the doze

Shutting Down For Awhile

2009-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings! This is a difficult blog post for me. I have been in denial about my lack of blogging habits for the past few months. I keep telling myself that "someday" I'll get back into it. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Between work and school, I can't seem to find the time to contribute to this blog on a regular basis. I think Facebook has also contributed to the death of my blog. Communication and interaction happens so much faster on Facebook. I would like you to keep following me on my design blog... if you aren't already. It's called "Design Gopher". The blog is a gathering place for my creative ideas on art and design, interesting design references and current projects I am working on for school. I update the Design Gopher quite a bit during the week. I would love to receive feedback from friends and family... especially those of you who may not have any training in graphic design. After all, you are my target audience. I will continue to keep this blog open, and hope to be able to write more when school is finished.

Matt and Kim

2009-07-14T06:40:00.001-07:00

Kelly and I had the privilege of seeing Matt and Kim perform at the Dallas House of Blues last Saturday evening. They are a two person band from Brooklyn, NY. Matt plays the keyboard/synth, and Kim plays the drums.

I saw Matt and Kim for the first time when they opened for Cut Copy at the Granada back in March. Their energy and passion for music is infectious. I promised myself that if they ever played in Dallas again, I would go and see them.

Here is the video for their song "Daylight." If it sounds familiar, you might have heard it on a Bacardi commercial recently. I promise that if you listen to it once, you will find yourself singing it again and again throughout the day.

Annual Goals Update

2009-06-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone Panic! 2009 is almost halfway over! Okay... no need to panic... there are still about 14 days until the year is halfway over. That is plenty of time to make sure that I am halfway to my annual goals. Honestly, I don't know where the time goes.

Looking back on my goals for 2009... here is how they line up:

1. Run and complete a marathon (26.2 miles)
GOAL COMPLETED! I Ran my first marathon on April 11, 2009 in Abilene, KS. I finished the race in 4 hours and 21 minutes.

2. Run over 1000 miles in 2009
GOAL IN PROGRESS... As of 6:30am today, I have run a total of 412 miles in 2009. If I am close to 500 miles by the end of June, I should be able to complete the full 1000 miles before the end of December. To make sure I get enough miles in the second half of the year, I am planning to run in the White Rock Marathon.

3. Lose 10 pounds
GOAL COMPLETED! I have lost 12 pounds since April 1st. I am using an iPhone application that allows me to monitor my calorie intake and daily exercise so that I can lose 1 pound per week. I am only 3 pounds away from my goal weight... but I am thinking that I can lose about 5-8 additional pounds and still be healthy.

I hope that all of you are finding success in reaching your goals this year. It's definitely easier for me to account for my goals if I make them available to the public. Plus, this gives you an opportunity to keep me in line on here or on Facebook.

Elm Street River

2009-06-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

Dallas got hit pretty hard by a large thunderstorm yesterday. I was at work when the heaviest portion of the storm rolled through the city. Our power was out for about two hours. It's hard to get anything done on the computer when you don't have any electricity. The wind and rains combined to form a river of water on the street in front of our office. I've never seen water rise so quickly on a city street. I had to take a picture of it. Some of the cars were driving quickly through the water... I wanted to put a sign out that would get them to slow down. I think a sign that reads "No Wake" might have been appropriate.

Jerryworld

2009-05-27T13:46:00.001-07:00

To all of the Dallas Cowboy fans and haters in the world - here is a look at the new stadium that is under construction in Arlington, TX. Around here, it's known as "Jerryworld". I have the privilege of driving past this monstrosity every time I visit the UTA campus. Love 'em or hate 'em, the Cowboy stadium is going to be incredible...

Design Gopher

2009-05-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

In case any of you are interested, I will be journaling my summer design experiments on a secondary blog. It's called Design Gopher. The blog will be dedicated to my designs, projects, thoughts, research, etc. surrounding visual communication. Stop by for a visit and see what I'm working on. If the blog gains any momentum over the summer, I may continue to publish my design ideas and experiments on a more permanent basis. I would love to hear some of your thoughts and feedback on my projects. Enjoy!

Family Portraits

2009-05-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

It's not a secret - I'm not a big fan of the family portrait. In fact, I might go so far as to say that I hate family portraits. The problem is... I come from a "family portrait" family.

One of the things that bothers me most about family pictures is that we feel the need to dress in similar colors/styles/fabrics. When did this become a family portrait requirement? I say, let's throw caution to the wind... just once, let's try a family portrait where everyone wears whatever makes them comfortable. This might add some variety and show the true nature of our family character. I imagine we would have some people in swimsuits, others in ties and sport jackets, a pair of camouflage pants here and there, a couple of kids in mesh tank tops, an animal print t-shirt, etc. You get the point.

The reason I am mentioning this today is that I recently came across a website that celebrates the beauty of the awkward family portrait. The site photographically summarizes the many reasons why we should not expose our family members to this type of annual ritual.

Here is a sample of what you can expect to find on the site:

Pretty good, right? Do you have any awkward family portrait moments? Am I alone in feeling the way that I do?

I hope that this is the year my family gives in and agrees to wear these shirts for our portrait. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Flight Of The Conchords

2009-05-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

Last night, Kelly and I went to see Flight of the Conchords perform. I wasn't sure what the performance would be like, but I knew it would be entertaining. I imagined that the show would include a mixture of comedy and music... similar to their show on HBO. Other than that, I had no idea what to expect. I have to say... I was not disappointed. Bret and Jemaine owned the stage. Their two-man performance was as strong as any concert I have been to over the past few years. If you have the chance to see them perform, don't hesitate. You will not be disappointed.

Birth Week

2009-04-30T09:56:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite family traditions in our home is the celebration of birth week. Yes, that's right. We don't just celebrate a birth day... we celebrate an entire birth week. (Or, in Kelly's case... we celebrate a birth month)

This year, my birth week activities (not listed in any particular order) include golf, skydiving, eating some good food, climbing Mt. Everest, taking time off of work, and finally... a lengthy duel with a fire-breathing dragon.

This should be an interesting week!

Drums

2009-04-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

I really want to learn how to play the drums. I've always been a fan of music, but I've never taken the time to learn how to create it.

I don't recall having any interest in playing the drums in elementary school. As a 5th grader, I decided to not sign up for band so that I could stay in the classroom and draw while the other kids were at practice. (Look where all of that extra drawing time got me)

My interest in playing the drums began early in high school. I had a couple of friends who were amazing drummers. I was jealous of their talent, and I wanted to be like them. I recall having a conversation with my parents about playing the drums. It didn't end how I had hoped it would. Instead, I found myself stuck in piano lessons as a 14 year old boy. Fortunately, that didn't last very long. (Please don't be offended if you happen to love piano... it's just not for me)

Towards the end of high school, I spent time with friends who were in bands. Evenings and weekends were spent in so-called "jam sessions." If the drummer needed a break, or wasn't there, I would sit in for a song or two. I wasn't very good, but no one seemed to care. I think they understood that I had no formal training.

12 years have passed, and I haven't played another set of drums... other than the ones that are featured in the game "Rock Band." I am currently looking on Craigslist for a cheap, starter set of drums. Is this a crazy idea? Am I too old to learn to play? I'm curious to know what you think. Maybe I am just trying to live my very own rock and roll fantasy.

Done And Done

2009-04-15T10:39:00.001-07:00

I wish I had more time to devote to my blog... unfortunately, life has gotten in the way. Blogging has taken a backseat to work, school and my running schedule.

I would be missing a great blog entry opportunity if I didn't take a moment to write about my weekend. Kelly and I drove up to Kansas to spend some time with family for Easter... and... for me to participate in the Eisenhower Marathon (26.2 miles). It was held in Abilene, Kansas on April 11th, 2009.

