Journal

Wonderwife and her mother wanted the chance to head to Reliant stadium for some arts & craps boutique thingy today. Well, Daphne and I made it up in our minds that we were not going to go and that was final. However, we ended up doing some Christmas shopping ourselves at the mall.

When we arrived at the mall we were in for a treat. Santa was there riding around on his shiny, red recumbent bike. His jolly smile and wave made Daphne giggle. Not too far behind Santa, we were greeted by a very tall man juggling bowling pins. On second glance, he must have been on stilts because only the Houston Rocket’s Yao Ming is that tall. After the man on stilts, there was a clown juggling the other 5 bowling pins on a unicycle wheeling around our stroller. No idea how he was able to throw candy while juggling but it was neat.

That’s not all! We were buzzed by mall security wearing Santa caps and riding Segways and even an 80-piece marching band playing Christmas favorites! Daphne loves music and was clapping excitedly and waving. The band missed a few notes because they were waving and smiling back. Disney Radio was representing there as well and of course Daphne was dancing with a few Disney reps and got a sticker for her troubles. Santa must have worked off his milk & cookies on that bicycle because we found him later on sitting on his throne and listening to good children’s wishes.

All of that shopping and dancing worked up an appetite in us so we grabbed some food across the parking lot. Daphne was proving that she was a big girl indeed by grabbing the fork out of my hand and dipping it into her fruit bowl to feed herself.

I intended to snap some images of little DVD today but it was way too blustery and chilled. Maybe tomorrow.

Thanks, Daphne!

Peek-a-boo Two, originally uploaded by eagerlittlemind.

Even when she is not feeling well, this girl is very playful and has a smile on her face.

Thanks to whatever creeping crud is going around, meteorological changes, and leaving the ceiling fan on in a chilled room, I’ve been down since Friday afternoon.

What does this have to do with the photo above? everything. Thanks to the cooties, I have had a lovely Darth Vader voice, complete with raspy breathing. A lot of my friends on Twitter thought it was quite sexy. Ain’t nothing sexy about it, folks.

Needless to say, I have lost some of my blogging and photo mojo, but anticipate bouncing back very soon on both fronts.

Now we come to the part of the year where my birthday and Christmas arrives in December. Every year, right around mid-September, Wonderwife pops the question: “So, what do you want for birthday/Christmas?” Of course I have not put any thought to it and am totally unprepared to answer effectively and refuse to do so because what if I blurt out the wrong thing under pressure and I end up actually GETTING IT. I would then have to conjure up some acting skills to pretend that I like it, right?

This year is no different except maybe my attitude towards receiving gifts. With so much economic irresponsibility out there, corporate abuse, lay-offs, not to mention we have yet to sell our home in Birmingham, it may be time to hunker down and store some nuts for the winter. In the course of the year, and years past, we have denied ourselves nothing. We took care of our needs and we had a chance to address our wants too. Therefore, I do not need anything as gifts. Yes, I have wants and Wonderwife has said that I need my “wanter” fixed, but I find myself in a new place this year.

I am content.

I had this revelation awhile back but didn’t pursue it until now. I have a gorgeous, intelligent, unselfish wife who supports me in just about everything I do. We were blessed with a beautiful child last year who makes me proud every day. I am a 35.9 year old man with loads of toys to play with and need to take out of the closet.

What do I want for my birthday? A job. All right, not just a job, but a career. A place where I can work with like-minded peers and earn their respect for my hard work.

For Christmas, I wish my Alabama home would sell so we can finally move on and plant seeds here in Texas.

In spite of these, I will remain content and happy.

Related articles

• Putting my money where my mouth is
• No gifts makes boy’s birthday party special
• How to Get Your Holiday Happiness

I’ve mentioned before that this is not a political blog and my voting leans heavily onto the conservative side. I admit I have been disappointed by President Bush II during his second term. Americans needed real leadership and he has failed us. It is time for a change.

• America’s stature among the globe has been weakened
• Public enemy #1, Bin Laden has not been found
• We need more emphasis in mathematics, science and computer sciences education
• Diplomacy, backed up with force
• Limited dependence on foreign oil
• Economic accountability for government, corporations
• Individual fiscal responsibility

These are things everyone can agree on and support that needs changing. The question is, will the change be for the better? Who knows?

I am disappointed, but not distraught at the election outcome. What really bothers me is the one-party rule that is about to take place in our country. No one political party should control power in the congressional and executive branches. There has to be a balance of ideology and principles.

“Change” and “hope” are fine but right now they are also good intentions. President-elect Obama will need to understand and appreciate the power that has been granted to him.

All Americans- every race, every party, need to hold our leaders accountable. That would be change that I can believe in.

Avant Garden plays host to burlesque dancers, vagabonds, Vaudeville acts, belly dancers, fire dancers and more this Friday night.

hat tip to katie with Dr. Sketchy

Join me and some new friends at the grand opening of the Houston area’s new co-working space called the Katy Dock (officially called the Technology Center of West Houston) on November 5th between 4-8PM. This is the newest space for professionals in Katy who are passionate about their work, but tired of working alone at home or in noisy coffee shops. Think of it as a co-op artist and tech space. It’s also a great environment for relaxing and collaborating with like-minded people. Official announcement here:

Mobile and creative professionals now have the opportunity to grow their businesses in a more work-friendly setting than a coffee shop with less structure than an executive suite – no long term leases, or home office distractions.
The Katy Dock allows Katy/West Houston area entrepreneurs, inventors, consultants, developers, and designers to work in a creative business atmosphere and successfully grow their companies. Katy Dock membership starts at ‘free’ for infrequent drop-ins to reasonable pricing for private desks and dedicated offices. Along with Wi Fi and coffee service, Katy Dock through its partnership with the Katy Commerce Center also offers warehousing, fulfillment and light manufacturing space available onsite, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional office leasing arrangements.

The Technology Center of West Houston (TCWH), a Katy Area Business Incubator and Accelerator, has created an exciting new opportunity for early-stage technology companies in the Katy/West Houston area. The mission of the TCWH is to enable, launch and accelerate technology companies in Katy/West Houston and thereby create jobs and economic growth.

If you are close to the museum district of Houston, you can always stop by the Caroline Collective as well!

The Coffee Groundz is hosting a huge Twitter meetup (tweetup) of local area Houston twitterers on Sunday 11/2 between 2-6PM. Details and sign-up on the Facebook event page.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but there is good news since they also serve teas, wines and beer as well as good food.

Follow me on Twitter here @mojodenbow

and check them out here @coffeegroundz

Update:@maslowbeer says this in the comments

“I thought it may be good to note they also have a full bar for cocktails. Their wine and beer selection is expanding rapidly as well, having such notables as dogfish head’s 60 and 90 minute ipas and even their raison d’extra!”

Ever since the House of Blues opened up their joint here in Houston, I have been turning up the blues music again. The sound that launched jazz, rock and even country music has invaded my iPod once again. Even rediscovered a forgotten podcast called the Roadhouse Blues (the finest blues you’ve never heard).

Here is a recent photo & video of the great, always entertaining Buddy Guy that I shot at the City Stages music festival in Birmingham. Close your eyes and soak it in!

Hoochie Coochie Man from Mojo Denbow on Vimeo.

Snow White or Grumpy?, originally uploaded by eagerlittlemind.

Little DVD is all dressed up and ready for fun and games during Halloween. However, she is totally out of character with this grumpy face!

Little DVD’s fingers gracefully glide over the keys to create her first concerto. This is music to my ears…

Piano Denbow from Mojo Denbow on Vimeo.