Checking In (Or Out?)

This post is really just for me to document the incredible hellish and then not so hellish last couple of weeks.  It really is a test of human mental endurance when huge life changes are thrown at someone and the resulting ability to cope or not cope in some cases.  It makes me very certain that having a solid foundation of friends and family behind you is the basis of many coping mechanisms.  That may be cryptic but it is very important to make sure you have checks in place in your life just in case the rug gets pulled out from under you - in any aspect of your life.

On a way better note, we went on another tournament trip this past weekend and I have to say it was one of the best tournament weekends I have attended.  Games were good, kids were not assholes and the parents were awesome.  (It obviously helped that I was not hung over or tipsy the entire time! Yes, still not partaking!  Mudder cannot come fast enough!)

We did have a small issue before we left for the trip.  Seemed one family member was insistent he come on the trip.  So sad.  So very sad.

Never to "old" to try something new....

Old in quotes because I was quite obviously NOT the old in this story however I did try something new.  Sort of....

We were given tickets to attend a concert and in most cases when this opportunity comes up I usually say "nah, not going".  First and foremost because I try to avoid being around crowds of people and secondly because concerts just are not usually my thing.  Usually, in my experience, the band or singer is just never as good in concert as when they are digitally re-mastered in the studio.  (Except for you Ms. Bette Midler - you rock lady!  As six million drag queens would attest!)  So this one time, even though I had knowledge of just a few songs of this artist, we decided to pack up our friends and hit the show.  Got ya  guessing?  Neil Diamond.  Seriously.  I went to a Neil Diamond concert!  Even though I only knew a few of his songs (because my mom did not listen to him when I was younger, which apparently is a strange occurrence) it truly was a great concert.  After finding out the dude is 74 freaking years old I have to tell you I was a little worried about the man.  Every time he put his hand over his heart (visualize every love song, so often) I wondered if he was having a heart "episode" right there on the stage!  His performance was solid and unwavering.  It was absolutely the first concert I have been to where the predominate smell was not weed but old lady perfume!  Oh the old birds were dressed up to take that Singer Man home!  Being in crowds of people in this case provided the most interesting people watching.  We did a little research study before the start of the show and the results were 7 old to 3 young.  (Debate on what the age is for the term "middle age" ensued after.  All agreed "middle" must be around 60 with the caveat to change number at any given time).  All in all we had a great time and you can never have enough "Sweet Caroline!" (right Hawkgirl?)