Never say never...

I said I would never leave the iPhone. I said that there would never be a phone as good as the iPhone. I was wrong... on both counts.

In our house we have 2 iMacs, 4 iPads, 2 iPod shuffles, an Apple airport, and an Apple tv. Needless to say, I am a BIG fan of Apple products. That included the iPhone, up until one Sunday afternoon in June. 

For 5 years I had been the biggest iPhone proponent out there. I had defended every iteration of the iPhone, no matter how underwhelming. I had badmouthed Android and every other iPhone competitor popped up in recent years. I even went so far as to give my beautiful wife crap about wanting to switch from the iPhone to the Samsung Galaxy.

"Why on earth would you want to switch from a phone that just works so easily to one that doesn't...at all?" I'm not sure if that is exactly what I said, but you get the idea.

From the moment that I held that Galaxy S4 in my hand, I was a believer.  A few days after that, I owned one. I no longer had an iPhone. I no longer WANTED an iPhone! 

I never loved a phone more than the S4. Five months later, I still feel the same way. I have never regretted leaving the iPhone; not for a single moment. 

It doesn't speak well for Apple that someone as fiercely loyal to its products as I was can switch to a competitor without blinking an eye, and have no remorse whatsoever. Matter of fact, I'm happier with my S4 than I ever was with any of my iPhones. Even the unveiling of the new iPhone 5s didn't excite me...AT ALL.

I still love the iPad though. We just bought new iPad Airs yesterday. But I won't lie, I didn't have that "Oh My God, I love this" feeling about it the way I did when I got my first iPad.  Honestly, I'm even looking at the Android tablets out if the corner of my eye now with much more serious curiosity. Will I ever switch and leave the iPad? I don't know.  But I've learned my lesson...I'll never say never.

MLB Black Out Policy

Dear MLB,

I just wanted to voice my frustration/disappointment/outrage/general bewilderment concerning the incredibly outdated and shortsighted blackout policy of MLB. In this age of portable media devices such as the iPhone and iPad, I find it very hard to believe that I am unable to watch MY TEAM’S games when I am away from my home because MLB won't let me. I’m not asking for this to be free. I’m willing to pay whatever MLB sees fit to charge for MLB.tv so that I can watch the Rangers when I’m not at home via my iPad or iPhone. But current blackout restrictions makes that impossible. I’m NOT going to pay hundreds of dollars if I can’t even watch MY team.

Not to mention that I live FOUR HOURS away from Arlington. My local cable provider doesn’t carry all of the Rangers games (we’re closer to Houston, which would be great if I were an Astros fan…BUT I’M NOT). I’m out of luck if I want to watch Rangers games via my Apple TV, because AGAIN, I cant PAY to watch Rangers games via MLB.tv because the ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS is in the Rangers blackout area. Do you understand how BIG the state of Texas is?

Does MLB understand that the fan base of this sport that we love so dearly is shrinking dramatically? It appears that in spite of the shrinking fan base, MLB is doing whatever it can to prevent as many viewers as possible from accessing their product, when ever and where ever, possible. You would think that MLB would be doing whatever it could to take advantage of today's technology to get their product in front of as many fans that want it. However that doesn't seem to be the case.

All I'm saying is, if MLB wants to continue to lose fans by the droves keep up with the antiquated practices that y’all have going on. Perhaps MLB might want to join the rest of us in this new century. I just hope and pray that when yall do decide to join the rest of us in this rapidly changing technological world, that it wont be too late and that the NFL hasn’t forced MLB into irrelevancy.

Sincerely,

A devoted Rangers Fan


- Posted using my iPhone

Location:S Farm to Market Road 2818,College Station,United States

Veterans Day 2011

Today we honor all those who have worn the uniform of our great country, in defense of freedom and liberty. For the last 10 years our military men and women have carried a tremendous burden fighting a seemingly endless battle against pure evil in terrorism on two fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While I hold the highest regard and admiration for those brave souls that have served within the last 10 years, lest not forget that our United States military did not get its start after aircraft slammed into The World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

 Please remember the veterans who fought against and defeated fascism in WWII. Remember the veterans who went off to Vietnam to fight in a war so unpopular that often times their own countrymen turned their backs on them when they returned. Remember all those veterans who served throughout the many many years of the Cold War, when it wasn't "cool" to join the military, but who stood ready and willing to defend this country and every man, woman, and child within it against the threat of world communism and the evil Soviet empire.