Before the race, I had two and a half personal goals in mind.

Well... I finished the marathon in 4 hours and 21 minutes. So, TAKE THAT OPRAH! I started out strong, running at about a 9 minute/mile pace. That pace would get me close to a 4 hour finish. About 20 miles into the race I realized that my pace had slowed without me knowing it. I decided that the most important thing for me to focus on was just finishing the race. The last 6.2 miles were the toughest miles I have ever run. I felt like I was crawling. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. At one point, I think I saw a turtle run past me on the side of the road. By the end, I caught the turtle, and we crossed the finish line together. (Keep in mind, I may have been hallucinating at that point in the race)

Overall, it was a great experience. I was able to run with my brother Adam and my friend Todd. All of us were happy to complete the race. I'm already looking at which marathon I want to run in this Fall. I think 2 per year seems reasonable... right?

(in the photo - Me, My nephews Damon and Xavier, Todd Wallentine)

Inspiration

2009-02-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

One of my graduate school assignments this semester is to experiment with new and different design techniques. I thought it would be interesting to try out a variety of typographical treatments for everyday words. Here is what I came up with for the word "desire":

After taking a step back to examine what I created, I thought about what could have inspired me to do this. I realized that these typographical shapes were subconsciously influenced by a music video. It was the new video for the Fleet Foxes song "Mykonos". Here is the video:

This just proves that I don't have to look very far for artistic inspiration. It's all around me - music, movies, TV, magazines, nature, etc. In fact, all of you should be careful what you say around me... I just might take your words and incorporate them into one of my designs.

An Oldie But A Goodie

2009-02-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

I was digging through some archived files at work this morning when I came across this little nugget. I created this animation back in 2006 for Kendall Creative, my current employer. I thought it was at least worth sharing.

Threadless...Again

2009-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

I'm back on threadless.com with another shirt idea. Rather than submitting an actual design, I just submitted a TypeTee Slogan. If my slogan is selected to be made into a shirt, I will celebrate by running naked through my neighborhood... so, vote for me!

You can see the TypeTee slogan here. See if you can guess the cultural references... one is a well-known movie quote, and the other is how a fictional world comes to life. Enjoy.

Ice, Ice Baby

2009-01-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

Finally... after 24 hours of anticipation, the "Great Ice Storm of 2009" made its way through Dallas. Can you sense the sarcasm? The storm dropped a massive 1/16" thick sheet of ice on everything - and the entire city shut down. In fact, the threat of a winter storm was enough to close some schools an entire day before the winter storm passed through. Come on, Dallas! You're better than that.

(photo credit: Dallas Morning News)

Off To A Good Start

2009-01-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

It's time to review some of the things I accomplished in 2008, and what I hope to do in 2009. I'm a little late in posting this... better late than never, right?

Last year was a success. I ran (and finished) my first half marathon. I also ran over 600 miles (my initial goal was 500 miles) in 2008. With this in mind, I am going to set some new fitness goals for 2009. This year I will:

1. Run and complete a marathon (26.2 miles)
2. Run over 1000 miles in 2009
3. Lose 10 pounds

I've already started working on my goals for 2009. My brother and I will run in the Eisenhower Marathon in Abilene, Kansas (could be the flattest marathon course in the world) on April 11th. Come and run with us... or cheer us on.

What are your fitness goals for 2009?

Brag Post

2009-01-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Now that I am back from vacation, I feel the need to point some attention in Kelly's direction. (Although I know most of you left my blog for her blog several months ago) Kelly has been very busy refurbishing some furniture for our living room... and I think she has done an amazing job. Rather than bore you with my thoughts on the furniture, I will send you directly to her blog.

Here is a preview of Kelly's talent.

Design Work

2008-12-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

I've had a few people request to see more of my recent design work. I will try and sprinkle in some designs here and there... I don't want the design side of my life to become the focus of this blog.

This piece was completed in my graduate studies this semester. It is a 2009 Annual Calendar poster. It is designed to be printed 18" x 12". The purpose of this calendar is to think about a year in terms of time progression, seasons, temperature, etc... rather than just in terms of traditional days, weeks and months. (click on the image to enlarge)

I'd love to hear what you think...

Do You Skype?

2008-12-08T08:06:00.001-08:00

I tried Skype for the first time last night. I had a video chat with my mom. My overall first impression was very positive.

As expected, the first few minutes were a little awkward. It took some time to figure out the technical issues (audio, video, etc.). There were also a few moments of camera-shyness... "Does my hair look okay? Can anyone see the tiny carrot bits stuck in my teeth? Why does my voice sound like someone squeezing air out of a balloon?" I'm sure these are normal concerns for first-time video callers, right?

If any of my blog friends have Skype or iChat and would like to try a video call, let me know. Perverts need not apply. Which reminds me...I should mention that these are fully-clothed video calls. Sorry ladies. ;)

I Feel So Violated

2008-11-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

1 Passenger side window: Completely Smashed Out
1 Car Stereo: Stolen
1 iPod Mini: Stolen

Welcome to Dallas...

Busted!

2008-11-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

There is a well-known Bible passage that reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) Instead, I think the passage should read, "Train up a dog in the way he should lay around the house... so when he's home alone he will not depart from it."

Despite our best efforts, Tucker has finally figured out that laying on the couch is more comfortable than laying on the floor. Honestly, I can't say I blame him. He's probably wishing he had figured out this little trick a few years ago.

Over or Under

2008-11-12T07:02:00.000-08:00

One of life's great questions... is it proper to load the toilet paper roll with the flap hanging over the front, or should the flap hang behind the roll?

Personally, I feel the correct answer is B (over the top). This method causes the paper to flow freely towards you... it becomes more accessible. I find it to be a distraction when I walk into a bathroom and find the toilet paper hiding on the backside of the roll. In the moment that I need peace, comfort, and an environment that I can concentrate in... this little detail throws me off my game.

One last bit of info to prove that I am right... think about how the toilet paper is presented when you enter a hotel room bathroom. The housekeepers always set the roll to hang over the front... and they fold the end of the paper into a pointy little triangle shape. Case closed.

Five Hundred Miles

2008-11-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

I did it! At about 6:30am (CST), I finished running my 500th mile of the year. I completed my little imaginary journey from Dallas, TX to Manhattan, KS. Thanks to everyone who supported me in my efforts to reach my goal. I would like to extend a special "un-thank you" to the jerk who drove by and splashed mud on me, the vicious dog that chased me, and my own bowels (see previous post).

Vote Early, And Vote Often

2008-11-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that I performed my civil duty this morning. I voted! I was in and out of the polling station in under 10 minutes. That has to be some sort of record for me. I can only assume that either several people voted early, or I happened to pick the most convenient time to go. Did anyone have a similar experience, or did you have to fight the crowds?

(image source: Shepard Fairey)

Passing Through Junk Town

2008-10-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

It's time for another running update. I passed through Herington, and finished running north on US-77. I am now heading east on I-70, passing through Junction City. Only 27 more miles to go. I can see the Dreamland Motel along the north side of the highway. This is the home stretch. By this time next week, I should be in Manhattan.

Running: A Natural Laxative

2008-10-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I don't want to gross anyone out with this post (if you have an aversion to potty talk - this post may not be for you).

Over the past few months I have become a more seasoned runner. I run 5 days, and average about 25-30 miles each week. Recently, I have found that my body and brain send out little signals to me during each run. These little clues can be anything from an aching joint to a sore muscle, or in my case... a punch to the bowels.

Three weeks ago, I was halfway through an out-and-back, 7 mile run when my stomach let out a great roar.

