I like to do unusual things. If I am buying a gift for somebody, I want it to be something unique.
A couple of years ago I was trying to think of something unique to do for my parents and ended up with a good idea. On a Father's day, my parents and I got up early and drove to Plains, Georgia. We went to Maranatha Baptist Church and sat in a sunday school class taught by former President Jimmy Carter.
It was truly a memorable event! What was weird is that there was several friends of mine that were there to without knowing that they were coming. After Sunday School and then the worship service, we waited in line with everybody else to have our picture made with President and Mrs. Carter.
I think it was Walter Cronkite that said it best, "Jimmy Carter is the only man to use the office of the Presidency to go on to greater things." It seems, sadly, that most former Presidents are more concerned with seeing how much money they can make than to continue with their public service.
The trip with my parents to Plains has been on my mind as I am currently reading Carter's new book, Our Endangered Values. It is taking me longer to read than it should as I have a lot of work related items to read right now but I am enjoying stealing a few minutes here and there to read Values. I highly recommend it.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Dinner Guest
There is a group of us that try to get together to eat and share stories at least once a year. Last night we got together with some special guests. Significant others were invited for the first time in a long time and wifey showed up after night class. We also had a celebrity join us with his wife; Ben Jones best known for his portrayel of Cooter on the Dukes of Hazzard in the late 70's and early 80's.
I have known Ben for several years. I met him first in 1994 when he was running for Congress against Newt Gingrich. He lost that year but he had been in Congress for 2 terms before that, which was the subject of a lot of his stories last night. Ben and his wife were in town for a car show, which I plan to be at tomorrow.
I cant remember all of the stories told last night but I do remember the laughter, the bonding, and finally the solving of some of the world's problems. The manager kept going by our table trying to figure out who was the person sitting in the middle. I dont know if he ever figured it out or not.
As we were leaving, we had to wait for the valet to bring our cars up. When he was bringing mine he asked what it was like to know Cooter. "The same as knowing anybody else I guess." Turns out this young black man is a big Cooter fan. He had recognized Ben when he got out of the car at the start of the dinner and had called his girlfriend to come bring a camera. As I was getting in the car to drive away, he was stammering through asking Ben if it was alright to have his picture made with him. Of course Ben was delighted.
I have known Ben for several years. I met him first in 1994 when he was running for Congress against Newt Gingrich. He lost that year but he had been in Congress for 2 terms before that, which was the subject of a lot of his stories last night. Ben and his wife were in town for a car show, which I plan to be at tomorrow.
I cant remember all of the stories told last night but I do remember the laughter, the bonding, and finally the solving of some of the world's problems. The manager kept going by our table trying to figure out who was the person sitting in the middle. I dont know if he ever figured it out or not.
As we were leaving, we had to wait for the valet to bring our cars up. When he was bringing mine he asked what it was like to know Cooter. "The same as knowing anybody else I guess." Turns out this young black man is a big Cooter fan. He had recognized Ben when he got out of the car at the start of the dinner and had called his girlfriend to come bring a camera. As I was getting in the car to drive away, he was stammering through asking Ben if it was alright to have his picture made with him. Of course Ben was delighted.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Olympic break
Yesterday we watched some of the women's hockey games. WOW!! After a Thrashers game several weeks ago there was a lady's hockey game that we stayed for. It was boring. Most of the girls couldnt skate. Most couldnt handle the puck. There was some that could play pretty well but the majority of the players looked like I probably would on the ice (lots of falling down). This was not the case with the Olympics women hockey. They were quick. They were handling the puck very well. Team USA won 6-0 yesterday. Team Canada 16-0 over Italy. I cant wait for the gold medal match between these two teams.
Olympic men's hockey doesnt start for another couple of days. We watched the Thrashers last night at a sports bar since the game was only on satellite and not on local tv. I am looking forward to watching Team Russia during the Olympics. They will have the NHL's top scorer and the NHL's top rookie which should make for a fun to watch team.
Also yesterday, we went to the Atlanta Art House. Around 20+ galleries in Atlanta overly decorated a new, huge mansion. Probably over 5000 sq ft. The house was pretty and set up well for entertaining. The art was for the most part incredible (I dont get "art" that is a stack of paint can lids painted and glued together). Good day spent doing nothing with the wife.
