So here we sit with Tom Landry 3 hours before kickoff. My good uncleship for nephews Case and Greg needs some recognition, after all I’m introducing them to 99,997 other people today (Sunday night football – Dallas Cowboys open their new stadium against the NY Giants). Continue reading “Tell me again why I’m here”
I’m going fishing…in Canada…with my Dad…and OFB TR…we will be at a place that knows no internet…Walleye and Northerns will be caught and consumed in considerable quantities…I won’t have time to blog, nor be able to…until I get back…then you guys get a look at all the pictures I plan to take, and the stories I expect to tell (or make up). OFBB Jai Jai and OFSIL Bec – you two try not to let the Cubbies and the Jaybirds lose their first pre-season game tomorrow. And while you’re at it, watch out over my Mildcats would ya? The Saint has … Continue reading Be back at it on Friday week
Finally, Michael Jackson was buried yesterday evening, 70 days after his death. Perhaps now a troubled soul can finally get some rest from such a troubled, dysfunctional family.
It was reported that the whole funeral was to be staged – Taylor, Bonds to attend Jackson’s funeral – for a farewell documentary concert. The family had nearly twice as many media seats as they did those for mourners. I wondered aloud whether the family members would opt themselves out so as to free up (sell) seats for more media or other celebrities…I really didn’t think so. I struggle with my sympathy for a family that obviously grieves a tremendous loss, along with millions worldwide, but then would never pass on yet another golden opportunity to wear matching sunglasses, mug-it-up for the gossip show cameras, and try to profit once more on a success other than their own. Many in this family will moonwalk across his grave for as long as they can.
But alas and in the end, it sounded like a fitting farewell, except for the cameras, media, and rudely making invited guest wait an excessive amount of time – Family, celebrities say final goodbye to Jackson. I hope the cameras captured Gladys Knight’s rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer”…that, I can only imagine, was incredible.
Let’s put this ridiculousness of Michael’s burial delay in perspective:
That’s a line I’ve used for years in closing the pre-game announcements and prior to kickoff of Lake Dallas High School’s “Falcon Football Friday Night”
Five times a year, I have a bit of fun doing the PA for home football games. None of my extended family have heard “the voice of the Falcons” (keep in mind that this is what the athletic director has called me for a very long time…I’m still trying to figure out whether that’s a good voice or a bad one; he’s never really said). FS heard me last on the PA in the fall of 1999; FD heard me last year when she was back for her 10-year reunion; Deb…well she’s in that school of athletics-not-for-me. Her last time may have been when FD was cheering her senior year. Continue reading ““Your best entertainment value in town””
As a spectator I huddled in the corner of the athletic director’s conference room trying to note the many on-going playbook conversations while enduring a debatable presentation from a peer today for the landscaping of the new UNT football stadium. This post will not talk of the presentation because of my professional courtesy to her, but one active conversation did raise the cross bar in my mind. Had the play calling been a bit louder, the landscape discussion would have appreciatively been muffled. Continue reading “Game day lawnchairs”
Today I got my Dapper Dan all worked up by co-worker Joe…and he got me started first thing this morning. We discussed the weekend death of a true American icon, Walter Cronkite, and what little publicity it received compared to the ongoing BS of MJ’s death.
This so-called King of Pop guy died nearly a month ago (have they buried him yet?) and yet we continue to be spoon fed all this self-proclaimed royalty hogwash from the media and “prominent” celebrities about how the world will never be the same without him. Continue reading “And that’s the way it is, MJ”
Who knew? Today, July 7th is Bonza Bottler Day! We have twelve of those a year…apparently it gives good reason to go out and party with your family and friends. It’s when the day of the month is the same as the month number (today is 07-07). And there’s even a website for this day: Bonza Bottler Day Website.