My first thought: Okay, I can keep going. It can't possibly be anything that a little expulsion of gas can't clear up. WRONG! About 2 minutes later I felt what can only be described as a gut punch/swift kick to the intestines.

My second thought: Oh No! Not Here! Not Now! I'm still 3 miles from my car. (As if there is a toilet inside my car)

I started to panic. I couldn't decide whether it would be better leave the path, run into the lake, and take care of business in the water... or keep fighting the uncomfortable sensation. I chose to move forward. I ran, ever so gently, for another minute. To minimize the discomfort and prevent an accident, I tried to run as if I was carrying an ultra sensitive explosive device inside my stomach (in some ways, I guess you could say that was true). As I reached the crest of a small hill I noticed a row of port-a-potties on the side of the road. The finish line was in sight. At this time, my gentle run turned into a furious sprint. Sweet relief! I won't go into any details about what happened next.

Concluding thoughts: I gained a new appreciation for how a woman must feel every time she has to use a gas station/rest area toilet. It's called "the art of hovering."

(image source: flickr.com user chaseism)

Still Alive

2008-10-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Yes... I am still alive... I promise. Life's been pretty busy lately. Look for a couple of new posts from me later this week.

99.96% Pure Water

2008-10-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on my running situation. I left El Dorado, KS last week, and I am now making my way North on US-77. After a five mile run this morning, my yearly total has reached 420 miles. In map terms, that means I have just passed through Florence, KS... home of the famous "99.96% Pure Spring Water" tower.

Evolution Of A Nickname

2008-10-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've had quite a few nicknames in my life. Some have been better than others. In the past 3 years, my nicknames have really evolved. When I started working at Kendall Creative, people called me Ben. Now, people refer to me as Sweet Baby Babs. Here is the breakdown of how it got to this point.

1.) Ben
2.) Benjamín (Spanish pronunciation) - Short lived. Nothing too original.
3.) Ben Jamón (Spanish pronunciation: Jamón = Ham) - Nice twist on a classic nickname.

4.) Baby Jamón - Started when I referenced my childhood in a conversation.
5.) Sweet Baby Jamón - Just a little adjective added in for good measure.
6.) Babs Jamón - Your guess is as good as mine.
7.) Sweet Baby Babs - ???

Other recent nicknames include: "Ben Dahzel", "Oolezal", "Ooley", "Gasfoot", and "that guy who doesn't like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups." I could be way off on this assessment... but I view these nicknames as terms of endearment. I guess my co-workers must really love me.

Running Update

2008-09-29T14:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a quick update on my running progress. By my calculations, I have passed through Wichita (without getting shot) and I am approaching El Dorado, KS. I wonder if Chrissy's family would mind if I stayed with them for a few days before I head north to Manhattan?

Note: I am about due for a tire change. Apparently, running shoes need to be replaced every 300-500 miles.

Photos In Blogs

2008-09-23T14:44:00.001-07:00

Apparently, the best blogs have a lot of photos in them. I recently learned that I am losing blog traffic to my wife (who happens to post more photos than me). This is a desperate plea to all 1 or 2 of my loyal reader(s)... please don't leave me. I am still interesting. I promise. I just don't post a lot of pictures. I can change. I can be whatever you want me to be. I'll do anything. Just don't leave me...

346 Miles Down - 154 Miles To Go

2008-09-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I mentioned that I would like to run 500 miles in 2008. (Not all at once... of course) My total mileage for the year, as of this morning, is 346 miles. That means if I started running north from Dallas on Interstate 35 in January, I would be just south of Wichita, Kansas right now. When I finish the 500 miles, it will be just enough mileage to cover the entire trip from Dallas, TX to Manhattan, KS (Where my family lives). I guess you could say I am running home to mom.

Only 154 more miles to go.

Goodbye Netflix... Hello Redbox

2008-09-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

The time has come for me to officially say goodbye to Netflix. Please, don't misunderstand me... these past two years have been amazing. It's just... I've found someone younger and cheaper.

Redbox is my new best friend. If you're unfamiliar with how Redbox works - think of your favorite vending machine (the one with the bag of Funyons and the package of peanut butter crackers), and then picture your favorite vending machine filled with just movies. I can take home a movie for only $1/night. When I am finished with the movie, I can return it to any of the Redbox locations (Wal-Mart, Albertson's and Walgreens in Dallas).

A toast... to Redbox. May we have many happy and entertaining years together.

The Boys (And Chrissy) Are Back In Town

2008-09-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

Part of the family tradition when my brother and his family come to Dallas is to ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley. It is the perfect activity for anyone that is completely obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine... and the perfect activity for kids too. I am afraid that if the trolley ever gets shut down I will never see my nephews again. Here are a couple of shots of the boys enjoying the ride.

Labor Day 5K

2008-09-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

My brother and I ran a 5K race on Labor Day morning. If you don't believe me, here is the proof. (Don't tell the photographer that I borrowed this image for my blog... I could be punished for posting it without permission) Our official time (26 minutes) wasn't very good... but our excuses are. Unlike most 5K races, this course had a bottleneck at the beginning that made it difficult for runners to get away from the starting line quickly. We found ourselves stuck behind walkers, people pushing strollers, little kids and slow runners. Oh well. It was just fun to be out there. We finished 49th and 50th (2nd and 3rd in our age bracket) out of about 260 people. Not great, but not bad either. The 5K helped me realize that I prefer longer distance races. Next up - a full marathon in 2009. Does anyone want to join me?

Like Father, Like Son

2008-08-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

I am the proud ~~father~~ friend of this 95 pound boy. In this picture, he is trying to master the ideal bird/cat/squirrel/cockroach watching position. I taught him everything he knows (This is how I watch TV). This picture was taken in the newly remodeled living room area. Thanks for posting more photos of the home improvements Kelly.

Back To School... Back To School

2008-08-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

Next week I will begin working towards my Masters of Fine Arts in Visual Communication at the University of Texas - Arlington. I'm a little nervous about starting school again. I feel like I am going to be the kid who cries when his mom drops him off at kindergarten for the first time. (Been there, done that - I'm a mama's boy)

Now that I am in graduate school, I think I can spend some extra cash to get the nice school supplies. You know... the oversized Big Chief tablet, the Crayola 120 pack (with crayon sharpener included), and the eraser that erases both pen and pencil. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to find the perfect Trapper Keeper (the one with unicorns on it) to keep all of my assignments in.

Obsessive Habits

2008-08-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

When I sleep... I ~~like~~ HAVE to have a fan on.

When I eat french fries... I match up two identical size fries to eat at once.

Before I go to bed... I check my alarm twice to make sure it is set correctly.

Weird Realization

2008-08-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

The wife, mother-in-law and I were in Barnes and Noble over the weekend. Kelly needed to pick up her new "must-have" book. I won't mention the title because I am sure she will be blogging about it soon. As per my usual bookstore behavior, I asked the sales associate to direct me to the art books. In my opinion, the art book section is like a little pocket of heaven inside an otherwise boring bookstore.My eyes scanned the section, up and down, left to right. I couldn't decide which book to open first. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spied a familiar looking red book. It took a few moments, but I finally realized where I had seen the book before... (drum roll, please) the book looked familiar because some of my design work is published in it.

In early 2007, my company submitted a number of designs to be featured in the 2008 American Corporate Identity book. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw that shiny red cover staring me in the face. I picked up the book and began flipping pages. My heart skipped a step when I turned to a page that featured a logo I designed for one of our clients. In that moment, I realized that someone else in another part of the world might be looking at the exact same logo... and I designed it!

Next time you are in the art books section of the bookstore, see if you can find this book.

Evolution Of A Joker

2008-08-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

Just a step-by-step look at how I became the Joker. If my graphic design job doesn't work out, I can always fall back on my dream of becoming a makeup artist. The only problem is that I only know how to work in 2 dimensions... I don't think Photoshop skills translate very well into the 3rd dimension.

