WOKE UP WITH A KILLER HEADACHE THURSDAY MORNING... WENT ACROSS TO THE GENERAL STORE AND GOT SOME HEADACHE AND SINUS RELIEF, THE NON-DROWSY KIND...(YEAH, RIGHT!) AND JUMPED IN THE TRUCK AND HEADED FOR KANSAS CITY... I FOUND AN EVEN MORE DESOLATE HIGHWAY TO DRIVE ON (THANKS, GARMIN)... AS I BEGAN TO NOD OFF WITH NOTHING TO LOOK AT BUT WIDE OPEN SPACES, I STARTED TO SING THE THEME SONG TO "GREEN ACRES" TO PASS THE TIME...(I KNEW I WAS GETTING SICKER BY THE MINUTE)... FOR THOSE OF YOU TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER GREEN ACRES, LOOK IT UP OR ASK SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS...(SOME HOTCAKES WOULD HAVE TASTED PRETTY GOOD OUT THERE)...
I WAS ABLE TO MAKE MY DESTINATION WITHOUT INCIDENT... AND IN TIME TO GO PICK UP MOLLY FROM SCHOOL... MIKE AND ANNA ARE WALKING DISTANCE FROM MOLLY'S SCHOOL... I THEN WENT DOWNSTAIRS AND SAT IN THE RECLINER AND GOT THE CHILLS SOMETHING AWFUL... ANNA WAS RIGHT THERE WITH SOME NYQUIL AND 40 LBS. OF BLANKETS AND I WENT OUT LIKE A LIGHT... BROKE A SWEAT WHILE I WAS SLEEPING (NOT SURE IF IT WAS A FEVER BREAKING OR THE 40 LBS. OF BLANKETS BUT I FELT BETTER WHEN I WOKE UP)... I LEARNED THAT THEY CHECKED ON ME A FEW TIMES TO MAKE SURE I WAS STILL BREATHING...
I THEN WENT UPSTAIRS TO WATCH THE MASTER PUMPKIN CARVER AT WORK (MIKE). HE HAD ALL THE TOOLS AND PATTERNS AND REALLY DID A GREAT JOB... ANNA MADE SOME CHILI FOR THE COOK OFF IN MIKE'S OFFICE ON FRIDAY (GOOD CHILI) AND I LASTED UNTIL AROUND 12:30... MIKE WAS STARTING ANOTHER PUMPKIN BUT I WENT DOWN TO SLEEP. ANOTHER ROUND OF CHILLS (NOT AS LONG THIS TIME) AND I WENT OUT FAIRLY QUICKLY...
GOING TO EMPTY THE TRUCK FRIDAY AND REPACK IT AGAIN... I NEED ABOUT 6 INCHES MORE LEG ROOM BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE AN AIRLINE SEAT WHEN I'M DRIVING, I CAN'T STRETCH OUT... HALLOWEEN PARTY BEFORE TRICK OR TREATING WITH THE GIRLS FRIDAY NIGHT AND SOCCER GAME OR GAMES ON SATURDAY... (I MAY SNEAK IN A ROUND OF GOLF SATURDAY AFTERNOON IF I FEEL BETTER...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I'M GOING TO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS CITY HERE I COME
SPENT A VERY RELAXING DAY IN KEOKUK, IOWA...(USED THE POOL AND HOT TUB AFTER SLEEPING IN...) GOTTA GIVE PROPS TO PEOPLE WHO DRIVE AND TRAVEL FOR A LIVING... IT DEFINITELY TAKES A TOLL ON YOUR BODY... (I'M GLAD THERE'S NO RUSH TO GET TO ARIZONA SO I CAN TAKE IT EASY ONCE IN AWHILE...)
AFTER SPENDING THE MORNING ONLINE DOING SOME BILL PAYING AND THE LIKE, I TOOK A TRIP BACK IN TIME AGAIN AND VISITED A TOWN CALLED NAUVOO, ILLINOIS... JON AND ANGELA TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THE MORMONS HAVE BEEN BUYING UP THE LAND AND RESTORING THE TOWN TO THE WAY IT WAS WHEN JOSEPH SMITH WAS AROUND... TO GET THERE YOU FOLLOW THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (SOME BEAUTIFUL SCENERY) AND ARRIVE TO A PRETTY BIG SETTLEMENT...THE ROADS ARE NARROW LIKE BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HORSES AND CARRIAGES WERE THE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE BUILDINGS ARE METICULOUSLY RESTORED...(THE BUTCHER SHOP, PRINTING SHOP, BLACKSMITH, ETC.) AND THE TEMPLE IS A HUGE WHITE BUILDING OVERLOOKING THE MISSISSIPPI... THERE ARE HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE TOURS (THEY REALLY NEED TO GIVE THAT HORSE A BATH---YUK! I WAS 3 BLOCKS AWAY AND MY EYES WERE BURNING...POOR TOURISTS)... THE MAIN STREET IN TOWN WAS ALSO REDONE...VERY QUAINT... AND NO ONE CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK TO PREACH AT ME...
I THEN TOOK A RIDE BACK TO THE COMPOUND... ANGELA CALLED AND SAID SHE WOULD BE LATE (I HAVE A FEELING THAT HAPPENS MORE TIMES THAN NOT--SHE RUNS THE ICU AT THE HOSPITAL IN KEOKUK AND SOMETHING IS ALWAYS GOING ON) SO RACHEL AND I WENT THROUGH SOME HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINES AND FOUND THE MISSING PICTURES AND THEN PLAYED SOME HANDS OF GIN RUMMY (SHE WON A LOT MORE THAN I DID!)
DINNER WAS FANTASTIC AGAIN, ESPECIALLY THE HOMEMADE APPLE PIE! THE CONVERSATION WAS GREAT... (JON AND ANGELA TOLD ME SOME STORIES ABOUT THE FLOOD OF '93 AND THE RECENT FLOOD THIS PAST JUNE...) IT'S HARD TO VISUALIZE WATER THAT IS 8 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE! PEOPLE STARTING TO SANDBAG ALONG THE ROADS WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE RISING WATER...WHOLE TOWNS DISAPPEARING UNDER WATER...AMAZING STUFF...
MANY THANKS TO COUSIN ANGELA AND HER FAMILY... I HAD A GREAT VISIT AND ENJOYED THEIR COMPANY IMMENSELY... ON THE ROAD AGAIN THURSDAY... GOING TO KANSAS TO VISIT COUSIN ANNA AND MIKE AND MOLLY AND MAGGIE...(AND DOROTHY, TOTO AND THE SCARECROW)... I JUST HOPE AUNTIE M DOESN'T THROW A TWISTER AT ME BECAUSE OZ ISN'T ON MY LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT...
AFTER SPENDING THE MORNING ONLINE DOING SOME BILL PAYING AND THE LIKE, I TOOK A TRIP BACK IN TIME AGAIN AND VISITED A TOWN CALLED NAUVOO, ILLINOIS... JON AND ANGELA TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THE MORMONS HAVE BEEN BUYING UP THE LAND AND RESTORING THE TOWN TO THE WAY IT WAS WHEN JOSEPH SMITH WAS AROUND... TO GET THERE YOU FOLLOW THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (SOME BEAUTIFUL SCENERY) AND ARRIVE TO A PRETTY BIG SETTLEMENT...THE ROADS ARE NARROW LIKE BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HORSES AND CARRIAGES WERE THE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE BUILDINGS ARE METICULOUSLY RESTORED...(THE BUTCHER SHOP, PRINTING SHOP, BLACKSMITH, ETC.) AND THE TEMPLE IS A HUGE WHITE BUILDING OVERLOOKING THE MISSISSIPPI... THERE ARE HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE TOURS (THEY REALLY NEED TO GIVE THAT HORSE A BATH---YUK! I WAS 3 BLOCKS AWAY AND MY EYES WERE BURNING...POOR TOURISTS)... THE MAIN STREET IN TOWN WAS ALSO REDONE...VERY QUAINT... AND NO ONE CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK TO PREACH AT ME...
I THEN TOOK A RIDE BACK TO THE COMPOUND... ANGELA CALLED AND SAID SHE WOULD BE LATE (I HAVE A FEELING THAT HAPPENS MORE TIMES THAN NOT--SHE RUNS THE ICU AT THE HOSPITAL IN KEOKUK AND SOMETHING IS ALWAYS GOING ON) SO RACHEL AND I WENT THROUGH SOME HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINES AND FOUND THE MISSING PICTURES AND THEN PLAYED SOME HANDS OF GIN RUMMY (SHE WON A LOT MORE THAN I DID!)
DINNER WAS FANTASTIC AGAIN, ESPECIALLY THE HOMEMADE APPLE PIE! THE CONVERSATION WAS GREAT... (JON AND ANGELA TOLD ME SOME STORIES ABOUT THE FLOOD OF '93 AND THE RECENT FLOOD THIS PAST JUNE...) IT'S HARD TO VISUALIZE WATER THAT IS 8 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE! PEOPLE STARTING TO SANDBAG ALONG THE ROADS WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE RISING WATER...WHOLE TOWNS DISAPPEARING UNDER WATER...AMAZING STUFF...
MANY THANKS TO COUSIN ANGELA AND HER FAMILY... I HAD A GREAT VISIT AND ENJOYED THEIR COMPANY IMMENSELY... ON THE ROAD AGAIN THURSDAY... GOING TO KANSAS TO VISIT COUSIN ANNA AND MIKE AND MOLLY AND MAGGIE...(AND DOROTHY, TOTO AND THE SCARECROW)... I JUST HOPE AUNTIE M DOESN'T THROW A TWISTER AT ME BECAUSE OZ ISN'T ON MY LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
ON THE BANKS OF "BIG MUDDY"
GREETINGS FROM KEOKUK, IOWA, ON THE SHORES OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI RIVER... MY HOTEL IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE RIVER AND THE STATE LINE BETWEEN IOWA AND ILLINOIS...I'M IN A TIME WARP, BUT IN A GOOD WAY...MAIN STREET IS LIKE A THROW BACK OF THE MAIN STREETS WE HAD WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. THERE'S A GENERAL STORE, LOTS OF FARMLAND WITH MASSIVE MACHINES SPORTING THE UNGODLY HUGE TIRES WE USED TO GET IN BY TRAILER...
I AM AMAZED AT EXPANSES OF LAND WITH ONE HOUSE FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE MILES...THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU CAN FIND ALL OVER THE RADIO OUT HERE...COUNTRY MUSIC (WHICH IS OK WITH ME) AND THE LORD (WHICH IS OK WITH ME TOO)...AND A LOT OF FARM REPORTS AND FARM EQUIPMENT COMMERCIALS...
I TOOK A RIDE INTO ST. LOUIS TUESDAY MORNING AND DROVE BY THE ARCH, BUSCH STADIUM AND A PLACE I BELIEVE I HELPED MAKE A LOT OF MONEY BACK IN THE DAY, ANHEUSER BUSCH BREWERY...CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI THIS TIME MEANT A LOT TO ME...I HAVE DONE IT IN PLANES BUT NEVER IN A VEHICLE...I HAVE CROSSED THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST. I THEN MOVED ON THROUGH MISSOURI UP ROUTE 61 NORTH. I SAW THE SIGN SAYING HANNIBAL, MISSOURI AND I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHY IT WAS FAMOUS AT FIRST, BUT THEN IT CAME TO ME...MARK TWAIN...DO I STOP AND VISIT HIS ANCESTRAL HOME? HELL NO! MARK TWIAN IS CREDITED WITH THE QUOTE THAT "GOLF IS A GOOD WALK WASTED." WELL, I BELIEVE THAT TOURING HIS HOME IS GOOD TIME WASTED AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. BESIDES, I NEEDED TO GET TO KEOKUK TO FOLLOW ANGELA TO HER HOME BECAUSE OF ROAD CLOSURES.
ANGELA MET ME AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND I FOLLOWED HER TO THE "COMPOUND". I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE SINCE THE SLOCA REUNION WHEN MY SISTER WAS PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD, BUT I REMEMBER THAT DRIVEWAY! AND THE SAME THOUGHT RAN THROUGH MY HEAD AGAIN...HOW DO THEY DEAL WITH THAT STEEP ONE LANE DRIVEWAY IN THE SNOW? ANGELA SHOWED ME THE ALTERNATE EXIT (I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT IT, BUT I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU)...THE MAIN HOUSE (BUILT IN 1860) IS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR REMODELING PROJECT, BUT I GOT THE WALKING TOUR OF THE GROUNDS (AND THERE IS LOTS OF GROUNDS) AND SAW THE LAKE WITH THE WATER SLIDE AND THE HOMEMADE RAFT (I CAN'T DIVULGE THE BUILDING MATERIALS, THERE MAY BE A PATENT PENDING).
DINNER WAS DELICIOUS (THE GIRL HAS SKILLS!) AND I GOT TO MEET THE EXTENDED FAMILY (SANDY THE DOG AND THE SEVEN KITTIES). SITTING AROUND THE DINNER TABLE AND TALKING AND SWAPPING STORIES WITH ANGELA, JON AND RACHEL (THEIR DAUGHTER) WAS A WELCOME CHANGE FROM RESTAURANTS AND MEALS ON THE RUN...IT'S A SIMPLER LIFESTYLE BUT IT'S NOT SIMPLE...THERE'S ALOT OF HARD WORK INVOLVED AND ALOT GOING ON AT ALL TIMES...
THE RIDE BACK TO THE HOTEL WAS A CHALLENGE BUT I MADE IT WITHOUT INCIDENT...SLEPT IN A LITTLE LONGER THAN I PLANNED, BUT I GUESS I NEEDED IT. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATENESS OF THE BLOG. OK, BUSY DAY TODAY...
I AM AMAZED AT EXPANSES OF LAND WITH ONE HOUSE FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE MILES...THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU CAN FIND ALL OVER THE RADIO OUT HERE...COUNTRY MUSIC (WHICH IS OK WITH ME) AND THE LORD (WHICH IS OK WITH ME TOO)...AND A LOT OF FARM REPORTS AND FARM EQUIPMENT COMMERCIALS...
I TOOK A RIDE INTO ST. LOUIS TUESDAY MORNING AND DROVE BY THE ARCH, BUSCH STADIUM AND A PLACE I BELIEVE I HELPED MAKE A LOT OF MONEY BACK IN THE DAY, ANHEUSER BUSCH BREWERY...CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI THIS TIME MEANT A LOT TO ME...I HAVE DONE IT IN PLANES BUT NEVER IN A VEHICLE...I HAVE CROSSED THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST. I THEN MOVED ON THROUGH MISSOURI UP ROUTE 61 NORTH. I SAW THE SIGN SAYING HANNIBAL, MISSOURI AND I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHY IT WAS FAMOUS AT FIRST, BUT THEN IT CAME TO ME...MARK TWAIN...DO I STOP AND VISIT HIS ANCESTRAL HOME? HELL NO! MARK TWIAN IS CREDITED WITH THE QUOTE THAT "GOLF IS A GOOD WALK WASTED." WELL, I BELIEVE THAT TOURING HIS HOME IS GOOD TIME WASTED AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. BESIDES, I NEEDED TO GET TO KEOKUK TO FOLLOW ANGELA TO HER HOME BECAUSE OF ROAD CLOSURES.
ANGELA MET ME AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND I FOLLOWED HER TO THE "COMPOUND". I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE SINCE THE SLOCA REUNION WHEN MY SISTER WAS PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD, BUT I REMEMBER THAT DRIVEWAY! AND THE SAME THOUGHT RAN THROUGH MY HEAD AGAIN...HOW DO THEY DEAL WITH THAT STEEP ONE LANE DRIVEWAY IN THE SNOW? ANGELA SHOWED ME THE ALTERNATE EXIT (I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT IT, BUT I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU)...THE MAIN HOUSE (BUILT IN 1860) IS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR REMODELING PROJECT, BUT I GOT THE WALKING TOUR OF THE GROUNDS (AND THERE IS LOTS OF GROUNDS) AND SAW THE LAKE WITH THE WATER SLIDE AND THE HOMEMADE RAFT (I CAN'T DIVULGE THE BUILDING MATERIALS, THERE MAY BE A PATENT PENDING).
DINNER WAS DELICIOUS (THE GIRL HAS SKILLS!) AND I GOT TO MEET THE EXTENDED FAMILY (SANDY THE DOG AND THE SEVEN KITTIES). SITTING AROUND THE DINNER TABLE AND TALKING AND SWAPPING STORIES WITH ANGELA, JON AND RACHEL (THEIR DAUGHTER) WAS A WELCOME CHANGE FROM RESTAURANTS AND MEALS ON THE RUN...IT'S A SIMPLER LIFESTYLE BUT IT'S NOT SIMPLE...THERE'S ALOT OF HARD WORK INVOLVED AND ALOT GOING ON AT ALL TIMES...
THE RIDE BACK TO THE HOTEL WAS A CHALLENGE BUT I MADE IT WITHOUT INCIDENT...SLEPT IN A LITTLE LONGER THAN I PLANNED, BUT I GUESS I NEEDED IT. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATENESS OF THE BLOG. OK, BUSY DAY TODAY...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, LOUIE
SO THIS IS THE MIDWEST...LOTS OF ROOM OUT HERE...TONS OF FARMS...NOT MUCH TO SEE ON THIS LEG OF THE JOURNEY, BUT IT WAS A SAFE AND UNEVENTFUL TRIP... LOTS OF CRITTERS DIDN'T MAKE IT TO WHERE THEY WERE GOING, SO I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY...(OF COURSE, I WASN'T CHALLENGING AN 18-WHEELER TRYING TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY)...
I DID ENJOY CROSSING THE OHIO RIVER. AND I DID LIKE THE FACT THAT I WAS IN 3 DIFFERENT STATES YESTERDAY (TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, AND ILLINOIS) AND COULD HAVE DONE MISSOURI ALSO BUT I DECIDED TO STAY IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS WHICH IS 20 MILES OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS... I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE CITY LAST NIGHT AND WATCH THE GAMES BUT THE HOTEL WOULDN'T LET ME... LET ME EXPLAIN...
YOU KNOW HOW WHEN YOU STAY AT A HOTEL OR HOTEL CHAIN AND THEY OFFER YOU A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THEIR "PRIORITY CLUB"? WELL, I JOINED HOLIDAY INN'S CLUB AND HAVE BEEN COLLECTING POINTS AND NOT GETTING MUCH OF ANYTHING (BUT IT'S FREE, RIGHT?)...I CHECKED INTO THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HERE IN SHILOH MONDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD I WAS GETTING A FREE UPGRADE TO A SUITE...(SWEET!) THE ROOM HAD TWO TV'S AND A COUCH(SO I COULD WATCH THE FOOTBALL GAME AND WORLD SERIES SIMULTANEOUSLY)...THEY ALSO HAD 3 LOCAL RESTAURANTS THAT DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE ROOM...AND (DRUM ROLL, PLEASE) A HEATED INDOOR POOL AND HOT TUB!!! PLUS THE FACT I DIDN'T WANT TO PARK MY TRUCK FULL OF MY "VALUABLES" SOMEWHERE IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS. DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO REALIZE I HAD A SWEET DEAL (BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT!)
