The return of Flat Stanley...

Flat Stanley has ended his time with me and I must ship him back to Virginia to Mrs. Radamacher's class and my niece Natalie. I have enjoyed showing him around my world and sharing my adventures with him and I hope the class enjoys the photo album we made of his adventures. I really enjoyed being a part of her class' project... (let's face it, no matter how old in years I get, I'll always be a big old kid!). Many thanks to all the people who helped on the Flat Stanley visit, coworkers, ushers, golfers and complete strangers who just got into it... (with a little prodding from me, of course). I'll miss you, Stanley. Enjoy the rest of your trips...

On a personal note, I have made the plunge and I am moving out of my present location. I have found an apartment that moves me closer to where I work (when I do work, that is), is even closer to a golf course than my present location (it borders the property) and is a second floor unit... (now I get to walk in people's heads). It also has a wood burning fireplace... (I know, what do you need a fireplace for when the temperature hits 120?). But all these amenities including a washer/dryer in unit and covered parking and I'm still saving money on my present rent... There are three pools, and it is close enough to downtown Tempe and ASU that I could ride my bike to work. Plenty of supermarkets and a whole new town to explore. So as of June 1, 2010 the Arizona Kid will call Tempe home. Adios, Chandler. It was nice while it lasted... (now I just have to inform my landlord here in Chandler. No worries, I only have to give 30 days notice).

So, the next month will be spent packing stuff in boxes, donating clothes to Goodwill... (I do it anyway but when presented with a move thinning the wardrobe is always a good move), canceling service and scheduling service (what's my window?) and basically going through and trashing stuff I haven't used since I dragged it 3500 miles across the country from New Jersey... (A.P.R.S.--Anti-Pack Rat Syndrome). Even though the move is only 15-20 miles, I refuse to bring "stuff" that I haven't seen in almost 2 years. All this while entertaining Steve again... (back for another job interview through the weekend) and then my friend Sue is coming next week for a visit. And sister Sheryl will be here for work for 4 days in May... (I'm hoping we can get together for some sushi or lunch or both). Which brings me to some bad news. With the move and the expenses incurred with it, my plans to visit in July have been put on hold (read that canceled). I will try to reschedule a visit but it may not be until next year... If circumstances change (read that "I hit the Lottery") then we'll see what we will see. In the meantime, you are all welcome to come and visit the new digs (as you were to see the old digs). I will keep you informed...

Events & Adventures Week...

This week was an overload of E&A activities... Monday night was dinner at a Thai restaurant. My friend Mary Ellen was hosting and I hadn't seen her since she left to work at the Masters in Augusta and I'm a sucker for the hot and spicy food. The waiter asked me how much spice on a scale of 1 to 10 and being the adventurous soul that I am, I chose 8. The food came and it was delicious... (the spice hit the back of the throat after you swallowed and it was intense but worth it). One of the members I had met at the Diamondbacks game had tickets available for Friday night's playoff hockey game between the Phoenix Coyotes and the hated Detroit Red Wings (Hockeytown my hairy butt!!). Oh, and by the way, thanks to the New Jersey Devils for laying down against the Flyers. They were out faster than a one legged guy stealing second base. But as long as the Coyotes remain alive I'll watch the hockey. Where was I? oh, yeah. So I bought a ticket and will attend a playoff game (with Flat Stanley in tow) on Friday night.

Tuesday night was volleyball night... (with me as host). Most volleyball nights about six people show up, but tonight 16 people came and we used 2 courts. Great exercise that I pay for the next day but what the heck, better than sitting on a chair watching TV and getting fatter. Also may have a chance to start giving golf lessons to a friend. She signed up for a golf clinic (without asking me!!!) but the instructor was involved in a motorcycle accident and the clinic was canceled...(I swear I had nothing to do with that accident). So I'm going to see if we can find a driving range in the middle of where we live and make some of that clinic money for myself. Then on Wednesday night, I hosted an evening of billiards in Tempe at a local pool hall. At first I thought I might have to bring a weapon, but it was a great place. About 20 tables and good food and good music piped in. We had three tables going and had a great time playing cut throat and eight ball... (definite place for a return trip for the group and a group of friends. Reminded me of Hi-Cue back in Elizabeth N.J. ).

