A Christmas Dream

I dreamed last night that I had gone on the grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club unaccompanied.   I was carrying a single golf club to fit in.  While walking along the second hole, a golf cart drove up and I got in it to play with Kurt Warner, the former NFL quarterback.  There was a tall building next to the golf course.  When we finished playing we went to meet his friends.  One of his friends was Leon Payne from Houston.  We all spent the rest of the afternoon together.

Merry Christmas 2012

On this December 25, Merry Christmas to all.  I went to our 10 a.m. church service today.  Father Jim had indicated there might be no sermon, and I jokingly reminded him of that, but... he couldn't help it!  And it was a good one of course.  After home we opened the stocking as is our custom.

This afternoon we all went to a movie, This is 40.  It was enjoyable to all get out:  Susan, Sarah and Jack and me.  This afternoon was quite warm, up to 85 degrees but a front is coming in tonight.  Should be cool tomorrow.

Sunday December 23

The Christmas weekend has started and things are slowing down.  The in-laws are here so there is lots of home time.  Tonight there's a good NFL game on, 49ers at Seahawks.   Texans lost today as did the Cowboys.  Cowboys face the Redskins next week for a win-and-in game.  Let's hope they pull it out.

I drove up and back to Kingsville today and it must have been a little much because I was pretty tired when I got home.  Glad I didn't have to go out in the afternoon shopping traffic.  Time for the slow down as I said earlier.

Sue's 80th birthday party

I'm happy to report that longevity is in the Turley genes.  My aunt Sue (Turley) Nitz  "Snitz" was in Houston after her 35th cruise and we celebrated her 80th birthday.  She noted that the 80th birthday part  was a Turley tradition.

To celebrate, there were 4 first cousins, Sue, Ed, Sally and Virginia.     My cousins Janci and Andy were there from Florida in route to Tokyo.  To have everyone there for a happy occasion.. well, that is a happy occasion.

Talking about the Muskogee connection, we discussed the old Turley home at 608 E. Okmulgee.  Sue said that she and Herb were married there in the garden.  Upon hearing that, Danny and Virginia noted that they were married there also.  And so was Aunts Geraldine and Mozelle.  Having just been there, i was neat to think of such history and happy times that occurred in that big home.  And it is still providing good memories and business to the current resident the interior design firm of Kathy Hall.

Sunday

This coming week should be a busy one - there is something going on every morning and ever evening.  I'll  have to use good time management skills.

Saturday, I played a round of golf in the morning.  In the afternoon I went to a party and there was delicious BBQ and football on TV.  Alabama beat Georgia for the SEC title.  In the evening we went to the Renaissance Cancer Foundation show starring Clint Holmes.  Very good as usual.

Today after church, I practiced the piano.  Got to get that 1--3-5-2-5 fingering down.  Then I went for a bike ride and we had dinner at home.  I got a client call late and went to the office to get some things. That was unusual.

Thanksgiving

There was a lot of family time this Thanksgiving with Sarah home.  That was the best Thanksgiving of all.  She got here on Wed. afternoon and was home most of the time with Jack.  Thursday we all went to Kingsville and enjoyed our time there, returning Friday.  Friday night she spent the night with her girlfriends so Jack fell to me and we watched Fight Club with his mother in the home theater at their house.  That was a really cool room.  It was decorated that the TV looked like the Godzillatron at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium and the entire room was painted in that theme:  the scoreboard, the crowd, the cheerleaders and players, the Texas Fight burnt orange ceiling.  Plus the acoustics were excellent.  The chair vibrated with the sound.  I'll look forward to seeing another movie there.

Sat. night we went to dinner and then to the Vipers game.  We got there for the halftime show and half a game was about right.  Today I went to church and then after Sarah left to go back to Austin, I went for a bike ride.  Very nice day.

Saturday

Today was a day that I planned to be home and put up the Christmas lights.  I wanted them to be up for when Sarah gets home on Wednesday at 4.  I didn't expect it would take all day but it did with a number of breaks for weeding the flower beds, trimming the palms, coffee with the neighbor.  But it was worth it to turn on the light at 6 p.m.

This evening we went to a wedding and it was a nice event.  I met a European gentlemen from Houston and he was a candidate for  Most Interesting Man in the World.   I'm hoping to catch up the next time I'm in Houston to see his collection of 10,000 books, to hear about his homes in Tel Aviv and Malaga and his formative years in Casablanca.  This could be the beginning of...
a beautiful friendship.

UT v. Iowa State

In Austin for the game on Saturday.  It was an early game, 11 a.m. and sometimes the Longhorn team does not like to get up early to play.  My friend Matt came up from San Antonio with his son Kyle and his friend Jackson.  Tickets were good, the Craig Special.  None of them had been to a UT game before so it was a special occasion.

UT got off to a good start and did not look  back, winning 33-7.  The half time show was memorable, commemorating Veteran's Day with a salute to all 5 services and then a tribute to Darrell Royal aka DKR who had died this week at 88.

Afterwards I took then to the new Berts BBQ and it was a good time.  Food has not changed.  I enjoyed being the tour guide and recommending the house specialties.

San Antonio golf

Ed and I have been talking about going back to San Antonio for golf and we finally got it scheduled.  He has friends from his US Seniors golf association that live in San Antonio and it's a good halfway point for us.  His friends are quite the characters.  The group is of people who have "made their money" as my old friend Carlos would say, so they tend to be somewhat disinterested in the rest of the world.  Fine by me, I just listened and of course, enjoyed the golfing fruits of their labor.

Thursday I drove up in the morning and we met up at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.  It's on the west side of town, off Highway 90.  Next to it is the Golf Club of Texas at Briggs Ranch.  One is a private club, the other a public course.  When we we at lunch, there were others there. One person came by and the discussion veered to the public course. "Never played it" said the member  (it's right next door!).

San Antonio seems to be awash in money with the drilling profits rolling in from the Eagle Ford Shale.  [Pronounced like Stableford] - Eagleferd.  Lots of people playing golf at the private club that day.  Or at least having lunch.

The course is a Tom Fazio design who is the top architect of the modern era.  Like other of his course, it has some signature traits:   the bowled fairways, the short par 4, the large water hazards in the middle of the course, the fast greens, the deep bunkers, the waste area rough.  Course was in great shape:  even in the rough you had a good lie.  I finished strong, with 4 4's after hitting a few into the waste area rough.  Final score:   90.

We stayed downtown at the Westin Riverwalk and had dinner at Paesano's (my choice).

Friday, we went to one of our favorite courses, the San Antonio Country Club.  A lot like the Houston  CC, that must be why we like it.  In the past this course played to my strengths:  not too long, calling for good iron shots.  This time the course bit back.  Every shot where I missed just a little ended up in the wrong spot:  the side of the bunker, over the green, behind a tree.  I got going better on the back side, near my favorite 2 holes, 12 and 13 (reminds me of Lions Muny 2 and 3) but fizzled out and shot 94.  Still a good day.  After we finished I continued to Austin and Ed went home to Houston before dark.

Monday

Work got off to a good start today.   By 10:30 I was pretty far ahead.  I got a call to join a client for lunch so that was a highlight.  You know you're in a good place where the owner says:  "The Usual, Doc?"
Some of the great words in life:  "I'll have the Usual".

In the afternoon, I checked in with an attorney to see about our case tomorrow.  Found out there was a new attorney on the case.  I then got some papers faxed to me saying the case was being removed to Federal Court.  Little do they know that I am admitted to practice there.  Bring it on!

A hard swim this evening made me physically tired, but obviously the mind is still working late tonight.  Time to wrap it up.

