Dave Raaum: Our Friends, Enemies, and Things Between

Fri, 23 Apr 2004 13:20:08 GMT

We went to the Shady Grove last night to see and hear Mindy Smith. We took our RVing guests from Michigan, by way of Arizona with us. Oh sorry, I have not told you about our guests. Well we agreed to let them park their RV on our property for a few days. Well Kathy agreed. They are the aunt and uncle of a friend from church. Little did we know that their RV (read motorhome) was actually a 15 ton combination of truck and trailer that stretches about 70 feet by the time you add the 4-wheeler that they tow behind the thing. Our neighborhood association is rightfully up in arms and something needs to be done. But I digress. We went to hear Mindy Smith at the Shady Grove. She is good but not as moving as I had hoped. Part of the problem was the crowd at the Grove. People just won't stop talking to listen to the music. Maybe a thousand people gabbing away and just one singer, with one microphone trying to deliver a musical message that died about halfway back to my combat fatigued ears. Later they turned up the mic and that helped a lot, but I was still pissed at the would be listeners. Well that's what you get when the show is free. People figure it cost them nothing and they are just going to enjoy the company around them. I can see their point. If you really want to hear the music you just have to get up and get closer. We had a great table way in the back - this was great for eating and drinking, just not so good for listening. Win some, lose some. The food was awesome, and so were the drinks. The show was free, the food and drink cost us $40. The people watching was priceless, So there you go. All in all a great night out in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas. Wish you were here.

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 14:21:38 GMT

We were invited to our neighbors on Sunday for Easter dinner. It was a sumptious collaborative effort, with them providing the main course and us providing the wine and dessert. Better than the meal was the ever-stimulating, oft-times fascinating conversation amongst the group of us. AR and JR are charming hosts. AR senior had the line of the day when he stated "I don't know about the Effingham, but the Effingsteak is wonderful." You had to be there. It is wonderful to have friends and neighbors like ours. We are truly blessed.

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 11:24:33 GMT

It's email from Hollywood - well Studio City, which is close enough. Steve and Janie, our friends who have moved about as far west as one can, have settled in Studio City, CA. If you are reading this it means that you have internet access and have maintained some form of contact with the RiverDogs on the banks of the South San Gabriel (just down the road from beautiful Leander, Texas). It's a chilly good morning from deep in the heart of Texas. It has been in the low 20's at the start of the day but will warm up to 60 or so this PM. Wonderful weather except for the high dose of cedar pollen in the air - something like 9000 per cubic meter yesterday. If you're not sneezing your butt off you must be somewhere else. Isabella and Kristin came to town yesterday and Bella stayed with us last night. She is our grand, and I mean grand(daughter) from Syracuse. She will be three years old in May and is the most fascinating and smart little person in our world. We are going to have some kind of fun the next few days. Hey, that is the news from here so for now it's aloha from the RDs and me.

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 16:55:54 GMT

We heard from our old friend Terry last week. She is coming (did come earlier this week) from her home in Portland to Austin for a few days this week and next. In between those four or five days in Austin, she is going to participate in a fishing event in or around Padre Island. It was a real surprise hearing from her for the first time in over a year - maybe two years. Hope we get a chance to see her or this will just be another fish story. She had not heard that Steve and Janie moved to SD, CA. I guess she has not been in touch with them for a few years either.

Sun, 14 Sep 2003 12:31:38 GMT

We heard from Janie the other night - did not talk to her in person but had a message on the answering machine when we got home from our trip to Hill's Cafe on South Congress to see Ray Benson perform. It was a great night for a free outdoor concert. Janie said they were settled in and that she would call us in the next few days. We will get in touch with them today. We had company for dinner last night. Laura and Ahmed stopped by after working all day moving his household goods from Cedar Park to central Austin. He is trading a 50 minute drive to work for a five minute bicycle ride to work. I am extremely envious. For those who care what we eat we had grilled coho salmon with a mango, papaya, onion, & cilntro salsa. Wow was it great! This was accompanied by a wide assortment of vegetables and Italain garlic bread. To wash it all down and smooth the transition across the palate, we used a vintage Placido Pinot Grigio white wine. We had a wonderful time getting to know Ahmed and more about our good friend Laura. The RiverDogs were pleasant enough after their normal agitated state when people first arrive on the scene. They did not beg for food and did not share in the aforementioned meal. Hey, they have their own food and I don't beg for any of it - so they shouldn't beg for ours. Sounds fair to me.

Reach out and touch someone..and do it now!

