Christmas Recap
Friday, December 29, 2006
Another Christmas has come and gone, and both the Box and I spent the holidays in Austin with our families. I didn't see the Box our entire time in Austin (It felt like half of me was dead), so this will be a recap of Christmas at the Haug's.
I think this Christmas, for me, can be summed up in two words: family and food (notice the 2 Fs pastor Box). It was a great time of fellowship and teasing, hanging out with all of my fam for 4 days. Coming home also means eating a lot of good food. You see, the fam thinks that
I do not eat very well when I am up in Dallas. Actually, they think that I do not eat at all, which may or may not be true. So, every time I go home now, I feel like Hansel and Gretel being fattened up by the old woman for the slaughter. Pork tenderloin, beef tenderloin, steak, homemade rolls, Grandma Annon's apple pie, chocolate pecan pie, and on and on.Some of my extended family came over to celebrate the holidays in the only way my Dad knows how…Karaoke Christmas. 2 hours of singing the classics gets a little old, but don't worry, there's always country's greatest hits to liven' up the crowd. The funniest sight was seeing my Dad play the role of choir conductor during a number of the songs, dramatically directing each person when to come in and fade out. Belsnickel left some goodies on the doorstep for all to enjoy, Winston ate 37 rolls, and my new-found brother-in-law was just trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
The biggest development of the night was finding out that my pregnant cousin Kristen has officially decided to name her child Kendal Jr., which is exciting.After opening presents on Christmas morning at my Dad's and experiencing several Christmas Miracles (similar to a Festivus Miracle), we headed over to my Mom's for more indulgence and presents. Some of my gifts included: quite a few Neil Young records on vinyl to add to my fast-growing collection, tickets to see Clapton in San Antonio, and several gift cards to make sure I eat while I am in Dallas (one to IHOP and another to the grocery store). By the way, I was given two tickets to see Clapton, which means that there is one left over for a special someone. That someone could be you, with the right persuasion of course.
Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 10:01 AM,
,
Krystal Burger
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The other day, while running a few errands for work, I came across a Krystal Burger. I had no idea we had one of these in Texas, let alone in Big D, so I decided that I must stop in and grab a few tiny sandwiches for lunch. I ordered 6 Krystal burgers with cheese and sat down with the day's paper to catch up on the latest happenings. I get my food, start to munch on some delicious finger food, and I over-hear the following conversation from a couple and their two sons sitting at the table next to me:Mom: "Alright, well after we finish eating Bobby (about 7 years old), you are coming with me to the grocery store and then I will take you to soccer practice. And Sam, you are going with your Dad for the afternoon."
Immediately after this Bobby lets out an excited "Yes!"
Dad (taken aback): "What was that for? Why are you so excited about going with Mom?"
Bobby (with no hesitation): "You yell at me all the time and Mommy doesn't. I don't like going to soccer practice with you."
A few moments of awkward silence ensue and then all hell breaks loose as the Dad begins to weep out loud. The Mom is stunned at the unforeseen waterworks and is at a sudden loss for words. I look around to see if anyone else is watching this and notice that all eyes are on Captain Vulnerable. I quickly ponder my options at this point and, being the full manifestation of compassion and kindness that I am, I decide there is only one option. I got up, threw my trash away, walked towards their table, and got the hell out of there! Are you kidding me!?
Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 12:16 PM,
,
Graduates
Friday, December 15, 2006
As of yesterday the Box and I are both graduates. The only difference: This is my 2nd degree and the Box just finished his undergraduate work. Hey, I'm just sayin'. We celebrated last night with an episode of The Office, an oversized dish of lasagna, and a few Sam Adams.
Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 1:16 PM,
,
Transportation: Part 2
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday - (4:45) Wake up, get ready and walk to the Rail station by 5:30. Have to buy a $2.50 ticket with a $20 bill and it’s like I hit the jackpot in Lake Charles when all my change comes out in quarters. Looking around to make sure I don’t get stabbed by the shady characters hanging out/sleeping around there, I collect my change and await the Dart. Take the Dart Rail to Union Station to get on the TRE (Trinity Railway Express) to Fort Worth.