For Todd and Kari

2008-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

You asked for it... so here it is. I added some more "official" looking Joker hair to the image I posted earlier. I think the Joker hair really takes the Creepy Factor to a higher level. I am scaring myself just looking at this image.

Creepy...

2008-07-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yes it's creepy... yes I have too much time on my hands... yes I like to practice my Photoshop skills. Any other questions?

The Night Is Always Darkest Before The Dawn

2008-07-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

I miss Heath Ledger. As a rule, I generally don't consider myself to be a fan of any one particular actor or actress. Sure, there are a few that I can't tolerate, but for the most part, I just like to see a good performance.

This past week provided a reason to break the aforementioned rule. I hope this isn't too "bandwagon" of me to say, but I realized this week that I truly am a Heath Ledger fan. I thought he was great in "10 Things I Hate About You" and I liked his performance in "The Patriot." I never saw "Brokeback Mountain"... I promise. Last week, I witnessed what I believe to be the performance of a lifetime from Heath in "The Dark Knight." In my opinion, his portrayal of the Joker will be talked about for years. I can't even imagine the preparation and focus that was required to create such an insane, dark and evil villain.

If you haven't had a chance to see "The Dark Knight," I highly recommend it. (5 out of 5 stars... and I don't do that very often) You won't be disappointed... unless you hate really good movies. (In case you are wondering...this blog entry title is a quote from the movie)

Bombs Away!

2008-07-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

I was the first person to arrive at work on Monday. I pulled into the parking lot, jumped out of the car and walked around to the front of the building. As I tried to fit my key into the deadbolt, I felt something hit my shoulder. My initial thought was... it's probably just some water dripping off the top of the building. Without looking, I reached my left hand over to my right shoulder. Sure enough, something wet had fallen on me. As I pulled my hand back across my body, my fingers were covered in what looked like a mix of mustard and mayonnaise. That's NOT water! My eyes moved toward the roof of the building, where I spied the butt end of a pigeon hanging over the edge. Next, the pigeon turned around and looked down with his smug little pigeon face. I think I saw his beak mouth the word "Gotcha!"

After I cleaned the bird poop off my shirt, I remembered something that I had done a few weeks earlier. One afternoon, during a break from work, I noticed a bird perched in the tree next to the back patio. It was a bird I had never seen before. It was sitting so still. Minutes went by. No movement. This was the calmest bird I had ever seen. It was as if the bird was trying to say, "Just try and get me to move." The 7 year old boy inside of me took over. I gathered a handful of pebbles and began tossing them at the bird. After launching about 8-10 pebbles, I finally hit the branch the bird was resting on. The angry bird made a loud screeching noise and took off towards the building across the street. My friend Tim witnessed the entire event. As the bird flew away, he said to me, "Now you've done it. That bird is going to go and tell all of his bird friends to come back and attack us." I laughed and thought nothing more about it... until Monday morning.

Tim was right. That bird aligned himself with the pigeons on the roof. The attack was executed without flaw. If the calm bird is out there somewhere reading this... we are officially even. Let's just try and coexist in peace from now on. I won't throw rocks - you won't tell your bird friends to poop on me. Deal?

Welcome Home Alex

2008-07-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

My nephew Alex returned home to Texas from his mission yesterday. (He's the tall guy in the center of the picture... the one with the suit on) He has been serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utica, New York for the past two years. I am proud of him for serving so diligently.

As I watched Alex walk through the gate and into the baggage claim area, I reflected on my own experience as a missionary. (I served 2 years in Portland, Oregon) Although I've been home for 9 years, the feelings I had and experiences I endured are still close to my heart. I know how difficult it is to leave behind the comforts of home, family and friends to devote all of your time to serving God... but I also know how rewarding it is. In fact, I am still receiving the benefits of that service in my life.

Congratulations Alex! It's good to have you home. Thanks for being such a good example to your family and friends.

(Click here for more pictures of Alex' homecoming...thanks Brooke)

White Winter Hymnal

2008-07-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

I wasn't kidding about how good Fleet Foxes is/are. It could be the post-concert high (non-narcotic) that I'm on... but, I think this band is definitely worth a listen. To make it easy on you, I posted a video for their song, "White Winter Hymnal." Simply push the play button... and enjoy. Audio and video entertainment in one easy click. The internets is the best.

Which Way To The Weight Room?

2008-07-08T06:20:00.001-07:00

Every once in awhile I get the urge to do some experimental Photoshop work. Here is my latest project. I hope it makes you happy... or frightens you. Either way, this image will surface in your mind the next time you see me. You're welcome...

Fleet Foxes

2008-07-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, my sister Ashley came to visit us in Dallas. One of the highlights of her visit was being able to go and see Fleet Foxes in concert. Despite half of the band being sick, they still sounded incredible.

According to an album review on Pitchfork Media, "Fleet Foxes may have a firm grasp on rock and folk history, but they never play to their record collection. Rather than revive a particular scene or re-create a lost sound, the Seattle quintet cherrypick their ideas from a broad spectrum of styles, pulling in Appalachian folk, classic rock, AM country, and SoCal pop to create a personal synthesis of the music of their peers, their parents, and even their grandparents."

Sounds pretty good, right? If you like Iron and Wine, The Shins, Band of Horses, or any other Sub Pop prodigy, you need to give Fleet Foxes a listen. They just might be the best band you've never heard of.

Thanks Ashley, for pointing me in their direction.

My New Best Friend

2008-07-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Pump cheese, anyone? This little gem arrived at the office this week. I love the classic picture of nachos on the side of the machine. It reminds me of city league concession stands and movie theater food. Soooooooo... delicious. All we need now is a hot dog warmer.

Is It Too Late To Get Back Together?

2008-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS -- Netflix wants to get back together.

A little over a week ago, Netflix sent me a breakup letter... via email (the weakest way to breakup with someone, in my opinion). I wasn't ready for the relationship to be over. I was comfortable with the way things had progressed over the past two years.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who was upset about the removal of the separate profiles feature. Several heartbroken users voiced their opinions. Some members, myself included, threatened to leave Netflix and join up with rival Blockbuster. Netflix must have sensed the negativity because they sent out another letter. Here is a portion of what they had to say...

NETFLIX: "Because of an ongoing desire to make our website easier to use, we believed taking a feature away that is only used by a very small minority would help us improve the site for everyone. Listening to our members, we realized that users of this feature often describe it as an essential part of their Netflix experience."

Thank you for listening to your customers Netflix. Thank you for having the courage to admit that you were wrong. I will accept your apology... but you still have to sleep on the couch for 3 months.

Fitness Goal for 2008

2008-06-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

During my evening run on Wednesday, I reflected on my fitness goals for 2008. The main goal (to complete a half marathon) had already been checked off the list. When I got home last night, I took a peek at my training log. I was surprised to learn that I have run over 280 miles this year. In order to finish 2008 on a high note, I decided that I would need to set another fitness goal... for the second half of the year. Here is my new fitness goal - to run a total of 500 miles by the end of 2008.

To help me reach this new goal, I have decided that I will participate in at least one more half marathon/marathon before the year is over. I have found that the best health motivation for me is to pick a race to run in. With a little help from Todd and Adam, I think I can find a good race to run in.

This Explains Everything

2008-06-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

I hijacked this little quiz from my friend Todd. Thanks, Todd. Now I understand why people think I'm from California. Believe it or not, it happens quite a bit. Surf's up!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Time To Say Goodbye To Netflix

2008-06-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have been in a loyal, committed relationship with Netflix for the past 2 years. One of the best features Netflix offers is the ability to set up separate profiles under one account. This allows customers who have multiple movie viewers in one home to set up separate queues. In other words... Kelly and I don't have to fight over who's movie (my awesome movie, or her okay movie) should arrive next. We each have our own list of movies, ratings, suggestions, etc. What a fantastic idea! In fact, it's the single feature of Netflix that has kept me around for the past 2 years.