TALKED WITH ANGELA LAST NIGHT AND WILL BE IN HER AREA TUESDAY... WILL VISIT AFTER I CHECK-IN TO HOTEL TUESDAY AFTERNOON...WILL MAKE A QUICK TRIP INTO ST. LOUIS THIS MORNING BEFORE HEADING NORTH TO KEOKUK...
I DID ENJOY CROSSING THE OHIO RIVER. AND I DID LIKE THE FACT THAT I WAS IN 3 DIFFERENT STATES YESTERDAY (TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, AND ILLINOIS) AND COULD HAVE DONE MISSOURI ALSO BUT I DECIDED TO STAY IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS WHICH IS 20 MILES OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS... I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE CITY LAST NIGHT AND WATCH THE GAMES BUT THE HOTEL WOULDN'T LET ME... LET ME EXPLAIN...
YOU KNOW HOW WHEN YOU STAY AT A HOTEL OR HOTEL CHAIN AND THEY OFFER YOU A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THEIR "PRIORITY CLUB"? WELL, I JOINED HOLIDAY INN'S CLUB AND HAVE BEEN COLLECTING POINTS AND NOT GETTING MUCH OF ANYTHING (BUT IT'S FREE, RIGHT?)...I CHECKED INTO THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HERE IN SHILOH MONDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD I WAS GETTING A FREE UPGRADE TO A SUITE...(SWEET!) THE ROOM HAD TWO TV'S AND A COUCH(SO I COULD WATCH THE FOOTBALL GAME AND WORLD SERIES SIMULTANEOUSLY)...THEY ALSO HAD 3 LOCAL RESTAURANTS THAT DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE ROOM...AND (DRUM ROLL, PLEASE) A HEATED INDOOR POOL AND HOT TUB!!! PLUS THE FACT I DIDN'T WANT TO PARK MY TRUCK FULL OF MY "VALUABLES" SOMEWHERE IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS. DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO REALIZE I HAD A SWEET DEAL (BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT!)
TALKED WITH ANGELA LAST NIGHT AND WILL BE IN HER AREA TUESDAY... WILL VISIT AFTER I CHECK-IN TO HOTEL TUESDAY AFTERNOON...WILL MAKE A QUICK TRIP INTO ST. LOUIS THIS MORNING BEFORE HEADING NORTH TO KEOKUK...
Monday, October 27, 2008
NASHVILLE AND NEW JERSEY
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR GOLF...(ACTUALLY, ANY DAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR GOLF). I ARRIVED EARLY FOR A LITTLE PRACTICE AND BREAKFAST AND MET MY GOLF BUDDIES FOR THE DAY...JODY FROM MISSISSIPPI WHO NOW LIVES IN NASHVILLE AND WOODY AND NAN FROM ROCHESTER NY...
WHEN I TOLD WOODY I WAS FROM NEW JERSEY, HE TOLD ME HE GREW UP THERE... I ASKED HIM WHERE AND HE TOLD ME I PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF IT...A LITTLE TOWN CALLED WINFIELD PARK!! HE ACTUALLY GREW UP ABOUT 1 MILE FROM WHERE I GREW UP! HE GRADUATED FROM ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE (MY GRAMMAR SCHOOL) IN 1958 (THE YEAR I WAS BORN). WE TALKED ABOUT WILLICK'S FARM AND THE WING COMPANY... TALK ABOUT A SMALL WORLD...
PLAYED MUCH BETTER TODAY...JODY PLAYS HERE REGULARLY AND GAVE ME SOME EXTRA LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND EVEN WITH A DOUBLE BOGEY ON THE LAST I WAS ABLE TO SHOOT 78 (SIX OVER PAR). I HAVE DEVELOPED A KNOCK DOWN SHOT TO USE IN THE WIND AND IT WORKED ALL DAY... THE PLACE WHERE THE COURSE IS IS LIKE A BOWL AND THE WIND SWIRLS AND CHANGES DIRECTION(SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOLE) SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL... VERY HAPPY WITH MY ROUND BUT IT STILL NEEDS SOME WORK... WEATHER GETTING MORE FALL-LIKE SO I THINK THE CLUBS WILL BE AWAY UNTIL AFTER I VISIT KANSAS...(BUT YOU NEVER KNOW)
SPENT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING EXPLORING THE GAYLORD... THE GARDEN CONSERVATORY AND RIVERWALK ARE GORGEOUS...IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT'S AVAILABLE UNDER ONE(ACTUALLY SEVERAL) ROOF. HAD LUNCH AT THE SPORTS BAR AND WATCHED THE FOOTBALL GAMES AND WATCHED THE FIRST FEW INNINGS OF BASEBALL...HAD DINNER AT JACK DANIELS SALOON AND RETIRED EARLY...
BACK IN THE JEEP MONDAY FOR THE NEXT LEG... HEADING TO THE "GATEWAY TO THE WEST" ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI... I WILL PASS THE 1,000 MILES TRAVELED SOMETIME MONDAY (KEEPING A RECORD SO I'LL HAVE A TOTAL WHEN I ARRIVE IN CHANDLER, AZ.). THE MOVERS ESTIMATED THE MILEAGE AT 2450 MILES... ENJOYED THE STAY IN NASHVILLE...WILL DEFINITELY RETURN...
WHEN I TOLD WOODY I WAS FROM NEW JERSEY, HE TOLD ME HE GREW UP THERE... I ASKED HIM WHERE AND HE TOLD ME I PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF IT...A LITTLE TOWN CALLED WINFIELD PARK!! HE ACTUALLY GREW UP ABOUT 1 MILE FROM WHERE I GREW UP! HE GRADUATED FROM ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE (MY GRAMMAR SCHOOL) IN 1958 (THE YEAR I WAS BORN). WE TALKED ABOUT WILLICK'S FARM AND THE WING COMPANY... TALK ABOUT A SMALL WORLD...
PLAYED MUCH BETTER TODAY...JODY PLAYS HERE REGULARLY AND GAVE ME SOME EXTRA LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND EVEN WITH A DOUBLE BOGEY ON THE LAST I WAS ABLE TO SHOOT 78 (SIX OVER PAR). I HAVE DEVELOPED A KNOCK DOWN SHOT TO USE IN THE WIND AND IT WORKED ALL DAY... THE PLACE WHERE THE COURSE IS IS LIKE A BOWL AND THE WIND SWIRLS AND CHANGES DIRECTION(SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOLE) SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL... VERY HAPPY WITH MY ROUND BUT IT STILL NEEDS SOME WORK... WEATHER GETTING MORE FALL-LIKE SO I THINK THE CLUBS WILL BE AWAY UNTIL AFTER I VISIT KANSAS...(BUT YOU NEVER KNOW)
SPENT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING EXPLORING THE GAYLORD... THE GARDEN CONSERVATORY AND RIVERWALK ARE GORGEOUS...IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT'S AVAILABLE UNDER ONE(ACTUALLY SEVERAL) ROOF. HAD LUNCH AT THE SPORTS BAR AND WATCHED THE FOOTBALL GAMES AND WATCHED THE FIRST FEW INNINGS OF BASEBALL...HAD DINNER AT JACK DANIELS SALOON AND RETIRED EARLY...
BACK IN THE JEEP MONDAY FOR THE NEXT LEG... HEADING TO THE "GATEWAY TO THE WEST" ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI... I WILL PASS THE 1,000 MILES TRAVELED SOMETIME MONDAY (KEEPING A RECORD SO I'LL HAVE A TOTAL WHEN I ARRIVE IN CHANDLER, AZ.). THE MOVERS ESTIMATED THE MILEAGE AT 2450 MILES... ENJOYED THE STAY IN NASHVILLE...WILL DEFINITELY RETURN...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
THE OPRYLAND HOTEL
AFTER A DAY OF RAIN AND WALKING THROUGH HISTORY (WITH PRESIDENT JACKSON), SATURDAY ARRIVED WITH BRIGHT SUNSHINE AND MILDER TEMPERATURES...ARRIVED AT THE GOLF COURSE AROUND A HALF HOUR BEFORE TEE TIME AND WALKED AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE ABSORBING THE ATMOSPHERE...(BEAUTIFUL LINKS COURSE, LOTS OF WATER AROUND, VERY CLOSE TO THE HOTEL)...
PLAYED WITH A FATHER AND HIS TWO SONS FROM INDIANA...THE BOYS WERE A JUNIOR AND SOPHMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD DRIVEN DOWN TO PLAY SOME GOLF FOR THE WEEKEND...I WAS THE SHORTEST GUY IN THE GROUP AT 6'1'' AND THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD GOLFERS. I HAD A ROCKY START (3 PUTTED THE FIRST THREE HOLES) BUT I CAUGHT FIRE LATER IN THE ROUND (PLAYED A STRETCH FROM 9 THROUGH 14 AT 2 UNDER PAR) BUT RAN OUT OF GAS AND FINISHED WITH 81...MATT, MY CART PARTNER AND I, WON THE BRAGGING RIGHTS MATCH 3 AND 2... AFTER THE ROUND I WENT INSIDE FOR LUNCH AND TALKED WITH THE BARTENDER IN THE GRILLE ROOM FOR 2 HOURS (AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED, SHE HAD A DRAWL AND HAD NEVER BEEN NORTH OF TENNESSEE)...
I WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL AND TOURED THE COMPLEX... I THOUGHT I WALKED A LOT ON THE COURSE BUT THIS PLACE IS HUGE! I DECIDED TO HANG OUT AND WATCH THE GAMES ON TV... THERE WERE A LOT OF DISAPPOINTED TENNESSEE FANS (THEY LOST TO ALABAMA) AND THE WORLD SERIES GAME STARTED LATE...WAS SITTING WITH A GROUP FROM WISCONSIN WHO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW YORK CITY (THEY WERE PLANNING A TRIP) SO I REGALED THEM WITH SOME LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND POSSIBLE PLACES TO VISIT...WENT BACK TO THE ROOM AND FELL ASLEEP WITH THE GAME ON...(TOO MUCH FRESH AIR FOR THIS OLD MAN)...
GOLF AGAIN ON SUNDAY...SAME COURSE SO I AM LOOKING TO IMPROVE ON YESTERDAY'S ROUND...I HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS IS A TRIP I MUST MAKE AGAIN... THERE IS TOO MUCH TO DO AND I DON'T WANT TO TRY TO CRAM EVERYTHING IN...COULDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE OPRY...SO THIS WILL BE A GOLFING HOLIDAY AND I'LL DO THE TOURIST THING ON MY NEXT VISIT...BESIDES I NEED TO REST UP FOR THE NEXT LEG TOMORROW...OFF TO ST. LOUIS ON MONDAY (GLAD I PACKED SOME WARM CLOTHES...HIGH OF 51 HERE TOMORROW...BUT IT WILL BE IN 70'S TODAY)...
THIS IS A HUGE WEEKEND AT THE OPRYLAND (ACCORDING TO THE BELL HOP)... THE REGISTRATION DESK HAS BEEN PACKED SINCE I GOT HERE ON FRIDAY AND THERE ARE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE... MUST BE SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE CONVENTION CENTER...
PLAYED WITH A FATHER AND HIS TWO SONS FROM INDIANA...THE BOYS WERE A JUNIOR AND SOPHMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD DRIVEN DOWN TO PLAY SOME GOLF FOR THE WEEKEND...I WAS THE SHORTEST GUY IN THE GROUP AT 6'1'' AND THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD GOLFERS. I HAD A ROCKY START (3 PUTTED THE FIRST THREE HOLES) BUT I CAUGHT FIRE LATER IN THE ROUND (PLAYED A STRETCH FROM 9 THROUGH 14 AT 2 UNDER PAR) BUT RAN OUT OF GAS AND FINISHED WITH 81...MATT, MY CART PARTNER AND I, WON THE BRAGGING RIGHTS MATCH 3 AND 2... AFTER THE ROUND I WENT INSIDE FOR LUNCH AND TALKED WITH THE BARTENDER IN THE GRILLE ROOM FOR 2 HOURS (AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED, SHE HAD A DRAWL AND HAD NEVER BEEN NORTH OF TENNESSEE)...
I WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL AND TOURED THE COMPLEX... I THOUGHT I WALKED A LOT ON THE COURSE BUT THIS PLACE IS HUGE! I DECIDED TO HANG OUT AND WATCH THE GAMES ON TV... THERE WERE A LOT OF DISAPPOINTED TENNESSEE FANS (THEY LOST TO ALABAMA) AND THE WORLD SERIES GAME STARTED LATE...WAS SITTING WITH A GROUP FROM WISCONSIN WHO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW YORK CITY (THEY WERE PLANNING A TRIP) SO I REGALED THEM WITH SOME LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND POSSIBLE PLACES TO VISIT...WENT BACK TO THE ROOM AND FELL ASLEEP WITH THE GAME ON...(TOO MUCH FRESH AIR FOR THIS OLD MAN)...
GOLF AGAIN ON SUNDAY...SAME COURSE SO I AM LOOKING TO IMPROVE ON YESTERDAY'S ROUND...I HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS IS A TRIP I MUST MAKE AGAIN... THERE IS TOO MUCH TO DO AND I DON'T WANT TO TRY TO CRAM EVERYTHING IN...COULDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE OPRY...SO THIS WILL BE A GOLFING HOLIDAY AND I'LL DO THE TOURIST THING ON MY NEXT VISIT...BESIDES I NEED TO REST UP FOR THE NEXT LEG TOMORROW...OFF TO ST. LOUIS ON MONDAY (GLAD I PACKED SOME WARM CLOTHES...HIGH OF 51 HERE TOMORROW...BUT IT WILL BE IN 70'S TODAY)...
THIS IS A HUGE WEEKEND AT THE OPRYLAND (ACCORDING TO THE BELL HOP)... THE REGISTRATION DESK HAS BEEN PACKED SINCE I GOT HERE ON FRIDAY AND THERE ARE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE... MUST BE SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE CONVENTION CENTER...
Friday, October 24, 2008
MY DAY WITH "OLD HICKORY"
WOKE UP TO A DISMAL DAY IN TENNESSEE... WHILE I WAS ONLINE THE POWER WENT OUT IN THE HOTEL; AND DUNKIN' DONUTS WAS CLOSED!! OH NO! NOT TOO BAD THOUGH, POWER CAME BACK ON IN ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND I GOT MY COFFEE... TOOK A RIDE NORTH THROUGH THE CITY AND VISITED THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE...THE ONLY OTHER TIME I SAW THAT MUCH ORANGE WAS WHEN I WENT PUMPKIN PICKING! THE NATIVES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR VOLS!! THAT'S WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT AND THEY WEAR THEIR ORANGE PROUDLY. I BOUGHT A T-SHIRT ON CAMPUS AND HAD A HEATED DISCUSSION ABOUT COACH FULMER AND THE TOUGHNESS OF THE S.E.C. (I HELD MY OWN IN THE EXCHANGE)...GOT OUT OF THERE WITH A "GO VOLS" YELL AND HIT THE HIGHWAY TO NASHVILLE...
RAIN AND MORE RAIN COMING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON I-40 TO NASHVILLE. THIS LEG WAS ONLY 175 MILES SO I HAD PLENTY OF TIME...(CHECK IN WASN'T UNTIL 3 AND I GAINED AN HOUR TODAY...CST)... THE RAIN WAS STARTING TO LET UP WHEN I SAW A SIGN FOR ANDREW JACKSON'S HOME (THE HERMITAGE) ON THE WAY INTO NASHVILLE... I FIGURED I WOULD DRIVE OVER AND SEE IT... WHAT A GREAT IDEA. IT WAS A COMBINATION OF MOVIE PRESENTATION, GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE HOME AND WALKING TOUR OF THE GROUNDS WITH AN AUDIO PACK AND HEADPHONES... ALL FOR $16.00...(WHICH I PAID FOR WITH A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL IN HONOR OF MR. JACKSON)...WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A DRIVE BY THE HOUSE AND TAKE A PICTURE TURNED INTO A GILLIGAN-ESQUE ADVENTURE BACK IN TIME (3 HOUR TOUR FOR THE YOUNGSTERS)... I SPENT SO LONG ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE WOMAN WHO GAVE ME THE HEADPHONES SENT OUT A SEARCH PARTY! I WAS IN MY ELEMENT... (HISTORY MAJOR'S DREAM!)
LEFT "OLD HICKORY'S" HOUSE AND DROVE INTO THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER...WHAT A COMPLEX! A CITY WITHIN ITSELF AND ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR!! GREAT ROOM AND EVEN BETTER IN-ROOM DINING (JUST BECAUSE ANDREW JACKSON LIVED SIMPLY DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO...) I HAVE A 10:10AM TEE TIME AT THE RESORT COURSE TOMORROW AND AM GOING BOOT SHOPPING TOMORROW AFTERNOON...GOING TO FIND A PLACE TO WATCH THE WORLD SERIES AND VOLS GAME TOMORROW NIGHT (FUNNY STORY: WHILE BUYING MY TENNESSEE T-SHIRT A WELL-DRAWLED MAN ASKED ME IF I WAS A VOL FAN---I REPLIED NOT REALLY "BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN IN ROME..." TO WHICH HE REPLIED "THIS AIN'T ROME, IT'S KNOXVILLE!"... TENNESSEE,TENNESSEE, THERE AIN'T NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE, BABY, WON'T YOU CARRY ME, BACK TO TENNESSEE! (MY APOLOGIES TO THE GRATEFUL DEAD IF I QUOTED THE WRONG SONG LYRICS)...
RAIN AND MORE RAIN COMING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON I-40 TO NASHVILLE. THIS LEG WAS ONLY 175 MILES SO I HAD PLENTY OF TIME...(CHECK IN WASN'T UNTIL 3 AND I GAINED AN HOUR TODAY...CST)... THE RAIN WAS STARTING TO LET UP WHEN I SAW A SIGN FOR ANDREW JACKSON'S HOME (THE HERMITAGE) ON THE WAY INTO NASHVILLE... I FIGURED I WOULD DRIVE OVER AND SEE IT... WHAT A GREAT IDEA. IT WAS A COMBINATION OF MOVIE PRESENTATION, GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE HOME AND WALKING TOUR OF THE GROUNDS WITH AN AUDIO PACK AND HEADPHONES... ALL FOR $16.00...(WHICH I PAID FOR WITH A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL IN HONOR OF MR. JACKSON)...WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A DRIVE BY THE HOUSE AND TAKE A PICTURE TURNED INTO A GILLIGAN-ESQUE ADVENTURE BACK IN TIME (3 HOUR TOUR FOR THE YOUNGSTERS)... I SPENT SO LONG ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE WOMAN WHO GAVE ME THE HEADPHONES SENT OUT A SEARCH PARTY! I WAS IN MY ELEMENT... (HISTORY MAJOR'S DREAM!)
