Scott and Judy, the Bodeans and Jerry
I took advantage of 40 degree weather a couple days ago and took down the outside Christmas lights...we also put away all the indoor decorations and reclaimed our home. It's nice to get things back to normal.
We met Scott and Judy at Hardrock Cafe in Minneapolis last night for dinner. It's been too long since we've gotten together and we had quite a bit of catching up to do. They're really happy and it's nice to see. Scott's last marriage wasn't a good one and he suffered through a lot...he could never please Barb. I remember when they first met at the Plaines bowling alley in Huron in '84. He was really happy and I think she was too. It didn't take long though before that all changed. It was during the breakup when she became pregnant with their child. Those were some difficult times but it's all worked out well for both of them...and Lindsay too. Scott's wife, Judy, is a real sweetheart. I haven't spent all that much time with her but she's very likable and seems a perfect match for Scott. Their big thing is riding their Harley together. I don't think Scott has ever been happier.
After dinner, we walked in the rain to the Fine Line Music Cafe a few blocks away to see the Bodeans. We got there 45 minutes before the opening act who I really can't recall the name of. We found some spots to stand a few rows back from the stage but not before Tammy lost her purse. She had it on the walk to the Fine Line but once we got inside she couldn't find it. We began retracing our steps inside the club hoping to find it on the floor. It's just a small purse she uses for nights such as this but it held her license and credit card along with some cash. Finally, she found it at the front desk...some kind person turned it in. We continued our vigil in our spots waiting for Kurt and Sammy along with the band to take the stage. They kept us waiting till 10:15 but I forgave them. Just before they began playing I heard somebody say that Saddam was dead. That caused me to pause for just a moment. The whole idea of executing somebody is a difficult one for me even though he deserved it as much as anybody ever has. On the other hand, it almost seemed too easy of an out for the guy. I don't know...this world can be a troubling place sometimes.
Back to the show...I was really wishing that I'd brought my video camera as it would've been easy to get a couple songs on tape. There weren't any seats for this show...standing room only. We got some nice spots to stand just left of center stage in front of Kurt. He's such a good guitar player. The highlight of the show for me was Fadeaway. Listen to the guitar in the song...I was mesmerized as I stood not 6 feet away watching him play. It sucks when your camera's flash is only good for 4-5 feet at the most. I did my best to get a few photos of the guys. Here's a photo of Kurt, and another. But here's the memorable part of the show Tammy and I will recall years from now—the drunk sweaty guy standing next to her who kept moving people out of his way. His girlfriend was no better. They were both obnoxiously drunk and kept pounding their fists in the air and bumping into those around them. I could've changed places with Tammy but she wouldn't be able to see over the guy standing in front of me. We had a similar occurrence in '99 when we saw Journey and Foreigner play up in Hinkley. An obnoxious drunk woman behind Tammy spilled her beer all over Tammy's coat. We tried to ignore them but we weren't so good at it. Tammy can be a scrapper when it comes to situations such as that...but she does it well so as not to leave the offending person much in the way of wiggle room and they know they've been told.
We left the concert and walked the five blocks to our cars. It was still raining but it had been so hot and moist in the club that it felt good. Scott and Judy talked to us about going with them to Las Vegas in March. I've never been there. Tammy has and she's been wanting to get me out there for a while. Neither of us are gamblers but from what she tells me there is so much more to do there. We've got the Indian casinos in Minnesota but the payout on the slots isn't very good. We've been in there a couple times but we usually leave feeling sad for the people who mindlessly shove coin after coin into the machines. It doesn't do anything for either of us. Tammy's mother, on the other hand, is a different story—she loves it.
I was watching President Ford's funeral tonight. I first caught it on FOX or CNN but quickly turned to CSPAN where there was no commentary. It seemed more meaningful to not have to listen to the useless background banter the other stations offered. It was a sad moment watching his wife, Betty, as she stood before his coffin saying her last goodbyes, lingering with her hands pressed against the flag which draped it, not wanting to let go. Contrast Ford's funeral with the send-off given to Saddam; sobering when you think about it; two totally different worlds. Do we have any real chance of changing hearts and minds in the Middle East? God, I want to believe that we do but I have more doubts than ever.
It was a late night. We got home after midnight but stayed up and watched Me and Dupree. A cute show but I fell asleep before it was over. I had to be up early as my brother-in-law, Jerry, was coming over to install a water softener for us. He made it look easy although I know it wasn't. Our old softener still worked but the timer on it was toast. I'd have to manually recycle it every 5 days or so. It served me well for over 20 years. The Water Boss promises to make that routine a thing of the past. Before and after. Jackie assured me that he wouldn't take any money for helping so I got them a gift card to Ruth's Chris Steak House in Minneapolis. Jerry turns 60 in a couple days. I don't think you'll find a nicer guy. It's been years since we've sat and talked as we did today after the work was done. It was nice to reconnect with him. Sometimes this busy world gets in the way in more ways than we can ever know.
