"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Easter 2008




Well, we had quite the socializing over the Easter weekend.

The fun started Friday afternoon with another round of spring training tickets courtesy of White Sox media guy Patrick O'Connell (a/k/a Nicole's pal) (spring training, round one, is discussed here). Patricia, Patrick (just back from visiting Nicole in Chicago), Paul Jr., Alex (lives in same apartment as Paul Jr.) and I saw the White Sox lose to the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. We were supporting the White Sox after a fashion, but under the threat of extra innings we reluctantly appreciated the Giants' 9th-inning victory. Fantastic weather, great seats, so it was everything spring training is supposed to be. Had folks around in the evening for even more socializing.

Patricia and I went to coffee per usual Saturday morning. Nicole had called a couple times trying to pin down what we were doing (purportedly from Chicago). But being rather tricky, she and Patrick were in the coffee shop and surprised the heck out of us. She had flown into Phoenix the day before (after a days' delay that was primarily self-inflicted). So it was fun to have her around for the weekend. Patricia put together a dinner for a bunch of folks that evening, and we watched some of the college basketball madness.

Similar enjoyments on Sunday, including a run over to the Sterns in the afternoon. This included some misguided speculation about a nesting dove and hatching and where Thomas Stern came from. We also met Herman the dog. There were Wii games including boxing and bowling, and my wife wasn't fully hospitable to house guest Patrick (e.g. seven strikes in a row). Something of a joint cooking effort (led by CPG) for dinner and folks liked the rib roast. Patricia made the chocolate cheesecake, which led to some almost unseemly negotiating over portions (it ended up in quadrants). (But too bad a nice chunk remains in our refrig, soon to be tossed out as there is no one here to eat it.) Gorgeous weather throughout the weekend . . . as Sunday wore on, Patrick left for U of A, Paul Jr. left for ASU, and Chris left for his house. Nicole flew back to Chicago bright and early on Monday, and Patrick headed to Peoria that morning for White Sox v. Mariners.

Fun.
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