Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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.

Monday, May 28, 2012

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.


Sunday, May 20, 2012

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.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

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.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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!