Celebrations should be on-going today, this week, and this month. According to my reliable sources, it is:
Continue reading “Oddities of the Day, Week, Month for July”
Each year for the past 8 years or so the Lake Dallas Parks and Special Events departments puts on a 4th of July fireworks show. For a small community, it’s an admirable display that brings out a number of Lake Cities folks. For 30 minutes, everyone seems to sit back and enjoy the show, and each other…with little regard for miserable humidity and mosquitoes. The beer-influenced social skills of the patrons oddly turn polite (for the most part) once the show starts, but before and after…well that storytelling would require a koozie holder for another lawn chair in the Bubba truck.
See how I am? I latch onto a musician and won’t let ’em go, especially one that “strikes a chord”. I found Jon Schmidt on a random YouTube search and he has become an enjoyable listen ever sense.
Careful with this one – it might reach out and touch your heart and make you singalong in harmony: Continue reading “Singalong, a bopalong, and a listenalong”
In my personal (mental) series of “only in Texas” oddities, I have been inclined of late to rename it “ya jus’ gotta love Texas”….
Yesterday at my religion history lesson (a particular church sermon heavily laden with all sorts of old Egypt-Israel-Jordan geographic references) – before, during, and after the service – I noticed several unique characteristics of the congregation. Please know, I have always been one that prefers at least a casual (not even dressy-casual) wardrobe when attending Sunday service, and think everyone should wear the same (OK, call me a bit pretentious).
From the Antwerp Central railway station (Belgium), I’m thinking this well orchestrated and planned display of theatrical pleasure should at least make you smile just a wee bit…. Continue reading Do La Te Do Re Do
After finally getting a handle on a sizeable backlog of emails, I found this forwarded link from OFSIL Bec that struck a cord (no pun intended) with me…this day…at this time. Thanks Bec! I can visualize FS wanting to do something like this (maybe a few years ago before the college years passed him by) – being at either end of the camera…or both. You can still go out and do this Beeba – I’ll stand by ya! Whenever you’re in trouble won’t you stand by me Continue reading Stand by me
I’m sharing a couple YouTube videos of a lady I’ve been listening to for some time now; since about I first time Enya became a part of my CD library – that goes back a ways. OK, so I might be a bit gushy, sentimental, perhaps we’ll call it “unique” with my musical preferences (I can see many of you raising one eyebrow in question of my “taste” about now). Rest assured its my heritage coming through in my older age…maybe :).
Actually the FD says I’m quite eclectic with my taste. And I will say I take a certain amount of pleasure in her observation of that. You should hear the diverse genre of music in my MP3 sometime….
These songs below are Easy Listening ballad music from Ireland. This, my dear friends, is 1) music with an understandable and poetic message (for a change), 2) single-malt scotch-sipping singing-stuff, and 3) music that you might find yourself humming the melody or picking up on the chorus lyrics and joining in, maybe under your breathe at the very least.
I do that. You know when no one is listening, I’m really pretty damn good with my karaoke, if I do say so myself. In particular, imagine CUTster (any guesses with that acronym?) singing along quite loudly with a young pretty Irish lady, in full Irish brogue (attempted at least), with ear phones in and volume high, and Mackie Queen of Scots dancing a jig at my feet loving every minute of it (and she’s the only one that tolerates my singing). It’s a sight and sound for sore…senses, and my singing certainly won’t cure what ails ya laddy.
Ladies and gentlemen, for your listening pleasure; from the lovely green isle singing two of my favorites, the incomparable Ms. Mary Black: Continue reading “Sit back with a pint and give a listen to this lass”
Denton is always full of surprises. I love this town. It’s like this town is themeing photographs for me. WUWT?
Over the past few days it’s been antique automobiles. And it is a handful of automobiles that made me stop on three occassions to photograph. Only one of the stops (the Model T) afforded me the opportunity to actually talk with the automobile owner…and he was as much a character as his car. Continue reading “Touring about town”
Hey, hey, hey! Get on down the Roadway!
