A Week in Houston

This was a Houston week, so I'm spending time with my beloved pet Gem.  Together we travel around the neighborhoods: "West U", Montrose, The MedCenter, Downtown, Museum and Theatre Districts and all the other areas to run errands, eat great food and see the interesting sites.  I love that we can walk to a ton of places or drive just a few miles to others.  I've become a Houstonian slowly but recognize that distinction in rooting for the Rice Owls and U of H Cougars as well as all the other teams.  I spend the weekends running, biking or walking with Gem and exploring the Menil, Herman Park, St Thomas University and Rothko Chapel and so many other areas.  

Also spent this week catching up on hobbies and other activities so this post is a potpourri.

I don't go to the movies often but I went to see "When the Game Stands Tall" since football season is upon us (and I decided not to play Fantasy Football this year) so thought it would be a good way to get in the spirit.  LOVED this movie.  Corporations could take a lesson in team building. 

Jury Duty. Every time I receive the summons in the mail I cringe but with an attorney, & soon to be 2, (I heart Gina) in the family I'm considering this civic duty in a more positive light.  Luckily after 1/2 day I was released with no further obligation. 

Reading: "The Art of Possibility" by Ben and Roz Zander.  I like this book for several reasons but one of them is that Ben is also the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Symphony so it's a good combo (music and reading).  I also ran across a verse this week by James Agee (1909 - 1955), written in 1934 called "Sure On This Shining Night".  The  lines of the verse are about Need, Hope and Despair (it was depression era) and it sounds tragic, but really it's beautiful.  I was initially attracted to it because it's part of a larger poem called Permit Me Voyage which appealed to my 'travelinghoustonian' instinct.  But after hearing the verse put to music it's even more utterly amazing.  My favorite line is "Hearts all whole" which I believe references that there is goodness, and about not being alone.  So I will encourage you to check out composer Morten Lauridsen - the version I like is from the Conspirare Singers recorded for PBS at Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, TX in 2008.  http://vimeo.com/68780967

And to close out this week it's Labor Day Weekend.  I'll say it's been nice to keep my feet on the ground for a few days and soak in some of the last days of summer.  And here is to wishing my one and only great niece Vivian Marie Schleutker a very happy 4th birthday.  She's already a shining star.

 

Stars Fell on Alabama

A Second Cousin, one time removed, on my Mother (Jean Brawley) Father's side, was Frank Sutherland Perkins Jr. (we share a 2 x great grandfather George Manchester). 

Frank came to fame as a composer 80 years ago this month writing the tune to "Stars Fell on Alabama", which I reflected on while in Birmingham, AL this week.  I found it interesting that over 100 artists ultimately performed the song although I'd never heard of it until researching this particular part of my family tree.  Check out Billie Holiday's version:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ibV3tCDvd8.   I'm told that Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL still plays the song at every home football game, well that's kind of cool; And in January 2002 the state of Alabama even added the song title to their license plates, although later updated it to Sweet Home Alabama.  I guess if you have to be trumped by another band Lynyrd Skynyrd isn't a bad one.  (Oh, and I love the fact that Frank's older brother Alfred was in the insurance business). 

Other notable things about Alabama that I think of:  my dear departed friend, colleague, mentor and superb human being Oscar Newton (1/17/1927 - 1/7/2014) hails from this place and always spoke so fondly of it.  I miss his gracious and intelligent presence.  He had so many great sayings, "I think love means caring profoundly about what happens to someone else." "Love will find a way, indifference will find an excuse."  "Love not only makes the world go round, it makes the trip worthwhile." And my favorite, "A friend is one who overlooks your broken gate and admires the flowers in your garden."  RIP Oscar

And, my son Tyler did his Army basic training here.  I'll always remember renting a van and packing up the family to make the trip to Anniston, AL in  the fall of 1996 to see him graduate. Eighteen years old; Eighteen years ago.

HAIL to Alabama . . . 

Las Vegas in August

Up at 4:30 am for a 7:10 flight.  Pretty sunrise.  The flight was scheduled out of Hobby Airport and I almost missed it.  Why?  It was so early and I normally fly out of IAH so I must have "zoned" out and started driving there.  I realized the mistake and was able to turn around and just make this flight.

 

My colleague Tom Brown and I working the AIG booth at the conference.

 

The meeting was held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

 

View from my room

 

Good meeting and time with friends

SAGE and Dinner by Candlelight

Sage Group meeting in Atlanta (Druid Hills) this past week thanks to the very kind and gracious hostess Myra Palmer.  The fabulous SAGE sisters have again invited me to participate during their meeting.  This group, and my participation in their circle is one of the greatest joys of my career.

 

The gorgeous and talented Laurie Prevette

Stylish, Goofy, Brilliant and Beautiful Cindy Gentry and Christi Daughenbaugh

The ever classy and elegant Myra Palmer

And, this particular SAGE meeting was also when "Chef Jack Chiasson" delivered on the dinner this group bid on and won at NAILBA last year.  The meal was divine.

And to keep things interesting, a thunderstorm blew through the area and knocked the power out @ 2:30 in the afternoon.  Chef Chiasson continued to prepare dinner completely nonplussed (thanks to a chef's dream of a kitchen, outdoor grill and indoor gas range), and dinner was delivered on time and delicious, and of course by candlelight. 

 

Thank You SAGE group - you mean the world to me.