A quick trip to Boise this weekend, on a whim. I checked the flights on Friday at 4pm, saw they were wide open, and decided to take my first non-rev flight back home. It was cool, but not cold. Stayed at Shawn and Chris's place, and visited my usual haunts. Also had a decent French Dip at The Tavern at Bown Crossing, which is sort of a high-density shopping area plopped to the east of Boise. Shopped at Powell's, which is a fun candy store packed with lots of sweets and novelties. Later Saturday night I saw Keith and Daniel at the Lucky Dog for 80s night, which was packed and relatively fun.

My father had major back surgery a few weeks ago, and is getting around only with the help of a walker. He seems to be doing well, but he's lost a lot of weight and will obviously be recuperating for quite awhile. I also dropped in on my grandmother. She had injured her neck and back, and was also having trouble getting around and taking care of herself. I picked up her kitchen, cleaned out her refrigerator, and did a little grocery shopping for her. I'm afraid grammy won't be living on her own for much longer. It was sad and frustrating to see like that. I don't think she told her sons how badly she was getting on. My dad sounded shocked, and I hope he'll arrange a discussion with his brothers soon. She has a room at my uncle's house whenever she wants, but has resisted leaving her house and her friends. But it's time.

Back to Phoenix.

Labels: boise, family

Boise Airport again.

Quick trip up to Boise this weekend to see the grandmother, who has been ill and in the hospital for a bit. She's moved on to "rehab" to get her strength back, but seems to be doing better. Mom's the closest of the four siblings, and gets to handle most of the heavy lifting for grandmother. I came home primarily to see how she was doing.

Back to Phoenix. The next couple of weeks will be pretty light. Offsite meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. And then we head to San Diego for a week on the beach. Or at least by the pool. I hope the weather is good. I'm looking forward to several days in the sun.

Labels: boise, idaho

At the Phoenix airport in the bar enjoying a cocktail. On the way to Boise for a long weekend to celebrate Grandma's 85th birthday. It was meant to be a big open house, but she is just out of hospital, so I think just the family.

Boise will be cold and frosty. I hope there is a little snow on the ground, just so I can say I've seen it this winter. I don't think I've seen snow for a couple of years.

Overnight with mother to check out her new computer, and hopefully get her iChat set up so I can help her out remotely, along with Apple Mail and the rest. I sort of threw her into the briar patch with the iMac. But she seems to be loving it.

Work has been looking up a bit. Big project releases Monday night. Hopefully goes smoothly, but I'm ramping up for a hell week next week.

Positive attitude.

Labels: boise, vacation

In the Boise Airport, on the way back home.

Thanksgiving was low key, as advertised. The standard turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, followed by bourbon and apple pie. Without the apple pie part.

Two nights in Boise (coming and going) visiting Keith's new location for the Lucky Dog Tavern. It seems to be a success, so far. I frequently ranted that Boise could do better by it's gay folks. The bar scene in Boise was tired, run-down, dingy, and mostly straight-owned. Cynical me wrote off the Emerald Club as a bald exploitation of gay people and their money. The other bars had varying degrees of success or failure. The Lucky Dog seems to have stepped into the vacuum, and now draws a decent crowd 5-6 nights a week. It's still early enough to be novel, but I think they'll do well. My only (minor) complaint is the music. XM is too repetitive for a bar where people could reasonably gather a few nights a week. I was only there two nights, and heard the same songs both nights.

Now to round out the holidays in Phoenix. I'm taking my usual birthday trip to San Francisco this year for a long weekend, and then spending Christmas at home.

Labels: boise, idaho, vacation

I'm off to see the parent(s), grandmother(s), spouses, cousins, and assorted hangers-on.

Boise is likely to be cold and frosty.

Despite the chaos of the Thanksgiving travel day, leaving Phoenix seems relatively painless. The flight is on time, the crowd here is remarkably calm, all things considered. Apart from the standing room only bars in the airport, it could be any other travel day.

Labels: boise, idaho, travel, vacation

In Boise last night, doing my traditional stopover on the way to Gooding. Walked from the new Hotel 43 downtown across the parking lot to the bar for a couple of beers. I was very underdressed (flip flops and shorts) for the cool May weather.

Hotel 43 is quite posh now. Redesigned with a bit of style. The red and black zebra striped carpet in the halls was a questionable design choice, but the rooms are warm and comfortable, with excellent amenities you'd find in an upscale establishment. They've even fixed the bathroom lighting that was so horrible first thing in the morning. The beds are fluffy and soft, with tons of pillows and a feather top mattress.

A few gripes: still the same old bad coffee in the room, the showerhead is anemic and without water pressure. And the front desk answers the phone "This is _____, how may I inspire you?" Yech.

Now, off for breakfast and to Gooding to see mom.

Labels: boise, vacation

There is a wisp of snow on the ground, and it is awfully cold here. Fifteen degrees or something ridiculous last night.

Beers at the Lucky Dog after arrival, as usual. Wished Rob a happy birthday and then went to bed. I always seem to wake up hung over and looking like crap. The awful lighting in the bathroom of this hotel doesn't help.

My favorite place to stay in Boise, the Statehouse Inn, is getting a remodel. Soon it will be all boutiquy goodness, and get a new name.... Hotel 43. It needs it. I stay here all the time because the hotel is convenient and inexpensive, but it certainly has seen better days. The decor is early 90's, and the aforementioned bathroom is always cold and without water pressure.

Breakfast this morning at Goldy's Breakfast Bistro. Small and crowded, but with excellent coffee (served extremely hot, a plus) and good food. I'll be going back.

Shopping at Boise Towne Square again. Left wondering what's the point? The mall was strangely empty and run down, although I did drop some money at Banana Republic (new jeans, new belt) before fleeing.

Now to figure out where to take my mother for lunch.

Labels: boise, travel

Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving was quiet. Just my grandmother, oldest uncle, my dad and his wife, and me. Dinner was a wee turkey with dressing and the usual sides. The turkey was so small that I barely eeked out a sandwich later.

Afterward, there was college football, which I enjoyed watching, strangely. Highly unusual for me. Since my brief attempt at rugby, I think I understand American football a bit. However, the constant clock-stopping makes no sense to me. Pick the ball up and run!

Saturday was the flight home. I spent the morning in Boise, shopping and wandering downtown. It snowed! A little.

I stopped into my favorite haunt for lunch... Bar Gernika. The Bar is a little basque place in downtown Boise. They serve great food and decent beers on tap. I spent many an afternoon studying there (with a pint) during college, and it's still a great place to hang by the window. I ran into friends from high school, and enjoyed a pint of Guinness and their super croquettas.

Coming back a day early was excellent planning on my part. Today has been quiet, and a nice break before next week.

Labels: boise, thanksgiving, travel