March 2025 - A Milestone Birthday and Some Family Time

In March, I hit one of those milestone birthdays.  You know, the ones that end with a 0.  Obviously, it didn't sneak up on me, but it's still taking some getting used to.

My birthdays often fall during month end close at work.  At my current job, it's quarter end close, so that's even busier.  But, my birthday was on a Saturday this year.  And it happened to be the Saturday that my friends still host their monthly game day.  Yes, they knew, and they made sure I was wished a happy birthday.  And they let me pick where we got dinner from (Chick-fil-a, for the record).  I even won some games that day.  One was a set up, but I don't think the rest were.

The following week, my brother and his family were in town for a day.  The original plan had been to go to Magic Mountain, which I have a pass to this year.  But it was cold and wet most of the week, and that day wasn't looking any better.  We decided to call it off, and then they wound up not opening at all that day anyway.  So they came over to my place and played some games.  It was a good day.

Then, the following week, we spent some time together in Palm Springs.  My parents and uncle and aunt were also there.  I wasn't expecting, but they had cake and ice cream for my birthday.  Yes, we played some games, but we also swam and played some pickleball.  The weather had really changed, and it was significantly warmer than it had been just a few days before.  Considering we were there to swim, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

It was a good month.

August 2024 Part 1- Visiting a Friend

The beginning of August, I went to central California to visit a good friend of mine.  Originally, it was going to be for a week with me working from his place during the week, but that wound up being cut down to about four days.  Still, it was a great visit.

Saturday, we played ultimate Frisbee and then hosted a game night for his friends.  Many of them the same, which helped me since I am bad with names.

Sunday, we went tubbing, which I really enjoyed.  The tube I was using leaked, which was funny, but I made it to the end.  I also got a bad sunburn, but it was a small price to pay.

Monday, I worked, and then we finished up a TV show we'd been watching together.

Tuesday, right after work, I headed home.

Seriously, it was a great visit.  I wish I got to see him more often.

Weekend with My Parents Part 2 – The Sequel

This last weekend, I was with my parents again, but this time at the trailer resort they love in Palm Springs.  Not that I can complain about going there.  The pool is so wonderfully warm.  It’s so easy to get into and hard to get out, even when your hands are wrinkled.

Yes, we spent lots of time down there on Friday and Saturday.  Sunday, we went up to visit some friends of mine.  We went to their church Sunday morning and then out to lunch afterward.  It was wonderful.

It was warmer mid-week and definitely cooled off while I was there.   But we missed the huge rain we had at home.  I guess it poured on Sunday.  It threatened to rain, but it never actually did, which we aren’t complaining about at all.  Okay, so it rained for about 30 seconds, but that’s it.

Wind on the other hand?  It blew hard on Sunday.  We didn’t swim that day because of how windy it was.

We also played lots of games.  I won a memory match game and the last game we played of Rummikub.  Lost plenty of Uno and Mexican Train Dominos.

And I got lots of reading done.  Mom and Dad slept in Saturday morning, so I read quite a bit then.  Reading a few pages here and there got plenty more done as well.  I’m making a good start on my Spring Reading Thing list.

I Forgot

I know there was something I wanted to blog about. Something vital to national security. (Okay, since I know nothing about national security, that couldn't be it.) And considering I haven't talk about much in the last couple of weeks, you'd think I'd be able to do that. But now for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. So I'll just talk about what I can remember.

Last weekend, I played some ultimate on Saturday. I spent the rest of the time writing reviews. Or at least feeling guilty for not writing reviews. I eventually got five of them done, so I was happy about that.

Daniel came home from his trip Monday night. And I found out that Brennon is going to move out by the end of August. Yep. The roommate search begins again.

Meanwhile, I also found out that Daniel is a huge fan of The Stockmarket Game, a game from the 60's that I've only found two other people who liked. I see many fierce battles in our future. We've already played two games, and each won one. We also played Monopoly the other night, and I won that.

I am once again missing Trixie camp this year. I don't know how I used to do it and still live on what I made. I am not saving any money right now, which was the whole reason I didn't go. I've got to figure out where all the money goes and plug up the holes.

Actually, I think I know where all the money goes. I need to stop buying books, CDs, and DVDs. I've been especially bad recently. Not looking forward to next month's bills.

It's cooled off some this week. Instead of being in the 100's, it's only been in the 90's. I'm sure it will climb back up again soon. But for now, the air conditioner is enjoying the break.

And no, this didn't jog my memory on what else I wanted to say.

No, Not My Typical Weekend

This last weekend wasn't my typical weekend. And that was nice for a change of pace.

Friday night did start out with Bible study. And I brought my guitar and lead a couple of worship songs. It was so nice to be playing that again.

Saturday, I met up with Angelique at Glendale Centre Theatre. They were doing Here Lies Jeremy Troy, a very funny comedy. We both laughed pretty hard at it. I wish one part, the only remotely objectionable part, had been shorter. But it was all handled with double meanings and confusion. And as I said, we laughed so hard.

Sunday afternoon I called Mom for Mother's Day, then met up with Joe and Josh for Star Trek. We all really enjoyed it. Actually, I met up with Joe before that and we hung out and had dinner. I even managed to finish my book before I left. And I've read another since then. I'm getting behind on the mini-reviews again, aren't I?

And one of my roommates moved out early Monday morning. I've had a couple guys come by to look at the place this week. I think either of them would make good roommates, so hopefully one will move in.

Meanwhile, the roommate I still have and I hung out all night last night. It just kinda happened, and it was a good time. I beat him at Settlers, and we just hung out talking.

I'm Stuck for a Title

Some days, titles come. Some days, they don't. Today is one of those days. But I will not let that be a reason not to blog.

Friday night, I went over to a game night for the career Bible Study I attend. We started by playing Catch Phrase. Then we played Apples to Apples. Then, at 10:30, we decided to play Settlers of Catan.

That was a mistake.

I've never had a game that lasted longer then an hour and a half. Nathan finally won at 2 AM. Yes, you read that right, I was out until 2AM!

If I had it to do over again, I might leave when we sat down to play. But I did have lots of fun. I'm just still trying to recover.

Saturday was the launch party for Murder at the Academy Awards, the first in the series written by Joan Rivers and Jerrilyn Farmer. Since I love Jerrilyn's other books, I had to get this one. Yep, I've already read it. And I really enjoyed it. Plenty of laughs at Hollywood. Gotta love 'em.

Looks like Brennon is moving in tonight.

And that's the big news around here.