Vacation Week

     Well there goes another year.  Dad just turned 57 (and he calls me an old fart?), and he's back to work after a relaxing week of what he calls staycation.  Once again, they kept it low key and low cost and just took it easy.

     Chapel Hill's Festifall was last week, and mom and dad walked downtown to take in the sights and sounds for the second year in a row.  Face painting, fun activities for kids, homemade crafts and art and music filled several blocks, and mom and dad got to sit and quench their thirst with an annual favorite while listening to the wonderfully talented kids from Chapel Hill's School of Rock.

     Octoberfest was on tap at Carolina Brewery, and the young musicians pumped out an incredible set on a nearby stage including their renditions of hits from Ozzy Osbourne, Alice in Chains and Metallica.  Yup, just another day of fist-pumping rock and suds sipping in the sun.

    For dad's birthday mom got tickets for Bohemian Rhapsody, which they'll be going to see in a couple of weeks. 

Dad's older brother turned him on to Queen in the 70's, and when he first heard about this movie earlier this year he said he couldn't wait to see it (dad rarely gets overly enthused about anything, so mom knew this was a big deal).
     They also made sure not to pass up Top of the Hill's annual offering, Blue Ridge Blueberry Wheat ale, which they try to catch at least once (or twice) while it's available in the fall.  
     Beer and music, music and beer.  Dad's sitting here buzzing like a saw.  Chill out mister.  You're back at work and back to reality.  Calm down. 
     As fun as all that sounds I spent the week doing what I do best and enjoy the most.  As you can see, time off from work and turning another year older mean nothing to me. My week was filled with:

This

 

and This

   

and This

 

and This

So anyway, Happy Birthday again.  Now get back to work. You gotta get rid of them extra pounds you soaked up during your semi-active week off.  And as much as you'd like to keep these damn balloons rolling around all year long mom says they gotta go.  Sorry Birthday Boy.  I'm sure mom'll get you some more next year.