After fighting being awake since 3:30, I decided to get up and start the day about an hour ago (4:15). Working for myself, sometimes that gives me a great chance to get a head start on the day, and as long as nobody is reading this blog, they don't have to know that I can sneak in a mid-morning "nap" while the rest of the world is back at work for real.
Of course, that doesn't work so well when I have a client meeting, does it?
Not to fear today, there are no meetings on the agenda, but it is "vacation day," when we will be leaving for the beach. With active kids and a 20-year old in her 3rd year of college, it has become a rare experience when we have all been together--I believe this is the first time in three years we've all gone away somewhere. These moments are becoming all too fleeting, and I am looking forward to this one.
We're operating a "split crew" as 4/7ths of the family will be leaving today around noon, and Andrew and I will be headed to Tuscaloosa to pick up Caitlin , leaving about 5 hours after everyone else, then on to Pensacola Beach. The hope here is that some of us may get some beach time today, with weather "iffy" for the next 4 days.
Will be a long day today, but the fruits of the labor will be worth it. Sounds a bit like my family, too.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Happy birthday, Mom!
I hate that I missed most of Mom's birthdays in later years, other than a quick telephone call, but I daresay what I wouldn't give to have "just" that opportunity once more.
Was a busy day today with school, work, volleyball practice and baseball practice, but managed to think of her today at times. With Ted Kennedy's passing, most will remember August 26 in connection with that, but I'll continue to think of Mom on this date.
Hope you had a great one, Mom.
Was a busy day today with school, work, volleyball practice and baseball practice, but managed to think of her today at times. With Ted Kennedy's passing, most will remember August 26 in connection with that, but I'll continue to think of Mom on this date.
Hope you had a great one, Mom.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Our Town -just 2 hours left to see it
Just a quick note for anyone that happens to randomly run across this blog, lives in the immediate area, and is looking for a way to spend an enjoyable Sunday afternoon.
Run, don't walk, to South City Theatre in Alabaster for the final performance of "Our Town."
I had "date night" last night with my 10-year old daughter, Rachel, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Saw some old friends that did a wonderful job in the show. It's a show that relies heavily upon the characters' abilities to draw a picture from Thornton Wilder's wonderful story, with a minimalistic--if any--set. The characters were outstanding in their efforts to do so. Mike Bridges, the OLV Drama Director and Assistant Principal, was amazing in the role of Stage Manager ( a narrator-type role, for those who have not yet seen the play). I don't know how many lines he had, but to keep them all straight, and to keep the story moving, with nothing else there is a difficult role that he mastered.
Everyone was wonderful, and this is not a review--but Rachel and I both enjoyed the performance of Emily Lunsford, who had us laughing and crying at almost the same time with her rendition of, as luck would have it, young Emily. Frank Thompson's performance of the newspaper publisher Mr. Webb was spectacular, and a big shout to our friend Raymond Quintero, who I thought did a wonderful job in his role in the final act as the undertaker. Really helped to set the scene.
I worried slightly that the show would be "too much" for my 10-year old, but it wasn't. We enjoyed the ride home last night from the show, with her asking me questions like, "the people in the cemetery represented the people after they were dead, right?" Remember, she's ten. I thought she did a good job of grasping the Stage Manager's ability to talk about the characters and the setting "after" the fact, then rejoin the "present," and that was her way of making sure she still understood how the play was being put together.
But enough--if you run across this, check it out yourself in the final performance. You'll be glad you did.
Run, don't walk, to South City Theatre in Alabaster for the final performance of "Our Town."
I had "date night" last night with my 10-year old daughter, Rachel, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Saw some old friends that did a wonderful job in the show. It's a show that relies heavily upon the characters' abilities to draw a picture from Thornton Wilder's wonderful story, with a minimalistic--if any--set. The characters were outstanding in their efforts to do so. Mike Bridges, the OLV Drama Director and Assistant Principal, was amazing in the role of Stage Manager ( a narrator-type role, for those who have not yet seen the play). I don't know how many lines he had, but to keep them all straight, and to keep the story moving, with nothing else there is a difficult role that he mastered.
Everyone was wonderful, and this is not a review--but Rachel and I both enjoyed the performance of Emily Lunsford, who had us laughing and crying at almost the same time with her rendition of, as luck would have it, young Emily. Frank Thompson's performance of the newspaper publisher Mr. Webb was spectacular, and a big shout to our friend Raymond Quintero, who I thought did a wonderful job in his role in the final act as the undertaker. Really helped to set the scene.
