Sunday, January 11, 2015

It's college basketball season so I'm either watching games on TV or, sometimes, there's a weekend home NC State game.

So here's a typical winter Sunday.

Woke up around 6 AM as I always do. Did a few minor chores around the house. And I spent some time reading a mediocre book by Michael Crichton - Prey. But, not bad enough to quit reading.

Hot Tub

Around mid-morning I soaked in the hot tub for a while. The colder the weather, the better the hot tub soak.

Nuke Getting Ready for the Game

Then around 11:00 we left to get lunch and to go to the Dook at NC State basketball game.

Coupon

I had to remember to bring a coupon for a BOGO McDonald's foo foo coffee. The coupon expires today so we'll get 2 mocha's after the game for the drive home.

Oh yeah, that's a urine sample in the jar that tastes amazingly like 8 year old bourbon.

Lunch at Outback Steakhouse

Lunch was at Outback Steakhouse. Got there before noon so there were only a couple tables used. We asked the hostess for a table / chairs - and specifically ask for 'not a booth'. So, she promptly takes us to - a table that is a booth on one side, chair on the other. Yeah, one of us wants to sit in a chair facing a wall and neither of us want the booth seat.

Look young lady, 1) there's NOBODY HERE so there's about 2 dozen tables available and 2) we asked for a table and explicitly requested 'not a booth'. We understand you're young and still learning the whole 'how to work' thing - but open your damn ears. Jeebus.

We asked (nicely) again for a table without booth seating. Got a great waiter. Very great personality and cheerful - really made up for the hostess lack of IQ or ability to listen.

I had the soup and salad, Nuke got the small steak and a beer. Outback is a very conventional mass oriented restaurant chain - but they have their formula down pat and they prepare very good food at an amazingly reasonable price. Plus - we had - yes - another coupon.

After lunch - On to the game.

Ticket Book

NC State sends out football and basketball season tickets in spiral bound books. Makes it great to keep track of the tickers. I leave mine in the seat pocket of the car - so we never 'forget' to bring the tickets.

Moments Before Tip-off

Dook is ranked Number 2 in the nation. Going into the game, I just wanted us to play well.

We're in the midst of a tough schedule of games. We lost on the road to Number 3 Virginia. Even though we were right with them till about 8 or 9 minutes to go in the second half. We played well - but - the better team won.

Today, I kind of figured we'd lose. I never imagined we'd win. Much less in such a dominating fashion. We absolutely controlled Dook in the second half. Although, with Dook - it's never over till it's over. The Dookies played hard, in your face, defense till the last few seconds of the game. What a great game.

State upsets Number 2 Dook by 12 points

Team and Kids Take the Court

During halftime, visited with our friend Chip, who works at the PNC. Forgot to take a photo for today's blog entry. Sorry Chip. But, you can see the previous blog entry for a photo of 'future Chip' - LOL

We talked a bit about maybe getting together at his and Erica's casa for the Superbowl. Will communicate and see what's what.

After the game, stopped at the McD's near the arena and got 2 medium mocha coffees - which we spiked with a little libation. It made for a tasty beverage on the way home. But not anywhere near enough to cause problems driving. I wouldn't do that. If I had to guess - I'd say I would have blown maybe a 0.00001. Most of the libation went into Nuke's coffee. Mine was just a taste floated on top.

Now it's evening. And we're home.

Indianapolis @ Denver

I'm watching the NFL playoff game. Nuke is in his lair watching the game, listening to music and monitoring world events on the computer.

Nuke has great taste in music. Sometimes, like right now while I'm writing and editing this post, I'll put the TV on mute and listen to what he's playing - even though it's upstairs and his door to the stairs is closed.

For example, the last four songs he's played are (clickable links): Green Car Motel - Destino de Abril; Eddie Vedder (cover) - Hard Sun; Civil Twilight - Letters from the Sky and Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans.

So - that's what a typical winter Sunday is like at the Bill household in the Greater Moncure Metro Area.