Hump Day in Dallas

Match day #4 is here and the tournament is going well. The weather has been remarkable and the soccer's been just as great. Had the pleasure of running a line for a Super Group game on Day 1 between the Japan National Team and Tigres that proved to be quite a test, especially since my side was attacking with a 18 mph wind...can you say leg cramps? Games in which I was the referee have also gone extremely well, so here's to continued success

On a less serous note, experienced my first rodeo last night. Interesting is the work that comes to mind, though I was told that this was not an actual, "official" rodeo...more like stand up entertainment by clowns with horses and bull roping for good measure. Nonetheless, it was a good time. Pics to come.

Hope hump day finds you all well. Here's a little Rogue Wave to help you through the day. Karen, I think you'll like this one:

Solitary Gun

Off to Dallas

Taking off for Dallas this morning to take part in the Dallas Cup and Regional Pro Clinic. Looks to be a long week of soccer as the tournament is eight days in length. Fortunately, it is considered the premiere soccer event of the year, so I'll be entertained by some great soccer, not to mention reuniting with some good friends.

Karen will be meeting me towards the end of next week as we plan on touring SMU...a major move is planned for the future...we just don't know where yet.

Band of Horses

Good Monday to you all, and what a good day it is. Doing a little research on Trichotillomania...try saying that four times over. Very interesting disorder, and I don't know where I'm going with this. Anyway, just bought Band of Horses album, and it's definitely worth the buy. I believe I was introduced to them by a BOB album, but discovering which one would take an eternity. Hope everyone's having a great day.

A Great Night of Music

Karen and I had a fantastic evening Monday night in New Orleans. We had dinner with my cousin Paul and his wife Allison at a local Italian restaurant around City Park. It had been too long since the last time we hung out, making dinner all the more entertaining. Hopefully a new rendezvous will materialize sometime in September.

With respect to the reason for the trip...Karen and I almost walked out on the concert. In our grown-up ways we figured that Rogue Wave would take the stage around 9:30 as doors opened at 9:00. We, in no-way, entertained the possibility of seeing two opening acts prior to the main attraction, and that fact lead us to contemplate walking out the door. The bartender had told us the Rogue Wave would probably take the stage around midnight, making our departure from the N.O. around 2:00 (had to be up early in Lafayette for some school-work).

Thanks God our inner-youth prevailed as the opening acts were nothing short of awe-inspiring. JBM's lyrics were intense and captivated the audience from the beginning. You could have heard a pen drop during the five-minute opening...

Cleo's Song

Avi Buffalo, a very youthful band from Oakland, took the stage next, and took a bit to get used to, but I ended up a fan by the third song.

...and finally, at midnight, the main act started their mix by playing music from their new album Permalight. I had reservations about how they would sound live. Too many times has a live performance left me wanting more, but tonight would not be reflective of those memories. Not only did the new stuff sound great, but the last three songs (below) left Karen and I on our feet, in front of the stage, dancing to the music. There is something to be said about seeing good music in small venues.

Eyes

Harmonium closed out the night, and it was every-bit-as-good as we could have hoped for. My wife and I share the same thoughts in that you can't help but be uplifted by such music. Truly a memorable night.

Rogue Wave in New Orleans

Karen and I are heading to the N.O. to catch Rogue Wave tonight. A 9:00 performance is a little late, but if they play some Lake Michigan all will be forgiven. It'll also give us some time to seek out a decent dinner. Any suggestions in the quarter?

A Date on the Lake

My mom's always trying to persuade me to taje a trip out to Lake Martin, and somehow I always come up with an excuse. Sr. would say that it pretty much boils down to "Declouets aren't outdoor people." When a couple of friends of ours invited usto the Lake for a Valentimes Day paddle coupled with a dinner and some great live music I couldn't resist. It was definitely nice to get away from the city for a couple of hours, and despite the weather being a bit chilly I found myself consistently asking Karen about moving out to a place like this. The live music during dinner (at Pack-N-Paddle) was provided by the Calico and the Off-Brand Band who I would venture to say were very entertaining. A very surreal evening that'll have me christening my parents Kayaks sometime soon.

Carlee and Karen manning the healm.

The group from Pack-N-Paddle

Michael Lewis does it again

Selling out Wall Street, defining the critical role of the left tackle in football, and now uncovering the story of the 32-year old ex-medical student who bet big against Wall Street...and won. Great story/excerpt in Vanity Fair of Michael Lewis' soon-to-be-released book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine which is due out later this month.