kids.
Alone time with Chrissta.
Long Boards from LongBoard Larry
Music - most of it.
Late night guy movies with Stan, Sam, (any Smith really) and Benson.
Football Saturdays at Kyles.
and of course hanging with friends old and new!

What are some of yours?

A Few Things....

Work - WOW thats all I can say. It has been an extremely exciting and busy time there. Things are moving and shaking its good to see. I do want to thank Chrissta for the understanding and the putting up with the late hours. Its not uncommon for me to be home around 7PM- many times later. Big thanks to Chrissta for putting up with me, my late work hours and often tired brain. Plus just so ya'll know - she is a great mom.

May - Mothers day, Benson (9th), Natalie (15th), Xander (31st), just in our house plus all the aunts, uncles, and cousins - might as well be Christmas. But we made it, well X is still partying. May also is start of the summer movie season - Speed Racer, I used to watch the cartoon as a kid, and smiled throughout the whole movie, loved it. It has taken a beating in the reviews I have read, and I agree that its not going to win an Oscar, but as a fum movie it was a blast to watch. Xander and I had a great time on a date to see it. Indiana Jones - Again loved it. Benson and I went to the first showing (12:01) it was fun to see a sequel the has been almost 20 years in the waiting. I got to work a little late and Benson was a little late to school, but we had fun and hopefully created a new fun memory.

Reality T.V. - American Idol - great season, nice job to all. I think the top 12 were great. I really liked Jason Castro, David Cook and Carly. Brooke White was pretty good but I thought she peaked fairly early. Michael Johns was a big disappointment, I had such hope for him. David Archileta (sp?) is a very talented young man, I thought that he probably should have won, because he seems better suited to have his career promoted by a great marketing machine. I think David Cook would have a better career as the runner up, but that's my two cents...
So You Think You Can...WHAT? I admit that I am not a fan of modern dance, drill team, theatrical dance, interpretive dance, you get it... But I was watching So You Think You Can Dance and honestly could not tell who was good and who was not - generally. Some were awful, but besides the obvious there was no difference to me. I think the Judges choose people just based on their mood at that particular moment.

NBA - Since moving here I have adopted my home team to be the San Antonio Spurs, I still love the Blazers but they are having a rough go of it and they aren't on TV too often, so I take what I can get. They lost in 5 to the Lakers sad day. I have a feeling they wont be back as we know them now. This is sort of a throw back year. A Boston v L.A. final reminds me of the 80s, hanging out in the basement of Derek Richards house watching Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Robert Parrish, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Kevin McHale, Kirt Rambus ah those were the days...

Graduation - Xander graduating from Bee School to Kinder (yikes). Benson graduating from Middle School to HS (double yikes). David my brother, Graduating from HS (tipple yikes)to Southern Virginia and beyond. Nice job to all and good luck on your next endeavors... I am not sure if my mom planned it or not, but David Graduated 20 years after I did, cool huh? That means she has had kids in school for 32 years. Nice job Madre.

Twilight Dad

WARNING SPOILER ALERT... IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK TWILIGHT AND YOU ARE PLANNING TO, STOP!

Chrissta and her friends, my mom, sister, sister-in-law and just about all the other ladies I have talked to have read these books. (Sorry Jill, I know you aren't a fan). So I thought I would see what all the excitement around Edward and Bella is. I know I am risking loosing my man card, but I read all three of he existing books, and to tell you the truth, I feel bad for Jacob, I am disgusted with Bella, and sort of indifferent about Edward. (I do think I have a crush on Alice though, and would like to hang out with Emmit and Jasper.) So there. Oh, and I thought a book about vampires in Washington was a little far fetched, but NO you have to add Werewolves too? MAN. I would have been OK with all these monsters, but there just was not enough vampirey stuff for me. Instead it everything was dismissed as a myth and that was it. What a cop-out. Where is the garlic, holy water, coffins, fear of crosses and holy water, and can't be in the sun?

I will say that I did loose sleep staying up late reading the stuff, and I will see the movie and yes I will probably read the next one.

Thank you Chrissta...

This has been a crazy two weeks for me. It started on Monday afternoon with a drive to Dallas for a dinner meeting, then two more meetings in the next day in Dallas. Followed by a drive to Houston, then meetings on Wed and home that night. The next morning, Chrissta and Madi went to the Alamo for the fourth grade field trip, I some how was able to get the rest of the kids where they needed to be for school - on time, then to work... WOW not sure how she does it every day! Then off to work for a full day of meetings and stuff. Then home to collect Xander and Natalie. Then to the school to gather up Chrissta and Madi. Phew...