Saturday Nov. 3

I had thought being at home this weekend would be relaxing but I'm having to fight off everything popping up for me to do.  This morning we had our condo board association meeting so it was out the door at 0700 to go to that.  Three hour meeting, followed by 2 hours to get home.  Finally!  But on the way home, a call... are you going to the Quinta Mazatlan for the Border Buttermilk?  We need Greeters, only 1 so far.

So I didn't have as much time at home, but I did get to watch the first half of the UT/Texas Tech game.  We won 31-22.  They're getting good at pulling these game out.  Turns out the event at 6 was a good one.  Glad I went.  But also glad to get home and not leave.

Tomorrow is end of Daylight Savings.  Need to change the clocks tonight before bed.

Today is also niece Joanie's 9th birthday. HDB2U!

2013 Dreaming

Looking for some cool things to do in 2013.  So far thinking of

Hawaii in May

Driving trip with Bennett again in the Prius.  Mall of America?

Longhorn 70.3 in October in Austin
Cap Tex Olympic Triathlon again?

Texas/OU weekend
Texas A&M game - Vanderbilt at home?
TMLT golf on October 14

The year is filling up!

Worldwide

Looking at my pageview stats, its interesting how a blog with only 3 registered followers can have as many hits (e.g.  6 on my last post).  Thanks Mom!

It was back to swimming this evening.  I had decided I was going to go and I did.  Its amazing how much more you can accomplish when you plan to leave work at a certain time.  Unfortunately my ankle was kind of bothering me still, so I'm planning to have it checked out from my sprain 4 weeks ago.  I'd had to be in this position at the end of November in the same situation.

NBA season started tonight with Boston v. Miami.  Now LA Lakers v. Dallas is on.   All Star Game is in Houston this February.  Maybe I'll go.  I would like to catch a Rockets game in the Toyota Center.  Funny saying that, even Sterling McCall smiles when he hears that.  Not a bad investment for him in the late 60s, a Japanese car maker.

Tomorrow is Halloween so we have lots of candy to give out.  And when its gone, lights out!

Sunday October 28

This was a welcome weekend home.  The first cold front of the year came in Friday night, and so Saturday morning was a cool one for the 5th annual Ride Against Cancer.  I sponsored part of the ride so I wanted to partcipate.  I did the 20 mile ride and was happy that my ankle held up OK, but it's still not 100% for hard training.  Between the exercise and the early start, I took a long nap that afternoon after watching UT barely escape Lawrence KS with a win over Kansas. Hard to tell which UT team will show up any given week.

Today after church, Susan and I went shoe shopping.  Afterwards we had to clean out part of the closet to make room.  

I went to see two movies this weekend, Argo on Friday night and Cloud Atlas on Sunday.  Check out all my reviews on SouthLandView.BlogSpot.com

Tuesday night - October 16

The Presidential Debate # 2 was tonight.  I watched as much as I could before I felt the need to switch over to baseball.  Much easier to see who wins the baseball game:  Tigers 2, Yankees 1,  Tigers up 3-0 in best of 7.

The NL series is a good one also with the Giants v. Cards.

Working on the fall schedule, I'm going to Houston for the UH Law 20th reunion this weekend and Susan to Austin for AD Pi initiation.  I asked Susan if she remember initiation and she did not.  I look forward to asking Kate that same question.  Kate is going up for support also.  Should be a good family weekend for all of them.

My friend Erich is in town as the honored guest of Weslaco H.S.  He's working with them to do another balloon launch to "near Space" (100,000 feet) like he and his friend Rich Garcia did.
We had lunch today and it was a real pleasure to be around him.  I'm already planning a trip to visit him in May 2013 in Hawaii.  Already checked the flights! Start saving now.

Seeing my posts, it looks like Tuesday night is the blog night.  I'll have to get with it again.

Tuesday night - September 25

I got home from work early because I wanted to rest up my sprained ankle that starts to bother me toward the end of the day.  Plus Spencer needed to be out.  By 6:30 p.m. it seemed I had been home quite a while, even though it was only a little over 2 hours.  I went to the store for dinner things and got home and Susan was home.

In this evening I paid some bills - more effective to do at home than at work.  Plus I think I cracked the code on figuring out a difficult case.

Tomorrow is another day.  Today there was much discussion about the "blown call" in the Packers/Seahawks Monday Night game.  As I said, if it happened to some other team like the Rams or the Titans, no one would care.  Packers have to suck it up like the 1979 Oilers (another blown call in the age before replay).

King of the Causeway triathlon

Race results here:
http://www.athleteguild.com/triathlon/south-padre-island-tx/2012-king-of-the-causeway-triathlon/results?cnt=25&did=D-1161&gender=M

The results were not as specific as I would have liked to see.   I was 7 of 10 in the age group but still was proud of how I did because:

I was able to accelerate on the swim when it got crowded and finished strong
I did the bike course as fast as I ever had
I finished the run in a good regular pace

One hitch was that the bike course was not well marked and I rode 2 miles past the turnaround, adding an extra 4 miles to the course.  So that messed the time up a little (maybe only 5 minutes).  But I never would have thought that to be a problem for a middle of the packer like me.  Live and learn.

Now, its recovery time!

Saturday Sept 15

Here in South Padre Island tonight for the King of the Causeway triathlon tomorrow.  Saw a t shirt from Mexico at packet pickup:  TRIALON.  New word.

We are watching the UT v. Ole Miss game tonight.  Glad its on TV, ESPN had 2 games on tonight.  17-7 UT now but Ole Miss is driving.

My goal tomorrow:  top 50% of the age group.  Tune in tomorrow for results.

My new blog of movie reviews is up:  check out SouthLandView.Blogspot.com

View (a movie).  Southland (L.A.) and we are in a land down South.  Thought it was clever if I do say so myself.  And that's why I'm blogging, so I can say so myself.  Writing is like anything - more practice leads to expertise.  Working on getting to those 10,000 hours.

2013 Calendar

Already I'm looking at the 2013 calendar.  Some things on the list are the Lonestar 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon.  April 7 in Galveston TX

To prepare I'll be doing 20 weeks of training.  To include the Austin Half Marathon Feb. 17.

My friend Margie has season tickets to the Longhorns basketball as she is friends with new member Prince Ibeh from Garland TX.  Games in January.

Wurst Triathlon & Austin trip

After some back and forth, we decided to go to Austin to visit Sarah last weekend, even though she had a Petroleum Engineering program all day Saturday.  We were already planning to go Friday and we had tickets to the game, so it must have been meant to be.  We arrived in front of her dorm at noon and she was outside so we got to see her early.

We had lunch someplace "far from campus" at a place I suggested North by Northwest.  Then they were shopping and I went to New Braunfels for my triathlon packet pickup.  Since we were planning to go to Austin originally the next weekend, I looked for another tri to do and this was it.

Saturday John and I left the hotel at 0530 for New Braunfels.  I had done this same Wurst Tri in 2009 as my first official one and it was a slog.  After that time I decided I needed help and started training with Sandy.  It was great to return looking for redemption.  In fact that is the name of the race program, Redemption.

The swim was in 2 parts, first in the spring fed pool (72 degrees) then the Olympic Pool (86 degrees).  Quite a change.  250 meters in the first, 250 in the second.  Then off to the hills on the bike and back tothe park for the run.  I really had improved on the run and was quite pleased
at my results (28:58 on the run).

We had arranged to go to a tailgate party before the game.  It turned out to be so much fun, we play to go back regularly.  Like a camping trip more than a big party.  Nice and relaxing.

The game was a blowout,  Texas beat New Mexico 45-0.  All the RBs got in on the action and the running game was good.  Now the real season starts next Saturday v. Ole Miss.

