Monday, November 29th, 2010

Namaste,

Well it started out as a pretty good day.... Got up and had my coffee, farted around with my computer for a couple hours, then took Trey to school, and hit Starbucks. Work was pretty busy early this morning... We even stayed in and had leftovers for lunch. I decided this morning to reformat my computer so I started reloading everything and it took all day. I would start a download, and the work, come back and start something else, so on, and so on... Chatted with my buddy Wolf in England a few times today with the miracle of Facebook. I think I am going to have a few of his images in my exhibit on the 11th, of December.... When I came home Mike came by and picked me up and we met Jason Klinka at In the Raw and had some sushi.... We were headed to the Thunder game and then Sherrie called me and the Jaguar was not running and she was over by mom's house! I took Mike's car and came home... It is way to dark to do anything about it tonight, but I will look at it in the morning! I was watching the game on TV and working on my computer and when I set up the wireless network, it blew the whole network up.... That took me several hours to work out! It's working now! I hope the car is as easy to fix tomorrow!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Namaste,

Pretty boring day! Got up at 6:00 and continued to work on my computer.... Left for church at 7:30.... Hit Starbucks and then picked Trey up at mom's. Church was good! Trey and I came home, and we were going to go hit golf balls, but the wind was blowing at 50mph. I continued to work on my computer..... I gave up and took a little nap. I had some large prints done at Wal-Mart last week and the quality was crap, so I returned them to the store today. They wanted to argue that the images we not high enough quality to print large format.... I guess this on hanging on my wall above me in a 24 x 36 is not high enough quality???? Looks pretty darn good to me. I think it was operator error! Anyway Sherrie and I went out by the lake to see if there was anything to shoot out there tonight, but the wind was out of control! When we got home I ran another system restore, and although it's not fixed, my computer is working much better than it was!

All my love!

Mat

Friday & Saturday, November 26th & 27th

Namaste,

I am writing this blog from Sherrie's laptop because my computer is pissing me off! I have some kind of registry error, and it is running sooooo slow that I can not even do anything on it! I have spent 15 hours over the last two days working on it. I have everything backed up and tomorrow if it is not fixed I will reformat! Friday morning I got up early and went to the lake to see if anything was moving! I got my coffee first though! There were a few deer and some ducks but nothing spectacular. I went on to work, and there was not a lot to do. We finished up well before noon, and then I came home and got Trey. We went to the zoo and walked around for a couple of hours. It was really pretty chilly, but the sun was out. We went and got some lunch then came home and watched football for pretty much the rest of the night. I jumped up this morning before six and ran out to the lake, and went for a eight mile hike. Jodi called me when I was about 4 miles out and told me one of the units was down and I had to hurry back to the truck and go in to work. I was there for about a hour then I came home and Sherrie and I went to the market. When we got back Trey ad I loaded up ad went to the Links to hit some golf balls. When we got home I worked on our plumbing in the shower.... It is leaking from the shower turneroner.... I couldn't get it to stop so I will call a plumber Monday. I grilled some Pork chops, and made salads. Mom came over for dinner, and to watch the OU/osu game. The weather should be pretty nice tomorrow, so I am going to ride out at the lake after church! OU just won the game!!!! That means I don't have to hear about osu for another year!! Awesome!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Namaste,

Soooo it got COLD overnight! Yesterday it was 80 degrees and this morning it was 22 degrees with a 30 mile an hour wind! At 7:00 I went by Starbucks and took my friends some bagels, and cheese. They were surprised and grateful! Had my coffee on my way to the Turkey trot! Sherrie was going to run with me but backed out! I had so much to do today. I had to fry my turkey by myself, because Bruce and Tracy did not come up from College Station. I raked leaves while the turkey was frying, and then Sherrie's friend Stephanie and her family came over and had Thanksgiving with us. When I stop to think about what I am grateful for, there are soooo many things.... I guess the first thing would be my family.... I take them for granted, but I love them with all of my heart. My friends.... Without each and everyone of you my life would SUCK BIG TIME! My health... I am having so much fun doing everything I never thought would be possible! I am looking forward to some kind of crazy adventure next month. My supporters.... Whether you are a financial sponsor, trainer, Quest Team member, or just a blog reader, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I spent the rest of the day with my family.... Eating leftovers, and watching football! I am going to bed, because Christmas shopping starts at 5:00am!

