What a sweet ride

The 2009 BMW K1300 S is the latest on two wheels from BMW Motorcycles and looks like a very nice ride. Take a look at my next dream machine through the following video clip someone put together. I think I need to see about test riding one of these babies soon, but until then... I'll just have to dream.

Visiting Don's Barber Shop

I was due for a haircut and in a very big way. So I decided I would visit the place my father use to go over the past years. Located in south Arlington, Texas is a very small Barber Shop, built in the late 60's and still running today.

I wanted to visit the small white building near my parents home and remember some of the good times I had with Dad. The thing about a place like Don's is its filled with a lot of old memories and the many years of people coming and going. His business is slowing down a bit and he's seen loyal customers pass away or move out of the area.

I stepped into the shop and the older gentleman was just about done with his haircut and only one more ahead of me. It turned out that the other man was the son of the man getting the haircut and his mother sat in the shop with them. That's what I call some loyal patrons.

It's quite a different experience to visit an old Barber Shop such as this. Now days things are very busy and you have various chains all over to get a haircut. But at a place like Don's, you get to sit a while and hear some old stories, perhaps a joke or two, and even learn a bit about the old days.

Its not fancy at all and I'm sure my Dad felt quite at home visiting with Don and he was very pleased with not only the style of haircut but the price too. I myself hope Don continues to do well and I might even pop in to his place from time to time for other haircuts.

The end of one's Journey

A different path has now been set before me and I will see you all again very soon, when our paths meet up again, my friends. It was Thursday evening, June 19th that I visited my father for one last time, only I didn't know it would be the last time. His journey has now come to an end, being so very tired... yet at last with peace and a little more clearer I think now.

He still had his wit, joking and smiling as he liked to normally do, but I feel he knew all to well that he wasn't feeling very well. He asked about everyone and always seemed to know what was going on in our lives. We talked for a while and I asked him to try and get better and to let me know if he would like me to visit again soon. He simply smiled an said, "Very much so... I always want to see my boys."

I didn't say goodbye when I left him, only I'll see you later Dad and I was happy with our visit. I had no clue that the path had changed before me and I myself was on a different journey now. The journey is in no way mine alone and in fact my whole family is taking the same journey, only slightly different paths for each of us, but with the same destination ahead.

My Dad didn't take the easy routes in his life, but he would still remind all of us which routes would be better to take. I don't have to worry about any of the troubles he had along his journey anymore, he's gone on to a better place, has no more pain, and he can finally rest in peace now.

This journey was not one I was prepared for really, but I knew it was one I would have to take someday soon. I just never expected it to be so very soon. Just like that visit last night, I'm not looking at this as a goodbye now, rather I'll see you later and its time for him to rest until then. I'll miss seeing you Dad and I'll focus on our fond memories and the times we had together until then.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. - Proverbs 3: 5-6

From Russia With Love... Baby!

From Russia With Love brings us another film with Sean Connery as James Bond and co-stars Daniela Bianchi (Tatiana) in the role of Bond Girl #2. Well they don't call her that and she plays the spy hired to lure Bond in to Spectres trap.

The thing I noticed off the bat was how much it looks like the movie Austin Powers took from this movie. I kept wondering if Mike Myers would walk out on the set and say, "are you Randy Baby?"

One thing for sure is they didn't forget that Bond likes the ladies. The film had a couple rather dark scenes and other than the silly Assassins Training camp part, I enjoyed most of this movie.

The next movie on my list will be the third film in the series and for Sean Connery with Goldfinger. I have a feeling I'm going to find more similarities here with Austin Powers Goldmember.

James and the Bond Girls

Ursula Andress, aka Honey Ryder in the first ever James Bond film Dr. No, would become the first of many Bond Girls. Something that would tend to be a returning theme at the end of all of the films for 007 Agent, James Bond and the leading actress in his arms.

Encore VOD now has 17 Bond films available to watch and I've decided to start off with Dr. No, being the first in the long series of films. Its fun to go back and watch these old films and see how far things have now come.

With very simple effects and the acting being a bit silly in some parts, its still entertaining to watch these. When Bond arrives on the island and is captured by Dr. No, I just had to laugh at some of the costumes and set designs they built for this film. In the end it would be James getting the girl, after he finished getting his man and saving the world of course.

I think it will be fun to watch the rest of these and see how far Sean Connery actually helps in bringing the character of James Bond to life on the screen. For me I've always found Sean Connery's portryal of the character to be my favorite of all the James Bond films.

Perhaps that is why other actors have wanted to play the role of James Bond and have their shot at saving the world and getting the girl. I'm sure the same can be said for the leading ladies and a chance at becoming the next Bond Girl.

We're on top of things

Growing up as a kid and sharring a room with my brother, it was bunk beds that we had as kids. I think its a given that the oldest gets the top bunk. For one if they fall out, perhaps they'll take it better than the younger.

The goal is to not fall out of these things and actually get some sleep. The real goal for us is to get the younger child to start sleeping in her own bed for us.

Perhaps sharring a room with big sister might help us with this. I'm sure its going to be a challenge and hopefully my oldest will adjust and get the sleep she needs. For one, she is going to school and she'll be hating things if shes tired.

In addition to this change, we are taking Guest room and turning it in the a Play room, perhaps that will mean all toys will stay in that room and not scattered around the house. Yes, things always look good down on paper, but we can dream and have a plan at least.

The time is now, reclaim the house and certain rooms for ourselves. Draw the boundries and lines and at least provide them with reasons they'll feel and enjoy their new surroundings as well. Hopefully they'll be fine sharring a room for awhile. At least long enough to get the little one sleeping on her own.