Labor Day

Even though the number of Americans laboring today may be in flux, today is a good day for our country.  As a nicely timed weather day in the Northern Hemisphere, the whole USA is enjoying a nice summer day.  Even here in South Texas it is not overly hot.  Walking the dog was quite pleasant even in the middle of the day.

Let's not forget that a holiday is not a break from labor but simply an opportunity to do a different kind of labor.  Projects around the house tend to move forward.  In Dallas, my friend Jeff is using this weekend to put up a whole new backyard fence by himself.  Read Shop Class as Soulcraft for a good description of the joys of work.  Or read  Steve Jobs particularly his lessons from his father Paul Jobs.

After 3 days of classes, Sarah is off today from school.  Here's hoping she enjoys both sides of the Labor Day coin:  an opportunity for rest, and an oppotunity to do a different but valuable kind of labor.  Here's to all Americans who work in their own ways to make this country better.

Austin v. Las Vegas

Having been to both places recently, I observed that the two are similar.  The fastest growing city of the 90s v. the fastest growing city of the 2000s.

They both have a cool and unique vibe to their cities, but discerning the original from the manufactured can be a thin line.   And despite that cool, unique vibe, at their hearts, they are many residents who are just on the sidelines of the tourist scene that is such an economic driver.

As Raoul, a car salesman in Las Vegas put it, "You can have a good middle class life here, particularly with two people working.  But you absolutely cannot have a gambling weakness."  Raoul was from Romania, and seemed a believer in the American Dream.

Austin is now a multi-county MSA.  The Downtown/University/Inner City scene is a world away to the Little League-SUV crowd.   Wages are high in Austin for the good jobs, so you probably could have a good life on one income if you're lucky.

But the lower wages jobs get filled quickly, as they are many people who just want to live the Austin lifestyle.

Las Vegas fell hard after the boom, and foreclosures are high there.  Home prices are high in Austin.  Could it be the Vegas of the 2020s?

Roy Kizer Golf Course - Austin

Back in January, I was trying to set up a game at Roy Kizer, the "New" course in Austin (since 1994).  It didn't work out then and that was a good thing.  At that time we were in town for a wedding, and a game of golf would have ate up the schedule.

Fast forward (recall the cassette tape) to August.  Golf game now complete.  I played today with old friend Clint and his friend Tomas and Tomas' son Diego (7) came along too.

Kizer has the repututation of the best city course in Austin.  It is billed as a links course (not many trees) but it does share the same tree-ed sides with its brother course Jimmy Clay right next door.  The links holes were pretty straightforward but the tree-ed holes (my word) were excellent.  Some good holes were 16 (short part 4) and 17 (called Captain Hook).  9 and 18 were fine finishing holes.  The area of the course called Cliffside was scenic, particularly the waste area in the middle of the course.  It takes into account the nearly McKinney Falls and the shallow limestone formations.

Roy Kizer was the longtime greenskeeper at my old home course of Lions Municipal and during the 80s there was a junior tournament at Muny called the Roy Kizer.  So it is fitting that they named this fine "new" course after him.

Next on the schedule is the renovated Morris Williams Course set to be complete in 2013.  Nice to see redevelopment of existing facilities instead of suburban sprawl.

My Next 30 Years

At the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater in Austin, they are showing several movies from the Summer of 1982, such as E.T., Conan the Barbarian, Poltergeist, and noting that it was a good summer for movies.

On another note, it was recently pointed out that the movie Back to the Future where Marty McFly goes back 30 years in time to 1955 - if done today, would be 1982!

I won't go on too much about how things have changed in the last 30 years.  Suffice to say, I've changed with them.  It does get you thinking, as Sarah is about to go off to college, how she'll remember 2012.  As I say, all those songs about being 17 or 18, that's your life right now!

July recap

In the Episcopal priesthood there is a tradition of a sabbatical, every 7 years, to get away from the daily pressure and to get in touch with more spiritual matters.  After 20 years of law practice and 18 years of child raising, I thought that this past month was a good time for a sabbatical.

So I have been gone more than I've been around these past few weeks.  My last post was from our California trip so I'll recap what's been going on (and why).

As my dear readers know, I'm a fan of the Life List or the bucket list.  So I've been hitting several of these list items to cross off

1.  Drive to California.  Done.  From McAllen TX to Las Vegas NV and then an extension to Death Valley, CA.  No one said I had to drive back.  It was a great trip with my friend Bennett.  He enjoyed getting away and the drive as well, and we had a good time doing some things differently.  He was a good sport and we agreed on lots of unusual Vegas things such as:

Carrot Top comedy show
Dinner Buffet at the Green Valley Resort
the trip to Death Valley and Pahrump, NV
Pole Position racing
Toyota Prius shopping
$7.77 Gamblers Special at Hard Rock Hotel
Steak and Eggs for every mean


2. Return to Southern California.  Done.  My last visit there was 1986 and I'm surprised it took so long to get back.  It was as good as remembered.  We did lots of fun things

Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel .  Per cousin Justin's recommendation it was a great classic hotel.
Visit to Rancho Park and Holmby Hills
Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive.  We liked the valet stand at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.  Full of Bentleys.
Century City Mall.
Disneyland Resort
Santa Monica and Muscle Beach
Cal Tech.

3.  Visit the Old Home Place of Muskogee, OK.  This was a highlight because Ed went with me.

Saw the family graves at the Greenhill Cemetery
Played golf at Muskogee CC
Had dinner on the Illinois River at the Sequoyah Club
Found the location of the old Pure Oil refinery
Went to 608 E. Okmulgee and looked all around inside
Drove by 1205 E. Chesnut St.
Learn a lot of family history

4.  Visited Dallas TX and old friend Jeff, Richard and Vic from Austin High.

Did 41 mile Goatneck ride on Saturday
Did sprint triathlon on Sunday

5.  Saw Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in Houston in concert

the encore was great, best I've seen

Feel Like a Rock Star
She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy
Indian Outlaw
The Fireman
Runnin' on Empty

On vacation

We have arrived tonight in Anaheim CA.  The strip of hotels leading past Disneyland is quite impressive.  We are at Sheraton 2.0 as Sarah called it, just past the first Sheraton.  We knew we had it good at the Century Plaza and this hotel is more suburban.  Lots of restaurants on the strip as well.  They know a good location  like Disney when they see it.

We now have our Park Hopper tickets and our shuttle tickets and are figuring out which rides to hit first. The lines form fast so striking early is a good strategy.  Susan announced she was not going to go so she'll sleep in and we will take a break in the afternoon to leave the park and have an early dinner.  Then the kids plan to go back until late.

The visit to Pasadena and Cal Tech was a success today.  Cal Tech is very small, only 1000 undergrads, all lovers of science.   The presentation to the students was the best I've heard.  They did a good job of explaining the student profile they believe will be successful and how to showcase yourself.  Quite the opposite of the larger schools which have an "it depends" mentality.

A most interesting man

Talking with Louis who takes care of my car at the Autohaus, I mentioned I was going to Las Vegas with our friend Bennett. Louis said "I was just there". Bennett and I noticed he was out a few days last week. Louis went to Las Vegas to attend a dinner honoring his friend Attorney Herb Santos. Herb is an influential person, being a former chair of the Nevada Boxing Commission, which regulates the big fights. At the dinner Louis met Bill Lear, of Lear Jet fame. He also got invited to the home of a top level person who was going to show him what went on at Area 52. Even more secret than Area 51. I had just read up on this black ops that have been housed in Nevada for years. To complete the trip he hit the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop of Pawn Stars fame and negotiated a low price on a music box from the 1800s. lots of cool things done in a short trip!

SCOTUS

The Supreme Court Of The United States has spoken:  The Affordable Care Act is constitutional!  Hear Ye/ Hear Ye.