 Every one of us owes a debt of gratitude that we could never think of repaying to ALL those brave men and women who have EVER worn a uniform in defense of our great country and all that she stands for.

 Let us never forget that ALL veterans we're willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if need be, for you and me and future generations of Americans.

 To all those that I had the pleasure of serving with all those years ago, thank you for your service. To all those who served before me, including my father (a retired Air Force veteran), thank you for your service and sacrifices that made everything in my life possible. To all those who have served after me, and who serve today, (like my oldest son who is an active duty Marine) thank you for what you have done and continue to do for me, my family, and every American.

 Happy Veterans Day and God Bless America!

Texas Aggie

I spent the best 5 yrs of my life as a student at Texas A&M University and I made some of the best friends of my life here in Aggieland. I have some mighty fond memories, from my first Midnight Yell Practice to my last game as a student standing with the 12th Man. I remember my first time in the Dixie Chicken and I remember the last time Bonfire burned. I remember being an incoming freshman at Howdy Camp and years later being a Howdy Camp counselor.

I still remember my first trip to The Chicken was with a high school buddy and I closed it down more times that I can count in my college career. I've camped out for Aggie Football tickets and I've yelled until I was horse at Aggie football and baseball games. I have great memories of when I dunked my ring and I ones I'll never forget of sitting all night at stack on Nov 18th. Some of the best memories I have are from my time at A&M.

I'm not just an Aggie fan...I AM an Aggie. From the Aggie Ring that's always on my hand, to the Aggie pride that is always in my heart, It's part of who I am and always will be.

Thanks & Gig'em!

Location:College Station, TX (aka Aggieland)

Rangers Baseball

We're getting ready to leave our DFW hotel room. My wife is blow drying her hair. The boys are playing their DS games. I'm sitting on the bed reflecting on our great weekend.

We left Aggieland Friday morning on our Rangers Baseball weekend getaway. And it has been a wonderful weekend to say the least.

Friday we had a great drive and spent some time with Kristen's cousin. The boys got to visit a fire station in Irving and got a private tour of the trucks and station.

Saturday our baseball adventure began. The weather was perfect as we went on a tour of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Every time I walk through the gates of the ballpark I am magically transformed into 10 year old Troy, and I love every minute of it! The wide eyed giddiness I feel is indescribable.

Joe, our tour guide, showed us parts of the ballpark I had never seen and told us some things I never knew. The boys loved the tour. This was Ethan's first time to The Ballpark, and he was in awe!

We would return a few hours after our tour for the game. This was the 2nd game of the Rangers opening weekend. The 2nd game of the season. A season that follows the most memorable season in Rangers history. Rangers vs Red Sox. You couldn't have found 4 more excited Rangers fans if you tried.

Everything about this game was memorable. From the AL Championship ring ceremony that preceded it, to the 12-5 Rangers victory and everything in between.

Ethan loved his first Rangers experience. Cobe loved being back at the ballpark. I loved sharing my love of the Rangers and baseball with my wonderful family.

You couldn't ask for a more perfect weekend. I almost hate to see it end.


- Posted from my iPad

Location:Regent Blvd,Irving,United States

Proud Husband

One of the many great things that I love about my life is being a husband. I have the most amazing wife. She's loving, caring, passionate, sincere, and talented.

I'm not sure if many of you know this, but my beautiful wife, Kristen, is in the business of making other women look beautiful. Yes, my wife is a professional makeup artist. I always thought of makeup stuff as silly girl stuff. I never really understood what she did, or had a real good appreciation for it until I got the opportunity to watch her in action.

Some time last year, she needed me to help her with a makeup job in Austin.(That's right, she travels to the bride, WHEREVER she may be.) So, I loaded all her gear in the car and we headed out early one Saturday morning. After we got to the hotel in Austin where the bridal party was getting ready, I helped Kristen set up. My responsibility for the day was to keep the airbrush gun and all the brushes clean after she used them on each of the girls. Seemed simple enough. I didn't realize how important it was to keep everything clean and sanitized for each girl.