Last night, I received an email from Netflix that sounded a lot like a letter that your significant other sends when he/she wants to break up with you. Here is what my friend Netflix had to say (and my responses):

NETFLIX: "We wanted to let you know we will be eliminating Profiles, the feature that allowed you to set up separate DVD Queues under one account, effective September 1, 2008."

ME: What? Why? I don't understand. This is what I love most about you. Next, I suppose you are going to tell me I'm fat. Why are you doing this to me?

NETFLIX: "Each additional Profile Queue will be unavailable after September 1, 2008. Before then, we recommend you consolidate any of your Profile Queues to your main account Queue or print them out."

ME: I recommend that you stop talking to me like a child. I'm an adult. Please treat me as such. What I'm really hearing you say is that you are too lazy to try and make this relationship work.

NETFLIX: "While it may be disappointing to see Profiles go away, this change will help us continue to improve the Netflix website for all our customers."

ME: Disappointing? I don't care about improvements to the website. I only care about the good times we had. You know... the TV shows on DVD, documentaries, and romantic comedies. You kept me warm during those cold Texas winter nights. I can't believe this is happening to me.

And...scene.

I know I'm not the only one who is bothered by this decision. In my opinion, Netflix is setting themselves up to lose a lot of loyal customers. If there are any other Netflix users out there who would like to sound off, please click here. In the meantime, I'll be doing some research, looking for a good alternative service.

I Heart Google Analytics

2008-06-18T08:50:00.001-07:00

Please excuse me while I share a small portion of my geeky side. This may be helpful to all of the bloggers out there who obsess about who is (or isn't) visiting their blogs.

About a year ago, I learned about a free service that Google developed called Google Analytics. The service gathers statistics on where website visitors come from, and how they interact with websites. The best feature of Analytics is the simple report that displays the collection of data (see image below). I quickly realized that I could use the service to track how many people were visiting my blog, where the visitors came from, how often they returned, and how much time was spent reading each entry.

And so, the love affair began (sorry Kelly). Google Analytics and I have been inseparable since August of 2007. This web partnership has taught me many things about my readers. Here are some things I've learned so far:

My readership has increased 200% in the past year.

Most of my readers live in Texas, Kansas or Utah.

People spend an average of 1.5 minutes on my blog each time they visit.

75% of my readers are returning visitors

In case you are curious... yes, I am watching you.

Bad Drivers

2008-06-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

No matter where I go, I am surrounded by horrible drivers. Slow ones, inconsiderate ones, unpredictable ones and inattentive ones. I feel like I am the cartoon character that walks around with the rain cloud over his head. I turn to the left, the bad driver cloud follows. I speed up... same result. I can't escape them.

I am mentioning this today because I found myself talking to the drivers around me at lunch... as if they can hear me. I barked out orders... "speed up, don't change lanes, get out of my way, stop braking". No response. I might have to start talking louder, using sign language, or get one of these.

To All Of My Friends And Family In Manhattan, KS

2008-06-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

I read on CNN.com this morning about a tornado that passed through Manhattan last night. Is everyone ok? My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Is That Paint In Your Beard?

2008-06-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

I've been really lazy about shaving lately. Pretty normal dude behavior, right? I think most men feel the urge to experiment with facial hair patterns. On Saturday, Kelly noticed what appeared to be white paint in my beard. "No big deal", I thought. We had just finished painting the kitchen cabinet doors that morning. I tried to wipe the paint out. No luck. I wiped again. Still no luck. A further investigation revealed that it was not white paint. Kelly had discovered a couple of lonely white hairs on the end of my chin. I still claim that they aren't white... just really, really blonde.

A Blog That Is More Interesting Than Mine

2008-06-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a blog that is more interesting than mine? You don't have to look very far. In fact, all you need to do is click here. I'm a little nervous about promoting this blog too much. I'm afraid that some of you will stop visiting my blog, and start visiting this one instead. Please, make a deal with me... you can only click on the link if you promise to come back. Promise?

Weezaaarrrrrrgh!

2008-06-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well... Weezer has finally done it. They finally released an album that I don't absolutely love.

About a month ago, a friend of mine sent me a link to Weezer's newest single, "Pork and Beans."(listen) It was the first release from their brand new album (The Red Album). My first impression of the song was good. It reminded me of the original Weezer sound, which made me shake my booty in high school...heavy guitar chords and catchy grunge-pop chorus hooks. "Pork and Beans" made me believe that Weezer could deliver another solid album.

I was wrong.

Traditionally, I buy a new Weezer album the day it releases. Today was no exception. I logged onto iTunes and made the purchase. Within minutes, the Red Album had safely arrived on my computer. I listened to the album. Each song brought disappointment. I'm not really sure what I was expecting. All I know is that this wasn't it. The album feels incomplete. A couple of brilliant moments sandwiched between unoriginal fuzz pop. This album is Weezer's way of waving the white flag. The surrender began years ago and it finished today. Weezer has become the perfect blend of what mainstream society wants them to be... a pop robot who is incapable of creating an original sound.

This is me, waving goodbye to the band I loved for 14 years. (See picture) I'll always remember the good times, the Blue Album and Pinkerton.

A Work In Progress

2008-05-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

One of the rooms at the top of the makeover list when we moved in last month was the kitchen. We loved the 1950's Texas Cowboy look... but agreed a clean, modern style would be a better fit for our personalities. (Because we're SO clean and modern) A majority of the Memorial Day Weekend was spent sanding, priming, taping, and painting the kitchen cabinets. Although the project is not complete, we have a better idea of what the finished product will look like. Here is a look at the original cowboy cabinets, and the "work in progress" modern cabinets. We still need to sand and paint the cabinet doors, and install new hardware and pulls on the doors and drawers. I'll be sure to include pictures of the kitchen when the project is finished.

Ben's Got A New Face

2008-05-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

My glasses broke on Friday night; they snapped right between the lenses. For people with poor eyesight, this could be a serious problem. Fortunately for me, I'm not completely blind... yet. I am proud to say that I am still qualified to drive without glasses. Huzzah!

When the glasses broke, I had two options: use tape to hold the two halves together or get new glasses. I chose the latter. Picking out new glasses is like picking out a new face. Lucky for me, I have a wife who is very good at picking out faces. Here is a look at the new face she selected for me.

Evolution Of A Dream

2008-05-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, my mom came up with a great idea for a children's book. Having a book published was a childhood dream of hers. Without giving away too many of the details (for copyright reasons), the book focuses on a fictional character that exists when children do not accept responsibility for their actions. Time passed, and nothing really materialized. The book was nothing more than an idea.

It was about this time that my brother (a.k.a. the Regulator) decided to get involved. He provided the gentle push my mom needed to get the storyline ironed out. Within a few weeks, my mom was able to report back to my brother that she had finalized the copy for the book.

Next, she asked me if I would be willing to provide the illustrations. I was honored and agreed to help. Unfortunately, without a hard deadline in place, I put the project on the back burner. Several months went by. I forgot about the book... until I got a phone call... from the Regulator. He presented a plan for how we could finish the book. He promised to pay for the book printing if I would complete the illustrations.

We presented the first draft of the printed book to my mom at Christmas. She loved it. I had to make a few minor tweaks to finalize the book for print. In March, I contacted the printer. One week later, the books were finished. Last weekend, I personally delivered the books to my mom. And that, my friends, is how a dream becomes reality.