It's amazing how so many people are experts on the Supreme Court.  At lunch today, some random person went on a detailed discussion about the case.   "What do you think?" he asked me.  I couldn't add any more than what he had said.  It shows how far away the cases in the Supreme Court (the Ivory Tower) are from the front lines of the local lawyers.  I always thought that if a case had to go that far, it would be a money/time loser to all involved.

In other legal news, the US Attorney General is in criminal contempt of Congress for withholding requested documents on Operation Fast and Furious.  That is the "gun-walking" (as opposed to gun-running) where US officials allowed guns to be illegally sold and illegally exported, resulting in death and destruction.  There are a lot of local prosecutions for guns now.  Makes me think that the  Fast and Furious was not limited to just the Tucson AZ area and now they are trying to clean up the mess.

Next week is the 4th of July.  It's been slow at work and likely will only get slower, with Wednesday being the 4th.  That means a lot of people will take long weekends, maybe even myself.  If you can't beat them, join them.  Then vacation starts the next week.  But a watched pot never boils.  I expect things will get back to crazy/normal soon.

College memories

Sarah and I were discussing some things she might do in the next 4 years.  Looking back on the things I remember, they were not all studying and exams:

We did enjoy the natural beauty of the area with the Blue Ridge Parkway, Panther Falls and Goshen in the forested areas.  Traveling to Georgetown, DC, spring term in Madrid and the ACE convention in Los Angeles were highlights.  And doing those unique things on that era, the Fancy Dress Ball, going Down the Road, and staying at the apartment over the week long winter and spring breaks was quite fun and relaxing.

I'm sure she'll have her own list like this soon.

State Bar Annual Meeting

Attending the Litigation Section/Alternative Dispute Resolution section today, there was a lot of discussion about the Vanishing Jury Trial and the rise of mediation and arbitration.  Most of these people talking seemed to recall the "old days" fondly.  But those old day are so old, that I never experienced anything like they discuss.  Certainly in the last 15 years, there has been nothing like they remember.  Every case gets mediated, like it or not.  The only civil cases that go to trials are those where there is so much $$$$$$$$ at stake that the clients/attorneys can afford to litigate them to the bitter end.  In fact there is a cottage industry in supporting these few cases.  For the rest of society, it's better to consider how things are NOW, rather than how things used to be.

Fearless Prediction

Looking forward to the NBA Finals tonight, I will make an imaginary $20 bet for the Heat to win.  Lebron has been to the finals before as has D Wade and I think this will be the year for the Big Three.    Heat are underdogs at +150.  I guess because OKC is the home team.

Also, I'll place an imaginary $20 on Luke Donald to win the US Open.  I did pretty well with Louis Oosthuizen at the Masters, so we'll see.  I've got my Olympic Club shirt on today.

Today we head up to Austin for orientation tomorrow.  The Clueless Parent is on the road again.  I called and the lady very patiently explained all the complex details, where to go, how to meet up, why haven't you signed up earlier, etc., etc.  Sarah on the other hand is fully confident in her ability to handle any challenge with minimum preparation.  Ah, Youth!

People Change

While trying to find some contact information for an old attorney friend, I ran into this online.  And yes, it is the same person I was looking up:

http://www.michaelcorcoran.net/archives/1469

This is someone I have known pretty well, exchanged Christmas cards, been professional colleagues.  Never would I have thought anything like this.  Best thing to think, is that people can change from 13 to 30 something.

San Antonio

We decided to make "one last trip" for the Chippewa tribe to Fiesta Texas.  And it was good timing.  Going on Wednesday during the week right after graduation meant that we could get everyone together before summer heated up, and we had short lines at the park.  I must admit that the roller coasters were a little much for me and I had to sit a few out.  We had a nice day and everyone had fun.  For dinner we went to Paesano's on 1604 which was really nice.  Sitting outside on the patio - with everyone - couldn't have been much better .  It was a short trip.  We got up today and drove home.  Even got a little work in today.

Vacation planner

Sarah called me the vacation planner for the family, a title I'll happily accept.  This summer it seems that "Now is the Time".  I think I'm prepared to take some extra vacation time this summer since I expect work to settle down and there be less incentive to do much after college starts.  So this summer is a good opportunity to do some life list items, a la Phil Keoghan.

One plan:  drive to California.  I've got things lined up for a trip to go to Las Vegas.  With a side trip to Death Valley ... drive to CA ... to be done.  Best of all, I've got the car lined up to be driven home and I continue on to the family vacation in California.

Another plan:  visit Muskogee, OK, the old home place of both the Gregory and the Turley families.  Ed is planning to go with me which will be great

Kingsville - May 30

I'm here in Kingsville tonight after a trip to Corpus Christi today for court.  A good drive up this morning, leaving SBUX at 8:45 coffee in hand and arriving at SPID by 11:30 a.m.  Perfect timing.  We had a 1:00 court date and we were out of there by 1:30.  A productive day, keeping the ball moving forward.  Then I decided to do a little shopping at Academy in Corpus before driving to Kingsville.   I got word that I needed to send a check out, so I hit up the Kingsville Post Office (the Irma Rangel Branch) and got it done.  Did you know a stamped envelope cost 56 cents?

Across the street from the Post Office is the renovated passenger train station.  It was 5 minutes to closing time when I saw it but it looked like some place to come back and visit.  Very interesting the things you can see when you are not in a hurry.

Tomorrow is the big IB Pinning.  I'm speaking for 2 minutes on behalf of the Friends of IB.  Last year Julie did the talk and this year, I asked if I could do it.  So that will be my highlight.  I hope to send everyone off with a rousing high note.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and a nice day of rest from yesterday's graduation brunch.  Now it would not seem that attending a brunch would be something to rest from, but when it is YOUR graduate, there are lots of emotions and feelings.  We did have a very nice time and there was a good crowd.  The kids took one table, and the adults scattered about.  Sarah made a slide show of old photos and thanked Susan and me as her parents.  I didn't cry... at least outward... but I was certainly ready.  Seeing the old photos and many more recent ones sure made me think how many years had gone by and how quickly they went.

The Chippewa Tribe is getting together for a pool party today in Houston.  It'd be great to be there, but I think I've decided that being home in the heat of the day is a good idea.  Sarah had to go to school today and Susan took the opportunity for a half day of work.  So it is just me at home.  We are going to see "What to Expect When You're Expecting" later today at 4:45 and then this evening, watch the Heat v. Celtics.  There is playoff basketball on every night this week.  Perfect!

Lots of my friends are in Austin today for the Cap Tex Triathlon.  I've done that the past 2 years and it was a real event.  It's good they are doing it, but I'm plenty happy at home now.  I'll let someone else have some of the fun this year.

South Padre CLE

Not usually 2 phrases you see together.   But the vacation/CLE combination was particularly good this last Thursday and Friday.  I got up early on Thursday to drive over.  It was at the Isla Grand  (not Grande, as I learned).  The hotel had a nice display of its history as the Sea Island Motel and Resort from 1959.  It had a stint as a Hilton and then a Radisson also.

Notable speakers were Mikal Watts, who talked about his work in the BP lawsuit.  Such big business that a regular guy lawyer like has not the time/money to invest in that.  There was a big article in the NY Times about that plaintiff lawyer business model but it was interesting to hear about it.  He was an excellent speaker also - you could see how he is great with a jury.

Also there was a good speaker on post judgment collection, with which I am quite familiar.  There were a number of attorneys from all over there, not just locally.  So that was a pleasant surprise.

Mother's Day

A day of peace and quiet today.  Just what Mother ordered.  We were mostly around the house today, and I spend a good part of the day getting ready for dinner at home tonight.  Jack and his mother Laura came over for dinner and we had grilled chicken kebabs and shrimp, roasted vegetables and kale salad.  The recipe from Martha Stewart was a hit: everyone liked it.

