Thinking of fathers today, I guess I am qualified on the topic. In addition to my own father Ed and my own daughter Sarah, there seem to be many other fatherly figures that deserve a mention today:
In raising my own daughter, I am thankful for the others dads that were there at those points in time. All of "my tribe" the Indian Princesses of the E.A. Smith YMCA made a big difference in those formative years. All the parents from Grace Christian School, North Pointe Elementary, Gonzalez Elementary, Cathey Middle School and IB Lamar.
My father in law David, my grandfather Wilton, my uncle Vernon, gone but not forgotten.
Family friends when I was growing up: Fred, Glenn, Bob C., Bill N., Tinsley.
It takes a village. A lot of fine men through the years. I hope to carry on the noble tradition.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Summer of 1988
There's an old Seinfeld episode where Kramer is getting after George for doing nothing with his life:
"You got a job?" No
"You got any money" No
"You got a woman" No
"Do you have any prospects?" No
"Do you have any conceivable reason to get out of bed in the morning"
"I like to read the Daily News"
Thinking of the Summer of 1988, I didn't have that much going on either. I had graduated from college in June 1987, but a year later, was back living with my parents, didn't have a job, but I was studying from the LSAT which I took (and aced) in early summer.
I then signed up for 2 classes at the University of Houston. That was in hindsight kind of a waste of time since I was really not that interested in making any career out of 1 accounting class and 1 computer science class. As a commuter, I didn't really meet anyone that month. The best I could do was to find out that this one girl worked at a club. I went there one time looking for her, but of course she wasn't there.
So I had no job, no money and no woman. One thing I remember is going to this local sports bar in the evenings after dinner, when I would have a beer or 2 and watch the Astros on cable TV, which we didn't have at home. There was a rookie catcher breaking in that summer named Craig Biggio, who would go on to a Hall of Fame career.
After that class ended I started looking for a job and did find one after about a month and started around August 15, working downtown for Texas Eastern Corporation. That turned out to be a decent job and then I got into law school and started moving forward.
But the summer was not all bad. I do recall that I had a date with a lovely lady. We went to see the movie Bull Durham. I also got invited to a couple of parties and met some recent UT grads and other people from Houston. I was able to use the Houston Country Club on a reasonable basis. That summer the course was closed due to a renovation, so my dad and I went to the local driving range a lot and he arranged us many golf games at local courses: Brae Burn, Westwood, Weston Lakes, Lakeside, River Oaks, Lochinvar. I've probably not played any of those courses since.
We also played in a partnership tournament in Austin at the Hills of Lakeway and Barton Creek and had a record day, coming in second place which was exciting. I even got set up on a date, which was fun and ended up at the Deep Eddy Cabaret, which ironically is still the same all these years later.
All in all, it was not a bad summer. I had just moved to Houston and still getting my feet wet. After August of 1988, I knew things would be OK there.
"You got a job?" No
"You got any money" No
"You got a woman" No
"Do you have any prospects?" No
"Do you have any conceivable reason to get out of bed in the morning"
"I like to read the Daily News"
Thinking of the Summer of 1988, I didn't have that much going on either. I had graduated from college in June 1987, but a year later, was back living with my parents, didn't have a job, but I was studying from the LSAT which I took (and aced) in early summer.
I then signed up for 2 classes at the University of Houston. That was in hindsight kind of a waste of time since I was really not that interested in making any career out of 1 accounting class and 1 computer science class. As a commuter, I didn't really meet anyone that month. The best I could do was to find out that this one girl worked at a club. I went there one time looking for her, but of course she wasn't there.
So I had no job, no money and no woman. One thing I remember is going to this local sports bar in the evenings after dinner, when I would have a beer or 2 and watch the Astros on cable TV, which we didn't have at home. There was a rookie catcher breaking in that summer named Craig Biggio, who would go on to a Hall of Fame career.
After that class ended I started looking for a job and did find one after about a month and started around August 15, working downtown for Texas Eastern Corporation. That turned out to be a decent job and then I got into law school and started moving forward.
But the summer was not all bad. I do recall that I had a date with a lovely lady. We went to see the movie Bull Durham. I also got invited to a couple of parties and met some recent UT grads and other people from Houston. I was able to use the Houston Country Club on a reasonable basis. That summer the course was closed due to a renovation, so my dad and I went to the local driving range a lot and he arranged us many golf games at local courses: Brae Burn, Westwood, Weston Lakes, Lakeside, River Oaks, Lochinvar. I've probably not played any of those courses since.
We also played in a partnership tournament in Austin at the Hills of Lakeway and Barton Creek and had a record day, coming in second place which was exciting. I even got set up on a date, which was fun and ended up at the Deep Eddy Cabaret, which ironically is still the same all these years later.
All in all, it was not a bad summer. I had just moved to Houston and still getting my feet wet. After August of 1988, I knew things would be OK there.