Thursday I had planned to go to a New Mexican restaurant with Kate but I finally got a call from the other security company offering me a gig at the Phoenix Convention Center from 7:30am until 10 pm. Since it was the first chance to work for them, I accepted. Uniform for the PCC is a white dress shirt, black pants and dress shoes. The company supplies a blazer and black tie... (and I must say I looked damned good) I worked a Juice Plus convention at their company store making sure the people behaved and didn't walk off with anything. I got comments like who's the FBI guy at the entrance? and is the President coming cause Secret Service is working... (told you I looked damned good). The convention was 80% women and I had a blast joking with them and chatting while they shopped til they dropped. The client loved me and was very disappointed that I wasn't working the rest of the week. I asked them to call my bosses and tell them how much they enjoyed my efforts and they said they would. Hopefully, they do and it ends up getting more gigs with this company... (there's nothing like an inside gig, especially when it was raining and cold outside---raining and cold in Arizona? It happens. Almost never.).

I think Kate and I will have to start making appointments to see each other because we can't seem to get together. She works crazy hours during the week and I am the "hour eater" on the weekends... Plus this week is just a killer. Hockey game on Friday night (tonight in fact at the writing of this blog) and then tomorrow morning I am hosting Kayaking on Tempe Town Lake. Should be a blast if I don't drown. Will try to hook up with Kate Saturday night for dinner because Sunday is another golf tournament (4 man scramble) and then a possible collapse... (just kidding).

A blur of a week...

I had signed up to hike on Sunday the 11th, but the wear and tear of the 17 hour shift on the 10th was too much to get me out of bed on Sunday. Instead I watched the final round of the Masters in a vegetative state and relaxed... (as the throbbing in my leg muscles finished their own special concert). Monday night was a host dinner at Crazy Jim's restaurant in Phoenix... (my kind of restaurant, don't you think?). I was able to walk by then and it was a hole in the wall restaurant (not unlike the "greasy spoon" joints I frequented in my youth, minus the grease) with really good food. We went over some issues and made plans for next month's calendar... (tubing down the river is back, can't wait). Tuesday was volleyball (getting better each week as the same people are showing up and we're improving--no AVP contracts in the offing however). Then started the work week (4 days--40 hours) at Country Thunder in Florence Arizona... (useless pieces of trivia for the day-- there are 9 prison complexes making up the Florence State Prison complex and Florence was the backdrop of the movie Murphy's Romance with Sally Field and James Garner).

It takes an hour to drive southeast to Florence. The ride makes you glad you take care of your car because cell service is weak outside of town and the ride is barren of civilization. About 25 miles of the ride is comprised of open desert and mountain scenery and not much else. Downtown Florence is a registered historical landmark and riding through is a throwback to the old days. It is the fifth oldest town in Arizona and Main St is just that, pretty much the way it was back in the late 1800's... (except for the modern touches of building improvements and road paving). On the outskirts of Florence is the land on which Country Thunder is held. There is only one way in and out (a long dirty, dusty and muddy road--glad I had my truck detailed) and everything is open air. There were two huge stages and everything an outdoor venue has to offer. Most fans purchase four day passes and camping sites and spend the week from Wednesday until Sunday. There were concerts every day and a line up of country stars that was pretty impressive. I was stationed inside the venue this year so I got to hear the concerts for free while making sure the "natives" behaved themselves. Gary Allen, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young were among my favorites, but the list was awesome and so was the music.

