Building Industry Interest…

Disclaimer: This is going to be a boring read. I’m just pouring out some thoughts on the ole work-job…

To put it simply, I work in the construction industry. I’ve been in the biz for just over 7 years. The first 5 were spent in a residential based environment. Being a part of the industry gave me some very early indications of the current housing market crises. When my previous employer completely tanked after almost 80 years in the residential construction industry, I was fortunate enough to end up where I now sit.

This industry is HIGHLY effected by all of the changes in the housing market. The current downturn has forced the sale of the company I work for. Not only has it been sold, but we have closed hundreds of locations and dropped our workforce by thousands. It is sad to see such a widely operated company break apart like we are, but there are still some of us here and I have high hopes for the future.

I have a lot of thoughts on this issue and the articles I have been reading over the last few weeks are sparking my interest in a big way. Below are some articles and Twitterfolk to follow who are keeping me clued in to the goings on of the business that not only pays my bills, but actually makes me happy to get up and come to work every day. Check them out and look for more from me on all of this.

BuildIntel : A Blog run by “Marketing Experts” regarding the building industry. Typically I don’t care for anyone calling themselves a ” marketing expert”, but these folks are actually part of the industry, and therefore have a right to call themselves such. Follow Editor Nick Eber on Twitter. @BuildIntel

ProSalesOnline : News and information regarding the building industry. Follow Editor Craig L. Webb on Twitter. He’s quite consistent with his updates, which I love. @craiglwebb

Do you have news, information or just a general interest in the contruction and building industry? Let me now in the comments.

PLEASE SPONSOR ME FOR AIDS WALK HOUSTON

I feel like I really should have done more to raise money for AIDS Foundation. Here we are, less than a week away and I have only raised $68.00.

Here’s a little link straight to my AIDS Walk Houston profile: PLEASE SPONSOR ME!

If you aren’t in a giving mood, just check out these stats on HIV/AIDS.
(Taken from AIDS Foundation Houston’s Website)

• Houston ranks 8th nationally in the number of total reported AIDS cases
• African American and Hispanic women together represent less than 25% of all U.S. women, yet they account for more than 78% of AIDS cases reported to date among women.
• Today, 40 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS
• An estimated 10 people worldwide contract HIV every minute.
• AIDS is the leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25 to 34 and African-American men ages 35 to 44.
• CDC estimates that over a million Americans are currently living with HIV.
• CDC estimates 25% of Americans living with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their HIV infection status.
• 40,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV each year.
• 6 out of every 10 diagnosed HIV infections in the Houston/Harris County are African American.
• An estimated 1 in 90 Houstonians is living with HIV/AIDS.

For the love of Franki Chan!

A few years ago, Danni and I were preparing for our trip to SXSW together. A friend of ours told us the best thing to do is find EVERY free party requiring an RSVP and do it. So, we did. The one that stuck with me the most as far as actually getting me into new and different music that I wouldn’t ordinarily listen to was a little party by iheartcomix. Basically, if Franki Chan had sex with music, iheartcomix would be his spawn. Last year I checked my email diligently in the weeks leading up to SXSW, just waiting for that message containing the RSVP button to the iheartcomix blowout! It finally arrived and I sent my information through the internets with extreme joy! This year I’m still waiting for that beloved invitation to arrive. I look forward to a mass of sweaty drunken bodies dancing days and nights away.

In the meantime, here’s a little something to hold us all over. The amazing Franki Chan has a new mixtape out! You can grab it here… http://fairtilizer.com/track/frankichanmix

You can also follow Franki Chan on Twitter here… http://twitter.com/frankichan

And you can follow iheartcomix here… http://twitter.com/iheartcomix

AIDS Walk Houston & Team Awesome

I can’t believe AIDS Walk is right around the corner! March 15 is coming fast!

Valerie and I attended a Team Captain’s Meeting at AIDS Foundation Houston the other night. It was quite helpful in getting us more organized and prepared for the walk, as well as things we can do to broaden our donations. We’ve got lots of exciting things to look into as far as fundraising and I can only hope that our community will get involved with our efforts.

