an alright guy

Thanks so much to Rick N. and Yoli for inviting us to Threadgill's on Friday night to see Todd Snider.  He was awesome.  Go out of your way to see him perform, if you never have.

lyrics from "an alright guy"
I was hanging around in my house
I had that new book with pictures of Madonna naked
I was checkin' it out
Just then a friend of mine came through the door
Said she never pegged me for a scumbag before
She said she didn't ever want to see me any more
And I still don't know why


I think I'm an alright guy, I think I'm an alright guy
I just want to live until I've gotta die
I know I ain't perfect, but God knows I try
I think I'm an alright guy, I think I'm alright

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El Mariachi y Priscilla

Priscilla's birthday party was perfect.  I left the house around 1pm so I could call Olga on the phone and make sure the plans were secure for getting Priscilla out of the house from 4 to 6:30.  I didn't think she was completely on top of her part of it, so I started to freak out.  You should have heard us bickering.  Olga compensated by getting her out of the house at 3, and I'm glad she did, because we ended up barely getting everything ready on time.

Me and the boys went to Party Pig to get some extra decorations.  Josh noticed the Fiesta aisle, and we immediately focused all our attention there.  Ben got lost looking for a buggy, and Josh kept punching this big inflatable cactus in the middle of the aisle.  I said "no way.. that thing is too big.. the house will be full of people.." Then I thought... that makes it perfect.. a big goofy inflatable cactus in the middle of everyone.. lets get it.  We left $150 later with plenty of Tex-Mex decorations, including 3ft tall cutouts of a Maraiachi man and a Cowboy.  Then we went to Sam's for the food.  We would've never gotten back to the house on time, if Josh were not such a ladies' man.  He woo'ed a pretty 18 yr. old to help him get a bunch of stuff on our list.

I made a desparate call for help to Jenny (and Alisha) at 4:30, knowing I couldn't get all the decorations up and the food laid out by myself.  Chuck, Missy, and Rachel came early and saved the day (Chuck was the only one who could reach the ceiling without getting on a chair), and I grabbed Casey off the street.  Casey was whining that he was too hot and tired to help, but I convinced him by telling him I'd had the air conditioner on 65 all day.  Karen called to see if I needed anything (which I did) and went back to Party Pig to get the Happy Birthday sign-in wall poster that I had forgotten.

The house was full by 6:30.  Let me see if I can name everyone who came... a 4-piece Mariachi band, Jenny and Alisha, Chuck, Missy, Rachel, Casey D, Karen and Brandon, Carlos and Henrietta, Claire, Nicky D, Rick H, Carol and Richard Blakely, Natalie, Rick N and Yoli, James and Billy, Robert and Dee, Meagan, Tiffany and Kimberly, Margie, Kaitlyn, Olga's mom, Liz with Casey and Jenn, Edward, Olga, me, Josh, Ben and Susanna.  Thanks very much to everyone.  Priscilla looked very happy, but not all that surprised, when she first walked in and all the kids blew their horns (maybe that's because of the big Happy Birthday sign in the yard).  BUT.. when the Mariachi band started to play and walked out of the kitchen.. the look on her face was priceless... She was completely surprised...  She said later she thought it was a CD, and stood there for 30 seconds just looking to see who all had come over...  Then she saw them and it hit her.  You could see the shock on her face..  and the Mariachi band played beautifully.  It was surreal..  Everyone was clapping to the music, the kids started dancing, and I was finally able to get a beer.

The band played for the next hour, everyone stayed for the Hopkins v. De La Hoya fight, Hopkins won, I won my bet with Edward... it was a perfect night!!

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De La Hoya vs. Hopkins party

We've been planning this for months, but I've been unusually busy lately and haven't had an opportunity until now to send out an invite for this Saturday night's fight party.  We originally planned to watch the fight at the Warehouse, but they no longer show PPV events.  We hope all of our Austin boxing friends can join us at our house on Sat. for the biggest fight of the year.  We'll turn on the pre-fight show at 7:30pm.

Edward will finally lose a bet with me !!!!!

 Lifted from hboppv.vom.  With four world titles on the line, East Los Angeles’ Oscar De La Hoya takes on Philadelphia’s Bernard Hopkins on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at MGM Grand.

De La Hoya (37-3, 29 KO’s), an eight-time world champion in six different weight classes, is the holder of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title.  The Golden Boy from East L.A. is regarded as one of the biggest attractions in the sport today, a superstar whose popularity transcends boxing. In the ring, De La Hoya has defeated 17 champions, one of them twice and is a star performer in world championship bouts, with a record of 23-3 with a world title on the line.

