Sad. Sad. Sad.

I learned today that my old scoutmaster passed away yesterday. He was a force of nature when I first met him over 20 years ago. Already near 70, he had a wave of white hair always perfectly combed. Well dressed, well spoken, funny, kind, smart, and as energetic at 70 as most of us at 30. He easily kept up with the crew of scouts he guided to camp, scout functions, church. He was also my best friend's grandfather.

R.I.P., Mr. Locke.

Crappy crappy day.

When your day starts out with a big rock in the center of your windshield, the world is telling you something. The office was chaos, and I'm sure everyone thought I was raving by noon. Multiple projects were flying at me today, each would probably keep one project manager busy.

I should work the weekend, and/or be here for practice and a coaching clinic on Sunday, but I fly to Idaho tonight for the weekend. Grandmum's birthday today, and her only grandson is coming to spend the weekend with her.... She was away in Seattle for Christmas, so this is "her" trip.

I should get to see friends tonight in Boise. A few pints in Keith's bar should relax me....

Rugby practice called because of rain tonight. Phoenix boys can't deal with the rain. (Not complaining, mind you.... this has been a crummy week thus far and I'm sure I'd find entirely inappropriate ways to work out my aggression.)

First rugby practice yesterday morning. Despite flashbacks of my two years in youth soccer (when I was the hopeless fat kid), I enjoyed it.

I'm sore in places I shouldn't be sore, and woefully out of shape, but I'm not the only one. And the rest of the guys seem out to have fun too.

So.

Phoenix has a gay rugby team now.

How excited am I? I think I might try to, sort of, join and see if it might be something I might kinda like.

(Duh.)

Yay!

Alas, London and Ireland were not in the cards. Trip has been postponed until February.

Took two days off work instead. JB is back home from a brief vacation on St. Joe's. He's feeling much better now.

(Unless you live in Phoenix, you're not likely to get that.)

I'll just chime in on what seems to be the common thread this Year: 2004 sucked, and I won't miss it.

Christmas was quiet, spent with the family in Idaho at Mom's new house. I'm a bit sad that she decided to give up her (much larger, more comfortable, and much-more paid-for house) to buy a house in the country. But I don't blame her though. The house next door is occupied by some less-than desireable types who (we think) are probably dealing drugs. Too bad, since the next-door house is a charming older home with once-beautiful wood floors and a huge rock fireplace, french doors, yadda-yadda. I always wanted to buy it, but don't have a spare $80,000 laying around.

New Year's Eve was spent curled up in bed with a book.

Off to London for a weekend next week, then a week in Ireland for work. Anybody want to play? (Or have suggestions for where to stay in Dublin?) Drop me a line.

Here's to a better 2005.