We met Scott and Judy at Hardrock Cafe in Minneapolis last night for dinner. It's been too long since we've gotten together and we had quite a bit of catching up to do. They're really happy and it's nice to see. Scott's last marriage wasn't a good one and he suffered through a lot...he could never please Barb. I remember when they first met at the Plaines bowling alley in Huron in '84. He was really happy and I think she was too. It didn't take long though before that all changed. It was during the breakup when she became pregnant with their child. Those were some difficult times but it's all worked out well for both of them...and Lindsay too. Scott's wife, Judy, is a real sweetheart. I haven't spent all that much time with her but she's very likable and seems a perfect match for Scott. Their big thing is riding their Harley together. I don't think Scott has ever been happier.
After dinner, we walked in the rain to the Fine Line Music Cafe a few blocks away to see the Bodeans. We got there 45 minutes before the opening act who I really can't recall the name of. We found some spots to stand a few rows back from the stage but not before Tammy lost her purse. She had it on the walk to the Fine Line but once we got inside she couldn't find it. We began retracing our steps inside the club hoping to find it on the floor. It's just a small purse she uses for nights such as this but it held her license and credit card along with some cash. Finally, she found it at the front desk...some kind person turned it in. We continued our vigil in our spots waiting for Kurt and Sammy along with the band to take the stage. They kept us waiting till 10:15 but I forgave them. Just before they began playing I heard somebody say that Saddam was dead. That caused me to pause for just a moment. The whole idea of executing somebody is a difficult one for me even though he deserved it as much as anybody ever has. On the other hand, it almost seemed too easy of an out for the guy. I don't know...this world can be a troubling place sometimes.
Back to the show...I was really wishing that I'd brought my video camera as it would've been easy to get a couple songs on tape. There weren't any seats for this show...standing room only. We got some nice spots to stand just left of center stage in front of Kurt. He's such a good guitar player. The highlight of the show for me was Fadeaway. Listen to the guitar in the song...I was mesmerized as I stood not 6 feet away watching him play. It sucks when your camera's flash is only good for 4-5 feet at the most. I did my best to get a few photos of the guys. Here's a photo of Kurt, and another. But here's the memorable part of the show Tammy and I will recall years from now—the drunk sweaty guy standing next to her who kept moving people out of his way. His girlfriend was no better. They were both obnoxiously drunk and kept pounding their fists in the air and bumping into those around them. I could've changed places with Tammy but she wouldn't be able to see over the guy standing in front of me. We had a similar occurrence in '99 when we saw Journey and Foreigner play up in Hinkley. An obnoxious drunk woman behind Tammy spilled her beer all over Tammy's coat. We tried to ignore them but we weren't so good at it. Tammy can be a scrapper when it comes to situations such as that...but she does it well so as not to leave the offending person much in the way of wiggle room and they know they've been told.
We left the concert and walked the five blocks to our cars. It was still raining but it had been so hot and moist in the club that it felt good. Scott and Judy talked to us about going with them to Las Vegas in March. I've never been there. Tammy has and she's been wanting to get me out there for a while. Neither of us are gamblers but from what she tells me there is so much more to do there. We've got the Indian casinos in Minnesota but the payout on the slots isn't very good. We've been in there a couple times but we usually leave feeling sad for the people who mindlessly shove coin after coin into the machines. It doesn't do anything for either of us. Tammy's mother, on the other hand, is a different story—she loves it.
I was watching President Ford's funeral tonight. I first caught it on FOX or CNN but quickly turned to CSPAN where there was no commentary. It seemed more meaningful to not have to listen to the useless background banter the other stations offered. It was a sad moment watching his wife, Betty, as she stood before his coffin saying her last goodbyes, lingering with her hands pressed against the flag which draped it, not wanting to let go. Contrast Ford's funeral with the send-off given to Saddam; sobering when you think about it; two totally different worlds. Do we have any real chance of changing hearts and minds in the Middle East? God, I want to believe that we do but I have more doubts than ever.
It was a late night. We got home after midnight but stayed up and watched Me and Dupree. A cute show but I fell asleep before it was over. I had to be up early as my brother-in-law, Jerry, was coming over to install a water softener for us. He made it look easy although I know it wasn't. Our old softener still worked but the timer on it was toast. I'd have to manually recycle it every 5 days or so. It served me well for over 20 years. The Water Boss promises to make that routine a thing of the past. Before and after. Jackie assured me that he wouldn't take any money for helping so I got them a gift card to Ruth's Chris Steak House in Minneapolis. Jerry turns 60 in a couple days. I don't think you'll find a nicer guy. It's been years since we've sat and talked as we did today after the work was done. It was nice to reconnect with him. Sometimes this busy world gets in the way in more ways than we can ever know.
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