A new life; same as the old life?

I haven't been to Vegas since Lorraine and I were first dating (literally about 6 weeks). I went first and played golf for a few days, Lorraine joined me later for a few days of shopping and R&R. In three days, we spent a fortune, saw Pavarotti and 'O' at the Bellagio. This weekend is a very short trip with the Golfserv Handicap Chairs for a golftastic weekend . For those of you who remember Crackerjack..In true Stu Francis style...ooooo, I am so excited, I could crush a grape! I am a little worried though, because checking out their handicaps, there is only one person higher than my 26.4, one other a couple below me, then the rest are in the 7-16 range..I hope I don't show myself up. Although I don't know if anyone has been watching the Big Break IV - USA vs Europe on the golf channel, where so far the Europeans have been kicking butt, unlike our professionals this year who have lost the Walker and Solheim cups. Tuesday's challenge was Ryder cup style, and ...

So Sid (my Indian colleague) has been in town for about a week, which is perfect timing as I have not had time to miss Lorraine as much as I feared I would, being so busy. Although on Sunday, I had a pretty quiet day and it really hit me. Simple stuff like watching the telly, sitting by the pool, etc..I kept noticing the space, I can't wait for her to get back..although it is two more whole weeks. However with Sid here, there is lots to tell. We started the week out at a local watering hole called Champps , a sports bar, where I really tanned Steve's hide at Golden Tee, finishing one round at 12 under (although my second attempt was less successful, losing by 4 shots at 8 over) Tuesday saw me on the golf course proper, at Cranes Landing , our local Marriott. Playing badly as usual. Although my driver seemed to have found the ability to hit straight again, my short game was on vacation! On Wednesday, we had planned to take Sid to a Cubs game (fortunately not Thursday, given th...

Especially for all those people who wanted to know more about my hometown and country, I interlaced it with a bit of my life story; sorry it just sorta happened. I was born in 1968, in a little town called Kilmarnock , 15 or so miles south of Glasgow and about 12 miles in from the west coast. I learned all sorts whilst I was writing this post. Apparently we have Lords & Barons . Kilmarnock is over 400 years old . I found this site with Stuff only locals know, and particularly this list of places to "hook up", although being a bit of a dork growing up, I know these places, but was never in the "hooking up" crowd! I grew up in area called New Farm Loch, a little street call Brodie place (can't remember the number though). We had great neighbours for the most part, although picturing them again now, they all smoked about a hundred fags a day and were mostly alchies (alcoholics for my American readers). I had a pretty good life to that point, dad was fairly no...

For those of you who don't read my blogging buddies on the blog roll to the left, do yourself a favour and at least check this one out. Girls will laugh, cry and cringe all at the same time. Guys..will just be thankful to be guys at this point.

I have been golfing twice already this week, thrice if you include the holiday Monday, but seem to be getting worse instead of better, starting the week with a 96, then 100 and 101 all on the same course! I am playing in two outings this weekend, although they are scramble format, so unfortunately I don't get to post a score. They should be fun though. Tomorrow's is only nine holes, with a bigger emphasis on fun and drinking than golf, if I know the people! Sunday is a little more hardcore with competitions for putting, nearest the pin, etc..although undoubtedly there will still be alcohol involved. Watched my first whole football game of the season last night. For a while there, I thought the LA (sorry Oakland) Raiders might pull off a surprise, but of course the Patriots came through in the end as expected. I do think there are altogether too many breaks, stoppages, etc. We have a game of 4 quarters, 15 minutes each quarter, that seemed to last up to three hours..do you guys...

I just waved Lorraine off for her 4 week trip home. This will be the longest time we have been apart since we met, the previous record being about 5 days! I am going to miss her like mad. Of course I have a full schedule, golf, Monday Night Football on Thursday, more golf, a visitor from India for a couple of weeks, more golf, maybe a ball game, some more golf and before you know it (I hope) she will be back. Lorraine will be meeting up with all of our friends and her family, catching up on all the gossip, etc, she will be exhausted with all the talking! She was lamenting the fact that the summer will have completely gone whilst she is away. She will have to wear long trousers, for the first time since about May, pretty much the whole time she will be in the UK and then when she comes back too. We have a trip to Door County when she gets back to see the fall colours, assuming those wacky INS guys let her back in the country. Look after her for me guys, and send her back safe and sound....