I arrive at the station and hear that I missed the first train by about 5 minutes. I wait 30 minutes for the next one to arrive, take a seat and realize it doesn’t leave for another 30 minutes. While waiting for the train to leave I decided to do some reading. A couple minutes later a homeless man walks in and notices that I am reading a Bible (A NET Bible of course, compliments of Bible.org). He immediately sits next to me and starts telling me about how he is going through some rough times and he needs me to pray for him. I try to talk to him and ask him a few questions about what is going on, but he is very adamant that I say a prayer for him.
After praying for him in front of a small audience, he changes his tone and begins asking for my help. He tells me he wants to get into the shelter, and I tell him that I’d be happy to do what I can to help. He then asks me for $8 to cover the cost to get into the local shelter. I am now in an extremely awkward situation; I was reading the Bible, then prayed for this guy, and there are about 6 people on the bus watching this all go down. I’m thinking he really has got me good, how do I not come across as some punk Christian in this situation without handing over $8? I am not even thinking about how a shelter charging the homeless to get in is sort of an oxymoron, or that he might just go buy some booze, which he reeks of.
So, my first response: “I’m sorry I don’t have any cash,” which was actually true, all I had was change.
Kevin (very large homeless man): “There is an ATM right outside and the train won’t leave for another 20 minutes.”
Me: “I don’t know man, I don’t want to miss the train cause I’m already really late.”
Kevin: “If you’re late, what does it matter? You won’t miss it anyway, I promise.”
Me: “Umm, no man I can’t risk it, I’ve never ridden the train before…”
Kevin: “You never ridden no train man (causing a scene at this point) Come on man aren’t you going to help me. You said you was going to help me.”
Me: “Yeah I’d like to…
Kevin: “You don’t trust me. The train doesn’t leave until 7:05, I know this. I ride it all the time. We have time to go to the ATM.” (standing up and beginning to pull at me)
Me: “Sorry man, I’m not getting off.”
Kevin: “Where you going?
Me: “Fort Worth”
Kevin: “Alright I’ll go out there with you. There is an ATM right where we get off.”
Me: “Oh ok, awesome.”
He continues reminding me every 30 seconds that we still have time to get money while we sit there for another really awkward 20 minutes before the train leaves. Finally we are moving and he is still sitting right next to me, like we’re literally touching legs even though there is a maximum 10 people on the second level of the train. For the first half of the hour long ride he occasionally would ask and make sure that I was still going to help him. All this time I am trying to devise a plan to get out of this situation, which is difficult since I was planning on walking to work from the station; I didn’t exactly have a quick get away.
All of a sudden at about the 47th minute of the trip Kevin falls asleep. This was my chance, so I slowly tried to get up from the window seat and scoot past him without waking him up. Success! I quickly went downstairs to the lower cab, sat in a crowded spot, took off my jacket and beanie, and put on a hat. Somehow he didn’t find me. I don’t know if he ever woke up, but as soon as the train arrived I jumped off and walked briskly toward work until a coworker picked me up, looking behind me occasionally for a mad black man. As I write this today (Friday) I am still looking out for Kevin, especially when I’m hanging out at the train station.
Labels: ben
posted by benbox @ 7:49 AM,
,
Transportation: Part 1
Friday, December 8, 2006
A few things change when you rely on a motorcycle for all your transportation needs during the winter as opposed to more pleasant times. Things like never being able to fix your hair up nice before you go places really aren’t as big a deal to you anymore. Instead you are worried about not being able to use the front brake because you can’t bend your fingers, or walking into a hospital with a frozen snot stream coming out of your nose, or hitting some ice on a bridge and going flying off into sure death. The thing that you are most concerned with though is how you are going to get your bike started when it is covered in ice.
This is where my story begins, and although I could tell several related stories from this past couple weeks, I will try to sum them up in two parts. Ever since this cold weather hit, it has been a sweet adventure trying to find a way to get to work, and I am a big fan of adventure.
Wednesday (5:15) - Wake up, walk outside, see no rain and feel a pleasant 45 degree temperature. It’s a good day, got to work by 7:00.
Thursday (5:15) - Wake up and walk outside to a winter wonderland. Took a couple minutes, and then called in to tell them that I won’t be risking my life for them today.
