Pack up your apartment in your old kit bag....

And move, move, move. Sorry for the long delay between my incessant blabbing, but there was a major traffic jam on the information highway (it has been a busy time for the AZ Kid). Between hosting my last few events for E&A and playing golf (that IS what it's all about anyway), working college and high school graduations at ASU and packing up my belongings for the move to Tempe, I have been quite busy. But enough with the excuses. All y'all do that AND work full time and raise families on top of that... (better you than me. I have trouble taking care of just me!). It's been a busy time but I am enjoying it to the fullest because it still hasn't rained since I don't know when. I never tire of waking up and looking outside and watching the sun rise day after day... (kinda like "Groundhog Day" only with sunshine instead of snow). And the temps have still not hit the triple digits yet which is unusual to say the least... (OK, I'll stop. It's just that I see weather not so hot in the East and I get all crazy and need to rub it in).

So, the move is coming along and let me tell you, if you don't own a home (most all of you do so this only makes sense for me) moving every 2 years or so is a great thing. It allows you to sift through the endless crap that accumulates (seemingly by itself) and purge your life of stuff you haven't seen or used in the past 2 years. It also gives me great pleasure to donate to the Salvation Army and Goodwill on a regular basis... (especially in these difficult economic times). You all know how I believe in good and bad karma and I want to keep the balance tilted to the good side for as long as I can. I know I purchased all this crap but I can't believe how it keeps coming back with each successive move. "One man's junk is another man's treasure" is a load of horse manure. It's all junk. And I sure like getting rid of other men's treasures! I am also getting mad good at packing. With each successive move I am getting better at keeping things together so that I don't have to empty every box to find things. And moving into a new place allows me to buy new "junk" that I can get rid of when I move again (a vicious cycle--ha ha).

ASU graduations were hectic. In 3 days I worked 10 separate graduation ceremonies, doing bag checks, herding grads toward the photographer and pushing parents and friends out of the arena so we could make ready for the next group. If I don't hear "Pomp and Circumstance" or find myself humming the tune around the house anytime soon, it will be a great thing. But deep down, I miss going to classes and doing homework and writing papers... (don't worry, this only happens when I work the graduations. This too shall pass). Seeing all the smiling faces with their empty diploma holders (takes 8-10 weeks to mail them) and ideas to change the world makes me hope that they can find a job in their chosen field... (which many of us are not able to do) or any job at all. Here's hoping that the valedictorian with double majors and a 4.0 average isn't wearing a paper hat and asking "do you want fries with that?" (cynical, aren't I). And to the students wearing t-shirts that read "If you want to see my papers, I'll show you my diploma from ASU" I remind them that that is not a valid form of ID and they better have a driver's license or birth certificate to back that up. I normally do not express political views in my blog, but if you're here illegally, you better take the steps necessary to stay here legally or get out. And that means anyone not here legally from anywhere...(SB1070 does not just target Latinos, it's just that the majority of Arizona's illegal aliens are from across the border of Mexico). If I have to show ID when I get pulled over or to purchase something or to go to an event then you better have some proof that you belong here no matter what nationality or race.

Okay, I'm down off the soapbox. No I'm not. One more thing. Hey baseball and football, play the games and leave the politics to the politicians. There is no need to come out with "opinions" about what Arizona is doing with a problem that 80% of Arizonans support. Just because we chose to finally address an alarming situation (at least we're doing SOMETHING about it), doesn't mean you should dictate policy. How come you came out with statements right away condemning Arizona law when it took forever to police the rampant drug use in your respective sports. Remember what they say about living in glass houses. This is an Arizona issue. Let Arizona deal with it.

Sister Sheryl visits paradise....

Sounds like I'm being visited by a nun (hardly), but I mean my sibling and younger sister has come to the Valley for work and some dinners with the Arizona Kid. Sheryl flew into town to assist a friend in her company with some problem areas but only can stay for a few days. I was able to meet with her and have dinner on Monday night and Tuesday night. She is staying at a hotel next to one of my new favorite golf courses and it was a struggle to pay attention to the conversation of her colleagues while watching golfers practice on the driving range...(I could have helped at least 3 or 4 of them improve their game, but I digress). I met with her colleagues (very nice group of people) and we all went up to Cave Creek for dinner at Cartwright's Steak House. It's the first time I have been there and the food was excellent and the restaurant was very rustic and had an Old West motif. I had tenderloins of beef, elk and buffalo with a sweet potato hash that was to die for and we all shared banana creme pie with coconut for dessert. The town of Cave Creek itself was very cool...(I don't go up there much being that it's an hour drive one way, but it is definitely worth a second or third exploration).