I worried slightly that the show would be "too much" for my 10-year old, but it wasn't. We enjoyed the ride home last night from the show, with her asking me questions like, "the people in the cemetery represented the people after they were dead, right?" Remember, she's ten. I thought she did a good job of grasping the Stage Manager's ability to talk about the characters and the setting "after" the fact, then rejoin the "present," and that was her way of making sure she still understood how the play was being put together.
But enough--if you run across this, check it out yourself in the final performance. You'll be glad you did.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Age ain't nothing but a number
OK, so Tom Watson fell just a little short. Holding a 1-stroke lead heading into the 72nd--and final hole, the 59 year, 317 day old young man's adrenaline was pumping like a 17-year old's, and he hit an 8-iron about 200 yards, pure and solid--but just past the hole and over the green. From there he drew a less-than-favorable lie, putted it within about 8 feet, but left the par putt that would have won the British Open just a little short.
A 4-hole playoff with Stewart Cink saw time finally catch up with Mr. Watson, and a runner-up, rather than a championship, was his final fate.
But that ought to tell us all that age ain't nothing but a number. If a 60-year old man, one who had his hip replaced in October, can go to one of the toughest places in all of professional golf to not only compete--not only make the cut, but challenge for, and actually tie for the title--then how much is left in all of us as we age?
Next year I'll be hitting one of those "milestone" numbers. While plodding along just fine at age 49, you gotta peek ahead just a little. Thanks, Tom, for letting me know it's all good up ahead.
A 4-hole playoff with Stewart Cink saw time finally catch up with Mr. Watson, and a runner-up, rather than a championship, was his final fate.
But that ought to tell us all that age ain't nothing but a number. If a 60-year old man, one who had his hip replaced in October, can go to one of the toughest places in all of professional golf to not only compete--not only make the cut, but challenge for, and actually tie for the title--then how much is left in all of us as we age?
Next year I'll be hitting one of those "milestone" numbers. While plodding along just fine at age 49, you gotta peek ahead just a little. Thanks, Tom, for letting me know it's all good up ahead.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The thunder rolls
Raining in Birmingham this morning, or more accurately, enduring a thunderstorm in the vicinity. Thunder here truly "rolls" between the "mountains," and makes it very loud and hard to sleep. We were up late last night attempting to see what we could do with the rest of the summer, and I had planned on sleeping in a little--ha! 6:30 rolled around far too quickly today, but couldn't be helped with the gentle rain accompanied by the all-too-loud thunder.
So last night's activities are still fresh on my mind--having given up on a vacation due to this commitment or that commitment, the task is now placing kids in what camps or activities may be remaining. And even that's hard.
Took a large "desk calendar" from Office Depot yesterday, and filled it with remaining commitments the rest of the summer. There were blocks for days where there is literally no space left--between plays, rehearsals, Jr. Miss pageants (Sarah), golf (Andrew and Collin now), work (Sarah), college visits, trips to/from Tuscaloosa (Caitlin), doctor's appointments, social engagements (kids, not parents), school (Sarah), and the like, it made everything near-impossible.
For Rachel, who has been very busy 4 or so nights a week with play rehearsal (Leeds "Beauty and the Beast" opens this week--go see it!), just trying to find her an art workshop or camp. We missed out early this summer on a couple of opportunities, and it seems there aren't many opportunities remaining. But we're still looking.
For Collin, trying to balance soccer, basketball and golf. For golf, there are a couple of short clinics we're signing him up for, and that might be all we do. The best soccer camp we can find for what he needs overlaps with what our favorite basketball camp may be. So one of them may have to give, unless something else pops up.
But enough of a brief distraction from getting a few things done. Doing a little publicity for Beauty and the Beast this morning, as well as for Our Lady of the Valley, and need to get that accomplished before leaving to teach a class at 10. So back to it! The rain and the thunder isn't nearly so bad once you decide just to get up out of bed, by the way. I didn't feel that way around 6:15 this morning, though!
So last night's activities are still fresh on my mind--having given up on a vacation due to this commitment or that commitment, the task is now placing kids in what camps or activities may be remaining. And even that's hard.