Friday (5:15) - Bike is still frozen, parking lot seems free from ice though, and I get ready for work. (5:40) - Pour hot water all over my bike and try to break up the ice (tearing my vinyl seat in the process). Bike still won’t start after draining the battery trying. Resort to pushing and popping the clutch just like old times for another hour and I finally get it going. (9:00) - Make a pit stop a little over half way to Fort Worth to gain my composure and try and move my fingers. (10:00) - After trying to avoid bridges and getting a little lost, I arrive at work.
Monday - Exactly the same as Friday, but I get to work by 9:30 and can feel my face again by 10:30.
Tuesday - Same start to the morning, except the bike isn’t frozen. I go through the same routine of trying to start it with the electric start button until the battery dies out and then begin pushing it around our apartments as usual. However, this morning she just isn’t having it, and the few times I did get her rumbling a bit she quickly died out. This has never happened before. By about 9:00 I am freezing cold while drenched in sweat, and finally come to the conclusion that I’ll need to find another way to work.
Remembering an email I got from my Dad, I decide to rent a car. After calling around, I decide on Enterprise, because they pick you up. The cheapest vehicle they have available is a decked out PT Cruiser. By 11:30 I arrive to work in style, just in time to pick up the guys for lunch at Pei Wei. I was at work for about 2 hours before leaving to go back home to return the Cruiser. I decided since the motorcycle is broken, I probably need to find a less expensive option until I can fix it, or until I get the jeep back (which may or may not ever happen). To cap a good day off, Nick picks me up to go watch the Ag’s get beat. It was a bad game, but we enjoyed Humperdinks' house brews. Got home by midnight and began planning out my morning train ride.Labels: ben
posted by benbox @ 4:22 PM,
,
What's in a Name?
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Meet my brother Josh. Josh is a 7th grade history teacher and 
basketball coach in Austin. He hasn't had time for much of anything lately due to the enormous amount of time it takes to be a slave for a high school football team. However he did find some time to become interested in a certain sweet young lady. Meet
Rosalyn (aka The Roz). At first Rosalyn was a bit turned off by Josh and his Haug charm. Now I know what you are thinking, "Stop it, that isn't possible." Well, she apparently claims my brother is a bit arrogant, too wild, and a little loud. And your point? Despite these setbacks, Josh was able to win her over with his boyish good-looks and because Rosalyn was lying the whole time when she said that she wasn't in love with him. They are now dating, and I hear from a few good sources that they spend every waking hour together. Some of Josh's friends thought it would be appropriately funny to start referring to Josh and Rosalyn as one person, Josalyn. Josh, for some reason, does not find the newfound nickname funny at all. So, I pose this question to the blog: How funny is the nickname Josalyn? You can vote on the poll just to the right in the sidebar. Feel free also to add a comment on your thoughts and why you voted as you did.
basketball coach in Austin. He hasn't had time for much of anything lately due to the enormous amount of time it takes to be a slave for a high school football team. However he did find some time to become interested in a certain sweet young lady. Meet
Rosalyn (aka The Roz). At first Rosalyn was a bit turned off by Josh and his Haug charm. Now I know what you are thinking, "Stop it, that isn't possible." Well, she apparently claims my brother is a bit arrogant, too wild, and a little loud. And your point? Despite these setbacks, Josh was able to win her over with his boyish good-looks and because Rosalyn was lying the whole time when she said that she wasn't in love with him. They are now dating, and I hear from a few good sources that they spend every waking hour together. Some of Josh's friends thought it would be appropriately funny to start referring to Josh and Rosalyn as one person, Josalyn. Josh, for some reason, does not find the newfound nickname funny at all. So, I pose this question to the blog: How funny is the nickname Josalyn? You can vote on the poll just to the right in the sidebar. Feel free also to add a comment on your thoughts and why you voted as you did.Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 9:50 AM,
,
Thanksgiving Recap
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Last week was Thanksgiving as everyone knows, and the Box and I were in Austin for some all around good times. I thought I would give a quick recap of some of the highlights that made up our weekend of giving thanks. I would also like to add that I am officially thankful for my roommate the Box. Without him this blog would be…well it wouldn't exist actually.
