FCP

Circa Les Miles, a friend of ours had 2 sideline passes. He was basically a super salesman for one of the chemical companies, and he was the kind of person who knew everyone and would ask anyone for anything. Somehow through his connections, he ended up with the passes. He would take anyone who asked with him to games and onto the field. There are at least a couple photos of Les Miles with my buddy and our church's pastor standing in the background. Anyway, he passed away a few years ago, and I'm pretty sure his son kept the passes. I still keep in touch with their respective wife and mom, so I'll try to find out. Regardless, the point is there are definitely "normal" folks out there with field passes who can get you onto the sideline.

2010. New construction. Already owned the land. Around $220K all-in. 4 br, 3.5 bath.

We’ve since added a carport, pool, concrete driveway, etc. According to Allstate, replacement value is just shy of $400K.

Right before we built, I was looking at a house near North St in Baton Rouge. I needed an office near downtown, and with interest rates historically low, I almost pulled the plug on a 2 br place for around $30K. Figured that even though it was a shitty neighborhood that I’d only be in/out during daylight hours. Monthly payment would’ve only been around $200 or so, maybe less. Ended up sharing a “real” office with another person for a few years instead.

$6.5K all-in for a 6 person, 6 day trip (well, 4 days onsite and 2 driving) to Universal. Stayed onsite and got the fast pass thing for 4 kiddos one day.

$5K for tickets and lodging
$1.5K for meals and gas

Hopefully last theme park for a long while. Planning a Costa Rica trip for Dec/Jan. Then maybe Alaska or Pacific NW next Fall.

Working fine out here in God’s Country (LP). Where you at?

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10 to 12 hours a day, 5 days a week working outside. You never get used of it and it does take a toll on you

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Couple of years ago we made it to the end of August, and the heat was just oppressive. Company asked for volunteers for a loan to South Carolina. It took me about 5 seconds to pull up that weather forecast (lows in the 50s/60s) and volunteer.

Not sure I’ve finished 2025 Christmas shopping TBH.

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Growing up in Lafayette in the 60s, you saw a fair amount of families that seemed to up their standard of living real quick

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Late 70s/early 80s, our little corner of God’s Country was the center of an oil exploration boom. Multiple wells drilled and land was being leased for over $2K/acre/year. My old man had about 50 acres and still managed to pocket $300K or so over several years. Nothing changed for us other than buying more land. Neighbors with actual oil wells on their property did okay—built pools and remodeled houses. Don’t really remember anyone outright retiring.

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Fort Worth has posted street signs everywhere telling people to not give them anything

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In BR they lean against those signs while panhandling.

$6 pocket knife on Amazon. Stainless blade and actually pretty sharp. Normally carry a Case trapper but wanted a single blade for work.

No idea how many knives I actually own--easily over a hundred--but I always *need* one more. And, if not for that doggone boating accident, I'd probably have that many firearms as well.

Stopped at a Pemco (?) gas station in central Mexico circa 1995. In the middle of open fields with no town or anything nearby. Place was apparently a bus stop as well, and it was crowded with folks generally lacking in hygiene.

Restroom was on the second floor of the gas station office. No running water from what I could tell. No lights either from what I recall--just whatever sunlight came through a couple small windows. I think folks who took a shite just wiped their arse with newspaper or something and placed it in a nearby basket. It reeked, and the floor was covered in piss.

Started to walk in there for a leak. Ended up retreating and telling our driver to pull onto the shoulder a couple miles (kilometers?) away.