Saturday and Sunday was spent mostly in NYC, walking around Central Park and enjoying the uniqueness of it all. I woke Saturday and walked a loop of the park, for old time sake. I used to run this park every week when I was doing the Marathon from 1994-2006. It's hard to believe that this is a man-made oasis in the center of the concrete jungle, but it is. It runs from 57th street, across from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel up to 110th street in Harlem... It's bordered by Columbus Circle, Central Park South and West and 5th avenue... The entire park is 6 miles around and 1.6 miles around the center by the reservoir. Saturday, the park was jammed with runners, walkers, bike riders, tourists, and horse carriages. My vehicle was parked on 70th and 5th (another free spot) so I walked up to Jackson Hole and had breakfast... My sister called and invited me to her friends home to see the girls before I left and hang out at the pool.
Crushed in traffic again...(I can't help it, I love driving in the city). I made it to Athena's house around 3:30 and hit the pool with the girls... Cannonballs and relaxing in the hot tub. Looking through old photo albums and laughing at the pictures...(I even had hair in some them). By the time the girls got ready for bed, I was ready myself. Figured the ride back into the city would be better than if I left earlier... WRONG! 1 and 1/2 hours to get back to my hotel room...(but I did find another free spot on the east side--too good) By the time I walked around and people watched with a cup of joe (24 hour Dunkin Donuts on 8th ave.) it was after midnight and I had to leave to go upstate about 7 am the next morning... Oh, and of course it rained that afternoon while we sitting around the pool...
Drove up to Newburgh Sunday morning in sunshine and high spirits... Tarry Brae is a nice little course in the Catskills and the weather looked promising... Got pretty hot on the back nine and the course was extremely wet...(no roll on on any shots). Got the drizzling rain on a couple holes... (It's official, rained on every round of golf here). Played fairly well although Billy came within one shot of taking the title (great round, Billy), I managed to squeak by him on the last hole. Another stop at the ice cream "parlor" after the round, then I went to Billy's and tucked away my clubs in his garage and said farewell... Was going to take the Thruway down and negotiate into the city from there when I actually listened to the traffic advisory telling me that traffic was stopped around Route 17.. (what luck! who listens to those things?). So I hung a U turn and took 84 to the Taconic to the Saw Mill to the Henry Hudson and made great time until I got into Midtown. Only cost me 3.75 in tolls going that way...(don't get me started on how much toll money I spent... Jeez!). I also scored a parking spot around the corner from the hotel, good til the following morning...
Monday morning, checked out, and packed the car and headed back to Jersey to UPS one of my bags back to AZ and "lighten the load". Revisited with the work peeps and bid my farewells and climbed back into the car and took 1 and 9 up to the airport (no more freaking tolls!). I dropped off the car...(over 1900 miles driven in 13 days) and took the monorail to the terminal towit for my flight back to Arizona... Around 4pm we started boarding and just before we left the gate, the captain announces that a "seal" needs to be looked at and the maiintenance crew is on the way. 30 minutes later, we taxi to the runway and get in line... Captain announces that number 2 engine is not working right and we have to go back to the gate and run tests... Please stay in seats so we can run the tests ("we may not be able to go to Phoenix today" is one of the options). At 6:30pm they annoounce that all is well and we'll be going... (still on the plane from 4:15). At 7 pm they anounce that we're going, but not on this plane (Whew!) and we should de-plane and then re-plane o the plane in the next gate. So we do and we finally take off for Phoenix at a little before 9 pm est...
Landed in Phoenix at 2am est (11:00 pst) and was exhausted. Steve got there and took me home (thanks, man) and it was sure good to be in my own bed again...The adventures of the weary traveller have come to a safe conclusion.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Caught up on catching up...
Here it is Friday and I am writing this blog on the same day as I'm living it... I have caught up on my catching up with y'all. The hotel here on 57th street is much more roomy than the one I had earlier in the week, so I spent the morning doing what I do best...talking with my fingers (blogging). I can't believe that this is my last weekend back East, but to tell the truth, I am looking forward to going home... It has been a blast visiting all my friends back here and I am blessed to be able to come back and stay like this so I could visit most of you... I still have round of golf or two up my sleeve and then Monday I will visit my old work again... (they are going to UPS some things back to AZ for me so I have less to deal with on the plane). Today, however is for me. I slept in and then took a nap between blogs... I sent my flight info to Mary Ellen, who has graciously agreed to pick me up at the airport in Phoenix Monday night. I will go and wander the city again, maybe, and grab some food and people watch.
But before I do that, I have some things I need to get off my chest... What the hell is going on with this weather?? This is the worst stretch of bad (unless you're a duck or a flower) weather I can remember here and I lived in the East all of my life... and people are saying the whole summer could be like this! I realize I now live in the desert and sunshine is the norm, but give me a break...I have been here since June 10 and except for one day in Virginia it has rained or been overcast or both every single day. If you expect me to come back east again, y'all better do something about this. I realize I have been spoiled with good weather in Arizona, but a nice day once in awhile is not much to ask for... Crikey!!!
Golf prices...I have played golf in the Northeast all my life and have justified overpaying for golf because the courses I played were (I thought) beautiful and worth it... and they are. But now that I play courses that are just as nice or much nicer in Arizona, I can't keep quiet anymore... And the weather being crap doesn't change anything... They still bone you full price and weather be damned. I paid 85 bucks to play a course that wouldn't make the top ten for nicest course in Arizona and I haven't even played a third of the courses available out there... The courses in Arizona compete for your business, they give you extra for your business, they APPRECIATE your business, they reduce prices so that you WANT to play... I can play championship courses, even in the winter which is the peak season, for under what I pay here...(and I understand that the courses are closed from Oct-April but the maintenance costs and employee overhead are non-existent too). I don't have the answer, but I'm glad I live in a place where I can afford to play golf and play often (and I do!).
The East Coast Attitude...When I lived here I had it...(and don't get me wrong, I still have it. Just go ahead and f*&% with me and you'll see it in all its glory). Arizona is filled with nice people and its laid back and I love it... but these last few weeks gave me a whole new perspective on the east coast attitude. The pace of life here is supersonic...just a few days in New York City will show you that. You can't afford to be laid back and the crushing pace takes its toll on people. People are harsher (some say ruder) but it's the way of the world here. There are so many people here competing for the same jobs, the same amenities, the same living spaces, the same creature comforts, that you have to hustle and be smart and savvy and not take any s%$# from anybody. Some people consider that rude. I don't. It's adapting to the situation and doing what needs to be done in the environment provided. Tell me that living on an island with 9 or 10 million neighbors (give or take a million), all trying to get somewhere at the same time doesn't perhaps imbue you with a bit of attitude. It's a way of life and I embrace it and will defend my "east coastness" to anyone... (even though I am trying to adapt to my life in Arizona, I don't want to lose my "edge").
Traffic...If I ever complain to anyone about traffic in Arizona again, I want someone to come up to me and slap me silly... What I deal with in Arizona isn't traffic...it's a small inconvenience. You want to experience traffic? Any road in NYC from 6am til 10 pm will give you a whopping dose of traffic...After trying to go from Long Island to Newburgh, NY (approx. 132 miles) which took me 3 1/2 hours on a Saturday... (I can't imagine how bad it would be during rush hour--what an oxymoron rush hour is--standing still for hours and hours is "rush" hour). Coming into the city via the Lincoln Tunnel... (10am-20 mins. 1pm-30 mins. 4pm-90 mins. 7pm-forgetaboudit 10pm-90 mins.). But you know what? I love it. There is no bigger rush than playing "taxi war" in Midtown Manhattan. Vying for lanes and space and time with yellow cabs is more thrilling than any Nascar race. Scouring the area for parking space is like the biggest game of hide and seek ever. The rush of a good spot (I don't have to move my car all weekend--yes!!) is incredible.
