Turning into November

1) It's just starting to get cool in the evening, but not to where I need a jacket. And to think if I was in Chicago, I'd already be dressing in layers. 

2) I'm beginning to gather my fall recipes that have become staples. Turkey chili, pumpkin pancakes, Tex Mex chicken parm, and roast pork loin with sweet potato wedges. And I'm sure there will be more to come. 

3) I swear I need to spend more of these evenings off the cell phone and social media and more in books and quiet reflection. Seeing the fools exhort their foolish views, unabashed hate, and childish language on social media reminds me of the kind of person I don't want to be. 

4) I truly don't think I can remember the last time all my sports teams were this bad.  Are you so wonder when one of my teams would win a championship again. Now I really wonder when 1 of them will make the playoffs ever again.

5)  I'm glad I got to see Chris Stapleton perform in concert, it was just a shame that his wife wasn't there to join him on vocals. And oh my gosh, did my feet ever get cold during the last 2 hours.

Southern Vacation, part 1

This schedule summarizes me taking a vacation. On Saturday, I worked 9-4 and 5-10:30. I was in bed by 11 pm. On Sunday, I got up at 1:30 am, ran 6.3 miles, taking a 5 a.m. flight to Charlotte and then onto Destin, FL. Vacation time is well deserved and it's on!

Ok, story from the Newport News airport. Guy in front of me is checking at the airport. I can tell from his bag he's a marine. Agent asks if he's flying to Charlotte or Philly, those are the only airports you can fly to from Newport news. says he doesn't know. He's a Marine and doesn't know where to fly! And factor in that he's defending our country... this doesn't exactly instill me with confidence. 

Anyway, I flew into Charlotte, which has some of the worst amenities for a major airport in the country. People actually think the Great American Bagel is like a breakfast destination, the line was maybe 20 people long. As a NY guy, their bagels are the equivalent of Taco Bell to someone from Texas. Give me the tomazzo bagel and let's just move on. And their PZA is just about the worst pizza I have ever had. Sour sauce, salty cheese, I mean I've had frozen pizzas that tasted like Frank Pepes by comparison. And even better, you pay the outrageous airport prices for it! But thank God for the Admirals Club, I got my free avocado toast with egg, tomato,  crumbled cheese, red onion, smoked salmon, and s&p. It tasted great, but my gosh, one bite and the ingredients exploded all over the carpet, my chair, my jeans... and maybe one crumb made it to the mini sized paper plate. 

Newport News was rainy, Charlotte was cloudy. Give me some of that Florida sun, because as hard as I've worked, I've earned this. And praise be to God that even if I'm not a millionaire, I still have some spare income where I can have some fun and have these unique experiences. 

Chris Stapleton setlist

Second One to Know

Without Your Love 

Nobody to Blame

Might As Well Get Stoned 

Parachute

Millionaire

Trying to Untangle My Mind

Fire Away

I Was Wrong

Starting Over

Whiskey and You

Hard Living

Get Down to Arkansas

Traveller 

Outlaw State of Mind

Death Row

Free Bird/The Devil Named Music

Broken Halos

Tennessee Whiskey 

Midnight Train to Memphis

Fall in session

1) I haven’t had a legit vacation in a long time. I guess the last one that lasted a reasonable amount of time was when I went back to Chicago for Matt’s wedding. I’m now 9 days away from my first trip to Destin, FL and it can’t come fast enough. My work days have become far more intense going from 2-3 appointments per day to 5-6 per day. One of our main processors has been out for the last month and due to family issues, we don’t know when she’s going to be back. Plus we’re training a new hire and she’s a long way from being ready to have appointments with students. So right now the load of meeting with people is on me. And I find that by the end of each week, my eyes are getting heavier and my patience is getting shorter, especially with people asking where their money is and I can’t answer the question, since that’s not my cross to bear. So a break is sorely needed and well earned.

2) So I’m taking Friday off from both my jobs. Well Friday was scheduled for my day job. Here’s what I have planned: Top Golf, Dave’s BBQ, Aquarium, Reaver Beach Brewery, Chris Stapleton concert

3) I’m going heavy on the pumpkin. Pumpkin waffles from Trader Joes, making pumpkin pecan pancakes this weekend. But no pumpkin spice lattes. I’m not saying I would never try one, but I’m not about to spend my own money on a cup of coffee for myself.

4) I think I need to listen to some more Jon Pardi music

5) Trying a new herb garden. No mint, no basil this time, since those are more for the summer and then tend to sprout up like weeds and overwhelm everything else in the garden. This time, it’s oregano, rosemary, parsley, sage, cilantro, and chives. Let’s see how these grow.

NHL Predictions

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division

Washington

Pittsburgh

NY Islanders

Carolina

NY Rangers

New Jersey

Columbus

Philadelphia

Atlantic Division

Tampa Bay

Boston

Toronto

Florida

Montreal

Buffalo

Ottawa

Detroit

Western Conference

Central Division

Dallas

Colorado

St. Louis

Nashville

Winnipeg

Chicago

Minnesota

Pacific Division

Vegas

San Jose

Calgary

Anaheim

Edmonton

Vancouver

Los Angeles

Arizona

Eastern Conference Finals

Tampa Bay over Washington

Western Conference Finals

San Jose over Nashville

Stanley Cup Finals

Tampa Bay over San Jose