A Life Domestic

As I sit here, watching Good Eats in a freshly cleaned apartment, I realize that I have found a real liking for an inviting home. I guess it isn't all that maverick of me to be a young married male who is shirking the status-quo and enjoying the rewards of a clean and organized apartment. But, it is very telling that I spent most of the day yesterday scrubbing, cleaning, picking-up and otherwise refreshing our home.

The day before, I woke up with the sun to move all of our furniture out of our living room and kitchen so that we could get the carpets cleaned. And let me tell you, it made a world of difference. It really makes you realize how dirty something was once you clean it. One year of foot traffic, dust, food dribbles and what-not took their toll. Nicole and I agreed that it wasn't that the apartment smelled "bad" before as much as it smells really fresh and good now.

With all the cleaning, I also turn back to the aforementioned culinary entertainment. It is coming up on two years of marriage, and I really have loved becoming a better cook. I was never really all that bad, just unlearned and unexperienced. I love getting ideas and making things from scratch without a recipe. I am actually dreaming of a pouch cooked salmon dish from the episode I linked above. Amazing stuff.

So, with our new midnight jasmine scented candles, the fluffy cleaned carpet, and stacks of laundered clothes laying about, I can say that life is pretty darn comfortable. Peace...

Stop Ginger Hate

I see how it is NBC, you just hate him because of the color of his hair. How petty. Forget the talent, forget the fact that he is one of the smartest comedians on TV and that you should be thankful for the fact that he had raised the bar for late night TV.

If Friday is indeed his last show, then it is official. NBC, you suck.

Nothing Wrong With This

A productive day at work, an evening watching football, and some incredible smoked chicken thanks to my grill outside. Top it all off with a beer and maybe a Sprecher Root Beer float later and you have a great night.

I am sitting watching Dallas beat the brains out of Philly, and really enjoying the feel of what I have going. Life isn't perfect by a long shot, but you can't complain about having the bills paid and having a comfy chair to chill in while you relax after work.

School is kicking back into gear in about two weeks. But until then, it will be nice to bask in the glow of the good thing I have going here. Peace...

A New Year, New Challenges

Another year goes by, and I look back very briefly to see what had happened. For those of you who haven't been on Mars, Nicole and I are happily back in San Jose after our excursion in Chicago. It was an amazing experience, but we just missed home.

Being back here has been incredible. Times with old friends, meeting new ones, happy hours at the new place, and being back with the family. I have loved every minute of it. It has been hard, working long hours to make ends meet. But I love the work I do at SJSU and at other companies, and Nicole has thrived in her new position at Nordstrom. (So proud of her). And that little excursion to China which was a blast. (Never travelling abroad without the wife again.)

All in all, 2009 was a great year. It had its moments of stress with my gramma hurting herself and other family things here and there I don't want to get too deep into. But, I have a roof over my head, money in the bank, a wife who I adore, and friends that simply rock.

So, now onto a new decade. Wait, thats a big chunk to look at. Ten whole years. Jeez. Ten years ago I was a senior in high school and was planning on going to San Diego State. Hadn't even discovered theatre yet. Wow. So, just looking at this year. New teaching opportunity at State, travel plans, the masters continues, and I get do it all with my lady by my side. Can't wait. Peace...