Ramblings and Reflections

'Cause Baby We Were Born To Run

Tickets to Bruce Springsteen in Charleston, SC = $100 each

Beer during the concert = $6.00 a can

Travel costs to Charleston = Beats the hell outta me, I don't know where you live

The opportunity of a lifetime to hang out with umdalum at a Springsteen concert = Priceless

The Boss is coming to Charleston on August 16th. As a season ticket holder to our local minor league hockey team I am able to get advance purchase on tickets for other events at the Coliseum. I've executed my constitutial right and procured the maximum amount of tickets allowed.. 4 tickets in row 5 of the first section of risers. My problem is that I have two more tickets than I have friends. My unpopularity is your opportunity - so if your interested in doing something real crazy, like coming to South Carolina for a Springsteen concert in two weeks, just let me know.

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong.......

There are many things that shouldn't go together; add this to the list......

 

But I Don't Feel Tardy!

I know, I know, I suck!

I've been back home for a week and am just getting around to posting the final installment from our most excellent adventure.

So without any further ado......

This is the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis taken from the top of the Gateway Arch.We were in the park Friday night to take in a Cardinals game - a word of advice, if anyone ever offers you a yard of squishy, don't take it!

Jake at the top of the Arch

I...think....it's....moving.....

Now, can anyone tell me what the hell is going on here?

Caught up with these guys coming out of the Mississippi River. I think the dogs name might be "Rusty"

My pride and joy....

The Gateway Arch

Saying goodbye to St. Louis

Transition

Arrived in St. Louis after a 5 hour car ride up from Nashville on Saturday. Some highlights for you since I posted last: 1. We spent Thursday morning getting aquainted with an Urgent Care facility due to an inner-ear infection Jake picked up. 2. Illinois has perhaps the largest freakin' bugs in the world. We drove through a swarm of them and it felt like we were under small arms fire as they hit the winshield. I almost had a PTSD episode. 3. Mrs. Umdalum and I spent last evening sitting in the hotel bar watching the Miss Universe show and playing a game a "Fake or Real" as it pertained to the contestants boobies! That's all for now - pictures next time....

Tales From Camp - Day #3

Not much to report - things have been going along at a scheduled pace - on Monday here in Nashville Poison and Dokken with special guest Sebastian Bach performed - we thought about going but quickly relaized that we never paid to see these guys back when they were actually popular so we passed, we went to Smootie King instead.....

Here are some pictures from today's camp - we had to swap out Jake's helmet today as he took a puck off the neck guard of his original helmet and the plastic split in two pieces.

One day left in Nashville and then it's off to St. Louis on Saturday.

Tales from Camp - Day #1

 As I had previously mentioned, we arrived in Nashville yesterday afternoon and after attending camp orientation, dinner and a big 'ole margarita from Chili's, we headed off to the grocery store to pick up rations for the week. I am proud to say that I am now a "Kroger Plus" saving card carrying member and have already saved $3.98 (or based on local costs, one gallon of gas). Sitting around the hotel last night flipping channels we came across National Lampoon's Vacation on one of the cable channels - I found that to be a weird coincidence.

After we awoke this morning, we got in the truck and lo and behold what was playing on the XM 80's channel but my Thursday Song Lyric from last week, Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham - another weird coincidence. I think someone is trying to tell us something!

Pictured below are various shots from today's camp; the first one is Jake in discussion with Brett Peterson, Nashville's Assistant Coach; the second one is an action shot; third is taking a break and wiping some sweat out of his eyes undoubtedly caused by his insanely long hair; and the last picture is the shot I promised yesterday representing how long my boy's hair is these days. I guess if that's the only thing I can complain about it's all really pretty good.

 

So Far, So Good

We made it to Nashville and attended orientation for the upcoming week of camp. This is Jake's 3rd year at this particular camp so the instructors know him pretty well. Between the welcome greetings that he received, the main instructor walked up to him and told him to get a haircut. That will make more sense to everybody after I start taking pictures tomorrow and you can see the several inches of chesnut brown mane flowing out from beneath his helmet.

Song Lyric Thursday

On Saturday, the day after I have completed celebrating the independence of my country by blowing up a small piece of it with the $300 of fireworks I procured last evening, the umdalum clan will embark on a two week journey that will include a hockey camp in Nashville, TN during week one and a hockey camp in St. Louis, MO during week 2. This will be the first (and perhaps last) time we as a family will attempt two straight weeks together away from home and living in hotels. My plans are to chronicle the occasion with frequent posts to this here little blog. Hopefully no fatalities or custody battles will ensue during or at the conclusion of our adventure. Wish me luck!

In the spirit of hitting the road as a family, here's my Song Lyric Thursday contribution from the original National Lampoon's Vacation:

I found out long ago
It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Take a ride on the West Coast kick
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

I found out long ago
It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road