If anyone has trouble getting a hold of me the next few days, it’s because my phone is at the bottom of the San Marcos River! Lauren and Chris planned a fun tubing trip for my and Dana’s birthdays Friday. We were having a good time before disaster struck and I realized my phone was no longer on my lanyard around my neck. I searched to no avail. I promptly ordered a new phone once we got home. Will I be able to survive four whole days without a phone? I can text from my Apple Watch and Macbook, and I had no plans to go anywhere, so it should be fine. But an annoying and expensive misfortune, nonetheless.
In other news, summer has come to an end for the kids. It was back to school for both on Wednesday. The buses (thanks in some small part to my TV interviews, no doubt) are in service, and our days of carting the kids to and from expensive summer camps each day and thankfully over for another year. John’s summer of course was highlighted by his lengthy stay up north with Grandma and Grandpa and buddy Clark, followed by his 12-year-old trip to Seattle with Grandma where they took in a Mariners game, Mt. Rainier, and a bunch of other fun Seattle stuff. Edie’s summer was highlighted by plenty of solo time with us while John was gone, but she was happy for him to be back.
Sports season is also in full swing. Edie made an advanced soccer team with multiple practices per week, while John is back for another season of Balcones baseball and his first ever season of tackle football. Thursday morning was his first practice, which he reported was entirely conditioning. John was late to practice because he had to help all the other kids figure out how to attach their chin straps to their helmets! In baseball, John was drafted to the White Sox 12U team, and for the first time he and Clark are on opposing teams. He was sad to hear the news.
For the first time in forever, I am NOT coaching baseball! The baseball players are lucky to have someone else take charge, I can tell you that much. After the big June Centex tournament I was burned out on coaching and needed a break. I will help out wherever I can, but I will have no part in on-field coaching whatsoever. This ends a run of 11 straight baseball seasons being a head coach for a team.
Around the house, things are pretty quiet as we came upon a full year here. We are choosing paint colors for the master bedroom, and I purchased a shed from Costco and assembled it in the backyard, clearing out garage space for a used Precor elliptical machine. In the first month since we got the elliptical, I have done at least 30 minutes a day, leading to… no weight lost. But I guess maintaining is better than gaining.
Last weekend, we and several other families traveled a few miles up to Round Rock to spend two days and a night at Kalahari waterpark. Last time we went in April 2024 I went down all the slides over and over. This time, I was too heavy and was turned away! I must have been on keto that last time and gotten under 250. Instead, we rented a little seating area and the adults more or less chilled there while the kids ran wild.
My fall travel season is going to be crazy. From late September through the end of November, I go to Kansas City with Dad and Alex for a NASCAR weekend; New Orleans with the old Minnesota gang for a Vikings-Saints game; Tulsa for a work trip; Cancun for a short vacation; and up to Minnesota for Walsh’s wedding! That’s five trips to the Austin airport in a span of about 60 days.
To celebrate my 44th birthday tomorrow, we’re going to a high-end brunch buffet at Moonshine, followed by a day of R&R. I have introduced John to Friday Night Lights and we’ve been plowing through the first season, so after brunch we’ll chill and watch a few more episodes and then the Twins/Padres game. And of course the tubing trip was part of the celebration.
Next weekend is John’s birthday. He wants a new baseball bat (which we bought him already) plus a new PS5 controller, a wallet, and a specific pair of shorts. He also wanted a phone but I guess he’ll have to wait til he’s 13!
Ryan Glanzer Blog 