To my family and friends.....

Here I am, back in TEXAS!
I started to write a blog entry detailing my adventures in Salt Lake City…but after finding that the first three hours of my journey took up an unanticipated and massive amount of space I surmised that a different route would need to be taken lest I loose the interest of you dear reader.This posting is a thank you note…more or less.
My seemingly fleeting visit began on November 30th with my dear friend Rich picking me up in his surprisingly spacious Mini “Charlie” Cooper “Special Edition” (if you don’t get it don’t ask). My time with Rich was excellent and far to short. It was truly wonderful to see my family and friends, even if I wasn’t able to spend an acceptable amount of time with a single one. It never fails…there is always someone hurt that you didn’t spend enough time with them, or they are hurt because you didn’t spend a single moment with them. This time the hurt parties were my own godson Chance and my friend Mitch…I know, I am a prick…World-class, and I thank you all for understanding.Beau was my little outbreak monkey this time; his illness became increasingly worse as my visit progressed. I am sure that his body realizing that he had taken that Thursday and Friday off decided to vacation as well and allow a nasty virus to seize his throat and lungs. After his reporting of a **CENSORED** injury Thursday morning and enjoying a wonderful Meal prepared by my friend (and Beau’s wife) Amy that evening I saw very little of my old friend. Amy’s cooking skills have undoubtedly placed an extra ten pounds on my ass! It was good shit! Ryan (the man with the metro-sexual hair) and Neal’s time with me was even more fleeting. Ryan and his three (count’em THREE) incredible children came to dinner that Thursday evening. Regrettably Ryan’s lovely wife was unable to attend due to scheduling problems at work. Neal showed up half way through dinner in all his conversational-quickening splendor. Neal’s wife was also unable to attended due to illness, unfortunately there is no inoculation for the increasingly rare Coltonfluenza at this time. I enjoyed Neal’s irreverence and ability to upset Beau’s mother with his wonderfully inappropriate topics, which ultimately forced my second mother “Ellen” back into her bedroom. Neal is a peach! The children were great, Chance and Faith reassured me that I am not yet forgotten as they showered me with love and attention (and expected nothing less in return).My brother was the steadfast true blue trooper (I knew he would be) as night after night we ran the city (and ourselves) into the ground, absolutely refusing to go to bed before three o’clock in the morning each night (a common practice for my brother as he juggles a complex and rewarding life). Regardless of the fact that he had many people to entertain and that he had to go to work the next day he never left my side for a moment, even to his own detriment. Lance showed me an amazing time during my time in Salt Lake (and I mean AMAZING) and although I didn’t think it possible he has endeared him self ever further in my heart (but that’s for another blog posting). He is a light in the dark and I feel like a better person having been around him. With every day that passed I found that our blood and friendship is truly unparalleled. Not to mention I was so relieved to hear the camera wasn’t totally fucked.My mother was her jovial self as we spent limited time together. She always seems to miss me more when I am actually in Salt Lake City. The lunch, dinner, and Company party were each special in their own unique way. I love her and find myself growing closer to her new husband Grant (in all his anti-social splendor).My time with my father was simply magnificent. His constant individual growth and love for his children makes me proud. As he watched me breeze in and out of the house everyday I never heard a jealous word, nor was I ever asked when I would be making time for him. He just seemed happy to have me there. This of course made Sunday evening even more special as my brother, my father, and I went out and had a great time. After three toasts followed by three shots of Saki we had an excellent dinner at the Happy Sumo sushi house (or something like that)…an admitted first for my father. This was followed by a few enjoyable games of pool (cut short by a lost camera) and then a movie (Walk the Line) that we all enjoyed. I would write more about this wonderful man but I don’t think I would do him justice.
It was a very special visit and of course made me unbelievably home sick.
Thank you all so very very much.