House Park Hill
I went to a high school graduation party last week. It was held in an outdoor venue and a very nice affair with lots of family and friends. The graduate played volleyball and everyone had pizza and cake and soft drinks and water. Some of the adults had a drink or two.
It made me think of the very different Austin High Class of 1983 graduation party, held at Saagerunde Hall. Joe King Carrasco played some of his early mosh style music. We were graduates and it was not a school party so going back and forth to the parking lot for beer was common. One of my friends rolled through the Party Bar on Guadalupe with the graduation tassel hanging from the rear view.
After the party, I rode with the late great Aaron Kluth to some afterparty. As was common then, Aaron was speeding westbound on W 15th street when after crossing West Ave., there was a crest of the steep hill before going down over the overpass of North Lamar. The plan was to time the green lights just so to hit top speed while going over the hill to get "airborne".
Now Aaron was feeling it. He probably hit about 65 mph at the top of the hill. We hit the crest and bounced up in the seats so high I hit my head on the top of the roof. No seat belts of course. We probably came an inch or two off the ground and then came crashing down. Miraculously he maintained control and we barrelled down the hill hooting and hollering.
The things we did back then are hard to believe now: jumping off the Mopac bridge, boating at night, top speed on Loop 360, midnight swimming. It wasn't all fun and games: Trey Thorn fell off the back of a motorcycle and died. Lara Tatum died when the roofless Blazer she was riding in flipped over. We even had a suicide in 1980 or so of a classmate's brother.
Austin was smaller then than it is now. I guess like any town the kids eventually get bored. Glad that our party here was more low key. She's now on a graduation cruise. So all is well.
It made me think of the very different Austin High Class of 1983 graduation party, held at Saagerunde Hall. Joe King Carrasco played some of his early mosh style music. We were graduates and it was not a school party so going back and forth to the parking lot for beer was common. One of my friends rolled through the Party Bar on Guadalupe with the graduation tassel hanging from the rear view.
After the party, I rode with the late great Aaron Kluth to some afterparty. As was common then, Aaron was speeding westbound on W 15th street when after crossing West Ave., there was a crest of the steep hill before going down over the overpass of North Lamar. The plan was to time the green lights just so to hit top speed while going over the hill to get "airborne".
Now Aaron was feeling it. He probably hit about 65 mph at the top of the hill. We hit the crest and bounced up in the seats so high I hit my head on the top of the roof. No seat belts of course. We probably came an inch or two off the ground and then came crashing down. Miraculously he maintained control and we barrelled down the hill hooting and hollering.
The things we did back then are hard to believe now: jumping off the Mopac bridge, boating at night, top speed on Loop 360, midnight swimming. It wasn't all fun and games: Trey Thorn fell off the back of a motorcycle and died. Lara Tatum died when the roofless Blazer she was riding in flipped over. We even had a suicide in 1980 or so of a classmate's brother.
Austin was smaller then than it is now. I guess like any town the kids eventually get bored. Glad that our party here was more low key. She's now on a graduation cruise. So all is well.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
IDEA Alamo - talk to students
I had the honor of speaking to a group of seniors at the IDEA Alamo charter high school on May 31, about writing my book Hideaway. Here's a recap of what I told them:
You each have a unique story to tell, unlike anyone else's story. And there is a hunger for original content. No one needs to give you permission to write it
So set a short goal. Share it with someone else. Settle in for the long haul.
I then read from the chapter where Thomas tells Harvey about his problem and Harvey tells him the temporary solution to go to the Hideaway.
I talked about what the criticisms I expected and how the response was very different:
When I thought it was only a fiction story, I heard "I felt like you were talking"
When I thought it was too short, I heard "I liked that it was a fast read"
When I thought I didn't know enough technical detail, "That's exactly what it is like"
When I thought the characters were too closely based on real like, "You have a vivid imagination"
and
"Which one is me?"
When I thought there were small mistakes, "I didn't notice any"
I told them about publishing on CreateSpace.com and Amazon. The costs is basically zero: no minimum order, no setup fee, no artwork fee, no editorial review. You can choose to pay for these, but you don't have to. They also liked hearing about the royalty structure (30% to Amazon, exclusive sales channel for 90 days, and recoup of the cost of printing, as well as the costs of shipping. The printing on demand concept was intriguing as well.
I think they were most interested in that business end of things and how the costs worked.
Thanks to Ms. Marisol Garcia for setting up my visit.
You each have a unique story to tell, unlike anyone else's story. And there is a hunger for original content. No one needs to give you permission to write it
So set a short goal. Share it with someone else. Settle in for the long haul.
I then read from the chapter where Thomas tells Harvey about his problem and Harvey tells him the temporary solution to go to the Hideaway.
I talked about what the criticisms I expected and how the response was very different:
When I thought it was only a fiction story, I heard "I felt like you were talking"
When I thought it was too short, I heard "I liked that it was a fast read"
When I thought I didn't know enough technical detail, "That's exactly what it is like"
When I thought the characters were too closely based on real like, "You have a vivid imagination"
and
"Which one is me?"
