I am

WOW,,,,

2011-10-22T15:30:00.002-05:00

It really has been too long. There has been so much that has happened since I have done anything here. I have decided that it is time I started blogging again. It seems to be good for the soul and a good place to vent, or vette out the thoughts on my mind.

Here is a rundown of what has happened in the last year or so -

1) Natalie started High School.
2) All four kids are in four different schools.
3) Benson is a second year varsity football player
4) Xander turned 8 and was baptized by Benson
5)I left Salient Systems for a position at IBM.

So there have been some great and fun things that have occurred in out lives. I have also committed to really get better about eating better and exercising. I have to do something big by Feb.

Hello blog - it has been a while, how you doin?

2010-07-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

I have been thinking that I needed to blog about something but lets face it - I am lazy. Facebook is a little easier as users are limited by the number of words. So you can say things quick and simple, where blogging takes effort and I am not always feeling it. But there are too many things that I want to say that I suddenly feel the need to take up eatherworld space on.

I don't fancy myself as a old-school husband. For our whole marriage I have tried to encourage Chrissta to have some "Chrissta" time, whatever she defines that as. She is extremely busy working with our kids, working with the youth from church and generally being a great person. Not to mention the best wife EVER. So she deserves some "me" time. With the age of our children, 16, 14, 12 and 7, everyone is going different directions most of the time. So I get to spend quality time with the 7 year old. One thing about this kiddo is that he is pretty dang cool and says some very funny things. So I thought I would share them - mostly because I want to put them somewhere so I wont forget them.

Before I start I think it best to tell you about him. His name is Xander Joshua. We actually call him XanderBob, Exity, Xman or just X. (Just last night I realized that we call all of our kids by their first initial or some other nick name Benson is B,B McPheaster, Bster and white boy. Madison is M.J. MadiMad, Madafrad, or just frad. Natalie gets the short end of many things, as it is with the nicknames, poor middle kid, so She gets Na-Ta-Leee and Nat, but really Natalie is hard to shorten so mostly from me its sug, like in sugar.) Wow that was like a sub blog!

Anyway, back to Xander. He is the last of the Josh and Chrissta Hinze kids, will be in 2nd grade @ Great Oaks Elementary where he spend many a day with his mom, and called the office staff "My Yadies". He loves McDonald's, Whataburger, going to movies, white chocolate chips, fried egg sandwiches, Wicked, Lady GaGa, the music from Glee, Phineas and Ferb, Sponge Bob, Tim Burton Movies, Johnny Depp, Netflix streaming, any art project all in addition to all the other things 7 year olds like, except chocolate. He has blond hair is two and a third couch cushions long, weighs about 4 pounds, and is quite the ladies man. He is engaged to Emmy, a girl from his kindergarten class, he proudly wears a shirt that says "Chick Magnet", and loves to find a random pack of cute girls at football games and introduce himself as Bensons Brother.

So with all the time he and I have been spending together we have had some pretty funny things coming out of his mouth. Like the other day he was asking me when mom was going to be home, I said a little later, to which he replied - "Well at least she comes to my Christmas Party."

Last week in a an attempt to be voted the best dad in the world, I took him to the mall to spend his allowance. While there I thought it would be fun to have an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. So I asked him if he would like to get one. He patted me on the belly and said "What we waitin for big boy."

Tonight we were driving and listening to the radio and asked if I had the Glee CD in the car, I did not so I suggested that we sing, as we were singing Bad Romance he said "You need to work on your tone."

Speaking of singing in the car, he loves to do that, especially to Glee. He and the Hinze ladies all have their parts and he is very insistent on who does what and that they sing. This was a little worry some to me as I have some strong musical opinions, until he burst out with Beth by KISS. What a guy.

He also is very honest and told his grandma that Mrs. Ruth, one of his Yadies, is a better grandma than she is. He also said to me, after complementing him on is politeness to a lady in the store, "I am a chick Magnet - I even have the shirt."

There are many more but this is seems a little self indulgent but what the heck its my blog...

Back Again

2010-02-11T21:59:00.002-06:00

I had a rough couple of weeks. I got me some bronchitis which put the breaks on the workout. But I made it back on Wed morning and then just got back from a little racket ball match. Man I have I lost a step or 4 since I played and I think my elbow needs some work. Anyway it felt good and am looking forward to keeping the trend up.

Speaking of working out, I am going to brag a bit. Benson is a beast. They are working on off season training. Which started the Monday after the last game of the season. For those of you that have not lived in Texas - all the hype is real, football is king. So back to the Bast. Lifting weights is obviously a huge part of this and they track the players progress. His latest results are impressive, to me anyway.

Here are his three rep max:
Bench - 250
Incline Bench - 235
Dead Lift - 475
Squat - 435

I think he is stronger than I, for sure. He is a great example to me. Now if we can just get him to work as hard in the class room. I also think that the country music is sucking the strength as well.

I am doing it...

2010-01-26T20:20:00.002-06:00

It has been a pretty good week so far. This week and last I have been going to the gym. Big thanks to UK for the motivation. I have not really started dieting per se but interesting enough, I have been wantinig to eat better. I went to lunch with a client to a place with a good burger. I love a good burger. Do you know what I had? Fish. I had fish.

I am working on losing weight, AGAIN. It is not a New Years Resolution, it is a life style change, AGAIN. I know I can do it. Chrissta and a few friends have joind a few other folks in a quest to loose 10% of our weight by April 2. We all put a little $$ into the mix and all we have to do to get it back is loose the 10%. Seems pretty easy, but I am thinking this time that slow and steady will get me there.

Here is my plan:
Week 1 & 2 get on a steady work out plan.
Week 3 - off sugar - continue to work out
week 4 - hard core diet.
Then keep it all up.

So far I am only down a couple of pounds, but I feel good I am getting stronger and this seems to be a good thing.

Anywhoo stay tuned and we will see...

It has been a while...

2010-01-17T21:39:00.002-06:00

Since I got hooked on Facebook - and spent a lot of time ignoring the folks I need to stay connected to and paying attention to folks I have not had a meaningful conversation with in years or ever, I have not been very good about blogging. The interesting thing is that I think I need this. It helps me organize my thoughts and get them out without interupution. Well that's not exactly true as I do have 4 kids, but at least I can look back and find my train of thought. Needless to say I have lots to think about.

So stay tuned there will be more.