Sat, 06 Sep 2003 12:58:24 GMT

Hey what is happening with Steve and Janie. Well this shoud be the end of their first week in San Diego CA. They were supposed to sell and close the deal on their Scottsdale house at the end of August. We have their cell phone number although it may no longer be activiated - may just have to try and reach them this weekend. Speaking of reaching people. I need to call John this weekend and wish him a belated Happy Birthday. I think it is number 89 - he is reaching the age that few attain in this life. He has been a big part of my life for over 40 years. I need to call him today. We also should go see Ande out Wimberley way. She has not seen the new truck but I don't really know if that registers on her important items list. Maybe tomorrow we can head that way - we will see. Gotta run. RiverDogs beckoning. (What do you think of the pseudonym Beckman Hammerling? Maybe I will start writing some under that goofy name - then I can say anything outrageous as I want and no one will know - except you the mysterious, but oh so singular reader). Brother Bill if you are reading this can you recall the Hammerling in our past. Boy was that a long time ago.

Sun, 22 Jun 2003 11:52:54 GMT

It was hot hot hot yesterday. I think it was officially 96 but felt much hotter than that. First day of summer and if this is any indication, ugh...it's going to be miserable. We stopped working outside around noon. I filled a couple of animal holes with concrete. Hopefully whatever is digging out there will find another yard easier to dig than our yard. Or maybe I buried it in the concrete. That is OK too. Friends from church renewed their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary yesterday. It was a great ceremony and the lunch after was very, very good. We sat with the Deeds and the Hilsabecks. Jeri said that there may be a chance for me to get back into IBM. That would be unbelievable. I need to send her my resume today. They are looking to fill several positions in a web architecture/design group. Stay tuned.

Sun, 22 Jun 2003 11:39:59 GMT

Ian and Donna were over for dinner last night. They brought the steaks and we added brown rice and vegetable kabobs from the grill. Topped it all off with strawberries and BB vanilla ice cream. Good to see them again and get caught up on what is going on in their corner of the universe. Ian has been traveling quite a bit but Donna is currently unemployed and not loving every minute of it. I hope she finds something soon and puts her energy back to work on positive things.

Wed, 14 May 2003 11:36:41 GMT

The Road You're On What's playiing right now? Nanci Griffith from Other Voices, Other Rooms singing "Across the Great Divide." What a fine voice and beautiful song. She is taking a year's break and enjoying the time to read, research and relax. I still kick myself repeatedly for not approaching her in the Nashville airport that day several years ago. Yeah I know you don't know the story. Here it is. I was on my way back to Austin and at the Southwest counter there was a couple in front of me. Staring at the back of her head I just had this feeling that it was Nanci Griffith. She turned and spoke to the man who was with her. My heart skipped a beat and I was just struck by humility or studpidity or whatever. It was my hero Nanci and as it turned out, her road manager. She left to go to the restroom and I chatted with him for several minutes about what a fan I was. We talked about albums, songs and shows where I had seen her int he past. I guess I wanted him to know that I knew all about her and her music. But I made up my mind that her privacy is real important and that I would not bug her. (I just have to let you know that now I am listening to her and Townes sing Tecumseh Valley. It sounds like Champ Hood on violin. Gosh what a great, great song. Okay back to the non-story.) About 15 minutes later Nanci returned and took a seat not far from where I was sitting. They chatted quietly and shortly we all boarded the plane. They were far from where I sat and I didn't see them again. Lost opportunity - so close but so far. You don't often get opportunities like that and I think maybe just go for it should be the rule. Otherwise here you sit, years later and ruminate about the conversation missed. Oh, there will always be roads not taken, that is not what I mean. You take one and not another for what seems to be a good reason. Then old hindsight bugs you about your choice. What the hell, Give it up and do it different next time. Gosh it was great to see her just a foot in front of me and I respected her need to be a regular person. I expressed my appreciation to someone who was close to her and if he chose to share it with her or not is not really a problem for me. You see there are all kinds of reactions to our choices. What you do affects others, way beyond what you know. Live life honestly, fully and with honor. Your story will be heard, your actions will have impact and will help others in ways you can't even imagine. Trust me, this is true. Love life and the people around you. Tell them so. This is RiverDogs signing out to the tune "Speed of The sound of Loneliness." Out for now.

Sun, 11 May 2003 13:04:58 GMT

Happy Mothers Day to the love of my life Kathy She is an absolute angel and if you know her you know what I mean. She is my dearest friend and I am so lucky to have her in my life. And my children are lucky to have her in their lives. We are better people because of her. May she have a wonderful day and may all of you have a wonderful day. We don't say it often enough but we love you and appreciate all the great things you do all the time without even a second thought.

Sun, 04 May 2003 12:41:45 GMT

Lucinda - you are the greatest! World Without Tears, the latest album from Lucinda Williams is that diamond in the rough that you are always hoping to find, always looking for, but seldom have the luck to uncover. Michael Corcoran the local music critic that writes in the statesman gave this album three stars and blasted it for being less than perfect. He did give her strokes for taking a chance and producing a good album. Well this is beyond good and if you haven't heard then you need to beat your feet to the local music shop right now. Heart felt emotion. Raw, bleeding, painful expression of a relationship's worst moments. Okay, why the hell am I so cheerful writing about something so not cheerful. It's the artistry of the effort that makes it so damn beautiful. Lyrically, musically it is the best album of the year so far. It is so good I can't stand it. Wow..what more can I say. Out

Thu, 10 Apr 2003 11:49:01 GMT

Tom Lehrer Sing-A-Long.

