The Shaving of the Beard

Over the last 4 or 5 weeks I've grown a beard. I've done that once before, in college, and it didn't look very good. I've had a gotee a couple of times in my adult life and never felt it was really 'me' either. I was quite ready to let loose the mortal beard but thought since it was probably a one shot deal I should make it an event. It was no event, but here's how it went down:

Get up... and get your Grandma outta here.

As a climax to Kyle's birthday celebration weekend extravaganza, we went to see Ace Frehley in concert with 518 of our closest friends. Frankly, I wasn't as enthusiastic as he was at seeing the guy but my "wormhole" nature kicked in and I was taken back to to a time when Kiss ruled the Earth. I have to say that I truly enjoyed it and my only complaint was that it wasn't loud enough. And by not loud enough, I mean if I had been at home, in my easy chair, 12 miles away, I would have turned it up a bit. My teeth were seriously swapping places.

Not knowing most of his solo tunes, I still found a lot to like and of course a lot of Kiss favorites were included. His band was great ( I think Nikki Sixx was on bass) and the crowd was quite eclectic, which always makes for a good time where ever you are. I'm very glad I had the opportunity to see an iconic rock legend such as the Ace. Funny how larger than life characters so far away when you're 15 years old still make the hardest of rock 15 feet from you 25 years later.

There was a camera rule stating that you couldn't have one or at least use it if you did but I was able to sneak a few pics, namely myself during a bathroom break.

(spelling error "toliet" brought to you by the Ace man himself)

Birthday Celebration

We all celebrated Kyle's Birthday this evening. Dinner at a casual, if not swanky, Mexican restaurant with all the trimmings including a waitress wanting some of the birthday cake. Kyle seemed to enjoy his gifts. If not, he at least made us all think he did, and that's what counts.
I hope to celebrate many more celebratory celebrations with our local celebrity, Kyle. I was lucky enough to get a photo-op with my giant friend:
And Samuel, who really loves his Uncle Kyle, got a fun ride:

Happy Birthday!

A big birthday shout out today to our good buddy and pal, Kyle.
57 years ago today you came into our lives and enriched us, every one. The day we met, I could have walked off thinking, "That guy... huh. Kiss fan" But no, there's more to ol' Kyle-o than that. And there are. There are certainly a few things more. Happy Birthday, Kyle.

Update for Nana

Here's an update for Samuel's Nana celebrating some of his recent activities. First up, we have his first class picture (Sam's the one on the bottom right next to the little old man)

Block House Steeplechase

This weekend, I learned the difference between a horse race and a Steeplechase. A horse race is a flat, oval track where horses race. A Steeplechase is a non-flat, non-oval track where... well, horses race. I also learned that the horses don't actually "race". The horses just go... the jockeys race. They race the horses but the horses aren't the ones racing... just the jockeys.

Here we are. (transportation provided by the Broad River Correctional Institute.)

Desert Island Discs

Some magazine... Rolling Stone, I think, has (or had) a column where folks would submit their selections for albums to have with them if they found themselves stranded on a desert island... with a CD player.... and power supply, I imagine. I've thought about that lately and made a list. I discovered that I think my list would change over time. I only hope that when I get Fed-Exed to a remote paradise, I have a good list at the time. What 10 albums would you choose?

My List: (in no particular order)

Dream Theater - Scenes From a Memory (an easy one)

Rich Mullins - A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin band (another easy one)

Rush - Hold Your Fire ( rush would always make the list and I should choose a collection but I have to go with this one)

The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper (I really wanted to put the Revolver album here to be cool but I just like this one better)

Bob Seger - Greatest Hits ( this is strange to me. no reason to include it except I listened to it on a trip last week and loved every second)

Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits ( I just wish it were longer)

David Wilcox - How Did You Find Me Here (like when you run across Shawshank Redemption or Jaws on cable TV you have to watch? same here)

DC Talk - Jesus Freak (love it, love what I remember when I hear it)

Pink Floyd - Pulse (hello... who wouldn't have it)

Simon & Garfunkle - Greatest Hits (would help if a babe were stranded with you)

Beverages to Go: The Sequel

My buddy Greg passed through today on his way back from whatever conference it was he went to in Charleston, as first described in George post: Beverages to Go. Apparently, the crowd wasn't too into the beer they brought since he is toting it all back to Nashville.
Unfortunately for him, he doesn't really drink. Fortunately for me....