In the eighth blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me, 8 special events, 7-ty degrees, 6 guards a-guarding, 5 reso-luuu-tions, 4 days to New Years, 3 golf stories, 2 Christmas wishes, and the story of HCG... These are some important events coming up in 2012 and I wish to share them with you...(they are in no special order of importance).
1. The second annual round of golf to celebrate the lives of my Dad and Uncle Ray. It's a year since Uncle Ray passed and Dad will be gone 12 years this year (still seems like yesterday), and once again I will tee it up in their honor this week to celebrate their memory and the game we loved and shared. There is always at least one moment on the course in every round I play where I find myself remembering them both...telling jokes like my Dad or using a putter from off the green like Ray and always with the sarcastic zinger like both of them...(my favorite-"You know the best thing about that shot you just hit? It wasn't mine!"). I feel closest to them when I'm out on the golf course and its those memories that always brings a warm feeling to my heart and tears to my eyes...(which really makes it hard to read the green).
2. The 100th anniversary of statehood for Arizona... Being from the East Coast and one of the original thirteen colonies, it's hard to believe that one of the United States is only turning 100 years old this year. Some of the towns and cities were founded in years after my parents were born. Some of the places are still nestled in the Old West Era and turn of the century mode and I am doing research to see what events I will be able to attend to celebrate the centennial. And , of course, I will bring you along for the ride through the written word. Happy 100th, Arizona...(actual date. February 14, 1912).
3. Seventeen years clean and sober... I don't want to jump the gun, but on April 28 of this year I will achieve 17 years of sobriety. Let me quote the Grateful Dead and say "what a long, strange trip it's been." From the feeling of "I'll never be able to quit" to staying sober one day at a time, it has been a journey that has truly amazed me. The ways in which I have grown as a man...(not mentally) and the things I have been able to accomplish would never have happened if my Higher Power (God) hadn't given me the strength and the opportunities to succeed in life without drugs and alcohol.
4. Teenage for one, double digits for the other...This October, my nieces turn 13 and 10, respectively. WOW! A teenager for my sister. I can remember Sheryl's teenage years and all I can say is buckle up and keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times. But I don't foresee any problems. They are two beautiful and well-adjusted young women and being able to see them grow up is a joy like no other. Looking forward to riding the roller coasters of King's Dominion with Sheryl and the girls in Virginia.
5. 54? Really, 54? That is the age I will turn this year. It's hard to believe since I can't remember whole chunks (decades) of my past...(see #3 above). I still believe that age is just a number and I will probably never act mine. I have the mind of a child and an adventuresome (crazy) spirit and the man with the "unique perspective" will continue on. Never thought I would see 40, let alone 54. One more year to "active" adult status!
6. Vacation plans... Who doesn't look forward to vacation plans? I plan a busy travel year if work doesn't get it the way. Hopefully, (and God willing) I will be able to travel with the job to California and New york again. If the summer goes back to form and is a slow time at work, I will be able to get away and escape the massive heat of the Valley. On the plate is a free 3 day 2 night stay in Vegas in May (thanks, timeshare dudes)...a golf vacation with the boys in Myrtle Beach...of course, Aruba (if I can swing the time)...a possible trip mack East or an extend of New York...and I hope another home and home with my sister and her family. And maybe some quick fly and golf to states on my bucket list...
7. Is this the year Jim finally settles down with the girl of his dreams? I seriously doubt it, but I wanted to get your attention back since this blog is extra long-winded...(got to keep the writing juices flowing for the possible book). Dating is an adventure I love to revisit over and over because I like the whole process...meeting for the first time, getting to know each other, hanging out, getting bored and repeat...(oops, the getting bored part slipped out. I know, I'm a pig). I will persevere however, and maybe one of my "soup du jours" will turn into some meaningful...(sorry, but I can't say that with a straight face).What will happen is that I will fall hard for a woman, she will dump ME and the universe will go back into balance...(it's all about karma).
8. Happy New Year! I need to say it now because when I get to work I will be going until about 3 am (my time) and won't be able to say it later. The concert begins around 10 pm (midnight in the East) so texting is the best way to reach me. Nothing is better than a fresh year to make a clean start and I wish for this year to a be a great one for all of you... I know my year is going to be great and attitude and positive thinking are the best ways to make that happen. So cheers for the New Year... I'll blog at you in 2012!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #7
In the seventh blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me, 7-ty degrees, 6 guards a-guarding, 5 reso-luuu-tions, 4 days to new years, 3 golf stories, 2 Christmas wishes and the story of HCG...
Ah yes, what would a winter time blog be without a blog about the weather. Winter officially entered on the 21st of December and it has been a little chilly in the Valley of the Sun. The cold Canadian air dipped low at the beginning of the month and brought cold (for here) temperatures and rain. The rain departed around the 7th, but the air remained cool and with no humidity, it was downright cold (for here). It dipped into the 20's on some nights and only the low 50's for the high during the day. I bundled up more than a few times (especially hats for my bald head). But, when winter officially came in, we returned to the Arizona and weather I moved out here for. On my day off today, we enjoyed abundant sunshine...(now my favorite weather description used by meteorologists) and temperatures well into the 70's with the lows down to a very comfortable mid-50 range. I played golf with Melissa today and wore shorts, a short sleeve shirt and sandals and needed to apply more than one coat of sunblock. Ah, the harsh winter. The things one must do to survive this time of year. The ten day forecast calls for...(you guessed it!) "abundant sunshine" and temps in the high 60's to high 70's through January 8. And the best thing about it...(yes, it gets even better) is that the lows will dip into the 40's and that means sunblock during the day and a fire burning in the fireplace in the evening.
So, if that puts a further chill in your bones when you have to go outside and warm up the car or scrap the ice off the windows, remember that Arizona is open 24/7 and 366 (it is a leap year) days this year. I have a guest bedroom that I'm sure "kitty" will be willing to share and flights are available. You won't be flying into a blizzard and you gain 2 hours flying West. The invitation is open to all my faithful readers and I would be more than happy to share the "abundant sunshine" with each and every one of you. Packing is a breeze also...shorts and tees and sandals. I will be glad to lend you a sweatshirt to sit outside in the evening... Stay warm, everyone... I know I will.
Ah yes, what would a winter time blog be without a blog about the weather. Winter officially entered on the 21st of December and it has been a little chilly in the Valley of the Sun. The cold Canadian air dipped low at the beginning of the month and brought cold (for here) temperatures and rain. The rain departed around the 7th, but the air remained cool and with no humidity, it was downright cold (for here). It dipped into the 20's on some nights and only the low 50's for the high during the day. I bundled up more than a few times (especially hats for my bald head). But, when winter officially came in, we returned to the Arizona and weather I moved out here for. On my day off today, we enjoyed abundant sunshine...(now my favorite weather description used by meteorologists) and temperatures well into the 70's with the lows down to a very comfortable mid-50 range. I played golf with Melissa today and wore shorts, a short sleeve shirt and sandals and needed to apply more than one coat of sunblock. Ah, the harsh winter. The things one must do to survive this time of year. The ten day forecast calls for...(you guessed it!) "abundant sunshine" and temps in the high 60's to high 70's through January 8. And the best thing about it...(yes, it gets even better) is that the lows will dip into the 40's and that means sunblock during the day and a fire burning in the fireplace in the evening.
So, if that puts a further chill in your bones when you have to go outside and warm up the car or scrap the ice off the windows, remember that Arizona is open 24/7 and 366 (it is a leap year) days this year. I have a guest bedroom that I'm sure "kitty" will be willing to share and flights are available. You won't be flying into a blizzard and you gain 2 hours flying West. The invitation is open to all my faithful readers and I would be more than happy to share the "abundant sunshine" with each and every one of you. Packing is a breeze also...shorts and tees and sandals. I will be glad to lend you a sweatshirt to sit outside in the evening... Stay warm, everyone... I know I will.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #6
In the sixth blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me... 6 guards a-guarding, 5 reso-luuu-tions, 4 days to New Years, 3 golf stories, 2 Christmas wishes, and the story of HCG...
This weekend there are several things going on around town and my company is involved in several. Tonight we worked the "Hawkeye Huddle", a pep rally hosted by the University of Iowa for their fans in town to go to the Insight Bowl in Tempe tomorrow night. The Iowa Hawkeyes are playing the Oklahoma Sooners in ASU Stadium and they staged the pep rally at the Convention Center. We (my company) was there for alcohol control. There were bars set up in the hall and food and the marching band, cheerleaders and pep squad were there, singing the fight song and riling up the crowd. For those of you not from Iowa, the team colors are black and yellow. Our security uniform shirts are yellow and black, so needless to say, it was difficult to find my people in a sea of black and yellow. But the people were very nice and cooperative...(they are from Iowa after all. I have to admit I haven't met an Iowan I didn't like). The party drew about 2000 fans and no one needed to be ejected or reprimanded. That is why I am writing this so late in the evening. Last year I worked the Insight Bowl for my other company, but because of my promotion and additional hours, I cannot go this year.
Saturday night is another busy day in the Valley, and for me also. There is a concert at the Orpheum Theater and a "model search" at the Convention Center. The "model search" is the name of a last minute event. This is a thinly disguised attempt to call a party something else. The promoter couldn't afford a night club, so he settled on the Convention Center. My concert ends at 1230 am and the "model search" goes until 230 am and I will be there for both. But no worries...I am off Friday and Sunday and Monday so any sleep lost will be made up next year. There is also the Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe, which is the largest New Year's Celebration in the state of Arizona, drawing over 100,000 people. The Gin Blossoms will headline the concert part (Arizona's own) and the return of the "chip drop" is sure to please...(it's a tortilla chip, not a cow chip which is what I thought immediately). It will be patterned after the ball drop in New York but with a lighted tortilla chip. (I know it sounds lame but we can't all be New York). I will miss the chip because the 6 guards a-guarding will be at the Orpheum Theater at Jerry Riopelle's Rockin' New Years Eve...(I've never heard of him, either). Rhythm and blues singer songwriter performs in a holiday tradition. Apparently, he has been doing this for several years ion Phoenix. I will let you know how it goes. That should be a good gig if the music is good. I don't have a good feeling about the "model search" gig though, but I will deal with that after the Rockin" New Year's Eve...
But the highlight of MY New Year's Eve will be after the "model search" is over and all my guards go home...(except for the one working overnight at the RV show). I am driving north around 330 am and parking at a trail head in North Phoenix and catching a nap (about 2 hours) before some friends and I hike to a mountain top and greet the sunrise overlooking the Valley on New Year's Day. I will have my camera with me and will try to take some awesome sunrise photos. Nice way to greet the New Year...
This weekend there are several things going on around town and my company is involved in several. Tonight we worked the "Hawkeye Huddle", a pep rally hosted by the University of Iowa for their fans in town to go to the Insight Bowl in Tempe tomorrow night. The Iowa Hawkeyes are playing the Oklahoma Sooners in ASU Stadium and they staged the pep rally at the Convention Center. We (my company) was there for alcohol control. There were bars set up in the hall and food and the marching band, cheerleaders and pep squad were there, singing the fight song and riling up the crowd. For those of you not from Iowa, the team colors are black and yellow. Our security uniform shirts are yellow and black, so needless to say, it was difficult to find my people in a sea of black and yellow. But the people were very nice and cooperative...(they are from Iowa after all. I have to admit I haven't met an Iowan I didn't like). The party drew about 2000 fans and no one needed to be ejected or reprimanded. That is why I am writing this so late in the evening. Last year I worked the Insight Bowl for my other company, but because of my promotion and additional hours, I cannot go this year.
Saturday night is another busy day in the Valley, and for me also. There is a concert at the Orpheum Theater and a "model search" at the Convention Center. The "model search" is the name of a last minute event. This is a thinly disguised attempt to call a party something else. The promoter couldn't afford a night club, so he settled on the Convention Center. My concert ends at 1230 am and the "model search" goes until 230 am and I will be there for both. But no worries...I am off Friday and Sunday and Monday so any sleep lost will be made up next year. There is also the Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe, which is the largest New Year's Celebration in the state of Arizona, drawing over 100,000 people. The Gin Blossoms will headline the concert part (Arizona's own) and the return of the "chip drop" is sure to please...(it's a tortilla chip, not a cow chip which is what I thought immediately). It will be patterned after the ball drop in New York but with a lighted tortilla chip. (I know it sounds lame but we can't all be New York). I will miss the chip because the 6 guards a-guarding will be at the Orpheum Theater at Jerry Riopelle's Rockin' New Years Eve...(I've never heard of him, either). Rhythm and blues singer songwriter performs in a holiday tradition. Apparently, he has been doing this for several years ion Phoenix. I will let you know how it goes. That should be a good gig if the music is good. I don't have a good feeling about the "model search" gig though, but I will deal with that after the Rockin" New Year's Eve...
But the highlight of MY New Year's Eve will be after the "model search" is over and all my guards go home...(except for the one working overnight at the RV show). I am driving north around 330 am and parking at a trail head in North Phoenix and catching a nap (about 2 hours) before some friends and I hike to a mountain top and greet the sunrise overlooking the Valley on New Year's Day. I will have my camera with me and will try to take some awesome sunrise photos. Nice way to greet the New Year...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #5
In the fifth blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me... 5 res-o-luuuu-tions...4 days to New Years, 3 golf stories, 2 Christmas wishes and the story of HCG...
Yes, it is that time of year again when we come up with some resolutions about things we will pursue or accomplish or change in the coming year, and your intrepid blogger is indeed one of those people. I remember the "I'm not going to drink at all in January" followed by the most polluted February in the history of man...(this became an annual ritual for several years). Then, that was followed by the "I won't drink BEER during January" and Smirnoff stock went through the roof while Budweiser had record layoffs... But we all make what we hope are realistic goals and we usually stick to them...(for a month or so), before falling back on old habits. Which is why I started this diet before the end of the year. I wanted to avoid making "lose weight" (another annual resolution for WAY too many years). So what follows is 5 realistic and important goals (to me, anyway), I mean resolutions for the year 2012. I am being bold here (or foolish...depending on your interpretation) and putting them in print for all to see. Let's make our list and we will provide updates as the year progresses...
1. Instead of the ever-popular "lose weight" (which I never achieved by the way), this resolution will be to keep the weight I have already lost off my frame in the coming year. Not only has this diet dissolved many pounds of fat off my body, it has also re-educated me in the correct way to prepare meals and exercise correct portion control. The five to six small meals and snacks during the day work to keep the metabolism running and the energy levels high. As the diet continues, it will allow me to re-introduce foods I have gone without for several weeks and eventually will turn me loose on all foods. Smart choices and portion control...(no more 36 ounce steaks at El Gaucho) are the means to achieve this resolution.
2. Return to the gym and work out on a fixed schedule. Now that the weight is off, I want to add some pounds back on in the form of muscle...(not looking for Mr. Olympia here, just fit and in shape). Muscle weighs more than fat, but lean muscle also burns more calories so it's a definite advantage. I have a gym membership card in my wallet and that is only piece of equipment I have touched, so it's time to stop spending money without using the facility. The gym I belong to has a pool, sauna and steam room, racquetball and basketball courts, and is close enough that I can ride my bicycle there, so it's just a matter of getting off my lazy ass and going there.