LEFT "OLD HICKORY'S" HOUSE AND DROVE INTO THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER...WHAT A COMPLEX! A CITY WITHIN ITSELF AND ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR!! GREAT ROOM AND EVEN BETTER IN-ROOM DINING (JUST BECAUSE ANDREW JACKSON LIVED SIMPLY DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO...) I HAVE A 10:10AM TEE TIME AT THE RESORT COURSE TOMORROW AND AM GOING BOOT SHOPPING TOMORROW AFTERNOON...GOING TO FIND A PLACE TO WATCH THE WORLD SERIES AND VOLS GAME TOMORROW NIGHT (FUNNY STORY: WHILE BUYING MY TENNESSEE T-SHIRT A WELL-DRAWLED MAN ASKED ME IF I WAS A VOL FAN---I REPLIED NOT REALLY "BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN IN ROME..." TO WHICH HE REPLIED "THIS AIN'T ROME, IT'S KNOXVILLE!"... TENNESSEE,TENNESSEE, THERE AIN'T NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE, BABY, WON'T YOU CARRY ME, BACK TO TENNESSEE! (MY APOLOGIES TO THE GRATEFUL DEAD IF I QUOTED THE WRONG SONG LYRICS)...
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
WELL, HERE GOES NOTHING...DROPPED OFF THE GIRLS AT THE BUS STOP (LOTS OF HUGS), SHOOK HANDS AND THANKED CRAIG FOR THE HOSPITALITY, AND CLIMBED IN THE JEEP AND HEADED SOUTH TO TENNESSEE...GOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO TRAVEL AND THE SCENERY IN THE MOUNTAINS WAS TERRIFIC...
STOPPED AT THE CRACKER BARREL (LOVE THIS PLACE) FOR BREAKFAST AND A LEG STRETCH (DID THAT SEVERAL TIMES... OVER 400 MILES TODAY! MY LOWER EXTREMITY; BELOW THE BACK AND ABOVE THE LEGS, WAS HOWLING FROM SITTING SO LONG...THE TRUCK WASN'T TOO HAPPY EITHER I GUESS CLIMBING UP AND OVER THESE MOUNTAINS, BUTT (PUN INTENDED) WE BOTH SURVIVED AND I ARRIVED SAFELY IN KNOXVILLE (GO VOLS!) TENNESSEE. THEY CLOSED I-40 JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY SO PARIS (MY GPS UNIT) HAD TO WORK OVERTIME TO GET ME AROUND AND TO THE HOTEL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONSTRUCTION...
THIS IS JUST A STOP OVER SPOT...PASSED OUT AT 8:00PM AND WOKE UP THIS MORNING AT 3:45 AND WORKED ON THE NEXT LEG OF THE TRIP AFTER NASHVILLE.
DECIDED TO STAY AT THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND HOTEL IN NASHVILLE (THANKS, SHERYL)...I BOOKED A ROOM IN ST. LOUIS FOR MONDAY NIGHT AND 2 NIGHTS IN KEOKUK, IOWA TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FOR MY VISIT TO COUSIN ANGELA AND HER FAMILY...I'M NOT A TRAVEL AGENT, BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT...
CHECK IN TIME AT THE GAYLORD IS 3:00 PM AND I'M ONLY 177 MILES AWAY SO I'M GOING TO GO SEE THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CAMPUS WHILE I'M HERE...THERE'S A DUNKIN' DONUTS RIGHT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT (THE LUCK IS STILL RUNNING GOOD) SO I'M READY TO FUEL UP FOR MY MINI TOUR OF KNOXVILLE...JUST FINISHED A BOOK LAST WEEK THAT WAS BASED IN THIS AREA (BY THE CREATOR OF THE BODY FARM) SO I'M GOING TO TRY AND LOCATE SOME OF THE LANDMARKS...(BUT NOT THE BODY FARM!)...
THEN, IT'S OFF TO MUSIC CITY FOR THE WEEKEND...RAIN IN THE FORECAST FOR TODAY BUT SHOULD CLEAR UP TOMORROW MORNING (10:10 TEE TIME) WITH A HIGH IN THE 60'S AND NEAR 70 AND SUNNY FOR SUNDAY...Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY, NOW...
STOPPED AT THE CRACKER BARREL (LOVE THIS PLACE) FOR BREAKFAST AND A LEG STRETCH (DID THAT SEVERAL TIMES... OVER 400 MILES TODAY! MY LOWER EXTREMITY; BELOW THE BACK AND ABOVE THE LEGS, WAS HOWLING FROM SITTING SO LONG...THE TRUCK WASN'T TOO HAPPY EITHER I GUESS CLIMBING UP AND OVER THESE MOUNTAINS, BUTT (PUN INTENDED) WE BOTH SURVIVED AND I ARRIVED SAFELY IN KNOXVILLE (GO VOLS!) TENNESSEE. THEY CLOSED I-40 JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY SO PARIS (MY GPS UNIT) HAD TO WORK OVERTIME TO GET ME AROUND AND TO THE HOTEL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONSTRUCTION...
THIS IS JUST A STOP OVER SPOT...PASSED OUT AT 8:00PM AND WOKE UP THIS MORNING AT 3:45 AND WORKED ON THE NEXT LEG OF THE TRIP AFTER NASHVILLE.
DECIDED TO STAY AT THE GAYLORD OPRYLAND HOTEL IN NASHVILLE (THANKS, SHERYL)...I BOOKED A ROOM IN ST. LOUIS FOR MONDAY NIGHT AND 2 NIGHTS IN KEOKUK, IOWA TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FOR MY VISIT TO COUSIN ANGELA AND HER FAMILY...I'M NOT A TRAVEL AGENT, BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT...
CHECK IN TIME AT THE GAYLORD IS 3:00 PM AND I'M ONLY 177 MILES AWAY SO I'M GOING TO GO SEE THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CAMPUS WHILE I'M HERE...THERE'S A DUNKIN' DONUTS RIGHT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT (THE LUCK IS STILL RUNNING GOOD) SO I'M READY TO FUEL UP FOR MY MINI TOUR OF KNOXVILLE...JUST FINISHED A BOOK LAST WEEK THAT WAS BASED IN THIS AREA (BY THE CREATOR OF THE BODY FARM) SO I'M GOING TO TRY AND LOCATE SOME OF THE LANDMARKS...(BUT NOT THE BODY FARM!)...
THEN, IT'S OFF TO MUSIC CITY FOR THE WEEKEND...RAIN IN THE FORECAST FOR TODAY BUT SHOULD CLEAR UP TOMORROW MORNING (10:10 TEE TIME) WITH A HIGH IN THE 60'S AND NEAR 70 AND SUNNY FOR SUNDAY...Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY, NOW...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
LAST DAY IN VIRGINIA
PLAYED GOLF AGAIN THIS MORNING AT HUNTING HAWK GOLF CLUB, NOT TOO FAR FROM SHERYL AND CRAIG'S HOME. MIGHTY CHILLY TO START, BUT I TOOK OFF THE JACKET AROUND 10:30. IT WAS IN THE 50'S AND WINDY, BUT I'M FROM THE NORTHEAST AND THIS IS "NOT" COLD! PLAYED REALLY WELL TODAY...LOTS OF PARS. BEAUTIFUL COURSE...WILL PLAY THERE AGAIN ON MY NEXT VISIT TO VIRGINIA...WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO PICK UP THE GIRLS AT THE BUS STOP...
CRAIG LET ME USE THE WASHER/DRYER SO ALL MY CLOTHES ARE CLEAN AND READY TO MOVE ON. CAR IS GASSED UP AND RE-PACKED SO I'LL BE ABLE TO LEAVE RIGHT AFTER THE GIRLS GET ON THE BUS...THE PLAN IS TO DRIVE TO KNOXVILLE TOMORROW AND SLEEP THERE, THEN GET UP EARLY AND CONTINUE ON TO NASHVILLE FRIDAY MORNING... GOING TO STAY AT THE OPRYLAND HOTEL AND GET IN TOUCH WITH MY "COUNTRY" ROOTS. PLUS I CAN PLAY GOLF AT THE RESORT COURSE IF THE WEATHER COOPERATES...
REALLY ENJOYED MY STAY HERE IN VIRGINIA...NEEDED TO RE-CONNECT WITH MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY. I AM SO IMPRESSED BY THE LIFE THEY HAVE BUILT HERE. YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT YOUR "LITTLE SISTER" BUT AFTER SEEING THE WAY THEY LIVE DOWN HERE (THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEIR CHURCH, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THEIR FRIENDS), I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM... NOT THEY NEED MY APPROVAL, BUT I NEEDED TO SAY IT...EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HEAR THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN... GREAT JOB GUYS!
WORLD SERIES STARTED TONIGHT (COULD THEY MAKE THE GAMES ANY LATER?!)... SPOKE TO ANGELA AND ANNA AND CONFIRMED VISITS WITH THE COUSINS FOR NEXT WEEK (BETTER NOT BE ANY SNOW!) AND THEN IT'S SOUTH UNTIL I HIT 80 DEGREES OR HIGHER...
GOING TO SLEEP LIKE A ROCK TONIGHT...WALKED 18 HOLES AND CARRIED THE CLUBS AGAIN...IF I CAN MOVE TOMORROW, IT'S OFF TO KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE AND THE NEXT LEG OF THE TRIP...OH YEAH, HAD BISCUITS AND GRAVY AND A SIDE OF GRITS THIS MORNING AT THE DINER... (Y'ALL COME BACK NOW!). WORTH THE TRIP.
CRAIG LET ME USE THE WASHER/DRYER SO ALL MY CLOTHES ARE CLEAN AND READY TO MOVE ON. CAR IS GASSED UP AND RE-PACKED SO I'LL BE ABLE TO LEAVE RIGHT AFTER THE GIRLS GET ON THE BUS...THE PLAN IS TO DRIVE TO KNOXVILLE TOMORROW AND SLEEP THERE, THEN GET UP EARLY AND CONTINUE ON TO NASHVILLE FRIDAY MORNING... GOING TO STAY AT THE OPRYLAND HOTEL AND GET IN TOUCH WITH MY "COUNTRY" ROOTS. PLUS I CAN PLAY GOLF AT THE RESORT COURSE IF THE WEATHER COOPERATES...
REALLY ENJOYED MY STAY HERE IN VIRGINIA...NEEDED TO RE-CONNECT WITH MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY. I AM SO IMPRESSED BY THE LIFE THEY HAVE BUILT HERE. YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT YOUR "LITTLE SISTER" BUT AFTER SEEING THE WAY THEY LIVE DOWN HERE (THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEIR CHURCH, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THEIR FRIENDS), I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM... NOT THEY NEED MY APPROVAL, BUT I NEEDED TO SAY IT...EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HEAR THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN... GREAT JOB GUYS!
WORLD SERIES STARTED TONIGHT (COULD THEY MAKE THE GAMES ANY LATER?!)... SPOKE TO ANGELA AND ANNA AND CONFIRMED VISITS WITH THE COUSINS FOR NEXT WEEK (BETTER NOT BE ANY SNOW!) AND THEN IT'S SOUTH UNTIL I HIT 80 DEGREES OR HIGHER...
GOING TO SLEEP LIKE A ROCK TONIGHT...WALKED 18 HOLES AND CARRIED THE CLUBS AGAIN...IF I CAN MOVE TOMORROW, IT'S OFF TO KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE AND THE NEXT LEG OF THE TRIP...OH YEAH, HAD BISCUITS AND GRAVY AND A SIDE OF GRITS THIS MORNING AT THE DINER... (Y'ALL COME BACK NOW!). WORTH THE TRIP.
BACK TO SCHOOL
TODAY WAS NATALIE'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY (THE ACTUAL DATE OF BIRTH). SHE GOT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE...ANOTHER PRESENT (THIS ONE FROM HER SISTER--LOTS OF PRESENTS!!) AND A BIG SURPRISE THAT WE SPRUNG ON HER LATER IN THE DAY...
SHERYL WENT TO HER SCHOOL AROUND NINE AND HELPED WITH A PROJECT (IT'S READ ALOUD TO A CHILD WEEK IN VIRGINIA) INCORPORATING THE SLIPS YOU FILL OUT WHEN YOU READ A BOOK (THE SLIPS ARE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, SO THEY ARE MAKING A HUGE AMERICAN FLAG!). THEN SHE CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND AT 11:45 WE ALL WENT TO NAT'S SCHOOL AND JOINED HER FOR LUNCH (THE PARENTS CAN JOIN THEIR CHILDREN ANYTIME THEY WANT). SHE WAS VERY SURPRISED! WE SAT IN THE CAFETERIA WITH ALL HER FRIENDS AND HAD CAFETERIA FOOD FROM THE LUNCH LADIES(I HAD A HOT DOG--IT LOOKED SAFE.) DADDY BROUGHT A SMALL CAKE AND HER FRIENDS SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY... THEN HER TEACHER ALLOWED UNCLE JIMMY TO TOUR THEIR CLASSROOM AFTER LUNCH...VERY IMPRESSIVE (THE SCHOOL IS VERY NEW AND THE PRINCIPAL IS A HIGH TECH ENTHUSIAST SO THE CLASSROOMS ARE VERY STATE-OF -THE-ART)...
BACK TO THE HOUSE AND A QUICK NAP ON THE DECK IN THE SUN AND SOME MORE READING (CROSS BY JAMES PATTERSON...STARTED IT YESTERDAY, WILL FINISH TODAY---VERY GOOD!)...SHERYL HAD TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA AND LEAVE RIGHT AFTER THE GIRLS GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL. SHE'LL BE BACK ON THURSDAY SO I SAID MY GOODBYES AND THANKED HER FOR A GREAT START TO THE ADVENTURE...
GOTTA RUN...HAVE A TEE TIME THIS MORNING! LOVE THAT GOLF YOU KNOW!!!
SHERYL WENT TO HER SCHOOL AROUND NINE AND HELPED WITH A PROJECT (IT'S READ ALOUD TO A CHILD WEEK IN VIRGINIA) INCORPORATING THE SLIPS YOU FILL OUT WHEN YOU READ A BOOK (THE SLIPS ARE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, SO THEY ARE MAKING A HUGE AMERICAN FLAG!). THEN SHE CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND AT 11:45 WE ALL WENT TO NAT'S SCHOOL AND JOINED HER FOR LUNCH (THE PARENTS CAN JOIN THEIR CHILDREN ANYTIME THEY WANT). SHE WAS VERY SURPRISED! WE SAT IN THE CAFETERIA WITH ALL HER FRIENDS AND HAD CAFETERIA FOOD FROM THE LUNCH LADIES(I HAD A HOT DOG--IT LOOKED SAFE.) DADDY BROUGHT A SMALL CAKE AND HER FRIENDS SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY... THEN HER TEACHER ALLOWED UNCLE JIMMY TO TOUR THEIR CLASSROOM AFTER LUNCH...VERY IMPRESSIVE (THE SCHOOL IS VERY NEW AND THE PRINCIPAL IS A HIGH TECH ENTHUSIAST SO THE CLASSROOMS ARE VERY STATE-OF -THE-ART)...
BACK TO THE HOUSE AND A QUICK NAP ON THE DECK IN THE SUN AND SOME MORE READING (CROSS BY JAMES PATTERSON...STARTED IT YESTERDAY, WILL FINISH TODAY---VERY GOOD!)...SHERYL HAD TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA AND LEAVE RIGHT AFTER THE GIRLS GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL. SHE'LL BE BACK ON THURSDAY SO I SAID MY GOODBYES AND THANKED HER FOR A GREAT START TO THE ADVENTURE...
GOTTA RUN...HAVE A TEE TIME THIS MORNING! LOVE THAT GOLF YOU KNOW!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
GOLF--VIRGINIA STYLE
WHAT'S UP WITH THE COLD WEATHER HERE? I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS! 39 DEGREES ON THE WALK TO THE BUS STOP THIS MORNING...I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD NEED THE PAIR OF GLOVES I PACKED(AS A JOKE!)...BUT BY MID-MORNING THE SUN HAD WARMED UP TO ALMOST 70...
CALLED SOME GOLF COURSES TO SEE IF I COULD GET OUT AND PLAY...4 PHONE CALLS LATER I GOT THE "COME ON DOWN, ANYTIME" FROM A PLACE ABOUT A HALF HOUR AWAY (HIGHLAND SPRINGS)...THE OTHER COURSES I CALLED ALL HAD OUTINGS AND BECAUSE OF FROST IN THE MORNING, DELAYED PEOPLE FROM GOING OUT...(WALKING ON THE GREENS WITH FROST ON THEM KILLS THE GRASS BECAUSE IT'S MOWED SO SHORT)...HIGHLAND SPRINGS WAS A LOCAL MUNICIPAL COURSE (NOTHING SPECTACULAR BUT IT HAD NICE GREENS AND WATER ON EVERY HOLE)... THERE WERE 6 GROUPS WAITING ON THE FIRST HOLE AND I WAS BY MYSELF SO THE GUY SAID I COULD START ON THE BACK NINE... HAD THE COURSE TO MYSELF...CARRIED MY BAG, PLAYED TWO BALLS, ALL FOR $20.00!!! I FINISHED NINE HOLES, SAW NO ONE BEHIND ME AND PLAYED THE LAST 3 HOLES AGAIN PLUS THE NINTH HOLE JUST FOR FUN...
I COULD HAVE PLAYED MORE BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I CARRIED MY BAG AND WALKED WHILE PLAYING (MOST COURSES FORCE YOU TO RIDE)...SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE AFTER 13 HOLES...BESIDES, I WANTED TO GET BACK TO WATCH NATALIE SWIM AT THE YMCA...CRAIG AND SHERYL HAVE THEIR GIRLS IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AND THEY LOVE IT SO IT WAS COOL TO GO AND WATCH...
DINNER AT BUFFALO WILD WINGS (I FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING HOTTER THAN I CAN STAND..."BLAZIN" SAUCE, THE HIGHEST HEAT IN THEIR WING SAUCE CHOICES) I HAD TWO WINGS AND THE HEAT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! CRAIG, (OLD IRON GUT) POLISHED OFF THE OTHER FOUR. ALL THE OTHER SAUCES WERE GOOD TOO...
I GUESS THE THING THAT AMAZES ME THE MOST DOWN HERE IS THE POLITENESS AND NICENESS OF EVERYONE (IT'S A SHAME IT AMAZES ME)...IT REALLY IS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND, MAKES YOU FEEL WELCOME AND JUST MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. THE ONLY THING IS THAT VIRGINIANS SEEM TO LOVE RUNNING RED LIGHTS! CRAIG TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM, BUT I SAW IT FIRSTHAND AND IT'S SCARY! I WAS STOPPING AT A LIGHT (IT WAS ALREADY RED) WHEN A GUY CAME UP FROM BEHIND ME AND JUST BLEW THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT EVEN SLOWING DOWN! SHERYL SAID TO HESITATE WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT COMES JUST TO BE SAFE AND NOBODY BLOWS THE HORN TO HURRY UP!
