I am off my rocker...

... and onto the driver's seat of Faye's car for the next few weeks.

That's right, it's road trip time once again. A journey to two of my favorite places: San Diego and Las Vegas. The former to visit family and friends (including a couple of friends I haven't seen in 23 years), the latter to get rid of any pesky leftover money we might have had laying around.

The journey out is intended to be leisurely. A little touristy side trips to check out the Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, New Mexico (just because it's there, you know?) and no hurry. Even the journey back may be leisurely... depending, of course, on how badly we do in Las Vegas.

I should say "how badly Faye does in Las Vegas" since I do not do much gambling anymore. I find it boring to throw money away. Well, to be honest, I just get no thrill from the games anymore. I used to like Blackjack but, done properly, it is a game of strategy and thought and I would rather just relax and not think too much these days. So I play golf instead of gambling. Golf is cheaper, I have learned, than gambling in Las Vegas even though the greens fees are quite high.

And speaking of golf... I played yesterday and did quite well. For me, anyway. I shot a legitimate 77 on a Par 71 course. I normally shoot scores in the low to high 80's so anytime I break 80, it's a special treat. I had no idea I was doing so well until one of my partners told me after I sank my last putt. It seems my best games are always that way... mindless. In fact, I thought I was struggling a bit most of the round.

Once again, golf mimics life... You seem to struggle along and then find that, well, life isn't so bad and you've achieved some nice things along the way; raised a good son, married a good woman (this time), made some fond memories. And you realize life wasn't all mishits, sand traps, and rough; there were some pleasant fairways, nice scenery, good companions, and soft, friendly greens, too.