3. Play 100 rounds of golf in 2012... This is a lofty goal and will take some real effort to achieve, but there is a method to my madness. At my home course, the guys who put my clubs on the cart and clean them after the round all know me and how much I enjoy playing alone at times. When I am out there by myself I usually play 2 or 3 or 4 balls at a time, depending on how many golfers are around. So I can multiply rounds on certain days and it makes it more achievable. It will also help me stay out of the house, where the temptation of overeating is always lurking in the corner. When I get bored at home, eating was my first option. That is a habit I must break.
4. Extend my immediate family...(relax, I'm not getting married nor have I impregnated anyone). I am talking about adding a pet to the family. Some of you know I had a cat (Cleopatra) in New Jersey but gave her up when I moved (to a very loving family) to Arizona. Life is more stable now. The apartment I live in is great and I have no intention of moving in the foreseeable future. The complex is pet friendly. So, in the next week or two I will be going to the various animal shelters and humane societies to rescue (although living with me may not qualify--the cat may choose to return to the shelter) a kitten or young adult cat and bring her home. I am pet proofing the apartment as we speak and cat paraphernalia is being brought into the home...(including the dreaded litter box). There is a cat "condo" and scratching posts and toys to amuse the both of us...(love the toys!).
5. Continue to be a positive individual who enjoys life's ups and downs and takes everything in stride. Since the move to Arizona, I am constantly amazed at the amount of personal growth that has occurred in me...(although some might argue that I have actually regressed toward childhood). I find myself waking up each morning (always a good thing) is a good mood. Work is no longer the four letter word I used to believe it was. People I meet though work and at the Convention Center always comment on how they always see me smiling and positive and how I help them enjoy their visit here. I want to continue to strive to not take myself too seriously and make sure that I attempt to give back because I have been truly blessed in so many ways. You all know how I believe in "karma" and that by doing good for others it will return in kind to you, so this year i want to double my efforts in that regard.
So there you have it. 5 resolutions for the coming year. I want you to hold me to these and I will update them on a timely basis through my adventures in blogdom. Speaking of which, I know you have noticed that these blogs are coming every day. An effort on my part to be more forthcoming with information is the reason behind these blogs. It's way too easy to blame the miles apart and "being too busy" to keep in touch, but that is an excuse I refuse to honor any longer. As long as you want to read them (and even if you don't) I will continue to write these blogs.
Yes, it is that time of year again when we come up with some resolutions about things we will pursue or accomplish or change in the coming year, and your intrepid blogger is indeed one of those people. I remember the "I'm not going to drink at all in January" followed by the most polluted February in the history of man...(this became an annual ritual for several years). Then, that was followed by the "I won't drink BEER during January" and Smirnoff stock went through the roof while Budweiser had record layoffs... But we all make what we hope are realistic goals and we usually stick to them...(for a month or so), before falling back on old habits. Which is why I started this diet before the end of the year. I wanted to avoid making "lose weight" (another annual resolution for WAY too many years). So what follows is 5 realistic and important goals (to me, anyway), I mean resolutions for the year 2012. I am being bold here (or foolish...depending on your interpretation) and putting them in print for all to see. Let's make our list and we will provide updates as the year progresses...
1. Instead of the ever-popular "lose weight" (which I never achieved by the way), this resolution will be to keep the weight I have already lost off my frame in the coming year. Not only has this diet dissolved many pounds of fat off my body, it has also re-educated me in the correct way to prepare meals and exercise correct portion control. The five to six small meals and snacks during the day work to keep the metabolism running and the energy levels high. As the diet continues, it will allow me to re-introduce foods I have gone without for several weeks and eventually will turn me loose on all foods. Smart choices and portion control...(no more 36 ounce steaks at El Gaucho) are the means to achieve this resolution.
2. Return to the gym and work out on a fixed schedule. Now that the weight is off, I want to add some pounds back on in the form of muscle...(not looking for Mr. Olympia here, just fit and in shape). Muscle weighs more than fat, but lean muscle also burns more calories so it's a definite advantage. I have a gym membership card in my wallet and that is only piece of equipment I have touched, so it's time to stop spending money without using the facility. The gym I belong to has a pool, sauna and steam room, racquetball and basketball courts, and is close enough that I can ride my bicycle there, so it's just a matter of getting off my lazy ass and going there.
3. Play 100 rounds of golf in 2012... This is a lofty goal and will take some real effort to achieve, but there is a method to my madness. At my home course, the guys who put my clubs on the cart and clean them after the round all know me and how much I enjoy playing alone at times. When I am out there by myself I usually play 2 or 3 or 4 balls at a time, depending on how many golfers are around. So I can multiply rounds on certain days and it makes it more achievable. It will also help me stay out of the house, where the temptation of overeating is always lurking in the corner. When I get bored at home, eating was my first option. That is a habit I must break.
4. Extend my immediate family...(relax, I'm not getting married nor have I impregnated anyone). I am talking about adding a pet to the family. Some of you know I had a cat (Cleopatra) in New Jersey but gave her up when I moved (to a very loving family) to Arizona. Life is more stable now. The apartment I live in is great and I have no intention of moving in the foreseeable future. The complex is pet friendly. So, in the next week or two I will be going to the various animal shelters and humane societies to rescue (although living with me may not qualify--the cat may choose to return to the shelter) a kitten or young adult cat and bring her home. I am pet proofing the apartment as we speak and cat paraphernalia is being brought into the home...(including the dreaded litter box). There is a cat "condo" and scratching posts and toys to amuse the both of us...(love the toys!).
5. Continue to be a positive individual who enjoys life's ups and downs and takes everything in stride. Since the move to Arizona, I am constantly amazed at the amount of personal growth that has occurred in me...(although some might argue that I have actually regressed toward childhood). I find myself waking up each morning (always a good thing) is a good mood. Work is no longer the four letter word I used to believe it was. People I meet though work and at the Convention Center always comment on how they always see me smiling and positive and how I help them enjoy their visit here. I want to continue to strive to not take myself too seriously and make sure that I attempt to give back because I have been truly blessed in so many ways. You all know how I believe in "karma" and that by doing good for others it will return in kind to you, so this year i want to double my efforts in that regard.
So there you have it. 5 resolutions for the coming year. I want you to hold me to these and I will update them on a timely basis through my adventures in blogdom. Speaking of which, I know you have noticed that these blogs are coming every day. An effort on my part to be more forthcoming with information is the reason behind these blogs. It's way too easy to blame the miles apart and "being too busy" to keep in touch, but that is an excuse I refuse to honor any longer. As long as you want to read them (and even if you don't) I will continue to write these blogs.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #4
In the fourth blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me, 4 days til New Years, 3 golf stories, 2 Christmas wishes, and the story of HCG...
Four days until the year 2011 is history and 2012 comes into being...and what a whirlwind year this one was for your intrepid blogger. It was a year in which my job became more of a career with promotions, increases in remuneration and opportunities to travel. It was the busiest summer I have seen in my security days, with trips to Orange County (Barrett-Jackson) and New York (US Open Tennis) and my promotion to event manager, providing me with more job security...(and a lot more responsibility, but it was a welcome thing). After a colorful career in the tire business and my move here in 2008, I never knew that a part-time job to work at a golf tournament would blossom into a career of its own, but it has and it's truly a blessing to do something that I thoroughly enjoy...(and get paid doing it!). I always wondered what it would be like...I knew several people who had the job they really liked, and now that I am one of those people, I've come to realize that it was worth the wait. Sure, the hours are daunting at times...(16-17 hour days), and the money is not all that great...but when you're doing what you enjoy doing, it all works out in the end. The perks far outweigh the negatives. Free concerts, behind the scenes at most events, access to places most people aren't allowed, escorting celebrities and sports stars and getting to meet people from all walks of life and places are just some of the things I'll trade for a pile of money and a weekend. My schedule is such that I work most weekends, but being off during the week is a blast...
This year brought my nieces for a visit in April for spring break and I got to explore this beautiful place where I live with the people who mean the most to me... my sister and her family. When she told me that she would try to come out again in 2012 it was hard to contain my excitement and I am already researching plans for the next visit. Arizona turns 100 years old in 2012 and I hope there will be centennial stuff to do all year. I was in Virginia for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown (oldest English settlement in the New World and a great name to boot) and to be here to celebrate Arizona's 100th will be equally exciting. I also got to return the favor with a visit to Virginia for the girls' birthdays...(made sure I was there for both this time to avoid the controversy). I also spent some time in Utah and crossed it off my golf bucket list. I am hoping 2012 will allow me to continue my quest and tour the West. Aruba was also in the mix and never fails to remind me how beautiful a small island...(a mere dot on the map) can truly be.
This year also brought a more healthy lifestyle and continued good health with a few curve balls thrown in...(what the heck bit me on Aruba?). All in all, 2011 was a healthy year for me...(no sick days taken and no days missed due to illness). I pray that that trend will continue in the next year. It also was an interesting dating year. I met some interesting women via the Internet dating route...(trying to be PC here) and some more on my own. Needless to say, as I am writing to you now I am still single and relationship-less...(not a word, I know, hence the hyphen). My innate knack to attract the drama filled scenarios that I find myself involved in, while exciting at the time, have never developed into anything more substantial. I blame myself for this entirely. Loretta would say that I am too picky...(and I am). Be that as it may, the search continues...(and who doesn't enjoy a good search).
So lets take a moment during these last 4 days of 2011 and reflect on the year that was and make some solid plans for the year to come. If all continues on the present course, 2012 will find me still single...(don't feel bad, I'm good at it), able to travel a bit more...(maybe to a place near you because for some reason y'all don't want to come here) and continuing this blessed and "charmed" existence I have carved out of the desert for myself. Let's hope that there will be many new stories and adventures for us to share in the new year...
Four days until the year 2011 is history and 2012 comes into being...and what a whirlwind year this one was for your intrepid blogger. It was a year in which my job became more of a career with promotions, increases in remuneration and opportunities to travel. It was the busiest summer I have seen in my security days, with trips to Orange County (Barrett-Jackson) and New York (US Open Tennis) and my promotion to event manager, providing me with more job security...(and a lot more responsibility, but it was a welcome thing). After a colorful career in the tire business and my move here in 2008, I never knew that a part-time job to work at a golf tournament would blossom into a career of its own, but it has and it's truly a blessing to do something that I thoroughly enjoy...(and get paid doing it!). I always wondered what it would be like...I knew several people who had the job they really liked, and now that I am one of those people, I've come to realize that it was worth the wait. Sure, the hours are daunting at times...(16-17 hour days), and the money is not all that great...but when you're doing what you enjoy doing, it all works out in the end. The perks far outweigh the negatives. Free concerts, behind the scenes at most events, access to places most people aren't allowed, escorting celebrities and sports stars and getting to meet people from all walks of life and places are just some of the things I'll trade for a pile of money and a weekend. My schedule is such that I work most weekends, but being off during the week is a blast...
This year brought my nieces for a visit in April for spring break and I got to explore this beautiful place where I live with the people who mean the most to me... my sister and her family. When she told me that she would try to come out again in 2012 it was hard to contain my excitement and I am already researching plans for the next visit. Arizona turns 100 years old in 2012 and I hope there will be centennial stuff to do all year. I was in Virginia for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown (oldest English settlement in the New World and a great name to boot) and to be here to celebrate Arizona's 100th will be equally exciting. I also got to return the favor with a visit to Virginia for the girls' birthdays...(made sure I was there for both this time to avoid the controversy). I also spent some time in Utah and crossed it off my golf bucket list. I am hoping 2012 will allow me to continue my quest and tour the West. Aruba was also in the mix and never fails to remind me how beautiful a small island...(a mere dot on the map) can truly be.
This year also brought a more healthy lifestyle and continued good health with a few curve balls thrown in...(what the heck bit me on Aruba?). All in all, 2011 was a healthy year for me...(no sick days taken and no days missed due to illness). I pray that that trend will continue in the next year. It also was an interesting dating year. I met some interesting women via the Internet dating route...(trying to be PC here) and some more on my own. Needless to say, as I am writing to you now I am still single and relationship-less...(not a word, I know, hence the hyphen). My innate knack to attract the drama filled scenarios that I find myself involved in, while exciting at the time, have never developed into anything more substantial. I blame myself for this entirely. Loretta would say that I am too picky...(and I am). Be that as it may, the search continues...(and who doesn't enjoy a good search).
So lets take a moment during these last 4 days of 2011 and reflect on the year that was and make some solid plans for the year to come. If all continues on the present course, 2012 will find me still single...(don't feel bad, I'm good at it), able to travel a bit more...(maybe to a place near you because for some reason y'all don't want to come here) and continuing this blessed and "charmed" existence I have carved out of the desert for myself. Let's hope that there will be many new stories and adventures for us to share in the new year...
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #3
In the third blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me, three golf stories, two Christmas wishes, and the story of HCG...(This is going to get more difficult as the days go on, but let's play and sing along, shall we?).
Today, I will regale you with stories about my escapades on the golf course and golf related news. As you know, golf is pretty much what I'm all about...(it's the reason I moved here in the first place). The plethora of course choices and the weather allows me to play a variety of course types and year round. There are the true desert courses...those with grass only on the tee boxes, fairways, and greens where the rest of the course is waste areas and cactus and rocks...(which I have dubbed "the native"--you don't want to hit your shot into "the native"). These courses put a premium on accuracy and distance control and are a true challenge (and a colossal pain in the butt). The rewards are great if you play well, but a bad round multiplies faster than rabbits in heat and can cost you quite a few golf balls. Then there are the combination courses. They still have "the native" surrounding the holes, but there is more grass surrounding the fairways (rough) and greens. These are a little easier but they usually have more bunkers and water hazards to make up for it. Then there are what I call "east coast" courses. All grass and mature trees with very little of "the native" surrounding it... (as you can guess there are very few of these in the desert). Real trees, what a concept. These courses allow you spray the ball around more but then you have to deal with hanging branches and blocked shots, just like back East. My home course is called Longbow and is located in Mesa, Az. It is a combination of all three types of courses I just described with several holes for each type. There are also 4 sets of tees to choose from ranging in yardage from 7100 yards and in. It was here that I shot my first round under par (70) for eighteen holes.
Which brings me to story two of our golf trilogy... my goals as a golfer. My handicap at the moment is 4.6 (there is a mathematical formula involved, so I let the Arizona Golf Association geeks do that for me). Professional golfers have negative handicaps and those with a zero (0) are called "scratch" golfers and that is the goal. Another goal is to play a round of golf in all fifty states and a few countries...(I have already started this trek and will continue as time and money will allow). When I am coming to a state near you I will try and let you know so that we can arrange a visit... Hand in hand with the handicap goal is to shoot a round of golf in the sixties (score, that is, not temperature). I have a couple or three scores of 70, but have not been able to crack that sub-70 barrier. Those are the long range goals. For the upcoming year of 2012, I want to accomplish 100 rounds of golf for the year. I know it will be difficult because of my added responsibilities at work, but nothing worth having is easy and hard work and dedication are needed in order to accomplish anything worthwhile...(worthwhile to me that is).
