So, I've been busy. Too busy to blog. I know, I know...it's been several months since I last shared anything with you, but I promise I have some good material! It's finally a good time to sit down and put it on paper, so to speak. So, sit back and let me fill you in on what we've been up to!
A few weeks ago, Erin and I headed to a local pub to hear some of our friends play. I am a sucker for anything Irish and non-smoking, so I figured "why not??". Fitzpatrick's was a place I had read some mixed reviews about, so I was excited to go and see what it was like. The menu was full of tasty food....and it was pretty cheap, too. I will definitely have to come back for a meal.
The band was good, as always! I think they are called Beyond the Fire, or something. They play some good, accoustic-ish classic rock.
One of the specialties at Fitzpatrick's is a chocolate cake made with lots and lots of Guiness. I tried a slice. It was pretty good!
Most of you know what I do with most of my spare time: drum corps. I just wrapped up the 2010 season with Alliance Drum & Bugle Corps, out of Atlanta. This was my second year with the corps and I had the time of my life....again! Our championships were held in Rochester NY on labor day weekend, and we had a couple fantasic performances. In this first picture, you can see me playing the opening solo....and staying away from the Grim Reaper, himself. Spooky.
Some of the parents got some good pics from the stands. Here's one of the full corps. We will be even bigger next year. Guess who gets to help with all of that recruitment? Yours truly, of course. :)
Part of the trip to NY includes a stop at Niagara Falls. I had never been there before, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to see the Falls and stare down those dirty Canucks on the other side. Here's one of the first pictures as we walked into the park. It turns out that Sunset is the perfect time to go.
Lots of mist and lots of Alliance jackets!
This was the best view from the US side. I heard that the view is best from the other side, but I will have to take their word for it for now.
Here you can see the Rainbow Bridge and the American Falls.
Here's a shot of me against the Falls. I gotta tell you....being so close to the rushing water is a little nerve-racking. That water was moving fast!
Here's a panaramic shot of the park and the skyline of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Another shot of the falls.
It was starting to get dark, but you could still see the American Falls pretty well.
Oh Canada, Eh? It looks a lot different than it did on Canadian Bacon. I know, because I went right home and watched it.
A group of me and my friends, before we headed back to our hotel. Good times.
As soon as I got home from NY, Erin and I started planning things for us to do. I hadn't spent a weekend home in months, so I was eager to spend time with my wife! The first thing we did was hike up Table Rock. We had a blast, although the weather was absolutely terrible and I seriously injured my foot. It's been about a week since we climbed up there in the rain, and I am 99% healed, thank goodness! We'll have to try it again on a sunny day, so I can grab some better picture of the landscape.
Here's a panaramic pic from Governor's Rock.
We had a picture taking party at the summit with some other hikers. There's nothing to see at the summit, but if you go a little further, you'd normally be rewarded with a breathtaking view. Normally.
Now, here's a random picture. Driving to Alliance rehearsal in the 'burbs, I would often drive past the "castle house." Supposedly, a dude came into lots of money, and he built a castle house. I mean, who wouldn't do the same thing? This time, I grabbed a picture to share with everyone. Yes, there is a swimming pool moat around the house. Awesome!
A few months ago, a new restaurant opened in Greenville, called Chipotle. It is an eco-conscious burrito place, and we all know how much I love burritos. Maybe not Q'doba burritos, but I do nonetheless.
I found the food to be reasonably priced, compared to Moe's. I found it to be better than Q'Doba. But, like Q'doba, I found it to be pretty bland. At least they flavored the rice with a lemon twist, but the hottest sauce that they had was Tobasco. I still prefer Moe's times a billion, but it wasn't bad. It definitely felt upscale and you can rest assured that everything they sell you is prepared and grown in an organic way.
Another restaurant we went to lately is called Barley's. When I first heard the name, I immediately thought of beef soup. Actually, they are a pizza place.
We started with pita and dip. They were great!
I got a pizza, which was really big....too big. But, it was pretty darn good! I would definitely come back. Maybe I'll try one of their 72 beers next time.
I have been searching for years for my next car. Something that was sporty, fast, and fast. I think I finally found what I'm looking for. I present for your consideration, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX. All wheel drive, turbo, and just plain cool. I score wife points for the 5 doors, and I'm sure I will use the heck out of the hatchback, considering how much stuff we have hauled in my Eclipse in the past. Now, I just need to save up some money and I hope to special order one of these bad boys next year. Woohoo!
Other than that, I am taking advantage of my newly found spare time to continue singing with my quartet, work on some projects at home, hop on the motorycle, and just spend time with Erin. The Alliance 2011 season starts up again in January, so time is precious! The weather here is still hot. October is around the corner, but we're expecting a high of 93 today. I love warm weather, but I am definitely looking forward to a cooler Fall. It seems like it's been 5 months since we've been below an average of 90 degrees. I'm anxiously awaiting a visit from my folks in a couple weeks, so I will be sure to post pictures. My birthday is around the corner, when I will finally say goodbye to my twenties. I don't know how I feel about that, yet. We'll see. I'm only as old as I feel. I'm only as old as I feel! I'm only... I still feel young, so I have that going for me. Talk to you soon!