All my love!

Mat

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Namaste,

Got up early and considered going on to work at 5:00, but decided to take it easy and read, and write. Jordan got up early and was feeling OK... So I went on to Starbucks then work! I knocked everything out and was only waiting on our order to come in so I could finish up my work. Jordan called and was in quite a bit of pain, so when the order came in I finished up and came home. I gave her some good drugs, and when she went to sleep, I started cleaning house and cleaning up the yard. Sherrie, Trey, and I went to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, before the Thunder game. The game was great for the first 3 quarters, then we forgot how to shoot, and defend. We left because I was getting angry! We had to stop at the Market and pick up a few things then home to snuggle! The temperature has dropped 70 degrees since yesterday. We had the air conditioner on yesterday, and this morning we have a fire going! A few more pictures from my night shoot the other day!

All my love!

Mat

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Namaste,

Well it was a trying day... I got up at my usual time, and had my coffee, while returning emails. When I took Trey to school, I hit Starbucks, and then needed to get some papers notarized for the gym. I had a bunch of stuff to return to Wal Mart and Sherrie and I picked up some things for Thanksgiving lunch.... We came home and got Jordan and then we headed to St. Anthony's Surgery Center. We got there and they called Jordan back at 10:30, and the doctor did not show up until, 12:30. The procedure only took about 30 minutes, but it took her until 5:00 to come out of the anesthesia and be able to make it to the car. I left the surgery center when she was out of surgery and went to Santa Fe to pick up the school work she has missed, then hit Home Depot, and NAPA. When I got home I picked up my cameras and headed to Oak Tree for a photo shoot. My buddy Chad Dugan owns Red Rock Landscape and design.... He just finished a lighting project at a big awesome house, and he needed pictures for his website. Trey went with me and helped me, so I took him to Johnnies for a chicken sandwich and then we came home. When I got home Sherrie told me that the bathroom faucet in Jordan's bathroom would not turn off, so I had to run back to Home Depot and get a new valve stem.... I got it fixed and now I am going to pass out!

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up at 4:45 and got my shower.... Read quite a bit, and returned emails. I am trying to finish my newest book, and get it sent to print so I can get it back before Christmas. I only need to do a few edits. Thankfully there is not very much text! I wrote a few thoughts about religion, and that may offend some people but it is what I believe.... I basically say's I don't care who you pray to! Allah, Buddha, Muhammad, or Christ! Believe in something or fall for anything! Anyway.... I took Trey to school, and when we got there Trey freaked out and said we had to come back home. He was suppose to have a scholar squad competition today at Deer Creek.... It got cancelled, but he had forgotten his stuff, so I had to bring him back home and then back to school. I hit Starbucks and then to work.... Work was plenty busy because it is Monday, and the weekend always brings problems.... At lunch Jodi and I ran to Mazzio's and made a salad then back to work. I bailed at 4:00 and headed straight to the gym. We are getting ready for the world championships in Dallas next month, so we have all been training really hard! I came home at 7:30 and had a salad..... I am pretty tired, and Jordan is having surgery tomorrow morning. She has to have her gallbladder removed.... Maybe it will make her nicer???

