Bob Vila Junior

This morning, David and I got up early (ok, 10 am) and sauntered down to Lowe's, where they were having a workshop on how to build a fire truck.

Of course, anything with the words 'fire truck', and David is all over it. Aside from having to help him line up a few nail locations, he did this all by himself! From the picture with all pieces laid out, to the picture of the final product, he read the instructions, he set aside the pieces, and hammered every nail. Thus proving that he has already surpassed me at something. The day he beats me in 1 on 1 basketball, I'll know it's all over.

OK, back to my writer's block.

A Severe Case

Well, here I am. It's 4:31 am and I am still trying to fight through a severe case of writer's block. My paper is due on Sunday at 11:59 pm, and I have about 600 words left. This is my last paper for this class, which makes it even more of a tease. Let me put it this way: It's like running a marathon, but on the last half a mile I am stuck on a treadmill, just running in place. This sucks.

Well, tomorrow is a HUGE game for OU. Mizzou and their 5-0 record come to Norman. College GameDay will be there. This could potentially be the same exact match up for the Big XII title, not to mention national title implications. Needless to say, I'll be taking a break to catch the game.

Fuck it. I'm going to bed.

Boomer Sooner!

This morning was so much fun. Today is picture day, and we wanted to dress David appropriately in a nice, clean white button down shirt. Of course, that was the last thing HE wanted to wear. He was expecting to wear his Clinton Portis burgundy Redskins jersey, which would look great on a school picture. So we fought, and fought, and fought. And fought some more. There were tears and a lot of complaining on his part, and a lot of threats and counting to three on my part. I ultimately won, but as they say, it was a pyrrhic victory. I ended up being about 30 minutes late to work.

Dona is working really hard and doing very well. I couldn't be more impressed and proud of her. She really has a ton of things on her plate, but always seems to have time to read David a story. Or watch Desperate Housewives (ugh). Oh well - I don't expect her to understand my passion for the UFC, so I can't really say anything. Regardless, the woman is tireless and is going 100 mph during the day. Oh, did I mention she's PREGNANT?

I have two papers left to complete by Sunday night, and right now, it appears that it will take a gigantic fucking miracle for that to happen. The good news is that these are the last two for this class. The bad news is that one paper is an analysis of three works of art that properly reflect the mood of the 14th century, and the other is a discussion on Raphael's Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione, and how it reflects the ideals of the humanist scholar based on Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man and Alberti's Virtu. I'm looking forward to it as much as I look forward to a colonoscopy.

Also in the back of my mind is the garage cleanup, moving my office into the new space, and moving Dona's office upstairs. I don't expect a lot of sleep this week.

By the way, I can't say it enough. 28-21. Boomer Sooner!

Peace out.

Silly Daddy

There are times when I just don't give enough credit to David. Case in point: As I'm dropping him off at daycare this morning, he tells me that he wants me to pick him up after school. I tell him that I'll try to, but it depends on how the truck is as I "have to take the big white truck to the doctor". He turns and says to me, "yeah, and you have to take him to the repair shop too." So damn smart.

It turns out that all the truck needs is a new battery. Whew!


This was a great weekend. 'Bela and Papa' were here, and while mom made her trademark rice and beans to go along with my grilled pork chops, dad helped me finish the trim in my office and install two flourescent lights in the garage. I got to drive his new Honda Ridgeline, which I was impresed with, and in the process, got rid of a bunch of junk in my garage. Win-win.

On the way back to DC, though, we realized mom had left her purse with her wallet, keys - and most important (since she was driving) - her license. They went as far as Richmond before they made the decision to turn around. I felt so damn bad! On the road for six hours, and right back in the place they started. I had to force them to stay - there was no way in hell they were getting back on the road, especially at night, and especially with my dad looking like he was woken up from a six month hibernation. They left this morning at 5:30 am and got home safely.

Well, off I go again to work on another paper.

Before I continue.....

Here is a gratuitous photo of my two beauties.....

This was taken at my parent's place in Sarasota. It's one of my favorite pictures.

The Comeback Kid

Greetings from Durham, North Carolina!

Ok, this is not Durham. It's actually Puerto Rico in 2005. And, no, Durham is not that lush. I just can't seem to find any pictures of myself because I am the one who is always behind the camera.

Anyway, there is a lot to update, and I'll be updating slowly but surely. Among the topics we'll cover are the recent news of Dona's pregnancy (we just found out it will be a girl!), Will's wedding (I took zero pictures of the wedding, but 6 of the bachelor party - none of which are clear), our recent purchase of a new home, and my latest house project. I may even go back in time and revisit events like David's first athletic endeavor.

Of course, my semester at OU just started (Go Sooners!), so it will be a gradual process. So, hang in there and you'll be rewarded.

Tell Me This Kid is not Ready for GQ

Pimp my Mailbox

Ok, so I promised some mailbox photos so here they are. Never mind the bullshit that they are about a month late. Ignore that fact. Just look at the goddamn photos and enjoy.

Our First Puerto Rican President, and a Burnt Mailbox (RIP)

Before I begin this post, I just want everyone to know that I am aware of how much I suck at updating this blog. It's pathetic. I promise to get better.

For now, enjoy the latest news as well a bonus - as two of my favorite pictures. My gift to you for your patience.