Took a large "desk calendar" from Office Depot yesterday, and filled it with remaining commitments the rest of the summer. There were blocks for days where there is literally no space left--between plays, rehearsals, Jr. Miss pageants (Sarah), golf (Andrew and Collin now), work (Sarah), college visits, trips to/from Tuscaloosa (Caitlin), doctor's appointments, social engagements (kids, not parents), school (Sarah), and the like, it made everything near-impossible.
For Rachel, who has been very busy 4 or so nights a week with play rehearsal (Leeds "Beauty and the Beast" opens this week--go see it!), just trying to find her an art workshop or camp. We missed out early this summer on a couple of opportunities, and it seems there aren't many opportunities remaining. But we're still looking.
For Collin, trying to balance soccer, basketball and golf. For golf, there are a couple of short clinics we're signing him up for, and that might be all we do. The best soccer camp we can find for what he needs overlaps with what our favorite basketball camp may be. So one of them may have to give, unless something else pops up.
But enough of a brief distraction from getting a few things done. Doing a little publicity for Beauty and the Beast this morning, as well as for Our Lady of the Valley, and need to get that accomplished before leaving to teach a class at 10. So back to it! The rain and the thunder isn't nearly so bad once you decide just to get up out of bed, by the way. I didn't feel that way around 6:15 this morning, though!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Happy Fourth of July
No real theme to this post, so wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July seems as good as any, considering the date.
Been busy as usual. Trying to balance personal and business is always a tightrope walk with the wind gushing and operating without a net, it seems.
I guess the big story going on now is college visits. We have been to Auburn, Vanderbilt and Birmingham-Southern, and really liked two of the three. We had high hopes for all three and were disappointed with one. Next week we stay close, and visit Alabama on Tuesday and UAB on Thursday. Considering I teach a class on Monday and Wednesday, and considering that each week I pick up Caitlin from Tuscaloosa on Wednesday or Thursday and return her on Sunday, and considering Rachel is in play rehearsals four or five nights a week now--well, you can see how the tightrope act balances, can't you?
I've still been "tweeting," but most of it has been for Kentucky Sports Report, a quasi-business function, I guess. I have CartLaw and AlabamaLawyers, as well as DarrellKSR that I also "tweet from" on separate Twitter accounts, so those, plus this Blog, mean it's spread a little thin. Wish I could say the same for my waistline.
Was also volunteered to help Leeds with publicity for "Beauty and the Beast," the play that Rachel is in, and I'm glad to help. I like the director, Cliff Keen, and it has two of Rachel's schoolmates in it, as well as her school's drama director, Mike Bridges. Really doesn't take that much to help publicize an event like this, so I'm glad to do it. But adding that to the rest--well, I don't think I have reached that "straw that broke" but I can always see it nearer and nearer.
Went bike-shopping with Andrew yesterday. He's getting a more serious bike for his birthday. He enjoys bike-riding, and will no doubt take one with him to campus whereever he goes to school, so a good one is almost a college necessity for him. Saw a couple of bikes yesterday that cost more than a couple of cars I have bought. We're nowhere in that vicinity, but well over the low-end "Huffy" type bikes I'm used to buying.
Too much to do today to blog long, so I'll close. Here's wishing everyone has a happy, and safe, 4th of July holiday.
Been busy as usual. Trying to balance personal and business is always a tightrope walk with the wind gushing and operating without a net, it seems.
I guess the big story going on now is college visits. We have been to Auburn, Vanderbilt and Birmingham-Southern, and really liked two of the three. We had high hopes for all three and were disappointed with one. Next week we stay close, and visit Alabama on Tuesday and UAB on Thursday. Considering I teach a class on Monday and Wednesday, and considering that each week I pick up Caitlin from Tuscaloosa on Wednesday or Thursday and return her on Sunday, and considering Rachel is in play rehearsals four or five nights a week now--well, you can see how the tightrope act balances, can't you?
I've still been "tweeting," but most of it has been for Kentucky Sports Report, a quasi-business function, I guess. I have CartLaw and AlabamaLawyers, as well as DarrellKSR that I also "tweet from" on separate Twitter accounts, so those, plus this Blog, mean it's spread a little thin. Wish I could say the same for my waistline.
