everywhere project

these are a few things we found in my mom's storage. Out of pure boredom, we decide to build ourself a little battery launcher. On the gun my nephew Paolo. Its hard to see the battery but trust me it went far... past the fence at least. We plan to make a golf ball launcher when I get back from Utah. stay tuned.

Launch 1

Launch 2

First of all Texas is a country not a state, I wasn't a big fan of it for the longest time but people do change... I'm posting a few pictures that explain my new love for that damn city and why I'm going back. (I think?)

My Daily Life.
Pictures of my daily life in Houston. I have no one else to thank but my nephew Paulo and Kellie, thank you so much for showing me a new Houston. A small collection of images of their friends and family. Thank you for the warm welcome.

Crawfish
Crawfish is an amazing reason why Texas is cool. The food here is out of this world. I am assuming cause they have nothing else better to do except shoot things...

I can eat pounds and pounds of this stuff... the reason why I run so I can eat.

The Art Scene
Houston has a big art scene. I had a small taste of it while I was there... check out the big heads and giant Beatles.

Giving some political advice.

Another Reason? Guns!
Yeah thats right, I owned a gun in Texas. I inherited it from my dad... I love that maniac. Everyone in Texas has a gun collection. I plan to blow shit up when I get back... he he he (evil laugh). I actually passed this gun to my brother in law. I don't need to carry a untraceable gun with me for the time being. Might do something stupid like this picture.

You ask you shall receive.

Picture posted. Keep training for the half marathon. I'll be back in the third week of
August (I think?) and I'll join you in your training. Hope to see you soon.

This is Kellie, my nephews girlfriend, she is an amazing woman, so much love to give... Keep running!

Welcome to the new site. I've been itching to redesign this site since I first got it. Now that I have finished my six month tour. I finally got the time to redesign and learn Movable Type, the engine behind my blog. I had a lot of fun taking other peoples sites apart and study the tricks of the trade. Hope you guys like it and if you see any bugs, etc. Don't hesitate to make a comment or email me. thanks... the only thing I need for this is site now is a logo, it's in the works.

Coming soon my portfolio site, hopefully I can launch that baby on monday. :)

Pondering life.

32 has come and has gone. To most people it would have been a year they would love to forget. I lost a lot in my life last year, wife & in-laws, job, house and some friends. At one point of last year it felt like I lost it all and hit rock bottom. What I realized during the better half of last year was I was no where close the bottom and what I gained from my loses was well worth the pain and suffering I endured. I would never wish what I went through on anyone, even on my worst enemy, but what I gained from that whole experience was well worth it. What I gained was a new appreciation for life and a love for not just one person but an army of people, I learned the value of family, friends (old and new) and I am discovering who I truly am, good and bad. I try to run with the good and live and watch the bad. I am not perfect and its perfect. I am facing so many of my fears, doing things I never thought I would be doing or accomplishing. I am running 3 to 12 miles at a time. I'm more motivated now than I can remember. Last year was tough but it was also amazing.

33 is here and I don't know what to expect but I am excited. It might be a weird age to realize my freedom but no matter what anyone says I'm happy I'm rediscovering it. A lot of people will never realize what I learned about oneself and for that I am very grateful. This may sound odd but I am happy to be alive. I'm alive and learning again, accepting life as it comes, its a good feeling I can't wait to see what 33 has in store for me.

If you want to see how I celebrated my birthday click on the link to continue and check out some of the photos. I'm sorry If I didn't return your phone calls and emails on the day of my birthday. I really do appreciate it, I've been in my little work lockdown world, trying to finish my portfolio & everywhereproject.com. If I had not called you back yet I would like to say "A big Thank You".

The weekend after labor day party at Dave's house. Due to bad weather the celebration for the great day of labor had to be postponed for the weekend after. I say better late than never. It was a great time, beer, beer pong, good company, more beer, some food and more beer.

Its time to party homeboy. This is buster one of Dave's resident dogs. Don't ask what's the deal with the dog pictures lately.

