Fourth of July and more...

A busy week in the life of our author after his return from the East... I arrived home safely and exhausted (as witnessed in our last blog) and slept in late. I went to and joined a local gym and signed up with a personal trainer...(it's time to fix the most important ingredient necessary for this new life---me!). I have begun a monitored program of diet and exercise... (let's face it, doing it on my own hasn't worked...those of you that saw me on my trip can attest to that). My trainer is from the East Coast (Boston area) so we get along great. So now we begin the arduous task of re-inventing the wheel...(and losing the wheel of cheese surrounding my middle).

I worked twice last week (horrors!) but the jobs were pretty cool. The first was a four hour shift at the ASU auditorium where they are showing a run of "Wicked". I got to keep people from cheating into the reserved parking lot for the matinee showing. Of course, it was a "cheeto" gig and the worst part was it was overcast in the morning (I must have brought some back with me) so I left my hat at home. As soon as I was posted, the sun came out with a vengeance...(104 by the end of my shift). The human cheeto went home and hid in the air conditioning after that... Then re-emerged for "beach" volleyball that evening with my E&A friends. A marathon event...(we played from 7-10pm... f@#$%ing young adults with all their energy) and this old man kept up with them (dumbass!). The second gig was 4th of July at Tempe Town Lake (man made, of course). I was stationed on the perimeter again (East entrance gate--away from all the action). I was there from 1:30 til 11:30 pm. The temperature maxxed out at 107 and the sun beat on me like a rented mule, but I had my sunblock and hat and there was a little shade that we hid in from time to time. When the sun went down, my vantage point to watch the fireworks was excellent. They sent them up over the lake right in front of me...and the show was spectacular! 45 minutes of "works" and music with a kickass finale (best I've seen since Macy's in NYC). Getting paid to watch fireworks and confiscate "outside" beverages...(we had enough to stock a minibar by the time we were finished--people just keep trying to fool "SECURITY MAN"). They don't realize that I am a veteran of "sneaking" stuff into events and know most of the tricks...(silly rabbits!).

Sunday was spent recovering...(I slept until 10, my back was shrieking, but damn I needed that). I relaxed by the pool and puttered around the apartment and left to play volleyball again Sunday night...(this old dog just can't say no--and doesn't want to---when an old dog finally lays down, it may not get up again). There is an old saying..."We do not stop working and playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop working and playing." (I disagree with the work part, because work can get soooooo "old", but the saying is true). Volleyball was a hoot, came out tired but injury-free (the knees are cranky but holding their own) and Monday was in the gym with PJ (my trainer) at 8 am... (I am a glutton for punishment). Monday night I went to the E&A offices for our very first "host" meeting... (we have increased the amount of hosts from 4 to 6) and went over the calendar and shot some ideas around.

So there you have it... This week is going to be spent on the golf course and tubing and volleyballing and what ever else comes down the road... The weather is H-O-T but has not gone above normal...(who would have thought 107 was normal??). I have been increasing my time outside to acclimate...(the cheeto gigs are a major help) and my hydration techniques are quite good...(survivorman training in the great "hot-doors"). People still tell me the worst is yet to come weather-wise (shutup already) but that's what you sign up for...(it's summer, it's hot, get over it and stop the whining).