Monthly Archives: July 2007

And What a Time It Was

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Last Saturday, SWMBO and I had the distinct and once-in-a-lifetime pleasure of being in attendance for Dave Slusher’s 40th birthday celebration. Though Dave’s actual birthdate is in August, the celebration was held on Saturday, so that Michelle Malone could come and perform for the revelers.

And what a time we had; there were mounds of food1, a keg of Yuengling2, and a selection of dessert items, chips, salsa, dips, and those types of party fare.

The food was wonderful; a mound of pulled pork, South Carolina style, baked beans, a bushel of coleslaw which earned both SWMBO’s and my seal of approval, and the magnificent Horry County concoction called chicken bog. In attendance was a certified barbeque judge, and a two-time champion of the Horry County Bog-Off; I didn’t get their verdicts on the fare; I just know I went back to the table several times. I must admit to looking for barbeque sauce; I saw a tub of something red, and thought “Ahh, sauce.” Then I realized the tub contained salsa, whereupon I remembered that South Carolina barbeque is served in a vingear and spice based dressing, which was tangy and in no need whatever of any additional condiments. And chicken bog is on our list of something to prepare for ourselves.

Dave picked the songs for Michelle Malone’s set, and nearly everything that I thought “I hope she plays … ” was played, including SWMBO’s and my favorite Butter Biscuit. Michelle can literally sing anything; you’ll hear blues, folk, country, pop, and rock. And she sounds good irrespective of the number or type of musicians backing her up. Head out to her website, buy yourself some CDs, and see for yourself. I bought 3 more CDs after the show, to add to my MM collection of 9 others.

I switched to bottled water for the last hour or so of the party, not wanting to be in any client relationship with Horry County’s finest, and SWMBO and I headed back to our hotel, and returned home yesterday, as I’ve already documented.

I missed the telecast of the Brickyard 400 whilst driving home yesterday, but that’s all right. The green flag flies someplace every weekend; celebrating a birthday milestone with someone you consider family happens only once.

-k-

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1 My sainted mother would have said “Looks like they’re feeding harvest hands.”

2 From which I finally learned to draw a beer that wasn’t 80% foam, and applied this knowledge often.

Carolina, RoVA, NoVA

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SWMBO and I are safely ensconced back at tbbs World HQ, following the drive from Conway SC back to Northern Virginia. The trip was routine, except for a real “flat rock” rain that happened just north of Richmond. A little time in a nearby Walgreen’s parking lot, along with the munching of a few Cheetos while the rain subsided, and we were rolling again.

We’re tired, but happy. And our faithful cat was delighted to see us again. The feeling was mutual.

-k-

SysAdmin Day Dining

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Last evening, SWMBO, Dave, his wife, James, their mom and her husband, and I had a magnificent meal and a large schooner of some fine micro brew at the Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery, which is in the Broadway at the Beach section (I guess that’s the right term) of Myrtle Beach.

After dinner we walked around the boardwalk, fed the fish from a bridge over the water, stopped for a cone at Ben & Jerry’s, and generally enjoyed all the touristy splashiness. I had a ball; it was a cross between the midway at a state fair and the souvenir trailers at a NASCAR event. Being amongst good people you haven’t seen in a while was the best part, though.

Today, we have a portion of the day to do more touristy stuff, before the birthday celebration begins later this afternoon. Right now, I’m torn between visiting the historic section of Conway, which I’ve seen and read about on Dave’s blog, or heading to a ginormous outlet mall just down the road a piece. I suppose one could say there are outlet malls everywhere, but man this one is a monster.

Whatever we do, we’re gonna have a bunch of fun.

-k-

NASCAR HotPass Lineup

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The car-driver-channel matrix for tomorrow’s running of the Allstate 400 from the renowned Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reloads thusly:

#31-Jeff Burton, 795
#20-Tony Stewart, 796
(with Larry McReynolds)
#24-Jeff Gordon, 797
#11-Denny Hamlin, 798
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 799

Looks like Larry Mac will be on ch 796, following Smoke’s progress. Good Deal. Larry knows his iron.

-k-

H/T: Jayski.

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Safe in South Carolina

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Today, the Search for America Tour headed from Raleigh to Myrtle Beach, where I picked up SWMBO at the airport. Our worst fears of her being in alien probe line hell were unfounded. I’d taken her luggage with me when I left for Raleigh, so she was bagless. In addition, she’s riding back home with me in the Monte Carlo, so she had a one-way ticket. I figured she’d only do 3-5 in Leavenworth, with perhaps time off for good behavior.

But, all those fears vanished when I saw her coming down the walkway. We’re now in Conway SC, fixin’ to meet some folks for some socializing. Then tomorrow night, the main event, as we welcome another member into the “Lordy, Lordy, look who’s 40” club. And we’ll welcome him into that august group with all the solemnity such an event deserves.

For a not-so subtle hint as to the details, check here.

-k-

Schools Out, and I’m Shinin’ On

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The last day of my Red Hat class was today. It was without a doubt one of the best training sessions I’ve ever attended. The instructor was really on top of his game, the class attendees were from a variety of backgrounds, and the interactions amongst the group were a training bonus.

Tonight, I’ve found some siblings for the lonely Shiner Bock featured in last night’s post, and am enjoying same whilst folding up the tent, and preparing to take the Search for America Tour eastbound tomorrow. Destination: Myrtle Beach, where I’ll pick up SWMBO at the airport1. From there, we head to Conway SC, for a weekend of festivities.

-k-

1 Presuming she isn’t in interminable alien-probe-line hell, what with having a one-way ticket and no luggage.

Up with the Chickens

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I need to get to class early (around 7am or so) tomorrow. Having put a lab session totally sideways, I need to salvage that. I’ve been assured that if I get there early, I can complete the current lab, then backtrack, and repeat all the lab sessions by 10:30 AM. This is actually a good thing; nothing beats hands on. And I should have a good foundation for the final day on Thursday, which is almost totally lab work.

I just wish the class instructor was a late guy instead of an early bird. He does have command of the material, and one more thing I must respect: he has the keys to the classroom.

-k-

A-List Lapdogs

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Paula Zahn is jumping ship being released from her excreble prime-time CNN gig, to land again at Fox News, where I’m sure she will continue to distinguish herself in “broadcast journalism”.

Campbell Brown, currently at NBC will take over Paula’s prime-time slot. I actually liked Campbell Brown.

And the whole story differs little from the A-list blogger cluster eff we see almost daily.

At least WTOP news, wherein the link leads, had the good sense to classify this whole mess as “entertainment”. I want “news”, not “entertainment”.

Feh.

-k-
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