Last week, Dona was helping Margie & Rob clean her grandparents house so I took David to a park. While there, a little boy and his dad were setting up one of those small, portable soccer goals to kick a soccer ball around with. As soon as David saw that, he raced over to the boy and said, "Hi, my name is David and I start playing soccer ball on 30 March. What's your name?" Yeah, he'll be the President one day. He has absolutely no problem going up and talking to people. BTW, off the record, he caught on quick. He is soooo coordinated, it's amazing. Wait 'til you see him throw a tight spiral! I already have him on a strict dietary and exercise program, and even massage his hamstrings with evaporated milk every night before bedtime to stimulate his vertical and 40 times.

Yeah, so last week when I was in Boston, some punk ass kids lit our mailbox on fire. Yeah, it was stupid. However, our neighbor (who happens to be the wife of a local Fire Chief, and therefore expertly prepared for such an occurance) snuffed it out in less than a minute with her fire extinguisher. Aside from losing some junk mail, which is always a good thing, nothing happened. I'm actually glad it happened. Our old mailbox was ugly. The new one really isn't much prettier, but it's built like a godddamned tank. I'll be damned if this shit happens to us again! Bastards! I installed it this week. I replaced the post, painted it, and screwed in the new mailbox, complete with stylish looking brushed nickel numbers. Give me a few days to post the before and afters.

No Pressure at All

I'm sorry its been so long since I have communicated with y'all. I'm pathetic in trying to keep up with this damn blog. Two weeks ago I was in LA, last week I was in Boston, and this week I have been trying to catch up. Also, that $4 million show is around the corner, and things are heating up. If I can make this show work, it will be one of my biggest accomplishments in my professional career, by far. I have never done anything this difficult, and in turn, could open up all kinds of opportunities. We'll see how it goes.

Yesterday was an incredible day, sunny, probably in the low 70's, nice and breezy. Dona and I walked around the lake while David rode his bike. Poor little guy damn near cracked his head wide open, as he forgot how to use his brakes and headed downhill toward a bunch of big rocks! Luckily he got up without a scratch on him. As active and crazy and wild as he is, I am still in shock we haven't been to the emergency room yet. At this point its not a question of if, but when. I am definitely not looking forward to that day.

My Life in Four Pictures and Thirty-seven Words

My name is Joaquin Aguayo. This is my son, David at various ages. These are my feet in Sarasota, Florida. This is my beautiful wife Dona laughing with David.

This is my life in thirty-seven words.

Richard Simmons' Exploding Steamer

If you know me well, you know that Richard Simmons is one of my most favorite people of all time. There is so much material there, that....well, see the video and tell me if you don't love this guy.

Why I Love Steven Seagal

How does anyone not love this guy?

Listen to some of the characters he has played: Nico Toscani. Mason Storm. Forrest Taft. Jack Cole. Casey Ryback. And of course, my favorite, Detective Gino Felino NYPD.

Here are some interesting facts:

Has been married 3 times.

Is a vegetarian.

Seagal's love of guitar and appreciation of rasta music led him to study with teacher in Jamaica, where he owns a vacation home.

His Santa Inez home includes 200 acres planted with cabernet grapes, which is then sold to wineries.

Master in Japanese Kendo.

Has been a bodyguard.

Broke Sean Connery's wrist when he was teaching him martial arts during the filming of Never Say Never Again (1983).

Is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's favourite actor and also his friend.
His first seven films were all starring roles, ending with "Executive Decision" (1996).

Is good friends with Jackie Chan.

Is a singer and guitarist.

In 2005, he released an album titled "Songs from the Crystal Cave".

Owns a very large and impressive collection of Guitars and Samuari Swords.
While his acting in Above the Law (1988) gained praise from the likes of Roger Ebert, Seagal has repeatedly faced criticism from both critics and fans who accuse him of playing the same character in many of his movies, as well as displaying a lack of emotional range. In fact, some people refer to embracing typecasting as "Seagalism."

The February 17, 1989 draft of the screenplay for Hard to Kill (1990) credits Steven Pressfield & Ronald Shusett & Steven Seagal as writers. Pressfield & Shusett are not credited in the final film and Seagal only received an acting credit.

Speaks Japanese fluently

mom and dad at the gallaudet university protests

i think these are the coolest photos in the world. this is mom and dad at the gallaudet university protest of jane k fernandes. i love the fact that they are supporting my sisters by attending and becoming active. mom even sent a letter to the washington post! super cool!

this is a test

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why we do the things we do

this right here is why i get up in the morning. as usual, i couldn't sleep, and i started thinking about some horrible shit that made me a little depressed.

if i get hit by a bus and die tomorrow, will the little guy remember me?

not that this is all about me - it's just that there is so much i want (and look forward) to teaching him. things like how to tie a tie, how to throw a curve ball, how to find an appreciation for art, what to look for in a college, et al. there is so much! it's almost overwhelming.

one of my goals in life is to write a book (i'll probably post my full list of goals here some day - it's got shit in it like jump out of a plane, visit the pyramids, run a marathon, etc.). on my drive home the other day, i thought of a great book. it is a book for david, and in it are all the mistakes i have made throughout my life, and how to avoid them. i even thought of a title: "just in case i get hit by a bus". maybe one day i'll write it. for now, though, i think i'll go to sleep.

my very first blog entry....i promised myself i wouldn't cry

well, here goes nothing. no fanfare,no ribbon cutting ceremony. just start writing. ok. so...um...uh...let me think of something to write about, and i'll get back to you.