NATALIE'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (TODAY)....THESE GIRLS SURE HAVE A LOT OF CELEBRATIONS! VERONICA WAS ALREADY ASKING HER MOM ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S PARTY...TOO FUNNY.
CALLED SOME GOLF COURSES TO SEE IF I COULD GET OUT AND PLAY...4 PHONE CALLS LATER I GOT THE "COME ON DOWN, ANYTIME" FROM A PLACE ABOUT A HALF HOUR AWAY (HIGHLAND SPRINGS)...THE OTHER COURSES I CALLED ALL HAD OUTINGS AND BECAUSE OF FROST IN THE MORNING, DELAYED PEOPLE FROM GOING OUT...(WALKING ON THE GREENS WITH FROST ON THEM KILLS THE GRASS BECAUSE IT'S MOWED SO SHORT)...HIGHLAND SPRINGS WAS A LOCAL MUNICIPAL COURSE (NOTHING SPECTACULAR BUT IT HAD NICE GREENS AND WATER ON EVERY HOLE)... THERE WERE 6 GROUPS WAITING ON THE FIRST HOLE AND I WAS BY MYSELF SO THE GUY SAID I COULD START ON THE BACK NINE... HAD THE COURSE TO MYSELF...CARRIED MY BAG, PLAYED TWO BALLS, ALL FOR $20.00!!! I FINISHED NINE HOLES, SAW NO ONE BEHIND ME AND PLAYED THE LAST 3 HOLES AGAIN PLUS THE NINTH HOLE JUST FOR FUN...
I COULD HAVE PLAYED MORE BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I CARRIED MY BAG AND WALKED WHILE PLAYING (MOST COURSES FORCE YOU TO RIDE)...SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE AFTER 13 HOLES...BESIDES, I WANTED TO GET BACK TO WATCH NATALIE SWIM AT THE YMCA...CRAIG AND SHERYL HAVE THEIR GIRLS IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AND THEY LOVE IT SO IT WAS COOL TO GO AND WATCH...
DINNER AT BUFFALO WILD WINGS (I FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING HOTTER THAN I CAN STAND..."BLAZIN" SAUCE, THE HIGHEST HEAT IN THEIR WING SAUCE CHOICES) I HAD TWO WINGS AND THE HEAT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! CRAIG, (OLD IRON GUT) POLISHED OFF THE OTHER FOUR. ALL THE OTHER SAUCES WERE GOOD TOO...
I GUESS THE THING THAT AMAZES ME THE MOST DOWN HERE IS THE POLITENESS AND NICENESS OF EVERYONE (IT'S A SHAME IT AMAZES ME)...IT REALLY IS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND, MAKES YOU FEEL WELCOME AND JUST MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. THE ONLY THING IS THAT VIRGINIANS SEEM TO LOVE RUNNING RED LIGHTS! CRAIG TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM, BUT I SAW IT FIRSTHAND AND IT'S SCARY! I WAS STOPPING AT A LIGHT (IT WAS ALREADY RED) WHEN A GUY CAME UP FROM BEHIND ME AND JUST BLEW THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT EVEN SLOWING DOWN! SHERYL SAID TO HESITATE WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT COMES JUST TO BE SAFE AND NOBODY BLOWS THE HORN TO HURRY UP!
NATALIE'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (TODAY)....THESE GIRLS SURE HAVE A LOT OF CELEBRATIONS! VERONICA WAS ALREADY ASKING HER MOM ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S PARTY...TOO FUNNY.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
HISTORIC RICHMOND
THE DAY BEGAN FAIRLY EARLY...WE GOT UP AND WENT TO THE 9:00 AM SERVICE AT AT THE COMMUNITY CHURCH...VERY INTERESTING SERVICE. VERONICA AND HER CHOIR MATES WERE SINGING AND RIGHT AFTER THE OPENING PRAYERS THEY TAKE THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN AND BRING THEM TO A DIFFERENT AREA WHILE THE READINGS AND SERMON ARE DONE. TAKES AWAY THE "SQUIRM FACTOR" AND THEY TEACH THE KIDS WHILE THEY ARE TOGETHER. AFTER SERVICE, THE GIRLS WENT TO SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE EACH WEEK THEY DO DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FOR AN HOUR. I CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE TO WRITE YESTERDAY'S BLOG AND SHERYL AND CRAIG WENT BACK TO PICK UP THE GIRLS...
WHEN THEY GOT BACK WE WENT INTO RICHMOND FOR BRUNCH...THEY HAD BISCUITS AND GRAVY AND GRITS ON THE SALAD BAR BUFFET AND I WAS IN HEAVEN!!! FIRST TASTED THEM BACK IN THE 80"S IN GOODYEAR SCHOOL (TRAINING CENTER IN OHIO) AND EVER SINCE, EVERY TIME I'M IN THE SOUTH, I GOTTA HAVE THEM. THEN WE RODE AROUND RICHMOND AND THEY SHOWED ME SOME OOF THE SIGHTS, MONUMENTS AND PLACES THEY LIKED TO GO...
BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR A WELL NEEDED NAP...(NOTHING COMPARES TO A NAP!) THEN SOME DINNER AND THE MATH OLYMPIAD (VERONICA'S MATH QUESTIONS THAT DROVE US MAD!! BUT WE WORKED THEM OUT TOGETHER AND WAS A GOOD BRAIN EXERCISE...
WELL, TAMPA BAY IS IN THE WORLD SERIES AND I HAVE TO ROOT FOR THEM AGAINST THE HATED PHILLIES... GOING TO PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF TOMORROW SO I NEED TO SIGN OFF UNTIL TOMORROW...WILL CALL THE COUSINS AND SEE IF I CAN FIRM UP MY "VISITS" AND NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR NASHVILLE...
WHEN THEY GOT BACK WE WENT INTO RICHMOND FOR BRUNCH...THEY HAD BISCUITS AND GRAVY AND GRITS ON THE SALAD BAR BUFFET AND I WAS IN HEAVEN!!! FIRST TASTED THEM BACK IN THE 80"S IN GOODYEAR SCHOOL (TRAINING CENTER IN OHIO) AND EVER SINCE, EVERY TIME I'M IN THE SOUTH, I GOTTA HAVE THEM. THEN WE RODE AROUND RICHMOND AND THEY SHOWED ME SOME OOF THE SIGHTS, MONUMENTS AND PLACES THEY LIKED TO GO...
BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR A WELL NEEDED NAP...(NOTHING COMPARES TO A NAP!) THEN SOME DINNER AND THE MATH OLYMPIAD (VERONICA'S MATH QUESTIONS THAT DROVE US MAD!! BUT WE WORKED THEM OUT TOGETHER AND WAS A GOOD BRAIN EXERCISE...
WELL, TAMPA BAY IS IN THE WORLD SERIES AND I HAVE TO ROOT FOR THEM AGAINST THE HATED PHILLIES... GOING TO PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF TOMORROW SO I NEED TO SIGN OFF UNTIL TOMORROW...WILL CALL THE COUSINS AND SEE IF I CAN FIRM UP MY "VISITS" AND NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR NASHVILLE...
PARTY TIME IN VIRGINIA
SATURDAY IS PARTY DAY IN VIRGINIA...THE BIG BIRTHDAY BASH FOR VERONICA AND NATALIE IS HERE! WHAT A PRODUCTION. DAD AND MOM WENT ALL OUT FOR THIS BASH...SEATING IN THE MAIN DINING ROOM FOR SIXTEEN YOUNG LADIES, BUFFET DINNER (ALL MADE BY CHEF CRAIG)...BALLOONS, DECORATIONS, GOODY BAGS, ARTS & CRAFTS, PLUS ADULT BEVERAGES FOR THE GROWN-UPS...(THEY INVITED THE PARENTS OF THE GIRLS ALSO).
UNCLE JIM, COMPLETE WITH COWBOY HAT (WANTED TO GET IN THE SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWESTERN MOOD) GOT TO MEET THE FRIENDS MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND HAVE MADE THROUGH THE GIRLS... IT WAS LIKE I NEVER LEFT NEW JERSEY!! ONLY ONE OF THE SIX COUPLES WAS NATIVE VIRGINIAN...THE REST WERE FROM THE NEW YORK AREA OR OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IT WAS LIKE A REUNION. THE GIRLS WERE A FEW DECIBEL LEVELS UNDER A F-16 FIGHTER PLANE WARMING UP FOR MOST OF THE DAY (EXCEPT WHEN THERE WAS CAKE) BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS A TERRIFIC PARTY... THEY HAVE SOME TERRIFIC FRIENDS DOWN HERE AND THE GIRLS HAVE SOME GREAT FRIENDS TOO...
UP LATE WATCHING THE BASEBALL GAME AND BS-ING WITH CRAIG AND SHERYL AND TWO OF THEIR FRIENDS THAT STAYED LATER. VERONICA IS SINGING IN THE CHOIR AT THE CHURCH SERVICE SUNDAY, SO I'LL BE IN ATTENDANCE...THEIR CHURCH COMMUNITY IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE (LOTS TO DO FOR THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS, VERY USER-FRIENDLY AND COMMUNITY-ORIENTED CONGREGATION)...
UNCLE JIM, COMPLETE WITH COWBOY HAT (WANTED TO GET IN THE SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWESTERN MOOD) GOT TO MEET THE FRIENDS MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND HAVE MADE THROUGH THE GIRLS... IT WAS LIKE I NEVER LEFT NEW JERSEY!! ONLY ONE OF THE SIX COUPLES WAS NATIVE VIRGINIAN...THE REST WERE FROM THE NEW YORK AREA OR OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IT WAS LIKE A REUNION. THE GIRLS WERE A FEW DECIBEL LEVELS UNDER A F-16 FIGHTER PLANE WARMING UP FOR MOST OF THE DAY (EXCEPT WHEN THERE WAS CAKE) BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS A TERRIFIC PARTY... THEY HAVE SOME TERRIFIC FRIENDS DOWN HERE AND THE GIRLS HAVE SOME GREAT FRIENDS TOO...
UP LATE WATCHING THE BASEBALL GAME AND BS-ING WITH CRAIG AND SHERYL AND TWO OF THEIR FRIENDS THAT STAYED LATER. VERONICA IS SINGING IN THE CHOIR AT THE CHURCH SERVICE SUNDAY, SO I'LL BE IN ATTENDANCE...THEIR CHURCH COMMUNITY IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE (LOTS TO DO FOR THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS, VERY USER-FRIENDLY AND COMMUNITY-ORIENTED CONGREGATION)...
Friday, October 17, 2008
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD
FIRST BAD DAY WEATHER-WISE IN AWHILE...IT PROBABLY RAINED A WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF ARIZONA RAIN HERE TODAY...TEMPS DIDN'T GET UP MUCH HIGHER THAN 60...(IT WAS IN THE 90'S IN MY NEW HOMESTATE---BUT I'LL TRY NOT TO RUB IT IN TOO MUCH!)...
AFTER DROPPING THE GIRLS AT THE BUS STOP IN THE CAR I SPENT MOST OF THE DAY UPDATING MY ADDRESS CHANGES WITH EVERYONE I COULD THINK OF...(CREDIT CARDS, CLUBS, MAGAZINES, ETC.--WHAT A LIST!) AND TRYING TO PLAN MY NEXT MOVE AFTER I LEAVE VIRGINIA. NASHVILLE IS TOO FAR TO DO IN ONE DAY, SO I'LL DRIVE TO KNOXVILLE, STAY OVERNIGHT AND DRIVE INTO NASHVILLE THE NEXT MORNING...I HAVE ADDED TWO VISITS TO TWO COUSINS WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD SO I HAVE TO TWEAK THE TRIP... ANGELA LIVES IN DALLAS CITY, ILLINOIS AND ANNA LIVES IN PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KANSAS AND I HAVEN'T SEEN EITHER IN A LONG TIME SO THIS IS A WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENT...I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM...
SHERYL GOT BACK THIS MORNING FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND SHE AND CRAIG HAVE BEEN GOING NON-STOP GETTING READY TO HOST THE PARTY OF THE CENTURY TOMORROW FOR THE GIRLS...(IT'S GONNA BE A HOOT!) CRAIG IS DOING ALL THE COOKING, SHERYL DECORATED AND I LENT A HAND NOW AND THEN... THE GIRLS ARE VERY EXCITED...
I HOPE TO GET A ROUND OF GOLF IN BEFORE I MOVE ON, PROBABLY ON MONDAY...IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN THE ROLE THAT GOLF HAS PLAYED IN MY LIFE...MY DAD INTRODUCED ME TO THE GAME WHEN I WAS 12 AND I USED TO PULL HIS CLUBS AROUND THE COURSE AND HE LET ME HIT SOME SHOTS. I CAUGHT THE BUG AND IT WAS THE WAY WE HUNG OUT TOGETHER. I BECAME OBSESSED WITH THE GAME AND PRACTICED ALL THE TIME. MY DAD AND I PLAYED IN OUTINGS AND I PLAYED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM... THROUGH EVERYTHING I HAVE GONE THROUGH, BOTH GOOD AND BAD, GOLF HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE...IT CALMS ME, EVEN THOUGH THE GAME CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING; IT ALLOWS ME TO ESCAPE THE STRESS AND TROUBLES OF LIFE, IF ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE; IT PRESERVED MY SANITY AND HELPED ME ME HOLD ON WHEN THE WORLD CRASHED DOWN ON ME WITH MY STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; I PLAY THE GAME WITH A PASSION BOTH TO EXCEL AT IT AND IN AWE OF IT...THE BEAUTY OF THE GOLF COURSES, THE FRIENDS AND CAMARADERIE ENJOYED DURING THE ROUNDS, THE PURE JOY OF EXECUTING A GREAT SHOT AND THE PURE MADNESS OF NOT EXECUTING THE GREAT SHOT...I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE...A GOLFER.
WOW! WHAT A RAMBLE! SO THERE'S A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO THE "INNER" ME. THAT'S WHY I TRULY WISH TO MAKE GOLF MY NEXT CAREER...TO PASS ON MY PASSION AND LOVE OF THE GAME TO SOMEONE ELSE THE WAY MY DAD PASSED IT ON TO ME...TO HELP SOMEONE BECOME BETTER AND GET EVEN MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF PLAYING...TO GIVE BACK.
AFTER DROPPING THE GIRLS AT THE BUS STOP IN THE CAR I SPENT MOST OF THE DAY UPDATING MY ADDRESS CHANGES WITH EVERYONE I COULD THINK OF...(CREDIT CARDS, CLUBS, MAGAZINES, ETC.--WHAT A LIST!) AND TRYING TO PLAN MY NEXT MOVE AFTER I LEAVE VIRGINIA. NASHVILLE IS TOO FAR TO DO IN ONE DAY, SO I'LL DRIVE TO KNOXVILLE, STAY OVERNIGHT AND DRIVE INTO NASHVILLE THE NEXT MORNING...I HAVE ADDED TWO VISITS TO TWO COUSINS WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD SO I HAVE TO TWEAK THE TRIP... ANGELA LIVES IN DALLAS CITY, ILLINOIS AND ANNA LIVES IN PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KANSAS AND I HAVEN'T SEEN EITHER IN A LONG TIME SO THIS IS A WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENT...I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM...
SHERYL GOT BACK THIS MORNING FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND SHE AND CRAIG HAVE BEEN GOING NON-STOP GETTING READY TO HOST THE PARTY OF THE CENTURY TOMORROW FOR THE GIRLS...(IT'S GONNA BE A HOOT!) CRAIG IS DOING ALL THE COOKING, SHERYL DECORATED AND I LENT A HAND NOW AND THEN... THE GIRLS ARE VERY EXCITED...
I HOPE TO GET A ROUND OF GOLF IN BEFORE I MOVE ON, PROBABLY ON MONDAY...IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN THE ROLE THAT GOLF HAS PLAYED IN MY LIFE...MY DAD INTRODUCED ME TO THE GAME WHEN I WAS 12 AND I USED TO PULL HIS CLUBS AROUND THE COURSE AND HE LET ME HIT SOME SHOTS. I CAUGHT THE BUG AND IT WAS THE WAY WE HUNG OUT TOGETHER. I BECAME OBSESSED WITH THE GAME AND PRACTICED ALL THE TIME. MY DAD AND I PLAYED IN OUTINGS AND I PLAYED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM... THROUGH EVERYTHING I HAVE GONE THROUGH, BOTH GOOD AND BAD, GOLF HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE...IT CALMS ME, EVEN THOUGH THE GAME CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING; IT ALLOWS ME TO ESCAPE THE STRESS AND TROUBLES OF LIFE, IF ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE; IT PRESERVED MY SANITY AND HELPED ME ME HOLD ON WHEN THE WORLD CRASHED DOWN ON ME WITH MY STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; I PLAY THE GAME WITH A PASSION BOTH TO EXCEL AT IT AND IN AWE OF IT...THE BEAUTY OF THE GOLF COURSES, THE FRIENDS AND CAMARADERIE ENJOYED DURING THE ROUNDS, THE PURE JOY OF EXECUTING A GREAT SHOT AND THE PURE MADNESS OF NOT EXECUTING THE GREAT SHOT...I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE...A GOLFER.
WOW! WHAT A RAMBLE! SO THERE'S A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO THE "INNER" ME. THAT'S WHY I TRULY WISH TO MAKE GOLF MY NEXT CAREER...TO PASS ON MY PASSION AND LOVE OF THE GAME TO SOMEONE ELSE THE WAY MY DAD PASSED IT ON TO ME...TO HELP SOMEONE BECOME BETTER AND GET EVEN MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF PLAYING...TO GIVE BACK.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
SO THIS IS A NORMAL DAY
WHAT A GREAT DAY I HAD TODAY! I DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN AROUND ANYWHERE, CANCEL ANY SERVICES, MAKE ANY PHONE CALLS, OR DRIVE...WOKE UP AT 6 AM (BEFORE THE ALARM CLOCK OF COURSE) GOT DRESSED AND ACCOMPANIED THE NIECES AND THEIR DADDY DOWN THE BLOCK TO THE BUS STOP TO SEE THE GIRLS OFF TO SCHOOL AT 7:05. MET THE OTHER PARENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WALKED BACK TO THE HOUSE AND HAD COFFEE AND TALKED WITH CRAIG IN THE ALL SEASON ROOM BY THE BACK DECK...
