Stuck at KCI

There's a blizzard here. But we wanna go to ORLANDO!!!

Only four hours away from getting to see all these people again...

At the Charlotte airport... I can't wait to get home!!!

Damon and Ana -- faithful readers of EspeciallyEvey.com

And they're reading all the way from the Dominican Republic!

Thanks guys... you rock!

Evey and Grandma watchin' the Lady 'Hawks

I'm wide awake, it's morning.

• Don't know why I'm awake at 3 a.m. this morning. It could be any reason:

Maybe it's because I started reading a book about the Bataan Death March last night.

Maybe the movie 'Cloverfield' is sticking with me (was I having a nightmare? I really don't remember)

Maybe I wanted to listen to Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' really bad.

Maybe I just went to bed too darn early.

• Hmm. No worries. I'll still get another three hours of sleep, and meanwhile, I can update the blog, which I hadn't done since Monday, or so.

So, the results of our latest poll... it was a weak poll, I'll admit. I asked 'what band is Evey rocking out to,' just to test the musical mettle of Evey's readers... I don't need to do that, if you're here, you're obviously a brilliant individual who knows a lot about the ways of the word. Regardless, it was indeed the Rollins Band that was singing, "Get some, go again" in Evey's most recent video. Eight people correctly said so, while one person guessed the Pixies and one person guessed Black Flag (in which Rollins was a member of before they broke up). I was the one that guessed the U-Foes twice, just to mess around. If there's a band called the U-Foes, I'd be surprised. The only U-Foes I know of are an old enemy of the West Coast Avengers, so, yeah, that was only funny to me. And maybe Travis.

Sorry.

There is a new, slightly better, poll. Hopefully you'll feel inclined to vote in this one as well.

I'm looking back and finding plenty of typos. This is a good sign. Maybe I should get back to sleep soon.

Before I go, I want to tell you what I thought of CLOVERFIELD...

There is no message to be taken from Cloverfield, no lesson to be learned. It's just four twenty-somethings RUNNING FOR THEIR FREAKING LIVES. FROM A MONSTER.

If that sounds bad to you, I'd suggest you avoid this movie.

The whole movie is seemingly shot on one camcorder. So yeah, the camera bounces like crazy. I'll be honest, I got pretty nauseous, I had to take a 10-minute break at one point. I'm not real good with motion sickness type stuff anyway, for example, I'm not very good at reading a book in a moving car, it makes me sick most of the time. for Cloverfield, I got up, feeling a little sweaty, like I might need to throw up, I went to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face, then got a Sprite (Sierra Mist now. Why is it Sierra Mist everywhere? Do the kids not find Sprite hip?) and went back into the theater. I wanted to take a few more minutes to feel better, but I couldn't stand not seeing what was going on. I went back in.

The thing about this movie, to me, was that I felt like I was in the movie -- like I was one of the characters. I felt like I was 'Hud' and I was the one filming this thing, and I was simply looking through the eye of the camcorder. This really sucked me into the film, obviously.

The characters are OK (kinda dumb), the story is pretty basic... but the action is just off-the-charts. And not in a Die Hard vein, but in a 'we're running for our lives, we have very little chance of survival here, people!'

The climax was amazing. It really made me forget that I was in a movie theater. It made me feel more like I was in a fantastic nightmare, one where you're tossing and turning for the entire time, but then, suddenly, something in your mind suddenly grants you an easy-to-fire bazooka, or a giant hammer, and you suddenly think, 'Hey, I might actually WIN in this nightmare!'

And then, the epilogue... I really wanted to high-five my buddy Sean, because I didn't know exactly how it would end, but the end they gave me was very satisfying.

So, yeah, BIG THUMB'S up. I wish it didn't make me sick but it was worth it.

(By the way, the movie wasn't ever grotesque or anything... there's not a ton of blood and guts.)

I look forward to watching this on DVD so it isn't as hard on my equilibrium. But this is something you should see in the theaters, especially to get the full impact of the sound. Sound is important in this one, my friend.