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Namaste,

Man did I over do it yesterday.... I slept like crap! I could not get comfortable! Every time I move this pinched nerve in my back just grabs me.... Feels like someone is stabbing me, and yes I do know what that feels like! (Childhood accident!) I got up at 5:45 and did a few things here around the house, and then woke Trey up.... I wanted to go out to the lake for sunrise after we hit Starbucks and see if there was anything worth taking pictures of. The wind was gusting at 50mph, and the clouds were thick as bee's on honey! We drove around for an hour and nothing looked good. We headed on to church. Trey and I were going to walk around the zoo after church.... My niece Krystal works at the zoo, and they were making a donation to my scholarship foundation. The check was in and I needed to pick it up. During church Trey said that he would rather go hit some golf balls.... He is on the schools golf team, and needs tons of practice. We ran to the zoo picked up the check and then came home got clubs, and headed to the links. The links is Trey's school's home course, and he plays there for almost nothing... Trey had a couple of shots that were amazing!!!!! We only played nine holes but it seemed like so much more! The wind was brutal. We grabbed some lunch then came home. I laid down for a couple of hours, and then mom came over for dinner. I am working on the exhibit. Shrink wrapping pictures..... Ton's O' Fun!

All my love!

Mat

Saturday, November 20th, 2010

Namaste,

Slept in until 6:00 and jumped up and headed over to Midwest City... I wanted to do some shrub work and clean up the property. I picked Brent up, and we got busy.... I got a text from Tyler Griffin and he needed me to teach the Cardio class at 10:00 so I dropped Brent off at 9:00 and headed to the gym. I got there early and went for a run, and straightened up the gym.... I hit bags and worked over Bob. I left the gym and headed over to my buddy Eric's house. Eric has some health problems and his yard was in really poor shape. He had a big evergreen by his front door that was dying, and I don't think the yard had been edged in a long, long time. I was originally just going to cut down the tree but once I got started there was no stopping. I even had to stop and go get the trailer. I really got his lawn looking sharp. I went in to see him, and he said he could not believe I had done all that and I told him.... Accept my blessing, and pay it forward! That's all I want! That and maybe some good Karma!!!!!! I have been missing my friends from Nepal again... I thought about them all afternoon! Wolf, Naba, Wolf Jr, Enrico, Prem, Deil, and all the other people who impacted my life and changed the way I live. I went to moms when I left Eric's house and was going to mulch her lawn, but I broke the main drive belt on the mower, I loaded it up and came home. Trey and I went and dumped the whole trailer of limbs, and tree giblets.... When I got home I was dying. We spent the rest of the evening watching The Thunder, and Sooners. Overall a pretty awesome day.

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, November 20th, 2010

Namaste,

Jumped up at 5:00 and got my shower..... I use to run every Friday morning, but it has been really cold in the mornings lately. I worked on the exhibit, and my new coffee table book. I am only printing about 5 copies due to the price, but hopefully someone will see it and want to front the publishing cost? I took Trey to school and then headed to Starbucks..... Work ended up being fairly slow, and so at lunch I went back to Hobby Lobby to have two more pictures framed. The same guy helped me today as yesterday, and he did not move any faster today, than he did yesterday. The afternoon was pretty slow, and I left a little after 4:00pm. I stopped by Cup Cake A Go Go, and got a dessert, then headed to the market for some groceries. I came home a grilled some steaks, made baked potatoes, and salad. The kid's were at moms so it was date night. I rented a movie and after dinner we watched the movie. We rented Grown Ups and I had already seen it, but Sherrie had not.... We struggled to get through it, even though it is super funny. We went to bed super early and I was out like a light!

All my Love!

Mat

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Namaste,

I did not want to get up this morning... Jordan had a gallbladder attack last night at 3:00am and whined and cried all night. No one in the house slept last night.... I got up at 5:30 and got my shower, and returned emails... Trey and I left a little early. Trey was really excited because he had his first basketball practice this afternoon. Trey called me when I was at Starbucks, and said that he needed to be signed up for the golf team today.... Trey is a busy boy!!!! On to work where I did all of my weekend prep. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be busy, and so I wanted to get ahead. I went to Hobby Lobby today at lunch and got one of my big prints framed. It looks AWESOME! I went back to work and stayed really busy until just after 5:00. I went straight to the gym, and ended up teaching for almost three hours. We worked on ground and pound, then did several rounds of boxing. I got a great workout, and I am beat!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Namaste,