THEN WE WENT TO THE GARAGE AND PULLED OUT THE TABLES AND CHAIRS THEY NEEDED FOR THE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY ON SATURDAY (50 PEOPLE AND UNCLE JIM) AND WHILE CRAIG CLEANED THE HOUSE I GOT SOME COMPUTER WORK DONE IN THE GUEST WING...THEN WE WENT TO LUNCH TOGETHER (HOOTER'S HAS GREAT WINGS--WINK!WINK!) AND CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND DID SOME CHORES (I REPACKED AND CONSOLIDATED MY JEEP) AND THEN WE WALKED UP THE CORNER AND MET THE GIRLS AT THE SCHOOL BUS...
THE GIRLS DID THEIR HOMEWORK (WITH SOME PRODDING FROM ME AND DAD) AND WE PLAYED SOME COMPUTER GAMES, WENT OUT FOR SOME PIZZA AND CAME BACK. THE GIRLS WENT TO BED AND NOW I'M IN FRONT OF THE TV WATCHING THE GAME AND SENDING OUT MY BLOG...
THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR TODAY... IT WAS GREAT TO HANGING OUT WITH THE BROTHER-IN-LAW AND JUST DOING REGULAR THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE...SHERYL STAYED AN EXTRA NIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA (WORK) AND WILL BE HOME TOMORROW...RESTING UP FOR THE CONTINUING JOURNEY THAT BEGINS AGAIN NEXT WEEK...
THEN WE WENT TO THE GARAGE AND PULLED OUT THE TABLES AND CHAIRS THEY NEEDED FOR THE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY ON SATURDAY (50 PEOPLE AND UNCLE JIM) AND WHILE CRAIG CLEANED THE HOUSE I GOT SOME COMPUTER WORK DONE IN THE GUEST WING...THEN WE WENT TO LUNCH TOGETHER (HOOTER'S HAS GREAT WINGS--WINK!WINK!) AND CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND DID SOME CHORES (I REPACKED AND CONSOLIDATED MY JEEP) AND THEN WE WALKED UP THE CORNER AND MET THE GIRLS AT THE SCHOOL BUS...
THE GIRLS DID THEIR HOMEWORK (WITH SOME PRODDING FROM ME AND DAD) AND WE PLAYED SOME COMPUTER GAMES, WENT OUT FOR SOME PIZZA AND CAME BACK. THE GIRLS WENT TO BED AND NOW I'M IN FRONT OF THE TV WATCHING THE GAME AND SENDING OUT MY BLOG...
THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR TODAY... IT WAS GREAT TO HANGING OUT WITH THE BROTHER-IN-LAW AND JUST DOING REGULAR THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE...SHERYL STAYED AN EXTRA NIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA (WORK) AND WILL BE HOME TOMORROW...RESTING UP FOR THE CONTINUING JOURNEY THAT BEGINS AGAIN NEXT WEEK...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST
THE DAY HAS ARRIVED AND I AM OFFICIALLY ON THE ROAD! MUCH TO DO THIS MORNING...A TRIP TO THE BANK, A TRIP TO TIRE BARN (TO SAY SEE YA TO MY CUSTOMER FRIENDS), A FINAL TRIP TO FINKELSTEIN TO SAY FAREWELL TO MY FORMER CO-WORKERS, THE FINAL WALK THROUGH THE OLD APARTMENT (AND THE OFFICIAL RETURN OF THE KEYS) AND THEN GETTING IN THE CAR AND FIRING UP THE THEME SONG (SUGARLAND'S "GOTTA BE SOMETHING MORE") AND HEADING SOUTH ON THE TURNPIKE TO MEET VIC AT THE REST AREA BELOW EXIT 7A...
VICTOR IS MY OLDEST AND DEAREST FRIEND...WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AN AWFUL LOT OVER THE YEARS (OVER 40 YEARS!!! YIKES!)... IT'S TOUGH LEAVING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BUT THIS IS SOMETHING I WANT TO DO. THE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FAR OUTWEIGHED MY NEED TO REMAIN IN NEW JERSEY... SOME THINK OF THIS MOVE AS EARLY RETIREMENT BUT IT'S NOT...IT'S A MOVE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE...THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS I'VE HAD TO MAKE BUT EACH DAY I'M MORE AND MORE CONVINCED IT'S FOR THE BEST...
SEEING VIC AND HEARING THE SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM HIM AND LORETTA (HIS WIFE AND ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS) WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TODAY...
THANKS TO CHRISTINA FOR HER VERY THOUGHTFUL GIFTS...THANKS TO ALL MY FINKELSTEIN FRIENDS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND BEST WISHES...THANKS TO THE MULTITUDE OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO WISH ME THE BEST...
BACK TO THE RIDE...WHEN I SAW THE SIGN "WELCOME TO DELAWARE" I LET OUT A CHEER (SEE BLOG TITLE)... WITH EACH MILE THE EXCITEMENT GREW (I WAS ACTUALLY DOING THIS!) THEN I REALIZED THAT TECHNICALLY I WAS HOMELESS. I CAN'T MOVE INTO MY NEW PLACE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15. THAT THOUGHT FLEW OUT THE WINDOW WHEN I HIT VIRGINIA AND THE WORST TRAFFIC I'VE BEEN IN SINCE I WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY...IT WAS AN INTERESTING INTRODUCTION TO LIFE "ON THE ROAD." BUT I SURVIVED AND HERE I AM IN GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA WITH MY SISTER, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND MY TWO NIECES. NICE!
DAY ONE ON THE ROAD WAS A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTION AND ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET...IF THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S IN STORE, THEN THIS TRIP AND MY NEW LIFE ARE GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE "RIDE"...
VICTOR IS MY OLDEST AND DEAREST FRIEND...WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AN AWFUL LOT OVER THE YEARS (OVER 40 YEARS!!! YIKES!)... IT'S TOUGH LEAVING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BUT THIS IS SOMETHING I WANT TO DO. THE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FAR OUTWEIGHED MY NEED TO REMAIN IN NEW JERSEY... SOME THINK OF THIS MOVE AS EARLY RETIREMENT BUT IT'S NOT...IT'S A MOVE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE...THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS I'VE HAD TO MAKE BUT EACH DAY I'M MORE AND MORE CONVINCED IT'S FOR THE BEST...
SEEING VIC AND HEARING THE SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM HIM AND LORETTA (HIS WIFE AND ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS) WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TODAY...
THANKS TO CHRISTINA FOR HER VERY THOUGHTFUL GIFTS...THANKS TO ALL MY FINKELSTEIN FRIENDS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND BEST WISHES...THANKS TO THE MULTITUDE OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO WISH ME THE BEST...
BACK TO THE RIDE...WHEN I SAW THE SIGN "WELCOME TO DELAWARE" I LET OUT A CHEER (SEE BLOG TITLE)... WITH EACH MILE THE EXCITEMENT GREW (I WAS ACTUALLY DOING THIS!) THEN I REALIZED THAT TECHNICALLY I WAS HOMELESS. I CAN'T MOVE INTO MY NEW PLACE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15. THAT THOUGHT FLEW OUT THE WINDOW WHEN I HIT VIRGINIA AND THE WORST TRAFFIC I'VE BEEN IN SINCE I WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY...IT WAS AN INTERESTING INTRODUCTION TO LIFE "ON THE ROAD." BUT I SURVIVED AND HERE I AM IN GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA WITH MY SISTER, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND MY TWO NIECES. NICE!
DAY ONE ON THE ROAD WAS A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTION AND ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET...IF THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S IN STORE, THEN THIS TRIP AND MY NEW LIFE ARE GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE "RIDE"...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
LAST NIGHT IN NEW JERSEY
"ALL MY BAGS ARE PACKED, I'M READY TO GO..." THIS IS THE FINAL NIGHT IN NEW JERSEY. EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S HERE ALREADY... SPENT THE WHOLE DAY CLEANING OUT THE LAST REMNANTS OF JIM FROM FRESH PONDS VILLAGE APT. D9... THE LANDLORD WILL DO A FINAL WALK THROUGH WITH ME TOMORROW. NOT TO BRAG, BUT THE PLACE IS MUCH CLEANER THAN WHEN I MOVED IN...
EVERYTHING IS PACKED IN THE JEEP, EXCEPT FOR ME AND THE LAST MINUTE THINGS I HAVE TO USE IN THE MORNING...SOME LAST MINUTE VISITS ARE IN ORDER...WORK TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE OFFICE FRIENDS AND WAREHOUSE FRIENDS, TIRE BARN TO SEE ENVER AND BILL, THE BANK (OF COURSE) WALK THROUGH WITH THE LANDLORD, HAND IN MY KEYS AND MEET LORETTA AND VIC (MY OLDEST FRIEND...SINCE 2ND GRADE!!) AT THE REST AREA PASSED EXIT 7A ON THE TURNPIKE FOR A CUP OF JOE AND OFF I GO! I WILL STOP AT THE BORDERLINE OF NEW JERSEY AND GIVE THIS STATE A FINAL RASPBERRY(THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE---I LOVE YOU GUYS---BUT NEW JERSEY CAN KISS MY ASS!!)
FROM THERE IT'S OFF TO VIRGINIA TO STAY WITH MY SISTER'S FAMILY FOR A WEEK OR SO...THEN IT'S OFF TO POINTS UNKNOWN, BUT THOSE OF YOU WHO READ THIS WILL KNOW BECAUSE I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHERE I'M GOING...
TO ALL THE FRIENDS WHO I WAS ABLE TO SEE BEFORE I LEFT, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE POSITIVE ENERGY AND SUPPORT YOU GAVE ME...IT HELPED ME PUSH FORWARD WITH THIS PRETTY SCARY AND PRETTY WONDERFUL ENTERPRISE I'M EMBARKING ON... TO ALL THE FRIENDS I COULDN'T GET TO SEE BECAUSE OF TIME CONSTRAINTS AND POOR TIME MANAGEMENT ON MY PART, PLEASE KNOW THAT I CHERISH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU...(ALL OF YOU ARE MAKING THIS TRIP WITH ME IN MY HEART)...IT'S A NICE FEELING TO HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE PULLING FOR YOU AND WISHING YOU LUCK...
I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS WORK, FOR MYSELF OF COURSE, BUT ALSO FOR ANYYONE WHO ASPIRES TO DO THIS...IF IT WORKS OUT THEN MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE WILL TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH THAT I DID...IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, THEN I'LL HAVE TO THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE...(AND PROBABLY IN A HURRY!!)
GOODNIGHT FOR NOW, MY FRIENDS...JIM HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT THE BUILDING! TALK TO YOU FROM THE ROAD. "GO WEST, YOUNG MAN!" (ONLY IN MY CASE, IT'S OLD MAN).
EVERYTHING IS PACKED IN THE JEEP, EXCEPT FOR ME AND THE LAST MINUTE THINGS I HAVE TO USE IN THE MORNING...SOME LAST MINUTE VISITS ARE IN ORDER...WORK TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE OFFICE FRIENDS AND WAREHOUSE FRIENDS, TIRE BARN TO SEE ENVER AND BILL, THE BANK (OF COURSE) WALK THROUGH WITH THE LANDLORD, HAND IN MY KEYS AND MEET LORETTA AND VIC (MY OLDEST FRIEND...SINCE 2ND GRADE!!) AT THE REST AREA PASSED EXIT 7A ON THE TURNPIKE FOR A CUP OF JOE AND OFF I GO! I WILL STOP AT THE BORDERLINE OF NEW JERSEY AND GIVE THIS STATE A FINAL RASPBERRY(THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE---I LOVE YOU GUYS---BUT NEW JERSEY CAN KISS MY ASS!!)
FROM THERE IT'S OFF TO VIRGINIA TO STAY WITH MY SISTER'S FAMILY FOR A WEEK OR SO...THEN IT'S OFF TO POINTS UNKNOWN, BUT THOSE OF YOU WHO READ THIS WILL KNOW BECAUSE I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHERE I'M GOING...
TO ALL THE FRIENDS WHO I WAS ABLE TO SEE BEFORE I LEFT, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE POSITIVE ENERGY AND SUPPORT YOU GAVE ME...IT HELPED ME PUSH FORWARD WITH THIS PRETTY SCARY AND PRETTY WONDERFUL ENTERPRISE I'M EMBARKING ON... TO ALL THE FRIENDS I COULDN'T GET TO SEE BECAUSE OF TIME CONSTRAINTS AND POOR TIME MANAGEMENT ON MY PART, PLEASE KNOW THAT I CHERISH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU...(ALL OF YOU ARE MAKING THIS TRIP WITH ME IN MY HEART)...IT'S A NICE FEELING TO HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE PULLING FOR YOU AND WISHING YOU LUCK...
I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS WORK, FOR MYSELF OF COURSE, BUT ALSO FOR ANYYONE WHO ASPIRES TO DO THIS...IF IT WORKS OUT THEN MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE WILL TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH THAT I DID...IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, THEN I'LL HAVE TO THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE...(AND PROBABLY IN A HURRY!!)
GOODNIGHT FOR NOW, MY FRIENDS...JIM HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT THE BUILDING! TALK TO YOU FROM THE ROAD. "GO WEST, YOUNG MAN!" (ONLY IN MY CASE, IT'S OLD MAN).
GOLF OUTINGS AND MORE FAREWELLS
I AM BECOMING A DIRTY STAY OUT!! DIDN'T GET HOME UNTIL AFTER 1 AM LAST NIGHT(OUT WATCHING THE FOOTBALL GAME WITH A FRIEND FROM FREEHOLD)... SO I WASN'T "UP" LONG ENOUGH TO WRITE MY BLOG...
AFTER BEING SLEEP DEPRIVED AND SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN THE CAR ON SUNDAY I SLEPT IN TIL 9AM MONDAY! I SLEPT SO LONG I WAS TOO TIRED TO GET STARTED... LUCKILY I HAD THE GOLF OUTING CLOSE TO HOME (FORSGATE CC) AND DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THERE UNTIL 11:30, SO I GOT THERE ON TIME... LUNCH WAS BUFFET STYLE (BURGERS, BBQ CHICKEN, PULLED PORK, SALADS AND ICED TEA OR LEMONADE) AND DELICIOUS...WENT TO THE RANGE AND HIT SOME GOLF BALLS TO WARM UP WITH RD, ONE OF MY TEAMMATES AND GOOD FRIEND AND PRACTICED ON THE PUTTING GREEN. THEN THEY SENT US OUT TO OUR DESIGNATED HOLES. THE FORMAT WAS A SHOTGUN START...THEY SEND EACH FOUR MAN TEAM TO A DIFFERENT HOLE AND YOU START PLAYING AT THE SAME TIME SO YOU ALL FINISH TOGETHER. WE STARTED ON THE 18TH HOLE. THE OUTING WAS CALLED A SCRAMBLE FORMAT...INSTEAD OF EACH PLAYER USING HIS OWN BALL, THE TEAM PLAYED THE BEST SHOT...ALL FOUR PLAYERS WOULD HIT A TEE SHOT...THEN THEY PICK THE BEST SHOT AND EVERYONE HITS FROM THERE...THEN ONCE ON THE GREEN EVERYONE PUTTS FROM THE SAME SPOT...IT MAKES THE ROUND GO FASTER AND IS ALOT OF FUN FOR PLAYERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS...
AFTER THE ROUND WAS OVER(WE SHOT 67, 5 UNDER PAR AND TIED FOR SIXTH) WE WENT BACK IN THE DINING ROOM AND HAD A CARVING STATION AND FINGER FOOD AND CHEESE PLATTERS AND AN OPEN BAR...I STAYED UNTIL AROUND 6:30 AND HAD TO LEAVE TO MEET FRIENDS TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL GAME...I THANKED JOE FOR THE INVITE(EVERYTHING ABOVE WAS NO COST TO ME) AND SAID FAREWELL TO MY FORMER CO-WORKERS, FORMER CUSTOMERS AND VICE PRESIDENT OF MY FORMER EMPLOYER...THEY ALL WISHED ME LUCK AND ASKED ME TO KEEP IN TOUCH...
ROUND TWO WAS A PACKED BAR FULL OF GIANT FANS (I KNOW I'M OLD BECAUSE HALF OF THE PATRONS LOOKED LIKED THEY WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL... I WOULD HAVE CARDED THEM ALL!) WE GOT A TABLE AND WATCHED THE GAME (SORRY GIANT FANS) AND ATE WINGS ($2.00 FOR SIX WINGS, CELERY AND BLUECHEESE). WE TALKED FOR HOURS...FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE (IT WAS 12:30!)...MORE FAREWELLS AND OFF I DROVE TO DAYTON...
TONIGHT WILL BE MY FINAL BROADCAST FROM THE EMPTY APARTMENT... I AM PACKING UP MY CLOTHES AND CLEANING OUT THE PLACE TODAY FOR THE FINAL INSPECTION BY THE LANDLORD (IT'S CLEANER NOW THAN WHEN I MOVED IN)...
TEE MINUS ONE DAY!!!!!!
AFTER BEING SLEEP DEPRIVED AND SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN THE CAR ON SUNDAY I SLEPT IN TIL 9AM MONDAY! I SLEPT SO LONG I WAS TOO TIRED TO GET STARTED... LUCKILY I HAD THE GOLF OUTING CLOSE TO HOME (FORSGATE CC) AND DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THERE UNTIL 11:30, SO I GOT THERE ON TIME... LUNCH WAS BUFFET STYLE (BURGERS, BBQ CHICKEN, PULLED PORK, SALADS AND ICED TEA OR LEMONADE) AND DELICIOUS...WENT TO THE RANGE AND HIT SOME GOLF BALLS TO WARM UP WITH RD, ONE OF MY TEAMMATES AND GOOD FRIEND AND PRACTICED ON THE PUTTING GREEN. THEN THEY SENT US OUT TO OUR DESIGNATED HOLES. THE FORMAT WAS A SHOTGUN START...THEY SEND EACH FOUR MAN TEAM TO A DIFFERENT HOLE AND YOU START PLAYING AT THE SAME TIME SO YOU ALL FINISH TOGETHER. WE STARTED ON THE 18TH HOLE. THE OUTING WAS CALLED A SCRAMBLE FORMAT...INSTEAD OF EACH PLAYER USING HIS OWN BALL, THE TEAM PLAYED THE BEST SHOT...ALL FOUR PLAYERS WOULD HIT A TEE SHOT...THEN THEY PICK THE BEST SHOT AND EVERYONE HITS FROM THERE...THEN ONCE ON THE GREEN EVERYONE PUTTS FROM THE SAME SPOT...IT MAKES THE ROUND GO FASTER AND IS ALOT OF FUN FOR PLAYERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS...
AFTER THE ROUND WAS OVER(WE SHOT 67, 5 UNDER PAR AND TIED FOR SIXTH) WE WENT BACK IN THE DINING ROOM AND HAD A CARVING STATION AND FINGER FOOD AND CHEESE PLATTERS AND AN OPEN BAR...I STAYED UNTIL AROUND 6:30 AND HAD TO LEAVE TO MEET FRIENDS TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL GAME...I THANKED JOE FOR THE INVITE(EVERYTHING ABOVE WAS NO COST TO ME) AND SAID FAREWELL TO MY FORMER CO-WORKERS, FORMER CUSTOMERS AND VICE PRESIDENT OF MY FORMER EMPLOYER...THEY ALL WISHED ME LUCK AND ASKED ME TO KEEP IN TOUCH...
