My first trip of the summer

Over Memorial Day I went to Phoenix to visit my sister. I remember before I left sort of dreading going to Phoenix at the end of May/beginning of June. All you hear about Phoenix during the summer is 100+ degree days from the beginning of May to the end of September.

However, I do have to say I was pleasantly surprised while I was in Phoenix. The temperatures were sort of moderated because it was just the beginning of summer. As soon as the sun went down, it was actually cold. I also remember every building being so overly air conditioned that it was unbearable.

I did have a great time visiting my sisterand my nephews...Bud, Scooter, and Babyzilla. My nephews have quite the keen sense about them, they also have a smart alek name for everything.





I'll never forget the ride in the van after Bud, Scooter, and I went to a toy store. I had bought them both a present. Scooter had an action figure of a Phoenix. While he was playing with it, he started talking to me:

"Uncle Abe,"

"What?"

"Do you know what my Phoenix's name is?"

"No, what is it?"

"Sally Sassy Pants."

At that point I almost wrecked my sister's car from laughing so hysterically.

Why I don't recall the first month of Summer...



I took this graduate class called Taxation for Corporations and Shareholders. It met twice a week for three hours a night. All I remember doing from May through the end of June is reading. Every night there were hundreds of pages to be read, problems to do. It made me realize why I used to hate summer semester. You stay so busy that you just can't do anything else.

I didn't do great in the class. Not for lack of interest in the subject matter, but just because I felt burned out from school. But, at least it was another class completed in my march toward my master's degree.

The Summer of a million pains!

I can't believe I haven't updated my blog in months. I knew I was getting lax on it, but I think I just gave up all together.

What can I say about the summer? Well it was a horrible wet spring and early summer in New England. The first true summer thing I did was take a road trip over the July 4th weekend to Northern Virginia.

I met my good friend from high school, Aaron. We went touring Civil War Battlefields. Now if you don't think that doesn't raise a few eyebrows when you tell people that...It was a great time. We went to Antietam...which I love. I didn't walk around so much this time as the last time I was there, but I still love the eery calm of that place. It is mystically beautiful to me.



We also went to Harper's Ferry. Harper's Ferry is one of those unique towns that are becoming harder and harder to find in the USA. There's no Wal-mart, McDonalds, GAP, there isn't a mall...Honestly, the last thing I want to do when I go on vacation is go shopping at a mall that has the same stores that the Providence Place Mall has...Americans...wake up...you are Lemmings (not becoming Lemmings...You already are). I guess we all like to just follow the Pied Piper to Applebees and as long as nobody challenges us we are happy.

I'm back in school this semester and quandering the metaphysical puzzles of investments, and financial statements. I'm so not cut out for business school, but I also need to make money. If I could make money studying acient greek and pouring over old tombs and writing philosophy...I would. I just dont' think I'd be able to live in my beloved New England.

Well that's the first post to get caught up.