6/29/08

Aunt Bea's Restaurant has a seasonal mascot


Aunt Bea's is a local late-night restaurant that decorates the mounted deer head in the monthly theme. This month, he is a Patriotic Deer - Uncle Buck. In recent months he has been a Leprechaun, Rabbit and Valentine's Cupid - among other characters.

Vacation Bible School at El Tabernaculo

Message: These kids had a wonderful time showing the songs and lessons they learned at Vacation Bible School last week. Neighbor children came to a week of fun in God.


 There is even a video showing their singing abilities.


6/28/08

Outreach Saturday in Houston

pacman12483 sent you a video: "Prairie View Marching Band (Dallas 2003)"

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself help center | e-mail options | report spam

pacman12483 has shared a video with you on YouTube!

My son was the Drum Captain for the Marching Storm at the Cotton Bowl Classic 2003 in Dallas, Texas. One of our family found this link to the half-time show that year. B-O-X!
Prairie View Marching Band (Dallas 2003)
© 2008 YouTube, Inc.

6/24/08

Houston's Weather

It has always been amazing to me how the Texas Gulf Coast weather is so volatile.  The Flickr slideshow of pictures on the WeatherBug live camera captures some wonderful shots.  I want to put some of the highlights on this Flickr Badge, but visit the WeatherBug site to see other WeatherCams.







www.flickr.com




Yeah! Only took 20 minutes to get contacts in. Sure did need Dahlias help though. Could have gone bad w/o her.

6/23/08

Jesus Justice: So Easy A Five Year Old Can Do It?


Righting Wrongs - simply that!

If you ever get a chance to head to NYC - maybe even a trip to China Town in Manhattan for some of the soupy dumplings at Joe's Shanghai (I highly recommend them!!) I started my week right listening to this session that Jeremy Del Rio shared at the Urban Youth Workers Institute this year. Take the hour or so to get this mp3 under your belt. It will be well worth the time.
(click here for the audio) but make the trip to http://JeremyDelRio.com on a regular basis for great links, resources and connections.

6/21/08

I can see clearly now...


I finally went the 'contact lens' route yesterday! I begin my 7 day trial and wait to see what the Opthomologist says next week. It's interesting to be looking around and see near and far without frames.

My problem is just that I have an aversion to sticking my finger in my eye. I know this will take a while to get this down.  I think what I will do is put a hilarious video of me trying to get one of these contacts in my eye (instead of this obviously professional 'contact lens model')

6/15/08

Nopales anyone?


Among the beautiful plants at my Mom and Dad's house is this healthy nopal plant.  For those of you who may not be familiar with them, they are a succulent cactus that is edible, and a great breakfast complement with scrambled eggs and red chili powder (maybe a few onions cooked in there). [I'm getting hungry already]  


They are so good!


Mom's little baby



Mom has some pretty cool plants around the house - she called this beautiful flower 'her baby.'  But I know her REAL 'Babe' has a mustache and also loves her back (for 54 years now)!

It was good to spend Father's Day with my POPS!  We went to eat at "Pico de Gallo" [roughly translated: beak of the rooster - or rooster lips] (I personally like the name rooster lips - more on that later) 

The 'Live Music' guy asked all the patrons over the microphone, and my Dad was the Father with the most years under his (ever tightening) belt that day!!!  

 A GREAT time was had by all.


6/14/08

Mom is fixing us a meal of tasty venison! O yum!


I went by the house to visit mom and dad, and I got a treat!  Dad had venison stored up from hunting season. It tasted sooo good. 

6/13/08

The Most Expensive Rally I never went to --



ROT Rally 2008 - Austin, Texas

I rode in to Austin for a grand
 moment at the Republic of Texas Motorcycle rally. The view on Congress with several thousand scoots in front of the State Capitol was impressive. I don't think I would do the $60 ticket for access to the
 grounds, though. After a few hours of helmets and leathers, they all look the same anyway. I'll stick with the Lone Star at Galveston, thank you very much.  Although I did enjoy the ride out through those rolling hills.

I lost my rather essential (after 40) tri-focal, transition tint, glasses on the road when they flew out of my riding vest.  I walked that little 3/4 mile stretch of road for the next 3 hours but to no avail.  The gremlins will be able to ignite grass fires with those bad boys now!  It's all good though.  I have been thinking about getting contacts anyway so I can wear good ridin
g goggles and still be able to read my watch or dashboard without squinting.

After my futile search, I rolled South on I-35 to see my Pops for a very SPECIAL Father's Day.


Nursing Program/FREE Tuition

Nursing Program/free tuition

If you know of anyone between 18-28 years old, interested in the Nursing field, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is offering FREE tuition, FREE books, a $250 monthly stipend, and guaranteed job placement as a nurse at Providence Hospital upon graduation (it's a 3 year program) with a starting salary of $40,000.

The program is recruiting new students now!! Please contact Ms. Beshon
Smith (202) 266-5481 or email
Bsmith@urbanalliance..org

SEND TO SOMEONE WHETHER THEY CAN USE IT OR NOT. THEY JUST MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN!


6/12/08

Post Turtle


This sounds logical to me.

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher, whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to _(unseemly candidate)_ and his bid to be our President.

The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, _(unseemly candidate)_ is a 'post turtle'.'

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.

The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'. The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there, and you just wonder what kind of a %$&*@!)( put him up there.'


6/11/08

Dreaming of Disney World

I've never been to Disney World (or the Epcott Center - my preference), but I saw this site (MousePlanet) and wanted to pass it on in case any one is going this summer. These are some awesome tips! I wish I would have had the AstroWorld version of this a few decades ago.

