ROUND TWO WAS A PACKED BAR FULL OF GIANT FANS (I KNOW I'M OLD BECAUSE HALF OF THE PATRONS LOOKED LIKED THEY WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL... I WOULD HAVE CARDED THEM ALL!) WE GOT A TABLE AND WATCHED THE GAME (SORRY GIANT FANS) AND ATE WINGS ($2.00 FOR SIX WINGS, CELERY AND BLUECHEESE). WE TALKED FOR HOURS...FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE (IT WAS 12:30!)...MORE FAREWELLS AND OFF I DROVE TO DAYTON...
TONIGHT WILL BE MY FINAL BROADCAST FROM THE EMPTY APARTMENT... I AM PACKING UP MY CLOTHES AND CLEANING OUT THE PLACE TODAY FOR THE FINAL INSPECTION BY THE LANDLORD (IT'S CLEANER NOW THAN WHEN I MOVED IN)...
TEE MINUS ONE DAY!!!!!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
LONG DAY, NO SLEEP
BY THE TIME I FINISHED MY BLOG AND WATCHED SOME OF THE RED SOX GAME ON SATURDAY NIGHT, IT WAS AFTER 1AM AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AT 5AM. BILLY AND I MET ED AT 6:15 AND DROVE UP TO GROSSINGERS TO PLAY GOLF. WHAT A GORGEOUS DAY! PLENTY OF SUNSHINE AND THE LEAVES WERE IN FULL COLOR...(GREAT PHOTOS OF THE AUTUMN CHANGE). PLAYED WELL ON THE FRONT NINE (39) BUT RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE BACK NINE. (84 TOTAL). SO WE START ON THE WAY BACK AND BILL REMEMBERED HE LEFT HIS JACKET ON THE CART SO WE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK, THEN STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND ICE CREAM AT OUR TRADITIONAL SPOT... IT WAS A MEMORABLE ENDING TO MY NEW YORK GOLF SEASON...
WENT BACK TO BILL'S AND SAID FAREWELL TO HIM AND CATHY, THEN DROVE OVER TO BOB'S HOUSE (COULDN'T MAKE GOLF BECAUSE HE IS PUTTING UP A SHED AND IT'S COMING TUESDAY--LOTS OF YARD STUFF TO DO). WE HUNG OUT IN THE BACKYARD AND TALKED FOR AWHILE AND WENT INSIDE TO SEE TONI ANN AND HE SHOWED THE SHED HE'S PUTTING IN (VERY IMPRESSIVE). GOT TO BE 5 O'CLOCK AND I TOOK MY LEAVE...(I'LL SEE THEM IN DECEMBER IN ARUBA!).
NORMALLY, THE RIDE FROM NEW YORK IS AN HOUR AND A HALF TO TWO HOURS(NOT TODAY!) I GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON THE THRUWAY, ON ROUTE 17, ON THE TURNPIKE, AND EVEN ON THE EXIT BY MY HOUSE!!! BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE EMPTY APARTMENT IT WAS 8:30...NEEDLESS TO SAY I CAME IN, DROPPED MY BAGS AND THANKFULLY THE AIR BED WAS ALREADY INFLATED... I WAS OUT COLD IN A MATTER OF MINUTES...(HENCE, THE LATENESS OF THIS BLOG).
I FIGURED IT WAS GOOD PRACTICE FOR WHAT WILL BE COMING UP STARTING WEDNESDAY (LONG HOURS DRIVING IN THE CAR)... TWO DAYS AND COUNTING...
WENT BACK TO BILL'S AND SAID FAREWELL TO HIM AND CATHY, THEN DROVE OVER TO BOB'S HOUSE (COULDN'T MAKE GOLF BECAUSE HE IS PUTTING UP A SHED AND IT'S COMING TUESDAY--LOTS OF YARD STUFF TO DO). WE HUNG OUT IN THE BACKYARD AND TALKED FOR AWHILE AND WENT INSIDE TO SEE TONI ANN AND HE SHOWED THE SHED HE'S PUTTING IN (VERY IMPRESSIVE). GOT TO BE 5 O'CLOCK AND I TOOK MY LEAVE...(I'LL SEE THEM IN DECEMBER IN ARUBA!).
NORMALLY, THE RIDE FROM NEW YORK IS AN HOUR AND A HALF TO TWO HOURS(NOT TODAY!) I GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON THE THRUWAY, ON ROUTE 17, ON THE TURNPIKE, AND EVEN ON THE EXIT BY MY HOUSE!!! BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE EMPTY APARTMENT IT WAS 8:30...NEEDLESS TO SAY I CAME IN, DROPPED MY BAGS AND THANKFULLY THE AIR BED WAS ALREADY INFLATED... I WAS OUT COLD IN A MATTER OF MINUTES...(HENCE, THE LATENESS OF THIS BLOG).
I FIGURED IT WAS GOOD PRACTICE FOR WHAT WILL BE COMING UP STARTING WEDNESDAY (LONG HOURS DRIVING IN THE CAR)... TWO DAYS AND COUNTING...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
TWO STATE FAREWELLS
BUSY DAY FOR THE INTREPID TRAVELER...STARTED OFF IN DAYTON NJ, DOING LAUNDRY AND RUNNING AROUND DOING ERRANDS (INCLUDING FRIDAY'S BLOG, SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY), THEN ON TO MY NIECES' BIRTHDAY PARTY IN LINDEN NJ AT PAT AND TONY'S HOUSE...MOM AND MY SISTER'S IN-LAWS WERE THERE AND THE FAREWELLS AND SEE YOU LATERS WERE A LITTLE TOUGH...(I DON'T SAY GOODBYE. IT SOUNDS TOO PERMANENT.) THEN I WHISKED AWAY TO NEWBURGH NY AND DINNER WITH MY GOOD FRIENDS IN NEW YORK STATE...
DINNER WAS EXCELLENT, THE COMPANY EVEN BETTER...I'M REALLY GONNA MISS MY NEW YORK "CREW" BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THE REASONS I NEED TO DO WHAT I'M DOING AND HAVE SUPPORTED ME THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS...BESIDES, I WILL MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT NECESSARY TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH EVERYONE BECAUSE GOOD FRIENDS SHOULD NEVER BE LOST REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES SEPARATE THEM...SAME GOES WITH MY PEOPLE FROM NEW JERSEY... EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP THE SUPPORT NETWORK CLOSE...
STAYING TONIGHT WITH BILL AND CATHY AT "CHEZ IVES" IN NEW YORK. BILL AND I HAVE A TEE TIME TOMORROW MORNING HERE IN NEW YORK SO THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO PUT ME UP FOR THE NIGHT (OR SHOULD I SAY PUT UP WITH ME FOR THE NIGHT?) PLAYING WITH THEIR DOG MAX EARLIER AND WE CLUNKED HEADS (I GOT THE WORST OF THAT EXCHANGE). JUST A BUMP ON THE NOSE SO FAR....WAITING FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS...
OK, IT'S LATE AND I HAVE TO GET UP EARLY...ALL AROUND I WOULD SAY IT WAS AN EXCELLENT DAY....TEE MINUS THREE DAYS AND COUNTING///GETTING MORE AND MORE EXCITED.
DINNER WAS EXCELLENT, THE COMPANY EVEN BETTER...I'M REALLY GONNA MISS MY NEW YORK "CREW" BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THE REASONS I NEED TO DO WHAT I'M DOING AND HAVE SUPPORTED ME THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS...BESIDES, I WILL MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT NECESSARY TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH EVERYONE BECAUSE GOOD FRIENDS SHOULD NEVER BE LOST REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES SEPARATE THEM...SAME GOES WITH MY PEOPLE FROM NEW JERSEY... EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP THE SUPPORT NETWORK CLOSE...
STAYING TONIGHT WITH BILL AND CATHY AT "CHEZ IVES" IN NEW YORK. BILL AND I HAVE A TEE TIME TOMORROW MORNING HERE IN NEW YORK SO THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO PUT ME UP FOR THE NIGHT (OR SHOULD I SAY PUT UP WITH ME FOR THE NIGHT?) PLAYING WITH THEIR DOG MAX EARLIER AND WE CLUNKED HEADS (I GOT THE WORST OF THAT EXCHANGE). JUST A BUMP ON THE NOSE SO FAR....WAITING FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS...
OK, IT'S LATE AND I HAVE TO GET UP EARLY...ALL AROUND I WOULD SAY IT WAS AN EXCELLENT DAY....TEE MINUS THREE DAYS AND COUNTING///GETTING MORE AND MORE EXCITED.
OUR VISIT TO LADY LIBERTY
WHAT A DAY YESTERDAY...AS I HAVE EXPLAINED, MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY ARE UP HERE FROM VIRGINIA TO DO WORK ON THEIR HOME IN NEW JERSEY. UNCLE JIMMY (THAT'S ME) VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE MY TWO NIECES TO VISIT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY...AFTER BREAKFAST FOR THE GIRLS AND 2 COFFEES FOR UNCLE JIMMY, WE SET OFF TO JERSEY CITY ON A GRAND ADVENTURE...
WE GOT TO LIBERTY STATE PARK AROUND 11:30 AND WALKED AROUND THE OLD TRAIN STATION, BOUGHT OUR TICKETS AND WENT THROUGH THE FIRST METAL DETECTOR AND X-RAY FACILITY...(MISS THE DAYS WHERE ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS STAND IN LINE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SECURITY). THE BOAT GOT IN AROUND NOON AND WE SET OFF TO ELLIS ISLAND (WE STAYED ON BOARD), AND THEN TO LIBERTY ISLAND...(GOT GREAT SHOTS OF LADY LIBERTY AND THE GIRLS). WE WALKED AROUND THE ISLAND, HAD LUNCH (NATALIE WAS FEEDING HER PRETZEL TO THE SEAGULLS) AND WENT INSIDE THE MUSEUM. WENT THROUGH THE NEXT METAL DETECTOR AND BOMB RESIDUE DETECTOR. GAVE VERONICA THE CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES (WE'LL DOWNLOAD THEM IN VIRGINIA AND SHE CAN BRING THEM TO SCHOOL). WE WALKED UP THE 153 STAIRS INTO THE BASE OF THE STATUE (THEY DON'T ALLOW YOU ANY HIGHER UNLESS YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PASS OR ARE ON THE VERY FIRST BOAT) BUT THE VIEWS OF THE NEW YORK SKYLINE AND THE VERRAZANO BRIDGE ARE GREAT.
WE THEN WENT TO THE GIFT SHOP (I SAID THEY COULD EACH HAVE ONE ITEM) AND I SAW THE SHOPPING GENE THAT WOMEN HAVE IN THEIR DNA COME OUT! VERONICA AND NATALIE WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PLACE SAMPLING AND AGONIZING OVER WHAT TO GET. THEY FINALLY SETTLED ON BEARS DRESSED LIKE THE STATUE... BACK IN THE CAR TO GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC (WE PLAYED "ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER" ON MY PHONE GAMES) AND ARRIVED BACK AT MOM AND DAD'S AROUND 6 PM. THE GIRLS RAN OVER TO THE NEIGHBORS AND I HELPED CRAIG PUSH A 67 EL CAMINO INTO POSITION SO HE CAN PUT IT ON HIS TRAILER AND TAKE IT BACK TO VIRGINIA (THEY DON'T MAKE CARS LIKE THAT ANYMORE...HEAVY!!!)THE GIRLS WERE GOING TO THEIR COUSINS FOR A SLEEPOVER SO I TOOK THEM AND DROPPED THEM OFF AND THEN MEANDERED DOWN TO DAYTON.
QUICK SHOWER, QUICK DINNER AND EVEN QUICKER DIVE INTO THE AIR BED!! THEM KIDS WORE ME OUT(OR WAS IT PUSHING THE CAR?) BLESS ALL YOU PARENTS OUT THERE THAT DO THIS 24/7...LOVED IT BUT WAS GLAD IT WAS ONLY 1 DAY.
WE GOT TO LIBERTY STATE PARK AROUND 11:30 AND WALKED AROUND THE OLD TRAIN STATION, BOUGHT OUR TICKETS AND WENT THROUGH THE FIRST METAL DETECTOR AND X-RAY FACILITY...(MISS THE DAYS WHERE ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS STAND IN LINE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SECURITY). THE BOAT GOT IN AROUND NOON AND WE SET OFF TO ELLIS ISLAND (WE STAYED ON BOARD), AND THEN TO LIBERTY ISLAND...(GOT GREAT SHOTS OF LADY LIBERTY AND THE GIRLS). WE WALKED AROUND THE ISLAND, HAD LUNCH (NATALIE WAS FEEDING HER PRETZEL TO THE SEAGULLS) AND WENT INSIDE THE MUSEUM. WENT THROUGH THE NEXT METAL DETECTOR AND BOMB RESIDUE DETECTOR. GAVE VERONICA THE CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES (WE'LL DOWNLOAD THEM IN VIRGINIA AND SHE CAN BRING THEM TO SCHOOL). WE WALKED UP THE 153 STAIRS INTO THE BASE OF THE STATUE (THEY DON'T ALLOW YOU ANY HIGHER UNLESS YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PASS OR ARE ON THE VERY FIRST BOAT) BUT THE VIEWS OF THE NEW YORK SKYLINE AND THE VERRAZANO BRIDGE ARE GREAT.
WE THEN WENT TO THE GIFT SHOP (I SAID THEY COULD EACH HAVE ONE ITEM) AND I SAW THE SHOPPING GENE THAT WOMEN HAVE IN THEIR DNA COME OUT! VERONICA AND NATALIE WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PLACE SAMPLING AND AGONIZING OVER WHAT TO GET. THEY FINALLY SETTLED ON BEARS DRESSED LIKE THE STATUE... BACK IN THE CAR TO GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC (WE PLAYED "ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER" ON MY PHONE GAMES) AND ARRIVED BACK AT MOM AND DAD'S AROUND 6 PM. THE GIRLS RAN OVER TO THE NEIGHBORS AND I HELPED CRAIG PUSH A 67 EL CAMINO INTO POSITION SO HE CAN PUT IT ON HIS TRAILER AND TAKE IT BACK TO VIRGINIA (THEY DON'T MAKE CARS LIKE THAT ANYMORE...HEAVY!!!)THE GIRLS WERE GOING TO THEIR COUSINS FOR A SLEEPOVER SO I TOOK THEM AND DROPPED THEM OFF AND THEN MEANDERED DOWN TO DAYTON.
QUICK SHOWER, QUICK DINNER AND EVEN QUICKER DIVE INTO THE AIR BED!! THEM KIDS WORE ME OUT(OR WAS IT PUSHING THE CAR?) BLESS ALL YOU PARENTS OUT THERE THAT DO THIS 24/7...LOVED IT BUT WAS GLAD IT WAS ONLY 1 DAY.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS....
BEEN BACK TWO DAYS AND I'M READY TO HIT THE ROAD. A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR NEW JERSEY BUT I'M GETTING ANTSY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I SEE AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN BEFORE I GO, BUT I'D LIKE TO LINE THEM ALL UP AND SHAKE THEIR HANDS, A QUICK HUG, HERE'S MY NEW ADDRESS AND COME OUT AND VISIT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE HERE HITS ABOUT 10 DEGREES.
BILLY CALLED TODAY WITH SOME AWESOME NEWS. HE GOT A SUNDAY TEE TIME AT GROSSINGERS, ONE OF MY FAVORITE GOLF COURSES IN NEW YORK...I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY IT BEFORE I LEFT BUT NOW I CAN AND I AM REALLY PSYCHED... GOING UP TO NEW YORK STATE ON SATURDAY TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY FRIENDS, STAYING AT BILLY'S AND PLAYING GOLF SUNDAY MORNING...GONNA MISS GOING GOLFING WITH THE BOYS DURING THE SUMMER...
MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY ARE IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE WEEKEND...WENT OUT TO DINNER AND STAYED WITH THEM TONIGHT...GOING TO TAKE MY NIECES TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY TOMORROW (JUST ME AND THEM)...THEY PROMISED TO KEEP A EYE ON ME SO I'M NOT WORRIED. THIS WAY MOM AND DAD CAN GET SOME SERIOUS WORK DONE ON THEIR HOUSE UP HERE. SHOULD BE A BLAST...I LOVE TO SIGHTSEE EVEN IN MY HOME STATE (FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS ANYWAY)...
IT'S LATE AND I'M EXHAUSTED...WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH A GRIPPING ACCOUNT OF MY EXCELLENT ADVENTURE WITH MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS...IF THEY DON'T WEAR ME OUT.
BILLY CALLED TODAY WITH SOME AWESOME NEWS. HE GOT A SUNDAY TEE TIME AT GROSSINGERS, ONE OF MY FAVORITE GOLF COURSES IN NEW YORK...I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY IT BEFORE I LEFT BUT NOW I CAN AND I AM REALLY PSYCHED... GOING UP TO NEW YORK STATE ON SATURDAY TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY FRIENDS, STAYING AT BILLY'S AND PLAYING GOLF SUNDAY MORNING...GONNA MISS GOING GOLFING WITH THE BOYS DURING THE SUMMER...
MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY ARE IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE WEEKEND...WENT OUT TO DINNER AND STAYED WITH THEM TONIGHT...GOING TO TAKE MY NIECES TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY TOMORROW (JUST ME AND THEM)...THEY PROMISED TO KEEP A EYE ON ME SO I'M NOT WORRIED. THIS WAY MOM AND DAD CAN GET SOME SERIOUS WORK DONE ON THEIR HOUSE UP HERE. SHOULD BE A BLAST...I LOVE TO SIGHTSEE EVEN IN MY HOME STATE (FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS ANYWAY)...
IT'S LATE AND I'M EXHAUSTED...WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH A GRIPPING ACCOUNT OF MY EXCELLENT ADVENTURE WITH MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS...IF THEY DON'T WEAR ME OUT.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
BUSY DAY BACK IN NEW JERSEY. IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH YOU CAN GET DONE WHEN YOU HAVE NO FURNITURE OR TV OR ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP YOU FROM DOING THINGS... CALLED THE MOVING COMPANY AND GAVE THEM MY NEW ADDRESS AND SET UP A "TARGET DATE" OF NOVEMBER 15 FOR THEM TO DELIVER MY "VALUABLES". THE WAY THEY WERE TALKING IT SOUNDED AS IF THAT WAS THE ONLY DATE I WOULD NOT SEE MY STUFF...KEPT ASKING IF THERE WAS A CHANCE I COULD MOVE IN EARLIER. IF THEY CAN GET IT THERE EARLIER, THEN WHY CAN'T THEY GET THERE ON THE DATE I'M PAYING FOR?