Last but not least is an idea I have been toying with for a little over a year now and have not discussed in this forum before...(I may have already, but humor me, I'm old). I have been toying with the idea of writing a book about golf and my personal relationship with the game I truly love. It would be stories about my past struggles with alcohol and drugs and how the game of golf contributed to saving me and helped me to get where I am today. I have discussed this with my sister and have some pretty solid ideas, so it's just a matter of putting pen to paper...(more like fingers to keyboard). The ultimate challenge is to keep me focused long enough to see the project through...(you all know how hard THAT will be), but I believe it's a story that I need to tell for myself and maybe to help someone else struggling with what I went through. It may never get published, but I believe the process is the thing I need...(don't worry, I am not in any trouble. My sobriety is stronger than ever). It's time to bring that period of my life back into focus so that I can close the door on it once and for all. Dwelling in the past is an opportunity to repeat past mistakes, but the message I believe that's in there is important and I want to share it. I will keep you up to date on progress and ask you to remind me to keep working on this...
Today, I will regale you with stories about my escapades on the golf course and golf related news. As you know, golf is pretty much what I'm all about...(it's the reason I moved here in the first place). The plethora of course choices and the weather allows me to play a variety of course types and year round. There are the true desert courses...those with grass only on the tee boxes, fairways, and greens where the rest of the course is waste areas and cactus and rocks...(which I have dubbed "the native"--you don't want to hit your shot into "the native"). These courses put a premium on accuracy and distance control and are a true challenge (and a colossal pain in the butt). The rewards are great if you play well, but a bad round multiplies faster than rabbits in heat and can cost you quite a few golf balls. Then there are the combination courses. They still have "the native" surrounding the holes, but there is more grass surrounding the fairways (rough) and greens. These are a little easier but they usually have more bunkers and water hazards to make up for it. Then there are what I call "east coast" courses. All grass and mature trees with very little of "the native" surrounding it... (as you can guess there are very few of these in the desert). Real trees, what a concept. These courses allow you spray the ball around more but then you have to deal with hanging branches and blocked shots, just like back East. My home course is called Longbow and is located in Mesa, Az. It is a combination of all three types of courses I just described with several holes for each type. There are also 4 sets of tees to choose from ranging in yardage from 7100 yards and in. It was here that I shot my first round under par (70) for eighteen holes.
Which brings me to story two of our golf trilogy... my goals as a golfer. My handicap at the moment is 4.6 (there is a mathematical formula involved, so I let the Arizona Golf Association geeks do that for me). Professional golfers have negative handicaps and those with a zero (0) are called "scratch" golfers and that is the goal. Another goal is to play a round of golf in all fifty states and a few countries...(I have already started this trek and will continue as time and money will allow). When I am coming to a state near you I will try and let you know so that we can arrange a visit... Hand in hand with the handicap goal is to shoot a round of golf in the sixties (score, that is, not temperature). I have a couple or three scores of 70, but have not been able to crack that sub-70 barrier. Those are the long range goals. For the upcoming year of 2012, I want to accomplish 100 rounds of golf for the year. I know it will be difficult because of my added responsibilities at work, but nothing worth having is easy and hard work and dedication are needed in order to accomplish anything worthwhile...(worthwhile to me that is).
Last but not least is an idea I have been toying with for a little over a year now and have not discussed in this forum before...(I may have already, but humor me, I'm old). I have been toying with the idea of writing a book about golf and my personal relationship with the game I truly love. It would be stories about my past struggles with alcohol and drugs and how the game of golf contributed to saving me and helped me to get where I am today. I have discussed this with my sister and have some pretty solid ideas, so it's just a matter of putting pen to paper...(more like fingers to keyboard). The ultimate challenge is to keep me focused long enough to see the project through...(you all know how hard THAT will be), but I believe it's a story that I need to tell for myself and maybe to help someone else struggling with what I went through. It may never get published, but I believe the process is the thing I need...(don't worry, I am not in any trouble. My sobriety is stronger than ever). It's time to bring that period of my life back into focus so that I can close the door on it once and for all. Dwelling in the past is an opportunity to repeat past mistakes, but the message I believe that's in there is important and I want to share it. I will keep you up to date on progress and ask you to remind me to keep working on this...
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas... #2
In the second blog of Christmas, my blogger gave to me, two Christmas wishes and the story of HCG... The first Christmas wish is that this blog finds you surrounded by family and friends and truly enjoying this special holiday. Those parents out there will be up to their necks in wrapping paper and ribbons and the Dads will be spending the day inserting tab A into tab B and performing "some assembly required". The noise level in the homes will be reaching that of an airport with the kids screeching and running around the house. The smells of dinner cooking wafting through the house... the doorbells ringing signalling the arrival of company... these are the sights and sounds I wish for you today. Those of you who are spending Christmas with just your own family, I wish you the joy of the kids endless energy and unwrapping ability (where does all that energy go as we age?), the pleasure of being home for the holiday with just your loved ones, and the extreme pleasure of not getting dressed up (it's a sweats and slippers kind of day, eh?) to go visiting. Those of you who are travelling this Christmas to be with family, I wish you safe travels and on-time departures and arrivals, no traffic jams and clear highways, no idiots on the road (it's a wish that NEVER come true!) and plenty of parking and good travel weather. And for those of you who are spending the holiday alone (including your intrepid blogger) I wish you the joy of peace and quiet, of time to reflect on the spirit of the season and time to catch up on texts and emails and whatever you need to do. That is the first wish for all of you...
The second wish is that we all remember what this special season is about. No, I'm not getting on a soapbox or a pulpit and preaching religion... I happen to be working today at the Convention Center. The Salvation Army is putting on a dinner for over 7500 hundred people complete with a drive through pickup for volunteers who are delivering meals to shut-ins and those who can't afford to come here. There are toys for the kids and small bags of food to go with the guests. And there are many volunteers who have been here since Thursday and before sunrise this morning preparing the gift bags and the meals and setting up for this dinner. The doors opened and hundreds of people flowed in and it breaks my heart that there are so many people and so many children who are in need of this special occasion. I am not soliciting donations and I'm sure all of you give back in some way, but my wish is that we remember the less fortunate and people who volunteer to help them. It's important in these times where people who have a heightened sense of "entitlement" (those who have forgotten that hard work is how we get ahead) to remember the people who need our help the most...the homeless, displaced families, those who have lost jobs and can't find work (not the ones who WON'T work because the jobs are "beneath" them). And especially the families with children who have no control over their situation. It's the selfless and random acts of kindness that bring meaning to the holidays. My second wish is that these deserving families get the help they need. Let's all be truly thankful for how blessed we've been and not take for granted the simple pleasures we get to enjoy. Merry Christmas to all, and "God bless us, EVERYONE! (thanks,Tiny Tim)...
The second wish is that we all remember what this special season is about. No, I'm not getting on a soapbox or a pulpit and preaching religion... I happen to be working today at the Convention Center. The Salvation Army is putting on a dinner for over 7500 hundred people complete with a drive through pickup for volunteers who are delivering meals to shut-ins and those who can't afford to come here. There are toys for the kids and small bags of food to go with the guests. And there are many volunteers who have been here since Thursday and before sunrise this morning preparing the gift bags and the meals and setting up for this dinner. The doors opened and hundreds of people flowed in and it breaks my heart that there are so many people and so many children who are in need of this special occasion. I am not soliciting donations and I'm sure all of you give back in some way, but my wish is that we remember the less fortunate and people who volunteer to help them. It's important in these times where people who have a heightened sense of "entitlement" (those who have forgotten that hard work is how we get ahead) to remember the people who need our help the most...the homeless, displaced families, those who have lost jobs and can't find work (not the ones who WON'T work because the jobs are "beneath" them). And especially the families with children who have no control over their situation. It's the selfless and random acts of kindness that bring meaning to the holidays. My second wish is that these deserving families get the help they need. Let's all be truly thankful for how blessed we've been and not take for granted the simple pleasures we get to enjoy. Merry Christmas to all, and "God bless us, EVERYONE! (thanks,Tiny Tim)...
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Twelve Blogs of Christmas...
In the first blog of Christmas, my blogger (that would be me) gave to me (that would be you) the story of HCG... Those of you who have been following these random rants that I put out...(and that's ALL of you, right?), know that I have been promising to lose weight and get back in shape, (IN shape... you had to have been in shape at one time to go back there), yada, yada, yada, over and over again. Well, thanks to the world wide web and a website called DealChicken.com, that process has been going on since I returned from my island paradise. I have told no one except for the people at work and my friend Victor (who I told earlier today). And now it is time to broadcast this experiment to all of blogdom...
DealChicken.com is a website that offers discounts on services and products and restaurants and sends an email every day with a new deal. Before I went to Aruba a deal appeared for the HCG diet from a doctor and weight loss clinic in Scottsdale for a 6 week program. The program normally costs over 700 dollars. I got in for 200. I made my appointment for the day after I returned from Aruba...(didn't want to miss out on those vacation restaurant meals!). I had a consultation and received my HCG...(sub-lingual tabs--shots would have been a deal breaker). I was told to eat as much fat as I could (no problem--it was my regular routine) for 2 days while taking the HCG. Then I went on a 500 calorie a day diet starting Wednesday, December 7. The HCG is a hormone that triggers the use of stored fat through the hypothalamus when the body burns the 500 calories. The stored fat is burned instead of food. The result is that there is no fatigue, no sluggishness, no loss of energy at all. To make a long story short...(and you know I HATE to do that), I never felt so good eating so little. The results so far: Today is day 18 of the diet (you weigh yourself every morning) and the scale read 197.8! Nineteen ugly pounds of fat (no, my head did not fall off) have been burned off my frame. My energy levels are through the roof and I am reteaching myself how and when to eat and all the information was given to me by the center and their staff.
Now, I know some of you may be worried about possible side effects, but there is none...(at least in my case). I have not grown a set of man-boobs, I don't wish to have a child, and I'm still a woman chasing pig...(did I really need to add that last tidbit of information?). I feel great and just to be sure I scheduled some medical testing on the 22nd of this month (last Thursday) through Life Line Screening. I did the entire gamut of tests available...carotid artery, abdominal artery, P.A.D, blood work, osteoporosis and some I can't remember. The results? Everything is good. Triglycerides-normal, blood pressure-115/64, cholesterol-154 (down 55 pts from last check). I will get the rest of the results in the mail when it goes to the lab. I have 12 days to go and then I begin Phase II which introduces more food choices and gets me off the HCG. Again, all the information and guesswork is taken out by the weight loss center. After 3 weeks of non-HCG eating (resetting the hypothalamus and stabilizing my weight, I will be ready to incorporate my new eating habits in the world of restaurants and parties. Another plus to the program is that there is no flabby, saggy skin or stretch marks from the weight loss because your body is burning the stored fat and the loss is not from starvation (even though 500 calories seems like it). I'm drinking 4 to 5 liters of water per day and taking vitamins and I look good...(OK, as good as I could possibly look, the diet isn't a miracle worker).
So the first blog of Christmas is a good one. I started this diet before the New Year's resolutions because my resolution is to keep this up in the coming year through increased exercise and smart eating. I want to hang around here for awhile and watch my nieces and my cousins' kids (that's ALL my cousins, Anna) grow up. I have a bucket list and need some time to cross off the things I want to do and accomplish while I can and this is a great step toward that goal. Merry Christmas to all of you from the formerly rotund blogger. Get ready because I have 11 more blogs coming at you this holiday season. (One a day, like the vitamins). Ho,Ho,Ho, I'm out of here...
DealChicken.com is a website that offers discounts on services and products and restaurants and sends an email every day with a new deal. Before I went to Aruba a deal appeared for the HCG diet from a doctor and weight loss clinic in Scottsdale for a 6 week program. The program normally costs over 700 dollars. I got in for 200. I made my appointment for the day after I returned from Aruba...(didn't want to miss out on those vacation restaurant meals!). I had a consultation and received my HCG...(sub-lingual tabs--shots would have been a deal breaker). I was told to eat as much fat as I could (no problem--it was my regular routine) for 2 days while taking the HCG. Then I went on a 500 calorie a day diet starting Wednesday, December 7. The HCG is a hormone that triggers the use of stored fat through the hypothalamus when the body burns the 500 calories. The stored fat is burned instead of food. The result is that there is no fatigue, no sluggishness, no loss of energy at all. To make a long story short...(and you know I HATE to do that), I never felt so good eating so little. The results so far: Today is day 18 of the diet (you weigh yourself every morning) and the scale read 197.8! Nineteen ugly pounds of fat (no, my head did not fall off) have been burned off my frame. My energy levels are through the roof and I am reteaching myself how and when to eat and all the information was given to me by the center and their staff.
Now, I know some of you may be worried about possible side effects, but there is none...(at least in my case). I have not grown a set of man-boobs, I don't wish to have a child, and I'm still a woman chasing pig...(did I really need to add that last tidbit of information?). I feel great and just to be sure I scheduled some medical testing on the 22nd of this month (last Thursday) through Life Line Screening. I did the entire gamut of tests available...carotid artery, abdominal artery, P.A.D, blood work, osteoporosis and some I can't remember. The results? Everything is good. Triglycerides-normal, blood pressure-115/64, cholesterol-154 (down 55 pts from last check). I will get the rest of the results in the mail when it goes to the lab. I have 12 days to go and then I begin Phase II which introduces more food choices and gets me off the HCG. Again, all the information and guesswork is taken out by the weight loss center. After 3 weeks of non-HCG eating (resetting the hypothalamus and stabilizing my weight, I will be ready to incorporate my new eating habits in the world of restaurants and parties. Another plus to the program is that there is no flabby, saggy skin or stretch marks from the weight loss because your body is burning the stored fat and the loss is not from starvation (even though 500 calories seems like it). I'm drinking 4 to 5 liters of water per day and taking vitamins and I look good...(OK, as good as I could possibly look, the diet isn't a miracle worker).
So the first blog of Christmas is a good one. I started this diet before the New Year's resolutions because my resolution is to keep this up in the coming year through increased exercise and smart eating. I want to hang around here for awhile and watch my nieces and my cousins' kids (that's ALL my cousins, Anna) grow up. I have a bucket list and need some time to cross off the things I want to do and accomplish while I can and this is a great step toward that goal. Merry Christmas to all of you from the formerly rotund blogger. Get ready because I have 11 more blogs coming at you this holiday season. (One a day, like the vitamins). Ho,Ho,Ho, I'm out of here...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Loved the trip...
I seem to be in a writing mood today... Now that you have absorbed the ordeal of the "what the hell bit me?", I just wanted to thank Bob and Toni and the Daddys for a GREAT vacation. Even though I did practically nothing all week...(again, that was the plan all along), it was great to be able to spend time with them. A 2500 mile separation has not changed my feelings of friendship for them and I can't think of a more beautiful place to get together and lie on the beach, nap, eat dinner, nap, swim in the ocean, nap, play a round of golf and reconnect (you thought I was going to put another nap in, didn't you?) with my good friends from New York. Sharing the same vacation week is something I look forward to every year and being with them is a blessing each and every year. My thanks to the Daddys for making a special trip down to Aruba to hang with the "time-sharers". It was great to see you guys and I'm glad everything is well with you... (now if I could just get you to visit Arizona, that would be sweet).