Tuesday's excursion was my choice so we decided on Mexican (I did the research) and found the Mission restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale. Very Alamo-esque in look and feel. We sat outside on the patio where a fireplace was roaring (Sheryl got the full dry heat-dry cool experience on this trip). It was chilly but the food and atmosphere was very good. The soup/stew that she had was delicious and had a afterburn that was excellent. My Chilean salmon was excellent also. I then took her to see the new digs and surrounding hood that I was going to move into. Then I dropped her off at her hotel and meandered home. I'm working Wednesday (ASU graduation) but only until around 6:30pm, so we will try to get one more visit in before she flies back home.

Love it when people come to visit (hint, hint) because it gives me the opportunity to explore new places and create little tours to show off my piece of paradise. The weather cooperated perfectly with daytime temps in the 80s and bright cloudless sunshine and cool (yes I said cool) nights. Even the humidified Easterners were chilled in the desert night. Saw a couple of coyotes (no Acme boxes to be found) walking along the street not far form Sheryl's hotel. Just a reminder that wildlife is not far from anywhere out here. One of Sheryl's friends told us about a bobcat attacking a deer very close to her backyard. Rattlesnakes are waking up as the days get warmer and nights get warmer. I was discussing the heat during the summer with our waitress who was an Arizona native (bonus)... (talking about how it's still 100 degrees at midnight during July and August). Gearing up for the heat. It's a good thing because as the temperatures go up, greens fees go down and the Kid gets more golf for his money. And a deserted course now and then because the Kid knows how to deal with "dry heat'.

It's a shame this visit was more work for Sheryl than play (she had planned to be here Thursday also, but I'm working 6:30am to 1030pm that day so she was able to schedule an earlier flight home). But she said that there may be more trips out here in the future, so I'll have to coordinate better the next time. I will take any time I can get to see her and talk about the girls (my nieces) and we discussed a possible visit from Uncle Jimmy later in the year. I've got to get ready for work... (typical 36 hours in 3 days--got to love event security), followed by golf tournaments on Saturday and Sunday (what else?).

Moving on up to the East Side...

Call me Jim Jefferson... I'm moving on up to the East Side... (of the 10 and upstairs to a second floor apartment). All things are go for June 1. The new apartment house has approved my application, my old apartment has accepted my "notice to vacate" and I am in moving mode. I made a significant donation to the Salvation Army and Goodwill (clothes and other stuff that is just taking up space) and have begun packing things up. Next on the agenda is a moving company... (for the tortuous 20 mile drive to the new digs), contacting cable services and electric company and officially changing my address (which I will communicate to you once the move is complete via email or telephone or some other electronic device). All very exciting stuff. I love it here in Chandler but my life is all about change and adventure so here we go into another chapter. I'm sure there will be some entertaining stories related to this latest move... (and just in case someone is looking for me, it's another step ahead. :).

I'll be working graduations this week at ASU. 16 hour days on Thursday and Friday, but at least I'll be inside this time. There are five or six different schools graduating each day which is why I'll be working all day. No worries. All donations to greens fee fund are gladly accepted. Bad news is that my friend Sue canceled her trip out here last week. I was really looking forward to showing her around, but she is involved in much drama back home, so once she handles what she has to handle, we'll discuss getting together either here or there. Good news is that sister Sheryl is in town, albeit for work, but we should be able to get together. Word is that the "Flat Stanley" project Uncle Jimmy put together was a great hit with the second graders back in Virginia. I had such a blast doing that for my niece Natalie and her class.

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers and their Moms... (even my own. Yes I did send flowers). Hope everyone had a wonderful day. I did, watching the Suns move to the Conference finals in basketball and the Celtics beating King James and his Cavs. Playing a lot of golf also... (what else is new?). Drama is at an all time low (bonus) and I'm down to 3 hosting events left before I retire from E&A. After a year and a half, I have decided not to renew my membership (financial and personal reasons). I have enjoyed my time in the club, but it's time for someone new to step up and keep it going. I have made some great friends and will continue "adventures" outside the club atmosphere. It also gives me back time to concentrate on a new venture that is only in the idea stage as of yet... (and gives me time to concentrate on projects that I have shelved for a while). More info will be forthcoming in future blogs... (you'll just have to wait and see). I'm assuming of course that you are still reading my blogs... (not a problem if you're not, I'm still going to write them). Well, back to the packing. Talk to you soon...