In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Olympics. I regret that I was unable to go to any of the events due to a chaotic work schedule at that time. I hope one day to be able to go to an Olympics. I dont care if it is Summer or Winter but I would want to go to events that are indoors. I dont do too well with extreme hot or extreme cold...
Olympic men's hockey doesnt start for another couple of days. We watched the Thrashers last night at a sports bar since the game was only on satellite and not on local tv. I am looking forward to watching Team Russia during the Olympics. They will have the NHL's top scorer and the NHL's top rookie which should make for a fun to watch team.
Also yesterday, we went to the Atlanta Art House. Around 20+ galleries in Atlanta overly decorated a new, huge mansion. Probably over 5000 sq ft. The house was pretty and set up well for entertaining. The art was for the most part incredible (I dont get "art" that is a stack of paint can lids painted and glued together). Good day spent doing nothing with the wife.
In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Olympics. I regret that I was unable to go to any of the events due to a chaotic work schedule at that time. I hope one day to be able to go to an Olympics. I dont care if it is Summer or Winter but I would want to go to events that are indoors. I dont do too well with extreme hot or extreme cold...
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Satellites
Tuesday I has to have my car serviced. I ended up with a loaner car that I returned Wednesday a.m. No satellite radio. I had to listen to commercial radio. I had forgotten how many commercials you have to listen to. 6 minutes of songs followed by 15 minutes of commercials. I was miserable and very glad to get my vehicle back.
Today XM radio announced that Oprah is going to have her own channel with some of her friends. That is huge... and yet some people say satellite radio wont last. HAHHAHAHAHA
Today XM radio announced that Oprah is going to have her own channel with some of her friends. That is huge... and yet some people say satellite radio wont last. HAHHAHAHAHA
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Lucky Me
So I may not be lucky with my health but the rest of my life seems to know lady luck pretty well.
Last night we went with some newly engaged friends to a hockey game. The Thrashers Foundation was selling signed pucks for charity. Every puck was signed by a Thrasher. If it was signed in gold, you got to meet that player and have your picture made with him after that night's game. I asked if there was any gold signed pucks left at the table I was at and was told that there was still one left. I bought two pucks and of course, the first one I chose was signed in gold. It was the team's enforcer, Eric Boulton. He had also been one of my dealers at Thrasher's casino night and has a wicked sense of humor.
Our friends show up for the game and we asked if they were doing anything after the game. We filled them in on what I had won and they were pretty excited. After the game (which we won) we went to a waiting area. About 8 players came up after they had showered and put on street clothes (all suits). We had our picture made and talked to Eric for a while (complimenting his fight from Tuesday, how the team has been doing lately, etc.). He was quick to praise a teammate that had gotten into a fight Friday night.
We hung out and our friends collected autographs from all of the players that showed up (I didnt get any autographs as I already have the whole team on a pennet and some of my favorites on a jersey or on some trading cards). What a great time!
Last night we went with some newly engaged friends to a hockey game. The Thrashers Foundation was selling signed pucks for charity. Every puck was signed by a Thrasher. If it was signed in gold, you got to meet that player and have your picture made with him after that night's game. I asked if there was any gold signed pucks left at the table I was at and was told that there was still one left. I bought two pucks and of course, the first one I chose was signed in gold. It was the team's enforcer, Eric Boulton. He had also been one of my dealers at Thrasher's casino night and has a wicked sense of humor.
Our friends show up for the game and we asked if they were doing anything after the game. We filled them in on what I had won and they were pretty excited. After the game (which we won) we went to a waiting area. About 8 players came up after they had showered and put on street clothes (all suits). We had our picture made and talked to Eric for a while (complimenting his fight from Tuesday, how the team has been doing lately, etc.). He was quick to praise a teammate that had gotten into a fight Friday night.
We hung out and our friends collected autographs from all of the players that showed up (I didnt get any autographs as I already have the whole team on a pennet and some of my favorites on a jersey or on some trading cards). What a great time!
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