I went to see the movie Cabin in the Woods last night and liked it:  three stars.  It kind of reminded me of an R-rated Scooby-Doo episode.  I wonder if others got that same vibe?

Today I not only did some lap swimming but also so pool lounging with my friend George at his house.  That was quite relaxing.  I also got the Shelby charged up and took it for a drive to get a soda this afternoon.  Carroll Shelby died this last Friday so that made me think a memorial cruise was in order.

Speaking of Memorial, we went to see the volleyball team play on Saturday.  Even though its off season the teams still get together unoffically and play.  We played McAllen Rowe and then Mission Veterans.  They lost both sets but didn't have their best player, my sponsored athlete Nina, and they had two new members.  So it was neat to see them play.   Better than an afternoon on the couch.

Summer Plans

State Bar Conference - June - Houston
UT Registration - June - Austin (same time of course)
Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney concert - vacation
Trip to Dallas/Muskogee OK (fly/drive)
UT v. New Mexico State - Sept 8
King of the Causeway triathlon - Sept 15

May 9

Graduation is coming up soon and the invitations were stacking up, so I set out to send as many out as I could.  Reminded me of the Christmas cards, also one of my duties.  A productive evening.  I even walked one of them over to our neighbor's house - personal delivery.

Today we had a forecast for more hail!  That will strike fear into me now.  Everything got cancelled and I was glad to head home.  We got a little rain tonight but no damage.  We're still cleaning up.  So glad that we're not in Florida in 2004 when they got 4 hurricanes back to back.

My friend Larry had his birthday today.  Susan told me to pick out a gift at the golf store and I got him a very cool Odyssey 8802-style putter.  Not easy to find those these days.  He (and I) liked it.  I might get one myself next.  Also my friend Gracie had her birthday today.  May babies are the cutest!

Catching up

Things are kind of busy here with the home repairs going on.  Our roof is getting put on today.  Next will be the new gutters and the trim painting.  Then, clearing out the torn-up flower beds.  All to be done by the birthday party on May 20.

Sunday, I went driving in my friend Gus' Ferrari which was of course an awesome experience.  He said the car "smelled like road" the rest of the day.  A good change from sitting in the garage.

Monday, I had a doctors appointment to follow up on some lab results.  All was well!  We also had a Greeters meeting and my friend/neighbor Brad and I drove over there together.  We're now Chair and Vice Chair of that organization.

Today, I had a confernence call as well as a court appearance.  A busy day.  It was nice to be on the tail end at 4:00 p.m. today.

Earth Day 4/22

This week should be a short one since we leave to go to Washington DC on Friday for Sarah's (and Jack's) Constitution Team National Championship.   There are about 6-7 teams of 3 students who study for questions asked them regarding problems that they solve orally by their Constitutional research.  Kind of extemporaneous, like debate, but with the added study focusing on the Constitution.

This Saturday was the IB Prom so Sarah spent all day getting ready.  Susan's friends came over to help.  It was like Steel Magnolias with the ladies helping the young woman to get ready.  They left here about 6:45 for dinner then the the prom.

Today we had a tough running workout, my first since last Saturday.    We ran up "Green Mountain"which is acutally a respectable hill in McAllen, but man-made from a local road project.  It has turned into quite the recreation area.

Gravick Ranch

Sunday I was invited to go to the Gravick Shooting Academy with a number of friends. Having done a lot of driving the past few days, it was nice to let Henry drive. We left early to get there about 8:00 a.m. There was a group of about 16 of us, ranging in ages from 14 to 60 or so.

We started the morning shooting 9mm pistols. It had been some time since I had shot and I felt I was pretty terrible to begin. But there was a lot of instruction to take in and after a little while I got out of my head and started doing better. Like when my old friend Brent and I used to shoot clays, we had a saying: "Are you thinking?" If you were, then you were distracted. Stop thinking. I did make some better shots. We did all sorts of unusual things, from shooting through a car window, crouching behind a car, shooting a moving rotating star.

We broke for lunch and went back to the hunting lodge, the classic man cave with trophies on the wall, including.. an elephant. We even got to see the video of the elephant hunt.

In the afternoon, we went to shoot AR-15's which rifle shooting was something I was a bit more comfortable with. The rifles have a laser holographic sight which you see a red dot through the scope, you point the dot where you want to hit and shoot. Makes it pretty straightforward. We did some different shooting, crouching, left handed, through narrow openings. My favorite was "clearing the house", shooting while moving, turning corners, and then finishing off with the sidearm pistol. By the afternoon, I was more comfortable with both guns.

Our instructors were very good. One was the firearms instructor for the local Sheriff. Our host was former military (Delta Force, said Henry). So we learned a lot. I look forward to returning.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and we are now in Kingsville visiting the family. Once we got here it was a lazy afternoon with a long nap and then watching the Masters on TV. Having been to the course in 2010, it was neat to see it again. But the game the pros play is quite different that the regular game of those with handicap strokes. The idea of hitting a wedge into 13 and 15 for them is a lost art.

Yesterday I did go to the Maundy Thursday service. I always think of Kate as that is one of her favorite services, with the stripping of the altar. Afterwards I met Jeffry for dinner. He's a young guy about 26 and we've got a good friendship started. He's very educated, degree from Brown and on a Fulbright scholarship, about to start working on Wall Street.

My working out is starting to pay dividends. As I told my trainer today, I feel I'm gettting a base now to work from. Getting started is the hardest part.

Tonight Sarah and I are going to see American Reunion, keeping our string of R rated comedies going. Plus I heard there is to be a sequel to Horrible Bosses - score!

End of the Quarter

Today is March 31 so it is the end of the 1st quarter of 2011. I was reminded of that as my client was hurrying to get a loan closed and funded. We got it closed on 3/29 but I don't know about the funding. But a creative CPA can make the books look good anyway.

Thursday night we had a major storm come through McAllen, right over our house. Winds were howling, driving rain and penny-sized hail. I was glad that we were all home and not out somewhere. Conditions were ripe for a tornado but fortunately there was none.

In the morning it looked like winter: all the leaves on the ground, ice piled up, cool and overcast.

School was cancelled and work was shortened.

Today we worked hard to get everything cleaned up. We had to make an insurance claim for maybe a new roof and fence, and to repair damage on the car that was outside. With 2 cars, one is outside. Guess who usually parks outside? Damage not too bad, looks worse in the bright sun.

Tonight was getting a little back to normal. We went to the Vipers game but we lost big. Only 2 more home games for the season. We also participated this morning in the Hoops for a Cure fun run/walk and all 4 of us were there: Susan, me, Sarah and Jack.

Another successful recommendation

I just heard that my recommendation for our friend Luciana was a success as she got the job she wanted for the summer with the Heritage Foundation. I was please to hear of her success. And of course pleased to be asked to assist her.

They say that the rising generation is going to change the country. If she and Katherine from Stanford are any indication of the upcoming students, it can't happen fast enough.

Olympic Club

Today, Sunday March 11 was  the start of daylight savings time in San Francisco and we were ready for a game of golf at the home of the 2012 US Open, the Olympic Club.

Olympic was originally called the Lakeside Golf Club since it is located by Lake Merced. Originally it was out in the country and today still is on the far side of San Francisco. I heard it would take 20-25 minutes to drive there from downtown.

Olympic is part of a larger athletic club with thousands of members. It as a result is a happening place with a lot of people there. It had a younger, more diverse vibe than many places I've seen.

Because we were meeting our host Dave, we got there about 10:30 a.m. It was a very short drive from the airport area. We met up with Dave, and decided to walk.