Milestones and new stuff..

Wow, it's been a while and we have been a busy bee this week... (still love referring to myself in the third person--so Hollywood). Steve, aka the frequent driver, was down for another interview in the Phoenix area by way of Billings, Montana... (his brother lives there). He checked in at the "Holiday Jim" on Tuesday night and stayed until Saturday evening. Unfortunately, the company he interviewed with did not call him back and he is off now to Los Angeles and points north. So now I must prepare the guest room for my next visitor arriving next week, dear friend Sue from Pennsylvania. I have known Sue for ever... (was best man at her wedding and godfather to her son). We lost touch after her ex-husband and I had an altercation (non-physical) and ended our friendship much like she ended their marriage for reasons I will not go into in this public forum out of respect for her. She called and needed to get away for a while and I invited her to come out here and she agreed. Can't wait to see her and show her around my little piece of paradise. I warned her that she might not want to return to Pennsylvania, but she is coming anyway. Good thing she's coming next week. The "cold" snap is passed (temps in the 70's during the day and cold at night) and the weather will return to the 90's by Tuesday or Wednesday. Brrrrrrrr! (Sorry, East Coast).

Also, I am pleased to announce that sister Sheryl will be in Phoenix for 4 days in May on a work assignment... (hopefully she will have time to see big brother for dinner or lunch or both). So my social calendar is filling in nicely for May. Toss in the move at the end of the month (turned in my letter of "Intent to Vacate" at the office in Chandler) and ASU graduation ceremonies and several golf tournaments coming up and your intrepid author should have plenty to blog about to keep my readers entertained. Speaking of entertaining, I got a call from the security company on Wednesday to do a three night gig at ASU. I was to work at the Sigma Chi fraternity house on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm until 3am. I was given the contact person's name and number and no further information. I called him and we met outside the house on Thursday night. He gave me a list of the people allowed in the house and was told that anyone not on the list was not allowed in... (all I needed was a velvet rope. "Sorry, son, you're not on the list"). Apparently, they are on "double secret probation" (Animal House reference--classic! "Eric Stratford, rush chairman, damn glad to meet you!"). ASU is looking for a reason to close down fraternity row. They gave me a chair and I sat there until 3am checking names and trying to stay warm... (unsuccessfully. I was freezing). The frat brothers provided the entertainment on Thursday night with "Parking Garage Frisbee". Across the street from the house was a six floor parking garage. One guy armed with 3 frisbees went to the sixth floor and sent the discs flying to the others below. Much running and jumping came as they chased down the frisbees. After the 3 were sent down, they put them on the elevator and sent them back up to the sixth floor for another round. I had a great seat to watch the action. Then a round of frisbee golf around the grounds and finally in for the night around 2:30am. I signed off at 3am and got to sleep around 4 Friday morning.

Needless to say my sleep patterns were severely disturbed by these three days, but 5 hours of sitting and shivering (even with additional layers I was still cold--where the heck did all my blood go?) was a cakewalk compared to 18 hours in the blistering sun in a parking lot on my feet the whole time. The frat boys knew the deal and were very cooperative on Friday and Saturday until around 2:30am when a shooting match ensued in the house over someone urinating in the hallway (kids!). After many f bombs and threats of potential ass kickings, the house calmed down and the security guy was not needed as a referee (like I would have been able to break up a melee). The offending urine was cleaned up (I hope) and order was restored amongst the inebriated brethren... (reminded me of many bygone days...some remembered, most not). I left at 3 with green fee money in the bank and no altercations to report.

Speaking of bygone days, last Wednesday marked a very special day in the life of the Arizona Kid. Wednesday, April 28 marked 15 years clean and sober for yours truly. I wish to thank those who were kind enough to call and deeply appreciate their congratulations. I wish also to thank all family and friends who know my situation... (even though I may not have reached out to you personally, I knew you were rooting and praying for me to succeed and knowing that you were in my corner provided me with the confidence to look myself in the eye and say "I'm not going to drink today"). No matter what anyone thinks, no alcoholic or addict can do it on their own. I am deeply proud of this milestone but remain humble enough to realize that it could all be gone in an instant should I let my guard down. No matter how cliche "One day at a time" sounds, it works, and not just in recovery. It is the way I live my life in all things. No one is promised more than today and we should all live it to the fullest. My readers know that this is what I do and my blogs are a testament to that philosophy. Fifteen years clean is not just my accomplishment, it is all of yours and I love and appreciate you all. God Bless You...