The hardest part was Friday into Saturday. I had worked from 11am until 1am on Friday and was scheduled to start Saturday at 9am. If you figure the 2 hour commute back and forth that left little time for sleep so in the spirit of the event, I packed a quilt and pillow and extra clothes and slept in the back of my Jeep on Friday night. I now realize that I am about 6 inches short of stretching out completely in the back (hence, the leg cramps waking me up in the middle of the night) and that a quilt (while warm and comfy) does not provide the back support an old dog like me really needs. The alarm went off way too early and the day was already warm and humid... (yes, fans, there is humidity when they spray the roads to keep the dust down). My boss hooked me up with a hot shower in the production complex (a shower never felt so good) so the day wasn't a total loss. But because of people not showing up I was posted to a spot that was in the sun with no shade for almost my entire shift and the human "Cheeto" was baked and boiled for 8 hours. I was asked to stay to 11pm but I was "cooked"and left at the end of my shift (5pm). It was a struggle driving home and when I finally got home I was too tired to sleep! But I passed out and was up at 5am to play in a golf tournament... (which was a mistake because I was so exhausted I played horribly). Spent the rest of Sunday napping and relaxing. But all in all I wouldn't have missed it. Just chalk it up as another adventure in the book of life for the Arizona Kid.... Ciao!

A tradition like no other... the Masters

With the dawning of the new baseball season and the resumption of daylight savings time... (for everyone but us Arizonans), spring has officially been reborn. I would be remiss if I didn't share my personal feelings about the game I love and the tournament that inspires, delights and rekindles an already blazing fire inside me... the Masters. I have been to Pebble Beach and played golf's mecca in America and walked the hallowed ground where Jack and Tiger have produced memories I, as a golf enthusiast (feel free to insert fanatic, if you please) will never forget. But the tournament that gets the golf juices flowing like a snow melt aided river is played in a place I have never been, but know like my own neighborhood. It is played on a course where the holes are known by the plants and trees and flowers that grace its fairways and greens, by Rae's creek and the Sarazen bridge and the coveted green jacket that the winner is presented with every year. Where Jack (Nicklaus, still and always the greatest player I will ever see) has won an unprecedented 6 times against a field that is elite and must be qualified for, like the runners who run the Boston Marathon. And this year's tournament, like all the others before it, was a classic...

The tournament began with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus hitting the traditional first tee shots at Augusta. Tom Watson and Fred Couples (the old guard) provided early round excitement as they vied for the lead. The British invasion, led by Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood captured the leaderboard in rounds two and three, but the Tiger was back and in contention throughout, promising a nervous look over the shoulder of anyone leading the tournament, wondering when and where he would make his run. And all through this wonderful drama was eventual champion Phil Mickelson, a crowd favorite and favorite whipping boy of the golf media... (bringing up his long drought without a major and how he stumbles at the end of tournaments) playing inspired and spectacular golf, hitting shots that I thought only I had in my bag (the bad ones not the good ones) and recovering from anywhere and everywhere to post a bogey free round and as Jim Nantz likes to say had "a win for the ages"...

It was Tiger Woods' first tournament since his tragic fall from grace and five month layoff from golf and the media and announcers made me a little sick to my stomach with the way they were treating him with kid gloves and basically kissing his behind all the way around the course. It was an amazing effort that he put up (one I didn't think he would with all the distractions, but this tournament brings out the best in him), but I believe that the announcers were biased toward him (like they are every time he plays), showing every shot he hit before showing the contenders, making excuses for him on a bad shot, (while beating up the others for bad choices or errant shots) and then asking fluff questions after the round and tiptoeing around the issues everyone was interested in (how does his "addiction" affect his golf?). Which brings me to my rant of the day. Where was sex addiction before? Why is it a national problem and the choice of everyone who gets caught cheating on their wives? Aren't they just what they are, cheaters? Do you think Elin Woods believes her husband has an "addiction" and is not just a cheating, lying pig who got caught? Would Tiger and Jesse James (Mr. Sandra Bullock) have volunteered for therapy if their cheating butts hadn't been caught and splashed all over the tabloids? I think not.
As a recovering addict/alcoholic, I know the pain and shame that my actions caused my loved ones, but to use the word "addiction" for these cheating a-holes insults me and I hope it insults everyone else...