Then I got to watch her do her magic. She was professional, casual, & attentive all at the same time. Watching her apply makeup was like watching a skilled painter apply oils to a canvas. She skillfully transformed each of those ladies into beautiful walking art pieces. Each girl's look was unique and to their wishes/wants, but yet collectively they looked like they belonged together. (I'm not sure if that makes sense.)

Since then, I've gone with her to several more jobs to help out & take pictures for her website. Each time, I'm amazed at what she does and the amount of talent she poses. Kristen is the definition of professional when it comes to her job. She always puts the client's needs, wants, and wishes first. Kristen is great at listening to what the women want, and even better at helping them achieve that perfect look for their special day. I have never seen a lady leave her chair unhappy with her look.

Now I can add website design to Kristen's skill set! Last night we published her newly redesigned website, and it looks fantastic!!! She spent a lot of time working on it to make it look wonderful. (Kind of like she does with each of her clients.)

BCSMAKEUPARTIST.COM is so well done, I would have sworn that a professional web designer had done it for her. Even after we published it last night, she was still working on it late into the evening, making changes to improve the content and to make it more informative and a better experience for her guests that visit the site.

It's an understatement to say that I am a very proud husband. I'm so proud of Kristen for everything that she is and does; professionally and privately. She is a wonderful wife, an awesome mother, a dedicated student (yes, she also takes classes online working towards a bachelor's and master's degree combo in Business), and an incredibly talented professional makeup artist.


If you haven't already checked out her new website, please do at www.bcsmakeupartist.com. And if you, or anyone you know, might be looking for the services of a talented makeup artist, please contact Kristen. You'll be glad you did!

Why do I love sports?

Recently my fiancé described me as being obsessed with sports. I took a little offense to that at first, simply because it had a bit of a negative connotation to me. I don't think of myself as being obsessed with sports, but I do wholeheartedly love my sports teams; The Texas Rangers, The Dallas Cowboys, The San Antonio Spurs, and my Fightin' Texas Aggies!

But WHY do I love sports so much? Sports is something that I grew up with and around. My dad was a great athlete. When I say he was a great athlete, I don't just mean that in the way that every little kid thinks that their dad is the greatest. I mean that my dad was great at whatever he did athletically. I remember older relatives and family friends always talking about how incredible my dad was at playing baseball and football. Unfortunately, none of that great athleticism rubbed off on me. But, the LOVE of sports did.

Growing up, my dad was always playing sports. However, I'll always think of my dad as a great baseball player. My dad came so close to playing professional baseball, if circumstances hadn't altered his life path. I remember years ago watching my dad play baseball. He was in his 50s, playing ball with kids (some even younger than I was at the time), and he was still great. I watched my dad play ball, and I was in awe at how effortlessly he made the game look. And this was a man that was in his 50s! I'll never forget watching my dad drag bunt, perfectly, and getting on base. At that very moment, I truly realized just HOW GREAT of a baseball player my dad was, and had been in his prime and I appreciated his ability even more.

Growing up and into early adulthood, my father and I didn't have the best of relationships. We didn't have a bad relationship, but it wasn't what I would call a close one either. But, we always had sports. THAT was our bond. I always felt bad for my father that I wasn't a great athlete, as though somehow I had let him down because of it. But, that didn't change the fact that I still loved sports. Some of my fondest memories that I have as a child, revolve around some sort of sporting event.

As a teen and young adult, even when my dad and I seemed to have little in common, we ALWAYS had sports to talk about. Baseball games, the latest Cowboys game, the Spurs game; these were the things that always kept us talking.

I’m not sure if my grandfather passed it on to him, but I do remember sitting down and listening to my grandfather tell me baseball stories every now and then. My father, by virtue of him being such a great athlete, passed on his love of sports to me. I hope to pass on my love of sports to my boys. My two oldest sons aren’t very big into sports. I’ve tried to pass on my love of sports to them, but with marginal success. They’ll watch the occasional Rangers or Cowboys game with me, but they aren’t die-hards like I am. I have two more shots with our 9 and 5 yr olds; both of which love to sit and watch Rangers games with me. So maybe there’s still hope there.

Why do I love sports so much? Because sports is the bond that I have with my father and my grandfather, and hopefully the bond that I will form with my sons and their sons and so on, so that we will always be connected, from past generations to generations to come.