Things have finally slowed down at work and I have more days off... (poor me!) so the golf game will get some needed attention. I worked the Joe Bonnamassa show at the Orpheum last night and let me tell you, that guy can play guitar. I haven't seen guitar work like that live since Jorma Kaukonen at the Palladium many moons ago. What a terrific show. Two and a half hours with no intermission and some kick-ass blues and rock n roll. I was back at the sound board and it was sweet. The Nutcracker starts its Christmas run at Symphony Hall this week and the Cat show (Feline Fanciers) is back again...(more bald cats than I need to see). We are gearing up for a busy January and February so I will enjoy the time off. Christmas decorations are on the to do list. An early Happy Holidays from me to all of you. I hope this special season will mean something more special than the commercial fiasco it has been turned into...
Things have finally slowed down at work and I have more days off... (poor me!) so the golf game will get some needed attention. I worked the Joe Bonnamassa show at the Orpheum last night and let me tell you, that guy can play guitar. I haven't seen guitar work like that live since Jorma Kaukonen at the Palladium many moons ago. What a terrific show. Two and a half hours with no intermission and some kick-ass blues and rock n roll. I was back at the sound board and it was sweet. The Nutcracker starts its Christmas run at Symphony Hall this week and the Cat show (Feline Fanciers) is back again...(more bald cats than I need to see). We are gearing up for a busy January and February so I will enjoy the time off. Christmas decorations are on the to do list. An early Happy Holidays from me to all of you. I hope this special season will mean something more special than the commercial fiasco it has been turned into...
Back in the U.S.of A...
Hope you missed me! I am back in the USA and am scratching my head and grabbing some blankets. A genuine cold snap has gripped Arizona and the temps are in the 30's and 40's overnight and the highs barely make it out of the 50's. The sun is still shining though and the fireplace is up and running and I actually kicked the heat on in the apartment. Bright sunshine and crisp fall air, nothing better after a week in paradise... and it was a week in paradise. Found two new restaurants to add in to "the mix" of places to eat, shot a phenomenal round of golf at Tierra del Sol (75) and did it barefoot by the way. Which brings me to the only downer about the trip...
Tierra Del Sol is one of two golf courses on the island and is a beautiful track on the western end of the island by the California lighthouse and beyond the high rise hotel area. The course was in gorgeous shape so I wore flip flops instead of golf shoes to negotiate the cart paths and rocks around the tee boxes...(that was the plan all along because I didn't even bring golf shoes with me). So I would kick off the flip flops, hit my shot and so on around the course. On the back nine the top of my left foot began to itch in a way I am all too familiar and I thought to myself that I may have walked through some poison ivy or poison whatever they have in Aruba, but I didn't see any rash or blisters forming so I didn't scratch it or bother it. It continued to be a minor nuisance that night and I saw two pimple like sores forming on the top of my foot. When I awoke the next day they had become pus filled pimples so I guessed that a spider might have gotten me and I popped them and covered them with a band aid. Throughout that day my foot began to swell and didn't stop. We were downtown shopping and I noticed two more "bites" between my toes and they were swelling as well. Then my calf muscle started to tighten up and I began to worry...
On the way back on the bus, I decided to stop at the Hospitaal (Dutch spelling), just to make sure that whatever bit me wasn't sending poison from my foot up my leg and into my heart to paralyze or kill me...(I wasn't too worried, eh?). Bob and Jenny came along to keep me company. I limped into the hospital and told them what I wanted and they said I needed to go to the emergency room so I followed a security guard and we ended up in the parking lot again (what? didn't they believe me?) but it was a back way to the emergency room and I checked in at the cashier and the swelling in my wallet was immediately reduced, but my foot was still huge. We waited about a half hour and the triage nurse came and put a wet bandage on my foot (gauze soaked in the sink) and sent me back to wait for the doctor. Two hours later I was taken inside and the doctor came in, cleaned the four wounds and found two additional bites which he lanced with needles (FUN!). He couldn't determine what bit me (possibly a millipede) but he assured me I wasn't dying a slow death by venom poisoning. The nurse cleaned me up some more, reapplied the wet bandage and told me to soak my foot in the ocean (it was best cure of all). So $300.00 dollars later...(160.00 just to get in the waiting room, 90.00 for the wet bandage and the doctor visit, and then 50.00 bucks for the antibiotics at the pharmacy) I limped out of the hospitaal.
The funniest thing about the story was that Bob had mentioned that day that he wondered what the inside of the hospitaal looked like. I"m glad that I could oblige him the tour we got. If he ever wants to visit a funeral home or morgue, I don't want to know about it. But all that aside, the foot is fine and I am fine and glad to be back...
Tierra Del Sol is one of two golf courses on the island and is a beautiful track on the western end of the island by the California lighthouse and beyond the high rise hotel area. The course was in gorgeous shape so I wore flip flops instead of golf shoes to negotiate the cart paths and rocks around the tee boxes...(that was the plan all along because I didn't even bring golf shoes with me). So I would kick off the flip flops, hit my shot and so on around the course. On the back nine the top of my left foot began to itch in a way I am all too familiar and I thought to myself that I may have walked through some poison ivy or poison whatever they have in Aruba, but I didn't see any rash or blisters forming so I didn't scratch it or bother it. It continued to be a minor nuisance that night and I saw two pimple like sores forming on the top of my foot. When I awoke the next day they had become pus filled pimples so I guessed that a spider might have gotten me and I popped them and covered them with a band aid. Throughout that day my foot began to swell and didn't stop. We were downtown shopping and I noticed two more "bites" between my toes and they were swelling as well. Then my calf muscle started to tighten up and I began to worry...
On the way back on the bus, I decided to stop at the Hospitaal (Dutch spelling), just to make sure that whatever bit me wasn't sending poison from my foot up my leg and into my heart to paralyze or kill me...(I wasn't too worried, eh?). Bob and Jenny came along to keep me company. I limped into the hospital and told them what I wanted and they said I needed to go to the emergency room so I followed a security guard and we ended up in the parking lot again (what? didn't they believe me?) but it was a back way to the emergency room and I checked in at the cashier and the swelling in my wallet was immediately reduced, but my foot was still huge. We waited about a half hour and the triage nurse came and put a wet bandage on my foot (gauze soaked in the sink) and sent me back to wait for the doctor. Two hours later I was taken inside and the doctor came in, cleaned the four wounds and found two additional bites which he lanced with needles (FUN!). He couldn't determine what bit me (possibly a millipede) but he assured me I wasn't dying a slow death by venom poisoning. The nurse cleaned me up some more, reapplied the wet bandage and told me to soak my foot in the ocean (it was best cure of all). So $300.00 dollars later...(160.00 just to get in the waiting room, 90.00 for the wet bandage and the doctor visit, and then 50.00 bucks for the antibiotics at the pharmacy) I limped out of the hospitaal.
The funniest thing about the story was that Bob had mentioned that day that he wondered what the inside of the hospitaal looked like. I"m glad that I could oblige him the tour we got. If he ever wants to visit a funeral home or morgue, I don't want to know about it. But all that aside, the foot is fine and I am fine and glad to be back...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Going to Aruba!
Going to Aruba! Going to Aruba! cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha! Sorry about rubbing it in, but this week at work has made me appreciate this trip more and more... 70 hours of fun (and that was with 2 days off). Again, there is no complaining, just tired, is all. This job (event manger) never ceases to challenge and teach me new things. Like being told we did a good job at the concert and then my boss getting her butt handed to her 10 minutes later by the same guy, calling our crew the worst he's ever seen! We figured the "talent" didn't like the way we handled his beloved fans (by the way, we handled them professionally. They are not allowed on stage and we didn't let them). An investigation followed, reports were written, witnesses were interviewed and we had a meeting with the head of security for the Convention Center. I spoke with him today and he believes that the client didn't have grounds to complain and he was satisfied that we performed our jobs as we were trained. If the client wanted to allow a certain amount of patrons on stage, he should have communicated that to our staff.
That was a 17.5 hour day (Sunday) which followed a 17 hour day (Saturday) which followed a 12.5 hour day (Friday...which doesn't figure in this week's total hours). The Auto Show rounded off this week and it started on Thanksgiving Day and will run through the weekend. Lots of cars and lots of people looking at those cars... and lots of employees watching those people looking at lots of cars and little old me watching the lots of employees watching the lots of people looking at lots of cars... (you following this?, because I think I'm lost). I work Thanksgiving Day so that my bosses (who have families) can enjoy the holiday and the day after...(the time and a half pay also fuels my generosity) and its because I usually go to Aruba right after Thanksgiving...(my flight leaves 4.5 hours from now, in fact). I am red-eyeing (that can't be a word, can it?) to Atlanta, then a hop to Orlando and then on to "my " island (Aruba). There are easier ways to go, but I paid for my trip in American Express points and that the way it has to be. I will be there until next Saturday with my lovely and good friend Jenny, who has never been there...(get to see the island through a newbies eyes). We fly back to Orlando Saturday night, stay at a hotel...(free night with Holiday Inn points). Then Sunday, it's off to Atlanta and home to Phoenix by 2pm (Arizona time-which is now MST-remember, we just change time zones, not clocks. Love flying west!). So I will be off the air (blog) for a week or so...(not that I'm on the air (blog) that often that you would notice), but being the man who I am, I wanted to let you know. December is a slow time for security (I hope) so there will be new and different adventures that I will attempt and hopefully they will serve to entertain you.
So I am off to Aruba and sandy beaches and gentle waves and my friends from New York. Living the dream, baby! Adios!
That was a 17.5 hour day (Sunday) which followed a 17 hour day (Saturday) which followed a 12.5 hour day (Friday...which doesn't figure in this week's total hours). The Auto Show rounded off this week and it started on Thanksgiving Day and will run through the weekend. Lots of cars and lots of people looking at those cars... and lots of employees watching those people looking at lots of cars and little old me watching the lots of employees watching the lots of people looking at lots of cars... (you following this?, because I think I'm lost). I work Thanksgiving Day so that my bosses (who have families) can enjoy the holiday and the day after...(the time and a half pay also fuels my generosity) and its because I usually go to Aruba right after Thanksgiving...(my flight leaves 4.5 hours from now, in fact). I am red-eyeing (that can't be a word, can it?) to Atlanta, then a hop to Orlando and then on to "my " island (Aruba). There are easier ways to go, but I paid for my trip in American Express points and that the way it has to be. I will be there until next Saturday with my lovely and good friend Jenny, who has never been there...(get to see the island through a newbies eyes). We fly back to Orlando Saturday night, stay at a hotel...(free night with Holiday Inn points). Then Sunday, it's off to Atlanta and home to Phoenix by 2pm (Arizona time-which is now MST-remember, we just change time zones, not clocks. Love flying west!). So I will be off the air (blog) for a week or so...(not that I'm on the air (blog) that often that you would notice), but being the man who I am, I wanted to let you know. December is a slow time for security (I hope) so there will be new and different adventures that I will attempt and hopefully they will serve to entertain you.
So I am off to Aruba and sandy beaches and gentle waves and my friends from New York. Living the dream, baby! Adios!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving (and all that crap)...
I know the title is a bit cynical, but I trust you will understand my rantings and accept my true feelings by the time this blog is over...(either way I need to express this). The "holidays". Remember how this time of year used to be magical when we were kids... Aside from returning to school and the return of colder, nastier weather in the East... (which meant football in the mud and snow, a nice trade-off), we looked forward to traveling to family's houses to gather together and have a great meal and visit with friends and relatives we didn't get to see very often. And Christmas was a very special holiday, with Christmas concerts and lights ad trees and caroling and annual visits to the relatives. I am sure that there are similar traditions continuing to this day but I feel the message and the "holiday spirit" that permeated this time of year has been trampled on by political correctness and the abolition of anything spiritual. The expression "put Christ back in Christmas" should not have to be used. The joy of giving gifts and the friendliness of the season is being trampled by commercials hawking the latest and greatest, promoting greed and establishing "Black Friday" as the true holiday and Thanksgiving as a day to rest up and fuel up for the carnage at the stores the next day. Is it truly an economic indicator that we are tracking or the further degradation of our society to purchase the latest and greatest so that our kids (most of whom these days have a false sense of entitlement and few social skills) can keep up with their friends and the Joneses?
Again, the opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the opinions of this blog-site or its readers (although I feel there are some out there that share these views). I am thankful for a slew of reasons and wish to list many of them here... (because its my blog and I can--:)). I am thankful for where my life has led me. I do not regret my past, because regrets belong in the past and there is nothing I can do about them except make sure that I don't fall back into bad habits. I am thankful for my health...the fact that I am still alive after what I put myself through is truly a blessing. I am thankful for my relatives...those that are still here (especially those that I have reconnected with) and especially those that have passed on. It is those members of my family (who I will never forget) that gave me the strength and resolve and character (and there were quite a few characters) to be the man that I have become...(wait a minute, should I thank them or blame them?). I am thankful to be able to live where I am truly happy... I am thankful that I have a job that I truly enjoy...(despite the crippling hours at times) and the freedom it provides me to live comfortably here in the desert. I am thankful for my friends, who put up with me in bad times and revel with me in good times...(speaking of good times--4 days to Aruba!!). I am thankful to be living in the greatest country in the world, even though there are those who are trying to tear down the spirit that made this country what it is... (GOD! bless America, In GOD! we trust, I pledge allegiance to the flag, one nation under GOD!). I am thankful for the freedom to be able to write my opinions and express them openly without fear of oppression.
There are so many other little things that I am thankful for...the sunrises and sunsets, hiking in the mountains, the golf courses, the beautiful abundance of nature that is here where I live...(to deny the existence of a higher power when viewing the Grand Canyon or an Arizona sunrise truly boggles my mind!). And my mind is truly boggled...(just ask my nieces!). I am not saying we should go back in time and recapture the spirit I remember, I am saying that allowing that spirit to die is one more knife in the back of family and society. My sincerest wishes to all my family and friends for a very Happy Thanksgiving and my wish for all to remember the spirit of the day that the Pilgrims and Indians shared on that very first Thanksgiving.... (GOD bless all of you).
Again, the opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the opinions of this blog-site or its readers (although I feel there are some out there that share these views). I am thankful for a slew of reasons and wish to list many of them here... (because its my blog and I can--:)). I am thankful for where my life has led me. I do not regret my past, because regrets belong in the past and there is nothing I can do about them except make sure that I don't fall back into bad habits. I am thankful for my health...the fact that I am still alive after what I put myself through is truly a blessing. I am thankful for my relatives...those that are still here (especially those that I have reconnected with) and especially those that have passed on. It is those members of my family (who I will never forget) that gave me the strength and resolve and character (and there were quite a few characters) to be the man that I have become...(wait a minute, should I thank them or blame them?). I am thankful to be able to live where I am truly happy... I am thankful that I have a job that I truly enjoy...(despite the crippling hours at times) and the freedom it provides me to live comfortably here in the desert. I am thankful for my friends, who put up with me in bad times and revel with me in good times...(speaking of good times--4 days to Aruba!!). I am thankful to be living in the greatest country in the world, even though there are those who are trying to tear down the spirit that made this country what it is... (GOD! bless America, In GOD! we trust, I pledge allegiance to the flag, one nation under GOD!). I am thankful for the freedom to be able to write my opinions and express them openly without fear of oppression.
