Category: Good Times

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One and Done

With a heavy heart I am writing this to acknowledge the loss yesterday of the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens. It was not a good game. The Titans made so many mistakes with penalties and bad decisions on the field that I was banging my head on the wall in frustration.

The worst moment in the game was when the kicker missed a 51 yard field goal attempt. We really needed that field goal to keep the game alive and it might have even won the game for us. But he missed with a wide swing to the left of the goal posts and we were crushed. Done.

Congrats to the Ravens for the win. I have to say that to be a good sport, but I also have to say that I will not be cheering for the Ravens in the next round of the playoffs. Whoever is playing against the Ravens will get my support. If I even watch that game at all.

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Plans for Reading More

This year I’m working on a personal improvement goal of reading more books. I used to love to read in school. I could read all afternoon and finish off a book a day when I was in junior high school. Of course, I hardly ever had an afternoon dedicated to reading – I was always doing some kind of sports or lessons. But I did read a fair amount and I still like a good book. One of my favorite fiction writers is John Grisham and his series of novels about lawyers and legal cases.

In the world of non fiction I usually stay away from all those touchy feelie, self improvement types of books. I like books about history – especially the Civil War. I also like books about travel and places around the world that will make my “bucket list.”Haven’t been outside of the U. S. yet, but I plan to.

Right now I’m reading a book by Jimmy Buffett, of all people, called, “Tales From Margaritaville.” Although the collection of short stories is mostly fiction, some of them are based on the truth. It makes for interesting reading and stirs up the desire to head for a beach.

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No Hangover!

Last night really rocked and I’m amazed that I don’t have a hangover from all the fun.

The lodge was the perfect place for a New Year’s Eve party. We ate like pigs, drank like fish and partied like a room full of crazy but “smart enough to not do anything totally stupid” people. It was really nice to be able to totally relax and let loose.

We called a cab about 2:30 am and decided to just leave my car there for the morning. Much better to pay out $30 and not worry about DUI issues. I’ll catch a ride back over there with my brother to fetch the car later this afternoon and maybe we’ll share a late brunch. Don’t want to break my arm for patting myself on the back too much, but I think that was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done!

Here’s hoping you had a nice New Year’s celebration, too. Here’s also hoping that 2009 is good to you, and that we all see great things for America and our families.

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New Year’s Party

Heading out to the New Year’s party in a few minutes. We are going to the Lodge as guests of my brother and his wife. I know lots of the guys there although I’ve not joined the lodge. These are good people and the lodge is the perfect place for a private, adult party. They have booked a local band and a DJ so that when the band takes a break there will still be music playing. That’s a good idea, as the DJ can play some of the different types of music that the band might not be into.

It’s a BYOB party, which save some bucks. You buy the mixers there and the ticket price included a big buffet dinner with a prime rib carving station. It includes party hats, noise makers, and a glass of champagne for a group toast at midnight.

Sound like a really great deal for the price and the fact that you are among friends and family makes it even better. So let me get out of here and wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year.

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Beaches on My Mind

I get a weekly email from a travel destinations site with features of different places and vacation packages. This week the email features beaches, called “Seven affordable, under the radar, beach destinations.” Well, I was most interested in the “affordable” part but the “under the radar” part intrigued me, as well. So I gave it a look.

The first beach they featured is in Venezuela, called Los Roques. This is not really just one beach. Los Roques is an archipelago of 42 sandy islands and over 300 mangrove islets, located about 80 miles north of the Caracas coast. Most Los Roques islands are uninhabited, and the few that have hotels have very small, primitive accommodations.

They recommended the tiny, six-room hotel called “Posada Movida.” Their bed and breakfast rates start at $75 per person per night. Now that is a bargain. You can barely get a Red Roof Inn in Atlanta for $75 a night! After some investigation I found it’s a better deal to get the all inclusive rate of $120 per person, which covers all meals with wine at dinner, and an all day island boat tour.

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Blueberry Muffins

Does anybody NOT like blueberry muffins? I think this is one food that is universally loved by everyone.

I used to pick blueberries from the bushes in the backyard of my first grade teacher. She had about a dozen blueberry bushes and would invite the kids to come pick as many as they wanted for free on the weekend of the fourth of July every year. The rest of the summer you could still come pick them, but she would charge $2 per pail.

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Builder of Sand Castles

Read an article on Wiki about sand castles that lead me to “World Grandmaster Sand Sculpting Champion Rich Varano” and his web site.

He’s from Florida, so I’m sure he has a lot more access to sand to practice and ply his trade than most people. Evidently he travels all over the world to compete in sand castle building competitions. The photos on his website are awe inspiring. Check it out for inspiration before you head to the beach this summer. If you need lessons, he gives them!