Texas Blue Lime Productions

There were some rough years (2006-2008)

2009 had some sadness, too

the harassment continues…can you believe it? (for those who’ve lost count: 2005 was the beginning)

Daddy’s golf tournament was diluted to the point that his name was removed. “Larry Salter & Harold Morrison Prairiland Academic Trust Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament” is just too much to fit onto a t-shirt.

We said goodbye to Sosta in December. Her suffering was one of the hardest things either of us has ever endured.

…and we finally saw some light and goodness

We went camping on what started out to be a gorgeous weekend and turned out to be one of the coldest of the season…and LOVED every minute of it

Lori worked for our wedding florist (Nan’s Blossom Shop) and learned so much about the floral industry on their biggest holiday

We held/hosted/sponsored the last BV QueSt GAYla….and went out with a bang and then some

Lori attended SxSWi and met a great group of non-profit professionals who work to better technology for those with physical impairments…and then came home to find a new/surprise 24″ iMac that Emil secretly ordered

Lori was honored to photograph the wedding of the younger brother-in-law of a dear friend

Lori served as a Wrangler for Texas Photography School, another honor to respect and treasure

We enjoyed the annual Luza Family Camping Trip for Easter weekend

Lori was selected to be the lead photographer for the wedding of another photographer’s daughter (…there seems to be a pattern here!)

We planned, hosted, & executed the 2nd annual (or at least let’s hope it is) “Neighborwoods Garage Sale” in the Westwood, Shirewood, Rosewood, & Rockwood neighborhoods in Bryan

Emil got a new job with the Travis County Clerk

We moved to Austin

We live at Riata “resort”

Lori was privileged, One. More. Time., to photograph the wedding of the daughter of a campus “celebrity”

We found the Austin Child Free organization

We joined Dream Dinners

We sold our house in Bryan, with the help of a great Realtor®, to a great guy…making the whole process easier

Emil made some fabulous friends at work, including a Longhorn with whom he can trade light/fun/gentle/silly practical jokes

Lori found the local alumni group for the University of Miami, a Crochet/Knitting group that is “off the hook” (pun intended), and her local Zeta sisters

We found a couple of board game groups and now play Settlers of Catan every month or so

Lori had the great privilege and honor to host a portrait session for two former students (yep, they met in the same organization) and their 2 children

Lori was selected to be a Wrangler for the Texas School of Professional Photography for 2010

Lori found time to resurrect her listening of KeithAndTheGirl.com (NSFW: not safe for work!)

Lori’s allergies (though worse in the summer) were greatly improved in the fall and controllable with a tincture and some light meds (so far) in the winter

Lori found—after months of looking for the right fit—some amazing business (and friend!) contacts through Weenie’s Warriors (#AWTWX on Twitter), Nuptial Essentials Association of Wedding Professionals, Austin IBA (@ibuyaustin on Twitter), Austin NBX, #roundrockjelly, & NW Austin Brainstormers

Emil (& Lori) ran into a student worker-turned-friend (from his job at the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M) at an Aggie football watch party

Emil joined an online Dungeons & Dragons group (because his original live group got kicked out of their play place for a brief while and sought online options) and still gets to play with his good friends in “Bryan Station”

Emil planned an amazing mini-vacay for us to Fredericksburg; we stayed at an isolated cabin, rode our bikes, had massages, and even hiked to the summit of Enchanted Rock

Lori photographed her first true newborn: 7 days old!

Lori found out her Wrangler assignment for Texas School and is honored to be working with Robert Lloyd

Lori donated some portrait sessions to charity and photographed some kids for their Christmas cards and another family for Christmas gifts for grandma and had the “good problem” of being very busy near the holidays

Emil took Lori on a movie date (a first in a very long time) and, since we were in an adult theater, armed with break times from runpee.com, able to order food/drink, and close to restrooms, she stopped hating theater movies

We had the most relaxing Christmas we’ve had in several years, in spite of the additional travel to make all the rounds

The last night of 2009 brought a Blue Moon (once every 2.5 years), on New Year’s Eve (once every 19 years), that was also a Lunar Eclipse for Europe, Asia, and Africa

Our New Year’s Eve was legendary thanks to Emil finding a wonderful Italian restaurant and a fabulous fundraiser party to benefit The Blue Theater and Shrewd Productions

2010 has rolled in with a new spirit and energy that is indescribable

Happy New Year, everyone

When we bought our car, we left a $500 check so they could order it. Once the car arrived and we officially made the purchase, they were supposed to process the check with all the final paperwork. They didn’t but said they would issue us a check. We didn’t notice that we never got it. [1] We got a letter from them saying we’d never cashed the check. They are right on top of it.

