Andrew Narunsky

Once again, it has been a while since I have made a post to my blog site. I suppose this is primarily due to the fact that I haven’t really had a lot to update about. I just want to make sure I do keep up to date with this. So, let’s start with some recent exciting things that have happened in my life.

I guess the biggest new thing is my new truck. After my previous vehicle (a 1998 Ford F-150) blew a head gasket, my mechanics suggested I find a new vehicle since the previous was old, high millage, and would cost at least $2,000 to repair. In my search, I managed to find a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 with 41,000 miles for $14,000 (before taxes and such). It’s definitely a nice vehicle and certainly does the job. Of course I managed to get a great deal on it as well, and, with my excellent credit rating, I was able to get pretty low monthly payments even with no down payment. I still need to find a camper shell for it, but other than that, everything with it is great. It has a built in factory CD changer with XM stereo and factory stock Bose speakers as well. It also has an extended cab with rear doors on both sides. My F-150 only had the extra door on the passenger side. Overall, I am definitely happy with my purchase.

Another fun thing was getting to meet Blue October a couple of times within a two week period. This happened when I went to go visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece in Austin. My mother and I were at their house when my sister-in-law, after checking her Facebook, informed me that Blue October was having a CD release party for their new album Any Man in America, scheduled for release the next day, at a record store in Austin at 5:00 which was only a couple of hours away. We were both planning on going, but she and my brother decided to stay on the grounds of not being able to take my niece and not wanting to leave her with my mother. I went on though and saw them perform one older song and four new songs at an acoustic set. After this, they had an autograph signing for those who purchased the new CD. I got a few pictures as well as autographs the new CD and a copy of Crazy Making – The Words and Lyrics of Justin Furstenfeld. The next week, they had an appearance at The Sony Store in The Galleria in Houston. They played acoustic versions of Hate Me and The Chills. I was able to record these with a nicer camera as I was more prepared this time. I was also able to get a better picture of myself with Justin which you can see on one of the random refresh pictures on the top left of my blog. I also went to check out the show which they had at House of Blues in Houston the next night. It was a great show as well.

Another good thing going on is that I am being considered for promotion into the primary security queue at work. I have already been doing the work for this. However, this promotion would mean that these would be the issues assigned to me instead of just the issues that I am trying to take to improve. This would also mean a pay raise which I am certainly looking forward to. I already have the quality and skills for the new position. My supervisors just want me to increase my pace and volume of issues handled in order to be officially moved up.

Halloween was fun as well this year. I got to be in Austin for my niece’s first Halloween, and we took her trick or treating, but this really just meant a walk around the block as she is still a little young to go door to door.

That concludes another round of recent updates. Until next time…

It certainly has been an interesting holiday weekend so far. I was very busy at work and spent a lot of time with my family and still more to come.

As you may have noticed, yesterday was quite a busy day for work. I worked this morning as well including getting some extra hours in on both days. Yesterday was volunteer, but it was also holiday pay (x1.5). I had a rental show Thursday night, and I have another rental show tomorrow. Then, there is always T-Bones on Saturday nights. Unless you don’t count the couple of hours it will take to setup and take down the rental show tomorrow, I will not have a complete day off of work until next Sunday, and Tuesday will be the only night between now and then that I don’t have a karaoke show or rental. Oh well though. It’s money.

If course, with it being Thanksgiving weekend, I have spent a lot of time with my family as well. My mother, father, a friend of the family, her daughter, and I had a small dinner Thursday night. Then, last night, My folks, my brother, his wife, and I all went over to my Aunts house for the family and friends Thanksgiving dinner. I saw some family members of course including my grandmother whom I always enjoy spending time with. Not too many people are lucky enough to be in their mid thirties and still have a grandparent around. I also got to hang out with my cousin and her boyfriend last night, and they will come out to my karaoke show tonight as well.

Of course, the big news of last night was the announcement of my brother and his wife’s child’s sex. That is whether they are having a boy or a girl. They decided to make a cake, and the color on the inside of the cake would be indicative of the gender of the child. The amusing part of this was everybody joking about how they wanted to eat fast to get to the cake quickly. So, it finally came time for the ‘ceremony.’ They decided to let my grandmother be the one to cut the cake. She sliced into the cake, and, with the pull of the first slice, we all saw the pink interior of the cake to let us know the child would be a girl. We would have all been happy either way, but this was still fun.

That is all for now. I hope all of you had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. Until next time…