Life has been good lately. We are now 4 home games into the season, and the little lady has been keeping me busy with wedding ideas and plans. I suppose all of that can keep the mind busy from time to time, so filling up those ice bins is a good change of pace once in awhile.
It was surreal, amazing and awesome to be back in Athens the weekend of October 14th. Surreal because I saw Vanderbilt defeat Georgia for the first time since '94. Amazing because watching the Vanderbilt football players and coaches celebrate reminded me why I love what I do. Awesome simply because that place is Athens. It is part of my life. That was my homecoming, even if I was in the "enemies" colors. It is home to several really great friends and a monumental number of great memories. It is everything I remember, and I love to be there.
Since my last post, the little lady and her mom have celebrated a birthday. Damn you Vera Bradley. You continue to ravage my wallet. The dogs continue to grow. I remember the days when Sherman was the boss of Salem … all 10 of them. She's been whoopin' his ass ever since. In turn, she's become a brat. I almost typed horrible brat, but she's still damn cute.
You know you're getting old when you are engaged and your doctor tells you not to drink alcohol for awhile. I said to him, "Doc … you know I'm engaged … and I work in event management … and I have two dogs. You are telling me I can't drink? I might as well take a run into oncoming traffic on I-65." Actually, Doc is looking out for me. My liver enzyme levels have been a little high since August. We've been monitoring them, and I've got an ultrasound set for Wednesday. I'm not terribly worried … yet … so for now I'll just do what the Doc says and take it easy. Hell, I didn't even drink until I was 21. I'd hate to know what it would've been like had I become a drinker early on.
If I don't watch another Carolina football game this year, I will probably increase my vocabulary ("Shit" and "Damn" don't count) and lengthen my life. Dear God, please put a fork in the football Tar Heels. I think they've lost the will.
The little lady has been car shopping and finally found what she wanted. The Saturn Vue will most likely be her new car. After some vigorous research on mid-sized or "samllerish" SUVs, she's found one she really likes. Greg, just so you know, I've been promoting the Vue all along. I told her if a big time engineer can drive one, we can too. The trigger hasn't been pulled yet, but I imagine we might be coming back from Atlanta with a new car around Thanksgiving. Nope, won't make it to Tha' Dash for turkey day. Home for Christmas, that is fo' sho'.