Have you seen the FD’s weblog lately? She and an Inca Trail buddy Suzanne are trying to establish themselves with YouTube “shorties” about town (NYC). I personally think they are about the best thing a traveler could listen to before going out on the town. Check out Roadways (I also have a permanent link off to the side, but y’all need to be using it). The girl they put in front of the camera is cute, funny, and will certainly bring a smile to your face. Continue reading “Roadways”
So I see this interview and performance on Good Morning America Thursday morning. I’m thinking this Susan Boyle is a hoot of an interview and definitely a talent in Britain – hope she continues to do good.
Then OFSIL SueB and Deb both send me this link later in the day so I can apparently watch it over and over (#5 and it hasn’t gotten old yet). Thank you ladies.
Ms. Boyle follows a surprise amateur opera talent from last year, Paul Potts. Maybe they will one day sing a duet together. Maybe I’m just a sentimental romantic, or maybe just a sucker for something about when good people have good things happen to them. (it’s so much way-cool-neater than having bad thing happen to them) Continue reading “Simon says Susan”
…when you don’t have your camera. Dag-gum-it!
I am usually one to carry one of my two cameras around no matter where I go. Others are amazed the places I take my cameras, and even more surprised of what pictures I take at these strange places. This 365 picture thing I’m doing has created a monster…and another appendage.
We did lunch at The Loophole yesterday. Sitting there eating my glorious Felony Nachos, enjoying meal-time conversation with Rachelle and Nick, when who walks in the door? Continue reading “The people you see…”
Yup it is. Along with Scottish, Indian, Afro-American, and Hispanic folks populated by the railroad industry. Stopping short of a Texas history lesson of the town and region, let me just say this: we went, we enjoyed, we will go back…and the Bluebonnets are up!
Deb and I ventured to McGregor for a short weekend. Actually, one of Deb’s “Dinner Dames” friend and husband asked us to come visit them and the beautiful new home they are building outside of town. The true intent of our invitation was for Jayne/Rusty to get advice on how to landscape their home.
Note to others with similar intentions…I love to dole out landscape advice to friends and family, but please lets have a discussion not an argument if you don’t agree with the free opinion I offer. I’m too old and grouchy to argue with you about my expertise. I look forward to going back to McGregor with the landscape summary of my thunkin’ for Jayne and Rusty.
It was an interesting weekend to say the least. Here’s a abridged version:
We’ve all shaved a few strokes, or maybe just didn’t count a few of our duffs, OB’s, whiffs, tee-taps, foot wedges, and shots into Dad’s golf cart cubby hole – I think I’ve written about that already – playing the so-called “gentleman’s game” (no offense intended lady golfers). This article in today’s Dallas Morning News comparatively pales our minor offenses and is a better example of how cheating in this wonderful game does not make the recreation any more enjoyable. So count those strokes fellow golfers and remember this story of cheating on a golf course…I wonder if these guys will claim a “mulligan” in court? Continue reading “Cheating the game of golf”
Most of you know of the bond I have with my Scottie, Mackie, and of her bond with our family…that’s entirely on her terms. It’s a dysfunctional quality that is enjoyed every day (as she lays at my feet, licking her own, with total disregard for me telling her to stop). She brings a smile to my face and she knows all the buttons to push and strings to pull in maintaining an unrelenting grip on our household.
Friends and family have this breed: Gal Pal Jai Jai, although I’ve yet to meet them, has three personality-unique Scotties (her parents until just recently had 2 – now 1); OFNi Sarah has adorable Wallace (rescued Scottie mix) and Kingston (rescued Schnauzer that thinks he’s a Scottie); OFSIL Sue B has the fun and funny Brodie; Friend Dawn has 2 black Scottie that love most to pose for photographs. I have yet to meet a Scottie that didn’t make me smile. In fact, at the Westminster Dog Show this year one did just that: a Scottish Terrier named Sadie competed for Best in Show.
Continue reading “A life lesson: always pee first before going on stage”
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