If you remember Tom Lehrer, you'll love this Flash version of The Elements! [via More Like This WebLog]

[The Shifted Librarian] For my old friend Bill Levene - he loves this stuff!

Sun, 16 Mar 2003 12:42:25 GMT

Charlie Daniels' anti-anti-war rant. Musician Charlie Daniels is disgusted by Hollywood types who oppose Bush's plan to invade Iraq.

You people are some of the most disgusting examples of a waste of protoplasm I've ever had the displeasure to hear about.
Sean Penn, you're a traitor to the United States of America. You gave aid and comfort to the enemy. How many American lives will your little, "fact finding trip" to Iraq cost? You encouraged Saddam to think that we didn?t have the stomach for war.
You people protect one of the most evil men on the face of this earth and won't lift a finger to save the life of an unborn baby.
Freedom of choice you say?

Link Discuss [Boing Boing Blog]

Fri, 14 Mar 2003 11:44:30 GMT

Steve and Janie, this is for you. Thanks for the memories! It was so great to see you again and to share the laughter with long separated friends. We miss you guys. I really had a good time, especially looking at houses way out of our price range - that was great. Let's make a movie and maybe those kind of houses will be the low end of our future. Also, thanks for sharing the "duck soup", rolling wagon wheels, and pales guards letter. That is too much fun. The mystery lives on in his mind. Later dudes.

Sat, 18 Jan 2003 12:54:09 GMT

It was Steve Earle at La Zona Rosa last night and what a night it was. We started with dinner at our friends Dave and Shelley's. Rib eye steaks, baked spuds, salad, mushrooms, onions -- is your mouth watering yet? well it should be. Then we headed downtown to get there early enough to get a choice spot. The place was packed. I think all the basketball players in the state were there. I felt like I was in that "Land of Giants." Hey it was hard to see OK. We ended up by the doors where we could get the right angle and see the stage. It was cooler, less smokey and we could talk over the noise of the music. Great night with great friends. When we got back it was near 12:30 AM and we legally broke out the Girl Scout Cookies. Forbidden by scout oath to sell any before midnight, Shelley had to be the clockwatcher on this one. Stever Earle is some kind of singer songwriter. We enjoyed it very much and I will be getting his new album very, very soon.

Sun, 22 Dec 2002 12:45:33 GMT

The other day I stated that I am employed again. Yeah, that's right, the same company that so rudely dumped my on my butt recalled me when faced with a looming lack of writer crisis. The sole remaining writer decided to pursue a life long mini dream and vamoose to Mexico. The doors were opened and I walked back in. Feels good to be wanted but was I really wanted or is this just a reaction to one of life's curveballs? Who cares? I'm working and that pays the bills. Let's get all worked up about something else. OK!

Fri, 29 Nov 2002 11:50:55 GMT

I had a chance to go to the UT - A and M game today with Ian but had to pass since we are having a bunch of people over for food and fun. It would be great to see that game in person. It is a traditional rivalry that goes back a 100 years or so. It is always fun to watch and you can throw the records out the window for this one. Tough football. Go Horns.

Thu, 21 Nov 2002 11:30:34 GMT

Possible Christmas Card Photo. Halle and Sydney have been wearing red scarves around their necks for the past five or six days, ever since Josh took their picture in front of the butterfly garden. They look like a couple of cow dogs from out west. Cute. We are exactly one week away from Thanksgiving and while I am looking forward to it, I am already lamenting the fact that my children are not going to be here. Greg and Rox are going to celebrate in Dallas and Kris and John are in Syracuse. There is some good news though. John, Pat, and Jeff are coming down from St. Louis. We will be going to Wimberley for the day to eat with Ande.

Sat, 09 Nov 2002 11:50:16 GMT

Tough Time Sleeping. So what do you do when the kid and his friends are having a grand old time at 1:30 AM and you are trying to sleep. You go out there and tell them the party's over. Shut it down and go home. Well some did and some didn't. I got up at 5:30 after sleeping very sporadically only to find the garage open, the light on and the back door unlocked. The boy is no where to be found. Responsibility! I know what it is but I guess I am having a hard time conveying the message. Time for the last teenager to get a plan. Like I said, the party's over. Almost. This fits into the slippery crack between friends and enemies. Family. You love em but there comes a time. Tick, tock.

Thu, 07 Nov 2002 11:35:17 GMT

Best wishes and a speedy recovery wish goes out to our neighbor and good friend Allen who is recovering today from an angioplasty procedure. Hey, if you are reading this you are back home and feeling much better. Time for us to take action on that exercise program. When do you wanna start?