Tips for Living Extended

Here's a list of a few things I have learned while living in the Extended Stay here in Dallas.
One of these tips may save you some serious cash over your the span of your life...

1. Don't buy stuff that requires an oven
Why? You don't have one
--Save your sanity by not buying a frozen pizza that won't fit in the microwave.

2. Buy Ziploc containers, you know, the kind like Tupperware, but cheaper and less permanent.
Why? These will not only come in handy for storing food like cous cous and rice (since your cooking for one), but will also double as a measuring cup.
--Save about 4 bucks.

3. Buy Purex 3in 1 Laundry Sheets
Why? It's a one stop... It goes in the wash, it goes in the dryer, and they are a good price for the convenience.. about as much as just detergent but without all the liquidy mess.

--Save a hassle and a few bucks

4. Don't buy too much breakfast food.
Why? They provide it free downstairs in the lobby. Just make sure to plan ahead for the weekends if you want to sleep in.  PS. They don't carry cereal or OJ
--Save 5-15 bucks a week.

5. Use your room key to press the elevator buttons
Why? You don't know where other people's hands have been. Those little buttons could just harvest some nasty flu stuff.

6. Don't go #2 right before bed unless you have some spray.
Why? The air conditioner has no constant fan mode,  so unless you want a stop and go, on and off jet stream right next to your head throughout the night (jet turbine noise cut to complete silence repeatedly), you will want to leave the bathroom door open to utilize the buzz of that fan to drown out any surrounding noises aka crazy people in the hall.
--Save years of your life (studies link good sleep to longevity)

7. Look forward to Thursdays (or whatever day you checked in)
Why? This is maid day. Though I have yet to actually see them, my room is cleaned, I get fresh towels, and my bed is made on Thursdays. It's quite nice.
--Save some time on cleaning Wednesday night.

8. When Traveling, look to buy your airline tickets on Tuesdays.  For some reason as I have monitored various airlines and flight bookers, Tuesday seems to be the day of the dipper. Not always spot on but usually gives you the edge in finding cheaper fare... that is, if your at least a month out.
-- Save from 20-60 bucks or so each trip!

Hope that helps anyone out there if you are ever in the troubled state of.... living extended.

Pizza Pizza

   There are a few characters that come to mind when you think of the ability of elusiveness...
Speedy Gonzalez, Jerry the mouse (from Tom and Jerry), the Roadrunner, and even the Wascawwy  Wabbit that Elmer Fudd never caught,  but I never would have thought that the Pizza Mascot of Little Caesar would be quite so sneaky.

It all started on Tuesday in the Training room.  I was waiting to meet the Chiropractor when my friend Steve decided to wait by running to Dominoes...
Still starving as he returned, my heart leaped with jealousy as Steve told me he had pizza for lunch. 
In that moment myy craving for Little Caesar's 5 dollar hot and ready pizza was born.

I don't know where my craving for this pizza came, Little Caesar's was a "go to" when I was a kid, but it was ripped from my life when it closed at Ewell Station and we had to make a move elsewhere for our Pizza Needs.

 

Well, on Tuesday Night I was coming back late from golfing, but remembered just in time to put Little Caesar's in to my GPS.... 2 came up close to being the nearest me.. I had to make a call. I went for O'Connor blvd....
15 minutes later I pulled up to an empty building.. 
               There was no hot and ready... none. I immediately hit my GPS for the next one....
                            it was...... too far away

I would have to pack in in for the night and settle for some VOILA out of the package - a life saver.

Wednesday night crept up on me quick and still I hadnt staked out my next Little Caesar's.  Again I remembered as I was in my car to hit my GPS to try the other close one.... 15 minutes later I was pulling up to another empty lot. At least this one still had the remains of their old roman sign.... I was getting closer.. Tracking this Little Caesar wasn't going to be the easiest thing I had ever done, but I could smell success, and pizza.

In desperation I hit my GPS one more time --- BINGO -- there was another target less than 2 miles away. I had a good feeling this time... you know, like that feeling where you just might cry if it doesn't work out again. 

10 minutes later I triumphantly walked into a real, working Little Caesar's Pizza place.
I had bagged the Caesar and all of his cheesy goodness after all... and only 6.01 for a pizza that was already hot and ready, waiting just for me.