TOOK TWO TRIPS TO THE POST OFFICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS TO GET MY CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM (WAS GOING TO DO IT ONLINE, BUT THE POSTAL CLERK SAID IT WAS BETTER TO HAND IT IN MYSELF). SO I STOPPED BY THE OLD JOB BECAUSE I HAD A BUNCH OF STUFF TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE I USED TO WORK WITH (WINTER COATS AND STUFF I WASN'T USING ANYMORE). I SET UP SHOP AT A DESK AND FILLED OUT THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM AND MADE SOME PHONE CALLS TO THE ARIZONA CABLE COMPANY AND THE CROTON OFFICE. SHOWED SOME PICTURES I TOOK OUT IN THE RED ROCK FORMATIONS AROUND SEDONA AND CHATTED ABOUT MY PLANS. THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO BUY ME LUNCH (THANKS, AGAIN!) SO I HUNG OUT FOR A FEW HOURS.
BACK TO THE POST OFFICE TO HAND IN MY CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND FORWARDING INSTRUCTIONS. MY MAIL WILL BE FORWARDED FROM HERE STARTING NEXT WEEK AND HELD IN ARIZONA UNTIL I PICK IT UP OUT THERE. (AMAZING IF IT WORKS)...
BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR DINNER, PAYING SOME BILLS AND COMPUTER CATCHING UP (EMAILS AND SUCH). STARTED A NEW BOOK SO I'LL READ FOR AWHILE BEFORE HITTING THE AIR BED...
OH YEAH. ONE LAST BIT OF NEWS...THANKS TO THE WOMAN (NOT THE PRETTY ONE) WHO SNEEZED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME FROM DALLAS TO NEWARK...I HAVE A SCRATCHY THROAT AND A RUNNY NOSE, PROBABLY GETTING A COLD...ONE OF THE CHANCES YOU TAKE FLYING IN AIRPLANES...
TOOK TWO TRIPS TO THE POST OFFICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS TO GET MY CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM (WAS GOING TO DO IT ONLINE, BUT THE POSTAL CLERK SAID IT WAS BETTER TO HAND IT IN MYSELF). SO I STOPPED BY THE OLD JOB BECAUSE I HAD A BUNCH OF STUFF TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE I USED TO WORK WITH (WINTER COATS AND STUFF I WASN'T USING ANYMORE). I SET UP SHOP AT A DESK AND FILLED OUT THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM AND MADE SOME PHONE CALLS TO THE ARIZONA CABLE COMPANY AND THE CROTON OFFICE. SHOWED SOME PICTURES I TOOK OUT IN THE RED ROCK FORMATIONS AROUND SEDONA AND CHATTED ABOUT MY PLANS. THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO BUY ME LUNCH (THANKS, AGAIN!) SO I HUNG OUT FOR A FEW HOURS.
BACK TO THE POST OFFICE TO HAND IN MY CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND FORWARDING INSTRUCTIONS. MY MAIL WILL BE FORWARDED FROM HERE STARTING NEXT WEEK AND HELD IN ARIZONA UNTIL I PICK IT UP OUT THERE. (AMAZING IF IT WORKS)...
BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR DINNER, PAYING SOME BILLS AND COMPUTER CATCHING UP (EMAILS AND SUCH). STARTED A NEW BOOK SO I'LL READ FOR AWHILE BEFORE HITTING THE AIR BED...
OH YEAH. ONE LAST BIT OF NEWS...THANKS TO THE WOMAN (NOT THE PRETTY ONE) WHO SNEEZED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME FROM DALLAS TO NEWARK...I HAVE A SCRATCHY THROAT AND A RUNNY NOSE, PROBABLY GETTING A COLD...ONE OF THE CHANCES YOU TAKE FLYING IN AIRPLANES...
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
BACK IN NEW JERSEY
AFTER THE ALL DAY FLIGHTS WITH THE STOP OVER IN DALLAS, I HAVE RETURNED TO NEW JERSEY TO FINISH MY SENTENCE ( I MEAN DAYS AS A RESIDENT). THE DAY WASN'T WITHOUT SOME EXCITEMENT HOWEVER. GOT A TEXT FROM MY FRIEND BOB TELLING ME THE TEMPERATURE IN NEWBURGH NY WAS 36 DEGREES THIS MORNING (THANKS BOB!) EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY IN THE PHOENIX END OF THE TRIP. CHECKED OUT AND RETURNED THE RENTAL CAR WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO SPARE. ALL THE RENTAL CARS GO TO ONE HUGE GARAGE, THEN THEY SHUTTLE YOU TO THE DIFFERENT TERMINALS ON BIG COMFORTABLE BUSES (HAD ONE ALL TO MYSELF)... THE FLIGHT TO DALLAS/FORT WORTH WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT. NEEDED TO TAKE THE SKYLINK OVER TO THE OTHER TERMINAL TO CATCH THE CONNECTING FLIGHT. THIS IS WHERE THE TROUBLE STARTED.
SITTING NEXT TO ME ON THE PHOENIX TO DALLAS FLIGHT WAS A VERY PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN CARRYING AN ANVIL IN HER SUITCASE. SO, BEING THE GENTLEMAN THAT I AM, I ASSISTED HER AND PUT THE ANVIL(SUITCASE) IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. SO WE CHATTED ON THE FLIGHT TO DALLAS AND WHEN WE ARRIVED I AGAIN ASSISTED HER BY TAKING THE BAG OF BOULDERS OUT OF THE OVERHEAD FOR HER. SHE THANKED ME AND WISHED ME LUCK ON MY MOVE TO CHANDLER AND I JUMPED O THE SKYLINK TO TERMINAL A. GOT THERE AND REACHED FOR MY BOOK (ONLY 5 CHAPTERS LEFT, EXCELLENT READ). UH OH, NO BOOK. LEFT IT ON THE PLANE BACK IN TERMINAL C....20 MINUTES UNTIL TAKEOFF. I JUMP ON SKYLINK AND GET BACK AND THE STEWARDESS FINDS MY BOOK. HOORAY! JUMP BACK ON SKYLINK AND THEY'RE HOLDING THE PLANE FOR ME! OOPS!
SO I GET BACK TO NEWARK NJ, COLLECT MY BAGS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE LOT WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I GET ON THE WRONG BUS, BUT THE GUY HAS PITY ON ME AND DROPS ME IN FRONT OF THE CORRECT LOT. OF COURSE MY CAR IS ALL THE WAY ON THE BACK END OF THE LOT, BUT IT'S THERE AND IN ONE PIECE AND I DRIVE DOWN TO DAYTON.
NOTHING SAYS HOME LIKE AN EMPTY APARTMENT!!! SO HERE I AM, BLOGGING AWAY WITH EACH KEYSTROKE ECHOING THROUGH THE PLACE. I AM SIGNING OFF NOW BECAUSE MY AEROBED IS FILLED AND CALLING TO ME
SITTING NEXT TO ME ON THE PHOENIX TO DALLAS FLIGHT WAS A VERY PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN CARRYING AN ANVIL IN HER SUITCASE. SO, BEING THE GENTLEMAN THAT I AM, I ASSISTED HER AND PUT THE ANVIL(SUITCASE) IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. SO WE CHATTED ON THE FLIGHT TO DALLAS AND WHEN WE ARRIVED I AGAIN ASSISTED HER BY TAKING THE BAG OF BOULDERS OUT OF THE OVERHEAD FOR HER. SHE THANKED ME AND WISHED ME LUCK ON MY MOVE TO CHANDLER AND I JUMPED O THE SKYLINK TO TERMINAL A. GOT THERE AND REACHED FOR MY BOOK (ONLY 5 CHAPTERS LEFT, EXCELLENT READ). UH OH, NO BOOK. LEFT IT ON THE PLANE BACK IN TERMINAL C....20 MINUTES UNTIL TAKEOFF. I JUMP ON SKYLINK AND GET BACK AND THE STEWARDESS FINDS MY BOOK. HOORAY! JUMP BACK ON SKYLINK AND THEY'RE HOLDING THE PLANE FOR ME! OOPS!
SO I GET BACK TO NEWARK NJ, COLLECT MY BAGS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE LOT WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I GET ON THE WRONG BUS, BUT THE GUY HAS PITY ON ME AND DROPS ME IN FRONT OF THE CORRECT LOT. OF COURSE MY CAR IS ALL THE WAY ON THE BACK END OF THE LOT, BUT IT'S THERE AND IN ONE PIECE AND I DRIVE DOWN TO DAYTON.
NOTHING SAYS HOME LIKE AN EMPTY APARTMENT!!! SO HERE I AM, BLOGGING AWAY WITH EACH KEYSTROKE ECHOING THROUGH THE PLACE. I AM SIGNING OFF NOW BECAUSE MY AEROBED IS FILLED AND CALLING TO ME
Monday, October 6, 2008
UP AT 5:30 AM AND RARING TO GO... A BEAUTIFUL DAY PREDICTED AND I WANTED TO GET OUT THE "CITY" AND BREATHE SOME THINNER AIR. LITTLE DID I KNOW HOW THIN THAT AIR WOULD BE. IN PREVIOUS REPORTS I TOLD YOU ABOUT GOING TO SEDONA AND 4000 FOOT ELEVATIONS... WELL, TODAY I WENT 15 MILES NORTH OF SEDONA TO SLIDE ROCK CANYON AND 7000 FOOT ELEVATIONS! I WALKED UP A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND WAS SHORT OF BREATH...(REMINDER TO USE THE FITNESS CENTER AT THE NEW DIGS!!). I THOUGHT THE SCENERY WAS SPECTACULAR IN SEDONA... THIS PLACE BLEW IT ALL AWAY.
SLIDE ROCK CANYON HAD TRAILS SO I SPENT HALF THE DAY WANDERING IN NATURE AND SNAPPING WHAT I HOPE TO BE SOME FABULOUS PICTURES...I'LL TRY TO DOWNLOAD THEM AND SEND SOME IN A FUTURE E-MAIL...(HOPEFULLY BEFORE I WRITE THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL)... THE WEATHER WAS INCREDIBLE, 75 EGREES WITH A BREEZE AND THE BLUEST SKIES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CLOUDS...
AFTER GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MY NATURE LOVING SIDE, I STOPPED FOR LUNCH IN SEDONA AND SOME SHOPPING (BOUGHT SOME STUFF FOR THE NIECES). TOOK A LEISURELY RIDE BACK AND STOPPED AT "MONTEZUMA'S CASTLE" WHICH IS AN 800 YEAR OLD STONE BUILDING CARVED IN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN BY THE INDIANS WHO MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED. BEST $5.00 I EVER SPENT.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY I MUST PACK UP THESE FEW DAYS OF MEMORIES (GOOD THING I WROTE THEM DOWN) AND FLY BACK TO NEW JERSEY...NEED TO GET MY STUFF TOGETHER FOR THE DRIVE ACROSS THE NATION TO MY NEW HOME... I WILL HAVE MY TRUSTY LAPTOP WITH ME AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHRONICLE THIS MOST AWESOME OF ADVENTURES...
SLIDE ROCK CANYON HAD TRAILS SO I SPENT HALF THE DAY WANDERING IN NATURE AND SNAPPING WHAT I HOPE TO BE SOME FABULOUS PICTURES...I'LL TRY TO DOWNLOAD THEM AND SEND SOME IN A FUTURE E-MAIL...(HOPEFULLY BEFORE I WRITE THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL)... THE WEATHER WAS INCREDIBLE, 75 EGREES WITH A BREEZE AND THE BLUEST SKIES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CLOUDS...
AFTER GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MY NATURE LOVING SIDE, I STOPPED FOR LUNCH IN SEDONA AND SOME SHOPPING (BOUGHT SOME STUFF FOR THE NIECES). TOOK A LEISURELY RIDE BACK AND STOPPED AT "MONTEZUMA'S CASTLE" WHICH IS AN 800 YEAR OLD STONE BUILDING CARVED IN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN BY THE INDIANS WHO MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED. BEST $5.00 I EVER SPENT.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY I MUST PACK UP THESE FEW DAYS OF MEMORIES (GOOD THING I WROTE THEM DOWN) AND FLY BACK TO NEW JERSEY...NEED TO GET MY STUFF TOGETHER FOR THE DRIVE ACROSS THE NATION TO MY NEW HOME... I WILL HAVE MY TRUSTY LAPTOP WITH ME AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHRONICLE THIS MOST AWESOME OF ADVENTURES...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
VACATION IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN
NOW THAT THE ESSENTIAL MISSION OF THIS TRIP IS COMPLETED, I ENJOYED A LEISURELY DAY HERE. WOKE UP EARLY(SLEEPING IN HAS NOW REACHED 6 AM. NO ALARM, THE EYES JUST OPEN) WENT FOR A WALK AROUND THE HOTEL, HAD BREAKFAST AND HEADED TO THE POOL FOR A COUPLE HOURS. TEMPERATURE GOT INTO THE 80'S BUT THE SUN WAS REALLY HOT SO I DIDN'T STAY IN THE SUN TOO LONG...JUST LONG ENOUGH. MANAGED TO CATCH A FEW CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK I BROUGHT ALONG...
ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE TO GET USED TO IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE... I WANTED TO CATCH SOME OF THE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL GAMES TODAY BUT I FORGOT THAT THE START TIMES ARE ALL EASTERN STANDARD. SO THE 1:00 GAME STARTS HERE AT 10:00 AM!! I ALMOST MISSED THE GAME I WANTED TO SEE! SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL STARTS AT 5 PM. HOW COOL IS THAT!
AFTER THE GAME, I HOPPED IN THE RENTAL AND CRUISED BACK OVER TO THE NEW "HOOD". CRUISED AROUND CHANDLER ABOUT 2 HOURS GETTING TO KNOW THE PLACE. THEN JUST RODE AROUND DOWNTOWN PHOENIX... THE ROADS HERE ARE ALL 3-4 LANES WIDE. PRETTY EASY TO NAVIGATE TOO, ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF IT.
GOING TO SLEEP EARLY(IF THE RED SOX AND ANGELS COOPERATE). I WANT TO GO BACK UP TO SEDONA AND SEE MORE OF THAT AREA. HOPE TO GET SOME MORE PICTURES...SUPPOSED TO BE SUNNY AND BACK IN THE 90'S HERE, IN THE 60'S UP BY SEDONA. WANT SOME BLUE SKY MOUNTAIN SHOTS TO CONTRAST MY CLOUDY MOUNTAIN SHOTS...
ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE TO GET USED TO IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE... I WANTED TO CATCH SOME OF THE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL GAMES TODAY BUT I FORGOT THAT THE START TIMES ARE ALL EASTERN STANDARD. SO THE 1:00 GAME STARTS HERE AT 10:00 AM!! I ALMOST MISSED THE GAME I WANTED TO SEE! SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL STARTS AT 5 PM. HOW COOL IS THAT!
AFTER THE GAME, I HOPPED IN THE RENTAL AND CRUISED BACK OVER TO THE NEW "HOOD". CRUISED AROUND CHANDLER ABOUT 2 HOURS GETTING TO KNOW THE PLACE. THEN JUST RODE AROUND DOWNTOWN PHOENIX... THE ROADS HERE ARE ALL 3-4 LANES WIDE. PRETTY EASY TO NAVIGATE TOO, ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF IT.
GOING TO SLEEP EARLY(IF THE RED SOX AND ANGELS COOPERATE). I WANT TO GO BACK UP TO SEDONA AND SEE MORE OF THAT AREA. HOPE TO GET SOME MORE PICTURES...SUPPOSED TO BE SUNNY AND BACK IN THE 90'S HERE, IN THE 60'S UP BY SEDONA. WANT SOME BLUE SKY MOUNTAIN SHOTS TO CONTRAST MY CLOUDY MOUNTAIN SHOTS...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
SIDETRIP TO SEDONA
COLD FRONT CAME IN LAST NIGHT...IT WAS ALL OVER THE TV...TODAY'S HIGH N THE LOW 80'S MAYBE 79 ON SUNDAY...AND I FORGOT TO PACK A SWEATER!!! BUT IT WAS CLOUDY SO I DECIDED TO TAKE A TRIP UP NORTH TO SEDONA. FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR, IT S THE HOME OF RED ROCKS AND THE OAK TREE CANYON (A BABY "GRAND" SO TO SPEAK). I WAS SITTING NEXT TO A PHOENIX NATIVE ON THE FLIGHT IN AND HE TOLD ME THE WEATHER GETS DICEY UP IN SEDONA AND FLAGSTAFF DURING THE "WINTER", BECAUSE OF THE HIGH ELEVATIONS. SO NATURALLY I LEFT HERE IN A SLEEVELESS T-SHIRT AND SHORTS BECAUSE IT WAS 75 IN PHOENIX AT 9 AM.
LET ME TELL YOU, PHOENIX IS THE FIFTH LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY(LEARNED THAT READING TOURIST INFO), BUT IT IS SO SPREAD OUT IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE. THE SKYLINE IS DWARFED BY THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH AND EAST. PLUS I'M BIASED BY YEARS OF LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE. FLAGSTAFF IS 164 MILES NORTH OF PHOENIX AND SEDONA IS CLOSER BY ABOUT 30 MILES. BY THE TIME I REACHED HALFWAY ON ROUTE 17, I WAS AT 3000 F00T ELEVATION AND THE TEMPERATURE HAD DROPPED TO 68 DEGREES. BY THE TIME I REACHED SEDONA, IT WAS 54 DEGREES AND RAINING AND THE WIND WAS WHIPPING UP PRETTY GOOD. PLUS I WAS NOW AT 4000 FOOT ELEVATION... THE SCENERY ON THE WAY UP THE MOUNTAINS WAS SPECTACULAR!! BECAUSE I WAS CRUISING AT 75MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT) I REALLY COULDN'T GET TOO MANY PICTURES UNTIL I GOT TO SEDONA.
AFTER TRESPASSING ON SEVERAL PRIVATE PROPERTIES (ALL FOR THE SAKE OF PHOTOGRAPHY) I OBTAINED SOME BREATHTAKING PICTURES OF THE RED ROCK FORMATIONS AROUND THE TOWN. BECAUSE THE WEATHER HAD TURNED SO NASTY (NO, I DIDN'T BREAK DOWN AND BUY A SWEATSHIRT) I DECIDED TO CUT THE TRIP SHORTER. (I WILL GO BACK AFER I MOVE TO SEE SOME SNOW FOR THE DAY). I DID WALK AROUND TO SHOW MY IMPERVIOUSNESS TO THE COLD WHILE THE NATIVES AND TOURISTS SHIVERED IN THE COATS AND HOODED SWEATSHIRTS. (PLEASE, 54 DEGREES IS STILL SHORTS WEATHER BACK IN JERSEY. LET'S SEE HOW THEY COPE WITH 10 DEGREES PLUS WIND CHILL!). I BONDED WITH A GUY IN A NEW YORK T-SHIRT. WE DISCUSSED THE "COLD" WEATHER.