We headed to the Cliffs which is a par 3 course. It was not your typical par 3 with most of the holes being full length holes. Only 1 could be looked at as just a wedge. Living up to its name it was right on the coast and on the cliffs. As a result it was quite a challenge. If Torrey Pines were all par 3s it might look like this.

A highlight was the "Burger Dog" that we had at the snack hut. This concession was run by a local burger stand that used to be so popular that the golfers would go across the street for the burgers. Kind of like how the golfers used to go across Lake Austin Blvd. to the old

Sigmor station for a beer run on the second hole at Lions Municipal, or the liquor store by the 15th tee there. The burger was a classic drugstore burger: Ed would love it.

Our tee time on the Lake Course was 1:40 and we headed out, picking up a 4th in a cart, Billy. He was quite interesting, 6'7" and a fine player. He could really hit the driver. I enjoyed riding some in the cart with him.

One reason I enjoyed riding was that... Olympic is an long, uphill-all-the-way course! Now that may be an exaggeration, but in general, each of the greens rise up from the fairway to add a club'[s distance to just about every second/third shot. Plus, the greens are heavily bunkered and generally small.

The first hole started off somewhat tame, but then they warned me that 2 through 6 were difficult. That is when the long, uphilll-all-the-way pattern began. Not impossible, just quite challenging. Two separate holes I hit a good driver, only to leave a 3 wood to the green. And I never thought of myself as a short hitter.

Seven was a short par 4 that was a nice break, but the green was quite a challenge. 8 was a straight (but uphill) par 3.

After losing a ball on # 10, something must have finally clicked, for I figured out how to play the course:

Hit a good drive in the fairway

Take an extra club into the green

Fly it directly at the pin

That at least led to some improvement. I did have the highlight of fininshing strong with pars on 15 ( par 3) and 16 and 17 (par 5's). Here's a photo of # 17 which is quite typical of the greens:

On the famous 18th, the (perceived) hole of Ben Hogan's collapse, it was hard to shake that ghost. Not a long hole, but everything said "Put this in the fairway". Even that was not enough, as the tree on the right comes into play and it is a long shot uphill to a tiny, blind green. It should make for a tough finish in June.

Upon reflection it is no surprise that Olympic is a hard course. The USGA does select challenging places for their golf, even at the local level. A friend of mine who qualified for the US Amateur at Oakmont shot a 90 there, after going through local and sectional qualifying. So that should tell you how hard these courses can be.

Overall, the 27 holes there were as good as anywhere. And they've got another 18 holes there, the Ocean Course. A great spot for golf - well deserving of its high praise.

Palo Alto

We arrived in SFO after a cross country flight from SAV via ATL. The Spring Break crowds will out in Atlanta but we got through pretty smoothly. The flight went fast since I sat next to Duane who was a career military man ( and I think some type of pastor) . He was very knowledgeable about spiritual matters and so it was a good discussion for me.

Once we got here, we got our rental car and headed to the Olympic Club which was not only easy to find but also easy to navigate, no security or hard-to-find places. We were able to find out where to park and shop in the pro shop which make today's golf game easier.

Sean had suggested we meet up with his cousin Katherine who is a student at Stanford University, so I thought that was a great idea. I made the reservation for us and we picked her up at her dorm and had a very nice dinner. She's very poised for her age of 21 and was very confident of her future, since she said (as modestly as she could) that all Stanford students are outstanding in their own way; she's no different. So the future looks bright not just for her but for our country. She' s planning to go to medical school after college and is interested in geriatrics. She's already taken a lot of medical type courses and has a lot of clinical work experience. There's lots of opportunity out there which was great to see.

Chechessee Creek

Today Friday we were scheduled to play at Chechessee Creek which we had played at last year. Since it looked like rain, Brian was scouring the weather reports and keeping a close eye on the window and the barometer. After breakfast, he decided we must leave an hour early to have a chance to beat the rain. So off we went, down the road, across 2 bridges, turned right and we were there.

It looked remarkably the same from last year: the white siding buildings, the course right there. We were met and went to the range. I could see the first hole that I remembered from last year. Brian had said the pros hit it a ton off that hole. After a short warm up, we hustled to the first tee. Today was bound to be a fast round.

No pictures since I forgot my camera in the haste to get here. The first hole is a dogleg left, reminiscent of the 1st at the old Austin C.C. ( only in the fact that its a dogleg left around a big tree). Like in Austin, I hit it left, then right, then short. But then I made the putt for par from off the green. Par on #2 and then a nice birdie on hole #3 (like hole #3 at Palm View). So now I'm -1 after 3. Sweet!

Three double bogies later and I've reverted to the mean :( But we continued on. The holes have very challenging greens to approach, chip and putt and that is the main defense of the course.

The good news is that we played quickly and had no rain problems. On the back side, I started hitting the driver better and played better. There were some very nice holes. On #12, it required a long drive over a marsh. I hit a good drive, just missed the approach, hit a decent chip that just missed the right spot and ended up with 6.

On # 13 it was a par 3 that I remembered as near the driveway in. I was thinking that I was due for a hole in one, but alas, today was not the day, as has been every day before. A hole in one is like virginity: You think everyone else has one, you wonder if you'll ever have one, you ultimately wonder what all the fuss was about, and chalk it up to youth.

I've decided that it will not be the defining point of my golf career, whether or not I ever get one. I've got other bigger goals and have already had many successes. But if it ever happens, I'm sure it will be a memorable experience.

#17 was another nice hole with a long drive over a marsh. After hitting it over, it was only 100 yards to the green. A very tough green, to boot. The caddies affectionately called the marsh "Lake Stupid". I liked that one.

#18 was another long par 4. I hit a nice drive, and still had a 3 wood into the green. I hit the 3 wood into the woods and took a 6. But I still ended with 84 (43-41) which was a very good score.

Chechessee is unusual in that it is a course where caddies are required, everyone walks, and the layout is such to encourage walking. If there are other courses like this, there are not many. Perhaps Austin Golf Club (one of my favorites) is the one most like it.

Afterwards, we had lunch. Since it is a Lenten Friday, we all agreed to have no meat. The catfish was good. Then we went toward Bluffton to go to Edwin Watts. Sean had mentioned that he might need a new driver, so his dad suggested they go find one. At the golf store they had fun talking to the salesman, learning about all the new clubs, test hitting several in the net and watching the results on the computer. I wisely kept quiet and just watched. They both ended up getting new drivers, Taylor Made Rocket Ball RBZ. I'll look forward to trying out Sean's when we are in San Francisco.

Dinner was at Sigler's which was really tasty. Susan would have like it. I had a beet salad, followed by the salmon with a couple of fried oysters on top. Delish!

Tomorrow it's an early start, leaving here at 0700 to get to the Savannah airport, then ATL, then a 5.5 hour flight to SFO. Looking forward to getting there.

Spring Island - on a Thursday

Today seemed like a day at camp. After waking up and having breakfast, we went to play golf. After golf, lunch, then a nap. Then a little free time for a trip to the fitness center. Then back for a shower and to dinner.

A man could get used to this place. Here they have it all: a baseball field, a croquet field, tennis courts, horseback riding, hiking, birding. We saw some cool birds today: black vulture, ibis, some type of heron. Also a number of alligators.

Our golf game was not only enjoyable but profitable. Playing in the "Men's Day" we were in the bet pot for $15. Not having any idea of what the scorekeeping was like, we simply played our best. I played pretty well, particularly out of the sand. I hit a number of good drives also

, birdied the 16th hole, and made a great par from the sand on #18. So imagine my good fortune to be handed $15 in winnings. I turned that around and reinvested it - got a nice souvenir cap at the pro shop.

Here are a few pictures of the course. This is the 17th hole, which is right on the marsh. I hit just short left and bounced in the left marsh. Doh!

