Guardian of the Non Sequitur

dad’s view

I was in Canyon Lake a few weeks ago for the show in Gruene.

Took this picture from the balcony outside the breakfast area – it’s the same view as the living room. The lake was quite high, and the damn was running full open. You can see the peninsula across the way is partially submerged. It was totally under a few years ago during their major flood. All the trees survived over a month under water.

Below the picture, out of view, is the bocce court and the horse shoe pit.

Friday night I babysat for nieces Avery and Madeleine, while my sister Monica and oldest niece Merritt were camping out with the Brownies.

Saturday I had lunch with my dad and everyone that splits season tickets for the Astros. I don’t split with them anymore, but Mary couldn’t make it, so I did her picking. I’m sure I’ll get some left-over tickets from Mary, Dad, or Raymond at some point. They usually end up with some they can’t use. I also got 4 free tickets to one of the exhibition games in early April.

Then I went to the office for several hours of work. There’s a bunch of case filings we’re trying to deal with. The reins of the Fen-Phen cases have been passed a few times, and some mishandling was aparent before.

partial lyrics of Sari, Nelly McKay
Well now I don’t mean to offend, much
Just comprehend
When you’re female and you’re fenced in and
Fen-phened to no end
And no zen guide to men will help you fend off the brethren
And then the pen appears
And better than the oxygen network
Or the sword or the spear or the fork
Or the bored pork-fed horde
It’s a mooring post
The whore you’ll miss the most when you’re away
When you’re in Snowshoe PA
Doin’ some play from Backstage
That deals with AIDS and race and gays and
Relationships and ballet
And then you’re like “hey yay what’d you say?
I can just sing my troubles away?”
But then you’re fucked
’cause you gotta make a buck
And the whole world sucks
And you’re like a lame duck
That’s lyin’ dyin’ tryin’ to sell out
But there’s no one buyin’ and there’s all this doubt
And you can preen and dream and scream and shout
But your life’s affliction is the fiction of Faust

…anyway, it was only a few hours, and mostly mindless (though not skill-less, some adeptness of searching for doctors on the internet speeds things considerably) so it went quickly.

I went out to see a bit of Moot & Wayne & Pete at the Continental club. And hung at the Big Top a bit. I leave a little early on Thursday, and miss Friday entirely, and there are stories all over the place. So, I heard some of those.

Now I’m up early on a Sunday morning to go assist some friends (and get a little ching) on a construction job. 3939 Westheimer. Gotta meet up at the shop (a.k.a the back of the Big Top) to get the tools for the day. Welder Dave, Leaning Jack, Bongo Jimmy, and me. Should be interesting.

-b

I extended my stay this morning at my sisters. We opened presents with the nieces and my Dad/Pawpaw. He’ll be in Canyon Lake over xmas. As most left for the Texans game, I stayed with my sister and just hung out. I was planning on going in to work (at the law firm), but cancelled on that as to be rested and ready for the Continental Club employee party tonight. Should be plenty of fun at the new Big Top.

-b

If there’s such thing as heavy clerical work, that’s what I did today. Worked at my Aunt/Cousin-once-removed Nelwyn’s office. Moved 7 years of files from boxes into cabinets, and better boxes. A few bruises and fingernail slashes.

Shredded some DNU’s (Do Not Use) files. She runs an employment agency, and there is an amazing number of felons who apply and say they have no record, when they tell them they don’t hire anyone with a Felony conviction or criminal misdemeanor on their record.

-b

Saturday Evening, I was sitting in the skyview bar of the new Hilton Hotel in downtown Houston (24th floor) with Allen Hill. Just musing on the fact that My Sister and nieces were at the Nutcracker ballet earlier in the day. My mom was at a show at the Verison Theater, and I was attending the Bill White Reception in the 4th floor ballroom.

Downtown is once again a happening place.

I ended up at M bar later that night. Interesting for half an hour, but I was happy to leave.

Spent the whole morning and afternoon at the swap-n-bop at the Continental Club in nearby Midtown. Great weather outside (a bit cold, but nice and sunny). Got to show many people the new Charley’s Big Top Lounge. It was interesting to get different people’s reactions. All liked it, but what elements they noticed and commented on was interesting to hear.

My family doesn’t have an ingrained Thangsgiving routine, and I like it that way. Every year I spend it with a different family. Often very extended, only knowing one or two people in the family before being there. I really enjoy getting a one day expedition into an extended family chemistry – and there have been some interesting ones. The more interesting come about by waiting to have a plan until one delivers itself to you.

My mom’s in Nashville, she’s often in Big Bend, it’s a travelling vacationing holiday for her and my step-dad. My dad’s at his new place. I got a call and invitation from him on Tuesday to join them, if I cared to. But I already had my plans. This year I’m going with my sister to her inlaw’s ranch. She’s been married 8 years, and I have yet to go there. Her husband is one of 4 siblings, I understand there are several houses at “the ranch”, but I’m really not sure what to expect.

I’m driving up today with her and the three nieces. And back on friday after the UT game. Should be fun and interesting.

-b