Wow, that was great... I needed that. Boy, do I feel better. With that I will close this chapter on my continuing saga. I appreciate those who put up with my little rants every now and then, but I believe it is a necessary thing to cleanse the mind to allow the creative thought processes to flow...(what a crock of s@#$ that line was!). Everyone needs to let off some steam now and then. I find that the written word is just as effective as a kick in the groin (to somone else) but not as satisfying...
But before I do that, I have some things I need to get off my chest... What the hell is going on with this weather?? This is the worst stretch of bad (unless you're a duck or a flower) weather I can remember here and I lived in the East all of my life... and people are saying the whole summer could be like this! I realize I now live in the desert and sunshine is the norm, but give me a break...I have been here since June 10 and except for one day in Virginia it has rained or been overcast or both every single day. If you expect me to come back east again, y'all better do something about this. I realize I have been spoiled with good weather in Arizona, but a nice day once in awhile is not much to ask for... Crikey!!!
Golf prices...I have played golf in the Northeast all my life and have justified overpaying for golf because the courses I played were (I thought) beautiful and worth it... and they are. But now that I play courses that are just as nice or much nicer in Arizona, I can't keep quiet anymore... And the weather being crap doesn't change anything... They still bone you full price and weather be damned. I paid 85 bucks to play a course that wouldn't make the top ten for nicest course in Arizona and I haven't even played a third of the courses available out there... The courses in Arizona compete for your business, they give you extra for your business, they APPRECIATE your business, they reduce prices so that you WANT to play... I can play championship courses, even in the winter which is the peak season, for under what I pay here...(and I understand that the courses are closed from Oct-April but the maintenance costs and employee overhead are non-existent too). I don't have the answer, but I'm glad I live in a place where I can afford to play golf and play often (and I do!).
The East Coast Attitude...When I lived here I had it...(and don't get me wrong, I still have it. Just go ahead and f*&% with me and you'll see it in all its glory). Arizona is filled with nice people and its laid back and I love it... but these last few weeks gave me a whole new perspective on the east coast attitude. The pace of life here is supersonic...just a few days in New York City will show you that. You can't afford to be laid back and the crushing pace takes its toll on people. People are harsher (some say ruder) but it's the way of the world here. There are so many people here competing for the same jobs, the same amenities, the same living spaces, the same creature comforts, that you have to hustle and be smart and savvy and not take any s%$# from anybody. Some people consider that rude. I don't. It's adapting to the situation and doing what needs to be done in the environment provided. Tell me that living on an island with 9 or 10 million neighbors (give or take a million), all trying to get somewhere at the same time doesn't perhaps imbue you with a bit of attitude. It's a way of life and I embrace it and will defend my "east coastness" to anyone... (even though I am trying to adapt to my life in Arizona, I don't want to lose my "edge").
Traffic...If I ever complain to anyone about traffic in Arizona again, I want someone to come up to me and slap me silly... What I deal with in Arizona isn't traffic...it's a small inconvenience. You want to experience traffic? Any road in NYC from 6am til 10 pm will give you a whopping dose of traffic...After trying to go from Long Island to Newburgh, NY (approx. 132 miles) which took me 3 1/2 hours on a Saturday... (I can't imagine how bad it would be during rush hour--what an oxymoron rush hour is--standing still for hours and hours is "rush" hour). Coming into the city via the Lincoln Tunnel... (10am-20 mins. 1pm-30 mins. 4pm-90 mins. 7pm-forgetaboudit 10pm-90 mins.). But you know what? I love it. There is no bigger rush than playing "taxi war" in Midtown Manhattan. Vying for lanes and space and time with yellow cabs is more thrilling than any Nascar race. Scouring the area for parking space is like the biggest game of hide and seek ever. The rush of a good spot (I don't have to move my car all weekend--yes!!) is incredible.
Wow, that was great... I needed that. Boy, do I feel better. With that I will close this chapter on my continuing saga. I appreciate those who put up with my little rants every now and then, but I believe it is a necessary thing to cleanse the mind to allow the creative thought processes to flow...(what a crock of s@#$ that line was!). Everyone needs to let off some steam now and then. I find that the written word is just as effective as a kick in the groin (to somone else) but not as satisfying...
Back to work...sort of
I woke up Tuesday morning to the sounds of the city... car horns, trucks, sirens (can't believe how good that sounds--can you tell I'm a tourist?). After walking around and having breakfast at an old favorite (Jackson Hole on Madison--supposedly where Jennifer Aniston worked before she was discovered), I hopped in the car, and travelled down the Jersey Turnpike to my old place of employment. But first, I stopped off at the tanning salon and the cleaners to have some shirts done...(the tanning salon was just to have some fake sun on my skin--is it ever going to stop raining?). It was good to see that other than me leaving last year, the crew working inside and in the warehouse was still the same... (nobody let go). It was good to see my "work peeps" again and they were glad to see me. I spent most of the afternoon reminiscing and walking around the warehouse (God, I can't believe how much the tires smell--it never bothered me when I worked there). Things are pretty much the same as they were when I was employed there... business as usual. People had the same complaints (I will not divulge any details). I got to meet Shannon finally and that was cool. We IM from time to time and are Facebook friends, but it's nice to meet the person connected to the messages...
The rest of Tuesday night was spent hanging around the city and getting to sleep fairly early... I had a tee time for Wednesday in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey which is down near Atlantic City...(I am driving the crap out of this rental car--over 1200 miles and I don't return it until Monday--God bless unlimited miles!). I woke up early and hit the road... made it through the tunnel and down the turnpike and parkway to exit 44 and the golf course at Renault Winery...(Golf resort built on a winery, played along the rows of grapes and everything is "wine-themed" -- the yardage markers are shaped like wine casks, there are hollowed out wine casks everywhere and the course is tough and in great shape). Of course, it rained for a few holes. But when the sun did come out it was hot... but that didn't last long. After the round, Mike and Mike (Set Shot Mike aka Mike the Tooth) asked me to come and play nine more holes at Mays Landing where he plays with his boss every Wednesday...(I was going to be his ringer). As we sat in the bar having a cocktail (I had a soda), the skies opened up and poured rain down...(something new, huh?). Since Mike had already paid, we went out. It was drizzling until the third hole, when the skies opened up again and soaked us. But we played on and because of the wet conditions, I was able to fly the ball right at the pins and we shot 2 under par 34 as a team for 9 holes...
I said my goodbyes and piled my soaked clubs and soaked body back in the car and rolled back into the city around 11 pm... After riding around a bit I scored a parking spot (free) on 73rd st and went back to my hotel room and crashed. I didn't even wash my feet (I had been wearing golf sandals and my feet were pretty dirty). I was exhausted from 27 holes and another 5 or so hours of driving... Slept like a rock and woke up the next morning to more cloud cover... After breakfast, I took a ride to Jersey City and visited my alma mater (Saint Peter's College) for the first time since I graduated many, many moons ago... I picked up some copies of my "official transcripts" so I could send them along with my fingerprints and application to the Dept of Education in Arizona to try and get a license to substitute teach.... Walking around "the quad" and seeing the buildings and the library brought back many memories (both good and bad). The college has expanded across Kennedy Blvd. and the place looked the same except different, if that makes any sense...(the college buildings when I attended are still in the same place). After tooling around Jersey City for awhile, visiting old haunts (most of the bars where I "studied" were gone, as well as my "greasy spoon" restaurant where I consumed the breakfast of champions--cigarettes and coffee), I drove further south, picked up my dry cleaning and drove down to Long Branch, where I had dinner with an old flame and still very good friend. And even the sun came out. McLoone's Pier House is on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean and we got a table overlooking the beach and had a great time catching up... Talked and walked along the shops and said goodbye for now and I headed back into the concrete jungle. I walked the streets for awhile, soaking up the "flavor " of late night New York... There were people everywhere especially around the park...("Once more around the park, Bitterman. You know how I love the park"). Made it back to the room around 1-1:30 and went to bed a happy man... (By the way, the Chilean Sea Bass special was incredible, as is everything at McLoone's. And the ocean views are great).