I liked seeing the palm tree here and there. It reminded me of home. These here are called Palmetto Palms, hence the Palmetto State.

It was an enjoyable course. It reminded me of one of my favorites, Shoal Creek, especially the front 9 which was more inland. As you progressed, the marsh areas were more in the backdrop. And the tabby walls were more evident on the back 9. Tabby refers to a shell/mortar mix that is/was commonly used in the Low Country.

I'd like to spend some more time in this area: Savannah, Hilton Head, Beaufort, Charleston and so forth. These trips are good but it makes you want to be spending a week or more. Of course, we've already got a lot of time available. But it is a nice place and there is a lot to see.

Tomorrow we've got another round scheduled at the same course we played last year, Chechessee Creek. I liked it a lot, so I'll look forward to going back. Brian thinks it might rain - he's quite the weather watcher, but I'm more of the optimist. We've got all day so we should get at least some golf in. If not, on to California!

Arrived in South Carolina

They say a good tally per day for a writer is 1,000 words. So I'm going to try and match that during this trip.

___

As usual, it was not easy to get out of town. Between the guilt factor of going on vacation when others are not on vacation, coupled with the (seemingly) spinning clock that speeds up as time goes away, can make for added stress. But it always seems to get through that difficulty, and now that I'm here, it's pretty easy to forget about that left behind, at least for a while.

Getting to Savannah, GA from McAllen, TX is both easy and not so easy. I had to get up very early today at 0345 for an 0600 flight to DFW, then onward. I had to stop by the ATM on the way to get money and then when I got to the airport, at the counter was a friend of mine, Jessica, who works for American. I was not sure how things would work since I had 2 confirmation numbers, one for American and one for US Airways. So I had not checked in. I was thinking I might have to pay double checked bags fees.

Jessica was of course very nice. When I had my credit card out to pay for the bags, she waved it off. That was a pleasant surprise, $60 saved already. Then when I got to the gate, I looked to see what boarding group I was in when they were calling out. "Priority Access" - wow - she also upgraded me to First Class on the way to DFW. So that was a double benefit. As I was thinking of the trip, God will Provide.

It reminded me of a trip I went on to Los Angeles when I was in college. It was the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE). My friends had set this chapter up on campus and the convention just happened to be during our winter break. I recall that I went on this trip with an absurdly small amount of money, like maybe as little as $20, less than $100 for sure for the week. Part of that money was a check for $17.00 that my roommate Craig has written me.

To start off the trip, Craig took me to Washington Dulles airport, which was only about 10 minutes from his home. I think I arrived maybe 20 minutes before the flight was to leave. I wasn't planning on carrying on but it seems there was no other reasonable choice. So with my suitcase (forturately it was small) I headed right on to the plane. Can you believe I actually had a hard sided suitcase then?

As I said, God will provide. I had arranged to stay a few days with my mother's cousin Ann and she picked me up at the airport in a Cadillac limousine, no joke! We went back to her home. For the next few days I was there. I don't recall having to spend any money. I did go into some branch bank, requested to speak to the manager, let him know I was from out of town and would like to cash this check from Craig Monroe of Centreville, VA drawn on a Virginia bank to me, a Texas resident. I must have approached him right, for he walked me to a teller and I left with 17 well needed US dollars.

I guess we had paid for the conference ahead of time, because I don't remember spending much money there. I did have a credit card "for emergencies". I did use it for one emergency, when we were at a nightclub on the last night, we met some local women and one of them ordered a very expensive drink on my tab, a Long Island Iced Tea, which back then cost $13.00 in Los Angeles in 1986. I guess it would be at least twice that now.

Needless to say, by the time I got to the LAX airport to leave, I literally had about $1.00 left. I'm sure I don't remember the story exactly about how little money there actually was, but the part about the $17.00 check is very clear that such amount was a good percentage of the total week's budget. I can't say I'd recommend doing this again, but I made it happen. Do more with less, that is the Marine Corps motto!

Anyway, for this trip as of yesterday, I had spend all the cash I had, and it was a good thing that I could hit the ATM at 0445 before leaving today. And then, I fly First Class.

The layover in DFW went by quickly. Susan doesn't like flying American through DFW because she thinks it is always late but it's not a problem for me. I think once you are at DFW, it's particularly easy to go to either coast.

We flew on a full flight to Charlotte where it was a long walk from one terminal to the next. They don't have a train system so there is a lot of distance to cover. I met up with Sean and we flew together from CLT to Savannah. Savannah airport has kind of a French Quarter vibe to it. We met his dad, Brian and we headed up the now familiar drive to their home in Okatie, SC, from where this byline is coming.

After a settling in, we had some snacks on the screened in porch and then his mother, Kathy made a nice Ziti dinner, with turkey sausage, homemade sauce, spinach salad and fresh bread coupled with a tasty ice cream dessert. She's of Italian descent, so she is a good cook.

As with many couples in their 70s, we had a discussion of conservative politics after dinner followed by a turning in at 8:30 p.m. Plenty of time for rest for golf tomorrow at

Old Tabby Links.

The weekend

I was asked what I did this weekend and like the absent-minded professor, had briefly forgot. But then I remembered.....

Friday night I had gone to see the Memorial HS baseball team so I was there for the evening and the night. We even had a fun happy hour time between the games. It was good to get together with Bill and Brian. Memorial lost the first game but won the second. A cool front came in so it was chilly.

Saturday it was raining in the morning so Susan and I went to Dillards for the Big Sale. It was a good sale, 40% off the sales price. I got some new clothes for our dinner Saturday night with my doctor and his friends. We had a good time. The afternoon was spend shopping for a new refrigerator as ours went out after 10 years. So we were able to locate what we wanted and they delivered it that night after dinner. So it was great to get that checked off. Now on to the next home improvement. I've got a good spring list.

Sunday was Confirmation Sunday at church and it was a great service. One of those you don't want to see end. Father Jim was officially received as our Rector and the children and adults were confirmed by Bishop Lillibridge.

In the afternoon we had a cycling and running workout and then I came home and made dinner. A good day.

TU

Sarah got back from Tulsa at 0245 this morning so we finally had a chance to catch up. She said she liked it and the the girls she met in the sorority. But she said it was a long way away and that is was cold there. So she may be leaning to staying in TX.

Fat Tuesday

It's Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, which I figured out today when I saw that the court in New Orleans was closed for the day. It has always been a goal of mine to go to Mardi Gras, but I have not done it yet. I think that it would be a lot of fun, of course, now that I am older, I'd like to be on the right side of the velvet rope, so to speak. Being in a big drunken crowd would not be much fun at this point in life.

New Orleans has always been a good town for me, having had many fun visits there as well as our honeymoon. I think I know it pretty well and I always have like the people I have known from there.

One of my professional goals is to have a case before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Of course, when I do have one, I am sure it will be a very stressful experience, like a trial on steriods. But, no guts, no glory.

Sunday

Sarah is still at the University of Tulsa this weekend - not coming home until Tuesday so we're making the most of the quiet. Today we went to see the movie This Means War which was a typical Reese Witherspoon February movie: 2 1/2 stars.

My strength training is going OK, so much so that it is now time to pay the Piper. But I've got a lot of benefit so far so I think it will be worthwhile.

Tomorrow is President's Day. With no banks and no mail and no court, I'll hope to get a little ahead.

Wednesday is my dad's birthday and I'll be in Houston to celebrate with them. So I'll have to work hard to get a full week in.

Glad its Friday

This has been quiet a challenging week, from court Monday to going to a jail visit this Friday. The jail visit went well - its a long drive there though. Always happy when I'm driving away from that place.

Sarah left to go to the University of Tulsa for a long weekend with her friend Ari and Ari's mother. They were driving to Dallas last night and they are now in Tulsa. She tweeted that she's really ready for college.