Just a quickie tonight... Woke up at regular time and returned emails, and read a bit. Got Trey off to school and then hit Starbucks... My friend Erin DeVoe, who is the swimming coach at Edmond North High School showed up at Starbucks this morning bald... Erin had a beautiful head of long blond hair. Edmond North is raising money for a student with cancer and I really admire her for doing that! The day was very busy... Crazy busy.... There was some serious craziness at the hospital. I went to have some pictures framed at lunch, but things did not work out the way I wanted it to, so I will try again tomorrow. The afternoon was busy, and I was trying to get out by 5:00 to have dinner with the Klinka's.... It is my buddy Jason's birthday, and we were going to grab some dinner before we headed down to watch the Thunder play the Houston Rockets.... I am already tired of basketball and the season just started.... Oh Well! Time to snuggle up to the ole lady and get warm!

All my love!

Mat

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up at 5:00 and watched the clock change 5:01, 5:02, 5:03.... You get the picture? I got up at 5:07 and got my shower. I worked on shrink wrapping pictures for the exhibit for an hour and then got ready for work. I had to dress up today, due to the fact that I had to speak at Summit Medical Center tonight. I dropped Trey off and headed to Starbucks..... On to work. Work was not that bad today.... I had to run some errands at lunch, and pick up some business cards..... At about 3:00pm I was going to run down to see a friend in the hospital, but things did not work out soooo.... I went by and saw one of the people I am working with on weight control, and healthy lifestyle. He is inspiring me to do more.... I gave him an exercise program, and some therabands. I headed over to the gym to make sure the gym was clean, and ended up cleaning before heading over to Summit. The seminar went well, and I turned it over to Dr. Broussard, then headed back to the gym. I was not working out but wanted to make sure everything was going OK.... Things were great, and Mike Messina was teaching, so I felt comfortable leaving. I have plenty to do here at the house!

All my love!

Mat

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Namaste,

I actually slept until the alarm went off at 5:20, and then just laid here for an additional seven minutes. I got my shower and then uploaded some videos to youtube.... They were from Trey's NCHO Orchestra program. I dropped Trey off and then had to swing by mom's to see if I could get her truck started. It started right up, so I hit the bank and then Starbucks.... Pretty busy to do all of that by 7:15am. Work was ridiculous! That is the only way to describe it.... We had so much clean up from the weekend, that I did not even take a lunch break. After work, I headed straight up to the gym, and Tyler and a couple other guys were already there. Basically Mondays are NAGA practice... Everyone there is going to NAGA next month, so we rotated on each other.... I feel really good about where I am with regards to my submission grappling for my weight class and division. I guarantee no one in my division trains harder than me! Home from the gym, to Trey having a meltdown because he did not understand his algebra..... I had to chase him around the house with a big knife threatening him that I was going to cut his doo-dads off if he didn't get his homework done! REALLY! Have a great evening!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

Namaste,

Started the day at 4:40... Tossed and turned until 5:15 then got my shower and went out to the couch. I designed our Christmas card, and then returned some emails, before leaving for church. I ran by Kayla Gibson's house and gave her a bottle of diet roootbeer that I had got her at Pop's yesterday, then hit Starbucks before picking Trey up and heading to church. It was chilly, but no wind! Service was great, but we had to run to work for a few minutes after Church and take care of a few things. Trey and I loaded up all of my prints and headed to El Reno to have them mounted and shrink wrapped. It took most of the afternoon.... Trey and I headed to Bricktown to grab a bite to eat before the Thunder game. We had Italian and it was not that good! The game was good for the first 1/2, but for some reason we suck in the second half! Oh well!!!!