When I thought there were small mistakes, "I didn't notice any"
I told them about publishing on CreateSpace.com and Amazon. The costs is basically zero: no minimum order, no setup fee, no artwork fee, no editorial review. You can choose to pay for these, but you don't have to. They also liked hearing about the royalty structure (30% to Amazon, exclusive sales channel for 90 days, and recoup of the cost of printing, as well as the costs of shipping. The printing on demand concept was intriguing as well.
I think they were most interested in that business end of things and how the costs worked.
Thanks to Ms. Marisol Garcia for setting up my visit.
Monday, May 28, 2018
3 Day Weekend
It has been a nice weekend at home. Despite hot temperatures, I did get some fun things done. Saw the new Solo movie, 4 stars on Southlandview.blogspot.com. I also played 16 holes of golf. We skipped the last 2 since the sun was going down. Hot, windy and lots of glare, Timm and I agreed that added 2 shots per side.
I've had the flag flying all three days. George and I went for a swim in the pool this morning. That was a fun time. Then I cooked out some burgers and dove from my last hunting trip. They turned out great.
Back to work tomorrow. I had an appeal brief due June 14 that my client said "Don't wait until the last minute." So I plan on starting in earnest tomorrow to get 2 of the 16 hours that I anticipate it will take.
I've had the flag flying all three days. George and I went for a swim in the pool this morning. That was a fun time. Then I cooked out some burgers and dove from my last hunting trip. They turned out great.
Back to work tomorrow. I had an appeal brief due June 14 that my client said "Don't wait until the last minute." So I plan on starting in earnest tomorrow to get 2 of the 16 hours that I anticipate it will take.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Piano Lessons
While playing golf with my 71 year old friend Bill, his fellow player Charles asked him in a snide manner "Do you have a piano lesson tomorrow?"
It reminded me of how my "friends" growing up thought of my piano lessons. Many times, I'd have to come in from outside playing for a piano lesson. I took lessons from age 8 to 16 so I had a lot of teachers. Some better than others, we moved several times so there was always a new one. Some men, some women.
Of course not all other kids appreciated that, including me. When I was able to make the decision myself, I stopped such lessons.
Now I'm back playing on my own. I enjoy it and have a good base. But hearing that snide remark brought back a LOT of memories.
I asked Bill "do you really have a piano lesson tomorrow?" He said yes, that he wanted to learn to play his mother's piano.
So I'm glad I know how to play. Even if it was not so easy to learn back then.
It reminded me of how my "friends" growing up thought of my piano lessons. Many times, I'd have to come in from outside playing for a piano lesson. I took lessons from age 8 to 16 so I had a lot of teachers. Some better than others, we moved several times so there was always a new one. Some men, some women.
Of course not all other kids appreciated that, including me. When I was able to make the decision myself, I stopped such lessons.
Now I'm back playing on my own. I enjoy it and have a good base. But hearing that snide remark brought back a LOT of memories.
I asked Bill "do you really have a piano lesson tomorrow?" He said yes, that he wanted to learn to play his mother's piano.
So I'm glad I know how to play. Even if it was not so easy to learn back then.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Gray in the Temples
When I was just out of college living in Washington DC, back in 1987, I enjoyed browsing at some fine men's clothing stores. I admired the clothes but could not practically afford them since I was barely getting by.
I do remember buying a pair of shoes for 50% off due to a strange size. I wore those proudly. I recall the original retail was $160 which would probably be $400+ today.
At the time I had bought them there was also a suit for sale. It was a nailhead pattern, very distinguished, charcoal grey, maybe even double breasted, in the right size. I had tried it on and it looked good! But it costs about $600 then, even on sale.
I recall that the salesman told me "You probably need a little gray in your temples to wear this". So that was the end of that. I was 22 years old!
Advancing now to the eve of my 53rd birthday. I was looking in the mirror today and noticed that Gray in my Temples. I'm in! But now I live in a near tropical climate, no one wears suits much in this day and age of casual days, I have one suit which is enough for now, and that store in Washington DC is now a forgotten name that is likely long out of business for the same reasons just stated.
I do remember buying a pair of shoes for 50% off due to a strange size. I wore those proudly. I recall the original retail was $160 which would probably be $400+ today.
At the time I had bought them there was also a suit for sale. It was a nailhead pattern, very distinguished, charcoal grey, maybe even double breasted, in the right size. I had tried it on and it looked good! But it costs about $600 then, even on sale.
I recall that the salesman told me "You probably need a little gray in your temples to wear this". So that was the end of that. I was 22 years old!
Advancing now to the eve of my 53rd birthday. I was looking in the mirror today and noticed that Gray in my Temples. I'm in! But now I live in a near tropical climate, no one wears suits much in this day and age of casual days, I have one suit which is enough for now, and that store in Washington DC is now a forgotten name that is likely long out of business for the same reasons just stated.
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