Maybe there's something to this genetics thing

Scott likes interesting socks, so for his birthday we gave him a few, including these

Click the image to see a larger version.

Yes, like me, Scott is a bacon fan, and also like me, he's willing to go there in a good cause.  

Would I wear those socks?

Oh, hell, yeah.  I mean, seriously, who wouldn't?

Go see A Walk In the Woods while you can

I first saw this Lee Blessing play on Broadway many years ago, with the original actors, Robert Prosky and Sam Waterston.  I quite enjoyed it then.  I went to a local production earlier tonight for one reason:  my friend, Eric, is one of the two actors.  I was concerned about whether the play, which focuses on two nuclear disarmament negotiators, would feel dated.  I also worried about how well the actors would stand up to the difficult and very demanding roles; after all, the play is basically two hours of talking.

I'm happy to report that my worries were unnecessary.  The play holds up beautifully and touches on many concerns that will stay with us for as long as humans exist.  It's also beautifully written and frequently very funny.  The two leads, Eric Hale and J Chachula, did very well. 

I'm quite happy I went, and I encourage you to do the same--while you can.

Here's the problem:  Only two shows remain.  One is Saturday, May 18 at 8:00 p.m., and the other is the next day at 3:00 p.m.  You can get more information here, or you can just show up at Burning Coal Theatre Company before the start time.  The tickets are all of ten bucks, less than you'd pay for a movie and far less than the thought-provoking entertainment is worth.

Yes, Eric is a friend, and, yes, I like to support my friends.  I'm not recommending this play for those reasons, though; I'm recommending it because I had a great time watching it, and I think you will, too.

On the road again: Austin, day 4

Almost all of today's daylight hours went to travel, with work filling the rest.  I had exit-row seats, which was great, but both planes were crowded and no fun at all.  Still, I was able to work on the long flight, which helped stop me from falling insanely behind.

Now, I'm home, exhausted, and ready to hit the hay.

So, have a little Fitz and the Tantrums, a song from their new album, which I intend to pick up soon.

On the road again: Austin, day 3

Work consumed almost all of today, but dinner was a pleasant meal on the patio of Eleven Plates and Wine.  The restaurant didn't blow me away, but the meal was tasty enough that I'd go back again.

Apropos of nothing, I am very much looking forward to seeing this show.

On the road again: Austin, day 2

After a day of interesting meetings I unfortunately can't discuss, I was finally able to fulfill my Austin ritual and enjoy a delicious meal at The County Line On the Lake. 

Click on any image to see a larger version.

The brisket, sausage, and beef rib combo was, as always, delicious.

In keeping with my resolve to learn to eat less, I had one fork each of the sides and ate less than half the meat.  I know the meal was still overboard, but this is progress.

The view out the window at the end of this lovely day was beautiful. 

Afterward, I further indulged myself with some Amy's ice cream, but at least I kept it to a small.  It was a delicious treat.

Not a good diet day, but not as bad as such days would have been in the past, so, again, this is some progress.

It was also big fun and quite delicious.

I'll take that.

On the road again: Austin, day 1

Travel days turn bad quickly when flight delays hit them.  Today's flights were already sub-optimal, with a connection in faraway Chicago instead of nearby Dallas, but they were the only ones we could get on the notice we had.  I was already going to arrive later than I wanted, but the time was bearable.

A three-hour delay of the flight out of ORD changed all that.

I arrived in town late enough that all the non-sports-bar restaurants nearby were closed and the hotel's room service was shutting down literally three minutes after I checked in.  So, I ordered what I thought would be safe--shrimp cocktail and a salad--and received a very sad instantiation of each one.  So it goes. 

Tomorrow, I'll indulge in my usual Austin ritual.  Now, I have to finish working, unpack, and get some sleep.

Sarah graduates

Earlier today, after a weekend full of activities, Sarah graduated from Duke.  I won't brag on her too much, but just to note some of the key moments of the weekend, Sarah

• was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa
• graduated with distinction
• graduated Summa Cum Laude
• won the college-wide Bascom Headen Palmer Literary Prize for her honor's thesis
• won the college-wide Louis Sudler Prize in the Creative and Performing Arts for her honor's thesis

Yeah, she's amazing, and, yeah, I'm very proud of her.

The graduation itself was outdoors in Duke's football stadium. 

Click on an image to see a larger version.

Afterward, we got to spend a little time with Sarah. 

Not to take anything away from Sarah's many accomplishments, what I'm most proud of is what a fine person she is. 

As I have said for over two decades, I have the best daughter in the world.