Day 168 - 10.3.10 - New Whip

Here is our replacement rental vehicle. It has been a long time since I've driven a non-SUV. Kinda nice...

Day 167 (Part Two) - 10.2.10 - Berger BBQ

The wedding celebration BBQ for Rosey and Robyn was on Saturday afternoon, and after all of the morning fiasco with the Jeep, we made it pretty much on time. A wonderful time was had by all, and we enjoyed celebrating the wedded bliss of our friends Rosey and Robyn. It was great to catch up with them, our other friends who were in town, and our friends' children; Paige Vander Weit, Norah Holzmacher, and Charlie Holzmacher. Three way tie for the cutest kiddos at the party...

Day 167 (Part One) - 10.2.10 - Michael J. Johnson

On Saturday morning, in a house full of friends, I was the first to get up (as usual). I brushed my teeth and made some coffee. As I was about to pour some milk into my mug, a most horrible cacophony of noise filled the house. It was the unmistakable chorus of clashing metal and skidding tires. I ran from the kitchen, through the living room, and out on to the front porch. Much to my dismay, our Jeep was up on the sidewalk in front of Josh's home. A hundred yards west of the Jeep rest the car of St. Louis resident Michael J. Johnson, facing west, in the eastbound parking lane of Arsenal Street.

Apparently, Mr. Johnson suffered from several preexisting medical conditions, was feeling ill in the car, and became distracted. The Jeep was the sacrifice of his inattention. I never interacted with Mr. Johnson directly, as the neighbors seemed to have him covered. His Kia sedan was totally wrecked and he must have been cooking along well above the speed limit to move our Jeep at least 15 feet forward and up onto the sidewalk. Mr. Johnson refused transport to the hospital, so other than a shock and a totaled vehicle, I think he is okay.

The Jeep rests at a St. Louis auto body shop, and her fate rests in the good hands of the people at Allstate (Mr. Johnson's insurers). I don't know if I will ever see the Jeep again. I've driven it with regularity ever since my father passed away. I've logged over a hundred thousand miles with this vehicle. It will be dearly missed, but these things happen and it is a blessing that no one was hurt...

Day 166 - 10.1.10 - Late Night Ping Pong

Today, a group of friends traveled from Chicago to St. Louis to attend a wedding reception BBQ (on Saturday) for our friends Rosey and Robyn (who were recently married in Seattle). We stayed at the house of Josh and Kara Bowlin. When you stay at the Casa de Bowlin, you can count on two things. PBR and late night ping pong.

Day 158 - 9.23.10 - Pizza in a St. Louis Dive

A work related one day trip to St. Louis brought me (along with my gracious hosts, The Guymons) back to one of my favorite STL spots, a true dive with excellent pizza pies, the Black Thorn Pub. A hole in the wall if there ever was one, this gem is tucked away in a residential area of the Tower Grove neighborhood. The beer is cold, the pizza a hot (and spicy), shuffleboard is a must, and people affix dollar bills to the ceiling with thumb tacks (by folding quarters into the dollar and tossing the expensive customer crafted decor at said ceiling). You can't find a place like this anywhere else on Earth.

Day 133 - 8.29.10 - LouFest Sunday - Jeff Tweedy Day

On Sunday, August 29, 2010, Mayor Francis Slay declared it Jeff Tweedy Day in St. Louis. A proclamation was presented to the Wilco frontman an hour or so prior to his stellar solo set at LouFest. Again provided with incredible access to the back and side stage areas (thank you Kara), my friends and I were able to spend a quick moment with one of our musical heroes, grab a quick photo with him (photo credit to Kara as well), and enjoy his music from just feet away on the stage. It was a beautiful night that will not be forgotten... Happy Jeff Tweedy Day.

Day 132 - 8.28.10 - LouFest Saturday - On Stage w/ Built to Spill

LouFest is St. Louis' version of the summer music festival. Kara (pictured above with husband Josh and friend Michael) works in the mayor's office and scored us VIP passes. These passes allowed us access behind the stages and allowed us on the side of the stage for one band of our choosing. We chose Built to Spill and they rocked our socks off. Tomorrow, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.

Day 131 - 8.27.10 - GDB in STL

Gary Donaldson Bowlin, dog son of Josh and Kara Bowlin, friends from St. Louis, waited on the couch to greet Michael and I as we arrived in STL for a weekend of fun and music at LouFest... Band photos tomorrow...