Journal Rudy Rodarte's Journal: Vacation week 03-Nov-2003 to 09-Nov-2003
Vacation week:
Monday
Today is the day. My interview was at 13:00 and I was ready. Well, as ready as you can get for it. I searched around on the web for what this portion of the test is exactly about and I could find nothing useful. No problem, though. I am still confident.
I really can't go into specifics, but it was odd. So, I get there and there are a ton of cameras everywhere. I am a little nervous, but there was a person there to calm me down a bit and chat with me before the real interview started. I think I did well, and I have an advantage over other candidates, since the interview was basically what I do every day at work. Oh well, it's cut-throat and ultra competitive to get in, so any little advantage is worth it. Later, I watched some WWE action as I prepared for my surprise trip to Houston.
Tuesday
I wanted to leave extra early, but I didn't take off until around 07:30. I got to Houston at 10:30 and surprised my mom first. My mom called my dad, who didn't believe I was there. But, I answered the phone, so he believed me then. My mom and I then went to my sister's school to eat lunch with her. She was very surprised with my sudden appearence. I told her we would goto the mall that night so I could buy her an early birthday present. After that, my mom and I went to eat at one of my favorite Mexican resturants in Houston. They have this big dinner that they serve all day. Very Atkins friendly, for a Mexican place. Once my sister got out of school, we went to the mall where I bought her some stuff from Hot Topic. I wanted to buy a Zelda shirt from there, but the $18 price tag made me think twice.
When we got back home, I worked on my sister, my brother and my James' computers. I got them all up and running as much as I could in the time I was there. My sister's computer posts. My brother can now capture video from his Digi Cam and James, well at least he can play command & Conquer now. Need rest...
Wednesday
Today, I had to drive back to Austin and study for my Oracle test. The drive was pretty good and the XM radio kept me entertained. The drive seems a wee bit longer in the day. However, I did manage to stop at Meyer's to chow on some BBQ! But, I got home and studied from 11:30 ish until 5, when I drove to ACC to take my test. I think it went OK, but we'll see when I get the results today.
That night, I went to see the matrix. Not a bad ending. It did take me some time to digest the story and 'get' it. But I think I have a better understanding of the story after I let it digest and read some of the /. comments about it.
Thursday
Work Work Work. Laundry, and cleaning up the apartment a bit. That's all I did all freakin day. But, the evening was fun. I set the VCR to tape CSI, Survivor and Without a Trace and off I went to Wurstfest. So, basically, all the people in New Branfuels get together to eat sausages and drink beer. Good times. But, when I got home, the VCR had not taped ANY of my shows!!! WTF?!?! Dude, I need a Tivo or the Time Warner DVR.
Friday
Priscilla took Friday off as well, so we packed up and after a quick lunch at Pok-e-Joes, we were off to Waco. We got there around 3 and checked into our Hotel. We then went over to campus for a bit to check out the book store and meet up with Dan. We had some coffee and took pics of the bears. But after a nice chat, Priscilla and I went to Target to buy candy for the parade the next day.
Alas, when we got to Target, all the Halloween candy (75% off) was gone, so we had to buy regular candy instead. No bigge, the total was only $8. So, back to camups we went to get ready for the bonfire. We met up at the music school and there were already several alumni there. I needed a Tuba for the bonfire, so I got with Becky and she gave me a horn. Granted, it was old and crappy, but it worked(kinda)
The bonfire was fun. It was a blast to play again. I haven't played in so long, so my face felt a little wierd, but it all came back to me after a bit. The freshman did manage to get the bonfire going this year, so we all rejoiced! But, it was hard playing with the wood burning.
After the bonfire, I made my way to the School of Music to put my tuba up for the game the next day. On my way there, I ran into Mark! It was great to see him again. He looks the same as he did in school. I thought the Air Force would leave him all buff. Alas, it did not happen. After I put up the tuba, I went to Waco Hall. But none of the alumni wanted to hang out, so Priscilla and I went back to the room, to get some shut eye.