I'll stop rambling now. Good night (morning).

We're shootin' basketballs...

We had a few more lessons in the sacred game of basketball recently. As well as getting li'l Evey on a hardcourt herself, we also took her to the KU/Mizzou women's game on Saturday. She loved it, had a great time.

Check out that last pic. She's getting big, isn't she? I'm hopeful that Evey's friends in the FMS group at work will get to see her at the bowling alley tomorrow after work; I just need to make sure I can get the extra time offa work.

More later, this weekend took it out of me (two KU/MU games, a wedding, Cloverfield... holy crap, Cloverfield kicked my ass, blew my mind and made me nauseous all in 1.5 hours... more on that excellent flick later.)

Maaaagic bullllllet!

OK, I took the day off Friday, and yeah, I had a margarita. Or four.
The secret ingredient to a frozen margarita is lime sherbet! All I had was orange, but you, know, it was still pretty darn good! I actually like the magic bullet, except I immediately asked myself, "How do I makle a pitcher's worth?"

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's

Random notes for Thursday night...

• If you're itnerested in joining an on-line music club, I'd suggest eMusic. I got roped in when I saw an ad in Rolling Stone -- their offer of 25 free tracks hooked me. And I've stuck around for about, oh, four months so far. It's $9.99 a month, and that gets me about three CDs a month. (It also keeps me out of Best Buy a bit, though I did drop some cash at Love Garden last weekend -- I got Air, Against Me! and the new BBoys) eMusic is all indy music, so you won't find Green day or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but they do have some big-name bands, and some really great small bands. So far I've downloaded: The White Stripes, Elliott Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Arcade Fire, Cake, Spoon, The Eels, Rakim, Harvey Danger, John Lee Hooker, Minus the Bear, Soul Coughing, and yes, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, who I'd also reccomend. Great voice, a little Elliott Smith but not as sad. (If you do sign up, let me know so I can get my free 50 downloads for sending business thier way.)


• Played like crap tonight in the b-ball game. I started off badly, finding out that I only had one contact lens 20 minutes before the game. After I ran to the eye doctor, I made it to the game five minutes late. Immediately checked in and shot an airball from three-point land. I think I was 0-for-6 from the field, including having one shot blocked. Pretty happy with my defense though, I believe my guy only scored 2 points on the evening, and for a while I was guarding their 3-point shooter who ended up hurting us down the stretch. Anyway, we lost, 61-52. Tough start to the season, we had one tech and quite a bit of bickering with the other team, the refs and each other.


• I'm taking tomorrow off work -- a day of vacation! I figure I better take it easy for a day before my travel schedule heats up, and with the Golf Industry Show right around the corner, I'm going to be running around a lot. Tomorrow, I hope to work on the guest bedroom, then read a magazine, then have a margarita.


• Happy birthday to comic book amigo Travis Sweeten, who turns 31 today.


• Happy birthday to co-worker Shelly Howard, who turns 30 today.

Lunch at Over-Rated's... er, I mean... Pacha Mama's

Hey, it's snowing outside! GREAT.

(Actually, Judy loves this weather -- she might get out of school. Me? I have a 5.8-liter, 8-cylinder engine on rear wheel drive. Not good.)

This last weekend we went to Pacha Mama's for lunch. We promised Judy we'd take her there sometime, since she's always babysitting Evey for us.

A place like Pacha Mama's can thrive while a place like Don's Steakhouse goes out of business. I blame the Republicans. Man!

OK, seriously, it's beautiful inside PM's. Nice view, I like the windows. The food just isn't... that... great.

I know a guy like Neuty will argue me on this. He'll say I just don't have taste. But PM's is just a pretender... everything there must be great, because dammit, it comes with a bamboo stick and ancient flower fossils on the side. The water comes from a glass bottle. The menu is one column, centered.

You're so impressed with your surroundings, you forget that... you know what? For $24, that meal was just OK... and you know what else? ... I'm still hungry.