There are so many other little things that I am thankful for...the sunrises and sunsets, hiking in the mountains, the golf courses, the beautiful abundance of nature that is here where I live...(to deny the existence of a higher power when viewing the Grand Canyon or an Arizona sunrise truly boggles my mind!). And my mind is truly boggled...(just ask my nieces!). I am not saying we should go back in time and recapture the spirit I remember, I am saying that allowing that spirit to die is one more knife in the back of family and society. My sincerest wishes to all my family and friends for a very Happy Thanksgiving and my wish for all to remember the spirit of the day that the Pilgrims and Indians shared on that very first Thanksgiving.... (GOD bless all of you).
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Who turned off the heat??? and various other ramblings...
It's Saturday afternoon and I am blowing on my hands to warm them! This is not what I signed up for. I wasn't planning on digging out the cool weather gear until after my return from Aruba, but Mother Nature has decided to send me a cold snap...(Arizona cold snap= 60 degrees, no humidity). I know you die hard winter people are chuckling at my plight, but after 3 summers of having my blood boiled, it's freaking cold out here. But up north and west of the Valley they got snow so I will stop bellyaching... It's a crisp fall day here with sun and passing clouds and it will warm up later in the week. Looking forward to watching LSU-Alabama tonight on TV. Have to be back at the office at 6am tomorrow, but I can cut out after the Muslim prayer meeting (Eid Ul-Adha) in the South building. That ends around 1 pm and I can catch the afternoon football games.
Which reminds me...don't forget to "fall back" tonight (daylight savings time). While you guys run around the house resetting clocks on the night stands, microwaves, and other appliances, all of us here in Arizona go from Pacific to Mountain Standard Time...(no clock change--2 hours behind now). It's just another bonus in living here. Not having to change my wrist watch is one of the little annoying things that I don't have to worry about. It frees me up to contemplate more important things...(I'm laughing too). As we speak, "Occupy Phoenix" is marching to all the downtown banks to protest...(they are all closed...nice work). They say they represent the 99%...(I'm not rich but I don't want to be included in their ranks). Get a job, wash, and buy something to stimulate the economy, you morons...(my opinions are my own, they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this blog site. Aren't disclaimers bad-ass?).
OK, enough political commentary...I'll save more for the elections coming up. Countdown is 22 days and counting until I'm on the beach... I hope Vee finds her "bag that fits everything"...(I hope her CRS is not permanent like her Uncle's). It's not as bad as it may seem. My attention span is so short that every day (or even hour) is fresh and exciting. That's why I love blogging. Years (or days) from now I can read and recall (or not) the things I did. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I know I will...
Which reminds me...don't forget to "fall back" tonight (daylight savings time). While you guys run around the house resetting clocks on the night stands, microwaves, and other appliances, all of us here in Arizona go from Pacific to Mountain Standard Time...(no clock change--2 hours behind now). It's just another bonus in living here. Not having to change my wrist watch is one of the little annoying things that I don't have to worry about. It frees me up to contemplate more important things...(I'm laughing too). As we speak, "Occupy Phoenix" is marching to all the downtown banks to protest...(they are all closed...nice work). They say they represent the 99%...(I'm not rich but I don't want to be included in their ranks). Get a job, wash, and buy something to stimulate the economy, you morons...(my opinions are my own, they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this blog site. Aren't disclaimers bad-ass?).
OK, enough political commentary...I'll save more for the elections coming up. Countdown is 22 days and counting until I'm on the beach... I hope Vee finds her "bag that fits everything"...(I hope her CRS is not permanent like her Uncle's). It's not as bad as it may seem. My attention span is so short that every day (or even hour) is fresh and exciting. That's why I love blogging. Years (or days) from now I can read and recall (or not) the things I did. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I know I will...
Friday, November 4, 2011
Chilling (literally) in the Valley of the Sun...
Woke up this morning after working a party at the Convention Center until midnight and found that it is quite chilly...(Phoenix chilly not temperature chilly). Low 60's and cloudy with significant rain in the forecast for tonight and high in the low 60's and 70's for the next week or so. Still better than cold and snowy but a little fast considering that we were still in the 100's just last month. Sweatshirt weather is the best. As the prices go up on the golf courses to accommodate the arrival of the "snowbirds", the emphasis will be to fine tune the game through practice and to explore new courses that I haven't played yet in the valley...(and there are a multitude of those). And despite the dip in temperature, it is still most beautiful here and the countdown is 23 days until Aruba...
Before I forget, I wanted to send many Happy Birthday wishes to Victor in Brick. Today is his birthday and I hope he celebrates accordingly (a Giant victory Sunday over the hated Patriots would be a gift for both of us, pal!). Couple that with a J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! victory over the upstart Bills and we would be right back in the AFC East race after a very lackluster and disappointing start. I would hate for the Jets to tumble further because my other team, the Cardinals, couldn't win if they were the only team on the field...(so hard to watch!). The ballyhooed arrival of Kevin Kolb is turning into a bust and now he's hurt and John Skelton (grandson of Red?) the ex-Fordham product (not exactly a football dynasty) is slated to start against the Rams and AJ Feeley. It a battle for the basement in Arizona...(both teams are 1-6) and good tickets are still available...(good tickets--awful game). Makes me sort of glad that I'm working this Sunday.
Raise your hands if you miss the NBA...(I don't see any in the air). Go play in Europe or wherever and shut-up! The owners and the players are BOTH too greedy for words and I'm not wasting any more on them. College hoops will more than suffice my basketball needs and they play until baseball comes around and spring training is in the Valley. And I like hockey more than pro basketball any day. So cancel the season, see if I care... Happy Birthday, Vic...
Before I forget, I wanted to send many Happy Birthday wishes to Victor in Brick. Today is his birthday and I hope he celebrates accordingly (a Giant victory Sunday over the hated Patriots would be a gift for both of us, pal!). Couple that with a J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! victory over the upstart Bills and we would be right back in the AFC East race after a very lackluster and disappointing start. I would hate for the Jets to tumble further because my other team, the Cardinals, couldn't win if they were the only team on the field...(so hard to watch!). The ballyhooed arrival of Kevin Kolb is turning into a bust and now he's hurt and John Skelton (grandson of Red?) the ex-Fordham product (not exactly a football dynasty) is slated to start against the Rams and AJ Feeley. It a battle for the basement in Arizona...(both teams are 1-6) and good tickets are still available...(good tickets--awful game). Makes me sort of glad that I'm working this Sunday.
Raise your hands if you miss the NBA...(I don't see any in the air). Go play in Europe or wherever and shut-up! The owners and the players are BOTH too greedy for words and I'm not wasting any more on them. College hoops will more than suffice my basketball needs and they play until baseball comes around and spring training is in the Valley. And I like hockey more than pro basketball any day. So cancel the season, see if I care... Happy Birthday, Vic...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Countdown to Aruba...
Happy first of November to you all...Today starts the official countdown to my trip to "my" island, the tropical paradise of Aruba. Can't wait to hang with my New York friends on the beach...(and I'm sure they are looking forward to sun and sand after that freak snowstorm last Saturday). The Daddys have confirmed and I will be bringing a plus 1(Jenny)...renovations are still going on at my resort and I'm interested to see how the place turns out. Once again, I will explore and try to hunt down a new addition or two to our restaurant list (we have been fortunate to find some great out of the way places over the years). Since this is Jenny's first trip, I will let her decide which kind of vacation this will be...(adventure packed vs. lie on the beach do-nothing). I, of course, will be primed for either. So, let the countdown begin... (t-minus 26 days and counting).
Work has shifted back into the busy season, but there are still rounds of golf and days off to be had. The theme for this winter (I know, there is no winter in Phoenix, so how about non-summer?) is more practice. The new clubs are performing well but there are lapses in each round that keep me from consistently scoring lower and that can only be fixed by practice. So, that is what I intend to do. I have more time to practice than play and have found several driving ranges that are close. But, don't feel bad. I still have time to play and I can play all year round...
Work has shifted back into the busy season, but there are still rounds of golf and days off to be had. The theme for this winter (I know, there is no winter in Phoenix, so how about non-summer?) is more practice. The new clubs are performing well but there are lapses in each round that keep me from consistently scoring lower and that can only be fixed by practice. So, that is what I intend to do. I have more time to practice than play and have found several driving ranges that are close. But, don't feel bad. I still have time to play and I can play all year round...
Saturday, October 29, 2011
A moment to catch my breath...
That's what I need after a whirlwind two weeks in Virginia with sister, brother-in-law and the two loves of my life aka Vee and Nat. Those beautiful girls (young ladies) made me so proud and are so great that I will never forget all the fun we had and how much I'm looking forward to seeing them again...(do I hear another February visit possibly?). From hitting golf balls at the driving range, to hanging in the library, and even spending four and a half hours at the mall while they shopped for their birthday presents, each and every moment I got to spend with them was precious and unforgettable. I love them so much it hurts and in the best way possible... Love you, girls!
The flight home was incredibly long even though I got to travel back in time (EST to PST). I landed in Phoenix at 1130 my time and was back on the job Monday morning...and have been on the job since. My welcome home consisted of the Branch Manager pinching a nerve in his neck (out Tuesday and Wednesday) and my immediate boss took Tuesday and Wednesday off and was out sick Thursday so it was "glad you're back, run the show!" in a big way. Luckily, most of the gigs were staffed with our "A" guards and they all showed up and did a stellar job . The hours were long but I was the "boss"...(presiding over a staff of one---me). I have Sunday off and it will be spent doing the domestic chores we all know and hate...laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, ad nauseum. The only good news is that the weather will be picture perfect...(you knew I had to go there), whereas the Northeast is being hit with a fluke snowstorm. Guess everyone will be trick or treating in parkas and snowshoes.
I did get to play golf in the tournament we won last year on Friday this week...(of course I had to work before leaving for the tee time). We played admirably (62) but came up 2 shots short of victory. Mandy from our group won closest to the pin and SHE won the set of tires just like I did last year. We had the only group with 2 women and 2 men (all the other teams were stacked with 4 guys) and we still had a shot at the title... (which we won last year with the same group). My golf bag broke the day before the tournament and I couldn't get out to buy a new one...(the zipper broke on the big pocket and it's pretty old), but guess what? I won a golf bag in the raffle! Still living the dream! I will also be posting numerous pictures from some adventures that I keep forgetting to post. CRS...(Can't Remember S*&^t).
The flight home was incredibly long even though I got to travel back in time (EST to PST). I landed in Phoenix at 1130 my time and was back on the job Monday morning...and have been on the job since. My welcome home consisted of the Branch Manager pinching a nerve in his neck (out Tuesday and Wednesday) and my immediate boss took Tuesday and Wednesday off and was out sick Thursday so it was "glad you're back, run the show!" in a big way. Luckily, most of the gigs were staffed with our "A" guards and they all showed up and did a stellar job . The hours were long but I was the "boss"...(presiding over a staff of one---me). I have Sunday off and it will be spent doing the domestic chores we all know and hate...laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, ad nauseum. The only good news is that the weather will be picture perfect...(you knew I had to go there), whereas the Northeast is being hit with a fluke snowstorm. Guess everyone will be trick or treating in parkas and snowshoes.
I did get to play golf in the tournament we won last year on Friday this week...(of course I had to work before leaving for the tee time). We played admirably (62) but came up 2 shots short of victory. Mandy from our group won closest to the pin and SHE won the set of tires just like I did last year. We had the only group with 2 women and 2 men (all the other teams were stacked with 4 guys) and we still had a shot at the title... (which we won last year with the same group). My golf bag broke the day before the tournament and I couldn't get out to buy a new one...(the zipper broke on the big pocket and it's pretty old), but guess what? I won a golf bag in the raffle! Still living the dream! I will also be posting numerous pictures from some adventures that I keep forgetting to post. CRS...(Can't Remember S*&^t).
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Hi, y'all...
The cross country trek ended last night at midnight...(EST) I arrived in Virginia and finally fell asleep around 2am. It was supposed to begin at 12:30pm (PST) in Phoenix but the flight was delayed one hour so I was at the airport from 10:30 until 1:30 before finally taking off. My connecting flight in Atlanta didn't leave until 10:30pm so my layover was shortened...that's the problem with free flights, you are at the mercy of the airline. The good news was that my seats were in business class and they were very comfortable. Add in a neck pillow and I don't remember the first flight...the captain woke me up with the "we are beginning our descent into Atlanta". So with the extended layovers I needed to purchase a new book. I bought Stephen King's new book of short stories so I hope to be losing some sleep while I'm away.
So, I am here and the girls are at church, so I figured I would blog until they get home. They're home! Gotta go! Laser tag birthday party... Talk to you later.
So, I am here and the girls are at church, so I figured I would blog until they get home. They're home! Gotta go! Laser tag birthday party... Talk to you later.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
What's going on...
Once again, I have lapsed into a non-blogging state. A text from my sister (Love you!) yesterday asking if I was involved in a massive dust storm related traffic pile-up made me realize that I haven't blogged in several weeks. Much has gone on and the excuse that that I have been busy (even I don't believe it) is lame. The excuse is laziness. Sure I have been busy, but so is everyone else... (and you are lots more busy than I am). Work has been interesting and golf has made a major return to my routine and balancing that with trips to the gym and everyday activities has me running around like a madman, but I'm healthy (knock wood) and happy (knock wood) and live in the greatest place on earth where I can pursue my own brand of happiness and live my dream.
Speaking of living the dream, I fly into Virginia on Saturday for a well earned and anticipated vacation with my sister and her family for two glorious weeks. I am bringing a set of golf clubs to leave there for future trips... (along with the set in NY my clubs are getting around). Both the nieces are learning to play, so Uncle Jimmy can provide his expertise and we'll hit the range for some lessons while I'm there. Hoping there will be leaf peeping available...(miss the changing leaves, but not the weather that accompanies it). I will also see if some historical (not hysterical) side trip can be made with the girls. Uncle Jimmy loves his history, you know. It will be great to see my Virginia peeps and hope to play a little golf with Keith and/or Blair while I'm there. Walking the girls to the school bus every morning and having our little chats is one of the little things I love about visiting Virginia...
Work continues to be on the slow side, but plans are heating up for November and December... (we will be starting a recruitment campaign here and in Tucson for upcoming events next year). The Barrett-Jackson auction returns in January followed by the Accenture Match Play Championships in February along with the regular goings-on at the Convention Center. There are plans for trips down to Tucson...(staying a few days) to recruit for the golf tournament, plus my boss wants to see if there is a way for me to go on the road to solicit new business around the valley. He needs to talk to his boss because he wants it to be a commission type job...(getting a percentage of the business I bring in). Also there will be expenses and other considerations so for now it is in the planning stage. But it sounds pretty exciting and I'm up for it...(lots of nice courses in the Tucson area... wink-wink). I have to work on Friday, so today is packing, hold the mail, arrange rides to the airport and laundry day.