Smells Like School Supplies

2008-04-30T07:58:00.001-07:00

Last year, I publicized my love for all things Fall... especially the intoxicating smell of school supplies. It's no secret that I love school. I love to learn. I have discovered that I also love to teach. If only there was a way that I could learn and teach at the same time. Wait a minute... I've got a brilliant idea. I'll attend graduate school.

Yes, that's right. This fall, I am going back to school. The Doze will be back in full swing at a college campus near you... if you live in Arlington, Texas. In April, I found out that I have been accepted into the Masters of Fine Arts program at the University of Texas - Arlington. I'll provide more details later.

I Knew It!

2008-04-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

According to a Dallas Morning News article, most people fart an average of 14 times per day. If that's true, I must be way above average.

Go Yankees!

2008-04-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

When you glance at this picture, what do you see? Is it the look of confusion and agony on my face, my superhero utility belt, the runner in the background that I am leaving in the dust, or the Yankees hat? I see the hat.

The Yankees hat was a gift from my mother-in-law. She traveled to NYC last year, and brought the hat back for me as a souvenir. Let me begin by saying that I am not a fan of the Yankees. In fact, I despise the Yankees... almost as much as I hated the Cowboys before I moved to Dallas. (The "fire of a thousand suns" type of hatred) I am, however, a fan of navy blue hats. At first, I only wore the hat around the house on the weekend. (I feared the judgment of my neighbors) Slowly, the hat took a more prominent position in the headwear lineup. Next, I wore it to the grocery store. (I was stared down by a Red Sox fan in the produce aisle) This winter, the hat became my number one choice for running. When race day arrived, I had no choice but to use my favorite running hat. I am now attached to the hat. It's my good luck charm. I still don't care for the Yankees, but I love the hat.

Almost 30

2008-04-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

Less than a month from now, I will turn 30 years old. I guess growing older has it's advantages... at least, that's what I've heard. I don't really know what the advantages are, but I'm sure I will find out.

The thought of moving from one decade into the next has motivated me to be more proactive in life. I set a few goals in January that I felt were attainable. One of those goals was to stop renting, and finally buy a house. I can cross that goal off the list. Kelly and I just moved everything into our new home yesterday. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have plenty of time to do it. Next stop - Ikea!

Another goal I set for this year was to compete in a half marathon. I spent 2 hours this morning running 13.1 miles in the Big D Marathon. Cross that goal off the list as well. The race started and ended at Fair Park in Dallas. My race time was 1 hour, 59 minutes and 23 seconds. I enjoyed the half marathon so much, I might start training for a full marathon. No need to get too crazy, too soon. I don't know how I will fill my time for the rest of the year now that these two goals have been accomplished.

Do any of you have goals for 2008 that you would like to share with me and the rest of the interwebnet?

A Good Day To Be A Dolezal

2008-03-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

March 26th, 2008... it's a good day to be a Dolezal.

First, congratulations to my brother Adam and his wife Chrissy. They welcomed a newborn son into their family this morning. His name is Aiden, and he will join his two older brothers, Damon and Xavier. The Dolezal Family Blog should have some pictures posted soon.

The second reason it is good to be a Dolezal today is that Kelly and I are closing on our home this afternoon. Inspections, appraisals and such are out of the way. I probably shouldn't even be talking about this right now... I don't want to jinx anything. Hopefully the housing Gods will smile down upon us and everything will run smoothly.

If any of you are thinking about changing your family name, today is the day to do it. The world needs more Dolezal's.

Can I Please Shop In Peace?

2008-03-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

There is a grocery store in Dallas that really aggravates me. I believe any publicity is good publicity, therefore, this store shall remain nameless in this ~~rant session~~ blog entry. Instead, I shall refer to the store in question as "Poo Butt".

Shopping at Poo Butt has one major benefit... it is located directly across the street from my house. I can stand on my front porch and (if the wind is just right) throw a rock and hit the back of Poo Butt. Other than that, Poo Butt stinks. The prices are high and the products are mediocre.

I can handle high prices and mediocre products. What I can't handle is the way the cashiers are instructed to give each customer a personal "Thank You" at the end of each transaction. Here's how the scenario usually goes down:

1. Cashier scans items.
2. I pay for items with debit card.
3. Receipt prints.
4. Cashier looks down at the name on the receipt.
5. Cashier's face reads, "Oh CRAP! How do I say this one?"
6. Cashier hands receipt to me.
7. Cashier says, "Thank you, Mr. D...ualsales...ssaalll".
8. I roll my eyes at cashier for poor name pronunciation attempt.
9. I grab groceries and leave.
10. I decide never to shop at Poo Butt again.

I am sad to report that I continue to shop at Poo Butt. Every time I need to pick something up at the store, I convince myself that "this will be the time that the cashier decides not to try and butcher my name." I wonder if I would find the personal "thank you" charming if my last name was Smith or Jones. I think I see a possible name change for me in the near future.

New Show That Makes Me Laugh

2008-03-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'll be the first to admit that I have a strange sense of humor. Not everyone "gets" me. I'm ok with that. My brand isn't for everyone. I feel the same way about TV comedies. The shows I find humorous are probably strange to most people. Not a problem.

Every once in awhile, a TV show comes along that promotes hearty laughter in me. Shows on this list include Seinfeld, Arrested Development, The Office and The Simpsons. The newest addition to my list is a televised trainwreck called Free Radio. If I try to describe the show, it won't sound funny at all. Instead, I will ask you to take a chance and set your TiVo to record the show. It airs Friday evening on VH1. Yes, VH1.

In case you don't believe me and you need a preview, see the video below...

House Update

2008-03-12T06:24:00.001-07:00

A quick update on the house situation. The house was inspected on Monday afternoon and was found to be in pretty good shape, considering that the house is almost 50 years old. Most of the problems that were found can be fixed over time. We are still on track, and hoping to close by the end of the month. If you would like to see more pictures of the property, click here. Kelly did a great job of snapping shots of every detail.

Hizzouse

2008-03-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

There are two types of people in this world. People who own a home, and people who don't... and people who live in mobile homes. Three types of people. Kelly and I are about to change types. This is all very confusing to me. Is anyone else confused?

We bid on a house this week. After a couple of rounds of negotiations, we reached an agreement. If inspections go well we will close before the end of March. The house is in Dallas, on the southeast side of White Rock Lake. To celebrate, we will invite everyone over for mac n' cheese and hot dogs.

[ More pictures to follow ]

New And Improved

2008-02-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

Introducing...(insert drum roll)... my new blog design. I will consider this a work in progress. I plan to tweak the colors and graphics over the next few days/weeks/months. Any suggestions or comments?

Huh?

2008-01-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

Photoshop guru's and people who are keen on humor need to click here.
This site gives new meaning to the term "face transplant."

Labor Day Challenge

2008-01-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

It's a new year. Time to "set up us" some resolutions that can be broken.

This year, Kelly and I have decided that we are going to participate in a 5K race. The race is called the Labor of Love Run. It is held on Monday, September 1, 2008 (Labor Day). I challenge all of my friends and family who read this blog to join us for the race. Come to Dallas. Spend the weekend with us. Run a 5K. If you are looking for some motivation to get healthy, this is it.

Anyone interested?

Best Website Ever?

2007-12-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

You've enjoyed watching him on TV. You've seen him in basketball arenas across the country. Ever wonder why you've never seen him in public?

Grab your ballots, folks. Fans and haters alike can visit this site and vote for the ugliest players in the NBA. This could be the best idea for a website... EVER.

Just Add It To The List...