Welcome to Sams Town, "The Killers at Reliant Arena"

A good breakfast
Running sneakers
YMCA gym membership
Ipod with new music
Hammock
Good weather
A pillow
A good book
Family
An amazing dinner
Friends
and tickets to the Killers show (belated birthday gift)

Instuctions:
Wake up late, eat some cereal, Slap on the Ipod (lately I've been listening to a lot of Ingrid Michealson and A Fine Frenzy) run two miles to the gym. Spend at least 2 hours or how long it takes to get a good work out. Run 2 more miles on the treadmill or what ever distance you feel like doing. Drink lots of water then walk two miles back home. Play Wii with the family, then take a shower. Wear comfortable but stylish clothes and then lay in a hammock, read a book (Falling Through the Earth) and enjoy the cool fall breeze (Houston style). Prop your head with a pillow to get into a comfortable reading position. I recommend you read until your hearts content or until dinner is ready. Eat dinner outside on the porch. After dinner clean up and then return to the hammock position and read some more. Wait for friends to arrive and play some more Wii. Afterwards Drive to the Reliant Arena, present ticket and enjoy the show. Have a beer or two then enjoy the music, Admire the lights, be amazed by Their performance and take some pictures. Add a few hours at the bar after the show, talk about art, love and life. Proceed home at last call, when your readh home, enjoy the company of your family and Wii. If you still have enough energy make a Mii character and mail it to your friends. Soon afterwards hit the hay. Thats the recipe for a good day. Vary the ingredients to make it your own. Continue to see more pictures.

On The Right Corner

"the East Coast Hurricane"

Scott Dorey, an old friend from up north was in town for a job fair. We met up and had all intentions to show him the sites. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating but it was nice to catch up with him and get some fresh news from back home. I tried my best to be a good host and tried to give him a taste of some of Htown's delicious cuisines. I wish we had more time to chill and had better weather but hey we do what we can. It was awesome to see him and I can't wait for my other friends to visit. Thanks Scott, hope to see you again soon and I promise to know my way better around Houston.

During his visit, I introduced Scott to the Wii console... sold, homeboy is hooked.

Another night of celebration. Last night, October the eleventh, we celebrate the birth of my nephews girlfriend, Kellie Smith (26). It was a night spent at a bar called Sammy's and a live show by "The Spazmatics" (80's cover band). We danced, we drank, we sang... and many other more activities that ended the morning after at a restaurant called "Spanish Flower". It was a great time, Happy Birthmonth my dear Kellie... and may you have many birthmonths in the future more.

Check out some of the pictures:

Let The Games Begin

Goofy Kellie, throwing up the universal sign for "Party on biatches"

Ladies

Kellie, Shay

More Ladies

Kellie's freinds...(Top) Me, Shay, Anna (Bottom) Matt, Krystal, Kellie, Monica, Maria, Cynthia.

Saturday morning, my nephew looks at me and asks me if I was down to drop him off at a job by the beach, Gavelston, Texas. I hesitated for about a minute while I was trying to wake the rest of my brain. Gavelston has been a destination I been wanting to visit since I got here, but no one wanted to come and I had a billion excuses for not going on my own. This was my chance to head down with someone and actually get to spend some time alone. A lot of people was very discouraging about visiting this city by the gulf, they say it's not pretty, so I expected to see the worst and at the same time wanted to prove them wrong.

My nephew and I head out at around 3 oclock in the afternoon. Saturday traffic was at its prime. Armed with a bucket of 50 piece chicken nugget from McDonalds, fries and two cups of soda. We were ready for anything. We get to Gavelston and drive on the road closes to the water. This road divides the large mass of gulf water on our right and hotels and stilt houses on our left. The traffic consisted of your normal beach front, metal cows mossing along at 35mph, stopping at the white line, awaiting for the green signal to go. The area is not as isolated as one would think, considering it is November and other states consider this time as the time to bundle and cuddle up time by the fire. In Texas, this is the best time for someone to be outside and soak in the southern sun. The weather here is like Spring and Fall up north, it is perfect.

My nephew's job was located at this amazing gated community. Mostly vacation homes for the rich, each house was equipped with a watercraft of some sort in the yard and dock. It was a small community, interesting to me since I've never seen a deluxe stilt beach house community before. The community was only a few miles a way from a state park where people can camp and have a picnic by the water. It was far from the city and busy area. The place was far enough to be alone. It cost five dollars to get in but it was worth it.

As soon as I rolled in, I started snapping away with the camera. The place had some crazy concrete park structures. They looked like modern war bunkers but in actuality they were just picnic areas made out of concrete. I immediately hit the wooden bridge to climb over the sand dune and there it was, the gulf. Not the most attractive thing in the world but it was still massive and powerful. The brown shade of the water, rushing toward the land, crashing one after the other, was an interesting sight. The beach was covered with a lot of organic and none organic debris, lets just say it is not the most romantic beach I've visited. It made Seaside Heights, NJ look descent. I didn't care, I was at the beach, in Texas... in November, wearing shorts and a shirt, bear foot on warm hard sand. I really should not complain. I started up the iPod and went on for a 3 mile walk. Nothing spectacular except for families enjoying the afternoon, bird feeding and little beach creatures.