And now comes the real reason why this tournament was a classic. It wasn't until the last hole that anyone brought up Phil Mickelson's tragic situation. Last year, his wife AND mother were diagnosed with breast cancer and began treatments. Rather than play in tournaments, he took time off to be with them and support them and help them in their time of need. It is a difficult thing to deal with one's own demons but to stand by and watch a loved one struggle while you feel helpless makes what I have been through pale in comparison. Yet he continued to play on. Amy (his wife) and the kids were in Augusta, but she was not on the course until Sunday and Phil made a point of getting off the course quickly to be with her after the first three rounds. When he sank the putt to win he embraced her and kissed her and hugged the kids and said in his interview that it was a win for the family... (FYI, Mrs. Woods and the kids were not there supporting the "addict"). But why report about a husband and father doing the right thing? that's not "news". Congratulations to Phil Mickelson and his family for an historic win at my favorite tournament. Thanks for some great memories and for your humble and gracious nature. And thanks for being a real role model and for doing the things a husband and father should do... Golf is a gentleman's game and the announcers and fans and players should remember that first and foremost and respect the game that has given them so much... I do.

Fifty-two hours in three days...

Nothing like event security to cram a crap load of hours into an event. NASCAR and their Sprint Cup Series came to Phoenix this week... (they come here twice a year-in April and November) and that means gate security at P.I.R. (Phoenix International Raceway). No, I was not guarding a gate. I was controlling vehicle traffic into and out of the race track...(vendors, vips and track officials and workers). It was the same gig I did in November and it's a marathon of standing. This year my schedule was Wednesday 5am to 11pm, Thursday 6:30am to 11pm and Saturday 6am to 11pm. I'll do the math for you... 18 hours, 16 1/2 hours, and 17 hours (it hurts now just typing those numbers). I thank my marathon running experience and mental endurance training for surviving these hours and thank my company and the client for asking for me again... (the more calls I get to do these marathon hours, the longer I can continue to "live the dream"). It's not as bad as you might think (or maybe it's worse than I think). Up at 3 am on Wednesday, an hour ride to the track and then 18 hours in the same spot until 11pm and another hour ride (home at midnight), then up again at 4am and repeat until 11pm. By the time my shift was over on Thursday my legs AND brain were like wet noodles. But I got to see the people I met last November and met some real characters living in "RV town"... (and I'm all about meeting people which is why I do event security in the first place).

Friday was a blur of sleep, napping, eating and napping and then sleeping again... (not at all bad when you think about it). Then I was back at my post on Saturday for race day. The track was sold out and I was pretty busy for most of the day. Keeping people from entering and exiting while the golf carts and trucks flew around took up most of the day. Then the constant roar of the race (thank you Jesus for remembering the ear plugs) kept me awake until around 9 pm. Then funneling the patrons out the correct exit (with the help of Avondale PD) made the time fly by. I rekindled many friendships and "see you in November's" were exchanged at the end of the race as this tired puppy made his way home. I awoke this morning unsure of what day it was... (from exhaustion, not Alzheimer's, I think. I can't remember). Then I remembered it was Sunday and I could watch the entire final round of the Masters and not have to worry about working until Wednesday or Thursday. Next up for me is Country Thunder, a four day country music festival in Florence, Arizona... (known for its nine prisons and not much else). It will be another round of long days in the ticket booth... (which is both air conditioned and heated---bonus). But again, sacrifices must be made for the greater good (which is me). I'll find out exactly what hours and days I will be working tomorrow. So another busy week looms for "security dude". Keep those phone calls coming because the gigs will dry in the summer but hopefully the "human cheeto" will be alive and well at something this summer. Stay tuned...

Opening Day 2010...

