The Big Easy...

Currently having fun with the family in New Orleans.  I actually prefer the moniker "The Crescent City" to "The Big Easy".  Mostly because the city is, indeed, in the shape of a crescent, or as the French say, "baguette".  (A little bit of Dave Barry-ish humor there.)  And "The Big Easy" is a nickname one would ascribe to certain girls I know.  (Joe-ish humor there.)

Anyway, we've been having a great time - what with all the food and heat and food and shopping and food and food.  So far, I have had rabbit jambalaya, seafood gumbo, beignets, chicory coffee, shrimp po-boy, Abita Amber, more beignets, shrimp creole, and shrimp Remoulade.  And it's just Friday night!  We still have Saturday  and Sunday to go!  My Weight Watchers app does not work here, so everything is 0 points.  Not sure how that happened, but lucky me!  Anyway, I actually had a very healthy breakfast - wheat toast, boiled eggs, fruit.

I am currently deciding whether to venture down the Rue Bourbon and see "what's really going on here?"

Laterz...!

"We Shall Never Surrender"

On June 4, 1940, the newly-elected Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, delivered a speech to the House of Commons in response to the ever-expanding Nazi invasion of Europe. 

"We shall go on to the end.  We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.  We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..."


I find this oration quite inspiring, and I often invoke Churchill's words during times of adversity.  British tenacity at its finest.

ARGH!

I really don't want to make this blog become just a bunch of rants, but MAN, I hate it when I call Dell tech support and have to talk to some Indian who couldn't care less that they gave me the wrong cover for my laptop.  And that was after leaving me on hold for over 20 minutes.

If any of my people do that to any of our customers, I will march them out and hang them myself!

Dell Customer Service sucks!  And I should know!

/rant

A splendid time is guaranteed for all...

The family and I were invited to view the Addison Kaboom Town firework show at White Rock Lodge #234 in Addison last night by my friend Al McCain, a Brother at Grapevine Lodge #288.  They had burgers, hot dogs, and some spicy (and yummy) sausage, which Al provided, along with all the trimmings!  YUM!

White Rock Lodge is located next to the Addison Airport runway.  The evening started off with some patriotic flybys of WWII vintage aircraft - a B-29 Superfortress and P-51 Mustang among them.  They flew straight over the Lodge, and at a VERY low altitude.  It was AWESOME!  Alex loved watching the planes and playing in the bounce house.  When the fireworks started at 9:30, I couldn't believe how close we were!  I could feel each burst in my chest!  I had never been so close, or seen such a spectacular display!

I also got to see one of the new Texas Masons license plates.  It's a good thing my plates expire soon!

We are very grateful to Al and his family, and all the Brothers at White Rock Lodge #234, for the invitation!

It's been a long time since we had a championship...

In 1999, the Stars won the Stanley Cup.

I was 28.  I was working at Stream, on the overnight shift.

I was living in Arlington, and I had never been to Scarborough Faire.

It was before 9/11.

It seems like a million years ago.  Now the wait is over.

The Dallas Mavericks are the 2011 NBA Champions!

I did what I did before love came to town...

I started to post a complete rundown of my day, but I have decided I don't want to have that kind of blog.

Here's the quick version:  Dad, MiMi, cheap CDs, great burger, great run (up to 3 miles now), SNL, deep sleep (winning!).

Instead, I will extol the virtues of the song "When Love Comes To Town", from U2's Rattle and Hum.  Bono wrote it for B.B. King, at King's request.  They performed it for the first time in Fort Worth on the Joshua Tree Tour.

I love this song.  It's one of my top ten favorite songs of all time (which I should post sometime).  Amazing vocals from Bono and King - tons and tons of soul!  I love the passion in King's voice when he sings the last verse:

"I was there when they crucified my Lord
I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
I threw the dice when they pierced his side
But I've seen love conquer the great divide" 


Awesome!  Always gives me chills.

In the beginnning...

OK.  It's true.  I joined Weight Watchers at work.  I know, I know - I am in danger of losing my Man Card.  But, I did it not only to lose weight, have more energy, and get into better shape.  I am also doing it to support a co-worker.

Tonight I walked 2 miles.  And it wasn't just meandering, either.  It was a good, brisk pace.  My hope is to work up to good jogging form soon, but I have a ways to go.

What is it they say - the greatest journey begins with a step, or something like that?  We'll see...

Oh yeah, GO MAVS!