Saturday
The day of the big game. Priscilla and I woke up around 05:00 to have a big breakfast at IHOP. There were people already there, so we weren't the early birds that day. After IHOP, we made our way to the music school to catch a bus downtown for the parade. Nothing like band alumni in a yellow dog! Well, we got downtown and found our ride. Basically, it was just a hay ride through Waco. I held the BUGWB Alumni sign, but I still threw candy at the kids. I opted to walk next to the hay ride instead of riding in it. I enjoyed the stroll. The parade was fun and I saw several of my friends as I walked along the parade route. Good times!
Later, Priscilla and I made our way to the stadium for rehearsal. THere wasn't really much rehearsal for us, so I opted to play catch with the current BUGWB dudes. Am wierd? Am I the only 'old guy' that is active? No one else wanted to toss the football with the current members. Well, I had fun. We then marched into the stadium and around the field. After we marched around, I ran right up to my old tuba spot to play. After pregame, the rest of the tubas made their way up. It was a blast playing with them again. Halftime was OK, but I was on the big screen A LOT, so that's cool. Well, the Baylor Bears made the game interesting at first, but the Red Raiders whupped us good. Still, it was fun playing, though the band did little playing after half time. And, since BUGWB wasn't palying much, I went and sat with the old people. And who should stumble over but John dog. Wow, we can never get more than 3 McPs at the same time at the same place. Maybe next time.
After the game, we sang at the 50 yard line and took off to grab some chow. We went all over waco looking for a place that didnt have a 1 hour wait. We finally went to Malibu Burrito(or something like that). I had a fajita salad as I watched UT thrash OSU. Not fun, since there were some UT people there. I get enough of them back in Austin. Now some had infected Waco?? Not cool. After a long chat with Sydney, we went back to the room for the night. I think i was asleep before 22:00.
Sunday
Sunday started off well. Priscilla and I had lunch at Ninfa's before checking out the floats. As always, the floats were parked outside of Waco hall. We took a bunch of pics this year. We then came back to Austin where we went grocery shopping, to church and just watched some football.
We did manage to goto Wan Fu for dinner, which is always great tasting. We wrapped up the weekend with Sunday Night football as I prepared for my return to work and the school week.
Monday
Back to work and school.
Monday
Today is the day. My interview was at 13:00 and I was ready. Well, as ready as you can get for it. I searched around on the web for what this portion of the test is exactly about and I could find nothing useful. No problem, though. I am still confident.
I really can't go into specifics, but it was odd. So, I get there and there are a ton of cameras everywhere. I am a little nervous, but there was a person there to calm me down a bit and chat with me before the real interview started. I think I did well, and I have an advantage over other candidates, since the interview was basically what I do every day at work. Oh well, it's cut-throat and ultra competitive to get in, so any little advantage is worth it. Later, I watched some WWE action as I prepared for my surprise trip to Houston.
Tuesday
I wanted to leave extra early, but I didn't take off until around 07:30. I got to Houston at 10:30 and surprised my mom first. My mom called my dad, who didn't believe I was there. But, I answered the phone, so he believed me then. My mom and I then went to my sister's school to eat lunch with her. She was very surprised with my sudden appearence. I told her we would goto the mall that night so I could buy her an early birthday present. After that, my mom and I went to eat at one of my favorite Mexican resturants in Houston. They have this big dinner that they serve all day. Very Atkins friendly, for a Mexican place. Once my sister got out of school, we went to the mall where I bought her some stuff from Hot Topic. I wanted to buy a Zelda shirt from there, but the $18 price tag made me think twice.
When we got back home, I worked on my sister, my brother and my James' computers. I got them all up and running as much as I could in the time I was there. My sister's computer posts. My brother can now capture video from his Digi Cam and James, well at least he can play command & Conquer now. Need rest...
Wednesday
Today, I had to drive back to Austin and study for my Oracle test. The drive was pretty good and the XM radio kept me entertained. The drive seems a wee bit longer in the day. However, I did manage to stop at Meyer's to chow on some BBQ! But, I got home and studied from 11:30 ish until 5, when I drove to ACC to take my test. I think it went OK, but we'll see when I get the results today.