During my walk, the moment started taking me back to a place I enjoyed back home. Island State Park, NJ it was the best beach around that area. It was nice, isolated and special. My best friend told me about it awhile ago and we would go at least once a year. It brought back a lot of good memories. So happy to have those memories... moving on.

I was getting tired, 3 miles is 3 miles. I realized I should to stop and enjoy the moment. I took a seat on the hard sand and watched the water. I'm not going to lie, after going down memory lane and remembering Island State Park, I felt no magic for the Gavelston. I was getting kinda bummed about my experience. Out of the blue an orange and black butterfly flew past my face, then another. I leaned back and looked up toward the sky and there it was hundreds of butterflies, flying above my head. Flying sideways, in circles, heading south with the wind. It was an amazing sight. Imagine a sky blue backdrop with little specks of orange and blue, fluttering all over the place. It was magical, beautiful, out of this world, special, awesome, (ok one more) two french fries away from a miracle. I knew I was not going to be able to bring images of this back with me, but don't doubt I tried, so I enjoyed the moment for as long as I could, 2 hours worth of moment. It was funny as I stared up to the sky counting butterflies, everyone around me didn't really payed attention to them. Some people would look and see what I was looking at but would just go about their business after a minute. I guess they have seen it a million times and to them its a yearly thing. I understand that mentality, I do it all the time. Its a sad state of mind, we should never take anything for granted.

It was a enriching afternoon. An afternoon that makes one love life, I was glowing. later that day I looked up the phenomenon online and it was The Monarch Migration, Homies was headed for Mexico... Millions of them. It was a sight to remember.

I'm glad I went to Gavelston, Texas.

Scare party at who's house? Paolo and Kellie's House.

Paolo and Me (Angry dead monk)

Paolo, Josh and Kellie (Maddux as Elvis)

The house of scare (the trap)

Do you have a song that takes you back to a feeling, time and place of your life every time you hear it. I'm sure you have one, music has that effect on us. During my three week trip from Utah to Texas with my friend, Judd. He introduced me to Nina Simone who sings the "Sinnerman". Its a very spiritual song, you can say its religious song
considering it talks about god, the devil, forgiveness and accompanied by a lot of chanting. Its a very moving song. I would consider this one of the theme music for my trip with Judd.

Three months after the trip, I finally downloaded the song and like a time machine it took me back on that trip. As the 10 minute song played on in my room, blasting through my computer out the speakers and woofer. A river of memories flooded my body. Judd and I had a tendency of playing the song only when we were driving. It wasn't hard to associate the song with something beautiful because we were constantly experiencing a great amount of the good life. Let me try to paint you some of the pictures it reminds me of.

I remember the first time I heard the "Sinnerman". We were driving back from Antelope Island State Park, Utah. It was our first adventure. Its an island surrounded by the Salt Lake, it is small but filled with wild life, buffaloes, Foxes, Deers, and thousands of birds. It was an amazing day. We floated on the Salt Lake, saw all the animals mentioned above and noticed some amazing landscape. It was one of those days that just kept giving, each turn was greater than the other. We took a million pictures of the sun setting on our right and moon rising on our left, witnessing both during the same hour. I also have a picture of Judd peeing on the truck while these amazing phenomenons was happening. after the sunset, we jumped in the car and Judd played the song. As he was playing the song, outside my window a flock of tiny little birds would do this amazing flight. Imagine yourself holding the ends of a blanket and lift these ends up as high as you can and bring it down fast enough to send through a wave of air under the blanket. Repeat several times in a constant and rhythmic pattern, get the picture? Multiply this image 10 times and imagine the blanket wasn't made of cloth but of birds, a million tiny birds all flying in perfect rhythm. The still water of the Salt Lake reflecting this dance, multiplying the experience some more. It was magical... we didn't stop or even try to capture it with the camera. It was one of those things that just had to be appreciated during the moment. Captured only in our memories.

To our left

To our right

Those are birds on the water before the afternoon flight.