I got a last minute call from Judy (E&A host ) Sunday asking me to fill in for her as host on Monday for the Diamondbacks baseball game... (I was already going so to get to go for free was something that really interested me). I told her no problem. Then the office emailed me the paperwork, I printed out the phone #'s (digits) of the members going, I put on my Mets tshirt and hat (opening day is always celebrated in Mets garb) and headed out the door. Because the parking is expensive, especially on opening day, I parked at Gateway Community College (free) and took the light rail to downtown ($3.50 to ride all day). Flat Stan in tow, I arrived early and went to the will call window and picked up the tickets for the group. It was packed at the ticket booth so I found a less crowded spot and called all the people coming (there were 10 of us) and told them where they could find me. Everyone arrived early and then came the hiccup... one of the members showed up with a guest that wasn't on the list and the game was sold out. I called the office and they had no record of the transaction. So, as host, I made an executive decision and gave up my ticket. So, now the host is out in the cold but it was the right thing to do. Since this was not my first rodeo (or baseball game) I sent the members in and Warren, my buddy, and I wandered around the stadium and found a scalper. I paid 30 bucks for a 12.00 ticket (the game was a sellout) but I least I could get in the game. I called the office with that information and told them they need to get on with reimbursing me for the extra expense. They agreed... (they better). So I went up to my seat (one row from the top of the stadium--what a deal! ha) and then moved down when one of the members had to go to an audition. It was a great game and the D-Backs won (along with MY Mets completing a very successful Opening Day). Got some great pics with Flat Stan and bought a Diamondbacks jersey (when in Phoenix...) and after the game we went to Majerle's Sports Bar near the stadium and had dinner so we weren't crushed in the light rail going back.

What a great place to see a game. They had former D-Back players there, Kurt Warner threw out the first pitch... (much better than the President's throw). Country singer Joe Nichols did the anthem, there was a flyover by the Air Force F-16s from Luke Air Force base and they finally left the roof open!! (last year after the flyover they closed the roof on a gorgeous 70 degree day) With the roof open it sure felt more like a baseball game should feel...nothing like sitting outside watching a game (our seats were in the shade, but you know what I mean). I did not have the traditional opening day dog (we were going out after the game) but this makes two consecutive opening days for me here in the desert. Back on the light rail, in the car and home for the NCAA championship game.

Congratulations to Duke (booooo! that last shot should have gone in). Congratulations also to "Team Goodyear" finishing second and third in the Geek's pool after winning it all last year. Lumberjack Steve and Chef Boy RD are coming into some cash once the bean counters count all the beans. Kansas did me in again (found some spilled milk to cry over) but thanks to the Geek again for running the pool. I may have to take over if the tournament goes to 96 teams... (the brackets will be printed on poster size paper--yikes!). Since living the dream allows me a tad more free time than most, I guess I could assume the controls if the Geek decides to give them up...(who knows, maybe he'll even finish in the money as just a contestant? NAAAAAAAH!) Sorry, Geek.

Weekend at Jimmy's...

Up at 5:30am on a Saturday... (sacrilegious, I know but a early hike in Arizona is worth it). Watching the sun come up over the mountains on a yet another beautiful day... (we are on a rainless roll here in the valley--sorry my flood warned friends in the East). I (we, actually... Flat Stan and I) am hiking the trail on South Mountain today we some E&A buddies. We arrived at the parking lot at the trail head at 7am only to find that there were two sets of directions to here and only 4 of us actually showed of the 14 who were signed up... (don't know if it was the directions fault or the earliness of the hike). But we set off up the mountain anyway and it was fairly difficult as the path climbed for almost a mile...(moderate according to the hiking gods). We needed several "catch your wind" breaks but we were in no hurry and as I said it was another gorgeous day in the valley... (will post pictures on facebook). After about 3 hours and over 6 miles of hiking through Hidden Valley and "fat man's pass"...(yes I was able to squeeze through) we parted company and I drove home and opened the windows and got ready to spring clean... (NOT!) and instead collapsed on the bed for a nap. Awoke later on and got myself prettied up (as best I could with the raw materials I have to work with) and went out to dinner with Kate.

I picked her up and we went to an Indian restaurant (India not Native American) in North Scottsdale (Tandoori Times) because it was rated as one of the best on azcentral.com (Phoenix's version of Zagats in NYC). We sat outside on the patio and had a feast (the vindaloo was very, very spicy) and watched as the blond belly dancer came by (blond? hardly traditional). I am fast becoming a fan of Indian cuisine. The spiciness and herb combination and the bread (naan) is fantastic. And the company was excellent also. We talked for hours and when I dropped her off we made tentative plans for her to become a student of mine at the driving range... (what kind of Scot would she be if she didn't play golf?). It would be like an Irishman who didn't drink! (Oops). Came home and resumed my nap (overnight variety).