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Namaste,

So talk about crazy busy! I got up just after six, and got my shower.... Trey had to be at Santa Fe in his suit by 7:45.... When I got him up to get in the shower he was in such a grumpy mood. He did not get home from the Thunder Game until midnight so he was tired. I started getting him dressed, and his new dress shirt did not fit, so we had to run to Wal Mart and get him a new one.... We had to rush home and iron it, and the get him to the school in 10 minutes.... We got to the school, and he had forgotten his name badge, so we came back home and grabbed it, and ran it back to the school. Sherrie and I stopped by Starbucks, and then on to the park where the leaves were beautiful. We headed down route 66 and around the lake.... We stopped at Pop's on Route 66 to get some breakfast and then around the back side of the lake.... We didn't see anything worth shooting so we headed to the market for the weekly groceries and then on home. Trey's orchestra concert was at 2:00 at Oklahoma City University, and they did a great job... I will download it and add it to the blog tomorrow, but it is hard to imagine the noise that comes out of his room sounded so beautiful when it is with the other instruments. We came home and I relaxed on the couch for a while and watched the OU game... We were playing Texas Tech and it was a stomping.... Sherrie and I were ask to attend a dinner party tonight at Brooke and Layne Wroblewski's house. They throw a formal Thanksgiving dinner every November and have some pretty influential people that show up. CEO's, Attorneys, State representatives, and even a few common people.... They were all Republicans except for Sherrie and I, but if I had that kind of cheese, I would be a republican too! The food was very good, and the pumpkin cheesecake was fat free!

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, November13th, 2010

Namaste,

Oh Mylanta... I woke up to heavy rain and lightning. It rained, and rained all day. I had to drop by Dr. Walton's office before dropping Trey off. I had to take Trey to Santa Fe, where he was catching the bus to Oklahoma City University for Honors Orchestra practice. They have a concert today, so they had the whole day to practice. Trey was a little nervous about going into the high school by his self, so I walked him into the school, and orchestra room. It is funny... Although Trey is only 12, he is taller than me and heavier than me. There were two high school kids making out right outside of the orchestra room, and I told Trey... See what they are doing? Don't do that! I think I embarrassed him, but come on! Anyway, I went to Starbucks and met Chad Lovett! We hung out for about an hour, and Mike Champlin came by, to give me is basketball tickets for the game. The game did not tip off until 8:30 due to the the fact that it was moved to ESPN's late game. On to work where it has been crazy. Gay and I met with Cindy at lunch. We went to Johnnie's and got a chicken sangwhich! We then went back to work where we got slammed! I did not leave until 6:00, and then when I got home I was flat exhausted! I called my neighbor Herman and ask if he wanted my basketball tickets and he did. He ask if Trey wanted to go with them, so everything worked out just fine. I took a shower and laid down, with plans of watching the basketball game on TV at 8:30. I fell asleep just a few minutes before 8:30 and never woke up! Yea! I got some sleep! I feel pretty good this morning! Gonna be a busy weekend!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Namaste,

What can I say???? Thursday was as crazy as predicted... I guess I create my on craziness. I jumped up at the crack of dawn. Well 4:45 is before the crack of dawn. Last month I sent a poster print to be printed at a local printer, and it came out really nice, not to mention they were $30.00 cheaper than the one I had done for mom's birthday. I sent 15 large format pictures to them. It took a while to get them cropped, edited, and uploaded, but I sent them off. I received an email by 8:00am and it said my prints were already done. That is customer service if I have ever heard of it! The prints came out AWESOME! I went on to work, and stayed very busy all day. I took a quick lunch break, and grabbed some chicken.... The afternoon was very busy as well, and I bugged out at 4:30. I headed straight to the gym and rearranged the furniture in the office. I wanted to change the flow of traffic into the gym so people quit trying to stiff us. Tyler came in and we cleaned the gym real good, then re-taped some of the floor mats. Tyson showed up and started talking some garbage about the fact that I have not fought him in months..... Probably due to the fact that he NEVER shows up! We stretched for a few minutes, and then went three five minute rounds full Muay Thai. I bet he really regrets it today. Tyson was a professional boxer in Mexico 10 years ago! That was 10 years ago! Let me tell you.... He needs some cardio work, BAD! The first round when the bell rang he smacked me right in the mouth! Bloodied my lip real good! That's all it took! I started throwing inside leg picks and by the end of the third round he was hopping on one leg! He looked like a flamingo! Maybe that is just funny to me, but I bet he won't talk trash to us "OLD GUY'S" anymore! We picked up a new Jui-Jit-Su instructor today. His name is Seth, and he comes to us from the biggest JJS school in the area. They are having a lot of internal issues and he wanted out of the drama! He has taught several clinics for us, and he will bring his own clientele! Awesome. I came home at 7:45 and worked on Herman's pictures, and returned 20 emails. I was exhausted!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Namaste,