The rest of Tuesday night was spent hanging around the city and getting to sleep fairly early... I had a tee time for Wednesday in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey which is down near Atlantic City...(I am driving the crap out of this rental car--over 1200 miles and I don't return it until Monday--God bless unlimited miles!). I woke up early and hit the road... made it through the tunnel and down the turnpike and parkway to exit 44 and the golf course at Renault Winery...(Golf resort built on a winery, played along the rows of grapes and everything is "wine-themed" -- the yardage markers are shaped like wine casks, there are hollowed out wine casks everywhere and the course is tough and in great shape). Of course, it rained for a few holes. But when the sun did come out it was hot... but that didn't last long. After the round, Mike and Mike (Set Shot Mike aka Mike the Tooth) asked me to come and play nine more holes at Mays Landing where he plays with his boss every Wednesday...(I was going to be his ringer). As we sat in the bar having a cocktail (I had a soda), the skies opened up and poured rain down...(something new, huh?). Since Mike had already paid, we went out. It was drizzling until the third hole, when the skies opened up again and soaked us. But we played on and because of the wet conditions, I was able to fly the ball right at the pins and we shot 2 under par 34 as a team for 9 holes...
I said my goodbyes and piled my soaked clubs and soaked body back in the car and rolled back into the city around 11 pm... After riding around a bit I scored a parking spot (free) on 73rd st and went back to my hotel room and crashed. I didn't even wash my feet (I had been wearing golf sandals and my feet were pretty dirty). I was exhausted from 27 holes and another 5 or so hours of driving... Slept like a rock and woke up the next morning to more cloud cover... After breakfast, I took a ride to Jersey City and visited my alma mater (Saint Peter's College) for the first time since I graduated many, many moons ago... I picked up some copies of my "official transcripts" so I could send them along with my fingerprints and application to the Dept of Education in Arizona to try and get a license to substitute teach.... Walking around "the quad" and seeing the buildings and the library brought back many memories (both good and bad). The college has expanded across Kennedy Blvd. and the place looked the same except different, if that makes any sense...(the college buildings when I attended are still in the same place). After tooling around Jersey City for awhile, visiting old haunts (most of the bars where I "studied" were gone, as well as my "greasy spoon" restaurant where I consumed the breakfast of champions--cigarettes and coffee), I drove further south, picked up my dry cleaning and drove down to Long Branch, where I had dinner with an old flame and still very good friend. And even the sun came out. McLoone's Pier House is on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean and we got a table overlooking the beach and had a great time catching up... Talked and walked along the shops and said goodbye for now and I headed back into the concrete jungle. I walked the streets for awhile, soaking up the "flavor " of late night New York... There were people everywhere especially around the park...("Once more around the park, Bitterman. You know how I love the park"). Made it back to the room around 1-1:30 and went to bed a happy man... (By the way, the Chilean Sea Bass special was incredible, as is everything at McLoone's. And the ocean views are great).
Happy birthday to me... (and Happy Fathers Day)
Sunday June 21, 2009... First day of summer, longest day of the year and birthday of yours truly...(51 years--I used to be young and foolish, now I'm not young anymore--just foolish). After 6 1/2 hours of driving and getting rained on while playing golf yesterday with cousin Lynn, I am back in Newburgh, NY. I lived in New York State for about six years and owned a condo in Newburgh just before my company offered me a chance to manage their warehouse back in New Jersey. We didn't get back to Bill and Cathy's until late and we had an early tee time at Grossingers on Sunday morning, so we had to sleep fast (up around 5-5:30am). Grossingers is in the Catskill Mountains and was in its heyday back in the post-Depression era through the 50's and 60's... (Anyone who saw Dirty Dancing can imagine what the area was like back then). The Catskills (aka the Jewish Alps) offered hotel resorts with golf, swimming, camps for kids, tennis and the whole works... and Grossingers Golf Course was one of the crown jewels of the area. The hotel is in ruins but the course is still in good shape...(there are rumors that they will close the course due to lack of play). There were about 5 cars in the parking lot when we got there, so we pretty much had the course to ourselves... They charged me the equivalent of a weeks worth of golf in Arizona (God bless the desert!) but if they are going to close the course, I'm glad I had a chance to play it again...(besides, it wasn't about the course, it was about playing with the boys).
Of course, it rained on the first few holes...(nightmarish recurring theme on this trip) but by the time we hit the back nine, the sun actually made an appearance and it was pretty nice... We finished up and stopped for ice cream at our favorite roadside stand (Billy didn't have anything, Cathy...lol) and went back to Bill's house to watch the Open. Saw some good golf in between bouts of unconsciousness (nodding on the couch). Then my friends surprised me with a cake and sang Happy Birthday after dinner (sweet!). What a great day... and the Open was going to Monday, so I decided to go back to Long Island and catch some of the action...(and buy some swag). Passed out finally and was awakened at 5 am (time for work). I gathered my belongings (Billy lent me his driver and 3 wood) and headed "Back to the Black".
Before continuing I would also like to wish all of the June birthday friends a very happy birthday and a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there in bloggerland... Saw a lot of Dads and their kids on Monday at the Open (brought back memories of going to baseball and football games with my Dad when I was kid). Nothing better than spending some quality time with your Dad by getting to see something together you both enjoy...
Monday's ride through traffic back to the Island (not as bad as Saturday night) and I arrived around 10 and it was overcast and threatening again... (I refused to bring an umbrella...ENOUGH already!). The rain held off and the sun made an appearance or two and the golf action was superb... (Phil, after so many great shots, could you make a freaking putt and win this stinking tournament already?? No one remembers who came in second, dude, unless you do it everytime!!). I got into the Merchandise Pavillion, bought some swag and hightailed it outta there...(I had my own shuttle bus). I left early because I had a ticket to the Mets-Cardinals game that night and wanted to go early and see Citifield and ride the 7 train... I drove into "the City" (just like I drive on "the" 10) and checked into my hotel in Midtown Manhattan... I managed to find free parking on the streets...(experience I accumulated over the years of running races in Central Park).
The ride on the 7 train was great...(you can actually hear the next stop over the intercom now--ain't technology grand?). I got off at Mets-Willet Park in the borough of Queens (pronounced Queentz) and walked to the new digs of my beloved Mets... I was very impressed. A great mixture of old (the look and feel of Ebbets Field, home of Da Bums from Brooklyn, my Dad's team before the Mets) and new. My seat was down the rightfield line between the infield and the right fielder and the Amazins' actually beat the Cards 6-4 with a very depleted line-up. Daniel Murphy hit a homerun (in fact, my niece emailed me that while they were watching the game, they saw the back of my head on the replay... how could you miss this head!). The ride back to the city was a sardine run on the train (but all the fans were happy)... Back in Manhattan, I re-marvelled at the amount of people walking the streets and all the places still open after midnight... what a town!
Of course, it rained on the first few holes...(nightmarish recurring theme on this trip) but by the time we hit the back nine, the sun actually made an appearance and it was pretty nice... We finished up and stopped for ice cream at our favorite roadside stand (Billy didn't have anything, Cathy...lol) and went back to Bill's house to watch the Open. Saw some good golf in between bouts of unconsciousness (nodding on the couch). Then my friends surprised me with a cake and sang Happy Birthday after dinner (sweet!). What a great day... and the Open was going to Monday, so I decided to go back to Long Island and catch some of the action...(and buy some swag). Passed out finally and was awakened at 5 am (time for work). I gathered my belongings (Billy lent me his driver and 3 wood) and headed "Back to the Black".
Before continuing I would also like to wish all of the June birthday friends a very happy birthday and a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there in bloggerland... Saw a lot of Dads and their kids on Monday at the Open (brought back memories of going to baseball and football games with my Dad when I was kid). Nothing better than spending some quality time with your Dad by getting to see something together you both enjoy...