I woke up before dawn, made coffee and walked outside to watch the sunrise on Easter morning... (Guess what? Another beautiful day in the valley!). Unfortunately, I could not find a service that I liked in the area... (tough enough to join a new church but really difficult on the day when everyone feels "religious"). My faith in a Higher Power has never been stronger and I am a spiritual person, but my mistrust of organized religion is also strong. But I am an adventurous sort, as you know, so I will continue to seek somewhere to call my spiritual home in the many denominational and non-denominational churches available in Arizona. For now I will worship in the cathedral of nature and the outside and be fascinated by God's natural creation. In that "spirit", I attended one of man's natural creations (golf course) and played an uplifting Easter round of golf with some other congregants. Spent the rest of the day food shopping and meal preparing for the coming week... (back to work this week) and watching the Final Four woman's basketball tournament and the first official game of the new baseball season. The Yankees lost but I don't think they are going to lose too many this year (not as many as my hapless Mets, I'm afraid). But hope, like the new season, springs eternal...

Some much needed R&R...

After a tumultuous weekend of hiking and working 14 1/2 hours on Sunday, I spent Monday and Tuesday lounging around the apartment and staying off my feet... (living the dream does have its advantages). I did some cooking and some spring cleaning and opened the windows (you can do that when the temps are in the 70-80 range) and watched some DVR programs that I recorded. Also worked on planning my next visit back East... (since none of youse guys seem to want to come out here). Tentative plans have me back in the New York/New Jersey area sometime around the middle of July. Need to coordinate further and check airlines and see how many of my friends are willing to shelter "America's Guest" for a time while I'm visiting... (don't all jump at the opportunity at once, but any offers will be gladly considered). I am also trying to squeeze in a trip to Iowa for my cousin's daughter's wedding on August 1... (I missed Nicole's and I missed visiting Amelia last time so this is a good opportunity to see them again). I will keep you posted as my plans come together... (I don't know if I want to leave the balmy, 115 degree "dry" heat in July but one must make sacrifices for one's friends). There are no security gigs this week, so me and Flat Stan are hanging out... (for those unfamiliar, Flat Stan was sent to me by my Natalie and her class. He is a character from one of her books and I am sharing my apartment and adventures with him, taking pictures, and recording our visit before returning him to Natalie. If I have explained this already, too bad, because it's my blog). Flat Stan has played volleyball, went hiking in Sedona, went to work with me at Phoenix Stadium, sunbathed by the pool and we are playing golf later in the week...

Met with some friends and played volleyball out at our favorite courts Wednesday night... (wind was pretty strong but we had a blast). The same people show up for volleyball , so we decided to meet and play on our own rather than wait for E&A to schedule it. We're going to try and make it a regular occurrence from now on... (God knows this old man can use the exercise). The courts are well-groomed sand, there is music playing, food and drink available, and softball fields, batting cages and other sports related stuff to do. It is also next to a water park which may come in handy prior to game night when the weather becomes Hades-like... Another "easy" day on Thursday was followed by a round of golf this morning at the course around the corner from where I live... (Flat Stan came with and drove the cart and took some pictures of the herons and ducks). Holy cow, do you realize what has happened?? I am actually "talking" (writing) in the present tense... this happened this morning. I have caught up to today with my blogging... (never thought it would happen). This is a truly momentous occasion. I will celebrate with a salmon and wild rice dinner... (it is Good Friday after all. Even though I have a room booked at Satan's palace for eternity, I still like to observe the rules once in a while. Good karma and all, you know?).

Flat Stan and I are going hiking again tomorrow on South Mountain... (supposed to be beautiful views of Phoenix from there). Then we are going to Majerle's Sports Bar to watch the NCAA basketball games... (Go West Virginia and go Butler). Plans are in the air for Easter Sunday... (since I don't have work I will try and find an Easter service somewhere and then worship at the Holy 18 holes of the Lord). Like I said, my room is booked at Satan's Palace... Happy Easter and easy on the chocolate to all my friends and family and all their friends and families... Love you guys.