"Sinnerman" was played several more times. Another event it marked for me happened during the last leg of our trip. I always imagined this song being played during a 90 mph drive down a hot isolated place. Where storm clouds go to pasture and where a handful of vast landscapes meet, several miles of hills crosses path with another hundred miles of flat dusty, cactus infected plains. Where sand meets clay. I imagine a road with no lights, never ending and lost. The afternoons turns gray transforming into the dark night with only headlights to guiding you towards the unknown. The pianos beating faster. Feeling helpless, tired and exhausted by the days memorable gifts but still driven, wanting to see more even though you know you are at the mercy of natures dark night and time. Your patience is measured as the clock turns its digital numbers to unfamiliar hours. The rhythm of the song becomes in sync with the speed we were traveling. In the dark you speed with the song and listen to your life's sound track. It screams, it screams and the tempo grows faster. I felt my heart beating faster, life racing through my eyes. Everything was flying past me. It was at that moment that I was realized that I was not dreaming and this was not an imagination. I was traveling through New Mexico to the Texas border, in my truck with a good friend, listening to "Sinnerman", I was living a perfect moment. That moment now encapsulated into this 10 minute song. The song now carries a different meaning for me, more than just the story it is trying to tell. It now has a visual backdrop to me, accompanied by a life lesson, a reminder that life can go by fast so we should never forget to just live and enjoy the humble now... Nina screams at the top of her voice "Power! Power!" and for some strange reason I'm a believer.

Another day of feasting and excuse to get together. I guess this is the warm up feast for the upcoming big days... JC's birthday and New Year. This is my first day celebrating outside of New Jersey, how I miss it so. Looking back on the year I really am thankful for everything... the good and painful experiences, anyone who crossed my path... in one way or another meeting them got me here. It was probably my best year and it would not have been possible if it wasn't for them. I just wanted to take this time to say "THANK YOU".

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND KICK ASS THANK YOU DAY. NOW GO OUT AND THANK SOMEONE.

SUPER STOKED. Coming home for Christmas for three weeks. I can not wait to see my family and friends, a trip to Canada is a possibility, headed out there to visit family. When I come back to Texas, I'll be moving out of my nephews and into an apartment (just applied for one today). Its perfect cause the apartment is walking distance from my brand spanking new job. Yes, you heard me right, a new job, this homeboy is back on the corporate radar. Its going to be an interesting new experience. Everything is falling into place and I am super stoked.

I am ending one journey and starting another. woo hoo!!! I'll see everyone back home.

On December 15th or 2007. Kellie Mary Smith graduated from the University of Houston, walking away with a BBA degree. I didn't really know how I was going to react that day or how I would feel besides the defaulted proud feeling one would have when a friend or close relative would accomplish such a task. That day I was inspired, looking down the stadium seeing a good 2 to 3 hundred individuals wearing the funny square hats and a smile that stretched from ear to ear. I began think of the hard work that Kellie put in this semester and then I multiplied that by the number of semesters it took her to get to this day. Then I took it a little further, I imagined the amount of work the whole graduating class had to put in. Thats a lot of hard work and sacrifice, I was inspired. During the end of the ceremony, as soon as the class of 2007 was introduced. I got up clapped as hard as I can and yelled for joy. Well deserved, Congratulations Kellie, I am proud and inspired by your accomplishment. Good luck and keep rocking, this is just the beginning.

These ladies are unstoppable. Kellie and her sisters, Kim (L) and misty (R).

Kellie and Paolo

Flight back home.

I just want to announce to everyone out there, that I am back. I am finally adjusting to my new Job, home and responsibilities. It has been a slow transition but I'm getting there. Traveling/hippie mode is starting to find the middle ground to working/corporate mode. I'm sure the gray area is right around the corner. I'm going to try to get back on the blogging... I forgot how much fun it is.

I'm alive, very alive and well. Stay tuned, I have some good stories to tell. In the next few
weeks.

"Come back soon you hear"

I started this photo project with a friend of mine in NYC. Its fairly simple, do a photo essay with only ten frames of photos. Any story, any style. Just have fun and make sure its something entertaining. This is my first attempt on hopefully many photo essays that I'll be doing in H-town. I've owed her these frames for a few weeks now. thank you for being patient.

Here is a peek of my typical morning. Hope you enjoi it.

Welcome to my apartment, my home. Its dinner time so come join me for pork chops, rice and broccoli, my first home prepared and cooked meal at the new place. The place in general is pretty cool, easy to clean, perfect size and cheap for the location. It is a old complex but it has a lot of perks, it is close to work, close to the movies, supermarket and quite on the weekends (office building location) but close enough to the fun parts of town. It is also close to a lot of great eats. In short its not perfect but I LOVE IT. Hope you enjoi your tour :)

10 frames of my home:

I know, I know... I had a previous blog about quiting already and the worst part about that time, not only did I start smoking again but I also broke a promise to someone I respect. Kicking the habit is not a easy task nor is it pretty.