Slept much better last night... Did not get up until 5:13, and got my shower. Worked on pictures, and read quite a bit. Took Trey to school, and the hit Starbucks. Since I talked with Dr. Bajacharya last night I have been thinking about what I need to do to get back to the Himalaya's. I need to do something that helps mankind, and I feel a kindred spirit with the Sherpa people. I want to do something to help them, whether is is teaching in a school, or digging water wells? Work was work.... I went to lunch with our Director of Plant Operations Daniel. There are very few men in our building so we have to escape from the hormonalness! (My own word!) The afternoon was busy, busy! We left at 5:00 and I came home and set up my studio equipment. I have a neighbor who specializes in loss prevention, and he needed some head shots for his website. After I did that I had to run to the gym, and then take Trey to get some dress clothes for his Honors Orchestra Concert on Saturday, at Oklahoma City University. We then had some pictures to deliver... Over all, it was quite a busy day! Tomorrow will be just as crazy! On a positive note!!!! I received my letter of Incorporation from the State Department. My company is now "Mat's Quest Foundation Inc.!" Next move is the 501 (C) 3, not for profit application.... Progress!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Namaste,

I went out to the couch at Midnight last night. I can not lay flat, and I was miserable. I tried to sleep for a few hours but it was tough. I got up and ready for work at 5:00. After I dropped Trey off and hit Starbucks, I went on to work. As long as I stay in the office and don't pay attention to the surrounding world, everything is fine. I ran a few errands at lunch, and grabbed a bite to eat, then back for the afternoon! I left around 5:00 and came home for a bit, before going to another IV Antibiotic seminar, to learn about community acquired pneumonia. The best part was the fact that the Doctor giving the seminar was from Kathmandu, Nepal. I introduced myself before the seminar started and he was so surprised that I had even heard of Nepal, much less been to Nepal. He was awesome. When he practiced medicine in Nepal he would spend several months a year in the Himalaya's treating cataract issues. He was telling me about the high prevalence of cataracts due to the UV rays, and high altitude. I got his card before he left and I will be in contact with him!

All my love!

Mat

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Namaste,

Another night with no sleep! I can't lay flat! I got up at 4:00 and got my shower, and worked on the exhibit. I am really close to having everything organized. I took Trey to school and then hit Starbucks! Work was horrible!!!!! I can't even explain how bad it was! I went to Louie's to get some soup, and crackers. Went back to work and mopped up.... I left at 4:30 and headed up to the gym. Tyler, and Mike Messina were already there, and so we warmed up and worked Jui-Jit-Su. Right off the bat, Mike cross faced me, and I started gushing blood out of my nose. I did not leave until almost 9:00. I got a great workout! I am soooooooo tired! I do have to throw a shout out to my wonderful family in College Station, Texas. They sent me a donation towards my scholarship fund. In the envelope there were little notes from my neices Georgia, Courtney, and a little hand print from Braylon. Nothing means more to me than family who believe in what I am doing. Pictures are Georgia, and Courtney.

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Namaste,

Well.... I have been a little under the weather the last few days. Sore throat, and stuffy head cold. I can't breath when I lay down, so I got up at 2:30 and went to the couch. Boomer made me let him out at three, and I never went back to sleep, so I worked on pictures. I came back in the bedroom at 6:30 and fell asleep, but the alarm went off at 7:00! I picked up Trey and we went to church. After Church I went to Michael's to see if they carry shrink wrap supplies.... They don't but the guy told me who to call! I came home and Sherrie had cooked lunch for her mom, because it is her birthday. We had some chicken, and squash casserole. After lunch, I could not hold my head up.... I had to take a little nap. Trey and I were going to the Thunder Vs. the Boston Celtics game tonight. Doors were opening at 4:30 and we were going down to the floor for pictures and autographs, but no one came out to sign today. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't, it just depends. The game was horrible.... We just don't have the offensive thump like we did last year. We have several of our better players hurt, which is crazy since this is only the sixth game of an 82 game season! We left in the middle of the fourth period.... We had been down by as much as 21 points, but ended up losing by 9! It is going to be a busy week.... Stay tuned!