Fishing in Montana

2009-08-03T22:32:00.005-05:00

I got back from an amazing 4 day fishing tip to in Montana late Sunday night with my good friend Kyle. I posted the pics on Facebook and had a couple of questions about there not being any fish in the pictures. Before I get too far into my fish story let me say that the White River in Arkansas will forever be the place to catch a billion trout, but Montana has to be the one of the most picturesque places to be and to relax. Here is my travel log:

7/29 Travel Day -

I got up and started the day the best way I know how - a breakfast date with Chrissta. I travel quite a bit with work, so I would say that I am a pretty good packer and I like to pack at the last moment. I did the same as I always do for this trip as well. Only MAN, rounding up all my gear took a little longer than I thought it would and I had a couple of minor issues. First off I got my wading boots out and noticed that the felt on the bottom of one boot was coming off. That is a good way to ruin a trip, but no worries, a little Shoe Goo and I was in business. I put my newly repaired boots in my fully packed L.L. Bean fishing bag and noticed that I had over packed. I usually make fun of Chrissta doing that, but I is hard to pack for non - 103 degree weather. Well I noticed that I forgot to put my fly rod in the bag - no problem I will just carry it on. Plus I will look cool.

11:30 Kyle shows up and we load my crap in the car. Normally this would not deserve a mention in the blog, but he opens the back of his Explorer and he brought his same bag. I did not have much time to do anything about it so off we went. Did I mention that our bags are monogrammed? OH YEAH!

We flew to SLC then on into Bozeman. The flight to SLC was non-eventful but I did have the most leg room ever on a plane. Landing in Salt Lake was cool. I love to look at the big U on the hill. Living and going to school there was so fun. That is where Chrissta and I grew into a family. So it was a nice touch. The air port was was nutso and the plane to Bozeman was at the furthest reaches in the place, I think the gate was actually in Draper. (look at a map of the Salt Lake valley and that will be funny) So we are kickin it looking for a place to chill before we board, so we find a table in a lounge area.

It is time to go, we gather up our stuff and make it over to our gate about 15 min before we thought we were going to board. I find a nice place, out of the way by the pay phone to wait, and what do you know, someone needed to use the phone. I can't tell you when the last time a used a pay phone. But I looked down and there was no Rod Tube. I had left it on the table... BUMMER, I booked it over and thankfully it was still sitting on the table. That would have been a bummer trip.

While we were waiting, this not very quiet man was yelling throughout the gate area saying, "that is Jeff Bridges!" so of course I looked and sure enough there he was. Looking really normal. In fact if Mr. Loud man (in the yellow shirt) had not been shouting and calling everyone in his address book I would not have noticed that was him just a very normal un-assuming looking guy. I felt kind of bad cause this guy was telling the world that Jeff Bridges was there and all he was trying to do was catch a flight, but he was very calm and seemed flattered but not pretentious.

Jeff Bridges was not the only famous person at our gate. The other was non other than Coach Ron McBride. Coach McBride was the head coach of the Runnin Utes while I was there. Many consider Coach McBride the one who brought Utah football to where it is today. Urban Meyer won with all of McBrides guys and he is the one who hired Coach Wittingham, the current head coach, as his Defensive Coordinator. I have to admit I was more giddy about seeing him than Jeff Bridges...

We landed in Bozeman, it was about 60 degrees and I have to admit, I was cold... We went and checked in to the hotel with our matching monogrammed bags in a little red sports car. I said Chrissta's name about 500 times in about 15 min.... We ate dinner and went to Walmart to get water and snacks for our drive to Yellowstone the next day.

7/30 - Yellowstone

We got up and drove to Yellowstone the next day. The drive was awesome. All sorts of hills and trees and green. It was cool and very green, a nice change from the hot brown Texas we have been dealing with. Into Yellowstone we stopped, not by choice, to see a Moose, a bear, countless dear and antelope, a buffalo and 3000 ground squirrels... We saw the petrified tree and ate lunch on the porch of the Roosevelt Lodge. Oh, and there were no trout in the Gibbon river and the Yellowstone was too fast, deep and crowded...

7/31 - Ennis/Jeffers

Great spot. We fished all day on the Madison. I saw a couple of otters and a Beaver. I did see a nice brown because Kyle was nice enough to fight it over near me so I could see it. I did not catch anything but some mosquito bites and a sunburn, but boy was I relaxed and felt at one with nature. At about 4 pm we started back and decided to fish our way back to Bozeman up the Madison. We stopped at one place that looked promising, but ended up being a 5 mile drive up washbard road. I think I lost all my teeth - and there were no fish.

8/1 - The Gallatin to West Yellowstone up over to Jefffers and back to Bozeman.

That about covers it, lots of driving stopping, fishing and driving. The Gallatin was fast and the rocks were slick. West Yellowstone was interesting and I finally caught one on the Madison in Jeffers. (I had a nice little brown, about 8 inches but he was a good fighter and had nice color. I then hooked a dinker on a dry but it was what I like to call an LDR (Long Distance Release). Kyle then had the great idea to walk down stream through the brush, and mosquitoes - large as birds and love the taste of Deet... All for no fish, bit we saw a deer cross the rivers, that was cool. And on the way back to Bozeman, we actually had to figure out what day it was. We did something right.

8/2 Travel Day

OK we slipped into the river at Spain Bridge on the Gallatin, and there was one more fish, and it was mine. I avoided being skunked on the Gallatin, then it was back to reality on an oversold flight, that was late and way too hot. But it was home to my wife and family.

All in all I had a great relaxing time and Kyle is a great friend but I wished I could have shared the sights with my wife.

Peace out!

Why DVRs are Bad.

2009-06-19T09:01:00.005-05:00

The other day I was watching a show and had to get up to do "something". I confess I actually had to go, well I had needed to go for a while. Little boys/ big boys; don't fool yourself, we all can't be bothered to get up and go when we need to. Big boys just don't hold themselves and dance, so its not as obvious. (Well we do dance but its more subdued, and we actually can't think either.)

Back in the day I would have to wait for a commercial, then I would have a true dilemma. There were really three choices, sing my favorite jingle, you know "What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs..." or maybe "Two all beef patties, special sauce, cheese..." or maybe I couldn't tear my eyes away from the crying Indian or I was gripped by the son who called his parents just to say "I love you". The other possibility was to grab a snack or a drink or the obvious, pee. All this had to be done, as Chuck Woolery would later remind us, in 2 minutes and 2 seconds, before Mork and Mindy or The A Team would return.

