What a trip. Got back from Athens yesterday and had an amazing time. Over the past week I've realized one thing. I have great fucking friends and family. Not only was it good to get out of DeKalb for a week and see my old stomping grounds, but the week long adventure allowed me time to hang out with so many people I haven't seen in a long, long time.
Well, theARGUS reunion took place Saturday night. Erich, Michael and Donovan were gracious enough to allow me to share the stage with them as we played around 12 songs. Most were from our batch of originals, but we threw in a couple of covers. I'd be lying if i said we weren't a little rusty. Actually, it was mainly just I who was trying to shake off the rust. Regardless, I had a great time being on the stage with those guys again. We played to an intimate crowd, mostly made of dear friends and family. And I tell ya' what, I was more nervous Saturday night than I had been in quite some time. It took a "good luck" phone call about 30 minutes before we played to calm me down. We did have a great time though.
My parents made the trip down to Athens to see me over the weekend. It was nice to have them around as we hung out Friday and Saturday night before they drove home Sunday. Yeap, took the parents out on the town both nights. There is something to be said for being able to share a beer with your parents. It seemed like they had a good time. They love Athens almost as much as I do, and adore my friends as well.
So appearances at the show consisted of Steve Rodecap and Cary Groth, both of the NIU Athletic Department, Bill and Sue Richards, from Ball State, Jessica and Joanna and of course, my boys Jonathan, Doug, Marc and Trent. The more I think about it, the more I know just how lucky I am.
Marc and Trent befriended me years ago, when I was a punk kid with long hair who thought he wrote well enough to work at The Red and Black. They really did take me under their wings and showed me the ropes. I've always been a huge fan of both of those guys. I consider them damn good friends, and for them to come and listen to music that I KNOW they don't really enjoy, well it means a lot. Both are great writers already, but will be some of the best you've ever heard of. I have no questions about that. And they will be there, covering the story when I am named Athletics Director at some school one day. And we will all celebrate.
Jessica and Joanna both hold special places in my heart. They are two of the most entertaining, crazy, loving friends I think I have. They feed off of each other. Yeah, so we all get a little crazy sometimes and maybe dance on the bar or something like that, but I'll be DAMNED if I don't want to have their energy. I could be on my deathbed, and if they showed up, I'd live for another 30 years just feeding off of their positive energy. I always enjoy seeing them, and I had a fantastic time partying with them after the show Saturday night.
Speaking of Jessica, her birthday is tomorrow ... so HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!! While we were partying it up Saturday night, Jess told me her lovely mom actually reads this waste of internet space. So thanks Mrs. Vicki Hardin! It is much appreciated! For any of you that don't know her, she is fabulous. I drove down from NC for Jessica's wedding a year ago and Vicki made me feel like the guest of honor. That is how wonderful she is. And her daughter takes after her.
Sunday night, I had the joy of seeing even more old friends. Jon Williams and his wife Mary Elizabeth had several people over for dinner. B, Nolia, their lovely son and daughter and Michael Moore were the dinner guests, along with Doug and me. I hadn't seen B and Michael since the old days in the fraternity. Jon, or as we like to call him, Slaw, always makes people feel at home. His cooking is damn good too. And Slaw, sorry for not eating as much. That cajun was doing some crazy things to my stomach!
So believe it or not, I actually did spend some time at the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship. Made appearances for the semifinals and finals. It was great to see some of the old faces in the UGA athletic department. There really are some good people there, and I hate they are all having to deal with the negative publicity that is coming out of there. I'm not saying the administration is always correct there, but damn they've got some dumb kids there. Someone needs to clean up the mess.
Well, I've babbled on long enough. In short, a great weekend surrounded by great old friends, new friends and family. You really can't beat that.
I really am a lucky, lucky man.
Well, theARGUS reunion took place Saturday night. Erich, Michael and Donovan were gracious enough to allow me to share the stage with them as we played around 12 songs. Most were from our batch of originals, but we threw in a couple of covers. I'd be lying if i said we weren't a little rusty. Actually, it was mainly just I who was trying to shake off the rust. Regardless, I had a great time being on the stage with those guys again. We played to an intimate crowd, mostly made of dear friends and family. And I tell ya' what, I was more nervous Saturday night than I had been in quite some time. It took a "good luck" phone call about 30 minutes before we played to calm me down. We did have a great time though.
My parents made the trip down to Athens to see me over the weekend. It was nice to have them around as we hung out Friday and Saturday night before they drove home Sunday. Yeap, took the parents out on the town both nights. There is something to be said for being able to share a beer with your parents. It seemed like they had a good time. They love Athens almost as much as I do, and adore my friends as well.
So appearances at the show consisted of Steve Rodecap and Cary Groth, both of the NIU Athletic Department, Bill and Sue Richards, from Ball State, Jessica and Joanna and of course, my boys Jonathan, Doug, Marc and Trent. The more I think about it, the more I know just how lucky I am.
Marc and Trent befriended me years ago, when I was a punk kid with long hair who thought he wrote well enough to work at The Red and Black. They really did take me under their wings and showed me the ropes. I've always been a huge fan of both of those guys. I consider them damn good friends, and for them to come and listen to music that I KNOW they don't really enjoy, well it means a lot. Both are great writers already, but will be some of the best you've ever heard of. I have no questions about that. And they will be there, covering the story when I am named Athletics Director at some school one day. And we will all celebrate.
Jessica and Joanna both hold special places in my heart. They are two of the most entertaining, crazy, loving friends I think I have. They feed off of each other. Yeah, so we all get a little crazy sometimes and maybe dance on the bar or something like that, but I'll be DAMNED if I don't want to have their energy. I could be on my deathbed, and if they showed up, I'd live for another 30 years just feeding off of their positive energy. I always enjoy seeing them, and I had a fantastic time partying with them after the show Saturday night.
Speaking of Jessica, her birthday is tomorrow ... so HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!! While we were partying it up Saturday night, Jess told me her lovely mom actually reads this waste of internet space. So thanks Mrs. Vicki Hardin! It is much appreciated! For any of you that don't know her, she is fabulous. I drove down from NC for Jessica's wedding a year ago and Vicki made me feel like the guest of honor. That is how wonderful she is. And her daughter takes after her.
Sunday night, I had the joy of seeing even more old friends. Jon Williams and his wife Mary Elizabeth had several people over for dinner. B, Nolia, their lovely son and daughter and Michael Moore were the dinner guests, along with Doug and me. I hadn't seen B and Michael since the old days in the fraternity. Jon, or as we like to call him, Slaw, always makes people feel at home. His cooking is damn good too. And Slaw, sorry for not eating as much. That cajun was doing some crazy things to my stomach!
So believe it or not, I actually did spend some time at the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship. Made appearances for the semifinals and finals. It was great to see some of the old faces in the UGA athletic department. There really are some good people there, and I hate they are all having to deal with the negative publicity that is coming out of there. I'm not saying the administration is always correct there, but damn they've got some dumb kids there. Someone needs to clean up the mess.
Well, I've babbled on long enough. In short, a great weekend surrounded by great old friends, new friends and family. You really can't beat that.
I really am a lucky, lucky man.
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