New Year's Eve

We don't think of New Year's Eve usually as the daylight hours. But it's not only NYE, but also Saturday so that makes it extra lovely.

I feel like I'm already getting going for a New Year 2012. Monday I've got an appointment for weight training and I'm already getting started on the nutrition portion. My friend Jimmy said I should see some good results in a month, especially since "we dont' have to get through 40 pounds of fat first". So that's a good thing.

I went cycling this morning. While it was not much fun to get up at 0630, it was good practice and once I was outside, it was all good.

Now I'm watching the Texas A&M v. Northwestern bowl game. I've got my official Aggie Lone Star Tailgating Association t-shirt on.

I went to the McHi v. Memorial basketball game. The Law Office of Gregory E. Turley is a sponsor of the McHi boys basketball program this year. McHi won 45-42 in a close game. My sponsored athlete James Kittleman was on the front page of the newspaper today.

San Antonio

Today I came to San Antonio for an end-of-the-year client dinner. Glenn and I went to Texas de Brazil, for the full Rodizio experience. I had been to Texas de Brazil in Addison and the San Antonio version is as good, if not better. There is a large wine selection and the hostesses double as "wine angels" doing aerial tricks with harnesses and wires. You'd have to see it to believe it, but it is very cool and beautiful. Food of course is outstanding. And the restaurant is in an old historic building so they did a great job with it.

I did a little work at home before leaving about 10:30 and got here just in time to play 9 holes of golf at Brackenridge. I teamed up with Bill Burnett and John Bell who were enjoyable partners I met. I didn't hit any super shots but it was great weather and very nice to be out. I guess I could have played 9 holes and had a steak dinner in McAllen, but I am confident it would not have happened otherwise. So it was nice to get away. The drive were smoothly as well. I even ran into my friend Jimmy K at the Whataburger in Alice. That was fortuitous since I had been thinking of calling him. "I figured I'd just run into you at the Whataburger."

I had talked to Glenn about watching the Holiday Bowl (UT v. Cal) after dinner but after we went to 2 very crowded places we decided to call it a night. We both figured it would be better to watch in the comfort of home. Plus the TVs there were tiny. You know you're getting older when your TV at home is bigger than the ones at the bars.

Back home

We got home to McAllen from Kingsville about 4:00 today. It seemed like we were gone longer than one night, but that is probably because the house was still looking like Christmas. So we got things a bit straightened up. I went for a bicycle ride. When you can't remember the last time you did something, it's been a while.

We had a nice dinner at home and were all set to watch Black Swan when Sarah got home and announced she and her friends would be watching Super 8. Since I'd already seen that, I let them have the TV.

Looking forward to an "easy" day tomorrow. Then to San Antonio for an end of the year celebratory dinner at Texas De Brazil. Just got a coupon in the email today so that was a no-brainer since I'll already be there.

Christmas Day 2011

Last night we went to Christmas Eve church, then came home and had dinner and then opened our presents. Every one enjoyed their gifts: Sarah liked her Ugg boots, Susan her necklace, Greg his shirts, sweater and bracelet. We had a few gifts that got a laugh: the Christmas dish towel. It has quickly been re-gifted. Sarah got a few movies and we stayed up past midnight watch Julie and Julia. Good the second time around.

Today we slept in, opened our stockings and then got ready to drive to Kingsville. We got here about 2: 00 pm. and had a big afternoon meal. We've since been home all day. It was a cool, crisp day, perfect for Christmas..

We enjoyed watching some NBA basketball - glad to see them back.

Jordan

Jordan, who worked at my office in 2009, has now graduated from college and is back in town. So after we had met for breakfast this morning, I decided I could use his services again. So he came to work and helped out a lot today.

We were supposed to have the painting begin today but that didn't happen. So tomorrow. He'll be a good asset to run interference with the "I need this, where is that..." questions that come when work is being done.

The desk is getting clear and Christmas is just around the corner. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Sunday eve

This weekend was a rainy one but there was a lot of things to do. Although I tried to avoid the major crowds and traffic, I did make it to the store a few times today. Each time, I walked there - a nice 8 minute walk. It felt good to avoid the left turns, the parking, the in-and-out of the cars. Plus it was green and attracts some positive attention.

Reminds me of one of my favorite books, Duane's Depressed, by Larry McMurtry. Duane decides that he has spent his whole life in the cab of a pickup truck, so he decides to get out and walk everywhere. Of course the whole town thinks he's really weird for that.

A little of both

I'm working on various matters. Today I was thinking, I wonder if my negotiating skills are not that good, or rather, it's a problem on the other side. I decided, a little of both.

No matter how good of a deal you propose, if the other side does not have the good sense or the money to make it happen, it will not happen. On my side, I guess I have to figure out a way around that problem.

I've got a new client coming in today. Hopefully, he'll have both the good sense and the money to hire me.

Rainy Saturday

Today was a day that turned out to be a good rainy day. I had to go to a workshop at 0900 for the Church school board which was from 9-1 p.m. So it didn't matter that it rained. We actually got a lot done and it was a good meeting. Afterwards, I went to Sports Authority to look for some dog-walking pants. I ran into a friend who encouraged me to sign up for the Marathon 5K so I went next door to the Convention Center to sign up. I ran into a lot of friends so it was meant to be.

I anticipate it may still be rainy tomorrow morning but that should make it a memorable run.

Here at the office now still getting new computers installed. Almost done!