The benefit to all this was that we all could not live without a Rock'em Sock'em Robots game, we had to have a Happy Meal and knew that 4 out of 5 dentists preferred Trident for their patients who chewed gum . We don't litter, we prevented forest fires and now know what our brains on drugs look like. We also had stronger bladders and learned to wait, and we weren't as fat because we had to run to the bathroom.

We now live in an age where we can pause the T.V. The days of holding it to the last moment are over (this is not a bad thing, moms are not yelling at you to "Aim", or to "stop holding yourself") and the stress of not making it is gone, which in my opinion actually helps with the aim issue. However, without the need to hold it, kids these days have weaker bladders any one taking a road trip with kids can tell you that, and I am sure Freud would have something to say about this causing the need for immediate satisfaction.

We all know where the economy is - could this be because no one is watching commercials? Check the sales numbers of Stretch Armstrong or the Evil Knievel Super Stunt Set - I bet they are down.

Finally we are fat. Instead of grabbing an apple or a carrot, in order to get back in time we can now pause the TV and make a grilled cheese or a whole plate of grilled fajita beef nachos and run to the 7/11 for a big gulp. Or even worse -better- we can go all the way to Rudy's for some great Texas BBQ.

I am not saying that the cause of some of our social issues is the DVR, but ask yourself next time your kids pause the zany antics of Sam and Carly on iCarly or the joy of Sponge Bob and Patrick bugging Squidward to do wees, think about the implications.

Out of The Box

2009-05-06T19:48:00.003-05:00

The other day I was thinking about a friends website, http://www.anengineeringmind.com, (where he posts videos about engineering, it is very funny - if you are into that sort of thing.) Anyway, I mentioned to him earlier that day that I loved his site and that he was doing a great blah blah blah - he then said if you have any ideas I can cover let me know... So I was just getting ready to dose off and there it came, a thought for his website. Marketing Speak. I am thinking to myself he has to cover that that would be so great. (As a reference I did check and sure enough he had just posted one about marketing words - it is brilliant.)

When I say marketing speak, I mean words like 'Traction', 'Marketechture', 'Synergy', 'Best in Breed', 'Scope', 'Leading....' and my favorite 'Out of The Box'. I think that these terms are generally over-used. They actually make me quit listening because when hear them they are audio or visual clues that the presenter or speaker really has no clue what they are saying and are not going to give me anything of substance. I have to admit I have even used some of them when, A) When I was talking to some folks that were not following my technical jargon, and B) when I did not know what I was talking about. Sorry if you use them, but GOSH DANG they bug me... Keep in mind I have worked at some big marketing companies like IBM and Dell, which may be why I have an aversion to such speak.

But that is not the reason for this post, and I have to admit it was inspired by 'Out of The Box'. As I was thinking about all these words that one phrase rang true at that moment for me. Have you ever had one of those moments? Like all of a sudden a light comes on and the planets line up and something clicks in your heart. I had one of those moments about that phrase. Generally it is accepted that Out of The Box means thinking or doing something unconventional or creative.

I am not sure what the technical or phsycological term is but I will call it flow of consciousness, where my mind took off and all these thoughts came to me about that phrase. Basically I looked at my computer and realized it was a box, then I started thinking about the other boxes in my life and how we all should live 'Out of The Box'.

As stated above, the first thing that came to mind was my computer then then next logical was the T.V. I am especially guilty of this. I tend to come home sit in front of the T.V. with a laptop on my lap finishing up some work or surfing the net for that next cool thing or even watching my friend's videos. None of these things are inherently bad, just we (I) have been boxed by these things.

Another box is our cell phones. I can't leave the house without it, I look at it all the time. Chrissta is on hers all the time as well. What did we do before cell phones? Oh yeah we talked face to face and interacted at dinner. Kids are texting 100 people at a time and not interacting with others. I know a kid, very well, who burns over 14,000 messages a month think he is in a box?

Have you ever looked at your car? All they are are boxes with wheels. I have two cars, and two car payments. We need cars to get to work and stuff and we did just 'help the economy' and bought a Ford - but this is not your dad's Ford -its a Flex. Have you seen them? They are nice. It looks great, fantastic lines, dark windows alloy wheels, Satellite radio, Microsoft Sync, blue tooth - uh see what I mean? Its a fancy box.

What about work? The physical building is a box, how late do you stay in that box? What time do you leave there? How much time to do spend thinking about it when you are not there? How much does a bad day at the box effect your mood or interactions with your wife, kids, friends and or extended family?

I look in my wallet and there are a bunch of flat boxes called credit cards in there. Their physical shape is flat but for many the hidden part is not flat - they are huge. I am surprised that some still fit in my pocket. These too could be why some feel boxed at work.

Then I looked at the house I live in it is a box with a pitched roof. I talked to a friend today and they are looking for a new box. I used to think that living in a box was bad, but I just realized I do too. Who am I to judge others for living in boxes whatever or wherever they may be. But then there are those that have bought too big of a box and can't pay for it anymore.

I have another box that is an issue for me. The fridge actually the freezer that not so ironically has another box full of a creamy frozen treat. For others it may be the box of cigarettes other harmful substances that are sold in a box that may be an issue.

I told a co-worker about my ideas and he added church, which I thought was interesting and I liked the idea but I could not figure out why. Then this evening I picked the older kids up from youth group at the church and when I saw the church building I realised it is another box only it has a steeple. I was then hit between the eyes with a huge question? Do I worship or live my religion in that box only? or do I live outside the box? Thanks Page!

I am sure there are more. But I realized that I need to do better at living Out of the Box and maybe other do too. I am sure I will have more thoughts about this so stay tuned, and please share your thoughts about the boxes we all live in. Later!

Capital One

2009-03-17T21:14:00.002-05:00

They called and said we are sorry.... its not like they were going to do anything for me but I did get the satisfaction of getting to say you guys suck and I am going to tell you all the reasons why.

Financial score:
The Man -100 Josh - 0

Moral score:
The Man - Josh 1

Wow its been a while and I have much to discuss.

2009-03-09T21:54:00.006-05:00

I could give you, my fans, a bunch of hooey about all the reasons why I have not posted in a quarter, but the truth is I am lazy. Thats , ironically, is the reason I started this thing in the first place.