At the age of 39, Bernard Hopkins (44-2-1; 1 NC; 31 KO’s) is the universally recognized middleweight champion of the world, and recognized by most observers as the best fighter at any weight - Pound for Pound. He is also one of the best middleweights in boxing history. A pro for more than 15 years, Hopkins holds the all-time record for the number of successful middleweight world title defenses with 18.  Bernard is unbeaten in 24 fights - 22-0-1, with 1 No Contest, dating back to August, 1993. His last loss was by decision against Roy Jones Jr. in May, 1993. His only other loss was in his pro debut in 1988.

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:-( the Gym is Closing :-(

UPDATE
Most of this has been sold.. see comments for more info

I've got an Austin Statesman classified ad pointed to here so I can give the details.  We've decided to sell our home gym rather than move it (1410 lbs of plates.. and then there's the weight of the smith cage).

Its been great, and I'll be sad to see it go.

Tuff Stuff is one of the best manufacturers of free weight home gym equipment out there.

Scroll down below the thumbnails for details, and feel free to post a comment if you have any questions.  Just click on "comments" at the end of this article.

           

Smith Cage/Half Cage Ensemble (click
for manufacturer's info) | ($2500 retail) | (buy it for $1250)

• 7º slant design allows for a more natural body movement
• Enclosed Smith linear-bearing press system with built-in safety stopper
• Adjustable Pec Fly arms for a comfortable start position
• 1/4-turn locking pull-pin bar catches and stopper
• High/Low pulley system
• 200 lbs. weight stack
  
• Comes with multi-purpose bench (click for manufacturer's info)
• Designed for many workout applications

• A high level of adjustability - from 18º decline to 85º upright position
• Independent seat pad adjustments
• Adjustable and removable foot support

Accessory Combo (click for manufacturer's info)

• Preacher Curl Attachment
• Leg Extension and Leg Curl Attachment
• Accessory Rack Stand

My Additions to use with the Smith Cage ($750 retail all together) | (buy these for $475)

• Cable Attachments

• Lat Bar
• Straight Bar
• Close Grip

Olympic Bar

Olympic Plate Tree

Olympic Plates (total weight = 1030 lbs)

• 8 x 45s        
• 8 x 35s
• 8 x 25s
• 10 x 10s
• 12 x 5s
• 12 x 2.5s
       

The Dumbbell Station ($830 retail all together) | (buy it all for $395)  

• Dumbbell Handles (6 pair)
• Dumbbell Rack
• Standard Plate Trees (2 trees)
• Deluxe Multi-Purpose Bench (click for manufacturer's info)

• Designed for many workout applications
        
• A high level of adjustability - from 18º decline to 85º upright position
        
• Independent seat pad adjustments
        
• Adjustable and removable foot support
        
• Built-in wheels for easy roll-away
      

Standard Plates (total weight = 380 lbs)

• 24 x 10s
        
• 8 x 7.5s
        
• 10 x 5s
        
• 8 x 2.5s
        
• 8 x 1.25s
      

Extras  

Seated Calf Bench ($295 retail) | (buy it for $150)

5 ft. Olympic Bar (2 bars) | ($90 each retail)

EZ Curl Bar ($40 retail)

Tricep Bar (2 bars) | ($55 each retail)

Pads for sit-ups

Crunches EZ Bar

Floor Mats (for entire gym area)

Extra Bench

The Treadmill ($1475 retail) | (buy it for $500)
MODEL : 1250 Home Treadmill
FOOTPRINT : 71"L x 31"W

The 1250 treadmill features a powerful, PWM controlled 2.0 HP motor, 0.5 - 10 mph, electronically controlled Incline (0%-12%), 3 LED Windows, 5 programs, Shock Dissipation System (SDS) deck, 2 1/2" rollers, and an extra wide/long running surface. Includes a space saving fold up deck!

Perhaps the most solid treadmill on the market in its price range. The 207 lb. welded steel frame provides the feel of a much more expensive unit.  Additional features such as Shock Dissipation System (SDS) shock absorption, reversible phenolic deck and lifetime deck lubrication are features usually found only on more expensive treadmills, if at all. Our 2.0 hp continuous motor is more powerful than the 1.5 to 1.75 motors usually found in this price range. The unique motor design allows much cooler operating temperatures, thereby increasing the life of key internal parts. Includes five (5) professionally designed programs and Polar compatible heart rate readout. Plus, for the space constrained, the 1250 folds.

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