2007-12-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

I have a list of things/people that annoy me. It's not a long list. In fact, I would say it is very difficult for something/someone to get on the list. I am going to take a moment, and add something to the list today. This might sound ridiculous, but I can't stand the Fox NFL Robot. If you watch any football on TV, you know exactly what I am talking about. Here are my reasons for adding the Robot to the list:

1. The Robot is cocky. He struts, back and forth across the screen, like he's the cat's pajamas. (Example: That stupid finger point)
2. The Robot has bad timing. He appears on the screen at crucial moments in the game... and blocks my view of the field.
3. The Robot is capable of changing forms. He was a Robot Turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Just be yourself dude.
4. The Robot is never completely warmed up and ready to play. He does warm-up exercises throughout the entire game.
5. The Robot makes watching TV almost unbearable. Nothing on TV should ever make me want to turn the TV off.

Is anyone out there as annoyed as I am by this dumb robot. I want to hear your thoughts. If you like the Fox NFL Robot, I don't know if we can be friends anymore.

Proof That I Have A Job

2007-11-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

If you're heading South on US-75 through Dallas, look up and to your left as you pass underneath Henderson Avenue. In case you live outside of Dallas, here is a picture of what you are missing.

I am a graphic designer. I realize that my profession may seem foreign to some of you. You might think that I sit and draw pretty pictures all day. Well... that's part of it. Those pretty little pictures eventually lead to something. This billboard represents a final product. It's an example of what my creative thoughts and sketches combine to produce. This outdoor board was designed for a company who represents Victory Park, a high-end shopping, dining and entertainment center near downtown Dallas. This board design is proof to all the non-believers out there who thought I didn't have a "real" job. FACE!

What's The Deal With...

2007-10-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

I love music. I remember my first Record (Ghostbusters Soundtrack), my first "Boombox"(with tape player), my first CD player, and my first iPod. I'm the little boy who danced to the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack in the kitchen as mom cooked dinner. Until recently, I was under the impression that I knew a thing or two about music. It turns out, I was wrong.

For the past year I have had my iPod connected to my car stereo. I've listened to whatever I want, whenever I want. Yesterday, just for fun, I switched the stereo from iPod to FM radio. I was surprised to discover that I didn't recognize any of the songs that were played during my 15 minute drive home. Does this mean I have lost touch with the music world, or has my taste in music developed to include artists who will not be played on popular radio stations? Has anyone had a similar experience. Maybe you can help me understand what has happened to the radio, and where I fit into the picture.

Dallas Stars

2007-10-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I went to my first NHL game. My good friend Mike had some tickets to see the Dallas Stars play the Calgary Flames. Our seats were amazing. We were about 6 rows up from the Dallas Stars bench. Just high enough to see over the glass that surrounds the playing area. The two teams were evenly matched. Unfortunately, the Stars lost in overtime 3-2. They controlled the speed of play the entire game, and then let down their guard during the last period and into overtime. I am a little disappointed that I didn't get to see any major fights on the ice. Isn't that what hockey is really about? That old joke comes to mind... "I went to see a boxing match and a hockey game broke out."

eBay Success

2007-10-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

...3 auctions, and 2 months later... my first official eBay sale is complete. I sold my cell phone for $96 last week. The first 2 auctions failed because of fraudulent bids that were placed in the final minute. In an effort to help others avoid the eBay problems I experienced, here are a few tips for first time eBay sellers:

1. Be very specific when you describe your item. Let buyers know exactly what you are selling.
2. Remove bids from buyers with less than 5-10 eBay transactions. Have these buyers send you a message if they are interested in bidding.
3. Watch the auction very closely in the last couple of minutes. Remove bids from buyers with less than 5 eBay transactions.
4. Don't be afraid to remove a bid from the highest bidder if it appears to be fraudulent. You can always give the next highest bidder a second chance offer instead.
5. Do not send the item until your payment has been received... in the payment method you requested. If you use PayPal, check your account to see that the payment arrived.

Despite the difficulties I experienced, I will use eBay again. It isn't perfect, but it's still a great tool.

Kendall Creative Website Redesign

2007-09-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of a new era in the interwebnet superhighway for Kendall Creative. We have been working on our website redesign for about a month. The programming is finished and the site is up and running. There are still a few tweaks that need to be done, but overall, I'm pleased with the result. I think the clean layout serves as a nice backdrop to the colorful design pieces. Let me know what you think.

Home Court Advantage

2007-09-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

This morning, as my stomach felt a little uneasy, I was reminded of one of the little things in life that I am thankful for... good, clean, private bathrooms. This might sound strange, but I don't like using public restrooms. I prefer the home court advantage to being on the road. Speaking of roads...uh... nevermind. I won't go there. (A few of my loyal readers know where that story was headed) I want to wish everyone pleasant restroom visits, and hope that I have not turned you away from reading my blog. And don't forget... "Everyone Poops."

Family Time

2007-09-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Kelly and I were lucky to have my brother and his family come to Dallas for a visit this past weekend. I like having them visit because it gives us an excuse to get out and see new things in the community. The best event from the weekend was riding the trolley through Uptown. I think I enjoyed the trolley more than my nephews (one of my nephews is pictured above). The kid inside of me resurfaced. I remembered my first train set, and how much I loved to watch it go around the track. Good times.

Finally...

2007-09-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

The wait is over. Custom ringtones for the iPhone are now available. My good friend Mike referred me to the iToner website. Here is what the makers of iToner have to say about their product.

"iToner enables you to quickly transfer custom ringtones for your iPhone - without modifying, hacking or having to reset your iPhone. Simply drag and drop your MP3 or AAC audio files on iToner's window, click the Sync button, and you're done."

Pretty cool, eh? Now I can show the world how much I love Ace of Base.

Back to School

2007-08-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

The words of Billy Madison have been running through my mind this week..."Back to school! Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool! I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight! Ohhhh, back to school! Back to school! Back to school!"

As September approaches, I find myself wanting to be in school. I am trying to determine where this desire comes from. Here are a few possible answers:
1. Back to School Advertisements on TV
2. The 3 School Zones I pass on my way to work are flashing again
3. The smell of fresh school supplies in Office Depot
4. Desire to learn (not sure about this one...do I really enjoy learning?)
5. High School Musical 2 was on TV (enough said)

Am I alone? I am sure that many of you will disagree with me on this topic.

How Dumb Is This?

2007-08-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

From the random thoughts section of my brain: At a rate of 72 ppi (pixels per inch), Denver should be renamed the "4,561,920 pixel high city" (or "the 4.5 megapixel high city") I may start referring to all measurements in pixels. Have I completely lost my mind?

Tucker's New Favorite Thing To Do

2007-08-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is what the living room looked like when I went home for lunch today. Don't be fooled by the look on Tucker's face. In the words of a very wise person... he's "not that innocent."

My First eBay Experience

2007-08-16T07:01:00.001-07:00

Over the past week I experienced the highs and lows of selling my first item on eBay. I set up an auction for my used cell phone. I gave a very detailed description of the phone, including all of the technical information. I made sure to dot all the I's and cross all the T's. I didn't want the hard core eBay buyers to call me out on any small detail that might give me a bad rating. Apparently, it's all about the ratings on eBay. I hoped to get $50 for the phone. Anything above that would be viewed as a bonus.

The High Point
I watched the auction closely throughout the week. I think I was a little obsessive about it. "Did someone bid yet? How about now?...Now?...What about now?" The first few bids came in. Within 3 days, the price had already exceeded my expectation. I watched as the price moved upward. It reached $100 before the final day of the auction. In the last few hours/minutes, the bids poured in. The auction closed Tuesday evening at $142.50... much higher than I imagined. I felt as if I had won the lottery. I could do a lot with $142.50.