Things have been going pretty well. I have been working out less regularly than I should but more than I was. I am working with my buddy Kyle who has totally rocked it and can call me on stuff others cant. Good to have. But I need to do more and add diet to this routine. So much for my physical health. My mental/emotional health has not been very good. I feel stuck - not progressing professionally or intellectually. This is not a good thing for me. I can not be pushed for a bit but if I am not learning and growing then I get board and jaded. I have recently realized that it is up to me to make sure I am growing and learning. To that end I have started to teach myself some programing languages. I am looking into C## and Java. I need to choose 1 to focus on so any input would be great. (I think I am leaning towards C## but can be persuaded other wise.)

Something else I have been thinking about is going back to school. Not sure what for exactly or if it would be worth the $$ just something I am thinking about it. I actually was thinking I should go back and continue a medical career, but then I woke up....

I had something reiterated to me this weekend and I actually feel funny admitting this due to the title of my blog. The point that I was reminded of is that I choose. I choose my mood. I choose to be angry. I choose to be jaded. It is ultimately up to me. From today on I choose...

Here is something I choose. To be really really really mad at Capital One Auto Finance. The Wife and I bought a new car a bout a month ago. We told the dealer we wanted our payment due after the 15th of the month. They said no problem - we signed the papers, and drove our new Ford Flex home.

A couple of days later we were looking over the contract and noticed that the due date was on the 2nd of the month. That was going to be an issue. So I called the dealer. They said that we would need to call the bank as they had already submitted the paper work. No problem right? I called the bank they said I needed to wait until I got my account, number. So I did. I called them back to move the payment. It was going to cost $35.00 - bummer but OK. Did the whole Check thing over the phone. This was the 24th of Feb. Thought we were done, but the check did not clear the bank. Chrissta called them on the 2nd of March, the due date. It did not go through for some reason or other. So we did it again, this time the money came right out, and they told her the new payment was due on the 17th - sweet, job done.

Tonight I get a call from Capital One Auto Finance telling me my payment is late. HUH????? a fight ensues where the bozo on the other end is telling me that I am late and there is nothing they can do, I tried to escalate and got a senor bozo that would not budge either and would not let me talk to anyone else. I tried logic - he had none. My argument points were:

Why did the Customer Service Rep not tell Chrissta to make a payment on the 2nd when she moved the payment due date? - His reply was that it was not late yet, and they could not ask for a payment. HUH????????
Why was I charged $35.00 to move the payment? His reply was that the new due date was going to take effect in April.
Why could not the CSR speak English? - No Comment.
Why would a representative of their company tell me one thing and while they are telling me another? No answer again.

He also told me that I signed a contract to make the payment and that they offered me as a courtesy I could move my payment due date. I let him know that I was there when I signed it, and that as soon as the error was noticed, I tried to correct it. He let me know that it was a courtesy that they offered to let me make the change. I responded that it was not a courtesy or it would have been free and that this was a service that I paid for. - No comment by him.

He even reviewed the case and read where the guy told Chrissta that we could move the payment - but he still said it was late and there was nothing he could do and there was no-one else I could speak with.

After about 30 min of arguing with the brick wall I relented and made the payment. (Good thing for tax returns.) This is the best part - I hung up and Madison and Xander walk in with today's mail, I'll be damned if there was not letter from Capital One Auto Finance with the our next payment due date: March 17th 2009! signed by the Director of Customer Service, Michael Feeney. So I looked up the corporate office number found a company directory and called him. Unfortunately or fortunately he was not in, but I left him a voice mail. Not sure what good it will do but if you want the number I will give it to you.

Really this was not the guys fault - he was doing his job, but MAN follow the logic and help someone out. Sheesh. Oh and he did waive the $14.95 check by phone fee so there is one positive.

I was just a kid...

2008-12-17T22:31:00.002-06:00

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....

2008-12-13T10:39:00.002-06:00

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

2008-11-16T15:15:00.004-06:00

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

2008-11-05T21:20:00.002-06:00

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

2008-09-23T23:10:00.009-05:00

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...

2008-08-20T16:55:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-13T20:57:00.002-05:00

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....

2008-06-01T12:05:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-28T22:23:00.002-05:00

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...

2008-03-29T22:53:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-21T21:16:00.004-05:00

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....

2008-03-19T23:22:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-12T21:46:00.004-05:00

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?

2008-02-05T22:16:00.000-06:00

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.

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.

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.
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.

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'.

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

Oh, I don't know

2008-02-02T10:58:00.000-06:00

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....

2008-01-13T12:57:00.000-06:00

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.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-26T10:51:00.001-06:00

Preemptive Strike

2007-12-23T09:56:00.000-06:00

So here it is, getting close to the end of the year. Like most I have been thinking about the past year pondering the goals that were not accomplished and those that were. Then there is long list of things I am thinking about what I am going to set to accomplish, then not the for the next year. So instead of waiting until the first of the year here is my list:

...
...
...
...
....

That should about do it.

On a more serious note: my main goal this year is to find B&E a job here so they can enjoy the 70 degree weather in December, oh and so Eric and I can work on our longboarding skills and have Rudy's breakfast tacos every day. (This plan will require Chrissta and Brandi to get jobs to support us - get lookin ladies)

Kiss Off

2007-12-21T23:30:00.001-06:00

I am not sure if I have said this before or not, but many times my titles or something I say comes from a song, tonight's comes from one of those bands I love, the Violent Femmes. I have been a fan for about as long as I can remember. (At least I since I was 15). I love it, and forget how much I like it, until I hear it again. It takes me back to a fond time.