Also, we are still welcoming new members to Team Awesome, so get signed up! You can peep our wiki page for information on our team! If waking up at 7 AM and walking 3+ miles on a Sunday morning isn’t your style, that’s okay. You can choose to donate any amount of money to Team Awesome. We have a goal of $2000.00 and we currently sit at $975.00, so we really need some support! We’ll even accept a dollar. No discrimination!

Links you Need:

Join Team Awesome for AIDS Walk Houston
Donate in Support of Me and Team Awesome
Check Out The Team Awesome Wiki

Twestival Houston

Well, here we are. It’s finally Twestival time! I’m really excited about this event. As previously mentioned, I haven’t ever really been much of a volunteer, so this is a big deal for me. It’s my first effort and I’m really proud to be a part of it.

Twestivals are already beginning across the world. The money raised will go to Charity:Water which builds wells in developing nations.

Tomorrow, Houston will hold our very own Twestival at the Caroline Collective. I’ll be heading down there around 4 pm to help set up for the event. There will be a great mix of people, music, food, and drinks. Plus a little flashmob action! If you aren’t involved, you should be. It’s going to be fun times!

That being said, here are some links to help you get involved.

Register to Attend and/or Donate to Twestival Houston

http://amiando.com/twestivalhouston.html

Twestival Houston Blog

http://houston.twestival.com

Charity:Water Official Site

http://charitywater.org

Houston Flashmob

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/event.php?eid=53762746726

Hope to see you there!

AIDS Walk Houston

We’re all very excited to be a part of AIDS Walk Houston this year. Team Awesome is up and running and donations are doing quite well. I am a little discouraged by my family’s lack of participation, but that’s ok. I’m also mad that I made a donation this morning and I didn’t direct it toward the team. This is terrible! I’m the freaking Team Captain! Oh-well. The money is there, so I’m glad for it. If you’d like to join or donate, please do so by using the link below.

Join or Donate to Team Awesome in Support of AIDS Walk Houston 2009!

Thanks for the support!

Random Thoughts

I am stressing over a family issue. I have to help. I wish I could do more. I feel like my life is being taken over this week. Because of the family issue. I can’t breathe with obligation looming.

I wonder if the BFF reconciled with the ex last eve. We’ll see. If so, I saw it coming. If not, it’ll happen soon. It always does.

Self-destruction is a bitch. Every woman I know is guilty of self-destruction for the sake of a man. Myself included.

Office drama yesterday. Lesson: Never send group emails that include colleagues and personal friends/family. It can only end in disaster.

I miss some people. These are some of them…

Old times with Bryan. We're cute.

She's gonna kill me for posting this.

My Best Friend (Fausto)

Twestival Houston

As an update to yesterday’s blog regarding my new found desire to give back, I’ve got some info on Twestival Houston.

You can now register, donate or sponsor for Twestival Houston on the internetzzz!
Just click this pretty picture:

Register, Donate, Sponsor!

Inspired Charity

I’ll be posting my thoughts on the first few days of Barack Obama’s Presidency later, but for now he gets a small mention. I am superfan of Barack and am excited about the changes we will see in this country. For the last few months I have felt rather inspired by our new Commander in Chief. If he can get out there and rally this country to better us all, then I too should be rallying to better myself, my community, and my country.

I didn’t really know where to start though. Then a few weeks ago I was on Twitter, as usual, and @gracerodriguez mentioned her being tapped to organize an event called Twestival Houston. I clicked the link and found a minimal amount of information, but got the gist. Twestival is an event being held all over the world to raise money for a common cause. This round goes to Charity:Water, which builds wells in impoverished places that do not have access to clean water.

Coincidentally, after getting involved with Twestival, my friend, @elfia asked if I’d like to volunteer with her at the Boys and Girls Club to build a playground. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. Shortly after that I receive a link to AIDS Walk Houston. Responses to get a team together for AIDS Walk came quite fast via Twitter. Team members so far: @CandacitaBonita, @elfia, @ValClifton, @FreeNyona, @nae2881, @dannijaw, @tideturns

Several friends, both old and new are involved, as well as some coworkers. I am very excited by the sudden rush of enthusiasm and willingness to help. Our President inspires me, my friends inspire me, my community inspires me. What is your inspiration?