Ugh. It's like the movie "Ocean's Eleven." All my guy friends were like, "It's awesome!" It is, after all, a caper movie that takes place in a casino. But if you really watch the movie... it's all just George Clooney and Brad Pitt looking cute. It is... a CHICK FLICK.

PM's. It's like a chick flick of a restaurant, when really, I want to just get FED, I don't care how cute you look.

Sorry for the random rant. I think I came to the computer to mention that my first basketball game of the season is tomorrow. (And right now, I think I'm going to foul out.)

GWAA entries summary

I'm a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. Been a member three, maybe four years now. Every year I try to win one of their writing awards... it's a goal of mine, a dream, really. I'd be so honored to win a GWAA award (even an honorable mention!). To step up and accept an award on the same dais as Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa, as well as such writers as Dan Jenkins and Ron Green... Someday, I really hope to break through and get my name in that list of winners.

Anyway, I sent off my entries recently, six in all (click here to read one entry, about Evey and me on the golf course). I might be at a disadvantage because I'm writing for an industry pub, rather than just covering "golf" in general... but who knows, it may be an advantage, too.

Here's how many entries the GWAA received this year.... not a ridiculous amount, really.

* Internet – News 30, Columns 53 (I entered two), Features 28, Special Projects 10
* Non-Daily – News 39, Columns 67 (I entered two), Features 78 (I entered one), Special Projects 48 (I entered one)
* Daily – News 33, Columns 32, Features 42, Special Projects 15

Wish me luck! I'll hear the usual bad news in a month or so. The winners are officially recognized at the annual Golf Writers awards dinner in Augusta, Ga. during Masters week.

Another weekend flies by!

This weekend went by too fast. Especially considering how looooong last week was. (I think last Thursday was actually 28 hours.)

Get some, go again!

Evey hopes your weekend ROCKS!

Baby updates

Evey has had some new friends come into the world, and I've been remiss in getting their photos up here...

First off, Evey was very excited to meet Amelia Grace ! We all went over and visited two weeks ago, and Amelia was amazingly sweet. We all took turns holding Amelia (well, not Evey) and it was amazing to hold her... took us back to where we were a year ago! (Amelia and Evey are almost exactly a year apart.) Congratulations to the John and Jess, who were as happy as I've ever seen them!

Next up we've got the grandson of my friend Teresa -- Augustus "Henry" Walter! I apologize if I've messed up his name, I'm almost positive he's going by Henry though. Henry is excited to be babysat by his Grandma Teresa this weekend... he had a touch of the flu, so he was only around mom (Michelle) and dad (Reed) for a while, but now he's 100% and it would take an army to keep Teresa away from her new grandson!

Finally, a few photos of Greg and Adrienne's twin boys, Liam and Henry, sporting their KU gear! They're three months old now, and Greg is loving every minute of it.

Whew... that's a lot of babies. (And several of our friends are currently expecting, too... so we'll have more good news here in the next few months!)

(...And if you're not expecting... what are you waiting for?!?)

Coming tomorrow... a MUSIC VIDEO starring Evey. I'm serious. (And maybe a new poll, too...) Have a great Thursday. I'm going to bed. (This series of blog posts written to Cracker's 'Kerosene Hat.' Still good!)

Keep Grey away from my little girl!!!

First, we got a Christmas card from baby Grey. It included this little photo that she's holding. Notice that Grey is not wearing a shirt. Totally inappropriate. And Evey couldn;t sit down for a meal without this photo of Grey. Pissed me off.

And now, Grey wants to have a "play date." Great. I'll say 'no,' she'll cry, run to mom, and mom will say, 'Seth!' and then I'll say, 'I meant... FINE.'

These kids grow up too damn fast.

Campus on a roll!

Congrats to Abasolo -- his Campus girls team just won their SECOND GAME IN A ROW!!!

Campus hasn't seen many wins lately, but Coach Solo has them headed in the right direction! More than an Xs and Os guy, Solo is a MOTIVATOR! He's got these girls ballin'!