Okay, that brings everyone up to speed...oh, yeah. Somebody (besides family) finally came to visit the Valley of the Sun. John (from NY) graduated from his training class in Texas and drove out here to visit and his wife Denise flew in Saturday and they are staying this week looking at possible places for relocation. They stayed at the apartment a couple nights and are renting a timeshare for the week, before driving back to New York next week. Went out to dinner and played golf and enjoyed the visit... No pressure on the rest of you, but this is now the ultimate time to visit. The weather has broken...(it even rained on Tuesday night) and winter is right around the corner... (for you). Most of the golf courses are closing for over-seeding, but by November 1, they will be lush and beautiful again. the apartment has plenty of room and there is even rental apartments open for a nominal fee. Ok, got to get to packing. Will touch base from Virginia, y'all...
Speaking of living the dream, I fly into Virginia on Saturday for a well earned and anticipated vacation with my sister and her family for two glorious weeks. I am bringing a set of golf clubs to leave there for future trips... (along with the set in NY my clubs are getting around). Both the nieces are learning to play, so Uncle Jimmy can provide his expertise and we'll hit the range for some lessons while I'm there. Hoping there will be leaf peeping available...(miss the changing leaves, but not the weather that accompanies it). I will also see if some historical (not hysterical) side trip can be made with the girls. Uncle Jimmy loves his history, you know. It will be great to see my Virginia peeps and hope to play a little golf with Keith and/or Blair while I'm there. Walking the girls to the school bus every morning and having our little chats is one of the little things I love about visiting Virginia...
Work continues to be on the slow side, but plans are heating up for November and December... (we will be starting a recruitment campaign here and in Tucson for upcoming events next year). The Barrett-Jackson auction returns in January followed by the Accenture Match Play Championships in February along with the regular goings-on at the Convention Center. There are plans for trips down to Tucson...(staying a few days) to recruit for the golf tournament, plus my boss wants to see if there is a way for me to go on the road to solicit new business around the valley. He needs to talk to his boss because he wants it to be a commission type job...(getting a percentage of the business I bring in). Also there will be expenses and other considerations so for now it is in the planning stage. But it sounds pretty exciting and I'm up for it...(lots of nice courses in the Tucson area... wink-wink). I have to work on Friday, so today is packing, hold the mail, arrange rides to the airport and laundry day.
Okay, that brings everyone up to speed...oh, yeah. Somebody (besides family) finally came to visit the Valley of the Sun. John (from NY) graduated from his training class in Texas and drove out here to visit and his wife Denise flew in Saturday and they are staying this week looking at possible places for relocation. They stayed at the apartment a couple nights and are renting a timeshare for the week, before driving back to New York next week. Went out to dinner and played golf and enjoyed the visit... No pressure on the rest of you, but this is now the ultimate time to visit. The weather has broken...(it even rained on Tuesday night) and winter is right around the corner... (for you). Most of the golf courses are closing for over-seeding, but by November 1, they will be lush and beautiful again. the apartment has plenty of room and there is even rental apartments open for a nominal fee. Ok, got to get to packing. Will touch base from Virginia, y'all...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Getting older by the minute... Part 2
I almost forgot to tell you the reason for the title of this segment...(which is another factor of getting older, CRS--which stands for Can't Remember Sh$%!). We woke up on Tuesday morning...(me, out of a coma because my last day was a 15.5 hour marathon) and went to airport and took the two planes (layover in Minnesota) and endless hours and finally arrived in Phoenix in the afternoon. And guess what? It was raining... but it was a welcome sight because I was home. I got back to the apartment and found my truck survived...(although the "haboob" that hit had turned my white truck into a beige one). So I jumped into the Jeep and drove around in the rain and met my friend Jenny for dinner and got back to the apartment and crashed hard. Luckily, my boss had given me the rest of the week off because I didn't start feeling better until Saturday morning when I came into the office... Not sick, but sore and fatigued and basically in a funk. I felt every year of my age (and then some) for those three days and let me tell you, it isn't going to happen again.
I know I have told you countless times that I am returning to the gym and changing my eating habits and losing weight, but after this endurance test in New York, I know I can't put it off anymore. The refrigerator is empty, the junk food is in the trash and the "healing" has begun. The last couple of nights, I went for a walk after dinner with Jody, who lives in my apartment complex. I have revisited healthy eating and have acquired more healthy snacks to bring to work and the golf course. I have reinstated my gym membership and will be in there first thing Monday morning. I will continue this regimen while in Virginia and will take a walk with my girls every night... (if it's OK with Mom and Dad). I can't understand why I can't seem to change this crappy lifestyle. It's not like I haven't done it before...(see drug and alcohol recovery and new life in Arizona). I can't wait until a health problem develops to begin. The time is now and here we go again. Hopefully, the next time you see me, I'll be a "lean, mean, fighting machine". (thanks to Bill Murray and the movie "Stripes").
Just in case, I am keeping a log of activities and things I eat during the day to ward off the effects of CRS...and I want y'all (getting my Virginia on for the trip) to remind me if I get to see you. It's all good. Once i get into working out again, the "addict" gene I possess (and it's there) will kick in and I'll stick with it. Wish me luck! Feel the burn! Here me now, listen to me later! no more Girly-man!
I know I have told you countless times that I am returning to the gym and changing my eating habits and losing weight, but after this endurance test in New York, I know I can't put it off anymore. The refrigerator is empty, the junk food is in the trash and the "healing" has begun. The last couple of nights, I went for a walk after dinner with Jody, who lives in my apartment complex. I have revisited healthy eating and have acquired more healthy snacks to bring to work and the golf course. I have reinstated my gym membership and will be in there first thing Monday morning. I will continue this regimen while in Virginia and will take a walk with my girls every night... (if it's OK with Mom and Dad). I can't understand why I can't seem to change this crappy lifestyle. It's not like I haven't done it before...(see drug and alcohol recovery and new life in Arizona). I can't wait until a health problem develops to begin. The time is now and here we go again. Hopefully, the next time you see me, I'll be a "lean, mean, fighting machine". (thanks to Bill Murray and the movie "Stripes").
Just in case, I am keeping a log of activities and things I eat during the day to ward off the effects of CRS...and I want y'all (getting my Virginia on for the trip) to remind me if I get to see you. It's all good. Once i get into working out again, the "addict" gene I possess (and it's there) will kick in and I'll stick with it. Wish me luck! Feel the burn! Here me now, listen to me later! no more Girly-man!
Getting older by the minute...
Hello, it's me again... a heck of a lot has gone on since I last "spoke" to you and I ask your forgiveness once again for not staying in touch. As you know, I went to New York to work the US Open Tennis tournament. As you also know, an earthquake and a hurricane visited the area along with me. Due to circumstances beyond my control...(thanks, Mother Nature), I did not receive the one day off as promised as the tournament was extended until Monday the 12th and I flew back on Tuesday the 13th. So I did not get any time to visit and for that I apologize. It was, however, a working trip, and believe me I worked this trip. I was in charge of security for the hospitality pavilion and the indoor tennis courts and there was much activity during those days. My day began at 5am when I woke up, showered, dressed, and went to the deli on the corner for my daily bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a toasted everything bagel... (God, how I missed those bagels). It was available every morning except Sunday (damn them!) and with breakfast in hand we took the hotel shuttle to the tennis facility. I then began the day at the ITC (Indoor Tennis Center) and posted guards and checked credentials and met quite a few celebrities (I will drop some names in the next paragraph). This went until 3pm when I restocked the deployment with fresh guards for the evening shift and turned the ITC over to the evening supervisor. When guards were plentiful (a rare event), the day flowed smoothly, but there were a few days when I had to supervise my ass off because of lack of staff... But all in all, the USTA folks running the ITC were pleased with my group's performance and the head of security was happy also.
Some of the people who came to the facility... Michelle Obama and her daughters (and a bucketload of Secret Service agents), Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Patrick and John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Tracy Austin, Mary Carillo, Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Mr. Williams (Serena's Dad) and a host of Foreign tennis players I didn't recognize. I got a chance to talk to John McEnroe for a few minutes and it was very cool. I was a big fan of his back in the day and I admit it was a thrill to meet him. I escorted Alec Baldwin to an art exhibit in the book store one night and kept the public at bay while he perused the collection. But mostly my job was to make sure that only those with the proper credentials made it into the parties at the hospitality spaces. I have to admit that my staff of guards did a great job and I want to share the credit for a job well done. And now we come to the frustrating and not so good part of the trip...the hotel we stayed at.
Don't get me wrong, a free room is a great room, but after hearing the shuttle driver talking about how other hotels don't measure up in customer service and quality to them, I'm glad I didn't stay somewhere else because they must be beyond nightmare accommodations. The first night one of the guys we were with had his a/c break and the room was about 97 degrees. Then they put him in a single room with a cot until they fixed it. They shuffled around other people in our party because of various other problems. Twice, the cleaning staff took the used towels and didn't leave fresh ones. The elevator broke down numerous occasions and we had to hoof it up to the 7th floor after a 12 hour day. I gave up on the return shuttle after the 3rd day and walked over to the subway and took it back. I made it back before the guys who waited for the shuttle, and my commute included a seven block walk from the station and a stop at Dunkin' Donuts! But all that aside, it remained standing during the hurricane and the bed was comfortable. After 12 hours walking around the tennis center, I usually went up to the room and had dinner in the bar downstairs and then went to sleep. Exciting times, eh?
Some of the people who came to the facility... Michelle Obama and her daughters (and a bucketload of Secret Service agents), Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Patrick and John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Tracy Austin, Mary Carillo, Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Mr. Williams (Serena's Dad) and a host of Foreign tennis players I didn't recognize. I got a chance to talk to John McEnroe for a few minutes and it was very cool. I was a big fan of his back in the day and I admit it was a thrill to meet him. I escorted Alec Baldwin to an art exhibit in the book store one night and kept the public at bay while he perused the collection. But mostly my job was to make sure that only those with the proper credentials made it into the parties at the hospitality spaces. I have to admit that my staff of guards did a great job and I want to share the credit for a job well done. And now we come to the frustrating and not so good part of the trip...the hotel we stayed at.
Don't get me wrong, a free room is a great room, but after hearing the shuttle driver talking about how other hotels don't measure up in customer service and quality to them, I'm glad I didn't stay somewhere else because they must be beyond nightmare accommodations. The first night one of the guys we were with had his a/c break and the room was about 97 degrees. Then they put him in a single room with a cot until they fixed it. They shuffled around other people in our party because of various other problems. Twice, the cleaning staff took the used towels and didn't leave fresh ones. The elevator broke down numerous occasions and we had to hoof it up to the 7th floor after a 12 hour day. I gave up on the return shuttle after the 3rd day and walked over to the subway and took it back. I made it back before the guys who waited for the shuttle, and my commute included a seven block walk from the station and a stop at Dunkin' Donuts! But all that aside, it remained standing during the hurricane and the bed was comfortable. After 12 hours walking around the tennis center, I usually went up to the room and had dinner in the bar downstairs and then went to sleep. Exciting times, eh?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Surviving Irene...
Due to circumstances beyond my control, the blogging continues! I have survived the Hurricane and because it was not all that it could be (thank God), I now have to go to work... A 2-11pm shift followed by being back at 6am tomorrow...(Lucky me). Don't know what the Tennis Center looks like yet but I get to find out soon. There will be no general public allowed and I don't know how much work they will be able to redo because the winds will be with us the remainder of the day, but the worst is over and now New England bears the brunt of the storm. I hope all my readers and their families are OK and now can begin bailing out and cleaning up after Irene. I need to get ready to go... Talk to you soon.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurrican Irene and the US Open...
I've said it to myself a hundred times and now I will write it here...it just doesn't pay for me to visit the East Coast. I moved in '08 and returned for a visit in June of 2009. I was here for 19 days and it rained for 17 of those days. I told myself then that I would invite everyone to come to Arizona and never set foot back here again... (however, no one took up my offer--except my sister and her family). Then a work opportunity came up where I could come back to New York (which I still love) and get paid for being here. The day before I get here an earthquake hits the area and now I'm hunkered in a hotel room waiting for a category 1 hurricane to hit me in the face. I have seen more rain in 2 days than I've seen in the almost 3 years I've lived in Arizona and I believe I will take Mother Nature's advice this time and stay the hell out West. I will enjoy my work experience and hightail it back where the sun shines and the heat is unbearable. I love all my East Coast friends but this weather is freaking ridiculous!
My assignment for the US Open is to run security for the Indoor Tennis Center which is across from Lewis Armstrong Stadium. There are three stadiums (stadia?) on the grounds... Arthur Ashe, Lewis Armstrong and the Grandstand. Then there are 17 outer courts (5 practice and 12 for matches) around the outside of the stadiums. In the indoor tennis center there are 12 courts... (but courts 1-5 are being set up as corporate hospitality venues, courts 7-9 house the SmashZone for kids, so there are 4 courts for practice for the players). The SmashZone is set up with smaller courts, larger balls and smaller rackets to help kids learn and enjoy the game more. Rafael Nadal (#2 in the world) held a clinic/photo op with a group of kids there on Thursday. So, I was on court during that event and the rest of the time we are there to make sure only those with proper credentials are in the center. Once the tournament starts on Monday (hopefully) the hospitality areas will be filled, the kids will be there and I'll have more people to police the center.
Today the special events (including Arthur Ashe Kids Day) were cancelled in preparation for Hurricane Irene's "visit" to the New York area... I worked my spot as the only guard for the entire center (it was closed to the public and only players, coaches and workers were allowed in the building. The outside courts were open early but by 10am the rains started and all the players were coming to the locked doors trying to get in. So I had to play door man for the rest of the morning. I did get to see Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray arrive for their practice sessions and the building was closed at 2pm to prepare for the storm's arrival. I stayed working until 5pm and then we came back to hotel as the rain worsened and the winds started picking up. The storm is over Delaware and South Jersey as I write this and I will try to blog during Irene's visit when she officially arrives in New York during the day tomorrow. I am scheduled to work 2pm-11pm tomorrow but that may be called off depending on the weather... So I'm back to hunkering and watching for Irene...
My assignment for the US Open is to run security for the Indoor Tennis Center which is across from Lewis Armstrong Stadium. There are three stadiums (stadia?) on the grounds... Arthur Ashe, Lewis Armstrong and the Grandstand. Then there are 17 outer courts (5 practice and 12 for matches) around the outside of the stadiums. In the indoor tennis center there are 12 courts... (but courts 1-5 are being set up as corporate hospitality venues, courts 7-9 house the SmashZone for kids, so there are 4 courts for practice for the players). The SmashZone is set up with smaller courts, larger balls and smaller rackets to help kids learn and enjoy the game more. Rafael Nadal (#2 in the world) held a clinic/photo op with a group of kids there on Thursday. So, I was on court during that event and the rest of the time we are there to make sure only those with proper credentials are in the center. Once the tournament starts on Monday (hopefully) the hospitality areas will be filled, the kids will be there and I'll have more people to police the center.