I had another one of those fun times experiences this evening. B and I were driving some where and Rock of Ages by Def Leppard came on the radio. No sooner did it start and he and I were both singing off key but full of energy at the top of our lungs. Anywho, the thought came to me that he is about the age that I was when that song came out and here he is singing it.... It was kind of cool. Then I had a memory of the song. I was in the 8th grade and at my first Jr High dance. It was a new school for me and I did not know that many folks. The lights were low, and the music was loud, and I finally got the courage to ask someone to dance. We danced a couple of songs, one of them was rock of ages, then I found a friend and we probably did some dumb 8th grade guy things. But then the DJ announced that they were going to be playing the last song. Well I thought I should dance, cause my friend Roger had found some girl. So on the hunt for my prey I went looking for just the right person to close the dance with. After a few awkward looking at some girl in the eye moments, I saw the girl I had danced with earlier. So I smoothly walked up to and asked her to dance. To my relief she said yes. Off we danced for about 2 min... to some Air Supply song. Then all of a sudden the music went off and the lights came on. You know after you have been in the dark for a while, and the lights come on - you cant see so good. So after the blinking and squinting stopped there I stood next to this girl I had been dancing with. After I got a good look at her with the lights on, i was bummed. She looked so much better in the dark... (8th grade boys can be so superficial, and for all I know she could have thought the same)

So what does this have to do with anything? Nothing at all, but isn't that the point of a blog?

I am 185....

Is there anybody out there?

2007-10-19T23:57:00.000-05:00

Just noticed that I could compose this in 'Wingdings' why did MS include that as a font in anything? I think that one random day a week should be wingding day. All emails, docs, spreadsheets and power points should be created in wingdings. (Oh and don't tell anyone...)

Now on for some more serious stuff. First I have to thank Page for recommending a great book - "The Power of Full Engagement". http://www.amazon.com/Power-Full-Engagement-Managing-Performance/dp/0743226747
I look forward to our further discussions.
I recommend it to everyone, regardless of your chosen profession. It talks a lot about managing energy rather than time and how to do it. A couple of posts ago I talked about the how there are different parts and needs of whole body. This book addresses that. I am going to completely over simplify one of the concepts, but I think its something every one can use.

The authors talk about defining your core values. I think we all have values, some are included in our religious beliefs, others are values that we came to this earth with and some are values that we develop or nurture over time. One of the values I am trying to become more passionate about is self care. One of the things these guys teach is that to help stay true to your values is to ask your self, as you are making a decision, 'how does this serve my core values'? I have been trying this out and it works well (when I man up and ask the question.) Try it...

So I have another thought that I would like to share. Sorry for the length, but hey its my blog... I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain tumor. He is a couple of years younger than I, a father of three, a great husband, hard worker, super intelligent and talented, and to top it all off he is a fellow Ute. Like most others that I know that have or are fighting or a have lost to this nasty c word, he has thrown all that he has to win the battle. I don't want to make light of what anyone else has gone through to overcome their afflictions, but Rich has flown cross country, a couple of times, to meet with specialists in KC, Cambridge MA, and SLC. They moved their family to SLC so they could be close to familial support and world class treatment at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

So how does this fit in to Josh's blog about loosing weight?? I have a potentially fatal condition as well. I don't need to take radiation or chemo treatments, I don't have a plethora of pills I need to take, I don't even have to have painful operations to help me with my battle, and the worst part of it all; the condition I have is of my own volition. To beat this I all I have to do is eat right and get off the couch. If I were battling cancer, I know I would do the same as Rich. Why is this so hard?

I am 185...

Tonight

2007-09-04T18:47:00.000-05:00

The Biggest Looser is back on for a new season, and another reminder that I am still large and in charge. I realised today that I am really lazy. One of my weaknesses is donuts. I don't mean cream filled, maple bars, long johns, Bismark's, or sprinkled. I mean good old fashion sour cream (cake) donuts. (I do have to admit that I do enjoy a good apple fritter now and then, but since leaving the PacNW I have not found one that is worth the calories.) So today, I was craving a donut, this is not the first craving lately I have had, Saturday was a good donut day at the HEB. So I planned on stopping and grabbing me one and perhaps a chocolate milk or Diet Coke, cause they both go well. But then I decided it was too much hassle and I could not get myself to do it. Not because I thought better of putting fried dough with sugar in my mouth, but because I was too lazy! That is sad.

It was college football opening weekend. These weekends have become a bit of tradition round here. Nothing gets done, and my buddy Kyle does it up right. Its like thanks giving over there, and who can diet on thanksgiving. The sad thing is there is never a good time to diet.

So I am going to say it again and again, I will continue to work at this, its still hard but I am going to make it.

More drible

2007-08-29T21:02:00.000-05:00

So once again I am reporting a little less success than I had hoped. Some of me is in denial mode, another part is in i could give a hang, and there is another part that is saying why cant you stick with this?

So I will continue to be honest in the fact that I have a motivation issue and like to eat yummy food that is unhealthy for me. I am reading another book that has inspired me...

So here is a something that I do every night. I lay in bed and visualize my self running freely. thin and fit. Arms like Vin Diesel, abs like Matthew Mcconaughey, and a chest like Daniel Craig.
I mean I feel it. My heart races, and I get nervous, like just before a race, and I feel the power driving in my legs and freedom that comes with running, it is awesome. I drift pleasantly off to sleep, with the full intent on getting my ross out of the sac and do it, really get after it. Then morning rolls around and I am sleeping good, and feeling the nice fan, the and the soft pillow, Xander comes and I put Sponge Bob on and I come up with some excuse....
MAN!

At least I only weigh 185... (I should say lbs in case my positive thinking is on the metric system and converted it to kg)

Go Brandi Go

2007-08-27T21:18:00.000-05:00

So today has been an interesting day of reflection and what ifs. It was the first day of school, I heard that a very good friend, fellow Ute, and just all around great guy has a potentially fatal brain tumor, and well I read Brandi's post. (Brandi is one of the coolest chickas I have ever met, oh and she is my sister-in-law).

So check the texashinze.blogspot.com for the back to school stuff. To my friend, I am putting out the positive vibes, prayers and best wishes for you and yours. Brandi you rock... I am right there with you. I will raise you one though. I think I have decided to not only let it all out there, but also put up some not so HOT photos... unless there are some huge objections then I will just block you, or if there is too much humiliation for my poor wife, then I wont. Maybe.

I have not had such a good day as far as the eating goes, again my exercise consisted of walking to and from the car... Not so good. (No Popsicles nor the accompanying brain freeze...)

I am still 185...

Day 1b

2007-08-23T22:36:00.000-05:00

So it started out a good day. I got up with the intention of getting in a workout today. Got to work had me some yogurt and grape nuts. YUM and filling. Bummer I found out that the yogurt I was eating had tons of sugar... Like 28 grams, in a 4 oz cup. A can of soda has like 30 so I am going to have to find a substitute...
For lunch I had a lean cuisine panini, it was great. For snacks I had about 5 - 10 raw almonds. which are awesome.

