Last Saturday we made the pilgrimage to the town of Rugby (population 2,939). Why Rugby of all places? It was my oldest brother Richard's 50th birthday. I was excited to go because I haven't seen Richard in close to six years (him and his wife Debbie live in Washington state). It was actually a surprise birthday. He had a hunch that something was going on. Why? Because everyone had plans that night, even my parents.
We all met at Jester's Lounge (the high-class town watering hole) at 7:30 to set up the food and to make sure all was in order. Since my cousin is one of the owners of the bar, Grant was allowed in for a about an hour. He had to be in one area of the bar and stay there. Grandpa bought him his first "drink", a 7-Up and munched on some chips. Great parenting, I know! My parents owned and operated a bar while I was growing up and I turned out OK (no jokes, Mark!) So it didn't bother me as much as Mark that Grant was in there for awhile. I think Mark was feeling like a pretty lousy father at that point! Grant went back to the hotel were Grandpa and Grandma babysat and from what I was told they had some interesting conversations about baseball. Grant asked us later if we were "going to the bar", which was interesting....he must have enjoyed it! (I doubt Mark will be real proud to share this story with his co-workers!)
Richard showed up around 8:15 and had the biggest smile on his face! Richard knew something was up when he walked in and saw Nicky. It was great having my siblings together and we actually had a lot of fun that night! The bar had a DJ that night. I haven't danced that much in a long time. We enjoyed ourselves quite a bit. Richard's friends were a good group of guys and he really enjoyed seeing everyone again.
Some "hottie" guys were checking out Nicky and I. It was probably because my sisters and nieces and I looked like we were from "the big city". Apparently jeans and nice tops set you apart from the "locals". Mullets (men AND women, disturbingly) and t-shirts with creative sayings like a Gatorade logo shirt that says "Get Lade" are common fashion among the local women. (I think Mark was slightly afraid of them.)
Not exactly a lot of "yeah babies" around there, y'know? Mark said he felt like he was in a time warp most of the night with some of the quality music being played. You know the kind- a lot of AC/DC, Metallica, etc.
The party ended about 1:30AM. But the night isn't over until there is a good old-fashioned bar fight (because as Elton John sang, Saturday night's the night for fighting, right?) Two enlightened gentlemen who I'm guessing had slightly in excess of the legal limit of alcohol got into a fight and took it out into the street. It was hilarious to watch because they were drunk, saying stupid stuff to each other like "You wanna throw fists". The two geniuses ended up rolling around on the street. Most of the town motorcycle guys were just laughing. I'm sure if there had been a real fracas breaking out those guys would pretty much destroy any one of the young punks around that area. It wouldn't be much of a contest. Those guys had tattoos older than most of those younger guys.
As the song says, they probably howled at the moon and shot out the lights after the bar closed down. Just another small town Saturday night in the upper Midwest!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wii love Guitar Hero!!!
Our latest family quest has been to find a Nintendo Wii. If you've been on a similar quest, you know that finding one is as likely as locating a Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch Kid from days gone by. The kicker is, when they have them in stock, they last approximately nine seconds before they are sold out, and no one knows when they are coming in again.
We first got hooked on the Wii when one of my staff members brought his over to our house for an evening get together, and accidentally forgot it. (If you were trying to gain favor with your boss, that's a great way to do it!) Naturally, we hooked it up. It's truly a revolution in gaming. The wireless controls, the fun games, the all-ages appeal- it all adds up to a real enjoyable experience for the family and it's great for parties too.
Naturally, since they are about as scarce as can be, we've let people know we are looking for one and to buy it for us if they see one (yes, I did tell them we'd pay them back for it!) So of course, my father innocently walks into Best Buy last Sunday, sees six Wiis on display and promptly buys one for himself.
This, of course, after I told him to get one for us if he sees one. But he forgot. So my parents now have a Wii and we don't. Proof that there is no justice. (Of course, I got to go over to their house and show them how to hook it up. I am the good son, after all.)
But I digress. This weekend, the same staff member I mentioned earlier went out of town for the weekend. So we borrowed his Wii again and decided to try some Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, complete with rented fake plastic Gibson guitars. While I suspect most "real" guitar players (including my old man) don't think much of it, Carla and I enjoyed playing (sort of) some Foghat, Joan Jett, Heart, etc. I joked to my dad that if they would have had this when I was in school, I may have taken up guitar instead of piano.
It's amazing from thinking about when I was a 6-year old kid and getting my first Colecovision and we thought that was the coolest thing ever made. Remember those old Atari machines with the crappy graphics & lousy sound? Wow, how far we've come in 25 years. Heck, even Super Mario Bros. seems so out of date. And the old arcade is a thing of the past.
For my part, as a video gamer of the past, this is one of the reasons I love the fact Grant is getting a little older- now I've got an excuse to get Madden every year once we get our Wii!! (Don't tell Carla--it'll be our little secret.)
