"Look at this photograph..."

When I was in Lake Havasu last year Dian's phone would go off very often in the day and her ring tone was that Nickelback song that starts with that lyric. I said when I left Lake Havasu that every time I heard that song I'd think of being there. Well (fortunately) I hadn't heard it for a year, but I heard it the other day at Panda Express in Huntersville for the first time since. I did think of that damn phone ring though when I heard it!

I've had a great time in NC with btimm. Unfortunately I feel like I've been super tired for pretty much my whole time here, which I feel a little guilty about as I don't think I've been my usual hilarious self. I think it's a mixture of it being three and a half weeks into being out here, and also having a proper bed for the first time since I've been away - it's so comfy that I don't want to get up ever!

I went to my first baseball game the other day. It was a minor league game between the Charlotte Knights and the Durham Bulls. There was a pitcher for the Bulls called David Price who's apparently going to be prittay big. I enjoyed it a lot and I think I can handle baseball now. I always thought it'd be kind of slow and a bit boring, but it definitely wasn't. It's actually really cool as you have more time to relax at the game than at something like football. I was supposed to eat a ball park (hotdog) at the ball park, but I wasn't hungry there so I missed out. Next time Brian, next time. Here's us at the game:



We also went up to a mall/activity place called NASCAR something-or-other. It had a ton of stuff to do like putt putt (mini golf), go-karting, arcade stuff, etc. We did some putt putt (I believe I won but it could be disputed) which was cool. I even quite liked the mall as it seemed bigger/wider than most and was only on one floor which made it feel more spacious and less claustrophobic. I meant to take soem pictures there but I forgot because I'm the worst picture takerer ever.

I've also been helping Brian out with a few things on guitar. He just got one right before I came out and I'm impressed with how quickly he's picking things up. I was definitely A LOT worse at this stage! I showed him the all important power chords, how to add notes to chords to make them sound slightly different/more fun, and a few other things. He's also been making up some licks/riffs of his own, as well as learning part of a Death Cab For Cutie song that he likes. I was prittay amazed that he'd learned that one so well as it's not easy and he really has only been playing a few days. By the next time I'm out here I think we'll be ready to form a band. We've also discussed poker a decent amount (naturally). Hopefully we're both going to go on a crushing streak once I leave.

I also love Brian's dog, Bailey. He's easily the best trained dog out of all the one's I've met. He's really smart looking as well. He's so calm as well - he just sits there while you're talking to him/stroking to him/whatever and then leaves quietly when you're done! We've taken him out for a few walks too - here's a picture of him hanging out in the back seat on the drive:



Yesterday we went out to a party of one of Brian's work buddies. He had the classic American beer pong set up in his garage (which Brian and I miserably lost at in our sole game, mainly due to my throwing incompetency). They also had this game in the back yard where you throw a short length of rope with a golf ball on either end over on to a frame with three rungs. You play in pairs and get different points for each rung. I rocked at that game, and had almost won it for us when this guy Dave on the opposition pulled out a monster last throw and beat us by a point. It was prittay devastating.

Lastly (probably should have been firstly), Jasmine is almost ready to give birth to their first son, Jacob Daniel. In mind she's totally ready, but the body has other ideas for now. It's due on June 4th, and I'm thinking of starting up a sweepstake for when it's going to arrive. I'll contact people about it if I decide to start it up. One thing I was amazed at was what it's actually like when the baby is kicking. Jasmine's stomach moves SO much! I've never seen a baby kicking before I don't think, and I assumed the stomach moves a tiny bit. It doesn't - it's like in a cartoon fight when the fists and legs are coming out of a cloud of smoke! I think the fact that she's really thin probably makes it stand out more as well. It's very very cool! They also have the baby room set up really well. they have a bunch of sports stuff in there - including some footballs/soccer balls. And some of the clothes they have are awesome. They have one shirt that reads, "I love hippos, Hippos love me, I love hippos, Hippos love mud.". Classic.

Brian is cooking his signature dish out on the grill tonight. I'll grab a picture of us for that and get it up later. Then I fly back home tomorrow and arrive in Manchester at 8.45am on May 12. After that this blog will be back to poker mainly as I'm planning to nail the rest of May and start actually being good again. That should please you guys that I've been consistently moaning to for ages! Mainly Brian, Ian, Noel, and Vanessa.

Speak to you all once I'm back in the UK!

EDIT: Here's Brian and I before the meal he prepared - this one's for Jason!