But their communication is like that of the dinosaur age.

• The letter is a form, written in all caps, with the date, our name, and the check number, date, and amount written in by hand.
• The only communication option (except for the website with no staff directory) is a phone number, answered by a human, with a 4 digit extension. While the receptionist has a sweet voice and is happy to connect me to x4510, it would be easier/faster for her and me if I could just type that myself.
• The woman who process these things is very busy and (surprise) always on the phone. So, all I get when I call is her voice mail. I have my phone set up to give preference to voice mail, too. Even when I changed it for her, I didn’t hear it ring in the next room. Luckily, she knows how to use voice mail correctly. [2] But, since we can’t reach one another, we are still “playing voice mail tag”.

Had this been handled by email, instead, it would have been a quick exchange and then done. Just the time saved to “log” into voicemail for each group of calls and listen to the message(s) would be worth it.

I don’t know why some industries (and car sales certainly seem to be one of them) are still so old-fashioned when it comes to technology. Don’t they use email in their personal lives? Don’t all their friends/family use email (and facebook and twitter)? Don’t they wonder why their jobs are still making such heavy use of an older technology?

…maybe this is why their industry is suffering in spite of more people in our country and the desire/”need” for more cars?

[1] Prior to the sale of the house, we’d have been calling every day to see where that money was. But, since the house sold and our budget could breathe again, it was a lot less important. Plus, I know that deep down we trust the dealership. And, we were right to do so.
[2] “Hi this is Sally from Scion. Please call me at 512.555.1111.” is not the correct way to use voice mail. I don’t usually return those calls. It is important to state the purpose of the call and mention any deadlines or urgencies. Our dealership contact confirmed my mailing address via the message and even said something like, “I think this must be right since that’s where I sent the letter.” I guess since she uses the phone so much, she knows the right way to do it.

Purrrrrl loves her “woobies” when it’s cold outside.

we slept

all day

from midnight the night before

until 10am

when we watched a movie

and then went back to sleep

until 5pm

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

On our 3rd day of Christmas, we

• woke up early enough to get on the road before most traffic
• left Paris at 9:30 and and made it to Austin by 2pm
• settled in and had our own Christmas exchange and then relaxed for the rest of the evening

This is a great holiday themed add that is meant to deter drinking and driving.

Don't drive if you're tipsy, buzzed, or Blitzen.