I hope this is an encouragement to all of you out there who have a dream, any dream.  Chase it like a Little Caesar.... I did.

Paperroute and Penske

       It's always a great night when you get surprised by a best friend from the past... Add another and you have two best friends from the past on the SAME night.

Well to be honest I had some knowledge my buddy Mark Hodo Miller Jr, former UVA linebacker and now Pit Crew member for Penske Racing (Nascar and Nationwide Series), but it looked like he was going to be in and out in one day with no visiting.

Gavin McDonald, once starring drummer of Christian Youth Sensation "Anchor" and now drummer for "Paperroute" (touring with Owl City) called me Saturday Morning asking if I wanted to come to his show that night...

It was shaping up to be a pretty sweet day...
I was pumped about going to see Pepto at the Concert when I found out that the Race had been rained out and now Mark was free for the Night.... One quick call and BLAM.. two all access passes to see Paperroute and Owl City.  (Even though I have to be honest.. I had no idea who Owl City was... something about fireflies).

Paperroute











Me and Mark pulled up to Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas after eating Pizza with the rest of his crew and the first obstacle of the night... Parking = 15 dollars and I had only had 4 in cash.
Collateral was my license.. too bad when I got to the window I needed an ID to get my tickets.
Minor delay though, I whipped out my college ID and things happened.


Paperroute was nasty.. if you get a chance, check them out.. http://www.paperrouteonline.com/absence/
After the Show we had our second dilemma.  According to the security guard, our all access passes didnt get us down the stairs, we needed... a wristband! He said we could get one from the band managers etc..

We asked what is this pass good for? He said, "Well, you can go backstage."

So we could go backstage, but we couldnt go stand down in front of the band while they played.....
                           that makes NO SENSE... we didnt want to go down there anyway Mr Security Guard.


We hung out with Gavin for a while and helped him pack up his sticks and then Mark went back out to see Owl City and I got to take Pepto out to grab some food.

It was an awesome night of catching up with good friends..
     i found out that Gavin is getting married.... May 29th --- Congrats buddy.

Oh and if your the inquisitive and discerning type...  I did remember to go back and get my driver's license though it took me a few trips around the Arena in the rain.  I just kept forgetting that I parked back with the buses after getting food.


Good night with Great Friends

CriBs EpiSoDe

Irving, Texas

Studio Flat Residence

20 x 15 = 300 sq ft (my feet)

1 Bedroom
1 Bath
Kitchenette
Arm Chair
 Walk Through Closet

(Numbers have been reversed as not to give away the specific address of residence)

Hey, C'mon in.. I've been expecting you

Connor Hughes
Kicker for Dallas Cowboys









So, this is where it all happens...

No, seriously this is the only room I got, so everything that happens, happens here.
In this one room I have a bed, a chair, a refrigerator, a stove top, a microwave, a tv, a sink... everything really.
Plus I have a walk through closet and a bathroom.
I know what you're thinking and yes.. I know its a lot, but we're gonna get through it all in one day.

        So as you walk in to the left.. (or your right because the pictures got flipped somehow) you will see a five star kitchenette and dining facility.
Its LOADED with two chairs, a microwave, stove top and refrigerator.. and a sink too. And a trash can.








If you come in a little further you will see the view from my kitchen to the rest of my kingdom

Oh, I know what you're thinking and......

the TV does swivel
           Don't act like your not impressed.





Now, that you've really gotten a long way into my room, you're actually standing on my bed.  Mind your balance and drink in this gorgeous non-balcony view.
From here I can see miles into the sky (weather) and check the traffic without even rolling over!  I didn't want to show too much of the pool in my best attempt not to breed jealousy in your heart.

For the last few features of my place check out my walk through closet.......

and finally for the most used portion of my room, besides sleeping 8 hours in the bed, eating/cooking in the kitchen, reading and watching tv in the room etc....
 

That's right,

the Bathroom.

As you can see by the angelic glow this truly is a sanctuary of relief and thought.








Well, I know we've done a lot and your probably pretty worn out, so I guess I'll send you on your way now. Ya'll take care and feel free to use some of what I've done here as inspiration in your own... probably more humble abodes.