We then went to the school for bring your minutia of "supplies" and see your desk, join the PTA and get ice-cream. Well I stood for in line for ice cream, everyone that knows me knows that I love ice cream, I had to have one so I settled on a drumstick and it was delicious. Then being the first man of the GOE PTA, I had kid duty again including dinner. Everything I suggested was met with kid anger. I was hungry and they were too. I did the ultimate dad thing, although I typically come up with some pretty creative dinners that make into the Hinze dinner repertoire, I went to McDonald's for some dollar menu items. Out went my good day of eating. A double cheese and a spicy chicken san later...
I did drink about 80 oz of water.

Oh and I did not do any exercising, except for the walk to and from the car at the school. On the way back to the car, Xander decided he was done with his rainbow-pop. So I did what every dad does, finished it. Only I put the rest of it in my mouth. As usual, my eyes were bigger than my mouth and I got a doozy of a brain freeze. You know the kind that make you dizzy and you think you are going to pass out. Too make things even a little better we ran into an former colleague of mine's wife and two kids. There I was trying not to pass out from the brain freeze and talking with a lost acquaintance. I am sure she thought I stopped for happy hour before I showed up at the school.... ah well

Part Duex

2007-08-22T17:24:00.000-05:00

It is with contrite spirit and humble heart that I write this. I have not been following the rules that I have set for myself regarding this part, or any other to be perfectly honest. It is difficult sometimes to own ones personal short comings, but I as I am finding out, loosing weight and becoming physically fit is not just about the physical aspect of ourselves. We as humans are more than just physical beings, and there is more to our beings than what is presented in physical form. We are spiritual, we are emotional, we are physical, and we are temporal.

All of these things have, for the lack of a better word, needs. If one (or more) of these things are out of line, then it messes with the other things. It can be difficult to find harmony in all those areas. I think the reason there are difficulties is that there are external forces that are working against our inner selves, to keep these areas out of line.

Now what does all this have to Me loosing weight?? Well I will be attempting to bring my inner being into harmony. The Japanese have a word for it, "Wa", its like "Harmony" only it does not seem adequate. Anyway, I will be using this to track my progression into not only weight loss and whatever else falls out.

I still will be working on my diet so I will focus mainly on this here. However there may be some fall out. Just to reiterate here is my plan:

Daily work outs cardio and resistance.
Keep calorie intake to between 1500 and 2000/ day. I will adjust as needed.
Keep a food Journal.
Stay focused on the end goal, by creating and meeting short term goals.
Being positive.

I am 185...

Its been awhile.

2007-08-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

Hey Ya'll....
Its been a while since I have taken the time to write. I definitely need write more. My goals have been out the window for the past month and a bit. I have noticed that it makes it a big difference in keeping focused. I have been trying to work out more, I will admit that its been more like once or twice a week. Not nearly as much as I would have liked it to be.

Something else that has been good, is that at work a couple of others have been eating better and working out. Right now I am re committing. I will eat healthy I will work out and I am 185.

Stay tuned for more growth or not....

Still 185

2007-06-21T13:35:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I have taken the time to write anything, its not that I have not cared, but I have just been busy. Things are good though. I still can visualize my 185 self, with arms a shoulders like Vin Diesel and a chest like my fellow Austin-ite Mathew McConaughey...

I found a new work out to try, and there is a story behind it.
I come from a family where food is important, and was not thin nor very active, I was actually diagnosed with asthma when I was very young. As a child, every time I walked into my grandmothers house she tried to feed me cookies, donuts, salami sandwiches the works. I spend much of my younger life with her and my grandfather. When I was about 13 we moved further away from them and my contact was more limited. I also discovered sports. I played soccer, football, basketball, wrestled and also ran track. I was not particularly good at wrestling, I was OK at basketball and football, but I was pretty good at running. I tried a few things including shot put and discus, and the 100 meter, that was all a kid with asthma could do, right?

Move a head a year and its 8th grade, new school, new friends, good times. Football and basketball were fun, and track was better. We did not have cable, video games or any money to do anything. And my mom was working part time going to school full time and being single. So If i wanted to get somewhere I had to walk or run. I even would walk home after football practice. I think it was two or three miles, and no it was not up hill both ways and it did not snow. I started thinning down. (Besides all the activity, we ate rice and frozen veggies or popcorn for dinner, I did have free school lunch though.)

When track season came around they had me try the 400 meter as it turned out that was my race. In that district the track team was divided by a combination of age weight height size etc... needless to say I was on the A - Team. Which work well for me. I was up against a much higher level of competition which made me work harder.

Recently I found workouts for track folks to train for the 400. I think I am going to give them a try. In my mind it worked once...

Survived the ATL

2007-06-12T19:15:00.001-05:00

So I would have to say that in my large experience there is really only one step down in humiliation from being asked to buy two tickets (not that that has ever happened): asking for a belt extender. This is the first time that has happened. In all honesty that was the smallest, in terms of space, of an airplane I have ever been on. I know that I have been bigger than I am now and still fit.

I had sort of a Stewart Smally breakdown, first I thought about complaining to the fight attendant that there was no way a 185 lbs man needed a belt extender, then I thought I should eat a burger, then I went through my affirmations, and gosh darn it people really do like me.

I then decided to crank up the nano to some DropKick Murphy's, which we all know that Boston - Irish - folk - punk can only elevate your mood, and it was good. Right until the short a-hole in front of me deiced to lay all the way back. Of course its never the big folks who lay down, its the shorties that don't get it. While I am on the subject and you are one of those folks who thinks its OK to lay all they way back; when you are putting your seat back and it stops cause you are crushing the guys (gal's) legs behind you, don't lean back harder the seat will not go any further back and it really makes big guys listing to punk music more angry, and want to sneeze in your hair, ensuring gum comes with it! Oh and while I am on the subject don't keep pressing back on the seat through the ride it doesn't help either.

So after having my leg pinned between the seat in front of me and the wall of the plane, nearly avoiding deep vein thrombosis and being arrested for assault, I decided I earned the cheese burger and it was good.

I am still driving to 185...

Quick note on the book

2007-06-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Just to dispel any controversy or fear and untruth; the book The Secret" is not the end all be all. I am not even sure it is for every one. It is just something that I have found that has made an impact on my thinking and they way I opperate. I am not replacing any of my beliefs, I am just using these things to enhance what I know.