Our church Diocesan Council is this weekend so we are going to the big dinner tonight. It should be a good time. I'm getting out of work so I can get in a good frame of mind for the party tonight. A classic sign of an introvert, according to the Time Magazine article.

My usual time of year

As the second weekend of February comes around, you will usually find me in Kingsville, TX, resting and relaxing at the in-laws. We headed up for birthday and anniversary celebrations and a good time was had by all. Mom and Dad have been married 53 years, and that is a long time by any definition.

I enjoyed seeing the 1973 income tax return showing that Dad's total tax withholding that year was $900 which resulted in a $140 refund. If you every start thinking of money too much, just think how little today's dollar will seem in 30 or 40 years.

Weather has certainly changed a lot over the few days. In Kingsville, it was about 48 degrees and felt very cold with the north wind. On the way home going south, the temperature rose gradually by the mile, to 55 degrees. Today it was sunny and 68.

To court today, and it was a tense time with a family law temporary orders hearing. It kind of reminded me of the protective orders that we heard in the municipal court. You could tell the judge anything, but you knew she was going to rule the same way, every time. So we made the most of the situation.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I'm in good shape with the cards, candies and flowers.

Happily Home

I got back home Sunday night just in time to watch the Super Bowl halftime and the second half. It was nice to see the whole gang: Sarah, Susan, Spencer, Jack. He was over to watch the game, so that was fun. The game of course was a good one, but the best part was being on the couch, eating dinner and watching our big TV. That makes for a nice night at home.

Today, it was a day to go to court so I was looking forward to that. I mentioned to my friend Julie that I was ready for another case, and since she works for the Judge, it happened just like that. It is good to have friends that can make things happen.

February has two volunteer projects that I'm working on and I think they will be done soon. The first is the History of the Episcopal Church in the Rio Grande Valley. We have the proof for the display and should go to print this week. Also, the Mayor's Prayer Luncheon is set for Wed. Feb. 29 so that should be a good event too.

Skiing was fun, but I'm ready to get back to other fun things: my triathlon training, my strength training and my golfing.

Snowbird

Day 1 of skiing was a good "one". We went to Snowbird which is where it all began last decade. I can't remember the exact year we got started but it was at Snowbird. It is a large terrain resort but with less resort amenities. Snow was good-it snowed all day, probably 2 to 3 inches.

For dinner it was my choice to go to a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives suggestion, the Red Iguana. Now I have to say not everyone seemed to share my desire. They didn't even know about the show! Regardless I thought it was quite good, lots of homemade sauces and a good interior of Mexico vibe. The mole sampler was excellent and I did it Alonzo style with 2 entrees. So Guy Fieri is 3 for 3 in my book: also Joe's Farm Grill in Phoenix and the Highlander in Atlanta.

On the way

Here in the Phoenix airport waiting for our SLC flight, it is quiet. All three of us are tapping Away on devices. Hopefully some good conversation will emerge.

I've already prayed the Serenity Prayer today. Travel with friends can bring out some resentments. Running late, decision avoidance, etc But I'm remaining serene and so far so good.

We plan to get in to Salt Lake at 5:30 and then get our skis, check into hotel and go to dinner.

Something about me

Today, I had yet another student come by the office, this one, Claudia, to pick up a sponsorship check for her exchange program to China this year. I had met her when I was the visiting lecturer in the UTPA Business Law Class and we have stayed in touch. She recently showed up at the office raising funds for her trip. Since I had a good exchange program experience, I was of course happy to help.

So in the last few weeks (December and January) I've helped a number of students with jobs, recommendation letter, scholarship funds, career advice, actual work and so forth. It's quite an abundance of riches of sorts. One of the students, Luciana, is very accomplished, a Harvard student. I was telling Susan, that of all of the adults, teachers, professors, etc. she knows, she came to me for her recommendation letter. Even Susan was a bit puzzled by that :)

I guess I've got the Je Ne Sais Quoi!

A big day

I was up early today to go on a 2 hour bike ride. It was windy and the Maniacs were riding hard and I was pretty tired and happy to finish. Getting home, I checked and Sarah and Jack and Susan were going to lunch at my favorite place, Jason's so I joined them. That was fun.

Then afterwards, I went to the car show at the McAllen Convention Center. Made me ready to go Corvette driving - that's tomorrow. Afterwards, I headed home for a nice nap. Then Susan and I had dinner at home and watched the movie 50/50 which we both liked.

Friday night

Its been a busy week and I've been looking forward to having a night at home, so here it is. It's been nice to have dinner and fall asleep on the couch watching TV. Now I'm awake.

Tomorrow I'm set for a 2 hour bike ride and then the McAllen Car Show is going on. I tried to get our Friend to put some of his old cars in the show, but I think he was a bit embarrassed that they were not in tip top shape. I am planning to drive the Corvette on Sunday to do my part to keep that fine car running well.

My friend Mark is putting his 66 Corvette in the car show and he is now determined to drive it more regularly. So I said I'd help him out in that respect. We have a tentative deal to exchange cars for a day.

Next week will have a few vacation days, Wed through Friday and then to the weekend in Salt Lake City. Since I didn't get to go last year, I'm looking forward to this year. The snow report is looking good. Plus I've arranged that we can have dinner at a Diners, Drive-In's and Dives place, the Red Iguana. And pizza at The Pie. So I've learned from the best: if you're going to fly your plane somewhere, you'd better be prepared as to where you're going to eat.

Notes from October jury duty

Here are my notes from jury duty:

Why does it take half a day to pick a jury?

Why does a 1 witness case need a trial? A: that's all they've got

10 minute voir dire when the judge gave 30 minutes?

No juror chart? No names?

attorneys seemed/were inexperienced

24 person panel

no questions for strike for cause purposes

Ususally I hone in on 6-7 people and try and find out about them from the people sitting next to them

Saturday Jan 7

It is the first Saturday of this first week of my new workout regimen. So far, this M/W/F, I have not been sore, but on Friday night I was quite tired at 8:45 when I was at the Vipers game. So I had decided to take it easy today.

I wanted to get outside a bit since it was a nice day of 78 degrees, but also wanted to be home and watch the Texans v. Bengals. And I got both done. So far the game has been very good. And we also played 7 1/2 holes of golf but it was very crowded. Still fun to be outside.

New Years Day 2012

It's the new status symbol to brag about how early you went to bed on New Year's Eve. This last one, I got to bed at 10:30 pm. Meanwhile Sarah stayed out late ringing in the New Year. As a result I got up pretty early on New Year's Day which was also Sunday so I started off the year in church.

In the afternoon, I decided to go for a drive. So I went to pick up the Corvette and.. it wouldn't start. I had told my friend Bennett that we'd go driving so I went with the Shelby. Bennett is single and lives alone, so he always seems to like company. He of course liked the car, and while we were driving said we should go charge the Corvetter with his charger. So we ended up getting back and charging and starting it! Score. We then went for a good drive and finished up about 10 pm. I didn't really mean to be gone that long but we did have a long and succesful trip.

A good way to start the year - having fun while solving problems.

Christmas Tree Fort

Taking out the Christmas tree today reminded me of a Briargrove memory: the Christmas Tree Fort.

After Christmas, people put out their trees on the curb. Our gang of neighborhood kids then went around and gathered up the trees. I think we had 8 or 9 of them. Then we dragged all of them into our yard and circled them up to create a fort. From there we had a nice fort from which to play our war games.

Now if you imagine how dried up one tree might become after Christmas, think of how 9 of them looked. Then you could imagine when my parents came home and were none too impressed at the whole's street's garage in our front yard. They just didn't understand the fun.

The trees were quickly dispersed as soon as they got there. But that fort was sure a fun afternoon.