Monday's ride through traffic back to the Island (not as bad as Saturday night) and I arrived around 10 and it was overcast and threatening again... (I refused to bring an umbrella...ENOUGH already!). The rain held off and the sun made an appearance or two and the golf action was superb... (Phil, after so many great shots, could you make a freaking putt and win this stinking tournament already?? No one remembers who came in second, dude, unless you do it everytime!!). I got into the Merchandise Pavillion, bought some swag and hightailed it outta there...(I had my own shuttle bus). I left early because I had a ticket to the Mets-Cardinals game that night and wanted to go early and see Citifield and ride the 7 train... I drove into "the City" (just like I drive on "the" 10) and checked into my hotel in Midtown Manhattan... I managed to find free parking on the streets...(experience I accumulated over the years of running races in Central Park).
The ride on the 7 train was great...(you can actually hear the next stop over the intercom now--ain't technology grand?). I got off at Mets-Willet Park in the borough of Queens (pronounced Queentz) and walked to the new digs of my beloved Mets... I was very impressed. A great mixture of old (the look and feel of Ebbets Field, home of Da Bums from Brooklyn, my Dad's team before the Mets) and new. My seat was down the rightfield line between the infield and the right fielder and the Amazins' actually beat the Cards 6-4 with a very depleted line-up. Daniel Murphy hit a homerun (in fact, my niece emailed me that while they were watching the game, they saw the back of my head on the replay... how could you miss this head!). The ride back to the city was a sardine run on the train (but all the fans were happy)... Back in Manhattan, I re-marvelled at the amount of people walking the streets and all the places still open after midnight... what a town!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Reconnecting with my past....
So sorry about the time delay between blogs but this trip is becoming a bear... People are coming out of the woodwork wanting to see me (imagine that!) and I am doing my best to accommodate them. I am not complaining because Friday and Saturday turned out to be memorable accommodations...
Friday morning came and a tee time was calling and I was extremely excited about playing...(ok, so I was more excited than usual). I had recently reconnected with my cousin on my father's side of the family (thanks, Sheryl) when my sister visited her on Long Island and we talked about the US Open and getting together on Saturday the 20th. I had mentioned to her (Lynn) that I was playing golf (what else?) on Friday with my friend Vic and she said her dad (Uncle Ray) wanted to know where we were playing so maybe he could join us... (After my Dad passed away I lost touch with his side of the family, all the fault falling on yours truly for not making the effort necessary to stay in touch). I told her it was at the course Ray and I had played years ago and found out he was a member there. He arranged to have Vic and I join him and blew off his regular group to play with us...(what a move!). He also saved us some serious coin by letting us drop his name when we paid our greens fees...
Of course, I was late arriving at the course...(nasty habit I have never been able to rectify) but in time for our tee time... There was Uncle Ray, 82 years young and ready to go. It was like looking at my father again and the emotion of seeing him after all this time was overwhelming to say the least. Other than the fact that he is older and has some medical issues (don't we all as we get older?) he was as sharp and funny and as Uncle Rayish as I remember. Victor called him "Uncle Ray" all day and we helped him navigate around the course... (because the weather has been so miserable, the carts had to remain on the path so Vic and I took turns moving his so he could walk on solid ground). We laughed and reminisced and joked and insulted each other through all 18 glorious holes and even though I played poorly, it really didn't seem to matter. The company was worth every missed shot and failed putt. After the round, I followed Uncle Ray, sort of... (he drove like a Nascar driver, driving his age) to his home and visited with Aunt Dot (Dorothy) while he changed to go to his grandson's graduation dinner. We took some pictures and exchanged email addresses and promised we would keep in touch (a promise I intend to keep). I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did...(I think they did). All in all, it a day I'll never forget.
Saturday was another keeper. After surviving Friday's round without any rain (the sun even made an appearance!) it didn't look too promising for Saturday. I arrived at the course and met Lynn and her husband (it was seven years since I last saw her) and we set off under overcast skies... The course was packed...(with so much rain, any chance to play brought out everyone and their uncle--none of them mine). Around the 7th hole the rain started...but we were determined to make the full 18. Lynn and I rode together and remembered (sort of) some old times when I was still a drinking man and we laughed and cursed and had a blast. Again the round was weak on my part (I hope this isn't setting a dangerous precedent) but it was such a good time that I didn't care about my score. I had time to follow Lynn back to her house and I got the grand tour (she has a beautiful home) and met Bailey, her dog. He met the petting machine (me) and we became great friends... I left Long Island and headed north to meet my Newburgh friends for dinner...
And became reacquainted with New York City traffic... 3 1/2 hours later I made it to the restaurant in Newburgh (Paris (GPS) said the trip would be around 2 hours, obviously not accounting for bumper to bumper traffic on every highway she directed me to). A great dinner and a great cigar after (thanks, John) followed by a pretty good band in the cigar lounge and this weary traveller could have slept on the speakers while they were still playing... Finally made it to Billy's house and fell asleep within seconds of the light being turned off. What a weekend!! And we still had Sunday to go...
Friday morning came and a tee time was calling and I was extremely excited about playing...(ok, so I was more excited than usual). I had recently reconnected with my cousin on my father's side of the family (thanks, Sheryl) when my sister visited her on Long Island and we talked about the US Open and getting together on Saturday the 20th. I had mentioned to her (Lynn) that I was playing golf (what else?) on Friday with my friend Vic and she said her dad (Uncle Ray) wanted to know where we were playing so maybe he could join us... (After my Dad passed away I lost touch with his side of the family, all the fault falling on yours truly for not making the effort necessary to stay in touch). I told her it was at the course Ray and I had played years ago and found out he was a member there. He arranged to have Vic and I join him and blew off his regular group to play with us...(what a move!). He also saved us some serious coin by letting us drop his name when we paid our greens fees...
Of course, I was late arriving at the course...(nasty habit I have never been able to rectify) but in time for our tee time... There was Uncle Ray, 82 years young and ready to go. It was like looking at my father again and the emotion of seeing him after all this time was overwhelming to say the least. Other than the fact that he is older and has some medical issues (don't we all as we get older?) he was as sharp and funny and as Uncle Rayish as I remember. Victor called him "Uncle Ray" all day and we helped him navigate around the course... (because the weather has been so miserable, the carts had to remain on the path so Vic and I took turns moving his so he could walk on solid ground). We laughed and reminisced and joked and insulted each other through all 18 glorious holes and even though I played poorly, it really didn't seem to matter. The company was worth every missed shot and failed putt. After the round, I followed Uncle Ray, sort of... (he drove like a Nascar driver, driving his age) to his home and visited with Aunt Dot (Dorothy) while he changed to go to his grandson's graduation dinner. We took some pictures and exchanged email addresses and promised we would keep in touch (a promise I intend to keep). I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did...(I think they did). All in all, it a day I'll never forget.
Saturday was another keeper. After surviving Friday's round without any rain (the sun even made an appearance!) it didn't look too promising for Saturday. I arrived at the course and met Lynn and her husband (it was seven years since I last saw her) and we set off under overcast skies... The course was packed...(with so much rain, any chance to play brought out everyone and their uncle--none of them mine). Around the 7th hole the rain started...but we were determined to make the full 18. Lynn and I rode together and remembered (sort of) some old times when I was still a drinking man and we laughed and cursed and had a blast. Again the round was weak on my part (I hope this isn't setting a dangerous precedent) but it was such a good time that I didn't care about my score. I had time to follow Lynn back to her house and I got the grand tour (she has a beautiful home) and met Bailey, her dog. He met the petting machine (me) and we became great friends... I left Long Island and headed north to meet my Newburgh friends for dinner...