The book is a little too new age and cheesy as a whole for my liking. That being said, the underlying message is great and I believe its baised on universal truths. That if you are positive good things will happen (even if good things don't happen your attitude will be such that you can find the positive.) and you will have the things you want. It may be that eventually you will have the things you want. All you have to do is ask, be sure that you will get them and they will be yours.

This also works the other way. Think about riding a bike or driving a car. If you concentrate on n0t crashing what happens more often than not? If you think bad things are going to happen they are.

I have been taught that if I really want something all I need to do is ask. I may not get it right away but if include this want in everything I do, prayers, meditation, daydreaming it will come. Perhaps it is better said, a way will be provided for it to be mine.

Drive to 185

2007-06-08T22:05:00.000-05:00

I am doing pretty good, I need to focus a little better. But I feel good. I want this to work, the hardest part is realizing this is a journey, not a race. I know its going to take some time, but I will get there. But with the time it takes, sometimes its hard stay focused. Good thing I am already my ideal 185!

I need to start writing down my activity and food intake daily, again. It will help me to be accountable to something, even if it is the Internet.

Drinking tons of water has been great. I also have been adding fish, albeit fish tacos. YUM! I prefer grilled fish to fried any day. There is the is place called Wahoo's here and they have about 170 calories per taco and they are yummy. Nothin finer than a chunk of white grilled fish, wrapped in a corn (its all about the corn) tortilla with some shredded cabbage, fresh lime juice and some lite spicy sauce...

A new challenge is coming my way I will be in Atlanta next week. Travel will be interesting. But I will be great.

I still appreciate all the support and thoughts. Thank you all.

Just Another Day

2007-06-05T21:54:00.000-05:00

This daily thing is tough. As you can see I have not been so good at it. But I have been working hard thinking hard and livin lite...

I am reading this book called "The Secret". Its one of those life changing books. The premise is that the secret is the law of attraction. If you really want to be something or you want some thing, visualize that its yours, and it will be, or rather there will be a way that is provided. Its quite powerful if you think about it. I don't expect everyone to understand at first, but I do and that's what matters most.

So how does this relate to my size? Here is how, there is no dieting, my mindset is that I am my ideal weight and I can eat anything I want. But here is how it works. I am my ideal weight, so what do I eat? Healthy good stuff that makes Me feel good. I also exercise, cause that's what thin folks do, and I am thin, my ideal weight. Before I stated that it was 220, well that has been bothering me ever since I wrote it. There has been a number that I cant let go of, so it must be my true ideal weight. Oh by the way its 185. Isn't that great!

I have also made some common sense adjustments. Like drinking 40 oz of water before I have a soda. Then before I can have another, I need to drink 40 oz more. So what this has done is I really don't want more than one soda, if I want one at all, after drinking all that water. I guess its "40 oz to freedom" to quote Sublime.

The other thing is that I have been adding in activity. Again thats what thin folk do. So far this has been great. I have been eating smaller portions, the only setback has been the cookies at work. Even they are not a big deal.

Its Friday

2007-06-01T18:23:00.000-05:00

and I haven't written in a while, its been a busy few days with company and birthdays and stuff. Needless to say its not an excuse for not keeping up with my goal.
It has been the usual stuff in the eating dept. mostly fatty and sugary foods. Here is what I have learned so far through this little experiment.

Food does not taste as good as I think it does, if you think about how good it tastes then try it, its usually not as good as you remember it being. Think about it for a while and let me know what you think.
The first bite is as good as the last, meaning that food does not taste better with more bites. Smaller portions are just as good.
If I think about the stuff I can't have or shouldn't have its overwhelming, and I crave it. If I don't think about it, I don't want it.
There are more foods that I can have than I can't that taste better and give me more bang for my buck.
Positive thoughts and attitude are key.

Here is the plan:

Average 1500 calories a day, some days I will eat 1200 and some I will eat 1800 but it will balance out.
I am going to do something active at least 6 days a week.
As a family we are going to change our thoughts around holidays, instead of what are we going to eat, it will be what are we going to do?
I am going to continue to write down what I have eaten and add my exercise in.
Positive thoughts will prevail my mind, body and spirit. (I am reading "The Secret" I highly recommend it.)

I will also be modifying this as time goes on. Thank you again for all your support.

I still have not decided what to do about pictures. IF I put current photos up, they will remind me of what I am not what I will be. So your input is appreciated.

Fat Tuesday

2007-05-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

After the weekend, I only had a few treas during the day. I am sure there was an M&M pack in there and a mini-oreo pack as well. I skipped Bfast but had orange chicken and Mongolian beef for lunch. Dinner we went to Gatti-Land the pizza buffet. I did well there only a few slices, I did have a huge salad and some of the desserts. Other than that I nothing really.
I am reading a new book that is giving me some great tips. I will share as soon as I can articulate them well...

Sunday Bloody Sunday - Monday, Monday

2007-05-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

So it wasn't too bad,
I had the same dinner on both nights, Burgers and dawgs, mix in a few chips and cake, brownies and peach cobbler. Breakfast on Sunday was Raisin Bran, Monday was biscuits and gravy home fries, and some sausage patties.

For those of you following along, I am going to keep journaling regular meals for the next week, just to change my mind set, I will explain later.

Saturday went a little something like this...

2007-05-27T10:32:00.000-05:00

"Woke up quick at about noon, thought that I had to be in Compton soon"
Actually we had a wedding to attend in g San Antonio, so we got up and headed out the door about 8:00AM we picked up a friend of the groom, and headed out down the road. We stopped at McD's for b-fast. I had a sausage and egg McGriddle, hash brown and a dc.
After the wedding we stopped at a c-store and got some chips chexmix and a soda for the ride home. Chrissta and I went shopping, when we got home, and had lunch at the Brooklyn Pie Co. YUM, we shared a Greek Salad sans the Kalamata Olives - they were out, it was a sad day... then I had a large slice of yummy NY Style pizza with pepperoni and green olives. We topped it off with a piece of baklava wow good tasting lunch....

Dinner was served at the reception, I had a salami sandwich some fruit, something chocolaty and a piece of wedding cake.

When we got home, and were just hanging out, I had 1/2 a carton of Ben and Jerry's peach cobbler ice cream then bed....

see you tomorrow...

