White Course at Haines Point

I played a 9-hole round today with woman about my age, her teenage son, and a mentor that was playing with them. The mentor has been playing about 15 years and I thought I'd get the chance to learn a few tricks.

Sadly, I played just as well as the mentor on the long drives. But she did get me on the short game. I'm still figuring out my distances with the new irons. And my pw is still a bit of a mystery. I played fairly well, though, and am quite proud of my <1 vs. her 15 years.

Did tweek my back on a 7 wood shot. Back to advil and heating pad.

Golf back in the picture

I went to the driving range yesterday for the first time in nearly a month. Glad to say that going cold turkey helped my back. No pain or soreness. Yeah.

Didn't do too badly. Trying to get to know my new #5 hybrid.

Tee time booked for Sunday. Trying to squeeze out every drop of decent weather before that nasty winter business arrives.

Hacienda. Alejandro Escovedo. Los Loney Boys.

What a triple play. G-man suprised me with Los Loney Boys tickets at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia last night. We've tried to see LLB several times before, but this is the first time both entities made it to the show.

The first time was several years ago when LLB were fairly new on the scene. They were scheduled to open for Bruce Hornsby at Wolf Trap. I had grabbed 4 lawn tickets and had planned to treat my friends, Tony, Rebecca and Dave for a quick show. Then we were going to bail on Hornsby and grab a nice dinner. When we got to the venue, we sadly found a sign that announced that LLB had cancelled and that Hornsby would go on at 8pm. Damn. They only give refunds when the headliner cancels – not the opening act. Damn. We decide to sit through Hornsby and give him and his band a chance. I have to admit that it certainly was nice to hear a blast from the not so distant past. But he was no Ringo, Henry and Jojo.

Another time, Greg and I had tickets to see them in Albuquerque. This time our plans got derailed by a family event. Oh well.

Last nights show was all acoustic. Three bands starting at 7:30 p.m. Hacienda opened. They're a four man team, 2 guitars, 1 organ, and 1 tiny little drum. They have some potential. Would love the see them in a few years when they've got more experience.

Second up was Alejandro Escovedo. He really wowed us. I remember him from my youth when he was first in the the Nuns then Rank & File. I have to say he looks and sounds amazing. Glad to see him back on track after his health crisis a few years back.

LLB took the stage on stools and acoustic guitars. A little weird but a perfect setting for a small room like the Birchmere. Sadly the place was only about half full. The demographics surprised me in that I fit it perfectly. I had expected a younger and more diverse crowd. But the audience loved them.

Great show last night. Looking forward to watching their career over the next few decades. They credit their dad a great deal with teaching and guiding them as musicians. I certainly would love to see Ringo Garza Sr. play a set.

Dang CSS

Just saw how crappy my blog looks. Will do something about it. Someday.

Back to You Busy. Update. Ali's Bar.

Thought I'd revive this blog. No worries, I"ll still be contributing to G-mans & my blog over there somewhere. But thought I'd come back here and blog about life when he's not around. Perhaps I'll double up on and duplicate some blog posts here and there.

I've been the leading bartender at a local theatre's bar. And the other night while I was winding up and closing down I got the amazing chance to listen to John Kander, of Kander and Ebb, tinkle around on the piano while some of our local entertainers were listening and singing as well. It was a small party after the show. He was here to shut down the run of First I Dream. I got to listen to him play while some amazing voices sang. Amazing.

A couple of nights before that, I was cleaning up the bar and was serenaded by a few National Symphony musicians who had stopped by to see a few friends. I had an amazing soundtrack while cleaning and closing the bar.

Damn, I've got an amazing second job. Not to downplay the fun I have during the day.

Jaleo Puked!

Yeah. Came home to little present left in my newly clean sheets:

After six weeks he finally gave up the squeaky toy he swallowed at the park. It's still has some shape but it is real gelatinous. Kinda like a jelly fish.

Now who's gonna call the vet and tell him I'm not crazy.

Meh.

October 2008 Fill Up

$37.00 for 13.966 gallons at $2.64/gallon. Good to see prices going down. Here's hoping for a better economic future with a blue crew.

I do have to admit just one thing. I ran out of petrol a couple of days ago! I thought I had enough and wasn't keeping an eye on the tank level gauge. Then boom. While going up a hill about 10 blocks away the poor dub sputtered and sputtered then pooped out. I called my friend Lisa who lives a few blocks away and usually goes home for lunch. She laughed and laughed. Unfortunately she was at work. Walked a few blocks and got a couple of gallons. Then walked back. good thing I keep an empty gas can in the trunk.

Beautiful Day in D.C.

Today was an especially beautiful fall day here in the Mid-Atlantic. And like so many North Easteners, I took advantage of every minute I could outdoors. Because tomorrow may be cold and there may not be a nice day again for a long, long time.

I can't deny that I hate winter here in the D.C. area. It's a wet, damp cold. I can't wait to be farther left from here.

The picture above is a shot from one of the local dog parks in the area. It's about 99% fenced in and meanders along the East bank of Four Mile Run. The dogs can get down to the water through a gate. Today was warm and beautiful and a number of stay at home employees took advantage of that.

Happy Birthday Brian

We celebrated our friend Brian's birthday at President Bush's favorite Mexican resturaunt in the area. Clearly, he hasn't eaten at my place.

September 2008 Fill Up

$51.57 for 13.98 gallons at $3.68/gallon. Very happy to see prices going down with out going up again.