And became reacquainted with New York City traffic... 3 1/2 hours later I made it to the restaurant in Newburgh (Paris (GPS) said the trip would be around 2 hours, obviously not accounting for bumper to bumper traffic on every highway she directed me to). A great dinner and a great cigar after (thanks, John) followed by a pretty good band in the cigar lounge and this weary traveller could have slept on the speakers while they were still playing... Finally made it to Billy's house and fell asleep within seconds of the light being turned off. What a weekend!! And we still had Sunday to go...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Rain, rain go away!!! I mean it!!
If I don't get some sunshine and soon I will go into withdrawal... I have been in New Jersey for two days now and the only sun I have seen is on the weather channel... I may have to go to a tanning salon just to get a "fix".
Wednesday was the annual grudge match between Vic, Walter, Bob and myself at Walter's country club in New Jersey... (after finally getting to Vic's house at around 3am--thanks, Amtrak!--I got a solid 4 hours of sleep and up and off we went). We have been playing golf together since we were in high school... (do the math, that's a long, long time). Golf with these guys brings out the competitive monster in me and the insults and ribbing get pretty intense but I wouldn't miss playing with them for the world. Walter and Bob reclaimed the title from Vic and I with a 3 and 2 win in the match. (The series was on hold while Vic had a hip replacement, but he is coming along and is able to play again). We stayed and had dinner at the country club and were joined by Billy, another friend from high school...(old friends are great)...Billy remembers a lot of things I don't remeber and we laughed and reminisced and had a great time. Vic and I had to cut out early because we had to get up at 4am Thursday to drive to Long Island for the US Open...
Thursday dawned...(somewhere, there were so many thick grey clouds I could not see the dawn). We were on the road by 5am and made pretty good time until the line for parking at Jones Beach. By the time we were on Long Island, the misty rain in New Jersey had become a steady rain in New York...(we had umbrellas, change of clothes and waterproof windshirts--thanks Vic). We shuttled from Jones Beach to the golf course and stepped onto Beth Paige Black for the first time in many years...(I was so pumped to be back there, so many memories from playing there and watching the 2002 US Open there). The course was lush and brilliantly green and we were determined to walk all 18 holes...(the course was the "star" I wanted to see most, any other golfers would be just gravy). The golf course was packed with spectators and from the sound of the conversations I overheard, they were from all over the world... Tiger Woods was going out at 8:06 (yes, they sent the players out) so we walked ahead of his group because the crush of people surrounding him would block out our views of the course... So we stayed about two holes ahead of him and walked the golf course...
Sorry to cut this blog short but I have a tee time this morning and need to get on the road. I will get more in depth about Thursday on Long Island in my next blog (keep the readers in suspense, good literary tool)... If I start a rant, and I will be ranting, I may miss my tee time...See you later...
Wednesday was the annual grudge match between Vic, Walter, Bob and myself at Walter's country club in New Jersey... (after finally getting to Vic's house at around 3am--thanks, Amtrak!--I got a solid 4 hours of sleep and up and off we went). We have been playing golf together since we were in high school... (do the math, that's a long, long time). Golf with these guys brings out the competitive monster in me and the insults and ribbing get pretty intense but I wouldn't miss playing with them for the world. Walter and Bob reclaimed the title from Vic and I with a 3 and 2 win in the match. (The series was on hold while Vic had a hip replacement, but he is coming along and is able to play again). We stayed and had dinner at the country club and were joined by Billy, another friend from high school...(old friends are great)...Billy remembers a lot of things I don't remeber and we laughed and reminisced and had a great time. Vic and I had to cut out early because we had to get up at 4am Thursday to drive to Long Island for the US Open...
Thursday dawned...(somewhere, there were so many thick grey clouds I could not see the dawn). We were on the road by 5am and made pretty good time until the line for parking at Jones Beach. By the time we were on Long Island, the misty rain in New Jersey had become a steady rain in New York...(we had umbrellas, change of clothes and waterproof windshirts--thanks Vic). We shuttled from Jones Beach to the golf course and stepped onto Beth Paige Black for the first time in many years...(I was so pumped to be back there, so many memories from playing there and watching the 2002 US Open there). The course was lush and brilliantly green and we were determined to walk all 18 holes...(the course was the "star" I wanted to see most, any other golfers would be just gravy). The golf course was packed with spectators and from the sound of the conversations I overheard, they were from all over the world... Tiger Woods was going out at 8:06 (yes, they sent the players out) so we walked ahead of his group because the crush of people surrounding him would block out our views of the course... So we stayed about two holes ahead of him and walked the golf course...
Sorry to cut this blog short but I have a tee time this morning and need to get on the road. I will get more in depth about Thursday on Long Island in my next blog (keep the readers in suspense, good literary tool)... If I start a rant, and I will be ranting, I may miss my tee time...See you later...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Driving that train...blogging again
Greetings from the the first ever "mobile blog" in the continuing series of my life as I see it... I am writing this missive from a seat on an Amtrak train from Richmond, Virginia to Newark, New Jersey. The train was scheduled to leave here at 2:46pm. I boarded at 6:10pm and am now on my way to New Jersey. This version of trains, planes and automobiles has taken a sudden turn for the worse...after two terrific flights to get to the East Coast, my train was delayed 3 hours causing me to change my rental car reservation...(I am now picking it up at the airport sometime after midnight and from another company---saved over 30 bucks (thanks, AAA)). I will then head down to the Jersey Shore and arrive sometime around 3am (sorry, Loretta and Vic). This was after changing my entire Amtrak reservation to a station that accepts checked baggage...(apparently not all Amtrak stations do that and not all Amtrak stations accept checked baggage). So instead of going from Main St. Richmond to Newark Airport, I am going from Staples St. (not Stapley) to Newark Penn Station. From there I will cab to the airport to pick up my car.
Enjoying the delays and trials and tribulations almost as much as my actual trip... just the further adventures of our intrepid traveller as he traverses the country on the "East Coast Swing". Spending time with my sister and her family was great and I send out many thanks to them for their hospitality and the chance to spend some time with my nieces...(they grow up so fast and these times should be cherished...and they are). Special thanks to Chef Craig for his culinary treats and my sister for taking me along on her walks...(hopefully, this will become a routine I will not give up too soon). And extra special thanks to Natalie and Veronica... Uncle Jimmy loves you very much and loves to spend time with you guys... Thanks for sitting next to me at the restaurants and letting me come to the movies with you ("UP" was a great flick...SQUIRREL! oops, sorry) and thanks for all the hugs... I'm sorry we didn't get to go to King's Dominion together but we'll go when I come back to visit next time (I need to ride the roller coasters).
As we speed along (at a turtle's pace) I am sure grateful I didn't elect to drive or fly on this leg... It is so cool to be able to write this blog, eat some food and watch a movie (Slumdog Millionaire--thanks Sheryl) while I motor along the rails through Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia and New Jersey... I have never "trained" like this before and the accomodations are very comfortable...(nice wide seats with tray tables, electric plugs for computers and such, cafe cars for "eats"--Sheryl gave me some snacks for the ride--she has done the train before and the food isn't so hot...) Most of all I'm seeing right now is trees (not too many of these in Arizona) but here it is 7:45pm and we haven't reached Quantico, Virginia yet...(almost lost the blog just there).
Will sign off now...(don't trust the internet connection). After the movie I'll try to return with an update of the "Great Train Experience". Next stop, Quantico! Maryland sits just over the next rise...
Enjoying the delays and trials and tribulations almost as much as my actual trip... just the further adventures of our intrepid traveller as he traverses the country on the "East Coast Swing". Spending time with my sister and her family was great and I send out many thanks to them for their hospitality and the chance to spend some time with my nieces...(they grow up so fast and these times should be cherished...and they are). Special thanks to Chef Craig for his culinary treats and my sister for taking me along on her walks...(hopefully, this will become a routine I will not give up too soon). And extra special thanks to Natalie and Veronica... Uncle Jimmy loves you very much and loves to spend time with you guys... Thanks for sitting next to me at the restaurants and letting me come to the movies with you ("UP" was a great flick...SQUIRREL! oops, sorry) and thanks for all the hugs... I'm sorry we didn't get to go to King's Dominion together but we'll go when I come back to visit next time (I need to ride the roller coasters).