Was also volunteered to help Leeds with publicity for "Beauty and the Beast," the play that Rachel is in, and I'm glad to help. I like the director, Cliff Keen, and it has two of Rachel's schoolmates in it, as well as her school's drama director, Mike Bridges. Really doesn't take that much to help publicize an event like this, so I'm glad to do it. But adding that to the rest--well, I don't think I have reached that "straw that broke" but I can always see it nearer and nearer.
Went bike-shopping with Andrew yesterday. He's getting a more serious bike for his birthday. He enjoys bike-riding, and will no doubt take one with him to campus whereever he goes to school, so a good one is almost a college necessity for him. Saw a couple of bikes yesterday that cost more than a couple of cars I have bought. We're nowhere in that vicinity, but well over the low-end "Huffy" type bikes I'm used to buying.
Too much to do today to blog long, so I'll close. Here's wishing everyone has a happy, and safe, 4th of July holiday.
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Quiet Night....
Rare, in my part of the woods.
Oldest daughter is at college this summer, but for only 4 days at a time (Sun-Wed.) Sue and Rachel are at her play rehearsal....play will be heating up soon. Tonight's rehearsal is expected to go well past 10:00 p.m. Glad school is out.
Sarah and Collin went to see Night at the Museum, II-the Smithsonian (I butchered the title, but something like that.)
Andrew is quietly on the computer, or working with his guitar. Not sure which.
Which leaves me sitting in blissful quiet--no radio, no television, telephone ringer is off, and virtually no noise. Amazing how good that can sound with just the click of keyboard keys gently interrupting the silence.
No profound thoughts tonight; just realized that I had not updated this blog in awhile and wanted to do so while I had a minute. I have, as usual, been busy--I go back and forth to Tuscaloosa twice a week now, school is winding down and I will have my "summer vacation"--all of one week off, before school begins again--and workload is very heavy right now. My "play" time, if you will, has been devoted to going to play basketball at the gym with Collin--managed to do that three times last week, and intend to do the same this week, too.
I now have some "Twitter" accounts where brief updates are posted. If you're one of the two people who occasionally read this, I can also be found at Twitter accounts CartLaw, AlabamaLawyers, DarrellKSR, and MyKSR1.
I reached age 49 last week, and age 50 now is ahead of me more quickly every day. I don't feel that old. I'm out of shape and overweight, but basketball--even though it's fairly gentle--still comes rather easily and I'm enjoying it. Looked at pictures from 23 years ago last week (from Hawaii), and saw how skinny I used to be. Would like to approach that again before I reach 50, and start over.
Not much of an exciting update this time, I know. Going to enjoy the quiet a little more before people start arriving back home. Wow, how sweet this sounds.
Oldest daughter is at college this summer, but for only 4 days at a time (Sun-Wed.) Sue and Rachel are at her play rehearsal....play will be heating up soon. Tonight's rehearsal is expected to go well past 10:00 p.m. Glad school is out.
Sarah and Collin went to see Night at the Museum, II-the Smithsonian (I butchered the title, but something like that.)
Andrew is quietly on the computer, or working with his guitar. Not sure which.
Which leaves me sitting in blissful quiet--no radio, no television, telephone ringer is off, and virtually no noise. Amazing how good that can sound with just the click of keyboard keys gently interrupting the silence.
No profound thoughts tonight; just realized that I had not updated this blog in awhile and wanted to do so while I had a minute. I have, as usual, been busy--I go back and forth to Tuscaloosa twice a week now, school is winding down and I will have my "summer vacation"--all of one week off, before school begins again--and workload is very heavy right now. My "play" time, if you will, has been devoted to going to play basketball at the gym with Collin--managed to do that three times last week, and intend to do the same this week, too.
I now have some "Twitter" accounts where brief updates are posted. If you're one of the two people who occasionally read this, I can also be found at Twitter accounts CartLaw, AlabamaLawyers, DarrellKSR, and MyKSR1.
I reached age 49 last week, and age 50 now is ahead of me more quickly every day. I don't feel that old. I'm out of shape and overweight, but basketball--even though it's fairly gentle--still comes rather easily and I'm enjoying it. Looked at pictures from 23 years ago last week (from Hawaii), and saw how skinny I used to be. Would like to approach that again before I reach 50, and start over.
Not much of an exciting update this time, I know. Going to enjoy the quiet a little more before people start arriving back home. Wow, how sweet this sounds.
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