Let me know if you go, and if these tips help... also, send me a picture of you and Mickey!

6/10/08

I'm NowPublic!


It seems that one of my little pics just went public on the NowPublic story of the WWDC in San Francisco this week. The iPhone is slowly morphing to something that I think I would probably use... maybe the $199 version of it... all we had to do is wait.

Old McCulloch County Jail (Brady, Texas)

Found this incredible shot of the Old Jail in Brady, Texas (where I grew up as a youngster) -the Texas Hill Country. Part of my history there was the opportunity of being the first non-white to get my hair cut in the White Man's barber shop. Leo Oates was the owner of the Brady Steak House where my mother worked, and he stepped up on behalf of our family. My father used to drive a gasoline transport truck for Fina gas and the Brady Oil Co.

6/8/08

Classsic Car Show


www.flickr.com






Stopped by a car show with some great looking classics! Elvis was even in the house.

6/7/08

A Fathers Blessing

It was a privilege to pray a blessing over my son and his new wife.
(good shots Diana)

(Click here to see a slideshow of Diana's good shots)

Sean & Nickii's Wedding

Open! Open! Open!

8:20am CST   NOW STREAMING LIVE ON USTREAM.tv


6/6/08

Sean and Nickii are gonna get hitched!

Q: Isn't God good? A: All the time!
Finally, I will have a daughter!
Tomorrow, June 7, 2008 at 2pm one of my son's will be joining his life with Nickii before God and many witnesses. If you would like to send him and my beautiful daughter-in-love a greeting, you can reach him at: mailto:cseantorres@yahoo.com

AWAY WITH WORDS - eval

If you will, please take time to visit Jeremy del Rio's blog site to help with an evaluation of his new design.

6/5/08

My friend - Elizabeth


I wanted to share a link to the Blog of a young lady who just graduated from the school where I work in Houston.  Elizabeth has amazing drive (besides the e-chair). Nothing seems to slow her down, and she always wants to help someone and give them encouraging words.  She has received great support for college and wants to study Journalism. 

If you want to stop by her site and comment on her poetry, I believe it would be an encouragement to her.  Your affirmations and input would mean a great deal to her.  One of her favorite sites is Disaboom.com

A General has gone home


The father of Larry Savala has gone home to rest in the Peace of his God.  Uniquely, this is exactly the birthday of his son who was murdered nearly 2 years ago.

I was concerned when I called my good friend Larry - to have that burden of losing his Dad on the anniversary of his son's birthday.  Larry made my heart glad when he said, "It's like a gift!  They are having a reunion together now."

Thanks Larry, for encouraging me, even in the midst of your time of seperation and loss.

[corrected for erroneous data on 6/6/08]

6/4/08

TRAVELERS: Four Steps to Packing Light




Post 9/11 all of our travel routine has been impacted...
read this good article in the Houston Chronicle and thought I would share.
I'm already pretty frugal, but now with extra charges for checking a bag - OUCH!


Bohemeos.com


Don't miss the East End Cultural Arts Fest '08 this weekend - Saturday & Sunday!

708 Telephone Road! Go to their website to get more details!
Ambience! Quiet tonight, but the East End of Houston has a jewel in Bohemeos.
Proprietor, Lupe - is a real nice guy and runs an eclectic music and art scene.





6/3/08

6/2/08

Wichita, Kansas - Interesting!

My Sitemeter readings regularly log a visitor from:

Latitude 38 Degrees North;
Longitude -97 degrees West

575 miles from Houston
(Wichita, Kansas is the closest city to this location)
I often wonder who this WindowsME, AOL visitor could be that visits "One Man's Dream?"

I guess I just want to say "Thank You" for checking in so regularly. Please let me know what Web 2.0 conquests are most interesting to you.

THE FUNERAL

My friends,Several years ago my friend M.Crespo was able to present something like this to achieve a powerful impact with some young people.  As I received this email, I realized that in written form it may be similarly useful in bringing focus to a team of individuals. I was able to glean a kernel of Truth from it for myself.  I give you –

THE FUNERAL  

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big sign on the door on which was written: 
   
Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym. 
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.   

The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.  

Everyone thought: 'Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!  

One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless.  

They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.  There was a mirror inside the coffin; everyone who looked inside it could see himself.  There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:  There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: IT IS YOU!!!!! 

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your husband or wife change, when your company change, when your church changes, when your location change, when your money change, when your status change...  

Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs.  

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner, build yourself and your reality. It's the way you face Life that makes the difference! 

-anonymous author-

A Tale of Two Brains


Mark Gungor's Tale of Two Brains is a site I stumbled across while I was (my wife says) thinking about - nothing.




ARCHIVE: Fiestas Patrias 2006

Radio interview [9/17/06] with Alicia Alanis, KSBJ Radio in Houston, Texas [ksbj.org]. Our discussion related to the influence of Latin American cultures in the United States.

I was just thinking... with Hispanic Heritage Month being celebrated in September, our Latino heritage students are at a disadvantage for any cultural celebrations highlighting student participation.  Many of our students wait until after the Labor Day weekend to come back from Mexico and their Summer of Fun in 'Su Tierra'.  That leaves precious little time to pull together a nucleus of culturally proud students with time and focus to prepare a presentation for a school assembly.
One of my summer goals will be to keep an interested group of students in a state of readiness so that they can be ready to go in the first weeks of September - and have rousing time of celebration of Hispanidad!
Let me know if any of you actively promote cultural expressions within your students, and how they react to the opportunity to honor their forefathers and the dedication they gave to making a better life for their families.  (FEEDBACK below)