As we speed along (at a turtle's pace) I am sure grateful I didn't elect to drive or fly on this leg... It is so cool to be able to write this blog, eat some food and watch a movie (Slumdog Millionaire--thanks Sheryl) while I motor along the rails through Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia and New Jersey... I have never "trained" like this before and the accomodations are very comfortable...(nice wide seats with tray tables, electric plugs for computers and such, cafe cars for "eats"--Sheryl gave me some snacks for the ride--she has done the train before and the food isn't so hot...) Most of all I'm seeing right now is trees (not too many of these in Arizona) but here it is 7:45pm and we haven't reached Quantico, Virginia yet...(almost lost the blog just there).
Will sign off now...(don't trust the internet connection). After the movie I'll try to return with an update of the "Great Train Experience". Next stop, Quantico! Maryland sits just over the next rise...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Southern hospitality...
It is now Monday morning and the weekend was filled with parties and social gatherings between the neighbors in the "hoods" surrounding my sister and her family... Most of the neighbors I have met at the school bus stop and most remembered me from the last time I visited... I met some more on my walks with Sheryl (one invited me to play golf while I was down here but I don't have time this visit--but I may take him up on it on subsequent visits to Virginia). All in all, everyone here has treated me like one of the family and I really appreciate it... The pool party on Friday night was an eye-opening experience and a really good time and that was followed up by a spirited cookout thrown at my sister's home on Sunday... (Chef Craig is one talented culinary wizard---his ribs were to die for).
Saturday was spent touring things historical, which is always up my alley... We took a drive down to Charlottesville, Virginia and visited the homes of James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson... The homes are very well kept and the tour guides are great... Learned some things I didn't know (which is always worth the trip) and really enjoyed the new exhibit center just opened at Monticello (Jefferson's home). Chock full of bits and pieces recovered from anthropological digs on the grounds and written records kept intact by previous owners of the homes... (Jefferson was so far in debt that the family had to sell the home, but the new owners kept everything original and intact and sold it to the foundation that runs the home now in the 1920's). Monroe's estate had about 3500 acres and Jefferson's over 5000 and the grounds and gardens were beautiful. I really enjoy taking a "step back in time" and visiting places like these... homes of the men and women who built this great country of ours...(really makes you grateful for the modern conveniences we have now...especially electricity and refrigeration).
Sunday was a great barbeque on the "estate lawns" of Craig and Sheryl's home...Plenty of food and drink (killer Sangria from the looks of the "victims" at the end of the night). Four couples, eight kids and the visiting Uncle had a great time... The kids had arts and crafts and games and pretty much destroyed the "F.R.O.G." room (Front Room Over Garage) with toys strewn everywhere (nuclear explosion in Toyland).
I have experienced much in the way of "family life" down here in Virginia and its not for the faint of heart...many props go out to the parents for keeping it together during the bouts of "drama" between children and siblings and for the masterplanning to keep the kids occupied while they try to enjoy a little "adult time". Kids haven't changed much in the years since I have "transitioned "from a kid into an adult, (some may argue that the transition STILL isn't complete--everyone is entitled to their opinion), they still still push the envelope and whine and tattle and "fake" cry to get their way, but they never seem to understand the concept that their parents were once kids and did the same exact things (that didn't work on their parents) and don't fall for that nonsense... it's nice to know that some things about being a kid have remained the same...
We were going to make the trip to King's Dominion with V and Nat today, but the weather is not cooperating (it's raining here) so we will try to do some inside activities (movie is the consensus). King's Dominion is the humungous amusement park here in Virginia and Uncle Jimmy was looking forward to some roller coaster time, but such is the way with weather...(just another reinforcement that my move to the Valley of the Sun was the right one). I am hoping to see the sun again laer in the trip as I make my way north to NJ and NY... I don't miss the rain near as much as people would have guessed...good for the plants, not for the plans...
Saturday was spent touring things historical, which is always up my alley... We took a drive down to Charlottesville, Virginia and visited the homes of James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson... The homes are very well kept and the tour guides are great... Learned some things I didn't know (which is always worth the trip) and really enjoyed the new exhibit center just opened at Monticello (Jefferson's home). Chock full of bits and pieces recovered from anthropological digs on the grounds and written records kept intact by previous owners of the homes... (Jefferson was so far in debt that the family had to sell the home, but the new owners kept everything original and intact and sold it to the foundation that runs the home now in the 1920's). Monroe's estate had about 3500 acres and Jefferson's over 5000 and the grounds and gardens were beautiful. I really enjoy taking a "step back in time" and visiting places like these... homes of the men and women who built this great country of ours...(really makes you grateful for the modern conveniences we have now...especially electricity and refrigeration).
Sunday was a great barbeque on the "estate lawns" of Craig and Sheryl's home...Plenty of food and drink (killer Sangria from the looks of the "victims" at the end of the night). Four couples, eight kids and the visiting Uncle had a great time... The kids had arts and crafts and games and pretty much destroyed the "F.R.O.G." room (Front Room Over Garage) with toys strewn everywhere (nuclear explosion in Toyland).
I have experienced much in the way of "family life" down here in Virginia and its not for the faint of heart...many props go out to the parents for keeping it together during the bouts of "drama" between children and siblings and for the masterplanning to keep the kids occupied while they try to enjoy a little "adult time". Kids haven't changed much in the years since I have "transitioned "from a kid into an adult, (some may argue that the transition STILL isn't complete--everyone is entitled to their opinion), they still still push the envelope and whine and tattle and "fake" cry to get their way, but they never seem to understand the concept that their parents were once kids and did the same exact things (that didn't work on their parents) and don't fall for that nonsense... it's nice to know that some things about being a kid have remained the same...
We were going to make the trip to King's Dominion with V and Nat today, but the weather is not cooperating (it's raining here) so we will try to do some inside activities (movie is the consensus). King's Dominion is the humungous amusement park here in Virginia and Uncle Jimmy was looking forward to some roller coaster time, but such is the way with weather...(just another reinforcement that my move to the Valley of the Sun was the right one). I am hoping to see the sun again laer in the trip as I make my way north to NJ and NY... I don't miss the rain near as much as people would have guessed...good for the plants, not for the plans...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Virginia is for lovers...
Or for single men visiting their sister's family... Wednesday morning arrived at the airport on time (thanks, Steve) got my tickets, checked my bags, picked up a couple things for my nieces...(always some cool gifts at the airport) and crossed my fingers... I was flying Continental and have had some bad experiences in the past with late take-offs and late arrivals. But much to my surprise my flight to Cleveland left right on time and arrived early! Had plenty of time between flights for personal maintenance and got on my "puddle jumper" to Richmond... (3 seats across and I had to duck walking through the plane). But it was so un-crowded that I took the double seats across from my single and stretched out with my book (Cell by Stephen King). There were less than 20 people on the flight and I must say, except for some turbulence, the flight was great. Again it left right on time and arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule... Major props to Continental and I will definitely consider using them again in the future...
Touched down in Richmond, got off the plane and walked to baggage claim and my bags (suitcase and the golf clubs aka my "kids") were the first off the plane... walked outside to meet my sister and was slapped in the face by humid air... wow, nothing prepares you for your first "taste" of humidity. It's like putting on a jacket made of wet sponges. I have been spoiled by Arizona weather and am not afraid to admit it... The whole family picked me up and we drove toward the house with a pit stop for Chinese food for "Uncle"Jim. (fairly large Asian community in Richmond...I think it's because the school system in the area is so good). Went back to the house and ate my food while the girls went off to bed (2 more days of school--up at 6am to catch the bus). Talked a little then hit the hay so I could also catch the bus in the morning.