God Bless

[Disclaimer: The thoughts and words contained here in this episode do not express any negative sentiments on the part of blogger.  This blogger represents that he has been blessed abundantly and chooses to display his joy by means of humor, jesting, and the use moderately insightful quips]

The Green Hornet Strikes

There were some interesting events that occurred this weekend in the green hornet.

For those of you who don't know the green hornet, please refer to the rest of my blog and you will see amazing pictures of the green convertible that I am driving now.

2 Stories
1.  I haven't been locking my car much although I do have some valuable stuff (my Ipod, some gift cards, and a gps)  in there that could be stolen.  But I bought some Jelly Belly's this past weekend for 1.69 and left them in the passenger seat.... I locked the doors...... and put the windows up

2. On Sunday, today, I was driving to one of my coaches houses and while mesmerized at the size of one of the houses, I notice that a cop was driving the other direction.. he turned around QUICK.
I pulled over into the neighborhood where I was going and when asked if i was talking on the cell phone, which is forbidden in that area (and I wasnt) I explained that I was distracted and shocked at the size of one of the houses, and also that I was looking for my coaches house.
He took my license and registration.. once I found it in the borrowed car.
I thought to myself that I was fine with getting a ticket, though I didnt speed on purpose, I was guilty because I broke that law even though I didnt know what the law was in that circumstance... I hadnt seen a speed limit though it was properly posted.

He came back up to the car and told me to have a nice day... and "enjoy the Shane and Shane cd!"

He didn't give me a ticket.... I thanked God for a christian officer who had mercy on me the guilty. He recognized Shane and Shane by the voices in the background from my radio - only something a Christian would notice.
What a great example of the grace and mercy that God affords to those who repent and believe.  Though guilty, Christians shall not be condemned or incarcerated -- but instead of an officer we have Christ to thank - the ultimate judge and the payer of our penalty.

God is good.

What a Weekend!

This post is a bit delayed in being posted.. sorry.

This past Easter weekend was such a blessing

Last Wednesday afternoon I was surprised by Mr Buchan telling me that they would like to fly me in for the weekend... what a shock! 48 hours later I was on my way to the East Coast.

Not that I hate being around 60 weightlifting dudes here all the time, but it was a sweet get away for me to see my girlfriend and the church that has been so dear to me for the past 2 years.

This weekend:
I chatted with strangers on the plane about the Gospel
I got picked up from the airport by Mr Buchan and Bekah --we drove up a one way
I ate chick fil a
I played a terrible round of chip and putt on a beautiful day (Ben was almost as bad as me)
I had water ice--- a gelatini or something to be more precise
I had hang out time with friends
I went to an awesome Easter Church service
I took this picture with Bekah (courtesy of Robert Buchan Photography)

I had a great Easter celebration with the Buchan/McNesby family and dominated on the Wii, but not in ladderball.
I played putt putt - we were the only onnes on the course (for you Yanks its stiffly known as "mini-golf")


And then I flew back to the D, got picked up by V
and the next morning I was late because my car wouldn't start..

What a Great Weekend

Introducing Van Nelson

Last week I had the joy of reuniting with my good friend that some of ya'll in NJ have met before.. Big V.

To those of you who have made Rob and Big comparison to us, well, I got nothing, I guess I could see similarities. He's big and I'm not. Well when V came to hang out the other night I showed him some high class dining at an upscale, "she she" (I can't spell) restaurant called Dickie's Barbecue.. it was V's first time.

The beauty of fancy dining such as this is that you get to put on your two sides yourself.  This really enables you to get the full value that a 6'5 360 pound man is looking for.



Here's his plate. (Objects in this image are actually larger than they appear)




There's actually beef under there.






Here's what he did to it...

Afterward we drove back to my place.... Just two guys rolling through Dallas in the "green hornet."
Good times.

(V asked that I not show him on camera.. Im not sure if there is any shame related to his wishes but I am glad to comply)

Free Golf and Cars

So, the other day i got to drive one of my teammates new 2004 BMW stick shifts that looks like this

AND THEN...
later after playing a round of free golf in 25 mph gusts of wind,
While I was driving this

I saw this

drive by me.... fast.

Pretty crazy, if your into that kind of stuff.