Today the special events (including Arthur Ashe Kids Day) were cancelled in preparation for Hurricane Irene's "visit" to the New York area... I worked my spot as the only guard for the entire center (it was closed to the public and only players, coaches and workers were allowed in the building. The outside courts were open early but by 10am the rains started and all the players were coming to the locked doors trying to get in. So I had to play door man for the rest of the morning. I did get to see Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray arrive for their practice sessions and the building was closed at 2pm to prepare for the storm's arrival. I stayed working until 5pm and then we came back to hotel as the rain worsened and the winds started picking up. The storm is over Delaware and South Jersey as I write this and I will try to blog during Irene's visit when she officially arrives in New York during the day tomorrow. I am scheduled to work 2pm-11pm tomorrow but that may be called off depending on the weather... So I'm back to hunkering and watching for Irene...
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
New York, New York...
Start spreading the news....I arrived today in the Big Apple. Staying at the Marco in the borough of Queens right around the corner from Citifield and US Tennis Center in Flushing. It is great to be back on the East Coast. Landed around 7 pm local time and went downstairs for dinner and to meet with some of the other people working the event. Tomorrow will be a walk through and then the fun starts on the weekend. Just in time for hurricane Irene to make a landing in the area! Just in time to get here in the aftermath of an East Coast earthquake! (nothing like Mother Nature sending a "welcome back" card). It seems to me that Mother Nature is telling me to keep my visits back East to myself and not to come here at all. But the chance to escape 110+ degree heat was too much to pass up. I can't believe how nice 75 degrees can feel.
Left Phoenix this morning at 9am and had to connect in Minneapolis...(my first sojourn to Minnesota). Luggage made it to NY without a problem and we caught the shuttle from LaGuardia to the hotel. Traffic was a bear and it was great to hear some New Yorkers speak the language. I feel the "f" bombs will be dropping by Monday, and that I will need to use the Rosetta Stone DVDs to reintroduce myself to speaking English after this 3 week gig is up... Just wanted to let everybody know that I arrived in one piece...(and was glad that the Virginians were also in one piece after the earthquake). Okay, it's late and I need some jet lag sleep. Talk to youse guys tomorrow... (oh no! it's starting already).
Left Phoenix this morning at 9am and had to connect in Minneapolis...(my first sojourn to Minnesota). Luggage made it to NY without a problem and we caught the shuttle from LaGuardia to the hotel. Traffic was a bear and it was great to hear some New Yorkers speak the language. I feel the "f" bombs will be dropping by Monday, and that I will need to use the Rosetta Stone DVDs to reintroduce myself to speaking English after this 3 week gig is up... Just wanted to let everybody know that I arrived in one piece...(and was glad that the Virginians were also in one piece after the earthquake). Okay, it's late and I need some jet lag sleep. Talk to youse guys tomorrow... (oh no! it's starting already).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Gearing up for NYC...
What the heck happened to August? Oh well, last week was a relaxing, invigorating week pent in the beautiful mountain areas of Utah and the Grand Canyon's North Rim... Uncle Jim's Trail was a hoot and I had the entire trail to myself except for one woman (who of course came from New York) but the views and the quiet were spectacular. I left enough for a second trip back...(got to keep an eye on the weather because the road into the North Rim closes when there is snow---and trust me, you don't want to driving that road if it's snow covered. I also want to stay in a cabin at the Grand Canyon Lodge at the top or maybe a donkey ride down to the bottom and stay at the Phantom Ranch on the floor of the Canyon. It's a 14.2 mile hike down to the bottom on the North Kaibab Trail but there is no way I am making a round trip back up in the same day. I also need to lose some tonnage to get under the minimum (200 lbs) for the donkey ride. If that doesn't happen, this fat bottom will have to walk (or trip and roll all the way).
Got back yesterday and unpacked and did laundry and started the re-pack for my next jaunt...back to the Big Apple for the US Open Tennis Championship. Three weeks in Queens near the Tennis Center and Citifield (where my awful Mets play). Still don't know my schedule or times or anything except that I will be working everyday. So, East Coast, be prepared. The Arizona Kid is back in the city that never sleeps (ah, 24 hour stores, restaurants open after 10pm, cabs you don't have to call, and more people than I'll know what to do with). Visits to some of you may be in the offing, but again until I know more I can't make any promises... (that is not to say I won't meet you somewhere in Manhattan). "Once around the Park, Bitterman...you know how I love the park." But I expect to be working my ass off, because they (the company) aren't paying my airfare, hotel and per diem to give me a 3 week holiday in NYC...(although that would be sweet, no?). Won't know any details until Thursday or Friday...(don't even know the hotel I'm staying at yet), but the computer is going with me and I will let my fan(s) know the pertinent details...
Got back yesterday and unpacked and did laundry and started the re-pack for my next jaunt...back to the Big Apple for the US Open Tennis Championship. Three weeks in Queens near the Tennis Center and Citifield (where my awful Mets play). Still don't know my schedule or times or anything except that I will be working everyday. So, East Coast, be prepared. The Arizona Kid is back in the city that never sleeps (ah, 24 hour stores, restaurants open after 10pm, cabs you don't have to call, and more people than I'll know what to do with). Visits to some of you may be in the offing, but again until I know more I can't make any promises... (that is not to say I won't meet you somewhere in Manhattan). "Once around the Park, Bitterman...you know how I love the park." But I expect to be working my ass off, because they (the company) aren't paying my airfare, hotel and per diem to give me a 3 week holiday in NYC...(although that would be sweet, no?). Won't know any details until Thursday or Friday...(don't even know the hotel I'm staying at yet), but the computer is going with me and I will let my fan(s) know the pertinent details...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A-Hiking we will go...
Vacation...the word rolls off the tongue nicely. I took the ride up through the northwest corner of Arizona and into Mesquite, Nevada Sunday night. I arrived about 9:30pm without an incident (except for the fuel issue...) There are no gas stations anywhere once you leave Kingman. I had to make the trip to Bagdad, Arizona (again) which is 10 miles off the main road and 10 miles back (no other way around) and paid $3.62 a gallon at the gas station/quickie mart/visitors bureau. Bagdad is a copper mining dot on the map located truly in the middle of nowhere. Nice school though. But I digress (don't I always?). So after gassing up I made the trek through the desert over the new highway above the Hoover Dam (can't see much but much faster route--you can still exit and go down to the dam), through Las Vegas (kept my money in my wallet), and into Mesquite. I was staying at a timeshare exchange called Great Destinations at the Oasis Resort and Casino. I had to check in across the street at the Casablanca because the Oasis closed their casino and office at 8pm. I rolled into the deserted parking lot and found the building I was staying in...(a little leery at the accommodations), but the room was beautiful.
Monday was a golf in Utah day...(by now you know the bucket list--50 rounds in 50 states) so I was checking Utah off the list with a round at the Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah... (about an hour northeast of Mesquite). I had an online tee time of 7:30 am and I left at 6am (plenty of time) to get there and warm up before the round. I crossed the border into Utah and the electric time sign said 7:48 am.I looked at my watch and it said 6:48am. Damn time zone change! I had crossed into Mountain Standard Time. So now I was late! I got to the course at 8:10 and told the starter of my dilemma and he laughed and said it happened all the time. Luckily it was a Monday and there weren't too many people out to play. I joined two other guys and played a round at a spectacular golf course again in the middle of nowhere (there is a ton of "nowhere" here in the West). I can see why they call the "wide open spaces". The course was cut through the high plains with plenty of purple sage and red rock and breathtaking views of the mountains... (didn't see any polygamists walking around--they were further north from where I was).
Tuesday was a 54 hole golf-a-thon at Falcon Ridge right here in Mesquite. A course located literally around the corner from where I was staying. I had set up a morning and afternoon round. I finished the first round about 10:30 and my second tee time wasn't until 1pm. I asked the pro shop if I could go out earlier and he said the magic words "you'll have to play alone" (bonus!). So off I went playing a two ball tournament and I had 54 holes completed by 2:30 in the afternoon...Needless to say my nap at around 5pm took me through the night into Wednesday. Wednesday was a lazy day exploring the immediate area and planning my trip to the North Rim and Uncle Jim's Trail. That's on the docket for today...
Before I go and try not to fall into the Grand Canyon, I want to wish my sister a very Happy Birthday (being the gentleman I am I will not reveal her age). My sister is not just my sister. She's my friend, my confidante, my reality check... (let's face it, that's a full time job in itself). She has the most beautiful nieces an Uncle could wish for and I love them to death. She has the sort of life I would envy if I were the "marrying kind" (and we all know I'm not). So Happy Birthday, Sheryl. Love you!
Monday was a golf in Utah day...(by now you know the bucket list--50 rounds in 50 states) so I was checking Utah off the list with a round at the Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah... (about an hour northeast of Mesquite). I had an online tee time of 7:30 am and I left at 6am (plenty of time) to get there and warm up before the round. I crossed the border into Utah and the electric time sign said 7:48 am.I looked at my watch and it said 6:48am. Damn time zone change! I had crossed into Mountain Standard Time. So now I was late! I got to the course at 8:10 and told the starter of my dilemma and he laughed and said it happened all the time. Luckily it was a Monday and there weren't too many people out to play. I joined two other guys and played a round at a spectacular golf course again in the middle of nowhere (there is a ton of "nowhere" here in the West). I can see why they call the "wide open spaces". The course was cut through the high plains with plenty of purple sage and red rock and breathtaking views of the mountains... (didn't see any polygamists walking around--they were further north from where I was).
Tuesday was a 54 hole golf-a-thon at Falcon Ridge right here in Mesquite. A course located literally around the corner from where I was staying. I had set up a morning and afternoon round. I finished the first round about 10:30 and my second tee time wasn't until 1pm. I asked the pro shop if I could go out earlier and he said the magic words "you'll have to play alone" (bonus!). So off I went playing a two ball tournament and I had 54 holes completed by 2:30 in the afternoon...Needless to say my nap at around 5pm took me through the night into Wednesday. Wednesday was a lazy day exploring the immediate area and planning my trip to the North Rim and Uncle Jim's Trail. That's on the docket for today...
Before I go and try not to fall into the Grand Canyon, I want to wish my sister a very Happy Birthday (being the gentleman I am I will not reveal her age). My sister is not just my sister. She's my friend, my confidante, my reality check... (let's face it, that's a full time job in itself). She has the most beautiful nieces an Uncle could wish for and I love them to death. She has the sort of life I would envy if I were the "marrying kind" (and we all know I'm not). So Happy Birthday, Sheryl. Love you!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
So this is time off...
Holy cow! So this is what time off feels like! It's a Sunday and I'm not making sure someone else is having a good time. I do not have to work until I leave for New York on the 24th and I have planned a road trip up to Mesquite Nevada and into Utah to play some golf and do some hiking and picture taking in Zion National Park and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. So those of you who are my Facebook friends should see some beautiful nature shots and of course spectacular golf courses photos... (the kids are excited to be going along also). The plan is to drive up to Mesquite later today and then I have a round of golf in Utah on Monday (add Utah to the bucket list of 50 rounds in 50 states) and then 36 holes in the Mesquite area on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I plan on hiking in Zion National Park followed on Friday by a trip to the north rim of the Canyon and a walk on Uncle Jim's Trail. A quick overnight stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge and then back to Mesquite on Saturday and maybe another round of golf or two before coming home on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday I'll get ready for NYC and then I'm off to the East Coast for 3 weeks. Nice!
I don't know what my work schedule is yet...(I think they don't want to scare me off) but as you all know (or maybe don't) once the tournament starts they don't take a day off until it finishes two weeks (fortnight) later. And the matches last all day and sometimes late into the night so who knows how much free time I will actually have. I am bummed that I will miss the San Gennaro street festival (it starts on the 15th) but I am glad to be in NY for the tenth anniversary of September 11. That day is forever burned in my memory...(as I'm sure it is for all Americans) and to be back in the city for the occasion will be an emotional time.
OK...got to pack up the car and get out of here. Not much of a break in the weather up in Utah (100 during the day and 70's at night) but I get to wear shorts and I'm not at work. Working on further vacation plans for Virginia in October and of course Aruba in November... (back to normal work environment until it picks up in January. Let's not get too far ahead. ROAD TRIP!!
I don't know what my work schedule is yet...(I think they don't want to scare me off) but as you all know (or maybe don't) once the tournament starts they don't take a day off until it finishes two weeks (fortnight) later. And the matches last all day and sometimes late into the night so who knows how much free time I will actually have. I am bummed that I will miss the San Gennaro street festival (it starts on the 15th) but I am glad to be in NY for the tenth anniversary of September 11. That day is forever burned in my memory...(as I'm sure it is for all Americans) and to be back in the city for the occasion will be an emotional time.
OK...got to pack up the car and get out of here. Not much of a break in the weather up in Utah (100 during the day and 70's at night) but I get to wear shorts and I'm not at work. Working on further vacation plans for Virginia in October and of course Aruba in November... (back to normal work environment until it picks up in January. Let's not get too far ahead. ROAD TRIP!!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Working for a living---Part 3
And the beat goes on... I am in work today as the final move out for the Assemblies of God is going on across the street. We are scheduled until 6pm but hopefully they will be done before that...it has been a killer week and my boss is on vacation so the reighns have fallen to me. I must say that the event has gone pretty smoothly with no major incidents... (there are always some minor complaints but that's business as usual). No thefts, no lost children, some minor medical issues (including one of my dock guards getting hit by a pickup), but nothing major. My dock guard was bumped in the hip as a pickup was backing into a space to unload. Minor bruise is all that was suffered, but it sounded scary on the radio when someone reports that a guard was hit by a vehicle on the loading dock... This event was swarming with people all over the place from start to finish. There were thousands of children here participating in youth activities and prayer councils and services and performances throughout the event at varying times and places so it seemed very confusing and crowded at times, but our staff performed well. The only thing left is for the decorator to pack up the ticket booths and carpeting and pipe and drape and head out of town.
And then tomorrow a new convention is moving in followed on Monday by another. But after this week, the schedule slows down and I have a week off and I am planning a trip either to Albuquerque or into Utah to satisfy my golf bucket list... (one round of golf in all 50 states). I may also do a Staycation in Arizona and explore the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Or I may sleep at the pool and catch up on some much needed sleep here in Tempe. More to follow as the week evolves. It a light week compared to this summer of blockbuster conventions and I'm not working 15 hours days every day... (not every day but a couple). I am scheduled through next Saturday and then nothing (so they say) until I leave for NYC on August 24... (can't wait---there's an everything bagel with lox and cream cheese waiting for me there. And pizza, and restaurants that don't close at 10pm, and all night Dunkin' Donuts!!). So a little R&R and then the Big Apple.
A great big welcome to Charlotte Anna Sloca (not sure of the spelling), Cousin Beck's new daughter and hopefully a one day reader of the adventures of her friend (I have no idea---2nd cousin?) Jim. Makes for interesting bedtime stories, don't you think? (especially since she can't understand what I'm writing about--I'm having a little trouble doing that myself). So welcome, Charley (again the spelling is correct I hope) and I hope to be able to come out and see you in the near future... and of course all the best wishes to her Mom and BIG sister Grace. I know she will have plenty of love in that household.
