Newsletter #1 - January 2023 Review
Welcome
How do you like being married?!?!?
Asks everyone we know. The simple answer - it's the same, but without the stress of planning a wedding. Also - very sad because we don't know how we will get all the people that we love all at one place at the same time again. Plotting the next event...stay tuned...
January Highlights
Mom and Dad Visit for 3 Kings Day (we decided to start a tradition - this is year 2)
Cynthia and Hilario (Eddie's mom and dad) came to visit. Eddie's aunt Lori made a Rosca de Reyes (kings cake), that Cynthia boarded a flight with, and got pulled aside by TSA in El Paso for potentially smuggling drugs/weapons through the airport. When TSA realized it was the plastic baby Jesus, they apologized, and left her annoyed since she now knew where the baby was located inside the pastry. We cooked and watched the movie, The Menu (more on that later), Eddie introduced Hilario to pickle ball with Eddie's home set behind the apartment garage, while Jen and Cynthia went shopping and cooked. On Saturday night a big group of friends and family played a murder mystery game. While the game was confusing and took a while, being together, eating great food, and drinking tons of wine was a blast. After dinner mom and dad joined us at Jackalope. On Sunday morning, the family joined us at church, aka Buzz Mill, and then Cynthia and Eric made everyone banana pancakes from scratch. Cynthia can make magic from the emptiest of refrigerators.
Murder Mystery Team at Backalope (Copperhead behind Jackalope)
Murder Mystery Dinner
Rosca
The Game
Dad & Olive @ Buzzmill
Banksiversary! (Banksy's Gotcha Day)
This months marks 6 years since Banksy was adopted into the family!
Banksy, January 2017
Banksy & Eddie, January 2023
What We're Reading
Jen is re-reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The last time she read it was 11 years ago. She has decided to finally read the whole series, especially considering that she bought book 3 in the series about 2 years ago, and it has been collecting dust on her bookshelf. She swears that if there were a book shelf containing all of the greatest books of all time, this would be on it. Having experienced a little over a decade of life since initially reading this book, she now has a better understanding of the content (still equally disturbing and heartbreaking), but most of all, proud to understand what a "Pilsner" is. She will forever be a Lisbeth Salander fangirl.
Eddie is reading Path List By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe
I've always interested in learning about his life because I knew that he was considered one of the best athletes in history, his Olympic Gold Medals, football career, etc. This book dives into much more detail about the world in his time and a lot of the low points that I had never heard. It's a longer and more difficult read for me, but if you're interested in sports history, it's worth reading.
Jim Thorpe rose to world fame as a mythic talent who excelled at every sport. He won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, was an All-American football player at the Carlisle Indian School, the star of the first class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and played major league baseball for John McGraw’s New York Giants. Even in a golden age of sports celebrities, he was one of a kind.
But despite his colossal skills, Thorpe’s life was a struggle against the odds. As a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, he encountered duplicitous authorities who turned away from him when their reputations were at risk. At Carlisle, he dealt with the racist assimilationist philosophy “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.” His gold medals were unfairly rescinded because he had played minor league baseball. His later life was troubled by alcohol, broken marriages, and financial distress. He roamed from state to state and took bit parts in Hollywood, but even the film of his own life failed to improve his fortunes. But for all his travails, Thorpe did not succumb. The man survived, complications and all, and so did the myth.
What We're Watching
Law & Order SVU, all the time on Peacock and USA Networks, NBC Thursdays at 7pm CT
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: The police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.
DUN DUN
We decided to rewatch L&OSVU from the beginning. I think we're season 3 now?
Eddie's favorite character: John Munch
Jen's favorite character: Olivia Benson
Your Honor, Showtime Fridays, probably 8pm CT
Your Honor, season 2 is out. We're big Bryan Cranston fans. Jen is currently [finally] watching Breaking Bad for the first time through, and she even got Eric watching the series all the way through for the 3rd time. You will often hear them in tandem yelling, "Hey Mister White!"
Your Honor is highly recommended by us. It can kind of get ridiculous at times, but it's the best thing out right now that's unique and keeps you on the edge of your seat. We don't doubt that you will enjoy it.
What We're Listening To - Podcasts (Eddie)
Affirmative Murder
This is my Monday morning listen that starts when I take Banksy for his walk. It started off a little shaky but has gotten pretty good. I really like the hosts.
As described on their site - Affirmative Murder is the podcast that brings equity to true crime in its own weird way, amateur true crime lovers Fran and Alvin tell each other murder stories involving minority victims and perpetrators every week, follow them as they explore the darker side of true crime...pun intended.
Ed Mylett with Guest Rob Riggle
I usually like listening to podcasts that are about a specific topic, like sports, crime, business, etc. so I haven't spent a lot of time listening to Ed Mylett but I do really like Rob Riggle who was a guest on an episode so I gave it a listen and it was really interesting to hear Rob talk about his life and how he got into comedy, his time in the military, then leaving a promising career to become and actor and the ups and downs he experienced.
What We're Listening To - Music (Jen)
I am obsessed with SZA's long awaited new album, SOS. Super fem, all the feels.
If you guys know me well, you know I have to make a new playlist when I run based on my mood. At the beginning of January, I was having a sort-of playlist writer's block, and nothing fit any mood. Then one Sunday night while watching football, Kassidy Watson was humming an Arianna Grande song, and suddenly, lightbulbs were going off. I told her, Eddie, and Eric to just start yelling out songs that they loved, plus we had just celebrated Jay Gonzalez' birthday where they had a playlist going on the TV of throwback high school pop jams (high school for me that is) to include music by Mandy Moore, Amerie, Dream, etc. The list that has kept me running for January'23.
Movies
The Menu - worth the watch, but not what we thought it was going to be. We were thinking it was going to be similar to Ready or Not. Very unique, very quirky, and very disturbing!
Megan - loved this! The gore was limited because of the PG-13 rating, however, it was super creepy, had a great cast, well worth the watch! It's a bout an AI-driven robot doll made for kids, programmed to be best friend and protector, that can listen and learn, and becomes friends with the inventor's niece.
Which one was better?
Jen: I don't think either was better, they were totally different movies. I think M3gan is more theater worthy and The Menu could be watched at home.
Eddie: I agree, they were both good. I thought either could have been watched at home. I did enjoy them both and will watch their sequels.
Family & Friends Small Business
Eric won best friend of the month and leads the best friend 2023 race with three home buyer referrals he sent me in January! He is the winner of the vintage company softball EddieGamez.com t-shirt.
Congrats Eric!
Yoga In Houston
If you're in the Houston area and want to try a yoga class, join Cesar at BIG Power Yoga on Friday nights at 6:15 pm for a 1 hour mindful slow moving practice.
Handmade Polymer Clay Jewelry from cousin Rebecca
Looking For A New Job?
If the new year has you looking for a new job, but you need help with your resume, reach out to Kassidy. Yeah, she may do the splits and twerk at weddings, but one thing she actually takes seriously (and does a badass job at) is helping people get jobs. She's been a recruiter for almost 5 years, and can help with resume revamps and help you ace interviews. Her email is kasscareerhelp@gmail.com.
Beer/Product of the Month at Live Oak Brewing
Live Oak Brewing Company Bamberger
A namesake dedication to the German city of Bamberg, where smoke beer remains King, alive and well. This amber lager is a righteous example of the beechwood smoked lager stlyle, balanced and clean.
And Live Oak came out with a sweet, slammin salmon colored pocket tee to go with it. It's my fav.
Any ideas for the next update, email me eddie.d.gamez@gmail.com
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