Thursday was our 16Th anniversary. So we did what every couple does, went to dinner. (We took the kids and went to Subway - Romantic I know.) Then home to work on a presentation for a meeting in Waco the next morning. Again dripping with romance.


Friday did end with us taking the kids to Auntie Sarah's (thank you Sarah and Reagan!) for a sleepover for the night and all day Saturday. It was nice and low-low key. As it happened some good friends of ours had a baby so we went to visit them in the hospital. Sure these things don't seem too fun, but we spent time together and had a great time.

Monday it all started again. No travel required this time, but helping some of the folks at work get ready for a trade show in Las Vegas. Followed by going in early and staying late almost everyday working on some projects for the upcoming release of our next version of software. Lots to do and so little time.

Chrissta - thank you for the best 16 years of my life! and for putting up with me - you are the best.

Easter Thoughts and Memories

So I don't really think of Easter as a 'family' day, and still tend to struggle a bit with really getting into the Easter Basket, special meal thing. Chrissta on the other hand comes from a family that I would say is the polar opposite in terms of celebrating holidays than my family. Even after 16 years I still can't seem to get it - sorry Chrissta and thanks for putting up with me. This year I seem to be a little more reflective for some reason.

So today is good Friday, and we went to a special program at church. To many religions this is nothing new per se but as far as I know, we The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, don't formally have a church service on Good Friday. This was not the case for me as a child. My Grandparents, both deceased, were very active members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Camas Washington. One of the very fond (now, because I think I thought it was painful as a kid) memories that I have of them is going to the Good Friday service with them, where they would go through the last week of Christ's life. Then we would spend the night with them, as we did on most weekends, and get up the next day and go back to their chapel sometime in the afternoon and decorate the cross for the Sunday service. As far as I know they donated all the flowers, which were fresh and very spring looking, and their time to do this. Decorating this cross was no small feat. It was covered in flowers. This Cross was massive and it made the Camas paper every year, and it seemed like it took hours for them to do. But they did it with reverence and diligence. Even when we weren't there it seems like we got pictures of their hard work.

Tonight as a sat and listened to the music in the program it took me back all those years ago and I started to think of all that time we spent at my grandparents Church. The program this evening was moving and I found myself reflecting on my own feelings of Christ. Which are, I know that he lives, I know that he is our savior, that he knows and loves each and everyone of us, He suffered bled and died for us. He overcame spiritual and physical death for us. He is our advocate to the Father. He provided the way for us all to return to our Father that we all might live together forever. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved - He alone can take the pains of sin away, His atonement is an infinite atonement, it applies to all who will partake.

There have been many people in my life who have helped my beliefs grow to which I am forever grateful. But after some deep thought, I think it was my grandparents', who believed in Christ differently than I did, example in fulfilling their duty with respect and reverence that helped the most. Which is the most important message - He did this for us all.

Back to Life....

New Years resolutions, life changing events, high school reunions, all good and valid reasons to lose those extra pounds. There are all sorts of special dates that say we are going to start. I was thinking today about upcoming celebration and what it represents. Many people have there ideas and thoughts about Easter. I think I am going to use it for a re-birth for myself. I know I have been talking for the better part of a year about losing some weight.

Tonight I had a thought, and I think its a good one... here it is. You know how sometimes when you are sitting on the couch watching your favorite show or just watching nothing? and the thought comes to you - 'Man ice cream sounds good', or 'I could really go for some chocolate' and my favorite 'MMM Mighty Fine is only 12 miles away...' What do you usually do? I personally go for it, what ever the craving thus my very large self. Well tonight I noticed my self thinking I should get up and go for skate... Then I started reflecting, this actually happens lots, I remember thinking 'I should get up and go for a walk' or 'I should get up and go to the gym'. Now if I got up and reacted the same as I do with the ice cream or Mighty Fine I would be much thinner... So I am resolving to do that. I will reverse the urges. When the ice cream urge hits, sit. When the walk move urge hits act... simple. RIGHT.

Larry bearing the sweet ride, watching Eric and his boys skate and most of all watching Benson turn into quite and Athlete has really made me want to do better.

I am committed to start over. I have renamed the blog and look forward to this new process.

And the quiver grows

So if you look to the right of this post, you will find link to LongBoardLarry, one of the best longboard skatebord builders in the industry. A little something about the 'Larry' in the longboard title. He has been my friend since my first day at Sprague High School, Salem, Oregon in 1984... We were unseperable - we shared a locker for all 4 years, ate lunch together daily, hung out in the summers, got in all sorts of trouble through the years, walked at graduation together, we were in the MTC together, I was there there when he met his future wife, we were each others best men and to top it all off - Benson was born on his birthday. We have been through a lot together and have made it. His parents were a profound influence on me.