• RT @benlerman Thanks 2 all the #katg listeners 4 coming 2 my shows n Houston & Austin. @keithandthegirl –y'all have changed my life. Thanks #
• Happy Winter Solstice! Now, please snow, just a little, pretty, but not enough2 knock the power out, just enough2 cancel work4 @emil285 #
• RT @crredwards Amen, brother … @JustinRyan For the love of God. If you want the secret to social media, it's this: Be yourself. That's it. #
• YAY! Not far now, Smurfette! RT @omarg: At the hospital delivery waiting room…. #
• @ileenieweenie did you make the deadline? (hope hope hope hope) #
• @incslinger by far, it's my grandfather. No hobbies or interests. simply WON'T make a wish list. Wants for nothing. in reply to incslinger #
• @jenztweets @omarg Actually, that was one of the first 'innovative' uses of Twitter (in ~2007, I think.) in reply to jenztweets #
• @ileenieweenie check ibuyaustin.com for locally-owned shops that might be closer and less crowded #
• @IleenieWeenie Find and Replace is your friend! You don't have to accept every one. in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• @IleenieWeenie right, but you do a find for " another for inches and another for in. So much faster & more accurate than reading. in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• Time to run more holiday errands. :: sigh :: Thank goodness for a flexible schedule. #
• Yay! Congrats! RT @omarg Carolina Noelle Gallaga, born 12:48 p.m., 7 lbs 5 oz, 18.5 inches, perfect delivery. Baby's already nursing. #
• Yes yes should mach his dress pant size or the holes will b in the wrong place. Which is his pant size? #
• 2 deposits 1hr apart. 1 went thru; 1 is lost in la-la land. Been on hold MUCH too long; have the hold commercials memorized. #bbvacompass #
• @coffeyfiend That is GREAT news! Do a little happy dance! in reply to coffeyfiend #
• @austindirtydog Ha! aw, come ON, don't you want to get listed with them??? They ARE "who's who" after all!! </sarcasm> #
• @austindirtydog I think the 30-day rule on registrations is when you move…30 days to get it updated. in reply to austindirtydog #
• @BethylEthyl I'm glad it worked out better than you hoped! in reply to BethylEthyl #
• I'll be there…. @IleenieWeenie: Hope 2 see Warriors when I wake up! @loriluza @maczter @myerman #
• Sounds like #AwTwX might just be @ileenieweenie, @multiplepets, and me. Anyone else? #
• @michaelpearsun I am. in reply to michaelpearsun #
• Listening 2 @multiplepets on BlogTalkRadio w/Pia Silvani, director of training & behavior @ St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center -Madison, NJ #
• NOM! @TheDigPub: Shiner Cheer at The Dig Pub #ontapatx #
• GREAT show, @multiplepets! #
• I'm making a gift that is truly from the heart (and mind and soul) for my wonderful grandmother. #
• Why is this reindeer carrying a lamp with a shade? Oh! That's supposed to be a tree. Wrapping paper illustration #fail. #
• RT @orchid8 Judging frm my twitter/friendfeed stream, I spent my entire time at Central Market conversing w/ the food & bevs #notreallycrazy #
• LOL! @IleenieWeenie: Lid fell off bottle of garlic powder, which is why my dinner now has a little sand dune on top of it. #
• WordPress 2.9 FTW #
• KIDS these days. sheesh! LOL!! #
• @bennrosales I'm so glad you are doing better! No more scaring all of us! Do everything @laniar tells you to! #
• @jeremya maybe you could check @skiparoundtown's #foursquare LOL in reply to jeremya #
• @IleenieWeenie noooooooo….I <3 the chicken!!! in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• @roybragg did you drive all the way to my mom's house/neighborhood????? She also has the "Dillard's" themed tree. in reply to roybragg #
• @IleenieWeenie Oh. ok, I understand. I can't wait to see what you come up with next, then! in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• Ravel just might be one my favorite composers of all time. He loved to write for flutes. #
• @jeremya I'd listen to it. What about? I'd love to do one, but do NOT have time or geek skills. in reply to jeremya #
• @omarg awwwww, you're sweet. Now, can we see more pikturz nahow pleez? in reply to omarg #
• 10 Historically Bad Christmases http://short.to/11ctq #Christmas #Fail! LOL! via @Flipbooks #
• @omarg awwwwwwwwww CUTE! thanks for sharing! Glad to see a happy/calm image of her! in reply to omarg #
• ok, kids, I'm out. happy first full day of winter. #
• Why dont grocery stores have cookbook libraries? #
• @jenfrazer LOL. Yeah, I wanted to change something mid-trip, but didn't have the ingredients memorized. in reply to jenfrazer #
• Holiday grocery shopping on Christmas "Adam" sounded scary, but was calm. I suspect it will get busier with each hour of the day. #
• I'm LOLing at show 1096 of @keithandthegirl while I finish and wrap some handmade gifts. #
• PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! /via @Holly_Hanna #
• @NecklaceClub PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! #
• . @slavetofashion PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! #
• . @ileenieweenie PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! #
• @crredwards CON: you'll miss @IleenieWeenie's birthday. PRO: you can take @IleenieWeenie w/u for her birthday. in reply to crredwards #
• . @laniar PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! #
• . @bennrosales PLS RT this 2 Anyone who made U Smile N 2009. It may surprise U how many U get back. Thanks 4 making me smile! #
• @crredwards girl, you are CRACKING me up today. Thanks for the holiday giggles. Sending thoughts of peace your way. in reply to crredwards #
• @roybragg comedian @benlerman has a version you might like…dig on some celebs. http://bit.ly/5NUtvd #
• Worst that would happen: @IleenieWeenie would spill stuff on them! LOL @crredwards #
• @lorriemeyer I have one small hospital connection, but it's waaaaay NW. LMK if they want that area & I'll see what I can find out. in reply to lorriemeyer #
• RT @stephensurefire To the old lady in front of me: you lost us all when you paid by check. Just not a useful way to spend anyone's time. #
• @bethylethyl I'm a distributor for SendOutCards. I'd love to show you how it works! #
• @thejenatx I wish we could join you! #avatartweetup #
• RT @TheJenATX Who wants to join us? #Avatartweetup 12/26 Alamo S. Lamar 11:30 showing 2 Cheer up @DeepEddy http://bit.ly/6HJzI0 #
• it rattled our roof! @Bepkoboy Woah…..cold front literally JUST blew into Austin & thru the screen door; must've dropped 15degs #Xmas #
• @Bepkoboy haells yeah! I love inclement weather of ~all kinds. in reply to Bepkoboy #
• . @Bepkoboy Agreed. @emil285 just took @purrrrrl outside to snif the air & hear the roar. #
• . @emil285 " [it's] freakin' cold out there!" Yay! #
• listen to the roar in the wind! #atx nom! #
• Merry Christmas, everyone. #
• And the chaos begins … #
• Listeningto Dolly sing Hard Candy Christmas while we trval up I-45 en route to Paris. #
• Looong day, but at least traffic is light. #
• Dallas pit stop. Lots of po-po on the roads tonight. Merry Christmas, speeders. #
• Are we there yet? #
• We know we're close when the radio starts to static. This Footloose town doesn't allow classic rock within county borders. #
• Neon beer signs in Paris, TX-1st sign of the apocolypse. I bet there are still some former community leaders turning over in their graves #
• RT @annamunoz RT @jaketapper Why do "so many" stores put "words on signs" in "quotations" that "don't" need to be "in" quotations? #
• Alphabits! RT @annamunoz Mine was Froot Loops @ileducprof Cap n' Crunch #favoritechildhoodcereal #
• Can't sleep and bored out of my skull. #
• @jeremya I'm better when it's not the holidays and when I'm at home and stuff. in reply to jeremya #
• Gonna try sleep, again. wish me luck! #

