Justin comes to Town - June 8, '01

A certain nephew (Z for anonymity) came to town, and I almost got to play the Phoenician. Which is a very fancy and snotty resort in Scottsdale. I haven't been playing any golf recently, it seems that I have too many other mistresses demanding far more of my time and money than I have available, but when I heard that Z was staying at the Phoenician, my heart skipped a beat or two - for an old man, this prospect was like getting a dream date with Michelle Pfeiffer. The golf at the resort turned out to be mirage. In this day of instant communication, the problem was a break down in communication, of course. Some anonymous friend of Z's doesn't always read her email (she caustically pointed out that her phone works just fine!), as a result we were unaware that Tee-times had been reserved at the Phoenician for us - in the meantime a conflicting obligation had been scheduled so we were no shows at the Phoenician. I suppose the date with Michelle will be a mirage too.

Z and I drove several miles south to a much poorer neighborhood and had a wonderful round of golf. It was really nice to get to spend the morning with him and the golf was OK too. That evening Sharon and I joined Z and Vicki for a bite to eat at The Islands. It was a good day in an old timer's life.

But I swear, I don't understand the younger generation. Fortunately, so far, to a large extent within the family we have been spared from body piercing, tattoos, other forms of self-mutilation and baggy pants. Still, I wonder. Let me recount Z's schedule last weekend as I understand it: he arrived in town Friday evening; joined the group at the Diamondbacks' game; partied all night (with the group) until 4:00 AM; got up at 5:30 to go play golf with a boring, aging uncle; lunched in the clubhouse with the uncle and 2 strangers; return to Phoenician; got called down to join the group at pool side for the afternoon; took a short afternoon nap; dined Saturday evening with the old folks; returned to the Phoenician relatively early Sat night; ?????; caught a plane home around 3:00 PM on Sunday. 

As I said, we got to meet Vicki (the anonymous friend). Vicki is a Texas Belle! She is bright, witty, active (played golf for the first time), a dark-haired beauty - my heart skipped some more - I was enchanted. If a younger version of me had been invited to be her companion for the weekend, I would have never left her side - not for a minute, especially not to play golf with some grumpy old man and two strangers. She would have had to beat me away with a stick! What on earth was Z thinking - is the boy daft? Now you know why I have protected his identity and also why the family spam needs to be limited to family.

Luv from Phoenix,

Grumpy and Sharon