I fight with all of my soul, all of my heart and all of my might.

I did pursue the dictates of that sentence above--in the past. I want to start anew...or again. Maybe it's the change in weather. Fall always does this to me. I have a new spark.

I've been rather busy. The last month was hectic to say the least. My grandfather is going through a lot: quadruple by-pass, complications, appendicitis and lung complications. He's being treated at the VA hospital, so that should say all. They haven't the best care...it's lacking at best. Hell, they twisted his intestine when they did the emergency appendectomy, but didn't even know it. He is doing better and seems on the up.

The hurricane. Oh boy, what a waste of energy, money, and lives. I'm talking about Rita (Katrina is a whole 'nother can o worms that many other people have eloquently and passionately wrote about). I wanted to stay for Rita, but mom did the guilt trip thing to pressure me into leaving. We made the trek from Santa Fe (Texas of course) to New Braunfels. We had a place to stay up yonder. Our road trip wasn't as bad as others (the horror stories abound), although we were caught up on Alt 90 outside of Eagle Lake and made 6 miles in FIVE hours. I made the best of things and partied it up in Gruene Texas. That is one cool town. Historical and laid back. Good people. Gruene Hall is the oldest dance hall in Texas. The Gaudalupe runs right through and the scenery is picturesque hill country. They are all up on the genre of music called Americana. Before this trip, I didn't really have a comprehending of that term, but I do now. There's a music store in town called Lone Star Music. That is one cool place. We walked in and started chatting with the dude working there. After a bit he asked if we'd like a beer. Sure. Lone Star. Some people came in and I asked if I should hide the beer and he said, "naw, we give beer to all of our customers." Bad move on his part, cause we stayed for a while. They have a website: www.lonestarmusic.com.

We made it back home okay. Last weekend we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival (www.texrenfest.com). I love going opening weekend. We camped out Fri and Sat night. The fire/drum circle after hours is awesome. Lots of drinking, stuff, and good friends. Of course, we did mischief and had a blast.

Now, it's the middle of the week and I'm itching for lots more. I'm not sure what's up for this weekend, but I'm sure it will center around our newfound piracy. We have a badass pontoon pirate boat. The thing is like 8 feet wide and 18 feet long. We have pirate flag, potato gun, trap door, fireworks, beer, and so much more. We like heading out down the Bayous (Halls Bayou, Bastrop) or canals. Last time we went out into Galveston bay and that was freakin' awesome. We landed at sever little islands and skirted Tiki island. Being out in the bay at night, looking at the stars is awesome. I am definitely a pirate born 200 years too late.

So, the pirate boat is a big possibility. Also, I need to make a costume for Halloween. I am going as Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. That show is freaking awesome. I got Meatwad's voice down. I am working on Carl's. A few weekends ago, we got messed up and decided to raid Wal-Mart at 3am in the morning. We were on a mission to build the Foreigner Belt (the one from the show [ATHF] that gives the wearer the powers of the Super Group Foreigner [cold as ice, double vision, etc]). I had a big print out picture of the thing and we were on a hunt for materials. I had all the workers thinking we were thespians doing a play. Good shit. Anyway, we made the thing and it's freakin' awesome. I figure Meatwad will be a good choice for me because I got the voice down and I'll make a big costume that will fit over my wheelchair. I'm also going to build the Danger Cart that he pulls...I'll be pulling it behind my wheelchair.

Well, two updates in two days. I'm setting up a pattern here. If anyone wants to go on a ride on the pirate boat, let me know. Ladies? Us pirates are sexy indeed.

Later,

*I used to be very caught up in what I wrote and how I wrote it. I'm now trying for the free flow thing. I want this diary/journal to be very Dude (as in Lebowski, Lebowski). No stress. When new shit comes to light, I'll post as the spirit hits me.