Wednesday, January 31, 2018

January 31

It's the end of January - first of 12 months already done.  I've made some good progress on my 2018 resolutions.  Let growth happen organically.  Get up an hour earlier.  Help others.

I'm heading to Madison WI tomorrow - going to visit Sarah and Travis.  Looking forward to it and the weather should be very cold!  in the 10s and 20s.  I hope I have the right clothes but I can always borrow from Travis.

We are using my Christmas present - tickets to Jerry Seinfeld show on Friday night.  It should be great.  I just watched his Netflix show so I am warmed up again.


Friday, January 26, 2018

Bill of Rights Conference 2018

I spoke at the Hidalgo County Bar Association Bills of Rights Conference today.  A life goal to speak at a major CLE event.  The out of town speakers were excellent so I thought I was in good company.

My topic was Advising License to Carry Handgun Holders.  I told the crowd that the one thing to remember was that it was no longer called a CHL  (concealed handgun license).

I should have the video I had professionally made up for viewing soon.  You can see it for yourself.

My friend Abner said that I had a good "pedagogical way" about me.  A high compliment.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Last Day of 2017

Today is New Year's Eve and a Sunday to boot, so it is a nice day to consider the year and all that has occurred.  And to make some plans for 2018

Some of the high points of 2017 were:

Sarah and Travis getting engaged.  Looking forward to the future plans of them.

Decision to form a new law firm - starting next Tuesday.  Getting the office cleared out and ready for new people was like moving.

Remodeling our kitchen/ living area.  Again, that was like moving.  Lots of work went in to that and it looks great.

Three big trips to 2 new states and one new area of Mexico.  There was something good about each trip:  the father/adult son aspect of the college reunion.  The new friend/ new discovery of Alaska.  The  new friends and new activity of the yoga retreat to Isla Mujures.

A lot of personal growth happened this year.  It continues but I think I've crossed the rubicon into my 50s officially and mentally

I've enjoyed my piano playing this year.  I'm glad to put my Yamaha to good use.  This next year I should be ready for my recital.

My public speaking has hit a good level on the Second Amendment and Contacts with Law Enforcement.  I finally have the right topic to be able to discuss that people are interested in.

My writing continues.  I've made good progress on Book #2 tentatively called "Still Patty".  Planning to push to completion in early 2018.  My movie blog is getting better - 69 posts this year and I was just checking - lots of page views this week.  Must be catching on after 5 years.

And of course my Driver X movie.  "My" movie is perhaps an overstatement.  But that involvement has been very significant this year.  As my friend Alex put it, it will now have a life of its own.  And helping to make that happen was very enjoyable in a lot of respects.






Sunday, January 14, 2018

2017 Golf in Review

I'm including a bit of the New Year of 2018 in this.  I just finished playing the Ano Nuevo tournament at the McAllen Country Club.  I played with Brian H.   We have played before a number of times - I thought our partnership would be a good one.  While we enjoyed playing with each other, the pressure of tournament golf got to both of us.  54 holes later, we were glad to finish and leave the course.  Maybe its the setting of the course up to make it harder - greens are faster - pins are in the hard spots - tees are back, but it makes it tough.  Susan said "I told you not to play in those tournaments" - I may have to pass the baton....  but it does feel a bit early to do so.  We will see.


As David Cook would say, my golf score in not a reflection of my worth.  I have had a lot of enjoyment this past year on the course.  I did play in the 9 holes tournament in April, May and June.  It was a Tuesday evening event and we did play with a lot of different people.  We won some, we lost some, it was a pretty good time.  And the course was not set up so hard.

I did have a record round of 79 this year.  I couldn't believe it when I added up the scorecard.  I think that is why I did so well.   Plus I had 2 guests so I was talking them around the course, which helped me play more methodically.  Looking at the card, it was from the green tees, 5,946 yards.  I guess that is more my speed.

And I did witness some excellent golf.  On January 1, 2017, I played with Papito who is on the University of Houston golf team.  He shot 30-33= 63, 8 under par at McAllen CC.  from the back tees, 6,397 yards.  We also played again on December 31, a nice bookend.   He was -2 after 9 holes when we had to call it due to weather.   I also played with "The Future", Jimmy Lee who  is ranked in the top 50 junior golfers in the US.

Ed and I played several times:  on our trip to Virginia, we played the Lexington Golf and Country Club, then in Wilmington, DE I played the Ed Oliver Golf Course (former Wilmington CC) and then we played Bidermann Golf Club, a very old money place.

We did also play in December at Houston C.C. Since it was wet, we played from the 150 yard mark in and that was fun, since we were hitting short irons into every green.  I like that approach.

Kyle and I played Lions Municipal in Austin when we were there for the Blondie and Garbage concert in August.  It was a hot day - I enjoyed showing Kyle around.  He said "I can tell this course means a lot to you".    Looking at the card, I shot 82 which was another low round.  I guess I just have to be inspired to play my best!