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

Namaste,

I had to let Boomer out at 3:10am, and I never went back to sleep! I tossed and turned for hours. I was going to pick Brent up at 7:30, but was ready to pick him up by six! I went on to the property and dropped off the trailer and mower, then picked Brent up. We cut three huge trees down, and while Brent was cleaning that stuff up, I mowed and weed ate the whole property. It was below freezing this morning, and of course, it would not have been a normal day, if chainsaws did not breakdown, and I had a blowout on the lawn trailer. Sherrie had to drive over and take me to get a new tire for the trailer. I came home and mowed my lawn, then took the trailer back to Edmond to store it. Mom came over for dinner, and I am creating a file to project on the wall at my exhibit. I am really tired!

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Namaste,

So I slept pretty good last night.... I tried to stay up and watch the Thunder play in Portland, but did not make it through the first half. I woke up at 5:00 and got my shower... I started working on a flyer for the exhibit/sale. It came out really cool! I went on to work pretty early. The kids were out of school today, so I did not have to take Trey to school. Work was OK.... I had most everything done already, so it was just clean up work. At lunch Gay and I went to Johnnies and shared a sandwich and some onion rings and then went to Hobby Lobby to look for framing supplies for the exhibit! Work was OK in the afternoon! I left at 4:00 and came home, and then went to Mitch Park to do some senior pictures of Jenny Thibedoux. We had to run to the market and then home to edit pictures and work on the exhibit. I am going to work at Midwest City tomorrow, and then try and get my yard done for the winter. Time for bed. The collage is from my flyer, and the top two are Jenny!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Namaste,

For you newbies... Namaste means Bless the spirit with-in! (nam-a-Stay) What a day! Got up at 5:00 and showered, and had my coffee. We have had quite the weather change here and it was 38 degree's this morning. I have not cleaned the heater so, it was chilly in the house. I bundled up on the couch, and did some reading, and worked on the exhibition. It is official! The Exhibit/Sale will be December 10th, from 7 to 10pm at Louie's on 178th and Western here in Edmond. We will have light apps, and there will be a cash bar. I sent out 259 e-invites already, and just hope 1/2 of them show up. I spent most of the day in court today. I was contesting a traffic ticket, that I was completely innocent of. There were 81 cases and I was second to last. The city attorney presented his case and questioned the officer, and then I cross examined. I got the officer to admit that he was not sure which lane he was in, and it made quite a difference. I then had the opportunity to present my case which was photographic evidence that the officer could not have seen me stop at the stop sign, and then continue on. The judge dismissed my case! I was the only case dismissed. Most people were just idiots, and had no reason to be there. After I left court I went and met Randy at Louie's, then had to run my credit card to Sherrie at work. After work I went to meet a guy who was just released from the hospital. He is very big, and needs our help getting his weight under control. I have to help him lose 40 pounds before he can have an angiogram to tell him where his blockage is so he can have bypass surgery. My heart is heavy wanting to help this guy! I will help him! I swear! I went to the gym and taught a basic class tonight. We had a bunch of beginners. They did really well! I am glad to have gotten a good workout! I have a sparring match with Josh Crosby Monday. We have not thrown hands in several weeks, and I need to get punched in the face! I have about 130 5 x 7 prints ready for the show and have 30 8 x 10's. I need to get another 100 8 x 10's and then concentrate on large prints! I am going to bed!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, Novermber, 3rd, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up this morning to sirens blaring... We are only one block away from Western, and one block from 164th street, so anytime police or ambulance go by we hear it loud and clear. Just so happens that a 34 year old lady was murdered less than one mile from here last night! What in the hell is this world coming to? I got up at 5:10 and got cleaned up, returned emails, and wrote a little. I have about 70 prints ready for the exhibit/show and I am going to meet my buddy Randy tomorrow to talk about a date that I can use his restaurant for the show. I have been in contact over the last couple of days with a family who is asking for help from my scholarship foundation. He has been in the hospital for almost two weeks and he got to go home today. I am going to meet them tomorrow, and although I am still several weeks, or even months away from being able to give scholarships, there is no reason why we can't start the weight loss process now! Work was ridiculous today. I don't ever remember a time in the last 17 years that things were as crazy. We did not even stop for lunch today. Luckily Jodi brought my dinner from last night in today, and that is what we had. Cold Salmon, and salad. I did not leave work until after 6:00, and took Trey to get his hair cut. He needed it bad. It was 38 degrees this morning and Trey only has one pair of long pants due to the fact that he is 5 foot 9 inches and is only 12 years old, so we went to find him a couple of pairs of pants but he did not find anything "Cool!" We will look again this weekend. I have been trimming prints for the last three hours and I am dragging booty!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Namaste,