The Box and I headed down to Austin Wednesday night and we had a meaningful car ride. The conversation was touching and deep; the Box even started crying. But that's just the Box. He's an emotional giant. We did have to stop in Waco so the Box could relieve his tiny bladder, and once back on the road, I drove while the Box proceeded to compile a random top 5 list for some stellar categories that will be revealed on the blog in due time. Looking for a place to dine in Austin? Just you wait.
Once we made it to Austin the Box decided to spurn his family for one more night and hang with the boys at Rufus (Let me explain Rufus quickly: Rufus has a sort of existential existence. It is a state of being and its essence is preceded by its existence. Rufus is pure and unadulterated goodness. In layman's terms: Rufus is my brother and Big B's house). The Box and I crashed on the couch that night, and no, not on the same couch.
The next morning when the Box finally awoke from his hibernation, I took him over to his house. The lovely Kathy Box invited me in for some brief catch-up time and tempted me to stay for lunch with some sweet aromas coming form the kitchen. I was not able to stay, but I did get to catch a priceless early opening of Christmas presents by the entire Box family from Nana (details excluded). After hearing how Kaley (Ben's sister) had recently spurned a suitor who wrote a song for her to ask her on a first-date and then acted like everything was fine by playing racquetball with him the next morning and trying to turn his romantic attention towards her roommate, I headed over to B's parents house for the 2nd annual Barry/Haug Thanksgiving extravaganza. Let me just say 2 words: delicious. Well that's one word, but you get the point. Momma Barry makes the best stuffing this side of the Mason-Dixon line and that Poppa Barry sure knows how to entertain. I got a brief run-down on the Barry family history while I had a piece of all 3 pies that were prepared for dessert; the trophy went to the apple.
Friday was a blur and I don't recall anything of significance taking place. Then the weekend ended with the Box and Mrs. Kathy coming over to my parents house for the Haug's world famous fajitas on Saturday night. The company was divine, the food was even better, and the beer ran out unfortunately. We played a great game (thanks Jax) that we hope to introduce to the blog with some pics shortly, and then we had little brother roasting time. You see I have 3 younger brothers, 2 of which haven't graduated high school yet. Zac, the youngest, is in 7th grade and lets just say he takes after his oldest brother and is quite the ladies man. It was Zac's birthday about a month ago and he had received numerous homemade cards from some of his friends that he kept in his room (big mistake). And when I say friends, I mean girls. He probably had 25 different girls write him a letter or a message of some sort. Of course being the good older brother that I am, I preceded to read some of these messages to the group for everyone to enjoy. Most of them were heart-warming notes of encouragement telling Zac how cute he was, but there was one letter that took it to the next level and stood out. I believe this young ladie's name was Jennifer and the line that caught my attention went like this: "Zac, you make me snicker. You satisfy my soul!" We rolled on the ground with laughter for a good ten minutes. T-shirts are in production.
Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 9:48 AM,
,
The Authors
Kendal Haug
Kendal is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and most recently earned his Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He works for Bible.org and likes to think he knows how to play the guitar. His man-crushes include, but are not limited to: Ryan Adams, Donald Miller, Ray LaMontagne, Neil Young, Vince Young, and of course The Box.
Ben Box
Box, is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University and currently works for Medco Construction building hospitals and being important. Ben loves paying lots of money on broken down Jeeps and has a propensity for getting Kendal into trouble.
About This Blog
This is a multi-author blog devoted to the happenings of two bachelors living it up in Big D. We will record the daily nonsense that occurs when 2 life-long friends live together in the same apartment and have no shame, sense of fashion, or chance of meeting a girl in the next 10 years.
A Word on Comments
Ben and Kendal both highly encourage your comments. They look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights. No matter how harsh the criticism or if you just want to give them a good ole pat on the back and say "Way to Go!" or "Ha! That was a funny story!" or "That Ben sure does crack me up." And if you have a request of something you would like to see Ben and Kendal do or write about, let them know.
Disclaimer
Ben and Kendal are in no way responsible for stories that may worry, upset, or lead their parents to altogether disown them.