I have been smoking for 14 years and have tried several methods the patch, gum, candy and I even tried acupuncture (that was awesome, I fell asleep with needles in my ear. When I tried to turn my head, while asleep, the pain of the needle going in deeper into my ear startled me). Out of all these methods only one method worked the best, "the promise" method. It is when you promise someone dear to you and respect, that you will never smoke again. The two times I used this method, the first attempted lasted a year and I asked permission to break the promise, the second time only lasted 4 months and I just "douched" out. The promise method is great, it is your word vs the nicotine. It a serious commitment to someone, it's biggest flaw is your action is based on guilt and not on self strength. It works on the fear and the consequence of breaking a promise, what a horrible reason to do anything. It has only been a month but I am trying a "New and Improved Promise Method" and it goes a little something like this:

"I promise myself to quit smoking in order to better my way of living and to enjoy a healthy and happy life."

This method is all me and no one else. If i don't take care of myself who will. It is a simple realization but sometimes these simple things are the hardest to remember. I'm taking this promise one day at a time, I'm measuring my success one minute to the other and this minute is good so far. I'll blog the progress once in a blue. :)

What an awesome weekend. Ryan Brennan came down to visit for a few days to check out the H-town scene. It was awesome, we drank mostly every night (I have not drank for almost a month, that was rough). We ate at the favorite spots and found a few new ones. Skated two parks and the city of Houston (I have not skateboarded for two months, always puts a smile on my face). Unfortunately it had to end and go our separate ways to go back to the grind. Check out some pics below:

4 Days in H-town:

It was a short but fun trip... can't wait until the fall. His visit made me realize why I'm here and how much Houston has to offer. :) Thank you Ryan. Next time "Austin"

Holy sh*t, I just read the entry from last week and boy was surprised to realize how unclear I was. I saved a copy of the entry on the second page, to remind me how crazy it gets sometimes. Well let me try this again.

My best friend Ryan came down last weekend and I had so many expectations and plans for his weekend so when he got to Houston. Naturally I became so stressed about our plans, keep in mind that these plans, we didn't discuss. Ryan didn't really have a clue what I had planned for him so the pressure was basically self inflicted.

After an uncomfortable first day, I remembered my trip last year and what I learned from it, trust life and expect nothing, enjoy what is in front of you and just let go of yesterday and not worry about tomorrow, roll with the day and do what you feel. When was the last time you woke up without a chore or a to do list? and feeling comfortable, grateful for not having one. I remember it taking a months before I enjoyed my workless days and getting over the worry of being label irresponsible or lazy. Once I did though, oh man what a feeling, I felt so young and free. Ever since I started working and living on my own, Its been difficult to have a listless day. It is really a very hard balance to keep. To stay free, list free (for the lack of a better word) and still be responsible.

The second day on Ryan's day, I let go of all my plans and worries. I looked at Ryan and rolled with the day. The fun started off slow and then it just snowballed.. I didn't want it to end. We ate, we drank and we skated. We found new places and met some interesting characters. My body is wrecked but it was worth it.

well I hope this is a better explanation :)... give me a break I was up 24 hours when I entered that entry. :) Have a good day.

live, love and laugh.

Time to fly! One of the best things about Houston is the activities it has to offer. An hour away out of the city is a Skydiving facility. A hand full of my co-workers decide to jump along and the day was awesome. We signed our release forms, while waiting to suite up we played on the lawn, threw a frisbee around, ate some food, did some cartwheels and head stands, eventually we got summoned, got ready and JUMPED. This was my second time jumping and to be honest I was very scared this time around. I was so scared that I plan to go again next weekend (I'm trying to decide if its something I would like to pick up as a hobby). check out the pictures.

"Skydiving: builder of confidence and self-esteem"
Kelly Poe Beazer

As much as I agree, I also say "its just good clean fun".

Sureshot boards, prep files for production.

didn't work. Things came up and had to change my plans. I promise I will update everyone soon. (Hello Everyone Entry)

For now, I would like to introduce everyone to "Betty Brown the bicycle". I purchased her for 18 dollars at a garage sale and bought a parts bike to get her in working condition for 30 dollars. I ride her to work most of the week and she is a blast. These classic commuter bikes is the best thing since sliced bread. "ta da!!!"

"Betty Brown the bicycle"

I found my medium. I like to express myself with needle and thread with a twist. I am stitching on hard surfaces like wood, glass and soon metal. A lot of you have seen them or have heard of me mentioning them and most likely got your mind ticking on what the hell I was talking about. Well here is a picture of my first piece. Its hard to explain on what it means and how it is done. Lets just leave it at "these things take a whole lot of planning". Well hope you guys like it and if you really like it send me a check for $350... and its all yours.

Stitching aint easy

Details

More art to come soon.