Started making arrangements for my photography exhibit/sale. I got up early and started selecting pictures to print and display. I have 40 selected so far, and there will probably be 40 more. I am also going to have a projector showing other images that people can order any size they want. I have narrowed the location down to a couple, and hope to know for sure by the end of the day. I started printing some 5 x 7's, and have probably 60 printed so far. As for the larger prints.... I am going to send them out to be printed due to the fact that my printer will only print up to a 8 x 10. I need to purchase a large format printer, but it is a little farther down the list than other things right now. Work is busy... After work I came home and put on some dress clothes and headed to Boulevard Steak House for a dinner program hosted by Ortho/McNeil. My representative Michelle Mason had an infectious disease doctor come in from Tulsa to talk about her new antibiotic Doripenem. Honestly... If you see this drug hanging above your head, have your affairs in order. During the program, Sherrie text me and Jordan was having a gallbladder attack, and I had to leave just as the dinner was being served. Jodi said she was going to get mine to go, and bring it to me. I hope she does.... Michelle and I have a lot in common... She is a wonderful photographer. She specializes in portrait photography, and photography is her passion, and the release of her creative side. Check out her site at http://michellemasonphotography.com . *****This paragraph has been removed, due to HIPPA concerns***** Our health care system is broken, and I am going to change it. I don't know how, but to waste billions of dollars on people who will never recover, and not treat people who have potential if only given the opportunity to have weight loss surgery. I guess all I can do is continue to bring awareness to the situation.

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Namaste,

What a Monday! I did not sleep well again... I woke up at 12:30 and watched the clock for 2 hours then woke up at 4:30 and just got up and ready for work. I am working on the art show for December, so I looked at mats, and pictures for a couple of hours before taking Trey to school and hitting Starbucks. Work was super, duper busy! I went to Academy Sporting Goods store at lunch, and got a thermal sweat suit, and two new pairs of boxing gloves. Back to work. I continued the clean up from the weekend, then at 4:00 I left to pick Trey up at mom's, and take him to Edmond music to pick up some sheet music from Fiddler on the Roof, and Oklahoma. He is in both plays this year and wanted the scores from both.... We left there and went straight to the gym. Mike Messina, Tyler Griffin, Jeremy Morton, and a new guy were already there working on submission grappling, so I stretched out and jumped in. We went hard for two solid hours.... I was the last man standing! Trey and I came home and cleaned up, then had a salad, and some scallops. I received two heart wrenching emails today! Both were asking for help with gastric surgery, and I had to tell them we are several months away from providing a scholarship, but we can start working on losing weight now! I emailed one tonight and called the other! I talked to them for 30 minutes, and as soon as he is out of the hospital, I am going to meet him! I have such a heavy heart, that I can't do anything right now! It is not my style to hang back, but in this case, I am waiting on attorneys, and the secretary of state! I need my beauty sleep, so good night!

Love you all!

Mat