Wedding/Memorial Day Weekend begins

2007-05-25T23:03:00.000-05:00

My Cousin Andrew is getting married, tomorrow. He is marring a sweet girl they are going to be great. The thing is though, the food that comes with weddings. Tonight was the rehearsal dinner at the melting pot. I stuffed myself with salmon beef bread dipped in cheese and fruit dipped in chocolate. Before that though I had a Stromboli grinder for lunch and some M&M's peanut of course. (See we have a snack cupboard at work, company provided so it is so easy to walk by and grab something, sure there are healthy choices, but they are not nearly as good.)

Thank you all for your support, and encouragement.

Need some advice, progress pics yes or no?

Slow getting this out...

2007-05-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was OK again, only because I was super busy. I had a trip to San Antone for a big meeting, with a major client and a sales/engineering team.

I was rushed in the morning so I did not eat b-fast, we had anticipated stopping but traffic was bad, so all I had was a stick of gum.
Lunch was a different story. We went to Logan's Roadhouse. YUM.... I am all about ethnic food and I will eat anything once. But there is something about fire cooked meat and yummy bread that just makes my belly happy... We had mini-burgers for an appetizer, these are done on their yeast rolls, (I know this may cause some controversy, but I think my wife's bread is about the best bread ever, but these rolls RULE!) I then had a salad with honey mustard dressing a full rack of ribs and some fries. YUMMY

Back at the office I had some peanut M&Ms.

Then for dinner we had some bacon wrapped chicken, Johnsonville Brats sauteed cabbage watermelon, grilled pineapple then some chocolate cream pie.

Benson, a friend of his, Kevin (my brother-in-law) and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and I had about 5 of Kevin's sour patch kids and a soda.

Thanks again for all your support. Being accountable to someone other than myself and my wife is going to help me, for sure. Lets see how my last weekend of free range eating goes....

Day 4

2007-05-23T22:04:00.000-05:00

Not too bad, not great but not bad...
B-fast Cereal Raisin Bran
Lunch Rudy's yes thats three times this week, I had clients in-town and they wanted bbq.
snacks, cookies and kashi muti-grain crackers
dinner, 1/2 of a cheese frozen pizza
and the requisite dc for the day.

I did a little better. I am now worried about what I am going to eat cause i have to write it down. I am starting to look forward to the 'new diet' and the exercise portion. I want to thank my three fans, Chrissta, Jaylene and Lisa. Thank you all for the tips and encouragement.

The Simpsons are on and Homer is running a Marathon, takes three steps and says he hit a wall, then recovers, then hits a wall again, recovers and hit another one... LOL, I hope that is not a sign...

Day Three...

2007-05-23T08:06:00.000-05:00

...was better than Monday for sure, I felt good when I woke up, although the day started busy, my work phone rang at 6:30, there was an emergency at one of my customers' sites. Fortunately it was not as bad as they thought, but its fun to get that early rush.

After getting ready for work, I grabbed a protein shake and a fiber bar and ran out the door to work, I think I had a DC as well. I held a training class for most of the day, there were some Chocolate Chip cookies at the office, and the usually menagerie of unhealthy snacks, but I managed to only have a couple of cookies over the day. For lunch I had a cheese burger from Sam's Boat with some fries and a diet coke, then for dinner Jeni made some Chimi Chungas, I also had some diet coke and chips and salsa. Compared to Monday, much better, but I still need to work on it.

This has been a good exercise, I struggle with trying to be honest in putting down what I eat but I am finding that it really is a good thing.

To Quote Metallica - 'Sad but true'

2007-05-21T20:54:00.000-05:00

This morning was typical, I woke up at about 7:20, got up at about 7:35. Felt sick as usual, got ready for the day. Rushed out the door to work. On the way to work, I decided I needed something to eat, thinking that it might help my stomach, I got a Sausage biscuit, and a diet coke. When I got to work one of the sales guys brought in Rudy's breakfast tacos so over the course f the morning I ate, two... Bummer. Then for lunch I went to BK with another guy and I had a cheese burger, fries and two tacos. Then we went to a movie with the family and I had some licorice, then we all went to dinner at Rudy's and I had an assortment of meat, and cream corn... I think at some point I had some M&Ms too. MAN! its no wonder I am HUGE!

When you write down what you eat its a little embarrassing. OK a lot embarrassing. Hopefully this will help in my quest.

The journey begins (severe run on sentence warning)

2007-05-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about this for a while now, and the time for thinking ends and doing begins I am not sure how this will work or how long it will go for, but maybe just maybe I airing my thoughts and decisions to the world, right, as they relate to my eating and exercise habits may force my accountability and I may finally do something about it. The bottom line is I am sick of being a large person. I want to go the clothing store, the regular store and be able to find something that fits. I want to run and not get tired. I want to be actively engaged in life.

This is one area in all our lives that we actually have complete control over. Granted we all have different struggles and health issues, but the things we put into our mouths and what we do with our spare time is our choice. I choose to sleep, I choose to sit on the couch and do nothing, I choose to eat a whole pint of Ben and Jerry's Willie Nelson Peach Cobbler ice cream. I am the one who orders fatty foods.

There are people all around me who are actually concious of what they eat and what they do. My wife for example gets up at freaking crack of dawn to run and exercise because that is when its best for her. My friend Kyle has been concioulsy eating a limited number of calories and walking daily. We have a friend who moved back to England, but she would have treats every night, but they would be in mouse sized portions. She got her fix, but used extreme moderation. Yet I continue to not exersise and pack my face full of food that is not healthy.

This year, Benson has been playing baseball and getting ready to play football in the fall. I want to work out with him over the summer A) For overall health and B) so he wont pass me up. I eventually want to go running with Chrissta and Jill when they want me that is, with the overall goal of running a marathon before I am 40. That will be my mid-life crisis fix. Mentioned some of this to Chrissta and she asked me what my plan was to do this. Well its three fold.
First, I think I will begin my diet by limiting my bad carbohydrates and limiting my calories to like 1500 a day.
Second, I am going to exercise. That is the key.
Third, I will keep a diet and exersise journal on this site.
Fourth, I am going to alow myslef a cheat meal. I am not sure if this will be a weekly or a preformance based award, like after 10 lost lbs. to begin I am not going to modify anything and I will keep track of all these things to monitor where I am starting at to where I end up. Hopefully this will be an interesting journey.