The Low Point
About 5 minutes after the auction closed, I got a notification email from eBay. The email stated that the auction had been removed at the buyer's request. (I didn't know the buyer could do this) According to the email, the buyer's account had been compromised, and the bids were not authorized by the account owner. eBay's policy is to take down the auction in this situation. This meant that I would not be receiving the money for the phone, and I would have to re-list the item in a new auction. My first thought was to contact the buyer and find out what happened. My better judgement told me to wait and see what happened next.

About 10 minutes after eBay contacted me, I got another email from "PayPal". Yes, PayPal is in quotes for a reason. "PayPal" told me that the buyer had placed $192.50 ($50 more than the auction closed at) in my account [Red Flag #1], and the email listed an address for me to ship the item to. The buyers' address was in Nigeria [Red Flag #2]. The email had a link for me to click on that would take me directly to the "PayPal" login site [Red Flag #3]. Rather than click on the link, I decided to open a separate browser window to login to PayPal. My PayPal account balance was $0.00. Wait a minute... where's the $192.50 that "PayPal" promised?

Beware of Scams
My first eBay auction turned into a phishing scam. All of this was done to gain access to my personal information. I am thankful to my friends at the CIS department at Kansas State University who taught me how to spot an internet scam. Without their help I would have fallen prey to this phishing trap.

In case you are curious, my cell phone is up for auction again. I hope it "really" sells this time.

McGruff

2007-08-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

This is what I saw in the dumpster when I got to work this morning. I believe it is McGruff the Crime Dog. I didn't want to get any closer... for fear that it might be a bum dressed in an elaborate costume that wanted to scare me. It happens more often than you think.

Be Creative

2007-08-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for an excuse to be creative(outside of work, of course). It's funny how a sale on art supplies can generate creativity. Kelly found a great deal at Asel Art Supply... 50% off all canvases. Because of the sale, I am working on a series of 3 paintings. Each piece will begin with a spray-painted, stencil wallpaper background. My illustrated character will overlay the pattern. The final touch on each piece will be a hand-painted embellishment. Here is a first look at piece 1 of 3. If scale is important to you, the canvases are 36" x 48".

Meet Your Friends At Kroger

2007-07-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

I've had a few one in a million experiences lately. The most recent occurred last evening at our local grocery store. Here's how it all went down:

1. Kelly and I are at dinner.
2. I remember that I need to buy deodorant.
3. We drive to Kroger (grocery store), the store that we rarely shop at...to get deodorant.
4. Upon arriving at Kroger (to buy deodorant), we hear live music (of the Jazz variety) being played.
5. We walk past the musicians... in search of deodorant.
6. The Jazz guitarist is none other than Justin Cash, a good friend of mine from my Freshman year at BYU.
7. We walk past Justin and completely ignore him.
8. Ok, wait... number 7 didn't actually happen that way. We walked up to Justin and surprised him in the middle of his set. We had to quickly exchange numbers because he was being paid to perform in the store. Justin called me later that night and we were able to catch up on what's happened over the past 10 years.

Experiences like this remind me how small the world really is. I went to the store to get some deodorant. I walked out with some deodorant and an old friend. For me, life is not full of coincidences. Everything happens for a reason. At this point in time, I don't know why our paths crossed in a grocery store in Dallas. I can only hope that I will see Justin again, and that we will be able to continue our friendship.

The Pelican

2007-06-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

If you like music, watch this video. The band is called Menomena. I saw them perform last Thursday night in Dallas. Rock on!

The Open Road

2007-05-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Dog + Car = Fun
Dog + Car + Car Window Down = Kodak Moment
Stay cool this summer! (Props to anyone who can guess what highway this photo was taken on... people who were in the car at the time the photo was taken cannot answer)

Wii-zer

2007-05-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... it's really not that clever. But, I was bored, and wanted to make Mii's for the band. I didn't see a place to post fan art on the Weezer website.

Let The Summer of Sequels Begin

2007-05-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes. The summer of sequels has just begun. There is something nostalgic about going to a summer movie. It could be the smell of buttered popcorn, or the oversized cup of Coke. For some of us, it might be the large bag that hides all of the store-bought snacks. Maybe it's the blinding sensation you get when you walk directly out of the theater after a matinee.(Why does that happen? Does the dark theater make people forget what time of day it is?...Discuss) Here is the list of movies I plan to see this summer. (These are not listed in any particular order)

1. Spider-Man 3
2. Pirates 3
3. Shrek 3
4. Ocean's 13
5. Harry Potter 5
6. Rush Hour 3
7. The Bourne Ultimatum

Click here for a more complete list of summer movies. I promise, to do my duty, to get out and spend several hundred dollars on entertainent for the good of our economy this summer.

Conviction

2007-04-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

It seems as though my convictions on various issues are strengthening as I grow older. Most of them are centered around trivial things - including, my likes and dislikes. The most recent addition to my list of dislikes is "poo fur". At first glance, you might think that I am referring to the fur on the backside of an animal. Not so. In this case I am referring to the nasty, brown-colored fur around the tear ducts of fluffy white dogs.

What is that stuff? I don't mean to be graphic, but are all fluffy white dogs so sad that their tears turn to poo? Do the owners of dogs with poo fur know how disgusting this makes their dog look? Poo fur makes me angry. Who will stand up for clean, fluffy white dog tear ducts? Who will join me in the fight against poo fur?

My Wii Little Obsession

2007-01-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

I love video games. I've got the calloused thumbs to prove it. You don't believe me? Just ask my wife. It's a miracle she ever agreed to marry me. Grand Theft Auto 3 almost pushed her away from me back in 2002. Almost all of my free time was devoted to stealing cars, fighting pedestrians, and working my way up the crime chain of command.

Time has passed, and I have found a new video game system to obsess about. It's the Nintendo Wii (pronounced "we", just in case you've been asleep for several months). The difference: my wife is behind this decision 100%. I've never played one before, but it looks like fun. It's the latest attempt at making video games more physically interactive. (Remember the Nintendo Power Pad or Powerglove?) The only problem I have found with the Wii is that I haven't found the Wii. Every store I've looked in says they are sold out. Personally, I don't think they even exist. Wii is the new Yeti. My limited understanding of Economics tells me that, in this case, demand for Wii is greater than supply. I hope Nintendo can reverse this soon so I can hurry up and get "Wii elbow" with the rest of the world.

Robots and Rabbits

2007-01-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

This is a music video for a classic Beastie Boys song I filmed last year with a couple of friends. Check it out if you have the time.

Beware: This Video May Contain Robots and Rabbits.

For You To Ponder

2006-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Two questions:
1.)Does anyone know whether the proper spelling/terminology for what we are experiencing right now in Dallas is "Wintery" Mix or "Wintry" Mix?
2.)Is it just me, or is the word "mix" a strange word?
Discuss.
Personally, I think a good wintery/wintry mix should contain pretzels, Cheetos®, peanuts and those little brown wafers you can find inside a bag of Gardetto's®.

AM vs. FM

2006-11-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Talk radio is for old people. Is it not?

As a child, I loved to listen to the radio. I remember cleaning my room on Saturday mornings, rocking out to Genesis or The Pointer Sisters on my Magnavox AM/FM cassette player. I listened to everything - Oldies, Classic Rock, Pop, etc. Growing up, it was FM radio all the way. I wanted nothing to do with the AM side of the tuner. If I had a choice between AM radio and absolute silence, I would choose the latter.

About 2 months ago something changed inside me. I don't really know how it happened, but, I made the jump to AM radio. I am hooked on "The Ticket", a Dallas-based, sports radio network. What is happening to me? Sports radio? Are you serious? I won't try to defend my choice. I have my reasons. I must have aged about 50 years in 2006. In my next entry I will tell all of you about how I like to eat dinner at 3pm every night to take advantage of the "early bird special."