Ode to the Satellite Radio... OR... How I survived 18 hours in a car with TeenBoy!

I'm back from my grueling weekend in The Big Easy... and what a weekend it was.

First things first~ because some people DO read this and may be interested...

TeenBoy's DeMolay Chapter swept the Major Events ( only the 2nd time in the 20 year history of this competition that has happened--- Hall OF Fame here we come!) and TeenBoy ended up with 4 1st place medals as a result.

All the boys competing were awesome, and I should know, I was a judge!

So, with that out of the way, can I just say that I am glad I have Satellite Radio in my minivan?

Any of you who have ever driven anywhere, for any length of time and distance, will understand what I'm talking about when I say
Satellite Radio Saved My Life!

When driving 1202 miles in 18 hours, passing thru 7 states, chasing the sun on the eastern horizon half the day, then running just as quickly from it the other half...

One does start to find one's mind feeling a bit, well, mushy, after a while.

Local FM stations tend to fade off all too soon, leaving you with an earful of crackling static while you hurriedly try to find another station with, at the very least, half-way decent music to keep your brain cells sparking while you roll along.

The wonderful thing about this new-fangled Satellite Radio is that the stations are always there!
And the variety is so totally AWESOME!

Thank. You. Lord.

Blue Collar Comedy, Laugh USA, RadioClassics, The Pulse, 70's, 80's, 90's, Book Radio...

I laughed til I cried.
I sang until I was hoarse.
I waited with baited breath for Boston Blackie and The Texas Rangers to catch the bad guys...

And I drove and drove and drove...
until I had to stop for a bathroom break, or 8.

Because you do know, don't you, the other way to keep the brain working at top speed is to stay well hydrated...

and 112 ounces of fluids later...

we arrived at our home, safe and sound, in only 18 hours and 15 minutes.
Tired but happy to be home, proud of the achievements of the weekend.

It was wonderful... yeah, well, most of the time that is!
But that's a story for another day!

On The Road Again..... Me and WIllie, we're kickin' it!

Yes. Today is the day we arrive in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NOLA for short... Home to some and Playground to others.

For us, it's where the boys will compete for medals and awards, but mainly, the prestige of winning the Old South Competition in New Orleans.

This is a big deal. A really big deal.

I, for one, believe the boys will bring home the Gold, or what ever color the medals and trophies are this year...

And, I have faith that TeenBoy will WOW the judges with his first ever BIG individual event... memorizing many pages of script and direction... it ain't so easy, but he makes it look like it is... Amazing the memory on that kid!

So, after driving for 2 days we will arrive this afternoon. TeenBoy full of expectations of accolades and awards...

Me? Bourbon Street, Musicians on the corners, and Cafe' DuMonde ... Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Les Bon Temps Roule... Let The Good Times Roll, Cher!

Les Bon Temps Roule!... Oh Yeah Baby!

Wednesday is Hump Day.

Now who on earth thought that was a good idea?

No one knows do they... or if they do, they ain't saying, are they?

Yeah, me neither.

So, it's another Hump Day which will lead to another Thursday...

Only this Thursday will find me on the road to New Orleans, and a wonderfully lovely weekend spent herding 12 teen boys around The BIG EASY...

and why on earth is it called that anyway?

Hump Day, The Big Easy... see a pattern here anyone?

Yeah, me too.