I ALSO LEARNED THAT PEOPLE IN ARIZONA CAN'T DRIVE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER EITHER. BUT I GAVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BECAUSE THEY ONLY SEE AN AVERAGE OF 8" OF RAIN PER YEAR. (TOURIST INFO). SO IT WAS 54 AND RAINING WHEN I LEFT SEDONA AT OVER 4000 FEET. AT 3000 FEET IS WAS 68 DEGREES AND THE RAIN STOPPED AND SUN WAS OUT AND IT WAS 78 DEGREES ABOUT 55 MILES NORTH OF PHOENIX. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE OUTING!
I FINALIZED MY APARTMENT LEASE AND CANCELLED THE OTHER PLACE (THE WOMAN WAS SHOCKED I PICKED ANOTHER APARTMENT). I AM INCLUDING A LINK TO THE "CORNERSTONE RANCH" SO YOU CAN SEE MY NEW DIGS. GOING TO WATCH THE REST OF THE BASEBALL GAMES NOW AND GO OUT TO EAT... SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
http://www.rent.com/rentals/arizona/phoenix-scottsdale-and-vicinity/chandler/cornerstone-ranch/434576/
LET ME TELL YOU, PHOENIX IS THE FIFTH LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY(LEARNED THAT READING TOURIST INFO), BUT IT IS SO SPREAD OUT IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE. THE SKYLINE IS DWARFED BY THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH AND EAST. PLUS I'M BIASED BY YEARS OF LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE. FLAGSTAFF IS 164 MILES NORTH OF PHOENIX AND SEDONA IS CLOSER BY ABOUT 30 MILES. BY THE TIME I REACHED HALFWAY ON ROUTE 17, I WAS AT 3000 F00T ELEVATION AND THE TEMPERATURE HAD DROPPED TO 68 DEGREES. BY THE TIME I REACHED SEDONA, IT WAS 54 DEGREES AND RAINING AND THE WIND WAS WHIPPING UP PRETTY GOOD. PLUS I WAS NOW AT 4000 FOOT ELEVATION... THE SCENERY ON THE WAY UP THE MOUNTAINS WAS SPECTACULAR!! BECAUSE I WAS CRUISING AT 75MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT) I REALLY COULDN'T GET TOO MANY PICTURES UNTIL I GOT TO SEDONA.
AFTER TRESPASSING ON SEVERAL PRIVATE PROPERTIES (ALL FOR THE SAKE OF PHOTOGRAPHY) I OBTAINED SOME BREATHTAKING PICTURES OF THE RED ROCK FORMATIONS AROUND THE TOWN. BECAUSE THE WEATHER HAD TURNED SO NASTY (NO, I DIDN'T BREAK DOWN AND BUY A SWEATSHIRT) I DECIDED TO CUT THE TRIP SHORTER. (I WILL GO BACK AFER I MOVE TO SEE SOME SNOW FOR THE DAY). I DID WALK AROUND TO SHOW MY IMPERVIOUSNESS TO THE COLD WHILE THE NATIVES AND TOURISTS SHIVERED IN THE COATS AND HOODED SWEATSHIRTS. (PLEASE, 54 DEGREES IS STILL SHORTS WEATHER BACK IN JERSEY. LET'S SEE HOW THEY COPE WITH 10 DEGREES PLUS WIND CHILL!). I BONDED WITH A GUY IN A NEW YORK T-SHIRT. WE DISCUSSED THE "COLD" WEATHER.
I ALSO LEARNED THAT PEOPLE IN ARIZONA CAN'T DRIVE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER EITHER. BUT I GAVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BECAUSE THEY ONLY SEE AN AVERAGE OF 8" OF RAIN PER YEAR. (TOURIST INFO). SO IT WAS 54 AND RAINING WHEN I LEFT SEDONA AT OVER 4000 FEET. AT 3000 FEET IS WAS 68 DEGREES AND THE RAIN STOPPED AND SUN WAS OUT AND IT WAS 78 DEGREES ABOUT 55 MILES NORTH OF PHOENIX. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE OUTING!
I FINALIZED MY APARTMENT LEASE AND CANCELLED THE OTHER PLACE (THE WOMAN WAS SHOCKED I PICKED ANOTHER APARTMENT). I AM INCLUDING A LINK TO THE "CORNERSTONE RANCH" SO YOU CAN SEE MY NEW DIGS. GOING TO WATCH THE REST OF THE BASEBALL GAMES NOW AND GO OUT TO EAT... SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
http://www.rent.com/rentals/arizona/phoenix-scottsdale-and-vicinity/chandler/cornerstone-ranch/434576/
Friday, October 3, 2008
THE GREAT APARTMENT HUNT
WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH A PURPOSE... HAD MY SELECTIONS DOWN TO 8-9, GOOGLED THEIR LOCATIONS AND PLUGGED THEM INTO THE GPS AND SET OFF IN SEARCH OF MY PLACE IN THE "VALLEY OF THE SUN." MOST OF THE PLACES WERE JUST COME IN AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK, BUT I HAD TWO APPOINTMENTS SET AT THE ONES I REALLY LIKED FROM THE INTERNET. (HOW DID WE DO THINGS BEFORE COMPUTERS?)
DID DRIVE-BYS ON THE ONES IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX AND MESA, AZ. NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE GROUNDS OR THE NEIGHBORHOODS. ONE WAS NICE, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY A 53 FOOT TRAILER WAS GOING TO FIT IN THE COMPLEX. (THAT IS HOW MY FURNITURE IS COMING). SO I WAS GETTING A LITTLE NERVOUS... BUT THEN I WENT TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AND WAS BLOWN AWAY! GORGEOUS PROPERTY, 2 POOLS, FITNESS CENTER AND PLENTY OF CLOSET SPACE! A LITTLE HIGHER THAN I WANTED TO PAY BUT IT WAS REALLY NICE. CLOSE TO SHOPPING, POST OFFICE AND HAD A PARK RIGHT NEXT DOOR. I PUT A DEPOSIT ON IT AND FIGURED I HAD FOUND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
IT WAS STILL EARLY, SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT THE LAST PROPERTY ON MY LIST WHICH JUST HAPPENED TO BE ABOUT 2-3 MILES FROM THE PLACE I LEFT THE DEPOSIT. I DON'T WHY BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN I SEE SOMETHING I LIKE THAT'S USUALLY IT. THIS PLACE WAS PHENOMENAL! THEY HAD A TWO BEDROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR (DING!). THE UNIT WAS 100 YARDS FROM THE POOL (DING!) THE POOL, FITNESS CENTER, AND BUSINESS CENTER (WITH FREE WI-FI!) ARE OPEN 24/7.(DING,DING,DING!) THE TRAILER CAN FIT IN THE PARKING LOT. I COULD VISUALIZE MY FURNITURE IN THE APARTMENT, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL. ALL THIS FOR LESS MONEY PER MONTH (ABOUT 200 BUCKS) THAN THE PLACE I LOVED. AND NOW FOR THE ICING ON THE CAKE. THERE IS A GOLF COURSE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE AND RESIDENTS OF "CORNERSTONE RANCH" RECEIVE A DISCOUNT!!!! I COULDN'T WRITE THE DEPOSIT CHECK FAST ENOUGH.
SO, MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED. THE OTHER PLACES OUTSIDE CHANDLER DIDN'T STACK UP. EVERYTHING I NEED (SUPERMARKET, POST OFFICE, CONVENIENCE STORES,MALLS, DOCTORS, DENTISTS, AND THE HOSPITAL (GOD FORBID!) ARE ALL A BIKE RIDE OR SHORT DRIVE AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS GOLF COURSES AND PARKS AND BIKE TRAILS ALL AROUND THE PROPERTY. MY UNIT GETS MORNING SUN AND IS SHADED IN THE AFTERNOON... THERE'S A LINE FROM A SUGARLAND SONG THAT GOES "SOME BELIEVE IN DESTINY/SOME BELIEVE IN FAITH/I BELIEVE THAT HAPPINESS IS SOMETHING WE CREATE/YOU BEST BELIEVE THAT I'M NOT GONNA WAIT/ CAUSE THERE'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING MORE."
TODAY, I CREATED A PRETTY BIG PIECE OF HAPPINESS...
DID DRIVE-BYS ON THE ONES IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX AND MESA, AZ. NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE GROUNDS OR THE NEIGHBORHOODS. ONE WAS NICE, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY A 53 FOOT TRAILER WAS GOING TO FIT IN THE COMPLEX. (THAT IS HOW MY FURNITURE IS COMING). SO I WAS GETTING A LITTLE NERVOUS... BUT THEN I WENT TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AND WAS BLOWN AWAY! GORGEOUS PROPERTY, 2 POOLS, FITNESS CENTER AND PLENTY OF CLOSET SPACE! A LITTLE HIGHER THAN I WANTED TO PAY BUT IT WAS REALLY NICE. CLOSE TO SHOPPING, POST OFFICE AND HAD A PARK RIGHT NEXT DOOR. I PUT A DEPOSIT ON IT AND FIGURED I HAD FOUND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
IT WAS STILL EARLY, SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT THE LAST PROPERTY ON MY LIST WHICH JUST HAPPENED TO BE ABOUT 2-3 MILES FROM THE PLACE I LEFT THE DEPOSIT. I DON'T WHY BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN I SEE SOMETHING I LIKE THAT'S USUALLY IT. THIS PLACE WAS PHENOMENAL! THEY HAD A TWO BEDROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR (DING!). THE UNIT WAS 100 YARDS FROM THE POOL (DING!) THE POOL, FITNESS CENTER, AND BUSINESS CENTER (WITH FREE WI-FI!) ARE OPEN 24/7.(DING,DING,DING!) THE TRAILER CAN FIT IN THE PARKING LOT. I COULD VISUALIZE MY FURNITURE IN THE APARTMENT, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL. ALL THIS FOR LESS MONEY PER MONTH (ABOUT 200 BUCKS) THAN THE PLACE I LOVED. AND NOW FOR THE ICING ON THE CAKE. THERE IS A GOLF COURSE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE AND RESIDENTS OF "CORNERSTONE RANCH" RECEIVE A DISCOUNT!!!! I COULDN'T WRITE THE DEPOSIT CHECK FAST ENOUGH.
SO, MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED. THE OTHER PLACES OUTSIDE CHANDLER DIDN'T STACK UP. EVERYTHING I NEED (SUPERMARKET, POST OFFICE, CONVENIENCE STORES,MALLS, DOCTORS, DENTISTS, AND THE HOSPITAL (GOD FORBID!) ARE ALL A BIKE RIDE OR SHORT DRIVE AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS GOLF COURSES AND PARKS AND BIKE TRAILS ALL AROUND THE PROPERTY. MY UNIT GETS MORNING SUN AND IS SHADED IN THE AFTERNOON... THERE'S A LINE FROM A SUGARLAND SONG THAT GOES "SOME BELIEVE IN DESTINY/SOME BELIEVE IN FAITH/I BELIEVE THAT HAPPINESS IS SOMETHING WE CREATE/YOU BEST BELIEVE THAT I'M NOT GONNA WAIT/ CAUSE THERE'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING MORE."
TODAY, I CREATED A PRETTY BIG PIECE OF HAPPINESS...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
FIRST FULL DAY IN PHOENIX
WOKE UP THIS MORNING TOTALLY EXHAUSTED...TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT ABOUT BEING HERE (SENSORY OVERLOAD). HAD BREAKFAST IN THE HOTEL (NOTHING LIKE A COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST TO START THE DAY). BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY (80 GOING UP TO 100). DECIDED TO TAKE IT EASY SO I LAID BY THE POOL FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND MADE SOME PHONE CALLS. CAME BACK INSIDE AND TOOK A NAP (BUSY DAY SO FAR).
AFTER I WOKE UP I JUMPED IN THE CAR AND DROVE AROUND GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND AROUND PHOENIX. I HAD PLANNED TO SPY AROUND THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND CHECK THE NEIGHBORHOODS BUT I CHANGED MY MIND. I WANT TO SEE THE APARTMENTS AND HEAR ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT I WANT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PREJUDICE MY "VISION". IF I LIKE THE APARTMENT THEN ILL SCOPE THE NEIGHBORHOOD RATHER THAN THEOTHER WAY AROUND.
SO TO COMPLETE THE "REST" DAY I CAME BACK TO THE HOTEL, HAD LUNCH AND TOOK ANOTHER NAP. (PRACTICING FOR WHEN I MOVE INTO THE REST HOME). WATCHED THE BASEBALL GAMES (POOR CUBS! AS A MET FAN I CAN TOTALLY RELATE) AND AM GETTING PSYCHED FOR APARTMENT HUNTING. I HAVE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS AND AM READY FOR A BUSY FRIDAY.
WISH ME LUCK! SEE YOU TOMORROW.
AFTER I WOKE UP I JUMPED IN THE CAR AND DROVE AROUND GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND AROUND PHOENIX. I HAD PLANNED TO SPY AROUND THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND CHECK THE NEIGHBORHOODS BUT I CHANGED MY MIND. I WANT TO SEE THE APARTMENTS AND HEAR ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT I WANT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PREJUDICE MY "VISION". IF I LIKE THE APARTMENT THEN ILL SCOPE THE NEIGHBORHOOD RATHER THAN THEOTHER WAY AROUND.
SO TO COMPLETE THE "REST" DAY I CAME BACK TO THE HOTEL, HAD LUNCH AND TOOK ANOTHER NAP. (PRACTICING FOR WHEN I MOVE INTO THE REST HOME). WATCHED THE BASEBALL GAMES (POOR CUBS! AS A MET FAN I CAN TOTALLY RELATE) AND AM GETTING PSYCHED FOR APARTMENT HUNTING. I HAVE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS AND AM READY FOR A BUSY FRIDAY.
WISH ME LUCK! SEE YOU TOMORROW.
FINALY IN PHOENIX
WELL, I'M FINALLY HERE. LEFT NEWARK, N.J. AT 3PM EASTERN TIME AND ARRIVED AT MIDNIGHT IN PHOENIX (9PM ARIZONA TIME). THAT INCLUDED A 3 HOUR LAYOVER IN DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT. IT IS NOW MIDNIGHT ARIZONA TIME (3:06AM EST) AND I AM JET LAGGED AND WIRED AT THE SAME TIME. HOW GREAT IS THIS? THAT IS WHY I FIGURED I SHOULD WRITE MY THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY...
FLYING IN THE AFTERNOON ROCKS. NO LINE FOR PARKING, NO LINE AT THE CHECK-IN COUNTER, NO LINE AT THE SECURITY CHECK...FLIGHT LEFT ON TIME AND ARRIVED EARLY IN DALLAS... HAD DINNER AT AN IRISH PUB (THE BANGERS AND MASH WERE DELICIOUS!). THE SECOND FLIGHT WAS A BIT EERIE. THE PLANE WAS SO OLD I THOUGHT THE WINGS WERE WOODEN. (THANKS TO THE GENIUS BEHIND ME SHOWING ME THE BORN ON DATE OF THE PLANE!) THEN, AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE HARD WORKING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, IT SEEMED THIS WAS THE FLIGHT THAT THEY WORKED BEFORE THEY RETIRED... I THINK THE CREW WORKED THIS PLANE FROM THE BEGINNING! THE BULKHEAD CREAKED AND SQUEAKED ALL OVER THE RUNWAY. IT EVEN MADE NOISE IN THE AIR. BUT WE ARRIVED SAFELY AND ON TIME.
WENT TO THE LUGGAGE CAROUSEL AND EVERYONE BUT ME GOT THEIR BAGS. ALWAYS NERVOUS WHEN YOUR BAGS CONNECT ALSO. THEN I AM PAGED BY AMERICAN AIRLINES! SEEMS MY BAG CAUGHT AN EARLIER FLIGHT FROM DALLAS. HOW COOL WAS THAT! A BUS RIDE TO THE RENAL CAR PICK-UP, AND AGAIN NO LINE. THEN, LUCKILY I HAD MY GPS BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS CLOSED IN TWO SPOTS TO GET TO THE HOTEL. GOT HERE, CHECKED IN AND THE KEY DIDN'T WORK! BUT THEY RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND NOW I AM IN MY ROOM TYPING AWAY.
RUNNING OUT OF GAS NOW. WILL SLEEP AND HANG AT POOL TOMORROW, MAKE PHONE CALLS TO APARTMENTS AND SEE IF I NEED APPOINTMENTS... GOOD NIGHT? MORNING? FOR NOW.
BY THE WAY, IT WAS 91 DEGREES WHEN I LANDED TONIGHT...
FLYING IN THE AFTERNOON ROCKS. NO LINE FOR PARKING, NO LINE AT THE CHECK-IN COUNTER, NO LINE AT THE SECURITY CHECK...FLIGHT LEFT ON TIME AND ARRIVED EARLY IN DALLAS... HAD DINNER AT AN IRISH PUB (THE BANGERS AND MASH WERE DELICIOUS!). THE SECOND FLIGHT WAS A BIT EERIE. THE PLANE WAS SO OLD I THOUGHT THE WINGS WERE WOODEN. (THANKS TO THE GENIUS BEHIND ME SHOWING ME THE BORN ON DATE OF THE PLANE!) THEN, AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE HARD WORKING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, IT SEEMED THIS WAS THE FLIGHT THAT THEY WORKED BEFORE THEY RETIRED... I THINK THE CREW WORKED THIS PLANE FROM THE BEGINNING! THE BULKHEAD CREAKED AND SQUEAKED ALL OVER THE RUNWAY. IT EVEN MADE NOISE IN THE AIR. BUT WE ARRIVED SAFELY AND ON TIME.
WENT TO THE LUGGAGE CAROUSEL AND EVERYONE BUT ME GOT THEIR BAGS. ALWAYS NERVOUS WHEN YOUR BAGS CONNECT ALSO. THEN I AM PAGED BY AMERICAN AIRLINES! SEEMS MY BAG CAUGHT AN EARLIER FLIGHT FROM DALLAS. HOW COOL WAS THAT! A BUS RIDE TO THE RENAL CAR PICK-UP, AND AGAIN NO LINE. THEN, LUCKILY I HAD MY GPS BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS CLOSED IN TWO SPOTS TO GET TO THE HOTEL. GOT HERE, CHECKED IN AND THE KEY DIDN'T WORK! BUT THEY RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND NOW I AM IN MY ROOM TYPING AWAY.
RUNNING OUT OF GAS NOW. WILL SLEEP AND HANG AT POOL TOMORROW, MAKE PHONE CALLS TO APARTMENTS AND SEE IF I NEED APPOINTMENTS... GOOD NIGHT? MORNING? FOR NOW.
BY THE WAY, IT WAS 91 DEGREES WHEN I LANDED TONIGHT...
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