And then tomorrow a new convention is moving in followed on Monday by another. But after this week, the schedule slows down and I have a week off and I am planning a trip either to Albuquerque or into Utah to satisfy my golf bucket list... (one round of golf in all 50 states). I may also do a Staycation in Arizona and explore the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Or I may sleep at the pool and catch up on some much needed sleep here in Tempe. More to follow as the week evolves. It a light week compared to this summer of blockbuster conventions and I'm not working 15 hours days every day... (not every day but a couple). I am scheduled through next Saturday and then nothing (so they say) until I leave for NYC on August 24... (can't wait---there's an everything bagel with lox and cream cheese waiting for me there. And pizza, and restaurants that don't close at 10pm, and all night Dunkin' Donuts!!). So a little R&R and then the Big Apple.
A great big welcome to Charlotte Anna Sloca (not sure of the spelling), Cousin Beck's new daughter and hopefully a one day reader of the adventures of her friend (I have no idea---2nd cousin?) Jim. Makes for interesting bedtime stories, don't you think? (especially since she can't understand what I'm writing about--I'm having a little trouble doing that myself). So welcome, Charley (again the spelling is correct I hope) and I hope to be able to come out and see you in the near future... and of course all the best wishes to her Mom and BIG sister Grace. I know she will have plenty of love in that household.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Working for a living...Part 2
I spoke too soon... (gee, that's never happened to ME before). The madness continues next week and the first week of August. In the three years I have done security, the summer time is for being bored and hunting for a chance to work...not so this year. MLB is gone and the B.P.O.E (Elks) have taken over the Convention Center followed closely by IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers) and the Assemblies of God in the next two weeks. I have seen a tentative schedule of when I will be working and all I can say is--I shouldn't have looked. Next week is 60 hours and the following week is at 57 hours (not including Thursday and Friday-which I will also be working). So while the bank account is enjoying a good meal, I will be not. But, don't cry for me, Argentina...remember at the end of August I will be in NYC for the US Open. And in November I will be on my island retreat with my peeps from New York. So it looks like I'll have some more BlackJack scratch for the casinos. My apologies to the Daddys for not being able to get up to Las Vegas nest weekend, but "Security Man" is in high demand... (and I'm riding the wave of popular opinion like a politician--except for the lying and the empty promises).
On a personal note...I took the new kids (golf clubs) out for their first outing and they performed exceptionally well. Not only did I hit the ball well, I shot my first round under par in my career...(two under par 70). I hit 12 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation and, drum roll please, I had 27 putts for 18 holes! (for those of you who know me, that's an awesome achievement). Unfortunately, the new clubs have set the bar extremely high for a repeat performance, but the confidence level is as high as the temperature right now...(which of course is over 100 degrees). Useless trivia of the day---the average number of 100+ days in Phoenix--89. The most ever in one year--143 in 1989. Highest recorded temperature for one day--122 on June 26, 1990...(we reached 118 on July 2 this year). OK, I'm breaking a sweat just writing about this. Let's just say it---it's freaking HOT out there.
I need you guys to keep your fingers crossed... I just checked the schedule for the rest of this week and I'm not scheduled (except for 2pm to midnight tonight) for the rest of the week until Saturday when I teach the guard license class...I'm hoping to get a few days off to rest up for the next two weeks but we'll see. Being someones b*&%h is not an easy job, but I'm up to the task. Before I came into the office , the bosses were working these kind of hours every week, so if I can free up some time for them, it's OK with me. And like I said, it won't be this busy all the time and I'll have time off not far down the road. Putting in a vacation request for Aruba and for the end of October so I can go to Virginia and see sister and her family. This time I want to be there for Nat's birthday because I was there for Vee's birthday last year...(got to be a fair Uncle, after all). Trying to include getting my history on...(Virginia is a hotbed for history...love it) and Williamsburg could be the destination. We'll see if we can get the time off first and coordinate with Sheryl...More on that later...I'm off to work.
On a personal note...I took the new kids (golf clubs) out for their first outing and they performed exceptionally well. Not only did I hit the ball well, I shot my first round under par in my career...(two under par 70). I hit 12 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation and, drum roll please, I had 27 putts for 18 holes! (for those of you who know me, that's an awesome achievement). Unfortunately, the new clubs have set the bar extremely high for a repeat performance, but the confidence level is as high as the temperature right now...(which of course is over 100 degrees). Useless trivia of the day---the average number of 100+ days in Phoenix--89. The most ever in one year--143 in 1989. Highest recorded temperature for one day--122 on June 26, 1990...(we reached 118 on July 2 this year). OK, I'm breaking a sweat just writing about this. Let's just say it---it's freaking HOT out there.
I need you guys to keep your fingers crossed... I just checked the schedule for the rest of this week and I'm not scheduled (except for 2pm to midnight tonight) for the rest of the week until Saturday when I teach the guard license class...I'm hoping to get a few days off to rest up for the next two weeks but we'll see. Being someones b*&%h is not an easy job, but I'm up to the task. Before I came into the office , the bosses were working these kind of hours every week, so if I can free up some time for them, it's OK with me. And like I said, it won't be this busy all the time and I'll have time off not far down the road. Putting in a vacation request for Aruba and for the end of October so I can go to Virginia and see sister and her family. This time I want to be there for Nat's birthday because I was there for Vee's birthday last year...(got to be a fair Uncle, after all). Trying to include getting my history on...(Virginia is a hotbed for history...love it) and Williamsburg could be the destination. We'll see if we can get the time off first and coordinate with Sheryl...More on that later...I'm off to work.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Working for a living...
I have survived the toughest month of my security existence...after California, where the only sightseeing was my posts at the Barrett Jackson auction to the conclusion of the MLB FanFest 2011 here in Phoenix with back to back 75+ hour weeks. Man, are my dogs tired. This next week coming up should be light and I hope to spend some quality time with the "new" kids (golf clubs). In fact I am off tomorrow and have an early tee time scheduled followed by lunch and World Cup and final round of British Open... (if I can stay awake). Sleep deprivation has me all messed up, but with a couple days off next week (I hope) I hope to get back into a more normal schedule. But for now, I will cash the checks and enjoy the influx of discretionary income...
Wouldn't be right if I didn't drop some names that I met at FanFest...because of the hours I was putting in my bosses let me run the security detail surrounding the MLB offices. It was quiet and away from the mayhem in the exhibit area, but I met and saw a few players old and current. Meeting Lou Brock was a treat and Steve Garvey was gracious. Saw Justin Upton and Nomar Garciaparra walking through the halls. But the biggest thrill was meeting Mr. Met and Bernie Brewer (the mascots). There were a ton of players and activities going on for the kids and it went along almost completely without a hitch. No major problems reported, no violence and no protests. They finally left town on Friday. Next year the game is in Kansas City and I have dropped several hints that I am available for that road trip...keep your fingers crossed that I can swing that gig.
Got the travel itinerary for next month's trip to New York and the US Open tennis tournament...will be leaving Phoenix on August 24 and returning on September 13... can't wait to see New York again...(and get a decent bagel and some real pizza). I hope to be able to catch a couple of games or a Broadway show while I'm back. It all depends on how many hours a day I will work and I won't know that until I get there...(that's how they ensure I'll show up). But if time permits I will try to visit as many of you as possible...(and you can also come into the city to visit me). Round trip airfare--0 dollars, tickets to US Open--0 dollars, hotel--0 dollars...3weeks in NYC--priceless!!
Planning on seeing the the Daddys next week in Vegas... you know they have casinos in Arizona too, Cathy. :) But it'll be nice to see Vegas and maybe catch a round of golf if I can swing the days off. Already put the bug in the bosses ear. I arranged for her to use my timeshare points in Cabo San Lucas in October for very little cash, so I'm hoping to arrange a vacation to Virginia in October...(later in the month). I'll be in touch, sister...have a plan and will email the details. Then let me know if you like the idea because it incorporates what you told me in your email. And I will contact Vee and set up some Skype time for next week. Omission of the week....Happy very belated anniversary to Loretta and Victor... sorry guys for the lack of contact. Hope you had a good time. Happy birthday tomorrow to Mom and KC...and Monday marks 11 years since Dad left us...Love you always, Dad. Forever in my heart and always on my mind...
Wouldn't be right if I didn't drop some names that I met at FanFest...because of the hours I was putting in my bosses let me run the security detail surrounding the MLB offices. It was quiet and away from the mayhem in the exhibit area, but I met and saw a few players old and current. Meeting Lou Brock was a treat and Steve Garvey was gracious. Saw Justin Upton and Nomar Garciaparra walking through the halls. But the biggest thrill was meeting Mr. Met and Bernie Brewer (the mascots). There were a ton of players and activities going on for the kids and it went along almost completely without a hitch. No major problems reported, no violence and no protests. They finally left town on Friday. Next year the game is in Kansas City and I have dropped several hints that I am available for that road trip...keep your fingers crossed that I can swing that gig.
Got the travel itinerary for next month's trip to New York and the US Open tennis tournament...will be leaving Phoenix on August 24 and returning on September 13... can't wait to see New York again...(and get a decent bagel and some real pizza). I hope to be able to catch a couple of games or a Broadway show while I'm back. It all depends on how many hours a day I will work and I won't know that until I get there...(that's how they ensure I'll show up). But if time permits I will try to visit as many of you as possible...(and you can also come into the city to visit me). Round trip airfare--0 dollars, tickets to US Open--0 dollars, hotel--0 dollars...3weeks in NYC--priceless!!
Planning on seeing the the Daddys next week in Vegas... you know they have casinos in Arizona too, Cathy. :) But it'll be nice to see Vegas and maybe catch a round of golf if I can swing the days off. Already put the bug in the bosses ear. I arranged for her to use my timeshare points in Cabo San Lucas in October for very little cash, so I'm hoping to arrange a vacation to Virginia in October...(later in the month). I'll be in touch, sister...have a plan and will email the details. Then let me know if you like the idea because it incorporates what you told me in your email. And I will contact Vee and set up some Skype time for next week. Omission of the week....Happy very belated anniversary to Loretta and Victor... sorry guys for the lack of contact. Hope you had a good time. Happy birthday tomorrow to Mom and KC...and Monday marks 11 years since Dad left us...Love you always, Dad. Forever in my heart and always on my mind...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Dust in the wind...
The understatement of the year...check the news and weather reports from Arizona about Tuesday's dust storm...rumor has it that it's the worst storm in history. I left the Convention Center about 7:30pm... (typical day at the office...14 hours). As I was driving toward Tempe, I noticed what I thought was a storm cloud moving across the horizon. Then I realized that the cloud was too close to the ground and I thought it was a fire at the airport...(the "cloud" was moving quickly and was really thick like smoke). As I got closer to the cloud I noticed that the color was wrong for smoke and the wind started picking up...it was a dust storm. But not the kind I experienced coming across the country when I moved out here. This storm blocked out everything! I entered the dust at 40th and Washington and I couldn't see 5 feet in front of me... I have been in a lot of snowstorms and torrential rain storms in my day, but this was the worst phenomenon ever...Wind gusts of 70 mph and intermittent rain made my windshield a mud slide...and you couldn't see the traffic lights until you were right on top of them. And if that wasn't enough, the flasher people were out in force... (you know who I'm talking about--flashers on ,crawling along at 5mph, no clue). Could you just do us all a favor and park your car and wait out the storm so that people who KNOW how to drive can get places without having do deal with you.
I am scheduled to work outrageous amounts of hours through Tuesday the 12th and all I can say is CHA-CHING! After the 95+ hours in California and this week, I have treated myself to a new set of golf clubs (Ping I-15 irons and wedges and a G15 driver---sweet!). Now have lots of money for greens fees but no time to play (talk about a twist of fate).
I am scheduled to work outrageous amounts of hours through Tuesday the 12th and all I can say is CHA-CHING! After the 95+ hours in California and this week, I have treated myself to a new set of golf clubs (Ping I-15 irons and wedges and a G15 driver---sweet!). Now have lots of money for greens fees but no time to play (talk about a twist of fate).
Monday, July 4, 2011
A new record....
Temperature wise that is... Yes, fans, the mercury (do they still use mercury in thermometers?) topped at 118 degrees on Saturday July 2, which is a new single day record here in the Valley of the Sun... (and it felt like the sun was on the ground). Now I know where they originated the term "blistering" heat because whether it's dry or not, 118 degrees is H-O-T HOT! I went into the hot tub to cool off and the pool was beyond bath water warm, but it was still good...better wet than sweat. It has also been a bit on the humid side (for Arizona) and there is even scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for next Wednesday through the following weekend... (rain in the forecast--can't remember the last time it rained for more than a few minutes). It's definitely a two water bottle day, one to drink and one to pour over my head...(an advantage to having no hair to worry about).
I went back to work on Saturday here after taking a few days off to recover from my trip to California... It's time for the boss to have her time off and I'm working through the Fourth of July weekend... Major League Baseball is still moving in but only office staff will be in tomorrow so it should be a slow day for us at the Convention Center...but I must be here and so I will. The news is saying that there will be protesters at the game Tuesday July 12, but we don't know if they will be protesting the Fanfest events. This is all about SB1070 the bill our state has enacted regarding illegal immigration...(I am totally behind this measure myself). Arizona is a frontline state because of our border with Mexico and we need a hardline approach to stem the stream of illegals entering the state. I respect the right to protest, but calling for a boycott of sporting events in Arizona is ridiculous. Sports should not be dragged into the political arena... Okay, I'm down off the soapbox... Good news! I was able to get out of work today at 10am...(extremely slow day at the move in, so I made a tee time for this afternoon and I'm off to the golf course... Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone. Enjoy the picnics and fireworks and don't forget to thank our servicemen and women in uniform when you see them. Without their service and sacrifice, we wouldn't be enjoying this holiday or the freedoms we take for granted. GOD (not afraid to say it) Bless America!
I went back to work on Saturday here after taking a few days off to recover from my trip to California... It's time for the boss to have her time off and I'm working through the Fourth of July weekend... Major League Baseball is still moving in but only office staff will be in tomorrow so it should be a slow day for us at the Convention Center...but I must be here and so I will. The news is saying that there will be protesters at the game Tuesday July 12, but we don't know if they will be protesting the Fanfest events. This is all about SB1070 the bill our state has enacted regarding illegal immigration...(I am totally behind this measure myself). Arizona is a frontline state because of our border with Mexico and we need a hardline approach to stem the stream of illegals entering the state. I respect the right to protest, but calling for a boycott of sporting events in Arizona is ridiculous. Sports should not be dragged into the political arena... Okay, I'm down off the soapbox... Good news! I was able to get out of work today at 10am...(extremely slow day at the move in, so I made a tee time for this afternoon and I'm off to the golf course... Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone. Enjoy the picnics and fireworks and don't forget to thank our servicemen and women in uniform when you see them. Without their service and sacrifice, we wouldn't be enjoying this holiday or the freedoms we take for granted. GOD (not afraid to say it) Bless America!
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