Thursday, up early, dressed and walked with the girls to the bus stop... (at the beginning of the cul de sac). Re-met some of the neighbors from my last visit (last October when I was moving to Arizona) and watched them head to school. Then the adults jumped into the car and headed downtown to the diner (we need more of these in Arizona) for eggs and grits (gotta love southern cuisine). A quick driving tour of some historical sights in downtown Richmond and back to the house. Sheryl and I planned to go visit Nat (niece) and join her and her class for lunch... after signing in at the office we got in line with the kids and marched into the cafeteria...(Sheryl had made us each a sandwich to bring in and I'm glad she did--cafeteria food hasn't gotten much better since I roamed a school's halls). Sitting with all those kids and hearing the high pitched "white noise" of conversation was a experience I won't soon forget... (will be posting photos on Facebook later today). After lunch and recess with Nat...(they went outside and made bubbles with Styrofoam cups and straws--aahh Kindergarten!) we headed back and Uncle Jim laid down for a nap and passed out until almost 3 o' clock... (I call it the time change catch up). Dinner at Mama Cucina's (literally a ton of food--family style--how big is the freakin' family??) and back to the house for a game of Uno with the kids...
Friday was up again for the LAST day of school...(Although I never rode a school bus, the thrill and anticipation of summer vacation was a great memory stirred up by the occassion). Then off for a walk through the neighborhood with Sheryl...(this fat man is walking more from now on, after being read the riot act from my doctor)... Nothing serious, just need to drop the weight of a medium sized adult... Ran to the grocery store and home to meet the bus with the triumphant students...(V is on to fifth grade and Nat is now a first grader)... A little Scrabble with V and then change to attend a neighborhood pool part... Lots of people, lots of food and lots of water...The girls swam well into the night and the guacamole (homemade by a Latina neighbor) was fabulous. Watched some of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup (congrats to the Penguins for taking "Hockeytown USA" down a couple pegs) and headed home.
Saturday will start with walking the neighbor's dog ("we" are dog-sitting Buddy today) and then a road trip to Charlottesville, Va. (need to soak up some local "flavor"). Weather here has been sunny, mostly, with the occassional threat of rain...will try to bring some nice weather to the rain-soaked Northeast when I travel up there next week...
Touched down in Richmond, got off the plane and walked to baggage claim and my bags (suitcase and the golf clubs aka my "kids") were the first off the plane... walked outside to meet my sister and was slapped in the face by humid air... wow, nothing prepares you for your first "taste" of humidity. It's like putting on a jacket made of wet sponges. I have been spoiled by Arizona weather and am not afraid to admit it... The whole family picked me up and we drove toward the house with a pit stop for Chinese food for "Uncle"Jim. (fairly large Asian community in Richmond...I think it's because the school system in the area is so good). Went back to the house and ate my food while the girls went off to bed (2 more days of school--up at 6am to catch the bus). Talked a little then hit the hay so I could also catch the bus in the morning.
Thursday, up early, dressed and walked with the girls to the bus stop... (at the beginning of the cul de sac). Re-met some of the neighbors from my last visit (last October when I was moving to Arizona) and watched them head to school. Then the adults jumped into the car and headed downtown to the diner (we need more of these in Arizona) for eggs and grits (gotta love southern cuisine). A quick driving tour of some historical sights in downtown Richmond and back to the house. Sheryl and I planned to go visit Nat (niece) and join her and her class for lunch... after signing in at the office we got in line with the kids and marched into the cafeteria...(Sheryl had made us each a sandwich to bring in and I'm glad she did--cafeteria food hasn't gotten much better since I roamed a school's halls). Sitting with all those kids and hearing the high pitched "white noise" of conversation was a experience I won't soon forget... (will be posting photos on Facebook later today). After lunch and recess with Nat...(they went outside and made bubbles with Styrofoam cups and straws--aahh Kindergarten!) we headed back and Uncle Jim laid down for a nap and passed out until almost 3 o' clock... (I call it the time change catch up). Dinner at Mama Cucina's (literally a ton of food--family style--how big is the freakin' family??) and back to the house for a game of Uno with the kids...
Friday was up again for the LAST day of school...(Although I never rode a school bus, the thrill and anticipation of summer vacation was a great memory stirred up by the occassion). Then off for a walk through the neighborhood with Sheryl...(this fat man is walking more from now on, after being read the riot act from my doctor)... Nothing serious, just need to drop the weight of a medium sized adult... Ran to the grocery store and home to meet the bus with the triumphant students...(V is on to fifth grade and Nat is now a first grader)... A little Scrabble with V and then change to attend a neighborhood pool part... Lots of people, lots of food and lots of water...The girls swam well into the night and the guacamole (homemade by a Latina neighbor) was fabulous. Watched some of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup (congrats to the Penguins for taking "Hockeytown USA" down a couple pegs) and headed home.
Saturday will start with walking the neighbor's dog ("we" are dog-sitting Buddy today) and then a road trip to Charlottesville, Va. (need to soak up some local "flavor"). Weather here has been sunny, mostly, with the occassional threat of rain...will try to bring some nice weather to the rain-soaked Northeast when I travel up there next week...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Leaving on a jet plane...
Tomorrow is the big day... back in the land from whence I came last October. The land of hazy, hot and humid, thunderstorms, all day rain (usually on the weekends) where weather actually ruins plans (out here it's just too hot to do some things). But it's where I'm from and I need to go back and see my peeps... Got some pretty cool events planned and a lot of people to see, most of which I will touch on in this blog. The dates of most are set, but like life, plans change and stuff happens...
Wednesday morning I will leave the Valley of the Sun and fly to Richmond, Virginia to see my sister and her family...the girls (my nieces) finish school on Friday so I hope to make the walk to the bus before their last day... After several days in ole Virginny, I will be taking the train from Richmond to Newark, New Jersey (great idea, thanks, sis) where I have a rental car waiting to be picked up for a drive down the shore to stay with Loretta and Vic for a few days (thanks, L & V). Included in that stay are the annual "grudge match" golf round pitting Vic and I against Walter and Bob...(we've been playing golf together since high school many, many moons ago). The rounds of golf I played with Mike and Roseanne last week (thanks, guys) gave me some competition and put me in a good state of mind for playing Walt and Bob... A trip to the US Open Golf tournament is on tap for Thursday June 18 (thanks, Vic) and that should be a blast... My return to Beth Paige Black will bring up some very pleasant memories and will recall some great stories (the burying of the underwear immediately jumps to mind!).
Saturday I will return to Long Island for some golf with cousin Lynn and her husband...(God, I can't remember the last time I saw them...maybe Bob's birthday party??) and will spend the day with them before trucking up to upstate NY to visit my NY friends...(and play some golf). Then on Monday the 22nd, I booked a hotel in Manhattan to revisit the greatest city in the world (NYC) and spend three days hanging out in the Big Apple. Monday night, I'm taking the subway over to Citifield and check out the new digs of my beloved Mets who hopefully put a hurting on the St. Louis Cardinals... Visits to my work peeps, more friends in NJ round out the visit before I return to my new home back here in Arizona...
With all that running around for the next three weeks, I'll need time to rest back here... I will do my best to see everyone if only for a short time...Remember, the guest room is open here in Arizona all year round and of course the weather is beautiful...So, enough chit chat. Back to the packing of the suitcases and golf equipment... I'll see those of you I can in a week or two. The blogs will come on a more frequent schedule (I think so anyway) because as you all know, I have a lot to say...
