That Old Time Smell

When I got home tonight, I couldn't wait to take a shower. I spent the evening at church helping to fry fish and hushpuppies and fries for a fundraiser for the kids to go to summer camp. We were in the garage at the rectory because of the rain, and there were eight pots of grease going to keep up with demand, so it was hot and stuffy. I really had fun hanging out with Jerry and Dickie and Bob, among others. I have known them all for a while, but it was great to learn more about them and just hang out while we worked. But after we finished cooking and cleaning up, I smelled like grease and smoke and sweat. It was kinda disgusting, but I was also nostalgic.

My dad bought a restaurant, Nooley's, in about 1985. It was a sandwich and burger shop. He owned it for about fifteen years, and I started working there in the summers after fourth grade. It was hard work, but I was lucky to have the experience of working there when I was home from high school and college, even though I sometimes hated having to do it. Anyway, today when I left the church I smelled like I had been working in Nooley's.

NOTE: The above image is actually of a restaurant that my Uncle Mike opened in Franklin, TN. But the logo is the same as the logo of my dad's place.

A Pat on the Back

Last Tuesday, I read a couple of cases on the Louisiana Supreme Court's website. One was an appeal of a case that had come through our office. Long story short, my boss filed a dissenting opinion, and the supreme court, in reversing the decision of our court quoted extensively and approvingly from my boss's opinion. That was pretty exciting. The second supreme court pronouncement was an opinion saying that the constitutional provision requiring five-judge panels in the courts of appeal (a uniquely Louisiana procedure with an interesting historical purpose) does not apply to appeals from the Office of Workers' Compensation. That seemed interesting enough to tell my judge about, and she found it interesting as well.

Fast forward to this week, when my boss heads to her monthly meeting with the other judges of the court. During the meeting, she mentions the opinion regarding five-judge panels. None of the other judges had heard about, even though at this point it was a week old. She called to let me know she told the other judges that she had a fine research staff working for her. Good to know I am appreciated!

Jail

Kim's 40th birthday party was a success. There was food and music and dancing and funny gifts. Denise met a bunch of my friends, and we had a good time.

Sunday we woke up and went to Mass. Denise headed back to Lafayette, and I fell asleep watching NASCAR. That meant I stayed up until 1:30 am Monday because I took such a good nap.

Monday was an early day. I was tasked with escorting the local boy scout troop to court and then to the local detention facility. So I went to court and jail yesterday. Luckily, I escaped.

Come and Visit Me

I like having guests, for several reasons. One, I get my house in good order, which I don't always do when I am home alone. A byproduct of having the house clean for when company comes is that I don't have to get up Saturday morning and do housework.

Second, I get to do things that I don't always do when it's just me. Like go out to the lake and have a picnic, which Nene and I did for lunch.

But mostly, I get to enjoy the company of dear friends and family. This time it's my cuz Nene, who cam up from Lafayette. We had a late snack and shared a bottle of wine last night when she got in. This morning, we had a good breakfast followed by a leisurely stroll through town. Next was shopping for a gift and for groceries. Then out to the lake for ham sandwiches, chips, a cookie and some orange pop. Now it's basketball/nap time. Later tonight we head to a friend's party.

The weather is beautiful, the plumbing and A/C work, and the host is fairly pleasant. So bring yourself to Chez Couvillion in downtown Many for a fine weekend trip.

A Day Off

Yesterday was my 34th birthday, and I had a great day. Nothing too exciting, just lots of friendly messages and a nice dinner with friends. I had a very busy weekend last weekend, with a birthday party, a Krewe party, Mass, a church pot luck dinner, a play, and a nice dinner at Mariner's in Natchitoches. I got enough work done the last three days at work to be able to take the day off today to watch basketball and do some work around the house. I have a guest this weekend!

My cousin Denise is coming north from Lafayette to spend the weekend. We're off to a party Saturday night, but otherwise we will have lots of time to hang out. In honor of her visit, I had the toilet in the guest bathroom fixed.

The main message today, though, is GEAUX TIGERS! Beat the Butler Thing-a-ma-poos.

I Didn't Realize How Interesting My Week Was until I Wrote this Post

So I guess I'll be posting weekly. Or more. Or less. The week was pretty uneventful. I got some work done, and learned some law in the process. On Thursday I read an article by MSNBC's Jim Cramer and watched a video of Senator Tom Coburn and got pretty agitated about the state of our economy and the supposed solutions proposed by the powers-that-be. I haven't been that angry in a while at no one in particular. I have resolved to avoid such content in the future.

What sucked is that the week had been going pretty well. Monday a high school senior from St. Mary's in Natchitoches, Adam, spent the morning with me learning what I do. I also took him to visit other attorneys in town to learn about their jobs. It was a good time with a good kid who seemed genuinely interested. Dinner at Kayla's for AI Tuesday, adoration during the day on Wednesday, followed by a salad from Smokehouse, followed by pizza at Kayla's provided by Robert K., followed by another hour of adoration to fill in for Deacon Mike. Thursday, I woke up, cleaned the house so the appraiser didn't think I live in a pig sty, Adam came back and we went to court to watch civil court. Later in the morning, I met the appraiser at the house. All that while getting work done. Anyway, I decompressed Thursday night at Rob and Crys's, and got work finished Friday. Ready for court!

This weekend was great. Friday night I went to some a friend's house and hung out and ate BBQ shrimp. They talked me into avoiding yard work Saturday and going out to a shootout in the woods in Many. Basically, a bunch of guys get together and shoot skeet all day, and at night they eat marvelous food, drink beer and play cards. I skipped the shooting part and went straight to the card playing and beer drinking. I had a blast, didn't lose any money, and didn't get too drunk. I met a ton of folks, and heard a lot of stories.

Sunday, I woke up at 5:18 am CDT, had a cup of coffee, got online and found directions to Sacred Heart church in Pineville, and got a shower. I got on the road at 6:15 am. I finally got to Pineville a little later than I had hoped, got lost following the directions from the computer, and showed up a little late. Long story short, I got my 3d degree for the KC. It was a rewarding experience. I got back in Many at about 1:30 pm, just in time to go eat at the shootout. I played a couple hands of cards, then headed to the house. I got an hour of rest and got to visit with Buck, who was next door cleaning up the yard, before I headed to Mass in Zwolle at 5 pm. Fr. Williams and his 30 minute rambling homily was at least not boring, and he does celebrate a Mass in a very unique way. Not always good, but unique. Apparently Fr. Tim had surgery, so keep the good man in your prayers. Finally, Tippe and I went for a walk and visited with Ronnie, John and Susan, Kayla, Bob, Rouxby, John, Larry, Carolyn, Ted and Schottzie, DeDe, and Chuck and Linda. And it was beautiful evening.

Wedding Fun

Christi and Reuben's wedding was last night. I believe I performed my usher duties admirably. After pictures and the ceremony and more pictures, we finally got to go to the party. The first half of the night there was a jazz trio playing. The second half there was a DJ spinning tunes. The funniest part was when the DJ played "Before He Cheats." Christi really got into that one.

Before the wedding festivities, I had a busy afternoon. I headed north to rural Jackson, La., where my friends Carrie and Kraig just built a new house. It was their daughter's first birthday party, but I was a little early for the party but I got to see the house and the kids. I hurried back to Pride, packed up my stuff and we headed to my uncle's house for fried shrimp and shrimp stew and the LSU-UK basketball game. I got to visit with Bock and Nanny and Emily and saw a bunch of the kids. Then Jacob showed up and we headed to the church.