This sounds like a eulogy, but I assure you that he is still alive and well, I know this as he spent last weekend with my family. We hung out and caught up on old times, and just picked up on where we left off. I had a great time, and I hope he did too.

I did get another board to add to the quiver. I have to admit that I am not a brave soul, but I am learning and will practice, so that the next time we are together I can keep up with longboard Larry and Eric... Here is a pic of the boards:


I know that these are supposed to be ridden, but they are so cool, and works of art that I hate to use them for what they were meant to used for. I am getting over it, and am less bothered when they get scratched. If you happen onto this blog and would like to get a board he is one of the best builders out there, and I am rooting for him to make it big. This is a fairly new industry, and Larry is in a great position. Good for him. One if the things I have always admired about him, is that if he sets his mind to something he does it and does it well...

Best Age Ever?

Have you ever been sitting around chatting with the guys and or girls, or just pondering while driving or what ever, and thought to yourself 'self if I could be any age, I would be....'

If you have what is it? If not I think I have the answer. Its 4. That has to be the best age ever. Here are my reasons. Most of these come from observations of the resident 4yr old in the Hinze house, Xander.

1. No school or work - you get to hang out in the morning and watch cartoons until your brain turns to mush and not have to be anywhere, and the days you do need to be somewhere its a treat.


2. Sponge Bob is the center of universe - your whole day revolves around a yellow absorbent animated cartoon character whoe lives in a pineapple under the sea.
   
3. Pants off = happiness - when Xander gets sad or tired, he takes his pants off and life is good and its OK. People come over and Xander is in his underwear nobody cares. infact there is something cute about a kid in Scooby Doo underpants. They come over and I am in my underwear and there is a problem. Nobody wants to see that. Can you imagine, your having a tough day at work and all you need to do to make you happy is to take off your pants? I think I am going to start.


4. Cheetos and Sprite is an acceptable breakfast, lunch and or dinner. We all want to do it, but know better. And if we get caught we deny that we are eating chips and diet coke for a meal cause we 'know better'.


5. Magic, Santa, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy all real. Need I say more?

Oh, I don't know

I have been doing some thinking lately, I actually think a lot. But my brother - law and good friend Eric is sort of the inspiration for this post. They have been going through some struggles, as we all do, and his comments on how he is tired of always looking for the silver lining. I understand completely and may I add that when crap happens there is nothing worse than when someone says - "there must be something to learn" or "there are many things that could be worse" and my all time favorite is the one up-manship that tends to happen when we face these trials. When all you really need is someone to say - yeah that really sucks, lets go.... (insert activity here) Or just be a friend, share a beverage and listen.

Again, I have put this off long enough....

Wow lots has happened since the lat time I posted anything up here. Not for a lack of wanting to or a lack of things that are interesting to me, but for the simple fact that I have not taken the time.

When I first started this thing it was supposed to be to track my thoughts and how my weight loss goals were going. I will continue to do that, but I am going to also try and put some fun things in here as well. The intent of the one is both.

There is a list of things that are unique to Austin, and I have been keeping a mental check list things to do while here. It includes things like see a band on 6th street, go to the Alamo (not in Austin, but close enough that its a must see) . See a taping of Austin City Limits, eat copious am outs of Texas BBQ, ride/run/walk around Town Lake, and swim in Barton Springs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barton_Springs_Pool) to name a few. Most of which I had accomplished. While I had been to Zilker Park, where the magical Barton Springs (natural spring swimming hole that is about 65 degrees year round) is, I had never taken a dip... One day a friend and I were discussing New Years Day and I am not sure who brought it up, or where the idea came from be we decided to go for a swim on New Years Day. So 9AM New Years Day, Joe, Cody, Hailey, Benson and I went for a swim in Barton Springs. It was great and cold but we had a fun time and a very invigorating start to the new year.

Since then we (Joe and I) went for a ride around town lake and another swim in Barton Springs which was great. This sort of leads me to the next part. Like most folks I have set some lofty goals for the new year. Eric the Great, has forged the lead on a weight loss plan and I have to say he is an inspiration to me. I have told a few folks about it but am not sure I am going to tell everyone yet. But stay tuned. I know I can do it. And my health will improve and it will be awesome...

Some other fun things that have happened is that we went to San Antonio and met up with some friends from The U, who are now located in SA. We had a great time and it was so fun to see them and their kids. We have both added kids to our families, but they all seemed to get along and what a fun time we had.