Wednesday morning I will leave the Valley of the Sun and fly to Richmond, Virginia to see my sister and her family...the girls (my nieces) finish school on Friday so I hope to make the walk to the bus before their last day... After several days in ole Virginny, I will be taking the train from Richmond to Newark, New Jersey (great idea, thanks, sis) where I have a rental car waiting to be picked up for a drive down the shore to stay with Loretta and Vic for a few days (thanks, L & V). Included in that stay are the annual "grudge match" golf round pitting Vic and I against Walter and Bob...(we've been playing golf together since high school many, many moons ago). The rounds of golf I played with Mike and Roseanne last week (thanks, guys) gave me some competition and put me in a good state of mind for playing Walt and Bob... A trip to the US Open Golf tournament is on tap for Thursday June 18 (thanks, Vic) and that should be a blast... My return to Beth Paige Black will bring up some very pleasant memories and will recall some great stories (the burying of the underwear immediately jumps to mind!).
Saturday I will return to Long Island for some golf with cousin Lynn and her husband...(God, I can't remember the last time I saw them...maybe Bob's birthday party??) and will spend the day with them before trucking up to upstate NY to visit my NY friends...(and play some golf). Then on Monday the 22nd, I booked a hotel in Manhattan to revisit the greatest city in the world (NYC) and spend three days hanging out in the Big Apple. Monday night, I'm taking the subway over to Citifield and check out the new digs of my beloved Mets who hopefully put a hurting on the St. Louis Cardinals... Visits to my work peeps, more friends in NJ round out the visit before I return to my new home back here in Arizona...
With all that running around for the next three weeks, I'll need time to rest back here... I will do my best to see everyone if only for a short time...Remember, the guest room is open here in Arizona all year round and of course the weather is beautiful...So, enough chit chat. Back to the packing of the suitcases and golf equipment... I'll see those of you I can in a week or two. The blogs will come on a more frequent schedule (I think so anyway) because as you all know, I have a lot to say...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Visitors come to the desert
Here is June making its way to the desert as I embark on my first summer in the Valley of the Sun. Two friends from New Jersey, Mike and Roseanne, have come to Arizona to visit family and play some golf (the latter with me). Mike and Roseanne are good friends of Set Shot Mike (aka Mike the Tooth) who worked with me at Goodyear Wholesale and Max Finkelstein and was one of my drinking buddies back a lifetime ago. I met Mike originally through "the Tooth" and we have kept in contact so when he and Rosie came out here, we golfed our asses off for four straight days. I met them on Monday at La Paloma Golf Resort in Tucson (I love a road trip!) and played with them and Uncle Bill...(I finally met someone who has more to say than I do! I know it's hard to believe, but it's true). The critters were out in force (prairie dogs, lizards, rabbits, road runners,etc) and I saw my first javelina running across the fairway on the back nine (wild pigs). I still haven't seen a snake yet and believe me, if I don't see one, I won't be too disappointed (snakes creep me out!). To make our game more competitive, Mike and Rosie played best ball against me and I played from the far back tees, Mike from the men's tees and Rosie from the ladies tees... (I won).
After lunch, (at the pool side bar with the "misters" keeping us cool) we made reservations at Gold Canyon for Tuesday... They were staying at the resort and I got the Arizona resident rate so the price was still under 50 bucks...(can't wait to pay more than that when I go back to NJ and NY...NOT!). We played the Dinosaur course which wound through the Canyons and housing developments with spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding desert (a coyote wandered across the fairway while we were playing). My buddy Steve went with me and witnessed yet another victory by the Arizona Kid in the "best ball against my ball" series... The knee is holding its own very nicely (I now ice my knee when I get back from golf and just before sleep and it's working well)... Had lunch overlooking the golf course from the restaurant and used Steve's iPhone to make reservations at The Raven at South Mountain in Phoenix for Wednesday morning...
Another beautiful day in Phoenix... (hear you're getting a lot of rain out East). A tight fought battle between Mike and Rosie and myself, with Jim coming out on top yet again... (If anyone was along who didn't know us, they would think we all hated each other... full blown "Jersey golf" with insults flying and "f" bombs dropping). I had warned Steve ahead of time, but I don't think he realized the extent until my "Jersey" resurfaced playing with Mike and Roseanne...(I'm going to have to isolate myself after returning from the East Coast for awhile). We took our guests to our favorite watering hole for lunch (Majerle's is a sports bar in Chandler right off "the" 101). Had a great lunch and made reservations at Ocotillo (the course around the corner from my house) for Thursday... Oh, by the way, the temperature hit 106 in the afternoon on Wednesday.
Thursday morning at Ocotillo was the first time in Arizona where it felt like I was back in NJ. The high temperatures don't hit until around 4pm out here, so it was warm overnight and because there is a lot of water at the golf course (I guess) it felt humid as well as hot...(brought back some painful, sticky memories). But luckily, Jim was as hot as the weather... (and needed to be because Mike and Rosie shot 79 as a best ball team. I countered with 76). So the Arizona Kid remained undefeated on the week... Four days playing fabulous courses in beautiful weather... it doesn't get any better than this...
Today (Friday) is a much needed rest day (this old man is worn out). I'm hosting an "art walk" through downtown Phoenix tonight for E&A.... then off to dinner with the group later. We are meeting at the Irish Cultural Center (cool!) and walking along through the art community (over 70 galleries and such in the area). Tomorrow morning it's off to the gym for a personal trainer class at Pure Fitness and maybe a round of golf in the afternoon... Then I have no plans set until I leave next Thursday morning for the "East coast swing" beginning in Virginia and ending up in NY/NJ... All transportation is handled and I'm ready to go (sort of)...
After lunch, (at the pool side bar with the "misters" keeping us cool) we made reservations at Gold Canyon for Tuesday... They were staying at the resort and I got the Arizona resident rate so the price was still under 50 bucks...(can't wait to pay more than that when I go back to NJ and NY...NOT!). We played the Dinosaur course which wound through the Canyons and housing developments with spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding desert (a coyote wandered across the fairway while we were playing). My buddy Steve went with me and witnessed yet another victory by the Arizona Kid in the "best ball against my ball" series... The knee is holding its own very nicely (I now ice my knee when I get back from golf and just before sleep and it's working well)... Had lunch overlooking the golf course from the restaurant and used Steve's iPhone to make reservations at The Raven at South Mountain in Phoenix for Wednesday morning...
Another beautiful day in Phoenix... (hear you're getting a lot of rain out East). A tight fought battle between Mike and Rosie and myself, with Jim coming out on top yet again... (If anyone was along who didn't know us, they would think we all hated each other... full blown "Jersey golf" with insults flying and "f" bombs dropping). I had warned Steve ahead of time, but I don't think he realized the extent until my "Jersey" resurfaced playing with Mike and Roseanne...(I'm going to have to isolate myself after returning from the East Coast for awhile). We took our guests to our favorite watering hole for lunch (Majerle's is a sports bar in Chandler right off "the" 101). Had a great lunch and made reservations at Ocotillo (the course around the corner from my house) for Thursday... Oh, by the way, the temperature hit 106 in the afternoon on Wednesday.
Thursday morning at Ocotillo was the first time in Arizona where it felt like I was back in NJ. The high temperatures don't hit until around 4pm out here, so it was warm overnight and because there is a lot of water at the golf course (I guess) it felt humid as well as hot...(brought back some painful, sticky memories). But luckily, Jim was as hot as the weather... (and needed to be because Mike and Rosie shot 79 as a best ball team. I countered with 76). So the Arizona Kid remained undefeated on the week... Four days playing fabulous courses in beautiful weather... it doesn't get any better than this...
Today (Friday) is a much needed rest day (this old man is worn out). I'm hosting an "art walk" through downtown Phoenix tonight for E&A.... then off to dinner with the group later. We are meeting at the Irish Cultural Center (cool!) and walking along through the art community (over 70 galleries and such in the area). Tomorrow morning it's off to the gym for a personal trainer class at Pure Fitness and maybe a round of golf in the afternoon... Then I have no plans set until I leave next Thursday morning for the "East coast swing" beginning in Virginia and ending up in NY/NJ... All transportation is handled and I'm ready to go (sort of)...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