Read all about it here: http://solospace5.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

The above photo is a shot I found of us at Don's Steakhouse... we're celebrating my 30th birthday here. So Evey will have evidence that yes, she did go to Don's when she was a little baby... she just doesn't remember it! (Kinda like how I don't remember being alive at the same time as the great Elvis Aaron Presely... but I was!)

Evey loves her books

Evey with my dad, checking out a book. She loves these picture books the best.

A couple more Christmas photos

Above, Adro and Evey, in matching sweaters that my folks got for them. Below, me, mom and Evey on Christmas. I'm wearing a shirt and tie I got from my folks for Christmas. I wore this same outfit to work yesterday.

Farewell, Don's Steakhouse

In what continues to be a suck week, there was this news:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan/07/bbq_joint_replace_icon/

Me and Adro pulled up Saturday night for a chicken fried steak at Don’s Steakhouse. There were no cars in the parking lot, but that’s happened before – after all, it was early, and the employees park in the back, out-of-sight.

But there was a sign on the door: “Closed for remodeling.”

If you’ve been in Don’s, you know it looks like someone’s house, circa 1972. Why remodel? I want a chicken fried steak – the best one in the world, according to my extensive research.

But, my fears were confirmed. This was not a remodel. This was the easy way of saying, “you’ve had your last chicken fried steak from Don’s.”

I’ve celebrated most of my birthdays from the past 10 years at Don’s. Had a lot of fond memories there. Here are just a few:

• One time, Clay screamed a string of exlpetives not fit for this blog, while at Don's (it was part of his story, and he thought we were the only table in there... which, often times, we were). An older couple, clearly appalled, got up and left. It was clearly an embarassing moment. We apologized, but the manager told us not to sweat it -- we were the regulars, and they had never seen those old folks before. (I'm sure they never saw them again, either.)


• The time me, Wake, Wogomon and Ken Moum all went down for lunch from GCSAA. I swore to these guys that this was the best chicekn fried steak in the world, so they wanted to see it in person. The waitress delivers Ken's and he looks at her and says, "uh, yeah... I'm going to tell you right now that I'm going to need more gravy."


• The time me and Adro took Marlan and Carrie there... it was the day after our wedding, I think. Mar and Carrie flew out the next day. Just a happy, memorable moment.


• I had one birthday there with my folks in attendance. Both me and Stark were celebrating our birthdays together, so we had a large group there. My parents wanted to take a group photo. Outside, with the large group, Ryno decided he had to squat to fit in the photo. The resulting photo has everyone smiling, looking good... and then, there's Ryno, squatting and looking like a fool. My folks disliked Ryno for this one reason for a full year. "Who's this friend that ruined this nice photo?" they'd later ask me.

Anyway, there are lots more... but that's enough for now.

Goodbye, Don's Steakhouse. You treated me well.

Cheers, Don’s Steakhouse.

Oh, yeah... by the way... Evey walks

This was shot Dec. 27th... sorry for the delay, I had some technical issues with the video.

Christmas Eve at the Johnson's

My sister invited us up for Christmas eve at her house. We had a great time. Here's a photo of all three cousins together -- Evey, Marina and Jett.

We had a great Mexican feast, which even included specialty margaritas made with a tequila I brought back from Guadalajara, and a special margarita mix Mark picked up in Arizona.

The kids were all on their best behavior. This was just an exchange between the Johnsons and the Jones, so there weren't 100 presents for Jett to open, like he's used to when he's with my folks or his other set of grandparents. But I gotta hand it to Jett, he didn't sweat it one bit, he rolled with it more like a 15-year-old, not a 5-year-old...

Anyway, more photos to come... right now, we're off to dinner, just me and Adro, at Don's Steakhouse!

Holiday hangover

2008! Whoo-hoo!

Hope you had a great New Year holiday. Me and Adro drove up to Zona Rosa, where we spent the evening with Anne and Brandon Bauer. On tap for the evening -- the stand-up comedy of Chris Porter. We were seated front row, right up against the stage. All three comics were great. The food was pretty good, too. A really great, memorable New Year.