That night, I went to see the matrix. Not a bad ending. It did take me some time to digest the story and 'get' it. But I think I have a better understanding of the story after I let it digest and read some of the
Thursday
Work Work Work. Laundry, and cleaning up the apartment a bit. That's all I did all freakin day. But, the evening was fun. I set the VCR to tape CSI, Survivor and Without a Trace and off I went to Wurstfest. So, basically, all the people in New Branfuels get together to eat sausages and drink beer. Good times. But, when I got home, the VCR had not taped ANY of my shows!!! WTF?!?! Dude, I need a Tivo or the Time Warner DVR.
Friday
Priscilla took Friday off as well, so we packed up and after a quick lunch at Pok-e-Joes, we were off to Waco. We got there around 3 and checked into our Hotel. We then went over to campus for a bit to check out the book store and meet up with Dan. We had some coffee and took pics of the bears. But after a nice chat, Priscilla and I went to Target to buy candy for the parade the next day.
Alas, when we got to Target, all the Halloween candy (75% off) was gone, so we had to buy regular candy instead. No bigge, the total was only $8. So, back to camups we went to get ready for the bonfire. We met up at the music school and there were already several alumni there. I needed a Tuba for the bonfire, so I got with Becky and she gave me a horn. Granted, it was old and crappy, but it worked(kinda)
The bonfire was fun. It was a blast to play again. I haven't played in so long, so my face felt a little wierd, but it all came back to me after a bit. The freshman did manage to get the bonfire going this year, so we all rejoiced! But, it was hard playing with the wood burning.
After the bonfire, I made my way to the School of Music to put my tuba up for the game the next day. On my way there, I ran into Mark! It was great to see him again. He looks the same as he did in school. I thought the Air Force would leave him all buff. Alas, it did not happen. After I put up the tuba, I went to Waco Hall. But none of the alumni wanted to hang out, so Priscilla and I went back to the room, to get some shut eye.
Saturday
The day of the big game. Priscilla and I woke up around 05:00 to have a big breakfast at IHOP. There were people already there, so we weren't the early birds that day. After IHOP, we made our way to the music school to catch a bus downtown for the parade. Nothing like band alumni in a yellow dog! Well, we got downtown and found our ride. Basically, it was just a hay ride through Waco. I held the BUGWB Alumni sign, but I still threw candy at the kids. I opted to walk next to the hay ride instead of riding in it. I enjoyed the stroll. The parade was fun and I saw several of my friends as I walked along the parade route. Good times!
Later, Priscilla and I made our way to the stadium for rehearsal. THere wasn't really much rehearsal for us, so I opted to play catch with the current BUGWB dudes. Am wierd? Am I the only 'old guy' that is active? No one else wanted to toss the football with the current members. Well, I had fun. We then marched into the stadium and around the field. After we marched around, I ran right up to my old tuba spot to play. After pregame, the rest of the tubas made their way up. It was a blast playing with them again. Halftime was OK, but I was on the big screen A LOT, so that's cool. Well, the Baylor Bears made the game interesting at first, but the Red Raiders whupped us good. Still, it was fun playing, though the band did little playing after half time. And, since BUGWB wasn't palying much, I went and sat with the old people. And who should stumble over but John dog. Wow, we can never get more than 3 McPs at the same time at the same place. Maybe next time.
After the game, we sang at the 50 yard line and took off to grab some chow. We went all over waco looking for a place that didnt have a 1 hour wait. We finally went to Malibu Burrito(or something like that). I had a fajita salad as I watched UT thrash OSU. Not fun, since there were some UT people there. I get enough of them back in Austin. Now some had infected Waco?? Not cool. After a long chat with Sydney, we went back to the room for the night. I think i was asleep before 22:00.
Sunday
Sunday started off well. Priscilla and I had lunch at Ninfa's before checking out the floats. As always, the floats were parked outside of Waco hall. We took a bunch of pics this year. We then came back to Austin where we went grocery shopping, to church and just watched some football.
We did manage to goto Wan Fu for dinner, which is always great tasting. We wrapped up the weekend with Sunday Night football as I prepared for my return to work and the school week.
Monday
Back to work and school.
Vacation week 03-Nov-2003 to 09-Nov-2003 More Login
Vacation week 03-Nov-2003 to 09-Nov-2003
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