“What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly.”
– Jan. 20, 2009 Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

If you would like to contribute to any of these causes or otherwise get involved, please feel free to comment!

Broken-hearted Old News

I went through some of my old blogs that I’ve always kept private. I’m scrapping most of it, but here are some things I want to keep. These things remind me of a what was going on in my head around 4 or 5 years ago. Not exactly things I’d like to remember, but the words I had back then still seem to have some affect for me. These posts were originally published between February and August of 2004.

I’m praying to begin again, but fear is setting in.
Every moment of the past haunts me now.
I cannot stop these thoughts from hovering.
What will this become, but nothing?
Calm my nerves and wait for bliss.
DO I so deserve it?
- I never actually posted that. I think I know what/who it was about. Not really sure though.

Feeling flees her soul as she searches for sleep in the misery brought by her past,
And she wishes on stars that no longer burn, so desire stops turning.
This can’t be real, words on this page, rambling on, hiding behind shadows darkened.
Night falls in her mind, and her heart too, has lost the light, but flames are rising in her head.
Dreams await only to wake, and die before she steps out of bed.
- Pretty sure that was a product of insomnia.

Things and people come and go. I don’t think anything is forever, but maybe, agony. Pain never goes away. It gets covered in warmth with blankets of happiness, but it always lingers and chills the bones.
- I still stand by this statement.

Rush me. Wake me. Sleep me. Make me. Stop me. Love me. Hate me. Take me. Pour me. Poor me. Rise me. Shine me. Fake me. Stake me. Pass me. Hold me. Kiss me. Leave me. Believe me. Spin me. Throw me. Catch me. Push me. Follow me. Grace me. Feel me. Wish me. Miss me. Grip me. Grope me. Tell me. Whisper me. Wink me. Touch me. Please me. Form me. Fit me. Find me. Remind me. Rewind me. Raise me. Praise me. Keep me. Need me. See me. Hear me. Taste me. Cry me. Scream me. Release me. Me…me…me…
-Perhaps another product of insomnia???

Bat your eyelashes, and flash your grin.
Spin this web of charm in deceit.
Nothing’s real, not for me.
My mind is numb with screams.
Do I hate, or am I hurt?
I made this place for my own palace of pain.
My kingdom conquered by my own crown.
Disgust is rampant within these walls.
I sit and wonder how I ever loved you.
Love you? I did. With all I had.
- A sore spot. For a long time. Someone else fills that space now. I’m just not angry this time though.

***For Amanda and Will***
Light and shadow grace this place.
Brighten this face with love and devotion.
Water makes waves in the hearts ocean.
It is salted with tears from hurricanes of chaotic fear.
Void this space cold and empty.
Rush in winds to tear at concrete and stone.
Find your way in the rubbled aftermath.
Open your eyes and fight to get home.
- A girl I was friends with was dating a guy in Iraq. She was constantly terrified he wouldn’t make it home. I don’t know if he ever did. She and I are no longer friends.

Her blood falls silently like drops of rain.
Her body is drained, but it somehow eases the pain.
Her eyes shine with strength on the weakest of days.
Her heart spills the anger and rage thought to shackle her to this cage.
She runs into her own walls, built up to block out despair.
She stops to breathe the freshest air.
She still loves silently with the fear of losing sight of that sky filled with dark clouds, but blue sky.
She sails her ship down the river to oceans of red where the rains of her heart first bled.
- Not sure what to say here.

There is something on mind.
Whatever it may be, I cannot seem to find.
My point of release is growing weak.
I have these words, yet I can’t speak.
God only knows what is happening to me.
I have the freedom that I sought.
Now I’m bored, for it is not so free.
I feel trapped in my own liberty.
- I still feel just like this.Don’t suffocate me.
Help me flee, fly free.
Help me breathe, find what I seek.
Smile down on me from death.
I see the rest and it’s
all clouded with dramatic interventions
of the best and worst kind,
but we all hide so eyes don’t cry
while life passes by.
- This was originally published in October 2006. It was the only post from August 2004 until October 2006. I’m pretty sure it had something to do with my impending 1st year of kicking the coke habit.