A lot like Christmas

Day by day, we're proceeding toward Christmas. Now I know that we want to keep Christ in Christmas and the Reason for the Season, but there are still "Holiday" responsibilities that our society would like to impose on us. So the cards are getting ready, the stamps are being purchased, the gifts are being ordered, the tips are being calculated, the parties are being scheduled and so forth. I figure a little bit each day will get the job done.

Tonight we have our lawyer's bar association party which is usually a nice gathering. We have a toy drive as well so I'll purchase an unwrapped toy for that. Afterwards, I'd like to get home. There are many double booking opportunities and I'm trying to avoid those like the plague.

Blog observations

Checking around on the the blogs I follow, it seems that when its not summer, there's not as much information to post. Those long trips that are so interesting to follow just don't seem to happen. Everyone gets involved in work and school.

There are some good travelers out there. Our caddy at Flint Hills National who was Jay, was a travelling caddy. He said this was the first fall/winter that he was not in Florida. He had working in Kansas during the summer, and was making his way back to the East Coast for the spring.

It reminded me of the book Dishwasher about a man's quest to wash dishes in all 50 states. I found him on the David Letterman show. Funny story, the first time he was invited, he decided not to go and send a friend to impersonate him. Cashed the check to boot. And he got invited back, which was when I saw him.

Also another good book about travellers is Into the Wild which I'd highly recommend. It was made into a good movie as well.

Sunday December 4

It's the middle of the afternoon now and both Spencer the dog and I had a good rest this afternoon. It was a well-needed break, since I was working on finishing the Christmas lights outside. The house is looking good as a result.

Last night we went to the Quinceanera for Alexi C. and it was a big party at the McAllen Convention Center. Food was quite good and the entertainment was fun, even for the middle-aged crowd. I joked, had I known how I would age out of those parties, I would have had more fun at them. But on the other hand, I don't think I left too much on the table :)

It'd be nice to get out to the golf course this weekend since it is mild weather, but there's only so much action to take. Right now I'm watching the Texans v. Falcons. Yesterday the Longhorns v. Baylor was a good game, even thought Baylor soundly beat UT.

Saturday December 3

It was a nice day of not too much action today. We went out for a late dinner last night after the Christmas parade at the Argentinian steakhouse which is always a treat. As a result I slept a bit late today.

The parade was very nice. My friend Casey's daughter was one of the beauty queens in the parade riding by in convertibles. But what makes this 3rd grader special is that she is in a wheelchair with Spina Bifida. It goes to show, beauty takes a lot more than 2 good legs.

Also in the parade after the color guard, was the band, the Prancers, the cheerleaders and all of the football team. It was great to see everyone together again after the last game of the season.

I worked on hanging Christmas lights outside and got most of it done. The rest can be done tomorrow. It's always a big job (to me) with the ladders and getting into the attic and such.

I watched the UT-Baylor game and it was a good game. UT looked OK to start but Baylor closed them out. At least Baylor makes the Big 12 look good. Final score 48-24.

Flint Hills National

We left Hutchinson about 4:00 p.m Tuesday and made a reasonable 1.5 hour drive to Andover KS just east of Wichita. Getting to the course, we drove to our accomodations which was the Dower Lodge. This was a real lodge, down to the log cabin design. But it was quite large, 4 bedrooms, each with our own bath, and a great room and big patio, all overlooking the 10th hole. Top notch facilities.

In the locker room was a poster showing this as a "golf retreat", a place you could take 2 or 3 groups, with a top course, good food and drink, and away from a major city. This hit all of those categories.

Wednesday we had another frost delay but teed off about 10:30. There were relatively a lot of people there, especially compared to the last 3 places we had been. Breakfast highlight was the blueberry pancakes.

The course is a Fazio design, but it was unlike others. It was more playable and more of a classic design. It took cues from Prairie Dunes (since they are so close) but this had greens mainly sloping left to right instead of back to front. It had a championship course feel and I can see why the USGA has already had tournaments here. At the end of the round, I thought I could have stayed longer and continued to play - high praise. But we ended up going straight back to the airport and flying out that afternoon.

It was fun today to tell someone "I just played golf yesterday in Wichita Kansas".

Prairie Dunes

Driving out of Stillwater, we headed north on I-35, into Kansas and on the Kansas Turnpike. Speed limit was 75, but that didn't stop Richard from getting a ticket for going 88 mph. He handled the highway patrol well. Better him than me.

We got to Hutchinson KS about 7 but spend some time driving around looking for the hotel. The men were getting mighty antsy that they had not had dinner yet and it was dark. Like Jerry Seinfeld says, the older you get, the more you start acting like a kid again. We finally found the hotel and went to dinner at the Lone Star Steakhouse next door. It was quiet for a Monday night. Our waitress was called "Homeskillet" by the manager :) After dinner I was able to use the computer at the hotel which was great.

Tuesday morning it was cold again but we had breakfast and headed to the course. Prairie Dunes is a very historic and original course, located in the sand hills just northeast of town. This area looks like no place else, even the land right around it. Much of the course is just long grass, pasture-like. And the dunes are quiet large.

The clubhouse was remarkably nice and I enjoyed meeting the staff and seeing the place. It looked like my kind of place. We warmed up on the range and then went out. I carried my clubs and walked so that helped to warm up.

The holes here are all named with old-style names and signs which I liked. Greens sloped quite a bit, mainly back to front. There were many elevated greens with false fronts. You really have to be a good iron player here. I drove the ball well, made some putts and shot a good round of 89.

This being a small town, it was a jeans-permitted place, at least for the locals. I thought that gave it a very authentic vibe. The course was a true original and is certainly an inspiration to many other courses. It definitely lives up to its high rankings. In fact they should probably be higher.