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On our second day of Christmas, we:

• sleep in just a little (until about 9am),
  and then
• Mom finished a few meal and gift preparations
  while
• Emil ran all the virus and software updates on her computer and got the printer working, again,
  before we headed “over the river and through the woods” (not really) for a
• noon meal for the five of us (Lori & Emil, Lori’s mom, and her parents) at the grandparents’ home, at the dining table, with the fancy dishes,
  and then we shared
• gifts with the grands,
  and then went
• back to Lori’s mom’s for our nuclear gift exchange, playing with Roxi,
  and a bit of recovering from a busy day

Lori's grandmother's Southern relish tray (embellished by Emil)

the 2009 O'Brien Christmas tree includes Lori's mom's Baby's First Christmas ornament up top. It's red, so it matches her hair!!! LOL

Our first day of Christmas (and our first major holiday since the move to Austin [1]) was jam packed.

9am – leave Austin for Bryan
11am – 2nd group to arrive on scene at Luza Christmas
12noon – giant family lunch, 65 in attendance, paper plates and a seat on the deck
1pm – visit with family, watch Mom and the kids open gifts
4pm – after the mass exodus of her home, we visited with Mom and the remaining family
5pm – leave Bryan for Paris
10pm – arrive in Paris

What a day!

[1] Thanksgiving would have been our first try at this travel pattern, but Lori came down with a cold bug. She too sick to travel, but more importantly, we didn’t want to infect anyone else.

His name is Ben Lerman and he plays the ukulele.

Because I listen to Keith and the Girl, I knew of Ben Lerman and his melodic-with-a-ukulele genius. Ben has some great stories that he has turned into song. He also does the occasional cover song that fits his shtick. His material is NSFW (not safe for work), but this post on our blog is.

We arrived early and had a drink (and I worked on a couple of Christmas gifts); that was the best decision of the night. We took the best seat in the house, the couch. A few minutes later, another couple arrived and when they rounded the corner, said, “oh, someone is already sitting on the couch.” So, we made room and invited them join us. That was the second best decision of the night! Fositi, Shane, (and later their friend Chris who joined us) were hilarious and kept us in stitches until Ben’s show. They were all there to see the band that Ben was opening for.

When they asked me about Ben, I didn’t really know how to describe him except that he’s a great comic and his tag line: “My name is Ben Lerman and I play the ukulele.” I hoped that they wouldn’t be disappointed.

Before Ben took the stage a couple of tiny acts did a couple of numbers each. One even played the ukulele. I thought it was a little like stealing Ben’s thunder, but he took it all in stride and thanked all the performers by name when it came his turn….and then he blew them all out of the water!

His first song, “My name is Ben Lerman and I play the ukulele,” made us all giggle. But just one song in and our laughter was boisterous. If Ben is going to be near you on his tour (Texas, California, Colorado, New York), you simply must make an effort to see his show. He has some great stories and songs and is a genuinely nice guy who wants to meet his fans. I promise you’ll have a great time.

The super-best part is that we made new friends in the process.

TwitPic
please forgive the poor quality phone camera

http://benlerman.net/
@BenLerman on Twitter