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go pretend to be Aerosmith.
(Note- we did get a Wii a few days later! YESSSSSSSS!!!!!)
We first got hooked on the Wii when one of my staff members brought his over to our house for an evening get together, and accidentally forgot it. (If you were trying to gain favor with your boss, that's a great way to do it!) Naturally, we hooked it up. It's truly a revolution in gaming. The wireless controls, the fun games, the all-ages appeal- it all adds up to a real enjoyable experience for the family and it's great for parties too.
Naturally, since they are about as scarce as can be, we've let people know we are looking for one and to buy it for us if they see one (yes, I did tell them we'd pay them back for it!) So of course, my father innocently walks into Best Buy last Sunday, sees six Wiis on display and promptly buys one for himself.
This, of course, after I told him to get one for us if he sees one. But he forgot. So my parents now have a Wii and we don't. Proof that there is no justice. (Of course, I got to go over to their house and show them how to hook it up. I am the good son, after all.)
But I digress. This weekend, the same staff member I mentioned earlier went out of town for the weekend. So we borrowed his Wii again and decided to try some Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, complete with rented fake plastic Gibson guitars. While I suspect most "real" guitar players (including my old man) don't think much of it, Carla and I enjoyed playing (sort of) some Foghat, Joan Jett, Heart, etc. I joked to my dad that if they would have had this when I was in school, I may have taken up guitar instead of piano.
It's amazing from thinking about when I was a 6-year old kid and getting my first Colecovision and we thought that was the coolest thing ever made. Remember those old Atari machines with the crappy graphics & lousy sound? Wow, how far we've come in 25 years. Heck, even Super Mario Bros. seems so out of date. And the old arcade is a thing of the past.
For my part, as a video gamer of the past, this is one of the reasons I love the fact Grant is getting a little older- now I've got an excuse to get Madden every year once we get our Wii!! (Don't tell Carla--it'll be our little secret.)
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go pretend to be Aerosmith.
(Note- we did get a Wii a few days later! YESSSSSSSS!!!!!)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Gingi What?
Some of you may be wondering what I am doing with my 5 hours of free time a week while Grant is in preschool. I have managed to get most of my house cleaned in about an hour, had our house appraised, grocery shopped and had a gingivectomy Exciting times, I know.
I was a little nervous about the gingivectomy, proably becasue I was reliving in my mind the wisdom teeth surgery and bone grafting just over a year ago. My dentist has been pushing me to get this done for a few months. She thought the tissue would move and settle once my wisom teeth were removed...wrong. It took her 3 years to convice me to have my wisdom teeth removed and only a few months to have tissue removed so I think she is making progress in earning my trust in her.
The gingivectomy was quite painless unless you count the five shots of naovacaine. There was also very little bleeding (thank-you lasers!). I was able to lay there and watch my ladies on The View in somewhat peaceful surroundings and it was over with in less than 30 minutes!
I was a little nervous about the gingivectomy, proably becasue I was reliving in my mind the wisdom teeth surgery and bone grafting just over a year ago. My dentist has been pushing me to get this done for a few months. She thought the tissue would move and settle once my wisom teeth were removed...wrong. It took her 3 years to convice me to have my wisdom teeth removed and only a few months to have tissue removed so I think she is making progress in earning my trust in her.
The gingivectomy was quite painless unless you count the five shots of naovacaine. There was also very little bleeding (thank-you lasers!). I was able to lay there and watch my ladies on The View in somewhat peaceful surroundings and it was over with in less than 30 minutes!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Goodbye Summer!
Summer is almost gone, the temperature is dropping fast! No morning frost, but with morning temps in the 40's it feels like there should be frost on the ground. I hear the roaring of the school buses and see the lanes full of mini-vans on the road. The best part of fall? The kids are back in school! The neighborhood is quiet. The mall is also quiet and back in the hands of mall walkers and stay-at-home moms.
I will miss the walks with Grant and him holding my hand as we walk down the street. This is the time when the curious little boy likes to point out new objects, walking through yards and having conversations with mom. I will also miss setting up the pool and "lounging" by it as Grant plays and waters the flowers. These are memories that I will play over and over as the snow falls.
As we enter the fall season, a new stage of life is upon us. Grant starts pre-school tomorrow! I can't believe it! I am so excited for him and a little sad that a chapter in our lives is ending.
I will miss the walks with Grant and him holding my hand as we walk down the street. This is the time when the curious little boy likes to point out new objects, walking through yards and having conversations with mom. I will also miss setting up the pool and "lounging" by it as Grant plays and waters the flowers. These are memories that I will play over and over as the snow falls.
As we enter the fall season, a new stage of life is upon us. Grant starts pre-school tomorrow! I can't believe it! I am so excited for him and a little sad that a chapter in our lives is ending.
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